#soul caliber 5

[etradio]

Mina Ashido Support Item Ideas

Acid bombs

•Ashido now has capsules around her waist and her left arm. The capsules are made of a acid-proof glass.

•••I imagine her capsules would contain different things.

•her regular acid, in different viscosity levels for different situations.

Pepper Spray//Foam

•Since Ashido can control the viscosity of her acid, she could use it as a substitute for pepper spray.

{Notice the containers kinda resemble perfume bottles}

• She could also make Pepper Foam. It’d be useful so that she wouldn’t risk harming her allies with the spray.

Roller Blades

•every time I make a ‘character support items’ thing, I gotta do a random bull crap one.

And that’s the roller-blades.

•I thought it was cool.

•••She usually just slides on her acid, so I thought she could use the wheels to get around faster-or at least- I thought she was kinda at risk of slipping.

•keep in mind, this is coming from someone who fell flat on their face the first time they tried to roller skate. I fell while clinging to a wall. Pathetic.

Acidic Foam Spray

•Police Officers can use Pepper Spray but they can also use Pepper Foam.

•The idea here was that Ashido could adjust her acid’s viscosity into pepper spray/foam

•If she flexes her hand in a…idk the word for it- ‘squeezing motion’ ?

-then the foam would shoot out of the palm of her hand.

•She can also spray the acid out of the mini capsule as a longer range than her usual hand nozzle move.

Dagger Blade

•Ashido’s gloves store up acid, similarly to Bakugou’s gauntlets.

•The acid can then be used on her daggers.

{since she’s a hero she obviously wouldn’t use it on anyone,}

But it’d be useful for cutting something more precisely.

Tbh I was thinking of Kanroji from Demon Slayer.

I always got one where I add it because I just think it’s cool

So yeah. The sword also can connect to itself by the ends like a deadly hoola-hoop.

I used to play a game as a kid that was called ‘Soul Caliber 5’ and there was a character with a weapon like this.

I’d like to go back to this idea so I can make a new outfit design- this was just a base for the ideas. Meant to be easy to redraw over & over again.

I originally posted this on my Amino. So if you see it on there that’s likely my other art account.

[brian-in-finance]

Caitríona Balfe attends the "Ford v Ferrari" press conference during the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival at TIFF Bell Lightbox on 10 September 2019 in Toronto, Canada.

Image: Roxstar Entertainment

Collider Media Studio Returns To TIFF With Some of the Biggest Names in Hollywood

With the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) just around the corner, we’re thrilled to announce that Collider Media Studio will be returning to the Toronto International for another round of exciting interviews with support from Range Rover Canada. This year we have one of our bigger line-ups ever with scheduled talks with the top talent of the festival including Bobby Carnavale, Tom Hiddleston, Karen Gilian, Cobie Smulders, Ben Foster, Olympic Gold Medal Boxer Claressa Shields, Chloë Sevigny, Henry Golding, Beatrice Grannò, David Gordon Green, Pamela Anderson, Max Minghella, Orlando Bloom, John Turturro, Caitríona Balfe, Soul Rasheed, Brett Goldstein, Imogen Poots, Jee Young Han, Dakota Johnson, Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Paul Rudd, Kate Mara, Jude Law, Nicholas Hoult, Tye Sheridan, Ron Howard, Ana De Armas, Isabella Rosellini, Ed Burns, Shamier Anderson, Minnie Driver, Brenda Song, Kiernan Shipka, Ryoo Seung-wan, Sandra Oh, Haley Joel Osment, and Gretchen Mol to name a few.

The program is produced by Leading Hollywood Events and Communications group, Roxstar Entertainment and their successful hospitality platform, the Cinema Center. Our sponsor partner Range Rover will help get the talent to our media studio with the 2024 Ranger Rover Sport, the official luxury vehicle partner of the Cinema Center and Collider Studio. Celebrities can enjoy the latest Range Rover Sport’s blend of sportiness, refinement, and connected convenience, ensuring they arrive at their red-carpet events in style and comfort.

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Check out the poster below and stay tuned to our socials for updates on this year’s Collider Media Studio at TIFF.

Collider

Caitríona Balfe attends the "Ford v Ferrari" press conference during the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival at TIFF Bell Lightbox on 10 September 2019 in Toronto, Canada.

Remember the return to TIFF?

[nerdylilpeebee]

So, I have a story detail I'm trying to decide whether I should keep or not.

This is of course having to do with "the Sanguine Princess." The story idea I had a while ago (which you can read the backstory of here).

The story detail I'm trying to decide on has to do with Queen Mira (basically female Dracula for anyone who hasn't read the backstory, the progenitor of the vampire race). Vampires of her level are, obviously, hard to kill. I honestly view her as being similar to Alucard (from Hellsing ultimate) in terms of difficulty to kill (but in less a "there's so many souls inside her that you'd have to kill them all to kill her" way and more in a "her regeneration is so scary fast that it's nigh-imossible to achieve the two-step action needed to kill vampires of her caliber." I.e. decapitation and destruction of the heart in rapid succession).

And seeing as she's basically "the final boss" for Syllia, our main character, and is literally Dracula, I thought "why not add one extra step"? And this extra step is basically "so long as the vampires she sired directly exists, you cannot kill her." In-story there are only 5 vampires she's sired directly, counting our mc.

So, in other words, this basically gives Syllia steps she'd have to take in order to kill Mira, and obviously leaves the hurdle of "how does she get around the fact she'd have to die in order for Mira to die"?

But my gripe is... Is this even a good idea or should I scrap it? Mira IS pretty daunting already without it, but it could add a sort of "ladder" for Syllia to climb for her journey. But should that exist? Or should I do something else? There are other valid ways to take it, after all. XD could just make Mira her only real target, with anything else coming separately from that desire.

(to be clear, this isn't fully a revenge story, or at least I'm not picturing it as such. I like to think of this as somewhat akin to Undertale. A stranger in a, now, strange land, strangers to meet, fates to decide, and a goal to decide upon. Her entire world has been shaken, and as kind-hearted as she is... Well, her entire species was driven to extinction. Via extermination. That would shake anyone's worldview, especially since humans are responsible. Long past those humans' lives or not, she'd still have to decide, once she learns of this outcome of course, if she blames humanity as a whole or if she blames just those humans, and of course Mira.)

[freelance-psychic-arjun]

A day on the job.

medium over the shoulder of Arjun talking with a client.

Hm, I can see the origin of this cursed energy. It seems as though your very attempts to avoid the stress your employer puts upon you, the negative spirits in your office have slowly taken hold upon your soul.

an extra high angle shot from above the desk as the camera rotates.

But what could I possibly do? how much would it cost for you to exorcise my entire-

a medium close up of arjun posing flamboyantly in his chair.

Let me stop you right there! While my team and I are both willing and able to aid with the exorcism of the spirits that hound you, this would hardly solve your issues!

huh? but you said you were a prolapsed psychic!

I am a prolific psychic, yes! However, your issues stem from the aura of negativity that spews from your company, suppressing your will, in and outside of your work life. Devi! Simple beam!

whip pan to the client getting blasted by arjun's swoobat's beam.

I! I feel it coursing through me! I feel... normal?

Exactly! You've been graced with a neutralizing wave, which should strip you of the less long term effects of the office spirits. You've been given the power to approach your boss and leave this accursed company!

But what about-

Future employment? Fear not! for I have compiled a list of 17 jobs with similar pay, requirements, and within 5 miles of your current office. All with high glastrierdoor reviews! furthermore, I've taken the liberty of writing you a new objective statement and sample cover letter for your employment hunt!

an ots of arjun focused on the client, we can clearly see Arjun's laptop, with seventeen windows filled with the client's information and job openings.

But how did you do all that within an hour of me visiting?

a close up of Arjun, tossing his hair over his shoulder, eyebags slightly visible.

Trust me, this is nothing for psychic of my caliber.

cut to a satisfied client walking out of Nikhils apartment, as arjun slumps in his chair. nikhil enters the room leisurely, half dressed.

This whole operation feels like it's highly unstable.

Fuck you, Nikhil.

You know I'm right.

[cannibal-nightmares]

Trick of the Light

Stein navigates coping with a personal loss. Post-anime canon.

Not sure how many chapters this will have yet. Maybe 4 or 5 or so; possibly just 3, potentially 6.

Soul Eater - Stein, Spirit, & Marie (ships are up to interpretation, SFW) // blind!Stein, ships up to interpretation, friendly banter, hurt+comfort, acceptance, coping, learning to live again, recovery Chapters 1/? Current word count - 1,879 -- [AO3 link]

"So, we're not going to the cabaret club after all?"

"No, Stein." Spirit chuffed with a playful shove.

"But I could twist your leg."

"Very funny."

Stein brushed his hand to Spirit’s knuckles and readjusted to meet their palms in interlocked fingers. It was a comfortably tempered day as the setting sun blistered through the breeze, the two taking in faint music from the passing buildings and the smell of food and autumn on the wind. While the cobbled brick walkways were ever-familiar to the professor, that evening he allowed his weapon to surprise him on their catch-up reunion with their colleagues.

Alright, he would admit to himself, he wasn’t exactly interested in the decision-making of the like.

“It’s here,” Spirit slowed and gestured to move in front of his partner, reaching out and holding the door open for him.

A nod, and they were quick to notice the restaurant was characteristically empty for an awkwardly-timed Tuesday night, perfect for more open conversation and intimate focus undistracted by bustle; along the front wall, a few tables down from the entrance, three kindred souls were already chatting patiently.

“Did Naigus not make it?” Franken couldn’t help a grin, touching the edge of the table on his approach.

“Stein! Death Scythe!” Exclaimed Sid from the corner of the booth. “No, Naigus is attending an emergency operation tonight, something came up after a recent mission.”

“I hope everything’s alright,” Spirit worried aloud, gently patting Stein’s back before he scooted into the seat behind him; across from the knife meister and now next to Albarn sat a still-studious woman who rustled papers out of the way to make space at the table.

“We were actually just discussing it,” Azusa remarked. “The kids are sure to make a full recovery, but the fight they had to put up wasn’t anticipated to be at that caliber.”

“On a leisure trip away from home and yet you all still find work. It’s something to be remarked.” Stein made effort in slight jest to face the remaining guest, soft and anticipatory.

“Tell me about it…” Marie sighed, but her wavelength readjusted to ensure a sort of calm resolve.

“I can’t pretend I didn’t bring it up,” Sid chuffed. “You know the kind of man I am, I can’t help but keep my head in the game.”

“And I can’t help but entertain him.” Azusa straightened the files with two taps to the table.

Stein instinctively rolled his eyes with a balancing polite chuckle. “Of course.”

"It's been so long since we've seen you,” said Marie in ordered relay.

"I would say the same." Stein held back an amused sprawl making his place next to his weapon until Spirit pushed him in the shoulder.

"Shut up, Stein." He laughed.

“If I don’t laugh, I’ll cry.” Franken snapped sarcastically.

“It’s a relief to have you in good spirits.” Sid chimed, sitting back, the leather squeaking out from behind him.

Stein gestured outward generally with a lighthearted shrug. “There’s too much work to be done to maintain anything different.”

“And that’s where he got his praise to give to us.” Yumi dared to joke, her words muffled in her cup.

Too caught up in the group’s banter, the waitress managed to startle the professor at his side.

“Welcome in, gentlemen. Could I get you something to drink?”

“Ah, just water,” Franken answered for them both. He slapped a firm hand onto Spirit’s shoulder and playfully wobbled him. “He’s my designated driver, you see.”

“Cut it out.” Spirit half-huffed.

“I gotcha…” She humored him. “Did anyone need any more time deciding?”

“Oh, Stein, are you familiar with the menu?” Marie asked, worry crossing her tone. “I just realized we forgot to ask.”

He smirked. “Spirit said he’d surprise me. That was apart of our deal tonight, that he’d take the lead.”

“And <i>fortunately for you,”</i> on cue, his weapon teased, “I also know what you like.”

“There’s that, too.”

One by one, the server took everyone’s dinner requests, navigating the occasional rhythmic raillery between the familiars. The dinner was a celebration of returns and recovery from their last group-assigned collaboration from almost a year ago to the date; Sid, of course, continued to be a local character who kept up his presence, but the likes of Azusa remained steadfast in her duties. Marie, despite her begged insistence against it, had been quickly swept back to Oceania after their last mission together.

She wrote to Stein, and she did receive letters back in his voice, but not in his handwriting.

Over their glasses, Barrett and Albarn got wrapped up in a usual back-and-forth about Shibusen on new students and policy and technique, Yumi occasionally dropping in to make note of history and comparison and statistics. Marie and Franken quietly listened to themselves, one of which was slightly uncharacteristic. In noticing her undoubtedly unintentional silence, Stein reached out an open palm with his elbow on the table, a gentle though disarming smile washed his countenance to assure the gesture. She shortly exhaled with the same reflection and accepted his fingertips, her thumb rubbing under his knuckles. There was a small lull in the partnering conversation upon noticing the exchange, but it naturally continued on after only a pause, laughter of the friends once again brightening the atmosphere.

In a moment, they were interrupted with their meals brought to them, dishes distributed noisily among the guests. Naturally, they all settled again, the warmth of their souls matching with each other in the warmth of the food.

Stein traced his plate and met a sushi roll with his chopsticks. “Which one is this one again?”

“Futomaki.” Spirit commented. “And then the one above it is the unagi.”

“Right.”

He bit a section of the roll with sincere thought.

“Hmm.” He pretended he didn’t want to smile. “Eel. You do know me.”

“Yeah, and you should know me, too—” Spirit moved to steal a bite from Franken’s plate, but was timely defended with a sturdy arm.

“Too well.” In the deflection, he reached over and jabbed his chopsticks into his partner's dish, popping a piece into his mouth without even acknowledging what it was.

“Oh,” Stein murmured with a revolted grin. “Cucumber, how typical of you.”

For once it was Spirit to wield a malicious giggle. “Checkmate!”

Something in Azusa’s wavelength shifted that brought Stein to refocus in front of him, Marie excusing herself abruptly from the table.

“I’ll be right back…” She tried for manners, but turned away too quickly before expressing her apologies.

“Marie…” Yumi moved to comfort her out of instinct, but could not make any sort of gesture fast enough out from behind both Death Scythe and the professor.

“I noticed she was quiet, but I must admit I figured you had it covered.” Sid remarked in reference to the doctor. “Do you know what’s going on, Stein?”

Azumi answered for him. “She’s still upset about the outcome of the battle with The Gale from last year.” She must have glanced to Stein after readjusting her glasses, but he was too focused on Marie’s departure. “She said she didn’t think she’d be ready to see you again, but I told her I thought she never would be.”

“Any time sooner is better than later. It doesn’t make it any more easy.” Spirit rubbed Stein’s back, to which he didn’t seem to react to in his thoughts.

“I wish I had known.” Barrett sighed. "I'll check on her." Stein had long-concluded the second Marie had gotten up to step away. "Oh-- Did you want me to go with you?" Albarn’s attention honed.

“No, I’ll find my way.”

“Ah, alright.”

Stein took balance from the booth and wandered away from the group, tracing the trail of the distressed soul to the rear of the restaurant; he tapped along the edge of the beverage bar for a sort of self-reassurance to meet a push door at the back wall.

“Marie?”

Quick to withhold a surprised gasp, the weapon paused to hold her breath. She let it go in mere seconds in its futility.

“I’m here, Stein.” She said forlorn.

He let the door close behind him, stepping to the bathroom counter next to her. Because he knew she wouldn’t do it, herself, he released a forced sigh.

“I don’t have to ask about the elephant in the room.”

Marie reflected his breath and brought a soft hand to his shoulder.

“I’m—”

“Don’t apologize.” He warned. Stein intended genuine cordiality, but if there was one thing he wasn’t going to accept, it was an apology for the wrong reasons.

He corrected his tone in an earnest questioning. “Why are you actually upset?”

Mjolnir had to return her hand to wipe away silent tears. “It’s just… You’re still you. I’m happy for you.”

Stein bit his tongue and held the pause. So, then, why are you still emotional about it? He desperately wanted to snap. He wasn’t mad at her, but he wanted to be. He knew the answers to his own question, it was just frustrating to him that she hadn’t actualized or accepted them for herself yet.

In their momentary interlude, the bathroom door swung open and halted with a start, surely at the sight of Stein.

"Oh!” A woman nervously chirped from behind him. “Uh, sir? You're in the women's room..."

"You don’t think I know that?" He barked, whipping around with unintended aggravation, the loop of the tall white cane in his hand slipping over his wrist in the jerk and clattering to the floor. He didn’t care that the stranger yelped and scurried away.

Marie picked up the stick and returned it to his fingertips, more shaken than she was before.

Stein sighed, re-centering himself, recollecting, and only hoped the death weapon would do the same. “I took my time to grieve. Have you?” He waved his hand in correction. “Don’t answer that, just think about it.” He took his orientation away from the counter top as he rubbed calloused fingers between his brow; Franken knew he had to steady her wavelength if he wanted her to listen to anything he had to say, and it surely wasn’t his intention to scare her into focus. The professor finally held out his hand and she took it after a sniffle.

“I don’t like thinking that a lot better could have happened for us. It’s counterproductive when the opposite is true, too.” He squeezed her grip. “I resent losing my sight, I don’t resent you.”

Eventually, she nodded in pair with a small handshake and an audibly trembling breath to confirm her crying, returning the squeeze. Stein moved to hug her and she hid her face in the smell of his cologne.

With the timing, he considered to joke. "Spirit asked if he could come with me to comfort you, but I think too many women's rooms have seen enough of Spirit Albarn." Marie instantaneously broke her tears with a huffed laugh.

“Oh, Stein…” She pulled away with a relaxed smile, the shattered pieces reforming within their resonance, looking up to his misplaced gaze.

“Come over to our place tonight after dinner and we can make sure everything gets put back in the right order.”

She hugged him once more.

“I would love that.”

[gale-gentlepenguin]

How would you rank the main 6 villains of the first arc of ML (Gabriel, Nathalie, Lila, Chloe, Felix and Tomoe) based on their writing ?

Based on writing? Well damn. (Twist my arm)

Okay so let’s start

But just know I will be discussing spoilers

6th Tomoe

I put Tomoe last not because she’s written badly but because she’s really written with the least amount of time as one and isn’t given much to work with. Tomoe isn’t a good mother, but her actions are more about a deal she made rather than an ambition. She cares about Kagami to a degree where she doesn’t want her involved in Gabriel’s akuma attacks. Tomoe is doing what she thinks is in the best interest of her family name, but she really doesn’t see the consequences of those actions. She also just gave Gabriel the tech rather than do it herself. So number 6.

5th Chloé

Now we get into bad writing territory, in season 1 she was the typical bully character. In season 2 and 3 she was the sympathetic mean girl who wanted to change. Season 4 she was back to square one after all of her redeeming qualities were stolen by Zoe. Then season 5 she was just a dictator puppet. So really it’s tragic how poorly written she is. Because this descent into evil could have worked if written better. But it isn’t.

4th Lila/Cerise/ Whatever her real name is

You can tell the writers tried to write a competent, manipulator that always gets what she wants because of the way she twists her words and her plans are clever. But the problem is… the level of skill needed for the execution was lacking. Now she has 3 moms, multiple identities and a secret lair in the catacombs. The main problem though isn’t that Lila is written smart, it’s that everyone not named Marinette or Adrien is written stupid when she’s around. Lila could easily be the best villain if she had some better writing but… it’s just so dumb at times.

3rd Gabriel Agreste

The writers wanted to portray a desperate man that would do anything for the family he loved that became blinded by his obsession. They made a selfish bastard that used his family to justify evil actions and bend the world to his whim. Now to be fair there were times where you could see the former, but Gabriel’s writing is so… All over the place.

I still can’t believe they let the guy win. Like what the fuck was even the point of the 5 seasons of fighting him.

2. Felix

Felix is technically more of an antihero, but he is likely the most calculating and ACTUALLY manipulative of the series. He outsmarted Ladybug and Monarch. His reveal as a sentimonster and his reasoning for his actions is the only positive thing I enjoyed regarding the sentimonster shenanigans. Now he is no longer a villain but his actions propelled the season 4 and 5 plots and should be considered someone on his own caliber. But he’s not number one because there is someone better

1. Nathalie

The arguably best written villain in all of Miraculous. She works to help Gabriel achieve his goal and is the main reason he got as far as he did, by her sacrifices and pushing her mind body and soul to the limits. She believed Gabriel was noble for his goal and was the one that saw first hand his descent into madness. And that’s when she had enough. Her change against him was because she knew the truth and wanted to stop the madness. If she was the one in charge it’s far more likely she would have gotten the miraculous without falling into such a state. She is one of the few people whose redemption I genuinely believe in this show

[alias-sam]

Pierced by a Golden Soul JJBA x reader fic Masterlist

Finally decided to crosspost a fic on here, we'll see how it goes!

The full fic is already finished and posted to Wattpad

Summary: Fate is a bizarre concept with countless more bizarre implications. In life sometimes such extraordinary events happen that the only reasoning left must be fate. The tragedies that constantly befall the Joestar bloodline for example may be the unluckiest series of cards drawn in human history, or perhaps the work of a greater power. There is no way to tell for sure. Had Dio Brando or Jonathan Joestar moved slightly on a divergent path the world itself would be left very different. The fate or luck of the noble Joestar bloodline has led to destruction of evil likes of the Pillar Men and DIO. This story is of a similar caliber to that of the other Joestars (as I am sure you are familiar with them). This is a story of lost souls, compassion, hope, and above all fate.

A Normal Day in a Normal Life

2. A Less than Normal Day in the Life of a Stand User

3. High School Never Ends

4. Know Your Enemy Part 1

5. Know Your Enemy Part 2

6. Close Call

7. Getting Patched Up

8. Familiar Figure

9. Punching Can't Solve Every Problem

10. Elecrifying

11. Fiesta Time...?

12. Picture This

13. Video Killed the Radio Star

14. J-Jesus?

15. Jigsaw

16. Blueberry Blast

17. Alfred Hitchcock Can Bite Me

18. Sleepless Nights and Suspicious Minds

19. Bug Boy

20. Cum On

21. Feel the Noize

22. Quiet Riot Part 1

23. Quiet Riot Part 2

24. The Crushing Weight of Guilt

25. Under the Radar

26. Late Night People

27. Unexpected Accomplice

28. Close Encounter

29. Welcome to the Jungle

30. An Enemy's Offer

31. Cutthroat Company

32. Wide Awake

33. Pompous Pricks and Portals

34. Eavesdropping

35. Enemy Encounter

36. Mother Knows Best

37. Dodgeball is a Cruel and Unusual Punishment

38. Spot

39. (Don't Fear) the Reaper Part 1

40. (Don't Fear) the Reaper Part 2

41. (Don't Fear) the Reaper Part 3

42. Sleepover

43. Little High, Little Low

44. Stand Users Assemble

45. Blueberry Blast Strikes Again

46. Coming Through, Coming Through, Coming Through Now

47. Sethan

48. Coral Pink

49. Foggy

50. Bubblegum Bitch Part 1

51. Bubblegum Bitch Part 2

52. Bubblegum Bitch Part 3

53. Bubblegum Bitch Part 4

54. SPW Snooping

55. Enemy Ally

56. Child of Divorce

57. Mannesh Vita

58. Loli ho~ Part 1

59. Loli ho~ Part 2

60. Loli ho~ Part 3

61. Brioche

62. By No Means an Artist

63. Early Morning Excursion

64. Bite the Bullet

65. Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)

66. Whipping Post

67. Julius Rossi is a Protective Brother

68. The First Cut is the Deepest

69. Put Out the Lights

70. Mourning

71. All Apologies

72. The Noiz Returns

73. Punching Can Solve Certain Problems

74. House of Memories

75. The Last Place Anybody Would Look

76. We Didn't Start the Fire

77. Seeing Double

78. Oblivion

79. Who Lives Who Dies

80. Justice

81. A Normal Day in the Life of a Stand User

<- To Be Continued

[aliensupersyn]

What Can Aristotle Reveal About Gege's Magic System? A Lot, Actually

TLDR: Sukuna and Maki represent the dichotomy "sorcery versus the body." Yuji represents Gege's aim, or the essence of Jjk's power system by having qualities of both Sukuna and Maki. Yuji parallels Sukuna as a sort of twin soul, and Maki by being physically gifted. I use Aristotle to argue that to find the essence of jujutsu, Sukuna must defeat Yuji and Maki who possess physical gifts. Maki especially because of her HR which rejects sorcery.

I have argued at length in multiple posts now about the dichotomy that Sukuna and Maki represent. I have shown how their characters relate to one another, and that they both exist within the story as calamities. Maki possesses the traits of Sukuna's definition of strength without becoming incapable of love like he has; in turn, Sukuna demonstrates what it looks like for a character to be an unloving monster. Yet, I admit that my analyses about these two have excluded Yuji, which has left a void within my arguments about Jujutsu Kaisen's power system. I hope for this post to fill that void, for my own sake and others'. By examining Gege's power system in the framework of Aristotle's Metaphysics, I will explore the roles that Sukuna, Maki, and Yuji all play within Jujutsu Kaisen along the magical spectrum of sorcery versus the body.

Why am I referring to Aristotle, and what does he have to do with anime? Not much! Yet, Aristotle's Metaphysics provides a wonderful framework to understand Gege's power system as it's represented by Sukuna, Maki, Yuji, Kenjaku, and Yuki. All of these characters relate to one another in some way, and they all demonstrate or argue the overarching conflict within JJK: sorcery versus the body. Yuki desires a world free from cursed energy, and Kenjaku wants to see cursed energy in its wildest and most dominant form via the merger. Maki acts as Yuki's prime research subject, and has been since her childhood. Sukuna similarly acts as Kenjaku's champion, who he entrusted the merger to after his defeat. I argue that Yuji was created by Gege (and by extension, Kenjaku) to possess qualities of both extremes that Sukuna and Maki represent. To explain my argument, I will use Humphrey's description of Aristotle's natural philosophy:

Aristotle claims that the matter of perceptible things has no separate existence but is always already informed by a contrary (Gen et Corr.329a25–27). The matter that traditional natural philosophy calls the “elements”—fire, water, air, and earth—already has the form of the basic contraries, hot and cold, and moist and dry, so that, for example, fire is matter with a hot and dry form (Gen et Corr.330a25–b4). Thus, even in the most basic cases, matter is always actually informed, even though the form is potentially subject to change. For example, throwing water on a fire cools and moistens it, and bringing about a new quality in the underlying material. Thus, Aristotle sometimes describes natural powers as being latent or active “in the material” (Meteor.370b14–18). (Humphreys, Justin 14-5).

Aristotle argues that all things in the material realm possess within them an inherit essence, or nature, that determines its existence.* Meaning, all things can be defined by its nature. Though, such an argument begs the question, how does one find a thing's nature? Where does its essence reside? Aristotle then argues that to find the thing's nature, one must seek its opposite. How does one find the essence and limits of jujutsu? Two sorcerers of the the highest caliber, Sukuna and Gojo, simply use the rules of the magic system that both already understand. Thematically, Sukuna and Gojo represent the oldest discourse in the book: sorcery versus sorcery. Though, as Sukuna himself argues, the limits of jujutsu will truly be revealed by the battle, the duty, that Maki presents to him: sorcery versus the body. Aristotle would agree with Sukuna that for him to discover his own limits, and the essence of jujutsu, he needs to best Maki once and for all.

Maki's power, due to her being without jujutsu sorcery, gets informed or emphasized by the sheer number of characters capable of magic. Her strength and ability to go up against Sukuna and successfully suffer his entire arsenal demonstrates the contradicting relationship between sorcery and the body. She effectively repels Sukuna's power that he's devoted his entire being to. Toji broke fate for the first time in known history and allowed Kenjaku to begin his ludicrous plan to merge all of Japan with Tengen. What will Maki break in order to end a fated cycle? How will she defy jujutsu sorcery just as Toji once did?

Ultimately, the dichotomy represented by Sukuna and Maki, the contradictory relationship between sorcery and the body, both materializes and symbolizes the nature of Gege's power system itself; therefore, as the character who possesses qualities of both monsters, Yuji acts as Gege's aim or essence of balance within the system. In my argument, I am referring to Menn's analysis that Aristotle's use of the literal word ""aim". . . . translates Greek σκοπός, the principal object of a science, to which everything else the science discusses must be related (so health is the σκοπός of medicine. . .)" (1). Gege uses Yuji to demonstrate the two extremes of his power system, sorcery and the body's strength. Yuji represents Jujutsu Kaisen's σκοπός, its magic system's aim and principle dichotomy repeated through different characters: sorcery versus the body.

As I have argued above, Yuji was one of Kenjaku's experiments with cursed energy and the body. He has made it clear that Yuji was created with the purpose of being linked to Sukuna and hosting him.

Sukuna and Yuji sharing the same body resembles Maki and Mai's relationship: one with lots of cursed energy and power, and the other with very little. Though, Sukuna has both cursed energy and strength. The narrator specifies the power of Sukuna's physique as an important element, meaning both his body's strength and its structure.* Sukuna barely budged against Rika and Yuji's combined attacks. No matter how much the both of them punched, kicked, or even threw him, Sukuna kept his composure by maintaining Hollow Wicker Basket, and overwhelming them both with his own strength. Though, again, Sukuna represents the strongest model of jujutsu, and therefore what a sorcerer's strength amounts to. At the other end of the Aristotelian spectrum of Gege's power system, Maki overpowered Sukuna in a battle of strength when she threw him twice: once in Megkuna's body, and again as Heian Sukuna. Yuji possesses incredible strength, but has yet to overpower Sukuna and therefore Maki. He rests somewhere between the both of them.

I wager that Yuji’s story will end with him being connected to Sukuna. He will likely attempt to sacrifice himself to stop Sukuna, as he planned to do for Megumi anyway. Kenjaku declared that as long as Yuji and Sukuna exist, bad things will keep happening. Since birth, Yuji has been tied to Sukuna and remains the only person who can host him without immediately losing control. Even if circumstances may not demand it from him, Yuji would likely jump to the opportunity to sacrifice himself for Megumi and everyone else.

I believe that, in the end, Sukuna's enchain vow acts as a metaphorical chain linking him to Yuji. Kenjaku’s statement about Sukuna and Yuji being intertwined (the chain of curses) supports my reading of the enchain vow. The word chain produces an idea of the two of them being linked to one another. Because the enchain vow started the series of events within Shinjuku, the two of them linked by it will have to end it as well.

Maki, as the antithesis of sorcery, has the power to break the link between Yuji and Sukuna. I argue that her importance within the story's end will be to help Yuji escape Sukuna's clutches once and for all, breaking the fate that Kenjaku has set for his creations. While Toji inadvertently aided Kenjaku in his plans, Maki will purposely stop them. The soul striking duo will take on Sukuna and finally end him.

While applying Aristotle's Metaphysics to the power system within Jujutsu Kaisen, I have argued that Gege's purposely using Sukuna, Yuji, and Maki to show a spectrum of strength. Gege uses Sukuna and Maki as the two extremes of the system's rules, jujutsu and that which rejects it; they represent a dichotomy present throughout the story: sorcery versus the body. Yuji instead rests between the both of them and acts as Gege's aim, or σκοπός, and exists as a literal representation of the dichotomy that Sukuna and Maki present within the power system. I argue that Maki and Yuji will work together as a soul striking duo to end Sukuna.

Below is a gallery of visual parallels between the three of them with some descriptions.

Visual Parallels Between Sukuna, Yuji, and Maki

Yuji, Sukuna, and Maki have been referenced as monsters.

Each of them, in the final fight, have been depicted with shadows covering them. I argue Gege's purposely committing visual parallels between the three of them to further extend this monstrous connection they all share.

Sukuna and Maki clashing as the building falls.

Sukuna after his first black flash, temporarily defeating the other monster.

Maki again shaded over while clashing with Sukuna.

Yuji shaded over while clashing with Sukuna.

Yuji before he black flashes Sukuna, again shaded in darkness.

Notes:

I know that this is dense, I promise I do, but I have done my best to break these ideas down into a readable and accessible state. I just hope that anyone reading any part of this walks away with something, anything lol. I really appreciate you for reading any part of it, especially the entire post.

The physique point: I am aware that this could be a translation faux pas or error, so keep that in mind. Though, the point remains that Sukuna's clearly physically strong as Hell.

The chains linking Sukuna and Yuji:

Secret's out...I've a minor in Philosophy. The plot thickens.

This thesis will have follow up parts, but this was so long anyway that I cut it very short. I'll instead release multiple posts using this Aristotelian framework.

Menn, S. “The Aim and the Argument of Aristotle’s Metaphysics.” Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 2013, [https://www.philosophie.hu-berlin.de/de/lehrbereiche/antike/mitarbeiter/menn/texte/ia1](https://www.philosophie.hu-berlin.de/de/lehrbereiche/antike/mitarbeiter/menn/texte/ia1).

[elder-sister]

Project X Zone 2 has characters from:

Resident Evil

Devil May Cry

MegaMan X

Strider

Shinobi

Street Fighter

Tekken

Darkstalkers

Virtua Fighter

Sakura Wars

Yakuza

Resonance Of Fate

Original Characters

.hack

Tales Of Versperia

God Eater

Xenoblade Chronicles

Xenosaga

Fire Emblem: Awakening

Ace Attorney

Captain Commando

Star Gladiator

Space Channel 5

Streets Of Rage

Nightshade

The japanese SegaSaturn ad campaign

Shenmue

The Legend Of Valkyrie

Soul Caliber

Summon Night

Forgotten Worlds

Ordyne

Yokai Dochuki

And that's JUST the characters. Also Project X Zone 2 is the third game in its series, the first being Namco x Capcom, then Project X Zone. Project X Zone is a three way split of Namco, Capcom, and Sega franchises and Project X Zone 2 is the same but with a little Nintendo sprinkled in

Holy shit Xenoblade Chronicles mention that isn't from my bf

[teecupangel]

TOP 5 “EZIO’S FAMILY” VERSIONS + TOP 5 TRACKS

Tagged by @peridot-tears

I will say... that I'm not good at explaining music in general (I barely pass my music classes as I'm apparently tonedeaf to high waters)

Ezio's Family

I didn't get any notes that the Ezio's Family that are only qualified for this list are the ones that are in AC games so...

Earth (Assassin's Creed 2)

I love how this starts slow then goes deep before going fast. I knew I had to pick an Ezio Family version from AC2 and it was either the OG Ezio's Family, Venice Rooftops or Earth and I chose Earth because it's the middle ground of the three. It has the fast pace style of Venice and the slow beginning of Ezio's Family. Plus, I like the vocals of this one and the way the music ends feels... uncertain which I think shows the uncertainty of Desmond's future in the present and the mystery that persists in AC2 concerning the 'Prophet' talked about in the Codex.

2. Main Theme/Ezio's Family (AC Identity)

I might have never played the game but goddamn this theme. When the beat drops and it gives a more hard rock version of Ezio's Family theme? I'm sold. I love rock versions of non-rock music and there's just this hint of isolation in this theme that works well with AC Identity's story.

3. Main Theme (AC Rogue)

This just hits differently (which is to be expected for an Assassin's Creed game with a protagonist Assassin turned Templar) and you can feel Shay's Irish roots as well as this feeling of adventure and freedom that has an underlying sadness to it (especially in the vocals).

4. Family (AC Syndicate)

Gonna be honest... it's the violins. I'm a sucker for violins and the violin of this one really hammers in how the title Family isn't meant to be joyful. It's meant to be a prelude to how Evie and Jacob's relationship would end in Syndicate's main story.

5. Venice Rooftop Soul Caliber V Remix

It's a faster version of Venice Rooftop and has that Soul Caliber music-esque addition to it that I just love. Soul Caliber is one of my favorite childhood games and hearing an Ezio Family official remix of a similar vein as the other Soul Caliber stage music? I can't help but love this. (Is this cheating? Probably but... oh well... XD)

Honorable Mention: Odyssey's "Ezio's Family", Russia's Main Theme and Origin's "Main Theme".

Additional Favorite Tracks (in no particular order other than no 1):

Flight Through Jerusalem (Assassin's Creed)

You know it was going to be the top one. It's my most played music in Spotify when I was still using Spotify and it will forever take that spot because I stopped using Spotify (other than podcasts). Why is it my top one? Well, here's my exact reasoning from that Spotify callout post I made last year: Flight Through Jerusalem is a track that manages to show the conflict of Jerusalem during the 3rd Crusades by mixing Gregorian-like chants with a kind of traditional Middle incoherent sounds trying to defend music choices

2. Underground (Assassin's Creed Syndicate)

This one is super specific. I think this could be a really great MV for Assassin's Creed especially the lines of "Loved ones taken long before their work was done" would certainly be about Desmond because fuck Ubisoft, where's our modern day setting Assassin's Creed where Desmond showed he's the ultimate Assassin and successor to his ancestors' wishes and will?

3. Fight Club (Assassin's Creed III)

This is, hands down, my most favorite music in ACIII and it's one that really makes me go "Okay! Let's go do something!". I don't know how else to explain this one other than it's a really fun and motivating song.

4. Masyaf Village (Assassin's Creed)

Okay, this one is more of a personal favorite of mine because it's creepy. There's this just feeling of being unsettled that does not go away the entire song and it's a great music to represent the mystery surrounding the Brotherhood itself. I just love the female vocals of this track. (Sidebar, this can be heard in ACR when Altaïr places the Apple in the library)

5. Altaïr and Darim + Requiescat in Pace (Assassin's Creed Revelations)

Apparently Tumblr has a 10 videos max so here's Requiescat in Pace

Mostly if you listen to "Altaïr and Darim", you would automatically hear Ezio's "Dear Claudia..." and yeah, that's one reason why I picked this one. But the reason why I picked this over AC Revelation's Main Theme? Because this is the music that plays when Darim and Altaïr have their last talk. When Darim tells Altaïr "All that's good in me began with you, father", I lost it. I was just crying. And "Requiescat in Pace"? That's the song that plays when Altaïr takes his final rest and I'm just gone. I'm out for the count. I don't care if it's cheating that I picked two for one spot, I can't separate the two because of the emotions both tracks give me in succession.

Honorable Mention: The High Seas from Black Flag, Fish in the Sea Sea Shanty(which didn't make the cut because it's not an AC original music), When Horns Resound from Valhalla and Rather Death Than Slavery from Unity

Tagging... uuuhh... I guess @saberamane and @fanworldbuildingfun if they'd like to do this XD

[sebstanaddict]

Love Song

Sebastian Stan x Female Reader Story

Summary : A romantic comedy story between Sebastian Stan and female reader where we witness their journey after they said I do.

Reader thought being away from Sebastian wasn't going to be so hard. She did ask for a divorce from him. But getting over him was not easy that she found herself getting depressed. Worse still, he seemed to have forgotten about her and her daughter. Until one day a delivery truck came and changed her life.

Pairings : Sebastian Stan x Female!Reader

Chapters : 20/23 (might add more)

Chapter list>

Warning : angst, divorce mention

Word count : 5.7k

This is a sequel to my first Sebastian fic Always You. If you want to understand more about Sebastian's and reader's relationship, please read it first. But it's not necessary to understand this story. Check it out here.

---

Chapter 20 - Back At One

One, you're like a dream come true

Two, just wanna be with you

Three, girl, It's plain to see

That you're the only one for me, and

Four, repeat steps one through three

Five, make you fall in love with me

If ever I believe my work is done

Then I'll start back at one

(Yeah, yeah)

It's so incredible

The way things work themselves out

And all emotional

Once you know what it's all about (hey)

And undesirable

For us to be apart

Never would've made it very far

'Cause you know, you've got the keys to my heart, 'cause

One, you're like a dream come true

Two, just wanna be with you

Three, girl, It's plain to see

That you're the only one for me, and

Four, repeat steps one through three

Five, make you fall in love with me

If ever I believe my work is done

Then I'll start back at one

Back At One - Brian McKnight

--

Lake Poway, Poway, California - June 5th - 5.30 am

It was a cold morning in Poway, California. The sun was not up yet. The atmosphere was quiet, not even the sound of birds could be heard in the air. The sky was still mostly dark, but up above the rolling hills of Poway, which could be seen like small mountains in the distance, the sky had slowly turned orange with hues of magenta. It was magnificent, magical.

A woman sat down on the grass at Lake Poway Park, leaning her back on a tree. Her face looked upon the beautiful Lake Poway where the sun was getting ready to greet her from behind the hills across the lake. She couldn't help but be in awe at how beautiful it was.

Slowly but surely, the sun crept up even higher and the sky slowly turned light blue. White clouds could be seen floating high above the sun, and she finally heard the sound of birds chirping and ducks quacking in the distance.

She took a deep breath and filled her lungs with the fresh and crisp morning air. She felt at peace and content. All the stress, heart aches and anxiety flowed out of her into nothingness. For a moment she could feel herself being whole again. And she was happy.

Her eyes studied the blue sky again. Blue.. like the eyes of a certain someone.

And just like that, with that thought coming into her mind like a thief in the night, the gaping hole in her chest reappeared. An unbearable ache filled her heart and tightened her chest. Her soul felt incomplete, like it has always felt since the day she turned her back on him.

It has been 5 days since she left him, and the thought of him still did this to her. She wondered if she would ever be free from it. Or whether it would be her constant companion until she takes her last breath.

She wondered what he was doing. Judging from the time in Atlanta, he was probably getting ready for the shooting of Thunderbolts. Maybe he was even already in the middle of shooting.

Her mind wandered back to the past 5 days. Days of confusion, anger, anxiety and pure sadness. She was greatly conflicted about her decision. Deep down she still loved him and wanted everything to work out between them. But on the other hand she wasn't sure she could handle the stress of being in a relationship with someone of his caliber.

She also couldn't help but feel insanely hurt by the fact that he didn't tell her about Stephanie kissing him and how he had hugged Stephanie back in Cannes. She knew he meant well and just wanted to comfort Stephanie. But still, he could've just said no. Why was he prioritizing making Stephanie feel better rather than keeping his promise of being loyal to her? She knew he didn't technically cheat on her. But still, she couldn't help but feel hurt by his actions.

The fact he chose his acting job over her hurt her the most. She wondered why every man that she had been involved with all prioritized something else above her. She remembered Michael who prioritized his ego, John who prioritized another woman, and Zac who obviously prioritized his career. He thought Sebastian would prioritize her. But he ended up prioritizing his career as well. Sacrificing her and his own daughter.

She felt the familiar heaviness of anger in her chest and shook her head hard.

No, she didn't come all the way to the lake just to feel worse than when she first arrived there. She wanted to come there so she could feel better. So she should forget him and just enjoy the scenery and forget everything and everyone for a moment.

Starlene was safe and sound, still sleeping when she left her. Even if she woke up, her dad was at home and her stepmom too. They could take care of her. And then, Sebastian, she should try and forget him. It didn't seem like it was hard for him to forget her judging from the fact that he hadn't contacted her at all since she left. The last thing she got from him was a text message saying he was glad that she and Starlene had arrived safely in California. That text message was a reply to a message she sent, so that didn't even count as him contacting her.

She knew he was probably just giving her the space she needed by not contacting her. But she couldn't help feeling slightly disappointed as well. Deep in her heart she expected him to grovel under her feet and continuously beg for her to come back to him. She couldn't help sometimes to fantasize that one day she would open the door and find him on the door step, telling her that he agreed on quitting being an actor and would love to start a new and normal life with her. But she knew it would never happen. She knew acting was something so dear to him. It was not just a job for him. She knew it was his life's calling. So she tried hard not to fantasize about it happening ever again.

She crossed her legs, straightened up her back and decided to do some meditation to calm herself. She closed her eyes and focused only on the sounds of the birds chirping up on the trees above her, the sound of ducks quacking and swimming on the lake in front of her, the rustle of leaves on the trees being moved by the cold breeze. Then she focused on the sensations around her. The cold breeze brushing throughout her body, the damp grass under her legs, the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed slowly.

But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't help but be reminded of him. Her heart bled as she remembered his bright smile and loving eyes whenever he looked at her, his cute nose scrunch when he laughed at a joke she told him, his beautiful darkened eyes whenever he reached his peak during their making love sessions. She missed him. Despite all the anger she felt, she missed him desperately.

A tear dropped from her eyes and she couldn't hold it anymore. She lifted both her knees up to her face, buried her face in them and sobbed hard.

She hated herself for being like this. Every single day since she left him she never failed to cry over him. She had tried everything it seemed to not cry anymore. But she couldn't. She missed him so much and it hurt.

After a while her cry finally subsided. She wiped the tears falling from her eyes with the sleeve of her jacket then pulled out a pack of tissue from her pants' pocket. She blew her nose into the tissue and cleaned her nose thoroughly. She sniffled and threw the dirty tissue into a nearby garbage can then looked up into the sky.

The sun was fully up now and she could hear sounds of footsteps and people chatting near her. People had started to flock to the lake and it was her cue to leave.

She stood up, dusted her pants and walked out of the park towards where she parked her dad's bicycle.

Yes, she rode on her dad's bicycle to get to the lake. Her dad did have a car but since she couldn't drive she ended up taking the bicycle, which she loved.

She smiled for the first time that morning as she felt the breeze of the wind on her face and body. She pedaled the bicycle fast as she made her way back to her dad's house. For a moment she felt carefree, like when she was little and didn't have a care in the world except to ride her bicycle around the neighborhood until sunset came.

Her bicycle moved at a steady speed along the side of Poway's wide streets. Poway is a vibrant city located in the beautiful North County Inland region of San Diego, California. The city nestled amidst rolling hills and picturesque landscapes. It has a perfect blend of natural beauty, suburban charm, and a thriving community.

From the moment her taxi - which took her from San Diego Airport to Poway city - drove into Poway five days ago, she could feel the relaxed ambience the city had, so different from the hustle and bustle of New York City. Even though she had also experienced living in the suburbs, in New Brunswick to be exact, the ambience still felt different. Poway felt like the perfect place for her to escape the life she never thought she would hate.

The people there knew who she was but they couldn't care less. They knew her before she was famous as she sometimes visited her dad after he got married to her stepmom, a couple of years after her mom died. Having no one to bother her about the scandal she was in felt freeing to her. She was happy to finally feel some normalcy in her life.

She looked around the deserted street as she pedaled, passing many one storied townhouses with wide front lawns and at least one tree planted on the lawn. Not all of the houses had wide front lawns, but most did.

As she got nearer to her dad's house, she passed a house with coral brick walls and dark brown roof. The owner of the house - who was a man in his fifties - was just getting out of the house. He was holding a dog leash with a border collie pulling at the leash. He smiled and waved at her, she smiled back even though she had no idea who he was.

She passed several more houses where the owners were on the front lawn, some doing gardening and some were just getting their cars ready. Every single one of them turned to her and smiled or waved. She couldn't help but smiled back and nodded. She wondered if they did that because she was famous. The thought made her kick herself mentally.

They were just friendly. She thought to herself. No need to get big-headed, she chuckled. She forgot how close-knit people in the suburbs could be. She had spent too much time living in New York where people just mostly minded their own business.

She was about to turn left towards the street where her dad's house was located when she saw them.

She stopped in front of a cream colored house with grey roof. A man in his thirties went out of the house, holding the hand of what seemed to be a five year old girl. The girl had a backpack on her back. He guided her to enter his car - which was parked on the driveway - then he entered the car himself. He backed the car out from the driveway and stopped as the man saw her watching him. She made a gesture with her hand to offer him to go first and the man nodded and smiled. He continued to back the car out from the driveway, stopped right in front of her and then turned it towards the street. Soon it was gone as the man took a right turn up ahead, to where she knew a school was located nearby.

The scene made her feel a pang in her heart. How much she wished one day she could see Sebastian take Starlene to school. But him being so busy with his job, it seemed less likely he would have the time to take Starlene to school. Heck, he didn't even have time for them during their honeymoon! She thought angrily.

With a huff she continued to pedal her bike towards her dad's house, trying hard to contain her anger and forget him. She made a silent promise to herself to stop thinking about him for the rest of the day. She was tired of crying over him. They were on a break and she really should take a break from thinking about him.

It took her only ten minutes to arrive at her dad's house. Well, the traffic was almost non-existent at that hour and she did ride the bike rather fast.

She stopped in front of her dad's house and parked the bicycle in the garage.

When she came in through the garage door, she saw her father sitting outside at the porch reading a newspaper. Her stepmom was nowhere in sight and she didn't hear Starlene's cry at all. She was most likely still asleep. But she decided to check on her for a moment just to make sure.

She entered her bedroom slowly and approached Starlene's crib where she found that Starlene really was still asleep. So she gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead then went out of her bedroom.

She went outside towards the porch and greeted her dad.

"Good morning, dad." She leaned down and kissed the top of his head.

"Good morning, my dear." He smiled and looked up at her. "Where were you? You left so early.

"I wanted to catch the sunrise at Lake Poway." She smiled.

"Oh, did you get it?"

"Yeah. It was beautiful."

"Did you take any pictures?"

"Oh! No.. I forgot. Guess I'm gonna have to go back there tomorrow." She shrugged.

"Maybe I can come with you."

"Umm.. sure, dad. I'll wake you up early tomorrow."

"Okay, good. It's a date then." He smiled and she couldn't help but smiled as well.

She hadn't gotten the chance to go out and spend time with her dad ever since she came. All she did was take care of Starlene or be a prisoner of her own mind with her mind and heart so busy thinking of Sebastian. She felt kind of guilty for mostly ignoring her dad. Going out with her dad could be good for her too. Maybe he could help her not to cry for at least one day.

"I'm looking forward to it, dad." She smiled and put her hand on his shoulder.

"Good." He smiled and patted her hand gently.

His cellphone rang all of a sudden and he pulled it out from his pants' pocket.

"Who is it dad?" She asked curiously when she saw how her dad's face turned into a slight panic when looking at his cellphone.

"Oh! It's..umm.. John. Let me get this." He said as he stood up and shuffled away from her.

Feeling slightly suspicious at her dad's antics, she tried hard to listen in but then decided against it. She should give him some privacy. So she turned around and decided to make some pancakes for breakfast. Her stomach had started to rumble and she had a craving for some fluffy buttermilk pancakes.

---

La Venta Dr, Poway, California - June 14th 2023 - 6 am

The sound of a baby crying slowly seeped into her consciousness. Y/n opened her eyes and sighed. She turned to look at her daughter's crib and found her standing in the crib looking at her, her face flushed and tears stained her cheeks.

"Ma ma.. ma ma.." Starlene said and her heart seemed to stop in her chest.

"Oh my God, Starlene!" She immediately stood up from her bed, approached her and lifted her into her arms.

"Yes! I'm your mama, I'm your mommy, Starlene. Say it again?" She pleaded as she stared at her daughter's confused face with her eyes glistening with happy tears.

"Mama.." Starlene said and put her hand on Y/n's cheek. Then she started to snuggle into her chest, wanting to nurse.

"Oh your dad's gonna be ecstatic if he found out you can call me Mama now." She smiled as she made her way to a nearby sofa and sat down. Her smile quickly turned into a frown however as she remembered Sebastian.

She shook her head. Sebastian wouldn't care. It's been two weeks since she left him and he still had not contacted her yet. It seemed he didn't care anymore, she thought sadly. By now she thought he would have at least called to ask about his daughter. But.. nothing.. she didn't get a single message or call from him.

She opened the front of her clothes and Starlene started nursing immediately. She looked down and carressed her daughter's chubby cheek gently with her thumb. Starlene had gotten so big. Time seemed to fly by so fast. In just a month's time she was going to turn one year old. And now she could already call her and her dad.

She felt a pang in her heart as she remembered him again. She couldn't believe that he missed yet another milestone of Starlene. She wondered if he remembered that Starlene's birthday was coming up.

July 13th. Yes, Starlene's birthday was a day right after Sebastian's first Emmy nomination was announced. She remembered the moment of his nomination like it was yesterday. Then she remembered what they did the night after the nomination, the amazing love making session they did that triggered Starlene's birth.

She felt her eyes prickling again at the memory. Oh how much she missed him. Especially at night when everyone was already asleep and she was still awake, alone on her bed with an empty cold bed next to her.

She regretted not taking anything of his with her. She remembered when she was still pregnant with Starlene that she often just hugged his shirt to help her ease the pain of missing him. This time she had nothing.

Well, she still had the heart shaped and key shaped pendant and necklace he gave her, and of course her wedding ring. But after ten days of not hearing anything from him, she finally decided to take them off. They were now in a velvet box, placed in a drawer on her nightstand. She didn't need to be reminded of him 24/7. It was just too painful.

She sighed and wondered if she would ever wear them again. The thought of truly getting a divorce from him broke her and she cried. Tears fell from her eyes and dropped onto Starlene's body.

"Mama.. mama.." Starlene stopped nursing and put her hand on her mother's cheek. As if wanting to comfort her.

Y/n sniffled and stopped crying.

"Oh Starlene, I'm sorry." She said as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

"I just remember your dad." She said wistfully.

"Dada.. dada.." Starlene said as if understanding what she said.

"Yes, your dada. I wonder how he is. Do you think maybe we should just give him a call?" She asked, looking down at Starlene with her eyebrows furrowed.

"Mama.. dada.." Starlene just said and she went back to nursing.

"Hmm.. is that a yes Starlene?" She asked but of course Starlene didn't answer her back but just continued nursing.

For the past couple of days she had contemplated on giving him a call or maybe sending him a text message. Numerous times she found herself reaching for her cellphone and opening her contacts and stopping at his name. But she couldn't bring herself to do it. She knew if she contacted him first she would never let him go again and she would give up and fly over to Atlanta. She was at the point where she just simply missed him. Yes, she still sometimes felt angry and disappointed at him. But mostly she just missed him. She missed him terribly.

She glanced at her nightstand and found her cellphone on top of it. She decided to find out if maybe a picture of him on the set of Thunderbolts had come out. She just wanted to see how he was doing. Whether he was as miserable as she was.

She reached her free hand towards the nightstand and picked up her cellphone. She unlocked her cellphone's screen and did a Google search. Sure enough, some set pictures had made their way to an entertainment news website. She opened the article containing the pictures and scrolled down. She could see pictures of Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Florence Pugh, Wyatt Russell, David Harbour, Olga Kurylenko, Hannah John-Kamen. basically every star in the movie, even Harrison Ford. Sebastian's picture was finally shown at the end of the page.

Her heart skipped a beat as she saw the picture of him. He had his hair pulled back in a small bun and a rather thick stubble on his face. He was wearing civilian clothes and not Bucky's suit. He was photographed talking to Wyatt Russell, who was also in civilian clothes.

He looked so good, she thought in admiration. Oh how much she missed him. But then she realized if he looked good that meant he was okay. He wasn't miserable like she was. That thought bothered her so much. He really didn't care at all about her and Starlene, did he?

She turned her cellphone's screen off and put it back on the night stand as anger and disappointment seeped into her heart.

Fine. If he could easily forget her than she could easily forget him too. She would try her hardest not to think about him again, ever. She thought angrily.

But trying not to think about him proved to be so hard to do. She tried to keep herself busy. She cooked, cleaned, did some gardening, and of course took care of Starlene. She even took her out playing outside at a nearby playground. But when she looked at the fathers in the playground playing with their sons and daughters, she couldn't help but remember him again.

It was 4 in the afternoon when she gave up and just let thoughts of him entered her mind again without resistence. She decided to search for more pictures of him on the internet. Hopefully there were more. She even contemplated on installing Instagram again and create a new account so she could stalk on his co-stars accounts. They might post something about him.

The moment the thought entered her mind she kicked herself mentally. Why don't you just call him and save yourself some time. One side of her argued. But her other side didn't agree and was still adamant on just stalking his co-stars Instagram accounts.

She was busy arguing internally while pushing Starlene's stroller as she walked back from the playground towards her dad's house that she missed a peculiar sight. An Amazon delivery truck passed her by and stopped right in front of her dad's house. She finally noticed it when the door of the driver's side was opened and a man jumped out from the truck, followed by another man who jumped out from the passenger side.

She stopped in front of them and before she could say anything, the driver opened his mouth first.

"Excuse me, ma'am. We're looking for a Mr. Y/F/F/N Y/F/L/N." The man said as he consulted a slip of paper he had in his hand.

"Oh, yes. That's my father." She replied.

"Oh that's great. We have a delivery for him." The man continued.

"Oh okay. You can give it to me, I'll give it to him."

"There are many packages, ma'am. It's better that we help bring them in." He replied as he went to open the back of the truck.

"Oh? Many packages?" She wondered what her father had bought.

"Yes ma'am. There are three large boxes containing a flat screen TV, blu-ray player, and 5.1 surround sound system." The man said as he gestured towards the inside of the truck where she could indeed see the boxes the man mentioned.

Her father basically bought a complete home entertainment system. She felt kind of weird about that. Her father was usually rather frugal. Yes, the flat screen TV in the living room was broken and they ended up watching an old TV. He only complained once and never mentioned it again. Buying a new flat screen TV along with the whole entertainment system was just unlike him.

But then, maybe he had some extra money and decided to splurge a little. There was nothing wrong with that.

"So, where would you like us to put them, ma'am?" The man asked.

"Hold on, let me just tell my father." She replied.

The man nodded and she continued to push Starlene's stroller and enter the house.

"Dad! There's a delivery from Amazon for you!" She called out as she entered the house.

"What?" Her father appeared from the kitchen looking confused as ever.

"Yeah. There's two people from Amazon right outside who wants to deliver a flat screen TV and entertainment system." She explained.

"But I never bought any flat screen TV or entertainment system." Her father replied as he scratched his head, confusion on his face.

"Oh, but they said they're delivering them for you." She replied, confused as well.

"They must have the wrong name and address." Her father shrugged as he passed her and made his way out of the house.

She felt confused about the whole situation but she needed to put Starlene in her crib first. She had fallen asleep on the way from the playground towards the house.

After putting Starlene in her crib she went out of the room and found the delivery men bringing in the large boxes and placing them in the living room. Her father approached her with a smile on his face but she could see that he seemed rather nervous as well.

"Dad, what's going on?" She asked.

"Y/n darling, I hope you're not mad at me or him for not letting you know about this soon. But, in our defense, we thought you still needed some space from him so we didn't tell you." He said slowly.

"Dad.. what are you on about?" She asked, utterly confused.

"Excuse me, sir. Could you sign here, please." One of the delivery men suddenly stood next to them, brandishing a paper and a pen at her father.

"Sure." Her father nodded then signed the paper.

The delivery men then left, leaving her even more confused.

"Dad, what's going on?" She asked again.

Her father opened his mouth but then his cellphone rang. He raised his index finger at her, gesturing for her to wait while he pulled out his cellphone from his pants' pocket. He looked at his cellphone's screen and smiled then accepted the call.

"Hi Sebastian! Yes, yes, they just arrived." Her father said, nodding his head enthusiastically.

She felt as if her heart had stopped beating when she heard her father saying Sebastian's name. Everything clicked into place for her. Sebastian was obviously the one who sent the flat screen TV and entertainment system. She shook her head in disbelief. Part of her was happy and touched that he would do that, but another part of her was angry that her father conspired with him not to tell her that they've been talking behind her back.

"The delivery men just left and I haven't opened them yet. But, thank you so much, Sebastian! You're so thoughtful. Thank you." Her father said.

"Dad. Give the phone to me." She said, extending her hand to him.

"Oh yes, she knows. In fact, she wants to talk to you if that's okay." Her father said while looking at her with a slight fear in his eyes.

If that's okay? Seriously?! She thought in anger.

"The phone, dad.. give it to me!" She insisted, gritting her teeth in anger.

"Here she is, Sebastian. Yeah. Thank you again and good luck!" Her father said then he handed her his cellphone.

"Sebastian Stan.. what do you think you're doing?!" She hissed into the cellphone as she walked outside to the porch and stood facing the backyard with her other hand on her hip.

"Y/n.. sweetheart, how are you?" He replied.

For a moment her anger at him seemed to vanish as she heard his gentle voice greeting her. She felt her knees weak and she ended up sitting down on the floor.

"I'm angry at you." She replied, her voice shook a little.

"I'm sorry.. "

"Two weeks.. two weeks and nothing then suddenly.. bam! This?! You bribed my dad?!" She fumed.

"Y/n! I didn't buy him the TV and everything to bribe him! He told me his flat screen TV was broken and I thought why not buy him a new one." He protested.

"Seb, you've been talking with him behind my back." She asked, ignoring his reply. "While all this time I thought you had forgotten about me.. or Starlene.." her voice shook as she felt the hurt come back in full force.

"Oh honey, I thought you still needed some space from me. I didn't think you wanted me to call." He replied.

"I.. I.. I do.. I did need some space."

"Did?" He teased.

"Well.. did and still do." She said, not willing to let him know yet how much she missed him.

"Okay. If you still need some space then I won't bother you again. But don't ask me to stop talking to your dad. Cause I need to know how Starlene is." He replied.

Her heart seemed to melt at his reply. He didn't forget about his daughter. He still cared. An immense relief washed over her and she felt like laughing so she did.

"Honey, why are you laughing?" He asked in confusion.

"It's nothing, Seb. I'm just.. just relieved that you haven't forgotten about her."

"Oh sweetheart, how could I forget? There's not a second goes by that I don't think about you or Starlene. I.. I miss you both so much." He sniffled.

The fact that he seemed to be crying triggered her to cry as well. But she quickly wiped the tears from her eyes and took a deep breath.

"You missed another milestone of her, Seb." She said wistfully.

"Oh no. What did I miss?" He asked, disappointment apparent in his voice.

"She called me mama this morning." She sniffled.

"Oh my God, honey! That's amazing! I told you she's bound to start calling you too."

"I know. She said dada too this morning."

"Oh she did? Did you get it on video? The moment she called you?"

"Unfortunately not. But, I'll try to record it next time she does and send it to you."

"Oh please, honey, I would really love to see it!"

"Yeah, of course." She smiled.

For a moment neither of them said anything.

"I.. I'm sorry for everything, sweetheart. I really am." He finally said.

"I'm sorry too, Seb."

"So.. am I forgiven? Are you coming back to me?" He asked slowly.

"Oh, Seb.." she sighed as confusion started to enter her mind again.

"What is it, honey?"

"I'm.. I'm sorry, Seb. I.. I still need some time." Despite the fact that she missed him so much, she was still undecided about their relationship.

He sighed and didn't answer right away.

"Sweetheart, I completely understand. Let's just.. take things slow for now. Maybe we can start by contacting each other again everyday and see where that takes us." He said slowly.

"What do you think, honey?" He asked again as she was quiet and didn't answer him immediately.

"Okay. That sounds good." She finally answered.

"Great! Thank you, honey. Just.. just remember that no matter what happens, I love you. I love you and Starlene. And you both will always be part of my family."

"Oh, Seb."

His loving words triggered her to cry again and for several minutes she let all of her sadness and anger out through her cry. Sebastian continued to say soothing words at her while she cried her heart out. Eventually she stopped.

"I'm sorry, Seb." She sniffled.

"No, I'm the one who should say sorry. I was a stupid husband and I deserved this." He sighed.

"I'm.. I'm sorry too, Seb. Can I.. can I ask you a question?" She asked hesitantly.

"Of course, sweetheart."

"If I asked you again, the question I asked you last time we were together, how would you answer it now?" She asked curiously.

"Well.. I.. you know how much being an actor means to me. So.. I'm sorry sweetheart, but my answer remains the same.." he said slowly.

She suspected he would answer like that but she didn't expect to feel his answer would hurt so much.

"I have to go." She said as she struggled not to cry again.

"Okay. I love you, I miss you and.. and.. thank you for wanting to talk to me today." He replied.

"Of course, Seb." She replied. She couldn't say it yet. No matter how much she still loved and missed him, she couldn't say it yet.

"I'll.. uh.. Can I call you tomorrow? Maybe around this time?" He asked nervously.

"Sure." She replied.

"Okay then. Good bye for now, sweetheart. I'll talk to you again tomorrow."

"Good bye, Seb. Thank you for the flat screen TV and entertainment system."

"My pleasure, honey."

And with that she finally hung up the phone.

She stared at the cellphone's screen. Her mind still reeling from what just happened.

As much as she was disappointed that he would still answer no at her question, she was also happy to finally hear from him, and she looked forward to his next call.

Taglist @sebsgirl71479 @dhoruwolfie

[yellowkitkieran]

What the Heart Wants (Part 6)

Read part 5 here

Masterlist

Word Count: 3.3k

Summary: Kieran is your best friend’s older brother. Your best friend’s fit older brother that you definitely haven’t had a crush on for years. Not at all. And he certainly doesn’t like you back, that would be absurd...

Kieran's shout of pain pierces your soul. One hand immediately flies to your mouth, the other latches onto the person closest to you- one of the boy's girlfriend if you're remembering correctly. 

"Get up," you murmur to no one. "Kieran, get up." 

He doesn't. He stays down, his agony obvious even from across the pitch. You don't think you breathe once for the entire time he's down, only gasping for air once he's on his feet. Your heart pounds as you watch Martin escort him to the touchline, ignoring the shouts from the away fans screaming about time wasting. 

You expect him to look for you. You were at the match when he broke his jaw- the first thing he did when he realized what happened was to look up at you, horrified that he'd gotten hurt. Today, he doesn't so much as lift his head. 

Is he in that much pain? What's happened that's been this bad? You don't pay a lick of attention to what's happening on the pitch- your eyes are glued on Kieran as he heads for the tunnel, moving achingly slow. 

"Kieran!"

You swear his shoulders stiffen in response to your shout, though he doesn't turn. Stones fill your stomach. Kieran needs someone right now. Someone who understands him. Someone like you- but you can't.

You spend the rest of the match on the edge of your seat, alternating between absently watching Aaron in goal and checking Twitter for updates. How Twitter normally finds things out so quickly you have no idea- but tonight there's nothing about your injured fullback. 

No, not your fullback. Arsenal's fullback, their number three. You have no claim over Kieran; never have and never will. 

The game ends with Arsenal on top, a fact that you find bittersweet. Kieran's teammates are clearly worried about him, with Martin going as far as holding up three fingers toward the camera at the end of the match before clapping the fans. 

Aaron picks you out in the crowd easily thanks to the minty kit you're wearing. He holds up his gloved hands in the shape of a heart before joining in with the muted celebrations of his teammates. You don't have it in you to echo his excitement.

Pulling your phone out, you quickly draft a message to Kieran. You tell yourself you're only trying to be friendly, because once Bella finds out she'll want all the details and you'd like to tell her that her brother is doing fine. Beneath that excuse lies the true reason; you're worried. The way Kieran limped off indicates this isn't the sort of thing to be overcome with a few therapy sessions. This is serious, possibly more serious of an injury that he's ever faced. 

You aren't stupid. You know how often brilliant, talented players have their careers cut short by a high caliber knee injury. Right now, all you can do is pray that Kieran pulls through. 

You erase your message, locking your phone and tucking it away as Aaron makes his way over. With a cursory glance to double check no cameras are pointed in your direction, he stands up on one of the seats and kisses you over the barricade. The whole thing leaves your skin tingling in a way you aren't quite sure you enjoy. 

"Cheeky- Aaron you shouldn't have done that!" Your cheeks burn with embarrassment, ducking your head to hide from anyone that might recognize you. 

"Just couldn't help myself love," he explains, "that kit I got you fits perfectly. And with my name on your back…" he shrugs, as if that explains the thoughts in his head. You shake your head, smiling ruefully at him. 

"Do you think Kieran is alright?" The words tumble from your mouth before you can stop them. Aaron frowns, clearly thrown off by the blunt question, and you can't blame him. 

"I can't say that's the first thing I expected you to ask but uh, I can message him once I get my phone." Aaron fiddles with his gloves, frowning at his boots. "They've probably taken him to a proper office for scans and whatnot- we can't do that at the stadium."

You nod, tucking your hands in the pockets of your jeans. You're not sure what to say now. Your mind is filled with the realization that Kieran is suffering somewhere alone, with no one there to support him. Something in you urges you to ask Aaron if he knows where they've taken him so you can be at his side. 

Your mouth remains glued shut because you're dating Aaron, not Kieran. You aren't even sure Kieran would allow you to sit with him right now, given everything that's happened. 

"Martin is having some of the boys over in a few hours. There's enough time for us to stop at mine and get changed… If you want to go?"

"What? Oh-" you shake your head, clearing the thoughts of a certain brunette crowding it. "Yeah, of course Aaron, I'll come with you. Like you said I'll need to stop at yours, at least just to grab a jacket. It's cooler than I thought it would be." You run your hands up and down your arms in an attempt to stave off your goosebumps, which are more likely from nerves than the chill in the air.

Aaron waves a hand, "if that's all you need then I have one you can borrow. Right then- I just need a quick shower and then I'll drive us, if you wait here I'll grab you my keys and a pass that will get you outside to our lot. I'll meet you there?" 

Your stiff nod brings a smile to Aaron's face that almost makes you feel bad for him. The man is far too sweet for you, almost the exact opposite of your awkward, stinted ability to love. 

Twitter still fails to provide you any sort of update while you wait for Aaron in his posh car. You scroll for hours, or what feels like it, until he finally knocks softly on your window in a silent request. You unlock the door and let him in, watching him hopefully. 

"Nothing," Aaron says, picking up on the question in your gaze. Your shoulders slump in response, and whatever flashes across your face must concern Aaron because he leans across and wraps you in a hug. 

The first thing you notice is that he smells wrong. He doesn't smell like forest, he smells like sea- something about that doesn't sit right with you. Shaking it off, you grip Aaron's shoulders and tuck your head into his neck, soaking in all the comfort he can offer you. 

He rubs circles on your back, "It's not unusual for him to not have access to his phone though. I wouldn't worry, I'm sure he's fine, he likely hasn't checked it yet. As soon as I hear something I'll let you know, I promise."

"Thank you," you say softly and finally let him go. You offer him a thin smile, trying your best to be convincing. "Off to this party then- I do remember you telling me that Martin throws the best parties out of anyone on the team, so it better live up to the hype!"

And by that, you mean you hope there's plenty of alcohol so you can drown your growing feeling of unease. 

*********

By your second drink, you've handed your phone to Aaron for safekeeping, not trusting yourself to keep from messaging someone you shouldn't. His friends welcomed you easily, engulfing you in their conversations from the moment the pair of you arrived hand in hand.

"I don't know how we didn't win by a bigger margin." Martin sips his drink, something fruity and delicious that he let you try earlier and subsequently made you one of your own when you drank half of his. "That ref missed at least two clear penalties we should've gotten."

Perched on Aaron's lap with his hand on your waist for stability, you lean forward and clink your glass to Martin's. "Amen! Honestly, there should've been so many more cards handed to Chelsea tonight- I mean Kieran was getting fouled left and right before he went down! I'm sure that contributed to what happened, I've seen him play for years, he doesn't slip like that. Not ever!"

"Shh, inside voice darlin." Aaron's rough voice in your ear forces you to listen. You bite your lip, stopping the retort on your tongue before it has the chance to slip out. He's not spoken to you like that before. Either it's the alcohol or the emotions of the night, but that's the first real bit of spark you've felt since arriving a few days ago.

"Sorry," you murmur and twist in his lap to meet his eyes. "I can be quiet, promise."

Martin stands abruptly, phone in one hand and drink in the other. "Lads- lads! Hey, turn it down- Kieran update!"

The sound of your thumping heart fills your ears when the music is paused. Aaron's chin on your shoulder and the hand he keeps on your waist are the only things keeping you from leaping up to shake Martin and demanding answers. 

"It's from Mikel. I'll read it out- 'Kieran's ACL is at least partially torn. He'll be out minimum of six weeks, best case scenario. More likely to be at least two months. Longer depending on the severity of the tear.'" 

Martin glances at the faces in the room. His eyes crinkle with a sympathetic wince when he notes the defeat on your face. 

Six weeks or two months. Either way, Kieran isn't going to take the news well. This sort of thing is a footballer's worst nightmare. 

You lean into Aaron without realizing. His arms wind around your middle, lips meeting your jaw as he attempts to comfort you. You crane your neck away from him, trying to process what you've been told. 

"He'll be alright." Aaron's murmured reassurances do little to touch the pit of despair you're quickly hurtling towards. The alcohol doesn't help, only dampening your ability to think rationally. Suddenly you feel sick, overwhelmed by everything and needing to be free. 

You claw at Aaron's hands until he gets the hint and releases you. You stumble towards the balcony doors and throw them open to gulp down deep lungfuls of chilled air. Cast iron bites into your forearms as you lean on the railing, head hung as you try to reign in your thoughts. 

One thing is for certain: you need to see Kieran. 

**********

Suitcase in hand, you shift on your feet outside Kieran's flat. You lift a fist to knock, hesitating before rapping your knuckles on the wood.

"Kieran? It's- it's me. It's Bug."

"Bug?" There's a crash followed by a yelp and your heart stutters, fearing the worst. 

"Are you okay?" You try the doorknob, finding it locked. "Kieran, are you-"

The door is yanked open and you're face to face with the man who you haven't been able to stop thinking about. His chest heaves from the exhaustive task of dragging himself from the sofa to the door whilst keeping his weight off his knee. 

"Hey," he murmurs, brows knit together. "What are you doing here?" 

You swap your suitcase between hands. Now that you're here and Kieran is standing in front of you shirtless, you feel foolish. 

You take a healthy step back, shaking your head. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come. I didn't mean to bother you."

"No don't-" Kieran lunges for you, managing to grab your wrist but stepping with his left foot as he does. Your eyes go wide when his face scrunches as he tries to conceal his pain. 

"Fuck Kieran, you know better than that!" You abandon your suitcase in the hall, ducking under Kieran's arm to help him inside. "Don't you have crutches or something, even just a brace that you're supposed to wear?" 

"I'm supposed to take it off when I'm sitting- which I was until you knocked, so don't yell at me."

Your voice shakes despite your efforts to contain your lingering fear, "Well I'm still going to yell at you Tierney! You shouldn't be up and about, I know where you keep the key and I could've let myself in!"

Kieran's laugh holds no humor. "I just wanted to get the door. I thought if you saw me sprawled out on the sofa, you'd turn around and leave right away." 

Once Kieran is sat on said sofa, you allow yourself to take in the scene. Empty takeout containers litter the ground at your feet, as do empty energy drink bottles. You bend down to pick one up, holding the can out, "I didn't think you were supposed to have so many of these during the season."

"Well Bug, my season is kinda fucked now so I said fuck it. Can't really get much worse than it is now, can it?" 

Your heart sinks when Kieran slides a hand under his calf to help bring his injured leg onto the sofa. Seeing him hurting like this both mentally and physically is already taking a toll on your spirit, and you aren't even the one living through it.

"I'm sorry, Kieran. You didn't deserve this." 

"That's what you think, maybe I do- what are you doing?" 

You glance up at him from where you've crouched on the floor. "Cleaning? Helping you out? Is that alright?"

Kieran's cheeks flush, "n-no, you don't need to do that. Honestly Bug, you don't have to!" Kieran pauses, then sighs. "You won't take no for an answer… I know you better than that."

You nod firmly, "yep! I'm gonna clean this all up for you and then I'll do a little cooking, okay? So you have some leftovers in the fridge and you don't have to eat from paper boxes for the next week."

Kieran lets you work for a few minutes. He hates asking for help, you know that much from when you were both young. Lucky for Kieran, you don't need to be asked, you simply act. 

It takes all of five minutes to get the trash bagged up and set by the door. "I'll take that out when I leave, what do you have here to eat?"

"Uh, not much. I'm not even sure I have eggs. But you don't have to cook," he adds quickly. "Really. You've already done enough. And don't you have a flight you need to catch?"

You glance at your watch. "I had a flight to catch, yeah. I won't make it now, so I might as well stay and help you."

"What? No, you should go!" Kieran hauls his body upward so he can look at you properly. "Bug you don't need to stay, I can look after myself, I'm fine I swear." 

"Would you stop saying that?" You press two fingers to your temples. "For once in your life, just accept help when I offer it to you, Kieran. Let me help you so I can ease my conscience about how shite I've been towards you lately. So will you please, shut up and let me work Key?"

Kieran's mouth drops open, his face softening. You mentally replay everything you've said, trying to figure out what might have upset him- 

Oh shit. I just called him Key.

Kieran's voice is thick as syrup. "You haven't called me that since I was fifteen." 

You haven't called him by that nickname for good reason; his eyes lit up whenever you called him by the simple name, and each time it made you fuzzy. This time, that feeling is compounded tenfold until you feel like your chest might explode. 

"I did," you say after an eternity. "Sorry, I won't let it happen again. I just got caught up-"

"Could you come here?" Kieran's voice is so soft, so tentative, that it stops you in your tracks. Your body obeys on instinct, your legs carrying you to the sofa to sit on the arm next to Kieran. His lips become your focus- slightly chapped but still as kissable as you remember them looking when you were younger. 

"I said come here."

"I am here. I'm right next to you."

"No, here." Kieran pats his good leg, an action that lights a fire in you. He can't be serious. He wants you in his lap? That doesn't make any sense, unless-

"Do I have to do everything myself?" With a sigh, Kieran grabs your hips and uses his considerable strength to pull you into his lap. Despite your shock you manage to keep from jostling him too much, even as you gape at him, your hands on his chest to steady you.

You have never been this close to Kieran, not ever. But… who knows if you ever will be again?

Swallowing your pride, you allow yourself to explore. Eyes glued on your own hands, you skate them down Kieran's firm chest to trace the lines of hard muscle. You allow yourself to indulge in fantasy, imagining that this is an everyday occurance instead of a once in a lifetime opportunity. 

Kieran's breath shudders when your fingers drift lower over the ridges of his abdomen. You tell yourself it's his fault for not wearing a shirt. Besides, he insisted you sit in his lap, didn't he? So if anything, you share the blame for the way his heart seems set on beating out of his chest. 

"I broke up with Aaron." Now seems like the right time for that fact to be brought to light. 

"What? Seriously? Why?"

When you lift your eyes to meet Kieran's, you immediately know you're lost. "Because… he doesn't feel like you."

Before you can process Kieran's gasp, he's surging forward. Sparks zing across your skin when his lips meet yours, instantly drawing a moan from your throat. Kieran takes advantage, slipping his tongue into your mouth for an exploration of his own. 

Finally. Finally, finally, finally. 

Your body sings in response to Kieran's kiss, chest pressed to his. Your arms wind around his neck, refusing to let him break the kiss before you're ready for it to end. You aren't sure you'll ever be ready for this to be over, honestly- everything about it feels right.

Kieran's needy whine is music to your ears when your hips lightly move over his.  The sound curls upward at the end in a desperate plea for more. You'd give it to him, you would, if he asked for it. He doesn't ask, not with words at least, and only then do you force yourself to pull away and breathe. 

Kieran swallows hard, his Adam's apple bobbing beneath your fingers. When did your hand find his throat? And when did his hand find its way under your shirt to rest on your lower back? 

"If you broke up with him… does that mean I can ask you to be mine?"

Yes. No. You don't know. What do you want? Are you ready for that sort of commitment? Have you forgiven Kieran for the way he's treated you?

After a moment, you shake your head. Kieran's face falls and you hate yourself, immediately brushing your thumbs over his cheeks. 

"Not yet Key. You have to earn that okay? I'm not… I can't forgive you just yet. I'll need time, and you'll have to do a lot of groveling but… maybe one day you can."

Kieran fights to put a smile on his face. It's plastic and an imitation of the real one you love so much but at least it's something. 

"Well then I guess it's a good thing I've got months of free time coming up, isn't it?"

[ynx1]

Ten Types of Modesty حیا

Ibn-ul Qayyim (raḥimahullāh) mentioned in his book Madarij us Saalikeen Vol. 2 Pg. 267 “Al Hayaa’ (i.e. modesty) is categorized into ten types:

1. The modesty of Shame: This is similar to the modesty of Adam (Alaihis salam) when he fled in paradise after eating from the forbidden tree. Allah asked him “Are you fleeing form me O Adam because of your sin?” He said: “No my lord! Rather it is out of shame that I flee from you!”

2. The modesty that results in you realizing your shortcomings such as; the modesty of the angels, those who praise Allah day and night and never enervate. On the Day of Judgment they will say Subhanaka! (i.e. Glory be to You!) we did not worship You as You deserved to be worshiped.”

3. The modesty of Magnification: This modesty is a result of knowledge. The extent of knowledge the slave has of his Lord, will determine how modest or shy of Him he/she is.

4. The modesty of Generosity: This is similar to the modesty of the Prophet (Sallahu alaihi wa salam) with those people he invited to the walimah (i.e. marriage banquet) of Zaynab Bint Jahsh (Radiyallahu anha)and they stayed with him longer than necessary, so he stood up and walked away without saying to them “Leave!”.

5. The modesty of Embarrassment: This is similar to the modesty of Ali Ibn Talib (Radiyallahu anhu)when he was too embarrassed to ask the Prophet himself about the pre-seminal discharge he was experiencing, because he was married to his daughter.

6. The modesty of Low self-worth: This is similar to the modesty of the slave in front of his lord when he asks Him for his needs, knowing that he doesn’t deserve it. In a narration of Bani Israel Musa (Alaihis salam) said: “O lord, a need or desire of this life arises and I am too modest to ask You for it O lord!” So Allah responded to him by saying: “Ask me for what whatever you like, whether it is the salt for your dough or the fodder for your herd!” And it is possible that this is because of two things:

7. The modesty of Love: This is the modesty of the one who loves another, and when he thinks in his heart of the one he loves during his absence, his modesty for him is greater than what he feels for him in his presence and he doesn’t even know why. There is no doubt that the love of a person has a stronger and more magnificent authority over the individual than the authority of the one who conquers the body physically. And because of this, kings and elite authority wonder in amazement about creation and how they are conquered because of the love they have for someone greater than they are conquered by power and physical authority. We asked Sheikh ul Islam Ibn Taymiyah (Rahimahullah) about this issue, and I mentioned this to him and he just smiled and didn’t say anything.

8. The modesty of Servitude: This is the type of modesty that is mixed with love and fear while witnessing that there is no perfection in his worship or servitude to the One he worships. And the slave acknowledges that his Lord is greater and more opulent than what he is offering of worship, so his servitude to Allah causes him to be modest of Him, and there is no way around this.

9. The modesty of honor and dignity: The modesty of the noble and prestigious soul. if he does something that is beneath his caliber, either by exerting himself or doing some random act of good, he is modest despite what he has exerted of himself with a type of modesty that is honorable and dignified, and there are two reasons for this:

10. The modesty of an individual regarding himself: This is the modesty of the noble, honorable and dignified individual due to him being pleased with the fact that he has some shortcomings. He prostrates himself out of modesty as if he has two personalities. He is modest with one regarding the other and this is the most complete form of modesty. If the slave is modest regarding himself then he is more likely to be modest in front of others

[paladin-of-nerd-fandom65]

Pretty good answers :) spoiler alert: Mario wonder didn’t win lol

1: does the duo like to make gingerbread houses?

2: are they fans of the YouTube series Death Battle?

3: if they were in death battle; separately of course, who would you choose to go against them?

4: imagine this scenario: Kon-El is a fan of the hip-hop group insane clown posses, & decides to paint his, & when they were little, Chris’s & Jon’s faces like juggalos, what would be Clark’s & Lois’s reaction be?

5: between the duo, who’s the better gamer? Or are they both equally good?

6: if the answer above is equally: the duo play five rounds of any fighting game, the loser gets stinkfaced by the winner, or since they both “dislike” gross out humor, I say Jon or Kon does it instead.

7: not a question but new powers for the duo:

Chris: I saw a ghost au from you earlier & think that’s pretty cool; he’s able to become intangible by sending his real body like kamui from naruto. He also has a transformation Similar to Naruto’s nine-tails charka mode, but blue.

Jake: At full power, he creates a massive tamaran warrior made of out starbolt energy that surrounds his body like how Superman did a few action comics books ago

Oh…ah well at least it was a nominee which is what truly matter lol @gothicghost2000

But anywho, onto our main program….

1) Oh yes they will but each with unique twists to them. Chris for instance based his on the Fortress of Solitude while Jake makes a gingerbread Titans Tower. And they’re big ones too, easily covering about half the dinner table in terms of how big they are. They thankfully take pictures of them before they gobbled up entirely by the end of the week.

2) I say the Duo will be fans of that show ever since way back when it used to be under the Screwattack under website. Their favorite matches from have been Guts (from Berserk) vs Nightmare (from Soul Caliber), The MegaMan Battle Royale, and Mario vs Sonic II.

3) Hmmm…..

Nightwing Phantom (Chris Kent) vs Son Gohan (Cell Games Saga, Dragon Ball)

Three Way Match: Skybird (Jake Grayson) vs Sarutobi Konohamaru (Shippuden Era, Naruto) vs Dai (Post Second Battle with Baran, Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai)

4) Lois would be rather intrigued and genuinely curious about this trend going on. A tad bit of concern once the boys are into it but not on the same level as Clark is.

Speaking of whom and putting it a bit mildly, he’d be very concerned. He’d use his super speed to quickly wash that paint off the boys’ faces and then fly over as Superman to ICP’s place for some questioning. Don’t worry he doesn’t use the red eyes as he’s not entirely there to intimidate them. But that doesn’t mean he’s not exactly in the best mood when asking.

5) Chris and Jake are just about equal in their gaming prowess on many fields and types. The only game genre that Jake beats Chris in will City Building simulators including but not limited Tropico, Surviving Mars and Cities Skylines. In turn, Chris usually tops out between them when it comes to JRPGs as evidence by the fact while Jake had so far made it halfway into his play through of Dragon Quest 9, Chris had already beaten it three times over.

6) Well and I dearly have to apologize to you friend but there’s no way any of them are doing Rikishi’s finisher as the loser’s prize for losing some video games. For me I see more likely that if the Duo were streaming on their Twitch channel like say a Five Round Match on say Mortal Kombat (Each Round has Three Matches, best out of three), it’s more the case that the loser will instead serve the winner a parfait both in the stream itself and for the next few days of the week.

7) Now having Chris create an aura shaped like that Nightwing entity itself with him at the center of it is such an amazing visual to put into comic book artwork, let alone maybe even a full animated series. A display of dark blue, black and sapphire that can potentially be on par with the awe inspiring visuals of a Super Saiyan transformation

As for Jake’s Starbolt construct that surrounds him, I say for bonus points, his eyes can be glowing very tightly (Either Blue or Green or even, pink, depending on how you views his Starbolt colors) to further to the fact he’s no longer playing around. I like it. I like it A Lot XD

[neotula]

so fighting game wise, i've only ever played smash bros (mainly brawl and ultimate, lil bit of melee) and then street fighter 5 (played karin) and mortal kombat 11 (i liked jacqui. i mostly played jacqui) (and a tiny bit of soul caliber vi)

but i've been fascinated with guilty gear since watching someone play it. it looks so cool. the characters look so cool. and i got x2 #reload in a humble bundle. and i want to buy things off the steam point shop from it but i have to play the game for two hours first and i'm just saying this is it, folks. this time it's going to click, i swear.

[anitabyars]

Book description

From USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling authors Kerrigan Byrne and Cynthia St. Aubin, comes their latest Romcom featuring a quirky cast of characters who represent the hilarious absurdity of life while making you fall head-over-heels in love. This steamy, laugh out loud, opposites-attract small town romance reminds us that we don't have to be perfect to deserve our own happily ever after!

Gemini "Gemma" McKendrick knows just about everything about everybody in Townsend Harbor. When she's not serving on one of the many civic positions or leaping headlong into another hobby, she's hosting the Sunday Stitch 'N Bitch at her yarn and craft shop, Bazaar Girls. With her quirky boutique in big financial trouble, she makes a snap decision to rent out the basement of her cozy craftsman to Townsend Harbor newcomer Gabe Kelly. A man with a past as colorful as his tattoo sleeves, who has become an urban legend since he blew into town. And who better than Gemma, Townsend Harbor's own gossip guru, to answer the rumor mill's most pressing questions? Like whether the silver-tongued mechanic is as good with his hands as he is with a socket wrench.

Gabriel "Gabe" Kelly wasn't born into a family so much as a criminal enterprise. Taught to lift, chop, and rebuild cars since before he could tie his own shoes, he's obliged to pay his debt to society before deserting South Boston for Townsend Harbor, Washington. Surely he can stay out of trouble here, right? He immediately finds the only position an ex-con with prison muscles and neck tattoos could easily find in a town like this, and buys the vintage car mechanic shop from it's retiring owner . Moonlighting as the only tow truck in a thirty-mile radius, he rescues the absent-minded hottie who runs the local yarn shop. But he quickly discovers that a toy-sized car with a dashboard lit up by Christmas isn't the only thing in Gemma McKendrick's life desperately in need of maintenance. Gabe, who is uniquely qualified to diagnose and fix complicated mechanisms, finds his sexy landlord is impossible to figure out. Looks like he'll have to take a peek at her undercarriage to find out what makes her purr before he hits the road again.

Because women of her caliber don't take home guys with his make and model...

But he knows she wants a test drive.

Order link: https://amzn.to/47rIQSV

My Review

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

One of the most entertaining series I’ve read in a long time! So many laugh out loud moments, sexual innuendo, secrets and with a great group of strong-willed, independent, women, who all have their own unique problems. These women have bonded together to support each other, any way they can, as they find their way through life…and love! Townsend Harbor seems to be the perfect place with its quaintness and quirkiness for all these characters to blend and live in. This is Gemma and Gabe’s story and I never saw this sizzling relationship coming!!!! And it is an eye opener! Just saying Gemma really surprised me in this opposites-attract romance!

Gemma McKendrick lives in a constant state of clutter and disorganization due to her inability to stay on task for any length of time. Thanks all to her ADHD’s delightful bonus, of body betrayals but also because she constantly overextended herself in Townsend Harbor. But when her father and sister start questioning her, regarding her quirky boutique and its profit margin, she suddenly decides to rent out the basement of her house to Gabe Kelly. The same Gabe Kelly that happened to be the most soul-crushingly beautiful man Gemma had ever met. But when her identical twin Lyra and her fiancé Harrison shows up unexpectedly, and catches her in a rather awkward position, what will her family think of her attraction to the hot bad boy? Her family surely wouldn’t approve of him, if she brought him home for Sunday dinner. But she wants so much more out of life and she was willing to finally reach out and take it.

"If experience is what you want, I'd be more than willing to help you with that. Anything you want to know, anything you want to try, anything you want do. No strings attached."

Gabe "The Babe" Kelly was an old friend of Darby's from Boston, who had made his Townsend Harbor debut in a duet on aerial silks that left neither eyes nor panties dry. A man with a past as colorful as his sleeves of tattoos. Born into a family of criminals, he’d learned at an early age to lift, chop, and rebuild cars. Gabe was full of a past filled with darkness and danger, Southie trash with a rap sheet to prove it. As an ex-con he decides to buys a vintage car mechanic shop from it retiring owner in hopes of staying out of trouble in Townsend Harbour. But when Gemma McKendrick offers him her basement to rent out, he knew he was in deep trouble. Because he hadn't been able to get the image of her out of his head, since the night of Darby's benefit. Which was exactly why he couldn't get tangled up with her. Gemma was sweetness and light, the girl next door with a heart of gold. Until she needed him!

"I'm attracted to you," she said, her voice barely audible above the waves. "Like, a lot. Like, so much that it's basically an obsession”

These two are so…HOT! Sexy, charming and totally head over heels in…lust with each other. Their relationship is so sweet and captivating, I loved watching these two opposites come together and be exactly what the other needed. With Gemma, Gabe was starting to imagine a real future together. But when trouble shows up again, will Gemma and Gabe get their HEA? Or will family cause the end of their future together? You will want to read this one to get all the spicy and sexy details!

I received an early copy and this is my honest review.