#the kid would live to see their 18th birthday (probably) and be mostly happy and HOPEFULLY not a serial killer

[polysyndetonaddictsupportgroup]

Hey Syn, I have a very serious question: do you think Matt and Frank can co-parent or would these two be constantly at each others throats?

I mean, they have a lot in common but the way they deal with it is so completely different.

Not to mention that Frank sees Daredevil as a pain in the ass and above the "dirty work" aka killing while Matt condems Franks killing spree. Or their background concerning family (Matt = his dad and Stick; Frank = old parents who didn't know how to control him + Maria and their kids)

I mean, it really depends very heavily on the context.

Like, if you pull them out of canon as they are, hand them a random baby, and assign them to raise it like it’s a flour sack for Health class, then that’s gonna be a hard no. They hate each other, Matt definitely does not want to be a parent, frank wants to be a parent but of like, his kids, specifically, and neither of them are going to want to cooperate on an indefinite basis. They would find the nearest fire station and leave the baby on the steps. But, in the spirit of the question, I think it’s important to note that parenting is something you do not something you are.

Like, it’s a million little choices stretched out for as long as both you and the kid is alive. Decisions you make in the interests of the kid. So, lots of room to fuck those choices up. It’s extremely difficult being a parent, I don’t want to diminish that, but you don’t get whacked with the parent stick once you become in charge of a child. It’s something you have to pick, again and again and again, multiple times a day, seven days a week, including holidays, and a lot of parents don’t pick to like, be parents.

It’s about putting your kid first, and doing what you think is best for them. Sacrificing for them if that’s what it takes. Teaching them not to be a serial killer and taking an interest in them and trying to keep them emotionally, physically, and mentally healthy. A million different things. So, for me, the question isn’t more if they can co-parent, but what, if anything, is a situation where they’d both be willing to take on the responsibility of parenthood together, and then we hit whether those choices you make as a parent are gonna be the same for them.

A few notes:

1. They fucking hate each other.

2. They agree on nothing.

Which is really bad for co-parenting because 1) kids can tell when their parents fucking hate each other, and 2) you need to agree on like, parenting at the very least, or you’ll constantly be fighting.

Really, it’d be a matter of finding the hyper specific situation where they have to make it work for the kid and neither of them are willing to walk away.

Because like, hating each other, not agreeing on anything—those are mindsets, not choices. They still have to make choices. Hypothetically, they could choose to suck it up, be civil, and learn to cooperate for the sake of the kid. I just see very few instances where that would ever happen.

It sounds mercenary, but it’s cost and worth, right? It costs mental time and energy as well as physical money and resources to raise a child. Stack on the costs of having to do it with a guy you fucking hate, and the cost of raising a child is enormous.

The thing is, with Matt and Frank, it’s not like the traditional routes of accidentally finding themselves coparenting is open. Like. Okay. One of them cannot accidentally knock up the other, if we’re starting from canonical sexes assigned at birth and assuming like, no mpreg. They have no way of finding themselves with a biological offshoot of the two of them combined. Before we get to the logistics of “would they be able to work out co-parenting logistically,” any mutual kid of theirs is going to first have to jump the hurdle of getting them to choose to co-parent in the first place. This is going to be the step they almost inevitably fail at.

Choosing to parent a child when you're one of the two most unstable men alive is a big decision. It's an even bigger decision when the other parent is going to be the other most unstable man alive. And that big big decision gets even bigger when you simply fucking hate the other guy. So if Matt and Frank are facing the threshold question of "Are we willing to raise this child?" they're going to almost inevitably say, "No, we need to leave this kid on some nice fire station steps."

And I don't want to make it sound like the kid isn't good enough for them. It's more that if Matt and Frank are being faced with the very important decision of deciding whether they are what's best for this child, they're almost invariably going to say "Absolutely fucking not, get literally anyone else."

Because honestly? Matt and Frank are almost never the best case scenario for a child. Matt's business model is "trust in Jesus to provide for the light bill, yes we will accept half a banana and this 1997 copy of the phantom of the opera as payment for our expert legal services, god bless and amen." Frank does not have a single legitimate income stream. Both of them are profoundly mentally ill and would not get therapy at gunpoint. They've both faked their death on multiple occasions, depending on what canon you're talking about. Falling completely off the grid and having all of their loved ones sobbing at their funeral is a repeated life event for them. Both of them could actually die on any given day. There's warrants out for their arrest. There's probably a shoot on sight policy for them. they both have a proclivity for collapsing, bleeding and dying, to the floor. I'm not convinced they know how to file their taxes.

Matt and Frank electing to take a child in involves a much higher level of choice than having an accidental biological child. If we're like, living in the mpreg or gender bend world or whatever and accidental pregnancy was on the table, while termination would be an option and a choice they could make, they have time to plan and get their shit in order if Frank decides he wants to go for parenting round #2 and Matt like, presumably has an undiagnosed head injury or something if he's decided to voluntarily continue his genetic line.

If they are taking in a child, then that is an immediate choice they have to make with immediate consequences. They don't have nine months to get into more stable positions--the child is standing right in front of them in need of a home, has a set personality, has unique and tangible needs and problems, and their life is probably in fucking shambles if matt and frank are even in the running for consideration. At this stage of the game, Matt and Frank are almost always going to say "Hey, I've developed a great deal of fondness for you, in this, our time saving you from that faceless drug lord or whatever brought your life to such a state of crisis. But i'm sort of a fucking mess and there has got to be a better option for you out of the 7 billion people on earth. i will personally find them and make sure you have a home, but it's not going to be with me."

Frank loved Amy in Season 2 of the punisher, but he still sent her off to live in a different, more stable home. "Being raised by the Punisher and daredevil" is just not a very good environment for a kid. It's going to be really really hard to ever get them to consider coparenting simply because them parenting a child at all is not going to be good for the child, and they will find them a different home.

Honestly, the only thing that could really tip them into deciding to take in a kid would be 1) if the kid's life is just that fucked to begin with and 2) overwhelming emotional complications making it so they can't give the kid up.

TO BE CLEAR i am not making any promises about the "these stupid hells we keep" verse but lisa actually happens to be a perfect case study, so we'll bring her in for illustrative purposes.

Lisa actually just is in a unique position where her life is that fucked. Matt only decided to take her in in the first place because the chaste put him in a bind. On a psychological level, Lisa needs some major help right now. She needs support to do it. But she can't get it, because she can't tell anyone about what happened to her without putting them in immediate risk of the chaste and/or hand killing them. She also doesn't want help to begin with, and wouldn't reach out for help and let people in with the way she is right now. Even if she did, Stick's brainwashing was so fucked that it makes it hard for most average adoptive parents to be able to help with that level of abuse.

Matt doesn't even know if he can find the chaste, let alone take them down. Even if he did take down the chaste, he'd effectively be taking out the only force keeping the hand in check, so now the world may fall to fucking ninjas, who also may go after Lisa. On the other hand, Matt would conceivably be able to provide her the support she needed. He already knows about the dangerous facts, so they don't have to worry about him being killed for knowing. He has none of the problems that almost every other adult on the planet would have for lisa's willingness to open up--he's on the inside of Stick's special group. She sees him as someone like her. He can start chipping away at Stick's brainwashing--if he got his shit together and stopped being such a fucking mess. prayers for him on that. it's the fact that Lisa's interests are so boxed in by the threats on her make the chances of Matt and Frank's co-parenting coming into play much higher.

That being said, if matt knew "murder dad" was an option in therianthropy, he probably would have said "good luck and god bless you seem like you have this under control" and fucked right off to be mentally ill and unstable in peace. Frank is sufficiently dangerous enough on his own to keep lisa safe and, as her father, may be a better candidate to give her support. Like, Matt wouldn't leave her life entirely, but he'd be like the sitcom neighbor who shows up on the occasional special episode and helps her through her brainwashing. Matt legitimately only gets to the threshold of "willing to be this child's permanent adult figure" if there are literally zero other options. And I specify adult figure because matt in hells verse very much is thinking of himself as less of lisa's father and more of her adult roommate who can claim her on his tax forms now. he's the spencer to her carly at best.

Lisa is Frank's daughter. There is not a world where he is willing to walk away from her. So he would have to ignore whatever logistical issues there were and find a way to make it fucking work. Matt is one of those logistical issues, and the question is whether Frank decides to resolve it with like, fuckin' couple's counseling or with kicking matt in the ribs.

The other question is whether Matt stays if there is another option.

Because say like, the day after therianthropy ends, Frank Castle shows up on their doorstep ready to take Lisa back in. He hasn't gone on his murder spree yet, amen and god bless, and won't be doing it at all. It's weird that you asked that question, actually, who would even think of such a thing. He has a daughter to raise and will be devoting his time and effort to that.

Matt's already pretty emotionally involved. Like, he already loves Lisa, even if he may not be able to admit as much. But he's very much still in the capacity of doing this as a necessary evil. He does not view himself as like, a good option--he took in Lisa because he viewed himself as the only option. If he has another option? He'd probably bow out pretty immediately and call it a near-brush with adult responsibility. If there was more time to establish a relationship with Lisa?

It sounds bad to say, but it's really hard to say whether Matt would decide to stay not as legitimately the only living candidate on the planet, but as a voluntary parent, just because he loves the kid in question. It goes more to his own doubts as to his ability to be a healthy influence than his ability to love a kid. He just has a lot of issues and he knows that it wouldn't be good for a kid to be dealing with his spiral. It'd definitely require a lot of growth and healing on his part. But it would take this kind of extreme circumstances to even get to the threshold question of "is matt even willing to try to be a parent?" and he will dive back over that threshold if another option arises.

For Frank, it would be more of a question of getting him to understand the severity of the situation. Frank is very stubborn and set in his ways. To get him to accept co-parenting with Matt, especially as Lisa's like, actual father who has some primacy in this situation, he has to accept that Matt's someone who should be in Lisa's life. It would be a question of whether he actually grasps the depths of what happened to Lisa and the things that make Matt good for her life.

Honestly, I just think that the circumstances to get Matt and Frank to agree to coparent in the first place would have to be so hyper-specific and extreme that it'd almost necessarily exclude them as coparents. That being said, the fact that the circumstances would have to be that extreme actually goes in favor of matt and frank working out coparenting. Like, the situation is already fucked beyond all hope if they are the two parenting options on the table. If they had a kid that needs them that badly, and that they loved too much to leave, then they're going to be in the position where they have to work it out. If they don't, they'll fuck up the kid.

Will they be perfect parents together? By absolutely no stretch of the imagination. They are going to fuck up so bad and so often. But, at their core, they do care deeply about the people they love. They're going to try fucking hard to fix their fuck ups and do better. It would be messy and painful and absolutely riddled with mistakes, but I think they'd conceivably make it over the finish line at the end of the day out of sheer burning necessity.

It does help that most of their biggest problems are going to likely be sidestepped. Like, take Matt's "no kill" code versus Frank's "yes kill" code.

They're going to dodge it just because neither of them are likely to actually want a kid to turn out like them. Like, if they're raising a kid, it's not for the kid to be the robin to their batman. They're not raising them to fight crime. The core of the issue ("How do you ethically run a vigilante career") is going to not come into play because they're probably not raising this kid to be a vigilante. It's probably going to be a very touchy subject that Dad and Other Dad simply do not discuss ever.

Honestly, thoughts and prayers for the very confused couple's counselor they're going to have to get, because they'd have to learn how to bear each other's personalities sooner rather than later. But if they don't figure it on their own, Karen or Foggy is going to threaten their lives and manhoods if they don't get their shit together and take care of that kid properly. They'd have to either come to a truce or find a different living situation for the kid, because it'd be toxic to raise a kid in a household where they actively fucking hate each other.

Daredevil and the Punisher is an entirely separate can of worm. Are they both keeping up the vigilante career? That's a huge problem independent from their relationship--they are constantly risking death or prison, and it's going to be stressful for the kid to have them come home injured constantly. If we assume neither of them are giving it up, eventually they're going to have to either come to some kind of middle ground as to working together or take a very extreme "leave it at the office" approach where they simply do not ever talk about it at home ever. Like married professors who are academic rivals.

The is a very long way of saying that it's incredibly unlikely that they would ever willingly coparent and it'd be a non-issue, but if they did end up in a coparenting situation, then they'd probably manage it. It'd take a lot of fucking work and would be extremely far from perfect, but they would presumably love the kid and put in the Herculean effort required to actually exist in each other's presences for an extended period of time.

[batboyblog]

Hello! You may not remember me, but I am the anon from a whiile ago, who found out about their grandma being Jewish, and who you were really nice to (and had a pretty big impact on how they're going with it). I don't know why, and it may be a lil creepy to keep doing this, but I thought I'd give you this update, because you're genuinely really nice!

So here it is, update 4 or 5 from a complete stranger to you: I am kind of considering starting a conversion journey. A little impetuously, one might argue (I would also argue). But here's how it's going, since I told you about this in February and we only found out in December:

Grandma, who is probably in her early 90s (we can't be sure since neither her or her siblings had documents of the year she was born), has decided to live 'her precious last years' (said in quotations because these are not her last years, as she like all grandmas will live to her hundreds) like herself. This includes being an unapologetically grumpy old lady who refuses her hearing aids and practicing judaism. She started kind of going to the Synagogue since January this year, but from my aunt's birthday on the 18th of February she's gotten a lot more religious, attending service every week, keeping in close contact with her Rabbi. We've offered to her to change her last name, that she got from my grandfather, back to the one she and her siblings shared, Kalinowksi. She said it was a waste of time, which fair enough, but apart from this my aunts are not really sure what to grasp with this suddenly pious old woman, and since I'm the family member closest to her it's up to me to accompany her when she leaves the house, including to shabbos service every saturday morning. I don't mind, and at her encouragement Ive started kind of observing shabbos with her. In the beginning I felt... weird, a little fake, like I do when I go into the Synagogue, but it just naturally started becoming more natural. Even when I'm not home, and thus am not eating mostly kosher like we do since recently, I still kind of find myself keeping to myself. Last sunday I absent mindedly recited to myself the prayer we do before eating when eating lunch at work, and even in broken hebrew (because i only know it from ear) it felt right?. It's just, the little things, you know? I love my grandma to pieces, she's been my best friend since I was a kid and she'd arrange my toys in fun scenes as a surprise from when I got back from school. Seeing her living as she pleases now is the happiest Ive ever seen her. I'm so happy to be here to see this. And slowly the things I was doing just to appease her, to keep by her, are starting to touch me in very like, weird ways. It's like this weird feeling of 'oh obviously. this is what i should have been doing!" it's peaceful. it's like something i never knew i wanted. and it's so weird.

Last month for Yom HaShoah we went to a service together. I took the day off from school to stay with her, and it was a very emotional moment. It felt like only the two of us when we talked. Later that week, my city's Holocaust Remembrance Museum held an event about the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, and I attended reluctantly. It was my first time going to a Jewish space without grandma as a cover, and I was fully expecting to feel like an intruder, or an imposter (the event was not exclusive to Jewish people!!! If it were I would not have gone), but to my utmost surprise I didn't. I felt all the emotions, of course. The Warsaw Ghetto story is not one you can hear without emotion. But I didn't feel like I shouldn't be there. At the end, the museum guide concluded talking about the relation Jewish culture has with spaces of memory, and it fucking hit me so hard. I'm a Museum Studies/Museology student, for context, and everything he said about Museums and spaces dedicated to remembering was like a fish line straight to what I felt about my career of choice. Things I didn't even know I thought.

So that's around the time it really started to build within me the idea of considering starting a conversion journey. I feel so weirdly connected to all these little parts of Jewish culture and faith and life that I don't know what to do to myself. I want to live in this beautiful way not just as my grandma's granddaughter (although I am and will always be honored to be just that) but as myself. Like for real. And I know conversion to Judaism is a deep, complicated, strenuous process, and with absolute good reason, but I also feel like I can't start it soon enough. I will of course give it time, I want to make sure I'm doing this in the long haul and for the right reasons, and in the meantime there is so much to study and learn - just a few thusand years to catch on - before I can even look in the face of a Rabbi and call myself a Conversion candidate. But I want to get there, I think.

So this is the update! Sorry again to keep coming back to you, and thank you for listening. I also thought I should introduce myself properly - I'm Laura! Thank you again <3

First off of course I remember! This story is one of my all time favorite things that has ever ever happened because of having this silly little Tumblr.

secondly! no one, NO ONE should feel bad about dropping into my ask box and telling me a story, I love it, wish people would do it more often.

Your grandma reminds me of my grandma (Z"L) she grumpily refused to get hearing aids at all insisting she'd be dead soon so why bother, it was like 10-15 years of basically yelling, her house shook when she watched TV. Oh also your joke about Grandmas living into their hundreds, Jewish tradition, since its maybe rude to ask someone's age and in the Yiddish world view to ask such things is to invite trouble and misfortune (Eastern European Jewry pessimistic? nooooo) you would say "How old are you? till 120" or "how old is he? may he live to 120" 120 being the maximum age set in the Torah for the human life (some early figures are said to have lived for hundreds of years but God slowly flexed us down to the standard ages we have now) so "may you live to 120" And may your grandma live to 120

Any ways I can't tell you how much it warms my heart to hear about your grandma reconnecting with her religion and culture. It really makes me tear up thinking all the miles and years she's traveled to get back home again. If I might meddle in your life I would encourage you to push your mom and aunts to come to Synagogue with your grandma. It's such an important part of her life now but also a core part of her story and who she is, I think in years to come having been able to share that with her will be a comfort. Likewise shabbos, is traditionally celebrated by a meal to welcome it, and a blessing done by the woman of the house, I wonder since your grandma missed out on years of making Shabbat meals and lighting the candles for her family it might be nice for her to do at least once for all her children with someone else doing the cooking of course, you had mentioned trying your hand at challah, Cholent (stew) and brisket are the other traditional dishes.

Also I'm very happy you're connecting to it as well, Judaism is a very mindful Religion, there's a prayer and ritual for basically everything so if you want and you mean it you can turn daily life into a moving meditation on the divine. The sanctification of the mundane is Judaism's great gift. To say the same words in the same language and link yourself back through thousands of years to Bronze Age sheep herders and olive farmers and all the many many Jews in the times and spaces between is magical and does make something like eating a sandwich at your desk into something special.

Any ways I know just what you mean about memory and Judaism having such a space for it, I mean the whole religion is about story telling and memory, its even how we talk about the dead "may their memory be a blessing" its remembering that is the blessing, and many of the holidays are about remembering. And how even if we weren't there, we were there.

On the conversation path of course take your own time, and for sure be sure you want it forever. But I'd also say your grandma sounds like she's close with her Rabbi who I'm guessing also knows you since you always go with her. So there's no harm in having an informal chat with him about it, likely he might have questions that might help you more clearly articulate what you want or be able to point you to books or other resources that can help shape this. I don't think you need to be fully ready to start the path and assembly a beit din to start asking questions of "where do I start?" and "is this even right for me?"

finally I guess thank you for this wonderful update, and very nice to meet you Laura, I'm Max

PS I wonder how Passover went? did your Grandma go full Kosher for Passover? that can be quite the production, also matzah can be un... and experience for the new comer so I hope you didn't mind it, also matzah pizza... idk

[holidaywishes]

All Roads Lead To You II

Part 2: It’s All About the Deception, Baby

  Summary of series: JJ took a job at the old Samson Estate -- mostly mowing lawns, cleaning Mr. Samson’s yacht and serving at his dinner parties -- for the sole purpose of distracting himself from the fact that he seemed to be the only one left from the crew. Sarah and John B. were still “lost at sea” after almost a year and Pope and Kie were... well, they were becoming Pope and Kie, so he needed something to occupy his time. When a new girl comes to town, JJ thinks it’s the perfect way to let off some steam but it may be more difficult than he anticipated.

  Summary of chapter: Alexis and Addy set up a camping trip for her birthday, while Alexis begins her plan to deceive her cousin.

  Warning: hmm sarcasm?

  Author’s Note: I'm gonna be honest, I had a completely different note written for this chapter that was like ‘I’ll get to this last because i’ve got this fic and that fic and those fics already started’ but with the announcement of the second season, I’m all excited. I can’t guarantee how many chapters I’ll put out or when they’ll go up but for those of you who are reading it, I hope it’s something you’ll enjoy! I know this one is pretty short but hopefully, I’ll have another one out early next week!

  masterlist

  the other masterlist

xx

JJ’s P.O.V

  “So how do we do this?” you asked Alexis as the two of you crept around the corner to see where her cousin was

  “Well, I have two thoughts.” she said, “first, we just walk past her talking about... surf stuff”

  “Sounds real convincing,” you chided, “what else you got?”

  “Do you have your board with you?”

  “Did I bring my surf board to work? Here? At the Estate? In Figure 8?”

  “Yes, JJ, that is what I’m asking you,” she sighed, rolling her eyes at your questions, “what is with all the questions?”

  “No I don’t have my board, why would I bring it here?”

  “I don’t know!” she said, biting her words when Mr. Samson found the two of you hiding behind the wall

  “JJ!” he exclaimed, “you’re still here. How come you haven’t gone home yet?”

  “I’m actually just here to grab Alexis, Sir” you corrected

  “Oh” he said, looking the two of you up and down

  “We’re just heading down to the Cut to grab JJ’s surf board. For our lesson...” Alexis exclaimed and you frantically shook your head until you noticed her nod to her cousin who was coming down the hall

  “The Cut?” she said from a distance, “what’s that? A bar?” You laughed at her statement

  “Aww, sweetie,” Alexis laughed, “you really haven’t been here in forever, have you?” Addy shook her head in confusion

  “The Cut is the south side of the island” Mr. Samson added

  “It’s the uhm.. the poor side of the island” you said, a little snidely to Alexis’ cousin, who picked up on it right away

  “Alright,” she replied, looking past so she could talk to Alexis, “have fun with that then.”

  “You don’t wanna come?” Alexis asked nervously, “to watch how my lessons are going?” You nudged her arm as Adelaide walked away, opening your eyes widely at her as if to say ‘you have no idea how to surf!’

  “Maybe another time,” she said as she continued to walk through the house, turning sharply around when she reached the staircase, “I’ve got to plan your birthday party...” She smiled as she mocked Alexis from where she stood, bouncing her ponytail back and forth before heading upstairs, you assumed, to her room.

  “What if she had said she wanted to come?” you snarled, raising your eyebrows at her until she spoke

  “I had to make it as believable as possible, didn’t I?” Alexis said, eyes wide as she stared at you, both of you smiling at Mr. Samson before you took Alexis by the arm and made your way outside.

  “Did you know she was going to say no?” you asked her, in a hushed yell, dropping her arm from your grip

  “Kind of...” she replied, her eyes looking anywhere but at you

  “Alexis, this is your plan. I’m here to help even though I’m not getting anything out of it...” you scoffed

  “Look I know my cousin,” she said, “Addy is sweet, too sweet to say that she thinks I’d be a terrible surfer. Too sweet to say that she wouldn’t want to watch me fail. So there was a 99% chance that she wasn’t going to come with us.”

  “And what about the 1%?” you asked

  “We would’ve had to come up with something really fast...” she admitted and you scoffed, “you’re going to have to get a lot better at this. I think my Uncle thinks we’re dating now...”

  “WHAT?!” you said, unintentionally raising your voice, “why would he think that?”

  “Because he also knows I don’t surf. So, why would I get a Pogue to teach me when we have access to the best?”

  “Because they’re not the best.”

  “But that’s not what he thinks. He’s probably in there right now thinking ‘why is my niece slumming it with my employee?’” you thought about what she said for a minute before finally replying

  “You could do a lot worse than me”

  “Is this going to be part of the deception then?” she scoffed, “pretend like we’re dating?”

  “Maybe. It would make a lot more sense why we’d wanna be alone, wouldn’t it?”

  “There’s no way.” She laughed, walking away before you stopped her

  “Why not? I told you. I’m great at keeping secrets. It’s all about the deception, baby.” She raised an eyebrow at you until you countered her with both of yours and she sighed

  “There’s no way because you’re going to fall for her. You already have.”

  “What? No I haven’t. I don’t fall for people” you tried

  “Fine. You wanna pretend to date? We’ll pretend. But if we get caught because you catch feelings? I’ll have to say I told you so.”

xx

Addy’s P.O.V.

  You combed over as many web searches as you could about what to do on the island, with the majority being surfing or taking a ferry to Chapel Hill, and nothing sounded exciting enough for a party.

  “Whatcha got?” your mom asked as she came into your room and peered over your shoulder, looking at your laptop, “this is for Lexi’s birthday right?”

  “Right” you added

  “I thought they were doing something on the Yacht?”

  “Mom.. we can’t have a party on a Yacht.”

  “Why not? You all can fall asleep, play your music as loud as you want..”

  “Okay.. we don’t want to have a party on a Yacht”

  “But Lexi’s parents want to be there to celebrate her 18th”

  “Can’t they just... like take her to dinner or something?” you chided

  “They could. But they want to do more. Like take her out on the Yacht...” she replied, kissing your temple before leaving you alone with your plans

  “Fine,” you said to yourself, “we’ll just have to find a way to do both.” You tried to find hidden gems on the island online but knew that the best way to find the best spots was to ask the locals. So you made your way down to the dock’s to see if anyone had any ideas

  “What are you planning?” a dark haired man with a surprisingly unkempt beard asked you

  “My cousin’s 18th birthday. Alexis Carter, she just lives..”

  “Up the hill, yeah we know the Carter’s. I’m Ward. Cameron.”

  “Nice to meet you, Mr. Cameron, I’m Addy”

  “If you’re Alexis’ cousin, does that make you Ben’s daughter?”

  “It does!” you exclaimed, “you know my dad?”

  “Sweetheart, everyone knows your daddy,” he mocked and you furrowed your brow, “the Samson’s are legends are the island. You don’t know your history?”

  “I haven’t been here since I was a kid. So, no, I didn’t really learn my history...” you replied, lying enough to get him to move past it, “which is also why I’m asking the locals what’s the best spot on the island.”

  “I can help with that!” A voice came up from behind you making you whip your head to see the face that matched, “but only if I get to tag along.” The boy laughed, almost maniacally

  “Addy!” Mr. Cameron exclaimed, “this is my son, Rafe. Rafe, this is Addy. She’s Ben Samson’s daughter.” You smiled uncomfortably at the interaction happening in front of you

  “Yeah, hi,” you muttered, “it’s nice to meet you. Both. But I should really be going.. got a lot to plan...” You turned to walk away but Rafe caught up with you quickly

  “Let me help” he said, standing in your way so you couldn’t walk away just yet

  “I’m just looking for a good place on the island to camp. That’s easily accessible but also away from... prying eyes?” you sighed at your own choice of words.

  “I know the perfect spot. It’s an old deserted piece of land about 4 miles west of here. No one goes there. It’s not even on the map.” He licked his lips as he told you about the island and how to get there, sending shivers down your spine as he did so

  “Thank you, Rafe,” you said politely, “this is wonderful. I’ll see you.. around”

  “Do I not get an invite?” he asked, offended by you brushing him off

  “I don’t know if you even know my cousin. It’s her birthday... I’d have to check it with her...”

  “Who’s your cousin?”

  “Alexis Carter!” His father yelled from down the dock, clearly listening in on the entire conversation

  “I know Alexis. Great girl. I can call her, tell her I heard from a little birdy that she’s having a party.” He smiled at you and you sighed, just wanting to leave the dock and go back to your room, away from Rafe and Ward Cameron

  “Okay..” you said softly, “you can come. I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you. We’re meeting here so her parents can give her their own birthday party on their Yacht tomorrow night. And then... we’ll go to this island..”

  “Sounds great!” He exclaimed and you turned sharply making your way back as quickly as you could, ramming into someone on your way

  “I’m so sorry!” you exclaimed, kneeling down to help them pick up what had fallen

  “That’s alright,” the voice said, “I can get all that, you don’t have to worry.” You looked up to see who was speaking and you recognized the face but couldn’t place him

  “I really should’ve been watching where I was going..” you smiled as you stood up

  “Addy?” he said and you nodded hesitantly, “Adelaide Samson! Alexis told me you were in town but I didn’t expect to see you until her birthday! How are you?” You smiled, scrambling to match his face to a name from your childhood

  “I’m good! How are you?!” you replied

  “You don’t remember me do you?” he laughed when you shook your head

  “I’m sorry. You look familiar but I don’t know if I could remember anyone’s name”

  “It’s Brody!” he exclaimed

  “Brody! Hi! Of course, it’s you!” you laughed, finally going in for a hug, “what have you been up to? Golfing, Fishing or Surfing?”

  “How about all three?”

  “Such a relaxed life you live here, isn’t it?”

  “Compared to New York? Yeah, I suppose it’s a lot slower here. How do you like it?”

  “Uhh.. I mean, the sun is nice. Though I should probably put on another layer of sunscreen,” you laughed, “but I think I’m starting to miss my city.”

  “Aww” he cooed sarcastically and you punched his shoulder

  “I should get back home though,” you added, “it was good to see you though. Are you coming to Lexi’s birthday this weekend? Tomorrow, I guess.”

  “Yes. I was told to reserve the whole weekend for it so.. it better be good?” he said, as if it were a question

  “It’ll be fun, I hope. I’m planning it but I don’t have a lot to work with. So it’s gonna be a Yacht, an abandoned island, and probably some beer.”

  “Sounds perfect. I should get back to.. this,” he said, nodding to his parent’s boat and the boxes he’d dropped, “but I’ll see you later.”

  “See you around!” you said, waving goodbye before continuing your walk off the dock; looking back quickly when you felt eyes on you and saw Rafe’s intense stare.

  “Hello?” you yelled, checking if anyone was home, “is anyone here? Hellooooo?” It was strange to you that no one was there, because someone was always there, but you made your way into the kitchen to grab yourself a snack, sitting on the counter while you ate cereal out of the container

  “Hello?” JJ’s voice chimed in from the door frame

  “So someone is here” you smirked

  “Guess so...”

  “I thought you were teaching Lexi how to surf?”

  “Yeah.. we uh... had to call it for today. No good waves” he said and you nodded your head, squinting your eyes with a smile

  “I see..” you replied

  “What are you doing in here?”

  “Getting a snack..?” you questioned, gesturing to the cereal you’d been eating

  “I thought you’d be busy planning Lex’s birthday” he added

  “That’s done. It’s all planned,” you said confidently, “there really wasn’t much to plan, you know, because there’s not a lot going on here.”

  “I think you’d be surprised what goes on here”

  “Oh yeah?” you countered, chewing the cereal as he nodded

  “Yeah,” he said, gesturing to the seat beside you as if to ask if he could sit down and you nodded, “there’ve been ship wrecks and sunken treasure...”

  “So.. you’re telling me, that aside from Surfing and Fishing and Golfing, there’s also Treasure Hunts on this island?” You smiled at his addition

  “When you say it like that it sounds kind of lame but trust me, it gets pretty intense”

  “I’m sorry. I think it sounds exciting. Don’t get me wrong, I’m always up for an adventure,” you giggled, swinging your legs to rest on one of the stools in front of you, “I just don’t think Alexis wants to go rummaging through dirt and grime and trying to scuba dive on her 18th birthday.”

  “Why do you say that?” he smiled

  “Have you met my cousin? She didn’t even want to come to New York for her birthday. She came up with all these excuses about her friends being too stubborn or.. wanting to surf. She isn’t really looking for an ‘intense’ birthday. She just wants something more than a Yacht party...”

  “I’d kill for a Yacht party” he said, looking up into space

  “That just proves you’ve never had one,” you giggled, “trust me. Once you have one, you’ll realize how truly overindulgent and pointless they are.”

  “Once I have one?” he scoffed, “yeah not gonna happen for me...”

  “Don’t be so sure. You work for my Dad right?” you asked, making JJ tilt his head at you and furrow his brows

  “I do...” he replied

  “Then you’ll get to go on the Yacht this weekend”

  “Oh,” you sighed, “yeah, to work.”

  “Yeah, sure, to start. But you’re Lexi’s friend, her surf instructor. Which means she’ll want you to take part in the party.” You said

  “I don’t..”

  “Plus, it’s not my dad’s Yacht. Lexi’s parents want to take us on their Yacht, so they will bend to her whim the entire night. Whatever she asks for, I can almost guarantee, they’ll give her.”

  “How can you be so sure?”

  “Because I know my cousin.” You said, pushing aside the container when you heard him scoff, “which is how I know you’re not teaching her how to surf.”

  “What? Of course I am..” he replied, his eyes pacing the counter trying to come up with something to say

  “You are? Oh okay.. alright, but there’s gotta be something more doesn’t it?”

  “Why?”

  “Because” you scoffed, “our families are what you’d call, Old Money. That’s why this house has so many tunnels and secret passageways. It’s been around forever, passed down through generations. The servants and house staff over the years had to deal with a lot of different personalities. Some were nice. Some were extremely difficult. So, to get to each room quicker they built the passageways.”

  “Mhm..” he hummed, confused at what you were saying

  “Alexis’ family too. They’re place isn’t quite as old, or so the stories go, but it’s still been part of the Carter family forever.”

  “Okay.. so, you’re both super rich. I get it.” He rolled his eyes at your statement and you laughed

  “That’s not what I was getting at”

  “So what is it then?”

  “There’s no way Lexi’s parents wouldn’t hire the best of the best. There’s no way her Dad, the most uptight man I’ve ever met, would let his little princess run around with someone from ‘the wrong side of the tracks’”

  “They hired me because I am the best”

  “No, no. When I say the best of the best, I mean professional,” you laughed, jumping down from the counter, “like Gold Medalist level. They can afford it and if it was something she said wanted, they’d make sure she had it.”

  “She’s keeping it a secret... until she can get a bit better. So she can convince her parents that it’s an investment” he replied and even though you knew he was lying, you wanted to see how far he would take it

  “Hmm,” you started, “I guess that makes sense. Well.. I’d like to see what you’ve done with her.”

  “Huh?”

  “Yeah, you should come along to the island when the Elders drop us off,” you laughed, walking past him to leave the kitchen, “and bring your board so I can see how good she’s getting!”

  “I uh--”

  “I’ll see you tomorrow night, JJ” you said before finally leaving the room

  “Shit” you heard JJ whisper to himself when you were still within hearing distance and you smiled to yourself; knowing that you’d now had it confirmed.

[danceworshipper]

Kestra Fernera - HPMA Profile

(same universe as Lori)

Identity

Name: Kestra Alessa Fernera

Gender: Female (cis)

Age: Roughly 2000 years in total

Birthday (originally): August 23rd (leo)

Last Regeneration Date: June 18th

Species: Human, Phoenix Blood

Blood Status: Halfblood (originally)

Sexuality: Panromantic Demisexual

Alignment: Neutral Good

Ethnicity: Roman

Nationality: British

Residence: A modest townhome in a busy city

Personality Type: ENFJ - T (the protagonist)

Phoenix Blood Explanation

In her very first life, Kes was a ten year old girl walking the streets of Ancient Rome. She came across a strange, brightly colored bird that appeared to be made from fire itself. The bird had a deep gash in its stomach, and was dying (it was actually dying, not going to regenerate, as it has been stabbed). Kes thought this bird was some sort of godly creature, and tried everything she could to save it. On a last attempt, Kes forced all the magic she could muster into this bird's wound, nearly killing herself in the process. The bird was healed, and in turn, healed her. Kes was suddenly filled with the knowledge that the bird was a phoenix. It flew away for a short while and returned with a small, beautiful dagger that looked as though it was still molten. The knowledge of her immortality entered Kes' mind, as well as her immunity to fire. The dagger was the one thing that could kill her for real. As she took it, she burst up into flames, and when they died away, the phoenix was gone, leaving only a single feather behind. From that point on she had the mark of the phoenix on her chest, and could control fire as though it was part of her. This event occurred on her birthday, which just so happened to be the Vuncanalia. Many people took notice of this and declared her blessed by Vulcan himself, and brought her to live in his temple. She was protected and praised as the chosen one, and each regeneration after was treated similarly until Rome fell. The only two items she was able to save when her city fell were the dagger and the feather.

When Kes regenerates, her memories are lost and the mark disappears. On August 23rd of the year she is/will be ten years old for that regeneration, she enters a "memory fever" where her hands light up with fire, her eyes turned molten, and she goes back for a moment to her first life when she saved that phoenix as the marks burns back into her skin. She remembers key elements from some of her previous regenerations, but the only clear memory is the day she was blessed. The power that runs through her knocks her out for days, and in that time, the fire powers given to her redevelop. Her chosen goal is to learn the one answer that seems impossible: what truly is the purpose of life? Besides for this, she just wants to remember everything. The loss of her memory is the one thing that consistently haunts her through regenerations.

The Mage

Wand: Pine, phoenix, 13 3/4 inches, pliant. The feather is the one from the phoenix she saved in her first life, formed into a wand after the use of them became more wide spread. The wand itself is very light colored, smooth and strangely sharp at the end. It's the only wand she has ever owned, though she's not always sure how it gets back to her. After she wakes up from her memory fever this time around, she is able to unlock the chest her past self locked both it and the dagger in

Animagus: none yet, will eventually be a (you guessed it) phoenix

Misc. Magical Abilities: Strong fire magic. She does not need spells when dealing with flames, and fire will not hurt her

Boggart Form: A pile of ashes. Her worst fear is dying before she's ready

Riddikulus Form: Confetti

Amortentia (what they smell like): a campfire, herbs, and cinnamon

Amortentia (what they smell): currently parchment, old books, and metal. This will change as she gets older, as these are simply nostalgic smells

Patronus: Phoenix (duh)

Patronus Memory: One of the only memories from her first life she clearly remembers every regeneration: the day the phoenix blessed her. She could feel her own soul separate from her body, which felt absolutely euphoric - the most intense sort of pleasure she had ever felt

Mirror of Erised: Herself, looking tired and happy, holding the dagger in her hand. She's remembered everything, learned everything, and she's finally ready to pass on

Specialized/Favorite Spells:

- Aguamenti: not a favorite, but she had to perfect it because she's a hazard

- Expecto Patronum: she knows her patronus is that specific phoenix, long moved on from the earth. She misses her sometimes, and casts the spell just to see her and feel reassured

- Fiendfyre: it can't hurt her, so once she finds the Room of Requirement that's the first spell she's going to practice. Eventually, it will be as easy as snapping her fingers

- Reparo: for accidents

Appearance

(art by @kathrynalicemc , who originally created Kestra and then gave her to me)

Height: When done growing, 5'11"

Weight: When done growing, 146 lbs

Physique: Thin with visible muscles, long legs

Eye Color: After her memory fever, bright golden/orange like fire. Kinda scary to look at for most people. Originally hazel, and when she goes out she sometimes glamors them back so as not to draw attention

Hair Color: Black, thick and wavy

Skin Tone: Tan and absolutely covered in freckles

Body Modifications: the mark from the phoenix just below her left collarbone, multiple ear piercings

Scarring: Faded slashes across her back from her first life. They were given to her by her muggle father, who raged and whipped her when he discovered her mother's lies. After Kes became "chosen" he was burned to death as a sacrifice to Vulcan, and her mother was protected for the rest of her life at Kes' request. These scars will never go away, but they're only barely noticeable. They remind her who she was, and the magic seems to know how important they are to her

Inventory:

- her dagger, in its sheath and wrapped in silk

- her wand

- pomegranate lip balm

- loose change

- raw crystals to fidget with

- a snack of some sort

Fashion: When not in uniform, Kes likes to look good. She wears mostly autumnal colors and prefers fitted clothes to loose ones. As she gets older she starts to toe the line between school appropriate and not school appropriate as much as possible. She much prefers pants to skirts, and she loves high heels. She likes to have a subtle elegant tone to her makeup, in contrast to whatever the hell is going on with her hair, which is usually kept in either a low ponytail or a messy bun. Kes also wears flashy jewelry constantly, and likes to have her nails short, neat, and painted

Allegiances

Hogwarts House: Hufflepuff

Allegiances/Organizations:

- Fernera Family

- High Priestesses of Vulcan (the group is all gone now, of course, but Kes keeps up a few traditions as a tribute to her past self)

Professions:

- Student (currently)

- Rescuer (future)

- Musician (future)

Hogwarts Information

Class Proficiencies:

- Astronomy: O

- Charms: E

- Defense Against the Dark Arts: E

- Herbology: A

- History of Magic: O

- Potions: E

- Transfiguration: E

Electives: none yet

Quidditch: she plays in her free time, but never joins a team

Extra Curricular:

- Music Club

- Yoga Club

Favorite Professor: TBD because idk who's in the game yet

Least Favorite Professor: TBD

Relationships

"Mother": Sarina Penelope Fernera

- is actually the youngest of Kestra's great grandchildren. When Kes regenerates it's the duty of the youngest (adult) living member of her family to raise her again

- Sarina was only just an adult when Kes regenerated, but family tradition demanded she take over

- She's one of the few people to have watched Kes die and come back, as Kes normally likes to be alone

- It scared the crap out of her

- She got help from her older brothers raising Kes so that she could pursue a career in Healing

- A year before Kes would remember who she was, Sarina fell in love with a muggle named Derrick Credian

- She had some explaining to do when her "daughter's" hands caught on fire and she started screeching about a dying phoenix in the middle of breakfast

- He's a nice guy though, and he's open to learning more about the wizarding world

"Uncle": Harold Atticus Fernera

- Five years older than Sarina

- Historian

- Has been researching to see if there are any other known Phoenix Bloods, but there seem to be no record of them

- Took on most of the extra babysitting for Sarina

- Married with a young son

"Uncle": Sebastian Noah Fernera

- Eight years older than Sarina

- Cursebreaker

- A bit less of a decent dude, jealous of Kes' power, you know how it is

- Even if he did find a dying phoenix to bless him it probably wouldn't. He's not pure of heart enough

- Divorced, no kids

Love Interest: possibly Lori, but subject to change

Best Friend: TBD

Rival: TBD

Enemy: TBD

Dormmates: TBD

Pets: a fire salamander named Spark. He's not technically allowed but who's going to stop her? She's the most qualified person to handle a creature like that

Closest Canon Friends: TBD

Closest Noncanon Friend: Oleander Loris

- They really don't get along at first

- Lori is TERRIFIED of fire, so that's inconvenient

- Kes actually wants to be friend with this girl, but Lori isn't having it

- Lori attacks Kes outside once and gets three months detention

- She's just afraid

- They don't become friends until the summer after third year, when Lori gets trapped in a burning building that Kes just so happens to be passing by

- Kes hears screaming and runs directly into the building past the muggle firefighters (she's glamored, so they all try to stop her)

- She finds Lori, and she uses her fire powers to keep the flames away while they get out

- The glamor fades away, the muggles freak out and need to be Obliviated

- Now, instead of someone to be scared of, Lori sees Kestra as a safe place, the one person that instead of Lori protecting them, it's Kes protecting Lori

- The professors are very confused by this development

- It's this incident that makes Kes want to be a rescuer

Closest MC Friends: None yet, but they're welcome!

Storyline

Pre Hogwarts:

- Kes can't remember how many lives she's had, but she knows it's been a lot

- Her childhood this time around was fairly quiet. Her and her mother were very close (it almost felt as if she'd already known her)

- She would have strange dreams at night, and she knew things she shouldn't be able to know

- Her mother would sometimes stare at her chest, and Kes didn't understand why

- Then on August 23rd when she was ten years old, she saw her mother fully panic

- Kes looked down at her chest, saw the phoenix mark, and it triggered her memory fever

- After she collapsed, she didn't wake up for a week

- Now that she knew, Sarina gave Kes the previous regeneration's old diary, thinking that Kes would be the best person to explain to Kes what was happening fully

- Even with her new memories, it took Kes a while to wrap her head around the concept

- Now she's ready to figure out as much as she can in order to use this life to the fullest

1st Year: TBD

2nd Year: TBD

3rd Year: TBD

4th Year: TBD

5th Year: TBD

6th Year: TBD

7th Year: TBD

Post Hogwarts:

- Directly out of Hogwarts Kes offers her services to the Ministry as a Rescuer. She's sent in whenever there's an issue related to fire, including important muggle rescues

- In her spare time she plays piano for random groups and performances. She never sticks to one place because of her Rescuer job, but she loves to perform whenever she can

- She gets married and adopts some kids. She's birthed many kids in previous regenerations, but this time around she doesn't want to be unavailable for a rescue while pregnant

Old Age and Death: Unfortunately, Kes hasn't done all that she's strived for, so her 'death' is only a regeneration. Once she considers this regeneration over, she locks her important things in her chest, makes arrangements for her new self to be raised, and slits her own throat to burn away. Someday she'll be able to use her dagger, but not this time. She doesn't have to kill herself to regenerate, but she's been feeling sick this time around and would rather choose when to burn instead of having it happen at a bad time

Personality

- extroverted

- optimistic

- confident

- compassionate

- can also kick ass

- goal oriented

- trusting

- it seems as though she daydreams a lot, but she's actually trying to remember as much as she can from her past lives in order to make this one the best it can be

- has a hard time apologizing

- surprisingly she has a bad temper, but she controls it well

Misc Information

- Kes discovered her attraction to girls way before her attraction to boys

- Like, regenerations earlier

- As one of the high priestesses, no man was allowed to touch her, so she spent most of her time surrounded by other women that were kept away from men... you can see where this is going

- It wasn't until Rome fell and they all had to scatter that she first fell in love with a man

- There wasn't really a good word for it back then, but she knew she loved men, women, and everyone in between

- Her favorite color is a dark red - in fact, she wears so much red that people often mistake her for a Gryffindor

- She's been in each of the Hogwarts Houses many times

- She can't remember it, but she was sorted into Hufflepuff her first time around

- Kes found her salamander, Spark, when she got lost in Knockturn Alley

- She stumbled upon a poacher selling rare and dangerous creatures

- She did not buy Spark. She melted the bars of his cage and stole him, and then reported the poacher to the authorities, selfishly keeping Spark to herself

- He loves her so much, and she loves him

- Sometimes she conjures fire without even realizing it, which is part of why she keeps crystals in her bag to fidget with

- Fire is kind of a hazard in a library after all, and she can't risk being seen playing with fire by a muggle when she's out in their world

- She still sometimes has nightmares of when her first father whipped her and her mother

[agent-kihyun]

Plus One [chw]

Pairing: Hyungwon x Fem!reader

Words: 4.5K

Warnings: SOFTNESS, ROMANCE, LOVE, CHEESY LOVE lmao fr tho it's just soft

A/N: so after a long hiatus i am finally back and better than ever. Here is my first Monsta X fic and it’s for Hyungwon! I don’t see enough love for him on this site and I decided to write something for him in hopes that other Hyungwon stans find something new. Hope you enjoy <3

Weddings. Probably one of your favorite events to attend. To say that you loved love was an understatement. Unfortunately, you didn’t get many opportunities to go to weddings seeing as most of your friends were also still in college and broke like you were.

So when you received an ornately decorated ivory and gold envelope in your mail today, you were excited, to say the least. You practically shredded the thing open just to make sure you weren’t dreaming.

You furiously pulled the card out and there, in beautiful gold script, sat the words “save the date!” You read the words several times over before realizing that, hey, your cousin was getting married! You squealed in excitement, jumping up on the couch before plopping down to sit.

“About damn time,” you muttered before picking up your phone. You immediately dialed your cousin’s number to congratulate him.

The minute you hung up, your best friend walked through the door, not prepared to deal with your giddy attitude.

Hyungwon didn’t hate social settings. He just preferred to stay at home where he had access to his favorite foods, shows and movies, and his bed. Often times you would drag him out to small outings with your mutual friends, but he never disliked it, because he was with you. And as long as you were by his side, he liked going out a little more than usual.

When he spotted you on the couch, giggly and smiley, he was baffled.

“What’s got you all excited? Did you pass your test?” He asked with a small smile as he pocketed his key to your apartment (which you gave him).

“I did! But that’s not why I'm happy!” You exclaimed.

“So? What’s the reason?” He pushed.

“I got invited to my cousin’s wedding!” You yelled with glee. You shoved the invitation into Hyungwon’s face as you danced around the living room singing Bruno Mars’ “Marry You”.

“Hey hey! Pipe down, you’re gonna piss your neighbors off and then you’re gonna have to live with me,” Hyungwon chuckled before looking back at the invitation.

“I’m finally gonna be able to go to a wedding! I’m so excited!” You sighed dreamily.

“Well I’m happy you’re happy,” Hyungwon said as he handed you your invitation and sat on your couch beside you. “Do you mind if I take a nap? I’m exhausted.”

“You always come here to take naps,” you laugh.

“Because your couch is comfy, and you’re a real nice human pillow,” Hyungwon gave you a crooked grin.

“Fine whatever. Take your nap.” You said playfully and continued to re-read your invitation until you came across words you hadn’t noticed before.

“You are allowed to bring a plus one. Check in either box below to confirm you will bring someone along.”

“A plus one?” You said, puzzled. You were sure your cousin knew you weren’t dating, so why would he give you a plus one?

“Hm,” you hummed before glancing over at a knocked out Hyungwon, his baseball cap slightly covering his face so you wouldn’t catch a glimpse of his sleeping face.

You’d have to ask him once he woke up. Disturbing his sleep could only result in your demise.

6 months later

You glanced in the mirror at your reflection, somewhat satisfied by your appearance. Something was missing but you didn’t quite know what. You searched your room for the finishing touch, all while trying to figure out what it was that you were looking for.

Hyungwon had knocked on your door for the third time in the past 5 minutes, glancing at his watch to check on the time. Eventually, he grew tired of waiting for you to answer his door and used his key to come in.

“Y/N!” He called when he came into your apartment. No answer.

You could hear Hyungwon’s voice from your living room, just as you finished putting the necklace your mother gave you for your 18th birthday. You grabbed your phone and clutch before opening and closing your bedroom door and walking out to meet Hyungwon in the living room.

Time seemed to come to a near stop as the two of you laid eyes on each other. Hyungwon was speechless, to say the least. There was always that voice at the back of his head that told him you were gorgeous, but to avoid falling for you he pushed it away, instead, deeming you incredibly average. However now he couldn’t push it away. Now the fact was sitting right in front of him.

You had seen Hyungwon in a suit several times before this moment. Whether it be high school graduation or interviews or important events, you’d seen him in a suit. But this was different. Maybe it was because his hair was a tad bit longer, a sort of pseudo-mullet, and it was clear he styled it a bit. Or maybe it was because his suit was more form-fitting and clung to him so that you could see the outlines of his arms, legs, and torso. Or maybe it was just how flawless and put together your usually sleepy and sarcastic best friend looked. You couldn’t quite pin it down.

You were the first to say something.

“Hyungwon,” You exhaled his name.

“Y/N...you look...phenomenal,” his lips quirked up in a small smile.

You returned the smile and walked over to him, tossing your phone and clutch on your couch. You dusted off Hyungwon’s jacket and straightened his tie a bit.

“You clean up pretty well yourself, Chae Hyungwon,” you grinned, avoiding looking into his pretty brown eyes. You knew you’d be done for if you did so.

“Thanks. Are you ready?” He asked. You nodded in response and finally looked up at him.

Oh shit. This was going to be a long day.

The wedding ceremony was outdoors, which was a great idea since it was such a beautiful day. It was set near a lake, in a slightly wooded area but still open enough that you could catch a glimpse of the beautiful blue sky. It wasn’t too hot, nor too cold, quite literally the perfect day for a wedding.

Upon your arrival, some of your cousin’s friends were asking to see invitations. You showed them your invitation and led Hyungwon into the seating area to take your seats.

“Wow, they really went all out,” Hyungwon leaned down and said quietly into your ear.

“Trust me I'm equally as surprised about how incredible this is,” you said back and took your seat, Hyungwon sliding in to sit next to you. He looked around at the area, noticing how incredibly beautiful everything was and mentally noted that he would have to come back to this location on his own time. Maybe with you again.

As his eyes wandered the area, he began to notice people staring at him (mostly women), which he found odd. He nudged you twice and you looked up from your phone at him in confusion.

“What? Is something wrong?” You asked him.

“All these people are staring at me,” he whispered to you. You looked around at all the women who were staring at Hyungwon, now looking away upon realizing that you were looking at them. You chuckled when you figured out what was going on.

“I think they just think you’re hot,” you smiled at him before looking back at your phone. Hyungwon raised his eyebrows in surprise.

“You think I’m hot?” He asked with a small smirk.

“I didn’t say that. I just said that they think you’re hot. I didn’t say I did,” you scoffed amusedly at him. Hyungwon jokingly pouted, but truth be told that he did feel more confident now knowing that all these random people thought he was handsome.

“You think I should try my luck?” He joked. You stopped whatever you were doing on your phone to make full eye contact with him.

“I didn’t realize you were into older women and...teenagers, Hyungwon,” you double-checked who exactly was looking at Hyungwon before raising your eyebrow at him.

“Hey hey! I was kidding!” Hyungwon laughed. You rolled your eyes and gave him a playful scowl. The two of you continued your usual witty banter and sarcastic jokes until more people started taking their seats and the ceremony began.

“Oh shhh, the ceremony is starting,” you repeatedly excitedly hit Hyungwon. You didn’t notice the fond smile he sent your way as you watched the aisle for the bridesmaids. A soft song [not the bridal march] began to play and one by one the bridesmaids began to walk down the aisle.

You watched in wonder as the beautiful friends of your cousin’s fiancée walked toward the altar gracefully, like swans. Hyungwon watched as well, but in the back of his mind, a voice was shouting at him that you were far more stunning any of the women in the area.

And then suddenly a feeling of absolute, unadulterated bliss filled the air as the sun shone perfectly right as the bride and her father started to walk down the aisle. Your eyes lit up in wonder as you watched her glide past you, and you hoped one day that could be you.

Hyungwon missed the moment entirely, for his vision was entirely focused on you, that same fond smile aimed at you. The way your eyes captured the sunlight perfectly, your wide grin, the happiness he felt radiating off of you, it all warmed his heart. Looking at you at that very moment, he realized how he truly felt about you for all those years. Because one thing was for sure: if the bride was supposed to be the most beautiful one in the room, but he found you more beautiful, it was clear how he really felt about you.

The ceremony went smoothly, but the minute vows were being read, sniffles could be heard all over the area. You didn’t cry but found yourself reflecting and thinking about what your cousin and his wife-to-be had said to each other. You were in such deep thought, you hadn’t realized that Hyungwon brushed his hand against yours to see if you would hold his hand. That was what brought you back down to earth. You looked up at him and looked down at your hands next to one another before giving him a small smile and interlocking your fingers with his. You both looked back at the ceremony just as the priest said the important words

“You may now kiss the bride.”

Cheers and applause erupted from everyone, and both you and hyungwon let go for a split second to clap but went back to holding hands moments after. Your cousin and his wife broke away and excitedly ran down the aisle, away from the altar and to their car. Many people followed them, but you hung back with Hyungwon.

“That was so...I don’t know how to explain it,” you looked up at him, the same smile you’ve been holding the whole ceremony still on your face. “My face hurts from smiling so much.”

Hyungwon laughed and he had an idea to help you stop smiling, but was unsure of himself so he decided against it. Instead, with one hand, he squished your cheeks so your lips were puckered.

“Does that help?” He asked, an eyebrow raised.

Your heart nearly stopped beating at the scene in front of you. It felt like you were in a movie, with the lighting, how close Hyungwon was to you, just everything about what was going on. You nodded slowly in response and Hyungwon let go of your face.

“We better get going to the reception,” you looked down and started walking towards where Hyungwon’s car was parked. Hyungwon watched as you walked to his car and sighed, frustrated that he let another moment slip between his fingers. Literally.

He followed you to his car and soon the two of you were on your way to the reception, the car-ride silent the whole time. It wasn’t a bad thing, necessarily. Both of you were lost in your thoughts, contemplating the events of the day and most definitely contemplating each other. Not to mention, there was surprisingly nothing you had to say to one another.

When you finally got to the reception venue, Hyungwon, in a gentlemanly manner, held open your car door as you got out and closed it for you. Then you both walked inside the lavish hotel and found your way to the ballroom.

Before you stepped inside, Hyungwon impulsively grabbed your hand to hold once more. You were surprised but didn’t let it show and simply didn’t retract your hand. The two looked at each other, anxiety evident in both pairs of eyes. You took a deep breath and opened the doors to...well...an actual ballroom. High ceilings with chandeliers complete with grand staircases and a marble floor took your breath away. You made a mental note to ask your cousin how much this cost.

As you walked into the ballroom and down the stairs, several pairs of eyes fixated on the two of you while you searched for your table on the main floor. You were almost positive that they were staring at Hyungwon more so than yourself, but alas, you were wrong, for they were staring at the two of you together.

Eventually, you found your table and sat down together, the attention finally off of you.

“I’m hungry,” Hyungwon noted.

“Me too. I can’t wait to eat,” you rubbed your hands together excitedly. Hyungwon laughed, knowing that you liked to eat almost as much--if not--exactly as much as he did.

“I hope your cousin has good taste in food,” Hyungwon glanced around in search of the man himself.

“Speak of the devil,” you gestured to the opening doors where your cousin and his new wife came through, holding hands. Everyone began to cheer and whistle for them as they descended the stairs while you and hyungwon stood and applauded.

The bride and groom took their seats and the wedding party was introduced and a brief speech was given by your cousin. Then, the bride and groom had their first dance, and after that, the bride and her father. It was a beautiful moment, truthfully you were happy for your cousin, but you had zoned out and missed everything because you were thinking about Hyungwon while staring in the direction of the dance floor. Fortunately, he was paying attention to the dancing and had no idea that you looked like a zombie just staring at the floor. When the dancing ended, Hyungwon nudged you, snapping you out of it.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Oh yeah, I just got lost in my thoughts is all,” you waved it off.

“Okay, well...dinner is gonna be served now right?” Hyungwon asked.

You laughed and nodded, “I think so. Why? Are you hungry?”

“Starving,” Hyungwon patted his stomach, “I wonder what they’re serving.”

“I don’t know, but I have a feeling it’ll be something with chicken,” you guessed, knowing that your cousin really liked chicken dishes.

“If Kihyun were here, he’d be excited for that,” Hyungwon chuckled, a sound that you could listen to forever.

“Yeah, he does love chicken,” you agreed with a nervous laugh, to which Hyungwon became confused at, but shook it off. Eventually, the food came out and you and Hyungwon dug in, occasionally conversing while waiting for the next course to be served. When the two of you finished your meals, Hyungwon sat back, hands on his stomach as he threw his head back and groaned. You nearly had a heart attack on the spot but you contained yourself.

“Damn that was delicious. Next time I see Kihyun, I’ll tell him that this meal is better than anything he’s made. Wanna get a rise out of him,” Hyungwon laughed before clearing his throat and turning to you, “so when is dessert?”

You stared at Hyungwon anxiously, then looked down at the table cloth as if it was going to give you the answer.

“Uh, hello? Earth to Y/N?” Hyungwon waved at you, causing you to look back up at him.

“Hm? What’s up?” you feigned having not heard him.

“I asked you when dessert was and you completely ignored me, are you okay?” he asked.

“Yeah, I’m okay, sorry I was...daydreaming and I didn’t hear you,” you lied.

“Well get out of your head, when is dessert? When will we get to eat that massive cake over in the corner of the ballroom?” Hyungwon nudged you.

“Uh...I think it’s after the toasts...we might be waiting a while to be honest,” you told him.

“Damn,” Hyungwon cursed, so you decided to finally break out your secret stash of cookies you put in your purse before you left for the wedding. You hoped they weren’t smushed, that would’ve defeated the whole purpose.

“Do not fear, cookie bag is here!” you cheered as you pulled out a sandwich bag filled with variations of cookies: chocolate chip, Oreos, sugar and peanut butter.

“Holy shit, you came prepared,” Hyungwon grinned.

“I had a feeling this would happen, so I packed this bag just in case,” you said while handing over the bag, “when I went to a wedding as a kid, my mom did this for me and I figured it would be a good idea.”

Hyungwon plucked out two Oreos and a chocolate chip cookie, munching happily on his treats.

“Y/N, I love you,” he said before eating another cookie. Your heart did flips, but all you did was offer him a nervous smile.

“Love you too,” you mumbled. Hyungwon gave you the bag back just in time for the toasts. Those flew by quickly and soon it was time to dance. Most everyone got up, but you stayed seated with Hyungwon. You knew he wanted to dance, he was a dancer after all (in addition to being a model, yes), but you didn’t consider yourself the dancing type (even though you could dance okay).

Hyungwon glanced at you, finding you wringing your hands anxiously. He placed a hand over yours and gave you a soft smile.

“We don’t have to dance if you don’t want to,” he told you.

“No! No, we have to, I just…don't really like this song,” you lied.

“You don’t like...Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars? Shownu would be so disappointed,” hyungwon smirked.

“Shut up,” you laughed, “okay I’ll dance, but I’m warning you it’s not gonna look pretty.”

“I don’t care,” Hyungwon said as he stood up, offering you his hand. You gave him a small smile and took his hand. He practically yanked you out of your chair and dragged you to the dance floor, then began to dance. You awkwardly began to side-step to the beat, playing it safe, but a grooving Hyungwon wasn’t having it and grabbed your hands to help you get out of your comfort zone. You gave him a mildly terrified look, but he returned it with a calm smile and encouraged you to keep dancing, even if you didn’t think it was good. At some point--after a few drinks I might add--you finally let loose and were dancing with Hyungwon without a care in the world. As he watched you move, he couldn’t help but smile, thinking your dancing was the cutest thing. You were half dancing, half just wiggling around, but he gave you an A for effort.

After a couple of more upbeat songs, including but not limited to Footloose, Happy, September, and Moves Like Jagger (which Hyungwon completely ate up), the two of you decided to take a break. Hyungwon escaped to the bathroom and you got some water.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t my little cousin, Y/N,” you heard your cousin’s voice behind you. You whipped around and beamed at the man of the hour.

“C/N! Oh my god, congratulations!” you enveloped him in a hug. He hugged you back and the two of you began to chat as you walked back to your table.

“So...I see you did bring a plus one,” your cousin changed the subject.

“Yeah, I did,” you said fondly.

“Is he your boyfriend?”

“What? No, no! C/N, it’s Hyungwon! You know, my best friend since high school you’ve met him a few times,” you reminded your family member.

“Oh, that scrawny kid?” C/N replied.

“He’s not scrawny,” you defended your best friend.

“Okay okay,” your cousin backed off, “so you two are just friends.”

“Yeah...we are,” you confirmed, but your cousin was able to pick up the slight disappointment in your voice.

“Do you like him?” he asked.

“What? Oh my god, no!” you exclaimed before taking a large gulp of water.

“Y/N…,” your cousin said your name as if he knew the truth. You turned to him with a nervous expression, once again wringing your fingers out of habit. Your cousin shook his head and gave you a small smile.

“You really didn’t think I wouldn’t notice? I know what love looks like, I literally just got married. I can see how you look at him, you dork. Why don’t you tell him?” your cousin slightly teased you.

“C/N, it’s just...complicated. Hyungwon has been in my life for years, we’ve established a solid friendship and it works! If I tell him how I feel, that could go away like this,” you snapped your fingers, “and then I’d lose him.”

“Do you know why Hyungwon said yes to being your plus one?” your cousin suddenly asked. You blinked at him a few times, trying to come up with an answer.

“Because I’m his best friend and he can’t say no to me?” you tried. You truly didn’t know, though. You reminded yourself that Hyungwon wasn’t a big socialite, so why would he say yes to a wedding with people he didn’t know?

“Y/N, when someone invites you to a wedding, it usually means they like you and want to spend time with you. A wedding is romantic and intimate. You knew that when you invited him,” your cousin told you, to which you slightly rolled your eyes. He was right, you knew that.

“If he accepted, maybe it’s because he wanted to spend time with you as well, in a romantic setting,” your cousin suggested. You sighed, not really believing your cousin.

“C/N, don’t give me false hope. I don’t think he likes me like that,” you crossed your arms.

“Okay fine, don’t believe me, but here’s something you should know. If you don’t tell him soon, he could slip through your fingers and find someone else. Take it from someone who almost lost my own wife like that. You don’t know what could happen, but it could be good,” your cousin gave you a hopeful smile. You tried not to smile, but couldn’t help yourself, for even the thought of Hyungwon easily brought a smile to your lips.

“I’ll consider it,” you told your cousin, to which he pumped his fist and said  “Yessss”. Suddenly, a slower, more romantic song began to play and your cousin stood up.

“Now if you excuse me, I need to go find my wife for this song. Good luck, Y/N,” your cousin waved as he left you. You looked down for a split second, but as soon as you looked up, Hyungwon, in all of his glory, was standing in front of you, hand held out for you to take. His facial expression was one of adoration, which made your heart beat faster. You took his hand and he led you to the dance floor, where various couples were swaying to the song. The melodies played your heartstrings like a harp, they carried your soul to cloud nine.

Hyungwon placed one hand on your back and the other held your other hand. You put your hand on his shoulder and the two of you joined the other couples in dancing.

You found it difficult to maintain eye contact with Hyungwon, so you kept looking off to the side or down. Hyungwon wanted you to look at him but he figured you were nervous and let you glance around. He really got to study you in this time, taking in your appearance, illuminated by the light of the chandelier and candles in the ballroom. His heart was doing flips by the second, just being so close to you. He wanted to say something, but his words were caught in his throat.

At some point, you put your head against his shoulder, a small smile on your lips. All of the nervous energy that you and Hyungwon carried dissipated as the music relaxed you. The song went right into another slow song, and you changed positions, wrapping your arms loosely around Hyungwon’s neck. He put both his hands on your waist and this time, you managed to make eye contact for a bit longer.

Once more, you put your head against his shoulder, your hands coming down to rest on his chest. Hyungwon, feeling rather sentimental, decided to take action.

He leaned down a bit and very delicately whispered three words that made your heart implode:

“I love you.”

You looked up at him in surprise, but you weren’t sure if that was supposed to be a friendly “I love you” like he said when you took out your cookies or if it meant more.

“You mean...like a best friend type of ‘I love you’?” you whispered.

“I mean this type of ‘I love you’,” he said and before you knew what was happening, Hyungwon leaned down and captured your lips in a soft kiss. It was magical, so much so that it was hard not to smile into the kiss. You wrapped your arms around his neck to bring him closer, while he wrapped his own arms around your figure, the two of you completely halting your dancing. A few other people were surprised, but kept swaying, while your cousin, who spotted the gesture from across the dance floor, smiled in approval.

When you and Hyungwon broke away, you pressed your forehead against his, trying to catch your breath. You laughed softly, happy that your feelings were returned.

“I love you too,” you whispered back. Hyungwon smiled widely before going in for another kiss, not being able to get enough of you. He had waited long enough, he wanted the feeling and taste of your lips against his ingrained in his brain forever.

The song changed to Maroon 5’s Sugar, causing you and Hyungwon to break apart to dance with one another again. You made a mental note to thank your cousin for his advice.

Needless to say, you were glad Hyungwon accepted your invitation to your cousin’s wedding.

[purplesurveys]

1079

survey by ashley-mae-cook

Would you want to have twins? Pass. I want kids, but if I am to have them I’d prefer to have one at a time. Twins don’t run on either side of the family anyway, so I think I’m safe from this ever happening.

How old was your mom and dad when they had you? They were both to turn 27 that year, but my mom was 26.

What would the worst year of school ever would have to be? I barely remember any details from Grade 6 and freshman year of high school as both were terrible and were spent without friends. At least my mind did a decent job permanently blocking any memories from either year. As for college, I hated my freshman year because I had a hard time adjusting then, and I also spent that year mostly alone.

What did/would you do for your 18th birthday? A week before my 18th birthday I went on a cruise, care of my dad; I traveled to China, Japan, and South Korea for around a week. Once I got back, I treated my friends to an overnight stay at a hotel so that I got to celebrate with them. On my actual birthday, my friends forgot it was my birthday lmao and they planned an advanced birthday surprise for another friend in our group (whose actual birthday wasn’t until three days later), so Gabie arranged a very last-minute plan to take me out and made sure I still enjoyed my real 18th birthday. That was also the same birthday I started to reevaluate if I should keep the same set of friends around me.

Have you ever flushed or put a live goldfish down the sink? I haven’t, but I’m not sure if my parents or grandparents have done this to the goldfish I used to have.

What’s your favorite Disney movie? Toy Story and Tangled.

Are you hypoglycemic? I’m not hypo- or hyper- of anything, fortunately.

How do you like your doughnuts? Anything but filled; I find those nasty. I’d like to try out more quirky, artisanal doughnuts, with uncommon flavors - all of which are hard to come by here (if there are even any) considering we’re dominated by the two big doughnut chains and the market for doughnuts is nothing but a tiny dot where I live. I’m still dyinggg to try Voodoo Donuts in Portland because I’ve heard so much about it.

How long can you hold your breath? I dunno. Maybe 30-45 seconds? At least my previous record was somewhere in that range.

Do you have allergies? As far as I know, no; but maybe the annoying, itchy reaction I get on my legs when I’ve been outdoors for too long is some sort of allergy? I just never have had any idea what it is that’s causing the irritation.

Who taught you how to swim? I think I just taught myself, lol. The moment I gained ~consciousness, I knew I liked to swim. I don’t remember ever having trouble being in the water.

What's your favorite kind of tree? I don’t have one. I’m not much of a plant/tree person at all, and I always end up killing or abandoning the plants I own.

Could you handle working on a farm? Probably. But I would miss the city life too much and I don’t know if I’d be happy for long.

Do you hate having to repeat yourself? In some ways, yeah. I don’t like when it happens in my personal life, i.e. when I expect people to act better (or when they make the promise themselves) and yet they keep disappointing. Repeating myself got a hell of a lot tiring with Gabie because she refused to change, even when it meant that who she was was already hurting me.

What's your favorite thing to see at the zoo? Probably the exit sign? Lmao. I don’t want to go to zoos as much as possible.

Have you ever been attacked by an animal? Just this big bird that felt threatened by me. It just slowly walked towards me and started pecking my foot, though.

Have you ever had to put an animal to sleep? No.

Do you enjoy laying in the sun? The only time you’ll see me doing that is if I’m at the beach. < Yep. Otherwise, hate the sun.

What makes your heart melt? I like heartwarming stories of stray dogs getting adopted by kind people, or fundraisers for abused/stray dogs going well. I’m also a sucker for emotional advertisements lmao, and clips of grandparents being sweet with their grandkids.

Do you know anyone who is in prison? I think so. One of my aunts (not related, though) was jailed last month for reasons I’d rather not get into. Super unfortunate.

Do you have a distant pen pal? Nope.

Do you like going to barbecues? No, that’s not a thing here.

Ever fall asleep with your contacts still in? Nope. I avoid contacts because I get very wince-y with eye stuff, and also because I’m the kind of person who would for sure forget to take off her contacts before sleeping or while cooking.

Do you like the social scene? I’ll join it as much as possible; but obviously I haven’t had the chance to because of the pandemic and most bars and other public areas that allow for socializing have remained closed.

What’s the hottest piercing on the opposite sex? I don’t look for piercings anymore but back when I was a teenager I liked lip rings.

Do you have a favorite type of firework? The big ones? Hahahaha idk what their names are. I’m not much of a fan of those fireworks that come out as dots and only let out a pop. For me, the bigger, the grander it feels, and thus the better.

Where do you/did you, on your body get your first tattoo? Probably my wrist or thigh.

Are your teeth perfect? The two front ones aren’t.

[jq37]

The Report Card -- Fantasy High Sophomore Year Ep 1

Sophomores and Spring Break 

Note: Hey guys! I decided to try something a little bit different and slightly more structured than my usual recaps for FH: Sophomore Year. I’m hoping this will be a little easier for me and a more useful tool for keeping up to date since there will be a lot more eps to keep track of and they’ll be easier to miss. Lemme know what you think and if you want raw, unfiltered opinions on anything specific, feel free to send me an ask. I’m always down to go off about literally whatever. 

We’re back, baby! It is Sophomore Year at Aguefort and the gang is on Spring Break. A lot is going down so lemme break it down. The Bad Kids, having defeated Kalvaxus last year, are all entitled to a share of his hoard and all the red tape is finally cleared so they all get 20k gold each (which is an insane amount of money converted to USD if you use the WOTC conversion rate of a gold coin being around $145 (circa 2006 when they answered the question)--which would be close to $330 with inflation). Jawbone and Sandra-Lynn are moving in after less than a year into a profoundly haunted house and it’s kind of a Full House situation because Adaine, Fig, Kristen, and Tracker all officially live there (plus it seems that Zayn has also anchored himself to Adaine’s tower--btw, Adaine took the tower that the haunted house obviously has) and you know all the other Bad Kids are gonna be there on the regular. 

More importantly, Aguefort gives the gang their big project for the year--finding the crown of the Nightmare King which was stolen at the end of last season--which is worth 60% of their grade (Adaine does a full Hermione at this information). Each of the gang has info about the NK but the trail has mostly gone cold. Luckily, Fabian just got a hot tip about where Falinel is keeping Aelwyn and she seems like a pretty good lead to start with since she was super tied up in the bad side of all the messiness of last year. Adaine is displeased to say the least. 

Going off to find the crown is super exciting story-wise for two reasons. First of all, it means the gang gets to hire, well, hirelings to help them and temporarily join the party! They ping basically every cool NPC they can think of (except for Tracker for some reason which is BONKERS because (1) she probably would have done it for free and cutting her in would still be keeping the money in the family, (2) she’s dope as hell, (3) she’s a cleric and the party can always use more healers, (4) she’s a werewolf so presumably she has skills that would help in the woods, and (5) they’re t r a c k i n g down a crown and the girl’s name is literally T R A C K E R, but I will not backseat D&D) and eventually end up with Ragh (who has been without an adventuring party all year, poor guy), Sandra-Lynn (swayed by a nat 20 rolled by Fig), Cathilda (!?) ,and, for some reason, Gilear (which Fabian is happy about, mainly for the opportunity to maybe bump him off on the way). Second of all, if you recall, Elmville is a pretty modern town but the rest of the continent is less fantasy high, more high fantasy. Horses and lanterns and all that pseudo-medieval goodness. They are gonna stick out like a sore thumb. I am very here for it. 

Everyone goes home to rest up but, after some ominous dreams, only four of them wake up. Riz and Fig are left asleep and then Brennan mic drops and ends the episode which is a power move and I am extremely upset about it but also, respect. Right for the jugular immediately. I heard Murph and Emily are on tour in the UK next week which probably has something to do with this but, in the moment, I did not know that and I really felt the hammer drop in my heart. It was wild. Cannot wait to see where we go from here. Plus, who doesn’t love watching characters freak out because their friends are in danger?

Random Thoughts

I have no idea what the title of this episode is or if it’ll even have one and not a number but I gave it a placeholder one for now. I also don’t have access to the stream yet so I didn’t get to include some info I wanted to (like a record of nat 20s, and nat 1s so I can track their stats for the school year) and I probably missed some stuff because my brain can only hold so much info guys. I’m not Brennan. 

I mentioned this yesterday during the stream, but there will never be anything better than the pure D&D joy of everyone, in character, talking over each other to clown on each other. They get the friend-group banter that’s a hair breadth’s away from bullying so true to life and it’s so fun to watch. On the flip side, the opening scene with everyone introducing themselves and affirmatively claiming each other as their best friends was also peak D&D. Found family= best trope. 

Fig and Adaine burn spell-slots at basically the same time to try and beat each other to the best room in the (Scooby-Doo ass) house--which is exactly the kind of thing that would happen in this world. It’s such an intuitive setting. I love it so much. (BTW, Fig ends up staying in the false space under the revolving grand piano because, of course).

Fabian and Gorgug went to recruit Ragh, who assumed they were propositioning him for a three-way. In his defense, they did do it in a super proposition-y way and they were in the middle of the LGBTQ student union.

Also, Gorgug gives Ragh an inspiring speech about thinking you’re your own dad which makes him burst into tears. 

Speaking of, Jawbone offhandedly says he’s poly but, like, based on some of the stuff he’s said, I feel like that’s not really a reveal. He also gets along well with Gorthalax and would be down w/ a three-way if Sandra-Lynn wanted to which, again, totally checks out. 

Arthur Aguefort uses Chronomancy to rewind time and catch a snide comment Adaine made under her breath, which is exactly the kind of frivolous use of God-like power I’d expect from him.  

I really love Adaine’s energy coming into this season. She’s in therapy. She’s in a good home environment. She’s comfortable enough with her friend group to do stuff like prank Fig (love that they’re gonna be living together now). And she’s good friends with Zayn now which I want to see more of based on their one interaction in this ep which was very cute. I am already on record as saying I would be down with her getting a ghost boyfriend--I mean, for the aesthetic alone--but I’d be happy with just more friendship. 

Fabian is also hilarious this season because you can tell he’s gone a bit soft from having friends and leaning into that (the friendship necklace with Riz) but also he’s fully aware that it’s happening so he’s, like, ping-ponging back and forth like, “These are my friends,” and, “What am I saying? I used to be cool,” and it’s very funny. Very happy the Aelwyn storyline is happening right out of the gate, both because I think Aelwyn is a very interesting character with a lot of potential for nuance but also because Fabian reacting to her and Adaine reacting to Fabian reacting to her is always gold. 

Prompted by an offhand conversation from Fig about rock and roll, Brennan--earning another feather for his Cap of God Tier DMing--goes on an impromptu five minute long improved diatribe about a bard who played such a good concert that it instantly impregnated everyone in attendance (dudes too) who gave birth to kids with sick rocker hair and denim jackets and ascended to Rock Heaven on their 18th Birthday. You truly have to watch it to believe it. At a certain point I thought he was gonna drop it but that was the moment he doubled down and kept going. Amazing. 

Watching Murph, in real time, make up a girl/boy/whateverfriend in Fantasy Canada was a gift. 

I don’t have access to the stream yet but best quote of the night that I can remember is Kristen choosing her room: This is triggering and I’ll take it. (Her line about her lesbian starter kit and the one about wanting a horse were also bangers). 

The group talks about what they’re going to do for transportation outside of Elmsville since they don’t really use cars out there and they somehow get from “disguise Fig’s tour bus” to “commission Aguefort to create a brand new animal that can hold six people plus hirelings, one of which is Fabian who is also riding his motorbike”.

I love that Sandra-Lynn’s Mom Powers work on Tracker. 

Basrar doesn’t accept the invitation to come with on the quest, but he does give Kristen a bag of infinite ice cream sandwiches, which is basically just as good, IMO. 

Oh Gilear. The man is sleeping in the Seacaster garage, being bullied by skater kids, and now he’s stuck on this quest with his ex and Fabian who actively wants him dead.  

Speaking of, I’m psyched to see more of Sandra-Lynn. She was kind of a sleeper badass at the end of last season. 

Ragh is keeping secrets which I hope the cast doesn’t forget because it could be nothing serious (like the high school drama happening with Skrank and the 7 maidens--maybe he’s just crushing on Gorgug who did full kiss him during Promocalypse) or it could be Serious Business that will blow up if the don’t stay on top of it. We’ll see. 

Oh, almost forgot. Adaine wants an emotional support frog. Every time I think I can’t love her more.   

Detention

Fig for Not Respecting Personal Boundaries

Fig goes full Emily right out the gate and, after finding out that Skrank (nerdy bird dude who apparently can get it) was not only dating Ostentasia (rich, popular dwarf) but also dumped her in pursuit of Danielle Barkstock (one of Ostentasia’s party members, the scandal), disguises herself as him with Danielle to figure out what’s going on. And, wouldn't you know it, when she gives herself away, Danielle immediately is shocked and appalled, as you would be, obviously. We also learn that she’s still catfishing Dr. Asha which is, how you say, for sure a crime. Fig, please, I’m begging you. Cease. 

Honor Roll

Fig, Riz, and Adaine for Researching the Nightmare King

Fig made both lists, look at that. Wasn’t my plan for this to be a three-way tie (also didn’t expect to use the word “three-way” this many times in this writeup) but I think their contributions were pretty much equally valuable. Rainsolo on the Discord wrote up this summary of the lore dump Brennan gave them.

[rottenbrew]

◈  Nyx Lovette ◈ Entry for @lunisims Mason’s Bachelorette Challenge. ( I hope you grow to love her as much as I did!  ♥)

❈────────────────────•✦•❅•✦•❈ ────────────────────❈

➽ She was born on February 24, 1843, making her 176 years of age. Also making her a Pisces!

➽  She is half Hispanic from her mother’s side, and half French from her father’s.

➽  If ever pushed past her boiling point, or if she ever gets super angry or upset, (which is super rare) Nyx tends to curse under her breath in French and unintentionally puffs her cheeks out because of her overwhelming frustration lol.

➽  Nyx is a nerd for astrology and science, however due to the duties and mannerisms that were begrudgingly expected of women during her time, she never got the chance to pursue her dream of studying the massive universe she admires outside of what her father taught her.

➽  Nyx’s father, Vincent Lovette, was a renowned scientist and inventor of the 19th century, and was also infatuated with Greek mythology, thus naming his daughter after the Greek Goddess of the Night, Nyx.

➽ Nyx’s “dark” form takes after the way she used to dress when she was still alive in the 1800′s. Elegant, yet bold due to her preference of predominantly dark colors.

➽  Due to her age, Nyx is relatively wise, however she never truly interacted or experienced worldly progressions starting from the late 1900′s - now. She remained in hiding, so now that she’s willingly returning to the “real” and open world, (because she gained enough power to develop an immunity to the sun) she always gets excited like a child when experiencing the small things that others would find irrelevant or common. (Phones, amusement parks, dishwashers, HD films, etc.)

➽ Despite the pain she endured in her past, Nyx is still a very kind and cheerful individual. She takes joy in the simplest of things and focuses on the good in everything despite how harsh the world and people may be sometimes.

➽  Nyx was on the brink of death after giving birth to her first and only child, Zocrates, and the doctor attending to her was actually Vladislaus Straud. Mercifully turning her just in time, Vlad took Nyx under his wing, but strictly demanded that she was to forget she even had a son, as she would be forced to resign from ever being in his life due to her new form, and to protect their secret.

➽ Remaining in despair due to never being able to interact with her son, Nyx has always had a strong yearning to have a family and kids to call her own once again. Having to long for such things from afar, Nyx would sometimes sneak away from Vlad’s careful eye to play with the children from her town in her bat form as she appeared less menacing and at the same time preserved her secret. The kids all decided to nickname her “Baby Bat” as her bat form is relatively petite and her eyes were big and round like a baby’s.

➽ I also like to imagine that maybe Nyx and Mason met in their bat forms, with Nyx being extremely surprised to run into another vampire as she’s never met another one before (at least in her experience in the outside world) besides Vlad, especially not under those circumstances either. She would probably fly and circle around him like an excited dog lol!

Private Download if Chosen!

Nyx’s Backstory under the cut.

Nyx, as mentioned before, was born to a French scientist and nobleman, and a Hispanic seamstress. Their names were Vincent and Ximena Lovette. For the majority of her childhood and adolescence, Nyx was raised with nothing but love and admiration from her parents. Her father prided himself in knowing that his daughter was being raised with a proper education and opportunities to keep learning due to his status and position as a scientist. Although her mother, who was a bit more traditional as she knew what the future had in store for her daughter despite her growing knowledge, somewhat disapproved of her husband’s teachings, supported and loved her to the fullest. In 1849 however, Ximena fell ill to tuberculosis, and passed away a few short months after. Nyx, 6 at the time, missed her mother deeply, but the loss hit Vincent the hardest. He was undoubtedly and madly in love with his wife, that her death devastated him so much so to the point that he refused to step out of his office for weeks on end. During this time, Nyx took it upon herself to take care of him, and despite her small stature and inability to do certain things, she’d always make sure that her father would eat in the morning, evening, and night. Leaving new fresh clothes on the edge of his bed everyday, and always making a hot pot of tea for him around noon. One fateful day though, when Vincent managed to drag himself up from the pit of depression for a brief moment, he wandered around the house, re-imagining all the times he’d see his loving wife go about her daily routine with a gentle smile on her face. On the dining room table though, was a piece of paper, with writing scribbled on it. A child’s writing. It read “ Things that might make daddy happy.” 1. The telescope! He always likes to look at the stars with it. 2. Leaving drawings on his desk! 3. Making him his favorite breakfast but I don’t really know how.. 4. Picking some flowers! I’m going to go do that now- The list ended there, but on the bottom was a raggedy, but adorable stick figure drawing of Nyx and her father, hand-in-hand, with an angel smiling from above. Her mother. Vincent, with tears flowing down his face, clenched the paper tightly, and from that moment on found the reason to keep fighting. To move on. And that was to make sure he could always provide for his daughter, his pride and joy, and make sure she would never have to worry about how to make her father happy. He had to be strong, for her.

Nyx, now reaching her adolescent years, was beginning to catch the eye of many suitors. By the time she was 17, she already had 5 men asking for her hand in marriage. Nyx was reluctant though, despising even the thought or proposition of marriage. She wanted to keep learning, to invent, to find out what secrets the unreachable heaven in the stars had to reveal. But her priority for education was short-lived, as she realized that in order to uphold her family’s status and honor..her father’s status and honor, she had to marry one of these men. Out of all of them though, the least gut-wrenching and well..insistent was a lad named Clarence. Like Nyx, Clarence showed solemn interest during their meeting, but was a collected person unlike her other abrasive suitors. He was also the youngest out of them all, being 23. After long hours of conversations, meetings, and dinners together, they both came to an agreement and understanding. They knew they weren’t in love with each other, and were both similar in the fact that they were doing it for their families, so they came to terms that although they were to be wed, their relationship was to mostly remain platonic and distant. Even though this upset Nyx, as she would need to succumb to all the stereotypical “housewife” duties, she felt relieved in knowing that this would at least bring her father a bit of joy, knowing that she would continue to be cared for and wouldn’t be left to struggle financially. She was happy..for now.

The wedding was set on the exact date of Nyx’s 18th birthday, and the ceremony was big, as every aunt, uncle, cousin, brother, sister, pretty much everyone and their mother attended. But Nyx felt nothing. She appreciated all the happy faces that came to watch her be given away, but she always dreamed that her wedding day would be less miserable. The day went by in a flash, and before she knew it, months had passed, and her “what was supposed to be a stoic relationship” with Clarence increasingly worsened. They did not have the same priorities or standards. Clarence always putting her down for her courage to speak up for herself, and refusing to let her continue her studies as she needed to “finally know her place as a woman.” That’s when he announced that soon she would need to bear him a child, to ensure that his legacy and fortune was to be guaranteed. Feeling disgraced and defeated, she knew there was no fighting this, as this was exactly what she knew she was getting herself into. Nyx got pregnant, giving birth to a beautiful baby boy a short nine months later. Holding onto him for the very first time, Nyx felt the strongest pang of genuine love as she held this tiny creature tightly, who was sleeping ever so peacefully. But she felt herself getting weaker and weaker..something was wrong.The nurses ran out in a panic to grab the head doctor, and she knew then and there that these passing moments were most likely going to be her last. Clarence walked into the room with a dangerously calm and unnerved expression, and with the very last strength she could muster, handed her baby over to his father. The moment she felt the weight off her arms, it felt like her entire body gave in and was ready to shut down. She sunk her head back into the pillow, and her vision began to blur. “His name.” She heard. “What do you want to name him? It’s the least I can do for you, since...” Clarence’s words trailed off, as his face finally began to give way to a sullen expression. Nyx thought for a moment, and the instant thought of her favorite philosopher popped into her fading mind. “..Socrates...” But it couldn’t be common like that, she thought. “With a Z...” She heard a soft chuckle from Clarence, and she smiled softly. “Alright then, Zocrates it is..I will make sure to give him a good life, do not worry about that.” Nyx relaxed at hearing that, as that’s all she wanted for him. She sighed, and closed her eyes. She heard the footsteps of Clarence exiting the room, but after a few minutes heard the approaching of a different set of footsteps. Too exhausted and weak to open her eyes, she felt a sharp pinching on her neck, and everything went black.

The rest is all self-explanatory, as she awoke as a blood-thirsty creature of the night. Devastated that she needed to sever all ties with her son and her father..All the things she’s ever cared for and loved. She appreciated Vlad and looked up to him, but watching the years go by without a hinge...watching her father grow old and pass on..and her son..At one point the pain was far too much for her to bear, and she wished that Vlad would have just let her pass away like those that she loved. To live forever was a gift, but at the same time it was the worst curse that can be bestowed upon someone. Due to this, she locked herself away for a number of years and hibernated, putting aside all her vampire training and morals. 

Bringing us to the present! Nyx is in better spirits, and is finally awake from her deep slumber. She began to put her training before everything else, and soon managed to become powerful enough to resist the sun’s deathly, yet beautiful rays. She’s never been more ready to put herself back out there, and to see all the wonderful new things the world has to offer. Nyx is ready to accept whatever experiences are coming her way with open arms.  ♡

[johannesviii]

Top 10 Personal Favorite Hit Songs from 1988

So that’s the year I was born. A controversial move that had its detractors but ended up being recognised as “eh it's all right I guess” a few decades later.

Obviously my first-hand experience of “hearing songs on the radio and actually liking some of them” starts when I was around 3 or 4, so nostalgia will have very little to do with the first top 10 lists I’m making.

Disclaimers:

Keep in mind I’m using both the year-end top 100 lists from the US and from France while making these top 10 things. There’s songs in English that charted in my country way higher than they did in their home countries, or even earlier or later, so that might get surprising at times.

Of course there will be stuff in French. We suck. I know. It’s my list. Deal with it.

My musical tastes have always been terrible and I’m not a critic, just a listener and an idiot.

I have sound to color synesthesia which justifies nothing but might explain why I have trouble describing some songs in other terms than visual ones.

To be honest, we’re off to a good start because I didn’t mind listening to these year-end lists for the most part. Not a bad year for music overall.

Number 3 and 2 are heavily debatable because wikipedia doesn’t have a reliable list of the French year-end top 100 and the other sources I have contradict each other.

10 - I Think We’re Alone Now (Tiffany)

US: not on the list / FR: #57

I know it’s a cover. It’s not even an objectively good cover. It’s full of terribly 80s synth noises. Tiffany’s voice isn’t very strong either. And the version I’m the most familiar with is the cover made by The Birthday Massacre.

What can I say. I like it anyway, especially these little isolated keyboard notes that really shine over the mess of the music. The guitar makes some parts pretty epic too. Also, singing “RUNNING JUST AS FAST AS WE CAN” and failing to hit some notes feels great for some reason.

9- Need You Tonight (INXS)

US: #2 / FR: #45

Surprising a grand total of exactly zero people, edgy teen Johannes thought these guys were delightful every time there was an 80s retrospective on tv. Never actively listened to their stuff, but they still pop up pretty regularly on the radio here, and yeah, very good song.

Guess their other songs from that year would be honorable mentions.

8- Combien de Temps (Stephan Eicher)

US: not on the list / FR: #79

After this point, there’s only songs I’ve actively listened to at some point in my life.

This one has never been on any of my cd compilations but I kept it on one of my tapes and it was a delight to hear it every time, even though I can’t stand the singer’s voice and the lyrics make very little sense. The music is THAT good. It’s some quality pop-ish French new wave full of instruments and it’s visual eye candy and I adore it to the point I’m willing to ignore the rest.

If you’ve never heard it before, check it out just for the sake of the music video featuring a guy rolling on the floor to get anywhere because it’s quite surreal and funny.

Also, despite the fact the lyrics are mostly nonsense, I still adore the line “J’ai de la folie plein les veines” (”My veins are full of madness”).

7- Heaven is a Place on Earth (Belinda Carlisle)

US: #7 / FR: Not on the list

I discovered this song in January 2012 thanks to Todd In The Shadows’ Worst of 2011 list, where he joked about being worried that every 80s song he liked would be ruined by “Dirty Bit” by The Black Eyed Peas someday and he used this song as an example. I loved it instantly and put it on my mp3 player at the time.

Until a few months ago, this was still on my mp3 player.

I don’t think this needs further justification to be on this list.

6- Pourvu Qu'elles Soient Douces (Mylène Farmer)

US: not on the list / FR: # 5

This was one of the biggest hits of the year in France in 1988.

It’s made by one of my favorite French artists ever, Mylène Farmer, and I used to be a huge fan.

It’s a song about butts entirely written in euphemisms, with an earwormy chorus, and accompanied by an insanely long (18 minutes) artsy music video in 18th century costumes featuring an army being massacred in slow motion, mud, broken bottles, really terrible jokes, and a shit ton of not safe for work content, including (but not limited to), indeed, butts.

It’s also right there on the very, very first personal top 30 list I ever wrote down, back when I was 14. It’s number 21.

If you think I’m sorry, think again.

5- John (Desireless)

US: not on the list / FR: # 34

I had literally no idea that song existed until 48 hours ago and in that time I’ve listened to it more than twenty times.

Desireless is basically the French Eurythmics and I love her but for the longest time I was dead certain she was a one-hit wonder with her monster hit Voyage Voyage, and clearly, I was wrong since she had a second hit the next year. This is about an unknown soldier dying at war and I can’t believe this was completely erased from public consciousness to the point a new wave fan like me didn’t even know it existed.

Better late than never I guess.

4- Always On My Mind (Pet Shop Boys)

US: #80 / FR: Not on the list

This isn’t my favorite Pet Shop Boys song by a mile. And it’s a cover. And it’s full of weird synth noises left right and center, and it’s visually absolute chaos.

What can I say. It’s Pet Shop Boys. I love them and I love this cover and it sounds happy and epic and energetic, and it transforms a song I didn’t even like in the first place into something that puts a smile on my face every time I listen to it, and frankly it was #3 at first when I made this list, until I realised how long the next song stayed on my list of favorite songs.

3- Bleu Comme toi (Etienne Daho)

US: not on the list / FR: one site swears to me it was top 30, the other tells me it didn’t make the year-end list. Fuck it. Too late now.

I discovered this song in April 2005. I know this because I wrote it on the back of my top 30 favorite songs list labelled “9 April 2005″.

It immediately appeared on my list the next month as #15 and never left it until I stopped making these lists in 2007.

It’s an upbeat song about being depressed and finding another person who’s just as depressed as you and suddenly things don’t seem that bad when you’re together. Let’s just say it struck a chord with me at the time. A lot. A looooooot. And it builds into this epic thing and you and up singing “et mon humeur est down down down” (”my mood is down down down”) even though it SHOULDN’T be epic at all.

I haven’t actively listened to it in years but I sing along every time I hear it on the radio. I think at some point I had it on three different cd compilations, including one with both the single version and the live version. That’s the level of adoration we’re talking about here, and it still hasn’t completely faded.

2- Behind the Wheel (Depeche Mode)

US: not on the list / FR: same thing, one site swears to me it’s not on the top 100, another tells me it’s number 21. Whatever.

This was a big hit here and even though I don’t have a reliable list, whatever, this is my blog and not a professional publication.

If you know me a little the fact that I love Depeche Mode and have been loving Depeche Mode for a long time isn’t really a secret, so this is a bit like picking the Pet Shop Boy song at #4: I see one of their songs I like, it ends up on the list. Not my favorite of their songs by a mile either, but still wonderful.

1- Fast Car (Tracy Chapman)

US: #76 / FR: Not on the list

The problem when you like a song and don’t speak the language it’s in is that you can spend years without knowing what it’s called and who’s the author.

My father would play this song fairly often when I was a kid and it took me years to know what it was, who was singing it, and even more years to actually understand the lyrics and what it was about.

I loved it even before knowing all that. It already made me want to cry and I got the general idea of longing and sadness and hope way before I started to learn English. It is that good. It is that powerful. I can’t possibly rank any song above that one in good conscience and it was going to be #1 the moment I saw it on the Billboard list.

Next up: 1989, which is probably gonna feature a lot less songs I actually love.

[bbyboybrock--archived]

Serendipity (C.B) | Chapter 13

Summary: Serendipity: (n) the chance occurrence of events in a beneficial way

Popular youtuber Isabella Hart, known as Bella to her audience, bends over backwards to separate her youtube life from her private life. Known for her overall clean content and her bubbly attitude, Isabella has a wild side to her that only those inside the youtube community know about. When Bella meets Colby during one of the trap house parties she finally meets someone she can be her genuine self with. When trouble arises after their meeting, will Bella be able to hand the pressure or will she destroy her relationship with Colby as well as herself in the process. [This starts in 2018]

Written: 2019

Word Count: 3,065

Warnings: swearing and suicide

(I  put a **trigger warning** right before the triggering part of the chapter and **trigger warning over** at the end of that part so you can read around it)

Serendipity Masterlist

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with?" Colby asks for the millionth time.

My mother asked to meet with me. When I told Colby, he was worried that something would happen like last time and he wouldn't be there to protect me. After texting back with my mother she assured me that it was only going to be the two of us. She even suggested meeting at the diner we used to go to when I was little. I only agreed because of that. I have a lot of good family memories that don't include my father at the diner it brings me some comfort that this will go well.

"Babe, it's fine. Just come over in like two to three hours and we can hide from the world together." I reassure him.

The leak only happened three days ago. I've spent the past two days locked in my apartment. I refused to see or speak to anyone. Colby only partly obeyed my wished. He stayed at the house to give me my boundaries but he would still text and call me constantly to check on me. I needed a few days alone to try to process everything and I can't do that properly if Colby is cuddling with me all day; that would only make me forget about my problems.

"Okay, I'll come over soon. If you aren't there I'll let myself in and wait for you."

"That's fine. I'll see you later."

I open the familiar door to the diner. It looks the same as it did years ago. Suddenly, I'm nine years old again and my mother picked up my brothers and me early from school to take us to the doctor's office for check-ups. I spot my mother familiar brown hair. A small smile appears on my face. Maybe this the time will be different. As I walk closer to her I make sure to hide my smile.

"Hello, mother," I say as I sit down across from her. She looks up from her phone and her seemingly constant disappointed face does not disappear.

"Isabella, I can't stay long." She says as she puts her phone away.

"Then, why did you say to meet at a diner? We could have met at a Starbucks or—"

"We saw those pictures and videos of you." My mother says flatly. She barely makes eye contact and stares mostly at her cup of coffee before looking at me. No, it's more like she's looking through me.

"Y-you did? What do you mean by 'we'?"

"All of us, your cousin was the one to tell me. The entire family has seen them at this point. We also heard about you being fired from your management company. " What she doesn't say but I know she means that everyone has seen them including him.

"The situation is more complicated than you think. I didn't know about them being taken."

"Do you really think I would believe a single thing you've said after what you've put this family through?" Her eyebrows furrow but she speaks in a hushed voice.

"Excuse me?" My slightly raised voice only seems to anger her more. She gives me a look that warns me to be quiet.

"After you... spread those lies about what your father was doing to you, that damaged our family image."

"I didn't lie. They actually did happen. Why would I—why would anyone lie in detail about that?"

"I've read about girls like you who lie about things just to get attention or because something is wrong mentally. We gave you enough attention growing up so it must be the latter."

"I have never lied to you in my entire life." My voice is low but my voice is strong enough for her to hear the seriousness in my tone.

"So secretly moving out of the house on your 18th birthday and tell me you were going to be out with friends isn't lying?"

"I had to get out of there. I had to put myself first and leave before things got worse."

"I don't remember raising such a selfish whore."

That stung. I pause for a second trying to call myself down.

"I needed a way to numb the pain and block out what was happening at home. I couldn't talk to anyone and that's my fault. I didn't want Joey and Benji to be pulled out of the house and have their lives ripped apart. I didn't want you to have to lose all three of your kids as well as your husband. Even when I was going through all that I put you and my older brothers first. I should have told grandma or a teacher or anybody else."

"Stop fixating on the story you created in your head. Your father is a great man who would never lay his hand on any child, especially his own daughter."

"You know what mom, for your sake I've been dancing around this because I didn't want to cause you more pain than this information. But I'm going to say it because it is no longer healthy for me. He raped me, mom. Repeatedly for six years, dad raped me in my own bedroom at night when you were fast asleep. Before that, for as long as I could remember, he molested me almost daily. I know that you don't want to believe it and that's it hard to believe but it's true. He threatened me to avoid me from saying anything and when I finally got the courage to tell someone, you didn't believe me. You called me a liar and told everyone in the family that I was mentally unstable and told them not to believe me if I told them what was happening at home. Now you're going to sit here, in one of the places that I have so many happy memories, and do it all over again?" My mother looked taken aback by my words.

As she is about to open her mouth to reply the waitress comes over to the table and places a water cup in front of me. She looks between my mother and I. Maybe she could sense the tension between us and tried to defuse it. Maybe she's worried that we're just going to sit here and not order. I turn to her and nicely say we're fine. I turn back to my mother and see that her expression of shock and hurt have not left her face. The waitress leaves and my mother clears her throat and sits up straight.

"Don't call me that?" She says suddenly.

"Don't call you what?" I ask confused.

"Mom or mother or any other variation of the word."

"I don't—"

"When I asked you to meet with me, it was to tell you that you are no longer welcomed as a member of the family."

"Excuse me? You're kicking me out of the family?"

"You're behavior as of late has been unacceptable. Accusing Steven of such things was horrendous and traumatizing for all members of the family. To find out that you've been running around Los Angles like a slut and spreading your legs for any boy with a cute face and partying doing God knows what else is where we have to draw the line. Think about your brothers, who are actually in college trying to do something with their lives? Or your cousins? Your aunts and uncles? You think that just because you're rich enough to ruin your life you can ruin all of ours? We've had enough. You're dragging all of us down with you and tarnishing our family name in the process. I should have aborted you when I had the chance."

"I wish you had, not being born at all would probably have been better than being born into this shit show. Not that you'd care but do you know how many times I almost killed myself before I told you about what was happening? Or how much those thoughts multiplied when you told me that I was lying? Just to make things easier for everyone, I thought it would have been better to die."

"Maybe you should have, you would have saved everyone from going through all that you put us through." I stare at her in disbelief as she brushes off what she just said and reaches into her purse to grab her wallet. I quickly pull at mine and grab a $20 bill and a $50 bill. I slam the $20 bill on the table in front of her.

"No, no Lisa. You invited me out, the least I can do is pay for your coffee. Keep the change." I say flatly before getting up to leave. Before walking out of the diner I place the $50 bill in the tip jar. If they had to watch that loving family moment, they might as well get a tip from it.

When I walk out of the diner I'm visibly shaking. My face is dry and it's like my body is about to burst from all the pent up emotion. I try my best to keep it in because the last thing I need is for KeemStar talking about me having a mental breakdown in public. My head isn't even controlling my body anymore. I start walking and don't stop until I'm inside a small liquor store. I walk around mindlessly for a few seconds replaying the conversation in my head over and over again.

When I snap out of it I'm in the section with medical supplies. I eye a bottle of sleeping pills and hesitate before picking it up and walking to the counter. The woman at the counter scans my bottle not even paying attention to me. While she does that I quickly order an uber to take me home.

"Anything else?" She asked, probably wishing I don't so she can go back to doing whatever she was doing before.

"...Yeah, give me a bottle of vodka. I don't care which one." I say as I pull out my debit card. For the first time in my life, she doesn't ID me. She just looks at me for a second and then goes and gets a bottle from behind her before finishing ringing me up. Maybe her day is going just about as great as mine is and she doesn't care either.

When I walk out of the liquor store my Uber was already waiting for me. It isn't until I sit myself down into the car that I realized I bought. The rational part of my brain that usually tells me to stop doesn't. It agrees with the irrational me. Or maybe, the rational part of me is the one controlling me right now. My own mother agrees and mother knows best I guess.

**TRIGGER WARNING**

When I get into my apartment that's when all hell breaks loose. I close and lock the door and slide my back against it and cry and scream. Not only are the emotions I was holding from the conversation with my mother surfacing, but it feels like every single emotion I've ever felt is making an appearance too. I made up my mind in the car that I was going to go through with it. The whole time there was a little part of the rational side of me that kept thinking about Colby. I couldn't do this to him or anyone else the little family that I made with his friends over the past few months. But another part of me argues that I always put others before me my whole life, I deserve to put me first for once.

After calming myself down a bit I managed to get myself off the floor and placing the two bottles on the coffee table before getting a few things from my room. I walk out of my room and placed what I grabbed on the coffee table too. I wipe my tears and examine everything in front of me. I grabbed the notebook where I document everything about mine and Colby's relationship, a piece of paper, a pen, and an envelope. I can't make the biggest commitment of my life without letting Colby know how I feel and how none of this is his fault.

After pouring all my feelings and thoughts for Colby I scribble his name on the envelope and tuck it into the notebook. I took a few shots from the vodka bottle before tearfully taking small handfuls of the sleeping pills until the bottle was finished. I sat on the couch with the vodka bottle in one hand and my phone in the other. I continue to take sips; the taste seems to be numb to my mouth but still burns my throat as I force it down. I scroll through pictures of Colby that you have in your camera roll. I want his smiling face to be the last thing I see before I die. He's not going to be smiling when he finds out but this is how I want to remember him. As I scroll I see that Colby is calling me. Without thinking I answer the phone.

"Hello?" I say slowly.

"Hey babe, I'm walking up to your apartment right now. Are you home yet?" I can hear the happiness in Colby's voice as he speaks on the other end. Part of me starts to feel sad.

"Y-yeah." I choke out. I start crying more than I was before.

"How did it go with your mom?"

"Colby... I fucked up...I'm sorry... I made a mistake." I couldn't help but slur a bit. The tears are falling faster as I thinking about Colby finding me and my last memory of Colby won't be a happy one.

"What are you talking about? Are you drunk?"

Before I could say anything Colby suddenly appeared in front of me. I start crying harder, this wasn't supposed to happen. I didn't want him to see you like this. To make matters worse I feel myself slowly slipping. I'm going to die in Colby's arms and ruin his life.

"Hey, why are you crying? What happened?" Colby says as he takes the bottle out of my hand and tried to wipe my tears.

"Colby, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." I cry out. My voice barely making it out of my throat.

"Speak up. I can't hear you and I want to help."

"Notebook..." Was all I could say while pointing behind him. I wanted him to get the notebook but I also wanted him to see the empty bottle next to it. I started slumping down on the couch. My eyelids were getting heavier with each passing second. This is not how this is supposed to go. I watch as Colby looks at me confused. He turns around and picks up the notebook. Before he turns back around he slowly picks up the pill bottle.

"Isabella... You didn't... Oh, fuck." I watch as Colby drops the notebook and pulls out his phone.

"I'm...s...sorry" I mumble out.

"Fuck! Izzy, don't close your eyes— Hello..." Everything drifts off into peaceful darkness.

**TRIGGER WARNING OVER**

****

I wake up to the sound of a constant beep. I open my eyes and quickly shut them due to the brightness of the room. I try to rub my eyes but both of my hands are tied to something. I open my eyes to see white, fluffy fabric around both of my wrist. For a second I'm confused but then everything comes back to me. The leak, my meeting with my mother, Colby coming to my apartment early— all of it came flooding back. I examine the room and see a familiar brown haired boy sitting this his head in his hands.

"Col...by..." I whisper out. My throat feels raw and I can barely talk. His head perks up and he stares at me for a second. I can see that his eyes are red and so are his cheeks. His face is still wet with tears. It breaks my heart that I did this to him.

"You scared the shit out of me." He says while walking over to me. He stares at me for a second before going in to hug me softly, not in the near body crushing like he always does. He hugs me as if he were to apply too much pressure I would break.

"I'm sorry."

"Stop worrying about me for a second. Listen, I don't have time before they realize that you're awake and they kick me out. I just don't want you to freak out but they might try to put you on a suicide watch and I wouldn't be able to see you for about 72 hours. I'm going to write my number on you because you are allowed to call me. You probably already know my number but just in case you get overwhelmed I'll write it for you. They're going to talk to you first to see if you need to stay." Even now when I've hurt him in probably the worst way possible, he's still taking care of me. I look at his face and see the stress from who knows how long he's been waiting for me written all over it.

"Colby—" I'm cut off by a nurse who walks in and tells Colby it's time to leave. I feel tears stream down my face. I can't cover my face or wipe my tears and now I have to let Colby see me like this again.

He said they wanted to talk. To evaluate me for now. I might be worse off if I had to stay here for 72 hours. When I saw Colby's face I instantly regretted what I did. The look on his face when he found me and the state that he was in, I instantly regretted my decision and I hated myself more for even doing it. I never wanted to hurt Colby. Somehow, at that moment, I thought that it would hurt Colby less if I left him a letter. As if a letter would make up for my lack of living. I would have given up on more than myself if I actually died. I would have given up on Colby, my friends, my education, everything I wanted for my life.

[cest-la-vieve]

Pins and Needles (Peter Parker x OFC)

Summary: A Peter Parker x OFC Soulmate!AU in which any injuries suffered by one person are also suffered by their soulmate. If someone absentmindedly doodles on their arm, doodles will randomly appear on their soulmate’s arm as well. Callie has dreamed her entire life of meeting her soulmate, even through the countless injuries they’ve suffered, but decides enough is enough. She wants to do something for herself this time.

Warnings: mild swearing, mentions of sex, tattoo, needles, injuries

A/N: I haven’t written in years but decided to try to jump back into it with this! Please leave feedback, comments, questions, whatever!! Thank you guys and I hope you enjoy!

Word Count: 1467

The dull buzzing of the tattoo machine was all that filled the room as Callie took a deep breath and prepared herself for the pain. She knew that this probably wasn’t the smartest decision she had ever made, but she also knew it wasn’t the dumbest. Society did not smile fondly upon those who got permanently marked before meeting their soulmates, mostly because then their soulmate would be unable to consent to the tattoo. Of course, Callie’s soulmate, whoever they were, never seemed to have much regard for how their actions affected her, so why would she care about how this may (or may not) impact their life.

Her earliest memory of her soulmate’s misfortune goes back to when she was around 8 or 9 years old. She was sitting in her math class and her teacher, Mrs. Meyers, had been droning on and on for what seemed like years about something to do with fractions and simplification when all of a sudden she felt a searing pain spread across her forehead. Her tablemates had gasped in disgust as a purple and brown bruise slowly spread until it covered the majority of the left side of her forehead and dipped down to her cheekbone. Unfortunately, that was just the beginning. Once she hit high school the injuries quickly escalated. Each week it was something different. A sprained wrist here, a broken rib there, but by far the worst injury was when she woke up in the middle of the night covered in blood. 

Her parents had rushed her to the hospital, where she had to get 17 stitches for a gash on the lower right side of her stomach. She was laid up for weeks and scarred forever, with nothing better to do than daydream about the trouble her soulmate was encountering quite often. She thought that maybe they had abusive parents but quickly ruled that out as she realized that the patterns and types of injuries didn’t fit. Then she thought that maybe they were just super clumsy, she herself was no stranger to the odd fall or stubbed toe, but this was happening far too often to be merely a collection of accidents. At first, she had been angry at this unknown person who was meant to be her greatest joy in life but instead was causing her so much pain. Yet, as she grew older, she realized that they had to have been experiencing all of these injuries too. As soon as she understood that, she was determined to meet this person and to care for them to the best of her ability. She’d patch them up and take every injury in stride because obviously they were not living the happiest life and it was her job to be there for them. 

From then on, each injury was simply a means to an end. A stepping stone in her journey to be the best soulmate and take care of them. A roadblock until they could comfort each other and maybe even stop the injuries altogether. All she had to do was suffer through them until she could be happy with the love of her life.

Her positive outlook on pain was very quickly demolished. A week before her 18th birthday she woke up covered in small bruises. She jumped up from her bed to look into the large mirror perched on her dresser and saw angry red scratch marks painting their way from the small of her back to her shoulders. The connection was made in her mind instantly: this son of a bitch had had sex. As taboo as getting a tattoo before meeting your soulmate was, having sex before meeting your soulmate was worse. 

For Callie, who had put up with God knows how many injuries for this person, this complete and utter betrayal shook her. She spent all week thinking about it. Every moment was spent picturing them with someone else. Heartbreak wasn’t even the way she would describe it. It was more like her heart was being torn from her chest while she was completely paralyzed, unable to do anything but feel the pain consuming her in one fell swoop.

Getting her tattoo was her small form of retaliation. She was finally 18 and legally allowed to enter a tattoo parlor and despite all of the disgusted glances thrown her way as she walked towards the only shop in town, she was excited.

Entering the shop, she was greeted with warm smiles and she breathed a sigh of relief, the small amount of hesitation she had immediately dissipating. She was ushered over to a couch and given a mug full of tea, being asked to wait a few minutes while the artist finished up with his customer. She gingerly sipped her tea and took the opportunity to look around the shop. Hundreds of sketches, both in color and in monochrome, littered the walls and counters. The drawings varied in size, some large enough to cover her torso and others just big enough to fit on the palm of her hand. 

Her favorite was an intricate portrait of a lion with an elegant crown neatly perched on its mane. Each hair looked like the utmost effort was used to draw it and she could almost hear the sound of its powerful roar as its jaw opened as wide as it possibly could. She spent a few more minutes letting her eyes wander over the countless photos and sketches before the tattoo artist, whose name she found out was Kyle, sat down on the opposite side of the couch and beamed at her.

“So, what brings you in?” He asked, leaning back with his arms behind his head and kicking his feet up onto the coffee table.

“Oh well um. I, uh, wanted to see if I could get a tattoo.” She mumbled, ducking her head so her hair partially covered her face.

“Hey, don’t be nervous! I know it’s kind of an intimidating venue but we’re not here to judge. I am gonna need you to speak up though, after years of working with these machines my hearing isn’t exactly what it used to be,” he laughed.

Callie’s mouth broke into a small smile, she sat up straighter, and with a confident voice said, “I’m here to get a tattoo.”

Kyle smiled again and they talked for a long time about what kind of tattoo, where she wanted it, and why she was getting it. She finally settled on getting a small tattoo on the inside of her wrist, somewhere she could easily hide it and where it wouldn’t hurt as much. She moved over to Kyle’s chair and he put on some gloves and pulled out all of his supplies. He explained to her how he had to sterilize and clean the area then transfer the stencil onto her wrist. Callie just nodded and began to take deep breaths, her previous anxiety quickly returning as she realized just how real the moment was. With one last reassuring smile, Kyle set to work, using the red and blue ink to trace the design.

About an hour and a half later, it was done. It hadn’t been easy and she was sure that her soulmate was probably in a lot of distress at the moment, but that thought disappeared as quick as it had come once she remembered why she had gotten the tattoo in the first place. Kyle wiped off the excess ink and gently lifted her wrist so that she could see the finished product. Callie managed to hold in a squeal of joy and instead went for a gasp of awe as she looked down and admired the little red and blue outline of her favorite superhero’s mask on her wrist. She couldn’t be happier with the results, but a small nagging voice in the back of her head was wondering if it had the desired effect on her soul’s counterpart.

On the other side of New York, another young adult did not manage to contain his squeals quite as effectively as Callie had. In the middle of his biology class, he jumped out of his chair with a shout. As the entire class turned to look at him and the popular kids in the back snickered, he muttered an apology and sat back down, all the while doing his best not to make eye contact with anyone. The smallest bit of anger coursed through his veins as he pulled up the sleeve of his sweater to stare at the permanently inked Spider-Man mask on his wrist. Today had been a rough day for him to begin with, but one thing was for certain: Peter Parker was absolutely, positively not happy with his soulmate right now.

[icanbehardcore]

My top 10 Powerpuff Girls episodes

(PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS WAS WRITTEN BACK IN NOVEMBER SO SOME OF THIS IS A LITTLE OUTDATED SO WE’RE NEARLY INTO FEBRUARY...ABOUT TIME I FINISH THIS DAMN REVIEW!) For some reason, @princess-peachie‘s love for PPG made me want to do this too haha!  Can you believe that The Powerpuff Girls -one of the greatest Cartoon Network shows- has turned twenty? I know it's a little late but I get such great fond memories watching this as a little kid. The Powerpuff Girls was a spunky, energetic, entertaining, action packed, heartwarming and funny show. I indulged myself into watching this whenever I could and I always looked forward to it. It didn't matter if I saw the same episodes repeated again and again, The Powerpuff Girls would never shy away on putting a smile on my face. I LOVED this cartoon, it’s pretty special to me because it came out on the 18th November 1998 (my 10th birthday),  at the time, we didn’t have access to Cartoon Network so I wasn’t aware of this show until early next year. My first glimpse of the Powerpuff Girls was a mention and a brief clip shown of the girls flying and staring at the camera during a line up of Cartoons showing at the time. I actually got curious straight away and had no idea whenever I’d get the time to finally watch it.

Finally one evening after 2 Stupid Dogs finished, The Powerpuff Girls was announced next and this finally gave me a chance to watch it in peace. I was alone in the living room and I quietly sat there like ...well a kid, waiting, I was excited, I would finally get to watch this show after trying to. 

Unlike most Cartoon Network shows in which it took me a while to get into such as Ed, Edd n Eddy, I already found myself smiling to myself and even quietly laughing. If I can remember correctly, the first episodes I got to watch fully for the first time were “Fuzzy Logic” and “Tough Love”. I don’t know why but somehow I knew I was really going to enjoy this show more than I’d expect. The Powerpuff Girls isn’t JUST your average typical cutesy show starring three female leads. It has more than that, it had action, it had a great stories, it had great adventure, it had great voice acting, speed, pizzazz and most of all…IT was actually very funny! Craig McCracken had come a long way since making these characters onto a small card he drew, to his own animated shorts to then one of the most iconic and important shows Cartoon Network had ever put onto their channel.

I loved it more for what it produced, I really liked how it pulls your audience in thinking it’s a cutesy girly show with all rainbows and giggles, but really, it’s a cartoon that captivates the audience with it’s humor, voice acting, soundtrack, atmosphere and even the sneaky pop cultural references and of course: adult humor. I would constantly tape the show whenever I could and when it came to those memorable ones, I KNEW I’d enjoy them again after more than one watch. There was something about this show that really appealed to me and sometimes I couldn’t quite lay a finger on it. When I first watched this show, I was glad I had instantly become a fan because this was one of those shows that I got into and enjoyed before anyone else did in the household. I’m glad it wasn’t just a girly girl’s show. I was happy that the main heroes were unique in appearence and seemed all sweet innocent looking kids which do nothing other than fighting crime, play around and act like little kids. I think what grabbed male audience’s attention more were the villains and I can see why. They were all funny, engaging and their use of dialogue and voice acting were terrific. All well done to a tee!

When you’ve got voice talents such as Tom Kane, Jennifer Hale, Cathy Cavadini, EG Daily, Tara Strong, Roger Jackson, Jim Cummings, Tom Kenny, not forgetting the late Chuck McCann and even occasional to major and minor voice appearances from Kevin Michael Richardson, Rob Paulsen, Kath Soucie, Jeff Bennet and  even Mark Hamill, WHERE can you go wrong? With a good cartoon, comes a good cast of voice artists.

Craig McCracken put his heart into this show and I am glad to have grown  up with this masterpiece. The Powerpuff Girls is no doubt one of my favorite animated shows of all time and I will continue to watch them again and again and never get tired at watching the many episodes that are so dear to my heart. Craig really knew how to create a masterpiece and one that would go onto become a cultural phenomenon. He really knew how to create great characters young, old, male and female, and yet have the main lead cast all female that would appeal to both girls and boys is quite a milestone in cartoon history.

In honor of this series, I will be counting down my top ten greatest Powerpuff Girls episodes. I will however not be including the movie, the Christmas special or the Dance Pantsed Special, also I am only focusing on the original 90s show and not the 2016 reboot. WARNING: Spoilers ahead.

With that being said here are what I consider the greatest episodes.

10 - The Bare Facts This was one of the first episodes I ever got to record onto vhs, I remember so well on Christmas eve and I couldn't wait. I would constantly watch it played back again and again and you can see why.

Most episodes focus on the girls fighting crime and succeeding, but here, all the action is unseen...at first.

Sometimes when sibling characters argue in animation, it can be degrading, unpleasant and makes you want to lose interest in the characters all together, but here, it's done right, to a point where the arguing isn't degrading or stale and actually pretty funny. Also I love how clueless the Mayor is about everything, especially the scene about "the note", this scene always had me laughing as a kid.

Throughout this episode, the setting is all in the Mayor's point of view, complete with various styles of the girls versions of the story on how it all happened, done with an art style shift for each girl. This idea is hilarious and I love how they constantly jump in with different story telling patterns as follows: Blossom tells it mostly focusing on her (all about her, nobody else), complete with a light red tinted scene.

Bubbles tells it in a rather light hearted but adorably accurate way, complete with crayon drawing scenes.

And Buttercup tells it in a rather shadowy olive-green scene, mostly focusing on the action and not the details like Blossom did.

The Mayor however is oblivious to what has happened and is only wondering why the girls were laughing earlier.

I will NOT spoil the ending for this episode for those who haven't seen it, although I really could have done without the narrator's little puns to go with the moment. Again, the episode title just may give you some ideas.

Overall, this episode was great and was even nominated for an emmy with it's brother episode "Bubblevicious".

KEY MOMENT FOR ME: The "pretty clouds" scene. Seriously cracks me up!

9. Just Another Manic Mojo 

I can't think of any episode focusing on Mojo Jojo to be as brilliant as this one, sure "Child Fearing" was hilarious, "Monkey See, Doggy Do" is a classic and "Mr Mojo's Rising" is one that shouldn't be ignored. But if I had to pick any of the Mojo Jojo themed episodes, it would be this one. Just imagine, a day in the life of a villain: Waking up miserable, going through so much hell each day and reading the news to such goody-goody acts.

Watching this episode back to back constantly, I never got tired of it and I knew it almost word for word at some point.

The first half of this episode focuses on Mojo getting up, regular routines such as showering, doing his teeth, ceasing the day and readying up for breakfast...until he discovers drama in the kitchen...ONE EGG LEFT! I just love the little ramble he does here, over a single egg, what follows is an ingenious rollercoaster of comedy gold. Whenever Mojo's onscreen, you can't help but laugh, with his hilariously bad Japanese accent and repetitive Speed Racer-esque sentences, you can see why he was a fan favorite.

What follows the events is the girls accidentally having their ball crash through their window and what do they do? They ask for it back (well, better than busting in through the roof and looking for it, eh?).

I would probably give it away if I were to describe what follows afterward, but if you really want a laugh, then this episode is the one for you. Of all the episodes where the girls drive Mojo insane, this has got to be the funniest.

KEY MOMENT FOR ME: Just Mojo Jojo, he's absolutely hilarious in this episode, the girls being a runner-up too for not keeping still. Also one word: "curses".

8. Supper Villain This episode is hilarious on many levels, most of the story  is done for laughs and the setup is well...average...averagely brilliant. It's great to hear Kath Soucie on the Powerpuff Girls again (true fans should know that Soucie started off voicing Bubbles in the two pilots via What a Cartoon before Tara stepped in for the role).

The repetitive dialogue is great, played out for laughs and builds up for even more laughs, mixed with great voice acting.

The story? Harold Smith spends his life working at a mustard factory, bored with his life, he longs for something more, with a dark secret. But when his beloved wife Marianne invites the neighbors over for dinner, Harold is vulnerable and finally breaks free and shows his true colors.

His outfit reveal (obviously home made) is enough to make anybody laugh off of your seat. With his newly found identity, Harold reveals his first villainy. From here, we get some hilariously unforgettable gags, and one of the best scenes that eventually became an Internet meme:  "Eat your pea, Professor!". No matter how many times I watch it, the dinner scene is just classic. Being a comedic show with guests at dinner, I'm pretty sure you can figure out what happens next. 

Key moment for me: "Eat your pea Professor!" No doubt about it. 

8. Jewel of the Aisle I'd like to point out here that this episode aired right as Kelloggs released a Powerpuff Girls themed cereal. Sadly it was limited and has since discontinued, so good luck on throwing your pennies onto ebay to grab a box. Now, this episode never really gets talked about enough, maybe because the main villain here is a nameless crook who you never really see again. The story's premise is simple, the girls fail to track down a thief who had just stolen a priceless diamond from the jewelry store. Unable to locate him, they retire for the night, swearing they will meet again. The crook however, hiding in a cereal factory accidentally drops his prize into one of the boxes, which then ends up in the local supermarket.

When the crook fails to find his precious gem, he's down to one box -which ends up in the hands of the Professor. The crook follows him home stealthily only to his horror to find out that Professor Utonium is the father of the Powerpuff Girls. Upon his spying, he notices a commercial (with terrifically shifted fluent animation that almost feels Disney or Warner Bros. esque) and comes up with a cunning plan...dressing up as  "Lucky Captain Rabbit King", the cereal's mascot, I'll leave it up to you on what cereal brands they were parodying here.

While these cereals weren't so big here in Europe, heck, I only ever remember eating Lucky Charms in my own youth a lot until they went up in price later on.  I still got the reference easily thanks to the internet. This still didn't stop me from getting laugh, gag after gag.

Think of this episode as a Yogi Bear cartoon, but instead of stealing a "pic-a-nic" basket or a pie cooling off on the window sill (or a plate of hog jowls if you're thinking Ren and Stimpy), you've got a box of cereal with a hidden unknown prize not included in most boxes. The comedy in this episode is hilarious, for example, how much cereal did the girls go through and not notice a diamond? Also, the classic usage of oblivion and determination is brilliant, it's like watching classic golden age cartoons of the 40s and 50s again. The crook taking on a role parodying the Trix Rabbit is just so funny to watch, no matter what he does, he is being outsmarted by three adorable kindergartners. I love how the girls just play along with the gag and constantly kick him out,. My favorite part would have to be when the crook disguises himself as a monster outside off the front window complete with a Townsville scenery. YOU know you're going to laugh out loud when an idiot pulls this gag out of his hat and fails to succeed.

On a spoiler's note, I felt a little sorry for the crook when he broke down, forgetting about the jewel and focusing on the cereal, I don't know, maybe it's when Bubbles (who is honestly the sweetest little living being on two legs in cartoons) actually gives in and offers t it to him. While most stories like these do tend to have a happy ending for the determined victim, we don't get that here, which is why this episode works. Again, while I've probably spoiled most of the plot, it's too simple anyway. With that being said, "Ridiculous Lucky Captain Rabbit King, Lucky Captain Rabbit King Nuggets are for the youth!". Okay, I'm actually craving junky cereal now, especially imported from USA!  Key moment for me: The comedy in this episode. 

7. Telephonies This is another classic episode, the comedy and timing is perfect, the plot is great and gives us a look into the lives of the villains when they are chilling out and not plotting evil schemes. When something is funny, it has to have speed at exactly the right time, otherwise the joke falls flat and loses it's cool, that's if you can pinpoint that in your head and understand where I'm going with this.

When the Gang Green Gang start making crank calls throughout Townsville, they are lacking in great ways to pull them off. So, after calling the Mayor with Grubber impersonating Ms Bellum, making him leave to "cut the ribbon for the new mall, declaring it open", giving them the free run of the Powerpuff Hotline. What we get is a  rather "interesting" insight of the villains at home doing their own thing as the girls burst in and constantly beat the living hell out of them, only to learn that they were NOT even committing any crimes. Here, we learn that Mojo Jojo is more sophisticated than you think (yet we see him in Manic Mojo actually buying eggs at the supermarket), he listens to classical music and reads the paper and even takes naps in an armchair. Also, what can be more funnier than the "evilest of all evil" ("Him") working out in complete aerobic equipment? That is just friggin hilarious, I also love how polite he is when the girls break in, but the one that gave me the most laughs out of the villains was Fuzzy Lumpkins. Nobody likes having their privacy invaded, especially when you're taking a relaxing bath, the delivery here from the girls was priceless, especially when Bubbles ended it. I love how the violence and beating up here is played more for laughs and not action itself.

Another thing that still cracks me up in this episode is that these villains are all pretty close friends and even keep in touch by landline, that's right, even down in the depths of hell, HIM has his own phone to make calls. When's the last time you've seen cartoon villains in conversation over a phone? Brilliant!

The ending too is pretty funny and I like how the girls don't believe the Mayor after three cock-ups in one day.

Key moment for me: As I said, Bubbles' delivery to Fuzzy was "tell it like is is funny",  BUT the true comedic gem in this episode personally is Professor Utonium. The running gag with him still at the receiver on hold is fantastic. I will forgive the fact that near the end, you see him outside the girls door but I guess that adds to the comedy. 

6. The Powerpuff Girls Best Rainy Day Adventure Ever. That's right, that is the actual name of the episode and by god it's a mouthful. Now THIS episode just gets better and better every single time with each watch, whose genius idea was it to create an episode where the girls play pretend? In this case, literally playing The Powerpuff Girls. This includes them playing various roles for other citizens in Townsville and as all kids do when playing together, arguing on who gets to be who? 

Honestly, this episode's premise is spectacular. I love how the girls hardly even use superpowers at all, not to mention the unforgettable one liner from Buttercup while playing as a monster. Also, it was nice to actually see the girls here get more comedy than they usually do. For most of the part in the series in general, the comedy is thrown around depending on the characters, story and situation, but here, the girls really do steal the show. 

I'm pretty sure a lot of us as kids can relate, with our friends or siblings role-playing as our favourite characters from cartoons, but as each other, that's unique. 

PPG Best Rainy Day Adventure Ever is definitely one of the funniest episodes of season 2, so next time you're having a bad day and it's raining, not up for walking the dog, cos it's rai-, okay, enough spoilers. Go watch this one next time you want to see a lead female cast of kindergartners at their funniest. 

Key moment for me: The Mayor. You'll have to watch it so not to spoil it.

  5. I See A Funny Cartoon In Your Future Seasonal rot is painful, especially cartoons that were so highly well received by critics and fans alike. After the Powerpuff Girls movie, the show followed the upgraded animated style which kind of watered down the true charm of the first four seasons, as well as lacking in great ideas for stories, most of seasons five and six were...mediocre with sour pickles on top.  Luckily, this one made me laugh. A hell of a lot!

The entire story is told like episodes of Jay Ward's Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoons, complete with cheesy but hilarious and witty puns, fourth wall breaking and running gags. We also have the main one off villain here voiced by the late June Foray (voice of Rocky and Natasha Fatale). I like how she and her goosey sidekick are drawn to mimic the style of Jay Ward's characters and the little commercial near the end of the episode spoofing the Nicotine Patch. It's such a shame this episode wasn't traditionally animated, for I would have really liked to have seen some lush fluid animation to boot up this episode more. Interestingly, I never saw the Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoons as a kid, since they weren't very big in England, but  I got into the franchise when I watched the movie on VHS non-stop and loved it (it's a guilty pleasure haha), so you can see why this episode gave me loads of laughs. 

  Also note that sadly, June Foray passed away in July 2017, leaving a legacy of cartoon voices behind and fond memories. Since her passing, Mrs Strong herself went on to provide the voice of Rocky for the new Rocky and Bullwinkle series, keeping the spirit alive as always. Good one Tara! Great work. And I mean it!  KEY MOMENT FOR ME:  The voodoo dolls. Seriously, I quote this a lot haha! Also, just the whole episode being a tribute to Rocky and Bullwinkle.

4. Meet The Beat-Alls Okay, this is definitely getting close to what a WatchMojo list would look like, no? WELL I'm gonna jab this list and have it up before you can say "Ringo Starr's a Powerpuff Girl!", but how can I NOT make a top 10 Powerpuff eps. list and NOT include this episode, and I quote @UmbraMagna, "This episode is absolutely fantastic!", never have truer words been spoken? Telephonies made way with great laughs, but that was more focused on the Gang Green Gang, here this episode focuses on Him, Mojo, Princess Morbucks and Fuzzy in what is probably the funniest Beatles parody I've ever seen.

  Craig McCracken himself has always been a huge fan of the Beatles, so when season 3 was ending soon it ended with the sister episode to Moral Decay and you know what? It saved the season finale. Every second, there's a reference to...well, the Beatles. Sure, "Homer's Barbershop Quartet" of The Simpsons was fun and had lots of references to the band and other acts, but an entire episode where it's nothing but Beatles second after second, how can you go wrong? 

From the Abbey Road walk, to the musical style, to the Yoko Ono reference, to just everything about it, it's one episode that will have you laughing after a Hard Day's Night. EG Daily (voice of Buttercup) has stated during a Comic-Kaze guest panel that this was one of her favorite episodes. 

Show creator Craig McCracken himself even listed this episode as one of his top ten favourite episodes of all time. There is one little nitpick, but I guess it doesn't matter, since it still makes way for great comedy and I like how a SINGLE rock actually defeats the girls (back when cartoons weren't very pc, just the way I like'em). Whether you like the Beatles or not, Meet the Beat-Alls is a great episode with the villains at their best. Key moment for me: The whole episode, brilliant! 

3. See Me, Feel Me, Gnomey. NOTE: WATCH THIS EPISODE WITH CAUTION! CONTAINS FLASHING IMAGES!  I LOVE THIS EPISODE! Remember what I said about seasons five and six suffering from seasonal rot and mediocre episodes? Well, here's one that I probably consider one of the best of them during the Chris Savino era. The entire episode is much longer since the intro is cut short to make way for what comes next. An unbelievable half hour of a pure masterpiece. 

For many, being a  great voice actor means they have to know how to sing and here, we have a lot of it. It really gave the voice actors' chance to show off their singing voices a great workout and boy, did they nail it right out the park? While it's not the most comedic, it's still epic, fun and unforgettable. This episode was like an evil apocalypse, not even fighting on who gets to defeat the girls or who gets to cause destruction or rob banks. It's a real shame they never released this as a true soundtrack, it's so beautiful. 

It's got an Andrew Lloyd Webber and Pink Flloyd's "The Wall" feel to it. I really wish this was the episode's true finale, since it's been debated and rumored to, unfortunately the true finale (not counting the specials) was that of What's the Big Idea, a complete let down, since both McCracken and Savino agreed that the show had run it's course, even though Cartoon Network did ask for a seventh season. If only...sadly, we can't have everything. 

The Gnome -the main villain of this episode- was quite interesting, exchanging peace to Townsville for the girls' superpowers, yet making everyone bow down to him. Sadly, this episode was banned from airing in the USA, some say it was because of the message of communism, but the true reason for the ban was for the red and white blinking lights that flashed during the Gnome's spell. It's too bad this was never edited for safety so the US audience could experience it at the time but luckily, it was included in the complete tenth AND twentieth anniversary box set, just proceed with caution, I'm saying this for your own safety. I love the Gnome's setting, in a large rose where he lives in peace, I forgot to mention that he was voiced by the legendary Jess Harnell and boy, was he a perfect choice? Have you ever heard Jess sing OUTSIDE of cartoons? Why don't voice artists get more love? Seriously.

Speaking of which, Tara Strong and EG Daily (who only just recently released a song "Impeachable" (parodying Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful") together for charity) really got to show off their vocal talents here more.  Also not to leave her out since I love all three of these amazing talents, Cathy too has a remarkable singing voice! God bless these ladies!  In conclusion, See Me, Feel Me Gnomey is a fantastic episode, mixed with action, drama, music and sheer brilliance from start to finish. Key moment for me: The whole episode. I can't pick one moment. I really loved the harmonizing from Strong and Daily during Cavadini's singing solo in "You Wanna Make Us Feel Real Good". Seriously, once these three sing, it just seems unreal, yet magical.

2. The Rowdyruff Boys Okay!  I'm pretty sure a lot of fans saw this one coming, I mean it's one of IMDB's highest rated episodes, as well as another one of Craig McCracken's favorites. This episode not only marked the debut of the titled characters of the same name, but was the first of many half hour episodes and of all of them, this one was at it's best.   While not the MOST comedic and the boys at the time didn't have as much personality as they did in their later appearances, this episode still left a huge impact on the fans, in a good way. The action in this episode is some of the best I have seen during the McCracken era (something the later episodes lacked), probably along with Stuck Up, Up and Away and Bubblevicious. Tired from constantly being defeated day after day and thrown into jail, Mojo Jojo comes up with the perfect plan to get rid of the girls by creating a trio of kids of his own. Instead of the sweet ingredients for the perfect little girls, Mojo gathers up several ingredients to create the not so perfect little boys. I love how the idea was a reference to the little rhyme "What Are Little Boys/Girls Made of?". 

There's some pretty funny but questionable moments, such as...why would the prison serve escargot? I love how the caterer actually smiles in response. Also, why is the Talking Dog suddenly a prison guard? Oh what the hey? It still makes for hilarious gags such as having his tail snatched to finish the ingredients. What I don't get though is Mojo's breath as he flushed the ingredients down the toilet...then again, maybe it was because of when the girls were born causing the chemical reaction to still have an affect which in return passes on to others, in this case, the Rowdyruff Boys. Interestingly, the boys named themselves, while the Professor named his girls. What made this episode great was the voice acting, Roger L Jackson as Mojo yet again was perfect, as well as providing the voice of Butch, Buttercup's counterpart. Cathy, Elizabeth and Tara's energy in this episode were spot on and we even get to hear the legendary Rob Paulsen as Brick and Boomer. 

When the two teams meet face to face, they start a huge brawl, the action as I said is amazing, some of the best in any episode, it's like the teams have lept right off the screen.

There is a little problem I have with this episode and...well...it's the whole counterpart vs counterpart thing. I mean...is it really that hard to tell the difference between a little boy and girl with the same hair color? Especially when they use the same chunks of animation for each member fighting against each other, take  the cartwheel scene for example.  Other than that, the animation in this episode was terrific.

This was also one of the first episodes in which the girls were defeated and nearly for good. But with the Disney-esque tears of life trope, they are revived in seconds. I can forgive this trope here but NOT in Pokemon: The First Movie.  Shamed and crestfallen by their defeat, the girls decide to leave Townsville, only to be given a pep talk by Ms Bellum. 

And what we get after a little subtle adult joke followed by a defeat from the girls...without the violence, in Sara Bellum's words, "try being nice".  I just love how the boys are distracted by the girls as they are standing looking pretty...well, pretty. Pretty as any little girl could be, I laugh my head off every time in this scene, it's both cute and funny, especially with the flirtatious "come hither" eyelashes and sassy “Hey boys!” expressions on the girls that aren't usually seen. You'd expect this kind of thing on a more mature character, one with an hour glass shaped figure and heels. But alas, being kids, the boys can't stand the thought of ...cooties and somehow, this kills them. Literally. No, seriously, they actually die, in a rather humorous way after a long battle with the girls. What makes this scene great is that there's no dialogue, not until the boys scream at the top of their lungs. 

I may have spoiled it a little but hey, visualizing it in your head isn't the same as watching it and believe me, it is a really funny scene. Think of it has a "distracted by the sexy" trope but toned down. Also, what I said earlier about the counterpart trope, I'll make this an exception since it was clearly obvious that it was going to happen. 

This episode is a fan favorite, unfortunately, it did have a reputation of inspiring fanart and fan-fictions and McCracken himself actually poked fun at this scenario in The City of Clipsville. This episode was not afraid of almost killing off the main characters and three children in fact, but then again, there was so much edge in this show, there was nothing like it at the time. The mix of action, humor and drama is perfect. It's too bad the follow-ups with the boys didn't get the same impact as this one. In conclusion, The Rowdyruff Boys is incredible and really shows that girls are tougher than they look. Take Buttercup's quote "It takes more than a couple of cheap shots to make us cry!". Inspiring. 

Key moment for me:  The boys' defeat...by cooties. Hilarious. After nearly an entire episode of nothing but non-stop action, violence and a huge brawl in Townsville, we get a comedic flirt scene. 

NOW before I finally get to number one, here are some honorable mentions. 

Him Riddle Diddle - I love the suspense and how it already started with peril, it felt like some kind of action movie. HIM sets the girls up on a riddle-fest or else the Professor will -in Him's words - pay. I could have had it on this list but...the one bit that bothered me was Buttercup piloting a helicopter...umm...when did she learn to...okay, Uh-Oh Dynamo, they are controlling a large robotic being of themselves but a helicopter? I don't know, maybe it was all done for comedy but yeah, it's still a great episode. What makes this episode great is that it builds up with suspense, from one riddle after another, still filling comedy in the cracks and gaps of course. Also when you have Him as the main villain, he's always coming up with something unique, yet nasty. I won't spoil the ending but it is hilarious, I love the girls' reactions after working their butts off to save their father ONLY to...well see for yourself.

  Superfriends - @KarToonComics has already kind of gone on about this episode and I have to agree with her on what she said. I have had lonely problems growing up and found it hard to make friends and socialize.  Also, I've personally lost friends due to someone else cutting in the way and excluding me by taking over them and. I don't like to go into it, but we have all had that experience. 

The girls meet Robin, their new next door neighbor and befriend her, it's really satisfying to actually see the girls being kids, having fun and playing together for once. 

I shut this one off the list though,  because...well, some of the later episodes, I can't stand the sharpness in Bubbles' accent, it's noticeable especially in her Ls. It's like she's getting a bit of a Spanish brogue in there (which probably makes sense since she can speak the language), but I just find it really distracting. 

Also, while I really liked Robyn, she somewhat looks similar to one of the other kindergartners in school. Watch Stuck Up, Up And Away and see for yourself. Her friendship with the girls was cute, I really like how they all bonded together like all little kids, but of course, being superheroes, the girls didn't always get enough time to meet their new friend, their next door neighbor in fact. That's pretty sad, you can tell the girls themselves could feel it inside them that they wish the hotline would once not ring and they could do their own thing but Townsville seems to have problems every single time. 

Robin and the girls walk to school together the following week when a limousine pulls up carrying Princess Morbucks as a passenger. She offers the girls a lift in the car IF they let her be a Powerpuff Girl, the girls' decline the offer (by the way, I love Blossom's expression during Princess's little bribe). 

I can't really go on more without totally spoiling the episode so see for yourself what happens from here. It's a great episode, also a BONUS for Robin's hilarious one liner and of course the entire sequence set to the song Signal in the Sky by The Apples in Stereo, damn, why couldn't we have more episodes like that, that'd be just brilliant. I'd have loved to have seen a cameo appearance of Bis, or Dressy Bessy. 

Helter Shelter - I don't know why but I wish this episode was longer, then again with a premise as stupid yet funny as this one, it would probably lose the comedy after a while.

Bubbles loves animals, we all know that. In fact, she loves them so much, she has a habit of bringing them in the house. 

The following afternoon, Bubbles brings in a baby sperm whale into the house and the results of trying to hide it from the Professor are hilarious. I love the way the girls panic and all the hiding spots aren't very well hidden for a large mammal such as a whale calf. 

The dialogue and gags are some of the stupidest yet funniest in any episode, yet they somehow add up nicely. I also love the running gag of the Professor yelling out Bubbles' name, he kind of reminds me of Dave Seville in Alvin and the Chipmunks. . 

You'll have to watch the whole episode to find out what happens but I can't say if it will make you laugh or not. 

Equal Fights - This was a great episode, in fact I felt it could have been longer, but then it would probably drag on and go nowhere. The girls become sexist to all males after meeting and releasing Femme Fatale, a master thief, bank robber and also bit of a hypocrite. 

While Grey Delisle did a fantastic performance with her role here, I felt that Femme Fatale was one of the more forgettable minor villains.

If this were a double length episode, I would have liked to have seen more of a backstory on why she's a misandrist. 

Also I felt the character was eye-candy and fan-service material, from her slender figure to her skin-tight outfit. Also, I love how precocious the girls themselves are on a brief history lesson about Susan B. Anthony. 

The morals were great but personally, this along with a similar episode Members Only just didn't quite make the cut for me.  I did love the references to the Justice League though. 

Child Fearing - I love the Mojo Jojo themed episodes, especially where he's with the girls throughout and they make each other's lives a living hell. Unfortunately, some were a fluke and hit and miss while others like Slumbering with the Enemy and this one; Child Fearing are great.

Late for science presentation in a rather clumsy fashion, the Professor hires a babysitter to look after the girls. There's a wonderful reference to a certain N64 game here, I don't want to spoil it in case you may haven't seen it. But it's a great laugh if you know your games.  I also love the little smirk the girls give each other when they know they are alone and the Professor forgot to ring for a sitter.

Anyway, the Mayor is too busy to sit for the girls because he's playing video-games, so the girls get an unexpected visit from their arch-enemy Mojo Jojo and the results are pure hilarity, one after the other. 

The girls aren't stupid, without a simple huddle or plan, they immediately decide to take advantage of all this and become incredibly obnoxious, mischievous and bratty as any little kid can be. I usually hate obnoxious characters but it's played here perfectly. 

It's impossible not to laugh at Mojo here, but also feel sorry for him at the same time. It's a real shame there weren't anymore episodes that had this kind of comedy, because this one is absolutely hilarious from start to finish. Also, the TV scene is absolutely brilliant, the highlight of the episode. 

Buttercrush - This was one of the many episodes that immediately got me into the show. Already silently into it that is lol. Anyway, this was an episode I felt went on just too quickly, but if it was extended, it would drag on. 

The Gang Green Gang reek havoc at a playground and when the girls show up, the gang's leader Ace throws drops to his knees and does a pathetic routine of guilt. Reluctant, Blossom (being the leader of the girls) agrees, but Buttercup begins developing a crush on Ace, after a tip of his shades, a soft thank you and a wink of charm, Buttercup believes she has just met Mr Right. 

Interestingly, Buttercup barely has any dialogue in this episode, heck she only has one or two lines top and tail (if giggling counts). This episode was not afraid to tackle the precocious crush issues, here we have a kindergartner falling for a teenager. It's amazing what the writers got away with in this show.

 Buttercup would sneak out every night to visit the gang, I don't know HOW she managed to avoid the Professor checking in on her or anything. 

This is one of the few Buttercup themed episodes that was actually good, if not the best one. Although I put it in the honorable mentions because...well...Buttercup's crush didn't last long, in a way it's a good thing otherwise her sisters would have been history, but makes you wonder how much love suddenly poured out of her own heart. 

Overall, it's a wonderful episode and deserved a mention. 

Cat Man Do - I was SO close to putting this one in the top 10, I saw this episode a lot on Cartoon Network when I was a kid, seriously, they repeated this one again and again yet it never bothered me. 

I guess I put it here because...well...the origin of the cat is unknown and who was his master? We never see or hear from him again (minus a brief cameo). 

While I haven't found of thought up any theories, that doesn't stop this episode from being a classic. I did feel like the heist scene with the Professor went on a bit too long for a ten minute short. Also, if I were to pick a moment that had me roaring with laughter (not just this episode, but the entire show) every single time, it would be the "We can keep Kitty" scene. The reactions of the girls are priceless and I love how they suddenly lighten up in seconds. Comedy like this in cartoons is rare now, especially with such speed. Also a bonus for the cat himself being voiced by Mark Hamill. 

Bought and Scold - Of all the Princess Morbucks themed episodes, this has to be one of the best. Here, she buys all of Townsville and makes crime legal, making the girls' and other citizens' lives miserable. This even leads to everybody's belongings becoming property of the Morbucks household and the villains get to do what they want. Most of all, the Mayor gave the key to the city to Princess, causing her to take over Townsville.

 That is until the girls think up a plan to get all they had stolen from them back in a rather hilarious twist. I also love when Morbucks finally snaps and eventually agrees to make crime illegal again, the girls just go off to do what they do best. Seriously, how can you not love the dialogue free scene with the Gangreen Gang, also Blossom's little smug expression when she shows Ace the legal and illegal papers is just brilliant. 

As satisfying as it is to see a happy ending again, I can't help but feel bad for Princess here, yeah she's rotten and spoiled but maybe she was raised like that. In fact, you never see or hear of her mother in this show and her father comes off as a bit abusive as seen here with the newspaper, obviously not giving his own daughter a chance to speak. That's why I left it out here. 

Super Zeroes - Kids will be kids! Whether they play make believe, go on adventures with their toys or are influenced by cartoons and comics. Which is pretty much what inspires the girls to create their own alter-egos here. Well, sort of. 

The girls are sad because they don't feel like "better" superheroes. They don't have an interesting backstory, nor are they dark and tormented, nor do they even have interesting costumes.  So they decide create their own alter egos complete with new costumes. 

Don't question where or how they got these outfits or maintained the little abilities, I guess that adds to the comedy. I love how when a monster does hit Townsville, the girls go their own way in their own fashion, very slowly and the results are hilarious! I love how Buttercup's alter-ego "Mange" only goes out at night, kind of a not to Batman. I love how Bubbles' alter-ego resembles My Melody and other Sanrio esque characters while Blossom's got a Wonderwoman vibe to it. I can't really give the episode away without spoiling the plot truthfully but I guess the moral is to be yourself and stick up for it. Which is exactly what the girls did at the end. Only a little spoiler. The moment that really makes this episode is the fact that the girls take so long to fight, you'll have to see it for yourself to get the laughs.

Mime for a Change- Season 1 of the Powerpuff Girls was terrific, there were so many memorable and great episodes and one that particularly comes to mind when you think "Craig McCracken" is this one. I used to watch this episode a lot back in the day and loved the concept of it. I'm not too keen on clowns but Rainbow is just the average friendly harmless kind of person who does his job. She he sounds pretty obnoxious and irritating but he doesn't have many speaking roles. His villain alter ego was pretty unique power-wise, but the question I'm pretty sure we're all asking is...was the bleach radioactive? Was there Chemical X in it? Guess we'll never know, but in a way, that's what adds to the charm. Either way, the bleach seeps out not only the color on Rainbow, but his cheerful personality too. His good kind heart and light sense of humor has gone sour and his love for bright colors has switched to black and white. 

Upon realizing what he can do, Rainbow or in this case, Mr Mime can now takeover Townsville by draining all the color right out of it. Not only that, but also affecting those cheerful moods of the citizens of Townsville, also they can hardly speak due to the power of mime. It's really clever. We also discover in this episode that Bubbles loves to draw and colour, especially with crayons like most little girls her age. Upon discovering the black and white atmosphere, she goes on a rampage scraping wax of colour with every crayon she has. Seriously, it's like her box of crayons never ends or run out! Ah cartoon logic. 

I have to admit, Tara Strong's performance for Bubbles here during her little panic is pure gold, just listen to those vocals! Keep in mind that she was only 25 at the time. Mega talent! 

Her sisters soon take action and look for the suspect. When they finally find Mr Mime, they make chase until they are at a dead end and are ambushed by him. Why couldn't the girls just fly away? Bubbles meanwhile, thinking she had proudly saved the day all by herself wonders where her sisters went and when she discovers them depressed, colorless and mute, she sobs but brightens up immediately remembering she had a crayon but to no avail, it doesn't work. Realizing that her crayons aren't magical, Bubbles thinks up the next best thing...of all 90s cliches in cartoons, she and her sisters save the day...with ROCK MUSIC! Yeah, it's cheesy and all but also a beautiful message. A message of love. Love Makes the World go round is one of the few times the girls ever actually did a musical number and oh my god was this one memorable? I wish there was an extended version of it and an official release, but I guess we'd have to make do with the hidden track on the Heroes and Villains CD. Just listen to that chorus. This is the song that Cavadini, Strong and Daily all used to warm up their performances and vocals whenever they were together in the studio.

I put this episode in the honorable mentions because of the ending, it was a bit hypocritical, one minute the girls are singing and putting a smile on everyone's faces, the next thing, they send Rainbow to jail when it wasn't his fault. Of course, he may have been forgiven later on. But who knows? Overall, this was a memorable episode. KEY MOMENT: Seeing the girls hug, it was adorable! 

Ice Sore - Blossom discovers that she has a power that her sisters don't have, causing her to show it off. I put it in the honorable mentions because it deserved it, I felt that Ms Keane making all her class go outside in the frying heat to be a bit irresponsible though. 

A Made Up Story - Phyliss Diller's performence as the villain was great and the comedy in this one a bit slow but did have some hilarious moments, plus that ending! It feels like what would happen if Stephen King’s Carrie was turned into a comedy. 

Tough Love - One of the first episodes I ever saw and caused me to fall in love with the show as so as I watched it. The concept is dark, creepy and yet unique. When I saw those girls get beat up, punched, kicked, beaten up (heck even by adults), I couldn't believe it. I knew this was the cartoon I waited for, all my life. 

Bubblevicious - While not a favorite of mine, I still had to put it here in the honorable mentions list, because, well Strong's performance as Bubbles was absolutely brilliant. Hearing her growl that epic drawn out "haaardcoore" was the cherry on top of Bubbles' character and we see a more stronger side to her. Fed up with being treated like a baby, she does things her way, something even Buttercup probably wouldn't do. My problem though was the way she treated the Talking Dog, threatening to hurt him, a bit hypocritical for Bubbles' taste since she loves animals. This episode was Craig McCracken's all time favourite and you can see why it was nominated for an emmy. 

Speed Demon - I gave this episode a mention for the creepy-factor and I mean real creepy. Sometimes I don't know if I'm watching a creepypasta or an episode of the Powerpuff Girls. The show is usually full of action, bit of drama but going as low as this is unusual, this was another dark episode. Everyone chanting "your fault" to the girls  is like the equivalent "They're all gonna laugh at you" from Carrie. Can you just imagine travelling so fast that you went fifty years into the future? The concept of this episode is both creepy, unsettling and disturbing. 

Knock It Off - Again, an episode that isn't often talked about. This double length episode is one of the darkest in my honest opinion. Dick Hardly is one of the nastiest, sadistic and cruelest one time villains I have ever seen. Cloning the girls with a full vile of Chemical X and shipping them all over the world just sounds like yet another creepy pasta. 

Also, have you seen how deformed these clones looked? Enough to disturb any audience. The scene where the Professor discovers the base and suddenly freaks out at all the hideous deformed clones is probably how anyone would react if this happened in real life. Also, seeing the girls die onscreen was heart wrenching, of course, if this show ended now, it would have been one sad finale.

 Did I forget to mention that Dick Hardly's monster form was just terrifying! Those tentacles on his chest just really seemed off.  On the funny side, I love how it’s like the writers were trying to push it on how many times the girls say “Dick”. Also, what was that nerd doing with his PPG doll? 

The Boys are Back in Town - The sequel to The Rowdyruff Boys, this half hour romp sees the girls meeting their match for the second time. The girls learn that the boys were brought back to life from HIM and had given them a cootie vaccination, so they are now strong against the girls. I left it off the top ten list because...well, again, the counterpart battle technique just got stale and I found that the boys personality resulted in some rather gross and painfully vulgar scenes. It's like they were trying to compete with Nickelodeon's 90s shows. 

Also just a side note and personal opinion: I do prefer the boys' hairdos here. Also the scene where the girls discover the weakness was hilarious. A bonus for Blossom’s cheeky little one liner. 

Beat Your Greens  - This was a classic episode. I remember watching it a lot as a kid. The moral is simple: eat your vegetables. 

This was the time when Craig McCracken was still at high stakes on the show and this was only it's second season. A time when morals weren't  always the key of the show. Also Buttercup's brief pep talk/speech to one of the kids was great and really motivating. Also I love the little Star Wars reference. 

Curses - I left this one out because this trope has been done before in other shows including Spongebob Squarepants and Arthur. But that doesn't stop the episode from being funny. The villain was hilarious, a literal talking potty-mouth who basically just talks gibberish as if he's swearing and every time the girls swore, it was bleeped out with various sound effects and the results are hilarious. I think the funniest moment was when the girls flipped out on the Mayor all over a pickle jar complete with swearwords and their mouths washed out with soap. Overall, this was a funny episode but sadly, when a trope has been done to death, is there really any high stakes for it to be in a top ten list? 

And the number one greatest Powerpuff Girls episode is...

1. The Powerpuff Girls Rule! I am counting this one as an episode! Argument invalid! WHERE do I begin? This was all drawn and animated on Flash and released as the 10th anniversary special and you know what? It's absolutely brilliant. Everything is thrown at you in seconds, the humor, the pacing, unpredictable moments, the voice actors returned again and are just as great and the best part? Craig McCracken came back to write this masterpiece!

Not only was this special a breath of fresh air for the fans, but it felt like a new revival for the Powerpuff Girls done right! Sadly, this was Craig's last involvement with the Powerpuff Girls...when you think about it though, it’s not the same without Craig McCracken as writer and director, so you can see why there are lots more funnies here compared to seasons five and six. 

Originally, this was planned to be an hour long but instead was reduced to a full length episode, which is why everyone suffers from motormouth syndrome throughout!

I love all the little callbacks to the classic episodes, including the villains and nearly every second had me laughing with tears streaming down my cheeks! THAT'S the true essence and formula of The Powerpuff Girls. Try watching this special with a straight face if you are a die hard fan of this show, seriously! It's impossible!

Ten years before, the reviews poured in calling this cartoon "gut-bustingly funny", well, this really shows! It's like the show had won back the brilliance when Craig came back and I really wish there was more!

The plot is so ridiculous yet hilarious and I quote the PPG wikia: The key to the world is sent to Townsville, and The Mayor has the responsibility of keeping watch of it. However, he misplaces it, and all the villains of Townsville break free from prison to search for the key, each one of them wanting to obtain it and rule the world, especially Mojo Jojo. The Powerpuff Girls must find the key and return it to The Mayor, before the villains get to it.

Everything about this episode is absolutely fantastic. I will forgive the little reference to a certain 2000s meme thrown in, although it wasn't really needed, but who can complain, right? It was bound to happen since every decade, cartoons tend to have that trend that will blend in with show's plots.

The moment all the motor-mouthed dialogue starts, it's impossible not to sit back with an enormous smile on your face. This was like a true love-letter to everyone who worked on the show, filled with crazy gags and some of the funniest build up on the show, complete with crazy references and everyone filling in on tickling the funny-bone.

The moment Blossom does her impression of Mojo Jojo (COMPLETE with camera angles, close ups and a shot of the entire planet earth) is hilarious! Her sass and smug attitude here just makes it!

I love how cartoony and slapstick this special was, although a little out of character, I don't care, I find it rather hilarious! There's surprise after surprise, after surprise! I've never seen The Powerpuff Girls go beyond the mark of full-on craziness!

I will admit, the motor-mouthing did feel a little forced and rushed but the plot still made up for it with all it's glory! I can't give anymore away without spoiling the entire cartoon so go watch this special when you can!  

The Powerpuff Girls Rule! is -in my opinion- the greatest episode of all time. Now ten years old, it makes us all wonder what is in store for the twentieth anniversary. With the reboot having mixed reception and the merchandise still selling, we can only dream on having another special just as fresh and funny as this one.

"Key" moment for me (okay, that pun was lame): The whole episode was filled to the brim with timeless and hilarious moments but if I were to pick one, it would have to be Mojo singing a Jimmy Hart version of Part of Your World. Honestly, the funniest thing ever done on the show, period! Kudos Craig McCracken! You can’t spell slaughter without laughter and this episode did just that almost! A new meaning for the term: gut-bustingly funny! 

And with that, ends my top 10 greatest PPG episode list! What are your favorite episodes of all time? Which ones make you laugh the most? I'd love to read and/or hear your opinions! :) With that being said, after twenty years, this show still holds up and I will always enjoy it again and again whenever I have a bad day. If you really want to see every classic episode again, then go buy the complete dvd set, it’s just been re-released as a twentieth anniversary box set!  Thanks for reading and thank you to @crackmccraigen for this masterpiece! 

[purplesurveys]

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Hola, hablas espanol? Un poco. Haha most of my Spanish is based off of context clues from similar words and phrases that we have in Filipino, and the very basic lessons I’ve gotten from Duolingo if that even counts, so I most likely would not survive a conversation. Overall though, I can read Spanish much more quickly and better than I can listen to/speak it. Music is playing right now, isn't it? What song? No but for some reason I have the OST of one of the Mario Kart 8 tracks playing in my head. Do you use AIM? What's your screen name? No, I didn’t really catch that era anymore. How many cell phones have you gone through in your life? I had two of the classic Nokia phones, a flip phone, a hand-me-down from my dad, two iPhone 5S, and my current iPhone 8 so that makes it a total of seven. Do you have a little sister? What's her name? Yeah. We’ve always called her Nina at home but for some reason she chose to go with her full first name in school and everywhere else, so it’s always a source of confusion when her friends and I are in the same room and we call her different names hahaha.

Who was the last person you screamed at? Why were you screaming? I think my mom? I was filming my dad doing one of the Tiktok dances (yep, my parents are into Tiktok lmaooooo) but my mom blocked the camera at some point so I jokingly yelled at her to go away. Can you crack your joints? Which ones? Just my fingers, which is all I ever feel like cracking anyway. What's your favorite name for a guy? And a girl? I repeat my fave girls’ names too much on this damn site, y’all know at least one of them by now. I don’t really think of boys’ names but I suppose my current favorite is Miguel. Are you good at answering trick questions? I don’t really encounter them a lot so I wouldn’t know. Do you use Myspace or Facebook? Or both? I don’t use Myspace/was never addicted to it the way I am to like Twitter now. I do use Facebook for various reasons – to stay connected to family, to be updated with announcements from school, to communicate for work, and to share memes hahahaha. Do you need spellcheck in order to spell things correctly? Not really. Sometimes I’ll Google a word before typing it out to be 100% sure but it’s only usually for words that are commonly misspelled, like ‘occasionally.’ Do you do too many surveys? How many have you done today? I don’t know if taking them daily counts as taking them too much but to be fair I only take one to three surveys a day. I definitely take much fewer surveys than I did, like, seven years ago when I would fill out ten a day. Have you ever changed yourself to impress someone? Who? I remember trying to like bands like The Summer Set, You Me At Six, The Maine, We Came As Romans, This Century, etc in Grade 6 because all the cooler, hipster kids liked them. UGH thinking about how I acted during that period is so cringe because I never even liked any of the fucking music but I tried so hard to, lmao. There were only three bands I ended up genuinely enjoying: All Time Low, Sleeping With Sirens, and We Are the In Crowd. After that I stopped paying attention to what people liked. Who was the last person you gave up on? Why did you give up on them? I think it was Macy. She has changed a lot and it’s obvious we are not as close as before and when we do talk it’s mostly awkward small talk. I don’t know what happened along the way, but I just hope she’s happy. What was the last thing you printed? Is there even ink in your printer? I usually have stuff printed in school because with my dad not being home most of the time, my mom and brother never printing anything, and my sister living in a dorm, it doesn’t seem worth it to keep buying ink just for me. The last thing I printed was a news article I needed to turn in for business writing class. What's your favorite number? Is there any reason that's your favorite? 4. I honestly liked it initially because it’s Beyoncé’s favorite number so I just stuck with that answer for the longest time haha. What kind of shampoo do you use? Does it smell amazing? It’s one of the Dove shampoos. It’s nothing life-changing but seeing as it’s a hair care product, it of course smells nice and decent.   Do you go to concerts? What was the last one you attended? Not a lot. I save my attendance for my absolute favorites which means that so far I’ve been to two Paramore shows and one One Direction show. I make sure they’re bigger, more mainstream acts that don’t happen in the Philippines a lot because it’s my dad who pays, and I wanna make sure what I’m asking him to treat me to is gonna be a super super worth it experience, if that makes sense. Have you ever had a conversation with someone through bulletins? I don’t think so. Do you shop online? With your own credit card, or someone else's? I have food delivered from online but I barely buy other stuff online. I use cash on delivery since I don’t own any kind of card. Who's your best friend? How long have you known each other? I’ve known Angela for 15 years and Gab for 9. Who was your first boyfriend/girlfriend? Why did you break up? She freaked out and thought we were rushing too much at 17, which she was right about. Have you ever gotten your nails done? Or do you get them done regularly? Never but Gabie keeps telling me that we should have a nail day hahahaha. Idk, I’ve never been comfortable with the idea of someone working on my fingers or toes or any part of my body. Have you been outside yet today? What were you doing? Sure. I stepped out into our backyard to walk my dog for a few minutes in the afternoon; in the evening my family and I had dinner on our rooftop which is technically a part of outside. Tell me about the last thing that made you laugh until it hurt. It was one of the more recent segments from a Korean reality show I watch. It’s not gonna be funny if I narrate it lmao but suffice it to say it’s a show about kids and their dads, and the kid that I watched in particular is exceptionally smart for his age and says a lot of witty things. One of the things he said was bullseye for me and I ended up nearly screaming in laughter at 3 AM. When was the last time you got a new bed? Is your bed comfy? 2008. We never changed my bed from when we first moved here. Yes, I’d say it is. What kind of games did you play on the playground when you were younger? I loved playing at the sandbox because I found the texture really fun to touch and play with; I also liked the swing and the trapeze bars.

Have you ever buried a time capsule with a friend? Did you dig it up yet? Nope. I find them very interesting though. Tell me one thing you'd like to change in 2010. There's gotta be something. That was a whole-ass decade ago, holy shit. I don’t remember what I sought for 2010 back in 2009 but I imagine one of them is for me to find a friend to be with because it was in 2010 that two of my closest friends, Andi and Angel, both migrated to New Zealand and Canada. Spoiler alert: I didn’t, and I was sad the entire year. Do you have or want any tattoos? Of what? Yes. The only design I can think of right now is my dog’s pawprint. Do you remember the first time you ever drove a car? Who were you with? Yeah, it was in my parents’ old Mitsubishi Lancer. I was with my mom and I drove too close to curbs/walls the entire time haha. Do any of your friends drink excess amounts of alcohol? Do you? JM drank a lot at the start of the quarantine to the point that I started to get worried, but I think he’s lessened his intake in the last few weeks. Other than him I don’t know anyone with a drinking problem. I certainly don’t have one. What color is your favorite hoodie? When did you get it? Hoodies aren’t really my thing so I don’t have a favorite one. How many pairs of shoes do you have? Are they under your bed? Around 10-15 would be a safe guess. They’re in a shoe rack in a bodega-like space underneath our stairs. What exactly is under your bed? Is it a mess? Not a mess. I just have my old WWE magazines and other various magazines that I collected as a teenager with Beyoncé and Kristen Stewart on the cover stored in two large containers. Have you ever been in handcuffs? Why, exactly? Not by the police, lol byeeeeeeeeeeee What's your favorite thing to do when drunk? Would you do this sober? I join games a lot more and I’m generally friendlier and louder. I can be the first two when I’m sober, just a lot more reserved. When was the last time you bled? What happened? I caught a mosquito sucking blood off of my knee a week ago. Have you ever had to be put to sleep at a hospital? Why? Nope. Do you actually have a calendar on your wall? What are the pictures of? I do not. When are you planning on moving out of your parents' house? In 2-3 years when I’ve saved enough, probably. I’m itching to do it as soon as I can though. Tell me about your day today. :) It was my parents’ 23rd wedding anniversary so we had a bigger brunch that consisted of pancit Malabon, several sticks of barbecue, sisig, and various kakanin to celebrate. The afternoon was uneventful and I just spent most of it brushing up on my Spanish lessons hah, then I had a quick siesta; then for dinner we had burgers from a local place that recently opened again while the quarantine is ongoing. Are you a fan of dogs? Do you have any pets? I LOVE dogs, except for chihuahuas which I genuinely am unable to start liking because of (most of) their personalities. I will definitely care for one if I see them starving at a road but ugh idk, I just like all other dogs a lot more. And I know there are cuddly and behaved chihuahuas out there but I’ve simply seen more feisty ones and since then it’s been hard to have my mind changed about them. Who was the last person in your family to graduate high school? Was it you? My sister graduated in 2018. Have you ever been on a cruise? How many? Where did they go? Yeah, just once, for my 18th birthday. I went to China, Japan, and South Korea.

[blaperile]

Homestuck Epilogue(s) - Prologue (page 1)

I've just read right until the end of the first Prologue page. Under the Read More are my initial reactions!

Oh boy... it's time. Time for the Epilogues... assuming it's available yet and/or the link on homestuck.com doesn't lead to a VIZ Media buy link for a book form of the Epilogue, I could also see that happening. xD plainWonder also had a good point that perhaps the first part of the epilogue will simply be the snaps we already saw on the MSPA Snapchat. ...Snaps almost feels like a weird thing to say now. I think they've just gotten a way darker meaning for me ever since watching Avengers: Infinity War. xD ANYWAY, without further ado, here we go!!! *clicks link* Hehn, kind of looks like the start page of an all new adventure! And yay, looks like the epilogue IS indeed simply on the website itself and not externally, for I see a command leading to the next page! *hovers over link of > Start and sees URL* www.homestuck.com/epilogues/prologue ....SERIOUSLY??? PFFFFFFFF, typical Hussie right there. Only HE can give an epilogue a prologue. xD Oh boy this is gonna be a long epilogue isn't it. The question is, how much of it is available here already? And what is the prologue even going to be? Will they just be the snaps we've already seen? I'm very curious where this is going now. > Start ....HOLY FUCK. Archive of our own parody??? Or an actual Archive of Our Own "fanfic"???? Oh jegus god. We've truly come full circle now that Hussie is doing a parody of a website famous for housing Homestuck fanfics. Looks like Andrew collaborated with a few people? "Rating: Mature" Sounds about right! "Category: F/F, F/M, M/M, Multi, Other" Sounds about right! "Fandom: Homestuck" Sounds about right! "Characters: John Egbert, Rose Lalonde, Dave Strider, Jade Harley, Jane Crocker, Roxy Lalonde, Jake English, Dirk Strider, Barack Obama" Sounds about ri...WAIT A SECOND. PFFFFFFFFFFFFF Hell fucking yes xD "Aradia Megido, Tavros Nitram, Sollux Captor, Karkat Vantas, Kanaya Maryam, Terezi Pyrope, Vriska Serket, Gamzee Makara, Eridan Ampora, Feferi Peixes, Aranea Serket, Meenah Peixes, Davepetasprite^2, Calliope, Caliborn, Lord English, Original Male Character(s), Original Female Character(s)" Well if this isn't a joke, I'd be VERY happy to see Eridan and Feferi again along with the rest of the gang! Aranea though!!!! That's got me very curious. Is she alive (as in, dead but not double dead)??? I know that was really ambiguous on whether or not she was double dead or not after being killed by GO!Condesce. Kind of sad the other A1 Trolls aren't on the list. Hmm, mention of Davepetasprite^2 but nothing of the other Sprites! Makes sense if this is mainly taking place in the Furthest Ring. Wait a second.... I only just noticed how Equius is the only A2 Troll missing from this list!!! And no true separate mention of Nepeta either. Oh man. Looks like Arquiusprite (who should be on Earth) is also sitting this one out! ...Equius got voided out. :P I also find it very interesting how Caliborn receives a separate mention from Lord English! Are we going to see something from the fight that took place between Caliborn and the Kids? ...Wait, that DID feature Arquiusprite though, who is missing from this list. HMMMMMMM And oh boy, what should we expect from the "original male character(s), original female character(s)"????? Are some of the people from Universe C going to factor into this? Assuming we can take this list of characters seriously... which I kind of doubt considering Barack Obama is on the list. xD ...THOSE CONTENT WARNINGS. OH MY GOD. Oh god I love this already. Kankri would be so proud. :P "The Economy" ==> I got that reference! xD I love all the Gamzee related content warnings. "Trickster Mode" I DARE YOU HUSSIE "Ten years after their adventure began, the heroes are enjoying a well-earned retirement on Earth C. But John still has one last choice to make." HOLY SHIT. 10 years later?! That's... 2 years later from the last thing we saw from John, when he celebrated his 21st birthday and was challenged by Caliborn! Wait... 10 years after the start. THAT'S NOW. It's frickin 2019!!!!! Oh hell yes, Andrew has made it catch up to reality once more. HELL YES. What is the "one last choice" John has to make? To go after Caliborn, which will presumably get them trapped inside the Plot Hole (which is still a term I love to use)? Jeez... that probably means it's also already been so many years since Terezi left. I can't recall on which of John's birthdays it was. Was it his 17th? 18th? I'll check that later. In the contents there is only a "Prologue" link... Oh boy, is this going to lead straight to Archive of Our Own? *hovers over link* www.homestuck.com/epilogues/prologue/1 Nope! Unless this redirects, we're staying on the Homestuck website. *clicks on link* AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Oh god WALL OF TEXT. Looks like... this really is going to be like a "fanfic", without any images?? I suddenly feel like we're reading one of Hussie's recaps and/or Rose's walkthrough. xD "It starts with a crack. Everything else rises up from that like steam: a trembling thread that cuts through space in jagged lines, splintering the void into razor-sharp shards of putrefying leptons and quarks popping apart like raw eggs in a microwave." Only Hussie could write a sentence like that, ahahaha. Seems like he's talking about the cracks in the Furthest Ring? Are these... going to turn out to be, like,  notes taken by his self-insert who was also right there in the Furthest Ring? :P "raw eggs in a microwave" Well, that explains the "eggs" content warning. xD "At the center of that hole the edges can be heard fraying. Pandemonium, as continuity buckles in the middle and the two ends come smashing together. Around the hole, ghosts scream. They claw at the dying borders of their dreams with fingernail-chipping desperation." Dang, these descriptions are giving me shivers. It reminds me of the sight that Terezi saw in the Furthest Ring and sent to the others on Earth. "At the center, that distortion turns into an eerie music. That’s where the cacophony ends—the shattering, the screaming, the squelching, the sounds of elemental particles being torn apart like string cheese shoved through a meat grinder, then dumped down a strangely melodious garbage disposal." Okay I'm sorry, but I can't help but think of the garbage disposal in Dave's appartment. ...I was saying that as a joke, but now that I think about it actually, this reminds me of how I once made a theory of how that disposal scene was some foreshadowing for the creation of Lord English, mostly because of the Saw and purple Smuppet stuff, but now suddenly the garbage disposal element comes into mention here too. HMMMMMMM "This is the end of everything. This is the end of Paradox Space. You..." Oh man, where is this going? Is it going to turn out there's some kind of other realm beyond the Black Hole that all of the ghosts got sucked into? Like, a true kind of afterlife? "Your name is John Egbert, and you have just had a terrible, deeply pretentious nightmare. You snap out of bed, soaked in sweat, your heart hammering like a fire alarm. It is just as you feared." And suddenly we're John! Has the images Terezi sent them been leaving him with these kind of nightmares? Eeesh.... "You’ve been dreaming in anime again. And you have no idea what it could mean." ...OH GOD DAMN IT HUSSIE YOU BRILLIANT BASTARD. XD "> Look outside just to make absolutely sure the world is not ending." And suddenly we're in Act 1 all over again. :P "The only sound you can hear for miles is the wind skimming the hollows of your neighbors’ pipe homes." Oh hell yes, reference to the wind skimming the void. And heh, at least that last part confirms we're really in the present now where John lives in his salamander neighborhood, not that we're actually somehow back at the events of Act 1 or something. "It’s a normal day in the salamander village, which you refer to as Salamander Village because the damned salamanders never bothered to give this village a name, you guess." ...I could see that. xD That must mean there are like hundreds or thousands of those kinds of villages, hahahaha. Really mustn't be convenient for any non-Consort people trying to navigate over there. :P "Beside your pillow, your phone is vibrating. Rose is calling. The screen of your phone reads 9:30 a.m. April 13, and also the number forty-six, which is how many text messages your friend left you while you were sleeping. A bit excessive, even for her." Rooooooooose! Okay, that's a huge relief to me. I kind of feared they'd all completely drifted apart in the past few years and hardly heard from each other anymore, so I'm really glad to see Rose talking to John is apparently still a thing. And that she's still apparently as wordy as ever. :P I wonder if we're gonna get a dialog (or Rose monologue) now? "Answer the phone" Oh hell fucking yes, here comes some sweet, sweeeeeet dialogue/monologue! "ROSE: Since when are you known to operate your telephone? JOHN: since... i don’t know. has it really been that long since i called? ROSE: I can’t remember the last time. JOHN: neither can i. anyway, what’s up?" Awwww, okay that's sad to hear. I take back what I said earlier, looks like they really don't hear from each other that often anymore. :( "ROSE: Am I correct in presuming this April Thirteenth will be as uneventful as the last? JOHN: yeah, i don’t want to do anything this year. i hope that’s ok." Looks like he still feels the same way like the past few years. D: I feel so sad for John. This really doesn't feel like a happy ending for him. If only he still had his Dad... "All over the neighborhood, the little dad-salamanders are putting on their little rumpled hats and picking up their little suitcases and kissing their little families goodbye for the day" Okay, on one hand the comparisons with John's own family situation are really sad, but I can't help but ROFL that Rumpled Hats are still a thing in this society. "You’ve always been confused about what, exactly, they contribute to the global economy. But it’s pretty cute how much they love playing at being suburban businessmen." Hey, there's where the Economy content warning came from! And it didn't even have to do with Barack Obama! xD "The silence over the phone is growing awkward. You’ve stalled long enough. You decide to just come out and say it." Oh boy... what is he going to say? Something about how sad he is with the current situation? "JOHN: i’ve been dreaming in anime again lately." PFFFFFFFFFFF, JOHN. JOHN NEVER CHANGE. We're getting some hella sweet new quotes here. :P Also, I'd find it really funny if it turns out he's been dreaming of the events of Act 7 which, from our perspective, were rendered in anime form. "JOHN: i have no idea what it could mean. ROSE: I see." Rose, looks like you've found someone to psycho-analyze again! xD "JOHN: whenever i have these dreams, everything’s breaking apart. JOHN: millions of people are screaming and dying. JOHN: i mean, dying permanently. not the kind of bullshit dying that we’ve been doing a lot over the years." Okay so he WAS actually dreaming the stuff we read at the beginning of this prologue then. I love how he calls "their" dying bullshit. " JOHN: what do you think it all means? ROSE: What do I think ‘what’ means? JOHN: what do you think it means that i’ve been dreaming in anime? ROSE: I don’t have the slightest idea what it means that you’ve been dreaming in anime, John. ROSE: To be honest, I... You wait for Rose to finish her thought. She doesn’t, which is troubling because you have never known Rose to leave a thought unfinished in over ten years of acquaintance." That's... indeed quite troubling! Normally this kind of thing is truly Rose's specialty. What's going on over on her side? I mean, it did seem like there was more she wanted to say than just "happy birthday". ....Thinking back to the content warnings... is Rose or Kanaya pregnant??? I don't want to put too much trust into those content warnings though. :P "ROSE: I held out for as long as I could. I figured your birthday was as good a time as any to let you know. JOHN: let me know what?" HERE IT COMES!!!!! "ROSE: It’s crept up on me, these last couple of years. ROSE: Gradually enough to ignore as it was happening, but I can’t anymore." ...Wait what??? Oh god, that does sound different from having a baby. Oh man, please don't tell me she wants to divorce from Kanaya. D: "ROSE: Lately the visions have been overwhelming. JOHN: visions??" Ohhhh, visions! Huh. What kind of visions? About Caliborn? About what's happening in the Furthest Ring? Something else? "ROSE: Would you mind flying to my apartment, so we can continue this in person?" Wait a second. She lives in an apartment now? Looks like unlike John she didn't stay in her old house! Interesting how she moved into an apartment, like Dave originally lived in. "You move the phone away from your ear and assume an expression you haven’t practiced in years. It is the look of a man who actually has something to do." Dang, he must have been getting REALLY bored all this time. That time alone on LOMAX must have been peanuts compared to this. "As you hang up the phone, a familiar feeling settles over you. A feeling of...standing?" ...Has he been floating the entire time? "Standing, and being alone. In your bedroom. As a young man. On your birthday." OH SNAP. I got the reference now. xD "A young man stands alone in his bedroom. It just so happens that today, the 13th of April, is this young man’s birthday. Though it was twenty-three years ago when he was given life, and ten years ago when he was given a name, it feels like it is only today that he will begin to understand what all that means. That young man is YOU, John Egbert. What will you do?" HOLY FUCKING SHIT. OH DAMN. OH SHIT. THAT IS WAY FUCKING EPIC MAN. This is giving me HELLA goosebumps! I'm VERY curious about that final part means, about "understanding what all that means".... Okay, this seems like a good place to end for the day, but I'm VERY excited to start reading the rest!!! Homestuck is BACK IN ACTION baby! Last Edit: 1 minute ago by Blaperile

[everlarkbirthdaygifts]

Happy Birthday, annaaa05

We want to wish @annaaa05 a very happy birthday on this 18th day of July! To help celebrate, @booksrockmyface has written a story just for you!

Title: Crush

Gift for: annaaa05

Rated: T

Author’s note: Happy birthday!! I hope this story brings an extra bit of joy to your day. Age gap with a tiny hint of some angsty-ness. Thanks a million to my bestie thesaltywinteradult for always letting me tell you about my fics and reading all the things.

______________

Katniss had been coming into the bakery every week at the exact same time for the past five years. Every Friday at five-thirty-eight. Peeta started boxing up the four cheese buns as the door opened and she came in, bringing with her the scent of grass and dirt.

“Hi, Katniss.” Peeta gave her a smile and slid the box across the counter as she handed over her debit card.

“Hey, Peeta. How’s it been today?” She took out one of the cheese buns and ripped off a piece as he ran her card.

“With school getting out soon, crazy. Everyone and their grandma want a cake for a school’s out celebration.” He passed back her card. “How’s Prim?” He really wanted to ask her about herself, but since he and Prim had been in the same year, he asked about her. He was sure she only came in because it was the only bakery in town that wasn’t in the grocery store.

“She’s good. She finished with med school, so I’m throwing a party tomorrow. Would you like to come?” She paused for a breath. “Sorry for the short notice. I’ve just been throwing it all together a little last minute.”

“I would, yeah. Haven’t had a chance to see Prim in a while.” He glanced over at the door when it opened. “Hi, welcome to Mellark’s Bakery. I’ll be right with you.” He turned back to Katniss. “What time? Do I need to bring anything?”

“About 7. And just yourself.” She picked up the box. “Cheese buns would be welcome, though.” She winked and headed out the door.

Peeta could feel his heart beating faster at that wink. Katniss never did that before. Maybe it meant nothing. Maybe she’d just had something in her eye.

But he heard that she and Gale had finally officially called it quits a month ago and that he had started seeing Madge Undersee. Maybe he could finally get up enough courage to ask Katniss out on a date.

Not that he was sure she’d accept. He was younger than her. And she only ever dated guys like Gale Hawthorne. And Peeta wasn’t that type of guy.

Conrad came in as Peeta was leading the final customers to the door to lock it for the night. Peeta was usually the last one in the store when they stayed open late Fridays since his brothers had families. Peeta mostly didn’t mind it, but he often wondered what would happen if he ever had family. How would they share the time?

“Hey, Dad, Katniss Everdeen is having a party for her sister Prim tomorrow. She finished medical school.” They started boxing up the leftover pastry. “Can I bring some of this?”

Conrad shook his head. “No, we’ll make fresh. Prim was one of your best friends in school. That kid was here almost as much as you were there. She liked the apple turnovers, didn’t she?”

“She used to, yeah.” Peeta finished putting everything in boxes and handed them to his dad. “Katniss likes cheese buns.”

Conrad shook his head. “You still have that crush?”

Peeta felt his cheeks turning red. “She comes in every Friday for them.”

“Okay, we’ll make some extra apple turnovers and cheese buns.” Conrad chuckled. “You should ask her out already.”

“It’s not like that, Dad.” Peeta tried to argue, but he knew his father wouldn’t believe it.

____

Katniss sat in her car and laughed at herself. Peeta was twenty-six, Prim’s age. Katniss was almost thirty. She was sure people would talk if they started anything.

“It doesn’t matter,” she said aloud as she started the engine.

Gale was with Madge, so she could move on too. She’d had a growing crush on Peeta since she’d become a regular at the bakery. The cheese buns were awesome. And after the third week he was ready with them when she came in the door Friday evening. Sometimes he threw in something extra.

Prim was at home when she got there.

Katniss pulled her into a tight hug. “I thought you would be out partying with your friends.”

Prim hugged her back tightly. “I just finished a shift at the hospital. I wanted some time with you.” She stepped back. “And I wanted to tell you I got an internship at Mercy, so I’ll be even closer.”

“That’s awesome! Mom would be so proud.”

“You think so?” Prim’s voice was uncertain.

“I know so.” They sat in silence for a moment. Then Katniss pulled Prim in for another hug. “I’m proud too.”

“Not proud of all the loans,” Prim teased. She picked up her phone and read a text.

“I’ll figure that out.” Katniss chewed her lip a moment and then pushed Prim’s phone down. “I invited Peeta Mellark to the party.”

Prim let out a giggle. “You did?”

Katniss felt her ears heat up. “I did. Is that okay?”

Prim shrugged. “You’re the one who goes to that bakery all the time. I’m surprised neither of you have proposed marriage yet.”

Katniss took out the cheese bun she’d been nibbling on and stood. “Are we staying up late tonight with movies and stuff or do you need sleep?”

“Let’s do movies.” Prim took out a cheese bun. “So are you going to talk to Peeta tomorrow or do I need to be wingman?”

Katniss snorted. “I’ll talk to him.” She leaned back on the couch. “What do you want for supper?”

“Pizza. With everything. I’m starving!”

Katniss grinned and picked up her phone to make the order.

____

Peeta held out the box with the Mellark’s Bakery logo on the top as soon as Prim opened the door. “Congrats, Doc! I brought you some apple turnovers.”

Prim grinned and took the box. “Those are my favorite. And no one makes them as good s your dad.” She stepped back. “So Katniss is playing hostess, which means she’s in the kitchen trying not to freak out over separating cheese dip.”

Peeta let out a little chuckle. “Um, thanks.” He shuffled around and greeted some of the people nearby that he knew

Prim bumped her shoulder against his. “Go on and see if you can help Katniss figure out the culinary problem.”

Peeta wandered off to find Katniss.

She sighed over the cheese dip in the slow cooker. “Fail.”

“Can I help?”

Katniss jumped and then turned with a laugh. “I thought I was the quiet one.”

“Sorry, should have cleared my throat or something.” He pointed to the dip. “Anything I can do?”

She shook her head. “All is lost.”

Peeta looked it over. “I have an idea. Got any heavy cream?”

“Maybe.” Katniss opened the fridge and found a small carton up front. “Today’s your lucky day.”

He took a measuring spoon out of the drawer and poured a couple tablespoons into the sauce. He found a whisk and mixed it together. It started forming back together. “Probably should pour this into a bowl to stop the cooking.”

Katniss found a large serving bowl. “Thanks, Peeta. I don’t know what I would have done.”

“You’d have figured it out,” he said with a grin. “You’re smart.”

She smiled and turned her head away, but not before he saw the blush on her cheeks.

“So did Gale really dump you for Madge Undersee?” He asked suddenly.

She paused in transferring the cheese dip to the bowl. “Well, not exactly. It didn’t ever feel right. We’re better as friends.”

He swallowed and asked before he could stop himself, “Would you ever date me?”

Katniss gave him a half-smile. “I don’t know.”

He gave her a pleading look. “Friday? Can I cook for you?”

“I…” She glanced behind him and sighed. “Okay.”

Peeta looked over his shoulder to see Prim retreating behind the door frame. Her eyes were still visible. He turned back to Katniss. “I love in an apartment above the bakery. And we close at six Firdays. So seven?”

Katniss nodded. “I’ll be there.”

“Great!” Peeta picked up the bowl of cheese dip and turned toward the living room. Katniss Everdeen is going to be in my home! Better get it spotless.

[jwminssi]

JIKOOK/KOOKMIN AU - BITE {nsfw}

On the weekend of his 18th birthday, Jungkook is dragged across the city by his best friends, away from the suburbs and into a more glamorous reality. There, he meets Jimin, a mysterious stranger that will show him everything his sheltered life kept him from seeing. (1/?)

note: when I talked about this AU before, right after I wrapped up Dopamine, I told you I would probably write a lot more for this than I did for the others and I even got a few asks (that I really appreciated) telling me that it was okay and to write as much as I wanted. So there you go, here it is, I wrote quite a lot so I’m sorry if you don’t like it.

[next]

Jungkook wipes his sweaty hands on his jeans for probably the hundredth time since they left. Taehyung is sitting next to him in the cab and he can feel the waves of nerves coming from the younger.

“Hey, it’ll be fine.” He says, trying to comfort him. Jungkook doesn’t answer but tries to smile, even though he’s sure it looks more like a grimace. “It’s not as scary as you think it is, just relax.”

“I don’t even know what I’m feeling, I mean... I know you wouldn’t take me where I wouldn’t have fun since you know me so well.” He sighs and resists the urge of running his fingers through his carefully styled hair. “I guess I’m mostly scared that mom will find out.”

“She won’t, okay? We’ll have fun tonight and you don’t have to worry about that, I promise. And if she does, whenever that happens, me and Yoongi will be here to support you, Kook.”

Jungkook smiles and nods, gaze going out the window when they turn a corner and he starts seeing more people dressed like them. It’s clear they’re getting closer to the club but now when his heartbeat picks up, it’s because of anticipation.

The crowd is starting to gather in front of the club but they manage to get in easily because of their VIP passes. Jungkook follows Taehyung closely and tries not to look too out of place when they enter the building. He knows he fails because he can feel his eyes growing twice their size at what he finds inside. The entire place screams luxury in a way he has never seen: chandeliers, paintings and velvet sofas are only part of the decorations that fills the enormous first floor. Jungkook’s sure he looks like a kid trying to take it all in.

The club is beautiful and not at all what he expected, and Jungkook starts to feel more at ease when they settle down at a table and order drinks. Despite having just turned legal, Jungkook has had his share of alcohol before - with a friend like Taehyung, it would be impossible not to - and he knows how much he can take; they start with a round of shots just to warm up and it’s amazing how Jungkook can already feel himself getting into the club atmosphere.

It doesn’t take long before Taehyung is pulling him to the dance floor - Yoongi stays behind, claiming he’s not drunk enough to embarrass himself yet - and Jungkook takes his hand more than willingly, happy to be able to dance in a place he won’t be judged. For what’s probably the first time in his life, Jungkook feels safe. It doesn’t matter that it’s inside a club, with sweaty people all around him and an american song he barely knows the lyrics to playing, he feels comforted and in his element. He closes his eyes for a moment and he can feel the adrenaline pumping in his veins, it’s like he’s only experiencing true happiness now and it’s exhilarating.

Jungkook doesn’t know how many songs he’s danced to and how many people he’s done it with when he needs a break. Taehyung is already back at the table with Yoongi and they’re laughing over something only they can understand.

“Oh look if it isn’t the life of the party!” Taehyung says, probably a bit too loud, when Jungkook joins them. “Having fun, baby?”

“So much, hyung!” He smiles and tries to hold back his energetic self but fails. “I didn’t think it would be like this.” Jungkook says and takes the beer Yoongi offers him.

Taehyung pulls him into a side hug, then, and Jungkook laughs. “I told you, didn’t I?” He lets go and sits back down, smiling when he spots something behind him. “Oh, and... I don’t want to alarm you but there’s a guy that’s been staring at you for a while now...” Taehyung says against his glass and pulls roughly on Jungkook’s arm when the younger starts to turn around. “Don’t look.”

“He’s probably wondering if I’m old enough to be here.” Jungkook mumbles as he lifts his bottle to his lips but stops halfway; the fear and insecurity from before are returning. “Shit, what if he’s the owner?”

“I know the owner and that’s not him.” Taehyung downs his drink in one go and clears his throat at the warmth. “I’m just telling you so you can decide what you want to do with this information.”

“Basically Tae is asking if you want us to leave you alone so he can come talk to you or if you want us to stick around.” Yoongi intervenes when he sees the look of confusion on Jungkook’s face. Said confusion turns into understanding and then shock when he processes his words and the other two smile; Jungkook is always a thousand times cuter when he’s tipsy.

“N-no, I...” He ignores Taehyung and looks behind him anyway. His eyes meet sharp ones and the strangers smirks at him before focusing on the dance floor again.

“Listen, you don’t have to do anything, just let him buy you a drink. He’s wearing a Rolex, I’m sure he can afford to.” Taehyung says, and his speech is just starting to get slurred.

“I can see you’re having fun with us but I can also see you’re dying to do more.” Yoongi adds because Taehyung’s way is never really the most comfortable one for someone like Jungkook. “You’ve been living in a cage for too long, Kook-ah, you deserve to go out and explore.” He sighs, a gay club is definitely not the place for this type of conversation. “We won’t be far and you can always call us back if you want to.”

Jungkook pouts as he thinks about it but makes up his mind when he sees Taehyung starting to get restless from staying at the table too long.

“Okay.” He says and the two don’t even bother to hide their surprise from him. “Yes, I’m sure.” Jungkook adds before one of them can even ask and Taehyung claps his hands excitedly.

“They grow up so fast!” He exclaims and kisses him on the cheek, pulling Yoongi away and leaving him alone before he can change his mind.

He notices a lot more around him now that he’s alone and that man Taehyung pointed out was definitely not the only one shooting glances his way.

Jungkook jumps when there’s a hand on his shoulder, and turns around to find the man that was staring at him from the bar; he was indeed wearing a Rolex, Taehyung really had an eye for those things.

“Need some company?” He asks and nods at the empty table, fingers expertly holding a glass of whiskey.

“Um... sure.”

“Nice of your friends to leave you alone so I could come closer. Are they always this thoughtful?” The question comes with a smirk that Jungkook can’t tell if it’s mocking or something else.

“They probably just wanted to go make out somewhere without having to worry about me.” Jungkook shrugs and drinks from his bottle again, realizing he had already finished it; the man signals for the bartender to bring him another one.

The man hums and stays quiet for a moment; Jungkook wants to speak but he has no idea where to start.

“I’m Jimin, by the way. Kinda creepy to approach you like this and not tell you my name, right?” He smiles and Jungkook can feel his cheeks heating up.

“Jungkook.” He limits himself to say and thanks the heavens that he now has a full bottle to occupy his mouth with.

“First time?” Jimin asks and takes another sip from his drink, not shifting his gaze away from Jungkook.

The younger grimaces. “That obvious?”

Jimin only smiles as he twirls the brown liquid inside his glass and thinks about what he’s going to say next.

“You’re blending in well, it’s just... your eyes give you away.” He settles on saying and wants to coo at how cute Jungkook looks with confusion written all over his face. “They’re wide and curious and... innocent.” There’s a change in the way Jimin speaks that last word that sends shivers down Jungkook’s spine.

“Oh, I... I guess it’s because I am.” Jungkook focuses on the beer in his hands only to take his eyes away from the man in front of him. If he was sober he would never be telling him any of this but as it is, he just can’t help it. “Curious a-and.. and innocent.”

Jimin leans in over the table and smirks again, and this time Jungkook can recognize the malice behind it. “Tell me then, Jungkookie... what are you curious about?”

“Is that a real Rolex?” He blurts out and Jimin laughs, clearly not expecting that for an answer. Jungkook can feel his cheeks burning up when he realizes what he just asked and he’s thankful it’s dark enough in the club that no one will notice.

“It is, yes.” Jimin still humors him and Jungkook wants to bury himself right there. “I also have a very real Harley-Davidson waiting for me outside... and other expensive watches back home if you’re so interested in that type of thing.”

Jungkook has no idea how Jimin can still turn his mess of an answer into a flirty remark so easily but he does it anyway. He’s taken aback by the implications of his words and it’s a while before his brain can fully comprehend what he’s being asked.

And when he’s done thinking about it, Jungkook decides to really throw all caution out the window when he says, “Okay. But only because I want to see the watches.” He looks down at his hands when he says it, still embarrassed despite the alcohol making him a bit more forward.

“Of course, honey.” The pet name escapes Jimin’s lips so seamlessly that, combined with the smile he’s wearing, it almost causes Jungkook’s brain to short-circuit. And then he thinks of something.

“Wait.” He mumbles, holding onto Jimin’s jacket sleeve as they get up to leave. “Weren’t you drinking? You shouldn’t drive, then...”

“I’m not drunk, Jungkookie, don’t worry about it.” Jimin assures him as he pushes him gently to the exit.

It’s weird, Jungkook concludes, going home with a stranger from a club for the first time. He idly wonders how Taehyung felt the first time he did it - probably not as awkward as him, that’s for sure. Jimin’s hand finds its way on to his lower back and Jungkook focuses on it as they get out of the now crowded club and into the cold street.

Jimin guides him not too far and Jungkook knows how reckless he’s being, can hear the sober and logical part of his brain yelling at him to stop but he doesn’t listen.

“Um, I’ve never rode a motorcycle.” He breaks the silence when Jimin offers him a helmet.

“Oh?” Jimin says, that damn loopsided grin still in place. “Why do I get the feeling you’re going to have a lot of firsts with me, Jungkook-ah?” The younger freezes, then, and Jimin recognizes the impact of his words. “You know you don’t have to come with me if you don’t want to, right? I’m not trying to force you into anything.”

“I know.” Jungkook nods and takes a deep breath. “I’ve never been this reckless, that’s all. Guess I’m just scared of getting in trouble.” He mutters as he plays with the helmet in his hands.

“I’ll make it worth it.” Jimin assures, voice just a bit on the softer side. “And if I’m going too fast, you can just tell me and I’ll stop.”

“Does that include the motorcycle?” Jungkook asks, eyeing the vehicle carefully. Jimin giggles.

“Maybe... sometimes faster is better.”

There’s a certain freedom about riding a motorcycle in the middle of the night holding tightly on to a handsome stranger. Jungkook had never felt it before and he doesn’t know if he’ll ever feel it again but it’s definitely making him feel alive. Jimin drives expertly through the empty streets, going just fast enough that Jungkook can feel the wind pulling at his clothes; he wishes he could feel it on his hair and face but he knows he can’t take the helmet off.

They arrive at Jimin’s apartment a while later - a penthouse right in the middle of Seoul - and only then it starts to really dawn on him what he’s just done. He pats at his jacket pocket and his phone is still there; he knows he can call Taehyung or Yoongi if he has to, he just doesn’t feel that need yet.

“I didn’t ask you at the club, but how old are you?” Jimin asks when they’re in the elevator.

“I, um... it was my 18th birthday yesterday.” He answers shyly. He can see Jimin do a double take and there are his cheeks heating up again. They’re both silent as Jimin digests the information and Jungkook starts beating himself up for it.

“Sorry, it’s just...” Jimin starts but a surprised laugh interrupts him. “I didn’t think you’d be this young. I’m 24 and I kind of feel old now.”

“You don’t look 24.” Jungkook says, yet again without thinking and Jimin smiles.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Jungkook has to hold his jaw in place so it doesn’t fall to the floor when they walk inside the apartment. He doesn’t know Jimin’s personality but he’s sure the entire place screams his name; not to mention how beautiful it looks, just like him.

Jimin makes a half-joking comment about his watches and Jungkook covers his face in embarrassment, asking him to please forget that he ever said that and Jimin can’t help but laugh. They go sit on the couch on the balcony after that, closer than necessary but not close enough for Jungkook’s teenager brain.

He had been too worried about his actions to notice but now that things are calmer he can truly appreciate Jimin’s beauty. Jungkook never thought about his ideal type or anything like the magazines say, but right now if he had to, he would say Jimin is it. There’s something about him that Jungkook can’t pinpoint yet that just turns him into walking art in the younger’s eyes.

“You’re staring...” Jimin whispers after a beat and Jungkook catches himself.

“You’re really beautiful.” Jungkook answers in the same tone and he didn’t even notice Jimin moving closer.

“Thank you, Jungkookie.” He smiles. “Have you ever kissed anyone?” Jimin asks, eyes obviously lingering on Jungkook’s lips.

“Uh, yeah, but...” Jungkook stops talking when Jimin leans in just close enough that he can’t look at him without getting cross-eyed. “I-I didn’t like it...”

Jimin hums and when he speaks again, he’s moved in even more so their lips brush slightly. “Why’s that?”

Jungkook tries to swallow down his nerves but he knows they’re showing in the way his breathing is picking up. “It was too fast...” He mutters then loses his train of thought when Jimin pecks the corner of his mouth softly. “H-he didn’t- he didn’t let me keep up.” When Jimin tangles his fingers in his hair and pulls just slightly, Jungkook realizes his ragged breaths are coming out because of more than just nerves. “It was n-nothing like this.”

“I take it this is good, then?” Jimin asks and, God, Jungkook could drown in the way his voice sounds; he nods and the older smiles. “Well, Jungkookie, the buildup is just as important as the kiss itself.”

With that, Jimin finally closes the gap between them. Jungkook hears himself whine but decides he’s going to ignore his embarrassment and let go of himself for once; he’s already here and he’s enjoying it, so why not?

It’s chaste for a moment, a close-mouthed kiss just to get the younger used to the feeling, and he’s thankful that this is the way things are going. That way, when he feels Jimin’s grip on his hair tightening so that he can position his head at a better angle and the tip of his tongue against his bottom lip, he doesn’t freak out. Instead, he opens his mouth and lets Jimin explore it, doing his best to mimic his actions and reciprocate it; he seems to be on the right track if the way Jimin pulls at his hair even harder is anything to go by.

He gets confident, too, and the hand that was previously on his lap goes to hold on to Jimin’s waist, torn between just resting there and bringing him closer; Jimin seems to be in the same dilemma because Jungkook can tell he’s holding himself back.

He pulls away when his head starts to get too light and he sits there, panting, as Jimin leaves him with one final peck and giggles.

“You alright?”

“Holy shit.” Jungkook answers, quite eloquently he must say, as he tries to wrap his mind around what just happened.

“Was this better than your first kiss?” Jimin asks, acting coy.

“Infinitely better.” He says, still in a daze, and before his brain to mouth filter can start working again he mutters, “Can we do that again?”

Jimin laughs and Jungkook can feel his cheeks heating up so he looks down to hide them. Not even a second passes and he feels fingers under his chin lifting his face up and there Jimin is kissing him again as if he’s trying to steal all of his oxygen for himself.

They’re both more sure of it this time and it’s even more enjoyable than the first one; they’re starting to get more comfortable and Jungkook can feel his worries slipping away and giving place only to the feeling of Jimin’s lips on his. When Jimin bites him, Jungkook whimpers and fists his hand on his shirt, to which Jimin answers by promptly climbing on his lap.

Jungkook freezes for a split moment when he feels the weight on top of him but Jimin’s warmth and hands and mouth help ease his mind and he squeezes Jimin’s thighs in response. The older gasps against his mouth and Jungkook loves to know that he’s the one that caused that reaction.

It’s a mess of feelings and hormones inside Jungkook’s head but somehow he couldn’t be enjoying it more. He was never one to be interested in other people and he never really cared about relationships of even just sex as much as the other guys from school - he can definitely understand it now, with Jimin feeling so wonderful on top of him and kissing him breathless like this.

When Jimin sneaks his hand inside his shirt and drags his blunt nails down his abs, though, Jungkook jolts and pushes him away. Jimin stops and gets off him immediately, the worried look on his face contrasting hilariously with his messy hair and swollen lips.

“Sorry. Sorry, I...” He shakes his head and swallows. “I got carried away.” Jungkook is still dizzy from the kissing but he can appreciate how careful Jimin is being with him. On the other hand, a different part of him feels bad.

“No, I’m sorry...” He sighs and Jimin frowns. “I’m probably not at all what you were looking for tonight.”

“You weren’t what I wanted.” Jimin says as he settles down next to him on the couch again. Jungkook misses his warmth already. “But I think you’re just what I need.”