#they waved this cute white hair anime boy like a carrot

[ilovejoll]

|| Chapter 3: Mean girl. ||

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Clover pushed the door open and walked inside, Host and I followed behind her.

"So, does everyone have a..." I hear the voice of a small yellow humanoid reptile, she has some resemblance to a dinosaur. She wore glasses and had buck teeth. She seemed rather startled by the door opening so suddenly. Everyone's eyes panned to the door as Clover and Host walked through.

"O-Oh...Dreemurr's...! We thought you weren't coming today!" The tiny reptile like monster said, she sounded as if she had mucous in her nose.

"Sorry...Mrs Alphys, SOMEONE overslept again." Clover replied, she gave Host a rather mean glare before looking back at the yellow monster; who's name was apparently 'Mrs Alphys'. Clover's comment almost made the whole class start snickering. Host glanced down in what seems to be embarrassment. I scrunched my face, how rude....I thought.

"Oh, that's quite alright. You both aren't too late." Mrs Alphys said, as she gave a kind smile. "We're doing group projects this month. Uhh, so, go ahead and pick a partner, ok?" Mrs Alphys instructed, she waved the two humans on. Clover beelined towards an empty desk; presumably it was hers. A few monster girls sat beside her, one of them looked to be some kind of sea animal, while the other three looked like demons of some kind. They chatted inaudibly.

Host had their hands buried in their pockets, seemingly still embarrassed. The whole class eyed them for a good moment before either looking back at their cellar devices or talking to one another. I look over at Host, concerned. 'Host?' I speak rather softly, they lightly jolt, they must've forgotten I was there for a second. Understandable, I'm quite easy to miss.

'Are you okay? What are we supposed to do?' I ask, floating over them. They try not to look at me directly or speak too loud, they seem to not want the other student's eyeing them in some way. "Pick a partner, I guess." Host mumbled quietly, just audible enough for my ears only. I nodded and glanced around, surely one of these kind students would want to be partners with Host.

The one who immediately caught my eye was a boy in a red sweater, Host seemed to be looking at him as well. So, I allowed Host to approach him. He looked up, before smiling awkwardly. Host seemed to know him, I tilted my head at him curiously, I felt a little awkward as well...even if he couldn't see me haha. He was another human it seemed, which surprised me. Though, Host seemed normal about it. I took in his appearance.

He had curly black hair that obscured one of his eyes, and dark skin. His eye that was visible was brown with a tint of red. He slouched over his desk tiredly, and he even had a somewhat sleepy expression. As mentioned before, his sweater was red and had one horizontal stripe on the chest, two stripes in the same direction were on his sleeves. To finish his look, he had grey pants and shoes with white laces.

"Sorry, Kris, you really should've shown up earlier..." The boy sighed rather deeply, I snapped back out of my thoughts as he spoke. I looked over at Host, they had a sad and eager expression painted on their face. "C'mon...Jaden...please..." Host whined silently, they leaned over the boy- I mean, Jaden's desk. Jaden pushes Host's head. I giggle at them, they were so...cute.

"Wake up earlier next time...dude. Maybe then I wouldn't be stuck with carrot boy." Jaden whispered, Host glanced at him with sad eyes. "Don't look at me like that--! I wanna be your partner but--" Jaden was cut off as snickering was heard behind him, Host leaned up and Jaden turned around in his seat.

A bunny like monster was snickering into his hand, he was seemingly giggling AT Jaden and Host. I scrunch my face like before, what was so funny? Jaden seemed to wonder the same exact thing as he glared at the bunny boy, was that Jaden's partner?

"Too bad you're too late, huh, Dreemurr?" The bunny boy smirked mischievously, Jaden raised his brow. "Go to sleep next time, and maybe your boyfriend could be your partner next month." He continued, Host glanced down at their feet, their face flushed. They looked as if they wanted to mutter something, but kept quiet. 

"That's enough, Danny, knock it off." Jaden scowled, he turned back to Host and smiled awkwardly. The bunny boy, who's name is Danny I think, crossed his arms and leaned back in his seat.

Jaden told Host that he was sorry about not being able to be their partner, and for Danny's behavior. Host understood, they walked away from Jaden's desk so they could go ask someone else.

That was not very nice, I thought, that Danny boy was very very rude. He was embarrassing Host. 'What was that about?' I ask, concerningly, Host seemed flushed still and they turned their head away from me. They didn't seem to want to talk, so I let it go. 

 I floated over to Clover's desk. Clover looked up at Host as she saw them approach. Her friends went silent and all looked at one another. Surely, Clover would want to be partners with Host, right? That's their sister after all. Clover gave a nod at Host, giving them floor to speak. 

"Hey, Clover. Listen- uh, could we...could we be partners...for the group project? Please?" Host said, though it was quiet, more like a mumble really. Clover sighed, she seemed to know Host was going to say that. "No, Kris, I'm always your partner. Why don't you ask someone else?" Clover rested her head in her palm. I scrunch my face and look over at Clover's friends, who all gave rather mean looks to Host, like they were unwelcome.

Clover smiled, she wanted Host to ask someone new, someone they did not know. But that's what Host wanted to avoid, it seemed. 

"P-Please, Clover... I don't... I can't... I can't partner up with someon- someone I don't know... Please, Clover..." Host stammered under their breath, they seemed desperate. Clover's brows furrowed and her friends began to snicker. Clover overlapped her hand onto Host's.

"Kris, don't be like that. Surely there's someone else who'd love to be partners with you."

Clover said reassuringly. It seemed like Clover only refused cuz she wanted Host to interact with others. Host wore a rather large frown as their sister waved them off, the sighed in defeat and stepped away from Clover's desk, I followed of course. I could feel Host's heart rate increase as they looked around the classroom for someone to ask, they seemed to be silently panicking. 

I felt like I needed to act, so I placed my hand on Host's shoulder. I saw this as a way to maybe ease their anxiety.

'Hey...Host? It's okay, don't worry. Why don't you try asking that girl over there?'

I tried to be helpful, and pointed to a girl that looked a little similar to Clover. I almost thought it was like, her copy or something, if it wasn't for the catlike features and change in color color palette. Clover was mostly purples, and this cat monster was all pink. I looked back at Host, they had a very unreadable expression, the only way I could really describe it is...unpleasant? Disapproving maybe? It seemed like they knew who this was, but not in a good way. She couldn't be that bad? Could she?

With some encouragement, Host reluctantly walked up to the girl I suggested. She didn't seem like she was even paying attention. She practically buried her face in her cell phone, she also seemed to be chewing...something. She looked up when noticing Host approaching though, she didn't look happy to see them. The girl didn't even let Host get a word out, she rolled her eyes and shooed them away like a bug.

"NUH UH! don't even walk up to me, I'm taken!" The cat girl said, looking back at her phone. I dawned a big frown, why was everyone so mean??? Host didn't even say anything yet and she was already being rude. 

The cat girl glared at Host, she shooed them away again. I let out a rather annoyed sigh, and look around for someone else Host could pare up with. That's when I noticed a deer looking monster with antlers and blonde ringlets. I tapped Host's shoulder.

'What about her, Host? She looks nice.'

I pointed at the deer monster, who seemed to be a little focused on whatever she was doing. Host, who was feeling a little desperate now, then walked over to the girl I pointed at. "Noelle..." Host said, as they stood at the side of the deer girl's desk. Her name was Noelle, apparently. Noelle looked up as Host spoke, they spoke so low that Noelle was probably the only person who could hear them. Aside from me.

"Oh, Hey, Kris? What's up? Didja lose your pencil again?" Noelle said, she reached into her desk and pulled out two holiday themed pencils. "Here, do you want the candy cane one or the one with the lights on it?" Noelle offered. Though, that wasn't what Host was here to ask for. I found it quite nice, surely this girl wouldn't say no. 

"No, um... I was actually wondering if... you wanted to be partners for the project...? I mean, if you don't want to... then it's okay-" Host whispered under their breath, they scratched their face before looking at me.

"Huh? You want to be partners?"

Noelle put the pencils down as she looked back up at Host. I gave a thumbs up, Noelle was Host's friend, I think. She was also very sweet, surely she'd want to be partners.

"Umm...sorry...Berdly already asked me..." Noelle sighed, she put her finger up to her mouth. She looked as if she had knew Host was going to show up today, she wouldn't have agreed to Berdly. Host and I both let out sighs in defeat. I felt rather...beat, but then Noelle looked like she had an idea.

"Oh, I have an idea. I could ask Mrs. Alphys if we could have a group of three? That way you can join me and Berdly? I'll ask if you're sure!" Noelle said, she smiled, and her ears wiggled a bit. Host, who looked happy to hear Noelle's suggestion, looked over at me for my input. I nodded immediately. Host then nodded their head in response. This would give them not one, but two partners, and the best part... Host would be in a group with Noelle, who was someone Host was comfortable with, it seemed.

"Okay, I'll ask." Noelle smiled at Host again as she got up from her seat and raised her hand. The whole class looked at Noelle as she did so. "Miss Alphys? Is it okay if we make a group of three? I want Kris to be my partner." Noelle said, Mrs Alphys looked in her direction, but a certain blue bird was quick to interject.

"Hey! What? No! I do NOT approve of this! ABORT!!!!" The blue bird shouted, Noelle retracted her hand as he shouted over her. I assumed this was Noelle's partner, ...uh...Burghley...was it? I don't remember-

"What? B-But Kris doesn't have a part--" Noelle tried to speak, but Mrs Alphys was confused by the sudden commotion and cut her off. "Noelle, what were you saying?" Mrs Alphys asked. I felt myself giggling at the whole situation. Host bumped me lightly with their shoulder. Noelle scrunched her lips, she looked as if she was about to mutter a response.

"She was just saying we're FINE being alone." The blue bird replied for her, he seemed to not want Host to be partner's with him and Noelle. "A-Actually...I just wanted to know if Kris...could be--" Noelle spoke rather sheepishly, she seemed nervous as the whole class was staring at her and Host now.

"Noelle, can you...please speak up?" Mrs Alphys sighed, she didn't quite hear Noelle due to her low tone. Noelle opened her mouth to speak, but she, and everyone else in the classroom went SILENT when the classroom door swung open with immense force, it nearly busted off it's hinges. Noelle clammed her mouth closed quickly sat down.

I jumped from the sudden loud noise, Host seemed startled as well. Everyone looked in the direction of the door, I leaned forward to see who it was. I was a bit startled to see a tall dinosaur looking monster, not one like Alphys, she looked like those big scary dinosaurs with the large sharp teeth. She had dirty messy brown hair, it was short but her bangs obscured her eyes. Much like how Host's bangs did. Her clothes looked stained, and her pants had holes in it. Her skin was purple and scaly too, and her fingers looked like it could cut skin with ease. My throat tightened, and I could tell just by looking at Host that theirs tightened too. She looked like the meanest kid here, even meaner than the cat girl and the bunny boy.

She walked inside the classroom, not bothering to shut the door she so rudely kicked. I felt rather relieved that she couldn't see me, if I'm honest. "H...Hi....Susie..." Alphys said in a low and hushed voice, despite telling Noelle to speak up just a moment ago. The mean girl, who's name was Susie apparently, panned her eyes around, she scoffed before talking

"...Am I late?" Susie said, she sounded unbothered. Her voice was deep and raspy. She sounded annoyed. Duh, of course she was late, everyone was here before her. Mrs Alphys seemed scared of Susie, so she shook her head no.

"O-Oh, n-no! You're fine! W-We were just...uh.." Mrs Alphys said, she clasped her hands, and her voice trailed off for a moment. "Ch-Choosing partners for the next group project, and...umm, Susie, you're with Kris! Since you...both came in last, and I'm sure Kris doesn't have a partner, right?" Alphys said as she looked over at Host. I felt my body freeze and shake, Host's body seemed frozen too. I heard them swallow their anxiety. Their heart sounded so loud in my ears. Susie, despite having her bangs obscure her eyes, glared at Host, surely they could feel her intense gaze. I surely could, and she wasn't even looking at me..

Host was sweating bullets from Susie's glare. They looked as if they did not want to be pared with Susie. They'd rather be pared with anyone else, I couldn't agree more. Host kept their head down and slowly nodded. Mrs Alphys smiled awkwardly before glancing back at Susie.

"...Great." Susie muttered in an annoyed tone, she sounded as if she did not want to be partners with Host at all. Noelle looked over at Kris and mouthed the words "I'm sorry." I looked at Host worryingly, I hoped Susie wasn't as bad as she seemed. Host then turned their attention to Noelle who had apologized. Host, who understood what Noelle was apologizing for, mouthed back "It's fine" to Noelle, even though Host wasn't fine, not at all. Host was now feeling both stressed and anxious, they then looked over at me with a panicked face.

"N-Now that everyone's here, I'll write the assignment!" Alphys said as she went over to the chalk board. I glanced back at Host with worried eyes and noticed Noelle kept her head down. Susie shuffled a bit as she panned her eyes around the classroom, everyone looked down except Clover, she had her arms crossed and a puffy expression was painted on her face.

"Uh, has anyone seen the chalk? This is the third time it's gone missing and...you all know I can't start class without some..." Mrs Alphys looked back at everyone, Noelle lifted her head a bit. "Hey...there might be some in the supply closet? Why don't Susie and I--" Noelle was cut off as Mrs Alphys instantly looked at Susie.

"Good idea, Noelle. S-Susie, since y-you came in last...could you get it for me?" Mrs Alphys said, she sounded so sweet. Susie's nose twitched as she glared at the teacher. "...Whatever." Susie grumbled as she left class and slammed the door behind her. The whole class let out a sigh of relief. She was so rude, but at least she was going to get the...uh...chalk? Whatever that was.

Host also looked relieved to see Susie leave, they took a deep breath. They were still feeling shaky, though, cuz now they were partners with Susie. Gosh, the next week of our life might be hell, I thought.

"U-um...K-Kris?" Mrs Alphys looked over at Host as Susie left. Host, who was then suddenly being called by Mrs Alphys, got a bit startled. They then looked at the small teacher, and gave her a nod. The reptile was now worried about Host, looked back over at her board before speaking up again.  "Um...can you...go with Susie..? To make sure she actually gets the chalk...and stays out of trouble?" Mrs Alphys said as she uncrossed her arms. She knew Hostwas anxious but she wanted someone to make sure Susie actually returned with the 'chalk'. Everyone in class looked at Host. The cat girl from earlier even mouthed "You're so dead." with a smirk on her face.

Host felt all that anxiety fill them again, I'm sure of it. They didn't want to contest against Mrs Alphys it seemed. I heard some other whispers of the class, and felt a knot tie tighter inside of Host's stomach. "O-Okay..." Host said, they sounded a bit anxious as they said that, then looked towards the door where Susie left. They felt frozen, but I encouraged them to move. They did so, and walked out the door. I gave the class one more long stare before following Host.

Surely, nothing could go wrong, right? Susie is probably just a judged cover.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

|| Chapter 2 / Chapter 4 ||

[wasabito]

had so much fun writing for my baby boy tendou, so here’s my entry for the hqhq sfw server collab! be sure to check out the rest on the masterlist found here! enjoy ✨

words: 3.0k

prompt: “you woke me up at 3am for this?”

synopsis: your neighbor is ridiculous, kind of annoying and little bit on the weird side, but you wouldn’t have him any other way.

You had to be the biggest idiot on the planet—an obvious exaggeration, yes, but you were still inclined to believe it was true. 

How else could you explain the feeling of being so utterly fed up with one’s actions like this? Were there enough words in the dictionary to describe just how exhausted you were by your own antics, more specifically, your forgetfulness since that’s what had landed you in a world of pain and embarrassment?

The answer was no.

You sat with your back pressed against your front door, head in your hands and chin tucked between your raised knees and chest. At your side was your wallet along with stacks of newspapers, coupons and whatever else had been stuffed in your mailbox, bills probably. Advertisements too. Honestly, it was hard to be happy about a new restaurant opening up down the block when you were currently stuck—locked out of your apartment to be precise.

The landlord of your cheap little complex wasn’t expected to be back for another hour according to the sign posted outside of his office. So until then, you’d remain posted up by your doorstep like some loiterer. 

You shifted in place and blew a puff of air from your lips, feeling little pinpricks in your legs. For the fifth time in the last forty-five minutes you felt like kicking yourself, hard.

The sun hung low, nearly touching the distant horizon signifying the end of another day. Even the sky was painted a warm umber, casting dim shadows.

“Locked out, huh?” came a snide, but accented voice.

It took you way longer than necessary to realize that suddenly you weren’t the only person on this floor. God, where was your head at?

A pair of forest green crocs stood before you, complete with a few odd charms and trinkets. A cartoon volleyball, pinned next to a smiley face, a donut and a gaudy “i heart paris” chain dangling from the ankle strap. A person’s shoes could say a lot about who they were...your mother thought so, at least.

Resisting the urge to projectile vomit all over this stranger’s rather questionable taste in footwear, your wary gaze panned upward, glossing over white tube socks and a pair of the longest legs you’ve ever seen on a person—yet another exaggeration. You came face to face with a crooked smile. Curious ruby eyes returned your stare with almost the same amount of scrutiny.

Who the hell was this guy?

Mystery-man easily towered over you, and not only because you were hunched over and sitting. He was tall as hell, all lanky build, gangly arms and legs disguising lithe muscle and a surprisingly sturdy frame. He looked like the i-run-every-morning type; semi-athletic at the very least. His buzzed hair was the color of cinnamon, no that wasn’t right, paprika maybe? Either way, it contrasted sharply with the paleness of his skin, so much so that you could see the faint blue of the veins in his arms.

“Yoohooo, anybody hooome?” He tilted his head at you.

“Huh? Oh uh, yeah, I’m locked out. I forgot my key inside and Mr. Laurent won’t be back until later.”

“Hmm. That sucks...”

“...Um… do I… do I know you or something? You look a little familiar.”

He pinned you with a funny look, before pulling out a set of keys from the back pocket of his shorts.

“Maybe you do, maybe you don’t~ I mean we are neighbors, after all.” Laughing as if he’d made some sort of joke, he entered his apartment with a twirl and a dramatic wave of his arms.

You stared at his door for a solid minute, only to finally succumb to your urges and facepalm at your own idiocy. Of course he looked familiar, how could he not when he literally lived four feet away.

With a sigh of resignation, you braced yourself for another hour spent sitting outside your front door. It wasn’t like there was any other place you could go or anyone you could call. The battery icon on your phone blinked red, warning that it was soon to run out of juice. Guess that meant no Among Us or Subway Surfer for you.

Five minutes later, the door next to you opened. It was Mystery-man again, but this time, he sat in front of his door, just like you were. And he did so with a bag of pretzels and a jar of nutella in hand.

“Must be bored out here by yourself.” He crunched on a pretzel before offering you the bag to take some. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep ya company.”

You weren’t sure why, but there was something about this guy that intrigued you. You half-wondered if it was the funny little curl of his smile, or the wideness of his eyes that made it seem like he was looking at all of you, all at once. 

"You must be pretty bored...uh,"

"Satori Tendou, but most people call me Tendou. Miracle boy works just fine too."

"Right... Tendou, as I was saying, you must be incredibly bored to come sit out here with me. You sure you don't have anything important to do?"

Tendou's grinned widened. "Positive! And it costs me nothing to be neighborly, so don't even sweat it."

That was...nice of him?

If sitting outside with you was the way he wanted to spend his late Tuesday afternoon who were you to deny him? And truthfully, you didn't mind the company, at least not really. Provided this guy wasn't some creepy-stalker-weirdo, you were sure there wasn't any harm in getting to know the person who lived one door over.

"So, Tendou, how long have you lived in the area? You don't really look like you're from around here...I could be wrong."

Tendou raised a thin brow at you. "Weeeell, if you're asking about how long I've lived next door, it would be about three maybe four months give or take, but if you're asking how long I've lived in Paris, it would be a year next month. Speaking of, I think Semisemi has a birthday coming up..."

You watched as he pulled out his cell phone and tapped away at the illuminated glass screen. You couldn't help but notice the goofy little anime stickers on his phone case. One in particular caught your attention.

“Is that...Kirara? From Inuyasha??”

“Oho! So, you recognize this?”

Backtracking, you mumble out, “Ah, well…only a little.” Though your face was turned away, the tiny smile on your lips was not hidden from Tendou and he thought you were pretty cute.

Funnily enough, what you had expected to be a rather unnerving and possibly creepy exchange turned out to be anything but. Tendou was incredibly fun to talk to—a bit teasing and a little overwhelming with his superfluous hand movements and gestures. But he was funny and a lot kinder that you would’ve given him credit for.

You learned that he was originally from Japan; it explained his accented French. He had come to Paris right out of high school to study culinary arts in one of the most renowned countries for it. Now he worked as a chocolatier, under the tutelage of a master patisserie in the city, an older man who was both a creative genius and a thorn in Tendou’s side. Tendou spoke of his teacher with equal parts awe and annoyance. 

And he got to know you too. How you’d found yourself in Paris, thousands of miles away from home in an effort to rediscover yourself in the city full of rich history and culture. 

You didn’t have many friends here, and it truly was a pleasure to make his acquaintance.

Soon, you both heard the telltale sound of jangling keys as your landlord rounded the corner with his clipboard in hand. Once you were able to get your door open, you waved a goodbye to Tendou.

“Thanks for keeping me company, you really didn’t have to.”

“No biggie, it was fun!” He threw a mischievous little grin and a peace-sign over his shoulder and reentered his apartment. 

You found yourself wanting to cross paths with him again, and hopefully in better circumstances. But you hadn't known your wishful thinking was soon to manifest as you ambled through grocery store aisles a week later, eyeing down any items with pictures on it.

“Why in the hell is this toilet paper so expensive.” You mumbled.

“So, you complain about the price of toilet paper, but wear sneakers that cost two-thirds our rent.” That voice sounded familiar, and after hearing it for about an hour just days ago, you were a bit surprised you could recognize it so quickly. 

Stunned, you looked up to find Satori Tendou, your quirky neighbor with an arm full of pita chips, a milk carton, and baby carrots.

“I never said I made the best choices.” You found yourself smiling despite the previous crease in your brow. “...Dude, get a cart before you drop everything.”

Instead of getting his own, he simply dumped what he had into your cart with a teasing grin. You couldn’t argue with his logic there. Tendou sidled up against you, once again towering over you with a kind of ease that should be criminal. “Need help reading something?”

You wanted to say no. You almost said no. But swallowing your pride, you gave a weak nod. “Yeah, this word right here.” Pointing to the unfamiliar script printed on the label. “What the heck is this?”

“Weeeeell, looks like that brand is scented, ya know, for when ya—”

“Don’t bother finishing that sentence...please.”

You quickly grab what you need and continue on down the aisle with Tendou following closely behind.

Just like when you’d first met him, he made conversation the entire way. By the time you both made it to the cash registers, you’d argued at least three times over french pronunciations and whether cashews were the cousin of peanuts.

And just as last time, he left you with a grin and a peace-sign while you stared after his retreating back, paid groceries in hand.

After an entire day spent baking, you found yourself on Tendou’s doorstep with a tupperware full of baked goodies later the next evening. You had been meaning to thank him for being such a good neighbor to you. It was certainly unexpected, but a welcome gesture nonetheless.

You only had to knock twice before the door was wrenched open and you were greeted with the set of...vanilla? Some pop song played in the background while your neighbor looked at you curiously.

"H-Hey Tendou, I um...I baked you these." You held out the plastic container, hoping he'd simply take it from you without question and you could return to your apartment without somehow embarrassing yourself. "There's a little bit of everything in there, oatmeal raisin, chocolate chip, macadamia nut—wait you aren't allergic to anything, right?"

"Nooope! Not a thing, thanks neighbor!"

"It was no problem, especially since you've helped me, not once but twice now."

Frowning, you couldn't help but be a little upset with yourself. You'd come to France to prove that you could, in fact, live a normal life outside of your family’s jurisdiction but day by day you were proving to need them more and more. 

It was disappointing, to say the least.

"Hmm, what’s with the constipated look on your face. Did the toilet paper not help?” Tendou tilted his head at you with a teasing grin, lips curled at the edges, taunting. You blinked up at him, surprised, and if you were honest, a little annoyed too. 

"Hah?!"

"Just thought it was worth a mention, nighty-night~!"

Tendou proceeded to shut the door on you; one hand rested on the frame and the other held on to the cookies. You quickly took a step back lest he chop your entire arm off, ready to trudge off in the direction of your own home but not before sticking your tongue out at him.

Stupid Tendou, always saying stupid shit. 

You were on the couch, half asleep when it dawned on you that it had been his own twisted, “Tendou” way of cheering you up. 

The rest of the month passed just like that. Occasionally, you would bump into Tendou at the grocery store, or the leasing office, or even the laundromat. And every single time, he’d either make you laugh until your sides hurt or annoyed enough to want to give him a friendly punch. At one point, you two had even exchanged phone numbers, because according to Tendou “it was ridiculous not to have your friends on speedial” which only led to hours spent on Facetime or playing iMessage games.

You knew exchanging numbers would come back to bite you in the ass, it was only a matter of when.

It was clear you weren’t going to any sleep tonight, that was for sure. The incessant buzzing of your cell phone every five minutes was an enemy to your circadian rhythm. You could name on one hand those in your contacts with enough sense to know that you lived in a completely different time zone from them now.

Somehow your neighbor was the very last person you suspected, but it was his contact photo that stared back at you, goofy looking grin and all. You squinted against the brightness of your screen in your otherwise dark bedroom.

you up?

come quick

gotta show ya somethin

come oooon

you're awake, i know you are

It took you less than a minute to shuffle on a pair of slippers, grab your keys (you weren't going to forget them this time) and slip out of your apartment.

You hadn't even knocked twice before the door was pulled open. Tendou looked a mess, more so than usual. Unidentified stains littered the apron looped around his thin waist, streaks of what you hoped were just flour and granulated sugar were all over his hands. You almost wanted to ask if he was baking or dealing dope.

“You woke me up at three in the morning...for this?”

“Yuuup!”

"When I said you could call me at any time, I really didn’t mean any time.” You scratch your side, a contemplative look on your face at the sight of Tendou in what you would assume to be his pajamas. An old volleyball hoodie with the words "Shirazorizawa" printed across the front, and old sweats the were so obviously cut with scissors at the knee.

Rolling your eyes, you mumbled a curt, “Alright, move aside.”

Tendou ushered you over to his kitchen where several of his cooking supplies laid on the island, along with a tray of some chocolate dessert spread.

“It’s all still in the testing phase, but I think I’m onto something here.”

He was definitely giving off “mad scientist” vibes. You tried not to snort.

Holding a small chocolate cake in his hand, he smiled, a genuine smile this time. "Open wide."

You obeyed, far too tired to argue, and let him pop the treat into your mouth. Tendou watched as you chewed, as if it were the most interesting thing ever. His wide gaze carefully took in every shift in your expression.

"So? Whaddya think?"

"I...," You chewed a bit more. "...It's delicious! Is that—"

"—Pistachio, why yes it is!" 

Tendou was practically bouncing on his feet with excitement. "It takes the entire thing to a whole new level."

You had to agree with him there. This was probably the best chocolate madeleine you'd ever tasted. "Great work, miracle boy. Will you be introducing this new recipe to Claude?"

Mentioning his teacher seemed to sober him up a bit. "Ehh, maybe? The old man's a bit of traditionalist, so I'll just have to figure out a way to get him to approve."

"Maybe try calling him at three in the morning?" 

Tendou stuck his tongue out at you before popping a dessert in his mouth. The pure delight on his face was so contagious, you found yourself smiling just the same. You couldn’t help but admire his passion.

“Hey, Tendou… do you like your job?”

He blinked at you, chewing coming to a slow halt. “Well of course! The pay isn’t the best just yet, but it’s a labor of love. I’m willing to put my all into it at least.”

“Huh… that’s pretty cool.” You wiped your fingers on a nearby rag. “I hope to feel the same one day… if I can figure out what I wanna do.”

“Why not bake? You’re pretty good at it.”

“Oh am I? Last week you said my baking needed some work.”

“Well, duh, but my standards when it comes to confectionaries are impossibly high. Even so, I think you’d be successful as a baker. What’s stopping you from pursuing your labor of love?”

And that was the thing with Tendou. He talked a lot, teased even more, but it was never idle ramblings. Somehow, he always seemed to hit right at the heart of the issue with almost painfully uncomfortable accuracy.

“I don’t really know so…” You looked away, trailing off.

“Either way,” he said and placed a finger under your chin, raising your head until you were looking him in the eye. “I’m rooting for you.”

For a moment, you simply stared, awestruck. It was the first time in a long while someone was actually putting their faith in you, believing in you. He had come blazing into your life unabashed with his easy grins and gaze alight with mischief. His encouraging words, sincerity, sensitivity. Tendou was really incredible.

“Tendou…” You took his hand in yours, squeezing it. “Thanks. For everything.”

“Of course, what are neighbors for.”

BONUS:

Three months later you sat curled up next to Tendou on his sofa, his entire apartment smelled of chocolate cocoa with hints of cinnamon.

Before you was an application. Culinary school.

“You really think I can do this?”

Tendou placed his head on your shoulder with a tiny smirk. “One hundred and twenty percent!”

You pondered for a moment, then decided that if he thought you were up for the challenge then you’d believe him.

“For the record, you probably aren’t supposed to recommend your girlfriend for an interview. You know, conflict of interest and all.”

Tendou laughed and pulled you closer. “Trust me, we’ll be fine, so don’t worry your pretty little head, ‘kay?”

[the-fiction-witch]

More Bunnies!

REAL LIFE: SCANDAL COUPLE: TBS X READER RATING: ADORABLE AF

"Ladies, gentlemen, and those who have yet to make up there minds." y/n smiled sitting on her sofa Thomas' beside her with his head on his hand

"Is that a kinky boots quote?"

"Yes it is, did you finally get around to watching it" "Yes I did"

"And?"

"It's good, not as fun as rocky horror but"

"Nothing's as fun as rocky horror, you'd be good if they ever make another movie of it"

"Yeah? would I make a good rocky sweetie darling?" "No, I was thinking riff raff"

"...well fuck you too"

"Anyway, the point of the video"

"Yes, the point"

"This may be the first video where I'm doing something, and you have actually wanted to be involved, I haven't bribed you, you know what we are doing, and your still here"

"Because this is a good video"  he says "That I very much wanted to be a apart off"

"Because you love them"

"I do, I don't know how anyone can't love them"

"My ex boyfriend hated them

"Yeah well I hated him to"

"You did?"

"We both know I hated joe, he was a dick. that lacked dick Ironically"

"He did, too much dick in the personality, not enough dick in the pants" she giggled "But anyway this video is not about dicks" "That's next week" "will you... shut the mouth. make me tea"

"No"

"Then just shut the mouth"

"The point! of this video. Is that tomorrow is a very very special day, Now I think before I really explain we need a bit of back story" she smiled "My dad owned a vintage car garage, he had been a mechanic all of his life, he learnt though just constantly going to work my his dad in a little garage up in Norfolk, But he opened the garage when he was about eighteen fixing classic cars up for people. and Everyone worked in the business, My dad met my mum because she owned a little  AJS Motorbike that she constantly needed him to fix. My brothers all worked there, and of course I worked there. When we lost my mum, we kinda just... I would say floated like we survived and I very much kinda became the mother being the only girl in the family. And that is something I do say with family businesses you need and out because you work all day with your family and then go home to your family you sort of never leave the dynamic. and As we all likely know as we have told this story, Thomas started working at our garage when... I think you where like sixteen? fifteen then you started?"

"I was fifteen but imminently about to turn sixteen when I started"

"yeah"

"But... the weird thing Is we met when I stated, but we didn't really... know each other" "Yeah it was that weird like, we work at the same place we see each other a lot but we rarely talk to each other"

"I was in the office a lot I did a lot of paperwork and ordering then, and you just constantly had like your head in Morris minors and mini's"

"I think the first time we really spend any time together was when your dad was away, and your brothers where away and it literally was just me and you in the garage, I was tinkering with this little Rover, and I remember you just coming over"

"You had like oil and dirt all over your face and hands from this shitty little rover, so I went over with a little cloth and like did the-"

"The like lick the cloth wipe the dirt off my face"

"I did, and from then on just... bestest friends"

"Yeah, Best friends"

"With crushes on each other"

"I did have a crush on you at that age that's something I have admitted to." "I don't think the situation helped though, like I was one girl in a garage where you worked, at some point you where going to get a crush on me"

"Ummm, You had a crush on me too at one point?"

"I did, I think because you where like the only person who worked there who wasn't part of my family, but it never went anywhere," she shrugs "Anyhow, and then when I moved out of my parents house into my first little apartment I kinda... felt weird I moved away from my family I suddenly felt very lonely and unneeded" she explained "there was more going on at that time that I will put in a video at some point. but I wasn't great emotionally and at that time my best friend Lisa, had a pregnant bunny rabbit named lopple. Now Lisa didn't know still doesn't know how she got pregnant, she thinks the rabbit who was like nextdoor or something got out and somehow got to lopple we don't know all we know is that I was over there helping her prep so making the beds up helping where Lopple was nesting all that kind of thing, and we sat in her garden giving lopple some very soft pets and we just saw something move and saw she was giving birth." she explained "She had six rabbits in her fluffle" "Her fluffle?"

"yes thomas, its called a fluffle" "Is it?"

"Yeah, a litter of kittens, a fluffle of buns"

"That is adorable" "yes it is, but she had six, now Lopple was a very chubby black lion hair and we don't know about the dad but all these buns where black and white and the one who looked most like lopple was this little bun that had white paws and a white tail, a white nose and then just black all over and Lisa's plan was that she was going to keep the babies until they where old enough and then sell them on to other people" she explained

"That didn't happen"

"I didn't, I basically went over every single day and watched these little bunnies grow up to where they could function on there own, and I grew very attached to the one we had nicknamed socks because of her white feet and Lisa just kinda asked me if I wanted her?" she smiled "I had never had bunnies before, or really pets before but I couldn't leave her so I instantly said yes, went to a pet store that day and bought all the stuff she would need and took her home to my apartment set her little hutch up at the end of my bed, and I renamed her hen I got her home to Hopscotch" she smiled

"About... maybe a week later I came over to your apartment and Met hopscotch" "she loved you, Immediately" she laughs "I was expecting her, like when she had met other people that she would hide in her house, or she would come and burrow into my back like she still does, or maybe bite I was worried about biting, but you sat by her house she came wondering out with her little soft feet, walked right over to Thomas sniffed him jumped in his lap and feel asleep"

hopscotch ran across the wooden floor to where Thomas sat cross legged

"Hello? small rabbit"

"Hopscotch"

"Really?"

"Yes"

"okay, Hi hopscotch"

"she's thinking about it, she's giving you a sniff"

"Give me an investigate, nose pat down"

"seeing if you got any contraband, Like carrots"

"I don't have any carrots I'm sorry"

she then jumped onto his lap getting comfy in a little bunny loaf, closing her little eyes and going to sleep "Awwww you have been chosen"

"I have?"

"You have been chosen this is your life now Thomas. you are not a bunny bed"

"I am fine with this, this is life now, Hey... Hey little girl," he chooes petting her fur  

"and she still loves me"

"she does, and I don't know why. it's maddening to me" she laughs "Hopscotch, come here darling" she called picking up the soft bunny who instantly walked over the sofa to Thomas' lap "You see what I mean"

"I cried the first time"

"You did, I remember you just like in tears as she slept on your leg because she was just too cute" she laughs "and then, when I got this house and moved here she came with me, and we very much became a family, like the three of us."

"I think we kinda did when we first moved next-door to each other we just basically lived together, more then we do now, we've put some .... kinda rules and boundaries in now but then we really where just basically living together" he explained

"and one day, we where shopping together and we had to go to the pet store to get food for hopscotch, and we walked in going to the rabbit section to get the food and..." she smiled picking up jellybean from the floor "This little boy was there, in a little pen of rabbits they had for sale all of them where playing and bouncing around but this little boy was just sat by the glass chillin' eating a dandelion leaf" she smiled "Now people think I squealed and had to get him but-

"I went to buy rabbit food for hopscotch and I think..."

she then showed the pet shop with the glass pen of bunnies where a little one sat playing with thomas though the glass "I think thomas' found a friend"

"look at him! He's so fluffy"

"Like you"

"He is like me! we have the same hair" He laughs

"The sign says you can pet but not pick up"

thomas happily leant in petting the bunny that instantly nuzzled into his hand

"what is happening right now? are you some sort of bunny magnet Thomas?  where you a rabbit in a former life?"

"maybe"

"You are fluffy, horny and like veg. Fuck you are a rabbit"

"that makes way more sense then I like"

"Is this happening? are you going to get a bunny Thomas?"

"I might, but if I do we can't hang out as much as we'll both have animals in our houses" "Or I could just keep him at my house, him and hopscotch could be best friends?"

"Yeah?  should we do it? should we get Hopscotch a brother?"

"I did" "Yeah, you pointed him out, and sat like waving at him though the glass for like ten minuets, they said you could pet them just don't like pick them up so we both gave this little boy some pets, petted his soft ears and I couldn't leave him there" she smiled "so I bought another rabbit, and came home very nervous very worried how hopscotch was going to react to him, introduced them slowly and all that so they wouldn't fight but"

"They mewed" "And rabbits rarely mew"

"They don't but the minuet jellybean got in here he started mewing, hopscotch was a little more tentative but thats because its her house and she sniffed the box he was in and you could hear them mewing at each other trying to like talk to each other though this box, and you could see them trying to give each other kisses though an air hole in the box"

"it was so fucking cute, I wish I filmed it," she says "and then we let him out and they sniffled each other and licked each other and just they where so happy together, I assumed they would sort of bond like brother and sister. Because they are both my babies but... I was dumb because of course they didn't" she laughs "We know very well from lots of videos' that hopscotch and jellybean and very in love"

"They are very in love, like if you take one just into another room without the other they'll start crying, and stomping until there allowed to be together again"

"I take them both to the vet. if one has to go, because it's way less stressful for them both to just be together" "It's weird how much... like us they are" "Ummm, but the news!"

"Yes, news"

"There is going to be... some more life in this house" she smiled "Someone, is preggo"

"Not you!"

"OHH fuck no, no, no I am not pregnant. thank the devil. but another little fluffy lady is." she smiled "we got it back from the vet last week, she's pregnant, she's going to be having a little fluffle of kits of her very own. " she smiled

"Our babies having babies" he smiles cuddling hopscotch

"Lopple has been notified about the up and coming grandchildren." she smiled "Hopscotch is on a nice preggo diet, and jellybean is in trouble. I'm sure there will be a video where we shall met the fluffle. I don't know what the plan is, I think it depends on how many she has on weather or not we keep them"

".... you are not getting rid of them, No. I will not allow it"

"Thomas' I can't afford to keep like ten rabbits"

"the money is not an issue I shall fund the bunnies"

"I lack the house space for like ten rabbits thomas" "Guess we'll have to move house then"

[aarcanechaoss]

1. Breathe

The teams finally get to meet the Yokohama school, after brief introductions from their coaches they are nervous and excited- some already believing they could beat the coed team but playing against them is a different story entirely.

“Yokohama Port High School can not be messed around with.” Ukai said suddenly as the team drove to Tokyo in a bus. “They’ll be joining the upcoming training camp.”

“Who?” Hinata asked, being brave enough to actually ask.

“Yokohama’s Port High school made it to nationals- third year in a row. All thanks to their current team who has been smashing their opponents and Nekoma was kind enough to ask them to join the upcoming training camp.” Takeda added. “Probably so we can learn their movements and make strategies in case we ever play them in general.”

“Chuuya Nakahara, is the captain, Libero and a third year. Like carrot top here he’s a short ginger but with a temper. Osamu Dazai is vice captain, setter and also a third year. Bare in mind right now I’m telling you the most crucial members that we will be with more often... they only have around eight or nine members so the other odd three I don’t know their names.” Ukai said.

“Who else?” Daichi asked.

“Wait the captain in a Libero?” Nishinoya asked. 

“He could just be acting captain until number 1 can play again- I’ve heard a player had a nasty injury... not surprising since they are in Yokohama.” Takeda said. The team nodded. 

“Second years Ryunosuke Akutagawa and Ryoko Fukami are outside and opposite hitters respectively.”

“Isn’t Ryoko a girls name? Sorry I guess I shouldn’t judge.” Yamaguchi apologised.

“Not wrong YPHS is a coed team. Due to how little people joined the seperate teams but don’t take that to think they aren’t strong. Fukami’s their current Ace she’s tall, strong and fast a deadly combo.” Ukai continued. “Last of the main team- or at least who I know about- is first years Atsushi Nakajima and Gin Akutagawa who are the teams middle hitters and blockers.”

“Is Gin-?” Nishinoya started.

“Yep. Ryoko and Gin are the only females on the main team as far as I know. Again don’t doubt them. Their captain sent me a video of their matches... those girls are a force to be reckoned with.” Takeda said. “Their managers are a bit intimidating I’ll admit well the third year is the first year not so much.. I think.”

“I was actually going to ask if she and the Ryunosuke guy were related.” Noya mumbled.

“Oh yeah they are siblings as far as we know. Anyway the coed group is nothing to trifle with so I don’t want to see any of you thinking you are better just because of the ladies.” Ukai said with a glare.

“Who’ll be at the training camp?” Suga questioned.

“Yokohama, Nekoma, Fukurodani, Aoba Johsai, Shiratorizawa, Itachiyama and Inarizaki.” Takeda grinned.

“That’s a strong group of players.” Kageyama admitted.

“Yes which is good. More practice to build morale and strength.”

Finally they’d reached the camp. It was an older training ground with a tiny bit of dilapidation. Most of the teams were here already. Now only missing Yokohama.

Then they arrived. Dressed in their fancy looking uniform with black blazers and grey button ups. Ties seemed non existent and the skirts seemed a tad shorter than the ones from other schools along with the form fitted slacks that no one seemed to wear the same. A boy with choppy silver hair had his cuffed mid shin while another wore an entirely different colour. They lined up in front of the bus and bowed.

“Thank-you for having us.”

“Welcome to the training camp.” Aoba Johsai’s coach gleamed a sliver of mischief in his eyes. They were planning to learn their every move.

“Wow they look so cool.” Hinata gasped. A short ginger stepped forward along with their coach.

“I’m Coach Hirotsu.”

“I’m Chuuya Nakahara, the acting-captain of the Yokohama Port High’s team and Libero.” Nishinoya’s brows furrowed- acting captain made sense he supposed.

“Damn they got some cute girls for managers.” Tendo snickered. Orange glowing eyes snapped towards him an air of annoyance drifting off her.

“Ryoko and Gin step forward.” Hirotsu said. Soft pale pink hair fluttered as she stepped forward, along with long dark hair that was tied in a ponytail. “This is the Ace and our middle hitter- respectively.”

“Hiya.” Ryoko said cheerily. “I’m Ryoko Fukami nice to meet you.” She stood roughly at 5’10” only a fraction shorter than the tall bandaged setter beside her.

Said setter shivered at her cheery tone.

“Gin Akutagawa.” She said quickly. Her voice sweet and airy. Unlike Ryoko’s who was deeper and still eerily cheery.

“Ryoko don’t scare them... yet.” Hirotsu said. “Other members should probably introduce themselves too.”

“Osamu Dazai, I’m our setter.” The bandaged one waved. And everyone had a single thought- what’s up with the bandages.

“Akutagawa. Outside hitter- Ryoko is an opposite hitter.” He had an angry look on his face and looked like he didn’t want to be there.

“I-I’m Atsushi Nakajima... Middle blocker- hitter.” The choppy silver haired boy said quietly but loud enough his name was heard. Gin patted his head comfortingly.

“I’m Higuchi outside hitter.”

“Oda Sakunosuke I’m the official Captain- I’m injured so thats why Chuuya said acting captain. Opposite hitter and substitute setter for Dazai here.”

“Still mad you didn’t choose me.” Dazai whined. The other teams laughed.

“You’d make an awful captain and we’d never do any work.”

The last two weren’t mentioned in the briefings, like Ukai said he only knew so much about them so at least Karasuno figured out who some of them could be already knowing their names at least- they hadn’t a clue if the others were briefed the same way. 

“Shall we get a practice match underway?” Hirotsu grinned. The coaches all agreed. 

Ryoko was the first to leave the change rooms shortly followed by Shiratorizawa’s manager, Rika. Both adorned simple black exercise gear. 

“Manager?” Ryoko asked. 

“Acting, Shiratorizawa’s original threw their work at me and dipped.”

“Sounds like a bitch move- I’m Ryoko.”

“Rika Matsuo I can’t wait to watch you kick their asses.” 

“Rika you are meant to cheer for us not someone else!” 

“Eh who cares Tendo”

“Trust me. I’ll take joy in knocking them down a peg.” The Ace’s grin was feral, almost animal like making Rika’s breath hitch. Gin was quick to join the pink and the purple haired girls. She signed something to Ryoko who just nodded towards their team before waving and walking off with the dark haired girl.

“Knock us down a peg.. I doubt it.” Tendo pouted making Rika roll her eyes and shove him away.

“So the plan?” Chuuya started, arms crossed. His hair was pulled back with loose strands hanging around the sides and wore a red and black shirt and sweatpants.

“Knock their ego’s down.” Ryoko laughed cocking her hip and bumping into Fyodor who only rolled his eyes. She wore a loose tank with leggings same as Gin. Fyodor ever the well put together man was in all black from mask and T-shirt to pants and shoes. His hair however hung in front of his face unlike the girls who pulled their long hair into braids. Ryoko’s muscles flexed as she crossed her arms in mock annoyance at his unresponsiveness.

“I agree to that. Game plan seven?” Dazai grinned. Seven was their harshest play and probably should only be played against Shiratorizawa because of the teams size differences physically. Dazai as per usual was covered head to toe in bandages with cream sweatpants and white shirt.

“Only for Shiratorizawa.” Tanizaki reminded Dazai. “We might be a powerful team but they do have size against us they are all exceptionally large.” The casually dressed teen shivered. His jumper and jeans not at all hiding the shiver.

“Depends who we play against first for what game plan. If it’s Karasuno I’d say plan five because of their quick attacks.” Atsushi chimed in whilst playing with his Grey T-shirt- his blue shorts cut off at his knees.

“I agree with the were- Nakajima.” Akutagawa coughed- another in all black (long sleeved shirt and sweat pants) albeit with white trim.

“Thank god you aren’t wearing that awful ascot.” Ryoko said. The boy just glared at the pink haired teen.

“The ascot isn’t awful!” Higuchi defended. The team all grimaced. “You’re just a... a bitch jealousy you can’t pull one off.”

“I’m going to punch her one day.” Ryoko grumbled. Fyodor gave a soft chuckle.

“Don’t do that Fukami.” He started. “You’ll have to wash your hands a few times to get her germs off.”

“Hey!” Higuchi yelled. The team just ignored her. Her... love for Akutagawa always made her a bit uneasy and he clearly didn’t like it that much either if he even noticed it.

“Yokohama and Karasuno are first.” Coach Hirotsu said as he joined the teens with Ranpo at his side.

“Game plan five it is.” Ryoko grinned cracking her knuckles.

“I suddenly feel very scared.” Yamaguchi said to his team.

“What do you mean Yams?” Hinata asked.

“Like we are about to have our asses handed to us really really badly.” Ennoshita added with a shiver.

“Alright we’re up against Yokohama first.” Ukai grimaced. Karasuno fell pale. Yeah their asses will be handed to them on a silver platter.

[my-brothers-corrupted]

Chapter Four - Part 4

The boys try to relax after meeting Dark, but Dapper is ticked off at Anti and there is still tension between Trickshot and Dok.

Tws for alcohol, images of dead bodies, and mentions of torture.

Part 4 - Dark's Memory

“Oh, but Dok, I’m tiredddddd.”

He draws it out like a kid who doesn’t want to do his chores, slipping down into the water until it reaches up to his chin, pouting against the waves of the pool. Dok grins at him and reaches out to snag his hand, leading him around in circles against the wall.

“Come on, my friend. Can’t be sitting around all day even if you’re tired.”

“Help me float?” asks Blue, getting up again and turning his back to Dok.

“Okay, if you want.”

He puts his hand against Blue’s back. Blue lies down against the water and lets Dok steady him, til he’s just resting on the surface of the water, drifting.

“No sleeping though,” says Dok, and Blue laughs. They both wear their shirts in the water. Dok itches at his chest. Through the kitchen window, you can see Trick cooking, and Red sits a few feet away from them, watching the forest and tap-tap-tapping his foot. Dok told him he should do something other than stand guard all day, but he hasn’t thought of anything yet.

pine-storm-season asked: Hello! How are you all doing?

Red looks up and smiles at you. “Aw, been better, but you know. It’s okay.”

He glances over at Dok and Blue. “Getting really worried about Blue after how he was acting last night, but sun comes up and he wakes up and seems okay again. A little nausea this morning. I asked him if he was pregnant. He said that would be more fun than this.”

Red grins and kicks his feet. “He’s grumpy about it, but I just hope he keeps trying to stay up. I don’t blame him for being unhappy. I think, um. He really needs more help than he’s getting. But I don’t know how to get him it. Which is frustrating. I’m not really in charge right now, but I’m still big brother. I’m supposed to be looking after them. And I can’t.”

He shrugs. “But I’ll keep trying. I’ll keep the monster away if I can.”

He still has that kitchen knife, sitting on the grass beside him. He itches at the bandaid on his broken nose.

“How are you?”

Anonymous asked: Whatcha cooking, trick? Breakfast?

“Lunch, technically!”

He stirs enthusiastically at a pan full of ground beef, tomatoes, carrots, onions, and peas. “Making kima. Trying to use the perishables first. So we don’t have to get hungry just cause all the food goes bad. The fridge is really full! Hey, do you know what prosciutto is? There’s a ton in there, but I don’t wanna give Dok ham.”

Anonymous asked: (Chill scenes are totally cool! And I love reading anything you write so it's awesome) But hey! Pool time sounds like it could be fun and/or relaxing. And it could be good for Blue's (or any of yalls) health. -Pink

“Just don’t tell Dap we’re outside,” sighs Blue, standing up and running his hands through his hair. After a few weeks since he shaved it down to white, it’s beginning to grow out again, just a little, and he savors the growing strands. “He won’t stop talking about that thing in our yard. He says he won’t come into the house’s territory, but he wanted us to spend all day hiding. But we figured it already knows we’re here.”

He shrugs and looks back at Dok just in time to get splashed in the face by a sweep of Dok’s arm through the water. He gasps and slaps the water in front of him, sending it spraying up into Dok’s face. He laughs and retreats, cutting water with his hands as he backs away.

“Ass,” gripes Blue, smiling as he follows after him.

Anonymous asked: where is dap, if you don't mind me asking? is he upstairs?

“No, he’s hiding from Anti,” says Dok. “But you didn’t hear that from me.”

“Anti’s so pissed at him he only looked for him once,” adds Blue. “He found him in the top cupboard of the pantry behind the juice-boxes and tried to drag him back upstairs, but Dapper wouldn’t stop throwing a fit, and Anti got so irritated he left before - to quote Anti - he pulled him apart tooth by tooth. You might be able to find him on the cameras if you try since Anti’s stopped coming for him. I hope that he’ll come when Trick has lunch. He eats like a shrew. A dieting shrew.”

“I need to have him out here exercising too,” sighs Dok. “He never get out of his little room most of the time.”

Anonymous asked: It's basically fancy italian ham, so says Google. Maybe Noodle and the rest of you would like it but yeah not the best choice for dok

“Noodle! Come here, baby!”

Trick kisses for his cat til he comes and gets him a slice of prosciutto. Noodle is delighted.

“You’re getting so big,” says Trick, petting his back. He’s a very long cat and getting longer, leggy and thin, still golden as the day he was born.

Anonymous asked: Red maybe you should take up drawing or coloring, just something to do with your hands. I know you have a lot worrying you but maybe it will help you de-stress and focus? I find it helps me anyway. A hobby might be good for you right now

Red nods, considering it. Yeah. He stands up. Sits down again. Stands up. Sits down.

He puts his chin in his hand and sighs, kicking at the grass.

“I haven’t… I don’t really have hobbies, ha. Usually I’m the one with the money for the month, you know, so I have to be thinking about food and entertainment and shit in one handful of cash. And when I do get entertainment stuff, it’s for Dap cause he’s alone in his room, or sometimes for the twins if Dok’s having to cut people up or Trick’s depressed and they need something to take their minds off it. Cause that’s what it is, yeah? Entertainment, it’s a need. In those cases at least. And if it’s not a need I don’t get it. That’s the rule. That’s how you stop your brothers from starving.”

He stands up again, staring out at the forest. “But now I guess I can go draw if I want, and it won’t be wrong. Cause it would have been wrong, yeah? To buy paper and pencils for myself. Dapper would need them more or we would need shit to eat more. And now we’re in this nice place after Dap and I about starved in Colombia and I’m just supposed to act like this is our normal and to do whatever I want. I don’t know how to do whatever I want. And I don’t want… I don’t want Anti to pretend this is our normal. Cause it isn’t. I been hungry too many times to let him try to tell me that.”

He pauses, shrugging. “Sorry, I went off. I do want to go find something to do. I wish I had something to color, that sounds fun. I could go look for books or something with black and white pictures. And art shit. I don’t know if there’s any here.”

Anonymous asked: hey, dap? how are you doing?

For a second, there is no sign of him - or not of him moving, anyway. He seems to have shucked off everything he didn’t want to wear as he ran, his tight black dress shoes discarded in the hallway, his clean white dress shirt dangling off the coat hook. There are cuff-links waiting to be stepped on. He may or may not be wearing pants.

But in the office with the grand brown desk and the high, glass-covered shelf full of alcohol in progressively fancy bottles, a slight motion alerts you to an irritated, red-rimmed eye peering slowly out from the side of the desk to check on the beeping noise from the camera - and then, just as quickly, ducking out of sight again.

Anonymous asked: hello, dap! is something wrong?

Liquid sloshes. Dapper glances back at you again, his mouth miserably down-turned and his eyes angry. He hides away again for a few minutes. He’s sick of Anti looking at him all the time.

“I hate Dark,” he spits finally, adjusting a little so you can see him. He’s got a blanket on and all his stuffed animals arranged beneath it around his legs. His pencils are scattered beneath the desk, his sketchpad covered in meaningless circles of colors he can’t tell the difference between. He throws back a bottle of Jameson and drinks deep and hateful. “I hate Anti for bringing us here. I want him to go away!” He coughs as the whiskey burns.

Anonymous asked: Ah... why are your clothes on the floor Dap?

“I don’t want to wear all this stupid shit he puts me in,” he signs. “I don’t want to be cute and perfect, I’m not his perfect little pet thing, not his dog to dress up in a tutu, not cute all the time, sometimes I want to be a man, or I at least want him to know I’m a man, not treat me like a little boy. I only want to dress up when I want to dress up and I don’t want any more stupid little kid hoodies or dumb socks unless I pick the dumb socks. I, I, me!”

He shakes his head, distress creasing through his anger, and he drinks like he’s got something to prove, his face red with crying and alcohol.

“Stupid baby stuck in my fucking crib all day.”

He sobs and then strikes the side of the desk, gritting his teeth. “Stupid little boy never runs from his dad.”

Anonymous asked: anti's not here right now, though. do you want to go be with your brothers for the time being? anti isn't here to be able to do anything to any of you.

“He shouted at me all morning, he’s angry,” grouses Dapper, flicking his golden Christmas knife up and down in his hand. “He said he’ll tie me up upside down until the blood rushes back into my head and makes me stop acting stupid; I said if he tries to make me stay in that room again I’ll bite his ear off in his sleep; he slapped me til I cried.”

His ear is bruised purple on the right and there are nail marks around his wrists. He shivers and curls in on himself, bitter and tired, scratching at a hippo stuffie with textured fur.

“I don’t want to go where everybody’s staring at me, I don’t want to go where Dark can see me, I don’t want to…”

Anonymous asked: Huh boy. Would you mind some drinking buddies? We don't have booze but I can act like a conversational bartender that takes all your problems and sound then into advice. Can't guarantee it'll fix things but we're listening

“That was most of my rant unless you get me started again,” says Dapper wearily, slumping back against the desk so his head disappears and you just see his skinny chest and legs poking out. The thought of it is funny and you hear him giggle, flipping over on his side to hide his face in his blankets.

“I’m sad. Comfort me, Panchito.”

He draws his stuffed Peruvian bear to his mouth for a kiss. It’s hard to tell if that’s his dry sarcasm again or not. He might just be drunk.

“My heart hurts.”

Anonymous asked: How much did you drink so far? Not too much to be dangerous for you I hope

He huffs out a tired sigh and shows you the bottle. There’s more than half of it left.

“You’re going to babysit me too? Not eighteen yet? Just because I don’t age. I didn’t ask for that. I didn’t ask to watch everybody else get older around me while I still look so much younger. I didn’t ask for everybody to make me the baby. What’s wrong with being quiet and nice and cute sometimes? I still want my brother to respect me. I’m not little… I’m mute and I’m psychotic and I like being nice and wearing jumpers and sleeping with a bear. That doesn’t mean I’m not a grown-up. I am a grown-up and I’m clever and tough and I want things. I want to make choices. I’m not five. Not. And if I had got to make a choice, I wouldn’t have chosen to come back to be toyed with by somebody who hurt me.”

His face scrunches up like he might cry, but he doesn’t. He rubs at his ruddy cheeks.

“But I still never go away… so maybe I’m just all talk. Just his baby brother.”

He stares down at the gold of the alcohol.

Anonymous asked: okay, that's fair, dap. do you want us to ask one of them to come be with you here instead? it might make you feel better to have someone like blue with you instead of being alone.

“I don’t want to get scolded,” his hands confess. “I know I’m being stupid. No one else has to share my stupid with me. I know I’m being grouchy and negative and unhappy. I know. They don’t have to put up with me while I’m like this.”

He is very small beneath the largeness of the empty office.

“Even Anti doesn’t put up with me when I’m being a brat, and I’m supposed to be his. Everybody likes me better when I’m smiling and put together. He always just leaves and comes back when I’m too tired or when I’m done sulking. That’s what he thinks he can do this time, just wait for me to decide it’s not worth it. And I always do. I always let it go. Because I know he doesn’t care, so why fight about it? Things are worse when he’s mad at me. But he really hurt me yesterday. That’s worse than when he used to smack me around all the time, before I snapped and he realized how scared he used to make me.”

nikkilbook asked: Red, what if you go find Dap and ask him to draw with you? Let you keep each other company while you do something for you.

“Where he at, though?” asks Red, ducking into the house. “Dap?”

No answer from the wide halls. He trails through the house looking for him.

Anonymous asked: If you want to be mad, J, be mad! Be drunk! These are your decisions and your emotions so express them. We want you to be safe but if you trust your judgement to drink responsibly by yourself, go for it, my guy.

“Be mad, be drunk,” he repeats a little more enthusiastically. After a moment he lowers his bottle and sighs.

“I am not being responsible, though. You are right. I don’t want my brothers to think I’m trying to hurt myself again.”

He sets the bottle gently aside, at least for a few minutes.

Anonymous asked: i don't think they'll mind much, dap. anti cares more about control than love, but the others don't. everyone has unhappy days, especially people in bad situations. we don't have to ask, and they don't have to agree, but we'll ask if you think it would make you feel better, okay? we can ask them not to scold you or anything too.

“He is my heart,” says Dapper cryptically, holding his knees to his chest. “That’s the rope he makes me wear.”

He turns at the sound of someone calling for him. He puts his head against his knees, mouth pursed, but after a moment, he tells you, “They can come see me if they want. But they can go, too, if they want. I have never been there for any of them, truth be told. Not for a long time, anyway. And even then, wasn’t I always just the needy little victim…”

He’s spiraling, his eyes getting dark. He covers his face with his hands.

Anonymous asked: i think they'll be happy to see you, dap. red's looking for you, he wants to know how you're doing. do you want us tell him where you are?

“I think it would be okay. I don’t want him to be disappointed in me.”

He stares down at the floorboards.

“There was a while when Dok and Trick first broke when none of my brothers knew anything about me, just my name and that Anti loved me better than them. I couldn’t talk to them and I couldn’t see them, but I would hear them through the walls and pretend they loved me too. It was lonelier having them in the house than when it was just me and Anti. But even when I felt totally… just… unloved, even when he didn’t even know me, Red would sometimes buy presents for me and leave them outside my door. And it was like there was a little remnant of what we had that was still alive. Or like even if he didn’t even know me, he still would be my brother and look after me however he could.”

He blinks. “I’m rambling again. I am drunk. I don’t want him to have loved me better before he knew me than now, when he’s beginning to see who I am, that’s all.”

Anonymous asked: Dap, you are one of the bravest, strongest, most downright terrifyingly intelligent men i have ever seen. And heck, im a grown up. I still sleep with my stuffed animals! And I color just to color and i eat candy for breakfast from time to time. I watch cartoons and i cry and I do all sorts of things. But im still an adult, and yes, you are too. You are strong, and you'll get through this. -Pink

“Yes, I’m terrifying,” agrees Dapper, nodding his head, determined to believe it. “I’ve killed, like, a lot of people.”

He pauses, touches his mouth, scrunches up his face in thought.

“I guess that is the opposite side of the spectrum. In terms of being taken seriously, I want to be somewhere between Strawberry Shortcake and unattended luggage in an American airport, thank you.”

nikkilbook asked: Room with a desk and alcohol, Red.

Red turns towards the right side of the house, shooting you a confused look at half of Dapper’s clothes scattered around the hallway. He pushes on and into the office, stopping short in the doorway.

Dapper stares back at him with wide eyes and a trembling frown, wiping at his face and clutching his bear to his stomach. The Jameson shudders on the floor nearby, drained by a couple glasses. Red blinks.

He sighs through his nose and then moves to sit down beside Dapper, squishing himself into the space beneath the desk at his side. Dapper sniffles and looks anywhere but Red’s eyes, downcast and humiliated.

“Okay,” says Red, making himself comfy. “Give me that.”

Dapper startles and turns to him. He glances between Red and the bottle, blinking.

“Yeah, come on!”

Dapper lets a sigh drift out of him, disappointed. He is just the little kid of the family. He turns the bottle over to his brother.

“Yeah, that’s right,” says Red. “No fucking drinking alone.”

He tilts the bottle back and drinks. Dapper laughs, turning towards him, clasping his hands together over his heart.

“Red,” he signs, giggling.

“Fuck, that burns!” spits Red, shaking his head and his hands. “That’s nasty!”

“Can’t handle it?” teases Dapper, scooting closer to him, delighted.

“Hey, I haven’t had a drink in a long time, okay?”

“Chug, chug, chug, chug - ”

“Don’t even start!”

Red and Dap laugh, huddled over the alcohol and the stuffies, squished together beneath the desk. Dapper clasps his hand through the blanket, leaning forward to set his head down against his shoulder.

Anonymous asked: How's the liquor Red? Bad? Well probably not since this was a rich dude's stash but the difference between expensive and cheap probably doesn't matter for someone's whose goal is to get drunk

“That is correct, for one,” coughs Red. “And also I know jack-shit about alcohol, unfortunately.”

“It’s good!” says Dapper. “It’s really good.”

“Babe, it’s nasty.”

Dapper laughs. “You can’t tell.”

“I can’t tell. All alcohol is disgusting. I mean I just - I don’t get the appeal. If it’s not like the fruity ones that actually taste nice? It’s nasty. I have never find an alcohol I want more than just, like, a nice orange soda.”

“Do you guys want lunch?” hollers Trick from the other side of the house.

Anonymous asked: Get one of ur brothers to bring the food up like a delivery boy lol

“Heyyyy,” hollers Red down the hallway. “Bring me food!”

“No,” shouts back Dok.

“What does he want?”

“Someone to bring him food.”

“No!”

“Blue, you’re supposed to be my twin!”

“I’m sick! You should be bringing food to me, if anything! Aw, look, Trick’s got me a plate already. That’s why he’s my favorite.”

“Hey!”

“All of you shut the fuck up!” shouts Anti.

Just to piss him off, Dapper stands up and sticks his fingers in his mouth, whistling as loud as he can until Red leaps up and makes his stop, laughing and horrified at the same time. “You are one dumb, bold, black and white firecracker, little brother.”

“Guess that’s why we get along,” answers Dap.

Anonymous asked: damn, orange soda!! that is the best soda, you are an individual of refined taste, red. in terms of lunch, trick's making kima - Indian dish with veggies and beef, basically - it looks p good. are y'all gonna want any?

“I want kima. Come on, bud.”

“There’s the monster in the forest.”

“They’re not going to snatch you while I’m here, bud.”

“You don’t know that,” answers Dapper wearily, but he lets Red lead him towards the hall.

aether-mae asked: Y’all need to eat, and also drink some water or you’ll get hangovers. *paps both ur heads* stay safe kids

“Yes, we do,” agrees Red fondly, pulling him down the hall. “Come on, so. Hey! Whoa, man. How drunk are you?”

Dapper has crashed into his chest, blinking fast. “Dizzy,” he signs.

“You shouldn’t have had that much.”

“I didn’t!”

“Let’s just get you some food and water, okay? You’ll feel better.”

He leads him into the kitchen and then decides against sitting him down at the island, turning to leave him beside Blue on the couch. Dapper sways dizzily, rubbing at his head.

“Hey, my darling, what’s wrong?” asks Blue, reaching out for him. “Dok, come here.”

“He’s okay,” Red insists. “He just, uh. Got into the liquor!”

“Hey!” cries Dok, anger and alarm slicing through his face. “Hey, why! Why would you do that?”

“Dok, come on,” Red protests.

“No, don’t ‘come on’ me! Alcoholism runs in our family and he had a suicide attempt this month. Not to mention Haldol interacts with alcohol! You’ll be dizzy all day.”

Dapper shakes his head, staring up at Dok with big blue eyes. He didn’t know that.

“Don’t give the doctor puppy eyes! It’s stupid, Dap! You want to get to drinking everyday, huh? You want a fun hangover so someone has to look after you? You want to be drunk all the time and then I can’t get you to wake up and it’s four in the morning and I told you to stop, I told you not to have so much, I keep telling you - !”

“Dok!” Trick cuts him off.

Dok stops, closing his eyes.

Trick’s face is guilty and drawn in the kitchen. He turns heavily back to his cooking, dishing meat and veggies onto flatbread.

immabethehero asked: Ooh what are you having???

“We are having kima,” says Trick wearily. “It’s meat and vegatables with paprika and curry powder. You put it on flatbread.”

Everyone’s gone mostly quiet, Red shuffling his feet against the carpet. Blue lets his head fall against Dapper’s shoulder. “I’m taking a nap, good night.”

Dapper presses his head against Blue’s. Trick brushes his hand against Dok’s back as he passes his brother, still standing in the middle of the room, scowling down at the floor.

Anonymous asked: Liquor on an empty stomach leads to a nasty hangover. Go get yall some lunch! And drink some water too. Please and thank you!

“Yes, eat,” insists Dok with a sigh, taking a plate from Trick and giving it to Dapper. “So you’re not sick. Can’t be drinking without food. And water. I’ll get you a bottle if I can find one.”

He goes digging around for a water bottle in the kitchen while Trick passes out food. He slices up a huge white peach and gives everybody a sweet, thick slice as footsteps come down the stairs and Anti appears on the banister, staring moodily down at them. Red and black burns disappear into his shirt from his shoulders and neck, but he doesn’t flinch or whimper, just scowls.

Dapper is tense. Dok tries to ignore their brother as he brings him a water bottle clinking with ice, sitting cautiously down beside Blue and Dapper. Red hovers in front of them, folding his kima into a taco and taking a bite in a pretty good semblance of normality.

“It’s good, Trick.”

“Don’t have to sound surprised.”

“Thanks for cooking.”

“Course.”

immabethehero asked: You know what you should try? Red Lobster cheddar biscuits. They’re from America and they’re delicious!

Everyone glances at the camera. “Uh, yeah,” says Trick. “Those sound good. I’d have to have a way to look the recipe up. But I can make good biscuits. Better than KFC, seriously.”

“I think maybe Blue did actually fall asleep on me,” says Dapper uncertainly, trying not to move too much.

Red sits down beside his brother and props up the plate of kima on his twin’s thighs, just in case he spills, taking enthusiastic bites of his lunch. “You’ll let him stay with us again tonight, yeah, Anti? He’s so tired. You don’t want to wear a body like this right now anyway, right?”

Anti shrugs, his eyes flickering. He turns away, playing with his knife, glancing back up the stairs.

Anonymous asked: Laying it on a little thick there, Dok. I understand you're upset but you don't need to reprimand him in front of everyone, least of all Trick. Taking care of others mistakes that they knowingly make can be hard, but harsh words won't improve things.

Dok raises an eyebrow, unimpressed. Trick sighs, shaking out his head.

“Let Dok have his reaction and Dok will let Dapper have his,” he says. “He already backed off. I don’t need to be coddled like I can’t handle the consequences of the choices I’ve made. But thank you.”

cest-mellow asked: you guys should have a pool party ! take your mind of all the stress, dark shouldnt come to your house territory anyway right..?

“Yes, right,” says Red, watching out of the corner of his eye as Anti decides to head back upstairs, stomping with every step. He’s gotten used to watching for Anti’s warning signs with his other siblings, but he has no idea how his brother will react to Dapper resisting like this. He’s never seen the two of them fight in front of the others, and he’s never seen Dapper quite this mad at him. Any of his other siblings could have lost fingers for the things Dapper’s done in the past twenty-four hours. Red shivers and shakes the thought off. “Yeah, Anti says Dark won’t come into the boundaries of the house, whatever that means. And if they show up in the yard again, I’ll fucking take a knife to them, swear by it!”

“Don’t talk like that,” mumbles Blue, rubbing at his eyes. “They’re not something you should mess with, I don’t think.”

“Well, I think we should go outside and sit around the pool, anyway,” says Red, reaching out to start tugging on pants legs - oh, Dapper is wearing slacks after all. Red grins up at his siblings. “Come on, come on! Need some sun!”

“We were just in Peru!”

“And still so pasty white!”

They end up sitting around the pool, Trick and Dok side-by-side at the far end, kicking their legs in the water and making sure the other eats enough while Dapper sinks down into the water like a tiger on the hunt, warm in the water. Red sits Blue down in the pool chairs at the side and they take a moment to look at each other, mimicking each other’s expressions as a game until Red makes a face so stupid Blue snorts with laughter and breaks character, sitting back in his chair, smiling in the sun.

aether-mae asked: Y’all keep an eye on Dap while he’s in the pool in case he’s still dizzy

“Good idea,” agrees Dok.

Dapper puts a hand to his forehead and faints dramatically, slumping back into the water. Red actually does leap up to his feet before Dapper surfaces again, grinning.

“Not funny, Dapper!”

“Dapper, that’s not funny!”

“Carver! Don’t!”

He giggles under the weight of their disapproval and they seem to roll their eyes at him as a collective, smiles flickering on their mouths.

Anonymous asked: Ah the facade of normality, so sweet yet so frail

Red and Blue glance over at you, eyebrows shooting up. Blue doesn’t seem to appreciate the message; Red looks a little unnerved.

“Don’t be weird,” grumbles Blue, turning back to his family.

“That’s my job,” says Red, kneading his hands together. “To make things feel normal when they’re not. Or safe when they’re not. Or okay when they’re not. I - ”

Blue puts a hand on his knee. “It was a weird message,” he says, squeezing his knee. “We don’t have to talk about it.”

Red nods, turning his attention back to him.

“Hey, will you go get me more water?” asks Blue.

Red is happy to do so. He gets up, taking their cups with him.

It is then that your screen changes in a way it has never glitched, fizzled, or blacked out before.

Someone has taken an Illumination effect to your screens and turned the color all the way down, down, leaving everything monochrome and night-struck, casting them all into shadow. Blue sips at his water as Red returns and you see something smoky and liquid fill up the glass as he puts it against his mouth. In his chair, Red tilts slowly back, until his body is stiff and unmoving against the back of the chair. Dapper is not rising from the pool. Dok and Trick have fallen asleep against each other, and their faces, as you watch, grow more and more hollow. The skin tears on their grey cheeks and white bones glimmer in the dead light of the sun as the color of the pool darkens and darkens and darkens. Blood drips from Blue’s mouth as his eyes flicker and close.

“But you know the truth, don’t you?” comes a cold, drawling voice, deep enough to drown in. “It is just a face - sweet as honey. Frail as mortal bone.”

There is an echo to the voice, not layered like Anti’s, but repeating after it, sometimes changing the way they said it.

“Frail as mortal bone…” it whispers.

“I suppose he put you up to this. You always do whatever he tells you. Play any game he gives you. His loyal, naive little followers. But it doesn’t much matter,” shrugs Dark, flickering into view, blue and red, at the edge of the forest, standing on a cane. They do not appear to you the way they appeared to Anti. Gone is the rot, the decay, the death of them. They are upright and beautiful, with black eyes that glitter like the stomach of the night sky. Black hair curls neatly around their ears and eyes. They are dressed neater even than Dapper, a suit perfectly tailored along the fine curves of their strong body.

They look harmless, respectable, attractive. They are smiling at you.

“I like playing games, you see, with anyone other than him. He’s not here right now,” their voice drawls, low and whispered, as though to make you lean closer to your screen. “So I have a proposition for you, old friend.”

“I have a proposition for you, old friend,” spits the echo.

“It looks like you’ve been watching these poor pets a long time. Attached, are you? I can see glimpses, here and there… illness, torture, sickness in their minds… does it just kill you to watch them being hurt again and again, never getting away?”

“Never getting away? Trapped? Does it just kill you…”

“Bring one of them to me,” says Dark, smiling broadly at you. Their teeth are white like a snake’s. “Bring all of them to me, if you want. And I’ll be kind. I promise. They can rest a while. I have people who can give them anything they want.”

“Anything they want.”

“And no one will hurt them while they’re with me.”

“While they’re with us.”

“But if you don’t… I have more creative ways to bring them with me.”

They smile at you, dark eyes flashing. At the poolside, Red is on the ground, unmoving. Dok and Trick’s chests bleed as twins. Dapper seems to be glitching, thrashing with drowning one moment, still the next, thrashing, still, thrashing, still.

“Don’t disappoint me,” Dark whispers.

They wink. They disappear.

“Thank you, Gigi,” you hear faintly, and then it is all over.

Your screens are normal again. It is a sunny, beautiful day. The boys are unharmed, Dapper chasing a tiny frog around the side of the pool while Red and Blue split another peach and Dok and Trick splash water at each other, laughing. A bird calls, overhead. Everyone is fine.

pine-storm-season asked: Cameras went weird for a moment, was that just for us? It's probably not anything important, I'm just curious if you guys noticed anything about it too.

“Cameras went weird?”

Red turns to pick up a handheld, turning it in circles as he examines it.

“Looks fine,” says Blue.

“Yeah, I don’t know. We weren’t paying close attention, though.”

Anonymous asked: The boys might not have noticed that... "thing", but did Anti also see it?

Anti shoots you a look from his bed, where he’s sitting with about six computers surrounding him or perched on his lap. “I don’t know what the hell you assholes are talking about, but nothing happened in my systems. If something happened, it went through your end of the system, so sucks to be you if you have a virus other than me, but I’m fine.”

He doesn’t look fine. He looks pissed off and exhausted and unhappy. But that’s probably unrelated.

Anonymous asked: Uh Anti should you really just be going sucks to be us considering that the one who sort of appeared to us seems to be threatening your boys...

Anti stares at you for a moment. Then he bursts into laughter, incredulous. “Yeah, I reckon they fucking did! I was the one who invited them to play this game, you know that right? Fuck. Obviously they threatened them, I told them to try and goddamn kidnap them! Oh, goodness… sometimes I wonder about the lot of you.”

Anonymous asked: So what's your plan here then, Anti? Wouldn't you want to keep them safe from other stuff??

“I thought I explained. I never understand why humans don’t understand when I explain things. I don’t understand what they don’t understand.” He pounds on his keyboard as he types, frowning. “I told you this is someone I… trust. I mean, it’s Dark. They’re my… they wouldn’t hurt my pets. We’re just playing games, that’s all. Dark knows me. I know Dark.”

cest-mellow asked: why would you want dark to kidnap the boys, anti? what happens if they succeed?

“If they snag one of them, they can have Dap for a little while,” says Anti, grinning. “That was the deal we made in the forest. But if not, they’ll help me like I want them to. And that’s the thing, really - even if they do win, I bet they’ll still help me do what I want. Just might have to make up for it in… other ways.”

His smile only grows. He glances out the window like he’s waiting to see Dark again, swaying slightly on the bed.

Anonymous asked: Doesn't it worry you that they know about the cameras and can show us things that you can't see? You don't see that going sideways?

“Fucking Gigi! I’ll kill him! He got into my cameras?”

He leaps to his feet and stands at the window, peering out at the forest, beaming. “Fuck, I knew that little cheat would ask the others for help. Well, doesn’t matter. Gigi may be a force to be reckoned with, but I bet Red can out-hack him. I’ll get him a computer.”

Anti turns back to you, a fang poking out of his mouth. “Besides, I don’t care what they show you. There’s nothing you can do about any of this.”

bupine asked: what other ways, anti? hopefully not something like sacrificing another brother. trick wouldn't like that, would he?

Anti snorts. “Oh, fuck… no. You misunderstand. I meant… other things. But I assume some of you are minors, so I won’t go into detail.“

Anonymous asked: I volunteer Trick

Trick blinks, huddling down at Dok’s side. “Hey! What am I being volunteered for? Guys? Ha, Dok, they’re Hunger Games-ing me. You gotta be my Katniss.”

Dok doesn’t look back at him. His eyes are fixed on the doorway to Trick and Red’s room.

“Dok,” Trick insists, pushing at his shoulders. “Hey, the cameras are talking, you like that. Did you float away on me again?”

Dok shakes his head, turning back to his twin for a moment. “What? Oh, no. I’m here.”

“You’re jumpy all day,” whispers Trick, nuzzling his head down against his shoulder.

“It’s past eight,” says Dok. “Anti should have come to get Blue and Dapper and I. But he hasn’t.”

“He’s just having a hard couple days. Let him rest. It’s okay.”

Dok just stares at the door.

The night has come quietly. He is not the only one who’s tense. Red and Dapper are huddled on the windowsill signing and whispering, Blue laid sleepily across Red’s lap, though his keen blue eyes, at the sound of Trick and Dok speaking, turn and fix on you.

Anonymous asked: Blue, you doing okay?

Red and Dapper pause to look at their sibling and Blue sits up, waving their concern away. “Getting into bed,” he mumbles.

“Okay,” Red answers him, reaching out to pull his head in for a kiss.

Blue crawls into bed, carrying a handheld with him. His eyes shift around the room in warning.

“I thought Anti would come back and make us go upstairs with us, but he’s left us alone. That means he’s planning something. It’ll be worse than just dragging us up the stairs or knocking our heads against sinks until we stop fighting.”

He sighs, deep and hurting.

“I don’t know how to protect them from it. Any of them. Even if he doesn’t touch Trick, he gets his trauma secondhand from watching the rest of us get beat and then it’s all buried under this veneer of amnesia and fake love. Even if he doesn’t touch Dapper, he’ll shove him back into a headspace he hates and make him a slave again. Even if he doesn’t touch me, I have to feel him beneath the skin.”

He pulls a pillow to his chest for a hug, closing his eyes. He needs to calm down.

“I think I could almost convince Red to get them and go,” he whispers. “But there’s that thing in the forest…”

He shakes his head and sighs. His eyes flash open. He looks at you. “I promise Dok and I are working on things,” he whispers, so quiet you can barely hear him over the sound of Pot Noodle hopping up onto the bed and padding towards him to purr like a motorboat in his ears. “I promise…”

Anonymous asked: You're doing great, Blue. This is a really hard situation. You're doing incredibly well, okay? We're here to help, and you have your brothers with you too.

“Thank you,” he says. “That’s nice, really. I want to - I want you to have a better story to read. I think about that sometimes. I want you to see us happier. I want that.”

Dapper giggles in the windowsill and Blue looks up, some of the stress fading into warmth on his face. He and Red are huddled together over one of Dapper’s old sketchbooks, coloring together, the colored pencils you got him for Christmas scattered across the ledge. Blue hums a little, his foggy eyes seeming to clear, if only for a moment.

“Yeah, they’re here. They’re with me.”

Anonymous asked: dok, you good?

Dok is humming to himself, something you’re not sure you’ve ever heard him do. It is a discordant melody. His leg bounces in time with the beat. Trick doesn’t let himself look worried. He wraps his arms around Dok’s shoulders and pulls his body close. He expects Dok to go stiff and silent like he sometimes does. The best thing to do has always just been trying to bring him back down to earth.

“Yes, fine,” says Dok.

His face tightens with pain. Trick is hurting him from holding on too tight. But his twin doesn’t know he’s been beat, cut, and strung up by chain all within the last few nights, and he won’t let him know. He can’t. He can’t go upstairs again. He can’t stay upstairs again. There are spiders in the closet. There are spiders on his skin. He’s crying.

“I am right here,” says Trick, again and again, buried low against his shoulder, pushing you slightly away with his foot. “I am right here.”

“He’s going to come hurt me,” whimpers Dok, hiding against him. “Every night, I… I…”

“I think it’s ‘they,’ buddy,” Trick corrects him gently. “They won’t get you long as you’re in the house.”

Anonymous asked: Trick I know you mean well but I don't think anything you could say to Dok would make him feel better. Everything's a bit off but just... stay with him.

“That’s my job, to make him feel better,” whispers Trick, and something in his voice is wounded and aware. Something in his voice knows this is not wrong. “That’s my job…”

He leans back a little to look at him, but Dok just follows his body, chasing the side of his face with his own and pressing them back together like puzzle pieces stuck together in the box. Trick touches the back of his head.

“You are still a half a world away from me,” mourns Henrik, touching Trick’s wrist. “Wo ist mein zwilling?”

“Here,” protests Trick. “Hey, don’t say that, don’t, I… ich bin da. Always.”

Henrik thumbs at the pulse in his wrist.

Anonymous asked: trick, be gentle with him, okay? i don't think he wants to be squished right now. dok, you're gonna be okay. i know, it's scary and confusing and awful. but you're not in danger right now, bud. try to remember that, okay? you're not in danger right now.

Trick eases his grip around him, confused enough that he glances over to you for guidance. He strokes gently at his back. “It’s true. Not in danger.”

“Never feels that way anymore,” mumbles Dok. “Never.”

Trick bites down hard on his lip. He’s known Dok could probably use counseling for a long time, but it scares him every time he feels like he can hear Dok reading out of a DSM when he’s talking about himself. He scratches his fingers across his brother’s scalp.

“Tell me one thing I could do to make today better,” Trick urges him, trying to smile. “Yeah? If you don’t want to tell me what’s wrong or what’s going on, you don’t have to. I’ll just be here. Tell me instead something that’ll make tonight better, okay? Cause we got just about everything we want in this big ol’ house. Right?”

A smile pulls at Dok’s tired lips.

“Yeah, there. Come on. What’s something that could make right now better?”

“I don’t know,” says Dok. “I don’t know, I… I’m sorry, I don’t have ideas.”

Anonymous asked: blue, and i suppose everyone, do you wanna know something funny? dark is anti's Complicated lover haha

Did I say that Blue was exhausted? Have you seen the dark bags beneath his eyes, the aching way he holds himself, the leaning of his body against the thin strength of the cane? Have you seen Blue’s fatigue in every line of his skin?

Suddenly, he is wide awake.

“No. Fucking. Way!” You hear him cry, and immediately he’s laughing so hard he shakes Noodle on his chest. “Holy shit, holy shit!”

“That’s horrible,” cries Red. “Hey, don’t even joke about that! That thing looked like a goddamn skeleton!”

“No way, no way!” howls Blue. “Nooooo, that’s too funny, holy shit! Are you kidding me? No, how does Anti even pretend to be anything’s ‘lover?’ Holy cow… oh, I don’t want to imagine the things I’m imagining, hahaha!”

Dapper rolls his eyes so hard they might get stuck back there and gags.

Anonymous asked: maybe a blanket, or a bit of food, dok? or should we see if there's something else you'd like?

“I could build you a fort,” says Trick, grinning. “With pillows and blankets.”

Dok smiles at him, entertained by his enthusiasm. He shakes his head.

“No? I could… wrap you up like a burrito. With Noodle on top.” He pulls his cat off the bed and presents him to Dok. “Do you want to be all wrapped up with your Uncle, Noodle Pot?”

Noodle meows, sniffing at Dok’s face. Dok closes his eyes, feeling his whiskers across his cheeks.

“I could feed you, yeah, all you want,” says Trick, touching his brother’s ribs, proud to feel a little weight on his body again. He hates the magicians for a lot of things, but at least they fed him well. “There’s brownie mix in the cupboard, you know. I been saving it.”

Dok tilts his head, biting on his lip. “That… might be good.”

“Yeah?”

Dok nods, smiling.

“Come with me,” says Trick, leading him to his feet. “You can curl up in the loveseat and I’ll make you brownies, okay?”

Dok loves him.

“Yes,” he says. “Okay.”

Anonymous asked: just gonna throw this out there but trick uh, anti hurts him. you could help him by keeping him away from anti, and not mentioning him. if you don't believe us, look at his bruises

“Red and Dap are getting along,” says Trick. “Look at them, oh-so-secret, bent over their little book together.”

He almost wants to make fun of them - usually, that makes Dok laugh - but he can’t. Not at that. It’s… nice. It’s good.

“Good for Dapper not to be alone,” murmurs Dok, sitting in the loveseat as promised, petting Noodle luxuriously. His brother’s cat squirms his way up his body and rests against his neck, purring warmly. “And he isn’t the only one getting on better with Red.”

Trick glances back at his twin almost guiltily, stirring brownie mix and eggs and milk together. “I… don’t want to be at odds with him, I decided. We fight, but we’re brothers too.”

He pauses, pouring the mix into a pan. “That’s… okay, right?”

“Why would it not be okay?” asks Dok, confused.

“I don’t know. I just want it to be okay that I - that I sometimes - that you’re not the only person I love.”

Dok stares at him from the chair.

“Like - I want you to know you’re still important, even if I have other people. It doesn’t mean I love you any less if I love somebody else.”

Trick’s cheek stings suddenly. He startles, reaching up to touch his face. He can almost feel the indent of fingers against his skin. He doesn’t know why. It disturbs him.

“Hey, dummkopf,” says Dok, and he turns to see his brother staring warmly back at him.

“Love’s not brownie mix,” Dok tells him, grinning. “It doesn’t thin out as you spread it.”

Trick grins back at him, huffing out a laugh and popping open the fridge. “So what you’re saying is it’s more of a viscous Jello of some kind?”

“That sounds horrible.”

“You started it.”

“I don’t know what it is, I just know it’s not caramel cluster brownie mix.”

Trick laughs.

Dok’s voice has gone soft and earnest by the time he speaks again.

“You do not belong to anyone, my brother,” he says. “Your heart doesn’t. It was meant to be free.”

“You could write poetry for Blue,” answers Trick, only barely teasing. “I love you.”

“I love you,” Dok repeats, with feeling.

“What bruises?”

“What?”

Trick’s voice has changed in an instant, flinty and trembling. Dok looks up from Noodle, confused. Trick is staring at the camera. Then his eyes flicker over to Dok, hard. “What bruises, Dok?”

Dok pulls their cat closer to his stomach, shaking his head. He turns his eyes away from his twin.

“Why do you keep getting bruises? Show me.”

“No,” says Dok. “Leave it alone, Trickshot.”

Anonymous asked: hey, trick? please leave it be for now. come back to that later, maybe, but i think it would be good for you two to just hang out with each other and be happy for a bit.

Trick’s eyes flash between you and Dok, advancing on his brother. For a moment, he considers it - you see it in the uncertainty that crosses through his face.

But Trick, though he often forgets his aggressor, is, in many ways, fighting just as hard as Blue and Dok are. And he knows something is wrong.

“This is scary,” he says, his voice cracking. “Don’t you get that?”

Dok laughs loud and broken. “Do I get that? Do I?”

“This is the first time in my life you’ve kept something from me,” Trick keeps on. “Someone’s hurting you - or you’re hurting yourself. And you won’t tell me about it.”

“I need you to trust me - ”

“No, I need you to trust me!”

“Well, I don’t!” screams Dok, loud enough to startle Noodle off his lap. Their cat streaks away, racing back towards their room. “I don’t! You think I’m fucking hypnotized when you’re the one whose head is messed up! You wouldn’t believe me if I did tell you! I can’t count on you! I can’t trust you! Fuck, it’s like you’re not even my brother half the time!”

Trick’s mouth hangs open. His eyes aren’t even hurt - just horrified.

Dok hears himself breathing heavy. Hears the echo of the words like an afterimage on his tongue.

“I - I - ”

Trick can’t speak around his stammer. His hand flutters and comes to rest over his heart.

And then he regains himself again.

And he straightens up.

And he looks at Dok again, kneeling gently down beside him.

Dok feels his own eyes burn. He doesn’t even know why.

Trick touches the open palm of his hand and they breathe together, side-by-side.

Long minutes pass. Trick lets his anger and his hurt go.

Just like that. It doesn’t matter. He’s what matters. His zwilling.

When he pulls back the long sleeve of Dok’s torn coat and finds dark fingerprints in his wrist, Dok does not stop him. Trick rests his forehead against the bruises and grieves them.

“Just… tell me?”

Dok is threading his fingers through his hair. He doesn’t reply.

Anonymous asked: trick, please. i'm not gonna tell you what to do or not to do, but just,,, be aware? pushing dok on this will hurt both of you. like, emotionally. you're picking the scab on an infected wound here. do what you will, but think about what it is you want to do here

Trick sighs very long and very deep. He gives a shaken laugh. Doesn’t know why.

“Does someone know?” he whispers. “Someone who loves you?”

Dok nods.

“Yes, I promise.”

“Is it going to stop soon?”

Dok blinks and tears run down his cheeks. “I really hope so, my brother.”

Trick kisses his bruised wrist, resting his head against Dok’s lap.

“I want to take you to Singapore,” he says suddenly, curling his fingers around Dok’s. “I really think you would have liked it there. I thought about you every time I was happy. I could show you all the places I liked.”

“That would be fun,” says Dok. “I want to push you in the Lion fountain.”

“Ohhh, Dok,” says Trick, because what the fuck else is he meant to say? “Ohhh, Dok.”

He would like to give him worlds and worlds, but all he has are brownies.

Anonymous asked: dok, are you going to say? you don't have to though, love, it's an honest question.

“I just - I just want to see you trying to think for yourself again,” whispers Dok. “Please? It scares me when you don’t act like yourself. I think maybe, secretly, he’s suicidal or wanting to hurt himself again.”

“No, Dok, I feel good,” protests Trick, clutching at him. “I promise, I promise! I would tell you, I promise.”

“But there are these moments where you’re not okay. I keep seeing them! Like suddenly you’re freaking out and you need to break in half.”

“It’s just - I don’t know why that happens, but it never lasts long, bro, it never does.”

“I’m scared you’d get angry at me if I told you the truth,” admits Dok in a croak. “I’m scared I would see just how much you’re really not yourself. That maybe I would think you aren’t going to be yourself again.”

“Hey, stop,” answers Trick. “Look, that… don’t, that fucking stings. Don’t say shit like that. Like I’m losing you. Hey, it’s not fair. I’m trying to be a good brother.”

“I’m sorry.”

Trick rubs at his reddened face, sniffling as he gets up to check the brownies.

Dok turns away. “I think you already know who did this anyway,” he adds, so soft you’re not sure Trick hears it. “But it’s too terrible for you to admit.”

Whether or not he did, Trick doesn’t turn around. He is getting the brownies out of the oven. He doesn’t turn around. He doesn’t.

Maybe he didn’t hear it. Maybe.

“I think you already know,” repeats Dok, even quieter. “I think you do.”

Anonymous asked: hey, dok? you and trick and your other brothers will be okay. i know it might be hard to believe that, but don't lose hope, okay? you're gonna be okay. things will get better. i promise.

“Every time I look at him I think, over and over again, ‘I have to get him out of here, I have to get him out of here, I have to get him out of here,’“ says Dok in a hush. “It’s the worst part of the torture. I have to get him out of here. He doesn’t even know.”

He digs his fingernails into his palms and closes his eyes, trying to find his strength again, his hope, like you said.

“I don’t want to be tortured anymore,” he says, his voice creasing. “Things have to get better. I’m scared all the time. But we’ll be okay. We’ll be okay. We’ll get out of here. You promised, yeah? You promise…”

Anonymous asked: Hows the coloring coming guys?-Pink

“Good,” says Red cheerfully, bonking his head against Dapper’s as a sign of affection. Unfortunately, Dapper is not familiar with this form of affection, and he reels back like a startled cat, nearly falling off the windowsill. Red doesn’t notice. “Dap said I could color his old drawings since he never uses color. And I was like, bro, I don’t want to ruin your drawings! They’re yours! But he says he can hardly tell the difference and he doesn’t mind.”

“I have dozens of sketch books,” says Dapper. “These old ones aren’t even that good.”

“Hey, don’t be a dumb-ass,” protests Red, genuinely affronted on his behalf. “They’re really good!”

He holds up a black and white hummingbird. Color is seeping into its feathers, starting at the breast. Red is not particularly neat in his coloring, but his colors have an organization of their own to them, like he’s giving motion to the body of the bird.

“They’re all good!”

Red begins flipping through pages. A bear with its teeth showing. A city in Japan through a small window. Anti. A raccoon, a pinata, a half-dozen clocks, a dark figure with swept-back hair.

Red blinks.

Red stops.

Red stares.

“Hey,” he says. “Hey, that’s the Darkness.”

He stares up at Dapper. Dapper stares down at the floor, mouth twisted.

Eyes scared.

“Dapper? What’s going on?”

Anonymous asked: dap, do you feel like saying? it's okay if you don't, this is an extremely stressful situation and i think red will understand.

“Red, Anti won’t listen,” signs Dapper rapidly. “He doesn’t understand. For once, it’s not his fault, but he doesn’t.”

“If he won’t listen to you, that is his fault,” answers Red humorlessly, and you hear a little of his twin’s bitterness in his mouth.

“Be that as it may. You and me and - well, Max - ”

“Max,” repeats Red, for no reason at all.

“We’re the only ones who know about what I did!”

Red sighs, trying to think. “Slow down, slow down. You’re talking about… when you snapped?”

Dapper’s eyes are wide, soaking in moonlight. He nods once. “Do you remember?”

pine-storm-season asked: Could you elaborate, please, Dap? I don't think we really know what happened. You don't have to, though.

“We talked about it. How our old master forgot.”

Red’s eyebrows raise. “Right… Max said he went to see that guy, J - ”

Dapper shoves his hands over Red’s mouth, eyes wide. He pauses for a second before drawing away, making sure Red gets the message.

“Right,” says Red, flushed. “Guess that isn’t a safe name to say.”

“Our old master forgot us,” says Dapper. “Our creator. Even though he made us. When Anti got his hands on him, I was psychotic and I was scared for him. I snapped - and created a whole separate timeline from the correct one.”

“Right,” says Red. “Like a timeline where we shouldn’t even exist. Where none of us happened, so Anti can never hurt him. That’s why the cameras said there should be videos of us on that Youtube channel, but there aren’t. Because this is a different timeline.”

“Yes.”

“Dap, we better pray Anti is asleep.”

“He’ll just think we’re losing it if he hears us talking like this. But that’s the timeline we’re in now, Red - one where it’s like we never even existed.”

Red pauses, picking at his lip. “So no one would know we exist.”

“Right.”

“Even people we used to know, people we know we had connections with… to them, it’s like we never existed.”

“Right!” cries Dapper. “That’s what you have to remember me saying, or the rest doesn’t make sense. I snapped the timeline. That’s why our old creator doesn’t remember us. That’s why no one remembers us. Like we talked about at the motel in Colombia. Okay? So listen: I broke the timeline trying to protect our creator and I spliced different pieces together. Now, it’s like no one created us at all, like we just came to be. So no one remembers us at all, even if we think they should. Understand?”

Red laughs. “But, Dap, that’s not true!”

Dapper blinks, drawing back from him. “How do you mean?”

“People do remember us,” Red insists. And then, softer: “Max remembers me.”

Dapper looks away, thinking. He rubs at his mustache. Red can almost see his little brother’s brain whirring away like the inside of a computer.

“But… the old master doesn’t remember us.”

“Well, that’s not really true either,” says Red, making Dapper’s head snap up. “Remember? The way he reacted to Max coming to his door wasn’t normal. He didn’t act like Max was crazy. Max said he kept saying our names. Over and over and over.”

“Like he was trying to remember,” says Dapper uncertainly.

“Yeah.”

“Like, even though the timelines snapped…”

“There’s still some people who remember us. Even though it’s like we didn’t exist.”

“Why would they do that?”

Red shrugs, looking down at his hands, fidgeting. “Dap, I - when I found Max, it wasn’t like he was… new. I mean, I forgot everything about him, yeah. But it was still like… like he was a piece of me.”

Dapper looks down at his hands.

“Maybe,” he says after a moment. “Maybe it’s possible, that even though I broke the timeline and made it like we just popped into existence instead of being created… maybe there were some people who were so much a part of us, and us so much a part of them, that I couldn’t just take us away from them.”

“And they remember,” agrees Red softly. “Like we’re trying to remember. Like… girls who smell like cigarettes. Like Trick said. She’s a part of him no matter what happens and what Anti takes or what timelines you shift. Some things - some things don’t get erased. Not even by powerful magic. Some people are too important to forget even if you did snap the timeline.”

Dapper pulls at his beard, silenced by the realization. Red turns his head, peering out the window, where the great darkness of the forest waits, looking back at him.

“So the question is… was Anti important enough to Dark for them to remember him?”

Dapper curls his hands together over his heart, closing his eyes.

“And what will they do to us if they don’t?”

[mileyjassie]

"COMPASS"

Pairing: Kwon Soonyoung (Hoshi) x Female reader

Genre: Fluff

Synopsis: You found an old compass on your grandma's house and that will take you in only one and inevitable direction. On the way to him, your soulmate.

Word count: 2,4K

Author's note: If you ever think that this imagine is strange and maybe it doesn't make sense ... maybe it doesn't, forget it and english is not my first language so sorry for any mistakes

You approached the chalet while the family was together inside talking about the news, you went to the bench behind the house, looking at the backyard which gave you a good look at the woods.

You opened the chest next to the bench, curious about the trinkets you would find inside, seeing some rag dolls, some empty boxes, ropes and a old compass that caught your attention.

You sat on the floor looking at that old, dusty compass, with a rusty chain hanging along and got up walking out of the house towards the backyard, however, the compass was broken, you knew it because it did not point to the north since the north was behind you.

You thought it was pointing to the south, but after you entered the woods and walked south the compass pointed to the east, which only increased your curiosity. What did the compass was looking for?

You were afraid of getting lost but memorized the path well, besides that the place was a open forest anyway, being easy to find the way back home.

You walked a little more, going down the hill while watching those thin trees cover the path. The compass continued to guide you to an unknown place, making you walk to a small cabin in the middle of that forest, already far from the house.

You heard someone humming, his voice was pretty, which made you stop a little while to listen before opening the door and seeing him sitting on the floor, working on a machine full of grease, like his no longer white gloves, his silver hair totally tangled and up with those weird round aviator glasses. His white blouse was smeared with grease and was dirty like his jacket, which you thought was originally green in color. Not even his pants were of a not too thick fabric, but you thought his brown suspenders cute.

Then you stopped, still deciding to knock on the door or wait for him to notice you, but he didn't seem to feel the presence of anyone there. He hummed, fiddling with his screwdriver on that strange engine, running his wrist across his face.

He smiled, clapping his hands to dust off and turned to look for something, eventually looking at you.

The boy lifted his aviator goggles, looking at you with a surprised face, although he didn't look wary.

— Visits? — Asked smiling.  — Amazing! This is almost impossible to happen, no one ever comes here. — He got up, hitting his pants and coming with his hand stretched out to you, he looked like a crazy scientist. — Oh! I'm sorry, I'm dirty. — He laughed, running to the other side of the room, washing his hands in a sink, coming back with his hand outstretched again. — I'm Soonyoung.

— Hello, Soon...young. — You took his hand, letting go and looking at the place. — I'm sorry to bother you, I was passing by... Do you live here?

— Yes. I live in the back, actually. Up front is where I work.

— What do you work on?

— Repairing things, creating, assembling, polishing, inventing, etc. — He smiled again, he seemed very communicative to someone who lived alone in the middle of the forest.

— Why do you live here? — You followed him with your gaze, while he went from one side to the other in that room, picking up tools and taking them to a table.

— Why wouldn't I live here? — Smiled confused.  — It's very quiet, without the noise of the city. — He turned, putting his hand on his waist. — Did you know it's good to wake up with a squirrel in the window? The animals are very friendly. — He frowned. — Except bears.

— Are there bears here? — You asked impressed.

Soonyoung stared at you, placing a mug full of pencils slowly on the table, coming over to you, head tilted to the side.

— Yes... and you know what?... — You took a few steps back as he approached. — They are huge, have sharp fangs and will reach you in a minute.  — He smiled widely, this time not very friendly. — You can't even breathe and when he reaches you he doesn't leave a piece behind. — Tumbled his head, reducing the smile, but still staring at you.

You frowned and took a few steps out of the cabin, he walked to the door and stopped, watching you go.

— Ahn... it was nice to meet you but ... I have to go, see you around. — You hurried, looking back.

— Don't miss the compass! — He waved with a soft smile, which made him more strange in that situation. — It is beautiful!

You ran back home.

The next day you went to stay with your family, but not for long, just enough before they left for the city and you stayed at home with only your grandmother. You went to help her with the plantation, removing some carrots and putting them in the basket she was holding.

— I'm going inside to get the watering can.

— Ok, grandma.

You went back to picking the carrots listening to a whistle, you looked back and saw no one, then looking back ahead and catching the boy standing on the roof.

— I love carrots. — He laughed, lifting the big aviator glasses off his face. — Didn't you see any bears last night?

— What are you doing up there? — You narrowed your eyes because of the light, getting nervous when you saw your grandmother coming back.

— I'm back. — She turned to the roof, seeing Soonyoung. — Hoshi, my son, are you here yet?

— Yes, ma'am.  — He took the hammer out of his tool belt. — I'll fix this roof soon. — He lowered his glasses to his neck and winked to you, turning and bending down to start hammering.

You turned confused to your grandmother, she smiled with the index finger up.

— Did he winked at you?

— I guess so.

She smiled while looking at your face, you took the watering can before taking one last look at the silver-haired boy who had a little smirk.

— I feel like I'm in danger, grandma. — She laughed and came to help you.

Your grandma came back inside to make lunch after some time, leaving you alone with Soonyoung.

— Are you on vacation with your family or something? — He cleaned his hands after he got off the roof.

— Yes. — You sat on the bench, he came and leaned in the column of the house.

— Why so quiet? — He smirked. — Are you afraid of me? — He crossed his arms.

— It's almost that. — You narrowed your eyes.

— Were you afraid of what I said about bears? — He click his tongue, tilting his head. — It's a lie, you know?

— I thought it was... — You continued with narrowed eyes and crossed arms.

— I know I'm weird from your point of view, okay?  You don't have to look at me like that. — He looked back at you, no matter how hard you tried to ignore it you knew he wasn't angry.

— Sorry. And you're not weird ... — He raised an eyebrow.  — Just a little. — You smiled crooked.

— It's ok. Girls really think I'm weird.

— Really? — You lifted your head.

— Really.  — He nodded. — So far, yes. — He looked at nothing, just thinking. — In that way you can't meet new people. — He turned to you. — I tried with you too, but I couldn't resist talking about the bears. — He laughed, pressing his tongue to the inside of his cheek.

You frowned, then looked back at him.

— And what about boys?

— Boys are also not very nice. — He pouted. — I try to find a nice friend or a lover. — He looked at you. — You know, it's age, hormones. — He moved his hands again while he spoke. — But they are afraid, I think.  And the guys here tend to be bullying, so I prefer to keep my distance ... Those over there have the habit to call me a crazy scientist. — He pointed to the fence, on the other side there were three kids hiding looking at us, then they ran away. — They usually spy on me, it's a little tiring. I don't look like a mad scientist, do I?

You stopped for a while, looking at him.

— You are weird, and quite strange and different.  — He looked at you with a bored face. — I like what's different. — You kept looking but he didn't answer anything, just looked at you a little more and turned to look at the yard.

(...)

It was at night, you was sitting on the bed, looking at the compass in your hands, you wiped it with a cloth to clean it, it was beautiful but you couldn't remove the rusty marks.

It pointed to your desk, then ran to the side, until it stopped at you.

— Why are you pointing at me? — You hit you nail on it, then turned with the noise in the window behind your body. — Soonyoung?! — You asked in surprise.

He was simply crushing his face on the window glass, waving at you. You made a discontent expression seeing he frowning in annoy.

— What are you doing here? — You crawled to the window, sitting down. He smiled and pointed at you to open it. — I will not open! Are you crazy? — He looked at you angrily in a way too cute for your taste, hitting the glass, you were scared by this because you didn't wanted your family to wake up, so you opened the window.

— I do not have friends. — He said when throwing himself from the window to the bed.

— I'm just in my pajamas, dude! — You complained, he looked at you and you feel like you wanted to punch him.

— Don't be ashamed of it. It's just a sweater. — He waved his hand for you to don't care about it, shrugging. — I'm also in my pajamas. — He opened his arms, you looked him up and down.

— Shorts and old shirt?... — You raised an eyebrow, he agreed.

— This is my pajamas.

— Your hair is down ... — You whispered, staring at his hairstyle.

— Ah. — He looked up as if he could see his hair, pulling it up to the original hairstyle you knew.

— No. — You complained sadly, putting his hair down again. He watched you, opening his eyes wide, opening and closing his mouth as he didn't knew what to say.

— Wow, so close.  — He looked at your eyes and got closer, which made you move away.

— You're embarrassing me, boy.

— Oh sorry. — He scratched his neck, this time he was the one who was embarrassed and that made you more relaxed.

— It's different to see you like this.

— How? — He raised his eyebrow, smirking. — Clean?

You did not answer.

— You said you like the different.

— ...I like. Yeah. — You commented low, he stretched close smiling near your face.

— You said that to me before. — He tumbled his head, for sure was having fun with it. — Too close?

— Very much. — You putted a hand on his shoulder to push him away, but he pushed you to lie on the bed, watching you over the top and that took you by surprise.

— If you were afraid of me, you wouldn't have let me in.

— What are you doing? — You realized only at that moment that you were holding your breath.

— Do you like me? — He smiled, a smile not very friendly, but anxious.

— No!

— You said you like the different, I'm different.  You were saying that to me, weren't you? — He waited for you to say something, but you didn't say it.

He looked at you and tossed his hair up, you looked back at him and pressed your lips together, fixing his hair down. He smiled.

— You look crazy.

— I never did this before. — He smiled shyly. — Maybe I'll be arrested. — Sighed, lowering himself to your face, you held his face and pushed him up.

— Don't kiss me.

— I'm so sorry. Too soon? — He rubbed his hand over his nose.

— Too soon for what? What do you think is going on here? I didn't say I like you.

He closed his eyes for a moment and took your wrist, pointing at the compass.

— That's not what the compass says.

— What do you mean? — You frowned. He took the compass from your hand and smiled as he looked at it, looking up at you again.

— What a coincidence. — He showed the compass. — For me it points to you. — You frowned again, don't understand. — Your grandma didn't tell you, did she?

— Tell what? — He smiled without showing his teeth, bringing his face closer to yours. — Stop doing that!

— The compass points to the person you love. — He held your chin and stole a peck.

He lets you while laughing, then you started hitting him.

— What bullshit is this? — You hit his chest, he got up and held your wrists.

— Bullshit? — He laughed loud. — Why did it take you to my cabin then? — He put the compass in your hand and got up, jumping out of bed and walking around the room. — Where does it point?

— To you. — You looked at the compass. He jumped back onto the bed, taking the compass and stretching his arm, but wherever he pointed it, it turned to you.

— Cool, huh? — He smiled and looked at the compass. — Your grandmother showed me this a while ago, I followed the path of this compass but it never took me anywhere, it just pointed in the same direction and it had no end. — He turned. — It was like this because you weren't here. — Gave you the compass back. — So you found it and went to...

— The cabin.

— It was good to wait for you. — He leaned on one arm, laying his head on his shoulder. — My kiss is now forgiven?

— No, it's not.

— But did you like it?...

— Yeah...I like it.

He came over and you pushed his face again, looking back at the compass a little embarrassed.

— I don't even know how to react to that.

— Stop looking at that compass. — He took it from your hand and put it on the bed. — Whoever you need is already here, no more searching. — He kissed your chin, you felt a shiver and this time you didn't want to refuse.

— I don't even know you well, you're practically a stranger...

Soonyoung tossed his hair up, making a frizzy tuft, you watched and let out a little laugh, combing his hair down with your fingers. He smiled wide.

— I'm your stranger now.

[tepidjasminetea]

A nostalgia retrospective at Frozen

I was of the generation that grew up with frozen as the defining childhood event, I think that says a lot about my age, I remember watching the movie in the theatre with my mom and having my little popcorn in one hand and my little cup of fizzy drink in another and being amazed by our lord and savior Elsa of Arendelle. Saying that this movie changed my little barely developed frontal lobe is an understatement, it fucking penetrated it and all I could think about for months on end was Frozen. While writing the script for this I listened to Let it Go and inexplicably I had flashbacks of little petite me compulsively almost replaying that song. Remembering the hold of that movie on me and people of my age during that time feels unreal, it honestly seems like Disney sprinkled in a bit of crack into that song. My general thoughts when I watched it in theatres was that this film was perfect in every sense and Elsa was the hottest woman alive.

Recap

Before I dive into the video, I will give a brief background or refresh of the film for the three people who haven’t seen it and those who haven’t seen it in like seven years since its release. Frozen is a 2013 animated movie made by Disney, there’s Anna the cute and clumsy ginger sister, Elsa the sister that Disney made approximately half a million dollars off of merchandise, Kristoff the furry that talks to reindeer, Olaf a snowman, and Hans the evil ginger. The story centers on Anna and Elsa; as a child, Elsa accidentally hit Anna in the head with her ice magic while playing with her. To fix Anna’s brain essentially she had to have all her memories of Elsa’s magic removed. So from that incident onward, Anna doesn’t know about Elsa’s powers, and because of the incident, Elsa started to distance herself. So the sisters barely have any contact for the fifteen or so odd years. The sisters are reunited on Elsa’s coronation day and Anna sings a song about open doors and finally getting to meet people again that hits different in 2021.  Anna pisses Elsa off because she wants to marry a ginger man with sideburns. They fight and in the heat of the moment Elsa shoots ice at her sister. The secret is out and Elsa is overwhelmed so she runs away to the mountains to build her ice castle and we get the song that won Disney ‘Best Original Song’ at the Oscars. Anna gets on a horse and goes to search for her sister in the northern mountains. Then her horse fucks off and she finds her way to a convenience store? Is that what you would call it? And she meets our lovely golden retriever boy Kristoff and for a pickaxe, some rope, and some carrots for his reindeer, he agrees to take our cute little ginger north. On the way, they find Olaf who is a sentient snowman that Elsa created with her magic. They go to Elsa’s castle and Anna tries to convince Elsa to return to their home and to make it summer again. I don’t know why she would want that since winter is the superior season. Anyways Elsa is unconvinced and still wants to be a hermit. Anna pushes a little too hard, we get a lovely duet between the sisters and then Elsa blasts Anna’s heart. Oh no Anna’s poor heart is starting to freeze as her hair slowly turns white. Kristoff brings Anna to the trolls that treated Anna’s head all those years ago, coincidentally those trolls also were the ones that raised Kristoff. Then we get the cutest musical number ever to exist, fucking fight me. Granddaddy troll tells Anna and Kristoff that she needs an act of true love to thaw her frozen heart. So Kristoff delivers Anna back to the ginger with the sideburns because they think that the little ginger boy is Anna’s, true love. So while that happens Hans and a couple of people are at Elsa’s ice castle trying to capture her, but she doesn’t want that so she almost commits a double homicide. This is the point where I thought she’d make a great video game character. Some random dude tries to fire an arrow at the distracted Elsa but Hans stops him and the arrow, unfortunately, fires into the ice chandelier above and that thing crashes down on Elsa knocking her out. She then is carted back to Arendelle and put in chains, she pleads for her freedom and Hans is like I’ll see what I can do. Anna arrives at the castle and asks Hans to kiss her, but low and behold the ginger is evil and never loved Anna and just wanted the throne so he doesn’t kiss her and leaves her to die. In the meantime, Elsa escapes from her dungeon and Hans is chasing her down. Anna is rescued by Olaf and they decide to run towards Kristoff because he must love her and then he can reverse the frozen heart. So Elsa is running, Anna is running, Hans is running and so is Kristoff. Hans catches up to Elsa and tells her that Anna died because of her and that it’s all her fault, Elsa is devastated and Hans takes the chance to try and kill her. Anna who is running towards Kristoff sees this happening and instead of running towards her true love she decides to go and save Elsa. Her body turns into ice fully as she blocks the sword from slicing Elsa in half like a piece of white tuna. Elsa sees this and she cries over Anna’s icy figure and her tears thaw Anna’s frozen heart since it is an act of true love because the sisters love eachother. Elsa realizes that love is what she needs to reverse winter and bring back summer, and so she waves her hand a bit and takes back all the snow. Kristoff and Anna kiss, Olaf gets to experience summer, and Elsa’s crippling social anxiety is solved. The end. 

The Music

When I was watching frozen I found it so strange that I pretty much remembered the lyrics to everything. I’ve never been much of a musical person I never liked musicals that much but I found that in this movie the music was one of the main enjoyment of it. Perhaps it’s just me in my old age but I honestly felt like these songs aged like fine wine, even the ones that I didn’t like as much or wasn’t musically ambitious I still found them extremely enjoyable. I also liked the score how they incorporated some kind of Scandinavian music in it and it just made the world-building better. Let it Go was just as ear-wormy as I remembered and it was just as powerful as I remember because we’re just coming off of Elsa running away scared and this song is essentially her owning her socially awkward ass and saying yes I want to be a hermit and there’s nothing wrong about it. Which my now more developed frontal lobe resonated deeply with. Now I know this video isn’t about comparing Frozen and its sequel but I will have to mention how I realized how much simpler and more or less conventional pop song-y the first movie’s songs are. I also listened to into the unknown and show yourself on youtube prior and those two songs feel more ingrained in the world and the lore. Which does make sense since the second movie is a bit world-building. But for Let it Go and Do you wanna build a snowman the mystical and magical feel that songs in Frozen 2 have isn’t present. I understand since into the unknown and show yourself are all sorta about a spirit, but I just wished that the main songs in Frozen incorporated some form of Scandinavian music that’s present in the opening song and the score. 

The Characters

Kristoff

Recently it has been pointed out to me that I might just have an inclination towards big blonde himbo characters, I simped for Matthias in Six of Crows, and I positively melted at the sight of Kristoff the big blonde boy with a fetish for reindeer. Kristoff was probably my favourite character upon this second viewing. There’s absolutely no concrete or sound reason for it that I can defend with words. Literally, I just have a gene in my DNA that just makes me extremely biased towards that type of character. I love his grounded personality in comparison with Anna’s slightly airheaded disposition. I love that he’s raised by trolls it just makes me feel happy. 

Anna

Anna is often looked upon as the lesser sister by Disney’s merchandising and in turn by the little girls who were the primary audience of this movie. One this second viewing with my more mature and refined taste I actually respected Anna as a character and I thought it was good that she was so ordinary because it was refreshing almost and it made her much more endearing. The takeaway I had from the movie was that Anna was kinda a self-insert character, she’s just like the audience going on an adventure and only just learning about her sister’s powers, she’s relatable to the audience. She’s the perfect ordinary relatable gal that everyone loves. The one thing I wish she had was a proper character arc, granted she doesn’t need one, but Disney almost tries to shoehorn in one with the inclusion of Hans and how he wasn’t her true love. Her arc is almost like discovering that true love doesn’t come from someone that she met just two days ago. Because Disney wants to do meta-commentary on their own material but Anna doesn’t even really learn that lesson? Because Hans not loving Anna isn’t a product of them only knowing eachother for two days but instead a product of him being evil, so the thesis that Disney so badly wants to prove was undermined by their own twist villain. And then even worse they imply that Kristoff instead is Anna’s true love even though Kristoff has known Anna for roughly the same amount of time as Hans. So if you are trying to make a point that true love doesn’t happen in a couple of days then sorry Disney you failed…? 

Elsa

She’s the main character the story centers around her and she has the most complex emotions, character arc and personality. Her arc is one about her overcoming her fear of her own powers and it fulfills that change in the character somewhat. Near the end of the movie, we see her distraught more than ever because she believes her powers killed her own sister and she is positively depressed. But then she’s able to save her sister with the power of love. And she uses the same power of love to reverse her power, and we assume with the power of love she learns to control it. Which is a bit of a cop-out just having all her internal issues be solved with love, Elsa doesn’t really learn anything she learns that i guess Anna loves her? Which I thought she knew from the beginning. And it would be strange if she didn’t love Anna since the beginning or if she didn’t know that Anna loved her. Elsa’s issue was that no one understood her, and that issue still isn’t solved by the end and Anna’s love certainly didn’t solve that issue so I don’t really think that ending fits with her character. It would have made more sense if Elsa was a villain who didn’t understand love or who shitted on the idea of love then this ending would have been better. 

Hans

Out of all the characters, Hans is done the dirtiest. I know I make fun of him for being a dirty little ginger but i think he had so much potential in being a good character and a good subversion of the prince charming trope and they squandered every bit of it for a twist villain. We could have had them sing the same love is an open door song but have them over the course of the movie slowly realize that they don’t really love each other and it finally culminates in the supposedly true love’s kiss not working. Then Anna would have learned her lesson and Hans wouldn’t be a terrible twist villain with motivations that don’t make sense. I felt so strongly after this viewing that Hans should have been redeemed in the second movie somehow. 

Olaf

I’m not going to count him as a character because he’s a snowman and his personality starts with comic relief and ends with merchandise sales. 

Sven

I love Sven and the relationship he has with Kristoff, it’s cute it establishes Kristoff as a good well-meaning furry so the audience instantly is able to connect with him and trust him. 

The Plot

I found in retrospect the movie was so much more complex than I remembered, as a little petite child I didn’t understand that there was so much political intrigue? I’ve been recently rewatching Game of Thrones the good seasons and watching Frozen I thought like wow this feels so game of thrones esque (mostly just Hans’s elaborate but completely ridiculous plan) and I was just thinking how it would have played out differently if Frozen was a Game of Thrones political fantasy movie. Anyways the plot of Frozen is singlehandedly fucked by Disney’s compulsive twitch to make a twist villain. In the beginning, we meet Hans and he’s charming and cute and positively enamoured with Anna. We even get this little scene of him smiling to himself once he met Anna that just doesn’t make sense at all when you watch it a second time and realize this bitch was never meant to love Anna at all. In a much earlier version of Frozen, where Elsa was more of a classic Disney villain (she would eventually become good), Prince Hans in that version was also established as a twist villain. But Disney decided that Elsa as a villain didn’t really connect with the audience so they decided to change the story and make Elsa more sympathetic but they still had to keep the element of Prince Hans being a villain to provide drama and twists. So ok Hans had to be evil, no negotiation let’s assume Daddy Disney said we have to have evil ginger or I will eat ur firstborns, or whatever. But that still doesn’t explain why the setup had to be so bad. The main reason why Hans is such a bad twist villain is that there was never a setup for him to be evil, a lot of his earlier scenes don’t make sense in retrospect when you know that he was scheming for the throne all along. The scene where he and a few of the castle men are in Elsa’s palace and one of the men is about to shoot Elsa and kill her, but Hans stops it even though he admits out loud to Anna later that he needed an accident to happen to Elsa so he could get the throne. Well, Hans, there’s your accident, did you have a sudden stroke of kindness to spare her or are you playing some sort of 4D chess us mere mortals are too stupid to understand? Because clearly having her being shot by someone else would absolve him of any guilt., and he’d definitely look less guilty than if he was going to slash Elsa in half on a frozen ocean in plain view of the castle. I know this criticism is a relatively dead horse so there’s no reason to go too in-depth with it. Hans doesn’t make sense and very easily you could have written Hans to be just a regular guy that serves the purpose of teaching Anna the lesson that true love isn’t found but is instead built over years. Who would be the villain then? Well, it’s simple, we already had the townspeople being generally scared of Elsa’s powers so it’s very easy for Disney to have just made them the antagonists. Elsa can still be captured and brought back to Arendelle with Hans not really wanting to kill her but the townspeople are sick and tired of this winter and they want her dead (this also coincidentally aligns with papa troll’s vision of Elsa’s power inspiring fear and people turning on her). Elsa could escape the prison just the same in the original movie only this time she goes outside and finds an angry mob waiting for her who try to chase her down. Anna sees this and can run to protect Elsa like she does in the original, she blocks a blade and that sends a powerful force that sends the townspeople backward. Anna turns into ice, Elsa cries, bada bing bada boom I just wrote you the last 7 minutes of Frozen but actually making sense without changing anything in the first hour and a half. I liked that the movie focuses on sisterly love and I think that’s ultimately the strength of Frozen and what differentiates it from other previous Disney princess movies. 

Meta-commentary

This movie also continues the meta-commentary on Disney’s family-friendly brand image that started with Tangled in this new era of animated movies, or perhaps with Enchanted if we count that as an animated film. I remember not noticing as much when my stupid little child brain was watching the movie for the first time but this time around I found it a bit annoying, especially given that the criticism they ‘address’ is extremely shallow, like ohh instead of marrying after three days Anna and Kristoff wait a few years until they marry, congrats Disney you have earned the progressive animation studios plaque. This is a bit nit-picky for this movie since this one isn’t egregious with the ‘subtle’ commentary, I feel like they’re particularly annoying in the live actions but generally passable in Frozen. 

The Plot that never

I think I have to mention in this video that originally Elsa was going to be a stone-cold villain who is redeemed at the end of the movie after learning how to love. This is the same version I mentioned previously where Hans was the twist villain who would try and set an avalanche on arendelle. Elsa and Anna weren’t going to be sisters so....can I just say that the plot as it is...it could have been an enemies-to-lovers story, featuring our first lesbian couple in a Disney movie. It feels like such wasted potential. I’m sure someone can write fanfiction with this idea to satisfy my...needs.  #i need this very very badly

The Animation

Arguably the best quality about any animated film is the animation. Even after 7 years I still feel awe and wonder when I watch Elsa raise her ice palace from snow and the animation of the ice is just jaw-dropping every single time I watch it. There’s one specific detail I love seeing and it’s Elsa’s shoes, like everything her skirt lifts up slightly when she’s running you get a peek at her shoes and they’re fucking gorgeous like she’s wearing glass slippers! Holy fuck her feet look so graceful and dainty and Elsa just single-handedly gave me a feet fetish. That’s what I took away from Frozen, sisterly love can conqueror all and feet are hot. Reading articles about the process of making Frozen really shows how dedicated the animators were to this project because they brought a real fucking reindeer in into the studios (allegedly according to this website I read). They studied the way cloth moves when it’s frozen by water and the way snow falls from a tree. It’s incredible and watching the movie you can really tell how dedicated the animators were to this project. 

The Legacy

Many believe that the release of Frozen and the earlier animated film Tangled started another renaissance period for Disney, which I think on some level is true since Disney has released quite a few of those ‘princess’ movies that feel like a return to form for the company in the past decade. In a more cynical view, I also feel like Frozen’s success was where Disney realized that merchandise was perhaps the most profitable thing under the sun. If anything the aggressive merchandising of the characters and the songs are what lingers in people’s minds after all these years. The toddlers shouting the lyrics to let it go at the top of their lungs, Frozen theme birthday parties, everyone wanting to dress up as Elsa for Halloween. I feel like the push to make as much money as possible off of Frozen’s success kind of diminishes the film itself. To the general public it isn’t remembered for its beautiful animation or its characters even to a certain extent, but instead, Frozen is remembered for its merchandise being absolutely everywhere which subsequently ended up with a lot of people being fed up with the property. I feel like we can definitely see the merchandising tactic Disney learned with Frozen with the new Star Wars trilogy where new droids were created en masse for merchandising purposes. 

Frozen also birthed a sequel that was largely forgettable in comparison to the first movie, which I feel very disappointed about since even more effort was clearly put into the animation on the second movie. I won’t get into the arduous rewrites and script overhauls that Frozen 2 experienced in this movie but I will say that the success of Frozen probably had something to do with the hyper management of the sequel that led it to be so mediocre and forgettable. 

The End

The overall feeling I have with this movie is nostalgia and fondness. Obviously, it isn’t a perfect movie and its themes and plot aren’t really that novel or perfectly executed either. I feel like a lot of people have forgotten that Frozen was an enjoyable movie and the reason for why it was so popular was because it was a heartfelt movie that was just pretty good. It’s by no means a perfect movie but I think it was a decent movie that will always have a place in my heart. 

[viobliterator]

coffee date - a dazatsu drabble

it’s my very first completed drabble for a ship! challenging yes, but really fun nonetheless. I hope y’all like it and feel just as fluffy reading it as I did writing it!

Word count: 2860

Ship: Atsushi Nakajima/Osamu Dazai (Bungo Stray Dogs)

Summary: they go to a coffee shop after a boring case what more is there to say

Today definitely seemed to be an easier day at the Armed Detective Agency. It seemed as though the citizens of Yokohama were indeed capable of going one day without committing crimes that would need the organization’s attention. Accidents and natural emergencies surely went on, but organized crime, terrorism, and other forms of violence in the city were reduced.  Even the ruthless Port Mafia appeared quiet on this particular day.  This, agency member Osamu Dazai didn’t seem to mind, as he had no problem slacking off at the office with his favourite pair of headphones, inducing Doppo Kunikida’s scrutiny. In light of this, Kunikida sent Dazai and his new subordinate, Atsushi Nakajima, to the one case that demanded the specialties of the new agency member.

A man’s (adorable) cat had climbed up one of Yokohama’s tallest trees, and was stuck. The feline had reached a height that even the city’s fire department couldn’t reach. However, since Atsushi had the power to turn into a white tiger at will, all he had to do was climb the tree in question, rescue the cat, and land on his feet like the graceful creature of the wild. Of course, solo operations are only issued under special circumstances, and Kunikida wouldn’t allow Dazai to laze about yet again. He had him supervise Atsushi in this particular job. After all, it would keep the slacker from causing any more mischief than he already had this past week alone.

                                             ------

Now that the entire debacle with the adventurous cat was over, the timid, white-haired cat in human clothing named Atsushi seemed to be free for the day. And since he had nothing more to do, the same went for Dazai. He previously had the idea of spending the rest of the afternoon searching for a beautiful woman to perish in a double-suicide with, but a sudden flash of what happened earlier with the cat sparked something in him that seemed quite unfamiliar…

When Dazai saw Atsushi holding the nonchalant cat that he’d rescued in his arms, Atsushi was smiling. He looked so proud of himself, and even held his chin up when other locals had come to see what happened and celebrate the boy’s accomplishment. He had even shared some sort of familial affection with the kitty. It wouldn’t have surprised Dazai if Atsushi also had the ability to purr with the way he saw him cuddling the cat. It was just so cute, he couldn’t help but smile. Something about that seemingly mundane event ignited a sort of candle’s flame in the man’s heart.

A heart?

Who knew that a man like him even had one?

Dazai couldn’t bear the idea of parting with Atsushi now. The thought physically hurt in his chest and he felt his stomach sink at the mere idea. He had to spend more time with him. Just a little more. The feelings that simmered up had suddenly put a stop to his previous plans of searching for a passionately suicidal dame. Was there some sort of animal magnetism that came with Atsushi’s ability that he didn’t know about? How else would someone be able to hook onto the former mafioso’s heart like a fish to a tasty lure? But no matter. He had this little kitten all to himself, and that was all that mattered now.

       The pair had been walking down a street that was hustling during this lunch hour, and a lot of people were also walking their dogs, much to Dazai’s dismay as he hated mutts at the best of times. A large red and white dog, that could have easily been his match in the height department,  had even tried to jump on him in excitement. It took every fibre of his being, not including his tightly wrapped bandages, to hurt the poor creature and its owner. However, the moment he eyed Atsushi giggling and petting the giant furball without a fear in the world, he managed to ease up. He was trying to be a good man now, and Dazai decided that he’d let by-gones be by-gones...

For the moment.

A few minutes had passed, and as the pair walked along, Atsushi had momentarily lost sight of his mentor as they walked, and turned his head to check if he had disappeared. He hadn’t. He had only stopped in his tracks a few feet behind him, looking lost in thought with his hands idly sitting in his coat pockets.

“Dazai? What’s wrong?” He asked.

“Actually...” The older man replied. “I’ve got a splitting headache. I didn’t get to have my coffee this morning...” he whined, pinching his nose with his bandaged hand. “The withdrawal is just unreal!”

“Oh, I see…” said Atsushi with a sigh. It’s just like Dazai to get everyone worked up over something so trite. But the boy found it endearing in a way.. After all, he would much rather laugh at an offhand remark than feel the agony of his own demons haunting him anytime.

Dazai directed his hand in the direction of a modest storefront ahead with a blue octagon on the front window. It was the logo of the shop. “Say, do you want to get coffee? There’s a nice little shop right here; we’ve got some time to kill until Kunikida calls us back. And besides,” Dazai said, starting to trace his gaze downwards towards Atsushi’s shoes, “You look totally beat. I can see your knees shaking.” He called, pointing his index finger in the direction of poor Atsushi’s tired, trembling knees. That cat rescue took a lot out of the poor lad, mainly his leg muscles. However, that wasn’t the only reason he felt his knees shaking now.

“Really? Y-you want us to have coffee together?” Atsushi stuttered timidly. An afternoon alone with the man he could call his saviour? Not talking about work, but just about anything and everything? The thought of this kickstarted Atsushi’s heart and it began to race, pounding in his ears like a drum.

“Is there a problem?” Dazai said, tilting his head to one side.

“Oh, no, o-of course not!” Atsushi answered, frantically waving his hands in front of him. “I’d love to have coffee with you Dazai!” The older man’s eyes lit up with the acceptance of this invitation.

“Okay, then it’s a date.” Dazai playfully grinned, slipping his hands into his pockets and walking  parallel with Atsushi once more. The weretiger felt his cheeks begin to flush.

“That’s not what I meant…” “I know. I’m just messing with you, Atsushi.” said the man, with what Atsushi could have sworn was a wink if he didn’t know better. He’d only ever seen Dazai flirt with women, and he was adamantly clear about wanting to die with a beautiful woman in a lovers’ suicide, to an exasperating degree at times. At the same time it annoyed the living daylights out of the boy, it was also just sad to hear him speak such things. It was heart-wrenching to listen to.

Atsushi followed the older man into the coffee shop like a kitten to his master.

“The barista here makes some of the best coffee in Yokohama. And on the weekends they have this carrot cake, and it’s to die for.” Dazai cheerfully explained, emphasizing the word “die” and giving his companion a nudge with his elbow. Atsushi just couldn’t hide the idiotic grin that rapidly grew into a hearty laugh.

A woman with mousy brown hair in a ponytail peeked her head out from under the front counter and saw the two strange men approach. She stood up and smiled, resting her hands on the counter and said a quiet, friendly hello.

“Hey, Kaoruko!” called Dazai with a wave. Atsushi watched the two adults exchange greetings and small-talk. It was fascinating to watch them speak with each other without a hint of malice in their voices or body language. Perhaps one day, Atsushi would be able to be as good as talking to people as his mentor, whom he found himself focused on more as the conversation went on. It was a situation that was totally unfamiliar to the boy who knew nothing but ridicule and abuse. But watching Dazai being friendly with someone was calming to the boy’s heart. So much so, that it almost sent him into a blissful trance.

The barista named Kaoruko had just about finished conversing with the older man when her eyes shifted to Atsushi. Her expression was unclear for the most part, but there was definitely some curiosity.

“Who’s your friend?” She asked with a smile.

“Oh, this is a good friend of mine from work,” Dazai answered with his arm slinging around his subordinate, his hand taking a firm but tender hold on the lad’s shoulder. “His name’s Atsushi Nakajima.” He announced proudly, as though he wanted the whole shop to hear. Atsushi felt himself blush at the words he heard at that moment, and at how close together they were. He felt so safe in his arm, but at the same time like he wanted to run and hide under a table. He couldn’t help but look downwards, but managed to crack a smile for courtesy’s sake.

“It’s nice to meet you.” Atsushi bowed, desperately hoping that the lady didn’t see him blush.

“Same here.” She replied with a gleam in her eye. She turned her attention back to Dazai, asking what she could get for the two.

“An iced dead eye for me, long, if you please.” Dazai declared, as though he were royalty. The barista slightly winced at the complicated drink, and turned towards the boy next to him.  Dazai turned his head towards Atsushi and made eye contact, as if silently asking what he wanted. Dazai’s face was dangerously close to his own, as his arm was still around him.

“Oh, um… just a latte for me, please.” Atsushi answered quietly, somehow managing to keep his cool.

The barista took the mens’ orders, and the two were seated, along with their beverages.

Atsushi and Dazai took their seats next to a window, the older brunette peeling off his classic tan trenchcoat and resting it on the back of his chair. The boy became a little excited, as this meant that they would likely stay for a while - at least until they were called back to the agency. Until then, the were-tiger had Dazai all to himself. The thought was exhilarating. It made him ecstatic, but at the same time it was absolutely terrifying. However, the joy was somehow just barely enough to keep him from cowering in fear.

He was afraid of the situation at hand, but not at the man he shared it with. Slowly but surely, the lad felt himself ease up. His shoulders began to relax, and he noticed his co-worker’s drink. It was the same colour as his dark brown eyes.

“What exactly is that anyways?” Atsushi asked, pointing at Dazai’s coffee.

“An iced dead-eye. It’s a cold brew with three shots of espresso in it. Kaoruko there won’t put any more than that in it though, ever since the time I tried to overdose on caffeine. Good times...” the man exclaimed, with a whimsical sigh.

Atsushi stared at his superior, mouth agape.

Why was he even surprised?

This was Dazai after all. Atsushi started to wonder if there was anything that he hadn’t tried to commit his perfect suicide, and any place he hadn’t tried to do it. He felt bad for the barista and was surprised she hadn’t barred him from coming back.

“So… what ended up happening?” Atsushi asked, knowing he would soon regret the question.

“They told me I was literally bouncing off the walls, like BOING, BOING, BOING!” he exclaimed, waving his free hand in erratic, zigzag motions to tell his story. He seemed to enjoy his telling of the event, seeing as his expression was ironically full of life in a story about one of his many near-death experiences. As morbid as it felt because of the subject matter, Atsushi felt his heart become light and fluttery at the sight of his mentor being such a passionate storyteller and clearly having fun while doing it. He could watch him do this all day if he could. Dazai continued his story, with embellished details continuously added on. When he finally finished, his dark eyes focused directly into Atsushi’s after taking another sip of his drink and he leaned towards him, resting his head on his hands.

“Enough about me, Atsushi.” He said, his voice quiet, but sharp. “I want to talk about you.”

The boy’s heart jumped. Was Dazai about to scold him for something he did wrong? He thought he did everything perfectly today... Atsushi knew this whole situation was too good to be true. The lad’s first instinct was to lower his gaze, but his eyes were locked with the other’s. There was no escaping his gaze.

“How is it that you’re so good with animals?” The man asked, his eyes sparkling with a genuine curiosity. “It's like you're a sort of animal whisperer!” He said, beaming with a child-like admiration.

Atsushi felt himself instantly relax after having been worked up over nothing.

“I don't know, really. I guess I've always been an animal lover. I never really gave it much thought. I guess maybe I see a bit of myself in them...” The boy explained, his voice trailing. “I figure if I treat them with kindness, like how you treated me when we first met, then maybe that would make up for how I was always treated at the orphanage before in some way.” Atsushi blushed. “I know, it's dumb. You probably think I'm crazy or something.” Said the lad, fidgeting with his mug. His co-worker’s eyes darkened and his expression suddenly became serious.

“It's not dumb. And no, I don't think you're crazy.” Dazai said, his voice low and soft. To Atsushi’s ears, his voice sounded as smooth as velvet. “What you're saying is blatantly false. I wish you could just see that and give yourself more credit.” He continued admonishingly, leaning a bit further towards his apprentice.

There was a long pause that felt like a small eternity. The pair never broke eye contact with each other in that time. It seemed like forever until Dazai leaned back into his chair, his lips curling up into a small smile. “I mean, come on. Who do you think you're talking to?”

Atsushi couldn’t help but grin.

“You’re right. I’m sorry.”

“Stop apologizing, Atsushi.”

“Sorry!”

Dazai looked at him with wide eyes before he let out a chuckle.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing. Nothing at all.” The older man replied with kind eyes. There was another long pause between them. Atsushi felt himself getting lost in the other man’s eyes and his warm smile. He felt all his troubles seem to melt away, like snow in a spring thaw. The boy wished this moment could last forever.

“Speaking of animals, Dazai, couldn't you get Kenji to rescue that cat with his superhuman strength ability?” He went on to ask. Until now he never gave thought into why Atsushi specifically was called to save the cat from earlier. His co-worker Kenji seemed just as capable at rescuing cats from towering trees.

Dazai took another sip of his coffee. As the drink ran empty, slurping sounds echoed through the shop.

“I thought about that. I even asked Kunikida that exact thing, but he said that Kenji had a big breakfast this morning. You know the condition of Kenji’s ability, right?”

“That's right…! It only works when he's hungry.” Atsushi answered.

“Exactamundo.” he replied with a wink. “And besides,” Dazai continued, “Even if he was starving, Kenji doesn't know his own strength sometimes. We don't need another lawsuit on our hands, so it was better for everyone not to take that risk.”

Ironic, coming from the most problematic member of the Armed Detective Agency. This was something Kunikida said himself on multiple occasions.

“I see… so this was something only I could do?”

“That's right.” Dazai said with a nod. “And for the record, Atsushi, you did beautifully.” he added.

Atsushi’s eyes brightened at the thought of himself succeeding at something that only he could do to help someone in need. He finally had a reason to live, and it felt wonderful. The best part was, the man he had to thank for that was sitting right in front of him with welcome arms. As for Dazai, the sight of Atsushi’s bright eyes filled his heart with joy. He was glad to be a positive influence on someone for a change, even though he knew that being a good man wasn’t exactly his field of expertise. But as for right now, life seemed to actually be okay. It was far from perfect, or ideal for either of them, but it was just okay. Perhaps, Dazai could hold off on his suicide plans for just a little while. At least for today.

On this quiet day, in a quaint little coffee shop in Yokohama, it was a good day to be alive.

[inexchangeforyoursoul]

... remember when I had that good swing on that long self-insert fic going? Yeah, me too. Good times. [ffn] [AO3]

Well... I sat the fuck down and finished up the next one. Joke is... 33 will be the hardest to do lmao I’m so not ready

Anyway, this instalment takes a Definitely Spoopy turn; wanted to publish it at Halloween for a reason, but, uh, as you can see... it’s mid fucking December. Not even the Robin time can rectify that.

32. White noise

“Oh, my, what pretty flowers have sprouted here overnight,” comes the amused voice of Robin from behind them not two seconds later.

Law’s eyes shoot up immediately, and he also sits up post-haste, almost headbutting the railing himself. “Nico-ya…” he starts with a wary drawl; “since when have you been here?” She's the nosy type, too… might have heard fucking everything. Shit.

Kat also turns towards her with open arms. “Ah, Robin!”

“I see you’re in a much better mood than before…. good for you,” she smiles at Kat immediately upon seeing her enthusiastic, flushed little face, and sprouts a hand on her back to give her head a scratching, which she seems to enjoy quite a lot. “As for your question… five minutes, maybe?” she shrugs then at Law as the moaning watering can in her hands is put to work. “Your vivid duet was hard to miss,” she continues with a chuckle. “You shouldn’t lie around in this weather, though, lest you catch Miss Kat a cold for next week.”

He feels blood rush to his face again. For some reason, getting caught laughing by her is as embarrassing as anything else. As is getting talked to like a toddler.

“I wasn’t planning on staying here much longer anyhow,” he grumbles with a huff. “We have business to attend to, not to mention that you being out gardening equals to everything getting wetter and colder, anyway.”

Next thing he knows is that she’s holding the can directly above him for a quick shower; he’s just dumbfounded, and Kat snorts as soon as the action registers.

“You’ll be the one to give me a cold this way, Robin,” she giggles then just as the woman moves on.

“Sorry, couldn’t resist… do you want me to get him one, too?” the archeologist asks then, offering the business end of the object.

“What’s with all of you today, I swear…” Law shakes his head, and the curly hair sprays everyone with the water that’s stuck among the curls. “Are you standing in for Nose-ya, or what?” Him, Carrot and Luffy are the only ones up for this kind of bullshit at any given time. And Chopper, whenever they can rake him into idiocy.

“I suppose someone has to,” she hums, pouring a little of the leftover water on Kat while passing. “It gets mundane without the kids around.” The can sinks into a barrel of water to refill.

“It sure was too peaceful out here to be true,” the man mumbles standing up, then bows down to shake out whatever water is left and willing to drop. “Or inside, for that matter. I’m missing a bunch of my crew for sure, and by the looks of it, so do you,” he says then, straightening up. He’ll need to fetch a towel, goddamn. Also, he’s officially really, really cold.

“Oh… everyone’s being scarce?” asks Kat while wiping the water off her face, then also swishing whatever possible out of her hair. Nami kept her company, but she couldn't help notice the empty seats during breakfast.

The archeologist nods. “Yes… I went ahead and checked the other ship on my way up myself. Nary a soul. And, as you may have noticed already, our wacky musician and sniper, as well as little doctor are yet to be accounted for. Since Franky just left with Sanji and Carrot to shop for odds and ends, this ship is as good as dead,” she states, pulling the filled container out of the barrel. She stops to think for a second. “I am a little worried, though,” she notes then, looking out towards town. “The boys may have gone out together, but Chopper is not one to stay out for an entire night. As an animal, he needs plenty of rest. I doubt he has that luxury out there… the commotion died off early in the morning, and the music is already starting up again.”

“Yeah, it's always pretty noisy on this weekend,” agrees Kat while Law murmurs something that sounds like a ‘thought so,’ likely referring to his crewmates. The ruckus is bad enough that she’s decidedly happy over being able to stay over for these two nights specifically.

“If they don’t get back soon I’ll have to assume they got themselves lynched in a dark alley,” the woman declares as the moaning ghost starts spewing water again.

“… even Brook?” muses the girl two seconds down the line with a raised brow and half a smile.

Hearing that brings back Robin’s, too. “Even though he’s already dead? Yes.”

Law finds the idea less funny. “Don’t jinx it, Nico-ya. I doubt they would have any problems with some ragtag thieves, but we know for a fact that there are some shifty folks out in some alleys,” he informs the woman while pointing towards Kat with a thumb, then starts rubbing himself for some warmth. He could have lived his entire life without having been reminded of that situation, really.

“… oh. Yeah, there was that, too, huh.” She… forgot about that, despite the adventure freaking her out quite a lot at the time. Thinking about this, she also stands up at last, patting the dirt and whatever there is off her dew-soaked thighs.

The tense focus returns. “Oh my… then I better get looking as soon as possible, don’t I.”

“I’m about to send Jean Bart out to collect our entourage, too. Might as well join him.” He’s there for sure, heard him cursing on his way up. Also the only other person to keep people on task on board of the Polar Tang, so there’s noone better to get those sad excuses of pirates moving again.

“Would you be so kind as to ask him to look for our lost ones in my stead, then?” Robin turns to Law after short consideration.

“Huh?” Backing out? Nico-ya, of all people? “Why that?”

She sighs. “I would prefer not to spend more time out with all the bushoo around is all… They make me feel uneasy, even despite the cute costumes.” She still thinks it was silly to miss out on most of the fair on Tuesday because of the minute weakness of being reminded of what happened in the city of water when she was alone with Chopper for a little, but last night, the entire flocks of them really made her nervous for some reason. She constantly felt like being watched by those vacant, painted-on eyes. All in all, soon after Nami and Carrot left, she also excused herself.

“Well, fine by me,” the man sighs then, giving his freezing self one last rub. “I guess you’ll be willing to come practice now, too?” he turns then to Kat while wiping a stray drop of water falling out of his hair.

“Um… yeah.” She’s getting unsure again, and can already see today becoming extremely awkward with the two of them just… being stuck in the same, cluttered room. Alone. Just… don’t think about it. Don’t think about it.

“Thank you,” Robin nods with notable relief, with the once more empty can in her flailing hand. “And you do your best, alright?” she smiles then at Kat, who’s also starting to get cold by the looks of it.

“No need to, Nico-ya,” Law replies while moving back direction hellcave, with Kat tiptoeing backwards in tow with a wave and hum.

Pretty much as soon as they enter the metal staircase, it becomes obvious how few people are around. Not because they are not physically present, but rather… the silence is too big for this to be a ship with twenty plus people on board.

Hearing someone make a racket under these circumstances sticks out like a sore thumb, though. As is the one making it in general.

Law turns a corner Kat has never taken before. She follows him awkwardly after a second of consideration, then takes a quick look around the humid room they arrive at; the showers are about as utilitarian as a place like this can get. There's four stalls, and a metal bench and shelves across them where some people have left some clothing articles and soap lying about. She also notes some pipes on the floor next to Jean Bart, who is standing in the middle in a small puddle and fills half the midspace himself… they must be for that leakage problem from the other day. Explains why he's ripping off half the metal ceiling, if nothing else.

“Jean, sorry to bother you right now, but would you be so kind and, uh, ‘collect’ our idiots from town?” asks Law without beating around the bush.

The burly man sighs. “Did think it right when considering it myself, ey? Will do, capt’n. I’m not the man for the rest of this, anyway.”

“Thanks,” Law waves with a nod, already turning around to trod deeper down into the submarine. “Oh, and… keep an eye out for the other bunch, while at it.”

An unwilling grunt. “… if I must.”

By the time they arrive at the bottom, a total silence sets in. And soon enough Kat has to admit that unfortunately, she cannot concentrate to save her life… exactly as she’s feared, she has difficulty paying attention. Only after five minutes, she becomes sickeningly aware of the fact that she’s all alone with Law, or, occasionally, it’s her imagination that starts tugging her away to other times and places. It’s all bad or embarrassing memories… no matter which happens, however, it’s on the uncomfortable side of nervous. Instead of butterflies, there are barely not cramping muscles on the menu. Not sure whether this is the better of the two worlds…

Just to make things harder, the ambience really seems off today. Like, yeah, the buzzing is still there, but at any other time, there’s the crew up and about every now and then on this floor, not to mention their voices can echo down here all the way up from the dining hall. But today… there’s nothing. Apart from her grumbling stomach, that is. Like in the evening, she couldn't get much food down her throat at breakfast, and it's finally catching up with her…

After an hour or so, the silence itself has grown into just another reason to be on edge, and soon enough, it’s Kat’s main concern. Instead of wanting to be in another room altogether, she gets the feeling that there’s some monster lurking outside in wait, making this room with Law in it the safest place available. Whenever the bells ring outside, it’s like thunder rolling in the dead of the night.

As such, she gets especially nervous upon him leaving said safe bubble after one of these ghastly tolls; if nothing else, it’s extra relieving to see his return in a few minutes. He doesn’t look all that happy with the situation, either.

“This is getting… weird,” he states upon arrival.

“… are they still not back?” That does not sound reassuring. Also, she does need her usual background noise to be somewhat less useless.

The man just hums. “A few of them are, including my three idiots… but something is definitely fishy about this. According to Bepo, they haven’t seen most of the crew since around 2 am when they wobbled back home, not to mention that they have apparently not run into Jean Bart this morning, either.” He sighs with worry, putting up his right to the chin in contemplation. “Maybe they are planning something stupid, since the other crew seems to be involved… but Clione and Uni are not the types who would participate in that, and they’ve been the first to bail.” In their case, it’s been nearly a day by now, too…

Kat also groans. “The submarine is really spooky with nothing but random noises down here… if this is supposed to be a joke, it’s not funny.”

“Same here. Those three just left again, so I asked them to keep an eye out… we’ll see in an hour or two. Until that… might as well have lunch? Or a very belated breakfast… while Fugu is still in.” He’d rather not tempt his luck twice.

As such, the girl gets to be in the dining hall once more. It is a very different experience with only eight people around, counting her, Law and the cook. Latter doesn’t even stay, but packs up to go grocery shopping as soon as they get their servings. Overall, the eerie silence persists. Once three other people leave to go fishing, it becomes nigh unbearable; it’s pure luck that she’s finished up by then. She pours another mug of the tasty, warm tea before descending back into the panic room.

Then the seconds, minutes, then likely multiple hours just pass, and pass in the same vein, until there is quite a racket, first upstairs, then quickly closing in as the staircase is indicating. Almost immediately after, the door bursts open, with three very familiar faces.

“Thank god, you’re still here,” sighs Penguin and nearly collapses from the relief.

“… I’m going to skip the ‘learn knocking’ part, and go straight to questions,” Law insists, his hand nervously grabbing onto the back of the chair. There’s officially a problem, and by god, is he in no position to be of use right now.

“Noone’s here!” cries Shachi; “First it was just weird, then weirder… since we saw literally no friends out in town…!! But then there was one of the fishing rods just lying around outside, and now we didn’t find anyone in the hall, either! I poked my nose into the kitchen while Pengu and Bepo had a look at the bedrooms, but not even Fugu is around! Half of the soup has gone and evaporated already… he should have been back ages ago!” By the time his rant comes to a close, he’s on the verge on tears. Bepo has been at it since the second line, and is sobbing into Penguin’s hat, who’s not even in the mood to scold him for getting it all bear snotty.

Without another word, Law is already outside, busting up door after door.

They open every single one of them, one by one, but there’s no life to be found. Wherever they look, the hallways, Ikkaku’s room, back door of the dining hall, engine, or even the cold room… it's all fallen silent. Not a single soul around apart from Kat, Law, Bepo, Shachi and Penguin. They don’t hear any noise until they enter the showers, where the faulty pipe is still dripping from above through the removed panels. The pulsating darkness gives Kat, who’s been following the boys around in panicked silence, the chills; were she alone, she’d get spooked by her own shadow.

There’s but a ringing in her ears. And it’s deafening.

[boombayahbitches]

A Pale Rose

A/n: Okay so I proof read this, I don’t hate it but I don’t think this is the best thing I’ve written. If you haven’t watched Sleeping Beauty in a while, here’s a refresher on who’s who.

Yoongi: Aurora

Hoseok: Philip 

Jimin: Fauna 

Jeongguk: Flora 

Taehyung: Merryweather

Seokjin: Maleficent 

I’ve also never written in general never written action, so I’m sorry about that but I tried by best but anyways. 

word count: 4,055

Long ago, in a far away kingdom, there lived a King and his fair Queen. Many years had they longed for a child. And finally their wish was granted. A son was born. And they called him Briar Rose 

Now I know what you’re thinking. ‘Who the hell names their son Briar Rose?’ That is a good question. The young princes parents were actually expecting a daughter. They had already named the child before he was born. To say the lease, they kept the name when he was born.

The King and Queen created a holiday, to celebrate the new prince’s birthday. And this is where our story starts.

If you were to look out the window that day, you would be greeted with almost all of the royal subjects. They were all baring gifts, the presents for the prince being almost too heavy for the people to carry. The subjects ranged from small peasants who had scraped up all of their money to give Briar their blessing, to rich nobles who were on floats of gifts. The were all marching happily to the castle, chanting a song.

All hail to the Prince Briar Rose!

Everyone marched inside, waiting patiently along with the King and Queen for the royals long time friends to arrive. 

“Please welcome, His Majesty Jung, and His Royal Highness Prince Hoseok!” The presented introduced. A small boy and his father stalked up to the thrones. They bowed deeply as the King smiled and stood up. Gliding effortlessly over to his friend, his arms open wide for a embrace. The man stood up and hugged him tightly as Prince Hoseok moved his eyes over to the small cradle, his hands resting behind his back.   

This was the day that the two Kingdoms would be united, as young Prince Hoseok would be betrothed to Briar Rose.

So him his gift he brought, and looked unknowing on his future groom. 

More trumpets rang throughout the hall as mystical light rained down from the ceiling. “With great honor, please welcome the Three Good Faries!” The announcer shouted as three small men floated down from the light, the one robed in red first, then the green and blue.

“Master Jeongguk!” The rouge one landed gracefully on the tile, bending into a bow. “Master Jimin!” The one in green landed as well, also dropping into a bow. “And Master Taehyung!” The blue one landed and bowed as well, the three faries staying in a bow together. They rose and floated over to the royals, their wands being held daintily in their hands. 

They congregated around the bassinet, looking a the infant prince. They cooed at the baby softly, each taking turns to move closer.

“I’ll shall give him the gift of beauty.” Master Jeongguk flicked his wand. “And I the gift of song” Master Jimin sang, the faire twirling the golden wand above him. 

“Ah, sweet prince. My gift shall be-” Master Taehyung did not get to finish his gift as wind howled into the room, causing the blue farie to sway. The colossal oak doors swinging open with a bang. Everyone watched in fear as lightning crashed and a dark figure materialized from wicked green flames. 

The figure was holding a large staff, a raven black as night perched atop the violet crystal. They were dressed in all black robes, them swaying with the wind and showed a deep blue underneath. As you would look at the face, you were to see a males face starting back at you with an icy smirk. He had pale skin that looked a sickly white color. His lips were dark red while his hair was slicked back, horns growing out of the top. 

“T-that’s Seokjin! What is he doing here?” Master Taehyung thought aloud. Jungkook shushed him quickly, waving his wand at the other.  

“I deliver a message to you, Your Majesty royals, nobles... and even you” The figured named Seokjin waved his hand lightly, his voice just as icy as his stare. Taehyung scowled and made and effort to approach Seokjin, but Jimin held him back by his cape. “I was quite distressed to see I had not received an invitation.” He said calmly. “You wouldn’t want one!” 

Seokjin ignored Taehyung’s comment. “You-you’re not offended, are you?” There was a hint of fear in the Queen’s voice. “Me?” He had an exasperated tone, “Of course not. I too, will give the prince a gift.” Seokjin moved over to the bassinet, the faries gasping and moving to guard the baby.

He smirked and raised his arms, raising his voice.

“Listen well! All of you!” He paused and slammed his staff down. “The Prince shall indeed grow in grace and beauty. Beloved by all who know him. But...before the sun sets on his 16th birthday...he shall prick his finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel...and die!” He exclaimed while Briar’s mother rushed over to him. 

Seokjin cackled evilly while the King ordered the guards to seize him. He cackled even louder before erupting into flames and disappearing 

The faires looked at Taehyung, pushing him forward as he still had his gift to give. “There is still a ray of hope...” He flicked his wand and gulped “In the sleep, one true loves kiss, and the love shall break” Taehyung finished.

“Of course! That’s the only way. Of course the King will objects but when we tell him its the only way.” Jimin rambled. “Tell him what?” Jungkook groaned and followed him around as the other paced, Taehyung sitting on a ledge. 

“Three peasant men, raising a child alone in the woods!” Jimin declared. “Who?” The two said. “Turn around.” They turned to a mirror, their fancy formal attire turning into a peasants wear. They giggled, “Ah, taking care of a cute baby!” Jungkook cooed.

“And no magic!”

The King and Queen watched as their only child disappeared into the night, Taehyung holding onto him tightly. But the people knew that as long as Seokjin’s realm raged with darkness and despair, that the prophecy had not come true.

The faries moved into the cottage, whispering to themselves softly. “We can’t just call him Briar Rose, that’s a girls name!” Jimin pouted slightly, they all thought for a second and looked at the child in Taehyung’s arms. They began spitting out names, quickly disagreeing with each other and getting into a small argument. Jungkook suggested a name, causing the others to shake their heads. But the baby gurggled happily in response. “Wait, say it again!” 

“Uh...Yoongi?” The baby giggled and the faries hearts melted. “Yoongi it is.”

And soon Yoongi grew close to his 16th birthday, having no idea about him being a prince, much less about the curse. 

Jimin, Jeongguk and Taehyung all gathered around a scrapbook, planning a surprise for Yoongi. They all giggled as they found a handsome suit they all liked, talking about the adjustments that would have to be made. 

“We’ll make it blue!” Taehyung nodded his head and smiled while Jeongguk shook his head, “No, it’ll be pink.” He didn’t take his eyes of the picture while Taehyung glared at him. Yoongi came down from his room, humming lightly. “Now what are you all doing?” He asked, sliding down the stairs. The men stood up and looked at him, looking at each other and stuttering. “N-now um... we want you to pick some berries!’ Taehyung quickly shoved a basket into Yoongi’s hand while Jimin nodded frantically before grabbing a light scarf and wrapping it around him. 

“But I picked berries yesterday!” Yoongi bit his lip and Jeongguk pushed him towards the door. “Yes! Well we need more!”

“Lots more!” Jimin added. Yoongi sighed and moved outside, the men slamming the door behind him. The others turned around and started to gather all the things for the party. ‘I’ll go get the wands.” Taehyung began to move up the stairs before Jimin twirled around. “No magic.” 

“But I’ve never baked a cake without magic.” Taehyung whined. “I am going to bake the cake, you are going to help Jeongguk with the suit!” 

Taehyung protested but Jeongguk moved him over to a stool, starting to use him as a dummy to make the suit. Jimin began baking, doing everything horribly while Jeongguk put layer after layer on Taehyung. 

They began talking about how much Yoongi gad grown, beginning to get emotional. 

Meanwhile, Yoongi strolled through the forest, taking in the wild life and humming lightly while his voice carried through the forest. The animals followed him. He looked back at them, as long as they didn’t follow him home he would be okay. He came across a fallen tree acting as a bridge, he carefully moved across it while he sang.

Below Yoongi on the ground, a man draped in red rode on his horse. He looked up towards the voice. “Samson, do you hear that? Beautiful.” He heard the singing as he talked to his horse. He tried to turn around but his horse was basically like fuck no. “C’mon Samson, I’ll give you an extra bucket of oats...and a few carrots.” The horse snorted and turned around, racing foreword to find the voice.

Samson was going to fast as he turned the corner, throwing Hoseok into a pond. He glared at his horse 

Yoongi had reached the edge of the forest. He was leaning against the tree and looking at the kingdom. “Why do they still treat me like a child?” He mumbled to himself while sighing. He turned away, “I just want to meet someone...” He looked at an owl and sighed, the animals basically being his only friends. 

“Actually, I have met someone.” He smiled lightly while the animals continued to follow him. “He’s tall and handsome and...and so romantic.” Yoongi gushed before shaking his head, not wanting to think like this. “Right before I go he takes me in his arms and...I wake up.” The animals seemed to be listening to him as they sunk down. 

Yoongi looked down to talk to the animals but noticed that they were not there anymore. He turned around to look for them but he saw the animals all together wearing a red cape and a red hat with it. They looked ridiculous, but it made Yoongi laugh. He stood up as he began dancing with the owl, dressed as his prince. He smiled, having fun and enjoying the joke.

The wildlife stealing the clothes did not go unnoticed buy the owner, Prince Hoseok. He was about to go take it back but he noticed that a short pale boy with the most beautiful voice was waltzing with a...owl? He smiled and admired from a bush.

Yoongi broke away from the owl, still dancing and singing. That was when Hoseok couldn’t help himself. He rose from the bush and came up behind Yoongi, taking his hand with his and singing along. Yoongi was startled and stopped, trying to pull away.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you.” Hoseok said with a cocky grin on his face. Yoongi hid his face while he blushed and tried to pull away. “I-ts just that..you’re a..” 

“A stranger.” At this point Yoongi stopped trying to pull away and turned to face him, still blushing. Yoongi nodded. “But remember, we’ve met before.”

Yoongi was puzzled. “You said so yourself, Once Upon a Dream.” Hoseok smirked.

“I know you, I walked with you Once Upon a Dream~” Hoseok sang, chasing after Yoongi and grabbing his hand. Yoongi blushed and waltzed with him. Yoongi was in a daze as Hoseok pulled him over to the cliff that over looked the castle.  

Hoseok slipped his arm around the others waist and looked down at him. “You’re so beautiful, what’s your name” The prince said slowly. Yoongi looked up at him, a light blush on his cheeks. He was lost in the moment. 

“My name is...” He looked at his lips before gasping and pulling away, starting to run back to the cottage. “W-wait! When will I see you again?” He shouted, watching as Yoongi ran away. “Never!” He answered, picking up the basket that was supposed to be for the berries. He turned back around once he thought about his words.

“Well, maybe one day.”  And with that he ran back, shouting a date and time to meet him.

Jimin, Taehyung and Jeongguk were doing worse than expected without their magic. Jimin had made the cake, but he had to hold it up with a broom because it wasn’t sturdy. And the dress was big enough to fit on an elephant

Jimin sighed as he looked at everything, he groaned and held his head in his hands before rushing up the stairs. Jeongguk tugged the dress off of Taehyung roughly as Jimin came back down the stairs. He was holding the wands that faires hadn’t touched in years. 

“I can’t fucking do this anymore!” He turned the peasants clothes into their normal farie attire and handed them their wands. “I’ll make the cake and Taehyung will clean while Jeongguk will make the dress.” Jimin turned back around while Taehyung glared at Jeongguk.

They waved their wants, the mops and buckets started to move while the ingredients went into the batter. Scissors cut through the fabric perfectly, and soon the faries were closer than they ever were before to being done 

The suit was almost done when Taehyung saw it. He scowled before muttering, “Make it blue.” The dress turned blue before Jeongguk gasped and turned it back to pink.

Taehyung was getting fed up with this and turned Jeongguk’sred outfit into a blue one. Jeongguk looked down and glared and the boy before turning his outfit pink. 

They continued this for a while, both taking turns to hit the suit until...

“Make it blue!”

“Make it pink!”

They said it at the same time, thus causing the spells to hit the suit at the same time. 

The suit was blue with pink splats on it. Jimin stormed in, “He’s going to be here soon, get your shit together.” Jimin turned it pink and finished the cake before turning back to them. “Wands” He turned them back and moved to put them away, Jeongguk and Taehyung bumping each others shoulders. 

They heard the door open and jumped to their hiding spots “Jimin? Jungkookie? Tae?” Yoongi called, hanging his cloak up. He still had a light blush on his face and was still thinking about the mysterious man he danced with. 

He gasped when he saw the suit. He had never owned anything this nice. Well, at least not that he knew of. He looked at the cake and smiled widely while the caregivers shouted “Surprise! Happy birthday!” 

“Thank you guys so much, this is amazing...I can’t wait for you to meet him...” He thought about him again while the faires jaws dropped. “Him?”

“Yes, we’ve met before. Once Upon a Dream.” He sighed happily.

“Yoongi you aren’t acting like your self, are you feeling well?” Taehyung placed his hand on his head and felt it

“Yoongi you’re betrothed to Prince Hoseok.” Jeongguk stepped in. “That’s impossible. I’d have to be a-” 

“A prince.” Jimin finished. “Briar Rose” 

Yoongi backed away before storming up to his room and slamming the door behind him. 

“He was so happy.” Taehyung mumbled

None of them noticed the black raven perched by the window 

“Father father! I just met the man that I am going to marry!” Hoseok practically skipped to his father. “Really? The Briar is already here?” He mumbled in disbelief. 

“No, not the prince. A man. He’s wonderful and amazing. I don’t want to marry the Briar.” Hoseok sighed happily while his father glared at him. “You have to marry the Briar, Hoseok.” 

Hoseok groaned, “Please talk to the king.”

The three faries and Yoongi stalked up to the castle, cloaks wrapped around them so they wouldn’t be notice. While the three faries had expressions of worries on their face, the prince had a blank expression. There was no emotion in his eyes and his lips were pressed in a firm line. 

The faries had changed into their normal attire and showing their wings. Yoongi was wearing the blue suit the boys had made him, reluctantly sitting in front of the vanity. 

“Dear, you look so beautiful” Jimin spoke up, the other two nodding in agreement. 

Yoongi couldn’t take it and rested his head in his arms on the wood. 

The faries looked at each other before silently agreeing that it was best to leave the prince alone. 

They then left the room and a green light swept into the room, moving into the fireplace. Yoongi lifted his head and looked at the orb. His eyes then dilated and he stood up and seemingly glided towards the green light.

The faires had learned it too late that the Briar was gone, and now they were standing in front of Jin, demanding to know where Yoongi was. 

“Well here’s your precious prince”  He swooped his cape to reveal the prince collapsed on the ground. The faires gasped and Jin cackled evilly before disappearing in a flash of light.

The faires then rushed to the prince and lifted him up with their magic as fireworks and cheering could be heard from outside.  The kingdom was expecting their prince. 

The faires then had an idea, as long as the prince would sleep. So would the kingdom.

Hoseok rode his horse through the forest in search for his lover, whistling the tune they had sung earlier. He found the cottage and jumped from his horse, moving inside quickly. And instantly he was attacked by Jin’s minions.

Before then, Jeongguk had remembered something. “Hey isn’t the boy Yoongi spoke of supposed to be at our cottage?” 

Jimin and Taehyung gasped, disappereding and flying back to the cottage in the woods. When they arrived, they found the princes hat sitting on the ground.

“Seokjin had Hoseok! We must go to the forbidden mountain!” Jimin hissed

“W-we can’t Jimin, its to dangerous!” Taehyung squeaked, shifting on his feet anxiously. 

“We can because we have too.” Jungkook smacked both of their heads “C’mon”

They stalked up to Seokjin’s layer quietly, observing him sitting on his throne and stroking his raven as his minions danced in celebration that their seemingly victory. “Such a shame Prince Hoseok isn’t here for the celebration.” He smiled slyly, “Lets go cheer him up.” He rose slowly as the bird flew to the crystal on Seokjin’s staff and perched himself. Seokjin walked slowly up to the dungeons.

“My dear prince, why so melancholy?” Seokjin asked rhetorically as he pointed his staff towards him, the image of Yoongi sleeping in the crystal.

“Look at your dear prince, waiting for you to save him and his kingdom. And yet, you sit here hopelessly”   

Hoseok bound forward in attempt to attack the other, but it was no use at the chains held him back. He glared as he walked away.

“Lets leave the noble prince alone with these happy thought” He chuckled to the bird.

As soon as Seokjin shut the door and resumed to his throne, the faires moved through the door and appeared in front of Hoseok. 

“Shh, no time to explain.” Jungkook whispered as he started to break the chains with his wand. Jimin worked on the ones hooked to his feet and Taehyung burned through the lock on the door. 

Hosoek started to the door but Jimin stopped him, “You’ll face more challenging moments along the way.” Taehyung flicked his wrists and there appeared a shield, “The enchanted shield of virtue,” then appeared a sword, “And the sword of truth.”

Hoseok ran down the hall, the three faires following behind him. That was when the minions started chasing them. The faires led Hoseok to where his horse was chained up. He glance up at a ledge and notice some minions had pushed rocks over. Jeongguk noticed to and swished his wand, the boulders turning to bubbles. Jimin then moved to the horse and zapped the chain around the animals foot. More minions appeared and shot arrows at Hoseok, but Taehyung was quick to protect and turned the quickly approaching arrows into flowers.

Hoseok then mounted his horse and began speeding towards the direction of the castle with Yoongi in it.

This didn’t go unnoticed by Seokjin who ran up to the tower. He glared and twirled his staff, sending a black abyss to the kingdom. As soon as the clouds reached the ground, dark thorns rooting the soil and growing instantly. 

Hoseok waded through the the thorns quickly, slicing them quickly. The thorns seemed to move by themselves and hooked onto the Prince’s cape, holding him back. Taehyung noticed and zapped the thorns away quickly, Hoseok resuming to going through the sharp branches. 

“Argh!” Seokjin cursed and swooped his long cape over his shoulder, twirling and teleporting to the castle and turning into a large dragon. 

Hoseok looked at the dragon, or rather Seokjin and scowled. He gripped his sword tighter and raced towards the beast spitting fire towards him. He blocked the flames with his sword. 

Seokjin then cornered him on the edge of a cliff, the horse’s hooves almost going over the edge. Hoseok felt the shield being blown out of his hands and he dared to look behind him. 

The faries were still behind him. “Thou sword of truth, lie swift and sure!” Jeongguk stated and flicked his wrist. Hoseok the hurled it at the dragon in front of him, the sword surging into it’s chest.

Jin screamed out in pain as his body fell, collapsing on the rocks and breaking them, causing him and Hoseok to fall. The faires were quick and caught him with their magic, placing him back on the ledge. He looked down to see his sword in the ground below him. 

Hoseok wasted no time and stood up, racing to the castle quickly to his prince as the three led him to the tower. 

The faires twirled in the air and returned to their normal sizes and stood in the corner silently as Hoseok approached Yoongi. He knew what he needed to do.

He bent down and admired the others features for a second. There was no color in his face, or around the kingdom. He looked almost ghostly.

But then he remembered, this was the man he was supposed to marry. He grinned before leaning down and capturing the sleeping beauty’s lips in his.

Yoongi gasped a large breath and Hoseok pulled away. Yoongi looked up at him before cracking a small grin and sitting up there. The color in his face returning, along with the kingdoms. Yoongi cupped his cheeks, bringing Hoseok into a kiss that he would return.

And yes, Jimin, Jeongguk and Taehyung were crying and holding each other in the corner 

After the entire kingdom had woken up, Hoseok had walked into the throne room with Yoongi on his arm. They walked to their parents and bowed. “Prince Rose and Prince Hoseok-” Yoongi held up his hand and the king stopped, a puzzled expression on his face. “Prince Yoongi, I’m not a girl” he huffed and rolled his eyes. His father nodded and resumed speaking about their marriage, the couple happily holding onto each other 

“No no! Pink!” Jeongguk fought and flicked his wand and turning the suit pink again. Taehyung was quick to turn it back to blue, “Blue!” 

This went on for a while until Jimin smacked both of their head, “Shut it you too! Its pink” Jeongguk smiled in victory and Taehyung pouted, not daring to fight with Jimin about it. Jimin pulled them both close and sniffed, “Look at them, so in love” 

It was Yoongi and Hoseok’s first waltz married.

[sizzlingpenguincollector]

Fear Factor: Season 3: Episode 1: Part 1

I hope you all like this special version of Fear Factor Season 3 with all your favorite cartoon characters.

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Fear Factor Season 3: Animation Edition

Imagine a world where your greatest fears become reality. Welcome to Fear Factor. Each show, 6 characters from your favorite cartoons battle each other in three extreme stunts. These stunts are designed to challenge the characters both physically and mentally. If a contestant is too afraid to complete a stunt, they're eliminated. If they fail a stunt, they're eliminated. If they succeed, they move one step closer to the grand prize: $50,000. Six characters, three stunts, one winner. Fear Factor.

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Episode 1: Counter Balance Beam; Weenie Roast; Swinging Rope Bridge

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The six characters walk towards their destination on a windy day in the San Fernando Valley. They have been brought here for one reason: Stare fear in the eye for a chance at $50,000.

Daphne Blake

Coolsville

Mystery Inc.

"Despite my so called pretty girl appearance," Daphne said. "I'm a fierce warrior. I take karate lessons. Once they realized they underestimated me, they're going to wish they didn't even met me. And if I win the money, I'm gonna give most of my winnings to my co workers because they've been good friends to me."

Timmy Turner

Dimmsdale

Average Kid who no one understands

"I'm a simple middle class kid," Timmy said. "I know I'm young, but I'm gonna use that to my advantage. I just hope I don't see any clowns on this show. That would be a line I do not want to cross."

Francine Smith

Langley Falls, Virginia

Housewife

"My husband happens to be a CIA agent," Francine said. "Years I spent living in the shadows of my house, not willing to take risks. I'm ready to prove to myself that I'm more than a housewife."

DJ

Canada

Total Drama Contestant

"Most people know me from Total Drama," DJ said. "I'm ready to shed my image of a simple soft guy. I'm also willing to finally overcome my anxieties for some real dough, dawg."

Nazz

Peach Creek

Cool Girl

"Most people think I'm a simple minded blonde," Jazz said. "But I'm much more than that. If I win the $50,000 dollars, I'm gonna throw the most rad party ever! How cool would that be?"

Todd

Pleasant Hills

Average Kid

"I guess I'm kind of the underdog," Todd said. "But I can use it to my advantage. After all, everyone loves a underdog. It's great confidence for people. When I win the money, I plan to buy out Fleem Co."

They then saw the host, Joe Rogan waiting for them. He smiled as he saw the contestants. "What's up? What's up?"

"Hey Joe!" Timmy, Nazz, DJ, and Todd greeted.

"Hi Joe." Daphne and Francine greeted. Joe then started the usual introduction.

"You six people have been brought here from all over the country for one reason: To stare fear in the eye as you compete for $50,000. Now to win the money you're gonna have to complete 3 extreme stunts. Stunts that will not only test you physically, but mentally as well. If you're too afraid to attempt a stunt, you're be eliminated. Try a stunt and fail to complete it, you're gone. However, if you do succeed, you'll move on to the next round and be that much closer to $50,000."

Now that the rules have been explained, it's time to play. "Alright, here's your first stunt." Joe then pointed to a platform that's hanging high above a dusty cliff. "Hanging over 100 feet in the air is an 8x24 foot platform that'll rock back and forth as you move. When I say go, you'll try to collect as many flags as possible while trying to maintain your balance and keep from falling off the platform. The two men and the two women who collects the most flags the fastest will move onto the next round. We have randomly selected today's order and DJ, you're lucky number one."

DJ's eyes went wide as he realized he was picked first. He was afraid of heights, but he was willing to do the stunt anyway. "Ready man?" Joe asked him.

"Yeah dawg." DJ said.

"Alright let's go." Joe walked with DJ to get him ready. While they were away, the other contestants got to know each other better.

"So, how do you think DJ's going to do?" Timmy asked.

"He looks tough. I think he'll do fine." Nazz replied.

Francine shook her head. "I think he's going to fall. Then you're all going to fall, and I'm taking the money for myself!" She said with her best ego voice.

Daphne smirked at Francine. "Is that how you wanna play it? With trash talk?" Francine nodded. "That went out of style with that shade of blonde in your hair a few year ago."

Francine frowned as the other players, except Nazz, snickered. "What's with the mood?"

Todd then approached Nazz. "So, you wanna get a soda right after the show?"

Nazz giggled. "You're so cute..."

As Nazz walked away, Timmy stood next to Todd. "She wants me."

"Yeah. I can tell." Timmy said sarcastically.

At the platform, Joe decided to make small talk with DJ. "So, DJ the nice guy from Total Drama. This is a big step."

"Yeah. I get a little tired of being recognized from it though. I hear you and Chris McClean were friends."

"Yeah. We actually went to the same college together. I actually gave him the idea for the Phobia Factor and Brunch of Disgusting challenges. So, what do you plan to do with the money when you win?"

"I'm gonna give most of it to my mama." DJ replied.

"Aw...That's nice. Remember. You're setting the bar. So, good luck." Joe then left.

"Hey momma!" DJ said to the camera. "About to win you 50 G's!"

Joe then approached the others. "You guys rooting on DJ to win?"

"Yeah. He looks tough." Nazz said with a smile.

"He's gonna fall!" Todd said.

"Come on. He's a nice guy." Nazz said.

"Yeah. Well, nice doesn't pay to win, Carrot Top!" Francine said. Daphne gasped.

"Like you're one to talk...Blondie!" Daphne shot back. Francine gasped.

"Looks like we have a cat fight in the making." Joe said playfully.

They then watched the platform rise with DJ on it. "OK DJ, I'm gonna ask you to stand up!" Joe called out. DJ did just that. He then started turning white as he saw how high he was. "You ready DJ?" DJ nodded. He was scared, but he had no choice. "Here we go! In 3, 2, 1...Go!"

With that, DJ got to his knees and started moving slowly as the platform started swaying. It was windy, making it hard for him to focus. He got the first three flags, but then started feeling himself slip when he got the fourth and fifth flags. "No! Mama!" DJ screamed as he thought he was going to die. Once the safety rope caught him, DJ breathed a sigh of relief. "Man. Five measly flags."

He then made his way back down and joined Joe and the others. "DJ. What happened? You only got five flags." Joe said.

"It's probably because of the wind. It makes it really hard for you to concentrate when it's blowing in your face." DJ explained.

"Well alright. You got 5 flags in 16 seconds. Let's see if that holds up. Timmy, you're next. You ready?"

"I'm ready man." Timmy replied.

"Alright. Let's go." Joe walked with Timmy.

"Good luck!" Nazz called out. She then looked at DJ. "You did a nice job."

DJ smiled. "Thanks."

"Please! You're nothing but a simple cream puff!" Francine said.

"Well, Mega Bitch Godzilla is on the loose!" Daphne shot back.

Francine grew furious. "You take that back!"

"Nope. It's already out there."

Joe then stood with Timmy next to the platform. "So Timmy, you learned anything from watching DJ?"

"Yeah. Don't get on your knees. Just do a little squat."

"Good technique. What do you plan to do with the money if you win?"

"I'm gonna buy a whole lot of video game systems."

"Good. That's typical for a ten year old boy. Now how many flags you think you'll get?"

"8 in 12." Timmy said with confidence.

"8 in 12. Good estimate. Well, good luck." Joe walked back to the others as Timmy got prepped. The platform rose again with Timmy on it. "Alright Timmy, I'm gonna ask you to stand up!" Timmy did just that. "You ready?!" Timmy nodded. "Alright remember, you have to beat 5 in 16 seconds! You do that, you are in tomorrow! In three, two, one...go!"

Timmy then got into position and started collecting the flags. "One...Two...Three...Four..." He was able to get seven before falling off. He then made his way down and back to Joe and the others.

"Timmy. Nice job! 7 flags in 14 seconds." Joe commented.

"Hey. It was almost a piece of cake." Timmy said.

"Alright. Todd, all you have to do is beat 5 in 16, and DJ goes home. Ready?"

"Yeah! Let's do it." Todd said.

"Alright." Joe then walked with Todd.

"Man little dude, I underestimated you." DJ said with a smile.

"Thanks. I did the best I could."

"Yeah little dude. That was so rad." Nazz said.

Joe stood with Todd next to the platform. "Alright Todd, tell me about yourself."

"Well, I have a older sister, a dad who's a daredevil."

"A daredevil dad like Evel Kenevil? That's cool. Let guess, you also have a spy mom?"

"Actually yes. How did you guess?" Todd asked surprised.

"Just took a crack. So, give me your best estimate."

"Eight in 10. Easy."

"Eight in 10. Great. Well, good luck buddy." Joe then walked back with the others. Todd then sat on the platform as it rose high into the air. "Alright Todd, I'm gonna ask you to stand up!" Todd did just that. "Alright Todd, you ready?" Todd nodded. "Alright. Here we go, in three, two, one...go!" Todd then got onto his knees and started collecting flags. But, he was only able to get five before sliding off.

"Man! Five flags! Dang it!" Todd complained. He then made his way down and back to the others.

"Cheer up little dude." Nazz said.

"Alright Todd. You got five flags. You're tied with DJ." Todd frowned, as he and DJ thought the verdict was clear. "But, you got them in 14 seconds." Todd smiled. He was moving on to tomorrow. "DJ. I'm sorry. It was nice having you here, but we got to send you packing."

"It's cool man." DJ said with a sad smile. "It was fun."

"Alright. Take it easy." Joe said as DJ walked the walk of shame.

"Bye DJ." Nazz waved off.

"I guess I still have to overcome some of my anxieties. I'm really disappointed that I didn't get far though. I just hope my mama doesn't get pissed at me." DJ said.

Joe then walked with Nazz to the platform. "Nazz, how are you feeling?"

"Totally pumped, dude!"

"Good to know. Anyone special you doing this for?"

"My sweetheart Kevin."

"Aww. That's nice. Listen, you're the first girl. So you got to set that bar. You got that?"

"Yep."

"Alright. Good luck." Joe then walked back to the others.

"Man, Nazz is cool." Todd said dreamily.

"Please! She's so not into you." Timmy said.

"What? You want her?"

"No. I already got a girl of my own back at home."

Nazz then got onto the platform as it started to rise. "Alright Nazz, stand up!" Joe called out. Nazz did just that. "Alright, are you ready?!"

"Totally!"

"Alright! Remember, you're the first girl! So set that bar high! In three, two, one...go!" With that, Nazz got onto her knees and collected as many flags as she could. After she got the fifth flag, she slipped and fell off. "Five in 18 seconds!"

"I'm so gonna beat that!" Daphne said.

"Well then, have fun falling, red head!" Francine smirked.

"You say one more insult, and I'll smack you!"

Nazz then made her way back to Joe and the others. "Nazz! Very impressive. 5 in 18. How was it?"

"Well, it was a lot like DJ said. Very windy. But, I did the best I could."

"Well, let's just hope that holds up. Daphne, you ready?"

"Yes Joe. I am."

"Alright. Let's get you prepped." Joe then walked with Daphne. "So Daphne, I heard you and Francine talking a lot of trash talk to each other."

"I just don't want her to win." Daphne admitted.

"I totally understand that. So, other than the money, what's your motivation for doing this show?"

"My friends at Mystery Inc. Even Shaggy and Scooby."

"Well, that's nice. Good luck."

"I hope that girl falls hard." Francine said.

"What's your deal?" Nazz asked, confused by her behavior. The platform then rose with Daphne right on it.

"OK Daphne, stand up!" Joe called out. Daphne did just that. "OK. You ready?"

"I'm ready!"

"Alright! You have to collect five in 17 seconds! You do that, you are in! Here we go! In three, two, one...go!" With that, Daphne got onto her knees and started collecting as many flags as she could.

"Fall now!" Francine called out, trying to throw Daphne off her balance. To Francine's shock, Daphne moved quickly and got 8 flags before falling.

"Nice job, Daphne!" Joe called out.

"How many I got?!"

"8 in just 9 seconds! You not only collected the most, but you got the fastest time! Congratulations! You are in!"

Daphne made her way back down and to Joe and the others. "Wow! That was so awesome!" Nazz said.

"Thanks. Let's see you beat that...Blondie!" Daphne smirked.

"Knock off, bitch!" Francine shot back.

"Alright Francine, come with me." Joe then walked with Francine. Francine was nervous. She had to collect the most flags or she was going home.

Francine decided to skip talking with Joe in order to get focused. She sat on the platform as it rose. "Alright Francine, stand up!" Joe called out. Francine did just that. "OK, are you ready?!"

"Just count me down!" Francine said.

"Alright. Remember, you have to get 5 flags in 17 seconds, or you are going home. In three, two, one...go!" With that, Francine moved slowly and grabbed the first and second flags. The wind really made it hard for her to concentrate. She was wasting a lot of time. She only got to the fifth flag before falling off. Francine knew she lost. "You know what?! F*** this! And f*** everyone of you!"

"She got 5 flags, but she got them in 25 seconds! Nazz, you are moving on!"

Nazz cheered and hugged Daphne. We now had four players who were closer to $50,000.

"Well, congratulations everyone. You are all moving on. Let's get out of here and see what tomorrow has in store for you."

"Let's move it!" Timmy announced. With that, the four contestants started walking away, to get some rest for tomorrow's stunt.

Stay tuned for the second stunt

[dezza-who-blog]

Neighbors: Chapter 2

After a good night's sleep, I woke with a clear head and every intention of avoiding my new neighbors at all costs. All I had ever wanted was to be a published author and enjoy my photography quietly. Regardless of the somber circumstances that had provided it, I now had the opportunity to fulfill that dream, and that's exactly what I was going to do, damn it. I took my time in the shower, letting the warm water wash away the last lingering bits of tension, and made up my mind to take two more days off before getting back into my routine and dedicating all my time to my book. Taking the weekend to get my garden started and let my myself relax would be a better idea in the long run. I dried off, taking an extra moment to lather on my favorite lotion. It'd been so long since I'd had a moment to enjoy even that small luxury. I stayed in a great mood as I pulled on a simple, green cotton sundress and threw my long brown hair into a loose braid, letting a few pieces stay loose to frame my face. I was never comfortable with all of my hair pulled back. It made my face feel too exposed. In all honesty, I'd rather have it down, but I was looking forward to hard work and warmth getting the garden together. Deciding against makeup, I simply brushed on a bit of chapstick instead. It's not like I had anyone to look good for anyway. I beat back the image of a certain three faces before it could fully surface. No one. To look good for. I told myself adamantly. I threw on my favorite comfy flats and snatched up my purse, heading down the stairs to the door. Just as I went to grab my keys from their hook- Knock knock knock. I froze, turning to look at the door as if I could see the culprit through the wood. Which I couldn't. Obviously. I didn't even have a peephole. I groaned inwardly and rubbed my temples. Couldn't I have one day without human interaction? Just one? The knocks sounded again, a bit more hesitantly this time, and I shook myself to my senses. There was no point in being rude or ignoring them, whoever it was. I stepped over, unlocked the bolt and opened the door. This had to be a joke. I was being pranked. There was no other logical explanation. The man standing on my porch had the sort of uncanny, princely-type air and stature as you'd expect to find in an anime protagonist. Tall, probably 5'10, and slender, he had brown hair, wide, handsome shoulders, flawless skin, and pretty, almost pouty lips. He was wearing glasses, a pale pink t-shirt, and slim fitted black pants, and holding a covered casserole dish. "This can't be serious." He blinked, confused, alerting me to the fact that I'd spoken out loud. Before he could question me, I plastered on a smile and opened the door farther, stepping out to meet him on the porch. "Sorry, still not totally awake. Hi, how can I help you?" He smiled then, and my heart stuttered. Stop. It. I scolded the pathetic organ. "Ah, hi," he replied, "I'm Jin." He bowed his head slightly, a polite gesture I recognized and returned. "I'm Dezza. I guess you're one of my new neighbors?" I gestured towards the house next door. He nodded. "Yes. I live there with my brothers." He lifted the dish in his hands. "Wanted to.. welcome you." I suddenly felt extremely rude for making him stand there holding it the whole time. "Oh, thank you so much. You didn't have to, but I really appreciate it," I babbled, taking it from him and smiling. "Uh, would you like to come in? I was just about to make coffee." Liar, my subconscious taunted. Jin smiled his too sweet smile again and nodded, holding the door open for me to pass through first. I lead him to the kitchen, placing the dish on the island and starting the coffee pot while he took a seat on one of the tall stools, glancing around. "Very nice kitchen," he said carefully, giving the impression that he wasn't completely fluent in English quite yet, though he seemed to be close. I looked around myself. The kitchen was one of my favorite things about this house. "Thank you," I replied. "It's my favorite room." He smiled. "You cook?" "Oh I love to cook! I'm going to work on making a vegetable garden today." You'd think I'd given the man a puppy, his face was so bright. "That's so cool." His accent was so cute I couldn't help but smile at the remark. I distracted myself by lifting the lid of the dish to see if what he'd brought needed to be refrigerated, letting out a happy little gasp when I saw them. Cinnamon rolls. "You're awesome," I exclaimed. "These are my favorite!" His face lit up again. I set aside the lid and went to grab a couple saucers from the cabinet. Sitting the plates down, I turned to pour us both a cup of coffee. "Do you like sugar or cream?" I asked over my shoulder. "I have french vanilla, mint, blueberry, and hazelnut." "Blueberry! My favorite," he replied cheerfully. I brought the cups over to the table, then grabbed the hazelnut for myself and blueberry for him, handing it over as I sat down. "You can use as much as you like. I hardly ever crave it." He nodded, still smiling (did he ever stop?), dumping a few spoonfuls into his cup as I set a cinnamon roll on both plates and slid his toward him. We ate and sipped in comfortable silence, and right as I was thinking how nice it was and Jin was pouring his second cup, another knock sounded at the door. He stood first. "Probably Tae," he said. "Flower," he pointed to his ear, clarifying when I looked confused. "Probably to see what's taking long, I should go." "Oh," I replied, not wanting to admit I was a tiny bit disappointed. "Okay. Thank you for the food. You can take the coffee with you if you're not finished. I have plenty of cups." I stood, placing our empty plates and my cup in the sink. I might as well follow him out and head to the store like I'd planned. He opened the door as I grabbed my keys and shouldered my purse, smiling and waving me through first and shutting the door behind us. He was right, it was the flower boy from the day before, looking a little concerned. He beamed a smile and nodded at me before turning to Jin. He spoke in Korean, but I could understand enough to know that someone named Namjoon had broke something and cut his hand, and someone named Yoongi couldn't find bandages. Jin sighed and rubbed his forehead, responding that they would have to go to the store. "I have a first aid kit," I volunteered. They both looked at me in suprise. I blushed. "My best friend from high school is from South Korea. I can't speak it very well at all, but I can understand some." They both smiled and I ran back inside to hide my blush and grab the kit. I met them back on the porch, handing it over so they could go help their friend. They smiled, and Jin awkwardly shook my hand to say bye, but Tae grabbed me in a quick hug with an energetic "Thank you!" before running off to their house. My face flamed red hot from the unexpected embrace and Jin cast me an apologetic grimace before heading after him. I stood there for a moment looking after them before shaking myself from my daze and getting in my car. So much for avoiding the neighbors. The trip to town took no time at all, and four hours later I had my tomatoes, garlic, carrots, and broccoli planted in their respective rows. I stood, removing my gloves and brushing the dirt and grass from my knees as I admired my work. "Excuse me." Startled, I whirled around to find none other than guy I'd humiliated myself in front of the day before leaning against the side of my house. He was wearing loose, low-slung pants and a plain white t-shirt, and his pale blonde hair was slicked to the side today. And I was staring. Again. "Uh, hi," I managed, averting my eyes. I couldn't help but despair over how messy I probably looked right now, compared to how effortlessly chic he seemed to be. "Can I help you?" He smiled, but it wasn't the self-satisfied look he'd had when he caught me staring yesterday. He looked a little nervous, or maybe embaressed? "Uh, yeah. Dezza, right?" I nodded. "I came to return this, and thank you for letting us borrow it." He held out my first aid kit, and I noticed for the first time that his right hand was bandaged. Ah. So this was Namjoon. I walked over, taking the kit from him and nodding. "No problem. How's the hand?" He smiled sheepishly. "It's fine, thanks. Nothing I'm not used too." I cocked my head curiously. He ran a hand over the back of his neck. "I tend to break stuff a lot." "Ah. Same," I replied. "Yeah, I noticed." I grimaced, my face flushing as I remembered that he'd seen me drop the flower pot from the balcony. "Well, thanks for bringing the kit back anyway." We walked back around to the front. He was quiet until we made it to the porch steps. I glanced over to say bye before heading inside, finding him staring at me with that intense gaze again. "Do I have dirt on my face?" He laughed. "No, you look fine. But hey. Since you're our new neighbor and all, you should come over tomorrow, let us welcome you to the neighborhood. We wanted to grill out anyway. " "Oh, uh, thank you," I stammered, caught off guard by the sudden invitation. "But I don't like to impose, really." He grinned. "Then don't impose. You can help Jin cook. He said you liked to, and he's the only one that would be cooking for the seven of us otherwise." I groaned inwardly. I didn't want to seem rude. "Come on," he coaxed. "Please?" I sighed. "Okay. Fine." He beamed triumphantly, wrapping me into a sidehug before saying he'd go let the others know and jogging back to his house. Christ, what was up with these guys and their complete disregard for my bubble? I dragged myself inside and slumped onto the sofa, wondering what the hell I'd just gotten myself into. The conversation replayed in my head. Wait. I froze. Did he say "the seven of us"?