#too bad we won't see them again for 20 years until they make it into OGs (or if they pull another v junction and visitor x scenario)

[songbirdseung]

pinky ring / sim jaeyun

synopsis: jake made you a promise to marry you when you two were toddlers. he would fake propose until he really did get down on one knee.

pairing: childhood besties jake x reader

wc: 1.1k

To your parents, it was all good fun. Seeing their child being proposed to by their childhood best friend at their favorite beach. Documentation was highly important to them, filming little you and little jake holding a candy ring pop in his hand, asking your hand in marriage. To them, it was adorable.

For young child you, you were petrified. At the time, your dad just gave a small talk on how to stay away from boys and you're definitely too young to get into a relationship. This happened when you called the actor on scene handsome when you were having a family movie night.

"We are too young Jake" pouting your lips, feeling bad for rejecting his proposal. Jake shrugs and hands you the ring pop anyway. "Fine, I'll just wait and get you a real ring".

That didn't last long because fast forward to the next year, he does it again. He has done it so much that for the next few following years, it had become an inside joke to everyone in your immediate family.

"You have rejected me for 4 years now" crossing his arms in a fit, Jake looks at you disappointed. "Maybe because we are only 12 years old?"

At this point, you aren't sure if he's doing this because he really wants to marry you or just to tease you and lead any guy interested in you far far away. Remembering all the instances where a boy would approach you during lunch and sit next to you and confess and say that they think you' re cute. There then comes Jake, wearing a smug smirk and says something along the lines of "I'm actually her future husband, please go away".

It makes you think about how you could never get away from Jake and his antics.

Even when you guys reached your teenage years, almost reaching adulthood, Jake never dropped the fake proposal joke. Like on your 19th birthday, at the restaurant he took you both to, he claims how he's your boyfriend and he's planning to propose soon, the waiter thought he was weird for saying that he wanted to propose soon with you sitting right there but nonetheless, he gave you both free desserts.

You thought at by the age of 14, he'd stop since you both are going through puberty, his feelings would change and he'd drop it due to his own pride and embarrassment, but no.

Now you both were 20, if you had to count how many fake proposals Jake has done over the years, it would reach 100.

"You can't say that we are too young, we're both legal adults and we basically known each other our whole lives." You turn over to him and flick his forehead, causing him wince in pain and shoo you away from him. "You're mean"

"You're the one that wants to marry me, so get used to it"

"Oh, so you're playing along now" He removes his hand from his head and pokes your side. "After years, you're finally warming up to the idea"

"Keep that up, I won't be anymore" Once you said that you realize how you didn't even deny it. Looking back at Jake who went back to playing video games, you take in his appearance and guide your eyes to follow the lines that make his side profile.

Jake was good looking, you knew that. He's always been the apple of your eye since you two were kids, then as you got to know him, his humor, personality, and behavior kind of sealed the deal for you.

"If you keep staring at me, I might disintegrate."

"Then, who is going to marry me?"

"We're still on that? I thought you didn't want to?"

"Make me your girlfriend and I'll rethink it" Now it was your turn to cause a ruckus in Jake's mind. He pauses the game and looks over to you, reading your expression wondering if you were serious or not.

That night, Jake stayed over. Unlike the other past sleepovers that you two had, this one was different because the way you cuddle into him now, it felt different. He was always yours and until now, just a different kind. He was now your boyfriend, not boy-friend.

With your dynamic and bond with Jake, it felt like sunshine and rainbows most of the times, being around each other all the time and knowing each other too well, you always found ways to fix things or any miscommunication that would come along.

Transitioning to relationship from friendship was surprisingly easy from the outside perspective but the thing with you and Jake was he was always a gentleman and treated you right and how you deserved to be treated, and of course vice versa.

When you told your mom the news, she did not show any surprised reaction, simply telling you how she saw it coming and was just waiting for this moment to happen, you dad shared a similar reaction, happy that it was Jake to be the one you were dating.

Fast forward to a whole year of dating Jake. People would say that you two were like a fairytale love, match made in heaven, meant for each other, all that. "Hey yn, maybe you should do that trend where you call Jake your husband"

"I'm pretty sure he's already seen that on tiktok, no?"

Still, even if he did, you were going to do it just to see his reaction. That same day, you two meet up after your last class ended. Waiting for you somewhere in the university's campus, you run up to him and give him a hug. "Someone missed me?"

In the car ride home, you guys both agreed to stop by your favorite restaurant and get some take out. Which was a perfect time to put your little prank in action. Just like everyone else, after placing your order, you ask Jake what he wants and tell the waiter. "Then my husband would like ___"

Once the waiter leaves, you finally take notice of Jake who is wide eyed, staring at you in awe. "There's no way you just called me that" To say he was a lovesick puppy after that was an understatement.

But now since you called him that, you have to keep calling him that. Because if you call him or introduce him as your boyfriend, he'll act surprised and startled. "Are you asking for a divorce?" "Do you not love me anymore?" "I thought I was your husband?" to name a few.

"I'm gonna have to propose now, for real this time"

[ladykailitha]

Icarus Part 24

So, it pains me to say that there is only one more chapter after this. Yep. Just the one. But I have an epilogue all written up and a sequel partially written up. So you won't have dwell in sadness for long.

In this we have a wild Dustin appearing, Ellie be awesome, another asshole reporter shows up, and Gareth and Eddie finally have it out.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20 Part 21 Part 22 Part 23

~

The Fallen were holed up in their trailer, Ellie showing off her fix for the hoods. She held up a small fan and battery pack.

“Since the hoods cover most of the neck,” she explained, “this will go on a collar that you can turn on and off, and even change the speed. This will help keep you cool so you don’t faint again.”

Spence took the fan from her. “That’s genius. How did you come up with that?”

“I convinced my dad to go as the Red Guardian with me to New York Comic Con a couple of years ago. I was dressed as Yelena from ‘Black Widow’ ,” she said with a grin. “But as you guys know leather is hot so we put a couple of these bad boys in the neck of the costume to keep him cool.”

“That’s amazing,” Shane breathed. “I mean the fans are neat, too, I guess.”

She giggled. “The blonde wig I wore wasn’t very fun, but the rest of it was.”

“Thanks, Ellie,” Steve said. “How long will it take you put them together for us?”

She cocked her head to the side. “About twenty minutes.”

They piled out of the trailer to find Dustin arguing with Eddie.

“I keep telling you,” Eddie huffed. “I don’t know who they are and even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you! I don’t even know how you got past security in the first place.”

“I showed them pictures of us from your Instagram.”

Eddie pressed his fingers into his eye in frustration. “Dustin...” he said warningly. “You can’t do that.”

“I just did,” he said smugly, crossing his arms and grinning at him.

“You are such a butthead,” Steve groused. “How are you even here in the first place? Don’t you have school?”

Dustin shrugged. “You’re touring in California right now, it’s not that hard to drive up here for the weekend.”

“Dustin,” Steve said, pinching the side of his nose. “It’s Tuesday!”

He pulled out his phone and looked at the date. “Huh. Oops.” He put it away. “Well, I’m here now. No use crying over spilled milk.”

Eddie surged forward to strangle him, but Steve stopped him.

“Why are you here?” Steve asked sternly.

Dustin’s shoulders slumped. “All right, I was feeling a little lonely. Mike and Will graduated last year and they moved back to Hawkins to figure out where they want to go from there. And Lucas and Max are on the other side of the country. I missed you guys.”

Eddie and Steve shared a glance over his head and sighed.

“I know, bud,” Steve murmured, putting his arm around him, “but you’ve got school if you want to make it into MIT.”

Dustin sighed. He was a late bloomer, college wise, because it took a lot of convincing Mrs. Henderson to let him go. She was really worried about him on his own. It wasn’t until Steve moved out to California that she was willing to let him go.

“It was a dumb idea,” he admitted. “I just wanted to see you guys.”

Just then the trailer door opened and Ellie stepped out. Dustin’s jaw dropped. Eddie lifted his his chin with his finger.

“Oh hey, Steve,” she said, “I have the cooling collars for the band, can you make sure they get them before they go on tonight?” She held out the four devices and Steve took them.

“I sure will,” he replied. “Dustin this Ellie Hopper, she designed The Fallen’s costumes this year and her dad is head of security.”

Dustin reached out to shake her hand which she took with a small smile.

“Ellie,” Steve continued, “this Dustin Henderson. I used to watch him and his friends when they were snot-nosed kids.”

“Pleased to meet you,” Dustin said with his winning smile.

“Same.”

“I was just about to bug these two into lunch,” Dustin said. “Care to join us?”

Steve and Eddie glared at him.

“I’d love to!” Ellie said brightly.

And now Eddie and Steve were caught. They had to go now, because it’d be rude to turn down the person that made the costumes for The Fallen.

So they all went out to lunch, but they had to be back for the sound checks.

“I don’t know hwy you have to be there,” Dustin whined. “You’re only a medic, it’s not as though you’re a rockstar, too.”

“Because I’m the medic for the band,” Steve huffed. “If something goes wrong at the sound check I have to be there.”

“Can we watch the sound check together?” he asked hopefully.

“Why don’t you take Ellie around,” Eddie suggested. “She’s never been this far north in Cali.”

Ellie immediately agreed and Eddie and Steve breathed a sigh of relief.

As they were walking off, Eddie got a text message and he grinned, hurriedly typing back.

“You cheating on your lover over there, Munson,” Steve teased.

Eddie threw back his head and laughed. “It’s just Chrissy. You know, the lesbian?”

Steve grinned wolfishly as they got into the car that would take them back to the venue.

~

A week later Corroded Coffin were doing their own press conference when some reporter from a gossip rag dropped a bombshell.

“A question for Eddie Munson.”

“Shoot.”

“What do you say to the rumors that you have a secret lover on this tour?”

The room went dead silent except the clicking of camera shutters going off.

“Do you want to repeat that?” Jeff growled into his mic.

She repeated the question with a smug expression.

“I wasn’t aware there was one,” Eddie hedged. “And all questions about my sex life are off limits.”

“Are you worried that with your past exploits on previous tours that this man will be labeled as just another notch in your bedpost and you’re trying to protect him from that?” she continued as if she hadn’t heard him.

“You heard the man,” Brian hissed. “He doesn’t want to talk about his sex life.”

“What about the rumors that you are fucking the frontman to The Fallen?” she asked a little louder as the other reporters started shouting their own questions.

“Unless your sucking my dick, you don’t get to know about my sex life!” Eddie snapped. He stood up and walked out.

Chrissy walked up to the front of the room, putting herself between the other band members and the now pressing throng of reporters.

“This press conference is now over.”

The woman who had started it all, crossed her legs and smirked at the chaos all around her.

~

Steve watched the YouTube video of the press conference over and over. Those same forty-seven seconds over and over again.

Who was the leak? Who told? Was it just speculation because that’s how Eddie usually played it on tours? Or was it something more sinister?

He decided if nothing else, he should at least go check on Eddie to see how he was doing.

He walked up to the door of Eddie’s hotel suite, but the door was partially ajar.

“Oh I get it now,” Eddie was saying. “The call is coming from inside the house.”

“You’re blaming me?!” Gareth cried.

“Oh yeah,” Eddie hissed. “This has you written all over it.”

“I’m on your side!”

“You’ve always been jealous of Steve,” Eddie snapped, “and now that we’re a couple, you couldn’t take it and went to the press.”

“I wouldn’t do that!” Gareth pleaded. “I know said some fucked up things last year. But I’ve been in therapy for that shit and I know it’s unhealthy. I don’t know who leaked it to the press, but it wasn’t me.” There was a brief pause. “Here, check my phone. I wouldn’t do that to you.”

There was silence for a long, tense moment so Steve took the liberty of the pause to knock on the door.

Chrissy went to go open it and saw Steve. With a single look she knew he’d overheard at least some their exchange. She winced and mouthed, ‘I’m sorry’.

“Come on in, Steve,” she said, opening the door wide enough to let him in. “Vickie’s on her way and will be here in about twenty minutes.”

Steve nodded and walked up to Eddie. “Hey,” he asked leaning down to look him in the eye, “are you okay?”

Eddie’s lips quivered as he nodded. He was still going through all of Gareth’s messages, DMs, and social media posts.

“I’m sorry,” he muttered to Gareth.

Gareth hugged him fiercely and Eddie hugged back. Soon they were both crying.

“I’m sorry I blamed Steve for everything wrong in the band,” Gareth murmured. “I was just scared he’d take you away from me.”

Steve snorted. “Dude, I would need a fucking crowbar to remove Eddie from you guys’ lives. He loves you like brothers. I’m not here to get in the way of that. Okay?”

“Yeah, man,” Brian said, “families grow and change, that doesn’t mean we don’t still love each other.”

Gareth nodded into Eddie’s neck.

“And I’m sorry I accused you without evidence,” he muttered back, “Uncle Wayne would kick my ass if he found out I did that.”

“I won’t tell,” Gareth said softly, “if you won’t.”

“Deal.”

They stood like that for awhile, just holding each other and muttering apologies.

Vickie came barreling into the room like a bull in a china shop.

“Fucking hell!” she growled and threw herself onto the sofa like a Victorian maiden. “That was such bullshit.”

They all turned to her, Chrissy closing the door tightly behind her to make sure no one in the hall could hear them.

“It was a completely unsubstantiated comment said off the cuff in the same vein as ‘I’ll kill you for that’,” she moaned, rolling over and putting her hand on her forehead.

“I’m not sure I understand,” Eddie said, “what was said?”

Vickie sat up drew her knees to her chest. “Someone overheard Steve teasing Eddie about cheating on his lover.”

Eddie and Steve looked at each other and burst out laughing.

“Seriously?” Brian huffed. “That’s it? God. People must be hard up for news if that’s all it takes.”

“The reporter’s name was Heather Halloway,” she continued. “She works for the same gossip rag as the guy who brought up the spelling of Abbadon’s name in their press conference. His name was Billy Hargrove. He also has some conspiracy podcast he does that she’ll sometimes feature on. A regular Bonnie and Clyde.”

“So she was just trying to rile Eddie up to get a reaction?” Jeff asked.

Vickie nodded. “Which unfortunately worked.”

Eddie grimaced and scratched the back of his neck. “Sorry.”

“You’re only human,” Vickie said with a half shrug. “I’ll get out ahead of this and like with what happened with Steve, just call all your friends ‘lover’. Make it as uncomfortable for them as possible. Turn it around and throw it their faces.”

“In other words, ‘let Eddie be Eddie’?” Gareth asked.

Vickie grinned. “Perfect. Let Eddie be Eddie.”

Eddie blushed and shoved his hair in front of his face to hide his bashful smile. “Thanks, guys.”

“Now get out of here so I can cuddle with my boyfriend,” Steve huffed, making shooing motions with his hands.

Everyone laughed and they all shuffled out of the room.

Well all but Gareth. He held out his fist.

“We good?” he asked shyly.

Both Steve and Eddie fist bumped him.

“Not yet,” Eddie said softly. “But we’re getting there.”

Gareth smiled and slipped out of the room. A single step forward was better than a step back. They’d get there. They had the time now.

As soon as Gareth left, Eddie turned to Steve. “Cuddling, huh?”

Steve advanced on him like a tiger seeking his prey. “As I understand it, unless they’re sucking your dick they don’t get to know your sex life.”

Eddie’s tongue dragged slowly over his teeth, his drooping seductively. “I did say that, yeah.”

Steve started pushing him back to the bed. When they reached it, he pushed him on the bed and then began crawling up Eddie’s body.

“And since I’m the only one who gets to suck your dick,” he purred, “I wasn’t going to tell them shit.”

Eddie smirked. “You’re a bitch, Stevie. But you’re my bitch and I’m going to fuck you into this mattress.”

“Hmm,” Steve hummed. “Bring it on.”

~

Part 25

Tag List: CLOSED

1- @mira-jadeamethyst @rozzieroos @itsall-taken @redfreckledwolf @zerokrox-blog

2- @gregre369 ​@a-little-unsteddie @chaosgremlinmunson @messrs-weasley @val-from-lawrence

3- @goodolefashionedloverboi @carlyv @wonderland-girl143-blog @irregular-child @blondie1006

4- @yikes-a-bee @bookworm0690 @anne-bennett-cosplayer @awkwardgravity1 @littlewildflowerkitten

5- @genderless-spoon @y4r3luv @dragonmama76 @ellietheasexylibrarian @thedragonsaunt

6- @disrespectedgoatman @eyehartart @dawners @thespaceantwhowrites @tinyplanet95

7- @iamthehybrid @croatoan-like-its-hot @papergrenade @cryptid-system @counting-dollars-counting-stars

8- @ravenfrog @w1ll0wtr33 @child-of-cthulhu @kultiras @dreamercec

9- @machete-inventory-manager @useless-nb-bisexual @stripey82 @dotdot-wierdlife @kal-ology

10- @sadisticaltarts @urkadop @chameleonhair @clockworkballerina @garden-of-gay

[ksnfangz]

NIGHT LIGHT . NISHIMURA RIKI

parring - niki x bestfriend/crush reader.

genre - fluff.

wc - 0.9k

NY SPEAKS ! : tysm for 200+ likes <3 sorry if my writing is bad

NIKI WAS 14 WHEN HE HAD HIS FIRST CUPCAKE

The room was dark only being lit by the candle on the cupcake in your hand and the moon-shaped night light plugged into the wall next to your twin-sized bed.

" Happy birthday Niki." you say smiling as he handed the boy the homemade chocolate cupcake adorned with a yellow candle.

Climbing into the bed beside Niki you watch as the boy stared at the cupcake like it was the most precious thing in the world.

" Well, it ain't gonna blow itself out! make a wish." you remind, nudging Niki's shoulder softly.

" Sorry, I've just never had one of these before..." Niki mumbles, your eyebrows rising in surprise. " Your parents never got you cupcakes for your birthday before?" you ask to which Niki shakes his head.

" No, they don't like birthdays. Or cake."  His parents didn't like anything. Not even him.

" What about a birthday party, have you ever had one of them?" You ask, your eyes darkening as Niki once again shakes his head.

" But I went to my cousin's birthday party once! we didn't stay long but I got a candy bag." Niki recalls a sad smile resting on his lips. You couldn't believe it. How could Niki never have had a birthday party? or something as simple as a cupcake.

" Well from now on every year I'll make you as many cupcakes as you want on your birthday! and my parents can plan a party for you ."

" There's no need for that y/n, it's fine. I don't need a party or anything, this is perfect." Niki states, closing his eyes before blowing out the candle.

It's true. Niki didn't want a fancy birthday party or a box filled with cupcakes. All he wanted was to spend time with the person who made him happy.

And if you were with him every 9th of December for the rest of his life then he would consider that the best birthday present ever.

" Well, what did you wish for?" You question resting your chin on your hands, with your head tilted.

" If I tell you it won't come true," Niki replies with a teasing grin.

" Whatever, go on, try your cupcake to see if you like it," You order watching as the Nishimura boy bites into the chocolate desert smearing the frosting on his nose in the process.

Niki's eyes went wide before he instantly took another bite, you couldn't help but laugh as you watched the boy practically inhale the cupcake.

" On second thought maybe you could make me cupcakes every year." Niki beamed his words slurred together as he spoke with his mouth full.

" y'know there are other flavors too!" You inform Niki's eyes widening once again " Can you tell me all of them?" Niki asked excitedly.

" Whatever you want Niki" You chuckled, wiping the frosting off of the boy's nose.

If you stayed up until 3 am telling Niki about all the different desserts and flavors no one would ever know.

And if Niki stayed up until 3 am staring at you with the biggest smile on his face while holding onto the candle from his cupcake then that was his secret.

Thank God you were on the side with the night light.

" Listen when we're 19 or 20 you can come live with me! well only if you still want to. By then I'll have an apartment, I'll even already have your room decorated and the fridge filled with strawberries."

" you promise ?" Niki questions holding onto your hand tightly as if you would disappear as soon as he'd let go. The two of you were currently walking down a path in some random parkyou'd stumbled upon during your last day together before you leave for America to live with your grandparents.

"I promise."

" I'll miss seeing your annoying face every day..." You say attempting to cheer Niki up a bit as the boy's face twisted into sadness. You hated when Niki was sad.

" I think you meant to say handsome but I'll let it slide since I'm trying not to cry," Niki says while trying his best to blink back his tears a sad smile formed upon his lips as you pulled him into a bone-crushing hug.

" I love you, don't forget that. Riki. And make sure to call me whenever you can okay? I don't mind staying up a little late to talk." You state, Niki couldn't help but smile at the sound of his real name rolling off your lips.

" I love you too y/n." Niki replied trying his best to sound as nonchalant as possible to mask the true meaning behind his words.

" but I'll only call if you promise not to block me again. . ." Niki adds pulling away to hold onto your hand once again. 

If someone were to ask him why his cheeks were so red he'd blame it on the chilly winter air.

" as if you could ever go more than a day without talking to me." You teased, Niki playfully rolling his eyes at your words while holding back his smile.

Deep down he knew you were right.

" Now enough with the sappy stuff let's get cupcakes!" You exclaim leading the Nishimura boy out of the park.

Niki just smiled allowing you to drag him throughout the small town until you reached your destination.

I'm gonna miss this idiot.

likes & reblog and are appreciated but not required! thank you for reading <3

© KSNFANGZ. please do not plagiarise, repost, copy or translate any of my works!

[kittenfangirl20]

(Cinderella Au)

Adam lived with his evil step father and two nasty stepsisters. His mother passed away when he was only ten and from that day forward he was a built in maid and servant for the three other occupants of the large mansion.

He did all the cooking and the cleaning, now at 20 years old, he was basically a slave to Alastor.

Nifty and Rosie were Adams stepsisters. Although Rosie wasn't as bad as Nifty, her loyalty lied with her "true" family.

Adam was on his hands and knees washing the main hall floor by hand, just how Al always told him to do it. The floor was never clean until Adam could see his reflection.

Alastor: Adam.

Adam: Yes?

Alastor: Come here.

Adam winced but stopped what he was doing to go over to his step father fearing the worst. He hoped he did nothing wrong, he couldn't take another beating.......

Alastor: Take this list and go to town. Make sure you get every item on that list or there will be Hell to pay boy.

Adam: Yes of course.

Adam took the list and the money Al gave him to get it. There had to be more to life than this .....

-

Lucifer needed out and he needed it now. Being King was too damn stressful in his opinion and he needed some time just for him.

Maybe a walk to the market in commoners clothes so he won't be bothered will do the trick.

He changed and started his walk to town.

*Adam went through the town as quickly as he could that he didn’t see the young blonde man and he ran into him causing him to drop everything ruining everything, Adam was so overcome with frustration and over being beat that he burst into tears, most of the townspeople muttered behind their hands at the man in was dressed in rags crying which made Adam cry even more because he was so embarrassed, he was shocked he felt comforting hands reach up to wipe away the tears, though he didn’t know it, he was being comforted by Lucifer, the new young King*

Lucifer: Forgive, I should have seen where I was going. I insist on replacing everything you lost.

Adam: You don’t to.

Lucifer: As I said, I insist.

*Lucifer took his hand which was a surprise since most people avoided touching his cinder covered hands*

Adam: My name is Adam, what is your name?

Lucifer: Lucas.

*it wasn’t exactly a lie, Lucas was his nickname, the pair went through the town in order to replace everything that Adam lost, he also insisted that they each get a caramel apple, Adam smiled as he was eating the sweet and tart caramel apple, the last time he had something sweet was when his mother was still alive*

Lucifer: I would like to see you again, maybe we can meet up again sometime.

Adam: I would love that, I just need to have an excuse to come to town.

Lucifer: I look toward to it.

*Lucifer kissed Adam’s hand before Adam ran off, once in his home Alastor was waiting for him*

Alastor: You’re late.

*Adam set everything on the counter*

Adam: Forgive me, it was very busy today.

*Alastor responded by slapping him hard enough to leave a bruise*

Alastor: That is no excuse, go and mend your Niffty’s dresses, they always make them too long for her small body.

*Adam left and started working on the dresses while softly singing a song and thinking of a handsome short man with blonde hair and blue eyes*

@things-arent-what-they-seem66

[aspenous]

Started this at 2AM because Kuroshou won't leave the mind. You know what that means

Okay I think we all collectively agree that they're AT LEAST ex-lovers turned rivals right? But can I propose one-sided lovers before and after. Tf do I mean?

I mean a ten year old Kuroo who's too much of a wuss to confess his crush on the new neighbor and instead makes him a flower crown, which Daishou accepts because hey! Someone wants to be his friend and his new classmates are still being cautious around him. Kuroo is over the moon and talks Kenma's year off about how Daishou accepted it and whenever their together he holds his hand, shares his bento box (he ends up taking Daishou's portion of carrots because the boys face crumbles when faced with the food) and even kisses his cheek! He's just as much a volleyball nut as Kuroo is and on days when Kenma can't hang out, he finds himself in front of a clunky TV with Daishou beside him, watching–then re-watching old recorded matches. Kuroo is dead sure their going to grow old together and complain about the weather and whatever else old people do together until Daishou suddenly up and transfers to another school, leaving Kuroo stranded with no new landline or contact information in genral to reach the boy. He's left heartbroken, and when he see's Daishou again across the court, he may or may not let a bit of that childhood betrayal fuel his new rivalry.

I mean a 19-20 year old Daishou who finds out a little too late that he and Kuroo applied for the same university, and now shares a dorm; two rooms, a single bathroom, a closet sized kitchen and the concept of a living room, with him. Their rivarly had mellowed out after their 3rd year, and inbetween graduating, wasting a handfull of weekends trying to figure out what he wanted to do with his life and parting ways with Mika, Daishou couldn't find it in himself to be as petty as he used to be. Kuroo seemed to be on the same wavelength, since all they trade are snide, one off comments or underhanded compliments on a bad day.

They start to co-exist, in a weird 'two different puzzle sets that can be miss n' matched because their templates are the same' way. Kuroo is a early bird, and by the time Daishou wakes up for afternoon classes, he finds breakfast (More like brunch) left in the microwave. Daishou tends to run by the store on his way back and this turns into him handling groceries. Their texts switch from randomass memes Kuroo finds from who-knows-where to random gossip they pick up on around campus. Sometime after mid-term exams, busting their only heater and finding a DvD player for cheap, they start spending Friday nights watching camp horror movies. Sometimes it's Kuroo justifying early 70s movie direction and sometimes its Daiahou guessing correctly the entire plot after ten minutes of watching but always, without fail, it ends with Kuroo draped across Daishou's shoulder and definitely ruining his one good sweater with drool (he doesn't mind as much as he should).

After three months of this, sprinkled with minute touches, catching lingering eyes and living with eachother instead of around one another, Daishou steals one of Kuroo's hoodies; one that's well-worn and he had no reason to take if he was still just a roommate. Kuroo hums when he sees, mumbles a quick 'it suits you' that sounds near bashful before scurrying away and Daiahou is satisfied ("over the moon's more like it" Mika had snickered).

Nothing major changes between them after that. Breakfast is still made for him when he wakes, but he throws some effort into waking up early on Mondays to watch Kuroo cook (and stare at his ass in running shorts), during grocery runs he picks up Kuroos favorite snacks and keeps the cupboard stocked. Simple 'make it home safe?', 'you look good in that' and affectionate cat gifs start to get mixed into their other messages. Kuroo starts suggesting cafes/restaurants and hole-in-the-wall confectioners to visit together. It was almost cute how he'd stammered through his first rec and looked genuinely surprised when Daishou agreed. Movie nights are warmer now. More contact and staring and awkward comments that Daishou doesn't look into. It's fun, being with Kuroo, and he's willing to wait for the rooster head to get comfortable with this–them–at his own pace.

That is, until two months pass and the guy has yet to even kiss him. Daishou's a patient guy, especially when it comes to relationships, but he's still just as human and if the idiot won't initiate anything he will. During the next movie night, he throws whatever into the DvD player and lets exactly 38 minutes pass (yes he counts) before turning over, waits for Kuroo to look back and closes that treacherous distance between them. Its nothing deep, just a peck on the lips, but when he draws back he finds Kuroo red in the face and just staring at him as if Daishou had grown a second head.

Now Daishou's confused, and his mind is slowly beginning to wonder if Kuroo was some weird 'sex before marriage' puritan until his dear sweet boyfriend of nearly two months mutters "I thought you were with Mika–"

Okay that's it no more I went to sleep at 3AM, then woke up to finish the rest of this lmao. Definitely got some basic grammer smudged since I didn't check nothing. If u care they end up half-arguing, half-explaining what they were thinking this entire time and at the end of it Kuroo smooches Daishou a whole bunch like the clingy cat bf he is.

[i-trash-about-things]

a.n.: this is a very self indulgent blurb about the local metalhead I've been obsessed with after ending ST. Call me a basic bitch if you want, Eddie's the coolest.

First person perspective; use of Y/N, Henderson!Reader; GN!Reader; Reader and Eddie are childhood friends; Reader is Eddie's age (20); Eddie and Chrissy survived, Vecna didn't (because fuck'im dried grape looking mf); mentions of puking; mentions of violence; fluff; slight angst; English not my first language; first time writing for Eddie, might be OOC.

word count: 4.2k

High School dances and second chances.

Some people say falling in love is hard. Aerosmith even says it's bad on the knees.

I don't know. I mean, if I recall correctly, I've only been in love once before and I never truly thought it was hard.

Maybe it's just because Eddie's easy to love. Despite what literally everyone else says, he's the easiest person to love I ever had the pleasure of meeting.

I mean, c'mon– for this feeling to have lasted all the way from 6th grade to his third senior year of high school, it couldn't have been hard.

And yet...

"It's not worth it, it's all I'm saying!"

"How it wouldn't be worth it? The worst thing that could happen is Jason will try to knock your brains out–"

"And we all know that Jason doesn't stand a chance to your personal bodyguard," I use the can of Pepsi on my hand to gesture at myself. "yours truly."

Dustin nods to my words, eyes wide as he looks between me and a surprisingly awkward Eddie.

"See! It'll be easy! Just- ripping off a bandaid!"

"You two really are siblings, huh?" He grumbles, sending me and Dustin the same done look. Dustin sputters, trying to explain himself, but my lips just curl into a familiar shit-eating grin.

"What can I say? Simplicity runs in the family."

And, to some degree, it does. Or maybe Dustin just spends way too much time with me and it's slowly catching onto my motto: "why overcomplicate things?"

Eddie sighs, glancing over his shoulder to the subject of our conversation. Chrissy Cunningham, cheerleader and queen of Hawkins High. One of the sweetest girls I've ever seen, even as she cried when I held her hair out of her face, the toilet in front of her smelling of stomach acid.

You see, while I've been in love with Eddie for most of my lifetime on this god forsaken world, Eddie has been on the same dilemma. Only this time, it was worse (or better, depending who you ask).

He's been in love with Chrissy, but instead of following my example and being her best friend, he's barely spoken two words to her, especially after the Vecna accident.

I never truly understood how that worked. Maybe it's because his situation is so different, and yet so similar, to mine. How could he love someone without speaking to them? Being their friend? Hell, how could he be even attracted to them? It's mind boggling to me.

But hey, who am I to judge? I'm way too enthralled in the process to make a fair judgement anyway. They'd revoke my law-license.

As my thoughts drifted for a second, my eyes lost in the way his bangs brushed over his eyebrows, he and Dustin keep talking in low voices.

"Dude, even if she doesn't outright laugh at me, she probably doesn't even want to look at me!"

"That's even better! That means she'll won't even remember it if you guys bump into each other again!"

"He has a point." I break out of my silence, not even noticing what I'm doing until I'm setting a cigarette between my lips. "It's literally just a high school dance. Which you ditched, twice, the last two years you didn't graduate."

My smile turns soft at the corners– because this time he did. I'm so damn proud of him.

"Point is: the worst that could happen is she'll softly turn you down. Chrissy is one of the sweetest girls I know, she won't be a bitch about it."

"Language!" Dustin extands a hand out and I grumble as I hand him a dollar. Eddie doesn't even blink at the interaction, already so used to the Henderson siblings he's not even fazed anymore. Instead, he just sighs.

"Yeah, yeah, I know... It's just–" He stuffs his face into his hands, grumbling and huffing like a child.

Cute.

Breathing in the cigarette smoke, I jump from my seat by the bleachers and walk over to Eddie. My hand finds his shoulder, squeezing for half a second, and I can only hope he can feel the warmth and care and love I have for him right now.

"Eddie."

He raises his eyes, beautiful soulful brown eyes that remind me of hot chocolate and fall, and for a long moment we just stare at each other. After that, a soft smile blooms at my lips, and he relants.

"Ugh, fine."

"Atta boy." I pat his back, chuckling as he sends me a look. Dustin let's out a sigh of relief, just happy to have this conversation over with.

It's easier for him, the person he loves loves him back, after all... Even if she's hundreds of miles away.

(I remind myself to recheck if Suzie's plane ticket is confirmed when I get home. Don't want the surprise for his birthday to be cancelled.)

On the first opportunity of getting out of this conversation, Dustin dips, saying he's gonna check out with the guy's and talk later. Soon, it's just me and Eddie by the empty gym, cigarette smoke twirling between us.

"Man..." He chuckles, passing a hand through his beautiful hair. "I can't believe I'm getting nervous about going to prom."

"I just can't believe you're going to prom. Honestly not that impressed you're nervous." And he rolls his eyes dramatically as we take our seats again.

"Oh yes, because you never were nervous before."

"And I never was." I lie through my teeth, a bad habit I've been developing the last few years.

I make a point of not mentioning how I always grow nervous to leave Hawkins to college. How I always get nervous when I come back, thinking this it'll be the time he found someone to replace my spot on his life. I mean, it isn't that hard, right? I'm just his best friend, I'm not that special. There's probably hundreds of people that would make an even better job at it than me.

"Never? In your whole entire life?" His voice both snaps me to reality and sinks me deeper into my self deprecation. I just chuckle, shaking my head with the cigarette on my lips.

"Nope."

"Not even when I almost killed your character last session?"

"Not even then."

"What about in that one presentation in sophomore year? Or when you were applying for that fancy-schamcy university of yours?"

"Nah."

He sputters, shocked. Because yeah, I'm not lying.

Because, even if the character I played all through high school died, even if my presentation sucked, even if I didn't get to the college of my dreams- he would still be my Eddie.

Now? Now I'm not so sure.

We stay silent for a while, at least until the burning of the cigarette reaches the filter and it burns my fingertips. When he breaks the silence, I almost don't notice, too deep in my own head.

"What's up with you today?"

"Hm?"

"See? That! You're so out of it!" He scoots closer to my side, pressing his legs against mine, shoulder against mine, until I can't sense nothing but him.

I wished he would do that more often.

"I'm just tired. Driving for two hours after spending a whole day in a cold ass college classroom ain't that fun, you know?"

"You're not, tho. I know you, dude, maybe more than you know yourself."

A bitter chuckle leaves my lips before I can hold it and Eddie's big, expressive and hypnotic eyes express his confusion way too well.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing, nothing, just..." I trail off, not sure what to say. He doesn't give me the time to think.

"What, you're saying I don't know you? After spending a good portion of my life with you? You think I'm that dumb?"

"I never said that, Eddie." I send him a look, one that not even I can explain. It's dark, it's piercing, it's... It's just pitiful. "Stop putting words in my mouth."

"Well it's not like you're giving me much to work with!" He groans, leaning back and crossing his arms over his chest, tattoos shifting on his skin. I have to stuff my own hands in my pockets to not trace over them with my fingertips. "You've been distant."

"Have I?" I mumble, still not sure what to say so I just fiddle with the broken lid of the old Pepsi can. He takes the it away from my fingers, forcing me to look at him.

"Yes. You have." He spits out, hand on my shoulder, eyes piercing into mine. Maybe if I was stronger I could return the look, but... I'm... "Y/N."

"Yeah?"

"Talk to me. Please."

"Eddie–"

"Please."

I let out a shuddering breath, pressing my face into my hands.

"I don't know... I don't... I can't..."

He pulls me to him, until I'm not beside him but in front of him. I can't hide, not when I feel like my limbs weigh a thousand.

"Then try."

...

Words...

God, why must I have to talk? Why can't I just... Show? Like, having powers like El and being able to just project my feelings for him to see? it would be so much easier. Show something I could never put truly into words.

But haven't I been doing exactly that for the last 9 years of our lives?

I take a deep breath, eyes stinging a little.

"I'm..." My tongue feels like it's made of lead, spit feeling like acid on my lips. And I just groan out the next words. "I feel... Bad."

"...Ok. That's a start." He nods eagerly, squeezing my shoulders in a sort of awkward encouragement. "Bad for what? Did I do something wrong? Is it something from college? Family?"

"No, no- you didn't do anything." Which is only half a lie. I rub a hand down my forehead, hair falling over my eyes as I let out a heavy sigh. "It's just... This prom thing, it... It feels bad."

"Why does it feel bad?" He asks, more directly this time. Soulful brown eyes, confused. I have to turn away from them to not get lost in my train of thought.

"I don't... I'm not sure. Maybe I'm just... Regretful?"

"What? Why would you be regretful?" He keeps pushing, keeps asking, knowing me well enough I'll probably just run into a wall of jumbled up feelings and words if he stops. This guy truly knows me too much. "You had a good time at your prom night, didn't you?"

"I mean... Yeah?" I scratch the back of my head, sighing. Yeah, I did have a good time on my own prom, about three years ago. So why does the thought of him having that same fun makes my chest burn?

...

Oh.

Oh, shit.

It's because he didn't go with me.

Like he could physically see the lightbulb turn on behind my eyes, Eddie lifts an eyebrow.

"So? What's the problem?"

I bite the inside of my cheek, looking desperately for an excuse. I don't want to come out as clingy, much less jealous. I hate hate hate feeling jealous, possessive. I hate it. I don't-

"Y/N?"

"It's just–" He won't let me think of a lie. That little shit. Instead I sigh, passing a hand through my hair and looking away. "I don't know. It feels funny thinking you'll actually go this year."

And I let the half sentence linger in the air, while the last part sits just beneath my tongue: when you didn't go with me when I invited you.

"And that makes you feel... Bad? Why? That... Doesn't make any sense." He frowns, like he senses there's something I'm not telling yet. Damn him.

"Yeah, I know it doesn't." I shrug, bitting my tongue and leaning back against the bleachers seats. My arms are crossed over my chest, ankles crossed as well with my eyes staring up at the ceiling. Closed off. Distant.

If he knew me for any less time, he probably would've backed off, but sadly for me–

Suddenly I feel him leave my side, getting up from his seat, then walking to stand directly in front of me.

"Y/N. C'mon."

My normally nonchalant and relaxed expression feels way too heavy right now, my eyes shifting to look at his beat up boots with mismatched laces.

"I... Just..." I groan, passing a hand through my hair again but tugging on it like I'm trying to get my head in the game. "Promise you won't laugh. Or hate me."

He's way too used to my need for reassurance. Eddie leans down, until he's face to face with me despite the fact I'm still sat. There's that damned smirk on his lips, the one that makes me want to play with his hair and–

"I promise, I won't hate you. I must've told you that, like, a hundred times now."

"...Just... Just making sure." I clear my throat, flushing a little in embarrassment... Before letting out a sigh.

"I'm... I feel bad because... I... I'm not sure how to explain it." I play with my rings, shaking my head like a snow globe, hoping the new perspective will help. "Uhh... Remember when I graduated? 2, 3 years ago?"

"Yeah? What of it?"

"Remember I asked you to go to prom with me?" Surprisingly, his eyes light up a little, the smallest hint of a smile on his lips. So soft, so beautiful and so damn easy to fall in love with. Damn him.

"Yeah, I do. You made a whole corny ass prom-posal thing, made me go on a treasure hunt and everything."

"God, don't even talk about it." I flush harder, feeling even more embarrassed. God please just take me out. He frowns at my reaction, crossing his arms.

"What? I thought it was cute."

"Yeah, yeah, if you say so..." A grumble leaves my lips, just wanting to get to the roots of this conversation. Just get it done and over with so I can get back to loving him silently. "Point is, back then, I was actually kinda excited. I knew you didn't graduate that year, but I thought 'hey what's funnier than not passing but going to the party anyways?'. I made all these plans where we would go around playing pranks on people, wanting to make you feel excited for something but..."

I close my hands, breathing slowly.

"You backed out."

There's an unintentional dramatic pause, where I try to get used to this sense of vulnerability. It feels excruciating, like he's picking me apart with those beautiful eyes of his.

"And I understood, because of course I did. It made sense, I guess it would've been too painful. I really didn't, and still don't, hold it against you, I just..."

Looking for any kind of comfort on this awkward and vulnerable situation, I bring my knees against my chest, almost mumbling my next words.

"I just... Kinda wished we could've gone together, I guess."

And another beat of silence.

My skin tingles with the feeling of his presence a feet away from me, the way I can feel his eyes boring into my head as I nuzzle deeper into myself. I kinda feel like an armadillo right now. Or those little insects that turn into balls– what were their names again? Maybe I should make them my next tattoo.

Before I can let myself drift away, I feel him move.

He takes a step forward, crouching to meet my eyes. He looks so... Soft. I mean, he always has a certain tenderness to him, but this is... It makes my heart melt and race at the same time.

God damnit, Eddie.

"You actually wanted to go to prom with me?" He looks so sweet asking that, the vulnerability in his eyes matching mine. I chuckle, his question making me frown in confusion.

"Yes? Duh?? I thought going through all the work of setting up a chessy treasure hunt would be clear enough, dude."

"No, but–" It's his turn to let out a small laugh, eyes boring into mine like it's the first time he's ever seeing me. "I thought I was just... A pity invite. Like you were trying to make me feel better by inviting me instead of going with someone you actually wanted to go and dance and be cheesy with."

The sheer thought makes me pause, the confusion and disbelief he would ever think that making me feel a whole less awkward about my little moment of openness.

I set my knees back down, frowning at nothing in particular before a confused giggle leaves my lips. My eyes finally turn back to his, and it's like a spark of fire flies up in that.

"What??? Dude, no??? I genuinely wanted to go with you! I was looking for matching suits and everything!"

The confession would probably make me blush at some other point, but I just laugh right now– not noticing the way his own eyes widened and cheeks turn warm.

"Plus, who else would I invite?? You were the only person I remotely liked at that point in high school, and not only that you were– you are my best friend! I wouldn't want anyone else!"

WOW OK– Back off a little, Y/N, we're going a bit too much into the too-honest category. Slowly back away into besties again, or else he'll finally catch on the fact you've been in love with him for a good portion of your life. Beep beep beep–

He doesn't give me that chance.

Before I know what's happening, his hand is on mine and he's pulling me off the bleachers and to him– but we fall onto the shiny floor of Hawkins High gym.

He doesn't seem to mind the fact I'm crushing him a little, right now. All I can feel is his face on the crook of my neck, arms around my shoulders with our legs tangled together.

"Jesus– A warning, Eds–"

"I love you."

...

what

My mouth moves before my brain does.

"I love you too."

And for the first time, I'm thankful for that.

Because, after the split second of panic, I let out a melancholic chuckle, nuzzling into his hair.

He loves me, like a best friend does to the other.

Not like I do.

Not like Orpheus loved Eurydice, not like Darcy loved Elizabeth.

Not like I do to him.

And I've made my peace with that, so I just hug him back, feeling my heart break and race at the same time.

"No, Y/N–" He pushes me off of him, just enough so he can look at me. I have to plant my forearms by the side of his head to not fall off. He looks so pretty beneath me like this, hair sprawled around like a halo, cheeks stretched into the smile I fell for. "You don't have any idea how much that meant to me. I'm serious."

"Well, it's the truth." A soft chuckle leaves me, and I shrug. "You're literally the only one I want to go to prom with, why'd you think I ended up going alone?"

"What, you didn't had a backup date?"

"What?? No, I didn't have a "backup date", ew. What I mean is I did have offers, you know? A few people asked me to prom."

"What! You– You never told me that!" He grabs me by the shoulders, and if I wasn't planted so firmly over him, he might have shook me like trying to get me back to my senses. "How could you never tell me that, Henderson! I'm your best friend, God damnit!"

"I didn't think it was that important!"

"How could you think it wasn't?! It's a big damn deal someone tried to take you away from me!"

God damnit Eddie stop saying stuff like that-

"No one could ever take me away from you, you know that."

...Maybe I need to stop saying stuff like that.

"Yeah, but still! Who was it?? Was it someone I know?"

"Does it matter? They already graduated! We probably don't even recognize them anymore!" I can't help but laugh, chuckling as my hair falls around my face like a shaggy curtain. "Plus, it's not like it's gonna make a difference, the guy I actually wanted to go with didn't go with me."

He stops at that, hands weakening their hold on my shoulders. I immediately regret saying that.

"Oh. Right, yeah. I'm..."

"Eddie, hey, it's fine." I immediately jump up to reassure him, shaking my head and sending him a soft smile. "I really don't blame you for not going. Like I said, it must have been a bitch to not pass then have to go to prom. Really, I get it."

"I mean, yeah, but..." He looks away from me, tilting his head to the side. His bangs shift, hiding one of his eyes. "You were so excited. I never thought I would see you happy to go to a dance, much less a school one."

A puff of a laugh leaves my lips. My arms are starting to hurt from holding myself up like this.

"Yeah, it was a surprise to me too. But hey, it's fine, it's in the past. I had my turn at prom, now it's yours! And you're going with Chrissy!"

I mean, he didn't invite her yet, but– C'mon, who could say no to those eyes?

Weirdly, he grimaces at my words, almost flinching at the mention of the cheerleader's name.

"Yeah... Chrissy."

I tilt my head to the side, frowning, probably looking like a confused puppy in his perspective.

"You still nervous about inviting her?"

"No, it's not that."

"Well then, what is?" He glances back to me, before hiding further into his hair. Even with my shoulders straining from effort, I gently raise one of my hands and brush his bangs away from his eyes. His skin feels weirdly warm beneath my fingers. "C'mon, Eds, talk to me."

It's rare seeing him like this and it's eating me up inside. Normally I'm the first person he runs to for help, the first that gets him out of trouble– like when I helped him get Chrissy back to normal and out of Vecna's clutches, or when he had to hide in a boathouse for days when he was accused of assaulting her and breaking both her legs (despite her claims of his innocence.). I refused to leave his side for more than 10 minutes and got fiercely protective when we came back from the Upside down.

Honestly I have no idea how he didn't catch on the fact I'm in love with him in all that time. Steve kept saying I looked like a feral guard dog everytime anyone got remotely close to him.

"I... Just realized something." He mumbles, effectively waking me up from my wondering. Slowly, gently, he pushes me back and sits up. Still not meeting my gaze.

"What is it?" I give him space, despite the fact all I want is to hold him down again and force his eyes to look at mine. I feel like I'm drowning in worry at this point. Damnit, I shouldn't have said anything about prom. Or about Chrissy. Or– I don't know, maybe I shouldn't have ever opened my mouth. I was never good with words.

"I, uh..." He fiddles with his own fingers for a moment, before freezing. Suddenly, a smile opens at his lips–

And he raises his head, eyes finally on mine.

And it takes my breath away.

"I just got an idea."

Oh boy, here we go.

"Nothing good ever came out of those five words before."

"Oh, but that's where your wrong, my dearest angel!" He almost jumps up from the ground, looking absolutely ecstatic. "I just had the best realization of my life! I don't think I've ever had a better idea!"

Without even asking, he pulls me up- with enough force to slam my face into his collarbone.

"Ow–"

"Point is–Sorry– I need to go. Gotta a lot of planning ahead of me!" He practically giggles, pressing a kiss to the crown of my hair and skipping off into the gyms exit.

All I can do is watch him. Watch his messy and unruly hair disappear behind those doors, his smirk and excitement the last thing I see before he finally runs off to do... Something?

I must have stayed there, frozen, for at least half a minute, just staring at the void with our conversation rerolling on my head.

"What the hell just happened?" My voice echoes back to me and the gym suddenly feels a lot bigger.

With a confused but half amused sigh, I grab my bag and empty can of Pepsi off the ground and slowly leave the school.

Well, whatever that was, at least he looks excited. For me that's all that matters.

A soft, but slightly sad, smile crawls up my lips at that thought.

It's funny how many times I say those words to myself. "As long as he's happy." And it's surprising how many times I actually mean it.

A lot of people say one of the worst pains is unrequited love, that one sided pining that can last years and years.

I don't know. I honestly kinda like it.

This feeling.

It's like playing super spy, like I used to play with Dustin and the kids when we were younger. I know a secret no one else does– or at least he doesn't. It's fun. It hurts, sure, but it's fun. It's playful and fun and easy.

Easy like loving him.

And when I say I'm content of just being by his side, even if he doesn't see me the way I see him...

I mean it.

this ended up having a part two lol

[astoundingbeyondbelief]

Kaiju Week in Review (June 25-July 8, 2023)

I picked a bad time to skip a week lol

Ultraman Blazar, the 35th entry in the Ultra Series, has made the scene. Episode 1 throws us right into a battle between humanity and a space monster. Blazar's the pushy type, all but forcing Gento to transform, but he doesn't speak Japanese—just yowls. For now, that makes him the show's central mystery. The show's defense team, SKaRD, won't actually form until the next episode, at which point we should have a better sense of it. But I'm intrigued so far.

Free streaming TV service Pluto TV has added a Godzilla channel. It boasts, or should soon boast, all of the Japanese Godzilla films minus King Kong vs. Godzilla and Shin Godzilla, plus Rodan, all the Mothra movies, The War of the Gargantuas, Godzilla (1998), and Godzilla: The Series. A Blu-ray.com user has composed a detailed rundown of the versions of the films used—short version, nothing we haven't seen before apart from a few small changes.

I got to see Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken before its official June 30 release date thanks to Regal's Monday Mystery Movie series. I guess I didn't retain much memory of the trailer, because it surprised me how early in the film the title character first grew into a kaiju. I can't give it an especially enthusiastic recommendation—comparisons to Luca and Turning Red are inevitable and don't flatter Ruby at all. But I get a kick out of seeing kaiju in such alien territory as a hyperactive animated kids' movie, and they continue to show off their flexibility as metaphors (Ruby is plainly neurodivergent). 7 outta 10.

Nimona dropped on Netflix the same day, and that's one anyone reading this column should sprint to watch. It saves its kaiju for the third act, and I've held off on posting much about that part of the story yet, but trust me, Ishiro Honda would be proud.

After years of lackluster Gorgo home video releases, Vinegar Syndrome seems poised to finally do it right in 4K Ultra HD. (If you're like me and don't have a way to watch such discs yet, don't worry, it comes with a Blu-ray.) New scan, new audio commentary, special features both new and old, and a killer cover. For those unfamiliar with the company, note that this release is "only available on [the Vinegar Syndrome] website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them."

Every episode of Chibi Godzilla Raids Again is now subtitled, a fine excuse to get acquainted with one of the Reiwa era's biggest surprises. No stakes, no budget, just a bunch of Toho's biggest stars acting like a bunch of fools.

There's always more Godzilla toy news than this column can hope to cover, but a few highlights:

Bandai's ever-expanding Movie Monster Series will release Gamera 1965, Gyaos 1967, and Battra larva later this month. The defunct Daiei Kaiju Series last offered a Showa Gamera in 2006, and never covered any of his foes from that era; here's hoping Gyaos is the first of many.

Hiya Toys now has the license to produce figures from the Toho Godzilla films, not just the Monsterverse.

Super7 will be selling ReAction figures of Godzilla chomping some helpless people on a subway train at San Diego Comic Con. They just get it (and hopefully the many of us who aren't going will have some way of getting it that doesn't involve scalpers).

The new unit in Godzilla Battle Line is Monster X/Keizer Ghidorah. The former evolves into the latter after his first death. Keizer is a heavy hitter with a twist: he regains 20% of his health with every defeated foe. Great against swarms, but you don't see too many of those these days.

Believe it or not (many are still in denial), but Pacific Rim turns 10 on Wednesday. Thankfully, per this Tweet from director Guillermo del Toro, the effective start of the Kaiju Renaissance (and one of my all-time favorite films) won't go unrecognized on its first big anniversary. I'm guessing a cast reunion?

More translations from Noah Oskow await on Toho Kingdom, these a collection of synopses of early versions of Godzilla vs. Mothra, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, and Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla from the Toho DVDs. Much of this has been translated in greater detail already, but the later drafts are interesting.

[synergysilhouette]

Rewriting "High Card" (Season 1)

This is the first anime I've rewritten episode for episode--and this is mainly because it's only two short seasons. I actually really enjoyed this series, and it's one of the few original animes I've watched (and a bright side after being heavily disappointed by "Bucchigiri?!"), but since I'm in the business of doing rewrites now, I decided to fix some story issues I found with this show (mainly character-related), though I wanted to wait until finishing season 2 to make sure my criticisms would be alleviated. Since there isn't too much I dislike, there won't be too much to change, though I wrote this mostly for myself. Here's hoping for a 3rd season!

One Shot--One of the good/bad things about this show is that they pretty much dive right into the action. It's good since it gets your attention, but leaves something to be desired for the story. For this episode, I'd want to give more attention to Finn's time in the orphanage (the whole reason he's a pickpocket, yet his time there is barely covered).

2. Make a Choice--Mostly the same, but again giving more information on Finn's time at the orphanage, as well as seeing him interact with the people there (especially Lindsey). I'd also alter the ages a bit so they feel closer. In the series, Vijay is 26, Wendy is 21, Chris is 20, and Finn is 17. I'd probably make them all in their early 20s (Vijay being older felt like it took him out of the spotlight, and I felt like it fit Finn better to be older). I'd also alter Chris' personality a bit; in the anime, his charming personality is often framed as disingenuous to hide his selfish nature underneath due to his own trauma. I like the idea that his flirtiness and charismatic attitude isn't false bravado, and that's just who he is, along with being contemplative and serious when the time calls for it. The origins of Fourland are also explained here instead of in episode 6.

3. Crazy Rich--Leo is also aged up to around the same age as the other High Card youths, with it being stated that he and Vijay are childhood friends (in contrast to the original, where they have a 12 year age gap and Vijay is seen raising him; this is mainly because Vijay gets such little focus and I never understood why he'd be looking after Leo at such a young age). I'd also want a bit more focus on Leo's backstory and his relationship with his father, Owen, and Bernard. I'd also set the scene for Theodore and Ban's relationship as well as hints at Ban's main goal (which the anime waited until the end to address, and it didn't really go anywhere).

4. Samurai Girl--A bit more of Wendy's past is dived into rather than a short backstory, and 'd make it so that Vijay is the one to disarm Love-P rather than Finn (given that I want other characters to get a chance to shine outside of Chris and Finn). Chris is unavailable to be in the fight at that time because he got an emergency call from Michel, who just wanted to see him, and she tells him that she's being discharged from the hospital soon. Apple also becomes Finn's first friend unrelated to High Card and the orphanage.

5. Power Game--Sugar catches on a bit quicker to the events of what's going on in the country, as well as being more sly and tactful rather than just headstrong. She also goes on leave after the death of John Doe. We also hear about how Ban's father died and his hints at wanting to get him back at any cost. Vijay, Bernard, and Leo also explain the power of X-hands and how they come at a great cost, explaining how Ban attempted to use it years ago to reverse time to save his father, but Theodore prevented it, and that his aim is to use an X-hand to travel back in time and save him. However, they suspect another goal in mind as well. More info on the royal family is also highlighted, particularly how Noah hired Ban to kill his brothers so he could be king (kinda feel like the show buried the lead with that).

6. Take Back Five--Vijay gets more of the focus here, being the one to orchestrate the acquisition of the 5 of Diamonds. Apple is there as well, and shows an unusual desire to obtain the card, despite Finn never revealing to him it's nature. I'd like to think Bernard also is present for this, though Leo is mixed about this, feeling mixed about it, not wanting his father to distrust him, but also wanting to make him proud. It's also implied that Finn knew that Chris switched out the 5 of Diamonds dueling the auction, but he believes that Chris turned it in to HC, so he didn't confront him about it.

7. Love and Fake--It is confirmed that Chris is bisexual--not for fanservice reasons (even though I am a Chris/Finn shipper), but he says in season two after rescuing Finn "I'm into holding men, too," and I feel like it'd come up while he and Finn are conjoined. It's also revealed that Chris had been trying to woo Chelsea for a short while in order to get her card, but while she was catching feelings, she saw through his flirting, since it's robotic as he does it with many women. While conjoined, we see flashbacks of Chris and Finn's lives (particularly about their parents), as well as Chris deciding to be a bit more contemplative about him playing with others' feelings, even if it's for the greater good. The episode plays out mostly the same, save for Chris asking Chelsea out for a date on his next day off (I'm a Chris/Chelsea shipper, as you can see), but to everyone's surprise, Leo has hired her as a member of High Card, using her social media presence to promote the company.

8. Heat Up--Up to this point, Finn has been making periodic visits to the orphanage and helping Lindsey cover the payments, and brings Chelsea and Wendy (the only members of HC available) as well as Apple to come with him for Lindsey's birthday. Lindsey still turns down his offer to get more money to help keep the orphanage open, and Finn also notes how Lindsey reminds him of someone he used to know, though Lindsey doesn't press him on it, knowing that his past is painful to recall. Chris also doesn't refer to himself as brother to Finn (this would be to maintain the fanservice). Most of the episode plays out the same, though Apple has a breakdown when he thinks Finn died.

9. By Your Side--Chelsea and Chris visit Finn, revealing that when Chelsea joins two people, she also develops a connection with them, able to read their emotions, and sometimes their thoughts, allowing her to convey to Chris Finn's pain. Most of the episode plays out the same, though the episode ends with Chelsea coming to a realization, and she rushes to find Michel, who's escaped the hospital again, as well as Finn noting that he needs to check on Apple after his mission is over.

10. To Be Apart--Given that Chris' backstory is already explored prior, the episode focuses more on Ban's motives (before this, we'd just heard it explained rather than see it) and how Theodore's adherence to the rules only became stronger with time. I'd also say that Arya was fired from HC rather than simply leaving, since helping Tyler breaks a significant rule. The other members of HC aren't put on standby, so Vijay and Wendy rescue Chris, and Chris quickly disappears after getting Alex's card. Finn gets a call from Leo, who tells him that Chelsea informed him that Chris is looking for Michel in order to heal her with an X-hand. Finn subsequently passes out from his injuries rather than Chris shooting him.

11. Chris--Most of the episode's the same, except everyone already knows Chris' motives, and Chelsea manages to find Michel at the carnival just as Chris does. Lindsey returns Chris' money to Finn, but it motivates Finn to work harder to save the orphanage even more, and we get a glimpse of Finn's brother, who up to this point he had forgotten, which pushes him to protect Lindsey, the orphanage, and High Card (Chris included).

12. Finn--The royal family is still defended by HC, but Finn immediately goes after Chris rather than being knocked out and hospitalized. Tilt stops him, taking from some of season 2 and revealing that he's Finn's brother, and doesn't want to hurt him, but has sympathy for Chris, which is why he joined Ban, who also has something he wants to get back. Chelsea is also never injured and uses her telepathy to distract Chris in order for Finn to shoot one of the cards out of his hands. In the end, Chris is fired from High Card (considering he did something that is completely against the rules), though he still needs money in order to support himself and Michel, and Ban offers him a place with the Klondike family. He doesn't have to do any of the extreme dirty work, but he would have to go against his former friends. Chris agrees for a couple reasons: to support himself and Michel, out of sympathy for Ban, and because he believes High Card will eventually beat the Klondike family.

And that's all my notes for now! Perhaps I'll come back and add more content/revise before season 2. Lemme know what you think!

[joyjoyjoy]

Confused and lost on God's perfect timing

I always pride myself of being in tune with God's perfect timing.

I am so confused now.

Tom and I keep hitting walls. One after another. One after another. I upset him so much. He upsets me so much. It feels like the better we get the worse we feel. I don't know if I have to get medicated to make this work. I don't know if avoidant attachment styles and anxious attachment styles really can't be together. That can't be the answer right? How can we do couples therapy if we are long distance? Should we just breakup and meet in each other later in life, would that be 20, 30 or even 40 years in the future? I am greedy and I don't want to do that. I don't want to do that? Is it what I should do? I almost have a guarantee that I shouldn't do Australia because our relationship is so unstable. I never talked about breaking up with Ben at this stage. We need to have a more serious talk. This just threw me off balance so hard. So hard.

I told him, in our talk today, that he was going to be part of my reel of memories before I die, and I just wanted to keep adding to that with him. I wanted to keep adding memories with him. He said the memories that we had together were always going to stay there.

He said maybe it was the beginning of the end. I have two more months until I see him again. I don't know what to do. Everytime I compare my relationship to anyone else's I end up loosing. It's sickening. But they don't love him like I do!

None of these fucking people love Tom like I do. They will never feel what a love like this feels like. They truly won't and it is not fucking fair that they get to live in the same fucking neighbourhood, in the same fucking city, in the same fucking country. When they don't even have an ounce of love like the one we have. So why is it not us? Why now? Why not in 5 years when we could move? Why not in 40 when we could settle down? Why now? Why now? Why now? I need an answer I love him too much. I love him so much. So much more than I ever loved Ben so much more than I ever loved Jack, it's ridiculous how much Tom means to me. Why don't I get-- Why don't I deserve his company? Just so fucking unfair with everyone meeting on Bumble or some stupid class at your dumbfuck university.. and you call that love? and you call that fate? and you call them the one??? Really be serious for a fucking minute. A fucking minute.

I don't know what God wants out of me. I don't know what he wants out of me. Does he wanted me to have a taste of what magic could feel like? Before I find my third boyfriend and husband? It's always a third boyfriend and husband...

I need to get this sorted out before the exchange. I can't do the exchange in Australia if I'm not 100% sure about him. I can't. Maybe I do it in New Zealand and it's not as bad. Oh diary. Oh diary. I miss him and love him and he is everything I've ever wanted. He is everything I've ever wanted, but I might not be enough at this moment in time. I am trying but maybe not hard enough, it feels like I am. I am trying hard enough.

That conversation just threw me off balance. He was just saying. I'm waiting for you to break up with me. I am not breaking up with you! I am not doing that, I am not doing that ever. If he does it's gonna hurt but I won't do that. I won't leave the best man that has graced my life. We need to stop fighting. He needs to give me reassurance. and I need to get off his dick. Maybe that's it and maybe if we both stick to it enough then that's it.

I want to put in the work, he wants to put in the work. That's all that matters now. We both are in.

[jenroses]

So Oregon has this weird thing going on where Medicaid Will Not Pay For Hysterectomies for almost any reason for women. Not if you're nearly bleeding out every month, not if your pain is debilitating, nope, not gonna happen.

Also, any breast reduction is considered "cosmetic" unless the tissue removed is greater than a specific percentage of body mass, which meant I had a denial letter for a reduction for gigantomastia because the doctor estimated my boob weight too low relative to my body weight. So even private insurance won't pay for a "cosmetic" reduction.

However, in Oregon both public and private insurance companies are mandated to pay for trans healthcare.

Fortunately, I'm nonbinary. So I got a letter from my therapist and they put in an order for top surgery (the results are the same--I wanted my boobs GONE, period) and insurance paid 100% . Turned out they removed more than 6% of my bodyweight in breast tissue (see: gigantomastia) so it could have been done as a reduction but the fight was much easier doing it as trans healthcare.

SO, thinking about that, knowing my roommate was struggling with extraordinarily difficult periods and dysphoria about them and being given no options, I said, "You know you do not have to have dysphoria about your entire gender to have dysphoria about part of it."

And then my roommate started thinking about that, and realized that they are in fact genderfluid, and went to the doctor and said, "I'm genderfluid and my periods are dysphoric for me and I want gender affirming surgery."

And the doctor wrote the referral the same day. There was zero friction from any medical professionals about planning the procedure as bottom surgery.

So this is a weird hack if you are in a state with this dichotomy.

And yeah, it's fucking weird as hell that the only way to get women's health care sometimes is to stop being a woman.

But hey, whatever works. Gender is a trap and a lie and nowhere more than when there are bullshit arbitrary rules about who can get what necessary procedure done to their body when.

(I had a friend at one point who told the story of getting pregnant when abortion was illegal and going in to have an IUD placed, and then removing it, and doing it again until she wasn't pregnant anymore. The rules around health care often don't make sense and we are under no moral obligation to affirm bad rules.)

My roommate's doctor said, "When someone tells me they don't want kids anymore, I believe them."

He'll do a tubal on a 20 year old if they ask for it.

This should not be so unusual.

So do TERFs think that cis women are being pressured into getting hysterectomies purely as birth control? Because that's not happening.

[the-firebird69]

There's a huge number of songs she can sing but she's singing American woman it's pretty tough to sing, just making some really high notes something. And she's kind of obliging odd looking is the last of happening here in punta Gorda

And several people are in trouble with the law yeah like Donald Trump is a few others right now I have to announce that we're having trouble with these people here and the government is not stepping in and they can't yet and they found that out. There's a few people around here who belong in jail and are not there. Yeah get to the announcements now

There's a huge contingent it's kind of forming outside of Charlotte county of like 10 million people they apparently are warlock and they are getting hit there are so other rings. Primitive carrying permitless and we don't approve of it in about 200 other laws that the idiots wrote into law in the past 10 minutes most of the few days and they're going to repeal all these laws in a few days.

Walmart is falling and we didn't even apply the gas yet but people don't like what they're doing and we will revamp the store once we take it over.

Punta Gorda is losing people that's right they say that the snowbirds are leaving no it's not the stubbers it's everybody it's a huge exit from this area and they're leaving Port Charlotte too I want 5% drop in the population has occurred over the past year but right now there are a lot of people leaving and for good they don't want a part of this place it's a nasty nightmare what's going on now too there are a few people who don't like it here and they're asked to leave here gently but truthfully today about 20% of the population left and they are not returning they look at it like we don't like Donald Trump and he left and it was nice and second it came back it was a pain in the ass they don't want to live near him and they are evacuated have to get ready

John remillard complained if I have to go here your boy is dead and that kind of stuff this morning he started killing him a few minutes ago and he started to yell about it and we just got rid of him I'm going to get rid of them everyday until he doesn't return and yeah he gets knocked out and his heart stops and usually his brain stops we've heard it before but was sick of it he died from his talk and we're going to hit him again and momentarily cuz he's squawking again now he's not really that smart of the guy but really that's stupid we saw him walking along the edge of the water we heard him threatening ouer son. I sent our people I do not want to hear that guy say that one more time stop him from saying it one more time someone stood in and got it held it for a while and then he said they're stopping me from stopping him from saying it literally they're reaching in with someone else's power of ours and forcing him to not be able to stop it and I could not believe it and the reasons why were ridiculous so he's tired of listing off what we do and they said so what it it bothers you and we noticed that it was the idiots and said we're going to make sure you lose no matter what and you're not winning anything all of you and they go we don't have any proof that and we can't tell that you exist I said so what it said this very carefully you don't know who you are where you are or what you're doing so you see those big obelisk you can't go near cuz you all be dead in seconds and vaporized we're over there I'm going to shut the f****** and get away from me you're going to be dead does that mean anything stupid. The guy says it's not right now but if I go over there it will and so if there are people of yours over there and we vaporize them and you can't go around yapping and blabbing at people who usually shoot you anyways won't that be a hassle so yeah I guess so yes we'll start doing that cuz you're a hassle you're an a****** too I'm sick of looking at your ugly faceany stupid disgusting bodies and have you run around blame us for you looking bad you're going to look really f****** bad because your body will look like a skeleton and that's it we're killing shitloads you kid you people get the f*** off me or there's going to be wholesale death today so the guy looks up and says go ahead and bring it with your permission we're both saying it and I said we're saying and I said we'll see you too we're going to hit a different area then and give me it up so you can flatten as you can flatten more of them so it started competing and we're nailing them and people are saying we don't do what that guy says and you know it's way too late so they got pissed off we go after f****** morons to run around pissed off please start yelling this we're not going to stop cuz you're saying that he said we're not going to stop cuz you're forcing us not to stop so the guy looks around and says what are we supposed to do so you're supposed to do nothing I don't care to talk to you shut your f****** mouth you piece of s*** and just die cuz it's coming right now stupid f****** queer bait so the guy dies on the way out he's yelling it was Chris it was Chris said no s*** I'm using a stupid talk as a threat you f****** piece of s*** so he stops yelling it he says we should have decided to shut the f****** instead we're dying and he died and a whole bunch of died out there. Apparently the Santa's was hovering above you with the ship and you couldn't figure it out comes by once in a while and he does that and he hits a bunch of you and he hit some ax too and they come down on him they let him in and let him do that though when there's too many of you here

There's more but we're going to publish now cuz that's a nice thing to do that someone who's an a******

Thor Freya

[38388sjj]

I'm genuinely losing my fucking mind idk how to even cope. All I've been hearing the entire 20 years of my fucking life is "it will get better" "hang in there" or dead, pitying, disgusting silence. It's fucking deafening. I feel like I'm living in the middle of a tornado I've blurred into. I can't see anything. I can't stop spinning. When I do my entire body screams to blur into static again, I feel like vomiting everywhere and ripping myself to shreds.

I've been having sleep paralysis again multiple times every fucking time I sleep. Seeing shadow people when I open my eyes, feeling something that isn't there talking to me and touching my neck and arms. Getting stuck in the pitch black of my mind and not being able to put myself back into the body I can feel laying fucking dead around me, not being able to fall back into a dream. Managing to get back into my body only for it not to be able to keep me awake.

Showing up late to my fucking 8 pm shifts because my body is fucking me over. My hands keep trembling. I don't fucking know why.

I gained a few pounds and I hit a number that just shredded my fucking brain. I've managed to stay at 118 and not freak out and go any lower for a long time (the "healthy" weight for my height) but I went a few pounds over that and I can fucking FEEL it on my body and I want to die. Every second I can feel that extra weight. I have never freaked out this bad even when I was hellbent on losing before or even when I weighed much more in the past.

I have been so pissed off when people look at me, it's really not fucking okay but I can't even control it.

Everyone was fucking acting weird today. They have been for a while but ESPECIALLY today. It felt like something was really off. I feel like I don't even know or understand anyone anymore. Why the fuck are they acting like that?

And I don't even think my fucking partner wants me anymore. I honestly even question if they did in the first place. They won't kiss me, touch me, and they seem to like their best friend better than they ever would me.

We hung out all together not too long ago and I dissociated so fucking bad the entire time. I couldn't even handle it mentally. I really did not like the energy majority of the time, I could not handle it.

Worst part is I don't know if I'm just being insane and needy or if my fear is actually true. It got to me so bad that when we had a moment alone I ended up crying my eyes out in front of them for the first time (I only ever cried in front of them once, a while back when I got drunk and it was NOT a lot) and going on a tangent about my literal childhood trauma and I just couldn't stop myself from talking. They listened but I FELT that pitying silence even with my back turned in the dark and I wanted to rip my vocal chords out of my throat.

I literally don't even know what I'm still hanging around here for I really don't. I don't know if I want anything from this world that I can give myself or anyone can give me. I want to stick my head underwater and huff until I drown. I really have no clue how much longer that I can do this. I have never had anyone to stay by my side, I can't even stand beside myself because I have no will to do this stupid shit. I'll either make it or I'll cut myself out.

[naamahdarling]

Oh very good suggestions!

This year has been so full of provider/pharmacy/insurance fuckery that I just...no longer have fear of these people, just fear of some things that they do, which is a welcome improvement. I take my boyfriend with me most of the time because I have learned that people are more collected with a witness, and because I NEED someone to help if I freeze up or genuinely melt down. Today I didn't expect any trouble so I just went by myself. Kind of sorry, and kind of sorry I didn't record it, because I would love to know if someone else would have heard what I was hearing.

Trying to remember it's very rarely personal and that the practitioner may have had to deliver brutal and horrific news in an appointment before yours helps too.

That is EXACTLY what I was most concerned about, and a big part of why I didn't say anything to anyone else. I am trying very hard, against my will and only because I know it is the right thing to do, to remember these are just regular people stuck in their own heads with their own problems and they probably have to pee and they and often if not always don't mean to be as annoying as they are. I'm not a regular person, I have severe PTSD and medical/sexual trauma, and I do in fact have to be handled very, very carefully, and I deserve that consideration because it is not only a very real medical condition, it was the medical profession that traumatized me and continually reinforced that trauma over decades. They have a professional, moral duty to help heal that in any way they can. It not being personal won't fix it when something is genuinely harmful, sadly.

And that is why I make it clear when I go to a new clinic that I have trauma and boundaries and needs that are different, and they will have to respect them or risk doing me further harm, and that I take that extremely seriously. Some really don't like that. Some just don't understand what it is like and take it lightly until I break down. It's getting better, though, with more places being trauma-informed, like this one. It isn't like it was 20 years ago. And I'm better able to express myself now.

This didn't feel like the usual behavior of a shitty person. I'm fine letting it go because this time I was not in a bad headspace, like I unfortunately often am. If I had been in a bad way, I would have told them right when I came in, as I always do, and if she had then gone on to be like this, I would have had to say something because that would have been way out of line. I simply don't know, though, whether she would have been so rude under those circumstances, because this place is pretty great and it feels unjust to make that assumption. I know that she has been trained better than that. She just didn't see me in need of careful handling because at the time, I wasn't.

I genuinely disapproved of the conversation we had about the T, though. Which wasn't a conversation, really, but turned into me having to defend myself against what felt like an interrogation and then, once she fully understood what had happened, I think became her being mad at me for something I had no control over: the fact that the NP had done me a favor that I did not make her do when she extended my prescription, and I in fact did not even know that was technically not allowed. Pointing that out to me like I was a child trying to skirt the rules was uncalled for. I didn't know them, and if I had, would have done differently. Somehow. I had just broken my foot like four or five days before my appointment and was not yet comfortable traveling.

I GENUINELY I hope that nothing terrible happened and this lady was a nice lady who was just really tired and cranky. I'll see her again and find out, probably.

Ugh. Next time with the next person I need to have a plan, because this was very unhelpful.

ADVICE NEEDED.

When dealing with a medical professional, how do you very very politely call attention to rude behavior or behavior that is making you uncomfortable but that you genuinely believe is not deliberate or a part of their character?

I went to my GAC clinic today and the nurse was very...almost accusatory. Why was I doing this, why was I doing that, who told you that, etc.. Like she thought I was lying or doing something wrong. (I'm pretty sure she thought I was getting my T illicitly when it was just that a thing hadn't been entered properly, so I had to direct her attention to a PM convo with the NP.)

I do not think she is normally an asshole. We hadn't met, but she did say and do some things that indicated she was generally respectful to patients and I really appreciated that (and should have thanked her, but I was so baffled by her behavior I did not think to). This clinic also does not employ assholes.

I think she was having a shitty time. I'm thoroughly sympathetic.

I still didn't want things to go the way they were going, I still didn't think I should have to put up with it, and I was about to call her on it, but the NP came in and saved us both from whatever would have happened next.

I want to know, though, what COULD I have said to draw her attention gently to the dynamic she had established, and get her to ease off. Like, SUPER politely and kindly. Because I have to stay on good terms with these people. I absolutely do not want to speak to her superior about it, her behavior was nowhere near that bad.

I am not used to delicately navigating this sort of situation.

[tastycitrus]

Special Section 3 after Special Scenario: Challenge From A Worthy Opponent

[popopretty]

BSD Chapter 103.5

Jingai Makyou Part 2.5

The chapter is short as usual but I think it takes some interesting turn here. Look like we are getting closer to the truth of everything behind this arc.

Neither English nor Japanese is my native language so I'm sorry if I make some mistakes here and there.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Teruko is with Atsushi in the torture room. Against Atsushi's expectation, she frees him from the bed he is being tied to. Atsushi is shocked and Teruko tells him that it's because she finds it so different to act as a terrorist.

Turned out that Teruko has learnt the truth that Fukuchi is the terrorist and decided to side with him. However, she has never had to interrogate someone like Atsushi, one who is neither a criminal or a bad guy, if not a too kind person who cares about little kids (throw back to earlier chapter where Teruko caught him by disgusing as a crying little girl).

Teruko tells Atsushi to do something to entertain her until Fukuchi's goal is reached, and Atsushi refuses, saying that the terror can still be stopped, and that Teruko still has justice inside her and it is not too late.

Teruko gets reall mad, she kicks the bed flying pass Atsushi and says she will kill him if he ever says such bullshit again. And that "justice" is nothing more than a word.

Teruko then see Atsushi's determined face. She lets go of him and says lets play a game, because Atsushi won't seem to give in that easily, but it is also very tiring for her to try and stop him. So she will tell him the whole truth, about Fukuchi's shame and regrets, and the real purpose of the Decays of Angel. She says that once Atsushi hears it, his heart will break, he will not be able to stand up again and will choose to stay in that room on his own. Still, Atsushi decides to listen to her.

Back to Fukuchi and Fukuzawa, who are fighting with their swords. Fukuchi says that there is no way for Fukuzawa to beat him because there is no way he can see the future as Fukuchi can with his sword. He tried to cut Fukuzawa from behind with his sword but Fukuzawa manages to dodge it, saying that even if he cannot see the future, he can see the past, from the 20 years that they know each other, and that he can feel Fukuchi's habit, breathing and sword spirit as if they were his own.

Fukuchi stops Fukuzawa's attack with his bare hands, as he says someone who didn't go to the battlefield like Fukuzawa knew nothing about him. Fukuchi tells him that the battelfield has changed everything and the him that Fukuzawa knew is no longer there, as well as the two of them from back then. We then get a flashback of when they first met in a doujou (a training hall).

BSD will take a break next month so next chapter will be released in November (date not announced yet but normally on the 4th Japan time)

Thanks for reading till the end.

[mysticalrambling]

Hello sweet girl😚😚Would you like to write a story about chris evans. He is stressed due to asp work and thats why he scolds his 4 year old son for something that his son doesn't even did. so his son cries and says that he hates him. like he won't talk to chris and ignore him the whole day and chris feels very bad about it like a failed father.and then you can end it happy like y/n(wife) helps them to makeup and they play videogames

A/N: This was an amazing storyline and I hope you all enjoy it. Requests are open so feel free to send them in.

Overwhelmed (C.E)

Summary: Chris has been having a really hard time with his upcoming movie and his grandmother passing away. It all bottles up until he snaps at his son, Oliver, for something he didn’t even do. Oliver gets really angry and tells him he hates him. You help resolve their conflict and they both play video games.

Warnings Some angst and fluff.

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Things have been hard for the past couple of weeks for Chris because of his work and family. The director has been bugging him about the scenes. Nothing was good enough for him and Chris was tired. And his grandmother died a month ago and his parents were devastated. It was really hard on his family and this all was really piling on him.

You knew this was all taking a toll on your husband. But this was rough on you and your son, Oliver. While you were understanding to Chris’s current predicament, your son was not. He always wanted his father to play soccer with him or go to the park with him. You tried to make him understand but he was stubborn. He couldn’t be blamed either because he was just a four year old after all.

“Goin’ out to get some groceries.” Popping your head into his home office, you informed him of your plans.

Without looking up, he replied, “Okay.”

“Chris, the nanny will be leaving in 20 so look out for Oliver.” You reminded him because you knew that he was hardly aware of what was going around him. He arrived from his parent’s house about an hour ago where he keenly heard their stories about Grandma Scarlett. When he came back, he went straight to his office and started going through his lines. So he easily forgot these things.

“Hmm.”

“Christopher!” You snapped at him when he didn’t even bother to give you a proper response.

“Wh- What?”

“Did you even listen to one word I’ve been saying?”

“Yes. Take care of Ollie in sometime.”

“Goodbye.” This was all too much. He just said it like it was some chore he had to do. It was as if he wasn’t even interested in your family. “See ya later.”

Chris got busy with his work again because it was seriously stressing him out. He truly hated this director. It was literally the worst job. He was still doing it because he was in love with the story line. Twenty minutes passed by without him even realizing.

The nanny informed him that she was leaving and left Chris with his son. Ollie was an energetic kid and he was always hungry. That trait was inherited from Chris so he didn’t get to complain when his son asked for food after eaten his lunch just fifteen minutes before. “Come on, then. But we have to let dad focus on his work afterwards.”

“Okay, dad.”

Preparing some mac and cheese was the easiest thing to do so he opted for it. He quickly prepared it and put the bowl on the dining table. Usually, you were the one who fed him but Chris was happy to do it. Just quickly, tho. Before he could get to it, his phone rang.

“Buddy, just use your iPad. I’ll be back in a minute.” He was about to touch the steaming food because he was really hungry. “No, bud. I’ll feed you. Just wait.”

Chris stepped out of the room to take the call because it was the director. Oliver’s game was too loud and it was hard to hear anything over the noise. The director informed him that he needs to the reshoot the previous scenes because they were not up to par.

Silently seething, Chris spoke in the phone, “I spent hours doing those scenes. Not going through this again.”

“You have to, Evans.”

“Oh, fu-” H stopped mid sentence because he didn’t want his son to listen in on this conversation.

“You have to or you’re out.”

“Don’t threaten me. You know what, I’m quitting.” The moment he cut the call, a loud shatter rang throughout the room. Dodger sped out of the dining hall but Chris was more concerned about his son to even notice.

When he stepped into the room, he saw the bowl shattered into pieces and the mac and cheese all over the floor. He stopped dead in his tracks because the cutlery was a part of the set his grandmother gave you both for a wedding present. It was one of the last things that Chris had that reminded him of his nana.

“What have you done?” The anger that kept building inside him from the past few weeks just took over. He had quit a movie that he was working so hard on and one of his grandmother’s memory was ruined.

“Dad, I-I-” The four year old tried to defend himself but all Chris saw was red.

“You don’t take anything into consideration. Everything is not about you, Oliver. Just listen to some instructions, for gods sake.”

“But-”

“Do not interrupt me, young man. You know I have been busy but you don’t want to think about it. No games for you.”

“I didn’t even do anything. Dodgie jumped on the table and dropped the food.” The young boy all bet yelled with tears pooling in his eyes. His young mind didn’t understand why his dad was so angry at him but he never used this tone with him. It was new and it was heartbreaking.

“Oh. I didn’t-”

Now, it was his time to interrupt his father. Like father like son. “I hate you. You’re not my dad.” Screaming it, he ran into his room.

“Wait, buddy.” The boy locked the door before Chris could have a chance to apologize. He shouldn’t have gone off like that. He should have at least heard his case before shouting at him.

Sitting on the couch, he put his head between his hands. He was such a failure. He doesn’t even remember the last time when he spent proper time with his family. Lately, he has been focused on himself and have taken his family for granted. He let his son down today and the sinking feeling inside his chest was a clear reminder.

Chris went towards the blue door in the hallway and he could hear the sobs from inside. The sound truly broke his heart because he was the cause it. He swore to his little boy on the day that he was born that he won’t let any harm come to him. He was the one who broke his own process.

“Let me in, baby. Daddy’s so sorry, darling.”

“Go away!” Oliver sniffled and wiped his snot with his blanket. He never imagined that his father would be furious with him. He was the one who saved Oliver from all the scoldings and fulfilled his every wish.

Cleaning the floor, he sat on the couch with a defeated sigh. Your husband was on the verge of tears when you entered the house. Quickly dropping the grocery bags, you approached him with haste.

“What happened? Are you okay?” Bombarding him with questions might not have been the way to go but you couldn’t help yourself.

“Our son hates me.”

“What?” Out of all the things, this was not what you had expected.

“I yelled at him and he wasn’t at fault. Now, he hates me.”

“First of all, he doesn’t hate you. Second of all, details please.”

Chris told him about the whole incident and also informed you about everything that happened with his movie. You truly felt sorry for your husband but he was at fault.

“I’ll help you this time but this can’t happen again. I mean it, Chris.” The stern voice told him that you meant business.

“I know, babe. It will never happen again.”

Making your way towards Oliver’s room, you gently knocked on his door. When he realized it was you, he opened the door to let you in. You had already told your husband to wait in the tv lounge.

After listening to his complains, you explained it to the little boy. “We all have bad days, baby. Dad had one today and he’s really sorry that he took it all out on you.”

“He won’t do it again?” Hugging you, he asked you the question that had been running through his mind.

“He won’t. He promised.”

“‘kay.” Oliver ran outside to his father and hugged him.

Chris took his son in his arms while softly apologizing to him. He was seriously never going to do this to his family again. Family above all.

“You wanted to play that new video game with me. Let’s do that, baby.”

“Yes!”

Smiling fondly at them, you spoke over the commotion. “I’ll prepare some food.”

“We love you!” A chorus of excited voiced reached your ears and you just laughed.

“Love you too, my babies.”

Hope you guys enjoyed it!!

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A/N: I love Chris Evans and this was a really good plot line. Tell me what you think about this fan fiction and I'm open to requests. Notify me if you want to be added to my tag list.

Tag list: @peculiarpenman, @kalopsia-flaneur, @justile, @agnesk, @caanyoonmoon, @nostxlgia18

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