#who was the same person i was last may and the may before and wowwwwww I can't escape myself!

[babytoothbrain]

I am the Same Person I was in August

"Oom Sha La La", Haley Heynderickx//"All That Wanting, Right?", Devin Kelly// "Funeral" Phoebe Bridgers//"Extracting the Stone of Madness", Alejandra Pizarnik// "Little Beast", Richard Siken// all photos are mine! Photography on @el3ctraaa

[rennyforpresident]

Renny’s BBSim: First Boots Week 1

Welcome to a new, exciting season of Biiiiiiiiig Brother!

This season, 16 former first boots will move back into the Big Brother house to try and redeem their previous legacy. These houseguests have been itching to get back in there since they were last voted out. Let’s bring them in!

@ashleaevans @bathroom-sand @kaysarswhore @kayysarridha @kelleekim @lahallucinations @maxdoesbb @misshoh @music-obsessednerd @nerdphobic @nomwastaken @pawn2393 @phylisisley @remember-caltoru @rennyforpresident @shaolinbynature

Welcome! Now that everyone is in the house, people are starting to get to know each other, and alliances are beginning to form

Once everyone is in the house, @misshoh and @nomwastaken pull each other into the bedroom and solidify a final 2. Both of them get good vibes from the other, and know they’ll have each other’s backs. From there, these two GET TO WORK

The next alliance to form is these five. @rennyforpresident pulls @remember-caltoru and @nomwastaken  and @kaysarswhore into the bathroom and quickly says “this is it, this group here. We were the first to walk in, and we’ll be the last to walk out!” Of course, @misshoh walks in to see what her ally @nomwastaken is doing, and walks in on the creation of the alliance. By default, she gets pulled in and The Fearsome Five is born.

The next alliance to form is @phylisisley‘s idea. She knows @shaolinbynature has a good head on her shoulders, and trusts her unconditionally. The feeling is definitely mutual.

Noticing that @kaysarswhore is already a part of the Fearsome Five, @nomwastaken and @misshoh form an alliance within an alliance and get her on their side in a three-person deal. They call themselves the Royal Family.

@kaysarswhore​ in the DR: “In this house, there needs to be a queen! And I fit that role perfectly *wink*”

T

The final alliance is created by @nerdphobic! He pulls the five of them into the storage room and says “This is it! This is the energy I need!”

@misshoh in the DR: “I have had THREE different alliances fall in my lap tonight. There’s no way I’m gone first!”

@pawn2393 gives the new alliance the name of The Block Destroyers, not caring if no one gets the reference

Once all of that has calmed down, the houseguests head to the backyard for their first HOH competition!

Julie: “Hello houseguests! I hope you’ve all been getting to know each other! Tonight, for the second time in BB history, the first Head of Household will be decided by a vote! Whenever you’re ready, please write down the name of the person you want to win HOH.”

After voting, the winner is announced.

All with zero votes

@nerdphobic in the DR: “no one from the Block Destroyers had my back? Wowwwwww, good to know I can trust this alliance early on.”

@phylisisley in the DR: “I’m glad no one voted for me. I need to make sure the target isn’t on my back, and exposing my social game this early isn’t good at all.”

With one vote each

@rennyforpresident in the DR: “I kind of wanted to win, but I’m confused as to who was my one vote? Why me?”

@maxdoesbb: “I’ve talked to like three people tonight? Who voted for me?”

Which means the election comes down to three people

With 3 votes

@nomwastaken in the DR: “I’m not shocked I got so many. I mean, I’m in four different alliances. I voted for @misshoh of course, and I assume it was reciprocated, but who else voted for me? The options are endless! *laughter*”

The only two houseguests left are @music-obsessednerd and @kelleekim. 

By a vote of 4 to 6, the new HOH is...

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

@music-obsessednerd! You are the first HOH of the season! You have secured your safety for the week and earned the right to nominate two of your fellow houseguests for eviction.

After a lot of gameplay, strategizing, and ass kissing, @music-obsessednerd has made her final decision

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

@music-obsessednerd: “I have decided to nominate you @kayysarridha and you @maxdoesbb. This season is really hard in particular, because we’ve all played before, but no one knows how we play. I nominated the two of you because I think you’re the biggest wildcards. I don’t know much about you, but I hope this week you prove that you deserve to stay and fight for the veto! Good luck to you both.”

@kayysarridha in the DR: “Nominated week 1 yet again. Man, why do I keep coming back if I keep getting put on the block! What is it like to be safe? What does that feel like?”

@maxdoesbb in the DR: “I’m not going to panic, because panicking is what got me out last time. I’m gonna play the game the way I know how, and I’m gonna fight!”

On a season of first boots, NO ONE wants to be the first to go. The veto is critical right off the bat.

@rennyforpresident @phylisisley and @pawn2393 are drawn to participate. @kayysarridha uses her houseguests choice to choose @phylisisley; does that mean they’re aligned?

@phylisisley in the DR: “I mean, I’m not opposed to using the veto if I win. What’s the harm in one more ally?”

After 45 minutes, time is UP!

@rennyforpresident spelled “CALTORU”. That is not a word!

@remember-caltoru from the bench: “That’s my gig! Get your own shtick you bitch!”

@rennyforpresident laughs it off and throws some mayo at @remember-caltoru playfully

@maxdoesbb spelled “UNDESTAD”. That is not a word.

@maxdoesbb in the DR: “I was trying to spell UNDERSTAND, but I couldn’t find the letters! Dammit!”

@phylisisley spelled “HELLO”. That is a correctly spelled 5 letter word! You are currently in the lead! Which means

@kayysarridha spelled “COLLABORATION”. That is a correctly spelled 13 letter word! You are currently in the lead! Which means

@music-obsessednerd spelled “UNDERWEAR”. That is a correctly spelled 9 letter word. Unfortunately, it’s not enough to take the lead. Which means

It all comes down to @pawn2393. You spelled...

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

CARBONATED. That is a correctly spelled 10 letter word. But it’s not enough!

@kayysarridha! You have won the first Veto of the season! 

Of course, @kayysarridha will use the veto on herself, but who will go up in her place?

At the veto ceremony

@kayysarridha: “Because I have vetoed one of your nominations, @music-obsessednerd, you must now name a replacement nominee.”

The new nominee is...

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

@music-obsessednerd: “I’ve seen you scurry around this house trying to make deals with everyone except me. It looks like we have a rat in the house, and until you learn to behave, rats go on the block. Sorry, but that’s the way it has to be. I am nominating @kaysarswhore“

@kaysarswhore in the DR: “Yeah, I have deals with people, but I’m playing Big Brother. Clearly some of us aren’t. What a fucking coward.”

Right after the veto ceremony, @kaysarswhore makes a disparaging remark about @music-obsessednerd.

@kaysarswhore under her breath: “What a fucking joke. This bitch doesn’t know how to play this game at ALL”

@shaolinbynature overhears, and jumps in to defend his friend. Naturally, chaos ensues.

@shaolinbynature: “You’re mad because you got caught! You’re mad because you think you’re so great that no one in Big Brother can compare! Grow up!”

The two continue to fight, while @music-obsessednerd watches from upstairs, completely unbothered.

@music-obsessednerd in the DR: “It was nice to be defended, but I really didn’t care. I was just annoyed that I couldn’t go downstairs and get a snack to eat while I watched them”

Well later on, @music-obsessednerd did have her snack, and she made some for the rest of the house too.

Akin to the legendaric ways of Jun Song, @music-obsessednerd made pizza rolls for everyone in the house, and even made some vegan ones for the people who prefer things natural.

At the meal, @misshoh makes a scene. She starts throwing her pizza rolls at other people, and by the end of the hour, everyone is covered in pizza sauce. 

@nomwastaken pulls her aside afterwards and nearly rips her head off. “What the fuck is wrong with you?? You need to clean up this mess, my game isn’t sinking because you wanted to play with your goddamn food”

Shooken by her ally, @misshoh apologizes to the whole house at once, and gets let off the hook for her antics. 

In the days leading up to eviction, @pawn2393 feels a change in the wind. He knows he’s not top dog, but he’s starting to think he might be on the bottom of the totem pole. So, naturally, he gets to work.

By Thursday, he has three more final2 deals and 5 more promises to keep him safe next week. Will the intense gameplay come back to bite him in the ass?

Now that it’s Thursday, the moment you’ve all been dreading has come. Who will walk out of the house first for the SECOND time?

Arisa: “Hello everyone! The powers that may be (the person hosting this goddamn sim) have decided to bring me on to host this season! Because Julie is, um, going through some stuff right now! Yeah, going through it!

Anyways, it’s been an exciting first week! @music-obsessednerd, how does it feel being the FIRST HOH of the season?”

@music-obsessednerd: “Amazing! I knew under no circumstances was I going out first, so I’m glad everyone trusted me enough to vote me into power! Hope I didn’t screw it up for anyone!”

@kaysarswhore and @maxdoesbb roll their eyes

Arisa: “ @ashleaevans, how is life in the BB house? I heard you were a have-not this week!”

@ashleaevans: “It was a DISASTER! Slop SUCKS! I just wanted some goddamn pizza rolls and @misshoh took them for granted! I cannot wait to become HOH and eat some real food.”

Arisa: “I hear it every season! Now, unfortunately, one of you will be leaving the BB house tonight. But first, the two nominees have one last chance to sway your vote.”

@kaysarswhore: “I came here to play BB. I have loved this game from the start, and I wanted to come in here, guns blazing, ready to fight. If you want to punish me for that, go ahead! But you’ll be losing out on a valuable ally and someone who’s always willing to shake up this house. I don’t think I can say the same thing for @maxdoesbb. Regardless, play hard, and show this game the respect it deserves!”

@maxdoesbb: “Hi guys! Please don’t vote me out first again! I truly don’t know if I can handle that. Last time I was in the house for less than a day, and I really just want to prove to you all that I can play BB! Give me that chance, and I hope we have a great summer together!”

Arisa: “Alright, it’s time. Let’s get to the vote.”

The vote starts off with 1 vote for @kaysarswhore and 2 for @maxdoesbb. People just don’t have a good read on him, and don’t think they can trust him.

After that, one more vote is cast to evict each of our nominees. @phylisisley casts a surprise vote to evict @kaysarswhore, saying “she thinks she’s the queen of this house? Well there can only be ONE, and that’s me.”

What might look like a standard backdoor might not be; @music-obsessednerd thinks she has the votes in the bag to take out the person she deemed a rat, but what she doesn’t know, is that the house has a blindside in the works. The rest of the votes are unanimous

Arisa: “The votes are in. Remember that when I reveal the name of the evicted houseguest, they will have one minute to gather their belongings, say their goodbyes, and exit the Big Brother house.”

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

@music-obsessednerd and @ashleaevans sit in stunned silence. @phylisisley knew the plan, but threw a hinky vote anyway, and manages to play it cool when the results are read.

Arisa: “ @maxdoesbb come on out!”

Arisa: “We are SO disappointed to see you walk out of the house first. How are you feeling?”

@maxdoesbb: “Honestly? I think BB just isn’t in my cards! *audience laughter* It was a tough week and a rough start, and I just wasn’t able to bond with anyone. People were telling me I was safe and not the target, but I guess the lying started early!”

Arisa: “What about @kaysarswhore? I mean, she got pretty publicly called out? Why do you think they kept her?”

@maxdoesbb: “People probably think the only deal she has is with them! Once they start connecting the dots, her ship is sunk. That kind of game isn’t sustainable, so it’ll be fun to get to see her downfall later on.”

Arisa: “Who are you rooting for? Did you make any friends in there?”

@maxdoesbb: “Absolutely! I hope @ashleaevans takes it. At the very least, I wouldn’t be mad if @music-obsessednerd wins either. I know she put me up, but I only want to lose to the winner! *audience laughter*”

Arisa: “We are so sorry to see you go, but it was lovely having you!

Now that the biggest bullet is bitten, who will go next? Find out next time. From outside the Big Brother house, I’m Arisa Cox, and remember, someone is aaaaaaalways watching!”

I CANNOT BELIEVE JODI WAS THE FIRST OUT I’M SO SORRY

I am also VERY ready to see what y’all do, some of this gameplay is MESSY already

[fanfic-inator795]

RotTMNT/Baron Jitsu fanfiction: Dating… With Children - Chapter Nine

(Also on AO3 if you want to leave a comment or kudos)

Plot:  Benjamin Draxum hardly considered himself a man of high social standing. Not because he was uncouth or unworthy of it, mind you, but simply because he didn’t have much of a social life. Hard to have one when he usually spent his days at work, cooped up in a lab for so long that he often had his lunches in there, and his nights at home reading or doing research for more personal projects. But perhaps meeting handsome semi-retired movie star - as well as his four young sons - could change all that…

((Shoutout to @halloweennut and her kind words (as well as her own drabble based on this AU) for inspiring me to get back to this story for a bit, heh ^v^ I've written two other chapters along with this one, just to make up for both the hiatus before this aaaand the hiatus after this (I still have my TMNT Big Bang fic to finish up, and this fic is kind of a 'when I'm in the mood for it' project anyway. Hope this big content drop makes up for it though. Enjoy! ^v^))

“He's definitely got his own lab! He's a scientist, he has to!”

“Oh yeah! Totally!”

“Do you think he's got his own library room too? Smart people always have libraries in their homes.”

“Yeah, but he knows how to fight like Pop does, so maybe he's got a gym too? Or maybe a whole ring! That would be really cool!”

“He's a scientist, Raphie, not a wrestler!”

“He can both if he wants to be!”

“What are you boys talking about back there?” Lou asked, stopping to look over his shoulder at his sons while also taking a moment to shift the small bag of food to his other arm.

“Nothing!” The four boys quickly shouted, all of them flashing an innocent smile for good measure.

Lou hummed, his expression a mix of suspicious and endeared. “...Just remember, we are guests in Ben’s apartment. So remember to behave yourselves, alright?”

“We will!” “Mmhm!” “Yep!” “Promise!” Satisfied, Lou continued leading the way up to his boyfriend’s Manhattan apartment.

While Lou certainly didn't mind Draxum coming over to his house all the time, Draxum still insisted that their next visit be at his place, figuring it would only be fair. And, similar to their first shared meal, Lou and his sons would be bringing dessert while Draxum would take care of supper. Although, thanks to his youngest’s insistence, he was also bringing something else to share with Draxum in both food and experience. He just hoped his boyfriend didn't mind too much.

Finally, they arrived and Lou knocked on the door. His boys gathered tightly around his legs, all of them eager to see what could possibly inside the apartment. After a few seconds - though it had seemed like an eternity - Draxum opened the door. “Glad you all could make it,” he told them, giving the family of five a small smile.

“Same to you,” Lou smirked, closing the distance between them for a quick peck on the lips that was happily returned.

Once Draxum stepped to the side, the boys didn't even wait for an invitation and just rushed in. Though, that speed didn't last very long unfortunately. From the plain walls and hardwood floors to the closed curtains and the simple bookshelf next to it (nowhere near enough to be a library), it was plain to see that Draxum’s apartment was, well… Just an apartment.

“...Well this place is boring,” Leo stated.

Lou frowned. “Leonardo, manners,” he lightly scolded.

“Oh, uh, I mean, your apartment is… Super cool?” Leo corrected, sheepishly smiling up at his dad’s boyfriend who thankfully didn't look too offended.

Deciding to be a bit more honest, Donnie added, “We thought you would have a lab here, since you're a scientist.”

“Yeah!” Mikey chirped, with Raph nodding along with him, “Just like the smart people on tv!”

“Well,” Draxum replied, chuckling slightly, “I don't think my landlord would be too thrilled with a home lab. It's easier to keep my projects at my office anyway. Although, I was able to set up a small exercise space in my spare room.” Raph grinned at that. Not a gym or wrestling ring, but close enough to feel like his guess had been right.

As for Donnie, while he was disappointed at the lack of a lab or sci-fi decor, the collection of books did catch his attention. He moved to pull one out, but stopped when he heard his dad - who was still keeping an eye on them, even after he and Draxum had moved to the kitchenette - clear his throat. “Oops. Uh, may I PLEASE look at your books, Dr. Draxum?”

“You may,” Draxum nodded, “thank you for asking.” Donnie smiled, and quickly began his search through the small collection, wanting to see for himself what stories and subjects the doctor was into even if he didn't get a chance to read any of it that night.

“An’ can I open up the curtains?” Mikey asked, pointing at the hidden window.

That request Draxum had to actually consider a bit. He did like his privacy, after all… Though one open set of curtains wouldn't be too bad, he supposed. “You may,” he repeated.

“Thanks!” Mikey grinned, running over to the window. His brothers in red and blue joined him, and once they got them open all three of them looked at the fantastic view with awe. “Wowwwwww! The city looks so pretty from your home, Draxum!”

“Yeah!” Raph agreed, “Hey Pop, it's sorta like the time you took us to the top of the Empire State Building, only all the lights are way closer!”

“Heh, yep, it looks like a great view,” Lou smiled, enjoying it himself before looking back at Draxum, “So, Doc, what are we having?” Whatever it was, it smelled great.

“Just some roasted chicken and potatoes,” Draxum answered, “I didn't want to make something your boys didn't want to eat, so I just kept it simple.”

Lou laughed a bit at that. “Trust me, they are not picky eaters. But chicken sounds great, and I may have another side dish for us, if you are interested.” Setting his bag down, he first took out the family-sized tiramisu he had bought, wanting to get it in the fridge as soon as possible. That definitely surprised Draxum a bit, not expecting kids under ten to enjoy something like tiramisu.

But what was even more surprising was when Lou pulled out a bag of rice, a small package of seaweed, and a jar of pickled plums. “Rice balls?”

“Mikey’s idea,” Lou explained, his smile softening a bit, “Making them was one of our first ‘family night’ things that we did…” He could remember it well, all the trial and error they went through along with all the laughs, finally culminating in a place of rice balls that they were all pretty proud of, not caring about all the stray bits of rice that they would have to clean afterwards. “I tried telling him that we were only supposed to bring dessert, but he was insistent that he wanted to teach you. Though, I’d understand if you wanted to do it another time, onigiri making can get pretty messy.”

“Well, no messier than any other type of cooking, I would think,” Draxum lightly retorted. Really, the idea itself he could pass on. But the fact that it was Mikey’s idea, and no doubt something all the kids would enjoy doing together… Gah, when did he become such a softie? It was aggravating in a way, yet also something he knew he wouldn’t care much about in the moment. “We’ve got another half an hour until supper’s done anyway, so why not?” After all, it was just shaping steamed rice, how hard could it be?

...Apparently, much harder than he thought.

“Are you SURE you wet your hands enough?” Leo asked, once again leaning over Draxum’s arm.

“Yes,” Draxum huffed. It wasn't his hands that were the problem, it was the rice that refused to stay together! The more he tried to form it, the more rice that would just fall off or stick to his hand. Wasn’t it supposed to be ‘sticky’ with itself? He narrowed his eyes as he noticed more of his rice falling off his ‘ball’ (really it was more like a misshapen lump).  

Lou tried to hide his smile, sympathizing with Draxum but also being way too amused. “It doesn’t have to be perfect,” he told him, repeating the words he had first used with his kids nearly three years ago, “Rice tastes like rice no matter how together it is.”

“I know,” Draxum mumbled, his eyes refusing to leave the rice as he continued trying to work it into the proper shape.

“Don’t worry about squishin’ it,” Raph suggested, “It’s already soft, so you can’t really ruin it, so just squeeze it together as tight as you can!” He demonstrated this by squishing his rice ball between his hands like he was squishing a ball of playdoh.

“I still say you should just go wash your hands again,” Leo commented

Draxum huffed again. “Honestly, maybe that wouldn’t be a bad idea,” he said as he glared at the rice sticking to his palms and fingers.

Across the coffee table from him (Draxum didn’t have nearly enough chairs for everyone, so they settled for sitting in the living room on the floor), Donnie made a face. “Yeah, I hate the feeling of rice on my hands too. That’s why it’s just better to use a wet spoon,” he told him, using his tool of choice to finish off his triangle-shaped treat. Leo suddenly coughed, unsubtly hiding the word ‘cheater’ in it. Donnie lightly elbowed his twin, and Leo returned the action, sticking his tongue out.

While he had no problems with Donnie using a ‘cheat’, Draxum’s pride still made him want to make onigiri the proper way, even if it was easier said than done. “Well I think it looks really good,” he heard Mikey say, the boy in orange sitting up a bit straighter as he tried to get a better view at it. Mikey’s own rice balls were practically perfect, and Draxum had a feeling that once he was tall enough to safely use the stove and oven, Mikey would no doubt become the chef of the Jitsu family.  “Even if it’s kinda small, it’ll still be yummy! And you’re still having fun, right?”

Finally breaking eye contact with his frustrating, very much imperfect creation, Draxum looked at Mikey’s hopeful face. “...Well, it’s not as easy as I thought it would be, but… I guess it is fun, in a way,” he answered after some thought. Mikey grinned, leaning on him in place of a hug, not wanting to put his own sticky hands on Draxum’s shirt and ruin it.

Looking back at his rice ball with a silent sigh, Draxum picked up a piece of seaweed around the lump, effectively finishing it and placing it on the plate. After a moment of thought, he turned to Mikey. “Would you like to help me with the next one?”

“YEAH!” Mikey shouted, jumping to his feet immediately, “I’ll help you make the best rice ball ever!” he told him as he raced back over to the sink to wet his hands.

Despite his rice fail, the youngest Jitsu’s excitement still managed to bring a small smile to Draxum’s face. “I’m sure you will,” he said as he followed Mikey to the kitchen. As they prepared to get started, Draxum intently listening while Mikey eagerly explained his own tricks to getting the rice ball to keep its shape, Lou’s smile only grew. There was no denying now that his orange son had the right idea about sharing this piece of their family nights with the man that was quickly becoming family too.

By the end of it all, Draxum’s statement about the onigiri making being its ‘own sort of fun’ had become a bit more true. (Weirdly enough, it was easier to relax and not focus so much on perfection when a child was taking the lead.) Still, he was glad to wash his hands for the final time as they all worked together to clean off the leftover rice and set the coffee table for their supper, finishing the making of their rice balls just seconds before the timer went off.

As Lou had promised, the kids quickly dug into their food without complaint, though Draxum decided to try the rice before the main course. After all the effort put into making the damn things, he wasn’t going to let himself get too full to even eat them. “...I’m not sure about the plum, but the rice and seaweed itself is pretty good,” he said after a couple bites.

“We usually put fish or whatever in ‘em,” Raph told him, “But I still kinda like the plum.”

“Althoughhhh…” Getting an idea, Leo reached for a rice ball. Opening it up a bit, he then stuck a piece of his chicken into it. “There! Chicken and rice goes great!”

“It doesn’t really go with plum though,” Donnie commented.

“Maybe potato would work better?” Mikey asked, already sticking a piece of herb covered potato into his rice ball. Curious, his brothers all did the same.

“Oh yeah, kinda!” “Weird mix, but it does taste alright!” “Sorta like puttin’ cranberries on your potatoes at Thanksgiving.”

Knowing he couldn’t really discourage their food experimenting, Lou just chuckled slightly as his kids pretty much tore apart their hard work to try and mix it with the other food on their plate. “I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that leftover rice.”

“I suppose not,” Draxum smirked back before taking another bite of his onigiri.

Conversation remained light and enjoyable as they ate, sometimes with the boys discussing something on their own while Lou and Draxum had their own conversation, and other times they’d all be on the same subject. And, like most things Draxum had come to expect from the Jitsu family, it was a bit unusual and a little loud yet still very much comfortable, with the hot homemade food in his stomach only adding to his warmth.

When their plates were cleared and boredom already starting to settle in, Lou figured they would just turn on the tv and settle for whatever primetime movie or show was on. But, as it turned out, Draxum had a surprise of his own…

“Trivial Pursuit for Family?” he read off the clearly newly-bought box, raising an eyebrow. His kids, excited to play, were already setting up the game over the coffee table, setting their pieces of tiramisu to the side for the moment.

“Yes, well, your family seemed like the type that would enjoy game nights,” Draxum explained, “And well, I figured-”

“That this would be a good board game that was both entertaining for the kids and NOT completely torturous for us to play?” Lou grinned, knowing very well what sort of obnoxious board games were on the shelves of toy stores. (He loved his boys with all his heart but he was NEVER AGAIN buying something like Toilet Trouble or anything similar.)

“Got it in one,” Draxum flatly told him, not even trying to deny it. Lou laughed and returned to his seat on the floor. Sure he wasn’t the biggest fan of trivia, but Lou figured it would still be a pretty fun time.

The boys ended up splitting themselves into teams, with Mikey and Leo on one and Donnie and Raph on the other, just to make it a bit more fair to someone like Mikey who wasn’t as far in school as his brothers were. This also kept things from getting too competitive, since all of them had at least one subject they were well versed in and now had a partner they could discuss the answers they didn’t know with, which kept one team from completely dominating over the other.

As for Draxum and Lou, they were on their own. A seemingly fair idea for the adults… In theory.

“...Oh come on, seriously?” Lou scowled, “That is the question?”

“You heard me,” Draxum told him, “‘Who led the first expedition to the North Pole’?”

“How am I supposed to know something like that?!”

“Pretty sure the answer’s Santa Claus,” Leo half-whispered to Mikey, who nodded firmly in agreement.

“Actually, it was Robert Peary,” Draxum told them, having already flipped the card over. Lou scoffed, passing the dice to his left. Lousy history questions. Why couldn’t he land on ‘Entertainment’ or ‘Sports’? At least those he somewhat knew.

His sons had much better luck, answering their Kids Questions at a steady pace. Donnie naturally always aced the science questions while Raph helped with sports. Even at age five, Mikey surprisingly knew a lot about art from the various picture books he had looked through on the subject, and Leo knew quite a bit of history. They all knew most of the entertainment questions related to kids media, but not having a good grasp on the geography outside of their home city meant that landing on a blue space would always get a loud groan from the duo unlucky enough to land on it.

Soon enough it was Draxum’s turn once again, and Lou drew a card from the Adult card holder, thankful that his boyfriend hadn’t landed on a green space at least. He didn’t seem like an artsy guy, so maybe an Art and Culture question would trip him up some. “‘Which is not a vocal part in an all-male barbershop quartet’?” Lou read, “‘Baritone, lead or al-’?”

“Alto,” Draxum answered, “Can’t exactly have a high part in singing that’s meant to be low.”

“So what, you’re a music expert now?” Lou asked, nearly tossing the card aside. He could hear his sons trying to hide their giggling while Draxum coolly picked up a purple wedge.

“Getting a little competitive, are we, Lou?”

“Shittakaburi.” Draxum just chuckled, not needing to understand him in order to still be amused by his boyfriend’s pouting. Of course, not even Draxum was smart enough to get EVERY question right, so Lou was still able to get his light-hearted digs in whenever Draxum did get something wrong.

Still, neither of them ended up winning the game in the end, and they both gladly clapped for Mikey and Leo’s team when Leo got the final question of the game right. “I was guessing on that one,” he admitted, “But still, I’m awesome!”

Donnie and Raph rolled their eyes, though with such a close game with was hard to really be mad. Besides, all four of them were too tired for a rematch, and their father and his date could clearly see that. Lou picked up Mikey and let him rest his head on his shoulder while he took Raph’s hand, and Draxum did the same with the twins. Without much resistance - and thankfully, without any tripping either - the boys were all led back down to the parking lot and to Lou’s car.

“Thanks for a fun time,” Lou said after he buckled in his sleepy sons, his voice quiet but just as sincere as ever, “I mean, I always have a fun time with you, but… I really do appreciate the things you do for my boys, Ben. Making onigiri and playing games, helping when they were sick and playing in the yard…”

Draxum hummed, thinking back on those moments - moments that, before meeting Lou and his family, he probably would’ve refused otherwise out of awkwardness or not wanting to deal with what seemed like such a hassle. It was still hard to believe how quickly he had gotten attached to the boys, how quickly their childish antics and youthful excitement and unwavering admiration towards him made Draxum want to make them smile too. “I do those things because I want to,” he told him firmly, not wanting his boyfriend to think that he was only doing it out of any sort of obligation or simply because he knew being nice to boys would please Lou. No, his actions were just as genuine as his affection, Draxum made sure of it.

“Heh, yeah, I know… Still, I know it means a lot to them, just as much as it means a lot to me.” With a small smile, he leaned forward and met Draxum’s lips once more.

Again, Draxum returned the gesture, holding Lou close. The wind was picking up, the autumn season slowly but surely becoming winter, but Draxum could hardly even feel it.

“You’re a really sweet guy,” Lou told him once their kiss broke.

“Even if I beat you in trivia?” Draxum asked.

Lou hmph’d before smirking back at him. “Fine, fine, yes. Even then.”

“Heh, good to know.” They shared another kiss, holding each other for just a bit longer before finally parting for the night. Draxum watched until the headlights of the gold colored car were lost in the sea of Manhattan traffic, and then went back upstairs. As Lou had promised, there weren’t any leftovers, and Draxum lazily decided that washing dishes and putting away the game could wait until morning.

But, as he moved to close the curtains, he hesitated. “...It is a pretty nice view,” he mumbled to himself, his hand letting go of the drawstring.

He was still a man of privacy, no doubt about that. But even so, perhaps a bit of extra light in his life couldn’t hurt...

[uesugi-miu]

--

:: 4th Anniversary Special Story - Uesugi ::

--

New Year banquet has taken place in the castle main hall. Everybody is in party spirit, holding up sake cup to each other. The atmosphere has risen up more and more as time goes by.

Kanetsugu : 「I want to humbly express New Year Congratulation.」

Still in the uproar, Kanetsugu take a chance to formally greet everyone.

Kenshin : 「Ahaha. Thank you. This year too, please do take care all of us.」

Kanetsugu : 「Same here. Please accomplish government affairs this year without fail......」

Kenshin : 「Ah, that's right...There're New Year's gifts for our children. Come here, Everyone.」

Kanetsugu : 「Kenshin-sama......!」

Kenshin had sensed it so before New Year party will take a turn into Kanetsugu's sermon, he called out for retainers's children.

Ai : 「Wowwwwww......Thank you very much.」

Ai is the very first of those children lining up, receiving kagami-mochi and little something such as toy.

There in the queue, a familiar figure was lining up unnoticeably.

Yoshichi : 「Kakki. Tsugutsugu. Come! Come!」

Kageie : 「Doesn't it look like Yocchan's doing something very interesting.」

Kagetsugu : 「......Don't tell me. You wanna blend in with children to get New Year's gifts?」

Seeing Kageie was interested made Kagetsugu feel somehow exasperated.

Yoshichi's still waving his hand calling the two over.

Kanetsugu : 「Yoshichi...What are you planning to get?」

Kanetsugu expresses his anger after finding out that Yoshichi was lining up in the queue too.

Kanetsugu : 「Don't you think it's shameful doing this when only children were called.」

Yoshichi : 「But brother...I want New Year's gift too.」

Yoshichi still desperately complain although he was struck by Kanetsugu's wrath.

Kenshin : 「Is that so......Well then. Let's use up those spare gifts, shall we...Kageie, Kagetsugu too. Here. Come. Come. 」

With Kenshin kindly smile, Yoshichi's eyes shine glitteringly.

Yoshichi : 「Yaaay! Spare New Year's gifts? What is that?」

Yoshichi jumps in delight. Kageie and Kagetsugu are also curious so decided to follow suit.

.

.

Kageie : 「.........Here?」

Kenshin proceeds his way to the treasury.

Kagetsugu : 「Don't tell me.........」

Kenshin : 「Pick one you like...as a New Year's gift from me.」

Yoshichi is now obviously discouraged as someone would predict this to happen but Kenshin's friendly grin doesn't seem to take no for the answer. They need to choose something...

Kageie : 「What a treasury...There's actually nothing, isn't it.」

Yoshichi : 「I'm searching......I may have find something valuable at some point...in somewhere...unknown after all...」

Contrast to Kageie, Yoshichi's desperately hunting down for something.

Kagetsugu : 「..........」

Although Kagetsugu breathe out a sigh. He also made an effort to search for some preferable thing in silent.

Kanetsugu : 「It's just early New Year. What are you all messing up in here? Want to add more to my work?」

Kanetsugu raises up his voice angrily, eyeing the already disordered treasury.

Kenshin : 「They didn't scatter anything but finding something they want.」

Kanetsugu : 「The only person who would want something in this room is YOU.」

Kageie : 「That declaration...Well, I can't agree more.」

Kagetsugu : 「Indeed.」

Yoshichi : 「Wait...What about this? It's something that seems to be good...」

Yoshichi picked up a package which was tided up neatly so that someone can tell how important it might be.

Kageie : 「That's very secured, isn't it. What's inside.」

Kageie pressed on, Yoshichi laid his hand on the package and about to open it.

Kenshin : 「Ah...Sorry...Only that one, I absolutely can't give out as a gift.」

Kenshin say apologetically.

Kanetsugu : 「It's not something significant anyway.」

Kagetsugu : 「I'm curious now.」

Kageie : 「Yeah. Same thought.」

Yoshichi : 「I'm extremely curious!.....Can I open it!?」

Kenshin : 「It can't be help then...just take a look at it, ok?」

Earning Kenshin's approval, Yoshichi untied the package and finally reveal the box inside.

Yoshichi : 「This is...last year......」

What inside the box is everyone's New Year first calligraphy from last year.

Seems like Kenshin took a very great care keeping it.

Kageie : 「Speaking of New Year first calligraphy...What did I write then......」

While wondering that in mind, he picked one of those papers.

Kagetsugu : 「I can't remember it too.」

Yoshichi : 「Ah. The top one is my brother's...『I can't be off guard with Kenshin-sama's control.』」

Kageie : 「Hehhh~ Tsugutsugu's is...『I will eat delicious Kusamochi.』...Isn't this too much for a joke?」

Kagetsugu : 「Kageie's... 『I will sleep nicely.』...Do you think that you're better than me?」

Kageie : 「That reminds me...We wrote this while we were drunk in New Year banquet, right.」

Yoshichi : 「Mine is...『I will become like my brother.』and Kenshin-sama's is...『Everyday, a stroll.』」

Kanetsugu : 「You have kept something like this?」

Kanetsugu was clearly irritated.

Kenshin : 「That's right. It's very very important, you see.」

Kenshin was not bothered one bit. He break a calm smile then reply smoothly without any hesitation.

Kenshin : 「It's considered as a very valuable thing...so let us write first calligraphy of this year too.」

After hearing Kenshin's announcement, they're all staring at one another.

Kanetsugu : 「Well, we are in each other's company again after all.」

Yoshichi : 「This year, I'll think of my ambition seriously.」

Kageie : 「Seriously, huh...」

Kagetsugu : 「Right......」

Each of them pick up the brush with serious expression, writing down first calligraphy of the year.

.

.

Kenshin : 「Are you all done? What did you write this year I wonder...」

One by one, they take turns showing their calligraphies.

Kageie : 「Mine is...『I will not lose to anyone.』」

Kagetsugu : 「『Become Stronger.』」

Yoshichi : 「Mine is...『I will protect the castle until the very end.』」

Kanetsugu : 「Mine is... 『Protect the Uesugi.』」

Although what were written are all different but each of them engaged their passionate hearts all the same.

Kenshin : 「If we can achieve our ambitions. Let's get New Year's gift then.」

Yoshichi : 「YES! I can do this! I'll do my best!」

Kenshin smile sweetly. While Kageie's grinning and Kagetsugu's watching the situation goes on silently, Yoshichi is the only one who overly excited and that made Kanetsugu again seems so exasperated.

Yoshichi : 「Urgh...and...what about this year's gift......」

Just happen to notice that he still hasn't received any gift this year. Yoshichi turns towards Kenshin.

Kenshin : 「I'm looking forward to next year...」

Yoshichi : 「How come!? Unacceptable!」

Yoshichi's shoulders dropped down rejected, however Kenshin's sweet smile never falter.

Kageie : 「Don't be sad, Yocchan. This year you can take stones as a gift, isn't that right.」

Kagetsugu : 「Be patient until next year, alright.」

Kanetsugu : 「Please devote yourself as much as you wanted it.」

While Kageie and Kagetsugu consoled Yoshichi, Kanetsugu relentlessly made those comment.

Kenshin : 「Ahahaha. Well, seeing everyone's ambition is a very pleasant feeling and I also got more treasure now.」

Kenshin looks at everyone's calligraphy and smiles happily.

Yoshichi : 「Anyway...What did Kenshin-sama write?」

With a puff, Kenshin holds out his own paper.

Kenshin : 「Mine is...『Spend time happily with everyone in my family.』」

When Kenshin mentioned the word 『Family』, they four all knew that included them and every last one of the Uesugi's retainers.

When they look at each other, smile is an identical thing which suddenly shown on their faces.

Kanetsugu : 「To accomplish Kenshin-sama's ambition also need our great effort, isn't it.」

Kageie : 「But that is not a bad thing.」

Kagetsugu : 「I agree.」

Yoshichi : 「Let's do this, everyone.」

With this fresh feeling, all hearts melted as one.

Seeing such 『Family』 takes shape, deepen in spirit. Kenshin smile more and more.

--

I FURIOUSLY DEMAND MY HOTARU HERE!!!