#wow the love is really boundless huh

[fastasyoucan1999]

hellauuurrrrr <33 ok so list 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the askbox for the last 10 people who reblogged something from you to get to know your mutuals and followers.

hiii x

my little morning routine!! <33 drink coffee and listen to music and stare out the window. there is nothing better

my lovely friends who i spent last night laughing with !! we say we play dnd but what we really do is Not that we just say words to each other and hang ourselves on our own incomprehensible humor

reading <3 shes my gf. had no time the last few months to read but its been so nice lately to sit around and read from sunrise to set

SPRING!!!! OH MY GOD ITS SPRING FINALLY

the sidney gish merch my brother got me!!! i've a new crewneck and tshirt <3 and he sent me a video of sidney saying hello to me. which was mortifying and also wonderful

[2-dsimp]

《The smutty hitman chronicles》

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→【The Hacker: Milkies?】

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Cw: 🔞NSFW MDNI🔞Fem reader! throatpie, deep throating, praise, overstimulation, mention of lactation, breeding, and impregnation.

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『Yandere! Hacker that’s always spontaneous in everything he does. Whether it be from wrecking enemy databases or just casually trolling people online to pass the time. His unpredictable nature shines true in any setting he’s in.』

『Yandere! Hacker who’s the definition of an orange cat boyfriend. Always unhinged and in general an overly affectionate bundle of jittery joy when it comes to his loving darling.』

『Yandere! Hacker who loves everything about you from head to toe and is fascinated time and time again by your body anatomy. Reason why he’s got his hands on you 24/7 and due to his boundless obsession and curiosity. As to how you function on a daily basis being so soft and squishy compared to his lithe and hardened form. Regardless, You’re always kept on your toes whenever you’re in close quarters with the clingy fiend.』

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“Yujin, honey, are you alright? You’re spacing out again.”

『You hummed in an amused tone as you looked from beneath your lashes. To see your hacker boyfriend eyeing you with an intense glint in his sharp feline eyes that were up to no good. You jolted slightly when you felt him abruptly shove his hands down your crop top to greedily cup both of your jiggling boobs. Giving them a good hard knead.』

“Yeah, uh huh I’m fine babes it’s just—Wow! Your tits are so heavy and perky! So perfect to suck on…”

『Yujin drawled, dumbly in pure admiration as he went on to pinch and tweak at both of your nipples like they were joysticks. All the while his fleshy tip lightly dragged against your lips and chin smearing precum all over your face. As you were on your knees fondling his hairless balls and jerking off his pulsating shaft.』

“I read somewhere that mentioned how woman could lactate. Is that true? Of so, can you make that happen like right now, pretty please? I really wanna start milking you plus I’m thirsty.”

『He begged needily as he was completely fixated on your enticing mounds. Which had him utterly whipped at the thought of seeing milk dribble out those puffy areolas. That Yujin adored and revered to be the cutest thing of all. All the while he let out a throaty purr from how you started to lavish your wet tongue on his cockhead coaxing his salty sweet pre straight from the tap』

“Jin, listen I’d have to get pregnant in order to lactate. I can’t just do it at will on my own. It doesn't really work that way hon”

『You explained gently from how oblivious the 20 year old lynx hybrid sounded. Remembering how Yujin admitted that he didn’t have any definitive knowledge on the birds in the bees. Since he was raised in a very sheltered environment for most of his upbringing by strict caregivers.』

“Oh really? Well that's an easy fix! I could easily knock you up if that's what it takes baby cakes! All I gotta do is make sure to cram my spunk in every cute little hole you've got right?”

『Yujin chimed with a fanged lopsided grin and before you could even correct him with the right terminology. He suddenly thrusted his hips, forcing his thick cock deep into your mouth with each drawback of his pelvis.』

“Now that I think about it, I guess creaming your lovely throat would be good for starters~ you’d love that huh baby? I can just tell from from the way that sweet pussy is dripping all over the carpet~”

『He cooed lovingly, staring down at you while meanly squeezing your cheeks to get a close up at his dick. That was stretching open those plump lips that he fantasized kissing for all eternity. You were gripping his thighs for life support trying not to choke』

『As Yujin became Hellbent on pumping your throat full of his jizz to help fulfill his agenda. Of turning you into his lovely milk dispenser so that he’d be able to suckle on your swollen breasts. And admire his litter growing inside of your tummy for hours on end whenever he's slaving away in his room full of monitors and PCs.』

“Oh fuck, I think imma cum soon! You’re doing so good for me, so fucking good! just like I knew my pretty girl would. I swear Imma take the best care of you, make sure that my mate never goes in need of anything”

『He babbled, drooling from the tightness of your esophagus closing in on his throbbing meat. In tandem with how you squeezed his family jewels that were bloated with semen ready to make its home inside of you. And It doesn’t take long before Yujin goes completely ridgid tangling his clawed fingers in your scalp to further plant his crotch right against your face.』

『You could only process a deep hiss escaping your lover as your mouth was filled with nothing but his thick warm seed. He held your head in place and forcing you to savor every last drop of his cum that marinated your tastebuds. Yujin whined softly in protest at the thought of pulling away too soon.』

『The Hacker almost didn’t wanna pull out of your heavenly jaws at all but he still had his quota to fill. So with great reluctance he pulled out and look down at you with satisfaction. Brandishing a smile full of childlike chagrin as he sent you clutching for your pearls with his daunting words. Which hinted at the fact that you weren’t getting any sleep tonight.』

“Welp that’s one hole down baby only two more to go~ but this time I’mma fill ya up more than once since I gotta make sure that it all sticks mkay?”

[shwoo]

Doing the final edit of this fanfic did not take me as long as I thought it would. First half is done!

(Filbo's dad isn't the greatest parent, but he's not abusive and Filbo isn't scared of him, just to be clear. Filbo just doesn't like to see people upset, especially loved ones.)

TItle: Just Dropping in (part 1 of 2) Summary: Filbo has lived with his dad almost all his life, but now that he's back from Snaktooth, he's decided to stay with some journalist who wasn't even part of the original expedition. Filbo's dad has some suspicions. He has a lot of suspicions. (Also on AO3)

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Chapter 1: Keep It Under Wraps! Chapter 2: Don't Spill The Beans!

The door to Theobe's apartment still appeared to be closed and locked. That was a good start, they guessed. They'd half-expected to come home to find it wide open. At two months, the Snaktooth trip wasn't exactly their longest ever, but…

They shifted their grocery bags to one arm and opened the door, to an untouched front hall, and sighed. All right. Back to the real world.

Filbo followed them in. "Wow, Buddy, you live here?" He stopped to admire the hat rack next to the door. "A hat rack? You really thought of everything!"

Theobe smiled. Almost back to normal. They made a detour to the kitchen to drop their groceries on the counter -- they'd put them away in a second -- and headed to the living room to lie on the couch.

The living room was as immaculate as they'd left it, which knowing them, was probably going to last another five minutes. They gave the main couch an experimental push, and it once again failed to sprout cockroaches. Disappointed, they flopped backwards onto the couch cushions.

They were going to order pizza later. The two of them had decided on pepperoni, and Theobe could almost feel the crispness of the crust and the chewiness of the base. And the cheese… Soft and melty, but still semi-solid. And real tomatoes in the sauce, tangy without being covered by overwhelming sweetness…

Filbo entered the room from the kitchen, with the same boundless energy he'd had since they'd left Wiggle's play. "Whoa, that is a lot of books, Buddy," he said, pointing at the bookshelves. "And did I see a coffee machine back there?" He sounded hopeful.

Theobe tried to shrug. "I am a journalist." They'd had some pretty tough deadlines in the past. They did sometimes like to sleep, though, unlike some editors they could mention.

Filbo crossed the room to the hall door. "And what's through here?"

Reluctantly, Theobe rolled off the couch. They probably should show their new guest around. They could rest after that.

They showed Filbo the bathroom, the bedroom, the spare room, and then the office, which Filbo seemed particularly impressed with. He seemed impressed with everything, but Theobe had learned to pick up on the nuance by now.

"I wish I had a whole room just to work in," he said, as they headed back to the living room. "Not that I… have any work to do." He laughed weakly. "Uh… too bad Beffica didn't wanna stay with us, huh?"

"I think she wants to live on her own," said Theobe. She was going to have trouble finding a place on such short notice, but they knew how much she hated having to rely on someone else's goodwill.

Also, all three of them knew that she wouldn't enjoy living with Filbo, and Filbo would enjoy it even less, so it was a little weird that he'd been the one to suggest it. For someone who was always telling Theobe to look out for themself more, he wasn't good at taking his own advice.

"Well, she'll be fine, I guess," said Filbo. He looked at the phone sitting on the corner table. "Oh, and we better make sure Cromdo got in touch with his sister." He cleared his throat a couple of times. "Speaking of which… I kinda gotta call my family. You know, let them know I'm not… dead… Can I borrow your phone? They're a little far away, but I'll pay you back! I'm… good for it… Heh."

"Don't worry about it," said Theobe. They weren't rich, but they owned their apartment outright, and a long-distance phone call wasn't going to break the bank. "Call your family!"

"Hey, thanks, Buddy!" said Filbo. He picked up the phone and hit the keypad, mumbling to himself. After a few seconds, someone picked up. "Aunt Susma! Hi! It's me, Filbo!"

Theobe sat in the armchair closest to the corner table. Filbo had talked a little about his family, but never in much detail. This could be interesting.

"Nope, still alive, haha," Filbo responded. "We had to cut things a little short, but I'm staying in New Gr-- Oh, hi, dad!"

Theobe cocked their head. Filbo had said several things about his dad, Miglo. Positive things, mostly, but Filbo could say very positive things in very concerning ways. His dad was, at the least, a bit overprotective.

Filbo's expression had turned slightly nervous. "I was just telling Aunt Susma I was gonna stay in good ol NGC for-- No, I'm okay, really! Still got.. all my limbs…" He looked at his left arm as he spoke. It was currently part banana and part jerky, but Theobe had to agree, it was still there.

Theobe could faintly hear Filbo's dad over the phone. He sounded agitated, but they could have guessed that from Filbo's half of the conversation. They couldn't really blame this Miglo guy for being upset. Filbo had been gone for a year, and Snaktooth Island did have a reputation.

"Actually, I'm staying with a friend?" Filbo continued, with a glance at Theobe. "They're a journalist, I met them on Snak-- Well, no, but Lizbert invited them after we got there, and…" he chuckled, "they did save my life a couple times--" He winced, and held the phone away from his earhole.

The chattering from the phone had got louder. Theobe could almost make out words, but not quite. And they guessed they shouldn't pry, even though they really wanted to. Filbo looked stressed enough as it was.

"Dad! Dad, please calm down. I'm fine, I swear! We got out there… Huh? Oh, right." Filbo smiled. "Their name…" he said proudly, "is Theoblab."

Theobe had a bad habit of forgetting to introduce themself by name, and when Filbo had started calling them "Buddy", they'd assumed it was a generic nickname he used for everyone. And at first, that had definitely been true. He'd called everyone Buddy, often several times a day. But as Snaxburg had repopulated, Filbo had begun to stop using it as much, until the only person he stilladdressed that way was Theobe. By the boat ride back, they'd had been on the verge of asking him if he thought they really were called Buddy, when Filbo had finally, sheepishly, asked for their name.

"Uh…" Filbo continued. "Hang on, dad." He covered the receiver, and turned to Theobe, squinting. "Buddy? What's your last name, again?"

Theobe couldn't be surprised that he'd forgotten already. Besides, it was an easy one to mix up. "Rumplerun," they said.

Filbo uncovered the receiver. "Rumplerun!" he said into the phone. "They're writing a story about Snaktooth Island-- I'm staying to help them out, like they helped all of us out on--" He paused. "Well, I can't just come home on such short notice… Besides, I promised." He listened again. "I wanna see more of the city. And uh, broaden my horizons…?" Another pause. "Yeah, but I don't really remember much from back then… Uh, I'll ask them." He put his banana-y paw back over the receiver. "My dad wants to talk to you."

"Sure thing," said Theobe. "I'm a little nervous," they added with a laugh. They weren't, but talking to hostile sources wasn't their favourite thing in the world.

"Aw, don't be!" said Filbo, handing them the phone. "He's not… uh…" He scratched his head. "Well, he's all the way back home!"

Theobe took the receiver. "Hello? Theoblab Rumplerun speaking…"

"Miglo Fiddlepie," snapped the voice on the other end. "Now, what are your intentions with my son?!"

"Um…" said Theobe. Maybe that meant something different where Miglo lived. He didn't seem to have an accent, though. At least, his accent wasn't any different from Theobe's. "A roof over his head while he's in town?"

Miglo grunted. "Are you even a real journalist?"

"What?" said Theobe. "Of course! I work for GNN…" They hoped that would be true for longer than it took to write their Snaktooth story.

"Well, Theoblab Rumplerun who works for GNN," began Miglo.

"That's me," Theobe put in.

"Watch yourself," said Miglo. "I'm gonna get to the bottom of this."

There was a click, and a dial tone.

Theobe looked at the receiver. "He didn't say goodbye…"

"Heh, yeah," said Filbo. "Sorry about my dad, Buddy. He can be… a little intense."

"I've talked to worse," said Theobe with a shrug. They hoped Miglo had fun trying to get to the bottom of nothing in particular. They had a couch to go lie on.

.

Theobe sorted through their pile of drafts, which by now was threatening to take over their entire desk. They had plenty of raw material, and it was far past time to start putting it all in order. They were definitely starting the story off at the mysterious door, just before Filbo and Eggabell had finally managed to open it, and then they were going to switch to their arrival on the island. They'd retooled the giant moth made of pizza into gale force winds, and they'd done enough research on balloon accidents that they were sure it could stand up to reasonable scrutiny.

But then what? Then they profiled someone, but who did they start off with? Filbo? And after that, did they go back to their fall into the "lava tubes" under the mountain? Or did they continue with profiles and village life, and save all the Lizbert stuff for the end? Theobe had become sure that the real key to selling stories about mysteries was to emphasise the Grumpus element, so the village life was vital.

But they still needed to spice it up with action, and since they were leaving out the Snak hunts, a lot of that action was right at the start or the end of their trip. They might be able to get away with adding the expeditions they'd conducted with Triffany, but how non-linear could they get, before Clumby started complaining at them again for alienating their audience?

Most of what they'd written was still technically debunkable, but at least this time Theobe knew it. And if someone else got close enough to Snaktooth Island to force a retraction, then everyone had bigger problems than Theobe's job security.

There were muffled sounds coming from down the hall-- voices. Mostly Filbo, but there was someone else, too, and it didn't sound like the radio. And Filbo seemed to be squeaking a lot, and he'd been doing that a lot less lately. Theobe scribbled a quick note about event ordering on some scrap paper, and jumped up to investigate.

Filbo was in the front hall, talking to someone over the intercom. "I'm not really dressed to go out--" he began, then turned to Theobe with a smile. "Buddy! I was just about to come get you! My dad is, uh… here."

"Your… dad?" repeated Theobe, confused. Their first thought was that he couldn't be. He didn't live here, he lived in some small town near Grumpney. Or according to Filbo, not that near. But obviously, he didn't have to stay there, any more than Filbo did.

"Hey!" said the voice from the intercom, who did sound a lot like the grump Theobe had spoken to on the phone a few weeks ago. "I hear you! Let Filbo down here!"

"I'm not stopping him," said Theobe into the intercom. They tried to think. As usual, Filbo was wearing only his mayoral sash, and it seemed clean, but he did still have a Razzby instead of a right foot, and the Inchwrap he'd eaten the day before the party had migrated to his left arm. So in that sense, he'd been telling the truth. He really wasn't dressed to go out. Maybe in few more days.

"I'd really rather stay up here, dad," said Filbo quickly. "Uh, that's why I didn't get dressed properly today. I'm not feeling too great. I think it's something I ate." He chuckled slightly. "M… maybe you can come up here?" He looked at Theobe as he spoke.

Theobe got the question in his expression. "Sure, why not?" It seemed like Miglo wasn't going to go away unless they gave him at least something. And despite his hostility, Theobe was getting very curious to meet Filbo's dad. He'd had a hard life, Filbo had said.

Filbo looked relieved. "Because if you came up here, you could see that everything's fine. I'm just having a fun vacation!"

Miglo grumbled for a second, then said "Fine. But people know where I am."

"Uh," said Filbo. He gave Theobe a confused look. "That's… good?"

"I'll see you in the lobby," said Theobe, and turned off the intercom. See how he liked not being said goodbye to.

Filbo grabbed his head. "Oh, grump, what are we gonna do? Why did I invite him up here?" He lowered his arms. "No, no, we'll get through it. He's gotta see me, or he's just gonna worry. And maybe… call the police again."

"Again?" said Theobe, intrigued. But now wasn't the time. "How are you gonna hide the Snakifications? We could get out the cloak." Filbo usually wore a cloak when he had to go outside, but it would look really weird to wear one indoors. They were more of a poor weather thing, if anything.

Filbo seemed to have recovered. "That won't be necessary, because I have a secret weapon!" He ran out of the room, and returned with a large bag of gummy grumps. "Ta-da!"

Theobe inspected it, noting the speech bubble above the cheerful Grumpuses on the front, which declared that "We're 100% Sugar-Free!"

"Hey, try not to eat too many of those." One time, Theobe had eaten a whole bag in one sitting, after reading an article in Grumpus Health and getting curious. It had been the second least pleasant post-food experience of their life. Worth it for the fact check, though.

Filbo smirked. "That's the whole point, Buddy! I figure I can get rid of… at least one of these?" He looked at his Inchwrap arm, then his Razzby leg.

"Ah," said Theobe. He was trying to speed up his next detransformation. That would do it, but it only ever seemed to work on one body part at a time. Something about programmed cell death in Snakmatter and digestive capacity? Floofty had started to describe it, but they'd spent just as much time complaining about the loss of their research, and wondering aloud if Eggabell's notes had survived, so they didn't seem to know much more about it than anybody else. And then there was their leg…

Theobe was a little grossed out by Filbo's plan, but they guessed they couldn't talk, with their own experiments. And that favour they'd done for Wambus on Snaktooth.

They grabbed their keys from the side table next to the door, and said "See you in a few."

Filbo ripped open the bag and tossed a couple of gummy grumps into his mouth. "Uh, try not to let my dad get to you, Buddy." He swallowed, and tossed in a few more. "He's just… protective. He can't find out about Bugsnax, or he'll freak out even worse."

Theobe smiled. "Don't worry, Filbo, he won't hear about them from me."

.

Theobe had been half-worried and half-hoping that Miglo would leave before they could get downstairs, but there in the lobby was a Grumpus with a very familiar build. He also had lilac-coloured fur and a slight overbite, but otherwise, he looked a lot like Filbo.

The Grumpus looked up as Theobe approached, and scowled. "So you are who you said you were."

It was definitely him. Unless the city was hosting a soundalike convention in the hotel across the street or something.

"Uh, yeah," said Theobe. "Listen, can you call ahead next time? We, uh, weren't expecting anyone today." Theobe had never been very sociable outside of their job, and this was the first time they and Filbo had had to figure out how to host someone not in on the secret.

Miglo followed them to the elevator. "I shouldn't have to call to see my son."

Theobe was pretty sure that being related didn't exempt him from giving them a heads up, but they didn't say so. Nothing Filbo had said had given the impression that Miglo was a violent grump, but he did seem to be barely restraining himself from… something.

After a few seconds of silence in the elevator, Miglo cleared his throat. "Why would you agree to put up someone you just met, anyway?"

"What?" said Theobe. "Filbo? I didn't just… We met on Snaktooth! Didn't he tell you?" They were pretty sure they remembered him saying that.

"Hmp," said Miglo.

"Really," said Theobe, who was getting the sense that Miglo didn't believe them. "He got the town running again-- If he hadn't been there, we don't know what would've happened."

Filbo usually attributed Snaxburg's revival to Theobe, but Theobe didn't see how. All they'd done was catch Bugsnax and listen to people, which they'd had to do to keep their job. They'd spent so much time exploring the island and catching Bugsnax that they hadn't even been in town half the time. And meanwhile, Filbo had made sure to check on everyone every single day.

Miglo chuckled. "Ah, so you don't know him at all."

They reached Theobe's floor, and Theobe thought better of what they'd been about to say. "I think you're selling Filbo short," they said instead.

They were beginning to have some suspicions about the way Filbo always put himself down.

Theobe unlocked the door to find Filbo waiting for them in the front hall. He'd changed into rain boots to hide his raspberry foot, and was holding his left arm behind his back. "Dad!" he said, with what sounded like genuine enthusiasm. "Great to see you!"

Theobe's rain boots were going to be sticky after this. It was a good thing that their allergies only seemed to respond to living Bugsnax.

"Filbo, you're all right!" said Miglo, sounding relieved. They hugged briefly, Filbo only using his right arm. Then Miglo added "Uh, what are you holding behind your back?"

"Well, I'll bet you're tired from your trip," said Filbo, beckoning him with his right arm. "Buddy has a really good coffee maker."

Miglo narrowed his eyes and looked around. "And who is Buddy?"

"Oh!" Filbo laughed sheepishly. "That's Theobe… It's kind of like an… inside joke…?"

Theobe waved. There was something bizarre about hearing their real name come out of Filbo's mouth.

Filbo walked sideways through the door to the dining room, and Miglo followed.

He frowned, then sniffed. "Seems clean enough."

"I vacuumed just this morning," said Filbo proudly.

Miglo turned on Theobe so fast that Theobe jumped. "You're making him do all the housework? Just because he's unemployed? Hasn't he been through enough already?"

Filbo ran between them. "It's okay, dad, it's okay! We split the chores. We even have a chore wheel." He took a step back to hide his arm, and pointed at the fridge in the kitchen nook.

"Yeah, over here," said Theobe. They hadn't really seen the point in having a chore wheel for just two people, but Filbo had insisted. He'd decorated his side of the wheel with a paw print and a smiley face, so Theobe had put their own, slightly smaller paw print on their side, as well as a doodle of a pencil.

While Miglo was looking at the chore wheel, Filbo put his right hand behind his head, smiled, and tried to make some sort of gesture with his lettuce arm. He glanced at it, and whipped it behind his back again.

"Hmp," said Miglo, and headed back to the dining area.

Theobe bit back a sarcastic comment about whether he'd finished his inspection, and said "So, how would you like your coffee? Would you like some music?" They gestured at the tape deck in the corner of the room.

Miglo glared. "Regular coffee. No music. Quit trying to suck up to me."

"Uh, dad, shouldn't you have soy milk, or creamer…?" said Filbo.

"Oh, yeah," said Miglo quickly. "Soy milk, please."

"Sure thing," said Theobe. Filbo was lactose intolerant as well. They also had oat milk, for Shelda, though she preferred flax milk. "Or we have oat--"

"Soy," said Miglo. "Don't even try to get on my good side. My daughter-- Filbo's little sister-- she had a teacher who tried that once."

"Dad…" said Filbo, sounding a little exasperated. He glanced at Theobe, and shrugged.

"No, they need to hear this," said Miglo. "She's a film-making genius-- so good her tenth grade media teacher tried to enter her final assignment in a contest as his own!" He paused.

Theobe could tell he wanted them to ask what had happened to them. They considered pretending to be completely absorbed in measuring coffee into the filter, but they were a little curious. "Okay, then what?"

"I made some calls," said Miglo happily. "Now he's blacklisted from teaching for life! Filmmaking, too. I have connections."

"Yeah…" said Filbo weakly. "That sure was… a thing that happened." He didn't sound sarcastic. Just like he'd heard this story too many times.

Theobe wasn't sure they believed what Miglo was saying, although Filbo clearly seemed to. "You did all that just because he tried to get on your good side?" they said, as they turned the machine on.

"You have no idea who my stepfather is, do you?" said Miglo. "Of course you don't."

Theobe wanted to say that Filbo had somehow forgotten to give them an itemised list of all of his relatives on the day they met. Instead, they said "Nope."

"Not even a guess?" said Miglo.

Well, at least he was enjoying himself now. "The head of the Grumpinati?" said Theobe.

"Ever heard of Barolb Heavytreat?" Miglo continued.

"The senator?" said Theobe, legitimately surprised. He might as well have been the head of the Grumpinati, for the influence he had. Heavytreat definitely was married, but they couldn't remember what his husband's name was.

"Dad, please don't be so hard on Buddy-- I mean Theobe," said Filbo. "They're just a great Grumpus. They helped everyone on the island!"

Of course they had. Filbo had asked them to. "Even Cromdo." Theobe didn't actually dislike Cromdo, but he'd been hard to deal with before he'd stopped hiding his interests.

The coffee maker was starting to give off a delicious smell. Theobe had spent so much time trying to imagine what Bugsnax must smell like to the others that a lot of normal food smells still set off the memories. But never coffee. Maybe there was a coffee Bugsnak someone on the island, but if there was, they'd never encounter it.

"Filbo, you don't need to cover for them," said Miglo, more gently than Theobe had heard him speak so far. He hesitated. "Wait. Are they the one who made you wear that ridiculous sash? Is that part of their 'help'?"

Filbo picked at his sash. "It's not ridiculous…"

"Or was that Lizbert?" said Miglo. "Good thing you never married her. I had her totally wrong!"

"Still mad, huh?" said Filbo, half to himself.

"You and Lizbert dated?" said Theobe, surprised. Given what they knew about their age difference and when Lizbert had left home, they weren't sure when that could have even happened.

"No!" said Filbo. "Never. Dad's just…" He looked at his dad and laughed nervously.

"Thinking about your future," said Miglo.

"Well," said Filbo, "The sash was, uh, my idea. People kinda kept forgetting I was mayor, so I… But I wasn't really mayor, nobody elected me, so I was kind of like… honorary mayor? Nobody else wanted to do it, so…" He laughed again.

"You did a great job, Filbo," said Theobe.

"Aw, thanks, Buddy," said Filbo, sounding as touched as he did every time Theobe told him that. "Dad, I hope you'll forgive Lizbert one day. She didn't even really…" He frowned suddenly. "Oh, gru-- uh, gosh. I gotta go. Excuse me!" He rushed through the living room door.

Miglo jumped to his feet.

"He's just going to the bathroom!" said Theobe. Obviously the gummy grumps had kicked in. Right when the coffee was ready, too. Oh well.

(Important author's note: I know about Joey Quickbeans. But apparently, in this story Theobe does not)

(Next Chapter)

[topknotstrunk]

Review Everything 30 - Sweet Tooth, Season 1

It has been a good, long while since there was a post-Apocalyptic thing I really liked has been airing.

Which is unfortunate because that’s the genre that originally got me seriously into worldbuilding, which is now one of the things that’s most important to me and I spend a lot of time doing.

Gus is an interesting protagonist for this genre. We’ve had Kids to The Apocalypse Before [one of my all time faves is The Girl Who Owned a City, Green Angel by Alice Hoffman stuck with me when I first read it as a pre-teen, The Hunger Games is a series I have mixed feelings about but was wildly popular, and I’d argue that The Last Of Us falls into this category too, and it’s pretty widely loved] but I don’t know if we’ve had boundless optimist kid being the protagonist like this. At least, not in anything I’ve seen/read.

Gus sort of feels like an anime protagonist in a weird way, like the main boy in a Shonen anime. Sure, he has his moments of fear, and doubt, but ultimately he’s going to have his mind set on the most hopeful outcome and push to get there no matter what.

I find an element of this slightly grating, though. Gus never seems to learn anything from these situations he throws himself into. He picked up some farm steadying skills with his Pubba and can feed himself [we never have seen food be an issue for him so far, though he always eats like it’s the first food he’s seen in weeks he also never complains of hunger or has flagging energy due to lack of food]. No matter how many times charging head first into a situation put him in danger, head first he continues to charge. Same thing for trusting people. Despite the world outside his little homestead showing itself, and plainly, to be dangerous to Gus he continues to act as if he’s a little boy alone in the woods with only people who love him to concern himself with.

The reason I find this odd is that I jumped into this show without really knowing what it was. I have been lamenting not having “a show” because all my favorite cartoons got canceled or cut short basically all at the same time recently. A reviewer I like offhandedly mentioned, “And hey, season 2 of Sweet Tooth is airing, so go watch that.” Then an ASL interpreter I follow shared a scene from season 2 that’s ASL heavy and I went, “Oh yeah, I should watch this.” From those two tiny exposures to the show I had no idea there were other characters that the movie would follow, or that most of them would be adults. I thought it was gonna be a kid’s show. It’s not!  A character being static in something aimed at children is, for me, more forgivable then something aimed at older audiences. Which this show clearly is. Though Gus is ten and the show shies away from almost all sexual content and the fights are almost entirely bloodless, the subject matter and heavy focus on adult characters might bore kids Gus’ age. So I hope season 2 shows some growth for the kid beyond, “Wow, so everything isn’t on fire. Now let’s explore!”

I talk a lot in these reviews, I feel like, about my ability, or not, to guess at where a story is going. It’s just a thing my brain does when I consume media. To the point where, when I was a kid, I had guessed right one to many times and my Family forbade me from saying my guesses out loud. My gasp of realization less than halfway through a movie would draw glares from my family at family movie nights. I was even given a notebook to keep my thoughts to myself in for movie watching. They’re fun people. *eyeroll* All this to say, I didn’t find myself doing that much with this show. The reveal of Gus being patient zero, as it were, made sense, in a “Huh, I feel like I should have seen this coming” kind of way. I had been thinking, and only for that episode, that Birdie was gonna be patient zero, and give birth to Gus as the first hybrid kid. The only “called it” moment I had was like, 30 seconds before it’s revealed who Wendy was to Bear, when we see the back of her head as a little kid. That usually means the show is written well and doing its job, being too interesting for me to analyze in real time. Having too good a time with the show and being to distracted by how annoying Gus can be to make many guesses. XD

Something I find super interesting the the choices in how the hybrids look. I feel like characters that are important and that we’re supposed to empathize with the most are the “most cute” and most Human. Like, Gus has the tapetum lucidum thing going on, sure, but otherwise he’s a cute kid with deer horns and ears. There are about a billion OCs you could find on DeviantArt that look pretty much the same. He’s the deer version of a Cat Girl. Same thing for Wendy. But then we have, for example, the first character we see the new Doctor operate on and he’s got these big, ugly lizard eyes bugging out of his face, with the top part of his face being totally un-Human, with lizard tongue movements and animal like behavior. All the hybrid kids seem to have /some/ animalistic tendencies, but like, I feel like “we’re gonna cut you up now” might hit a bit harder if the lizard kid just had a little patch of scales and a normal kid face like Gus and Wendy have. IDK though, maybe that’s the point? They seem less Human so those scenes won’t be as upsetting.

Anyway, I’m really interested to know if there’s a reason some kids are cute animal gijinkas and some lean way more to the Cronenberg side of the “humans combined with animals” spectrum. Even if it’s just, “Genetics, some kids get more animal half, some get more Human half.” I’m SUPER not interested in quantifying the reasons and details of “weird deer shit”. I don’t want to know if lizard kids are exothermic if more than 30% of their bodies are covered in scales, I don’t wanna know if wolf kids need to eat an all carnivore diet if their teeth are sharp instead of flat, that shit. The show has some neat fantastical elements, I am happy to chalk up “their physiology is the way that it is” to “because”.

My only real critiques of the show so far are that the effects can be a little hokey, mostly the deer and other normal animals that show up, and that the kid acting can be well... Bad kid acting. Gus does okay most of the time but I have a real hard time feeling upset for him when he’s upset. He’s not great at fake big fear or fake crying, which are two things important to the story that he has to emote fairly regularly. Stefania LaVie Owen is doing an amazing job though, and so is Naledi Murray.

Looking forward to season 2. I like Birdie a lot and want to know more about her. I’d also like to hear about how Pubba felt taking Gus out into the wild, thinking she’d come, only she never showed up. I wanna see Wendy and Bear reunited. I also wanna know why almost every character in this show has a nickname or chosen name. Sweet Tooth, Big Man, Pubba, Bear, Pig Tail, Birdie, is this a thing the creator/s like or is there some meaning to it? I also really wanna know if our narrator is Gus all grown up.

In Summary: Cool world building, fresh take on the apocalypse [bold move making a plague movie while we’re still having a plague], a fun mix of science inspired story ideas and fantasy ones, I love me a good found family, animal kids are goofy but neat, and I wanna see more.

Overall: 6/10

[liusaidh-writing]

Photograph

--------

Well... there's something to be said for lazing around because you're sick. This fell out of me. 🤷‍♀️

Wrote it on my phone so please excuse any mistakes.

Jamie and Claire are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. It's sometime in the late 80's and Jamie and Claire met not long before WWII. That's really all you need to know. A totally simple short bite to read. Modernish AU / Jamie x Claire

Enjoy!

______________________

"This is early on," she said, laying the photograph on the table, her eager granddaughter leaning in for a closer look. 

"Wow. You- and Granda…" the girl ducked her head, suddenly shy. 

"What?"  Claire Fraser chuckled, resting her hand on Mandy's back. "What were you going to say, love?" 

"You're both just so… smitten. Is that the right word?" 

Claire thought for a moment, her husband's blue eyes staring up at her from the picture. They'd been in their early twenties there, blissfully unaware of things to come: their separation, the birth of their two daughters, then grandchildren. It had been only them, then. 

In the photograph, she beamed up at her Jamie, tall as he was, with eyes that were only for him, it seemed. His auburn hair was cut short, his olive green beanie covering most of it. She wore her floral print dress, with violet Forget-Me-Nots embroidered on the collar. It was her favorite, and Jamie's, too. Claire was sure he loved the way the dress flowed, like liquid down her back, so if she bent over, he could make out the shape of her arse - one of many of his favorite bits of her body. 

She chose not to share this small detail with Mandy, but pointed out the ring she wore - a silver ring, plain as anything - but special. It had been a surprise, that ring; Jamie's promise to return to her in one piece, the promise that they'd be married as soon as possible, that they'd be okay. 

Some of it remained true, after all was said and done, and Claire smiled to herself as she twirled the ring on her finger now. She watched as Mandy moved onto another photo. This one was a photo of Jamie next to a small crib, bent over, affectionately smiling at the baby that laid inside. 

It was Mandy's mother, Brianna, a wee thing of six months or so, smiling back at her father with boundless joy. Mandy couldn't tell from the photo, but Brianna and her Da shared the same red hair, wavy and wild. Her mother had since dyed her hair all sorts of shades, eager to forge her own identity.

Mandy put her finger over Brianna, then, chuckling. 

"She looks like you, Grannie." 

"Huh, everyone always said she took after her father," Claire responded,  surprised by what Mandy apparently saw in the baby's face. 

"Well, she loves Granda a lot, too. See her grinning?" 

Claire only nodded, then looked out the window, her ears picking up the sound of a car on the gravel outside. 

"Your brother's here, Mandy. Let's go welcome him inside." 

Claire stood, brushing her dress down so the wrinkles were smooth again. She followed Mandy outside, the dogs barking and scurrying around as Jemmy got out of his car. 

"Grannie! How does it feel?" 

Claire gave her grandson a warm hug, then kissed him on each cheek. 

"Ah, you know - it doesn't feel like 50 years,' she said, turning to see Jamie and Brianna coming from the barn. 

"Feels longer, Sassenach," Jamie called, his hands dirty from the newest project for the farm. 

"How's the new chicken coop coming, mum?" Jemmy asked, his mother brushing sawdust from her hands. 

"It's… it's a frame. Haven't gotten as much done as we would have liked before dinner." She smiled at Mandy, who danced on her feet, eager to get back inside. 

"Have you seen Grannie's old photos? Granda, come look," she said, pulling her grandfather inside, the rest of them following. 

"I'm sure I've seen them all before," Jamie chuckled, though he happily sat down to examine them. 

Shuffling through them, he smiled, touching one every now and then. He paused at one longer than the others, then shoved it into his coat pocket. 

"Whaf, what was it? Let me see!" Mandy pleaded with him, though he wouldn't relent. 

"I dinna ken how that got there, but this one's for me." He gave Mandy a sly smile, then stood, surreptitiously patting Claire on the bottom as he headed for the sitting room. 

The photo in his pocket was over 50 years old, he knew, and he wasn't sure anyone else knew the story behind it. He sat in front of the fire, the memory swimming into view. 

He'd met Claire at a dance, a fete of sorts, and they'd danced together more than once, each of them seeking one another out, unabashed and fearless. 

The photo in his pocket was one of Claire, her hair up just so, a braid at the side, her heels dangling on her fingers as she waited outside for her uncle. 

Jamie's friend had snapped that first photo, the one he'd carried with him all these years. 

She hadn't gone home to her uncle that night. Instead, she'd found her way into his heart, both of them falling so hard a damn World War couldn't tear them apart, though it almost had.

They'd be married 50 years today, but Jamie knew it had been much longer. He'd sold his soul that first night, that first kiss by his truck, her heels falling to the ground as her hand became preoccupied with the hairs at the nape of his neck. 

No… this photo was his, that  beautiful brown-haired lass smiling as she bent to catch a glimpse of him, just one more time. 

Though, thank God, she'd seen him, pulled him to the side, kissed him hard. A fire burned that night, crackling and hot, the start of two lives merging, becoming one.

[twstinginthewind]

How do your children feel about my children? You don't have to have each one answer for all three, but I'm curious. :3c ❤ Daisy

[possum A intensifies]

Nana hasn't really gotten to know Juniper well at all; something about the relationship between cats and coyotes means that Nana's always on edge, especially when Juniper gets into one of her more hyperactive phases. They would get along well in theory, but Nana needs to get past her own fears first. She thinks Savvy is nice, but hasn't gotten to know her much beyond a surface level, probably because Savvy likes to talk a lot about boys and makeup, neither of which Nana is particularly interested in. But Violetta? She's known Violetta for years! Violetta even gave her a nickname! They'd play together in the garden all day!! Why doesn't she recognize her, when.... oh. Right. Human form. Haha! Well. Guess she'll have to drop in at Heartslabyul as "Soot", huh?

Punch thinks Savvy is really sweet and helpful. She sticks up for people when it doesn't benefit her, and he thinks that's really admirable, plus she's working hard towards being able to take care of her family business. She's also been kind to his best friend, even if Epel feels like she's trying to get him to compete with her. Violetta is quiet and charming, and she has been somewhat of a peaceful influence on his sister. He loves watching as she sketches; her illustrations really seem to come alive, and she draws more readily than she speaks, so he's content to just sit quietly and work on his own projects while she draws. And Juniper.... gosh. She's a lot of fun, and she's great to race with, even if she absolutely smokes him, and she makes him laugh. He's really glad that he was able to become friends with her. Also, he wonders how they're all so different-looking and still all so pretty? Wow. Girls. Who'da thunk it.

Now, we have three of Joker's best pals. How to describe their connections? Violetta's her pet introvert, a wonderful dormmate and someone that she can trust with secrets and not ratting her out for late-night snack runs. They're the Heartslabyul queens of midnight fudge making and hushed giggling about the other members of their dormitory. With Savvy, she gets to indulge her girly side, and spend time with another outspoken chatterbox. She's not as well-off as her put-together friend, but they definitely hold their own as a palette-swapped Betty and Veronica. They get enthusiastic over the same things, both excel in the same class, and plan their flirting strategies together in their plots to have the cutest dates on campus. And Juniper is the person she goes to when she wants to let off steam and laugh! They have similar senses of fun, and Joker loves Juniper's boundless energy. She might not join Juniper in some of her more physical hobbies, but you can absolutely catch Joker cheering her friend on from the sidelines.

(Ok now you! Hehehe)

[yolo1650]

Animal Crossing One Shot- Ten Star Rating (BobxReader)

Summary: Getting that perfect island turns out to be a lot harder than it looks.

Word Count: 1498

Warnings: No warnings here, it’s basically rated G, just two cute people, being cute together

——————————————————————————

Feeling nothing but a heavy sense of defeat, you closed the doors of the Resident Service building behind you. With the sun still high in the sky, there was still many hours of daylight left, precious hours that could be spend planting, refurnishing, terra-forming.  

But all you could feel was the aching in your legs, clearly overworked by all the running around you did this morning. They couldn’t help but buckle beneath you. Giving in, you sat down at the center of the plaza, face in your palms, as you remembered Isabelle's advice.  

"Let's get more greenery on this island by planting fruit and saplings. When it comes to tree varieties, we should really branch out!"

Your jaw clenched. While Isabelle's corny joke came from a kind-hearted place, it did nothing to cheer you up from your predicament.  

Last time it was too many trees, and too little flowers. Now that I've spent the whole morning planting more flowers, you're telling me there's not enough trees?

At this rate, you many never get your island to a five star rating.  

Then, you heard someone yelling, their voice getting louder as they got closer to you.  

"Heeeeeeeyyyyyyyy!"

You felt Bob's shadow cast over you, giving you momentary relief from the afternoon sun.  

"Hey Bob."

His shadow moved, and with it, his footsteps as its pattering sounds circled around you. Even with your eyes covered, you could still vividly see Bob's wide, carefree smile, and his arms outstretched like an airplane.  

"The island looks great today! On my way here I stopped like, five times to smell all of the pretty flowers! Or was it more like three times? I kind of stopped counting after two, pthhpth."

Taking your face out of your hands, you leaned your cheek against one of your palms and did nothing to mask your exhaustion and disappointment.  

"Still not good enough to get a good island rating though."

Bob stilled. Taking quick glances between you and the Resident Service building, he began to understand.  

"Oh."

After taking a seat next to you, you look over to his uncharacteristically somber face.  

"I'm sorry to hear that."

Great now you messed up his groove. One of the happiest, most carefree villager is sulking because of you. Maybe it was better if you just got up and left, you should have never left your house in the first place.  

But Bob beat you to it. Standing up with what seems to be renewed energy, he ran back to his house. You didn't have to wait long before hearing your name being shouted in the distance, its volume gradually increasing.  When Bob came back his typical ear-to-ear smile was as well. He was also holding onto a medium sized canvas. With outstretched arms, he presented it exclaiming,

"Here! I gotta lil' something for ya!"

After getting up and dusting off your pants, you took the unexpected gift from his hands. Your eyebrows were raised high in astonishment. Pleased at your reaction, Bob shyly looked away while rubbing the back of his neck.  

"But it's probably nothing compared to what you've done for the island so far."

As you examined the painting you weren't sure how to feel about it at first. Anyone back at your hometown would recognize immediately that this gift was clearly not your style. While you preferred romantic style oil paintings, the piece before you had to be best described as the work of a child. Abstract and sloppy, no distinct line art, and distinct brush strokes. That last part was the most peculiar to you. Did he use cotton balls to paint this?

You took a step back and looked at the piece again as a whole. Once you did, you felt a smile creep up on your face. This painting was clearly made with you in mind, as not only were you the subject, but you were surrounded by all of the things you loved on this island. The foreground was adorned with your favorite flowers, the background was the island's serene coast, and you were wearing your favorite outfit.

The colors were the most impressive, in your opinion. They were so spot on that just looking at it alone made you feel like you were right there, hearing the crashing waves. He even got your eye color at just the right shade, and remembered to add your dimples to your smile.  

You found it difficult to contain your excitement.  

"Wow! Bob, this is amazing! And you painted it? I didn't know you liked to paint!"

"Hmmm? Oh yeah, I like to do all sorts of drawing." Lost in thought, he started leaning back and forth between the balls of his feet and his heels. "But I especially looooooove finger painting! It's like ya got super powers 'cause everything you touch changes color!"

You chuckled. Paw prints, that explained the strange brush strokes.  

"How'd you know my favorite spot on the island was the beach?" You asked.

Bob simply shrugged as he replied, "You're just there so often, I sorta figured it was like, your natural habitat or something, pthhpth."

"What about my clothes?"

He looked away briefly before clearing his throat to answer. "I, uh, always thought you looked the prettiest when you wore those." He couldn't help but blush a little. "Just 'cause you always smiled more when you wore those."  

You then felt your own face heat up.  

"A-and what about the flowers? How'd you know these were my favorite?"

"Oh, those? You were always buying those from Lief every time he comes over." His eyes glanced up in thought as he continued.  

"At first I was thinking what made these flowers so special? You already had so many different flowers in your own garden. So then I bought a pot of my own, and boy do they smell deeelicious! They reminded me so much of you so of course I had to put it here, pthhpth!"

You tried to give a polite smile to match Bob's beaming face. But you weren't too sure how to take that compliment, if it even was one. Was he saying you were like a snack? Does he snack on flowers?

You decided not to dwell on it too much.  

Now when you looked back at the painting, it was as if it completely transformed before your eyes during the short length of your conversation with Bob. What was once sloppy, thick brush strokes were now intentional, and authentic. What was once meaningless shapes of abstraction have now turned into a thoughtful presentation of who you were in the mind of Bob.  

It was all so touching, you might have started tearing up a little.  

You tightly wrapped your arms around Bob.  

"Thank you. You have no idea how much I needed this right now."

He eagerly hugged you back.  

"Like I said, it's nothing." His lips curled into a bashful smile.  

Releasing each other from your embrace, you were surprised to see that somber expression return to his face. His brows furrowed in frustration.  

"I don't know who's judging these islands, but if I were them, I'd give you a ten star rating just because you worked so hard on it!"

You didn't have the heart to tell him that island ratings only went up to five.  

Bob continued on. Pride and determination lighting his eyes as he placed his paws on his hips.  

"I might even throw in a prize, like a day off, or a life-time supply of brownies!" A nervous chuckle bubbled out of him as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Uh, actually, that last part might be more of a prize for me than for you."

Now that he mentions it, you really do deserve a day-off, heck, maybe even a week-off. You put so much work into this island, it was only natural that you needed a break to regain your strength. Then, you'll be sure to get that five star rating!

You grabbed Bob's paw and headed towards the direction to your house.  

"It's been a while since we hanged out, huh? Well then let's go to my place for lunch," you said.  

"Really?!" Now it was Bob's turn to look surprised. Free food always got him excited.  

"Yeah!" You smiled. "Think of it as thanks for the painting."

"Sounds great!" Bob had already skipped on ahead of you, his face radiant. "Race ya!"

"Wait, Bob! My legs are still killing me from this morning, can you-"

Too late. With arms outstretched, Bob zig-zagged his way towards your house, already leagues ahead of you. For a guy who was always hungry, he sure did have boundless amounts of energy.  

You shook your head to yourself and smiled. Taking one last look at your painting before trudging along, you were already thinking of how to best frame it. You loved how brilliant it looked in the natural light. A nice spot by the window would be perfect.  

——————————————————————————

This was requested by @teagibs I hope you like it! Sorry it took so long :’-)

Please bear in mind that I’m still in school, so if anyone else has made a request, or would like to request something, it might be a while. I will also be doing requests in the order they come in. 

On another note, this was a lot of fun! Bob is one of my favorites, so I hope I did him justice. I currently have another one shot in the works (not a request), and ya’ll better brace yourself, cause it’s gonna be a dooozy...

Let me know what you guys think, constructive criticism is especially welcome here :D

-(･ω･)v

[siratrem]

I need to nerd out about Haikyuu right now (Season 1 Episode 1) (manga spoilers)

I have nobody that I can nerd out about Haikyuu with so I’ll do it here.

My first introduction to volleyball was through Haikyuu and watching reactors from coaches and players on YouTube really expanded my understanding of this manga/anime. Now that I’ve finished the manga and watched all available episodes (more than once) I want to see why I find this shounen sports anime so bloody compelling.

A good beginning sets up the middle and end. The opening scene of Haikyuu is the famous “a tall, tall wall looms before me…”. Before the rewatch, I had it in my head that the scene after the opening (Hinata seeing the Little Giant on TV) was the first scene. So, no, Furudate-sensei actually started this chapter at the end – Hinata is already in the Karasuno gym, he’s already scared of the block, and he’s lining up with the shoes of five of his teammates. This is a common framing technique – sets up the question of “how did we get here?”.

On my first watch of Haikyuu, I didn’t know anything about volleyball. I have, however, watched a fair amount of anime, including shounen. I think my inexperience actually helped me understand why Hinata was so awestruck by the Little Giant when he saw him on TV.

I knew the premise of the anime – tiny Shoyo wants to play a sport made for tall people – but rewatching it actually confused me. This scene is set 3-4 years before even making it to Karasuno, so Shoyo is, what, 11? He doesn’t know how tall he’s going to be, so why was he fixated on this “small” player going up against the bigger blockers? I mean, he could still be small for his age and be self-conscious about it, I guess, but not like he would be at 15. Then I thought – maybe it’s because the Little Giant jumped so high?

Shoyo is small, yes, but he can jump high. This is a defining aspect of his character. This was also the moment Shoyo became interested in volleyball, from what I can tell. So, if he’s as inexperienced as me, he wouldn’t be able to see the technique that the Little Giant used to defeat the big blockers. In his little kid head, maybe he assumed that the Little Giant beat the blockers because he jumped so high. So, perhaps little Shoyo thought: hey, I can jump high → I’ll be good at volleyball.

Themes

What are the overarching themes of Haikyuu shown in this episode?

Friendship. This is a Shounen anime, after all. Hinata makes friends wherever he goes, but it’s not until the match in this episode (and later Karasuno) that he finds a place that he belongs. Hinata has a wide variety of friends and is lovable enough to both get Izumi and Koji to join his team and make them emotional about the game.

Kageyama takes a liking to him from this match (although whether Mr Grumpy himself even recognises this is up to interpretation). From the moment they snap at each other in the hallway outside the gym bathroom to that beautiful jump that scores the first genuine point for Hinata’s team, Kageyama is intrigued by the bouncing ball of sunshine. After the match is finished, Kageyama snaps at Hinata “what were you doing for the last three years?”. He’s the first person to see Hinata’s potential, although Hinata takes it as an insult. It’s okay – they just don’t know each other yet.

Rivalry. Kageyama vs Hinata. Later (ep 6 minor spoilers??): Karasuno (Hinata and Kageyama) versus Aoba Johsai (Kunimi and Kindaichi). Shoyo sees Kageyama as the biggest barrier to his dream of playing volleyball. He wants to defeat him with all his being: if he can defeat the strong player, then he will be the strong player.

Victory and defeat. Duh. It’s a sports anime. One team plays another in a game where only one can win. Hinata is sure he is capable – he’s over-confident and inexperienced. He doesn’t know what good volleyball looks like, let alone how to implement it. But he’s also a show-off – a facet of his personality I didn’t really grasp until season 4. He wants the recognition the Little Giant got. He wants a stadium of people to go “wow, did you see him jump? Did you see how he beat the three-man block? Oh my god, he’s so amazing”. I’m sure the cool nickname – the Little Giant – caught his attention as well. So if he tries hard and jumps high enough, he’ll win, right?

Yeah. Poor baby learns a very harsh lesson. This defeat is crushing. He jumped high, like the Little Giant, but he couldn’t defeat the block. Those looming hands haunt him – “a tall, tall wall looms before me…”. This is a barrier he can’t overcome and he doesn’t know *why...*You can see it on his face after the block – ‘huh? I copied the Little Giant’. This sets up the goal of the first season: Hinata needs to learn how to see what’s at the top, the other side of that tall wall. He needs to hit rock-bottom before he can start climbing up.

Kageyama’s team won because it was a better team. Kitagawa Daichi is a powerhouse on the Miyagi junior high volleyball scene. I don’t know if it’s a private school, but it’s a feeder school for Aoba Johsai, which is a private school. Both seem to have a specialism in volleyball training. Maybe if Hinata went to Kitagawa Daichi, [Manga spoilers] if he’d been introduced to volleyball as early as Kageyama was, maybe he’d already be a monster. Or maybe his natural instincts would have been trained out of him. It’s important to the story that Hinata starts off as an untrained underdog, deprived of good volleyball and hungry for victory.

Team versus the individual. Kitagawa Daichi was the favourite to win the whole tournament. It’s a powerhouse team with more players than can fit on the bench. They’re tall, they’re scary, they’re elite. The team members often go on to Aoba Johsai, a high school powerhouse. Hinata’s school didn’t even have a team until he came along. They’re small (exactly 6 players, no reserves, no libero). His teammates don’t even know the rules for the game. Hinata had to fight tooth and nail to get on the court. However, he’s encouraging to his team members and dedicated. He’s glowing at just being there. He wants to win, of course, but most of all he wants to play volleyball.

Volleyball is a team sport. “The team that wins is the one with the strongest six players”. However, at times, it seems like both Hinata and Kageyama are the only ones really playing on their teams. Kageyama is giving it his all, yelling at his team for not keeping up with him and slacking off. Hinata is the only one on his team who wants to be there, the only one who wants to play. He’s hitting the most spikes, jumping the highest, playing the best (not that that’s saying much). This match, in a large way, is Kageyama versus Hinata.

Talent. Kageyama is a genius setter. (Manga spoilers:) He was raised in a family of volleyball players (one of which is an alumnus of Shiratorizawa for christ’s sake). He’s enamoured with the sport – obsessed with it. He lives and breathes volleyball. (Manga spoilers:) he keeps a volleyball journal where he records and analyses every play, practice and game he’s ever made. He’s tall and strong and athletic. He goes to a school with a good volleyball training programme. He’s built for this game.

Hinata is (superhumanly) athletic. He can run fast and jump high. But he’s short and untrained. His talent is raw and unrefined. But it’s still enough to catch Kageyama’s attention.

Characters

Furudate-sensei is a fan of the Meaningful Name™ convention. This is actually fairly common in Japanese culture anyway: traditionally baby names are carefully chosen to reflect the parents’ aspirations for the children. (I also don't speak Japanese so I'm going off other people's translations for the kanji).

HINATA SHOYO (日向 翔陽) - “sun place” “soaring sunlight”. He’s a bouncing ball of sunshine who makes friends wherever he goes and jumps really high. He’s a shounen protagonist to his core: boundless enthusiasm, determination, friendship, the underdog. He’s also a magnetic hero.

This episode needs to cement the key aspects of Shoyo’s personality. He’s outgoing and “magnetic” – he makes friends with people from all walks of life. He is an underdog. Everyone loves an underdog, right? Effort and passion should be rewarded. The good guys should win. This episode really sets up how hard little Shoyo had to fight to be on the court and how he’s willing to fight to stay on it. The flashback occurring the moment he walks into the gym for his first tournament demonstrates this nicely: his junior high school didn’t have a team or a real club, none of his friends was interested in volleyball (although they were athletes of various persuasions) and he spent most of his time practising by himself against the wall or begging his friends to set the ball for him.

It’s okay, though: he has the magnetism of a true Shounen protagonist and not only manages to talk his friends into occasionally throwing the ball to him but also drags them to a tournament of a sport they’ve never played and don’t really understand. He’s also managed to talk some first-years into joining the team. Shoyo is very magnetic and I wonder how much he’s aware of it at this point. He’s not exactly reflective or a deep thinker.

He’s enthusiastic and determined. He will play volleyball to his full capabilities until the match point. When his teammate worries about getting hurt after watching him run into a wall, his response is “I don’t understand [why you want to slow down]. We haven’t lost yet”. It ain’t over until it’s over.

KAGEYAMA TOBIO (影山 飛雄) - “Shadow Mountain” “Flying Hero”. What are his main traits? He’s volleyball mad, he’s ambitious and competitive, he’s tall, he’s athletic and strong, and he’s grumpy. Also intimidating – to his opponents and his teammates. The second-years on his team are scared of him. He hates to hear them trash-talking other players as they are only benchwarmers. He’s a setter – a control freak who takes every match he plays seriously, no matter the opponent. He will win at his best, dammit, and without holding back. He especially seems annoyed that the benchwarmers on his team place themselves above Hinata, even though they’re not even good enough to be regulars. “Don’t ride the coat-tails”, he tells them.

He wants to beat the block and the faster the attack, the better the hit, he believes. If people can’t keep up with him, that’s their fault. His sets are perfect. They need to keep up with him. If only they were as fast as Hinata, and capable of hitting difficult sets like when Izumi fumbles the ball and Shoyo leaps to save it and hits it anyway. They score their first genuine point off that, and Kageyama is impressed.

Kageyama and Shoyo are opposites, but they’re also mirrors of each other. Both are reckless: Kageyama throws reckless sets and Shoyo will leap for the ball even if he has to crash into walls and what-have-you. Both want to win. Both have their talents. Both love volleyball.

Something I found interesting is how the characters are in “sets”. Shoyo and Kageyama, obviously – their relationship is one of the major focuses of the whole series. The secondary characters too: Kunimi and Kindaichi to Kageyama and Izumi and Koji to Shoyo. They share the same jersey numbers: Kindaichi and Izumi are #5 and Kunimi and Koji are #6. These “sets” of minor characters only exist in the narrative in relation to each other. If Kindaichi appears, Kunimi is never far behind.

Izumi and Koji are third-years at this point, so why are their numbers lower than the first years? I realised (at the end of the episode) that Shoyo actually talked the first years into joining the volleyball club, not just the tournament team. Shoyo inspired a new generation of volleyball players – something he continues to do throughout the series.

Kindaichi and Kunimi are often showed in the background of Kageyama’s shots. Kunimi is the first person to serve in the game – he gets a few service aces. Kindaichi is the ace(?) of the team, often shown spiking Kageyama’s sets. This is an example of the subtle manipulation of the audience: hinting that these faces will reappear. It’s the same kind of story-telling that makes the reactors I’ve watched feel so smart when they predict something. The author wants you to notice them. The author is practically hanging a sign over them saying “remember these two!”.

When Kindaichi almost misses a reckless toss from Kageyama and expresses surprise that they managed to score from it, Kageyama responds “Faster!”, which makes Kindaichi irritated. Kunimi complain about his sets with him – Kunimi makes a comment about not having to work so hard as they’re outclassing Hinata’s team by miles – but Kageyama is taking the game seriously.

Kunimi and Kageyama squabble over Kunimi’s “laziness” – he doesn’t run for balls when they’re far enough in points, he doesn’t see why they have to try hard against such a weak and untrained team.

Kindaichi and Kageyama argue over Kageyama’s sets. Kageyama is the self-centred King of the Court after all. I think Kindaichi is actually a friendly sweetheart – and he seems to interact with Kageyama the most and deals with most of his sets. These missed friendships are missed opportunities for the three of them. (Manga spoilers): Kageyama shows he wants to be friends and play with them as adults.

Then, there are the Karasuno players. No faces, just those awesome black club jackets. I love those things. I now know that they are Suga, Daichi and Tanaka, but Furudate-sensei is good at building tension and anticipation by hiding their faces.

They appear in the stands at the junior high tournament, talking about Hinata and Kageyama’s match. Suga comments on Kageyama being “the King of the Court”. Ep 2 spoiler: Suga is a setter. Of course he’s going to appreciate Kageyama. Daichi also appreciates the overwhelming talent. It’s Tanaka who bets on Hinata becoming a threat. Tanaka seems to like Hinata’s spirit and athleticism. Ep 2 spoilers: He’s also the main hitter for the team at this point, so as the setter recognises the setter, the hitter acknowledges the hitter.

We later see them upon Shoyo’s arrival at Karasuno amongst the other clubs gathering applicants. Shimizu is also there. Daichi comments on the limited selection of applicants – this sets up the fact that Karasuno has been in decline: the “flightless crows” and such. There’s character establishing moments: Suga trying to cheer up Daichi and Tanaka flirting (and getting shut down) by Shimizu.

The Little Giant. Shoyo’s inspiration and hero, who shapes the entire course of his life. The 170 cm wing spiker makes him fall in love with volleyball and determined to enter Karasuno High School. Interesting how Shoyo never mentions his name. Maybe he doesn’t know it? He doesn’t really seem to understand the Little Giant at all. (Manga spoilers): I think this is why, by the time we meet Tenma Udai, he isn’t upset about his hero leaving volleyball behind. Now that he understands volleyball, he knows that he could never be the Little Giant anyway. Their play styles are different. Their positions are different. Shoyo can now be himself, forge his own playstyle – Ninja Shoyo, the ultimate decoy.

One thing I like about the characters is how their personalities/character development reflect their play styles, which becomes more apparent later on.

Motifs

“A tall, tall wall looms before me…”. This is the opening (and closing) of the season. It’s Shoyo’s greatest barrier – a literal wall holding him back from scoring. He can’t overcome it on his own, so, as shown in the opening scene, he needs the five other players on his side to get through it.

Crows (obvs). I find it funny to watch non-weeb reactors who don’t know what “Karasu” means. There are crows everywhere in this anime*.* The first time Shoyo sees the Little Giant jump, he sees black crow wings over the arms and gets blasted by crow feathers. Inspiration – seeing a human fly. Shoyo is now hooked on volleyball. When Shoyo’s running to the volleyball gym on Karasuno campus, he startles a crow who drops a feather in his face.

King of the Court. Before Shoyo even hears Kageyama’s nickname, he sees him wearing a cape and crown. The crowd (which Furudate-sensei often uses for exposition) also give him that name, and then Suga repeats it. When Kageyama appears in the hallway outside the bathroom, Shoyo sees him wearing the same outfit. Of course, Shoyo thinks this is a great thing – a reflection of his talent and powerful aura. Kageyama sets too fast for Kindaichi during the warm-ups and criticises him. Kindaichi rolls his eyes and half-heartedly apologies. The coach scolds him and tells him that the best set is the easiest for the hitter to spike.

Face receives. 2. 1 with a football (soccer) to Shoyo’s face, the other when Koji misses a receive.

“I can jump”. Shoyo says it to Kageyama while he’s being chastised for talking big. Izumi says it to Shoyo when they’re trying to sike themselves up for their match.

The pre-game bathroom break. Shoyo gets nervous after seeing Kitagawa Daichi and runs to the bathroom, only to run into players from the opposing team. This is a running gag throughout the series.

I don’t know if this counts, but I saw Shiratorizawa jackets in the crowd at the junior high tournament.

Many Youtube reactors commented on how Shoyo runs everywhere. He runs through the Karasuno campus on the way to the gym. The bouncing ball of sunshine has one gear: zoom. Similarly, Kageyama sets fast while Shoyo can cross the volleyball court in the blink of an eye. Their play styles complete each other.

Jersey numbers. Shoyo is 1, Kageyama is 2. When they get their jerseys (spoiler maybe?), Kageyama is 9 and Shoyo is 10. This is the only time Shoyo’s jersey number is higher than Kageyama. (Manga spoilers): in the V-league, Kageyama is 20, Shoyo is 21, then 9 and 10 again in the Olympics. As mentioned above, Kindaichi and Izumi are #5 and Kunimi and Koji are #6.

“One more” - mou ikkai. Hinata will forever ask for one more chance to play volleyball. He asks Izumi to set for him despite his complaints.

“The strong get to remain on the court”. Shoyo has to be good at volleyball to play volleyball. He wasn’t good enough to beat Kageyama, so he only got to play 31 minutes before having to leave, while everyone else got to play more games. Kageyama is used to winning at this point and only values people who can stay on the court.

Plot

Kageyama versus Hinata. This is arguably the main plot point of the series. Hinata wants to win and Kageyama defeats him. Hinata sees him as a good player, so if he also wants to be a good player, he needs to be able to outplay him. Kageyama envies his natural jumping height and speed. They argue and fight and challenge and inspire each other – destined rivals. Such a shounen trope.

Hinata is an underdog who had to fight to stay on the court. He didn’t have a coach, he didn’t have a team. Kind of an aside, but somehow he has good jumping form (according to Coach Donny) which seems to confuse volleyball players who react to Haikyuu. They wonder why he doesn’t know how to change his spike direction and forget that he’s new to the sport. As someone who doesn’t know anything about volleyball form, I found this interesting.

Hinata is willing to put the work in to develop his skills. At the beginning of the episode, he is horrified when a teacher suggests he joins the girl’s volleyball team but asks them for help (along with the 1st years who seem to be permanent members now) at the end of the episode during the montage. He also studies for the High School entrance exams and makes it into Karasuno – his determination has paid off and he wants to go to his dream school even if he has to bike over the mountains every day.

Kitagawa Daichi is in the newspaper/magazines stating their defeat. This is foreshadowing the downfall of Kageyama and the King of the Court and sort of the big plot twist at the end of the episode:

“I’m finally at Karasuno!” Shoyo thinks, running to his first meet at the gymnasium. Then...Boom – Kageyama. His sworn rival is now his teammate.

I'm sure I missed a whole lot of stuff but this was what caught my attention.

[nahimjustfeelingit-writes]

Imagine

Soft boi Erik

It’s Y/N and Erik’s honeymoon. They have the perfect get away in the Virgin Islands. During sex Erik is staring at Y/N and he’s so overwhelmed with how beautiful she is/her body is and he arrives to the station “early” lol.

Warnings: Teasing, FLUFF, SMUT, pre-mature cum, SoftBoi

A week away in the Virgin Island for the newly weds. Y/N was a Stevens now. They climbed out of Erik’s Private jet, a welcoming party already there waiting for them both. Their personal driver, Ramone, grabbed their bags to put away. Erik held the door opened for his wife, helping her inside before he settles in next to her.

“Newly Weds?!” Their personal driver asks, “How long you two staying here?”

“Two weeks!” Y/N squeezed Erik’s hand, “Two weeks in paradise. I’m so excited. Aren’t you excited, babe?”

“Two weeks with you is paradise enough for me,” Erik couldn’t keep his lips under control as they trailed down his wife’s neck, “My Wifey. Damn, you’re officially all mine.”

Y/N giggles, Erik’s plush lips tickling her neck. He was on top of her now in the back seat, trailing his loving and desperate kisses down the middle of her chest before they landed on her belly button. Y/N squirms, her knees coming up to hide her stomach away from his feather-like kisses.

“Baybeee,” Y/N whimpered with a small laugh.

“I can’t help myself. Your so damn addictive,” Erik takes his hand to run up her tropical wrap skirt, “Can Hubby take a peak?”

“Oh, Babyeee,” Y/N whispers, “We aren’t alone-“

“I need you. Two weeks of paradise includes two weeks of fucking. I’m fucking you, Wifey, every damn night.”

“Oh, goodness,” Her skin blushed, “Will I ever get a chance to sight see?”

“We can, and we can fuck on the beach. Pull you in the back of a shop and fuck you against a wall. Go to a reggae club with VIP and fuck you right there. Fuck you everywhere, Baby.”

Erik’s lips passionately clashed with Y/N’s in the back seat. Tongues twirling, lips smacking, sighs of pleasure. Erik pulls away, stroking Y/N’s cheek with his thumb, “I love you.”

“I love you too.” Y/N replies before leaning forward to peck Erik’s lips.

“Show me that ring,” Erik smiles. Y/N giggles, rolling her eyes playfully before showing off her ring. It was a Pear-cut Champagne Brown Diamond Engagement Ring. It has white accent Diamonds. 18k white gold ring sporting a diamond halo around the main stone. That didn’t include the diamond wedding band she also has. Erik grabs her hand, admiring the extravagant jewelry before placing a kiss over it.

“Seeing this, has my dick hard as fuck right about now,” Erik drags that same hand down so she could feel exactly how hard he is. How rigid his dick is in his shorts. Y/N bites her lip, looking up at Erik slowly before sticking her tongue out to lick across his lips. Erik���s body shivered. He captured her tongue between his lips, sucking it, before covering her mouth with his lips. Y/N moaned into his mouth.

“We are here, lovely couple!”

A beautiful vacation villa in St. Croix, U.S Virgin Islands. It was up on a hill, surrounded by the tropics with a trail to the beach and a private pool with a jacuzzi. It was wide open with a patio that wrapped around the villa; large floor to ceiling windows and the perfect furniture fit for an island getaway. Y/N spotted so many places she would love to lounge at while she was here. The hammock on the front porch was big enough for two. Then there was a large cream colored pit sofa with tropical pillows.

“WOW.” Erik pulled his RayBands on top of his dreads, “Remind me to buy our own Villa so we can escape and come here whenever we want to.”

“I promise I will,” Y/N began walking in her Birkenstock’s up the stairs behind Ramone. He carefully carried the luxury suitcases. Erik carried the shoulder bags. Finally up the stairs, Y/N pulls out her cell to take a picture of the outside of the villa.

“I don’t think I want to go home, babe,” Y/N turned around to look at Erik, “fuck work and responsibility. Let’s live here.”

“I don’t think your mom would be happy with me if I kept you here,” Erik kissed Y/N’s forehead before following Ramone into the Villa. Y/N took a few pictures before joining them both inside. The Aloe Vera plant garden made Y/N smile. She planned on using it for her hair and skin. She was happy her and Erik were alone. She could walk around naked all day every day.

“The fridge is fully stocked but there is a produce market down the back trail. All the fruits, vegetables, oils, butters, and cigars you need. Much much more too.”

“Thanks Ramone,” Erik pulls out his wallet, tipping the elder man generously, “If we need you again, we can just call you?”

“Absolutely! Thank you! Thank you!” Ramone accepted their cash, saying his final goodbyes before leaving Y/N and Erik alone.

“EEEK!” Y/N ran up to Erik, jumping into his arms and straddling his waist. She wrapped her arms around his neck while Erik spins her around. Y/N leans back, kissing Erik while grasping his face.

“Let’s look around,” Y/N spoke against Erik’s lips. She hops down, grabbing his arm to drag him along. They looked at the living room, kitchen, and dining room area. Up the steps they went, Erik slapping Y/N’s ass while she tried to run away from him. He chased her a little before wrapping his arms around her waist, keeping her close to him while they checked out all the rooms. The bathroom was their personal favorite. Erik promised daily bubble baths and sex in the shower. Finally, they both made it to the master bedroom. It also has a wrap around patio.

“Perfect, I am in awe of this place,” Y/N was carried bridal style towards the bed, “You really outdid yourself, handsome,” Y/N bats her long lashes at him.

“Hmm,” Erik gently places his wife onto the bed, crawling towards her like a wild cat. She bites her fleshy bottom lip, curling a single finger for him to come closer.

“Why not start off fucking now, huh?” Y/N takes off her white tee that she wore wrapped in the front to expose her stomach. Nothing but beautiful round breasts awaited Erik’s drooling mouth. Now, Y/N was removing her tropical wrap skirt. Once that was gone, the only barrier left was her burnt orange thong. Erik went flat on his belly, crawling towards her on his elbows. Y/N opened her legs wider, a single finger in her mouth to seduce him. Erik’s lips kissed up her feet, calves, inner thighs, then over her warm mound. Erik uses his teeth to pull her thong down slowly, his primal eyes watching the way her pink tongue licked around her lips. The thong was down past her feet now, Erik releasing it from his mouth. His large hands pulled Y/N’s legs towards him before bringing them up and over her head. She was wide open for him. Y/N sat up on her elbows, a naughty smile on her face.

“Eat me?” Y/N pulls her pussy lips apart, “Eat my pussy, Hubby?”

“Fuck yes,” Erik licks her slit in one strike, “You taste just like pineapples down here.”

“Mm-uhhh,” Her eyes rolled shut, “Damn, that dangerous tongue.”

Erik gave her more tongue. Y/N’s head fell back against the pillows. His tongue made her inner folds puff up lick he wanted them to. Her hand reaches out to remove his shades from his head, tossing those on the other side of the bed before grabbing a fist full of his dreads to bring his lips to her pussy.

“Give me some of that mouth...good, Daddy,” Y/N’s body grinds into his mouth, “So...good.”

“Mhm,” Erik mumbles into her pussy, “Mhm.”

“Yes,” Y/N’s mouth fell open, “Yes, right fucking there.”

His lips sucking on her made Y/N’s toes curl and back arch from the bed. Her eyes connected with Erik’s, watching him pleasure her. Y/N’s hand came forward to stroke the dreads that fell in his eyes back. She held his hair back for him, her eyebrows knitted together with immense pleasure while she mumbled how good she felt. Biting her bottom lip hard, Y/N uses all the power in her hips to fuck Erik’s mouth. Her hips buckled into his mouth, toes pointed to the ceiling. Erik could feel her cream mixed with her juices drizzle down the side of his lip to his chin.

“Ahhhhhh, ahhhhhhh, mmmm, Umph, oooooh, ooooo, Mhm, Mhm, mmm-uhhhhh,”

She was a moaning mess. Her ass shook along with her thighs. Her breathing came out in a desperate rhythm now. She was wheezing almost. Erik didn’t stop. He kept on going and going. Y/N’s eyes rolled cross-eyed before her hand left his hair to grab both of her breasts, squeezing them and twirling her nipples. Erik looked up just in time to see her lick one of her nipples. His dick hurt from how hard it was. Boundless and vast dick so long, fat, and solidified that it throbbed against his thigh. Her sugary fluids coated his tongue yet again. She was spilling in his mouth. Looking up at her from between her legs, watching all the faces she made, Erik couldn’t control the urge to cum. He needed to be inside of her.

Erik’s lips popped off her labia and clit, his lips glossy and his chin hair soaked with her cream. He didn’t care to wipe his face as he stood from the bed, yanking off his shorts and tropical buttoned shirt. Fully nude and looking powerfully built, Erik got back on the bed in a hurry, pulling Y/N’s legs over his shoulders. Her breath rushed in and out, eyes low with lust as she watches her husband position himself without a word. He yearned for her. He longed to sink deeply. The sudden impulse aroused her further. He will be so happy to find that his wife is even more wet for him. Erik grabs the base of his dick, deep, shuddering breaths escaping his mouth before he pushes his thickness inside of her. Y/N fought for her breath, pushing back against the carved oak headboard. The minute he was inside of her, was the minute his body rocked. She could hear her slippery walls and his dick entering her tightness. She could hear their skin slapping. He was stretching her out to even wider depths.

“Daddy, you’re so big,” Y/N grabs his balls before stroking the base of his dick while he fucked her, “Mmm, God, Daddy, I am so stuffed!”

Erik fucked her harder when she said that. He couldn’t even form a word. All Y/N could make out was his irregular breathing and ragged sighs. He had his his eyes on her from time to time then he would look down at the way he fucked that good puss. That warm, heated puss. Her breasts bounced and swayed like two beautiful fleshy pillows. Her stomach would flex each time he went in deeper, her face...That beautiful, breathtaking, gorgeous face. She blinked up at him with shock at how good he pounded her. Her mouth hung open while her lower lip pouted and dangled. He couldn’t control the urge to empty his balls and shoot off in her cunt deep.

“Fuck me, baby, fuck me just like that, get it baby, yes, Daddy, fuck it just like that. You getting that shit, Daddy, you know how to fuck me, you know how I deserve to be fucked. Ohhhh, God, Shit, baby. Big. Fucking. Dick. Gawd-“

“UGH, GIRL!”

Erik could feel his dick ripple and propel his cum into her pussy. Y/N tightened around him, pulling more cum from him. Erik lets out short, heated breaths before collapsing on top of Y/N. His face was hidden in the crook of her neck. Y/N reached up to stroke the back of his head.

“Baby?” She called his name in that voice that he loved, “Baby, look at me.”

Erik couldn’t do it. He was embarrassed and pissed. He never came pre-maturely, ever.

“It’s okay,” Y/N whispers soothingly into his ear, “I understand. It felt so good for you, it’s okay, you just felt so good, that’s all.”

He could cum again from those words.

“I want you to look at me.”

Erik lets in a shivering inhale before lifting onto his elbows to look down at her. His jaw was tightly clenched but his whiskey eyes blinked down at her. The tips of his ears were red and Y/N knew that was a sign of embarrassment for him. She kissed his lips, her eyes open as she kissed him. Erik looked from her eyes down to their joined lips before falling into the kiss. They French kissed for a little before Y/N broke the kiss, taking her thumb to wipe away spit from his chin.

“Don’t ever feel embarrassed about that. This is your pussy, you enjoy your pussy, okay?”

“Yes,” Erik gave her a weak smile, “I couldn’t control it-“

“Shhh,” Y/N pushed Erik down onto the bed, straddling him, “don’t talk, just feel.”

She began to grind her hips while his dick was still compressed by her walls. Like her pussy was made of angel dust, Erik’s dick came to life once more. The way she pulled on him had him grunting and running his hands all over her body. Y/N pressed her hands in the middle of his chest, moving her hips over him at a slow pace.

“You feel my pussy grabbing you nice and tight, Daddy?”

“Hmph, yes,” Erik bites his lip.

“Can I show Daddy how I fuck this dick?”

“Mmm, yes, girl.”

Y/N rode his dick. She used his pipe to her advantage. Erik’s ass cheeks clenched and his balls jumped. He was experiencing so much pleasure that it was all too much at once. Y/N took his dick and used it. Now, she was fucking him reverse. Her ass bounced and popped. He could see her fat pussy lips and tight hole wrapped around him snuggly. The skin of her wet hole was squeezing him. Erik reaches out to whack her ass. He held her cheeks apart while Y/N did her thing. He couldn’t believe it, he was going to cum again.

“FUCK,” Erik looked at her ass angrily, “LOOK WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO MAKE ME DO!”

Erik sucked in lungfuls of air as spasms of delight rocketed through him.

“UMPH! DADDY!” Y/N was squirting on him. Squirting and creaming. She didn’t stop her rhythm. The bed jumped beneath them like a trampoline.

“Ugghhhhhh, SHIT IS RIDICULOUS, Fuckkkk!”

Erik came again right after Y/N. He grabs her ass to pull her pussy off of his sensitive dick. More cum spilled from Erik and stained Y/N’s dripping wet cunt.

————————

POP! SIZZLE!

Erik drank from the champagne bottle while some of the fuzz spilled down his neck and onto his naked chest. Y/N was right by his side in a pair of black panties, titties out as they sun bathed. Erik tips the bottle over her breasts, coating them with champagne. Y/N rubs it into her caramel skin. She looked up at Erik through her shades and straw hat, smiling at her man.

“Welcome to the good life!!!” Erik sings T-Pains song.

“Welcome to the good LI-I-I-IFE!” Y/N sings.

“Now throw your hands up in the sky!!!!”

“Aye-“

“AYE-“

“Aye-“

“AYE-“

“IM GOOD!” They finished together.

“I miss that Kanye,” Y/N says while applying sunscreen to her thighs.

“Me too,” Erik picked up his cigar, “We’re living the good life though.”

“For sure.” Y/N smiles with contempt.

“Look.”

Y/N lifts up on her elbows to look over at Erik. He had an obvious tent in his trunks. Y/N laughs, falling back against her beach chair before grabbing her Rum Punch.

“Your dick is always hard, baby,” Y/N giggles.

“Always hard for you,” Erik grabs one of her titties while rolling her nipple, “Come suck on Daddy.”

“So you can cum again in two minutes? I’d be glad to.”

Y/N got up from her seat, kneeling in front of Erik on the sand. She removed her straw hat, pulling Erik’s trunks down to his thighs.

“Ha-Ha. So you got jokes now?” Erik smiles.

“Just teasing. I can’t help the fact that I have amazing pussy.”

“That puss is more than amazing. That thang is magical.”

“Aww, babyeee,” Y/N grabs Erik’s fat dick, “Thank you. Thank you so much,” She wraps her lips around him and went to town.

“DAMN,” Erik’s head went back.

“Mhm,” Y/N mumbled with her lips wrapped around him.

“Shit,” Erik grips the back of her head, “You’re a nasty thing, aren’t you?”

“Mhm,” Y/N looked him square in the eyes while sucking his dick, “mmmm.”

“You love me. I can tell by the way you suck me.”

Y/N gurgled around him.

“Look at that rock on your finger wrapped around my stick,” Erik bites his lip, “My wife is the best freaky love.”

Erik whispered Oh God, and Don’t stop. Y/N went fast and hard. He was so huge and firm in her mouth. Her jaws had to hurt at this point. He rested back on his elbows, russet skin draped in sweat under the scorching sun. Erik’s fingers dragged over his chiseled abs. Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. He couldn’t believe this shit. His dick was ready to bust again.

“What the fuck?” He asked weakly, “what. The. Fuck.”

Erik’s hips lifted from the beach chair while his nut empites into Y/N’s mouth. She couldn’t see his eyes behind his shades but she could see the frustrated crease in his brows and the slight mug on his nose and lips. His body went slack against the beach chair while Y/N stood up, licking her lips clean and wiping cum from her bottom lip.

“Are you doing this shit on purpose?” Erik asks between deep breaths.

“No, Daddy,” Y/N drinks some of her Rum Punch, “You just don’t have control,” Y/N smiles wickedly, “Let me know when you need me again, babe.”

Erik pulled up his trunks over his flaccid penis, “Uh-huh, yeah, okay.” He was irritated. Erik has something for Y/N.”

—————————-

The rest of the evening was spent preparing dinner, unpacking, and sleeping. Erik wanted to hang more but his body wasn’t having that. They both woke the next day around 12 PM. Brunch was prepared by Erik on the patio. They ate in complete nudity while talking about what activities they could do. Snorkeling, jet skiing, ride ATV’s, go on a tour to see the tropical animals, enjoy the nightlife, go shopping, all of those things were their plan.

After the big breakfast, Y/N decided to take a bubble bath while Erik went for a run before working out in the gym at their Villa. This gave Y/N time to read a book while sipping on her Sangria. She still felt like she was living in a fairytale. The rings on her finger, the man who married her, the Villa and the beautiful island. All of it seemed like a dream to her. When Erik returned, he took a shower and sat in the hammock with Y/N while she retwists his new growth with beeswax and mango butter. She braided it back afterward. They both took a nap on the hammock, waking up a few hours later. That night Y/N and Erik decided to go out for drinks. The place they found played amazing dancehall music that had them both dancing. The club reminded Y/N of a scene from Dirty Dancing. Sweaty bodies connected and grinding on eachother. Her and Erik were dripping with sweat. They weren’t even drunk because they both sweat out the alcohol.

“THIS IS SO MUCH FUN!” Y/N yells at Erik as they danced, “LOOK AT YOU MOVE, BABY!”

“Nah, look at you,” Erik twirled Y/N, “Best fucking dancer I’ve ever seen.”

“Oh, yeah?” Y/N gyrated her hips on Erik, “I can move, baby?”

“Shit moving like jello, ma,” Erik slaps Y/N’s ass, “tig ol’ bitties bouncing around. You got these men wanting some. You mine though,” Erik licked Y/N’s neck.

“Mmm, Don’t start nothing you can’t finish.”

“What did you just say?” Erik whispers in her ear.

“Don’t start nothing you can’t finish.”

“Can’t finish, huh?” Erik brings a hand around Y/N’s neck, “come talk that shit in the car ride home and watch what I do to you.”

“Uh-huh,” Y/N says with a smile.

“You think I’m playing. Your pussy might be heavenly and all but I got that ass now. I’ll have you cumming in minutes. You know how Daddy does it, Wifey.”

Y/N turns, her sweaty face near Erik’s, while his hands cascades down her back to palm both her ass cheeks, “I guess I need a reminder then. I seem to have forgotten,” Y/N licks Erik’s top lip with a flick of her tongue, “we got a lot of time.”

“With that ring on your finger we got all the time in the world, right?”

“Damn right,” Y/N puts her hand out in front of her, “look at it glow.”

After dancing a few more times and settling at the bar for another hour to make up for all the drinks they sweated out, Erik calls for an Uber back to the Villa. They were both wasted and would rather be wasted in their vacation villa instead of in public since they weren’t familiar with the area. In the Uber home, there was slight traffic. It frustrated the hell out of Erik because his dick was damn near crying for pleasure. Y/N just removed her shoes and threw her legs over Erik’s, looking around her in silence or staring at him with her beautiful eyes. Erik ran his fingers up and down her exposed leg. His actions looked like they were putting Y/N to sleep.

“How much further?” Erik asks the Uber driver.

“Just up this hill and we are there my man.”

Sure enough, they both made it back. Erik stirred Y/N awake while grabbing her shoes. He got out and came around to her side opening her door and picking her up to carry her. She wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. Erik thanked the Uber driver before taking the stairs to the villa. He dropped her heels off on the patio and walked inside. Erik laid her body out on the pit sofa, dimming the lights in the Villa with just a clap of his hands. She was knocked out cold. Erik stood above her, removing his clothes. Each piece fell on the floor in a wrinkled pile. Fully naked, Erik got down on his knees in the middle of the pit sofa, gently removing Y/N’s dress. She stirred a little but she didn’t wake up. Her nude body looked magnificent in the middle of that large sofa. They could sleep here tonight. Erik places his wife onto her back, spread her legs nice and slow, before lowering his head between her legs again. Eating her pussy was his favorite thing to do.

As soon as his lips found her wet and sticky mound, Y/N’s hips jerked, eyes closed but a crease formed in her brow. Erik brought her legs back swiftly before pulling her pussy lips apart, using his tongue to wiggle inside of her. Y/N’s eyes opened, her sleep ridden body jolting from the sudden intrusion. She looked so confused but at the same time she felt so much pleasure. Her shaky moans and bewildered eyes drove Erik insane. She looked so shocked with each gasp that escaped her mouth.

“Baybee?” She questioned, “Daddy?”

Erik didn’t respond.

“Mmmm,” She moaned.

Her pussy tasted even sweeter than the previous day. She was really really wet down there for him. So wet that she stained the pit sofa. Erik leaned back to admire her pussy. Labia and clit all puffy and wet, her honey pot oozing with its sweet treat. He leans back in, taking his time to suck on her. That’s when she fully sat up on her elbows. Her hand reached out to hold his head but her limbs were so weak her hand shook on the back of his head.

“Umph, Daddy, daddy you’re making me cum. Keep going, don’t stop,” her hips bucked in his mouth, “Umph, fuck, Yesssss.”

With one big inhale, Y/N came in Erik’s mouth. Once again, his chin and lips were covered in her release.

“Daddy about to give you this monster,” Erik strokes his rigid and meaty pipe, “Assume the fucking position.”

Y/N didn’t take her instructions lightly. She pointed her ass in the air, face pressed into the soft suede of the pit sofa. Erik spanked her hard a few times before thrusting forward into her pussy with just his hips. Y/N’s body fell forward slightly from how much force Erik put into that stroke. She tried reaching behind her to push at his chest but Erik didn’t want that.

“Mm-mm, arms reaching out in front of you, DONT touch me.”

Y/N reaches out in front of her. Erik admires her body in that positon and it made him caress her sore ass cheeks.

“You are stunning, baby girl. Just beautiful,” Erik strokes her slowly, “So lovely laid out in front of me like this. This is mines for the taking.”

“Yes, Daddy,” Y/N hisses, “Daddy, why are you so deep in my pussy like that? I can feel you in my soul, baby.”

“Should I go faster and make you feel it some more?”

“Please,” She quietly begged.

“Please what, Wifey?”

“Please, Da-“ Y/N couldn’t even finish her sentence when Erik started picking up the pace to beat her walls up. She felt her pussy spasm around him and convulse.

“Oh, shit, I’m cumming,” Y/N spoke into the couch cushion, “Daddy, keep beating it right there I’m cumming! YES!”

Y/N came on his dick, “YES! YES!” She whimpers.

“Keep cumming on me. Cum as much as you like,” Erik spoke with a whisper. He reached beneath her to rub her clit in circles. Y/N started fucking him back when she felt him do that. The noise of her ass ricocheting off of him echoed across the living room.

“Oh? That’s what that pussy kat doing? She leaking on me again?” Erik was surrounded by nothing but wetness that poured and poured from her.

“Damn, baby,” Y/N was frozen with shock.

“Should I keep hitting that thang?”

“I can take it,” Y/N started fucking Erik’s dick herself, “So big and fat in my little pussy.”

“Shit, yes the fuck I am,” Erik spreads her cheeks to see for himself, “I’m in that puss.”

“If you keep stroking my G-spot like that,” Y/N clawed the couch, “Umph, Erik, ima squirt-“

Y/N felt it pouring before she could even finish her words. A weak sigh spilled from her mouth. Now that he made her cum three times, it was his turn to bang her pussy until he bust a nut. Erik strokes faster and harder. Y/N reaches under her to grab his sack, massaging it with her fingers while he hammered her walls. She could do nothing but moan. Erik could do nothing but moan. Both of them enjoyed the feeling and made sounds of pleasure. Erik mumbled some words that Y/N was too weak to understand. All she felt was Erik’s dick swelling to cum inspiring proportions. Her pussy stretched even more, her walls unable to take more of his fat dick Erik always got fatter and thicker when he was about to cum. You had to be a big girl to take the dick he delivered. Y/N was still learning.

“Baby, I feel that fat dick pumping inside of me.”

“Goddamn, girl!!” Erik erupted inside of her, “FUCK FUCK FUCK.”

“Give me all of it, Daddy.”

“Shit, girl,” Erik felt her popping her pussy on his dick.

“Is there more for me? I want some more. My pussy is greedy for Daddy’s good cum-“

“THATS HOW IT IS?” Erik slams into her, “that’s how it is, ma?” Erik fucked her like his dick wasn’t sensitive, “Stay still while I fuck you since this is what you want,” He grabs her wrists, “Stay still.”

“OH, My God,” Erik didn’t hold back. He punished her pussy.

“That’s right, Hubby! That’s how you fuck your wife! That’s how you fuck me!”

“Your Lil’ ass got me cumming again,” Erik spanked her ass, “this is what you do to me.”

Erik grunts deep, more of him exploding from the tip of his dick. He slowly takes his dick out. Y/N flips over to get on her knees, sucking the rest of him off. Erik watched with a pout of lips, eyes closing. She laid back, spreading her legs to show him all of his cum dripping from her pussy. He watched her push it out, the thick nut oozing down the crack of her ass.

This was going to be a beautiful two weeks.

[blackserpentine]

What is time, but a fleeting memory anyways? Constantly moving, never stopping, wayward towards an endless goal. You grow. You feel. You die. That’s what life is, isn’t it? If you boil down all the chemicals of life into core fractions, that is what it is. But if all of this was true, then why did this feel so strange?

Passing through a tunnel of endless colors that no being could fathom to pronounce. Boundless colors breaking the laws of space and time, screaming into his body as it traveled. His lungs being filled with air? Was this air? It was hard to breath! Glistening shards of memories being twisted like a pretzel, hearing the voices of those that he hated, those that he had loved, and those that he had lost. But one voice in particular rang clear as Ishgard morning church bells. Hear. Feel. Think. “Oh my God, he is alive!? I thought he was just a dead body.” Cough. Cough! “I told you not to poke him with a stick!” Where am I? Where the first thoughts that came to him, as his thoughts finally stopped ringing in his head, laying on the ground, feeling as though he was learning to breath for the first time again. His vision was blurry, his eyes taking more than a few moments to collect all the colors, and those around him. But after a few seconds, he could tell that those that were near him were a few children, all of which looked scared to see the man moving. “That’s so weird, he even has cat ears? That’s so cool!” One of the children spoke, being instantly interrupted by another. “You mean that’s so WEIRD? Mr. Are those things real?” The mysterious man would rise to his feet with the help of his polished, black and silver gunblade, using it almost like a cane. “Where. . .am I? What, is this place?” His voice was a mere whisper, looking over the place that he had been transported to. He couldn’t remember when, or why--the last thing he remembered back on Eorzea was-- “Excuse me, do you know where I am?” “Wow sir, you must have REALLY hit your head huh?”

“Hey! Mom said not to talk to strangers, remember?” One of the other children nudged the older boy. “Oh yeah, sorry Mr. I can’t talk to you, you’re a stranger.” Coughing once more into his hand, he tried to speak: however it felt as if he just got out of bodies of water, almost drowning! His body wanted to cough up water, but there was nothing to cough up. “Your mother is right, you shouldn’t talk to strangers, that’s very smart.” Wheezing into his hand, finally clearing his voice, yet still tired and weak, he continued. “My name is Strider. . .now that we are acquainted, would you mind telling me where I might find something to eat?”

Both the kids looked at one another, as if they were both silently asking one another if they should answer him, and if it would be okay to talk to him. Both nodding, they turned their gaze back to the black, white tipped haired man. “Well, here in the slums, I guess there is ONE place that has really good food!

S E V E N T H H E A V E N

The tall man, now being draped by a tattered cloak he found on the streets of the slums, wrapped around his body, covering his miqo’te ears, and most of his face, only showing his slight grizzled hair across his chin. His gunblade tucked behind him, masking his body frame. He stood outside the bar, looking into the night sky above him. Where was he? How did he get here? These questions wouldn’t find themselves, especially not on an empty stomach. So the man known as Strider made his way into the bar, to encounter the bar waitress known as Tifa Lockhart.

@badassbarmaid

[my-happy-little-bean]

The Bookkeeper – Chapter 5

Chapter 5: The Signature Of All Things

pairings: logicality, prinxiety words: 3453 chapter warnings: mild existentialism chapter summary: talks of philosophy, tea, and a smidge of jealousy.

[read on ao3] [masterlist]

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Fray and Far Fables was filled with flowers. 

It was clear that there had been some attempt to hide them, but the flowers were indeed there. Daisies squirmed between the floorboards, pink and lilac petals were flattened under rugs, and strings of ivy were draping off of the shelves. 

And in the middle of the store was Patton and Roman. 

Logan watched, amused, as Patton stuffed his hands into his overall pockets upon hearing the door open. Grass strands and petals fell down his sides as he smiled sheepishly. 

“Oh! Logan! You’re...back early!”

“I am actually on time, Patton.” He looked pointedly at Roman, who had formed his magic into a small broom and began idly whistling as he swept up some more petals under rugs. “It seems more like you both lost track of time.” 

“Something like that!” Patton rubbed the back of his neck. “How was the play?” 

Logan smiled warmly. “It was brilliant. Annie Baker is such a profound playwright. Her expertise in dialogue, the impact of the silence she marked throughout– The Aliens was such a joy. I would love to take you to the next show, I believe it’s playing again next week…”

“Wow, Specs. Forgot how much of a theatre kid you are.” 

Logan stuck out his tongue at Roman. Patton, on the other hand, just grinned even wider. 

“I am really happy you’re enjoying all of your art- ventures!” 

Logan’s smile faltered. “Well, I wouldn’t say...all…” 

“Look, I already apologized for the pottery class– how was I supposed to know that a kids birthday party was happening on that day! Plus, you got such a nice bowl out of it!” 

Logan snuck a glance at his messed up attempt at a bowl, sitting on one of his shelves. The sides were lopsided—which was a generous way of saying broken—and there was a chip in its rim. He winced. 

“If ‘nice’ is synonymous with ‘mess’...then sure.” 

“And speaking of mess!” Patton gestured around the scattered flora in the shop. “Sorry for the...well, mess.”

“Don’t apologize! Adventures get messy, padré!” Roman cut Logan off before he could even speak. Roman threw his broom up and jumped to land on the handle, gliding through the air like he was surfing. Logan rolled his eyes. 

“That’s quite alright, Patton. It seems like you both had a pleasant time.” 

“We did! I think this one has to be my favourite one yet!” 

Logan bit his tongue. Patton had been saying that for every book nook he had visited, and this had to have been his fifth one now. Still, he couldn’t seem to grow tired of the bright glow Patton always brought back to his home. 

So he nodded along as Patton recalled his and Roman’s latest adventure. Patton was as lively as ever, animatedly telling the story of boundless scenery and endless amounts of peace and solitude. 

At one point in the conversation, Logan even closed his eyes and magically summoned his tea tray from his room to the coffee table in the shop. He hoped that doing so wouldn’t interrupt Patton, but it caught his attention immediately. Roman was especially stunned by the act. 

“You still seem to have it in you, huh?” Roman said, half-teasingly and half-impressed. He tipped over his own cup of sugar as Patton stared at Logan, starry-eyed.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen you do that before!” Patton added on. 

Logan shrugged it off as if it were nothing, but was secretly astounded himself. It didn’t feel new, but it didn’t feel like it was always something he could do either. He had gone on several of Patton’s acclaimed ‘art-ventures’—museums, art classes, a concert for the local orchestra, and now this play—and every week this feeling had only grown. 

It felt...refreshing. Something within him must have made a reappearance. 

Patton continued his story between sips of tea.

“The book was about this young couple running away from their town and moving to a house on a hill! It was Roman’s choice, so it makes sense that it was so good.”

Logan raised his eyebrow at Roman. “I’ve noticed you’ve been reading a lot of books like that nowadays.”

Roman laughed. “The book interested Patton more than it interested me–” He winked at Logan– “but I could see its escapist value.” 

“Mere observation,” Logan murmured, studying Roman’s face for any trace of mockery, but it seemed rather honest. Logan pocketed the thought — perhaps one for later.

“It was so beautiful, Lo. Clear skies, all these flowers…” Patton sighed dreamily. “I could’ve stayed there forever.” 

“But you can’t,” Logan reminded him. Patton playfully rolled his eyes, nudging Logan.

“But I can’t,” he echoed back, smiling brightly at him. Soft chills ran through Logan’s spine. It felt like flowers were blossoming within him, weaving themselves through his vertebrae and making him melt into springtime madness. 

A familiar feeling with Patton nowadays, he noted. 

“Did you end up painting something?” Logan managed to say, taking a long sip of tea. Patton’s eyes lit up. 

“Yes! Oh, thank you for reminding me!” 

Patton flew off his seat and dashed to the counter. Logan exchanged a look with Roman who just shrugged with a knowing smile. 

Patton returned with a rather sizeable canvas and turned it around to face Logan, who gasped. 

Sprawled on the canvas was a scene that Logan swore was plucked right out of the air and put on paper. In his immediate line of sight was a hill of bright green with flowery dashes of orange, yellow, blue, and purple struck upon the grass. It looked like you could lie down in each patch and sink right through the canvas.

At the centre line of the painting were some darker shades of green and brown making up trees of various sizes — taller from the left side of the painting and narrowing down as Logan’s vision panned across the canvas. Beside the trees was a small house, and beside the house was the faint outline of two dark silhouettes next to a clothesline. The silhouettes wore dresses that lifted slightly in the wind. 

And in the background were those bright blue skies, outstretching far beyond the confinements of the piece, going past mountains smoking clouds. 

He could feel the valley wind rush past him just looking at Patton’s painting. He could feel each footstep he would take into each fuzzy patch of flowers. He could feel everything. 

Logan felt himself zoom back to reality and locked eyes with Patton. 

“I…” For some odd reason, his research question echoed in his head. 

‘ Is this what it’s all for?’ 

“What do you think?” Patton’s voice edged with anticipation. Roman looked oddly unsettled by Logan’s silence. Logan, on the other hand, felt as if so many voices were swarming his head.

‘Art…Escapism…’

“Lo?” 

‘It’s...it’s to feel...to be transported...to be–’

“I’m blown away, Patton,” Logan breathed out. It felt like sparks were firing off in his chest. “This...this is incredible.” 

Patton’s shoulders loosened as he broke into a wide, rosy smile. 

“Ah! Thank you! I worked on it for– oh gosh, like probably half the day! I haven’t ever painted for that long in...well, a long time! And I certainly haven’t finished something in one go in even longer!” 

“It’s incredible,” Logan said, echoing himself and lost in his amazement. 

“That’s what I told him!” Roman said, patting Patton on the shoulder and flying over to the front of the painting. He pretended to stroll through it. “Took a page right out of the book...nook!” 

Patton giggled, still bright red. The warm hue must have radiated off of Patton and grazed Logan’s cheeks, which burned similarly. 

“It’s not hard to get in such a flow state in those book nooks.” Patton stared wistfully at the painting, as if trying to go back. “I haven’t been this inspired since...forever.” 

“How long have you been doing this sort of stuff?” Roman asked idly, floating back down to the tea tray and taking more sips of sugar. “I’m curious as to where a great mind such as yourself found its running start!” 

Patton laughed. “It really isn’t anything special, Roman. Plus I don’t want to bore anyone–”

“You could never,” Logan blurted out. He felt the two’s stares burn right through him. “I...I would enjoy a story, Patton.”

Patton smiled, softer than usual. He leaned the canvas against the side of the armchair and sat back down.

“Well, I’ve been drawing since... forever, really!” He sipped his tea and stared out the window. “My favourite kind of art used to be scrapbooking– I would help my mom with decorating photo albums and eventually, I would make scrapbooks out of stuff I drew.”

“That’s precious ,” Roman beamed. “Imagine the nook you can open out of that!” 

“I know! I wish I had kept some before I moved out.”

“I didn’t know you used to do collages, Patton,” Logan chimed in. Patton shrugged. 

“It was the art style I liked the most, but one of my professors had challenged me to start making something of my own. It was a real slow start, though. I have always known how to take things that already exist and make them into something new — but I never really knew how to...well, make something new..” 

Logan furrowed his brow. For some strange reason, he longed for his notebook. Patton’s words felt like they were moving the puzzle pieces in his head closer and closer together–

In a small spark of navy smoke, his notebook and pen appeared on his lap with a small pop! 

Logan blinked at it. ‘Did I…’

He felt a pair of eyes on him. Like a deer in headlights, he lifted his head up and locked eyes with Roman. Roman’s eyes flickered then at Patton, before moving back to Logan’s hands. He stiffened, almost...hurt. A chill ran through Logan’s spine.

“Anyway! I found my footing when I moved into this town and found your bookshop!” Patton continued, seemingly not noticing Logan’s abrupt display of magic. “I...well, I didn’t really have any friends around here so I was doing a lot of exploring for inspiration. And when I found your shop, Logan, I...I don’t know! All the books I bought here were always so vivid.” Patton winked at Roman. “Now I know why!” 

“What drew you to books?” Logan asked, leaning forward. 

“As I said, I liked to make things out of things that already existed. Making paintings based on books – well, it was a bit of a stepping stone to that, you know?”

“But you’ve never painted a truly original piece.” 

“Logan!” Roman hissed. Logan looked at him incredulously. 

Patton awkwardly fiddled with his thumbs. “I mean, I don’t know if I’ve ever copied anything– I’m more so inspired by everything – but I guess in the way you frame it...no! No, not really.” 

“So why do you make art, Patton?” 

A beat of silence. Patton tilted his head to the side. Even Roman looked more than unsettled now. Roman’s gaze landed on Logan’s notebook. He narrowed his eyes at Logan, who cleared his throat. 

“Um...I’m not sure!” Patton laughed nervously. “Never gave it much thought. But...I always liked the idea of having my art reach other people, since I’ve gotten my spark from other people. I was given something from someone, made it into something else, and wanted to keep sharing that ‘something’ around! Like– like with the book drawings, for example! Those were all for you.” 

Logan felt himself draw back. “They...they were?” 

“Who did you think they were for, silly?”

“I...I’m not sure. I just...I didn’t know they were made for me.”

“Well of course they were!” Patton reached over to place a hand on Logan’s knee. Sparks crackled beneath the touch. “I love painting for you.”

Logan could feel Roman staring up at him.

“You know, Albert Camus, a French philosopher, posited that art is inherently selfish,” Logan began slowly, flipping through his notebook. “The meaning of any particular form of art is rooted in his ‘logic of the absurd’ – the idea that the human condition is absurd and must hence be revolted. This makes art lack any intrinsic value, since it goes beyond making a meaningful mark on the world and instead reinforces subjective messages into other–s”

“I think we all need a translation from nerd , Logan,” Roman scoffed, though his voice edged with tension. Logan swore Roman’s aura pulsed red, telling him to stop, you don’t need to make every artist feel useless–

Logan sighed, focusing his attention on Patton.

“Essentially, Camus believed that since art was the sort of ‘carrier’ for messages that only promoted awareness of the absurd and attitudes of revolt, there is no essential meaning to it. It just forces an opinion onto someone else.”

“If I may,” Patton interjected. “I...I don’t really think art forces anything onto anyone.” 

Logan raised an eyebrow. Patton simply shrugged. 

“Art is our way of making sense of the world, and finding the people that understand that same– or at least, similar– sense. I don’t want to make a mark on the world, and I don’t want to give some definite answers to anything. I...I guess I make art to find where I fit, and I hope others can look at my art and find the same thing.” 

Logan nodded, still not writing anything down. He could feel himself reach for more answers, as if they were tied to Patton’s very being. 

“Also, Logan,” Patton added. “I think it’s interesting that you bring up Camus’ theories of absurdism – theories stating that it is impossible and thus irrelevant for someone to know or understand the meaning of anything. Wasn’t absurdism sort of Camus’ opposing response to nihilism?” 

Logan’s jaw dropped. Patton took another sip of his tea and shrugged. 

“I took a few philosophy classes in university.” Patton smiled brightly. “Very interesting stuff!” 

Roman snorted. A puff of sugar encircled his head. Logan flushed beet red. 

“Right,” he said, trying to compose himself. “So do you agree with Camus?” 

“Not entirely. I think it’s hard to tie in Camus’ logic of the absurd to the meaning of art. Artistic value can’t really be reduced to just facts. It’s so much more than logical. However, absurdism as a whole has always fascinated me. If the meaning of art, let’s say, is impossible and irrelevant to understand, then you have so much space to make something out of it.”

“I just don’t understand how you are so optimistic that there is anything– that you can make something from– from nothing .” Logan exhaled a tightly-held breath, though found himself less frustrated and more curious. “Virgil Aries stated that in the constant struggle of possibility and reality, reality is always victorious, because reality is all we have. Your conception of art is so intertwined with possibility in the midst of nothing — how can you be so sure that your contributions are hence meaningful?” 

Patton took a second before replying, “Do you really believe there is nothing, Logan?” 

Logan blinked. The room fell quiet. 

“What...what else could there be?” he murmured. 

Roman’s presence darkened — quite literally, actually. Logan could feel his aura dim, as if it were sagging in defeat. 

Patton, however, gave him a gentle smile. 

“Do you remember when I read The Signature of All Things? Alma and Ambrose heavily considered the idea that the novel is titled after — that there is some kind of unifying principle that connects and explains all phenomena.” 

Logan nodded. Patton motioned over to the canvas leaning against his armchair.

“Well, I think I’m trying to find that with my art. I’m trying to leave a signature of my own in places that can only be found if looked for — and I can only do that if I choose to believe there’s something in all the…’nothing’.” 

He then shrugged, finishing his cup of tea. “But I don’t think that deeply, really. All I know is that if there is a meaning for anything out there, there’s no point in searching for it. It’s probably too big and very...restrictive. You have to make meaning for yourself, then find the places it fits.”

Logan felt dizzy with the new perspective. Janus’ words mixed with Patton’s as Logan found himself immersed in a snow globe of their thoughts.

“Art worms its way into the spaces that it can fit. And with the help of others, art– and everything it represents– is made bigger than the spaces of life they initially occupy.” 

He recalled Patton’s painting. 

‘Art...is to feel ...is to not escape nothing but...but rather replace it with something .’

Logan looked up at Patton once more, noticing the way he glowed under the sunlight. His words spun circles around Logan’s head like planetary orbit, and he felt the reverberation of pieces snapping together in his mind. 

And here was Patton at the centre of it all, still smiling, not knowing everything yet harbouring a spirit of boundless knowledge and new perspectives. It drew him in like a moth to a flame and he didn’t quite know why, but he didn’t feel like he was in a rush to find out.

They continued to talk for the rest of the day, exchanging theories of philosophy and engaging in friendly debate. Logan found himself laughing at Patton’s anecdotes and becoming stunned by his mind. Halfway through their conversation, Logan realized that this was the first time he truly talked to Patton — and suddenly, he didn’t know how to stop. 

Night brimmed the edge of the view outside the shop window, stars beginning to dot the sky. Logan and Patton exchanged one last laugh before Patton stood up, gathering his things. 

“Please take the painting, Lo,” Patton said, holding up the canvas to him. 

“I cannot seriously begin to understand why you would want me to have this,” Logan replied honestly. “It would fare much better in a more honourable display, perhaps a local exhibit or–

Patton shook his head, grabbing Logan’s hand and guiding it to the edge of the canvas. 

“It’s for you,” he said, more quiet and more soft. Logan felt almost electrified by the touch and said nothing, just tucked the canvas under his arm and nodded.

Patton turned to leave before stopping. 

“Oh! Nearly forgot this!” He fished a ticket out of his bag. “This is for next week’s art -venture.” 

“I insist on finding another name for what we’re doing.” 

“Nope! Already branded! Roman’s making t-shirts.” 

Roman nodded diligently. Logan rolled his eyes and took the ticket. 

“ ‘The Rom-Com...Comeback’,” Logan read aloud. He frowned. “I am confused.” 

“It’s a ‘throwback rom-com’ event at the cinema– the small one ‘round the corner!” A sheepish pause. “It’s less of an...‘intellectual’ art exploration.” 

“What does that mean?” 

“...It means we’re watching a movie with Adam Sandler in it.” 

“Absolutely not .” 

“But hijinks ensue!” Patton pleaded. “Come on, Lo. I know it’s not your usual rodeo but it is fun! And isn’t that the most important lesson that can be learned? A lesson about fun? ” 

“That is a complete stretch, Patton.” 

“How about I come with you? And I’ll treat you to ice cream or something.” He smiled. “Consider this me sweetening the deal.”  

A pause.

“...And this is next week?” 

“Ahh yay! That’s a yes!” Patton swung his arms over Logan’s shoulders before Logan could protest, wrapping him in a quick hug. “I’ll pick you up from here an hour or two before!”

“O...kay…” Logan felt his face go warm once more as Patton let go, waving at him as he left the store. The bells hanging over the door chimed as it closed. 

Logan stood there, almost dumbfounded, and pocketed the ticket. He looked up at the door Patton left through and felt a smile grow on his face. 

And suddenly, he wanted it to be next week. 

“Well, Roman, I suppose we’re going to have to find somewhere to hang this upsta–”

He turned to face the coffee table where he assumed Roman still was, but found nothing. He frowned, looking around the shop for any trace of him. 

“Roman?” 

Suddenly, he heard the muffled sound of a door closing coming from upstairs. His gaze darted to the staircase and he saw a trail of red magic leading up the stairs, presumably to the bedroom. He stared at it, not knowing what to make of it and Roman’s wordless departure; but a second later, he blinked, and then caught sight of Roman’s magic fading quietly into the air. 

…

(It isn’t easy, after all, to see someone glow without you.)

—

next chapter > 

[thecrenellations]

Return of the Thief Notes, Part One: The Book of Pheris, Volume I

Notes from my first read, October 2020. (Part Two | Part Three | TaT)

Contents:  "So, so, so” watch, Costis watch, swearing, trashing the king’s attendants, being objectively wrong, boundless enthusiasm and love 

I promise I’ve had more developed thoughts since these often incoherent ones, but I’ve enjoyed having these notes to refer to - for sentimental reasons and for  entertainment, so here they are, for others who enjoy liveblogs and/or being whisked back in time to their first read of this wonderful book.

Format: Page number. My thoughts (Context?)

Dedication, Table of Contents, Exordium:

There it is – to Sounis

Exordium – vocab #1

Interregnum?!? Alyta?

Pheris!!!

Yeah I love him from the first page

MOIRA

MOCKING COMMENTS HELP! Gen lives!

A new level of unreliable narrator

Moira, messages of Gods, Pheris, messages of __

Wtf is going on in this study? A zoo?

high king vs great king vs annux?

okie dokie dude

Chapter 1

1. Susa – Costis

2. Infirmity – who gets to be hero/tell story (I started reading right after the book launch, in which mwt spent some time talking about her writing influences and decisions connect to this question - Pheris isn’t her first disabled protagonist and storyteller, of course, but it was lovely to meet him properly directly after hearing her talk about it. Book launch foreshadowing part 1...)

Melisande?

Is this why he wasn’t taught to read?

3. Always the summer

Bees!

4. Hunting cat… hm…

Ok … shrine … 😬

5. Once again we start with a disaster or having to flee

Which Eugenides precipitated

Bite!

Little monster :(

6. Falling…

:(

7. :( :( :(

His purpose? D:

8. YIKES

Chapter 2

9. Hello there! (Gen!)

Massive chair?

10. CRACKED WATER JUG (amphora motif???)

11. Triangle from seal!

Gen that’s rude to Pheris :( (“He will fit in very well with my attendants”)

Wait. This must have happened before ACoK! (nope)

12. :(

Xikander … never made an impression before

How old is Pheris? (lol)

13. Philologos come thru!

Royal closet reappears!

14. Hello weird secondhand scene!

He is Eugenides

Marina…

15. Petrus? GALEN? OH SHIT! 

Is this why Galen was called? (nope)

16. Hell yea Petrus

Miras’ golden balls oh no

All these previously unnamed sucky attendants!

17. Ula – goddess of hearth and healing

Ok … Galen … or a god? Eugenides????? (why did these options occur to me before Mr. Shows Up At Your Bedside At Night himself)

18. Finally the attendant floor plans I crave + hunting scenes!

19. EXCUSE ME he slept through Sounis + Eddis wedding!!!

Again – high king!

20. So Ion is beautiful … hmm.

Yeah … Sejanus has facets. I like it.

21. Clearly no one would know what king would do … lol

Don’t mind me just sorting the attendants on a spectrum of awfulness!!!

22. SO SO SO – ION!!!!!

How many fucking attendants are there and how many are on my hit list!

Is “the necessaries” bathrooms or like … him stealing? (just the bathrooms ... the Gen-Pheris parallels were really getting to me at this point)

:(

23. OH MY GOD THE UNIFIED CREST

Also … frogs. Frogs.

24. Big day for Gen huh

Definitely an aura of Something as he writes about Gen

25. HELLO EVERYONE

26. Sorry Kamet, Pheris does the physical descriptions better. They’re beautiful

I’m blacking out at Eddis and Sounis

27. Jesus Christ. The bear.

Cousin time!

Under the table is the new up on the roof!

Uh… twin imagery ….

Gen’s feet!

Jesus. The matching

28. Cleon … wtf? A cousin?

A trial for Sophos?

Show! Us! Sophos’s! Shoes!

29. If u throw things out the air shaft you might hit the king

Was it a chicken?

Lol nvm the guy at night is Gen. That is … very sweet

- Showing up at night

- Accent

- Complaining about Petrus

- Swearing

- One hand

I am judging Costis and Sophos for not describing the paneling in Gen’s room!

Chapter 3

30. Was it a chicken?

An earring huh, good hand huh

31. Literally screaming “NO!” at Gen. Don’t joke about dying! I am killed by Gen on annux day. This is. My boy. Yes he is perfect. Yes he will refuse to get up. I love him. I died on page 31

Philologos is still the best of them

32. Dancing bear indeed

Always the powdered gold

Ruby!!!!! <3

Aww a smile!!! <3

Pheris he likes you!

33. They both love invisibility and lost it … I cry

Erupt like the sacred mountain excuse me!

OR WORSE return to bed! Lol

34. He’s Eugenides when he’s talking to Attolia

Ouch hero talk

! from Irene!

My queen!

Hey Phresine!

They way we do <3 he’s hating it but he’s so comfortable with her

Sister and bro mention! C’mon!

I love them

EYEBROW

35. Honestly that’s a yes (“I have no idea what you mean, my queen”)

It’s so cute they hang out in the morning … like how long was it even since they’ve seen each other lol

:( tough walk for Pheris

Is it prophecy time?

Lol how long does this construction take?!

Also … she’s pregnant, huh? but no one knows (nope)

Is befriending someone weaponized as a prank count for Gen’s enemies to friends list?

Also SHOW ME the magus. I know he’s here!

36. Pheris excuse me, why not recreate this!

Lol cast off language of history indeed

Feel the thrum of the goddess!

EXCUSE ME… a minor goddess? Mystery goddess? Or Philia?

Oh Gen

37. Well, Gen, someone is having a worse day than you.

Damn, how far we come.

Aww Sounis, babe, I love you and so does Gen

[drawing of the four of them sitting in a row]

38. Artadorus???? Pomegranate?

39. HEIRO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A friend! Also lol. Two smiles, for Pheris and Heiro..

40. Yesss Melheret joke in action.

Costis has left tho right?

Jesus, Melheret

SHE GAVE HIM A HORSE (I COULD NOT DEAL with this entire conversation, but then again I could not deal with this whole book.)

41. I love them all so much

“on that horse, you will look like a king” I can’t with her sense of humor

He sure did say that

I feel like I’m missing something with the fight on foot thing … remembering battles?

Helen called him Gen!

Sophos stop talking about yourself and bringing apricots into everything lol

Lol these bystanders don’t know how lucky they are. Nor does Pheris, yet

42. She’s protecting him

Also … Gen … you didn’t want to be a soldier.

43. Guards have capes

2 startled men … hm …

Oh Gen. The fucking brutal echoes…

44. :( :( :(

Gen tell your wife you’re sick!

The attendants are so dumb

45. So, so, so :(

Tell who? Petrus?

Wink!

Yes?

46. Bleeding! Salt! Lemon! Heck no! What is he, a piece of meat?

Oranges?

47. “savoring each bite as if it were my last” ... Same … but with this book

Hmm… Alyta! Goddess of the gentle rain! (despite this “hmm,” I did not put the pieces together)

48. Oh no Teleus! And someone?

Aw he realized <3 lemon water

49. Gen eat your broth lol

50. I love them.

Ion’s really trying to make up for what he did that one time

51. Without the approval of the great goddess HAHAHA

I love them. Cousin time! Growl?

Idk whether or not to be reassured, Gen.

Wow Cleon I do not like that. Also didn’t he die? (...)

Comma (“I am not, Eddis”)

Go smack him!

52. Gen I love you.

Helen I love you.

He’s so bad at self care but I love him

Chapter 4

55. love that our narrator just disappears and reappears

56. Attolia’s brother’s bedroom? Yikes. Ominous. A detail in a story we’ve already gotten, different every time <3

57. fucking attendants. 3 good ones. Medander you were beneath Costis’s notice before but I hate you. Costis didn’t have time for you or Xikos or Xikander and nor do I

58. interesting pawn talk!!!

59. <3 Pheris :(

The Gen comparisons though

:( :( :( :(

60. flamboyance <3

Cemphora bush

Bees

61. I love him

62. I love them

Also lol “Your majesty?”

63. Name … hm … (“I have deliberately omitted [my tutor’s] name here”)

64. more twin imagery I swear

WAIT … it was his birthday! Not just Annux day?!! Gen was born in late summer???

Attendant list thank you

65. laying it all out there, huh … (that one Gen quote)

Lol they’re the same but Pheris likes horses

66. Insellia! Hello nice to meet you

67. Gen that’s mean. (“He is hardly even half of one.”)

68. Coleus leves???

“I am Eugenides.” <3

Gen why

69. Gold cups???? Hmmmmm. Also lioness. Def invoking Costis. (they’re probably not the cups, but STILL)

Earth….

70. Moira! Hi!!! Rainbow shawl!

Like a rabbit!

Pester!

I’m … very sad he uses his Attolian accent with Helen

71. Aaah so good

Mortals

Moira knows another messenger?

Does he think he can’t die in battle?

72. hmm are they WRANGLING?! (Galen and Petrus and my Fire and Hemlock word association)

Kill that pastry Irene I love you

morning training with his … guard? (Is that the whole guard or a guard? Costis senses tingling once again.)

73. Oh gen.

Ouch! (“to send people to their deaths and not risk my own is contemptible”)

Is she implying he’s paying Therespides?

74. Interesting Cleon plan. So many doubles

OUCH. (“Only if he comes back from the dead.” I assumed Lader had died in the war; it’s a different ouch now. I love that they both accidentally say things to each other that poke old wounds, and it’s not a big deal but it’s also not dismissed! Their relationship has come so far, and I love them so much.)

75. Verimius – Lavia – Celia??? Somebody is queer in there!

A GUARD

This scene confuses me. Xortix? Layteres? Aris! but dice thing is less political … so maybe? (just wait....)

76. So many reasons to hate Medander

Hey Costis! You exist! KoA happened!

Gen is just … still so uncomfortable and miserable. He chose, he has people, but still.

RIP Clopius also WHAT

77. Lol Hilarion’s grand statements

78. Yorn Fordad Hello!

Luxurious mustache

The mighty Pents?

Besin Quedue – she’s coming 4 you watch out

79. RIP Baron Hippias

Chapter 5

80. Spring! Plays! Cenna!

81. Oh dear

Oh dear

At least they said he was pretty

83. ?!? :( wine

Uh oh. Stockpiling

85. What even.

AAAAAAAAAH COSTIS

86. Omg Irene. Hissing. I love her.

Also … Gen’s the viper

Also this scene was written by Pheris.

Damn.

87. oh no.

What better man

She fucking quoted Howl. I love them.

Also, bees (this scene killed me)

90. Falling?

Oh shit

Also … Juridius and Pheris, Susa and Costis (comparing demands for information)

93. oh my god (IT’S THE WINDOW SCENE)

Oh my god

Uh

94. She! Called! Him! Gen!

I love this and it scares me

Lol Chloe

Irene you learned from her though

95. D:

96. :(

97. water stuff

98. what the heck

OH NO (Quedue scene)

Hm

100. yikes

Omg

Wow.

102. yikes yikes YIKES

103. a blade has protruded from his chest (tbt to The Thief)

jesus

106. shit

Did Gen hit him?

108. lol Phresine

109. lol

I want genuinely every character’s reaction to this shit

Chapter 6

111. what the heck Gen.

112. like a god [crown doodle]

114. Perma?

116. Gen. Gen. Gen. Do not.

117. AAAA (god intervention)

122. Juridius to Dite

124. bye Iolanthe and Ileia! Tell us about Caeta and Silla.

125. did not expect so much Ion

Chapter 7

127. Fryst god of winter

She laughed!

They’re so married

128. OH SHIT (Costis ship is sighted and I remember what’s about to happen next)

Interesting timing

He rode the horse home?

131. Beauty and good, beauty and kind

134. The gods’ goodwill

Keep them safe <3

135. Is that his MOM?!! Wtf (it was!)

Pheris steal those earrings!!!

RING! SMASH BOX!

137. AMPHORA EARRINGS (and flowers)

138. I love Phresine

139. Why do I feel like all the game birds are pigeons

140. meanwhile Gen’s been hanging out with Kamet. Shit. I cannot.

WELCOME HOME BOYS!

HELL YEAH KAMET ATTEND THOSE MEETINGS!

RELIUS COME THRU

141. lethium soup! The reversal

Safe for you

142. of course he knew <3

143. Kamet time! I love him. We get to see Kamet!!!

Also … echo of Gen’s notes on Mede

145. very handsome. … gaycostis vindication (referring to @costis’s url at the time and this post. Little did I know what else was to come in the next chapter and then a few months later with the adaptation news...)

Do you know who I am?

Chapter 8

147. Of course he’s a cartographer

A favorite huh

148. of course she didn’t tell us his age!

149. the angsty window staring I crave

Music!

151. adventure, huh

I do have a soft spot for Melheret

152. concerned about amphora gift

153. Glad they can be well and united in spite!! (Gen and Melheret)

154. Pheris loves math and I love him

155. Hello Teleus. Hello olives

Lol Relius is not into math

156. pigeons. Inkpot!

157. yeah honestly. He tortures people. He was NOT tortured by the king

159. lol (“I have noted the elective nature of certain behaviors” ... I love Relius and Pheris.)

160. The Invitation! I <3 it

161. EXCUSE ME WHO

Legarus!

FOLKS HERE WE ARE (I cannot overstate how wonderful it was to read this page. I did not know who the poem was from, and “Someone loves me very much, even with all my faults” is even sweeter to reread, but it’s just ... his confidence is so different from the tentative consideration of a new philosophy of trust and love we see in KoA. And there is subtextual queerness in the books before this one, some more apparent and some more subtle (and what is obvious to one reader may be subtle or invisible to another, in these books especially), and there is the attendant love triangle a few chapters back, but HERE - here, Pheris acknowledges the real feeling and love in Legarus’s disastrous relationship and tells us directly that his lover was a man, here he seamlessly makes it clear how bi and poly Relius is, and he quietly ties these relationships and realities to his growing understanding of the world. It’s not subtext. And there’s a lot more to come, but this page really hit me, and sort of promised the “more to come” while assuring me that what had come before, more subtly, was there. I used to have heteronormative readings of both these books and myself, and when Thick as Thieves brought them crashing back into my heart after years away, I knew better about myself, and I saw that - or the possibility of that reading -  reflected in the new book, and it was such a good surprise. It meant a lot, and this page meant a lot, and that is why I’m writing a small essay to accompany this note.) 

Lol wow

162. Where are you traveling, man (this question remains)

163. Fuck you, Orutus

164. Stole an inkpot!

165. the map!!! (Kamet’s)

166. I love them!

167. The Math Master hmm

Am I an oracle (Nope! :) )

[tim-drabble-vault]

"Remember that time when I said that we'd seal our happy ending with a marriage?"

"Uh-huh."

"It's really happening, huh? We really are getting married."

"Kaneki, love. We had to stop the wedding. There was an assassination attempt and you got stabbed. Four times. And I'm pretty sure two of our guests just died from blood loss." 

"They're not dead. They just fainted."

"I'm pretty sure--"

"Anyway," Kaneki hastily interrupts. He removes his hand from his abdomen, the wound is already closing. He grins at his fiancé. "At least I killed the ghouls, right?"

"Kaneki--"

"We can still get married," Kaneki assures confidently. 

"Riiiight." Hide sighs. He's tired, he's dirty, his back hurts and they've got a mess to fix and okay, assassination attempts happen all the time but the one that's happened during their wedding? It's just cruel. This place is in disorder, most of their guests have fled and only very few people have stayed to help them clean the mess.

He can feel Kaneki's eyes on him but Hide's too miserable to care about it. Instead, he sulks and mumbles to himself. 

"We can still get married," Kaneki assures again. He reaches out to play with Hide's hair and the blond just groans. 

Hide looks at the other; the ghoul has that same big and bright smile he often wears when the joy in his chest is infinite. 

"Nishiki can officiate our wedding," Kaneki plainly says. His eyes fall on the surprised ghoul.

Nishiki himself looks as bruised and dirty as them, having fought at Kaneki's side previously. But the fatigue doesn't dim down his annoyance at Kaneki's words. 

"I'm not going to officiate anything."

"Yeah!" Hide agrees. "He can't officiate our wedding! He's an atheist!"

"That's fuc-"

“Of course he can. He’s my second-in-command,” Kaneki answers flatly. He gives Nishiki a determined look.

"Please, Nishiki." Kaneki doesn't beg, of course, but the soft defeated tone is enough to make Nishiki wilt. He looks at Kaneki before the older ghoul curses and reluctantly agrees.

Kaneki smirks and gives Hide a wink. Hide rolls his eyes. Kaneki’s getting good at that. 

"All right. Come here." Nishiki drops down on one of the ruined chairs as he beckons them closer. Kaneki grabs Hide's fingers, carefully holding them with his, and pulling Hide with him. They stand in front of Nishiki. 

Nishiki begins tiredly, "Do you, Kaneki--"

"Wait, you're just going to skip to the last part?" Kaneki asks.

"--Ken, take this dumbass," Nishiki waves his hand dismissively at Hide, "as your husband?" Nishiki says offhandedly, ignoring Hide's sudden outburst.

"I do," Kaneki replies. All heart and boundless confidence. Like it's the only thing that matters. 

"And you, Nagachika, do you take this guy as your husband?"

"Duh."

"Great. Now you two idiots are husbands. Congrats. I'm going home." Nishiki stands up and heads towards the exit. 

Hide inhales deeply, fixing his tattered tie. When he gives Kaneki an almost bashful look, it's a sentiment that's returned by his husband. Wow. Husband.

Look at them, in love with each other for years and suddenly they're shy and hopeless, like a new couple sitting across one another, wondering when it's the right time to kiss.

But they're married. They're husbands so Hide doesn't hesitate when he leans forward and playful presses a kiss on Kaneki’s lips. Kaneki blinks, and then he grins and he sneakily puts his arms around Hide's waist. Kaneki returns the favor. 

Kissing Kaneki is a simple thing but it's enough for now. Besides, all extraordinary things start from simple beginnings. 

[swampgallows]

i got distracted earlier and forgot to post but im thankful for my mutuals who have helped me time and again, even if it’s in ways you may not know. i appreciate you all so much and i am so grateful for the friends i’ve made here and the small but intimate community cultivated through tumblr. 

zbfc and wch, thank you for everything. @zeyan i love you with all my heart and i’m so fucking thankful i could have funny airbnb time with you and @aeiroki grimlock hunterpunter. you make me laugh every single day and i always want the best for you both (and jack!!! and PARKER!!!)

@lokaror thank you for letting me share my love of rexxar and bears with you. we’ve shared a lot of fantastic laughs together, some very fun stuff and some very deep shit too. i treasure every one of our convos together, and your playlists too!

@reglei thankful i finally got to beat you into submission at blizzcon. youre a sweetheart and a sleepyhead. thanks for listening to me ramble late into the night. i appreciate all the times youve had my back, whether it was creepy dudes or spoilers or w/e. you shoulda killed me w gorehowl when you had the chance

I LOVE @amarysue i miss you when you work long hours but i’m always so happy when we get to play games together. i hope you can leave the mcdonalds playplace soon. also i dont get to say it much but i love talking about academic stuff with you. i know i rib you about dark leafy greens but you are very educated in a lot of amazing fields and i love when you share your knowledge with me!!! i love amary!!!!

@theabsolutevoid i know youre the void but youre a golden human being of radiant light. you are so spectacular, we are all always in amazement of your passion and creativity and constant flow of ideas, and your compassion seems boundless. i am so grateful to know such a special person and spent many late nights laughing to tears with you

@perce the dynamic duo... im thankful daygo got me into ladybug so i could hear all of your amazing takes on it as they are equally as hilarious as your wow takes. i admire your resilience, though that might be weird to say, and though i know i’m an old crone youre definitely a role model for me taking command of my own life and establishing boundaries to become the person i want to be. i’m so grateful we got to spend blizzcon together again!! and thank you for getting me the long-forgotten hippogryph. its a very important memory to me.

refugees i know i dont pop in much but i still love you all dearly. im embarrassed actually because you are all functional adults and i’m not but when i get a job and reenter society i want to be able to come back and say i’m a big kid now

thrainosh squad @irenthel @wckhamm etc thank you for letting me indulge my interests without ridicule or judgment. @fitzefitcher i dunno you changed my life SORRY there is not a less fucked up way to say that. no pressure

@sithisis & crew thank you for so many incredible hots games and wonderful memories and all of your sweetness and fun times!!! sith you have inspired and supported so much of my writing and my ideas and i am in awe that you are getting so many amazing opportunities working in games journalism!!! i know theres a lot of grunt work but at the end of the day it seems like youre really doing something you genuinely love (and are good at!!) and i’m so happy for you. you work hard and you deserve it. im love skitty w a gun 

@steblynkaagain your art is such an inspiration to me, and i’m amazed by your cosplay too! i’m thankful that even across language barriers we can enjoy thraina and silly modern AUs together. i am so impressed by your intelligence and achievements. your comic where you pledge yourself to Thrall’s Horde is still so important to me, and every day i think about your mechanic garrosh..... and doctor drek’thar, and doctor thrall, and SHAMAN GARROSH....... (sob)

@captainkaprozyx and @sdei ... i am so thankful for all of your artwork and your amazing gifts. i am working on getting them framed, and your zine was amazing! you are a great team and I love your collaborations. also sdei’s birthday gift is still my discord icon. we just really love a big guy huh....... cannot express how inspiring your artwork is. the detail, the colors... it brings me to tears, i am so stunned. you are both so incredibly talented!

@omnifariousness bro i dont even know where to start. many good dog times and we can strike up the late night jawin again soon i hope. shit has been scattered and i know youve been dippin back n forth on the road but i hope the shit evens out soon for you. excited for you to see tool in feb and damn dude every DAY i think about the reading you treated me to of the 40k stuff for your reel. god man i want that VA shit to work out for you bad. your diction is impeccable and you so deserve it

@darnjam i know you guys dont read this but i love you so much and every day i’m so thankful we’re all still friends. @daygloow thank you for being like the sole source and catalyst for my personal development for like the last 3 years, im so proud of you and everything youve worked so hard to achieve and i’m so glad youre getting the recognition you deserve. thank you for always picking me up (vehicular and emotional) and for watching cartoons n playin vidya with me. god whens the next GOOD rave? i need to make you proud and actually dj so i can play banana

@bluntcrusher every day i’m like god when will king tori take the throne... im so thankful that youre in a good spot finally and that youre getting the love you deserve. and plus a sweet pucci mane. my blogs a mess but im glad youre still stickin around for it haha. always happy to see youre safe and THRIVING

@swarnpert love you dude thank you for lettin me harass you w 420 snaps. bro when you sent me those sabaton snaps i was in line for the haunted mansion at disneyland during blizzcon and it was just like... my heart was so full, it meant so much to me ALSO HOLY SHIT i love your art please NEVER STOP drawing

@nelfs i love your blog and your art and your FEELINGS like I dunno how to word it in a not-weird way. i think you are a very bright person with a good heart, and i’m thankful to know someone like that, even tangentially. it is fortifying also to see someone stand up for the things they love, whether it’s just a cartoon show or something of serious concern like animal welfare. i admire your healthy relationship to yourself and your strong integrity.

@neophyte-redglare i think about bead world garrosh every fucking day of my life. cannot thank you enough. i treasure it

@redpandalori THIS IS THE MVP RIGHT HERE. i dunno when you started sending me floods of kittums but every day i look forward to it and every single one means so much to me. i wear the kandi you handcrafted for me every single day and i show it off constantly to my friends because it’s just mindblowing. you are so sweet and thoughtful and i love sendin you snaps and it’s just incredible how the internet is. thank you for sending me rain snaps and kito & harley/ears & lilith pics all the time

@hungwy i dunno WHAT you get outta my blog but i’m thankful for the reams of sweet animal pics and interesting linguistic and anthropology posts on your blog. you’re a very positive force on my dash and you seem a wonderful person irl too!

@ubersaur im so happy we’re still mutuals after all this time lmao. you were one of the first aces id ever known so we’ll always have that solidarity and i’ll always be thankful. and i have to seriously catch up on magus bride haha. thank you for all of your love and support after all this time, i hope i offer the same to you!!

@18milliondeadplebs the rare and beautiful nexus of my two sole interests... warcraft and raving. dude just thank you for existing man LMAO i hope we can go ravin together some day

@kontextmaschine what a strange long fuckin trip it’s been dude. super surreal to have raved with you and had you come all the way down for burst but i knew i’d be remiss if youd missed it. you definitely deserved a potent taste of the 90s. thank you for the usb sticks, im still waiting on a worthy recipient for the other two. the majority of your blog is practically in hieroglyphics to me but man when the posts hit... they fuckin hit. i know you dont need me to tell you, but youve got a great talent and weirdass fuckin eye. a very very particular eye. love you man. please kiss badger for me.

@ironbull thank you for suffering in wisdom tooth hell with me. i am glad you had a good time at disney world and im hoping we can both be free of all of our tooth woes soon. thank you also for your advice and support in my personal stuff too!!

@kittensceilidh thank you for your sweet messages! every one of your hugs means a lot to me!!! it is nice to feel seen when i am in dark places.

@dimedog warcraft and foggy forests... hell yeah dude

@tim-official man sometimes it really is as simple as just laughing at the same funny shit, but youve reached out to me too and i appreciate it!!!

@peanotbotter thank you for all of the laughs and the kind words! thank you for caring about me, i care about you too!! i hope we can play hots again or wow together soon!!! 

wow this got long but i love a bunch of people. there are more of you that i love and are very special to me and i apologize if i didnt get to you. i hope you all had a nice holiday, if you celebrated. thank you for believing in me

[c-atm]

Meeting

You feel the anxiety in your throat as you stand in front of the door. The light of the evening sunset, making it look more mystical than any office door should be. You take a nerve easing breath before grabbing the copper knob, giving it a twist, pulling your right arm and opening the door to a medium size office.

You're greeted to four near bare burgundy walls.  The only decoration being a couple of diploma on the eastern wall and on the west, a sword...A very cartoonish, very sharp sword. Not many real swords have a star as their guard. On the far back wall was a bookshelf filled with books, but it also held disks (can't really tell what the disk were), and a small amount of photos.

 In front of that there is a mahogany desk with a swivel chair. On the desk there's a green rectangular table mat the size of two book covers, a small lamp, unopened folders ... And at the corner of the mat, closest to the chair; a picture in a biscuit brown and strawberry red frame stood out. 

You walk up to the desk and reach out to grab the picture before taking a seat in front of the desk in the  cushion seated chair. The picture, it's of the boss with her beau. 

A large man of very slight tan skin, with black curly locks and a slight chubby face, smiling bright. Can't tell what they were wearing as it was a selfie, but it was taken in the evening..and  by the love laced smile she was giving the man, she was very happy then, enough to pay no attention to the camera in his hand, all eyes on him.

Hard to believe such a couple was involved in such a lifestyle. Hard to believe such a woman leads a 'family'...Hard to be so familiar with, talk and laugh with the face of someone you will never meet..of a dead man.

"You are as curious as Nora and Dai said."

A strong, velvety voice speaks from behind causing you to place the picture back down in a hurry, careful not to mess up the neat desk as you stand up in attention. You turn to the source and feel both your cheeks heat up as something else..Something cooler, creeps gently around  your heart.

 Skin of chestnut with hair a wood, cut to a flowing shoulder length. A roundish face adorned with a prominent nose, a small mouth and thick eyebrows, her eyes were hidden behind a pair of cobalt goggle lensed shades. Dressed in a white three-piece suit with black silk button up and a deep violet tie in a windsor knot, a pair of black bit loafers and brown calf length socks. 

She is adorable and could easily be mistaken for a young boy with how her clothes fit over her frame, instead of a woman seven years your senior. That is, if you ignored the fullness and gentle bounce of her modest breast, the slight sway of her hips when she walked, and the silken tone of voice. A sidf

The smell of chai and vanilla reverberates within your nose as she walks by and takes her seat behind her desk. Removing her glasses and revealing a very pretty pair of blak pearls for eyes, before giving you a sweet smirk.

‘I retract my young boy statement. How in the hell is this charming thing an arms dealer?’ She was a hard contrast to what a gunrunner was...Though Dia and Nora wasn’t exactly the standard either.  

“Please sit down, no need to be nervous.” Her voice is a twinkling bell to the ear, very relaxing and trusting. Still, there’s something peremptory about her request, forcing you to sit almost instinctively. 

“So..what’s your name?”

“R-Reader.”  ‘The hell...Why am I so nervous?’

“Interesting, is it a nickname? An alias of some type?”

“I..I suppose. It’s what I’ve always been called.” ‘That tone..it’s so sweet and kind...So why?’

“No parents? Or family?”

“Not- not that I know of.”  ‘Why?!’ 

“Oh wow, kind of explain why you're so gritty. No home training.”

You can feel your cheeks glow at her giggle, it’s melodic, motherly even. Something to protect. Despite that, the chill you felt hasn't disappeared...Haven’t diminished for a moment.

Warm and cool.

Nora and Dia described the boss...This person as such..

A perfect clarification.

“You’re on guard.”

Wide eyes greet her at her easy statement. She’s reading you.  “I..” 

“Not exactly what you thought, huh? A sweet little girl like me being in the Arms trafficking game. It’s ok. You can be honest.”

"Don't know."  What's there to be said, that will stop this strangulation in the air, this icy cool and gentle heat. A pleasurable suffocation.

She hummed gently. "Then..how about you tell what you do know?"

An arched eyebrow was the response, reflex.

"Why'd you help my people a month ago?"

You feel your mouth open in realization, before settling in a small smirk, recalling the night you met those two, Nora and Dai. It was a simple night, hardly any stars out but there was a half moon.

You remember the crunching of the gravel beneath your feet as you walked that coastal city road, looking for something to eat...something to steal, so you could eat. You remember searching your hip and ass pockets to see if you had anything that could frighten a tourist. You remember looking up at hearing Nora yell to 'clothesline them'.

You still don't know why you did it, lift your arm up and throw it to some 'rat bastard' neck, as Nora elegantly called the thief. Why held the por guy down until Dai and Nora came up and took him away, maybe to rough him up...Maybe worse. You didn’t think much about the guy when Dai offered you dinner at a high class restaurant, nor when Nora came back with a new shirt, saying her other one got.. Messy. Wasn’t your business at the moment...You still don’t think about them.

You remember drinking liquor you never tasted, food you never ate and actually enjoying a bit of a life you never thought you could have. You remember having a comradire with a pair of twins missing their triplet, toasting in his name as they kicked back his favorite drink and ate his favorite food. Dai tearing up as Nora patted his back wiping her own tears; two years, you remember they telling you. It was the second year anniversary of his… Their brother, Steven's passing..  

The talks of his bright eyed daughter, their niece; who's as precocious, as she's gentle. Smart and cunning as her mother, charming and empathetic as her father, with a smile that encapsulated both her parents, perfectly. They half joked that she would take over the world at the age of 21, with all that going for her. 

The talk of his wife, their sister-in-law and their boss; The woman across from you. How their tone always seems to waver from reverence to outright fear, but always full of love..Was it familial or unrequited romance. Seems to waver depending on the story...Though, it seemed when their brother died he took her wanting for that type of companionship as well.

 There was some scuffle in there too with some local gang boss, whining about how the boss is a snobbish bitch because she wouldn’t trade their drugs for her weapons and her late husband probably killed himself to escape her. You don’t remember much of what they said after that.

You do recall getting a scolding metal tea kettle and beating the asshole skull with it, repeatedly. Everything after was a flash of white and red fury. Don’t even remember when they got you into the swanky hotel room you woke up at, better than the hobble you called home. 

“From there they just started to take me with them on runs, kept me fed and such. Put some money in my pocket, guess they thought something positive about me.”  You shrugged as you finish your story looking up at the boss.

She’s leaned back into her chair, Her left ankle on her right knee, tips of her fingers pressed against each other, slighted downward held at stomach length, the blinds from the window casting both shadow and light on her smirking lips and devilish black eyes respectively. 

‘I see why they all fell for her.’ She's chillingly beautiful. Dangerously gorgeous. Sinisterly enchanting. Could make men and women fall at her, on appearance alone. 

“Ah! So you're the reason Paco looked like he was beat by a branding lorn when he came to apologize." that voice and chuckle was more sensual than sweet, it made you clench up, as you felt that chill around your heart tighten, a strong grip..Hers and it’s unsure if it's anxiousness or excitement you feel "I love a good story, thank you Reader”.

“Yes, boss!..I mean, Mrs.Universe…” It was impossible to stop the words...This woman...She's more than what they described. 

"Oh! You've already decided to join me.. " 

You feel your palms sweat, your mouth dry and your heart squeezed at her statement.  The smile those eyes and those lips make. Those lips dressed in a tone lighter than her skin, allowing just the smallest amount of teeth show. Kissable yes, but more fatal than anything. The lips of one who could devour the world. Along are those eyes that pierce yours and steal the majority of your will, leaving you with just the barest sliver of it and just to coax you with their entrancing beauty to give it to her. 

"She's an arms dealer. Her life is filled with bullets and bodies. She weaponized everything from military to mafia. To join her is death." That's what your mind and heart are saying. 

To deliver it in her name, for her cause, at her call, without fail and get paid for it. That's your mental statement. 

Your emotional side, your heart; it's statement is clear...You will die for her, happily. To join her is to sacrifice your life for hers. Put it all on the line for this woman who you just met. 

It's crazy. Your instincts are saying she's  dangerous, she's deadly, she monstrous..She's…

"Anyone, whose willing to defend my Biscuit's honor, that of our love…" 

It was quick but you saw it, the moment she turned her eyes to the photo on her desk. A flash of the boundless depths that is her love for this man long passed. A sliver of her human vulnerability.

"And that of our little family we've gathered. Well, I can't say I wouldn't want to have a person like that on my team." And with a moment those sensual killer eyes are back at full force the vulnerability from before returned to the shadows, and with it..

"But that decision is yours." 

Any will to deny her…

You reach out and kiss her knuckles in reverence, their soft yet calloused, and can possibly summon more power than yours. One that can seize the world. You turn to her and see her expression and in an instant you feel it. Looking at her satisfied smirk, the glow in her black eyes, brought on by the sun. You can feel it.

The cool vice grip on your heart, the warm welcoming strangulation around your neck. 

You can only follow as she takes the same hand and lifts your chin before moving her face closer to you. A half inch apart and you are enveloped by her. This immeasurable being of charisma, strength and presence. Her smell, her eyes, her skin, her hair, her frame, her persona, her being.  

She gives the first true smile, bright as the sun and full of her darkest designs. You can see her..The real her; Connie Maheswaran-Universe. Neither a devil or an angel, nor warm and cool.. She was so much more. She is thrill, battle, adventure and adrenaline. She's love, life, death, creation and destruction. She's chaos and order.. And you..

"Glad to have you...You're mine now, Reader" 

Her truth thrills you to the core.

[basilandthym]

"Woah." 

  Thym paused in the doorway.  Before them was another Arcturus common room, cozy in its plush chairs and warm fires.  But this entryway space was massive next to the lounges of Virgo.  

  And there were stairs!

  Thym cast a single wide-eyed smile to Basil before taking off towards the nearest staircase.

  Basil smirked, letting them explore ahead. The main entryway for Orion was grand, but it was not what he’d brought them to see. And they’d see soon enough. He couldn’t dare rush the experience. 

Thym gazed through the second floor windows, watched in awe as the entryway’s floating lamps circled about the room, but it wasn’t long before they headed towards Orion’s left wing.  Basil strode ahead of them while they wandered the hallways, growing more enthusiastic as they reached another doorway.

"This," From the breezeway, Basil smiled, opening a double door for Thym "This is why New London is one of the greatest cities in the world".  

The Library stretched away behind Basil, and Thym’s eyes went wide.

"Years and years of study and one could barely begin to absorb all this collection has to offer." 

There was so much to see. Books at every angle. Large windows comfortably lit up the space, reaching up alongside the numerous floor-to-ceiling spanning cases. The New London skyline peeked through the rows and rows of knowledge, each line of shelves harboring what must’ve been a few thousand books each.  Unimaginable stores of information.

  Like any good library, where there were books, there were reading nooks. High or tucked away, dim or bright, a spot for lounging or intensive study, this place felt as if it could satisfy anyone’s habits. 

 A system of sliding ladders was affixed to each row, and the tallest ones sported safety tethers. It was a conscientious system, allowing scholars, students, and encumbered librarians to ascend and descend without worry of a nasty fall. Thym could just picture their new mentor, and honestly any downtowner, happily taking advantage of the safeguard. But not them. 

Basil made a sweeping gesture across the space. “Scholars from all over visit to further their studies. And ah, help desk is here to our left if-” 

“Basil?” Thym was distracted, starry eyed and ogling the next level. It featured a bridge-like walkway that connected the ends of the collection while keeping the space open and uncluttered “Vantage point?”

“Ah. yes” He turned and strode towards the wall of script before them, turning left at its corner. A stairwell hid just beyond the edge. At the reveal, Thym raced up, and this time Basil followed, only just managing to keep up with his long two-step strides. 

  They stopped, panting, to overlook the collection, stretching out below them, around them, and rising yet above them.

 "Collections spanning the century, wide areas of study from architecture, anthropology, and of course engineering." Basil smiled, pointing out the aisles as he listed their genres. There was pride absolutely welling from him. Thym had seen Basil take pride in his work, but not quite so unreserved.  A comfortable pride.  Upon stepping into this wonder, Basil seemed like a different person, younger and eager to share the place that’d become such a part of him.

"Alchemy too?" Thym asked. 

"What there is left, and found, we have and protect here at Orion." 

Pausing on the elevated walkway,Thym leaned over the rail with glee.  “Wow.”

  Though overall quiet, the keep was a bustle of reserved excitement, passion-driven academics exploring shelves and pages.  Thym smiled over at a youth scaling another of the high-reaching bookshelves. They waved and the young scholar waved back, before turning back to their task of searching. Thym looked back to Basil, and followed his gaze towards a tall figure carting some books back towards the front.

He gestured down to the librarian. "I know a great deal about this place, but you won't find an archivist more familiar with Orion’s collection than Serpentine.  If you ever have a question or need anything related to the library, she's the one to approach. Unequivocally reliable, pointing countless scholars in the right direction for years."  

“Huh. Well neat. Hey, thanks.” 

Basil dipped his head. 

“Care to see what might become your favorite aisle?”

Thym bounced in response “Let’s!”

Taking the stairs back down they looped around, and though resolved in his direction, Basil had to pause to watch Thym take it all in.  The kind of quiet, awed respect he found this place to inspire wasn’t there.  Instead, his new student was elated, hungry for revelation, running about from shelf to shelf as they passing row after row, before finally spinning to a stop at the section Basil had pointed out from above. He suppressed his smile as he traced the edge of a long, lacquered wooden table positioned outside the row he was walking past. “Before I started focusing more into alchemy, I rarely strayed from this spot.”

As they entered the section, Basil’s fingers fell gently over the spine of a book. He held a soft nostalgic expression, like these books could have been photos of dearly missed loved ones. Thym wasn’t yet so familiar, but… maybe someday they’d understand.  Basil turned and looked about, hands now clasped behind his back. 

“There's a great deal I could recommend to you, and will… yet there's a certain charm to traversing this collection yourself, discovery though your own discretion."  

"But I will say, this one here" he pointed to a book, mostly gray, almost standing out in its dullness. "It's not a read you can just walk away from. I think you’ll appreciate taking a look eventually." 

Basil moved onward through the aisle. Before they followed, Thym climbed up, slipped it out enough to commit it’s appearance and title to memory. 

Transcending Limitation Through Innovation. 

Thym repositioned the book and rushed back to join Basil at the end of the aisle. “You don’t suppose I could check a couple out today?”

“Well, first we really should… take the last steps in officializing your apprenticeship. Meet with Cardamom.  But… soon, yes.  I’d imagine you’ll be able to check out any you’d like.”

“Aw.” Thym responded with put-upon disappointment.  They supposed it’d be easy enough to read what they liked without leaving the library with it.  Or to leave the library with whatever they’d like, but they tried to put that thought on a backburner.

“I suppose I should return these?” Thym asked, producing from their coat the handful of books that Basil had leant to them on their voyage.

“Excellent idea.” Basil nodded once in approval “Let’s take these to Serpentine.”

She was not merely tall. She towered, maybe a full foot or taller than Basil. Behind pink tinted frames, Serpentine’s eyes fell on Thym as they approached. Her dark thick eyebrows gave her an added air of seriousness. 

“Basil here said that you were the one to go to for any and every library related matters.” Thym smirked, leaning on the island counter that separated them. “Anyone ever climb to the top of the cases without those supports?” 

Basil shot them a sharp questioning look, but it hardly cut through Thym’s bravado. 

Serpentine sighed. She glanced over to a short, pastel-bowtied library-goer and gave an exhausted smile. “Web… Too often forgets. Mostly he goes up and down just fine, but there’s been a couple times where he’s managed to get stuck up there… and he did break an arm last year from a fall.”

Basil frowned. Thym turned to look at him, more specifically his arm.  “Say Bas, you haven’t fallen off one of the long bookshelves have you?”

A silence.

“I kid.” They nudged him with a smile. “Well if I lose an arm pursuing boundless knowledge at least I have someone to go to for a replacement, hm?” 

“Please just remember... I can’t replace a broken neck.” He said flatly. 

“Dramatic. I’m sure no ones ever died grabbing a book. Anyways, these are for you!” 

Thym grinned as they plopped down the books.

“Oh?”

“Checking in” Basil confirmed. 

Serpentine nodded, sliding the books closer to her. She flipped open the covers, stamped the cards inside, and made a note on a log sheet which she then turned to Thym. “Sign please.” 

“Righto!” Thym laughed and scrawled a quick signature by the items indicated. 

“Thank you...” Serpentine raised her eyebrows. “Sorry, I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure- you’re with Basil?” 

“Oh yep!  I’m Thym!  Apprentice.  Or, soon to be apprenticed.” Thym winked up at Basil. He simply blinked an affirmation.

Serpentine straightened and smiled. 

“Well. Welcome to Orion. If you are anything like Genovere, I imagine I’ll be seeing a lot of you.”