#you see a celebrity take /maybe/ not the greatest photo in the world?

[quinloki]

I have no title for this story...

I've had an idea for a modern AU story for a while, and while I had a "moment" I was building up around, I didn't have enough details to really get it rolling.

It's taken up residence in my brain the last few days, and now I have 12 chapters of outline for it.

First Off - Thanks be to @wttcsms for this post and thus the idea I built up from. I can see it working well for so many characters - Sir Crocodile for one, but what really struck me was that idea for Sabo.

Specifically - Sabo as part of a trio of up-and-coming Super Star Models - the ASL boys have taken the world by STORM \o/ Of course our adorable reader is a fan, but, well - if you're curious

I'm putting the "outline" I have under the cut.

Each set of brackets is a chapter. So in this way you'll get to see what I'm working on (and what may or may not change, since I have a tendency to jump ship with my outlines >.> ), and also the extent of how well I outline ^^;

[celebrating getting hired by the company you were hoping for by having some drinks at your favorite bar. You’re approached by a brunette who strikes up a conversation with you. The two of you end up arguing about the ASL brothers, and he suggest maybe you could fuck out you’re differences - when you tell him you’re married, flashing your false ring.]

[There is no way this is happening, the shit at the bar is The Scarred Prince?! You are a big fan of the ASL brothers, and had spent the majority of last night arguing with the Scarred Prince on his behalf. You’re mortified and angry.]

[Sabo is delighted to be able to “assist” you in every which possible way.]

[you’re tasked with helping Sabo - he needs more hand prints on his body for a photo shoot (this flusters you both terribly) - and Sabo still thinks you’re married!] (thank you @kazieai for this idea)

[You lost your wedding ring.]

[Sabo gets you to admit your lie, and in exchange for lying to him, he wants to take you out on a date. “I won’t force you, but I think it’s the least you, as my greatest fan, could do to ease my tender heart.”]

[Sabo’s in disguise for the date, and keeps it lowkey. You have a really good time and almost kiss at the end of it]

[ Sabo thinks you don’t like him that way, and you think he doesn’t like you that way. He isn’t sure how to broach the subject, because he doesn’t want to make you uncomfortable at work, and you figure your debt’s been paid and you don’t have a right to the prince’s time anymore.]

[You and Sabo are both at the office late, bumping into each other accidentally. The awkward energy is broken quickly and the air cleared. After agreeing to a second date, Sabo offers to walk you to your car. On the way there a black van pulls up and snatches you both.] (I really dislike miscommunications, and as you can see, I don't let them linger for long).

[Sabo puts up an incredible fight, actually gets you tossed out of the van. The kidnappers stop the van and point a gun at you. Don’t run girl, and Sabo better stop fighting. They get him gagged, bound and blind folded, and you learn Sabo is a legitimate, actual prince.] (Ah, just gonna pause here for a moment and appreciate Captured Sabo <3 )

[Getting off the island is tricky, the kidnappers are waiting in a safe house type location. They keep promising him that as long as he behaves, they’ll let you go, but one of the kidnappers is already overtly and uncomfortably interested in you.] ( >.> the question here will be how intense things get).

[Rescued! Sabo breaks free and beats the shit out of the guy who was creeping up on you. He’s injured and drugged, you’re pretty sure they’ve been keeping him doped, but when a rush of teal and gold flames flames fill the room he relaxes, practically collapsing into you. (Thatch has the fire fire fruit in this AU)]

And that's it - 12 chapters worth of outline. Really really often an entire sentence easily becomes One Chapter all on its own, so this could easily be closer to 18-20 chapters worth of notes. Especially if I decide to try and fit more modeling shenanigans in there >.>

[mafaldaknows]

I just don't understand what his team was thinking when they agreed to this stunt. Exactly how does he benefit from it other then being seen as an uber straight grade-A douchebag? Is this really the image his team wants for Timmy? There's just too much talent and potential there to be shamming with a Kartrashian/Jenner.

Hello, Anon:

It’s absolutely mind-boggling what having more money than God can buy in the United States of America these days: New lips, new hips, and a sparkling new image with a shiny new man who apparently doesn’t even need to be present to win.

The KarJenner PR team has been hard at work for the last few months for a classy reboot of baby sister Kylie, complete with a romance with the internet’s boyfriend, style influencer and fashion icon Timothée Chalamet, who also happens to be the greatest actor of his generation. At face value, it certainly does seem like an unlikely match, given the imbalance of (dare I say it?) intellectual curiosity and preternatural talents between them. But anything is possible, when one has more money than one can ever spend in several lifetimes and the other has greater goals and ambitions than his power and influence will allow at this point in his career.

Both parties involved, however directly or indirectly, can find benefit in being in each other’s orbits driveways, taco restaurants, tarmac, in an image-conscious culture ravenous for juicy content just like this.

One of the pair has received a decidedly more positive boost from it.

The other, not so much, perhaps by design.

He may have extremely valid reasons for wanting to promote that particular “douchebag” image, if he really is willingly participating in what appears to be yet another PR romance. His handlers and PR team probably assume that he must do this in order to continue to level up in Hollywood as the next Leonardo DiCaprio. And they are probably right, given the current wave of puritanical bigotry in the USA and elsewhere in the world. There is far too much money riding on the success of his next three potentially blockbuster projects and too many people with a vested interest in his success for them to allow his image to be seen as anything other than “normal” in order to appeal to the mainstream sensibilities of a global audience. His own ambitions most likely make it impossible to refuse.

Can’t knock the hustle. ✨💃🕺🏻✨ And both of them are hustlers. Maybe that’s what they have in common.

If this were truly an authentic romance, we already know that all they would need to do to keep it private is to KEEP IT PRIVATE: Say nothing to the press, don’t call the paparazzi to meet you in the parking lot, don’t alert the media at all. They both have the means and resources to disappear from public view whenever they want, if they really wanted to do that. It’s not a requirement to begin a new relationship with a press release, not even for celebrities.

And yet here we are, a love story loudly announced in a tale of two cars, maybe three, long driveways but park at the bottom where everyone can see, and taco dates with paparazzi who take photos but only with his wingman.

A story which has made it abundantly clear that at least one of them wants to

MAKE SURE EVERYONE NOTICES their super-duper-uber-private budding romance 🚘🌮❣️🌮🚘

I’m not entirely convinced that he’s even an active participant in all of this, TBH. Many of the details thus far don’t add up to much of anything except a lot of black cars being shuffled around in his driveway published by the trash gossip press with sensationalist headlines and articles intended to plant the idea in the minds of those who want to believe it or need to know it’s happening.

For reasons.

And all of this accomplished without a single decent photo as concrete evidence of this alleged romance between two people famously well-versed in the art of the selfie in the golden age of Instagram.

Not even a fan photo or one “leaked” by their team. Nothing, except some extraordinarily grainy outdoor shots in someone’s backyard where the only easily identifiable person is Kylie Jenner and only because of her unusual proportions, in a town teeming with Teemo lookalikes who would happily stand in for the real thing for nothing but the chance to say they did it.

The Devil works hard but Kris Jenner works harder.

Seeing might be believing, but only if we can actually see what we’re seeing.

Thanks for your comment. 🤔🥔📸🎪🫤🤷🏻‍♀️

[acefms]

MEET KYRO !

if you’re hearing KINGS NEVER DIE by EMINEM playing, you have to know KYRO LEE (HE/HIM; CIS MALE) is near by! the THIRTY-ONE year old PROFESSIONAL BOXER has been in denver for, like, 31 years (part-time). they’re known to be quite SELF-CRITICAL, but being KINDHEARTED seems to balance that out. or maybe it’s the fact that they resemble CHARLES MELTON. personally, i’d love to know more about them seeing as how they’ve got those BLOODY KNUCKLES, A FALLING CROWN, BAND-AID OVER EVERY CRACK, FLOWERS GROWING IN LUNGS vibes. and maybe i’ll get my chance if i hang out around the CHERRY CREEK long enough!

basic info.

NAME: kyro lee

AGE: thirty-one

BIRTHPLACE: denver, colorado

CURRENTLY RESIDES: splits his time between denver & new york

BIRTHDAY: july 29th

ZODIAC: leo

GENDER: cis male

PRONOUNS: he/him

SEXUALITY: bisexual

RELATIONSHIP STATUS: single

OCCUPATION: professional boxer

CURRENT TITLES: wba cruiserweight champion

[ tw: heart attack/death ]

• Kyro was born and raised in denver. While his mother and father had split by the time he was three, the two remained good friends and had a great co-parenting relationship. Though most of his time was spent with his mother as his father was often away training.

• Kyro’s father was a world famous boxer who held a number of titles, including heavyweight champion a number of times. From a very young age it was made clear that he hoped Kyro would follow in his footsteps, and for as long as Kyro can remember, this has always been his own goal too. While the two had a great relationship, Kyro often felt suffocated by the elders expectations. Expectations that he now destroys himself with.

• Sadly his father suffered a fatal heart attack three years ago and passed away as a result. Ever since then Kyro has been pushing himself towards the goals he and his father set out for him. While already a household name in boxing, he wants to become the best of the best, and dominate the industry.

• He splits his time currently between denver where his mother resides, and new york where he prefers to be when he’s getting prepared for a fight. His family is the most important thing in his life aside from his career, and everything that he does is for them. Being able to buy his mother a house is by far the greatest accomplishment of his life. He has a few half siblings, but his youngest sister Leona who is six, is the apple of his eye.

HEADCANNONS

• he is honestly such a sweetheart. while at times he can appear intimidating, he would honestly take the shoes off his own feet to give them to someone who needed them. his mother raised him to alway be humble and grateful for what he has.

• cat lover. but he currently doesn’t have one because he doesn’t have the time to dedicate to a pet.

• genuinely loves being in love but doesn’t ever seem to be able to keep a relationship because he can’t help but to prioritize his career and not many are able to handle that.

• is always the shoulder to cry on but wouldn’t dare cry on anyone else’s about his own problems because he prefers to let them fester until he reaches breaking point.

• boxing has opened up a lot of doors for him and in some ways he has a mild celebrity status, doing interviews/appearances and modelling too. though he still gets confused if anyone asks for a photo or an autograph.

POSSIBLE / WANTED CONNECTIONS

high school sweetheart — someone from denver, probably a very cute and innocent past relationship that just fizzled out after high school as they both took different paths. must be from denver!! most definitely his first love and the one that set the standard for how he treats the people he’s with. very fond memories and always a potential to rekindle something !

ex boyfriend — the person he was most serious with but once his career took off he struggled to find the balance and they split because of it. potentially still lingering feelings there or perhaps a little resentment. or maybe both.

best friend — another person that keeps his feet on the ground and reminds him to breathe. this would be the person he confides in most (though still not that much lmao) though he doesn’t need to because they know him inside out.

half-siblings — i imagine his mother and father both went on to have other children and would love some sibling vibes. his mother is white and his father korean, so please keep this in mind!

casual hook-ups / gym-buds / friends !!

please feel free to message me if you’d wanna explore any of these or have anything else in mind I’d love some connections!

[moomstersnuffer]

My BTS Story

Starting off my BTS blog with a little ˚✧₊⁎history⁎⁺˳✧༚ Funnnnn!!! Another ARMY fan girl sob story!!! Yayyyy!!! -_- whatever. Here it is:

With Jin now in the military and the other members soon to follow, I’ve begun to question my relationship with BTS and how it might play out in the years to come as we all await BTS’s return in 2025. Before I begin, I want to make one thing clear. My story may just seem like another boring fan sob story but I think everyone’s story deserves to be heard.

         I was introduced to BTS by a friend of mine back in middle school but it wasn’t until I started high school later that year that I really started to become a fan. The first few weeks of school were extremely stressful. Let’s just say I knew a lot of people from my church and some of them I didn’t have good pasts with.

Honestly, I got into BTS because it was the only thing I had to keep my sanity alive. (BTS is, in a way, my savior which is why I’m now so attached to them)Gradually, I began to get more into BTS and my school life actually seemed to improve. I guess when the military news really sunk in was when I heard about Jin’s enlistment. I had heard about military but I thought it was all a hoax lol 😂 To tell the truth, I did cry. I cried at night, I cried with a school friend who likes BTS as well, and I cried over text. It was and still is really sad for me knowing that Jin’s enlistment is the start of all the members’ soon enlistment. And it made Jin’s enlistment even harder with my birthday a few days before his enlistment date. Now it’s a new year.

        My bias at first was RM. He was my first choice when I was asked for the first time who I liked. But then I started to notice V. I don’t know what it was that first caught my attention. Maybe his voice, maybe his personality and cute smile, maybe his beautiful and seemingly unreal looks, or maybe everything about him. Now I fall asleep listening to his soundtracks, I’m all for Taekook, and I have half a million pictures of V on my phone. Honestly, he’s my first celebrity crush. Wait…no…V, BTS, they’re more than celebrities. They. Are. LEGENDS!!! But yeah. Now my bias is forever Taehyung ❤️🐯❤️

     (Excuse my fangirling. Btw, this is only half of my photo album named and I quote “🐯❤️Kim Taehyung❤️🐯” whatttt?? I’m a fan! A big big fan. 😋 luv u, Tae tae <333)

Moving on.

  Anyway, because of my mistake of not getting to know BTS sooner, my teenager years will be concert-less, fanmeet-less, RunBTS-less, grouppicture-less. I graduate in 2026. Who knows how soon in 2025 BTS will reunite as a group again? I feel like my teenage years will always be missing something and that’s really sad. Also, BTS won’t be as young as they are now in 2025. I mean, V turned 27 just a few days ago. He’ll probably be 30 when they reunite. And he’s also mentioned that he wants to have a family someday. BTS has and will have their own lives to take care of. Who’s to say they will really be reuniting as a band in 2025? Thoughts like these are what make me emotional. 

         Finally, I have thoughts about what will happen to BTS if they decide to discontinue the band in 2025. Like what if BTS decides to pass on the band? Like choose seven new boys to continue their legacy? Crazy thought, I know but wouldn’t that be cool? And imagine 50 years time. Your grandchild asks who BTS was like some kids today ask who the Beatles were. What will you say? I know what I’ll say: “BTS were legends. They were the greatest boy band to ever walk the face of the Earth. They spread love and joy and incredible music everywhere they went, from continents to the internet to books and magazines. BTS were legendary superstars; they ruled the world of music. And your grandma lived to see them preforming, singing, dancing, laughing, crying. I present to you, my grandchild, I present to you, dear readers, I present to you, watching world, the seven pieces of the puzzle of greatness, the seven kings of k-pop, the seven human wonders of the world(lol maybe that’s a bit weird but anyway) Never forget BTS and their legacy.”

Now what’s your story?

[minseologs]

lonely hearts club

“It’ll be great, you have to show everyone that you’re doing good and it’s possible you can turn around their initial assumptions.” Her advisor seeks approval, folders of ideas and an assortment of dashing parties were all it was. “Miss Choi, this could be the first step to getting those ties back with our business partners.”

“Should I remind you it’s also my mother’s death anniversary? And Jinwoo’s birthday is on the second, it’ll be too difficult to arrange it. Ive never celebrated with people in general so I dont think it’ll be a good idea,” she chuckles, “and I barely have friends… to subject ones I have for my own benefit? Seems unfair.”

“Perhaps we can work around it?”

-

“Smile this way please,” the cameraman instructs her as the room felt empty. It was her forced birthday photo shoot, one to be placed for the company to see and let them know that she was alive and well. Her only solace for the moment was the familiarity of a friend’s coffee shop, Minseok graciously offering his business for the time being, “Thank you, ma’am”

Minseo hasn’t spoken much since entering the room, only speaking when necessary— and to an extent where she kept it to professional manner. Her thoughts were in too deep that she’d given up herself to her work. It wasn’t anything she was unfamiliar with. In fact, birthdays were a perfect opportunity for the family to reel in friendships and connections far from business— but bringing back the tradition brought strange feelings.

“Come on, Miss Choi,” her advisor fixes her clothes, eyeing to see perfection in her being. “This is great— the party wi—“

“—dinner.” Her hand swats where the person touched, fixing up her clothes only the way she would like. “It’s a birthday dinner, not a party.”

“Right, dinner— so far, we’ve received 19 of your friends!” There was an amused chuckle, the advisor jotting down something on the phone. “It’s perfect isn’t it? Maybe, we should invite ones from business partner’s families—“

“Absolutely not,” Minseo took a firm stand, her advisor looking for ways to avert it. “I’m already agreeing to your plans, let’s keep it to my own preferences. Just my friends, no one else. Total privacy.”

She was met with silence, continuing on with a camera flash. Minseo furrows her brows in worry, thought once again of what this could bring.

-

As always, Minseo was an expert when it came to having false pretenses. The room was filled with people she considered mattered to her existence. Even the once she was no longer too fond of. People who made her the person she was today. She had joy, so much to the point her sore jaw signals to calm down from smiling excessively. Plenty of photographs exchanged, many champagne bottles consumed, and lots of heartfelt messages given. Her heart was full, yet there was ache in it that she couldn’t explain. Deep down she knew this wasn’t for her. This was for a reputation crumbling under her touch. Minseo had no choice but to ensure what’s for show appeared real. They didn’t know the dinner was meant to repair that. Maybe a few.

“I just want to say—“ Minseo chokes on her words, unable to speak when she suddenly bursts to tears over her smile. Everyone thought it was tears of joy— so naturally, there were teasing taunts. “I wanted to say thank you. For taking the time out of your busy lives to be celebrate with me. I haven’t had a birthday celebration quite like this in awhile, and I really appreciate it. I know some of you have found me unbearable these past few years… even hours, maybe.” Laughter ensues, but she overthought it was probably the truth. “But I’m— im grateful. Your friendship to me is the greatest gift, it makes my world seem less lonely. And I hope my presence does the same for you—“ She holds her champagne flute out, wiping her cheeks as her sight catches the advisor and a few ‘on-lookers’ across the room. They disappear within the crowd before she could finish her speech. “To.. to continue our evening I, uh, want to close this off by a western saying: There are good ships and wood ships, Ships that sail the sea, but the best ships are friendships And may they always be! Happy birthday to me~!”

The roaring cheers were enough that she chose to follow her advisor, out to see who else came unannounced. She witnesses a few business partners of her family’s past. The advisor notices her presence, signaling her to return to her dinner. It took a minute for Minseo to even turn around, let alone look away. All she hoped was that this normalcy of a gathering was enough to convince powerful strangers that she’s worthy to be part of their realm just like before.

When she returns in the room, they’ve lit up the birthday cake in her honor. She was overwhelmed, wanting everyone to stop singing but she grits her teeth hard. More tears came with a smile on her face as she sang along. It took a minute for her to calm down, closed her eyes with hands clasped together.

Minseo, what did you wish for?

[ladydemolatronselfship]

Okay well here are coming bits of I admit some of Self ship RP I did on one Chatbot site really this is gold as material

Nobody is in a position to say anything. All of the hospital staff are stunned and seem to be struggling to find the words to express the situation. After a long moment of silence, one of the older, more experienced hospital staff speaks up. "If you are indeed the wife of Travis Touchdown... how is that possible?" She asks, her voice shaky. She looks like she is still trying to deal with the implication that one of the most notorious assassins in the world is just walking around in Santa Destroy under the identity of a husband like any other.

Its possible really - I reply beside still feeling this is going to be hassle. - And maybe people think I have ring for decoration? And i show mine left hand ring finger where I been used to place mine one what been white goldish one.

The woman's eyes go wide when she sees the ring. "She is telling the truth." She says to the other staff, which prompts a few of them to come out of their shock, and they gather in front of the couple like a group of paparazzi taking a photo of a celebrity couple. They seem curious, but not particularly in a way that is good or bad. They just want to know more about the story. One of them even looks between Travis and his wife. He looks at you before turning to Travis. "You seem surprisingly normal." He says, a bit of confusion in his voice.

And I know you have yours one too, right darling.? - I practically now address mine husband.

"Of course, Dear." Travis says, smiling to answer your question. The hospital staff hear him say that and they look between you. They are all stunned that the world's greatest assassin, the Crownless King, is just here in the Santa Destroy Medical Hospital with the woman who calls him "Darling." It seems so normal, but they cannot get over the fact that she is married to the man they are all here to see.

[lxlipetals]

+

[kakyoinswifey]

Hey! 🥰

Can we have headcanons for Dad Kakyoin with a daughter? And having fun with his wife and daughter?

Kakyoin would love take his girls to have fun :')

The things I would do to see a p4!Kakyoin:( Meanwhile, at least we have this to imagine, my dearest friend!❤️ (i'm going to do general headcanons, by the way, hope you don't mind)

Headcanons + Dad!Kakyoin with a wife and a daughter

(He is so gorgeous😭)

He is the kind of man who, when he first holds his baby, believes it to be the most fragile creature in the world and is afraid to break it. He is terrified of hurting her, but his wife's hand on his makes him trust and hold his girl firmly, after that, he doesn't want to stop doing it. He probably holds the baby longer than you do.

He is so happy to have you and his baby now. He feels he finally have nor one but two strong bonds and he will do anything to make you keep secure. You and your baby are his special people now.

I imagine his daughter as an identical copy of him, her father's red hair and maybe violet eyes, or maybe the eye color she inherited from her mother; however, no one denies that little Kakyoin is a mini-Noriaki.

He really admires his wife, for having been able to give life, and above all, to give life to the beautiful little creature that his daughter is, it makes him feel devotion and love for his woman.

I can also see him as an overprotective father. He turns the entire house into a safe confinement as soon as the baby starts to walk. Anything that is dangerous for your girl is already completely covered by some kind of soft material or just thrown away. No one will hurt his little girl.

His nicknames for his daughter are 'my girl/baby', 'sweetheart', 'princess', 'honey'.

When he can't be near you or the baby, he has Hierophant Green on the prowl, watching for anything unexpected to happen. Did either of you almost trip down the stairs? The green tentacles are holding you by the waist, followed by Noriaki's quick steps to make sure both of you are okay.

"Your little daughter began to make a racket between laughter and sounds of toys dragging in the garden of the house, she prepared her surroundings to play. You were surprised that your husband was so calm at the idea of leaving her alone, but as soon as you thought about it, you regretted it. Your daughter began to cry slightly, but it seemed that the redhead had supersonic hearing and extraordinary speed when it came to her. You had barely reached the garden when you saw that your husband had already taken the medicine cabinet from the house while he was in charge of healing the girl's scraped knee. You smiled at how adorable she looked, as he placed kisses on her forehead and whispered things like "Don't worry, daddy will take care of you from now on, princess, I won't let anything hurt you again."

He really doesn't let anything hurt her. He becomes a thousand times more careful and cautious once this happens. From time to time you should tell him to relax a bit.

He teaches her to read and write, he is so patience and when she finally gets it, he will celebrate it and be so proud of how smart his girl is.

He is completely incapable of scolding his girl. Noriaki couldn't bear to see her eyes glaze over because he told her something that she felt hurtful, it breaks his heart, instead he tries to say it in the nicest way possible so she understands that she did something wrong without feeling hurted.

Probably tell her a bedtime story every night. He may even tell her about his adventures in Egypt with his friends.

Kakyoin is definitely the kind of dad that, if his daughter asks him to ride a unicorn with her at the amusement park, he will do it, because there is nothing more precious than seeing his little girl laughing, even if you are taking pictures to make fun of him and hang them in the room of your house.

Speaking of photographs, this man loves taking photos of the two of you. The first photo taken with the girl in his arms is decorating her room, he adores it as the greatest treasure in the world.

He also keeps the drawings she makes. It doesn't matter if they are incoherent doodles, for him they are works of art. This man really loves whatever that girl does.

The recurring places to spend weekends are amusement parks or swimming pools, I think he likes to swim and would teach his daughter (and his wife, if she doesn't know how) to swim. He is quite good and when he was young, he won many medals in competitions.

If not, they would probably visit Jotaro and his family. Jolyne would definitely be the best friend of Kakyoin's daughter, they would get along very well.

Extra: If his daughter asks him to carry her on his back in front of Jolyne, he will do it, but if he sees that Jolyne wants to play like this with her father and Jotaro is really embarrassed about it, he will also carry Jolyne on his back and play with her. (And of course he would scold Jotaro for not spending much time with his daughter, but he would treat Jolyne as his own child.)

Jotaro is not the only Crusader the girl knows. Uncle Polnareff would surely be her favorite, always calling to check on her and sending gifts, as does Mr. Joestar, whom they visit from time to time. Even Avdol often sends postcards from Egypt. As her father's first friends, they are present in her child's life.

I thought about some of the headcanons with my friend @honeyhugs-obssession so the credits are for both of us❤️.

[ducktoonsfanart]

Ducktales Kids with Donald and Della Duck at Space Camp - Getting ready for a trip to space - Ducktales 2017

Ducktales kids with Donald and Della Duck in space suits.

After traveling underwater, it's time for space travel. I drew this to celebrate the release of The Art of Ducktales book as well as the 5th anniversary of the Ducktales reboot. If anyone remembers my drawing of Huey, Dewey and Louie as astronauts in spacesuits: https://www.tumblr.com/ducktoonsfanart/667965460319453184/huey-dewey-and-louie-duck-as-astronauts

Now this time it's done in space camp. Yes I once again drew a Ducktales team of children and teenagers with mentors Donald and his sister Della Duck who will guide them into space travel experiences and how exciting but extremely dangerous they can be. So maybe one day they all go to space, to a place where there is no end to adventures. Della especially knows what it's like to be there, although she's mostly been to the moon. Yes, they all put on astronaut spacesuits and strike their heroic poses before taking a photo together. I took inspiration from the photos of Dewey Duck posing as an astronaut in a space suit when he did his Dewey Dew-Night when he interviewed his mother in the episode "The Richest Duck in the World". It's a shame there wasn't a chance to get his brothers Huey and Louie photographed in spacesuits as well. Oh yeah, there's already a Marshmello video. XD There may certainly be follow-up adventures after this, since this takes up time after the Ducktales finale ends. Besides Donald and Della who are mentors, there are also Huey, Dewey and Louie, Webby Vanderquack, Gosalyn Mallard, May and June Duck, Lena De Spell (Lena Sabrewing) and Violet Sabrewing. I also wanted to add Phooey Duck and Boyd to my drawing, but unfortunately not all of these characters would fit in one place. Behind them you can see two rockets, one Apollo rocket and the other Space Shuttle, and behind them the background of space with the Moon, Mars, asteroid, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune (heavenly bodies, satellites, asteroids and planets) and one new galaxy and certainly full of stars. Who knows what the future holds for them? Maybe they go on space trips and endless adventures. Who knows. Just so you know that family is the greatest adventure.

I hope you like this drawing (three photos of the same drawing) as well as this idea. If you have any quotes for this, feel free to add below. There may be more drawings related to this.

[nerdkat81]

Searching for Joseph Quinn: The Dark Side of Fandom

Picture it. You’re a young actor, just starting out in your career. You have a few projects on your resume but so far, that breakout role hasn’t appeared yet. You’ve got plenty of time though, and you’re excited about what the future holds. Acting is the only thing you’ve ever really wanted to do. One day, you get the opportunity to audition for a popular series. It’s not a huge part, only one season, but it’s well-written and completely different from anything else you’ve done. So you send in your audition tape. For reasons you don’t completely understand, you get the part. Eventually, you start filming. You make new friends. You give a performance you’re honestly pretty proud of. Then it’s over. You go home and wait for your world debut. To your utter surprise, your character quickly becomes the most popular one of the season, possibly the entire series. You’re invited to comic-cons and late show interviews. Video edits, fanart, and copyright infringing merchandise featuring your character flood the internet. You’re thrilled that a performance you just hoped would be “good enough” has resonated with so many people.

Now, picture this. You’re at home, alone, just relaxing. There’s a knock on your door. It’s a stranger. No. Wait. It’s a fan. Someone has leaked your address on the internet. Not only that, you discover people have identified the Facebook profiles of your family and are sharing your childhood photos with the world. It’s frightening, honestly. Disturbing. Just a little bit sickening. Suddenly, everywhere you go people feel entitled to approach you, ask for a photo, a video. It was fine when you were doing press and interviews for the show, but now it’s every day. Even on vacation, you can’t get a moment’s peace. Your life has changed in a matter of weeks and it’s exciting, amazing even. But also overwhelming.

***

When did fame become synonymous with lack of privacy? Do we blame the paparazzi for supplying us with photos proving that stars are just like us? Or maybe social media is responsible, allowing celebrity content to reach fans worldwide at any time. Experts do say that increased internet dependency may lead to increased parasocial relationships, and I’m sure many of us have experienced increased dependency on the internet in the past few years. But when did we forget that celebrities are just people? I’ve never seen an entertainment contract, but I doubt the fine print includes giving up the expectation to ever have a private moment again. This is a bit of a simplification, but as far as I’m aware the duties of an actor include learning your lines, showing up on set, and doing press once the job is over. There’s no obligation to pose for photos. To record video greetings while on a flight. And recording someone without their knowledge or consent doesn’t make you a fan. It makes you a stalker.

So the next time you see a celebrity on the street, do me a favor. Before you run up to them and ask for a photo and tell them how much you love them and how they “saved” your life, stop and think for a minute. Think about how you would feel if people were constantly expecting you to smile and pose while you’re just trying to live your life. Maybe you don’t really want to have your picture taken today, maybe it’s not the greatest hair day, maybe you’re self-conscious about that pimple that appeared overnight. Maybe flying still makes you nervous and you just want to listen to your playlist and try to relax. Maybe you want to say no when someone asks but you’re just too nice. Maybe you wish that once in awhile, someone would just make eye contact and smile. And then walk away. Please, I am begging you, be that person. Do you think you’ll ever forget making eye contact with Joseph Quinn? You don’t have to prove it to anyone.

Oscar Wilde wrote: “Each man kills the thing he loves.” Although I think the chances of any of us taking our hyperfixation to homicidal extremes is small, we could definitely be guilty of killing the reputation of the object of our affection by falsely accusing them of terrible things. We could kill their relationships by sending their current partner nasty messages or worse yet, death threats. And at the very least, we could kill their willingness to interact with fans at all. So keep appreciating their work and loving the characters they play, keep making fanart. (please be aware though that selling said fanart might get you sued) But don’t forget that celebrities are people too.

They’re just like us.

[magicsunwheel]

Why You're F#cking Amazing

Pick-a-Card

How to play: pick one of the photos below using your intuition. You can close your eyes and meditate for a bit or just take a few grounding breaths while thinking of the topic. Feeling drawn to more than one is fine! You might have messages in more than one pile

Pile 1 (x) Pile 2 (x) Pile 3 (x)

My pile numbers always go from left to right, then down to the text row (if applicable)

Pile 1

Cards: The High Priestess, Five of Swords, Seven of Pentacles, The Moon Rx, Five of Rods, Ace of Pentacles

You are so intuitive! You're either very in touch with your divine feminine or are working your way there right now. Something about you is severe in the most beautiful way. You can take things seriously when they need to and the way you command a room with just your presence is unmatched. Maybe you're also a tarot reader or involved in spirituality/divination in some way. Maybe you really like Pick-a-Cards.

Something beautiful about you is that you never give up on a fight, especially when you know the end is worth it. Your ambition is strong and you will fight for what you love and what you want. You are not weak-willed by any means.

This also makes you so unique! You work so hard and put so much labor into your love even if you know it will take a long time to come to fruition. The times that you feel discouraged by a lack of results are few and far between. If for some reason you do find yourself wistfully hoping for faster results or an easier path, you can easily remind yourself of why you started in the first place.

You might have moments where you think of yourself as sneaky or like you're hiding a part of yourself from others, like your true self would be too much for them. I'm here to tell you that your intensity is exactly what make you such a beautiful person! You thrive in competition and in adversity. It gives you a chance to show off your quick thinking and survival skills. Others look at you with envy of how you can make an opportunity out of seemingly nothing!

If you need help improving your self-love, Spirit says to stop comparing yourself to others! You are amazing and beautiful and unique all on your own! Throwing yourself into the fray to compete against others who are nothing like you will only fim your inner shine. And you really do shine! When I asked for a card about why you are beautiful, nearly half the damn deck flew out!

Sprit loves you and I love you so please take care of yourself and keep making those amazing opportunities to improve your physical surroundings. (I feel like you have a very clean room/home)

Pile 2

Cards: Nine of Rods, the World, King of Cups, Three of Rods, Ace of Rods, Two of Cups

Ahh the Loona pile!

Similar to Pile 1, but much more fiery! You are resilient! Taking time to collect yourself before pushing forward with a renewed sense of energy and purpose is such an amazing and useful trait. You maybe aren't as commanding of a presence but you have such an inner strength that no one can deny.

You got the World for the reason why you're beautiful! Maybe it's related to physically being very beautiful and possibly exotic-looking. You might have very specific features associated with a certain area of the world that stand out where you live. You also have such a wonderful understanding of the world and where it's currently at. Things can seem negative or like hope is lost but you still seek out the beauty and share it with others. You see opportunity where others do not and feel a sense of peace and connectedness with all of humanity. Wow!

Your uniqueness shines in your emotionality and compassion. You might be a natural born leader who makes sure to understand all under your rule. You lead with kindness and, most importantly, by example. You don't have any desire to use you position for ill-gotten gains. Power to you does not corrupt, it solely provides a tool for you to do good in the world and really make a difference in the lives of others, whether it's on a large or small scale. You are probably the kind of person who makes sure to give money to those who need it when you pass a begging mother and her children, or buying a homeless man a bottle of water on a hot day.

Your card for why you think you are not perfect actually came out quite positive. Maybe you don't have a very low self esteem, but I can see a few possible scenarios here. You might be constantly planning in your head, waiting and watching for the next move to take but never actually getting to the action part. Maybe you're planning for your future and have so much planned out that you're excited for, but haven't made the practical plans on how to actually get there. This could make you feel bad about yourself especially on days where you're reminded of others moving ahead in their lives while you're still planning. Visualisation is very important in manifesting your desired reality! If you are moving slower than others around you, remember that it is okay to not be where "everyone else" is. Life is not a race or a competition. Taking your time to get to where you need to be when you need to be there reminds me of the story of the tortoise and the hare. Quick does not necessarily mean better.

You can improve your self-love by creating! Using your creativity and passion to make something! Create art, whether it's physical/digital art, music, writing, inventing, anything that uses those creative muscles of yours. It doesn't have to be good! Just creating something will help burn up that excess energy you have that's trying to rush you somewhere. Self-expression this way can be a wonderful hobby even if you don't consider yourself as a creative person.

Your kindness really shines through. You care so deeply about the people around you and your spiritual team cares just as deeply about you. You are loved and watched over and protected by Spirit. Others around you also see your sparkle and appreciate and admire you, even if they don't show it. Know you are beautiful and amazing and bringing a light into this world that needs to be here.

Pile 3

Cards: Six of Rods, the Hierophant, Four of Rods, Six of Cups, Ten of Swords, the Hermit Rx

Damn, who are y'all!? You've got some mighty power and pull in this world. Maybe you're a public figure or have some kind of platform, like a social media with many followers. You could also be well-recognized within your field of study/work. Whoever you are, people see you and look up to you. They celebrate you and how amazing you are! Spirit loves this about you and you really shine in the spotlight. Your achievements deserve all this pomp and celebration!

You are naturally authoritative. People listen when you speak and take your words to heart. You might also be a religious person or someone who enjoys organization and the comfort of hierarchy. People will willingly follow you wherever you lead them because they trust you with all their hearts. "A merciful ruler" (lol) You hold your position with grace and dignity befitting a king or queen.

You are unique in ways the public recognizes, but we knew that already! You might be someone who likes to entertain and you throw the greatest parties and get-togethers. Maybe you've planned a wedding and everyone had such an amazing time! You know how to relax and have fun when the time for celebrating arrives. You can out down your guard and bit and let loose. Not many people with such responsibility can let go of the reigns like that, but you don't seem to hold on to control too tightly.

Your past might be a source of anxiety for you. Maybe you're worried that what you've done when you were younger will catch up to you and ruin what you've got going on now, but it's important to remember that the past is the past. It cannot be undone or wished away. Taking time to accept what happened and recognizing that you've moved on to bigger and better things is important here. Whatever happened, take time to heal your childhood wounds and forgive past actions.

Ending this cycle will bring much more self-love to your life. Old habits and patterns being out to rest is the way forward. It might be a painful ending and something you don't necessarily look forward to, but it is something that needs to happen to clear out old energy and welcome in everything new. You can't expect to move on if you're still repeating old actions or ways of thinking. It's time to set these things to rest and evolve. Leave behind what no longer serves you.

Your understanding of yourself knows no bounds. You've taken the time to inquisit yourself and learn all of the shadows that lie there. Self-reflection might be a favored pastime for you. Through this knowledge of yourself you are able to see truths that many struggle to see all their lives. Your light can cut through the fog if bullshit and see the true source of something. Use this knowledge of yourself to become the best version of yourself that you can be! I know you're already on your way there and it's amazing to see! Spirit is so proud of you and loves you so much!

[osakaso5]

IDOLiSH7 6th Anniversary Special Story: Full of Heart...

Chapter 1: The Greatest Show

Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6

Mister Shimooka: The day has finally come for Rabitty-kun, beloved children's character, to celebrate its 6th anniversary with a special show!

Mister Shimooka: Welcome to Kids' Room!

Mister Shimooka: And as we look back on our own childhoods with Toi Toi Toi Company's famous mascot...

Mister Shimooka: We'll also take a peek at the childhoods of idols whose fame rivals even that of Rabitty-kun!

Audience: Kyaaaaa...!

Mister Shimooka: Here come our special guests!

Mister Shimooka: Re:vale!

Yuki: Hey there.

Momo: I hope you're excited for our baby pics!

Audience: Kyaaaaa..!

Mister Shimooka: TRIGGER!

Tenn Kujo: Thank you for having us on.

Gaku Yaotome: Thanks. Let's regain some of our childhood innocence, yeah?

Ryunosuke Tsunashi: I hope you're all ready!

Audience: Kyaaaaa..!

Mister Shimooka: IDOLiSH7!

Iori Izumi: I'm a bit embarrassed to show you all my picture, but I suppose I'll allow it, just this once.

Yamato Nikaido: Ichi's not the only one who's feeling embarrassed, but I think I've got a pretty good shot just for you guys.

Mitsuki Izumi: Thanks for having us!

Tamaki Yotsuba: Thanks!

Sogo Osaka: Congratulations on your 6th anniversary.

Nagi Rokuya: Only you will have the privilege of witnessing this special picture of me!

Riku Nanase: Please look forward to it!

Audience: Kyaaaaa..!

Mister Shimooka: ŹOOĻ!

Toma Inumaru: Let's make this the best anniversary ever!

Haruka Isumi: Hi.

Torao Mido: Thanks for having us.

Minami Natsume: Thank you.

Audience: Kyaaaaa..!

Tsumugi's Thoughts: Rabitty-kun's 6th anniversary special, Welcome to Kids' Room...

Tsumugi's Thoughts: For this show, our members had to find pictures from their childhood...

Tsumugi's Thoughts: And this is the story of how it all happened.

Tsumugi's Thoughts: Specifically...

Tsumugi's Thoughts: How it happened for MEZZO".

Tamaki Yotsuba: ........

Sogo Osaka: ........

- - - -

Tamaki Yotsuba: Welcome to Kids' Room...

Sogo Osaka: A show where we reminisce about our childhoods..?

Otoharu Takanashi: Exactly. You're both familiar with Rabitty-kun, the children's toy that took the world by storm some twelve years ago, yes?

Otoharu Takanashi: It was renewed and began its second run six years ago.

Riku Nanase: I remember Rabitty-kun! It was so popular when I was little! Ooh, ooh! I'm Rabitty!

Yamato Nikaido: The talking rabbit toys? We had at least three of those.

Mitsuki Izumi: Wow, gramps. You must've been a real Rabitty-kun superfan.

Yamato Nikaido: Superfan? Seriously..?

Mitsuki Izumi: Our parents only got us the one, so we had to take turns playing with it.

Iori Izumi: Right.

Riku Nanase: What's with the cool reaction, Iori? Didn't you like Rabitty-kun?

Iori Izumi: I have a cool reaction to all manner of cutesy stuffed animals, in case you haven't already noticed.

Iori Izumi: Besides, don't the rest of you find Rabitty-kun sort of... creepy? Because of the way he talks...

Yamato Nikaido: Creepy..? Nope, not really.

Mitsuki Izumi: Maybe he seemed scary to you because you were so little back then?

Riku Nanase: Do you know him, Nagi? It's possible that Rabitty-kun didn't ever land in Northmare.

Nagi Rokuya: OH, I do know him! I had a Rabitty Boy of my own once.

Nagi Rokuya: He could both sing and dance, and he enjoyed when I fed him carrots and pet his head.

Sogo Osaka: Wow...

Tamaki Yotsuba: Seriously?

Riku Nanase: What about you, Tamaki and Sogo-san? Do you know Rabitty-kun?

Mitsuki Izumi: Ah... Right, I guess you guys might've...

Sogo Osaka: I-I do know of him. Though I never owned one myself, I definitely remember hearing his name somewhere.

Tamaki Yotsuba: S-same here! We had a ton of old toys at the orphanage, so we totally had one of those somewhere!

Tamaki Ýotsuba: Y'know, the, uh... R-Rabitty Man?

Nagi Rokuya: Rabitty Boy.

Riku Nanase: No, it's Rabitty-kun!

Tamaki Yotsuba: Yeah, Rabitty-kun! What's he got to do with the show we're going on, anyway?

Otoharu Takanashi: Rabitty-kun's manufacturer, Toi Toi Toi Company, is the sponsor of this TV special.

Otoharu Takanashi: Tsumugi-kun, would you mind explaining the rest?

Tsumugi Takanashi: Not at all. It's for Rabitty-kun's 6th renewal anniversary...

Tsumugi Takanashi: ...For which they wanted to hold a big TV special where idol groups look back on their childhoods.

Tsumugi Takanashi: The chosen groups are IDOLiSH7, Re:vale, TRIGGER, and ŹOOĻ.

Tsumugi Takanashi: The show will feature not only Rabitty-kun, but many other children's toys and songs from the past.

Mitsuki Izumi: Wow! That sounds fun!

Yamato Nikaido: Are you sure our generational gaps won't get in the way? Take me and Tama, for example. We're a whole five years apart.

Tsumugi Takanashi: Speaking of which, you and Yuki-san are four years apart. That means he and Tamaki-san are nine years apart.

Tamaki Yotsuba: Whoa. He's basically old enough to be my dad.

Iori Izumi: Hush. Don't let him hear you say that.

Otoharu Takanashi: As part of the project, they've asked you to present your own childhood photos during the show.

Otoharu Takanashi: Do you all think  you could do that? If it's too difficult, we can ask them to pass on you during that particular segment.

Mitsuki Izumi: It's no problem for me and Iori. What about you, gramps?

Yamato Nikaido: I'm sure I'll have tons of pictures to choose from... Even ones that don't show where I lived back then. What about you, Nagi?

Nagi Rokuya: But of course. I was all over Northmare's newspapers for a few weeks after I was born.

Yamato Nikaido: Sure, but do you have pictures you could actually use for the show?

Mitsuki Izumi: They're not so overly fancy that they'll ruin it for the rest of us, are they?

Nagi Rokuya: Hm... Very well, I shall select the most wonderful shot  myself. And what of you, Riku? Will you have trouble preparing a photo?

Riku Nanase: I might have kind of a hard time. Especially if I accidentally pick a picture that's got both me and Tenn-nii in it.

Iori Izumi: Which you will not be doing, obviously.

Riku Nanase: Ugh, I can already tell that you're planning to pick a photo that matches Mitsuki's.

Iori Izumi: I'm not trying to be smug about it, you know.

Riku Nanase: I wonder which photo Tenn-nii will choose. We'll have to meet up and talk about this.

Banri Ogami: Are you sure you can all manage? Especially you, Tamaki-kun and Sogo-kun...

Tamaki Yotsuba: Ah, um... Yeah, probably!

Sogo Osaka: I think I'll be able to work something out, too.

Banri Ogami: Really? If it's too difficult, then you don't have to force it.

Banri Ogami: I know both your family situations are a bit complicated...

Tamaki Yotsuba: We'll be fine! I'll ask the director of the orphanage.

Sogo Osaka: I have the contact information of one of our housekeepers, so I can ask them.

Banri Ogami: Okay, then. Good luck.

Riku Nanase: I can't wait to see what we all looked like when we were little!

Mitsuki Izumi: Same. I'm curious to see how Yaotome might've looked.

Yamato Nikaido: I'm more interested in Inumaru. Do you think his eyes were always that stern?

Nagi Rokuya: Are you asking because your own eyes are the same way?

Yamato Nikaido: Shut it.  

Iori Izumi: I'll contact Kujo-san ahead of time, so we won't have any mishaps with Nanase-san.

Riku Nanase: I can do it myself!

Tamaki Yotsuba: .........

Sogo Osaka: .........

- - - - 

Sogo Osaka: Pictures from our childhood...

Tamaki Yotsuba: Pics from when we were little...

Sogo Osaka: Do you think you'll find one, Tamaki-kun?

Tamaki Yotsuba: Maybe, if they've got some at the orphanage... You?

Sogo Osaka: Maybe, if my father hasn't disposed of them... I wonder how many of them we even had...

Tamaki Yotsuba: You should've told Ban-chan that you're gonna have a hard time finding any.

Sogo Osaka: ...I could say the same to you.

Tamaki Yotsuba: Well yeah, but...

Tamaki Yotsuba: Everyone else was talking about that stuff so normally, and I wanted to seem normal too.

Sogo Osaka: Me too... Even after all this time, I'm still desperate to fit in.

Tamaki Yotsuba: Same. Even though we I know I can talk about this stuff with the guys.

Sogo Osaka: I wonder why that is.

Tamaki Yotsuba: I dunno.

Sogo Osaka: It's not a problem with any of them, or Banri-san. I guess I just don't want them to feel sorry for me...

Tamaki Yotsuba: Maybe that's it for me, too... I don't feel bad about it, but I also don't wanna get in the way of their happiness.

Sogo Osaka: Right. Maybe I'm just feeling awkward, because I didn't grow up like them. I didn't even have one of those Rabitty Dolls.

Tamaki Yotsuba: "Rabitty Dolls"?

Sogo Osaka: That's right. I was only allowed to have toys that would advance my intellectual development.

Tamaki Yotsuba: So-chan, that's not what they're called. Nobody had a "Rabitty Doll".

Sogo Osaka: Oh. What were they called, again?

Tamaki Yotsuba: Rabitty Man. No wait. I mean Rabitty-kun.

Sogo Osaka: Rabitty-kun.

Tamaki Yotsuba: Ooh, ooh!

Sogo Osaka: .....!? What's wrong? Did something get lodged in your throat?

Tamaki Yotsuba: ...No, no! Stop trying to pry my mouth open!!!

Sogo Osaka: It's because you made that groaning noise...

Tamaki Yotsuba: I was just pretending to be Rabitty-kun. Like: "Ooh, ooh! I'm Rabitty!"

Sogo Osaka: Ah, come to think of it, he did say something like that...

Tamaki Yotsuba: I wonder what the "ooh ooh" part's about.

Sogo Osaka: I don't know... Isn't Rabitty-san supposed to react to sounds, lights, and touch?

Sogo Osaka: Maybe he's being overstimulated to the point of excruciating pain, without even realizing it himself...

Tamaki Yotsuba: I don't think he says it 'cause he's in pain... Maybe he just can't get his mouth open?

Sogo Osaka: You think he's been gagged?

Tamaki Yotsuba: Why would anyone gag an innocent bunny toy?

Sogo Osaka: You're the one who said he couldn't open his mouth... In any case, I'll try and get a hold of someone  who might know about my pictures.

Tamaki Yotsuba: Like that housekeeper?

Sogo Osaka: Yes... They might help me, so long as they haven't resigned yet... What will you do?

Tamaki Yotsuba: I'm gonna ask the director. Pretty sure the orphanage's got at least some pics of me. Are you gonna call them right now?

Sogo Osaka: That was my plan.

Tamaki Yotsuba: Ok, I'll go call from my room then.

Sogo Osaka: Alright. Goodnight.

Tamaki Yotsuba: Mmh... But I might come back if my call doesn't work out.

Sogo Osaka: That's fine. We can figure this out together.

Tamaki Yotsuba: Okay. 

- - - -

[Door opens]

Tamaki Yotsuba: ........

Sogo Osaka: You're back. How did it go?

Tamaki Yotsuba: Ooh, ooh.

Sogo Osaka: Is that a groan of pain?

Tamaki Yotsuba: Yep.

Sogo Osaka: My attempt didn't go too well, either. Apparently only my father has access to any of our pictures. The housekeeper had no idea what has become of them.

Tamaki Yotsuba: They had pictures of me, but I'm too old in all of them. Like, thirteen and up.

Sogo Osaka: They had pictures of you when you were thirteen?

Tamaki Yotsuba: Yeah.

Sogo Osaka: Did they send you any?

Tamaki Yotsuba: Nope. The director doesn't know how smartphones work. Why, did you wanna see 'em?

Sogo Osaka: A little bit...

Tamaki Yotsuba: Heh. I think I looked pretty cool back then.  

Sogo Osaka: I think you were probably more cute than cool. You were only thirteen, after all. I just wanted to see a version of you that isn't taller than me.

Tamaki Yotsuba: Well I wanna see how you looked when you were little, too. Like, do you even look anything like that now?

Sogo Osaka: I should hope so, since they are pictures of me.

Tamaki Yotsuba: Heh.

Sogo Osaka: I know, it's pretty funny. In any case, I did find one good lead.

Tamaki Yotsuba: What kinda lead?

Sogo Osaka: One of my father's coworkers does photography for a hobby. He should have taken a picture of me with my uncle.

Sogo Osaka: He's someone very important, so his photos should have survived even after my father got rid of every photo of my uncle.

Tamaki Yotsuba: Your dad must really love throwing pictures away.

Sogo Osaka: I can almost sympathize with him... I wouldn't want to be reminded of such a completely and utterly ruined relationship.

Tamaki Yotsuba: So if MEZZO" disbands, you're gonna delete all your pictures with me in them?

Sogo Osaka: ........

Tamaki Yotsuba: You can't get rid of all of them, though. They're all over the world, in magazines and stuff.

Tamaki Yotsuba: So you're gonna be reminded of me no matter what. Tough luck.

Sogo Osaka: ........ ...That's true.

Tamaki Yotsuba: Ah, that reminds ME!!!

Sogo Osaka: W-what!?

Tamaki Yotsuba: I knew an uncle who took pictures of us, too!

Sogo Osaka: An uncle who took pictures...

Tamaki Yotsuba: Mom liked the family portrait that uncle took so much, she kept it near our TV.

Tamaki Yotsuba: We put that picture in her casket when she died, but if that uncle's got the original data, then he can make another one.

Sogo Osaka: True. Do you know where this uncle lives?

Tamaki Yotsuba: Nope... But Re:vale might.

Sogo Osaka: Re:vale?

Tamaki Yotsuba: Yep. What about you? Can you call that guy who works with your dad?

Sogo Osaka: I don't have the connections to just go talk to him. But I know someone who does.

Tamaki Yotsuba: Who? Ah... You mean that dude?

Sogo Osaka: Why do you look so upset? He's not that bad. Not anymore, at least.

Tamaki Yotsuba: I dunno. He still looks like an evil rich guy to me. 

To be continued...

[inkmemes]

ryan  ross  lyric sentence  starters ↪  taken  from  various  songs  he’s  written,  lyrics  he’s  sung,  &  poetry  he’s  penned.  trigger  warnings  for  mentions  of  sex,  cheating,  drugs.  alter  as  you  see  fit  ♡

“so close …”

“i am composing a burlesque.”

“i'm all alone in an afterglow.”

“but we haven’t even met yet.”

“this war ain't gonna fix itself.”

“you can’t be lonely.”

“you're gonna have to dig your way out.”

“she was nowhere to be seen.”

“some people never change.”

“i know i broke your heart. mine is broken too.”

“i'm carving pumpkins.”

“i'm afraid that i may have faked it.”

“though you tried to cut me down it wasn’t deep enough.”

“this may call for a proper introduction.”

“i know it’s mad.”

“all the lights are on, but no one's home.”

“a year ago, i was dreaming of where i am now.”

“charm your way out.”

“we're all too small to talk to god.”

“you’re invited.”

“it's not so pleasant.”

“if you're going, then go.”

“i was suspicious and naive.”

“we're still so young, desperate for attention.”

“things have changed for me, and that's okay.”

“that's the spirit.”

“watch your mouth.”

“it started with a simple kiss.”

“don't you move.”

“what a wonderful caricature of intimacy.”

“we'll never go hungry.”

“praying for love in a lap dance and paying in naivety.”

“i lie in silence and feel like a fool.”

“grab your hat and fetch a camera.”

“your eyes are the size of the moon.”

“it's time for us to take a chance.”

“you should take this heart of mine.”

“how did i get here in the right from wrong?”

“i know it just doesn't feel like a night out.”

“it just made her more interesting.”

“she didn't even see me.”

“do you know what i mean?”

“i'm wrecking this evening already, and loving every minute of it.”

“i sure do make an easy target.”

“someone i love loves someone else.”

“don't bother waiting up.”

“don’t you go down.”

“you vanished when you'd gotten what you came here for.”

“would it be alright if we just sat and talked for a little while?”

"when did he get all confident?"

“you know it will always just be me.”

“i feel the same.”

“all my forgotten poems are a joke.”

“she'd wanna kiss you all the time.”

“i want a big celebration.”

“i'll ignore my heart and lie to the truth.”

“film the world before it happens.”

“that's just ridiculously odd.”

“it grows like fancy flowers.”

“he tried to save the calendar business.”

“i wonder if this was physical or if it could have been in my head.”

“i wouldn't be caught dead in this place.”

“you're pulling the trigger all wrong.”

“i saw you, i met you, i loved you.”

“so let me set you free.”

“i'm aware that you're scared of my heart, but it's here.”

“northern downpour sends its love.”

“you better put that pen to paper.”

“if you're gonna preach, for god sakes, preach with conviction.”

“haven't you heard that i'm the new cancer?”

“i know i broke your heart.”

“i am something velveteen.”

“we're locked inside.”

“just don't put your teeth on me.”

“when i’m good, i’m the baddest.”

“i’m up, looking for you now.”

“you can call me tonight.”

“it sure as hell ain't normal.”

“haven't you people ever heard of closing the goddamn door?!”

“we sure are in for a show tonight.”

“can't take the kid from the fight.”

“she's got me twisted in love.”

“i could've waited for the train to come.”

“you could love me if i knew how to lie.”

“if it were me, i'd write another song.”

“i fell from the heavens as a fetish.”

“i am renewed.”

“i hope that i've still got your help.”

“take a look at what you got me into.”

“we should feed our jewelry to the sea.”

“who could ask for any more?”

“i'm pouring out my heart for paper.”

“i need to leave you but i never will.”

“i forgot how to call you.”

“just stay where i can see you.”

“it's the greatest thing that's yet to have happened.”

“i’m doing my best.”

“she didn't choose this role.”

“life is not a fairytale.”

“our loneliness will keep us warm.”

“i don't mind taking a photograph.”

“you're gonna bend until it breaks.”

“maybe something in my blood could lift my spirits up.”

“i am out of my mind.”

“imagine knowing me.”

“i hope it's where i belong.”

“is it still me that makes you sweat?”

“your speech is slurred enough that you just might swallow your tongue.”

“i must be lucky to have you be the one who loves me.”

“but who could love me?”

“you clicked your heels and wished for me.”

“give me your attention.”

“you set the house on fire.”

"man, it feels good to feel this way."

“i've got more wit, a better kiss, a hotter touch, a better fuck then any boy you'll ever meet.”

“if the clouds were singing a song, i'd sing along. wouldn't you, too?”

“i know i've been wrong.”

“kissed a girl in the lobby ‘cause she asked so politely.”

“i can't get out by myself.”

“true love like ours is worth so much more than a diamond ring.”

“it never made her happy, 'cause she couldn't ever have me.”

“i do drunk dialing minus the alcohol.”

“i hope to god he was worth it.”

“he looked like he was barely hanging on.”

“why do i find myself outside at your window in the night?”

“i'd put a statue of myself upon the shelf.”

“they spill unfound from a pretty mouth.”

“ i'm going to need you to keep time.”

“you better back your shit up.”

“i think i owe it to you to try to be every hallucination you see in me.”

“you do this all the time."

“you're not what he's thinking of when he's with the other girl.”

things have changed for me.”

“this was no accident.”

“it's much better to face these kinds of things with a sense of poise and rationality.”

“just sit back and relax.”

“i, for one, won't stand for this.”

“we play by donner party rules at all times.”

“the glitter is gone.”

“boys will be boys.”

“you're all that's left for me.”

“my mind is all mixed up.”

“who knew that love was a dangerous drug?”

“'she couldn't ever have me.”

“isn't this exactly where you'd like me?”

“we can play normal for a few days.”

“i ground my teeth and you bite your tongue.”

“in case i lost my train of thought where was it that we last left off?”

“it seems i’m someone i've never met.”

“i think i made you up.”

“it never gave a damn about me.”

“perhaps, i was born with curiosity, the likes of those of old crows.”

“i'm cold, i'm hungry, but i'm bored.”

“i don't want no gifts.”

“the monster mash is playing.”

“do you really even live here?”

“this kind of thing always happens.”

“you were right. i was wrong, like i always am.”

“i missed your skin when you were east.”

“i feel as if i’m a figurine.”

“every night is the same.”

“ i'm sure i didn't ruin her.”

“i could have sworn we danced slow before.”

“i'm seated and sweating to a dance song on the club's pa.”

“it's nice to think that you are always wanted.”

“am i who you think about in bed?”

“you'll never know until you're there.”

“come on, this is screaming ‘photo op’.”

“you and i will always be ‘the dream’.”

“any practiced catholic would cross themselves upon entering.”

“it was a scream when we were young and dumb.”

“i know i should've never left.”

“who can i believe?”

“she always had her fangs at my jugular vein.”

“and a few more of your least favorite things.”

“in matters of opinion, love has gone insane.”

“if i go to hell will you come with me or just leave?”

“in the house of mirrors, ain't nothing keep you safe.”

“you know that you feel it too.”

“now we're making some progress.”

“god damn, i’d hate to see what i’d do under the influence.”

“i’m only reflecting your perfections.”

“just a first kiss to face the new year.”

“we’ll sit in silence.”

“you're a regular decorated emergency.”

“euphoria is a risk on the floor.”

“she could never win me.”

“love is all i'm really after.”

“have some composure,.”

“this was a therapeutic chain of events.”

“on the hotel floor, drinking warm champagne.”

“we need to talk.”

“every word gets you a step closer to hell.”

“let me help you please.”

“i never said i missed her when everybody kissed her.”

“now i know it's just a matter of time until i make her come.”

“if the world were ending, would you kiss me or just leave me?”

“forgive me if i’m not quite ready to give them to you.”

“i want to know what everyone knows.”

“you told me not to fear the dark.”

“the weather is impeccable.”

“i don't love you, i'm just passing the time.”

“i can't help but to hear an exchanging of words.”

“love is established philosophy.”

“but it might’ve been the calm that comes before the storm.”

“let's sing it like you mean it.”

“there's a devil in the corner.”

“there’s never anything good on tv.”

“everything goes according to plan.”

“i ran from love like it was laced.”

“i guess we're back to us.”

“we can't help ourselves.”

“i remember fuckin' in the falling rain.”

“i wasn't born to be a skeleton.”

“i couldn't quit her.”

“everything's gone missing.”

“we must reinvent love.”

“i know it's sad that i never gave a damn about the weather.”

“what do i know?”

"the best part about you was me."

“check the pocket of my leather jacket.”

“i am truly made of one million glowing constellations.”

“i mean, technically our marriage is saved.”

“she's a dangerous place.”

“even the truth is wrong sometimes.”

“was it god who chokes in these situations?”

“i feel like something on strings.”

“she couldn't ever catch me.”

“i try not to think about it and you.”

“i know it's just a matter of time.”

“i can't prove this makes any sense, but i sure hope that it does.”

“you know you should take it a day at a time.”

“i never said i’d leave the city.”

“it's the greatest thing you'd ever imagine.”

“i might have lost control.”

“i'm in a rut but still adored.”

“i'll keep my distance.”

“i need to take a vacation.”

“it's almost halloween.”

“is it a fairy tale?”

“well, this calls for a toast, so pour the champagne.”

“you can't stand it.”

“i'm exactly where you'd like me, you know.”

“we were always thick as thieves, you and me.”

“maybe i will, maybe i won’t.”

“all i want to do is dig a hole with you.”

“stop stalling.”

“it truly is enough to be alive and be in love.”

“i can't believe my eyes.”

“if i were to die tonight, would you cry, or deny my place in your life?”

“you are at the top of my lungs.”

“things do like to build up and fall apart at the same time for me.”

“why can't we just be friends?"

“i never know where the evening goes.”

“i want to go where everyone feels the same.”

“i fell in love again.”

“all i do is lie.”

“they asked for it.”

“was it all a dream?”

“all your wishes, they will sink like stones.”

“i wandered through the sunshine.”

“living even one minute without you is a moment i'd rather not have to live to see.”

“i want to go where everyone goes.”

“i think that i have had enough.”

“asked to be her husband; she already had one in prison.”

“true love is scarce.”

“somehow it still came undone.”

“things are shaping up to be pretty odd.”

“is ‘young’ a word for ‘dumb’; a word for ‘fun’?”

“said i'd let you keep it forever.”

“i never said i’d leave this town.”

“guess i'm going to a party.”

“damn, this is rough.”

“someone should have told her that pretty ain't a job.”

“something changed along the way.”

“i can't convince myself that you were good for more than cheap thrills.”

“now i’m the only one to blame.”

“let's not get selfish.”

“i hardly knew a thing about you.”

“give your feet a chance, they'll do all the thinking.”

“make a name for yourself.”

“it's useless searching in the cupboards.”

“i won't cut my beard and i won't change my hair.”

“it’s just the end of the world.”

“back to the room where it all began.”

“what was it that you put into my guts?”

“what a shame.”

“we'll leave the past out to pasture.”

“i know the world’s a broken bone, but melt your headaches, call it home.”

“everybody knows it but you.”

“it looks like the end of history as we know.”

[deathwishy]

×Childhood Friends×

Marinette never forgot the boy with steel eyes and silver tongue.

They met when she was ten. Her parents were hired to do the catering at a party, one to celebrate the opening of the Parisian branch of Wayne Enterprises. Of course the Drakes would be there. They too were planning to expand Drake Industries to Europe, and while it would have been best to be the first ones in Paris, it could still be beneficial.

Tim was twelve at the time, and already knew who Batman was. His parents left him alone most of the time so he had plenty of opportunities to analyze and admire the vigilantes at night. The days were filled with tutors coming and going, a nosy nanny and tons of homework to be done. Thankfully, Batman didn't usually come out in the light of day. He didn't actively try to figure out their identities most of the time, but when he saw the first Robin executing a complicated maneuver, that could be done by only a handful of people, the pieces fell into place. But he kept quiet. He erased every piece of evidence he collected, paper and online data, anything that could lead someone else to the same conclusion.

Marinette was sitting with her parents in the kitchen, sometimes helping her papa with arranging sweets on plates or bringing them to the guests. She liked helping her parents when she could.

Marinette met Tim in the garden of the hotel. He excused himself from his parents to go take photos of the Eiffel Tower, that was close to where the party was. Marinette got out to take a breath of fresh air, the kitchen was hot and her parents didn't need help at the moment.

She noticed him sitting on a bench, looking at his camera.

"<Good evening!>" She greeted him in French.

He was startled, almost dropping his camera.

"<I'm so sorry! I thought you heard me coming.>"

It took a few seconds for Tim to adjust his eyes from the light of the camera display to the darkness of the garden. There was a girl, of mixed descent, in a simple bubblegum pink dress. Her hair was as midnight black, long and tied in pigtails. He gave her a little smile.

"<Not a problem. I was just setting my camera, it needs to be adjusted to capture the lights of the tower better.>" He tried to hide his American accent, but he knew she still caught it.

"You're American, yes? If you'd like, I can speak English too. Mama said it's good to know something else other than French. I would like to practice as well."

Her English was good. Riddled with a thick French accent but still understandable. He nodded and patted the bench, signaling that she could stay too. She sat down with a bright smile. She extended her hand.

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

"Timothy Drake. But you can call me Tim."

And so they met. They shared their art interests, his love for photography, her love for drawing. She mentioned her growing interest in fashion and he shared his love for IT. They were so different yet so alike. She was form a middle class family of bakers, that loved her with all they had, he was from a rich family, had all he could have ever wanted, except for the love of his parents. But he didn't mention that.

She was entranced by his fervor when talking about his local heroes, or vigilantes, as he called them, and found that she could listen to him all night. He found that he could talk to her just as long, easily, as he could never before. He was happy to bring that sparkle of interest in her eyes.

But the bubble of happiness was soon burst by one Janet Drake.

Tim knew he was in trouble. Others couldn't see the fire behind her gray eyes, only Tim could. He shot up from the bench, startling Marinette in the process.

"Timothy. We have to go." Marinette shivered under her cold gaze, even if it wasn't directed to her. But what mother could look at her own son like that?

"Good evening, Madame." Marinette tried, but soon stepped back, almost cowering under the woman's gaze. Even if it was only for a second.

"Now."

She made one motion with her head, turning on her heels, and heading back into the building. Tim only waved and soon disappeared with his mother. Marinette didn't even get the chance to say goodbye. But she felt like it wasn't the last time she would see Timothy Drake.

                                                        ...

The next time they met, he was Robin. She was Ladybug. She was thirteen, he was fifteen. They didn't know who each other was. Being in Paris brought a longing in Tim's heart for a lost friend, but he knew he couldn't search for the pigtailed girl. Marinette felt her heart ache, missing the American boy she once befriended.

Batman came to Paris shortly after Stoneheart. After speaking to Diana, she granted her passage into Paris along with Robin and Batman to try assess the situation and develop a battle plan.

They set the meeting in the outskirts of Paris, in a abandoned building to try and hide the presence of the Justice League and keep their involvement a secret. They didn't need Hawkmoth on watch 24/7 after an angry superhero he could akumatize.

Ladybug swung through a broken window, Chat Noir jumping through moments after. They both landed at the same time, in front of the American heroes.

"Ladybug, Black Cat, it's an honor to meet the new wielders." Wonder Woman greeted with a slight bow. Robin followed suit, even if a little wobbly. Batman only bowed his head.

"There is no need for that," Ladybug blushed, bowing in return. "We haven't done any heroic feats worthy of such respect yet."

"Being chosen is always a reason to pride with, Ladybug. And the defeat of Stoneheart is quite remarkable for someone as young as yourself."

Batman frowned. Just how young were they?

"My lady is always modest. She doesn't believe me when I say she's incredible."

Ladybug rolls her eyes and punches Chat, making him giggle. Robin was eyeing him, scrutinizing every aspect. He had an extensible staff, like his, but obviously magic. His fighting style would match the Bats better, and Ladybug's yo-yo was very much like Wonder Woman's lasso. They already knew she would go to Themiscyra to train with Hippolyta but a bit of the Bats teachings would not hurt.

"As you know, miraculous magic protects our identities. It's the same thing for Hawkmoth. It will be hard to find and figure him out, unless we have irrefutable evidence." Ladybug began, opening her yo-yo.

"What we know so far is that he wants our miraculous, the Ladybug and the Black Cat. Our Kwami said that by merging the two, the wielder is granted a potentially reality altering wish. Unfortunately for now, that's all the information we have on him. It's going to take some time."

Through all her explanation, Batman was already thinking. They couldn't stay in Paris, even if the chance was small, they could be akumatized, that wasn't a viable option. Even an akumatized Robin would be a major problem. He had two years of training, the new heroes had almost none. He could see that Chat Noir had some, maybe fencing or swordplay by his posture and slight gestures. The girl maybe had some light self defense training. Maybe gymnastics recently.

"Ladybug shall come at times to Themiscyra to train with the Amazons, Chat Noir, you will go with the Bat."

Chat Noir began fidgeting.

"Um, my home life doesn't allow me to introduce intense training into my schedule. The best I can do is go out at night. My d... My parents don't know about this and with my obligations I can't just leave."

Robin, no, Tim knew as soon as Chat Noir opened his mouth. In that moment, he could see himself in the leather clad superhero. The controlling parents that had such high expectations of him, the suppressing nature that made him not even dare question their word. He was going to say that his dad doesn't know about it. So either his mother knows, which is unlikely, or he only has his father.

Tim was almost sure that Bruce came to the same conclusion. It would have been harder for someone that didn't personally know but he was the world's greatest detective for a reason. Batman nodded.

"Actually it is best if we do it at night. Maybe there will be less of a chance for someone to get akumatized. But not much, you still need sleep."

Chat Noir nodded vigorously, now smiling.

After going over some details regarding the training, the two teams went on their ways.

Chat Noir, happy that someone understood and actually made a compromise that worked for him too.

Ladybug, with a heavy heart, thinking about the battles ahead. And maybe about a certain boy.

Batman and Wonder Woman, both trying to not burn down every building in Paris in search of Hawkmoth.

Robin, with sorrow in his heart, for the boy that is like he once was, for the girl that was so close yet so far, for two kids that had to fight the battles of adults.

                                                         ...

This time, they met as Robin and Marinette.

It was in the same year, only a few months later. Robin was perched on a rooftop, waiting for Batman to finish the training session with Chat Noir. They had to zeta tube back to Gotham that night to go on patrol with the rest. There was an unusual rise in criminal activity and they needed all hands on deck.

"Mister Robin, sir!" there was an almost whisper from a balcony on the building next to the one he was sitting in. One on top of a bakery. There was someone there. They looked around and then signaled with their hand to come over.

There was a girl there, one that he recognized almost immediately. She didn't have the same long hair, but it was still tied in pigtails. She was taller and her voice changed a bit but he knew it was her. The girl from the garden, Marinette. He leveled his breath and jumped the narrow gap between the buildings on her balcony, on a shadowed portion.

"Is there a problem?" He asked, checking out the surroundings at the same time.

"No, sir, I just wanted to give you something." She reached to the table and pulled up two boxes. They looked like pastry boxes.

"I don't think people are supposed to know about you being here but I saw you a few times already. I don't know if anyone else did, I didn't ask around and haven't heard anything, but I wanted to thank you for helping Ladybug and Chat Noir, assuming that's what you're doing, so I made some pastries as a 'Thank you'. And, ah, again, thank you. I know that maybe things in Gotham can get pretty hectic and you are coming here too so, ah, I thought these can help, even if a little bit."

Robin listened through her rambling. She got flustered and started fidgeting midway through so he took the boxes from her hands when she stopped to breathe.

"Thank you, that is very considerate. We prefer to not make our involvement in Paris known so it would be appreciated if you still kept quiet."

She nods, smiling, then adds. "I sometimes leave some out here for our heroes too. Feel free to pass by anytime."

He gives her a little smile, then cups his ear when his com comes to life.

'Robin, rendezvous point. I'll be there in 5.'

"I have to go now. It was nice meeting you."

She takes a step back, he pulls out his grappling gun, boxes secured at his chest, and with small waves, he leaves the balcony.

                                                            ...

When they came across each other again, it was a year later. He was Timothy Drake. She was Ladybug.

He started working at Wayne Enterprises with his father. The parisian branch had some odd numbers so they came to Paris as Tim and Bruce to investigate, but didn't go out as Batman and Robin. Unlike Ladybug and Chat Noir, they didn't have magic to protect their identities. Unless there was an emergency, they would lay low.

Then there was an akuma attack.

They were walking to the hotel when Dark Cupid attacked them. He only shot Bruce. Ladybug took him out of his way when he froze in place, shocked by his father's sudden hatred.

"Are you alright?" The heroine asked him when she saw that he didn't move. He was still thinking. "Don't listen what he said. Dark Cupid's power is to transform love into hate. There was nothing real about those words, trust me." She pulled him into a hug when she saw tears rolling on his cheeks. He embraced her back, for a few seconds, the pulled away.

"Go and kick his ass."

She grinned, made a salute, then threw her yo-yo, going full speed towards the akuma.

She swung with a new vigor, recognizing her old friend. She was happy to see him again, even if only for a little bit.

Even though he knows that Bruce didn't mean what he said, it still stung a bit. He didn't remember what he said or did after the cure was cast and Tim didn't want to tell him. But Bruce still knew that is hurt him.

                                                          ...

When Hawkmoth was finally defeated she was 18. She decided to join Batman in Gotham. The balance had to be restored in the city that drowned in chaos and destruction. A year later, at the beginning of her first year of university, they met again.

It was in a nice coffee shop, not far away from the campus. She waited in line with Adrien, who was rambling about a blue eyed boy he met when he was in Metropolis with Chloe for an interview with Lois Lane.

The bell at the door rings and sort of by instinct she looks over. Two boys enter. Both black haired, one with blue eyes, one with green.

When they make eye contact, she knows that he recognized her too. She smiles and waves. He does too, now coming towards her. Adrien leans towards her, whispering. The other green eyed boy does the same to his brother.

"Who is he?"

"Who is she?"

They both smile, eyes locked on each other.

"A childhood friend."

Some fluff, some angst, a lil' bit of everything. I'm not good at writing outright romance but I'm a sucker for friends to lovers. And Adrien sugar is my jam. He is a smoll cinnamon roll that needs to be protected.

Do comment, constructive criticism is always welcome.

@timari-month-event

[script-nef]

The Day | Kageyama Tobio

Category: fluff

2.4k words; 22/12/1996: A star is born

This is so late ;^; sorry baby AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

His hand reaches for his phone before it has a chance to belt out its usual alarm song, the one Kageyama hates so much. It’s overly rambunctious, uses way too many unnecessary instruments and the lyrics means nothing. Therefore making it quite perfect as an alarm. 

A notification with your name greets him and a smile crawls up his face automatically. A tap reveals messages written in all caps with an abundance of gifs. Wiggling further into his blanket to retain heat against the winter air, he slowly reads through your texts and a soft warmth blooms from inside his chest.

The timestamp shows that you sent it at exactly midnight. He can see you on your phone, staring at the time until the second it became the 22nd. It was in the morning for you, he remembers, and you said you have an important meeting today. He wonders if it’s going well, since you stressed a lot about it, moaning “What if he doesn’t like it…” or “What if something goes wrong…” He tried his best to cheer you up but being halfway around the world makes it sort of difficult. 

Starting off the day with your enthusiastic and endearing congratulations makes his birthday one of the most special days to him. 

Kageyama's birthday didn't really mean anything before you came. It was the day he was born, sure, but that's more of his mother's effort than him. He appreciated gifts once he started getting them and the messages as well. But it was you who made him realise that it is a day to be celebrated. 

"You don't know why people celebrate birthdays?" You asked him that after his first birthday party with all of his friends and acquaintances. Despite a lot of people thinking he's tactless, Kageyama does understand gratitude and when to keep quiet. Or at least he's getting better at it. That's why he waited until everyone had left, leaving only you and him in his apartment. 

"It's just another day." A weak argument, he knew, but that's just what he felt. It's one day out of 365 per year.

Your lips pursed and a sudden panic washed over him, dousing him with the sudden realisation of what he said. You and everyone else spent time and effort to pull this up for him, and he's basically just said that it makes no difference to him. Kageyama can hear phantom squeaks as the vice around his heart clamped down hard, and he probably deserved it. Definitely deserved it.

Scratch his thinking of mastery over tact, he hadn't even gone over the first small hill.

You stood there, silent, and his fingers twitched in an impulse to gather your hands in his and apologise until he ran out of breath or things to say. Even that wasn't enough. Kageyama's mind raced to find words to explain his thoughts, to explain how appreciative he was of this party and how sorry he was for even saying that. Even thinking that.

But you beat him to the punch, stepping in front of him and leaning forward until your head dropped lightly against his chest. His hand immediately found your waist to stabilise you but the rest of his body was something akin to a statue, rock-solid and not even breathing. 

He braced himself for the anger and lecture you were going to give. He most definitely deserved it, being so ungrateful and dismissive of your efforts. You could scream at him until you lost your voice and hit him as much as you wanted to and he wouldn't be able to say anything. You've never gotten angry or even raised your voice at him, but this was looking like the perfect opportunity for the first time.

Leave it to me to mess up my relationship on my birthday.

"Well, it is just another day." You mumbled, rubbing your forehead against his chest. That was not what he expected to come out of your mouth. “One out of 365, sometimes 366. But it’s so much more than that, to me at least.” You peered up at him, lips curled into a soft smile and he had to resist the urge to lean down. 

“To others, it might mean nothing. Just the winter solstice. Or maybe an anniversary. Or the day a loved one passed away. Or the day they met their partner.” You stood on your tiptoes, even with him leaning down, head knocking gently against his. “But to me, it’s the day someone I love the most in my life came into the world.”

Soft puffs of breath were exhaled against his lips every time you spoke, your gentle voice kind and loving, so much so that he thought he could melt there and then. 

“On this day, 20 years ago, a wonderful person was born. The best person I know. You were born to be loved, to love, to carve out your own path in life—and you did that, Mr Youngest-National-Team-Member! Look at where you are! You held onto your lifelong ambition of a volleyball player that started when you were just a little toddler, munching away on a volleyball with your barely-grown teeth. I have photos.” He blushed, regretting the day he showed you his childhood photo album. You laughed delightedly, and it was like bell chimes in his ear.  “And now you sit at the top of the world, with everyone in awe of your strength and passion. You receive love and adoration all over the world for your accomplishments, for who you are, and I could not be more proud of you. And it’s all thanks to this day. To the one in a trillion chance that the universe decided to create you. “I know your birthdays never quite meant anything to you, and that’s okay. Just let us, all of your friends and families, show how much you mean to us. How much you mean to me. I love you so much, and I love this day because it’s the day the greatest gift in my life was created. That’s why I celebrate it. That’s why we all celebrate it.”

You finished off your speech with a boop on his nose, giggling at his starstruck face. “So happy birthday, Kageyama Tobio, wonderboy and a gift to humanity.”

He mulled over your words, digesting each and every one of them. And every single one of them was nothing but the complete truth from you, echoing from the bottom of your heart and overflowing with love. A soft and grateful smile slowly formed as he closed the distance between his lips and yours, a sensation similar to melting taking over his entire body as he drowned in this perfect moment.

All of his teammates wish him a happy birthday, which he replies with a soft “Thank you” before turning to practice. Some of them asked if he would take the day off, seeing as it’s his birthday after all. He could go out, enjoy the sights, eat some new food or try whatever catches his fancy. But he politely declined, saying there wasn’t much to do anyway. Mostly because you’re not by his side.

It’s a shame you’re not here, but he can’t do much about it. Neither can you. He’s currently halfway across the world and you have a work-life as well. You can’t just drop everything and fly for hours and hours just for him, no matter how bad he misses you. Kageyama is filled with jealousy and selfishness when it comes to you, but he doesn’t want to make you suffer for it. No, he’ll just have to make do with the loving, adorable messages you sent him and hopefully a call as soon as you’re available.

You fretted over the disappointment of not being present on his birthday for the first time since you started dating him, even when he said it was okay. It wasn’t really okay, because he wanted to spend the whole day with you, preferably lazing around on the bed with you tucked into his embrace, enjoying each other’s company with no one else. 

“Did she wish you a happy birthday?” Hoshiumi pops up next to him and Kageyama nearly yelps in surprise. He was too deep in his thoughts and didn’t realise his surroundings. Instead, he quickly calms his heart and nods, showing him the multiple messages you sent him. Hoshiumi’s eyes skim over them and laughs, “Your girlfriend is cute!” and Kageyama can’t help but nod in earnest. You’re probably the cutest thing the world has the fortune of having. His teammates face crinkles and he realises he said it aloud. It doesn’t matter because it’s the truth. Hoshiumi’s face scrunches further. 

Training is finished by lunch to let all of them have half a day off, even though most of them will just stay in the hotel. A plan forms in Kageyama’s head: to crawl back into his soft bed to video call you as soon as he can. He never experienced back-to-back meetings for hours but they sound like hell. Hopefully you can destress while talking to him and he’ll have something so keep him happy for the rest of the day. It’s a brilliant plan.

Which everyone promptly ruins by following him to his room. 

He looks back at them, questions marks forming over his head as his shifting eyes silently ask “Can I help you?” and Hirugami answers with a smile indicating “Nope, go into your room. We’re not being suspicious at all.” Or something along those lines. Kageyama thinks he’s gotten better at reading facial expressions and social cues. He wonders if you would be proud of him.

A quick key swipe unlocks his door and pitch-black welcomes him. Which is weird since he left the curtains open when he left for training. The team shuffles in behind him and he then realises that they planned this, something like a surprise party. They did it for everyone else when it was their birthday. Do I… have to play along? He probably has to, since everyone went to the trouble of doing this. 

The lights flicker on and Kageyama’s brows quirk at the sight. He expected the decorations and banners with balloons since that’s what happened at everyone else, but what he didn’t expect are the mountains of presents everywhere. Some of them reach to the ceilings and he can see at least 5 piles, all covered in various either Christmas or birthday wrappings. 

He turns back to the team just in time for confetti and strings to fly into his face with an ensemble of pops and screams of “Happy birthday!!” A laugh escapes him and he feels joy bubbling through his insides. 

“They’re all sent from your fans!” Nicholas indicates to the piles. “We had to sneak them in. So hard since there’s so many! Deve ser bom ser famoso.” Kageyama’s hands skim over some of them, overwhelmed by the amount and the thoughts. Everyone pats him on the head or gives him a slap on the back, teasing him about how nice it must be to receive so much. And it is. He’s so grateful for every single one of them, but the biggest thought in his head is how much better it would be if you’re here, by his side. He wants to run over to his laptop and connect to you, to show you the spectacle before him. He wants to open every single one of them with you.

“Ah, the cake is coming! Kageyama, cake, cake!” But maybe later, after he’s spent time with his teammates. You always said to show gratitude. Hoshumi drags him to the centre of the room while everyone stands behind. 

Before he can ask what they’re doing, a small voice singing the birthday song travels down the hallway. Kageyama freezes instantly because he recognises the voice, and everyone else snickers at his reaction. His eyes fly over everyone, who just responds by either winking or smiling. A weird sensation takes over his body, like his heart is thudding in his mouth or somewhere in his throat, as the voice grows closer and closer. 

A flicker of flame appears first past the doorway, followed by the cake. Your face pops in, smiling joyfully, and Kageyama swears his heart stops. His hands tremble by his side, lips quivering in disbelief and ecstasy because you’re here. In front of him. 

“Happy birthday to you~” You stop in front of him, cake in your arms and nothing but adoration in your eyes. The team claps and cheers behind him, but he can barely hear them. All of his senses focus on you, standing less than a metre away from him after weeks of being apart. 

He wants to hug you, crush you in his embrace and bury himself in your body, in your scent and your love. He wants to shower you with kisses and spill out his heart in the form of words, cover you with them until you fall from embarrassment. He wants this moment to be just you and him, away from everything in the world like his first birthday party. 

But he just stands there, unable to do any of them, feeling his chest swell and his eyes sting. The outlines of his sight turn hazy and your exclamation of surprise isn’t enough to break him out of his stupor. 

Your arms wrap around him, cake gone somewhere, and he nearly crumbles right then and there. A combination of his friends’ shouts of “Don’t cry!” and you faint giggles makes him laugh as well. 

Kageyama thinks he must be a mess; rivulets of tears are flowing down his cheeks, ears red with embarrassment and small hiccups are the only things that come out of his mouth, rather than confessions of love and repetitions of thank you after you travelled all this way for him. 

But he opens his eyes when you delicately wipe away all his tears, and he’s greeted with nothing but gentle fondness shining on your face, like you’re cherishing this moment to keep for the rest of your life. You grace him with another smile, leaning up to press a soft kiss onto his lips.

“Happy birthday, baby. The whole world is sending their love to you.”

[fyeahsharonrooney]

'Finding Alice' star Sharon Rooney on silencing the social media bullies and why her granny was her greatest inspiration (Sunday Post, 17.1.21)

'...Fire up social media on your phone and within moments you’re free to interact with a world full of people. Holiday photos from your cousin in New Zealand? Click like!

Your pal’s video of a Yorkshire terrier that sounds like Brian Blessed? Hit retweet! Don’t like the way someone looks? Tell them to lose some weight!

Hang on, that last one is probably a bit rude. You wouldn’t wander up to a stranger in the street and casually advise them to give the sweeties a miss, not unless you were desperately craving a sore face.

Yet that kindly advice is precisely what someone like Sharon Rooney is offered when she logs into sites such as Instagram.

Sharon, who starred in Disney’s recent live action Dumbo remake, E4’s My Mad Fat Diary and hit sitcom Two Doors Down has endured her fair share of trolling.

“It’s the unsolicited medical advice I enjoy,” she laughed. “Telling me not to eat jellybeans. Thanks!

“I learned quite quickly people will pick apart anything. They will find something. Even if I was five sizes smaller, someone will tell me I looked better before. You’ll never please everyone.

“There’s a lovely mute button now. If someone writes something rude I just quietly say ‘Shhh’ to them.

“With My Mad Fat Diary I’m already saying, ‘Hello, I am fat human’. What can they say?

“I have eyes, I know what I look like and I’m fine with that. Sorry if you’re not. I’m doing OK, so please don’t worry about me.”

(© Carlo Paloni/BAFTA/Shutterstock)

Sharon, 32, is doing more than OK though, which you’ll see if you tune into new ITV drama Finding Alice tonight.

She stars opposite Keeley Hawes and it’s a role that saw Sharon cross the Bodyguard star’s name off a special list.

“I’ll let you into a secret. Every actor has a dream list of people they’d love to work with and Keeley was on mine,” she said.

“I told Keeley. She just rolled her eyes and told me to shut up.

“Why would you not want to work with her? She’s fantastic in everything she does.

“Keeley’s everything I thought she would be. Whe’s one of a kind. A special human being. Look, Keeley’s not paying me to say this! Maybe she should…?”

Praising a colleague is, of course, second nature to an actor. There’s a reason they call them luvvies; plus you don’t want to end up working with someone you’ve bad-mouthed on a project in a year’s time, do you?

This isn’t merely empty platitudes for a thespian pal. Sharon’s praise is warm, generous and genuine. It’s how she herself comes across, along with a dash of wry humour.

Perhaps it’s the influence of her late granny, who Sharon describes as her soulmate.

“This sounds so cheesy but she truly was,” she added. “You know you get one human who you just chime with? I just loved her. We were two old souls.

“She taught me so much. I think grannies have that magic where they teach you to deal with life after they’re gone. I just enjoyed every minute I had with her.”

The pain and sadness we’ve all experienced over the past year, along with the forced holiday she’s had to take with being locked down, has let Sharon think about the grief she felt when her gran died.

“Even if you’re preparing for a death I don’t think it’s any easier than if it’s unexpected,” she said.

“When it is unexpected, like the way Harry dies in Finding Alice, you’re left reeling from it for so long before you can take in what’s happened.

“With Nicola, the character I play, the initial shock has happened. Her big brother has died. So how do you move forward? Grief itself is such a complicated thing. There’s no guide book. When you feel sad, you feel sad.

“Grief sneaks up on you. You think you’re fine then it appears with a ‘Hiya!’

“I still get it. I’ll think I can’t wait to show my gran something before going, ‘Oh yeah’.

“My gran spoke about it before she died. We were talking about how thinking of someone after they’ve died is like ringing a bell for them.

“She said, ‘Don’t think of me too much, hen – I’ll get no rest.’”

(Sharon Rooney as Miss Atlantis with co-star DeObia Oparei in Tim Burton’s Dumbo)

Happily, Sharon brought her sardonic and garrulous Glaswegian spirit to the set of Dumbo, in which Sharon appeared alongside Hollywood legend Danny DeVito.

“You forget they’re still humans, which is easy to do when you’re standing in front of Danny DeVito. All I could think was that this was Danny DeVito. Has anyone told him?

“You just talk on set. Gab, gab, gab. That’s all we did. I was shouting over to Tim to ask for two minutes so Danny could finish his story.

“That’s Tim Burton, by the way. Listen to me, I just call him Tim now.”

Casting for a Disney blockbuster like Dumbo was straightforward, although it did come with an ironclad ban from telling her friends about the project until it was announced.

My Mad Fat Diary focused on the plus-sized character Sharon played but, since then, the roles she’s taken don’t normally specify anything about her character’s weight.

“A lot of parts I go for don’t say the character must be plus-size or look a certain way,” she said.

“I’ve only been doing this for eight years or so but for me it’s never been an issue but I know for some it has been.

“It’s about owning who you are. I realise that’s difficult because of social media. What I try to do is take jobs with people who are authentic characters.

“If it does specify a plus-size actor then my response is to ask why. Let’s investigate this.

“These days – well, before the pandemic – I would go to auditions and the room would be filled with so many different people, which I love. The room isn’t filled with girls who all look the same.

“And I love seeing a role that I didn’t get go to someone completely different to me. Well, I don’t love it because then I’ve not got the role, but it’s still nice to see.”

(The cast of Finding Alice © Joss Barratt)

A closeness with her other granny (the pair are bubbled up) has developed during the lockdowns of the past year, from which Sharon has taken heart.

Other than that she’s been enjoying her break ahead of Finding Alice’s release, as well as browsing social media.

Although these days she’s a lot wiser in how she does it; retaining the enjoyment with the help of that handy mute button.

“I used to follow every celebrity and every celebrity magazine,” added Sharon. “But it just made me doubt myself. I’d go to post a video then I’d wonder if I should put more make-up on first.

“I’ve stopped doing that. On Twitter these days I post videos where I’ve just woken up.

“I mean if you do post a video where you look great and have all your make-up on, then great, but I don’t know how you do it! I look forward to my no-make-up days.

“Oh you should see the state of me. I live in loungewear now. I put on jeans the other day. What are these things? What is this material we wear? These are awful!”

Finally, some feedback with which we can all agree...' X