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passivenovember · 4 years ago

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mama said to smile while I still have teeth : PART TWO

(part one)

(or) Billy gets his wisdom teeth removed and Steve understands things will not grow back in the spaces we leave for them.

Billy hops down from the passenger side like it’s written in a script or something. Part B of his master plan, logical in the journey of what happens next.

He swings the car door open and charges through wet grass. Neon green blades stick to the heel of his boot, lopsided smile drawn forward to inspect the ferns nestled on either side of a welcome mat that says Bless this Mess.

It’s as if he’s been here before.

As if he belongs.

Steve watches Billy collapse on the porch swing, arms and legs folded under him like a house of cards toppled over in the wind. He must not realize that it’s functional, or something, because Billy sits bolt upright and uses the toe of his boot to get the swing moving, once he does.

Really moving, like. Banging against the bay window his mother leaves clear for her azaleas, moving.

Billy hollers. Makes grabby hands, like, “Push me!”

“You’re gonna get sea sick.” Steve chuckles, watching Billy shrug and take it for a ride.

Billy brings the swing to a sudden halt, when. “How come you’re all the way down there?” he asks.

Catching on.

Steve watches him struggle to get his feet up on the swing. Feels his heart shudder in fondness, when Billy grins up at him triumphantly.

“Didn’t know there were other options.” Steve says.

“There aren’t. Come here.” Billy gestures to the porch when Steve’s legs decide to fizzle out. “It’s a carnival ride. You got one on your porch, at your house, and--”

Steve claims of the second cushion when Billy removes the thumb from his mouth long enough to spell it out for him. “Cuddles.” He says.

Simple.

And his eyes are so blue. Bright. Steve doesn’t have a choice because, really, they’ve swapped sides with the rope.

Up and left this dimension all together when the flea got squashed by the acrobat deciding that they could skip the apologies and get to the good part.

Steve realizes that he wants this.

Billy. Scooting impossibly closer and humming the bridge to Mama Mia. “You smell good, Stever.” Billy says around the pad of his thumb. Dripping more blood down the front of his hoodie, and. Trying to get his face in Steve’s neck.

Which should be gross, but.

Steve just clears a path. Makes room for the warm nose that sniffs a trail up and around one ear. “You said I smelled like ass,” He accuses, sounding shaky. Star struck.

Billy’s breath feels like fairy wings. “Wrong. I said you smell like sweet grass and have a sweet ass, didn’t you pay attention to my context clues?”

“Um.” There’s something warm on Steve’s throat. Going wet in the middle, parting and sucking and--

He pulls away.

Billy smiles at him. tries to get in Steve’s lap but the bench moves with him and when the bench moves with him, Steve’s got a brick wall glued to his side.

Shivering. Cold, or afraid. Nervous.

“You tired?”

Billy shakes his head. With his whole body. “Wanna hang out.”

“You can sleep for a little bit. I’ll still be there, when you--”

Billy grunts. Refuses, so. Steve rubs the side of Billy’s shoulder, instead. Fabric and muscle and heat living somewhere beneath his fingertips. “You don’t wanna go in?”

“Nope.” Billy somehow works his way under Steve’s arm.

Feels right, striking oil in the heartland.

It starts raining again. Somewhere along the way, it starts getting cold and Billy shivers, peering up at Steve like he made it happen.

Like the heavens split open and bleeding at his command.

Steve chuckles, pushing off the swing and laughing harder when Billy squawks like an angry rooster.

“Where are we going?” He demands.

“Inside.”

Billy seems to hate that, like. Instantly.

“Don’t make me carry you, Hargrove.”

“Oh, look who’s got Popeye arms all of a sudden.” Billy leans back on the porch swing, thighs spread like. He has no idea how fucking--

It doesn’t matter.

“You need to eat.”

“My stitches haven’t fallen out.”

“Yeah, and they won’t. Not for days.” Steve leans against one of the porch posts, trying not to crack a smile when Billy’s thumb finds his mouth again. “Unless you’re planning to eat your hand, we gotta get some mac and cheese--”

Billy’s off the swing before Steve realizes what’s happened. He wanders in between the ferns in their bright orange pots. Jamming a thumb at the number above the doorbell, like, “This door?”

And. “Yeah?”

“This is the one with the cheese?”

“And the mac too.” Steve winks at him, watching a warm blush spread across a sea of freckles. He cocks his head, like, “What’s up?”

“Maybe we can do inside.” Billy says harshly. “For a minute. To kiss the noodles, or something--”

“Kiss the?”

“Open the door.” Billy suggests. “Now.”

So Steve does, biting down on a smile when Billy clomps through the foyer, tracking dirt and grass and pieces of Steve’s heart across imported marble.

“This is so huge.” Billy says softly. His eyes go bright all of a sudden and he’s right in Steve’s face. “You probably have so many pillows here. And chairs. And blankets, too, like. The big ones--”

“Yeah?”

“Let’s build a fort, Stever.” Billy says desperately. He bounces a little, managing to knock more mud onto the floor beneath him. “Let’s build a house. For me and you, and the noodles if they wanna stay the night.”

Steve grins, untangling Billy’s fingers from his hair. “Yeah, I guess we could do that.”

“Really?”

“Sure.” Steve points to the ground. “Boots off first, though.”

Billy jerks away. “No.”

“Stop being a little shit for like, three seconds--”

“Stop being party pooper. For like. Your entire adulthood.” Billy shoots back, collapsing onto the staircase and holding his foot in one hand anyway.

Steve holds his breath.

Billy stares at the boot, and his foot inside the boot, like maybe the connection between them is lost.

Steve feels like an asshole for finding it adorable, but. Billy looks up at him through his eyelashes.

“I think I’m still high.” He theorizes.

“Yup.” Steve tugs his own shoes off, placing them on the rack by the door.

“I don’t think I can untangle the knots.” Billy says miserably. He tries, though, scowling like the laces have done it on purpose.

Steve watches him struggle, and laughs at the struggle, before holding out his hands. “Give me your foot.”

Billy stares at him. “Really?”

“Our only other option is to wait around until you figure it out, and who knows how long that’ll take.” Steve says, waiting for Billy to shoot back with something venomous.

He doesn’t.

He coos, instead. Like a little baby bird, pointing his toes in the air with a giggle. “I’m Cinderella and you’re the prince,” Billy declares, laughing harder when Steve drops to his knees and gets the boot off in one go. “Prince Charming, Prince--”

“You’re just saying that because I have amazing hair and you have little blonde princess curls.”

“Hey.” Billy deadpans, holding out his second foot. “It grows out of my hair like that.”

“Head.” Steve chuckles.

Billy’s mouth falls open in a silent O, brows drawn in confusion.

Steve puts both muddy boots on the rack next to his own, smiling down at Billy’s puzzled face. “Your hair grows out of your head like that.”

“It does?” Billy asks in wonder. “I like it. Do you like it?”

And. “Yeah. It’s cute.” Steve says, holding out his hand. “Come on. Lunch time.”

Billy lets Steve pull him up, swaying a little bit at their proximity.

He doesn’t pull away, and.

This close his eyes aren’t just blue, they’re green. And yellow. And brown, like a kaleidoscope.

“Am I a cute person, Stever?” Billy asks softly.

“The cutest.” Steve says. Without thinking, but.

It doesn’t seem to matter. Because Billy’s high as a fucking kite, wiggling his hips and saying, “I think you’re cuter than me. Softer. Like an opil painting, or maybe a box of raspberry macaroons.”

Steve chuckles, not even trying to pull away when Billy’s fingers try to force their way into his mouth. “When have you had macaroons?”

“I haven’t,” Billy admits easily. “But I always thought that maybe you tasted like one.”

Steve opens his mouth to say something, but. Billy’s gone after that. Running his fingers along the wall and disappearing around the corner.

“C’mon, Stever! I want cheese flavored kisses.”

And Steve.

Doesn’t think Billy will remember this.

They order pizza instead. Steve knows that Billy’s gotta be careful with his incision marks. Not go to heavy on the fat and grease less than three hours after his surgery, but.

Steve tries to hold blue eyes even as they slip through his fingers. Pools and rivers disappearing beneath the Earth.

He’s starting to think that maybe.

All it would take is bat of those stupid eyelash and Steve would throw every responsible thought out the window.

Billy says, “You got a laundry machine?” After the pizza performs its vanishing act.

And Steve says, “Yeah, why?”

Two seconds before Billy is stripping down naked.

“Woah, woah, hey--”

“There’s Kool-Aid on my hoodie.” Billy says from behind a wall of fabric. “I can’t walk around with red juice on my clothes, people will know I’m a vampire then.”

“You’re a vampire?” Steve tries to look away from Billy’s stomach.

The smooth planes of skin, soft just above a layer of muscle. He puts a hand over his eyes for good measure. Safe keeping when Billy gets the hoodie off in one go and he’s standing there.

Shirtless.

In the middle of the room like some kind of wet dream Steve never even realized he had.

Billy grins, curls sticking out in every direction. “They’d think it.”

And Steve’s brain is, fucking.

Offline. Distracted. He blinks, tearing his eyes way from Billy’s chest long enough to go, “Think what?”

“That I’m a vampire.”

And Steve thinks he couldn’t be. Too tan. Too--

Alive. Steve shrugs. “I don’t think it.”

“That’s because you don’t think.” Billy tosses the hoodie onto floor. He points at Steve, like, “Can I wear your sweater?”

And Steve looks down at himself. “This one?”

“Yeah.” Billy says. “Smells like you.”

And Steve doesn’t even have to think about it. Doesn’t even consider what it might mean, pulling the fabric over his head and handing it to an asshole who examines his Kate Bush tee shirt and says, “That one too.”

Like he’s trying to make Steve catch on fire.

Steve shakes his head. “What will I wear if you take all my clothes?”

Billy shrugs, like, “Not my problem.”

And he’s uncovering truths with those eyes. Getting a little too close to the root of it, the revelation, so.

Steve gives Billy the shirt too.

And tries not to think about the four seconds that they’re both shirtless. Standing in a room together, just. looking. Charting unmarked skin, eyes glazing silver springs on bronze soil.

Billy puts the tee shirt on, and the sweater over the top of that, until It’s just Steve.

Half naked in the living room.

“I’ll go grab another shirt, and then, um.” It feels like the walls are burning down. Steve’s thoughts fall like bullet points. “We should go outside,” He says. “Wanna go sit on the swing?”

Billy frowns. “’S cold outside.”

“Yeah, but.” Steve picks the hoodie off the ground. “I’ll keep you warm.”

Billy’s fingers don’t leave his skin. Don’t soothe, when they light trails of smoke over his collarbone.

Steve leans into the touch anyway.

Gives into the pull, anyway, when Billy grabs his cheek and brings their eyes together, looking every bit like he’s got something to say.

Something important.

“What?” Steve asks. Wanting to touch. Wanting to--

“You know my mom threw a plate at my old man,” Billy says, eyes resting on a scar they both know is there. Hidden, like gold beneath caverns of rock. “The day she left, she. Threw my Mickie Mouse at him.”

“Your plate?”

“It was a bowl.”

“I’m sure he deserved it.” Steve says easily. “I’m sure it was the only way to win.”

“There aren’t any winners with stuff like that.” Billy says gently. His eyes are watery again. Steve’s getting suspicious of it, like maybe that’s just how the world comes together for Billy. With water and sphere’s of blue.

God hovering over the surface of the deep.

Billy sighs, thumb twitching against his leg. “Neil would’ve killed her.”

And Steve hates Neil.

Knows more than be probably should. Pays attention, takes notes.

“That just means she’s resourceful, right?” Steve whispers. “Using the stuff around her to fight fair.”

“Wasn’t fair.” Billy whispers, finally looking away. Eyes studying the rain as it drips from the trees above.

“Clean, then.” Steve shifts, rocking the porch swing as he sits criss-cross with his knees pressed against Billy’s thigh. “Even fight. Clean break.”

He wonders how he can get those eyes on him again.

How he can be taken apart.

“No such thing.”

Steve doesn’t get it. “What do you mean?”

“All breaks sever the bone.”

And Steve thinks. Maybe. “Are you high?” He squints at Billy’s face, trying to see if it’s written on his forehead.

Billy smirks. “I think so.”

“Still high.” Steve says, wanting to lift his fingers. Prod at swollen cheeks. He doesn’t, when Billy’s eyes start welling up again. “Don’t cry.” Steve suggests, sliding closer. “Don’t cry, Billy--”

“I’m sorry about--”

“I know.”

“That night. It was. I never should’ve--”

“She’s your sister.” Steve says fiercely. Because. “We were trying to protect you.” And he was. At the root of it all, deep in the center of himself. Steve turns outward again, feet planted on the ground. “We didn’t want you to get roped into our shit. With the monsters, you were.”

Billy’s staring at him.

Watching. Steve can feel it, so. He closes his own eyes, just to even the score. To make it easier when his lips say, “You’re too beautiful to have your life cracked open like that.”

Billy doesn’t speak until he does, voice flickering like candle light behind a window covered in frost. “Life was already laying in pieces on the rug.”

And there are fingers in Steve’s hair. Brushing tears from his cheeks. Billy grabs him by the throat with more care, more.

Love.

Than Steve ever thought he would get in this life. Billy moves him until they’re right in each other’s space. Breathing the same air, no longer running races to escape one another.

It feels right.

Billy smiles at him. “Thank you.”

And Steve doesn’t know what for. Doesn’t care what for, but there’s a finger on his mouth, parting his lips. Billy’s eyes burn a hole in his tongue. Clear a path through muscle and bone, until Steve is pulled forward.

Into an embrace.

Into a trilogy of kisses; on the corner of his eye. On the bridge of his nose. On the bow of his lip that turns biting. And bruising.

Billy asks if he can lay on Steve’s chest, because.

“I’ve always wanted to do that.” He says shyly. Billy kisses him once more and and Steve.

Goes down easy.

#harringrove #wisdom teeth #part two #I was so touched at the requests!#so here she is.#I don't know #lol #I hope you enjoy it anyway!

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kobayashi-aika · 4 years ago

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Before “a new departure”—Kobayashi Aika, Takatsuki Kanako, Furihata Ai’s five years with Aqours (Translated Interview)

For simplicity’s sake, each seiyuu’s line indicators will be denoted as either F(urihata), K(obayashi), or T(akatsuki).

TL: arb TLC: xIceArcher QC: Mega, Yujacha

All nine of us are a little different, but put us together and we become Aqours

—It’s the 5th anniversary of Love Live Sunshine’s school idol group Aqours. The “Aqours 5th Anniversary Jimo Ai! Take Me Higher Project” is now underway, including the series’ first dome tour. But first, please tell us your impressions about the Dome Tour’s theme song, “Fantastic Departure!”.

T: (joyfully) It feels like “the sea”! (laughs)

F: A whale?

T: A dolphin?

All 3: (all having fun) Yeah, yeah, yeah! (laughs)

K: That’s the part that leaves an impression on you, right?

T: It’s easy to think of what it would look like at the concert, right? Like, you...

K: Like getting beckoned by a dolphin to ride a whale? (laughs)

F: The new songs totally have a sea motif, which is something we’ve surprisingly never had before.

K: “Fantastic Departure!” has lots of back-and-forth lyrics, so the image of everyone [in the audience] singing comes to mind. It’s making me excited for the concerts.

F: It’ll definitely be a really nice song live.

T: It feels like every year, our new songs keep getting more difficult.

K: Right, right.

F: [This song has] quite a lot of low parts, right?

T: The A melody is low, but the chorus is high.

K: I think it’s also because we’ve become an Aqours that can take on these kinds of challenges. Our cooler sides can start showing.

T: Recently, our songs have stopped sounding anime song-ish, but in a good way. We’ve had a lot of songs that are somewhere in between anime songs and J-pop — a very “Aqours-like” place.

K: The genre is “Aqours”!

T: A stylish feel...?

K: Stylish sound!

T, F: Ahaha!

F: The lyrics are packed with an Aqours-like feeling, and the song has a stylish sound!

—What were some of your favorite lines during the recording?

K: I like Hanamaru’s “Where is it? Where is it?”

T: Hey! (laughs) Recently, my habit’s been getting worse every time we record...

K: You noticed? (laughs)

F: (while looking at K and T) Those two often record first. I listen to their voices while I record.

K: When I listen to Hanamaru-chan singing, I can find lots of parts that I really like.

T: I want to listen to all of the individual versions once. When we’re recording, we don’t know who will get which part, so there are phrases we approach differently. Everyone has their own unique ideas, so it’s exciting to hear them and think “Ah, so that’s how they’re singing it!”

K: They’re releasing the solo albums (Aqours First Solo Concert Album), right?

T, F: Right! That’s great.

F: I want everyone to hear how much we’ve all grown. The nine of us are all different, but the moment you put us together and we become Aqours is amazing.

K: And speaking of the “Fantastic Departure!” lyrics, the “A fantastic departure” phrase had a pretty difficult rhythm.

T: I know~. The rhythm was really tight.

K: Right. I could really get used to that.

F: It’s a little nerve-wracking thinking we’ll have to perform that live, huh?

Hata Aki-san’s lyrics really represent Aqours’ feelings

—In the B-side “Aqours Pirates Desire”, you have the “Dan-Da-Dan//We’ll steal it!” part. It’s a really addicting song.

All 3: (joyfully) Dan-Da-Dan!

K: You like that part, right, Kanako?

T: Right, I love the world view. I also love the “Dan-Da-Dan” and the “Da-Dan Da-Dan” parts.

—How was the recording?

All 3: (smiling) It was really fun!

F: There were a lot of “Dan-Da-Dan”s, so it was really fun.

K: But it feels like I’ll mess it up at some point, so I’m a little worried about the concerts. (laughs)

F: You might end up repeating the wrong one.

T: I’m excited for the choreography and the costumes! I want to have some accessories on it.

F: Some pirate accessories?

K: Oh, right! I thought we would have taiko drums! (laughs)

T: Just call them regular drums! (laughs)

F: There’s that line, “Beat the signal drum“. (laughs)

K: Everyone doing it together!

T: We might just have a performance like that (laughs).

F: I like the (singing) “The red flag of freedom//will part the wind for you to run“ part.

T, K: I know, right?

T: Then there’s “(A black skull and crossbones//The wild seas)//We’ll overcome it～～♪ ��, and it gets really low after.

K: Is that the lowest Aqours has ever gone?

F: Maybe! Both songs are really cool. They’ve got a lot of really powerful lyrics like “Plunder” or “We’ll steal it! “.

T: “Fantastic Departure!” and “Aqours Pirates Desire” make for a strong combination. Both give the feeling of strength on the seas. I think they’ll be popular songs at the concerts.

K: They seem really exciting. [The fans] will probably like them.

—In what ways do you feel the charm of Hata Aki-san’s lyrics?

K: The lyrics often represent our feelings. In these two songs, there’s “A fantastic departure”, “A huge world//A vast world is waiting for us “, and “Search for it“. All of which really symbolize the current Aqours.

T: Recently, it feels like we’re walking down a path Hata-sensei created. It feels like she’s guiding us towards the future.

F: Even if we haven’t fully grasped the lyrics by the time we record, as time passes, we come to realize that “this is what Hata-sensei was talking about.” We sing a lot of songs about how we’ll feel in the future. Like, “Hata-sensei was already thinking this far into the future with her lyrics”. And as time passes, the appeal of those lyrics start to sink in.

K: Very deep.

T: Yup, very deep.

“It’s thanks to Aqours that we’re back” μ's words were really moving

—Going back in time a bit, Love Live! Fes was held in January 2020. You overcame the “walls” of the franchise to perform together with μ's and the Nijigasaki High School Idol Club. In particular, you were all able to make the dream of standing on the same stage as μ's come true. Looking back, how was that?

F: It was really... I’m glad we did it. (She seems deeply emotional)

T: (lost for words) Wow... It truly was...

K: (while deeply nodding) Yeah...

F: The thing we’ve always been wishing for these five years finally came true.

K: We've been wishing for it for so long... while it was a goal, we also ended up thinking it would be a dream that would never come true. So it made us really, really happy.

T: The Love Live! series’ 9th anniversary project gave us a lot of chances to interact with μ's and the Nijigasaki High School Idol Club, so we had a lot of chances to speak with them. μ's gave us some very kind words.

“It’s because Aqours has been doing these concerts and other activities that we, too, could come back here.” When they said that... it was so touching. They really were watching us. It made me so happy.

K, F: (nodding)

—If I might ask, were there any other happenings with μ's?

K: We had a sort of photoshoot after Fes, right?

F: Was it after Day 1?

K: We came on stage to take a group photo, and afterwards it turned into one.

T: And then it turned into free time?

K: Right. Photo time started. It was sort of like at a theme park, when...

—Sort of like when you meet the mascot characters?

K: That’s right. (laughs) Everyone was lining up, and going “Please take a photo with me”. Well, except for Aqours.

—Except for Aqours?

K: Everyone in Aqours was a little gun-shy. μ's are pretty much goddesses... they’re like something out of a dream, so we all thought “Is it really okay for us to be this happy?”, and started acting really shifty. (laughs)

—To have them right in front of you...

K: We stiffened up. (laughs)

F: Even when they said it was okay, we still didn’t go. We turned into regular old otakus. (laughs). But I think Komiya (Arisa)-san took the initiative and went over to the other groups.

—When μ's came on stage, were you in awe?

T: We felt the mood in the arena change in an instant. It was the moment that so many people who came were waiting for; it felt just like a holy atmosphere.

K: I couldn’t stop my goosebumps. The arena started shaking. It really was.

T: It felt like it’d be alright if they just stood there doing nothing. At the end of Day 2, Aqours went after μ's, and after the audience was engulfed in orange light for “Snow halation”, we came out on our ship. We felt just like pirates.

K: When I saw that orange light reflecting off the ceiling, I thought “Ah...” And when we came out, it changed into a sea of blue, and I went “Ah...” again. It was really moving.

Eating natto rice... it’s freedom before the live starts!

—Aqours also debuted their new song “Mitaiken HORIZON” at Love Live! Fes. The trio units of CYaRon!, AZALEA, and Guilty Kiss also performed, right?.

T: Debuting a song, and especially as the first song at Fes, was pretty nerve-wracking. The “Mitaiken HORIZON” costumes are cute, and it’s really in sync with the PV, so we really wanted to kick things off with a “This is Aqours!” kind of performance. It really was an honor to be able to debut it there at Fes.

F: CYaRon! was the first subunit, and because there were a lot of groups performing at Fes, some people might not know CYaRon!. So we were really enthusiastic about giving it our all.

But when we got on stage, the entire arena was really warm and welcoming. So while we were dancing, we were thinking that “Love Live! is really amazing.” That warmth is one of the good points about the fans.

K: Some of Guilty Kiss’ songs make you want to do the “Guilty Kiss!” call, even if you don’t know us. (laughs) Even the first timers do the “Guilty Kiss!” with everyone. So I feel like everyone will remember us. Or at least their mouths will remember us from the calls. (laughs)

T, F: Just their mouths? (laughs)

K: Mouths that blow Guilty Kisses. (laughs) On the grand stage of Love Live! Fes, we were able to show the greatness of the Love Live! series as both the Aqours that worked so hard to get here and as our subunits..

—How do you spend your time backstage? Is there anything you always do before every live?

K: It’s just the huddle up, right?

T: We’re quite free, huh? And then there are people who eat a lot of natto. (laughs)

K: Natto and egg rice is the fad. Pretty much everyone is eating it, right?

T, F: Yeah, yeah.

K: On live days, you have to do that. My mouth will remember the taste.

T, F: (laughs)

T: Having the chocolate fondue from catering was so nice!

K: I was so happy! It was white chocolate, right?

T: I was like, “Do you think I can drink this chocolate?”, and Komiya Arisa-chan went, “I said the exact same thing earlier.” (laughs)

K: We’re all just talking about food. (laughs) Some things never change. But when showtime comes, we flip a switch, right?

F: That’s right. Our liveliness has an on/off switch. Speaking of which, (Osaka) Shizuku-chan (Maeda Kaori) gave us all chocolate. It was the kind with a message on the back, and she wrote messages like “Ganbaruby!” for everyone. It was really cute.

K: We wouldn’t normally do something like that, huh? (laughs)

F: Right. So it was really cool.

T: The only thing we think about is eating. (laughs)

The first years’ strong point is being able to feel “at home”. We can be ourselves around each other

—There have been a lot of subunit activities recently, but this interview is with your year group. How would you sum up the first years’ strong point in a phrase?

K: (happily:) We get along!

T: (smiling:) Yup.

F: Like a place to come home.

—A place to come home?

F: We’re all in different units, but when we’re together as first years, I really feel at home and at ease. That’s the atmosphere when I’m with everyone.

K: It’s like you’re “at home”.

F: “At home”! Yeah, that’s it.

T: It’s simple, but fun. Enjoy!

K: We can just be ourselves.

F: We can mess around and have fun. The first years have lots of very energetic songs, and the three of us all play around with each other and enjoy, so concerts are always really fun too.

T: We’re like a box of toys.

F: And I think that’s great. The second years are very serious, and the third years give off this mature and calm vibe, and we have an energetic and casual style. But of course, I really respect the other year groups.

K: And we have that underclassman vibe.

T: We’re the moodmakers, too!

—I definitely can see that. While talking to the three of you, I’ve felt strangely relaxed and at ease.

All 3: (together) That’s great! (laughs) At home.

—Tell me about some times when you’ve felt the bond between you three.

All 3: Our bond, huh?

K: We’ve never had those kinds of emotional moments. (laughs)

T, F: Yeah. (laughs)

F: But when we debuted “Mitaiken Horizon”, I somehow felt... glad that we were the first years. (doing the choreography) Like in the “Let’s give today everything we’ve got”, where the three of us form a triangle and dance with our arms out, and we look into each other's' eyes as we sing. That part is really touching. It made me think, “Ah, we’ve really grown.”

K, T: Yeah, yeah. That’s true.

K: It’s nice that the first years are always in the center for “Mitaiken Horizon”!

T: I’m glad that the three of us are always together.

F: Our singing parts are also all together, and it feels really powerful.

T: Even so, in the chorus, we’re the ones who have to bring the energy. (laughs)

F: Right, the “More!” “More!” “Yeah!” parts. (laughs)

K: Usually, the first years (when dividing the lines in songs) are in charge of the extra lines. Like the “Fu!”s. Those energetic parts are very ��first year”.

—Between the three of you, who’s the mature one, or the one who can help you when you’re in a pinch?

All 3: (together) Eh... none of us are really the mature one?

F: We really feel like we’re in the same year. That’s pretty much how we are with each other. But I’m the one who gets teased, and (looking at T) she’s the teasing type.

K: (while pointing at herself) I tease and get teased. Even when the other years are ignoring us, we feel like we’re always energetic. The first years are always just going off and doing whatever. (laughs) We pretend to be clueless, but we’re always watching our surroundings while we play around... I think.

T: And the helper... do we even have times when we’re in a pinch?

K: We probably just laugh our problems away. (laughs)

T: If I had to say, we’re the type to have fun even when we’re in a pinch. They (pointing at K and F) probably feel the same way, and it puts me at ease.

—What are your tics?

F: Recently, it’s been “Right, right?”. It changes a lot, but before that it was “Yup, yup.”

T: She says it twice. (laughs)

K: All three of us do this, but I always say funny things a second time. (laughs)

T: It’s immediately after, too. We do it unconsciously.

F: What was your tic, Kanako?

T: “Water”, maybe? I really like water. (laughs) I drink about two liters a day, so I’m always looking for water. What’s your tic, Kyan (Kobayashi)?

K: Maybe when I always say “Oh no~”. I say it no matter what happens. (laughs)

I’m glad that we can be one with Yohane, Hanamaru, and Ruby

—Now, looking back on Aqours’ activities, can I ask how you feel now that five years have passed?

F: When Aqours first formed, the other eight members... I still really look up to and respect everyone... but when I compared myself to everyone, it was really clear that I had no experience. I couldn’t dance, I couldn’t sing well, and I couldn’t act.

But now, we’ve spent five years together, so I’ve come to realize my own place in Aqours, and I’m really glad that Aqours is the nine of us. If it wasn’t these eight members with me, I probably wouldn’t have felt like this.

—Five years is quite a long time.

F: Getting this close with a person for this long, as I have with Kurosawa Ruby, is the kind of thing that doesn’t happen often. But on both the outside and the inside, getting closer to her in my own way is something I’ve thought of as very important. It’s made me aware of a lot of different sides to myself, and I feel like my love for both the franchise and Ruby is stronger than anyone else’s. Of course, the other eight members probably feel the same way.

—What about you, Takatsuki-san?

T: For me, my natural voice isn’t very high, and I’m taller than Hanamaru-chan, so I don’t have much in common with her. So when we started our activities, on top of being Aqours, I was also worried about if everyone would accept me. During concerts and performances, I was focused on whether people were looking at me.... I had a period where I didn’t have much confidence in myself.

But now, no matter what I do, even if I’m just talking normally, people often say to me, “Oh, it’s Hanamaru-chan~”, so I’m really glad that I could become one with Hanamaru.

—When did that start to change?

T: Around 2nd Live. (2017′s Love Live! Sunshine!! Aqours 2nd LoveLive! HAPPY PARTY TRAIN TOUR) Up until then, I was afraid of people looking at me on stage, but since 2nd Live, it’s become just like a festival, and I’ve been able to do more and more things.

I wasn’t very good at dancing to start, but I felt myself slowly getting better, and I started to really feel the joy of Love Live! inside me.

—What about you, Kobayashi-san?

K: Aqours had a few people who were new to voice acting, and I was one of them. Acting with your voice, and living Yohane’s life alongside her was a first for me. But by asking myself, “How can I get closer to her?”, I’ve been able to grow all the way until today.

Over these five years, I’ve learned to do a lot of new things, like learning how to use a low voice, how to sing in a voice completely different from my natural voice, and lots of other things.

By facing Yohane (Yoshiko) head-on, so many new possibilities have opened up; it feels like “a me that isn’t me”. Every day, I get the chance to grow alongside her. I’m so happy that this mysterious feeling can continue. It’d be great if Yohane and I, as part of Aqours, can do more and more and more fun things together.

—Takatsuki-san was talking about how she changed around 2nd. Live. So, Furihata-san and Kobayashi-san, when did your outlook change, and you started becoming more confident?

F: For me, it was slightly after 3rd Live (2018′s Love Live! Sunshine!! Aqours 3rd LoveLive! Tour ~WONDERFUL STORIES~).

At 3rd Live, we debuted “Awaken the power”, which had 11 people. (Saint Aqours Snow’s collaboration song with 9 of Aqours and 2 of Saint Snow) I felt a lot of pressure for that song. I was desperately giving it my all, and there are a lot of painful memories... But when everyone who went to 3rd Live was cheering, “I’m glad that Kurosawa Ruby is Furihata Ai”, it was a really big moment for me.

—The voices of your fans became your strength...

F: That’s right. Up until then, I didn’t have any self-confidence. And so for 4th Live (2018′s Love Live! Sunshine!! Aqours 4th LoveLive!~Sailing to the Sunshine~), I went in with the positive mindset of “Aqours made it to Tokyo Dome!”.

—What about you, Kobayashi-san?

K: I think it was at 2nd Live. 1st Live (2017′s Love Live! Sunshine!! Aqours First LoveLive! ~Step! ZERO to ONE~) was at Yokohama Arena, a place where I never thought I would be, even in my wildest dreams . And then 2nd Live was a tour. In my mind, I was thinking “Is this really going to be alright?”.

You have to really take care of your health, and because it’s a tour, you have to treat every venue with care and importance, while also making sure every performance is better than the last. And because we all overcame that together, and made each and every performance of the HAPPY PARTY TRAIN TOUR a unique one, I realized that my outlook had started to change.

—Thank you all for your stories. Now, the focal point of your 5th Anniversary Project is the series’ first Dome Tour, isn’t it?

F: It’s our first nine-person concert since Love Live!’s 9th anniversary’s first full-member Fes in January. Just like how the lyrics of “Fantastic Departure!” and “Aqours Pirates Desire” are, I want to bring out an even stronger Aqours.

I’ve always felt a sort of desperation, but for this tour, I feel a sort of calm from being more in sync with Kurosawa Ruby. I hope this can be a concert where we can show off what’s in store for Aqours.

T: The Dome Tour will probably have a lot of songs that we’ve never performed before. I’m excited to see the setlist, and I want to find all my favorite points in the staging, choreography, and costumes. I’m really looking forward to it!

K: When I look back, when we made it to Tokyo Dome for 4th Live, we sort of “burnt out” in a way... While we felt the relief of having reached our goal, it was also a day where we decided that we would keep on giving it our all. So this dome tour performance really feels like a dream.

Up until now, for our tours, we always just made small changes to the setlist, but this time, I’ve been thinking, “What if every performance had a different setlist?” I feel like the current Aqours could pull something like that off, so I hope everyone can have fun with both our new songs and some of the songs that are important to us, in true Aqours fashion.

What are the charm points of each of the first years?

Kobayashi Aika -> Takatsuki Kanako

It’s amazing how she can brighten up everything around her so naturally. Her smile is contagious. Her charm point is her sleeping face; it’s really cute! It’s my favorite part about her. (laughs) The two of them (Takatsuki-san and Furihata-san) have this in common, but she pays close attention to her surroundings and says the right things. Her actions give off this air of maturity, and I love how she’ll always mess around together with me. (laughs)

Kobayashi Aika -> Furihata Ai

The fact that she’s created her very own genre. Her existence itself is a charm point. (laughs) The small things she says are amusing, and she has a lot of parts that are so cute that you just want to imitate her. The three of us are really close, and we have a lot of matching things. We have matching sweatshirts, and sometimes we wear things that we find together at a sale, but pick in different colors.

Takatsuki Kanako -> Kobayashi Aika

I love that Aikyan (Kobayashi-san) is so amusing, and she brightens up the dressing room. When I first met her, she seemed really mature and stylish, and her long black hair was really beautiful; she seemed like the picture perfect city girl. But we’re the same age, and as I spent more time with her, she opened up. Recently, it feels like we’re partners-in-crime. It’s amazing how she’s more devout than anyone for Yohane, too.

Takatsuki Kanako -> Furihata Ai

Furi-san (Furihata-san) is an airhead, but in a good way. (laughs) The things she says are funny, and I like how she’s always the butt of the joke. My first impression of her was that she really had things together, and since she's the eldest of three siblings, I thought she would be like a big sister. But she unexpectedly has some weird sides to her. (laughs) But she’s also my partner-in-crime.

Furihata Ai -> Kobayashi Aika

Kobayashi Aika-chan is our trendy fashion leader, and she’s really knowledgeable. I’m a tech boomer, so she’s the first person I turn to for help with games and social media. Also, she takes really good care of her image. She’s really good at singing and dancing, and it’s amazing just how multi-faceted she is.

Furihata Ai -> Takatsuki Kanako

Takatsuki Kanako-chan’s unique personality and vocabulary are really charming. She latches onto things that most people will let slide, so you can’t just deal with her like your average person. She works really hard at being a good singer, but she never shows that. I think she taught me how to be serious with my work.

Kobayashi Aika’s Q&A!

Q1: Tell us what you really love about Tsushima Yoshiko-chan!

(sounding troubled) I love everything about Yohane...

I love how she’s honest about the things she loves. After meeting Aqours, she’s been able to be more open about the things she loves. She’s grown to be able to share that love with so many different people. I’m glad that she met Aqours.

Q2: What’s something you want to have or want to do?

I’ve always wanted to go to England, which is Yohane’s “World Image Girl” country. They have a “Magic Museum”, where they have a lot of pots and things that real witches used on display, so I want to go see that. I think Yohane would like it, too.

Q3: Have you read any interesting books or played any interesting games recently?

Animal Crossing: New Horizons. I even play in my dreams, and in one of my dreams I built a bridge. (laughs)

Q4: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A singer and a nursery school teacher. I’ve loved singing and dancing since I was a kid. And I love taking care of little children, so I’ve always admired nursery school teachers. I went to school and got my nursery school teacher’s license. Hopefully, my second dream will come true some day.

Q5: What do you do on your days off?

Usually I stay at home. I’m either sleeping or playing games. I play so much that it’s the only thing I think about. Like, “When I go home today, I need to do X in ACNH.” (laughs)

Takatsuki Kanako’s Q&A!

Q1: Tell us what you really love about Kunikida Hanamaru-chan!

How cute she is! (laughs) I fell in love with her from the moment I met her. She’s a shy bookworm, but she’s also super curious. And as the story progresses, she begins to feel more real. In season 2, she started becoming a gag character, but I love watching Hanamaru eat, so I was happy to see so much of it.

Q2: What’s something you want to have or want to do?

I’m not actually a very materialistic person. So for now, I just want some inner peace. I hope the whole world can be enveloped in happiness soon.

Q3: Have you read any interesting books or played any interesting games recently?

It’s actually a movie. I recently bought a projector, and I’m enjoying using it to watch movies or dramas. Ninagawa Mika’s “Followers” is really interesting.

Q4: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A singer. I started wanting to become one around 4th grade, when we sang for our class recital. I didn’t have a particular genre I wanted to sing, so I just vaguely wanted to become a star.

Q5: What do you do on your days off?

I’m an indoor-type, so I just play games or watch TV. Also, I like going on trips, so it’s a little tough right now, but I want to go to Hawaii one day.

Furihata Ai’s Q&A!

Q1: Tell us what you really love about Kurosawa Ruby-chan!

She seemed like a little sister-type from the moment I saw her, so on the flipside, how she’s very strong-willed. She might seem a little timid, but mentally, I think she’s just like her big sister (Kurosawa Dia). I love how much she loves her big sister, too. And like with school idols, I think it’s wonderful how dedicated she is to the things that she loves.

Q2: What’s something you want to have or want to do?

To spend time with all the people who support me. When I take questions on Instagram, I get a lot of messages from overseas fans, too. And of course, there are plenty of fans from Japan, too. I just want to see them soon.

Q3: Have you read any interesting books or played any interesting games recently?

Grand Maison Tokyo. I got hooked on the drama, so I read the novel, too. The scenes and food appear vividly in my mind, so it was an easy read.

Q4: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I loved drawing, so I wanted to be a mangaka, artist, or something to do with art. But I thought that doing something I like for work might make it tough, so I started wanting to become an anime seiyuu.

Q5: What do you do on your days off?

My little sister, little brother, and I all live together, but usually I’m with my sister. I’m also the kind of person who likes to go out in the rain, so I go out and end up buying something I don’t really need, and my sister usually gets mad at me. (laughs) I collect vinyl records as a hobby, so I end up buying jackets for them.

#kobayashi aika #aikyan #takatsuki kanako #kinchan #king #furihata ai #furirin #aiai #aqours #aqours 1st years #interview #livedoor

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kaidans-alenko · 3 years ago

Note

Ooh I will! 'so here we are again on that little town street, you almost ran the red cos you were looking over at me'

I'm not prepared for the 10 min version of this song i'll tell ya that for free

“Jesus…” Kaidan cursed slamming down on the car’s brakes, nearly causing Azalea to spill her latte.

“You good Kai?” she asked, seemingly unfazed by his less than perfect driving. Not that she could judge, all those near death encounters in the mako didn’t give her a leg to stand on when it came to criticizing someone’s driving ability.

“Yup, just peachy.” he cleared his throat, cheeks the same color as the light he almost ran. Not due to the fact he almost got them into an accident but because of the reason he got that distracted in the first place.

Azalea had a way of doing that to him, especially since the war ended and they finally moved in together. The other night he burned dinner just watching her move around the house and play with their dogs, he still couldn’t believe she was here, alive. For as many times as they’ve been separated it almost didn’t seem real. Like some dream he’d soon be rudely woken up from.

The girl he’s loved since he was a kid, was sitting next to him, had married him. He always hoped they’d meet again someday but he never asked for anything more than an awkward greeting as they passed each other on the street. Not that they’d end up living on the beach together with an alarming amount of pet varren. Something like this almost seemed too much to ask for but here they were.

Azalea next to him, hair pinned up, wearing her favorite purple cardigan just the same as back then. She’s changed a lot, they both have and that’s what made it even more unbelievable. That after all these years the one thing that hadn’t changed was their feelings for each other.

“Hey Lea.”

“Yeah Kai?”

“I love you.” He always said it so casually, like it was no big deal, the words came naturally to him like he was telling her what the weather was like outside. She wished it was like that for her, at first Azalea was scared to say it. That she’d say it too much and he’d get annoyed with her.

“I love you too.” She had no problem now though, she wanted to say it. To make up for all those years of keeping it to herself and maybe the same was true for him. She needed to hear it as much as he did.

#this got away from me #kaidan alenko #azalea shepard #f!shenko

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rohad93 · 5 years ago

Text

A Knight Affair: Redux - Shadowed

"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Rosaline asked for maybe the seventh or eighth time as she and Greggory stood outside the carriage with Azurine and Aurelia by her side. She looked down at her four year old son, held securely in Azurine's arms. She hadn't been parted from little Steven for more than a few hours since he had been born.

"They watch him all the time," Greggory tried to soothe, laying a hand on her shoulder. "It'll be okay, Rose." He patted her shoulder. Rosaline frowned, worrying her scarred hands together.

"Everything will be fine," the queen assured, hefting the boy higher up in her arms. "Go" she shooed the princess away with a wave of her hand.

Pink stepped forward and pressed a kiss to one of the boys pudgy cheeks.

"Momma will be back in a few days," she said to the boy, who smiled.

She hugged Blue before she finally allowed her husband to help her into the carriage, climbing in beside her. Once the door closed the driver jerked the reigns, and the carriage slowly pulled out of the courtyard and out the gates.

Yellow nodded at the two guards on horseback as they followed behind.

"Bye momma!" Steven waved a little hand at the disappearing carriage.

"She will be back before you know it, my sweet." Blue pressed a kiss to her nephews dark head before turning around and going back inside the palace with Yellow following behind her as they stopped in the grand entrance way.

"I have cleared the rest of my day, what shall we do, my little prince?" Blue looked at the curly haired toddler.

"The garden!" he immediately answered with a wide smile making the queen laugh.

“He does seem to love all manner of plants and flowers.” Yellow observed, a smile tugging at one corner of her lips.

“Shall we retire to the garden then, captain?” Cerulean eyes settled on her questioningly.

“If her majesty and his highness so desire.” She tilted her head at them with a smile.

Steven began to squirm in her arms until Blue was forced to set him on the floor. The moment his feet touched the plush red rug laid down over the palace’s stone floor, he was running in the direction of the garden, past several servants and guards who looked fondly at the prince as he passed.

“It seems he’s not going to wait for us,” Yellow chuckled, folding her arms behind her back as they started after him at a much more sedate pace, knowing where he was going to end up.

“So it would seem,” Blue agreed, covering her bright smile with a hand.

“When do you think he’ll realize Rosaline and Greggory aren’t going to be back in just a few hours?” Yellow asked idly as they followed the young prince’s trail down the halls to his mother’s private garden.

"What do you mean?" She glanced at the knight curiously.

"He's never been away from them for very long. He's not going to be as calm once he realizes they aren't going to be back in just a few hours," she explained.

"Oh, you’re an expert on small children now?” Blue asked with a small grin; she nudged the now frowning knight.

“No, I saw it happen a lot in the orphanage when people left their children there,” she explained with a grunt. “It was usually that night or the next day they realized their parents weren’t coming back.”

“Greggory and Rosaline are coming back.” Blue rolled her eyes at the dour forty year old knight.

“It’s the same principal,” she mumbled as they stepped out into the private garden, no servants were around, but they could hear the rustling of foliage from somewhere among the rows of brightly colored flowers and vibrant green bushes.

“Steven?” Blue called. A small giggle was their only answer.

Blue only grinned, sharing a look with the now smirking knight as they separated.

Yellow walked quietly through the rows of plants, careful not to make a sound. A feat that would have been impossible had she been wearing her armor; as it was, her leather boots made no sound as she walked softly through the paths between the rows of plants.

“Steven…,” Blue called in a sing song voice as she walked down a row of plants, the long, pale blue gossamer skirts of her dress rustling the grass. Another giggle sounded a few feet farther back and Blue looked up at Yellow, who nodded and walked silently down the row toward the source of the noise.

They both stopped next to a hydrangea bush filled with lage, violet flowers; Yellow held yup her hands, poised to strike.

Amber and cerulean flickered to each other briefly

“Oh Steven…,” Blue called once more.

The leaves rustled and Yellow thrust her hands into the foliage, a delighted squeal followed by loud giggles filled the garden as she pulled the boy out of the bush. Blue laughed as Yellow held him aloft, some leaves and twigs stuck in his hair

“We found you.” Yellow smirked.

“You found me,” he giggled, wrapping his arms around the knight’s neck, pulling her into a hug.

Her grin turned into a soft smile as she wrapped one arm around his tiny frame and pressed her cheek to the top of his curly head.

Blue watched the two and couldn’t help but smile adoringly at them, a warmth spread through her chest as she watched the prince and knight interact.

Yellow set him down after a brief moment.

"Come on!" He beckoned them as he ran toward the gardens center.

Before Yellow could turn to follow she caught the saccharine look Blue was giving her.

"What?" she asked, cheeks flushing at the look.

"Nothing, darling." She smiled knowingly and followed Steven to the garden’s center, where the carved marble benches sat, encircling the pool that had been built in the center. The smooth stone that made up it’s lip was etched with vines and roses.

They sat next to each other on one of the benches, enjoying the warm early summer sun and watching as the boy busied himself with picking flowers from several different plants. A few roses, lilies and a handful of irises helped make up the pile of greenery in his arms.

Once he seemed satisfied with the flowers in hand he wandered back to them and sat at their feet, his little fingers fiddling with the stems.

“What are you doing, my sweet?” Blue folded her hands in her lap and bent at the waist to try and get a better look at what the little boy was doing, but he turned to shield his hands with his body.

“Not yet! I’m not done!” He looked at them over his shoulder.

“We’ll wait,” Blue promised with a smile, leaning back. The knight just snorted, thinking how much he sounded just like his mother when she was a child.

Blue gave her a light, admonishing slap to the leg, taking one of her gloved hands as they waited for him to finish.

A leather covered thumb rubbed absentmindedly over the back of her hand as they sat side by side, listening to the light breeze rustling through all the plants, creating a sweet smelling wind, with the occasional petal or leaf blowing by them as Steven worked at their feet.

Blue looked up from the boy and was surprised to find Yellow, with her eyes closed, enjoying the warm sunlight splashing across her face and through her already sunlight colored locks. If she looked close enough she could see, flashing in the light, the thin bands of silver that had begun to lace themselves between the gold.

Azurine couldn't help herself. With her free hand she reached up and threaded her fingers through the dual colored hairs.

"I know what you're doing," Yellow grumbled, but didn't open her eyes. The deep lines beneath her eyes seemed lighter in the bright sunlight.

Blue smiled and hummed questioningly.

"Playing with my gray hair," she grunted.

"It's not gray, it's silver," Blue corrected, still running her hands through them. "...and I think it's very becoming."

"On you, perhaps. Your hair has always been like spun moonlight, mine is simply a reminder of my ever advancing age." She huffed.

"It's distinguishing and I'm rather fond of it," Blue argued, tugging gently at some silvery strands.

"Flatterer," she sniffed, but her lips quirked upwards.

Before Blue could say anything else Steven jumped up.

"Finished!"

They looked down to find him holding up a carefully weaved crown of flowers in his hands.

"Is that for me?" Blue pointed to herself with an ever widening smile pulling at the faint lines around her eyes and mouth.

"Yeah!" Steven grinned at her.

Reaching up, Blue carefully pulled the gemstone studded silver crown from her head, setting it in her lap as she leaned down, allowing him to place the homemade wreath atop her head.

The bright red roses, yellow daffodils and pink azaleas stood out in bright contrast to her silvery white hair.

"Thank you, Steven." She smiled, reaching out to caress one of his rotund cheeks, making him grin.

He reached down and picked up a second wreath made of violets, deep blue Irises and white calla lilies, holding it up to Yellow, who blinked owlishly at the weaved flowers.

When she didn't immediately lean down to accept the offering, his smile faded into a wounded, watery eyed expression that instantly reminded Yellow of Rosaline, so long ago.

Without a word she ducked her head down and he instantly cheered as he nestled the flowers into the blonde locks.

"Thank you, Steven." She nodded, leaning back up, careful not to look at Blue, whose eyes she could feel on her.

Seemingly satisfied, he ran over the pool and began playing in the water.

Yellow finally risked a glance at the queen who was looking at her with a soft look and a knowing smile.

"Don't" she crossed her arms over her chest, a pink flush stretched across her nose and both cheeks.

"Those are quite becoming in your hair as well, love." She grinned. Yellow only glowered harder at nothing in the distance, making the queen chuckle.

“I only allowed it to make him happy,” she grouched.

“I know,” Blue hummed, leaning into the pouting knight captain. “It’s one of the reasons I love you so much, and for nearly twenty summers now,” she mumbled to her.

If anything the pink on the knight’s face darkened into a burning crimson. She only hummed in response, but Blue knew well enough and smiled.

She leaned back to put some space between them, least someone unexpectedly come looking for her and find them in the unexplainable position, despite the many, and often true, rumors and whispers about their association that had persisted for years among the servants and even the empire’s nobility’s

Every once in a blue moon there was an occasional proposal of marriage, but they had mostly dried up around the queen’s thirty-third year and were always flatly refused regardless.

At balls, most the young male nobles had turned to Rosaline, despite her marriage and much to Greggory’s annoyance and Yellow’s amusement.

A splash, followed by a stream of laughter made her look over at the pool, where Steven was playing, splashing his hands in the cool water. Watching him, stary thought came to her mind.

“I wish mother could have been a part of this,” she said quietly, a rush of air as Yellow whipped to look at her told her the knight had heard her.

The two of them hardly ever discussed her predecessor, despite having made peace with the fact that Winea had been a victim of her madness no less than the rest of them had, and the suffering she had inflicted on them, both mental and physical was long forgiven.

The sudden thought still surprised the knight captain.

Blue turned to look back at her, the puzzlement apparent in those amber eyes.

That was expected.

Yellow had never even known her mother, and as fervently as she cared, she could never truly understand the gravity of her and Rosaline’s loss.

“She would have adored him,” she said simply, the best way she knew to answer her consorts unasked question.

Several replies all raced to the tip of Yellow’s tongue but she swallowed all of them and instead said:

“Yes, she would have,” she agreed.

They lapsed into a long stretch of quiet, enjoying the weather before the queen finally spoke gain.

“I think it’s about time we got him something to eat.” She glanced at Yellow, who nodded as she stood from the bench, offering a hand to Blue, who smiled gratefully, holding her crown in her other hand.

“Steven!”

The boy immediately looked up from what he was doing to give the knight his undivided attention.

“It's time to go inside, It’s time to eat.”

“Coming, Yellow!” He hopped off the pools lip and trotted over to them as they started inside.

~ ~ ~

Blue woke with a start, jolting up, her heart beating so loudly in her ears she could scarcely hear anything else. Her breath came out in shallow, shaky gasps, cerulean eyes darting around rapidly in the darkness.

Their bedroom. She was in their bedroom, in their bed. She kicked off the bankets, they felt to restrictive, like she was being weighed down. The room was warm, too warm.

She touched her face with a shaky hand. Still here, she was still here. She ignored the sweat that had dripped down her forehead.

Reaching out slowly, she found the warm lump that was Yellow under the blankets beside her and exhaled another relieved sigh. The soft rise and fall of the blankets as Yellow slept on was a relief, but the dread that had settled over Blue just wouldn’t leave her.

The warm darkness of their bedroom felt suffocating, she had to move.

Carefully without waking her slumbering partner, she slid out of bed, sliding on her slippers and throwing a robe over her sheer, summer night dress and padding quietly to the door.

She hesitated a moment, tiptoeing quietly over to the cot they had set at the foot of their bed and knelt down, finding the toddler’s curly head, even in the dark with the tips of her fingers. His small body rose and fell in slow, even breaths that further calmed the thundering pace of her heart. Careful not to wake him, she stepped away and slipped quietly out of their room.

The halls were devoid of servants, so it must have been quite late or rather, early, indeed if no one was moving about the halls.

The few lanterns still burning in the halls were just enough light for her to make her way to her study. Her footsteps and the quiet flickering of the flames inside their glass and iron housing as they popped and crackled were the only noises in the cavernous halls.

She slipped quietly into her study, shutting the door behind her.

She sat in the high back chair with a sigh, reaching out with a still shaky hand, she lit the single candle sitting on the corner of her desk, it’s flickering red and orange light illuminating the papers sitting on her desk.

She leaned back in the chair, still trying to bring herself back under control. A looming sense of dread still hung over her like a cloud she couldn’t shake.

With a shaky breath she looked over at the far wall where a large painting in a brass frame hung.

Three figures, depicted on aging canvas.

An eight year old Rosaline, in a poofy pink and white dress, stood in the forefront, the somber expression on her otherwise normally jubilant face looked grossly out of place. Standing just behind the youngest princess’, to her left was an eighteen year old version of herself, staring back just as solemn as Rosaline in an elegant, sapphire and cream colored gown.

The third figure stood behind them, a hand on either of their shoulders. The flickering candle light didn’t quite reach the far wall, leaving the top half of the painting, including the third figures face, in shadows.

Blue could practically feel those gray painted eyes on her now. She pursed her lips, turning away from the old royal portrait. Normally it didn’t cause her such dread to look upon it, but tonight? Tonight it caused something chilling and unpleasant to crawl up her spine and clutch its cold hand around her heart.

She gave herself a shake, she needed to calm her nerves.

She reached down and pulled open one of her desk drawers, even in the low light she knew just where the bottle was.

She set the dark green bottle on her desk, it’s contents sloshing around as she pulled the flagon out and shut the drawer.

She pulled the cork out with a satisfying pop and poured the clear liquid into her cup.

It might be mistaken for water if not for the acrid smell wafting into her nose.

Corking the bottle, she wasted no time taking a deep drink.

It burned like fire all the way from her tongue to her belly, the warmth already helping numb her jangled nerves. This was not something she usually indulged in, but tonight seemed to call for it.

She was just about to take another swallow when the study door opened and Yellow stepped inside, still half asleep by the looks of it.

The loose white tunic she slept in hung off her shoulders, displaying the sunny colored diamond pendant Blue had given her so long ago, hanging from her neck.

Her normally carefully brushed blonde hair was a wild mass, sticking out in every direction except the the right side, pushed flat from sleeping on it. Something Blue usually found quite amusing, but not tonight.

"I’m sorry if I woke you," she mumbled quietly, eyes darting to the cup in her grasp. Yellow ignored the apology.

"What's wrong?" Her voice was thick with sleep as she padded over to the desk, her feet still bare, not bothering with her boots, who would stop or question her, especially at this time of night?

There was no sense trying to say she was fine, she didn't normally get up in the dead of night to drink in her study.

"I had a nightmare," she mumbled.

"What about?" the groggy knight asked gruffly.

Blue took another drink from the cup, emptying it. Yellow looked at the bottle knowingly, her already narrowed eyes squinted further.

"My mother," She breathed, face twisting as the alcohol slid down her throat.

"What about her?" The gruffness in her voice had softened.

Blue didn't answer for several long moments, long enough that Yellow eventually walked around the desk and laid a scarred and calloused hand on her shoulder.

"Blue…"

"What if it happens to me?" she finally spoke, a tremor in her voice as she stood from her chair and moved to pace along the wall.

"What if what happens to you?" Yellow's face scrunched up in confusion at what she was talking about.

"Madness!" Blue shouted, whipping around to face her. "What if I go mad like my mother did?" She threw out her arms.

"What? Where is this coming from?" If she hadn't been fully awake before, she was now

"I had a nightmare about my mother and what happened to her and then... it happened to me…I went mad and..." she pressed a shaky hand to her face.

"Your not going to go mad." Yellow quickly crossed the room and laid her hands on the queens shoulders.

"But what if I do, Aurelia?! My mother wasn't always as mad as she was in the end." She backed away, letting Yellow's hands fall. "It was slow for her too… we didn't even notice until she was ready to kill us all…" she wrapped her arms around herself, turning away from the knight.

Yellow didn't know what to say to Blue’s confession.

“She was kind and loving when she was younger… then slowly, before our eyes, she was… warped... into a monster… What if that happens to me? It’s so slow… what if I never even notice, disappear and never realize?" She clutched the sleeves of her robe. "What would stop me from hurting Rosaline and Greggory? You? Steven?" She choked, shoulders shaking.

In two long strides Yellow was behind her, wrapping her arms around the queen who tried to break loose but the knight only held tighter as she struggled. Soon the fight left her and her knees buckled. Yellow gently lowered them to the floor.

"That's not going to happen, Azurine" Yellows gruff voice was right in her ear as she held her flush to her chest.

"How do you know?" she choked as sobs wracked her body.

"I won't let it…" She squeezed Blue even closer, trying to quell the queens shaking sobs. “I’ll remind you, everyday if I have to,” She spoke just loud enough to be heard over Azurine’s crying. “I’ll remind you who you are, and who we are.” She promised.

They sat there on the floor for sometime, Yellow, running her fingers through the long silvery locks before Blue’s cries finally quieted into sniffles.

"Are you alright?" Yellow asked quietly. Blue nodded soundlessly, turning to face the knight.

Carefully, Yellow reached up and brushed the hair from her face, allowing her to better see the queen's puffy eyes and tear-stained face. With a thumb, Yellow gently wiped away the last of the tears.

"I'm terrified it will happen to me, Yellow…" her voice was raspy and low.

“Has anyone else in your family ever suffered from madness?” Yellow asked.

Blue sniffed, looking thoughtful. “Not that I can recall,” she admitted, trying to run her many predecessors through her mind.

“Then it probably isn’t something you’re going to inherit through your blood.” The knight reasoned. “Maybe she regularly ate something that slowly poisoned her over time, maybe she fell and hit her head, we’ll never know for certain, Azurine. You shouldn’t worry about something that will more likely than not will never affect you.” Yellow cupped one damp cheek in her palm. Blue looked up at her from beneath damp lashes.

“I know… I just don’t want to be the reason everyone I love suffers…” She leaned into the warm touch, eyes closing as she soaked up the warmth that always seemed to radiate from the knight.

“I need you to make me a promise…,” she said suddenly. Yellow looked at her expectantly. Blue bit her lip.

“If it ever happens, I want you to promise me that you won’t let me languish in madness.”

The meaning was clear.

Yellow’s jaw clenched so hard Blue was afraid her teeth might crack. The vein in her neck stuck out sharply.

“No” was the resolute answer, growled out between clenched teeth as her lover glared at her.

“Aurelia…,” Blue started.

“No!” the knight snarled violently, her yell startling the queen. “You may ask many things of me Azurine, even for my life, and I’d give them all to you; but never that!” her voice cracked. She leaned forward, their foreheads pressed together. The knight’s eyes slid closed.

“You can’t do that to me…,” she ground out, voice wavering “I don’t know what I’d do without you.” She admitted, voice barely a whisper.

Blue’s heart clenched at the quiet admission. She reached up, taking hold of the knight’s face between her hand; her thumbs brushing along her cheeks. She could feel the tremors running through her.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry, Aurelia,” she soothed quietly, till the tremors had stopped and her breathing had evened out.

After a while, shiny amber eyes slid open to regard her.

“Forgive me?” She let her hands fell from Yellow’s face as she hummed in quiet agreement.

“Will you make me this promise instead…?” She breathed, as though they weren't the only two people in the room. Yellow eyed her warily. “Promise me that you’ll protect our family, no matter what.”

“I always have…” Yellow bit out, trying to push the thickness out of her voice.

“I know.” Blue smiled, leaning further into her, Yellow’s arms wrapping around her was automatic and Blue buried her face in her neck. For now at least, the weight that had settled on her chest since she’d woken up had lifted.

Nothing else was said for a while, till the knight gently separated herself and stood, offering her hand to the kneeling queen.

“Can we return to bed now?” She asked, tiredly, face sagging with exhaustion. Blue felt just as tired as her lover looked and nodded, taking the offered hand and allowed Yellow to help her stand. She returned the bottle to its place in her bottom desk drawer and snuffed out the candle.

The halls were still empty as they left the study, headed back to their bedroom.

As soon as they opened the door the wailing hit them.

“Oh, Steven!” Blue hurried over in the dark to the boy sitting in his cot, crying.

Yellow moved to light the candle sitting by their bed, casting a flickering glow over the room, illuminating the teary eyed toddler, sitting up in his bed with the blanket pulled tight around him.

“Aunt Blue” He blubbered, jumping up and running to her, wrapping his tiny arms around her legs. Blue hauled him up into her arms and he buried his face into her hair.

“What’s wrong, my sweet?” Blue rubbed his back soothingly.

“I-I woke up and couldn’t find momma or daddy,” he hiccuped.

“They aren’t here, remember, Steven? They’ll be back in a couple of days.” She rocked the boy back and forth. He nodded but didn’t pull his face out of her neck.

Yellow plopped herself onto the bed and watched the two, stifling a yawn as Blue cradled him in her arms, murmuring soothing words into his ear.

“Would you like to sleep with us?” She asked, running her fingers through his hair, he nodded.

“Lets go to sleep then.” She walked over and set him on the bed, he wasted no time crawling over to Yellow and snuggling into her side. The knight grunted, but Blue knew very well just how pleased she was that he went to her.

Blue slipped off her robe and climbed into the bed, pulling the blankets over them as Yellow leaned over and blew out the candle, casting the room in darkness. He wiggled around for several minutes before seemingly getting comfortable.

Within a few minutes, Blue could tell by his stillness that he was asleep, snuggled between the two of them.

Carefully Blue reached out and found the scarred and calloused hands she would recognize blindfolded, and wrapped her fingers around them. Yellow squeezed back and any lingering tension ebbed away as she drifted back to sleep.

~ ~ ~

“I missed you so much.” Pink pressed kiss after kiss to her son’s giggling face as they sat on the carved marble benches. “The meeting’s were so dull,” she lamented. “How were things here?”

“We had a wonderful time together.” Blue told her, watching the two.

“I’m glad.” Pink replied, looking up at her sister. She glanced over at the small wooden table set up not far away where Yellow and Greggory sat playing chess; both looking much to serious for a game. “I don’t understand why they play. Yellow always wins.” She shook her head. Blue chuckled.

“I think that’s why.” She smiled. “Yellow likes to win and Greggory knows the only way to get better is to play against someone better.” She shrugged.

“Checkmate.” Yellow leaned back, crossing her arms.

“Ugh” the former bard groaned, sagging.

“Next time, perhaps” The knight smirked, but the message was clear. ‘Not likely’

Pink rolled her eyes.

“Ah, while I’m thinking about it, when you and Greggory are properly rested I’d like all of us to sit for a new painting of the whole family. I think it’s time to replace the one in my study…” She looked at Pink who knew exactly which painting she was speaking of.

"I think that's a great idea. Steven might have a problem sitting that long, but we’ll try," Pink said, running her hand through her son's hair.

"Yellow won't like it either, we'll just have the painter paint them first." She smiled.

"You're going to include Yellow?” Pink looked at her wide-eyed.

“I am.” The queen nodded, folding her hands in her lap. “Surely you don’t protest?” Blue looked at her.

“No! Of course not, I think it’s great! It’s just... I’m sure I don’t need to remind you of all the rumors constantly being flung around about the two of you. Having Yellow..., no matter how many years she’s been with us, sit for a portrait of the royal family would all but be admitting that the rumors about your love affair have always been true.” Pink warned.

“So long as no one admits anything, they can think and speculate all they want, they have for years now, they always will... and they will always be true.” Blue smiled.

“I suppose so,” Pink chuckled. “Have you told her that yet? You know how she gets about anything that might give too much away.”

“You’re right, It may take some convincing…” Blue agreed, looking at the two of them. Pink caught on quickly.

“Say no more.” She grinned and leaned down to whisper in her son’s ear.

“Steven, wouldn’t you like for Yellow to be in the family painting with us?” She asked as he looked up at her with wide eyes. “Do you think someone should go ask her?”

A wide smile broke out across his face and he began to squirming in his mother’s grip. With a giggle, Pink set him down and he took off running toward his father and the knight.

“Yellow!”

#AKA #AKA:R #bellow diamond #knightAU #blue diamond #yellow diamond #pink diamond #steven universe #greg demayo

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rockerfemme · 5 years ago

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all of the flowers

thank you. i love attention and talking about myself

DAISY: How old were you when you had your first kiss?

CARNATION: If I handed you a concert ticket right now, who would you want to be the performer?

gn’r

JASMINE: What color looks best on you?

black

FOXGLOVE: Name three facts about your family?

- 5 people- 3 of us have birthdays in consecutive months (jan/feb/march)- we’re all pretty horrible

ALLIUM: What’s the best thing you can cook?

fried rice i make fantastic fried rice

ORANGE BLOSSOM: If you could pick the gender and appearance of your child, would you?

good question. i have no idea

CALLA LILY: If you died right now, what song would you want to play at your funeral?

too much booty in the pants- 2 live crew tiny dancer

POINSETTIA: Favorite holiday dish?

no idea ive never really had a lot of special holiday foods

OXLIP: Would you ever get into a long distance relationship?

yup

PRIMROSE: Favorite kind of soup?

light soup (im? not sure if its a thing/what its called in america it’s tomato based and my mom makes it and it’s great)

DAFFODIL: What’s the most thoughtful present you’ve ever received?

bowie shirt

ROSE: Are you currently in love with someone?

good question!

AMSONIA: Would you ever become a vegan?

no i like eggs way too much

PEONY: What’s your favorite hot beverage?

hot chocolate

TULIP: For your birthday, what kind of cake do you ask for?

cheesecake or cake with buttercream frosting

MYRTLE: Do you like going on airplanes?

yup

HIBISCUS: Did you ever play an instrument? If so what?

used to play trumpet now i play guitar and i have my eye on bass and drums as soon i have the money/space

ZINNIA: Who was your best friend when you were six years old?

her name was rosie

POPPY: What color was your childhood home?

white with forest-green shutters and stuff

HYDRANGEA: Starbucks order?

cold brew with salted caramel cream

VIOLET: Do you like where you’re from?

i think so

LOCUST: What was your favorite book as a child?

no flying in the house

RHODODENDRON: What’s the scariest dream you’ve ever had?

that my bf at the time died

QUEEN ANNE’S LACE: Would you rather carve pumpkins or wrap presents?

wrap presents i think

MAGNOLIA: Favorite kind of candy?

3 musketeers, milky way midnights, or bit o honey

ASTER: Would you rather be cold or hot?

cold

MARIGOLD: Do you listen to what’s on the radio?

i don’t listen to the actual radio but i do, unfortunately, like a lot of the overplayed pop songs so i suppose,

HELICONIA: Do you like when it rains?

yes

AZALEA: What’s a movie you cried while watching?

sausage party happy death day 2

DANDELION: Do you think you’re important?

not usually

#long post

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doux-ciel · 6 years ago

Text

Personal Trainer CH. 10

Tagged: @delphwrites @seraphilth @erinisawriter @youngdumbxlit @godxblooded @riftversus @remorse--less @bodoramzap @bzrtales @bambimattel @jess---writes @jadeswritinggarden @sugarmommamusings @xanderswriteblr @cvlms @velvet-moss @natalierosewrites @adalinewrites @ghost-possum @sauwrites @between--alleys

Masterlist: 🥊 🥊 🥊

“Six more” I hear Fiona yell over the fan that is currently blowing the cool air to my face/body. I feel the whip of the jump rope as it swiftly moves over my whole body and the way the balls of my feet lands on the grey concrete ground below me. I had to push myself, even though my breathing was erratic and my legs started to ache. I can't stop, I won't stop. She starts counting down, her timer in her left hand and a water bottle in her right. “6,5,4,3,2,1”

Once she says 1, I toss the jump rope to the side and grab the water bottle from out her hand. Gulping the cold liquid down, my throat has been screaming for water this whole time. Once I'm finished my eyes focus on Fiona. She claps her hand together two times, signaling me to come closer to her. “Alright...you feel like you're gonna throw up?”

“No” I shake my head.

She lets out a tiny laugh, “I'm not working you hard enough” She pauses, then I see her eyes traveling towards the chlorine water death trap, which is also called a pool. She grabs my hand, “C'mon we are going to the pool”

I hesitate, taking a strong grip and pulling her back towards me. My eyes get wide. “Wait the pool?”

I thinks it’s safe to say I am very afraid of the water. I have traumatizing memories of almost drowning in my family’s pool back at home in Pennsylvania. Never touched a swimming pool since, Griffin is always trying to get me to go in the water when we go on his family’s annual cruise ship vacation but I always refuse.

She nods, pulling on my arm practically dragging me towards the edge of the pool. Once there, she leaves me to go fetch some goggles. When she comes back she tosses them over my way, I quickly grab them before they fall in the pool. “Yup it will increase your VO2 capacity like you're running on Mount Everest”

“People die on Everest”

She winks at me. “Well try not to drown”

I take in a deep breath, dipping my toe in the water I quickly take it back out. I needed to know how she knew about Henry, I turn around to find her standing right behind me. Her eyes making constant contact with mines. My mind is telling me to jump in but my body stops me, “How did you know?”

Her eyebrows knit together. “About what?”

“About Henry” I remind her, I shuffle to the move away from the edge but she quickly mirrors my movements.

“What about him?” she quizzed, her arms crossed over her chest her. The top of her lip curled into a snarl.

“He didn't show up for work” I answered simply.

Her arms dropped. “So who did the presentation?”

I point to myself, “I did”

“How did it go?”

“It went amazing actually”

She grabs my shoulders, shaking my whole body her eyes get wide and a smile is plastered on her face. “Well that's great...let's celebrate your success by adding in a few more reps in the pool”

I once she lets go out my shoulders, I take a deep breath in before jumping into the pool. Once I hit the water this cold burst flowed through my body, I let my legs do all the work while I try my best to not breathe in the water. But of course this pool is deep and it seems like forever until I reach the bottom.

Panic sets in.

I can't take it anymore I engulf a big heap of water making my body fail around.

My lungs ache for air.

I finally feel a hand reach out to me and I gladly take it.

Once Fiona pulls me up and out to the edge of the pool I take my time spitting the water in my mouth out, breathing in and out quickly, I look up at her shaking my head furiously my hair sending water everywhere, “No I can't do it”

Fiona kisses her teeth, her body stiffness and she starts to shout. “You know how people make it through the desert without water...you know why? Because they don't have a choice”

I shake my head again and murmur. “I can't” I start to lift myself up out the pool when I feel a sharp pain on my hand, and that's when I see it. Fiona’s shoe on my hand, pressing down harder, I wince a little holding in my scream.

I try to move my hand from underneath her foot but she bends down to my level, we are now eye to eye. Her voice is stern, “You are not getting out of this pool until you finish what you started”

I don't say anything. Because I know she is right, My birth father always taught me to never quit. Never let your mental state get the best of and always succeed in whatever you do. I look at her with wide eyes for a moment the only thing I feel was my middle, ring and pinkie finger getting numb. She finally lifts her foot off my hand, I take this time to bring my hand back in the water, shaking it around to get the blood back flowing.

“You were late”

“What?” I take my left hand and l lift myself back up from out the pool, placing my bottom on the concrete, my back is facing her.

“My time is very valuable Azalea...I don't like my clients to not show up….” I can feel her body pressed up against my back, her lips were right near my ear. “You're going to get in that pool and you're going to give me some reps!!”

My body jolted from the yelling and I jumped back into the pool and started swimming deeper down to the bottom, starting to grab the weights from the bottom of the pool, I begin to do my sets.

¤ ¤ ¤

The heat feels so good on my sore legs, I see Fiona walking up to me with her towel wrapped around her body. My left hand rests on the bench, she takes a seat next to me.

“I feel like I keep letting you down”

She turns her head over to me, “Are you serious? Your doing great”

I let out a long and drawn out breath, relaxing my body into the walls watching the steam rise up into the air around us. “My tournament last weekend wasn't my best, I barely made it to 8th round.”

I feel her hand on my thigh, she started to rub her thumb around my skin in tiny circles. “You barely made it but you kept on pushing...and you beat her ass. Your one of my star athletes….your special”

After that the conversation died down it was just pure silence just me and her relaxing in the sauna.

Soon after we both were in the locker room getting changed, I was pulling my arms through my t-shirt when I hear Fiona ask me something. “Do you have any plans for Christmas?”

I shake my head yes as I pull the shirt over my head, “Well I'm trying to reconnect with my boyfriend...we are supposed to go over to his mom's house for Christmas.”

I start to grab my jeans off the nearby bench they were resting on, I see her reach for her bra, looking over at me. “How long are you staying?”

I shrug. “A couple of days”

I see her demeanor change, her movements became fast as she pulled her sport bra on and grabbed her leggings putting one foot in and starting to work on the other. “Will it interfere with our sessions...because I won't stand for you to be late again”

I start to replay the events prior back in my head, I'm getting a shiver in my spine just thinking about her foot on my hand. “No...I'll come back early.” I pause wanting to know what her plans are for the long weekend. I pull my pants up. “How about you...are you doing anything fun?”

She gives me a frown and shakes her head side to side. “Just working”

This woman never stops working, it's like she's a robot. I wonder why she doesn't take time for herself? I grab my wet swimsuit stuffing it in a plastic bag and throwing it in my workout bag, “You don't take any time for yourself?”

“I don't plan to do much…”

“Well if you want…” I trail off..I hope she's getting what I'm saying but I mean I don't think Griffin would mind If I brought along an extra guest. I start walking towards the sink, turning the cold water on.

I hear her chuckle behind me, I look in the mirror looking at her looking at me. “Don't you need a break from me?”

I sigh not because I'm disappointed because I'm relieved. I pump the soap on my hands, scrubbing them together. If I was being honest I was being nice by offering her to come with us to his mother's place for the holidays. “As long as you don't drop and make me do 20 then we are good”

“No I couldn't”

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haru-desune · 7 years ago

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hello! i recently read all of Gakuen Babysitter and am now bingeing everything there is for it on A03. i really like your writing! i saw that you were taking prompts, so i was wondering if you'd be interested in doing a shy, pining Hayato. i have a weakness for tough boys who are shy on the inside~

I feel like this fandom needs a flower shop/tattoo parlour AU. I’m 800%writing this now to procrastinate on my media project and will definitelyregret it later but oh well ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (AO3) (FF.Net)

Hayato liked working at Deep Ink tattoo parlour. The pay wasgood, his co-workers were bearable, and the owners of the ramen shop two doorsdown knew his order by heart. Nobody at the parlour minded that he was as bluntas a pair of safety scissors, and he enjoyed making art for a living, thoughhe’d smack anyone who suggested that such a sentimental thought crossed hismind. And of course, there was Green Meadows florists, across the street, whichhad always existed as part of Hayato’s reality, but had recently been in hismind more and more often. It was mostly Yagi’s fault. He might not have evennoticed him if it wasn’t for Yagi.

“Did you hear?” said Yagi as they were opening up theparlour one morning “the flower shop across the street is getting a newemployee.”

“Is that so?” asked Nekota, though by the sound of hervoice, Hayato could tell she wasn’t very interested. To be fair the only gossipshe spared any real attention for concerned Inui, the bartender that shedefinitely did-not-have-a-crush-on-shut-up-Yagi, so Hayato was pretty sure Yagiwouldn’t take it personally. Sure enough the other man only smiled andcontinued.

“Yup. Apparently he’s a college student, living with hisyounger brother, and the human embodiment of sunshine.”

Hayato raised an eyebrow at that last statement and Nekotasnorted. “Where did you get that information from?” she asked as she finishedwiping down the guns and throwing away the wipes. She stretched her arms highabove her head to toss them into the bin like a basketball and revealing thesharp-eyed calico cat inked into her hip, filled in with blotches of colour.

“From Chuukichi of course.”

Ah yes, Yagi’s best friend (and possibly boyfriend though noone could figure out their relationship and Hayato couldn’t be bothered to ask)was a florist at Green Meadows as well.

“I really doubt Nezu-san described someone as ‘the humanembodiment of sunshine’” Hayato said dryly.

Yagi laughed softly, scratching idly at the cherry blossomsthat climbed up his neck. “I may have paraphrased that a bit.”

There was a loud, firm, and deliberate clearing of a throatfrom the receptionist’s desk. “If you have time to gossip, you have time tosweep.” said Inomata sternly, and that was the end of that.

Except it wasn’t. Because later that day Hayato saw him, when he happened to glance outof the big glass windows at the front of the store, and for a second he forgothow to breathe. Brown hair that looked red in the sunlight, bright green apronthat really should have clashed with the red but didn’t, and a laugh soexpressive that Hayato could swear he could hear it all the way across the street.He couldn’t tell what colour his eyes were, but he was sure they’d be every bitas captivating as the man himself.

The Florist, as Hayato had taken to calling him in his head,had an afternoon shift every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and opened onSaturday. Hayato could see him from the parlour when he came out for his break,or to weep the front, or to water the various colourful plants that hung inbaskets outside the shop. Each week he was treated to snatches of a wide smile,glimpses of his head thrown back in laughter. He had started hanging around thereception desk like a love sick school girl, much to Inomata’s annoyance.

“If you like the man so much, just go across the street andtalk to him.”

“Who said anything about liking him?”

Inomata gave him a thoroughly unimpressed look, and herelented. “I don’t know what I’d say.” he said honestly.

“You’ve never had a problem with speaking your mind,Kamitani-kun.”

“Neither have you, Inomata-san, but I don’t see you speakingto that bubbly florist girl either.”

Inomata snapped her mouth shut at that, and let the topicgo.

Yagi spent a vast majority of his breaks across the streetanyway due to his… whatever with Nezu, but he would now come back with storiesof The Florist- whose name he, infuriatingly, refused to divulge- and flowersfor everyone, and really Yagi might be the only person both brave andself-confident enough to waltz up to Hayato, tuck a flower behind his ear, andpractically skip away to pester Inomata, the only unmarked member of theirteam, into letting him give her a tattoo.

If the latest designs in Hayato’s sketch book had a morefloral theme, well nobody had to know.

Hayato had been standing outside the flower shop for 10minutes. That was one third of his break time. He’d been standing just out ofsight of the inside counter, though he could clearly see that The Florist wason duty. Occasionally he would take a half step forward, before pausing andreturning back to his original position.

“If you don’t go inside, someone’s going to call the police”came a dry voice behind him, and he whipped around to face Nekota, who gave hima sly grin as she arched an eyebrow.

Hayato had to concede she had a point. It didn’t help thatthe sweltering summer heat had driven him to wear a tank top, which exposed theintricate pattern of trailing vines and swirling galaxies that made their wayup to both his shoulders, giving way to the geometric wolf on one shouldermatched by an identically styled falcon on the other, and allowed the crest ofthe wave that adorned his chest to peak past his collar. A heavily tattooed manglaring at a flower shop was probably enough to set off most people’s warningbells.

“What are you even doing here?”

“Needed a reference for a client.”

“Oh really?” Nekota’s smirk grew as she crossed her armsover her chest, the short sleeves of her top riding up to expose the tail ofthe ethereal blue and gold mermaid that marked her left shoulder, the colouringcontrasting sharply with the twisting words of an old love poem that circledboth her upper arms.

“Really.” He replied flatly. “She wants a particular set offlowers. Apparently it’s supposed to mean something.” It was a pretty decentdesign actually, a swirl of five different flowers that spiralled out from nearher heart to under her rib. It was a surprise for her husband, a love story inpetals, from what she had told him. Despite all outward appearances, Hayatocould appreciate a romantic gesture.

“And you couldn’t, I don’t know, Google these flowers?”

“You know as well as I do that a picture isn’t going to giveyou the same feel.”

Nekota grinned, and Hayato felt like he’d just lost acompetition he didn’t know they were having.

“Well then go on, and get your references then.” She shovedhim slightly towards the door, and now that Hayato was in full view of thecounter inside, turning around was no longer an option. He had no choice but togo inside. He glared at her.

“I’m going to kill you.”

“You can try.”

He took a deep breath and opened the door, entering the slightlyhumid, heavily perfumed shop, the sound of Nekota’s cackling still ringing inhis ears, and was met with a pair of the brownest eyes he’d ever seen. For along moment the eyes were the only things taking up his vision, but slowly hetook in everything else, like he was watching a movie scene where the camerawas slowly zooming out. The rest of Brown Eyes’ face was even more enchantingup close, large eyes, pointed nose, and a mouth made for smiling. His cheekswere dusted with a smattering of freckles, probably due to the summer sun,provided an unhelpful corner of his mind. It was only after he realized he hadbeen staring for a while and not speaking that he noticed Brown Eyes wasn’talone. His co-worker, a sleepy-eyed man with long pink hair that would havelooked out of place anywhere but this garden of roses and tulips and azaleasand god knows what else, winked at him like he knew a secret.

“Oh!” he said, pounding a fist on his open palm “You’reanime-kun’s friend. I’ve seen you go with him to the tattoo parlour.”

“A-anime-kun?”

“Nezu-kun’s friend? The one with the cherry blossom tattoo? Andthe pixel-ly ones on his arms? Very anime.”

Hayato quirked an eyebrow, eyeing the man’s pink hair. Hewas about to say something on the matter when Brown Eyes spoke.

“Usaida-san,” he said, exasperation colouring his tone “canyou call someone anime-kun when you yourself have pink hair?”

Usaida waved him off like it didn’t matter, which Hayatosupposed, it really didn’t. Brown Eyes sighed, before turning to Hayato with asmile so bright that he thought his heart might stop right there.

“Welcome to Green Meadows flower shop, how can we help you?”

“I’m sorry to ask, but I need references for a tattoo I’mdesigning. I was hoping you would allow me to sketch some flowers from thisshop?”

“Certainly, which flowers do you need, or will anything do?”

Hayato checked the note he’d made on his phone. “Redcamellias, white carnations, anemone, lavender, and forget-me-nots.” He wassure at least one of those was a fish. Or the house of a fish? Something fishrelated anyway.

The other man’s eyes lit up. “In love, fascination, sincerity,faithfulness, and true love. A special tattoo then. Your customer must reallylove someone indeed.” He coloured up suddenly. “I’m sorry, it’s just that Ifind hanakotoba really cool.”

Hayato tried not to be distracted by the sight of the manblushing. “Ah, it’s no problem. It’s kind of cool that you know it off the topof your head like that. I didn’t even realize they had a meaning until myclient explained it.”

The man turned a deeper shade of red, and turned, ostensiblyto look for the plants in question. Usaida smirked at Hayato when Brown Eyeswasn’t looking.

“I think we should have most of these around. Oh, wait,we’re out of white carnations, but there are some red ones here so at least youcan get the shape right…” The man trailed off hunting for the flowers he’dneed, before lining them up on the back counter. “You can step back here andsketch without anyone bothering you.”

“Thank you.”

“No problem. Any friend of Yagi-kun is welcome here. I’mKashima Ryuuichi, by the way.” He said with a smile so infectious that Hayatohad to smile back.

“Kamitani Hayato.”

Weeks passed of Hayato finding (making, according to Yagi)excuses to go back to the flower shop. Managing to talk more and more withKashima until suddenly they were friends. They had exchanged numbers at somepoint, and Hayato hadn’t emailed anyone this regularly since his school days.

“You’re adorable” Yagi cooed when he caught him smiling athis phone screen for the umpteenth time as they were closing up.

“Gross, more like.” Nekota said “Just ask him out and put usall out of our misery. You already have lunch with him at least once a week.”

“I’m not going to ask him out.” Hayato said, scowling atthem.

“What! Why not?” asked Nekota and Yagi together. EvenInomata looked up from organizing the day’s records and fixed him with anexasperated look, which Hayato thought was supremely unfair as she had yet totalk to bubbly florist girl- whose name was Ushimaru apparently.

“We’re friends now, I don’t want to make it weird.” He saidwith a shrug, trying to pretend that it didn’t take years off his life tryingto control his heartbeat every time he was around Kashima.

Nekota made a disgusted noise, and Inomata shook her head.Yagi just looked thoughtful.

“If you change your mind, can you wait a month to ask him? Ihave money riding on this.”

Hayato felt completely justified in hitting him.

“Kamitani?” Hayato blinked at Kashima, whose voice was tightin a way that indicated that he was trying not to laugh.

“Yes?”

“Did you know you have a flower behind your ear?”

Hayato’s hand flew up to inspect the offending appendage,and sure enough there was a thin stemmed yellow flower nestled there. “I’mgoing to murder Yagi.” He growled, carefully removing the plant.

Kashima did laugh at that. “Don’t” he said, plucking theflower out of his hands and leaning over to replace it. “It’s cute.”

Hayato couldn’t speak, too busy trying to deal with theblaring alarms and the panicked TOO CLOSEthat spun through his brain. Kashima smiled at him before calmly returning towork. Hayato might have heard Nezu snort, but he wasn’t sure. He bit back agroan. This man was going to kill him.

KASHIMA: HeyKamitani are you busy on Sunday? Want to meet up? I’m taking my brother out ifyou want to tag along.

Hayato looked at the message on his phone. Of course the onetime Kashima wanted to meet outside of work would be the day he’d gotten ropedinto taking Taka to some museum or something for a class project.

YOU: Sorry, butI’m helping my brother with some school work on Sunday.

KASHIMA: Oh,maybe some other time then.

Hayato shook his head, trying not to get his hopes up at thepromise of a future meet up. “It’s not adate, Hayato.” He told himself, before calling out to his brother.

“Hey brat, where am I taking you Sunday?”

“I’m not a brat, don’t be a jerk Aniki!”

“Just answer the question squirt.”

“Someday I’m going to be taller than you.” Taka grumbled,scowling up at him.

“Keep dreaming. Now answer the damn question.”

“The natural history museum.” Taka pouted

“Great. Did you finish your homework?”

“Um…”

“Finish your homework.”

“You’re not the boss of me!”

“You wanna test that theory?” Hayato glared, raising athreatening fist, and Taka gulped.

“Homework. Going. Now!”

“Good. Maybe ifyou finish early I might play MarioKart with you.”

Taka’s face lit up at the promise and he raced off to finishhis homework. Hayato sighed, looking back down at his phone.

YOU: I’ll holdyou to it.

Hayato decided that the only thing worse than a Sundaymorning car ride with a hyperactive Taka was a Sunday morning car ride with a hyperactiveTaka and no coffee.

“So who are you working on this assignment with again?”

“My best friend and partner in crime.”

Hayato snorted “People don’t say that in real life.”

“I just said it right now, didn’t I?”

“Fair enough. Does this best friend of yours have a name?”

“His name is Kotaro, he’ll meet us there with his brother.We’re writing our report on dinosaurs. I think the T-rex is the coolest, butKotaro likes the stegosaurus the best which is stupid because…”

Hayato let the rest of Taka’s blabbering fade into whitenoise as he focused on driving, finally pulling into the museum parking.

“Kotaro said we’ll meet at the gates.”

Hayato nodded and let his brother half drag him to thegates, stifling a yawn. Hey heard Takagive a yell before he half-hugged half-tackled another boy who took the wholething with a resigned stoicism. So this was the famous best friend, huh. Heglanced at the brother standing next to him who was laughing at the scene,greetings halfway out of his mouth before his brain registered a familiar face.

“Hello I’m K- Kashima!?”

The other man laughed, a clear sound that woke Hayato upfaster than a triple espresso shot.

“Looks like we won’t have to reschedule after all.”

Hayato had never been so glad his mother had forced him towear a decent shirt. Sure the sleeves were rolled up to the elbows and he waswearing an old pair of black jeans and some ratty Vans, but at least he lookedhalfway okay. A part of his brain was urgently reminding him that this was not a date but he was really too sleepyto register it.

Kashima looked him over once, and Hayato was almost certainhe saw his eyes linger on the sleeves that were exposed on his forearms and thepetals of the cactus flower that touched his collar bone, a more recentaddition which had made Kashima turn various shades of red when he first sawit. He had gotten done because he liked the shape of the flower, but after thatreaction he had to look up thehanakotoba and then couldn’t meet Kashima’s eye for a week.

“You look good.”

“Thanks. You too.” Said Hayato, a little hoarsely. And itwasn’t a lie. Kashima, in a plaid shirt and jeans and no apron made his breathhitch. “This is not a date” histreacherous mind supplied. “Shut it!” he growled under his breath.

“What?”

“Nothing, I mean let’s head in.”

This was not the first time Hayato was distracted byKashima’s hands. The other man had a habit of tapping his fingers when he wasnervous or had nothing else to do. They were nice fingers, Hayato had notedlong ago, slender and elegant with dirt under the nails more often than not. Hehad often wondered what those fingers would feel like intertwined with his. Kashimawould usually lay his free hand on the table while eating, fingers splayed,occasionally tapping a gentle rhythm onto the table, and it would be so easyfor Hayato to just reach out and tangle his own with them, holding them still.

Walking together through the museum was agony. Kashima’shands were just millimetres away, all he had to do was reach out a little andthey would be walking hand in hand. Every time Kashima’s hand brushed his asthey walked, Hayato felt a jolt of electricity course through him, making himhyperaware of his surroundings, yet he never wanted to leave this moment.

It was that moment standing in the museum with Kashima, hisbrain still screaming that this was not a date, that Hayato realized that thiscould not keep going on.

YOU: Hey I’mthinking of getting a new tattoo, what do you think?

Hayato sent the message with clearest picture of his sketch.A green dragon with a surprisingly gentle face, coiled in on itself andsurrounded by a burst of colour. Cherry blossom for kindness, pansy forthoughtful, hibiscus for gentle, lily of the valley for sweet, sunflower for respect but also for passionatelove, gardenia for secret love, yellow camellias for longing, carnations forfascination, anemones for sincerity, and red roses for love.

He sent the message, and then he waited.

Come morning there was still no message from Kashima, and itwas with heavy legs and a heavy heart that Hayato walked into the parlour, onlyto be greeted by a large bouquet of flowers on the reception desk. Well atleast Inomata was succeeding where he was failing.

“Kamitani-kun.” Said Inomata, her voice laced with somethingunidentifiable as she took in his dejected expression. “Delivery for you.”

“Oh is it behind the giant bouquet of flowers?” he asked,bitterly.

“No, idiot, it isthe giant bouquet of flowers.”

Hayato’s head whipped up, taking in the flowers properly forthe first time. There were sunflowers here too, and red roses, though pink wasalso thrown into the mix, for happiness. Anemones, yellow camellias,carnations. But there were also zinnia for loyalty, Violets for honesty, redtulips for trust, peonies for bravery, and morning glory for wilful promises.His chest felt tight and warm, while something like hope swirled in hisstomach.

“I have to go.”

He ran out of the parlour and across the road, bursting intothe shop and making Ushimaru jump.

“Is Kashima here yet?”

Her face lit up in understanding, and she pointed to thebackroom and then let out a little squeak as he hopped over the counter insteadof waiting for her to open the little gate that kept the counters an “employeesonly” area. He marched into the back room, and there he was, digging around abo of hydrangeas.

“Kashima.”

The man jumped and looked up, and Hayato froze. Kashima’seyes were still the brownest he’d ever seen.

“Kamitani.” His voice was barely above a whisper.

“I couldn’t- you didn’t- I thought I had scared you off.” Hesaid finally, voice soft.

“I’m sorry. I should have said something, but you had put somuch thought into it and well… words weren’t enough.”

“So is that a yes?”

Kashima gave him a look. “Come on Kamitani, I know you’vepicked up on enough hanakotoba to figure it out.”

Hayato’s lips quirked upwards on their own accord “Justchecking.”

He strode towards Kashima, slowly, deliberately, giving the manample opportunity to stop him. He wrapped his arms around him, pulling him intoan embrace, and placing a light kiss on his forehead.

Kashima made an impatient noise, standing on his toes topress their lips together, and Hayato saw fireworks. He groaned into the kiss,leaning down to make himself more accessible, backing them up until Kashima’sback was pressed against the wall. They broke apart, grinning.

“Does this mean I can call you Ryu?”

“It’d be kind of weird if you didn’t… Hayato.”

Hayato swallowed heavily, that would take some getting usedto. In a good way.

Kashima- no, Ryu- looked up at him through his lashes. “Areyou really going to get that tattoo?”

“Do you want me to?”

“Maybe on our wedding day.”

Hayato choked on air, and then laughed, pressing his faceinto Ryu’s neck. This man was going to kill him.

A/N- Did someone ask for an entire paragraph of Hayato agonizing overhand holding? No? Well I gave it to you anyway. The meaning of cactus flowers,if you were wondering, is lust/sex. I honestly don’t know if some of those flowerswould work in a bouquet but let’s pretend that our boy Ryu found a way. I havethis AU weirdly sorted out in my head so if anyone wants to know anything aboutit (Tattoos, occupations, life stories, etc.) feel free to ask because I’m tootired to write. Anyway, hit me up on tumblr if you want to see more, I’mbards-against-hoomanity. Shoot me an ask if you’ve got a prompt, usual termsand conditions apply. Love you guys and I hope you enjoyed this!

#Gakuen Babysitters #School Babysitters #Hayaryuu #Kashima Ryuuichi #Kamitani Hayato #Fan Fic #My Fic #polarbarbarian

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sheerioswifties · 7 years ago

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Get to know me!

((Some of these I’m not gonna answer just cos I don’t give out personal info publicly sorry loves. -SS))

gender: female

zodiac: I’m actually curious to see if you guys can guess???

height: average😉

time: 6:23

birthday:

favorite bands/artists: LOTS, actually!! I love music! Obvs Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift; Lorde, Adele, Macklemore, Iggy Azalea, Shawn Mendes, Linkin Park, Jay-Z, the Lumineers, Sia, M83, Alessia Cara, Echosmith, Ludacris, 21 Pilots, Fallout Boy, Imagine Dragons, Gr- Okay you know what there’s literally hundreds this is hard lol my music taste is all over the place! Favorites of the moment often depend on my mood

last movie i saw: like saw in theatre or just watched? Bc theatre: Blade Runner 2049, watched at home: the original Jumanji

last show i saw: Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D (and I’m SO into it if there’s other fans out there who wanna talk AOS!)

when did i create my blog: August 2017!

what do i post: Taylor Swift things, Ed Sheeran things, fandom things, random things, my crazy silly thoughts, asks and quizzes like this, ummmmm…. etc?

last thing i googled: when Black Panther is premiering. I’m so behind

any other blogs: Yup. A trash side blog for me to throw all my WAY random (and other fandoms) stuff into so as to keep this one somewhat more focused, and one to organize and categorize just all the pictures and gifs of Ed&Tay. But I’m terrible at actually keeping up on everything lol its a bit overwhelming. Oh and I co-run @oursheeriomelody

do you get asks: Yes, and suprisingly it seems like I get more now randomly than when I used to constantly beg for them lol. I love asks it’s fun and I always wish for more!

why did you choose this url: Welp, I’m a Sheerio, and I’m a Swiftie you see, so I’m a SheerioSwiftie. It seemed appropriate

types of blogs you follow: omg so many. Tay and Ed, tons of other fandoms like (to generalize) Marvel, DC, Sherlock/the 100/OUAT/the Office/Friends/Parks n Rec/10,000 other tv shows, quotes, trivia, shower thoughts, travel, art/photography, various sciencey things, spoonies/chronic illness blogs, dance, style/fashion/Couture, makeup/makeup artistry, chinchillas and cute animal video/picture blogs, okay so many again lol I’m really all over the place

favorite colours: glitter, black, silver, champagne/soft pink, Tiffany blue, “Divide” blue😊, neon. ..lol

average hours of sleep: like honestly 1-3 maybe. I have terrible sleep problems #painsomnia

lucky number: 23

dream trip: Europe; the UK…

what are you wearing: cute pajamas

how many blankets do you sleep with: depends on where we’re at in the laundry timeline lol…usually 2 that I crumple up to use as something to flop my leg up on to relieve the pain/pressure on my spine lol

dream job: Screenwriter/ Script doctor and/OR research neurobiologist

favourite foods: Mac&cheese of various sorts, Greek chicken& saganaki, gyros, lasagna, baked ziti (all sorts of pasta really), Nordstrom’s tomato basil soup, pork fried rice, chicken schnitzel, Chicago style cheese fries and Italian Beef sandwiches, ahhh again this almost would have to be divided into categories like I have so many favorites depending! Lol…so, feel free to ask for more details by category; same goes for all my answers!

nationality: As in where I’m from or like genetically? American; but really cool genetic background but so yeah, otherwise basic U.S./ Chicagoan😂

i was tagged by @traitersneverwin

i’m tagging @mysisterssista @ididsomething-alltoowell13 @sheerantothecastleonthehill @hardcoretswizzlefan

and anyone else who wants to do it! Xo

#get to know me #trivia game #asks #about me #personal #CRINGE #survey #me #archive

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c-k-mack · 7 years ago

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Counting Kisses - Chapter Five - Boom Boom

#crack #humor #bechloe #becommissar #jessley #pitch perfect

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perlechampion · 4 years ago

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#perlesaerie Pic 1 is my azalea bush on this day last year. Pic 2 is my azalea bush today. Spring is working on it, but has not fully sprung yet. But it’s on the way. I always wait til we are a week or to past March 12-13, 1993. That’s was the weekend of the Blizzard of ‘93 here in Birmingham. Started slow but steady early on a Friday morning; so business offices started closing around 11am. As night fell it was a real driving thunder snow complete w lightening. I layered up, and actually got to wear my rarely worn real winter coat; insulated my socked feet w baggies, put on my boots; and went hiking. No camera phones back then; no Facebook, so all the pictures are in my head. I stopped in at Highlands Bar & Grill and barely found a seat at the bar. Cognac w a coffee back times two. All warmed up I headed for home which was a scant 2 miles away. But Jitterbugs was hopping and a friend waved me in. Yup. Another drink, but a discrete go cup — shhh. It was a great weekend. All the restaurants and bars were open, because 99% of staff lived walking distance (UAB Students). Fond memories of that snowy weekend. But a rarity down here. Come on Spring. #photooftheday #instabham #perlesbham #urbanlife #citylife #azalea #spring #nostalgia #snow #blizzard https://www.instagram.com/p/CMs5TmSrXgE/?igshid=1ln2gl11r3kr7

#perlesaerie #photooftheday #instabham #perlesbham #urbanlife #citylife #azalea #spring #nostalgia #snow #blizzard

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jodybouchard9 · 4 years ago

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Celebrate Dad With These 7 Unique Father’s Day Activities You Can Do at Home

AleksandarNakic/Getty Images

Graduations, birthdays, and holiday celebrations look a little different this year due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. OK, a lot different. Virtual events have filled the gaps, of course, but it can be hard to muster joy when you’re forced to celebrate at home.

Still, the dear old Dad in your life deserves to be celebrated on Father’s Day, which means you might want to try to up the ante this year. Sure, breakfast in bed is great, but why not get creative and try a new activity that’ll make it a day to remember?

To celebrate this season, here are seven inventive ways to fete Pop on Father’s Day.

1. Have an inflatable pool party

An inflatable pool can provide hours of fun this summer.

Target

Try this idea for dads who are missing out on a trip to the beach or a day at the community pool.

Kick back and stay cool with a large, inflatable pool ($45, Target), some music blasting from the house, and a cooler of cold drinks.

“Some pools are even small enough to fit on a balcony or the patio,” says Drew Henry of Design Dudes.

2. Bring the backyard barbecue to you

Photo by Derviss Design

Burgers and brats on the grill are the classic go-to meal for Father’s Day, but you can take it to the next level by ordering an expertly cooked meal to go—and supporting a local restaurant.

Do some research to see which local barbecue restaurants are open for pickup or delivery. Some restaurants and catering companies are also offering meal kits in a box.

“Get a barbecue box delivered to your home with all of his favorites: ribs, steak, and sides like potato salad, slaw, and corn on the cob,” says Andrea Correale of Elegant Affairs Catering.

Correale’s company just launched a variety of to-go boxes ranging from original barbecue favorites to special surf and turf combos.

“Ordering something that’s mostly pre-made means all you have to do is fire up the grill and enjoy a celebratory meal,” she says.

3. Take part in Dad’s hobby

Does your pop love bird-watching or stargazing? A gift that dovetails with these activities is great, but joining him in the fun makes it even better.

Ask Dad to describe his favorite winged pals or point out Orion’s Belt after dinner. You could add an art component to these activities by drawing the birds or constellations you spy.

4. Arrange a natural scavenger hunt

Photo by Black Bear Builders, Inc.

Put your backyard to good use, and come up with a list of things to find. Give every family member a paper bag and have them pair up and scatter to seek out items like an acorn, dandelion, small twig, smooth pebble, piece of moss, or a live bug.

You could also list tree or flower types—such as maple, elm, azalea, ivy, rhododendron, and roses—and give each team a smartphone to document them.

5. Make up goofy challenges

Correale suggests creating games using things you already have at home (e.g., pass the water using paper cups or a DIY ring toss).

Or you could challenge your family members to a marshmallow race using straws. Put a marshmallow on the table, and then inhale through a straw placed right on it. The goal is to keep the sweet attached to the straw with your own breath while you circle the picnic table three times.

6. Use the waffle iron in a new way

Make a grilled cheese sandwich in a waffle iron.

LauriPatterson/Getty Images

Truth: Dad really does want some special meal on his special day. Put that waffle iron to use in an unexpected way by making something other than traditional waffles. Grilled cheese sandwich or quesadillas? Yup, you can make ’em in the iron—and the divots are great for holding condiments like ketchup or salsa.

You can also press frozen hash browns and drape them with smoked salmon and sour cream. Or, if your dad has a sweet tooth, cook up waffle-style brownies or cookies with pre-made dough and top them with ice cream, whipped cream, and sprinkles.

7. Run an obstacle course

The sillier the better! Pull out items like patio pillows, ride-on toys, and a baseball bat, and then challenge your family to complete the course. Spin around with your head on the bat, jump the pillows, wheel the tricycle down the driveway, and hit a target with a ball or Frisbee. The fastest, most accurate player wins.

The post Celebrate Dad With These 7 Unique Father’s Day Activities You Can Do at Home appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

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athyrabunlord · 7 years ago

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Response to @argnatien‘s super awesome feedback for LLSHP AU’s ch14 (๑˃ᴗ˂)ﻭ Decided to answer this publicly because there are some very good points that are brought up (and some questions that I believe some readers have as well). Still though, putting my comments below the cut~

Yes, there are chances I may not have gotten Anon asks XD; I’d prefer a signed Ask, and I’ll just answer privately if the person noted that. I’m happy to have brought you out of your lurking days though heheh

First of all, I’m glad that you’ve felt ch14 to be powerful. I did a lot of back and forth on how to proceed/write out its content. At the end, I acknowledge there’s no way to ‘soften’ the situation, and I shouldn’t do so either. The situation needs to be portrayed as it is, as terrible as it is, especially for our narrator and main character Yoshiko.

Secondly, I’d like to point out that my HP knowledge isn’t the most meticulous either, having planned the majority of the story through memories of the books, the visuals from the movies, and some extra stuff from fanfics I’ve read in the past. I did research as much HP content as possible to verify things like spells, locations and the lore etc. However, I have also taken liberties with many HP things, such as original spells and Horcrux.

Indeed, ch13-14 revealed Yoshiko as a ‘matured’ Horcrux. She is what Tom Riddle would have turned into had he succeeded in absorbing Ginny’s lifeforce in the Chamber of Secrets. Of course, I cannot answer exactly how the quill Horcrux was created in the past XD You’re right, more will be explored later.

POV effect is my favorite way of writing a story. Why? Because there are many factors you can play with. The reader can only rely on what the narrator knows and thinks, and that’s not necessary the ‘truth’. This applies to other characters too. They’re humans, what they believe to be true isn’t necessary the truth. And yes, as far as the canon HP books showed, a Horcrux is created through deliberate murder. That said, Yohane does pity Yoshiko, and everything she told Yoshiko is what she deems as the truth. Has she told any lies, deliberately or unknowingly? Only time will tell ( ͡• ͜ʖ ͡• )

No comment about Yoshiko’s past and the Fallen because, Arc3. Since it’s the last arc of the story, the answers to this will be in there.

Yoshiko and Yohane share the same soul. There is indeed some emotional feedback from Yoshiko - Yohane only spared Riko’s life because of that. Being aware of Yoshiko’s existence agitated Yohane’s magic; meanwhile, all those times when Yoshiko blanked out, something is happening there, attracting them to each other through their magic linkage. Yes, this link was opened subconsciously, but neither knows exactly how ‘open’ or how connected they are to each other. I’ll just add here already that, the loss of emotions Yoshiko experienced at the end of ch14 is due to this link as well - she’s feeling how Yohane feels.

I’ll refrain from commenting on the physical wound part XD But yes, this whole thing is a magical anomaly, an idea that’s not in HP canon, but based off of various canon factors.

( ;;;ఠ ͟ʖ ఠ) yup, Arc3 stuff, an’t answer ahaha. But! Those are all very good questions, definitely keep them in mind while this slow slow writer tries to keep up an acceptable upload schedule. Again, all this has no HP reference so... wait and see ;)

We see the terrible fate of Frank and Alice Longbottom after Bellatrix’s tortured them to insanity. I promise I hadn’t gone that far, I’m not that evil xD; But I will refrain from commenting on her.

You and Chika are putting up a tough front. At the Infirmary, Yoshiko isn’t exactly able to pick up details even though she’s normally quite observant, given the circumstances. She’s quite distracted, so through POV effect, You and Chika only appear tired like the others due to lack of sleep and stress. They had each other to resist breaking down. They did take Draught of Peace when they were at St. Mungo’s, so this helped too.

I’ve always thought mind magic to be fascinating, be it Obliviate, Imperius, Legilimency and Occulumency. I have taken liberties with these spells but they’re more or less the same as HP - I just added/expanded its effects and usage.

I cannot discuss too much about Maru, but just elaborate a bit more on what Yohane meant by the Imperius Curse being similar to Muggle hypnosis. Instead of direct orders that goes against Maru’s wishes, the Curse worked more like a suggestion, a Devil’s whisper, so Maru was never aware of it and her overall behavior was never affected enough to be noticeable until ch12.

And no, as far as I know, there is no magic draining curse in HP canon. This spell is something I created for LLSHP AU... or, rather, a new spell the Fallen had created. I’ll just leave it at that.

You’re correct though, Maru’s memory was affected by the stress/strain of being exposed to the Curse for so long, especially that last defiance by breaking her own wand instead of hurting Yoshiko further. For the purpose of comparison, Barty Crouch Sr. definitely wasn’t himself during the 4th book after being Imperio’d for who knows how long and how many times. There’s also the Dementors - psychological trauma had caused Maru to repress memories of encountering one the first time after all. That said, exactly what happened to Maru and her magic will be shown more in upcoming chapters though!

The Patronus is definitely a key point in this story. When I first created the concept art for the FirstYears, I had put the blurb about the coelacanth. This single point was what spawned the rest of the ideas that eventually grew into this story. I just want to say I’m so happy to have reached this point OTL Ahem, yes, Yohane cannot cast the Patronus Charm. How and why she found out etc., I cannot say yet. I do remember the dark wizard (also forgot his name though LOL) who failed because he doesn’t have the heart. I’ll just leave it at that.

Yoshiko, on the other hand, managed to grasp the trick behind conjuring a corporeal Patronus, similar to how Harry did in Book3. In spite of what happened to Maru, she will still be able to cast the Patronus from this point onwards. Whether it’s just as strong as it was in the Chamber of Secrets or not, we’ll wait and see.

⁽⁽◝( • ω • )◜⁾⁾ once again, cannot comment on this part~ Very good points tho~ so happy you’ve noticed many subtle details ;)

I feel horrible for what I did to Dia. Why do I always somehow end up abusing my favorite character/nadeshikos *looks at Umi from past fanworks* This is the time she needs her friends and little sister the most... yet she’s basically stripped of her hard-earned status/power and imprisoned within her own home.

Maru... gad, that’s the horrible aspect of the Imperius Curse. The victim remembers everything they do during the duration of the Curse, meaning Maru was aware of the whole incident when they were down at the Chamber. I’m being mean to Azalea huh? *turns towards Kanan* (nah she has that prequel-interlude already so I shall leave her relatively alone...)

Indeed, unbeknownst to Yoshiko, she’s been channeling Yohane all these years. Yohane does have some very-Yoshiko traits too - more in Arc3!

Ah, maybe I wasn’t clear on this part, but then again it was just a passing comment from Kanan. What she meant was that, the Kurosawa family was so viciously opposed to Dia and Riko’s relationship; in comparison, Riko’s parents did not say anything. And so, Kanan wasn’t certain how Riko’s parents feel about the said relationship.

I checked out the music and I love it! That does suit datenshi Yohane-sama! For the record, I was listening to Deemo & Cytus & Voez soundtracks, in particularly Suspenseful Third Day, Rain of Flowers, and also all my BGM/OST from Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica haha :’D the good ol’ days. My grief seed definitely needs cleansing.

Ruby is my baby. Even though this story is YoshiMaru, Ruby is vital to this story and their relationship, and for the rest of the girls as well. I have a feeling you might enjoy the upcoming chapter then ;D

Don’t be sorry it’s long - I love it! It makes me feel that all the effort and time invested are worth it!! I’ve rambled all that response too, I don’t even know if I’ve given away too much or made things more confusing, but there they are XD

Thanks again for the awesome feedback!

#argnatien #LLSHP AU #again thanks so much for your lovely 2.2k review!#I've answered the questions that I can answer as of this moment #some I digress #but I feel like I may have created more questions rather than answering?#Xd;;;;;;#athyra rambles #yoshimaru #athyra blah blah blah DX

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arishamod · 7 years ago

Text

Seiyuu Animedia 2017 -AZALEA’s Interview

“It seems like all of us in AZALEA give off vibes of charm and maturity.”

A Team Onibe translation

Translation by: Arishamod (JP > EN)

QC by: @yujachachacha

More under the cut

It seems like all of us in AZALEA give off vibes of charm and maturity.

We put a lot of thought into the costumes and the performance.

Q. AZALEA was showcased for the first time in the recent 1st Live. How do you think your first performance went?

All 3: It was fun~♪

Arisha: “I wonder what kind of performance AZALEA’s would be like?” was definitely the kind of anticipation that we, along with the fans, had felt ever since the release of the subunit CD. Thus, all 3 of us decided to contribute as much as possible to the ideas for the performance while leading up to the live.

King: When we first formed, we discuss about how we wanted to present the subunit consisting of Dia, Kanan and Maru. In the end, this was the image we decided that we wanted to present, and it was really exciting.

Suwawa: Additionally, our dance instructor also thought about our opinions, and took this into consideration for our choreography. In that sense, it felt like the performance was handmade by us.

Q. If I was not mistaken, AZALEA’s stage composition was different from the other two groups, right?

Suwawa: Well, since we didn’t get on the trolleys at all (laughs).

Arisha：In the beginning all 3 of us declared, “I want to ride on it!” (laughs). However, we had to enter from the center stage for the first song “Torikoriko PLEASE!!”. Furthermore, we felt that the gentle melody of our second song, “Tokimeki Bunruigaku”, wasn’t suitable for being on the trolleys. With that being the case, this was something that was done deliberately, and it became something that was different from the other subunits.

King: In regards to that, it was because of the differing personalities that CYaRon! and Guilty Kiss showed, and it was a huge success in getting the audience really excited!

Suwawa: However, I really don’t want to remember the moment on the lift in “Tokimeki Bunruigaku”. Since I have a fear of heights…

Arisha: Frankly, when we were standing on it, it felt like there was no room for mistakes.

Suwawa: Definitely, even though it seemed like there was enough space when we were dancing, it was scary to feel like there was nothing around you. During that performance, I could not even look down (laughs).

King: But it was fun, right? The stage was higher than normal, and I could even see the faces of the audience in the distance.

Suwawa: Yup! I realized that our voices in particular were able to properly reach the audience members in the back, and I felt it was really nice that we were able to do this.

Q. I would like to hear about your respective thoughts about the songs you sang, so let’s first start with “Torikoriko PLEASE!”.

Arisha: Since this song has a digital kind of feel to it, we inserted techno-pop moves into the dance.

King: The choreography at the part of song where the lyrics go “Tsukamaenakya zettai” was really adorable. My friend, who came for the live, started dancing along during the second part of the song.♪

Suwawa: Is that so! I’m so glad. Even so, it was definitely because the moves were easy to remember, and everyone in the audience were imitating us!

Arisha: Along with that, it was fun dancing while holding the Torikoriko stick too!

King: Yeah! At first we had a choreography without holding anything in our hands. But when I was holding the stick, I thought, “I hope I am able to reach the people in the distance with my ‘spell of love’”.

Q. During the MC, you cast a spell on everyone in the audience with your stick to make them fall in love with AZALEA, right?

Arisha: I am happy that everyone changed their penlight to pink for us.

Suwawa: Moreover, I thought, what if it all changed in one go? However, when we moved our sticks together, the stadium was slowly filled with pink like a wave.

King: Yeah! It was surprising!!

Arisha: Since it was beyond our expectations, it was really impressive!

Q. What about “Tokimeki Bunruigaku”?

King: It would be the image that you will associate with the highlight of the song. There was a part of the performance where the image of petals scattered at the same time with our choreography. This was something that was proposed by us.

Suwawa: Especially since the stage had a big screen, this was what we talked about during the making of the production.

Arisha: Frankly, when watching the subunit Printemps performing “Nightingale Love Song” during µ's 5th Live on DVD, I admired the synchronisation with the image on screen. During that performance, they were dancing against the big screen in the background with the feathers. This was what we wanted AZALEA to be like.

Q. It was a beautiful performance.

King: Thank you very much! Even though we had actually done it together with the image during rehearsals, our hearts were racing when we entered the stage (laughs).

Suwawa: During rehearsals, we saw the video recording of it together for the first time. When we were watching it, it was really impressive!

Arisha: It was really beautiful when we were dancing against the backdrop of scattering petals, and it looked as if we were floating in mid-air.

Q. Everyone’s movement was very elegant.

Arisha: It is a song with a slow tempo, so the choreography was completely slow and deliberate. But on the other hand, this made it hard to perform.

King: If someone were to make a slight mistake, their slow movement would really stand out.

Suwawa: Nonetheless, we intended to concentrate more on singing by making the choreography easy for this song, and we felt that the most compelling part of the song is the beautiful delivery of the harmony.

Q. How do you feel about the costumes?

All: They were adorable~♡

King: We did talk about this during the MC, but we really looked like dolls.♡

Q. Was the costumes your idea?

Suwawa: Yes, we settled on it! We expanded on the image of the CD cover.

Arisha: In the beginning, we were given suggestions of other lovely costume designs, but the staff told us to give more and more of our opinions on this. The 3 of us told them, it would be nice if it felt similar to the CD cover.

King: Actually, it felt so mature singing in the costume, and it felt like the image was changed due to the song.

Arisha: Certainly! The skirt was unexpectedly long since it was knee-length, but as the choreography of the song changed, the length appeared to have changed as well.

Suwawa: Since all 3 of us are tall, this might be why it made us look so mature.

King: It might be so! To be able to show both cute and mature sides of us like this, that might just be what AZALEA is like.

Arisha: That’s right. However, while thinking about that, it felt really good to be performing second out of the other subunits for this live. The one to lead it off would have to arouse the crowd, and I felt that CYaRon!, who is full of energy, was the best choice for this.

Suwawa: I see! Since Guilty Kiss has the strongest impact, they were the perfect ones to perform last to conclude the subunit performances.

King: Regarding this, AZALEA has “Torikoriko Please!!” for getting people into the mood, and “Tokimeki Bunruigaku” for listening to calmly. It might have a good significance if we were able to calm the audience down. …… If it is that way, it might be that AZALEA is in charge of healing the crowd.

Suwawa: All right! This is what we will be aiming for (laughs).

Q. (Laughs). Other than this, are there any other charm points that are exclusive to AZALEA?

Suwawa: The most expected would be the love songs that we sing.

Arisha: Yup. Aqours does not really have much songs that are themed around love. You might hear love in them, but frankly they are expressing their friendship instead.

King: This is the side that the TV anime was not depicting. To be able to sing and dance to something different in Aqours is what makes us so happy.

Arisha: Everyone’s way of singing is a little different when they are with Aqours. In relation to Dia, I would focus really hard on the part of supporting the rest as a 3rd year student when singing as part of Aqours. But when I am with AZALEA, I would show the girlish adorable side of her instead.

King: That’s right. I would sing with the voice of a Hanamaru-chan who is concentrating on singing.

Suwawa: Kanan too, whose voice would naturally sound cute when singing a love song (laughs).

King: A sweet~ feeling?

Suwawa: It’s like the sugar level just increased by 200%. ♡

Arisha: However, if we’re talking about the significant of a love song, I am looking forward to what kind of songs we will be singing from now on. Right now we have two songs which have a “what is love?” feel, and they don’t have the contents of struggling and arriving at love. I am thinking of the types of development that will happen after this.

Suwawa: A song of a broken heart?!

Arisha: Isn’t that advancing too fast?! (laughs)

King: But, but, in the current grade that Hanamaru is in, it feels like she would say “I don’t understand love at all, zura~” (laughs).

Arisha: That might be so (laughs). And also, before this we produced a new song “LONELY TUNING”, which is available as a bonus* for purchasing the whole volume of the Blu-ray CDs from the TV anime. This love song is also adorable♪

***Bonus AZALEA track “LONELY TUNING” was bundled with the Sofmap purchase of the whole volume of the BD releases 1 to 7***

King: Yup. It is a song that makes your chest tighten, and I also had fun recording it~!

Suwawa: I really want lots of people to listen to it. Moreover, from now on AZALEA will let the joy of love bloom even more through the various love songs that we will have. Everyone, please do look forward to it!

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