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thisisthepartwhereyou · 4 years

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BEASTARS MINI-STORY #8: “Shower me with Insights” by JCL

---

TEXTBOX: Somewhere in the ghetto, not far from the Back Alley market.

We find ourselves in a neighborhood somewhere in the ghetto, which is mainly composed of poor-looking apartment buildings that stand in close proximity to each other. We are a few stories up, the air between them criss-crossed by old wires and clothing lines heavy with clothes that’s been hung out to dry.

One of these lines is moving, as its content is getting pulled towards an open window. In it we can see Cosmo, the okapi-stripper whose life Louis and the Shishigumi once saved. She is removing the clothes from the line one by one, presumably to feed a basket next to her.

Suddenly, a swift shadow moves across her, as if something is passing over her in the air above. Her ears twitch and she looks up.

COSMO: "Huh?"

She can't see anything except more lines and the outlined roofs of the buildings around her, which are about two stories above from where she is. As she can’t see anything strange or out of order, she lowers her head and continues.

COSMO: "..." (Must've been my imagination)

Pulling off a bra and a Lil Bomber t-shirt, her eyes widen as another shadow moves across her. T-shirt still in hand, she looks up again with a mildly annoyed look.

COSMO: (No, there's definitely something moving up there. What is it, birds playing tag?)

She continues to look up, dead set on finding out what it is. Then, after a short while, she is given an answer:

It is Legosi, who is leaping from the roof above Cosmo. He seems unaware of being seen by anyone as he makes it across and disappears over the roof of the opposite building.

Cosmo drops her t-shirt, stunned by what she just saw.

COSMO: "WHAT THE FU-"

---

We go up and over the roofs, where we can clearly see Legosi chasing Kyuu.

The female rabbit runs and makes short but frequent leaps across the rooftops parkour-style. Peaking over her shoulder, she is looking back at the wolf. He struggles to keep up with her, as the distance between them keeps growing between them.

KYUU: "You're never going to catch me like that!"

Legosi, panting and sweating, realizes that she is right.

LEGOSI: (IMAGINARY CHIMERA)

The blurry image of Legosi's Imaginary Chimera-self manifests over him. While being just an optical illustration, the effect of the technique is clear: The wolf's standard running-style, which is quite rough and wide-stroked, turns more rapid and graceful. It's like comparing a spear thrown by hand suddenly moving like an arrow that has been launched from a bow.

---

We cut to the street down below, where we see a female tiger with her five-year-old son standing by a pedestrian crossing. She has her phone in one hand and her son's hand in the other; the two of them waiting for a traffic light to turn green.

The cub has an ice cream cone in his free hand, which he is licking profusely. Looking up with a bored expression, the cub's eyes suddenly widen as he spots Kyuu getting chased by Legosi from rooftop to rooftop. He turns to look at his mother.

TIGER CUB: "Momma, do bunnies and wolves fly?"

The mother, preoccupied with her phone, replies without looking up.

TIGER MOMMA: "Sure they do sweetie, all the time."

---

Going back to Legosi, we can see that the wolf is now catching up to Kyuu at a steady pace.

LEGOSI: (That's it! Just one more rooftop and I'll catch up!)

Kyuu makes a longer than average jump over to the next building, which is about a story lower than the one she jumped from. She lands on a scaffolding, makes an extra jump over to the roof and runs across it.

Right behind her, Legosi makes the jump as well. But on account of his larger and much stronger legs, his leap allows him to soar straight over the scaffolding. He is still in the air as he homes in on Kyuu like a triumphant-looking rocket!

LEGOSI: (NOW I GOT HER!)

However, Kyuu suddenly spins around. She has pulled out six throwing knives out of her ears, holding three each in-between her fingers. She proceeds to throw them at him in two simultaneous sweeps.

Legosi looks shocked. Having not landed yet, he’s unable to dodge! Out of alternatives, he stretches his arms out in front of him.

He then lands on the roof in front of Kyuu, bending over like he's hurt. But then he stands up. We can see that he is unharmed and has actually managed to catch all the knives between his own fingers.

Kyuu turns around and tries to continue her flight. Her eyes widen though, as she finds herself unable to move.

Legosi stands on one knee, leaning over Kyuu. Zooming out, we can see that he has grabbed her by her lower body. His hand is so big compared to her that his fingers have reached over her back and gripped her around her abdomen.

LEGOSI: "Tag."

His tail is wagging, showcasing that he has taken an instinctive canine delight in catching her. Kyuu on the other hand looks annoyed.

KYUU: "Okay, you won. Take your hand off or lose it."

---

We skip ahead a little, to where the two have returned to the roof of the abandoned breeding house where Kyuu, San and Louis were originally raised for meat-eating purposes.

LEGOSI: "You didn't say anything about having to defend myself while chasing you."

Kyuu, who is fiddling with the knives in her right ear, glances at Legosi.

KYUU: "It'd be very little purpose to train you to deal with surprise attacks if they're not a surprise."

She takes one of the knives out, holding it up so that she may inspect it.

KYUU: "Besides, you would have been fine anyway. These are totally dulled down. At most they would have cracked a rib or two."

Legosi sweat drops at this.

LEGOSI: (Yeah well that would've been a lot better...!)

Kyuu continues to inspect her knife. The edges of it gleams in the light of the sun.

KYUU: "Your defense has improved greatly, but you still show little initiative with your offense. For instance, if I had been an unfamiliar opponent, I could've misread you hunching over as having succeeded in fatally wounding you. My guard would've been down as I had moved in for the finishing blow, during which you could have either taken the opportunity to punch my head off or turn me into chop suey with my own knives."

Legosi grimaces at these ideas and leans back against an air vent. He raises his left hand and wipes some sweat off his brow.

LEGOSI: "I am really not good at forming such dark thoughts...!"

Kyuu lowers the knife and gives him an impatient look.

KYUU: "Mastering parries and dodges without any attacks doesn't make you a great fighter, just an exceptionally skilled coward. I've seen you at your fiercest. If you can master that instead of just using it as a last resort, you might have something. Otherwise you'll remain as half-assed as you are."

Legosi's left ear flickers at this.

LEGOSI: "Half-assed? I think I'm doing pretty good... Didn't I tell you about the buffalo?"

He refers to his fight with Mongo the caped buffalo in The Horny Horror Picture Show. Kyuu doesn't look overly impressed by said feat though.

KYUU: "You mean the muscle bound retard from Old Town?"

Legosi cringes at Kyuu's politically incorrect choice of words, which Kyuu ignores as she looks at him scoldingly.

KYUU: "Don't get me wrong, you are clearly above average, but you NEED to be more than that. You've done well so far, but with your current profession you'll eventually face opponents who are more formidable than you because they have one thing that you lack: a killer's instinct. That's the one thing that separates you from elite-fighters like that horse's ass of a Beastar you answer to. The only time I've seen you really use it is when you're cornered and there's no other way out... If you intend to continue doing this without getting yourself killed, you'll have to be able to whip it out like a switchblade!"

Legosi looks down. He has a melancholic and reluctant look on his face. Seeing this, Kyuu's expression softens a bit.

KYUU: "Speaking of which... Have you thought about what I told you back at that board game place?"

Legosi meets her look, remembering the time from a while back when the two of them talked with each at Yanni's, in Everybody Play the Game.

LEGOSI: "Yes."

KYUU: "And my little proposition in light of that?"

LEGOSI: "Yes."

KYUU: ".... And?"

LEGOSI: "I don't like it."

KYUU: "Like it or hate it, it is the most sensible option. Not everyone of your enemies will go straight to you in order to take you out of the equation. Some will go for where you are the most vulnerable. And in your case..."

---

We shift over to a collage featuring key-people in Legosi's life.

KYUU: "... It's your loved ones. Your former roommates, the members of the drama club, the tenants of the hidden condo and that girlfriend of yours. You can't protect them at all times from where you are now."

This collage feature images of his fellow-701s (Jack, Collot, Voss, Durham and Miguno), members of the drama club (Bill, Juno, Aoba, Kai and Els), his neighbors in the hidden condo (Sebun, Zaguan, Ebisu, Mugi, Raika and Fina) and finally his girlfriend, Haru.

---

The collage sequence ends and we return to Kyuu and Legosi.

KYUU: "Didn't you say you had a grandfather too? He might become a target as well."

The corner of Legosi’s mouth twitches as he thinks about Gosha, his badass komodo dragon-grandpa.

LEGOSI: "I pity whoever tries to go after my grandpa.”

Then his ears go down though as he thinks about his friends and loved ones.

LEGOSI: “But I am concerned about the rest. Most of them have no idea...! Still, it'd feel manipulative to do this without telling anyone about it, especially Haru. She if anyone should know if she's in danger."

Kyuu crosses her arms and gives him a skeptical look.

KYUU: "There are a lot of things that have happened since last Rexmas which you most likely haven't told her. What is another secret on top of that?"

Legosi's ears go even lower. You can tell that he feels really guilty.

LEGOSI: "Another addition to the pile of things I feel bad about... She still thinks I work at the Udon restaurant. I want to hell her the full truth... I am just not sure how she's gonna take it."

KYUU: "Look, I don't know squat about relationships, but if you can live through getting shredded by a psychopathic hybrid, surely you can survive getting yelled at by your girlfriend?"

Legosi turns to look at Kyuu. He is smiling.

LEGOSI: "You haven't met Haru. She can make me feel powerless in a completely different way... It's a kind of power you can't really fight."

Kyuu looks down. Feeling powerless when facing someone you're fond of is not unfamiliar to her, as we can see her think back to her savior and former teacher, Gouhin. Looking up at Legosi again, Kyuu suddenly wrinkles her nose.

KYUU: "...You stink of sweat. My nose is not as strong as yours, but even I can tell that you reek."

Legosi look surprised by the sporadic turn of this conversation. He then rubs the back of his head (which also happens to be drenched in sweat) with an apologetic look.

LEGOSI: "I'm sorry. It's unusually hot for this time of year."

KYUU: "We'll call it quits for today. Just go down and take a shower."

LEGOSI: "You have showers here?"

KYUU: "It's on the third floor, behind the orange door with two-three-seven written on it. There should be some soap and towels in there for you to use."

Legosi stands up with a grateful expression.

LEGOSI: "Thanks Kyuu-chan!"

Being called 'chan' earns him an annoyed glare from Kyuu.

KYUU: "Don't call me 'chan'. It makes me sound like I'm a little kid or something! Just 'Kyuu' or 'Kyuu-san' will be fine! You don't hear me calling you 'kun' do you?"

Legosi scratches his cheek.

LEGOSI: "Well no... But, considering my position... Shouldn't you call me 'aniki' or something?"

SHINK!

Legosi looks down. The knife which Kyuu had previously been holding has now been launched and embedded in between his legs, a few centimeters below his crotch.

He looks up and sees that the mere suggestion of having to call a dumbass, five-year junior wolf 'aniki' has led to Kyuu adopting an exceptionally pissed off look and summoning her own, monstrous-looking Imaginary Chimera, which is standing behind her like a rage-filled demon.

Realizing he may have overstepped his boundaries, Legosi gives off a nervous smile, raises his leg and steps over the knife.

LEGOSI: "Then again, I don't like to be pedantic. Just 'Legosi' is fine!"

KYUU: "Just head to the showers...!"

Legosi does as he is told and runs down the stairs.

---

Legosi manages to find the door on the third floor. Walking through it, he finds himself in what appears to be a changing room-like area with tiled floor and walls. Like the rest of the building it has the appearance of being degraded by time and disuse, with several of the tiles sporting cracks and ingrained dirt. The area is composed of two sections; the small square section that Legosi just entered, with benches and coat hangers along the walls around him.

The next section is longer and rectangular, with about a dozen long showerheads poking in from both sides of the long walls.

Legosi spots a couple of towels and a bar of soap lying on a bench nearby, as well as a few scrubbing brushes and an old raincoat dangling off one of the hooks.

LEGOSI: (I wonder why they would need showers in a place like this)

He then sees something alarming underneath the bench: a long chain with shackles. He looks disturbed.

LEGOSI: "...!" (I don't think I want to know)

He starts to undress, pulling his shirt over his head.

---

A few moments later, Legosi walks into the showers with the soap in his hand. He goes to the middle of the room and turns the closest tap. As he does, the showerhead gives off a strained, metallic sound before spitting out a stream of water that hits Legosi. The wolf shivers.

LEGOSI: "Ugh!" (FREEZING!)

Soon enough though, the water heats up and he becomes more relaxed. He rubs the soap in his hands, making it bubble and foam. As he does, he thinks back on Kyuu's words to him earlier, her face being visible in his background.

KYUU: “If you intend to continue doing this without getting yourself killed, you'll have to be able to whip it out like a switchblade!"

He sighs and closes his eyes as he washes his head and body.

LEGOSI: (Continue... I guess I have to continue, but I didn't get into this line of work because I wanted it... It just happened)

???: "Will you pass the soap?"

The wolf's eyes open wide and he turns to look at his side. He now sees that he is not alone in the showers. Next him stands San, the alpaca. He is naked and taking a shower as well.

Legosi looks surprised and instinctively takes a step back.

LEGOSI: "HUAH?! Where did you come from?"

SAN: "I came in right after you... Man, Kyuu really must drive you hard if you're so exhausted that you can't even notice a naked herbivore approaching you in the shower."

As he talks, Legosi can't help but to look at the alpacas's body. To his great shock, San is extremely skinny... Kind of like Christian Bale's character in The Machinist (2004).

The alpaca extends an open hand to him and raises his eyebrows.

SAN: "Now, if you’re finished with that soap...?"

Legosi politely puts the soap in the alpaca’s hand.

LEGOSI: "Here..." (I can practically see all the little bones in his torso! Is he ill or something?)

SAN: "Thank you."

San takes the soap and proceeds to wash his own body, taking special care of his long and fuzzy neck.

Trying not to look at San, Legosi continues to wash himself. As he does though, he notices that the alpaca is looking at him... Quite unabashedly.

LEGOSI: "..." (Why is he staring at me? He's not even trying to hide the fact that he's looking... Is it because he noticed me looking at his body?)

Legosi gulps and blushes as a thought crosses his mind.

LEGOSI: (Maybe he is into males?)

He turns his head to San with a civil expression.

LEGOSI: (Perhaps he'll stop if I show that I know he's looking) "Did you want something?"

The alpaca appears to be completely unmoved by Legosi's awareness.

SAN: "No, just looking."

LEGOSI: (It didn't work at all!)

Legosi grimaces, thinking back to moments when San has been around as he has trained with Kyuu.

---

We enter a brief flashback, which shows us one of Legosi and Kyuu's previous sessions. This one is special, as he is dodging an oncoming assault from the rabbit, who is wielding a chain sickle.

LEGOSI: (Now that I think about it, I know very little about San...)

We can see that unlike Kyuu, San doesn't physically partake in the training. Instead he sits down on a wooden box in the background, watching the two as they train.

LEGOSI: (He is sometimes around when Kyuu trains me, giving little advice here and there, but most of the time he's not around)

---

We return to the present, where Legosi is still thinking about this.

LEGOSI: (Though with a frail body like that, I wouldn't be surprised if he’s unable to do any physical training)

SAN: "You are a very good-looking animal."

Legosi turns and arches his head back.

LEGOSI: "HUH?!"

SAN: "Your body. Your muscles. They speak of an animal in great health... Do you exercise outside your training?"

LEGOSI: "Not really... I mean had gym class at school and I did some training with Gouhin, but I've never really gone to a gym or anything."

SAN: "Hm, I guess that kind of physique could be pretty average for male wolves then... I haven't showered with one before so I can't really tell."

He then points straight at the wolf's groin.

SAN: "Speaking of which, is THAT considered average by wolf-standards?"

Legosi crosses his legs and covers his junk with his hands. He feels targeted.

LEGOSI: "I ASSUME IT VARIES!"

San gives the wolf an amused expression.

SAN: "Ahaha, so that is the case! I am sorry, am I making you uncomfortable?"

LEGOSI: "YES."

San turns his head and looks ahead, proceeding to soap up and wash the spot between his ears.

SAN: "Sorry, old habits die hard. Checking out the anatomy of others is kind of my thing... Has been so as far back as I can remember… Did you know that our carnivore captors would take us when we were little? If you saw the chains, then you may have already guessed it."

---

We enter a flashback, in which we see a group of herbivore-children between ages three and five lined up in very same showers. They have no clothes and are linked together by shackles that go from ankle to ankle, with a long chain running through them.

SAN: "We would get cleaned, trimmed and deloused. Probably the most care that was ever shown to us."

The showers are running, and the children are all getting cleaned by carnivores in raincoats, who are roughly scrubbing them with brushes.

SAN: "Not that there was any real affection behind it though, it was just business. I mean who would want to eat meat with a side order of typhus?"

In the middle of the chain we see the young San, Louis and Kyuu standing in a row next to each other. San is getting the fur of his neck trimmed with a thinning scissor, Louis gets scrubbed behind his ears and Kyuu gets applied DDT through a large spray pump. The powdered cloud of insecticide causes her to cough.

---

The flashback ends. Despite the dark subject matter, San has maintained a jovial expression.

SAN: "At that time they would also take the chance to check us, to make sure our bodies had just the right amount of produce... It was probably there that I picked up the habit of checking the bodies of others, cause I knew that if I saw someone who looked particularly nice and healthy..."

San’s eyes go down to Legosi’s muscular and scarred torso, rising slowly up to his face. Something in his stare causes the wolf to look increasingly uncomfortable.

SAN: "... He or she would soon be gone."

Suddenly, the soap slips out of San's grip and slides across the floor.

SAN: "Whoops!"

San goes over to where the soap is and kneels down in order to pick it up, water dripping off his fur and forming a pool around his feet. We can see it even clearer from his back that he is alarmingly malnourished, with vertebrae, ribs and shoulder blades sticking out like the detachable appendages of a Mr. Potato-doll.

SAN: "What an upturned world, when being healthy seals your fate… Makes me glad I've always been quite skinny. I mean... Would you really want to take a bite out of this pitiful body?"

San glances back at Legosi with a grim look.

SAN: "Still, if I was cooked well enough, one could probably suck the meat off my bones the same way you'd lick the batter off a spoon..."

Legosi stares at him with an unreadable expression.

San purses his lips, looking kind of disappointed that he's not getting any interesting reaction out of Legosi. The alpaca then tries to stand up, but appears to slip and fall over, his knee hitting the tiled floor hard. He gives off a pained groan.

This prompts a look of concern from Legosi. He rushes over and kneels down next to San.

LEGOSI: "Are you okay? You’re not injured are you?"

San spins around, using a pool of water on the floor as a lubricant to move with a remarkable speed. He then makes a whipping motion with his forearm which launches a splash that is aimed straight at Legosi's eyes.

Legosi instinctively pulls back and raises a hand up to his face, managing to protect his right eye in the last second. The rest of the water hits his unprotected eye though, which he closes tightly. Apparently the soap in it really stings!

San's right hand shoots out at him, aiming at the left side of his chest. Legosi manages to block this blow with his left hand, holding San's bony hand back by his wrist. The wolf grits his teeth at him.

LEGOSI: "Stop! What are you-"

San's free hand shoots up and he pushes Legosi's left shoulder with two fingers.

Legosi's eyes widens. With his hand still around the San’s wrist, he throws alpaca away from him.

San stumbles back. He meets the wolf's shocked look and smiles.

SAN: "She HAS trained you well."

He then puts one of his hands over his other hand in a respectful, Bao Quan Li-gesture.

SAN: "Sorry about that, but I heard you were being tutored in surprise attacks today, so I felt obliged to contribute. I have to say you performed well, pulling a good, though imperfect, block as I splashed at your eyes. If I had managed to hit BOTH of your eyes, you would've been in serious trouble right about now."

Legosi doesn’t seem to hear this though, as his attention is entirely focused on his left arm, which hangs down and looks completely limp!

LEGOSI: "My arm... What did you do to my arm?!"

San raises two fingers and waves them at the wolf in a playful fashion.

SAN: "I hit a pressure point which rendered your arm numb and useless. I know it's a bit of a cliche to use in martial arts, but it's really useful if you ever get caught in and can't get loose. Don't worry, it's an easy fix though."

San walks up to Legosi and uses these fingers to hit the same spot on Legosi's shoulder as before.

SAN: “Boop!”

Legosi twitches. He then blinks, and slowly raises his formerly limp arm. Inspecting it with a confused look, he then uses it to wipe his closed eye. He has San fixed with an open, wary eye.

San scratches his chin and watches Legosi with a sense of intrigue.

SAN: "... Tell me though, did you try and cover your eyes on instinct, or did something tip you off to my intent?"

Legosi lowers his arm. Both of his eyes are open now, though his left has turned pink and bloodshot from the soap water.

LEGOSI: "By the time I knelt down I felt a nagging suspicion. You may look sickly, but as I recall you managed to immobilize Louis in just a few moves the first time we met, so I figured that you couldn't be as frail as you look... At first I thought you were looking at me because you liked males, but now I think you were taking a better look in order to further map out my physical weaknesses… You were baiting me."

SAN: "Exactly."

San gives off a jolly smile again, as if what had just transpired hadn't transpired at all! He then adopts an explanatory pose with his hand raised, as if he’s about to give a lecture.

SAN: "It’s called Deceptive Display: an old technique developed by herbivores that is meant to draw carnivores to you."

We see an illustrative scene playing out in San's background, featuring an old and limping wildebeest with crutches surrounded by the shadows of ill-willing carnivores with their eyes gleaming and tongues sticking out.

SAN: " See, for the average carnivore who is on the hunt, the notions of easy prey is irresistible. This instinctively draws them to the weak and injured before the strong and healthy. Deceptive Display exploits this, taking advantage of their dropped guard."

The illustrative scene fades away. San maintains his friendly smile, but his eyes have adopted more of an edge.

SAN: "However, you're not that average, are you? I had to act out a bit more, drawing you in by your unnatural sense of concern rather than your natural instinct to devour me."

Legosi stares at San, seeing the alpaca in a different light from before.

LEGOSI: (Kyuu-san is a tougher fighter than San, but San has more of a devious vibe to him…! Knowing he's been hiding such techniques this whole time behind such a lax and friendly face…)

His tail bristles and wraps around his leg.

LEGOSI: (It makes my skin crawl!)

KYUU: "Personally I think it's a one-noted fighting style."

Legosi blinks. He slowly turns to look down his right and discovers that Kyuu is standing next to him, stark naked and turning the tap of the shower head next to him.

The wolf's jaw drops, but Kyuu doesn't seem to be embarrassed in the least.

KYUU: "Trickery and deceptive tactics are invaluable if used sparingly, but are altogether too predictable for someone to fully rely on. If an opponent calls your bluff and you don't have anything else up your sleeve, you’re screwed."

She adopts an annoyed frown as no water comes out of her shower head.

KYUU: "Damn pipes...!"

San nods in admittance.

SAN: "Sadly enough, she has a point. I couldn't really fight in underground pits anymore after my opponents figured out how my technique worked."

Kyuu and San turn to look at Legosi, only to discover that the wolf has disappeared from where he was a second ago, leaving a Legosi-shaped imprint in the still flowing showerwater. Kyuu and San turn their heads to look at the way out, deducing from a series of wet footprints on the floor that Legosi has left.

SAN: "... What flew into him?"

KYUU: "Female nudity must embarrass him."

SAN: "Huh, how strange."

Kyuu takes Legoshi's place in the still running shower, and San goes to take his original place in the shower next to her.

KYUU: "I know, right? Males and females only differ in a few fleshy appendages left and right... What is there to be embarrassed about?"

Kyuu rubs her hands over her head, getting accustomed to the temperature.

KYUU: "Then again, he wasn't forced into shared showers when he was a kid. The differences between genders must be a big deal to him because he hasn't been exposed to them to the point of indifference."

Now being completely wet, the rabbit turns to the alpaca and extends an open hand.

KYUU: "If you're finished, hand me that soap."

SAN: "Sure thing."

San begins to hand over the soap, but his fingers pinch it, causing it to slip out of his hand and land on the floor behind Kyuu.

SAN: "Whoops."

Kyuu looks over at the dropped soap with slight annoyance. She turns around, bends over and reaches for it.

KYUU: "Still using the dropped soap-trick, even after my little speech about fleshy appendages and indifference? You're so transparent it makes me want to throw up."

SAN: "What can I say Kyuu-san? I'm male, you're a female. You may be embarrassed by your female drives..."

As she bends over, San can't help but to stare at the bunny's curvaceous backside. We can see that she has a few scars across her back; most likely from previous fights.

SAN: "... But I quite enjoy stimulating my male ones."

Getting up with the soap in hand, Kyuu proceeds to use it as she washes her armpits, her ears and her tail.

KYUU: "Giving into your urges so easily is one of the things that make you so predictable... It was no wonder Legosi could read you right away."

SAN: "Should you really be the one lecturing me on that? I wasn't the one who tried to proposition myself to that wolf the same night we met."

Kyuu’s deadpan expression breaks somewhat. She turns to give the alpaca an unamused glare.

KYUU: "I didn't proposition myself. It was part of his training."

San laughs.

SAN: "Yeah right, I bet that's all it was... I guess I would be way off for thinking you just wanted a taste of that desirable carnivore-strength through the raw, sexual onslaught of his HUGE-"

FWUP!

San looks stunned as the bar of soap gets launched into his mouth. He gags and spits it out. As he starts to cough up bubbles, Kyuu starts to whistle the Bubble Bobble (1986) theme song while she wrings the water out of her ears.

---

We skip over to when Kyuu and San have finished in the showers and are putting their clothes back on. San, now with his pants on, has taken a seat on one of the benches. He has his hand over his mouth and looks sick.

SAN: "My mouth still tastes like soap...!"

Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, Kyuu puts her own pants on.

KYUU: "Be glad that's all I did, considering your little street fight in the showers."

San looks up at her with a skeptical look.

SAN: "... What, you didn't like it? I just added a bit of extension to your lesson today. Considering surprises are my speciality, it’d be criminal if I just stood on the sidelines and did nothing to contribute."

KYUU: "There's a big difference between throwing a knife a dull knife at his face which you know he can catch and poisoning him and expect him to build up immunity to it on the fly."

The alpaca adopts a confused look.

SAN: "What are you talking about?"

KYUU: "Don't play coy."

Kyuu puts on her t-shirt and then her red training jacket over it.

KYUU: "I saw the whole thing. You tried to hit the pressure points on the left side below his ribs, which would've affected his heart and liver."

Kyuu turns around. Her deadpan eyes have become sharp and her lip has turned up to form an angry sneer.

KYUU: "If you had made a successful hit, he could’ve gone into cardiac arrest, putting his life in danger!"

San looks unaffected by Kyuu’s accusation. He leans forward, cups his chin in his hand and stares at her.

SAN: "... Why are you so upset? You mean to tell me you don't endanger his life during your training?"

KYUU: "I don’t throw lethal techniques at him before I'm confident he can handle them! He's not ready for what you're trying to pull… He probably doesn't even know that pressing pressure points is a real-life thing! You'll end up killing him if you pull more of that crap. And that’s not the only reason I’m upset."

Kyuu proceeds to pull something out of her pants pocket: one of the throwing knives she used earlier.

KYUU: “I took these for the training knowing they were dulle... But guess what I discovered just a little while ago?”

She then throws it across the room, aiming at a raincoat that dangles next to San. The knife pierces through the coat and becomes embedded into the tile on the wall behind it.

San turns to look at the knife. Meanwhile, Kyuu glares at him.

KYUU: “They had been sharpened. Sharpened to the point that I could penetrate the aluminum of an air vent! I sure as hell didn’t sharpen them, so it couldn't have been anyone except you! If I had hit Legosi with even one of them…!”

SAN: "If he would’ve died, he would’ve died.”

Kyuu looks a little shocked as she hears this from San. The alpaca turns back to give her a cold look.

SAN: “Survival of the fittest Kyuu, that’s the rule of the back alley market. If someone isn’t strong enough, fast enough or clever enough to keep the death at bay, then why should he amount to anything more than chopped liver? Isn’t that the exact words you’ve used in the past?"

Hearing this, Kyuu looks down and thinks back to the moment when Legosi asked her to command him to 'stay' in preparation for his fight with Melon; seeing that very memory play out in her background.

KYUU: "That was before..."

SAN: “I’ve been keeping watch you know. The training sessions you’re giving him now are freaking filler compared to when you started. You’re not acting like someone who wants to further him as a fighter. I don’t see a trainer teaching a pupil, but a girl who is enjoying a males company.”

Kyuu starts to look increasingly irritated (and quite possibly a bit embarrassed) by what the alpaca is suggesting.

KYUU: “Watch it...!”

San stretches his arm out and pulls the knife out of the wall. He looks down at it with a sneer.

SAN: “Just admit it already: You’re soft for him, otherwise he wouldn’t have caught back on that roof.”

---

We enter a flashback, at which we can see San standing on the roof of the building. Looking through a pair of binoculars, he spies on Legosi and Kyuu from a long distance.

SAN: “I could see your face.”

He witnesses the moment right after Kyuu has thrown the knives at Legosi. As Legosi bends over, San can see Kyuu’s face clearly.

She looks concerned.

SAN: “You looked concerned for him.”

Going back to San, we see him lowering the binoculars with a grim look.

SAN: “It distracted you, made you hesitate. It wasn’t because he was better that he caught you, but because your concern for him delayed your reaction.”

---

Returning to the present, we see Kyuu looking at San with a pair of big eyes. That look though is enough for San though as confirmation that his statement is true.

SAN: “You ARE soft for him… And because I am not, one can say I am a far more impartial teacher than you are being right now.”

Kyuu looks down. She seems to struggle at coming up with an appropriate response.

SAN: “... Let me ask you something, what is it about him that makes you THAT concerned about him?"

Kyuu grits her teeth at him, the question clearly irritates her.

KYUU: "... Louis and Gouhin trust in him. Isn’t that enough?"

San shakes his head at this.

SAN: "Louis and Gouhin also trust the Shishigumi, but I don’t see you hanging out with any of them in your spare time, acting all playful."

Kyuu blinks. Then she crosses her arms, fixing the alpaca a squinted look.

SAN: “Then again, maybe you would. With all that friendliness you are showing that wolf, maybe you would like a lion or two for the sake of variation. Maybe teach them an Imaginary Chimera or two while you’re at it?”

KYUU: “... Is that the core of your issue? Me being friendly with carnivores?”

SAN: “That tone in your voice makes it sound like I’m being petty. Don’t treat it like it's a small thing…! It’s when herbivores and carnivores kid themselves that they can co-exist as friends that they set themselves up for misery and bloodshed, with the herbivores getting maimed and carnivores weeping over their bloodied corpses."

San bends over and grabs a hold of the chain under it.

SAN: “You and Louis and this whole damn society is heading to that place because you forget one important thing:”

He throws the chain over to the floor in front of Kyuu.

SAN: “Every carnivore is the enemy of a herbivore. Remembering that is what keeps us alive!”

Things go quiet between them. Kyuu looks down at the chain... Two of it’s shackles are open and almost look like they're reaching out to bite her.

KYUU: "... Before Gouhin freed us, either of us were not seen as people. We were just consumable items… Meat to be eaten.”

Her arms go from being crossed to reaching further around her body and hugging herself, reservedly displaying a rare case of vulnerability.

KYUU: “Afterwards, each of the numbers went their separate ways… Found homes and families and what-not. The only ones who stayed here were you and me… We’ve spent our whole lives together… You’re my closest friend San, and because of that, you see me exactly as I am: A weak and self-serving turncoat... You may not say it aloud, but you KNOW IT. You don't judge me for it, and you’re my friend despite that... I am grateful, but I’ve also come to realize that that’s part of the problem.”

San stares at her, looking confused as to where she’s going with this.

KYUU: “My point is that I have never been seen as more than what I am… EXCEPT by that stupid wolf. For some reason, he thinks MORE of me, even after knowing what an ungrateful affair that has been to him! I still have no idea why he trusts me so whole-heartedly... Or why he doesn’t just see me as the gutter-filth who sold him out for money!”

She looks increasingly angry and frustrated the more she talks about this.

KYUU: “The Kyuu inside his head must be so far attached from the real thing that it’s laughable...! HE’S SUCH A FUCKING MORON I SOMETIMES WANT TO PUNCH HIM! And yet..."

Kyuu's imagination paints up a picture of Legosi's friendly face from before, as he thanks her and calls her ‘Kyuu-chan.’ This appears to melt her anger, making her adopt a calmer expression.

KYUU: "He’s made me realize that I want more out of this life… Not just possession-vice, but to be more as a person. Because of him… I want to be less like the Kyuu I am and more like the Kyuu he believes in."

San stares at her for the longest time after she says this. He then snorts and grins at her.

SAN: “Sorry, but… What a load of bull!”

Kyuu’s eyes widen and her arms go down on her sides.

SAN: “I know you. You want to be close to Legosi, and Gouhin if I remember things right, not because you think either will make you a better person, but because you HATE other herbivores.”

Kyuu tightens her fist and grits her teeth as San continues his talk.

SAN: “You hate us, thinking our line of thought and sense of self-preservation is what is holding animals like you down. Socializing with carnivores is just a way of catering to your envy of them… To make you feel more like one of them than one of us.”

Kyuu looks so angry at this moment that she appears unable to talk. But then, her fist loosens and her face relaxes. She closes her eyes, sighs through her nose and opens her eyes to meet San’s look.

KYUU: “Believe what you will… But consider the fact that you may not know me as well as you think.”

Kyuu turns and walks off to the door and opens it. She stops in the doorway and looks back at San over her shoulder.

KYUU: “I don’t hate other herbivores... But just because I am one, doesn’t mean I am required to love them.”

Her eyes turn sharp and bitter.

KYUU: “Carnivores may have kept us, carnivores may have wanted to eat us, but it was herbivores who sold us to them to begin with!”

She then walks out and slams the door after her, leaving the alpaca by himself.

---

Kyuu walks back to her room. Passing a staircase on the way, she stops to look down like she's noticed something.

We see that Legosi is still around, sitting at the bottom of the stairs.

KYUU: "You're still here?"

Legosi looks over his shoulder as he hears Kyuu. We see that he is still quite wet, with patches of water soaking through parts of his shirt (as he was in such a hurry to get away from the showers that he didn't stop to dry his fur off). He rubs the back of his head.

LEGOSI: "Ah... Well... I figured it would be rude to leave without saying goodbye, so I waited until you were done."

Kyuu gives him an incredulous grimace.

KYUU: "... What the hell? You don't have to be so polite. If you were gone, I would have just assumed you left."

LEGOSI: "Still, it wouldn't have felt right..."

Kyuu shakes her head at this, like she's thinking 'he's unimprovable'.

Legosi then stands up and gives Kyuu a more serious look.

LEGOSI: "I also wanted to tell you I've thought more about your suggestion... And I’ve decided on something."

KYUU: “Oh?”

LEGOSI: "I want to tell Haru first, before I say yes or no."

Kyuu blinks. Then she sighs, goes down the stairs and sits down in front of Legosi.

KYUU: "Very well then... When will you tell her?"

LEGOSI: "Golden week."

Kyuu raises an eyebrow.

KYUU: "... That's in like two weeks, why not right away?"

LEGOSI: "There are other things I want to tell her in the meantime... Some of which I think are better told as she meets someone very special to me. Golden week is the best time for that."

KYUU: "How very ceremonious of you. Personally I think the sooner the better but whatever, I’m not your fucking nanny. Do what you think is best.”

Legosi nods.

LEGOSI: “Thank you Kyuu-cha- I mean Kyuu-san. Oh, and thank San for the lesson too... It was very educational.”

Kyuu tilts her head in a questioning manner, like she’s not exactly sure whether the wolf is serious about appreciating San’s dangerous lesson or if he’s just being sarcastic.

Legosi turns around, looking like he’s about to leave. But then, he pauses and turns back to face Kyuu. He looks like he wants something.

LEGOSI: “Um...”

KYUU: “What now?”

LEGOSI: "Well, before I go… You know those swiping moves you made with the throwing knives... What do you call that?"

Kyuu gives the wolf a confused look.

KYUU: "Call?"

LEGOSI: "I mean, what is the name of the attack? What would you cry out while doing it?"

Kyuu gives him an incredulous look.

KYUU: "Cry out... What do you think this is, KAMEN RIDER?! What would be the damn point to cry out the name of a technique for the whole world to hear?!"

Legosi holds his arms out in an urging gesture.

LEGOSI: "Cause it'd be cool! You know, people would be like 'oh no, Kyuu's about to do her famous KNIFE SPLASH!'"

Kyuu stares at him with an open mouth, like she can't even compute the nonsense she is hearing.

KYUU: "... Knife splash?"

LEGOSI: "You know, cause the way it spreads is like water splashing... And it kind of sounds like 'knife slash'."

She continues to stare at him.

KYUU: "... Knife splash."

The rabbit smacks her mouth with an odd look, like she's trying to taste the word and it's turned out to be an acquired taste.

KYUU: "Knife splash... You'd like me to yell KNIFE SPLASH on the top of my lungs whilst doing it?! You don't do anything like with any of your attacks!"

LEGOSI: "Well not externally anyway."

KYUU: "Why Gouhin took you under his wing I'll never understand...!"

As they continue their banter, we go up the stairs and see that San is standing leaned up against the wall just out of sight. He is listening in on the conversation with an unreadable expression.

THE END... FOR NOW.

---

#beastars #jcl #2020 #legosi #kyuu #san #grey wolf #rabbit #alpaca #training session #fight #fanfiction #script style #mini story #shower me with insights

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anotherkpopvictim · 5 years

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Zoo Day - TaeKook Littlespace Drabble

(Source - allthingstaekook)

“lynn-jiie said: Maybe little jungkook and cg tae visit the zoo? (If you want it sexual, jungkook can be a bad boy and taehyung can teach him a lesson ;)) Sorry I’m bad at this”

A/N: Alright, so I loved this idea because Taekook is life <3 Also, I decided not to do anything sexual in this one, I’ll start off easy.

This is my first drabble so I would like to give a little disclaimer. I am not a little myself, and I have never known anyone in real life who is a little, so there might be some things that aren’t correct. If you notice something that incorrect or offensive to littles and caregivers, please kindly let me know. The last thing I want to do is offend anyone. I am simply writing from what I understand but I know I still have some things to learn.

Also, I’m Canadian so please excuse me if some words are spelled differently. And I don’t know anything about zoos in South Korea so...yeah. Just go with it.

I hope you enjoy this cute little drabble.

Pairing: Little!Jungkook X Caregiver!Taehyung

Rating: G

Words: 1865

Fluff, non-sexual

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“Are we there yet?”

Taehyung smiled and shook his head fondly, eyes momentarily leaving the road so he could look at the younger in the rearview mirror. “Fifteen more minutes, baby.”

Jungkook pouted and whined, “But that's soooooo long!”

“It's not that long, Kookie.” Taehyung replied, “Hey, how about you choose the music, huh?”

The younger immediately brightened up, his eyes shining behind his cute round glasses, “Twice! Twice!” at Taehyung's quirked eyebrow, he added, “Twice please, Daddy.”

“Alright, bun. Hang on.”

Taehyung changed the playlist playing to one he titled Kook's Little Songs. He pressed play and sure enough, the first song to start blasting through the car was TT. The older fondly watched as Jungkook immediately began doing the choreography, unrestrained despite the seat belt holding him back. He belted out the lyrics like he hadn't a care in the world, and Taehyung loved seeing him like this, so free.

I'm like TT, just like TT

ireon nae mam moreugo neomuhae neomuhae

A laugh bubbled out of Taehyung's throat as Jungkook stomped his foot and placed his hands on his hips just like in the dance. The little even pouted too, fully into the song. He just looked so adorable that Taehyung wanted to pinch his cheeks.

I'm like TT, just like TT

Tell me that you'll be my baby

The singing was now bordering on screeching, but as long as Jungkook was enjoying himself, Taehyung didn't care.

The rest of the fifteen minute drive consisted of more girl group covers courtesy of Jungkook himself. This included Dance the Night Away (little Kook was a Twice stan, okay), as well as Red Velvet's Peek-A-Boo and Blackpink's As If It's Your Last. Taehyung really wished he hadn't been driving, otherwise he totally would have filmed the whole thing to send to their hyungs.

“DADDY, IT'S THE ZOO!” Jungkook pointed frantically out the window, eyes wide with excitement. He was practically bouncing in his seat.

Taehyung chuckled, “I can see that, baby.” He quickly parked the vehicle and got out to go over to the younger's side. As he unbuckled the little's seat belt, Jungkook whined, ever the impatient one. “Hey,” Taehyung gave him a more firm look, “No whining, Kookie. You want to be a good boy for Daddy, don't you?”

Jungkook nodded quickly, “Y-Yes, Kookie wanna be good. Sorry, Daddy. He do better now, promise.”

A tweak to the nose made the Jungkook's face scrunch up cutely and the older smile again. “Alright, are you ready to go see the animals, bun?”

The sound the younger made was something between a squeal and a laugh, and he began clapping his hands together. “Yes, yes, yes! Please!”

After paying to get in, Taehyung took the little's hand tightly and they started their journey through the zoo. “Where do you want to go first?”

Jungkook pursed his lips and furrowed his brows cutely as he thought, before he beamed up at the other. “Tigers!”

“This way, then.”

They probably made it twenty feet down the pathway before the younger got distracted. Taehyung was kind of expecting that though, so it was okay.

“Daddy!” Jungkook exclaimed, waggling his finger obnoxiously in the direction of an enclosure to their left. “Look it! Look it! Gorillas!” the older allowed himself to be pulled over to the pen so they could see the gorillas closer up.

They watched a large Silverback and a smaller female gorilla eating some apple chunks from a food dish. The large one took another slice and unexpectedly shoved it into the female's mouth. She looked up at him before beginning to chew. He seemed to take that as acceptance to his courtship because he visibly puffed out his chest proudly.

“Looks like someone's got a crush.” Taehyung mused, causing the little at his side to giggle.

“He likes her,” he agreed, then tilted his head as if he just thought of something. “The big one looks like Joonie-hyung.”

The older couldn't help but burst out laughing in surprise, but as he looked at the animal, he had to agree as well. The way the Silverback walked down to the little pond at the back of the pen was eerily reminiscent of the aforementioned Kim Namjoon. “He does, doesn't he?”

Kookie grinned, “Yeah.”

They continued on their walk, Jungkook humming and skipping as they went. They detoured (again) to see the giraffes, little Kookie looking on with wide eyes at the fantastically sizable creature. It was very surprising to even Taehyung just how large they really were.

After that, they stopped at the petting zoo and spent a good half hour brushing the goats. Taehyung took a picture of the younger with an alpaca at Jungkook's request, because, “This 'paca looks like Jinnie-hyung!” and Jin needed to know about it immediately, apparently (Jin's response was a bunch of keyboards smashes and hearts).

“Are you gonna find animals that look like all your hyungs today, baby?” Taehyung questioned.

“Uh huh!” the little replied, his eyes nearly disappearing with how hard he was smiling.

By the time they had actually made it to the tigers, they'd been there for nearly two hours, and Jungkook was slowly losing all the energy he'd had before in the heat of the sun. He still refused to go home before seeing the tigers, though. “Tigers are the bestest, Daddy.”

Taehyung smiled as he used a wet napkin to clean up the remnants of blue cotton candy from around the younger's mouth. “Yeah, why's that, bun?”

“'Cause tigers are protective and really, really beautiful,” he explained, before becoming shy. The little looked down at his feet and bit his lip as his cheeks stained a pretty rose colour. “Just like Daddy.”

God, Taehyung was so terribly enamoured with him it was insane. “Aigoo!” he cooed, pinching Jungkook's cheek softly. “That's so sweet, baby.”

Jungkook giggled, squirming at the praise. “What animal am I, Daddy?”

“Well, a cute little bunny rabbit, of course,” the older replied as he stood up from the bench they had been sat on. “Just like the ones we saw at the petting zoo. Except, you're much cuter than them.”

The younger slapped his hands over his cheeks as they turned an even darker hue, nearly bright red now. Jungkook looked down and whined out, “Daddy!”

Taehyung didn't think he would ever get over how cute it was that the younger still got embarrassed over his compliments. “It's true!” he insisted, “No one's more beautiful than my bunny.”

Jungkook peeked through the gaps in his fingers, “Daddy's bunny?” he asked shyly.

“Daddy's cutest, most adorable bunny.” the older corrected, just so he could admire the little's blush for a bit longer.

Sure enough, Jungkook whined and threw his arms around Taehyung, hiding his face in his neck.

“Alright,” Taehyung continued, changing the subject. He didn't want to overwhelm the younger, even if it was with good feelings. Not right now, anyway. “How about we go see the tigers now, huh baby?”

Jungkook nodded and pulled away from him again so they could head towards the tiger pen. Their hands swung, intertwined between them, as they got closer and closer to the most anticipated exhibit.

Once they could see they familiar orange and black stripes, the younger squealed and ran excitedly away from his caregiver. He jumped up on the safety fence so he could get a better look, and though Taehyung knew that the predator couldn't get to the little, he was still worried about the younger hurting himself.

“Careful, bun.” Taehyung admonished gently, hands moving to hold Jungkook's hips just in case he fell as soon as he was close enough to do so.

Jungkook, on the other hand, wasn't paying any attention to his hyung at all. His gaze was locked on the vibrantly colored, female Bengal tiger crossing right in front of them. The dark, blood orange fur shimmered more brightly in the beams of sunlight, and the black stripes and white detailing seemed to contour her face and pattern her body breathtakingly.

“I think you're right, bun,” the older mused, pressing a kiss to the back of the little's head but eyes still entranced by the magnificently intimidating animal prowling along the ground less than ten feet from them. “Tigers are pretty cool.”

The two of them watched as the creature turned to look at them briefly, eyes flashing with a warning before she turned away once more. She reached the front left corner of the enclosure, where two cubs who couldn't have been more than a few months old wrestled in the dirt. The mother – Taehyung assumed she was the mother anyways, with how protective she was being – plopped herself down nearby and her two cubs pounced on her, yipping happily at her presence. One jumped on her back and began biting at her ear, while the other one turned over on its back and started pawing at her face. The larger tiger only halfheartedly growled at them before giving in to their antics. Watching the animal like this, Taehyung could almost picture the tiger giving a fond rolling of her eyes.

“Protec'ive,” Jungkook said, breaking the comfortable silence that had formed between them. The little's voice was quieter, and Taehyung could tell that he was getting tired. The younger turned to look at the older with a sleepy smile, “Just like Daddy.”

“Just like Daddy.” Taehyung agreed. He shuffled the younger around and brought him into his embrace invitingly. Jungkook didn't hesitate to jump up and wrap his legs around the older's waist, arms curling around his shoulders similarly. The little shoved his face into Taehyung's neck as the other held the back of his thighs so he wouldn't fall.

“Tired, Daddy.” the little slurred.

“I know, bun. It's past your usual nap time.” Taehyung began walking them through the park towards the entrance. “You can sleep now, okay baby?”

“M'kay.” Jungkook hummed, already half asleep.

Taehyung was glad that no one gave them any trouble as they went. A few ladies saw them and turned to each other to coo at the cuteness, but they thankfully didn't receive any dirty looks or anything.

Once they reached the car, Taehyung settled the younger into the back seat, doing up his seat belt easily. He draped his Winnie the Pooh blanket over him and tucked his stuffed bunny into his arms. Jungkook was completely asleep now, his face peaceful, lips pouted out just the slightest bit. The older quickly pulled out the little's pacifier from the travel bag and made sure that it was clean before slipping it between the younger's lips. Jungkook latched on to the teat of the soother, immediately suckling happily and letting out a sigh of relief in his sleep.

After pressing a loving kiss to his forehead, Taehyung started the drive home. It was quiet compared to the drive earlier, but no less comfortable. The older was more than content with sneaking glances in the rearview mirror so he could see Jungkook's adorable sleepy pout. And if he took a few (read: about one hundred) pictures of him with his phone, the younger didn't need to know.

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A/N: so that’s the drabble! Thank you lynn-jiie for requesting this, I had fun writing it! I have a few more drabbles in the works, but if you would like to request something, you can, just know that it might be a while. If it's going to take more than a few weeks, I will message you and let you know, otherwise, you can expect it within a week or two.

#bts #bts jungkook #bts taehyung #bts little space #bts littlespace #bts drabble #bts drabbles #bts fanfic #bts fanfics #bts fanfiction #vkook #taekook

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southernchicstyle · 6 years

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Baby Boy’s Nursery Revealed

After he's been with us for 3 months, I'm finally getting around to sharing our sweet baby boy's nursery! I've had these photos ready since we did his newborn photos (all of them are taken by Monarisasmile Photography), but I've been soaking up all of the snuggles and smiles and getting as much sleep as I can.

His nursery came together piece by piece as I found the perfect furniture, decorations, light fixture (isn't it awesome?!?), and even wallpaper (which I'm obsessed with!).

I guess the whole room sorta started around the chair. I bought it long before I was pregnant to use in the guest room under the assumption it would go in the nursery one day if we had a boy. And, we did so it went in the room!

We picked out a crib and dresser based on finding a crib that would convert to a full size bed. This grey one won as the back is solid so it will look great as a big boy bed headboard but it still had the ability to attach the Ultimate crib sheet (which is a lifesaver on the bedding when baby spits up or has a blow out in the middle of the night).

I remember explaining my vision for the room while I searched for wallpaper as grey, navy, brass, and fawn print (and the friend I was telling trying to picture exactly what I meant). Well, it all came together exactly as I envisioned, and I couldn't be happier with the room that can grow with our baby boy.

Knowing a navy window treatment would be able to stay with our son as he grew no matter what his room décor could become brought me to decide on a blackout Roman shade from Blinds.com. They didn't give it to me to post about, but I'm sharing this because of their awesome customer service. We measured the window and ordered it about an inch or two too short. Blinds.com will remake it one time if its wrong. And, they did exactly that for us for FREE (with the sidenote to donate the incorrect one to charity... love that!). So, I 100% recommend them for your window treatments!

My husband could not understand why I didn't just use the white bookshelf we had in baby girl's nursery for this one, too, until he saw the brass one actually in the room with the wallpaper and other accents in. I really think the wallpaper and brass "G" (it's solid brass) changed the room enough that he finally SAW it. Anyone else have that problem with their significant others? They just can't see your vision sometimes?

Maybe next time he'll just go with it. Wishful thinking!

You should have seen all of the tabs I had open on my computer as I agonized over wallpaper to bring it all together. Dots and watercolor patterns and textured papers... then I saw this one. That was it!

The wallpaper itself is navy and gold/brass. And, the geometric pattern spoke to me. I didn't pull the trigger right away, but I dreamed about it and a friend pointed out how well it'll transition from nursery to big boy room to teenager (if we're able to hang on to it that long) and that was it.

I smile every time I look at that wall.

So, accessories. A white and brass mirror top table, brass picture frames and round mirror, geometric brass lamp, navy changing pad cover and decor, fawn print pillow and blanket, and baby animal prints and canvas pulled all of my vision in throughout the room.

Little details like a gold fawn (I found at Christmas time intended to be Christmas décor), white Kudu horn, navy urn, baskets, and metal airplane are masculine enough but still sweet for a baby boy. And, the brass globe mid century light fixture was the literal cherry on top!

Get ready for the list from top to bottom (including the great rug we used to tone down the brown/tan from the carpet) for easy reference. I've done my best to find links for as close to 100% of the room as I can.

Crib: Adora 5-in-1 Convertible Crib, Storm Gray , $600

Dresser: 7 Drawer Double Dresser, Storm Gray $752

Bookshelf: Selzer Geometric Etagere Bookcase $246

Chair: Wingback Chair, Grey, $400

Roman Shade: Custom Signature Roman Shade

Rug: Dorothea Gray Indoor Area Rug, from $200

Side Table: Mazon Round Mirror Top End Table in Antique Brass and White

Mirror: Round Brass Wall Mirror

Wallpaper: Lines Wallpaper in Dark Blue design by Fern Living

Light: Mid Century 4-Light Sputnik Chandelier $280

Blanket: Axis Deer Faux Fur Toddler Blanket

Pillow: Antelope Print Pillow Cover

Horn: Polished Kudu Inner Horn

Brass Frames: Matted Metal Photo Frames

Crib Skirt: Modern Hotel Style Crib Dust Ruffle, Navy

Changing Pad Cover: Organic Changing Pad Cover, Navy

Brass Hook: Antique Brass Wall Hook, $5

Lamp: Brass Geometric with Marble Accent Lamp, $34

Brass G: Antique Brass G

Urn: Navy Urn (found at HomeGoods)

Airplane: Vintage Airplane Model Metal Handicraft, $12

Tray: Jonathan Adler Zebra Stacking Dish, $24

Animal Prints: Tiger Cub and Bear Cub Prints

Rabbit Pull Toy: Peter Rabbit Pull-Along Plush Toy, $15

Navy & White Basket: Knit Organizer Bin, $16.99

Name Baby Blocks: Baby Name Alphabet Blocks

*Photos by Monarisasmile Photography

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orbemnews · 3 years

Link

The Downside With Downside Sharks “Many of the shark researchers are considering, not the incorrect means, however in an incomplete means,” he stated. Considered one of Dr. Clua’s co-authors, John Linnell of the Norwegian Institute for Nature Analysis, research human conflicts with predators on land, and acknowledges that he’s not a “shark particular person.” Land predators generally stalk and assault people till they’re killed, he stated. Current historical past is filled with such examples, some nearly mythic. Two male lions nicknamed “the ghost” and “the darkness” had been blamed for killing dozens of individuals in southwestern Kenya in 1898. These lions had been tracked and shot by hunters. A decade later, a Bengal tigress often called the “Champawat Tiger” supposedly killed 436 individuals in Nepal and India. A hunter killed her as properly. Craig Packer, founding father of the Lion Middle on the College of Minnesota, stated these tales are true, although definitely embellished by colonial authors for readers again in Britain. Dr. Packer has studied man-eating lions in Tanzania and likened the phenomenon to an “outbreak” that may unfold by a satisfaction or be taught by mom to cubs. “Every so often, certainly one of them figures out we’re a free lunch,” he stated. Biteprinting received’t be so simple as sending hunters into the sphere to take out a tiger with a style for human flesh, Dr. Linnell acknowledges. However he stated that “something is best than the present unselective mass killing response.” If people reacted to bears the best way they’ve with sharks, Dr. Linnell stated it could be akin to “going out into the forest and randomly taking pictures the primary 1,000 animals that you simply see.” Nonetheless individuals react when shark assaults do happen, Dr. Shiffman provided the reminder that such incidents are uncommon. In keeping with the Worldwide Shark Assault File on the College of Florida, there have been 64 unprovoked assaults on people final 12 months and 41 provoked assaults, that means that an individual “initiates interplay with a shark not directly.” 5 of the assaults had been deadly. Extra individuals are killed by falling timber within the U.S. yearly. Whereas shark assaults are unusual, so are shark culls, though a outstanding surfer just lately known as for one on Réunion Island within the Indian Ocean, which is dwelling to bull sharks. As an alternative, various nations deploy shark nets, much like fences, past the surf at fashionable seashores. Harmful sharks get tangled within the nets, however so do innocent ones, together with dolphins, sea turtles and different marine life. Instead of these strategies, many seashore authorities have embraced extra humane strategies of prevention over extermination. Drones, blimps and tags connect with apps that warn lifeguards and bathers to avoid seashores when sharks are round. And after two deadly assaults occurred in New England lately, Cape Cod residents obtained tourniquet coaching. Supply hyperlink #Problem #sharks

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vulture-jack · 7 years

Note

On the post self it says, i-ll copy paste it> I looked it up, this isn’t caused by inbreeding. It’s caused by two recessive genes like blue eyes or blonde hair in humans. They’re genetically the same as regular Bengal tiger, just with thicker coats. “Usually, a Strawberry Tiger (aka golden tiger) is the result of a zoos breeding white and common orange tigers together (whether intentionally or by accident), rather than a deliberate attempt at breeding Golden Tabbies.“ 1/?

Thank you! Unfortunately I still take issue and don’t find that enough evidence to support the practice of breeding golden tabby tigers, and I still think its an important topic to bring up, so that more people are aware and critical of things like this.

The problem with this is that sometimes inbreeding is used to bring forth those recessive genes. Its not caused by inbreeding, but can be ACHIEVED by inbreeding. If an an accidental birth happens, then I don’t have a problem with that. But there is also the problem of white tiger inbreeding. Which I did provide sources for in the other post.

Even if there is no intentional INBREEDING, breeding for these genes specifically is still, in my opinion, completely unnecessary, and I agree with the AZA’s stance on the matter of breeding for recessive genes and different color morphs, which I highlighted in my first response. https://bigcatrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/AZAbansBreedingWhiteTigersLions2011from2008.pdf

Also, if this chart from one of the sources I provided is in fact, correct, then some of these animals are indeed inbred. In the case that this is accidental, it absolutely should not have been let to happen. You can see that Bhim and Indira produced many offspring. Sona (golden) and Kaddu (carrying white gene), two of their cubs, were bred, as well as Sona and Chandi, for a total of 5 litters and 16 inbred cubs, four of which were white and two of which were golden. This is legitimate cause for concern. Their coloration was not caused by inbreeding, but inbreeding resulted in a higher likelihood of them having their coloration.

I do want to make it clear though. I am not an expert. I am not a zoologist. I am merely going off the information I managed to find. I really don’t want to spread misinformation. And I am not claiming that what I have provided is absolute 100% indisputable fact. And if someone who can disprove what I’ve found and the AZA’s stance, I am happy to listen. But I’m currently on the side of better safe than sorry, and that this is an important discussion to have.

Even if, at the end of the day, the animals are indeed healthy, and that chart is incorrect, I stand by the AZA’s decision that intentional breeding to produce recessive genes to be unnecessary and irresponsible from a conservation and educational standpoint.

#Anonymous

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ask-the-tiger-cub · 5 years

Conversation

incorrect tiger cub

Marco: "Did you HAVE to stab the Marine??"

Quartz: "You weren't there! He provoked me!"

Thatch: "How so?"

Quartz: "He said; what are you gonna do, stab me?"

Ace: "I'm with Quartz, that practically sounds like an invitation."

#incorrect tiger cub #tiger cub shitpost #Whitebeard pirates #marco the phoenix #thatch #portgas d. ace #one piece oc #whitebeard oc #quartz & ace chanting: FUKC! THE! MARINES!#thatch: aye cheers i'll drink to that!

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7soulstars · 4 years

Note

you know the scene in GOTG vol2 when mantis touched peter and reveals that he loves gamora? i keep imagining the same thing if mantis was teleported to middle earth ,and does that with thorin ,saying that he feels love for bilbo.. while thranduil laughs maniacally in the background

Yaaass! Yes! Yes! I love me some Marvel x Tolkien crossover!

My Incorrect Universe Headcannon

Let's do it this way,so what if I'm like a time traveller who can travel into different AUs /an Avenger so I do this where I sometimes take people from one AU to another. Just like I took Legolas to a zoo on earth to steal tiger cubs and drink smoothies. And this time I decided to take Mantis , Groot and Rocket to Middle Earth and they meet the ✨peeps✨.

Mantis*touching Thorin's hand while he just sits awkwardly*: I feel your love..... towards *points at Bilbo* the nice tiny man!

Thorin*flustered*: n-No! you must be mistaken! Impossible!

Gandalf: so you don't like master Bilbo?

Bilbo: *makes disappointed face*

Thorin *dumb gay panics*: nO! I love you! I mean I don't love you! no I mean I like you but- hxhdhdjdj

Thranduil *laughing hysterically in the background as he enjoys watching the dwarf struggle*: look at you! you can't even man up! hahahahahahahahaha-

Me: Darling I don't think you get to laugh considering that after I accepted to court you, you jumped into a bed of flowers giggling like a toddler.

Thranduil: *immediately shuts up*

--Meanwhile--

Kili : so the racoon talks and walks on two legs?? The animal??

Legolas*who has visited Earth with me on our best friend's day many times*: yes.....it's quite a mystery

Rocket in the background pointing at the Ents: LOOK GROOTS IT'S YOUR FUCKING FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Groot *who is positively overwhelmed*: I AM GROOT!

Rocket: HELL YEAH YOU'RE RIGHT!

Lol this was funnier in my head💀

~Love, Hri

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hanmemyphone · 7 years

Text

Masterlist PART 1

Pt. 2 Here (Match ups, incorrect Mystic Messenger Quotes, rants, headcannons, poems, miscellaneous, my memes)

Request Rules!

[A little heads up]!

Kpop Au? (discontinued)

Planning

More Planning

Debut Teaser pt.1 [18/3/2017]

Where I am in this AU

Debut Teaser pt.2 [8/7/2017]

Debut Teaser pt.3 [3/8/2017]

Prologue [25/4/2018]

Prince AU (Battle Between Kingdoms):

Prologue [1/1/2018]

Imagines/Scenarios:

RFA

My personal headcannons for MCs that fit the characters [Complete] [5/6/2017]

RFA + Saeran reactions to an MC who is weak and can’t open water bottles or jars [Complete] [3/6/2017]

RFA reactions to female S/O proposing to them [Complete] [11/4/2017]

RFA attempt to confess but believe they’ve been turned down [Complete] [16/5/2017]

RFA + Saeran reactions to MC who plays 17+ otome games [Complete] [5/4/2017]

RFA + Saeran reactions to MC wanting to have sex in a public place [NSFW] [Complete] [26/3/2017]

RFA reactions to MC being intoxicated and obsessed with their cologne [Complete] [23/3/2017]

RFA + Saeran as Studio Ghibli characters [Complete] [16/3/2017]

RFA + Saeran reactions to an MC who frequently makes self-loathing jokes [Complete] [14/3/2017]

RFA as sports [Complete] [8/3/2017]

RFA + Saeran reactions to an MC who watches anime hardcore [Complete] [5/3/2017]

RFA + Saeran reactions to MC with Schizoid Personality Disorder [Complete] [5/3/2017]

RFA + Saeran reactions to MC’s cutesy/feminine tone compared to her normal low tone [Complete] [26/2/2017]

RFA + Saeran reactions to Elizabeth becoming a human [Complete] [26/2/2017]

RFA + Saeran reactions to MC having an asthmatic reaction to their cologne [Complete] [26/2/2017]

RFA + Saeran reactions to MC with a tiger cub [Complete] [25/2/2017]

RFA + Saeran as BTS Title Songs [Complete] [25/2/2017]

RFA + Saeran reactions to an MC who has a phobia of needles [Complete] [25/2/2017]

RFA reactions to reading Annie96 [Complete] [24/2/2017]

RFA + Trio on a rainy, chilly, Sunday afternoon [Complete] [23/2/2017] [Slight NSFW, extremely slight]

RFA + Saeran giving fluffy comfort to a bullied MC [Complete] [19/2/2017]

RFA + Saeran react to going to a family reunion with MC and the family is large and rowdy [Complete] [19/2/2017]

RFA + Saeran react to an MC who is scared of giving birth [Complete] [19/2/2017]

RFA + Saeran react to an MC who has changing eye colours based on mood/emotion [Complete] [17/2/2017]

RFA + Saeran react to an MC who doesn’t ‘celebrate’ Valentines Day [Complete] [14/2/2017]

RFA + Saeran react to an MC who doesn’t like having their picture taken because they think they look ‘ugly’ [Complete] [13/2/2017]

Things in Jumin’s closet [Complete] [12/2/2017]

RFA reactions to an MC with wide lensed glasses and says “Wide Lenses are for Winners” when asked [Complete] [12/2/2017]

RFA + Saeran react to a MC who has trouble sleeping and takes sleeping pills quite regularly [Complete] [12/2/2017]

RFA + Saeran react to a MC who has glasses, braces and likes comics [Complete] [10/2/2017]

RFA + Saeran react to MC who has Aspergers [Complete] [10/2/2017]

RFA + Saeran react to MC being a rough ice hockey player [Complete] [5/2/2017]

RFA as vampires [Complete] [3/2/2017]

RFA as RPG like classes [Complete] [2/2/2017]

RFA reactions to MC being deaf or HOH [Complete] [2/2/2017]

RFA reactions to MC having a hard time expressing their feelings because they thought nobody cares about them [Complete] [30/1/2017]

RFA + Saeran reactions to an MC who really jumpy and fidgety from past physical bullying experiences [Complete] [28/1/2017]

RFA + Saeran in Long Distance Relationships [Complete] [27/1/2017]

An Unexpected Visit [Complete] [26/1/2017]

Reactions to MC having a ‘self-esteem’ crisis and mental breakdown [Complete] [26/1/2017]

An Alternate Beginning [Complete] [26/1/2017]

RFA + Saeran reactions to MC always sleeping with a thick blanket no matter the temperature [Complete] [26/1/2017]

Reactions to MC’s cute hiccups [Complete] [25/1/2017]

Reactions to MC being a yandere [Complete] [24/1/2017]

RFA as Shoes [Complete] [24/1/2017]

Reactions to MC being a black belt in martial arts + small build [Complete] [23/1/2017]

Reactions to MC being drunk and extremely affectionate [Complete] [22/1/2017]

RFA turns Yandere? [Complete] [21/1/2017]

RFA as salespeople [Complete] [21/1/2017]

Reactions to MC loving Psychological Horror [Complete] [21/1/2017]

MC takes revenge on RFA [Complete] [19/1/2017]

RFA as University Students [Complete] [18/1/2017]

RFA: Cat or Dog? [Complete] [17/1/2017]

RFA as Romance Clichés [Complete] [16/1/2017]

RFA as Doctors [Complete] [14/1/2017]

RFA as Teachers [Complete] [13/1/2017] [POPULAR]

RFA + Saeran discovering MC has severe anxiety and depression [Complete] [5/1/2017]

RFA discovering MC has an hourglass-shaped body [Complete] [29/12/2017]

RFA as types of people at Christmas [Complete] [20/12/2016]

RFA described with one word [Complete] [15/12/2016]

RFA as Pixar quotes [Complete] [14/12/2016]

RFA as Christmas figures [Complete] [13/12/2016]

RFA is a family [Complete] [12/12/2016] [POPULAR]

RFA as genres [Complete] [11/12/2016]

RFA + Saeran at the waterpark [Complete] [29/12/2016]

RFA’s diary contents [Complete] [12/11/2016]

Shy MC trying to give affection [Complete] [9/11/2016]

RFA goes clubbing [Complete] [3/11/2016]

RFA as different cats [Complete] [2/11/2016]

RFA as things I have said [Complete] [2/11/2016]

RFA as Disney Quotes [Complete] [29/10/2106] [POPULAR]

RFA as school clubs [Complete] [27/10/2016]

RFA as students at high school [Complete] [26/10/2016]

RFA + Saeran reactions to seeing magic [Complete] [25/10/2016]

When Zen becomes your husband [Complete] [22/10/2016]

RFA reacting to their phones being taken away [Complete] [11/10/2016]

RFA’s reasons for picking up $10 off the ground [Complete] [10/10/2016]

RFA at dinner [Complete] [7/10/2016]

Hyun Ryu (Zen)

Opportunity [Complete] [5/6/2017]

Best Friend Zen [Complete] [14/5/2017]

Zen’s wonderful birthday surprise [Complete] [1/4/2017]

Change and Support [Complete] [17/2/2017]

Valentines Day Special Event: Zen Day [16/2/2017]

Kim Yoosung

Best Friend Yoosung [Complete] [17/5/2017]

Mistakes [Complete] [27/3/2017] ALTERNATE ENDING

Valentines Day Special Event: Yoosung Day [13/2/2017]

Mistakes: Yoosung bad ending 1: What happens next? [Complete] [7/2/2017]

Kang Jaehee

Valentines Day Special Event: Jaehee Day [17/2/2017]

Han Jumin

Jumin and MC’s kitty playdate [Complete] [18/6/2017]

Best Friend Jumin [Complete] [17/5/2017]

An MC who doesn’t like designer clothes [Complete] [7/4/2017]

Uncertainty [Complete] [4/3/2017]

MC in the cage (scenario based off Jumin joking about having a cage in his apartment) [Complete] [19/2/2017]

Valentines Day Special Event: Jumin Day [18/2/2017]

Jumin vs Weird Food Habits [Complete] [25/1/2017]

Sunday Mornings [Complete] [11/10/2016]

Choi Saeyoung (707)

Best Friend 707 [Complete] [17/5/2017]

Seven is dared to treat MC like Elizabeth 3rd [Complete] [10/4/2017]

Seven gets a kitten following him around [Complete] [6/3/2017]

Seven hacks into Jaehee’s private tumblr [Complete] [26/2/2017]

Valentines Day Special Event: 707 Day [15/2/2017]

You Lit Me Up [Complete] [18/10/2016]

Kim Jihyun (V)

Best Friend V [Complete] [21/5/2017]

Heliotrope [Ongoing, deciding whether to continue or not] [26/2/2017]

Second Chances [24/2/2017]

Valentines Day Special Event: V Day [21/2/2017]

Choi Saeran (Unknown)

Best Friend Saeran [Complete] [9/6/2017]

Drunk Saeran [Complete] [9/6/2017]

Saeran in College [Complete] [5/3/2017]

Reaction request to Saeran breaking into your apartment and you wanting to leave the world... [Complete] [15/2/2017]

Valentines Day Special Event: Saeran Day [14/2/2017]

Christmas Ending: Unknown: What happens next? [Complete] [30/1/2017]

Fanfictions:

Zen (Hyun Ryu)

Alone [Incomplete/Dropped] [22/11/2016]

Strange Turn Of Events [28/1/2017]

Kim Yoosung:

Yoosung’s Yild Yirthday Yadventure pt.2 [Complete] [12/3/2017]

Yoosung’s Yild Yirthday Yadventure pt.1 [Complete] [12/3/2017]

Han Jumin

Separation [Complete] [8/4/2017] GOOD END BAD END

Artemisia [Complete] [4/2/2017]

Won’t You Stay For A Bit Longer? [Complete] [NSFW] [15/12/2016]

A Night Worth Waiting For [Complete] [NSFW] [23/11/2016]

Misconceptions [Complete] [27/1/2017]

Choi Saeyoung

If Only It Could Be Like This [Complete] [27/4/2018]

Time pt.3 [Dropped] [6/3/2017] [AU]

Time pt.2 [Dropped] [31/1/2017] [AU]

Astilbe [Complete] [28/1/2017]

Time pt.1 [Dropped] [24/1/2017] [AU]

A Brush With Death [Complete] [22/1/2017]

Kim Jihyun (V)

Pick Me Up (birthday special) [Complete] [10/9/2017]

I Can See You [Complete] [26/12/2016]

MISCELLANEOUS

[Jumin V Week] Day 5- Innocent Words [Complete] [14/4/2017]

[Jumin V Week] Day 4- Letters [Complete] [13/4/2017]

[Jumin V Week] Day 3- First Meeting [Complete] [12/4/2017]

[Jumin V Week] Day 2- Reunion [Complete] [11/4/2017]

[Jumin V Week] Day 1- Childhood [Complete] [10/4/2017]

Nothing Could Compare [Complete] [30/12/2016]

Prompts:

When [Complete] [15/4/2017] the messy end [14/7/2017]

Curiosity [Complete] [13/3/2017]

#masterlist #mystic messenger

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pen-masta · 7 years

Text

Old Habits New Sparks

Just some cute fluff. Enjoy.

Mikey smiles over the counter at his little brother, Castel, playing with his friend of one year. They both lie on the floor, on their bellies, facing each other. Castel, the mini baby nerd he is, is reading his space book. While Joy on the other hand swings her feet back and forth in the air, humming loudly as she scribbles in her art book with her crayon—she’s actually got a lot of talent for a six-year-old.

Considering he won’t go back to school until February, Mikey has been babysitting his baby brother and Joy after they get out of school for the past few weeks. But today is Sunday and he’s not the only one watching after the two little tikes today. His mom sits on the couch watching her youngest son and his friend entertain themselves. Zack is helping their dad shovel the newly fallen snow from the driveway, while Mikey cooks up a warm lunch to have on such an icy day.

Mikey smiles and sprinkles in some more brown sugar into the bubbling creamy tomato soup, before flipping the sandwiches on his skillet. He’s glad Castel and Joy hit it off right away after they met that day in the park, Joy is the perfect counterpart for his dorky baby brother. Even at their young ages they each have shown so much personality and interests.

Joy loves art—finger painting, coloring, drawing, she even brought over a bunch of colored clay one time to model. She’s quite the quirky little tike, she’s silly and goofy, sweet and kind, a little bossy sometimes but she’s never mean. And even at her young age she seems to have a great sense of humor. She always tries to make you laugh—most of the time she’s very successful. Not only does she have a colorful personality she also has a colorful…everything else. She always wears mismatched clothes of all different kinds and colors; she looks like a little gypsy.

Even now as she draws in her art book she’s wearing a bright pink t-shirt, a lime green hoody, bright colored mismatched knee high socks, light up sneakers, beaded necklaces from their latest arts and crafts at school, a raspberry burette sits among her brown curly braid, and a big frilly rainbow tutu. Mikey chuckles a little at the splattered paint on her cheeks from their early morning finger painting project. And he smiles guessing her parents probably let her dress herself…and judging by the determination in the little sprout no one was going to get her to change.

He glances over his shoulder at his baby brother. An unruly mop of brown curls bounces ever so slightly when the boy turns his head to read the next page in his book. Dawning his favorite jean overalls with the little tiger on the front pocket, his favorite red flannel shirt, and his slightly muddy and untied red sneakers, the little boy lies on the floor next to a stack of books—each a reading level higher than the standard first grade books.

Castel wasn’t much for art on his own, although if it was something Joy wanted to do he’d join in. But he prefers reading over paint brushes. Castel also loves his Legos and his building blocks. He loves creating all kinds of things with his various blocks and connecting cubes. Even though he’s only been in school for a year now, his teacher has already seen a great deal of intelligence in him. He reads much faster than his peers, he has a great understanding and grasp on the information he reads, and he’s always the first one done his work—hardly ever having any answers incorrect.

After talking with his parents, the teacher decided to give Castel some second-grade work to see how he’d do. And to everyone’s amazement the work wasn’t hard at all for Castel, and since then she’s been giving him second grade level work and has let him borrow some second-grade level books from the school’s library. He had even asked their mom to teach him “that funny language she always talks in right before daddy’s cheeks turn red” as Castel had put it from his seven-year-old observations.

Castel is a sweet little boy and always has fun with Joy and his brothers. But when he’s alone he keeps to himself; engrossed in his book about cars, or computers, or dinosaurs. One thing that has grabbed the little boy’s attention is mysteries and monsters.

Often times when he and Joy go out in the yard to play he takes her around the yard scouring around for footprints of giants, or hairs of werewolves, or any signs of bats. But he always makes sure they go out with scarfs around their necks in case some stray vampire finds them. Joy doesn’t seem to mind the imaginary hunts; she always joins in helping him hunt around the yard following whatever trail he’s on.

Although most of their monster hunts come up empty—much to Castel’s dismay—they did however catch a creature one time. Castel has found some footprints in the dirt that lead to the garage where a greasy wrinkled monster was hunkered behind the opened door of the fridge. The two had screamed and charged the beast tackling him to the ground. Joy had thrown her sand pail over the monster’s head while Castel tied the beast’s ankles together with his jump rope. It wasn’t until everyone had run out into the garage that the two realizes the greasy wrinkled monster was Castel’s dad working on his car.

Mikey laughed at how disheveled their dad looked and how their mom teased him about how easily the big bad cop was taken down by two first graders. Mikey shakes his head at the memory as he cuts the sandwiches and puts them on their designated plates.

“Lunch is ready,” he announces as he takes the soup off of the stove.

Castel and Joy both spring up and race each other to the table while Mrs. Cubs goes outside to get Zack and Mr. Cubs. Joy kneels on the seat next to Castel and they both sit patiently waiting for the rest of the family. Once everyone is seated at the table Mikey brings over a stack of grilled cheese sandwiches and the pot of soup. He then brings over a green and orange plastic plates and bowls.

“Cheddar, Swiss, Mozzarella, ham, and tomato grilled cheese sandwiches with hot tomato soup.” He smiles and places the plates in front of Joy and Castel, “Cut into dinosaurs as requested.”

“Thanks Mikey,” Joy smiles a front-toothless grin up at him.

Joy goes to take her dinosaur shaped sandwich into her hands, but Castel grabs her tiny hand before she can. She looks at him a little surprised, but she quickly smiles watching Castel examine both of their sandwiches. Castel’s brow furrows in concentration and the little boy wiggles in his seat a moment and fidgets while he stares at their food. After a second he turns to his big brother and opens his mouth to speak, but Mikey beats him to it.

“Yes, I made them with garlic bread to keep away the vampires,” he chuckles down at his little brother.

Castel closes his mouth into a smile and nods. Mikey grins and tickles the little boy’s sides for a moment making the smaller male giggle and squirm in his seat—which in turn causes Joy to giggle as well and everyone else to smile. Mikey then places a kiss on top of the mop of curls before taking his seat next to his mom.

She puts her hand on his and smiles, “Thank you for cooking Michael.” She whispers to him, “He’s been so picky lately your sandwiches are among the few foods he’s willing to eat.”

Mikey smiles brightly, “It’s no problem Ma I love cooking. Especially for little Cassie,” he chuckles a little. “He’s very picky I know, but he’s my best customer.”

She smiles at her oldest son as everyone begins to eat. Castel picks up the warm sandwich with his chubby little hands, and bites into it. He smiles at how the cheese gushes out the sides as he does so. The table is quiet for all of ten seconds before Joy pipes up.

“Cassie and I are getting married!” She says smiling brightly.

Everyone at the table giggles and smiles at the two youngest of the group.

“Is that so?” Mrs. Cubs asks smiling brightly and folding her hands under her chin.

Joy nods, “Uh huh.” She grins and dunks her sandwich dinosaur’s head into the hot red soup. “See Mrs. Nikki gives the good kids a prize every Friday.” Joy explains and bites off the head of the now soggy dinosaur shaped sandwich. “You can either have a piece of candy from the candy bag or get a toy from the treasure chest.”

She swallows her half masticated mushed up cheesy meaty sandwich, before beaming. “Cassie always gets on the good list and he always gets a toy from the treasure chest. So when he gets a prize this week he’s gonna get one of those bubble container thingy-ma-bobs with the ring inside.”

She explains and dunks her sandwich again, “And I want to have one for him so I’m going to be extra good this week, so I can be on the good list.”

“You’re not on the good list?” Mr. Cubs smirks and raises a brow at the little girl.

Joy looks down bashfully and her cheeks turn pink, “Not always. Mrs. Nikki says I talk too much when I’m not supposed to.” Her smile brightens again, “But I’m gonna be good this whole week so I can get a prize for Cassie.”

“Another ring?” Zack asks stirring his soup.

“Nope,” Joy shakes her head popping her P. “Cassie likes ring pops so when Mrs. Nikki asks if I want candy bag or the treasure chest I’m going to say the candy bag. Then I’m gonna pick out a ring pop.”

“Sounds very thought out,” Mikey chuckles and bites into his sandwich.

“Where is the wedding happening?”

“At recess this Friday,” Joy says jubilantly. “It’s gonna be me and Cassie and my friends Jenny, and Bethany, and Holly, and Amber.” She bounces on her knees as she takes another bite of her sandwich, “We’re gonna get married under the jungle jim and Amber is gonna be the marrying person thingy.”

“Very thought out indeed,” Mr. Cubs chuckles. “So whose idea was all of this?”

“Mine,” Joy smiles. “Well mine and Holly and Jenny and Bethany and Amber’s…I guess it was all of us.”

“I see,” Zack smiles and nudges Mikey with his elbow. The two brothers giggle for a moment before they smile at their kid brother.

“And Cassie,” Mikey grins. “How do you feel about this?”

“Ready to not be single anymore?” Zack laughs.

Castel puts down his sandwich and opts to stir his soup. The little boy doesn’t take his eyes off his dalmatian puppy spoon as it circles around in his soup. But he does acknowledge his brothers’ questions with a shrug.

“You’re all set to get hitched?” Zack teases, “Eerr married I mean.”

Castel just shrugs again, “I don’t mind really.” He looks up at his brothers and his eyes sparkle, “I’ve been searching the playground for weeks and I’m almost positive I’ve found where the abominable snowman lives.” His little face brightens, “Everyone is gonna help me look after the wedding. They all promised. We’re gonna catch him!” The little boy says happily and slurps up his soup.

Mr. and Mrs. Cubs exchange a worried glance about the same time Zack and Mikey do. But then they all smile again and go back to eating their lunch. Joy starts singing aloud and dunks her sandwich in her soup continuously; causing waves to ripple through her bowl, splashing out of the bowl. Mikey chuckles and watches the two little kids eat their lunches. Castel slurps his soup watching Joy play in her soup.

Joy stops and holds her sandwich in the bowl until the bread starts to fall apart in the red liquid. Castel watches for a moment as her sandwich descending down into the hot liquid. Just before Joy’s fingers touch the soup, Castel grabs her hand and yanks it away from the bowl. Joy makes a surprised yipping sound before looking at Castel. The two children narrow their eyes at one another, both glaring at the other with their lips in the same tight line. There is silence between them while they stare each other down—the only sound is some light snickering from the rest of the family. After a moment Castel picks up his napkin and hands it to Joy for her hand. She takes it and cleans herself up, while watching him take her splatter painted spoon into his hand. Carefully he scoops out the huge chunk out of her bowl and plops the mushy, nasty glob onto her plate.

They look at each other again and after another moment of glares their faces brighten and Castel smiles at her. Joy grins, grabs the straps of his overalls, and pulls him towards her. She plants a big sloppy, wet, cheesy, tomato soup-y kiss on his cheek with a very loud and acute ‘mwah!’ sound.

Castel whines noisily and wipes his cheek clean, “Gross!”

Joy bursts into giggles along with the rest of the family. After they finish eating Joy and Castel decide to go outside for a while. After Mrs. Cubs makes sure they are both bundled up so much they can hardly put their arms down, the two disappear into the frozen wonderland that fills the backyard. Mrs. Cubs watches them play for a few minutes before her smile falters and she looks down at the floor.

“What’s wrong, Felicity?” Mr. Cubs asks seeing the worried look in her face.

She smiles weakly, “I’m just…” she sighs and looks up at her husband. “Cassie hasn’t made any friends other than Joy. He’s been in school for a year now almost two, and he is still alone.”

“He’s not alone,” Mikey chimes in from his spot at the sink. “He has Joy.”

“I know that bébé,” Mrs. Cubs sighs. “And I’m grateful he has her it’s just…Joy has so many other friends than just Cassie.”

“He’s certainly not the social butterfly you two were,” Mr. Cubs chuckles and looks at his older sons. He smiles back at his wife, “Don’t worry sweetheart he’s only seven.”

“He’s got his entire life to make friends,” Zack nods. “And for now he’s got Joy.”

“And she seems to be enough for Cassie,” Mikey smiles.

“He looks happy yes?” Mr. Cubs asks and looks out at the two children playing in the yard. They are chasing each other with snowballs and laughing when they both fall. Mr. and Mrs. Cubs both smile warmly at the sight.

“Yes he is happy,” Mrs. Cubs nods. “As long as he at least has Joy he’ll be fine.”

“Yes,” Mr. Cubs smiles and kisses her cheek.

“Well apparently on Friday they’ll be bound together for life,” Zack snorts. And the kitchen fills with laughter.

That Friday Joy had made it to the good list as she had been determined to and picked a blue raspberry ring pop out of the candy bag. Castel got the little toy ring from the treasure chest and soon the two were standing under the jungle jim for the wedding. They exchanged their rings and Castel wiped his mouth after Joy has pecked his lips with little kiss, followed by her signature ‘mwah!’ sound—similar to the way she kissed his cheek on Sunday. Castel didn’t mind humoring the girls in their marriage game. He’s played house with Joy before and he didn’t see that much of a difference—except this time they’d follow her game up with a monster hunt.

However, all of Joy’s friends disappeared after the wedding leaving Castel on his own for the hunt; breaking their promise. They tried to get Joy to come play some silly game with them, but she insisted that she would much rather go on a monster hunt adventure with her ‘husband’ than play some silly little game. Castel smiled when she took his glove covered hand into her mitten covered one and ran off with him.

--------------

Joy smiles and chuckles a little to herself at the memory. The now twenty-five-year-old sits on the red shag carpet of the living room. It’s been about two years since Castel and Martha broke up; after Castel saw Martha’s true colors he was tore apart for several weeks. When Joy had found him he was curled up on the floor of his kitchen, his hair a disheveled mess, his clothes wrinkled, tear streaks stained his cheeks, and his eyes puffy and red. Very similar to how she’d find him after some girl rejected him in high school, or laughed in his face—except this time he had drunk himself silly. Which was a shock for Joy because Castel was no alcoholic in fact he hadn’t had more than a glass of wine since his twenty-first birthday.

Joy had stayed with him in the big empty house to make sure he could take care of himself again. After he was stable again she had planned to leave, but Castel had asked her to stay. She had her own wing of the mansion now, which was great since she had gotten thrown out of her apartment. Castel was happy to have his best friend with him again and now that it’s been two years since the horrendous break up he’s finally feeling like his old self again.

“What are you laughing at?” Castel asks and pokes her cheek.

She looks at him and it takes her a moment to focus on his face—the alcohol they’ve been drinking affecting her vision. She smiles at him loving how curly his hair has become again, his beard is nothing more than stubble lining his face, and his chocolate eyes are shinning bright again—though something tells her that sparkle is influenced by the alcohol in his system…but she likes to think it’s the happy sparkle that normally fills his eyes. She’s happy that Martha is finally gone, although she never said it so bluntly to him before she never really liked how Martha acted or treated him. She tried to change so much about him and Joy couldn’t stand it. If anything as far as Joy is concerned Castel got at least three things out of their break up. He’s learned how to say ‘no’—which is what caused most of their fights when Martha was being a diva. He’s so much more confident now, knowing he is worth more than the way Martha had treated him.

And finally he no longer has the food police in his house. Martha had always been on him about his body for the press and how he had to look like he just came out of a modeling ad. She was the definition of a health freak—no gluten, no sugar, no BPA, no MSG, no GMOs, no anything. Now free from his chains Castel was final able to go on not caring about what the press would say. He finally doesn’t look like a walking twig branch anymore, sure he always had his muscles but he was so thin. Now he’s got a fuller face and he looks like himself again physically; and Joy is so happy for that.

“Joy,” he chuckles and pokes her nose. “You here with us?”

Joy giggles, “I’m here.”

He grins and sways a little until he leans back against the coffee table. “So why are you laughing?”

“No reason,” she smiles and looks around at the scattered empty bottles of champagne, strawberry wine, and hard cherry sodas.

It’s New Years Eve and they had planned to have a big party with their families, but Mrs. Cubs insisted they have a party at their house. So the families had gathered and played games and danced and had fun, more fun than Joy could even remember having in a long time. After the ball had dropped they had their toast and everyone headed back to their own homes. When Joy and Castel had gotten back to the house they both felt…well happy. Neither wanted the night to end so Castel offered the idea to relax by the fire and break into his cellar. Joy had agreed and now here they sit in front of the roaring fire, her favorite soundtrack playing in the background from her Iphone, and both feeling slightly tipsy and yet comfortable.

Castel smiles, “Come on sharing is caring.” He chuckles his head starting to swim from the two bottles of soda and half…ok a little more than half the bottle of strawberry wine.

Joy smiles softly at him before she pushes her heels off to side along with her sweater jacket. She slides down onto the carpet and is a little taken back by how soft the shag material feels. Castel smiles and looks at the wooden clock that sits on the mantel above the fire place. It reads two thirty in the morning. He chuckles a little and shoves his dress shoes out of the way along with his blazer. He unbuttons his vest and loosens his neck-tie before lying on the floor next to her. The sweet tasting liquor pooling in his gut, the sweet tangy taste of the nectar slowly sliding down from his throat like sap on tree bark. He smiles and hums a little feeling very content where he’s at right now—not just his life but this moment right now. He feels happy and warm and so pleased to be here with Joy. It’s just them again, him and his best friend and he’s so grateful she’s still here with him after all this time she’s still his friend. A fun night with his loved ones, a warm fire, good music, sweet drinks, this amazingly soft carpet, and Joy laying next to him. This moment of bliss feels so…perfect.

They are both silent for a while listening to the soft melody of Someone In The Crowd and the faint crackling of the fire. Joy slurs out that it sounds like that rice cereal that pops. Castel agrees and grins as she sings, “Snap, crackle, pop!” And he finishes with, “Rice Krispies!” They both laugh for a while at that—probably longer than they should have, but neither cares.

Silence falls again but it’s comfortable, it’s always comfortable. The music changes and shift into A Lovely Night the quick upbeat tune filling the air between them. Joy sighs a little and she stares up at the ceiling, still feeling the bubbly tingle of the alcohol but a kind of bittersweet feeling gnaws in her belly.

“Do you remember when we got married?” She asks not looking away from the ceiling.

He chuckles and nods, “Yes I do.” He turns on his side and smiles at her, “Is that what you’ve been thinking about?”

She smiles and looks at him now, “Yes.” She giggles a little, “It was so silly you know.”

“Not really,” he shrugs. “It was kind of sweet.” He chuckles, “I remember you were trying so hard to get onto the good list so you could get a prize.”

She giggles and nods, “Yes I wanted to get you a ring pop instead of that plastic little ring. And then we stood under the jungle jim and traded the two. The plastic one you got and the strawberry ring pop I got.”

“Blue raspberry,” he corrects. She looks at him with a quizzical expression and he smiles. “It was a blue raspberry ring pop you gave me, not strawberry.”

She blinks at him before she smiles, “Oh my gosh you’re right! How could I forget?”

He chuckles and shrugs, “I also remember everyone promising to go on some monster hunt after our little wedding.” He shakes his head.

“Not just any monster hunt Cassie,” she grins and turns on her side facing him. “A hunt for the illusive abominable snowman.” Her face falls into a crest-fallen look, “They all left afterwards.”

“Yeah they did,” he shrugs and looks down at the carpet. “But you didn’t.”

She smiles a little, “That’s cause I loved going on adventures with you.” He looks up at her and her eyes seem to twinkle, “I thought you’d always be a monster hunter.” She giggles, “Have your own paranormal hunting shows.”

He grins again, “Well it’s still a passion of mine.” He runs his hand through his hair kind of sloppily due to the alcohol messing with his sense of direction. “I got so engrossed with my projects I nearly forgot all about those creatures…but I kept it as a side hobby.” He laughs loudly, “I mean if I could leave the business to Amy I would leave right now and head out to West Virgin.”

Joy smiles at how his face brightens as he talks about his love for mysteries. His eyes seem to almost turn into a light brown; filled with excitement. She loves that look.

“The first one I’d hunt down would be Mothman,” he chuckles and lies on his back. “Then the Sheepsquatch and then the Devil Dog and then…well those are my top three.” He says feeling a bit bashful at how nerdy and crazy he must sound.

But Joy smiles, “I hope you’re not planning to run off on these adventures without me.”

He looks at her and sees the kind smile on her face, the same one she always wore when he would go on rants about monster hunts and anomalies when they were children. The look in her eyes he can only read as excitement and awe. She’s serious. She would want to run off into the woods with him hunting down monsters from old folklores. And honestly…there’s no one else he’d want by his side.

She never once thought he was crazy or weird for liking these things, or having theory upon theory about how these creatures came into existence. Or how he can prove their existence, or anything. She would always listen and give input or help him piece clues together, she didn’t care about the weird looks the other kids would give them as they hunted around the playground in search of signs of monsters. She never cared about anything other than having fun with him. Even now years later she still gets just as excited as he does.

“You are so not Martha,” he blurts out smiling. He had meant it as a positive but the slight contortion in her face proves that it didn’t come out that way. “No no I mean I’m glad you’re not.” He says trying to backtrack. He sits up and rubs the back of his neck, “Martha would always tell me to stop going on about non-sense about monsters. She made me feel like I was a freak because I found it interesting.” He sighs a little the pain stabbing his heart, “She never really wanted to share in any of my interests. She only ever wanted to do what she wanted…we could never compromise.”

“Well then I’m glad she’s gone,” Joy says bluntly and sits up. She blinks realizing what she just said and looks at him. “I mean…I’m sorry you didn’t get the happy ending you were hoping for but—”

“I was never happy with her,” he says and smiles at her. “I know what you meant. It’s ok Joy.” He chuckles, “I’m kind of glad it didn’t work out, can you imagine how controlling she’d be if we were married?” He laughs loudly, “It’d be more of a nightmare than when we were dating!

Joy giggles joining in his mirth, knowing that although the pain Martha caused him to feel is still there slightly; he is healing. He’s moving on, he is happy without her in his life. He can finally be himself and not the person she was trying to force him to be. They giggle for a moment before each taking another sip from the almost empty champagne bottle. The giggling continues and soon neither can clearly remember what it is they are laughing about.

Castel smiles and shrugs as a silly thought pops into his head, “Hey maybe it didn’t work out because I was already betrothed to someone else.” He grins at her and winks.

She giggles and shrugs, “Maybe so I mean we were bound together for life that day.”

He chuckles, “You called me your husband for several weeks after that.”

Joy giggles and nods, “I did.”

He smiles as they lay back down , and he’s starting to feel like they are lying a lot closer together than they probably should. He doesn’t say anything though; he just stares up at the ceiling one hand lying on his stomach the other on the floor. He knows her hand is somewhere near his because he can feel the faint warmth it gives off. As they lie there in silence he thinks back to when he first started dating Martha, how he struggled to really love her. How he could never shake the other feelings he had for Joy, feelings that are still very much alive. He rolls through his memories from the time he met her until now, he’s always loved her more than just friends. But he never thought she would ever feel the same and he didn’t want to risk ruining their friendship. But now Martha is gone, she’s been gone for almost two years now and he’s the happiest he’s been in a long time.

“Did it bother you?” Joy asks not looking at him.

“Did what bother me?” He asks still looking at the ceiling.

Joy fidgets on the floor for a moment, “That I called you my husband.”

They both look at each other. The look in her face is cross between love and fear, her cheeks are pink and her eyes are wide. Although he doesn’t understand the fear he smiles a tiny little grin and shakes his head, “Not at all.”

The fear is gone in an instant and her face brightens as she smiles, “I always wanted to ask you if it did, but it just seemed so long ago it was pointless to ask.

He smiles softly and shakes his head, “It never bothered me. I really kind of liked it.” He says before he can stop himself.

Her eyes sparkle a little and her cheeks flush a little more, “So you liked the idea of…us?” She asks in a hushed tone, just above a whisper. And now it’s his turn to blush.

The look in her eyes is so full of love and the fire’s glow highlights her face, making her hair glimmer. She looks beautiful lying next to him and her voice is so soft. It’s so gentle and sweet it’s like a feather trailing down his spine. An electric tingle fills his body, goose bumps to spread over his skin, and his hand twitches involuntarily on the floor. In that one little move he’s managed to find her hand, his pinkie finger now colliding with hers.

His stomach is swirling like mad and his heart is pounding so hard in his chest he’s certain it’s going to burst. He loves the idea of them, he loved that game they played—even if it seemed a little silly to him at the time. He loved being close to her, he’s always loved being with her, he loves her. Could she love him? More than just friends? Could he tell her how much he loves her? He could do it…if he had enough courage to do so; putting their friendship on the line. He doesn’t have that much courage, even with the fair amount of liquor in his system wouldn’t help him out at all. He’s never had liquid courage, he’s only ever gotta the buzz no courage. He swallows a little, wanting to take her hand in his but he can’t seem to get his fingers to work. So their hands remain on the floor just barley touching. Just one step at a time Cubs, he thinks to himself.

He gives her a tiny smile as he manages to finally get his lips moving. “Yes I did.” He says.

Her eyes light up again and she giggles a little, “I did too.” She smiles, “I always wanted to ask you if you did but...”

“It was so far in the past?” He asks and she shakes her head.

“No I was scared.” She says through an airy giggle.

She was scared! She was afraid his answer would be that he didn’t like it! Why else would she be scared? Could she really love him back? He could ask. He wants to ask. But he can’t seem to form any words. Time feels like it has stopped as they lie there smiling at each other, the only thing letting them know that time wasn’t frozen was the soft melody of Here’s To The Hearts mixed with little crackles from the fire playing in the background. His heart hammers in his chest as he smiles feeling her fingers slide under his hand until he clasps her hand; their fingers intertwining.

He could do it! He could jump, he could risk it. He could do it! He can! He opens his mouth just ever so slightly to spew out the words that have been boiling in him since he was a teenager. How much he loves her, how he’s always loved her, even when he was with Martha he loved her. How she’s all he thinks about, how she’s the only one he wants, how if it was just them, just the two of them, the rest of his life and no one else at all he’d be the happiest man on earth. He could do it; he could say it all. But he doesn’t get the chance to because her lips cut him off. His eyes flutter closed as her soft warm lips press against his briefly. She hadn’t meant to kiss him first, but fueled by the alcohol in her tipsy giggly state she couldn’t stop herself. She realizes what she’s doing and her head screams that it was the wrong thing to do. She didn’t know if that’s how he felt to and jumping in like that was not the best way to go.

So she’s pulling away, preparing to see the shock in his eyes. But she doesn’t get to because she never gets away from his face. As soon as he felt her leaning and pulling away his brain went into overdrive.

Forget talking, forget confession, that can come later. Right now in this moment he can tell her how much he loves her without a single word. Before she gets too far away he captures her lips again. He moves his hand from his stomach to cup her cheek as he kisses her. Her naturally sweet taste now has a tang to it from their drinks, and he smiles at the mixed flavors of cherry, strawberry, and her own flavor.

He feels her press back against him, snaking her tongue into his mouth exploring and becoming reacquainted with the contours of his mouth. She smiles into the kiss as fireworks burst in her mind, flashes of millions of colors fill her brain as he devours her lips. Her heart is pounding so fast it feels as though it’s going to jump right out of her chest.

She loves him, she always has. When he was with Martha she forced herself to be happy for him, all she wanted was for him to be happy and if it wasn’t with her she would still be happy for him. She would always love him. And now Martha is gone, gone for good. And he’s hers.

He runs his hand through her hair until he finds her shoulder, where he rests his hand. He kisses her feverishly and deeply, holding her closer. Wow maybe he does have liquid courage. He feels her move her free hand to his shirt, gripping the material on his chest. He slides his hand down from her shoulder to her hip and pulls her close against him.

His heart pounds hard in his ears, and it’s becoming a real challenge to keep breathing steadily but he doesn’t care. His mind has gone into tunnel mode with his only focus on her. Several minutes have past before they break apart.

His cheeks are flushed just as red as hers. Her eyes almost have a dazed glaze over them as she smiles at him, her lips slightly parted as she breaths heavily. His eyes become lidded and smiles panting every so slightly, trying to catch his breath. The faint melody of City Of Stars plays in his ear as he chuckles a little, which causes her to giggle lightly.

“I love you, Joy.” He breaths out and he hears her breath hitch.

Her lips stretch into a wide smile before they are against his again. She pushes back against him kissing him again, before she lets out a breathy, “I love you too, Castel.”

He smiles and kisses her forehead, “Happy new year Joy.” He says before their lips are together again.

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