#thank you for compiling- i suppose i'll call- their moments together !

[todayisafridaynight]

Sorry to keep throwing Miscellaneous Asks your way, but I finally had a moment to get my thoughts in order on one of the points on your Venn diagram I wanted to talk about! I always kind of debate whether or not to send other, semi-unrelated long asks like this when we've already got a chain going, but oh well. I'll try and address anything brought up in response here in the main one and hopefully it doesn't get confusing lol.

So I was thinking about the extent of Jo and Arakawa's relationship. It is completely true there's not much you can say that's concrete, especially since most of what we see is from Jo's perspective. Although his perspective is crucial to forming an understanding of their relationship, it's not sufficient. This is particularly the case because, coming back to giri-ninjo for a moment, Jo is largely bound by giri; it's clear his loyalty runs deep, but it's not a choice for him.

Arakawa, on the other hand, can choose who he places his trust in, especially early on. And I think it's incredibly important that, despite having men who've already been with him from day 1, men who've already been helping him with his son, Arakawa chooses to "place every confidence" in Jo (per an old Famitsu profile, one of the first official ones) and chooses to make Jo his captain.

Similarly, he kind of chooses Jo "over" Ichi in sending Ichi to prison "instead of" Jo. Perhaps the family really would collapse without Jo's talents, but… does it have to collapse entirely? Didn't Arakawa make it pretty far on his own? I guess it's neither here nor there, but I've always wondered if things would've really played out as feared if Jo went to prison instead. Not to understate Jo's role in the family, of course.

Anyway, I think that trust shows not only in overt gestures such as entrusting Masato and the family's finances to Jo, but also in more subtle behind-the-scenes ways, such as what we were talking about before with regard to New Year's 2001. There's also the fact that leaking information to Aoki was Jo's idea; for that to be the case, Arakawa would have to discuss Aoki's threats at length with Jo. (Unrelated, but come to think of it, "complying with him [to] make him see value in keeping us around" is very often the strategy of victims of abuse and neglect…)

And this one's an underrated detail many people miss, but after Arakawa shot Ichi, while he was able to come up to Ichi to tell him he's counting on him and sneak in the fake bill, if the goal was to not arouse suspicion, I don't think he would exactly have been able to excuse himself from the dinner to drive Ichi to Yokohama. Time was of the essence in terms of Ichi's survival, so that leaves Jo, who was conveniently already at the scene and who was certainly in on the "secret rule" that constitutes part of the Arakawa Family's agreement with the homeless camp. Overall, there is a pattern of Arakawa approaching Jo before anyone else, isn't there?

Sort of branching off of that, I would personally feel comfortable saying that Jo knows Arakawa better than anyone else. He seems to know details about Akane and New Year's 1976 no one else does, details Arakawa would have had to volunteer himself, and that plus his own experiences are what allow him alone to have the most complete picture of that night.

I also get the impression Jo understands Arakawa better as a person than anyone else--certainly better than Aoki, but perhaps even better than Ichi in some cases. There are multiple instances where he defends Arakawa and challenges their perceptions of him--that he's "betrayed" the Tojo Clan, that he's betrayed Aoki, that he's the type to scheme and make power-plays behind Aoki's back. He hasn't. And, despite how little Jo's "allowed" to say, he turns out to be right every time. Also worth noting Arakawa does something similar in asking Ichi to try and understand Jo's frustrations, though he's more or less enabling Jo's abuse in doing so.

Lastly, The Smallest Detail that drives me kind of insane. Them arriving at the office in the back seat of the same car in one of Ichi's flashbacks. I wouldn't think too much of it if it were any other time of day, but the first-thing-in-the-morning quality and the fact Jo isn't driving (thus it's not as an act of service but as an equal) is like… Okay. You're carpooling to work. And if you're not carpooling, you're honest-to-god living together. What the hell.

So a lot of it is this web of inferences--it has to be, at least currently--but I really do think there's a lot to chew on. More than meets the eye, anyway. I've also been stewing in all of this for years, especially since drafting Jo's relationships section, so I might just have inhaled the fumes for too long lol

Thank you for coming to me about the nature of their relationship! Although I did put it down as being more-or-less 'uncertain' on my chart, I do agree that their relationship isn't as cut-and-dry as other relationships might be (it's going back to appreciating the complexities of RGG relationships, especially in the case of the Arakawa's where for every party involved it really IS complicated)

I wanted to exclude making any definitive statements on things that couldn't be verified without making a detour on the original post (I know I already mentioned frequently that Arakawa is able to joke about Jo being 'softer' on Masato, but I do think about their relationship often and the implied depth of Jo's loyalty if- as you said- he was able to climb through the ranks of the Arakawa family much quicker than preexisting members), but there are clear points in the game that due allude to a great trust between the two (and I also note that carpooling detail during Ichi's flashback- or at the very least I know I'd find myself noticing Jo sitting in the back opposed to the front/driving). It's definitely not hard to assert that Jo knows Arakawa well either, it's hard not to come to that conclusion when we have evidence from the game to infer that.

#long post #fave #i should prob come up with an actual tag for these asks so i can easily find them and not sift through my other fave'd posts #ill do it in the morning im right about to go to bed but i just saw this pop up on my notifications #and well. we know me i've been presented an itch i have to scratch LMAO #snap chats #i feel a bit silly now- i know that their relationship isn't exactly. 'uncertain' but i didnt want to put that so i didn't appear #hmm.. i dont know the word for it. #i guess because it's not AS blatant as daigo and mine's relationship was #i didnt want to make it appear as though i was saying theres more when there isnt?? tho there definitely is.. #its a little evident i Am interested in the depths of their relationship so i promise ive thought about it #maybe i just wasnt sure how to exactly word it.. though in review the way i worded it on my chart #wasn't HORRIBLE. to most standards anyway i think however it definitely undermines the bond they have and for that #'ashamed' is hyperbolic i feel like someone would say so we'll go with 'embarrassed' to meet in the middle #but thats the benefit of peer review isnt it- just to help catch your mistakes or to help reaffirm ideas so im grateful! #but x2 again in review im a silly coward for doubting my gut on that #tho i sort of do want to torch that post- i wont tho. it's not supposed to be SUPER deep just very quick notes #so i guess i'll save the Deep Dive on jo and masumi's relationship for a future post. is what ill tell myself to keep myself sane #thank you for compiling- i suppose i'll call- their moments together ! #it's a great way to keep track of every important note on their relationship that i hope people will take note of if they havent

[bookwyrminspiration]

Keeper Summer

Over the 2022 summer, on Shannon Messenger's Instagram, there was an event called Keeper Summer; deleted quotes from Stellarlune and video compilations of various moments in the series were shared.

However, since that was on IG and the videos were hard to sit through, I've compiled everything here so you don't have to click on a bunch of links and go searching for things.

This went on for several weeks, two things shared each week, so there is a fair amount of scrolling ahead.

Deleted lines and videos were alternated during the event, but I've grouped things together for simplicity's sake. Additionally, there were some mistakes in the videos, so I've corrected the most obvious; however, I wasn't editing or verifying quotes, so things may be off.

Enjoy!

Compilation Videos

(the moments in each video are in reverse order leading up to number one, and in each video number one is listed as "your favorite moment!" for the viewer to substitute in their own personal favorite moment)

Each quote is in it's own indent, the book it's from listed in parenthesis at the end (excluding the first, where all are from Nightfall)

Six Times Sophie and Amy Had the Best Sister Vibes in Nightfall:

Her sister snorted. "You make it sound like you're Super Elves. All you're missing are the capes Sophie bit back a smile. "Actually...we do wear capes--but not because of that." Her sister stared at her like Sophie had just admitted she had a detachable head.

"Who are you?" her sister asked, backing away from the guys standing slightly behind Sophie. "That's Fitz," Sophie said, pointing to a dark-haired boy whose teal eyes flashed as he offered a smile that would put any movie star to shame. "And that's Keefe." "Keefe gave her sister his famous smirk, reaching up to smooth his expertly tousled blond hair. "Don't worry--we're all in the Foster Fan Club." "They're my friends," Sophie clarified when her sister shrank back another step. "You can trust them."

But her sister was still trembling by the end, and her eyes were red and puffy. "I know this isn't going to make any of it better," Sophie said, holding her sister tighter. "But I've done this before. The part where it all feels hopeless, and like it's never going to come together. and you know what? Somehow, it does. It's never perfect. But it's usually better than I'd been fearing."

But before Amy stepped into the light, she told Sophie, "Thank you. For today. And for all the scary things you've been doing. I don't know how it's all going to work out, but...I'll be fighting for the happy ending too."

"Take care of yourself, okay?" Sophie whispered. Her sister nodded. "And you keep...saving the world." Sophie smiled through her tears. "I'll try." Neither of them said goodbye.

Nine Reasons We <3 Fitz Vacker:

"Oh." Sophie didn't have much more to say than that. Except, "Well, now you know how weird I am." "Uh, I've always known that," Dex said, sitting on her other side. "But Remember? I like weird." "Me too," Biana chimed in. "Me three," Fitz added, smiling so wide when she met his eyes that her heart fluttered. "We could all use a little more weird in our lives." (Exile)

"I'm telling you the truth, Sophie. I don't know what else to say." "Okay," she agreed. If he refused to be serious, so would she. "Fine. I'm an elf. Am I supposed to help Frodo destroy the ring and save Middle-earth? Or do I have to make toys in the North Pole?" He let out a sigh--but a smile hid in the corners of his mouth. "Would it help if I showed you?" (Book 1)

Keefe glanced at Fitz, then back to her. "Telepaths," he grumbled. Fitz grinned at her, and this time everything inside Sophie turned fluttery. (Exile)

"Well, it's like you're saying, 'Hey, Sophie, take everything you've ever learned about anything and throw it away.'" "Actually, that is what I'm saying." He flashed a smug grin. "Humans do the best they cane--but their minds can't begin to comprehend the complexities of reality." (Book 1)

But he was also the boy who'd shown up on her class field trip and shown her where she really belonged. The one who'd let her cry on his shoulder when she had to leave her family, and who'd gone out searching for her in the middle of nowhere, just because he'd heard her voice in his head. "Okay," she said quietly, hoping she wouldn't regret the decision. "So what do we do next?" (Everblaze)

"Empaths," Fitz grumbled. "Just keeping you honest. So spill. What did you see in the Mysterious Miss F.'s mind?" Fitz turned to Sophie, and even in the dim light she could see the red flush in his cheeks. "I might have seen some other stuff--but it wasn't really thoughts. It was more like...feelings." (Neverseen)

His mind went quiet, and Sophie figured he'd dozed off with the others. But right as her mind started to drift, he added, I'll always be here if you need me. (Lodestar)

"So that still freaks you out, huh? that might be proof that it needs to happen." His eyes locked onto hers, refusing to let her look away. And when she swallowed, it was so loud, she was sure the entire world heard it. "Or," he said. "We could skip the talking." "And do what?" she asked, hating her voice for cracking. "Any ideas?" He was so close now, she could feel his breath warming her cheeks. (Lodestar)

Nine Reasons We <3 Keefe Sencen:

"Embrace the sparkled, Foster," Keefe told her. "They look good on you." (Flashback)

Keefe let out a sigh that sounded more like a groan. "And I thought secret Telepath conversations were the worst. Just so we're clear," he told Tam. "I'm the president of the Foster fan club. And we're closed to new members." (Neverseen).

Keefe smirked. "No big deal. I would rock that metal diaper. But I say that this hearing will be done in an hour--and if I'm right, you have to call me Lord Hunkyhair from now on." Sophie shook her head. "You guys are terrible." "That why you love us!" Keefe draped his arm around her shoulders. "you should get in on this, Foster. I'm sure that devious mind of yours can come up with some particularly humiliating ways to punish us if we're wrong." (Flashback)

When she didn't answer, he took both of her hands, and she couldn't ignore the rush of warmth that tingled through her when she met his eyes. There was no teasing glint to be found. Just pure determination when he told her, "Because Team Foster-Keefe is going to win." (Nightfall)

"So is it strange coming here and not being the one on trial?" keefe asked, checking his expertly styled blond hair in a shiny facet on one of the jeweled walls before he followed Sophie into Tribunal Hall. "Because I'd be happy to help you break a few laws if you're feeling left out." "Me too!" Ro--Keefe's bodyguard--jumped in. (Flashback)

"Fine--but you should at least have to write an epic poem in my honor. here--I'll help you. 'Ode to Keefe Sencen--that brace, lovable nut. He may not have teal eyes, but he has a really cute--'" "KEEFE!" (Lodestar)

"You can ignore it all you want, Foster, but sooner or later you're going to have to solve the triangle. Or should we get real and call it a square?" "I have no idea what you mean." "I'm pretty sure you do. I bet if I were there I could feel your mood shifting." "Right, because I'm trying to figure out if it's possible to strangle you with my thoughts!" (Lodestar)

Keefe's smile looked sad but determined as he stepped back and took Sophie's hand. "I'm always with you, Foster. Whatever you want, I'm in." (Flashback).

Six Moments We Wished We Could Be Friends With Linh IRL:

"So do you," Linh said, spinning her brother around to face her and resting her hands on his shoulders. "You stood by my side all the years I fought with my ability. I'll stand by yours through whatever comes--whether you open yourself to this darkness or choose to keep it far away. And I know you can handle it." Tam gave Linh's shoulders a gentle squeeze before he stepped away. (Flashback)

"No, I think it means we shouldn't pass judgement until we see how things play out. Actions never tell the whole story. Good can be done for the wrong reason. And bad can be misunderstood." (Lodestar).

Linh peeked her head over his shoulder. "This is fun! I never get to see Tam blush." She pinched her brother's cheeks, and Tam rolled his eyes and stalked into the Healing Center, with Linh giggling right behind him. (Flashback)

"I was wrong to fear this. The water doesn't get to command me anymore. Only I command it. And I think I can save the city." (Nightfall)

Linh grinned. "I think I need to get Happy Shadow Thoughts embroidered on a tunic for you--with a bunch of smiley faces." "I definitely think I need to see him wear that," Sophie agreed. 'Especially if it's pink." "Hot pink," Linh decided. "With sparkly letters." "And it should say Angry echoes--beware! on the back!" Sophie added. (Flashback)

Six Foods We Wish We Could Eat From The Keeper Series:

She couldn't tell what was in Calla's famous starkflower stew, but Mr. Forkle was right. It truly was life changing. Every bite felt like home, warming her from the tips of her toes to the top of her head and making her feel safe, happy, and loved. (Neverseen)

Mallowmelt turned out to be a gooey cake that tasted like fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies soaked in ice cream and covered in frosting and butterscotch. It melted on her tongue and was, hands down, the best thing Sophie had ever tasted. (Book 1)

For once Dex had good taste in candy. It was sweet and chewy--like caramel mixed with peanut butter and filled with cream. (Prattles, Book 1).

But it was worth it when Keefe gave her the last bite of the butterblast, which was chewy like a doughnut but tasted like pancakes hot off the griddle and was filled with some sort of thick, maple-y cream. It was quite possible the most amazing thing she'd ever put in her mouth--and that was saying something, considering she lived in a world with mallowmelt and custard bursts and ripplefluffs and pudding puffs. (Flashback)

Edaline smiled. "Chocolate, butterscotch, and lushberry. I made them this morning." Brant pried open the lid, pulled out a square purple puff that looked a bit like a colored marshmallow and took a bite. Pink juice dribbled down the scar on his chin as he smacked his lips and stuffed the rest in his mouth. "Aren't custard bursts the best thing you've ever tasted?" he asked Sophie, spitting bits of crumbs. (Everblaze)

Six Times Iggy Was The Best Pet:

"Plus, he's so cuddle, and my room feels so empty at night and--" "You want to keep him in your room?" Sophie interrupted. Biana's cheeks flushed. "I know he's your pet. I just thought it might help me sleep." "He snored like a growling bear," Sophie warned. "But if you want to brave it, I can tell Iggy likes you." "I like him, too." Biana slipped her fingers through the bars of the cage and Iggy snuggled against them. (Neverseen)

Biana tried nudging Dex's shoulder. And flicking his ear. And kicking his leg. Nothing worked--until she put Iggy on Dex's pillow. One good Iggy burp in the face and Dex was sputtering and coughing and looking very disoriented. (Lodestar)

Vivid nightmares of her human family, trapped in their old house, surrounded by fire. She knew it wasn't real, but she still woke up shivering every night. It got so bad she slept with Iggy on her pillow so she wouldn't be alone. (Book 1)

Tears burned her eyes and she grabbed Iggy and nuzzled his fuzzy nose, trying not to feel so alone and afraid, and wishing she could go back to a time when she didn't have to worry about things like fading and kidnappers and memory breaks. (Exile)

It wasn't until her lungs burned that she realized she'd stopped breathing. She hugged her chest as her body shuddered. Iggy crawled up her shoulder and snuggled into her neck, like he knew she needed a friend. (Book 1)

Seven Times Ro Was The Best Bodyguard:

"Pretty sure she's not talking about your wound--in case you didn't catch that," Ro told him. (Nightfall) She shrugged when Sophie glanced at her. "What? He's a clueless guy. Figured I should help him out."

"Hunkyhair and I still have plenty of chaos to cause, don't we?" (Unlocked)

"I swear, watching boys try to communicate is like watching amoebas," Ro told Sophie during the long silence that followed. "You just stare at their blobby little bodies and think, 'How do these things even function?'" (Legacy)

Ro whistled. "you know, when you're trying to impress a girl, it's probably better if you don't almost kill her." (Nightfall)

"It's simple: a traitor's a traitor, and they need to be punished so everyone understands there are consequences for treason. If you're not willing to end him, lock him up and destroy the key. Or better yet, leave it hanging in his line of sight so he has to stare at it forever, knowing he'll never be able to reach it." (Flashback)

"Ugh, you guys have really out-sparkled yourselves with this place. It's basically begging me to smash something." (Flashback)

Seven Times Tam Threw Major Shade:

"Then you don't have to do this," Sophie told him. "Seriously." He tugged his bangs over his eyes. "No. I guess I'll just...send my shadow into your head, and if my instinct don't kick in, I'll try to send some happy shadow thoughts or something to see if it makes the echo less angry." (Flashback)

"Dude--this guy uses more hair products than I do!" (Lodestar)

"No, you won't," Sandor told her. "You're much too smart to resort to such reckless behavior." Sophie's eyebrows shot up. "You sure about that? You've seen how much time I spend with Keefe." "I'll give her some pointers, too," Tam volunteered. "I picked up lots of tricks at Exillium." "And I have lots of prank elixirs," Dex added. "How many weeks fo you think the new guard would last before they'd run screaming back to Gildingham?" Tam wondered. (Flashback)

"How did you sleep?" Lady Gisela asked behind him, and tam kicked himself for flinching--but he hadn't heard the door open. "Awesome," he told her. "Nothing says 'sweet dreams' like a concussion. You should try it sometime. I'd be happy to knock you out." (Legacy, Tam's POV).

The world shifted into focus, and she realized she was staring at the ceiling of the healing Center, with a bruised, weary Dex leaning over her and boy next to him with black hair and silver-tipped bangs. "It's about time," Tam said, then winked one of his silver-flecked blue eyes. "Leave it to you to find a completely new way to almost die." (Flashback)

"What exactly are we looking for?" Tam asked. "Keefe doesn't hit me as the Dear Diary type--though if we find one, I call dibs." (Lodestar)

Six Times We Wished Dex Was Our BFF:

"Hey," Dex said--and when Keefe didn't respond, the bed shifted, like Dex had sat down beside him. "I'll see what I can come up with, okay? And if I can't figure it out, I'll check with Tinker. Or I can always have Sophie enhance me. Sometimes that helps me find the right answer." (Unlocked, Keefe POV)

"I know the stick part is weird," Dex said, "but I needed this thing to broadcast in all six technologies. The elves, orges, trolls, goblins, and dwarves were easy to figure out, but I had no idea what to do for the gnomes. I tried solar-powered stuf, but it still seemed too techie." Only Dex would decide to jab a gadget with a stick. "You should've heard him squeal when it worked," Fitz said. 'i thought a banshee had snuck into the room." (Neverseen)

"I kinda like Foster the Great," Dex went on, oblivious to her annoyance--or perhaps because of it. "But I still feel like we could do better. Hmmm. Wait! I've got it!" He paused for a beat, dragging out the suspense before he leaned in and whispered, "The Fos-Boss." (Legacy)

"I'm sorry I didn't check on you. I begged my dad to let me help with the Everblaze--mostly so I could make sure you were okay. But he said I wasn't experienced enough to handle quintessence. So I stayed up all night, watching my panic switch in case you called me. I even kept my shoes on so I wouldn't have anything to slow me down. But you never called." "I'm not going to drag you into danger, Dex." "But I want you to. That's why I made you that ring." (Legacy)

But before he leaped away he asked, "Still best friends, right?" A soft smile curled her lips, and her heart pulled back into place. "Forever." (Nightfall).

Deleted Stellarlune Lines

“Trees dig their roots deep into the earth, preparing for the wind to try to knock them down.” Flori sang the words like they were lyrics in a song.

“I’m not a tree,” Sophie told her. “I have to do more than protect myself.”

~

Ro draped her arm around Sophie's shoulders. “Nope, you’re not getting rid of me, Blondie. We’re in this together!” 

~

Lord Cassius’s eyes narrowed. “It’s strange how quickly life can change, isn’t it? One minute, you’re a highly respected Emissary. The next …” 

“Yeah, we all feel very  sorry for you.” Ro mimed gagging.

~

Ro smirked. “Only Lord Pretentiouspants would have a private thinking spot.”  

~

Honestly, Miss Foster, you really should try managing your anxiety. Lord Cassius told her. You endure so much unnecessary stress. 

I’ll keep that in mind once I don’t have people constantly trying to kill me, Sophie snapped.   

~

But Sophie wasn’t ready to give up on Keefe yet. Even if everyone else was. 

 ~

Either way, Sophie had lots of weird feelings about family. It was so odd feeling like she had too much—and not enough—all at the same time.  

~

Hear that, Sophie?” Stina asked. “You’re earning the Neverseen’s respect. Doesn’t that make you feel super-great about your recent life choices?” 

~

“I gotta say—the more I think about it, the more it seems like a super bad idea to mess with people’s memories," Ro told her.    “I agree!” Sophie said. “And I say that as a Telepath!  

~

And that was the end of Keeper Summer! If you made it this far, congratulations! It's fitting the whole summer into one post, but hopefully there were some things you enjoyed :)

#kotlc #keeper summer #keeper of the lost cities #sure hope there aren't any obvious spelling errors on my part in here but also no i will not be checking #but here you go! I said I'd do this and then didn't get around to it for a while! #so this was keeper summer :) #the videos aren't.../bad/...but they're not engaging #so I went through all of them so no one else has to! #unless they want to #to that one nonsie who said they'd appreciate something like this several months ago I haven't forgotten you

[magicalbuffalotransformerman]

('part 1' contained in bonecrusher's tiny rage compilation post)

[two engines rolling up to the base.]

BC: yeah, thanks again for the hardlight bridges, nebbs. you're a real help.

N: no problemo, bonecrusher! see you in a bit?

BC: if you want to! bonecrusher, out.

[bonecrusher turns his comms off.] (long post warning.)

A!RJ: ...How do you think Groundrumbler will feel, seeing me?

BC: what do you mean?

A!RJ: Well, he's usually hateful... from what I remember, of course, and I don't know why. From what you've said about him, I see him as this grumpy old guy that nobody tolerates. I'm hoping that's not true.

BC: oh, i'm sure that he'll be. something, towards you. mostly, when i see him noticing a stranger in the base, he watches from afar. studies what they do. he almost never talks to them himself.

A!RJ: Mmm. But, I'm not exactly a stranger. He knows what I look like, he has a rough understanding of how I think. What of it then?

BC: it'll be fine, rockie... it feels weird calling you rockie, gotta say.

A!RJ: How about... Katyusha?

BC: oooh. i like that!

[the two pull up to the base. they both transform.]

BC: alright, stay behind me. oh, and cover up. your armor reset.

A!RJ: Ah! Apologies. [She activates her shogun armor.]

[bonecrusher opens the bunker door. he leads A!Rocketjumper into the kitchen, allowing her to choose a seat.]

BC: i'm going to go get vibemaster to hunt down your clothes. where does your old outpost lie?

A!RJ: Somewhere in the Rocky Mountains.

BC: ...intriguing choice. name slmilarities, i like that. anywho, back in a flash! [he rolls down the hallway.]

[A!Rocketjumper thinks for a moment, looking up at the energon cabinet. She takes a peek inside, reaching in and acquiring a strawberry cube.]

A!RJ: 'Strawberry'...? [She opens the cube and moves her mask aside, taking a sip.] ...how sweet. As sweet as empathy, I believe.

[She sets the cube down onto the island table.]

[a voice slowly comes into focus from the hallway.]

VM: ᵃˡʳᶦᵍʰᵗ, ᶦ'ᵐ ᵍᵒᶦⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ˡᶦᵍʰᵗ ᵇʳ��ᵈᵍᵉˢ. ᶦ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰere her base is, going to go see her now. respond in a minute, over.

[vibemaster arrives.]

VM: ah! you must be katyusha! greetings.

A!RJ: Greetings. You're the one Bonecrusher says is going to recover my garments, correct?

VM: correct. he's neglected to tell me just where your old base is, however.

A!RJ: Should be somewhere in the Rocky Mountains. Search for a steel, two-story building deep in the dark forest. It lies on the edge of a small descent, if that helps.

VM: thank you kindly, madam. i'll be back in ~2 days. get to know some of the other bots around here if you wish, they're quite hospitable. [he opens the bunker door.] enjoy yourself!

A!RJ: Safe travels!

[the bunker door closes.]

A!RJ: ...What a fellow.

BC: [suddenly, bonecrusher.] i know, right? very polite and very sneaky. how are you feeling?

A!RJ: I feel... something I can't put into words. This place... now that I'm finally 'welcomed' here, it's all... soft. I'm free... and... [She rubs her mask.] I don't know how to react... It feels like you're supposed to be ripping me apart, and you're not, and... [She leans on the kitchen counter.]

BC: [he places his hand on one of her shoulders.] hey... hey, it's alright, you're safe.

[Katyusha embraces Bonecrusher, quietly sobbing into his shoulder, mostly from a mix of fear and confusion.]

[...a groggy groundrumbler pops out of the hallway.]

GR: ...ah. is this a bad time?

A!RJ: [She notices Groundrumbler out of the corner of her eye. She gives him a peace sign.]

GR: [he responds with a peace sign, and takes a seat on the opposite side of the two.]

[Katyusha pulls off of Bonecrusher.]

BC: hey, rumbles.

GR: hi. uhm. didn't expect to see a visitor here, especially not one from an alternate universe. i assume you two are healing together?

BC: in a way. so, katyusha -- her new nickname -- has been hiding some stuff from her teammates and wanted somewhere to be herself.

A!RJ: Yeah, they made me sign a contract. I don't... want to be an Autobot anymore. Not one of those Autobots, at least.

BC: so she wants to live with us. any complaints?

GR: ...no. totally fine with this. you're moving out of a bad place and... hmm. sorry, i'm just a bit curious. uhm... how bad was your situation, katyusha?

A!RJ: Eh... well, my roommate wasn't... wasn't too bad. He was one of the better ones I've met, I think. Optimus, though, he really sucks. Treated me like some sort of supersoldier slave, I guess. You... wanna see my scars?

GR: [his eyes widen a bit.] how bad are they?

A!RJ: Sorry, I don't have anything on under here... [She parts her breastplates, moving the left one out of the way.]

[groundrumbler observes the bruises and scars. a particularly deep one around the collarbone region, likely a knife wound, could be battle damage. a whip scar directly centered on the nipple... ouch.]

GR: i'm glad you chose, and managed, to get away from your abusers. whoever they are. have you already met footmuncher?

A!RJ: I remember... seeing him a couple of times? Never got the chance to talk to him, I think. He's the helicopter one with the dumptruck, right?

GR: 'the dumptruck.' [snort.] eh- yeah, he is. should be in bonecrusher's room right now.

BC: i can go get him if you want.

A!RJ: ...Sure, why not.

[bonecrusher rolls into the hallway.]

GR: ...well. if i may ask, how many other scars do you have, katyusha?

A!RJ: Oh, you... actually want to...? Okay. Uhm. [She deactivates her shogun armor, and takes her missile-backpack off, setting it on the floor.] Sorry about the rampant nudity, uhm...

GR: so much damage... wow... i- excuse me for the off-the-cuff comment but this is... kinda hot? i- i don't want to be rude, of course. but. [he glides his hand down a scar.] i can't explain these feelings, really. you're a stunning lady, katyusha.

A!RJ: [Mild blush, and a tear.] ...Thank you.

[bonecrusher appears again, now with footmuncher.]

FM: [mild stuttering] holy primus! wow! hi!! [he hops into katyusha's arms like a dog.] hello!! so nice to see you!!

A!RJ: [Giggling like a little girl, nuzzling Footmuncher's face.]

BC: ...

GR: were you expecting this? i wasn't expecting this.

BC: kinda, yeah. it's really nice to see her having fun.

GR: it's weird, though, isn't it? she was built up to be this big, mean, terrifying force of nature that'll stop at nothing to wipe us all out, and... she's just. taking her spot in our team. and loving every second of it.

BC: well... i can't say it's weird. we're all weird. it's refreshing, i think, to see her 'reputation' dissolve like this. she's a nice lady.

GR: true that. how long until... was it vibemaster?

BC: yeah.

GR: how long unti he gets back?

BC: depends. should be less than a week, i believe.

GR: ...do you think it's alright that she keeps her clothes off?

BC: i guess, yeah. why, are you attracted to her?

GR: ...yes. i am.

BC: good for you, rumblie.

[bonecrusher and groundrumbler shake hands.]

GR: thank you, kindly. do you think i should change my sexual identity?

[while the two were whispering to eachother, Katyusha and Footmuncher decided to hug.]

FM: ...warm femme... [purring.]

BC: i'm not sure. we can talk about it later if you want?

GR: sounds like a plan. how's the tall woman, munchie?

FM: TWO!!! two rocketjumpers!!! so cool!!!!

BC: [chuckling.]

A!RJ, softly: I assume you told him about the plan?

BC: yeah. didn't feel right to keep him out of the loop.

A!RJ: ...I love you guys.

BC: we love you too, katyusha. now, how's about we figure out where you'll be sleeping?

A!RJ: Oooh, sure. Let's see the rooms you alluded to earlier, huh?

[Katyusha gets out of her seat, holding Footmuncher in her arms. The group takes a trip down the hallway.]

[...and all was alright in the base on this day.]

#autobot!rocketjumper #mbtm!bonecrusher #nebula #vibemaster #groundrumbler #footmuncher #tw for scar discussion #this feels like a real treat to me #idk. #been a while since i've written a feel-good story #theres probably a million and one plot holes in this entire post but IDGAF tbh #happy post with happy people. based #enjoy :)

[sambergscott]

i'll promise that i'll love you for the rest of my life

one giving the other flowers, as requested by @rosalitadiazz AGES ago, also dedicated to @397bartonstreet for the initial idea of amy sleeping in/just being the best and @nine-niall for helping with the marriage highlight reel.... and for making me listen to heartbreak weather on repeat for the last few days and coming up with this title

happy anniversary to jake and amy!!! (also since the ep aired 2 years ago today i'm not *technically* late thank u very much)

One million, fifty one thousand and two hundred minutes after marrying Amy Santiago (or, two years), every moment is as wonderful as day one. He still feels the same rush of excitement when he sees her waiting by their car at the end of a shift, the same swell of pride when she introduces him to someone as her husband, the same “oh my god we’re actually married” moment when he catches her rings glinting in the sunlight. It’s been the best one million, fifty one thousand and two hundred minutes of his life. And while he appreciates every single second they have together, knowing how in their line of work things can change all too easy, their second anniversary presents the perfect opportunity to remind her that everyday he gets to be with someone as amazing as her is crazy to him.

He has flowers, a handmade card, he even hoovered and she’s still asleep.

She never sleeps this late.

Everyone knows she’s the morning person in their relationship and he’s the Get Out Of Bed After Snoozing The Alarm Seventeen Times person. They live together, share a car, and yet most mornings he ends up riding the Subway, squashed between an old woman and a nerdy looking guy who smells like he hasn’t showered in a week, Amy rolling her eyes when he gets to work mid-briefing. The rare days she can get him out of bed early usually involve some kind of bribery using food and/or sex.

The point is, he’s supposed to be the one sleeping in past 11 AM, but ever since their doctor prescribed Clomid to help stimulate ovulation and boost their chances of making a baby, their roles have been totally reversed like Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis in Freaky Friday.

Pregnant Amy falls asleep anywhere and everywhere. The couch, the car, the cleaning cupboard at work when she was trying to find some Nuclear-strength cleaner to remove the stench of Charles’ lunch from the air before she hurled again.

She could sleep all day if he let her and he quite easily could. She looks so peaceful and cute and free from the stresses of her family asking why they waited so long (well, long for Santiago standards) to start a family. Plus, the messy hair and tiny bit of drool on her chin are impossibly endearing in the way only she can be.

He smiles and wraps his arms around her, resting his head on his shoulder, his hands - like his thoughts - drifting to her growing bump as they inevitably always do.

This time next year they’ll be celebrating with their little boy or girl, telling them all about the insane, magical day that was May 15th 2018. Of course, it might be some time before they can fully grasp the TV-worthy drama of the creepy phone call, the bomb in the vent, the ex-boyfriend proposing - twice! - and the wall of Amy photos, but they will sure as dammit know how beautiful their mom looked in her dress and how happy their dad was when Grandpa Holt finally announced them as husband and wife.

“Can’t breathe,” his wife squeaks, finally awake. “Arms too tight.”

“Oops. Sorry, babe.” He kisses her by way of apology; sometimes when he gets to thinking about that day, about seeing her walk down the shredded paper aisle under the glow of fairy lights, surrounded by the very people who watched them fall in love, he kind of forgets where he is and what he’s doing.

She’s always had that intoxicating effect on him. That’s never gonna change.

“Time is it?” She yawns, stretching her arms above her head.

“Twenty five to,” he pauses to brace himself for her reaction, “...twelve.”

“Twelve?” Horrified, she moves to get out of bed and yeah, he knows her so well. “Let me go,” she huffs in frustration when he forms a barrier to keep her from leaving.

“No can do, Santiago,” he says authoritatively. “You’ve been working yourself to the bone and you’re pregnant. You need to rest. We’ve both got the day off, our dinner reservations aren’t until 8. Just let your husband take care of you for a couple of hours.”

She chews on her lower lip, making her contemplative face that he recognises from sitting opposite her for so many years, preferring watching her piece together the leads in a case rather than work on his own. “Fine,” she eventually concedes. “Happy anniversary, by the way.”

“Happy anniversary,” he returns the sentiment, kissing her again because, well, he can, one of the perks of marrying Amy Santiago (alongside a perfectly organised sock drawer and getting to hang out with the best person in the world 24 sevs). “I got you these,” he adds, procuring the daffodil bouquet he found online.

“Jake,” she sighs dreamily, placing the flowers on her nightstand. “They’re beautiful. And my favourites.”

“I know,” he smirks. He may not be Santiago level smart, but he’s smart when it comes to all things Santiago. “Also made you this.” He hands over the card.

She opens it, instantly tearing up at his sweet message inside, the dam bursting when she notices the scrawled message written with his wrong hand from their unborn baby. “Mine sucks in comparison,” she laments, passing him his card before locking her eyes back on the words ‘happy anniversary to the world’s best mama’.

“It does not suck,” he reassures her, clutching it to his chest. “I’m going to savour it for all times. I want to be buried with it.”

She rolls her eyes, drying her cheeks with the back of her hand. “I thought you wanted to be buried with your original copy of Die Hard.”

“OK, Die Hard and your card. Rhymes for a reason, Ames.”

“You’re such a dork,” she responds, stifling her laughter. “Can’t believe I’ve been married to you for two full years.”

“I know.” He grins. “What was your favourite part?”

Her eyes glimmer with excitement and love and memories of their first anniversary before things turned upside down. “Are you suggesting we do a marriage highlight reel à la NBA inside stuff?”

“That’s exactly what I’m suggesting. I’ll go first. NUMBER FIVE,” he yells in his spot on Ahmad Rashad impression, earning a giggle from his wife. “Number five is that dress you wore on my birthday. Your butt looked the bomb in it.”

“Thanks, babe.” Two years in, she’s used to the constant “your butt is the bomb” comments, often uttered at the most inappropriate of times like when she stands up to brief the squad or play soccer with her brothers, much to her chagrin and their delight.

“Number four,” she quickly moves on. “The time you taught me to play Mario Party and I beat Wario on the first try.”

“That was my worst moment,” he groans.

“And that’s why it’s my best.”

He sighs, considers debating it, engaging in the classic back-and-forth that is the very foundation of their relationship, but it’s moot. She was way better than him. Santiago’s learn fast. It’s in their genes or something. And despite the crushing disappointment when she beat Wario with ease and dork danced her way to the kitchen to grab them both an orange soda, it was still a very fun night and a worthy moment in the highlight reel.

“Number Three. The York murder.”

Immediate understanding spreads across Amy’s face, but he explains anyway.

“I spent three days working that case and you just came in, saw the board and solved it right away.”

“I’m very smart,” she jokes lightheartedly.

“You are,” he agrees, his voice coming out softer and sincerer than even he imagined. “I love that about you. I love your brain. I love how good you are at your job, at figuring out puzzles. I love that you listen to NPR and know so much about the font Helvetica and have read, like, a million books. I love that you do a crossword every night and I love how proud you look when you give me a sports clue and I actually get it right. I love cheering you on at Trivia Nights even when Kylie can’t stop glaring at me. How lucky am I to have the smartest wife in the world?”

Touched, she can barely compile her thoughts to reveal her Number Two.

“The night at Shaw’s, at Hitchcock’s second divorce party, your speech, the way you kissed me, the way you were so gentle when we got home,” she sniffles. “It was special and made me feel so loved and if I say anymore I’m going to cry again, so you go.”

He chuckles knowingly. The pregnancy hormones have been making her extra emotional lately, they can’t even watch commercials anymore without her fully weeping. And while last year Pam and her twisted bowels interrupted before they could get to Number One, this year Number One is obvious. Clear as day. And there’s no one to interrupt.

He pretends to think about it for a minute (because he will always love teasing her, married or not). Only when she grabs his arm and digs her nails into his skin does he put both their hands on her bump and smiles. “Obviously this little guy or gal is Number One.”

She smiles back at him, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.

His own face falls. “Ames?”

“It’s been a hard year, hasn’t it?” She sighs, thinking back to calendars and fertility appointments and the strict no nacho policy.

“Yeah,” he says, “it has. But this next year is gonna be the best one yet.”

“I mean... We’re probably not going to sleep a lot.”

“You might not sleep a lot but I sure will,” he teases, his words falling flat. “Just kidding, babe. Obviously I’m going to get up for all the feeds and diaper changes and whatever else this kid throws at us. Gonna be there for you both. No matter what.”

The pregnancy hormones strike again and she starts crying and, honestly, he can’t wait for this baby to get out, for more reasons than one.

“BRB, I’ll go make your favourite breakfast to make you feel better, don’t grow anymore body parts while I’m gone.”

He returns seven minutes later with pancakes, a ton of fruit, decaf coffee and another kiss. He climbs back into bed, devours his own Nutella pancakes and posts his favourite blurry, drunk on Champagne and love selfie from their makeshift wedding reception at Shaw’s, on Insta with a caption about how he promises he’s gonna love her for the rest of his life.

And he keeps that promise.

#b99 fic #jake x amy #my writing #dork danced is my new favourite verb