#the tape was from japan so its taken forever to get here so you can imagine the anticipation building up from this

[rickallensbarefeet]

More John posting because my Duran Duran concert film VHS tape arrived and I cannot be normal about him

#the tape was from japan so its taken forever to get here so you can imagine the anticipation building up from this #hes literally so unreal its stupid #i wanna simon post too cos im not normal abt him either but the image limit is stopping me #ghdjfhjsfjskdj im gonna have a heart attack #john taylor #duran duran

[drazzilder]

A Fire in the Desert

By Drazzilder 

This is based off of a story my aunt told me when she was driving through the desert and was saved by a man who lived there. I had a dream about this after she told me.

Driving is something that comes naturally, but sometimes it can get you stuck in the middle of a bad situation. It is July and you are driving your average sedan through the deserts of Nevada in order to get to your friend who lives in California. You easily could have flown but there is something nice about driving by yourself, letting the miles go by as you enjoy the view. It has been about 50 miles since the last gas station with nothing coming up for about another 100 miles. It is just a single lane highway with nothing but sand on either side for what looks like forever.

Trouble occurs when you see the dashboard light up like a Christmas tree as smoke and steam start to erupt from under the hood. You pull off to the side of the road and open the hood, almost getting burned form the wall of steam coming from the engine. You don’t freak out; you have a cell phone so you pull it out to call for help. That is when you notice not a single bar of signal and then you really begin to freak out. It is over 100 degrees outside and you only have a few bottles of water with you. There is no way you could make it to the closer gas station. You believe you will die there, alone in your car with no one to save you.

It has been about an hour by the time you see a vehicle in the distance coming your way. As it approaches, you get on the road to try to stop whoever is driving it. You then see that it is a tow truck and it comes to a stop near your car. A large man comes out of the truck. He looks to be over 6’ 4’’, a large red scar goes down the left half of his face, and he is built like a house, probably over of 250lbs of muscle. He is wearing jeans, boots, and a short sleeve button-down shirt. The most striking part is his crimson red spiked hair. As he approaches you, you start to get scared. You are about normal height but this man towers over you, he could easily hurt you if he wanted to. He doesn’t say anything as he walks to the front of your car and begins looking at the engine.

“Um…. excuse me?”

“Looks like your radiator pump blew.”

“Ok?”

“It might be a couple of days till I can get the part but I have room at my shop for you to stay.”

“Wait, who are you? Why should I go with you, I don’t even know who you are?”

“My name is Enji. I live here in the desert. I have an auto repair shop here to help those who get stuck, like yourself. Help me hook your car up and we can get out of here faster.”

You help the man get your car on the tow truck and get into the cab with him. You’re still a little fearful of what this man might do so you try talking to him to maybe gauge what his plans are but he speaks first.

“I’m sorry, I forgot to ask you your name.”

“It’s (Y/N). Enji is a strange name for an American.”

“You are right about that; I am not from here. I moved from Japan about 10 years ago.”

“Why the middle of the desert?”

“I don’t really like talking about my past…”

“Oh…sorry…”

“It’s alright, you didn’t know.”

The conversation between you two continues as you approach a road you didn’t notice when you were driving before. It feels like a few miles pass as you see a building in the distance. The building is an old gas station, looks to be from the 60’s. There are a few rusted out cars around and some weeds growing in the pavement but overall, it looks like it hasn’t been touched in decades. The truck stops and Enji gets out. You soon follow him inside and see it is nothing like the outside. It has been fully modified to look more like a home than a gas station. The furniture might be a little old and dusty, but everything looks taken care of.

“Make yourself at home. Are you hungry?”

“Um…I guess.”

“I’ll cook us up some lunch and look at your car afterwards. Feel free to use the vending machine to get whatever drink you like, everything is free.”

“Do you have a phone so I can call my friend to let her know I’m going to be late?”

“It’s right over there.” He says and points to a corner of the room.

He disappears into the back and you get yourself a soda from the machine. After letting your friend know you’re going to be late, you look around at some of the pictures on the wall. You see a dusty frame of what looks to be a younger Enji with what looks like a family: a wife and 4 kids. The fact it has never been cleaned makes you wonder if that what his past involves. You then see a newspaper article taped to the wall. You see the headline “Desert Giant Saves Another Stranded Driver.” You begin reading it and realize the man in the article is the same man who saved you. It says on the paper that the reporter tried to locate the man but to no avail.

“Are you the giant of the desert?”

“Yup, I’m the one who saves people who need it. You must be looking at the newspaper clippings.”

‘I’m sorry, I couldn’t help myself.”

“It’s fine, lunch is almost ready if you want to come back here.”

You take the man’s offer up and walk to the back. You find a large kitchen with a table and chairs in the center. Enji is still at the stove, finishing up the meal. You sit down and right as he finishes and brings you a plate.

“I hope you like fried rice.”

“That’s fine. Do you mind if I ask you some questions?”

“You can, but I might not answer them all.”

“That’s fair. First, why do you live here?”

“That’s about my past, I don’t like talking about it.”

“Ok, why save people who get stuck in the desert?”

“No one else is doing it, so I feel like it is the right thing to do. Plus, heat doesn’t bother me.”

“I have one last question…. what’s with that picture of what looks like you with a family?”

That must have been a touchy subject because he just gets up and goes outside to work on your car. It’s too late to apologies. The only thing you do is clean up the kitchen and sit on the couch. It is close to dusk when Enji comes back in.

“Looks like your pump is the problem. I called it in and it should be about 2 days till the part comes in.”

“I’m sorry about earlier….”

“Don’t worry about it. I see you cleaned the kitchen. Thank you.”

After some dinner, Enji falls asleep. You decide to head outside into the dark just to get some fresh cool air. You are there for about an hour when you hear some growling. You turn around to see a bobcat. You back up slowly as the large cat starts coming closer. You then try to run away but the cat sinks its claws into your leg and you fall. The cat then bites your arm and you begin to lose a lot of blood. You scream but you are far from the gas station at this point. You put your hands over your face and close your eyes in fear. Suddenly, you feel the air begin to warm up around you. Opening your eyes, you see flames coming from the distance towards you. A large flame then hits the cat and it runs away. You try to stand but the injury to your leg prevents that. When you look up, you see Enji, he has flames on his face and his shirt burned off. If you weren’t in so much pain, you would have enjoyed the view of his muscles and being picked up. The combination of pain and blood loss make you pass out.

You wake up the next morning on the couch with Enji putting a cool rag on your head. You try to move but the pain in your leg is too much and you groan in pain. Your arm is throbbing from the bite and the bandages are soaked with blood.

“Don’t move, that cut was really deep. I’m sorry I didn’t warn you about the bobcats. They like to hang out around here at night.”

“How did you save me? I saw flames everywhere.”

“I guess it is only fair to tell you since you saw that… I used to be a pro hero. The reason I am here is because my family all burned in a fire created by my son. I couldn’t save them and it was my fault for pushing my son too far. It became too painful staying in Japan, so I moved here. I haven’t had to use my quirk that much in years.”

“Wait, you have been here 10 years and you have a fire quirk? I knew you looked familiar, you’re Endeavor!”

With a sigh “I was….”

“I’m sorry. It must be hard for you to talk about it.”

“I’ll be fine. Here, drink this.” He says as he hands you some tea to drink. You take a few sips and he leaves and comes back with more bandages. “We need to change the bandages and clean the wounds on your arm. It’s going to hurt. Here, bite down on this.” He puts a clean cloth to your lips. You bite down and he starts slowly unwrapping your arm and start to groan in pain again as he gets to the last layer. He takes his time to make sure it isn’t too painful as you finally see what’s causing the pain. There several large holes in your arm and you look at Enji who has a brown bottle in his hand. “I’m sorry for this.” Is all he says before he starts to pour hydrogen peroxide over your arm. The groans turn to muffled screams as the liquid flows into the wounds. You slam against couch to try to relieve some of the pain as he holds your hand to keep your arm still. It isn’t long before you feel cold water flowing over your arm and the pressure of bandages wrapping your arm. Once finished, you look back up to Enji, panting with the cloth still in your mouth.

He takes the cloth from you. “I’m sorry for that. We need to make sure that doesn’t get infected. The nearest hospital over 200 miles away.”

With shortness of breath “It’s ok…. Enji…. can I ask you something?”

“Go ahead.”

“I think I know why you’re here… helping people. You still want to be a hero, don’t you?”

After a moment of silence, Enji sighs and speaks. “I do but I don’t know if I can anymore.”

“The way you came to rescue me tells me that you still want to save people.”

“After all this time…. I can’t just go back.”

“Why not? You look like you were in top form right there, flying at my with the speed and power of the Endeavor I have seen in videos.”

“I don’t know if I can go back, the memories hurt too much.” He says while looking away.

“You don’t have to go back to Japan, you can be a hero here in America. We still need heroes here.”

“I guess….”

“I bet you still have your hero suit.”

“I do, it was such a large part of my life I couldn’t just throw it away.”

“Put it on.”

“What?!”

“Put it on, you might feel like a hero again.”

“Fine….” He says as he leaves. You hear the sounds of rummaging and a few grunts. The gas station was then filled with silence but Enji soon came from the back. When he comes out, he is in his hero suit, looking like he always did. He didn’t turn his flames on but the suit still glowed from his quirk. The then walks to you and sits down on the couch.

“Feel anything?”

“Not really….”

“Try using your quirk. Let’s go outside and see what you can still do.”

“Why are you helping me?” the man says with a confused look.

“You saved me from the desert, I should repay you somehow. I know you won’t take my money. Plus, I would read about how you disappeared suddenly. I always wondered what happened to you. To think you were here all alone this entire time, I can’t imagine what you have been though to end up here.”

Enji then lifts you to take you outside. You’re in the shade sitting in an old car chair. Enji walks about 20 feet away and sighs. He turns on his flame mask and beard and looks at you. You just give him a nod of reassurance. He then jumps up high and uses his quirk to keep himself floating. A fire spear is spawned in his left hand and he throws it at a bush and it catches fire. He then starts to create some large fireballs and throws them at some cactuses. A smile is forming on his face as he begins to start enjoying himself. After a few more minutes of this, he stops and walks to you.

“Do you feel like a hero now?” you say looking up at him.  

“With the suit on, I feel something. I haven’t felt like this in so long, like I was holding myself back.”

“That’s good. Do you still want to hide here in the desert?”

“As nice as it is to help those people here, I think I could be useful elsewhere. I need time to think about it. Thank you.”

“Great. Now can we go back inside, it’s getting hot.”

You head inside and Enji cooks some lunch. Your bandages on your leg needed to be changed after the meal, but you were more prepared for the pain this time. Enji finished wrapping up your leg and looked went back to change out of his hero suit. Coming back, he turned on the radio and you both listened to some music while talking. He asked you about your life, why you were driving through the desert, and other small things. You hesitated to ask about his family, but he did reveal some information, it is still a tough subject for him. After dinner, Enji goes to bed you try to sleep on the couch. You hear the sounds of more bobcats outside of the gas station. You’re afraid they might get in somehow so you get up and hobble to Enji’s room. The noises you made must have woken him up.

“Is everything ok?”

“I can hear the bobcats, I’m scared. Can I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“Can I sleep in your bed…. I don’t know if I can sleep alone right now?”

“That’s fine. You probably will have nightmares about those cats tonight. Here.” he says as he shifts in the bed and opens the covers. He is only wearing pajama bottoms at this point but you don’t care, your too frightened to care about anything else. You get in the bed and he lays on his back and you’re on your side facing away from him. You manage to calm down enough to fall asleep.

You are startled awake in the middle of the night by a snort from Enji. You come to quickly realize that you are in Enji’s arms, holding you tight while still asleep. His breath is going down your neck, driving you insane feeling the warmth with each breath. His skin is so warm against yours; it feels so nice but you know it’s not right. You try to wiggle your way out of his embrace but it seems to only cause him to tighten his grip on you. Then you start to feel something behind you, growing.

“Enji… wake up….” You whisper loudly.

“What?” he mumbles. He then wakes up more to realize what’s happening. He quickly let’s go of you and sits up on the bed. “I’m…. sorry…” he says still groggy. “I didn’t mean to…”  

“Don’t worry about it. You were asleep, you can’t control what your body does in your sleep.”

“I don’t what you to think that’s why I brought you here.”

“I know you didn’t bring me here for that.” You say using your uninjured hand to hold his hand. “Come on, let’s go back to sleep.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m not worried about it.” You say laying down. He soon follows and falls asleep. You wake up to the light of dawn. Enji has his arms around you again. You are facing him but this time you are prepared. There is a faint smile on his face, something peaceful and calming. You slowly move to wake Enji up. He opens his arms to release you. He sits up on the bed, his face red with embracement.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know why….”

“You have been alone for years; your body probably wants to feel the touch of another person after all this time.”

“I haven’t been with anyone since then. It makes sense. We need to change your bandages then I’ll make some breakfast.” There was some more pain in the morning and Enji hardly spoke during breakfast. You go back to the couch and Enji joins you again. He just sits there silent until you speak.

“Are you ok? You haven’t said anything all morning.”

“I’m just thinking.”

“About what?”

“My emotions… I never really think about them much.”

“What do you mean?”

“I haven’t felt like this in so long.”

“You like me, don’t you?”

“What? How did you…”

“You mumble in your sleep. It’s cute.”

Now with his face completely red “I didn’t want you to think that is why I wanted to take you here. Your car really needs a new pump.”

“I know but the heart wants what the heart wants. You can’t control that. Speaking of my car. The part should be here today and I’ll be leaving.”

“I know.”

“Did you want to come with me?”

“What?”

“You don’t have anything here, nothing to hold you back. We can work together to get you back into hero work, work to make you happy again.”

“I can’t ask you do to that for me.”

“I want to. I saw the look on your face when I woke up in your arms. You looked happy, something I haven’t seen from you my entire time here. When you put that suit on, I saw a spark in your eyes, I bet you haven’t felt like that in years. Come with me and we can work on that.”

Enji just looks at you, still red with embarrassment. This lasts for a little while before he moves on the couch and goes to hug you. You do your best to hug him back. It feels like a forever when you start to feel something wet on your shoulder. You pull back to see Enji crying.

“What’s wrong?”

“No one has ever cared about me. I helped hundreds of people and no one cared about me or who I am. You’re the first person in so long that cares what I feel.”

“Here, let me help with that.” Is all you say right before you kiss him on the lips. Enji is startled but begins to kiss you back. Time slows as you continue to kiss him while he embraces you. You break and look at the man in front of you, with a huge grin on his face.

“How was that?”

“It was nice…do you still want me to come with you?” he says almost looking like he is afraid of your answer.

“I said I wanted you to come with me, that hasn’t changed. Let’s pack you stuff up before the pump gets here.”

The morning is filled with packing up boxes of stuff, packing clothing, and cooking some lunch. The delivery man comes and Enji quickly fixes your car. You’re sitting in your car and start the engine, relieved to hear it finally start again. Enji comes out with only a suitcase and puts it in the back on your car and gets inside.

“What about everything we packed?”

“I don’t need any of that. I just need my hero suit. I think I can finally move on from my past.”

“What about everything here?”

“Maybe someone else who needs to find themselves will find this place. Maybe that’s why this place still exists.”

“Well, if you’re ready to go.”

He just nods and you begin to drive, the gas station disappearing past the horizon. The drive home was quiet, but you know there is a lot of emotions going through his head. It will take some time but maybe Endeavor will rise again.

#endeavor #enji x reader #enji x y/n #enji todoroki #endeavor fluff #endeavor stan #endeavor mha #endeavor x reader #endeavour x reader #bnha endeavour #mha enji #bnha enji #my hero academia enji #enji

[wowweeharrystyles]

mixtapes & memories

Love Is A Mixtape by Rob Sheffield definitely had its impact on me & inspired me to write this piece. This is one of my favourite playlists, so I decided to write around it. 

Harry x Y/N | 5.2K words

(Italicized bits are flashback memories)

Here’s a link to the playlist, too !!!  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1kPsDksn0oQcF9uOLIioUH?si=nGKLi3FBREyrcR5iAc9UbQ

It’s nights like these you look back on. Nights like these that you’ll remember forever. Nights like these are the ones you hope everyone you love gets to experience with the one they love. 

Dreams - Fleetwood Mac

A giggle bubbles in your throat as Harry presses a kiss to the soft skin under your ear. Harry nonchalantly pulls away as if he wasn’t intending on making a mark on your skin when he sees his car being pulled up by the valet. His arm leaves your waist as he pulls out a few bills to hand to the valet. Verbally thanking the young man, you walk towards the car and see Harry now waiting with the passenger door open for you. Shining him a bright smile you step down into the low riding Ford Capri. Before closing your door Harry helps you move some of the fabric of your skirt into your seat with you as to not close it in the door. He shakes his head with a smile before walking round to get into the driver's side. 

“What’re you shaking your head for?” you ask through a chuckle.

“Just look beautiful tonight, sometimes can’t believe I get to spend my time with you,” he says as he shuts the door and shifts into drive. 

You groan his name in faked annoyance. You really don’t have anything coherent to respond with but he knows the feelings go both ways. 

There’s a moment of silence while the cd that is in the stereo changes to the next song. You both still quite like the idea of mix tapes and prefer the sound of the 1970 stereo, (only having updated it by adding a CD player rather than an aux cord). Your favourite mixtape being the one in the player now. There’s a wide selection on this disk and in your handwriting, the title “feels like home” is scribble in sharpie on the top of the silvery-gold CD. 

There’s a wide variety of songs on this CD, some of your favourites, some of Harry’s, songs that you grew up listening to, it’s got it all. As you 2 got to know each other in the beginning you both discovered that music played a big part in how you were raised and grew up. 

Just about every single Saturday growing up, you were woken up by your parents blasting their music collection throughout the house. Dad would play Phil Collins or Fleetwood Mac and Mom would blast Paul Simon, Michael Jackson or Donny Osmonds and once in a while Shania Twain’s Greatest Hits. On the morning of your oldest sisters wedding she played “Going To The Chapel” at full volume, on repeat, to wake everyone up. 

Every Saturday, without a doubt, she would go one by one into everyone’s room and dance around and sing to whatever was playing downstairs. It wasn’t always your favourite way to be woken up but looking back on it, you miss it from time to time. 

Sometimes Harry will try to recreate these Saturday mornings - with a fresh cup of coffee in hand - dancing around in his boxers, his latest favourite blasting through the apartment. It only makes his regal flat feel more like home and makes up for the time apart.

Harry’s mother, Anne, had raised Harry with similar music taste. The 2 of you liked to compare first experiences with Fleetwood Mac and stories passed down by both of your parents. Your dad repeatedly recalls taking his baby blue Ford van down to Florida for spring break the year Rumours was released, blasting the album on the hot, packed beaches throughout the coast of Florida. Harry recalls Anne singing along to Landslide and Dreams as they drove around Cheshire. Dreams was the first song he learned all the words to. 

The opening drums of ‘Dreams’ vibrates through the speakers of the car as Harry starts to drive away. He starts to sing along right away. You know he doesn’t realise that he always does this and it makes you smile everytime you hear his smooth voice 

I’ll Be There For You - The Rembrandts

Neither of you can bare to miss the claps at the beginning so when Harry can’t get his hands off the wheel to clap along, you restart the track. Both of you break out in a fit of laughter at the ridiculous habit and continue singing as loud as you can, dance moves included (at least what you could manage while buckled into your seats). Harry’s signature “rain starts to fall” hands always make you roll your eyes before tossing your head back and laugh even more while still trying to sing along. 

Honestly, neither of you have been able to keep track of how many times you’ve rewatched F.R.I.E.N.D.S. on your own, nonetheless together. (It’s a lot and you’ll both just leave it at that.) Harry had suggested that you 2 should start watching it from the beginning together when you two ordered takeout one night in the first month of knowing each other. That night repeated over and over again, neither of you caring to go out on fancy dates so much, only wanting to spend time together. 

You had just finished season 6 the night before Harry had to jet off to Japan or New York or Italy (honestly, you can barely keep track). While facetiming one night while he was gone you caught a glimpse of his tv screen in his hotel room. 

“Harry?” you questioned. 

“Yes, love?” 

“Are you watching FRIENDS without me?”

“Uhhh…” he stutters out, looking back at the TV that was playing without sound. “I can explain!” he rushed out. You faked an annoyed look (even though you were actually kind of annoyed by it). “Listen, babe, love, sweetheart, I was bored and missing you… I thought i’d just watch one episode…” 

“One?!?! Looks like you’ve definitely watched more than one!” 

“I’m sorry, love!”

“Fine, well that means I have to catch up, then. What episode are you on?” 

“Uhm, I think episode 4,” he whispers. 

“4?!?! Harry!!” 

“I’m so sorry!!! Like I said, I was bored and missed you. Always reminds me of you.” 

“Oh come on, be a normal boy and have a wank if you miss me.” 

He shouts your name in surprise. “Oh my god.” His cheeks start to turn a light pink shade. 

“Oh, stop blushing. You’re acting like a child. Be a man, have a wank or call me, don’t watch FRIENDS.” 

After a short moment of silence you both meet eyes and burst into a fit of laughter. 

That specific conversation gets brought up every time Harry has to leave, a little inside joke. Between “I’ll Be There For You” and the next track Harry suggests that you 2 should start rewatching FRIENDS again. 

“That’ll be like the 5th time,” you comment. “Think this time you’ll be able to make it through the entire show without watching an episode without me?” 

“I can’t make any promises,” he confirms with a giggle. 

Still Crazy After All These Years - Paul Simon

There’s a handful of Paul Simon on this mixtape. You have your mother to thank for that. After dinner each night your mom would put on a Paul Simon album while you did the dishes and cleaned the kitchen as a family. To this day you’ll opt for Paul Simon’s Greatest Hits while you clean yours and Harry’s home. He knows this music makes you feel like you’re back home with your family and can nick away at the homesick feeling you get once in a while. There’s something about the classics - “Still Crazy After All These Years”, “Diamonds on the Soles of Your Shoes” “Kodachrome” - that make your heart light and bring a smile to your face. 

During one trying week, Harry had used the Greatest Hits Album to settle you down. Work had been awful, one thing after the other, day after day, nothing went right and you were at the end of your limits. To add to the that Harry had been traveling back and forth for the better part of 3 weeks. A text from your parents asking how you were and when you would be visiting next had been the last straw. 

Harry came home mid day on a Saturday and on his way into the house he dropped his belongings in a trail from the front door to the bedroom. That morning, you had decided to try to turn your mood around, knowing Harry would be home soon, you went out to a yoga class and picked up groceries to make Harry’s favourite meal. When you got home after him, you proceeded to trip over each of his belongings on the way to the kitchen. You were cursing loud enough that it woke him up. He came downstairs in a pair of workout shorts and a messy head of hair. 

“Baby!” He exclaims when he sees you putting away the food. When he tries to give you a hug and kiss you shrug him off. 

“You left everything all over. I tripped on every single fucking bag on my way in. I get that your tired and traveling sucks but at least fucking put it all in one spot.”

“Woah, I’m sorry,” he says, taken aback. Nothing from their conversations earlier this week or even this morning had lead him onto the mood you’re in now. 

“Don’t even,” you say with a bit of a bite to it. 

“Hey, what’s going on?” He asks with equal bite. You whisper a ‘nothing’ and continue what you’re doing. “It’s not nothing if you’re this upset” 

“Just leave me alone, Harry.” 

“I haven’t seen you in days!!! I’m not just leaving you alone. I fucking missed you and I have no idea why you’re acting like this.” 

“It’s not my fault that you haven’t seen me. I’ve been here this entire time. Not all of us get to jet off to be an international rockstar and do no wrong. I got ripped apart this week at work. Everything I did was wrong, I fucked up, you don’t know what that’s like.” you take a deep breath, tears building in your eyes. “and now my parents are nagging me about coming home to visit and I can’t take any more time off work cause I’ve used it all to come see you on tour.” When you wipe the tears from your eyes you see the look on Harry’s face and your heart drops into your stomach. You’ve never spoken to him like this and you never meant for anything to come out like this. “I’m sorry,” you yell even though you don’t mean to, “I just miss home and I’ve been so lonely without you here and I don’t know, it all just came out.” He doesn’t respond and now you’re embarrassed and beyond upset about all of it. You whisper an apology as you turn and leave the kitchen.

Everything hurt as you fell to the bed. You groan a little in annoyance when you immediately smell Harry’s cologne on the bed, fresher than it’s been in weeks. Tears fell to the pillow for what felt like ages. You didn’t know what you wanted to happen next. Did you want him to come find you and try to say something to make everything better somehow? Were you hoping you would muster up the courage to put yourself back together and go downstairs begging for him to forgive you? You really had no idea. It was a while later when you could start making out sounds from the 1st floor. It wasn’t until the music got louder that you paid more attention. 

One room of speakers at a time (he can be such a cheeky fucker sometimes) the music eventually reached your bedroom where you were still laying face down on the bed. ‘Still Crazy After All These Years’ echoed through the entire house now. While wiping your face with a cool cloth as you realised what he was doing. You quietly made your way back down the stairs and peaked into the kitchen where Harry was busy cutting up some veggies on the large island. When you come into view, Harry puts down the knife and wipes his hands off on the cloth that is hanging off his shoulders. 

“I’m sorry, Harry. I really didn’t mean what I said. It all came out wrong.” 

“Shhhh,” Harry shushes you as he brings you in for a hug. “You’re right, I don’t know what it’s like at your job and I haven’t even bothered to ask.” He says after pulling back to look you in the eyes. “Being homesick doesn’t help when you’re stressed, either. And it really doesn’t help when I’m gone either.” 

“I’m still sorry. I should’ve never said any of that. I yelled at you. You just got home. I’m so sorry.” Harry kisses your forehead. “I’m so sorry. I can’t even believe what I said.”

“Its okay, baby. I accept your apology. We’re good, okay?” You nod and he kisses your forehead again. “Thought some Paul Simon might calm you down.” you nod again, a small smile playing on your lips. “And I’ve looked at the calendar, no need to take work off, we’ll go back home to visit your parents in a few weeks. Leave Friday Night come back Monday morning. I wouldn’t mind some time away from work and the city either.”

Paul Smon continues to play and you give Harry a big hug, burying your head into his chest. You really can’t believe how you got so lucky. You spend the rest of the night making dinner together, dancing around and singing to the Greatest Hits Album that’s playing through the entire house. Later that night Harry brings a bottle of wine and 2 glasses to the living room where the 2 of you sit on the ground in a pile of blankets and pillows and you share every single detail of what happened at work. 

When you’re back at your childhood home a few weeks later, you and Harry are in the kitchen with your parents, Paul Simon playing and cleaning up after dinner. 

The start of the memory may not be the best you and Harry but it ends on a good one and there are plenty more that outshine it. Paul Simon can fix a lot you figure. Makes you feel like you’re home wherever you are. 

Don’t Wait - Mapei

“Can we get fries and milkshakes?” you ask with a bright smile on your face, lashes fluttering in attempt to persuade him. You know he won’t say no, regardless. You both know that once one of you mentions fries and milkshakes that it’ll be a long night of driving around town, city lights casting the perfect backdrop. 

About 8 months into your relationship you had called Harry randomly one night. You had just seen him hours ago at lunch but he had a night full of meetings about whatever project he was working on currently and you both knew it was going to be a long night so you had retired back to your place for the night. You were surprised when he answered, the background on his end also surprisingly quiet. 

“I’m craving fries and a milkshake,” you had stated, receiving a chuckle from Harry on the other line. 

“I’ll pick you up in 15 minutes.”

“What?” you said unbelieving. 

“Just got home, getting out of this dang suit. I’ll be there in 15.” You were silent on your end. “You want fries and a milkshake, yeah?” you hum a yes. “Okay great. I’m in love with you and I want to see you. We’re getting fries and milkshakes.” You huff in disbelief. Even if you did have some sort of response you don’t know if you could get it out (still a common occurrence to this day).“Love, still there?” 

“Uh yeah,” you say through an obvious smile.

“Great. Leaving now.” 

When you get into Harry’s car he greets you with a kiss and then a toothy grin, dimples on full display. He looks cozy and relaxed in his threadbare tshirt and yellow adidas track pants, you can’t see his feet but you know, without a doubt, he’s wearing his white vans. 

Once you’ve got your fries and milkshakes, one vanilla and one chocolate so you can share, Harry picks up his phone and presses play on a new song. You hadn’t heard the song before, but as it progresses it adds to your already light, happy mood. With the cool breeze flowing through your hair with the windows down as Harry takes you both on a drive you can’t help but lean over and place a quick kiss on his cheek. His eyes wrinkle on the outside corners. 

“Fry?” he asks just like how he asks ‘kiss?’ time and time again. His voice is just loud enough to hear over the music, and you quickly oblige his request as if he were to reach for a fry himself his free hand that isn’t attached to the steering wheel would have to leave it’s warm, comforting spot on your thigh. 

As Harry pulls away from the drive-thru, a bag of fresh fries in your lap and 2 milkshakes in the cupholders, you skip through a few tracks before you find “Don’t Wait” by Mapei. The intro of the track instantly makes Harry smile and he reaches to turn up the volume. When you turn to feed him a fry you giggle at the sight of his huge smile, gums on show and eyes crinkled at the side. 

A friend indeed, come build me up

Come shed your light, it makes me shine

You get the message, don't you ever forget it

Let's laugh and cry until we die

If it wasn't for you I'd be alone

If it wasn't for you I'd be on my own

Some things never change. 

 Make You Feel My Love - Adele

You’re thankful for the frozen milkshake and you allow it to cool you down as the hot LA breeze blows through your hair. You still don’t know your way around LA very well but you recognize the direction Harry is taking. There’s a small lookout point on the hills where you know you’ll end up in the next 10 minutes. 

Taking the milkshakes and bag a fries with you, you both step out of the car after Harry has parked in the perfect spot at said lookout point. You’re the only 2 out here, it’s probably passed midnight by now. He’s left the car on enough just to keep the mixtape playing. 

“Sometimes I wish we could’ve grown up together,” you say out of the blue while flipping through your old yearbook. You’re trying to find an old group photo with your High School group of friends. With a friends wedding coming up you’re trying to find all the best photos for part of her gift. 

“What makes you say that?” Harry asks from the couch above you. “We get to grow old together instead.” 

“It’s just, looking through all these old photos, I can’t help but wonder what it would have been like to have experienced High School together. Imagine football games on Friday nights, or going to the christmas dance!” you exclaim. “Oh! I bet you would have been really creative with asking me to the Prom.” When you notice the confused look on his face you remember that 1. British schools were much different and 2. He didn’t do the whole high school experience regardless of the country. “Well I guess you don’t ever have those thoughts cause you never experienced those things in the first place.” You laugh to yourself. “I still wonder what it would have been like.” 

“I think 17 year old me would have been scared shitless to ask you to prom, nonetheless to pick you up that night and have your dad answer the door.” 

“Oh my dad loves you and you know that.” 

“Hah, he didn’t right away! Imagine if he met me when I was a teenager! I would not be sitting here right now.” 

“You’ve got a point, I guess.” You go back to flipping through the yearbook in front of you, once in a while showing Harry a photo. 

“I’m gonna go grab a glass of water, need anything?” You shake your head no and thank him before he leaves the room. 

When Harry comes back to the living room he’s without a glass of water but has gained a black suit jacket on top of his t shirt and sweatpants. You look at him, confused. 

“Harry, what are you doing?” He doesn’t respond, instead you start to hear music playing through the speakers. Pulling his hand from behind his back he presents you a flower, a rose from the vase in your bedroom. You laugh, still confused, but accept the rose anyways. 

“Would you dance with me?” He asks offering his hand to you. You take it and let him help you up off the floor. 

Harry wraps his arms around your waist, pulling you close to him and you slide your arms around his neck letting your hands dangle at the back. 

“You’re unbelievable,” you say quietly. 

“I know this isn’t anything like your Prom, but a slow dance is a slow dance yeah?” A small smile forms on your lips before you press them to his. You let your fingers play with the curls at his neck. Resting your head on his chest you let him control the dancing, swaying around in circles. He’s humming along to the song and there’s something about Adele that is so quintessentially high school. You close your eyes and let yourself pretend that you’re back in high school. When the song ends you lift your head up and thank him with another kiss. 

Later that night you take back your earlier statement. It’s when you’re sitting at the dining table with a hot meal presented in front of you that Harry made himself that you realise that you would rather be here now how the 2 of you are instead of having grown up together. You agree that growing old together sounds like the best thing in the world.

“Doesn’t matter the time or place, I’ll love you always,” you say, “but I like this time, I like right now.” 

When “Make You Feel My Love” starts to play, Harry sets down his shake and takes yours as well to set down with his on the hood of the car. 

“Can I have this dance?” He asks. It’s almost like he planned the timing. You sway with each other for a moment before you’re both so wrapped up in each others arms and the kisses become deeper that the dancing stops and you just basque in the presence of each other and this moment. The cool wind continues to blow through your hair and it only gives the 2 of you an excuse to pull each other closer to one another. After the song ends and the mixtape continues, Harry wraps his arms around your shoulders, now having his front to your back, he pulls you back with him as he leans against the hood of the car. He rests his lips near your ear, placing kisses along your ear, jaw and neck as you both take in the view in front of you. 

“I like right now,” he whispers your words back to you from months ago. 

I Wanna Get Better - Bleachers

This song had a handful of memories linked to it. Hundreds upon hundreds are with your childhood best friend and one specific one with Harry. Right now, you’re both singing at the top of your lungs without worrying how either of you sound. You were both shivering a little after staying at the lookout for too long. Now you’re trying to warm up a bit and singing along at full volume seems to be helping. 

Harry had come home to a silent house one night, eventually finding you puffy-eyed with tear streaked cheeks curled up on the couch in the dark. Noting your phone thrown across the room, he approached you cautiously. 

“Love?” he almost whispered, not to startle you. “Love, what’s going on?” He questions when he meets your face. Sitting down on the floor in front of you he wipes your cheeks before questioning you again. “Gotta tell me what’s wrong so I can help ya.” 

“Did you see the article?” you stutter out. You know he doesn’t go lurking around the internet so you can’t be angry about him being clueless to why you’re upset. He shakes his head eventually before he slowly grabs his phone. 

The first article that comes up when he searches his name makes him curse under his breath. Someone’s hacked your private social media accounts and photos of you growing up, family information and anything and everything is all over the tabloid sites. You knew this was part of the territory, dating a musician, model, actor, all of it, but this was much worse than some papz photos with Harry out for coffee or post yoga. 

Harry does his best to calm you down, holding you against his chest, apologizing up and down for putting you in situations like these. At some point a little while later, you’ve relaxed and decide make a joke in hopes to make yourself and Harry, a little bit better. 

“It’s a good thing you’re pretty, otherwise it wouldn’t be worth it.” A look of fake offence washes over his face. “Love you,” you add before kissing him lightly. 

“Come on,” Harry says pulling you up off the couch. He turns the house speakers on and presses play on his phone. “I Wanna Get Better” starts blasting through the house and you can’t help but smile. Your best friend and you would always blast this when one of you were having a bad day. It never fails to make you smile and forget whatever was bothering you. This song automatically forces a wide smile across your face and with how swollen your eyes are from crying, you can barely make out the image of Harry dancing around in front of you. The rule is you have to play the song on repeat until you can’t remember what had hurt you in the first place. It’s takes a few rounds of the track and a handful of kisses from Harry to get you to forget why he started playing the song. 

“A little better?” he asks when the 4th play comes to an end. You nod with a smile before pulling him for a kiss. 

“Much better.” 

Though this song is always played during bad times, it’s nice to hear it during happy ones. It reminds you of times with your best friend from home and it reminds you of Harry’s kindness, how he’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe, make you feel loved and be 110% sure that you’re happy. 

Fallingforyou - The 1975 and Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol

You slipped ‘Fallingforyou’ by The 1975 on shuffle when the 2 of you took your first road trip together. Driving from Harry’s place in LA to a getaway in San Francisco for a few days, you had opted to drive instead of fly (more time just the 2 of you). The conversation died down for a moment, both of you engulfed by the epic scenery in front of you. You had control of the music for the most part, Harry making requests once and awhile, but it had been forgotten while the two of you had debated which was the best romcom ever made for the better part of an hour. So when you both agreed that having different favourites was okay, the silence was welcomed, small smiles on both of your faces. That’s when a feeling of absolute contentment washed over you. You knew exactly what song was needed for the moment. 

Your relationship wasn’t that new, but it wasn’t as official as it is now. You hadn’t said ‘I love you’ yet, but you both knew the thought was there (you hoped he’d say it sometime during this trip and if he didn’t you definitely would). 

You always loved this song. You remember hearing it live for the 1st time when you saw The 1975 on a whim during your first year of university. You cried. You couldn’t really help it. Though you’ve never related to the lyrics exactly in the way they’re meant to, they still hit you. Right now, this relationship isn’t one sided, you know that but, I think I’m falling, I’m falling for you, hits you harder than it did when you heard it live. 

Harry’s got his wrist resting on the top of the steering wheel, the other resting in his lap. His curls are a bit unruly from the wind that has been blowing through them, his skin has a soft tan to it.  You can’t help the smile that crosses your face. Harry must see your smile from the corner of his vision because he takes a quick glance at you and returns the grin, crinkles appearing around his eyes. The hand that was resting in his lap searches yours out and you happily accept the gesture. 

On this night, and in this light, 

I think I’m falling, I’m falling for you. 

Tangling your fingers with his, you bring them up to your mouth and press a soft kiss to the back of Harry’s hand. You hold his hand with both of yours in your lap now. The wind blows through your hair and you sing along to the words quietly and it’s not till the end of the song that you realise that Harry had been singing along as well. 

It’s when Harry’s driving you back to your hotel after dinner that night in San Francisco, ‘Chasing Cars’ by Snow Patrol playing quietly in the background, that he says “I love you.” 

‘Fallingforyou’ transitions into ‘Chasing Cars’ and Harry pats the open space between the 2 of you in the front seat. The traffic light in front of you turns red and you take the opportunity to slide from your side of the car to the side of Harry’s torso, his arm wrapping around your shoulder immediately. Rebuckling yourself into the middle seat, he presses a kiss to your hair and whispers “I love you” repeatedly until the light turns green. 

~~~

As the speakers quiet, the track list coming to an end, Harry turns to you and locks eyes before speaking. 

“Should we play it again?” He asks. Without missing a beat you press play on the stereo. Neither of you have any obligations in the morning. A late night of driving would most definitely turn into sleeping in the next morning, then spending the day reading in bed and watching silly romcoms. Driving all night sounded like the best plan in the world. 

Landslide echoes through speakers and the empty roads around you, Harry’s voice quietly singing along. You don’t think you’ll ever get tired of this mixtape.

Let me know what ya think !! feedback & comments are always welcome !  THANK YOU FOR READINGGGG <3 

#harry styles #harry styles writing #harry styles fanfic #harry writing #harry styles one shot #harry blurb #harry styles blurb #writing #fanfic #harry styles fluff #Harry Drabble

[morebedsidebooks]

LGBTQ+ Characters in Comics from the 20th century I like

It’s June, Pride is here and rainbow colours are everywhere. So, I figured I’d be a little retrospective and share a short list of LGBTQ+ characters in comics from the 20th century I have a soft spot for. I’ve organized these by date of the characters first appearing but, happily most are still having stories written about them today.

Let’s start with three ladies from DC: 

Catwoman

Catwoman, specifically Selina Kyle has been around comics for a long time, nearly as long as the turbulence of her relationship with Batman. Though, Bruce isn’t they only character she has involved herself with over the years. I’ve got my share of comics featuring this fierce lady of many lives and antiheroine, including part of the New 52 run by Genevieve Valentine a few years back where her bisexuality was acknowledged as canon. Though, it was the film adaptation Batman Returns in 1992 with Michelle Pfieffer that blew me away when I was young. And remains, I think the most iconic Catwoman costume, which you can see in 4K now. Hear her roar.

Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman is another longstanding character and probably the most popular female superhero. I had comics as a child with Diana along with watching the sometimes campy 1970s TV series with Lynda Carter. Perhaps even more interesting than the Amazonian warrior herself is the passions of one of her creators William Marston and the themes of those earliest comics. (I’d suggest the book Wonder Woman: Bondage and Feminism in the Marston/Peters Comics 1941-1948.) And of course, also the controversy over a strong heroine standing on her own sparked by Fredic Wertham in Seduction of the Innocent.

Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy, or Pamela Isely with her sexual agency and connection to the Green, who admittedly may go about fighting for the environment as well as for women or children in the wrong way sometimes, is my top female character from American comics period. After again some rough treatment in comics recently, I wrote this year about her origins since 1966. Most people these days probably can’t think of Ivy without Harley, since it’s been 20 years since their first meeting in comics (longer for other mediums) but, these gals have a relationship that isn’t monogamous and has had it’s on again off again points too. (And note to DC maybe get it together on just how you define it since you waffle a bit hmm?)

 Taku and Venomm

Black Panther was one of the few Marvel comics characters whose stories I’ve wound up reading. (My mum had this thing against some comics and one of my older brothers mainly passed on DC issues to me.) The Jungle Action installments written by Don McGregor are to this day still memorable. And part of that should be due also to Taku and Venomm (Horatio Walters), the latter first appearing in the “Panther’s Rage” arc. Though, it would take time for the open acknowledgement of this example of early gay characters in comics. Sexuality outside the heterosexual among other topics was taboo in the 1970s yet, McGregor managed with a collection of artists to bring a vision of Wakanda focusing largely on its black inhabitants and difficult social issues in the world to publication.

 Juli Bauernfeind

I read The Heart of Thomas by Moto Hagio about boys at a German boarding school when I was 21. Juli was a character I connected to and the story had a profound effect on me. And I bawled my eyes out. It still makes me cry and is still one of the best comics I’ve ever come across. I reviewed the English edition a few years back. As well as wrote a post on the French bisexual author Roger Peyrefitte whose novel was adapted into a film which inspired Hagio.

 John Constantine

Full of politics, call it dark with a dose of nihilism but, Hellblazer with John Constantine is just damn good. Sometimes the world is awful, people are awful, you’re awful and well yeah everything is going to hell. Constantine is pretty much dreadful for the women he’s often involved with, or well anybody really. It was in the early 90s readers were first clued into the history of his love life made up of girlfriends and boyfriends. And can we fail to recall the later S. W. Manor from Ashes & Dust: In the City of Angels, one of the most visceral takes thru a character that is basically a stand in for Bruce Wayne, and his twisted relationship with John? I’m not. It’s been a strange trip over the years some adaptations really glossing over his sexuality. Though of late handling this aspect of his character appears to have gotten better.

 Stormer and Kimber 

The madcap Jem and the Holograms was one of my favourite cartoons as a child in the 80s. I even had some of the dolls and cassette tapes. Stormer aka Mary Phillips part of the Misfits was the rock star I loved the most. Dedicated to music and actually quite sweet with the optimum blue hair. I had to try the colour myself. The episode where she teams up with Kimber after both have differences with their respective bandmates is a classic. So, it was truly outrageous when the series was revived in 2015 in comic book form by Kelly Thompson and Sophie Campbell, and the Stormer and Kimber relationship that had been brewing came fully out for fans. (Btw the comic also added a new character, Blaze who is a trans woman and girlfriend of Misfit’s fan Clash.)

  Ash Lynx and Eiji Okamura

It’s been interesting to experience Banana Fish by Akimi Yoshida in different ways from first encountering the comic when I was a teenager, picking it up again in my twenties, and yet again the animated TV series last year. I wrote about the comic and first few episodes of the 2018 adaptation when it was airing. Though, I haven’t posted much more on it because there’s a tiny percentage of its fandom I want to avoid, as well as 30+ years on the series is still— pain. This one is a tragedy folks. However, it also has a beautiful healing love story and touched on a variety of hot button issues that are sadly still relevant today. My love for these two teen characters in a gritty USA will live forever.

  Chihaya and Kagetsuya

I’ve written before how the sci-fi title Earthian was what introduced and endeared respect for m/m comics from Japan for me. The art style of Yun Kouga has changed a bit over the years, nevertheless still stands out from the crowd. And Earthian with a taboo love between androgynous male angels remains my favourite of her work.

Michiru Kaiô and Haruka Tennô

Sailor Moon has become a multimedia sensation and is beloved around the world. Many kids and even adults of all sorts in the 90s will remember it in one form or another and cite it as an influence for pursuing careers in all sorts of creative fields. Along with countless fans recognizing or discovering something of themselves in the characters. There are several different characters for rep in the series. But particularly for me Michiru and Haruka were an opportunity in a very anti-LGBTQ+ climate (their relationship was even refashioned as being cousins when brought out in English for the first time) to nevertheless see such a loving, positive relationship.

Tomoyo Daidôji

Love is a theme the creative team CLAMP revisits and revisits and Cardcaptor Sakura is the magical girl comic series with a theme on all different forms. It is one of the first all ages titles from Japan that I will recommend to people. (Despite fyi containing a whopping four student-teacher relationships. Not the purpose of this post to go into right now though.) The best friend to Sakura, Tomoyo is one of my favourite characters. Always supportive, maybe a bit alarming popping out of bushes or other spots with her camera at the ready to catch either Sakura’s everyday life or battles, and possessing boundless fashion sense. (Btw, there are other characters in the series that are or could be interpreted as examples for my list as well. Sakura among them.)

  Isabella Yamamoto

Paradise Kiss by Ai Yazawa, a sequel of sorts to one of the huge girls’ comics titles of the 1990s Gokinjo Monogatari, introduced a group of teenagers on the verge of graduating, some with an idea of what to do with their lives and others questioning the path they’ve so far taken. Isabella from an affluent background but, who struggled for acceptance from her family or nearly anyone until she was gifted a handmade dress by her childhood friend George (who is Bi btw), studies pattern drafting at the same art school as Gokinjo Monogatari. The most mature of the main cast, refined, always listening and offering a cup of tea, she achieves her dream career and self-actualization in fashion. Since I have a degree in fashion design, I have to agree that clothes are so much more than just something we wear.

#lgbtq characters #comics #catwoman #wonder woman #poison ivy #taku #venomm #juli bauernfeind #john constantine #stormer #kimber benton #ash lynx #eiji okumura #chihaya #kagetsuya #michiru kaiô #haruka tennô #tomoyo daidôji #isabella yamamoto

[medea10]

Medea Rambles - Changing Voice Actors (in anime)

Your favorite character! You love the way they look, the way they act, and in many cases, the way they sound. Yeah, voice actors are a vital role when it comes to bringing life to any character in animation. But what happens when your favorite character doesn’t sound the same as he/she used to?

It could mean your favorite character’s voice actor has CHANGED.

Don’t fear! This happens all the time and many factors can come into play to make that happen.

Because I’m bored today and have nothing better to talk about...

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING BETTER TO TALK ABOUT!

(seriously, I do like this movie)

I want to talk about voice actors! Because I like talking about them. I have the highest respect for these people and these people give it their all with the characters they voice. Every scream Sean Schemmel ever gave as Goku, every cackle Sayaka Ohara gave as Beatrice, these performances can be considered remarkable and memorable as time goes by.

But we must all remember this. Voice actors are just like you or me. They are human. No one lasts forever. And when the unthinkable happens and a voice actor dies, many creators grapple with either retiring the character or hire a replacement.

In the anime world, it’s most likely the latter because there’s no way in fuckdom Professor Oak would EVER be retired as a character (R.I.P. Unshou Ishizuka).

Even though no one could match the charm of Unshou Ishizuka as Professor Oak and many other roles, we accept the change. But it’s not just death. Life in general can get in the way. Many voice actresses have long-running roles to voice even when they’re pregnant. So when they go on maternity leave, they’ll need a replacement. However these are thankfully temporary so we were able to get Mariya Ise to voice Bonnie on Pokemon again and soon Brina Palencia will be back to voicing Juvia on Fairy Tail (and congrats to her for the birth of her first baby).

Child actors in anime will probably not have the same voice they had 10 years ago and if a role is making a revival in the present, that person will more than likely not play that same role. Perfect example there would be Aaron Dismuke who was a young boy when playing roles like Al on Full Metal Alchemist and Hiro on Fruits Basket. When FMA: Brotherhood came out, it was very clear that Dismuke was well past puberty and so his role of Alphonse had to go to someone else.

And voice actors who sustain injury to their voices during production. Jessica Calvello, the original voice of Excel from Excel Saga literally blew out her vocal chords for this role and had to have her role replaced for the second half of the series. Was it noticeable? Fuck yeah it was. But it was for the greater good. Plus her replacement wasn’t that bad. In fact she did a good job with the wacky behavior of Excel. The dubbing company was on a deadline and it had to be met. So what’s done is done. I’m just happy Calvello healed from that and is still a voice actor.

And other issues like scheduling conflicts and controversial issues come into play throwing a monkey wrench in productions. But we all move on for the most part.

WE ALL MOVE ON!

Anyways, for the most part these are just singular acts concerning one or more characters at a time. What happens when AN ENTIRE CAST IS CHANGED?!

Well...it happens! It just depends on the circumstances with the anime. And let’s face it, some of these changes can be for the greater good. Take Sailor Moon for example. Yes, we all know this tale! Sailor Moon was originally licensed by DIC for the first few seasons. And then the next few seasons it was taken over by (the thankfully gone company) Cloverway. With both companies, the anime was given the royal fuck-over with skipping episodes, chopping or editing scenes, Americanizing everything, downplaying homosexuality, shotty voice work, and blow off an entire season. And during the transition from DIC to Cloverway, some of the voices were changed and it was noticeable.

Decade later, Viz Media swoops in and gives the fans what they waited for. The entire series redubbed with original names, Haruka and Michiru are lesbians, Fisheye has a penis, and season five can finally be shown. But for many of us, we were delighted to hear the voices to the characters we grew up with finally getting some justice. While many of us loved Sailor Moon growing up, it was kind of painful to hear some of the voices. I once again point to Haruka’s original voice (or Amara as they called her). And the same could also be said about the first dub to One Piece. This redub needed to happen! No one objected to this, nor should they! But that’s just one person’s opinion here. Others, not so much. Especially the next one!

POKEMON! Yes another anime that went through a giant change. In 2006 (right in the middle of a fucking arc mind you), Pokemon switched the dubbing rights from 4Kids to TAJ/Pokemon Company. To which we all said...

And then they got rid of all the voice actors who have voiced these characters for YEARS and replaced them. To fans of the show from the very beginning it was noticeable and STILL IS. To people who were born in 2006 and are watching this now as a teenager (fucking shit I feel old just realizing that), they probably wouldn’t give it a second thought.

I know it hurt fans and voice actors at first but look at the bright side, a lot of them went on to do great things after Pokemon. Veronica Taylor is busy doing Sailor Moon. Eric Stuart is still touring. And Andrew Rannells...I don’t think I need to bring up Book of Mormon. As it has been over 13 years since the change I think many of us have gotten used to or have accepted this.

Does that mean you’ve accepted Tracey’s new voice?

No. Fuck no. And I never will.

Yeah, Tracey’s a different story. I refuse to accept that change.

Anyways back to voice actors changing! Pokemon and Sailor Moon were kind of special cases as those had a bunch of in-fighting to get what we got. Same with One Piece because no one wanted to watch that hot mess get raped with censored items, Americanized names, and a horrific rap song that even Vanilla Ice would say that’s too much. But sometimes, an anime that has finished its airing and has been dubbed and released in the states, it will be out of print or its license will be expired.

Animes like Berserk, Squid Girl, Rozen Maiden, and Shakugan no Shana were all owned, licensed, and dubbed by a company. But then their licence would go belly-up and their title would no longer be available for purchase (at a decent price) or streamed on a website. Luckily, these titles were eventually saved. Kept the same is a different story there.

All four of those titles had one or more of their seasons dubbed and anything else the series had that wasn’t dubbed was now going to be dubbed by their current licencor. In many of these cases it was changed due to the fact that many of the original voice actors for these roles are not where this certain anime is being worked on. Like in the case of Shakugan no Shana, many of the voice actors reside in Vancouver BC and FUNimation, the licensing company is in Texas. Hence, you get the second and third season sounding way different from the first season. Yes, it’s convenient or cheaper to use people in your studio instead of waiting to hear from Canada. So that’s a possibility of why they do that. Or of course, scheduling issues/conflicts or wanting to do things their own way. Haven’t decided on which one to believe.

And then there are some animes like Escaflowne (an anime that was already dubbed and licensed and released in the late 90s) only for the whole thing to be redubbed by FUNimation decades later. Reasons? They re-licensed it? There was over 8 minutes of new footage found that was never dubbed? They found it necessary to do that? Take your pick!

Now most of what I’m talking about is mostly America problems. Does Japan redub classic anime? To my knowledge, no. But if they remake, reboot, or give a sequel, the cast might change. In recent reboots such as Fruits Basket, Berserk, Sailor Moon, and Genshiken, the entire cast will change to either appease the original creator’s wishes or start over with a clean slate. And if a series makes a return after several decades, of course they’re going to change voices, are you insane?

Why did I find the need to spew a bunch of useless information today? I felt inspired after Netflix decided to grace us with IT’S presence.

Neon Genesis Evangelion.

A classic in the anime community. A gateway anime for many. A massive mindfuck wrapped in a brainfart. A clusterfuck of many proportions.

The television series was licensed and dubbed by ADV back in the 90s. But of course that company went belly-up and so this series has been unreachable in terms of purchasing for over a decade. Even when Japan gives us reboots in the forms of movies for the Evangelion franchise, only those movies would be picked up (by FUNimation). They didn’t even touch the series. Didn’t they realize fans would pay through the nose to get a blu-ray release of this series? The most fans could get were split-up copies on DVD and old VHS tapes. This was a goldmine.

Alas, FUNimation was not the one to save the Neon Genesis Evangelion series.

It was Netflix.

But...all things come at a price when you make a deal with the devil. Netflix found it necessary to redub the entire series (both movies included) without giving word or even consideration to the original cast (that has been doing the voices to these characters for over 20 years). Spike Spenser, Amanda Winn Lee, Tiffany Grant, and Allison Keith wanted to help with this as they all had a lot of input in the original (especially Lee). Now before I cast stones upon this, I do give this dub some credit. They do make an effort to make this sound like an improved version of the 90s dub. And in some aspects I find the new voice to Shinji bearable. And I’m okay with many new casting changes. I mean NGE was okay, but the dub wasn’t the greatest. My only gripe with the change...

Downplaying Shinji x Kaowru.

Netflix, you just undid like a decades worth of change when it comes to homosexuality in anime. You just took us five steps backwards! Kaowru says he LOVED Shinji. “Like”? No, you like a pair of pants. You like that new Bruno Mars song. Kaowru said he LOVED Shinji. Why the fuck didn’t you keep that translation? The 90s dub was kind enough to have Kaowru say that and the 1990s were run by a bunch of prudes! I thought we were past this shit when we put an end to the old Sailor Moon dubs!

Now with this Netflix dub, many characters on Evangelion officially have 2-3 different voice actors. Or in the case of the character Toji, Johnny Young Bosch is the fifth person to voice him. But some platforms can have the anime itself, just not get the right with the english dub probably due to some legal loophole.

Whew, a lot of changes in anime, right folks? It almost feels like these dubbing companies want to erase the past, right? Well to be fair, everyone seems to be doing that. Disney keeps giving us live-action remakes to classic Disney animated films. Classic anime titles are being rebooted. Dubbing companies are taking older animes and redubbing them. I know it feels like they want us to forget these dubs existed. But I know they just want to improve them.

No matter what, everyone will find fault with everything. And in the anime community, it feels like a never-ending flame war. Older animes will get hated on by how crappy it sounds or looks. And nostalgic fans will hate on the new dub because it’s with new people who sound nothing like the original.

YOU CAN (NOT) WIN!

Heh, I made an Eva-build joke.

With these redubs, many names get pronounced the correct way, many translations will be accurate to the Japanese version, and in some cases it’ll sound a lot better. Dubbing companies try to aim at new viewers and to introduce a new generation of anime fans to an old classic. But for people who grew up with animes like Pokemon, Escaflowne, Cardcaptor Sakura, Sailor Moon, and many others, we grew accustomed to the dub. And when hearing it changed, it’s kind of a kick in the ears hearing anything penetrated or different from all the years you spent watching these animes.

Everyone has their own opinion of what they like and don’t like to hear. I like to give things the benefit of the doubt for the most part. Especially when I watch an older anime for the first time that has several dubs. When I began watching Rurouni Kenshin about 7 years back, I was warned that there were three English dubs to that. And I heard all three. I made my choice of which one I prefer, which one was okay, and which one needs to be set on fire. In case you don’t know, the original TV series had the best, the OVA series was okay, and the redub Sony did needs to be set on fire.

And that would be my advice to new anime watchers. Give both dubs a chance and make your decision on which one you like best.

Sadly, these changes will continue to happen whether for the better or the worst. While there are some changes that upset me, some I’m okay with if not pleased about it. But with the recent upset over fans hating on Evangelion’s new dub and change, do you think the fans will get a revolution and their old dub/old translations back? Let me put it to you this way. If Pokemon told us to sit and spin after many of us outraged over the cast change, what chance do Evangelion fans have against Netflix? But you never know, stranger things have happened. Maybe a miracle will occur and the old dub will get a blu-ray release.

In the meantime, I’ll have to re-write my thoughts on Evangelion with the ADV dub, FUNimation dub, and Netflix dub. TOO MANY DUBS!

This has been another Medea ramble. I’ll go back to doing whatever it is I normally do around here.

#pokemon #escaflowne #neon genesis evangelion #evangelion #sailor moon #Shakugan no Shana #Full Metal Alchemist #excel saga

[shitfics]

One of These Nights (11/11); jongyu; pg

Jinki knows that he’s gay. What he doesn’t know is how to handle a crush on someone as entwined in the music industry as he is.

part 1 - part 2 - part 3 - part 4 - part 5 - part 6 - part 7 - part 8 - part 9 - part 10 

AO3 Mirror

Aaand here’s the epilogue! I hope y’all like it! There will likely be nothing further for this au, since this wraps it up pretty much, but I’m happy to answer any questions about their future or the au in general. I really appreciate all the supportive messages and questions I’ve gotten throughout posting this monster of a fic, and ALSO all the patience y’all have had for my sporadic updates and disappearances.

Thanks also to my lovely wife @butchyobaggins for helping beta this and the past two parts, and to @jongyued for all her help and support throughout this whole fic journey! Shoutouts to @fleckle and @mscns also for helping me through the start of this au. And ofc, thanks to all y’all for the chapters you’ve read and messages you’ve sent! <3

***

The moment they finish bowing at the end of their Christmas-day performance, Jinki rocks back on his heels and glances off stage, impatient. He doesn’t want to spend an hour mingling with the staff and the other idols they always saw at these holiday things. He had promised Jonghyun they would spend some of the night together, even if it meant waiting until two in the morning when Jonghyun got back from his own Christmas broadcast.

After what feels like forever, they finally receive the signal to leave the stage. Jinki hurries back to their dressing room and changes out of the outfit he’d been stuffed into for their performance for his own sweater and simple black jeans. Just as he starts to fix his hair in the mirror, he sees Kibum enter the room and glance at the still-open bag by his side.

A slow grin spread across his lips. "Where you going tonight, old man? It looks like you packed enough clothes for tomorrow."

Jinki rolls his eyes. "I told you already — I'm going home for a bit before New Years."

The other members file into the room just as Kibum laughs. “Uh-huh. You’re heading to your parents, when it’s nearly midnight, because you’re just that filial.”

“Oh, Jinki-hyung’s going to his parents again?” Minho stares at Jinki’s frowning reflection in the mirror as he continues to fix his hair. "You sure, uh...put a lot of effort into looking good for a visit home."

Jinki turns around to glare at them and Taemin. Though he hadn’t said anything yet — and he’s done a perfect job of keeping the fact that he was dating Jonghyun a secret — he hadn’t done a good job of hiding the fact that Jinki is dating someone. It’d only taken one stupid knowing grin after someone had asked Jinki where he’d been all night for the members to run wild with speculation, and he knew protesting would get him nowhere.

As always, Taemin smiles at him guiltily and gives an unhelpful shrug. "Hyung’s parents are pretty polite, so I can see them appreciating him dressing nice."

Jino snorts. "Yeah, okay. Tell your girlfriend we all said hi — I hope you got her something nice."

"I don’t have time for a girlfriend, and I wouldn’t have time to shop for her even if I did." Jinki sighs and pulls his bag over his shoulder. It isn’t entirely a lie — he hadn’t had time to shop much, and since Jonghyun isn’t religious in the least, he’ll just be picking up a cake on the way to share.

"I’m sure she’ll forgive you, since you’re an idol," Kibum assures, expression still entirely mischievous. "Have fun with your ‘family’ tonight. Don’t do anything that could get caught on camera."

Jinki lets a small huff to hide his smile — as annoying as the members could be, it always amuses him how similar their concerns for him are. “Merry Christmas to you all, too.”

  *** 

Despite all the traffic and his last-minute stop to purchase a cake, Jinki somehow reaches Jonghyun’s apartment before him. He presses the now-familiar code into the keypad of his door, then enters the empty apartment and flips on the kitchen light. After putting the cake in the fridge to keep it fresh, he heads to the bedroom to drop off his overnight bag and and steals a few candles from Jonghyun’s nightstand before returning to the kitchen.

He’s no romantic, but he thinks Jonghyun will appreciate it if he makes the table a look a little more special than usual.

He finishes placing the candles in the best arrangement he can come up with his limited skill, then pulls out his phone to pass the time. One game of Candy Pang later, he hears the click of the front door unlocking, and has to rush to light all the candles before Jonghyun reaches the room.

Just as Jonghyun steps into view, he flicks off the light and grins. “Hey, hyung.”

“Hey.” Jonghyun laughs. He blinks widely as his eyes adjust to the dimly-lit room, and Jinki uses the chance to steal a kiss from him. Jonghyun’s lips are spread in a wider smile when he pulls away. “I can’t believe you set up candles. And that you beat me here — I heard the broadcast was a big production.”

Jinki shrugs. “I left as soon as I could. Wasn’t too hard.”

“Lucky you.” Jonghyun sighs. “I had to do a lot of question-dodging to get away from work...everyone there is used to me being sad and single, so they’d always take me out for drinks after our show. I missed it last year, when I went to Japan, but they still roped me into going with them once I was back.” He shakes his head. “When I said I was seeing someone tonight, you can imagine how badly they wanted to know who it was.”

Jinki raises an eyebrow. “Didn’t they already know you were dating?”

“Kind of, but I don't think they realized it was serious. Most of them think it’s a girl, but Youngbae’s convinced I won’t give any names because it’s an actor. I don’t know why he thinks that, considering I have nothing to do with that industry...”

“I’m just glad he hasn’t guessed it was me.”

“Me too, honestly.” Jonghyun steps closer to him to run fingers through the hair on the back of his neck. “Did you cut your hair shorter? It looks different, but I can never tell if you got it cut when the style changes so much..."

"Just a bit of a trim — they say it’s it's a lot of effort to style when it's long, so they keep pushing me to cut it. But I know they're giving Taemin long hair for the next concept, though, so I think I can convince them to let me grow it out too."

"You'll look good either way, but I'll admit I'm interested in you growing it out again...I never got to play with it much when it was at its longest, since we weren’t dating yet.”

"You should have tried it anyway,” Jinki says. “Maybe we could have gotten together sooner."

With a small chuckle, Jonghyun pulls him into a kiss. "I'm plenty happy with how things worked out, I think."

"Me too." Jinki places his hands over Jonghyun's to late their fingers together, but Jonghyun pulls away quickly before he can.

“Sorry, hold on — I have a gift for you. I want you to open it here, since you set all this up.”

Jinki purses his lips. “I didn’t realize we were getting gifts. I only bought us a cake...”

“Trust me, a cake is perfect. And you bought me a new earring last week — that counts as enough.”

“If you say so, hyung.”

“I mean it,” Jonghyun says, entirely seriously. “You wait here, I’ll be right back.”  

Jinki nods. He watches as Jonghyun rushes off to bedroom door, disappearing inside for a moment, then reemerges with a small, wrapped box in his hands. A flush rises on his cheeks when Jonghyun passes it to him with an eager smile and gestures for him to open it.

He slips his fingers under the paper, carefully unsticking the largest piece of tape without tearing the paper, then begins to unwrap it from around the corners.

Jonghyun raises an eyebrow at his method. "I don't think I've ever seen anyone unwrap something so carefully."

"You put a lot of effort into doing it well, taking my time is the least I could do."

“The store did it, actually...”

Jinki laughs. “Okay, then I won’t feel bad if I tear it.”

He rushes through unwrapping the rest, no longer feeling guilty when the paper tears to reveal a solid black box. From the weight and size of it, he’d had suspicions it might be jewelry, but now he’s nearly certain.

Jinki’s cheeks heat as he stares at the box. Though he had never minded Jonghyun doting on him, he's still getting used to how much more intense it’d gotten since they became partners.

He looks up at Jonghyun. "...Did you get me jewelry, hyung?"

"Just finish opening it,” Jonghyun mumbles, equally embarrassed.

Jinki lifts the lid quietly. A plain silver ring rests inside, and when he begins to pull it out, he realizes that what he thought was a single ring is actually two, locked together by a small design on the band.

He stares at them, then at Jonghyun. "There's two rings?"

"Yeah." Jonghyun reaches over to help him separate them with a shy smile. "I know it's kind of cheesy, and hopefully not too soon...I just remember you sounded kind of sad that we could never have obvious couple things, so I thought something subtle might be nice...”

"We spent enough time pining after each other, so it’ll never be too soon." Jinki smiles and slips one of the rings onto his fingers. He holds up his hand to inspect it, appreciating the way the candlelight makes the silver glint. "I really like it. You don’t think people will be able to tell we're wearing part of a set?"

"I thought of that issue, actually." Jonghyun takes the box from Jinki's hands and removes the cushion the ring had been imbedded in, revealing a thin silver chain underneath. "The rings might be obvious if we both wore them on the same finger or on our hands, so I bought a chain to wear mine around my neck."

“That’s really smart," Jinki says, impressed. Picking up the chain out of the box, he runs a finger along Jonghyun's neck, "Do you want me to put yours on for you?"

Jonghyun shivers involuntarily. "S-sure."

Grinning, Jinki gestures for Jonghyun to turn around and take a seat at one of the chairs of the nearby table. He waits for Jonghyun to settle, then leans down and threads the chain through the ring and lets it rest over Jonghyun’s collar. He brushes his fingers against Jonghyun’s collarbone as he slips his fingers back to close the clasp.

Jonghyun’s breathing stutters. Even without being able to see his face, Jinki knows that Jonghyun’s eyes are fluttering shut from the sensation. He’s learned from experience that Jonghyun’s neck and collar is the most sensitive part of him.

When he finally pulls back, Jonghyun turns around to look at him over his shoulder. “I’m guessing you like them, then?”

"I like them a lot." Jinki jerks the chair back just enough to fit himself between the table and Jonghyun when he circles to the other side. Placing a knee between Jonghyun’s legs, he eyes the necklace appreciatively, then slips a hand over Jonghyun's chest, stopping once his new ring aligns with the just above the low neckline of his shirt. “It looks good on you.”

Jonghyun smiles coyly, lip between his teeth, and looks up at him through his lashes. “I’m guessing so, since you’re giving me that look. But what about the cake you got me?”

"It'll last in the fridge, I’m sure." Jinki loops his arms around Jonghyun’s neck as he straddles the chair, then slowly lowers himself into Jonghyun's lap. Jinki catches his chin with his hand, then kisses him deeply, until he can feel Jonghyun harden underneath him. "Besides, hyung...I can think of a better present for tonight.”

“You’re cheesy, Jinki-yah.” Jonghyun slips his thumbs beneath the waist of his jeans. “But I like it.”

#jongyu #hyung au #long fic #this has been such a long journey ;-; thanks yall!

[deepwithinmybonesfic]

Deep Within My Bones Ch 10- Hospital

AU. Viktor wins another gold at the Olympics, and attends the Paralympics as another duty as the King of Ice Skating. Having lost his inspiration and heart, Viktor did not expect to find love in what he sees as the perfect man. Yuuri, after losing his legs, lost his chance to compete on the same ice as his idol. When the world seems to fall into place, what else can be taken away from them? Ch 1-6 is Setup, start at Ch. 6 for the cute romance-y and drama

“Hospital? Why hospital? You said you felt better…” Viktor couldn’t even muster the energy to whine. He just felt tight. His throat, his chest. It hurt, and he had no idea if it was because of little Yuri, or because of what was happening to his Yuuri.

“What’s going on with your boyfriend.”  Yuri had been quiet until then, and had given them space… but not forgiveness apparently.

“I don’t know. They’re making him go to the hospital.” Viktor didn’t have time to worry about his relationship with his protégé right now… outside of finding a place to put him.

“My dad will drop you off at home before we go to the hospital.” Yuuri left his conversation with his mother, guilt weighing heavily on his shoulders. “It’s a long drive to Fukuoka.”

“Fukuoka?!” Viktor shrunk back, when he realized he had been surprised and loud enough that everyone turned to look back at him. Even Yuri, who was being shooed into the back row of the van. “Why so far? What about the clinic you brought me to when I got a cold?”

Yuuri stared at his feet.

Somehow, this felt more like than just his nerves.

It was easy to forget that Yuuri was a little different. Why he had been at the special Olympics and not the main events….

“ My doctor is based in Fukuoka. Clinics are general doctors.” He licked his dry lips. “My mom is worried that the cancer I had when I was in the junior league is coming back.”

“Cancer? I thought you were in a car accident or something,” Viktor lost his tact as he felt the pit of his stomach turn icy. Cancer. Cancer? Yuuri had run with him every morning, done every skate Viktor had asked him to try. There was no way Yuuri was sick.

“No.” Yuuri still couldn’t look up at him, his dark hair in his eyes. “I ignored what was going on, thinking it was part of skating. I decided it was better to lose my feet and skate with prosthetics than try and fix my feet.” His shoulders were shaking, and his cheeks were wet.

Viktor pulled him close, wrapping his arms around Yuuri, tucking his head under his chin. “I’m glad you kept skating.”

“There’s nothing else I’m good at, anyway.” Yuuri’s voice wobbled, weak and losing its strength.

“You were good enough to bring me to Japan.” Viktor moved with Yuuri as his mother came to shoo him into the van. Yuuri slouched into him once they were in the van, Yuuko talking with Mama Katsuki just outside the car.

“I’m sure it’s nothing.” Viktor said, pushing back his long bangs. He paused, pulling back his hand and staring at his own fingers.

They were slick and wet with tears.

“But I want to go to Fukuoka with you.”

---

Viktor didn’t like hospitals in Russia, and he didn’t like Japanese hospitals either. There were no cute mascots or vending machines. The nurses wore uniforms that made them look like they had come out of a cartoon, and they were barely around. Hiroko ended up stepping out a few hours after they arrived, coming back with several bags from the Seven-eleven down the street.

Even though Viktor had been amazed at the freshness and variety from convenience stores, somehow today the katsu curry tasted bland and dry in his mouth. Yuuri had even less of an appetite, only poking at the caramel  custard pudding his mother had gotten for dessert.

It wasn;t that he was nauseous. He had done many sports physicals before, and submitted blood samples to ensure he wasn’t doping. But somehow, watching the four vials of blood being drawn from Yuuri’s arm had shaken him. The way Yuuri hadn’t even blinked when the needle poked him, or when they put a line to draw the blood from. His hand naturally moved to accommodate the oxygen reader, and he didn’t tense when the IV line was put in.

He was quiet.

Mari had facetimed earlier, with Vicchan and Makkachin taking up the screen, but Yuuri was mostly quiet.

Rather than push him, Viktor spent most of his time staring at the chart at the end of the bed and fiddling with his translator app. He had gotten better at isolating the sounds in conversation, and had a ongoing list of words to try out and add to his study list.

Nikiforov-v 18:05  he still isn’t talking

Giacristophe 18:06   you can say something

Nikiforov-v 18:06  then he will just feel bad that he isn’t translating

Giacristophe 18:06    I don’t think he worrys about you right now

Nikiforov-v 18:07   he always does.  That’s why we’re here

Giacristophe 18:07   its  not your fault

Nikiforov-v 18:08   I want to do something

Giacristophe 18:08   you said anemi?

Nikiforov-v 18:08   anemia

Giacristophe 18:08   give  him the blood

Giacristophe 18:42  viktor?

Giacristophe 19:01  don’t go crazy

He looked adorably sleepy when Viktor jumped up and leaned on the end of Yuuri’s hospital bed. “Yuuri! What blood type are you?”

“Wha? Uh, A-type….why?” This had come out of the blue. He knew Viktor wasn’t anywhere near fluent enough to hear what his doctors had said.  There was a shortage on A type donations due to the injuries from a 5.7 earthquake further notice. But with bed rest and  fluids, Yuuri would be fine until the tests came back.

Viktor pumped his fist in the air. “So am I.”

“Oh… that makes sense.” He narrowed his eyes, staring at Viktor.

“What does that mean?” Viktor shrunk back, looking offended, even though he had no idea how.

“Perfectionist.”

“Wouldn’t that be the same for you?” Viktor made a face, secretly glad  that Yuuri was finally talking back.

“I don’t really pay attention to that kind of stuff.” He shrugged, moving the shovel-like mini spoon in his pudding cup. “Why?”

“I can donate to you!”

Yuuri immediately flushed. “No! No, its okay.” Maybe Viktor was more fluent than he gave him credit for.

“No. Please. I want to.”

Yuuri slid down his pile of pillows, refreshingly pink. “Don’t you think… that’s a little… intimate?” he murmured, shrinking under his blanket.

Viktor finally felt like smiling. “I know your blood rushes for me, I should only return the favor!” He chirped with his sweet heart-shaped smile. Yuuri disappeared under the blankets, squawking with embarrassment. Hiroko looked up from her paperback, peering over the edge curiously.

Yuuri immediately sat up, Viktor automatically going up to fix and fluff the pillows behind Yuuri’s back.

“Mama, Viktor wants to donate blood. He’s type A.”

“Oh! Just that?”

Yuuri felt like disappearing under the blankets forever

“Vicchan is so sweet. I’ll tell Yamamoto-sensei when she comes.”

It was more anxiety inducing to be in the hospital without Yuuri than it was sitting uselessly in his room. Even if he was paying attention, he wouldn’t have been able to understand anything the nurses said. They ended up bringing the questionnaire back to Yuuri’s room, and went back to basic English. “Arm” and if he didn’t position it right, they would take it and turn it over.    “Pinch” and he knew to look away until they covered the needle with a piece of fabric tape. When staring at the wall wore out its welcome, he sneaked a peak at the tube coming out of his arm.

He had expected it to be more vibrant, more red, more life-inducing. But it looked more purple than anything, and looking at the tube made his stomach lurch. It was part of his body, and yet it wasn’t.

But it was for Yuuri.

By the time Viktor had realized he wasn’t going anywhere until finishing the juice box with a smiling orange on it, Yuuri had already fallen asleep.

Viktor had offered to use his credit card at the hotel chain next to the hospital, but they had declined. They stopped by 7-11, Yuuri’s father stopping to get a coffee milk, and handing a bottle of Calpis soda and a small brown glass bottle.

“Energy!” He mimed flexing his muscles, before tapping the brown glass bottle. Viktor nodded, grateful for their hospitality and even thinking of him while they left behind their only son in the hospital room. The drink tasted awful, too herbal and grass like, but he downed it all between sips of his favorite yogurt drink. They got back to Yuutopia past midnight, the resort already dark and asleep.  He stopped on his way to his temporary room, the door to Yuuri’s room still open. Makkachin and Vicchan were both on his head, curled around each other in a nest of blankets. As if they knew.

Makkachin lifted her head, staring at him through the twilight.

He joined them for the night.