noticed a dip in posts about palestine on my dash, so i think it deserves to be said again: palestine is not a trend. caring about genocide is not a trend. there are still reports about humanitarian aid trucks intentionally blocked off from gaza, meaning so many fucking gazans, a big portion of them children, are just bleeding out with no help. it just came out recently that israelis disguised as women and medics infiltrated a west bank hospital, at which point they killed 3 palestinians (whom they claim were militants. right). these people are living day to day without even the most basic utilities. anyone who claims to have “activism fatigue” needs to question why they’re so severely lacking in the most basic forms of compassion. you don’t get to just grow bored of talking about palestine. please never stop calling attention to the genocide happening full force in front of us.

i was supposedly gonna address this by end of month and with my april candy round up but i think might as well do it now. only because it is being shared primarily on international platforms and i feel the need to put out this reminder. i wouldn’t even dream about controlling how one chooses to participate in this fandom but sometimes people need a wake up call.

so, there has been a video going around of GG filming Legend of Zanghai and there is a staff there that people are saying is WYB. it showed this person talking to GG while he is on standby and shooting etc. first of all, these two are notoriously good at hiding and being professional in their workplace. especially now. i doubt they will flaunt each other on set with one acting like a PA for the other. not only that, they both hate to cause any disturbance on set or have unnecessary eyes on them — much worse, gossip, so this is a no.

and in the very low chance that it is WYB or that whatever rumor we have of XX visiting XXX on set is true, the last person who should be outing their secret meetings shouldn’t be turtles. if there is one thing i really miss from the beginnings of this fandom is how much people protected them. even if at times we became obnoxious, you know that the reason is because we wanted to keep them safe. nowadays, i feel like more turtles don’t even care at all. they will show off anything to prove a point. but at what cost? seriously, how far would you go? how much disregard for their rights as human beings will you allow?

which leads me to the main problem here: sharing leaks. i personally sometimes can’t avoid it, especially on weibo cause it depends on who you follow, it will come up. or worse, the leaked videos/photos goes on hot search. xz has been very vocal against proxy shooting for this project so idk why some turtles continue to disrespect his wishes. it’s one thing to see it accidentally, but for international fans to share it and then make it out to be this “scandalous” video proof is so questionable. what makes them different from professional weibo paparazzis who out celebrity couples? who follow them in their homes and even their parents? how are they different from ss who put trackers on their cars and obsess over their personal itinerary? it’s so sus to call yourself a fan who care about them but applaud this kind of behavior. these kind of fans honestly don’t see xz and wyb as people. leave them the fuck alone. i don’t think i can stress that enough. let’s speculate all we want from the materials they willingly give us and try not to make it harder for them to live their personal lives.

i understand how material like that can make someone happy and affirmed but think about them first.

and if you are someone who needs solid video proof to support the boys and be on the bjyxszd train, then please leave this fandom now. i can tolerate alot of behaviors but never ones that endanger them like this. this need for constant validation is dangerous. it’s their relationship, not ours. they are real people and not fictional characters.

[intro]

Bakugou is a prideful, arrogant person. He holds himself to the highest standard; he is the best and everyone else is simply below him. Everything he has ever done was in pursuit of being number one, shining above the rest. He has to have a perfect victory, he has to be a perfect student, he has to win to save.

He pushes and pushes and won’t let anyone see his weaknesses or his insecurities. He can never lose, he can never fail, he can never show that he regrets or hesitates or that he hasn’t thought everything through. He must never be vulnerable in every sense of the word.

Then why is he standing in the rain.

To apologize shouldn’t be a sacrifice, but it is for Bakugou. To pour his feelings, to admit his wrong, to let down all of the walls he has built and be vulnerable. And in front of his whole class.

He is willing to sacrifice his pride, to fully sacrifice any superiority he could have, to bare his soul and even risk rejection. Because he knows Midoriya is more important. Because he wants him to come home, he wants him to know his true feelings, because he wants things to change. 

Because Midoriya has changed him. Midoriya has opened his eyes; by showing him he’s allowed to be open, that his feelings should be expressed, that he has so much to learn, and so much of that was learned through Midoriya just existing.

He isn’t sacrificing his safety frivolously because he’s expected to as a hero; he is doing it because he has grown. He is doing it because he has finally admitted to himself that he wants Midoriya to be with him and safe.

So I will sacrifice this for you. Not because it will change anything, as much as I want that I know that I can’t just fix all the wrong with just this. And I am willing to do as much as it takes to earn your forgiveness. But I don’t need that from you, not now and not ever if you don’t want that, I just need you to rest. I did so much wrong. And I am sorry for everything. You don’t have to do this alone. Lean on us. You are so strong and being supported doesn’t discount that. You’ve taught me that. 

I hate the rain. But I will brave it for you. 

He would do everything in his power, admit so many things, just to get Midoriya to take care of himself. We see him being the most vulnerable he has ever been in front of people that aren’t Midoriya. He does so much completely out of character, all in pursuit of being there for Midoriya. 

For Izuku.

He finally gets over himself and finally tells Midoriya the feelings he has felt for so long.

He lets go of this idea he is inherently better and finally acknowledges that his hatred for Midoriya has always been about his own shortcomings and insecurities. But he still wants to be better, they are still rivals. He isn’t going to sacrifice that part of him because that is just who he is; he is still going to push to number one.

But now it’s different.

There is verbal and vocal acceptance and respect. Before it was unspoken; their relationship had changed ever since Ground Beta. They were proper rivals, with mutual respect and care, they were actively making each other better.

But Bakugo finally verbalizes it and tells Midoriya, not only is he sorry, but he wants to actually have a proper friendship; he wants to continue to become better and earn his forgiveness. He wants them to push each other to be better, he wants to continue to fight for the top spot, he still wants to be the best.

But when did it become something else? 

When was the turning point when it started to shift from wanting to surpass Midoriya and be the best, to wanting to keep up with Midoriya and stay by his side?

Bakugou has already sacrificed himself for Midoriya before. His body moved on its own; with no hesitation, he would save Midoriya. He has already risked his life for him. But there is a layer to it that I don’t think people talk about. 

He tells Midoriya he shouldn’t try to win this on his own. 

He disguises his concern with an insistence that he’s in it to fight for himself when he initially joins the battle. But it is to fight by Midoriya’s side and support him.

But taking the hit for Midoriya, jumping in the way isn’t just support. This is sacrifice. This is giving yourself to ensure the safety of someone. And it was second nature. 

There are two reasons and both are a sacrifice of something in the moment.

It is knowing someone is so valuable, so great, in all senses of the word, that they must be protected. Bakugou is sacrificing his body and admitting that Midoriya needs to stay alive, for personal reasons and/or for the world. He needs Midoriya to be okay, Midoriya can’t fight alone and Bakugou will do anything to make sure he will be okay. 

But the sacrifice of ideology. 

With every development, he has relinquished parts of himself. When he sacrifices himself he is not only sacrificing his body but is admitting that he can’t do this on his own; he needs Midoriya too. This isn’t him wanting to be better than Midoriya, it’s him wanting to do it together.

Midoriya changed him.

He doesn’t die for Midoriya. He wakes up and just as his last thought was Midoriya, so was his first as he woke up. He runs to his side. People are dragging him back, trying to have him rest, knowing before he even said anything that he would lose his mind over Midoriya’s situation. 

Everyone sees how Bakugou feels about Midoriya.

He sacrifices himself because Midoriya can not die on him. Midoriya has to stay alive. Midoriya has to keep fighting. 

There can not be a world that doesn’t have him in it.

This is the culmination of what has been developing ever since the final exam where Bakugou finally works with Midoriya; the day that win to save, save to win was noticed. Then furthered after Ground Beta where they finally talked to each other and something changed within them both.

But the final sacrifice is the culmination of Bakugou’s character.

He knows what this decision will mean. Everyone screams for him not to. He knows that he is going to die. He knows he will not win this fight.

This isn’t dying for the cause. This isn’t just a hero complex. This is because he can help Midoriya and he will. This is for Izuku.

I will sacrifice myself for you. To give you more time, to give you even the slightest chance of winning. I will sacrifice myself for you because you are who can win. I am going to die. I am going to die and in my final thoughts, I will ask if I will still be able to be by your side.

It is no longer can I beat you. It is no longer can I surpass you. It is can I still catch up to you. It is can I still even be equal to you. He has already sacrificed the idea that he could beat Midoriya, that isn’t what he wants anymore. What he wants is to stay here with him.

I will sacrifice everything I am. I have wanted to be the best. All my life I have wanted to surpass you and everyone around me. But you. I will let that go for you. I let it go in my mind for so long now and I have never wanted to admit it. Is it even possible? Is it even possible for me to catch up to you? Is it even possible for me to stay by your side. I can’t be that anymore. I am sacrificing even that now. I will never be number one now. I will never become the person I always dreamed to be. I will never surpass you. I am forever sacrificing that now. I will die here.  

But can I still be with you?

The sacrifice of his life is him fully relinquishing everything he is, admitting that he can’t keep up, losing all of the progress he has made, letting go of everything that made up his character.

And the last thing on his mind is if he can still be able to be by Midoriya’s side.

He won’t let him go again. 

Single parent Bruce Wayne batkids being protective and (healthy) possessive over Bruce?? Batkids who have differing opinions on who Bruce should date?? Yes, yes, yes!!

I imagined that the kids are pretty used to Bruce going on dates as Brucie Wayne, to keep up the playboy persona. All of them have worried about varying degrees. Some took the time to do background checks on the person he was going out with and others decided to spy on them.

Hell, they would’ve been doing just that if Alfred hadn’t stopped them. Said something about how Bruce is an adult who can make his own decisions. They all knew the butler was lying through his teeth.

But they were all comforted by the fact that Bruce didn't have any feelings. That most likely, there would be no second dates with that person, they would fade into the faceless void that was the Gotham elite.

That assurance wrapped them up in a blanket when Bruce was out later than he was supposed to. When he came back happy and giggling rather than the usual indifference or just exhaustion.

“This is weird, right?” Duke questioned one day. They were all in the kitchen waiting for brownies that Jason was stress baking them.

“What is?” Jason asked-mumbled as he was setting the timer.

There was a definite tension in the air around them. For a full house of people, it was quiet. Just the sound of mindlessly scrolling on the phone and Jason’s baking filled it. The silence lingered either way.

“That we have this protectiveness of Bruce,” he explained. “Like he goes out for a ‘date’ and look at us. All nervous and fidgety. I mean, it’s been an hour and no arguments between Tim and Dami.”

No one had an answer for that. It was one of those that were complicated and simple all at once. Bruce was a person with feelings even though he tries to hide them, they are present. They exist. And he breaks, easy and often. And shouldn’t that be reason enough? Because he’s a person who has so much love to give but has been burned too many times.

But continues to love either way.

“Because he’s our dad and no one’s ever gonna be good enough for him, duh.” Jason answers, unfiltered and blunt. He was the most vocal in opposition to these dates in the first place, or Bruce going on dates in general.

“But it's all fake though? We all know that for him it might as well be another business meeting.”

Jason opened his mouth to respond when Bruce walked in, and as usual he was bombarded with a million questions. Duke’s question was forgotten by all of them.

“Where did you go?”

“What did you do?”

“Who was it?”

“How was it?”

“Guys, guys, calm down,” Bruce chuckles, “I just got into the house. Let me settle in first.” There was a faint redness of his cheeks, a glint in his eyes.

That only suggest trouble.

“And also, my date isn’t the type of person you guys are thinking of,” he starts off, walking towards the den. His kids follow him like little ducklings following their mother. “It was Harvey Dent “

“The fucking D.A?! Two Face??” Jason yells, alarmed. Harvey Dent wasn't the type to have fake dates with people.

“It was a real date,” Bruce admits to them. He gets comfortable on the couch and all of his kids surround him, preparing to latch on to every word. “Only Alfred knew about it because we know how you kids can get. I really like him, and I know that you have your suspicions, especially about him. So, please?”

“No!” Jason said, a frown on his face and his arms crossed. “I don’t like him, I don’t trust him, and he isn’t good enough.”

“Jay-“

“I agree with Todd, Father,” Damian cuts in. “My mother is a more suitable choice if we’re being honest.”

“Eh, if we are actually being honest, it’d be Superman.”

“Superman?!” Jason questions with disgust written all over his face. “Dickface, I know you have some hero worship going on with him, but that's the most basic of basic.”

“Plus, it’d be weird if I was dating my Dad’s boyfriend’s son,” Tim added.

“For once, Drake is correct. Neither Dent nor the alien is the correct choice for Father. Like I-”

“No, little brother,” Cass said.

“Yea, I agree with Cass here, Dames. I just don't see it working out with those two,” Duke agreed.

The argument continued well into the night and in true Wayne fashion, it in a debate style with well-thought powerpoints and some insults thrown in of course. No one had any agreement on who deserved their father.

“Um, do I get to make a decision on this?” Bruce asked in the middle of a laughing fit. It was nice to have the house full with people and laughter.

All of them looked at him with a blank stare and responded with a swift “No”.

Hi Rikki. If Bonnie doesn't like vampires and Klaus doesn't like witches in canon, how do they make sense as a couple?

Long post warning: I think it's important to note that Bonnie doesn't hate vampires and never has. She hates the bloodshed and violation of humanity that comes with vampires. If anything, Bonnie does hate killers. When she meets Kai and finds out he murdered his family, she immediately has a problem with him.

Bonnie’s entire arc was not about hating vampires. Now why is this change ignored by the fandom? Well, who knows. Bonnie has never outright attacked any vampire simply for being one. Just those who were causing harm to her friends or have hurt her directly. Fans don’t try to acknowledge Bonnie and write her off as a vampire hater for 8 seasons. When Bonnie accepted vampirism from ALL her friends. She places their own emotional-needs and wellbeing before her own but that isn’t enough for fans. Bonnie’s emotions are defined as irritating and judgmental when the entire show is about humanizing vampires.

Bonnie doesn't have the luxury like Caroline and Elena to flirt with murderous vampires. Until the very end of the show in season 7 with Enzo at that time Bonnie she claims Damon is her bestfriend. That’s before Elena and Caroline. There’s issues there as well but I won’t get into that. Yet even with the hypothetical thought of Bamon there’s still this continuous negativity directed on Bonnie’s end. Julie insulted Elena just to prove a point. The Bamon Ban existed and it was real. It may have applied to Bamon but with the writer being so vocal about their dislike for Bonnie it meshed with all Bonnie ships.

Klaus hated what his mother did to him and his siblings. He hated his mother for binding his wolf side. The blame for those actions has been to his parents only. There was a never a moment in canon where Klaus blamed anyone else but his parents for what happened to him and his siblings. Bonnie is a witch just like Esther, but why would Klaus hold her accountable for something she did not do. Bonnie wasn’t even alive when Esther did that! It’s ridiculous take to think Klaus would blame Bonnie for his trauma and would not like her because she’s a witch like his mother. Bonnie is NOT Klaus mother and has never been in a maternal position to Klaus. Notice this claim and outright refusal doesn’t exist when people discuss Stefan and Klaus friendship. Stefan wanted revenge for what Klaus had done and they’re still well liked. Caroline can celebrate Klaus death in season 3 and fuck him in season 5 they’re one of the most popular ships. No questions on either of these but it’s Bonnie that people have such a huge issue getting over when it comes to Klonnie shipping. For a ship that is so small and limited in canon there’s always a fan commenting on how “disgusting” and “illogical” the ship is.

Klaus had allies in witches like Gloria, Greta, Genevieve and Maddox. He’s had sex with both Greta and Genevieve who are witches like his mother. Freya is a witch, Hope is a witch. Klaus did not wake up everyday blaming and hating these other women for the actions of his parents. So I must ask again, why would he turn to Bonnie and hate her simply for being a witch? Doesn’t make sense to me. In 2x17 Isobel and Katherine discuss Klaus and witches. Klaus was abandoned by Ansel he still slept with werewolves like Hayley or Lana.

The fandom places rules and regulations on Bonnie because the writers did. I’ve given enough evidence to prove that Klaus would be willing to date anyone despite his parental trauma, as would Bonnie if she is given the affection and chance too. The problem will forever rely in the writers and the fans who continue to push these narratives. A ship so little like Klonnie shouldn’t have many fans arguing about how disgusting and gross it is. Why is shipping Bonnie with Klaus (or any non-canon character) disgusting but none of the canon white centered relationships get this type of reaction. Finally, if the series kept up with Klaus taste in witches the only woman who matches the woman Klaus was intimate with at that time would be Bonnie.

Hi can you plz help me to understand. My feed is mainly talking about Palestine, showing the atrocities happening, wanting Palestine to be free and I agree the Palestinian civilians should be safe and the bombings and attacks should stop. But I’m failing to see why people aren’t caring about the Israeli civilians as much? They are also being killed, many innocently at a music festival only to never return home again. But it’s like no one cares about them bc they’re they enemy! But they’re not they’re innocent people. Just like the Palestinian people are. And I kinda get the war between both but also what happened was over 70 years ago most of the people living there now weren’t there 70 years ago so why should they still be talked about as though they’re the enemy when living in Israel is all they’ve known? It shouldn’t be just swept under the rug no and I know everyone isn’t just going to stop and make up and hold hands singing songs but It’s 100% the governments problem I just don’t understand why people now are failing to sympathise with the Israeli victims? And why some Jewish people/celebs are being made out to be bad people just bc they speak up on what’s being done to their fellow Jews? Not sure if you’ve seen Brett’s ig but he’s been very vocal and if I’m honest does seem quite extreme but ppl like Noah just seem like he’s upset and worried and doesn’t want harm to come to either side but ofc he’s going to show support to Israel when he’s been there to learn more about his religion? Idk what to believe in terms of news anymore bc some seem very pro-Palestine and others pro-Israel and some switch between both every other day. It’s just all very confusing but it has made me a little sad to see not many people talking about the innocent Israelis who have lost their lives and are still in the middle of all this too… sorry if this is too much I just needed to say it to someone :/

Okay, anon, I think I know where the disconnect lies: scale.

1,400 were killed in the attack on Israel, and that’s a horrible thing. Loss of civilian life is never a good thing.

However. Over 5,000 and counting Palestinians have been killed by the Israelis just since the Hamas attack. That’s not including the 70+ consecutive years of occupation and mistreatment continued mistreatment enacted on them by the Israeli government (It’s not something that “happened 70 years ago”, anon. It has been constant). They have been and are being driven out of their homes; their lives, livelihoods, and land are being stolen out from under them. 70 years’ worth of children have been and are being murdered or left as orphans.

Here are some numbers just since 2000:

And there is no “both sides”, here. There is no “war”, Anon, because Palestine has no army, while Israel is backed by the governments of most western countries, the US army included. They have the backing of the most powerful army in the world…against a people with no army. Palestinians, anon, are defenseless. Israel is bombing their hospitals and schools. It’s an unceasing massacre. Gaza is an open-air prison. The Palestinians cannot escape the violence.

So yes, it’s deeply unfortunate that Israeli civilians were killed, and I sympathize with those who were hurt by that attack, emotionally and/or physically…but they are not victims of genocide, here.

Palestinians are.

That is why we’re more vocal about Palestine, anon. The scales aren’t even close to the same.

This isn’t even going into the fact that Hamas was founded and funded to destabilize Palestine. To quote Avner Cohen, an ex Israeli official: “Hamas, regrettably was Israel’s creation”. Meanwhile, the current PM of Israel, Netanyahu, has said “Anyone who wants to thwart the establishment of a Palestinian state has to support bolstering hamas and transferring money to hamas. This is part of our strategy—to isolate Palestinians in gaza from Palestinians in the west bank.”

Israel’s blood is on its own hands.

hi gina, i saw on twitter that antis/solo harries are blaming us larries for what harry said about people who „blur the lines for you“ and that he means us with „there's this corner of the thing, and they're going to say this, and it's going to be really crazy, and they're going to be really mean, and it's not real...“

like they think he’s indirectly calling us out and calling us disrespectful. i know that it’s twitter and i shouldn’t take this serious because i‘m confident in my believes, but i don’t really know what to say or think about that. what do you think?

Hi sweetheart. A friend sent me this tweet just now:

And this really sums up Harry's promo. I think this article is particularly blatant and anyone who's will to look beyond their "side" can see it. He calls Twitter a shit hole and points fingers at fans (larries, sure, but really, also harries because everyone fucking hates Olivia). He comments about exploring his sexuality (what straight man ever?), but also has multiple quotes from his current "girlfriend". He allows a focuses on DWD, but only spoken about through teh author and Olivia while he speaks himself on the tenderness of the gay sex scenes in MP. One Direction and X Factor are mentioned, but there are plenty of comments about how he's surpassed even his time in "the band". Oh, and don't forget, there's lots of talk about his movies, but also mention of how he doesn't think he's that into making movies and he's already working on HS4.

They really laid out a little something for everyone.

And people are pissed. But just you wait, we'll get a little wholesome Harry content and everyone will forget how upset they are. @daisiesonafield-blog just pointed out to me how they did this after everyone was angry about the deluge of pap shoots and the fucking circus at the restaurant in New York. Suddenly we get a cutesy interview that was done months ago at Coachella and everyone forgot to be mad at Harry.

It's exhausting being his fan. And you either have to roll with it and accept that this is the way it always has been and will continue to be, or you ignore it all and just focus on his music.

But this is how he and his team are playing things. There's something for everyone. He's not going to double down on anything without also having wiggle room for dissenters to clutch at something else he's said that proves their beliefs. I really don't see how this is sustainable, but so far his charm and his talent are carrying him through it.

And just to be clear. I think H is queer. I think he and Louis are together. I think Holivia is a steaming pile of horseshit. My beliefs remain the same. I just don't know how much abuse I care to take in exchange for being vocal about it.

Geppetto's Boy - Lies of P - Ch2

AO3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/54517777/chapters/138571591

Summary: A collection of oneshots set throughout the game, mostly exploring P and Gepetto’s relationship. (But exploring P’s relationships with most of Hotel Krat too.)

First | Next

Chapter Two

P sat in the chair again. Again, he was covered in oil from fightig the puppets at Venigni works. Not just oil, he knew, but blood again.

Geppetto used a wet brush, to clean his hair. It eased the gunk out, as he sat and did not flinch as his hair was tugged. This was all part of being kept kept - he needed to be kept clean and in one place, to stay functioning. His hair fell in front of his face, separating the room with dark strands, like prison bars. It was a wonder Venigni hadn't been terrified of him; a puppet, splattered in oil, approaching him.

But then, he'd thought he was a stalker.

He'd met three. The fox and the cat - the cat, who'd conned him out of his ergo for a useless book. They'd been loud and confident and intriguing to him. He'd wanted to linger, but he'd had his orders to obey; he'd had Venigni to save. And then the third: the mouse. The man who had been scared of him.

The man he'd-

“I killed a human,” he said. He wanted his father to know that. Perhaps because he remembered the Grand Covenant. He shouldn’t harm humans.

“Yes, you killed a human to save me, on the bridge,” his father replied. He brushed more of P’s hair forward, working at the back. The brush snagged on the oil dried there. “You protected me.”

“A different human,” P said. “At the factory.”

His father didn’t pause, and didn’t seem shocked by the news. He continued with his work.

So P continued, “He was scared.”

He was sure he heard Geppetto sigh. “Explain what happened.”

“He was scared,” P said. "He attacked me."

"He attacked you with the intention to kill you." It wasn't a question. P supposed it was true. "You had no choice."

P realised he hadn't explained - not properly. He hadn't explained that the man was afraid because his friends had been killed. Killed by puppets. He hadn't explained that the man had attacked him because he'd heard springs inside P. Because P was a puppet, and he was scared P would kill him, too.

He didn't explain that when the man was dead, P hadn't wanted to leave him. Not in a hidden room of Venigni ironworks, by himself. He'd dithered, unsure what to do - sure the Fox and the Cat would not care about this dead man, since they didn't care that much about Venigni, as he was still alive.

In the end, he had knelt down, and eased off the mouse mask. It revaled the face of the mouse - the stalker. He had been young. Very young. Perhaps he was not even considered a man, yet.

"May he rest in peace," Gemini had murmured, at P's side. It sounded like the right words.

Now, Gemini flickered in his lantern. Almost erratically. But he kept silent. P moved carefully, so he wouldn't jog his father, and dimmed his light. For a reason he couldn't pinpoint, he didn't want his Father to know about how vocal Gemini was.

"He heard my springs," he tried to explain again.

"In that case, I'll see what I can do to make them quieter." Geppetto combed the back of his hair into place. Returned to the front, and brushed his fringe back to how it was. Freed P from that prison of dark hair. He was careful - deliberate - as he continued to style it back to how it was meant to be.

Frowned, just slightly, at P, as he examined his expression. He wasn't aware he was making one - how could he, when he was only a puppet?

"Does it bother you, to kill humans?"

"I don't want to hurt humans." P risked taking his hand off the arm of the chair, to graze his fingers against the glass of Gemini's lantern.

"How interesting." His father put the brush away, picking up the damp cloth again. He paused, the line between his brows increasing. "Do you feel guilty?"

It sounded like he was teasing him, again. P couldn't understand how his guilt would be funny, or how his killing could be of such little concern. He watched the line between Gepetto's eyebrows, and how it wrinkled his forehead.

He could still feel his own springs ticking - was that feeling?

"I don't know," he said.

The line deepened. That was the wrong answer. Surely, the right answer couldn't be no, that he felt no guilt. But he shouldn't feel anything at all, because he was a puppet, so the right answer couldn't be yes, either. He didn't know the tight answer.

"That is..." His father paused. He pressed the cloth to P's cheek, and dimly, he knew it was cold. Knew it was wiping away the oil there. "Interesting, but unnecessary. I daresay many more humans will attack you on your travels. You will have to defend yourself, and those close to you. Even if it means killing."

That was what P had been doing all along - he'd been killing to stay alive. He knew that saying that would be the wrong answer for his father. So, he nodded, instead. He stayed silent, dipping his chin slightly, so his hair fell back in front of his eye. That feeling was comforting; that he could hide, even a small part of his expression. He waited until Geppetto had finished cleaning his face – talking whilst he did so irritated him – to ask, “What if they don’t attack first?”

He heard the smallest sigh from his father, as though he was dealing with a precocious child. Did P count as a precocious child? He tilted his head to one side, to allow his neck to be wiped clean of blood and oil too. There was a scorchmark, there. He hadn't moved out of the way of that giant puppet's flamethrower fast enough, and had felt the sting of heat.

“Then you have no reason to hurt them.”

P’s springs ticked. He knew, in that tick, that what he was going to say would be wrong, and it would make his father angry. He also knew that he needed to say it - he needed to know would be said after.

“Unless you ask me to.”

The cloth came away from his neck. Geppetto washed it in the water, and did not look at him. P sat there, feeling restless, feeling his springs ticking like a clock, and waited. He was supposed to listen and obey this man – his creator. That included attacking who he was asked to. Not because he was forced to, only because he was asked to.

When Geppetto looked up, his blue eyes looked sad. He moved as though he was five years older, brushing P’s hair back, and cupping his cheeks, gently. It made him feel trapped; he didn’t think he liked it.

“I know I keep asking you to commit violence, and to put yourself in danger.” His fingers didn’t twitch. His gaze was searching. He wanted something from P, but P didn’t know what it was, or how to give it. “I cannot tell you enough how precious you are to me, and I am sorry that you must keep fighting like this.”

He waited. He wanted a response.

But all P could think was that he hadn’t answered his question.

*

Venigni had made himself at home in the hotel.

P knew he was safe - knew he was good and honourable, and on their side - and yet, he wasn't sure he liked Venigni being there. He was so - much. He moved so much, and spoke to much and touched him, much too much.

When he saw P again, he hugged him.

Actually shouted, "Mi compagno!"  His arms were tight around P's torso - as though he wasn't worried about breaking him. It was so different from the way his father handled him; from Sophia's soft, barely there touches, and the way Eugenie avoided him completely. It made him freeze. He waited, until Venigni had pulled away. It was hard to read his expression properly, when the gas lamps were reflecting off his gold-rimmed glasses.

"Compagno?" he echoed. His voice sounded barely there in comparision.

"I see Geppetto didn't programme you with language skills." Venigni still smiled. P's own mouth twitched - what would be the need? He wasn't built to talk. "It means companion. You are mine. A companion, and a friend."

P wasn't sure about that. Gemini was his companion. He didn't have the chance to discuss further; Venigni was already circling him, looking him up and down. Examining him, just as closely as his father would. P glanced back, and caught Eugenie's eye, from where she was adjusting a sword handle. Her eyebrows twitched at him, and she went back to her work.

"Amazing. Astounding," Venigni murmured more words in his circling, until they were face to face again. P looked at the floor. He flexed his fingers, focusing on how it felt. "I did not notice before - not with all the-" He waved P up and down; meaning the blood, oil and burns. "But you are truly a masterpiece. Truly the old man's finest work. No offence, Pulcinella."

The puppet stood not too far away from them, and yet he hadn't turned to the commotion. He inclined his head. "None taken, Master Venigni."

P didn't know what to say. It made him feel like a very ornate clock.

"Magnifico," Venigni decided. "And bello too."

"What do those words mean?" P asked, though he could make a good guess himself - it was more to see if he would be told. He stared at Venigni's mustache, instead of his smile.

"I shall let you discover that for yourself, I think." Venigni patted his shoulder. Much more roughly than the reverent way his father would do it. P couldn't tell if that was irritating, or a relief. He glanced over his shoulder, to Eugenie again, and saw her biting her lip. She seemed to be trying not to smile. "Now, I know Giuseppe Geppetto is the puppet man, but if you ever have a problem with that arm of yours-" And Venigni caught P's hand, tilting it, so it caught the light. So the arrow with the wire pointed dangerously at him, but he didn't seem to notice. "-You can always come to me. In fact, I have many ideas - ideas I would love to try."

P stepped forward, to look at the blueprints Venigni had already been drawing up. His arm, he realised, was just like a sword; another weapon to customise.

"To destroy," he said, as he looked at them.

"To protect." Venigni tapped a blueprint that showed a shield attached to the forearm. But then he looked up at P, from across the worktable, his eyebrows serious over his glasses. "To kill, yes, or to save. The thing about weapons is you choose what to do with them."

P stared back at him. Actually met his eyes, for once, and saw that he was serious. And yet - a weapon was still a weapon, wasn't it? Wasn't P himself, still a weapon? But Venigni made it sound pretty, so he nodded. So he picked out a new arm for the man to make him, and wondered how it would feel to go without one at all. He let Venigni talk, and found it somewhat of a relief for his mind to focus on the chatter. Found that the more he listened, the more questions he asked, the more Venigni treated him like a person, and not a fancy clock. That felt even more of a relief.

Though none as much of a relief as when Polendina came by to announce that he'd finished preparing dinner. Venigni waved him away, too intent on his project, but Eugenie put down her work. P said he would accompany her to the dining room - it gave him the perfect excuse to escape from Venigni. He walked with her, even though he would not be able to eat anything at dinner.

"So-" She tucked her hair behind her ear. "What do you think of Venigni?"

P paused. He wondered if he should lie. For once, he thought it better not to. "He's loud."

Eugenie laughed. It was a merry sound that reminded him of Gemini's lantern, when it was fully glowing. "That's true."

"But his heart his good."

She didn't laugh that time. She smiled instead. "Also true. And I think he would like to be your friend, if you let him."

P also didn't laugh, but he felt as though it would be appropriate. (Could he laugh?) He settled for smiling, and nodding.

But it didn't seem as though he had a choice in the matter.

*

P was starting a collection.

He had very little to put in his own room at the hotel. (There seemed little point in giving him his own room, considering he couldn't sleep, and he rarely stayed long.) All his weapons were kept downstairs, along with his spare legion arms. He did have spare clothes, which he folded and left the chest of drawers. It felt almost like a portrait gallery; a dozen different versions of him.  Weapons and clothes were a necessity. He could understand having them. They didn't feel any more personal than the borrowed bed and furniture.

But there were things he’d acquired which weren’t a necessity; things he’d seen and slipped into his pocket, as he'd wandered through abandoned houses and streets. P was drawn to them. He'd been programmed to read, he supposed, and he found that fascinating; how much had been written, and for so many different purposes.

His father had found one of these papers, when he’d been helping to clean his legion arm - to keep it functional. His fingers had brushed against the slip of paper in P’s pockets. He’d slipped it out, without asking.

P didn’t even think to protest. He watched his father read the note he’d found on Elysium Boulevard. The note written by a father with the petrification disease, speaking about his wife and daughter.

Geppetto’s expression became difficult to read; his eyebrows and lips twitched, as though he was reading it to himself.

“Why did you keep this?” he asked.

P had kept the note because it made him feel – strange - made his springs tick in the way which could be feeling. When he’d read it, he could imagine the man holding the quill; imagine the pain and fear that he felt; he’d understood the emotion behind the words. As much as a puppet could understand emotion.

“To remember,” he said. He’d wanted to remember a dead man: to preserve his last moments, even if he was the only one who could. It seemed to be becoming a habit.

Geppetto’s eyebrows twitched again. It shifted his monocle. “Remember?”

“Him.” P pointed to the note.

“But this is just a scribble from a sick man.” And Geppetto moved to toss it into the bin.

P jerked. His hand raised before he realised – his legion arm – and for a moment, it looked as though he was about to attack. He folded his fingers back, looked up, and said, “Please.”

Geppetto still stared at him for a long moment, his gaze calculating, if not, slightly disapproving. But then, he held the scrap of paper out. It wilted, the black lines like lines of ants on the page. P took it, and smoothed it out. His fingers tracing over the words he'd memorized, by now. He folded it, once, and slipped it back into his pocket.

“I never thought that you’d…” Geppetto trailed off.

P tilted his head to one side, looking up again. Did he never think that he’d be curious about humans? That he’d want to know more about the emotions that he wasn’t supposed to have?

“Be so meticulous.” Geppetto finished, but there were lines either side of his mouth that suggested it wasn’t the word he’d first thought of.

P nodded, because he wasn’t sure what else to do. Nodding always seemed a safe reaction.

His father smiled, tightly. “Thank you for remembering to say please.”

It wasn’t a chide, not quite, but it was enough to suggest that P had not been as obedient as he should have been. He hadn’t meant to, but he didn’t know how to explain that. He was a puppet; he was supposed to obey his creator.

But he wasn’t bound by the Grand Covenant. That was beginning to feel like more and more of a relief.

So he kept his scribbles from a sick man. He put the slip of paper in the same drawer as he had the other things he’d collected; the poster for the parade puppet, the figurine of the police officer puppet; the ruined guide to Krat. He sat, at the desk, when it was night, and looked through his little treasures by Gemini’s yellow light.

They were precious, to him, as relics of how Krat used to be. Of who lived there. Of what people were. His father had said the city wasn’t like how he remembered it, but he didn’t remember it at all. His first memory was waking on the train.

P asked Gemini: “Do you remember?”

The shadow of the cricket moved in the lantern. “Bits and pieces, but nothing in particular. It feels more like facts than real memories. Sorry, pal.”

P gave him a small smile. He ran his finger around the lid of the lantern, and kept looking at the parade puppet poster. What would the poster for himlook like?

'So lifelike you won’t believe he’s not a real boy.'

Why did that bother him?

Always By Your Side ~ Jack Hanma x Reader

Just a little fic in which Y/N’s and Jack’s relationship is depicted from their childhood in Canada, when there were around 13 years old, all the way to the Escaped Convicts saga. Enjoy~

“Jack, I’d like you to stay over after the class is finished. I need to have a conversation with you.” The maths teacher called out to the tallest boy of the class who had failed to do his homework for two weeks in a row. He didn’t vocalize his answer with words, instead, he merely grunted and nodded.

“Uhhh, Jack’s in trouble, Jack’s in trouble~♪” some of the boys were chanting and giggling, yet despite how annoyed he was, Jack didn’t bother to retaliate in any way. “Enough, you guys. Or do you want to get detention for disrupting the class?” with a stern look from the teacher, the obnoxious boys shut up. “Y/N, you too, stay after class.” Though there was no reason for the little girl in the far back, for she was the definition of a teacher’s pet… More or less.

The class went by at an exorbitantly slow pace, and whilst the blond had no care in the world, the little girl was nervous to the point of almost zoning out. When the bell finally rung and announced the end of the math’s torture class, all the children stormed out happily, ready for recess. The last two remaining slowly got out of their desks and went in front of the teacher and see why they were summoned.

“Jack… I’m really concerned about your grades. I know you’re a smart boy, but you never put in the effort. Your other teachers are complaining about the lack of interest in your education. I don’t want to have to call your mum, but if you continue like this, you won’t be able to graduate school and get into highschool. It would be a shame if a bright young man like you would lose important opportunities for the future, just because of his lack of care.” The teacher spoke in a gentle voice, yet the boy wasn’t sketching any emotions. “I don’t care about having an education. I got into school because it was mum’s wish for me to socialize and get an idea about what people are like. I’m not interested in having an intellectual career. My only interest is in getting stronger.” The boy that was towering at a ridiculous 1.80m, and for a boy who was barely 12 years old, he sure was intimidating. “Jack… Your body can’t take it. You are ill. You will never make a career from sports. Please be realistic.” The teacher sighed and harshened her voice. “… Miss… Please don’t say such things. If it’s his dream, you shouldn’t demoralize him. There have been many cases of people working so hard that they beat all odds. Maybe Jack can be one of them.” The mousy little girl that looked like a little flower next to an old, imposing oak tree, spoke in a voice that although barely audible, it made the blond look at her for the first time since he started school. “You’re a child, what would you know? It’s important to be realistic, otherwise you’ll end up like one of those delusional adults who end up homeless. You’re no different. Just because you have high grades, doesn’t mean you’ll ever become a doctor. Look at you. You can’t even look people in the eye, and people don’t even hear you when you speak. Not to mention, your socializing and communication skills are awful and none of your classmates like you. Being a medic requires all of these skills.” The teacher reprimanded the girl whose head was hung. Jack didn’t like it. Who the hell did the teacher think she is, scolding them like that, for no reason? “… I don’t need your opinion on my future. So… Would you please tell us exactly why you called us here? We have to go to our next class.” Jack was impressed by the little girl who although had a submissive posture and expression, she still held her ground and spoke up. “Ah. I see. You’ve got connections, so you know you’ll get in the system, regardless of how awful you are. No wonder… With each generation, the medical system gets ruined further. Alas.” Looking down, Jack could see the way her nails were digging into her arm’s flesh – If you saw how she was biting her lip, you’d think she was shaken up. But Jack knew better. Jack knew Y/N was desperately trying to keep her volcanic impulses out of control, in fear of getting in trouble. If she could, she would rip the teacher apart – And frankly, so would he. “Get to the point already.” The blond’s voice pressured the teacher into speaking. “Y/N, I want you to be Jack’s tutor for the next two years and make sure he does his homework and gets his grades up enough so he can graduate. Understood?” the bitch teacher gave the girl a stern, harsh look. “If he agrees, I have no reason to refuse.” She muttered, looking away. “I don’t need a tutor, and I don’t need to listen to you either.” With that, Jack turned on his heel and stormed out of the room. To think his time would be wasted with non-sense like that. Though he wasn’t expecting it, Y/N rushed out after him, and although it wasn’t easy keeping up with his speed-walking pace, she managed to get next to him en-route to the next class. She didn’t speak a word, until they reached the door of the Physics class. “Hey… Jack?” he looked down at her, and saw how much she was struggling to keep her eyes from constantly shifting away from him. If he didn’t know any better, he’d have though she was just afraid of him – But it was the same with everyone else. “I believe in you. I’m sure you can do anything you set your mind to. So… Don’t give up… Okay?” his eyes widened, watching that beautiful shy smile of hers as she encouraged him. “…Thanks.” He offered a side-smirk and a huff of amusement, before opening the door for her, and getting into the next class.

 Although he outright refused the teacher’s offer for tutoring, he didn’t refuse Y/N’s help. Though he didn’t want to bother with school, he didn’t want to disappoint his mum either, though his main goal remained the same – Avenge his mum by defeating the devil himself, his own father, the one who abused and tortured Diane Neil all those years ago. He wanted revenge for himself, and for his mum, most of all. But for that, he needed to get stronger. So much stronger. Infinitely stronger. That was the only focus in his life and it won’t change until he’s achieved this goal of his.

Since then, Jack moved his seat next to the girl, and would go over to a café for short study sessions, for the sole reason that he didn’t want to bring anyone over to his house and disturb his mum, who was still mildly disturbed by her trauma, and going to a girl’s home would be disrespectful to her and her parents, so a common, neutral ground was the best choice.

Much to his surprise, he didn’t mind these sessions. Although he saw them as a waste of time – Precious time that could be spent at the gym, refining his muscles and getting stronger, this was the least he could do to ease some of his mum’s pain. That’s all he needed to do – Finish school. He didn’t have to bother with highschool or anything like that, though soon, he knew he’d have to leave for Japan and start a new life.

Though he didn’t mind this time spent with her, it certainly was weird for him – He wasn’t used to being into a relaxing, calming environment, with a calm and quiet person who makes him feel so at ease and comfortable. He was drinking water, while she was drinking some sugary coffee, which in itself, was a weird thing for a kid like her. He was eating an overly exaggerated amount of food, while she’d barely eat a piece of cake or a tart – In fact, he’d feel so weird that he’d try to convince the girl to take some meat from his plate. Of course, he’d pay for everything, because not only it was him who needed the help, but he was already eating and drinking plenty compared to her, it was barely significant. Whenever he was working out, he was listening to the loudest, most aggressive music, while Y/N seemed peaceful listening to this café music. Also… He was always frowning, but she had the cutest kitten smile he’s ever seen – Though it wasn’t easy seeing it, because she was always looking down timidly and her visage was hidden behind that silky curtain of pretty hair.

Hold up… Why was he using so many compliments when thinking about her? Was this what his mother once described a ‘crush’? Ridiculous. This is preposterous. This can’t happen. He barely has any time to bother with the boring school shit, let alone with a crush. That’s the most awful outcome possible.

In truth, once he’s got the hang of the latest classes, he was going to tell the girl that they can’t meet up anymore. He really didn’t want to let his mind slip away from his ultimate goal… But he couldn’t. Not when he found out how bad her bullying was. Why has she never told him before? He could have easily beaten them up, or at least, intimidated them enough to leave her the hell alone. Seeing her on the ground, taking the beating and mocking from all those surrounding her made his blood boil… And if that wasn’t enough, the girl struggled to get up, and formed fists from her hands and tackled one of the boys. She mounted him as if she was some expert grappler and she pummeled his face bloody with her strikes – Until she got snatched off and dragged away, slammed into a locker. She had her guard up, just like you see fighters shielding their face from the impact, but she was far too fragile to last long. But Jack was surprised once again by an uppercut to the bully’s jaw, that sent him away. “WHAT THE FUCK DID I DO TO YOU?! I DON’T DESERVE ANY OF THIS SHIT – FUCK OFF ALREADY!” she looked absolutely feral, and if she had the strength, Jack was sure she’d have clawed and mauled them into ribbons like a mountain lion… But she was a baby ocelot at best.

The circle of bullies kept taunting and insulting her – He couldn’t stand it any longer – Though impressed by her power of standing up for herself and even retaliating and going against her no-violence rule, not only was she outnumbered, she was overpowered too. He stepped in from out of the shadows and picked the bully pinning her to the locker and effortlessly throwing him to the ground with a simple bitch slap. No matter how the bullies wanted to verbally make fun of him, the truth still stood – He was stronger than anyone there, in spite of even his illnesses and health.

But fate made things only go downhill for the two of them – It was as if they weren’t meant to have fortune or happiness -  A teacher came over and was easily bewitched by the bullies who claimed Y/N went crazy and started beating them up for no reason… But they didn’t have the guts to mention Jack, who could easily stomp them dead. She got detention for two weeks and a ruthless scolding, and no matter how much she tries to explain that it was her who got bullied, she shut up. “Of course, always take their side. You must really enjoy all the booze you get from their parents’ distillery, don’t you? You’re corrupt and unjust, and you never care about any idiot like me who gets bullied by those jerks. I hope you drown in whiskey.” Her voice was cracking with anger, something he never thought he’d witness, and he was reminded of the times he caught his mum crying whenever she thought she was alone. He was appalled by the situation.

Not watching the girl stomp away from the hallway, he waited until the bunch of giggling bouffons left so he could rough up the teacher, threatening him so that he wouldn’t do anything that stupid ever again. To hell with the rest of the classes, he was going to skip and look for the girl whose hood was up as to not draw attention to her bloody face. It would look like some kind of domestic abuse if anyone saw her, and it was enough that her parents would be devastated if they found out she was being picked on at school… So better find a way to hide it.

“Y/N. Wait up.” The familiar voice of Jack, one of the very few people who was ever nice with her, made her stop in her tracks. “Come over.” Though she didn’t move at first for a while, with a bit more pushing, she stepped next to the boy that was comically taller. He guided her to a nearby fountain and made her sit on the edge, while he knelt by her side and took out the tissue pack that his mother always sneaked in his bag. Taking off her hood, he wet the tissue, and with a hand on her face to keep it steady, he cleared away the blood. Surprisingly, her face wasn’t as busted as he thought it would be, based on the blood – Just a busted lip and some nose blood, but other than that, it seemed to have been the bullies’ blood.

Maybe it was from shame or embarrassment, but Y/N said absolutely nothing, and only looked down or kept her eyes shut. If she tried to make some eye contact before, now, she wasn’t even bothering. What could he say that would make her feel better?

“You did good.” He muttered, one he took her hands to wipe them off those jerks’ blood. The knuckles were bloody and forming bruises were beginning to be shown. “It was pathetic.” She sneered lightly. “It was absolutely pathetic. It’s always been. I can’t even stand up for myself. Nobody ever listens to me. How stupid.” Jack did everything in his power not to get angry – He could understand perfectly what she was saying. Yes, she may be small and frail, but he was ill and skinny – Or, at least skinny for his own standards. What was the difference anyway? The outcome was the same. They weren’t capable of achieving what they wanted because of their body. “I will protect you.” He found himself blurting out without even realizing – Once they both processed the weight of those words, their cheeks got flushed and they looked away. “Your presence alone was enough today… But you won’t always be by my side, Jack. What if I will be a target again at highschool? I… I really don’t get what I’m doing so wrong that I’m so unlikeable… But I don’t like fighting. I don’t like fighting… I like watching… That’s how I was able to get some hits today… But this… This is not me. I feel… Weird… Why do I have to protect myself? Because people are dumb and they don’t like me? Screw that. It’s their fault, not mine.” She explained herself – And she was right. What if he’s not there, but she needs him? His own mum was a US soldier, and she still couldn’t protect herself – Why would Y/N be any different? “Come with me to the gym. You’ll be able to defend yourself if you need to.” This statement made the girl look up at him in horror. “M-Me? At the gym? What in the world would I be doing there? That’s not a place for someone like me. Look at me. Besides… Even if I go, I won’t have the time to study, and I need extra time to find out ways to stay ahead so I’ll be able to explain and help you with the studies. There’s only so many hours in a day.” She muttered, scratching the back of her neck. “I made time for the useless study-sessions so I can pass school next year. You can take two hours out of your time to workout.” Insecure, awkward, nervous, anxious, afraid, embarrassed and many other negative emotions were easily displayed on her face. He knew it wasn’t easy, stepping up and trying to get stronger, when your body was created weak and frail, giving you an unfair advantage, but at some point, you gotta get stronger not only physically, but mentally and emotionally too. Being resilient is the first step to getting better. “…You really think I can do it?” she managed to ask, seeking for the littlest bit of hope. “Let’s fight together to get better.” Getting up, Jack extended his hand towards her – And after a deep breath, the girl put her little hand over his, and he helped her step up, not letting go.

Maybe by helping her, he’ll be helping himself, who knew? Jack thought to himself as he watched how awkward the girl looked standing in front of the boxing of him, in a tank top and a pair of large pants – She looked so out of place, it was hilarious. Still, she tried her best, as much as she could. She had no strength, no energy, no stamina, and not even a quarter into the workout, she was already dead on the ground. It looked comical to Jack, but for someone like her, with noodle limbs and the height of a smurf, she lasted more than expected.

Although, everyone was a smurf compared to him.

For over a year, Y/N went almost daily to the gym and did the same routine until she was able to complete it fully – Though she never told Jack, he knew that she must have tried to do some stamina training at home too. Every time she came over, even if she didn’t actually have the time to actually work, she brought over food and water, making sure the boy doesn’t overwork himself and forget to take care of his health. She already saw him taking a shit ton of pills… Without the right amount of nutrition, his body was going to break sooner than expected.

“Will you really be okay, Jack? I’m pretty sure I counted at least 30 pills just now. Is your health really in such a bad shape that you need all of them?” she was sitting criss-cross on his back as he was doing push ups. “They are drugs.” He admitted, his exercise flow remaining unchanged. “Drugs…? Are you doping, Jack?” he grunted in confirmation. “Oh, Jack, that will destroy your health even more. You won’t last long if you keep taking them.” The worry in her voice was obvious. “It’s fine. I just need to get strong enough to defeat my father. Everything else doesn’t matter.” It was such a depressing thought that Y/N fell quiet for a while. “What about your mum? If you die, she’ll be very upset.” She tried to reason with him. “She wants my father to defeated just as much as I do.” Jack explained calmly. “I’m moving to Japan once I graduate.” “Is this really the only dream you have for your future, Jack? You train hard, you defeat your father, and then… That’s it? The world ends at that point?” she asked once again. “Don’t you want to… I don’t know… Travel? Or…Pick up a hobby… Go scuba-diving? Learn…Embroidery? I don’t know- Anything.” She kept trying, but it only made the man chuckle underneath her. “Embroidery, Y/N? Do I look like someone capable of… Embroidery? I can’t even pronounce that thing, let alone, do it.” Now that she thought about it, the whole image of Jack embroidery was hilarious. “Okay, okay – It was the first thing that came into my mind.” She admitted, and after a few seconds of thinking, she spoke again. “I believe you can do it, Jack. If anyone can, it will be you. I… I don’t know what kind of… Big-ass hulk monster thingy your father is… But I believe that you will be able to do it. I’ve never seen a stronger, more diligent and ambitious person in my life. You’re really inspiring. I hope I will be able to get the motivation that you have some day.” Her confession made the boy smile, but said nothing. But then, Y/N heard him chuckling all of a sudden, surprising her. “This inspirational bullshit could kill me any day, and you’re supporting my doping. You want to become a doctor, but you encourage me to go further with my training. That’s funny. You’re a walking contradiction. Why are you supporting my suicidal dream?” he asked, curious of her answer. When she didn’t answer for the longest time, he thought she was way in over her head to even answer, and it was just an encouragement – However, as soon as a reply was heard, he stopped his exercising abruptly. “It may be suicidal, but… A dream is still a dream. If someone told me that I should give up on my dream because of… Whatever reason… I would get pissed off too… So who am I to tell you to change your ambition, when you’re working harder than anyone to achieve it?” the abrupt stop in the pace made Y/N lose balance and fall backwards from his back, her legs awkwardly placed over him. “Want to come over to Japan with me? If my guess is right, we’ll get to see a ton of underground fights.” He wasn’t even sure what he was feeling anymore, but after hearing someone being so supportive with him, after all the self-hatred, all the overworking, all the killing pills that he’s had to go through… It was a welcome breath of fresh air. “It just so happens that I have an aunt who lives in Tokyo and I usually spend my holidays at her villa. She has no children, it’s just her, her husband and her dogs, but they’re mostly away on business trips and she desperately needs someone to look after the house while they’re gone. I’m sure she’s gonna love one or… Two… People… Staying there… Permanently.” The girl coughed, quickly getting up and looking away. “Sounds like a plan to me.” He let out a content exhale before telling the girl to go back to her reading on his back so he could continue his workout.

Thought it all, Y/N was there by his side. When he punched the sandbag for 12 hours straight without eating, hydrating, resting or even going to the restroom. When he lifted weights until his body collapsed altogether and he looked like a tall mummy.

Once the two moved out of Canada and settled in Japan, he was approached by some weirdo scientist ho wanted to experiment on him with some dangerous yet efficient steroid concoction that was meant to make his body keep up with his over-training, to the point that the doctor began reticent, thinking that it would kill him in days. But it didn’t. Jack was alive, and well, and he killed a polar bear with his own two bare hands… Just like his father.

Though Jack was now stronger than ever, his once clear mind was fogged with desperation, thirst and hunger for power, to the point that he gave that poor animal an agonizing death. Y/N could barely recognize him anymore… This Jack was a complete different person. He may have grown in age and size, but his mind regressed to something that could see only violence and nothing more. He was apathetic and had no more emotion on that stone hard, frozen face of his that once had such a charming smile.

They were about 20 now, and while Y/N finished highschool and was already well into her University years, and yet, nothing changed about Jack, with the exception that each time she saw him, he seemed bulkier and stronger, but at the same time, colder and more stoic. He was barely speaking to her anymore, and even the basic greetings or ‘thanks for the meal’ were left forgotten. It was painful seeing him succumb like that. He really wasn’t the Jack that she used to know… No, that was wrong. He WAS Jack, but he was locked deep inside his own heart, and he needed an urgent wake up slap.

Jack, on the other hand, was well aware of his change, but he couldn’t afford to back down or give up, not now, when things were going so well. It’s been over 5 years since they got into Japan, since he started doping with that magic potion from the scientist, since he was able to experience true strength. He was grateful to Y/N for never giving up on him. He knew he was hurting he with his awful behaviour, and that his mother would be completely disappointed by the way he changed, but he promised to himself that once he wins this next tournament, and gets his chance to fight and defeat the dreadful Ogre, he was going to apologise and change. That is, if he doesn’t die in the process.

“I’m entering a tournament. It’s tonight. My little brother and my father will be there.” It was the first time in over 3 years since he’s gone to Y/N and spoke directly to her. An actual conversation. “That’s wonderful! Your dream is finally coming true, I’m so happy for you!” despite treating her so terribly, she still held that sweet, supporting smile of hers. “Are you coming?” his question made her smile even wider and sweeter, he thought. It was making his heart hurt. “I said I was going to stay by your side and support you with every step that you take. Tonight is no different. Tonight, of all nights, is as important as every other night or day that you’re working so hard towards your goal. So – Let’s get ready. I know a really nice BBQ place nearby. A good lunch should prove to be great luck, right?” a nod of his head was enough to make the girl chipper and she rushed to her room to get ready for the tournament. She may have given up on actually working out properly and remained with some light stamina training every once in a while to keep herself, and especially her back and joints in check, but she was going to hype Jack up as much as possible.

Thankfully, he thought, she hadn’t seen the little smile that he had on his face while she was gone out of the room. Whilst getting ready, Jack, too, dressed and gave himself an internal pep talk, before returning to the living room and waiting for Y/N. As soon as she got there, she was vibing. She was happier than he’s ever seen her… No, maybe just as happy as when she got accepted in her Uni. Still, she was as happy as she was beautiful. He doesn’t always realise how much she’s grown over the years… Or how long they’ve known each other. It’s been Almost 10 years since they’ve become friends. She was absolutely glowing.

“Lookin’ great as always, Jack! Let’s go.” No matter how much he wanted to compliment her… He couldn’t. He was so unstable that he couldn’t even remember what he was like before all the doping mess. It was a shame. She deserved better… But this was the only thing he could offer her.

During lunch, he ate a copious amount of meat, and it was all as delicious as he was told, yet remained as silent as ever. He knew Y/N was trying very hard to come up with different conversation topics, and whatever gossip and rumour she heard from University, but he only answered in grunts and shakes of his head. He knew she was trying to get his mind away from the anxiety, nervousness and anticipation of having the dream of defeating his number one enemy finally become reality, but that was the only thing his head was focused on. Complete annihilation.

Underneath the Tokyo dome, the greatest underground arena in Japan was hosting the Maximum Tournament, and everyone wanted to defeat Baki, the contending champion, who so happened to be Jack’s little brother. The whole place was huge, the stadium was filled with all kinds of people, but the rooms around were occupied by all sorts of fighters, tall or short, buff or not, old or young – Each with their own special techniques… Or not.

Jack wasn’t a sociable person, so he didn’t want to stay crowded with all the other plebs, so him an Y/N went to a room with a TV, so they could watch the competition away from all the others. Some fighters were great, while others were below even mediocre, it was pathetic. And now, it was finally time for Jack’s match. “Give ‘em hell, Jack!” Y/N walked with him all the way to the wooden fence arena that circled the fighting area, a place where only the fighter’s friends are allowed.

Under the alias of Jack Hammer, the blond Japanese-Canadian fighter went in the arena and got ready for his fight against Sergio Silva, a Brazilian grappler… That he defeated in a single uppercut to his jaw. Ridiculous. He didn’t stand a chance. But that wasn’t the highlight of the match – Instead, the crazy Ogre enters the arena and has a talk with Jack. Yujiro got so excited that he was ready to start a duel with his son right then and there, but Baki appears out of nowhere and kick’s Jack’s face, claiming he has no right to fight his father… Poor kid… Yujiro sent him flying away with a bitchslap, and after a whisper from Jack, he claimed that the blond had every right to fight him as well.

“Congrats, Jack, that was awesome! Though… Your opponent was underwhelming. I guess that’s first rounds for you, huh?” the girl chuckled, patting his back with pride as they went back to the room they claimed. “So… That was Yujiro, huh? What a creep.” “Yes. Once I win the tournament, I will fight him and get my revenge.” He nodded his head, relaxing on the folding chair and watching the TV. “Show him who’s the real deal, Jack!” though she was chuckling and being so innocent, Jack knew she had no idea the amount of sheer power, nor the suffocating aura that his father held. And neither should she know. He didn’t want to worry her more. “I will.” And thus, time passed, and Jack’s second match was ready to begin. This time, it was some Japanese master of some Kempo branch… But all of his fast moves were rendered completely useless against Jack’s raw power… Though, nobody knew the truth behind how Jack was able to draw blood from his enemy.

He was biting his opponents… Before he defeated this guy with an uppercut, just like with the other guy. It seems that’s his favoured finishing move. Great move, it looks very effective. The third round against Alexander Gallen who looked like a wrestler, went almost as smoothly, and with the same finisher move, but Jack was getting a bit more brutal, biting off two of his opponent’s fingers, and hitting him with a powerful nukite to the heart… And the only blood on Jack’s body was the blood spit on his face by Alexander.

“Oh, you. You have blood all over your face, silly. And it’s not even yours.” Y/N grinned as she pulled him back to their room and taking out her handkerchief, he cleaned his face. “Doesn’t this bring back some memories?” she chuckled tenderly as she caressed his face. “It’s been a few years.” He nodded, the corners of his mouth going upwards. “How fast time flies, huh… This tournament too. You beat those guys up so quickly and effortlessly that I didn’t even realise when time flew like that. You’ve really come so far. You’re amazing, Jack. You always were.” Though he never told her, he always appreciated how supportive and genuine she always was with him, when all he ever did for her was give her a hug and congratulate her when she got accepted for University. He must really look like the biggest jerk, just like Yujiro was. He really hated himself for that. Just two more rounds, and the decisive fight. That’s it. “Thanks. Y/N.” he nodded at her solemnly.

Sooner than expected, his fight in the semifinals against the old Aikido master was ready to commence, and Jack showed off by destroying a coconut with his teeth, while the old man used water to shoot into his lacrimal canal and make him feel as if he was drowning. Though this moment of vulnerability lasted a little, Jack was easily able to get up and by away Shibukawa’s achille’s tendon and cheek, and forearm, and by the end of the fight, he even easily used the master’s own technique against him, knocking him out in grand style.

It was absolutely fantastic how he seemed to have received no amount of damage over all. He was an absolute, undefeatable beast. When the finals were ready to take place, Y/N helped him put on the coat on which his real name was inscripted with Japanese symbols, making the shocking reality of his heritage known to everyone. The two brothers shake hands before the fight, and even smile at each other, promising to do their best and respect each other. So Jack was still pure and could smile… Y/N was really happy seeing this exchange.

“U-Uhm… Excuse me… Are you Jack’s girlfriend?” a sweet, soft voice asked, from behind Y/N. Looking behind, a girl with long, braided chestnut hair, innocent, worried bambi eyes, wearing a school uniform was standing sheepishly, looking down at her shoes. “Well… I think so. We’ve known each other since we were 13. I guess I’ll ask him when he’s done with the tournament.” Y/N chuckled, very easy-going. “Are you Baki’s girlfriend?” she asked right back, and as soon as she heard the question, the girl’s face got red with embarrassment and remained quiet. “You must be really worried about him, huh? I understand. It’s not easy watching your loved ones get beaten to death.” Y/N nodded in understanding. “My dad… Died like this. I really… Really… Don’t want Baki to die…Not like this… Not now…It’s awful… I don’t get it. Why are they fighting? What do they gain by winning some stupid tournament? What if they get incapacitated for life and they can’t fight again? What then?” the girl, who introduced herself as Kozue, was clinging desperately onto the wooden fence. “I know… I get you. But… That’s their dream. This senseless fighting that we’ll never understand. If we love them, we just have to accept the reality and the threats around… Whatever this is. And we have to support them in any way we can. And if they get hurt, we have to suck it up and take care of them, and raise their morale up.” The two were having the best finale out there – It was, by far, the most intense fight from the entire tournament. Both Hanma children were overpowered. They were inflicting heavy damage onto each other – But somehow, Baki’s strikes made Jack’s body start to deform because of all the drugs he took previously, and he started shrieking and vomiting in agony, all over the arena, and yet, he had no intention of giving up that fight. “Oh my… That’s awful, that’s awful! He must be in so much pain!” though, as soon as Kozue gasped, the blond was able to use that mutated body to beat Baki up, until he was put into a guillotine hold and eventually lost consciousness. “Oh Jack…” Y/N sighed, seeing all his teeth shattering from gritting so painfully, trying to keep awake… But it didn’t work. His limbs fell limb, and so did he, to the ground. However, once Tokugawa came with the winner belt, Baki wasn’t able to stand up straight…

So Jack took him by the wrist and helped him up, declaring him the champion of the tournament. He was smiling so proudly of his little brother, that it made Y/N’s heart swell. He really was the same, sweet Jack that she knew and loved so much.

“Congratulations, Kozue. Go and be with Baki, he needs you.” She smiled at the little girl as if she was her elder sister, before leaving to meet up with Jack. Once she noticed him, she stepped right in front of him and looked up, a small, loving, proud smile painted that beautiful face of her. “You were fantastic, Jack. You never cease to surprise me. You’re better than even Superman or whatever other superheroes from comics that we know of.” “I lost.” He wanted to slam his head on the nearest wall, until his brains exploded all over the place. “So what? You can only get up from here. Come on, give me a hug.” Extending her arms towards him… But he stepped by her, and went onwards. “I don’t deserve it.” He was in a dark place. Not only was he supposed to be fighting his father if he won against Baki… He lost both matches by default. “Please don’t say that, Jack. Of course you deserve it. Don’t run away.” Though the girl pleaded, Jack continued to walk… Until he met up with his father. He held a disappointed, twisted look on his face.

“I’m ready to fight.” A toothless, powerless, skinny Jack declares, making Y/N look at his with disdain. He didn’t even wait for a reply from the red haired man, for he lunged in for an attack… Only for Yujiro to counterattack with a brutal bite and a strike that rendered his son barely conscious. Lucky him, Y/N rushed and caught the man in her arms and held onto him dearly, his head on her lap. “Keh. Only an idiot loses twice in a day.” Yujiro sneered, walking away. “Fuck off, will you, you big, old oaf?” Y/N scoffed, not even bothering to look at the angry man who turned around and looked at the girl with a wicked expression. “Are you that worthless guy’s girlfriend?” he asked, surprising her. “Yeah. What’s it to you?” she looked hilarious, a small, defenseless girl, protecting a monster of a man. “Then get him stronger. He’s doping, his blood is impure. He’s a weakling. Do whatever you can to get him stronger. You’re a woman, do your job.” And he left. What a frick. Y/N really wanted to sock him in that nose and see him bleed. Stupid Ogre. “I never asked you out.” A weak voice called out – Jack was awake. “It’s not too late.” Though he could barely keep his eyes open, her voice was honey to his ears. “I look awful and don’t even have teeth anymore.” A laugh was heard, before he felt a kiss on his forehead. “I considered you asking me out back then, when you asked me to come to Japan with you. If I’m wrong, correct me.” She teased the man, who found the strength to smile in content. He finally felt more at ease, and realized his completely fucked up mind wasn’t helping him getting stronger. “You’re not wrong.”

 As Y/N struggled to get Jack to stand up, a red haired man, a fighter, who was also a doctor and seemingly on friendly terms with Jack, came to his aid and promised he’ll get him better in no time. No wonder he was called the Miracle Doctor, he was above and beyond any physician out there. But this was great and exactly what Jack needed. Not that dumbass scientist who wanted Jack to become Yujiro Jr. but a friend, specialized in the human body, who would rationally and carefully get him better and help him get stronger.

And Y/N gained a new friend too!

Though awkward, Jack would go out with the two of them to restaurants and share pleasant conversations. Kureha really was an amazing influence on Jack, humanizing him, and Y/N couldn’t be happier. Though, the blond wasn’t above forcing his friend to perform an extremely risky surgery to lengthen his limbs. But he was the great Jack Hanma, and nobody was able to stop him once he’s put his mind to it, so the doctor was forced to perform the surgery while Y/N could only watch and help him out with whatever she could. She was, after all, rather knowledgeable herself.

In the end, he got his limbs lengthened in 8 places, and through this, he gained 20 whole centimeters – It was absolutely insane. He must be now the tallest man alive, without a doubt. Not only that, but since he started going back at the gym, resuming his previous Herculean training, he’s gained all his muscles back, and even more. Much, much  more than before. He looked like a beast with his muscles pumped up. He looked absolutely unrecognizable.

But he looked happy. He held the strength that he always wished to achieve. He was an absolute Panzer tank. For a long time, Jack had no contenders, and he mainly spent all his time eating an even bigger amount of protein-based food, and training… And even a bit of sleeping. And though they still haven’t even kissed, Jack’s relationship with Y/N was as comfortable and happy as it always was, even going on dates. Nobody even dared look at Y/N whenever she was walking around, holding dearly onto his huge hand, or being held to his side… That is, until the Death Row prisoners came to Tokyo, and whilst Jack wasn’t involved at first – Ultimately, he had to act.

While Jack was doing his pre-sleeping workout in the basement of Y/N’s aunts house (house that was mostly theirs, even now), Y/N was in their shared bedroom, watching a movie and eating some popcorn. They were supposed to be watching it together, and it was already half-way through, so she decided to call him. However, as soon as she dialed, in the blink of an eye, she found herself standing in the middle of the room, with a blond stranger sporting a thick Russian accent was keeping her mouth shut. Those blue eyes held a killer glint in them – She’s been around Jack for so long, she was very used to seeing people like this guy… Though none ever approached her.

“Keep quiet for a while. Do you understand?” The man spoke in a low voice. “If you scream, I’ll kill you. You know I can make that happen. A mere flick of my wrist and your neck won’t ever be the same.” He meant business. He was really scary… Not scarier than Jack, but considering how his huge hands were all over her head, she knew he could do just as he promised. “Quietly close your eyes if you understand.” She did as instructed, and he slowly let go of her. “Good girl.” “You’re one of those escaped convicts, aren’t you? I’ve never met you, but I know you could easily kill me if you wanted to.” Y/N spoke, keeping her voice steady and low. Hopefully, Jack’s number actually got dialed, and he would realise that something was going on. “You’re after Jack, aren’t you? Trying a hostage sneak attack, to keep him vulnerable because you know you can’t win against him with your power alone. How pathetic.” With an annoyed tsk, the blond slapped her face, making her fall to the ground. “You speak too much, woman. Even more and I will kill you. I really want to see that oaf’s reaction once he sees your broken neck and my hand wrapped around it.” His words were as sinister as his aura… But she’s seen Yujiro Hanma before, and this wimp had nothing on him. “I believe Jack will save me before you even get the chance to approach me.” She stood up defiantly, wiping the blood from her mouth with her arm. “You want to bet on that, then?” though the man was smirking, to his surprise, so was the girl. “I was always good at gambling.” With a small chuckle, she took a step back and inhaled. “JAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!” she cried out his name, watching the split second in which the enemy tried to lunge at her – But as expected, her gamble paid off, and Jack was already there, and gave the Russian a huge punch to his face, making his nose bleed rivers as he pulled Y/N into a protective embrace. “I told you I was good at gambling, didn’t I, you weak-ass Rasputin wannabe.” She scoffed, tightening her grip on Jack’s tank top. “Ha. So you really did come. I came after you because I heard you were that little guy’s weak spot, and since he’s the strongest, I wanted to provoke him. “Y/N. Stay behind me. I promise I won’t break the TV this time.” With a cocky, confident smirk on his face, Jack kicked at Sikorsky’s knee as Y/N chuckled, getting behind him. The enemy was on the ground, kneeling. “You’re so weak, you have to retort to cheap tricks like threatening my girlfriend, and you think you can go challenge my brother. How stupid. Get back in line, runt.” Jack picked him up by the front of his cardigan and brought him roughly into a headbutt to the face. Though Sikorsky tried to retaliate, the Gargantuan easily threw him out of the window… From the second floor. “Huh. He really was pathetic.” The girl chuckled, straightening the messy nightgown she was wearing. “Stupid idiot. Y/N, stay here. I’ll go finish the job. I’ll come watch the movie once I’m done.” With a sweet smile on her face, the girl gave him a double thumbs up and watched as her boyfriend jumped out of the large windows. Good thing they were really big, otherwise, she has no idea how he could fit.

But as soon as she turned around to go to bed, she got knocked out, and when she next opened her eyes, she was tied up on the ground in what looked to be a suite at the top floor of a very tall skyscraper. That wasn’t a problem. She had complete confidence Jack would save her, though, this is a rather unfortunate. Especially because, uh… She was wearing only her undergarments. How awkward.

“I’m firmly convinced you’re actually some kind of gross pervert, otherwise I can’t possibly decipher why did you have to undress me.” She scoffed, watching Sikorsky’s wide back as he sat on the couch - though as soon as she leaned to the side, she saw The Ogre sitting opposite of him, a wicked grin on his face as the blond was provoking him. “Oh. Great. Well, have fun, you two.��� She muttered awkwardly, getting in a comfortable position and leaning back on the wall as she watched their interaction and listened to their… Conversation, if one could even call it that.

The Russian tried to kick Yujiro, using the table to cause momentum, but his boot was easily caught in between the red head’s arm and forearm. Though he tried to hit again, a tall, buff man wearing a rather ugly purple shirt came out of nowhere and picked the enemy up by his wrist, as if he was a naughty child. Who the hell was he? He seemed to be Hanma’s frienemy or something. The man, ‘The Unchained’, threw Sikorsky towards the glass wall that offered a beautiful landscape of skyscrapers, but before he could touch the windows, he stopped. In that instant, the door was bust open and not only Jack, but Baki and Katsumi were there too. Y/N coughed awkwardly. “Anyone’s got a jacket?” she chuckled in embarrassment. Though Jack said nothing, his eyes flashed with anger. He took off his shirt and kneeling by her side, tearing apart the ropes binding her, he put the blouse over her head, completely covering her. “Are you hurt?” he asked, cupping her face and making her look up at him. Though embarrassed, she wasn’t as shy as when she was really young, and could hold better eye contact with him. “No, I’m okay, he didn’t even look at me. I just don’t get what he gained out of undressing me. Or why he thought using me as bait would help in any way, considering he easily got those two here to fight him. He said he didn’t even care about you and Baki, as long as he could fight Yujiro. A whole lot of stupid, for nothing.” She rolled her eyes, making Jack relax and let out a breath of amusement. She was as fine as always, alright. As snarky and sarcastic as never before. “Do you want to go home?” he wanted to smash him to pieces, but at the same time, he didn’t want to make her suffer more than she did – So he asked her to choose. “Yeah, I wanna go home… After I see what a Russian pancake looks like.” She grinned, motioning for him to help her up. “Sounds like a plan.” With a cocky smirk, Jack watched as his girlfriend walked past all those strong fighters and went in front of the Russian, sporting a wicked grin. “Didn’t I tell you before, Rasputin? I always win in gambling. Now – All of you, extras – It’s Jack’s job to get rid of this pest, so… Step aside, will you? It may be a pretty big suite, but you’re all big enough to make this place feel cramped.” This incorrigible, cheeky spunk made Yujiro laugh loudly, and even congratulated Jack for finding a fine woman for himself. “I’LL KILL YOU, YOU LITTLE SHLYUKHA!” nobody needed a translation to know what he called her. Instead, they watched as, with perfect coordination, Y/N ducked to the ground just as Sikorsky was about to grab her, allowing Jack to jump over her and kick Sikorsky in the face with his boot, sending him through the glass wall. “Wicked.” Y/N hit a high five with her boyfriend, though just as she said that, the weirdo jumped back inside the suite. “Dude, get a hint and die already, will you?” “I’m unkillable, zayka.” Thus, the Russian, after explaining how he climbed up the building, threw a bunch of glass shards at Jack – But they didn’t phase him in the least. Instead, just as Sikorsky jumped, trying to do a double kick, Jack grabbed him by the ankle and threw him harder outside. “Let’s see if Russians know how to fly.” Jack let out an amused grunt, and ignoring everyone else in the building, he picked Y/N up bridal style and got out, getting her back home. “You know… I never realized how great a quality your shirts are. Very comfy and soft.” She chuckled as she was carefully placed on the bed. He didn’t want to let go of her until he knew for sure they were out of the danger zone. He let be her in danger again. He failed her again, just as he did when they were children, or further on, when he neglected her for all those years. “Keep it if you want. I have many like this one.” He spoke, kneeling down by the bed and holding her small, delicate hands. “Ha, thanks, Jack. Guess I’ve got the perfect dress to sleep in, now.” She was glowing, as always. So positive, so beautiful – She always knew how to keep the mood cheerful and light-hearted… It was the compliment needed for the somber atmosphere he was emanating all the time, though he always appreciated how she kept him in check, level-headed and present. Human. She kept him human, just like Kureha did. She was an angel. “Y/N. I failed you, again. Will you forgive me?” he watched as the girl’s eyes widened, as she straightened up, turning to face him. “Are you crazy, Jack? Forgive you? Failed? What in the world are you talking about?” she breathed out, putting those soft hands over his rough face. “You haven’t failed me. You never did. You are the best man I’ve ever met in my life. Never think otherwise.” Saying that, she hugged his neck, getting him close to her body. “When you’re hurting, or upset, it upsets me too. I just want you to be happy, you know? You’ve come so far since we were kids… Maybe you can’t see your  progress as anything fantastic, but I watched you grow and get better and better… And you’re amazing. So… Never doubt yourself again, please.” Her words made him close his eyes and smile, yet he didn’t hug her back. Instead, he carefully unwrapped her arms around him, and intertwined their fingers together, leaning in close to her face. “I want to kiss you, but not until I’ve got my revenge on that idiot who dared put you in danger. Tonight I’ll gift you his defeat. Down at the underground arena.” He promised, making the girl’s eyes widen and her cheeks redden, before she started chuckling. “How romantic, you~!” she grinned, waving at him as he left the room to catch that Russian bitch.

Around evening, he found that jerk, showering in some basement. He was all naked – What a coincidence. He was going to beat him to death while naked, just like how he dared touch and even undress his girlfriend. The audacity of this fuckass was through the roof, but Jack made sure to completely destroy him. Once he had him knocked out, he threw him in a box and brought him to Tokugawa’s underground arena. Though, out of respect for the viewers, the old man had the Russian dressed with something to cover himself. As soon as he woke up, Sikorsky woke up in the middle of the sand arena, and found himself facing Jack – Jack who was wearing his fighting boxers alone, revealing that Colossal build of his.

Y/N, too, was sitting on top of the wooden fence, watching the show offered by her boyfriend. “Good news. In this match, you can’t lose from breaking the rules.” Jack was smirking and taunting his enemy. Sikorsky, mad to the point of driven insanity, let out a loud war cry and yelled “DAVAY!” , making Jack smile wider. The opponent rushed and threw some punches, slicing Jack’s forearms. How weak. Next, he threw a barrage of kicks, elbows and knees, but none did any damage to him – He merely took them for the show. Sikorsky’s overconfidence will be the death of him, especially after Jack easily picked him up and threw him into the opposite end of the wooden fence, breaking it.

Though the Russian picked up a nail from it, and was then forced to pick up a wooden, sharp cane from a member of the audience after being kicked in the gut, flying in the stadium where the participants were watching – He tried to use the weapon like a lance, digging it deep into Jack’s stomach – Or so he thought. Jack’s abs were so hard that possibly not even a real spear could no pierce them. With much ease, he karate chopped the wood away and mocked the Russian. His next trick was to throw that nail at him, but Jack simply caught it between his teeth, before he started chewing at him, making a small ball of metal before spitting it at his feet.

“I don’t know your name, and frankly, you’re not worth remembering. Whether you live through tonight or not, I couldn’t care less. But if there’s one thing I’ll let you remember…” menacing, Jack got in front of Sikorsky and grabbed his hands, applying so much pressure that the man cried out, having his bones shattered. “You have no right to touch Y/N. You have no right to endanger Y/N.” and with one last move, Jack kicked the Russian so hard between his legs, that he was weeping on the ground. “Y/N doesn’t like whiny pussies like you.” And he turned around, marching right at the smiling girl, and cupping her face, he pulled her into a deep kiss – Passionate enough to show how much he loves her, and how he appreciated her all these years, yet soft enough that he wouldn’t be to forceful on someone frail and small like her. “Very romantic, Jack, I’m blushing.” She mused, pulling him into another kiss, much more playful and light-hearted. “And this is just phase one. Phase two starts now. Enjoy the show, Y/N. It’s all for you.” Leaning back on the wooden fence, Jack put his arm around her, putting her to his side and planting a kiss on the top of her head, as the two watched Gaia step inside and destroy Sikorsky’s mind completely and irreversibly. “Truly, this day was the best gift I could have ever gotten.”

I’m aware that this is going to be a horrendously unpopular opinion—which is why I’m doing it on a dead side blog rather than my main

I honestly don’t understand people who listen to artists whose whole shtick is “I’m an awful person and everyone I know leaves me because I use and abuse them”, and then are shocked when the artist turns out to be an awful abusive person. Like, what were you expecting?

I keep seeing all these people saying “well, how was I supposed to know he was bad? How was I supposed to be able to tell?” And then they’re all like “ohhh woe is me, I can’t believe I loved these albums! I’m going to have to get rid of all this stuff I got and completely rearrange my whole life!” Like??? If you liked the songs so much that your whole room is plastered with posters and merch… surely you listened to the lyrics??? At no point was he ever trying to hide the fact he’s like this, it’s all over his songs.

One thing that also gets me, it’s that everyone is now like “if you support or like his stuff you’re a terrible person” and like. That’s valid. But YOU liked his stuff where he made no qualms or effort to hide this, before. Does no one have any kind of critical thought? Like, when you hear the lyrics, you just think “oh yeah, this is a totally normal line” and move on? To say that “oh he tricked all of us into listening and liking his stuff and being a rabid fan”, like you weren’t tricked. The only trick he played was being a “hot guy online” that everyone seemingly collectively decided was great because of that.

or is it being faced with the actuality that’s horrifying? by your own logic, you’re also just as complicit. — this isn’t to say that I don’t understand standing in solidarity with victims that have spoken out, and the purging of his work being part of that. I just think it’s a little hypocritical to get on your high-horses and say everyone is a peace of shit if they don’t immediately disavow his stuff, since the signs have been there from the start.

And this also isn’t to say that I didn’t like his music. I did and I do. In fact, I only know of him BECAUSE of his music (I found him when he was still covering pat the bunny and wingnut dishwashers union). I’ve had no illusions of him being a good guy, and still consumed his work— did I know just what kind of piece of shit he was? No. Maybe because I’ve only known him for his music that makes me so critical of most of the reactions. I didn’t have the chance to be pulled in by a “nice guy act” online like so many people seemingly have.

Speaking of his online personas, it does make me wonder how no one apparently thought he was bad before this? Like I’ve read some fics (not enjoying Minecraft doesn’t mean the fics aren’t good) and people generally and routinely portrayed him as this manipulative, erratic, controlling guy — even when writing him as the good guy, they still always included elements of these personality traits in the work. And now, I see artist after artist discontinuing and deleting works (and if this is what makes them feel better, fair play) saying that “they cant continue writing/drawing his character now they know the truth about him” but at the same time they were always so vocal about “I write about the c! not the cc!” Like if you were truly separating the character from the actor, would so many of you be speaking this way? Looking at the rampant amount of Harry Potter fanfics (not even starting on the manacled debacle), then no — the artist and the work are only connected when it’s live action amateurs.

And also, if you’re THIS distraught over some guy YOU DONT KNOW turning out to be terrible, get some help, that’s not normal i don’t think — or it shouldn’t be, the internet and social media has normalized being strangely attached to strangers and celebrities that you otherwise wouldn’t be.

A violent man in a dress was recorded insulting and encouraging violence towards women but didn't like it whapen his crap was recorded. Because how can Trans Laydees claim to be the victim when his hatefullness towards women was recorded?

By Genevieve Gluck October 13, 2023

A women’s rights activist was kicked out of a bar in Glasgow last night, reportedly because she “looked like a TERF.” Jenny Watson says she was surrounded by trans activists and forced out of the bar after silently recording a drag queen insulting Harry Potter creator JK Rowling and other women who are critical of gender ideology.

Following the incident, Watson took to her X account to explain that she had been sitting silently and recording a drag performer at the Polo Lounge in Glasgow as he made derogatory remarks about women he classified as “TERFs.” While the acronym means “trans-exclusionary radical feminists,” it has been applied more broadly to any woman critical of gender ideology, and is often used alongside threats of violence.

“For the first time in my life, I have just got chucked out of a gay bar,” Watson said in a series of videos she shared. “There was a drag act… I took a video of him saying that there’s going to be ‘a thousand TERFs’ in Glasgow tomorrow… we hate the TERFs.'”

Watson described how she was swiftly challenged by the crowd when she began filming the drag performer as he made statements against “the TERFs.”

“Everybody surrounded me, and they were [saying], ‘You look like a TERF, you shouldn’t be here. This isn’t the right place for you.’ I was literally just there, sitting with my drink. I was not being rude, doing anything… and they were telling me, ‘You look like a fucking loser.’ Then the bouncers came over.”

In another video clip of the incident Watson shared on X, drag and burlesque performer Tom Harlow can be seen standing on stage naming women’s rights campaigners such as JK Rowling, Julie Bindel, and Member of Parliament Joanna Cherry, all of whom have vocally opposed sex self-identification policies which allow men to be legally designated as “female” without restrictions.

“Joanna Cherry, Julie Bindel, and JK Rowling are all meant to be speaking this weekend,” Harlow says, while audience members react with disgust. Harlow then informs the crowd that Glasgow Trans Rally had organized a counter-protest outside of the venue scheduled for the following day. He adds that he intends to attend the demonstration to “sing show tunes at bigots,” and says, “We fucking hate you, Joanna,” while miming a punch with a clenched fist

Harlow’s statement was a reference to the women’s rights conference known as FiLiA, a two-day event being held over the weekend. FiLiA was launched in 2013 with the purpose of “strengthening the Women’s Liberation Movement” and upholding women’s sex-based rights, including the right to female-only spaces and protection from male violence.

Trans activists had attempted to have the conference shut down in the days leading up to the event. Glasgow Trans Rally encouraged their supporters to target the venue and harass event organizers on social media. Two days before the conference, the venue’s management attempted to cancel FiLiA’s reservation, but backed down after being told they should expect a legal challenge if they followed through.

Watson continued to explain that one of the bouncers who had her removed from Polo Lounge informed her that the staff were taking “extra precautions” due to the FiLiA conference.

“I had no idea who this drag artist was,” she says, incredulous. “Then I got a few messages from people saying, ‘The person you’re recording is unhinged.'”

Watson continued in a statement: “The Polo Glasgow is unsafe for lesbians. If you are a lesbian do not go there, especially alone, you will be put at risk. You will be told that ‘you look like a pathetic loser for going alone.’ You will be surrounded by a mob and then the bouncers will kick you out, simply for having a drink and recording (as one does) part of a drag act.”

Watson explains that she had been approached by groups of people who “recognized” her from social media, and were clearly looking for a hostile exchange.

“I engaged civilly with them, yet still I was the one who was kicked out. I repeat – this establishment is dangerous for lesbians. This is new homophobia and lesbians are at the bottom of the hierarchy.”

Watson has been the target of abuse in the past due to her experience speaking out for the rights of lesbian women to hold single-sex events. Earlier this year, she came under fire after voicing frustration with the trans-identified males claiming to be lesbians who were attending weekly lesbian speed dating evenings she organized in London.

Watson described to journalist Julie Bindel how one trans-identified man pushed himself against a lesbian in the restroom.

Another was seen sporting a visible erection while wearing purple spandex. Several trans activists created a WhatsApp group in order to coordinate their attempts to have her lesbian-only events shut down by urging participants to complain to venue staff. She has also been reported to her London council employers as “transphobic” for insisting that “lesbians don’t have penises.”

As he stated he would, Harlow turned up outside of the FiLiA conference with a small crowd of protesters, where he has been recorded shouting “fuck you” at the women in attendance.

In a brief biography of Harlow provided to Miss Burlesque Scotland, a competition for which he has performed and competed, Harlow is described as “an international and award-winning showboy” known for his “classic stripteases with a male twist, bump & grind as well as his unique vocal blend of showtunes & FILTH!”

Harlow previously drew criticism in July after Glasgow museum The Burrell Collection hosted an all-ages LGBT event where Harlow performed. The museum hit back at critics by stating, “The Burrell Collection is an inclusive, welcoming museum and the Pride event celebrates this. Tom Harlow is performing classic cabaret and giving insight into the art of performance make-up in a set for all ages.”

Harlow’s website features photos and purchasable prints of himself naked. As previously reported by Reduxx, Harlow has performed as a merman in an adult strip show called “The Salty Seaman”. He would later adapt the character to be aimed at children.

Last fall, a cabaret performance by Harlow intended for children under 12 was cancelled following public outcry.

I find it very strange how Larries and Harries are so open to be manipulated even if they are sometimes able to recognise the manipulation. I have seen so many of them say the words “I believe it because I can” to support their fantasies. Most L/Harries will go to any lengths to glorify Harry yet they will not be able to quote one instance where Harry was really nice to the people whom he spend most of his adolescent life with. We have seen Louis talk very kindly about Liam struggling mentally and he seemed to be the one who needed the most support. We have seen Louis be very gracious about Zayn’s voice and talent. We have seen Louis support Niall when he was doing his very first tour and needed that support. We have even seen Louis genuinely be supportive of Harry when he was doing his first film. Harry has the biggest platform of all but he has never once shown any support to Louis touring even though we all know how much he needed that after so many setbacks, he has never shown any support towards Liam although it was his fans who bullied Liam incessantly. He could have just gone and followed Liam on social media even if he didn’t want to be vocal. He has no issues using 1D T-shirt when he needs to clean up his own PR so he knows what even little gestures mean. He never ever spoke of Zayn with any sort of fondness even looking back when he had no qualms about using him for making jokes and Niall who is supposed to be his best friend in the world who is the only one Harries are allowed to love, he has never acknowledged him unless it’s to dig himself out of a faux pas.

So if it’s because his management doesn’t allow him to be a decent human being and he still chose to go on a yacht to sign his billion dollar contract supported by his mother, Ellen Degeneres and his Kardashian girlfriend and you believe he is not only a good guy but also a victim because you can then you shouldn’t run to Louis blogs garnering sympathy for him.

100%

At this point, Harry Styles is 100% transparent and those who continue supporting him are choosing to side with him. Everything else is noise.

https://twitter.com/minieskies/status/1672455882846658562?t=2nyoZz2ISHjuhe11VFP_2Q&s=19

Did you see this, like genuinely I don't want to be an army hereafter like no one is on his side or supports him publically without expecting some gains or shading and dragging him. I'm in the fandom for like 7yrs now and became an army bc of just jm only, it's bc of him that I begin to like others eventually but nowadays even some members have become different like everyone is just fending for themselves but then comes jm with his kind, caring heart puts others before himself even when others don't which cost him many things but he's not taking it seriously..

Like he gets dts, sexual harrasments like rp jokes for simple things like leaving out a member's name in a post, or enjoying life like a normal human but others are being defended by the fandom for the same things or covering their dating by calling it hate campaign and trending nasty things about jm even when he doesn't know or involved in that. The company & fandom never acknowledge or rather shade him for his talents and acheivements which he acheived on his own without any push or favouritism by the company or fandom when other members get alot of push by both like don't get me wrong one of the few reasons that made BTS this big is jm like without him they would have been a talented k-pop group but it's bc of his unique vocals and performance that made them the world's biggest group like yeah everyone's talented but that unique star quality jm has is something like MJ or Bey has but he's never been acknowledged by the company or fandom instead they try to convince everyone their own biased view of jm that makes him talentless, flirt or least popular of BTS who have to leach everyone to be afloat, like I'll never forgive the company, fandom or some members for some of the things they made him go through like image issues or he's less talented or he's nothing without the group or making him the transform from the most sm user to rarely posting anything when he's the one supported every little thing other members do even when they don't reciprocate the same energy or loving this fandom which doesn't care about him or think he doesn't deserve success. And at this point, I hope he just puts himself first (eventhough I know he'll do the opposite) before the group and just leave the company because he's basically blacklisted by his own company with a fandom that defends the company and other members rather than him and members who don't stand up for him when they say they are a family..

Jimin is unique, kind-hearted, generous, down to earth, talented, succesful and he has a loving family. He has everything people want either for themselves or for others and that’s why everyone is so jealous of him. And yes the hate by all different groups of people comes out of jealousy.

He has something that draws everyone to him.

This was the iconic quote.

He had 9 days of promotion, the bare minimum, but he showed everyone his hard work and talent. People who say his achievements were thanks to a support of his company are so laughable. We know why they say it.

You shouldn’t put yourself first, because Jimin said he wants to continue as BTS many times, but it will be hard to watch him work for a company who is downplaying him, his talents and his achievements.

Grumpy Puppy

request: Perhaps Seungmin is developing a headache in the morning, which gets worse after the vocal practices the group has, so when 3Racha mentions to him that he should improve in his singing, Seungmin gets stressed and ends up fighting with them and leaves the studio. He then decides to go alone to the apartment and there he realizes that his headache has turned into a migraine and ends up vomiting but no one knows about his condition because he is the only one in the apartment (Seungmin, Felix, Minho and Jeongin's apartment). Finally the other members arrive and find Seungmin asleep so one of them decides to wake him up to eat but Seungmin gets upset because they interrupt his rest and yells at him asking to be left alone. Things go downhill because he ends up sleeping alone in his room due to no one wanting to stay with him and when his fever is higher he ends up vomiting on himself and there is no one to help him, so he starts crying and Minho hears the sobs and runs to Seungmin's room to see what's wrong and comforts him. 

Minho ends up telling the leader about the situation in the apartment and everyone gathers in the apartment to take care of the sick child. 

Happy ending! c:

——————————

From the moment Seungmin woke up that morning he knew something was off. He felt developing a headache and hoped it wouldn’t end up being too bad. But sadly, that was not the case. 

The group had vocal practice today. Usually this would be Seungmin’s favorite part of the day. But today, all the loud voices, music, and high notes were only worsening his headache. To be quite frank,  Seungmin’s singing today was… not good. 

He was of key, and his voice was cracking constantly. His members sat listening to the vocalist in horror as his vocals continued to somehow get worse and worse. 

When they finished singing through the song, it was the job of 3Racha to give some notes. As producers, they had to tell Seungmin the cold hard truth that his singing needed some work for this song.

“Seungmin, for this song, you’ll definitely need to work on certain things singing. It’s a pretty challenging song. Maybe do some extra voice lessons? You can do it, but right now it looks like it will take some hard work. “

When Chan told Seungmin this, to Seungmin’s fevered brain, it sounded more like,

“You suck. Your voice is awful. You’ll never get this song right.”,

and that really pissed him off. Even if what they REALLY said was no where close.

“Maybe you guys just are bad producers. I bet that’s why. And you guys can’t even sing well yourselves, who are you to talk about my singing like that?!?”

“Woah.. Minnie, let’s calm down a bit, it shouldn’t be that much ext-“

“NO! YOU calm down. You guys are being so mean and tell ME to calm down?!?!?!!!”

“Seungmin, we really didn’t mean to-“

“Well you did. You didn’t mean to say it?! You can’t accidentally talk like that. I’m going home.”

The rest of the group just stared at him in shock as Seungmin picked up his stuff and left.

————-

When he got home he threw himself into bed with a huff. He had calmed down a bit on the way home, but he definitely was still grumpy.  The moment his body hit the cushions, his vision swirled. It seemed that his little headache had developed into a full blown migraine as black spots dance around his vision and nausea started to build in his throat. As much as he wants to stay there in his bed, he dragged himself to the bathroom and feel to his knees in front of the toilet. The moment he was there his stomach clenched and sent the little he had eaten splashing into the bowl. With each splash, he sorta wished he hadn’t yelled at his members before, and maybe someone would be sitting beside home running their fingers through his hair and wiping his mouth. Instead his hair was falling into his watering eyes and he had to wipe his own mouth. When he was finished he trudged back to his room and was out like a light.

———————

A few hours later , his roommates returned home from the rest of their practice, hungry for dinner. They decided to order takeout since no one wanted to cook. 

“What about Seungmin?” Felix asked, not wanting his roommate to go hungry.

“Go see if he wants anything, but be careful, he’s definitely in a bit of a mood today. Don’t let him bite your head off” Lee Know said.

“Good luck.”

Felix cautiously enters the dark bedroom, hearing Seungmin’s softly snoring under the covers. He debated whether or not he should wake the sleeping puppy. On the one hand Seungmin needed to eat. On the other, He wasn’t much of a puppy tonight, and more like an angry beast. But Felix felt bad leaving Seungmin without dinner. So he gently shook him awake.

“Seungmin? Do you want some food? We’re gonna order takeou-“

“Are you kidding me?” Seungmin grunted from his bed.

“N-No I…” Felix knew he made a mistake as Seungmin glared at him with half open eyes

“You woke me up over food? You think I can’t get food myself? I’m not stupid. I would eat something if I was hungry. I just wanted to sleep and now you’ve woken me up.”

“Sor-“

“Just go away and let me rest.”

“O-Okay.”

He couldn’t have left the room faster. When their food arrived, there were only 3/4 of them at the table. When they finished eating, they settled on the couch to watch a movie. It felt kinda weird without Seungmin sitting with them, but they knew he just needed some space, clearly something was bothering him, but it would surely pass with time.

About halfway through the movie, Minho decided to call it a night as well, and headed off to his room ready to fall straight asleep. But as he approached, he heard something. Was someone crying? It had to be Seungmin since Felix and I.N. were still sitting on the couch. He almost left him alone. sometimes you’ve just gotta feel your feelings, a good cry is good for you. But this seemed different, like something was wrong. He opened the door to found his dongsaeng sitting up in his bed in the dark. He also was hit with a foul scent coming from where the boy was seated. He flicked the light on and realized the reason behind the boys crys. There was a pile of vomit on his lap and on his hands, explaining the horrid smell. 

“Oh Minnie.” Lee Know said. At this, Seungmin cried even harder. He sobbing caused him to retch unproductively into his lap, as Minho’s hand trailed up and down his spine. Once Minho could finally get him to calm down, he took of the blanket and quickly cleaned it off as well as he could before throwing it into the washing machine and grabbing a spare blanket from the cabinet. He also grabbed a thermometer since the boy had all the clear signs of a fever. When he returned, he took Seungmin’s temperature, reading 38.8 degrees celsius. 

“Minnie, why didn’t you tell us you weren’t feeling well?”

“I-I’m Sor-ry” He said through tears.

“It’s alright. I’m going to call Channie hyung.”

Seungmin nodded his head and laying down, he was out before Chan even answered the phone.

When Chan heard of Seungmin’s condition he immediately rushed to the other half of the groups apartment. When he arrived, Felix an I.N. were frankly very confused why Chan was suddenly at their dorm at almost midnight, but when they found out what was going on, they were quick to also spring into action. The rest of the night was a blur of cuddles, trips to the bathroom, fevers, and medication, but they all were determined to nurse the second youngest back to health.

——————

sorry this took so long, i’ve been crazy busy.

requests are open :>

🫶

Idk hot take for a Saturday morning, but maybe people shouldn’t be SO quick to switch to a mentality of: “well I’m not voting at all” about American politics in regards to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict/genocide just bc America has had its dick in those affairs LONG BEFORE fucking Biden Presidecy and people are seemingly just NOW feeling publically vocally outraged about it bc it’s in the forefront news (as you should be), but maybe also let’s use our fucking brains for a moment if you are American:

we should, and can easily, also still focus on that which is in our own backyard, if you don’t vote fucking blue, because green/third parties are not actually viable in the deeply established two party system we have had for CENTURIES, we get fucking DeSantis or some other horrible Fascist Republican and then America is going to have its own genocide against LGBTQ+ people, fascism goes up, continued attacks against drag/immigrants/etc.

You also know damn well that any Republican, If one were president, would be doing the same fucking thing of providing aid to Israel, so I guess personally I’m just confused as to why everyone is surprised biden is doing the same.

You can and should support a free Palestine, and hold contempt for Israel and condemn their actions, AND also know that voting blue is Americas literal only chancE RIGHT CURRENTLY NOW this upcoming year, to remain somewhat of a democracy instead of a ChristoFascist regime, especially with Biden being one of the ONLY blue candidates like… our hands are TIED

Like YEAH it’s gonna fucking suck to vote for Biden but like you also gotta fucking Buck up sometimes and do things you don’t particularly WANT to do. It’s called duality and compromising in life and sometimes it’s fucking unavoidable.

But idk what the fuck do I know 🤪 I’m just a girl who thinks maybe you shouldn’t just fucking give up one of your only recognized rights in America just because some actions you can’t control from a crusty old moderate blue white man in a country whose affairs are more complicated than your messiest situationship is upsetting (rightfully so, I might add) you

Stephen Fry Addresses The Nation | Channel 4 Alternative Christmas Message

I don’t normally bother with this ‘Alternative Christmas Message’. The Queen, or now The King’s Speech has always been enough for me. Quaint, old fashioned thing that I am.

But this is Stephen Fry. And I’d happily listen to him read The Telephone Directory, with his ‘...vocal cords made of tweed.’

 I’m delighted to hear him out here as well. I already know he’s Jewish as much as I know he’s gay.

 I recall him mentioning that his mother’s family have Ashkenazi heritage. I think it was when he was talking about Wagner’s Ring Cycle. And, if I’ve heard this correctly. Jewish blood on the maternal side makes one a Jew too.

It hasn’t surprised me to hear antisemitism from The Far Left, because it’s been so prevalent from The Far Right, and the two are both sides of the same bad penny. It was only a matter of the opportune moment for the hate to show itself. *

We can mourn and criticise the appalling death toll brought about by Israel’s response to the Oct 7th Massacre by Hamas. In fact, we should.

In war, civilian casualties should be avoided as much as humanly possible. But, they do still happen, and we shouldn’t accept them as ‘just one of those things’. People are losing their lives, and Life is Sacred.

At the same time, what Hamas did on Oct 7th was terrorism, it was murder, it was brutal. Worse still, they took pleasure and pride in the act. There’s video evidence of it.

And they make no secret of their desire to kill Jews. Israel had every right to respond to such evil. Nothing on this earth justified it.

Palestinians should get their own land, a secure and safe place to call home. Yes, yes, yes.

But. Jews should also get to call The Land of Israel their home too. It stretches back in the history of their People. The Land of Judea is filled with historical evidence of being the Jewish home. It was taken from them, they didn’t merely leave it behind.

And I’ve heard Jews say at Pesach (aka Passover) ‘Next Year In Jerusalem.’

Generations of Palestinians have lived in parts of the country, and yes. I say they should be able to keep doing so. That’s fair enough.

But is it really so difficult for two sides to find a way to establish a Palestinian State and The Jewish State of Israel?

From what I’ve seen on maps. What’s called Israel is such a tiny areas, compared with The Middle East as a whole.

Yes. I’m naive. I don’t understand what’s going on. And it’ll be way too complex for me to have any chance of doing so.

But I can understand that Palestinians should have their own independent, secure home.

And Jews should be free to call Israel home, without being demonised for it.

* (Yes. I have the same non tolerance for anti Muslim hatred. I won’t say ‘Islamophobia’, because religions are sets of ideas, and any set of idea should be open to scrutiny and criticism when need be.

Hate against those who practice any faith, in this case Muslims = those who practice Islam. That’s another matter entirely. It’s never OK.

Yes. We can and should expect that anyone using their faith to spread hate is dealt with by the law. We have hate preachers infesting the UK’s mosques. That should not be allowed to continue.

But the many muslims who are our neighbours, our schoolmates, our work colleagues and our friends. They should be safe and secure to live their faith in the UK, because freedom of religion is important to us and should always be so.)