but at least i have a soul still

“do you wanna hold him?”

ilya’s moving forward before he can process the words and everyone’s holding their breath as he gathers the newborn into his arms, pausing to take his gloves off first. it’s a few tense seconds before the baby babbles and shifts slightly before tucking his head into the crook of his arm and swiftly falling to sleep.

ilya looks up to see his whole team stifling grins, “i think we’ve found the new babysitter” and he bites back a chirp because he doesn’t want to wake the baby he’s holding so delicately to his chest.

he’s stuck on the sidelines for the whole practice while he rocks the baby through the slams against walls, waving its little arm towards its dad when it eventually wakes up.

James sat on the edge of the bed and stared into his open closet. Clothes pulled out and shoes askew.

“What are you doing?”

James looked up and saw Regulus standing in their bedroom doorway, watching him with a confused look on his face.

“I have nothing to wear.” James mumbled.

“James, you’ve literally got an entire wardrobe overflowing with clothes.” Regulus chuckled as he moved further into the room.

“But none of it is good enough!” James whined before he could catch himself.

Regulus was standing in front of him and he lifted his chin up. “Good enough for what, darling? Maybe I can help.”

James gulped. He hadn’t meant to draw Reg into his dilemma. He had been hoping to keep his secret a little longer. At least until the wine had been poured at dinner.

Regulus smiled softly down at him and brushed his fingers through James’ hair.

“Sweetheart? Why is tonight’s dinner so important?” Regulus’ voice was low and calm.

“I need to do it right.”

“Bells and whistles?” Regulus huffed a laugh.

“Because I wanted it to be special.” James blinked up at him.

Regulus climbed onto James lap, his knees bracketing James’ hips and James wrapped his arms around Regulus’ waist, pulling him close and breathing him in. Regulus buried his fingers in the hair at the back of James’ neck.

“Just ask me.” Regulus whispered into James’ ear.

“Reg. Regulus. Marry me?” James breathed out as they held each other tightly and he felt Reg grinning against him.

goalies are blameless, and never forget it

fortunately her backliners come when called!

Name: Gastrodon

Pronunciation: Gass-Troh-Dawn

Etymology: Gastropod + Don (Spanish for “lord”) or -don (common dinosaur suffix, derived from ancient Greek word for “tooth”)

Type: Water / Ground

Design Origins:

Gastrodon is based on a sea slug, specifically one from the Opisthobranchia order, or perhaps a sea hare, which are known to secrete a purple fluid for self defense. The tentacles on its head resemble the horns of a cow, possibly as a pun on “umiushi”, the Japanese word for sea slug which directly translates to “sea cow”. Its distinct split in colours is based on environmental adaptation.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“Long ago, it had a shell on its back. There’s now a vestigial plate on its back that’s hard but thin.” - Ultra Sun (West Sea Form)

“Fishers say that they didn’t see many of these Pokémon in the past, but this form of Gastrodon is now increasing in number.” - Violet (East Sea Form)

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: RU

VGC:

Orlando Regionals, USA (4/4/2026) - 67th