#'I'm so upset they raised double their goal again'

[starfieldcanvas]

oh you hate ao3 huh? you're upset because you saw their donation box is overflowing with cash again? and you posted about it...less than an hour after the donation banner went up? that's interesting. what were you doing at the devil's sacrament

[tsutsumi-kurose]

Do you think Nene will meet Tsukasa or Amane in the red house? What do you think will happen? Personally, I think it might not be a good idea. Nene is not well and seeing one of the twins in that state is… dangerous.

I definitely agree it would be dangerous for nene to encounter either of the twins in their current states, but I find it really interesting that you mention nene’s current mindset as a risk factor! while she’s clearly (and understandably) upset by the changes she’s seen, I think she’s been making really rational, mature, and thoughtful decisions this arc, even if they were a little misguided or didn’t consider the whole scope of possibilities, as teru pointed out.

in terms of danger and mindset, I feel like nene will be in the most danger if she tries to give this amane or tsukasa the benefit of the doubt, as she’s inclined to do, due to her typically optimistic and trusting mindset, as well as her history with the yugis. she may also run into a possessed kou or mitsuba and run into a similar problem. so I think it could be her trusting, kind nature that gets her into danger this arc. though she is definitely making decisions in a way that's based on what's best for the other people she cares about, so i agree that's definitely something that these new, more possessed versions of the yugis could use against her if they (or whoever is in control of them) wanted to.

but nene's optimism and faith in others has always been a double edged sword that has also helped her make progress before, so her giving and trusting nature could help her in this arc too!! maybe she’ll befriend more red house victims again, and be able to rally allies. in terms of her trusting nature, maybe she'll end up trusting the people mitsuba shied away from last chapter, and we could get to see what their intentions were before amane took mitsuba.

however, as of right now, nene is at least with other people who can help her, should she be swayed. I don't expect them to all stick together, but I'm assuming teru has some sort of plan? the idea that everyone is mostly going along with at the moment is teru’s, which raises a lot of questions for me! surely he’s prepared to encounter new timeline tsukasa again, and maybe even new timeline amane, but I have no clue if he’d want nene to see the yugis (maybe to extra convince her to go back? maybe to see if her presence affects the new timeline yugis at all? as bait or a distraction? so many possibilities!!) or if he’d want to keep them separate for any reason. so a lot of whether she sees the yugis probably depends on teru's plan and how prepared he is going into this. he seemed to know a lot about the red house in the original red house arc, but we haven't seen him interacting with it, so i'm really interested to see how much he knows about it and how his exorcist powers stack up against the red house's powers!

as far as the yugis are concerned, I have far more questions than theories lol, including: would either of them have reason to recognize nene? have they been having dreams of a different life too? what are their current goals, and how does their dedication to those goals stack against any feelings for nene that may be sticking around from the original timeline? personally, I have no clue! but I’m excited to find out!! scared for our girl, but also very excited. as an angst fiend, I think it could be really terrifying and exciting to see an amane who has no regard for nene or her safety. how new and interesting and horrifying if our hero turns against our heroine!!

honestly i would love to see nene interacting with this new amane, even if it goes poorly for both of them. i also love nene and tsukasa interactions, and he's been her amane info guide thus far in the story, and especially in the red house arc, so maybe we'll get more of that this arc? but again i'd really love to see nene and new timeline amane interact bc i think it would be really scary and devastating<3 so yeah definitely dangerous and not a good idea....but it would be really interesting to see lol

I’m honestly just so thrilled to be along for the ride this arc lol. especially since the red house is probably my favorite arc (is my tsukasa bias showing? lol) I’m so excited for all the lore we could get in this return to this setting!!

[amwritesstuff]

Burning for You (Midoriya/Reader)

All you wanted to do was go home, have a little glass of wine, pass out, and not get up until well into the afternoon. You figured that was fine. You weren't asking for much, surely you'd be allowed that simple want?

A double shift on your feet was rewarded with nearly the whole bottle. More than what you had planned, but you didn't have plans for tomorrow, so whatever. Pleasantly buzzed, bordering on drunk, you stumbled into bed, konking out before you fully hit the mattress.

Suffice to say, this would lead to being the biggest mistake you would ever make.

The dull, painful beat in your head is what woke you. Your taste came next, grimacing at the mix of morning breath and dry bile. You must have vomited in your mouth just a little, not feeling any crusty chunks, nor smell the sourness. But, there was another smell, much stronger...

Smoke.

You inhaled sharply as your body kicked you awake, regretting it instantly as you were sent into a violent coughing fit. You couldn't get enough clean air in to stop. You grabbed a pillow, shoving your face into it in an attempt to stop. You were able to get enough control to take everything in.

Early afternoon sun filtered from your window, making odd shapes in the thick, black smoke that was wafting through your bedroom. It was exceptionally warmer. But where was it coming from?

Confusion gripped you. What had happened? What was happening? How long had this been going on? Did anyone else know? You needed to get out, you knew you did and you wanted nothing more than to flee. You couldn't move though, breathing hard into your pillow to get oxygen that wasn’t there.

A long creaking from above startled you to drop the pillow, gasping in fright, in turn triggering you to once again try and hack up a lung. Another sound caught your attention as you used your hands to cover your nose and mouth. From the window. Shouts. Screams. Sirens. Help.

You needed help. They needed to know you were there. You took a step forward, jumping back when the groaning creak sounded again. Louder this time. You couldn't tell if the ceiling was bowing or the heat was playing tricks.

You needed to get out. Trying to call for help might take too long when you could at least start to pull yourself out of the heat through the fire escape or into the outside hallway. Luckily, your bedroom door was left open so you could easily tell if it was safe to proceed. It seemed the fire was coming from the apartment above yours.

The rest of your home was full of smoke, wisps of flames were licking along the ceiling here and there. They were more prominent toward the front door. Alright, escape down the stairwell wasn't happening. How much had this spread? Did your alcohol-induced slumber really keep you from waking sooner?

Intense snapping from behind caused you to spin around. You yelped, watching the above floor collapse into your bedroom. Intense heat rushed over you, embers quickly growing as they lapped up your untouched furniture.

You stood there dumbly, watching as your home was burned away. Everything you had, gone in a matter of seconds.

A loud creak from above pulled you out of your pity-party. What the hell were you doing? Your life was on the fucking line and you were crying over some clothes. You could do that later. Right now, the fire escape.

You stumbled to the window, coughing and wheezing. You flung the little tabs that sat under it out of the way and began working to open it. Easier said than done with your shaking. You couldn't muster enough strength. Why? It was a window. Had you missed a latch?

It was painted shut.

God damn, fucking, lazy-ass maintenance!

You were going to make the biggest complaint when you got out. You grabbed a hefty ornament from your shelf and chunked it, the glass easily breaking. You didn't get the chance to break it any farther, the groaning and snapping above caused you to look up. Fire was waving over the bending ceiling, cracks quickly growing.

You lunged back, the mess just missing you, but effectively blocking your exit. You didn't get the time to stand. The apartment had only paused in its collapse, the rest of it catching you off guard long enough to fall onto you.

Wood, smoke, ash, and who knows what else filled your lungs as beams and piping caged you in. What little air you had left was knocked from you as what you thought was a couch landed on your legs and lower back. You felt something crack. Chunks of concrete landed heavily around you, smaller bits bouncing off your arms that encircled your head. One large piece hit the floor a little too close for comfort before gravity pulled it down on top of you. The fire hadn't yet reached you, but the heat was enough to scorch your skin.

The panic that had been slowly building was now spiraling out of control, coupled with your adrenalin, keeping you from feeling too much of the excruciating pain your body was in. You were sobbing as much as your clogged lungs would allow. There were no tears, the heat eating them up before they could form. You were trapped. You didn't know if anyone knew you were here. You would die here.

I'm scared!

Flashes of the night before came to your mind. Then the previous day. Then week. Your life played out in reverse as the ever growing flames nipped at your feet. Your family. Your friends. Coworkers. Acquaintances. People you hated. People you admired. Accomplishments you'd achieved. Goals you'd never reach. Dreams you'd never have again.

Please…

Through your fading vision, you could see your front door. It was missing. A figure was in its place, their bright green standing out almost blindingly among the red. Your brain couldn't quite piece together that it was a person until they moved inside… You recognized that green.

I'm here! Here! Right here! Please!

He frantically moved in and out of your vision several times, muffled shouts reaching your cotton filled ears. He couldn't see you and you couldn't make any noise loud enough for him to hear. Not even a cough. But maybe…

Your arms were still around your head, one stuck against the concrete pressing on you, but the other was only slightly wedged. If you wiggled it just enough you could maybe- there! It pulled free, flopping to the ground before you, your hand hopefully in full view.

That was it. That was all you could do. There was an intense, stinging pain at your side that was quickly trailing up your screaming back. You couldn't feel your legs anymore. Your breath was so shallow, body not having the strength to cough anymore. You were so exhausted…

***

You didn't wake slowly. Nor did you jolt awake. You just… woke up.

Your head rolled against something soft, peeling your eyes open to hazy objects against white. Lights were off but it wasn't really dark. A steady beep echoed from far away. You felt sluggish and heavy, your thoughts trudging through molasses as you tried to take everything in. There was mild soreness that pulsed through your whole being. You wanted to go back to sleep.

A click sound found its way to you. You lolled your head toward it, catching a green blur slowly making its way to you. You blinked in a desperate attempt to clear your vision as it lowered itself into what you thought might have been a chair. Garbled noises slurred together as you stupidly stared at the moving mouth… This was a person.

They stood again suddenly, you moving your head to try to keep up. They sat back down just as quickly. It made your head spin.

All at once you felt awful. You groaned as the soreness you felt escalated exponentially. Tears pricked at your eyes as you tried to understand why your skin felt like it was on fire.

Because it had been on fire.

Your head didn't feel entirely clear, but it was enough to remember your apartment had burned down with you inside it. To realize you were in a hospital. To see that Pro Hero Deku sitting right next to you.

Despite being more coherent, you still gaped stupidly at his nervous grin. You blinked, only realizing that he had been talking to you.

“S-sorr-” you were launched into a very painful coughing fit, sending every fiber in your body into uncomfortable spasms. A straw came into view when you had calmed enough, taking it into your mouth without thinking beyond wanting it to stop.

When the lukewarm water had soothed your throat enough did your position click. Pro Hero Deku was holding the cup and straw for you, looking adorably flustered. If you were embarrassed no one would be able to tell from the heat of your burns. Yourself included.

“S-sorry!” He stuttered out, placing the cup to the side. “Don't try to talk right now, okay? O-or move!” He attempted to push you back down as gently as he could. You didn't fight it. You were too weak to even get up on your elbows. He instead raised your bed a little so that you were semi-sitting up. You tried to give him a smile in thanks, only to wince. That hurt too. How badly injured were you?

Deku settled, looking upset. He held your tired gaze for a moment, the only sound being the heart monitor and your shallow breathing. He dropped his head, gripping the sheets tightly.

“I'm… I'm sorry.”

He was sorry? For what? If you recalled, he had saved you. If anything, you should be groveling in thanks! Or at least be able to verbally apologize for not being physically able to. Slowly, you nudge your hand to his, lightly tapping your finger against his knuckle. God, even that little movement was tiring and uncomfortable. He looked up to find your eyebrows furrowed as much as they were able to be in confusion. He sighed and looked away, running his hand through his hair, little bits of stuff flying off.

...Ash. Ash and rubble bits. You just noticed. He was covered in it. His costume also looked a little worse for wear. Had he really been here all this time? How long had it been since he pulled you out of the building? Was anyone else hurt? And, not that you were complaining, why was he allowed to walk around the hospital like this?

“We thought…” his soft voice pulled you out of your thoughts. “I thought we had gotten everyone. The apartment two floors above where I found you… A little girl had manifested her quirk and it scared her. The fire spread a lot quicker then if it had been caused by anything else.” He swallowed hard, his hair was blocking his eyes from you. “I had heard something falling down the fire escape and noticed a broken window where the fire hadn't reached yet…”

A small sniffle came. His hands were threatening to rip the sheets. “I-if I had checked each floor! I had been in such a hurry to get everyone out from the floors that had been affected, that I just assumed everyone else had gotten out!”

Your eyes widened. No. No, no, no, no! He shouldn't be beating himself up over this! You'd gotten drunk enough the night before that you had slept through most of it! If you had had any more than you had, you would probably have burned to death on your bed! You were alive! Sure, you more than likely had second-degree burns, but you lived!

You tapped his knuckle a little quicker, trying to make a face that would tell him that you'd be alright. That you didn't blame him for anything. You were surprised to find his eyes so glossy, tears quickly building in the corners.

“I-” he took a breath in an attempt to compose himself. “I wanted to be here in case you woke up before… You haven't been out long. The doctors said you might, but…” He was ever so gently holding your hand now. The material of his gloves scratched painfully against your raw skin, but you didn't protest. You wanted the comfort it seemed to bring the both of you, and the physical discomfort it brought you was enough to stave off the fatigue that was quickly creeping in.

“The doctors… I volunteered to be the one to tell you and they agreed that it might be better for you hearing this from me if you woke up, a Hero…” A few tears escaped, which he quickly wiped away. You'd seen him cry on the news without issue, why was he trying to keep a brave face now? The beeping of your monitor picked up a little. What was he trying to say?

“Your injuries… You inhaled a lot of smoke and embers, causing burns inside of your mouth and throat. You mostly have second-degree burns and very few third-degree…” He swallowed hard. “Your right side and lower back have fourth-degree burns and your legs… had them.”

Your legs…

Fatigue forgotten, you desperately made to sit up. Deku vehemently protested but was hesitant to force you down and cause you more pain. You had to see. You needed to see.

It was a struggle, but you managed to confirm it with your own eyes before your body gave out. Instead of your legs stretched out to form lumps beneath the sheets, there was nothing. They stopped less than halfway down your thighs.

There were no tears or cries of anguish. You felt… empty. Hollow. Even the heart monitor was evening out. You were in shock. Understanding what was happening, but not fully grasping it. Beside you, Deku was quiet. Letting you take your time. When you turned your head to him, he looked ready to burst.

“I-I… I wish that was it… They told me that fourth-degree burns have a high mortality rate and they got infected from debris being lodged in them, so they… removed your legs. Your back and side… are also infected.” His voice had grown small. “A-and t-there's… there’s-”

He couldn't get it out, gripping your hand a little tighter as he hiccuped to keep his tears in. But, you didn't need him to finish. You already knew the words he was choking on.

You were going to die.

Again, you understood it but weren't fully comprehending it. It was strange. While burning alive in your apartment, you were in a panic, thinking you were going to die when help had been right there. A charcoaled body lying under debris, waiting for some poor sap to stumble upon you and begin the process of trying to remove your corpse that would probably be melted to that couch.

Now? You were in a sterile, scratchy hospital bed. In pain, in shock, missing your legs, and still dying despite all the effort. With one of the top five Heroes now weeping over you, profusely apologizing for not getting to you sooner, for not thinking to check every apartment, for not saving you.

You made a strangled noise, pulling at your trapped hand to get his attention. It took a moment, but he eventually did quiet, sniffling and wiping away the thick streams of tears that he just couldn't seem to stop. Good. You were too tired to stay awake much longer. You took a few shuddering breaths, making sure to keep your voice to that of a breathy whisper as to not irritate your throat too much. You needed him to hear, regardless of his protests.

“S… save,” your gums and jaw hurt and your tongue was having the hardest time working correctly, making your words come out garbled. This was going to be difficult. “You save… m-me.” Jeez, you were out of breath. “Th… than’ you… 'ey, s'op cr… ‘ryin’.” He looked up at you when you tapped his hand again. You didn't know if he was blurry due to your eyes having trouble staying open or if you yourself were crying. You squeezed his hand weakly as you gave a small smile through the hurting pull of your face.

“You... 'ave me. Don’... you… dare thin’... you didn’, yeah?” God, you were beyond ready to sleep. You took a moment to catch your breath. “Sm… smile? P’ease? Wa…” You were fading fast but were determined to get what you wanted to say out.

“Wan’ see… you smile… p'ease, De'u…” A stream of air left you as you relaxed. That was it. That was all you had. Your eyes were hardly staying open, but you saw it.

The thousand-watt smile Deku was known for cut through your darkening vision. Regardless of the clear sorrow he held, tears still falling, it was every bit as joyous and bright as the television and photos portrayed, if not more.

With that image imprinted in your brain, you stopped fighting, slipping off to sleep.