#(PLEAAAAAASE SOMEONE COME PLAY WITH MY HAIR)

[ananxiousgenz]

god I love being alone!! <- wants, from the deepest depths of their heart so much that it almost hurts, to be curled up next to his friends with his head in someone's lap while everyone laughs and talks and exists together

[pure-kirarin]

Slow & Steady [P3] [Sabo x f!reader] (+18)

A/N : Hi !! sorry for publishing this later than I expected, but I got a beta reader and we worked on this chapter for longer. Please do tell me if you like this more <3 We put a lot of effort into it. Now, enjoy !~ Genre : Romance - Smut - Bestfriends to lovers General warnings : Alcohol consumption - Dark themes - Swearing - S m u t - possessiveness - Mention of ex-relationships - jealousy

Synopsis : Isn’t love a matter of timing after all ?That’s what Sabo has always thought. It was about finding the right tempo, making the right moves and hitting the right spot. Patience is a virtue after all, and he had a lot of it. It all started when your ex cheated on you. You were heartbroken, you needed someone and he was there. Was he always that hot ? You didn’t know. But after that night you have never seen him in the same way. Also, please guys comment because this is the first work I put so much efforts in. If I feel like people don't like it, it just feels not worth it to me and discourages me :( I have 2 other multichapters planned but I am thinking of abandoning them because people don't seem to like it...Anyways, please do interact if you like it :)

Part I - Part II -

In the last chapter :

You looked at Sabo go away and you followed him shortly after. Meanwhile Ace was sitting on the couch and watching some movies. You went back home and was quite tormented. It wasn’t the right time to worry as you had your assignments and studies to deal with. On one hand, you didn’t even have the time to think of your ex boyfriend and his cheating but on the other, you felt like you were let down by Sabo.

But why ? He didn’t do anything.

He just found himself a new friend and a potential new girlfriend.He didn’t even talk about her, but why where you so upset by him meeting her ? After all, he had the right to date just like you always did.A few days have passed and you didn’t get the chance to talk to Sabo. Your exams were getting closer and closer and you didn’t feel ready.Usually, Sabo would help you with your assignments but you were too scared to ask. You realized how much you relied on him and how he has been always there for you.

Who were you exactly to him ?

Maybe you took him for granted.

As you were on your bed looking at the ceiling and trying to collect every drop of motivation in your system to study, you heard your phone ring. It was Sabo’s ringtone !

P III

“Hi (Y/N),how are you doing?”

“Oh, Sabo! I'm fine. Kinda busy studying. And you? Haven't heard from you since last time.”

“Sorry about that. My schedule has been extremely tight lately. But I am free now!”

“I was just thinking of you. I have to turn in my history assignment tonight and I might need your help...Pleaaaaaase~ I know you're so good at history, please come save me!”

You could hear him laugh on the other side of the line. His laugh sounded so bright, making your heart flutter. You really did miss him. In the end, you were best friends, right?

“Alright! I'll come rescue you. After all, I have to make up for disappearing.”

“Sabo, you're the best! Would you mind coming to my place?”

“I'll be there in twenty minutes. See you then.”

“See you!”

Hanging up, you thought to yourself: you’ve never been this happy to see Sabo. You rolled on your bed in excitement. Twenty minutes seemed enough to make your room and yourself look somewhat presentable, he has never seen your messy room before. Fifteen minutes later, Sabo was in your room, both of you sat on the bed and started studying. Sabo had always been a top student, he was passionate about history in particular. Helping with your assignments was never a big deal to him.

Now that you gave it some thought, maybe most of your good grades were thanks to his help. He had tutored you many times when you were both in high school and that stayed a constant in your life even now.. Once you finished and sent the file to your professor, it was already late afternoon and Sabo was putting on his coat to go back home.

You had almost forgotten about what happened last week because of all the studying. Things weren't awkward anymore. But you wanted to bring it up because you couldn't help but think about the words he said.

“Sabo ?”

He turned back and looked at you with a smile.

“Yes? Do you need something else?”

“Don't go, I want to...  I want to ask you a question.” You patted the place next to you on the bed.

“Are you alright? You look very pale.” He sat next to you and the proximity made you extremely nervous. Although he had been close to you so many times before, you wondered why this time his proximity was affecting you so. The built up tension was getting unbearable. You could feel the knot in your stomach tighten, but you had to do it, you had to relieve yourself from this situation, otherwise it will still preoccupy you. With a nervous toss of your hair, you asked him, your eyes fixated somewhere on his chest :

“Well...Did I say something weird to you last time?”

“Last time?” he repeats in apparent confusion..

“Well, you know, when I got drunk, did I say something weird?...when you took me back home…”

You didn't even dare look at his face.

“Oh...nothing worth mentioning. Don't worry.” A sweet smile.

Oh, really now? I asked you to fuck me and you're saying “nothing fucking worth mentioning”? Bullshit.

...Or did I make all of that up?

“Didn't I…” you stop, clearing your throat, “didn't I ask you..to...well, you know…” You looked away in exasperation, annoyed that you had to say this and that you could feel your face quickly heating up. You felt your helplessness more fully now as you were discreetly looking at him to guess his reaction. Your eyes were shy and avoiding, looking his way then looking away continuously, almost instinctively.

“Hm? What?” He was amused, the bastard.

“Well...Didn't I ask you to fuck me or something?”

He burst out laughing, looking at your flushed face and the way you said that so fast that he was tempted to tap his ear and tell you that he didn't hear you quite well, but he simply refrained. That would be too much teasing.

For now.

And it wasn't the right time

yet.

“Ha, that.” He marked a pause, “it's only worth mentioning if you want to.”

You bit your lower lip, so he did remember…”Well, about that…”

“Just ask me to and I'll forget.”

But what if I don't want you to forget? You fucking idiot. When did you turn out to be this hot? Did seeing his morning wood put me in such a mood? Do I have this little self-respect? Risking our friendship like this?

He leaned closer to you so that his face was only centimeters away.

His minty breath was ghosting over your cheek;

“But just so you know, there's no going back.”

Was this the same Sabo from a few minutes ago? Was he really tempted to have sex with you? You felt flattered. You thought about Nami's words. Was he really into you? You felt insecure.

You've never felt insecure before.

You contemplated the idea for a second. You had just broken up with your boyfriend and you were now yearning to get fucked by your best friend - a guy that you've never even seen in that way before.

But how many things did you truly know about Sabo? How many things were you not seeing and being unaware of when it came to this man? You were slowly coming to the realization that he had been keeping a lot of things private - his personal life and thoughts mostly held close to himself at all times.

It was always about you in this friendship. And he was patient, oh so patient. You wanted to see all these sides to him that you've never seen before. It was like discovering the hidden door of a secret Eden.

You closed your eyes. You knew that he wouldn't hurt your feelings. You trusted him. You wanted this. You wanted to break the spell that got you dreaming of what you were denied.

You nodded and his smile widened ; Here you were falling, finally.

“I didn't expect anything less from you. What a brave girl you are. I was waiting for you to bring this up. Took you quite a long time.”

He twirled a strand of your hair between his fingers, pressing his hot lips on your forehead. Your breath stopped for a second, eyes closed tightly. You weren't used to this tension, your heart was beating uncomfortably fast.

Where did the prude Sabo that you always imagined go? He was acting normal a few moments ago, and now this? This was definitely more, or at least different than whatever you would have expected.

Your cheeks warmed up at his praise, you were just like a little girl that was given a piece of candy. But you wanted way more.

“Now that I think of it… you haven’t been really good, have you? You said things that you shouldn't have. You’ve tested my patience quite a bit the other day, baby.”

It sounded so natural, the way he called you baby, as if he had always done it. It surprisingly took you not even two seconds to adjust to this new Sabo that you saw. In hindsight, you think you might’ve longed for this Sabo, one who is so open and expressive with you.

“Huh ? What are you on 'bout ? I still stand by my position…”

Saying this was a bad idea.

He raised an eyebrow.

"I mean, it's true, I've never seen you with a girl before. Wouldn't be surprised if you were a virgin. But it's okay, I don't mind… well… teaching you…”

You looked away. It felt a bit off, as if you were playing a role but you were very much into it. There had always been that bratty side to you that he loved so much. He smirked, rolling his eyes. Always with the tough talk huh? He thought.

Smiling knowingly, he reached out for your face. He gently gripped your chin between two fingers, brushing his thumb over your lower lip as he said,

“Looks like you need a good lesson.” He shoved two gloved fingers into your mouth, taking you by surprise and making you instantly back off a bit.

“Hmm. Let's put this dirty mouth of yours to better use.”

He took his fingers out of your mouth, leaving a leathery aftertaste on your tongue. His arm encircled your waist and he held you up effortlessly, securing you against his lap. As you were just wearing a dress, you could feel him getting hard through your panties and you couldn't help but tighten your thighs at this feeling, getting instantly turned on. When did you start wanting him this much?

The corner of his lips curled up as he saw you already getting eager from a simple touch. His arm held your hips in place so you didn’t move around.

He replaced his fingers with his lips, kissing you hungrily. It was nothing like that drunken kiss that you both shared the other night. His tongue got you feeling butterflies in your stomach, heart pounding so hard as you pressed your chest against his, seeking his warmth.

You were going have sex with your best friend and he had a huge dick and he was nothing close to the vanilla prude guy that you expected him to be. You were thrilled. Everything happened so fast. You never realized that you were so desperate for his touch.

You tangled your fingers into his blond locks, moaning into the kiss. You pulled away, cheeks ablaze, impressed by his skills.

“You're a good kisser…”

“Look at you getting all worked up by a kiss...Tell me, who's the virgin here, huh?”

You blushed at his remark and looked away. Cute, he thought to himself.

But it wasn't enough. Not yet. With a sense of urgency, you kissed him again as if it was your last chance to taste his lips. His pace was slower, he wanted to take his time to enjoy this moment while you wanted to rush it up and go to the next step. Breathless, you pull away, hesitant and curious.

“Sabo, do you… Do you like me?”

“I do.” He put his forehead against yours, making you  look deeply into his eyes. The look he was giving you seemed unfamiliar, making you feel intimidated. How did he hide his feelings so well and why did he say them now?If he said he liked me before, would it have been differentWhat changed within him, to make him act like this and most importantly, what changed within you to make you need him so badly? You dipped in for a kiss, trying to get a grasp on your feelings. It didn't feel weird, it felt good, as if you had wanted it for so long.

“Sabo,” you stuttered. He loved the way your voice cracked, how hesitant you were, how your cheekiness disappeared, leaving behind only your conflicted emotions. “I thought about what you said last time and...I...I think I want to. Now.” You emphasised on the last word, goading him into agreeing.

A victorious smile danced on his lips.

“You think?”

He smirked and lifted your chin up so you could look right into his eyes. You couldn't help but close the gap between the two of you, shamelessly rocking on his thighs to get some friction. You kept thinking about the words he had said when you were drunk, you really wanted him. Yes, maybe it was just lust. Maybe it was just a strong desire to sabotage the most precious thing that you had. But for now, you needed his warmth. He pulled back, making you groan in displeasure like a cat in heat. He smiled, his lips barely grazing yours and added,

“You're not ready yet, kitten.”

The look of disappointment on your face said it all. You couldn't believe he turned you down. Once again. You were so adorable, for a moment he thought that he would just snap and take you right there.

“What do you mean ‘I'm not ready yet’ ?! I just said I was. I want you too. That's what I said. I'm sober now, I'll recall how good you are.”

“Patience is a virtue.”

He smiles, and you would’ve given years off your life just to punch him. You could swear you still felt him hard against you and he was acting so composed. You didn't want to let him go.

You were scared that if you did, he would disappear into dust. You felt so desperate, so humiliated.Dying for his attention and heartbroken from past experiences.

“I have to go now.” He lifts you up with ease, placing you on the bed again. He then put his coat on. You looked at him leave with puppy eyes and for a second he hesitated. He was tempted to change his mind. But he had waited for so long and he couldn't afford to ruin everything now. Not when you were so close, so ready and eager to take him.

“Don't go.” You pleaded.

“And who will feed Ace?” He says with a smile.

“I don't care. Don't go…” You got up and hugged him from behind, tightly, letting your mask fall. His departure and abrupt ending of the tense situation he had placed you in, his act so nonchalant, had awakened some insecurity within you.It was driving you insane.

You were confused.

His heart melted at your sweetness. He remembered the reason behind his love for you. You were so fragile, so honest.

“I really have to go, princess.” How could he say such things so easily? “But I promise that I will make up for it next time.”

---

Tag list : @vemuabhi @chloe-abbacchio @mwls-garden @soanywaysistartedsimping @portgaslari @lofi-coffee If you wanna get tagged just ask for it :)

[belit0]

Burned Love

Anonymous:

That fic with Itachi taking care of his s/o was so cute! X3 Can you do a short fic like that but with Izuna? Thank you!

Rating: G

Pairing: [Uchiha Izuna / Reader]

Tw: none!

Additional Characters: [Uchiha Shisui] [Uchiha Madara]

For the past two weeks, Izuna has been caught between clan issues and Madara’s temper. Due to his responsibilities, the time spent on his relationship with you has been strictly cut, bordering on nullity. Being a dedicated and loving boyfriend, the Uchiha is overflowing with guilt about the situation, and at the first opportunity to free himself, he intends to compensate you in the best way he can think of.

Cooking for you.

But you do remember that Izuna can’t actually cook, right? …

Good luck!

“What should we put first? Rice or water?”

“Why are you asking me? I called you to help me, not to make it more difficult Shisui.”

“I told you I had no idea what to do in a kitchen and you insisted…

"Yeah well, nobody else was available, so shut up and… I don’t know, Do something?”

“How long do we have until [Y/N] arrives?”

“Let me see… about half an hour, yep."

"WHAT?! HOW DUMB ARE YOU TO THINK WE CAN PULL THIS OFF IZUNA?!”

“What’s the problem? Our kitchen guy has our food ready in less time…”

“And why don’t we call him? You’re a fool if you think anything good is going to come of the two of us doing this.”

“Because that wouldn’t be romantic Shisui, use your brain. Tiger mind, tiger mind.”

“I’m only going along with this because you’re my favorite cousin, you know… whatever, let’s do it.”

“Yeah bro, let me turn on the… what’s it called… the thing that throws fire? And it’s for warmth? I can swear we have one…”

“An oven, Izuna. A fucking oven.”

“Are you reading my mind? So… how do you turn it on?”

“Well, I guess with fire in -”

“ Say no more, little cousin, we are Uchihas, remember?”

With all the unfounded confidence in the world, Izuna felt ready. Directing his body to the kitchen artifact, he made the hand seals of the most powerful Katon in the clan, and without any hesitation, fired his expert Jutsu into the oven. Within a minisecond, the entire wall of the kitchen was on fire, and the two Uchihas understood the future that lay ahead if they did not solve the problem.

“ARE YOU INSANE?! HOW CAN YOU THINK OF USING THAT TECHNIQUE INSIDE THE HOUSE, YOU FUCKING PSYCHOPATH!”

“I THOUGHT IT WOULD SPEED UP THE PROCESS, OKAY? MY BAD! WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES! IT CAN HAPPEN TO ALL OF US! DON’T YOU KNOW SOME KIND OF SUITON TO TURN IT OFF?”

“OF COURSE NOT! WHAT ABOUT YOU?! DIDN’T YOU LEARN ANYTHING FROM THAT TOBIRAMA RIVALRY?!”

“WATCH YOUR MOUTH YOU FUCKING IDIOT, I WOULD NEVER STOOP SO LOW AS TO LEARN THE SAME STYLE AS MY ENEMY. WAIT HERE.”

“IZUNA! WHAT THE FUCK! GET BACK HERE BEFORE THE HOUSE FALLS DOWN!”

In the midst of the fire, ashes and heat, Izuna walked as if nothing was happening until he was outside the house, analyzing the street. Quickly, he scanned the surroundings of the Uchiha territory, until he found a group of children playing with enthusiasm at some distance from the obvious chaos. At a steady pace, he walked up to them, and spoke in the sweetest, most childlike tone, perfectly trained for the youngest members of his family.

“What’s up, boys!”

“Izuna-Sama!” they all shouted in unison with great smiles.

“I have a very important question to ask you. Do you think you can answer it for me?”

Different answers were cheered in the air, all positive and excited. The group of young people was always happy to receive Izuna’s attention.

“That’s the way I like it! Now, listen carefully. Madara-Sama gave me a very veeery difficult mission that I could not complete… So I need help from some brave Shinobi to take my place! Tell me, have any of you already learned Suiton’s techniques at the academy?”

Two young kids, almost teenagers, shouted with courage and pride a strong “yes”.

“Very good! Follow me, gentlemen, it’s time to perform your first official mission.”

In more of a hurry to get back to the source of the flames, Izuna pressed on, followed by the children who would save his home. From the short distance, a column of smoke could be seen rising into the sky, and several curious heads were walking by and slowing more than necessary to take a look.

When they reached the door, the Uchiha showed the way to the boys inside. Addressing the small crowd he exclaimed.

“ There is nothing to see. It is a small mission drill, Madara-Sama’s orders. Please disperse, thank you very much. Have a good day!”

His friendly smile disappeared along with all the spectators, and a great concern attacked the features of the irresponsible Izuna. If Madara found out that he was spreading false orders in his name, or that he had set the house on fire, things would end up badly for him.

Without dissimulation, he ran to the kitchen, where Shisui, useless and perplexed by the new company of the infants, looked at them without understanding their presence. In his hand he held a long blanket that was completely burned, while his entire face and clothes were covered in black ash.

"This is the mission, boys. Show your water techniques and kill the fire!”

“Yes ¡Izuna-Sama!”

In order to please and make their superior proud, both children shot large amounts of water from their mouths into the burning wall. Their seals were quick and accurate, and both adult Uchihas were impressed with the future generation of Shinobis their clan had produced.

After the fire was extinguished, smoke took its place, and covered the entire house. The smell of burning was unmistakable and undeniable. The colour black scattered throughout the room was evidence of the facts.

“Good job, kids! Don’t tell Madara-Sama, the report must come only from me for being a bad Shinobi and not being able to complete his mission…”

“Don’t worry, Izuna-Sama, we’ll keep your secret!”

The two children ran out of the house with happiness and joy, feeling fulfilled as Ninjas for being able to help someone important in the clan.

“You set the house on fire, lied to two innocent babies, and involved me in all this, do you really expect Madara not to find out?”

“Shut up you idiot, I don’t plan to be here when my big brother arrives. Clean this up, will you?”

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. Look at me, L.O.O.K.A.T.M.E., I’m covered in ashes, dust and dirt, I smell bad, and removing traces of this is impossible without the help of another ninja. With all my love for you Izuna, I gotta say: fuck you. See you later”.

With anger and speed, Shisui left the ruined kitchen. After a few seconds, a slamming sound was heard at the front door. A knot formed in Izuna’s throat as he knew he would leave that monstrous scene in the hands of the first Uchiha to set foot in the house.

After taking a shower to eliminate the fact of his person, he heard the second victim arrive. He came down the stairs ready to leave as quickly as possible, and spoke without leaving room for answers when he came across another of his small cousins.

“Little Sasuke! Look I’m really in a hurry and I really have to go. In the kitchen there is a really huge mess that I couldn’t take care of and I really don’t know where it came from. You would really do me a huge favour if you could clean it up, ok? I really love you, bye.”

Passing by a stunned Sasuke who was coming home from training, he managed to slip out of the household without problems. By the time the Uchiha who was left in charge of his mess shouted in anger at finding out the truth, Izuna was too far away from the district to hear him.

With no stops or delays, he headed straight for your house, where he knew you would be preparing to meet him. When he reached the property, he knocked twice on the door with his special knock, the one that characterizes his presence in your home, and he was a little bit reassured to be received by you. Dressed in your house clothes, but with a towel holding your wet hair, a sign that you had just come out of the shower.

“Zuna? I thought it was at your house today… I must really be overdoing it to get confused like this”.

“Yeah, it WAS, at my house [Y/N], but… you know… Uchihas and their intensity… surprises… whatever. Can we stay here?”

Nodding your head as a mocking smile assaulted your face, you allowed him into your home. One of the most entertaining things about the Uchiha family was indeed the intensity of it, and the consequences it ended up creating.

Izuna sat down on the armchair, and when he was comfortable, you placed yourself on his lap in a familiar way.

“What happened this time?”

“I may have set something on fire… and I may have used children to fix it…”

“How long do you think we have until your brother shows up here claiming your head?”

“A full dinner. He was with Hashirama.”

Both laughing, and joining their lips in a soft kiss full of love. You stroked his neck, the back of his head, and ran your fingers through the hair of his ponytail. You noticed that it was poorly tied and somewhat uncombed, and it didn’t take you long to realize that it was thanks to the haste with which Izuna escaped the scene of his crime.

“Come here, you couldn’t even brush your hair Zuna.”

“Well, you know [Y/N], when most of your kitchen is destroyed and your house is full of smoke, there’s not much time to tie your hair.”

Getting off his lap, you sat on his back, where you proceeded to style it calmly. Taking your time and enjoying the beautiful silky feel of his hair in your hands, you tied his ponytail as it would normally look.

“You in the kitchen? And not to steal food before dinner time? What were you trying to do?”

“I… don’t want to explain.”

“Izuna… come on, it’s me. What could be so terrible?”

“I’m ashamed, I don’t want to, okay? Leave me alone.”

A slight shade of red attacked his cheeks, while his arms crossed over his chest just like his brother would, and his gaze went down to the ground.

“Pleaaaaaase?”

“[Y/N]…”

“Please Zuna…”

“Agh, well. I was… I… IwastryingtocoocksomethingforyoubecauseI'vebeenashittyboyfriendlately.”

“I can’t understand when you talk so fast…”

“ You’ re mean.”

“But you love me.”

“Yes, I do. I was trying to cook something for you because I’ve been a shitty boyfriend lately.”

“…Uchiha Izuna… you make me the happiest person in the world every day. Just because you have a job that can’t wait doesn’t make you a bad boyfriend. Come here.”

So, the Uchiha turned to face you, and you joined in a kissing session that lasted a few long minutes. Between caresses and affection, you realized that your ideal place was next to the man who accidentally set his house on fire for you, trying to outdo himself to impress you.

“If you were trying to prepare dinner for me, we should eat to honour your great attempt.”

“Sounds awfully good.”

You both got up and headed to the kitchen. You didn’t let Izuna do much, just as you didn’t let him go near the fire or flammable things. Cutting vegetables and controlling the boiling of some ingredients, the Uchiha felt useful next to you. When your dishes were ready, both of you sat down at your table and devoured what you had prepared together.

After a long hour of chatting, while you were serving dessert for the two of you, a knock on the door brought you out of your bubble of happiness. Three frighteningly loud knocks, which caused the walls to rumble, slammed into your home.

“IZUNAAAAAA! GET OUT OF THERE THIS INSTANT AND COME HERE NOW.”

Madara’s voice was full of anger, rage and violence. Even if your boyfriend’s older brother respected and liked you as his sister-in-law, you were aware that if you did not open the door for him immediately, the man would knock it down, without mercy or care. Reluctantly, you got up without looking at Izuna, and went to your main entrance.

The elder Uchiha must have felt your footsteps approaching, for no more banging was heard. Before opening, you could feel your partner hiding in one of the rooms of your house, hoping that any corner would save him from his brother’s fury.

As you opened, Madara looked at you with a bright Sharingan and an intimidating height. His hair was bristly, and his muscles contracted under the tension.

“Where the fuck is he?”

“Good night, Madara. Don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“This is not against you [Y/N], just tell me where he is and -”

“I really don’t know what you’re talking about, Madara, now if you’ll excuse me, my ice cream is melting.”

You were closing the door in his face when a giant hand came in your way and opened it wide. Gently pushing you aside, the Uchiha entered and went inside your house as if it were his own. It did not take him long to find his younger brother and drag him out of hiding by the neck using his arm, without applying more force than necessary.

“Aghgggg [Y/N]! I-M SS-SORRY-Y”

“Shut up and walk, Cassanova, you’ll have a chance to make up the lost time with your partner. After you repair the fucking kitchen.”

Thus, Izuna and Madara disappeared in the night, one brother dragging the other by the neck to the Uchiha district. With a sigh, you closed the door.

“Well… more ice cream for me.”

[sassaetcie]

The Ashes of the Oven : Silver x Idia as a play with Lilia as the main actor - 3 (end)

yeaaaah i’ve over ;_;

                                                     Scene VII

LILIA: So, Silver rather than my child, will you save your, if not own prince, beloved?

SILVER: You have to take responsibilities, don't you? I'm at loss of words that could express how much I want to scream and punch you, as much as I... respect you.

TREY: Well, better do like everyone else and wait for Idia to... calm down before punching this...  asshole. Especially since Mr Vargas is getting everyone out to fetch the staff...

CATER: Which means we have either until they get back or just to hold the place until they get back, eeeh~.

TREY: That's the spirit, haha.

LILIA: So, Silver, will you join our cause? Idia seems rather wrathful. Who knows when will he unleash his anguish and despair?

SILVER: Why do you act as if you were the good one when you're the fucking reason he lost it in the first place? But yes... I guess it's not... like I have any other option.

IDIA: I'm sorry. I shouldn't have tried to change anything. It's no use... I'm cursed. This whole family is cursed, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'M SORRY. Did you lose a lot of time because of me? Did you feel bad because of me? Did you lie to me because you pitied me? Out of kindness, I guess. You're too pure but you could never like someone like me, right? Or maybe I'm not that bad. But I'm a SHROUD. You see? The blue flames won't stop. They won't stop. There's no water that can help them. No water can help me. I'm just flames. Flames are just me. Oh, you know what? Flames are just flames. This is just a fucking crown. Just a fucking crown.

SILVER: Hey... don't say that. Come on. You can cool them down, I know that. You can...

IDIA: Just go away. You don't need me. No one should need me, actually, right? I'm just a curse. There's no such thing as "Idia Shroud". There is Idia. And there is the Shroud. That's fucking all. Just go away. I can keep on dreaming. I can keep on dreaming. I can keep on dreaming. I can keep on dreaming. Go away. Go away. Go away. Go away.

LILIA: Sir Idia, please think about it. Silver did not reject you, did he? Do not think too much about it, there is no such thing as a curse as long as you can think by yourself. There is, no such thing as Fortune or Curses. There may be some kind of Fate, but this is the Fortune and Curses entertwined of Pain.

IDIA: Shut the fuck up. Shut the fuck up! Who are you, huuuuuuh? Do you think you can withstand what I'm going through and saying "hey there's no such thing as a curse"? Shut the fuck up! You know fucking nothing! You kept on using flames. But Trey told you, right? He did TELL YOU? That flames hurt me. I hate them so much. People always told me that my hair was weird. I should have drown myself. Maybe they would have shut the fuck up. I'm sorry, Silver. I'm so sorry. I want to fucking kill your father. I'm sorry. It's his fault, right? I could have kept on DAYDREAMING. But I didn't... I couldn't... Because of him. That's your fault. I mean, it's not my fault if I kill you, right? That's not my fault, right? Right?

TREY: Hey, Idia... it's okay. We can talk about it, okay? We can also punch Lilia, if you want to. Because he really acted... not like a 3rd year should.

CATER: Yes! Please tell us something you want to do, Idia. We can do it together, really~! Everything's going to be alright... I swear~!

IDIA: Shut up. Shut up. Silver, go away. The flames want to swallow. I'm tired.

CATER: Think of Ortho, Idia! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be mean! But think of Ortho, he won't be happy if he sees you like this...~!

IDIA: Eeeeeh? Guiltripping me? You're fucking pathetic. I'm better at guiltripping myself than you'll ever be, fucker.

TREY: Cater! Dodge!

CATER: Eeeeh! The flames are surrounding us, now?!

TREY: F... lip! I'm the only one who uses water instead of ice...

LILIA: Do not fear, young ones. If it were to get dangerous, I shall make these flames disappear, but I cannot tell how exactly will it end.

CATER: "Dangerous"?! We're surrounded by flames and Idia has lost it?!

IDIA: You're right, it's going to take too much time... I shouldn't rely on these flames... These cables should be good.

CATER: Lilia pleaaaaaase~!!!! He's trying to squeeze us with cables!!

TREY: Squeeze? More like choking.

CATER: PLEASE DON'T GO ON MAKING THE SITUATION WORSE, TRIEEEEE~!

SILVER: Watch OUT!

                                                       Scene VIII

SILVER: Is everyone alright?

TREY: Well, somehow... yes.

CATER: Y-yeah, as alright as someone who is currently under death threats can be! Tehehe~! I'm fucking going to cry.

SILVER: Save your tears for later... The cables are at it again. Care to use your unique magic, Cater?

CATER: Yes! I can do that at least, I guess~. Want me to run until his cables wrap him up or something?

TREY: It won't work. Pretty sure Idia will...

IDIA: THINKING I'M SO LOW-RANK BOSS? I WON'T GET CAUGHT BY SOMETHING THAT CLICHE!

TREY: Hey, Cater, are you alright?!

LILIA: Well, these cables sure look... harmful indeed.

SILVER: Cater, you're still in it? Or should I slap you?

CATER: I'm going to use it, okay? Just make sure I-I don't get whipped again... It hurts... and I don't want my pretty face to be ruined eeeeeh~!

SILVER: Care to give me a sword, old man? I'm not sure my magic will be enough... I'd rather have something I can attack with while protecting myself.

LILIA: Of course, my child, of course. This sword might as well be the only needle of the Compass we have been seeking all of these years. I am fairly certain the blade will reach him better than flickering butterflies of a magic he knows too well for sure. Take this sword, my child.

TREY: Wait, is your unique magic to make items appear out of nowhere...?

LILIA: Fufufu. Who can tell? Now, go and fly, my child. Break down Fortune and Curses.

CATER: I'm ready to go!

TREY: Can I help with something?

LILIA: Well, pray extinguish these flames before they make us suffocate.

TREY: Didn't you say something about

LILIA: Absolutely nothing! I am but an innocent young man, ain't I? I may overwork myself by using that much magic after summoning something...

TREY: Alright, alright... I swear you'll owe us a lot, Lilia... haha...

IDIA: OH? Multiplying even when I told you that you won't get me like some kind of cheap boss? Keep on insulting me, come on! That'll only make me right in killing you! Are these flames protecting me in the end? Ahaha...

SILVER: Idia, I don't want to hurt you.

IDIA: You think I do? You really think I would like to hurt you after spending so much time pining over you and thinking of you holding my hand and telling me I wasn't just a pack of cursed flames fated to repeat my parents' stupidity and greed and just being a fucking bastard? You really think so?

SILVER: No! I'm sure you don't want to hurt me... either. But I want to make sure you understand me. Because it's so hard for both of us to understand what's going on in the other's head, right? So I'll be clear with you. I love you. I care about you.

IDIA: Hahaha! So do I, so do I!

CATER: Am I just going to keep on running the whole day while these two live a sweet love story~?!

LILIA: Pray keep on running, young one. I will foster some little things to help you... live more comfortably after this.

CATER: You better! His cables sure are getting faster and faster...!

SILVER: Idia! Listen to me. I don't think that... your flames are ugly or unsightly or harmful in the end. I've already told you, right? I think your flames... are not true flames.

IDIA: OF COURSE THEY ARE TRUE FLAMES! YOU CAN SEE THEM ON THE VERGE OF BURNING EVERYONE! JUST STOP LYING TO ME LIKE THIS AHAHAHA... haha...

SILVER: No! I mean it...! Your flames feel warm but never too hot... they just... feel as if I were... at home!

IDIA: At home?! YOU DON'T MAKE ANY SENSE! AT LEAST TRY TO HAVE SOME GOOD LIES! No... You're too pure for that, right? You're too pitch perfect... Please just go away. You don't... have to save me, you know? You'll lose time. Whatever! Whatever! Whatever... Whatever.

SILVER: I think that these flames dont have to be Shroud. They just can be ashes from true flames, you know? I don't know if it makes sense, but... you can understand, right? You're not the flames anymore. You're the ashes of the oven.

IDIA: The ashes of the

LILIA: Silver! Free him!

IDIA: Oh so it really was... you were possessed too all along, huh? FINE! I'll just... I'll just free you as well! All of you can burn but first... I'll make sure no one can do to you what my parents did to me!

SILVER: Yes... Give me all of these cables... they aren't you!

                                                      Scene IX

IDIA: What the

SILVER: Why do you think the old man dared to say something like this when I was being honest?! I cut all of these cables that you think could kill me as one!

IDIA: So you did plan to harm me. Haha. Hahahahahahahahaah... I... why? Why? I... Why would you? Hahahahahahaahhahaahaha...!

SILVER: Your flames are the ashes of the oven. Because Idia Shroud is not made of red, orange, yellow flames. Look, I can even touch them.

IDIA: Don't! DON'T! I don't want you... to! It'll hurt you?! It's a curse...!

SILVER: Look. Lilia, Cater and Trey can go through them too. Want to see?

IDIA: Don't go... Don't go through them! Please...

SILVER: I thought you wanted to kill us...

IDIA: I just... I'm just tired, fuck... I don't even have enough energy to keep on being angry. Guess that's what I get for spending all of my perks in intellect, lol. Twas unfair to fight me with 3 people and 1²... like what the fuck did you expect, pfff...

LILIA: Silver, reach out to him, if you will. He is about to collapse, very likely.

SILVER: Is that so?

IDIA: C'm'on I can still stand... I know everyone thinks I'm a wimp or whatever but dancing games truly built my stamina, 'k?

TREY: Don't push yourself too much, though... You've just... overblotted, you know...? And just went back to your senses as if nothing happened.

LILIA: Well, as much as you try to hide again your weaknesses, you will fall now.

IDIA: Hey, what the

SILVER: Yep, just in my arms. As expected.

CATER: Heeeey~... Did everything go as planned? Idia looks all blushy in Silver's arms~. All's well that ends well, I guess?

LILIA: Indeed, indeed, everything went as planned, or at least, the best ending did happened.

TREY: I don't mean to be condescending even as a third year, but maybe you shouldn't say these... kind of things in front of all of us for a while, you know...? Just saying that as a... friend.

SILVER: Please, old... Lilia. Do not speak for a while.

LILIA: Oh? Is it possible that you are furious?

SILVER: I still want to punch you several times for what you've done to Idia.

LILIA: Mhhh... Even though you do know it would bring quite the trouble upon both you and Idia if it were to happen.

TREY: I think most of us really want to punch you, actually.

CATER: Yup~! I'm sure even Idia wants to slap Lilie right now~.

IDIA: Would throw a fucking flare his way.

LILIA: Well, it is my duty as an adult... no, as a young blooming man, to apologize for my mistakes and lurking patronage. I wholeheartdly bow and ask for your pardon, for I have been too arrogant. It is my duty to acknowledge my own mistake, and beware of my own failure. For a healthy future, without any ghastly, ghostly, Compass. Pray ask me something, I will try to make for my hasty decision.

TREY: We'll discuss this over a cake and fine cutlery, okay? We'll be at peace a bit, and we should be able to spend a long time around the cake.

CATER: Yeaah~ Let's do as Trie tells us to~! He's so good to solve problems when they already happened, ehe~.

TREY: I'm trying to learn, yeah...

LILIA: Good! It is quite the good thing, young lad! Never stop learning, even when it comes to food. Those rotten foods are not that bad once you are used to it.

IDIA: I'd rather not eat them, thaaaaanks... Oh... wait. WAIT. DID THE WHOLE CLASS SEE ME GOING APESHIT AND ALL???

Cater: Yes they did~! But don't worry, they ran off immediatly. Nobody has taken a pic of you, even I. Didn't have the time anyway~.

IDIA: Ehh... Nice, I guess... Could have been worse... Neutral end, I guess, heh...

TREY: Hmm, Cater, can you come with me? Let's prepare the cake and all for our little... conversation with Lilia.

CATER: Yee~ I'm following you~!

LILIA: I will be on my way to clean the mess I have quite triggered in the coliseum. Pray take your time to join Cater and Trey... or run if you want. You have quite the free will, don't you?

Cater, Trey and Lilia leave.

SILVER: So... everything's alright, now? I hope you do feel better?

IDIA: Yeah, kinda. You h-h-hold me... dearly... kinda? You know? Not like I'm some kind of careful-to-handle-item nor just... a friend. There's a mix of both, y'know?

SILVER: Well, you are the soft ashes of the hearthfire I can sleep by.

IDIA: Huuuuh! That's like!!! Such a flirty and cool but dumb line?! How can you say something like that and not even blink... Would like to say you're a NPC but... Didn't really expect you to save me... IRL. Guess that the Higurashi choice in Minagoroshi with no incidence really was the same... Sometimes it's not just up to me to chose what's going, and yet other people can reallyyyy act on their own, huh?

SILVER: Mhhh mh.

                                                     Scene X

LILIA: Well, here I am bowing for you, whether you are my young lads, or young lads of somewhere else, far away perhaps, if this Word holds any meaning. Am I lying? Have I lied? I do not know. For, what is a lie, what is the truth? Well, quite the simple answer, in the end. But the world might be bigger, and might not be the World. No Compass can guide us on its own... It might exist, perhaps broken. No direction can be named, the name cannot be named, the named cannot be name. Then maybe we, you, them, have to repair, fix, help it. Holding hands until they reach the Compass. For, it is quite easy to destroy oneself. Few attain serenity, but I pray you will if the path of the hermit suits you. After all, it may be worse for some to be surrounded. However, pray, never forget that, if you want to be to around to seek warm and truth, or if you want to meditate for your own warm and truth, you will reach the Compass equally. Probably, fufu. Words may be lies, lies may be words, and both may hide what you seek, but deep down, you will know if you can keep on going. Fortune is a huge lie too, don't you think so? How much events lead to such a limited pattern of choices for you? Political choices made thousand of years made this "Fortune" true. But even while knowing this I, still have to work, young one. Do not worry. Wars did not make me give up, but indeed I may be seeking entertainement and forgettance from a peaceful world. I know that for sure. I am not the only one acting, playing, breathing. And you are, not alone on your path, either.

[angelspigeon]

New Akusai fanfic!!!

It got inspired by sophkat7 on twitter!!

I got a bit carried away and HERE WE ARE!!

If you want an easier access, you can also check the fic on my AO3 just here => |  °| <=

A legend said there was a World, lost among many and many and many other Worlds, where special fruits grew on trees. If you shared one of them with someone, your fate will be linked forever with them.

“Come on, Axel, pleaaaaaase!!! Everybody will go there!!! Pence, Hayner and Olette will go there!! Pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase!!”

Isa could hear those pleas as he was putting down the huge pot of soup on the table.

A few instants after, Lea appeared in the dinner room thought Isa didn’t have called for his family to come. His look slid along the deep plates perfectly lined with spoon around and the little bowl with homemade croutons smelling garlic lying in there.

“Uuuuuuh… there is a party in Destiny Islands,” he said, looking annoyed.

“Is there?” Isa replied with a smirk.

“Yeah. Uh… Everybody will go there.” He rubbed his hair. “Pence, Hayner, Olette, Aqua, Terra, Donald, Goofy, Mickey… Ventus, Naminé, Kairi, Riku.”

Isa stared him, still wearing a smile on his lips.

“And so, I thought we could go there. Staying at night?”

“They have school tomorrow,” Isa replied.

“I know buuuuut, if we leave early enough? Or maybe using a cordorfdakness,” he mumbled.

Isa leaned toward him.

“Excuse me?” he said. “I didn’t understand what you tried to hide me.”

Lea sighed and sat next to him.

“I know you’d say no.” He watched everything on the table. “Can you be the mean parents and tell them we can’t go?”

“I never say ‘no’,” Isa pointed out.

Lea looked up at him, surprised.

“You didn’t?”

“I didn’t,” Isa replied. “For once, why not.”

“You’re amazing! I love you!”

Lea jumped on his feet and kissed his favorite blue guy.

   After the party on the beach, Himiko and Toya, Sora’s parents, alongside with Shiraki, Riku’s dad, and Madam Minami Mira, the Mayor, invited everybody for a big meal. It has been cheerful with such an amount of food, you couldn’t even imagine people having that much. And yet, because Kairi, Riku and Sora’s close friends hadn’t been invited for the said party. It was barely possible to imagine more fishes turned into soft filet or balls in sweet sausage, neither such amount of salad or just potatoes in varied form. Really, Lea never saw that.

Almost never saw that.

Because, once, he saw such a quantity served at Isa’s table. The difference was that, here, they were more than thirty and at Isa’s they were only three…

The hosts were undoing the table, giggling and joking as the kids were in Kairi’s room. They were in the Mayor’s house because it was the bigger one. And Naminé lived here with Kairi. Because she liked that. Because she wanted to see Riku and be with the memories she thought be hers…

Wished be hers.

Lea approached Isa who helped with the tidying. He had nothing else to do and if he could help someone, he’d gladly do it.

“Do you think we can go grab ice cream?” Lea asked to him, pressing a kiss on his cheek.

“We will take the coffee,” Himiko said, next to them.

If Lea had tried to be discrete, she had heard it and was friendly smiling.

And so, the former Assassin was surprised. It was addressed to him, right? His doubts were so big, he showed himself tilting a little his head on the side.

“Yes. You prefer a tea?” she wondered.

“I… uh…”

“It’s the first time Lea is invited to a dinner,” Isa informed politely as he was taking the last plate on the table.

“Y… Yeah.”

“Oh! Don’t worry!” she smiled. “We will take a coffee, or a tea, and chat a little. Between adult. And then, the dessert if the kids feel it. If not, I think you can go read them a story or… whatever you’re doing there.”

She smiled even more and Lea was even more lost. They will not play with the teenagers while eating ice cream?

He started to understand why Mickey left with Goofy and Donald! He didn’t want to be trapped in formality.

Aqua and Terra would take the coffee with them but… still.

“Do you want a hot cocoa?” Isa wondered.

“No, no… I… I will take the same as Isa. Please?”

“I’ll take some tea, please,” Isa smiled politely. “And the sugar pot, please.”

“Of course. There are a few flavors, I’ll show them to you, don’t worry!”

Lea felt so bad as she was walking away to prepare the coffee and tea. All of this was so weird… so weird. Coffee and tea in place of dessert? In place of playing with the others?! It was mean!

And he felt so incredibly stupid.

“Coffee and Tea? And what do we do now?”

“Don’t worry, Lea,” Isa said as he brought the dirty dishes to the kitchen. “We will just talk around the drink.”

“Talk of… what?”

“Things.”

“I’m not sure I can hold the conversation,” Lea said, walking next to him. “Do you want me to take that?”

Isa gave him the plates though they were almost at the big sink filled with soapy water.

“Thank you.” Isa kissed softly his cheek. “You’re perfect, Lea. They will love your chatting no matter what.”

“You say that because you love me,” he replied.

“It’s a little correct. But you own my Heart because you’re absolutely wonderful.”

He smiled tenderly to him and went back to help the others with the tidying.

  Pressing himself on the side, Lea smiled a bit to Himiko who slid hot water in his cup. Immediately, the little bag of red fruits freed steams there and they swirled around. He waited just one minute while the others were talking about the educations of the children. Who was learning what, what about the notes? How many comrades they had, etc.

Lea sipped his tea. And took the sugar pot to slid one full spoon. And more. Two. Three. Four… he noticed the look of his lover, which was on him, and he smirked slightly to him. Isa bent and took a few little cakes in the big set that had been installed in the center of the table. And put it in Lea’s plate. The former assassin pushed the plate between them. Isa smiled a little more, watching him with tender love in his eyes.

  “Uuuuuugh!”

Lea let his back crash in the sand.

“Are you okay?” Isa asked, bending over him.

“Yeah, yeah, just… ugh, so tired. I’m not done for that. I’m not a dad…” he sighed.

Inside, the teenagers were still in the rooms, playing, joking and preparing themselves for the night incoming. Most of the parents had left for their own house and Lea and Isa hesitated if they had to do it. With a Corridor of Darkness, it was easy to pass from one World to the other…

“You’re learning, Lea.”

“You’re learning too, and yet!”

“I’m just skilled for the decorum. Don’t worry. Roxas and Xion always plot against me because I’m too strict.”

“Yeah, but you’re perfect anyway.” Lea rubbed his face. “I’m sorry, I suck…”

“You’re not.”

Isa sat next to him, his fingers passed in the red hairs and he bent to press a myriad of kisses on his cheeks.

Lea laughed softly and grabbed him by the waist and made him roll on the sand. As he did, Isa slid his hands on his cheeks, his thumbs caressing them.

“I’m really gifted to have ya, y’know?” Lea muttered against his lips.

“It’s the same for me,” he replied.

“I love ya,” Lea whispered in the hole of his ear.

Just before kissing the lobe. And then his throat, his hairs tickling him and making him laugh and whisper his name.

He loved him. He loved him so much and had not enough words to tell him to him. Whatever how often he’d kiss him, bring him to do stuff outside, would lay in his arms and mutter his name, again and again…

“I want to be with you forever…” he muttered.

He caressed his lips with a tender thumb.

“I’m yours,” Isa said under his breath.

“I’m yours too,” Lea replied, kissing tenderly his scar on the forehead. “A Legend says this World has strange fruits. A fruit bonding with someone if you share it with them. Forever.”

Isa nodded slightly. Roxas and Xion talked about that all the time because it was deeply anchored in their memories.

Sora’s memories.

Riku had talked about it today, too.

Kairi, once…

“I’ll grab one for you! And we will share it!” Lea was ready to rise up but he stayed on place. “If you’re okay?”

Isa smiled and kissed him tenderly, softly, with a strong passion.

“Of course,” he said. “I want to have my life intertwined with yours. Forever.”

Not that it wasn’t already done. Their lives were made to be together. They were meant to walk alongside the same path.

Forever.

And nothing could tear them apart…

Lea took his hands to kiss them and got up, helping him to do the same. He stepped aside but held Isa’s hand as he was searching for a Paopu fruit, walking by his side, enjoying the warm weather even if the night was slowly cast its veil upon the day.

As he was searching the precious fruit, he kept glancing to Isa with a smile.

Even if he didn’t find the Paopu, he’d be happy to be next to him. He loved every moment with him. He was the only one whose silence didn’t bother him.

There was nothing wrong when he was by his side.

Nothing.

They kept walking, walking and walking.

As they did, Lea caressed his fingers, leaning in here and there to kiss him. And Isa happily kissed him back when he could.

Lea kept glancing around and, suddenly…

“Here!”

Isa looked as his boyfriend showed a big star-shaped fruit. It was hanging in a curbed tree, hanging above the sea.

“Lea, maybe ano…”

“I’ll get this one! I’ll show you my love!”

Isa let go on his hand to slide them along his cheeks, pressing a kiss on his nose.

“I know you love me.”

“But I want to impress you!”

“And you impress me all the time,” he said. He kissed his cheek tenderly. “But go on, if you want to.”

“Look at me!”

The redhead smiled and walked to the tiny island with the tree above the water. He blew a kiss to Isa who acted like he could actually catch it. He pressed it against his chest, while trying to prevent his longs blue hairs to paste against his skin.

He watched as Lea climbed on the trunk and started to walk toward the big fruit. He was doing carefully. It wasn’t time to worry his lover!

So he moved with tiny pace and even sat next to the fruit. He bent and grabbed the edge of the fruit.

“Lea, take c…”

“What?!”

The man lost his balance and his whole body dashed toward the waves. He rose his hand as high as he could in his fall. As he plunged down the sea, his hand kept above the surface, saving the fruit.

“YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!!” he let out.

“Lea! Come back!” Isa called.

“Yes, yes, yes!”

Lea started to swim, just with one hand, and came to the beach. He ran to his lover and grabbed him by the waist, making him swirl in the airs.

“Lea!” Isa let out, thought he couldn’t help but laugh.

“I’m just so happy!! I’ve got it! We’ll be together forever!” he said happily.

“Of course, we will,” he said, hugging him back, kissing his cheeks with tenderness. “I’m your forever, Lea. I’m just yours.”

Lea kissed his arms tenderly. He caressed Isa’s throat and then went on his knee, still holding the fruit.

“Isa… Do you want to share the rest of your life with me?”

“Lea… You’re…” He smiled tenderly. “Of course.”

Isa knelt next to him and kissed his lips tenderly. And smiled even more when Lea held out the fruit to him. They knew nothing about the Legend and maybe it really was just a Legend… so they could bit together in the fruit. So they could bond to each other. Until their last breath.

Breath they hoped lose together…

 Nothing seemed to have changed.

Lea and Isa were bonded forever but nothing seemed to have changed. What could have changed? They loved each other so much, they always knew they were meant for a live at two…

As Lea woke up, just because he needed to go in the bathroom before coming back for a longer nap, he noticed something on his hand. In the dim light coming through the windows, he could see it, next to the thumb, just a bit under it. It was a Paopu fruit. But a bite had been removed from it. He frowned. From where it came?

He rubbed it, trying to erase it, but he couldn’t. The drawing seemed to be deep in his skin. Like a tattoo.

“Mi amor?” he said, leaning over Isa.

“Hmm… I’ll get up…. Don’t… worry,” he said, rubbing his forehead before holding out his hand.

Lea gave him his and leaned over him, wanting to press kisses on his face.

“It’s not th…”

He stopped in the mid of the word because he saw their hands intertwined, saw the Paopu formed by their hands.

He moved them to him.

“I think the magic works and you can’t push me aside,” he whispered.

Isa who glanced at the clock and noticed the hour, had his eyes just coming back to him. To their hands intertwined. And he saw the tattoos mixed together… A smile appeared on his lips and he pressed his lips over it, mostly on Lea’s hand.

“I never meant to push you aside. Now go back to sleep or you’ll be obnoxious all day long,” he said, winking at him.

“Isaaaaaaa…”

“Do the big spoon, please. Forever?”

“Is this a forever meaning forever the big spoon or forever with you? Because I like when you’re doing the big spoon too!”

“Forever with you.”

Isa kissed once again the Paopu linked on their hands. Lea hugged him tenderly and kissed his throat, saying again and again how much he loved him…

[iturbide]

I've got a tough one for you: 16 with Anna and Tiki. Let's see if you can write a tickle fight for Awakening's most dysfunctional relationship.

Before I get into this, I want to be clear: I personally do not care at all for Anna (her manipulative money-grubbing really rubs me the wrong way) and in any other situation I would take a hard pass on this.  But it was phrased as a challenge and so long as it’s something I don’t find reprehensible or disagree with outright I do not back down from a challenge. 

and now that we have that out of the way

Having a tickle fight until you’re breathless.

“No.”

“Oh, come on!  Pleaaaaase, Tiki?”

“I have spoken my peace.”  She turned away from the merchant, crossing her arms firmly over her chest. 

“Tikiiiiiiiii,” Anna whined, gamboling around to face her again.  “I swear, it really is for a good cause!”

“As I recall, you said the same thing the last time,” the dragon noted, once more turning her back on the woman.  “And the time before that.  And the time before that.  I have grown tired of your deceit.  Your altruism is but a facade for your boundless avarice, and I refuse to play unwitting part in your schemes any longer.”

“But I really mean it this time!” Anna protested, skidding into view once more.  “I’ve got a good cause lined up and everything, I just need this one little thing–”

“No.  And that is final.” 

“Pleaaaaaase–”

Tiki whirled on the merchant, reaching for her dragonstone – and in the same moment Anna, seeming to believe that the dragon had relented, lunged to hug her, which brought the both of them crashing to the ground.  Between the dragon’s furious snarls and the merchant’s own babbled apologies as they tried to be free of one another, Tiki was certain they would soon draw attention from the Shepherds at the bottom of the hill–

As Anna tried to pull away, she touched the dragon’s sides – a careless gesture made in error, lacking any true intent – but Tiki curled instinctively away, tittering at the ticklish sensation.  For a moment, they both froze, and the dragon turned a warning stare on the merchant – who met it with a catlike smile of her own.  And then Anna attacked in earnest, mercilessly targeting any places Tiki left unguarded while the dragon’s helpless laughter rang through the air.  Unwilling to allow the woman to claim victory unhindered, Tiki lashed out in like kind, and soon enough Anna’s own giggling had overtaken even the dragon’s own. 

After several minutes they finally rolled apart, barely able to breathe through the laughter.  “T-the-ere,” the merchant panted after several minutes.  “No-o-ow was tha-at so ba-ad?”

Tiki gave her a wry look as she sat up, shakily combing grass and twigs out of her hair.  “I assume yo-ou got what you wante-ed?” 

Anna grinned, pointing into the tree nearby where, on closer inspection, Tiki could see a curious tome tucked.  She should have expected as much.  “And what precisely is this worthy cause of yours?”

The woman rolled to her feet, skipping over to fetch the spellbook from its place and returning to the dragon’s side…and offering it down to her.  “Here you go.  On the house.”

Tiki took it curiously, opening the front cover – and immediately the sound of laughter greeted her ears, accompanied by her own image rolling about in the grass with the merchant.  “Picked it up for a song from someone who didn’t know what it was.  I figured…well, you’re a dragon and all, and you’re going to outlive all of us, so…this way you don’t have to worry about memories getting foggy.  I thought it would be nice getting a shot of you smiling for the beginning, but this worked out a lot better, if you ask me.  It’s pretty easy to use, I can show you how to set it up and get it running…so?  What do you think?  Did I pick a good cause this time?”

Tiki smiled, closing the tome gently and pulling it close.  “I misjudged you,” she murmured.  “Thank you, Anna.”

The woman patted her shoulder as she crouched down again.  “Think nothing of it.  Anything for a friend.”

[giving-it-a-thai-blog]

A Day in the Life of Teacher Larry

Nick and I just got back from what was quite literally a dream vacation. We spent our winter break in Krabi, famous for  interesting  rock formations, stunning beaches with crystal clear water and delicious southern Thai food. For 9 days, we snorkeled, kayaked, and ate our weight in fried noodles. We got tan, we got sleep, we (I) got a little drunk on lime daiquiris every day. It was glorious, and exactly what we needed. However, because I would like my friends to keep reading my blog, I’m not going to talk any more about our perfect vacation while everyone was freezing their butts off in their cubicles. Plus, we’ll go back to the beach soon— Nick’s wonderful parents and Aunt & Uncle are visiting, and we’re going to travel down to Phuket with them for the new year. Instead, I’m going to talk about the reality that we returned to when we groggily stepped off of our sleeper bus on Sunday morning.

Here it is: A typical day at Anuban Tepsoontarin School.

6:25 AM: Nick’s alarm goes off. There’s a good chance that we’re already awake, having been roused from our sleep by nature’s alarm clock: our neighbor’s roosters (Note: this would be kinda helpful if they actually woke up at normal rooster times, but they don’t. They just croak away whenever they feel like it, which is most hours of the day and night). We get ready for work, stopping to prepare breakfast on the way: Thai finger bananas for Nick, vegetable ramen for me. Mmm.

7:30 AM: One of us usually has gate duty. This means standing with a few teachers at the front of the school to “wai” (bow) to our students and their parents as they walk in. I am always greeted with a smile and a “HELLO TEACHA LAH-RY”.  As it turns out, my name is extremely difficult to pronounce for all Thai people. Even my boss calls me Larry. I am used to it.

8:00 AM: All 700 of the students sit in the courtyard for an hourlong assembly. Sometimes this involves buddhist prayers, sometimes just announcements for the day. There is always some meditation, which is very cool.

9:00 AM: Class begins. Nick and I each teach 9 classes twice a week. The hard part about this is the “Thai time”: sometimes students will show up for half an hour, sometimes a full hour, sometimes not at all. This means that all of our classes end up on different parts of the curriculum at once, so we have to a) stay organized and b) not get too worked up about it.  Sometimes it feels as if time has frozen with 20 minutes left in the already-complete lesson, but thanks to camp, I’m good at thinking on my feet.

Each class begins with the following exchange. The students have absolutely no idea what they are saying, but it’s pretty cute anyway. We recently spoke to a man in his sixties who said that Thai schools have been doing this at least since he was in school.

Class leader, yelling louder than I have every been capable of: EVERYBODY STAND UP PLEAAAAAASE!!!!

Me: Good morning, class!

Class: Gooooood moooorrrnnniiinnnngggg, teeaaachhaaaaaa.

Me: how are you?

Class: ammmmfinethankyouandyouuuuu?

Me: I am fine. Sit down, please.

Class: Thaaaaannnk yoouuuuu, teeeaaachhhaaaaaa.

12:00 PM: Lunch. Most of the time, we eat with the students, because it’s free for us. It is  usually soup, rice, or rice noodles with some kind of steamed meat and vegetables. It is always, always too spicy for me and always, always embarrassing to watch the kindergardeners eat it without breaking a sweat.

1:00 PM: Afternoon classes. I surprisingly like my third graders the best—they know a little bit more, so my lessons are more creative with them. In the types of schools that I am used to, there is no question that first graders would have been my favorite. Whenever I tell someone that I teach 6 year olds, they inevitably comment on how fun it must be. First graders should be learning through playing games and singing songs, right? Well, that’s the way it probably should be, but it’s pretty impossible with 40 of them in a classroom. I usually end up teaching a distilled version of my third grade lesson: more vocab than grammar. After “lecturing” for a while, we color. Thai students LOVE to color, and they are all extremely good at it. I don’t know why, but I can identify with it. I love to color too.

3:00 PM: By this point, Nick and I are both always done with class for the day. We’ve been spending most of our extra prep time applying to law schools, but now that we’re done with that (yay), we either play banangrams or work on planning our next big adventure: a 5 week trip to Vietnam and Cambodia once we’re done teaching.

4:00 PM: We’re exhausted and I’ve already beaten Nick at bananagrams twice, so it’s time to go home. We’ve heard the word “TEACHAAAA!” so forcefully that it comes out as “SHA!” at least 2 thousand times each. Sometimes the kids were so cute that I wanted to cry, sometimes (Fine. Usually), I want to pull my hair out. It’s time for a nap.

Stray observations:

According to Buddhism, each day of the week has a “lucky color” and an “unlucky color”. The students and teachers dress accordingly in their uniforms. However, if you recall my first post, we were instructed by our program to wear mostly black due to the King’s recent passing, so that’s about all we have to wear. Not so lucky.

By far the most difficult part of teaching here has been accepting the ways that the school operates. When something is wrong, whether it’s the way my worksheets are formatted or my lack of makeup (yes, seriously), things are never told directly to our faces. Teachers tell teachers who tell other teachers, and eventually the other english teacher will come whisper it to us during the day. This happens for criticisms, but also simple things, too, like when we have upcoming days off. It’s confusing, and as we learned from a new friend in Krabi, it’s regional: it’s just a social difference between the North and South of Thailand. Even the passive-agressiveness of “Minnesota Nice” didn’t prepare me for it, though.

The best part, in addition to, you know, making a difference and stuff, is the nicknames. Every Thai student is given a nickname by their parents. Often, these are English words that just sound good to them. Nick and I have numerous students with the following names: Stamp, Inkjet, Ice-cream, Beer, focus, myfriend, donut, and my personal favorite, Lifeinsurance.