#(because there are two ways to go about Hanzo's fate)

[velvetvexations]

So, Mortal Kombat 1.

The biggest problem is that it tries to be both a sequel and a complete reboot. This does not work. A reboot is always going to inherently change fundamental things that can't be explained as merely the result of time travel. There's a lot of this in MK1, where supposedly something is different because Liu Kang made deliberate changes to what happened but that can't possibly be the case and even if it was is completely inexplicable.

One of the biggest issues in this vein is the apparent erasure of Hanzo to make Sub-Zero the Younger Scorpion. Why give Sub-Zero fire powers? How did Liu Kang influence him to take on the Scorpion name and colors? How and why did Liu Kang get him into a relationship with an appropriately aged version of Hanzo's wife, and apparently have Hanzo now be an orphan child raised by the two of them post-game!?

I also feel like Netherealm's read of Bi-Han's character in the original games is completely wrong, but 'll grant you that it did result in the extremely kino shot of Kuai-Liang and Smoke embracing as brothers before Bi-Han is menacingly revealed behind a flurry of snow in the background.

Most glaringly, however, is the Tarkatan situation, similar to how Havoc is now from Seido because apparently Orderrealm and Chaosrealm were too silly as concepts. It's completely fucking nonsensical that the Tarkatans are now not their own species, but people affected with a mutating virus, which coincidentally just happened to affect a now naturally conceived Mileena. And oh, boy, do I hate how Mileena was handeled in MK1.

If you're familiar with my blog you surely know that I have a habit of headcanoning some of my blorbos as being trans women with NPD. Mileena is one of the most fitting. Her huge hang-ups about being an ugly woman who has to hide her ugliness beneath a mask while also believing she deserves everything but especially the love of a sister she routinely tries to murder out of hateful jealousy spurred by the way she was dismissed as unlovable along with her loyalty to the only person to ever show her the familial love she craves is very trans narc coded.

On one hand, perhaps one might view Mileena's arc in MK1 as following those themes through to a good conclusion where she not only learns to accept herself, but is also loved by all the good guys, including the sister she had a psychologically dense relationship with in the previous timeline. What I find, however, is that MK1 completely bungles all of that.

Being Kitana's naturally born sister who's simply disfigured throws out all the reasons she hates herself. How her ugliness is simply something unfair that happened to her rather than a core part of her being she didn't need to feel negative about at all. In the original timeline, she was essentially a mixed-raced child - probably actually a much better lens with which to view her status than as her being trans, but as I'm a white trans woman that's the interpretation with which she endeared herself to me. While a fantasy version of leprosy might be good for similar themes of self-acceptance, to make it a kinna affliction really goes against the nature of her Tarkatan-half fundamental to her origin - a simple quirk of fate.

Throughout it's then treated as something she has to control, like a werewolf might fight to control their aggression, and she just has to be willing to open herself up to allow herself to be loved. This is much too neat and pretty in the name of a "happy ending". Mileena's story was fascinating because on top of the tragedy, she was also genuinely a raging bitch who's go-to reaction was to kill and attempt to forcibly gain the power and love she was convinced rightfully belonged to her. She was messy. The whole situation was messy. Kitana was within her rights to be terrified of and repulsed by her, yet also wrong, because she never realized how badly what Mileena needed was empathy. Kitana and their mother going "aw, poor baby, we still love you always forever" because they've never before had issues with her sands Mileena down into being unrecognizable even beyond the stupid as hell Predator flaps.

As bad as all that is, it's far from the sum of bizarre choices. So many things are radically different but pure cosmetics that are iconic of certain characters like Mileena having a fucked mouth, Kenshi becoming blind, Kuai-Liang's scar, and Havoc's face all happen regardless under different circumstances. Kenshi is the only one Liu Kang comments on but even that alone should have raised huge questions as to how time operates, especially considering how much the universe didn't feel the need to correct.

I also wish Liu Kang thinking he knew what was best for everyone and that it was his job to orchestrate their lives was given more attention. He made Shao Khan a sickly child, Shang Tsung a dirt poor conman, and Quan Chi a slave in order to defang them, and it would have been great if this was used to illustrate he didn't employ his capacity for kindness and empathy when it concerned people he hated most. Instead we're just expected to think it was all totally deserved because we knew who they were in the previous timeline.

Oh, but Rain is a good guy now, I guess, after doing mega-9/11 post-game, so I guess it all worked out. This game flips a lot of previous bad guys into being heroes and it seriously unbalances the two sides.

How it deals with it's protagonists is equally strange, with obviously set-up-to-be-the-protagonist Raiden getting completely meaningless early fights early on and then being forgotten by the plot so hard he may as well have died. Like all NetherRealm fighting games, the plot is severely restricted by their story mode formula of having you play through chapters focusing on specific characters.

It's such a confused mess and as much as I loved the reveal about the villain MK1 is so dodgy it makes me see stars. It's hard to even imagine going much further with this timeline until they do an actual reboot-reboot, which is always inevitable but especially necessary when so much has been changed just enough that it more or less has to snapback sooner than later as IP law dictates.

[running-with-the-feels]

Another angsty LK!Hanzo idea: Hanzo can barely remember his parents names but can still can see bits & pieces of their faces. The Lin Kuei would beat him every time they even suspected Hanzo thinking about them. Whenever Hanzo sees Kuai & Harumi being happy with their families Hanzo would get teary eyed because he can barely remeber his and don't even know if they're alive or not

eeeeeeeeee love this, so angsty

I bet after Hanzo was kidnapped, his mother and father, along with his two younger siblings who were babies when he was taken, moved to the Shirai Ryu as a way to a) protect the babies from Hanzo's fate and b) get help searching for Hanzo and bringing him home, which is what leads to Hanzo being brought to the Shiray Ryu as a prisoner.

In this version of it, Hanzo's father regretted threatening to disown him over his desire to join the Shirai Ryu immediately and took it back, leading to a rocky but healing relationship as Hanzo prepared to go

bc he had wanted to be Shirai Ryu before being kidnapped, Hanzo is angry at the clan now bc he feels they should have saved him and they didn't until it was (in his mind) too late

[itfitsitshipsart]

Pairing: Hattori Hanzo x Evelyn(OC/SelfInsert)

Summery: After the Battle at Sekigahara, Hanzo and Evelyn discuss their futures, and if she is planning on returning to her time in the future.

People cheered and laughed at the newfound peace, and celebrated loudly with drink and song. This was all well and good, Evelyn herself would have happily joined in the festivities at least a little bit, but that evening the lights were too bright, the voices too loud, and the thoughts she was having were too heavy. Silent as a spider on the wall, Evelyn slipped out of the party, and stepped out into the cool night.

It had been about a year since that fateful day. When she found herself awaking in the forest beside a strange man. It was good fortune that Hanzo had just happened to pass by at that time, and felt it in him to save her. Or perhaps it was fate. After all that had happened, she wasn't willing to dismiss the idea.

Evelyn reached into her sleeve and pulled out a small crystal. It was hardly larger than her pinky, yet glowed a pale yellow without any light shining upon it. So much, because of this. Because of Amrita.

"Not enjoying the party?" A deep voice questioned. Evelyn quickly turned around, stowing away the crystal as she did so, and smiled at Hanzo.

"I'm enjoying it," she responded. "But you know how I get around too many people."

Hanzo nodded in understanding before walking up to her. His gaze was soft under his always stern brows, and he slowly raised a hand up to tuck a stray lock of hair behind Evelyn's ear. She blushed in response, and glanced down for a moment.

"Perhaps you will join me for a walk then?" Hanzo held out his hand to her, and she smiled before taking it.

"I'd love to."

The two walked off and the sound of people was soon replaced with crickets. The breeze was cool, and Hanzo's arm ended up comfortably around her as they moved.

"What are you planning to do now that war is over?" Evelyn's question was sudden, and caused a pause in the walking. Hanzo looked up to the dark sky.

"Things will not change much for me I'm sure." He stated. "War or peace, my job is to lead and be a ninja." he paused for a moment, and then turned to Evelyn, giving the question back. "And you? You're still searching for a way back home, right?"

"To be honest, I'm not quite sure anymore." She leaned against him, her gaze down to the ground. "I've figured out that I most likely got here by Amrita, but others coveting those crystals were part of this entire war. They aren't things to be used lightly, so even if I did know how exactly they brought me here, I couldn't say I'd want to use them in such a way to return. Besides," Evelyn pushed her glasses up her nose. "I've… grown quite fond of some aspects of living here."

Hanzo tilted his head a little, and watched as a faint blush dusted her cheeks. Her body pressed gently against him more, and she let out a quick sigh.

"Remember what you said some months back? About how you would miss me and I'm not replaceable to you?"

"Yes, I remember." Hanzo nodded. "And those are still my feelings."

"Then, if I did happen to stay… what would we be? What… would you want for the future?"

Hanzo couldn't answer right away. Evelyn had turned to quickly face him, and her hand gently went to her chest. She gazed at him with large eyes, those eyes that he always felt entranced by. He had resigned part of himself to the fact that she'd leave, that one day she would wish to return to her own time, and their fates would lead them apart. But if that wasn't the case, what would he want?

Hanzo slowly took her hands into his own, they were so soft and delicate to him. If fate would let them stay together…

"I would never let you go then." He softly stated. "If you stayed, I would do all I can to protect you, and make you never regret your choice. If allowed, I would make you mine."

He watched intently as Evelyn turned away, her face red. She chuckled softly, a flustered grin trying to appear on her face. Soon, she let it grow and smiled at him.

"You make it hard to even consider leaving, Hanzo." She laughed. "A part of me was still thinking about my original time, but I'm pretty sure I'd miss you more than anything else." She leaned forward, and gently nuzzled her face against him. He responded by putting his arms around her in a hug, and held her. After her laughter subsided, she looked up at him from the embrace. "If you promise I'll be yours, I think I have to stay then, wouldn't you agree?"

Hanzo chuckled lightly, and kissed her. Their lips lingered together well after the kiss had ended, and both hesitated to pull away from one another.

"There will be much to plan and do then if this is what we want," Hanzo stated. He closed his eyes, and tightened his embrace. A small smile graced his lips. "But we should wait until tomorrow to start."

"Alright," Evelyn nodded.

[sasorikigai]

Hanzo Hasashi & Rebecca Philips Aesthetic

I don't care if we on the run Baby as long as I'm next to you And if loving you is a crime Tell me why do I bring out the best in you I hear sirens while we make love Loud as hell but they don't know They're nowhere near us I will hold your heart and your gun I don't care if they come, no I know it's crazy but They can take me Now that I found the places that you take, take me Without you I got nothing to lose

Jay-Z - Part II (On The Run)

Dust scatter by the winds - like nebulous hopes - drifting off into the dreams of yesterdays. The restless mind toils, the wheel still spins threads that are made into inseverable webs where the dew drops of his sweat and tears collect and glisten. Microscopic worlds beyond the veils unseen remains radiant, unexplored and theirs for the taking; with the distant symphonies of chatter reverberating on and off the deep caverns of his collective conscious where the heat rises from the belly of the fucking beast. They are master criminals, Hanzo Hasashi and Rebecca Philips, but are collectively known as Sasori (さそり), for its nature to sting, and their shared unexpected and self-destructive defection raises the issue of how to counter a player who defects first, and defects in a way that prevents anyonefrom retaliating on the next move (their lives of the past has ended in the meantime.) All assassins and terrorists play the game this way. Because they are willing to die - it is their nature - the future has no shadow for them. This madness is not unique to humans - the bee that stings to defend the hive, then dies, is a suicidal defector in nature and until their lives run out of its time, they will continue to be exactly that. The Scorpions. 

@desxderium

[pocket-archer]

The “Don’t Tap the Glass” AU info dump

funny little halloween au 

^most recent and accurate art for DTTG

The AU started as a subject for inktober a long time ago and trying to make a cohesive story out of miscellaneous prompts. It was a struggle and eventually it became too difficult to keep working on it but I still care about it. So, as requested, here’s a lore dump of what I was rotating in my mind for so long  

(CW some blood and body horror under cut, long post that I recommend opening on my blog instead of your dash or you’ll perish)

If you’re ever curious of what else I’ve been doing, I post art most often here @corruptimles​​​! 

First of all, obviously, Cassidy (McCree at the time of writing) (Van Helsing skin) was a monster bounty hunter who accepted other jobs and deals as well. Hanzo (demon skin) was considered an oni manifested from the tragedies that occurred in the history of the Shimada castle 

(as in a hundred years ago type history) 

Also I’m going to admit with full honesty; I don’t remember what I did with Genji for this AU and how he and Cassidy knew each other. My best bet is they briefly worked together for some time but Genji was not in a state of making friends back then and they since split off years ago. Genji would’ve been based off his Oni skin (AU was before karasu and skeleton) 

Cassidy was tasked by a “priest” (Cultist Zenyatta) to capture the monster terrorizing the old castle because, despite never leaving castle walls, Hanamura townsfolk were afraid and the priest felt that the oni couldn’t be left there any longer for “other reasons”, cryptically implying a worse fate to come. There was an emphasis on capturing and not killing.

This btw was sus as hell and Cassidy knew the priest was definitely not human and wouldn’t know what he’d do with a demon in hand but the priest was also a sort of benefactor to a lot of people that can vouch for his benevolence

along with vaguely remembering the stories about Hanamura and the Shimada castle (maybe stories from Genji who Cassidy figured was a resident there once)

and there was a large some of money promised as well

^height difference for oni form

I never scripted the battle but Cassidy was a pretty cruel fighter during it and Hanzo was in the larger oni form. It ended with Cassidy sealing the oni in a enchanted glass jar with multiple talismans since the nature of what creature he was isn’t something Cassidy dealt with before so better safe than sorry 

The two obviously hated each other cuz I’m weak to enemies-to-lovers 

Cassidy went into this knowing the nature of Oni supposedly to be mindless violence, murder, sometimes the cannibalism, so he found it amusing for a while that instead the Oni more or less sassed at him for the journey and they kept having conversation

Despite being cruel in battle, Cassidy was more snarky and light-hearted during conversation which Hanzo hated because he thought it was being boastful and arrogant

Also, while Cassidy isn’t really thinking too hard about what’s going to come after, because that’s none of his business, Hanzo is certain the fact he was still alive was because he was probably going to be used as a resource, or worse, enslaved as a familiar 

The task involved travelling to Hanamura then meeting with the priest again in another village to drop off the Oni, and there was implication of other obstacles in the way 

But basically the whole journey had a bit of miscalculation on Cassidy’s part who didn’t expect how long it’d take, noted by a nightmare and a realization of the moon’s phases

They take a detour to ‘restock on supplies’ which extends the journey’s time

It gets noted that both characters are getting weaker for different reasons at this point

Hanzo’s been concealed for so long with actual power draining seals and lack of consumption, he had been betting on having enough energy to fight the split second he’s out again but now he’s worrying 

Cassidy’s notably wavering as well in both physical strength and emotion because of accidentally comparing Hanzo’s situation with his recent nightmare

Unfortunately it is around here where I stopped drawing so! This is going to be a bit more quick but vague

They do detour to another town where there is one more encounter 

The next time Hanzo wakes was to a conversation Cassidy is having with a woman (Witch Mercy) in this other town

Hanzo realized she’s a witch which is worse than the chance of becoming a servant

She already sees him in the bag and was intending to take him but Cassidy grabs her arm which causes a burning effect

^the prosthetic arm in this AU was heavily enchanted with different anti-monster stuff so it reacts to non-humans

The two keep up the appearance of pleasantry but the conversation turns tense

Cassidy lets go and she playfully laments the loss of a potential servant 

She lightly reminds Cassidy that he’s running out of time and he notes she should mind her own business 

I think it was implied they knew each other already but were trying to be civil in public

Also implication that either Cassidy is determined to keep up this deal with the priest, or starting to protect the oni for other reasons

Hanzo meanwhile realizes that him being able to sense she was a witch meant he wasn’t being completely sealed anymore, the enchantments were getting weaker as the same time as Cassidy

More time would pass as the full moon comes closer

Hanzo starts making conversation w Cassidy and notes about the moon

Reveal that Cassidy wasn’t human himself

Remember the arm reacts to non-humans? 

anyway Hanzo being trapped inside the containment meant he was pretty much surrounded by only the magic that made it and now that it was getting weaker, he could start comparing it to stuff around them, and notes that it was Cassidy’s own magic that must’ve been used to seal (which is technically obvious but hang on) 

question about why Cassidy’s worrying about the time

"You’re also cursed, aren’t you?”

Unfortunately from here on, I don’t remember the scenes anymore so pretend there’s reasonable time between each plot point here

note on the word ‘also’

Cassidy is like, heavily cursed, a reason Hanzo couldn’t get a good read on him

at some point reveal Hanzo was human before

Cassidy runs out of time and the curse causes a transformation

I put a heavy implication that Cassidy was a werewolf which Hanzo would note that he could sense, but it wasn’t strong enough to make sense. 

Cassidy was actually Undead

^he is both ‘van helsing’ and ‘undead’. (The mask art was the very last thing I drew on my ipad before moving to my huion tablet. I never posted it but I want to redraw it) 

Cassidy was attacked and bitten by a werewolf but what killed him was the decision to amputate the arm in a desperate attempt to stop the lycan curse 

There was a deal made with Death and it was actually the anniversary of that deal where Cassidy needed to hold up his end or his soul is collected

The deal with Death also connected to the ‘Deadeye’ ult in a way of seeing people marked for death but I never really wrote that into this

Death was either Pumpkin or Nevermore Reaper, or a combination

I could’ve sworn I had a comic panel where a crow was watching Cassidy and Hanzo for a while but I can���t find that?

I dont. remember what Cassidy had to do. for the deal. I think maybe life for a life? or the reason he went to the town was to look for something to prolong his sentence but got turned around by the witch? orz

but there was a bit of a scuffle and it broke the jar 

I think they just straight up fight off Death, for now

Cassidy and Hanzo were definitely supposed to have a tentative alliance after fighting together

A note about Hanzo being kinda short (human height) and staying short because he was too weak to keep the oni form on (and to make it more jarring to remember the oni really was some guy)

There was going to be conflict about what to do with Hanzo in the case he was now just going to be killed or enslaved if Cassidy reached the rendezvous

Cassidy and Hanzo more or less procrastinate on what to do and wander/run away/maybe find a way to help Hanzo/I cant quite remember

I’m pretty sure there was going to be a way for Hanzo to take on a human appearance later since Cassidy can

Also running from Death and Mercy

Death and Mercy were connected somehow because I wrote this with my headcanon the Mercy caused Reaper

The problem now with them ‘saving’ Hanzo is that he never gets to Zenyatta, who was with Genji

Hanzo and Genji were sons of the Shimada castle a long time ago and their story of betrayal and fratricide and loss became folklore, one brother unable to be laid to rest and resurrected into something else, and the other transformed in his grief and self-perception of being a monster

so they’re technically really old lol

Zenyatta had tasked Cassidy with this quest in the fear the Hanzo would lose himself to monstrosity staying alone within the castle; hoping the mend the broken bond between the two brothers after Genji has long come to peace and understanding of what happened

and now Genji runs off worried, to hunt both of them down in case one kills the other

funny misunderstandings and antics from there

priest Zenyatta has a new feeling things will be just fine and just chills

-

In conclusion, I was a younger impulsive artist so everything was a hot mess and I have no time or energy to remake a whole comic to tell the story in a more cohesive way but I’m SO SO happy people still enjoyed my cringe, so thank you!

anyway go check out @corruptimles​​

[scalproie]

"scorpion decides to protect kuai to make up for killing his brother" wait oh my god hold on a second oh god fuck augh jesus fuck thats so SWEET like in a sad way but SWEET AW GOD MAN. PLEASE. TELL ME MORE. PROTECT HOW??? is it like a one time thing or a more permanent deal come on man give me the deets

ok ok ok heres the full deets

The whole protector thing takes place in the old timeline so bear with me

So for context: Bi-Han aka Sub Zero killed Hanzo and then two years later, competed in the Mortal Kombat tournament cause the Lin Kuei sent him to assassinate Shang Tsung for a mission. There, Hanzo, now Scorpion reborn in the netherrealm (basically hell), took his revenge on him and killed him. Thats it for their storyline in mk1.

then mk2:

^ Basically sums it up, in order from top to bottom: Kuai Liang/the new Sub Zero's mk2 intro, Scorpion's mk2 intro, Scorpion's mk2 ending, and Sub Zero's mk2 ending.

John Tobias (co-creator) touched on this in his mortal kombat 2 comic, here's scorpion showing up to save sub zero from reptile:

This is three literal pages away from the ending, scorpion literally only showed up just to do that, and then theyre kinda vibing next to each other in the next panels until the end of the comic. It's technically their first interaction and they already have a vibe it's so funny. Took less than a game.

Scorpion's guardian role is touched upon again in his mk3 ending:

In which he switches sides as soon as he discover Subz is on the other team

Then comes mk4 which introduces Quan Chi, and theres some minor retcons to make it so Quan Chi orchestrated the whole Elder Subz/Scorpion rivalry. Quan Chi is also manipulating Scorpion into going after the Younger Subz once more by telling him that Subz killed his family, so gone are the protector days, sadly.

In Scorpion's (canon) mk4 ending, Scorpy beat Subz and as Subz is laying there, he tells Scorpion that he didnt do it, and as on cue, Quan Chi shows up to... brag??? That he did it. So Scorpion tackles him and teleport them both further into hell, the 5th level precisely, before T-posing while Quan Chi goes "nnnNNNOOOOOO"

In Subz's (non-canon) mk4 ending, Subz beat Scorpion and Scorpion monologue a bit before passing out, and Quan Chi sneak behind Subz and fucking knock him out, he then brag AGAIN about how he manipulated them both and Scorpion wakes up and fucking explodes Quan Chi. Then Subz & Scorp kinda stand there for a second, until Scorpion tells Subz that he's free from his curse, and that he wish the Lin Kuei warrior to live well, to which Subz reply "arright"

And... that's kinda it for their shared stories! They dont have any official interactions in the following game outside of standing aesthetically pleasingly next to each other, or beating each other in concept art because their rivalry is also aesthetically pleasing. They have their own stuff going on in the following games's """stories""". Quan Chi replaced Subz as Scorpion's mortal enemy and Subz has to deal with his own clan bs.

Their LAST interaction before the reboot in his Armageddon, in the intro where they have their very last fight, but it's kind of a free for all between every characters and everyone is kind of in a frenzy. In any case, Subz kills Scorpion before being killed by Baraka.

There's also this:

Now idk what OFFICIALY this concept art was supposed to meant, if it was supposed to be either Scorpion's or Subz's ending, but its very real and you can unlock it in the Armageddon's gallery.

Anyway that would be it for "Scorpion decides to protect Kuai to make up for killing his brother"! Still wild to me how actually a big part of Scorpion's character this ended up being, two whole games. Their fated rivalry barely lasted one. Anyway.

They ended up naming mk11's klassic Scorpion costume after this!

They might also have referenced Scorpion's protector days a bit in the last animated movie that came out, considering Scorpion saved Kuai four goddamn times over the span of the movie.

[avi17]

MK X Pacific Rim AU Concept

You ever get an AU idea in your head and go absolutely feral for a bit putting it all on paper?  Me neither, until now!  This isn’t so much a fic as just a detailed wiki-style outline, but hopefully it will still be fun to read!  I had a ton of fun figuring out how to translate all these concepts and backstories into the PR world. If anyone feels like doing anything with these ideas they’re absolutely welcome, just please credit me and link back to this post if you do!  I don’t think I’ll ever be able to write this into some massive longfic, but I definitely hope to do some shorts in this ‘verse. I brainstormed this with a bunch of people, and got some fun ideas from @sxvethelastdance​, @bastardsunlight​, and @fallen-angel-lucifer- thank you guys so much for humoring all this!​

Pan Pacific Defense Corps Marshal Raiden was a legendary Mark 1 pilot dating back to when the program was first launched.  Based out of the Shatterdome in Tokyo, he and his brother Fujin, in their Jaeger Thunderbolt Gale, were the first line of defense from Kaiju attacks headed westward from the breach for five grueling years. However, they met their match in Motaro, the first Category 3 Kaiju to make landfall on Hokkaido, and when Fujin was torn from their Jaeger and killed, Raiden was forced to take down the creature solo- a feat replicated only twice since. The physical and emotional toll of that day led to his retirement from active combat, but he remained in the PPDC as a commander, as well as a mentor of other pilots.  When the Jaeger program was decommissioned, he was the last one to retain his faith in it, and took up leadership over the few remaining Jaegers at the Shatterdome in Hong Kong for one final stand against the Kaiju. Current Pilots:

Liu Kang and Kung Lao Jaeger: White Lotus Original base: Hong Kong

The home base heroes of the Hong Kong Shatterdome, pilots Liu Kang and Kung Lao are the top graduates and darlings of the Wu Shi Jaeger Academy.  Raised together in a martial arts sect before the first breach and drift compatible since their ranger training began, they are nearly inseparable- though Kung Lao has never quite forgotten how Liu Kang's scores just barely edged out his own in their individual skill assessments, and he strives constantly to prove himself his partner's equal (despite Liu Kang's insistence that such competition is unnecessary). Their Jaeger, White Lotus, is a well-rounded, powerful machine, featuring high-powered flamethrowers, as well as a system of fuel vents that allow it to set its fists alight and heat them to brutal temperatures in close-quarters battle. For ranged combat, it utilizes a circular blade mounted to its head, which can be thrown like a boomerang with enough force to slice through buildings. 

Kitana and Jade Jaeger: Edenia Glory Original Base: Lima

Interplanetary refugees, Kitana and Jade escaped to Earth after their homeworld was attacked and overrun by Kaiju invaders.  Their spacecraft crashed in the middle of the Amazon rainforest, and though they immediately searched for civilization in order to warn Earth’s people of what was to come, the first wave of attacks had already begun.  After making their way to Lima, they volunteered to put their combat skills and close bond to use as rangers in the South American Jaeger program. Together they have defended the coasts of Chile and Peru since the Mark-2 days, though between battles, they spend their time in communication with the PPDC and the U.N., sharing what information they can about the Kaiju and other alien life previously unknown on Earth. Their Jaeger, Edenia Glory incorporates technological elements from their original planet not used in any other Jaeger, and is lithe, fast, and deadly, with a style focused primarily on precision bladework rather than hand to hand brawling.  Its name is a tribute to their lost homeworld, and they use it to great effect to prevent Earth from suffering the same fate.

Sonya Blade and Jackson "Jax" Briggs (later Johnny Cage) Jaeger: Flawless Victory Original Base: Los Angeles

Both Lt. Sonya Blade and Maj. Jax Briggs had successful careers in the U.S military behind them when the first Kaiju came ashore and attacked San Francisco.  Though at the time, Sonya was in the field pursuing the criminal Kano, she returned to the states when her friend and superior officer, Jax, suggested that they might be good candidates for the newly-formed ranger program.  He proved to be right, and the two did time at the Shatterdomes in both Los Angeles and Anchorage, fighting off Kaiju from Canada to Mexico, and became well-admired figures within the military for their ascent.  Though far from unscathed, the ostentatiously-named Flawless Victory is the last American Jaeger left standing by the time the program is decommissioned and is a tank of a machine, sacrificing some speed for the greatest physical strength of any Jaeger still on the field. Like the other American Jaegers, for long range combat it favors plasma cannons and explosives- particularly a ring-shaped plasma blast with wider coverage than the usual single beam- but it is at its most effective when delivering a crushing beatdown up close and personal. Johnny Cage is the star of a popular series of action films dramatizing the battles of the Jaegers and Kaiju, and to many civilians at home, is as much the face of the Jaeger program as its real members.  He has a secret ambition to become an actual pilot and has an impressive record in simulations, but because of his celebrity status (and his personality), Marshal Raiden and the other Jaeger teams refuse to consider him as a true contender.  However, when a vicious fight with two Kaiju at once leaves both of Jax's arms shattered, taking him out of commission as a pilot for the foreseeable future, Sonya is forced to accept Johnny as her new co-pilot in order to keep Flawless Victory in the fray where it is needed. Despite her irritation with him, they turn out to be drift compatible, and become a formidable duo in their own right.

Hanzo Hasashi and Kuai Liang Jaeger: Phantom Vengeance Original Base: Nagasaki

From the Nagasaki Shatterdome, the bright yellow Mark-3 Jaeger Shirai Ryu defended the coast of the Yellow Sea across three countries.  Its building was overseen by its husband and wife pilots, Hanzo and Harumi Hasashi, and it was named for the legendary warrior clan from which Hanzo claimed descent.  It was in service for four years, though Hanzo and Harumi always spent as much time as possible between missions with their young son Satoshi, who lived with them in their quarters at the base so that his parents could still have a part in raising him in a world that would not guarantee a reunion for families who choose to separate. Across the sea based in Shanghai was an organization known as the Lin Kuei, a private military contractor funded by shadowy, unknown sources.  Though its bread and butter was anti-Kaiju weaponry, it also began to develop its own Jaegers- the only ones outside the PPDC, created from illicitly obtained blueprints, and hireable for the right price.  Its crown jewel was a small, stealthy machine called simply Sub-Zero, unique for its proficiency underwater and tendency to use coolant as a weapon rather than fire or explosives, and piloted by two brothers- Bi-Han and Kuai Liang. When the massive Kaiju Kintaro directly attacked the Nagasaki Shatterdome, Shirai Ryu was the only Jaeger left to defend it. Desperate, the Hasashis attempted to contact the Lin Kuei, as they were closer than the nearest other Shatterdome in Tokyo.  They received no response and were forced into battle alone, and though they prevailed, the price was too high- not only Harumi’s life when part of their cockpit was crushed, but Satoshi’s as well, buried in the wreckage of the base.  In his grief, Hanzo blamed the Lin Kuei- particularly Bi-Han, with whom he had never gotten along- for what he perceived as a failure to act due to greed and amorality. What Hanzo did not know that day was that they were experiencing the first double event in history, and Sub-Zero and the Lin Kuei were under attack by the Kaiju Sheeva at the same time.  The Kaiju hivemind had figured out Sub-Zero’s usual strategy of attacking from the water, and were ready with an acidic bite that tore a hole in the cockpit, which rapidly flooded.  After a similar failure to make contact with Shirai Ryu, Bi-Han was swept out into the sea and presumably drowned (though his body was never recovered), but Kuai Liang, despite a bleeding face and water up to his neck, managed to kill the Kaiju mere moments before Sub-Zero ceased to function. After his release from medical, a furious Kuai Liang set off immediately for the remains of the Nagasaki Shatterdome to confront Hanzo for his failure to respond to the attack, since Shanghai was within Nagasaki's area of coverage. Both blinded by rage, they nearly got into a fistfight in the middle of the base, but once they realized what had truly happened, their anger cooled.  They bonded over their grief, and the unfathomable experience of having to pilot a Jaeger alone after such loss- and in the process, discovered they were drift compatible, and that they both wished to continue the fight in retaliation for what the Kaiju had done to their families. Their new Jaeger, Phantom Vengeance, is a strange sight- constructed from salvaged pieces of both Sub-Zero and Shirai Ryu (along with some newer tech to fill the gaps), it looks as much like a walking ghost as its pilots. However, it should not be underestimated based on its appearance. Quick and light (for a Jaeger), it features a retractable grappling hook to drag Kaiju into the range of its blasts of powerful coolant, and a devastating grip to snap them like twigs once frozen. 

Other Players:

After the destruction of Sub-Zero and the defection of Kuai Liang, the Lin Kuei concluded that the problem with the Jaeger program was the human element of drift compatibility, which limited the number of possible pilots and held them back due to concern for their partners in battle.  Therefore, in secret, they began a series of horrific experiments, fusing subjects with their Jaegers to operate more like batteries than true pilots, and erasing their memories through drugging and electric shock in order to create blank minds that could operate together without the complications of emotion.  Assassins Cyrax and Sektor, along with Kuai Liang’s close friend Tomas Vrbada, were among the subjects of this initiative, forced to operate a three-armed machine called Triborg.

Shang Tsung is a scientist, shunned from the academic community and at times running afoul of the law for his unethical- if not outright twisted- biological experiments. He and Marshal Raiden have crossed paths in the past, and though no one knows the details, their enmity towards each other is clear. However, in his desperation after the decommissioning of the Jaeger program, Raiden had Shang Tsung brought from prison to the Hong Kong Shatterdome, and gave him access to whatever parts he needed to find a way to destroy the Kaiju- by any means necessary. Shang Tsung agreed partly because of the money offered, but mostly because the world's destruction would throw quite the wrench into his own personal goals. (And maybe because it was deeply satisfying- and perhaps useful- to have the Marshal in his debt.) Where his allegiance will lie at the end of the day, however, is anyone's guess. 

For such experiments, one needs a steady supply of Kaiju parts, and for contraband like that, Raiden had to look even lower- to the crime syndicate the Black Dragon, led by Kano and including his associates, Kabal and Erron Black.  Though once mercenaries dealing in everything from illicit arms trading to assassination, the Black Dragon followed the money and and put all their resources into the trafficking of Kaiju parts.  With demand so high, they have become immensely powerful, but their involvement with the PPDC in the name of greater profits ends up bringing Kano face to face with his old nemesis, Sonya Blade- with predictably violent results.

Nightwolf was the historian of the Matoka tribe, which had long ago predicted a great cataclysm that would bring about the end of life on earth.  Though he had been skeptical that such legends were real, when that cataclysm came to pass in the form of the Kaiju invasion, Nightwolf was not content to merely await a prophesied destruction.  He left home and applied for the ranger program, but although he trained toward being a pilot and had the necessary combat skills, he never found a partner with whom he was drift compatible.  Rather than dwell on this with resentment, he pivoted his focus into other ways he could help, and found his place as a technician and LOCCENT officer.  Transferred to Hong Kong after the decommissioning of the Jaeger program, he was the rangers’ primary point of communication with the base while in battle.

Though most of the world fears the Kaiju, there are also those who worship them, and such admiration has evolved over the years into a full-blown religion.  The shadowy high priest of this cult is Quan Chi, who claims that the Kaiju have been sent by the God of Death himself- to end the days of humans on Earth as we so richly deserve.  Recently, a strange, hollow-eyed man calling himself Noob Saibot has appeared like a shadow at Quan Chi’s side, serving as his personal bodyguard against all threats and a fellow ardent believer in the inevitability of humanity’s destruction. Mileena is a grotesque fusion of Kaiju DNA with that of Kitana, which was stolen against her will when she was injured and bled during the invasion of Edenia. She enters Earth as a general of the Kaiju, connected to their hivemind, along with the first Category 5 to ever come through the breach, Goro.  Together, they intend to ensure the will of their creator and the ruler of the Anteverse- Shao Kahn- is carried out.

[lets-just-daydream]

Masterlist - July 2020

DOOMFIST X READER

S/O who is the Talon commissar

Doomfist with touch-sensitive reader (NSFW)

Domestic HCs

GENJI X READER

Seeing S/O remove fake lashes for the first time ever

S/O has their glass heart in a lockbox

Comforting S/O whose family member is in hospital

S/O who is presumed dead is found alive

“Be you, no one else can.”

S/O with sensitive skin

Reactions to an S/O with SPD and ASD

Reaction to S/O who feels worthless

Genji is moving things a little too fast

Genji cheats on you and Hanzo saves the day

“Do you like it when I touch you like that?” and “You have no idea what you do to me”

S/O is a meme

“Open up” and “Good girl” (NSFW)

“Are you okay?” and “About the baby… it’s yours”

“No strings attached” NSFW

“I haven’t slept in four days” with nurse!S/O

Young!Genji in an arranged marriage with his best friend

Comforting S/O who’s insecure about weight and height HCs

Reactions to tiny reader in huge armour

Genji cheats on reader, Hanzo saves the day

Reader loves touching Genji HCs

Sick reader comes to a meeting

Genji and male reader’s first time (NSFW)

Genji’s reaction to S/O being afraid of the dark

Reader is Moira’s daughter and runs away after the Venice incident then reunites with Genji and McCree

Genji comforts sexually abused reader

Child comes out of the closet

Genji smut (NSFW)

HANZO X READER

Reader has a son who Hanzo adopts and they develop dragons

Seeing S/O remove fake lashes for the first time ever

“Are you hitting on me?”

S/O has their glass heart in a lockbox

With an S/O who has wings

Undercover kissing Avengers style

Hanzo’s dad sabotages your relationship

Hanzo confessing his love for chubby reader

Reader spends all day teasing Hanzo

Hanzo proposes to pregnant long time love

S/O who is presumed dead is found alive

“I didn’t think you could get any less romantic”

"You can't banish me! This is my bed too!" and "How is my wife more badass than me?"

Quiet S/O has to body slam a jerk

S/O with sensitive skin

Reaction to S/O who feels worthless

Reader is Moira’s prized experiment

A birthday surprise for Hanzo

Hanzo asks S/O to sing to him

Break-in

Genji cheats on you and Hanzo saves the day

Reader is afraid of Vampire!Hanzo

Reader is “initiated” into Okami!Hanzo’s pack

Learning languages

“I lost the baby”

“I hate you” and “Why do you hate me?”

“You’d be a great mother”

“If you’re bored; wanna have sex?” and “What did you just say?”

“Do you believe in ghosts?”

Comforting S/O who’s insecure about weight and height HCs

Young!Hanzo tries to win reader’s heart at a Dragon Festival

Reader walks into work with bruises on face and neck

Reader doesn’t take injury seriously

Powers like Polaris

Hanzo has a crush on McCree’s little sister

Genji cheats on reader, Hanzo saves the day

Quiet, insecure reader

Playing with Hanzo’s hair

College AU

Hanzo the ice-cream man

Hanzo spots your tattoo

McHanzo’s pregnant S/O

Skin Clouds (Soulmate Tattoo AU)

Reader cries because she finally belongs

Reader is obsessed with Hanzo’s tattoo

Blind fem!reader

Reader is accused of something they didn’t do

Child comes out of the closet

Scion Hanzo likes waitress reader

Reader breaks up with cheating Hanzo

Waking up next to Hanzo for the first time

Hanzo shows off for reader

“Babe”

JUNKRAT X READER

Reactions to S/O expecting a baby

Developing a crush on reader

Break-in

Kissing HCs

What it’s like being in a relationship

Trying to seduce crush

“Can I kiss you right now?”

Reader comforts crying Junkrat

Jealousy HCs

Junkrat falls in love with lesbian reader

Secretly strong fem!reader

Reader breaks up with cheating Junkrat

Self conscious chubby S/O HCs

Junkrat goes down on virgin fem!reader (NSFW)

LUCIO X READER

Injured S/O drabble

Reactions to S/O expecting a baby

Lucio comforts suicidal S/O

Reactions to tiny reader in huge armour

Quiet, insecure S/O

Playing with Lucio’s hair

When reader is made fun of, protective Lucio strikes

Reader learns to skate in Lucio’s skates

Reader changes her appearance and surprises Lucio

McCree walks in on reader and Lucio (NSFW)

MCCREE X READER

“Stop being so cute”

S/O brings a cute lunch and everyone is shook

Undercover kissing Avengers style

Reader and McCree reunite years after the fall

Comforting S/O whose family member is in hospital

S/O who is presumed dead is found alive

“I lost our baby”

“The ladies love a man who’s good with kids”

Quiet S/O has to body slam a jerk

Reactions to an S/O with SPD and ASD

Reaction to S/O who feels worthless

Reactions to S/O expecting a baby

Reader has huge wings

McCree gets blackmailed by Talon agent

Developing a crush on reader

Cuddle HCs

McCree saves abused reader

Injured S/O

Break-in

Anaemic reader

Kissing HCs

What it’s like being in a relationship

“I lost the baby”

McCree with a loud S/O sequel

McCree with a S/O who has violin hips

Trying to seduce crush

Reader and their S/O are caught sneaking around by McCree

“Can I touch you?”

Comforting S/O who’s insecure about height and weight HCs

McCree with touch-sensitive reader (NSFW)

McCree and reader are happy until a spy brainwashes him

Reader comforts crying McCree

McCree and D.Va swap bodies and reader confesses her love to the wrong person

Reactions to tiny reader in huge armour

Reader walks into work with bruises on face and neck

Jealousy HCs

Quiet, insecure reader

McCree likes lesbian reader

Playing with McCree’s hair

McHanzo’s pregnant S/O

Loud S/O comforted by McCree

Reader is Moira’s daughter and runs away after the Venice incident then reunites with McCree

Reader is Moira’s daughter and runs away ... part two

McCree comforts sexually abused reader

McCree walks in on reader and Lúcio (NSFW)

McCree helps bigger reader with anxiety and self-confidence

Reader is accused of something they didn’t do

Child comes out of the closet

Reader dies in McCree’s arms

Reader breaks up with cheating McCree

McCree comforts S/O going through phantom pain

Reader has a crush on McCree and he slept with someone else

Young reader with joint pain

Waking up next to McCree for the first time

McCree finds S/O after she showers (NSFW)

McCree cares for sick reader

REAPER X READER

Gabriel meets mermaid!reader

S/O has their glass heart in a lockbox

S/O brings a cute lunch and everyone is shook

Undercover kissing Avengers style

Busty S/O drabble

Reaper saves Reader from Talon fire

Injured S/O drabble

Comforting S/O whose family member is in hospital

Celebrating Prefall!Reaper’s birthday

Reader is turned into Reaper

S/O who is the Talon commissar

Reaction to S/O who feels worthless

S/O calls Reaper “boo”

Anaemic reader

Reader is basically a storage unit

“It’s lonely here without you”

“It’s lonely here without you” part two

Quiet, insecure reader

Waking up next to Gabe and he spots your tattoo

Convincing Reaper to leave Talon

Short fic of Gabe doesn’t love reader anymore

Reaper comforts sexually abused reader

HCs of Gabe doesn’t love reader anymore

Reader is accused of something they didn’t do

Reaper76 vampire AU

Reader has a crush on McCree and he slept with someone else

Gabe helps exhausted S/O

Gabe helps reader with body hate

Fluffy pre-fall Gabe

Reader has a self-harm relapse

Gabe doesn’t have time for games

REINHARDT X READER

Cuddle HCs

Reader walks into work with bruises on face and neck

Reader steps up to help Reinhardt with a flashback

Reinhardt helps reader catch her dog

ROADHOG X READER

Developing a crush on reader

Kissing HCs

What it’s like being in a relationship

Trying to seduce crush

Reader comforts crying Roadhog

Jealousy HCs

Waking up next to Roadhog and he spots your tattoo

Roadhog finds S/O after she showers (NSFW)

SOLDIER 76 X READER

Reader is turned into Reaper

Reader is Moira’s prized experiment

S/O switches coffee to decaf

Reader accepts her fate with Slasher76

Reader is basically a storage unit

Sick reader goes to meeting

Child comes out of the closet

Reader dies in Soldier 76′s arms

Pre-fall Soldier 76 helps reader catch her dog

Reaper76 vampire AU

Soldier 76 deals with annoying clients

Soldier 76 helps reader with body hate

Reader has self-harm relapse

ANA X READER

S/O builds Ana a mechanical bodyguard

“Mommy, could you please pass the salt?”

Fluff and kisses

BRIGITTE X READER

Argument before Brigitte leaves for mission

Injured S/O

Domestic HCs

“Shut up  and kiss me” and “Is that my shirt?”

Fluff and kisses

D.VA X READER

Reader would like to sponsor her work

Reactions to an S/O with SPD and ASD

Reaction to S/O who feels worthless

Noticing self-harm scars

S/O shapeshifts into D.Va

D.Va doesn’t feel the same way

S/O is a meme

D.Va with a S/O who is getting famous

D.Va introduces reader to Korean food

Reader loves touching D.Va

Fluff and kisses

D.Va cheats on reader

MEI X READER

Fluff and kisses

MERCY X READER

Helping reader quit vaping

“Welcome to fatherhood”

Reader would like to sponsor her work

S/O with sensitive skin

Sleepy and cuddly drabbles

S/O builds Mercy a mechanical bodyguard

Reader is turned into Reaper

Reaction to S/O who feels worthless

Noticing self-harm scars

Reader has huge wings

“Are you high…?”

“Mommy, could you please pass the salt?”

S/O switches coffee to decaf

Reader is basically a storage unit

Mercy with tied up reader

Reader loves touching Mercy

Sick reader comes to meeting

Mercy finds out she’s pregnant HCs

Fluff and kisses

Mercy cheats on reader

Mercy wakes up next to reader for the first time

Reader finds vampire Mercy drinking blood from a donor bag

MOIRA X READER

S/O brings a cute lunch and everyone is shook

S/O builds Moira a mechanical bodyguard

Learning S/O can shapeshift

Moira thinks rabbit!reader is self-aware

Moira reacts to crush almost dying

Reader is Moira’s daughter and runs away after the Venice incident then reunites with McCree

Reader is Moira’s daughter ... part two

Moira finds out she’s pregnant HCs

Fluff and kisses

S/O gets overwhelmed and cries

PHARAH X READER

Tracer sets you up on a date

Sleepy and cuddly drabbles

“Mommy, could you please pass the salt?”

Male S/O meets Pharah’s parents

Pharah and S/O fight before S/O faces death

Fluff and kisses

SOMBRA X READER

S/O can teleport

Clingy Sombra is jealous of S/O’s ex

Reader would like to sponsor her work

Sleepy and cuddly drabbles

S/O who is the Talon commissar

Reaction to S/O who feels worthless

Noticing self-harm scars

Reader has huge wings

S/O switches coffee to decaf

S/O shapeshifts into Sombra

S/O is a meme

Learning S/O can shapeshift

Moira thinks rabbit!reader is self-aware. Sombra thinks Moira is crazy

Sombra reacts to crush almost dying

Sombra and roommate finally kiss

Pregnancy HCs

Fluff and kisses

S/O gets overwhelmed and cries

SYMMETRA X READER

Fluff and kisses

TRACER X READER

Seeing S/O remove fake lashes for the first time ever

S/O can teleport

Reaction to S/O who feels worthless

Fluff and kisses

WIDOWMAKER X READER

S/O can teleport

Reader is Moira’s prized experiment

“Mommy, could you please pass the salt?”

Assassin reader defending Widowmaker

Learning S/O can shapeshift

Widowmaker shibari

Widowmaker reacts to crush almost dying

Widowmaker is bad at flirting

Widowmaker almost leaves reader for dead

Forest nymph/dryad reader discovers injured Widowmaker

Widowmaker finds out she’s pregnant

Fluff and kisses

S/O gets overwhelmed and cries

ZARYA X READER

Injured S/O

Domestic HCs

Zarya doesn’t know you can speak Russian

“Fuck me”

Fluff and kisses

Zarya cheats on reader

Zarya and fem!reader on first date

Reader is panicked and Zarya helps

[koreaweeb]

Red Strings - First String

@underc0vercryptid-reads @laraplisetski @omegahighendpro @thooo0t

TW: SWEARING, VIOLENCE, ABUSE, MENTION OF SUICIDE, MENTION OF SELF-HARM, SEXUAL CONTENT

-

-

Red String of Fate - The two people connected by the red string are destined lovers, regardless of place, time, or circumstances. This magical cord may stretch or tangle, but never break. 

---  

-Six Months before Borderland-

Holding her heels and phone in one hand, and lifting her dress with the other, the woman rushed into the A&E. Those waiting to be seen gave her weird looks. It was not everyday one would get to see a woman in a ballgown in a hospital after all.

She walked up to the nurse’s station, a panicked look on her face. 

“I’m looking for a Chuya-”

“Miss, if you could please wait your turn.”

“I am not looking for treatment. I am looking for a person. His name is Chu-”

“Miss, we are not a daycare centre here. Please can you wait over there?”

“Goddamn it! Someone help me!”

Distraught and frustrated, she smashed her phone on the floor. That certainly got everyone’s attention. The entire A&E suddenly went quiet, save for the beeping of equipment here and there. The nurse sitting behind the station reached for the phone, most likely to call security when a hand stopped her.

Walking around the station, a young man took over the computer and started typing.

“Chuya Aoi, is it?” he asked, looking at the woman. Instantly calming down, she nodded. “He’s currently in the OR. There’s a waiting room on the second floor-”

Before he could finish his sentence, the woman dashed off.

“Jesus, would it kill her to wait a little? It’s not like she can see him if he’s in the OR,” the nurse muttered under her breath. “I wouldn’t help her if I were you, Chishiya.”

“Did you not hear the name?” the young man asked, tilting his head. “Chuya, as in the Chuya Group. Aren’t they one of our biggest benefactors?”

--

Sitting in the waiting room on the second floor, she was clutching her hands together. Tears kept falling down her cheeks but she did not bother wiping them. How could this happen?

She was at an event when she received the call. She did not pick up at first, missing a call from Aoi. Then her phone kept ringing to the point where she got irritated. When she finally picked up, however, it was not Aoi. It was his friend, calling to inform her that Aoi had been sent to the hospital after a suicide attempt. 

If only she did not miss his call.

If only she had picked up.

Their relationship had never been close like other siblings, but they were always there for each other because no one else in the world understood what they were going through. They only had each other. Aoi only had her, and the one time he needed her the most, she was not there. 

The more she thought about it, the more she cried. 

It was her fault. 

Approaching the waiting room, Chishiya was holding the phone she smashed earlier. He stopped just outside the door, watching as the woman was bawling her eyes out. He never understood when people would cry for patients, be it staff who took care of them or friends and family. 

When one died, they died. 

Crying would not heal them. Crying would not bring them back. So why would you cry? 

He found it amusing, however, that she came barging into A&E and demanded for help with such authority, only to break down behind the scenes when she was alone. 

The door to the OR opened and the surgeon came out with a nurse. Chishiya slipped around the corner, making sure to keep out of sight. If they were to find him eavesdropping, he was pretty sure he would be kicked out of medical school. Not that it mattered to him, which was why he stuck around. 

“Miss Chuya Kurenai?”

“Yes.” 

“I’m Doctor Serizawa, Mr. Chuya Aoi’s surgeon. I’m glad to tell that he’s going to be fine. He’ll need to stay for observation for the next few days but he will be fine. Miss Chuya?”

A wave of relief washed over her as Kurenai clutched her hands to calm herself down. Aoi was going to be okay. “If you could please arrange for him to be in a private suite,” Kurenai said, getting up. “I’ll go and complete his admission.” 

Collecting herself, Kurenai left the waiting room and headed down to the reception where she completed the necessary forms needed for Aoi’s admission. Then for the next hour or so, she sat next to his bed, waiting for him to wake. 

She stared at his wrist where it was bandaged, and so many thoughts were crossing her mind at once. They lost their mother to suicide, and she nearly lost Aoi. And it was all because of one man. The frustrating part, however, was knowing that this would never bother him as much as it did them. 

“Ku-renai…”

Aoi’s voice was soft and weak. She looked up to see that his eyes were opened. There were tears already in his eyes, like he knew what he did hurt her, that what he did was cowardly in her eyes. 

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. 

“If you are saying sorry now, then you shouldn’t have done it,” she said.

“I know. I-”

“You need your rest. I’ll get Ayako-san to make your meals tomorrow.”

She was heading out of the room when Aoi called out to her. “Kurenai...I’m so sorry.” She took in a deep breath, blinking her tears away. He should not be sorry. The person who should be apologising was her father, the person who had pushed Aoi over the edge. “I called you…”

“I know,” she said, wiping the rogue tear rolling down her cheek. “Just...don’t do it again.”

Somehow, she made her way down to the lobby. Should she have stayed with Aoi though?

As she walked past a vending machine, however, Kurenai stopped in front of it. She left the event without eating or even drinking. Now that Aoi was in the clear, she finally had time to care about her growling stomach and dry throat. 

The vending machine before her only had drinks, and she never had them before though she did see coffee on there. She pressed the button but nothing happened. No beeps, no coffee. She pressed it again but still, nothing. No beeps, no coffee. She was getting a little frustrated when someone tapped a card on the sensor, pressing for the coffee she wanted. 

“You need one of these, or change.” It was the young doctor who helped her earlier. 

“Thank you,” she said, taking the can from him. 

“I believe this is yours,” he said, pulling out her phone from his pocket. The screen, however, was smashed beyond repair. She doubted that it would turn on.

“Just throw it away.” 

She cracked the can open, taking a sip and made a face of disgust, pressing the can into his hand. He found it amusing, watching her. A rich person like her probably never touched a vending machine, let alone drink or eat something from one. He was not a fan of canned coffee either, though he had an inkling that she probably never even heard of instant coffee.

“Do you have a phone?” she asked. Chishiya nodded, pulling his own phone out and handed it over to her after he unlocked it. “Hanzo-san, it’s me. Yes, can you bring the car round? I’m coming out now.”

Saying her thanks as she handed his phone back after her call, Chishiya watched her leave. He looked down at the can of coffee, dropping it into a bin along with her broken phone. What an interesting woman.

[puttingfingerstokeys]

heart and fire

I had to fuck with italics on this thing ‘cause holy shit are they important. 

Thermodynamic equilibrium (subscorp), uh, post-aftermath on the fucked up timeline. I want nice things so I’m going to give Kuai Liang nice things....... sort of! Gay ninja ahead (and prolly behind, too, lbr they’re ninja)

For @sxvethelastdance, my Heart

Bonus “chapter” here.

Broken Timeline

It has been two months, my Fire, since I returned to Netherrealm to recover your body. We sought to reclaim the fallen from both our clans, with limited success. Your younger counterpart showed me the place where D’vorah stole you from me. I swear vengeance upon her, should she ever have the misfortune of crossing my path.

Frost was among those we were able to locate and she is recovering at Arctika, though she will not speak to anyone. She threatened to throw herself into the Sea of Blood upon discovery, but that fate was not worthy of a Lin Kuei—even a traitor. I should have written sooner, but my duties have taken me from the pen and solitude.

You will be pleased to know that Takeda Takahashi has resigned his post with Special Forces to assume interim leadership of the Shirai-Ryu. The boy is well-trained and wise; he does not fill your boots, but he is humble and willing to learn. No member of the Shirai-Ryu can best him. You have taught him well.

He has married Jacqueline Briggs—it was a quiet ceremony soon after we returned from the assault on Kronika’s keep—and they are now expecting a child. . Takeda came to me recently and asked if I thought it appropriate to call the boy Hanzo, assuming it is a boy. I think it is only right that someone carries your name. I will always carry it in my heart, but it will be good to hear aloud.

I miss you.

“Takeda, thank you for meeting me.” The two ninja stood outside the Fire Gardens, just beyond the gate, Kuai Liang looking in, but making no move to enter.

“It’s always a pleasure, Grandmaster Sub-Zero,” said the younger man, putting a flat, open hand over his fist and bowing. “What brings you here?” He glanced up and down at the Lin Kuei Grandmaster and, noting the envelope in one hand, he gestured toward it, his curiosity getting the better of him.

“This—you’ve seen through me—is for… if you might place it at Grandmaster Hasashi’s resting place, I would be—”

“I will not,” came the quick reply. It wasn’t sharp, but it was firm. “You will.”

“But I am—”

“Welcome in the Fire Gardens, Grandmaster, as are your students; it is a step Grandmaster Hasashi would have taken and I… I am only interim instructor, but I will honor his legacy, no matter what.” He saluted the Lin Kuei once more, this time bowing deeply and gesturing toward the entrance. “I’ll show you where he’s… where we’ve got a marker.”

There was, of course, no body to bury, but that would have been the way of the Shirai-Ryu anyway. It was to Sub-Zero’s shame that he had brought them no corpse, and his own eternal agony that he did not at least have one last chance to… I never told him, not really, not properly. Leaves fell all around them, red and gold, perpetually in motion, making the place resemble its name. It is cold without you.

“It’s in a quiet corner,” Takeda said, trying to fill the pregnant silence between them. His fellow Shirai-Ryu were all around, if unseen. None of them raised a hand or weapon to Grandmaster Kuai Liang, however. They, for the most part, were in favor of uniting once more with their ancestral brethren. Those who were not, kept it to themselves and would rather not have begun a spat with Sub-Zero. “Near a koi pond… I think you’ll like it.”

Sub-Zero made no move to answer as the path twisted once more to the left and opened to a beautiful grotto. There was, indeed, a pond, but Takeda had neglected to mention the green foliage, bright red and orange flowers, and the waterfall, babbling over several layers of stones before emptying into the pond. The fish swam this way and that, utterly unaware of the world around them. Kuai Liang envied them.

To one side was a pillar, an obelisk that looked like it was made of volcanic glass. Atop it was a small brazier and in that, a flame danced this way and that, an ethereal quality to its rhythm. There was an inscription upon the pillar itself, but Sub-Zero’s gaze was lost in the flame almost immediately, arresting every bit of his attention.

“Yeah, I get that too when I come here… Liu Kang—err… Lord Liu Kang lit that sucker and… well, it’s god fire, so it’s not goin’ out.” Takeda was receding from the grotto. “I’ll just… leave you two, yeah?” He did not wait for an answer before melting into the fire-colored foliage of the Gardens.

Kuai Liang clutched the envelope, hard, wrinkling it in his effort to bite back tears and swallow down the choking lump that was rising in his throat. His heart twisted and ached as he dropped to one knee before the pillar. The inscription was simple: Grandmaster Hanzo Hasashi, eternal flame of the Shirai-Ryu; you will never be forgotten. There was so much more about him that Kuai Liang wanted to add, but there was not enough obsidian in the world for that.

He settled himself presently, then, closing his eyes and focusing inward, clearing his mind, breathing softly, deeply. Reaching out, he laid one hand upon the small obelisk, feeling where each word was carved, imagining he could also feel heat coming from it. That was silly, of course, but it comforted him. He stayed that way for a while, before opening his eyes once more and standing, still holding the envelope.

The grandmaster’s sharp gaze fell upon that fire and slowly, reverently, he lifted the envelope and letter to it. The fire licked up and around it, consuming the paper with little effort until there was nothing but ash. It wasn’t the words themselves, but the sentiment behind them which counted for the ears of the dead.

He left silently and with dignity, letting not a single, chilly tear fall until he returned to Arctika and his private quarters.

My fire. It has been one year since my last letter. Forgive my waiting so long. It was difficult to find time and then, to begin. The snow here seems deeper than it ever has and harder to move through; it no longer feels a part of me and I am cold. But you need not suffer the chill with me.

Hanzo Briggs-Takahashi is a robust boy even at one year old. There seems to be some debate over his education, but for now, he lives happily with his mother and father among the Shirai-Ryu. They have determined this to be the best course of action until everything has settled to an acceptable level of disorder.

I neglected to mention in my last letter that Liu Kang has, with the aid of Lord Raiden, ascended to divinity. He is a worthy young man and I feel confident in his abilities to guide the shifting of the sands of time. I wish you had been there to see him lead the armies of Outworld and Earthrealm against Kronika. But maybe those memories are with you now that your past self has been sent back to his proper time.

I will never stop missing you, but writing eases the pain a little.

 The letters continued, as frequently as he could manage, for years. It felt like centuries. His favorite time to write was when despair was upon him, because writing to his lost love reminded him that he was not simply living for himself, but for Hanzo’s dream and memory. He did not remember all the words he had written, and no one else would ever read them, but they were not for anyone else, so it did not matter.

You will be pleased, my Fire, to know that the Takahashi family has expanded once more, by one. Their daughter, Sonya, was born yesterday morning, healthy and squalling like a storm. I think her name is appropriate. Johnny and Cassie Cage will be arriving at the Fire Gardens later this week, I am told, to greet the child and spend some time with Jacqueline and Takeda. I will deliver this letter then.

I cannot believe it has been four years since I last laid eyes and lips upon you. I miss your taste, your warmth. My heart aches daily for you, but the ache eases when I write and remember you as you were, vibrant and powerful, the light of my life, and the warmth. Worry not. The warmth has not utterly deserted me. I see in Takeda’s boy much of your spirit, and I visit the Fire Gardens often, with Takeda’s gracious permission.

We are moving forward, slowly, with the integration training. Twice per year, we stay at the other’s residence, with all our students, working together. Frost is still a tough case, but I think her loss to Takeda recently might have tempered her cold fire. Defeat does not settle well upon the shoulders of any Lin Kuei, but taking it with grace is a learned art. She has not learned this; I must educate her.

I love you with all my heart and soul.

 This one, he did indeed deliver when he visited the Fire Gardens to see the new baby. Sonya was even prettier than her brother had been and he was delighted to hold her in his great, chilly arms. Dark eyes stared up at him with a depth of understanding he could not have predicted from an infant. Gripping his finger with one tiny hand, she squealed with delight and flailed her limbs as he looked on with aching fondness.

“Isn’t she perfect?” Takeda asked Sub-Zero as he handed the little creature back to her mother. Jacqui was glowing and Kuai Liang was not clear if he meant the child or the mother. Instead, he nodded. He did not stay long, but it was refreshing to his soul to see the people of this ruined timeline picking themselves back up and making the best of their situation.

My Fire, you will scarcely believe the strangeness which has happened here at Arctika. Our hot springs have begun to run far too hot to bathe in, or even to touch! The minerals are beginning to build up on the walls in the grotto and I must send students out, daily, to address this. They are hard at work, “building character”, Frost included. She seems to set about the task with the most vigor, as if the buildup offends her. Perhaps it does. Arctika, this place she fought so hard to be in, has recently been invaded by your Shirai-Ryu and they too have set about the task—of cleaning the grotto, not offending Frost; she does that well enough on her own.

I would like, more than anything, to once more share tea and to bathe with you. That intimacy is long gone from my flesh and I often crave it—not as you did, of course. I find myself almost blushing at the thought. Almost. I miss your eyes, so dark and intense, it was always as if you were looking into me, boring in deep and searching… for what, I cannot guess, but I wish you would do it again.

Yours forever, Grandmaster Hasashi, forever and a day and then forever again.

Even a skilled kryomancer stood no chance against the heat of the springs, and so it, too, became a training ground for the combined forces of the Lin Kuei and Shirai-Ryu. Takeda and Grandmaster Kuai Liang often went out to the springs to breathe in the healing steam and to speak. They talked of much—of history and the future—and deepened their understanding of each other.

“He would have wanted you to take his place,” Sub-Zero said, “once you’d proven yourself, of course.”

Takeda’s eyes flew wide. “Never in a million years, Grandmaster; are you kidding me?” His cheeks were flushed with exhilaration at the weight of the compliment he’d just been paid by the Lin Kuei’s leader. “I don’t… I’m not ready for that.”

“And that is why you are. A good Grandmaster knows his limitations.” Kuai Liang did not look at Takeda, an envelope clutched in his hand.

“Will you be joining us on the journey back to the Fire Gardens tomorrow, Grandmaster?”

“I will, with your permission, Takeda,” replied Sub-Zero, contemplating the boiling water. Of course, Takeda would not refuse, so the question was more of a formality than anything else. There were certain parts of tradition to which Takeda had noticed the Lin Kuei Grandmaster held strictly, and others he had thrown utterly out the window. The first one was, of course, his adoration of Grandmaster Hasashi, which Takeda had long ago suspected was more than academic friendship or alliance. It was a suspicion he would, naturally, never pursue.

The two men stood, side by side, arms folded, considering everything they had done in the past five years, all the progress they had made. The Shirai-Ryu were really and truly restored, standing upon the shoulders of Scorpion’s hard work. The Lin Kuei were even recovering and their number had increased, though they were still a shell of what they had been. Only a few of the cyber assassins had been recoverable at the Sea of Blood and of those, even fewer had retained their sanity after they had been reset—such was their grief at the injustice they had wrought on Frost’s behalf.

Kuai Liang was not sure she would ever show appropriate remorse, but he decided she was not a lost cause. He would keep working on her, like a glacier carves a lake. The movement was slow but inexorable. Eventually, she would see and she would learn. Even one so stubborn as she could be taught, he was certain. His resolve would not be broken by one such as Frost.

“…does it seem hotter, Grandmaster?” Takeda’s voice was muffled, suddenly, by the amount of steam suddenly filling the air of the grotto. Sub-Zero’s eyes narrowed as he peered through the haze, as if doing so could discern the source of the disturbance.

“It is,” he confirmed, “but… why?”

“I don’t know, but I don’t like it,” Takeda growled, reaching out toward Sub-Zero. “Go,” he grunted, “grab some of your students—the cyber Lin Kuei should be able to see through this fog!”

Sub-Zero could not deny the logic of this, but he disliked leaving Takeda. There was an ill-omened heaviness in the air all of a sudden he was not entirely sure was the steam or the mineral smells which came with it. There was a loud, violent hiss and a jet of water, then, from the center of the springs and both men would have been pelted with stinging droplets had it not been for Kuai Liang’s hastily built ice wall and the quick thinking to tug Takeda behind it.

Neither kombatant was expecting something wickedly sharp and hot to pierce the center of the wall directly between their heads. The heat of it caused the rest of the structure to begin cracking and both men dived to either side to avoid its collapse. The familiar, discordant song of a retracting chain rang out in the steamy half-gloom, the light of torches now obscured and throwing strange shadows, diffused through the steam.

Quan-Chi.

Both minds settled upon this conclusion simultaneously, though without having spoken it. Takeda jumped to his feat and readied himself. Whatever Neatherrealm incursion this was, it would be met with extreme prejudice. Neither knew precisely where Quan-Chi might have fallen in the scheme of things. He had met his end by Scorpion’s hand, but that did not mean some shift in the mythical sands of time had not restored him—utterly by accident, of course, but it was a mistake which would require swift correction.

Of course, as far as they knew, only Hanzo Hasashi had ever mastered the chain and spear to that extent, so Quan-Chi himself could not possibly have been on the other end of it. Kuai Liang’s mind was racing. Was that why he had not found his lover’s body? Could Quan-Chi have been accidentally restored and had begun his machinations, once more, to hold the throne of Netherrealm for his infernal (decapitated) master?

The very idea of a wraith bearing his Fire’s face settled deep in the pit of Kuai Liang’s guts, twisting into a dragon of rage, ripping at his insides and gripping his heart violently. He was as close to burning with rage as a Lin Kuei could be.

“Takeda,” he snarled, “go. I will deal with this abomination.”

For once, Takeda Takahashi did not argue. He did not resolve to stay gone, however. He raced toward the grotto’s exit, intent on making his way swiftly down the side of the mountain to the Arctika complex and alerting every ninja in its walls that they were under attack. Takeda had almost reached the divide between grotto and open mountain face when the horrific echo of clear words rang out seemingly from everywhere.

“GET OVER HERE!” The chain sang through the air and Takeda whirled, moving to block or to face his demise. Only Sub-Zero’s swift motion stopped it hitting home as the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei caught the barb in an icy grip and crushed it, shaking the remains free from his hand as if it were a mere inconvenience.

“Go,” he repeated and stalked toward the springs. All around him, steam turned to ice and fell to the ground like heavy sleet. As his rage built, the temperature dropped and soon there was an aura of cold surrounding him, combatting the steam. Diamond tears fell from eyes which had hardened to flinty slits as he stepped past the edge of the springs, into—no, onto—the water, which was freezing solid under each step.

“Why don’t you get over here for a change,” snarled Sub-Zero, “and show me that face you’re wearing—the face you have not earned, Revenant!”

“Revenant?” The voice was a raspy bark. Following the word was laughter. Sub-Zero concentrated on solidifying the water particles around him to create a solid barrier that would be just a little more difficult for his assailant to pierce. He had not forgotten that, in later years, Scorpion had begun to carry—and proficiently use—two spear chains. The latter would come soon enough.

“You are a puppet of Quan-Chi, unworthy of the body you inhabit. Come, face me, and see the truth of your fallibility!” Kuai Liang drew himself up and stood tall, continuing. “Yours is the fire of hell, not of his heart, a thing so great you could not begin to comprehend it, much less mimic—but again, I invite you to come and allow me to demonstrate. It will be a pleasure.”

Sub-Zero had anticipated the spear.

He had not counted on Hellport, which Scorpion used with impunity.

Suddenly, the heat behind him was unbearable and there was a piercing agony ripping into his senses, starting at his shoulder, between the joint and the scapula. He could feel it digging deep, feel the lukewarm sensation of his own blood flowing down his back. He had to act.

Kuai Liang whirled on the revenant, ice axe at the ready. He would cleave the beast’s head from its shoulders, no matter how twisted the visage was. Red eyes would meet his a moment, before falling from broad, strong shoulders Sub-Zero knew all to well.

Except that they were not.

They eyes were white. With the turn, Scorpion’s hand and arm had been yanked—refusing to let go, oh, that old tenacity was strong—around Kuai Liang’s back and had, in that motion, drawn his body closer until they were flush, touching, pressed together. Sub-Zero’s arm was falling, axe in hand and, though he would have stopped it, Scorpion’s grip upon his wrist halted the descent entirely.

The fingers upon Sub-Zero’s wrist were burning, as with a fever, and they eyes he met were ablaze with madness and fury. The brow knitted together at the bridge of the man’s nose was familiar, however, the grimace on his blood-soaked, lacerated face not unknown to Kuai Liang, either. Inches apart, this could have been a lover’s embrace, but for the spearhead embedded in his shoulder and the fiery grip locked upon his arm.

Vaporizing with a hiss, Kuai Liang’s faithful ice axe bowed out of the fight and he was left with no weapon—no external weapon, anyway. He leveraged his height advantage against Scorpion and drove him back twisting his arm to reverse the grip and grab him instead, forcing him yet closer. The ice under their feet was slick and filling the frozen dome with steam. Sub-Zero began to feel lightheaded.

He would have to end this quickly, or Scorpion would gut him and the water of the hot springs would run red with the Grandmaster’s blood. That he was not facing a revenant was secondary in his mind to survival. He knew all of Scorpion’s movements, every trick and feint. Unfortunately, Scorpion also knew his, intimately. If they broke apart, the brawl might draw itself out and in this heat, Sub-Zero was already feeling sluggish.

Wrapping both arms tightly around Scorpion’s body, then, forcing the arm he had trapped up behind the shorter mans’ back, he began to squeeze, dropping his temperature with as much rapidity as he could muster. His mind was racing, thoughts flowing as if down the choppy, white waters of a sub-arctic stream just after thaw and just as insubstantial, uncatchable. He had to stop the man’s movement.

Scorpion fought hard against the grip, snapping at Sub-Zero with his teeth. He would have landed a successful headbutt were it not for their difference in height and Kuai Liang tucking his head into the crook of Scorpion’s neck. Scorpion tensed, ceasing his thrashing for the briefest of interludes as Sub-Zero’s chilly, gentle lips pressed downward on scorched flesh. Rather than the bite the enraged wraith had been expecting, he only felt the sensual, gentle touch of the man’s mouth.

“I know what you are,” whispered Kuai Liang against his lover’s flesh, gripping him tight and slowing the descent of the temperature. Scorpion’s thrashing had all but ceased as he was literally cooled down from his agitated state. Beneath them, the water which had been upon the ice solidified as Scorpion finally went limp, succumbing to the cold. 

“A wraith once more.” The whisper was barely audible. Only Sub-Zero could hear these words, spoken so softly. He was bent over Scorpion, who had gone nearly boneless in his embrace, barely clinging to consciousness, but doing so with such tenacity it might have, under other circumstances, been frightening. 

“No,” said Sub-Zero, standing, straightening, and lifting Scorpion bodily into his arms. The naked wraith leaned against his chest, closing those unsettling, white eyes as the temperature began to stabilize and Kuai Liang stepped gracefully off the ice and onto solid ground. Steam rose once more from the Lin Kuei hot springs, but they did not boil. “You are my Fire, and you have come back to me.”

“Amusing,” grunted Hanzo Hasashi weakly, reaching up to swat the side of Kuai Liang’s bearded face, “that you thought death would free you of me, my Heart.”

Upon the warm water, an envelope floated, forgotten, soaking, ink running.  

[seyaryminamoto]

Yakuza Sokkla AU headcanons?

Well, for starters I can point you to a Yakuza AU fic that already exists and features Sokkla, though it’s not the main pairing... here you go!

Now then... let’s toy around with a set of headcanons, shall we?

Azula of course belongs to the biggest baddest yakuza clan in the nation, spanning back who knows how many generations, probably since the Edo period. It’s a pretty violent clan, with complicated and gruesome rites of passage. For instance, Zuko could’ve even been burned in this setting for the sake of proving himself a worthy successor to his father :’D it may sound insane, but there’s a real-life yakuza tradition of amputating their pinky fingers to settle conflicts or as punishments... so in their case, the burning is a rite done to the clan’s heir -- if the heir survives, he’s proven himself, so, strangely, in this AU Zuko’s burn is a mark of pride rather than shame :’D (and Ozai probably has a burn of his own too). Theirs could be, perhaps, the Homura clan (as a reading of Homura 炎 would mean “flames”).

Sokka would belong to a smaller yakuza clan, but his father could be a little like Hanzo and Genji’s father from Overwatch, a wise old man who actually reels back his more criminal and wild associates, who surely want their clan to outdo the Homura at all costs, even if by breaking their more traditional and respectful (and samurai-ish (?)) approach to their work. I’d think their clan can be the Kawakami clan (written  川上, means “above the river”).

The Kawakami are renowned for having THE coolest tattoos so that’s one nice thing they have over every other Yakuza clan around, bahahaha. Sokka has been learning (amongst other things) how to make tattoos of his own too, so he gets plenty of art education here and is damn good at what he does because this boy has the soul of an artist and if it were nurtured properly he’d go the distance with his talents, MARK MY WORDS!

Eh-hem, Sokka fangirl rant over... as they’re from rival clans, Sokka and Azula have bumped into each other on occasion, whenever friction rises between their groups. They’ve known of the other’s existence (and their respective siblings) all along, and they’ve been raised to hate each other’s guts :’D as kids they probably only saw each other on a few occasions, but once they’re old enough to take up missions of their own, their paths will cross more often.

The Homura clan traditionally handles most the drug trafficking and arms trading, and of course, the Kawakami are trying to deal in those things too... which results in frequent spats over suppliers, even outright fights between group members, until Hakoda Kawakami decides he’s had enough of the nonsensical rivalry and determines their clan will benefit most from a truce and an alliance with the Homura clan. He tasks his son and heir with arranging it, since this could be their rise to yakuza glory!

Of course, Sokka Kawakami has a lot of possible ways to achieve success at his father’s request. He starts by making peace offerings to the other clan, yielding some suppliers, for instance, in a show of good faith. But Ozai Homura is not amused and not impressed because he can tell these people are up to something: as he wants his heir Zuko to stay focused on learning the elements of the business that matter, such as learning to read stock markets and such (legit, it seems the Yakuza do this to find out which companies to extort :’D), he dispatches his daughter to handle the lesser threat of the Kawakami clan.

This means a huge cat and mouse struggle begins between Azula and Sokka: she decides to turn his displays of generosity against him, by extending Homura “protection” AKA extortion to people within Kawakami territories, arguing that the Kawakami’s displays of weakness these days mean they’re no longer upholding their duties to “protect” their people as they should. Naturally, Sokka is outraged that she’s fucked up his plan but he counterattacks by reaching out to the people she’s trying to steal away to prove that he’s indeed going to protect them. From HER! :’D The people in question are just plain confused because who should they believe at this point? xD

After a few weeks of this pretty pointless tug of war, Sokka decides he needs to step up his game and take a new approach to fulfilling his father’s request: he asks Azula for a peaceful private meeting in an empty park at night (and by private I mean they’ll talk alone while about 20 members of each clan point guns at each other from the shadows of the park), and he explains what’s going on and why he’s been up to what he’s up to. Azula is uninterested in any alliances, for the Homura are perfectly strong as they are, but Sokka points out... their tattoo game ain’t as good as the Kawakami clan’s. Azula is confused but intrigued.

Next thing Ozai knows, Azula is offering to take one bullet for the clan: she will receive a tattoo from the Kawakami heir to see if they have ONE worthwhile thing to offer their clan or not. Ozai is utterly uninterested but fiiiiiiiiiine, their artists have been pretty lackluster lately and it’s known decent tattoos are needed for people to respect a yakuza clan as it should be.

As these tattoos are very difficult, painful and time-consuming, it takes more than one session. Sokka of course insists he must be alone with Azula or he won’t be able to focus -- not that he’s focusing too much while she lies down naked to the waist on his tattoo parlor and he works on inking her back as best as he can :’D the very FATE of his clan rides on whether he can do wonders on Azula’s body or not... (?)

... Obviously, this ends up taking a whole other meaning when it’s time for him to work on other, more intimate parts of her body...

Ehem. Things are no longer PG-13. Not that they ever are when it comes to the yakuza. Or to me writing these two.

Azula goes home after the final session of her hugely-detailed epic tattoo with the biggest, stupidest smile on her face because ahaha that tattoo was good “ahaha yes father he’s TALENTED I mean, very talented, the things he does with his HUGE needle...! Um, y-yeah, I’m totally talking about tattoos, not about anything else, that’s not it (?)”

A temporary alliance is crafted then, despite Ozai thinks Azula’s approval of the Kawakami clan is super weird and isn’t exactly crazy about allowing this puny clan to even breathe in his direction, but he’s always had a weakness for his daughter + has no idea she’s doing the tattoo artist so he lets everything run its course (?)

I guess one day he finds out and legit war blows up between both factions (?) buuuut that’s too much plot to plot and I have enough big stories in my head as it is x’D feel free to imagine that war and its outcome for yourself, anon (?)

(as a bonus, looking into the yakuza wikipedia article revealed that, amongst their TONS of criminal activities, the real life yakuza actually offered relief and assistance during big catastrophic events in Japan, like the Kobe and Sendai earthquakes? How epic would it be for the Kawakami clan to offer relief and earn the loyalty of a fuckton of people, turning them into a clan big enough to rival the Homura before Ozai is the wiser... :’DDDD further spice into the clan war, eh, ehhhh?)

Well, that was fun xD I hope you enjoyed it too, Anon xD

[whatzaoverwatch]

The Reaper of the Opera Chapter 6: Poor Fool, He Makes me Laugh

On with the show right? Right???

First Prev Next

Nighttime/Backstage

The preparations for the evenings’ performance were well underway. The performers rehearsing one more time before the show, the musicians practicing each note while the tailors take in their fittings. The hustle between everyone was a little overwhelming since the show was completely sold out again. With the news of Hana Songs return, they were eager, while also curious on what happened to [Name]. All the pampering and attention was drawn towards Hana as she awaited her moment. Barely lifting a finger while the managers took care of her needs. What she wanted was what she got. While it seemed a little excessive for anyone new taking in the atmosphere, it was just the same as before Reinhardt and Torbjorn bought the theatre. Fareeha, looking rather tiresome of the praises and gaudy display of Hanas’ preparation, simply rolled her eyes and continued stretching.

“Just when I thought things would be different around here. They are spoiling her just as much as Mr. Morrison did.” She complained to Lena and Amelie, who were at her side with their routine.

“Give Mr. Morrison a little bit of credit, at least he stood out of the princess’ way during the show.” Amelie stated bluntly, stretching her leg up perfectly against her figure.

“I just don’t understand why they just don’t let [Name] lead the show,” Lena pouted, looking towards where [Name] stood with Ana for some extra practice, “Didn’t that note Madame Amari got stated that specifically?”

“Yes, but look at the two of them,” she nodded over to the two men who complimented Hana on her final appearance, offering her a spray to help with her vocal chords, “Tell them all you want, they are too stubborn to see the consequences.”

“What is so dangerous about those notes anyways?” Amelie questioned, looking at the ladies shocked expressions strangely. She frowned as if she had said something rude, “Who is this Reaper anyways?”

“Figured an exchange dancer like yourself would ask such a thing,” McCree finally spoke up. The women looked to the stage handler, watching him climb down from the ladder he was using to adjust the lights, “After all, it is a rather frightening tale that doesn’t escape the theatre.”

“Here we go…” Fareeha mumbled, rolling her eyes as the rugged man leaned towards Amelie.

“They say long ago there was this man who performed here in this very theatre. However one day the man took a sinister turn and began to attack the audience, “McCree began to explain, rubbing his hands with the red rag from his pocket, “Then a fire broke out and supposedly killed the madman in a single night. Now his spirit carries on, threatening any who oppose his words. Even steals young, beautiful girls to consume their pretty lil souls.”

“Aww come on Jesse, you are just making that up!” Lena huffed, seeing the disgusted glare of Amelie. McCree merely smirked with a shrug.

“Okay maybe the tale is a little bit exaggerated. But tell me, where do you think [Name] was after her debut performance?” He asked the group, watching them fall into silence with no answer, “What with the faulty lights and shot ropes I say we may have a surprise guest on our hands.”

“What do you think will happen?” Fareeha questioned.

“Who knows, the new guys aren’t taking in those threat to heart. It could be a bloodbath for all we know. Maybe he will cut a few throats, or hang the managers. Can’t really predict what a monster has in store,” Watching the three of them direct their eyes behind him. Feeling a watchful eye look him down as only one woman could do such a thing. Turning over to see Ana with you by her side in uncomfortable silence, “Oh umm, begging your pardon mam. I was just telling the girls-“

“Trying to scare my girls again McCree?” Ana struck him with a pointed look and a raised eyebrow. The cold stare even sending the stage handler a shiver down his spine. Tapping his chest with her index finger, her gaze narrowed, “I suggest if you do not want to be hanged as you say, keep your hands by your eyes and away from my performers.”

He immediately rose his hands to either side of him, swallowing thickly at her warning. Saying his goodbyes and wishes of good luck to the girls, he left to his duties in a hurry. The three dancers look towards Ana, watching her pinch the bridge of her nose in exhaustion.

“Take Jesses words with a grain of salt girls, he only means to frighten you for his own entertainment. This is just another performance night and will be handled like any other show,” Placing a hand on your shoulder to hold your attention, “Keep your head clear my dear. Although your role is much smaller, you remain a vital part of the show.”

The girls simply bowed to their instructor before she made her leave. Heading to the direction of the managers to shoo them away from the spoiled Hana. Lena turned towards you who continued to look rather distracted. She nudged you gently to snap you back into reality.

“Don’t look so glum love, I’m sure you’ll do great.” She assures you with a smile.

Although you wished to agree with her, all you could think of was The Reaper and his mask. Hearing the fainted organ and how much he still whispered in your mind. He even now continued to take over your thoughts, thinking upon his desire for you to be his songstress. There was more to it though, you found more of his black roses appearing in your dressing room. Even cloaking your mirror found no prevail to his siren song. Snapping out of it at the curtain call, you turned to the girls with a gentle bow.

“Break a leg guys.” You quietly spoke before running off. Leaving the girls rather confused before Fareeha spoke.

“She must be thinking about that man that came looking for her.” She concluded, causing Lena to gasp and Amelie to roll her eyes.

“A man?? What’s his name?” Lena pleaded for details, only to be called for places once more. Left with the mystery of who it was, they prepared for the performance to begin.

-

The audience took their places preparing for the show. Torbjorns family occupying the managers box while they assisted with the final touches. Even a surprised Hanzo took his side with Genji once more. He was unsure as to why his brother wanted to attend the show again, but it must have been connected to the young woman Genji wanted to introduce. Claiming her to be an old friend from long ago that was the child of their fathers’ friend. He thought of her as a mere excuse to leave him when the woman didn’t show up. But those excuses were made up by not only the same reserved tickets for tonight’s performance, but affirmation that Hana Song was to perform. Genji might’ve been always wandering, but he always paid attention to what grabbed his attention. He settled into his seat, eyeing Genji as he nervously looked over the stage.

“You seem rather anxious.” He calls his brothers fidgeting, rather annoyed by the movement.

“Forgive me, but I cannot help but worry bout her.” Genji confessed, eyes fixated on the stage with a grimaced look. Hanzo quirked his eyebrow curiously.

“Ah this ‘friend’ of yours. Are you sure the reason she hadn’t appeared was because she simply didn’t want to?” He suggested, receiving a rather stern look from his brother.

“That is not like [Name],” Hanzo suddenly realized the woman he spoke of was the replacement from the night before. Explaining his shock for when she performed, “Although, I can agree that she was rather uncertain on attending. She wouldn’t simply disappear in the night to prove it.”

“People change in time Genji, you know that as well as I do.” Looking over Genjis metal parts, only to look away when his brother sighed.

“Maybe so, but something about this doesn’t sit right. Especially with this ‘Reaper’ that the managers spoke of,” Genji looked around their box with a sigh, “This is to be the box he was to reserve. The managers were more than happy to let us have these tickets. If this man ever does show up, I would like for him to answer a few questions.”

“Why are you so persistent on this matter? This [Name], was she the reason you wanted to leave the clan in the first place?” He asked, bitterly regarding that fateful day. Watching his head hung low, silence lingering between them both before speaking.

“I do not expect you to understand, Hanzo. But as my brother I hope you will place your trust upon my wishes.” Both brothers look into each others eyes, as they did back when they reunited. Hanzo merely sighed before looking to the stage as the lights faded.

“Do what you want Genji. But do not blame me if something doesn’t go your way.”

-

The show began as Hana took the center stage as the countess. Her bright and youthful voice drawing the crowd to the rather comedic performance beforehand. While she remained poised and graceful across the stage, your role was to act like a mere fool upon the stage. A servant boy that had had a forbidden affair with the countess. Upright humiliation as you purposely fell and acted clumsily in front of Hana. Roaring laughter filled the audience at the entertainment. As any performer must be met with such roles in their lifetime. Despite your foolish appearance, Hana remained her pristine, sassy character who laughed behind her fan.

The performers backstage observed as even Torbjorn had to hush Reinhardt from his fit of giggles. Fareeha, Lena, and Amelie taking in their cues when instructed, following the music performed by Lucio in the orchestra pit. What seemed to be a hilarious show, would soon take a dark turn for the worse.

In the shadows above the ceiling, a sinister presence lingered above the chandelier. Observing the show from above with a rather displeased glare. Cloaked in black with his mask worn behind the hood, The Reaper tapped his finger against his crossed arms while he watched. Disgusted by how much they teased and mocked your performance while praising Hana by her voice. He never liked her voice, it shrilled and ached his ears to no end. She truly was a spoiled brat that forced her way into show business. Looking down below to the audience, watching their high-class mugs laugh at such mediocre work. Finally, his gaze fixated upon his reserved Box 5. Occupied by the young man who desired to see you. Watching him smile and gaze upon you irked his stomach entirely. Finally having enough, his voice carried into the theatre to drown everyone in silence.

“Did I not ask for Box 5 to be empty?”

Quiet gasps and murmurs spread to his interruption of the show. Reinhardt and Torbjorn looking rather bewildered by the voice, feeling the worry kick in as they knew exactly who it was. Genji and Hanzo turning suddenly to their box being called, the youngest looking rather unnerved. The music disappearing while the performers froze in fear. The dancers lingered closer together, huddled in fear with Anas gaze very stoic.

“Blimey! That’s the Reaper of the Opera!” Lena whispered in shock, causing the women around her to gasp. Not aware that McCree had stepped away from his place in the commotion.

You were very quick to your feet, wide eyed with fear at the familiar voice. Breaking your character to realize who had spoken. Heart racing and your body trembling. Despite the chandelier covering his appearance, you could feel his eyes upon you in an instant. His voices echoing in your head and infiltrating your mind.

“It’s him.” You spoke in disbelief. A sudden tsk from your co-star was heard, watching Hana sneer at your peril.

“Your role is supposed to be silent! Remember??” She hissed pointing her fan at you like a command. Turning to the audience, realizing the harshness of her works. Forming one of her fake smiles, she snapped at Lucio for his attention, “Maestro, take it from the top of the number please?”

“You still speak high and mighty, little rabbit. Let’s see how you are without your foot.” Reaper growled, disappearing into the dark. Hana took no quarrel to the threat as she asked for her spray again. Not even gazing at what was being used before drawing her attention to the audience.

She began to sing once more, only for her voice to sound raspy and breathless. Her eyes wide in horror as the audience was left to listen in disbelief. Clearing her throat once more, she tried again only for it to sound just as rancid as before. The force and sounds it made left the audience in a mix of shock and laughter. Leaving her in a state of shock and humiliation at her misery. Turning the show into a complete disaster before everyones eyes. Reinhardt and Torbjorn were swift into action while they called for the curtains. Escorting the furious Hana off stage and into Anas care as she is left to sob in croaked tears. As they moved back towards center stage, they drag you along with them.Each arm held by the other.

“Ladies and gentlemen, there will be a slight change to tonight's performance,” Reinhardt announced to the rather confused audience, “Tonight our lead shall be now played by Lady [Name]! In the meantime, please do not leave your seats as we will take a brief intermission with our ballet from the play!”

“Ballet??? That’s not till Act Three!” Lucio whisper shouted from his place, looking frazzled at his music sheets. Torbjorn glared at the musician before clearing his throat.

“Yes, the ballet. So please, take your seats and just…stay,” Torbjorn was quick to say before dragging [Name] behind the curtains. Leaving a confused Reinhardt to search for the split in the curtains to follow suit. More laughter ensued as Torbjorn pulled you along to your dressing room, “Someone get [Name] into the understudy dresses! This is becoming my worst nightmare, and where is McCree??”

The various shouts and rummaging of the stage could be heard from the scaffolding. Reaper observed the chaos from above as he made his way across. Seeing the dancers prepare for the ballet. Watching you being escorted into your dressing room. Knowing he had already planted the understudy dress and a vase of black roses for you in waiting. He knew his warnings would fall on deaf ears, so he had already planned for the backup. Switching Hanas vocal spray with a rather unpleasant concoction. Sabotaging Hana’s voice was only the beginning if his warnings were never to be met. There was still much to be done. Before he could move onto the next course of action, he was halted by the sound of a gun clicking from behind.

“That’s far enough Mr. Reaper,” Turning himself around, he found McCree standing right behind him. A revolver in the stage handlers grasp, pointing at him aloofly. Seeing the rather serious look in his mug, “Don’t you know people nowadays complain about the show in the papers? No need to ruin a couple folks precious evening.”

Reaper merely laughed at McCrees words. His voice ragged as they both stood above the stage at this point. The music returning as the dancers took their place.Dancing beneath them to a song that contrasted the situation above them.

“You think you can take me? You are in over your head, ingrate.” Reaper threatened, facing Jesse completely.

“Tough words for someone who likes to hide in the dark. You may have slipped past me before, but you aren’t getting away so easily this time. So why don’t we cut the charade and take you to where you truly belong: behind bars.” Stepping towards the man, keeping his balance on the high beams that they stood upon.

Before he could take another step, Reaper disappeared into a cloud of smoke. Catching McCree off guard as he aims for the darkness. Unaware that the smoke slipped past him and grabbed McCree from behind. Grabbing McCree into a head lock position. McCree struggled against the shadows grasp as he tried to escape the position. Finding his balance lost, Reaper took advantage by tossing him down against the high beam. The gun skidding across the beam, just balancing against the edge and far from Jesses reach. The stage handler reached for his gun, only for his tattoo arm to be stepped on. Gritting his teeth in pain, he found a large gun pointed towards him. Pressed harshly against the flesh for him to stop his attempts to grab his own weapon. The Reaper stood above him with very intense eyes.

“I thought I taught you better than that, Jesse,” He snarled, clicking his gun. The music building quickly below them. The dancers pirouetting faster and faster to the music, “But you are nothing more than the show boater from the Deadlock Freakshow.”

McCrees eyes widened, looking up to the masked man as he pressed the gun against the arm at the end of the high beam. Looking into the hollow eyes to see a familiar glare.

“Gabriel??” Was the only thing he could say before a shot cracked through the theatre.

To be continued

[lockdownfest]

LOCKDOWN FEST MASTERPOST WEEK #2 EXTENSION

*

BLOOD AND CHOCOLATE (2007)

Stuck in the Middle with You by InsanelyWriteful (M) 6k, WIP. With the zombie pandemic in full swing, Nigel flings himself into the fray on the hunt for groceries. Don't even get him started on trying to find that most-sought-after, priceless item of all items: toilet paper. As far as the world's concerned, that doesn't exist anymore. With the world going to hell, Nigel finds himself trapped with a strange man named Aiden Galvin. But, hey, there are worse fates than being stuck with a hot piece of tail, right?

BOKU NO HERO ACADEMIA

Two Weeks In Quarantine by JedIzuku (T) 48k WIP, Midoriya Izuku/Todoroki Shouto. A virus threatens all of Japan. Everyone needs to self-quarantine for two weeks to help prevent the spread. Izuku Midoriya learns that his friend, Shoto Todoroki, would be quarantined alone because of his father’s work. And Izuku won’t stand for that.A love story.

CHARLIE COUNTRYMAN

Stuck in the Middle with You by InsanelyWriteful (M) 6k, WIP. With the zombie pandemic in full swing, Nigel flings himself into the fray on the hunt for groceries. Don't even get him started on trying to find that most-sought-after, priceless item of all items: toilet paper. As far as the world's concerned, that doesn't exist anymore. With the world going to hell, Nigel finds himself trapped with a strange man named Aiden Galvin. But, hey, there are worse fates than being stuck with a hot piece of tail, right?

FALL OUT BOY

Gradually and Then Suddenly by earlgreytea68 (G) 3.3k, Patrick Stump/Pete Wentz. Life in quarantine: fourth-grade science, couch concerts, blanket forts.

HANNIBAL

Point of View by house_of_lantis (M) 3.8k, Will Graham/Hannibal Lecter.  Summary: Franklyn Froideveaux gets an unexpected peek into Dr. Hannibal Lecter’s personal life during their self-isolation. 

HARRY POTTER

Locked Inside Your Temper Trap by VeelaWings (E) 4.3k, Draco Malfoy/Neville Longbottom. This was a minor problem. Not the being trapped in a humid greenhouse with a sweaty, gorgeous Draco, mind you. No, it was being trapped with a sweaty, pissed off Draco who would inevitably blame Neville.Plus the obstacle of not having the privacy to enjoy a fast and dirty wank with all this evening’s material.

Top Priority by JayGwen23 (T). 8k, Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter. England is trying to stop the spread of an aggressive, new virus that is affecting both wizards and muggles. Everyone is being told to self isolate. House mates, Harry and Draco are stuck at home trying to brave it through the madness, while trying not no go mad themselves.Written for Lock Down Fest.

Bored Harry by foxymoley (G) FANART. Harry's been stuck in his room at Privet Drive and is bored out of his mind!He uses his wand in a mug as a lamp as Hedwig stretches as much as she can in her cage.

Harry Potter and the Secret in the Library by EvAEleanor, tasteofshapes (E) 11.6k, Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter. Draco stands outside the library for a moment, before he turns the handle and pushes the heavy double doors open. What he expects to find is a silent library cloaked in darkness. What he gets instead is a fire crackling merrily away in the grate, the library lit only by firelight, and Potter lounging on the fur rug in front of the fireplace, clad only in a terry-cloth bathrobe, a glass of wine in one hand.“What the… Potter—!” Draco yelps, and Potter looks up from the book open in front of him and raises an eyebrow at Draco.

The Magic of Muggle Films by sunshinedraco (E) 5.3k. Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter. Harry is happy to get home from an Auror mission in Northern Ireland, but may have been exposed to a contagious disease. Draco Malfoy, who comes with a team of Healers to inspect Harry and also happens to be the subject of Harry's long-term awkward crush, is also accidentally exposed. The two are quarantined together. You know what happens.

Sweetheart by WolfyWordWeaver (T) 3k, Sirius Black/Remus Lupin, James Potter/Lily Evans Potter. Remus Lupin comes home after a long day working at the hospital and quickly realizes that something is wrong with Sirius. Avoiding COVID-19 doesn't mean avoiding all hurts and Sirius has to deal with a major hurdle. While Remus doesn't have all the answers he does know how to do his best.

Stuck Senses by TheUltimateUndesirable (E) 12k, Neville Longbottom/Luna Lovegood. In the mist of the 2020 pandemic the wizarding world is left with a dire and unknown future as Covid-19 makes it's way into Europe. Hogwarts ends up on quarantined leaving students, professors and a Luna stuck at the school. How long will anything last and what will anything become? No one knows.

Augmented Agony by Drarrelie (T) 365, Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter. Of all days... Draco's luck was apparently just as abysmal as ever. This work is part of a series of connected weekly drabbles written during 2020. It takes place in 2001, before the rest of the currently published drabbles in this series, while the two of them are still in Auror training.

If It Takes All Night by tackytiger (M) 11k, Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter. It's not the first time Harry's been the victim of a botched curse (that's one of the reasons he doesn't like crowds), but he feels bad that Malfoy had to get caught up in it too. So they're bonded. That's ok, they just have to make sure to be touching at all time. No problem. Because Malfoy smells so nice, and has such lovely shiny hair, and his skin is so very warm.But this isn't going to be a problem for their friendship at all.Is it, Harry?

I'll Tell You Mine (If You Tell Me Yours) by MarchnoGirl (E) 4.2k, Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter. When a cauldron of Veritaserum explodes all over Harry and Malfoy, Harry has the chance to finally discover Malfoy’s secrets. And maybe something about himself too.

Correspondence in the Time of Quarantine by Lediona, Zigster (T) 1.5k, WIP, Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter. After informing Scorpius of my plan to bring him home, he wrote back immediately to ask if he might bring a friend with him to isolate at the Manor. When I inquired about the identity of this friend, imagine my surprise to discover that it was none other than your son, Albus Potter.

Garden War by Cibee (Cibeeeee) (T) 5k, Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter. Harry and Draco are quarantined in their houses, a lake across from one another. What better ways to spend this time than to annoy each other with letters and attempts to prove that their garden is better ?

LITTLE WOMEN (2019)

Chocolate Kisses by lady_needless_litany (T) 3k, WIP, Theodore Laurence/Josephine March. If Jo had to be shut in her house for the foreseeable future, at least she had Laurie to keep her company.

MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE

Strange Attractors by dance4thedead (T) 882. There's an asshole in Matt's apartment. An unworthy love letter to the fic "The Goldilocks Principle". Set in late March 2020, during the COVID-19 crisis.

I walk this lonely road by xxx_cat_xxx (T) 1.6k, Steve Rogers & Natasha Romanov. Part 3 of Red in my Ledger.

MERCY STREET

We run a very tight ship by middlemarch, sagiow (t) 3k, WIP. Jedediah "Jed" Foster/Mary Phinney. "There must have been a moment, at the beginning, where we could have said -- no. But somehow we missed it.” Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.Every single passenger on the ship would have that thought. At least once. Sometimes, on an endless loop, like the announcement about pina coladas on Deck 4. It turned out, the only way out was through. With card tricks.

OCEAN’S 8

You Shall Go To The Ball by ShadowHaloedAngel (T) 1.4k, Daphne Kluger/Rose Weil. The lockdown means the parties are all cancelled, but Rose and Daphne decide to have a little ball at home instead. After all, when else can you have a costume party for the hell of it? And with your own fairy godmother on hand, your gown is always going to make you feel like a princess.

OVERWATCH (video game)

nobody nobody nobody nobody nobody (ooh) nobody nobody nobody nobody nobody nobody nobody nobody nobody nobody nobody nobody nobody nobody nobody nobody nobody nobody nobody nobody nobody no— by faorism (M) 9k, Jesse McCree/Hanzo Shimada and other ships. Like most things now, it's more a matter of not if, but when. (Or: five times Jesse kept himself together and one time he really, really didn't.)

PITCH PERFECT

Icy Hot by Notsoawesomenerd (E), 7k. Chloe Beale/Beca Mitchell. No, this is not a story about the topical pain reliever. This is a story about the interesting things Chloe can do to Beca with ice and ice-related items.

Desperate Measures by aliciameade (M), 6k, Chloe Beale/Beca Mitchell. Chloe and Beca have everything they need to weather the mandated period of social distancing and staying home: food, water, shelter, games, entertainment, and each other's company.The one thing they don't have?Much-needed privacy.

RWBY

The Man in Your Head by goreds (G) 431, Ozpin/Salem (RWBY), Ozma/Salem (RWBY). Salem has a friend in her head. Not that she considers him a friend...

STAR TREK: ALTERNATE ORIGINAL SERIES

fourteen by sciencebluefeelings (T) 2.6k, James T. Kirk/Spock Prime. Two years ago, Spock waited for Jim. Now it's Jim's turn to wait. 

STAR TREK: ORIGINAL SERIES

Seventy Two Hours by LiraelClayr007 (G) 2.4k,  James T. Kirk/Spock Prime. Kirk lowers his voice, makes it almost too low to hear, and this time he is pleading. “Bones. You know why I can’t stay here. You know what this’ll do to me.” He closes his eyes, then says one more time, “Please.” He can’t look when he says it. He already knows the answer.“Sorry, Jim. It’s only three days. If it’s any consolation I don’t think you were actually exposed, but we have to be sure.” He looks at Kirk, then at Spock, then shrugs. He knows what he’s putting Kirk through.Or: Kirk and Spock are accidentally exposed to something on an alien planet and have to spend seventy two hours together in an isolation chamber. Easy, right? Except Kirk is going to go mad, because he's head over heels for Spock.

STAR WARS

grey and sprawling by srawratskcuf (Doreen) (E) 7k WIP, Armitage Hux/Ben Solo | Kylo Ren. Ben and Hux have had a rocky long-distance semi-relationship ever since Hux went away to college. Basically, they call each other once a week and have phone sex, and absolutely do not talk about their feelings.When Ben finally saves up enough to fly across the country to visit Hux, his ten day trip gets extended indefinitely. Sheltering in place together will make or break them.

SUPERNATURAL

some kinda something by quillquiver (E) 2k, Castiel/Dean Winchester. There are only so many places to hide shit when you’re playing with 700 square feet of totally shared living space. This is something Dean has become very aware of in a very short amount of time.

Que Sera, Sera by wigglebox (G) 4.3k, Castiel/Dean Winchester. A few months into his new human life, Cas comes down with a fever and cough. Usually, that wouldn't be a concern, but now there's a contagious, new illness spreading across the country, and the anxiety that comes along with it.

I Don’t Understand These References by CeliPuff, Winchesterlovr0508 (M). 1.5k. Castiel/Dean Winchester, Gabriel/Sam Winchester. Dean says the president extended the quarantine so Sam suggested I make a journal. I suspect it’s a ploy to keep my hands off his brother but being extremely old, I’m entitled to do what I want. And I happen to have eons of experience in multitasking.I prayed to Gabriel to run some interference. I believe this is a foolproof plan.

Apocalypse by Maleyah (Katherine_Kat) (E) 36k WIP, Castiel/Dean Winchester, Gabriel/Sam, Michael/Adam Milligan. Dean moves through Cas’ kitchen with the ease of familiarity, as he sets about re-heating the leftovers. Ironically Cas’ kitchen is better equipped than the one in his apartment. It’s just that he’s been pouring all his money into The Roadhouse. The apartment is a rental anyway.“You have got to be shitting me!”His eyebrows shoot up at the language. Cas doesn’t curse often, but given the fact that the world is slowly descending into madness, he has a good guess what is provoking it. He glances behind him, across the counter that connects the open kitchen to the living room, where Cas is staring at the television. 

THE MAGICIANS

hard rain, honey, and the sweet sun by Allegria23 (E), 7k, Quentin Coldwater/Eliot Waugh. Eliot and Quentin are staying in their apartment. They both have some ideas.

THE WITCHER

Love in the Time of Video Conferencing by Elizabeth (M), 15.6k, Geralt of Rivia/Jaskier. Pestilence is a bitch, and the entire university has had to shift to e-learning overnight. Jaskier is a systems admin being forced to pick up slack for the overwhelmed help desk. Work ended hours ago, so why is he on a support call with the most technologically-incapable history professor he's ever met? And really, what is the deal with this guy?Based on the "OMG they were Zoommates" prompt from the AO3 comment Tumblr.This is, five times Jaskier and Geralt used Zoom for tech support, and one time they used Zoom for... something else. I apologize if this upsets you; it helps me cope with the emotions, so I'm hoping to channel stress into fluff and put it out there so it can possibly help others.

YURI!!! ON ICE

Music from the Heart by Multiple_Universes (G) 6.5k, Katsuki Yuuri/Victor Nikiforov. A curse falls over the land. It keeps people stuck indoors and will not let them out. The most powerful magician in the land seems unable to break the hold of the curse. But, as they say, love will always find a way.Inspired by videos of people singing from their balconies during the coronavirus quarantine.

[sasorikigai]

Perhaps his stubbornness in making the other grandmaster go through this was unjustifiable, but at the same time perhaps it wasn't his fault this desire to bring a little comfort to someone who came to pay him a visit in such a so unwelcoming place out of his own volition. A warm bath, calmly prepared by the Lin Kuei Grandmaster himself, who also seemed to have insisted on providing a little extra care in person.

He waited for his companion to be properly undressed and settled in the hot tub, taking the opportunity to wash his hair. Carefully taking it in hand, he gathered it all and began to slide the rough and somewhat cold digits through the thick strands, from the forehead to the last tips, that came about Master Hasashi's strong shoulders. Moving the hands so very slowly, all that could be done was to savour through the touch every single texture under the guise of diligent cleaning work. Such work was clumsy, sometimes for lack of skill (or more precisely, lack of opportunities like the one unfolding) sometimes on purpose too, to make sure it was done properly. The fingers also brushed the other’s nape and the solid shoulder blades, leisurely caressing the scars along the way in silent admiration and awe. The feeling was a delight, obviously felt in satisfied secretin this candid moment.

Random Inbox Shenanigans || @indulgentia || always accepting!

▬▬ι═══════ﺤ 🔥 || Once, in the ill-fated day of his death, gelid cold ripped his heart apart like a piece of paper; Sub-Zero’s hands gripped him so tightly, refusing to let go even when his own fingers ached and Hanzo let Bi-Han do it. His heart crumbled into shards of flakes more when he had to admit they pierced his lungs; with unconsciousness came the inherent desire to be free. Hanzo Hasashi’s ego knew that the price of freedom was his inevitable, seemingly irreversible death, because to be free was to be conscious. As Scorpion, the vindictive wrath full of ire and vengeance had a false sense of freedom, through the illusion of choice strung by Quan Chi’s marionette control. 

Every monster has an innate understanding of agony; a best friend, also a very, very special gift, to be reborn with a perpetual wound in his soul, shared with his naked, unadulterated emotions. In Grandmaster Hasashi’s chest, there still may be a rift; his soul, a void; his mind, chaos and confusion that still disorients him from time to time. And he would open his eyes to see a horror, an excruciating pain like he has never known before, even as his familiar intimacy with unbearable pain bringing back the echoing sound of endless souls; screaming, crying in agonizing torture of hellfire. 

All Hanzo Hasashi ever wanted was to gently fall like stars, swirling sempiternal love in his heart, twirling like galaxies in the night. Kuai Liang had been his as the sands of time continue to whisk through the black of the unknown space that is Earthrealm and its perilous, threatened fate. Even as the susurrus digits of intimate coldness breeze through his being, his beloved’s face continues to reminisce in his mind; his flavor, the taste of Lin Kuei Grandmaster’s soul coercing his behavior. Perhaps this was a little magic he needed in his occupied life as one of the Protectors of Earthrealm, a little cosmic love, maybe a kiss or two, but definitely such a tender, intimate moment. How Hanzo manifests rays of sunshine aglow in his sun-kissed flesh, alive in the brightness that is his beloved. 

Hanzo Hasashi is no longer an impure beast with a tired vengeful core, but a resilient soul of a survivor fighting off the dread of this universe threatening to shatter what he loves in disintegrating atoms. The way his eyes laying upon A-Liang is like a sunset sky; every color he speaks would light up on his chiseled complexion as the glowing smolder of his warmth enshrouds them in a gentle glow. How his life, unlife, then once again becoming the absolute best version of him in his life had been the process of discovering, the everlasting and perpetual process, not the discovery itself, at all. And he would hold onto this newfound love as tight as he can; for Kuai Liang bestows everything that Hanzo Hasashi needs to satiate and quell all of his yearning. 

How his entirety manifests as the most beautiful luminescence, dazzling like the perpetual sun, as his serene, calm, and relaxed visage paints the exquisite image of his beloved in effortless strokes. Longing, how soft a word for such a ravenous feeling, he muses, even in silence, sincerely hoping that his steady, slow breathing and his smoldering, smoky aura would seep into Liang’s senses. How I still hunger in silence, as I continue to find the music of our sensuous serenade, ignite its fire and let its beat move both of us in synchronization.  ▬▬ι═══════ﺤ 🔥 ||

[blackwatch-gwyn-active]

It's You (Poly!PharMercy x Reader / Poly!McHanzo x Reader)

PharMercy-

Angela’s POV

Wow, I looked at Fareeha’s arms and I was surprised to see my name. I mean, I knew since we were kids but this was a first for even me. What was the most surprising was that most people only have 1 name on their arm but we both had a special name on our left arms, the name of our second soulmate, (Y/N). We were not expecting to really meet them because the odds of meeting them were going to be slim yet fate has a funny way of showing it. 

“Pharah, what is the status of your fuel reserves?” I ask her as I was patching up Reinhardt for battle against Talon’s agents. 

“It is fine for the moment Mercy but there is a problem, I see a few civilians that look to be possibly injured about 300 meters from you, I will get McCree with them until you arrive. I think one of them is trying to help those that are injured but I am trying to hold off the riff-raff as long as possible.” she radios back as I worry but know that she can handle herself, she was once a part of the Egyptian army and she was one of the best soldiers we have in Overwatch. 

“Go to her, Dr. Ziegler, we will handle this from here.” I hear the loud laughter of Reinhardt and I rush off, thanking him. 

I rushed off but not before I hear someone yell, “Look out!” Only to turn and see a young person pushing me out of the way of flying bullets from Reaper’s guns. They took the worse amount of damage, a few bullets lodged in their back but it was on their arms that shocked me; In black ink was the names Fareeha Amari and Angela Ziegler. It was as if the world stopped moving and that my blood ran cold.

“(Y/N), shhh, stay with me.” I whispered as they were coughing up blood, not realizing that my arms were showing their name.

“I am glad I got to meet you, Ms. Ziegler.” They were coughing more as I finally managed to stop the extra bleeding as I radio to Fareeha.

“Fareeha, we need assistance down here, causality to a civilian, you have to see this.” I am breathless as I look at them.

“Shh, it's ok, Fareeha will be here soon and she will take you to safety.” I whisper as I see a blurb of blue land by me and when she sees her name, I could feel the anger from her even being about 5 feet from her. 

“Angela, take them to safety, I will clear out the riff-raff and I don’t want them anymore harmed.” She says through gritted teeth as she takes off and I call for Reinhardt to assist me and carrying them.

“Justice rains from above!” is heard along with many explosions as I see Reinhardt rush with (Y/N) and I to the dropship. 

“It’s ok, min kärlek, rest, you are safe now.” I whispered as they were put on a medical bed and I started my work, saying a silent prayer that we would not lose our beloved as quickly as we had found them.

***Time Skip***

2 hours of surgery and many cups of coffee later, I finally was able to sit and look into their condition but was surprised to see a sleeping Fareeha holding their hand as she tightly held it, refusing to let go even in her sleep. I leaned against the wall and smiled before going to fetch her a cup of tea for her, knowing she must be parched from her long day.

“Min Soldat...wake up.” I whispered as she slowly woke up and looked at me with loving eyes until she looked at them. 

“It's hard to believe that they were near us all along. They were the one I saw helping the injured from the rubble until you arrived.” She says with a smile as I look at them too. 

“Ja, they pushed me out of the way of Reaper’s bullets, resulting in their current condition. I am just glad the bullets missed any vital organs or nerves.” I whispered as she nodded. 

“Malak, they are just like us, defending the innocent and helping those they love...They are a true hero...they are our wali batal.” she says with a small smile as I sit by her and hold her hand, nodding as we await for you love to wake up, ready to start our new life with them.

McHanzo-

*Hanzo’s POV*

It was supposed to be a routine mission: get in, get the information, get out but someone had to be an idiot and cause a distraction. Only Jesse McCree could cause such a problem but what can I say, we are soulmates. But there is one person missing from our little group, the 2nd name on both of our arms. That name is (Y/N), our 2nd soulmate.

“I said I was sorry.” I heard him say behind me as I roll my eyes and changed my bandages for the 2nd time that day. The last mission turned out to be that Jesse cannot keep quiet, giving away our location and I got grazed with a bullet on the arm. 

“I said I forgive you but you still need to learn to keep yourself under control. Lena was almost killed because of your actions and she would have been fatally wounded if it had not been for Hana, Satya and Zenyatta.” I reminded him as he pouted and sat down beside me, assisting me if needed.

“Do you think they are out there, Hanners?” I heard him ask me as I sighed and looked at the arm that hold their name and I let out another sigh. 

“We can only hope, huckleberry.” I whispered as we tried to relax. We met when the recall happened so we were both surprised that we have yet to meet the 3rd member of our little love triangle but like all things, it takes time and it will come when it is ready.

“I am going to get some whiskey, are you coming for a drink?” He asked me as I shook my head and prepared to meditate.

“I will be here when you get back.” I informed him as he nodded, kissed my temple and left me alone to think. But before I could meditate, both my dragons appeared and they looked a curious as their master’s mate was about the missing mate. 

“Do not worry great spirits of the southern wind. All will come to pass when time is ready for it.” I say with some sorrow in my voice but I know it is because I share the same fear. What if they do not want to be stuck with a ex-clan leader and an outlaw as lovers? What if they do not love him like he hopes they do. With that thought in mind, he gets up and prepares to go to town, just to clear his mind.

***Slight Time Skip***

He saw happy couples running around and holding each other and he felt a bit jealous. He loves Jesse with every fiber of his being but without (Y/N), he still felt like he was missing part of himself. He hummed softly to a nameless tune as he watched his surroundings. Yet, as he then turned a corner near a ramen shop, he heard a gentle song being sung near him and he was drawn in like a moth to a flame. He knew the song as one that he has heard Genji talked about, it was an older song but the part that he was more drawn to was how their voice not only explained the story but still held hope.

“Thousands of cherry blossoms dwindling in the light. Though I can’t hear your voice, keep what I say in mind- This bouquet that surrounds is iron poison, see, looking down at us from that big guillotine. Darkness has just engulfed the universe we know the lament that you sing can’t reach ears anymore. We are still far away from reaching clear blue skies. Go ahead, keep shooting, with that ray gun, Fight!” 

He was drawn in and then he saw a person who was dressed as a westerner but the way they were handling a bow reminded him of his days in his youth. He took a step and landed on a stick but before he could react, he saw an arrow fly past his face, missing him by mere centimeters.

“Have you come for information regarding my soulmates because if so, I will put you in the grave first before I allow either of them to be harmed.” He drew his own bow and was prepared to fight them but when he saw their arms, he was shocked. 

On one arm was the name Jesse McCree and the other was surprisingly mine, Hanzo Shimada. 

“Answer me assassin...have you come to hold me as ransom because I will go down fighting before I allow harm to come to either name on my very arms.” They said with some vengeance in their voice as I lower my bow but had no problem returning it to stance if need be. 

“You would protect a ex-clan leader and a man who had ties with Deadlock Gang...why?” I asked and they growled as I then hear what I was not prepared to hear. 

“I have lost enough as it was! I lost my family, my friends and I should be dead but as long as I have these two names on my arms, I will fight to my last breath to keep them alive. Both Shimada-Sama and McCree will live even if it cost me my own life!” They yelled as they started to shake from what I could have guessed as either rage or fear. Before I could answer in kind, both dragons went to them on their own accord and circled their master’s mate, surprising them.

“Wait...If this is what I think it is...then you must...Hanzo?” They ask as I walk to the light and before I could respond, I hear another familiar voice. 

“Hanners?” I turned to see McCree at the end of the alleyway and were surprised to see the dragons surrounding this new person but suddenly connected the pieces when he sees their arms. “Is that...them?” He asks as I nod. 

“Yes, Airashī Baka...That is our soulmate.” I say as I kneel down and I am surprised by what I see.

“Anata, you are not harmed are you?” I asked as they shake their head and are shaking from what I could guess is crying. McCree kneels down and sees the the same person that we see. They have fought to keep us safe no matter where we were and yet, even faced with possible death, they would die to keep us safe.

“Howdy (Y/N), its nice to see a face finally with a name.” He smiles as they wipe their eyes and look at him.

“Now don’t be surprised Darlin’, we have been looking for ya for an awful long time.” He holds them and pulls me in as we tell them that soon, we will all go home together and for the first time in a long time, I can truly be happy. We have our family together and we will do anything to protect each other; until death do us part.

PharMercy:

*min kärlek- my love

*Min Soldat- My Soldier

*Malak- Angel

*Wali Batal- Guardian Hero

McHanzo:

*Anata- You (mostly used as familiar ‘You’ but can also be used for a significant other/Similar to honey or sweetie)

*Airashī Baka- Loveable Idiot

[cinderacequeen]

In Hanzo’s defense...

The people calling Hanzo a "raging a-hole" tend to forget that he was a scion-a yakuza scion.

As oldest son/heir, Hanzo was put under tremendous pressure from the Clan to exceed all expectations. He was groomed to command rooms-to be all business and show little to no weakness. What good is having an oyabun of a powerful crime family who could easily fall prey to others’ manipulations and distractive emotions?

~*~

The bonding process with the dragons also most likely wasn't a very pleasant experience and Hanzo has TWO of them. Double the pain and recovery time.

Despite this, the Clan probably only allowed a short respite before putting him to work since Sojiro was nearing the end and they needed their new heir to be ready, like, yesterday. ~*~

While he might be a bit relieved that Genji wasn't treated as harshly, he did feel some envy towards the freedom Genji relished in since he didn’t have as much responsibility towards the Clan-not that he was interested, to begin with-but still cared a lot about him, regardless.

Hanzo protected Genji as often as he could but a rift caused by their “family” still formed between them and they grew apart and more hostile towards each other, as the Elders planned. It was then when they were forced into a gruesome duel to rid of the weakest link.

The breaking point for Hanzo was nearly murdering his little brother as he was ordered to. ~*~

Hanzo may have been cold towards Genji prior and up to their battle, but the full weight of his actions crashing down upon him is what finally opened his eyes to seeing that just how effed up the Clan truly was.

Not even family was safe from their castigation.

If Hanzo didn't care about Genji at all, him practically killing him would not have broken him the way it did.

He wouldn’t have exiled himself from Hanamura, giving up the “dream” he thought he wanted but was really what the Clan ingrained into him from a young age and losing the empire that would have been his. He wouldn't have spent 10 years kicking himself over his "duty".

He wouldn’t be drowning his guilt and sorrows in sake.

He wouldn’t have risked his life visiting Shimada Castle every year on the anniversary of Genji’s “death” to honor the beloved brother he lost with incense and a sparrow feather-”Sparrow” having been Genji’s nickname given to him by Sojiro.

~*~

Some of their interactions might make you think otherwise such as,

"You will never amount to anything!"

but I fully believe this more of the Clan poisoning Hanzo's mind and putting words into his mouth.

Hanzo was made to believe that Genji was nothing but an obstacle that had to be dealt with. ~*~

While I'm on the topic of their interactions:

"Think you can do better than me?" "Heh. I am certain of it."

This comes off as a friendly, brotherly competition. "It is not too late to change your course, brother." "You are mistaken, brother. I am beyond redemption."

HOPE. Genji still has lots of love for Hanzo and has even told him he has hope for him to better himself. ~*~

Hanzo's secondary response, " You may call yourself my brother, but you are not the Genji I knew", is him not wanting to face the truth that the strange half-man half-machine before him is his really his brother.

Hanzo feels that Genji suffered a fate worse than death because of him. ~*~

Hanzo became suicidal as he feels that only in death will he be redeemed of his crimes. He takes many risks, such as visiting the heavily guarded Shimada Castle and becoming a mercenary.

"With every death, comes honor. With honor, redemption."

In "Dragons", he WANTED Genji to kill him after he was bested in battle.

Blackwatch!Genji wouldn't have hesitated to do so, he was full of so much rage and in so much pain, but Genji spared him. He had learned about peace and acceptance from Zenyatta and had long forgiven his big brother-having told him so. He wants to reconcile and help Hanzo heal.

However, 10 years of bottled up internal torment and guilt only to find out that your brother is still alive but as a cyborg is a lot to deal with all at once. ~*~

"The world is changing once again, Hanzo, and it's time to pick a side." "Perhaps I am a fool to think there is still hope for you...but I do."

Genji wants Hanzo by his side and for them to be brothers, once more. He probably keeps tabs on Hanzo until he decides to join Overwatch. ~*~

After that reunion, there are hints to Hanzo taking Genji's words to heart. His casual skin is him letting go of his past.

He's showing more emotions and even making quips. He's being more true to himself instead of being a puppet to his and Genji’s abusive family.

He suffers from depression but Hanzo is atoning.

There is hope for him