#AGAIN!!! AGAIN!!!!! they are two sides of the same coin. the way their UM is the exact opposite of each other im screaming

[suntails]

7.3

[nemisuki]

Pinky Promise

Childhood Meeting AU | The balance of this universe shifted when he was brought into this world. Since he could start walking he was treated differently from the other children of his clan. Robbed of his innocence, childhood and freedom. So what happens when one day at the Gojo Clans Residence, another clan comes to visit for a deal. Bored of the meeting, 10 year old Satoru Gojo goes to the gardens hoping to find something worthy of his time. But is faced with a girl younger then him, claiming to be a princess of another land. Yet when he looks at the cheap toy tiara on her head, the bright smile on her face, her eyes looking at him with awe… he knew they were complete opposites, raised from two different sides of the same coin.

᧔o᧓ || gojo satoru x f!reader, no manga spoilers, no nsfw, pure fluff, 1.7k word count

At his birth, the young boy was known to be completely different from the rest of his clan. Born with the six eyes, always came with a target on his back. Feared by all despite his young age, just a look from him had your blood running cold. In his eyes, they were all weaklings. Nothing to worry about nor spend his precious time on.

One spring day, where the cherry blossoms were falling along the path. Littering around the pebbled walkway and the freshly cleaned floor. There was a meeting between two clans. The famous Gojo and L/N clan. Both were highly influential in the Jujutsu World. The Gojo clan was one if not, the most feared clan of them all.

Known for their limitless and six eyes technique, giving them the ability to manipulate space and have extraordinary visual abilities. You would be a fool to challenge them. While the L/N clan was more known for their success in the ability to rewind time. Using their cursed energy, and placing both palms on a persons body, they are able to rewind the body to its original form. Unlike the Gojo clan, the L/N clan is often known to be soft hearted individuals making them easy to make alliances with other clans. They use their ability to heal those of serious injuries such as missing limbs or life threatening wounds. Known as expert healers and the sole clan to perform such miracles.

Today was the day the Gojo and L/N clan would finally stabilize their alliance. As the meeting went on, Satoru left the room without a word. He was there alone in the garden, boredly observing his family's fish pond. When suddenly Satoru felt someone’s cursed energy behind the big Sakura tree. He reflexively got himself into a stance for battle, but what Satoru saw was a girl who seemed to be younger than him, who was poking her head out to stare at Satoru innocently.

Satoru looked at the girl curiously, then spoke with a firm and commanding tone, "Who are you?"

The girl quickly hides behind the tree again. Her heart thumps as she can’t believe she got caught so quickly. She slowly steps out from behind the tree. Wearing a bright pink dress and two white bows in her hair. Her eyes meet his as she shyly speaks, “m-my name is p-princess y/n. U-um…..”

He gives her an odd look, is this girl right in the head?

“Are you my prince?!” she says with hope and awe in her big eyes. She couldn’t help but notice this boy's good looks, especially with his blue eyes. They were the perfect color and his white eyelashes just made him divine. She’s never seen someone so beautiful, this is definitely her prince.

She is slightly younger than him, it seems, she actually thinks she’s a princess. Most likely around the age of 8. Satoru notices the cheap toy tiara on her head. The cheap piece of metallic paint, slightly chipping on its side showing she’s had it for a while. Her attire, a pink dress that matches the tiny pink stone in the middle of her tiara.

For some reason his heart pounded in his chest as he looked at the girl standing in front of him with an expression of awe. She was adorable, the way her hair swayed in the wind as the cherry petals fell down around the two. Satoru thought to himself, She seems so pure...

Still, Satoru had to be cautious. He couldn't let some random girl sneak up on him. Satoru remained stoic and firm, looking down at the girl with a cool glance, "A prince? I refuse. Sounds weak”

She physically gasps and rushes over in front of him, he tenses slightly and looks down at her. He would’ve attacked in any situation but she seems harmless and fairly weak. Her head goes up as she stares at him when she starts pouting and whining, “Noooooo you have to be my prince! I’m a princess!”

Satoru couldn't help but hold back a smile at the little girl, despite the fact that he was supposed to remain stoic. She was just so….. cute. For the first time in a while, he let out a small chuckle and got on one knee down to her level, making sure she wouldn't feel threatened or intimidated. She was different from the others, she didn’t seem scared of him and he oddly liked that. He couldn't help but admire the innocent way she looked up at him, her innocent eyes glistening with awe.

Satoru felt his heart beat faster as he looked at her. She was so tiny compared to him - a delicate little creature who seemed like she wouldn't hurt a fly. Satoru was normally stoic and expressionless, but in the presence of this little girl, he was slowly starting to melt.

He looked at her, unsure of what to say. For once, it felt nice to have someone look up at him in such a way. She was so small and fragile, it was like she needed protecting.

“What is your name, my Prince?” she says with curiosity and is very eager to know his name.

Satoru raises an eyebrow as she continues to call him "my prince." It was a strange sensation, being called that by such an innocent girl.

Satoru decides to play along with her naivety, as a small grin wanting to play on his lips. "I am Prince Satoru. And you are... Princess Y/N?" He asks, making a guess she would like being called that.

Her eyes brighten at that and a huge smile appears on her face, “yes that is me!”

Satoru can't help but get swept up in his curiosity. The way she spoke and smiled was so childlike, so genuine. She was like a breath of fresh air in his otherwise strict and stoic life. A small smile of amusement formed on his lips as he continued to kneel down to her level.

"So... Princess, are you here all by yourself?" He asked, giving a slight look over to make sure she’s not hurt.

She shakes her head no, “mama and papa are inside, having a meeting. Do you live here my Prince?”

Ah she must be from the clan that’s having a meeting with his people. Satoru nods his head, still fascinated by the way she looks up at him with such innocent and pure looks. "Yes, I live here." He says softly, deciding to return the soft tone when speaking to her, since she was so young. She was almost like a true princess, which wasn't hard to imagine due to her wearing the toy tiara on her head.

Her smile brightens even more if that’s even possible, “then will you pinky promise that you’ll always be my prince?”

Satoru can't help but chuckle slightly at her innocent request, but he can't help being drawn back into it. His defenses were still being torn down by this little girl, causing him to be charmed and amused. He finds the way she spoke so pure and childlike to be so adorable. Grinning and trying his best to continue to play along, Satoru holds up his own finger, locking it together with hers. "I pinky promise to always be your prince."

The smile she gave him after that was of no other he’s ever seen. It was in that moment where he wanted to know her. Who she is. Her likes and dislikes. Hopes and ambitions. Dreams and aspirations. He wanted to know it all. Gojo Satoru was a cold child but he found the warmth he was always looking for. Her. Y/N L/N.

(੭˃ᴗ˂)੭ time skip 15 yrs⋆｡𖦹 °✩

More then a decade has passed, and things have changed drastically for Satoru. He's no longer the young boy that he once was and now is an adult and the sole member of his family's clan. He's become someone completely different han he was back then, no longer hardened by training and his family's expectations of him. Despite the strong and positive exterior he puts on, beneath it all, he's still the same young boy haunted by his past. He heard the clicking of heels in the hallway and he didn’t even have to turn around to know who it is.

As she entered the main room, she noticed the vast emptiness of the hall. There was only one familiar figure occupying the room. Satoru was standing there with his arms crossed. As she entered, Satoru slowly turned to look in her direction, a small look of amusement flickering on his face as he observed her walking towards him.

“Satoru! Good Morning!” the expression on Satoru's face quickly softened as he heard her cheerful voice. He gave a small smile as she approached him, trying to conceal the way her presence immediately warmed him up. He nodded in response to her greeting, “hey there gorgeous” he smirks.

She was now in her mid-twenties, but she hasn't changed a bit. She was still that pure hearted soul, with that adorably soft smile on her face, “Satoru did you have breakfast?”

Satoru shook his head, indicating that he hasn't had breakfast. Chelsy's innocent and cheerful demeanor was starting to become even more contagious as her presence began to brighten the room. "No, I haven't. Have you?" Satoru replies with a goofy smile as he ruffles her hair and hugs her. His hands around her waist as he buries his head in the crook of her neck.

She giggles at his antics “I didn’t, I wanted to eat with you”

Satoru gave her a wider smile, "I see... I would be glad to eat breakfast with you."

She offered her hand, his demeanor completely clingy now. Satoru instinctively took her hand, finding his grip softened up around hers. It felt like old times again, when she would hold his hand and they would explore the grounds and gardens after their first meet. Memories quickly flooded his mind at the touch of her hand.

A fond smile played on his lips as he kissed the back of her hand, “Let's go, Princess."

The balance of this world changed when Gojo Satoru was born. But his purpose was born when he met Y/N L/N. His Princess. His world.

[amemenojaku]

Akyuu/Reimu for the ship ask, please

hi I um. turned this into akyuurei manifesto. sorry

How differently do they think of each other now compared to when they first met?

I just reread Memorizable Gensokyo and some of the FS chapters where they interact (+the bit at the end of SoPM) back-to-back and it feels like they’ve come to really respect each other. When they first met properly in MG Akyuu tried so hard to impress Reimu, who looked amused by Akyuu’s work but didn’t seem to take her very seriously… I suppose that’s partly because they were younger then. I like that small panel in MG where Reimu introduces herself and Akyuu’s like “:O!!!”… By the time we see them together again in FS, they talk as equals. Reimu acknowledges Akyuu’s authority (she’s still super blunt about the chronicles but that’s Reimu for you lol), and Akyuu trusts Reimu to get the work done when it’s needed. They know they can rely on each other. I’d even go as far as to say Reimu treats Akyuu with a bit more softness than she does a lot of characters… She worries about Akyuu walking all the way up to the shrine in a latter FS chapter, she doesn’t chastise Akyuu for organizing the symposium in SoPM despite how pissed she is at the other participants (although I do think she was still hurt… more on that below), etc. As they are now they see each other as individuals more than roles I think, which is an important part of their dynamic (and also of Reimu pairings in general imo).

What do their friends/family think of their relationship?

They’d be the type to go in circles for a while before committing to something. Take their time with it. Past a certain point Marisa and Kosuzu start scheming to get them together (much to the concerned parties’ annoyance). When it finally happens they’d be teasing but supportive. I think the relationship would be kept secret for a time… Some people still manage to sniff it out though, Yukari for example; she’d be satisfied with it. Two people she has a weird close situationship with, together? That works. There might be some gossip about them… But if/when they make it official to everyone, I honestly think they’d be blessed by most of the village – it’s the Hakurei shrine maiden and the head of the Hieda clan after all! Might break a few nameless village women’s hearts though…

How do their personalities/skills complement or contrast with each other?

They have a ton of parallels (human but not quite; role directly tied to the survival of the world they live in; bridge between humans and youkai, etc) but also a few differences both symbolically (Akyuu doesn’t fly (she’s grounded to (a relative) reality), Reimu is literally the power to fly (transcends reality); Reimu is the “eternal shrine maiden”, Akyuu doesn’t live past 30 (but even that can be turned into a parallel with Akyuu’s reincarnations*), etc) and in terms of personality (Akyuu being calmer in general and displaying better social skills). Imo it’s one of the relationships with the most interesting balance between contrast and similarities… They’re the same girl but they’re also on two different sides of the same coin and the pining that comes out of it is SO good.

*if you look too hard into this like I do you’ll see the child of Miare’s reincarnation gimmick as a parallel to how it’s implied that the past Hakurei shrine maidens were replaced often (died quickly?)

What is their favorite aspect of each other?

In canon, I’d say it’s how reliable they find each other. They’ve worked together/consulted one another a few times in FS for matters related to the human village, and despite some differences in opinion they’re on the same wavelength on a lot of issues. Now, with my yuri goggles on…. I think it’d be really sweet if they could make each other feel normal. If their similarities brought them together on a level different from their other friendships, where they can understand the weight of each other’s role and that whole “human but not quite” thing they share, and be able to completely treat each other as ordinary. I really really like it when a character with a lot of obligations gets to just be themselves, and I also love it when two characters who’re both special or generally “apart” from everyone else grow close thanks to that, so I’m just mashing things I enjoy lol

Do either of them have pet peeves about each other?

I like to think Akyuu has a healthy lifestyle and her days go like clockwork (except when she’s close to a writing deadline), so she’d probably find some of the situations Reimu ends up in very frustrating. I think that fits well with the fact that Akyuu doesn’t always realize how high her quality of life is and can sometimes act a bit inconsiderate towards people who aren’t as rich as her. Meanwhile Reimu’s a very honest, very blunt person who struggles with keeping secrets for long (see Forbidden Scrollery’s ending), so she probably wouldn’t like some of the secrets Akyuu keeps at times. But Akyuu’s an important figure to the human villagers and she does take her role as a chronicler seriously, so there must be moments she has to prioritize her obligations over honesty. I think that kind of contrast is very interesting.

How would each reconcile with each other after a fight?

They’re both stubborn… But I see Reimu as the first to try to reconcile most of the time. Her soft spot for Akyuu would take over her natural pride imo. So she makes the first move. Akyuu takes longer, but her apologies are sincere.

Buuut there’s one time I can imagine Reimu completely withdrawing into her shell and refusing to even acknowledge that she’s really upset at Akyuu until confronted about it: SoPM. I won’t ever be able to explain it better than que-de-metal did right here so I recommend reading it!!

What would be their ideal vacation getaway together?

Hot spring resort. Quiet, relaxing and good for Akyuu’s health! And plenty of time for Reimu to laze around and read mystery novels. (I’m projecting… I miss onsens…….)

Think of a new way (AU, different situation, etc.) they could have met for the first time.

I’m honestly a bit upset that Memorizable Gensokyo is when they first met proper, even though there’s no way the Hieda family isn’t regularly in contact with the Hakurei shrine maiden. I think it’d be cute if they met when they were both kids and Reimu was in training with her predecessor and they were both called at the Hieda mansion for something. Extra points if Akyuu was intrigued by Reimu’s natural powers and that’s where her desire to impress her in MG comes from, and if Reimu barely remembers that meeting (like with Alice in PCB).

[soapsinthebox]

character ask um sona thouughffs perhappps 😁do soba. Sona :)

Greets Gekko!! and of course, im always happy to talk about my cancelled aunt, she is my pfp after all

Favorite thing about them

Oooh this one is hard... "Favorite" is a little too wide of a definition for this, so ill narrow it down to what hits the hardest for me, and that is most definitely, the "flawed mother" angle they were going for her.

Sona isnt perfect, as much as she wants to claim otherwise, she believes in ideologies that actively put Frisks friends in danger time and time again, and as shown, is even willing to act on them in the imperfect routes, but they still love and see the good in her, because thats what theyve grown up with their whole life, and for someone who has a mom in a pretty similar situation, that hit so fucking hard for me.

Sona... they could never make me hate you Sona...

Least favorite thing about them

I dont really understand the hair motif they were going for, it feels unnecessary, out of place, and compared to all the other powers she could have had in the concept art (Doll powers, omega form, ect) just feels... idk, boring to me? i just feel there was so much more potential for her.

Favorite line

"If you dont have determination, you have to fake it!" lives rent free in my mind. its the perfect way to show off one of her main ideologies, In Sonas mind, theres just simply no thing called weakness or imperfections, and anything that is lacking can be fixed right up like a doll, who cares if itll never be as genuine as the flawed and complex human being that they used to be?

Theres also the iconic "I only take the souls of children if they disobey me!" line, which i like for a lot less complex reasons. just, out of context funny lmao.

BrOTP

The possible relationships she can have with Dalv, and her relations to integrity are both very intriguing to me.

Like, for Dalv theres this whole thing with them that they are both flawed individuals who ran away from their problems in the past, but ended up with completely different outcomes (Dalv was ripped away from society, while Sona actively got herself involved in it) but also like?? for something fluffier, i like to imagine that Dalv is good with kids, and the idea of him running an orphanage with Sona is really cute to me.

And integrity... oughh, its seen both in the no romance endings and the perfect sans route of kc that Sona really cared for integrity (their ending having the most lore, only second to Justice because...well, uty reference, her giving them flowers in that one cg), So the idea of her in a uty scenario (cough cough kcy cough cough) finding out about what they did and their fate is a REALLY interesting angle to consider for me. so many thoughts, oh so many of them.

And then last but certainly not least, theres her and Chara which i feel like i dont talk about NEARLY enough but since this section is getting long, ill just end this off on that kc shouldve had more Sona and Chara interactions.

OTP

... Its Sonaroba, is anyone surprised.

Theyre so interesting and mentally ill and evil i need to put them in a snowglobe and shake them as hard as i can. Like, you have two woman who were both wronged by the world in some capacity, and when proven wrong, are so tunnel visioned that they basically just beg for death. only that one is past that arc and has learned to grow, while the other, despite having the chance time and time again, hasnt. They're two sides of the same coin, they're two different outcomes of the same person they're they're they're-

My incoherent ramblings aside, i also really enjoy Sonanny, they're the doomed old woman yuri ever and i refuse to take any criticism /j like, theres a reason Nanny is the only adult not controlled by Sona right? IM GOING INSANE-

nOTP

... Im actually at a loss for what to put here lol. I mean, i guess theres Sona and Sans, but its just so stupidly evil and toxic that i kinda just, thrive in it now

I guess her and Starlo?? but theyre not compatible anyway so i dont really get why people would even ship it to begin with.

Random headcanon

The hat she has in the concept art right?? i imagine she actually still has that hat somewhere, and wears it on special occasions like anniversaries and birthdays. its just so cute i cant help myself rahhh-

Unpopular opinion

Im actually not that familiar with what the major idea around Sona is since i only really hang out in niche spaces, maybe i should hang around Andrews community more-

But since "Sona isnt just some random racist mom and her character goes so much deeper than that" isn't really a fun answer, im gonna say that i think we (and by we i mean like, the twelve people in the kissy cutie community) Really dont explore her Mexican origins enough. theres so many fun things you can do with it like the original game does-

Song i associate with them

The main two songs i associate with her are Suburbia by Will wood and the tape worms, and ruler of everything by tally hall.

Suburbia in particular feels like her trying to fit herself and eveyone into a "generic" standard, and the ar-15 part in particular feels like Chara speaking to her like "cultures not your friend" and "Culture is more afraid of you then you are of itself", making it a duet between the Siblings?? ouggh can you see the vision.

And ruler of everything... oh ruler of everything my beloved, everything about it fits Sona so well for me, especially the chorus?? Ayaygdgyduhhuh

I actually was story boarding a ruler of everything Sona animatic, i lost interest since school started, so heres the rough beatboards

Favorite picture of them

The little full body Xan cut out lives in my mind rent free, like look at her guys shes so full of bliss and whimsy

Thanks for the ask!! sorry this got a little long lol, i am a yapper at heart

[sunflowersandsapphires]

Northern Attitude

Summary: Frank Castle x fem!OC (meant to be interpreted as Frank Castle x Reader). As Frank realizes that he and Wren are growing closer, he lashes out in fear. Hurt/comfort ensues.

Content Warnings: she/her pronouns used for Wren, misogynistic language, swearing

WC: 2.3k

Note from the author: This is my first ever fic so please let me know if you like it! Lore for the universe that this story takes place in can be found here!

“If the sun don't rise 'til the summertime, forgive my northern attitude. Oh, I was raised on little light”

—Northern Attitude by Noah Kahan (it’s a great song! Check it out.) 

In hindsight, she shouldn’t have pushed him so far when he was already in a bad mood. Though, to be fair, she just wanted to help. 

“Frank, please…” She tried again, her resolve standing strong despite his complaints. 

“No, Wren. It’s getting cold. We can’t be stopping for every little thing.” He pushed ahead, not looking at her. 

“Little thing? Frank, you got stabbed—“

“‘Stabbed’ fuck’s sake. He barely touched me. Besides, bleedin’ comes with the territory.”

“Gods above,” she rolled her eyes. “Please, just stop for a moment so I can take a look? If it gets infected—“

“‘m fine Wren,” he grumbled. “Drop it.”

“It won’t take long. Just a few minutes to clean and rewrap it!” She offered, hopefully. 

“No.” 

“But—“

“FOR FUCK’S SAKE, WREN. NO!” Frank roared, spinning to face her. Wren stepped back slightly as he continued. “You think that because you’re here now, stuck to me like a thorn in my side, I need your help every time some bastard nicks me? I was damned alright on my own. Stop fuckin’ pesterin’ me about it and start walking.” 

Frank spun back to the trail, stomping away, boots crunching on the partially frozen soil. 

Wren pressed her lips together, guilt welling up in her throat. She shifted her pack to the other shoulder and started after him, keeping farther behind than before. 

———————————————————————————————————

After a few hours of walking in tense silence, the pair finally stopped at an inn. While she was quite ready for a meal and a break from trekking through dense forest, she’d been dreading this conversation for miles. 

“Frank,” she started hesitantly, “did you, um, want two rooms tonight or..?”

“Why would we waste coins on an extra room? We ain’t exactly swimming in riches these days.” He snapped at her, walking inside. 

“Oh, right. Sorry,” she murmured, trailing behind. 

The pub was crowded, but it was warmer than outside. Wren let out a breath of relief, pulling the hood of her cloak away from her face. Frank, ever the menace, left his black hood on, shoving through patrons to get to the bar. 

“What can I get ya?” The barkeep trained her eyes on Frank. 

“Beer.” He grunted, pushing a few coins towards her. 

“And a room, if you have one.” Wren added, walking up next to him, adding another handful of coins. 

“You got it.” The barkeep smiled, passing Frank a foaming pint and Wren a brass key. “Upstairs, 3rd door on the left, love.” 

Wren thanked her softly and headed off to the stairs. 

Frank set to work draining the glass in front of him. Sighing, he dragged a hand down his face. Fuck, he was tired. The wound in his side ached like hell, and his argument with Wren had set him on edge. It had been years since he’d had someone else to worry about, to care for, to let care for him—it was difficult letting that happen again after…everything. If he could muster up the courage to let his guard down, he wouldn’t mind her help stitching him up. She was always so gentle about it, and the way the warmth from her delicate touch would linger on his skin—

Frank’s dangerous train of thought was interrupted by uproarious laughter from a group of drunk patrons to his left. 

He gave a low snarl and took a swig of his beer. He was simply escorting Wren. They had been headed the same way and it didn’t make sense to pay more to travel alone. He’d wanted to make it clear that their companionship was a matter of convenience but, somewhere in the fog of shared beds and soft reassurances, the lines had been crossed. He didn’t need her. Well, he didn’t use to. The urge to just break down and give in to her sweetness got stronger by the day. And it scared the shit out of him.

It was clear that he needed to distance himself from her somehow, or he’d be sucked into her trap. Sighing roughly, he dug the heels of his hands into his eyes. Someone in front of him cleared their throat. 

The barkeep passed him a fresh beer and a bowl of stew. He looked up, curiously. The bartender smiled, “On the house. Somethin’ tells me yer girl would have my head if I gave ya nothin’ but one crap beer on a night like this.” 

Frank forced a chuckle, trying not to let the comment add to his existing emotional turmoil. “Thanks.” 

———————————————————————————————————

As he finished his meal, savoring its lasting warmth, he felt a presence over his shoulder. “How was it?” Wren murmured as she took a seat next to him. 

“A’right.” Gulping down the last of his beer, he wiped a hand over his mouth and stood from his chair from his chair. “I’m gonna head up. Don’t be long.” And with that, Frank was gone. 

Wren sighed, giving a small wave to the bartender and tossing more coins to her. Once provided with her own bowl of stew, she ate quickly and headed up to the room to face Frank for, what she hoped, would be the last time before a good night’s rest. 

When she opened the door, the light was dim, but she could make out Frank’s form on the floor next to the bed. 

“Did the mattress offend you?” She prompted him.

“We ain’t sharin’ tonight.” He grumbled, clearly nearing sleep already. “Take the bed. I’m fine down here.”

Not wanting to set him off again, she simply murmured “Alright…” and set to work dressing for bed. 

She worried her bottom lip as she settled under the covers, running through the past few days in her head, racking her brain for the cause of his outburst today. Blinking back tears, his words echoed in her head. 

“Stuck to me like a thorn in my side…fuckin’ pesterin’ me” was she being so bothersome? She’d been more open about her concern recently, but he had too. Hadn’t he? It was clear he wanted to seem like she meant nothing to him most days, but that couldn’t be entirely true. After all, his current stab wound had been obtained while wailing on a group of drunk thugs for calling her his “outspoken, unsightly whore”. 

The longer she thought about it…maybe that wasn’t a defense of her at all. Maybe she’d let her judgment of his actions become clouded by her own desire—to love and be loved. Maybe Frank had been defending his own honor, angry that he’d been so publicly associated with her. 

The tears were falling freely now, all of her resolve being poured into keeping quiet and letting him rest. Since when had she given this much of a shit about his feelings towards her? He had always made it clear, this was temporary. But the close contact and lingering stares had sparked hope in her naive little heart. 

She thought back to the first time they met. The argument they’d had over their combined fate. 

“Even if I believed in destiny, you sure as shit ain’t mine, kid. Get on your way.” Maybe she should take his former advice. 

Frank shifted on the ground, startling her slightly. She took a deep breath, deciding to speak with him in the morning. If Frank truly didn’t want to travel with her anymore, she wouldn’t be the person forcing him to. With another breath, she closed her eyes and slowly settled into a restless sleep. 

———————————————————————————————————

Frank gritted his teeth, shifting on the ground as silently as he could. Cursing his decision to ice Wren out, he let out a shaky breath. Predictably, the wound in his side did not feel better after sleeping a number of hours on the floor. He supposed that there was no one to blame but himself. 

His entire body ached, and hearing her cry herself to sleep had been another kind of agony. It took every ounce of his strength to not jump up to comfort her. He never intended to be this much of an asshole, but he couldn’t risk subjecting Wren to his family’s fate. Damn him for getting attached before pulling away, which no doubt meant it was harder on them both now. 

A small sound pulled him from his self-deprecating thoughts, a whimper. Wren was crying out for help in her sleep; her brain creating nightmares, no doubt because of the emotional toll the day had taken on her—that his words had taken on her. 

Another small cry, followed by rustling of sheets. “Please…no…please don’t.” 

“‘S ok Wren. You’re just dreamin’” He called to her, turning over and kneeling by the bed. His hands hovered over her hunched form, as if his body still wasn’t willing to break the barrier he’d worked hard to place between them that day. 

Wren choked on a nightmare-induced sob, “help…anyone please!” 

“You’re killin’ me, kid.” Frank set his jaw, running through his options. Letting her in would get her hurt, he reminded himself, he couldn’t do that to her. Frank started withdrawing from the bed, pushing down his guilt. He started to lay down, and then—

“Frank!! Frank please,” Wren bawled “please help. Don’t let them…” 

“Aw hell.” Distance be damned, his girl needed him. Carefully, he sat next to Wren on the bed, stroking her arm gently. “I’m right here, sweetheart.” After another pained cry from Wren, Frank began to gather her into his arms. “They can’t hurt ya. I’m right here.”

She woke with a start, flailing slightly before realizing where she was. “Frank?” Her voice broke as she said his name. 

“Yah, sweetheart.” He pulled her into his chest, tenderly. “I gotcha.”

Tears started trailing down Wren’s cheeks. Grabbing a fistful of his shirt, she choked in a breath. They sat there for a few moments, small sobs falling from Wren's mouth punctuating the silence. Eventually, she spoke. “I’m sorry, I— I didn’t mean to wake you up.” 

“Hey,” Frank wiped her tears with his thumb, “I was already up. Floor’s uncomfortable as shit.” He cracked a small smile, but Wren’s face crumpled. She pushed back from him and off of his lap. 

“I didn’t mean to bother you again. I’m ok. I’ll be fine.” She blinked back more tears. “We can part ways in the morning. You won’t be…won’t be stuck with me anymore.” The last sentence broke off in a strangled sob and Wren turned away from him slightly. 

“Oh Wren,” Frank murmured, furious at himself, “What I said earlier, I was angry and scared. You’re not a bother.” 

Wren looked at him through tears, “I’m not?” 

“No, lovely. I’m just an asshole. C’mere.” Frank opened his arms for her and gestured for her to come back. 

Wren returned to her place against his chest, tucking her face into his neck. “You’re not an asshole,” she sniffled. “I just—got confused.” 

Frank sighed, brushing some hair off of her cheek. “I know, sweetheart. That’s my fault too.” 

“That, we can agree on.” Wren murmured against his neck, playing with a loose thread on his shirt. 

Frank snorted. “Oh yah?” He stroked Wren’s back gently. “I’m sorry, lovely. I do care about you. I always will. But…” Frank took a shuddering breath. “If you get close to me, you’ll get hurt. It’s not avoidable. This world is too cruel to let us slip by unscathed. And I won’t let you get hurt, Wren, I can’t.”

“I know the risks, Frank. I’m not a safe choice of companion either.” Her voice was quiet, barely above a whisper, but the look in her eyes was fierce as she held his gaze. “But I still want to be close to you. Are you willing to let me try?”

Frank set his jaw. “Shit sweetheart, I want to tell ya no, but when you look at me with that face...” He exhaled roughly, pursing his lips. 

“We might get hurt,” Wren continued, holding his waist with one hand to pull them impossibly closer. “But is being bitter and alone really worth it to you, Frank?” 

Frank let his head fall against hers, foreheads touching. His eyes fell closed as her free hand came up to gently knead at the nape of his neck. 

“Hey,” She whispered. “Look at me for one more moment.” 

Frank opened his eyes. She cupped his cheek, stroking it gently with her thumb. “I’m not helpless, you know. You’ve seen me in a fight. Traveling with you is the best thing that’s happened to me in years. I’m not willing to just give up on that if you want me here.”

“I want you here.” Frank affirmed. “I do, Wren. I don’t deserve it, I never will. But if you’re willing to deal with my grumpy ass, I’ll let ya.”  

“One of these days, I’ll get you to believe you deserve good things, old man.” 

“Keep dreamin’, kid” 

Wren let out a shaky laugh, face falling back into the curve of his neck. Frank pressed his lips firmly to her forehead, then softly to the bridge of her nose. Wren scrunched her nose in response and smiled. 

“I’m sorry about today, sweetheart. I got in my head and took it out on you. Let me make it up to ya?” Frank bumped their noses together. 

“You better.” Wren gave him an overdramatic glare which made him grin. 

He kissed her forehead again. “I will. But first, I am so not sleeping on that shit floor after this.” He laid them both down on the bed. Wren shifted slightly so she was wrapped around him like an octopus. 

Burying her head in his chest, she mumbled, “You’d have to escape me first.” 

Frank chuckled. “You’ve bested me. Guess we can share.” 

Wren nuzzled into him happily. “Guess we can.” 

“Sleep well, sweetheart. I gotcha now.” 

[trollbreak]

heehoo and aurrel neow!!! /lh

Ouh u pick an interesting pair!!! This going under cut bc teehee details to build to the Pondering. Also this is all very train of thought due to the heehoo Lore so :P

SO UM!!! First up, some things abt Heehoo our lad! And Boohoo, who’s um. Kind of inherently tied to him! They used to be the same clown. Teehee sometimes ur church worships eldritch things and sometimes u do weird magic shit that makes one person two. And it’s a whole thing!! Like um. With Gedian and Echo it was. Less than great in the end. But Heehoo and Boohoo had a great go of it!! They’re besties and holding hands and siblings and heehoo will kill u a million times if u try to hurt boohoo and boohoo will send a god after u for the reverse. They’re silly little clowns together!!! Smth smth comedy and tragedy masks, smth smth two sides of a coin, I love them in short

NOW!! I’m gonna face this as like, just swapping Heehoo and aurrel, rather than the person that was there before Heehoo and boohoo, bc um. I don’t have the braincells to make aurrel 2 guys rn lmao

SO UM!!! The base person would ofc b very different. But also? Aurrel is an ass. Even when he cares someone. He’d um. Be mean to boohoo without thinking abt it and it would Crush him Every Time that boohoo is so niceys kind and 🥺 until he like. Chilled out. He’s still very bitey tho, there’s just less baring teeth beforehand. U get faces and rude words when he’s angry and in a Mood as he is, but as a clown? He’d be very >:3 until he’s actively trying to murder u. Also, by VIRTUE of clownness, he would actually do murder!! Like he doesn’t actually do that as a Revant!! He feels like shit if he hurts someone too bad!! But um. He’d be. Violently protective of boohoo, and that would be a very easy way for him to just be. Very violent in general. Dudes living up to the murder clown image and then some. Sir please stop bringing folks to church just to murder them with your teeth, ur scaring the hoes.

He would eventually mellow out a little with time! …Eventually. And only a little. He um. Would get evil abt it tho. I think he’d dip from the church he grew up in the Second that the Gaze wound up as the host for their resident horrorterror, bc he’s like. Wtf, you’re nice. This isn’t how this shits supposed to work. Fuck off. He’d go kind of just churchless after that, and just um. Would do a lot of murder till he got accepted into the fleet to do cullings for a reason beyond ‘i wanna’ again. Dude grows up to be malicious and fucked up abt it. His thing abt body horror is a point of shame, and um. He goes exposure therapy abt it by being more fucked up. Bestie that’s not healthy. Boohoo is um. Going to therapy abt how she’s. A little glad he left. Dude got scary.

HEEHOO THO!!! Um. He’s still silly little guy :3 but now he’s Ferret instead of Corgi and he go BOING!!! I think he’s still doesn’t really talk much bc he doesn’t have much to say! But he makes a LOT of noises sometimes. Also: fidget toy collection. Cargo pants of em. And now he doesn’t do any murder mostly!!! Not unless someone else starts it for suresies. I think Junie def adopts him quicker, due to the hes more roam around and hang out with random folks. And they’re climbing into places they shouldn’t together!!! Please imagine for me junie and Heehoo Revant sat on a rooftop together. Heehoo is on a box or smth so he can kicky his feet. Are u imagining it for me? He’s so fucking ^-^. He’s also very much involved in rebel activity but shhh we don’t worry about thaaaaat, what he’s got going on with Bill is his business, we don’t need to knooooowwwww-

[thepalaceofmelanie]

Martell Week, Day 7: Favorite Martell

Tag: @adriennegabriella @wingsoftheangels @morby @candycanes19 @tashastrange89

(A/N: Honestly, to certain people reading this, it shouldn’t surprise you. Not one bit and you know why! Grab yourself some passion fruit tea and enjoy! This is inspired by a modern day AU oneshot I’m still writing, and failed to get out before Martell week. We came full circle, started with an AU, ended with it. Not sure if it’s in the same universe, but it’s up to you all! Thank you again to @martellspear for hosting this awesome event.)

Day 7: Favorite Martell

Daenerys and Ellaria had left on their respective business trips, leaving me in charge of Oberyn. Some days I wonder how we make all of this work. Daenerys being assertive, Ellaria being sensual, Oberyn being the life of the party..and me, the introvert.

“Apologize my love, for being late! The weather is being horrible outside.” Oberyn’s voice rang out.

The power was out, I had candles lit in the living room. The wind was blowing hard; Oberyn’s outfit had rain marks on it; I got up from the couch and grabbed the pizza box. Oberyn went to his room to change; I placed the box down and two plates on the table and wait for him to come back.

“How are you today?” I asked.

The sound of his footstep coming downstairs echoed in the hallway. A rumble of thunder added to the mix, I could see Oberyn now make his way into the room. I handed him his plate and he sat next to me. I felt my head touch his shoulder.

“I’m fine, how about you?” He answered.

“It’s been quiet. I had the day off and you had work, the other two are away on business.” I replied.

I grabbed my phone and went to find something for us to watch. I don’t mind talking but we’re also eating. We settle on “The Good Place”, it’s been a while since we were able to watch it together. Just some days our schedules don’t match; you either live by the calendar or die by the calendar.

“When was the last time we were together like this?”

“Um...two weeks, maybe three?”

It’s been a while to the point, I couldn’t remember. Oberyn sighed, and I knew he was feeling a bit bad about it.

“Hey, it’s okay. It happens, I’m happy we’re spending time at all than none at all.”

“I know, I know. I’m just trying my best for you three. You three are worth my time, I promise. You three are important.”

I smiled at that, Oberyn...sure can be a bit of a playboy at times, but he’s a sweet and good man. I truly do care about him, I do my best to help him when he is hard on himself. Ever since a certain event happened, his heart has been broken. The three of us are doing our best to help when he needs it or asks for it.

Oberyn laughed at the episode and I could hear the storm was getting worse. Oberyn pulled me closer to him; I’m not scared of storms, but this was kinda romantic; just us and we’re safe inside, I hope.

“Thank you.” I hear him say.

“For what?” I asked.

“Taking care of me, usually isn’t it the guy’s job to take care of his lover?”

“No, we take care of each other. Like a wolf pack. Kinda like our little family. We have a dragon, a sand, a viper and a wolf. Oberyn, remember to make sure you’re taking care of yourself. It’s not fair if you tell me to make sure, if you’re not doing it.”

I did have a point on it. Me and him, we’re two sides of the same coin at times. When it comes to taking care of things, we put everything ahead of us. I feel his hand squeeze mine.

“You’re right.”

“Of course I am! I’m the INFJ of our group.”

The two of us busted out laughing. I feel Oberyn’s lips on mine for a quick second. Sometimes I don’t feel worthy of these three, but I’m happy they picked me and I’m happy I picked them.

As for Oberyn, I’m just glad he’s grown over the years.

“I have vacation next week, I was thinking if you can get a moment from the book tour, we could go do something together for the week. I mean Ellaria and Daenerys are going to be gone till late next week.” Oberyn sugested.

A vacation… That sounds great.

[happi-tree]

well. obligatory normscary ask. but as a back up if youve already gotten one of those - figayda beloveds

Hihihihi Travvy hope you're having a wonderful day!!! 🧡🧡🧡Now. OBLIGATORY NORMSCARY ANSWER. And also a Figayda answer bc I love them also!

Normscary: Ship It (💙💜) / Don't Ship It

What made you ship it?

Um. Blinks at you. Points at you. Ssdbghsbfkbsbhbs at first I didn't ship it at all bc I was so very into Oakworthy and whatever Scary/Erica/Margarita have going on in my brain, respectively, but your insistence paid off and also multishipping is beautiful forever <333 And then this all happened to coincide with certain events in canon and I was like. Okay yeah. Yeah I get it now.

What are your favorite things about the ship?

Speaking of canon events! I really, really, really like how these two have grown to foil and parallel each other in SO many interesting ways. Which personally adds more fuel to the shipping fire for me! Very two-sides-of-the-same-coin meets opposites-attract imo. Like I said with Cheerkicks, they both have a lot more in common than I think they're really aware of, if that makes sense!

Is there an unpopular opinion you have on your ship?

I don't think so! I just think they should kiss. I also really enjoy them as being part of a polywagon situation or as Marloakworthy <333

Figayda: Ship It (❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥) / Don't Ship It

What made you ship it?

This feels like too easy of an answer, but Sophomore Year! I remember scrolling through Fantasy High fics on ao3 after finishing Freshman Year and being like ??? Oh there's someone related to Aguefort??? And they're popularly shipped with Fig, of all people??? Huh. Guess it must be a SY thing. Smash cut to me giggling and kicking my feet upon getting introduced to Ayda and being absolutely overjoyed bc the only thing I could think about was "oh this ship is going to be so cute isn't it I'm going to be feeling like this abt them constantly???" And I was right!!!

What are your favorite things about the ship?

Truly just the. Unlikeliness of it all. Cloistered wizard pirate harpy lady falling hard for the rock n roll wild child tiefling bard with a heart of gold,,, and then said bard being such a bisexual mess about her own feelings in response. The panicked "I kiss her and then I skateboard away!!!" lives Rent Fucking Free in my brain at all times. Also Emily and Brennan portray their relationship so beautifully??? Like truly they had me tearing up at multiple points. I think Fig and Ayda both work very hard to understand each other and communicate properly and that earnest aspect of it combined with all the giddy fluffy high school romance stuff is like kryptonite to me. Congrats you two that's almost the best anyone has ever done it!!!

Is there an unpopular opinion you have on your ship?

Honestly??? I don't think I've poked around in the d20/Fantasy High fandoms enough to know what is and isn't a popular opinion about them. So I'm gonna echo what I said for Normscary: I just want them to kiss!!! And cuddle. And be cute. Forever <333

Bonus: some live reaction screenshots of me reacting to figayda. That you have already seen. Bc I was talking to you afvashvfhksvfs. But I felt that they should also be immortalized here bc I have not been Visibly Insane abt them much online (yet) (if something bad happens to them in Junior Year I will never recover) <3

Text descriptions under the cut!

[Image 1: A Discord message from "happi-v". It reads "Travis. Travis HELP I’m watching ep 12 of sophomore year and I’m barely containing the urge to yell with excitement" "I can’t believe AYDA was the one to shoot her shot first you go you funky little autistic phoenix girl!!!"]

[Image 2: A Discord message from "happi-v". It reads "YEAH (keysmash)" "I just pressed play again just to pause almost immediately and bang my hand on the table. They’re so fucking CUTE travvy"]

[Image 2: A Discord message from "happi-v". It reads "It was so funny bc I was scrolling through ao3 after finishing freshman year and was just like ??? Oh??? This Ayda person sounds interesting but I don’t know if I’m gonna fall in love with her or anything. And with Fig,,, huh. Okay. I was a FOOL Travvy. A fucking fool. I love Ayda so much"]

[END ID]

[lesbenson]

set out to write something about dime sized pupils and ended up with a scene fic ? of the um.. diner scene.

tw for brief mentions of lewis and bx9 (non graphic) and semi graphic descriptions of violence (quite literally. just what we saw in the last three clips of the promo)

(pretty sure fin and ayanna are not with them in that diner scene in the promo. but ask me if i gaf)

Olivia is wholly convinced of two things, at the very least. God won’t let her just have things, and he won’t let her die until she stops wanting to. Two sides of the same dirty coin in her opinion. In dreams of a rusting beach house, she can still feel the moment her stomach fell out with the aching sincerity of a prayer for her old partner. At the time, she had wanted him to come kill for her more than she had ever remembered wanting to live to see such a thing. Simultaneously she had felt a lot less justified in killing someone out of self-defense than, say, employed partnership. She hadn’t felt whatever instinct to protect herself that Elliot had felt towards her. At least not physically. At least not then. 

Noah changed things. She knows this and she’s sure Elliot can see it. Rolling on cold gravel and clutching her belly she could really only see his big eyes in the doorway. Letting the nurse stroke the tender spot on her lower back, biting back another wave of tears, Liv had again wondered if protecting Noah over herself was only her short term goal. It’s not really protecting him if you die on the job. She still can’t really extend herself the sympathy she does everyone around her. She had been working on it with Lindstrom, before everything went down. Duarte had warned her that it was a weakness, before- right before he was killed. Which again makes her wonder how the fuck she can be expected to take everyone’s two cents into account, if they’re gonna keep getting struck down for telling her to chain her big heart to the nearest tree. Look where it got him.

Look where it’s gotten her. Thigh pressed against Elliot’s in a cushy little diner booth, smiling indulgently through Fin’s jokes to Ayanna, who literally cannot stop raising her eyebrows at Elliot. Liv finds it annoying on Elliot’s end — she can only imagine what Ayanna has sat through him bitching about and it makes her want to pinch him. When he laughs too hard at Fin, she does. To his credit he doesn’t startle much, but he does lightly knock her knee with his, glancing at her out of the corner of his eyes with a smirk that only makes her want to grab him harder. She knows she looks at him too long, then. She knows everyone in the entire restaurant can probably hear the breath she takes. 

She feels, just a little bit, like it’s fine. They still aren’t anything more than what they’ve always been, which is everything without a name. But lately, the air isn’t as thick. It’s been staying sunny longer. He’s wearing his ring again, and once she gets herself past the initial gut punch of it she thinks it might be a better development than it was when he said he loved her. They have also always operated in a very roundabout way. It is, of course, in the same instant that she feels a warm floating affection for him that she hears the hissing, the screams. Her eyes water- they burn, and then all hell breaks loose. A table on the opposite side of the room clatters with silverware and plates as he passes, a lanky guy with a big coat, big gas-mask, big gun.

Oh fucking Christ she thinks, launching up with her gun in the same second Elliot ducks down beneath the table and around the booths. Always so in sync. It all gets faster the longer it goes on, and by the time she can register the crack of the guy’s shotgun she’s already screamed on impact. 

She collapses out of the booth, barely breaking her fall with her arm before rolling breathlessly onto her back. Liv reaches for her gun when it clatters, small smears of blood on the checker tiles where her wrist rubs. 

Elliot falls somewhere next to her and he doesn’t look behind him once before he army crawls to Liv and scoops her recoiling body up close to him. 

Somewhere miles away she hears Ayanna yell “He’s down!” and Fin’s thudding footsteps catching up to her. She breathes out once, sinking into Elliot’s hands under her back, her neck. 

“Liv. Liv. Liv-“ His eyes are so big and again, all she can see is blue. 

“I’m hit.” she can feel tears on her face, rolling into her hair, breaths coming out short and harsh. It’s all she tries to say, a shaking hand reaching for the spreading blood, but Elliot shushes her loudly. The sound won’t stop, his big hand stroking the hair up off her forehead, out of her face, his breath matching hers. He moves her hand away to pull up the hem of her shirt, the soft stretchy fabric warm and red, his fingers working fast. She gags out a pitiful sound and he doesn’t even try to hide the sob he lets out behind it. 

“Shh- shh, stay with me baby, I’ve got you, I’ve gotcha, not going anywhere, it’s okay, it’s okay.” He’s pressing a pile of napkins into her stomach with all of his strength, fumbling for his radio with his other hand, soft reassurances falling from his lips as sweat rolls down his head, his neck. “It’s okay Liv, you’re okay- 1013 1013 we got an officer down,” he practically throws his radio on the floor when he finishes calling for help, his hand flying back to cup her cheek, his thumb stroking, his whispers frantic. “Please stay with me, please hang on for me, Liv. Just this, for me. You’re gonna be okay, it’s gonna be okay.”

“El…” She thinks she should tell him she loves him. It’s the last thing she remembers doing. 

——————————————————————————————

Ayanna is there when she wakes up, smiling warmly as Liv snorts herself back into consciousness. God, her fucking head hurts. Everything hurts, come to think of it. She groans, because she’s curled up in a big metal hospital bed and she thinks she is allowed the slightest bit of exasperation.

She wants him there, like she always does, always has. If Bell can’t already see it in her eyes, she knows who Liv’s head is whipping around for. 

“I made him go get some air, and when he finds out what he missed in those five minutes he’ll probably try to get my shield taken away.” 

Liv laughs, then winces. “Take his first, they’ll probably make you a police chief.” Ayanna sniffs out a laugh. “He’s okay, though?” She can’t even pretend to be indifferent right now. Ayanna nods quickly, tells her the team is fine, two civilian casualties. The guy is in custody. Liv tries to react before she hears the door creak open.

“Hey-“ He’s muttering to Ayanna when he gets close enough to see the way her soft eyes are open, trained on him. “Liv,” he rasps out, practically launching himself across the room, grabbing at a chair to the side of her bed and oh, he’s been by her side this whole time, hasn’t he. 

“Hey.” She says softly, weakly lifting a hand for him to- to what? She doesn’t really know, she wasn’t thinking about it, and she certainly wasn’t prepared for him to raise it up to his lips and press a firm kiss to the back of it, holding it close to his mouth for so so long. Before she can try to tell him not to cry she feels all of it caught in her throat, spilling out of her eyes, fizzing in her blood. She pulls her hand enough to grab at his, tugging him down to her and God they can’t do that right now. She just wants to melt into him. He hovers, bent at his waist with his face a foot away from hers and he looks like it is taking all of his strength to innocently tuck a piece of her hair behind her ears, letting his thumb rub over her earlobe, his fingertips dragging over her neck.

Ayanna’s phone goes off, and the start it gives all of them shakes Liv out of it, just for a second. “It’s Jet, I’m gonna get out of here. Glad you’re okay Liv. Stabler.” She nods at both of them, a knowing but gentle smile on her face, and they thank her in unison.

The door clicks closed and really she should be embarrassed by how suddenly she hears herself say it. “Hold me?” Her mouth in a sad little smile, her eyes darting over his face.

Elliot looks like he says yes before it even hits him, what she’s asking for. And then he’s scrambling to sit on the edge of the bed, lifting her up under her back like he had done before. This time, he scoots next to her enough to lower her back onto his sturdy chest, wrapping protective arms around her chest, trying to avoid where he knows her bandages are. She sucks in a breath, easing into him as she touches his arm where it holds her. He manages to get a hand to the side of her head, stroking her hair and planting kisses behind her ear, and she just can’t help herself, she wants to say it again. 

[bleachanimefan1]

Ever Realm Part 7

A Way Back,

Sofia walked in the hall of the castle heading to Roland's study to find him talking to Baileywick. She smiled and walked over to him. Ronald was at his desk signing some papers and documents.

"Morning dad! What are you doing?" She asked her father. She noticed that he had been looking a little stressed out lately. It was the price of being a king.

"There's been a couple of theft lately in the past few days. It only happens at night and the only thing that's left is a black feather." King Roland told Sofia. 

"A black feather?" Sofia murmured to herself. It couldn't be Wormwood, Cedric's raven. He's locked up in jail with Prisma when Vor tried to take over the kingdom. So who could it be?

Roland got out of his chair and stood up and walked around the desk to Sofia. "I know that this is hard but want you to stay in the castle until this whole matter is taken care of. I've already told Amber and James about it as well. You can still play with your friends but when it's starts to get dark, I want you to come straight home." He told her, placing his hand on Sofia's shoulder. Sofia nodded.

"Okay, dad." 

Roland smiled and walked out with Baileywick to discuss other matters, leaving Sofia to wonder to herself. What was causing the robberies? She headed to Elora's room to check in on her. 

"Hey, Elora, are you in?" Sofia asked about to knock on the door when she heard Elora let out a scream.

"Not again! Why does this keep happening!?"

Sofia immediately opened the door to see what was wrong.

"Are you okay? I heard you scream!" the princess exclaimed. Sofia blinked in surprise when she saw Elora sitting on her bed, looking completely frazzled. The bed sheets were messily tossed all over, hanging over the side of the bed. She was surrounded by many jewels, gold coins, jewelry, and other shiny trinkets, almost like a nest. Elora quickly looked up when she noticed Sofia had barged into her room.

"It's not what it looks like, I swear!"

"Really? Then what's all of this?" Sofia frowned, questioning her. She didn't want to jump to conclusions, but the evidence was plain just as day. "Where did you even get all of this jewelry?" Elora wouldn't steal from them, would she? Why would she, if she helped drove those monsters away from the festival. Something wasn't adding up.

"I don't know! It's been happening for a couple of days now. I wake up and find myself in them." Elora insisted. "I am not a thief!"

Sofia walked over to her and took Elora's hands. "I don't think you did it. We'll get to bottom of this. Let's go talk to Mr. Cedric about this. He might be able to help." Elora nodded before paused.

"What about the, um..." and gestured towards the treasure pile on her bed. 

"We won't tell anyone for now, but we need to catch the thief tonight. Hide it under the bed and I'll tell the cleaning maids not to come in." Sofia told her. Elora quickly put the shiny trinkets under the bed, getting rid of the evidence. When she was about to get up, Elora noticed a black feather, lying on the floor and picked it up. 

"Sofia, look at this." She showed it to the princess. Sofia's eyes widened, seeing it.

"A black feather? The same as the one's left behind from the robberies." She spoke.

The two quickly headed towards Cedric's workshop, walking up the spiral stairs. Sofia knocked on the sorcerer's door.

"Mr. Cedric, are you in? We need to talk to you!" 

There was a loud boom, which sounded like an explosion, startling the two girls. Elora slowly opened the door, seeing a dark cloud of smoke. As it cleared, Cedric was standing in front of them, covered in soot and goo, coughing. Sofia and Elora quickly ran over to him.

"Are you alright?" Sofia asked him, concerned. Cedric grabbed a cloth from his desk and wiped off the grime from his face.

"I really need to get a sign, so I won't be disturbed." Cedric replied.

"Here. Let me help you a little." Elora spoke and she pointed her staff at Cedric. The goo and soot instantly disappeared, from his robes and clothes, cleaning Cedric up.

"Wow, that's a handy trick." Cedric spoke, smiling a little.

"Thanks." Elora smiled back and looked around the workshop. "So, this is your workshop, where the magic happens?"

"Yes. Shall I give you a tour?" Cedric asked her. Elora's eyes widen a little and blushed.

"Um..." She couldn't speak, getting a little tongue tied. "Maybe another time? There's something important we need to tell you."

"Mr. Cedric, there's a reason why we're here. It's about the robberies that's been happening lately." Sofia spoke.

"I've heard about it." Cedric said. "What is it that you need?"

Sofia and Elora told Cedric what had happened, and the treasure pile found this morning and showed him the feather that they had found in Elora's room. Cedric took it from Elora.

"Sounds like your thief might be a bird. That, or maybe you sleepwalk?"

"I don't sleepwalk." Elora told him.

"And how do you know that?" Cedric pointed out.

"I just know that I don't." Elora told him.

"And why Elora? The feather? It doesn't make sense." Sofia asked him.

Elora was silent for a moment, thinking to herself. "I think a have a plan, if you two will help me."

"What is it?" Sofia asked her.

"Would you two stay in my room tonight and watch over me in my sleep? Maybe we'll catch whoever is causing this." Elora told them.

"Okay." Sofia smiled. Cedric nodded.

Nighttime had fallen and the three had set up a trap to catch the culprit. Cedric had conjured up a magical cage to catch anyone other than them who comes into the room. One time, Baileywick had come in to check in on everyone. Elora quickly moved him out of the way before he was caught. Before everyone turned in, Sofia noticed that Elora had gotten up and started to walk towards the window.

"Elora, what are you doing?" She asked her.

"I always sleep with the window open. It makes me feel better." Elora told her. 

"Oh." Sofia blinked. Elora headed back to her bed and laid down. 

"Good night, you two." Elora told Sofia and Cedric. Sofia and Cedric took turns watching over Elora over the night. Hours had seemed to have gone by and nothing had happened. Eventually, Sofia and Cedric both had fallen asleep. Then everyone was wakened up suddenly by a loud bang when the magical cage had slammed down to the floor. Elora quickly shot up, grabbing her staff. She casted a light spell, illuminating the room. Sofia, Cedric and Elora quickly went over to the cage and Cedric lifted it up with his wand. Something dark quickly darted out and flew around the room and landed on the bed canopy. 

"A crow?" Sofia wondered. The crow squawked and only Sofia can hear what the bird was saying. 

"Mama! I've found you!" It quickly flew at Elora, flying straight at her. It crashed into her chest, nuzzling Elora.

"At least we know that you're friendly. That's a good thing." Elora smiled.

"It definitely seems to know you." Cedric pointed out. The crow continued to squawk.

"I've been looking everywhere for you! Everyone said that you were dead, but I didn't believe them!"

"So, what's your name?" Sofia asked the bird. The crow blinked at her in surprise.

"Wait a minute, you can understand me? And I can understand you! How?" They asked. Sofia nodded, smiling.

"My amulet lets me talk to animals." She told them before she stepped back when she noticed the crow eyeing her necklace.

"It sparkles and shimmers with delight. I must have it for my nest!" The crow quickly flew at Sofia, trying to grab her amulet. Cedric quickly stood in between them, swatting the bird away from her. Elora quickly placed her fingers to her lips and whistled. The crow immediately stopped, hovering over Sofia and Cedric and flew back towards Elora, landing on her head.

"Sorry, Mama. I couldn't help it."

"How did you know to do that?" Cedric asked her. Elora shrugged.

"Instinct, I guess." She told him. Sofia stepped out from behind Cedric, covering her amulet.

"It's okay, but who are you and how do you know Elora?" She asked.

"My name is Koa. And who is this Elora? This is my mom! We've known each other since I was a baby bird! She found me!" 

"He says his name is Koa." Sofia told Elora and Cedric.

"Koa." Elora spoke, repeated the name. A memory flashed in front of her eyes of herself when she was little. She had found a baby bird with a broken wing and nursed it back to health. It had stayed by her side, never leaving her. Elora's eyes widen, looking at the bird in her hands, immediately remembering. She hugged the bird.

"Koa! I remember now! My baby!" She cried. Koa squawked, happily, nuzzling her face. "How could I ever forget you!"

Sofia and Cedric watched the two, smiling to themselves. 

"Let's tell dad that we caught the culprit and return back everything that was stolen." Sofia spoke.

"That's sounds great." Elora replied before she glanced down at the bird in her hands. "Wait a minute..."

"What is it?" Cedric asked her.

"If Koa found me all the way here then maybe he knows where my home is. Alereus. He can lead me back."

Sofia and Cedric eyes widen. They had already grown attached to the elven woman, since she came to them, particularly, Cedric. He had to admit it he had grown rather fond of Elora. She was a very powerful and beautiful sorceress. He wanted to know more about her and her home, Alereus. Was it like magical like Enchancia, with different creatures as well?

"You're not alone in this. If you like, we can accompany you back." Cedric spoke. Elora blinked and looked at him, surprised.

"Yeah! I can go and tell my dad and he can set up the arrangements for the trip." Sofia said as well. 

"You don't have to do this. It could be dangerous. I don't want to see both get hurt because of me, especially when I know that those lava creatures were sent after me."

"I think we can handle it. Since we have a great sorcerer with us." Sofia told Elora and smiled at Cedric. Cedric smiled at her. "And with you, it'll be double protection."

Elora smiled and nodded. She didn't want to part away from them yet, as well. Who knows, maybe this will be even more fun, now that she has company on the journey.

"I'd like that."

[misscorn]

Day 3 -Birthday/Jealousy

I finished writing this from my phone and am posting from my phone for @sihjrweek because while I was working on this my laptop starting smoking and then died :)

-

Takano Masamune supposed that luck and misfortune really were two sides of the same coin because while he felt quite happy to be leaving his apartment at the same time as Onodera RItsu, it was clear from the look on Ritsu’s face that his neighbor did not feel the same. 

“Good morning.” Masamune said as they headed toward the elevator together.

Ritsu eyed him for just a moment, hesitantly walking beside him. “Good morning…”

“Did you eat breakfast today?” Masamune asked as he hit the elevator button.

“Yes.” Ritsu scowled, not appreciating immediately being interrogated. 

“Just coffee is not breakfast.”

“I had breakfast!” Ritsu insisted. 

“Sh, some people in this building are still trying to sleep.” Masamune scolded, mostly just to annoy Ritsu and not because he was genuinely concerned for their neighbors sleep cycles.

However, Ritsu’s actual need to be considerate and polite overpowered his instinct to yell at Masamune, meaning he ended up rolling his eyes when he thought Masamune wasn’t looking. There was a soft ding and the elevator doors slid open, both of them stepping in.

Masamune yawned, leaning against the wall as they started descending. Of course, he couldn’t help but to notice the way Ritsu’s eyes kept flicking over to him nervously. That wasn’t new, but it seemed to be at a higher rate today. Was something on Ritsu’s mind? Before Masamune could ask, Ritsu’s phone went off. It made the younger man jump a bit before he answered.

Masamune didn’t try to eavesdrop, but it was unavoidable to hear Ritsu’s side of the conversation, which seemed to mostly just consist of ‘thank you’s to his parents. Ah, his mother must have called again and recruited his father into it this time around. Masamune wasn’t entirely sure what Ritsu could be thanking them for, though. 

“Yes, yes…um, I don’t know, I haven’t made any kinds of plans yet,” Ritsu’s eyes once again flitted toward Masamune and Masamune pretended not to notice, “but please don’t set up anything for me, I’ll probably be too tired after work anyway.” He added quickly, becoming quiet for a few moments and Masamune couldn’t make out much from the phone, but he definitely heard Anchan come from Ritsu’s mother. 

Masamune tried not to scowl or roll his eyes. An was a…nice girl. She was fine. But the fact that Ritsu’s parents still seemed to think that Ritsu was going to marry her was more than a little irksome. 

Well, that’s one way to put me in a bad mood quickly, Masamune thought to himself as Ritsu pleaded his mother not to bother An with ‘that kind of thing’ which didn’t help Masamune’s jealous imagination. 

Maybe she’s trying to set them up to spend tomorrow together, Masamune thought, standing a little straighter. Tomorrow was Ritsu’s birthday, after all, so of course Ritsu should spend it with his ‘fiance’, at least that’s what Masamune assumed mama Onodera’s logic was. However, Masamune intended on spending that time with Ritsu and nothing was going to stand in his way.

God, I feel like it snuck up so fast, Masamune thought, but that was likely due to the whirlwind, high-stress environment that was their everyday job. Not that Masamune wasn’t prepared. He had a cake for them to share, drinks, and a gift in his apartment. 

He just may have forgotten the detail of actually inviting Ritsu over to his place.

Of course, that was going to be remedied the second that Ritsu hung up the phone, which seemed to be happening soon as the elevator dinged once more and the two of them were let out on the ground floor. Ritsu said several goodbyes before he was finally able to hang up.

“Do you have any plans for tomorrow?” Masamune asked as they left the building together and started heading toward the train station. 

“...Tomorrow?” Ritsu echoed, blinking at Masamune in confusion. "Not today?"

“Yeah.” Masamune said. Was something about his question not clear or was Ritsu still half asleep?

“...No?” Ritsu said, furrowing his eyebrows a bit and frowning

“Good, keep it that way. You’re coming over to my place tomorrow after work.” Masamune said.

“Y-You can’t just decide that!” Ritsu immediately argued.

“I already did.”

“W-Why tomorrow anyway?” Ritsu asked. “Are…are you b-busy t-tonight or something?” He continued, refusing to look at Masamune as he spoke.

Masamune raised an eyebrow at that question. “I’d love to spend every single night with you, but I’m planning on staying at the office later tonight, trying to get ahead on some work.” He said, so that I don’t have to worry about it on your birthday, idiot. 

“Oh.” Ritsu said a little too quietly for Masamune’s liking. 

Before Masamune could ask what that ‘oh’ was supposed to mean, Ritsu’s phone went off again. They continued to walk to the train station together, Ritsu apparently talking to an aunt and uncle of his, expressing his gratitude and thanking them with a smile as they spoke animatedly over the phone. The sounds of both foot and regular traffic echoing on their way to the station was enough to keep their words muffled from Masamune. 

Masamune couldn’t help but to feel a little petty, wishing that Ritsu would cut the conversation short. He enjoyed commuting to work with Ritsu; it meant a little extra time with the man that he loved outside of the office. How was Masamune supposed to subtly flirt and embarrass him in public if Ritsu was on the phone? Ritsu wasn’t even looking at Masamune!

Annoying, Masamune thought, staring at the device in Ritsu’s hand and cursing the creator of the first phone for putting him in the position of being ignored by his favorite person. Hopefully it wouldn’t continue to be a distraction. 

-

The phone, in fact, continued to be a distraction. Throughout the workday it pinged with messages and rang with calls, making Ritsu flush with apology as he inevitably silenced it.

It irritated Masamune to hell and back, not only because of the sound, but because since when was Ritsu so damn popular? Just who the hell was hitting up Masamune’s (soon-to-be) boyfriend so much?! 

“Seems like someone really wants your attention, Richan.” Kisa teased with a laugh as Ritsu rushed to put his phone away after he finally silenced it.

“N-No, it’s nothing like that!” Ritsu denied frantically.

“Aw, come on, who is it? You never tell us anything!” Kisa complained. “I’m starting to think you don’t like us.” He added with a pout.

“What? That’s not true at all! And like I said, it’s not like that-it’s not just one person.” 

“Oh, Richan! I had no idea you were such a player!” 

“What?! No! You’ve got it completely wrong!”

“I don’t knoooow, you denying it just makes it look worse.” Kisa grinned. 

“Really! It’s mostly family, they’re just telling me ha-”

“Kisa, stop distracting the noob! Onodera, stop falling for his bait! Both of you get back to work!” Masamune ordered, irritated with their bickering. 

Kisa said an insincere and far too cheerful apology while Ritsu mumbled out something that might have been ‘yes, sir’ before they both focused on their work once again.

Hopefully that’s the last of Kisa teasing Ritsu for a while, otherwise this is going to be a long day, Masamune thought with a quiet sigh, but at least now I know it's his family that’s been blowing up his phone and not that Nao asshole or something. I wonder why his family keeps getting into contact with him today. I hope everything’s okay. If there was an emergency I’m sure he would tell me that he had to leave right away. 

Masamune looked away from his work, planning on observing and assessing Ritsu to see if he seemed extra distressed today, but he ended up meeting Ritsu’s eyes. Ritsu jumped a little at being caught staring before looking away quickly and practically trying to faceplant himself into his work - as if that would make Masamune forget how Ritsu had been staring at him. 

Now, in any other context, Masamune might have felt flattered, happy, even excited or smug at catching Ritsu staring at him. 

But why had Ritsu looked so sad?

-

“Good work today everyone, see you guys tomorrow!” Kisa beamed, getting ready to leave. Mino had already left, but Ritsu, Masamune, and Hatori were still hard at work.

“Ah, Kisa-san, is it okay if I walk you out? I actually have something I want to discuss with you.” Ritsu said, standing. 

“Sure!” Kisa said, a little surprised by the request, but not displeased. Ritsu assured the other two men he’d be right back before he started to leave with Kisa. “Is everything okay, Richan?” Kisa asked as they started to walk toward the elevator, Kisa perhaps purposefully going a little slower than usual.

“Yes, everything’s fine, it’s um…honestly it’s silly and really embarrassing to ask about…” Ritsu admitted. 

“Aw, come on, we’re friends! There’s no need to be embarrassed about anything.” Kisa assured. 

“Right, well…” Ritsu took a deep breath. “What if…there’s a person who says they like you - says they l-love you even and they - um - they forget your birthday?”

“Oh my god, is it your birthday today?! Did you tell me that, did I know that, was I supposed to know that?” Kisa asked.

“No! I mean - yes - today is my birthday, but I don’t think I ever told you that?” Ritsu said. “A-Anyways, um, what do you think that means?” He asked. 

“Wait, did you say that someone loves you? So you do have an admirer?!”

“I shouldn’t have said anything, please just forget I asked!”

“WAIT and this bastard forgot your birthday?!”

“Good night Kisa-san, please have a safe trip home!”

“Don’t you let this person off easy, Richan, if they really love you then they better make it up to you!” Kisa huffed. 

“Good night!” Ritsu repeated, quickly retreating from the conversation. That had been a bad decision in the very long line of bad decisions that was Onodera Ritsu’s life.

“They’re not good for you if they don’t prioritize you!” Kisa called after him and Ritsu decided to pretend like Kisa didn’t exist for the sake of his own sanity. 

I don’t know why I thought that was a good idea, Ritsu thought as he entered Emerald and got seated back at his desk. 

“Everything okay?” Hatori asked.

“Yes. Sorry about that, it’s sorted now.” He said to Hatori with a slightly tense smile before throwing himself back into his work. 

Right, his work. Ritsu should just focus on his work! Today might be his birthday, but it was still like any other work day. He couldn’t do anything subpar just because today was supposed to be ‘special’. And so what if Masamune hadn’t said happy birthday to him? Ritsu didn’t want him to! Ritsu didn’t want any kind of birthday celebration with him whatsoever. Ritsu should be grateful that he got so many kind messages from family and friends, especially at his age when birthdays start to matter less and less. 

It’s not that big of a deal that he forgot… Ritsu tried to tell himself. Besides, my birthday isn’t even over yet! There’s still time for him to say something…not that I care…at all…

Ritsu couldn’t even convincingly lie to himself. This whole debacle had him feeling like he was in high school again trying to decipher his Senpai’s feelings. Masamune said he loved him, yes, said it maybe a little too often in fact, but how serious was that declaration? Was it not serious enough to memorize one little date and say happy birthday when that date rolled around?

Maybe he’ll say something when Hatori leaves. Maybe I’ll stick around since he said that he’d be working late tonight, Ritsu thought. Ugh, I’m so selfish. I keep pushing him away, but want him to wish me a happy birthday anyway. How pathetic is that? His mind added miserably. Okay, enough moping, Ritsu told himself as if that would make a difference, sitting up straight, let’s get some work done! 

Masamune would definitely say something before Ritsu left to go home. 

Right?

-

“Onodera, you should head out.” Masamune said. Hatori had left a little while ago, leaving just Ritsu and Masamune in the office and while Masamune liked it being just the two of them, he didn’t want Ritsu to exhaust himself before tomorrow. It wasn’t like Masamune had anything crazy planned, but he didn’t want Ritsu to be dead on his feet while Masamune was trying to celebrate with him. 

Ritsu looked over at Masamune and stared, understandably shocked that Masamune was trying to shoo him away. “Um-but I-” He started to protest, fumbling over his words as he struggled to gather his thoughts and actually come up with a coherent argument as to why he should stay behind. 

“I don’t want you to wait up for me and end up fainting. Again.” Masamune said. 

Ritsu frowned at that. “I’m just fine, Takano-san.” 

“You did good work today, go home and relax. I don’t want you to be too tired tomorrow.” Masamune said. 

“Tomorrow?” 

“Yeah, we’re spending tomorrow after work together. Don’t tell me you already forgot.” Masamune said.

Ritsu didn’t say anything, just quietly and slowly started to gather his things before standing. He was then very still as he watched Masamune for a few moments, not moving to leave, but not speaking either. 

“Is something wrong?” Masamune asked when he realized that Ritsu was just standing and staring. 

“No-uh-I guess…I’ll just be leaving then…”

“I’ll see you tomorrow. Get home safe.” Masamune said. 

Ritsu still didn’t move yet. “Is there…a-anything else you want to say to me?”

Masamune frowned at that question. “No? Is there something you want to say to me?” He asked. “Actually, now that you say that, I’ve been meaning to ask if you’re alright. You’ve been acting a little off today.” He said. 

Ritsu seemed to carefully weigh Masamune’s words before he stood a little straighter. “I’m fine. You know what? I actually meant to tell you that I just remembered that I do have plans tomorrow, so I won’t be able to spend time with you. Good night, Takano-san!” He snapped before storming out, suddenly much angrier than Masamune had seen him all day. 

“Wha-Onodera!” Masamune called after him, standing and following. “What the hell is going on with you?” He asked, feeling blindsided by the small outburst.

“You not knowing is the entire problem.” Ritsu said cryptically, making Masamune frown. 

“How am I supposed to know if you don’t tell me?” 

“You are supposed to know.” Ritsu said, walking faster as if that would make Masamune give up. Briefly, Ritsu was grateful for the fact that most employees had cleared out by now and weren’t witnessing Masamune chase Ritsu down desperately. 

“How?” Masamune reiterated as they stopped in front of the elevator and Ritsu pressed the down button aggressively, ignoring him. “Ritsu, look at me, talk to me, what have I done to make you so upset? Please just tell me so I can fix it.” 

“I shouldn’t have to tell you.” Ritsu said. 

“I’m a lot of things Ritsu, but a mind reader is not one of them. I’m not gonna play these stupid games with you.” Masamune said, getting frustrated at Ritsu’s unwillingness to communicate. 

“It is stupid.” Ritsu said with a sad laugh. “It’s stupid and childish, but you’re supposed to know.” He added, starting to struggle to choke out his words. “You’re supposed to know because you love me.” 

Masamune stared with his mouth slightly agape, for once at a loss for words. He started to shake his head as he tried to grasp for even the smallest bit of understanding as to what Ritsu could possibly be talking about. "I don't understand." 

The doors to the elevator opened and Ritsu stepped in, but Masamune kept them open with his arm. "I'm not letting you leave without talking about this." 

Ritsu's anger suddenly seemed as though it had burnt right through him, leaving him tired and defeated as his shoulders slumped. "I really want to go home Takano-san." 

"You're running away again." 

"No-I'm not-it isn't like that." Ritsu assured. "Please, I just want this day to be over. We can talk tomorrow." He offered.

Masamune couldn't help but to smile bitterly. "Your schedule suddenly clear again?" 

"Good night, Takano-san." Ritsu said. 

Masamune didn't move yet, staring Ritsu down and waiting for him to inevitably give in like he always did, but Ritsu refused to meet his eye. 

"Tomorrow. Before work I'm marching over to your place and we're talking so be up bright and early." Masamune said sternly before he finally stopped blocking the elevator doors. 

Even as they started to close, Masamune continued to stare at Ritsu and Ritsu continued to stare at his own feet. 

-

The second Masamune’s brain could register sunlight the next morning he was in front of Ritsu's door and knocking insistently. 

It took a few minutes, but eventually it creaked open with a very unhappy looking Ritsu standing behind it. 

"I told you I would be here early." Masamune said before Ritsu could get in a breath to complain. "Can I come in?" He asked. 

"I don't think that'll be necessary." Ritsu said. "This shouldn't take very long." He added. "Do you know what yesterday's date was?" 

"Yesterday's date?" Masamune repeated. What the hell was Ritsu going on about? 

"Yes. Do you know what yesterday's date was?" 

Masamune couldn't believe this was how the conversation was starting, but he supposed it was better than having no conversation at all. "The 26th. Happy birthday today, by the way, I'm sure this isn't how you wanted to start it, but you insisted on waiting to talk." He answered, crossing his arms. 

"Are you joking?" 

"About what?" Masamune asked, starting to get frustrated. "If anyone is messing with someone here, you're definitely messing with me." 

"Takano-san. Yesterday was the 27th." 

…

No. 

No, no, no, no, no-

That couldn't be right, yesterday was the 26th of March, today was Ritsu's birthday, today was the 27th of March, Masamune didn't miss Ritsu's birthday, Masamune didn't miss the chance to celebrate with his one and only love-

Masamune rushed to take his phone out of his pocket and checked his calender, a big fat '28th' staring him in the face. 

"Fuck me, are you fucking kidding me?!" 

"Takano-san, not so loud, there are people still sleeping!"

"I'm so sorry." Masamune said, ignoring the scolding completely. "I'm so, so sorry Ritsu - I forgot your birthday - except I didn't forget I'm just a huge fucking moron!" He groaned. 

"I-It’s really not that big a deal…" Ritsu tried to say, suddenly feeling very silly for his behavior yesterday. 

"Of course it is, it's another birthday that I didn't get to spend with you, and it's all because I'm fucking stupid." Masamune said miserably. "God, what is wrong with me? No wonder your phone was going crazy, all the people who care about you AND who know how to check their fucking calender were wishing you a happy birthday. God damn it. God fucking damn it!" 

"Get inside before people start to become concerned, you're making a scene!" Ritsu said, grabbing Masamune by the wrist and pulling him into his apartment before shutting the door.

"I didn't forget Ritsu, I really didn't. I have stuff over at my place to celebrate, that's why I asked you to keep your evening free today because I thought-" Masamune cut himself off with a frustrated groan. "I'm so stupid. This is why you were upset with me yesterday, right? Or have I done something else extremely idiotic recently?" 

"Recently? Just this." Ritsu said, trying not to sound too amused and failing.

"You're enjoying my suffering." 

"A little bit." Ritsu admitted. "Now that you're not screaming in the hallway, its a little funny to hear the demon editor in chief call himself an idiot so many times." 

Masamune scoffed a bit, mostly at himself, still in disbelief. "Consider it a late birthday present: my full admission that I'm the biggest fucking moron on planet Earth." 

Ritsu smiled just a little. "But, um, i-it was silly of me to get upset anyway." He added, starting to turn red. "I mean - I'm an adult so birthdays aren't that big of a deal to begin with and there's no reason for you to remember it…" 

"Of course there is. You said so yourself yesterday: I should know because I love you." Masamune said. "And I do love you. So, so much." He added, taking Ritsu’s hands in his and holding them tightly. 

Ritsu blushed even brighter, staring down at their clasped hands. "Well…I-I can still come over tonight. I-It’s not like I celebrated my birthday with anyone yesterday, so…" He swallowed hard, slowly dragging his eyes up to meet Masamune’s. 

Instead of responding, Masamune leaned in to kiss Ritsu softly.  

-

"Good morning, Richan!" Kisa said brightly as he sat beside his coworker. "Any updates on what we talked about yesterday?" He asked, always endlessly curious about Ritsu's love life.

Ritsu turned just a hint of pink. "Um, it ended up just being a misunderstanding." He said dismissively. 

"Well, I'm glad it worked out in the end." Kisa said. "You guys, did you know it was Richan's birthday yesterday? And he wasn't gonna say anything!" Kisa announced to his other coworkers.

"Kisa-san…" Ritsu said in complaint. 

"Happy late birthday Onodera-kun!" Mino said cheerfully.

"Happy late birthday. Did you celebrate after work yesterday?" Hatori asked. "We could've all gone for drinks."

"Oh, no, I really wasn't feeling up to it anyway, but um-I-I have plans tonight." Ritsu said, unable to help the way his face burned. 

"Oooh, what kind of plans Richan? Whatchya look so shy for~? Could it have to do with that person?" Kisa pressed. 

"Kisa-san, please…" Ritsu was not above begging so that they could move away from this topic.

"Stop harassing Onodera and get to work." Masamune said plainly. 

"I didn't hear you wish Richan happy birthday, Takano-san." Kisa pouted.

Masamune sighed at Kisa's petulant behavior before looking at Ritsu.

"Happy late birthday, Onodera. I'm sure that next year we'll all make sure to say it on time." 

[drawingpad-studios]

Super Paper Roblox: Hundred Year Symphony Act 1, Chapter 4: Weathered Hoof Tracks

(I don’t really remember if I said this, but a friendly reminder since the continuation AU that this story derives from is a Cult AU [which is obvious with the first prologue mentioning cults, along with the second part of the prologue and 1st chapter] this story will have things such as gore and body horror and cult behavior. If you are someone who doesn’t like that shit, I’m sorry if you don’t feel comfortable continuing and I hope you enjoyed the story so far. Just thought I’d put this here, since we’re going to hell in this one, if you decide to continue then buckle up.)

Walking past the gate cave entrance, they came upon the lake of lava in front of the gate entrance of hell. The walls of the cave are carved into Crevons with instruments. “Hmm… how'd you think we get over this?” Wiscara asked, locking eyes with Scriptliss for a bit before they both look to Base Cleph with the same idea. “...What?” “You could carry us.” Wiscara suggested “I’m not calling any of us too heavy, but do you really think these gloved hands are strong enough to carry both of you? Harmonian weight and Robloxia weight are vastly different.” “We could still try.” after a moment, Base Cleph sighed, “alright, but this isn’t a good idea.” He grabbed Wiscara by her dress straps and Scriptliss by his shirt collar, flapping his wings faster to lift them up and start to cross the boiling hot river.

Nearing almost halfway, Base Cleph’s grip starts to weaken. He begins to mumble panicky as the grip he has slips away slowly. The sound of something moving in the lava could be heard from the two being held. “Do you all hear th-” Wiscara tried to say before the three of them got bounced all the way back to the side of the river they started at, by something jumping out from underneath them. A playful giggle filled the cave, as the three regained their footing and looked up to see what hit them. A Soundwave Wyrm. “Ohohoho, how fun. I love playing ‘bounce the unpaided’.” The Wyrm said, like if they were a dog that could talk, their body waved slightly as they talked. “Um, hello?” Scriptliss said to get the animal’s attention “Hm??” They flew back down into the lava, keeping their box, music note shaped, head out of the lava pointed towards the three of them. “Oh, hello. You want to play again?” “What? No, we need to cross.” Wiscara spoke. “Well, do you have the payment?” the Wyrm playfully turned their head upside down, “if you have no payment, then I cannot let you pass, per my masters’ orders.”

Wiscara patted her dress for pockets while Base Cleph asked “Well, what’s the payment?” “one coin per person.” “hm... Easy enough.” he said, while Wiscara and Scriptliss manage to find two coins in total in their clothes. The three of them walked away from the lake to talk, the Wyrm letting out another giggle before diving back in the lava. “Okay, which one of us is gonna stay behind? We only got two coins.” Scriptliss asked. Wiscara thought for a bit. “Well, it would make sense if Wiscara stayed behind, she’s not immortal like you and she can’t fly like me.” Base Cleph suggested. “No, wait I got an idea, but one of us probably won’t like this. Who’s the most flexible?” Wiscara butted in.

After a bit, Wiscara and Base Cleph went back up to the lake. They each throw a coin to the lava, the coins getting caught by the Wyrm with another playful giggle. eating the coins on their high point, before breathing fire in a hole above the gate, making the statues play music that turned their Sine wave body swaying into square waves. diving back into the lava, their body makes alternating platforms for them to cross. Opening the gates too. Base Cleph just flew across, while Wiscara took the obby-like path. Once past the gate that now close as the music dies down, the two simulastingly sigh relieved. “I can’t believe that actually worked.” Wiscara said while getting a folded-up piece of red paper out of her pocket. It unfolds into Scriptliss, gasping for air as he does. “Never do that plan again!” the now creased robloxian said. The three looks to their new environment, the city they were sent for glowing bright as the sounds of sinners' sufferings could be heard from below the cliffs surrounding the path. “Hm. less brutal than I thou-” Base Cleph said as they start down the path before he is interrupted when a sinner’s blood was sprayed from below, raining hard on Base Cleph for a bit. “...*internal pain sounds*” “Gross” “Are you okay, Cleph?” Wiscara asked. “...” he sighed annoyed as he took off and cleaned his glasses “at least it didn’t get in my mouth.”

Soon, the group gets to the gates of Tonic, except this gate was just an arch. Getting in, the Kingdom seems abandoned, with only a few amps here and there. For the rest were out of the kingdom walls being the ones that caused the screams of the sinners. “What even are these?” Scriptliss whispered asked to the other two. “Amps, they are dead saint Crevons that were sent from heaven to help the rulers of the 9 rings and grand monarch. Longclaw did use the wrong term for them before we left, but it would be a waste of time correcting him.” Base Cleph informed them. “Oh… wait grand what?” Scriptliss said, when Wiscara put a hand on his shoulder. “I’m assuming it’s whoever is in this city’s castle.” she said, pointing towards this black stone brick castle that is adorned with gold and ruby on the highest hill in the city, “Perhaps, Chortus and Lestro are there too.”

Trying not to bring attention to themselves, due to not being dead and one of them being a harmonian, they start their climb up to Tonic’s Castle. Getting closer and closer, this castle gets bigger and bigger. Like if this castle was to have a huge giant of a demon inhabit it in the past. Making the group feel like they’re Jack in the fairytale of ‘jack and the beanstalk’. A few steps away from the giant front door, someone caught Base Cleph’s eye. A sinner that’s the form of a giant goat trying to push a boulder up a hill. The horns of the goat sinner are the most familiar to him. “Yo, Base-man, what’s the hold up?” Wiscara called out to get his attention back. “Huh?... Oh right. Coming.”

The door doesn’t seem to have any handles that could be seen or reached. “I guess we push then.” Wiscara guessed, putting both hands on one of the doors and attempted to push. Scriptless and Base Cleph follow suit, with Base Cleph having summoned crystals in the shape of giant hands to help. What seems like an hour of struggling and a bit of coughing blood from Base Cleph due to the size of the spell cost, the door suddenly snaps open. Causing the group to fall in and the crystals to fall and shatter. In the entrance room of the castle, there is… well now was feast for the population of the city that the crystals landed on. Four strange looking fallen harmonians that look to be chefs stared at the carnage of their work and the group in silence, before starting to yell in a language no one in the group can understand. Some throw their chefs hats and utensils to the ground in rage. “Oh, I’m so sorry, I’m sorry!” Wiscara said quickly while getting up. The big chef hat one took their chef’s knife and charged to try to stab one of them. “Woah!” Scriptliss let out as he dodged them, “I don’t think a sorry can calm them.” “These are the unstable type, of course a verbal word in a language they don’t speak won't-” Base Cleph said dodging a chair one of them threw, “They don’t have what regulates their emotions. It’s not preferable, but we’re gonna have to fight them.” “Then, I guess we have no choice.” Wiscara said while getting out her scissors, spitting them in two.

Base Clepg took to the air with his bow as Wiscara and Scriptliss spit to the sides by the group of hell fallen harmonians. Those on the ground have to watch their step to not step on a crystal shard that’s disappearing slowly, due to how big the spell was. “Aim for the center, that will just prone them.” “How the hell do you know all of this, Base Cleph?!” “... dude…” he gestures to himself with an ‘are you kidding me’ look on his face. “...oh right. Sorry!” Scriptliss slightly facepalmed, before having to perry a swing of a metal ladle. The thin legs of the chefs quickly weave between crystals as the small swarm moved. Wiscara stabbed one of her blades in one of them, just barely missing the heart, causing the chief to spray blood out as they cry out and fall back directly onto a few crystals that stab them more, letting out more blood. The stench that came out with the blood was that of rotten corpses and the soup linguine made in ratatouille, way past easy enough to make a robloxian hard gag. Wiscara and Scriptless have to hold their shirts over their non-existant noses to stop themselves from getting into a gagging fit. Leaving them with one hand to swing their weapons. “Oh, my word, that's-... That’s so vile” was what Wiscara could manage to spit out in terms of words, still smelling more than Scriptliss due to the blood getting on her dress.

Getting out three arrows, while dodging things being thrown at him, Base Celph aimed and shot his bow as fast as he could. Only missing one that was blocked by a frying pan. The two that got hit, one in the leg and one in just below where he was supposed to hit, had crystals formed from their wounds on them that made them stuck in place. Only able to do things that don’t involve moving their legs. Getting caught off guard, one of the chefs gets a hit on Base Cleph causing him to fall. Accidentally landing on Scriptliss, who with Wiscara managed to get the swarm of 5 down to one, causing the both of them to land on the ground. Scriptliss feeling a sharp pain in his hip and on his back, and Base Cleph feeling a sharp peircing pain in the palm of his hand and one of his wings along with the throbbing pain of having a solid wood chair hit his head. “Guys!” Wiscara tried to go over to help but was interrupted twice in a row. One by the head chef swinging their knife and the other by everyone suddenly being put into a spell of entanglement.

“What is the meaning of this?!” a booming woman’s voice echoed in the entrance room. The person that casted the entanglement flicked their wrists up and towards them, causing the three to be brought up to them. Currently being held 25 ft in the air to be eye level with what could only be assumed was “grand monarch”. A 30ft crevon behemoth woman that has the appearance of two beings sewed together, one with spider-like horns the other with lamb-like horns. One blind and one mute. “Who are you and what makes you think you can interrupt our work?” “We’re so sorry, we didn’t want to end up fighting, your majesties. I’m Wiscara, and they’re Scriptliss and Base Cleph,” Wiscara started, the Grand Monarch slightly lowered them after she said their names, “We were sent here by Longclaw and to find the two Guardians from here, Chortus and Lestro.” the grand monarch put down the spell, dropping them on their backs. The two dudes let out winces when they landed. Base Cleph spoke as the group got up, “Listen your majesties, we just need to know where we can find them, and we’ll go.” “...” the Grand Monarch crossed the pair of their arms that weren't busy with screen-less screens, “You’re talking to them, noth. now leave, we’re too busy to talk.” Chorus and Lestro turned to walk away. “Wait, wait, your majesty. Please, we need to talk about something important.” Scriptliss spoke out. The sewn amalgamation angrily turned into their full mortal form to get eye level with the group, “can’t you tell that hell is in a crisis right now!” Chorus yelled with a slight baa in her voice. the wool fell down on the blind sheep’s eyes in their collective anger before they started to pace a bit, leaving hove prints that soon disappeared. “First, somehow the titan I was trying to keep locked out gets set free, now I have hordes upon hordes of cult members trying to escape that I got to hold back! What in the 9 rings could be more important?!” Lestro stared daggers at the group.

“...getting a dark magic user from here that can help hold Discord until we can relock him up…??” Base Cleph said. The Grand Monarchs angrily inhaled before letting out a small exhale, trying to stop yelling. “Listen, we would love to help, but me and my citizens must deal with what is happening to our lands.” he moved forward, “Well maybe we can take a sinner that’s almost done with their punishment.” Base Cleph looked out the window to the same familiar horned goat sinner, before gesturing to them, “Like that one. I’m pretty sure that’s Tretone, He can help the most” Chortus stayed quiet for a bit before sighing, “... he’s been described at a dictator in your realm of mortality, even if our boy was mind controlled for the first time and was just like a puppet last time, why would you want his help?” “Yes, He done bad things while under someone else’s control. But I believe that he could still be a good person. At least morally gray.” “...”

[feather-rose]

Nice pants.

.....

(Cafee Konoha.)

Sai: Um, do you know where I can find a phone booth?

Ino: Oh Yeah! There's one towards the toilets's section, through the hallway.(Points up the back and right behind the couch to where Neji was sitting with the basketball while Sasuke was trying to read a red book, Little Women with a frustrated frown. While Shikamaru was sipping a his coffee far away from the couch, onto his own table.)

Ino: Need a coin?

Sai: I've got one, into my sock, here.

And brought up his leg onto the the edge of the couch, where it left Neji quite and nearly surprised as his eyes went wide.

The guy was wearing short shorts but with no underwear!

And that was quite close to his eyesight here. Oh man!

He pushed or more leaned himself to Sasuke's back in order to avoid Sai's 'private parts.'

Which the last Uchiha had found odd as he dropped his book and sighed, annoyed as he felt an sudden pression to his back.

Sasuke(Annoyed): What are you doing? Just because your cousin married my best stupid friend, doesn't mean we have to be that close..(Shoves him away with a push as Neji quckly shuts his eyes with disgust.)Get back to your side--Oy yeah--Hello!

The idiot had finally caught it.

Oh man! Seriously? Sasuke's eyes were petrified by the sight as he waved off Sai or more his junk. Now I know why Hyuuga went onto my back..

The guy had no underwear! Oh crap!

Sasuke: Hi, I'm Sasuke.( Shakes Sai's hand, as he was grinning, wide but uncomfortable.)

Sai(Totally confident): I'm Sai!

Neji: Neji..And you're the guy with no underwear on..

Shikamaru: Shikamaru, dude.

Sai: Nice to meet you, guys! (Then walks away to go to the toilet. Leaving the boys snickeredly laughing.)

And to Ino whom retrieved her coffee and exchanged a weird look towards the three guys laughing.

Ino: Man, what are you laughing? What's going on?

Shikamaru wipped off his eyes while Sasuke and Neji kept on laughing like idiots.

Ino: Um, guys..

Shikamaru: No worries.

Sakura(Leans over Ino's ear as she held cabaret with two coffee mugs and whispered.):If Sasuke and Neji are laughing together in the same room, I'd be worried if I were you, Ino. I'd think the world would be ending..

And leaves to see the costumers, much to the boys delight.

Sasuke(Gives a teasing puch onto Neji's shoulder, when he heard Sakura's reply.): Hey! We're not making a war, right?

Neji: Not with you, though! You wouldn't last! (He wipes off a tear from his eye.)

Sasuke: Not you, either!( And he cracked even harder!)

And the boys kept laughing, too much for Ino's confused sight as she sat down between the two guys who were holding theirs stomachs as they were in pain.

Ino(Looking confused, still): Why, you don't like Sai?

But the two boys kept laughing on her question.

Ino: Guys--

Shikamaru(Waved off with a hand, still grinning.): Calm down, Ino. There's no need to be tasty!

Neji and Sasuke: No way!(They laughed off again! A Hyuuga and a Uchiha laughing together. The world had gone insane!)

Ino(Getting impatient): Guys!

Neji(Tried to calm down as he put a hand over his chest and tried to sound a bit serious, now.): I'm sorry. We're sorry..It's just that Sai isn't concealed through the shorts area as one may hoped...You get it, right?

Ino(Suspicious): What the heck do you mean?

Sasuke: I'll show you..(Still grinning.)

Sai walks in the scene, much to her shock.

Sai: Hi ya! (Walks again back to the scene and sat onto the sofa at Neji's left side.)

Sasuke: Hey, Sai. Could pass me up the cookies?

Sai: Yeah, sure!( Lift himself up and lean over the table to the get the cookies as Ino blushes hard at the sight when she watched him stretch out his legs. While Sasuke thanked him with a smirk.)

Sai: So? Wanna game?(Getting too much comfortable here much to everyone here.)

Neji: Sure.(As he looked away when his fingers made the ball move.)

While Ino was too stunned to say anything back as she looked away with a hand to cover her mouth.

.....

[krenenbaker]

okay okay okay. i had to take some time to process this and look over it a few times, but let me just say:

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

INCREDIBLE CONCEPT!

INCREDIBLE ART!

(Warning: violent eel simpery will follow this disclaimer)

First off, I'm OBSESSED with mafia/yakuza Leech content and THIS?? PERFECTION. I love the DETAIL you've put into this!! Everything from the clothing, to the hair, to the colour, to the expressions is marvellous, and so, so, SO delicious. I especially love the hair, though - Jade's becoming even neater, slicked back, and Floyd's being a bit longer and even more tousled. That's a wonderful notion!

And the TATTOOS. oh gosh, just INCREDIBLE!! Again, the colour, yes. But also just the designs and how they compliment the other's tattoo, and even the placement on their bodies (Floyd's more visible on his pecs/shoulders and Jade's more hidden on his back) is SO well thought out!! It just suits their characters - two sides of the same coin, but Floyd being so much more open about his loyalties, thoughts, and behaviours than Jade.

Plus, you did an entire BODY COMPARISON AND ANALYSIS?? And gave them proportions based on that??? HELLO???? THAT'S BRILLIANT!! Also, I must say, that making Jade so broad-chested and Floyd so long-legged is simply gorgeous, and so SMART, and something I REALLY am liking, way more than I thought I would

But my favourite part of this? Those last 2 pieces. Floyd just LOOMING over that person, where you can tell he's having the time of his life. You know he'll get what he wants, and will have so much fun doing it. ♡ And the pink lighting on his back, with his target completely in shadow solely because of his own frame... that's really, REALLY nice.

But the one of Jade... oh... hoo boy...

Um, for starters, I am an absolute SUCKER for blood-spattered formal wear / suits. I honestly think it is one of the most attractive character designs. Period. and it is no different with Mr. J. Leech here. The spray on his waistcoat, the drip on his forearm, the tiny splatters on the exposed skin of his face and chest... it's ridiculously beautiful. And combined with the undone tie, the rolled up sleeves, the expression on his face, and the gleam in his eye? ... I can't even find the words to describe it. Just... damn ♡

This art, and this idea, are simply perfection in my eyes. Thank you, sincerely.

a few  days ago me and  a friend were dicussing about theories going around about the tweels so we came up with some adult tweel headcanons    but  i couldn’t get myself to post them  since   to follow the  headcanons and theories some body type alterations had to be made so… to feel better with this feeling  i decided to make a masterpost of the theories we took inspiration from  since most of the material is in japanese EDIT: being  this  a masterpost  here’s  alink to the other content: -tweel yakuza like tattoo reference: here -Mafia  AU OC and  dead  siblings  theory: here

more details under the cut (long post)

Keep reading

[membermentmania]

August 2nd, 2:32-4:10 am

He really didn’t think Kenny would say yes and now he felt like a moron.

But Kenny just accepted that part of him without hesitation. “That’s fine. Come inside for a sec?” Right. He was just standing on Kenny’s doorstep, blushing like a complete idiot, ready to either burst into tears or vomit. He settled for a nod, worried he would spontaneously combust. He followed Kenny inside. Kenny guided him into his room and rummaged through his closet. He glanced at Clyde before picking something. “Kay. Give me, like, Idunno. Fifteen, twenty?” 

“Huh?” 

Kenny shot him a small smirk. “I’m gonna go take a shower. Then you’re gonna take me on a date.” 

“Wait, like, right now?” 

“I mean, if right now doesn’t work, I can take you on a date?” 

Clyde was left to sputter as Kenny left the room with a quiet laugh. He immediately unlocked his phone and started typing to Craig. 

Clyde: HELP

Craig: You okay? 

Clyde: I’M TAKING KENNY ON A DATE

His phone started buzzing and he scrambled to turn on his microphone access before answering. “Hey!” he whisper-yelled. 

“What the fuck do you mean, you’re taking Kenny on a date?!” 

“I mean, I asked him on a date. Now he’s in the shower. I don’t know what to do!” 

“I’m so proud of you!” Tweek chimed in. Clyde made a face. He sounded very close. 

“Am I interrupting something?” he asked, thrown off completely. 

“No!” 

Craig laughed. “Nope. Anyways. You were saying?” 

“How do I-” He paused. “What the fuck do I do?!” 

“Dude, you’ve been, like, obsessed with him since when?” 

“Um. I don’t know?” 

Craig breathed out a sigh. “Like, two fucking years. Take the win.” 

“But I’m so awkward! And weird and goofy and a fucking mess!” 

“Okay,” Craig responded evenly. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed but Kenny is also a mess. We’re kinda all fucking messes as of late.” There was a second part that was so quiet Clyde barely heard it. “You d didn’t cause this.” Clyde’s eyes practically bulged out of his head. He’d never heard Craig sound anything but mildly annoyed, bored, or enraged. His voice was so gentle. He forgot how to talk for a second. “Clyde, did you break?” Craig asked lamely. 

“Um. Nah. Lingered on a thought.” His panic flared up once again. “Craig, what do I do?! Help me!” 

“Hold on. Tweek said he wants to tell you something.” 

“Tweek?” Clyde didn’t mean to say that with as much bewilderment as he did. Especially knowing Tweek could 100% hear him. But Tweek didn’t know anyone. He’d never been romantically involved with anyone as far as Clyde knew. Tweek was pretty much a blank, groomed into murdering, but very much so blank slate when he came into their lives. How the fuck is he gonna help me? 

“Hi, Clyde,” Tweek greeted. 

“Hi, Tweek.” 

“Okay. I just wanted to say this and I hope it helps. You and Kenny are two sides of the same coin, in a way. You compliment each other. You also both like each other a lot.” Clyde sputtered. 

“If you can see that, I’m fucked,” he muttered. 

“Rude, but fair,” Tweek noted. 

“Be real with me, Tweeky.” 

“You two deserve a good ending. And I think if you just be yourself and communicate with him, you’ll get one. He really cares about you.” 

Clyde took a deep breath. “Do you think myself is good enough?” 

“It doesn’t matter if yourself is good enough. He likes you.” There was a short pause. “I do think you’re good enough, for the record.” 

Clyde nodded. “Thank you.” 

“Craig says you’re good enough too. You’re just stupid.” 

“Hey!” 

“I didn’t say it! He did!” A laugh bubbled out of him. Clyde made a face. Have I ever heard him laugh before besides that night with Tammy? His brows knit together slightly. He’d known Tweek for two months, slowly encroaching on three, and he’d only laughed once in front of them. At Tammy. Which was fair, Tammy’s hilarious. But it was jarring at how natural it sounded. Holy shit I’m definitely interrupting something. 

“Tweek be so honest with me,” he breathed out. 

“Yes?” 

“Am I actually interrupting something?” 

“Nah. We’re just in bed.” 

“OH MY GOD?” 

“Watching a movie, you fuck,” Craig chimed in. 

“Oh my god,” Tweek muttered before another laugh came out. 

Kenny’s door opened and Clyde’s eyes widened slightly, stomach twisting. “Yeah, okay. Gotta go. Get married. Bye.” He hung up and dropped his phone on the bed next to him. “Hi.” 

Kenny offered him a small smile. “Your mic.” 

“Shit.” Clyde quickly grabbed his phone and scrambled to his microphone access back off. “Thanks.” 

“Of course. Gotta keep you safe, bozo.” 

Clyde’s nose scrunched. “Don’t be mean,” he drawled. 

“Okay,” he responded evenly. “We’re gonna go and look at some of the coolest and most beautiful things this planet has to  to offer and you’ll still be infinitely more cool and infinitely more beautiful.” 

“Okay, well excuse me while I go throw up because you have no business giving me butterflies like that,” he responded, actually ready to throw up.

Kenny laughed. It was bright as always. “Are you actually gonna throw up?” 

Clyde made a face. “...No.” He blinked. “Yeah, no. I’ll live.” 

“Good.” He shot Clyde a small nod and Clyde got up, pretending he didn’t feel like his legs were jello. He followed Kenny out of his room and outside. “So, who’s getting married?” Kenny asked. It sounded like he was actually dying to ask. 

Clyde laughed. “Tweek and Craig.” 

Kenny’s eyebrows shot up. “Is that, like, a thing?” 

“Oh my god, hear me out. I was on the phone with Craig. And Tweek was there, because obviously. They live together. But Tweek was, like, there. And then he tells me they’re in bed. And Craig quickly shot in that they were watching a movie. But in bed! They have a perfectly acceptable couch!” 

Kenny barked out a laugh. “One of them could just be the affectionate type.” 

Clyde narrowed his eyes at Kenny. “That fits neither of them.” 

“I mean, privately it might.” 

“Not Craig. Maybe Tweek. But still! Craig is not, like- I don’t know, he doesn’t snuggle up in bed and watch movies with his friends!” 

“I mean, I was already sold. But damn.”

“Wait. Why were you sold?” 

“The way Craig is basically his guard dog and will do anything to go out and fight for Tweek. Alone. So he doesn’t have to use his powers. Or have his relic nearby.” 

“But that’s just because-oh my god, you’re so fucking right.” 

“And when Tammy tried to press Tweek he was ready to step in.” 

“Oh my god, I’m actually so dense.” 

Kenny shrugged with a laugh. “Yeah.” 

“Wait, but why have neither of them said anything then?!” 

“I mean, can you blame them? From Craig’s perspective, and all of ours, Tweek is very… Tricky. He doesn’t really have a handle on relationships in any capacity yet. He just started opening up to us like a few weeks ago. And from Tweek’s, he’s literally never had friends. I’m gonna be so honest he probably wouldn’t even get why he would feel differently about someone else. Or at least, it’d take him a bit.” 

“That sounds mean but it’s so dead on,” Clyde noted. 

“You know I don’t mean it in a mean way. I fucking love Tweek. He’s just kinda new to people.” 

Clyde’s heart panged. “I hate what she did to him.” 

Kenny nodded, sad smile appearing. “Well, he has us now. And he’s been getting better. We can’t go back and fix it, but we can make the best of what we do have.” 

“This is why I like you,” he blurted out. 

Kenny sputtered a laugh. “What?” 

“Um.” Oh my god, brain, work. “Like, you just. You look at the big picture from a logical perspective, but you always try to stay positive. You manage to do both. No one really does that. Y’know, it’s usually one or the other.” 

Kenny  nudged him slightly. “I like that you just stay positive.” 

“Because I have people like you to look at the big picture for me,” he joked. 

“If that’s what it takes,” Kenny responded with a half shrug. 

“Wait, where are we walking to?” 

Kenny smirked. “You mean, where are we racing to?” 

Clyde lit up. “We’re racing?” 

“I mean, I personally think that would be super fun. And it would save us like a good five minutes.” 

“Oh, you’re on.” 

Kenny tapped his relic to his forehead and Clyde’s hand flew to his pocket so he could follow suit. 

“Better keep up!” Kenny called out as he broke out into a run. Clyde felt the immediate relief as he transformed mid sprint after Kenny. They made a right onto the strip and went up the first fire escape they saw. 

A laugh bubbled out of Clyde. “I still don’t know where we’re going!” 

“Somewhere cool!” 

“Je bent gek!” he yelled. 

“Ik vergeet altijd dat je Nederlands spreekt!”

Clyde practically skidded to a stop. “WHAT?!” 

Kenny immediately noticed and spun around. “What?” 

“Spreek jij eigenlijk Nederlands?!” Kenny looked like he’d been caught. He slowly nodded and Clyde took a few steps closer. Then proceeded to swat at his arm. “Waarom heb je het mij niet verteld?!” 

“It never came up! I didn’t just wanna be, like, ‘oh hey I speak Dutch too, isn’t that totally crazy?!’” 

Clyde narrowed his eyes slightly. “Okay. Fair, I guess.” That didn’t explain the look on his face when Clyde called him out though. “Why do you speak Dutch?” 

Kenny laughed. It felt almost fake. Clyde didn’t like it one bit. “Not really much of a first date conversation.” 

Clyde didn’t like that either. They hadn’t been this close for that long, but the fact that Kenny was seemingly trying to sidestep that all together and keep this from him made him feel weird. They stared at each other for a moment. “You know you don’t always have to keep on a brave face for me, right?” he tried, no idea if he was shooting in the right direction. “You can tell me bad stuff, or like. I don’t know. Stuff you feel like you should keep secret. Because you’re my best friend. I tell you everyone else’s secrets because you’re my best friend, but I would never tell anyone yours.” 

Kenny’s face softened. The look in his eyes felt like a stab to the heart. “Thank you for that,” he said quietly. 

“You don’t have to tell me anything if you don’t want to. I just don’t want you to think you need to hide stuff from me because I’m sensitive, y’know?” 

Kenny frowned slightly. “It’s just a lot.” 

“I’m a lot,” Clyde joked. 

He breathed out a laugh. “You kinda are.” 

Clyde took a step forward and pulled him into a loose hug. “I know,” he responded as he rested his head on Kenny’s shoulder. “But you can tell me anything.” 

Kenny’s arms wrapped around him tightly. They stood there in silence for a moment. “Ik kan niet doodgaan,” he murmured. 

Clyde made a face. “What?” 

“I mean, like. I do. But everyone forgets and I kinda just spawn back in.” 

Clyde’s stomach dropped. “Is that what your power is?” he whispered. 

“No. That started when I was born. Some fucking curse, or whatever. I don’t know much about it.” 

“No one remembers?” 

“Never.” 

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered. “That sounds so horrible.” 

“It’s whatever. Y’know. I’ve been living with it for so long I’m just used to it. But that’s why I know Dutch. Afterlives are not English exclusive.”

Clyde nodded against him. “Yeah, that makes sense.” 

“Do you believe me?” His voice was so tiny. Clyde felt gutted. 

“Of course I believe you. We got magical powers from the internet and have to fight monsters to stay alive.” Of course he wasn’t sure that last part was true. But the more he thought about what would happen when their marks turned black, the more that felt true. “And even if we didn’t, you’re my best friend. You have no reason to lie to me.” 

“Thank you,” he breathed out. Kenny squeezed him tighter. 

“I have a question though,” Clyde responded hesitantly. He wanted to know this so bad it felt like it was going to burn a hole in his brain. This was the only thing he thought he didn’t know about Kenny, and it drove him crazy when he sat with it for too long. 

“Of course.” 

“What is your power?” 

Kenny let out a bitter laugh. “I explode.” 

“What?” 

“Basically, I’m like a human pipe bomb. But my drawback is dying, because of course it is. And it hurts so much. And everyone forgets. So using it means not only would I be having a shit time, but I wouldn’t get purifiers because I’d be busy being dead and no one would even remember I was there.” 

Clyde’s chest hurt. “That’s so fucking mean,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry.” 

“Lotta our powers feel mean.” Clyde nodded. Kenny hugged him tighter. “You wanted to be stronger, and you got it. But look at what it does to you. That’s so unfair it’s not even funny, Clyde.” Clyde never told a soul that. But of course, Kenny just knew that. 

Clyde nodded against him. “Fuck our mod, seriously.” 

Kenny laughed and Clyde felt like all of the wrongs in the air had been righted. It was real. Genuine. Not pained or bitter. It was just Kenny. “Thank you. I haven’t tried to talk about this in so long.” 

Clyde gave him a tight squeeze. “You can always talk to me.” 

“You too. You know that, right?” 

“Of course.”

Kenny let go of him and smiled so brightly Clyde felt like he needed to take a lap around the building. “Now can I pretty please take you on this date?” 

Clyde laughed. “Yes? You still haven’t told me where we’re going!” 

“We’re actually above where we’re going.” 

Clyde looked down at the concrete roof like that would somehow indicate where they were. He settled for rolling his eyes before he let himself transform back into non-magical freak clothes. Kenny laughed as he let his regular clothes come back to him. They climbed down the fire escape and Clyde lit up with excitement. They were at the aquarium. The aquarium probably wouldn’t have been his first choice in the sense of the fact that he didn’t know much about marine life. But aquariums were always so cool and Kenny mentioned that he wanted to be a marine biologist when they grew up and he could listen to Kenny nerd out for hours despite having no idea what he was talking about. 

Kenny took his hand as they walked inside. They were both idiots, so of course when it came time to pay for their entry, they both slapped their cards against the machine and left it up to god. 

[cassandraxiv]

We sat next to each other in the corner booth at the restaurant, just chatting. We had found over the past few weeks that we had so much in common, from loving the same video games to both practicing breakdance. And though I could not shake the feeling that I had seen her face before somewhere, I felt comfortable around her. Being with her almost made me forget that I was wearing my supervillain costume under my clothes.

"Say, Tara," I hesitated, "I was thinking, um... I have really enjoyed our past few dates..."

"I enjoy going out with you too, Liz," she said with that soft, kind voice of hers, "I never thought I would meet someone like you. We're like two sides of the same coin."

"I feel the same way, and I was wondering, would you like to make it, you know, official?"

She gently rested her hand on top of mine and leaned in. "Your place or mine?" She was so confident. I loved that about her. I leaned in as well, bringing my lips closer to hers.

We were interrupted by both of our phones going off at the same time. With an annoyed expression she turned away to look at her messages. I did the same. This was not entirely unexpected, but dammit, the League of Villains said they wouldn't need me for this heist. This was my evening off!

"I'm so sorry, Tara," I said while putting my phone away, "work emergency, I have to be at 125th Street."

"Yeah, same," she groaned. Why did her voice sound so familiar in that tone? "I have to be at 125th too, actually. Maybe we can share a cab?"

I suddenly became profusely aware of my spandex underneath my clothes. I had actually hoped to change in the taxi, equip my gear and charge up my powers. I noticed I had involuntarily been doing so already, as my hair was starting to stand on end. "Er... best not, I uh..." I fumbled for an excuse.

I noticed Tara look at me strangely. "Hey, your hair's a bit..." Her eyes suddenly went wide. "Wait... no way! Volta!?"

That's where I recognized her from! "Mad Dance!? You're Mad Dance!?"

"I can't believe it! My greatest rival and I've been dating you!" I prepared myself for... what, actually? A breakup? A beatdown? Would she use her powers in a crowded restaurant? But she proceeded to surprise me even more. "If I had known you played Soulsbornes too, I would have made references in our battlefield banter!"

I was dumbfounded. Was she... okay with this?

"The Defenders messaged me saying they were pretty much evenly matched with the League. Since I was the closest, they wanted me to come and turn the tide in their favour. I'm guessing the League sent you the same thing?"

"Basically, yeah..." I said, still not knowing what to make of this. Then I noticed the glint in her eye and took the hint. I slowly sat down again and let my built-up power ebb away. "I guess if we both go, they'll still be evenly matched, so there's really no point..."

Mad Dance sat down next to me and leaned in again. "So, your place or mine?"