#And that she wasn't the greatest person...

[damnfandomproblems]

Fandom Problem #9657:

I feel like nowadays so many writers forget you actually have to write a character with an interesting development and story who happens to be a woman instead of "Lol girlboss is magically better and more powerful than anyone and she learns absolutely nothing throughout the story and if you criticise it you're a sexist pig"

An example of this is the Mulan 2020 remake. I loved the original Mulan as a kid, we saw Mulan's character grow throughout the movie and how she worked hard to be as strong as the men in the army, eventually saving china, her victory was earned and most of all her father said "The greatest gift and honor is having you for a daughter" which is my favourite disney quote

What did they do in the remake? Mulan was magically stronger than literally everyone else even as a child, she didn't need to work hard to save china and I found nothing interesting about her character unlike the original, 2020 Mulan may as well be a cardboard cut out

First of all, if you want to write a strong female character, make her interesting, show us how her character develops throughout the story, don't constantly shove in our face "SEE LOOK GUYS A WOMAN IS STRONG!! GIRLS CAN BE STRONG TOO #GIRLPOWER" and I know I'm not the first person to quote Sonic Boom, but Knuckles literally said that calling attention to the breaking of gender roles implies that the woman being strong is an exception and not the status quo, why can't we have a strong female character without everyone constantly pointing out she's a woman all the bloody time? Why can't we just treat her the same as the strong men? I don't see people pointing out the fact a strong male character is a man, I thought we were supposed to be treating the genders equally?

I also don't think every female character has to be a super strong badass warrior, there's nothing wrong with having physically strong women in stories (I love Jojos and one of my favourite characters is Jolyne and she is strong) but sometimes its okay for women (and men) to just chill out in stories, they don't always need to be so strong all the time, I actually think it would be interesting if a story showed the mental health struggles of a badass type character thinking they need to be strong all the time

Plus physical strength isn't the only thing that can make someone strong, what if a female character is mentally strong or is strong in intelligence and uses those strengths to outsmart the bad guys instead of just beating the shit out of them all the time? That would be cool

Also whats with this whole trend of not letting strong female characters fall in love? Of course not everyone needs to have a boyfriend or girlfriend, but I honestly think this whole trend of NEVER letting the strong badass woman fall in love implies 2 things:

1: "Ew no man would want to date a strong woman lol strong women can NEVER find love thats why she doesn't have a partner" (have you seen the amount of guys who have a crush on characters such as Mikasa from AOT? Or like I mentioned before Jolyne from JOJO? Or most of all, real life strong women?)

2: "Falling in love is for the dumb OTHER GIRLS who are so stupid for falling in love because falling in love is DUMB AND GIRLY EWWWWWW" (I hate the "not like other girls" trope and unsurprisingly it shows up a lot with these so called "strong women characters")

Falling in love or even just having a small crush is not dumb or silly, its a natural human emotion that most people feel, including strong badass women

This is also something that the Mulan remake did, they got rid of Shang, Mulan's love interest, for some reason, first of all Shang was awesome why the fuck did you get rid of him? Second of all, you didn't really need to do that, in the original Mulan of course did fall in love, but that wasn't her whole character like these idiots imply, most of her character development went into her working hard to be seen as equal and just as strong as the men in the army (also some people forget that the whole reason she joined the army in the first place wasn't to be an epic girlboss, but it was to protect her father who was clearly not fit to fight in the war and if she didn't take his place he'd have to go instead) Shang respected Mulan (both as Ping and her actual self) and Mulan respected him back, they don't even kiss at the end of the movie I think, in fact most of the romance is explored more in the mediocre direct to DVD sequel

So moral of the story: write your female characters to be actual interesting people and not a "girlboss" with zero personality or development, also its not dumb to fall in love and strong girls shouldn't be seen as weak for doing so

[thequietkid-moonie]

The greatest act of love

[ DRABBLE ] [ Kakegurui Compulsive Gambler ]

> Their own unique way to confess their feelings

Yumeko Jabami

It has never been a secret the love Yumeko has for you but because of her overly friendly and cheerful personality it was also quite dificult to tell, thats why one day she presented herself to you and asked you to make a bet with her, just a tiny little one, she'll flip a coin and if it falls on the side she chose you'll go out with her, if it doesn't then she'll accept her defeat and try again tomorrow, it sounded silly and yet she looked like this was the most exciting bet she had in the longest time

Ryota Suzui

It is quite obvious what he feels for you, he is not really the best at handling his crush anyways, but Suzui doesn't say it directly because he doesn't feel like he is good enough to be with you so instead of telling you he tries to get better at this whole gambling thing, he tries to get in more bets and learn more of the games to be able to keep a stable position at school, to be able to be of actual help if you ever need help on anything (and, of course, he is incredibly embarrased when he realize that he said it out loud and not just thought it)

Kirari Momobami

She has always been quite the mistery, not dificult to approach but hard to get close to, even if you two have interacted for quite a long time by now it is still dificult to tell how she sees you, the compliments and good coments about you and your skills she has been casually dropping to you while hanging out wasn't exactly new, what it was definetly new and out of the ordinary was the way Kirari told you how much it pleases her to see you in her little acuarium, admiting how excited she was to keep watching you closely

[droplct]

● — || 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐂𝐇 𝐎𝐍 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐏𝐔𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐒 𝐔𝐏 like they were being drawn by a little , red string . She wanted to [ [ fight ] ] him on sitting up , on why he should be resting , but this time she couldn't . She sat near his bed , crushing her heels , and steady as a beating drum . She could hear the cracks in his voice , and the way that he was keeping himself together . If it was the pain , she could [ [ heal ] ] him . She'd do it in a heartbeat , especially now that she had plenty of water to spare . Thanks to Jiro .

However , her mind wasn't on that she should heal him . No , her mind was on every word he said , and how each brush of his thumb was like he was [ [ sealing ] ] his thoughts with a promise . ❝ You [ [ can ] ] be angry and upset , Zuko . You will be . I promise you . You keep saying that I brought you back , and that I never hurt you , but that's not - . . .❞

She let her words fall into the pit of their silence . Her head fell tenderly to the side in thought , eyes fixed on his still as she hung on [ [ every ] ] word he said . Gingerly , Katara nodded . If he was [ [ certain ] ] that he could stomach how she brought him back , then . . . Maybe it would be safe to tell him . Not now , maybe eighty years down the line when they were old , wrinkly , and had nothing else to fight for . ❝ I promise to tell you , Zuko . . . Someday . ❞

Those golden flames held her oceans like they wanted to explore every [ [ corner ] ] of them . And , she'd let them . He didn't want her to carry her burdens alone . In a way , it reminded Katara of when he had gone with her to see the person who took her mother away . He didn't let her carry that burden alone , either . The same way she didn't let Zuko carry the burden of him and his uncle alone . It would seem that they were in this together for a long , long time .

And Katara wasn't complaining .

❛ You're not just my friend . ❜ Katara's brows scrunched slightly at his words, trying to understand . What was he talking about ? She watched the way his mouth closed when he swallowed -- like he was preparing for his greatest battle yet . She sat up a little taller on her knees now , letting him know that she was [ [ listening ] ] to everything he had to say . All of it was important , and none of it was going to waste .

❛ I meant what I said . I need you . Not just because you saved my life . Because I -❜

❝ Zuko . . . ❞ She muttered between them , like a whisper on the moon's rays .

❛ I love you . ❜

And that was when it hit her . Her eyes broke from his as she looked to her lap . Every fight , every time he had [ [ protected ] ] her without hesitation . Every glance that was too long . Every fight that hurt them [ [ both ] ] . Every bit of laughter shared between them that had brought them both together . The way he risked his entire [ [ world ] ] -- he risked losing [ [ everything ] ] safe , just so she would be able to see the sunrise again . The way that her heart [ [ shattered ] ] when she watched him fall during the Agni Kai . Every time she smiled at him by the camp fire , and he was already looking at her -

Katara's chest rose and fell as realization hit her . First slowly --

-- The way that she found herself drawn to him under the stars after everyone had gone to sleep . How he [ [ smiled ] ] at her , and it made the voices in her head go [ [ silent ] ] .

. . . Then , all at once .

And the way that he made sure she was [ [ never ] ] alone , even when he couldn't be by her side . He needed her , but she needed him [ [ too ] ] . She needed him like she needed air to breathe , and like the sun needed rain . She needed him in [ [ everything ] ] that his oceans would offer , and she would match him with every bit of flame her soul had to [ [ give ] ] .

The tears that lined her eyes were happy , this time . They brought her lips to part . Seas of words stumbled out of her in silence as her breathing suddenly became a chore . She met his eyes , and this time , her heart told his [ [ hi ] ] . She hadn't noticed that she was so [ [ close ] ] to him , now . That she had risen back up to be nearest him so that he didn't have to bend down to her , and hurt himself more . He had confessed those three words -- bore every [ [ part ] ] of his soul to her in the rawest of ways .

. . . It was time she did the same thing .

❝ I love you too , ❞ She leaned into him , letting the distance close between them naturally as the embers of his soul wove into her oceans . ❝ [ [ Zuko ] ] . ❞ His name was spoken as nothing more than a breath between their lips . Her right , scarred hand settled on his scarred cheek . Her left hand rested on his shoulder , holding him steady . She closed her eyes , and kissed him so light -- like she was afraid that if she kissed him any harder , she would be the reason that he [ [ disappeared ] ] . She didn't know what would happen now , but she [ [ hoped ] ] that he wouldn't pull away .

When she knelt down, he heard the rustle of her clothes and slowly opened his eyes, turned his head, and winced at the pain that still pulsed through his chest. She looked smaller somehow, curled there with her fingers twisting fabric and her voice barely above a whisper.

I'm sorry.

The words pulled at him. Not because she had anything to apologize for, but because he did.

Zuko blinked. Once. Twice. Her face was so close, he could see every detail; the shimmer of tear-tracks dried on her cheeks, the way her lashes clung together at the corners, how her mouth twisted when she thought she’d gone too far.

She had no idea.

He should’ve said it days ago, but it was like every time he got close to speaking the truth, fear gripped him by the throat and reminded him he wasn’t allowed to want things —especially not her.

But now…

Now he was staring into the face of someone who thought she’d broken him, when really, she was the only thing that had put him back together.

“I heard you.” His voice cracked, and he shifted just enough to reach out and let his hand rest lightly over hers where it lay in her lap. His fingers trembled, but his touch was warm. “I heard every word.” He paused, letting out a slow breath through his nose. “I’m not angry, Katara. I’m not upset.” His thumb brushed along the back of her hand. “I'm sorry for making you think you hurt me. You never hurt me. You… you brought me back.” Another silence stretched between them.

“Whatever it was... however you did it. I want to know. When you’re ready.” His eyes held hers now, steady and sure. “You don’t have to carry that alone.” Then, softer, like he was afraid something might break if he spoke the thought aloud, he said, “You’re not just my friend.” He swallowed hard. “I meant what I said. I need you. Not just because you saved my life. Because I—” He hesitated for a breath and then he let the truth fall free.

“Because I love you.”

[kiiyome-art]

Newest vidoc reveled each card part of the new arsenal has a person who has influenced cayde on it!

We know Ikora (king of diamonds), Zavala (king of hearts), Maya Sundaresh/Lakshmi (queen of hearts), and possibly Elsie (king of clubs).

What is confusing, is that the top row completely eludes me. At first, I thought Shiro might have been represented by the queen of spades, indicated by the iron lord wolves that accompany the card, but im not quite sure the exo looks enough like Shiro.

My first thoughts about the warlock, hunter, and titan, was just significant experiences with each class as his time as vanguard. But given who these other cards are about? Im not so sure about that theory, they all seem to be relating closely to who Cayde is.

Elsie sort of makes sense, if that's actually her, given that the time loop she's stuck in starts EVERY TIME with Cayde becoming vanguard. But honestly, that's really all that comes to mind.

One thing that stands out to me, is there is one, significant person missing. Where is Andal?? Unless he is represented by the hunter with the helmet, I am thoroughly shocked, and honestly a little disappointed. With how big a role Andal plays in Cayde's story, I would have expected him to make an appearance.

Id love to hear your thoughts and theories on these cards and what they represent further, so please feel free to elaborate!

[ali3n-whimzy]

Has anyone rewritten Steven Universe Future where Steven and everyone else really think to piece together Rose's contributions and legacy, learning to see her in a nuanced perspective of both the good and the bad instead of having general dislike and disdain for her at the end?

[xtinyslip]

"oh yes, i forget that the trust is only one sided in our relationship. hm? i'm supposed to simply put all my trust in you, when you're not willing to try in return?" using key words that she believed he'd like hearing because if her way out of this was manipulation. she'd do it. oh, she'd put on the performance of her life but in time... too much to soon and too quick wouldn't be all that convincing. would it? "i'll leave him because i care. if i didn't care, i'd be handing you over those scissors myself. yeah? i'll do it but you have to let me." and... she would. except it really didn't hold the consequences it sounded like because she believed when she did get the win over john, that she would be able to get parker back. even if that wasn't the case ; it was better than them both having each others deaths on their conscious. "and they really aren't as embarrassing as you'd think. once you get over the baking, the knitting and hugging." oh, she wasn't embarrassed by them at all, and she'd unknowingly become quite a fan of everything she'd listed above. she was just saying it to screw with him because it was about all she could do right now. "is she wrong? too bad her opinion holds no relevance. hm?" shrugging. "what the actual fuck? their personal photo's. are you that eager to have one to get off too?" what did he think was in those photo's? worse, WHO? because the only photo's she really had on there was of parker, cooper, maybe one of paul and then... oh, he'd have a field day with how many photo's she had of frodo on there. yes, she had become that person. she hadn't given that code. ugh, she really, really didn't want to either. "you're really full of it, aren't you? the worst part is... do you actually believe it? i'm no use to you? well, if you wanted someone to wine and dine ; perhaps blood poisoning wasn't your greatest move? john, you're a real asshole." and for a second it didn't hurt, and for a second she hadn't been slowly running out of air because she'd been running on pure anger. "you sure you want to make that gamble with me? i die? you let me choke? you'll NEVER have access to whatever it is you're after. it dies with me." @forcafcrtncght

"AH, YES, I'VE HEARD THAT TALK BEFORE. SORRY, SWEETHEART. IT'S GONNA TAKE A LOT MORE FOR ME TO ACTUALLY BELIEVE THAT. if you didn't care, you wouldn't still be trying to protect him. the two of you? that string needs to be cut with iron scissors, hm?" and he was going to do that much. he had a plan and yet.. what good would come out of telling her what he was going to do? she'd just find a way to ruin it, hm? of course not. "we'll see about that," he was going to kill everyone with the last name sears. right? yes. "and it's not. she happens to think you've been a bad influence on her brother. on her family. apparently, it bothers her that parker would choose you over.. everyone." clicking his tongue, because.. well, he wanted to see what she would say to that much. was that the case? well, elena had been useful when it came to information but it didn’t look as if she had much else to offer besides that, right? hm. “give me the password to the photos and i will. otherwise, this?” pointing towards the iv bag. “is going upstairs with me and you will be left here to choke to death on your own. fun, hm?” because he wasn’t joking at all. he had been asked to get something and so, he was going to get it. no matter fucking what. right? yes. “no? what are you? a lost girl with no family? sorry, sweetheart. afraid you are a pederson and yoh will be, until the day you die and right now.. why shouldn’t i let them? you’ve been of no use to me. fucking disappointment, that’s what you are.” shaking his head, as he pulled the bag away from her. “last chance. you wanna gamble with me? really?” @xtinyslip

[theokusgallery]

I freaking love your au and your latest comic because MAN

I FELT THOSE LAST WORDS AND I WAS LIKE "OH FUCK"

First panel was already a bit unsettling itself - like you get it's just intimate manners as you do as a couple but he felt so possessive already and

Sunny's inner thoughts

I'm sure 100% his abandonment anxiety will increase drastically the more he stays with nick and honestly slay

I mean it's kinda obvious

But like I felt that

Yeah

Nick is unhinged

Nick is crazy

Y'all are gay for him

Good 😵💥

Sunny has soooo many issues. So many of them. He's so vulnerable and he makes himself vulnerable to Nick while still being intimidated by him, it's... Dude's got some problems.

[zipquips]

i haven't been to class or campus in a few days bc i'm having a tough time and i'm kind of upset none of my friends have noticed or reached out

[shinynewmemories]

Since book 1, Katniss and Peeta have both considered dying preferable to living without the other person and I think that's very soulmate-y of them

THE HUNGER GAMES, CHAPTER 25

[bluemoonbun]

Rotating an idea in my head;

Imagine a neglected!Reader who did everything in an attempt to impress their family.

Who got amazing grades and got into high school at age 11.

Who was "a savant beyond their years" and "talented beyond what their age group could be taught".

Skills came easy to them. Give them a year and some encouragement and before you know it they'll have mastered whatever it was.

It wasn't like they could leave the house and hang out with friends. Bruce said that was off the table. It got quiet so often in the manor.

But it wasn't enough

Until someone saw the potential that Batman was just leaving there. Like he wanted someone to just... scoop them up and tutor them.

Their friends and allies and even a few enemies saw the potential. They all agreed to teach them their greatest skill. In a year they've mastered all of them, even surpassing some of them.

Any drug they were developing was improved beyond anything they could've imagined.

Weapons fashioned to fit them far surpassed anything, even the best on the black market.

The Rogue Gallery was beyond impressed.

And Reader was on Cloud Nine with all the attention it was earning them. Head pats, praise, treats. It was more than anything they could've asked for. And even if they didn't have a new invention at the end of the week, so many were willing to just hang out. Without prompting! No "Go bother Alfred" or "I'm busy" or "Another time, chickadee".

Harley had to be reminded that a 12 year old had no business around hyenas, even if Budsie and Louie were on their best behavior. Harley settled for watching old magical girl animes with you.

Luckily, Poison Ivy knew not to bring you around her poisonous plants. Though she did spend a concerning time teaching you exactly what plants were poisonous and how they were poisonous.

Bane taught you everything he knew, from throwing a punch, to how to scare someone off. Granted, a 12 year old, with so much of their baby fat in their cheeks, and wrists as thick as Bane's thumb, looked like a Ragdoll kitten copying a Bengal tiger. He played chess with you too, and he said that given your role in advising, a knight or a bishop would fit you best.

Bane was your favorite. He'd smush your face (gently, you were so tiny he was scared of breaking you), lift you up, even do pushups and pull ups with you on his back.

When Bane told you how he'd saved Alfred once during a collapse of Arkham Asylum, only to be incapacitated once Alfred was "done" with him, it made your blood boil.

As you learned all of their stories, learned the human in all of them, you knew that you were saved from a family with rotten blood. You'd spend your life repaying them, even if they never asked.

--------

Eventually, you decide to follow them into battle. You're kept up and away from the bulk of the battle. This time, it was Joker vs the Batfamily. Tim was unable to track what he'd been trying to do past a few errant clues. It was clear that the Rouge Gallery had a new villain.

You were given direct instructions to watch yourself; Joker wouldn't care enough to tear his eyes off Batman. You already knew that; Harley had spent 3 days trying to convince you to reschedule with someone else, but you told her you wanted Joker, not someone who'd be tempted to glance back and give away your hiding space.

Jason was the one that saw you. You were dressed in a costume that resembled a bishop chess piece with a split full face mask, perched atop a van far from the actual battle. His old scars with Joker made him hesitate, but you looked like a definite person of interest, and everyone else was indisposed.

He ran over, firing rubber bullets as you dodged, eventually tripping and falling off the van. Why were you so small? Jason picked you up, grip just loose enough so you could breathe.

You reached up, pulling your mask off. Jason blanched as he saw your face, soft around the edges and wide eyed.

Bruce told him that he'd stayed away to protect you from the vigilante life. You were the one person who hadn't pushed to join them, so he never told you about missions to avoid any ideas of joining. Jason followed suit, and so did the others. Their lives were busy enough anyways, and you had Alfred when he didn't have something more important to do.

He may have brushed you off more than absolutely necessary, but he wasn't in the right headspace then! You had already grown so much and all he'd wanted by then was vengeance on Batman. You couldn't blame him for keeping his distance at that point. He was protecting you.

But here you were, pinned by the throat by your own brother. Your protector. He released you, taking a step back. He glanced around for an opening, seeing a small alleyway. He gestured over his shoulder for you to follow. "C'mon kid. I'll get you back home and I won't even tell Bruce you snuck out, 'k?"

Suddenly, he felt a prick in his back, shortly followed by a burning itch and ice cold pain. He fell to the ground, trying to reach the spot you pricked.

"Miss Ivy said these were dangerous. Her own home blend. It's a diluted version, so you'll be fine in a few days, Todd" said the much too calm voice above him. He was struggling to breathe around the writhing mass of pain, looking up at you between blinks of tears.

He couldn't scream, he could barely breathe. He could die here and the family wouldn't know until the dust settled.

"It won't kill you, and from the looks of it, they'll be coming to pick you up soon."

"Aren't we family?" He chokes out between gasps. He felt so lost. You were his baby sibling, the tiny thing that'd wander the halls, holding an old chess board as you asked your cool big brother to play with you. The person he kept away from to protect. How could you repay him like this?

Hadn't he done so much for you?

You look at him from the boot of the van. When had you gotten so far away? Your voice is quiet, but it's heard, if barely, over the revving of the engine as Joker's minions prepare to drive away, and the screaming of his name as the rest of the family approaches.

"Were we? I never thought you wanted a baby sibling like me."

-------

The Batfamily took him home and patched him up. The new tech, like all other recent inventions brought in, were so advanced they bordered on state of the art. Even Tim was struggling to decode any of them, with all the kill-switches that seemed to recognize when it wasn't hooked up to the original computer and bricked themselves.

Jason had recovered, like you said, in a few days. Capable of breathing easily in 2 days, regularly needing to be sedated before then, and sitting up without pain by day 5.

The Batfamily had asked him by day 4 about the masked person they had seen next to him. Jason was detached from himself. That face, those eyes. They held no warmth for him, no pity for him while he was writhing in agony at their feet. Like he was less than a stranger.

Like he was less than human in their eyes.

Your name fell off his tongue like lead, slamming against the ground as everyone fell into silence.

"It was them. They gave me that injection. Their face, I-"

"Todd, did the injection give you hallucinations? There was no way that they'd accomplish something like that." Damian raised his brow, checking the chart to make sure the bulk was out of his system.

"I know what I saw. They hadn't even injected me when I saw their face."

"That's impossible, Jay! Look, I'll go to their room and get them right now. They'll probably be pretty cranky since it's, what, 4am?" Dick's footsteps disappeared down the hall.

After a few minutes, Dick came running back, looking at Jason with a mix of shock, horror, and confusion.

Two words.

Two words that finally made them look at you.

Two words that made them realized what they'd missed.

Two words that made them connect the inventions that almost got them killed to the darling child they'd convinced themselves they were protecting with cold shoulders and smothering silence.

Two words that made them refocus their sights on bringing you back.

"They're gone."

[savanir]

A fight between Danny and Skulker within the ghost zone carried them to a section that Danny wasn't familiar with. It was near a floating island that was overgrown much like Skulker's that the two of them suddenly got ambushed by a third party.

The new ghost seemed more interested in fighting Skulker than Danny, and he didn't hesitate at all to pull out a green glowing serated knife and a matching gun. Their snarling and growling was like nothing Danny had heard before and the insults were also a lot more vicious than what Danny ever heard from Skulker.

It was clear to Danny that these two hated each other.

"Whatever!" Skulker twists mid aerial dodge into Danny's direction, "This isn't over whelp, I'll have your pelt next time!" Skulker shouts before promptly flying off.

The new ghost then approaches Danny, all the while sneering at Skulker's retreating form. Talking with the new guy is... uncomfortable, Danny has to carefully navigate the conversation because it seems like the slightest thing sets him off, aka the guy's masked eyes start glowing brighter and get this smokey effect, and the belt of bullet shells he's wearing over his shoulder catches fire.

But Danny learns that the ghost goes by Ravager and that he's the son of the greatest mercenary there is, was, will be (according to him of course).

Danny also learns that Ravager finds his close combat skills to be atrocious and offensive to look at, "your hand to hand is shit. No wonder you're dead," and the next thing he knows he gets dragged towards the floating chunk of land for an impromptu cqc lesson.

Ravager shows him various fighting skills at a cleared stretch of land nearby a half demolished building that looks like it might have been a T shaped tower at one point.

In fact the whole island has the look of a post apocalyptic city, overgrown ruins of buildings everywhere.

When Danny asks, Ravager tells him it suits him just fine like this and with a name like his Danny is inclined to believe him.

Ravager is disappointed that Danny is a hero and some parts of his personality remind him of his younger brother who he rather not think about at all, other parts of Danny remind him of Robin, who he really doesn't want to think about at all.

In the end though, curiosity gets the better of him and he asks Danny if he can take a look around, see if he can find a guy named Deathstroke (very reassuring name) and report back what he's doing nowadays.

Ravager is not happy with what Danny finds out for him.

"So there was this girl and she apparently also goes by Ravager so to be honest, I'm a little confused now"

"He Fucking replaced me!!?!" flames burst out around Ravager as he shoults.

Danny tries to placate, "... okay now, maybe it's more a passing on the torch kinda thing, keeping your memory alive or something?"

"Where is that portal you've talked about, I'm gonna fucking kill him," Yeah this guy is not listening.

"Now that seems like a rash and poorly thought out thing to do, maybe instead-"

But Ravager is done listening and instead he just yoinks Danny with him in his hunt for vengeance.

Meanwhile on the other side Rose is telling Dick and Jason about a spooky white haired meta kid that popped out of nowhere, asked her if she knew where Deathstroke is at and when she attacked him he deflected all her moves as if he'd done it a thousand times before.

[dunmesh]

this panel from the world guide of falin being surrounded by other girls while laios is all alone kills me because. that's it. that's the key difference in their journeys.

as laios states himself, he left the village in order to create a home for him and falin elsewhere. a home that won't collapse due to others' hatred and fears like their old home did, a home where they are loved and accepted unconditionally. but as he soon found out, even before earning money, or having walls surrounding him and a roof above his head- what he so earnestly desired was to meet other people who will accept him for who he is as well. instead, he kept being tormented by those around him, shunned and sneered at. his loneliness quickly became all-consuming until he truly had nothing left except for the monsters in the pages of his book, but even that became a target of mockery and destroyed. that's why ever since the day he left the village, he never felt that he truly made the right choice. so he kept running away: unable to resist and unable to accpet.

and an ocean away from him there was his sister, who never managed to fully fit in herself. but unlike him, she met a person who became a home to her and learned what a true friendship was for the first time in her life. and laios clearly realizes that too when he finally sees falin and marcille together, he can tell his sister obtained the greatest treasure there is on her own- the exact thing he never managed to find anywhere himself, thus coming back empty-handed to the sister he left the village for.

but when you read this part of the manga, laios's focus is on falin's loneliness, not his own. he talks about how it hurts thinking about all those moments she had to spend alone because he wasn't there for her, so it almost sounds like he's the one who couldn't bear her suffering and therefore decided to not let her go again. but we do get a glimpse of their first meeting after that almost-decade long separation in the manga, and then we see more of that in the world guide and daydream hour- and it becomes abundantly clear that it was falin who was trying to protect and save him from this pit of loneliness and depression he was in.

so instead of just doing his best to atone for leaving her behind in the village and making sure she is never lonely again, it might also be that laios was desperately clinging to the one person in the world he felt that accepted and loved him unconditionally. those words he used to describe his motivation to stay by falin's side are the exact words she would've used as well; she couldn't bear leaving him behind in this state. in a sense, they were each other's shackles.

but then she did. she died for him and their friends, and ironically enough, it was by leaving him alone like this that he was finally able to stand on his own and put his full trust in others. to have the courage to reveal who he is and give others the opportunity to accept him after such a long time of hiding. it was a long journey, but his hiding finally came to an end when he faced the others after shedding his monster form. and i love that the person who was falin's "home" all those years away from laios, marcille, became just as meaningful to him during their time separated from falin- the first one to find him and show him that he isn't alone anymore. just as he did for her.

so at the end of the story when falin talks about all the places she would like to go, it's not just that she wants to pursue her own dreams- but that she actually feels free to do so and go anywhere she desires. and one of the main reasons for that is that her brother finally found new people he wants to be with; his own home.

[cl-0v3r]

Mel is alive, but at what cost

Mel was nearly killed TWICE, her mother began being a struggle, she'd been thrown aside and trying her best to stop her, her boyfriend is not doing well, neither is anyone else (can't blame them) and the fact that she hadn't cried or spoke much about this situation to anyone a single time?? She IS upset about every single thing, yet she stays strong and enduring every bit of torture. The most she did was tell Jayce that Ambessa put her palm on the table, and let him know that she is going to push for hextech. That's it, nothing remotely related to her feelings.

The fact that she was constantly looking at Caitlyn, being able to understand her grief and knew she was in pain?? Mel knows this feeling. She'd went through it.

And in the end SHE has to pay the price of her mothers incompetence.

The intro is very much foreshadowing, we know the hands represent black rose/LeBlanc.

This is what happens in act one, she gets kidnapped by them. The lyrics do correspond to the characters as well (not just Mel, everyone.)

"Tell you you're the greatest" plays as a petal of the black rose floats down the screen, I think it adds significance to the power this organization holds, possibly the Medardas greatest foe.

"But once you turn, they hate us" both Ambessa and Mel were present in this line, I think its foreshadowing for when Ambessa switches up for whatever reason and goes against both Piltover AND Zaun. And Mel WILL go through change as well, a change that could hurt her relationship with others, and receive interest from others too.

"They hate us" could be read individually too, I feel like its a sort of "realization" ?? Perhaps Ambessa WASN'T the one that switched up, maybe Piltover switched up on them, and maybe Mel JUST got out of wherever she's taken to, and saw the mess Ambessa had done to her city??

I think this represents ACT TWO.

The hands pull away and it sort of looks like Mel is fighting back, a "get away from me" type of scream. you know what this reminds me of??

Don't mind me just pushing my Jinx/powder-Mel parallel agenda

Here is when i think Mel truly learns about LeBlanc/BR, she curiously and slowly goes to grab the rose, she learns about the history between her Mother and them, Kinos death, and most of all, learns about HERSELF. The lyrics speak otherwise.

"Pray away, I swear

I'll never be a saint, no way"

This feels like a parallel to caitlyn of sorts if that makes sense. Caitlyn had done everything to try and stop the council from attacking the Undercity, she kept her mouth shut when Jayce asked about Jinxs grenade, she was willing to protect Vi and the undercity, but how many times has she been tossed around? She'd been burned, exploded, kidnapped (god knows what happened during that time) and hit in the face by the same person, her MOTHER died because of the same person. She has every right to go insane. And she is hunting ONE person, which is Jinx. Although she is harming the people around her along the way.

What if Mel goes through a similar situation? Her mother pushed for war in her city, she dragged the enemy along with her even if she didn't mean to, she manipulated everyone around her INCLUDING Jayce, she LITERALLY got Mel hurt from the chembarons attack and killed so many people during a MEMORIAL to get her hextech weapons, Elora is most likely DEAD, not to mention whatever happened in the past between them. And the thing is, this will NEVER end throughout the entire season.

And what if she learns what she is? That she's 'blessed' by Kindred? The fact that the wolf is quite literally in her blood?

I feel like the "ill never be a saint, no way" also sort of indicates Mel will realize she'll never be able to push for peace and mercy like she always hoped for no matter what, and she comes to accept that as much as it hurts. But not like how ambessa accepted the wolf, but she sort of realizes she needs to push a little violence, towards nobody but the one and only, Ambessa "fine, if you want me to be like you, I guess I'll be like you towards YOU." Type of acceptance.

I think its also related to Mels new outfit too, she's dressed like her mother, in red and all of that. I will still stand by the idea that she has plans to decieve, but she will do something she doesn't want to do.

Mel was left with no choice, that lyric sounds like realization, acceptance, but also like a plea at the same time, an "I'll never be who I wanted to be" because in the end, she's still a Medarda, she's still her mothers daughter, she still has violence in her veins, she will never not suffer from the weight her name holds, and she will never escape it either, its like a shadow.

The Characters won't be themselves at their core this season. And those vital parts of their characters that represent them are no longer there in the intro, they all have given up what makes them, THEM design wise. (e.g.) Vi without her tattoo, Viktor hiding his identity with the mask. And the thing is, they did that to themselves because they do self-harm, they're changing themselves because THEY want to, they're forcing themselves to do that, they think they're undeserving and they're erasing their past selves.

But Mel? Mel doesn't have her gold accessories, Jewelry, or her Armor, she'd been stripped bare and hidden away because of the brutality of her name. She pays the price her mother brought to HER city. She's forced to change herself against her will, because nobody is giving her a chance to push for her ideals.

This entire theory never ends, and with all of this? I kinda do see Mel actually committing Matricide, it lifts the "Ambessa will die" theory further.

[retiredteabag]

That’s all it takes?

Synopsis: you’ve worked alongside Gojo Satoru for years; he’s painfully arrogant, critical about everything, and infuriatingly competent at his job. Worst of all, he’s just as striking as everyone thinks. For once, someone looks your way, why is it he cares so much?

tags: lowkey enemies/rivals to lovers, reader has a thing for being praised, journalist au, unedited (sorry :P)

pt. 1?

my masterlist

You'd thought the intern was trying to get a good word out of you at first. It wasn't uncommon for aspiring journalists to do whatever they could to get their foot in the door of such a competitive industry. The fact that he had been accepted onto the office floor seemingly was not enough for him. Hey, you could appreciate a handworker.

The clicking of the keyboard directly before you could only be overshadowed by the usual smacking of gum from the editor who was absent today. Her vacant desk oddly quiet. You flipped through your notebook and added even more sticky notes to your monitor, reminders of all the tasks to complete this week.

You were just about as type A as a person could be, everything was done on time, and done well. You had made something of a name for yourself and the validation kept you going. You devoured praise like it was the only thing sustaining you. That was the type of attitude that landed you positions in the greatest opinion piece publisher in Japan.

You weren't the only one who was overly competitive; however, no, someone else had become well-known even beyond his article acclaim.

The sweet little interns watched that man now like hawks. The moment his boisterous presence entered the open floor of the office cubicles, eyes followed him with an anxious reverence reserved only for the brain behind the words so many bore witness to.

Satoru Gojo was a well-known creature, even outside of journalism, the press, and the news.

Today, of course, he was in one of those moods. He sauntered into the room with a casual arrogance of someone who knew full well that the earth continued to rotate because he demanded it to be so.

The meeting he had just left was running late, his afternoon had been disrupted and the chaos he had yet to dispel was surely about to be unleashed on some unsuspecting intern.

"I've worked here far too long for superiors to still be unable to summarize a damn meetinggg~" Gojo hummed around a mouthful of croissant he had stolen from the client table. The editor that typically sat beside you would have flinched at Gojo's current gesticulation mid-rant.

You missed the peace she brought you when Gojo came around. Crumbs fell as the man licked his fingers. "Wasting my time like that, someone's gotta let them go."

You spun in your chair, looking back to see if Yaga, the company's publishing editor-in-chief, the very man Satoru Gojo was badmouthing over a sip of smoothie, was hearing his insults.

You didn't even blink when the very 'superior' exited from the conference room, waving Gojo off. The interns seemed even more worried. "The office doesn't revolve around your snacking schedule, Gojo. If you want perfect synchronicity, you might as well quit."

The apprentices looked between each other and you smiled them off, silently telling them to get back to researching the projects they were supposed to be putting together.

"You would like that, wouldn't you?" Satoru squinted, judging your very existence with his gaze.

He sighed theatrically, lounging himself across an open swivel chair of the empty editors cubical as if sitting through an assembly was the greatest waste of his precious- "They should know how important my time is-"

You roll your eyes, cutting him off, "Oh yes, so terribly important that you're spending it eating and bitching to me."

If you were being wholly honest, the shareholders in that meeting should be grateful. You'd never say it aloud, but Satoru Gojo wasn't just a writer. He was a cultural phenomenon. In his early twenties, he had already been revered for his reporting and interviewing skills, his name had graced more publications post-grad than you had even after building your portfolio.

His rate per word was outrageous as well as his schedule: a true nightmare. The Tokyo Times was beyond lucky to have been able to keep him on the team for as long as they had.

He sighed, rolling his eyes, the drama queen. He reached across you, stealing one of your pens and spinning it around amidst his fingers. "'The only reason I haven't jumped ship is because it brings me." He glided out of the chair and leaned against your cubicle, sliding the pen along the decor you had there, observing it, "so much pleasure", you wince at his seductive tone, "to bring you…annoyance." You smack his hand before he can poke the fat of your cheek with the writing utensil.

Satoru grins, spinning away with your pen, scraping up a donut before making the way back to his office. His very own, if you were curious.

One of the trainees from earlier was watching this interaction. He had a look of shock on his face as if he couldn't imagine someone smacking The Satoru Gojo.

You'd like to imagine he just couldn't fathom such a well-revered writer being so immature, but alas, that was less likely.

If it was possible for someone to be more critical than yourself when it came to work, it was Satoru. He had this sadistic urge in him that made it impossible to not call out the mistakes of others. It stung. That was the truth, but you would rather he tell you his thoughts then lie to your face and laugh behind your back.

Working with him was more of a challenge than a motivation most days. The salary was a great motivation, though. Yaga and his team paid you well. More than that though, was the rage to outlive that white haired tantrum of a man.

You could see it in the way he smirked at you, in the way his eyes found yours when you would slip up, the way he never seemed to take you seriously. This might just be the worst aspect of your personality; you just couldn't help but want to impress people, even if they didn't respect you.

"He seems like fun to work alongside." One of the interns had left the side of his fellow novices. Making small talk, telling a joke.

You shrug at the young man, "Most can't tolerate him for longer than a fiscal quarter. I hope you have what it takes."

He looked down at his shoes suddenly, "Me too."

He was tall, or taller than you at least, sweet, and earnest. He dressed up for every day at the office, he was never late, and he greeted every employee by name - to put it simply, he made a good impression. You turn your chair to him, "How are you liking your internship, is it the experience you hoped for?"

He smiled again, and his eyes practically twinkled. "I'm very grateful for the experience, I'll continue to work hard."

"I have no doubt." You nodded encouragingly at him and turned to face the screen before you. You figured he would move onto his fellows, go work on his project maybe, but he stayed standing there for a moment too long.

He heaved a breath as if steeling himself to say something risky. "Actually, there's something I wanted to ask you."

He looked suddenly shy, "I've read a lot of your stuff, you've been a real inspiration to me, and being able to work here has been-"

You know where this is going, you give him an understanding nod. Reading off the name on his chest, you lean in conspiratorially, whispering "I'm sorry, I won't be able to sway the decisions on who gets offered jobs after your program is up. But you're a hard worker, I'm sure y-"

He startles suddenly, waving his hands frantically, "No! Oh, no, no, I'm not... asking for anything like that... I'm sorry I came off that way, I was just... well," He swallows, and you attempt to track his eyes as they wander, confused about what he could possibly want from you.

"I just... I admire you a lot. You're bright, and...you're beautiful...and I was actually wondering if I could buy you a meal sometime?" He sounded so unsure of himself but he was standing up straight, breathing through his nose.

You weren't sure what to say. You knew you weren't unattractive but to be completely frank, people didn't ask you out. You chalked it up to being intimidating or perpetually busy, or a control freak. Whatever the cause, you were not accustomed to people liking you in that way.

You flush.

"Oh..." You had to replay his words over and over again. Your mouth opened and closed, and you tried to weigh what he was asking. He was cute, but also… he was an intern at the company you worked for.

Before you could even formulate a response, you were jerked back to reality when the gentleman who had just so adamantly confessed his feelings made an "aagh!" noise.

Yaga was tugging him by the ear. "You, young man, better get back to work before I deduct points from your final presentation for fraternization."

He looked overcome with embarrassment, rubbing the back of his neck while apologies spilled from his mouth. Yaga flicked him gently before he could bow anymore and rolled his eyes your way.

Dumbstruck, you stared at the screen of your computer for a long while. A dozen tabs were open, your task bar was still full of items you needed to get to today, even so, you found yourself cupping your cheeks, feeling the blood that had pooled there.

"Please don't tell me that was your type."

You're not sure when he appeared, but Gojo Satoru was staring at you with discernment. He had a judgmental eyebrow raised and he was tongue-ing at his cheek.

"Jesus." You huff, stretching your jaw, trying to brush off the flush you felt atop your ears. "What on earth are you doing?"

You made a brave attempt to type something onto a notation sheet. Dispelling the embarrassment that came with someone actually liking you.

"What am I doing? Look at yourself, you're all sheepish over some kid hitting on you."

You choke, "He's not a kid! He's graduated."

Satoru squints at you now, moving even closer. "Oh my gosh," he pulls a 'I'm-grossed-out-by-you-but-intrigued-all-the-same' face and continues, "are you actually into younger guys?"

"No!" You pant, your hands spread. He wasn't even that much younger than you, but being pressed about anything romantic, especially from Gojo was embarrassing.

"What's with this face you're pulling then?" He tapped the pen he had so rudely stolen earlier atop the wall of your cubicle, "I've never seen you all-" he fake gags, "-shy like this."

You huff, trying to find the words. "I'm-" you scoff, trying again, "not all of us are so used to...that sort of thing."

He straightens up suddenly, pulling his lips together, "Are you saying like... being flirted with?" He chuckles at the idea and you grit your teeth.

Breathing in, you try to laugh, trying to sound nonchalant, but it comes out annoyed. "Yes, Gojo, not everyone has people falling at their feet all the time."

Have I mentioned that Satoru, on top of being an incredibly talented creative, was a painfully striking individual to look at? Well, sure, he was very symmetrical. And tall. And he had...nice teeth. Veins too. It’s fair to say he wasn't lacking when it came to attention.

"So...you like him then." Somehow, he seemed offended at the idea.

"No, not necessarily." Was he trying to insinuate you were some kind of creep? He couldn't have been more than two years your junior. "But he was nice..."

"Nice?" Satoru wheezed. You didn't move. This whole interaction was ticking you off. Gojo's guffaws continued until he noticed you were just silently staring at him. "Are you serious?" He wiped a faux tear.

Why this was so upsetting for you, you couldn't quite place. "Yes, Gojo." You had a bit of an insulted tone to your voice, you wondered why he didn't seem to care about wasting his precious time with you suddenly.

"What... that's all it takes with you?"

Gears began to turn in Satorus' brain as he observed you now, taking in the new information.

"Normal people like niceness, Satoru, crazy, I know." You refuse to meet his gaze but he stands infuriatingly still, arms crossed, before his head canters to the side as if considering the concept for the first time.

"hmm..."

He shifts on his feet. You grow more tense by the second, waiting for his next snide comment. He clicks the pen a few times before slowly, setting it back on your desk. And then he was finally gone.

[golddustwomanwins]

JUNO

Pornstar AU

Pornstar!ArtDonaldson x Reader

18+

I don’t know if y’all fuck with this but it’s something new I wanted to try.

Art had been in the industry for three years when the trend began to arise. He'd usually come into the studio 2-3 times a week, he wasn't as requested as the dark haired, broody guys in the industry. Art was soft. His blondish curls and pale skin made him look like an angel. Not someone who worked in the porn industry. Art was a diligent worker. He’d go to his waxing appointments every three weeks, no speck of gold hair found on his body. Oiled his skin up before every shoot, was friendly and kind and made sure to talk to the girls before a shoot, just to make sure that everyone was comfortable.

In the beginning, his viewers found him too gentle, too meek. Art was loud in bed, he couldn't turn it off, he was insatiable, could shoot for hours if people actually wanted him to. Soft whimpers would fall from his lips every time his hips bucked up or someone dragged their nails over his scalp.

He was usually paired with dominant girls, to balance out his gentleness, someone who knew what they were doing. But just because Art looked like an angel, didn't mean he didn't know what he was doing. On more than one occasion his female artists found themselves reaching their climax during their shoot.

His moment to shine came when the trend of men whimpering and yearning arose on the well beloved Internet. His videos got more attention than ever and Art rose from a few liked videos to the most famous porn star in the industry. There were enough female artists who looked forward to working with him but secretly he had his eyes set on someone for a long time.

As fate willed it, your manager paired you up with Art for one video and the public review went through the roof. You were different, softer and slower than his usual partners. The film makers were worried first that your likeness would not make for a good pairing but your gentleness spurred Art on, made him harder, rougher.

After one video came many more until you both settled into a routine. You became fixed partners in the industry.

Art never found himself lacking in his ability to perform but sometimes he was so nervous before a shoot with you, his shaky hands grabbed desperately for his trusty blue pill...just to be sure.

Sometimes he needed to give himself a hand before a shoot with you to make sure he wouldn’t cum too fast.

"Hey, Lucky Girl," a girl greeted you in the make up room as you fixed your blush. You looked at her surprised. The nickname was a usual, most of the girls called you that ever since you started working with Art regularly.

"Why does everyone keep calling me that?" It was the first time you were brave enough to ask. Three girls looked at you surprised.

"Because you're the lucky girl," one said.

"You got the greatest catch in the industry," another added.

You looked at them dumbfounded, making the girls chuckle.

"Art," they clarified.

"What about him?"

"He's just like the most famous porn star in American history?"

"And I heard he makes most girls cum, is that true?" Your cheeks reddened slightly. When the camera was off you were a rather shy and awkward person, didn't like to mix your private life with your work life.

"I don’t—"

"And he's totally in love with you," they added and you almost choked on your next breath.

"What? No. We're professionals," you insisted. Art was a nice guy, the kindest you had worked with so far but it was purely work related.

"Why do you think he's only exclusive with you?" "Because the viewers liked it that way and the more viewers the more money," you were quick to explain.

"Played right into his cards," one sighed as she put mascara on her lashes. "That man is smitten with you and you don't even know."

Their words had been floating in your head for the rest of the day, creating a knotted mass of chaos. Your mind drifted off once again as you were atop of Art, your hands propped on his chest to lift yourself up and down repeatedly. Art's hands were gripping your hips as soft sounds fell from his lips, his eyes trained on the way your tits bounced with every lift and fall.

The light of the cameras was obnoxious today, people shuffling behind the lens here and there. Art tapped your hip three times with his fingers, gaining your attention. It was his way of asking if everything was all right. Your eyes found his and you tried to find whatever the girls had been talking about. But Art was looking at you like he always did. Soft and gentle.

You stopped bouncing and leaned down to kiss him. Art groaned into your mouth, tongue finding yours as his hands wandered over your back, holding you close to him. Your lips trailed along his jaw and down his throat as his heels dug into the mattress and he started to fuck up into you.

You bit your lip to stop yourself from moaning when he hit the right spot inside you. He tilted your hips slightly, going deeper, harder. Skin was slapping as his soft breathes mingled with yours, your hair creating a curtain over both your faces.

"Everything all right?" Art whispered as if he could feel that something had changed. You nodded quickly kissing him again.

"Like that?" This time he asked louder, for the microphone to pick up his voice.

"Yeah," you moaned as he buried his cock into you over and over again. Small shoots of electricity ran through you with every lift of his hips, his eyes never leaving yours.

"Let's switch," Art followed your command immediately. The next second you were under him. He slipped a pillow beneath your hips and slid inside you from behind.

"Fuck," you cursed into the mattress as he thrusted inside, your hips tilted upwards. Your tits dragged against the mattress with every thrust and Art grabbed your neck to stop you from sliding upwards.

"God, I'm gonna cum like this, baby," Art groaned, his thrust become more hurried, the rhythm turning sloppy. You tried to ignore his pet name, tilting your hips up and squeezing around him to quicken the process. You felt your climax build inside you but with the way in your mind you didn’t want to cum.

"Oh fuck, fuck, fuck—" Art whined and a moment later his hot seed spilled inside you. When with Art it was always bound to spill. Cum running down his length as he fucked you through his orgasm, spilling past your thighs and onto the mattress.

Afterwards he tipped forward, still inside you, his cock twitching.

"And cut!" Someone called in the background. Art's chest pressed into your back, his breaths uneven and hitting your neck, making you shiver. When he slid out someone handed the both of you something to cover yourself with as well as a wet cloth to clean up.

"Let me." Before you could take it, Art's hand shot out and took the cloth.

"Lie down." He gently pushed you by your stomach on your back and carefully spread your thighs apart. You watched him with parted lips as he cleaned you with focus. His tongue was poking out, big frame leaning over you and your heart stumbled strangely.

"You sure you’re all right? You seemed out of it today," he asked as he moved the cloth over your thighs.

"How can you tell?" You tipped your head to the side and Art looked up at you.

"You didn't come."

Crimson burned your cheeks and you looked away.

"I don't always have too, that's not my job." "I know it's not but you usually do," he still looked at you and you closed your thighs and sat up. You self consciously hugged the robe around you, the newfound information making you uncomfortable. Actors didn't fall in love. This was purely professional and feelings...feelings would complicate things.

You sat in silence as one of the directors approached you.

"What we got is amazing. You two up for another round?"

Art glanced at you, the way you clutched the robe to your body.

"I don't think I can," Art said and your head flipped around to look at him surprised.

"Well, then I'll see you both tomorrow." Dismissed you quickly got up and left the set, without another word to Art.

[kancelolol]

Serendipitous Treasure Sae Itoshi x GN!reader

After dating Sae Itoshi for a few months—and knowing him for even longer—you always thought that you'd be the first one to say 'I love you'.

wc: 1.5k || Gender-neutral reader || Fluff || Oneshot

"Lower your hat more," you chuckle softly, speaking at a low volume as you usher your boyfriend to follow your orders.

Sae grunts but wordlessly complies, pulling his cap further down this forehead to shield his face. As gorgeous as he was, the last thing you wanted was to be interrupted by paparazzi on his day off.

You tug him along with you, hand in hand down the city's streets while the clear sky and buzzing sun observes from above. He remained close to your side, but whether it was out of concern of his identity being revealed or simply a desire to be near you was a mystery, thanks to his usual impassive demeanor.

Or maybe it wasn't. You think you could make a pretty accurate guess based on how he held onto your hand like an otter holding onto kelp so that it doesn't float away from its home.

As you two strolled closer towards your designation, the number of strangers dwindled until you reached a tiny store. It stuck out like a sore thumb next to the other adjacent buildings, decorated with bright posters and colorful handmade windchimes that dangled from the wooden awning. You push the front glass door open, and a bell rings, prompting a short, elderly woman to look up from behind the counter.

She smiles—her eyes wrinkled and nearly closed—as she greets you, "Welcome. If you need any help, feel free to ask."

You lift your cap a bit to return her friendliness, "We will, thank you!"

You hum a tune that had been engraved in your mind for the past few days, as you saunter through the aisles with Sae in tow. Scanning the shelves full of yarns and threads, you try to find what you came for.

"Would this work?" Sae picks up a plastic packaging containing a bland, metal bracelet base with clasps.

"Ooh! Good eye!" You eagerly bump your shoulder against his, snatching the item from his hand to get a better look.

He intently watches you examine the product, gently smoothing the back of your hand with his thumb. He relishes in moments like these, where it feels like only the two of you exist in the world.

He's used to the buzz of the media. Used to the adrenaline coursing through every player on the field.

And the chase.

The chase for something greater than his present self.

But he likes this type of present. Maybe even loves it.

He loves the way you subconsciously swing your intertwined hands, and the way your lips curled up when you're satisfied with the item.

"Glad we already found something on our list this quickly." You comment as you grab two of the same brand, feeling pleased.

"Well, with how small this place is, I doubt it'd take long to find anything." He remarks, unintentionally insulting the space and disregarding the fact that the store owner was a mere ten feet away.

You let out a silent gasp, "Sae!"

He blinks and raises an eyebrow at your hushed scolding. Simultaneously, a raspy and airy laugh echoes throughout the empty shop.

"It might be small, but sometimes, it's the little things that have greatest treasures!" The old woman grins light-heartedly, fortunately taking no offense to Sae's words.

You quickly apologized before immediately dragging Sae to the furthest corner of the building—which wasn't very far if you asked Sae.

You continued to lecture him about his manners, half serious—half amused. Because after all, you suppose he would lack his usual charm if he didn't actively show off his crown for being the most unfiltered person to walk the earth.

Thankfully for Sae, you get distracted mid-ridicule by a basket sitting at the bottom of a shelf. You let go of his hand—much to Sae's disappointment (he wonders if this is your revenge for his previous behavior)—in favor of crouching down to get a closer look inside.

"Sae! C'mere!" Your eyes sparkle as you look up at him from the ground, holding a few packs of beads and charms. Sae lowers himself to your level, scooting right next to you. You animatedly dig through the basket and debate which ones to get for your matching bracelets, while Sae leans in to peer inside the basket, and then at you.

"Hey! Look! Don't these beads kind of match your eyes?" You light up at the find, picking up the pack before lifting it to his face. When you see how Sae's eyes and the beads glimmer a similar shade of teal, your lips can't fight back the cheek splitting smile.

"I think I'll get this one," you retract your hand, admiring the beads confined in the plastic baggie.

One corner of his mouth slightly curves up as he crosses his arms over his knees, "What? Just because it matches my eyes?"

"Yeah? Got a problem?" You snicker, resting your head against his shoulder.

Both corners now twitch upwards before they fall straight again, "Hmm...no. I guess not."

He runs his hand through the pile of beads, carefully inspecting each one. His movements only stops when his eyes catches a familiar color.

He raises it and mimics your earlier actions, glancing between your eyes and the beads.

"I'll get this one." He states with finality, like no other beads could dream to compare. You look at his selected color and grin like crazy.

"Copycat."

He scoffs, "Well they're supposed to be matching, no?"

"Fair enough," A huff of laughter escapes your mouth as you hold your choice of beads next to his, watching them gleam under the ceiling lights.

"Now we'll always have a reminder of each other." You softly whisper.

You're not doing anything grand. Just squating on the floor of a random crafts store during the afternoon.

But Sae loves it. He loves the pressure of your head on his shoulder. He loves the weight of your body leaning into his, alongside the distinct smell of your fragrance. He loves everything about you, even when your bothersome habits causes headaches from time to time.

Somewhere along the line, somehow, the things he once just liked about you—once despised about you—turned into things that he loves. That he cherishes.

"I'm in love with you."

You don't initially react. But when his words finally register, your head whips around at him while your body shifts backwards. You stare at him with wide eyes, your mouth hung slightly open before it breaks into a huge smile.

"Wow. Is Sae Itoshi actually saying 'I love you' first?!"

He scowls at you, resting his chin in the palm of his hand, "What? Didn't think I could?"

"Sort of?" He narrows his eyes at your response.

You laugh breathlessly as your arm loops around his, "I'm messing with you. Couldn't have you been a little more romantic with it though?"

"What did you expect?" He raises a brow, entertaining your question.

You hold up a finger to your lips, pretending to think, "Flowers. A romantic dinner. You know, the least you could do for your partner."

You only said that as a joke, but he gazes into your eyes with unwavering seriousness.

"Let's do that then."

Your mouth falls open, "What?"

"I'll take you on a date later. I'll find a restaurant. And buy you flowers." He declares. Not like it was a promise, but rather, a factual statement. Like he was going to guarantee that it happened.

You bite your lip to suppress your growing smile, dramatically leaning back with a hand over your heart, "You're making me swoon so hard right now."

He rolls his eyes and lightly smacks the small packet of beads against your forehead. On the outside, you're whining about his cruelty, while you internally replay Sae's words in your head on repeat—trying to push back the giddiness in your chest that's threatening to be displayed on your expression.

"So, am I getting an 'I love you' back or?" He peers at you from the corner of his eyes, head tilted to the side as he looks at you expectantly.

You pause for a few seconds before your lips form a mischievous smirk.

"You technically didn't say it~" You point out in a sing-song voice.

"I love you."

His reply doesn't skip a beat, but your heart sure does.

"...You're such a loser." You maintain your smirk, but you feel your face slowly warming up.

He notices. He always does. But he deadpans anyway and turns his head away from you.

"Nevermind. Just say you hate me."

You burst into a fit of laughter, which you're certain the old woman can hear, but your heart feels too full to care.

Content with your teasing, you lean in and place a soft kiss on his cheek. Your breath tickled his ear as you murmur into it with a fond smile, "I love you too, Sae."

His face relaxes, and his lips quirk up into a faint smile as he admires the beauty of you in your casual attire—while you stare at him like he was your whole world.

Yeah, Sae really did love little moments like these.

Perhaps the old lady was right. This truly was the greatest treasure.

Author's Note

Having major Sae brainrot when I'm not even a stan 💔 His character is just so interesting to write I fear...