#Childe being a hilariously persistent idiot

[dontbesoweirdkira]

For a cunty request can I have a time traveler reader with any of mafia? Maybe Vico or Tommy?

A/N: oh this is going to be hilarious! Thank you for requesting…stay cunty😘✨ (hopefully I did your idea some justice. I didn’t entirely know what scenario you wanted so just some general thoughts)

Warnings: ⚠️a little bit of Joe Barbaro ⚠️

Masterlist

Requests: open 24/7

I’ve chosen Vito because have you ever seen those memes where it’s like, “a victorian child would probably have an aneurysm over this”, yeah…that would be Tommy if you appeared in his timeline

Like that man is stressed the hell out enough! Don’t go ruining his life further with your shenanigans.

Besides Vito would definitely take this far better than anyone else with the exception of the characters from mafia iii. My brother has been to prison, shipped out to war, and now suddenly in the mob…he’s definitely seen some unspeakable shit..

Every soldier has at least one paranormal experience…for him it just happened to be your dumb ass.

He’s not amused by you in the slightest at first..what the fuck is an iPhone and why are you dressed like an idiot? Are you high on something or just unwell?????

“Look Lady, I really don’t have time for this shit and I have places to be. If you need something there’s a Salvation Army right down the block..”

Of course you keep persisting that you’re perfectly fine and that you’re actually from the future. I can just imagine Vito speed walking away with an exasperated expression plastered across his face; you're just continuing to spew nonsense as you follow him.

“I-I don’t want to hear you talk about your fucking bullshit future! Please just go away.”

This man’s blood pressure is through the roof at this point. He’s even trying to physically shoo you away, if it wasn’t for his background he would’ve taken you to the police department.

“Okay do you want a dollar? Huh, will that make you finally stop yapping?? Actually, here take 20 and go away.”

Eventually he just gives up. You’re the most hard headed individual he’s ever encountered and he let’s you follow him. You’re obviously not giving this up.

Partly thinks this is some kind of prank Joe set up to get back at him.

So naturally his first instinct is go go find Joe because if he has to hear the crazy shit you’re spewing, so does he.

Worst. Mistake. Ever.

At first Joe is also trying to get you to leave his buddy alone. Even offering you money just like Vito did earlier but then a light bulb goes off!

Joe’s main mission in life is to piss off Vito and for him…golden opportunity right here for free.

“Sooo…Y/N was it? Tell me, if you are from the future, will Vito always be this fugly?”

“Oh shut the hell up for once would ya? This is a serious situation we have on our hands and you think this is the time to be making jokes??”

“Maybe not fugly but he will end up being a grumpy old man with no wife or kids.”

Joe absolutely loves you and you’re now besties

“Oohhhh no. You two will not be in cahoots!! Joe stop fucking around.”

Don’t worry, Vito eventually comes around to you. He kind of has to now that Joe is riding this thing so hard.

Neither one of them truly believes you though. At least not at first. It’s kind of difficult to prove until the event you’re warning them about actually comes to pass.

You are able to tell them extremely detailed facts and information about themselves and the mafia. You warn them about Henry and give tips about different tasks.

This made them suspicious of you and blew you off as some kind of narc for knowing so damn much. It wasn’t until things started becoming true, they came running right back to you.

They’re both feeling a mixture of excitement, concern and confusion.

Joe doesn’t understand that you only know main historical events and wants you to give him the winning numbers to the lottery.

Vito on the other hand thinks you’re some sort of crazy psychic or maybe one of them aliens from the film he had just seen.

Either way you’re definitely not from here.

Ultimately Vito doesn’t entirely know how to handle all of this. I don’t think anyone would ever be able to fully process this happening. After all you’ve predicted and protected him from, he just accepts that you’re who you say you are.

You’re not a threat to him and Joe seems to really enjoy having you around so I guess he doesn’t really mind you either. He lets you stay at his place too. It’s the least he could do after all your help and the shit he gave.

At least you’re not as bad as that kid, Marty.

[smilingangel582]

I call this a triple release! Time lines are different, of course, but during the day, I'm uploading three fics!

I wanna write for kageyama again! Squeee! I haven't done it in a while, so maybe the usual... kageyama hinata combo strikes back!

Hehe enjoy

Warning spoilers alert

The first year combo!

Hinata was getting better at taking Kageyama's sets, in fact those two are an u stoppage duos.

Prodigy Kageyama and passionate Hinata. These were polar opposites, and no one can believe how connected they are during games...

"Kageyama you are being mean!"

"Enough jabbering, Boke (idiot)!"

That's until their off the field. They are a hopless crew. Daichi thought with a smile. The seniors all understood this usual scenario with the first year combo.

Hinata's orange hair is gripped in a vice grip by Kageyama, with a scary grumbled under his throat as he threatened the little guy. This is usual, and as always, Tsukishima had a snarky comment. "What are we grade schoolers?"

In fact, Hinata face was twisted into a hilarious contorted face of reluctance. He knew by strength he couldn't possibly be Kageyama's equal. Nobody seemed bothered to stop a fight they couldn't interfere with. Not even Daichi.

"Boke! You better understand that there's a difference between you and me -ah!"

He released the orange head eventually and stepped away with one hesitant step. Hinata hadn't expected it to work. He reflexively poked him in the ribs in order to make him shrink away from pain but it was a light squeak that was uncharacteristical of the King.

"Wait... wait... wait. " Hinata leaned forward on his knees, trying to get a better idea of what happened."Did you just squeak?"

"Did not" a childish side glance from a child who is lying to a parent visualised in Tsukishima's eyes. He was not merely called the smartest in the group so he could pass tests. He, in fact, deduced enough of the situation to focus on it rather than spiking for Nishinoya.

"Liar, I totally saw you go - like this!" He reached over to demonstrate, but it was unsuccessful as Kageyama grabbed his wrist with sudden panicked motion. He pushed the hand away before going back to the net, almost convincing. "If you have time to goof off, then I suggest you make ample time to practice with my sets instead"

Hinata being the naive idiot fell for this distraction and groaned "Weren't you the one who started this?"

Tsukishima sighed. He knew this won't be a good ending for a good climax, he called out tauntingly. "Nice way of avoiding a fierce tickle attack from your regal subjects, your majesty"

Everyone stared at Kageyama, now widened in eyes with pure intent of curiosity. But he let his guard down too swiftly when he felt someone tackle him from the side.

Shocked, the speed and reflexes couldn't have possibly been anyone but Hinata himself. The kid attacked him with his nimble fingers on his ribs first "Ahh ha! I knew you were hiding something, I'm not thar stupid to fall for your tricks"

Yameguchi gave a fond smile to him and said, "Yeah right, a minute ago he almost did if it weren't for Tsukki"

"Gaha! Oi, yohohou huhuhuman tahahangerine!!! Ahahahand you'll pay! FOUR EYES!"

"Wow, such recognitions, I'm honoured," he said stoically, not even the least bothered by the warning.

Meanwhile the least of Tobio Kageyama's worries is revenge, he needs to get out of this situation where a monkey is determined to straddle him and tickle him to pieces.

He couldn't help it, but being ticklish is something even Oikawa took advantage of. It was a well hidden secret. Well, until Tsukishima decided to expose him while his little friend almost triggered it. Scratch that ...he did trigger it thanks to four eyes.

"Alrihihihight! Cuhuhuhut ihihit ohohohout Hihihinataa!" Kageyama tried to squirm his way off, but surprisingly, he didn't expect the persistence being a strength that evolved to physical strength.

"Na ah! I didn't even know such a weakness existed on you of all people!"

Blushing harder, he tried to kick his way out and decided to turn the tables though he wasn't experienced in tickle counters.

Hinata was ticklish too and thankfully he burst into quick laughter, "ahahaha Kageheheheyamaaa! Nohoho fahahahair!"

"So fair punk! You started it"

"Ohohoho wehehell thehehen tahahahahake thihihis!!" He started to move his way to reach for his sides again and that allowed a brief time for Kageyama to get his armpits instead.

Stream of giggles left his mouth now painfully ticklish. He was in tears, not expecting the tables to flip.

Tanaka called out "Come on Hinata get the sucker while you can, he's more ticklish than you!"

"Kageyama, kick his ass!" Nishinoya seconded that.

These cheers were Hinata's motivation. He decided that Kageyama's awkward tickling wasn't that bad, but he broke through only to sneak a squeeze to his knee. Hoping it was sensitive, he did this, and much to his happiness, it was more effective.

"OHOHOHOI! Nohohoho Hihihinata!" He was thrown off balance by his own jerking ways. He didn't expect such a counter and giggled back uneasily now, distancing themselves instead of fighting.

"Kageeeyaaamaa~ Come here, and I'll treat you nice and easy" Hinata threw himself back only to grab his knees with firm vigour. It was strange how such an unusual spot could be this vulnerable. Kageyama definitely had similar thoughts as he couldn't attack back but rather shriek in surprise.

"HAHAHA, I GIHIHIHIVE YOHOHOU WIHIHIHIN BOHOHOHKEHE!"

"Alright, game over for Kageyama." Asahi reached to grab Hinata's collar, and he dangled like a puppy. He looked thrilled to see a new side of Kageyama and had wicked schemes to exploit it. While Kageyama was given gentle assaults by Sugawara and Tanaka, who were hungry to join the final bit, but Daichi had ordered them to practice now.

Sure enough, Tsukishima remained in the shadows, smiling at his own play that he scripted with one mere call to Kageyama's weakness. He really became a mastermind, only Daichi suspected that.

Still, it was a good day, Kageyama would often be teased back for that defeat, which Hinata rarely witnesses during most challenges. Poking and prodding on their way back after practice, they were determined to hold another tickle fight, this time hoping who'd win foe real with equal strength.

"That's what makes them a team." Suagwara chuckled, locking the gymnasium.

"Yeah," Daichi grinned, now looking at the unfolding evening sky to night as time got much delayed.

[rascals-forthememories]

Jemíma Ámbar del Mar Hernández moodboard + random headcanons

🎤♬⋆.˚➤Born in the late 80’s, ok 1990 which makes her a millennial of course. She's the oldest child in a large family and is very protective of her younger siblings. Her parents are a bit old-fashioned, but they love and support her unconditionally and, is really close with her mom in particular (don't worry this time the dad is nice and happy). Growing up in a traditional Mexican household they instilled strong family values and taught her to be respectful and responsible. Although there might be some clashes over musical pursuits and relationship with Keegan. ^Her parents don't always understand her love for music and rebellious streak and they're constantly worried about her dating life however they later accept and supported it.

🎤♬⋆.˚➤^Her dad got a job offer in the U.S and they decided to move for a better life, or maybe the whole family wanted to experience life in a new country or just could have been a mix of both. Whatever the reason, the move was a major change for her, throwing into a whole new environment and culture. (It was tough, but gradually stared to adapt it, start with new school, make new friends and figured out in and outs of American culture yet embraced her new life and still holding onto her Mexican heritage)

🎤♬⋆.˚➤Jemíma has honey blonde hair, tanned olive skin toned despite her Mexican heritage. As said her mother is a white Latina from Colombia while her father is a Mestizo Mexican. This mix combination of her parents' genes could explain why she's blonde and also mixed cultural background. Plus, she's slightly different from her siblings who might have taken more after father.

🎤♬⋆.˚➤Lead vocalist of the band, her voice is soft and melodic, and she has a way of hitting the perfect notes, expressing emotions through her singing. Keegan is absolutely smitten with her and musical talent.

🎤♬⋆.˚➤^At first, she was hesitant unsure about the idea of joining an all-boy band, but Ajax and Kick were incredibly persistent and convincing. And they promised her a chance to take the lead vocals, which ultimately got her to say yes. She's not just a pretty face in the band; she's a force to be reckon with.

🎤♬⋆.˚➤Jemíma learned to cook from her mother and grandmother and has an incredible talent for it. And since the garage is kind of like a home base for the band, she often brings food over and the dudes also look forward to visiting her home to have lunches as well! Not just for her killer vocals.

🎤♬⋆.˚➤Since Ajax has a habit of writing ridiculously stupid lyrics in his spare time, Jemíma helps him out and becomes a lyricist too despite lead vocalist. Calls her ''Jem'' which pretends to hate but likes it.

🎤♬⋆.˚➤Constantly roasts the guys for being messy, unorganised and forgetting important band stuff (just like Merrick). They probably tease her for being the ''band mom'' who nags them. Sometimes they playfully bicker about how she shouldn't be part of an ''all-boy band'', but secretly they love having her around. (''Can you believe we've got a girl in our band now? It's a little funny seeing her do housework. We should nickname her ''the garage maid'' ''Yeah, you should be called the ''garage idiot'' because you can't keep this place to save your life. I'm also the one who organises everything, including scrubbing this dust covered vinyl's. So, your welcome'')

🎤♬⋆.˚➤Has a knack for sneaking up on them and scaring them when they least expect it, which always results in some hilarious screaming and jumping around. Rigging up a glitter bomb that explodes when someone opens a cabinet.

🎤♬⋆.˚➤DENIM GIRL! Girly owns like many denim jackets, jeans, patterned, stars, glitters sparkles and so on. Favorite band merch item is a leather jacket, which the guys help her decorate with pins and patches (Prob gifted by Keegan) (Swag certified).

🎤♬⋆.˚➤Loves to sing in the shower, belting out classic rock songs while the guys bang on the bathroom door, telling her to hurry up so they can use it next. Soft spot for animals! She pets a stray or buying cat food from the store. Always wins when they play card, video games or board games. The guys lose and blames her for their defeats.

[lavendermin]

would you mind | childe

pairing | childe/reader

word count | 1.9k

genre | developing relationship, light smut, complicated feelings

If ever there was a force greater than the ancient winds of old Mondstadt, it was that harbinger from Snezhnaya. All it took was one afternoon during your shift for him to gain an interest in you—a fascination maybe.

The Fatui weren’t known for a good reputation in Liyue, and it only made you a bit uneasy knowing his high ranking—a cautious approach to a stranger in higher power. You couldn’t deny him and you didn’t dare show disrespect for subtle fear of consequence.

Rumors of people getting blackmailed—or worse— from getting tangled with the Fatui spread like wildfire in the harbor. Though they were baseless accusations, they didn’t stop from simmering in the back of your mind. The ‘what if’ was a damning point your mind made. Rumors didn’t come from nowhere around these parts.

Though Childe carried a sense of danger with him, there was something about him that kept your nerves manageable. The persona he carried was very impressionable, maybe even a little irritating at times. He was a persistent one.

“Mind if I join you for lunch?”

“Sir… I work here.” He knew this, too, yet he always arrived at the tea house with the same line. Still, you were quick to tend to him.

Childe hummed, eyes grinning with him as he happily plopped down at the table you swiftly offered him. “I’ll take that as an opportunity. The usual, please.”

Just treat him like a normal patron, was a personal mantra to get you through a shift at the tea house.

You were just lucky he was well-mannered. It made dealing with him easier. There was something about him that irked you, but at the end of the day he was polite and never forced a conversation if you were busy serving others.

“You don’t seem to talk much these days,” Childe notes as he swirls the remnants of his tea in its cup. It’s nearing closing time and you keep glancing over at the clock as he makes no move to leave. He sighs dramatically, “I miss our conversations.”

It’s playful, knowing full-well you hardly ever speak to avoid trouble from your boss. Maybe you would blame it on the exhaustion of a long shift, maybe put blame on lack of sleep. The comment, however, still makes you break seriousness and you erupt in an abrupt fit of laughter you quickly fight to quiet down. Luckily you’re closing by yourself tonight.

The sound is melodic, surprising Childe as a grin grows on his face. Though your back is turned as your shoulders shake from suppressed laughter, he can see the embarrassed red at the tips of your ears.

Oh, so you did find his company entertaining.

Your back straightens, and when you turn around you’re back to keeping him at a distance with an air of seriousness. Nothing more than work and patrons.

Childe leaves after wishing you a safe trip home and thanks for the wonderful service, as usual. The briskness of the cool night air keeps his mind intrigued once more with the mystery that surrounds you. Duty in Liyue was getting quite boring, and he decided to indulge in figuring you out.

“Would you mind if I joined you for a stroll?”

The familiar ginger hair strode up matching your pace. In the bustling crowd of the harbor, his presence sticks out like the cries of seagulls overhead. Maybe it’s your paranoia, but you swear people make an effort to move away from your little bubble he now infiltrated.

Still, he’s a harbinger.

So you nod quietly.

“I’m just running errands. It’s quite boring.” The way his eyes linger on yours for a second longer has you averting your gaze. The smile he wears… since when did it make your chest squeeze?

“I’m sure not as boring as some of the tasks I’m given,” he chuckles.

“Paperwork, I’m sure,” you guess idly. The vague smile he throws you has something about it that sends chills running down your spine.

“Something like that.”

The chuckle you give him is a little nervous. You aren’t sure what tasks he gets but you aren’t sure you’re willing to find out.

“Feel free to join me if you’d like, then.”

And for the rest of the day he patiently strolls around with you around the harbor through idle chatter. From dock to dock he follows, offering to pay the entire sum of anything on your errands list. The unlimited financial power he holds both terrifies and amazes you.

From then on, his company became frequent on your errand runs. Many shop keepers at first got anxious with a Fatui agent escorting you around, but his bright charisma won them over eventually. Business was business in the end, and his tendency to let the shopkeeper ‘keep the change’ won the favor of many.

You forgot when exactly you stopped trying to shake him off altogether. Perhaps you got too complacent since there was little you could do. Some days you even enjoyed his company. Childe was a good listener on days when you were a little more talkative, and he would always answer with utmost sincerity.

Yes, you looked forward to his little greeting and chance encounters on the harbor. Part of you hated the fact that you got so comfortable with him but the louder part of you was conflicted with bubbling feelings for the harbinger. For months on end you kept those feelings suppressed in the deepest parts of your heart.

And then the storm season hit.

“Mind some company?”

The water dripped down your face, soaked clothes clinging to your form as you stood under a tree near the outskirts of the harbor. Your eyes were wide, doe-like as you peered up at the familiar voice.

“Oh, sure.” Your eyes drift back to stare absentmindedly at the puddles rippling in the rain. “I was just waiting for the rain to let up a bit so I can make it back home.”

Childe hums, his usual charismatic smile bright on his face. It’s a little dangerous, and makes your heart race. Addicting.

“You know, at this rate you’ll get sick by the time you get home. I say we just make a run for it,” he offers with a devilish grin.

The frown you give him only further amuses him. “Run? Through the pouring rain?”

“Got any better ideas?”

You sigh, the sound of pattering rain filling the silence as you weigh your options.

“Fine. Okay.”

He grins, and you surrender to letting the harbinger have his way in the rain. Through the streets you both run, footsteps cutting through puddles and crowds of people with umbrellas. It’s thrilling and you can’t help but laugh at how fun running through the rain is. You both look like lovers that got caught in an unfortunate circumstance, and your chest wells up with feelings as you watch Childe pull you through crowds and street vendors.

The storm is raging outside, rain pattering on windows that rattle softly from the wind. It’s soaked you both to the bone by the time you arrive at your little flat. The room is quiet save for the rain that relentlessly knocks on the windows.

The quiet sound of panting fills the room as you both catch your breath from running through the rain, towels draped over your heads as you try to warm up.

“It’s pretty rough out there,” Childe notes, looking out the window. “Any longer out there and the wind might have picked you up before I did.”

It’s wordless—the way you join him by the window to look out at a grey city. You give a silent hum as you finish towel-drying your hair. The expression you wear is serious, aloof as you’re unreadable in your thoughts.

Childe is the first to speak, his voice soft and sincere—perhaps a little disappointed at your return to keeping him at arm’s length. “I’ll get going then. Glad you could make it home sa—“

It comes as a surprise—the sudden kiss you give him. Your small hands pull him down by his shirt collar to meet your lips in a rushed kiss. He’s quick to return the gesture, his lips curved in a smirk against yours.

You pull away breathless, face a little flushed. The frown you wear is adorable, a pout almost. “I hate that I like you.”

Childe is at your lips again, a breathy chuckle rumbling through his chest as he cages you against the wall. “And here I was thinking I’d never woo you, what with you not liking the Fatui and all.”

You cut him off with another kiss to hide the heat rising to your face. “Stop talking.”

He laughs wholeheartedly, his body against yours as you melt against his lips. It’s needy and rough. The sounds of your soft pants and little gasps are washed away by the rumbling thunder outside.

And through the storm, you spend the night. Childe feels like he’s won—gained one step closer to knowing more about you. He wanted to know all your faces, uncover all the mysteries and unknowns you held. And through the night, he learned of your sensitivities, the little noises you made, and the gestures that made your heart leap.

He had you around his finger. But perhaps the same could be said about him.

Early morning comes, the light barely coming through the window to illuminate the dark room. From under a mess of sheets you stir, body sore. Your fingers graze over the blooming markings on your chest and neck.

Beside you Childe sleeps soundly, his broad back dusted in light freckles and scratch marks. The way he hugs the pillow makes his sleeping face look almost kid-like in innocence. You’d never think he was a war machine for an archon.

You push the sinking feeling away, and brush some hair out of his eyes. The featherlight kiss you place atop his head stirs him from his sleep.

“Mornin’. Here I thought you would be gone by now,” he mumbles groggily. With his tousled hair and sleepy smile, you find it incredibly difficult to feel annoyed.

“I live here.”

He chuckles at this, grabbing you by the waist and pulling you against him. You scramble to pull the blanket over your bare body and though he finds it amusing, he doesn’t comment on your shyness. “Would you mind if I stayed the morning, then? The rain isn’t letting up anytime soon.”

“That sounds like an awfully obvious lie,” you retort.

It’s hard to ignore the hardness that presses against your abdomen. The lack of shame on his content face irks you. Still, you don’t deny the way your body heats up once more.

“Your face is just so cute when you’re begging,” Childe teases, pressing kisses up your neck.

“Childe, sto—haah.”

In a swift motion, he has you straddling him. You can feel his hardness press against your ass, sending a shudder of anticipation through your body. The ache in your thighs tries to protest against the lust-driven haze clouding your judgement.

Childe’s hands are already massaging the soft flesh at your hips, hands waiting for permission. “What do you say, sweetheart? Another round if you can keep up?”

“Y–You have duties to tend to, don’t you?” you bring up meekly, eyes shut tight as he bites a sweet spot on your neck that hitches your breath. Slowly, your mind is losing itself, drunk on his attention again.

With a smirk against your skin, he answers simply, “They won’t mind my whereabouts in this weather.”

[palettepainter]

How the teachers play favourites

We all know Aizawa and All Might have their favourite UA child, Shinsou and Midoryia. And yeah I know Bakugo and Todoroki are also their UA kids but shhh, Midoryia and Shinsou where the first UA kids they adopted. 

And you can’t tell me Aizawa and All Might play favourites with them, All makes Deku lunch like..hello?? Aizawa gave Shinsou his capture weapon, HELLO?? 

So here are some dumb headcannons for how the other teachers play favourites to their UA kids

Ectoplasm and his UA kid Jiro:

-When he gives back marked tests he’ll sometimes write small encouraging notes for his students to read, he does this to some students when he feels they need a pick up but he always leaves a positive one on Jiro’s 

-During lessons where students are allowed to study in the lesson Ectoplasm lets them listen to music on their phones, everyone thought he would say no so everyone - mostly Kaminari and Mineta - peer pressured Jiro to ask. To no ones shock except Jiro’s Ectoplasm replied with a calm “Sure, but only if you use your headphones”

-Jiro talks about new songs that have been released and Ectoplasm will listen to her geek out about music

-Sometimes Jiro will tell Ectoplasm what her and the rest of the band (herself, Kaminari, Momo, Tokoyami and Bakugo) have been doing and if they’re working on any new songs in-between their studies. Jiro jokes that Ectoplasm is their biggest fan but Ecto is genuinely supportive of their band and admires their creativity

-Jiro once entered maths class and said “Hey miter Ecto, what’s shakin’ bacon?” and while the whole class was stood there in silence thinking Ectoplasm wouldn’t reply he said “Not much double dutch” and then Jiro went to her desk as thought nothing out of the ordinary happened. Kaminari tried to do the same thing to him and Ectoplasm just went “Kaminari your shoe lace is undone-” Jiro was very amused

Powerloader and Hatsume:

-This one started out more like this - Powerloader: Who’s idiot kid is that?....*realises it’s Hatsume* Oh shit- THAT’S MY IDIOT KID-

-Hatsume showed up at the design studio and never left basically, so Powerloader got used to her. He knows Hatsume overworkers herself so he keeps spare energy bars, fruit and bags of crisps in the design studio. He brought a small microwave and kettle for the winter so Hatsume could make hot drinks and food since she insisted on finishing her ‘babies’

-Say’s he doesn’t worry but still insists she goes to recovery girl when she gets a scratch or blows up the studio, sometimes dragging her there himself, ranting all the way about how she’s an idiot. One day Hatsume ended up breaking her leg during a bad explosion and Powerloader very nearly had a heart attack-

He kept a close eye on her while she worked from a wheelchair at her desk

-Makes her wear a god forsaken jumper in the winter when the design studio is freezing, stupid dumb teenager you’ll catch your death of cold

Present Mic and Kaminari:

-This man is shameless with playing favourites

-He greets Kaminari with his signature finger guns and an enthusiastic “AAAYYYY KAMINARI!” Kaminari shoots finger guns back with an “Ayyyyy teach hozit hanging?!” Everyone in class knows Kaminari is a teachers pet despite how Kaminari insists he’s not

-Mic knows Kaminari has a crush on Jiro and Kaminari is an embaressed child who is like “omg msiter Mic STOP-” while Present Mic is coeing and being all like “Aw that’s adorable!”. He always puts Jiro and Kaminari together in group projects, Kaminari shoots him a flustered glare cuz Present Mic knows what he’s doing 

-Kaminari teaches him meme/slang language for laughs and everyone in class hates it, Kaminari finds it hilarious. Eventually Mic gets the hang of it but he sucked at using the language correctly at first 

-Calls him lil listener and Kaminari calls him loud mouth 

Midnight and Yaoyorozu

-Another teacher who is shameless with playing favourites

-Midnight being a teacher does have to enforce the dress code if she sees a student wearing their uniform incorrectly - loose tie, untucked shirt, odd brightly coloured socks, chockes, etc. Midnight really doesn’t care all that much if a student’s socks aren’t the sae colour as their shoes...buuut she’s a teacher so she has to enforce it. Except when it comes to Yaoyorozu. Yaoyorozu one day had to wear light blue socks into UA as her tights where damaged, and she was worried she’d be called out for not following the dress code. Midnight saw, and turned a blind eye. She was in the middle of telling someone off for not dressing correctly, saw Yaoyorozu with the odd coloured socks and went “-Oh hello Yaoyorozu you have a good day sweetheart! ^^”

-Always complients Yaoyorozu when she comes into class. Oooo did you try a new hair style? Honey it suits you! New note book, such cursive hand writting! Glad to see you got those new pair of shoes, trying a different shoe brand this time? Very stylish!

-Had been tempted to kick Mineta like a beech ball on more then one occasion when he wouldn’t back off from Yaoyorozu

-The kind of teacher to say “I taught her that~” when Yaoyorozu uses one of her combat techniques

-Girl gossip. She tries to guess who Yaoyorozu will get with, meanwhile Momo is just blushing and blabbering because that isn’t very appropriate for history work. Midnight bats a hand is like “Pft I’m the teacher I can gossip in my own lesson”. Puts her with Todoroki during group projects and she, like Mic, 100% knows what she’s doing

Hounddog and Shishida

-Hounddog: I am not soft....*holds up Shishida* EXCEPT FOR MY 1B CHILD WHO IS VERY STRONG AND HE’S GOING TO BE A HERO DON’T @ ME HE’S AMAZING-

-Encourages Shishida to let loose with his beast form, with his rish upbringing Shishida isn’t used to embracing his more wild and uncaring side, having been raised to always be propper and polite when not in combat. Hounddog geuenily puts in effort to be a little less grumbly around Shishida cuz he doesn’t wanna peer pressure him, he’s giving him time

-Keeps a spare cloth so Shishida can clean his glasses off when and if they get dirty from training

-I imagine Shishida having a quirk called beast and having a more posh upbringing prolly has a little bit of anxiety, having to always be polite and propper even with a quirk called Beast. Sometimes he vents to Hounddog about this and he listens, insisting that it’s better Shishida get it off his chest when he apologises for drowning on

-During training Hounddog basically throws him about like a beanie bag at first, Shishida was still a kid and Hounddog had years of experience. The day Shishida finally knocked him down with a hard punch to the side of Hounddog’s face he felt...bad. But Hounddog was beaming! Shishida may have cried a little bit

Snipe and Hagakure (picked hagakure inspired by a suggestion @snipe-enthusiast made a while ago)

- Protective af

-Hagakure screams the innocent dorky girl of 1A, and thought Snipe makes sure none of the girls deal with Mineta’s bull while he’s around he’s especially protective of Hagakure just cuz...well, have you seen the way she acts? She’s innocent, peppy, happy, cheerful, and Snipe does not want that tainted by Mineta’s preverted ways

-After the exam with Hagakure and Shoji Snipe apologized for what happened and so did Hagakure, admitting that she over-reacted. 

-Hagakure admits one day to Snipe that she’s worried she won’t make it as a hero cuz her quirk isn’t flashy like her classmates. Snipe reassures her by saying that no one thought he could be a hero when he was little (this headcannon was inspired by @frelmidja and a post this did with Snipe) - guns weren’t exactly considered heroic and he got teased in the beginning when his quirk first activated. He told Hagakure to keep working hard and that she had the potential and the drive to be a hero, Hagakure was very thankful for the reassurance

-Hagakure really wants to see what Snipe’s face is like and constantly asks him if he could take his mask off and show them, Snipe has yet to break and take off his mask but Hagakure is very persistant 

Cementoss and Bondo

-Chill babies, they sit and have tea together. 

-I imagine Bondo to be the kind of person to accidentally call Cementoss dad, it happened once during one on one training and he got so embarrassed. Cementoss kept telling him it was fine but Bondo left in a hurry after

-Bondo tried to make certian shapes out of his glue one time but ended up getting himself stuck, Cementoss helped him out and reassured a disheartened Bondo that everyone makes mistakes and that he was progressing well 

-Being one of the taller boys in 1B he often has to hold back Monoma from going over to 1A when Kendo isn’t around, often tries to diffuse conflict before it gets worse, Cementoss is very proud

-After one on one training the two go to the lunch hall to get a hot drink after cleaning themselves up, Bondo tries to bring a different type of tea sweet each time - something like biscuits or chocolate. Cementoss returns the favour by bringing Bondo manju to have after his training

Thirteen + Gunhead and Uraraka

-Proud mum and dad because I couldn’t decide between the two

-Uraraka researches into the affects of zero gravity and how to better use her power, due to this she’s become a bit of a space nut and enjoys thinks like star gazing. When she was a kid and saw Pro Hro Thirteen on the TV she was ecstatic! Her parents brought her a Pro Hero Thirteen plush on her seventh birthday, Uraraka still has that toy. One day the toy got misplaced in the students washing and got mixed up with the teachers, Thirteen was a bit confused why a plush of her - and a well loved one by how old it looked - ended up in the wash. Uraraka hurridly rushes over to explain when Thirteen comes into the students dorms asking if it belonged to anyone. When Uraraka explained she got it when she was younger cuz she’s a big fan of Thirteen...heart squeeze

-Asked Uraraka if she could teach her the gunhead martial arts move, Uraraka was so honored she got to teach one of her idols a combat move! Through the gunhead martial arts move Thirteen met Gunhead and the two become good friends

-One day when Gunhead is teaching Thirteen the martial arts move with Uraraka to help demonstrate Uraraka wanted to take a picture of them all together. Gunhead was too tall to fit into the picture so he kneeled down to be at the same height as Thirteen and Uraraka (he did bunny ears behind Thirteen’s head and Uraraka thought it was adorable)

-Gunhead pretty much puts two and two together with Uraraka having a crush on Midoryia, so one day when Thirteen mentions in passing conversation how giddy Uraraka gets when she’s around this one green haired kid Gunhead just chuckles behind his hand. Thirteen and Gunhead think it’s very sweet how Uraraka totally has a crush on him (unlike Mic and Midnight thoug they don’t force anything and let Uraraka figure things out on her own)

[if-found-return-to-gusu]

Happy Birthday to Me Pt. 5

And so my kingdom rejoiced, led in their jubilation by their handsome, kind,  and most humble king. 

There was a bit of dissension in the masses however when I rightfully proclaimed Lan Zhan, bringer of booze, to be the best. Because he was. 

“And what are we?” cried the malcontent, “He’s not the only one who paid for those.”

Jiang Cheng then thwapped me on the shoulder to punctuate his point. Not one to take a declaration of war lying down, I thwapped him right back. But before a true battle could commence, we were put in our place by the High Queen Shijie. She told us to set a better example for our niece and nephew and we were properly contrite. 

It would take more than a sound scolding to keep the smile off my face though. Especially with little A-Ling eyeing my shiny crown from his place on his father’s lap.  It was quite fun to watch his willpower slowly fading as his desire finally won out. 

He slid off of his father’s lap with a look of careful concentration very reminiscent of when he had been carrying the bunny earlier, and toddled over to me. 

“I wan be keng!” he burbled, making grabby hands at my crown after he managed to clamber onto my lap instead.

“What?” I gasped dramatically. “Why that simply can’t be allowed! Why if anyone who wanted could be king then everyone would be king! I’m afraid you’d have to fight me for it!”

Ooooh that little boy knows how to work a crowd. He stuck out his lower lip with just the perfect level of tremble. His eyes went wide and glistened with moisture. 

Soon a quiet but persistent whine started to emanate from the small child. 

The peacock looked hilariously resigned. Clearly this tactic was used quite often and I’m guessing with quite a lot of success.

Not being made of stone, I crumbled before him. Removing my plastic crown, I bowed humbly before the usurper and offered him his prize. 

“You have defeated me! I shall abdicate my kingdom to you. Hail to the new king! May he rule his subjects fairly!” I said with an appropriately warbling voice. 

Shijie watched this with an amused smile never leaving her lips. The transaction complete, she told her new king that he still needed to finish eating his food if he wanted to be a strong ruler. 

The crown sunk past his eyes when he nodded at her in agreement, but he looked more than satisfied. His goal having been accomplished he didn’t hesitate to further his betrayal by abandoning me again in favor of his golden father, who for his part looked entirely too proud of his little boy. 

I looked over the remains of my fallen kingdom to find that no one seemed to much care about the change in dynasty.  They were all too busy chattering to each other to pay me much mind. I started to pout a bit before something interesting perked my ear. Nie Huaisang voice drifted my way, positively calling for my attention with that conspiratorial tone that always promised a juicy bit of gossip. He was talking to MianMian, Gamby, and Qin Su who all seemed equally captivated.

Apparently Lan Zhan had IMPRESSIVELY long hair in his youth. Long and shiny. 

“Never got caught or a single split end! I swear! Gift from the GODS that hair!” he claimed. 

“Really? What made him cut it?” Gamby asked with mirth glittering in her lined eyes. 

“Some dickwad got gum caught in it so he just hocked it all off.”

The girls looked rightfully aghast at that information! How could you do that????? There’s ways to remove gum without a sword! What a shame!

I couldn’t complain too much though because it did seem that Lan Zhan was growing it out again. Certainly it had gotten much longer in recent months and with how meticulous Lan Zhan is in every part of his life I doubt he would let this slide were it not completely intentional. 

After it was clear that his audience was hooked, Nie Huaisang’s expression turned positively devious. 

“But I never told you about the valiant Lan Wangji’s heroic conquest over the vile beasts that once threatened to claim this humble one’s very life!”

“Huaisang…” Lan Zhan growled in warning. 

This only made SangSang’s shit eating grin grow wider and his audience to listen with even more rapt attention. 

“Oh how frightful!” Qin Su said, playing along dutifully. 

“What kind of beast?” MianMian asked, pretending to be playfully amazed. 

“Why it was a terrifying…”

“Huaisang.” Lan Zhan said, sounding even more dangerous now. 

“Ferocious!” SangSang said with ever increasing drama.

“Don’t you--”

“Porcupine!”

His audience gasped accordingly before we dissolved into giggles. 

Now in Lan Zhan’s defense they were both young and porcupines actually ARE pretty terrifying in person even if they’re rather adorable. Spiky butts aren’t exactly the best for cuddling. 

Apparently Nie Huaisang, in one of his rare steps into boldly daring to imitate his brother, had tried to pet a group of porcupines. When Lan Zhan stepped in to save him from his spiny doom, they decided that HE was the true enemy and chased him all around. 

So now porcupines are to Lan Zhan what dogs are to me. Absolutely no judgement here. It’s not even that bad of a story, but Nie Huaisang apparently loves to tell it because for some reason Lan Zhan is REALLY embarrassed by it. 

To help him save some face while everyone giggled at his frankly adorably mortified reactions, I decided to speak up. 

“So basically you were an idiot who wanted to try to pet a wild animal that would absolutely kick your ass and Lan Zhan got the short stick after very bravely saving your sorry hide?”

“Yup. Pretty much,” SangSang agreed with absolutely no shame. 

I rolled my eyes at him, but then turned to Lan Zhan who seemed not to be listening anymore. I chuckled a little at him for being silly and tried to pat his arm a bit to comfort him. He looked up at me and I managed to coax a little smile out of him in the end. Poor guy. 

It’s much more reasonable to be afraid of porcupines than of a chihuahua. 

And you’re much less likely to be faced with a porcupine in daily life. EVERYONE fucking has a dog. Uugh. Crazy ass people. 

After that there was a lot of eating and chattering and cheers to my health which caused more than one cheek to color a rosy red. I was starting to feel the edges of a buzz myself, though since I wasn’t drinking on an empty stomach and downing three bottles all at once I was doing much better with my liquor than when I’d accidentally got wasted in Lan Zhan’s apartment.

Ugh. How mortifying. 

Please don’t judge me for that time. I normally can drink forever without a problem. It was a fluke!

[thebeautyofdisorder]

The Undone & The Divine (BBC Dracula) - Chapter 5

A/N: Okay...this took far longer than I expected it to, but to be fair for five minutes I was almost convinced to take a break and leave it at four. Five minutes is giving it too much credit, I think. But, either way - here it is. I hope you enjoy it. I labored over the last bits of this for far too long wondering if I was getting too ahead of myself, but... what the hell, right? Please reassure me with comments.

Rating: still T, for blood, language, and a bit of dubious consent/alluding to adult concepts 

Pairing: Dracula & Zoe/Agatha Van Helsing

Chapters 1 & 2 Here - Chapter 3 Here - Chapter 4 Here

Can be found on AO3 - Right HERE -

Chapter 5

It was another two weeks before Zoe saw sunlight again. Not out of any kind of vampiric repulsion, but purely due to the epic workload she had set up for herself. She knew as much as she hated to admit it that Dracula was right. She had a limited amount of time to make good on her intentions and an expanse of scientific ground to break, more than she had ever envisioned for herself. 

Worse, there was a level of occult knowledge that she needed to reacquaint herself with since she’d tossed it in the bin twenty years prior, but Agatha was at least useful in that respect. Granted 1897 was not the most ideal cut off, but it gave her a decent groundwork. What wasn’t useful was the obvious glee that overcame her in the presence of the monster Zoe had been taught from an early age was basically the devil incarnate. And it’s not as though the nun even disagreed with the assessment, save her belief in the literal devil causing a bit of a contextual conflict. 

Zoe had always took pride in her stoicism, but Agatha was quite the opposite. She’d always found some sort of wicked, curious amusement in everything, even in the face of death – and vampires, apparently. Not that she didn’t have a very personal reason to be interested now. No, ignoring Dracula was no longer an option. Understanding him was the only way to fully understand herself, and whoever else the Count was no doubt soon to add to the ranks of the undead. 

As much as she detested to admit it, she could feel herself changing – slowly, but surely evolving past the limits of what it had always meant to be human. Everything was different – the way things smelled, looked, tasted, felt… there wasn’t a sense unaffected. And with it had grown subtle, gnawing hunger that she was determined to repress – or, currently, find a safe way to sate. And she was close. So close. But without a few more key bits of information from the beast himself, there was no way to be sure.

She had let him be for now, since she knew they at least had time in that regard. Dracula was many things, but a total idiot was not one of them, and no doubt he’d taken notice of the pattern just as easily as she did. The longer he spent with each victim, the more ideal the transformation after death. Instant kills were a 50/50 shot at best. If he was on the lookout for another ‘bride’ – even if he’d found one, there was no way he’d waste his newly renewed hope by getting overzealous. Zoe alone seemed to be the outlier of that unspoken rule, but ingesting so much of his blood (and also being on death’s doorstep already) seemed to have been the push.

It wasn’t like she didn’t know where he was. In fact, she found that if she let herself focus on him too long she couldn’t seem to avoid getting a sort of passing ‘update’ of his current actions – whether she wanted it or not. Just the person she wanted to be mentally connected to. Though whatever the connection was, it seemed to be a two-way street as opposed to the sort of controlling thrall that he had over certain others. At least she hadn’t caught herself doodling ‘Dracula is God’ in the corner of any of her notepads, thank fuck for that.

After a couple of weeks, however, the peaks at his consciousness were becoming more involuntary – either that, or he’d found out a way to push them at her deliberately, which wouldn’t surprise her in the least. An array of miscellaneous throats, mostly – with the occasional face to go with them even, but a strangely short order of corpses. Not too surprising given his renewed intent to procreate, but she expected the body count would be still reasonably…abundant. 

Despite knowing she should be relieved, Zoe felt a creeping sense of dread. How many people did he intend to turn? To keep up with his usual appetite he’d have to be keeping a menagerie of donors. Willing donors. For a brief, mindless moment she wondered to herself how the hell he was managing that. Her own voice (more or less) answered in a clipped mocking laugh, echoing out loud in the silence of her office. 

Tall, dark, handsome, well dressed, charming – in a snakey sort of way with no particular sexual preference, in a city full of jaded, power starved people longing to escape from their problems, with a cynical attitude toward life and death?  Christ’s sake, they were in the age of the opioid epidemic and the man was walking heroin. Literally. The world was doomed. 

Ready or not, it was about time she stopped making things so easy for him, Zoe decided, packing up her latest round of experiments and locking them away. Just because she couldn’t kill Dracula (yet) didn’t mean that she couldn’t distract him - a thought that she was well aware originated more with Agatha than herself, but the scientist in her was still fully willing to embrace. 

The methodology was...negotiable, they'd settled on vaguely as Zoe found her way quickly home to her flat. 

Once she decided to figure out his location, it didn't surprise her that the count was 'on the prowl', but she did have to roll her eyes at his choice of venue. Apparently he was going to make following him inconvenient. It definitely wasn't a club she could just waltz into dressed like a science professor and blend in. 

But this is good, he won't be expecting your intrusion. 

...Or he's expecting me to show up in a lab coat and give myself away Zoe countered internally, becoming arguably far too comfortable with disagreeing with her own inner voice as she yanked out a little black dress from the back of her wardrobe and tossed it on her bed, along with her far more lived in leather jacket.

Fine. This was fine. If she could keep randy 20-year-olds focused on studying science instead of each other on a regular basis, she could certainly handle putting a wrench in a 500 year old man-child’s seduction techniques. 

------

Of the numerous intrigues and conundrums the 21st century had wrought upon the Count, the notion of the vampire being not only a cultural topic of admiration but practically a fetish was one he had never seen coming. He was actually embarrassed it had taken him this long to fully comprehend and, in turn, utilize this phenomenon. It was true none of his earlier victims had really been surprised when his teeth sank into their necks, but the full scope of it had never really ‘dawned’ on him until baring his fangs had inspired one too many bouts of earnest excitement. It was frankly hilarious, not to mention convenient, though truth be told he was beginning to miss the charms of inspiring unholy terror. 

Not that the initial euphoria didn’t quickly evolve into proper panic once the reality of exsanguination occurred to them – if he allowed it to. He sometimes did, particularly since he was losing patience with being told it wasn’t Halloween just before ripping into their throats. He opted not to keep those idiots around, more often than not. The undead didn’t need any more denial in its ranks - Zoe was already proving to be so far immune to his influence in every way, he did not need any more deviance. 

It luckily hadn’t taken Dracula long to finally hit the smorgasbord: an entire dark room, filled almost entirely with dozens of willing, believing victims. So many nocturnal souls, full of wickedness and naïve delight at the mere thought of a creature such as him walking amongst them. Many of them even liked to already call themselves vampires, some in jest and others in actual earnest - artificial fangs and all! It was downright adorable. Now why should he, of all people, ruin their fun? 

It never took very long to capture someone’s attention, and that particular night was no different save for the fact that his potential prey had suddenly turned their attention away from him and was having some unknown words whispered in their ear by a woman he vaguely recognized as the bartender. 

“I…um, I need to go. Emergency,” The young woman stated in the broken persistence easily identified as that of an unpracticed liar, and she dissolved hurriedly back into the darkness from whence she came. 

Dracula’s head tilted briefly in confusion, but then in realization he sighed as his eyes scanned and locked in a glare on the slender figure at the far end of the bar who was smirking at him. 

Striding over with exaggerated reluctance, he leant against the surface at her side.

“What did you tell her?” 

Zoe shrugged, still clearly pleased with herself. “Just enough to make you sound revolting. Not exactly hard to do.”

“No one likes a cock block, Dr. Helsing,” he accused with a raise of his brows, looking down at her.

Zoe chuckled aloud. “I think we both know your cock isn’t something to worry about,” she replied, eyes rolling at his apparent need to show off his modern vocabulary. 

“Ouch,” he rumbled, amusement still glinting in the black pools of his eyes despite his attempt at a pout. “Should I be offended?” 

“Is there even anything to be offended about?” She found herself asking, and briefly cursed Agatha’s ever-greedy curiosity.

The Count’s brows shot upwards, in either genuine surprise or a good ploy of it as he turned his body to face hers. “Are you asking if I’m, as you say, ‘fully functional and anatomically correct’? Oh dear, now I am offended.” It didn’t falter his smile.

“I just assumed you saw everyone as little more than happy meals with legs,” she said in, granted, unnecessary explanation for the question. Never in anything she’d seen or heard of his attempts to seduce or charm did he seem to be in pursuit of anything but dinner.

“I’m a man of many appetites, some just supersede others,” he replied simply, at first, though quickly amended. “And certain aspects of being a vampire does make it difficult to find a partner who will remain conscious or even survive the experience through to its conclusion.”

“Sounds like a self-control problem to me, though...I wouldn’t have thought the killing part to be an issue for you,” she uttered in return, more of Agatha’s intrigue popping out without her consent. 

His eyes narrowed knowingly, as they always seemed to do when he sensed Zoe’s words were not always her own, though it didn’t stop him from responding.

“I may be undead, but I am no necrophile. I told you I like the lively ones, and I meant that. Even if the vast majority are ‘happy meals with legs’ that’s no reason to ignore what’s between them. Where do you think all that blood flows to when you’re aroused?”

“Sorry I asked,” Zoe clipped, eyes rolling again in sheer avoidance of his probing gaze.

“Maybe I ought to try some restraints,” he mused thoughtfully, ignoring her comment entirely and refocusing on his current ‘conundrum’ she’d been so kind as to bring to the forefront of his thoughts. “I fed from an interesting little dominatrix the other night…”

“For them or for you?” Zoe found herself snarking back, beginning to wonder if it was a better or worse choice to let a nun have this conversation in her place.

“Oh, them. It would keep them conscious a bit at least. When your saliva is a sedative, over-eagerness just breeds trouble. I don’t even know if they make anything strong enough to restrain me. Silver…if you believe the stories, though I’ve never tried it.” His brow quirked upward lasciviously at her, an obvious lure. “Perhaps you would do the honors?” 

“Perhaps I should try to stake you, just to be sure. You never know, I could get lucky.”

“Now, now. We both know you’re not going to do that. Come on Agatha – don’t think I don’t know when it’s you, you always were a curious cat - if things went your way I’d still be locked in a box to prod at for the rest of eternity, all for the sake of extending your morbid curiosity. I was extending a courtesy with that offer. It could be the closest you’d get to satisfaction in that regard. Or any regard," he drawled, punctuating his already not-so-subtle meaning by moving in closer still, deliberately intrusive. He lived to infuriate. 

Agatha’s first instinct was to aim a slap at his absurdly smug face just for the audacity, regardless of Zoe’s opposing instinct to ignore him entirely. Apparently the nun won out, though the speed in which her hands zoomed forward was an impossible thing, and as Zoe feared, a grave mistake. The older vampire caught her hand in his massive fist before it came within an inch of his flesh, with a look of pure satisfaction. In the same gesture, his other hand shot to grasp her throat and by the force of the movement alone urged her back from the bar and into the shadows just beyond it. The music was melancholic, but loud and just chaotic enough to drown out the faint growl erupting from his throat. 

“Ooh. Look at you go. I think my blood really did do the trick, didn’t it? None of my brides, before or after their full transformation, could even come close to my speed. And you’re already halfway there. Not to mention completely immune to my power of suggestion yet still able to locate me, it seems – very, very irritating, but impressive. Any fangs yet?” 

Struggling briefly in his grasp, she bared her teeth at him spitefully, showing off her teeth’s lack of points. 

“Aw. What a pity,” he sighed, letting go of her hand, but kept her neck in his grip – not squeezing, but present and unmoving, nonetheless lest she try to attack him again.

 “Still trying to fight it, aren’t you? Zoe’s just a stubborn thing, she wants to prove me wrong. But you…you are trying to protect her. From me…herself, I don’t know, but it’s only going to end up driving her mad.” 

“It’s completely feasible to resist the blood lust,” Agatha persisted, meeting his steely gaze with her own. “She’s figured out how it works, what the vampiric body needs to function.” 

“And I suppose you’d be the expert at resisting lusts, wouldn’t you?” His fingers tightened minutely around the long column of her throat, and his words were a harsh whisper that’s effect on her body mocked the very virtue it was pretending to praise. 

“For once, Dracula, stop flattering yourself,” she spat, turning her head as much to look away from him – at anything but him - as his hold would allow.

“I never flatter myself. You stop elevating yourself. You’re not a nun anymore, you’re just another wayward soul. You’ve died twice trying to rid the world of me and we’re both still here. Take a hint.” 

“Perhaps I’m still here to stop you,” she suggested, finally turning back to face him with a challenging lift of her brow.

The Count met her challenge with a look of utter acceptance , his face leaning down to hers in what to anyone else would be a clear threat - and to anyone else, it was exactly that. To a normal, non corrupt human his kiss meant instant submission, the predator incapacitating his prey. 

“Then, by all means, stop me.” 

She stood stiff in the face of his intimate approach, for a moment able to ignore any further context and simply prod at him. 

"Your delusions won't work on me anymore," Agatha reminded him blandly, pushing breath out with each word just because she could. 

This gave him pause for all of a moment, but it was seemingly only to observe her stubborn face with faint amusement. 

"Good," he uttered against her lips with mocking simplicity, but before she could take another breath he was kissing her hard and to his utter relief, didn't get limp, clouded acceptance in response. 

She let out a frustrated growl of her own in protest, more human than beast, though her attempt at clamping her lips closed in protest came a moment too late. He'd captured her lower lip between his own and she felt the sharp scrape of his canines as he pulled, still prominent without the animalistic haze of hunger. 

Her initial will to resist buckled to make way instead for an aggressive refusal to be dominated - whether those forces had names or were shared equally between the Van Helsing women, he couldn't say, but instead of allowing him to ravage her mouth unopposed, or even to attempt to fight or flee as the Count half expected, she'd responded with equal fervor - out of lust or spite or both. Her blunt teeth bit down hard where his had only nipped and her previously limp hand found its way to the back of his head and anchored itself in his locks to counter the tightening of his grip on her neck. 

The snarl that reverberated from his throat and into her mouth was every bit as bestial as hers was human, and his grip tightened dangerously just before forcing her backwards and away from him like he was embracing an open flame. She barely caught herself before crashing into a wall, but still looked on with unadulterated satisfaction as Dracula looked twice as shaken as she did in the face of his first kiss in 500 years that didn't end in immediate surrender. Men - alive or dead - were all the same. 

After a moment, he caught himself, letting out a wicked chuckle in the face of her smirk. "We'll make a monster of you yet, Van Helsing," he assured her raggedly, bluster gradually returning to his stance and the set of his jaw as he watched her.

Zoe - and fully Zoe at that moment righted herself from where she leaned against the wall, adjusting her jacket, the satisfied look still in her eyes. 

"Happy hunting, Count Dracula. Just don't expect me to make it easy for you."

And without looking at him again, she walked passed where he stood and headed in a leisurely stroll towards the exit, forcing her heart rate back to its normal deathly calm. 

----

I’m not even sure what to say to this other than either I’m sorry or your welcome. I’m just going to tag everyone who’s nerding has inspired me to continue, regardless if you’ve showed any interest in reading or not. If you want to be tagged, let me know

Tag List: @charlesdances @bellamortislife @carydorse @break-free-killer-queen @imagineandimagine @my-fanfic-library @punk-courtesan @ohveda @wannabebloodsucker @hoefordarkness @mymagicsuitcase @crazytxgradstudent @itendedbadly @theplumsoldier @gatissed @allfandoms-writings @littlemessyjessi @vampiregirl1797 @desperatefrenchwriter @iloveclaesbang @ss9slb @dreamerkim @mephdcosplay @violetmarkey @alhoyin @thozaarmitage @girlonfireice@cipherwheeldecoder @crowley-needs-a-hug @mr-kisskiss-bangbang @iloveclaesbang

[ctl-yuejie]

For the untamed ask game 5, 8, 10, 17, 16, 19, 21 35, 46 and 55

5. Biggest WTF momentThe golden core reveal in the book! ( read it before the drama so I don’t know how much I’d have been surprised without prior knowledge watching the scene in the series). Maybe I didn’t pay enough attention, but from what I remember I wasn’t even sure that Wei Wuxian had lost his Golden Core at that point. So I was extremely shocked by the reveal and also very excited because it made his past actions much more understandable and his dynamic with both Jiang Cheng and Lan Wangji got even more interesting. 

8. Most Confusing Part In The Storyon my first read i had a hard time remembering all characters so i think i zoned out a lot when the story didn’t focus on wangxian, so not necessarily a particular part of the story that confused me but i was just not paying enough attention. also: the timeline is random af.

10. Favourite Fanfic Set-Up Uhhhh!!! I love me powerful Yiling Patriarch stories where he survives the second sunshot campaign and anything and everything that focuses on the Yunmeng brothers relationship after canon. Also: every fanfic about the WangXian family regardless of universe.some great “bamf!wei wuxian survives the second sunshot campaign and adopts everyone”

16. Favourite Habitwei wuxian talking non-stop about lan wangji after they’ve met. so much so that the whole jiang family (read: jiang cheng) is super annoyed by it.

17. Purer Cinnamon Role Than Wen Ning (sorry for all these typos in the ask game) hmmmm…Wen Ning is pretty much peak pure cinnamon roll, but from the younger generation Ouyang Zizhen might even out-perform him. sure he is loud and direct, but also doesn’t know how to act in most social situations because the world is such a happy place for him and did you know that Hanguang-Jun and Senior Mo are dating and they’re not as dramatic about it as I want them to be but still super cute, and wtf Hanguang-Jun is now married to the Yiling Patriarch and all my dreams have come true, i have no idea why Lan Qiren looks so constipated maybe that’s because of Jingyi…..19. Cinnamon Role Meme (4 Characters) 21. A Fanon You Like hmmmm….this is pretty much canon but WangXian adopting everyone and everything while roaming the country & Wei Wuxian managing to cultivate MO Xuanyu’s core.and the lan wangji played inquiry for 16 years fanon. not because i think lan wangji would try and bind wei wuxian’s spirit to him but more so to find out whether he’s at peace and at some point it becomes this tiny remembrance song he plays for wei ying once a year.

35. Who Is The Biggest Disaster many disasters in this one but maybe Jin Zixuan??? i think he is so lucky for Jiang Yanli to be persistent in her love for him and MianMian intervening to clear up some misunderstandings…left on his own he really is a sad disaster.

but there’s some tough competition from wei wuxian, jiang cheng, jinling and more…

46. Favourite Fanfic / A Fanfic You Want To Recommendprepare yourself! (if not stated otherwise it’s wangxian)

since then i am because you are by sarahyyy (very short, fluff, oblivious wei wuxian & marriage)

overcast by willowcatkin (middle-length, canon divergence, role revearsal, accidental child acquisition)

and so my heart beats wildly by lily_winterwood (long fic, modern au with cultivation as an olympic sport, wangxian are competitors)

The (Several) Convenient Kidnappings of the Chief Cultivator by the Yiling Patriarch by misscam (short, some silly sexy fun)

your heart, two doors down by ficklish (middle-length, modern au, wangxian are neighbours, single parent! wei wuxian)

A Little Happiness by Suspicious_Popsicle (middle-length, post-canon, lan wangji turns into a child, everyone panics & wei wuxian just wants him to be happy)

asymptotic by chinxe (middle-length, canon divergence, lan wangji plays inquiry, that is how he encounters wei wuxian for the first time, beautiful but it also hurts)

transcendent by hyunbyun (short, wei wuxian is insecure about being in mo xuanyu’s body, domestic fluff)

Continuation by thefaceofno (long fic, post the untamed canon, hair brushing, some more pining but happy end)

i’d be all right (if i could just see you) byThirtySixSaveFiles (long fic, college au, wei wuxian is an idiot and takes lan wangji to a party)

Libation by BastetCG (middle-length, gods au, tentacle sex but in a very innovative way)

a lot can come from being in love with your captain bythefaceofno (long fic, part of a series, star trek au, various pairings, action & romance)

How Wei Ying Went from Oblivious Idiot to Shameless Boyfriend in Three Days by misscam (middle-length, college au, wei wuxian is oblivious but tries to be oh so helpful when lan wangji seems to have a crush on someone)

Adventures in Solitude by etymologyplayground (short, hurt/comfort, the untamed episode 16 canon divergence, lan wangji tries to come to the aid of yunmeng)

every time we kiss i swear i could fly by sarahyyy (short, kissing booth college au, lan wangji has a misunderstanding and is sad but all is well)

The Last Three Feet by etymologyplayground (middle-length, wangxian are oblivious, domestic downtime in cloud recesses with sizhui)

A Start on How by misscam (middle-lenght, college au, sleepovers!!, lan brother feels)

critical path analysis by chinxe (long fic, b99 au, hilarious perfection, it is scary how well the characters fit)

dirty politics by sarahyyy (short, politics au, wangxian are in a secret relationship but oh so wonderful together)

Rumor Doesn’t Have It (But Wei Wuxian Is Determined to Change That) by misscam (middle-length, post the untamed canon, everyone is weighing in on the relationship of the yiling patriarch and the chief cultivator, maybe wei wuxian should make some of the rumours come true)

Found Family by tulirepo (short, hurt/comfort, lan wangji finds ah-yuan on burial mounds, all the found family feels)

i want your heart to be for me by ThirtySixSaveFiles for sealdog (middle-lenght, wangxian soulmate au  but set in canon, usually not a soulmate au reader but the concept is tied in super nicely into the story here)

to recollect and long for by mme_anxious (middle-length, all the found family and ah-yuan feels, hurt/comfort)

Grand Pianos Crash Together by etymologyplayground (long fic, post canon, wangxian find back together: an epic)

grief; the stages of by synonemous (sussiekitten) (long fic, the whole story in a modern setting, stuck in early 2000 wei wuxian is hilarious)

Sleeping in Paradise by daiki (middle-length fic, thematic fic, wei wuxian survives the sunshot campaign, jiang yanli lives, jin rulan’s relationship to the mysterious sleeping person at lotus cove)

What Rests on Tea by Gotcocomilk (long fic, yunmeng feels, jiang yanli & jin zixuan live, inventor!wei wuian, some great hurt/comfort)

and i will go this way by detention_notes (long fic, post-canon, wangxian write each other letters, wei wuxian travels with lesbians and harrasses friends and family on his roadtrip)

Not Just Netflix and Chill (Or Lan Zhan’s Lack of Grasp of Euphemisms) by misscam (short, modern au, lan wangji is the cutest and wei wuxian is helplessly in love)

These Things Stay the Same by notevenyou (modern au, war zone/disaster zone journalist! wei wuxian, sizhui feels!!!!!)

works in progress (they are all very, very good)

a stone to break your soul, a song to save it by rikke (long, almost finished, arranged marriage to save the yiling patriarch, yunmeng bro feels)

Death of a Ghost by Gotcocomilk (long, wei wuxian materializes as a ghost after his death, major yunmeng feels, he raises all the children)

Flowers of Blood and Bone by Sakurafubuki (AriasOfSnow) (long, vampire/vampire hunter au, a lot of action, great world building, crafty!wei wuxian, vampire!lan wangji)

I will surrender (myself to this moment in time) by Naamah_Beherit (long, post-canon, wei wuxian wakes up in gusu but has no idea how he got there, angst (with promised happy ending), lan sizhui calling wei wuxian father feels, wei wuxian gets confronted by the darkness in his life)

Lying on the Edge of a Star by Suspicious_Popsicle (long, slow-burn, wei wuxian falls into young lan wangji’s courtyard who is falling fast and deep, pity that to wei wuxian humans are but a fleeting existence)

please forgive my most passionate disruptions by pumpkinpaix (scribogenesis) (long, modern college au, wei wuxian is a stripper, lan wangji binds himself by his family’s old customs, marvelous character study, all the lan/yunmeng/wen sibling feels)

The storm comes and goes (and I keep walking) by Naamah_Beherit (long, wei wuxian survives the second sunshot campaign and roams the country as a rogue cultivator, he adopts all the children)

55. A Story-Arc That Haunts Youdefinitely the yi city arc!!!! i both love and loath it because it is just so sad and horrible but also has some stunning visuals, wei wuxian being a badass kindergartner and some big reveals for the main plot.

The Untamed / MDZS ask game

[ohstardust]

Rose Coloured Boy - [5/11]

Summary: Sebastian Stan & Eleanor Egan spent the better part of six years being the European outcasts of Rockland Country Day School. Despite growing through their teens as best friends, college soon broke down their friendship until nothing remained. Ten years later, a turn of events in a city as large as New York City, finds them running in the same social circles once again with nowhere to run, and nowhere to hide. Pairing: Sebastian Stan x OFC Word Count: 3.8k Masterlist / Story Background / Playlist / AO3  A/N: Sebastian & Eleanor are finally having the reconciliation talk and I’m so here for the angst. Also, I need a Chace-esque friend in my life.  Part 4 // Part 6 

AUGUST 2011 Everything about this situation should have felt far stranger than it did, and considering it did indeed feel rather bizarre, that was really saying something. A mere two weeks had passed since Damon’s birthday, just two weeks since Sebastian had sauntered back into Eleanor’s life, yet here she was, downing Sambuca shots at his birthday function, wondering why on earth she was here at all. As far as she was concerned, she shouldn’t be. Sebastian had been rather insistent though, acting relatively nonchalant about it to his friends, not taking into account how they’d known him far too long, and knew him too well, to let the shrug of his shoulders throw them off the true force of him extending their invites to Eleanor. It was evident it meant a great deal to him for her to be there. But Eleanor wasn’t exactly sure why.

if she was to be honest with herself, seeing him again after all of these years, had sent her head spinning, and she felt more guilty, and terrible, than she had throughout the time following her disappearance. All she wanted to do was have a sit down conversation with him, explain what had happened and try to make him see her teenage motivations, she owed that to the both of them. But she was ashamed, and too tremendously nervous to even approach him, let alone invite him to lunch for a perhaps involuntary walk down memory lane. So, instead of confronting her fears head on, she downed as many shots as possible and took whatever hard spirit she could get her hands on. Eleanor had spent the better part of half an hour trying to casually glance in his direction, aiming to be as discreet as possible which was an utter shit show considering the amount of alcohol she’d knocked back. Her body was loose and her eyes were wandering despite the conversation she was in the middle of with Lisa and Sasha. He looked really well; his face, and body, had slimmed down, his smile was as bright as she’d known it to be, and his confidence had grown a considerable amount since college. But she could still see through the facade he put up as he commandeered a room full of people. She didn’t remember him looking quite as stunning as he did now and that thought haunted her. This was dangerous territory, all things considered. “Earth to Eleanor.” “Shit sorry, Lis, what were you saying?” “I don’t think it matters, it seems you’re far more interested in the birthday boy.” She shrugged her shoulders and grimaced at her friends, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Sure sure honey,” Lisa smirked over at Sebastian and back to Eleanor, “whatever you say.” “How are you doing after the whole- y’know - situation.” Sasha nervously glanced at her friend, stomach sinking a little when she watched the older woman shift uncomfortably, throwing back another shot and wincing. “If you’re referring to Rhys then I’m feeling pretty dire actually,” she coughed and cleared her throat, her eyes downcast as she fiddled with a charm on her bracelet, the sharp edges pressed into the pads of her fingers for a moment, “I get it, I really do, but it doesn’t hurt any less. Still feel like I’ve been winded.” The thing with Rhys was, he’d been the longest standing boyfriend she’d had to date. It had only been nine months, one month longer than than her last relationship had been, but she connected with him, really connected with him, far more than she had with the others and she felt more heartbroken and cut up than the combination of all her past, failed relationships. I’m twenty-nine years old, she’d cried to Damon last week, is this how it’s always going to be? A short in-between relationship? “When does he leave?” “Tomorrow, he’s catching the four thirty-five pm flight from JFK.” “Are you going to say goodbye?” “We thought it was best not to, everything we had to say has already been said. I’d only say something stupid to stop him leaving anyway, and there’s no use. He needs a new life, not me. I’ve made my peace with that.” “What’s the next step?” “Pay more attention to the relationships I still have, work on the ones that need mending,” she caught Sebastian’s gaze and they raised their glasses in celebration as they exchanged small smiles, “Or I could just get utterly trashed and pass out in the bathroom. I’m good either way.” *-*-*-*-*-* Chace dragged her to brunch a few days after the party. His concern with her break-up was increasing tenfold and, although he didn’t want to push the situation that was surrounding them, regarding their mutual Romanian friend, he figured the older man could pull her out of her sour mood if they were given the chance to hang-out. Besides, he’d missed the other man, months having passed by since they’d been able to catch up properly, without loud thumping music, too many people or a quick phone call. He told himself he wasn’t there just to be the buffer between the two - he wanted to spend time with his friends - he definitely wasn’t using himself as an excuse. Eleanor wasn’t so easily convinced. “You don’t have to hash all this shit out today, okay? I just thought it would be cool for us to hang out together, and maybe you two can talk,” she raised her head to glare at him, a sour expression overtaking her face and took interest in the magazine between her fingers, again, “fine, make small talk then.” “Better bring a knife, ‘cause there’ll be plenty of tension to cut,” she sassed as he plucked the offending article from her hands and flung it on the coffee table. Chace was all too familiar with the stubborn nature of his friend, had been on the receiving end of her foul moods more times than he cares to remember, but he matched her in his persistence and wasn’t likely to take no for an answer from her when he had her best interests at heart. They both loved their friends equally; would bail them out of jail, pay an extortionate ransom  to save their lives, would lie in the gutter with them at four am after a ridiculous night out, would risk themselves for the sake of the others to keep them out of harms way, but beneath it all that, Eleanor & Chace had a special bond, a connection that had them both migrating together and the Brit likes to think he’s the sibling she never had. “Fine, fine. I’m going,” she locked the apartment door behind them and dragged her light denim jacket over her arms, grimacing at the man and pulled her hair loose from her collar. “Stop being a Bitter Betty for two minutes and deal with this, you’ll thank me later.” Small talk with your former best friend is as horrible as it sounds. Fifteen minutes into the relatively stilted conversation, Eleanor debated excusing herself to head to the bathroom to make a hasty escape through the window, but this wasn’t some ridiculous rom-com that would resolve itself after a tongue-in-cheek failed escape and a mildly angsty shouted explanation and apology, this was her life and she knew full well she had to be a woman about this and suck it up, guilt and awkwardness be damned. She was the picture of small smiles and politeness, interjecting in the conversation where necessary, enough to not be considered rude, and hoped it would suffice for the men in her company. Chace wasn’t stupid though, and he wouldn’t allow her to sit there with little engagement, that hadn’t been his plan or what he’d wanted to happen. He began telling silly tales from the past year, all hilarious and mildly embarrassing (mostly on Eleanor’s part) until she began to whine and pout like a child and correct him when his storytelling went intentionally awry. She flung her arm out and smacked his chest, grinning as he barked out a slight winded laugh, “Don’t listen to a word he says, Seb. He doesn’t know his arse from his elbow.” “So I’ve noticed, he’s all talk, isn’t he?” The older of the two men laughed behind his hand, comically whispering loudly to her, glancing over at the Texan who did his best to not appear bemused. And just like that she felt the tension slipping away, almost like he’d been waiting for her to be the one to break the resolve, to slice through the top hardened layers of awkwardness until it hit common ground and lightness. Eleanor snickered and nodded, one elbow bent on the table to prop up her chin and the other hand patting the younger’s bicep, “That’s our Chace.” “He’s a character, that’s for sure.” “Thanks man, knew I could count on you.” “Idiot.” Eleanor stated fondly. *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* SEPTEMBER 2011 ‘Hi Sebastian, it’s Eleanor. I hope you don’t mind Chace giving me your number, I just wanted to see if you’d maybe like to meet me for lunch? We have a lot to talk about and I want to try and clear the air between us. I understand if you don’t want to, but please let me know either way.’ The tone of her text message to Sebastian felt so foreign and wrong, it was too formal and uncomfortable to be sending to someone who spent too many years being her best friend, who knew too much of her early life to deal with formalities, but she constantly reminded herself that they weren’t those people anymore, and she had no right to keep a jovial and light tone with him these days. She’d have to earn that again - if he allowed her to that is. She’d busied herself for a few hours, following her sent message, and, for the most part, her apartment was gleaming. Her head was buried in the oven as she worked the scrubbing brush over the appliance, the scratching and scraping of the bristles was almost loud enough to distract her from the ping of her phone, but she’d faintly heard it, the sound echoing louder and louder in her head as she began to think of a hundred things Sebastian could have responded with. And then she began to fuss over the idea that it wasn’t him at all, so she stayed scrubbing for a while longer and hummed along to the radio to block out the noise in her head. Eleanor was borderline embarrassed by her behaviour that afternoon, her lack of being able to remain calm and adult-like within this situation had her scowling at herself in the bathroom mirror in annoyance, “You’re an idiot, Egan, pull yourself together woman.” A steaming mug of tea sat on her coffee table begging to be refilled whilst her phone sat mockingly beside it. She spent a moment or two trying to focus on the television set, and some idle programme that was playing, but it was no use, she needed to rip the band-aid off and deal with whatever fate Sebastian had chosen for them. She tried to carefully pull on the cup despite her slightly shaking hands, hissing as the hot liquid sloshed over the rim and settled on her bare legs, and pulled it to her chest, curling into the arm of the sofa with her phone in her other hand. ‘Hey El. No no it’s fine, lunch sounds good, 1pm tomorrow at The Distillery?’ ’Sounds perfect, see you tomorrow’ “Is this as weird for you as it is for me?” She huffed out a laugh and wiped her palms along the thighs of her jeans, fidgety and anxious and wondering what had possessed her to deem this a good idea. They’d been inside the restaurant for five minutes and she already wanted to bolt, she’d felt that the moment she’d walked through the door and found Sebastian sat at a table, thumbing through his phone with an apprehensive expression. He’d slowly placed it on the tabletop the second he noticed her and slipped her a soft smile that lightly pulled on the corner of his eyes. Sebastian had always been that person to ground her, but he was suddenly making her feel flighty and her stomach churned at the shift of his role. “Well it’s not feeling all too normal for me, so I’m going to say yes.” “I didn’t mean for this to be awkward, I’m sorry.” His tongue wet his lips and he folded his arms to rest on the table, his body arching forward, “It’s not awkward, I’m just still trying to process you being here again.” “I really fucked up.” “You’re telling me,” he huffed out a laugh and shook his head, “for years I wanted an explanation, I mean I still do, of course I do, but I don’t know how much it matters now.” “Please don’t say that,” she weakly pleaded, not prepared for his nonchalance, “of course it still matters, isn’t that why you’re here?” “I guess so.” “Look - Seb- Sebastian - I don’t want you to feel obligated to try with me, I understand if you want nothing to do with me at all, but I’m not willing to walk away from our friends just to make it easy for us. It sounds selfish, I get that, and maybe ten years ago I would have walked away just to avoid conflict, but I’m not that person anymore and it’s important that you know that, I need you to know that it’s not because I don’t care, it’s much the opposite.” “Christ, I don’t feel obligated, Eleanor,” his eyes softened and she felt herself sinking when his hand touched the inner of her elbow to reassure her, stop her from running, “sure- I was surprised when I first saw you, I didn’t think I would again, and I felt conflicted for a bit - it was just unexpected, that’s all. It’s been a really long time and I’d adjusted to life without you. But I’m willing to bet that this isn’t just some coincidence that we’ve crossed paths again, you’ve gotta be here for a reason. I have the chance to know you again, and that means something to me.” “It shouldn’t do, you have every right to hate me, I’m not naive to think otherwise.” “I won’t ever hate you, and y’know that really. I just wanna know why you gave up on me. On us. I just - I want to know what I did wrong, El.” Eleanor all but gasped at his words, they felt like a punch to the stomach and she was momentarily winded, of all the scenarios she’d mulled over, his self-blame was not something she’d contemplated, because she hadn’t blamed him. Not much at least. “It wasn’t - ever - it was never your fault, Seb, not at all. And I didn’t give up on you. It was never like that.” His voice became more frustrated as she skirted the conversation, the lack of answers was starting to wear him down. He lowered his head more to take a good look at her, his eyes sought her out and he wanted her to feel the extent of aggravation because he supposed she did somewhat deserve it. “Then what was it like? One minute my best friend was living in the city, the happiest I think I’d ever seen her, we were still as close as we had ever been - or at least I thought we were - and then the next minute she leaves for England, so closed off that she doesn’t speak to me for almost ten years. There wasn’t any real warning, it was all and then nothing,” he sighed and scrubbed his palm over his face, fingers digging into his closed eyes, “one day I had you and the next I didn’t.” There was a medium pause whilst she collected her words, tried to find the right way to tell him, to make him see her reasoning even if she questioned and doubted it herself, “I’ve thought about it so many times since then and nothing makes sense - at least not properly, and it always sounds so stupid - but it all became too much. Life became too much. Conflicting time zones, missed phone calls, unanswered emails - everything felt different and it felt like the end before I’d even decided to call it quits. There were times when our calls were inconvenient, you were busy with your friends, and I didn’t want to begrudge you that happiness, but it made me miss you more and I felt so lonely being away from you. At one point I didn’t know if I was even going to return, I thought about dropping out of NYU and staying with my family.” “I tried so hard to give you as much of my time as you wanted, I didn’t want you to feel that way.” “I know, and that’s why I don’t want you blaming yourself for any of this, because you’re not at fault. My anxiety just grew worse and I allowed it to get the better of me, I thought too much about how well you were doing with school and it felt inevitable that you’d move on without me sooner or later - it’s unfair to think that of you, trust me I know. I know-knew - you better than that, but that felt feasible at the time. You don’t know how much I’ve agonised over the ever since. But the space felt too much, for the first time in our friendship it felt like hard work and it shouldn’t have done. All I thought was it’s never going to get easier, even when we’re in the same city again. We were too dependent on each other, too close for that to not matter. In some ways it felt like a relationship. I felt like all I’d do was hold you back, you didn’t need to be hanging on, waiting for me to come home, at the time it felt like it was the best course of action for us both. I thought it was what we needed.” “But you didn’t give me that choice, El!” He barked out an exasperated whisper to avoid drawing attention. Sebastian had always had the most expressive eyes of all of the people Eleanor had known, his emotions lay right within them and the look he gave her had her understanding the extent of her selfish actions far better than his words ever could. They’d softened and looked awfully sad, she hadn’t expected him to feel this way after a decade, hadn’t realised she’d meant quite that much to him, or to anyone for that matter. “You should never have taken that choice away from me, you took the one constant thing in my life away from me, that anchor, and I felt like I was floating around, not knowing what the fuck was going on or whether you were okay.” Her voice lowered and cracked, “I know, I had no right.” She couldn’t look at Sebastian, all she felt was shame and embarrassment and hurt, realising that she’d not only hurt herself, but she’d really hurt him too. Her eyes watered and she willed them to clear, she didn’t want to be upset over this in a public place, didn’t want to express this in front of Sebastian, it wasn’t fair on either of them. “I didn’t think it would matter to you as much, but now I know I was wrong.“ She rubbed at her eyes furiously and kept her head lowered. “You couldn’t be more wrong if you tried, draguta. You have no idea how much you mean to me.” Sebastian watched the tears as they pooled in Eleanor’s eyes when she raised her head to gauge his expression, “Mean? As in still do?” Sebastian pulled out his wallet and threw a few notes down on the table between them before looping his arm around her and pulling her out back, behind the restaurant, “Of course you still do, you loser.” Her tears dripped off her chin and her body shook, her emotions had burst out of her and Sebastian could do nothing more than wrap her up in his arms and rub her back soothingly. “Please don’t cry, you’re here, I’m here, we’ll get it right this time,” her head stayed buried in his chest as she tried to calm herself down, so Sebastian ran his fingers through her hair and held her tighter, “just don’t go making my decisions for me, don’t shut me out.” “Promise.” *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* DECEMBER 2011 New Year had always left a sour taste in Eleanor’s mouth (the alcohol), an ache in her bones (the loneliness) and a longing to hold onto a year for a little longer (the need for more time). There was nothing quite like the feeling of leaving good, or bad, memories behind in the yester-year, the nostalgia it left in it’s wake was nauseating and she’d always laughed as she told anyone who would listen about how she’d prefer to sleep from the 30th December to the 2nd of January, just bypass the whole shebang. This year was no different, she still wanted to curl up in her apartment, block out the world and pretend it didn’t exist for those few days, but her re-kindled friendship had put a firm stop to that and he’d insisted their group reconvene for a ‘celebratory piss-up’ (Sebastian’s literal words, they’d caught her by surprise too and she’d been unable to stifle a snorting laugh because maybe he really had spent too many years around her). She was still trying to make amends despite his insistence that he’d more than forgiven her, and if he said jump, she’d willingly ask how high? to appease him as much as possible. That was potentially, or rather most likely, the reason she found herself 4 glasses of wine in with an arm thrown around Sebastian’s shoulder and her other glass filled arm in the air singing Don’t Go Breaking My Heart. It was ridiculous, and hilarious, and reminded her of that New Year of 2001, when they were still students singing along to Billy Joel. Her life had come full circle and right then she couldn’t be anymore thankful for the events that had led to them standing there, a decade later, in a similar, yet wholly different, situation. Life had its funny ways of working. As midnight struck, the pair had embraced each other tightly over a defining cheer of a new year and clinking of glasses, light kisses of forgiveness and new starts were shared between them, and Eleanor had a very good feeling about the year to come for the first time in a while. *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Rose Coloured Boy tags: @lovingfionn​, @lowdenglynnstyles, @outofworkactress, @prettyboytgc, @ugly-crying-over-bucky-barnes, @kyber-hearts-and-stardust-souls

[diary-sc]

Janaury 25

04:42

A Little Motherly Context

I know this is extreme and I’ve already made two posts tonight but I want to dedicate a post to my mother specifically for a lot of reasons.

As I said before, my mother became poor and I was to live in a poor lifestyle along with her and my four other siblings. Within the apartments, there was cockroach problems, crumbs covering the carpets, and overall chaos. We had switched apartment rooms within the complexes of the one landlord we had. My mother gave up her bed so my sister and I could sleep on it instead while she slept on the three kid’s beds pushed together on the end. The bed we slept in had no cover, was covered in lipstick stains along with other questionable looking spots, and we practically soaked in food crumbs. Classy.

My siblings were always a hassle. The oldest half-sibling would throw large fits and throw all the toys down the stairs while screaming at the top of her lungs, the twin boy was a total crybaby, the twin girl was a complete sweet heart (I have hope for you, please don’t let me down), and my oldest sister also happened to be a giant crybaby about e v e r y t h i n g. There was never any peace in this household as there was always crying, screaming, or loud yelling.

My mother has a new abusive boyfriend every month. It is becoming impressive how persistent it is, but my sister did not take these instances light hearted and would have a breakdown just about every single week. I do not blame her though. When I was younger I would ball my eyes out every single time I was brought there by my dad. Eventually your emotions become null to this pain and it’s no longer a problem.

I find my mother quite hilarious, you know. The father of my three younger siblings had hit me rather hard on the back before as a method to get me to move out of the way (while he honestly could of just moved around). My mother had a freak out and called the cops (note to others: the cops won’t help you). There was a large red handprint on my back and nothing was done about it. She left his home for a while only to go back. This isn’t a new concept of course. She had always said “I’m going to focus on my children now. I care for you blah, blah” only to get a new boyfriend within the next two weeks of saying that every time. Eventually she gave up on that speech so at least she isn’t lying as much anymore.

It got worse with age. It came to the point where one of the boyfriends pinned a small child (I believe she was about 7 or 8 years old at the time) to the wall out of anger. My mother did not bat an eye while her young children were wailing and crying at the boyfriend to not hurt their sister. She has abandoned us while pretending like she cares time to time. I was used to this but my sister had a breakdown. My mother is broken and I have abandoned her as well. If you dare even shed a tear of my death, my dear mother, you should know where a lot of the fault lies.

It was not terribly long ago that I had given myself a stress fracture in my left foot. My father was in the room with me and the doctor had said that my blood pressure was a little high. My father took the opportunity to smoothly call me fat, lacking in diet, as well as exercise. This wasn’t the first time but it certainly does hurt. Eventually I was crying in my room (which is not a normal occurrence so it was a little unfortunate) when my mother had called me. She could tell that I was crying over the phone earlier and she acted like she was pretty upset with my dad for the comments that he had made. She gave me an entire pep talk and how my dad is a complete idiot for even making the comments.

You know what I did? I cried out of joy because in that moment I was honestly convinced that my mother loved me. What a fucking idiot. A 15 minute phone call cannot make up a lifetime of misery. You honestly think she LOVES you? She has chosen her abusive boyfriends over her children. She doesn’t actually care about you at all. It was a cute thought though. I wish I was one of those insecure people who just have bad thoughts about the situation because they’re insecure, but this is the reality of my existence.

I know it has come to her attention that I am trying to leave her behind and for that I can see why she tried to be a mother during my rare crying session. She has repeatedly tried bribing me with items and being nice to me whenever I am forced by my sister to go see her. I hope she doesn’t expect it to actually work because I don’t hold much value in tangible things anymore.

My mother’s nickname for me was either Bear or Half-ass. The last birthday I had spent there I was yelled at and forced to clean her house that I didn’t even live in. She gets money from the government for my EXISTENCE, yet I don’t see a single dime of it because that’s how it is. Recently she was able to get disability though. I like to think it is understandable as to why I don’t love my mother.

Just because your parents have birthed you, that doesn’t mean you’re required to love them. If your parents are complete dog shit, you don’t have to love them and nor do you have to see them. You aren’t required to talk to them or spend time with them. Why would you? Because they’re your parent? Wake up. Don’t stay around absuive people no matter what their title is concerning you. You know what happens when married couples don’t like each other anymore? They get divorced. Sure, you share the same DNA as these people but you honestly think that means something in a relationship? It’s not a strong bond unless you make it one. Leave while you can and if you can.

My mother and father did not love me so I definitely don’t feel any sort of obligation to love them back in the slightest. My parents are the reason why I am this fucked up so I seriously wish they were both dead right about now. Both of them are oblivious to their child. I was ignored my entire life. My dad was more intersted in his work and my mother only wanted boyfriends. My father had sometimes come home late after his hockey games to read me fables. I was raised on fables. He likes to pride himself in the idea that he did such a good job raising me. Sir, I want to kill you and people in general as well as myself. You have absolutely no idea how badly you fucked up.

[endquire]

There are 4 beings on earth that I would not shoot for a baby opossum. If someone said, "I will give you this baby opossum, if...". The trigger would instantly be pulled. Under the circumstances that the it was just that they'd give it a slice of Banana to eat it..., trigger pulled. "Oh but I'm a sacred unique soul and if I die my unique and magical light will never be seen again and the world, THE WORLD, will suffer for the loss. Actually most people are disposable and replaceable. One's uniqueness is as One's personality and identity are entirely superficial. One's primary function at any given time is to serve their pathetic, broken, fragile ego and maintain the collective delusion of the world ensuring that everything that is wrong with the world continues unimpeded. Peeling that back to explore a more profound existence is too painful and difficult. It's far easier to circulate platitudes and mindless brightsiding. With so many sensitive, intelligent people in the world it is amazing that somehow human trafficking and child rape and persist so pervasively. It must be some magic super villain. The important thing is that no needs to feel bad or take responsibility. Idiots were fucking crying over 9/11 footage and crybaby fits about mass shootings. Yet somehow things that are killing vastly more people and children aren't given close to as much attention. It is as if everyone is and empty fraud. How can that be with all of the sensitive intelligent people? What about all of the people that watch colbert, Seth meyers, Samantha bee, and Rachel Maddow. What about all of the Hilary Clinton supporters and people that are praising how amazing kamala harris is? Obviously it is just some sort of magic evil cabal and the lack of gun control. As soon as they pass an assault weapons ban income inequality, wealth inequality, structural racism, institutional racism, general racism, Healthcare, mental Healthcare, education and everything else will be solved.

[inhalingwords]

2017 HP reread: thoughts on Philosopher’s Stone

Always a nostalgic and wistful reading experience, Philosopher’s Stone is definitely a book I can never read without crying at least once.

Basically, PS is a prelude and introduction to the HP series in the shape of a fun children’s fantasy adventure story; we get to know the central plot, characters, and settings of the series, all the while being entertained by the mystery surrounding the Philosopher’s Stone.

PS isn’t exactly a masterpiece in terms of writing and whatnot (it’s a pretty decent children’s adventure but not exactly that special if I disregard all the nostalgia attached to it and the larger context of the series) but having read all of the books a billion times, being a longtime fan, and knowing what's going to happen later on in the series and how much the world and the characters are going to change and grow, it's absolutely impossible for me not to love this book.

Top 5 Chapters:

Chapter One: The Boy Who Lived nostalgia like wOAH. this is a fun chapter, mainly because we get stuff from Vernon’s PoV (like can you BELIEVE the HP series begins with Vernon’s PoV because i think about that sometimes and it’s hiLARIOUS). and then there’s a total aboutface when we get to the end part with Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Hagrid and there’s a lot more sadness and it’s all mysterious and magical and i always get teary-eyed. there’s just this feeling of something big about to begin ♥

Chapter Twelve: The Mirror of Erised the christmas chapter! there are so many heartwarming moments and harry has the best christmas ever (presents!!) with the weasleys (i cry a bit every time when percy comes in to investigate why harry, ron and the twins are making so much noise and then the twins say, ‘Christmas is a time for family’ and do you just ever get emotional bc of percy, like, i definitely do) and it’s fantastic. it’s also probably the saddest chapter in PS and my heart breaks clean in two every time i get to the mirror of erised parts. ‘mum? dad?’ :’( his  n o s e  is nearly touching the mirror and it’s just so sad

Chapter Nine: The Midnight Duel the flying lesson! oliver wood’s first appearance! ron being the best bro ever! first nighttime adventure! the whole thing is just really funny bc it’s a total setup and they still go and hermione’s absolutely infuriating and neville gets roped in on it by chance and it’s just all so ridiculous. i love these kids so much. (also, i laugh so hard every time i get to that part when they’re trying to avoid filch and they’re trying to be silent and sneaky and then neville just can’t take the pressure, squeaks, tries to run, trips, grabs ron, and they both topple right into a suit of armour. ohmygOD.)

Chapter Fifteen: The Forbidden Forest some more nighttime adventures, except this time during detention and there’s no ron. this chapter marks our first look at the forest, we meet the centaurs (i wish we’d got to see more of them in the series tbh!!), quirrell is super fucking creepy (i had nightmares about that unicorn blood drinking scene when i was a kid what the fuck jkr??!!), and there’s some foreshadowing about harry dying in the forest #nobigdeal. like, when i reread PS for he first time after DH had come out i literally couldn’t believe my eyes, THE CENTAURS KNEW!!!

Chapter Five: Diagon Alley harry’s first time in the magical world, harry and draco’s first meeting (it’s horrible!! draco’s horrible!! i love them), harry and hagrid bonding (‘I know it’s hard. Yeh’ve been singled out, an’ that’s always hard.’ ;___; ♥) and some important tidbits on wandlore.

Top 5 Characters:

Neville Longbottom i love how neville’s story arc in this first book kinda mirrors his bigger story arc in the entire series. he gets more and more confident in his abilities and, in the end, isn’t afraid to stand up for what he believes in. ‘Don’t you call me an idiot!’ is probably one of my fave lines of his. i’m so happy with how he gets a scene of recognition at the end when dumbledore gives him the 10 points, and i also love the quidditch scene where he tries to single-handedly fight crabbe and goyle and is still out cold hours later lmao.

Hermione Granger hermione will probably always be one of the most important literary characters to me. when i was a kid i related to her so much, and i still do. in this first book, she’s overbearing, kind of awkward and insecure about a lot of things, and she tries so!! hard!! it’s not easy for her to make friends and sometimes she comes across as too bossy or too abrasive, and i love that these are characteristics that she’s allowed to keep as the series goes on!! she does change and become a bit more understanding (both in PS and later on in the series), but she still continues to have moments when she kind of steamrolls others, dominates and is flawed/unlikable. i just love it. from the get-go, she has a multifaceted personality, and it’s really rare to have a girl character who comes off this strong be one of the main characters and heroes (and not be villanised for being a person basically).

Harry Potter harry is, and always will be, my number one favourite character in the series. in PS, he’s mostly this slightly naive, hard-on-his-luck kid who, despite everything, persists and believes strongly in goodness and fairness. the strength of his moral fibre is already astounding, and his little speech about voldemort and doing the right thing towards the end of the book always makes me kinda cry a bit. it’s such a good scene that shows some of harry’s core values and his most dominating personality traits, but at the same time i can’t forget that he’s only eleven!!! and he’s already being groomed into this weapon against voldemort :’(

Katie Bell she’s 12, playing her first game of quidditch ever, gets hit by a bludger in the back of her head, BUT SHE KEEPS PLAYING!! the game isn’t even stopped!! (compare to 6th year Harry who gets a bludger in the face and gets a cracked skull like what the fuck those things are made of IRON why are children allowed to play this game??? why is the wizarding world so fascinated by danger??)

Parvati Patil her first words in the series are: ‘Shut up, Malfoy’ and i think that’s fucking great. what a legend.

Top 5 Funny Moments:

ron punching malfoy. i cannot believe all three of them have totally whooped malfoy’s ass at one point or another. poor kid, i almost feel sorry for him except, you know, he’s a dick and kinda deserved to get his ass beat each time so  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (it’s also interesting to note that malfoy managed to give as good as he got and even gave ron a nosebleed, taking into account that ron has six siblings and malfoy is an only child)

THE HOGWARTS SONG. we should not have been denied seeing this masterpiece on the big screen. ('Ah, music. A magic beyond all we do here!’)

lee jordan’s quidditch commentary. he’s such an underrated character and i love him ♥ (“hit hard in the face by a bludger, hope it broke his nose -- only kidding, professor”)

‘Do you mean ter tell me,’ [Hagrid] growled at the Dursleys, 'that this boy – this boy! – knows nothin’ abou’ – about ANYTHING?’ Harry thought this was going a bit far. He had been to school, after all, and his marks weren’t bad. 'I know some things,’ he said. 'I can, you know, do maths and stuff.’

'Yes – of course – but there’s no wood!’ Hermione cried, wringing her hands. 'HAVE YOU GONE MAD?’ Ron bellowed. 'ARE YOU A WITCH OR NOT?’

Top 5 Emotional Moments:

the troll fight and ron and harry finally becoming friends with hermione :’) best. friendship origin story. ever. (“There are some things you can’t share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them.” ♥ )

‘If you want to go back, I won’t blame you,’ [Harry] said. 'You can take the Cloak, I won’t need it now.’ 'Don’t be stupid,’ said Ron. 'We’re coming,’ said Hermione.

harry and ron’s first meeting. lmao, it’s so awkwardly lovely and i love these two so much. 

hagrid giving harry the photo album. (”Harry couldn’t speak, but Hagrid understood.” ♥ )

‘Bless my soul,’ whispered the old barman, 'Harry Potter… what an honour.’ He hurried out from behind the bar, rushed towards Harry and seized his hand, tears in his eyes. 'Welcome back, Mr. Potter, welcome back.’

Top 5 Quotes:

Mr and Mrs Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. They were the last people you’d expect to be involved in anything strange or mysterious, because they just didn’t hold with such nonsense.

'There are all kinds of courage. It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.’ --Albus Dumbledore

Harry then did something that was both very brave and very stupid.

'It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that.’ --Albus Dumbledore

‘The truth. It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution.’ --Albus Dumbledore

[spideney]

VictuuriWeek Day 5: Domesticity (Family)

Title: Family, Hopefully

Rating: Teen and Up Audiences

Summary: Yuri is momentarily staying with Viktor and Yuuri. The couple decides to invite Yuri's friend over, hoping it will make him feel more at home.

Warnings: Yuri swears

AO3 Link

“Let’s see… We have meats, cheese, vegetables… I could grill anything up for you. Do you like omelets?” Yuuri asked, peering into their refrigerator. It was chockfull, so Yuri must have been able to think of something he wanted to eat, right?

Being the obstinate teen he was, the young Russian leaned further into the couch and scoffed, not bothering to look behind him. “Just get me instant ramen. I’m used to it.”

Yuuri scowled, unable to help the spark of parental concern flaring in his chest. Not that he was the expert on healthy eating, but Yuri’s comment made him worry, so he grabbed some vegetables from the fridge. “I’ll be making you a quick stir-fry; how does that sound?”

Though he groaned first, Yuri shrugged. Yuuri took that as a “fine.”

The boy had been staying with him and Viktor for a few days now. His grandfather needed to fly to Croatia to meet with his sister and discuss the will of her husband who recently passed away, and Yuri, barely knowing them, did not need to be a part of that visit. Viktor was the one who made the suggestion to Yuri’s grandfather, and the man happily accepted his offer, much to Yuri’s aggravation.

During the first day, Yuri was stubborn and pissy, groaning when he saw that the two older men already had an extra room saved “just for him,” as Viktor said. Yuuri worked on warming the frosty teenager up, though, and it surprisingly worked a little—maybe just because of how intensely Yuuri’s parental instincts had kicked in, seeing how messy and careless the boy was. He’d had some experience with “child-rearing” in rooming with Phichit, to put it frankly, so Yuri’s habits simply sparked old instincts in him to help out.

By now, Yuuri knew not to take the kid’s ungrateful whining to heart, or let it bother him. He was going to make sure Yuri got a healthy diet if it killed him. And if Yuri ever truly made him upset, well, Viktor would no doubt take care of it.

So, he focused on preparing the meal, unaware of Viktor coming into the living room-kitchen area, stretching the sleep out of his muscles. Habitually, he made his way to Yuuri and wrapped his arms around his unsuspecting fiancé’s midsection, catching the younger man mid-stir and causing him to jolt slightly.

“V-Viktor! Don’t surprise me like that when I’m cooking, please.”

Said man only answered by mumbling into Yuuri’s neck, sluggish and adoring. Yuuri sighed in exasperation—his fiancé would never give him a moment of peace, he knew it—before giggling suddenly when Viktor blew on his neck, where he was ticklish.

“Vi-Viktor, st-stop it!” he exclaimed between laughs, trying to dislodge the clingy man.

“Can you two go be gross somewhere else, please? I’m so sick of this!” Yuri groaned from the couch, rolling his eyes and gagging dramatically. He’d put on such a performance in front of them before. Viktor sighed, while Yuuri kept his expression neutral.

“Why do you need to be so mean, Yurio…” Viktor mumbled, long and drawn out, causing Yuri’s face to redden in anger.

“And why do you always need to be so fucking gross?”

“Alright, alright, enough you two…” Yuuri decided to end it there before it got any worse, as he usually was forced to do. As much as he loved his boys, they could get ridiculous when fighting.

Yuri grunted in annoyance, turning back to the television, and Viktor sighed happily into Yuuri’s shoulder.

After he finished cooking, Yuuri dislodged his fiancé and took the dish to Yuri, making sure he ate every last bite. The boy grumbled throughout, but Yuuri assumed that he felt loved deep down, as he didn’t actively refuse the food. When he finished, he made to give the plate back to Yuuri but was stopped by a hand.

“Now, go do the dishes that are left to be done.”

“What? You don’t get to tell me what to do, katsudon!” Yuri growled out.

Knowing that he’d gotten the teen to do quite a few chores during his stay here, Yuuri persisted in a no-nonsense tone, “Actually, I do get to tell you what to do right now. Go ahead, I know you can handle washing a few dishes. Don’t you want the place to look it’s best for when your friend gets here tonight?”

Wide-eyed, Yuri stared for a few seconds before huffing and heading to the sink. Yuuri was glad that worked, because he wasn’t sure what he would’ve done had Yuri kept being stubborn.

Luckily for him, Otabek Altin was coming over to visit; he was temporarily in Russia and accepted their invitation to spend a dinner and night. Yuuri and Viktor wouldn’t offer many skaters to spend a whole night, but Otabek was Yuri’s friend—one of his only friends, from what Yuuri could tell—and the couple hoped that having him here would help relax the teenager. He’d been wound tight these past few days, likely due to living in close proximity with Viktor.

So, Yuri tidied up, and Yuuri occasionally helped him despite his earlier fervor in getting the teen to do it by himself. He just couldn’t help it when Yuri kept huffing and puffing at him, as if Yuuri had ruined his life by making him clean a plate. Though as Yuuri made dinner he still forced the younger to help him. He needed to learn responsibility some way.

Yet again, as Yuuri was cooking, Viktor snuck up behind him to cling. Only this time, Yuri was even closer to see it.

“Ugh, quit groping each other and be useful!” Yuri immediately grouched, taking his anger out on the onions before him by chopping them up rapidly. Yuuri blinked blankly, and Viktor merely continued to nuzzle into Yuuri’s neck, unbothered.

“…Babe, how about you set the table for us? When Otabek gets here he’ll want to eat, I think,” Yuuri finally answered, gently detaching Viktor’s arms from him and giving him a parting, chaste kiss. Viktor nodded and got to work, seemingly satisfied. Yuri rolled his eyes but quieted.

Otabek arrived as soon as Yuuri finished placing the main dish on the table, much to everyone’s relief. Yuri was the one who greeted him first, of course, the friends exchanging short hugs before Yuuri and Viktor welcomed the visitor fully in. Otabek answered their greetings with a nod, removing his shoes and offering a short compliment about the state of the apartment. He was quiet as always, but Yuuri sensed that he was truly happy to be here and thanked him delightfully before having everyone take their seats at the dinner table, one on each side.

“…This fish is good,” surprisingly, Otabek was the first one to speak once they had started eating, though Yuuri figured he wanted to be polite. He smiled at the compliment, about to thank him, but Yuri answered first while looking down at his plate, busy cutting the fish into pieces.

“I helped cook it.”

“You’re such a good helper, kotyonok,” Viktor reacted first, smirking around his fork, and Yuuri sighed. Here they went.

“Don’t call me that, old man,” Yuri snarked, glaring daggers at the man across the table. Otabek and Yuuri glanced at each other, resigned to their fates.

“But it’s the truth, and I’m sure your friend would be proud of you. See, Otabek, Yurio even helped clean today! I guess he was excited for you to visit,” Viktor now faced Otabek, grinning like a pleased Cheshire cat.

“Stop patronizing me and stop fucking telling him that!” Yuri now shouted, raising in his seat with a blazingly red face. Yuuri sighed again, holding his hand out to keep him at bay.

“Now, calm down—“

“Don’t tell me to calm down, pig!”

The dinner continued in the same manner, and though Yuuri was used to it, he was worried that Otabek might be too taken aback. However, the boy didn’t seem concerned, merely watching the proceedings while eating as if it were a show—and, it sort of was, Yuuri had to admit. Viktor knew exactly how to push Yuri’s buttons, and the outcome usually proved to be hilarious.

After dinner they decided to pop in a movie, Yuuri forcing Viktor and Yuri to sit as far away from each other as possible to prevent any angry outbursts which would steal everyone’s attention. Yuri grumbled, pulling Otabek with him to take the other end of the couch, Otabek and Yuuri thus sitting in the middle with Viktor and Yuri on the ends.

“If you idiots start making out right next to us at any point, I’m going to my room and locking myself in,” Yuri muttered solemnly right as the movie started, causing Yuuri to blush profusely and Viktor to cough around a laugh. Hearing “my room,” though, caused both adults to secretly smile to each other afterwards.

Just because of Yuri’s comment, Yuuri made sure to not let Viktor near his lips throughout the whole movie, no matter how much the Russian man groped and pouted.

By the time the movie ended, it was rather late, so Viktor showed Otabek to the futon where he would be sleeping, pulled out from a couch Yuri’s room—or the guest room, though it seemed everyone had finally stopped with that pretense. Yuuri made to get up from the couch as well, but realized Yuri was staring at him as if he had something to say, and faltered.

“…Um, thanks for letting my friend come over, katsudon,” the teen mumbled, acting as if it was painful for the words to come out of his mouth. For all Yuuri knew, it was.

It was cute, though. Yuuri smiled, facing him and resisting the urge to pinch his cheek. “Of course. Viktor and I both wanted you to be more comfortable here and thought that having a friend here would help. Viktor teases you a lot, I know, but he means well, and he cares. Otabek can fit into our little family just fine—we have plenty of room.” It was true; Yuuri felt as if he were Yuri’s father these past few days, giving him chores and looking out for his wellbeing. He didn’t hate the idea, especially knowing that Viktor also held parental affection for the boy. They weren’t conventional, but they were still a family of some sort, Yuuri felt.

As expected, Yuri sputtered and blushed, glaring back at him. “What do you mean, family? You’re crazy…” He tried to sound angry, but couldn’t quite make it, something hopeful in his eyes. Yuuri took it as the boy accepting them, and grinned happily, unable to help himself from reaching over and pulling Yuri into a tight hug, much to the boy’s shock.

“Aw, I’m so happy… You can stay with us any time, even after this, you know that, right? We want to look out for you.”

“…I-I know, katsudon. Now get off me.”

Yuuri obeyed, but not before ruffling the teen’s hair. Yuri acted as if he didn’t appreciate it, but Yuuri knew otherwise—the delight at being a part of something so precious still shone in his eyes.

[thethoughteater-blog]

Dick Reviews Stuff: Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu

This post only covers the first season of the show. I’ll cover Sukeroku Futatabi-hen in it’s own post once all of it is out and I’ve seen it all.

Have you ever watched a show that’s filled with things you really like, but the show almost seems like it’s trying to keep you from enjoying them? This show is the most recent example of that for me.

It should be the perfect show for me. It’s a show about a young man who loves his craft and wants nothing more than to become great at it, despite his own belief that he’s not any good at it, all while he grows up around his best friend, who outstrips his ability in the craft in every way. Even if that wasn’t essentially a description of my life, stories about people who are truly passionate about something and dedicate themselves to it make up a sizable portion of my favorites. The narrative structure of this show keeps me from enjoying that as much as I should be able to.

The show begins with a double-length episode, where we’re introduced to an unnamed protagonist who has recently been released from prison, where he developed an infatuation with the storytelling art of Rakugo. He sets out to become the apprentice of the last remaining rakugo master, Yurakutei Yakumo. Yakumo doesn’t take him on at first, but he’s persistent, and Yakumo allows him to live in his house for a time. There, he meets Konatsu, a young woman who has been the ward of Yakumo since her father (another Rakugo performer, Sukeroku) died years ago. She shares his love for rakugo, performing it for the him and helping him to practice even though Yakumo won’t take him on. Eventually, in an impassioned plea, he convinces Yakumo to be his master, In that plea, however, he also says he thinks Konatsu wants to be an apprentice, too. This leads to a dramatic moment where Konatsu announces her hatred for Yakumo, and accuses him of having killed her father.

The show was off to a great start. There was an immediately relatable and likeable protagonist, and an interesting mystery- what happened with Yakumo and Konatsu’s father?

Then our hero (who has now been given the stage name of Yurakutei Yotaro)’s old boss shows up to Yakumo’s house. Yotaro wants nothing to do with crime anymore, he just wants to study rakugo. His boss ridicules him for this, thinking rakugo is a silly pursuit. He wants Yotaro to come back. Yakumo stands up for him, proving himself not merely the cold-hearted old man he me seem to be, and to prove the worth of rakugo, he invited the boss to watch Yotaro perform. He tries to refuse, but Yakumo pressures him into accepting.

Here we have a great scene. Yotaro performs a hilarious rakugo story about a bumbling thief. His boss starts out not reacting, but by the end he’s having a great time. He laughs, having seen Yotaro’s personality in the story, and shows himself as someone who legitimately cares about Yotaro, not just a one dimensional criminal. The show had sold me on every one of these characters, and maybe most importantly of all, it had sold me on rakugo.

Then we get to episode 2. We go back in time to when Yakumo was a child. I was interested, an episode or two of backstory to give the show more context seems like a cool idea. What it doesn't’ seem like, though, is the makings for the rest of a whole season. That’s what we got, though. We followed Yakumo as a child (Before taking that name, as rakugo performers pass on their names to apprentices, and the previous Yakumo is still alive at this point. He’s mostly called Bon at this point, but that’s not a name, it means “Young Master”). We see him become an apprentice to the current Yakumo, alongside another child (who would go on to be Sukeroku, Konatsu’s father). We see them grow up. They get their first stage names, becoming Kikuhiko and Hatsutaro, We follow both of them through the early parts of their careers.

Unlike Yotaro, Kikuhiko wasn’t immediately interesting to me as a protagonist. At first, he doesn’t even really have an interest in rakugo. The story of someone falling in love with a craft can be as great as the story of someone with a passion in a craft pursuing it’s perfection, and it was, here, but there was a lot of time between Kiku as a child being introduced and the moment he realizes he loves rakugo. It took until about there for my interest in the show to rekindle, after it snatched away the story I actually cared about.

Hatsutaro was a fun character, and his brotherly relationship with Kiku is endearing, but this area of the show is filled with annoying levels of repetition. There are only so many times you need to demonstrate to me that Hatsutaro is a lazy alcoholic and that Kiku doesn’t like that before I get it and you can just move on. There was an interesting aspect to their relationship, though. I touched on this at the beginning of the post. Kikuhiko idolizes Hatsutaro for his amazing Rakugo, even though he looks down on him for every other aspect of his personality, even though he thought so little of him when they first met for being a poor orphan. He idolizes it to the point his own rakugo suffers from his trying to emulate it instead of finding his own way of doing it. I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard the advice that you need to find your own voice (albeit it was in the context of writing, not rakugo), so seeing it used as a conflict in a narrative is pretty cool.

Another character is introduced, a geisha named Miyokichi. At first, I found little of interest in her, just thinking she was a love interest for Kiku, but later, when her desire to have a normal relationship starts to conflict with Kiku’s rakugo, she has a moment where she says something that gave me a lot to think about. Though it’s presented in kind of a bullshit patriarchal way, her goal to just sort of be a housewife is as legitimate a goal as becoming a master of rakugo, Had they parted on better terms, the two of them separating might have actually been a fairly healthy thing. As someone with creative goals, it can be really easy to think less of people who don’t- I’ve definitely done that before. It’s really not any different, though, It’s just trying doing the things that make you happy. That’s all there is to life,

So after they break up, Miyokichi rebounds with Hatsutaro and they move out to the country, while Kikuhiko continued with his rakugo career. At this point, Hatsutaro and Kikuhiko have pretty much ended their relationship as well. Time passes.

At this point in the show I wasn’t really feeling it anymore. Even though I managed to get attached to this new set of characters, I had to suffer through all of that repetition I mentioned. I was happy to see the plot moving forward at least. Then, in the preview for the next episode, I saw this face:

Finally I was going to see the story tie back in to what was going on in episode one, and it’s with Konatsu, who I’d say was the most interesting character from all the way back then. Even though I was starting to forget the details of what was even happening then at this point, I couldn’t help but be excited. It also helped that child Konatsu is adorable.

Kiku goes after Hatsutaro and Miyokichi and finding out she apparently stole money from the geisha house she worked at when they left. When looking for a rakugo theatre, he’s pointed toward a restaurant where rakugo is performed. There he enters in the middle of young Konatsu doing rakugo. Here, the show was finally great again- not only was it finally returning to the plot threads I was interested in, but the show was reminding me what’s so awesome about rakugo, what the point had been this whole time.

He talks to her, finding out that Miyokichi has left her and her father for someone else, and that Hatsutaro has no job, not even performing rakugo, with only Konatsu providing the money they need. She takes Kiku back to their house, and the reunion between Hatsutaro and him is actually heartwarming. Kiku hits him with his bag for being lazy, and he gets back up and hugs Kiku anyway. The strike was just proof nothing had really changed. It almost made up for the show beating their relationship into my head over and over again earlier on.

Kiku gets Hatsutaro to start doing rakugo again, and he starts doing it there as well, so they can save up money to all move back to tokyo together. Kikuhiko falls in love with performing in small theatres, all of the joy having been drained out of performing since breaking ties with Hatsutaro. At this point I was legitimately loving the show again.

Then Miyokichi comes back. She secretly watches one of Kiku’s performances, and comes to see him in his room at the inn they perform at that night.  Hatsutaro sees them and walks over to the balcony in the room where they’re sitting, and there’s a dramatic moment, and then the balcony starts to break. That’s right, the answer to “what happened with Yakumo and Konatsu’s father?” is “Gravity”. Sorry, I’m being glib. It’s more like “They were idiots, and so was Miyokichi, and no one in this show can just talk to each other.” Afterward, Konatsu hates Yakumo thinking she killed her dad, and seemingly he never tries to just explain it to her. Then, when she says she wants to be a Rakugo performer, he says she can’t, because she’s a girl, and he’s just a dick, I guess. There’s a parallel to earlier when the geishas told him as a child he couldn’t be one, but the show never actually draws it itself, and at no point are we shown him thinking they were right to tell him that. I don’t know if it was just unrealistic to think a girl could become a rakugo performer in that time period, I’m not expert, but it wasn’t justified narratively. After that, they go back to tokyo.

At that point, I was just deflated- but wait! We’re going back to the present!  However, we didn’t get to just go back to the present, the situation I was actually invested in, we had to skip forward a huge chunk of time. Konatsu is pregnant, Yotaro has been promoted and given Sukeroku name, and I had a third set of circumstances to get invested in. This show left me exhausted.

My hope for Sukeroku Futatabi-hen is essentially that unlike the first season, it decides to just be one show instead of 2, or 2 ½, or however I should put it. I’m excited to see Yotaro/Sukeroku again, but I have no idea where the show is going to go with Konatsu’s pregnancy or how that’s going to tie back in to rakugo.

I give this show a 7 out of 10. It’s got bits and pieces of good ideas, and I like every one of it’s characters to some degree, but it lacks focus, and it’s structure is too awkward for it to be great. I apologize if my writing came off as amateurish, this is my first review. I’m going to leave my ask box open for any and all feedback you have. Follow me if you want to see more reviews like this/ I’ll cover more anime in the future but I’ll review other media as well.