#Eh I might be remembering it wrong {memories}

[nephilimbrute]

ok since you guys don't know anything about my agent 8's personality, i'm doing a huge infodump on them. enjoy

Agent 8; they/them, nonbinary — 24 as of current time, in a relationship with Agent 4 and Captain 3

they're pretty, but also one of the worst people you'll meet. everyone who met them has had something terrible happen to them, basically a bad omen...yet they still think they're a saint! 8 is very narcissistic, but also very self-critical. they think they can be the only one to do something, that they're the best at it...but they know this is wrong, so they hate themself for it

they think they're a very fragile and innocent being, like a deer. they want to live a calm and steady life, no excessively loud or overwhelming sounds and music, just them and their close ones. they enjoy writing poetry and creating art to the likes of vincent van gogh, but also impressionism in general. they have a very bad memory now, so they want to capture the present time as best as they can if it ever gets worse. often times, 8 thinks about any big events that are coming up in the near future (concerts, festivals, etc.). they don't like to think about the future outside of these things (was team present if that wasn't obvious)

they used to be full of emotion, expressing and voicing their thoughts well. but slowly over time, they've became numb to most things to prevent themself from being embarassed by...sadness. they think being upset is embarassing, and are easily annoyed by gloomy people. they have such little sympathy, but it still exists. they are capable of love! it's not hard to crack through their shell, nor do they even have one. 8 themself is aware of how they've changed over the years, and they want to go back to how they used to be; loving, sympathetic, mindful of others. they do feel very sorry for the change in their personality, but the partial sanitization that was done to them makes it difficult to revert to their old self

8 feels like they're putting up a front when they want to be nice, and, they can be compassionate and apologetic sometimes. they deeply wish for anyone who recognized them pre-octo expansion to forgive them, even if they did nothing wrong

because of the whole octo expansion situation, 8 has developed truman syndrome, paranoia, and heavily dislikes anything involving a smart AI or robotics. this is one of the reasons why marina pisses them off so badly. to 8, they think that they've caused no harm, and every mistake they've done was not entirely their fault. they make a lot of people uncomfortable in some way without touching anyone or saying anything. despite all that, they respect people's personal space a lot!..other than pearl and marina, who they used to watch sleep before being kicked out

now, onto their relationships. 8 is doing fine with agent 4, he's nice to them so they like him... but so is cap3, yet 8 might be one of the worst things that ever happened to her. cap3 really wants some alone time and hates being stared at, and 8 does the exact opposite of that. they don't touch her at her request, but they Will stare at her whenever she's doing anything, at any given time. they don't process in their mind that they want to make her uncomfortable, they just sort of...do?

^ i only limited this to a bit so i won't delve Too deep and go off topic. you can ask about that if you want

i guess you could say they have some kind of parental issues? i don't know, they can't remember who their biological parents are anyways. they have a strong attachment to marina though, can't decide if they wanna be her or want her to adopt them. kind of "eh" with pearl, still respects him nonetheless

congratulations! if you've read until the end, here's a human 8 doodle :3

[tarotofhope]

PAC: ❤︎ Your Couple Dynamic as Anime/Ghibli characters ❤︎

( Sorry I couldn't post a reading on Friday and this is a late post but I hope you like it ! )

(Please Read My Pinned post *IMPORTANT NOTE* before selecting a Pile)

Pick an Image by meditating and selecting the image you feel called to. You can be attracted towards more than 1 image. If you are not able to select maybe this reading isn't for you.

⚹Pile 1

Welcome to your reading, Pile 1.

Right Person, Wrong Time, eh? In both of these couples' cases, there is a point of separation between them because of misunderstanding or late realisation of things. For some of you, you guys might not get together again just like in Shou and Arrietty's case, they get separated in the end but at good terms because Arrietty has to go and live with her parents for her safety(and also because she belongs to a different species of people), but this connection will be unforgettable for both of you, while for the others of you, you'll get back again and things will get really well just like how Hatori and Mayuko gets separated because Hatori has the Seahorse(dragon) curse by the Zodiac God Akito and the curse forbids him to be in romantic connections with the opposite gender but still he gets engaged to his assistant Kana, so the zodiac God Akito goes on to attack Kana but instead of her, Hatori gets hurt in the eye in order to save Kana and becomes partially blind. This devastates Kana and she blames herself. Hatori can't see her like that so he requests Akito to wipe down her memory so that she can live happily, but he remembers her and he's also good at hiding his pain and emotions. He misses Kana a lot. Then after many years, he meets Mayuko who is also Kana's(Kana has totally forgotten Hatori) best friend. Hatori and Mayuko get along well but Hatori only consider her as a good friend, he's happy with her but somehow he always restricts himself, tries to control his emotions, but then Mayuko confronts him one day and says to him that he should live his life, be happy and let loose a bit, then Hatori starts to eventually go with the flow, they rekindle their friendship and start meeting often. Hatori slowly lets down his boundaries. After the curse ends, they both get married. So, I can see that one of you could be holding back emotions and the other one is very good at expressing them. One is very mature and adventurous and the other one likes their comfort zone and doesn't like changes much(could even appear a bit sad). When you guys meet, the one who holds back will eventually open up. There will be mutual respect and understanding from both sides. You both will help and heal each other. It will be a very balanced and fulfilling relationship.

If you haven't watched these anime yet, please go watch them to better understand these couples.

That's all I got for you, my dear Pile 1.

Love, light, peace and hope to you..🌸🍁🌻🌼

⚹Pile 2

Welcome to your reading, Pile 2.

You guys seem very adventurous or you travel a lot either for work or it could just be a hobby. You both are very strong individuals and one of you could be at a good position at work or you both could meet at school, work or while travelling. You guys are so similar, your thought patterns are mostly similar. You could be completing each other's sentences. Your work ethics are the same. I'm getting scholar, topper vibes from some of you. One of you would definitely help the other a lot in polishing their skills but it is clear that both of you have a lot of potential for reaching great heights. Together, you could become a great team. One of you is very bold, brave, mature and responsible while the other one could just be a step ahead but when they see a leader like potential in the former one, they train them, guide and help them almost similar to Shun and Umi. You both can reach your desired goals. You believe in equal gender roles and equal efforts. Like Itsuomi and Yuki, you both could have the desire to travel different places together, learn different languages and know about different cultures. One of you could be good at sports or has an athletic body. One could be more organised and structured than the other partner. There is this energy of not giving a chance to previous romantic proposals because they didn't feel right, so one of you could be labelled as a player or a heartbreaker but in reality are not like that.

Some of you might not have good relations with your own family or friends, they don't understand you well, so you always do your own thing and avoid bs. I can see that this relationship slowly and steadily develops because one of you doesn't want to take any risks. You guys are a goal-oriented and ambitious couple who also know how to make a relationship work in the long run. You could also be a couple who express their love quietly, maybe without actually saying those three magical words.

If you haven't watched these anime yet, please go watch them to better understand these couples.

That's all I got for you, my dear Pile 2.

Love, light, peace and hope to you..🌸🍁🌻🌼

⚹Pile 3

TRIGGER WARNING: Mention of death, loss of loved ones, heartbreak. Please continue only if you're okay with reading about it.

Welcome to your reading, Pile 3.

It seems as though the major focus in your relationship would be healing and growing. One of you guys could be coming out of a major breakup or divorce, there is a major ending and beginning before this relationship or in this relationship. It could also be that one of you didn't have a good relationship with your parents/guardian, so this partner comes as a blessing, as a fresh start in your life just like how Katsuya came as a blessing for Kyoko because Kyoko was different from other girls(she is very rebellious and brave, very masculine also, the queen of swords kind of energy) and her parents do not like that, so one day they kick her out of the house but Katsuya stands as a pillar of support for her because even he was forced to become a teacher by his grandfather and father. Katsuya totally understands her from the beginning itself. If there is somebody here in my audience who has lost their partner/spouse/bf/gf, please accept my heartfelt condolences. You are very strong. I'm mentioning this, because I've come across such cases 2-3 times where one of the partners d*es at a young age. This part is not for everybody. So, please don't take any offense. De*th could also be a huge transformation, endings and beginnings as I've mentioned earlier. See, I'm also saying this because Katsuya d*es after they get married and after when Kyoko gives birth to a baby girl. Even in Violet Evergarden, Gilbert d*es(it was assumed that way) and then much time later, Violet gets to know that he's alive. Katsuya and Kyoko meet in the afterlife when Kyoko also d*es in a road accident one day, Gilbert and Violet too, finally confess their love to each other, in the end. Whoever you guys are, you have such an unbreakable bond. You are the 'made for each other' couple. One of you has been through a lot and the other one has helped in uplifting their spirits and healing their wounds. Both of you are very strong, physically as well as emotionally. There is a heavily sad energy in this pile and also a lot of pain, the pain of a heartbreak or the pain of actually losing someone but you will come out even more stronger. The stuck energy or hopelessness will go away because everything will be a blessing in disguise. You will find your happiness again. Stay blessed.

If you haven't watched these anime yet, please go watch them to better understand these couples.

That's all I got for you, my dear Pile 3.

Love, light, peace and hope to you..🌸🍁🌻🌼

⚹Pile 4

Welcome to your reading, Pile 4.

I think one of you is very popular, famous, good looking and handsome/beautiful. So, one of you has a lot of sexual appeal here just like Yuki and Jinshi. You guys could even meet through a third party. One of you is either very intelligent and smart or has some kind of a trauma or both. Either of you could be into some kind of healing professions or customer service jobs. There will be a lot of challenges and confusion in the beginning of this relationship but with time, things will start getting better. In the beginning, one of you who is more reserved might not be interested in the other, doubting the connection. The popular one/the good looking one is going to be so invested in the shy and reserved one. One scenario could be that, just because the good looking one is so used to getting attention all the time, he/she might expect the same from the other, but the other person puts them in their shoes(they are not bad though) just like Jinshi and Maomao while for others of you, the good looking/popular one might be very sweet, gentle and kind just like Yuki. There could also be a lack of confidence or self esteem issues in one of you, but the other person will really cheer them up and uplift their spirits. You both could either be very different from each other or will have very similar values. You guys not only respect each other's differences but are also in awe of each other's mindsets, talents and abilities. There could be a lot of jealous people who would try to bring this relationship down, but you guys will stand strong with each other. Both of the couples who are mentioned here, have a similar kind of love dynamic which is surprising in most of the piles because both the cards jumped out together in all the piles. One extra information, if you relate with the character Maomao, then you can listen to the song 'Be A Flower' by Ryokuoushoku Shakai from The Apothecary Diaries, it's really good and is based on the character Maomao herself..💖

If you haven't watched these anime yet, please go watch them to better understand these couples.

That's all I got for you, my dear Pile 4.

Love, light, peace and hope to you..🌸🍁🌻🌼

⚹Pile 5

Welcome to your reading, Pile 5.

This pile is somewhat similar to Pile 4. One of you could be very bold and outspoken, I'm seeing that the masculine energy could be more feminine while the feminine energy could be more masculine. Very Venusian and Mercurian qualities here. There could be something so simple yet extraordinary about one of you and the other person loves this about you. One of you could be into fashion designing or has a great sense of fashion. In the beginning, this relationship could be hot and cold or there could be a problem in your personal lives(this could also be due to a person) which keeps you from being with each other. You both could keep this relationship a secret, in the beginning. This could also be a love at first sight situation for a few of you. The female in this relationship could be clumsy and tomboyish and somebody also has commitment issues or trust issues. One of you has a great sense of humor but must be hiding some pain deep inside. I'm also getting that one of you likes the other person just as they are, I'm getting insecurities related to the physical body, that's why this came up. There is also a lot of straightforwardness here, very direct and assertive approach by one person, and the other person appreciates this because maybe they're tired of people pleasers. There's a lot of playful banter in this pile, lot of fun and teasing one another. There's also an 18+ message here, but let's not go there. Overall, there is a bit of push and pull in the beginning but when you get clarity on this connection, you'll be great together.

If you haven't watched these anime yet, please go watch them to better understand these couples.

That's all I got for you, my dear Pile 5.

Love, light, peace and hope to you..🌸🍁🌻🌼

Thank you so much for being here. I post PAC readings every Tuesday and Friday. Do love and support by reblogging, liking or following.

——————————— ♡ ♡ ♡ ———————————

[dee-writes-anime]

Lalalalalalaala I'm back, I don't know if I already have another one pending in your requests but eh

yesterday I finished SS2 and it ruined me completely, I'll never be the same i think, now im reading the manga and honestly i saw a few spoilers and im terrified for megumi man, i don't want him to die!!😭🫠

Sigh, anyways, how about like megumi x reader, but it's like after everything settles and the world goes back to normal,and reader is a feeling a bit better (assuming they fought too) and when they wake up and see megumi in Jujutsu high,they just start sobbing and hugging him telling him how precious he is and how scared they were for him,

This is so cringe man I'm cringe but I'm free!! I need megumi to know he's loved he deserves absolutely everything

You're Everything to Me with Megumi Fushiguro

FEATURING Megumi Fushiguro x Reader

SUMMARY In the aftermath of devastation, he is your light

CONTENT WARNINGS angst, dark subjects like suicidal thoughts (please know your boundaries, your mental health is more important), fluff, two cuties in love, only edited ever so slightly T-T

AUTHORS NOTE You go anon! Live in your cringe! Own the cringe! And keep giving me more content ideas! Hope you enjoy <333

The silence was a suffocating thing.

As you stirred, the weight of the world seemed to press down harder, the thin mattress beneath you offering no relief from the crushing heaviness in your chest. For a moment, you wondered if you had even woken up at all—if this was some dream, another layer of the nightmare you’d been living for what felt like years. Your body ached in ways that had nothing to do with the physical, and when your eyes blinked open, the dim, sterile light of the room greeted you like a cold slap.

It was over.

That thought should have brought you comfort, but instead, it twisted like a knife in your gut.

The world had been saved—or at least, what was left of it. The battles had been fought, the enemies had fallen, and you had survived. You were here, alive. But the silence felt wrong, unnatural, as if the air itself was too still, too empty. There was no joy in this victory. There was no peace. Only the lingering sense of loss, of something irreplaceable that had been shattered.

You forced yourself to sit up, but every movement felt sluggish, like wading through thick mud. The room spun briefly, and for a moment, you wished you hadn’t woken at all. It was easier to stay in the dark, easier to float in the void where you didn’t have to think, didn’t have to remember.

But now, in the unforgiving light of the aftermath, the memories came flooding back, sharp and relentless.

How many lives had been lost for this so-called peace? How many faces—friends, comrades, strangers—had fallen, their blood staining the ground? And for what? What had really changed? The world might have been saved, but it was broken, fractured beyond recognition. There was no returning to what once was. The faces you had fought alongside, the ones who had smiled and laughed, were now ghosts that haunted the corners of your mind.

The weight of that realization settled over you, heavy and suffocating, pulling you down into a sea of doubt. Was any of it worth it? All the fighting, all the sacrifice—what had you really gained?

The faces of the fallen swam before your eyes, one after another. Some you had known intimately, others were mere fleeting acquaintances, but each one carried the same hollow finality. You had fought so hard, given so much, and yet, as you sat there in the cold stillness, it felt like none of it mattered. The world you had bled for had become a graveyard of lost dreams, and the future felt as distant as the stars.

The despair clawed at your throat, threatening to choke you.

Why had you fought so hard? Why had you pushed yourself beyond the breaking point? The names of the dead weighed heavily on your heart, and with each one, you wondered if there had been something more you could have done, some way to save them. But deep down, you knew the answer. You knew you had given everything, and still, it wasn’t enough. It was never enough.

Your mind spiraled, the emptiness inside you expanding, swallowing up every thought, every hope. Maybe it had all been for nothing. Maybe, in the end, the fight had taken more from you than you could ever give back. The victory felt hollow, a brittle shell masking the loss beneath.

And then there was him.

Your heart clenched painfully at the thought of Megumi. You had fought not just for yourself, not just for the world, but for him—for the people you loved, for the ones who gave you reason to keep going. But now, in this empty room, with only the echoes of your failures and fears, you weren’t sure if even that had been enough.

Was he okay? Did he make it out? The thought twisted in your mind, dark and relentless. The last you had seen of him was chaos—the blur of battle, the surge of cursed energy, his figure moving like a shadow through the carnage. You had called out his name, over and over, your voice hoarse, but he had vanished into the storm. And after that, everything had gone black.

What if…?

Your chest tightened, the panic rising like bile in your throat. What if he was gone? What if he had been one of the lives lost to the war? You couldn’t bear the thought. You didn’t know if you could survive that. You couldn’t even think about it.

But the doubt, the fear, gnawed at you like a festering wound. The room around you blurred as your vision swam with unshed tears. It felt like you were trapped beneath the weight of it all—the guilt, the grief, the unbearable thought that maybe, despite all your efforts, you had lost him too.

Your hands clenched into fists, nails biting into the soft flesh of your palms, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the storm inside you. What was the point of surviving if you had lost everything worth fighting for? What was the point of living in a world that felt so empty?

A sob built in your throat, thick and heavy, but you swallowed it down, pressing your palms against your eyes as if that could somehow stop the flood of emotion threatening to break you. You couldn’t cry. You couldn’t fall apart, not now. But the dam was crumbling, the weight of your sorrow too great to bear.

And then, through the haze of your grief, something shifted.

It was subtle at first, just a flicker in your periphery. You blinked through the tears, your breath catching as your blurred vision cleared.

And that’s when you saw him.

Megumi.

He was standing at the foot of your bed, quiet and still, his presence a solid anchor in the storm of your emotions. For a moment, you couldn’t believe it. You stared at him, wide-eyed, as if he might vanish if you looked away. His dark hair was disheveled, his face marred with cuts and bruises, but he was alive.

Alive.

Megumi was there, solid and real, as if he had emerged from the very shadows of your despair. He didn’t speak, didn’t move, but his presence alone was a lifeline—a single thread of light cutting through the oppressive darkness that had swallowed you whole.

Your breath hitched, the sobs lodged in your throat like jagged glass, tearing at you as the tears flowed freely now. You couldn’t stop them, couldn’t hold back the flood of everything you had buried deep inside. Because he was here—he was alive. After everything, after all the loss and devastation, Megumi was still standing.

A small, fragile sob escaped your lips, and with it, the last of your strength crumbled. You reached out for him, your hand trembling, desperate to close the distance between you. Megumi stood there, watching you, his dark eyes softening, though his expression remained guarded. It was as if he, too, had been waiting—waiting for the moment when your pain would overwhelm you, when you would need him more than anything.

You didn’t even realize you were moving until you were in his arms.

Your body collided with his, and the force of your relief shattered whatever fragile walls you had left. Your hands fisted in his shirt, clinging to him as if he were the only thing keeping you from drowning. In a way, he was. Megumi had become the beacon of light in a world that had gone dark. He was your anchor, the one steady point in a storm of chaos and loss, and you held onto him as if letting go would mean losing yourself entirely.

“Megumi,” you gasped, his name spilling from your lips like a confession, like a prayer. Your voice was broken, thick with tears. “I was so scared… I thought—I thought I’d lost you.”

He stiffened for a moment, caught off guard by the intensity of your desperation, but then he relaxed. His arms came around you, hesitant at first, but then more secure, wrapping you in a warmth that seemed to seep into your very soul. The hand he placed at the small of your back pressed you closer, grounding you, keeping you tethered to the present. His other hand cradled the back of your head, his touch gentle, careful, as though he were afraid you might shatter.

“I’m here,” he murmured quietly, his voice low and soothing, but beneath the calm, you could hear the echo of his own exhaustion. “I’m here.”

You shook your head against his chest, the sobs wracking your body with a force you couldn’t control. “I couldn’t… I couldn’t do it without you. I couldn’t survive this if you were gone.”

Each word was torn from you, raw and trembling, as though they had been waiting to be spoken for too long. The fear that had haunted you, the pain of almost losing him, was finally pouring out in a flood of emotion that you could no longer hold back. And Megumi—he was your constant. Your light. The only thing keeping the world from crumbling entirely around you.

His presence, solid and unmoving, was a balm to the wounds you didn’t know how to heal. The warmth of his body against yours, the steady rise and fall of his chest, the soft hum of his heartbeat—all of it was proof that he was real, that he was here, that you hadn’t lost him to the nightmare that had claimed so many others.

You buried your face in his chest, inhaling the familiar scent of him—earth and rain, something grounding, something that had always made you feel safe. His fingers curled in your hair, not with the intent to soothe you, but to remind you that he was here, that he wasn’t going anywhere. His grip was firm, as though he, too, was holding on—not just to you, but to this moment, this fragile sense of peace you had both been denied for so long.

“I thought I lost you,” you whispered again, your voice barely audible, cracking under the weight of your tears. “I thought you were gone, and I—”

“Shh,” he interrupted gently, his voice steady, though you could feel the faint tremble in his breath. He wasn’t immune to the weight of everything you had endured together, and that vulnerability made him feel all the more real. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”

You clung to him, your sobs quieting as the weight of his words settled over you. You didn’t need a grand declaration of love or an elaborate promise. This was Megumi—solid, quiet, unwavering—and that was enough. His presence was enough.

As the minutes passed, your tears began to subside, though the ache in your chest remained. But it wasn’t the same all-consuming despair that had threatened to swallow you whole. With Megumi’s arms around you, you felt grounded, tethered to something real, something you could hold onto. He was the light in the dark, and even in the midst of all your pain, that light gave you hope.

After a long moment, he gently pulled back, just enough to look at you. His fingers brushed your hair from your face, his gaze searching yours, filled with a tenderness that he rarely allowed anyone to see.

“You don’t have to carry this alone,” he said softly, his voice like a whisper in the stillness. “I’m with you.”

Your chest tightened, the tears still clinging to your lashes as you looked up at him. His face was marred by exhaustion, the remnants of battle still etched into his skin, but in that moment, he was everything. He was the proof that you hadn’t lost everything, that there was still something left to fight for, someone to hold onto.

“I was so afraid,” you whispered, your voice raw, breaking under the weight of the words. “Afraid I’d lose you... that you’d be just another name I’d have to carry.”

Your grip on his shirt tightened, your hands trembling. “You don’t know what it did to me... thinking you were gone, thinking I’d never see you again.”

Megumi’s brow furrowed, his expression flickering with something you couldn’t quite name—pain, maybe, or understanding. He stayed silent, but his arms remained firm around you, holding you close, as if he, too, needed this connection.

“I can’t lose you, Megumi,” you murmured, your voice trembling like a fragile thing. “Not you. Not after everything.”

Your words were heavy, laden with the truth you had kept buried for too long. He wasn’t just someone you fought alongside—he was the reason you fought, the light that had kept you going when everything else felt lost. And here he was, standing in front of you, pulling you from the depths when you couldn’t do it alone.

For a long moment, he just looked at you, his eyes dark and unreadable. But then, quietly, he spoke, his voice soft, almost tentative.

“I’m still here.”

The simplicity of it was almost too much to bear. Three words, and yet they held everything. He wasn’t offering you promises or reassurances he couldn’t keep, but in that moment, it was enough. It had to be.

You pressed your forehead to his chest, the tears still slipping down your cheeks, but softer now. “You’re everything,” you whispered, your voice thick with emotion. “I fought for this... for you. I don’t care if the world is broken, as long as I still have you.”

For a moment, there was only silence, your words hanging in the air, heavy with everything you had kept buried inside. Megumi’s chest rose and fell beneath your touch, his breath steady, but there was a tension there, something you hadn’t noticed before. Slowly, he pulled back, just enough to look at you, his gaze dark and conflicted.

His fingers brushed against your cheek, his touch soft, but there was something in his eyes—something raw, vulnerable, like he was standing on the edge of a precipice. He opened his mouth, hesitated, then spoke, his voice low and rough, filled with a weight you hadn’t expected.

“I almost gave up.”

The words hit you like a punch to the gut. You blinked, your breath catching as you looked at him, disbelief flooding your chest. Megumi? The thought alone felt wrong, impossible, and yet here he was, standing before you, saying the words you never thought you’d hear from him.

“I was... ready to let go,” he continued, his voice barely above a whisper, his gaze flickering to the side, as if he couldn’t bear to meet your eyes. “Sukuna was there, pulling at me, wearing me down until I thought... maybe it would be easier. Easier to give in, to just let it all end.”

You stared at him, your heart clenching painfully as the weight of his confession settled over you. He had been so close—closer than you’d ever realized—to losing himself, to disappearing into that darkness. And the thought of it, of him giving in to Sukuna, was almost too much to bear.

“But then... I thought about you.”

Your breath hitched, your eyes widening as his words sank in. Megumi’s gaze flickered back to yours, and this time, it was steady, intense, filled with an emotion so deep it threatened to unravel you.

“You kept me going,” he said, his voice stronger now, more certain. “Even when everything felt impossible, when I thought I was too far gone... I held on because of you. I couldn’t let go, not when you were still here. Not when I knew you’d be waiting.”

The air between you felt heavy, thick with the weight of his words, the truth of everything he had been carrying. And in that moment, you realized just how close you had come to losing him—not just to the war, but to the battle inside his own heart.

Tears welled in your eyes again, but this time they weren’t born of fear or pain. They were tears of relief, of understanding, of love so deep it ached. You had fought for him, but he had fought for you, too—for the chance to stay with you, to not let the darkness claim him completely.

“I couldn’t lose you,” you whispered, your voice breaking, but you didn’t care. “I couldn’t bear it.”

Megumi’s hand cupped your face, his thumb brushing away the tears as they fell, and for a moment, he simply held you there, his eyes searching yours. Then, quietly, with a tenderness that made your heartache, he said, “You’re the reason I’m still standing. You’re everything to me, too.”

[areyoudoingthis]

"So," Ed says while the crew gets the ship ready for Lucius and Pete's matelotage ceremony, shyly swaying his shoulder as he leans towards Stede in what is rapidly becoming Stede's favorite bit of Ed body language. "Zheng's offer."

And Stede hears the question he isn't asking. Hears the plea this time, too. This time he isn't drunk and coming off the high of being worshipped for killing a man to protect his loved ones. The renewed threat on their lives and watching Ed sob brokenly while Izzy died in his arms have sobered him up fast, instilled a new understanding of the way Ed views piracy in him and rearranged his priorities one more time. He thought he had this right when he left Barbados. No matter, he'll keep learning as he goes, keep listening and trying his best to do right by himself and by Ed.

"You wanted to become a fisherman." Ed winces. Stede doesn't hold a drop of resentment towards him, understands how easy it is to panic when faced with something as immense as what they share while the burdens of their pasts still plague them.

"I think I wasn't as well suited to fishing as a I thought," Ed says, ruefully.

"Nonsense. You're great at fishing." He beams at him, knows that Ed is capable of excelling at anything he sets his mind to. But it doesn't have to be fishing, it can be anything they choose. There's a whole world of possibilities open before them now. "What if we explored a different avenue?" he suggests.

Ed's eyes open wide, excited. Stede knows he's on the right track, the way his heart settles in his chest at the look in Ed's eyes tells him he can't go wrong if he follows this instinct for the rest of his days.

"Yeah? Like what?" He sounds impatient to get started.

"I remember you expressing an interest in becoming a restauranter once?"

"Eh, the food industry might be a tad too much work. We'd have to catch the food first, then cook it and serve all the customers..." he looks bashful, like there's something on the tip of his tongue that he's hesitant to speak out loud. "What if-?"

"Yes?" Stede asks, quiet and a little breathless with anticipation. His blood is thrumming, he wants to take this leap with Ed with every fiber of his being, is leagues more eager for this than he was when he first commissioned a ship and set off to sea.

"What about an inn?"

The memory flashes through his mind of Ed gifting a couple of kids on the Republic a bag of gold and a pair of knives, and claiming they weren't pirates but inn owners afterwards. How long has he been thinking about this? How long has this been a dream of his?

"Sounds fun." He smiles, radiant. He's thrilled to join Ed on their next adventure, inn ownership or fishing or bar and grill management. He would go anywhere with him.

"Yeah?" Ed sounds exhilarated too.

"Yes."

And there isn't an ounce of hesitancy in his voice this time around. He knows himself at last, knows the bottomless capacity for loving Ed his heart possesses, doesn't intend to ever let him go again.

Ed leans forward as if he intends to kiss him and Stede's heart starts beating faster, always greedy for Ed. But Ed stops, pauses halfway to Stede and looks doubtful all of a sudden.

"What about this?"

"This?"

"The ship. The crew. Piracy." Stede thinks he means the last one most of all. And god, what a fool he was to almost lose this to a fantasy. What he set out for a lifetime ago wasn't piracy, it was a dream of freedom and a place where he could be himself. He's never more himself than when he's standing next to Ed, looking the future in the eye together. This is his home, where his body and soul belong forever. The ship will continue to house their family and carry them safely across the sea, and they'll come back to visit as much as they want to. He can't wait to see what they get up to, either.

"You're the only adventure I need, Ed."

And Ed melts into his arms and kisses him sweetly.

[chemkin-c-chickin]

The Cemetery --

What a drag. Today was starting out rather boring. No Bajie, he's busy, no Master, he's busy, and Erlang is-- He passed by the cemetery and paused.

After their little not-date a few weeks back, they didn't see each other much. But now here he is, in front of a lone gravestone separated from the others.

He looked rather dour so Wukong leaped up and landed beside him, causing a strong wind.

"Whose grave is this?"

"The flowers.."

"Hm?"

"You blew away the flowers for my mother, you fool!" He doesn't expect a slap, and for some reason it hurts more then a punch.

"Well, that was your fault, not mine! You should've tied them down or something!" Another slap.

"Leave. Stop disrespecting her grave with your presence.." Erlang's voice trembles with anger, but there's something else too.. something he doesn't recognize.

Wukong leaves to find Bajie. He expects the boar to laugh but instead.. he's quiet.

"Hm.. So, even he's had a mother once upon a time. She must've loved him if he's angry about some flowers." He looks up at the monkey, "You should apologize."

"What?! Me-- I didn't do anything!" Wukong crossed his arms

"Argh, stubborn fool!"

"Idiot boar!" That was the end of it. Later that night, Erlang returned to the grave only to find Wukong standing there with a handful of random flowers.

"..Here! Take it already!" He held them out

"These aren't even the right ones.." Erlang takes the flowers and carefully places them in the vase.

"What was she like?" Wukong finds himself lingering around. He kneels down by Erlang, "I remember... a female monkey caring for me as I grew but she wasn't my mother. I don't have one. What was yours like?"

"The most beautiful woman you could ever see." His voice is soft and his eyes are looking somewhere beyond the earth,

"..She loved us all. Taught us right from wrong, to stand up for people who couldn't do it themselves.."

"Your hair?"

Erlang finally smiles a little, "She taught me how to take care of it, especially in the summer and winter. I keep it long for her."

They sit in silence for a minute or two before Wukong turns to Erlang, "Share it with me."

"What? My memories?"

"No. Your pain. Share it so I know what you carry."

"..It really could kill you."

"Lets see! It might be fun."

"Fool." Wukong touches Erlang's shoulder. The sudden ache in his chest is new. Its uncomfortable. He starts shaking, breathing labored, hands clammy, his teeth clench so hard he tastes a bit of blood.

When its finally over, Wukong releases Erlang's shoulder and stands up, trying to blow it off by stretching, "Nnrgh! Bah! That wasn't so bad!"

Wukong turns, his tone gentle,

"..You carry that with you all the time..?"

"It never leaves. Or gets lighter. I just get stronger."

"Stronger, you say?" He gives Erlang a light whack on his arm, "Lets see with a fight at dawn! The loser has to eat twenty sour plums at once!"

"You have the bigger mouth." Erlang smiles, "I'll never pass up a chance to wipe that smirk off your face."

........................

Eh, romantic or platonic, view it how you want! I just like writing about it!

[twistedwonderlandimaginesblog]

yellow rose with idia? ^^

Idia Shroud:

Yellow Rose - a happy thought that causes a smile.

Today was a day to celebrate memories.

Idia awkwardly fumbled with his tie, feeling it was so tight it might strangle him. Ortho had checked at least three times and confirmed it was fine, but had since left the room to focus on other tasks that needed to be done. Idia had practically thrown him out as the constant reminder of his quickened pulse and high blood pressure only made his anxiety feel worse. He could only stare at himself in the mirror for so long, though he did admire his handiwork as his hair was neatly braided with his brushed aside to prevent his face from being covered. There weren’t many stylists gifted with the ability to style cursed hair and he’d really rather do it himself anyway.

Today was too important for anything to go wrong.

“It’s time!” Ortho floated into the room with an excited look on his face, gesturing to the hall where there would be many people awaiting his arrival. It made his knees knock together as he’s about to be thrown into an ultra-stressful situation, like he was desperately climbing ladders and avoiding barrels to reach a princess who didn’t even want him.

But you did want him, because how else would he have ended up here?

He has a lot to thank Ortho for, including the embarrassing situation that had got you here to begin with. They had been playing a silly little otome game together, meaning Idia was on a CG collecting journey and Ortho was helping him remember which path led where. There was a scene between two main characters where a note was exchanged, something very juvenile with a ‘do you like me, y/n?’ written on it.

“Have you ever tried that?” Idia was carefully reading the dialogue, making sure there were no flags being raised that he was on the wrong route and thus locked out of a precious CG that constantly eluded him due to the specific choices that had to be done in a very specific order and—

“Tried—Eh?” Idia hit his keyboard and accidentally began to skip already seen dialogue, panicking and back tracking to his previous save while Ortho patiently waited next to him. “Wh-what are you saying?”

“Writing a note!” Ortho pointed at the screen where a crudely drawn note was, suddenly looking around the room as he tried to find a physical example for Idia to use. It took some snooping but he found a few crumpled pieces of paper with madman scrawling on only half of it, tearing it apart and handing over the blank piece. “Ask them if they like you, and then I can deliver it! If they say no, you don’t even have to see them!”

It wasn’t like Ortho to indulge in his brother’s extreme introvert nature, and Idia was nearly swayed before remembering it could also implode the fragile balance of his online friend group. You, him, and Crimson Muscle made a formidable group, often being enough to on most raids together so he didn’t have to interact with other idiots online. It was much less painful to speak with you through a screen, knowing he could erase a message over and over until he got it just right. He couldn’t sacrifice that, could he?

He should’ve known Ortho’s mercy was only temporary.

Idia was forced out of the solitude of his room, a luncheon being held to celebrate the hard work of each dorm leader being held. He’d rather eat his own hands than celebrate but Crowley wouldn’t budge, persistent and irritating about the whole ordeal. The only good part was seeing your face in high-def rather than via a pixelated avatar online. He still didn’t sit directly across from you but diagonal was good enough for him; not the center of your attention but just within your peripheral where you could notice him.

“Psst, brother! I brought it!” Idia has a piece of paper hastily shoved into his hand, “I wrote it last night! Now you can give it to them in person for an even quicker response!”

He’s suddenly certain the entire world is conspiring against him, trying not to attract your attention as he frantically responded to Ortho.

“That won’t work!”

“Why not?” Ortho tilted his head in a clueless gesture, “In 4 out of the 6 good ends, the note is the pivotal moment in all of them! The Bad End only triggered if you didn’t build up your characters confidence enough to pass the note in class!”

Ortho is just quiet enough that you can’t make out exactly what he’s saying but you can hear him speaking, your eyebrows raised as you looked at the Shroud brothers. Idia saw the dialogue options appear before his very eyes as reality blended with video games for a moment: he could either pass the note to you now and accept the consequences or allow Ortho to reveal it was from the plot of some 3-star Otome game since he wasn’t creative enough to come up with his own way to confess.

He had tossed the paper at you, watching it land right in your half-open bag before he dashed, moving quicker than his physical body had ever moved before. He’d personally expel himself if Crowley tried to drag him back out of his room, he’d just take his parents business over and that’d be the end of that. He didn’t know how long he’d been curled up on his bed, face in his pillow as he considered just smothering himself rather than facing the light of day again. Life’s built-in autosave meant his fate was sealed and, somehow, he felt even more cursed than before.

Until a note slipped under his door, the side the writing was on turned upward so he could see it from his bed.

A little ‘y’ circled in red ink had led to this.

A grand hall decorated with flowers, STYX employees in their finest clothing filling most of the seats, the smell of expensive but most likely delicious foods just waiting to steal everyone’s attention away. When Idia entered the room he could see some of his and your family, along with a few friends dotted throughout but he can’t look for long as he felt like he might pass out.

He stood tall at the front of the room, glancing at the entry way anxiously, like he was truly afraid a too big primate would come through beating his fists on his chest and kidnapping his lover. He had been in a position like this before, albeit less willingly, and he began to understand now why it was so important to put his feelings out there even with the chance of rejection. A bell chimes and the music begins, and Idia can’t wipe the smile from his face.

The pointed grin remained even as you approached, your expression mirroring his as you smiled right back; he suspected by the end of the night his cheeks would ache with how happy he was, but he supposed he could put up with it for a day, for you.

[vallanoux]

𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐜𝐡𝐫𝐚 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚. - 𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝟏, 𝐒𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐄 𝟒

ps: chapter 4! it's nearly 12 pages <3

The very next day, (name) walks out of her room, feeling groggy, but well-rested enough for another day. Similar to the night prior, she doesn’t let herself think too much about her situation, and rather focuses on the present. What she wished to be nothing more than just a made up dream was real. (name) (surname) really did get transmigrated into Hazbin Hotel after being killed by an insane fan. 

A shiver crawls down her spine. (name) wraps her hands around herself and squeezes her forearms tight, “you can do this… just like always. You’re known to make the best improvisations when things go wrong on stage. This is- This is nothing different from a stage gone wrong, yeah?” 

(name) forces herself to believe in what little confidence she has left, and knocks on Lucifer’s bedroom door. It takes him a while to respond. 

“(name), is that you?” He calls, then, in a more hushed voice meant for only him to hear, he continues, “of course it would be… Who else would it be, you idiot?” 

After turning into a.. bat human? Bat demon? Eh, not too sure, and not that it matters.. But.. all of (name)’s senses had improved far beyond that of an average human. What she normally wouldn’t have heard as a human, she could hear as clear as day. 

“Yes, it’s me! You promised that you’d teach me more about my powers? Is it too early? I’ll go if you still want to be alone.”

“Teaching..? Powers..?” He confusedly mutters to himself. It takes him a while to realize what (name) was talking about. The brain fog that clogged his mind constantly deteriorated his memories, barely ever letting anything sit right and firm in his mind. 

Then, the door bursts open, revealing the King of Hell bearing a bright grin on his face, “I remember!” 

It broke (name)’s heart to see him happy over such a small thing as remembering. Under the stress of mental fatigue, day-to-day tasks that should have come by easily no longer did. The body, because of the mind, loses its innate ability to care for itself. With a hopeless overseer, what would push its dependents to work? Nothing. Nonetheless, she musters up an encouraging expression for Lucifer, “yes, you remembered. Thank you, Lucifer.” 

Pleasantly surprised that (name) hadn’t questioned his poor memory, he excitedly grabs her hand and pulls her close. He uses his powers to teleport the both of them to the rooftop of his castle. 

And, there it was again. Pressed up against him and so close to the crook of his neck, she smells it. The deliciously sweet scent of musk and cinnamon apple pie that would make anyone ravenous. Heat prods at the shell of her ears, painting them rosy in color. 

When they arrived, the Broadway talent hurriedly got out of Lucifer’s grasp, “and here we are!” 

“That must've been too close, sorry. I got a little too excited.” He dorkily rubs the back of his head. “It’s just been a while since I’ve gone flying––or taken anyone flying!” 

“It happens.” (name) stares at the vast expanse of nothingness that stretches endlessly right outside of pentagram city. There was nothing but hard, sharp, rocky stones. “Is there really nothing out there?” 

“Save for a few demons who try to find peace and quiet out there, not really. It’s not livable.” Lucifer explains. “Why, you want to go there?” 

“Just curious, and... would you mind using some more of your magic? I’m only wearing a nightgown and it’s very, very chilly up here.” She shivers as a gust of wind blows past her. “And not to mention, a nightgown is very unideal for flight. I might flash people.”  

Lucifer looked so disappointed in himself when (name) pointed both things out. He slumps and waves his apple scepter to change her outfit into something much more comfortable. “How could I forget again? There you go.” 

“What matters is that you’ve actually done it when I asked,” she tilts her head and gives Lucifer a concerned expression. “You're giving yourself standards you’re bound to fail, and that’s healthy for no one. Not everyone can notice everything.” 

“You’re right. It’s just that I used to be a lot more observant, is all.” He allows himself to remain downcast for a couple more seconds, then he lets himself brighten up if only just a bit. “It's because you're that much of an important guest to me. The first guest I’ve had in ages.” 

“You’re already plenty good to me.” (name) lets her wings stretch out in the wind, enjoying the feeling of air slipping and gliding across her outstretched wings. “I’m satisfied, so you don’t have to worry about it in the future.” 

The Broadway talent turns around and offers him a hand, “for now, teach me how to fly!” 

Eagerly, he takes her hand and brings her right to the very edge of the castle’s pointed roof––it’s highest point. “The winds are a bit strong today. Maybe we shouldn’t learn this now? We can wait until the wind is steadier. What about we learn about your other powers instead?” 

(name) lifts a hand and feels the strong breeze, “I’m new to this, so I have no clue what you’re talking about. But don’t they say it’s best to learn from difficulty? Pressure either makes or breaks you, and so far, I'd say it's made me.” 

“You... have a point, but still, I'm worried. Though, you sound confident in yourself, so I'll trust you. You don’t mind if I touch your wings, right?” Lucifer maneuvers to her back.

“Nope, go ahead.” (name) shrugged. 

“Well, these things tend to be very sensitive. Especially on the base.” His hands glide to the tips of (name)’s wings. He pats them down, keeping them neatly folded.  “Don’t leave them open when you’re walking around, you’ll bump into things easily, and air resistance will make them feel heavier.” 

She shivers at the sensation of his cool fingers tracing across her wings, fixing her posture. A purr rises up her throat, but she stops it right where it starts. She wouldn't allow herself to put on such an embarrassing display.  I shouldn’t let anyone touch them freely in the future. That’s dangerous. 

Unaware of the Broadway talent’s inner struggles, Lucifer continues on. “There are two ways to take off depending on where you need to fly from. Ground take offs require more effort, which is why we’ll learn them later. Taking off from higher grounds is easier since the winds are stronger. Stronger winds means you can catch them easily, and glide with them. It's common to start by jumping with your wings tucked, then when you feel enough wind pushing against you, you spread your wings wide to catch the wind. Since my wings are different from yours, I don’t know much about what happens after in the air. According to the texture of your wings, I'm sure to keep yourself flying, you'll have to flap them a lot more than me. My wings are good for gliding and long flights while yours are very agile and good for sharp turns."

“Woah, Professor Lucifer~” (name) teased him. “Getting into the zone, aren’t you? You're certainly very knowledgeable.” 

Lucifer’s cheeks flush at her teasing. He giggles softly and averts his gaze, “well.. I used to teach the young ones how to fly way back when. They were very cute and fuzzy little things, like ducklings!” 

“That’s very sweet of you,” (name) compliments. “Now I’m very confident that you won’t let anything bad happen to me. I’m in good hands.”

For some reason, at (name)'s bold statement, Lucifer’s disposition straightens, and his lighthearted tone irons to firmness, “trust me. Nothing will happen to you when I’m here.” 

He falls into silence, so she takes the time to earnestly look into his eyes, and she sees that there’s something terribly wrong. A spark of a storm whirling in his eyes, that shined and for a brief moment, looked past (name) and everything behind her. 

Before she could speak up on her concerns, he broke out of his inward dilemma and held out both hands for her to take, “take my hands, (name). I’ll show you how to fly.” 

She takes his hands and looks at him, waiting for more instructions, “and?” 

Lucifer lets his wings show, spreading from their furled state. “I’m going to create a gust of wind for you, and you try to catch it, okay?” 

He flaps his wings and a strong gust of wind blows past her. (name) stretches her wings out, attempting to catch the wind as he said she would. It came by naturally to her, as if it was second nature. A bright grin breaks onto her lips, curling up and wide onto her features. Her eyes glinted with light, the brightest Lucifer had ever seen from her–– and dear, oh dear was it an addicting expression he wishes to see more often. Wishes to be the reason of. 

“I’m doing it! I’m really doing it!” She cheers brightly, her now rounded, almost childlike (e/c) eyes held at attention with Lucifer's own yellow ones. 

“Yes, yes you are.” He says with such tender endearment it makes (name) freeze. 

She knew well enough to know that the endearment in his voice wasn’t directly addressed to her. Rather, to someone else he used to hold so dearly. Yet, to know that she made him feel such a glimpse of such a strong, positive emotion was enough to cause the small twinge of guilt in her chest to eat her alive. 

As her focus was averted away from her wings, they were left open wide, blowing her back onto the roof and pulling Lucifer down along with her. Lucifer reacts quickly. He uses his wings and wraps them around (name) and himself tightly, securing her in a protective embrace. He also places his hand behind her head and presses her head to his chest to prevent any whiplash. Lucifer, bless his sweet soul, had secured her so well as that when impact hit, it felt completely painless to (name).  

Still, from all the movement and spinning, her head spun in circles and made it so that it was hard to respond properly to Lucifer, whom immediately hoisted her up and began fussing over her, checking for injuries. He looked so frightened when he was checking her, as if he’d done something terribly, criminally wrong. 

His eyes shift to the Broadway talent’s. His worry dies down, replaced by a little hint of anger and a lot of exasperation. He reaches to pinch her cheek and scolds her,  “(name)? Why did you stop? That was a very dangerous thing for you to do! You don’t get distracted when you’re flying unless you want to fall and die, or at least experienced enough to recover from a nasty incident.” 

He locks her gaze. (name), to her own regret, quips back before she could stop herself, “well, I wasn’t the only one who was distracted.” 

Her eyes widen and she immediately apologizes, “sorry, I didn’t mean that at all.” 

Rather than the angered response she was expecting, Lucifer looks downcast and forlorn. “You’re right. I was stuck reliving some memories I should’ve let go by now. You’re not––you’re not who I wished you were, and it’s wrong for me to treat you like someone else just because you’re similar. It must’ve been off-putting to have someone you hardly know stare at you like that.” 

His gaze meets (name)’s again, “but that still doesn’t change that you almost hurt yourself, you know?” 

“I know, Lucifer. I let it get to me a bit too much.” (name) admits. “I”m sorry, for the person you lost.. Whoever it was.” 

Although I already know who and why... Heaven, Lilith, Eve... how could you do this to him?

“Thank you,” he mutters. “I appreciate it. More than you know.” 

“Are you this nice to me because I remind you of that person? Because if that’s the case... It’d be hard accepting what isn’t mine.” Although (name) knew her words could completely stop all the good will she would be receiving from Lucifer, it was the right thing to do. She couldn’t bear the guilt of fooling someone so extraordinarily kind like Lucifer. Like I did before… 

“No, I genuinely care for you, (name).” He shakes his head. “I care for you since you’re my… first friend in decades. We’re friends, right..?” 

(name) couldn’t deny the hopeful shine in his eyes, “yes, my very first friend in Hell.” 

Lucifer, at that point, was nothing but sparkles and rainbows. He gives a cheer and squishes her in a very, very tight hug whilst rubbing his cheek against (name)’s. So soft.. And so very squishy. 

Taking her chance, she whispered into Lucifer’s ear, "as someone with issues letting go of the past, I get you. But don’t let it eat you alive. Don’t make that mistake. Because that's what.. Landed me here. At least, I’d assume so.” 

For the first time in years, (name) lets the mask fall if only for a moment; the thin veil gone, and the performance was put on break. (name) never wanted to admit it, but her career as one of the most prestigious Broadway talents had devoured her whole. Took her heart, ate it on a silver platter, shit it out and forced it right back into her mouth for her to swallow and choke on in one endless, insufferable cycle. Most her life had been nothing but a comfortable lie. 

The very next second, she finds herself laughing, because really, how ironic was it that the first time she chose to be honest wasn’t when she was alive, but rather dead in Hell, and to the King of Hell himself? Who, like her, was burdened far more by his past than he would ever show. 

“I’m not laughing because it’s funny. More so that I haven’t been this honest in ages.” (name)'s laugh mellows down. “It’s a nice feeling.” 

“I’m glad you feel as if I’m someone you can be honest around,” Lucifer mumbles gently as he pats her back. “I try not to think about it, but it ends up being a double-edged sword since I hardly remember anything.” 

“I’m sorry,” (name) whispers back. There was nothing she herself could do to change the situation, or make it any better. All she can give is a well-natured, earnest wish. “I hope it gets better.” 

“It just might,” he pulls away and steals a glance at (name). “Why don’t we move on and try flying practice again? Or are you feeling unwell after the fall?” 

“No, you’re right. Let’s not sour the mood.” (name) tries to get up, but right before she does lift herself, she realizes that she was in a rather precarious position with Lucifer. “Um.. Lucifer?” 

She steals a glance at his wings that were still tightly wrapped around her to give him a hint. It takes a while for Lucifer to realize, but once he does... the poor man combusts. His entire face was now a similar color to his natural red circular accents on his cheek. In (name)’s fair opinion, it was absolutely adorable to see him turn all red and blushy. Really, the cutest, most adorable sight. 

(name) laughs at Lucifer, who looks like he’s on the verge of fainting from embarrassment. Her laughter probes him to unwrap his wings and scramble off of her. However, still a true gentleman by nature, he offers her a hand with his gaze turned away, too flustered to look directly at into her eyes. 

She takes his hand with a grin as he helps her up, “let’s practice flying, shall we?”

She only holds his hand for a brief moment before letting go. She then rushes to the top of the roof, leaving Lucifer behind, and before he could stop her, she jumps off with a large, taunting grin on her face. 

“Catch me if you can!” The Broadway talent calls as she dives off the tallest point of the castle, with her wings tucked in to increase the speed of her fall. 

“(name)!” Lucifer was quick on his feet, immediatley rushing off the tower and jumping after her. 

His wings furl around him, and he holds an outstretched hand to catch her. His eyes narrowed, brows knitted together and his smile pressed into a thin, almost downward line, solely focussed on saving (name). And, right before she would be pierced by a large, pointed rock that would have definitely made a skewer out of her, Lucifer swoops her into his arms. 

“You’re seriously the most reckless person I know! Why would you do that?” Lucifer was reasonably extremely angered. 

“Because no matter what, I knew you’d catch me.” She holds his gaze with more certainty and confidence than she’s ever worn her entire life. 

What looked to Lucifer as a purely reckless decision on (name)’s part was instead a purely calculated move performed by the Broadway talent meant to create this very scene––meant to reinvigorate Lucifer’s faith in himself that he could indeed protect what was important. 

Struggling to find it in himself to stay angry, the corners of his lips twitch upward, “I’ll catch you, always. No matter how many times you fall.” 

The fruits of both Lucifer and (name)’s labor proved to be fruitful. After (name)’s “reckless” trust fall, as Lucifer called it, she was able to properly learn how to fly. 

“I’m so proud of you! You’re a natural flier for sure,” Lucifer had a cute, dopey smile on his face that egged (name)’s urges to pinch his cheeks. She looks away to refrain herself from doing as such. 

“What can I say? It must be my bat instincts kicking in.” She bites into the food plated right in front of her. 

The pair, noticing that it had gotten quite late, returned to the castle for dinner. That day, from morning until late, had been filled with nothing but flying, obviously tiring out (name). On the other hand, Lucifer claimed to be completely full and surprisingly, energized. 

“Demons don’t need to eat. I’m curious why you’re hungry, actually.” He gazes at her plate with interest. “But what you cooked definitely looks delicious.” 

“Because it is delicious.” (name) proudly grins. “A recipe my friend shared with me back from Earth.” 

“Ah, how wonderful,” he rests his chin on his hands, keeping his attention on me. “Do you also want to learn about your other powers today? Or another?” 

“No, today is good. It’d be nice to get everything out of the way first. But.. How are we going to do that? Aren’t my powers just something I figure out along the way? I heard experiencing mentally stressful situations would urge someone to figure out their powers. That’s what the book said in the library!” 

“The book isn’t wrong,” Lucifer nervously chuckles. “But it is oddly a very scary way to find out your own powers. Instead, I can just do it for you with my magic.” 

“Wait, really? You can do that?” She looks at Lucifer with big eyes.

“(name), you seem to forget that it’s the King of Hell you’re talking to. Of course I can do it!” He crosses his arms and puffs his chest proudly. 

You literally can’t blame me. You’re so dorky, so cute, so squishy, so mushy, so AAAA- (name) takes a deep breath to stop her inner dialogue and to mask her rather questionable thoughts, she stuffs her face with more of her own cooking. 

“Well, you don’t exactly radiate that energy, do you? You’re very cute.” 

“M- Me? I’m cute?” 

“Totally.” 

Lucifer takes off his hat and buries his face in it, letting out muffled whines, “you can’t say that to me!” 

“But I can.” (name) leans in closer. “Cause you’re my friend now.” 

“I regret it already.” He groans. 

“Aww, no you love me.” She coos in return, which causes Lucifer to bury his head further into his hat. The poor snake that was wrapped around his hat slithered off, questioningly booping Lucifer to see if he was alright. “See? My point stands both here and in court.” 

“Aghhh!” Lucifer slumps and completely goes still. 

(name) looked at him with a raised brow, “you good?” 

“Fine..” He manages to get out. He straightens his back and wears his hat again, finished recollecting himself. “Just give me your hand and I can already tell what type of magic you have.” 

Thinking nothing of it, the Broadway talent reaches her hand over the table. What she least expected to happen, happened. Lucifer takes her hand and intertwined his fingers in between hers, pressed his palm against her own and gently squeezed her hand. He proceeds to pull her closer to himself. 

“Two can play at this game.” He looks at me with a half lidded gaze, the edges of his lips curled up into a devious, taunting smirk. 

“Oh, you devil.” (name) lifts up her other hand to hide her face and casts her glance aside. 

“I quite literally am, amicus meus,” he giggles and he gives my hand another squeeze, which he proceeds to let go seconds after. “Okay, I know your powers now.” 

“Really? You weren’t.. completely messing around?” (name) lifts her gaze cautiously, afraid she’d be duped again. 

“Really. And by the looks of it, you have interesting powers! Much like that of a demon.. So it almost makes me wonder more than anything else how you even have divinity in you in the first place. And it’s even more curious that you don’t know the answer-” 

(name) finds Lucifer’s tendency to ramble extremely endearing. She waits until he finishes before she says her piece, “I know, it’s a little weird. Though, could you tell me about my powers, please? I’m curious” 

“Oh, right! That! So, to sum it up, you should have all the powers of a bat. Like echo-location, night vision and the like. I’m also quite surprised to see this since most demons don’t have magic, but you do. Get well acquainted with shadows, (name). I’m certain you won’t regret it.” 

“Shadows?” (name) curiously tilts her head. 

“It seems to me that you can hide in them and communicate? I’m not quite sure how the latter half works since shadows aren’t sentient, but I’m sure you’ll figure that bit out by yourself. You’re a smart person.” Lucifer gives an expectant smile. “Yeah, I’ll figure it out. Thanks Lucifer.” (name) nods her head in understanding. 

She finishes the last bits of food and takes the emptied plate. Lucifer gives her a questioning look, “what are you doing?” 

“Cleaning the plate..?” 

“I can just do that with magic.” 

“Oh.” She sets the place down. “Then could you please..?” 

“Sure thing.” With a wave of his adorable apple scepter, the plate is now out of sight. He taps the table and he straightens up as a new thought pops up in his head, “we should get you some clothes, (name)! Let’s go shopping tomorrow?” 

“And with what money?” The Broadway talent raises a brow, giving Lucifer an odd look. 

“My money! Again, being friends with the King of Hell has its benefits~” he says in a sing-song tone of voice as he flashes me another charming smirk. “I have wealth and connections.” 

“If you say so,” (name) returns an exasperated but grateful glance. “I’ll go test out my powers now, so I’ll see you next thing in the morning?” 

“Yep, I’ll just jot it down so I remember.” Lucifer approaches her and looks at her expectantly.

“Yes?” (name) raises a brow. 

“A goodnight hug.” Lucifer goes on his tiptoes and pulls (name) into a tight, warm hug. “From a friend, to a friend.” 

She buries her face in the crook of his neck and gives him a quick tight squeeze before pulling away. I could never get used to your warmth, Lucifer. But it means more to me than you’ll ever know.

“Yes, from a friend to a friend.” 

11.7 pages

4,094 words

status: edited

Notes:

i don't know why, but i sort of headcannon luci speaking latin? also GUYSSS LUCI KNOWS HE'S HOTTTT!!! LOOK AT THIS SHOT FROM EP. 8!!!

next chapter is luci's pov

[atinyjules]

HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER - MARK

Wassupp! So...I'm in the dreamies phase again😭 soo like...the Seonghwa angel request will take a while since I'm stuck in a writer's block for that one (╥﹏╥)

Anyways here's dad!mark~

pairings : dad!mark x Female oc (as his wife but doesn't appear in the story)

Genre: Dad au, fluff, established relationship.

Warnings: Barely any.

Characters : Mark and Geonu (6)

"Appa! Appa! Appa!" an overly excited Geonu pulled on his father's shirt while jumping like a bunny.

"I can hear you if you didn't already know. You're supposed to be asleep...what's wrong?" he asked his son who kept jumping causing a chuckle to leave his mouth.

"I can't sleep without a storyy!" he said making his father groan.

"Geonu, I'm busy...can't you sleep without a story?" Mark said making a large fit of whines to leave the little boy's lips.

"Nooo, eomma always tells me one before I go to bed!" he said causing his father to freeze at the mention of his wife.

He let out a sigh as he remembered the way you barged out of the house with tears on your face after a really bad fight. None of that was supposed to happen but it did and now you were in your sister's house and he knew you weren't returning anytime soon. Geonu had no clue as to what happened due to still being at school that time. Telling him you would be out of town for while-

"Please...eomma always tells me one." softening at the sight of his son's glossy big eyes that resembled yours.

"Alright...go wait for me in the bed, I'll be there in a sec." Mark said as Geonu excitedly waddled to his bedroom causing Mark to let out a chuckle.

"You ready?" Mark asked Geonu, sitting beside him on his bed.

"Yes!" Geonu exclaimed and laid his head on Mark's chest.

"Since I don't have any stories to tell you...I'll tell you how I met eomma." he said as Geonu nodded.

"I originally first met your eomma at a summer camp during middle school but it was at high school that I got to actually know her and let me tell you...she was gorgeous, the most beautiful person I ever laid eyes on...she still is, her beauty wasn't the only thing that intrigued me." Mark said as Geonu looked at Mark in confusion.

"It wasn't?" he asked as Mark shook his head and ran his fingers through Geonu's hair.

"Nope...you might not know this but your eomma has a black belt in karate, the undefeated champion of Korea for 5 years...she would always use her strength to defend the weak and punish the bullies." Mark said as he smiled, memories hitting him like a fresh breeze.

"That seems like a very eomma thing to do! I can't wait to tell Dasom and Dawon!" Geonu said referring to Jisung's twins who were coincidently their playmates and friends at school.

"Don't brag too much or else you'll regret it." Mark said with a chuckle.

"Eh? Appaa! Continue!" Geonu asked as Mark smiled.

"Alright, alright....so yeah...I got to know your eomma at high school since we had around four classes together. At first I found her a bit scary since she was so strong but as time went on I realised that the both of us had a lot of similarities.

Like our same love for watermelons and music. I also found out that she followed me on soundcloud which came as a shock to me since I only had like 8 followers so I was touched...so touched. And in no time we became besties. Hanging out on the weekends and helping out at her family dojo be came my favorite pass time especially since I get bored really easily." Mark said earning a nod of agreement from Geonu.

"I agree, appa your interest level is only 20 percent that's what me and eomma think." he said as Mark let out a laugh.

"Is that so huh?" Mark asked causing Geonu to nod.

"Appa, when did you ask eomma out?" Geonu asked as Mark chuckled at the memory.

"I asked her out right after she threw a punch to my stomach." Mark said with a sigh, still remembering your face after he confessed.

"Why did she punch you?" Geonu asked.

"Because I indirectly told her she was too intimidating and boyish without realising, so she got angry." he said making Geonu giggle.

"So you told her you loved her?" Mark nodded at that.

"Yep...she slapped me right after I confessed." Mark said rubbing his cheek and smiling sweetly.

"Appa...you love eomma don't you?" Geonu asked his dad who chuckled at the response.

"Of course I do! Why do you ask?"

"If you really love her then tell her you're sorry..." Geonu said making Mark widen his eyes.

"You always give off a guilty/sad vibe whenever you upset eomma and also...uncle Haechan told me." Geonu replied causing Mark to make a mental note to kick Haechan's ass tomorrow morning.

"I'm sorry...I know eomma is probably really really sad with me but I promise you that I'll apologize to her...even if it means to get a punch from her." Mark said earning him a hug from Geonu.

"I know..." Geonu said with a yawn as Mark lulled him to sleep and sat down on the floor beside the bed of your empty shared bedroom. He took out his phone and sent you a voice message.

"Hey...it's me..."

[theartofwriting3]

I Remember Everything

Tommy Shelby x Reader

Summary: Y/n ends up at the Garrison after a very hard few months and runs into an old friend *wink wonk*

Warnings: Swearing, smoking, drinking, mentions of child loss, Tommy being Tommy, Y/n being…well Y/n, brief mention of smut (nothing actually happens though), Country music

A/n: I said I would post this like…a week ago but I forgot I had some stuff going on and shit. And then I forgot this existed. Please excuse how shitty and kind of short it is, I kind of suck.

It wasn’t long before the pub started clearing out, Y/n halfway drowned in whiskey and her memories. She didn’t even realize who was pouring her drinks anymore, or that it wasn’t the original bartender that was pouring shot after shot of scotch in her whiskey glass for the last hour.

“Think you’ve had enough, eh?” The bartender said, reaching to grab her glass.

“I’ve had enough when I throw my money up here and walk out of this pub.” she looked up at him and immediately, her entire demeanor changed. “Fuck are you doing, eh? Bartending? What happened to the whole…”

“So you’re not drunk enough to not notice me…”

“Sadly, no.” Y/n shrugged, taking another sip of her drink. “Haven’t seen you since you left for the war.” Five years. He left for the war five long, miserable years ago. She never truly got over it, being left alone like that with the small chance of him coming back.

“Haven’t seen you since you left with the kid…didn’t expect to see you here alone anytime soon.” Thomas poured himself a glass, then poured her another.

“Neither did I…” She downed it without question as he lit a cigarette. He offered her a smoke, and she obliged, taking the first puff from it and blowing it out through her nose.

Again, another truth she didn’t want to admit. She never planned on coming back here. Having not heard from Thomas in so long, she thought he was dead. She resented this place, afraid of the memories it might have brought back for her. Afraid that she wouldn’t be able to let them go.

“You never answered my question? What happened with the whole business thing, running around here like a fucking gangster and all that?”

“Still do it, but I have to keep a few side gigs to seem less suspicious, eh?” He wasn’t wrong. He was clever, intelligent enough to actually try, add succeed covering up his tracks…most of the time, at least.

“So why are you here?” She didn’t want to answer that question, for she had been avoiding it since everything happened. “Somebody watching Willy?”

That was his nickname for William, Y/n’s son. Just the thought of his nickname brought back the memories of when Tommy would help her with him. How he would teach him things, take him places, all of that, just to give Y/n a little break. There were a few times William asked her if Tommy was his father. She told him no, because he wasn’t, but he would still slip and call him “dad” a few times.

She didn’t want to tell Tommy about what had happened, knowing it would probably hurt him too. Not as much as it had hurt her though.

“Y/n? Where’s Willy?”

She gave in.

“Dead, Thomas. He’s dead.” Her words were soft spoken, but in a mournful way. It hasn’t been two months since she woke up to her ill son cold in her arms, his heart stopped. She just wanted the memories of it to be gone already. Her reply made the man freeze, putting down his glass and looking at her, his eyes laced with worry.

“Why didn’t you come here sooner?”

“Thomas, no amount of fuckin money would have saved him, alright? No trip to this filth hole would have made him any better. What would be the fuckin point?”

“I could have helped-”

“He wasn’t your fucking son!”

“Yeah well I fucking felt like he was!” His sudden change in tone made her jump slightly, wishing she hadn’t yelled at him over the whole thing.

William was, however, like a son to Tommy. On multiple occasions, the boy would ask his mother “Can he be my father?” and she would never answer. She didn’t know what to say, her son wanting her good friend to be his dad, and the man already treating him like a son. She made sure to scold the boy when he would ask Tommy, only to have him laugh it off.

“Thomas…” she murmurs, and he reaches out and brushes his knuckles against hers.

“Don’t try saying sorry…because it’s fine.” At this point, they dropped the whole conversation about William, preventing further argument.

By the time she had finished another drink, he had caught up to her, just each other's presence bringing back the memories before the war. They weren’t bad, but they were something to drink over so you would forget about them. Forget about the whole reason the two weren’t being comfortable with each other like you used to.weren’t all happy and comfortable with each other like they used to be.

That wasn’t, however, the only good memory they tried to drown out, the two of them. Between raising her son together, there were things no amount of whiskey, scotch or Irish, could drown from the back of their memories.

The mix of their warm breaths and pants, the rustling of bed sheets in the dead of night. None of it was all that bad, but she had tried everything to forget the brush of his rough hands on her bare skin. He’d drank everything he could find for the longest time to try and forget the taste of her lips and the soft sound of his name when it slipped past them.

The silence between them was loud and irritating. One had hoped the other would speak, but nothing was said. That is, until Thomas spoke up.

“You know, I still remember it all.”

“All of what?” She pulled her hand away.

“That night before I left for the war…five years ago.” He trailed off, putting out the cigarette from earlier and lighting another. She sighed and pushed her glass away, running her hand through her hair.

“I try not to remember it…” She mumbled.

“Why is that?” A stupid question, really. A stupid, yet frequent question. She answered anyways.

“Never thought I would see you again…” It was part of the truth; with the way the war had gone, she never thought he would come out sane, let alone come back from the war at all. She never expected to see him ever again. The rest of the reason was that she didn’t think he would want her after the war. Hell, she didn’t think he wanted her at all, even as they lay together in his bed all those years ago.

Thomas had noticed she wasn’t saying the entire truth to the reason, and he sighed. “I thought of you…every single day I was out there. There wasn’t a single moment you didn’t cross my mind.”

Y/n felt her heart swell, a bit of hope in her eyes as he spoke. She felt her mind was at ease now, more at ease than the alcohol had made it.

“Every damn day I spent in that hell hole…you got me out of it.” He leaned against the bar, trying to get her to meet his gaze.

She drank some more, smiling softly- something she hadn’t done in a long time.

“There’s that smile…” Tommy murmured, the corners of his mouth turning up into a small smile as well.

“What?”

“You only smile like that when you’re drinking.”

“Oh, so you remember the night before you left, and how I smile when I’m the slightest bit drunk?” She teases, her smile turning to a smirk. He chuckles and shakes his head.

“I remember everything. Do you not?”

“I wish I didn’t, but I do. I remember it all.” Tommy passed her the cigarette, watching closely as she took a long drag from it. She leaned her head back and blew the smoke out through her nose. She passed it back to him and he took a smoke before stubbing it out.

At this point, they were multiple drinks in, reliving the stories of their past. Thomas just kept pouring and pouring, and they kept drinking and drinking. Until finally, the the bottle was empty, not a drop left. Tommy had offered to open another bottle, but she declined. She had got off the stool shakily, dizzy from the amount of alcohol she had. She then started to dig through her purse.

“Ah, keep the money. Don’t want you going broke already.” Tommy stopped her.

“It would be stupid of me not to pay you for something.”

Tommy just shook his head and came out from behind the bar. He lifted her chin with his finger and kissed her forehead gently. “You’ve payed me enough.”

With that, they both left the pub, Y/n stumbling with every step. They went their separate ways, once again. Y/n felt a weight on her chest, getting heavier with every step she took away from him. The same weight she ended up there to drink away. Her mind was racing with thoughts of if they’d ever see each other again, if they’d truly lost each other. She wanted to turn back and run to him. She wanted to. But she didn’t. She kept walking, and walking. The weight never left, nor did she think it would ever leave.

It never did

[cirilla-fiona-riannon]

A Gentleman Boyfriend

Translations may not always capture the exact nuances or tone of the original text. Expect grammatical errors.

Blank, ageless, and suspicious blogs will be blocked.

Mai: "Huh?"

(No way. Why?)

(Why is my sketchbook in here!?)

I couldn't help but break into a cold sweat as I noticed my sketchbook, full of compliments about Kicho, had somehow found its way into the bag.

If someone saw me bringing it to our client's mansion, this would turn into a big problem.

(How did this happen?)

I frantically retraced my memories.

(I remember taking it out the night before yesterday.)

------------Flashback-----------

(I have to write this down before I forget!)

I took the sketchbook off the shelf and started writing.

Mai: "Let's see..."

I relied on my memory, but after spending the entire morning together, there were some details I couldn't recall.

(What a bummer. I wanted to record everything about him in detail.)

(Oh, I know! I just need to carry it with me and find opportunities to take notes.)

Without giving it much thought, I put the notebook into the bag I usually use.

---------Flashback Ends---------

(Stupid Mai! It's me! I'm the culprit!)

Kicho: "What's wrong, Mai?"

He saw me standing there, frozen, and peered into the bag.

Mai: "Actually..."

Kicho: "Don't tell me you forgot your designs."

Mai: "Of course not. Look, they're right here!"

I pulled out my designs and quickly organized my bag.

He then took the designs from my hand and examined them.

Kicho: "You're right, everything is here."

Mai: "Yup, everything is all set."

Kicho: "Then why are you panicking?"

Mai: "It's not that I'm panicking. I'm just a little nervous."

At that moment, I sensed someone approaching from behind the sliding door.

Darren: "Kicho, Miss Mai, I apologize for keeping you waiting."

Kicho: "No worries, we've just arrived as well."

With the arrival of our business client, the conversation shifted, making me sigh in relief.

(Phew. It looks like he won't ask me about the sketchbook now.)

Kicho: "We'd like to discuss the designs Mai brought with her."

Darren: "Oh, I'm looking forward to it! Let's take a look right away."

I gathered my designs, and the negotiation began.

Darren: "All of these ideas are fantastic! I can picture my wife wearing some of them."

Kicho: "What about this one? Considering your original requirements, this one might be closer to it."

Darren: "You're right. Both are wonderful!"

(Great, it looks like the negotiations will go smoothly.)

I breathed a sigh of relief as I saw Darren's happy expression.

Kicho: "What do you think, Mai?"

Mai: "Me? I really like this dress in particular."

Darren: "I see. It's elegant, but if I were to suggest something, it could use a bit more flair."

Darren: "Is there something with a similar design but larger patterns?"

Mai: "Ah, in that case..."

(I think there's another dress with an elaborate design.)

I was about to respond when I suddenly realized that the only other design I had with larger patterns was in the sketchbook.

(What should I do? That page is full of notes about Kicho!)

I reached for my sketchbook but hesitated to show it to them.

Darren: "Is something wrong? If it's in there, please show it to us."

(As embarrassing as it is, I have no choice but to show it!)

Just as I was about to open the sketchbook, a piece of blank paper was smoothly handed to me from my side.

Kicho: "Use this."

(Eh? Kicho?)

He turned to Darren and spoke in a composed tone.

Kicho: "As an artist, she's hesitant to show an unfinished design publicly."

Kicho: "Let's have her redraw the design on this paper."

(I see. He's helping me out.)

Seeing Kicho's dignified side, I managed to regain my composure.

Darren: "I apologize for not noticing."

Mai: "No, I'm the one who should apologize."

Kicho: "Mai, can you draw it?"

Mai: "Yes, of course. I'll redraw it right away."

Darren: "I look forward to it!"

Darren's eyes were gleaming as I looked down at my hand holding the brush.

Thanks to Kicho's help, I was able to get through the situation and successfully conclude the business negotiations.

That night, I visited Kicho's room to express my gratitude.

Mai: "Kicho, do you have a moment?"

Kicho: "What's the matter? You don't need to be so formal."

Mai: "I came to thank you."

Mai: "I really appreciate what you did today. The business meeting went well, thanks to you."

Kicho: "I was just there as an interpreter. I didn't do anything special."

Kicho: "Your success was because of your skills."

After saying that, a feeling of pride swelled in my chest as the person I loved recognized me.

(But it's not just that. I couldn't have handled those negotiations on my own.)

Mai: "You helped me when I hesitated to show the sketchbook."

Kicho: "You mean by giving you the paper?"

Mai: "Yes, I was saved by that. So, it's thanks to you."

Kicho: "It's only natural to help when someone you love is in trouble. I've said that before, haven't I?"

(He really is a gentleman.)

My heart started beating faster as I felt the gentle love in his eyes.

Kicho: "I'm just happy I could be of any help to you, even if only a little."

Kicho: "But there's one thing I'd like to ask."

Mai: "There's something you want to ask?"

Kicho: "Yeah, I remember the other day you hid that sketchbook from me when I came into your room."

Mai: "You noticed?"

Kicho: "Normally, you leave your sketches out in the open, but at that time, you deliberately covered them on your desk."

(So he knew I didn't want anyone to see that sketchbook, and that's why he helped me.)

Kicho: "You were trying to hide it, so there must be something important written in there."

Mai: "That's..."

Kicho: "Don't worry. I won't pry into your secrets."

Kicho: "I was just a little curious."

With that, Kicho turned his gaze away.

The moment I saw his lonely expression一

Mai: "That's not it!"

I hastily tried to explain.

Mai: "I don't have any secrets that I want to keep from you."

Kicho: "But that was..."

I saw a hint of confusion in his eyes.

(I don't want to see him with that expression again!)

With these feelings in my heart, I grabbed the sleeves of his clothes.

Kicho: "Mai?"

Mai: "It's not like that at all!"

Mai: "Come with me."

I guided him and led him to my room.

Mai: "Please have a look. I don't intend to hide it anymore."

I took out the sketchbook and boldly handed it to Kicho.

Kicho: "That sketchbook…"

He nodded as if he understood.

Mai: "I use it as a sketchbook, but I also write down my feelings on it."

Kicho: "So you mean it's also a diary?"

Kicho: "But are you sure I can take a look?"

Mai: "Yes. Go ahead and take a look."

Kicho: "----?"

He tilted his head curiously but then decided to open it.

Kicho: ".........."

Mai: ".........."

(This is so awkward!)

Enduring the embarrassment, I watched as Kicho read through the pages.

Eventually, he closed it and placed it on the desk.

Kicho: "Mai."

Mai: "Y-Yeah--"

Before I could finish my sentence, he wrapped his arms around my back.

Kicho: "I understand the feelings you have for me."

Kicho: "And this is my answer to you."

Mai: "Huh? Mmm--"

His lips pressed against mine, and I quickly realized what was happening.

His deep and tender kiss conveyed feelings of love, leaving me breathless.

Mai: "Haaa..."

Our lips parted, and he gazed at me, smiling gently.

Kicho: "You not only see me clearly but also appreciate every little thing I do."

Kicho: "Thank you. I love you just as much."

Mai: "Mmm..."

Lost in his blushing smile, he planted another kiss on my lips.

I responded to his kisses and felt my body floating momentarily, realizing he'd placed me on the bed.

Kicho: "Mai."

Kicho: "I want to touch you more."

(I want to touch him more, too.)

While receiving his sweet kisses, I anticipated a blissful night and closed my eyes in a daze.

Part 1 ╎ Part 2 ╎ Premium ╎ Epilogue

[revserrayyu]

2.4 Xianzhou continuance thoughts [part 1]

**SPOILERS** I didn’t think I’d be up for more story ramblings after the entirety of Penacony, but rejoice, our trip back to the Xianzhou has already exceeded my low expectations. So here we are. Ready to yap once more. At this point, I’ve already finished the entire 2.4 story but this post (probably one of three) will only cover up until the stunning Feixiao makes her first appearance, so be wary of any spoilers and later events that I may or may not possibly mention. Who knows.

I started this mission the night of the update so my memory might fail me at some places, but I sorta remember the giddy tone Dan Heng used here when suggesting March should stay on the Express by herself this time. That man is funny when he wants to be and I adore the teasing these two constantly have with each other. Her mentioning other days of the week in fear of another Sunday fiasco happening is hilarious too.

It’s always a welcomed surprise to hear the Trailblazer speak and I’m so thrilled with how often we got that chance throughout this quest. After watching tiny bits of some ZZZ playthroughs and seeing how often their protagonists get to actually speak, I sincerely hope they continue this in the future with HSR because Rachael & Caleb do a fantastic job with them. English dub bias yes, but I have no doubt all the other languages are great too. Anyways, being cautious to whomever is set to guide us around the ship is real valid. We certainly don’t want another Tingyun situation to take place.

Just the mere mention of Feixiao’s name gets me excited to finally see her in game. But is she truly young? Later on, we learn how she and Yukong are war buddies so it leads me to assume they might be similar in age? Our lovable pilot is around 246 years old, so it could be possible? I could be wrong though of course. I will admit to forgetting if the Foxian lifespan is around 300 or 400 years, or if there’s no actual definite lifetime expectancy, but regardless, the ladies continue to look fabulous.

So the Borisin attack starts, Yunli gets a flashy entrance showcasing her strength as she takes ‘em down with Old Mettle and takes a slight interest in Yanqing’s sword.. that eventually leads to her taking it for herself. I wasn’t expecting them to get along right away but I was surprised that she actually snatched the sword away without a word.

They could not have made this dude seem more obviously suspicious if they tried.

I love how we could’ve actually chosen to mention the fake dream we had of the general and Imbibitor Lunae in Penacony. It was a fantastic dream indeed~

When Huaiyan was teased alongside the other characters during the very end of the 2.3 livestream, I naturally assumed he would become playable as well, but now.. eh, I have my doubts since he didn’t get drip marketed like the rest of them. It could’ve been interesting to have an older gentleman as a unit. I mean, I know we have Welt, but he doesn’t really look this old, you know?

Calling one of Yanqing’s prized swords a simple “dagger,” HA. All their bickering is childish in the most fitting way but I do like how Yunli continues to holds onto his sword, saying that if a sword is lost on the battlefield, it should be reclaimed on the battlefield, or something along those lines.

Huaiyan might appear to be real old, but him having some secret mentor strength like your typical anime grandpas tend to have wouldn’t surprise me at all, so I understand March’s idea to prevent any chance of angering the geezer.

The boys!! And.. only them! Dang, they’re really making me wait to see Feixiao huh. I wonder if there was any hidden reason behind her heading over to Scalegorge, unless it really was just to take in the sights. I also wasn’t expecting Moze to be so tall.

I’m afraid that’s just one of the downsides of being apart of the main character’s crew, March.

Teasing Yanqing is everyone’s favorite pastime. I unfortunately don’t have much to say about Lingsha. I think she’s pretty and naturally I’m interested in meeting another Vidyadhara, but that’s all for now.

The continuous back and forth between these kids drags on a bit much for me but I’m 100% with March on seeing this drama unfold even more.

So the kids start their “spar” and the quick glimpses of the 2.4 trailer start to make sense. Originally, I thought their fight was part of the Wardance ceremony, where they had to prove their strength against other competitors or something, but nope. All that fighting was just for a simple sword. The cutscene was animated nicely and I’m grateful the quality remains decent even outside of main story events, but it’s safe to say my focus was pulled away by a certain someone showing up amidst the brawl..

And my god, does she make a statement! Stopping both Yanqing’s slash and Yunli’s giant sword with just a couple fingers?? HELLO?? Ma’am, you’ve been on screen for not even ten seconds and I’m already deep in love with you.

She’s gorgeous. Her eyes are mesmerizing. All the earrings are super cool. Excuse me while I…*deep breath* AAAAAHHH.

The way she quickly evaluates both of their fighting styles correctly.. amazing. I say she’s certainly a battle expert.

No no no, don’t say that. Don’t say you’re a patient and there’s something medically wrong with you because if something bad happens to you I’ll get so upset!

Eeehehe, that wink and confidence stole my heart. I know what else you’re lacking: a lifelong partner! And I volunteer myself!

I just.. really love her design so much! It’s such a welcomed change from the usual outfits we’ve seen among the other ladies of the Xianzhou. The colors are so vibrant too and the jacket is awesome. Heeyyoo Hoyo, if you wanted to sell this jacket I’d totally buy myself one! Just saying!

Hhmm, I’ll end the fangirling here. For now. There’s bound to be much more on the way.

[archivalofsins]

My thoughts on @tsumigram Unknown Memories. Spoilers for Tsumigram if you haven't read it yet. I'll be going through these one at time in one post since I have free time currently.

First off from a cursory look the Unknown Memories all have different color separators at the beginning of each. They seem to be a mix of the prisoners colors at some points. Except for maybe Mint Candy which seems to be just Miku's color.

But I could be wrong about the separators being a mix of the prisoners colors they involve. On the post itself it is very reminiscent of Miku's prisoner color though,

My computer is always in dark mode so hard to tell for me. I'll follow this train of thought while looking over each memory.

Unknown Memory 1: Candle

A girl sitting at the table looks around, maybe searching for another source of light; the shades of purple are barely getting through the half-closed curtains.

Given that the color purple is brought up here- My first assumption may have been wrong. Likely not a mix of the colors of the characters being discussed. Since purple brings to mind thoughts of Ayame. Though it could just be a way of describing the setting sun here that accidentally calls her to mind. Due to her prisoner color.

Could it be the colors of the verdicts then? If so the orange on the most recent one could be a mix of Savior and Perpetrator. Meant to representative of Kai.

Hmm, I guess I'll see when I get to Unknown Memory 4: Bandage though that may not be it either it's seems more plausible at this point though.

This seems to be a conversation between Ego and Kouta. Maybe... From what I remember of the two it seems to be them.

Such serene moments are nice at times, though they become lonely easily.

...You know, being left all alone is really unpleasant.

— It's annoying that the sky gets dark so early. She is waving her hand near the flame. Maybe don't play with fire. You’re acting like a toddler. The hell? — Will you be alright on your way home? He gives her a dissatisfied look and lightly slaps her hand, until she removes it, pouting; ah, this girl simply got a chance to procrastinate on studies, even if it means dwelling in boredom. — You should rather be worried about yourself. — Not that I'm worried about you. He seems to frown even more. She stares at the candle with half-closed eyes. — I figured. Again. Ugh, ugh, this conversation is crumbling.

Trial 1 - 003 Voice drama: "Green Waters of Oblivion"

Ego: Aw-w. You seem to be pretty calm about your current situation, though. Do you often get locked up in dark places?

Kouta: Huh.

Ego: This is the kind of impression I got about your appearance.

Kouta: …

Ego: Sorry, I've failed at keeping up a conversation again. Please don't glare at me like this.

Kouta: You remind me of someone…

Ego: Am I?

Kouta: Ah, no… who…

Ego: Eh?

Kouta: I've just got a weird feeling. Ego: What?

Kouta: I don't quite remember who.

— Huh? Did the lights go out? A girl sitting at the table looks around, maybe searching for another source of light; the shades of purple are barely getting through the half-closed curtains. — Let me check…

Trial 1 - 003 Memory report

— What do you want?

Not sure, I guess she was pouting. Of course, what else would she be doing.

— I don't like that girl. Don't talk to her.

— She's the one talking to me. Can't help it.

— Do you not care about me?

As if it's me who doesn't care! You constantly complain about each other to me.

— I'm taking a nap.

— It's dangerous to sleep in the train. I might be in a bad mood and not wake you up in time. I'm in a bad mood today, by the way.

— Don't care.

— Good luck at Kisaragi station.

— Thank you very much.

— That was stupid, I know. It was. — Well, you were little. — I didn't get the answer I wished for, so I never participated in divination again. Oh, so that's the reason. — Huh? Did you have a desired image of a lover? She stares at him for, perhaps, half a minute; he awkwardly tilts his head. Is he supposed to proceed to talk? Did he say something wrong, and she's planning to avoid him forever, until they graduate and their paths never cross once more? How complicated. People really must stop being so complicated. — You're quite dumb, aren't you. — What the hell?

Kouta: Do you feel like there's something you can come back to?

Ego: Hm?

Kouta: Uh, such as… You feel at a loss in university and then remember your childhood dreams. They might be frozen now, but they're still here. Or, you come back to nice memories and find comfort in them again.

Ego: Ah, I understand. Knowing that you used to have something and don't anymore is seriously depressing, but it can give hope in hard times as well.

Kouta: There are also people who didn't have anything from the very start. This kind of unfairness. Not having anything, ever.

Ego: Oh.

Kouta: If you had a decent childhood, you can't get it.

Right, maybe he will remember something warm as well, staring so pensively. Nostalgic, you say, huh… I wonder what it's like, having memories to come back to…

Oh if I just finished it... It would have been pretty clear it was him huh. So, the first Unknown Memory is between Kouta and Ego. How nice.

Well I don't think anything outside of that so let's continue to Unknown Memory two.

— Of course. Do you not know how people make friends? — I don't in fact. — Then your middle school must have been lonely.

Seems pretty rough still. Well hopefully he learns how to make friends in his own time.

Unknown Memory 2: Breeze

This one isn't really hiding the fact it's from Ayame's perspective. She's in the image art she was also voted victim so the border still being blue makes sense. If those things are related that is.

— Is it okay to take photos here? I want to show it to my friends. — You have a lot of friends, don't you, ▆▆▆▆▆-chan. She freezes with a smartphone in her hand. — I suppose… Why all of a sudden? — I just find it amazing that you get along with so many people. Perhaps it's your natural charm as an idol. — Hmph… Her slight blush must not be that noticeable among the azure light that envelopes them. The air here resembles a tender breeze. — Yeah, but I stopped hanging out with most of them after I moved here. — Are you having trouble finding friends in your new school? — Kind of… She's frowning, staring into the screen, then puts it up to take a photo of the marine animals. — Because I repeated a year and all… — Ahh, sorry for making you remember bad things.

Trial 1 - 005 Voice drama: "La-la~♪ A Fresh Voice"

Ayame: Ah… Thanks… But I still feel embarrassed, so… O-okay. Muku Ayame, sixteen years old. I'm a high school student… and… that's it. N-need I tell you about my hobbies?

Ego: Sixteen?

Ayame: Ah…!

Ego: Your profile says you’re nineteen.

Ayame: R-right. Um, right. Time goes by fast, and my appearance doesn't change, so I sometimes forget my age. Eh, e-he-he. A, a-also, you seem so mature in comparison to me, I really can't get used to that I'm older than you…

Ego: …

Ayame: Uh…

Ego: Hm?

Ayame: W-why… are you staring at me?

Ego: I'd like a proper explanation.

Ayame: Proper explanation…? Is it… that much of a difference? When I talk to Chise-chan, or Mi-kun… I don't feel any difference. …So I never really thought much about it.

Ego: Huh?

Ayame: U-uh.

Ego: Did you tell anyone in the prison that you're sixteen?

Ayame: I-I don't remember?

Ego: Did you lie about being a high school student too?

Ayame: I'm not lying! I told you I'm simply forgetting. I'm really in high school. I repeated a year once. I don't know where to go to university either.

Now the issue comes into play when it comes to figuring out who she is with.

— R-right… W-well, then, I wouldn't become a sailor if you weren't with me. — I'm definitely way too weak. My job is sitting at home and staring at a PC, you know. — Ehh? You put your efforts down too much. They're walking past the large aquariums. The girl keeps on gazing above her, not looking where they're going; what is the other person’s attention focused on, though, is unknown to her, but she can feel that he's holding her shoulders from behind in case she accidentally trips. If she trips, he would grasp her, helping her stay on her feet; then pull her closer and say she should be more careful, while she's sighing and repeating, I thought I'd really fall! It happened before, she knows. The feeling of the other person’s hands on her shoulders is a reminder that she can endlessly allow herself to be awkward, it's going to be fine.

Given this information it seems to be Toa.

Trial 1 - 007 Voice drama: ".exe"

Ego: Ahem.

Toa: Eh?

Ego: I'm the one who's supposed to lead the interrogation, so please don't talk so much without my command anymore, alright? Thank you.

Toa: W-wah! That's the senpai’s power, I see now… I beg, don't punish me…

Ego: Is this a joke?

Toa: No, no, I'm genuinely an idiot and scared of punishment.

Later in the Voice Drama

Ego: Are you ignoring me?

Toa: You didn't give me a command to talk yet. What unclear instructions!

Ego: As expected.

Toa: But it's okay, you're only a teen doing such a hard job.

Ego: Do you want to witness the senpai’s true power again?

Toa: No, no! I don't know if my heart will survive another time!

Ego: Then kindly stop fooling around.

Toa: It's just the way I am…

Later in the Voice Drama

Toa: Ehh, becoming a murderer at my age would be horrible. And, like, I don't remember killing anyone? That even sounds weird… But I'm not the best of friends, yeah. I thought this would be my crime! Maybe it's somehow connected to the reason I'm here.

Later in the Voice Drama

Ego: What do you write?

Toa: Ack, it's not like stories or anything. I'm not creative in the slightest. It's more similar to a personal diary.

Ego: Are you still writing now that you're in prison?

Toa: Physical notebooks are unsafe to keep, and there are no smartphones, so, no, I don't. Eh, did you want to take a look? There's nothing of interest, no worries.

Ego: Is that so.

Toa: I'm not good at writing. I mean, teachers praise my school essays, but that's it. I'm not particularly good at anything else, either. As I said, my only special skill is being an awful friend!

— Ehh? You put your efforts down too much.

Ego: Crime of… being a bad friend?

Toa: Yeah.

Ego: Would it really… be enough to be locked up in a prison?

Toa: I wonder. Wait, does the Warden-senpai herself think that my imprisonment is unfair?!

Ego: Uhh, for the time being, can you introduce yourself?

Toa: Eh?

Ego: It's one of the necessary questions during interrogation. Actually, we should have started from it.

Toa: Ahh, is that so. I'm not good at talking about myself. It's pretty awkward… But, I'll do my best. I'm 15 years old and studying at school. Umm, what else? Oh, right, my name is Suzuki Toa I guess.

Ego: What are you doing in your free time?

Toa: Hobbies… Well, I mostly hang out with other people from school. But… I guess writing can be considered a hobby of mine?

— Is it okay to take photos here? I want to show it to my friends. — You have a lot of friends, don't you, ▆▆▆▆▆-chan. She freezes with a smartphone in her hand. — I suppose… Why all of a sudden? — I just find it amazing that you get along with so many people. Perhaps it's your natural charm as an idol.

Trial 1 - 007 Memory report

I can smile and throw a peace sign on the school photo, but I’m inexpressive and quiet, someone like this is a perfect listener, so others naturally give their secrets to me.

You're all lucky that I easily forget them, because I couldn't care less, but it's fine, it's a fair trade — tell me anything, just don't ever leave me in solitude.

I'm not liked easily.

— Isn't it not nice that you're chatting with your friends while I'm standing next to you? — Ah! - she raises her head and takes a glimpse of the other person’s pitiable smile, before the phone disappears in the pocket of her small bag decorated with pins and ribbons. — I'm sorry… Letting out an apologizing giggle, the girl grips the other person’s hand and pulls him further, pointing at the waters surrounding them.

Trial 1 - 007 Voice drama: ".exe"

Toa: Fine, fine… Hm-m… I can let people copy my homework, but I can't explain the material to them. I'm not hardworking, so my free hours last the whole day and I'm always ready to spend time together or talk, but whenever I'm present, I can't do anything. I don't know what to say to support the other person, I'm too much of a coward to help, I don't voice out my opinions, the way I express my emotions is weird. There are a lot of things to list. —Ah, I must have said too much. Please forget it. No, although it's not so easy…

Trial 1 - 007 Memory report

The truth is that, I don't hear what I'm saying; because my only purpose is to fill the silence, or because I’m so much, so much afraid, the reality grows unreachably distant…

What is the other person’s attention focused on, though, is unknown to her.

His voice drama and Miku's are the only one's to reference computer terminology. This person seems to be around the same age as Ayame and has difficulty making friends or maintaining relationships. It helps that Miku frankly just isn't tall enough to put a hand around Ayame's shoulder and no one else references computers.

Mumbling “it's fine”, she rotates the phone vertically and continues to look into it, fastly tapping with her fingers, then taking a pause, then tapping again. Sensing that the other visitors are slightly pushing her from behind in the narrow corridor, she makes a step forward, closer to the glass, without a word or additional movement; the sound of bubbles coming from the aquarium must be the only thing in her environment that she’s currently paying actual attention to.

Being suffocated and crushed by a crowd, how much of an acceptable death would that be? - When the classroom gets too empty, I feel anxious. I'd rather die in a crowd collapse. 

If I were to choose what describes me, it'd be a Bystander. - Isn't it not nice that you're chatting with your friends while I'm standing next to you?

Ahh, I hate being called weird. I don't care if people lie to me or use me; but I hate being ignored and pushed away.

Trial 1 - 005 Memory report

I want to talk to someone, though we're in a fight again.

Mhm, I know, if you're a part of my fate, we'll always come back together, so I don't need to worry. Meadow flowers, fluffy clouds covering my head, taking messy photos that only we will keep.

Look, there's a cat!

We exchange cosmetics and aroma candles; of course, bracelets of our colors as well.

The dry scent of summer wraps the girl; she catches a glimpse of a black cat skipping past her and squints in thought.

Trial 1 - 005 Memory report

I'm tired after school, you're busy with the theater club; we'll go out on the weekend, surely… Huh? Wait, I have another audience. Oh, and you need to host a group game…

Trial 1 - 002 Voice drama: "Vers Libre!"

Ego: Group games of this kind are popular as well, right? I don’t remember very well, but I think I had some experience with them at school.

Remi: Yes, yes! I also had, and a lot of it! I was usually the one organizing games at school.

Trial 1 - 005 Memory report

How annoying, I don't care then.

I’m going to be good today. Don't feel and don't show too much, no tears and no requests, smile whenever you're talked to; capricious kids get scolded, patient kids receive a reward at the end of the year — I learned this rule right after my first breath.

Kind of suffocating… Looking up at the white ceiling instead of the star-filled sky, the light barely gets through… How do people write stories? I would like to try my hand at it too. …Hm, but keeping it as a secret would be horrible. Because I'm watched and,

I'm a proper friend—

Trial 1 - 007 Voice drama: ".exe"

Ego: What do you write?

Toa: Ack, it's not like stories or anything. I'm not creative in the slightest. It's more similar to a personal diary.

Ego: Are you still writing now that you're in prison?

Toa: Physical notebooks are unsafe to keep, and there are no smartphones, so, no, I don't.

I'm not good at writing. - As I said, my only special skill is being an awful friend!

Unknown Memory 3: Mint candy

Like with Ayame it's pretty clear that this Unknown Memory is from the perspective of Miku. The one with him is more than likely Hiro considering the description,

I remember people mistook her for a young boy from time to time, so she talked in an especially high-pitched voice while we were there, just to avoid conversations that would last for too long and include too many unnecessary questions.

Also Hiiro's voice drama is literally called Fraud and that's what is currently being committed in this Unknown Memory. Several people are pretending to be family when they're not. That's fraud. It also stands to reason that if they're pretending to be a family and Hiiro is taking the roll of older sister. Than there is a mother and father here.

Something that would take two people who look old enough to have a kid around her age. The only two prisoners fit that age range are-

Kai and Hotaru.

So the other two referred two within in this may be them.

Supporting this idea is the name redacted at the beginning seems to be Kai's surname. The redaction is separated in a way that implies seven letters. The only seven letter name given to us within the cast is Yuunagi. Making it more than likely them being referred to here. Plus, they are around the same age as Hiiro and Hotaru.

All of them doing something like this together would not be surprising to me.

The other name is redacted in a way to imply a five letter name. Which there are no five letter surnames in Tsumigram currently. If it is going by surnames it would make sense if it was Hotaru someone we do not have the legal name of.

As i said earlier just like with Ayame it's easy to infer that this Unknown Memory is from the perspective of Miku,

I hate being treated like some sort of an object that can be easily picked up and moved, but people older than me never listen, so I stayed quiet.

Miku: Stop.

Ego: Ehh, what is wrong?

Miku: Talking to me in such a voice. I'm not an elementary schooler.

Ego: Ah, for sure…

Miku: How old are you?

Ego: Eighteen.

Miku: We are only four years apart. Don't think you're that different from me.

Ego: Got it, got it.

Later in the Voice Drama

Miku: Listen to what I'm saying! I didn't decide for them to die!

Ego: Oh.

Miku: If I could choose, I wouldn't be here! Of course! But I never had a right to choose in my life, ever! I can't make my own decisions because children who disobey have to pay. How could I choose? It's easy for you to talk!

Ego: Um…

Miku: …

Ego: Mi-kun…

Miku: I hate you… I hate people like you. Acting almighty just because someone unknown gave you a little bit of rights. I won't tell you anything. Don't talk to me anymore. Ever again.

— Would you like me to buy you something? I look up, startled. — Huh? — What's so surprising? We can sometimes acquire things through the means that normal people use, you know. — That's not… - I didn't finish, instead making a pouting face. She giggled in response. — Our city rarely get markets as big as this one. Do any of the shops seem interesting? I glanced over the stalls around us. — I want sweets. — It's not very informative, - she laughed again and took a glimpse of the stalls as well. — Let's see… How about candies?

Trial 1 - 008 Memory Report

I will do it.

CAM ▆▆ ▆▆▆▆/▆▆/▆▆ 71:49:▆5:▆▆

He was still learning to live. A bunch of voices nagging and biting; to this day, I don't know how to fill all of their words inside my body, and swallow my tongue as they leave torn marks on my insides.

Let's go.

This someone gripped his hand with almost motherly touch, and he could only look up with a lost sight, hastily shuffling his feet.

I will do it. I'm not that weak.

▆AM ▆▆ ▆▆▆▆/▆▆/▆▆ ▆▆:S▆:▆R:E▆

His mind went blank each time he left the shop, everything before it wiped out; each time, he threw something new into a mush of dark blue and black colors, trying not to bend over from the burning pain in his insides.

If anything, I'll protect you.

Don't loosen your grip.

I stared into the bag for a moment. Then, I gripped it tight and pressed it to my chest, so that no one would steal it from me.

Let's talk about why this person seems to be Hotaru.

That person she mentioned was what could be referred to as a “leader”. He brought new people in, set the mood, decided what we're going to do today, and repeated “we should simply all be friends” if any problems arised; in truth, I never could understand it, simply being friends. There were plenty of those I didn't choose to be friends with. I happened there thanks to him and relied on him to help me a good amount of times, but I couldn't stand his naivety, and we were growing more and more distant. As I preferred to spend time with level-headed people like that girl, at that point I didn't know what words to use when talking to him anymore, and I subconsciously snuggled to her, as if wishing she'd protect me from this half-stranger.

Trial 1 - 001 Memory report

Yeah, maybe if I intervened, they'd go away. But I didn't. I didn't even stop to watch, because I find it boring.

Ahh, right, this is what irritates you so much, I'm soft-hearted.

Do you know my name? Nishiyama Hiiro. (Nine letter surname, five letter first name)

It’s uncomfortable to be remembered, right? I know your faculty, too. 

Because I'm good at remembering things about others. Whenever you all talk behind my back, I remember it.

Ah, I have to go out on this floor.

See you later, young lady. Or do you hate being called that?

Not in particular.

I see. I'm respectful, so I wouldn't refer to you in any way that you hate. It's nice when others are respectful, isn't it?

Ah, she left already.

People mistook her for a young boy from time to time, so she talked in an especially high-pitched voice while we were there, just to avoid conversations that would last for too long and include too many unnecessary questions.

Since the redacted spaces fit with Yuunagi's name just fine and the ones in Hotaru's Memory report align with Hiiro's name. Then the five letters should fit someone else's name as well. More than likely their surname. Since kai's surname was used. The previous redaction also displays that Hotaru and Hiiro more than likely knew each other outside of here.

Well what else proves this is more than likely Hotaru being referred to- For one this line,

I didn't know what words to use when talking to him anymore, and I subconsciously snuggled to her, as if wishing she'd protect me from this half-stranger.

Do you hate being called that? -I wouldn't refer to you in any way that you hate.

— Ah, it seems we can rest for a bit before ▆▆▆▆▆-kun finds us,

I changed my name in papers, but everyone keeps on calling me by the old one. 

Whenever you all talk behind my back, I remember it.

He brought new people in, set the mood, decided what we're going to do today, and repeated “we should simply all be friends” if any problems arised.

Trial 1 - 001 Memory report

Next year I'll do it. This is the worst, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. More than anything I enjoy fitting in. Teamwork was never known to me; this is why I have such a dream. Once I'll do it, I'll become a part of a team. That's for sure. - Ahh, right, this is what irritates you so much, I'm soft-hearted.

From the set up it seems that Miku and at the most three others snuck into this school event for free food. Under this pretense,

They put a tidy school uniform on me so the strangers surrounding us wouldn't suspect anything, and the person who walked around together with me introduced herself as my older sister if asked. She would say we decided to drop by after my classes had ended; because we don't visit events like this very often, and we don't get a chance to spend time together as family very often either. I gripped her hand as hard as I could to not get lost among all the shops. I liked the sound of “older sister”, “family” and “school”.

They enjoy the festival for a bit and then get back to their normal routine. Which seems to be shoplifting generally or bullying others. Though that's all I could really figure out on this front.

That brings us to the fourth one!

Unknown Memory 4: Bandage

Let's introduce the main characters: a boy born in an unlucky place,

Trial 1 - 008 Memory Report

Record no.2

It was a child born in an unlucky place.

and a boy born in an even unluckier one.

Q.1: Do you have a good home life?

Toa: Well, it's not a happy one.

“My friend always brings all the possible things with her, like, aside from napkins…” “…meds, candies, cosmetics, honorable mention: the impossible amount of stationery that you won't ever need on an average day, so on, so on, and all of this is not even for her.” “It's because, if another person needs something, she wants to be able to help at any time in any possible situation.” “I don't get along with others enough. So I don't bring these kinds of things with me.”

Unknown Memory 2: Breeze

— Ah! - she raises her head and takes a glimpse of the other person’s pitiable smile, before the phone disappears in the pocket of her small bag decorated with pins and ribbons.

Trial 1 - 005 Voice drama: "La-la~♪ A Fresh Voice"

Ayame: U-um. I talk to Remi-chan and Chise-chan, but they're so bright and sparkly, I need time to recover alone.

Hm… Toa-kun and Mi-kun are also nice to me, but I can't make myself spend much time with them, for some reason…

Could also be Ego but Ego predominantly writes in notebooks throughout the series,

The boy puts away the pen and leaves the room. She keeps quiet and stares down at her handwriting, crossing out the checkers on the paper; little cute-ish doodles here and there, teachers either don't mind them or have dealt with them already.

Saying teachers don't mind or have dealt with them already implies what she's writing in here is a school book. At some schools teachers have students work out of specific notebooks or designate a notebook for their class that they turn in to be looked over.

Outside of that the imagery for her journal isn't stationary,

It's a bullet journal.

Lastly Ayame is more likely to have tissues as someone trying to become an idol because they sometimes hand them out. Plus as she states,

Trial 1 - 005 Voice drama: "La-la~♪ A Fresh Voice"

Ayame: No— Nothing.

No… I'm going to be an idol, after all. I need to give love and hope no matter what happens. Even only at this last moment… I'll give it to you, Ego-chan.

Delivery from Muku Ayame! Chu~!

“…meds, candies, cosmetics, honorable mention: the impossible amount of stationery that you won't ever need on an average day, so on, so on, and all of this is not even for her.”

Trial 1 - 005 Memory report

We exchange cosmetics and aroma candles; of course, bracelets of our colors as well.

Report on the end of First Trial

Location → a closed room. ← She stated she didn't leave her house often, so must be that. Seems a bit like a hospital room.

“Okay, okay, don't voice it out. Yeah, I do often approach people. Hard to see someone else being in pain. I guess.” “It’s surprising that you don't get along with them, then. I thought everyone loves people who are caring.” … “It's that I never really care enough, I suppose…”

Trial 1 - 007 Voice drama: ".exe"

Toa: Fine, fine… Hm-m… I can let people copy my homework, but I can't explain the material to them. I'm not hardworking, so my free hours last the whole day and I'm always ready to spend time together or talk, but whenever I'm present, I can't do anything. I don't know what to say to support the other person, I'm too much of a coward to help, I don't voice out my opinions, the way I express my emotions is weird. There are a lot of things to list. —Ah, I must have said too much. Please forget it. No, although it's not so easy… Right, you must consider me weird as well, don't you, Warden-senpai.

Later in the Voice Drama

Ego: All of your emotions look a bit exaggerated.

Toa: Well, that's true. No one likes dry people, but when I'm trying to convey my emotions, it looks exaggerated.

Ego: Also, even though you consider yourself "an awful friend", you're being friendly with me.

Toa: Of course, it's nice to be on friendly terms with everyone! It’d be boring otherwise, I think? Being alone is boring.

Okay got stuck went to read the journal.

Report on the end of First Trial

Am still gravely and atrociously stuck. But that's due to the formatting of the words in the last Unknown Memories not the story itself. Sorry Tsumi dyslexia, dyscalculia and my borderline visual processing score is really fucking with this last one. Spacing it out may be helpful.

Right now I'm currently attempting to piece together the order of these events. Along with who's speaking when.

Which I think is intentional given this line,

Though as for their stories, you have to figure them out on your own.

This plays around with time too much to be read in a cohesive way. Hopping between days.

So let's try to figure out who's speaking when. Since it changes up partway through. To get a better idea of that we first need to figure out the perspective character. The perspective character here is Toa.

This is fully written from his pov. This is highlighted through the cadence used throughout. Though this line highlights that the most in my opinion.

No matter how hard he tries to keep the focus on the one he's talking to, he's staring somewhere away, how disgraceful; no need to feel sorry for a person like this. Would you care about excuses if you were ignored?

Trial 1 - 008 Memory Report

For me, you're a face in the crowd For you, I'm the crowd It's time to separate, goodbye, goodbye

“Hey, I don't want to see someone pretty like this crying.”

“I don't want to see you crying”

What? I was told this? I don't remember, nonsense.

“Come on, don't look at me like this.” The older boy lets out a weak, lighthearted laugh, then stops smiling and stares to the side with a detached gaze.

Still, whenever you appear in my sight, I can't help it— Hey… What do you think of this one, hey… Let me just— Detach more and more until it stops hurting— But another kind of pain pierces me, there's really no choice.

I'll wait for eternity, then, I'll come to meet you…

“We aren't friends”

I strangle my own throat, it's not me who is hurting, this pain doesn't belong to me.

“But can't you go with your friends?” “Sure…”

Unknown Memory 2: Breeze

"I just find it amazing that you get along with so many people. Perhaps it's your natural charm as an idol."

“I don't get along with others enough. So I don't bring these kinds of things with me.”

"…Ah. I just noticed. In the end, it's not really my story, is it?"

The world is simple; it's divided into those hurt and those not. I might get pitied, but pity is no compassion; it's a bribe, a payment, an order; even if I’m hurt for a moment as well, there's no story about my pain. I try to create it, but, how trivial — it ends up as a dagger in my body…

I was told, what a weakling. You won't get anywhere in life if you act like this.

It's my own life, though?!

—Despite that I was so obedient… Hey, fix your instructions before blaming me.

Q.5: Are you good at following directions?

Toa: I am. But most people aren't good at providing correct guidelines- So, for them it seems that I'm not.

Q.17: Feelings on authorities?

Toa: They give the most unclear directions and get the most angry when you fail to guess their thoughts. It’s a pain.

“I told you about this last week.” “Sorry!”

Trial 1 - 007 Voice drama: ".exe"

Ego: Oh, another writer.

Toa: A-another?

Ego: Remi-chan is a writer too. Did you not know? She seems to be pretty, eh… expressive about her skills in poetry.

Toa: Remi… Remi-chan… I think I remember something— about her poetry… Probably, she must have mentioned it…

Report on the end of First Trial

Memory problems.

Trial 1 - 007 Memory report

I’m sorry for being so weird, and not even capable of being useful. I’m sorry, please forget it for my sake.

Soon, I will forget it too — barely living through this body, only the rushed notes will remind.

Q.14: What are the qualities you look for in a friend?

Toa: It's enough if they let me be useful to them.

Miku: Reliability.

Miku is probably the one speaking first here. Since we know that Toa has a bad memory.

“Hey… I'll stay here with you. No need to go there. Alright? It's going to be okay.” “Even— Even if it means skipping classes! We can rest here until we're found.” “Just don't hurt yourself anymore.” If it's this kind of story, I don't want to be a part of it at all—

This pain doesn't belong to me - This is not my pain.

Trial 1 - 007 Memory report

I'm always late for an hour, I barely bring my homework and don't even bother changing my clothes when coming home; but, if you ask me to do anything, I'll do it — if you ask me to say something, I'll repeat word-by-word.

Just be sure to make clear instructions… Otherwise I can't figure out what you want.

Trial 1 - 008 Memory Report

I will I will do it I    do it   I will. I will do it. This is not my pain. Give me XXX XXXXX I I I ▆i▆▆ d▆ ▆t Please wake up soonWake up before you can remember With hands full of blood and a cowardly heart FreakYou couldn't do it in the end 

Redacted- I will do it.

Freak. You couldn't do it in the end.

Ahh, I hate being called weird. I don't care if people lie to me or use me; but I hate being ignored and pushed away.

Hey… What do you think of this one, hey… Let me just— Detach more and more until it stops hurting— 

But another kind of pain pierces me, there's really no choice. - it ends up as a dagger in my body…

Q.19: Was it your fault?

Toa: It must be my fault that I'm a bad friend, but it doesn't mean that everyone else is a good one.

Miku: No.

Tsumi are you trying to kill me specifically? Is this timed you know how to use a queue and schedule better than me. So i have to assume my timing is just fucking rancid. Okay here we go-

Unknown Memory 5: Ribbon

So this is Remi and Kai. Remi is the only one with pigtails in Tsumigram where it would need to be taken down to do braids or know the length.

Outside of that this Unknown Memory states,

— You're so complicated. — It's because I'm not a middle schooler. — Stop! — Huh? I'm not wrong though.

Star brought up how in Remi's birthday art even in the younger photo behind her she still has pigtails as well.

Report on the end of First Trial

Afraid of rejection and isolation, wants to be important.

Wants to be close to others yet keep them at an arm’s length. The feeling of distance, coldness.

— Isn't this ribbon similar to the red thread of fate? No way. — So if we wrap it around our pinkies, it's like we’re bound forever. This is too much. — No, it's stupid. — Hey!

Trial 1 - 004 Memory report

"I met someone I could care about."

Ah, how sickening, how sickening, though it's the only thing that gives me purpose. Isn't it disgusting? The feeling of liking someone. All the wrong times and wrong places are a matter of pure randomness; the human need to be glued to whoever one sees makes me wish to throw up, I avert my eyes and cover my mouth, shut up, no more, no words of ▆▆▆▆!

Redacted- Shut up, no more, no words of love.

Trial 1 - 004 Memory report

Closeness?

Physical distance? Love? Trust? Vulnerability? Those who were once close may no longer be, even though they know all about you?

— I don't believe in fate. Any relationship is just a matter of chance.

Trial 1 - 004 Memory report

I tell ▆▆▆ to stop coming to my school, but again, we have to meet here. Others are giving me weird glances; of course, it's hard for me to talk to them, I stumble and go silent, yet I hang out with someone like this. I don't want to… But you do not really…

It must look weird as hell. Ah, I know— The confused glances that people give me when I'm leaving school. How difficult.

Trial 1 - 002 Memory report

It hurts, you laugh at my poetry, it hurts even more; you say we're not friends, once again, and I make a story about an abandoned sea.

Please don't ever leave. Why is this promise so hard to make? If you don't want to leave, then why?

You always talk as if no opinion but yours exists; no wonder that everyone considers you pushy and doesn't dare to even utter a word against. — That said, I would still like to stay with others forever. The birds are chirping behind our backs. — This is the hardest part. If you want to stay forever with someone while not being bound together, you have to always work for it. I wonder when the sun will start setting.

Report on the end of First Trial

004

Rude and closed off. Fear of separation, betrayal and change. Hates fake people. Doesn't want to get close to others, but doesn't want to be left alone.

Right, it must look weird as hell, how difficult… I don't understand how to live my life very well, so I’m wasting my time on things I can't get… Not looking at her, I push the red ribbon back in her hands.

Trial 1 - 004 Memory report

Now, I'm one of those who shouldn't take on things if they don't know how to do them.

Closeness? Physical distance? Love? Trust? Vulnerability? - Closeness never matters; they switch their opinions in an instant, and always, always, always, always choose someone else instead.

[alexgrin]

Trolls - Replacement - Prologue

I was able to write and TRANSLATE it into English as a prologue to the fanfiction so that you would appreciate it. If you were interested, you can visit my server in the discord (I have a link attached) or wait for a full-fledged fanfiction on ao3 @super-secret-agent-of-sin Thank you for your help! ______________________________________________________________

It was getting dark. Branch was already making his third trip out of the bunker to collect firewood, and that wasn't an exaggeration. He lives in a huge underground bunker, with several floors where supplies of food, water and other materials were stored.

Branch was a practical troll. But others… They didn't understand him. More precisely, they didn't try to. Except for, maybe, the princess… Poppy made a couple of attempts to reach the gloomy troll, giving him many invitation cards to various holidays and parties. Or perhaps she did it purely out of formality. After all, she will soon become queen, and the interests of others are more important than her own.

As soon as the last ray's of sun disappeared beyond the horizon, loud music could be heard behind the ravine. And even louder than that, the screams of the crown and Poppy's voice, "I can't hear you!"

As he got closer, Branch stared down. Yes, today the trolls had more fun than before. About twenty years passed when they and their ancestors fled from Bergen Town. The reason is good, but not reasonable. Even now, looking at all the display, Branch snorts with displeasure and leaves for his home.

He doesn't clearly remember today's dialogue with Poppy, with her friends and with… Creek. Although… one particular comment stuck out in Branch's memory. "But, just for now why don't you try on some positivity, eh? A little positivity might go with that vest?” Creek doesn't know Branch. Just like the rest.

Returning home, the gloomy troll headed towards the fireplace. The bunker was heated at night, because living underground is cold. But it remained warm until the next evening. Branch lit the fireplace and headed to the supplies. Today he wanted to cook a delicious dinner, since he decided to sit in the bunker all evening. From the selection, he took a few berries for a smoothie, and the rest of the dough for baking. Branch memorized his grandmother's recipes. He still hasn’t been able to forgive himself for his grandmother’s death… Which is what led the troll to this.

He completed the cooking in an hour, and then headed to the table that was not far from him. Sitting down at the table, he began to eat.

Branch lived here alone. He was used to seeing dark walls that slightly reflected the light from candles and the fireplace. Cold, clay floor underfoot. Silence - because the trolls’ music did not reach here. He thinks it's normal because he's used to it…

After a delicious dinner, the troll remained in place and began to look at Poppy's tattered invitation. He still took the singing postcard with him. Branch had a separate closet for them, since it would be a shame to throw them away. And just maybe, he feels it would be wrong.

Looking sideways, he thought, "Maybe I should check in on them?"

Reluctantly, Branch left the table, taking the card with him. Putting it away in the closet, he headed to the elevator.

To his surprise, it was quite quiet. Knowing the princess herself and the rest of the trolls, they would have had fun until dawn. And now there was only the silence of night.

"Strange," he thought. "It's too quiet."

And at some point, when Branch began to move towards the village, he felt strong tremors under his feet. The troll ran to the nearest bush and hid behind the foliage. Branch was afraid to assume that it could be a Bergen, but because of old trauma and paranoia it was all he could think." Unfortunately, his theory was confirmed. A huge Bergen passed by the troll. Until the creature was out of sight, Branch remained in place, and only then did he run towards the trolls.

"I understand! We were discovered!.. And all because…”

And just as he wanted to finish his thought, as soon as he got to the settlement, Branch unconsciously switched from running to walking. The crowd was gathered in a huddle where King Peppy was located. Branch was shocked. As he approached, he noticed how some of the trolls began to gradually turn gray. Something terrible happened… But what?

"Your Majesty?"

"Branch?"

He froze in place when he saw how the king's bright colors began to slowly change to gray and dull.

“What… what happened?! I saw a Bergen, and…”

Looking around, he could not find either Poppy or her friends. The only member of the snack pack left was Creek. As soon as their eyes met, the purple troll immediately looked away.

"Where's Poppy?!"

The question was addressed to everyone present, although his suspicions fell on Creek.

“Bergen kidnapped her!” - someone shouted from the crowd.

“What?…” Branch asked quietly.

"Yes! I saw her save Creek before!”

“I saw it too!”

"Yeah…"

Branch continued to look around, dumbfounded. He was infuriated by the fact that these trolls showed carelessness towards themselves. He was only glad that Creek didn’t start a tirade like: “Everything will be fine, no need to worry. Let's keep calm…"

On the other hand, Branch understood that no one would come to the aid of the princess. Yes, the king is already very old and he will not be able to save his daughter, and the rest are very afraid of the Bergens. But if she is not returned… This could lead to dire consequences…

Leaving trolls here is dangerous. The Bergens may come back for them. It's worth hiding them, but… Branch didn't want to let them into his bunker, because he was afraid that they would destroy it in a couple of days. But there was no other way out…

Taking a deep breath, he turned to the king:

"Your Majesty, gather all the trolls and bring them to my house."

King Peppy just nodded in response, trying to get up from his seat.

Branch immediately turned around and ran back home. While the rest of the trolls reach him, our hero will have enough time to collect all the necessary things.

“If they all instantly turn gray, they will doom themselves to death!” - Branch thought. - “Damn it, Poppy! What were you thinking?!”

When he got home, Branch ran into the bedroom. From under the bed he takes out an empty but large travel bag. He throws it upstairs, simultaneously searching for all the necessary things. The troll also does not forget to pack warm clothes for sleeping, because he knew that this chase could last all the way to the Bergen settlement.

Branch began to glance around briefly. He was afraid that he would not be able to return back because he was risking himself. He can’t do it alone, but what can he do… Leaving the room, he threw his bag on his back and went to the fireplace to throw some brushwood. It became warm in the bunker, which was good for him.

Stepping back, he headed towards the elevator. Pulling the lever, the troll went upstairs, where the others were already waiting for him.

Looking around, Branch addressed everyone.

“Listen to me carefully!” he said loudly. “Since I am most likely your last hope for saving Po-!..”

“What are you talking about?!” interrupted that Creek. “Our hope for salvation is to get out of here! Why are we still here?

Branch didn't want to get into a dialogue with this callous troll who could only think about himself. The funny thing is that some trolls started nodding back at the guru.

“Your future queen found herself in the clutches of Bergen because of you! You won't live even a week without your princess! If you want to get away from here, go ahead! I’m not keeping anyone here by force…”

The crowd fell silent.

Taking confident steps forward, Branch approached Creek and addressed him personally:

“You know, it’s funny to hear something like that from you, even though Poppy is your close friend who saved you.”

The gray troll grinned evilly, causing the guru to back away. He began to look around while all the trolls looked at them warily.

Branch never received a response from Creek, and later turned away in disappointment.

“You can take refuge in my bunker! But!.. You will have enough supplies for a couple of days if you simply waste them! My underground house is cold, but safe… They won’t find you if you sit quietly!”

The sullen troll turned in circles, continuing to give instructions to anyone who would listen attentively.

“If I don’t come back in a week, that means it’s the end…”

"Are you sure about this Branch?" specified King Peppy. “Going there alone… It’s suicide.”

“You’re right, but I’m sure no one would agree to do something like that.”

Branch glanced sideways at Creek again.

"What do you want from me?"

“Nothing… I was just thinking.” answered the gray troll, and then addressed everyone. “If there is no one willing to go with me, then climb into the bunker!”

The trolls immediately began to crowd around the open hatch.

“ONE TURN! YOU WILL NOT COME IN!”

Nobody wanted to go to death. Trolls have long forgotten what it's like to live in fear. And if they had not faced such a threat, they would have gone home long ago.

"Thank you, Branch." the king thanked him. “Come back quickly, along with the others…”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will try…"

The old king patted the guy on the shoulder and headed towards the others. Although it was a nice tin, the gray color gave it away. He was in great sadness. It's amazing how he was still in everyone's sight. Here's a great ruler for you.

Branch was ready to hit the road when Creek blocked his way.

"I will go with you". he answered.

"Do not be silly".

"I'm serious".

"How is it? Has your conscience woken up?

"Not in this case! It's just, like you said, I'm Poppy's close friend. She and other friends will need support from me.”

"What? Songs and Dances? Oh yeah, hugs will save the world, right?!”

Creek frowned.

"You have no choice!"

They both saw the last troll close the hatch behind him.

Taking a guru with you is not a good idea. Creek was not equipped for such a trip. He didn't have a clear idea of what he was agreeing to. On the other hand, he is the only one who did not escape. Which surprised Branch greatly.

“Okay,” he answered and added: “Will you go light?”

“Yeah, what?”

“Then let’s move out right now.” Branch replied.

He passed by the guru, but he immediately followed him.

“Do you even know where to go?”

Taking a couple of steps forward, they both stopped at a huge footprint on the ground.

"What do you think?"

“I understood you…” Creek squinted his eyes with displeasure.

[colleybri]

“Look how nicely that’s cleaned up. People don’t look down the way they should, they don’t look past the rust. But not us, eh?.. eyes open, possibilities everywhere!” (Clem Andor)

“Your father would be proud of you” (Cassian’s last words to Jyn in Rogue One)

Memory can be painful. But sometimes those memories come at exactly the right time, and our fathers live again.

“I’m sorry that I never did call you “Dad” while you were alive.

Perhaps if your name had started with the same letters it would have been easier for me. Perhaps you were a little jealous when, while I was learning your language, I said “Ma” and you and she had realised about the coincidence for the first time. She had laughed and looked delighted, and I had smiled. So had you, but a little sadly, I thought.

But I used your name with the exact same love. And in time you became to me the figure I thought I had lost forever: my father. My Dad. 

I’m sorry, too, that I haven’t thought about you often enough in the way that I would have preferred to. What I mean is - I thought about you a lot. Every day. But always with the association of what happened to you. And to me. Your memory had always brought me pain, because even when I remembered you alive I also saw you dead. Cold, stiff and dusted with frost. The rope, creaking. And I always tasted the acid bile of my grief and my horror and my pain, retched into my mouth, burning me so badly that I would always swallow it back down so it could churn and boil below, contained as much as I could contain it. 

See? Even now, though I’m not much good usually with fancy language, the horror is apparently more vivid to me than the joy of remembering you. When I let it overpower me again. 

But I’m changing that. I’ve already started, I think. 

You see, a few months ago I was asked to do something brave. I was going to be paid for it, but the danger was clear to me from the scale of the job. It turned out to be even worse. But before I knew that … I chose to be you. I chose your name. I thought I could make you live again, a little, through me. 

I know you told me, before you died, that it was “not our fight”. I love and respect you enough to tell you that you were wrong. I knew it then, deep down, and I know it even more now. Then, I fought in the only way I knew how to. With just my rage and sense of justice -  and a stupid stick. And I paid the price for all that so bitterly that I went on to convince myself that you had been right, and that the fight wasn't ours and was something to avoid. 

But you can’t avoid this. You just can’t ignore it. Because if you ignore it, it doesn’t go away. It just gets worse. We have let it get worse and worse and it’s almost too late to do anything about it. Almost, but not quite. 

I learned this lesson for myself. I can’t ignore what is happening, not anymore. 

When I first used your name - borrowed you - I was like you: a man who didn’t want to fight, but one who grew to love and respect his new family members. So I ended up wanting to fight for them. 

And just as you had welcomed me into your life and your heart despite your early misgivings, so too I learned to love, and to care for others outside of my own circle. I didn’t want to give up on them. I grew to care. 

So you might not have approved, at first, of what I chose to do but I think that in the end you would have been proud of what I did. And what you did too, living on in your name, as part of me. 

I was so proud to have you with me. 

And I had you with me again, earlier tonight. I came here for Ma's funeral. Though I can’t mourn her yet. There's too much raw pain - I can hardly stand to think about it all, can hardly stand to think about her. All I can think about is how I left her. How I had only just missed her. So I went straight to you, for comfort, perhaps in the knowledge that I can now properly mourn you. And this time, the memory came bright and pure and hopeful. I didn’t see your body and I didn’t think of the pain. I thought of you, whole. A simple happy memory from simple happy times. It made me sad, of course, but I smiled anyway. You had lived again for me, and this time through a loving memory. But also one with a lesson. It’s like you were trying to speak to me, having me remember that particular moment. I am pretty good, I am discovering, at learning. You would be proud of me, I think, if you could see how adaptable I am becoming. Practically, but also in terms of understanding and acting on … I suppose I should call them: deeper messages. 

I cleaned up nicely, I think. People didn’t look past my rust. But there is still a lot of good in me. Iron. Pure Ferrix iron. I am dissolving away my rust in new resolve. You see, I need to be put to use again. I have salvaged myself from the yard, been repurposed as a weapon. I have been welded together with my need for freedom and justice. I have been oiled with new resolve. And I have been fuelled with love.

I don’t know how effective I will be though, as this weapon, against such a huge and solid fortress of hate and oppression. Just like Nemik describes - I’m alone, unsure and I feel dwarfed. I have lived and loved and lost so much. 

Bix. Tomorrow, I am going to die, probably, trying to save her - even though maybe there's nothing left to save except her honour and her memory. I will fight for her because I love her, and I owe her so much that I could never hope to pay off my debt - except like this. I don’t think I valued love enough until I accepted once again how hard it is to lose it. But also because if I don’t try, I will have failed in this fight before I have even properly started. 

If I live, if I succeed, I think I will go on fighting. I think I have found the man I really am. Either way, I don’t want to go back to who I was in these years since I lost you. I like the new me better. Because I respect him. Because he reminds me of you, at your best. I will keep my eyes open. I will look for possibilities everywhere. 

I think I have a choice, now. If I hide or run again, none of this will go away. And nothing that I have done will matter. I have to fight. I have to save those I love. Those I have left. Those who are still alive, but also the the memory of those I have lost. You. Ma. Kerri. My first parents. Nemik. Kino. All the others. But I also simply have to try to stop allowing others, who I don’t even know, to be forced to feel the same pain that I have - of this injustice, this tyranny, this hate. I have to help bring the Empire down or die trying. That’s something I know beyond doubt that I can do: I can try.

I will try. 

I know you always loved me. Maybe now you can be proud of me too. As I can be proud of you. 

I love you, Dad. And I’m so proud to be your son.”

https://archiveofourown.org/works/56405944

[dialovers-translations]

Diabolik Lovers CHAOS LINEAGE ー Laito [03]

Monologue

Even after a few days passed by,

Laito-kun did not show any signs of going back to normal. 

Not only am I only allowed to walk freely inside the manor,

but Laito-kun follows me around everywhere I go,

as my personal guard.

Under those circumstances,

I could not even look further into,

what was going on with my own body.

It was right as I had started to grow impatient,

as time just relentlessly ticked by.

Carla-san decided to suddenly,

call everyone togetherーー

ー The scene starts in the dining lounge of the Violet manor

Yui: ( Everyone has gathered. Even though they’re all familiar faces...They all feel distant. )

( I guess everyone has had their memories messed with after all. They don’t remember anything about their former selves. )

Carla: Seems like everyone is here. 

Subaru: What did you want to talk about?

Carla: I have been keeping a close eye on things ever since we collected Eve, but it is still unclear to me how to become the Supreme Overlord.

There has not been any evolution on Eve’s side either, has there?

Laito: Yeah. I’ve been closely by her side 24/7, but she hasn’t shown any changes.

You don’t have any clue on how to become the Supreme Overlord either, do you? 

Yui: N-No. Not at all...

Subaru: Che...You still haven’t remembered that crap?

Yui: ( That’s easy for him to say, but I don’t even know what exactly this ‘Supreme Overlord’ entails. )

Azusa: I’m sure that...it’ll just take time for her to remember.

Kou: Ehー? But that’s a problem, isn’t it? I’m pretty sure the other Houses will come to attack us.

Yui: Eh? The other Houses will?

Carla: Exactly. Our two rivaling houses...Orange and Scarlet.

While they appeared to keep a low profile at first, they have been showing signs of suspicious movement as of late. 

Yui: I-Is that true? 

Kou: I spotted Yuma and his buddies investigating our manor the other day.

Azusa: Ruki-san and his brothers...as well. They showed signs of wanting to take action soon...

They might come to attack us sooner rather than later...

Subaru: Che, what a pain.

Yui: ( I had no idea those things have been taking place since I came here. )

( Ayato-kun and Kanato-kun are at Ruki-kun’s place. )

( At this rate, it’ll turn into a fight between brothers... )

Carla: We must avoid conflict with the other Houses until Eve regains her memories. Keep that in mind, everyone.

Kou and Azusa will continue to look into the movements of the other Houses.

Kou: Roger!

Carla: I shall leave the protection of this manor in Subaru’s hands. Do not sleep on the job, understood?

Subaru: Oh fuck off...I know already. 

Laito: Hey, Carla. I can continue to watch over Bitch-chan, right?

Carla: I do not mind. However, keep an eye on her at all times, no matter what.

Laito: Of course! Leave it to me! I won’t lose her out of sight for even a split second. 

No matter the time or place...Do you get what I mean~? 

Subaru: Freak...

Azusa: Laito...You shouldn’t bother her too much, okay...?

Laito: Don’t worry about that. The two of us are close friends!

Right, Bitch-chan~?

Selection

→ We are (♡)

Yui: Y-Yeah. We’re very...close.

( We’re dating after all. So this isn’t wrong to say, is it? )

Laito: See? Didn’t I tell you? Our bond is so close, we don’t need to worry about anything.

Subaru: Che, ‘close bond’, my ass.

Laito: Oh? Are you envious of me perhaps, Subaru-kun?

Subaru: You bastard. Do you want me to crush you?

→ I think our relationship is pretty average (🖤)

Yui: I think our relationship is pretty average...

Laito: Eh~? How cold. We’ve done so many things together though. I mean, just the other day, weーー

Yui: Wait, time out! You don’t need to tell that!

Laito: Oh~? Did you remember? It was quite a wild night, wasn’t it? 

Yui: Don’t make it sound even more misleading!

Subaru: You basically have to spend day and night together with this pervert while he’s watching over you, right? I could never.

Carla: ...

Yui: ( Even Carla-san is looking at me with pity...!? )

Carla: That is all. Do not allow any member of the other Houses to invade this manor. This is all so I can become Supreme Overlordーー

ー The scene shifts to the empty bedroom

Yui: ( Supreme Overlord...huh? They’re all fighting over the throne. )

( Besides, if things stay the way they are, it’ll definitely lead to a full-fledged war. )

( The fight I saw at the Church... That wasn’t just a quarrel, they were actually out to kill each other. )

( I have to avoid that! But...How? )

*Thud* 

Laito: Ah! Found you, Bitch-chan!

Yui: Laito-kun? Uhm, could you knock...?

Laito: Oh geez, we’re past that point, aren’t we?

Yui: ( Yeah...Well, I’m used to it from back at the Sakamaki manor so I don’t actually mind... )

Laito: Geez, you suddenly disappeared after the meeting was over, so I’ve been looking around for you. 

Yui: Ah...My bad. I wanted to sort out my thoughts by myself for a bit.

Laito: Even so, I’m in charge of watching over you, so you shouldn’t leave me side, remember?

If something were to happen to you, I’d be in big trouble.

*Thud* 

Yui: ( Wait, he sat down on my bed without asking. I mean, it’s fine with me... )

Laito: What’s wrong? You look serious. You must have been pondering over something important?

Yui: Well, how to put it...

( I don’t think he’d regain his memories even if I were to talk to him about it. )

( Still, I can’t do much all by myself, so if I had an ally to rely onーー )

Laito-kun, I’d like to ask your advice on something. Will you hear me out? 

Laito: Your listless expression is wonderful as well. Of course, I’m all ears.

Yui: Isn’t there any way we can stop this fight over the title of Supreme Overlord?

Laito: Why?

Yui: Because I don’t want to have to witness you guys fighting and getting hurt.

Laito: Hmー You’re so kind. Even though you’re playing the role of the captured Princess right now, you’re still thinking about the wellbeing of others as well. 

However...That’s impossible.

Yui: How come...!?

Laito: I mean, Carla, Ruki and Reiji all have their minds set on becoming Supreme Overlord.

I doubt you’d be able to stop them, no matter how hard you try to convince them.

Yui: No way...

Laito: Well, to be honest, I personally could care less about this whole ‘Supreme Overlord’ stuff~

I’m happy as long as I can have fun and I’d rather stay out of trouble. 

Still, as long as Carla is determined to get the throne, I have to at least put in some effort or he’ll get on my case.

Yui: That’s why...You’re helping out in this fight?

Laito: Yup. I’ll fulfill my necessary duties. 

Yui: ( Laito-kun doesn’t seem to question it at all. )

( Is there really nothing that can be done about it? Do I really just have to sit here and watch as a war breaks loose...? )

Laito: Well, that being said, the duty which has been given to me is to watch over you.

It really is the best job. All I have to do is keep you company after all. 

Of course, it comes with a lot of extra privileges as well. 

ー He leans closer

*Rustle* 

Yui: Kyah!

Laito: Why don’t we pretend to be a couple again~? Let’s have some fun together. 

Yui: I-It isn’t pretending! We are an actual couple...

Laito: Then how exactly did we show our love for each other as a couple?

I’d love to hear that from you directly?

Yui: Well...

Laito: Fufu, look at you getting flustered. I wonder what kind of dirty things are going through your head right now?

You get a kick out of pain and suffering, so I’m sure I’ll be able to try out many different kinds of fun things with you.

Ah, right. One second, okay? I’m pretty sure that in this room...

Yui: Eh...?

( He’s searching for something? I have a bad feeling about this...! )

Laito: ...Ah, found it.

Look, I’m sure you love this sorta thing, don’t you?

Yui: ...Scissors? Don’t tell me...W-Wait!

Laito: Look you terrified. What did you think I’d do to you with these?

Yui: Hyah!

( He’s running the scissors along my cheek! )

Laito: Keep still, okay? I might end up scarring your pretty skin after all.

Ah, I guess it might not be bad to do so on purpose. 

Deep crimson blood dripping from your fair skin...I get excited just by imagining it. 

Yui: S...Stop...

Laito: Sure, I’ll stop. But in returnーー

*Thud* 

Yui: Kyaah!

( He cut into my clothes..!? )

Laito: It’s just a scrap so it might not be long enough? Oh well, I just gotta tie it real tight then.

*Rustle* 

Yui: Eh? W-What!?

Laito: Okay, first move your arms behind your back, then I’ll fix them in place with the cut-off fabric...There we go. 

*Rustle* 

Laito: There, all done! What a lovely sight~

Yui: ( No way! I can’t move...! )

Laito-kun, please! Untie me!

Laito: What are you saying? What’s the point in tying you up if I’m just going to remove it right after?

Haah...Just watching you tied up like that really makes my imagination run wild...

Yui: ( ...In that case, I’ll have to find a way to loosen it myself... )

*Rustle rustle*

Yui: Kuh...

( I-It’s no use...It only got even tighter from trying to loosen it. How did he tie this knot!? )

Laito: What are you doing now? I wouldn’t make it that easy to untie.

*Thud* 

Yui: Well then...What do you want me to do next? Should I give your legs the same treatment?

Yui: N-No...

Laito: Despite your protests, your blood seems very happy with this situation?

See? When I run my fingers across your skin, a sweet smell emits from underneath...

Yui: ...No...

( H-He’s running his nails across...Who knows what he might do to me right now... )

Laito: You look lovely from behind as well. I can’t help but want to bite down into your fragile-looking back.

Yui: I-I’m begging you, don’t run your nails across...

Laito: What’s wrong? Does it feel good? Or are you yearning for my fangs, perhaps?

Yui: That’s not it, please, just untie me...! Now’s not the time for this sorta thing!!

Laito: ...Oh shut up. You know what will happen when you say things that’ll ruin the mood, right?

Yui: ...!

( Right now, Laito-kun sees me as nothing but a plaything or a prey... )

( Even though I’m with the guy I love...why is my body shaking...? )

Laito: Nfu~ What a good girl you are, going quiet. I suppose I’ll have to give you a reward.

On certain CGs, little black roses will appear on the screen. If you click on them, you get an extra line of dialogue.

“Girls are so nice. So soft and fragile...I can’t help but want to mess them up real good.”

“Ah-ah~ Because you kept struggling, both your nape and your shoulder...Ah, even your back as well, they’re all fully exposed.”

Laito: Nnー What a lovely scent...It’s telling me to dig in. ...Nn...Nnh...

Yui: Uu...Aah...!

Laito: Geez, Bitch-chan. If you squirm around like that, your clothes will come off, see?

Yui: ( Ah...! The fabric’s ripping open starting from the cut he made earlier...! )

Laito: You want to show me your body that badly? In that case, I better get a thorough look. Come on, squirm around even more. 

Yui: Y-You can’t...!

Laito: Fufu...Then do your best to endure it, okay?

ー He bites down again

Laito: Nnh...Nn...Haah...

Yui: Aah...

( Because I can’t move my arms...It makes it more difficult to ignore the feeling of his fangs... )

Laito: See? Have you realized? Just by retraining your arms like this, it doubles the fun, no?

Yui: No more...

Laito: ...Oh come on, we both know you don’t want me to stop. Your blood keeps on growing richer, you see?

Like it’s trying to tempt me into drinking even more. Nn...

Yui: Nn...Aah...

Monologue

ーー I want to do something about this situation.

Despite feeling that way, 

I have absolutely no idea where to even start. 

When I know very well,

that while I’m here having my blood sucked by Laito-kun,

the others might just be getting everything ready,

to commence the war.

I want Laito-kun to remember. 

I want everyone to stop fighting. 

Yet there is nothing I can do.

It felt like all my emotions were being numbed,

by the overwhelming sense of powerlessness. 

Laito: Haah...Oh dear? Did she faint again? We were only just getting started too. 

Still, Eve’s blood really is superb.

So much so I start thinking how nice it would be to have this blood all to myself, which sounds totally out of character for me...

...Uu...

Those dizzy spells again...? How strange...

ーー TO BE CONTINUED ーー

[good-beanswrites]

🎬: About Es being a past prisoner and the secret 11th prisoner in your AU. But advance apologies if I'm overstepping into your AU!

I had this idea from a story that pretty much did the same thing. Going off there are novels/manga on Milgram and there being another Es and their own prisoners running another Milgram (but differently) I imagine this Milgram projects has been going on for a while, and our Es was from a previous project who might have gotten the worst verdict (or the most spared out of everyone), and was given this final task as a warden for the next group of prisoners. This is why they so readily agreed and had their memories wiped for this Milgram project instead of being weary on a shady project on judging an almost crime, they've already been through this.

(BTW is it bad and worrying for one of our ten fav prisoners to be the next Es if this is legit...)

Anyway, that's why Es is in Milgram in your AU, I guess? And the lore drop that Kotoko picks up on them being the 11th prisoner, I can imagine her also talking to Kazui since he's a policeman to see if she could cross out any theories on who Es is (Did they look familiar. Possible missing child. Any cases to do with an almost crime by a child other than the 10 of them here). Kazui knows Kotoko wants to investigate, but reminds her that, like in their prison while the trial is on, the facilities they're in have high security too. They do have the freedom to move about, but still limited.

If they're trying to investigate Es, maybe Fuuta, Kotoko and Mikoto can try to do the hacking on the comp Mikoto's allowed to use to Photoshop some shots for the MVs and photos (Fuuta and Kotoko seem to be able to search up info they need I think...). Yuno, Mahiru and Muu can work on charming the staff to see if they can spill more deets on Milgram. Not sure how much the group can gather, but oh boy fun times in Milgram can turn into another sort of stress in this AU...

No worries!! Like I said before, this whole au has been a fun collaborative project, so there's no overstepping :) I am sorry I won't be writing a lot on the ending until we get more info, but that's just the perfectionist in me who doesn't want to be proven wrong 😅 Still, I love tossing around and digging into ending scenarios, I really love this!

Because that would make a lot of sense why they're so willing to subject themself to the whole experiment! They remember how tough their experience was, and are confident they can care for the new set of prisoners while doing their job. I'm imagining they get the opportunity to return as guard, and get to have a nice talk with their own guard first. Once they fully understand what it's like, they're know they can handle it and sign up. It adds a bit of drama, too, since they must have been really young committing their crime in order to complete a years-long experiment prior to this one. They would have been like 10? Oof. (Now I wanna see their three trial songs 👀)

And like you said, that also brings up the question of the new warden. Though I think it's based on verdict results, I can just picture Jackalope keeping an eye on everyone during filming. He studyies their interactions and personalities, keeping his own set of notes on who would make a good successor. (I'm not going to go through every character but there are pros to any choice, it's very fun picturing them all taking the job.) Haha, on the other hand, maybe the reason Kotoko keeps bringing up her role as Es' partner/bringer of justice is because she did discover the truth. She drops as many hints as possible so she can be chosen next 😅

Ooh, I love her working with Kazui on an investigation! The fact that eh may know details on recent crimes (and almost-crimes) is super fun to work with. He's the last person who's going to spill a secret, so the group could go several trials without realizing Kazui had actually heard all about their situation this whole time.

(Getting sidetrack for a sec, I'm suddenly realizing that he and Kotoko may have heard things about the crimes in canon, too. They're a bit unclear about how much time passed between the murders and arriving to Milgram, so maybe he heard some things. I don't know how well-connected Tokyo police departments are, but Yuno, Fuuta, Muu, and Shidou are all nearby. There's definitely a chance he caught word of the vigilante nearby, and she heard about the odd policeman's suicide. Both of them could have heard about the tragic housefire, the disgraced doctor, or horrible schoolgirl murder nearby.)

Anyway, I like that idea of Kazui wracking his brain for any similar cases. Though, if he had, Milgram may have had the foresight to wipe parts of his memory, too. Maybe he does end up using his call to reach out to Hinako and have her look into it from the outside. Sadly, Kotoko seems the type to sacrifice her personal call to reach out to a connection who can help as well. I'll have to think about how closely Jackalope monitors those calls, hm.

I'm going crazy over prisoner investigation team !! Kotoko and Fuuta had the online knowledge to find some good info, and Mikoto and Kazui seem like they'd have a huge network of people they can ask for info and favors from. Haha, I'm torn whether Mahiru would have flirting down to a science or if she'd refuse to do it since it wasn't real love 😂 Still, she's very good at reading people and could definitely help the others charm and bribe their way into some restricted areas. Amane and Haruka can also charm with their innocence/cuteness (though I'm not sure Amane would). Shidou seems very organized, he'd have a plan and backup plan and backup-backup plan ready, no matter what happens. I think it's even funnier, then if Milgram had run several experiments prior. Jackalope would think this was just another runthrough, and for the first time the ten subjects decided to organize together and Cause Problems.

I think there's a beautiful irony in a story featuring ten prisoners planning a jailbreak to save the prison guard...