#Fierce is having a great time! he's doing something that little Link has talked about

[nancyheart11]

Dad in a dungeon pt1

They were following fast on the trail of a group of Yiga, almost where they could touch them, Abel was sure. If they could capture just one, then he felt sure they could finally get some straight answers about where to find Abel���s son, along with the others. They moved down on a slope lined with colored rocks and a dip in the middle of the path from the many feet that had trodden it in times past. The Yiga scum slipped in a small opening of great wooden doors that had seen much better days, but peeling paint and chipped carvings aside, the doors were magnificent in scale and in lovingly rendered carvings of something Abel didn’t pay attention to as the Fierce Deity nearly threw the doors off their hinges in his haste to enter the space.

They finally cornered the Yiga against a wall only to hear dreaded giggles of the sort that were part of Abel’s nightmares. He could have sworn he saw one of the blasted traitors wink at him through the mask before the air was filled with dark, sickly sweet smoke and mocking laughter. He felt air move on his back and Abel whirled around squinting through the thick smoke and try and get a hit on one of them.

The air finally cleared enough to see more than the sword in front of his body and Abel felt as though he had been doused in ice water as the great wooden doors slammed shut with finality. He had a feeling that there would be no getting out that way, even with the Fierce Deity’s absurd Strength. 

“Well that didn't work out.” Rusl said with a scowl on his face.

Fierce simply turned away from the door, sheathing his huge blade as he did so. He inhaled very loudly and held it for what would have been a concerningly long time for a mortal, then let it all out in one annoyed exhale through his nose making Abel’s heart jump even as he had kept an eye on the Deity.

“I sense a great darkness further in this building and it grows, even now… My little one would feel obligated to clear the place, to protect the land from whatever may emerge from the depths. I suggest we do the same in their places.” Abel could’ve sworn he saw the shadow of a smirk on the deity's face, but a blink later and it was as impassive as ever. “Besides, the items sealed in such places are often very helpful.”

Abel raised one exasperated eyebrow. They didn’t have time to clear some forgotten ruin of monsters! They already dealt with far too many just trying to get to the next town, the next clue to where Link (and the other Links) could be. He turned to Rusl for help and found him lighting a torch, already moving to follow the deity further into the foreboding dark. Abel felt a headache start behind his eyes as he went to follow, hating that Fierce was right and knowing that the kind of man he’d been before the calamity wouldn’t have thought twice about trying to help.

The group started down crisp sharp stairs which after a small time turned a perfect 90 degrees to the right. Then again and again and–

Abel was right back in front of the giant wooden doors. 

He groaned in frustration because he had heard tales of people getting lost in seemingly simple dungeons and dying. He didn't have time for that!

He finally took his hands from his face only to see Rusl standing uncomfortably close to the edge, stone held in hand. Before Abel could ask how it would help Rusl dropped the stone straight down.

Abel felt something hit his arm. He turned to the threat drawing his sword as he did so only to see–

The stone?

Rusl grinned at him and Fierce, then confidently walked off the side.

When no sounds of Rusl’s body hitting the stone far beneath them sounded Abel began frantically looking for his brave but far too reckless– 

A whistle broke his thoughts and pulled his attention to a wall on the side of the stairs beneath him, where Rusl stood casually, like he wasn’t defying the laws of physics and oh look Fierce was joining him.

Abel brought a hand to his nose and tried not to scream, no wonder dungeons were so deadly if this was the kind of thing required to even get to the next door. Abel let all the air inside him out in a huge, disapproving sigh before following his companions, since he wasn’t going to let common sense of all things get him killed.

—-

It quickly became apparent that nothing in this dungeon was as it seemed at first glance. Normal doors when approached turned out to simply be startlingly realistic paintings, the actual doors being cleverly hidden until you were at just the right angle or needing to do things like leap across a series of poles to reach the ledge containing them.

 Upon reaching the first such door, Abel leaned his head against the smooth wood to catch his breath and wait for his heartbeat to slow, after all Tilieth was the one with the paraglider and he did not want to end up as a hylian pancake on the floor. He looked back just in time to see Fierce take a couple steps back, run at the wall and scramble up it smoothly in his armor, grabbing the ledge in one hand and pulling himself up with ease. Abel swallowed the hot envy in his mouth and went to open the door–

Locked

Why was it locked? Fierce seemed unsurprised, as did Rusl from where he perched a pillar way, since there wasn’t room for all three of them in the doorway at once.

“The Key must be elsewhere” Fierce nodded as though this was expected

He simply lowered himself and dropped the remaining 15 feet with no problem. And Abel’s knees groaned at the thought of having to cross those stupid pillars even once more, much less twice more just to make it back to this door which was most certainly not the end of the dungeon from the few bits of conversation Rusl and Fierce had shared on the subject.

“Hey Fierce, could you catch me?”

“Of course, little Farmer. It would be more efficient than crossing the pillars in fact.”

So of course Rusl jumped down, Fierce jumped up and, . . . huh that actually looked way more comfortable than Abel had imagined.

Fierce turned in his direction and raised one perfectly sculpted brow in silent question. Abel was grateful he didn’t have to answer out loud as he closed his eyes and took one small step over the ledge. Despite the armor the deity wore, his arms were gentle and he cushioned Abel’s fall and within minutes he found himself set back on solid ground.

With that done Fierce turned and began walking a direction they hadn’t gone yet. They found some red bokoblins camped around a fire soon enough and Abel almost relished something simple to do. Once they were defeated the group moved on, coming to a strange smooth curved wall.

Rusl’s touch flickered and in the corner of his eye Abel spotted scratches. He approached and based on the regularity and uniformity he felt sure it was writing! 

Writing he couldn’t read.

“Can either of you read this? Since we all apparently have different writing maybe it’s one of ours?”

Abel couldn’t help the hopeful note that crept into the end of his voice. He may not be a soldier anymore, but he still craved the easily understood nature of it. Stand here, fight these monsters, try not to claw your eyes out over this paperwork. He was starting to be more impressed with the other son’s if they had had to deal with things like this on a regular basis.

The others shook their heads and Abel felt his heart sink a little, but then Fierce tilted his head, then walked up to the wall and raised his arms, the tops of which easily cleared the top of the wall. Rusl came over quickly and Fierce lifted him to the top of the wall, then turned to Abel, grabbing him in an embrace with hands that nearly wrapped around his entire torso and lifting him up to join Rusl on the top of the wall.

Abel looked around and from this angle was able to see that the wall was entirely flat, save for a few areas that bulged out. He looked to Rusl who grinned at them.

“Looks like we just avoided a whole puzzle with Fierce’s height. Guess they didn’t expect anyone eight feet tall to come here.”

Fierce jumped the wall and helped them down from the other side without a word. Abel was starting to feel as though he wasn’t pulling his own weight with this whole dungeon exploring thing. Rusl had figured out that the whole dungeon didn’t follow the rules of physics as he knew them, while Fierce had been making what were surely meant to be dangerous and difficult obstacles seem like child’s play. Before he could back down Abel mumbled out a thanks, and felt his heart sink a little bit at the way Fierce’s eyes widened minutely at the words.

Finally looking forward Abel wanted to throw his hands over his eyes at the sight, in front of them was a stairway stretching as far as the eyes could see in stark black and white, somehow seeming to go both up and down at the same time, almost looking at thought someone had taken a chessboard, broken it into the individual squares and then put back together in the most confusing manner possible.

They moved until they were almost to the staircase and objects dropped from the ceiling! One black, one white and one half and half. Abel ignored them and went to put a foot on the stairs? If that’s what they were, but felt as though he had been doused in ice when he foot went through the square. He pulled it out quickly as though it had been burned and fell from the sudden change in momentum.

Rusl looked at him, looked at the stones? Boulders? Things that were round and large enough Abel would have to use 2 hands to hold them properly. Then his eyes lit up, he grabbed the white one, and stepped confidently onto the white square next to Abel. When he didn’t fall through Abel realized that colors weren’t just there to mock his eyes, but to make even moving on this strange staircase a puzzle of it’s own. He picked up the black stone and felt it’s weight, heavy, but not so much that he would tire quickly. Fierce of course picked up the swirled stone in one hand while holding his sword in the other and they all began to move on their designated squares. Rusl’s took him up, Abel’s took him down, and Fierce’s went sideways . . . for some reason.

Abel felt nervous separating from the others for any reason inside something as dangerous as a dungeon. Abel got to the bottom of the long walk and saw white on his left, so he held his head high and walked straight through what looked solid to find himself in a room with water running down open archways on all sides, with bright starlike lights wavering in the water with beautiful cerulean fishlike creatures swirling and occasionally blocking out the light. 

On the ledge of the archway he was standing on without falling in the four corners were four statues, one a bird with open wings, one a Lizard sunning itself on a rock, one a horse like creature with lumps on its back, and the last statue was so intimately familiar Abel’s heart hurt looking at it, for it looked Miphas divine beast, which he believed the girl had once said was based off something called an elephant.

He walked around the room trying to take in every detail and figure out what the trick was, trying not to think about how he was able to feel the cool trickling water under his boots and what appeared to be open space should he fall through.

His neck hurt from looking down so much, and Abel stretched it back as far as he could comfortably go, relishing in the relief it brought him before opening his eyes and immediately feeling stupid.

There was a bright shiny chest on the ‘ceiling’ in plain sight, and it probably held something that he very much needed to get out of here. Abel walked over to one corner made of good solid stone and put his foot on the wall wanting to see if he could walk up the side. He lifted his other foot–

And his back hit the ground, a long low groan being drawn out of him at the pain. He was never a thinker, it had never been his strong suit, but he was going to have to figure it out if he wanted to get his son and wife back, or ever leave the dungeon for that matter. Rubbing his likely bruised backside he got up and shook out his arms, now that they weren’t holding the weight of the stone–

Wait, where had it gone?

He looked and saw it had rolled just out of reach on the water he’d been standing on moments before. Moving a boot off the stone and into the water it went through, and Abel breathed out an annoyed sigh.

 Great, now he was confined to the stone ledge on the edges of the room since he didn’t want to find out just how endless the space below was and he didn’t have a way to reach the stone yet. He got up and seeing as his hand was able to pass through the water of the arch he was next to very easily, Abel decided to lean on the stone and stick his head out, to see just how distorted the space beyond had been by the water.

They outside looked like piles and piles of velvet layered on something, soft and luxurious almost calling to be touched, though he knew that it was too far away if it was even something that could be touched. Studded along the background where dots of pure white light, shaped like tears individually with what Abel had first thought to be fish now appearing to be whale’s in a deep blue at their center, lightning as they went out and delicate porcelain white patterns scattered along their surface as they swam peacefully in the area. The one he was watching moved  enough to unobscure the area and Abel sucked in a breath.

He knew that symbol in the not sky, everyone did, it was the one that had been stitched into the champion blue cloth for Revali. Abel quickly pulled his head back through the water headless of how much splashed everywhere. And he looked–

There

In the farther left corner from where he currently stood was the bird statue. Abel looked out the arch to his right and squinted, seeing the lizard of Daruk studded in the sky. He moved to the nearest statue, which was the lizard curled on the rock and started pushing with his whole body, gritting his teeth against the awful grinding noise made by the statue's movement. After continuing for some time and turning the corner he felt the statue click into place, and for a moment he wanted to jump in the air! He’d figured out some strange part of this all on his own, but then he remembered the other three statues and winced.

He cracked his knuckles and got to work. Eventually when the last statue (Mipha’s) was pushed into place after the light click there was a loud thonck as the Chest fell to the ‘floor’. Abel sighed wondering just how he was going to get out there before realizing that now the archways appear to have been filled in with translucent glass, no longer having water run in the space. He almost lamented the beauty lost before testing the sturdiness and went to open the Chest. Inside was a silver key along with a purple rupee and he was glad to see that because now that he was visiting towns more often money was something he had more need of.

Abel stuffed the key in his pocket, grabbed the stone, and found the area of the wall not as solid as it appeared to go back and hopefully meet with his companions. When he got back to the place the stones had first dropped he blinked at the pedestals that were definitely not there before they appeared as though they had simply grown out of the stone Abel stood on, with no joints or lines to separate them at all. As he watched a third pedestal bloomed in front of him to make three, and Abel got a feeling that the stones they had just used were meant to be returned here.

Rusl called out to him and Abel turned to greet him, only to begin laughing when he saw that Rusl’s clothes and hair were covered in splashes of various colors, all bright, none matching, and with his headband hanging askew on his head, nearly covering one eye. Coming from the opposite direction of where he had disappeared earlier was Fierce whose boots were once more bloodstained, though it was such a usual sight it took Abel a minute to realize most was fresh. 

They showed the things they had gathered in their individual rooms. Rusl had gotten quite a few rupees, Abel had his key and Fierce had both a key and compass for the dungeon. They put their stones into the pillars and watched as they receded smoothly into the floor. Behind them the strange stairway was disappearing, step by step, until a rather small door was left revealed. 

Abel frowned at it. So far everything in the dungeon had been spacious, to the point Fierce didn't have to duck his head to enter doorways, but this door was so short that even Abel, shortest of the group, would need to crouch to enter.. He grimaced at how much his back would hurt from just this room and moved forward. He went to put his key in the lock and Rusl put his hand on the door. Abel looked over and raised an eyebrow in question, far too tired for words already.

“We’ve been in here a while now, I think before we head in there some food might be a good idea.”

Abel wanted to get this over with and leave, but he saw the sense in Rusl’s suggestion and was also the only one of the group who could cook anything decent. Fierce made sense but how Rusl managed to char a sandwich? Abel didn’t want to know.

They sat on the smooth cold floor and Abel took some of the leftover rice from the night before and began shaping it adding salt, pepper and some hyrule herb as he went to make rice balls. He made sure to make ones too large for one hand so that Fierce would have an easier time holding them. He grumbled about others who were no good at cooking for themselves while Rusl sliced a few apples but felt his chest warm when both Rusl and Fierce hummed appreciatively at the rice balls along with the apple slices.

When that was finished Abel took several long drinks from his skin, swishing the water around inside to dislodge any random food bits and trying to decide how much to ration should they be stuck in this dungeon for days.

Then he got up, popped his knuckles and marched forward. Immediately upon entering the small room he saw a river rushing along inside a built stone bed, with pillars holding up the impossibly zig zagging structure. Abel mourned his briefly dry self before stepping into the cool water, since the ledges on the edge of the bed were quite thin and he didn’t want to test his balance. Then he realized the bed sloped downward, like an artificial hill in all the zigging and zagging, yet the water ran up? He turned to investigate and followed the flow of the water, feeling like that was the closest thing to a clue he’d encountered thus far.

Eventually he got to the top where the water arched beautifully off the stone as it was released to a water wheel? A water wheel that somehow held the water as it went upside down and deposited the water back at the bottom to move up again.

Looking closer at the water wheel Abel could see that it was guarded by a group of fish with extremely sharp teeth and that something was glinting at him from in between slats in the wheel.

It was times like these that Abel really missed the infinite bomb capacity of the sheikah slate. Instead he looked inside his bag, rooting through to see what useful items he–

Aha! He pulled out a spear triumphantly, then thought better of it and pulled out some rope as well.

After securing the spear with rope he threw it towards the bottom, it did not reach. So Abel trudged down a few levels ignoring how his head hurt when he looked too closely at the nonsensical architecture. He threw his spear once more and hit a couple of the fish head on, confirming they were monsters with puffs of smoke they emitted upon death.

With that out of the way it was simply a matter of getting more accurate in his throws the less fish there were to hit. When the area was cleared the water changed direction and Abel was swept off his feet unprepared for the change as he slid down the slope.

His arm jolted uncomfortably in its socket as the spear clenched in his hands caught on what felt like every corner and his legs hit walls before he could turn. Eventually he was deposited into a body of water, and once he gets his head above water he sees the water wheel.

Alright then.

He swims over to it and sees that there is now a solid stone platform he can climb on next to it. It puts him at just the right height to grab the strange object in the middle. There was a delicate sphere that looked like it was made from metal Spidersilk surrounding a triangle that didn't make sense. The triangle was made of a thin square piece of metal twisted upon itself in a way that just didn't work, yet here it was in front of Abel.

He twisted the sphere to get a better look at the triangle, where the blue side had been down, and once the red side was down there was the door in front of him.

Abel blinked and looked behind him,the room he'd just been in still there, but now he didn't have to go all the way back up the stone banks, so he shrugged and moved on.

He exited back to the now smooth room. Rusl was busy organizing arrows while Fierce watched on with interest. Rusl jumped a little when he noticed Abel. 

“That was quick, thought you’d be in there longer!”

Abel didn’t take offense to the statement, though he felt like he’d spent some time spearing the fish, guess he lost track of time doing so.

After Rusl had put all the good arrows back in his quiver they continued on, going back to the door by the pillars, though having Fierce lift them up and hand them the key being far easier of Abel’s joints than the alternative.

Rusl turned the key this time and they both pushed open the door, waiting inside for Fierce to lift himself and join them. Once he crossed the threshold the door slammed closed behind them and Iron bars slammed down over both the set behind them and the one in front, trapping them inside. 

Then the room rumbled and a paper crane fell on the floor? Abel furrowed his brow and went to pick it up, but at that moment a wave of paper cranes swooped down, seemingly of their own accord, all moving in one great rush to form some sort of giant creature. The thing roars at them and Abel can’t help wondering a little hysterically if this is one of the fabled dungeon monsters, something so dangerous it’s been confined to this place for who knows how long.

Abel readies his sword, feeling like the steel in his hand is woefully inadequate for the task before him, but prepared to fight with all his might–

Then Fierce almost lazily unsheathes his giant sword, slices it across the air nowhere near the monster shifting towards them, and Abel watches with something like disbelief as a beam of light is emitted, moving unerringly towards the monster and burning the cranes it comes into contact with. They were packed so closely together to make the creature that they are all ashes in moments.

Wait, something is still moving! Abel turns and almost feels pity at the sight of a lone crane, charred on one wing, pathetically shuffling along the floor trying to get away from them, Fierce walks over and sets one large boot on the thing, slowly grinding it underfoot with an expression of boredom, like this was beneath him. Abel feels ice in his veins at the reminder of the terrible power the deity wields so casually.

The bars slide up from where they came and a loud Click is heard as the doors unlock. Rusl runs up to Fierce and claps him on the back, grinning at him and Fierce seems happy? Pleased? Less bored at least with Rusl asking about the sword beam and thanking Fierce for taking care of the thing.

Abel shakes his head to try and clear it of such gloomy thoughts, sheathing his sword for the moment and following the others out of the doorway. They came out on what appeared to be giant hands, where they stepped out on the cupped palms of the hands, with the fingers coming up to act as a guard from falling. On the wall opposite them were notes? And under each note was an illustration of the hands with a finger raised, to make a total of 8 different images. But why!

Fierce made a little noise, one that sounded almost delighted? And pulled out a lump, with holes. He blew into the spout? And a note came out, smooth and windy sounding, though the grind of stone behind him quickly distracted Abel. The index finger on the right hand had lowered with the note, but when Fierce went to play a different one the first snapped back into place with a loud crack that made both Abel and Rusl jump. Fierce hummed and and played some more notes in varying orders, managing to find 2 that when played sequentially, kept both fingers down.

“This method is inefficient, there must be a clue elsewhere in this room that we can access to get the correct order of notes.” 

 Abel and Rusl both did their best to see what else may be in the room. It was Rusl who leaned around the hands and noticed the nails were painted in different shades. This made the fact that the illustrations on the other wall were colored more significant, though it didn’t help them know what order to play in. Abel, tired of staring down a seemingly endless abyss turned back to maybe see if they had missed something previously and noticed the door they came through was outlined in a rainbow of color. The rainbow was off, because it wasn’t in the right order! 

“Fierce! The colors around the door must be what order to play in!”

Fierce nodded, and immediately began playing from the innermost to outermost color. When he did, an object appeared in the middle of the room, another chest, joy.

Fierce then played from outer colors in, and once the simple melody was finished the hands now flat underneath them jolted, and began moving towards the far side. They stopped at the platform (held by nothing as far as Abel could tell) opened the chest and pulled out a map and compass? Fierce gasped and seemed happy to hold onto the items, Abel didn’t understand why you would need to solve a puzzle in the middle of a dungeon to get the map.

@skyloftian-nutcase here's the first part as promised! now to continue onward! hopefully soon i'll have this up so that the parts of Dad squad written to be post-dungeon can start going up as well!

[essenceeater]

"You're ridiculous, I love it." Hanzo Hasashi x GN!Reader.

"I don't see the asks button so I would like to politely request for some goofy ahh Scorpion Hcs because I’m amazing 😘😘😘"

WHY DID NOBODY TELL ME MY REQUESTS WERE OFF?? I SWEAR I TURNED THEM ON. Anyways a lovely fic for my friend @krysphycookiez this is specifically MK11 Hanzo. I hope you enjoy this. This is a mix of romantic and goofy headcanons with a small oneshot. The reader and Hanzo are married cause I said so. -Chaos

Characters: Hanzo Hasashi/Scorpion

Triggers: None that I can think of? Lmk if anything should be tagged here. It's Mortal Kombat, you know what to expect ig?

Requested: Yes

🔓Requests are open at the moment🔓

Link to rules

🔥Hanzo Hasashi, is known for his strong and complex personality. He's a very passionate man, but he's a little goofy when it's just you around.

🔥 Hanzo is fiercely loyal, and in a relationship, he would prioritize his partner's safety and well-being. He'd go to great lengths to protect them. He's seen things he doesn't want you to witness, it would break his heart honestly.

🔥Despite his combat prowess, Hanzo is a terrible cook. GOD AWFUL. His attempts at making a simple sandwich often lead to hilarious disasters in the kitchen. YOU'D THINK FOR BEING ABLE TO CONTROL FIRE HE'D BE PERFECT BUT NO. He's not allowed near ANY kitchens.

🔥 Y'know his friendship finisher? He has a hidden collection of cute plush toys, which he claims are "for training purposes only." He cuddles with them when no one is around. One time you walked in and he was in a huge pile of these plushies, to which you got dragged down into.

🔥Outside of his usual outfit I feel like he dresses like a homeless man 🧍‍♂️

🔥I feel would keep an air of mystery around him, making his partner curious about his past and his fire like abilities. He wouldn't want to involve you in the past even if he's still clinging to it.

🔥Despite this his fiery nature would translate into a passionate and intense love. He'd express his feelings with great emotion.

🔥YOU GET FLOWERS EVERY MONTH BUT SOMETIMES THE STEMS ARE A BIT BURNT.

🔥Despite his agility and combat skills, Hanzo is notoriously clumsy in his everyday life. He often trips over his own feet, slips on banana peels, and crashes into things when not in battle. Imagine you watched him fight someone with no problems, he turns to give you a kiss or something like that and he trips over nothing.

🔥Being serious for a moment, I feel like he will definitely train his partner. God forbid he's not around to defend you and something happens, he doesn't want history to repeat itself.

"My love what are you doing?"

The Earthrealm's warriors were used to the relentless training, the brutal battles, and the life-or-death scenarios. But there was one thing they couldn't quite wrap their heads around Hanzo's newfound obsession: cupcakes.

You were lounging in the living room of your shared home, scrolling through your tablet when you heard an unusual sound coming from the kitchen. Following the curious noise, you discovered your husband furiously whisking a bowl of batter, his mask hanging by his side as if it was just another day at the bakery he doesn't work at.

"What's going on here?" you asked, trying to stifle a laugh as you watched him struggle with a mixer.

Hanzo looked up, his fiery gaze locking onto you but he looked like a dear in headlights. "I have discovered the art of cupcakes," he declared, his voice as serious as ever.

You couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Honey, you're not allowed in the kitchen but you're making cupcakes?"

"Yes," he replied, determination in his eyes. "I was bored..." He mumbled as an excuse, but just the other day you and a friend were talking about wanting cupcakes.

Scorpion continued to wrestle with the mixer as you decided to step in. Gently taking the mixer from his hands with a soft chuckle. Together, you managed to create a lumpy cupcake batter that was a mix of all sorts of ingredients he had found in the kitchen. There were sweet and savory items like ketchup, chocolate chips, and even some mysterious spices. Did you know that? Absolutely not, is that for the better? You'll find out.

With a wink, you handed Hanzo a tray of cupcake liners. "Time to get these in the oven."

He nodded, but then his gaze fell upon the oven as he frowned. "How do I make it... bake with love?" he asked, looking genuinely puzzled. Causing you to giggle in amusement, causing him to break his confused mask he put up and laugh with you.

You smiled and set the oven to the right temperature. As you popped the tray into the oven. Hanzo stepped back, his memory flooding with flashbacks to the last time he used the oven.

A few minutes later, you were both treated to the smell of something that was part chocolate chip cookie, part ketchup-flavored cupcake wafting from the oven. You couldn't help but exchange a look and burst into laughter once again.

Your husband, however, couldn't go back to being serious, he was smiling like a child. "We shall call these 'Kombat Kupcakes,' a deadly delicacy," he announced with pride.

As you both sampled the cupcakes, your taste buds were assaulted by a strange combination of flavors. They weren't the best cupcakes, but there was no denying the effort Hanzo had put into making them.

And in that moment, you couldn't help but think, "You're ridiculous, Hanzo, but I love it."

As the two of you sat there, munching on the bizarre creations, you realized that even a fearsome fire bending ninja like Scorpion had a goofy and endearing side, one that you cherished above all else.

"You're still not allowed to use the kitchen."

"Oh come on I'm not a child!"

Essenceeater © 2023 ┃ do not copy, modify, steal, repost ANY of my content.

[jessilynallendilla]

SHAZAM/CAPTAIN MARVEL FIC REC

TITLE/LINK RATING COMPLETED-WORD-COUNT SERIES

let me know if the links aren't working and feel free to suggest any

We Have Nothing To Fear Except Ourselves  T 1,773 SERIES 

"Superboy will be staying at Mount Justice for now," Bruce says. He doesn't look at Clark as he says it. Clark doesn't look at him either. 

". . . Mount Justice is a cave," Captain Marvel says, clearly even more bewildered. "And Superboy is solar-powered. Isn't that kind of . . . I don't know . . . mean?" 

"'Mean'?" Clark repeats in disbelief before he can think better of it. 

Captain Marvel And The Shadow Demon  G 952 SERIES 

He floated down, knelt on the ground and extended the back of his hand toward the creature. The creature cautiously padded out of Superman’s shadow toward him and sniffed his hand, before rubbing it’s head affectionately against it.  “Heh… you aren’t nearly as scary as everyone makes you out to be.”  “Mrrrrp” the creature replied, still head butting his hand 

Super Reporters AU: That One Time A Half-Kryptonian Visited Fawcett City  G 8,185 SERIES 

Clark and Lois had a predicament, on one hand, Clark had some League Business offworld. On the other hand, Lois had to go undercover for a scoop on an underground crime ring, both can’t take care of 5 year old Jon, luckily for Clark, his honorary little brother, Billy is willing to accompany him in the peculiar Fawcett city. 

Super Reporter Billy Batson  G 19,114 SERIES 

Little Billy Batson has just been transformed into a grown man - the superhero Captain Marvel. Thrown into a crazy new world of super heroics, the little boy embraces his new life and the responsibilities that come with it. 

STRIKE A VIOLENT POSE.  G 2,376 

There is something about Shazam that Clark really doesn't get, until he does 

A Christmas Peril  M 

The ghosts of Christmas past present and future have fallen upon the Wayne household when three mentally and physically abused children come to stay. Its horrible enough that Jon has been isolated due to the destructive capabilities of his powers. Or that Billy has been left orphaned and homeless. But when Batman learns what Talia has been putting his son through. It might just push him over the edge. This leads to an overly publicised custody battle between Gotham's billionaire playboy and the wealthy religious socialite with a cult following and an assassination hobby. 

The Outsider  T 

Damian’s mission was simple. A routine drug bust that just happened to take place in Fawcett. Easy stuff. But while there, he runs into a kid with a heroic streak and a look that’s a bit too familiar. That meeting ends up changing his entire life. 

As Atlas Holds The World On His Shoulders  T 22,016 SERIES 

Billy was doing fine. Not great, but fine. He definitely didn’t need some billionaire from Gotham City of all places to throw at least 13 wrenches in his plan 

The Butler's Apprentice  T  

Billy Batson, fiercely independent and a homeless part-time superhero, finds himself in the streets of Gotham with no money, no food, and no voice. Unable to transform into Captain Marvel (Shazam), he gains unexpected help in the form of a polite and respectable butler. 

The One With The Bat's Son  T 3,405 

“Batman has seven kids.”  Wally blinked. “You’re shitting me.”  “Not even a little, I just overheard him and Supes talking.”  “Oh my god,” he breathed, staring at Hal incredulously. “You don’t think -?”  Hal nodded, slowly and seriously. “Batman could be Captain Marvel’s dad.” 

The Time Lost In Between  T 34,780 SERIES 

Everyone knows Batman knows everything about everyone, no matter how secretive they might be. What everyone doesn't know is that the Dark Knight knows nothing about Captain Marvel, no matter what he does to try to. And now, he thinks he might just have a lead, a lead that would finally let him tear apart the puzzle that's troubled him for so long. The only complication? Captain Marvel is wearing a dead man's face. 

Billy Accidentally Gets Kidnapped  NR 3,794 

Bruce needs some sleep, all the black haired blue eyed kids are starting to look the same to him. Billy just wants to do his job. In other words, I love the idea of Bruce accidentally kidnapping Billy, it happens in my other story too 

A Natural Progression  NR 92,427 SERIES 

Billy's in a bad place. Consistently on the run from bullies and the like, unable to eat or find a stable place to sleep for more than a week Sure, he's Captain Marvel, but he'd never use his powers for his own gain. Thankfully, Alfred Pennyworth comes to the rescue. 

Billy Batson And The Troubles Of Work-Life Balance  T SERIES 

No one in the League could rightly say they knew exactly who, or what, Captain Marvel was. Billy Batson did not have any plans on changing that status. Maybe he should stop feeding into the rumor mill, then. 

Captain Marvel's Adopted?  T 8,504 

When Captain Marvel sends out a distress call, the only League member available is Batman. Bruce comes to his aid, but he finds out that Billy is a 10-year-old homeless orphan with black hair and blue eyes. Obviously, he makes the only logical decision and adopts Billy. Because it's Bruce—who's allergic to revealing life-changing information—the League is left in the dark. 

From The Shadows  T 88,074 

All Billy Batson wanted was to survive a particularly rough week living on the streets of Fawcett City. The last thing he was looking for was a new family. All Bruce Wayne wanted was to learn a bit more about his upbeat teammate under the guise of official Wayne Enterprises business. But he could never turn his back on a child in need. Especially one as surrounded by mystery as Billy. OR Billy gets adopted by the Batfamily while trying to deal with a strong magical enemy. 

The Marvelous Adventures Of The SuperBat Family  T 

Batman's suspicions that Captain Marvel is autistic snowball out of control and before he knows it he's playing father figure to an impressionable homeless kid along with Superman. There's nothing wrong with panicking and accidentally taking care of another kid, right? Now if they could just figure out why everyone seems to think that they're dating then they should have everything figured out. Right? 

Of Gods And Bats  T 

After Billy Batson gets attacked by something he doesn't understand, he decides to call Batman to help him find the source of the attacks. Little does he know, this sets up a series of events that will change his life forever. Billy has always been an orphan and has learned to take care of himself – but can he learn to accept help from others and really let someone know him? 

Like Going Through Hell On A Sunday  M 54,568 

Jason Todd has to bring Damian to Gotham for his protection, meets Billy along the way and just doesn't know how he's supposed to keep these kids safe while dealing with his trauma (aka killing that damn clown) 

Billy Batson And The Phantom  T 

When a video goes viral of a teenager, who looks strikingly like the superhero known as Captain Marvel, having lightning powers and fighting shadowy enemies, it results in a lot of rumors, theories, and worst of all, conspiracies, that the teen might be the Captain's illegitimate or secret son. Billy Batson, the person underneath the Captain Marvel transformation and a teenager at the tender age of fourteen-years-old knows there is literally no way that this teenager could be his child. Nonetheless, Superman encourages Captain Marvel to help aide in the search for the teenager in order to find out the true happenings of that night in the woods. Billy goes along with it, fearing that if he pushes too hard, he might reveal his secret identity and most of all, his true age, to the Justice League. Besides, how hard could it be to find one teenager? Billy really should have taken his own experiences to heart because as it turns it, the answer to that question is: very hard. 

Who's Old Now?  T 36017 

what happens when a twelve year old masquerading as an adult superhero calls his guardian, an adult who can also turn into a child superhero, on speaker phone, in front of the Justice League. 

[tsaritza-mika]

Unpopular Opinion #3

Okay...so this might ruffle some feathers, but I still really feel it needs to be said. As always, if you don’t like what I have to say, just keep scrolling. I am a full believer in curating your own internet experience, and if you find yourself upset about a random opinion, please just leave and find something that makes you happy. You deserve it, and I promise that you will never hear me advocate otherwise.

Now then... Let’s talk a bit about our favorite mountain man. Shall we?

I see a lot of posts, especially as of late, that really go hard on the way Muriel’s route dealt with his various issues. Now, yes, Muriel is not one of my top LIs, he’s jut not the personality type that really gels with me, but I love him as much as I do all six of them for different reasons. I also acknowledge that his route isn’t perfect, but I honestly don’t think it’s nearly as bad as other people automatically jump to. Muriel has a metric fucking ton of issues, which include severe lack of self esteem, trauma that links to both those self esteem issues and his time in Vesuvia’s arena, depression, and some fun little sprinklings of Nihilism just for extra flavor. And all of that is just from a pure amateur observation. I’m not a psychologist, nor will I ever claim to be, but from the little bit that I know from former college classes and being friends with people who have experienced trauma from various forms of abuse, Muriel has all of these issues, and likely more that I’m not immediately familiar with.

A good amount of people in the fandom seem to believe that a better way for Muriel’s route to go would have had him ending up being more forceful in standing up to Lucio, really digging into him for the harm that he caused and is still causing, and more of coming out of his shell than he did. Now, while that would be a more dramatic take, you’ve gotta keep something important in mind: give or take a few years, Muriel has been dealing with most of these issues since he was at least around 6-8 years old. If we assume he’s maybe somewhere along the lines of 26-28, that’s twenty years of issues in an increasingly hostile situation. A single year alone of that much negativity is likely to leave some pretty impressive mental scars, let alone the possibility of twenty or more.

People who experience trauma will process and react to it differently, this is true, but to say that it’s OOC to have Muriel just be only a little more talkative and at ease with others outside of MC and Asra, strikes me as those who aren’t very familiar with how trauma can actually work. The entire ‘stick it to them’ fantasy seems great and totally cathartic in theory, but when victims of abuse and trauma actually have that chance, more often than not, I’ve only ever known them to prefer not wanting to be anywhere near their tormentors. Muriel actually being comfortable with himself, speaking up more, but still very much wanting his distance from everyone is a HUGE step in his healing process, and I honestly don’t think people give him enough credit for that. 

Muriel has been exploited and manipulated, verbally and likely physically abused, and all of that we could apply to JUST the time he was known in Vesuvia under the mantle of ‘The Scourge of The South’. We see in the Travel at Night tale that he already dealt with excess stress and fear from traveling through a war-zone at a very young age, where he says he even distinctly remembers hearing Lucio enjoying himself as he killed others. He’s already terrified by roughly age 12 when Lucio picks him out of the other street kids. He’s very aware that Lucio would enjoy hunting and killing him, and for a child to be aware of this, that alone is gonna fuck him up somethin’ fierce for a long time. Hell, when Lucio points him out from the other kids, he’s so afraid of him and what he knows Lucio is capable of, that his arms and legs go numb, and he can’t move. And later when he’s talking to Asra, if chosen, the response he gives Asra when asked about what he would do with magic is to make himself invisible, the very thing he’d wanted since the start of that tale. He wanted to be left alone, not deal with those kids who wanted to hurt others and steal, or be noticed by Lucio.

Muriel even straight up tells MC and Julian when they visit him in the forest during Julian’s route that he asked to have the gift of being forgotten. If he was forgotten as soon as he left someone’s sight, he wouldn’t be exploited anymore, and he wouldn’t be forced to take lives in exchange for keeping his most precious person safe anymore. To Muriel, deeply set in his traumatized and self loathing state, it was the perfect solution. Being forgotten meant that he wouldn’t take up space, that no one would force him to hurt or scare others just to exist, and that Asra, the only person who had ever told him he was worth it and more, wouldn’t be taken from him. 

You don’t just magically get better when your tormentor is gone or gets what they deserve, and confronting your abuser is not always going to be the right answer that puts you on the road to healing those mental scars. Muriel is far from cured of his issues by the end of his route. If anything, the end of his route is just the start of his even longer road to recovery and being able to fully enjoy and embrace life without fear that he’s taking up space and isn’t wanted. He’s just gotten better about it all. People who experience trauma can take years to even begin to feel comfortable in their own skin, but Muriel learning that he has value, that others value him and want him around without asking for anything in return, and to learn that others will sacrifice for you because they want your happiness instead of some leverage on something you can do for them; there is just so much beauty in the subtlety of that, and I honestly don’t think it gets the attention it rightfully deserves.

[spaceless-vacuum]

Some small totk spoilers don't really affect the game.

Wild is smaller than his zelda and now I just believe that the links are between 4and 6ft tall time being the tallest 6ft and four being the shortest 4ft altho some people believe them to be really tall and I understand that but the earlier is more funny to me. So just the chain reaction to reader being taller than all of them, would they trust reader with weapons because of their hight, would they try to get piggyback from reader, would they themselves try pick reader up to impress them, who would blush the most from being princess/shoulder carried by tall reader.

And most of all, what would the chains reaction to reader deciding to do this on legend/time for some fun.

Four is usually upset with people treating him as short. He feels like a lot of people look down at him because they have to look down at him when speaking. His height makes him look younger than he really is but on his worst days he finds that you don't make him feel lesser. Sure he's used to being around time or Twilight who tower above him but they're his friends. His allies. His brothers in arms.

You're his best friend- hopefully lover- and it really doesn't bother him but it's strange because he's never felt like being the shorter one was more fun? He's shooting his shot with you and you pull him into a hug and his head is just buried into your chest/stomach (depending on how tall you are). It's the best feeling in the world having you hold him even if he won't admit it just how much he craves it.

Warrior is a simp. He loves his tall spouse. His baby girl/boy who he can't baby because they tower over him. He's always so flustered. Tripping over himself and his words trying to play it cool while in reality he's so worked up over how you make him feel.

He simps so quietly but all the others can tell. They poke fun at him here and there but it's no joke to him. He wants you to lean over him and whisper at him and gently tease him. What that man would do to have you chase after him.

Wind doesn't understand how everyone is so short in comparison. He likes to poke fun at the taller ones, Twilight and Time, for being the size of ants now. It's all fun in games but he's also very short too. It's ok because now he has someone else who can toss him like Fierce ones.

Time has talked to Malon about you and they both want you to come visit the ranch. Malon can't wait to meet you and Time has tried to describe you to her but he has to look up- something he's not used to- he isn't sure he does you justice

You're tall and cute- no one can deny that- and those legs are appealing to look at when marching for hours. He doesn't mind walking behind you if it means he gets to stare.

Wild is used to being short. What he isn't used to is being able to climb someone like a tree. You're the one person he'll listen to when his chaos gets out of hand. When it's time to settle down he'll listen to you and relax. The champion looks up to you (literally most of the time) and he feels a little put off by this. It makes him blush and he loses track of what he was saying. When you sit down he'll stand and lean against a tree for better support.

Sky doesn't mind at all. In fact he finds it appealing. Being the smaller spoon makes so much more sense now, and he can wrap himself around your body when he naps. Man enjoys feeling sweet and short. Brings something blushing in him out as he giggles to himself how much he loves being held by you.

Hyrule in fairy form sitting on your shoulder. He also enjoys being the small spoon and can't say he minds your height. The great fairies are naturally very tall and he grew up at a fountain. Your height somehow makes him feel calm and sort of giddy. He finds it very appealing.

Legend, much like Hyrule, does not find your height anything new. He's travelled all over the world and been around people who are much taller. It doesn't change much with how he feels or tries to court you, but it does put him off balance how much he adores it when you lean down and whisper something you don't want the other to hear.

Being taller doesn't mean they'll suddenly trust you with weapons. They do agree you can't go without protection- and this is where things differ. With a shorter reader they have an easier time babying you and reassuring you you don't need one. Since you're so much taller it's harder to treat you like you're weaker than you seem. They'll try but it takes a bit more cunning.

Piggyback? Yes. Wind and Wild especially love them. Hyrule got a ride on your shoulder in fairy form which counts. Twilight got one and he's since never been able to admit it but he really enjoyed it, but he can't get them after. Muscles weigh a lot more than fat making it difficult for you to hold him for long.

Legend would love to ask for one but it is too proud, but if you do give him one he'll bury his head into your shoulder and just pass out. Not unlike Sky who did almost fall asleep while being given a piggyback ride. Four prefers piggyback to being carried because being carried makes him feel ridiculous.

Warrior would pick you up and make a show of it. He's swooning you and twirling you around before Time takes over and does the same, adding in some more moves to try and one up the captain. Fierce, who prides himself and his might and also his ability to dance, would put an end to the contest. Your height makes no difference to him being able to swing you around and dip you low.

Warrior did not ask for a piggyback but he did ask for you to carry him. He can have a hard time opening up to people and being vulnerable. It makes him super embarrassed about it but he would like to be swooned. You carrying him bridal style was such a tender moment.

Obviously he had to take his armour off to make it easier but it was worth it.

Sky also loves to be bridal carried but he has to admit he'd prefer to find a way to carry you like that. Time is on the fence because he would love for you to but he's worried about you straining yourself.

Times brain would shut off if you picked him up like that. Pinning him to the wall making him look at you, it sure is something. Unfortunately for him his brain isn't running well enough for him to think.

For Legends part he takes it so well. He has to try not to laugh. It's been awhile since the veteran has been on the playing field when it comes to flirting but this is his golden opportunity. He goes all in with charm and tries his best to make you swoon while you're the one holding him up.

For Legends part he doesn't mind being picked up because he's more used to the idea. He's never been the tallest in the room. Unlike the old man- who has been put into 'tall but not that tall' zone. It's new territory for him.

[cyndrastic]

i’m making a new au

idk if anyone has actually seen Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero, but it aired on Disney XD in the early/mid 2010s and was one of my all time favorite cartoons.

If you’ve never heard of it, there’s a synopsis linked here

if you wanna watch it for yourself, here’s the first episode (this link definitely doesn’t also lead to a trusted website where you can watch the entire show for free along with a ton of other cartoons, movies, and anime’s and definitely isn’t how i watch South Park without having Paramount + 👀)

if you don’t feel like either of those here’s a link to an out of context video that i think will be easy to understand without having watched the show and that shows character dynamics well.

anyway here’s the characters:

i’m gonna add a cut here so if you don’t feel like reading/watching something to get a feel for these characters, i’ll explain them (also it’s kind of an excuse for me to rant about how this show takes traits from common media and twists them perfectly to still have identifiable character types while having the characters be unique and mix well together in the show)

Kyle will obviously be Penn Zero himself, part-time hero, who’s the main character. I mean, come on, even the main guy has curly read hair! It fits too well. Penn also has some established anger issues, and sometimes has a hard time putting his personal emotions and morals aside for the sake of a mission. He’s snappy, witty, and good hearted but sometimes he can lose sight of the right thing when he gets in his own head.

Stan and Wendy will be Boon and Sashi, Penn’s best friends.

Stan is Boon, part-time wiseman. He’s a stereotypical dumb best friend, but he’s pretty philosophically mature when he needs to be. This is actually the only show I can think of where the “dumb best friend” trope isn’t annoying as shit, cause normally I hate characters like this. But here, Boon never feels like a burden to the episode and him being a little slower never makes him less capable than his friends. No one ever complains about him being too stupid and his best friends never belittle/infantilize him for not being as smart. He’s a great moral booster for the team and it’s clear how much his friends enjoy his company care for him despite him being kinda dumb. I don’t understand how no show since this one has been able to get this trope right.

Wendy is Sashi, part-time sidekick. She’s a total badass, having more fighting and strategic skills than the boys. She’s also the one to keep the mission on target and is willing to do whatever it takes to win the day. However, she’s never the stereotypical “i’m the responsible one so i hate fun” or “i’m a girl who can fight so therefore that’s my only character trait.” Shes aloof, isn’t the best at social ques, highly competitive, and shows her love for her friends by being fiercely loyal and protective of them. Even though she can get annoyed and tired of the random antics her friends cause, she never talks down to them. She also takes her role of sidekick very seriously and even though she’s a much more skilled fighter than Penn, she listens to his instructions and never undermines what he says unless what he tells her to do will lead to them failing. She’s a fiery spirit and can and will kick your ass if she sees fit.

Cartman and Butters are Rippen and Larry, the Stendyle trio’s part time villains.

Cartman is Rippen, part-time villain. Rippen is a very stereotypically evil guy. He doesn’t really have a motive, he just wants to win. Does he ever? No. Is it his fault that he loses most of the time? Also no. He’s a genuinely good villain but it’s often the people he works with or some Deus Ex Machina for the heroes that keeps him from getting to victory. Despite being a good villain, hes also pretty aloof. He’s a hilarious character simply because of how annoyed he is with everything all the time (especially his henchman Larry/Butters). Despite this, he does genuinely care for some things, like his stuffed animals and his co-villain (though he’s hard pressed to admit it). In the show Rippen is an art teacher who hates everything, but in this au Cartman is just gonna be another student who loves to mess with Kyle.

Butters is Larry, part-time minion. He works under Cartman and honestly sucks balls at being a villain. He’s silly, doesn’t really know how to take a situation seriously, gullible, easily distracted, and very kindhearted. However, he is incredibly loyal to Cartman and will do whatever he says without hesistation, he’ll just usually do it wrong or twist it so it’s a nice thing to do. Most of the time Butters is just there to stand by Cartman and do his own thing. It’s also a running gag in the show that Larry will just ramble on and on about literally anything and it drives characters actually insane, and Rippen will sometimes use that as a weapon, which is a very Cartman thing to do. In the show Larry is principle of the school Stendyle attends, but like with Cartman, i’m just gonna make Butters another student. However, in the show, Larry is also rich as fuck, which is really funny so i’m keeping that. Like, it’s rarely brought up, but there are some episodes that take place in his mansion and it’s great. (“Cartman, you know what i’d do if i had a million dollars?” “Butters, you do have a million dolla-“ “I’d buy everyone in the world a portrait! I did that once in my neighborhood. my neighbor said ‘you shouldn’t have!’ and I said ‘no worries Mark it’s my pleasure happy birthday!’ and he said ‘it’s not my birthday and my name’s Tyler’…” <- actual character interaction from the show almost word for word, tell me that doesn’t sound Cartman and Butters coded)

[thebleedingeffect]

oh i am so about to become an unskippable cutscene. ok so

my zeldaverse concept is that they all get stuck in the time AFTER the golden goddesses made hyrule but BEFORE hylias creation. each zelda has a varying amount of time since their adventure ended (i.e. totk zelda has been back home for a little less than a month. st zelda is in the MIDDLE of her adventure. sheik only sent link back to her time a week ago. its been 9 months since midna left tp zelda. zelda i zel's adventure ended 5 years ago and her great aunt from zelda ii ended one year ago. etc etc). the idea is that they all wanna get home, so they decide to try and use the triforce, but none of them know which one would be Worthy of it (as in having power wisdom courage). they go to termina [sksw zeldas idea. shes reaaaally trying not to let on shes hylia but still wants to be helpful] bc the fierce deity is their best shot at knowing which one can do it. FD (who appears as their links to each one of them respectively as to "present as something theyre more familiar with." ie botw zelda sees botw link, tp zel sees tp link, etc etc. they end up changing into malon for sheik bc hes still got baggage over link and impa and anyone else so FD chooses someone he barely knows instead.)

anyways FD tells them that all of them are capable of it if they focus in but their best bets are sheik, botw zelda, tetra, and hilda + albw zelda if they do it together (one from each branch of the timeline. kind of). so the gang splits off to find the triforce and erm yeah 🕺💃

also theres two oot zeldas. one for the adult timeline (sheik) and one for the child timeline, who never knew the horrors of war and got to know oot link unlike sheik. oops.

anyways herez my names wooooo (also they all chose them themselves hehe)

BOTW/TOTK - Coreulea (part of the scientific name of wild blueheart tulips which are the closest visually to silent princesses irl, so. shes named after her fav flower...)

OOT (ADULT) - Sheik (later Sage. this zelda awoke as the leader of the sages while the other oot zelda did not have to.)

OOT (CHILD) - Coda (the part of a song where you go back and repeat a portion you've already played before. get it. Coda says she wants something music related and Sheik is the one to suggest the name to her.)

MINISH CAP - Stonie/Quartzie (what her link calls her! used to think it was mean but shes rlly missing him so ..)

TP - Archer (bow of light. prefers to be called 'the archer' specifically if possible, lol)

ALBW - Hilda and Hue (like color. like painting. Hue liked the alliteration of their names hehe)

ALTTP - Maiden (describes herself as a maiden in game. theres more to it but ohhgh thatd require a lot of analysis and this is already so looong)

ZELDA I - Ura (in the og game u had another mode called ura zeruda after u beat the game which literally translated to "other zelda." its a little joke abt how many zeldas there are! she chose it bc its her real first name; zeldas only her middle name!)

ZELDA II - Somnia (from "insomnia." also the name her family uses to differentiate her from her great great niece. she thinks its pretty, if a little on the nose, but she cant blame her relatives for being that uncreative when shes been dead for 100 years, took the money they gave her to not claim the throne, and ran off with her boytoy lmaooo)

WW/PH - Tetra. she wanted a silly nickname too though so they will also respond to Captain

SPIRIT TRACKS - Spectra (like spectral! shes still a ghost here and has a good sense of humor abt it!)

SKSW - Lyre (another name for harp and sounds like "liar" because shes got a bit of a track record for not being entirely truthful about who she is ,,,,)

bonus zeldas who dont appear but i love them anyway:

80S CARTOON - Fresh/Freshie (MY DESIGN GIVES HER SCRUNCHIES AND LEGWARMERS💥) (AND SHE TALKS WITH 80S SLANG OK SORRY)

CDI GAMES - Gamelon

Mario Kart - Chassis [pronounced chass- ee] (Link's pitstop captain! no thats not how mk works. no i do not care <3)

SSBU - Hitbox

ok cutscene over. thank u 👍

YOOOOOOOOO your zeldaverse concept sounds so cool!! I've never even thought of the idea of time travelling to after the golden goddesses created everything but before Hylia's creation! :O that's such an interesting time period, I've never really thought about all that.....

Also them going to the fierce deity is so cool cause I have so many questions!! How does sksw Zelda know of the fierce deity? Does she have memories of him during her time as Hylia? Does fierce deity recognize her? If he does, does he willingly keep her secret from the rest of the Zelda's as he's correctly guessed that she's hiding it? How does the fierce deity correcting know of just who would be the most familiar to present as and does he know of all the Link's?

There's just so many questions and it's so funnnnnn to think about!! Also I like how he says that all of them are capable but Sheik, botw Zelda, Tetra, and Hilda are the most capable of wielding the full triforce... while sksw Zelda is right there... HMMMMMMMM........ sksw Zelda I have questions for you but I fear if I speak any of them out loud you'll combust <3333 love her though <333

The choices for all the Zelda's is so fun and cool to! I've never really thought about including both oot child and adult! I can most definitely see that being a major source of pain and angst for Sheik and I'm just super curious about Coda would react to that :o also I'm just a fan of such Zelda incarnations such as MARIO KART and SUPER SMASH BROS being involved in the middle of this.

idk that's just great to me, peak vibes, ideal even, CDi is also here SJSJJSJS

also?? These names are so so damn cute?? Genuine question, would you be okay with me using some of them? They're just that damn good but I totally understand if you would rather me not! I'm particularly in love with Coreulea for botw Zelda and Lyre for sksw Zelda <333 that's so so good and fits them so well, what da Hell.......

Also just to respond to your other ask here- I'd love to hear you talk about their personalities!! Lowkey I'm so happy that you decided to include spirit tracks Zelda, she's so underrated and amazing I love her a lot :((( and Spectra as her name?? That's so, so, I'm having a moment that's so damn CUTE

[awesomelyanxiouspanda]

A Fiercely Bleeding Heart (Lucifer/OFC): Chapter 5

Story summary: Emery (Our lovely OFC) owns a thriving coffee shop smack dab in the middle of Monroe City, Mo. She’s well known for her unique coffee drinks and her “coffee charity”. What happens when a woman with too much heart- and not nearly enough common sense- comes across the fallen archangel in his mostly human state? Will Lucifer behave, or will he bite the hand that (quite literally) feeds him?

Warnings/Tags: Loosely based around S.13 E. 13! Plus size OC, OC is gullible and a big softie, Lucifer in his nearly human form, Soft Lucifer, Dean and Sam cosplaying FBI agents again, Canon typical violence, Non-Canon compliant story line, Soulmate AU-ish?, canon typical cursing, NOT a slow burn, not beta’d we die like our king Crowley, smut, vaginal fingering, oral sex (male receiving), unprotected smut, commitments are made, soulmate bonds are formed, praise kink, Luci can dirty talk with the best of them (we all know his sass would be sinful in bed),  drama coming up though because we can't be happy 24/7 amirite?

A/N: Come one, come all. We've got emotions. We've got sex. We've got... praise kinks?  Again, it's been a while since I've written smut so here's to praying (to Lucifer) that it's good!

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4

“So… are you going to explain the soulmate thing?” I asked, curiosity getting the best of me as I traced up and down his torso.

His stomach clenched hard, cock bobbing up reactively as my fingers traced the sensitive line of skin right above his jeans. I could clearly hear the heavy sigh from where my ear rested atop his chest but didn’t say anything, giving him the time he needed to reply.

“It’s a little hard to focus when you’re doing that, princess,” he groaned when my finger dipped just beneath the denim.

“Fair, but we’ve got some time to kill,” I replied cutely, “So, soulmates?”

I sat up carefully as he adjusted his position to lean up against the headboard then rested my against his belly, enjoying the prickly sensation of his happy trail tickling my jaw as I began trailing little kisses across his abdomen.

“Fuck, uh, okay. Quick rundown. Dad was big on giving the illusion of freedom of choice. This was one of the few things where he actually did give it though,” he started, breath catching as my lips ghosted over his navel, “Each human has a handful of possible soulmates, and they can choose to either accept or deny the bond, but before the decision is made, they experience an intense attraction to one another.”

“What would happen if you denied it?” I asked, eyes darting up quickly to read his expression.

“Nothing really. The attraction would die out eventually and their link would be severed,” he replied.

“And if they accepted it?”

There was no hiding the breathiness in my voice and I could feel my face warming up when he smirked down at me. A hand ran into my hair and pulled on my curls gently.

“Then the bond is created. Once humans are bonded with their soulmates, they experience a higher rate of shared emotions, higher sex drives, compatibility for future children, so on and so forth,” he explained, “And the bond can never be severed unless they both choose to end it or one dies early.”

“And… And Nick was one of mine,” I murmured.

For a moment, part of me wondered what it would have been like if I had met the human before the angel, but I just couldn’t picture it. I was sure Nick was great but there was just something about Lucifer’s personality that drew me in as much as his looks.

As his fingers massaged my scalp gently, I felt another wave of contentment wash through my veins and I couldn’t help but nuzzle my face against him.

“Wait,” I said suddenly, “But you’re an angel. It was Nick who I had the possible bond with, not you, so-”

“Why am I affected?” he finished with a sigh, “While in our human vessels, we still experience the same draw that the human would experience. Most choose to deny it, too focused on being good little soldiers for daddy, buuuutt… If an angel chooses to bond with their vessel’s soulmate, it means they’re bonded to the human.”

“Oh.”

I couldn’t bring myself to look up at him after that, my thoughts going a million miles an hour. Did that mean we were bound now? Or was there something else that had to be done for that? Of course, there was the chance that he wouldn’t even want to create that bond. He made it clear his dislike for humans. Maybe this was just morbid curiosity on his part.

As his fingers tightened in the hair at the nape of my neck, a flash of lust overtook the uncertainty plaguing my chest and a gasp escaped my lips.

“I can practically feel you overthinking, princess,” he sighed, “Do I need to fuck you dumb again?”

God fucking damn it. How did he know all the right things to say?! For a self-proclaimed almost-virgin, he sure could dirty talk. But then again, I do remember the bible talking about Satan’s silver tongue and he was quite verbose in every other matter concerning communication, so why should sex be any different?

Worrying my lower lip, I tried gently pulling away from his hold and let out a sigh of relief when he let me move. I quickly resumed my previous trek, pressing open-mouthed kisses and soft bites along his flesh until I came to the edge of his jeans once more.

“I think I’m rested enough,” I murmured against his stomach, “If you’re okay with this?”

The way his cock jumped against his zipper told me everything but I still waited for his answer.

“Yeah, go ahead,” he said, voice thick and low with obvious need.

A little grin crossed my lips as I curled my knees beneath me and set about popping open the button of his pants, wasting no time unzipping the fabric and jerking it down his thighs. Thankfully he helped me get it to about his knees before I abandoned the project, attention now solely focused on the noticeable bulge straining against his dark blue boxer briefs. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves before leaning down once more, balancing myself with one hand on his meaty thigh while the other gently pulled at the waistband of his shorts. I made sure to pull to one side only to keep his cock covered while my lips explored the slight dip of his adonis belt.

The gasp he let out nearly took my breath away and I couldn’t resist trying to draw out another one. His skin was warmer here, though still cool compared to my own. It was an interesting sensation against my tongue as I traced the line. On my way back down, I let my teeth gently graze his flesh and he jumped in place with a soft curse.

“You’re killing me here,” he groaned as I moved to copy my motions on the other side.

“Tell me you don’t like it and I’ll stop,” I shot back quietly.

As I stretch over to take a soft bite of his hip, I was almost thrown off balance when one of his hands came up to smack my ass hard. The slap was almost as loud as I cry I let out, but I didn’t let it deter me from my destination.

“Just remember, as much as you tease me, I’ll give it back tenfold,” he threatened.

A little whimper filled my throat at the thought and I finally peeked up at him from under my curls.

“You wouldn’t,” I retorted quietly.

Lifting one brow, he smirked and asked, “Wouldn’t I?”

My eyes fluttered shut in shock as I felt his fingertips trace along my ass, deviating to follow the line between my thighs and cheeks, only to stop right before touching where I needed him most. A pitiful whine was all I could manage when I was finally able to look at him once more.

“Fine, you win,” I pouted.

Honestly, I wasn’t really all that upset. I was just as eager to please him as he had me. Fingers tugging on the elastic symbolically, I pulled at the offending article of clothing and was rewarded with a snap of his fingers, leaving him deliciously bare.

“That shouldn’t be as hot as it is,” I blurted out as my eyes roamed his long, lean form.

Of course, he was perfect everywhere. It had been obvious from the moment his jeans were down but now there was no denying his size. Thankfully, he wasn’t overly long, probably just a bit over average if I had to guess, but, gods, was he ever thick! He was also curved upward, slightly to the left, made even more evident by the puddle of precum dripping onto his belly. Fuck. If I was blessed enough to be able to actually fuck him, I knew I’d feel it for days after.

Nerves grew frantic in my stomach once more as I finally shifted into the perfect position, ass up and head down, balanced with one of his thighs as I leaned in close. I tried to throw out all worries of what could go wrong and instead focus on the now, on the literal perfection that I was granted to touch. With a steadying breath, I let my fingers teasingly trace up the underside of his cock. The way he shuddered made his dick tremble and I couldn’t help but smile. It was reassuring that he was actually into this too.

Leaning down further, I gingerly lapped up the evidence of his excitement and earned a gruff moan in response. I gave into temptation and wrapped my hand around him, marveling at the fact my fingers couldn’t even touch, though only slightly.

“Why are you perfect?” I scoffed under my breath.

Unfortunately, he heard me, evident by the snicker he let out.

“Far from perfect, princess, though I appreciate the compliment.”.

I made another note in my head, this time to tell him exactly how perfect he actually was later, then ran my thumb over his head. He shuddered again as I dragged the pearlescent liquid down his length. I took my time exploring him, tracing the veins and dips of his cock, making him twitch and gasp, before finally taking him into my mouth. It was a struggle at first, my jaw aching at the stretch, but the burn was so worth the sinful snarl he unleashed.

One of his hands came to tangle in my hair and the other found my bottom once more. There was no prelude to his touching this time. As I leaned forward to sink farther down his cock, his fingers hastily found my core and thrust in.

My moan was muffled around him but there was no denying he could feel it as well as he heard it with the way his hips canted up. I had to focus hard not to gag around his length as he thrust against my throat but I managed it, just barely. The next time I wasn’t so lucky, the little noise of discomfort apparently enough to get him to let me up some. I took a deep breath through my nose before going back down. I’d be damned if I wouldn’t make it work. This wasn’t the first time I’d deep-throated someone, although he would be the biggest.

He let out a huff of frustration before shifting his grasp on my hair, managing to pull most of the strands back and expose my face.

Fuck. He was watching. Of course, he was, what guy didn’t? But the sudden added pressure made me double my efforts. If he wanted a show, I’d give him one, though I wasn’t sure how nice it was with the tears streaming down my face.

Unfortunately, my concentration was broken when he hooked his fingers down and started fucking me at the same pace.

“You’re crying,” he grunted out shakily.

I popped up enough to explain that it was a natural reaction to my gag reflex and assured him I was fine before I swallowed him down once more with difficulty. His thighs tightened beneath me as I dug my nails into his skin, and, in turn, he started rubbing my clit.

“Sh-Shit! You can’t- I can’t focus when-”

“You’re doing perfect, doll, don’t stop,” he rumbled lowly.

A little whimper fled my lips as the pleasure started building once more in my core. It was hard not to fall into the desire to chase my own climax when he was working so hard toward it. I managed to shake myself free with a shudder and decided to change trajectory, letting my hand take over where my mouth left off while my tongue found the tender flesh of his balls.

“Oh fuuucckk!”

My scalp screamed with pain as he jerked unconsciously against my hair but I fought through the burning, my hand picking up pace until the slick sound was heavy in the air. There was no denying how close he was with the way his body went taut under me, his cock throbbing with each pass of my fist and his balls pulling up tight. I quickly shifted and wrapped my lips around him once more, letting my hand take over the gentle caressing of his sack. His precum was thick over my tongue and I had to keep swallowing it down to avoid drooling like an idiot.

“Stop, stop- Emery!”

I let him pull me up, panting heavily for air as I tried to ask what was wrong. Had I hurt him? Before I could fumble out a full sentence, I was suddenly thrown onto my back with him over me once more.

“Tell me yes,” he demanded, voice heavy with sex and need, “I need to hear it.”

“Yes, Lucifer, please fuck me,” I gasped out.

With his next breath, he thrust in.

Pain came first, burning at being stretched so suddenly and thoroughly, and I couldn’t help the yelp that escaped. My nails bit into his shoulders as I tried to remain calm and breathe through it. Despite the fact I was soaking wet, my body was having just enough trouble adjusting to his size to be problematic.

“Emery? Do you need me to stop?” he asked as he halted his movements.

I hastily shook my head no and managed to open my eyes enough to find his worried gaze. I was once again hit was a mixture of emotions for the fallen angel that made my heart twist in the best ways.

“I just need a minute. You’re bigger than I’m used to, and, well, it’s been a long time,” I admitted timidly.

“Of course, just tell me when you’re okay.”

Rather than sit and wait awkwardly as most would, Lucifer surprised me with a hungry kiss. My body instinctively clenched around him, tearing moans from us both as our tongues battled. It was strange to have such inexperienced kisses that felt so right. After a few moments, I could feel my muscles relaxing and it drew out a relieved sigh.

Giving a gentle bite to his lower lip, I whispered, “I’m ready, please move.”

Thankfully he didn’t waste any time, though he definitely took it much slower now. It was daunting to feel the way my body had to accommodate him. It was also the hottest thing I’d ever experienced. When his hips finally met mine, there was a simultaneous relief between us both.

“You okay still?” he asked softly.

“Very,” I assured him, sneaking in a quick kiss.

That was all it took. Given the go-ahead, Lucifer drew out and slammed back in. Gone was the pain, pleasure replacing it with ferocity.

“Oh g- Lucifer!” I whimpered into his neck.

I couldn’t help but cling to him as he set a steady pace.

“You feel sooo good, princess,” he growled.

My heart fluttered with joy and I hastily pulled him into another biting kiss.

“So perfect, Lucifer. Never felt this good,” I whimpered.

The way he shuddered and kicked up the rhythm told me all I needed to know. Lucifer was apparently as much a sucker for praise as I was. Leaning up, I fought through my lust-fogged mind and nibbled at his throat, clenching my muscles hard around him in a way that had him growling as loud as I moaned.

Every drag out left my core feeling empty and each thrust back in filled me beyond belief. It was overwhelming and I never wanted it to stop. I could feel the tears returning as I lifted my hips to meet his thrusts and chased that familiar high.

“Wha-”

He shifted back suddenly, much to my surprise, but my question was interrupted with the way he jerked my hips down. Spread open and back arched as my thighs rested over his, I felt beyond exposed. A flush covered my face as his hand slowly ran up and down my belly, arguably the plushest part of my body save for my ass.

“So beautiful,” he mused, almost as if to himself, “How did I get this lucky?”

Fuck, and there were the emotional tears. I prided myself on being pretty damn good at keeping my emotions at bay during sex but, with Lucifer, it was a whole other beast. Trying to push past them, I slipped my hand down and linked our fingers, earning a surprised look from the archangel.

“I should be the one asking that,” I teased back softly.

He smirked and gave a quick squeeze to my fingers as there was a shift in his gaze before grabbing my hips once more, holding my frame still, and giving an experimental thrust.

I nearly came apart in that instant, my hands tearing at the sheet in some attempt to hold onto my sanity. A debauched moan was all I could manage as my body arched back in search of more, my toes curling into the bedding behind him. The angle created a deadly combination of depth and pressure, his cock dragging oh so perfectly against my sweet spot with each movement.

“That good?” he asked cockily.

“Fu- You- You know it- it is,” I bit out, sounding more whiny than snippy as I had intended.

With a snap of his hips, he retorted, “Hmm, I don’t know. You don’t sound very pleased.”

Despite mortification clawing up my throat, I quickly moaned out, “Noo! Please, please, Lucifer, I need- I need you. Just-”

“Shh, okay, it’s okay,” he cajoled almost condescendingly, “I’ve got you, princess. I did promise to fuck you dumb, didn’t I?”

It felt hard to think, to breathe, to do anything other than exist when he started rocking his hips; And then he brought his thumb to my clit, stealing every bit of air from my lungs.

“Ooh, oh fuck, you’re going to come, aren’t you?” he hissed, “I can feel how tight you are. Do it. Be a good girl and come for me, princess.”

Hearing those words alone was enough to send me over. Lips parted in a silent scream, I scrambled to hold onto something as the torrential bliss coalesced. To my relief, one of his hands found mine, and he held on tight as he shifted over me once more, never once losing his rhythm. It wasn’t until he kissed me roughly that I found my voice once more, my scream finally coming to fruition.

“Fuck, that’s it,” he panted out against my lips, “So good for me, so good to me, only me”

One arm hooked under my lower back, bending me to his will, while the other pinned my hand beside my head as he panted open-mouthed kisses along my jaw.

“Only yours, Lucifer,” I agreed ardently.

Brows furrowing in disbelief, I held on tight as his thrusts grew hard and frantic, and I felt another orgasm coming on fast. The slap of bodies was loud in the room but the breathless noises and moans he let out were so much louder. So many men were silent. It was such a fucking thrill to hear the way my body affected his.

“Say it again,” he damn near begged.

“I’m- I’m yours, Lucifer,” I keened out softly, “As long as you’ll have me, I’m yours!”

He drew back just enough to catch my gaze before crashing our lips together, pulling his arm from underneath to grab bruisingly hard on my hip. The sudden ferocity sent my pulse racing but there was no denying I loved it, nor the way I was practically begging him for more as his thrusts grew violent. And then I felt it, the tell-tale stuttering of hips and the way his entire body shuddered, but for the first time ever, I could feel the flood of heat into my core as he came. That was the last push.

A broken cry escaped my raw throat as I bucked up to meet his stunted thrusts, soaking in the pleasure that rushed through every inch of my body. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long to become oversensitive and I couldn’t help but collapse in on myself as he lazily thrust in once more.

To my relief, he seemingly understood my predicament and stilled his hips, still buried as deep as possible in me. As he relaxed above me, I wrapped him up with shaking arms and pulled him closer, enjoying the weight of his body settling on me. It took some massive focus to keep my hand steady enough to find his hair but I managed and began running my fingers through his blonde strands.

“Princess?”

My lips quirked up at the name and I responded, “Yes?”

“Were you serious?”

The question caught me off guard. It took a second to sort through what he could mean, but then I remembered my last words. Face warming, I let out a positive hum.

“You mean the being yours thing?” I asked to clarify.

“Mhm.”

“If- If you want that, yes.”

My voice was barely louder than my own heartbeat but I knew he heard me from the way the last bit of tension eased from his muscles.

“Good, because I don’t think I could let you go even if you wanted to,” he muttered, voice a mixture of amusement and darkness.

[sadlittlebear-sometimes-beatrash]

Khonshu mythos

I keep seeing the aspects of Khonshu (pathfinder, embracer, defender) pop up and I got super interested but couldn’t actually find anything that elaborated on it. I did a little dive and found some character stats from games, and some comic-book Khonshu timelines but nothing about his aspects in particular. 

So I did a bigger dive into ‘Khonsu’ and ancient Egyptian theology to see if I could learn more about what they were drawing inspiration from. 

(If you’ve got a comic book (or a fic!) recommendation that tackles the different aspects of Khonsu I would love to have it.) 

His name means ‘the traveler’ or more directly ‘he who travels the night sky.’ He’s got a dark past as an ancient bloodthirsty god who strangled other deities, eviscerated them, and fed the parts to kings so they could absorb their strength/power in the afterlife. 

Khonsu was mainly worshiped as one part of the Thebian Triad in the New Kingdom of Thebes. He’s the divine child of the other two and was depicted as a male youth. In this place/time he’s called ‘Khonsu in Thebes Nefer-Hotep’. (which roughly translates to ‘perfectly satisfied’ or ‘beautiful and peaceful’). 

He was the god of the moon and was thought to embody the light of the crescent moon in particular. I found ‘the god of the light in the night’ to be a rather nice descriptor. This aspect of him/his role seemed to fit best with the “embracer, pathfinder, defender” I keep seeing. Though it seems to describe three roles of one of his aspects, rather than three distinct aspects each with different roles. 

Khonsu as a god with healing abilities was clear in the show, but not so clear in the comics, but it was definitely there in the mythology. Reading about how Khonsu was understood to be a fierce and violent healer, and how that was not an oxymoron, was super interesting. Here’s the quote from the paper: “Healing deities in Egyptian religion are also frequently violent because they must battle with the demons who cause sickness” [link to the cool paper].   

 EVEN COOLER is that that paper describes depictions of Khonsu sitting with the distinct/separate aspects of himself as Khonsu in Thebes, Khonsu the protector, and Khonsu the provider. There is also an inscription about ‘Khonsu in Thebes’ talking/interacting with ‘Khonsu the provider’ who goes off to do his own thing for a bit. This [link] has a synopsis of the story and it’s really neat.  

He was also thought to be one of the gods of time, particularly the month. He was sometimes thought to start off each day as a child, mature throughout, and lay to rest an old man (or complete that cycle throughout one year). How he’s depicted in statues/carvings also mirrors that age-wobbliness: He’s depicted as a young man by a particular hairstyle (sidelock) but he’s also got a beard of older rulers. His crown is also a full lunar disk AND a crescent moon at the same time. 

He may have symbolized “ the culmination of life” or the life cycle. His powers were thought to wax and wane with the moon with him being strongest around the new moon (mighty bull) and weakest at the full moon (neutered bull). This has something to do with the crescent moon being bull horns and also his weapon. 

There was a lot more to unpack but these were the parts I found most interesting. I had fun, and I hope you had fun. 

Here are the links to the resources I found most helpful if you’re interested. 

Khonsu at AncientEgyptOnline.com

Khonsu, the Lunar God who Came to Greatness by Jimmy Dunn

God Khonsu at Landioustravel.com

Khonsu: Henadology, Philosophy, and Theology (by E.P. Butler)

[americanmoths]

The Department of Perfect Timing

for @drarrymicrofic prompt: adoption | tw: mentions of child abuse | nsfw: mentions of blow jobs | ao3 link

--

Potter has a habit of showing up in Draco’s life at the absolute worst possible moments, except for that one time when he pulled Draco from the Fiendfyre or that other time when he arrived late to Luna’s karaoke birthday party and Draco was already unbutton-all-of-the-buttons-on-his-shirt drunk and they dueted You’re the One-Eyed Newt for Me and then Potter blew him in the bathroom. Don’t tell anyone, but Draco wanks to that memory almost daily.

But Potter turning up frenetic and wet to the Department of Magical Family Matters and Nonmagical Emotional Affairs at the very tail-end of Draco’s first day? Awful timing. Draco’s spent eight endless hours listening to people who’ve never bet on familial love and lost discuss the bullshit legal definition of family, and the robe Pansy loaned him fits all wrong, and there’s a hole in his shoe. He’s tired, and now Potter is here, dripping rainwater all over the paperwork Draco just finished organizing.

“I want to adopt a child. Today, if possible.” Awful timing. When Draco’s in charge of the department, he’ll cut all sorts of corners for Potter just to show him he can. Also, he’ll color-code the filing system and send lots of howlers that preach angry sermons about non-traditional family units. But Draco’s only a secretary at the moment, only here because Theo Nott hates owing Draco a life debt more than he hates Draco. Which means, realistically, there’s not much Draco can do other than his bullshit job.

“Are you married?”

Potter sputters. “What? No.”

“Don’t be so —“ Draco doesn’t exactly know what he’s trying to say so he just gestures generally to the other man. “It’s just a segue so I can tell you that you can’t do anything in this department if you’re not married. Thou shalt not adopt a crup if thee be single. I’m only kidding a little bit. The phrasing’s a joke, but that’s a real law.”

“Does that change if he’s muggleborn? He only just got his Hogwarts letter.”

Draco didn’t know Potter was friendly with any muggle children, but also it doesn’t matter. “It doesn’t matter. If you’re married, you can do whatever you want. If you’re not, you can’t. It’s a ridiculous antiquated law that reduces complicated affairs to a fucking yes or no question.”

“Is there. Any way around that?” Potter’s eyes are closed; each word deliberate, pleading, fierce, painful. A lion politely warning you it will kill you if you don’t remove the thorn from its paw now.

“The legislation is uncharacteristically clear. Only couples shall be permitted the joy and challenge of a child. That’s a direct quote. Isn’t it horrible? Of course, you could always pretend. Get married, adopt, wait a nonsuspicious amount of time, divorce, celebrate a triumphant return to bachelorhood by retaining legal custody.”

“All of my friends are married. Except for Luna and she’s … preoccupied these days.” With muggle hallucinogens, Pansy and walking around her apartment naked, none of which are especially appropriate for a child. “Malfoy, please. Can you pull some strings? It’s my cousin’s kid. They haven’t been feeding him.”

Don’t tell anyone, but it’s the please that does it.

“I’ll marry you.”

“What.” Somehow, even the water Potter splashes on Draco’s desk is incredulous.

“I can’t change the law, but I do work here. I can streamline the process. We can get married in the morning, file the paperwork after and pick up the child by tomorrow evening.”

He casts a drying charm so he has something to do other than feel disgustingly exposed while he waits for Potter’s answer.

“Why would you offer to do something like that?”

Because there’s a child in a home he doesn’t fit in. Because you called yourself untethered and then blew me in a bathroom. Because you said please, Draco thinks, and then tries hard not to think and says, “I need somewhere to stay. I’ll help you with this if you get me off of Luna’s couch.”

“This had better not be a joke.”

“Merlin, of course not. A child’s life is at stake.”

The hard line of Potter’s mouth softens just a little bit. “Do you have any experience with kids?”

“I took care of Teddy for a month while I was staying with Andromeda.”

He was great at it too, even if Teddy kept on asking him why he cried so much and Draco had never figured out a polite way to say that he kept seeing flashes of his mother in Andromeda’s face.

Potter nods. “Alright. Just until we get him out of my cousin’s house. Errr … thanks. This is … good of you.”

“When can I move into your place?” Draco asks. Now that it’s happening, he wants it to have already happened. He wants to go to the zoo with Potter and the kid, wants late night talks after the kid has gone to sleep. Hopefully, the boy’s named after a constellation, though actually Draco’s been burnt off the Black family tapestry already, so he doesn’t have any obligation to have celestial-themed offspring anymore. He’s always liked the name Micah, maybe the kid will too? The name change process is considerably less complicated than the adoption process. You can basically rename yourself anything as long as it has less than six Z’s.

Potter shrugs, smiles sheepishly. “Is now a good time?”

Draco only has 8 galleons, two friends and a job he hates. There’s a hole in his shoe, and a storm outside. It’s the worst time, but maybe the best time, actually?

[amatchinwater]

Pairing: Briles

Characters: Stiles Stilinski, Brett Talbot, Sheriff Stilinski

Warnings: Mentions of blood and mental health, implied sexual content

Prompt: Back to December by Taylor Swift

Words: 5512

Ao3 link

So Good to Me so Right

---

It’s been two years since Stiles left Beacon Hills. After the Nogitsune and then the deadpool, Stiles couldn’t handle it anymore. With a letter of recommendation from Rafael, Stiles could finish his schooling online and be one of the youngest ever accepted into the FBI training program. They wanted him that badly. But that wasn’t the only letter he’d gotten. 

Stiles also received an early admissions letter from Harvard. Full ride and everything. The idea that there were two opportunities on the other side of the country to get him far away from the insanity that’s his hometown, Stiles couldn’t resist. At the time there was just one problem. An amazing werewolf by the name Brett Talbot. Stiles’ boyfriend. After he’d gotten the wolf to Deaton safely and helped rid him of the yellow wolfsbane, the two hit it off. 

They’d burned hot and fast, much to Liam’s dismay. But even the younger wolf could see how happy Stiles was with Brett. And Stiles was happy. For a time. But there’s just some things you can’t escape. Your own mind being the worst of all. Before Stiles really even knew what hit him, at the start of their senior year, he got overwhelmed with so many emotions he didn’t know what to do with himself. 

It was almost like he felt stir crazy and depressed all at the same time. He knew that he was happy with his friends and his boyfriend and even the calmness Beacon Hills seemed to be shrouded in. But then teenagers started to go missing and Stiles was having trouble sleeping at night again. Brett tried to help in any way that he could, but nothing worked. So with both letters in hand, Stiles left. 

His intention was to go to Harvard and get his degree. Maybe even go see a therapist to deal with the mess in his brain. But something just nagged in the back of his head. He missed his father and his friends of course. But every time he came back to his dorm after a stressful day, all he’d wanted to do was talk to Brett. The way he’d left things with the wolf, a text or a phone call was out of the question. Even on his good days, all Stiles could think about were those greenish blue eyes, blonde hair, and tan skin. 

He missed Brett something fierce. 

He fucked up. Real bad. Stiles knows that. He can admit that. So he dropped out a few months shy of getting his AA and moved back to Beacon Hills. The phone call with his dad went about as well as expected. There was a lecture, naturally. About how great of a school it is and all the hard work Stiles and Lydia put in to get him there. At the end of the day though, his father is nothing but supportive and agreed to let Stiles come back. He’ll be taking online classes and helping his dad with supernatural cases. And Rafael’s offer still stands, so that’s an option if he ever changes his mind. 

Walking through town shouldn’t feel surreal, except that it does. The streets and little shops look exactly the same as they did two years ago. Stiles didn’t really expect anything less, Beacon Hills never changes. He just wasn’t prepared for it to feel like he’d never left. Like all he did was fall asleep in bed and went for a stroll about town as if it was any other weekend. 

His favorite hole in the wall coffee shop is still standing and thriving as ever. Getting himself and everyone at the station some coffee will be a nice way to tell his dad he made it. The second he walks through the doors, the scent of freshly ground coffee beans can’t even calm him down. Because clumsy as ever, Stiles nearly barrels into someone he wasn’t sure he’d ever see again. 

Brett. 

“Shit,” Stiles scrambles to help the wolf not drop the two carriers full of drinks. Not thinking about the quick reflexes the wolf has and could’ve saved himself. “I-I’m sorry.”

Green eyes widen in disbelief, flickering red for the smallest of seconds before narrowing at him, “pretty loaded words coming from you.” Stiles winces, but it’s certainly not misfired. Or uncalled for. 

“You’re an Alpha now?” Stiles didn’t miss the scarlet orbs, no matter how brief their appearance was. 

Brett looks past him for a moment, rolling his shoulders, he says, “you know Satomi was going to do it when I turned eighteen.” The wolf looks back at him with nearly a glare, “you left me without a right hand, remember? An emissary. My m-” the Alpha cuts himself off with a growl. 

“Can-” Stiles sighs, flexing his sweating palms. Brett is still very obviously hurt. The human had hoped to give himself time to figure out what he’d want to say to the wolf. Find him when he was ready to have this conversation. Clearly fate doesn’t give a shit about timing. “Can we sit and talk?” 

The wolf’s mouth pinches into a thin line, “I’m kind of busy,” he raises the two carriers. 

Right. 

“I can help,” the human offers, not really sure why. Maybe it’s asking for punishment so he can feel what Brett has all this time. Or maybe it’s just hope to keep the wolf close to him. “It’s the least I can do after nearly knocking it all over.” Brett looks skeptical and the human is really afraid he’s going to be turned down. “Please?” 

Brett hands him the one that doesn’t look like a leaning tower of coffee cups, “thanks.” 

With a nod and a small smile, Stiles heads out of the coffee shop with the wolf in tow, leading him to where the jeep’s parked. “Cool if I drive?”

“I walked here,” the Alpha shrugs, opening the passenger door and placing the carrier in his lap. 

“Of course you did,” Stiles mumbles, settling into the driver’s seat. “Same place?”

“No,” Brett shakes his head, “we moved closer to town last year.” So it really happened. Satomi gave Brett her Alpha spark and with Scott away for college, Brett is the presiding Alpha of Beacon Hills. Holy shit. “I’ll tell you where to go.” 

Other than directions to a very gorgeous house ten minutes away, tucked just inside the preserve, Brett didn’t say a word the entire drive. Stiles dutifully helps the Alpha bring the drinks to the door so that he can unlock and open it. The chatter of the pack is a sound the human has sorely missed. As if his heart wasn’t taking a blow being this close to Brett and yet miles away. The Alpha puts his palm out, a crystal clear invitation to give him the coffee back. Silently saying that he’s not allowed inside. 

“Thanks again,” the wolf says, turning to walk inside.

Stiles has spent the last two years missing Brett and wanting to see him. He can’t let this be the last time they see each other. Not after before. “Wait!” Stiles grabs the wolf’s bicep. When Brett faces him, his mask of anger finally slips a little and his features soften ever so slightly. “Please, I just- I’d really like to sit and talk when you’re free. I’ll call you. W-what’s your number?”

“Same as always, Miecz,” Brett offers him a small smile before walking in the house and closing the door. 

The use of his old nickname wraps around Stiles like a warm blanket, making his heart skip a few beats. It shouldn’t, he knows it shouldn’t. He doesn’t want to have false hope. But he can’t help it. That had to have meant something. 

Right?

Stiles never brought coffee to the station. Rather, he just ordered some Chinese food and went home. After tossing his one box and two bags of stuff in his room upstairs, Stiles fumbles in his pocket for his phone. Scrolling through his contacts to find his dad’s number, he passes Brett’s name and stops, staring at his screen. His fingers are moving faster than his brain can keep up.

Thanks for not telling me to fuck off.

He doesn’t wait for a response, too nervous at what it might say. If he gets one at all. Clicking the call button on his dad’s name, Stiles listens to the ring. Biting his nails with nerves, already regretting having sent it. Why did he text Brett? And that of all things. What was he hoping to get from that? A love confession? As if. 

“Stiles? Everything okay?” His dad breaks his mental spiral. 

“Hey dad!” Stiles shakes his head, more like his whole body trying to rid the excess energy. “Nothing’s wrong, I just wanted you to know I made it home in one piece. I ordered Chinese, will you be home soon?” 

“I probably have another hour worth of paperwork and files to go through,” the sheriff grumbles, he always hated that part. “I might need your help with this case afterall.” 

“Bring it-” the doorbell rings. “Hang on, that’s the food.” Stiles sets his phone on the counter and goes to open the front door. “Thanks,” he says to the driver, adding a tip as he signs the slip. Closing the door and placing the food on the counter, he picks his phone back up, “sorry. Bring the files home, I’ll help you go through them. I’m sure dinner at a normal time will be nice. I got fried dumplings,” Stiles sings into the line. 

He hasn’t seen his dad in two years, he can bend a little on the healthy eating for one night. 

The sheriff groans into the phone, “I’ll be home in fifteen. Love you, kiddo.”

“Dad,” now it’s Stiles’ turn to groan. “I’m not a kid anymore.” 

“As long as I’m breathing, you’re my kid.” 

When Stiles hangs up, a notification pops up telling him that Brett texted back. Four simple words, yet they still add to the blossoming hope in his chest. Satomi raised him to be respectful, so it’s more than likely just that. But still. Brett using his nickname and now this? Stiles is praying this is the one time that hope doesn’t breed eternal misery. 

From Brett:

I’d never do that.

Dinner with his dad was actually really nice. It felt good to sit at the table across from him again and not by himself. The case he’s working on right now is a bit of a doozy. Even Stiles is struggling to wrap his mind around it. What would leave bodies slashed, drained of blood, and with cracked skulls scattered around the preserve? And take people in broad daylight to do so? 

Lots of things, apparently. 

Laying in bed isn’t any easier than it has been now that he’s home though. It’s still just as hard to fall asleep. Tossing and turning, his brain bouncing through every possible thing. And just like every other night since he’s left, it’s centered around a certain blonde werewolf whose heart Stiles crushed. 

```

“You’re leaving?” Brett stares at him dumbfounded. “You’re not even going to talk to me about it? Or ask how I might feel? God, you already booked your flight! You’re just going to leave me?” The wolf had always been so good about keeping his emotions masked behind a lazy smile and zen filled presence. His anger and pain couldn’t be more obvious. 

Maybe choosing ‘their spot’ in the preserve wasn’t the best place to do this. The large, cut down tree stump that might as well be a baby Nemeton has been their place of solace. They even carved their initials in the bark. And now Stiles is tarnishing it with his goodbye. 

Stiles’ eyes burn with tears, because he doesn’t want this to come off as he’s leaving Brett. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. “Brett, I can’t stay here anymore. It’s too hard. I feel like I’m losing my mind again. I know the Nogitsune isn’t back, I know that. But I just- I need to be free of the bullshit that comes with living in Beacon Hills.” 

“Free- you want freedom?” The wolf snaps back, talking a few steps away, breathing heavily. Whipping around, Brett’s eyes are glassy and red, “what freedom do you not have here?!” The silent question hangs heavy over their heads. ‘What freedom do you not have with me?’ 

“I got some really great offers,” the human mutters hanging his head. He can’t bear to look at the sadness in the other boy’s eyes. “I always wanted to join the FBI, but now Harvard is offering me a free ride, and I- how do I say no to that?” 

“You don’t. Which just brings me back to why you didn’t talk to me about it!” Brett yells. “Did you think I wouldn’t support you or be happy for you? Miecz, I’m incredibly proud of you,” the wolf reaches out to grab both of Stiles’ hands. “Is this because I asked you to be my right hand when Satomi makes me Alpha? Do- do you feel like I’m trapping you?” 

“Brett-” Stiles cuts himself off, unsure of what he could possibly say that wouldn’t make the wolf believe it’s his fault. “For my own mental health, I need to get as far away from Beacon Hills as possible. I thought you’d understand that.” 

A tear falls from the wolf’s eye, “how can I understand if you refused to tell me the truth to any of it? Last I knew the nightmares were gone and you felt like yourself again. You told me I helped you!” Brett takes a shuddered breath, “I guess I didn’t do a good job if my own boyfriend didn’t trust me enough to confide in me on some pretty important life choices. You’re not just leaving town, you’re leaving me. I’m meant to be Alpha, I can’t go with you. I’m glad you’re finally doing something for yourself. But, fuck, you’ve clearly made your choice and it certainly didn’t include me.” 

Stiles’ own tears fall freely, burning his cheeks as they go, “Kochaine, please. My flight isn’t until later tonight, can we please talk about this?”

“Like you talked to me?” Brett’s voice laces with venom. The wolf squeezes his hands and then drops them, “goodbye, Stiles.” And then he walks away without so much as a glance back. 

Brett may be the one walking away, but there’s no doubt that this breakup rests solely on Stiles’ shoulders. His heart cracks open in his chest and Stiles sinks to the ground, his back slumped against the tree. 

```

He sat there for well over an hour crying his eyes out.

He doesn’t know why he hadn’t told Brett that he was starting to get bad again. There’s no rhyme or reason for it really other than the fact that the wolf seemed so happy. Stiles didn’t want his mental health taking a dive to put a damper in Brett’s spirits. He didn’t want to drag another person down. But instead he did something much worse. Stiles pushed Brett into a box. The once Beta couldn’t leave town to go with him and he wouldn’t force Stiles to stay. He crushed the wolf’s heart several different ways in the span of one conversation. 

Tears pricking his eyes, Stiles grabs his phone. He could never bring himself to delete their pictures. Maybe it was his way of punishing himself, seeing Brett’s smiling face and having the painful memory of the wolf’s tears. The absolute heartbreak in his expression. Stiles doesn’t have the slightest clue as to how he’s meant to make things right with Brett, all he knows is that he’s going to stop at nothing to fix this. 

Even if friendship is the only thing the wolf can offer, Stiles will take it. Anything to have Brett in his life and not hating him. 

“Now what the hell am I supposed to make of this?” His dad grumbles from behind his desk, angrily eating the salad that Stiles forced on him for lunch. 

Judging by the looks of the pictures in front of him, he should be thankful that Stiles didn’t give him something bloody to eat. It’s been a little over four days since he’s come back to town and so far they’ve taken a few items off their list of what the monster of the week could be. Stiles missed the feeling of working a case. Even more so now that he has his father’s blessing. 

But more importantly, he missed feeling useful. 

Like someone needs him.

“Let me see,” Stiles reaches for the folder, thankfully desensitized to gore at this point in his life. After seeing a guy get shot in the head all of two feet in front of you and his blood spraying on your face, not a lot can really shock you anymore. 

The bell above the lobby door rings, craning his neck he sees Brett walk into the station all smiles for Parrish and the officer at the front desk. Stiles instinctively freezes and his eyes dart around the room for a place to hide. Shy of tucking himself under his father’s desk there’s nowhere. And even then, Brett would smell and hear him. If he hasn’t already. 

“He’s Beacon Hills’ Alpha now, kid,” the sheriff offers a compassionate smile. “You’re gonna see him the more you help out around here. And if you figure out what this is and how to stop it, he’s going to have to know.” 

“I know,” Stiles shrugs. “I’m fine,” he lies through his teeth, forcing all of his attention on the case file in his lap when there’s a knock on the office door. 

“Come on in, Brett,” his dad says, picking at the leaves with no dressing with his plastic fork with a grimace. 

All Stiles can offer is a small smile for the Alpha who sits next to him on the couch. 

“Fuck, that’s a sight,” Brett says, looking at the photograph in the human’s hands. 

“Yeah, it’s no picnic.” 

“Kind of looks like it was for something.” 

“Fair point,” Stiles bites his laugh away. A picture of a body covered in gashes and shriveled up sits in his lap. But the one he’s holding is actually the most helpful. A human skull, cracked in half without the brain, containing a puddle of blood. There’s a trail leading up to the edge as though someone was drinking from it. “Holy shit!” 

“Dammit, Stiles, do you have to yell?” 

Ignoring his father’s words, Stiles tosses the file off to his side, and the pages fall in Brett’s lap. The wolf says nothing, collecting them while watching the human fumble for his laptop. Stiles says absentmindedly, “I might know what it is.” His fingers fly across the keyboard looking up creatures that tend to drink blood from human skulls. There’s mentions of wendigos and vampires, naturally, but they don’t quite fit the bill. “There’d be bite marks or chunks missing.” 

“Unless the lacerations are meant to be a diversion,” Brett offers. 

“A vampire trying to cover up?” The Alpha shrugs and Stiles contemplates the wolf’s words. “No, they don’t really care that much from what I’ve read. Even then, they’d probably only go for the throat, not every limb. Whatever this was wanted every last drop. Even the muscles have dried up. And the gashes look like they eroded from some type of poison no one can place.”

“So what does that leave us with?” The Alpha asks. 

More than likely ‘us’ means the pack. Not ‘us’ as in him and Brett. But Stiles can’t help but remember the times that they would sit and do research together. He was genuinely surprised at how incredibly smart the wolf was. Devenford loved his brain as much as his lacrosse skills. It was just another thing for Stiles to fall in love with. 

“I think it’s a rakshasa.”

“A what?” His father gave up on his salad who knows how long ago and is watching them. 

“In layman's terms?” Stiles scratches his jaw, “it’s a vampiric shapeshifter with venomous claws and I think fangs.”

Brett shifts beside him, crossing his arms- and whether he knows it or not- flexing his biceps in his already tight green shirt. “It’s common in Hindu and Buddhist folklore. They used to force towns to feed them, often with sacrifices.” Right. Satomi uses Buddhist practices with her pack, it makes sense that Brett would know what a Rakshasa is if Satomi ever told stories like that. Which, of course she did. She lived one with the Nogitsune. The Alpha gets up, heading for the door, “I’ll deal with it.” 

The sheriff scrunches his face. 

“How do you plan on doing that?” Stiles asks, not having gotten far enough to see how to kill one. 

Hovering his hand over the doorknob, Brett looks over his shoulder, “I’m going to tear it apart.” Stiles’ mouth drops in an indignant frown. He’s gonna tear it- how the fuck? “Don’t look so worried, Miecz. Look up Bhima, he did it just fine. I’ll deal with it,” he repeats.

“I could help you,” Stiles offers, already trying to stand up. 

The wolf snorts, “you haven’t fought a supernatural creature in two years. I’m not putting you in that kind of danger.” 

“I couldn’t agree more,” the sheriff nods and Stiles gives him an incredulous look. “Be careful, Brett.” 

Stiles has been sitting in his living room, bouncing his leg for well over two hours now. He hasn’t heard a single thing from his dad about Brett checking in. In no way does he doubt the Alpha is capable of taking care of himself. He’s seen Brett fight, now being an Alpha on top of a born werewolf, he is definitely strong enough to take on one monster. Doesn’t change the fact that he’s worried.

He’s already annoyed the living hell out of his father by texting him numerous times to ask if he’s heard from the wolf yet. Stiles groans loudly, thumping his head on the back of the couch. Just when pacing around the room starts to sound like a really good idea, his phone chimes with a text. But it’s not from his dad, it’s from Brett. 

You can let your father know the rakshasa is dead. 

Why- why would he message Stiles and not tell the sheriff directly? The human doesn’t want to believe that this is Brett’s way of reaching out. He’s let enough hope trickle through his system. Not much more of it and Stiles runs the risk of having too much and not being able to recover when it gets crushed. Stiles nibbles his fingernails, deciding what to reply.

I’ll let him know, thanks. 

Are you okay?

I’m fine, Miecz. Just a few scrapes and bruises. Nothing I can’t handle.

The speech bubbles appear and disappear a few times and Stiles just stares at them. Not wanting to interrupt the wolf or make him change his mind about talking more. 

It’s nice having your help again. 

Play it cool, Stiles. That might not mean anything at all and he’s more than likely thinking too much into it. 

Research is my thing.

I know. 

It’s now or never. Stiles has his attention and he isn’t about to lose it. Missed opportunities weigh on his chest enough as it is, he won’t add this to the pile. 

Can we talk? Face to face, I mean.

Whenever you’re free, of course.

Stiles winces and tries not to gag about how proper he’s being. This is Brett, sure he’s Beacon Hills’ Alpha now, but he’s never been one for extreme formalities. He let Stiles’ father call him by name and not Alpha Talbot, so that must mean something. Or, you know, the wolf just doesn’t have a reason to dislike his father. Because the sheriff isn’t the one who shattered his heart. 

Lori and I were just heading back to the house from disposing of the rakshasa. But I don’t have any plans tomorrow… We could meet up somewhere. If you’d like. 

Yeah, that’d be great! Coffee shop?

Lori’s girlfriend works there, there’s no way we’d have privacy. You remember how to get to the tree?

He isn’t stupid, really he’s not. But hope has overcome Stiles at this point. Brett offering to meet up at their spot in the preserve rather than somewhere public could mean an easy way to get rid of him. But the fact that Brett asked for privacy is having his hope reach a fever pitch. There’s no point of return now. Tomorrow, he’s either going to have Brett back or he’s going to suffer a heartbreak he’ll never recover. 

Of course. Meet you there at noon?

See you then.

Sleep wasn’t his friend again last night, big surprise there. Stiles barely slept a wink and when he did he was tormented by all the ways that Brett could turn him down or how this conversation could go just as badly as the last one they’d had here. He ended up stopping at the coffee shop anyway, meeting Lori’s girlfriend, Alexandra. She gave him a funny look when Stiles ordered his coffee and what he hopes is still Brett’s order. Judging by the face she gave him, it is, and she knows exactly who he’s meeting. 

He hasn’t gotten a message from Brett that he’d changed his mind on showing up, so either Alex didn’t tell him or it didn’t affect the wolf’s choice. Doesn’t help either that he got here at like eleven. If he sat in the house by himself, he would’ve thought himself out of coming. He couldn’t let that happen. Stiles needs Brett. However he can have him. 

But fucking hell if he’s not going to try to go all in. 

It isn’t until he’s dangerously close to biting his thumb nail raw, that the wolf shows up. Noon on the dot too. 

“Harvard teach you punctuality or something?” Brett’s tone comes off lighthearted as he leans against a tree, but his features are still guarded. 

“Restless leg syndrome?” Stiles jokes, taking a sip of his own coffee and pointing to the one beside him. 

The Alpha scoffs a laugh, but a genuine grin pulls at his lips. “Thanks,” Brett picks up the to-go cup and sits beside the human on the stump. “You remembered my order,” the Alpha sounds almost impressed. Of course he remembers, Stiles remembers everything involving them.

“Figured you could use it after the night you had.” His heart is hammering in his chest and there’s no way the wolf hasn’t noticed. It’s some sort of perfect mercy that he at least doesn’t comment on it. Brett used to love telling Stiles about how much he affected the human’s heart. “So, how are things with the pack? How’s Lori?” 

He fiddles with the lip for a moment before taking a sip, “she’s good. She and Alex have been together for about a year now. We found her in town one day trying to run from some hunters a few towns over. She’s been part of the pack ever since. The little ones still ask about you, you know,” blue eyes meet him and Stiles’ wishes the mask would fall away again. 

“I miss them a lot,” the human says, thinking of the twins who should be starting school now. They always called him Uncle Stiles, making his heart swell. “Would you let me come see them?” 

“I’d never keep you from them,” Brett says a little harshly. Like Stiles assumed he wouldn’t allow it. 

It’s not that at all. Stiles just wanted to be respectful and ask an Alpha if a non pack member could interact with his pack. “I know,” Stiles mutters. “I didn’t think you would, I was just trying to be po-”

“Why am I here?” 

Gotta love that when it comes down to it, Brett isn’t one to beat around the bush. 

“I miss you,” is all Stiles can manage to say and the wolf tries to stifle his scoff. They start slow, but then he can’t seem to make them stop. “Turns out freedom isn’t really anything but being lonely. I missed you the minute I left. Your tan skin, your sweet smile. Those fucking eyes that used to look at me like I was the best thing in the room. And I- I hate what I did. I hate it so fucking much, Brett. And I don’t know how to fix it, but I want to.” Stiles sniffles, not realizing he’d started crying. He stands up, wringing his hands out, he’d intended to be more gentle about that. 

Stupid emotions. 

“Miecz,” Brett says softly. 

“I want to fix this so badly, Brett,” the human turns around, a tear sliding down his cheek. Stiles hastily wipes it away, only for more to fall. “So, this is me, swallowing my pride, saying I’m sorry. I’m sorry for just leaving without including you. I’m sorry that I left to begin with. I’m so fucking sorry, Brett. But I just know that if you gave me one more chance, I promise, I’d never do it again. I’d do it right. I love you so much and I-”

Hands cup his cheeks, wiping away his tears, “Miecz,” the wolf repeats, a little more stern, but no less soft. Meant to get his attention without yelling at him. Swimming amber eyes lock on stormy sea green. 

“It hurt every day that I was gone. Every single day.” The human pinches his eyes closed. “I’m sorry I just threw that all on you,” Stiles sniffles again, still in the wolf’s hands, he looks back at him. “If you don’t want to be with me, I understand. I- I will figure out how to live with that. Just please don’t shut me out. I need the pack, I need you in my life. However you’ll let me be there. Just pl-”

Brett’s kissing him. Brett’s. Kissing. Him. Please try contacting Stiles’ brain later, it’s currently shut the fuck down. His body locks up for a fraction of a second in utter disbelief. But when he realizes the wolf isn’t pulling away, Stiles’ hands come up to curl in the wolf’s jacket and he melts into the Alpha. He lets out a pleased hum to accompany Brett’s soft growl. 

“I missed you too, little one,” the Alpha whispers, pressing their foreheads together. “Please, stop crying, you know what that does to me.” 

Stiles rolls his eyes, “I’m not that much shorter than you,” he lets out a halfhearted huff. 

The Alpha laughs, leaning back and wrapping his arms around the human. “I know, but you make it so easy to tease you.” Brett’s mask has shattered, leaving his true self out in the open again. “Can I ask you a question?” Stiles nods. “Do you know why I was so upset when you left?”

“That I didn’t talk to you about it,” the human says, because that’s what he was basically told. 

“No,” the wolf shakes his head. “I was so upset because you weren’t just leaving me. You left my wolf.” Stiles’ brows pinch together, not really understanding where the Alpha is going with this. “My wolf- we see you as our mate. That cracked us in half, Stiles.” 

His eyebrows damn near reach his hairline, “I didn’t-”

“I know,” the wolf cuts him off. “Humans don’t feel it the same way until they’re actually mated. Though I suppose you did on some level with the amount of pain you were in when you were gone. My wolf was incredibly pissed that I didn’t claim you the second you ran into me. Even more so when I let you walk away after dropping me off. If you ever think there’s a scenario where you’re near me and not mine,” the Alpha chuckles, red eyes flashing above a dark grin, “you’ve got another thing coming, little one.”

“Well,” Stiles draws out the word, “I don’t plan on going anywhere again.” 

“Not without me, you’re not,” Brett corrects him, leaning in to seal their mouths together again. Taking whatever response and breath Stiles had in him. He’s more than okay with that as long as it means that he’s Brett’s again. 

“Wait,” Stiles says against the wolf’s lips, “about this mate thing. How, uh, when do we-”

"We can do that now, if you want." With a rumble in his chest, the Alpha kisses his jaw down to his pulse. “I told everyone to leave the house, in case this was how our conversation would go.” Blunt teeth nip at the crook of his neck, “unless you’d just rather do that right here. Or whenever you’re comfortable.” 

With a sly grin, Stiles yanks his flannel off, “like I’m going to wait any longer.” 

Brett’s eyes flash red and Stiles is diving back in for another kiss, thrilled with the idea. 

[pascalina]

The brothers' movie

11/07/2015

They don't use the same last name, but they are siblings. Pedro Pascal (40) the Chilean actor who starred in Game of Thrones and now has a starring role in the Netflix series Narcos, uses his mother's surname because it is easier to pronounce in English. 17 years younger, Lucas Balmaceda Pascal (23), also an actor, debuted in Los 80 and today stars in the TVN series Juana Brava. Here, both talk for the first time about their relationship, their love for cinema and their mutual admiration.

José Pedro Balmaceda Pascal was born in Chile, but a few months later he had to go into exile with his parents and his older sister, Javiera, to Denmark. It was the end of 1975. Thanks to the Rockefeller scholarship granted for his father, the doctor José Balmaceda Riera, a year later they moved to the United States: first they lived in San Antonio, Texas. Life there was just beginning and it was not easy.

Seventeen years later, in 1992, Lucas Balmaceda was born in Orange County, California, into the comfort of a family that was financially in its prime. His dad was at the peak of his career: as a fertility specialist and director of one of the University of California's reproductive health centers. But suddenly they moved back to Chile when Lucas was three years old and his brother Nicolas was eight. The two older ones stayed there. Pedro was already studying drama at Orange County High School of the Arts. Then he went to New York to study theater at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University.

After a couple of small appearances in TV series, in 2014 he took the big leap in his career: he played Prince Oberyn in Game of Thrones, which made him world famous. Today, he has a starring role in the series Narcos. He is also filming a movie with Matt Damon and Willem Dafoe.

Fame came early for Lucas. After leaving Saint George High School in 2010, he studied theater at the Universidad Católica, and he began to shine: in year fourth, he starred in the theater play "La noche obstinada", by choreographer Pablo Rotemberg, and got a role in the successful television series Los 80 and today, in his last year, he is the co-star of Juana Brava, the new TVN nighttime series.

Scene one:

Lucas appears in Pedro's life

P: "I was 17 when Lucas was born. He was a baby when I left to go to university. I remember my first visit back and Lucas, who was not even two years old, was already the owner of the house. I remember those looks, wanting to tell me: 'I don't know who you are, but this is my house, mate.

To this day I have never seen that personality in another child. It was fascinating to see that wit in someone so small. Since he was a kid he had that fierce intelligence... The four siblings, Javiera, the eldest and the queen of the family; Nicolas, the doctor; Lucas and I are like a compact and consistent unit. I can't imagine life without them".

L: "Pedro was studying at the university in New York when I was born. When he went home for vacations to see the family, as I didn't know him, I thought: 'who is this guest, who is this weirdo who kisses my mother? She's mine!'. Back in Chile, every year Pedro came to visit us. It was the most entertaining thing in the world for me. He was much older and he would come with all the coolness, with all the culture of cinema, with horror movies that were not available here. Then we would watch them and play them out, we would do sketches. We would play that Pedro was a murderous monster and we would escape from him. We were each a character. He was very funny, he did voices, he impersonated people. He gets mad when I tell him, but I've always found that he has a Jim Carrey thing about him, he manages to make some impressive faces. When he came on, I couldn't stop watching him, he was too entertaining. We are all big movie buffs thanks to my dad. When I was three years old, he took my brothers and me to see Batman. I remember crying hysterically. I was very young, sensitive, and being in the cinema was like entering to another reality: loud noises, giant screen. I didn't understand anything.

Scene two

Transplanted

P: "What's Chilean about me and what's gringo about me is a very interesting question, because I don't think even at 40 years old I've been able to figure it out. I was raised and educated in the United States and socialized a lot with American pop culture, but Chilean pride has always been unwavering. My parents were exiled for eight years. So our visits to Chile were regular. My whole life I have lived in the United States and my whole life I have visited my relatives in Chile. However, since my siblings were raised in Chile, my connection to the country is much stronger today and it is something I am grateful for. Something that happens to me a lot is that when I say I've been in the U.S. my whole life, they say, "Well, you're a gringo then! And after a conversation in my fluent Spanish with a clear Chilean accent that same person turns around and says: I've been listening to you, you're Chilean!

L: "I am Chilean because I lived and grew up here since I was three years old, but at the same time I have a cultural disconnection: my parents lived 25 years in the United States, my brothers are gringos. My visual culture is super gringo, the TV shows I watched when I was a kid or the movies I watch to this day I understand them from that place: as an American. More than being born in the United States, I feel it's because of my family's background".

SCENE THREE:

The performance

P: "There were good years and bad years (when I started my acting career in the United States). Many years I was a waiter to supplement my income. But from a very young age I was auditioning for professional jobs. In my late twenties my career in the theater was relatively consistent. Then, when opportunities in television arose, I was consolidating and it became much easier to pay my expenses. I think that struggle, going through those situations, empowers you a lot and it's one of the things I'm enormously grateful for. And Game of Thrones was an incredible gift. It's the best role I've ever played and they're the best people I've ever worked with."

L: "It's Pedro's fault that I wanted to be an actor. But when I told him I wanted to study theater it was hard for him, more than anything, because he cares about me and studying theater is hard. You have to be very wise and have a super high self-esteem to take care of yourself. Pedro went through many things. If there is an actor who doesn't have contacts in the United States, it's him. Everything he has achieved is because of his work. That's why when people ask me why I don't go to the U.S., it's a resounding no. Being Pedro Pascal's little brother is not going to get me around the corner; I would have to be Tom Cruise's twin to achieve anything. Even so, Pedro had many failed career starts. In 2011, for example, he was offered a starring role in a series called Wonder Woman and it was eventually canceled. That's why, when Games of Thrones came up, I was like, wow! We were all freaking out, because Games of Thrones is like a worldwide trending topic. All the episodes he was in, we were all watching them together at my house, eating pizza or sushi."

SCENE FOUR:

Mutual lessons

P: "I try not to get too involved in anything Lucas does or how he does it. He has single-handedly created each of his experiences and is one of the most inspiring things I've ever seen. He loves his work and is continually developing his skills for television and theater, and eventually film. He executes like a real artist and, to be honest, it is more common for me to learn something from him than for him to learn something from me. I mean that very sincerely. Lucas reminds me to work hard and keeps me inspired. When I saw him in Los 80 I was incredibly proud, but not surprised. I was seeing something I had always known. The only advice I've given him is to not be such a workaholic, to take care of himself and to be proud of what he's accomplished and what he still has yet to accomplish. Deep down, I'm always going to be the protective big brother."

L: "Pedro is an object of admiration for me. What he says is law for me. Sometimes I ask him: 'Pedro, did you see that movie?' and he says: 'Yes, I didn't like it'. I tell him: 'Oh, I didn't like it either'. The nice thing about our relationship is that it happens so sporadically, once or twice a year, that the moments when we see each other are very intense. We either fight a lot or we love each other too much, but it's always like a story, like a movie. While he's there and I'm here, we talk a lot on WhatsApp and Facebook".

P: "With Lucas we always keep each other up to date on what movies to watch, what TV shows are good. I bug him all the time asking him about what's going on in his life and I'm always asking him about his perspective on things. Despite being away from each other for a long time, Lucas and I are very close and always have been. I see Lucas at the beginning of an amazing career, with an unwavering curiosity and passion. I love it when he confides in me about things he is enjoying or situations he is dealing with."

L: "I've never seen Pedro in theater, but I've been told he's tremendous. On camera, I find that he has a very intense look. He also has, and in that we are very similar, a very strong visual culture, the fact that we have always liked horror movies. He plays characters that hide something, dark characters. A great strength is that he is very sensual, he knows how to handle himself well from seduction".

P: "Lucas is brave, he's fearless. There's nothing he's not willing to try, he's never going to give up on a challenge, he's never going to leave something halfway, no matter what that means to him. Lucas is unstoppable.

Link interview

[softomi]

now accepting boyfriend applications.

based on my fic idea: you’ve just become newly single, in a drunken fit, you posted a status indicating you’re accepting applications for your next boyfriend. Oddly, three boys take you up on that; sending in their most professional resumes for the position. It seems there’s some fierce competitors. 

next up: literature

It hurt, why wouldn’t it hurt. Your boyfriend of almost two years dumped you over text message with no warning and his reason? He just wasn’t feeling it anymore, what the fuck. Well, twenty phone calls, a hundred text messages sent to him, and a pretty nasty voicemail. The moment you realized just how crazy you were being was when you began pounding on his door at almost ten at night. His neighbors poking their head out to stare, and it really smacked you in the face how stupid you were being.

So you threw caution into the wind. it’s a Wednesday night, your first class tomorrow didn’t start until noon and you’re literature teacher was more of a lecturer so she probably won’t notice if you’re hung over. If anything, you could always ask the guy next to you for the notes.

Thus, you decide to throw back shots to your heart’s desire, sitting in the middle of your tiny studio apartment, on your bed to scream and cry at the romance movie. Love is dead. You groan loudly when your neighbor knocks against the wall, trying to tell you to promptly shut the fuck up.

Halfway through the movie, your mind is already swaying. Your throat stings just momentarily and you sip your cheap wine in hope it’ll dull the shots you had taken previously. When the male protagonist kisses the beautiful female of his dreams, you promptly chug the rest of the wine in your glass. Upset at their love, you wrap your lips around the tip of the wine bottle, drinking straight from it.

“I can find someone better.” You’ve reached a different point in your post break up sadness, you were mixed with anger, sadness, and an overall feeling of I’ll find someone with a better dick.

It’s never a good decision to post on social media while drunk, but it’s a great decision right now. You were going to post a ‘newly single’ status. Just to be nice and not spam everyone, you think you’ll just post it to your private account for your five friends to see. You’ve clearly neglected that step when you press post and it uploads to your public twitter account.

The urge to hurl takes priority over the sudden notifications on your phone. Your hair disheveled as you’re trying to hold onto the toilet, hold onto your hair, and throw up at the same time. The romance film comes to an end once you’ve fully emptied your stomach. You shove all the things off your bed, food falling onto the floor, empty bottle of wine rolled under your bed, remote lost somewhere. You fall asleep despite your cell phone going off.

The alarm jolts you, it causes you to scream, your palm slapping the snooze button and you aggressively pull the wire so that it comes out of the socket. Your head is throbbing and your cell phone is ringing at the same time. Annoyed, your hand stretches along the bed trying to find your cell. When you come emptyhanded, you sit up. Your hand steading the pulsing of your brain and you spot your phone ringing and vibrating on the ground.

“What?” You spit out, not bothering to look at the contact as you try to block out the sun.

“What do you mean what?” The voice snaps at you, “You post about boyfriend applications all of a sudden, did you guys break up?”

Of course he would be the one calling you, the person who loves gossip more than you do, “Tooru, can you like shut up for a second.” Your brain is dying and he’s over here trying to get the latest dish on your love life, “He dumped me okay.”

“That asshole.” He gasps, “Do you want me to come over?”

You look at the time on your cell briefly, “No. I have class all day. If you’re free later?”

“Of course!”

The phone call ends and rather than getting ready for the class you have in an hour, you’re checking your notifications. You have about twenty missed calls from Oikawa, another thirty text messages from him, he even left a voicemail; god he must have been desperate. Facebook is bland, you spent most of your time on Instagram deleting the photos of your now ex, and rarely do you ever get Twitter notifications. Oddly, you have fifteen notifications; all coming from your public account.

haha, boyfriend applications are official open. only taking serious apps lol

“No.” You sit up.

It wasn’t your post that freaked you out, it wasn’t that somehow it ended up on your public account, no you could delete it and pretend as if no one saw it but people saw it.

Is she serious?

If she is, I’m down.

What does serious applications mean?

Three comments, five likes, and four retweets.

And three unread messages.

Your finger rushes to delete the tweet before it can be retweeted even more by random classmates. All was good now. Your finger presses onto the message icon, you’re confronted with the icons of three of your classmates.

The most recent is from Miya Atsumu, a terrible flirt in your biology class. He chose the seat next to you in lab when his friends ditched him and hoarded their own table. He spun around in his chair, shooting you a cheeky grin when you briefly looked at him.

His first sentence was, “Hey you’re cute.”

And yours was, “I have a boyfriend.”.

You skip over his message upon spotting his use of sweetheart in the preview.

The next icon is of the guy in your intro to business class, Kuroo Tetsuro. The first time you saw him was outside of the classroom, you two ended up accidentally reaching the doors at the same time. He lets you go in first and the both of you chose the seats farthest from the board, and closest to the door. Despite his bed hair that made him look like he was going to sleep the entire class, he was a rather studious guy; chill but smart, he was a business major after all.

“Did you understand anything he was saying?” You murmur to him as you grab your bag.

“Of course!” He states, “I don’t look at twitter on my laptop when he’s lecturing.” Ah, he caught you.

Your eyes briefly scan the preview, he’s saying something about a resume and you think he’s talking about the homework assignment. You’re about to click on his first when the last catches your eye.

It’s from Akaashi Keiji. On the first day of class, you were late due to waiting in line for coffee. You awkwardly opened the door to the classroom, everyone turning to stare, and you lower your head, choosing a random seat that now you’re stuck with for the rest of the semester because that’s just how college works. The professor goes over the syllabus and suddenly announces that the person sitting to your right will be your revision partner for the semester.

“Hey.” You stop him and for a brief minute you feel your heart skip a beat because he was absolutely pretty, “Sorry, I’m Y/n. Since we’re going to be partners, do you want to exchange info?”.

“Uh. Sure. I’m Akaashi Keiji.”

“I’m going to be late for my business class. Do you have twitter?” You were never a fan of giving your phone number out. Before he can answer, you’re scribbling your username onto a piece of paper, placing it on his desk before running out to catch your next class.

His message is brief: Did you get my email?

You click his message first; it must have been urgent if he messaged and emailed you. There’s nothing else to his message, his previous one dates almost a week before his current one, telling you that he finished reading the book you recommended and that he enjoyed it.

The screen is pulled up with your finger, alternating apps to your personal email. The subject of his email simply reads Application.

Curiously, you click the attachment he’s sent with no body text. Your jaw dropped, hand placed over your open mouth and a small scream emitting.

“Is he fucking serious?”

His name is displayed at the top, along with his birthday, star sign, zodiac sign, age, even the pronouns he uses. There’s a short sentence under it. I am submitting an application for the position of Boyfriend. You’re internally screaming, blinking fast hoping that this was a joke but his ‘application’ reads like a resume. It lists his education from middle school to his current, his previous jobs, his skills, and his own personal goals for the future.

Your blushing profusely, you want to pull your hair, scream, even throw your phone but you shove down the feelings that want to have you die of embarrassment. You don’t have the energy to sadly explain to him that you were drunk and weren’t serious; ugh and you’re going to have to continue seeing him for the rest of the semester.

You revert back to twitter; your heart suddenly drops when you think about Kuroo’s message. Quickly, you pull up the messages, clicking his and suddenly you want dig yourself a grave because he’s sent a link to a pdf and it’s simply titled Resume. He probably used a resume template and never changed the title.

And sure enough, it’s a fucking professional resume declaring the certain skills he has to be your boyfriend. In fact, like the professional business major he is, he includes a letter of intent; indicating his reasons of interest for the position. It details the little quirks he finds cute about you. You want to break your phone in half with how red in the face you feel.

As you exit his message, you’re slowly praying that Atsumu’s message is just a random flirty comment that he occasionally likes to throw you once in a while or perhaps you’re hoping that he fell in a ditch and you won’t have to work with him for the rest of the semester since he almost blew up the lab station last time.

Nope, it’s a link to a google document. Oddly, you click it. Your heart has sunk to the pit of the earth because when you open the document, you see his fucking name in the upper right corner indicating he’s still on the stupid document.

Fuck fuck fuck. You’re running away from the document, aggressively leaving the page but it doesn’t help that when you end up back at your twitter messages, you can see the three dots, telling you he’s typing.

Morning sweetheart hope you enjoy the app

He sends it with a flirty wink and you stare at it for five full minutes. Curiosity gets the best of you and you click back onto his link, he’s no longer on the same document and you sigh safely. For someone who’s barely passing biology, his document was rather professionally detailed. Damn, he’s on the school’s volleyball team? Weirdly the page cuts off halfway, you continue to scroll until the next title page boldly states: Bedroom skills.

It didn’t help that you were scrolling a little too fast and caught sight of an image showing off his toned upper body. There goes his professionalism.

Your phone suddenly blares low battery, your screen turns black and now your anxiety is through the roof. You jump on your bed, trying to plug in your phone and you’ve just now realized that it is thirty minutes until your first class starts and it is literature. You’re scrambling to find your laptop, you trip on the bag of chips from last night, awkwardly trying to stand as you reach for your school bag.

“Shit!” You scream. You suddenly remember letting your stupid ex-boyfriend borrow your laptop.

You fall to the floor, fingers pulling your hair as you suddenly think about the deep shit your in. First, your boyfriend dumped you, now you randomly have three guys who sent you applications to be your next boyfriend and you’re still going to have to see them for the rest of the semester if you reject them. Lastly, you’re going to have to go to your ex’s place to get your laptop after having made a scene yesterday, and your phone is dead so you can’t cry to Oikawa about the deep shit you’re in.

[avversiera-writes]

touch your heart [senju tobirama/you] - prologue + chapter 1

Summary: Hashirama might go down as the worst matchmaker in history, but he thinks he might be on to something. Tobirama sees through his brother's schemes and is determined not to fall for it. Or fall for you.

Word Count: 5k-ish

A/N: Yoooo sorry for taking this long to post it LMAOOO anyways, this work is available on AO3 with 12 chapters in, so if you want to read away! 

also dedicating this post to @senju-sekhmet you’re the best, and happy belated XD 

AO3 LINK FOR TOUCH YOUR HEART

LINK FOR THE REST OF THE SERIES 

[PROLOGUE]

Thank you. 

Those two words are what Tobirama’s mother seemed to tell his father all the time. She looked grateful saying it too. Too grateful to the point that she is cooped up in the Senju compound all the time, with nowhere to go. Tobirama was a smart kid–too smart for his own good–and he saw that the last place she wants to be was here, with family and raising children in this godforsaken war zone. 

 His mother said that was how she met his father, and how she fell in love with him, by the words of gratefulness, but Tobirama is a smart kid. He knew nothing of love, but he could tell that his mother did not love his father. She mistook feelings of gratitude as feelings of love.  

His mother has a cold face, but she was gentle and fierce and was a great story-teller. She told stories of the great mountains and rivers that she has seen before everything fell into disarray. His mother loved art, books, and knowledge. She always encouraged Tobirama and his brothers to pursue their own curiosities beyond war.  

Tobirama always took that to heart. Sure, his body and his mind are well-suited for battle but his interests lie elsewhere. He loves to explore, to discover, to observe and to experiment to prove something foreign to him. He loves to break down something to its smallest detail and build it back up to make something new. He wants to create. 

Thank you. 

Those were two words that were too much for his mother to bear all her life. It weighed on her. It chained her down. 

Thank you. 

Those were her last words to Tobirama. 

Thank you, for being my son, for letting me be your mother. 

Those were two words that stuck to him like a curse. They were binding, until the bitter end. 

.

.

.

[PART ONE, CHAPTER ONE]

The first time Tobirama sees you, he immediately forms the opinion that you are too loud. Loud, in a sense that everything that passes by you, has to pay attention to you. Loud, in a sense that, when you speak, everyone has to hang by your every word. You are too loud, and he immediately concludes that you will not last long in a battle because you seem like an easy target. It is not like him to make fast conclusions without further observation, but you are just so loud that he wants to immediately shut down his senses.

So loud in fact, that even among the crowd, Tobirama cannot help but look your way and be wary of your presence. 

Contrary to what he thinks, you are not that much of a blabbermouth nor a person who speaks aimlessly, but he does not know you yet. He has not even had a chance to look you straight in the face. 

Today, he finds you standing by an umbrella stand, where a dozen colorful and detailed parasols are opened as a display to passerbys. You are in your casual kimono, and because it is spring, there are lovely pink cherry blossoms etched on your left sleeve, spreading towards your chest. Your obi cinches your waist and holds your sword by your side, so that it is easy to rest your hand on top of the hilt. Your hair is held back from your face with a simple hairpiece, and a festival fox mask hangs on the side of your head.

Tobirama stares, not having anything else to look at. 

Hashirama and Madara are also walking around, greeting the citizens of Konoha, and holding children up in the air. Hashirama’s young sons follow closely behind, playfully roughhousing each other and anyone who happens to get in their way. 

Hashirama notices his brother, glaring at a distant point and decides to step in lest Tobirama accidentally offends someone. He knows that his brother does not mean to glower at times. It’s just his eyes are a bit sensitive to the sun. 

At least, that is the reason, most of the time.

Tobirama immediately looks away from you, but Hashirama already saw who he was looking at. He gives Tobirama a curious smile. 

“What?” Tobirama deadpans. 

“You should go talk to her,” Hashirama suggests. “You seem interested.”

Tobirama folds his arms. “No.” 

Hashirama opens his mouth to add another thing, but Tobirama beats him to it. 

“Brother, I said no,” Tobirama affirms, and that was that. 

 Hashirama sighs, and pouts a little. “She’s nice!” 

Tobirama fakes a cough, making sure to spit out the words idiot clearly, and he crosses his arms. “You think everyone is nice.”

“Well, innocent until proven guilty, as they say!” 

Tobirama glances back at you, and finds that he can easily track you. 

 “With all due respect, elder brother, that is a very naive statement coming from you.” 

Tobirama has heard of you and he stops himself from telling Hashirama that, and instead lets him point out that you were one of the newly ranked jounins and that you specialize in kenjutsu. You also have been spending your free time teaching some of the older genins the basics of close range fighting and defense. 

 As the Hokage, Hashirama is more than happy to get to know those who are rising to the ranks and especially those who are gifted. It means that their Academy is working, even though it hasn’t been very long since it was established. You were one of those people from a clan who are already shinobi, but had to be evaluated in order to determine your rank and the Shodaime Hokage saw how skillful you are, despite not being the most powerful user of ninjutsu. He wants Konoha to have dependable teachers who will pass on useful skills and knowledge to whoever wants to learn. 

You start to walk away from the umbrella stand, when suddenly a bunch of kids and teenagers rush towards you. Tobirama sees some young students in the group that he had picked himself. Hiruzen stands out among the rest, loud and rambunctious, while Danzo follows closely behind like a shadow, but as obtrusive.

“Sensei! You should join the sparring competition later! They have bokkens, you’re good with bokkens!” 

You laugh, and try to back out before the others start to make your decision. “I think I will pass!” 

“Aww, no!” 

Tobirama watches the commotion, and then you look towards him. He freezes, as you smile at him and continue to wave him forward. Tobirama glares, because you are still waving at him but he does not know you so obviously he is not going to wave back, but suddenly Madara passes by him and Tobirama almost feels embarrassed. 

  Almost. He checks himself.

The wave was not meant for him.  

He glimpses Madara give a small wave, and this makes him pause.

 Madara waves? Tobirama almost scoffs at this, but he must keep his public appearance. 

You smile warmly, and introduce Madara to the younger children who were starting to cower a little because of his serious and glum expression. Tobirama watches as you slip your arm through Madara’s arm like you have done it many times. Tobirama’s students look at each other, but they do not harbor any bad sentiments toward the Uchiha clan leader. Some of them even crack a smile at the younger children’s reactions. Madara can be a little intimidating at first, if you do not know him.

 Then, you say something to the kids, earning a laugh from them and a small, tight-lipped smile from Madara.

Tobirama notices that the edges of Madara’s eyes have softened, something he only does around Hashirama.

“Are you sure you don’t want to get introduced to her? She is a very warm person,” Hashirama asks. “She’s also very smart and I think you’d benefit from her insights.” 

Tobirama watches her say her goodbyes and pat a few children’s heads, and walk away. “I’m fine.”

 Hashirama looks at Tobirama, doubt painted across his face, but he lets it go. 

 For now. 

//

You stand in front of the Hokage, waiting for him to speak. You have been called early in the morning to meet with him, and you have been there for a few minutes, standing awkwardly. You are not sure whether to start some small talk since the Shodaime is busy peering over a few scrolls. Usually, whenever you see him, the Hokage is pretty chatty and offers a lot of kind words. He also seems to talk a lot about his younger brother to you, bragging about him and his accomplishments, and underwhelmingly explaining his personality, which you find strange. 

It makes you think that there’s something off about Tobirama. 

The door behind you opens and you step to the side to make a wide berth for the incoming person, even though there is enough room for at least a few more people to stand there. Tobirama walks in, his face sporting deep eyebags, but his eyes are hard and alert. You look him over, and your eyes go to his rough hands, where there are dried ink stains on his pale skin. His veins protrude out, blue and green rivers criss-crossing over his hands and up his arms. You see hints of faded scars on his skin, but in this light, his pale skin makes up for the blemishes.

“Brother,” Tobirama greets, although it sounds more like he is about to scold his elder brother. 

 Hashirama smiles and he motions for you to step closer. 

You do, and you feel Tobirama’s eyes track you. You immediately look up and you catch his gaze, which makes him look away. 

“I have a task for the two of you,” Hashirama casually brings up. He looks strangely cheerful. Like he has a step by step plan that went exactly as he wanted. 

You look at the Hokage, all ears. And curious as to why he is acting this way. 

“It has come to my attention that while we are training the next generation to be good shinobis, I do not think that we have a proper and standard curriculum,” Hashirama begins. 

Tobirama’s head snaps upright at this. “Brother, what do you mean?” 

He sounds almost angry, and well, if you were the creator of the education system in the village you built and someone had found flaws in it, you would be too. 

“I think that there should be specific learning materials for each year before graduating to a genin, and so on,” Hashirama elaborates some more. “The two of you are to come up with these materials, and I want you to include other aspects that are not just related to being a shinobi. I want the next generation to not only be bred for war, but to have dispositions in other areas.” 

Hashirama stands up and he places his palms on his desk. “Tobirama, you know this. You want to expand our village, I think this is a good step to make that happen.”

 Tobirama looks at his brother with narrowed, suspicious eyes. He is not an idiot. He knows this is some set up, otherwise, why would his brother call you earlier than him? Why would his brother need you for this? These are the types of things he can accomplish on his own, so why are you here?

 “I understand. Then, I think it is time for that to happen. We are at peace, after all.” 

You slowly raise your hand. You notice that Tobirama does not even glance at you, and you want to laugh. You have heard a few things about Senju Tobirama from his own brother, and while it does not surprise you that he has a prickly attitude, it is another thing to see it upfront. It does not intimidate you, rather, it makes you want to see more of his reactions. He reminds you of the shy children that you have met in the Academy. 

You just need to push the right buttons.

“If I may, Lord Hokage,” you start. 

 Hashirama nods for you to continue. 

“With all due respect, what qualifications did I have to help Lord Tobirama with this new project?” 

You swear you saw Tobirama’s eye twitch from the way you said his title. You hide your smirk by biting the side of your cheek.

Hashirama lets out a small chuckle, in which he earns a glare from his younger brother. 

“I have heard about your dedication in teaching the children when you have the time, and since you insisted that you do not want to be a jounin sensei yet, like my brother is, I think it is a good idea for you to keep your head busy. Besides, I have heard you are quite the quick learner. You will find that my brother here is a very good teacher and can offer guidance well, if you can look past his mean demeanor.” 

Tobirama opens his mouth to snap at his brother, but instead, takes a breath and holds his tongue.

Hashirama gathers up some documents from the corner of his desk. “You two can start tomorrow. I would love to have this done by the end of summer, just as the new school year is upon us.” 

 “Brother, stop being ridiculous. That is in three months,” Tobirama interjects. “I think I’m going to need time to plan.” 

 Hashirama glances at his brother. “Well, luckily for you, someone is here to help you. I have faith in you.” 

“Too much, perhaps,” Tobirama dryly says, not even bothering to hide that he does not like this.  

“And you, as well,” Hashirama says to you with a cheerful smile.

 “Lord Hokage, with all due respect, am I going to get paid enough for this? I am practically jobless, I have a living to make,” you inquire with a smile. “Besides, you may also have to compensate for putting me up with your dear brother.”

In the corner of your eye, Tobirama crosses his arms. 

 Hashirama laughs heartily, and he gives Tobirama a grin. “I like her!” He nods. “You will surely be thanked for your services.” 

He extends the pile of documents towards you and you step forward to accept them. You thank the Hokage with doubt, half-serious about the salary, but you decide to not push it today and you give him a smile. Then, you also smile at Tobirama.

 “I will see you tomorrow then,” you tell him. 

Tobirama carefully gazes at you, and then he nods. He turns to his brother with a determined look on his face. Or an angry look. You are honestly not sure. 

“The Hokage mansion’s library,” Tobirama grounds out curtly. “9 am. Sharp.”

You look at him, wondering what type of bad day he is having to be this abrupt, or if this is how he really is. You understand that he and his brother have been at war for all of their life, so maybe this is how he has turned out.

“I will see you.” You bow quickly and walk out of there, ready to dive into the materials the Hokage gave you. 

//

Madara aims a punch towards your way, but you quickly dodge it and block it with the palm of your hand, and you follow through by sending his movement forward by using his momentum and landing a charged punch to his lower ribs, just where his liver will be. 

Madara chuckles and he flips himself away from you. 

“Brutal,” Madara comments breezily. “That can actually kill someone, but fortunately I’m not just anyone.”

You roll your eyes. “Yeah well, give me an A for effort.”

Madara falters and his eyes narrow at you. He knows as well as you do that you are slacking and there is a lot on your mind. “Is this about what Hashirama told you earlier?”

You meet his eyes and let out a sigh. “Wow, word travels fast.”

Madara starts to walk towards you and he gathers his hair to one side. “That was not fair of him. If you want, I can talk to him about that.” 

You watch Madara’s face, and a cloud passes overhead. You are almost tempted to say yes and cling to the wings that Madara has put you under to shelter you, but you are not that woman anymore. You are not a quitter. Besides, you need to have a purpose to pour your efforts in. If not, then what else could be in store for you? 

“It’s not like the Hokage asked me to cut off my hand, I will be fine, Madara,” you finally answer. “Really.”

Madara folds his arms and he presses his lips together. “If you ever need me to go beat him up then say the word.”

You cannot help the chuckle that escapes your mouth. “I’m sure it’ll be fine. There will be no need of beating.” You pause and a smirk forms on your face as an idea takes form in your mind. “However, you can help me get to know Tobirama.”

Madara scowls, knowing that you are pushing his buttons. “No, you are on your own,” he grits out. 

The air around your friend changes, and suddenly all the silliness in your demeanor fades away. Your eyes narrow warily, as his face darkens at you with disapproval. You know that he still holds a grudge on Tobirama, and it really is quite low of you to mention him so casually. 

 Madara narrows his eyes at you and shakes his head. "You have some guts." 

You point your chin towards him naughtily. "Everyone's fair game." You break out into a smile, even if Madara can decide right then and there to end your life. "You just can't take it."

Madara used to always intimidate you, and he furthered that feeling at times by showing you his sharingan, because you know, you know , what he is capable of doing with those eyes, but he never really did anything to you. It was more of the idea of what he can do to you, at any given time. 

 Madara stays silent for a few more moments. Then, he attempts to soften his voice. “What do you want to know?” 

You raise an eyebrow at this. “Uchiha Madara is finally giving in?” 

 Madara rolls his eyes and he lets out a small, tight-lipped smile. "Just this once, but you are paying for lunch.” 

 You gasp, taking offense at this. “You do know I am broke, right?” 

“Who’s fault was it for not taking my offer to live in the Uchiha compound?” Madara matches his footsteps with yours as the two of you head towards the village. 

“First of all, I am not an Uchiha, your people will oust me the moment I step foot, and second, I want to make a living for myself.” 

Madara rolls his eyes. “Yeah, but you’re all alone.”

 “Aren’t you?” You retort without thought.

 Madara falls into silence. “You know someday, you will get in trouble with that mouth of yours.” 

“You just can’t handle me.” 

 “The offer still stands,” Madara mutters, and he glances at you. “And it’s safe there. I will make sure no one even says a bad word about you. If you are with me, they won’t even look at you.” 

“That sounds like a lonely life, and you know that I have been mostly caged in my childhood.” You sigh and you bump your shoulder against his arm. “I appreciate everything you have done for me, but I have nothing, Madara. It’s time I do something for myself and invest in something bigger than me. I need that.” 

//

The Hokage mansion is huge inside, and since you do not visit this place often, you are not sure where the said library is. It could just be any room in here. Or, there is no such thing as the library in the Hokage mansion and Tobirama just said that because he wants to avoid you and send you on a goosechase away from him. You know that he is not thrilled to be put up on this project with you, based on his expressions yesterday, but you are kind of determined to change his mind now. 

 Besides, you are fun and cool, something he can take notes on as he seems prudish. 

  You sigh as you decide to just wait for Tobirama outside, instead of wandering inside the mansion. There are still some parts being built, and you do not want to cause any trouble to the workers there. 

You are quite early, hoping to beat Tobirama to the punch to solidify yourself in his good graces and show him that you are serious about this. However, due to your punctuality, the waiting time is becoming ridiculously long. Sometimes you are not big on the whole waiting patiently thing.

You sigh, and aimlessly walk around the whole building. 

  You hear people starting to mile about to start their day, and you hear children laughing and talking loudly among themselves, which brings a smile to your lips. You decide to stay near the entrance of the mansion so Tobirama will not have any trouble looking for you. 

Lost in your thoughts, you brandish your blade from its scabbard and you start to draw stick figures on the soil, and you add little details such as trees, kunais and shurikens. 

You are not sure how much Tobirama knows about you, but you have heard many things about him, mostly from his brother, both good and bad. You know that he is a great warrior and one of the most brilliant minds that his generation has seen. He is responsible for the complex system of the very village you reside in, and the Hokage’s trusted advisor, even more than Uchiha Madara, who you know is very close to Hashirama. You also know that he is a great sensei, according to his students, which you have no doubt about since he is very intelligent. 

Personality wise, he remains a mystery to you. Mostly because Hashirama glosses over that when talking about him. All you know is that Tobirama can be difficult at times, but you figure that it is how one should act when you are at the forefront of leading this village.

However, you are not in the least intimidated, even if he is a little older and has experienced more in life. Now that you are going to be working with him more, you are curious as to what the famed Senju Tobirama is really all about. 

“I hope I did not keep you waiting,” Tobirama’s rough voice interrupts the quiet that you have immersed yourself in. 

  You perk up, and put your sword back with a loud click. He glances down at the ground, where you have made silly stick figures of shinobis fighting. You attempt to erase them with your foot. 

“Not at all!” You lie, but Tobirama sees through that and he narrows his eyes suspiciously. 

His serious face does not change, and instead you think he grew even more serious. He nods and gestures towards the mansion. He clutches the books and the scrolls he has close to his body.

 “Shall we?” 

You follow Tobirama towards the entrance, trying to keep up with his long strides, though he seems to be speeding up on purpose. Finally, he unlocks the library doors and opens them wide. The two of you step in, and you cannot help but feel underwhelmed at the great reveal of the Hokage mansion’s library. 

It is bare, with a lone wooden table and three chairs situated next to the windows. 

 To the side are empty bookshelves, with the exception of one shelf, which is almost halfway filled. 

“This is a sorry library,” you comment under your breath. 

 Tobirama walks up to the table and puts down the materials he has been carrying. 

  “We are going to fill it, starting today,” Tobirama says. “And for the rest of the year.” 

You raise an eyebrow. “How? Write and publish our own books?” 

  Tobirama glances up at you, without irony. “Yes.”  

You feign a smile.  “Oh,” you deadpan. He does seem like the type of person to do that.

“We are also going to visit every clan in the village and ask if we could transcribe some of their writings,” Tobirama continues. “We can make our references through that, integrate their history and make a comprehensive one for Konoha. We also need to learn some of their jutsus and study them, among other things.” 

  You nod, understanding what he means. “Alright, where do we start? And how do we rewrite the Academy curriculum part?” 

“Well first, I will have to set a few rules,” Tobirama drones on, looking at you pointedly.  

You walk towards him so that you are standing on the other side of the table. “Alright, shoot,” you say. 

“I have written the deadlines of the parts that you will do. You must give them to me, on time ,” Tobirama sternly says, slipping one of the scrolls forward. “I have a vague plan of what the curriculum can look like, but you will also have the chance to express your ideas.” 

  You take the scroll and open it gingerly, and you look at the back to back due dates. 

“You must not talk to me aimlessly, unless it is about this project or if you need any clarification on the tasks you have to do,” Tobirama continues. “When we are working, I expect you to only work.”

You nod, thinking that these are easy, reasonable rules. 

  “You must be punctual.” 

  You are way too punctual, so you know that you are going to follow this rule perfectly. 

“Do not eat near me.” 

  At this, you almost roll your eyes, but you hold yourself back. 

  “Do not touch my things, unless I give them to you. I hope that you can call my title with respect,” Tobirama drones on and on, mostly about the little things he is apparently very particular about. “You will also be training with me and my students, and I expect you to always be on top of your game.” 

“Yes, of course.” You blink at all his so-called rules, and fight the urge to roll your eyes. It’s like he already has the impression that you won’t be as dedicated to your job as he is. 

  But you are dedicated. 

However, you cannot help but talk back. He probably made a rule for that, but it goes unheard by you. 

Tobirama nods. “Very well.” 

  “Did you stay up all night making this up?” You ask, unable to help yourself garner some reaction from him. 

Tobirama’s stare is stormy, and his eyes narrow strictly. “It is common sense that you abide by such unsaid rules.”

  “But you just, well forgive me, enumerated them. If they are common sense, then you would not have to re-tell it.” 

Tobirama lets out a stream of breath from his nose that sounds a tad bit impatient, and he rolls his eyes. 

  You smile, feeling a little triumphant at getting a reaction from him. He catches your expression and he schools his face to become serious once more.

The two of you sit in silence for a moment, and you wait for Tobirama to speak. 

  “I heard you teach at the Academy at times,” Tobirama suddenly brings up. “When did you start?” 

  Your eyes narrow slightly at this. Tobirama built the Academy, so he must be aware of the things happening there. “Almost a year ago.” 

  Tobirama taps a finger on the books that he set down. “And you teach when?” 

“Wednesdays and Fridays,” you reply. 

Tobirama nods. “I will be coming with you.” 

You pause at this. “Wait, why?” 

Tobirama looks at you as if it’s obvious. “To size up what the kids need to learn, observe which materials are appropriate for age groups until they graduate as genin, and so forth.”  

Of course, that makes sense. 

Tobirama pulls out the chair and he slides into it. “Then, let us begin. We have many things to research and read up on.” 

You look at him as he opens the books, and distributes some of them to you. 

  “Will you get around to telling me what your plan is, or are you just going to let me guess?” You ask as you flip to the first page of one of the books that he handed to you.

You slide on the chair across from him, taking care to move to the side so that you are giving him his space. 

“Silence, when I am working,” Tobirama states without looking up from what he is reading. “Do not talk to me aimlessly. You will get a chance to ask me questions later, I suggest you start listing them down.”

  “Alright, alright,” you mumble. 

You read the first paragraph of the book, already taking note of the main idea. After a few pages, however, you glance up at your book and to Tobirama, who has not moved an inch except to turn a page. You observe his pristine expression, your eyes going down the slope of his strong nose, his high cheekbones, and his lips that form into a pout, and then to the markings on his face and chin.

  He’s handsome, you’ll give him that. 

His eyes never waver, unlike you, and from this, you can tell that he always pours all his focus and efforts when he does something. 

“Work,” Tobirama reminds you. “And look at the due dates so you can think about how you can strategize your time.” 

You snap up and pretend to go back to your reading, but you glance at him one last time. Something about him piques your curiosity, and it makes you want to push his buttons just to see what the famed Senju Tobirama is all about. 

 You cannot help but let out a tiny smile and you raise the book to hide your face. 

Well, if he already has some sort of prejudice towards you, you might as well play that to your advantage. 

You smirk to yourself, finally looking forward to the time the two of you will spend together. 

.

.

.

[CHAPTER TWO >>>]

[umblebumble]

Pirates of the Carribean daemons

I don’t know what possessed me to make this but here it is. As a note, I use The Daemon Page (link) as a good reference when looking for daemons, but I mostly use it as a starting point for animals I’m unfamiliar with. Largely my selections are overall general vibes plus some things I think would be great plot/story wise. I also tried my best to avoid the ‘typical’ wolves, Big cats, and birds of prey because I find they’re often overused for main characters to add impact.

Captain Jack Sparrow - Ring-billed Gull. This one I feel pretty good about. Initially I thought a sparrow would be funny, but sparrows and gulls are similar personality wise and gulls just have the wandering-adventurer vibes I wanted. Gulls are wandering, freedom loving creatures, like Jack. He goes where the wind takes him. Gulls are also bold and brash and clever. They’ll march right up to someone and take their food while staring them dead in the eye. They’ll definitely flee from fights whenever possible, but they’re crafty and adaptable and clever and resilient.

Captain Barbossa - White-headed Capuchin (aka the monkey Jack). I thought about looking for something other than the obvious, but it just really worked. Capuchin’s are clever, mischievous, and also very aggressive. Monkeys usually have social hierarchies, and when a monkey is at the top it will do everything it can to stay there. I also just feel like the energy with the two of them is too perfect, I couldn’t imagine anything else that works as well.

Elizabeth Swann - Siamese cat. This one was harder, but it just felt right. Siamese are regal and elegant looking, and can be a little snooty and stuck up at times. But these cats are smart as a whip, get bored super easily and always seem to be on the look out for something exciting or new to learn. I like the thought of a pampered pretty cat at the beginning of the series growing and becoming less polished as Elizabeth roves off at the open sea. I also think it would be a funny bit of foreshadowing for the third movie bit with Singapore. Also, Siamese are loud and bold and dramatic. I mean this in the best way but Elizabeth is also loud and dramatic and will throw herself around to make her point which feels exactly like a Siamese who is trying to get something.

Will Turner - Magpie. Will was the hardest for me to pick. I wanted a bird for him because despite his humble blacksmith beginning he is a pirate in his soul, an adventurer and that to me says wings, flight, and freedom. Magpies are very smart and clever, and Will is a strategist, though sometimes socially obtuse but that’s his charm. Magpies are protective of what is theirs and will throw down to defend their territory. Also, I kept being drawn back to that line in the first film “... and you’re completely obsessed with treasure” and I just think a magpie is a very good thematic representation of that pirate-soul Jack is talking about. This one was mostly vibes and plot/thematic devices but I like it.

Norrington - Dalmatian. So for Norrington I always knew a dog would be for him; he’s loyal, determined, and hardworking. Plus I like the thought of dog daemons being a common thing for people in military/navy/etc type positions along the same vein as ‘servants have dogs’. Dalmatian was my choice of specific breed but I could definitely see other working dogs as his daemon as well. I chose Dalmatian because they are working dogs, they’re loyal and obedient but have a more independent streak in them as well which could translate to his leadership position. Norrington sees the world in very black and white terms, and while I chose Dalmatian half for the joke, they do have selective hearing where they sometimes just don’t hear commands they don’t want to listen to. So I’m taking that as a closed-mindedness that Norrington expresses in his worldview.

Gibbs - Old English Sheepdog. This one was half analysis and half pure vibes. Sheepdogs are friendly and a little rolly-polly, but they’re also guardian dogs which makes them fiercely protective of those under their charge and they will fight when pressed. This suits Gibbs so well, he is so loyal and will take care of Jack or Elizabeth or whoever he decides is under his care. I also think it would be an interesting plot thing that a lot of ‘official’ sailors would have dogs because of their loyalty and willingness to follow others/orders.

Tia Dalma - Saltwater Crocodile. This one I came upon accidentally but fell in love with it immediately. Crocodiles are enigmatic and powerful creatures. They have an ancient powerful energy to them that matches Tia well. They wait for their prey to come to them because they know the deer have to cross the river eventually - Tia knows they will come to her, eventually everyone will want her help and then she will have them. Deceptively serene but able to attack in a moments notice, a crocodile will not enjoy being contained or confined and while it may look content, it will not be satisfied until it has no restrictions. Plus, a crocodile when Tia Dalma lives in a river/swamp is thematically amazing to me.

[niji-translated]

“Hold Your Breath” – tst-movie Interview

Translation by me (niji-translated)

[If you wish to use any of my translations, please ask]

Link to original interview:

Hulu Original ‘Hold Your Breath’ Episode 3, Murakami Nijiro Interview

The one thing that cannot be missing when getting married.

Reporter A: Shinpei and yourself seem to be people very different from each other to me, but were you aware of any similarities?

Nijiro: I’ve known Director Nakagawa Ryutarou a long time, so he know a lot about me. I thought “you know me, and you’re making a parody”. Therefore, him and myself are not that different, I feel that just the world changed. Even if it’s like I’m playing myself, if it didn’t look like that, I feel that we succeeded.

Reporter A: Shinpei isn’t accepted by society, but aren’t you accepted by society?

Nijiro: I rarely think I’m accepted by society. I’ve always been a social misfit, everyday I live with this thinking. When I can have a normal conversation with you like this, I think I’m doing well, and yet when I get home I’ll think “I knew it,  I'm still not doing this right" And I’ll go right back. (laughs). It’s a fleeting feeling.

Reporter A: That’s unexpected.

Nijiro: Is it really? When I’m home alone, I can’t help thinking ‘where are your social skills?’ I can have a conversation like this, but I’ll keep thinking ‘what was I doing then?’

Myson (main interviewer): I thought it was interesting that it was a short story this time. Do you have a different approach when you play a role that starts off with a lot of information compared to a role where you can let your imagination run wild?

Nijiro: Pain, suffering, crying and so on, of course there is always a lot of space, meaning to them and the amount of time you put in doesn’t change. I think it’s less difficult for me to show bigger emotions, that’s been with me from the start. I don’t think I’m very good at it now, but when I look at my early works, I think I’m more like myself when I say something like “Ahhhh!!”

(laughs). “Good morning” and “by the way”, and so on, those are the most difficult. Since this work is the latter, it was a challenge for me (laughs). Especially from where I was a few years ago, I couldn't have done this, I’m not changing my approach at all, but for me this kind of work has a higher level of difficulty.

Myson: Performing the everyday is more difficult, did you start with the "what is natural?" approach, then?

Nijiro: I think there is also that, because you’re depicting something the norm, I think performing something universal is difficult. Universal, I mean, by majority, which means it’s the majority that will be observing and judging, there’s a feeling that it’s more demanding. (laughs)

Myson: Certainly! (laughs). However, during the quarrel scene, when you’re very angry, it’s like there’s a half smile, I could see the excitement in your eyes. I thought it was very realistic

Nijiro: Is it? But, I also have a huge complex about the universal. I may be completely misunderstanding this, but when I’m talking to people, eating meals, when going out on site with new people, sometimes it’s like there’s some kind of tension and pressure points are very different, mostly they don’t match. This is my own experiences and feelings, I often feel that I enjoy things differently to everyone else, I have a huge complex about others (laughs). I don’t mean that in a bad way, you saying ‘ it was realistic’, that makes me happy.

Myson: This work is about people who live along the Tama-gawa, but if work and corona have nothing to do with it, what city or what kind of place would you want to live in?

Nijiro: I really like the city, but I want to live with animals. I was born in Tokyo, and I believe my roots are in Tokyo, but I grew up in the countryside, I was in the wilderness for a lot of my time, especially during my adolescence. At that time I lived with goats and birds, cats and so on, therefore there’s a feeling that living with animals is natural. It’s not like ‘Princess Mononoke’ but I love big animals, I want to live with something extreme, like bears or something.

Myson & Reporter A: Ehhh!???

Nijiro: Looking at social media, aren’t there a lot of animal videos? Overseas you can see men playing with bears, and I really like when fierce animals like tigers or something are cute when they’re babies. I also like squirrel monkeys and cats, birds and other small animals, they’re cute, I want to live with all of them. But, I love Tokyo and I love the city therefore, seeking the two extremes you’d definitely need a lot of money, right. I’m an actor who films away from home, so I’m not really suited to that kind of life. Desires and work don’t match, what can I do? (laughs). It’s not like I’d have a sitter raise them. If I’m not there, then there’s no point.

Myson: Certainly! (laughs)

Nijiro: Like learning asset management, I think it’s not that easy (laughs). This might be a bad way of putting it but, in my mind, I think of marriage as a contract that the partner will keep animals as well. It’s not a contract with a woman, it’s a ‘contract to raise animals together’.

Myson: Hahahaha!

Nijiro: If not that, then I won’t get married, or at least have a de-facto marriage.

Myson: That’s the most important thing in order to marry!

Nijiro: It is important, isn’t it. How did we get talking about this? (laughs)

Myson: We were talking about where you want to live. (laughs)

Nijiro: Where I want to live, well I'm not wrong then!

Everyone: Hahahaha!

As a child I felt a distance from the entertainment industry

Myson: As a small child I guess the entertainment industry felt close to home, but how did you become interested in actors and the job itself? Did it feel natural that you would become an actor?

Nijiro: Maybe it was the reverse. By my school and my parents I was banned from all media, so my intake of drama and movies, compared to people who grow up in a world with normal TV, it was about a tenth of that. I used to watch “Rookies” in secret, but I knew very little about it, so I couldn’t admire it. I did have manga and games though. So instead this world was rather far away. I have opportunities to meet various people close to my parents, but those kind of people are so over the top, there are a lot of people who look the opposite of celebrity (laughs). In that sense, my generation, and the generation below my parents is still fresh. Because I was born during my parents busiest time, I was raised by my grandmother, and even though I was small, I had a vague thought of “why ain’t ya around?”. In that sense, I vaguely didn’t like it. When I was still a small child I didn’t know how great my dads performance is, but before I realised it, I started to understand. Now that I’m an actor I think I understand it more.

Myson: I don’t know if this is the right way to ask, but,  do you enjoy being an actor?

Nijiro: I don’t know anything else, in that way it’s painful because it’s the only thing I know. Makes me wonder if there’s something more fun than this, you know. Because we want what we don’t have. Therefore, I don’t know how fun it is as an average, but I think I’m still continuing because I’m still enjoying it.

Myson: How about acting overseas? Do you have any interest?

Nijiro: Not that it isn’t possible at all, but I don’t think it’s possible to speak slang like a native in a film. I’d be happy to have those kinds of opportunities, like voice acting in Wes Anderson’s films, like Nagase’s role in Jim Jarmunsch’s ‘Patterson’, of course I’m interested. But, if I was going to spend all that time on English, I think I’d sooner be reborn. Of course, I’d study more if I had if i get that kind of opportunity.

Myson: I see. How do you usually choose the films you watch?

Nijiro: What is it, huh, it has a shine, doesn’t it? All the information I want to get now.. That’s a bit of a sparkly statement. (laughs).

Myson: No, no, no, hahaha! Do you watch both Western and Japanese films?

Nijiro: That doesn’t matter at all, I’ll watch anything including dramas and documentaries.

Myson: It’s like buying the jacket visuals and watching it.

Nijiro: In other words, I’m very influenced by the visuals. No matter how good the cast is, if I’m not attracted to the poster I’ll put off watching it. The visuals are the most important. I think this is good and bad though. After I started acting, I always had a natural appetite to watch things, even if it wasn’t something I needed to know or feel right away, if it may or may not be useful right now, lately that’s changed little by little. That’s not a good part of it, since there’s no guarantees, and there’s a feeling that you can’t afford to spend too much time on something that you get nothing from. It’s right to get what you need most, but I haven’t surprised myself much recently, it’s like I’m not surprised at all anymore, I think the reason is because I don’t touch anything I’m not sure of. Right now it’s not easy to go for a drink but, for example, when I go out of a drink and I think ‘I’m 80% likely to not enjoy myself if I go there’, then I won’t go, but the remaining 20% is very important, isn’t it? There’s the possibility of that roughly 20% could make me think ‘that was really fun!” I think I need to do more with that small percent.

Myson: Thank you very much!