#Hana brought the void with her!!!

[vroomian]

Abo Hana is a dryad but I think it’d be rad if she’s actually entirely in black and white like an old timey cartoon character. It marks her as apart from everyone else, literally. Like if she tries to put on a red shirt it converts to grayscale. Takes it off? Back to red. She drains the color out of everything she touches. Even her flowers are in shades of grey. Her skin is paper white. her branches, hair and eyes are darker black than even Alastors shadows.

Except for the one flower she pins to Alastor’s lapel. That one blooms into a brilliant, bloody red.

[httpsjeonglvr]

Awkward

Evangeline and Seojun entered the Wilder Mansion hesitantly, following her parents inside. Robert and Tina Minoru picked them up from school and insisted on joining them. They assured her that she was not mandated to listen to their meeting. Geoffrey and Catherine Wilder spotted her, and their lips curved into big smiles. "Ah! You must be Hana, Seojun nice seeing you again!”

She clutched her tote bag as she gave them a nervous smile. "Um, hello..." Catherine stepped forward and gave her a warm hug. "My, what a beautiful young woman you are" Her simple compliment made her face heat up.

Catherine slightly cupped her cheeks. "Oh, dear." She frowned. "Are you okay? You’re look sick."

She nodded and gently removed her hands away from her face smiling softly. "Yes, Mrs. Wilder."

"Make yourself at home, sweetie."

Hana gave her a silent nod before walking toward the living room following behind Seojun who knew his way around. Tina and Robert turned around to Catherine, who placed her hands on her hips. "Did you really have to bring her here?"

"Nico isn't at the house to look after her," Tina informed. "She's not doing too good today, so Robert and I have to keep an eye on her."

Geoffrey sighed. "You're still at it? Hana's—"

Tina gave him a look. "I'm making sure, okay?" She spun around and saw she was about to sit on a couch. "Hana, honey, you can stay at the Wilders' guesthouse."

She opened her mouth to protest. "Um, don't know where that is..”

"I'll take her there." Catherine volunteered as she approached her. "Come on." She followed her out of the living room and got outside of the house to get to the guesthouse. Catherin opened the doors and let her inside. "There are pizzas and drinks here, okay? You two can wait for Alex and his friends."

Just as Catherine left, she blinked in surprise and turned around to see the woman was gone. "Alex?" She asked. She sat on a chair, pulling out her headset and connecting it to her phone. She ignored the boy next to her still mad from the argument earlier. She began browsing for her phone to keep herself busy.

She snatched a pillow and gripped it closely as she sat silently watching random videos online. Random animal videos were one of the few things that could bring her complete joy. Another thing that brought the girl joy was her powers she discovered 

Powers? Yeah. When she was about fifteen years old, she discovered she had the ability to create illusions and enter mental voids. She was crying in her room until she unintentionally entered a void and saw a memory of her and Baekyun or Chris as her parents called him,when she was younger. Although casting illusions was cool and all it caused her to tire easily. Molly and Seojun were the only ones who knew about her abilities. She knew she could trust them, and they kept it a secret. Seeing as everyone would call them crazy.

She was mindlessly playing with the stuffed animal she kept with her for comfort.Her thoughts were occupied with the animals on her screen

"Cute bunny."

She instantly pulled out her headset and turned her head to see the young Wilder entering the guesthouse. "Shit," she whispered. "S-Sorry, they let me stay here. I could leave if you want me to—"

Alex shook his head. "No, no." He lightly waved his head, gesturing for her to continue whatever she was doing and waving at the curly-haired boy who nodded his head. "It's good to have some company."

'Not if you don't know the person...' She dragged her legs towards her chest and hugged them close as she continued watching the animals . But she couldn't focus anymore, so she pretended to watch while she was looking at what Alex was doing.

When she eventually noticed six boxes of pizza on the table and drinks all around, her eyes widened. Alex was unconcerned and grabbed his controller, which he used to switch on his television while listening to music. Alex paused for a bit before putting down his controller and pulling out his phone to look at the group photo he took with his friends two years ago.

When Alex peered at Hana, her stomach groaned quietly causing Seojun to laugh, and she quickly hit his chest while avoiding eye contact. Before directing his whole focus to Hana, Alex hurriedly forwarded the old group photo to his old friends. "Hungry?" He asked, and he saw her shake her head timidly. "You can eat some pizzas if you want, Bunny"

"Bunny?" she asked while laughing at the horrendous nickname. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Seojun taking a slice of pepperoni with a smile.

Alex shrugged. "I'm not good at nicknames or codenames. Besides, I didn't catch your name, and all I know is that you're the new student and Nico's adopted sister." She hummed in response until Alex moved closer to her to check on the show she was watching on her phone. "You interested in animals?"

She closed her phone and looked away from him, feeling her cheeks heating up from the small conversation between both. "Yeah I wanna be a vet.." She mumbled as she buried her face completely behind the sleeves of her blue sweater.

"So, may I know your name?"

Alex shrugged and he moved his head closer to her to see her face, but she was too stubborn to look him in the eye. “I'm not that scary, am I?"

She shook her head and slightly turned her head to look at him with half of her face still hidden behind her arms. "You look nice enough."

Her heart skipped a beat when she saw him smile, and this time, it reached his eyes. "Really?"

"Yeah."

She looked away and noticed the many video games the guy had. 'Sheesh.' Her eyes looked up and stared at his huge television and found two names on the screen: Alex's name and Amy's name. "You miss her huh?"

Alex glanced at the screen before heavily sighing, standing up to take the remote, and turning off the television. "Yeah." He immediately answered, not wanting to ruin her night with Amy's death.

"What was she like?"

Alex hated she had to press, but he knew she was just curious, so he sat down next to her. "She was my best friend." He stated. "And she was a good sister to Nico too." Alex glanced at Hana as she processed his words in her mind.

She glanced at him as she clung to the pendant of her necklace now interested in the green colors swirling around. Meeting Amy Minoru would be a great experience because she sounded like such a nice person. She knew how difficult it was for everyone to accept that she had been gone for two years."You don't think I'm replacing her?"

"What makes you say that?" Alex asked curiously.

"Everyone thinks I'm replacing her." She confessed. " Nico feels I'm replacing her sister."

"No, Nico isn't—"

Alex's sentence was interrupted when the pair of teens heard the doorbell. "Hold on." Alex excused himself for a moment. She watched him leave the guesthouse, so she slipped her phone back into her pocket and looked around. She put her hood up and took out the Twister game lying on the floor. 'What is this?' She tilted her head in wonder before turning to Seojun who shrugged as well and joined her in trying to figure out how to play.

"They're here!" She turned around and found Alex and his former friends behind him, entering the guesthouse. Molly grinned widely when she saw Hana and her bodyguard while Nico's eyes slightly enlarged in shock. "You're here too?"

She slightly waved, feeling uncomfortable all of a sudden attention. “Hey..”

tags: @nekoannie-chan

[asexxxualerotica]

Asexxxual Erotica's Original Characters

Below is a list of the original characters most commonly used on this blog. This list is expected to be continually updating with new muses as they are created, so consider these often when looking for muses other than those in Canon to send RP requests in for.

~RWBY Muses~

~Marvel Muses~

Nate Black/Void-Spider: Original Spider-Man of Earth-765, dealing with his own otherworldly origins while still trying to be a decent everyday superhero

Harleen Osborn/Hobgoblin: Earth-765's version of Harry Osborn, best friend turned anti-hero as she fights off the grief of losing her father to his wild ambitions

Hana Fumikawa: Lady Weaver, Spider-Woman based in Tokyo, Japan. An aspiring fashion designer who has to put her dreams on hold to fight crime. Has a passion for traditional tea ceremony.

~Harry Potter Muses~

Romeo Lestrange: 6th year (18 y/o) Slytherin and son of Bellatrix Lestrange. Best friend of his world's Harry Potter and his absolute ride or die. Will do anything to protect the people he cares for.

Cinder Hawthorne: 6th year (18 y/o) Gryffindor with a fascination with wizarding world erotica. Enjoys studying sex spells in the restricted section and fantasizes about being used as a muggleborn slave.

~Star Wars Muses~

Shard'ne Shaampeng: A Jedi Master who went into hiding after the Fall of the Order and has been using her sexual skills to get revenge

Khel'diorn Dorast: A Jedi Knight known for his wisdom and kindness, on the run from the war and the pain that it brought him

Vorona Ir Skjotal: A former Inquisitor, unable to keep up with the rigorous training, instead turning to a life of crime and treachery

~Dungeons & Dragons Muses~

[dcviated]

“Harsh? Is that how you see it? Interesting.”

Eira feels no need to shield herself in this situation. As a prominent fixer herself, a rising poster child in some circles of the Hana Association, she’s no stranger to attention. Scrutiny. Judgement. All things that the Kestrov daughter distributes to her peers and strangers alike are cast all the same back at her. Messy. Invasive. And by her opinion misguided and arrogant compared to what she was trying to do in turn for the citizens of The City. Do they not understand that she is aiming for benevolence in her ways?

The woman will not shy from the Shi director. Or anyone else. She will not allow her skin to prickle underneath the investigation of the accomplished and capable killer.

“Swift methods without need for dialogue are where you excel, nevertheless. I’ve seen your records and evaluations. Just because we don’t enjoy certain facets of our work doesn’t deny certain proclivities. I’ll take your willingness to embrace this level of restraint as a favorable sign.” Perhaps it’s a compromise, perhaps not, but it was favorable to what others would do. It may just be that the Director’s objective truly is something above an attempt to expand or secure influences. With the divisions broken as they are, none could deny opportunities existed, much like the fall of a Nest. Just like what the syndicates were continuing to do.

Voids. A true nemesis of law and rule. Cruel it could be the matter of control was of greatest importance. The absence of order was chaos. And Eira would not see more of the eastern portion of the City fall into disarray because of it.

“The sooner we re-establish the hierarchy and presence of the associations and offices the less we need to worry about waging larger scale conflicts to take back that lost time. I’m no stranger to this sort of method myself, but manpower is being stretched thin in that area already. Unless we brought in another group or did some sort of contracting. Tch.”

More paperwork. More bureaucracy. Eira continues flipping through the report, blue eyes poring over the maps and phrasing within. There’s a certain eccentricity to some of the information conveyed which requires her to re-read some lines. A frustration that does not have mercy on the small crease that folds over her brow every now and then. The shadow is brief, giving way to a more neutral expression conducive to business.

“…ironic that it’s a situation where the Shi will work quite nicely. We won’t be falling behind either. Shall we make our way for the backstreets of those borders, then? The neighborhood here seems of particular interest.” A phone is pulled out, a familiar branded site and form tapped and completed. A hum from the woman before it’s stashed and her weaponry checked. The unique mace from her time with Liu, and the tessellated amalgam characteristic of Hana clipped just below it. “I’ve already secured passage on a train and can be at the location in no time at all.”

⠀⠀⠀⠀A silent question, heard loud and clear. Even though it never leaves her mouth, the slight furrowing of brows - the corners of his mouth curling down. A gaze just barely sharper than before, a pointed response with a single reply, a bold one.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Those waters are best left alone.

"I'm sure that there are a great many who loathe that they didn't have the chance to handle Thelma personally, including those of Section 2 that have returned."

⠀⠀⠀⠀He himself is on the list - a front runner on the list of people that would have wanted a crack at putting Thelma down. A damn shame that the Blue Reverberation got to him first, before anything could be handled internally. Ah, but of course that wasn't where the efforts stopped. Fischl - contracted by the Shi - was performing a covert investigation of Shi West to see if any corruption was breeding in his own branch of the association.

⠀⠀⠀⠀The passing of judgement is hardly unilateral, the Shi Director gauging her just as much as she's gauging him. Perhaps she is comparatively young or "inexperienced," going off of her Grade, but it'd be a mistake to consider either of those things true when dealing with Hana. Unlike other Associations, even the lower rungs of Hana were more than capable of personally dealing with rathe significant threats - and she was in a position of leadership as well.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀You don't get where she is by being bad at your job.

"Harsh assumptions, Ma'am. Just because assassinations are what we're good at, don't assume that it's my preference. I like a good investigation as much as the next person."

⠀⠀⠀⠀If he wasn't the investigative type, he wouldn't have gone out of his way to bring in an outside investigator with advanced means at their disposal. Arms remain fairly lax at his sides, though his left hand rests on the sheathe of his weapon - a long-established habit. Better to be ready for anything than lose even a half of a second to drawing your weapon.

"Fischl's report includes the last seen location of The Smiling Faces before they fell victim to the Library, and she has provided assessments and approximations of where they are currently active after being restored. If you want to get to some hands-on investigation, her report suggested that the largest center of activity from them was on the border between K Corp and L Corp."

⠀⠀⠀⠀No other motions drawn out from him, other than his head and gaze visibly tracking her movements. Looked like he was going to get a look at what the 'Phoenix of Hana' could do.

"I've no need for additional preparation before departure, at least. I'd rather not waste any time getting to business if possible."

⠀⠀⠀⠀And it's her chance to see what the rumored 'Walking Death' can do, up close and personal. Only the likes of the Viridian Zephyr ever got a chance for such a thing, while still being alive afterward.

[mitsuko-saito]

Mitsuko - The Angel of the Light

Name: Mitsuko Saito

Age (physical): 10 years (Mk 9), 35 years (Mk X) e 37 years (Mk 11)

Age (spiritual): 1.000.000 years

Race: Angels - Serafins/Seraphins

Realm (born): Orderealm

Realm (protects): Earthrealm e Orderealm

Weapons: The divine sword, plume adagues

Powers: Light manipulation, Earth manipulation

(Mitsuko also have healing powers, she can make her wings appear when she wants and she uses them the expel the dark forces and of the sinners)

Her clothes:

Her aesthetic (created by me):

Her story (sorry if this English is terrible, I made this from the google translator)

WARNING: abuse since childhood and a lot of violence (if you don’t like it, please skip it! Thanks)

In a small city, there was a house where a woman and three children lived. A mother named Hana Saito, and her three children, Sophia (older sister), Mitsuko (the middle sister) and Shiro (the younger brother).

They were very happy, even living inside a forest, Hana never let her children go out into the forest, and they never understood.

One day, Hana met a man, in whom Mitsuko did not have a good impression. His name was Josh, in Mitsuko's view he was never a good man.

Josh always acted strangely, until one day, Hana disappeared. And after that, Mitsuko's life began to become hell. Josh began to give her orders such as cleaning the house, being used to hurt her siblings, etc. He always asked her to do bad things... She felt so much pain and she couldn't take it anymore.

She wanted to know where her mother was, and why he always treated her badly. Always scratching her back, as if he were looking for something, until one day, Josh kicked out Mitsuko. All hurt and hopeless.

She ran into a forest near the city and took off her life, finally in peace...

Or

So was what she thought…

Mitsuko heard a sweet and feminine voice

Cetrion- poor child, that wasn't my plan for you. I'll give you a second chance to live, just like I did with Shiro. My name is Cetrion, goddess of Virtue and mother of all angels. I'll see you soon, child of the Light.

Mitsuko woke up near a Mortal Kombat tournament, she met Raiden and Liu Kang. They treated her very well. She always saw Liu Kang as her older brother.

In the middle of the tournament, she met a boy named Arien, he was a student of Shang Tsung. He didn't have a good first impression with Raiden, and he didn't have a very good reputation. But he changed sides and decided to fight with Mitsuko (if you want I can show him his story) And also, she saw that her older sister, Sophia, was working for Shao Khan, and that disappointed her a lot. I’m

In the end, she saw several champions die in front of her eyes, Raiden invited her to participate in the White Lotus. She accepted.

There she met Bo Rai'Cho and Fujin, she had a great relationship with the two. She saw Fujin as a real father to her, unlike Josh, the God of the wind said he knew her past life, of an angel named Miguel, he was an angel just like her, white hair, kind personality.

Fujin- he always helped people and also their enemies. The poor boy died as a child...

At MK10, she began doing research on her clan of angels, along with her husband Arien. She discovered that there were several species of angels on earth and Outworld. When she managed to gather the species, she became their new leader.

And also, she teamed up with Sophia to get revenge on Josh.

At Mk11, Mitsuko disappeared, leaving Arien and his daughter, Cheryl. When Kronika stopped time, she brought the child Mitsuko to the present.

To gather an army of angels against Kronika, only one angel could lead them, and the only one was Mitsuko. Then at the age of 10, she led a huge army of angels.

In the aftermath, current Mitsuko was in the void along with Fujin, Nightwolf and Shang Tsung. She found out that Shiro worked for Kronika, it infuriated her. She saw her best friend become a God of thunder and fire, and embraced him after so many years without seeing him.

She had to use her healing power to resurrect Sindel, and the rest you know. But when Mitsuko was on the boat of the Outworld champions, she was defeated by Shao Kahn and had her wings torn off and died.

When Liu Kang restarted time, she had a more peaceful life, with no deaths, no violence and no betrayals.

Tagging: @zoetheneko @aliyaaaepel3 @theelderhazelnut @tora-lotus @starneko123 @bisexualjohnnycage @lorabeyc

[meremennen]

I think my main issue with how *n*l is written in my main fandom - even with my little to none knowledge on the topic - is how unhygenic it seems? And this personal perception was only confirmed after having watched Sex Ed season 2 - which, again, is no documentary but felt so much closer to reality. So thank you for that.

[alj4890]

Angst Prompt

Requested follow-up to One Fateful Night

Part 2: The Dark Before the Dawn

A\N Sorry again for One Fateful Night’s angst. This picks up right after and goes a little into the future for Liam and those that survived the earthquake. It gets pretty dark in places and is long, but I think it ends on a hopeful note.  

@gkittylove99 @darley1101 @krsnlove @kingliam2019 @texaskitten30​ @yourmajesty09 @mom2000aggie @ofpixelsandscribbles @twinkleallnight @lodberg @sweatyrysconnoisseur @motorcitymademadame

Masterlist

The rest of the unity tour was canceled. Unable to speak his reasons why he couldn't do it, Liam left that in the hands of his father and Regina. He didn't want to face the people without Riley by his side, without Drake standing steadfast, without Maxwell's unfailing optimism, without Hana's gentle support.

He had simply lost the will to fight.

Olivia had returned with him to the palace. Neville soon followed, insisting that he would do whatever Liam needed him to. Kiara, devastated by Penelope's death had retreated back to her family estate. Rashad was sent to Domvallier to recover from his injuries. Bastien refused to take time off and was doing his duties from a wheelchair.

Liam ignored all of it. He went to his chambers and remained secluded from the world for days. He refused entry to anyone who knocked. He simply sat there staring at the few mementos he had of those he had lost.

He flipped through the photographs Maxwell had insisted on taking of the three of them through the years. He paused at the few his mother was in, wishing she was here now to tell him how to move on from something like this. She had encouraged his friendships with Maxwell and Drake, knowing he would need them to face life in the public eye.

And now he would never have them again.

Setting the old album aside, he reached for the key chain Riley had given him the night of the Coronation. Thinking of that night and their confessions of love only to be so cruelly parted...his head dropped as he carefully set it back on the table. Next he picked up the pearl he had given her. The plans and hopes they had while meeting in secret. It had helped him through every moment he was kept from her side.

He then lifted the photograph Anna had taken of them for their engagement. Liam's fingers trembled as they brushed against the image of Riley. Her smile so warm. Her eyes so filled with joy.

Reaching for a decanter, he attempted to metaphorically drown his sorrows. In one night he had lost everything he had held dear. How was he to go on from this? There was no enemy to slay, no way to find those he loved and rescue them. Nothing. Nothing except funerals to attend. Nothing but giving them to the cold, unforgiving dirt.

All he had ahead of him was visits to graveyards. He knew his father didn't have much longer to live. It would be just one more loss in his already devastated heart.

Death was what his life had become. He had feared that when his mother was poisoned. Many a night he would wake up crying at the thought of being completely and utterly alone. This long forgotten fear rose up within him, showing that it hadn't been a nightmare. It had been a premonition.

Dropping his head in his hands, he sobbed into the void that had become his only companion.

*****************

Armed with a key, Olivia forced her way into Liam's room. With the first of the many funerals coming up, she knew she needed to get him prepared. The public would be looking toward their king, needing to see him standing against the worst life could throw at him.

Her steps faltered when she saw him. He was slumped over in a chair. Empty decanters sat in front of him, a few tipped over on the table with drops of whiskey spilled out.

The tumbler he had been using had fallen to the floor. The remnants of his drink had stained the Persian rug. His clothes were rumpled. Nearly a week's growth of beard had darkened his sunken cheeks. Dark circles under his eyes completed the look of a man trying to escape his tormented thoughts.

Olivia had to harden her heart. There had always been something about Liam that brought out an unusual softness in her. But that was not what he needed. He needed order. A purpose. Something to get him to step back out in the world.

Grabbing his shoulder she shook him hard.

"Liam!" She snapped in a louder than usual tone. "Wake up!"

He opened his bloodshot eyes with a slight groan. He weakly raised a hand to his head while trying to escape her unyielding grip.

"Get ready." She ordered. "We've got things to do."

"What things?" His hoarse voice cracked.

She ignored his question.

He forced himself to focus on her bustling about gathering his clothes before going into his bathroom. He could hear her starting a shower.

She returned with a determined set to her chin. "Hurry up." She pulled him out of his chair. "We don't have all day."

He stumbled forward, catching himself against a dresser.

Olivia bit her lip as she watched him painstakingly retreat into the bathroom.

Taking a deep breath, she bent to the task of straightening his room. Her gaze fell on the objects he had been using for his only source of company. Tears sparked her eyes when she noticed the photographs.

It wasn't fair. Liam might think he was the only one to suffer with his losses, but she was just as deeply affected. They had been her friends too. A family of sorts, one of her choosing after losing her own at such a young age. She couldn't help but depend on them. Maxwell had been the chipper, up for anything brother she wouldn't have thought she needed. Drake had been her sparring partner, always keeping her wit sharp for any upcoming altercation. Riley...

How had the one she never could quite see completely as her enemy become an actual friend? She had won Liam from Olivia, and yet...and yet Olivia had been grateful. If there was anyone in this world who saw and loved Liam like she herself had, then it was Riley.

And how could she not care for someone who did as Liam deserved?

It was all for nothing. Olivia was left alone once more. Perhaps even more so than when her parents had died. At least then she had been able to lean on Liam. Now he could barely function. It was now her turn to be the one he could depend on in their friendship.

He stepped out, pulling her from her thoughts. He stood there as if at a loss of what to do, whether he should even bother putting forth an effort.

Olivia brought him a jacket and held it for him to slip on.

"We'll eat on the road." She told him, giving him a push out the door.

"Where are we going?" He asked.

"A few places." She told him. She glanced back behind her where Regina had remained out of sight. The worry on the Queen Mother's face eased some at seeing Liam out of his room. She nodded gratefully to Olivia before retreating in the shadows to report this small success to Constantine.

****************

Liam stared out the window as Olivia drove him through the capital. He ignored the people going about their day as if the world had not stopped. He didn't bother to focus as he used to on the state of the roads or on some of the older, historical buildings.

He simply didn't care. He figured it was only a matter of time before these things were taken from him too. The terrorists were probably lying in wait for when they could destroy the last of what had once meant something to him.

"I don't suppose you've spoken to anyone at the hospital." Olivia said, cutting through the oppressive silence.

Liam merely shook his head.

She waited in the hopes he would ask about Hana and Madeleine. She needed to see that the old, kind to a fault Liam was still there, only buried amongst his immense sorrow.

The silence stretched once more between them.

"I have." She said, fighting against tears of frustration.

He didn't move. He simply stared out the passenger window.

Her grip on the steering wheel tightened. "Madeleine's recovery is slow yet steady. The doctors believe though that her fair skin will always be marked with scars."

Liam didn't even blink.

Olivia grit her teeth. "Hana though has not been having an easy time."

Liam stiffened somewhat at that.

Olivia pressed on. She was determined to get him talking. Hopefully once he started he could get rid of the despair that was destroying him.

"Her parents want to take her home to Singapore but the doctors don't believe she is strong enough yet." She swallowed down her own lump of emotion. "When she was told of...of..."

Liam finally face forward. "Told of everyone dying on us? Told that I had failed in saving anyone?" His bitterness slashed across Olivia's stuttered denial at that last one. "Told that her life would never be the same again?"

"Liam, you--"

"I don't want to hear it." He responded.

"You must!" She yelled, hitting her steering wheel in her anger.

Liam didn't flinch. He didn't act like he had even heard her.

"Hana needs you! Madeleine does too." She turned into the hospital parking lot. "We all need you to--"

"To what?" He roared. "Give more empty promises that we will get through this? That we will find our way back?" He jerked his seatbelt off. "I respect them too much to lie to them. The last thing they need is a broken man trying to rally their spirits." He opened the door. "Find someone else, Olivia. I'm not the man they need."

"You are!" She scrambled out, tears falling down her cheeks unheeded. "Liam, we all need you right now. Friday is the first set of funerals. We need you there to help us say goodbye."

Liam walked off without a word.

"Liam, please!" She pleaded, chasing after him. "Even if you can't speak during the service, let those of us who love you help you."

He paused before gently pulling his arm out of her grip. "I'm sorry, but I can't do what you ask of me." His bright blue eyes were filled with tears as he raised them to hers. "I'm done, Olivia."

"Liam, you're allowed to grieve." She reached for his hands. "Take as long as you need. But your friends and country need to grieve with you."

"They won't after I inform them of my decision." He took a deep breath. "I'm giving it up."

"Giving what up?" She asked.

"Everything. The crown. The throne." He looked about. "I'm leaving this country and moving somewhere that isn't filled with memories."

"You can't!" Olivia grabbed the lapels of his jacket, shaking him in desperation. "You can't let the terrorists win! We--"

"Why not?" He bit out. "They might be the right rulers for Cordonia. My legacy has been nothing but death. My brother gave it all up because the pressures were slowly killing him. My mother died trying to do what was right. My father gave up the crown because he is dying. I've done nothing but bring death and destruction to those I love the most." He gripped her wrists and wrenched them from his jacket. "I can't do it anymore."

"Yes, you can." She followed him when he walked off again. "Just try a little longer."

He laughed bitterly. "Try? Why? My reign is already marked with uncertainty. I'm a king without a queen or heir." He released a deep frustrated breath. "What's the point, Liv? Every time I try, I get knocked down. Losing...losing Riley, Drake, and Maxwell..." He shook his head. “It is too much.”

"Promise me you won't decide anything today." Olivia pleaded. "Please?"

He ran his hands over his face. He looked up as if for divine intervention before nodding. "I won't hold the press conference today."

"Good." She relaxed some. She knew now that she would have to fight him these next few weeks over his decision. The last thing she wanted to see was his giving up on his destiny in the midst of his grief.

Slipping her arm into the bend of his she tugged him toward the hospital.

*******************

"Come in." Hana called out.

She didn't want anymore visits from her parents but couldn't bring herself to tell them. Hearing that her marriage prospects were now completely gone due to her injury had done nothing but bring her further into depression. Did they not see that what she had lost was so much worse than the lower half of her left leg?

Her dearest friends, her best friends, those that knew her better than anyone on earth were gone.

And I didn't get to say goodbye. I didn't get a chance to save them. Nothing.

Olivia smiled softly at Hana. "I brought a surprise."

Hana sat up straighter when she saw Liam sheepishly appear.

A sob burst from her lips as she reached for him to hug.

Liam's Adam's apple bounced a few times as he struggled to swallow his sorrow. He couldn't ignore her need for comfort and hurried over to hug her. Olivia quietly stepped out so they could grieve in privacy.

"Oh Liam!" Hana cried against his shoulder. "I'm so sorry." She clutched the material of his leather jacket, wishing they would all wake up and realize this was nothing but a dream. 

"I'm sorry." He choked out. "I couldn't save them." His tears began to fall freely. "I failed them, Hana. I failed you. I failed everyone!"

She pulled back and gently cupped his face. Blinking through her tears she shook her head. "You didn't fail any of us, Liam. You saved me and Madeleine. Bastien. Rashad and--"

He clung to her. "What am I to do now? Hana, you know I can't face life without Riley. How can I go on after this?"

"I don't know." Hana hugged him again. "But you know Riley wouldn't want us giving up on life." She glanced down at her legs under the blankets. "No matter how hard it is, she would encourage us to keep fighting."

"Hana, Riley was my life. My heart." He lowered his head into his hands. "She was my strength to keep moving forward no matter what was thrown at us."

Hana reached from some tissues, sharing a few with him. "I know. She gave me the bravery I needed to tell my parents that I was more than a marriage prospect for some noble. Now..." Her breath hitched. "Now I don't know what I am or what to do."

Liam moved off her bed and collapsed in one of the chairs by her bed. "What are we going to do?"

Her hand found his. "We help each other. Isn't that what we would hope Riley, Maxwell, and Drake would do if they had lived and you and I had died?"

He wished that had been the case. Not Hana, but that he had been the one Death had come for. He would gladly switch places with them, anything to escape this unending ache in his heart.

He felt Hana's hand squeeze his.

He looked up and saw her trying to be brave for his sake.

Liam didn't know if he could. "I've been thinking of abdicating."

Her lips parted in shock. "Abdicating!"

"Everywhere I turn there is a memory of them." He explained. "I..." He gave up speaking.

"They wouldn't want you doing that, Liam." She reminded him.

He knew she was right, but he couldn't think of moving on as if his very heart had not been ripped from his chest.

"They say when a person loses a loved one that they should wait a year before making a big decision." Hana said, lacing her fingers with his. "Maybe that is what we both should do. My parents want me to go back to Singapore, and I've been tempted to so I won't be reminded of everything."

Liam slowly nodded. "I wouldn't blame you if you did move back home."

"I think what I need is to be with you. Olivia. Madeleine. All of those we still have." She tried to explain. "I need those memories, no matter how much they hurt, to help me heal."

Seeing that he didn't know how to take her advice she gently squeezed his hand again. "Why don't we wait on any decision and just try to get through these next few days."

He eyed her suspiciously. "Did Olivia tell you to say something like that?"

Hana felt her first laugh in over a week burst out. It sounded hollow, as if her body had forgotten how to make the joyful sound. "She might intimidate me at times, but no, she didn't put me up to this."

His lips curved somewhat before settling once more into a thin line. He knew from her words and Olivia's that no one would accept his abdication.

*****************

Madeleine did her best to look presentable. She picked up the small mirror she had insisted be left on the small bedside table. Her eyes touched on the angry, red scars gracing her face and head. Her arm and legs bore others that were long and jagged.

Taking a deep breath, she fluffed the hair that had not been lost in the deep gashes to her scalp. Refusing to give in to the need to cry over something she had no control over, she smoothed her covers and waited to greet her king.

Olivia had shared with her what he wanted to do. Madeleine knew what the fiery duchess wanted her to say and act when she saw him. But she thought she knew how best to respond.

With plan in place, she looked up when she heard a knock to her door.

Liam came in at her bidding him to do so.

He didn't pause in his walk to her bedside like so many did when they first saw the extent of her injuries. She felt her proud façade crack at that. Only Liam would be kind enough to pretend there was nothing unusual about her current hideous state.

Her own parents had handled it horribly. Her mother had been unable to look directly at her without bursting into tears. Her father had bemoaned the fact that she hadn't been able to trap either prince or any other well standing noble before her looks were destroyed.

Just what any young woman needed to hear when awakening from a near death experience.

Liam bowed over her hand while placing a kiss upon her scarred knuckles. "My lady, forgive me for not checking on you sooner."

Madeleine swallowed before asking him to sit. "How have you been?"

His red eyes lifted to hers. "How do you think I've been? I've lost three people I loved. The country lost them along with Penelope and her family. Portivira is destroyed. The Sons of the Earth burned the royal orchard." He slumped in his seat. "I've lost everything, Madeleine."

"Not everything." She corrected. "I know I'm not Riley or Drake or Maxwell." She grimaced at trying to find the right words. "But I am here for you in whatever capacity you need."

"Thank you." He replied automatically. "Your dedication to Cordonia is to be commended."

"It's not--what I meant--" Madeleine closed her eyes briefly when tears pricked her eyes. "Liam, I meant I will be there for you. As a friend." Her nose wrinkled. "As odd as that sounds, I am sincere."

He nodded once more. "Thank you."

They both sat there lost in thought.

"Do you," he cleared his throat, "do you think I should abdicate?"

Madeleine's eyes narrowed in thought. She knew her next words could possibly be the most important of her life.

"Have you done something that could or has harmed Cordonia?"

His eyes widened some. "No."

"Do you no longer care for our people?" She asked.

"No, of course not." He muttered.

"Do you not wish to help them?"

"It isn't anything like that."

"So, your reason is something more selfish." Her green eyes hardened when they met his. "Like Leo, you decide to walk away when ruling becomes too much work."

Liam got to his feet. "It isn't like Leo's reasons! I lost the woman I was to marry. My best friends! Everywhere I turn I am haunted by what was and what could have been. How can I possibly fight Cordonia's enemies when I've lost my sources of strength?"

Madeleine sniffed dismissively. "Every person has lost someone that was their support. If everyone gave up when that happens then this world would crumble to dust."

Liam took a step back from her cold tone. "Madeleine, don't you--"

"Don't I what? Miss any of them? Are saddened by their deaths?" She allowed her sorrow to show. "Of course I do. I might not have been thrilled to be tossed over for Riley, but I would have had to be a blind fool to not notice what she did for you and Cordonia. The same for Maxwell and Drake."

Liam sat back down. "Then what do you think I should do?" He looked down while his bottom lip trembled. "Riley made me a better king."

"Then by all means think of her when you must make a decision." Madeleine told him. "Liam, for whatever reason, fate has placed you as King of Cordonia. You." She stressed. "We've all known you were the better ruler when Leo was our crown prince. It is a great burden, but one that you've never hesitated to carry."

He ran a hand over his eyes. "I wanted to do what I could for the country."

Her lips eased into an approving smile. "As all rulers should be." Reaching over, she patted his shoulder. "I know it won't be easy, but I can't think of anyone better to guide us into the future."

"I feel so lost." He admitted to her. "How can I guide anyone when I no longer have the ones who were my own compass?"

"You'll find a way." She said with certainty. "It may take time, but you will."

He sighed before running his hands through his hair. "I'm so sorry, Madeleine."

"For what?" She asked. "The earthquake was something no one could stop."

"I know." He stood up. "But I'm still sorry."

She nodded in acceptance.

Liam kissed her hand once more and promised to do better checking on her and Hana as he left her room.

Madeleine slumped back against her pillows when her door clicked shut. Tears trickled down her cheeks as she hoped she had somehow said the right thing to him.

Turning to bury her face in her pillows, she allowed the tears to be for herself, Liam, and those they had lost.

******************

That afternoon, Liam departed from Olivia and insisted taking a walk by himself. He went to the private beach and slipped out of his shoes and socks. Rolling up the cuffs of his pants, he began to walk slowly along the shore, allowing the waves to roll over his feet.

He flipped his collar up when the early fall breeze blew by, hinting at an incoming cold spell. He thought it served his mood perfectly. The summer that had once been his world had ended, bringing the cold cruel reality to crash down upon him.

His happily ever after had truly been a dream not meant for the real world. He should have known that he couldn't bring a fairy tale to life. It couldn't survive the cruelness of fate.

He continued his stroll while thinking of his visits with Olivia, Hana, and Madeleine. His conversations with them had only paused his decision. Even if he were to wait as long as Hana suggested before abdicating, what good would it do? He would still be unable to regain what he had lost.

"Liam?"

He paused and turned to see his father walking towards him.

"May I join you?" Constantine asked.

Liam gave a brisk nod before focusing once more on the waves lapping at his feet.

They walked on in silence for a spell. Constantine glanced every so often at Liam’s face, searching for any word that could possibly help his son.

"Who is next in line to the throne?"

Constantine stopped in his tracks. "Who is next in line?" His eyes narrowed in concern. "Why do you ask?"

Liam shrugged. "Shouldn't an unmarried, childless ruler know these things?"

"Son, you have your whole life stretched before you. Give yourself time to grieve and heal. Then--"

"My enemies are at the door." Liam snapped. "Even if I somehow survive them and whatever next hell Cordonia thrusts me into, I will still be without a wife or heir."

Constantine gestured weakly toward a set of lounging chairs. "Sit with me for a moment."

Liam's brief burst of anger turned to resignation when he noticed his father's trembles. Placing an arm around him, he helped ease Constantine down.

Liam took the chair next to his and focused on the ocean. He wondered how he could still find such beauty in it when it had been the final place Riley and Drake had lived.

"I'm going to abdicate, Father." He stated.

Liam was surprised by the silence that followed his declaration. He expected his father to be pleading with him to reconsider or furious for even thinking it.

Instead, he found his father looking more sympathetic than he had ever appeared before.

"I made the same decision when your mother was taken from me." Constantine admitted softly.

Liam's eyes widened. "You did?"

"Yes." He cleared his throat. "Your mother was everything to me." His gaze became distant as he was once again in the past. "She was life itself, my strength." His lips curved into a bitter smile. "She never held back her thoughts and opinions on how we should rule." He met Liam's eyes. "I loved her with my entire heart."

Liam ran his hands down his face. "What," his voice was raspy, "what made you decide to remain king?"

"I'm afraid it wasn't one out of duty or believing anyone needed me." Constantine admitted. "My reasons were purely selfish. I knew the only way to find the ones who took my Eleanor from me was to be in absolute power." His hand balled into a fist at the memories. "For years, vengeance kept me focused on my kingly duties."

"When did it change?" Liam asked.

"It was actually you that opened my eyes."

"Me?" Liam's brow furrowed. "What did I do?"

"You were ten years old." Constantine's lips curved into a tender, proud smile. "Leo was his usual, rebellious self. He had just turned sixteen and was supposed to attend his first official ball. He was trying to get out of it when he found out he would be obligated to dance with every visiting nobles’ daughter, regardless of how attractive they were."

Liam's eyes narrowed as he tried to recall that night.

"As I was walking past the ballroom, I heard your gentle, yet firm correction to his behavior. You were reminding him what a good prince was supposed to do. Be there for his subjects. Kind. Understanding. Sacrificial." He chuckled again. "It was just the slap to the face I needed."

Liam slumped back in his chair. "That ideal is meaningless."

Constantine slowly nodded. "If I had heard it after your mother died, I would have dismissed it too." He reached over and placed his hand on top of his son's. "Time doesn't necessarily heal all wounds, but it does help in how we view them." He swallowed. "There were years where the very thought of your mother brought me to my knees. Her loss was like a festering wound that never eased."

Liam knew that feeling all too well.

"But now, though I miss her just as much as I did before; my memories of her bring me comfort." He squeezed Liam's hand. "They make me grateful for every single second I was allowed with her."

Liam blew out a shaky breath. "Well, unfortunately I can't find and fight the earthquake that took Riley. I don't see the point in being king for revenge."

"True." Constantine nodded. "But Riley, Drake, and Maxwell believed in you. They went on the unity tour for you, for your reign to be successful. Not for themselves. Not for Cordonia. All because they thought you and you alone were worthy to be king."

Liam swallowed a few times as stray tears fell from his blue eyes. "I don't deserve it. I didn't deserve their faith or..." He huffed while wiping his eyes. "I'm not worth it."

"They would say you are." Constantine swung his legs to the side and pushed himself up. "You remaining king is a way to honor them and their efforts to help you be the best one you can be."

Liam pressed his palms to his eyes as a sob tore through him. When he felt his father's arms come around him, he buried his head against his shoulder while shaking with his cries.

Constantine gently rubbed his back while promising he was there for him. That he wouldn't have to go through this alone, that he had him, Regina, and those of his friends that had survived.

Liam clung to him, unable to speak.

Father and son clung to each other as the sun set.

********************

The next few weeks had Liam attending and speaking at the funerals of those that were no longer with them. He didn't bother to try and mask his heartache in front of his people. The nation was touched by his honesty and mourned with their young king.

Constantine and Regina remained by his side. Olivia and Neville traveled with him to each graveyard. Hana and Madeleine were allowed to attend some of the funerals. Rashad stuck by their sides, even helping to push Hana's wheelchair.

Seeing them each time he took the podium reminded him of why he was doing this. His father's words about honoring his beloved and best friends gave him the strength to speak of the type of people they had been.

He didn't know how he got through those first few weeks. Though it took a great effort, he forced himself to get back to his duties. Routine helped him remain focused on what he needed to do and gave him opportunities to continue to grieve.

The rest of the unity tour was canceled. Liam instead spent his efforts in rebuilding Portivira and in replanting the apple orchard. Out of respect and because he couldn't stand the thought of a ball without Riley, he canceled the rest of the year's planned balls and palace events.

With little chance to catch the king in a position that would bring about his downfall, the Sons of the Earth were soon desperate and making foolish decisions to attack during the daylight. Many were rounded up by Bastien's elite task force. Anton was found holed up in a long forgotten Nevarkis stronghold and died in a shootout with the king's guards.

After months of turmoil and uncertainty, Cordonia was once again in a state of peace.

Constantine lived long enough to see it come about. With his sons and wife at his bedside, he quietly passed away after telling them each how much he loved them.

Liam kept working. After two years, he hosted his first ball, an engagement one for Rashad and Hana. He had smiled and gave a sweet toast to the couple, all while remembering his own happiness he had once had with Riley.

As the years went by, he was able to think back on Riley, Drake, and Maxwell with a soft smile on his face.

Then the fifth year as king, he was approached by Madeleine.

"Liam, I think it's time for you to host another social season with potential suitors."

A denial rose to his lips.

She held up her hand to silence it. "I know, but you need an heir."

"There is already an heir. The throne goes to Olivia if I die."

"Liam." She huffed. "The crown needs to be stable. The people want to see you happy with a family." She shrugged her shoulders. "Cordonians are a sentimental bunch."

A family. That had been his heartfelt wish for years. Could he do that? Have one without his Riley?

"I will think about it." He conceded.

Madeleine smiled at him. "Good." She curtsied and left him alone.

Liam rocked back in his desk chair. He lifted his eyes to the ceiling.

"My love," he whispered. "What should I do? You were the only one I could ever picture myself marrying. Mother to my children." His brow creased. "Am I ready to try to find something that can’t possibly compare to what I had with you?"

He closed his eyes, wishing he could find the answer.

"Liam, dear?"

He opened his eyes and looked up at Regina.

She smiled warmly at him. "You fell asleep. Dinner is ready."

He apologized and rose to follow her out.

He halted mid step as the afternoon sun glinted on Regina's silver hair. The answer he needed was right there. He looked back up to the heavens.

His lips curved softly. "I understand. Though no one can ever compare to you, perhaps I can have the kind of luck my father had."

[a-strange-inkling]

SASUSAKU Month Day 6: Sharp Edges

Rating: T (for language)

Summary: “Sakura-chan’s got lots of prospects, but she’s all sharp edges and none of them can get through unscathed.” he told him, giving her a smirk. (Road to Ninja AU, Sequel to Patterns, part of the 2nd Chapter of a story I’ve been working on)

Chapter Two:

Brotherly Love

Outside of missions, Sakura had avoided Sasuke. For many reasons, but the most primary being that she wasn’t sure he fully believed her when she told him that she hated him that night in the woods when certain things occurred that she didn’t want to think about. It wasn’t hard to do, he had other prospects in rotation, there was always a different girl saying goodbye to him at the bridge before their squad left for missions. This time it was some civilian girl, a tall one, almost as tall as him with assets the size of pumpkins.

Sakura sat on the railing, legs crossed, reading the fourth book of the Arrangement series where all her investment rightly belonged. Though, she might have noticed him give the random girl, who was not the same one from a week ago, a peck on the lips before she skipped merrily along.. Sakura knew it was wrong to notice the thickness of girl’s calves, or to think that she was a little old to be skipping around like that, but both thoughts did cross her mind. She couldn’t control thoughts crossing her mind, could she? No.

“Morning, Sakura.” she heard Sasuke say, as he leaned on the railing beside her with a content sigh.

“Morning.” she replied shortly, keeping her attention on her book, all the while thinking how unfair it was. He was kissing girls right in front of her and now that she knew Menma had feelings for her, she couldn’t give him a friendly peck on the cheek or harmlessly flirt to get back at him. Apparently she had a moral compass and had to be considerate of people’s feelings while Sasuke got to do whatever the hell he wanted.

She scowled behind the shield of her book at the thought, when she felt his gloved hand gently pat her bare knee. “How are things?” he asked. “Haven’t seen you in a while.”

“Fine.” she said simply, pivoting her body away from him.

“That’s good… What are you doing tonight?” he asked.

“Not you.” she told him airily.

“Your loss,” he replied with a shrug. “But, not where I was going, my mom wanted me to invite you guys over for dinner tonight.”

She perked up a little at that, Menma was off the table, but maybe she could go back to some older tactics. “Will Itachi be home?”

“No.” he replied firmly, his whole demure changing. “He’s still away visiting his fiance’s family.”

“Hmm, fiancé,” she pondered. “Not wife.”

Sasuke shook his head at her, not at all amused.

“Bummer, I can’t make it,” she replied, getting back to her reading.

“Why not?” he asked.

For one thing, his sexy, older, and far more intelligent brother was not going to be there. Also, he could be bringing that pumpkin hauling giraffe to dinner as well. Alright, she admitted that was a bit uncalled for, but she still wasn’t going to be trapped at a table where she couldn’t ignore his playboy antics.

“I’m busy.” she replied. “...Also, family dinners are not my thing.”

“I know.” he said, his voice softer than before, more sympathetic.

“Don’t.” she warned.

“Don’t what?” he asked, already sounding tired.

“Don’t pity me.”

“Kami, Sakura, I wasn’t!”

“Right.” she didn’t like when he went all soft like that. She didn’t like how it made her feel, nor did she know what to do about it.

So, by default, she was a bitch.

“Fine… I’ll just tell my mom you turned down the offer because you hate her cooking.”

She lowered the book with a threatening glare. “Don’t you dare bring your mother into this.”

Sasuke beamed brightly. He knew far too many of her weaknesses. “It’ll probably make her cry, you know how sensitive she is.”

She looked skyward to the heavens. She would have liked to think that was an exaggeration, but she knew Mikoto-san well enough to know that could very well be the case. “Why so keen that I come?”

“I’ve missed you.” he shrugged again.

“Your new friend going to be there?” she asked before she could stop herself.

“Why?” he asked smugly. “Would that bother you?”

“No, why would it?” she asked calmly, a cool shrug of her shoulders. “I was just wondering.”

“If you say so.” he grinned up at her. “She won’t be there, squad members only.”

She hated the relief that she felt, but managed to turn back to her novel with a curt nod. “Alright, fine.”

“Great.” he smiled. “She’s already making your favorite.”

…

“Aren’t you going to go in, Sakura-chan?” Menma asked, coming to stand beside her, a bouquet of flowers in his hand. She had been waiting for him at the gate of the Uchiha Compound, because she was not going in by herself. Fugaku intimidated her, Mikoto overwhelmed her with her concern and kindness, and Sasuke was Sasuke.

“Didn’t want to go in alone.” she confessed.

“Great, cause I didn’t either,” he breathed in relief. Social gatherings of any kind were also not his sort of thing, but for a completely different reason.

She glanced down at his pretty array of flowers and suddenly felt stupid. She hadn’t thought to bring a hostess gift.

“Damn it.” she stomped her foot and crossed her arms.

“W-what?” Menma asked. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing you did, Menma-kun.” she told him with a huff. “You’re so thoughtful, I didn’t think to even bring anything for Mikoto-san.”

“Oh, well,” he looked down at the floral arrangement. “That’s easy, here.” he divided the flowers and gave half to her.

“No, that’s not fair,” she shook her head and placed up a hand.

“It’s okay, Sakura-chan.” he insisted, pushing the flowers up to her chest, being uncharacteristically bold this evening. “I didn’t even think to, my mom did, she bought the flowers herself. What are teammates for if not to help each other out?” he asked with a beaming smile.

She smiled back, accepting his offer. She liked Menma, she really did. He was quiet and thoughtful and really would make somebody a wonderful boyfriend. He was easily the most amiable of all her classmates and would probably be a good match for her harsh demeanor, as he never brought out that side to her. Plus, he already liked her... so why not pursue him?

Because, you’re in love with me. Sasuke’s unwelcomed voice rang in the back of her head, making her face fall.

That was not the reason. She was not in love with him. That was insane. She didn’t even like him. As she said, to his face, she hated him. She simply didn’t see Menma that way, that’s all. That didn’t mean by default that she was in love with Sasuke.

Together they walked the cobbled path and crossed the threshold into the Uchiha compound. The smells emitting from the house wafted around their noses pleasantly. Shogayki. They really were making her favorite meal.

“Sakura-chan!” Mikoto greeted happily, taking them both by the arm. “And Menma-kun too! Come in! Come in!”

“Hello, Mikoto-san,” Sakura replied warily. She loved Mikoto-san, she did, but the Uchiha matron often overwhelmed her with her affection and motherly concern. It wasn’t that it wasn’t appreciated, but Sakura was set in her parentless ways, and it was always difficult when someone tried to fill the void that could never be filled. “Thank you for having us.” she said as she and Menma both held out their flowers to her.

“Oh!” Mikoto cried, speechless, accepting her gifts. “These are lovely! I must arrange these in a vase!”

With that she was away, down the hall, but before either Sakura or Menma could panic too much about being left alone with no instruction, Sasuke emerged from around the corner, dressed even more casually than usual. “Hey.” he said with a shrug, shoving his hands in his baggy pockets.

Sakura raised a brow. He seemed a little off, not his usual smug self. Quite a difference from his mood early that day.

“Hey, Sasuke.” Menma greeted. “You okay?”

“Yeah, sure. Come on, we’re eating out on the patio.” he said, leading them out to the yard where lights had been strung and the table set as if she and Menma were visiting royalty.

Menma turned to Sasuke excitedly.

“Yes, Menma, you can feed the coi.” Sasuke told him, before the boy could ask, handing him a bag of flakes which the blond took and ran off toward the pond without another word. “Don’t go overboard!”

Sakura peered up at Sasuke. “What’s your problem?” she asked.

“Hey, Sakura.” he drawled sarcastically. “How are you? I’m great. Thanks for coming. You look nice.”

“Fine, be a prick.” she replied with a half shrug. “I don’t care… wait!” she turned and grinned wickedly at him. “You’re only this upset when…”

“Is that you, Sakura?” the rich, silky voice of Uchiha Itachi filled her ears, nearly making her melt where she stood. She turned over her shoulder to find him approaching from the house to join them.

“Hello, Itachi-kun.” she greeted with as much composure as she could muster. He crossed the distance between them and he took her by the arms, looking her up and down in emphasized awe. “You grow more and more beautiful every time I see you.” he told her, making her duck to hide her silly smile and burning cheeks. How quickly this night had improved. No wonder Sasuke was pouting. “How’ve you been?”

“I’m well, thank you.” she told him, glancing over at Sasuke with an amused grin. “I had no idea you were going to be here tonight.”

“None of us did.” Sasuke pointed out in an overly cheery voice. “He surprised us.”

“Yes, I’ve been summoned by the Hokage, quite unexpectedly,” he said. “Cutting my time with Hana’s family short, unfortunately.”

“Oh, will your lovely fiancé be joining us this evening?” Sakura inquired, tilting her head innocently.

“No, it was best she remained at her family’s summer residence, she doesn’t get to spend a lot of time with them these days.”

“Shame.” she replied serenely, noticing Sasuke look skyward from the corner of her eye. Itachi was not only sophisticated and devastatingly handsome, but he also loved to dote on her to get under Sasuke’s skin, just as much as she loved to fawn over him. It was a mutually beneficial relationship.

“And you?” he asked her. “Any romantic prospects for the lovely Haruno Sakura these days?”

“Not at the moment.” she replied with a shake of her head.

“Well, that does not make any sense.” he raised an elegant brow, inclining his head towards his brother cockily, quite aware he was the superior of the two in her eyes. “Does it, Sasuke? Sakura is too beautiful and talented to not have any suitors.”

Sasuke scoffed, his gaze sliding from Itachi’s to hers. Sakura, cursing herself, could feel heat climbing up the back of her neck all the way to the tips of her ears. She was glad she wore her hair down.

“Sakura-chan’s got lots of prospects, but she’s all sharp edges and none of them can get through unscathed.” he told him, giving her a smirk.

“It seems all the good ones are taken already, Itachi-kun.” she lamented, ignoring the younger Uchiha with a slight shrug of the shoulders.

“Ah, just as well.” Itachi sighed wistfully, taking a bold step toward her. “Age and duty may separate us, Sakura, but I must admit I would still be quite jealous of whoever wins your heart.” He concluded with a slight touch of her chin with the curl of his forefinger, much to both her and Sasuke’s surprise, before continuing on his way.

Even for their teasing banter, that was a bit much for Sakura to handle and she let out a small manic giggle, staring after him with a small bite to the corner of her lip.

“He is so cool.” Menma breathed, watching in awe from across the way, as all the coi flakes fell into the pond, slipping from the bag that went slack in his hand. If only he could charm Sakura-chan like that.

“Smooth.” Sasuke commented from behind, making her turn back to him. Now she was the one with the smile. There was no losing for her in this situation, only for him.

It was all really childish for her, but those weekly girls kept dancing around in her head with their flowers and kisses from him and she found she didn’t care.

“Come on, Sasuke, I thought you weren’t the jealous type.”

His gaze narrowed slightly at that, because they both knew that wasn’t the case when it came to Itachi. Everyone took his older brother seriously and saw him as the most exceptional shinobi, Sasuke no matter what he did or how he progressed was just the unfocused playboy, having little to no regard for his studies or his future. There was some real deep rooted family issues there that Sasuke never addressed and probably never would.

“What?” she asked him. “I’m not allowed to flirt with anyone?”

“No, not anyone.” Sasuke told her. “Just not my brother.”

She didn’t like the finality in his voice, it sounded as if he had some real say in the matter.

“Or Menma, it seems.” she pointed out. “So, just whom am I allowed to flirt with?”

“Tch.” his mask hadn’t really been on securely that evening, granted, but now it was slipping and she could see just how agitated he was.

Good. The not so nice side of her subconscious could not help but sneer.

“You know, this ploy between the two of you was amusing at first, but it’s really just getting old.” He told her, quick to go back into hiding behind his smug ass persona. “You going to keep it up after he’s married too? I’m sure Hana will appreciate it.”

“Oh, relax.” she scolded him. “It’s harmless fun.”

“Yeah, I can see you get a real kick out of it.”

“A girl can dream, can’t she?” she replied. Yes, that was a nice blow to the teeth. Now for a knee to the balls. “But don’t worry, Sasuke, I know I’m not good enough for Itachi.”

Sasuke’s brows raised high, while she just smiled sweetly back, knowing she had just set of a detonator in his brain. It would take a minute for him to unscramble. She was getting good at this verbal sparring, soon she could be kicking his ass in this arena like she did on the training grounds.

“I mean, really, who is?”

Bet you wished you brought your pumpkin hauling giraffe now? She thought to herself, watching him work quickly to counter the attack. Too low, too far maybe? The nicer side of her subconscious suggested. Huh? Sakura didn’t hear from her too often, and never when Sasuke was around.

She was suddenly aware of the gravity of his gaze, he looked like he wanted to throw her off a cliff or kiss her. She wasn’t sure which. She felt some panic stirring at her core and grew agitated.

There was no losing tonight, or did she forget?

“Here’s an idea, Sakura.” he pointed out, far too calm after that low blow for her liking. “If you really wanted to make me jealous, why don’t you flirt with someone you actually have feelings for.”

It was her turn to be dumbfounded.

“Oh wait,” he said with mock realization. “You can’t.”

[scenariosofkonoha]

ehy! some headcanons with kiba? your choice! thank you💕

Hello Clippers! Really anything I want?? *blushes* Well… it’s not a usual topic I suppose. I took somethings that had been rattling around in my head about what Kiba experiences when it comes to his nose. I hope that is okay, if it isn’t I’ll totally fix something else up for you. But I really hope you like it, it was a new and fun experience! ~ Admin Little Lace 🎀

Kiba Scent Headcanons 

The nose of an Inuzuka clan member is as much as blessing as it is a curse. It is wonderful to be able to locate an enemy nin from 100 yards away and all. But it wasn’t wonderful to continuously ‘experience’ someone’s body odor.

From a young age Kiba was taught to center his chakra better so not to be exposed to every scent under the sun. The process of stopping the flow of chakra to his nose is tedious. His efforts never seeming to remove the overwhelming torrent of smells completely. The young Inuzuka often become frustrated.

Sensing his frustration his mother and her companion to to help his training.

“Each scent is different,” Kuromaru’s deep voice rumbled. “Each distinct in its own way,”“The ‘smell’ of something is made up of different scents,” his mother added. Her brash manner softer as she explained. “Don’t think of it as something huge. Break the smell down into individual scents.”

With their advice in mind, little Kiba discovers the full scale of the ability. Odors that once consumed him invited him into soft and strong notes that created them.

If dinner were cooking he could smell the the different vegetables boiling. The aroma of chicken stock and the twinge of char from the meat being over done.

People, in his opinion, were by far the most interesting. Everyone was comprised of so many different scents, he could get lost in them. They are hard to distinguish at first. All of them muddled together. He had never given it much thought before, but people came into contact with so many different scents throughout the day.

It isn’t until he is paired with Akamaru that he is ale to identify the myriad of fragrances within the Leaf.

“Blood,” Akamaru remarked from on top of his head. Kiba tilted his head, as if to look up the pup“Huh?”“Over there,” the youngest Inuzuka felt a paw knead into the right side of his head. Following the feeling, he saw a group of shinobi walking into the village gates. Taking short inhales through his nose the smell grew stronger. A metallic scent, copper kinda, but warm like meat Soon Akamaru wouldn’t have to point it out. A mental note of ninja smelling of blood files away in the boy’s head.

As the partner’s bond, they begin to classify familiar scents. Food is always easy, the aroma of each memorable but they start to recognize the smell of certain medicinal herds, ash of a detonated paper bomb, and various types of woods and metals.

Soon it becomes a game for the partners, the boy and the ninken challenging one another to spot the source of their new discoveries. Seeing this Hana shares wisdom with her brother.

“You can tell a lot about a person from the way they smell.” the older girl tells her juniors one day. “What they do, who their friends are, who they consider an enemy. Even, at times, insecurities and their inner most feelings. Most don’t think about it, worrying only if they stink or not. Because of this, it is a good way to learn about them.”“How do you do that?” Kiba asked skeptically.“Take all the little things, understand the scents and where they come from. Soon it will give you clues, creating a story. Being able to decipher the clues, building the story, is a sign of a good tracker.”

Between Akamaru’s skill of scent isolation and Kiba’s recall, the pair test out the theory. With each person they encounter they register their scent committing each detail to memory.

It is an easy start at first. The Inuzuka share a familial scent. Most clan members share the scent of their companions. An earthy mix of musk and sunshine. But his immediate family have minor differences.

His sister was a hive of small ‘clues’. Being a vet, she often smelled of other ninken, though not as strong as that of her three partners. But each smell was muted under a cover of salve and disinfectant. His mother’s was note as tame, hers was a loud as she was. The smell of Kuromaru only tainted with the coating of blood and metal.

Those had been simple to spot he knew them. His new team members however were all together different. They were not prominent. Hinata’s only barely registering unless he was close to her. Most girl’s in his class smelt of flowers, she was no different. But the Hyuga’s didn’t feel quite right. Her smell seemed trapped like a house with no windows. Kiba would liken it to flowers pressed inside of the pages of an old dusty book. It makes him uncomfortable and a little sad, bring him to invite her out more often.

What he couldn’t figure out though is why she would sometimes smell like ramen…

Shino owned a scent that was oddly neutral. If he weren’t actively looking for him, he won’t notice it. Sometimes he misses it even when he is looking for him.

Akamaru thinks the insect harboring nin smells like herbs and grass. A soft woodsy air like he is outside all the time. After a while, Kiba can tell where his peer has been by what kind of woods he reeks of. If it is of a cleaner sort, he has been by the cliffs. A deeper more earth tone?  He has been by the village gate.

Kurenai is different than most woman in Konoha, in that she doesn’t smell like flowers at all. His sensei is like a breeze of air on a rainy day. The clean sense owning an under current of something headier. Sandalwood perhaps? The two mingled in a ashen bouquet. Like smoke but not from a fire. In his young age, he is not sure why.

His new found skill makes it easier to find his friends around the village. All of them has something that makes them different from their family or they people they were around.  For instance, all the Yamanaka’s smelling of flowers but Ino exclusively of bush clover. And both Lee and Guy-sensei always smelling faintly of sweat (Or maybe the power of youth??) but Guy’s scent being ‘spicier’ for lack of a better term.

Sometimes the jutsu a shinobi uses changes their scent, the Inuzuka would soon discover. Kakashi-sensei often hosts one of warm static and singed fabric. While the genin would learn that Asuma was an overwhelming swarm of ash as if 1,000 paper bombs had gone off. That paired with the cigar smoke finally laid to rest the mystery of his mentor’s fragrance.

While few Kiba would come into contact with owned a “quiet” or “muted scents” like that of his team, a trait for sensory types he supposed. Others were “loud” and “Overbearing”. Now that wasn’t a bad thing in the case of Ayame and Teuchi, it was a pleasure to smell the best ramen in the land of fire on them. It was not the case with Naruto.

Kiba does not like they way Naruto smells. Not that the boy stinks per se. He and Akamaru can only describe it as…much. However possible, whether it be by clones or sheer effort, the blonde-nin smells of the entire Village.

Ichiraku Ramen, grass, flowers, ash, metal, static, medical herbs, bath house water, static, cup ramen, ninken and Kami only knew what else. You name it, somehow the shinobi reeked of it. It is overwhelming. Unable to explain it, and unwilling to deal with it, Kiba generally shuts the chakra away from his nose when interacting with Naruto. Even with the plethora of scents, his friend is so distinctive he can find him anywhere.

Over time new scents were added to the hidden leaf. Jiraya’s foggy essences of bath house and water lily, Tsunade’s fusion of medicine and sake. Even Captain Yamato’s torrent of fresh lumbered trees and Sai, whose could only be described as ink spilled on paper.

The shinobi’s sister had not lied when she said someone’s smell could tell who they were friends with. Over time he began to notice patterns. Shikamaru some days smelt of BBQ pork. Those were the days he trained with Choji. While others, he shared the ash and tobacco, the days he played shogi with Asuma.

Sometimes Ino smelled of cherry blossoms, while Lee and Neji smelled shared a sent of metal like that of kunai. Speaking of the elder Hyuga, he gained a small whiff of a familiar closed off smile. The change brought a smile to the Inuzuka’s face.

But not all scents brought happiness. The human body gave off different hormonal responses to emotion and instinct. As well as a scent. These were the basics that were taught from almost birth. Kiba was always aware he could smell them, his first interaction with them smelling fear coming off his father. It was a gift his mother often played on, the talent gaining her the title of the Hidden Leaf’s scariest Kunoichi.

Saddness, on the other hand, had a scent all it’s own. Generally smelt of warm salt water. A fact he had learned the day of Lord 3rd’s funeral. But he had also come to know that it was different for everyone.

Tears on Tsunade was often followed by that of sake…a lot of it. If his sister lost a patient, her scent was void of disinfectant.

The smell did not discriminate. Almost everyone in the village owned it at one time or another. Sometimes it surprised the nin. Catching it on Kakashi-sensei once, also brought the stench of copious amounts of hand soap. More that he had experienced on even a medical nin.

Now sadness and loss are very much alike. But loss manifested a little differently. When someone is gone, it is as if the origin of a scent is wiped off the planet. The day Jiraya’s smell of water lily did not return to the village, it was almost as if it left no trace. He could no longer sense it on Lady Tsunade, as sake took it’s place. Naruto’s was different.

Kiba can’t catch a scent of something if it is frozen. It’s almost as if the smell is locked inside ice as well. So he is unfamiliar with the the sickly sweet fruit-like smell on Naruto’s hands. It was almost like he had spilled a drink or something. After a while this new scent stays on the knucklehead ninja.

“There,” Akamaru points, his snout messing something something under a park bench. Taking a sniff of the air himself, Kiba caught whiff of the familiar complicated scent. Naruto. But also the sticky almost artificial smell. Kneeling slightly, the boy notices two sticks swimming in a puddle of blue. That was the day Kiba know what a Popsicle smelled like. Mentally adding the smell to the list that was his friend.

But some smells don’t go away after the origin is gone. No sometimes they linger like a familiar friend. When Asuma passed, Kurenai continued to smell like him. Kiba found it interesting. That even after months of only ever smelling sadness on her, that it had not changed. Pregnant woman gain a new layer to their smell while they are carrying their child. Kiba had learned that from his clan, it happened with Ninken as well.

But his Sensei’s essence of ash only grew stronger during the time. At one point even covering her scent of wood and rain. The Inuzuka had imagined that once she had her child that it might go away, like all the others did. But it hadn’t. The woman would forever hold the scent of her fallen lover even after Mirai came into the world. The little bundle holding the tell-tale whiff of Sarutobi ash.

As she grew, Kiba supposed, the little girl’s scent would change as well. Just as those in the village had. Hinata’s closed off smell had shed the more confident she became. It blossomed into a blend of wild flowers…with that ever present touch of ramen…

She was not the only one, all of his friends’ in the village would evolve. The flowers of the girl’s in his class would be fused in with new scents. Some familiar like ink and bush flowers. Others no so much, like potato chips and mountain air. The strange intermix, mirroring that of his sensei’s.

One day Kiba himself would find a scent that was intriguing. It was softer and not quite like flowers. But it reminded him of lazy days in the sun, and running home in the rain, with just a hint of blood. The smell would be wonderful but for some reason he will want to cover it with his own, the fusion of Akamaru and fresh linen melding well with it.

Though they are unable to experience it as he does, he can’t help but smile when cuddled into him his lover says:

“Hmmm…you smell nice.”

[riseandshinelittleblossom]

Hoping for Home Ch.2~ Friends

Summary: Sixteen years ago Libby Scott was supposed to become Queen of Cordonia, but Fate had other plans.

chapter one 

Disclaimer: I don’t own the TRR characters, they own me.

Song rec for this Chapter: “Friends” by Ed Sheeran

Taglist: @fullbeaumonty @cocomaxley  @ao719@leelee10898@speedyoperarascalparty @hopefulmoonobject @katurrade@indiacater @choiceswreckedme @ritachacha @noey718-blog@carabeth @daniv2278 @cosigottahavefaith @gibbles82 @innerpostmentality @blackcoffee85 @perfectprofessorherokid @darley1101 @jovialyouthmusic @liamxs-world @thequeenofcronuts @blznbaby

    “This is it. This is home.” Libby said gesturing around her living room as they all piled in. Will quickly took McKenzie by the hand, leading her down the hallway.

   “Door stays open, Casanova.” the ginger woman called as she hung up her coat.

  “Don't worry, Mom. I'll keep an eye on them.” Emma winked, shooting her mother double finger guns before disappearing down the hall as well.

   Drake hung his denim jacket on the hook next to Libby's and scoffed.

   “I didn't know people still did that. Except Maxwell, that is.”

   Libby faked a smile. “Follow me in here. It's not often I get help in the kitchen. You still know your way around one, I assume.”

 Drake nodded.

   “There are pots just there. We need one to make pasta.” She told him pulling spaghetti noodles and a jar of sauce from the cupboard.

    Drake grabbed the large dish and began filling it with water.

   There was a silence between them and, although it had been years since they were alone together, it was still companionable.

  Libby pulled two long neck bottles from the fridge and twisted the tops off, sliding one down the counter to where he was leaned. She pressed the bottle to her lips, taking a long pull because if she knew Drake he wouldn't sit much longer without…

   “So,” he began to address the elephant in the room. “You wanna tell me what's going on here, Scott?”

    She rolled the bottle between her hands, focusing on the chilled glass as it glanced over her fingers. She was quiet for a few more beats before she licked her lips, the memory of that night rushing over her.

************

      Las Vegas, Nevada 16 years ago

     Downstairs in the lobby, Libby had joked with Liam that a final fling would be the only way to make their combined doe/stag party complete. She never guessed in a million years that he would tell her to actually have one, so now as she laid tangled up with Maxwell in the sheets of her hotel bed she couldn't stop her head from spinning.

   It wasn't from the sex, although moments ago she came harder for Max than she ever had with anyone in her life. It was the fact that, after all they had been through together, she had finally given herself completely to the Cordonian man that had stolen her heart.

   They could never be together, that much had been made clear during her extended stay at the Beaumont estate before Liam and Madeline's engagement party. Libby was here to win the King's hand and restore House Beaumont to its former glory, so no matter what they felt for one another they'd vowed then to see that goal through to the end.

    She bit her lip as she peered up into the young Lord's eyes from her place nuzzled against his chest.

   “I should go.” He told her, though he made no effort to move.

  “Can't you stay? Just a little while longer? I don't want to feel like your two-bit whore.” She giggled.

  “Never, little blossom. I would never, ever think that.” he smiled down at her as he absentmindedly ran his fingers through her hair. “I'll stay until you're asleep. But Liam will not like it at all if I'm here in the morning. Permission given or not.”

   She hated the way the words made her feel, as if she were a toy the king had loaned him; but even more she hated that he was right.

   “Maxwell, I...before I marry Liam, I have to tell you that I-.”

  “Please, Libby, don't. I already know and you've already shown me here tonight. But to hear you say the words….I don't think I can handle it.”

   She tucked her lips inside of her mouth, nuzzling deeper into him to hide her tears. They were silent for a long time, and finally she knew that Maxwell believed she was asleep. She listened as he slipped out of the bed, dressing quickly. He placed his lips to her hair before he whispered, “I love you too, Little Blossom.”

   When she was sure he was gone from her doorway, Libby dressed herself and curled into the armchair of her suite sobbing until the morning.

************

     Present day

    Drake was silent as he watched Libby drop the noodles into the boiling water.

   He popped the lid on the jar of sauce and slid it over to her. He finished his beer, still mulling over her words.

   “So Liam gave you a hall pass. You cashed it in on Maxwell. And then...poof! You're gone in a cloud of smoke?”

    She stirred the sauce, adding in a few of her own seasonings to the store bought brand.

   “That's the shortest version ever, but yes.”

  “So when did you... the twins…?”

  “It didn't take long. When I left I headed somewhere I thought you guys wouldn't look for me. I had barely put a bed in my apartment when I took the test.”

  “Why though? Why didn't you tell anyone?”

  Libby tucked her lips inside of her mouth, gnawing at them briefly. If she was honest with herself she wasn't really sure why she never said a word-to anyone but Hana, that is.

   “Fear? Embarrassment? Drake, take your pick. I knew that I couldn't face them both and tell them that I was pregnant. Being pregnant was never why I left, and I guess facing them meant admitting to them both that I really screwed up.

    I played with everyone's emotions-including yours. Stole Liam's heart and shattered it. Then I slipped off like a thief in the night because... I'm a horrible person.”

   She'd raised her voice by now, her breathing coming in short bursts.

   “When I saw that positive test I had every intention of doing the right thing but then the days turned into months and the months to years and now...now here we are, Drake. I have no idea who's kids they are! I messed up Liam's life, Maxwell's life and the worst is I've messed up my kids’ lives too. When Will turned twelve, for months all he would talk about was finding his dad. His dad, Drake! I didn't know what to tell him…” Libby's voice trailed off and Drake covered her hand with his, both resting on the counter. She looked up at him and he wasn't sure how to read her expression.

   “You were never in love with Liam, were you?” He asked flatly.

   “At first I thought I was. I do love Liam, Drake. Even today I love him. But somewhere over the social season it morphed into...a friend's love. I said yes to Liam's proposal because it's what I was brought to Cordonia to do. And being married to a wonderful kind, loving man in order to unite a country I'd fallen in love with...well there were worse fates. But in love with him?” She stirred the pasta, breaking her hand from his grip.

*************

   “Will, are you okay?” McKenzie asked. She rose from her spot on his beanbag chair and sat beside him on the bed. Emma wrapped her arms around her brothers shoulders, pulling him into her as his body stayed frozen in place.

  “Guess what? Mom's human. She isn't perfect.” She told him, resting her chin on his head.

  “You're right. I've always thought she was a whore. But this? A love triangle?” Will snapped, bolting from the bed to pace in front of it.

  “That's not fair. We only heard a piece of things.” Emma tried.

  “Because she won't tell us! We're hearing what she's telling a stranger!” Will raked his hands through his hair. “No offense. I mean I'm sure your dad's nice and all.” He told McKenzie. She held her hands up as if to say “none taken.”

  “Maybe tonight she will. Maybe tomorrow. I mean she has to know we just heard her.” Emma reasoned as their mother appeared in the doorway. “Spaghetti is ready kids.” She said, her voice void of any emotion. She shot McKenzie a half smile, knocking her knuckles on the door as she headed to the dining room.

*************

     “So I've read that Liam married Olivia. Do the people accept her as queen?” Libby asked as they sat around the table.

   Drake nodded as he finished chewing.

   “Liv's a great queen.”

   The tension in the room was thick now as Libby pushed her pasta around her plate.

   “Well tell me about how everyone is from back in the day.”

   “Everyone?” Drake asked taking a swig of his beer.

   “Yeah. Savannah, Bartie, Bertrand..I wanna hear it all!” Libby beamed.

   Her friend rubbed his hands together as he thought.

   “Well you know. Savannah and B got married. Bartie's about to be 17. He's head of his class. Um, they have another kid now, a girl named Claudia, after Bertrand’s mother. She's 10.”

   Drake reached in his pocket and pulled out his smartphone, sliding the device across the table. Libby picked it up, the screen displaying a picture of McKenzie and a handsome brunette boy holding a darling little blonde girl on his back.

   “That was last summer. We all go camping every summer. The Beaumonts, Mack, and I.”

    “She’s gorgeous. And Bartie looks so much like…”

   “Like Uncle Max! Doesn't he? I tell him that all the time.” McKenzie piped up.

   Libby reached for her glass, gulping her red wine as she slid Drake his phone.

  A thick silence filled the room before Drake cleared his throat.

  “I guess you know how Hana is.” His tone was clipped and he looked at her pointedly.

   Emma and Will sat in bewilderment as they watched their mother's entire demeanor change. She squared her shoulders the way Liam had shown her years ago in Portavira, though that fact was lost on the twins, and suddenly she went from their mother to a woman almost regal in appearance despite her flowy tank top and blue jeans.

   She flipped her hair over her shoulder, looking at Drake squarely. “I have kept up with Lady Hana, yes.”

   Libby folded her hands neatly as Drake dropped his fork with a loud clang.

   “Don't. Don't go all Duchess on me, Your Grace.”  He spat as she quirked a brow at him. The children sat silently, heads cast downward.  

   “Someone had to run my duchy, Drake. Despite everything I do care about what happens to the people of Cordonia. That part was never a show.”

   “You're the Duchess of Valtoria?” McKenzie questioned, eyes going wide.

   Libby smiled and nodded, Emma and Will's faces were so dumbstruck you'd have thought their mother had lobsters coming out of her ears.

   “And what about you, Drake? I've told you all about me. What have you been up to all these years?” Libby pressed on, employing yet another diplomatic skill she'd learned from Liam.

   Drake sighed, spotting her training right away.

   “Well I got married not long after you left. Her name was Pam. We had McKenzie and, well..”

   “She died.” Drake's daughter said flatly.

   “I'm sorry.” Will blurted out,unable to sit still any longer, his knees beginning to bounce wildly. McKenzie shot him a grateful grin.

  “May I be excused?” He asked.

  “And me?”  Emma chimed in.

  “I actually think that's best.” Their mother told them. McKenzie rose from her seat.

  “I'm gonna-.” She began and her dad cut her off with a knowing nod. “I'm sorry, kids.” He said.

  As the teenagers left the room Drake fixed Libby with a burning stare. When they were alone once more he reclined in his chair pulling his beer with him.

  “Well are you going to ask me?”

  “Ask you what, Walker?” Libby leaned forward with her elbows on the table.

  “We all knew that whatever was between you and Maxwell was more than friendship. So I wasn't surprised when you told me about the hall pass. What I am surprised by is that you haven't asked about him yet.” He chuckled.

   “Of course I want to know. How is he?”

  Libby chewed the inside of her cheek, wanting but not wanting to hear about the love of her life. She'd imagined a million times over the years how time had or hadn't changed him. Did he have wrinkles now in his early forties? Laugh lines or crows feet? Gray hair? Any hair? Had he gotten soggy in the middle or kept his lean, athletic physique?

  She was brought from her daydreams as Drake answered. “Well, he's not exactly the Maxwell you fell in love with anymore. He's still impulsive and has his rowdy side, but he's grown up a lot, too. He stays kind of distant, reserved. A little more like B, actually. He got married.”

  He paused , cruelly and selfishly enjoying the pained look that Libby gave him before he continued. “Then he got divorced. Twice. No kids. But he went back to school after you left. He got himself a master's degree in political science. He's been teaching classes at Cordonia University in the capital for a few years now.”

   Libby's head dropped staring into her lap. Of course she only ever wanted the best things in life for Maxwell, but somehow actually hearing how well he'd moved on felt like a punch in the stomach.

   After a few moments Drake stood up and cleared the dishes from her table. When he was finished he came to stand in front of his old friend.

   “I'm so happy to have gotten to see you again, Drake. I'm sorry I've missed so many moments in between.” Libby said standing and wrapping her arms around him.

  He pulled from the embrace after a moment with a sigh. “I don't think I need to tell you this, and maybe it's not my place to anymore, but I think you need to tell them. It's the right thing to do, Scott.” Libby bit her lip angry that he was right.

   “So just uproot our lives to fly off to Cordonia, then? That's what I should do? I have kids to think about, Drake. This is their home.”

  “You keep saying that word to me. Home. But, Libby, who are you trying to convince? Me? Or yourself?

   I should get me and Mack back to the hotel, but we're here a couple more days. If you change your mind, I'd be happy to to pause my life and take you back to your real home.”

   Libby looked at him incredulously, her jaw dropping slightly and Drake quirked his brow. “We both know that Cordonia is where you really belong, Scott. And your twins? No matter which way you flip it their dad is there so that's where they belong too. Just...say you'll think about?”

   Her eyes danced around the room, almost as if she were mourning a life she hadn't given up yet.

   “Alright, Walker. I'll think about it.”

[thataveragewriter]

genji x reader please something to fill this void... im love your writing!!! anything you decide will be amazing

A/N: I have a massive soft spot for robo ninja boi, So here! A lengthy fluff with our favourite ninja boi!

1700+ words

— 

Genji x reader - Under the stars

.

Being an agent in overwatch was a rewarding yet an enduringtask. The people you’ve met had changed your life for the better. People likeLena, Jesse, Hana they all always made your day much more bearable and youenjoyed every single second you spend with these people. However, the personwho made every waking moment a fruitful and filled with such merriment was noneother than the younger Shimada, Genji. His good natured teasing, sassy commentsand comforting hugs were among the things you loved about the cyborg. The twoof you became instant friends when you first stepped foot in the overwatchbase. You always laugh whenever you recall your first meeting with Genji.

Flash back

This was your firstday as an agent in overwatch. A place responsible for the world’s safety inconjunction with the UN. A place for nothing but serious matter and being aresponsible adult.

You held a box ofnecessary item you needed for the day, mainly consisted of your trainingclothes and couple of other things.

You walked down thepristine white halls, agents quietly conversing amongst themselves. Thoughts ofbeing the new recruit clouded your mind.

‘How will I even makefriends, everyone is so serious around here! I must not disappoint thesuperiors, can’t risk getting scolded on the first day and destroy myreputation before I even start’ you rambled in your mind, lost in your thoughtsyou didn’t realise the rapid sound of heavy footsteps as you turned the corner.

As you turned, you were hit with such a heavyimpact your box flew several meters and you harshly fell on your butt with aheavy weight on top of you. You shut your eyes as you fell.

‘Argh, injured on thefirst day, great’ you mentally thought.

“Oww” you softly letout, slowly fluttering your eyes open and met face to face with a cyborg mask.

“I guess you couldsay, I fell for you” The person who fell on you said with a teasing tone.

Your face immediatelyburned up as you pushed the male off you. He fell with a thud and an “Oof”sound. You promptly stood up and looked around.

Laughter could beheard as two more people rounded the corner.

“Genji! That was theworst pick up line ever” one of the Girls said in her thick British accent.

“Even McCree would’vehad a smoother line Gen” The other smaller girl laughed.

Their gaze then fellon your sheepish form standing there. You tried to avoid their gaze.

“OH! You must be thenew recruit, I’m Hana!” the smaller girl introduced herself as he made her wayto you and hugged you. You hesitantly hugged back.

“Sorry about this,love. I’m Lena by the way” The British girl said as she held out her hand. Youshook it and introduced yourself.

The male began gettingup, rubbing his behind.

“That loser is Genji.I bet you didn’t expect this sorta welcome here” Hana laughed.

“Far from it actually,didn’t think I’d get rugby tackled by a ninja” You laughed as you looked atGenji.

He let out a heartfeltlaugh which made your heart flutter with excitement.

“Didn’t think a littlegirl like you could throw me and my charm off that easily” He replied withtraces of teasing and good natured tone.

A smile graced yourfeatures as you giggled at his retort. You held out your hand for an actualintroduction.

“Let me introducemyself properly, I’m [y/n] nice to meet ya” You smiled.

“I’m your friendlyneighbourhood ninja, Genji” He said as he shook your hand with a firm grip.

Lena and Hana lookedat each other with a clear grins as they knew it would blossom into somethingmore than a friendship.

End ~

You spent all day, every day with the cyborg whenever you had days off. The pair of you became inseparable after that day. Even during missions where both of you were paired, it was always seen as asuccessful mission. Then you two would often lounge on the roof under the stars and just crack jokes with each other. It was always soothing andcomforting having him near you.

Today, Genji was deployed to a mission and you were stuckwith paper work. You longed for his upbeat and fun nature, it was deathlyboring without him around. You sighed and looked over at the clock.

5:05

‘Almost over, just 25 more mins’ you thought.

You completed all works that was needed to be done and ontime. You left for dinner to meet up with the others.

“Hey [y/n], wait up” You heard Jesse call from behind you.You turned with a smile on your face as you waited.

“Jesse Hey” You conversed with Jesse while you walked to thedinner hall together.

“I take it, Genji still hasn’t come back from the missionthen” He said noting the absence of your partner in crime.

“Yeah… they said it’ll take a day but …” You began as youlooked ahead.

“Ya know, you should tell ‘em” Jesse said, which caught youoff guard and stumbled in your step. Jesse laughed.

“Tell who what?” you questioned, trying to hide thepainfully obvious blush.

“Ya know who [y/n], it’s quite obvious to everyone around ya” he pointed out and as you entered the dining hall.

You began pondering about what Jesse had said, aboutconfessing. You felt flustered at the thought of telling Genji about yourfeelings.

After dinner you left to clear your head and get fresh air. Thecool night air was refreshing and provided a soothing comfort. You climbed tothe roof, which provided a great view of the star filled sky. You laid down withyour arms crossed behind your head and you fluttered your eyes shut. A contentsmile graced your features as you enjoyed the stillness of the night. Momentshas passed with you quietly enjoyed the company of the wind and coolness. Until…

“I knew I’d find you here” A gentle Japanese accented voice calledout and your ears perked.

Your eyes fluttered open as you sat up looking over to theowner of the voice. Genji’s from was illuminated by the moonlight which madehim seem magnificent and otherworldly. A smile instantly crept to your face.

“You’re back” You stood up and embraced him.

You wrapped your arms around his lean torso, despite hisbody consisted of metal plating’s, his body emitted a calming warmth. His armssnaked around your smaller form and hooked around your waist.

“Seem like someone missed me” He laughed, his bodyreverberating. It made your heart flutter against your ribs in an excitedmanner.

You giggled as you pulled away and lightly slapped hischest.

“It’s not fair, I was stuck with paper work whilst you wentout for a mission” you complained as you took a seat where you previously hadsat. Genji followed shortly after.

“Hah, neither was that time when you got the last pizzaslice last week. So I guess we’re even” He said, teasingly poking your poutedcheeks.

You angrily huffed and leaned against his form. You gazed atthe sky. Millions of sequined stars stitched against the deep vastness of theeternal dark sky, illuminated all creations under its presence. It brought youcomfort and wonder.

“It’s a beautiful night” You said, smiling.

‘Not as beautiful as you’ Genji thought, but too shy to sayit out loud.

“It is” he softly agreed.

Then, the words Jesse had said to you earlier echoed in yourmind.

‘You have to tell him [y/n]’ his voice sounded.

You turned to look at Genji, who was lost in thought gazingat the sky. Then his gaze abruptly turned to you as if he was about to saysomething.

“[Y/n]… I have something to confess” at the sound of this,you heart began to race. Suddenly, feeling very anxious for the next collectionof words. His hand reached for yours, intertwining your fingers with his.

“I…” He began but couldn’t form the immense number ofthoughts clouding his mind. The ninja sighed and looked down at yourintertwined fingers.

“Genji…” you began, giving him a reassuring squeeze toprompt him to continue.

“Ever since the first day, my whole being…felt different. Asin, I feel the need to be with you always, to feel your hugs and see you smileover my corny jokes and just…” he began trailing off and avoiding your gaze.

A shy smile graced you features as you gazed at him. A sighescaped his lips, and he pressed the buttons on his mask to release it. You hadseen his face before, as you were one of the few he was comfortable to show histrue identity to.

“Genji-“

“I just really like you [y/n] and I wish for you to be mine”He said sincerely whilst gazing into your soul, his deep dark eyes bore intoyour soul.

You let out a relieved sigh and launched yourself at theninja, starling the poor boy. You wrapped your arms around his neck and buried yourhead in his chest. Still surprised, genji tightly wrapped his arms around youand laid back down with you on top of his form. You pulled back and stared athim with a soft smile.

“I’ll be yours until all the starts fall out of the sky” Yousaid smiling, as you cupped his cheek.

Genji smiled up at you, leaning forward and melting intoyour touch, he placed his hand on top of yours.

You began leaning closer and closing your eyes until you closed the gap. The feeling of his lips against yours, wasdelicate and filled with passion you both shared for each other. Your handsoftly caressed his scarred cheek as you felt your heart begin to race form thecontact. You had been awaiting this moment for a while and it’s almost surreal,feeling the person you love reciprocate their feelings. You felt Genji smileinto the kiss as you began to pull away.

A heavy blush formed on your delicate features as helovingly gazed at you.

“I love you, Gen�� you smiled as you leaned to peck his lipsquickly.

“I love you too, my little blossom” He smiled.

.

.

[shownuslaugh]

Monster

Rating: M

Warnings: stalking, obsessive/possessive behavior, unhealthy relationships

Synopsis: Son Hana (known by her stage name Astria) captures the attention of struggling artist Choi Seunghyun when she appears in his art supply store one rainy afternoon. Obsession is a scary thing. Choi Seunghyun just so happens to be scarier. 

             He’s standing with his arms crossed. Leaning against the doorway as he watches her every move with narrowed eyes. She’s singing. She never sings. She hates her voice. What’s made today so different, so magical, that she’s twirling around in her apartment like a school girl after her crush says something as simple as hello in the hallway? Wait. A crush. Does she have a crush on someone? Someone who isn’t him? Someone he never factored into the equation?

             I thought you were different, Seunghyun writes in his journal when he finally tears himself away from the tree under her apartment window. I thought you were special from that first moment you stepped inside my store. It was raining. Do you remember? I certainly do.

             I woke up that morning with a sense of dread so deep in my core I didn’t even want to go downstairs and open the shop. That’s when I looked out my window. That’s when I saw you across the street, standing there with your umbrella. I remember it because your umbrella was bright red, a drop of blood in an ocean of dull colors. I remember it because it was the same umbrella dripping rain across the floor of my shop when I finally brought myself to unlock the front door.

             I guess now is my opportunity to admit something, isn’t it? That moment, the moment I keep replaying in my head as the moment we met, wasn’t the first moment I saw you. No, I’ve been there since the beginning. Since you debuted with that awful company. You should really leave YG, by the way. They aren’t utilizing you properly, but I suppose that’s a conversation for another time. When we know each other better. When you realize I love you and just want what’s best for you. I’ve always wanted that for you. For us.

Every night I replay that meeting in my store. I remember thinking to myself: you’re beautiful. You’re so fucking beautiful. There’s no way around it anymore. I’ve always known we were meant to be, but now that you’re here, now that you’re in front of me, there’s no denying it. You’re eyes met mine, and even though it’s only for a second, I saw forever in them. I saw children’s names and a white picket fence. My muse. My love. I know you’ll see it too. It might take some time, but I’m a patient man. I can wait for you. I can do anything for you.

But…

Seeing you tonight made me worry.

Are you being loyal to our future?

To me?

Who is it making you smile and spin around your bedroom like a little girl? I know it isn’t me. We haven’t spoken since the day in my store. I gave you my number and told you to call or text if you needed help, and each time I’ve seen you since then you’ve been struggling. You need help. Call me. Why won’t you call? Just pick up the fucking-

Seunghyun huffs and scratches out the last paragraph the same way he wishes he could scratch any other man out of her life. They belong together. He knows it. The universe knows it. All he needs is for her to catch up. Calling is such a simple thing. Texting is even simpler. It takes little to no energy to pick up the phone and tap out a quick little hello. Why can’t she do that? It’s common courtesy and Seunghyun knows how polite she is. She reeks of Daddy’s Good Girl. Why hasn’t she contacted him?

As if the heavens are determined to play a cruel trick on him, Seunghyun’s phone goes off, sending him rolling off his couch in a rush to answer.

Hyung, the text says. Do you know Astria? The idol singer? She’s here asking for you.

Finally.

Fucking finally.

Seunghyun isn’t even thinking as he goes down the steps connecting his apartment to his shop. All that’s on his mind is her. Astria- no, Hana. She’s Astria to the rest of the world, but to him she’s simply Son Hana. The woman he was made to love. Seunghyun used to think his sole purpose on this planet was to create and share art, but now he knows better. She’s his purpose. Loving her. Treating her the way she needs to be treated. Worshiping her.

“Oh!” Astria puts a hand over her heart when she turns around and finds Seunghyun two steps behind her. When she laughs it’s delicate and guarded. “You scared me.”

“I’m sorry.” Seunghyun is sure to drop his voice slightly lower than his usual deep baritone. He read somewhere that women are attracted to deep voices. Something about the pitch of a man’s voice indicating if he’s genetically-

“I don’t think I’m doing this right. I might need to start over.” She knocks against the canvas in shame, her cheeks burning red.

He smiles, certain she knows she doesn’t need to start over and what she’s created isn’t half bad for a beginner. “No, you just need to keep going. I offer lessons on the weekend while my assistant watches the store. If you want we could-”

“Oh, I couldn’t do that to you. You’ve been so helpful already. I couldn’t put you through that kind of pain.”

“Still. Should you change your mind the classes start here at 11 am.”

You left after buying some more paint and couple more canvases. You didn’t get any gesso, so I hope you know what you’re doing. Abstract painting, maybe? A lot people don’t prime when they’re doing abstract work. Although, I think you really should anyway. It won’t hurt anything.

You see? These are the things I can help you with. If you’re really determined to pick up another hobby to make you feel better about how little you’re writing, you should at least know how to do it correctly. That is what you’re doing, isn’t it? You’re not writing as much as you used to so you’re searching for something to fill the void, to make you feel like you’re still an artist. And what’s more artsy than actually creating art with a brush and canvas?

I should take you to the Louvre. If anyone would appreciate that it would be you. I tried going with… well, with someone else. He didn’t appreciate it like I know you will.

Because you’re better.

Because you’re mine.

[slutty-mcree]

!!!! @shoeswithoutsocks

listen, buddy, thank you so much for this request omg.

I really hope you don't mind my song choice! Ring of fire absolutely screams Jesse Mcree and i love it so much, but the song  ‘big bad handsome man’ by Imelda May was introduced into my life a few weeks ago, and I haven't been able to stop associating it with Mchanzo since hearing it adsk. You've handed me a golden opportunity i cant pass up. (Seriously if you haven't heard that song please listen and tell me it doesn’t absolutely fucking  radiate Mcree energy...)

Anyways! I hope you enjoy <3

—

“You are telling me you can sing..? Seems...unlikely.”

Hanzo could remember just how offended Mcree had looked when he said that; hand clutched over his heart, mouth slightly agape as though someone had suddenly struck him.

“Darlin..sweetheart...my huckleberry pie..you sayin’ you don’t think I got talent?”

“Obviously I believe you have talent, Mcree. Overwatch would not have recruited you otherwise. I am just unsure as to how much of that talent is...musical.”

In hindsight, Hanzo supposed he should have known better. Jesse Mcree, by nature, was never one to withdraw from a challenge. It was proven time and time again—whether it was showcasing a dauntless, unnecessary act on the field or following through on an unsuspecting fool who was not expecting to be taken up on their dare. The cowboy was, without a doubt, the very definition of ostentatious--and evidently, Hanzo’s comment made him feel like he needed to prove something.

Hanzo Shimada had provoked the southern, gun-slinging bear and now he was now going to pay the price for it.

“I cannot believe you helped orchestrate such a ridiculous charade.” The archer scoffs with a tinge of annoyance coloring his tone. He eyes over the homemade flyer in his hand; decorated in obscenely glittery drawings of music notes and tiny cartoon versions of cowboy hats. Big, bold letters spelled out ‘karaoke night: featuring the musical talents of Jesse Mcree’, and Hanzo glances from the piece of paper to the Korean woman in front of him warily.

“Don’t look at me like that, Han! Lucio made the flyers and did the audio set up stuff, all I did was set up the chairs.”  Hana defends herself, though the mirthful smile that’s present indicates that wasn’t completely true. “Besides, karaoke is awesome! Look you have a front-row seat and everything!” She gestures to a folding chair that sat front and center to the boxing ring in the training area watchpoint offered (which was now made out to be like some kind of stage.)There were a few more rows of chairs just like it, though that one in particular quite literally had his name written on it. In messy, sparkly blue lettering...

A long, albeit dramatic sigh rolls from Hanzo's chest as he takes a seat, arms firmly crossed. He can practically sense the Meka pilots ever widening  smile from beside him, and he vaguely hears her utter something along the lines of ‘mission dragon strike is a go!’ before running off somewhere.

It isn’t long before other agents trickle in, among the small crowd being Genji himself. His brother takes a seat next to him, and Hanzo attempts to probe for any type of information he can about what’s to be expected out of this aside from the obvious. Though, much to his chagrin,  Genji offers nothing; the other man just sits there and has the audacity to shush Hanzo all while somehow being able to radiate utter smugness behind his impassive faceplate.

The archer narrows his eyes in return, a quiet huff leaving him as he turns his attention back to the stage with a glower etched on his face. It felt as though everyone was aware of something he wasn’t, which caused an infuriating mixture of concern and panic to flutter in the lower part of his stomach. One would hope his words days prior wouldn't of offended Jesse to the point he was willing to organize an entire ordeal just to embarrass himself or his own lover.

Then again… this was Jesse “once went streaking through the streets during a category five storm because someone told him he wouldn’t do it” Mcree.

Hanzo shrinks at the onslaught of other ridiculous possibilities the cowboys could be subjecting him to tonight; Images of Jesse in nothing but underwear, howling out a song that’s far too high pitched for him is the first thing that comes to mind…

The man sighs, although before his concern could get the better of him the lights of the gym suddenly dim just as a tall silhouette makes its way on stage, causing the soft chatter of the crowd to dwindle into silence. Hanzo makes another huff when forced to squint in the lack of lighting, unable to make out a familiar hat but not much else. A moment passes, then the lights above the makeshift stage suddenly alight brightly once again, illuminating the cowboy now occupying the space with a glow that could almost be called ethereal.

Hanzo blinks, and he finds himself swallowing against the sudden thickness that gathers at the back of his throat.

Mcree, void of his usual gear, is instead embellished in a form-fitting vest with a tasteful dress shirt underneath; which, in Hanzo opinion, was unfairly  left unbuttoned a few notches lower than probably necessary. Mcree then smiles, toothy and suave as he gives an experimental strum against the guitar strapped to his torso, dark eyes immediately meeting Hanzo’s own.

The archer fights back the urge to swallow again.

“Howdy, everybody~” The southerner greets in a way that’s somehow so damn provocative it elects a series of whistles and cheers from the crowd.  Honeyed laughter echoes through the standing mic, grin never forsaking him. “I’d like to thank everyone for comin’. Got a real special song for a real special person tonight.”

Mcree winks in his lover's direction, and suddenly Hanzo is aware of a dozen cheeky gazes and smiles on him from every damn direction. Despite being able to remain relatively straight-faced, heat burns the tips of the archer's ears.

Much to his own displeasure.

Mcree grins a little wider, before counting down from three. A pre-recorded tune of saxophone and base notes then begin to play from a pair of speakers from behind him, and along with it Mcree begins steady beat with his guitar; the symphony creates a type of rhythm that immediately reminds Hanzo of the old American style songs from the 1950’s his father would occasionally listen to. It's amazing, really; Mcree’s fingers strum against the strings of his guitar with such fluid ease it renders Hanzo shocked at first. Though really what is more surprising than the skillful use of the instrument is the actual sound of Mcree’s voice.

‘The man is tall, mad, mean, and good-lookin', And he's got me his eye. When he looks at me, I go weak at the knees, He's got me going like no other guy. Cause he's my big, bad, handsome man, He's got me in the palm of his hand. He's the Devil Divine, I'm so glad that he's mine, Cause he's my big, bad, handsome man~”

It held a gruff yet ever seductive timbre that resonated Hanzo through his core and sent small bumps prickling the surface of his skin. His jaw drops ever slightly, though he’s only made aware when the icy, metallic touch of Genji's hand pushes his chin up to forcibly close the gap.

“May I get you a something to drink, brother? You are looking extremely thirsty.” The cyborg snickers from beside him. Red rises over ivory skin, and Hanzo turns his head to with a look sharp enough to cut the man in half where he sits--though it’s not a half second later before his attention is brought back to the stage.

‘With his rugged good looks yeah he's got me hooked

Got me where he wants me to be

With his arms so wide, he pulls me in by his side

He's the kind of guy that does it for me’

Cause he's my big bad handsome man yeah

He's got me in the palm of his hand

He's the devil divine, I'm so glad that he's mine

Cause he's my big bad handsome man

Ooh

My big bad handsome man, yea

He's got me in the palm of his hand

He's the devil divine, I'm so glad that he's mine

Cause he's my big bad handsome man

Mcree is staring at him with a wide, far too charming smile as he finishes up the rest of the song. It ends with a long, soulful hum—and the group of ten to fifteen sounds more like a crowd of hundreds with amount of clapping and cheering that goes on. He chuckles, bowing with a polite tip of his hat and signature “thank you kindly” before he exits the stage to allow those next in line (Reinhardt) to showcase their talents. As the boisterous German takes center stage, Hanzo manages to shake away the astonished look of his face and swiftly disperses to the water fountain in the far corner he watched Mcree strut off too.

“I must say that...was impressive,” Hanzo compliments as he approaches. He eyes Mcree as he smiles and leans away from the water fountain to wipe the thin layer of sweat across his forehead with the back of his hand. “Why thank you, darlin.’ Mighty kind of you to say. Gotta admit it’s nice to know I can still surprise ya.” His smile curls into a coquettish smirk, as if being able to read Hanzo’s thoughts the entire duration of his performance. The archer was not always as impassive as he thought he was, that’s for certain.

“Mm…” a subtle smirk of its own tugs at the corner of Hanzo’s lips. He leans forward, adjusting Mcree’s slightly askew collar. “Indeed. Actually, I am so surprised I wanted to ask if you would care to favor me an encore.”

Mcree blinks, chuckling softly and scratching the back of his head. “Encore, eh? Why I don’t mind, but I take it Reinhardt is gonna be a while—“

“I am referring to an encore of a more private sort. In my quarters...” Hanzo interrupts.

“Oh? Oh…” The southern gunslinger grins, clearing his throat as he wraps a well-sculpted arm around his lover's shoulder. “Well sweetheart, I’m thinkin’ that can be arranged.”

[notanotherasiandrama]

Currently Watching:

What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim (Kdrama): Yes I still haven’t finished this one yet, but I am on episode 12 so I only have 4 more eps left. After a long slump in the Romcom department of kdramas this show brought me back to life. It’s not all that deep of a show, but it’s funny and all the characters are adorable. Actually some of my favorite scenes have been delivered by the side characters. It does dabble a bit with the struggles of PTSD, but only on a surface level as this is a light romcom after all. 4 out of 5 stars so far because it’s enjoyable, but a little vapid.

Kingdom (netflix kdrama): I binge watched this series all in one night, that’s how good it is. I swear this show was tailor made for me. It’s set in historical Joseon era Korea, and it’s centered around the Crown Prince and his desperate search for the truth about his father’s illness which he feels is suspicious. I’m not spoiling anything because it’s obvious there are zombies after the first 2 episodes. I mean it’s like Train to Busan meets Ruler: Master of Masks. The zombie aspect is actually well done and doesn’t feel campy or stupid like most zombie series. Strong male and female leads, not really any romance except for a useless official’s adorable crush on the female physician. A little graphic, so if you are weak stomached you might want to close your eyes on certain parts, but I still love the plot. The Walking Dead falls into a Joseon era political drama. 5 out of 5 stars!    

The Smile Has Left Your Eyes (kdrama): I know I’m super behind in what’s hot in the drama world, but I have a job and a social life so I get to what I can when I can. I’m on episode 11 and I have mixed feelings about this drama. The plot is interesting and the acting is great, but Seo In Guk’s character feels like a sociopath (which I understand is the point, but if this is a romance it’s really hard to root for a character that has the personality of a pretty cactus). Still it has kept my interest so I give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars so far.    

The Legend Of Hao Lan (cdrama): After just coming off of The Story of Yanxi Palace I was searching for another great historical cdrama. I thought The Story of Ming Lan would fill that void, but sadly I couldn’t get past the first 3 eps. It was just too sad and boring. Might come back to that one later, but Hao Lan started off with a bang. Typically cdramas drag out the sufferings of their heroines for like 10 eps, but they just jumped right into it with a forced marriage to an abusive minister, a betrayal by her fake sister and fake prince charming, and then her wicked stepmother tries to kill her. I’m serious this is first 30 minute stuff of the first ep. I’m on episode 5 now and I gotta say this one has me hooked. I have high hopes for this one. Plus I really want to ship Wu Jinyan and Nie Yuan together. I couldn’t do that in the story of Yanxi because the emperor was just a selfish jerk all the way to the end and because Fuheng was still in the picture and he and Yinglou will always be OTP material. Too early to rate this one yet, but could be 5 star material. 

Meteor Garden (netflix cdrama): I’m halfway through this drama and after watching every single adaption there is for Hana Yori Dango this one has to be my favorite. I feel like they make Doaming Si (tsukasa) more likable and less like a psychopath. The rest of the F4 are fully fleshed out characters. I also like how they go into how hard it is for Shancai to express her feelings. The cinematography is also beautiful so 5 out of 5 stars. 

Kaguya-sama: Love Is War (Anime): “I’ve only seen 3 episodes so far. The show is about two really prideful people who believe that the first person to confess their love for other is the loser and so they both employ mind games to try to get the other to confess first. Full disclosure: I’m a fast reader, but this anime goes super fast so sometimes it’s hard to read all the subs before the scene changes. Slower readers and newbies will have a hard time keeping up with the lightning quick dialogue. I originally thought this was going to be a cute fluffy romcom, but so far it’s missing any light fluffiness, at least in the typical shoujo vein. The characters aren’t that endearing and their pride is on an insane pathological level. Each episode is basically like an unresolved one-shot so it’s a casual anime you can watch without much thought put into it. I give it a 3 out of 5 stars.   

On Children (netflix cdrama): The Chinese Black Mirror in my opinion. It’s definitely a dark and thought provoking series. Each episode is a stand alone episode with the thread that connects them all being how academic pressure on children can be abusive. It’s genius in the way that each parent’s toxic relationship with their children is different. Some seem loving and affectionate, but their love is burdensome and demanding. Some of them are your typical cold, tiger moms, but all in all the call for perfection from their children for “their” future is heartbreaking. If you are looking for a feel good show this is not the one for you. 4.5 out of 5 stars. 

The Girl From Nowhere (netflix thai series):  Truthfully I finished this series months ago, but I felt it deserved a shout out. The series centers around a “girl” named Nano who goes to various schools where chaos seems to follow. Each episode is a one-shot story with all the episodes involving Nano. Being more of a psychological horror/thriller series there are a lot of questions about who and what exactly Nano is, but in typical Asian horror fashion the more abstract and unexplained a monster or character is the more terrifying they are. This was a hit and miss show for me. I really enjoyed a lot of the episodes, but there were some that just fell a little flat to me. It is kind of similar to Black Mirror in it’s thought provoking execution of how it shines a light on the darker sides of human nature. Like On Children this series also focuses on the academic pressures of Asian teenagers, but not all of the episodes are about academics themselves, some are just set in a school setting. 4.9 out of 5 stars. 

That’s it for now. I’m actually watching a lot more than I’ve mentioned here, but I’m in the early stages of most of them so I don’t have a solid opinion on most of them yet.  What dramas do you guys recommend? I’m willing to give anything a shot.

[darkershining]

Just watched episode 40 of Hugtto Pretty Cure.

Picking up where the previous episode left off, Ruru questions why Dr. Traum suddenly decided to come visit. It is revealed that Dr. Traum was the one who sent everyone into the future in the previous episode, because there was something he needed to test. He then begins a puppetshow explaining what happened in the future, and how Criasu fought against four Pretty Cures, including Cure Tomorrow, whose power was connected to that of the Goddess known as Mother.

Harry asks Dr. Traum to let him explain the rest. Harry goes on tell the story of how Cure Tomorrow came to his rescue after he went on a rampage and was locked away by Criasu. Some time later, Criasu managed to defeat the Cures, the other three sacrificing themselves to allow Cure Tomorrow to escape, only for Criasu to manage to capture her anyways. Harry managed to find her, and hearing her resolve to save the future, decided to return the favor from before by freeing her. When the two tried to escape, they were cornered, forcing Cure Tomorrow to use the white Mirai Crystal containing what was left of Mother’s power to send herself and Harry into the past. This leading up to the events of the beginning of the show, where Harry ended up in the present along with Cure Tomorrow, who had been transformed into a baby, Hugtan.

Hana and the others are surprised to learn that Hugtan is Cure Tomorrow, and Harry apologizes for keeping it a secret for so long, explaining that he had wanted to wait until after they had managed to restore Mother’s power. Hana is understanding about it, recalling the promise she made to Cure Tomorrow when they briefly met in a vision. However, Traum warns them that now that Criasu knows Hugtan’s true identity, they’ll likely try even harder than before.

And indeed, at Criasu HQ, we see Kurai briefing Bishin and Gelos about the situation, ordering them to capture Hugtan.

At Beauty Harry’s, Ruru questions why Traum waited until now to tell them everything. Dr. Traum tries to explain himself, but Ruru can’t make sense of his actions, and runs off. Hana and the others go after her, while Harry stays behind with Traum and tries to talk to him.

Hana eventually manages to catch up to Ruru at the takoyaki stand, and tries to comfort her. Ruru wonders why Traum gave her such an advanced A.I. and all these human-like features that shouldn’t be necessary. Hana tells Ruru that she always thought her name was pretty, and mentions how her own parents named her after wild flowers. Ruru confirms that Amour means “love”, but isn’t sure why Traum chose that name. Hana suggests she ask him herself, and she eventually goes to talk to Traum.

Traum admits that he too is full of contradictions, and remembers how he tried to raise Ruru, but couldn’t seem to figure out how to get her to develop the way he had hoped, eventually deeming it a “failure” and distancing himself from her. Ruru asks if he truly considered her a failure, but Traum tells her that is not the case. He admits that he was jealous of the other Cures, since they managed to do what he failed to do, namely help Ruru develop a heart. He has since realized that perhaps the reason they were able to do so is because they didn’t expect or demand anything of her, they just accepted her for who she was to begin with.

As Ruru and Traum finally begin to reach an understanding, Emiru shows up to help out, only for Ruru to inform her that they’ve already sorted things out. Even so, the two decide to play their guitars and sing together, with Traum complimenting their song and admiring the friendship between the two. However, they are interrupted when an Oshimaida appears nearby.

The five Cures gather to fight it, but it manages to knock them aside and trap Amour. Before it can crush her, Dr. Traum shows up on his mecha to protect her. When Gelos asks what he’s doing, he replies that it is just normal for a father to want to protect his daughter, managing to hold the monster back in order to let Cure Amour escape and push it back. The Cures manage to finish off the monster with their group attack.

Having said everything he wanted, Traum decides to leave. Ruru suggests the two meet up again and have dinner sometime, thinking it might further help bridge the gap between them. Traum is happy that Ruru is warming up to him, even if she still refuses to call him her dad. Hana talks about how they have to keep fighting so that Hugtan can eventually return to the future. Homare realizes that means Harry would have to go back too, although she doesn’t mention it. Emiru however, freaks out when she recalls that this may apply to Ruru as well, since she also came from the future.

Another good episode, and it looks like we finally have the full details regarding how Harry and Cure Tomorrow/Hugtan came to travel to the past. I really like Cure Tomorrow’s design. She’s really pretty. And I like her name too, it’s really fitting for the Pretty Cure trying to save the future. I wonder if she’ll regain her true form and fight alongside the Hugtto Cures during the final battle? At least I think it’d be cool if that happened. I also wonder what happened to Tomorrow’s teammates? Were they killed, or did they also get imprisoned somewhere? Also, we found out just what Mother is, and what her role is in all of this.

We also get more details on Dr. Traum and Ruru’s backstory, and get some insight into what their relationship was like. I wonder if Dr. Traum’s brief flashback during his attempts to help Ruru grow was meant to suggest that he may have previously lost a daughter and created Ruru partially in an attempt to fill the void? Interesting. I guess there are still some details of the story we have yet to learn.

I also like how even with how far Ruru has come, there are still a few things she still has trouble understanding about love and such. It was also nice to see Traum finally having figured out where things went wrong, and trying to build a better relationship with his daughter. Of course, even with things improving, it’ll probably still take some time for Ruru to fully accept him as her father.

Anyways, the ending of the episode also addresses a fact that I don’t think had really been brought up, namely that the characters that came from the future would eventually probably go back once the Cures have managed to undo Criasu’s damage. And it seems the main focus of the next episode will deal with Emiru having to figure out how to deal with this in regards to Ruru.

I’ll be looking forward to the next episode!

[scorpio-bios]

TW: Death, Drugs

Name: Jeong Hana [Birthname: Kim Cho-Hee] Age: 33 years Occupation: Spare Princess of South Korea Betrothal: Chuachai Chaiket Orientation: Pansexual/Romantic Height: 5′6 Birthday: March 27, 2088 Likes: Fighting, Drinking, Having Fun Dislikes: Pretending to be Someone She’s Not, The South Korean King & Queen

Verse: War of Royals Face: Jamie Chung

Bio

Just over 27 years ago, a set of identical twin girls was born and immediately put up for adoption. One, the first born, Jeong Hana, adopted by the royal family to be their spare and second oldest. The other, Kim Cho-Hee, adopted by a loving dairy farmer and his wife. This is complicated tale of the latter. 

Cho-Hee grew up on her parents’ small dairy farm, learning to tend to the land and animals. The child always had a rambunctious spirit about her, that her parents had hoped she’d grow out of one day, but it only seemed to get worse the older she got. Cho-Hee started picking fights in school in her adolescence, not because she didn’t like her classmates, but because of the thrill she got from hitting and being hit back. After she was out of school, it was picking fights in pubs, and eventually, finding the underground fight scene in the city not too far from home. She was marked a nuisance that would never amount to anything by most of her neighbors, but while they may scold her for it, her parents still loved her. 

She’d spend her days on the farm helping her aging mother and father and nights in the ring, fighting for money to help them scrape by. All the while, she’d see the royal family on the news, sometimes noticing the similarities between herself and the princess, but mostly just aggravated and the income disparity. As hard as she worked though, she was always happy to do it, and didn’t spend much time daydreaming about an impossible future. 

That is, until one evening when she was approached by a strange man who wouldn’t give her a straight answer. Just a call to arms from her monarchs and the promise that, if she left with him immediately, her family would want for nothing and be taken care of for the rest of their days. Cho-Hee’s curiosity was beyond piqued, it sounded like an adventure, and the promise of her parents being able to retire was too good to pass up. Little did she know it all meant giving up everything she was and never seeing her family again. 

Cho-hee was spirited away to the palace, where she was filled in on the details. The whole story she was told, about having a secret twin separated at birth, seemed fantastical to say the least, and the first time she heard it she laughed in their face. With documentation and proof though, she came to believe it, and why she was there. The princess, Jeong Hana, had unexpectedly passed from an overdose, leaving a void for the spare and a prolitical betrothal to the Thai crown. Both of which had political ramifications the King and Queen would rather not deal with, so, instead of publicly releasing the information [especially considering the circumstances around the princess’ death] they’d brought in her twin sister. 

Having already agreed and her own death faked, Cho-hee didn’t have a way to back out, and if it meant her parents’ security, she wouldn’t have anyway. She spent the next several months in an intensive training camp to learn how to become Hana. Where Cho-hee was fighty and straight forward, Hana was demure and quiet. Cho-hee liked to drink and laugh loudly, Hana had always presented publicly as seen and not heard and soft spoken. Every single thing about them was different, from they way they’d dressed, to their make-up, to the music they liked to listen to, and Cho-hee had to learn it all well enough to be flawless. 

Finally, the King and Queen dubbed her ready, and started making more and more public appearances before finally being sent to Thailand. An effort to help solidify them, and her, among the ranks of the other royalty. And not to mention getting closer to Chuachai, and in the queen’s words, “come back with the ring.”