#I LOVE HAIKYUU SO MUCH ITS SO GOOD AND HINATA IS SO INSPIRING I CRY!

[henkeboy]

"He's playing volleyball like I eat my food."

[opalescient]

haikyuu fic recs — the most beautiful, lovely, breathtaking masterlist (vol. I)

so i’ve been binging fics to cure my sadness, and i thought that these select masterpieces were too magnificent to not be plastered on every billboard ever. some tore my soul into shreds, while others melted said shreds back whole, but all of them made me feel some form of sheer, unadulterated love, so. please enjoy! 🥰⛅️✨

note: all of these fics are exquisite and you should read all of them, but if you’re short of time, those with ☆ are my all-time favourites!

daisuga

butterfly in the subway by bigspoonnoya ☆ | T

Sugawara Koushi has no idea he's already in love with the man he's supposed to hate.

i lovelovelove how all the concepts tied in together like a perfectly wrapped gift

also very wholesome, made me feel so inexplicably warm. like, love can exist everywhere!!! despite everything!!! that’s just so inspiring

i revisited this many times, i think it was (one of) my first haikyuu fics and honestly. it set the bar so high and i have no regrets

you’d fit my lonely arms so perfectly by boxofwonder ☆ | G

“Oh. You're. Not Asahi.”

Calmed down enough that he can speak again, Daichi takes a deep breath, his smile settling on his face easily and wide.

“Not as far as I know, no.”

-

Suga accidentally calls a stranger instead of his best friend, tells him all about his burned batch of cookies before realising, and that particular mistake might turn out the best one he ever made.

major, major fluff

the buildup!!!

god this made my yearning for love so much worse

the perfect stranger by downmoon | T

There’s a man standing outside Suga's door.

Scratch that. Start over.

There’s a man he doesn’t know standing outside his door, holding his sleeping nephew in one arm, with another kid clinging tightly to his free hand.

so domestic please read the entire series from start to finish it has my whole heart

shoyou and tobio as their actual kids 🥺

these two parents are so in love it makes me wanna cry

asanoya

silica sand by lilien passe ☆ | G

Overworked, over-stressed programmer Azumane Asahi works on the top floor of a Shinjuku skyscraper. Nervous around his coworkers and terrified of the long drop on the other side of the window, Asahi falls into a miserable routine, only to have it broken one day by a simple message on the outside of the glass.

PLEASE. so well-written it makes my heart glow and ache simultaneously

made me ascend into asanoya heaven

such a brilliantly unique concept i love it A+

qué syrah syrah by loudlucy | M

Asahi wants to be a Master Sommelier. It's the highest honor in wine service, and the certification would allow him to live the life he's always envisioned for himself. Too bad the certification test is notorious for being the world's most difficult.

Most people fail their first time taking the exam, and Asahi is no exception, but he has more difficulty than most dusting himself off and getting back on his feet. Enter Nishinoya, a young man who shares his same dream, and who believes in their goals so fiercely it forces Asahi to embark on a delicious and sensuous journey of viticulture and validation.

AKA The Wine Tasting AU that literally no one even knew to ask for.

NOTE: You Do Not Need to Know About Wine to Understand This Fic!

another super unique concept!!! (´∀｀=)

my god their chemistry is amazing

the writing made me feel things ngl

stop my bones from wondering by cerasi ☆ | T

After graduation, Asahi hides from the world and needs help from a few sources to find his way back.

i want to write sonnets and sing ballads for this fic, it’s that beautiful

as always, Top Notch Writing *chef’s kiss*

no but i seriously... can i kiss the author? asking for a friend 😳👉🏼👈🏼

iwaoi

star-crossed by starlitcities | T

“I never thought I’d see the day that I’d envy a human,” Oikawa admits, showering himself in tiny suns, because he can actually feels those, like a fusillade of warm kisses on luminous skin that leave marks. To humans, they’d be freckles. Skin stars, Oikawa calls them. He didn’t make that up, a human did.

“Who created the rule that we can’t touch, I wonder,” Iwaizumi ponders, floating heedlessly through space.

“Maybe it’s because we can fly. Humans dream of flying, right?”

“I don’t think so.”

gsjsgsjshsjshsjsj star!iwaoi

they’re LITERALLY STARS

beautifulbeautifulbeautiful i love how the author conveyed the beauty of touch and humanity 🥺🥺

please bless yourself further with the sequel sun-kissed

conquering the great king by suggestivescribe ☆| E

Iwaizumi blinked his gaze over to Oikawa, "Last time was supposed to be a one time thing," he said, voice low, lacking some conviction.

Oikawa's lips twitched into a smirk and he brought them hovering just over Iwaizumi's, "One time thing, Two time thing, what's it matter as long as it's not a Relationship thing?"

yes.

in fact, this entire series (breaking the rules) features daisuga, kuroken, asanoya and it’s SO GOOD. every single one.

but anyway, character development!!!!! plot!!!!!!!!! writing!!!!!!!! i’m here for it all

tsukkiyama

campfire in your chest by deanpendragon ☆ | M

Kei realizes in their second year of high school that he’s probably been in love with Yamaguchi since they were ten. However hopeless he might be in handling that situation, Kei prays he’s at least not as hopeless as Hinata and Kageyama. But he just might be.

SO BEAUTIFUL

i am also a sucker for anything with stars, moons and all the love in between

no words to describe this work of art please just go read it and be blessed

under the lilac tree by raewrites | G

there’s a lilac tree in Kei’s backyard.

gorgeous in its simplicity

softtsukkisofttsukkisofttsukki

not as grandiose as the rest but the love written into every word, action and character is absolutely show-stopping

kagehina

saffron and cayenne pepper by dontsaycrazy ☆ | T

Cooking is hard. Even if you have your very attractive, very grumpy neighbor there to help you.

-

In which Hinata's lack of cooking skills are a danger to him and others. Luckily (or not), Kageyama is willing to teach him, if only for the sake of avoiding any burned down apartments.

the essence of their characters were captured so well and yet it’s like they’re completely new characters too? author, whoever you are, you totally owned this

this made me ship kagehina so hard

fluff! cuteness! lots and lots of cooing!

kuroken

the galaxy is endless (i thought we were, too) by cosmogony ☆ | T

soulmate

/ˈsəʊlmeɪt/ • noun

A person who was made from the same star as you.

-

// Kuroken AU where the last words your soulmate will say to you appear on your skin when you turn 16, and how Kenma and Kuroo learn what this means over the course of their lives.

ahhh here it is. beautiful, heartbreaking, soul-emptying agony. you want angst? choke on this, and your tears later on.

no but seriously please read this if you haven’t you won’t regret it at all i promise

written from kenma’s perspective so you experience every depth and multitude of emotion he does and it’s so raw and- brb imma go cry for a sec

knot in my heart by hearthope | T

There’s a picture. Kenma blinks, looking at the little calico cat, being held up next to the face of a guy with stupidly messy hair and a crooked grin.

Cute.

The— the cat. The cat is cute.

Just the cat.

-

Kuroo starts spending a lot of time at the flower shop Kenma works at. Kenma definitely isn't into him.

okay so i like it when authors unravel a normally stoic character’s full scope of emotion and give them depth, sue me.

anyway, back on the fluff train!

i absolutely f*ck with flower symbolisms, cats and bitchy best friends who have dirt on each other. the layers of romance, friendship and everything in between is so prettily developed 10/10

bokuaka

the jacket you never returned by daisuga ☆☆ | G

He leaned over, kissed Bokuto on the cheek, and smiled bitterly, eyes watery.

He will never remember. Not now, not ever.

What they were will now forever be forgotten.

-

"You used to call me Keiji, Koutarou."

YOU USED TO CALL ME KEIJI, KOUTAROU!!!!!!!!!!

i beg you to listen to Spiegel im Spiegel when it’s first mentioned in the story please

i read this and screamed through my tears for a solid 1.5 hours. i rarely cry.

no f*ckin regrets though i read this thrice already and it hurts so good every time

rules by conesofdunshire ☆☆ | E

In which Akaashi Keiji is an overworked accountant who stumbles upon Bokuto one night playing the piano in the lobby of his work. Bokuto is different, that much is obvious. But with such supreme musical talent and a smile so dazzling it rivals the sun, there's just something about him that brings Akaashi back every night.

this fic. this fic has my whole, broken, sobbing heart and laughing soul

gorgeous. breathtaking. magnificent.

bokuto is so WARM and akaashi is so STRONG and they both find the solace they need in each other and it’s all i want for me 😭😭😭

in another life by littleluxray | T

Sleeping didn't come as easy as it used to. Bokuto knew this, and now Akaashi did, too.

The hospital AU that no body asked for, but that I took upon myself to write.

this is a famous fic that i doubt any seasoned haikyuu reader wouldn’t know, and RIGHTLY SO BECAUSE, the PAIN. the pain. the pain.

i could feel my lungs shrivel up and my chest cave in on itself. fatigue and rest are things i struggle with too so this whole story resonated with me from start to finish, and it broke me. in like, the best, most revitalising way

i would read this again but it still haunts me at night. i need to heal from the first time before i have the guts to try one more time HAHAHA 😆💔😭

tea-stained polaroids by dalyeau | G

“I'm gonna date that,” Bokuto declares solemnly, and Kuroo throws a plastic spoon at his head.

mmmmmmm pretty photographer + personalised coffee cups + cute baristas = diabetic fluff fic

i smiled so much throughout this you have no idea. cheeks achey but so good

i may have squealed a little at the ending

kurotsukki

moonfall by batman | T

There is no unlearning Tetsurou, after all. There is only leaving him.

-

(Five things of Tetsurou's that ended up in Kei's home, and one that never left.)

the writing!!!!!! is pure beauty!!!! sheer grace!!!!!!! the construction of the AU and the romanticism and hsjsgsjshsj

didn’t cry but. heart ache and bittersweet smiles are another level of misery that is just as fulfilling

yea just pleasepleasepleaseplease go read it thank you and have a good day

hidden gem by realmSpinner | E

Things get complicated when everything you thought you knew about a guy changes, and they get even more complicated when you actually start liking those changes.

That guy working with you AND becoming your neighbor? That's just a cherry on top of the cake of confusion.

this AU was refreshingly different, and amazingly so

top!tsukki??? sign me the f*ck up

the whole plot, man. perfection.

pings by barfs ☆☆ | T

[5/02/16, 3:50:17 AM] Tsukishima Kei: Please wake up.

[5/02/16, 3:50:23 AM] Tsukishima Kei: I hate begging. You know I hate it.

[5/02/16, 3:50:34 AM] Tsukishima Kei: I bet you’re snickering at that, wherever you are.

[5/02/16, 3:50:53 AM] Tsukishima Kei: But, it keeps hurting and I don’t know why and it feels like shit and I know you could tell me why, but you’re not here and I would really appreciate it if you’d just wake up.

[5/02/16, 3:51:02 AM] Tsukishima Kei: You’re laughing at that too, aren’t you.

[5/02/16, 3:51:10 AM] Tsukishima Kei: Dying is probably up there in the list of top ten shitty things you’ve ever done, and you’ve done a lot of shitty things.

god.

you already know what’s coming, and yet. when it comes.

how the f*ck did the author make grief beautiful????????? (at the expense of me dying along with kei and everyone else i guess)

this fic will ruin you and bury you under all your pain (i hope you’re ready)

but also put you back together with the “sequel”

kyouhaba

close to the chest by darkmagicalgirl | T

It takes Yahaba thirteen years to realize he's different from the other kids, one to figure out how to hide it, and two more to learn to be happy just the way he is. Yahaba's journey ft. an extremely annoyed Kyoutani, best friend in the world Watari, and loads and loads of good senpai Oikawa.

cause i’m (not) alright with the slow, burn~

no fr, take slow and burn very seriously

overthinking yahaba? i understand. i do.

again, such an amazing fic; 10/10 recommend

safe here by crossbelladonna ☆ | M

“Raids are routine work,” Kyoutani tells to Yahaba before he can air the question. “Sometimes there is no sleep done until we accomplish something, say kill a certain ghoul. I guess they’re still going through the possibility that people in the accident are still alive huh?”

Yahaba quirks a smile, pushing his mask up his head.

“You’re alive.”

Kyoutani looks at him intently and all of the things that they’ve gone through for the past month seems to flash in his mind.

“Yes I am.”

i haven’t watched tokyo ghoul but i understood everything perfectly. such is the power of f*cking kickass writing

*cue ugly crying and a lot of unresolved angst*

like the grief??????? ruin me please thank you 🙏 (i think i’m a little masochistic)

rare pairs

mannequin men by surveycorpsjean ☆ | M

[bokuto/akaashi/kuroo/tuskishima]

The modelling world is full of hungry wolves, constantly clambering over the other, snarling and desperate. They fight, and they kill, trampling over anything in their path.

In this case, Akaashi fell in love with the wolves.

i did not expect this to be good, and it wasn’t. it was SPLENDID.

akaashi is so enamoured with them from the get go i love it

a tiny bit of angst that stabbed me in the heart, but the happy ending soothed it (thankfully, because if there wasn’t one i will sue)

characterisation, writing, plot development; everything is great. can you tell i’m running out of synonyms for ‘beautiful’

feel like gold by heronfem ☆☆ | T

[bokuto/akaashi/kuroo/kenma]

In which Kenma is unapologetic and comfortable with who he is, Akaashi learns a lot about himself in a short period of time, Kuroo is wildly in love and an eternal survivor, and Bokuto remembers that love doesn't cure mental illness, but having a support system sure helps a lot.

Or, the one where 4 young men get together, and are helplessly, hopelessly, utterly in love despite everything.

e.e. cummings?? poetry??? f*ck yes

so beautiful. i’m so star-struck by this fic it’s simply stunning

there are no words to fully capture how worth your time and heart and mind reading this fic is so please. do yourself a favour, and fall in love with this fic with me

the sky and guilt are the only feelings i have left by oopsthisisqueertoo ☆☆ | not rated

[bokuto/akaashi/kuroo]

Akaashi is at his wits end. He feels nothing. He's quickly crumbling as a human being. He wants nothing but sweet release of death. In his fourth year of college he drafts a plan for his suicide. He is to graduate, publish writing for others to be inspired by, and slip quietly away. Shortly after, he meets a dog walker named Bokuto who asks him out and Akaashi reluctantly agrees. Nothing matters anymore and he treats Bokuto like an obligation. Until he's not anymore.

TW: SUICIDE ATTEMPTS & DEPRESSION

this was... this gutted me entirely and filled my body with too many shades of agony

arguably one of the best haikyuu fics i’ve ever read

so beautiful in the most painful way fathomable; strongly recommend

april to may by surveycorpsjean | T

[bokuto/akaashi/kuroo/tsukishima]

They're an odd family.

The four of them? Parents?

But still, they're a family.

So they'll support each other until the end.

aaahhhhh third gym as parents 🥺

so much fluff. i also love april and may

they’re still so in love there’s love in every millimetre of this fic :”)

that’s it for now! i’ll add more if i come across anymore good fics. i hope you enjoyed this list! if you have any requests/fic recs, or if u just wanna chat, feel free to just ask! hehe 🥰 k aight bye~

[srirachvbi]

Aran and Aone as dads headcanons !

requested by @kara-grayson04: would you do aone and aran as dads?

a/n: MY BOYS!!! i love these two sm and i actually meant to post smth for aone before but i lost inspiration :((( it was an imagine not headcanons and i struggle to write sometimes-- maybe i’ll rewrite it and post it but idk (it was based off of his concern that people didn’t like to sit next to him on the train) and... aran needs more content !!! i’m literally in love with him... ALSO TIMESKIP ARAN HAS ME 😳👉👈 LIKE THE BEARD??? he looks SO GOOD.. Also.. oh my god im so sorry it took me so long to post these 😭 i literally have no excuse i was just tired

warning(s): manga spoilers 

Ojirou Aran

hello sir, your hand in marriage pls <3

He’d be SUCH A GOOD DAD

I have no doubts in my mind that he’d literally be the best husband, father, brother in law, grandfather, uncle, cousin, sibling--

This is me saying that I love Aran and I think he’s perfect 

I also think this way about Kita

Kita Shinsuke, and Ojirou Aran, please... your hands in marriage

Osamu too-- he can cook 🥰

But Atsumu??? 🤢🤢

That’s a joke he’s one of my favorite characters

Anyways back to Aran <3

But like him having twins-- one boy and one girl

The amount of dread he had before they were born because all he could think about was what if they turned out like the Miya twins

But!! when they were born and weren't the devils incarnate he was like 🥰🥰

His twins are both super energetic and never sit down

But they're like!! so happy all the time and he just

*heart clench*

He'd literally do anything for them it's so cute

When they were born, he'd spend hours in their room after you went to sleep

He would like cradle them and tell them stories and all that :((

Since he's a pro volleyball player, he wouldn't be able to spend as much time as he'd actually like with them so that's why he'd stay up late just in their room

If they ever start crying in the middle of the night, he'd immediately let you go back to sleep and he'd take care of it !!

He thinks it's fair because you take care of them so much when he's away for games and you also birthed them so like

Whenever he's home, you don't have to do half of the things you normally do

As the twins grow older, you start bringing them to his games and he's like "!!!" cause they're his pride and joy 🥺🥺🥺

He'd show them off to his teammates after the game

Aran would be like "Look!! Here are my two angels who are nothing like the Miyas 🥰🥰"

Atsumu meeting them at MSBY vs Red Falcons cause you had time off from work and the twins wanted to go

The twins knowing what their dad has said about Atsumu and being like "👁️👄👁️ my dad says you're rude" and he just *clenches heart* cause its so cute yet so sad

CAUSE LIKE yeah they're insulting him but the look on their faces is just... so cute

That's kinda masochistic, Atsumu

Actually Atsumu's a lot better than he was in high school as an adult so they do warm up to him, sadly 😔

Aran is definitely the type of guy you see in public with his kids and immediately go like "wow, he's definitely a great father" because he just radiates that energy

okay i do this sometimes idk if others do

He never yells too much at his kids and always talks things out maturely with them and its 🥺🥺

He tries not to spoil them too much but definitely does on accident CJWJCIE

They'll come back from the store and you'll see toys in their hands and you just give him one look and he's like

LISTEN

They're just too damn cute for him to say no to sometimes

But he won't spoil them to the point of them becoming obnoxious!! he knows the limits and has set them !!

When you were pregnant, he was literally so helpful and you just... hardly had to do anything

He wasn't as strict with making you do LITERALLY nothing like Sakusa, but he definitely tried to do everything he could

Absolutely no!! carrying of anything!!

He's a strong volleyball player who was one of the best back in high school-- he refuses to let his wife carry anything !!

All in all, Aran would be the best dad of haikyuu and i would write more but that would be too long

Aone Takanobu

ohmygod

I literally love him so much hes just... his current concern knocked me out

I would sit next to you Aone 😔

anyways

Aone would definitely be a great dad but he'd be a bit aloof unlike Aran would be

He wouldn't really be too sure what to do cause he's scared his own kid would be afraid of him :(

For a while, he'd be extremely hesitant to take care of your guys' daughter because he just :(( he was scared that she would start crying

Turns out his daughter literally is a ball of sunshine who thinks her dad is!! the coolest!!

I mean he's really good at volleyball and he's so BIG 🌟👄🌟

L i k e

He's literally her walking jungle gym-- you can pry this headcanon from my dead body i REFUSE to see anything else

He would be in the kitchen drinking coffee first thing in the morning and suddenly, he hears her tiny footsteps and then theres something weighing down his arm

SURPRISE!!!!! it's Misa!!!!

Forgive me, i was binging Maid-sama

She's all like "dad! dad!!" and then she'll start rambling on and he just

heart clench

You both were such a blessing in his life because neither of you were afraid of him 🥺🥺

Aone and you met during college!!

You guys didn't go to the same college but you met him on the bus hehe

🥰🥰 and you sat next to him without hesitation and actually tried to start a conversation with him because he looked to be a similar age

Now you two are married and have your cute daughter, Misaki 🥺🥺💖

Futakuchi wasn't allowed to babysit her by himself because he said something bad in front of Misa once and she asked about it later to Aone and you at dinner

Futakuchi getting a call from Aone and it's completely silent

He got the message (๑•﹏•)

Hinata is Misa's favorite uncle!!

because Futakuchi said bad words that anyones not supposed to say >:((((

Hinata likes to tell her stories of his interactions with her dad and shes all like ✧\(>o<)ﾉ✧ cause!! her dad's so!! cool!!

Since Aone works in construction (i think), he's super strong so she's always testing his limits

"Dad... can you lift the couch?" "... yes."

He lifts the couch and she's squealing like "WOAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DADS SO COOL!!!!!!"

stop shes so proud that Aone's her dad and it's just so cute

all of her friends think that Aone's the coolest as well because Misa never stops talking about him!!

"Aone-san, you're so cool!!! Misa-chan was right!!" "RIGHT?? RIGHT?? My dads awesome!!!"

He's never felt so much happiness

When you were pregnant, he was this huge ball of anxiety... the poor thing...

He's super nervous he's gonna accidentally hurt you in some way and so for a while, he refuses to touch you im-

He doesn't know his own strength and if smth happens to you, he will literally die

It took you scolding him for like 20 minutes for him to finally understand

He's still hesitant to hold you when you guys are in bed tho cause he's 😔😔

Aone would definitely struggle at the beginning as a father but he's literally such a great dad after he lets go of his worries!!

[mimi-cee-hq]

Since First Year - Tsukishima x Yachi

31 Days of Haikyuu!! - Day 17: Favourite Pairing - tsukiyachi :D

Summary: Tsukishima has been pining for Yachi over the years. High school, college, and afterwards, he wonders if he ever had a chance in the first place. A series of snippets of Tsukishima and Yachi's relationship over the years.

Tags: Cute fluff, Pining, Canon-compliant (I think), First year, Third year, College, Sendai Frogs, Sendai City Museum, (these are all basically hints about scenes in the story lol)

This one-shot was inspired by @limach-an's tsukiyachi fanart. And I also blame @innovativestruggles for sharing it with me and for loving tsukiyachi more than I do.

Note: If tsukiyachi is your NOTP, you can just filter out the tsukiyachi tag. I’m pretty good at tagging them.

Words: 1,958

*****

Drool fell out of Tanaka's mouth, Hinata was asleep as well, and Nishinoya looked like he could pass out any minute. Kiyoko, holding a tray of food in her hand, looked at Tanaka, wondering what to do with him. Yachi panicked at the sight of Hinata's head on the table.

"He's fine, Yachi," commented Tsukishima. "Just let him sleep."

Yachi bit her lip, glancing at Tsukishima then back at Hinata. "I guess you're right," she replied. As Tsukishima continued to munch on his shrimp, Yachi giggled at him. "You're actually eating," she pointed out.

Tsukishima directed his eyes elsewhere. After the Shiratorizawa match, he had worked up a large appetite, which was absent on a normal day. He took another bite from the shrimp but didn't bother to eat the meat in its tail. His hands were still taped up.

"Umm...," she said while scratching her cheek. "Do you want me to help you with that?" Tsukishima prompted her to go ahead. As she peeled off the skin, she nervously peeked at Tsukishima every so often, as if she wanted to say something. "Y-You were really cool," she finally said after giving him the meat.

Tsukishima felt his cheeks heat up. He remembered feeling proud of his brother when Yamaguchi thought Akiteru was cool. He knew that Yamaguchi looked up to him as well. But it was embarrassing to hear it straight from Yachi. With cheeks still red, he muttered a thanks in reply.

"Nishinoya was cool too!" Yachi continued. "And Sugawara too! And I can't believe Hinata jumped into the net!" she laughed. Oh. So it wasn’t just him. But perhaps he should have expected that.

"Yachi," Kiyoko called out to her from across the table. "Could you help me get Tanaka's bowl?"

"Okay!" she replied, leaving her seat.

Tsukishima scowled, fully aware of the empty spot to his right. He continued to eat, biting a bit too firmly on his food. "Tch,” he clicked his tongue, getting frustrated at the strange feeling in his stomach.

*****

"Here," Yachi handed the booklets to the team’s two new managers. "Hopefully, this will help you get oriented," she explained. "I already went over most of the information with you, but I made these in case you missed something or wanted something as reference."

The two first years gawked at the booklet. It was filled with information like names of the members of the team, the volleyball rules specific for the Japanese high school league, and the year's schedule. But that wasn't all. It was laid out with detailed attention to typography and graphics and it was pleasing to look at.

"Are you a professional graphics designer?" one of the managers asked.

Yachi rubbed the back of her head with a timid smile. "I would like to be one," she replied.

The two ran off, after receiving instructions from her. Tsukishima commented, "You're going to be busy with those two this year."

"I don't mind being busy with something like this," Yachi smiled. "I'm glad more people are interested in our volleyball team. Remember when I made that fundraising poster in first year?" Tsukishima recalled it clearly. "I don't even have to do that anymore. I'm glad that I joined the team and I got to see everyone grow."

Tsukishima noted the gentle smile on her face. "I'm glad we both joined," he mumbled to himself.

"What was that?" Yachi asked.

"Nothing," he calmly replied. "Why are you talking like we're not playing anymore? We still have the rest of the year."

"Ah! That's right!" Yachi exclaimed, covering her mouth.

Tsukishima smirked at her reaction. Although, he said otherwise, they really did only have a year of high school left. Staring at the top of Yachi's blonde hair, bundled to the side, he sighed, not wanting things to change.

*****

Hinata: Happy New Year!! Please take care of us this year too!!!!!!!

Yamaguchi and Yachi laughed their heads off while Tsukishima covered a chuckle. Hinata sent them a picture of him and Oikawa making a Kagamimochi out of sand. But it literally looked like crap.

“It looks so wrong when you make that with sand!!” exclaimed Yamaguchi.

“That sitting - wait, squatting pose there isn’t doing them any favours either…!” said Yachi.

“They look so proud of their creation. It’s making me mad,” Tsukishima said, somehow still annoyed by them.

It was already New Years Day when they got the text. Yachi came over to Tsukishima and Yamaguchi’s dorm to visit for the first time in a while. After high school, Tsukishima and Yamaguchi went to Tohoku University while Yachi went to Miyagi University. Although they all lived in the same area, they didn’t see her very often. It was expected, but Tsukishima thought it was nice to see his high school friend again, not that he’d admit it.

“I guess I should go home now,” Yachi said as she stood up from the futon. “This was fun,” she smiled at them. Tsukishima walked her to the door as Yamaguchi started to clean up. “I’m going to miss you two.”

Tsukishima smirked at her. “Well…,” he started, “you could see us more often if you dated me.”

He heard a chopstick fall on the floor. Yamaguchi went stiff. Yachi blinked at Tsukishima, likely wondering if he was serious. “Tsukki, you shouldn’t joke about that,” she laughed. With her coat already on, she opened the door. “I’ll see you two next time,” she grinned.

Right after the door closed, Yamaguchi accidentally let out a snort. Tsukishima immediately glared at him. “I can’t believe you just did that,” Yamaguchi decided to let out his laugh anyway. Tsukishima rolled his eyes and sighed. It was worth a shot, he guessed.

*****

Tsukishima saw Yamaguchi at the other side of the stadium waving him down. He grimaced, clearly recalling that he told them not to come and watch him play for the Sendai Frogs. Both Yamaguchi and Yachi insisted but, trying to deter them, he didn't bother to say when and where his game was. Of course, they found out anyway. To be honest, he didn't want them to come because he knew they would just embarrass him.

“Yamaguchi! Yachi!” yelled out Koganegawa with a large wave. When they got there, Kyoutani greeted them with a nod.

Tsukishima was right. He blushed, knowing they shouldn’t have come. Not when Yachi was wearing a Sendai Frogs jersey with his name on it. He groaned with a strong inkling that Yamaguchi probably talked her into wearing it.

He thought his crushing years were over. But after some food and dessert a couple hours post game, he still found himself averting his gaze from Yachi. Even Kyoutani raised his eyebrow, noticing Tsukishima’s behaviour.

And somehow after their evening drew to a close, Tsukishima found himself carrying Yachi home in his arms. With her head tucked in his shoulder and arms wrapped around his neck, he reluctantly decided to cherish this moment as long as it would last.

He stopped walking to shift her weight to a more comfortable position. "Are you sure you're okay?" asked Yachi.

"Yeah, we're almost there," he replied, wishing what he said wasn't true. "Next time, don't wear heels," he lied.

"Alright."

Yachi hugged him a bit tighter, Tsukishima realizing just how cold the air had gotten. He sighed, deciding he'd have to walk a little faster for her sake.

*****

Tsukishima never expected this to happen. His manager walked Yachi through the Sendai City Museum and later introduced her to Tsukishima and his co-workers.

“Hi Tsukishima!” Yachi said with a bright grin.

“You two know each other?”

“Yeah! Since our first year of high school!”

Since first year… It had been that long. But here she was in front of him, with an opportunity to work together again.

Yachi was hired on contract from her mom’s design firm. Over the next few months, he worked with her to put together pamphlets and posters for the museum. She didn’t need much help from him. The company gave her quite a few resources for her to use. But he took the opportunity to sit and work beside her, saying that it would be much easier for her to ask for help that way.

As time went on, it seemed like they got even closer than they were in high school. Tsukishima would tease her whenever she started to overthink about her work, noting that some things didn’t change. But she would give him a jab right back at him, telling him to get back to work.

But there were times when Tsukishima would see glimpses of hope - glimpses that Yachi was actually interested in him. Normally, he would pick up on people’s emotions easily, nut because he had been pining for so long, he doubted his judgement, knowing it could be clouded by his feelings.

One day, Yachi suddenly started crying. “It’s nothing,” she told him. “Just forget about it.” But he hugged her and told her she could share with him if she wanted.

At first she mumbled her response. When Tsukishima asked again, she clearly replied this time. “I’ll miss you.”

It was the end of her contract. He wasn’t looking forward to this either. But from the way she was crying, he wondered if perhaps she did have feelings for him.

Tsukishima began to analyse back to the past months, looking for clues he might have missed. There were days where she placed her hand over his during his rough days. Another day she placed a hand on his cheek when he was distraught over the results of his work. She would also hug him whenever she thanked him for his help.

At first, he thought close friends would do that too. But as she sniffed, trying to hold back her tears, he wondered if he was special.

“Yachi,” Tsukishima asked, “can I test something?”

“What do you mean?” she replied, wiping her tears away with her sleeve, trying not to touch her mascara.

“Just push me away if you don’t like it.”

 Yachi blinked a few times, not knowing what to do, but she shyly nodded afterwards.

Tsukishima drew his face close to hers, tentatively stopping a couple inches in front of her. Yachi’s eyes grew but after a moment between them, they fluttered shut.

Tsukishima, on the other hand, took a step back to just stare at her. She actually liked him. Yachi caught him wide-eyed, covering his mouth. “What was that?” Yachi said as she pounded his chest with her fist.”

“I-”

“That was so embarrassing!” Yachi exclaimed as she hid her face in her hands. “Why would you do that?”

Tsukishima groaned, not wanting to have to explain why he was being so… stupid. “Well, I’ve liked you for so long that I… was surprised.”

“What???” Yachi freaked out. It seemed like she didn’t expect his admission either. “Just how long?”

He mumbled.

“What?”

“Since first year.”

Yachi's eyes grew wide. Of course her reaction was expected. Who would be pining for the same girl for so long?

Tsukishima hid his face, embarrassed from admitting his feelings.

“So… aren’t you going to kiss me?” Yachi shyly asked after calming down a bit.

“Mmm… maybe a bit later,” he said to tease, but a blush still covered his cheeks and still looking elsewhere.

“What?”

“You can wait, right?”

“Ugh Tsukki!!!”

“Kei.”

“What?”

“You can call me that instead.”

Yachi was dumbfounded. With his initial embarrassment gone,Tsukishima started to have fun teasing her, but he noticed a sly smile growing on her face.

“You can wait, right?”

Tsukishima was caught off-guard, then laughed. He couldn’t help but think how cute she was and put an arm around her as they left the museum.

*****

I hope you liked it. I feel like I got lazy in the end. lol.

FYI, the New Year’s college scene was based off of this translated post from Twitter for New Years 2020

General Taglist: @dorkyama @the-black-birb @hqprotectionsquad @nagichi-boop @moonaaluna @muffins-puffins (let me know if you want to be added or removed)

[machulie]

A Place Further Than the Universe 1/19

Wow! This is definitely an anime I am going to come back to time and time again because of its feel-good story, and its beautiful animation. Every character is amazing and you can’t help but root for them even if there are tensions between them. The audience comes to know and love every character and you can’t get enough of their adorable relationships with each other. (much like another anime I mention later…) 

If I had to pick one episode that really changed me, it would be episode nine. Shirase Kobuchizawa and Gin Todo finally communicate openly and honestly about Shirase’s mother and the nature of their relationship with each other. It really gave me a better in-depth view of who these two characters were (the cute interview scene was also very fun to watch). But the metaphor of the ship breaking through the ice after multiple attempts really resonated with me. The feeling that this whole scene evoked about perseverance, determination, and the eventual overcoming of adversity with a loud “IN YOUR FACE!” was also the same feeling I get while watching sports anime such as my #1 favorite, Haikyuu!! It was just inspiring and fulfilling to see characters who had worked so hard for something finally to succeed. Much like Hinata Shoyo rejoicing after finally slamming his first minus tempo crazy quick insanely unrealistic spike with Tobio Kageyama, Shirase finally stepping foot on Antarctica and yelling out that she finally made it to Antarctica warmed my heart and gave me chills. 

Episode 10 also left me feeling very very warm and whole inside. Yuzuki Shiraishi and her development because of the support of all her friends made me smile so much. It really reminded me of my middle school experience. I really was kind of a loner who didn’t have much to say besides random pokemon facts and what my favorite classical composers were. I never even had a birthday party until I was in 9th grade where friends threw a surprise one for me and I also cried much like Shiraishi did. I really am a completely different person today because of those friends and I can’t even begin to describe what their support has meant to me. 

I would love to talk about Episode 12, only after my eyes stop leaking. (“IM NOT CRYING, YOU ARE! *runs away in shame*) but in all seriousness the moment I saw those emails show up as unread so many emotions burst over me much as they did for Shirase. I couldn’t even begin to explain this built-up tension and worry over what I already knew to be true and it finally being confirmed. This anime masterfully tugged me and my feelings around hoping for the impossible and finally confronting what this whole journey was about. But I believe the message that your friends are there to help you confront your feelings and make it through these hard experiences is so important. There have been so many instances where I felt like I couldn’t go on but with the support of those around me I made it through.

Overall, this anime has been a blessing to experience. I loved all of the characters, the story, the themes, the animation, and the music. This is definitely something I would recommend to a friend and I can’t wait to watch this again in the future. Thanks for reading through this mountain of a post haha! :)

[fruitchakra]

why you should read haikyuu!! (no spoilers)

as an sns-focused blog, i’m going to frame this through the lens of sns/naruto (the series) because the fact is that i finally, finally picked up haikyuu because i read something posted by someone on tumblr or twitter saying ‘hinata and kageyama are basically just naruto and sasuke in high school’.

which is true but mostly false BUT i am so glad i gave it a chance when even my best friend pestering me couldn’t get me to watch/read it (she doesn’t watch naruto so i didn’t trust her lmao). 

the reason i’m so hesitant to start on new manga is because i’m extremely picky with the type of shonen manga i read. 9/10 times i’m just disappointed with the art style, plot, storyline progression, etc. this is also the reason why i reread and rewatch naruto for the nth time because i just cannot get into anything else.

enter haikyuu. haikyuu is truly what a shonen manga is imo - one that revolves around friendship and rivalry with a single key person and overcoming adversities to become the best. compare this to naruto which is a love story because i still cannot believe that it is a shonen manga because it’s not (naruto’s focus on sasuke is not normal or platonic lol. it can’t be. i refuse).

1. character development and world building

the characterizations are really good and they don’t go obsessively deep about people or a single character - hinata’s rivalry with kageyama is clear but it is not the basis of the entire plot. there are no real ‘villains’ too, even if the other team is the opponent. the way things are written makes you root for everyone involved (unlike naruto because there are many characters that i absolutely cannot stand. in haikyu i either like them or can’t remember them because there’s so...many...players.)

furudate’s strength is making you connect with the characters. 

the most refreshing thing is that the world building is good (volleyball is super interesting) but not fraught with things that are uncomfortable, like naruto and its politics and how some people absolutely lose all critical thinking skills when it comes to examining things like fascism and genocide. haikyuu is so much more lighthearted and because of this, it’s a lot of fun.

2. hinata and kageyama’s bond

this is one of my favourite things and it’s so SO refreshing compared to naruto and sasuke’s relationship. hinata and kageyama are introduced as rivals and hinata doesn’t fixate over kageyama - his main goal is to the best volleyball player. in naruto, the narrative is set up as naruto’s desire to be acknowledged and become hokage, but there is a disconnect because the plot is driven by sasuke and his actions. 

i watch naruto for sasuke so i absolutely have no issue with it but when the second character becomes more important than your titular character, something has gone wrong in your plotting/writing.

but there is no escaping that there are similarities: hinata’s name means sun and kageyama’s name means shadow. their character designs and colors are in direct contrast as well (tall and short, bright and dark hair).

3. tsukishima

give me an aloof, quiet character with brother issues, who finds himself changing due to the influence of the protagonist and I AM SOLD. add in moon symbolisms and i am crying because you are now my favorite character. 

4. nostalgia 

the best thing is the nostalgia i think! pretty sure everyone reading this has gone to high school. most people have (or were forced to) participate in some sort of sport. everyone has had dreams and in high school, the world outside seems impossibly big and anything and everything is possible. haikyuu really plays into this and it is absolutely hopeful and inspiring it is. 

it also reminds me how naive and flawed this thinking is because life will not go the way you want to, just because you really truly want something and work hard for it. of course, as a children’s manga, it doesn’t linger on the negative aspects of growing up but seeing something so hopeful and happy really highlights the stark reality of adult lives. and i honestly love how introspective it makes me. 

5. furudate’s art style

the manga is 100000% better than the anime because we get furudate’s art style which is insanely good because you can really sense the speed and motion and excitement of the volleyball. 

more importantly are the little tiny details he adds into little frames. it builds so much more character and i’m slowly getting through the anime because the volleyball parts are much better animated and the OPs are hype but the pacing is really off and i don’t think the voice casting is as good as naruto’s. 

6. the importance of a strong opening 

the first chapter made me cry, with hinata’s enthusiasm and lack of support and him still finding his way around it to make things work as best as he can. it’s incredibly earnest and just so pure.

naruto didn’t do this for me tbh, and it was only sasuke’s introduction that hooked me. the closest feeling i’ve come across in the introduction of a story from another form of media is the kdrama vagabond. no other opening has hit me as hard with this sense of warmth and purity (12/10 would recommend. it’s on netflix!)

7. stand-out characters

hinata - my big hearted sunshine boy. best protagonist ever thank u for existing

kageyama - the way to my heart: a boy with dark hair and dark eyes. his growth is so so good

tsukishima - moon. background and character growth. i love his attitude

yamaguchi - i scream whenever he steps onto court. pure and sweet

basically everyone on the karasuno team

kenma - basically me irl

oikawa - “i hope they both lose” truly the single best sentence ever given to a character

miya twins - they’re drawn so beautifully?? and great chaotic energy

if you’ve read all the way here, you’re the best and take it as a sign you start haikyuu :)

[crushzone]

Hi Nin! I know this might be weird of me to ask because you are an artist yourself, but I am rather new here and was wondering if you have any other artists you'd recommend? If not that is ok!

Hi there, not weird at all! I LOVE supporting fellow artists, I find their wonderful talent and dedication incredibly inspiring, seeing their beautiful works on my feed constantly reminds me to take a step back from my exhaustion and to simply remember why I love to draw to begin with: because it’s fun.

I’m usually really picky about artists I follow and their style, but when I find the ones that I enjoy, I go ALL OUT with my support. So without further ado, the following artists listed are those I am not only in love with, but those who I genuinely look up to. 

So make sure you stop by their page to show them some love and appreciation for their hard work (because hard work extends beyond the individual pieces they’ve made, it’s also for the countless hours they’ve spent on practicing and perfecting their craft, constantly challenging themselves to learn new techniques). 💛

👇🏼👇🏼 Nin’s Artist Recommendation👇🏼👇🏼

---------------------

@aku-jumbi - HQ!!, Various, You all had seen me share a BUNCH of their works on my blog, but it’s just because their art is so SOOOOOOOOO good. Your style leans toward photorealism, while still maintaining its painting-like quality, so if you had ever wondered how your favorite characters may look like irl, they’ve got you!!! Watching your speed painting is so fascinating, idk how you do it, but you’re always killing it every time (Like our process is so different, so it was really interesting to see how you approach your works you know?). This piece of Kei Tsukishima and Oikawa Tooru are two of my favorite works you’ve done!

@achieve-the-sun - HQ!!, Various, Let me start off by saying that I love Morghy’s art so much, that they are the first and only person I had ever commissioned from so far. They drew Keishin and I sooo adorably, it brings me so much joy to look at it on the daily. Your style reminds me of freshly baked cookies, or the warmth of bakeries, I can’t help but feel a sense of coziness whenever I look at your adorable artworks. This piece you did of Kageyama and Hinata was what had drawn me to you. Everything from your color choices, fluid gestures, and expressions are such a delight to look at!

@chaotickatts - HQ!! I am so in love with Katts, you all. I had never seen anyone draw like this, her style is really unique. I can go on forever about why I love your art, but one of the biggest things that drew me to your style is the way you draw bodies. I like the variation and realistic details you include, for instance, I absolutely adore the way you gave Sakusa more moles on his body, and the way you drew dad bod Osamu. Idk, I think there’s so many different types of body shapes and details out there, and it brings me joy to see you being so inclusive of them in your art.

@namusw - Hunter x Hunter. Was drawn to their Hunter x Hunter works and I don’t even watch/read that manga. Honestly, just check them out, I love everything about their works, they are also a killer at both traditional and digital styles. This piece of Hisoka, Illumi, and Chrollo was the one that made me fall in love.

@cranbearly - HQ!! I really adore the way they draw expressions and their coloring style (inspired me to attempt some flat coloring). This piece of Oikawa and Iwa made me follow them instantly. Expressions are so difficult to nail, and you’ve done such an amazing job conveying every emotion the characters are feeling, I’ve learned so much just from looking at your works, so thank you for blessing us with your craft.

@a-zebra-was-here - HQ!! Their art has a very carefree type of vibe and their coloring style brings me so much joy. I’ve really enjoyed your drawings of the Miyas’, this piece of the twin was what got me, and this other piece, the first image of young Miyas’ was so SO well done, I am in love with the way you colored that. 😻 

@erionmakuo - Various, dude....I want to cry, I don’t even know what to say, EVERY SINGLE PIECE of your artworks just BLOWS ME AWAY. The way you color your art is just so ethereal, the color schemes you had chosen, the way you mix the color of your lighting, textures, and everything in general, I can go on about this all day but just hop on to their blog and you will know exactly what I mean. I don’t have a particular piece that drew me in because I was blessed by all your works at once.

@uranarino - HQ!!, Your artworks bring me so much joy. If I have to describe your style like an experience in life, I would say it reminds me of how it’s like to fall in love with someone for the first time, if that makes sense. That sudden overwhelming feeling you get when you’re doing the most mundane things with someone you care about, only for time to stop as you realize how in love you are with them? Yea, your art captures that really well. These two pieces of Kuroo returning home with his groceries and of him taking a day nap with his cats was what had drawn me to you.

@queenoftheantz - HQ!!, Various, Their style is really unique, it kind of reminds me of an adventurous graphic novel or something you would see on Cartoon Network (idk, I thought of Chowder, but please, I really mean it as a compliment, I just really love the fun cartoon style you have.) They also do some animations! I really love this piece of Kyotani you did, the landscape and colors look SOO GOOD!!

@noodlemanjpg - HQ!!, Various, love LOVE your style and the way you draw expressions. I also really love how you color, your works “appear” effortless, but I know a lot of knowledge and precision is put into crafting it. This piece of Kuroo x Yaku being all cozy at the couch was what had drawn me to your blog, it makes me smile every time I look at it. Kuroo’s smitten expression is just...ahsdl;adjs I can’t help but smile with him.

@diabolism666 - HQ!!, c’mon, you can’t be in the HQ!! fandom without at least seeing one of their artworks. In fact, I had seen your art even before I’ve gotten into this show, and it was love at first sight, lemme tell ya. EVERY. SINGLE. THING. you had drawn are so good, it doesn’t even matter if it’s a more simplistic drawing or elaborate one, I am just always staring at it in awe. Thank you for being so incredibly active about it too, idk how, but you’ve produced so many amazing drawings and we’re just incredibly grateful for it. You draw some of best Tendou, Reon and Toshi out there. Your works have so much range, I really feel like you can draw ANYTHING hahaha.

@viria​ - Various, Viria *sobs* your works are so good. The way you draw faces and affection just gives me butterflies. I don’t even watch Fullmetal Alchemist, but this piece you did of Edward and Winry made me fall so deeply in love with your works. Your style has a certain softness to it, even when it is of an angry character, and I love it.

@nipuni​ - Various, another artist that I am incredibly nervous to tag because your works are just out of the world. You also seem so so nice and is always incredibly helpful whenever anyone sends you an ask. Just...I have the biggest crush on you and your works. EVERYTHING you had drawn is so stunning, and I mean it. The details, pose, composition, and coloring, it is just so perfect, I could pull up particular artworks, but I was really blessed by it all at once. If you are into fantasy-esque realistic looking portraits, check her out, she exudes so much knowledge and talent.

@hinamihere - HQ!!, Your artworks are soo stinkin adorable. Your color choices, expressions and the way you draw hair is just so cute, your art always bring the biggest smile to my face. This piece you did of Akaashi and Bokuto was what drew me to you, when I saw it, I “awhhh”ed so loudly, my hubby had to ask me what’s up, and when I showed it to him, he had the same reaction, even if he’d never seen Haikyuu!!

@oxxuri - BNHA, so SO good, the way you color, light, and draw is so beautiful. Every single detail, down to every lashes and strands of hair is so beautiful. You draw some of the most attractive faces I had ever seen, these drawings of Aizawa and Midoriya brings me so SOOOO much joy, and I don’t even know anything about BNHA.

@amezure - HQ!!, their comic strips always make my day, I was giving their blog a peep so I can pull up specific examples and my statement is instantly confirmed when I stumbled across their newest comic art of Kuroo and Bokuto and started laughing HAHA. 😂 Your self study sheets are incredibly informative and I find myself referencing them often, it’s so nice to see my favorite artists continue to polish their craft through endless amounts of studying, practice, and analysis. It serves as a constant reminder for myself to do the same. I love the way you draw people (check out this piece of Bokuto x Akaashi), but I ESPECIALLY love the way you draw animals. (Specifically anything that has to do with lil owl Bo and Akaashi 🥺)

@obobro - Avatar the Last Airbender, HQ!!, I am absolutely in love with the way you color and draw portraits. Your drawing and detailing has so much range; you have a series of hand drawings, and that alone already displays so SO much range. I was really drawn in by this drawing of Tsukki, Zuka + Azula, and of Sokka + Katara, you can really tell they were related and I love it so much. Your art has so much life to it, it’s truly fascinating. 

---------------------

I have a couple more artists to recommend, so if you’d like a part 2 to this, please lmk.

But yes, I genuinely stand by my recommendations, these guys are so SO good at what they do and I am currently sweating because the thought of tagging all my artist crushes in one post is actually kinda scary lol.

Hope this helps! ✌️ 

[genesisrose74]

here’s the thing, gen. i low key really wanna watch haikyuu, have for a while (and more so now and it’s totally not because sapnap has mentioned it a few times and i’m a simp or anything) but my high school had a volleyball team. that was our school sport in a sense.

in australia we don’t have a school sport culture like in the us. honestly school sport culture from the us terrifies me. but my high school was the one you went to if you wanted to play volleyball. one guy from my graduating class played for australia in thailand in 2018 (also the year i graduated lmao). anyway off topic

high school was not poggers for me, and volleyball being a major-ish thing for my school i can’t not associate the sport (which i actually kinda enjoy playing and am not bad at. head of department for PE, plus the volleyball team coach asked me once to play for the school. i did not want to)

this is a long ass winded way to say, please convince me to watch the show. i wanna but not enough to just... watch it. i need to be convinced. i am like techno. i easily succumb to mild amounts of peer pressure. just yell at me to watch it and i probably will tbh

- <3

Oh wow, your school must’ve been pretty well known for its team :0 well I am totally and completely in love with this show and here’s a bit of why to possibly convince you about giving it a try!

Why You Should Watch Haikyuu!!

Here’s a little short summary first:

Japan is pretty big on volleyball (especially recently) because their team is one of the world’s best, but while there’s absolutely competitive elements in the show for sure, it’s incredibly heartfelt, funny, and built upon the foundation of enjoying the things one loves. The main character is Shoyo Hinata (my fav, the bestest boi 🥺), who originally plays soccer but becomes inspired by a talented high school volleyball player and decides to take up the sport. His school doesn’t have a boy’s volleyball team, but he’s absolutely in love with the sport and decides to try practicing with his friends and as many people as possible. Eventually he gets enough people to play in the last tournament of their middle school year, and despite the fact that his team is clearly not great, he has lots of drive and enthusiasm to where he isn’t deterred. He’s very agile and can jump like a beast, but clearly has a lack of real game experience.

Fast forward to the first year of high school, Shoyo is at his dream school and realizes that one of the team members he encountered at the tournament - Kageyama - is on his team. Kags is incredibly competitive and has some character flaws that have to do with teamwork, and he and Hinata are very competitive with each other and bicker all the time. The story basically follows their high school team and their attempt to get to Nationals, while also showing the character growth of Hinata, Kageyama, and all their friends along the way.

Now to some of the reasons I personally adore this show, down to every last detail:

One of the reasons I love this show so much is because of the fact that it’s realistic in more ways than one. It doesn’t follow this perspective that “volleyball is the one and only thing that all these characters can care about”, but keeps a consistent focus on the plotline while exploring different aspects of life. No one individual or team is especially overpowered or given insane plot armor either, which many sports shows can sometimes resort to.

The manga author and original creator of the story, Haruichi Furudate, was a volleyball player in high school himself, and puts a lot of his own realistic perspective into the plot. The anime itself is incredibly well done animation wise, to the point where professional players on the college and national scale have praised its accuracy, and it depicts common struggles of athletes (honestly any athlete or performer) in a real way: performance anxiety, health, not being a natural prodigy at something, injuries, you name it. One of USC’s liberos even said that she experienced similar performance anxiety to what’s depicted in certain episodes of the show. I resonated with it especially, as I’ve played volleyball and performed in multiple other sports/extracurriculars and felt similarly. It does it in a comfortable, tasteful, and impactful way that doesn’t devoid the show of its overall emotion or humor.

Additionally, Haikyuu is one of the only shows so far that has gotten me so immersed in what’s going on that I’ll be sitting on the edge of my couch to see what happens - even when I’ve seen that episode or clip before. I’ve gotten multiple friends into the show as well, and they’ve all felt the same. You want to root for these characters (and even some of the ones not on the main team, if you’d believe it), becoming elated when they discover something about themselves or break past a boundary. When I say I’ve gotten emotional over this freaking show, I mean it.

The original soundtrack is one of the best I’ve ever seen in an anime. God tier insane. Makes you feel chills as you experience exactly what the characters are at the same time you’re watching it. The intro and outro music is also incredible. You never skip an opening because it’s that good.

Nothing goes forgotten, each character is thoroughly and intricately developed, and it can make me both laugh my ass off and cry my heart out. I might just be more emotional lol, but trust me when I say it’s immersive. I deeply, truly hope that you consider giving the first few episodes a shot to see if you like it, and let me know if you end up doing so! Season one is a little slower in early progression just to set a basic plot foundation, but it picks up very nicely as the episodes continue.

alsjfnsldksjd this is so fucking long but I could say so much more about how much I love Haikyuu. Please please please 🥺🙏 I implore you to watch and appreciate it!

[lyrebirdswrites]

Haikyuu: Where To From Here?

Okay, so I’ve calmed down enough now to finally put together some coherent thoughts about chapter 369.

First of all: there’s no need to panic, or to jump to conclusions! At this point, we have very little information. Here are the only concrete, confirmed facts we know for certain are true about the twist at the end of the chapter:

- an unspecified number of years have passed (above is the official Shonen jump translation, fan translations state ‘several’ years have passed)

- the story will be focusing on Brazil for the foreseeable future

- the composition of the manga strip places emphasis on a young man riding a bike - he’s a character of importance.

That’s it. That’s the only information we have. We don’t know how long the story will spend in Brazil. We don’t know for sure if the guy on the bike is Hinata - the hair is different, he appears taller, and we definitely did not see his face - and furthermore we don’t know if any characters we’re already familiar with are in Brazil at all. Heck, we don’t even know if this bike riding guy plays volleyball!

(I think it’s safe to assume he does, considering the nature of this manga, but the point is, we are not operating on an abundance of information here. Nothing is confirmed.)

I understand why this might seem like the worst possible direction for the narrative to take, especially when it feels like it came out of nowhere. Haikyuu, at its heart, has always been a series about people. Watching them grow, watching them become stronger and more skilled, watching them learn to love and rely on each other. Seeing Karasuno face up to impossible odds and achieve victory is so gratifying only because they do it together, as a team. Seeing Karasuno confront defeat and mourn a loss is so fulfilling only because they refuse to let it hold them back, and because they support and inspire each other through the good times and the bad. For a series that relies so heavily on the bonds between characters, it is jarring to see the relationships which we’ve invested in jeapordised by such an abrupt change in location and time. It’s just like Kageyama said:

We all wanted to go further with Karasuno. But here’s the thing: at it’s heart, Haikyuu has always been a series about people. The people of Karasuno, in particular. And I highly doubt that Furudate is going to throw away all that character development that they carefully cultivated over years in order to follow the story of some strangers on the other side of the planet. It’s not consistent with the themes the narrative presented to us over almost 400 chapters, and it’s not consistent with the meticulous way in which Furudate has built up the trajectory of these characters.

So I would posit that it’s very unlikely we’ve seen the last of Karasuno. That’s why the third year’s graduation was rushed. That’s why we didn’t get a proper end to the spring tournament. That’s why it wasn’t necessary for Hinata to be present at the dinner and to hear the emotional speeches. And that’s why there are so many loose ends, like the extremely skilled players from Kageyama’s national camp that Karasuno never really interacted with, or the occasional mention of scouting for university and national teams. This was never intended to be a permanent goodbye, so there was no need to wrap everything up in a neat little bow and create the perfect nostalgic ending. Their story isn’t over yet!

Honestly, I don’t think this twist is a death scentence for the manga. In fact, I think it could be just what haikyuu needs to launch into something even greater than what we’ve seen so far. Think about it: the first chapter of Haikyuu was published in February 2012, and right now at the end of 2019, 7 years later, we’ve only just seen the end of hinata’s first ever spring tournament. At this rate, it would be decades before Hinata ever graduated high school. With a time skip, we don’t have to rehash the same tournaments and face off against the same teams over and over and over in real time. As much as I would love to see Hinata become a senpai and watch him develop into a formidable third year volleyball player, I think it would be really hard to keep the story from becoming stale or feeling derivative of itself if Furudate attempted to follow Hinata’s story in real time, tracking his development as he attends the same competitions and fights the same schools while each single match takes dozens upon dozens of chapters. Also, if we’re not following the day to day experiences of Hinata in high school, then there’s no need to push the third years who’ve just graduated out of the story. Not just for Karasuno, but for all the other teams we love. If the focus is no longer on high school volleyball, then the manga is much more free to continue including the third years or even to have them play on the same team as our favourite first years. Olympics, anyone? There are so many exciting directions the story could take from here, and I can’t wait to see it.

So if their story isn’t over, then... what the heck is happening now? Like I said, we really have no idea what could happen next because there are so few details to work off of. The next few chapters should give us a clearer idea, if we can be patient enough to wait for them. But looking back through the manga can give us a few clues too. There are already some posts pointing this out, but it’s clear that Furudate has been planning this a long time based on forshadowing within the manga itself:

There’s Brazil, right there! In reference to people who are going to meet and change the world. Or more specifically, members of a volleyball team who meet, and push each other to greater heights, and eventually challenge the national (international? world?) stage. While Karasuno have been getting stronger, the narrative is pretty explicitly hinting that another team in Brazil is doing the same thing. I think we’re about to meet them.

At first I was worried we’d never see Karasuno or the Japanese volleyball players again, or at least not for a long time. But right from the start, Furudate told us they were never planning to confine these characters to high school or even to Japan.

Here, Kageyama asks Hinata to keep up with him not just in high school, but in the long term. To play with him not just at the Spring Interhigh, but beyond the very best of the national level and on a worldwide stage. Their partnership and rivalry was the foundation of this story from chapter 1, and the manga won’t end until they either face off against one another and prove who is the better player in an official world tournament - or until they become world champions on the same team. That was the premise set out at the start of the manga, and that’s the promise which needs to be fulfilled for it to end. Taking into account all the character development Hinata and Kageyama have experienced in order to become an amazing duo instead of eternal rivals, I’d say the second option is the most likely. They’ve come a long way from those first few panels, and Kageyama admitting he wanted to go even further with Karasuno proves he’s long past the be-the-best do-it-alone mindset which triggered this scene.

(it’s possible that the bike riding guy is Hinata on the Brazil team, and that Kageyama will be his ultimate opponent. But I don’t see why the bike rider guy’s face would be hidden if that was the big twist. Showing Hinata in Brazil has more shock value than showing a stranger in Brazil, and imo 369 was definitely attempting to shock! I think Hinata and Kageyama are more of a team now than they’ve ever been, and it seems unlikely that the narrative will backtrack and make them rivals again without another round of long-term character development in that direction. It wouldn’t all be hidden in a timeskip and a flashback or two.)

If Kageyama, Hinata, and other beloved characters are playing on the world stage, they need teams to play against. Haikyuu has always been known for having highly developed rivals - you can’t help but empathise with and cheer on the other team, every time. So what we’re seeing here isn’t the end of Karasuno, but rather the introduction of Hinata and Kageyama’s new competition. We’re gonna be reading about international volleyball tournaments between countries, and no team is going to be one-dimensional, nor are they going to exist only within the competition arena. It looks like we’re going to be spending a lot of time with these rival teams, or at the very least with the Brazil team. More time than we spent with Nekoma or Fukurodani. We’re gonna watch them grow and learn to rely on each other the same way we did with Karasuno, the same way we fell in love with all the high school teams - and then, we’ll watch them go head to head in a competition more epic than anything we’ve seen in Haikyuu to date.

Of course, that’s just speculation. I could be totally wrong. But at the end of the day, I trust Furudate to write a good story. For seven years they’ve composed Haikyuu, a manga that has made me laugh, made me cry, and has taught me some pretty valuable lessons about facing adversity and dealing with defeat. It’s been with me throughout my own high school years and beyond, even as I’ve grown and changed as a person, and never once has the story genuinely let me down. I have absolute faith that whatever comes next will be just as good, so long as we approach it with an open heart.

[theprettysetterclub]

heyyy can I request a matchup?? :)) im 5'1 with shoulder length black hair and really into vintage fashion paired with basics!!! im a panromantic demisexual, aquarius & intp, who is more of an ambivert tbh, how extroverted/introverted I am depends on my mood/company! usually am pretty happy-go-lucky, excitable and I make friends easily!! im chill most of the times and i prefer to avoid confrontation but i can and will call ppl out on their bs (if needed) - hq!! ask anon (from imagines blog)

  also i LOVE cold/dad jokes and bad pickup lines hahah i laugh easily but bonus points if the person is super awkward or deadpan about it! my interests include fashion, movies, reading, and comics - i usually spend time searching for cute vintage clothes, discussing movies/books/anime or just spending time doing activities (usually cooking/baking!) with my friends and family!! - hq!! ask anon

im really affectionate so its important for me to spend time with my loved ones to receive and in turn, give affection to them - usually in the from physical touch or quality time spent together!! im so glad that your matchups are open cos i love your haikyuu imagines and the amount of thought yall put into the matchups is just mindblowing tbh!!! hehe thank you in advance and im looking forward to the results 🥰🧡 - hq!! ask anon PS. so sorry it turned out so long idek how it happened OTL

HQ ASK ANON!! you’re a little ball of sunshine alkjfd how are you so cute,,, no choice i have adopted you now dskljfd also xNTP club represent! 

also i wrote this in an inspired flurry while procrastinating my history essay due next week so i hope it’s legible kdfjl

i had a hard time narrowing it down but!! i match you with… 

bokuto koutarou!

✧ that is him trying to impress you honestly i love this dumbass so much and every time he’s on screen you just know you’re in for a good time,,, and i think he’d absolutely adore you! also he loves how much shorter than him you are, he enjoys hugging you from behind because of it sdlkj

✧ i think you match his energy quite well, while still balancing him out! he needs someone who can keep up with him, while also bringing him back down to earth. he definitely brings out your extroverted side, but the fact you can be a bit more lowkey sometimes is a good thing for him; he needs to take a break from being at 100% all the damn time sdlkj 

✧ cutest! happiest! brightest couple! honestly, you two would be so adorable,,, just sunshine incarnate. you can’t help but feel happy in each other’s company, and it’s kind of infectious? you guys can be quite loud, but people enjoy being around you two because you bring love and light wherever you go,,, bless 

✧ but you can call him out on his bs when you need to, because oh boy, does he need it sometimes,,, you and akaashi (who adores you, btw) tag team it. you’re sort of like a ‘bokuto’s personal development team’ because you spend a lot of time trying to help him with his slumps. needless to say the results are very hit-or-miss 

✧ good thing you laugh easily because he’s just,,, so funny without even trying. and when he makes you laugh, his heart feels so full and ready to burst and he’s so proud of himself for achieving something so important and-- he’s just very wholesome like that kjlkj 

✧ listen. make the boy some lunch for practice and he’ll cry. absolutely shows off the bento box you made with him last night to all the black jackals. h e l p t h e m -- he won’t shut up about you ever and they’re s u f f e r i n g. they absolutely know far too much about you to the point that it’s kind of embarrassing. but, they beg you to come to their games because bokuto works just that little bit harder when you’re in the stands because he just wants to impress you so bad--  

✧ i think he’s also super physically affectionate, so your love languages line up! he’s honestly kind of clingy, so good luck with walking around at all when you’re alone because you’ll have all 6′3″ of him wrapped around your waist at all times,, also, he genuinely tries to spend as much of his free time with you as possible! once he finds out how much that means to you, he literally writes it down in his phone so he’ll never forget it sdlkdjf he does that with everything important you mention to him! he’s that determined to be a Good Boyfriend, bless his heart,,, 

✧ his favourite thing to do is spend time with you, tbh,,, whether it’s being stupid while watching a movie and discussing it (he’s trying, even if things fly over his head sometimes), being your hype guy whenever you’re trying out a new outfit combination, trying his best to cook with you (you know that bento box i mentioned? the plan was for you two to make it together, but he managed to fuck up the sauce by making it way to sweet. so, the duty was handed over to you while he sulked with his head buried in your shoulder)

✧ you two are,,, so cute,,, my heart can’t handle it,,, you two would just be so loving and giving and you’d have the most wonderful time together? i love this couple so much give him a gentle kiss on the forehead for me 

other matches!

✧ sugawara koushi: goblin angel boy,,, i love him,,, he’s a little smarter than bokuto, so i think you’d have a lot of fun discussing media together! he’s very perceptive and analytical, so he always has something interesting to say? otherwise, i think he’d also love your bright personality? he’s not called mr. refreshing for nothing, and i think you’d get along so well. he’s more lowkey than bokuto, so you’d have a lot more quiet time together; he’s good at managing his time so he’s always finding space in his day to cuddle with you (he’s also very affectionate!). i think he’d also make you laugh a lot; he’s not quite awkward or deadpan, but he can be a little dry? expect him to make a lot of witty little comments just to hear you laugh,,, UGH you’d just be so cute please shower him with love,,, also he loves that you’re so much shorter than him lmao idk why there’s so many question marks in this paragraph BUT–

✧ yachi hitoka: MY GIRL,,, first of all, you’re so tiny? like? that’s so cute oh my goodness? ANYWAY, i think she’d really enjoy being around someone like you? you’re easy to be friends with, as well as excitable and fun to be around. but, it’s not quite like with hinata (where being in his presence feels like staring directly into the sun, bless him). she really enjoys your happy-go-lucky personality, and it’s a balance to her anxious rambling. i think she’d also appreciate the fact that you’re able to call her out every now and then, because it might help break her out of an anxious spiral or two. she’s so easy to make blush tbh – all you gotta do is hold her hand and she’s bright red. also baking together,,, cuddling up on the couch together while you watch a movie (yes, her face is still red),,, my heart cannot physically handle the amount of sheer wholesomeness this couple exudes and i’ve got to stop rambling before i lose all sense of coherency slkj

[crepusqlar]

From a non-otaku who just finished reading Haikyuu!!

Take it from me: I’m not much of an anime fan. I’ve watched a couple animated series upon hearing about them from my friends or just because they’re trending -- most of which I enjoyed. But the pleasure’s all too temporary. I move on easily and shift to another one to watch. The same thing happens with books -- I’ve bought many well-rated novels just to revive the emotional attachment that I once had towards really great literature -- but didn’t. 

Then I watched the the first season of “Haikyuu!!” on Netflix, because of the hype that I’ve seen on social media. It was an impulsive move, and I was pretty sure I’d turn by back against the show since I had zero knowledge about its featured sport (volleyball).

The first few episodes barely sank in, but as the episodes progressed, I found myself getting more and more attached to the characters -- my first fave was Kageyama (as usual), by the way -- and unknowingly, I got even more knowledgeable about volleyball.

It was so fulfilling to know I was genuinely having fun but learning at the same time. The watching experience was far superior than in other shows I’ve consumed -- which I only did just to finish what I started and to justify the monthly cost of Netflix subscription (lol), regardless of whether I’m having fun or not. I did the same with books -- reading just for the sake of doing it, just to mark a paperback READ.

But for Haikyuu, it was a whole level of different. I watched the episodes not for the forced pleasure that I strived for with other media, but for the thrill during matches, the tears upon defeat, and for how certain characters reflected off traits I myself have (whether good or bad), and how I can somehow relate with them in many different ways.

I remember feeling empty after the final match with Aoba Johsai in Season 2 -- despite the protagonist Karasuno team winning -- just because I saw myself deeply in Oikawa Tooru: someone who’s not gifted with genius but worked harder than anyone else anyway... and lost.

Soon, I found myself watching the episodes on binge, and when I finished the first part of Season 4, I immediately watched the first to fourth movies, and read the manga (which I just finished as of writing). That is not to mention re-watching iconic Haikyuu episodes, having a marathon of video clips on YouTube, and saving tons of photos from different social media. I did all that in less than a month, a duration that, given my other commitments, would have given way to but a single season of a series. That, and the fact that I’ve actually deviated from the habit of passively consuming books and shows just to pass time without really enjoying them usually felt weird but so fucking great at the same time.

And you know the next best thing apart from that? It’s the fact that there are no real antagonists in Haikyuu. I’ve barely hated anyone for long before I realize that the strong determination to win is relative to each team -- it just happened that Karasuno is the team where Hinata, the main character is. Had the MC been Oikawa, Kenma, the Miya Twins -- or any other iconic character for that matter -- I would’ve rooted for their teams as well. And whenever I shift my perspective with respect to every other character and felt him to the core -- an action I’ve always done big THANKS to their backstories from which I’ve wept -- I end up being torn. 

Who do I cheer or cry for? Which character do I really have a crush on? Which setter-ace duo is my favorite? 

Might as well love ALL of them, right?

Furudate-sensei, how are you so good? 

I’m not even an athlete. I’ve never even touched a volleyball before. I’ve never seen a match live.

So why am I hooked to this story under a completely different genre from I what I usually engage in? Why did it inspire me go beyond what my mind can perceive even better than the bunch motivational media I’ve consumed? Why is it now my favorite Japanese show/manga?

Quoting a YouTube comment that I can strongly agree with: 

“Haikyuu is so much more than...

A sports anime,

Pretty characters,

The typical “never give up” or “friendship is the answer to everything” show,

Good animation and art style,

Deep brotherhood,

Just volleyball.”

It wasn’t just about victory or failure, but everything in between, that mattered. 

As a non-otaku, shows enthusiast, and a bookworm  who never felt this ignited by a story before, Haikyuu is a real game-changer for me. 

I’m still feeling empty from the fact that the story’s over, but I’ll cling on the few more animated seasons pending. The anticipation for all those thrilling matches I’ve only experienced through black-and-white panels being brought to life is more than enough to keep me going.

HAH! That was dramatic. I just wanted to blurt out my feelings without spoiling the story. 

But anyway... #FarewellParadise.

It was one heck of a ride.

[fortitudesouth]

2016: In fanfiction

I did this last year for my own amusement, and procrastinated this year. But here it goes. Same stuff as last time, a variety of fandoms, and the stories weren’t necessarily written in 2016, but that’s when I read them. Also, I’m addicted to h/c and angst, so fair warning, these range from fluff to heavy topics. So without further ado:

Boku No Hero Academia

I. Sharp Eyes by PitViperofDoom  

 Aizawa gets an unexpected visitor with a strange but earnest request. 

This author has done multiple stories in this fandom, I am a big fan. Midoriya looking out for his friends, you know? It gets me. Warning: heavy themes referenced.

II. the storm comes quietly before it shakes the entire world by Tatsumaki_Sama   

Midoriya's “Fearow” did not want to come out of its Pokeball.

With the popularity of Pokemon Go this past year, someone had to write out this story. And Tatsumaki_Sama does it extremely well. 

III. Barology by MissAquarius  

  Barology: the study of gravity.

So if you’ve hung around for a while, you might know that I’m a big fan of friendship stories. This is an excellent one. It is a H/C story, so be forewarned.

IV. Among the Ashes by AliFyre 

Raised by his hero and older brother, the famous firefighter Iida Tensei, Iida Tenya has always had a bright beacon in his life inspiring him and drawing him forward. However, when Tensei is grievously injured in a fire set by a serial arsonist, his life is turned completely upside down. Suddenly his brother’s caretaker, Tenya must learn to cope with a slew of new responsibilities and find a new place to lean on in his time of hardship. Being unable to rely on his brother for emotional support, he must find other ways to cope with the drastic changes in his life -- something which Midoriya Izuku is all too happy to help with. Meanwhile, the fires in the city keep burning, reminding him every day of the pain his brother is suffering -- and his own desire for revenge.

So if you didn’t read all that, then let me tell you this: heavy themes. But a very good story.

Harry Potter

V. when in doubt, go to the library by LullabyKnell 

The Hogwarts Library saves the Wizarding World through the power of reading.

Sighs. Yes. 

VI. THERMOS!, or, How a Muggle-Born Brought a New Age of Spell-Making to Hogwarts (Entirely by Accident) by susieboo

Muggle-born witch Phoebe McDevitt just wanted her tea to stay warm during class. She didn't expect to accidentally start a spell-making craze among her classmates.

[Oneshot. Next generation. Based off a Tumblr post, which I will link to in the notes.]

Had me giggling. The next gen we need. 

Haikyuu

VII. Wish by someonestolemyshoes

Kageyama Tobio wished upon a falling star.

He would learn, in due time, that stars do not grant wishes, for stars do not fall: they float, many millions of miles away, and there they always stay, keeping themselves very much to themselves.

No, the little ball of falling light on which Tobio cast his wish, was a fire demon.

And fire demons don’t grant wishes either.

But they, at the very least, will listen.

The right amount of fantasy and angst. Sad, but in a melancholy way with a nice ending. 

VIII. Jump Start by Esselle

"You came to see how I'm doing?" Kageyama asks blankly. "Why?"

Daichi shrugs. "Why not? We're both in this scene, right? So I know how it is. You had some rough luck, so from one racer to another… I guess I just wanted to come wish you the best."

"…Oh," Kageyama says, looking no less confused.

In retrospect, Daichi supposes that this is kind of weird. But the nurse had said no one had been up to visit. Where is the kid's crew?

He doesn't pry. Instead, he says, "I'm Sawamura Daichi. It's nice to finally meet you in person." '

--

Daichi visits a racing prodigy in the hospital after an accident and finds, in place of a hardened champion, a bedridden, frustrated boy. Injured and friendless, Kageyama is wary of opening up to anyone. But Daichi, Suga, and Asahi know that crew is family; if Kageyama has neither, they'll try to be both.

No you guys don’t understand I need Karasuno supportive family it’s my jam

IX. sister's day by Interconnected_3

When he was five, she cut her hair, and kept cutting it.

Tanaka loves his big sister. Tall, cool, smart, dependable, and also the biggest liar he’s ever seen in his life.

Parental loss AU: On a certain May evening, Ryuunosuke finds an unfinished letter written to Saeko when he was six. To celebrate ‘Sister’s Day’, he decides to fill in the blanks in more ways than one.

I’m not crying you’re crying. Warning: Many heavy topics. Please read the tags, folks. 

X. A Split-Second of Violence by maychorian

Hinata is loud. Hinata is annoying. Hinata is also passionate and sunny and bright, and so full of joyful energy that he brings out the best in everyone around him, even if they occasionally want to slap his head to make him shut up for awhile. When a split second of violence threatens to take all of this away, Karasuno responds with a fury.

Okay. So. Last year a KnB story by maychorian was on my list. She writes such good stories she single-handedly dragged me into the haikyuu fandom. Yep. This is where it all started. Possibly my favorite h/c story of all time. Heavy themes, lots of medical hurt, and bullies. 

KHR

XI. Like Butter (Scraped Over Too Much Bread) by Umecchi

Alaude had known it was likely an inevitable confrontation. Daemon wasn't one to ignore people who were annoying him or getting in his way, and Alaude had always been magnificent at accomplishing both of those things at the same time.

So he'd known. Didn't mean he was happy about it.

This is a really, really great story. Just to warn though, violence and *spoiler* character death. But it’s just...so good?

XII. Sidelines by esama

The world ended and Tsuna survived.

This kept me fascinated, even though I generally avoid dystopian futures, I love time/au travel stories, and this was well done. Warnings include violence and Byakuran. Peripherally. 

Voltron: Legendary Defenders of Earth

XIII. Enduring by prettyshiroic (AnalystProductions)

Keith is made of fire.

Resolve burns through his core, like molten rock churning its way through the lava that courses through his veins. Hot and raw and fiery. It’s not quite anger. It’s just fire, and it spreads into everything he does so easily and chaotically. The starry sea they fly through becomes ablaze when he’s piloting - sometimes literally when he and Red unleash the firepower. His eyes flicker and fire dances in them when Pidge says she wants to leave the team. There’s the dulled dwindling embers longing to be rekindled when the group are sat together in the morning, when Keith takes the risk to melt into the moment and squeeze himself into scenes he’s never been a part of before. And then there’s sweltering infernos that are unyielding and untamed as he charges into enemy lines, fights to protect and defend.

Keith is made of fire.

So when the flames turn against him suddenly, it never fails to come as a surprise.

This is yet another fandom you can blame maychorian for me involving myself in. Geez. Anyway, heavy themes like chronic illness. Plus Keith’s generally sucky backstory. 

XIV. Child Soldiers by birdzilla

Allura knows that her paladins are young, but not how young. It turns out to be a difficult revelation.

And so it goes. War- even intergalatic war in space lions- isn’t a pleasant thing. Dragging kids into it without realizing that’s what you’ve done- well. 

And that’s it for 2016! Hopefully nice things will continue to come out in 2017 as well. Enjoy!