#I swear I did some commish work

[manchasama]

In light of Nartothelar finishing the comic I commished from them, I am going to spend my Friday night ~productively~

So. The original idea was posted in 2022. And like all my fics, I think about them a lot, and notes to myself, come up with breakthroughs, change plots around, etc etc etc. And I would SWEAR I posted some of this, but I can’t for the life of me find it. And so. So. Sooooooo.

I’m gonna post the current plot of the RoadTrip!AU :> There will be some repeat beats, and it certainly isn’t the MOST fleshed out fic, but it should give a pretty good idea of what the fic should look like, and give a little more context to the comic.

Let’s start it like we did before. Emmet has been searching for Ingo for...a long time now.

Only that’s not entirely accurate, is it? He’s continued to work at the subway, continued to perform both his and Ingo’s duties diligently, allowing the authorities to perform their exhaustive investigation. Because that is what he’s supposed to do. That is the most anyone can do.

He wakes up every day (to an empty room). He feeds his Pokemon (and Ingo’s). He gets ready for the day (not looking in the mirror but aggravatingly aware of its presence; he also can’t bring himself to cover it). He pauses for a moment as he reaches for his coat (there are still two on the rack).

The day proceeds as normal. He walks to work. Greets the same people every day. Stops for coffee (the second cup isn’t taken, but he gives the barista a sad smile of thanks). Greets the depot agents and gets the day started.

Singles train in the morning (hard part first). Lunch with Elesa (a bright spot in his day). Double train in the evening (end on a good note). Walks home, occasionally battling an over-eager out-of-towner who challenges him. He can’t do anything but his best, and never really understand when the overwhelmed beginners get mad at him for it.

Dinner (at an empty table), loud Pokemon around him (to cover the silence). A few endless hours of going over reports, clippings, cold-trails gone colder, before he forces himself to stop. Goes to bed (in an empty room).

Emmet wakes up (to an empty room). He can’t stand it anymore.

He knows Ingo is alive, knows it in a way that others can’t understand. A “gut feeling” doesn’t help with a search, after all. So, he has to go out and search himself. Take the avenues others can’t or won’t. Find the impossible and make it true. He’s determined!

And in the impulsive way that Ingo had never been able to fully curve, Emmet up and leaves with barely a phone call to work to let them know he wouldn’t be in for a verrrry long time. (He tells them he won’t be in, and they wish him to get better soon. He corrects them; he is not coming into work ever. Or until he finds Ingo. He hangs up on the ensuing chaos to finish packing what he needs and wrangling his Pokemon.)

Cue Elesa barging in the house on him before he can finish up (she was called in by the depot agents). She absolutely pins him down and demands more details, of course, and once she realizes he is serious she calls in the big guns and gets Drayden on the phone. To her consternation, he is less supportive in her efforts to stop Emmet. (Drayden knows his boys, knows their cores too, and was honestly counting the days until Emmet cracked).

Elesa comes around to it (she has watched him become so faded, and this is the first sign of his old spark that she’s seen), but insists he slow down just a bit. He needs to wrap up properly at Gear Station, make sure his place is taken care of while he’s gone, and most importantly say his proper goodbye to her. (She will support him, and worry for him, and always be here when he’s ready to come home.)

Emmet begins scouring the world for help. His first stop; tracking down the local legends. In this world, while they are rare and elusive, there isn’t just One legendary Pokemon. Zekrom and Reshiram are extra elusive to humanity because of the History. But Emmet knows the general whereabouts of one trainer who has a Zekrom. And so he goes to find N.

(It’s pointless to keep this secret in these notes, but in the story it would not be obvious yet that Emmet is a Reshiram turned human. Surprise lol. But the interaction with N would be so interesting! Seeing N from an outsider pov react to a Pokemon that chose to become human. Having Emmet confront Zekrom who is not his brother, but understands. “I miss the you who isn’t you.”)

((Fun fact; I waffled SO LONG on deciding which dragon was which brother. In my notes about this part, I had Zekrom!Emmet lol. I STILL say either is good, but I have chosen and I will stick to it. Plus now I have art for it so it’s set in stone 8> lolol))

The scene is going to be a mash up of N and Emmet metaphorically circling each other warily, and Emmet and Zekrom butting heads. Zekrom definitely approves Emmet’s pursuit of his ideals (It’s a Truth, Emmet would argue), but the situation is beyond their limited powers.

Little snippet from my notes.

Emmet, staring at N. “You have a Zekrom.” Emmet is not so sure he’s comfortable, but he also cannot be stopped.

N, wary. “What a strange what of phrasing it. But yes, I have Zekrom.”

So it goes, so it goes. Emmet zeros in on the Pokemon who are said to grant wishes, but does not see hide nor hair of it. He tracks down a Pokemon said to be able to create strange portals, but they are the least helpful of all. He travels to Sinnoh, and for a while it seemed promising.

He looks for Uxie, the pokemon of knowledge. The lake trio is curious about him, but ultimately says nothing of import before vanishing. Uxie does grant Emmet an image of spear pillar maybe hinting Ingo is there, but provides no context.

At spear pillar there was a reaction, a swelling of power, of presence. But it fades away, leaving Emmet alone again. For whatever reason they found him wanting perhaps. (Dialga and Palika are unable to mess with the timeline during Hisui, it's too fragile to meddle with. Thus they can do nothing to help Emmet.)

One after the other, Emmet wanders the globe. He keeps an ear open for any mundane rumors as well, just in case. Asks if anyone has seen a man with his face. No one ever has.

Emmet is running out of leads. He will Not Let This Get Him Down. So he does everything he can to do it Right when he finds the Celebi, to ask them for help. Despite his preparation, they just flit away unhelpfully. He tries very hard not to get irritated. He might fail in that.

Then he spots a kid peeking out at him, looking as grumpy as he feels. After a bit of coaxing (“I am Emmet. What do you want?”), the kid comes out saying they can help. It takes a bit, but Emmet works out this is a Celebi that wants to be human. It’s not a common desire, and most Pokemon don’t have the power or ability to do it themselves, but it did it. And it still cant figure out how to fit in with humans, how to act like them. In the rare case it’s not immediately called out as a Pokemon in disguise (“It’s not a disguise! I am human now!”), it’s still considered far too strange to most people, who keep their distance. So it returned home to rethink its strategy. If Emmet will help it with that, then Celebi will help him.

As for how it can help, it confirms that Ingo is not in that time. Emmet counters that what can Celebi do as a human kid? Because the act of turning human is turning human. It’s not a disguise, it’s not an illusion. Humans and Pokemon think differently, react differently, have different desires and motivations. A Pokemon who truly changes loses most of their powers, because a human mind doesn’t work well with the instinct that drive those powers.

And in reverse, they can’t just change back, because they would lose what they gained as humans. Lose that way of thinking, that sense of self. It’s like running a sentence back and forth in a translator; what you get back is twisted from what it once was, and you know you’re not who you were. You can get close, but you will never be that person again. It’s not something done lightly.

(It’s impossible to lose all the power, because that too is inherent to who they are as well.)

The Celebi admits they can still do some minor time travel. Small jumps, and they can only hold the portal open for a short time. It takes a lot of power, so they’ll need to rest in between. Plus they don’t know exactly when Ingo is either. But they won’t change back into a Celebi, so he can take it or leave it.

It’s the first solid lead Emmet has. It’s less than ideal (lol) that Ingo got lost in time, but it explains why no one has been able to find even a hint of a lead. He will absolutely will take Celebi up on its offer without hesitation. The first lesson? Giving yourself an identity. He insists on Celebi choosing a name, because if someone else chooses it for them, it’s too much on the Pokemon side of things. She chooses ‘Anya’, and is now that much more human.

Now that he has direction, Emmet now has to figure out the method. Without knowing when he needed to go, he knew he’d have to cover a lot of ground to make sure that they didn’t miss Ingo along the way. On foot wouldn't do. Travel Pokemon would be better, but exhausting for all. There was one thing that Emmet was verrrrrry qualified to drive however. It just needed to be made portable.

He decides to gamble on a crazy idea. It was a mental exercise he and Ingo did as kids, a fun little project that had no use but was fun/cool to figure out how to do it. They've always had the idea of fighting on a train, and they were making their own. It was an engine that would travel overland, with a moving rail instead of staying on a track. Parts of it were still hypothetical, they never got around to working the logistics before the battle subway became a thing, but the train itself exists.

It's a steam train designed to work either on electric or fire to heat it (it exists! I found an article on it, pretty fun), and they would be having Pokemon to help with the various aspects of running it. Another reason they didn’t pursue it was because they would never have gotten the okay to have a train careening around the country side without a set path, but lol shhhhh.

(Fun fact, they have designed the conductor’s area with a switchable plate that connects to the water boiler. It can conduct heat/electricity to heat the steam needed to drive the train. Yes, it’s designed so they can tap into their fire/electricity powers to run the train while they are driving it.)

Thus Emmet dusts off their idea and gets to work on making it a reality. As quick, safe transport, a home base built in? It's perfect. To make it work, he needs a few things. One is of course the train itself. They used to spend their free time fiddling with it just as a fun side project, so it's not in bad shape.

The second thing he needs, which they never fully worked out a method for, are the tracks. Desperation is an intense motivator, and he has a terrible wonderful idea on what to do. He will need enough track for the length of the train he plans to take (engine and a car or two), plus leeway for maneuvering. And he needs something that will move the tracks. What better than a group of psychic Pokemon with enough precision to be able to lift and lay the track in a moving railroad. With the benefit of being able to handle terrain not normally maneuverable, if they keep a cushion of psychic power beneath the rails to keep them straight.

Why not just have them move the train? Because the train is way heavier and would exhaust them faster. Plus it’s much easier for him to control it himself than trying to control the Pokemon controlling the train.

So Emmet returns home with child in tow. He is starting to understand that people like to be Informed of things, so he lets Elesa and Drayden know he is around. He does not mention Anya lol.

Emmet and Ingo need to have a house in this AU, large property for both their pokemon and their hobby. It’s definitely more edge town, but still within walking distance of Gear Station because I say so. 30 minute walk? Sure. Emmet goes to uncover their project and starts going over it to determine what work is needed.

The work needed on the train is minor, he and Ingo had kept it in working condition over the years, and only in the last bit when Ingo vanished did Emmet let it sit untended. So he turns toward planning his task force. The rail needs precision though, so it can’t just be any partner.

Chandelure chimes in at this point, and she and Emmet have a heart to heart over things. Chandelure wants to be the one to help, has to be the one to help find Ingo. She hasn’t been able to control anything, let her control this. Emmet of course is grateful to her, but insists that it can’t be just her. Plus, he needs her help sensing Ingo in their travels, and how can she do that if she is concentrating on the train? She still learns telekinesis despite that, and is ready and willing to help if needed. She is the most skilled, and will be able to teach other Pokemon what’s needed.

Elesa shows up as Emmet is working on the train. Elesa meets Anya. Elesa calls Drayden to let him know. Drayden is busting down that door within the hour to meet his grandchild. (“She is not my child” “Such an adorable grandchild!”) Grandniece? W/e lol

So part of the story at this point would be Emmet trying to figure out what Pokemon he needs to find for his needs. I had some initial ideas, and some newer ideas, and I’ll be copying both here. If you’ve seen this before, that’s why :>

Some possible pokemon to consider and discard

Gothitelle - can see trainers lifespans. Very much a turn off to emmet, but also not suited for fiddly work

Abra line - not ideal, but powerful psychic. Emmet was going to settle for one, because he figured the high intelligence would help it understand what was needed and be accurate, if one wanted to help him.

Hypno line - predatory powers, not helpful for emmet’s quest. Puts targets to sleep.

*Espeon - would be a good battle partner, but not what he’s looking for. Plus he does not think he’d be able to befriend an eevee to the point it would evolve for him (ha ha haaaaa)

Wynaut line - no particular trait he’s looking for. A last choice

Spoink line - a possibility. Its powers could be used on items as well as enemies, so it might make a good choice. Spoink not being able to stop bouncing is a worry tho, meaning it needs special care to be kept healthy.

-Chinling line - no particularly good traits, plus a friendship requirement for evolution. A last choice. (wild ones follow the train eventually)

Munna line - no no nope if it created shapes based on emmet’s dreams he might cry. His dreams, not food.

*Solosis line - hardy! Able to survive in many difficult terrains! However most want to be battle partners, so he has a hard time finding any who want to help run the train. He is disappointed, thought it was going to be his solution since they are more powerful in groups. - It is more interested in physical battling. Emmet appreciates the enthusiasm, but it doesn’t really help his cause. Until it handshakes with Espurr. It’s not the same as linking up with another reuniclus, but it is able to help guide espurr to control their powers better. Useful as backup/emergency situations.

Elgyem line - Emmet does not like the messing with mind aspect of the pokemon. Might do in a pinch. A last choice.

Lunatone - Weaker during the day, and Emmet doesn’t plan on driving at night much. Might be good as a backup for that. But also not being able to pair with Ingo and Solrock make him sad.

Solrock - More helpful than Lunatone, but same applies. He wants to pair with Ingo if he were to partner with one. Also for both psychic is a secondary trait so weaker than other choices

*Espurr line - Emmet found out about it on his travels. He is charmed. He desperately wants to tease ingo about it. He wants one. It’s completely practical he promises. - First attempt, but he quickly realizes they will not be able to help. They can’t control their powers with enough delicacy. However they still really want to travel with Emmet, and so he gains a companion.

Hattena line - A possibility. Definitely a difficult personality to work with, would have to be handled with caution. (Eelektross does not like, and Emmet ends up discarding)

Mr Mime - A good choice, based on its abilities. Emmet might have gone for it

*Natu line - Emmet wants to find a Xatu. He needs its direction to help direct them which way in time to travel. It helping with the rails is secondary to that. - Emmet hears about Xatu’s ability to see past/future. He manages to convince either a Natu or Xatu to accompany him, but they are disinclined to help with the train. Still, they DO indicate he should start traveling to the past. He takes that as a good sign. (I like the idea of a Xatu flying above the train, though their dex says they stay stationary. *shrugs*)

Ralts line - More of an emotions pokemon, but the later evolutions would make fine battle partners. Not a top choice, but not last either.

-Woobat line - Elesa wants him to get one. He doesnt need a feels good pokemon! (He might get one) (Skyla totally makes him take one)

Sigilyph - More of a guardian. Not a first choice for the rails. Emmet doesn’t quite get how they think.

Indeedee - May not have heard of them. They would be good candidates, because they like to serve, but not sure they’d want to do physical labor for that.

Slowpoke line - too slow. Nope.

Exeggutor line - An interesting pokemon, but impractical for the trip

Girafarig - Would make such a fun battle partner, but not a strong psychic. Discarded.

Meditite line - Psychic power mostly to bolster its fighting style. Discarded.

Blibug line - Emmet would want an orbeetle, so it depends on if he runs across an entry for this or not. Good choice tho.

Baltoy line - Not quite a fit for what Emmet needs. Too old, might be hard to convince it to partner up. Might consider it as a last option.

Beldam line - Emmet considers it! Even if the psychic power isn’t enough, the steel affinity makes them more likely to be able to move rails well. He would need four of them tho, which puts them lower on his list.

Bronzor line - Emmet doesnt need a pokemon who makes it rain. But it is an interesting one. Lesser choice.

Delphox - Emmet doesnt have time to train one up to the final evolution right now. But he wonders if Ingo would have liked one.

Inkay line - Like Eelektross can float and survive out of water. Possibility

Emmett starting his journey to find the right kind of psychic Pokemon he needs to work the rails. His first stop is to find an Espurr. It’s a logical choice. Shush Anya, it has nothing to do with little frown and empty behind the eyes stare.

Honestly tho, he does actually try to find a good partner among them. First of course they have to find where they can be found. Then he has to see if any would join his cause. Some want to fight, some want to join TO fight, but none really care about his need for a psychic lifter.

He does run across one who isn’t interested in fighting, who shadows him as he goes around looking for a partner. Every time he asks if it wants to join him, he’s met with a blank look, so he figures that’s a no. Finally though he’s just about ready to throw in the towel, when he all but trips over it being too close to his legs. He apologizes and goes to head off, but it keeps. Following. He asks again if it wants to go with. Blaaaaank. Still follows. Finally he starts getting a clue that it just doesn’t communicate as expressively as most Pokemon. (He might be a little more in love with it). This time he is more patient, and figures out that it does want to go with and help him out.

They go through some training, trying to get the Espurr up to a base level for the job. Espurr doesn’t pass the training unfortunately, but Emmet is not about to abandon it over that. He may not have a conductor, but he does have a new partner.

Next area is to find the Reuniclus. Now this is a battle arena, and Emmet would normally be delighted by this. His Pokemon certainly are. It’s definitely hard not to have fun with such a challenge to over come. The more of them there are, the more powerful they are. None of them want to partner up tho, despite the fun battles, except one. Emmet explains he does not need a battle partner, but someone who will help with the rails. It is dismissive, going to head off. Emmet decides to come up with a compromise. He will take it on as a battle partner if it helps, but only if it can help Espurr with its control.

The Reuniculus agrees to try it out, and we have more training with the pair. They work out how to psychic handshake between species, and while it’s shaky, it’s usable. Reuniculus actually finds the exercise fun, challenging, so it’s not as put out as before, and now is enthusiastic about the trip.

Emmet takes a break from finding psycics to help to track down a Xatu. This would be an Emmet Anya chapter, as they talk over the logistics of the travel. Anya insists she can do it, even limited by human form, he should know that. (Not saying outright, but to those in the know it would be an obvious nod to Emmet’s situation.). He agrees she knows her own powers well, and he will take her word at it. But which way should they go? Does she know? She does not, just that Ingo isn’t in THIS time, and that’s not right. It’s hard to put into human words.

So they decide to try and find a Pokemon who can help their dilemma. The Xatus are definitely stand-offish, and most ignore their questions and requests for help. Perhaps it comes to them camping out, discussing the trip in question, and one of the Xatu overheards and is interested in such a journey. Seeing the past and future is all well and good, but traveling it would be an Experience. Once they get the understand that it will help them, Emmet asks which way. It indicates the past. Emmet asks if it’s sure it’s not just looking at Ingo before he disappeared, since that is what is tripping up Anya most. It assures them it’s MUCH better at this than she is. And thus a small rivalry is started.

Emmet decides to try the Abra line. He figures they are known for being able to communicate with humans when inclined, so it would be easier to convey what they need, as well as get a group of them to help. He just needs numbers at this point. Plus the Abra line is likely to be quite precise, so more helpful than his current explosive duo.

There are others he’s considering of course. The bug Pokemon is high on his list, but he figures he needs to put aside certain preferences and go for ones better for his cause. Alas.

While on the hunt for an Abra colony, he runs across a small group of Eevees in distress. (There is a pair of twins in the group, who walk around almost literally attached at the hip. They move in unison, and it brings a melancholic sort of fondness to Emmet.) They are being pursued by some bad trainers, who are trying to force the Eevees into certain evolutions for some underground battle ring. Either to participate or sell, something like that.

That will be an Event, where it’s Emmet versus bad trainers. He’s going to have to teach some lessons, probably more than once if it’s a group. I think he’ll have to run across them a couple of times. An initial “saves them but they are gone by the time he chases off their attackers” situation. And then he keeps running into people harassing this group of Eevees as he treks around looking for Abra.

Once Emmet catches on that this is an organized group and not just some bad trainers, he gets serious about eradicating them. Taking them out, and calling in local law to get them arrested and all.

Derailed from his original goal, he heads back out to again find the Abras. The Eevees find him first. They camp out with him, he and Anya tell them about their goals because they seem interested. The next morning the lot of them evolve into Espeons and present themselves like “here we are!” Basically Emmet accidentally befriends the Eevees so hard they evolve to Espeons just so they can help him out. He now has his task force.

(I would like to add this hilarious bit one of my friends provided for this scenario: extremely blurry video titled INSANE UNOVAN BEATS THE SHIT OUT OF FIVE POKEMON TRAFFICKERS AT ONCE (NOT CLICKBAIT) (HOW IS HE DOING THAT??))

Can you believe we’re not even at the road trip yet??? This is why it’s so hard for me to write, because I just keep adding MORE in.

I don’t know how much time would be spent, if any, on showing the training, but we’d rejoin when they are wrapping up preparations for the trip. Elesa is a frequent visitor, probably have some rotating people visiting scenes. Elesa insists on Emmet taking a rotom, and Skyla pops up with Swoobat. I think this will be a character development chapter, setting up personalities with each other.

The day before Emmet intends to leave, Drayden is in Emmet’s house as the final preparations are made. We’ll have a heart to heart between adoptive father figure and trying-not-to-spiral eldritch being. It will be great. (Really tho, Emmet is mostly just vibrating to get started. He knows he’s going to have a long journey ahead of him, but he’s optimistic that he’ll find Ingo at the end.)

Elesa and Skyla come over in the evening after Drayden leaves, and they can do their exchange then. Following day, Emmet gets to set off. I think we can even have the depot agents at the send-off? We’ll have to see how close they are in the previous chapters.

The train is both transport, protection, and sleeping/living quarters. It's able to hold all their Pokemon, plus the new ones, and an astonishing number of Joltiks. The reason to utilize tracks and let the train run as a normal train is that the train is heavy. It would take considerable more pokemon to carry it at speeds and lengths that they need. Track is much easier to move, though it does require precision and concentration. The Espeons get really good at it, however. Especially the twins :>

So begins Emmet's journey through time in search of Ingo. He retains his positive outlook, never letting the failures get him down. Sure, there are the occasional rumors that pop up about the phantom train that can be seen traveling the countryside, but it's never seen twice, and usually doesn't even get a footnote in history. Emmet isn't careless about driving near towns or roads, and those start to vanish the further back they go.

Almost on the first jump, Anya over does it. She wants to prove to Emmet that she is useful, that she can do this, and she pushes the jump too far back for her to handle. First thing to address is that Anya has been overconfident in her abilities. It’s not that she thinks she’s better, it’s that she’s determined to push passed healthy limits. So while she can open portals, they are taxing, and the further back she goes the more taxing it is. The first jump is a doozy, back at least 50 years, and she nearly passes out for it. Emmet is doing a heckin concern over it.

When she tries to brush it off, Emmet gets mad. She gets mad back. It’s argument time!

Anya thinks Emmet is being too condescending of her and her abilities. She said she’d help, and this is how she helps! Why is he even complaining? Doesn’t he WANT to find his brother?

Emmet is wondering why she is being so stupid about it? What good does it do them if she kills herself traveling? He does not want to be stuck in the past thank you very much. He does not understand why she’s trying so hard for someone she barely knows.

Because of how she over taxed herself, she can’t really tap into her power for a while either, so they are stuck in that time for now. Emmet is aggravated he cannot seem to communicate properly with her. He is concerned! But not because he is stuck, because she is not doing her safety checks! He already knew it would take a long time. This is Not the way to do it.

She is aggravated because she knows she could do better if she let go of her human side. She’s assuming he’d ask that of her to go faster, and is lashing out prematurely.

It takes a while for them to communicate and hash things out. By the end, she realizes he is fine with her human limited efforts, and does not think less of her for it. Emmet has a better time getting across that they are partners, and that this is not something to rush into dangerously.

They agree that they’ll just travel the country side for now, until she recovers from the strain. They don’t know how long it will take tho. So they’ll just…look for clues. They decide to leave Unova tho, because it’s too close to modern day, and they risk seeing someone they know and messing with time. Off to a neighboring region!

(Along the journey, some chimecho take a liking to riding along the current of the train. Their chimes are a soothing constant on the journey. Still wild tho)

So arrival in Alola, which does not have an organized league presence. Is the island challenge still a thing? It’s a smaller region, also lots more water in between, so they tend to park the train on the island and go walking to explore. What lesson should be learned here I wonder.

Learning to Relax (tm)

I need to research Alola and find out. It’s definitely vacation-esque tho, which probably rubs Emmet the wrong way. He was never one to take days off, and this is the very stereotype of a vacation spot. So maybe it’s getting Emmet to learn how to relax a bit.

Alola people work hard in the morning to get all the chores done, then spend the afternoon playing. Emmet first of all finds his work fun, so the separation of the two does not compute. And secondly, playing seems like a waste of time. Why not spend it battling or training? What kind of pokemon things can be done that are not battling?

This I think will be heavy on Emmet and the pokemon interacting. Okay after some research. Since they are looking for clues, they will visit a few places. They will also get sidetracked, which is where Emmet will learn some patience.

First thing upon landing. They decide to park the train, and Emmet tries to figure out where to go next. He has some sparse knowledge of Alola, but not a lot, and of course it’s out dated. Emmet DOES remember that the local TV station is about 55 years old, so it should be in service now. A central hub of information, a good place to start to see if anyone has heard of Ingo before.

When he turns around, all his pokemon are playing on the beach. He is annoyed, because he wants to leave Now. Anya is like “what’s your rush buddy weren’t you the one who told me it’s going to take time?” And Emmet is like That is different. Why are we wasting time messing around?

To the grumbles of his team, he gets everyone back in the pokeballs and on the way. Probably leaves the eevee family to guard the train, since they don’t have pokeballs? Or even if they do, w/e.

Makes it to the TV station. It’s a very relaxed, small time thing. They report on local news mostly, and no one has reports about any new visitors to the island. (Emmet is going to be infamous, poor thing. Small islands love to gossip, and he is the only newcomer in a while. Also how did he get there? Wasn’t by boat.) They promise to spread the word just in case, and where is he going to be staying so they can reach him?

Emmet did not think that far, and doesn’t really want to stay in one place, so he gets the Tourist Treatment. Told about all the hot spots, bragging about the island challenge, etc etc.

I think also Emmet might know about/ask about ultra wormholes, but they have not been discovered just yet. In a few years.

Emmet cannot sit still. He forgoes finding a place to stay, just staying in the train. But days of inaction on the beach is not his forte, and honestly his team tired of it after two days. They are battlers, and a break is nice, but they are all itching to GO. Anya isn’t ready yet tho.

So Emmet finds the Poni Gauntlett. He needs some battles please and thank you. There are some verrrry good trainers here, and Emmet has a fine old time. Honestly, he’d probably spend weeks there happily and not notice. I think Anya gets tired of it real quick, and goes off on her own. Makes her way to Melemele island and finds that orangu place to complain her woes away. It takes emmet a While to realize she is gone. Then he has to go FIND her.

Once he finds her, they once again argue until they are blue in the face. She wants to relax, DO something fun. He thinks battling IS fun. They work our a compromise.

She DID find out about a cemetary on Akala island, that supposedly has memories of people linger. They decide to check it out for Clues. On the way tho Emmet finds his Joltik are Missing. They fucked off to pikachu valley for a snak. The adventures of themb. They get back on track, don’t find anything at the cemetary, and eventually head back to the main island. Anya is feeling up for another jump, so with a quick check in on the tv station (if needed), they’re off again.

One thing that should permeate these chapters is how close the people are to their pokemon. It’s very ingrained in their society, even moreso than modern Unova. It’s a refreshing combo to our two legendaries let me tell you.

The next jump is going to be like 20 years. Emmet will not let her do more than that, for fear of her tiring out again. She argues that it’s too easy for 20 years. Eventually they’ll settle on like 30, and more as she grows stronger.

And that is the end of my notes for Emmet’s journey. Obviously I need More things for them to do over the years, and regions to visit. It’s a lot of research (so if anyone ever has suggestions I am ALL EARS). Until then, just know Things Happen. Eventually, he can sense they are getting closer. He’s not going to explain it (they know after all), but he just knows. Knows they are close. Knows when the next jump is going to be the last. He’s excited, nervous, overjoyed, and so impatient to get there. Anya opens the portal, and they go through it one last time.

Meanwhile, on the other side of history.

Ingo has been in Hisui for a while, and has adapted to living there well enough. He’s been appointed the honor of being Sneasler’s warden, and he’s trying very hard to fit in with the clans. It’s hard though. Something about it doesn’t feel right. Something is missing. Some part of him is so unknown, he just doesn’t feel like himself. But he has no idea what’s missing. Is it just the loss of memories? It feels like more than that. More than missing someone, he is missing a part of himself.

I’m going to have to change the order of events in canon for this to work out, so that Ingo and Rei can meet earlier. Some of the fic will be dedicated to that, and to setting up how Ingo has been fairing in Hisui. I have no notes on this apparently, and I have been fighting a migraine to get this posted tonight, so it’s going to be a bit sketchy. Just means I’ll need to update it later when I flesh it out more! :>

Another thing is that Ingo and Melli are going to spend more time together, because Lord Electrode loves Ingo (electric type solidarity), and Ingo likes to hang out with the Lord. And woe be it that Melli let this Pearl clan upstart mess with his Lord! I am of the opinion that while Melli can be grating, it comes from good intentions. He IS a good and attentive warden. When Adaman goes behind his back to have an outsider interfere with his ward, of course he’s going to be abrasive and condescending. He wasn’t even consulted about a decision being made for Lord Electrode. He had to barge his way in. (Yes, he was excluded because he was going to be a blocker, but still. Kinda douche move!)

Ingo, despite his lack of memories, has that New Yorker Unovian patience. He doesn’t mind a trainer who is confident in their own abilities, even if they can’t quite back it up. It’s the basis for becoming better, he feels. If you aren’t confident in your ability to win, how can you expect to put your all into a battle? If you do lose, train more and come back later. Melli technically does this.

(Ingo’s memory issues are actually exacerbated by the inherent but forgotten knowledge that he is also Zekrom, so none of his broken memories feel fully "right" without that explicit knowledge. One of the side-effects of the side-effects of him being an ex-pokemon who still retains typing, is that Lord Electrode really likes him. So Ingo actually hangs around that area more, finding comfort though he's not sure why.)

So due to immersion therapy, Ingo and Melli do tend to get along okay in this story. In fact, it’s not uncommon for them to be hanging out around Lord Electrode. Okay it’s more of Melli doing his token complaint about Ingo being there, but they do end up discussion the state of the mountains, people they’ve seen passing through, etc. It helps that Ingo wasn’t originally a part of the Pearl clan, and so doesn’t have the historic clan tension. Melli can’t keep up the animosity on his own, especially when Ingo doesn’t understand half the references. And then suddenly Ingo is pushing Lord Electrode out of the way (A distant part of Melli winders how was he strong enough to move the large Pokemon), and Ingo is struck by the frenzied lightning instead.

The thing about the frenzy, is that it latches onto the Pokemon and won’t let go. It drives them into a rage, and their base instinct is to attack. Ingo, however, has a human mind. Human rationality. And something is trying to swallow him whole. The Zekrom side of him is trying to rise to the front and force him to change back. Instinctively, Ingo knows this will destroy who he is, his sense of self, the history he can’t remember. There will be no chance of returning to who he was if he gives in. So he fights it. He doesn’t understand what he is fighting, but he fights it with every bit of himself.

At the same time, the desire to lash out at people, at Melli and Electrode and all the little Voltorbs around him, is almost irresistible. He wants to throw out his pokemon, command them to attack. He knows if he allows himself to do that, they will be infected by this power as well. He can’t do that to them. It hurts so much, he’s so angry, and he can’t hurt anyone. He won’t.

Melli get an up close encounter with a truly angry and terrifying Ingo. If Ingo’s self control was any less, Melli would not have walked away without injury. As it is, Ingo can’t suppress entirely the desire to lash out. It’s not electricity crackling around him, and the arcs of power sting when they hit Melli and Electrode. But with the assistance of Electrode and his pokemon, Melli is able to fend off the uncontrolled attacks, until Ingo gathers enough of himself to flee the area. Melli hesitates too long to try and stop him.

Now the people of Hisui have to deal with the knowledge that the frenzy can affect humans as well. They have no reason not to think that, after all. Rei is tasked with tracking down Ingo, and Melli insists on accompanying him. (He may not admit to Ingo being his friend, but he will explain that Ingo saved his Lord, so it’s his duty to help try and save the foolish old man.)

The thing is, they can't just lob Ingo's favorite food at him to calm him down. For one, they don't know what it is. For two, his brain is more human, so food alone isn't the same kind of comfort. Rei tries to challenge Ingo to a Pokemon battle, hoping that he can wear him down that way, but Ingo refuses to engage with his Pokemon. Every time he starts to lose control, to lash out against Rei and Melli, Ingo flees the area. Fueled by the frenzy, he is able to outmaneuver them to escape.

What Ingo knows in his frenzy is that he wants....someone. He doesn't know who, but he's raging at the world for this person, raging at god too because why not. But he retains enough of his mind to know not to lash out at the people around them. He'll yell at them and drive them off, because he does not know how to calm his rage and fears what he might do. He won't fight them. He WONT. Ingo's disorientation and undirected rage drive him on, but he doesn't know where to go. Ingo is basically terrorizing the highlands with no particular goal except to avoid people and not come apart at the seams, and no one can figure out how to help him.

Something in his subconscious drives him to Spear Pillar. The Zekrom part of him knows it’s the closest place to Palkia and Dialga, to Arceus, as the resident legendaries. Surely they sensed him being here. Surely they could have helped. Surely they know where the one he wants is. Why won't they answer him? (Because he is not a legendary anymore, but a human. Because there are rules. Because they are quite frankly busy with their own frenzied issues.)

Rei and Melli catch up to him there. Rei is again trying to face off against Ingo, but Into continues to refuse to fight. He doesn't want the frenzy to affect his Pokemon (despite the fact they are perfectly willing for that to happen if they can help him). He doesn't want to give himself up (he doesn't even know what this means with his missing memories, but he's resisting reverting to being a Pokemon. He subconsciously knows he could never return if that happened, not the same way).

So these two stories come together at this point. Emmet has realized his search is coming to an end next stop, and Ingo's basically at the end of his rope to fight against the force tearing him apart.

The scene is you have frenzied Ingo, atop spear pillar, being confronted by Rei and others trying to stop/help him. And behind him something appears in a rush of noise, obscured by the billowing steam coming off it. Emmet steps out of it, steam leaking from his mouth as well as he responds to Ingo's current state (Ingo sparking in response as he will always respond to his twin), knowing that they need to battle it out here as humans to save Ingo's sense of self. He's excited and ecstatic, and confident he can drag Ingo kicking and screaming back to himself.

Through the power of "because I the author said so", Emmet understands enough of the situation, can feel the power and frenzy, can sense his twin's distress, maybe even overhears people as he approaches on what's happening/how to fix it. Either way, he challenges Ingo to a battle.

Ingo wants to refuse. He's still irrationally angry, still wants to (bite, scratch) battle, but also HE is here. He's here, but Ingo still can't remember through the anger and fear and pain. Emmet being practical and insistent. Ingo tells him he doesn't want his partners to be frenzied. (Possibly Chandelure goes to his side (and indeed the frenzy bleeds into her almost immediately, but she stays by his side, ready to fight)). (Sneasler is going to be sticking with Rei, being more helpful there without getting frenzied herself).

(When Ingo first sees Emmet, he can't recall the right name. He starts trying to say "Re--" but stops himself, because he knows that's wrong. Emmet definitely picks up on that, and I think it would be nice to have him recite some of his scripts, both as affirmation of Ingo and Emmet, and to jog Ingo's memories. The whole "I am Emmet.  I am a subway boss together with Ingo" that kind of thing.)

In the face of his loved one's determination, he throws out two of his pokeballs (because he knows, he knows Emmet loves double battles more than anything). Emmet lights up, because of course Ingo would do that, even in the most dire of circumstance. He calls out their pokemon, and they have a wild, fantastic battle.

Emmet likes winning more than anything. With each pokemon defeated, more of the golden glow bleeds off. Ingo's pokemon drained the infection from him, and were able to release it with the battles. Ingo could not have done that without giving up his humanity. So in the end, Emmet does win, but so does Ingo lol. (Emmet's delighted laugh "how many new friends/partners did you meet?!" because Ingo keeps sending out more and more. However Emmet has also made new partners along the way.)

Bonus because it makes me laugh and likely wouldn't end up in the story:

During the battle, Rei is calling out that calming the frenzies with the favorite food worked before.  Emmet laughs a bit, reckless and amused.  Gets in close enough to stuff a meal bar or something in Ingo's mouth.  "You're not yourself when you're hungry, brother!"  Teasing.  Ingo getting Irritated and snapping his mouth shut, breaking the bar in half as he roars out Emmet's name because what else are little brothers good at but being an annoyance!  "Didn't work!" Emmet says, not particularly worried about it as Ingo redoubles his effort in defeating Emmet.

(Once we realize it's a twin dragon AU, probably during the Emmet vs Ingo stuff, we can do a flashback to how they decided to become human.  Bbie dragons spying on trainers and their pokemon doing battle.  Emmet's tail wagging in excitement, the weight of his brother on top of him as they spy, Ingo's hand slipping off his head into his face so ofc Emmet snaps back in playful irritation, etc.  They try battling a trainer, but the trainer is more interested in catching them than fighting, and the fear of being caught and separated makes them scramble to escape.  The longing to participate in the epic battles, sure that's what they want to do.  They don't even have to fight directly, just the close bonds, good friends, fun fights.  And ofc finally the transformation into children.  Probably do a Drayden adopts strange homeless children scene)

Some post battle wrapup and scenes. They end up all piling into the train to head back down to one of the settlements. Ingo is still kind reeling from the pain/relief and all that. I think at the very least Rei and Melli are going to be around. Emmet didn't pay them too much mind, more focused on helping his bro, but when Emmet goes to lead Ingo to the train to rest, the other two doth protest, thinking Emmet is taking Ingo away. So Emmet invites them to come with, he mostly wants to get the train to more stable ground and out of the cold.

Preface this with I don't ship the twins with anyone, but I like platonic affection a lot. Emmet sits Ingo on a seat and goes to conduct the train, and Melli sitting awkwardly next to Ingo, no idea what to do. (Possibly some discussion here between them, the “are you human” kind of thing. Still a hopeful/positive AU, so nothing cutting.) Ingo leaning against him in exhaustion, and now Melli REALLY doesn't know what to do.

At some point Ingo gets up to go to the front with Emmet. Just hugs him from behind, careful not to get in the way of what Emmet's doing to direct the train, pressing his forehead against Emmet's back. Not sure if Ingo's gotten or getting his memories back at this point, or if it's a gradual thing, or whatnot. And idk the thought of Melli and his Skuntank getting along great with their Garbador also struck me as charming.

Once tensions ease, Rei probably goes off to save the land and all that, all that’s left is the wrapup and the travel back. Obviously I’m missing a lot of interactions between characters in these notes, as Anya was a later decision to the battle at spear pillar, etc etc. There’s a lot of room here for details and additions. But I think this is the pretty solid foundation of the fic that I will one day hopefully write.

*collapses into a dark room to nurse my poor head*

p.s. Bonus, this song is kind of the inspiration to Emmet's decision to get up and DO something. I'm not one to go "ALL THE LYRICS MUST FIT" when it comes to music, so it's mostly the vibes of the song and the rather "train traveling" kind of beat to it that does it for me.

[tiptapricot]

Okay so since your fic Requs are still open, maybe something with Bruce and Terry? It could be something involving Bruce’s lack in ability to cook.

The other request I’m working on has taken much longer than expected so I thought I’d drop this one here before January ends. I absolutely adore writing Bruce and Terry so this was a blast. AO3 link here, Enjoy!

******

“C’mon Old Man, it won’t be that bad, I swear.”

“I don’t need help.”

“Only because your idea of cooking is microwaving a bowl of canned pea soup and brooding in a corner.”

Bruce falters. “I… I add spices.”

Terry snorts, leaning back against the counter. “Oh yeah, very gourmet.” 

Bruce gives him a withering look. 

“Hey,” he puts his hands up in mock defense, “all I’m saying is that one meal can’t hurt. I help my mom out with dinner all the time.”

“I can cook fine on my own.” Bruce says gruffly.

Terry cocks an eyebrow. “Okay Mr. Chef, scoot over.” He bumps Bruce aside with his hip, grabbing one of the pans hanging over the stove. “Don’t know what you had back in the day, but I’m making us some good old fashioned grilled cheese sandwiches, whether you like it or not.”

He turns on the heat and pulls down a few plates from the cupboard, setting them next to the cutting board. Bruce gets out of his way somewhat reluctantly, letting him move. Terry pauses with his hand on the fridge handle, a creeping suspicion nagging at the back of his mind. 

He turns back to Bruce slowly. “You… you do have cheese, right?” He asks. Bruce averts his gaze, mumbling something under his breath. Terry sighs. “Bread?” A slight shake of the head. “Christ Bruce, how have you survived this long?”

He quickly goes to click off the burner, ignoring Bruce’s indignant huff.

“Okay…” he runs a hand through his hair, “if sandwiches are a no go… what do we have to work with?” 

Bruce shrugs. Terry chuckles in disbelief and crouches down to open the food cupboard. 

Oh hell. 

The top shelf is filled with cans of pea and cream of mushroom soup, and there are a few unopened boxes of cereal and granola stuffed on the bottom shelf. No beans, no rice, not even a bag of flour.

Terry gives Bruce an ‘are you kidding me?’ look. “This,” he pulls out one of the cans, “is just sad, Old Man.”

“Being Batman didn’t exactly leave time for me to become a culinary genius.”

“Yeah, but you shouldn��t be this pathetic either. I thought the commish was joking when she said she saw you burn a chicken soup, but I guess not.” Terry examines the can for a moment before putting it back on the shelf and getting to his feet.

“Well, seeing as cooking in this house is obviously a lost cause, I’m thinking we do the next best thing.”

Bruce quirks an eyebrow. “Which would be?”

“Does the manor get delivery?”

***

Absolutely unbelievable. Un fucking believable. Terry can’t fathom the injustice he’s witnessing right now.

Bruce is using a knife and fork on his pizza.

“Oh come on Old Man, really?”

“It’s the civil way to—”

“Ah ah ah, nope, not hearing it, absolutely not—”

“It’s proper and civilized to use a knife and fork—”

“What did I just say?”

“—when eating a meal.”

Terry groans, stuffing another bite into his mouth. “God, sometimes I forget that you’re a rich guy.”

Bruce smirks. “At least I’m not getting my fingers greasy. You know the suit doesn’t do well with oil.”

Terry mouths the words mockingly, scrunching up his nose. Bruce gives a low chuckle and they both settle further back on the couch, tuning back in to the movie. 

Terry let Bruce choose tonight, pleasantly surprised when he decided to put on one of the original Grey Ghost movies. The camera quality is way retro, all black and white and grainy. Apparently the whole thing was recorded on actual film (something Bruce has had to explain to him) back when they still made VHS tapes. Terry swears someday he’ll get Bruce to show him the fabled merch collection he’s heard so much about, but for now this is enough.

Just pizza and a movie night. 

When was the last time he’s had one of these?

Terry sneaks Ace a piece of cheese, scratching between his ears, and glances up to see a small smile playing on Bruce’s lips.

God, when was the last time Bruce has had one of these?

He opens his mouth to say something, probably something overly sappy about actually seeing the Old Man happy for once, when Bruce takes another bite of pizza. From his fork.

Well… at least it’s not soup.

[magioftheseas]

Momentary Crumble

For @lesbiansasuke​

Summary: Their relationship wasn't one that Kamukura expected to last forever. But when Hinata finally does break up with him, it hurts a little.

Rating: G

Warnings: It’s ANGST. NOBODY’S GETTING BACK TOGETHER.

Notes: I SHOULD’VE POSTED THIS SOONER BUT HERE’S THE COMMISH. KamuHina break-up angst! Good to go! I don’t write KamuHina super often but when I do, I tend to enjoy it a lot. They’re uh, obviously separate and unrelated in this AU, btw. So, uh, please enjoy Kamu being super in denial about how sad he is.

***Alternate Ao3 Link***

Commission? Donate?

Their relationship ended with a predictable lack of grace. Hajime hadn’t been able to meet his gaze, could only stare sullenly at the ground as he rubbed his nape. He trailed off when trying to explain his actions, it was painfully apparent that countless practices of this speech had not made it easier. He shuffled his feet, and then, and then...

“Very well.” The words from himself had been simple enough. “I understand. I wish you well.”

Somehow, Hinata only looked more unhappy, face falling and jaw going slack. It was a few tender seconds before his jaw tightened and he just nodded back.

“...bye, Izuru.”

The delivery was low and devoid of warmth. It was not cold, either, because Hinata Hajime wasn’t that kind of person. It just...was...what it was.

When they parted, there was nothing else worth noting.

--

“I’m going to stay with a friend for a bit, but... I swear I’ll come get my stuff later.”

“I understand.”

“Do you, now...?” Even through the phone, Hajime was an open book with complicated emotions seeping into a tone that tried to be detached. What face he must have made is easy to imagine. His lips twisting into a grimace, nose scrunching up, and the way his eyes were likely watering as if on the brink of tears. Hajime really could be so expressive. Even like this. “Well, I... I’ll call you if something comes up, alright? B-But please don’t...throw out my things if I take too long...”

“I would never do such a thing.”

“Um, that was a joke...” When Hajime laughs, it’s completely devoid of humor. “Sorry, sorry. Later, then. Bye.”

It took him a second too long to respond as Hajime had hung up before he could.

Predictable. Expectable behavior.

Hajime really can be so temperamental, he thinks as he shuffles through the drawers. And yet he keeps it all internalized. What a troublesome person.

At first, they had kept their clothing carefully and meticulously separated. Over time, those boundaries eroded as Hajime would start wearing his shirts more and more. They had the same size so it wasn’t a concern. He, too, would wear Hajime’s hoodies and jackets on occasion.

He had already packed the one he particularly favored. He knows Hajime would likely let him keep it if he asked—but that would be awkward, wouldn’t it, to continue wearing the coat of a former lover.

“But you really seem to like it.”

It wasn’t often Hajime smiled like that, wide and unmistakably fond. There was even a twinkle in his normally tired gaze, but he was relaxed.

“I suppose I am partial towards it,” he replied, sniffing the sleeve. “However it still smells like you.”

“Well...I like it too, so that’s unsurprising.” Hinata shrugged. “But, like, if you want it... You can just have it.”

He finished packing Hajime’s clothes. Next order of business is packing his books. Kamukura moves to the desk in the corner where some of them are stacked neatly. Kamukura had been the one to stack them because the other had a bad habit of scattering them. Hajime had always grabbed one, meaning to read it, but then his indecisiveness lead him to grab another and another.

Such a troublesome person.

“I-It’s because Sonia recommended all of them!” Hajime exclaimed, naturally flustered. “And they all sounded good, so—so I’m just not sure where to start!”

“Do you really want to read them?” he asked, unimpressed. “Or do you just feel pressured to?”

“I want to, o-of course I do...” Hajime was also unconvincing as always, gaze almost shamefully averted from his. His grip on the stack of books tightened. “I just got...overwhelmed.”

“That does not surprise me.”

But the way Hajime bit his lip gave him pause. With a sigh, he simply selected the top one of the stack and placed his hand atop it.

“Start from here. Work your way down. If I leave you to decide this on your own, you will never finish any of them.”

“You’re probably right,” Hajime sighed. “But haven’t you read any of these before?”

“I have.”

“So shouldn’t you already know what I would like?”

“I do.” A pause. “But it would be boring. I shall not deprive you of a pleasant surprise.”

“You would tell me if I wouldn’t like one, right?” Hajime asked, jaw tightening.

“Also too boring.”

“Figures...”

When he finishes packing, he labels the boxes appropriately in elegant script. He had done this before, when Hajime needed help moving from his apartment. Hajime shared it with a friend—and Kamukura wondered if it was the same friend he was staying with right now.

He would hope not. That one could be a bit slovenly. A bad influence on Hajime.

But, such matters were no longer his concern.

So he shall not worry about it. Instead, he stacks Hajime’s things neatly as he always had. Hajime will likely appreciate the gesture, even if he will accept it awkwardly.

...so now what?

The question inevitably came, and his restless mind locks onto it, frustrated and fixated.

I simply wait for Hajime to return so that he can properly leave me?

The answer is obvious, irrefutable, and unsatisfying.

This is aggravating. It is not boring, but it is beyond aggravating.

And, yet, what is he to do?

It’s not like I didn’t expect this. No, of course I expected this.

Him and Hajime started this relationship back in high school. It was destined for transience, and that it had lasted longer than expected was more out of convenience than passion. He found Hajime reliable, Hajime found him responsible. They cooperated well and even living together had been simple enough.

It was fine. Decent. Serviceable. They rarely fought. Hajime was easy company. Temporary comfort. It was never going to last.

Perhaps, he had considered it lasting. Considered it morphing from mild contentment into happiness. Because it had lasted longer than initially expected.

What folly. Shouldn’t he have known from the start?

He. Did know. He knew.

Didn’t he?

--

Actually. On the day of the breakup, he found he did not want to be alone in the immediate aftermath.

Matsuda Yasuke was temperamental and grouchy, but he was willing to put up with Kamukura’s company if it meant being treated to coffee.

“Have to admit,” he said, popping open the can. “I’m surprised he didn’t break up with your sooner.”

“Hajime reached his threshold, or he grew bored of me,” Kamukura replied quietly. He had no appetite, but that was fine. Matsuda would eat enough for the both of them. “I suppose it is to be expected.”

“It’s your own damn fault,” Matsuda huffed, unimpressed. “You didn’t put any effort into that relationship, of course it’d fall apart. The fact that Hinata Hajime stuck around only proved the guy was fucking desperate.”

“I did the chores, we went on dates, we partook in intimate activities. I did put in effort.”

“Intimate activities.” Matsuda snorted. “Yeesh. You really don’t get it. Your tone is robotic. No emotional investment at all.” He waved his hand. “Why did you even agree to date Hinata Hajime in the first place?”

“Because he asked,” he answered sincerely. “It would have been more boring to turn him down.”

Matsuda’s brow rose into his hairline, and even under an intense stare, he’s as flagrant as ever.

“Did you even like that guy?”

“I liked him.” Kamukura’s frown deepened. “I would not have remained with him if I disliked him.”

“It’s not about a lack of dislike,” Matsuda said. “What did you even want from that relationship? A momentary fling just wouldn’t be like you.”

What I wanted. What a question.

“It had to mean something to you, or else you wouldn’t be here—and yet you didn’t do anything to stop him from breaking up with you.”

Kamukura shook his head.

“That would not be respecting his wishes.”

“I guess...” Matsuda rolled his eyes. “If Hinata Hajime wasn’t a seriously infuriating and indirect guy...” A pause, giving more than enough time for Kamukura to shift at the words. Matsuda just went on, ever so dull, “Did you consider that maybe Hinata Hajime wanted you to...?”

He hangs on those words, but after a soft huffy exhale, Matsuda shrugged as though it were nothing. Nothing at all.

And it wasn’t anything anymore.

“Well. Whatever.”

“Whatever,” Kamukura could only echo blankly, the word like a plummet into freezing depths.

--

He prepares tea, the kind he knows that Hajime is at least a little fond of. Because—it is the last packet and it would be a shame to waste it.

Except when Hajime does arrive, offering little in the way of greetings or pleasantries and only looking at the ground when he talks—

“I won’t be long, so...”

“You would not like to sit down for a bit? You seem agitated.” Kamukura takes in the way he flinches at those words. As if they were meant to hurt. “I made tea.”

Hajime acknowledges the tea with a twisted up face.

“...I guess I can drink some...”

“I could also pour it into a thermos,” Kamukura said quietly. “Seeing as simply being here is stressful to you.”

Another flinch. This time, Hinata gave him that pained look.

Ah.

He almost couldn’t speak.

Almost.

“I shall help you move your things. It will not take long.”

“You don’t have to—”

“I. Insist.”

Hajime stiffened, biting his tongue before nodding along reluctantly.

“Fine,” he said, sullen about it. “If you insist, I guess it’s whatever.”

“Whatever,” Kamukura echoed.

--

Their relationship is over. It was always bound to end. The most that could be done now was to maintain a level of civility. They were both adults, after all.

Kamukura Izuru thinks that, and he drills it into his head over and over. A hundred times over with each trip it takes to transport every box into Hajime’s car. A thousand times over when he pours out the tea and Hajime thanks him ever awkwardly and unhappily.

Hajime does still enjoy the tea, but it’s with such melancholia that Kamukura felt as though he struck a great offense.

Have you really grown to hate being with me that much?

Hajime doesn’t meet his stare. In fact, he blatantly avoids it the more it intensifies.

You had called my presence calming once.

Of course. Hajime had called him unsettling, too.

Why did you seek my company in the first place?

He had asked that before.

“It’s because I think you’re cool,” Hajime had muttered, ever endearingly flustered. “D-Don’t look so deeply into it.”

And he hadn’t. He wouldn’t. It was a fleeting relationship from the start.

“...uh.”

Yet, when Hajime spoke up abruptly, he had perked.

“It was...fun. Thanks for...putting up with me all this time.” Hinata rubs at his nape irritably. He still doesn’t look at him. “You were pretty...accommodating.”

“I am glad that I was accommodating,” he replied. “And I suppose dating you was not terribly boring.”

“I’m glad I wasn’t boring.” Hajime says it so bitterly. “Shame then, things had to end, huh?”

Even when he nods along, Hajime’s stormy expression doesn’t lighten save for a stray glimmer. It flickers out akin to a dying bulb.

“Well.” Hajime stands, leaving behind a teacup empty save for withered tea leaves. “I’ll be...seeing you?”

“See you,” Kamukura said with another not. “Hajime, please take care.”

Hajime offers a strained smile, but he moves in quick strides, almost snatching up his coat.

Ah.

He still pauses at the door, just as Kamukura had thought to reach out.

Wait. Don’t go.

He shuffles uncomfortably, staring hard at the door, unaware or perhaps unsettled by the tumultuous atmosphere, thick and heavy with strife, a noxious smog threatening to suffocate them both.

Please don’t go. I... I...

“Hajime.”

He opened his mouth, inhaled sharply, and spoke calmly.

“I will be seeing you. Please. Take care.”

When I think about the kind of face you would make if I were to plead like that—I feel wretched.

Hajime doesn’t flinch, at least. He glances back, but it’s only a little. It’s enough to see that his smile doesn’t reach whatever those eyes may carry.

“You too, Izuru.”

It’s a simple couple of words, likely for courtesy. And yet, they held a fragile peace. One that was maintained even after Hinata Hajime shut the door behind him. There was not much to do except wash out the teacups, even as Kamukura Izuru found himself fiddling with broken tea leaves.

It was always inevitable, but—perhaps I can convince myself this is for the better.

There’s a strange sting. Groaning softly, Kamukura Izuru dabbed at his eyes, brow furrowing. Though his eyes were irritated, they did not drip the way the faucet did. He sets the cups aside once dried, and he—he...

He supposes he has much to think about.

Oh, Hajime.

Such thoughts brought a tremor to his frame, but that was simply the way of things.

[survivingthejungle]

untitled; jerome/reader

“What the fuck is going on?”

You walked into the GCPD, cardboard coffee-carrier in hand, and were met with a free for all. People were rushing madly back and forth, phones were ringing off the handle, and desks were scattered with papers, some even falling onto the floor and getting swept up in the waves of officers that seemed to be never ending. You spotted a friend of yours, Jim Gordon, among the chaos, and rushed over to him without spilling the coffee you’d brought. “Hey, what the hell is all of this? What’s going on?” you asked him, handing him his coffee at the same time.

“Thanks, (Y/N).” He took a sip before answering your question. “There was a breakout at Arkham, some of the worst got out.”

“Holy shit, really? Who?” You hadn’t been in to work for about two days due to not being scheduled to work, and you’d be damned if you chose to watch the news on your off days. It was strictly skincare, chinese food, and binge watching cheesy movies for you. Now that you were back, though, you sort of wished you had been keeping up with current events, because you just stepped directly into the fray.

“Don’t you pay attention?” he asked you. You shook your head. “A cannibal, a serial arsonist and rapist, Barbara,” your eyes widened, “and Jerome Valeska.”

“Oh my God…” you were momentarily at a loss for words. “How?”

“That’s what we’re trying to figure out. Which one’s Harvey’s?” You handed him a cup and let him set it down on the other detective’s desk. “You’d better go up and help out Essen… this is taking a huge toll on her.”

Your heart sank for the poor woman. Just appointed commissioner, and the first thing that happened was an asylum breakout. “I’m on it. Where’s Ed?”

“Basement. Like always.” You nodded and hauled ass downstairs to bring the forensics genius his coffee.

“Hey, Eddie,” you greeted him.

“Good morning, Ms.—”

“Edward, I swear to God, if you don’t start using my name...” you warned him.

“Sorry, just a habit. Thanks for the coffee, (Y/N).”

“Sure thing, pal. Don’t overwork yourself, yeah?” He nodded, giving you a faint smile, before you headed back upstairs to help Commissioner Essen try to remedy the current situation.

“Good morning, (Y/N),” she said once she saw you, smiling brightly. The woman was a champ, you thought, having the weight of all of this chaos on her shoulders and somehow still able to be bright and chipper with you. You didn’t know how she did it.

“Hey, Commissioner. I come bearing gifts!” You set her coffee down on her desk and she thanked you. “So… what have we got today?” You sat down at a little side desk situated in her office. Your job was to be a sort of a glorified assistant to the commissioner. “If I had known what was going on, God knows I would’ve come in sooner—”

“Don’t apologize, hon,” she assured you. “You deserve time off. I feel so bad taking advantage of your genius brain all the time, you needed rest.”

“So do you,” you commented, noting the bags under her eyes.

“I wish I could get some, but the mayor wouldn’t like that.”

“Boo.” You sipped some of your drank before getting back to work on the case that was currently plaguing the city. “So… what’s been going on since the breakout?”

“You don’t watch the news much, do you?” she asked, a knowing look on her face. You shook your head. “They kidnapped seven dock workers and threw them off of the Gazette building. Just this morning they nearly incinerated a bus full of cheerleaders, but Jim managed to get there in time. They’ve got no M.O.; we’re trying to figure out what they’ll do next, but we have no idea how to premeditate their attacks.”

“Well… obviously they’re trying to make a statement,” you offered. “They want attention, and they’re taking a lot of risks and going big. They’ll try to hit again soon. They’ve gone after civilians both times, but I wouldn’t keep my money on that. They’ll probably go for civil servants next. Either us, or the fire department, or someone from the government—”

“Oh, (Y/N), I love your genius brain,” Essen praised you. “I’ll have Jim make an announcement… Gotta call everyone else, as well…” she trailed off, dialing the office phone to start making her phone call rounds. Just then, a knock came from outside her office.

“Yo, commish…” an officer entered the room.

“Yeah?” Essen replied, looking up from her desk to address the man. A panicked look immediately spread across her face as she raced to find her gun. Before she got the chance, however, the officer standing in front of the doorway had grabbed his own and had it pointed at her. You suddenly got the feeling that perhaps this man was not, in fact, a cop.

“Heard you were lookin’ for us.” Almost immediately, you heard a round of gunshots. Your heartbeat rapidly increased and you became a little lightheaded, pressure in your skull increasing slightly. Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit… holy shit. I said soon but not this soon.

The not-really-an-officer standing at the door didn’t seem phased at all. He was relatively tall, bright red hair underneath his hat. He began to giggle maniacally at the bloodshed currently happening just outside of the office. She was too in shock to react for a moment, and your own eyes remained darting between the both of them. “Valeska.”

“Okay, no.” You looked him in the eyes as he turned to you, concealing his surprise. “This is not how today is gonna happen. Get out. Go.” You pointed to the door. “I’m so serious, right now, dude, you and your little boyband better get the fuck out before I get mad.”

The adrenaline rushing through your veins wasn’t something you were unfamiliar with, and neither was the confidence and snarkiness that came with it. “Oh, she’s fiery!” the ginger, Jerome, laughed. “Who’s your little friend, Commissioner?”

“None of your business. You get the hell out of my office and back into that asylum where you belong, creep.” Hell yeah, Sarah, you thought.

“Now, ya see, I can’t really do that. I’ve kind of got a job to do right now. So! Everyone out! We’ve gotta get filming,” he grinned. Filming? What?

“Dude...no,” you told him. You almost laughed in disbelief. “What? No. You just expect us to be like ‘Oh, yeah, okay, crazy ginger boy, let’s just go do whatever you want us to do?’ Fuck no! I’m not going anywhere with you!” His grin never faltered, but he walked over to you with a different sort of glint in his eyes.

“Oh… but you are, babe. ‘Less you want something to happen to the poor commissioner,” he gestured to her, “You’d better do what I say.” He grabbed your arm faster than you’d anticipated he would, and kept a grip so tight it was sure to leave a bruise.

“Get off of me,” you seethed.

“No.” He turned to Essen. “Grab some chairs.” She stayed still, just glaring at him. Rolling his eyes at this, he whipped out a gun and pointed it to your skull. “Chairs.” She got up, begrudgingly, and grabbed two metal chairs from just outside her office. “Up onto the table!” he ordered. Against your wills, you were forced up, the chairs placed on the table after you. “Gotta tie you down, of course; I’m sure you understand,” Jerome mentioned to you.

“Oh, sure, of course.” He gave you a sideways glance before forcing your arms to the chair to tie them down. After that, he tied your legs; though not without a substantial amount of struggle on your end. Then he moved on to Essen, who was busy glaring daggers. If looks could kill… We wouldn’t even be in this mess right now.

Jerome let out a low whistle. “Hell of a first week you’re having, Commissioner,” he mentioned to her whilst removing his jacket. “I wish I could tell you that things were gonna get better for you. They’re not.” There was a man walking towards the table where you and Essen had been seated; Jerome took note of him. “Here, bring that up here. Get a better angle of the room,” he suggested. He mocked focusing a camera by making a field goal shape with his fingers.

“Why are you doing this?” Essen asked. A simple enough question, but you knew the true reason would be one too complex to truly answer.

“To rule the world,” he told her. Oh. That was pretty simple, actually. “Blah, blah, blah. But we’ll settle for some dead cops and some good P.R.,” he gave you a glance, “And her.” Giggling, he added on, “Kidding.”

“Yeah, whatever. I get it. You’re just crazy” you stated. At this, Jerome shot a sideways glance at the both of you, as if that had offended him. Had it?

“Crazy?” He let out a breathy chuckle. Moving towards you, he knelt down in to be at eye-level. “Look at me. You can see I’m not crazy.” He placed his hand over his heart, mocking a swear.

“Very soon, little man, you will be dead,” you deadpanned to him, almost feigning sympathy. “And the world will go on without you.” He placed his face on his fist, gazing up at you in mock wonder. “You’ll be nothing. No one will even remember your name.”

“Mmm…” he pointed at you, gazing off into the middle-distance. “No. That is where you’re wrong, pretty girl.” He stood back up again. “We will leave a mark on this city. We will spread across it like a virus.” As he told you this, he leaned closer and closer to the side of your head, so that by the time he had finished speaking, he was whispering into your ear. You closed your eyes as goosebumps appeared on your arms in a flash. He pressed his nose into your hair. “Do you know why?”

“There’s nothing more contagious than laughter,” responded the chubby, hairy man who had been holding the camera. He had a satisfied grin on his face. Jerome turned his head towards the man, and, grinning, whipped out his gun and shot him square in the chest in a split second. The man fell back, dead, taking the camera with him.

“My line,” he smiled at you. Jerome then walked to stand in front of you as he leaned down again, stating, “There’s nothing more contagious than laughter. HA!”

You’d had just about enough of this little freak. Leaning your head back slightly, you gained some momentum, and— splat! You spit in his face. His grin fell. Darting his tongue out for a moment, he looked down to the ground in slight disgust before turning back to you. “That was strangely pleasant.” Son, what? He got up in your face before continuing. “Do it again,” he smiled. He doesn’t stop, does he? You brought your head back again, this time slamming it forward to make contact with his nose and, hopefully, break it. He shot back, letting out a groan.

“That’s gonna leave a mark,” Essen commented, happy with your work.

He bounced back suddenly, laughing maniacally (as, you had gathered, was his thing). “You got me!” A dark something glinted in his eyes. “My turn.” He brought his gun up to your head, but then he changed his mind. “Nah,” he decided, “Too easy. We’ll wait.”

“Now… Give us a pretty smile, won't-cha?” he asked you, mockingly sweet, while petting your cheek.

“Choke,” you responded simply. He feigned offense before cracking another smile and addressing both you and Essen.

“Maybe later, babe,” he winked. “Hello, Gotham City!” he addressed to the camera which had been picked up. “We’re the Maniax! And I’m Jerome, the shot-caller of our little gang. We’re here to spread the message of wisdom and hope!” He chuckled after this. A man began to writhe and groan on the ground next to him, causing Jerome to shoot him in the head before turning his attention back to the camera. “Some people have no manners,” he said monotonously. Getting up into the lense, he continued. “You’re all prisoners. What you call ‘sanity’ is just a prison in your minds that stops you from seeing that you just tiny, little cogs in a giant, absurd machine! WAKE UP!” he yelled. “Why be a cog?” he whispered. “Be free, like us! Just smile!” he bent down to get the now deceased officer in the shot as he pinched his cheeks, telling him to “Smile!” He would not stop cackling, sounding more and more animalistic by the second. All of a sudden, sirens could be heard outside the building. Hearing these, he sobered up very quickly. “Oh, time to go. But don’t worry, we’ll be back very soon. Hang on to your hats, folks, ‘cause you ain’t seen nothing yet!” he exclaimed, hands out in a theatrical fashion. He began to laugh once again before turning the camera off.

He turned back to face Essen, now. “Gotta take care of this before I go, huh?” He stalked closer and closer to the table before pulling a knife out of his sock. “You know,” he started, looking at you, “I was gonna just off the both of you. But, you’re too much fun, so look’s like only the Commish will be going tonight.”

At this, you panicked, letting your vulnerability through. “Sarah— Sarah, no!” But it was too late. He had already plunged the knife into her side, causing her to cry out in pain. “Stop! Kill me instead! Kill me,” you cried. Commissioner Essen was more than just your boss; she was a mentor and a mother figure to you. Having to watch her death from less than three feet away hurt more than you ever thought possible. Tears streamed down your face endlessly and she looked towards you. Jerome made no never-mind of this, continuing to pull the blade upwards while it was still embedded in your skin, making the pain for you and Essen a thousand times worse.

Once he had decided he was finished, he took his knife back and placed it back inside of his sock. He sauntered over to you. “Well I can’t very well kill you,” he said, “That wouldn’t be very fun. I look forward to our next encounter!” He grabbed the back of your neck and kissed your forehead before grabbing his jacket and the camera and running off to God-knows-where.

You turned your attention back to Sarah, whose life you could see draining both out of her eyes and her side. “Sarah? Sarah, you’re gonna be okay. Okay? We have plenty of doctors, and they can stitch you up, and—”

“No, (Y/N),” she hoarsely whispered to you. “It’s okay. Don’t cry for me. You just keep doing what you do best, and make sure that little son of a bitch gets locked up for the rest of his life. Okay? Will you promise me?” She was trying to hold it together for you, but you could see tears brimming in her eyes through your own.

“I will. I will.” Just then, Jim and Lee raced up along with a handful of other members of the medical team, happening upon the scene. Lee and the medics inspected her wound for a moment before she came over to you. “Lee? Lee, you have to help Commissioner Essen,—”

“I can’t, (Y/N),” she whispered to you. She took to untying your binds before she continued. “Her cut is too deep and she’s already lost too much blood.” You looked over to see Jim at her side as her head finally lulled completely sideways, all traces of life vanishing from her eyes. Your tears came harder then, and Lee had to help you up onto your feet before walking you downstairs until you came face to face with Edward and Kristen. At the sight of the man you considered a friend, you collapsed into him, arms wrapping around his waist, sobbing.

“She’s dead, Eddie; he killed her and I couldn’t stop it—”

“Hey, it wasn’t your fault, okay?” he shushed you, smoothing down your hair as your crying slowly started to fade. “Don’t blame yourself. Don’t put this on you.” You let go of him, trying your best to wipe your face free of tears, though they were still falling. You stepped back and took a seat on the stairs, head falling into your hands as your elbows rested on your knees. He sat beside you, rubbing your back. “It’s okay. It’s not your fault. She wouldn’t want you to be crying.”

“I know. I know.” And it was in that very moment that you made another silent and solemn promise to Commissioner Sarah Essen— you would manage to capture that red-haired bastard and make sure he would never see the light of day again. That was the least he deserved after killing her. And that was the least you could do for her after all she did for you while she was alive.

-

well, i tried my damndest to make her sarcastic, but the way it played out, i don’t think that’s necessarily what happened

i hope you all like it anyways. when sarah essen died so did a piece of my heart

[makeste]

BnHA Chapter 175: 8:30 A.M.

Previously on BnHA: Deku agreed to help the staging team hoist Aoyama above the gym as a living disco ball. Time progressed and we got another nice scene of Deku training with All Might. All Might revealed that his mastery of OFA actually came to him quite easily and instinctively, which is he sometimes has trouble guiding Deku. Mei showed up and did some Mei things and told Deku that the new ~mystery support item~ he requested would be ready soon. Apparently Deku requested it to help with his new move, and All Might’s cool with it as long as he doesn’t start to rely on support items too much. Class A’s preparations continued and Momo served everyone some fancy tea. Gentle reviewed his plan of attack with La Brava. He intends for this to be a wake-up call that will help the little hero eggs of U.A. grow stronger, and he’s probably not wrong, but at some point all of this character building is gonna kill these poor kids. So now we’re cutting to the night before the festival, and that’s where this chapter will presumably pick up!

Today on BnHA: The kids of 1-A wrap up their dress rehearsal and gather in their common room to make final preparations and work off their nervous energy. Deku realizes that the rope he’s gonna use to suspend Aoyama is dangerously frayed, so he decides to run out to the store early in the morning to buy a new one before the show. The next day Hatsume delivers his new support item -- another new pair of gloves. After breaking them in with some training, Deku heads out to the store conveniently still wearing them. On his way back to U.A. he stumbles across a ~mysterious pair of characters~ wearing trench coats and sunglasses as they emerge from a tea shop. Deku says something about tea, and Gentle can’t keep his fucking mouth shut, and Deku subsequently recognizes his voice and realizes he’s the villain from the Youtube videos. Remembering that the festival will be cancelled if even a single alarm goes off, Deku decides he’ll just stop Gentle on his own, and gets ready to fight.

(As always, all comments not marked with an ETA are my unspoiled reactions from my first readthrough of this chapter. I’ve read up through chapter 199 now, so any ETAs will reflect that.)

these kids are all too fucking cute

who’s braiding Eri’s hair? a doctor/nurse?

more importantly, is Eri gonna have braided hair today omg. I’m gonna fucking die of cuteness here

(ETA: for some reason she does not. maybe they tried it out but she just wasn’t feeling it. who knows! but she’s still adorable no matter what)

holy moses

that’s another Iida dancing panel. swiped. placed in special folder

omgggg

I’m so exciteddddd

“but now I know for sure that I was one hundred percent right to be worried”

nah just kidding Sero. BREAK A LEG

he says that both the band and dance team have come a long way

SHOW MORE OF THE BANDDDD

aww he’s giving Mina props for being “such a super intense coach”

don’t forget to also give her props for coming up with your disco ball thing

(ETA: MVP)

THE BANDDDD!!!

DON’T YOU ‘EH’ HER YOU MONOSYLLABIC BASTARD. YOU HEARD HER, NONE OF THOSE “WEIRD AD LIBS”

also lmao at “ONE OF US might get thrown off”, which absolutely is referring to Kaminari and only Kaminari and you all know it

but it’s not his fault! he’s still learning!!

sobbb

I swear to god, if Gentle does ANYTHING to fuck this shit up I will cast him deep into the pits of Cancelled Hell right there with Mineta and Overhaul

now Hounddog is coming to chase them out because BARK BARK BARK, STUDENTS ARE ONLY ALLOWED IN HERE TILL 9

is he literally foaming at the mouth

anyways, so now all the good little boys and girls are in bed resting up for their big day!

AND THE NOT SO GOOD LITTLE BOYS AND GIRLS ARE RUNNING AROUND SCREAMING

“some people” is obviously Bakugou lmao

also this is the cutest!!!!!!! this chapter is going for the record, huh? Cutest Chapter? going for the title? you’ve gotta beat out all of Deku and Kacchan’s flashbacks, all of Mirio’s flashbacks, that chapter two chapters ago with Eri touring the campus, and chapter 163 with Kaminari being all, [HOP] “HEY KACCHAN”

so it’s a tall order! but I think this might just have what it takes!!!

Jirou is telling Iida it won’t do any good to worry now about whether or not everyone else will enjoy it, and that they just have to enjoy themselves

and the boyfriend is all

THAT WAS DIFFERENT, KAMINARI!!

Deku’s agreeing with Jirou from over by the table where he’s double checking the equipment he’s gonna use for the Aoyama Hoisting

and it’s a good thing he did check it, too!

lmao

“IT’S THE PROOF OF OUR FRIENDSHIP” “no, actually, this would probably get you killed dude”

also Kaminari’s “desuwa” has legit just bumped him up a notch on my favorite characters list. fully not joking. whoever was at number nine just got bumped down. I think it was either Toga or Mirio. actually, you know what, I’m gonna go ahead and say he just leapfrogged both of them and ended up at the #8 spot right behind Momo. that’s the power of doing loving cheeky impressions of your fellow classmates

anyway, Momo is apparently already in bed though. because SHE is one of the good little girls

and Mina’s shouting “don’t treat her like a tool box!” and Kami’s protesting that they all treat him like a battery charger though

I mean, if I had a quirk that could recharge people’s phones or make them ropes and shit, I wouldn’t mind using it to help out my good friends! and I’m sure Momo wouldn’t mind either, so long as they waited until morning and, you know, didn’t go and wake her up just for that lol. but whatever

Deku says he’ll just buy one first thing in the morning since he’s gonna be training anyway

I’m thinking back to Gentle’s detailed plan of attack, but although the home center Deku’s talking about was indeed on that route, I don’t think the schedule matches up with Gentle’s. he and La Brava should still be drinking tea until 8:30. although the cafe is right by the home center though

but I’m thinking there’s a chance Deku might spot him in the cafe though maybe, and recognize him from the videos

anyway! that’s a problem for future!Deku! current!Deku is doing a cheer with his fellow students and heading off to bed

tempted to include this with the dancing Iida panels, but no. I’m choosy enough to wait for the real deal

so now it’s 6:30 the next morning, and Midoriya Izuku, who most definitely has not gotten as much sleep as a growing boy needs, is nonetheless out training with All Might again

and Mei is here with his new item!

ooh

always with the glove upgrades, huh

lol All Might is impressed with how far technology has come

that’s right, All Might. welcome to the... twenty... third?? century?? I don’t actually know for sure but I usually just add 200 years to where we’re at currently for simplicity’s sake

also, Mei can make things this compact. we don’t know anything about “they.” but this genius girl here, she can do it, and she deserves some credit

Mei is seriously so cool though

and she did this all on even less sleep than Deku. (although apparently she’s planning a 36-hour power nap once this is all over, which sounds amazing)

so now Deku is going to test out the “thing” he wanted to try

and of course we’re cutting away lol and cutting to 7:50 a.m.

Deku’s running to the store and fretting about almost being late

honestly you should have just asked Momo if it ended up being like this

he still has his gloves, incidentally. HOW CONVENIENT

-- oh snap, because this ridiculous little villain magnet was late and then had trouble finding a rope, it’s now 8:30. aka exactly when our two villains are scheduled to leave the tea shop

and sure enough...

OH MY GOD LA BRAVA

THAT DOES IT. DEFINITELY THE CUTEST CHAPTER EVER DALSFKHDL

Gentle is all “the aftertaste of the imperial golden tips was almost ruined!”

and now he’s scampering off with La Brava quick as can be

so it seems like the name of that tea was important? I guess?

oh my god

so Deku’s all “huh, so that house was a cafe, whoodda thunk?”

and Gentle is getting all “!!!”

and. just

oh my god he thinks he’s a fellow tea enthusiast

how does he not actually recognize Deku, though? too gentlemanly to watch TV like ever?

(ETA: probably just sticks to reading books in a big armchair by the fireplace)

Deku’s saying he just knows about it because he got some from a friend

BUT, he’s thinking that Gentle’s voice sounds familiar!

meanwhile, Gentle is all “ooh you must have a pretty high-class friend”

but then he’s like

and Deku is all

oh my god lmao

they’re both freaking out

and as always, Deku’s Big Hero Brain is way too freaking smart

so Gentle’s turning to make a quick getaway, but Deku’s asking him to wait a moment

ooooooooh snap

YOU BETTER WATCH YOURSELF GENTLE, THIS KID HAS A PROVISIONAL LICENSE AND SOME SHINY NEW GLOVES MOTHERFUCKAA

so now Deku’s setting down the bags with the rope, and remembering what the Rat Principal said (did he actually say this? I thought it was part of his flashback with the police commish but I guess not) about how they would immediately suspend activities if the alarm sounds

and I’m guessing... that maybe Deku wants to take care of this right here because he doesn’t want the cultural festival to be cancelled after all of their hard work

which is pretty stupid, but also understandable enough that I have no trouble buying it

like, he should be calling the authorities and putting them on alert, not trying to take this mofo out himself lmao

but instead this is happening

and you know what? I’m okay with that

BONUS: my boy Fat Gummmm

Fat Gum sobbing while eating a banana and apologizing to the ghost of Nighteye is somehow just the biggest mood

look how he has the takoyaki splayed between his knuckles because eating them one at a time just isn’t enough. think bigger. plus ultra!!!

it took him all of four days. what a champ. and now I’m fucking starving omg

[literati42]

Tim Drake Fic: When the Bat is Away Part 2

Title: When the Bat is Away Part 2

Rating: PG

Genre: Hurt/comfort, family, angst, humor

Characters: Tim centric, with Jason, Dick, and Damian. Mentions of Alfred, Julia Pennyworth, and Bruce

Description: When Batman and Alfred are out of town, the Robins–past and present–are left to care for Gotham. All of this would work out fine if Tim was not hiding something…

Prompt request from @fandom-princess-of-awesomeness `: “Tim ends up getting sick while Bruce and Alfred are away and Dick, Jason, and Damian take care of him.”

Note: This is part 2, for part one click here

           Jason carried his little brother into the Batcave, both of them dripping wet from a near fatal plunge into the murky depths of the harbor. He laid the younger Robin, his replacement, on the bed in the med station. Sweat mixed with water, plastering Tim’s hair to his forehead and making him look years younger. Dick helped maneuver their brother out of the wet costume and repeated for what must have been the twentieth time, “What happened?”

           Tim shook his head, “I…don’t know…” he admitted, cringing as another wave of pain rolled through him. He grabbed his side. Jason focused there, helping remove the last of his shirt and looking down. Jason expected a bullet wound or a gash. He did not expect what he saw.

           Nothing.

           Jason touched the kid’s side, and Tim gasped violently. Jason jerked his hand back. There was not so much as a bruise. He met Dick’s eyes. For all the older two Wayne boys did not communicate well, in moments like this, they could speak without words. “Tim, when did the pain start?”

           “Right after I captured Eric,” Tim replied.

           “You came to the battle hurt?” Dick said, eyes widening.

           “Idiot, you’re not a good enough fighter when in perfect health,” Damian added from where he was perched on the desk behind them. Jason shot him a look, but despite the kid’s bravado, he could see traces of worry around his eyes. Maybe the little monster was not a total sociopath, after all, Jason considered. He turned back to Tim.

           “Definitely a fever…” Dick said, checking his brother’s temperature.

           “Well, at least the criminals that escaped because of you will get infected. Maybe we can trace them through tissue purchases,” Damian said.

           Jason did shoot him a look then. He turned back, about to add his own witty retort when he saw Dick’s face. Dick held the thermometer up, 102 degrees. Tim curled up in a ball, pain flaring through him.

_-_-_

 Tick.

Tock.

           Dick paced back and forth in the main hall of the mansion. Each of his steps in sync with the stucco beat of the old clock above his heads as his baby brother lay on a surgery table in the cave below his feet. They called Dr. Thompkins the moment they saw his temperature. The tension in her voice was enough to tell the boys how bad this was. Dick stared at the ceiling. The doc had barely been there a minute before she sent the Robin’s upstairs. Apparently, their brand of helping was distracting.

Tick.

Tock.

           Jason was out the door the moment the doctor showed, soaking wet costume and all, to find the thug that put their brother in surgery. He would find the man that threw Tim off the boat, taunting the brothers over the comm.

           He honestly was not that surprised to realize a certain pint size Robin was at his heels.

Tick tock. Tick tock.

Tick.

Tock.

Tick……………….tick…………………..tick………..

_-_-_

           The first time Tim woke up, he saw Dick. The oldest Wayne brother sat beside the bed, still in the Nightwing uniform but mask off. His hands were tangled in his dark hair as he leaned forward, eyes down. Tim shifted, feeling heavy from a sedative. “Dick…”

           His brother’s head shot up, and blue eyes met. “Hey…” he stood quickly, leaning closer, “Hey, you okay?”

           Tim shook his head, “What kind of poison…”

           “No poison, you had appendicitis. Your appendix...it burst…” Dick, the usually voracious sibling, was struggling to get the words out. “You could have died.” Tim blinked. It had not been an attack after all? Just his own body betraying him. He glared. Sometimes Tim wished he was a cyborg, that he could change out defective parts as easily as he did with the robots he created for training. He looked up again, registering guilt in Dick’s eyes.

“The Doc said you would have been showing signs before that,” Dick said, shaking his head, “Pains, fever, nausea. I should have seen it. I’m supposed to be the one in charge. I’m supposed to watch out for the rest of you, and I miss something this big.”

“Dick.”

“We’re detectives, right? That’s the family business. I’ve been a side-kick, a superhero, a Titan, a spy, and I can’t even tell my little brother is sick?”

Tim frowned, guilt stirring inside him now. He knew Dick well enough to know that he was currently privy to what was a fairly constant inner monolog of self-criticism. “You are a good detective,” Tim said, “And a better brother.” He let out a breath. “And I’m good at disguises…you didn’t see because I didn’t want to.” Dick’s face changed immediately, and Tim realized in his encouraging his brother he made a serious misstep.

           “You did say you noticed the pain earlier in the night,” Dick said, his eyes narrowing. There was the expression that allowed Dick to be Batman for a time when Bruce was gone. That was the expression that he could transmit, through a cowl or mask, that was even more intense without a barrier. “You knew.” He put one hand on the bed and leaned down. “You knew you were sick and you went into the field?”

           “Look, Dick I know, I could have compromised the mission. I thought it was a passing thing. I would never have intentionally done anything to let those criminals get away.” Dick huffed, leaning away. Tim realized that he had witnessed Dick this angry, at criminals. He had never been on the receiving end of the wrath he was witnessing now.

           “You think I’m angry about the mission?” he straightened and began to walk around the med area. “Unbelievable. Are you sure Damian is the one that’s Bruce’s biological son?” Tim frowned. Dick turned back and faced him. “You’re right. You did compromise the mission. Jason and Damian are out there now, finishing it up. And honestly? I have full faith that they will. Luckily, I was able to get the message to them that you weren’t poisoned, or we could have had some corpses on our hands.” He ran his fingers through his hair and looked down at Tim. “But right now? I could care less about the Penguins thugs. I could care less about all of Gotham.” The anger faded to pain. “Do you not get that? Have I failed you so much that you don’t realize you are worth more than this entire city to me?” He reached down and brushed Tim’s hair back from his forehead. “Saving this city, protecting the world. That’s our calling. We sacrifice so much. You, you sacrifice your health every day. I get it, Bruce hasn’t exactly set a good example in that way.” Tim saw tears filling at the corners of his brother’s eyes. “But you, this family, you matter more than any of it to me. Gotham is my city, but kid, you…you, all of you, you’re my world.”

           Tim tried to look away, but Dick did not let him.

           “I need you to start taking better care of yourself, Tim. You’re not going to die from something you could have prevented by taking half a second to take care of yourself, do you hear me?”

           “Dick…”

           “Promise. Promise me you’re going to try.”

           Tim did not know if this was a promise he could ever keep, but in that moment, it was one he could not help but make. “I promise…I’ll try. I can’t say I can keep it up or…”

           “That’s good enough, for now, Tim.” Dick sat back down. “I love you, Babybird.”

           Tim pretended to fall back to sleep quickly after that, but he knew Dick was still there. It was a while before real sleep came.

_-_-_

           The second time Tim woke up, it was to Damian crouched on the edge of the bed, staring at him. Like a bird. “What the hell?” Tim said, startled.

           “Dick was falling asleep sitting up. I told him to go rest, and he insisted someone needed to make sure you didn’t die in your sleep. He made me swear it.” He narrowed his eyes, “Congratulations. You didn’t die.”

           Tim laid back, feeling groggy from whatever was flowing through the IV drip beside the bed. He watched it drip. Drip. Drip into the tube. He would come up with a wry comment later. Right now he was too sleepy.

           “I’m glad you didn’t,” Damian said, causing Tim to stir and look at him.

           “What?”

           “Die. I’m glad you didn’t die.”

           Even in his weakened state, Tim could easily access his disbelief. He raised an eyebrow.

           “If you died while Father is away, he would assume I somehow used the arcane arts of my mother to give you appendicitis.” Damian huffed, “Ridiculous. There are far more effective ways.”

           “And suddenly I don’t want you watching me sleep.”

           “Fathers not back yet so…you’re safe,” Damian said. Maybe it was the drugs or the near death experience causing hallucinations, or maybe it was that he already fell asleep and was dreaming, but Tim could have sworn Damian’s words held less malice than usual. He almost thought he detected relief in the boy’s eyes.

_-_-_

           The third time Tim woke up, it was to Jason holding a small jar with something awful and pink floating in the fluid inside. Jason turned, catching Tim’s open eyes. A smile spread across his face, and he held up the jar. “It’s your appendix.” He shook it, causing the liquid inside to slosh. “Horrible right? It’s all diseased…” He tossed it from hand to hand, “So, I can definitely keep this right? I want to whip it out when I’m interrogating a criminal, tell him it’s all that’s left of the last guy or girl. I hate to be biased.”

           Tim raised an eyebrow, “Knock yourself out.” Did Jason put it in his jacket pocket? Tim really did not want to know the answer.

           Jason came over and took a seat. “So, Dami and I managed to round-up a bunch of the dock hooligans. Unfortunately, what you had actually wasn’t contagious, so you probably didn’t get any of them sick. But a whole bunch are currently driving the Commish crazy in his cells, so I call it a night well spent. And…” he leaned in, his eyes going from playful to dark in a single blink, “We caught the bottom feeder who threw you overboard….don’t worry. Like I told Dick, he made it to Commissioner Gordon alive. He just…had a rough ride to the station.” Jason leaned back, putting both hands behind his head, all trace of fury gone, “Anyway, I found something you might appreciate while we were out on our night of hunting.” He sat up, pulling out his cell phone, which had a picture of the gargoyle Tim was sitting on before this all began. The net was still there, but Eric was long gone. The man was a talented escape artist. But he left behind a message, written on the neck of the gargoyle in spray paint. Get better soon, Red Robin. -E. Tim smirked despite himself.

           “So yeah...Babybird…” Jason said, standing, “What he said.”

[haberdashing]

Novapets.com

A Voltron fic examining one website where Pidge was a regular before her mysterious disappearance.

on AO3

Profile comments for user Mondegreen (#1357)

01-01-14 to present

01-03-14 - Lunalee (#958) - I know this is super late but thank you so much for the gifts omg you spoil me <33

02-18-14 - ShadowWolf13 (#41892) - thanks again for helping me out x3

03-10-14 - Morlock (#11025) - Thank you for buying from my store! Come again soon! :)

05-19-14 - hunted1 (#9094) - is wally open for breeding? he’s so pretty

05-30-14 - Excaliburr (#4701) - ...you okay?

07-02-14 - katrine (#2266) - The July rare base has your name all over it I swear :V

07-06-14 - Lunalee (#958) - Thinking of you <33

12-25-14 - katrine (#2266) - Doesn’t look like you check this much anymore but merry Christmas anyway c:

Private Message between users Mondegreen (#1357) and hunted1 (#9094)

05-20-14

hunted1

i commented on your profile about this yesterday but is wally open for breeding?

this guy: novapets.com/pet/153782/

he’s really pretty @_@

didn’t see anything either way about breeding on your page and he’s PERFECT for one of my plans

05-22-14

hunted1

guessing that’s a no i’ll try someone else lol

Private Message between users Mondegreen (#1357) and Excaliburr (#4701)

05-26-14

Excaliburr

I know it’s been a while but can I just rant to you about what just went down in my precalc final? You did say you were always up for listening to my ramblings, lol!

05-29-14

Excaliburr

...everything going okay on your end? Usually you respond ASAP when I come bug you with something, lol.

06-01-14

Excaliburr

...just noticed you haven’t logged on in like three weeks. Guess that might be why you aren’t responding lmao. Anyway, if you get this, send me a message back! Always nice to hear from you! :D

Private Message between users Mondegreen (#1357) and SoulRunner (#772)

06-18-14

SoulRunner

Okay, so I know this is super late, but I finished up your commission!

(external image)

If it looks good, just go ahead and send the payment. If you think something needs tweaking, let me know and we can work something out. I hope you like it as much as I liked working on it- you always come up with the most amusing prompts! ^^

06-18-14

soulrunner-772: tfw you spend three hours finishing up a really detailed pet commish for someone who apparently hasn’t logged on in over a month xP

#novapets #personal #lolwhoops #at least it was a fun one?

kaia-1001 liked this

cyberst0rm liked this

in-darkest-knight liked this

07-26-14

anonymous submitted to novapets-confessions: Does anyone know what happened to Mondegreen? They haven’t been on in like three months and it might sound silly but I’m actually concerned ;3;

#novapets #light #submission

cashewchomps liked this

cashewchomps said: I think Mondegreen uses she/her pronouns actually?

soulrunner-772 liked this

lunalee-958 liked this

lunalee-958 reblogged this and added: We were connected on a bunch of different sites and she hasn’t been on ANY of them since mid-May. I’m concerned too, nonny D:

in-darkest-knight liked this

01-25-15

katrinethegreat: Pet appeared in my lair with no warning. Looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place it. Did some digging and apparently it’s one I stuck under the Giving Tree that got shunted back at me after the event ended because the person I sent it to never picked it up (or even logged in, apparently). Welp, guess it’s mine again now :V

#novapets #a gift from me to me #sorry friend when (if?) you log in again i’ll make it up to you #but for now i’m enjoying having this little gremlin around

cyberst0rm liked this

sugarleaf liked this

04-24-15

anonymous submitted to novapets-confessions: Is it weird that I like creeping through the lairs of inactive users? That Mondegreen had some great pets, but I doubt they’ll ever be used again at this rate...

sugarleaf liked this

dia-13519 said: ...it is kind of weird ngl. But I looked at Mondegreen’s lair and... well, you’re not wrong >>

Forums - Introductions - Long Hiatus Ends

07-05-17

Mondegreen (#1357)

Hello all! As the title indicates, I’m not actually a new user, unlike most posting in this forum, but it has been... a long time since I’ve been here. As in, three years, give or take a few months? Wow, time flies...

It might take me some time to adjust to all the changes this place has clearly gone through, but I resolve to be an active user on here once more!

07-05-17

Asphodel (#5704)

Welcome back to Novapets! Feel free to ask me if you have any questions ^^

07-05-17

Mondegreen (#1357)

@5704: Will do!

07-05-17

bitz-n-fitz (#659)

Mondegreen? I remember that name! We were on the same team in that elemental event, remember? Team Air represent ;)

Where have you been? We missed you! <3

07-06-17

Mondegreen (#1357)

@659: I do remember, Bitzy! Team Air represent indeed!

As for where I’ve been, it’s... kind of a really, really long story. But it’s all good. Except for the part where I went three years without Internet access, lol. Just... don’t ask.

07-06-17

bitz-n-fitz (#659)

Oh my O_O

Well, whatever happened, it’s good to have you back. :)

07-06-17

Mondegreen (#1357)

It’s good to be back!

[tokkimeki]

weather over here has been really bad lately so I haven’t been at my work space enough, but I’ll be finishing commishes tonight and maybe put up some of the late night scribbles I did for my duel links adventures?! Maybe other stuff too.

for now. hi. this is. this is my face except cuter and more expressive, im riding a high from nonstop zane duels and i swear his voice is doing things to my heart.