#I’ve been looking for one in good condition without a lot of damage to the cover and this one looks great

[sluttish-armchair]

I found the Signet Classics mass-market edition of 1984 they made in promotion of the film, with full color pictures of the scenes inside, for $1.82; so I bought it. Merry Christmas to me! :D

[slashermovhigh]

Nine hundred thirty two, nine hundred thirty six....aha, there it is! Locker number nine hundred thirty nine. Rooster stood in front of Thomas's locker for a while as she was debating how to put the letter in without damaging it, she could try to push it in through the little space between the top opening. But she did want to risk it, so she ultimately decided to slide it in through one of the three louvres' ventilation. Thomas was going to his locker after a long boring class. Walking through the corridor as the most sane people tried to avoid him. Only to then see a familiar looking individual try to put something inside his locker from a distance. He silently walked over to her, and his heavy steps were heard on every step. When he got close, he simply stood next to Rooster, looking at her curiously without saying a word. He was taller and a big fat bastard. He had a mask on his face that wasn't from his previous victims. He was definitely someone you should stay away from, but at the same time, he was also lonely, and no, hanging out with his cousins friends sometimes did not count. The masked female got startled once she realised who had walked up to her with an angry glare. She didn't mean to do anything wrong with his locker! She hoped he did think like that, oh, this is why she wanted to avoid trying to go to him directly. But since he is here already, and she did get caught trying to leave it in there. She might as well just hand the love letter to him. She stretched out both of her arms, offering him to take it. Thomas just stared at the letter she offered for a while. He grabbed it and began reading it. He was a pretty bad reader having trouble with reading, but as he finished the letter, his eyes widened. Thomas looked at her for a while with his widened eyes. His cheeks began to turn red under his mask. At first, Thomas thought it would be some kind of hate letter. One that Rooster was forced to put in there because he knew her enough not to personally write anything that would be considered mean, but that wasn't it. It was a poem, a love letter poem for him. Of all people...

Dear Thomas Hewitt,

I hope this letter finds you in good spirits. I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately, and I felt it was time to share what’s in my heart. Your kindness shines through like a warm light, and your generosity never ceases to amaze me. Despite your imposing stature, you carry a gentle spirit that draws me in.

I often think back to that day when you took the time to sew my torn sweater. It was such a small act, yet it spoke volumes about who you are, thoughtful and caring. You see beyond appearances, and that means the world to me.

I can’t help but admire how comfortable I feel around you, and I find myself liking you more with each passing moment. So, how about we take a leap together? Let’s go out for coffee at that little café downtown, then maybe some darts afterwards? Just two souls sharing laughter and good times.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Warmly,

Mia-Hélen (Rooster) Vittraberg

Thomas was completely shocked. He wasn't expecting something like this at all. He never received such a letter in his entire life. Thomas read the letter five times to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. His cheeks were burning, his heart was pounding loudly, and he stared at Rooster with wide eyes. He grabbed her arm and dragged her to an empty classroom nearby. Rooster let the giant man drag her away as she stared down at her shoes. She felt her cheeks getting even more rosey than before. Reaching up to her ear tips under her mask. Thomas closed the door behind her, and he turned Rooster around to look at her directly. Thomas was a giant man with a horrible skin condition. His hands were extremely rough and big. Thomas then just grabbed her shoulders slightly, pushing her back to the wall. He was still silent, staring at hee like a fool. He couldn't believe he had someone have such feelings for him. At first, Rooster was scared at the sudden touch, but she quickly realised that he just wanted answers from her in a private manner. She nodded in acknowledgement, confirming to him that she really meant it. She did hear rumours that Thomas had been bullied as a child. So she wasn't surprised by this, but she did wonder... would he reject her or accept the invitation to the um...date? Thomas was trying to find the right words to say that the atmosphere between them was aphonic. But he already knew what he wanted to do, although Thomas was wondering if it wouldn't be a joke, but he had a feeling that it wasn't. The youngest Hewitt began to sign after a short silence.

"I... I... Will accept your proposal..." Thomas wasn't disgusted by that idea, in fact he actually felt that feeling of hope, that someone might have feelings for him, so he took the risk. Thomas was looking directly at her with his light blue eyes. Rooster eyes widened at that as she got closer to him in question. Was he serious? Really? He wanted to go on a date with her!? She felt the andreline of exitedness rush through her veins. Thomas was still a little unsure, wondering if everything was truly a little joke and that there was no feelings or anything for him, but he would rather take the risk to see. He didn't know how to react, but he just nodded and signed again to make sure he didn't make a mistake.

"I... Will go with you..." His lips were visable behind the mask, showing Thomas was smiling a little. Rooster went down to her pocket to get a post it note, as she took a ink pen from her other pocket to write something quickly. As she then calmly gave it to him.

Meet me at the fountain on school grounds after school, around 15:45. I will take you to the cafe from there.

Thomas carefully read the note, making sure he understood it correctly. After that he put the letter along with the post-it note in his pocket and nodded. Thomas signed once more to let her know that he meant it.

"I will be there..." Thomas was slightly nervous, but he felt happy. He never had a girlfriend or been on a date, so this was completely new to him. She nodded once in comprehension as she then sprinted away from the lack of social energy. But also the feeling of joy in their veins and heart, they were feeling real giddy. He was quiet and just watched Rooster as she ran away, Thomas was still slightly confused about what just happened, but overall, he was feeling good. Thomas himself had butterflies in his stomach, and he felt happy. He quickly turned and went away from the hallway. He walked to his class and sat down at his seat. He was still in a good mood. He wasn't feeling as lonely now.. Thomas couldn't wait for the after-school as he sat in a lesson patiently.

[I could end this story here, but I could also end it with the date. Idk, are you interested in reading more, Slashermovhigh?]

HOLY FUCK SHE CONFESSED (although I think the bit has gone for too long at this point)

[naffeclipse]

Haunting your inbox again with another question about a sleuthing jesters series :)

In No Small Favor, I’ve always been curious about a few things. How quickly did word spread in the underworld about Moon getting shot? I’ve been thinking about that one mini drabble you wrote about how Eclipse would patch up Sun if someone nearly destroyed him to earn the mob boss’ favor. So did he plan to intervene before Moon’s condition became irreversible? (Though that begs the question of what really would be considered irreversible, and Sun did go for awhile without a working celestial wire at the end of the series.)

Also, what was Eclipse’s reaction when his goons passed on word that the vigilante was asking for him? Did he actually think they were considering joining him, or had he already put two and two together that they were looking for him on behalf of Moon? If it’s that latter, I could see how he might view that as an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone: save Moon and get the vigilante in his debt.

One more thing! Is Balloon World considered his domain, or is it just a general seedy area where mobsters can use the back rooms as they want?

Never mind, I just thought of one more question djjflskdkd XD Did you ever have any lore/ideas about DJ Music Man’s role/character in the series? I know he doesn’t show up in it, but I wondered if you had some notes or thoughts about his interactions and relations/dealings with the underworld.

Hope you don’t mind the question(s) haha <3

Lumi, you are welcome to haunt my inbox anytime you feel, my ghostly friend ♥

Eclipse was aware that Moon had been injured—what he wasn't aware of was the extent of his injuries. He knew Sun would tend to their brother, but as the days passed, Eclipse would have grown more aware of their absence and would have investigated himself if the vigilante hadn't intervened. (Celestial wires ceasing to function for long periods of can lead to permanent damage even after being fixed/replaced. Much like falling into a coma, it can be very difficult for an animatronic to power back on after a long period of inactivity.)

Eclipse was certain the vigilante had finally begun to see things his way (it was inevitable, and this is the easy way for them) so that's why he's a bit, ah, displeased when he realizes the vigilante is asking about a celestial wire. At the same time, he understood that Moon is not actually okay, but Eclipse did not miss the opportunity sitting in his lap trying their best to look pretty and not afraid. He's more than willing to kill two birds with one stone, and he did.

Balloon World is a personal favorite hangout of his, and more or less somewhere you don't want to go if you don't want to run into the mob boss himself. He doesn't own it in the traditional sense, but it is his place that's kept under wraps.

Ah! I never did touch on Music Man but he's got a little story! He's the head of a rather lucrative underground operation, though less powerful than Eclipse, but he handles his gang wisely and is able to successfully and discretely laundry money via his club and a separate recording studio as fronts for his illegal business of trafficking weapons. He's on pretty good terms with a lot of gangs and knows to not cross wires as a supplier. My design for him is that he's humanoid but fairly large, on par with Eclipse's height except that he has six arms instead of the regular two. Music Man is mistaken for a simple-minded weapons dealer but he is very strategic in all aspects of his work; he will effectively remove the problem of your existence if you happen to interfere with his smoothly running operations. (He can also play a mean guitar.)

The vigilante found out his real name through some bribes and, uh, more persuasive violent means and would have liked to have gone after him, but other events took up their attention.

I don't mind the questions at all so long as you don't mind me rambling hehe ♥

[blackbat05]

Life

Joaquin Torres x Reader

Plot: Life could be a cruel joke. You turn to escapism to meet someone with a unique perspective on your struggles.

Genre: PG-13

A/N: Let’s just say I’ve based this on the shit I’ve experienced so far in adulting and it hasn’t been long yet. Really hope everyone is doing alright and I’m so sorry for the lack of content. Tagging @the-slumberparty for the BINGO card game!💜 I think this fic could fulfill two slots? I don’t think this is how it works? Please correct me if I’m wrong?😅

Life.

It could be a bed full of sunflowers and roses, and you feel like you could take on the world.

But it mostly also involved you being punched in the gut without warning.

Let’s just say, you had enough of terrible working conditions and decided that the only power a poor working woman like you was to quit.

You pulled your suitcase behind you, weaving through the departure hall. Passport in hand, you managed to get through the self check-in with the help of an attendant. In record speed, you found yourself having two hours of spare time to kill.

Making yourself comfortable at the lounge, you satisfied yourself by watching the planes dock and prepare for take off at the landing strip. Your phone beeps and you sigh at the rude intrusion.

It was only your parents who meant well, telling you to take care and text them when you arrived. A rush of emotions overwhelms you as you read how proud they are of you for making this decision.

Honestly? You were feeling pretty shitty. You were ecstatic getting that job you studied so hard for, only to be slapped in the face with reality where the lack of guidance and cliquey colleagues increased your self-doubt and incompetence. When you announced that you were ending your short lived career, there was no surprise. Only nonchalance and a whole lot of gossiping behind your back.

You abruptly stand up, hoping to make your way to the washroom before you experienced another breakdown.

“Shit! I’m so sorry!” You looked down to see a stain the size of a dollar imprinted on your shirt. The man in front of you with an opened juice bottle has what can only be described as a sheer look of terror on his face as he scrambles to hand you napkins from his bag. “Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?”

He doesn’t notice you staring at him blankly as he attempts to do damage control. You can’t help but to be reeled in by the way his curls bounce against his forehead rhythmically. Doe eyes furrowed in concentration, the man’s attention turns back to you and catches you looking at him.

“Yeah… I mean, yeah! I’m fine!” You shake yourself awake and into reality. “It’s alright. I wasn’t looking where I was going either. In fact, I could use a drink myself. Please let me get you another drink. I insist.”

The man doesn’t seem convinced, especially when you were about to board a flight with a soiled shirt. But if there was one thing you were good at, it was being stubborn.

An eventful way to pass time even, as you realized that both of you had the same destination on your plane tickets. Credit to the charming stranger, as he does not pry for more information. As the announcement booms through the departure hall, you shake his hand, glad to have made an acquaintance even if it was short lived.

***

The bright lights from the neon signboards mixed with the sounds from the foot traffic was enough to overload your senses. Yet, you felt completely at ease as you walked across the bridge that connected to multiple shopping malls.

Stomach growling, you opted to enter the next shopping mall to make your way to the food court. It was your happy place. Authentic, local cuisine that offered tantalizing flavors.

You weren’t the only one with the idea to come to the food court to escape the humidity. Tourists and locals alike prowl the area in search for seats to devour their purchased food and drinks. Carefully balancing your tray, you crane your neck to keep an eye out for an available seat.

“Y/N?”

You turn around at the voice to find a familiar face beaming at you.

“What a coincidence! You can sit here if you want.”

“Joaquin.” You breathed out a sigh of relief. “Am I glad to see you. Thank you.” You take the seat across him, eager to give your legs a break. “I thought I saw the last of you at the airport.”

“Well, I’m here now. I hope you aren’t rushing off to anywhere because I would like to know more about what brings you to the land of smiles.”

You pause, hesitant in dredging up the horrid memories. Joaquin senses this as he naturally steps in. “I lost a close friend. I can’t tell you much but his death affected me terribly. I needed to get away so here I am.”

He slurps more noodles to fill the silence. You can’t imagine the scars that Joaquin is holding behind his smile.

“I guess you could say I lost someone- well, something too.” You twirl the noodles around your chopsticks. “My sense of worth.”

“All this while, I thought I knew what I was fighting so hard for. I was so happy to be finally be able to make that difference that I always dreamed of as a student. But reality is often disappointing and terrifying.” You slowly savored the noodles as your chest constricts. “Maybe I’m just running away from reality.”

“Looks like the world hasn’t been kind to us both.”

“Touché.” You raise your glass bottle of soda, clinking it with his. “If the world wasn’t going to be kind to me, I figured I should be kind to myself.”

Joaquin nods in approval, taking a sip from his own drink.

As the crowds come and go, you get lost in the conversation with Joaquin, truly enjoying what it means to be in the presence of another human.

***

You had a blast.

It turns out that this wasn’t Joaquin’s first rodeo, as he took you to many places beyond touristy traps. Eating breakfast at a Michelin star coffee shop. Visiting the temple with locals. Meeting adorable canines at a dog cafe. Chilling at the hotel bar to finish the evening.

“I’m definitely coming back here!” You saved another picture of you and a majestic husky at the cafe. “Thanks for the amazing day, Joaquin. I didn’t even know half of these places exist!”

“Glad my reputation as tour guide still stands.” Joaquin takes a swig of beer, watching the vibrant nightlife that had no intention of dying down. You take a sip of your Bloody Mary, still reeling from the adrenaline of the past few days.

Even though you were aware that all good things had to come to an end.

“What’s next? Although being a hippie sounds very appealing but I can’t imagine it isn’t very cost friendly.” Joaquin keeps the conversation light, knowing how touchy the subject could be with you.

Little did he know how much of a positive impact he had on you for the past six days. Sure, it was a trip to shake loose all worries and responsibilities but Joaquin managed to keep you grounded. No one can run away forever, Y/N.

“I’ll try.” You watch the mini whirlpool you created. “But I’m not going to lie, I’m scared. The idea of being disappointed by others when you’ve already gave it your all… I don’t know if I can take it.”

“Then you know how to fall better. Sure, you’ll take a hit but that’s really all we can do. To fail better.”

Joaquin’s wisdom hits you and you wonder again what kind of horrors he had to witness and endure to come out with a rock solid mentality that was unshakable.

“You’re still in the game, you haven’t lost. So keep your chin up.”

“Is this what you tell your fellow soldiers?”

Joaquin chuckles. “No. This is what I tell to the people I care about.”

In the midst of tourists being invested in the soccer match that was shown on the large television and servers expertly serving countless of drinks and meals to hungry customers, time slowed down and the confusing thing called life seemed to make a little more sense in the chaos.

Joaquin checks his phone with a frown on his face. “I’m sorry-”

You waved a hand, dismissing his apology. “Duty calls, I get it. Thanks for everything, Joaquin. I mean it.”

He leaves a bill on the table, shooting down your protests. You can’t help but to feel a pang of sadness at how quickly Joaquin had disappeared from your dreamlike holiday as quickly as he came into your life.

A waitress comes to collect the bill and to your surprise, she slips you a piece of paper. “The gentleman told me to pass this to you once he left.” Her eyes have a knowing twinkle and leaves you to check the content - a number scribbled in blue ink.

Call me, Joaquin.

You toss your head back slightly, amused at the situation. Dialing the number, Joaquin picks up on the second ring.

“So, does this mean I can see you back home?”

“You bet.”

Life.

Maybe it punched you in the gut to fall into a bed of roses.

[godmona]

i know this is on my new account so i dont have a lot of my followers here yet, but i will be reblogging this post on all of my blogs i have. life update, whatever you want to call it. heart failure, sickness, hospital, surgery and just death stuff in general.

in november, my dad collapsed in the house and had to go to the er by ambulance. he’s been dealing with heart failure for years, had open heart surgery back in like 2010, and had a defibrillator put in. he’s never gone back in to have the defibrillator batteries replaced and his heart has been getting worse over the years with age. in november, we finally were able to convince him to have the surgery to do that. it went great!! his heart started to work a little better and catching up with his body. last week, my mom called me to say that he couldn’t breathe, and she convinced him to go back to the hospital via an ambulance again. it’s not good. his liver is failing. both his kidneys are failing. so everything your kidneys are supposed to filter out is just sitting in his body. he has had a breathing tube down his throat for almost a week and they have to take it out soon or it’s going to cause permanent damage or they’re going to have to put a permanent one in, which he’s already said no to. he’s stable, but he’s stable because the machines he’s on are doing all the work for his body right now. my sister is down there with my family ( they live in another state ) and my job basically told me to go fuck myself as far as going down there right now. it’s not good, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to get any better. he's conscious, but with the breathing tube in his throat he can only answer yes or no questions. again, my sister is down there, but me and my sister both know that he doesn't want to live on life support and stuff like that. on top of that, there's the problem with what to do with our mother. me and my sister are not close to her, we do not care about her, we've been trying to go no contact but haven't because we love our dad. she's never worked a day in her life, and is completely useless in literally everything. once something happens to my dad, we have no idea what the fuck to do with her. and everytime she calls me to update me on my dad's condition, she immeditely makes it about herself when we've told her this was coming years ago. she should have figured something out. i'm not using the money i make to take care of a grown 44 year old fucking woman. i’m completely helpless in the situation, and i’ve never lost a family member i knew or was close to before, let alone a parent. it is hard to exist, let alone be online. i see my notifications of tumblr and discord and i’m sorry if it looks like i’m ignoring you or something but i genuinely do not have the energy for anyone except my partners right now. i’m trying so hard to figure out a way to go do down there ( probably for a funeral because it doesn’t look like he’s going to make it to the end of the year ) without loosing my job because i do not have an immediate new job to set up to go to. it would be different if i needed time off to go to a funeral in the same state, but its in another state, so money and travel time. in the end, if they’ve got a problem with me going to my father’s funeral, i will be quitting my job as well. which we all know how the job search is, and the financial strains on households as it is. im barely getting up enough in the morning to go to work in retail without having a breakdown of the stuff going on. so this is that update. please don’t expect much from me right now.

[aventurasdeunatortuga]

Sunday, July 21st

Last full day of this trip.

I managed to actually very easily change my train tickets back to Seoul for this morning and booked a last minute hotel. The train journey was very quick and seamless.

I had wanted to go back to my original hotel in Seoul but it was all booked up, so I found one sort of nearby but didn’t realize until after I booked it that it was a capsule hotel, where you basically get an 8x4 wooden box with a little door on the end, the box sits on a shelf with 8 other boxes per room. The hotel itself was honestly one of the worst I’ve ever been to, not the worst, but definitely up there in the top 5. At least there was proper ventilation and air conditioning is all I can say. Bathroom was definitely very scary.

After putting my things in my weird little wooden box on a shelf I went out to _____ market to go try to find a suitcase. I have bought way too much stuff here, more than I’ve ever bought on any other trip before, so I got a whole separate suitcase.

Then I went over to Myeongdong and though I’d been to that neighborhood plenty of times I somehow didn’t realize there is a big shopping street there that I ended up on. I went there to go get my haircut.

I hate getting haircuts so I almost never get them and then my hair gets really long and damaged. Korea does beauty and hair salons like no one else, so I told the stylist to give me whatever style she thought was best. She told me she was going to cut it short and I said I was okay with that but was still shocked when without even looking she lopped off a good 5-6 inches of hair.

She did a fantastic job and it turned out really well. I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy with a haircut.

After that I got some dinner. I love Korean Barbecue but they serve such huge portions it’s usually best to not go alone, a lot of barbecue restaurants here will actually turn you away if you’re eating alone. My first night here I found a place that served small portions, and I was able to get barbecue again with a girl I met on a group tour another day, but today I was all by myself and they served huge portions. I was surprised they didn’t turn me away, I was fully expecting them to. The staff were laughing after I ordered. I was very determined though and managed to eat it all.

The last thing I did was go up to Namsan Tower, it’s a huge tower on a hill on the outskirts of town that has the best view of Seoul. They had a little outdoor elevator / escalator that took you up to the bottom of the second hill, from there you take a cablecar up to the top. It was gorgeous. They light it up different colors depending on the air quality that day, red/orange/yellow for poor, green for average, blue for good, and purple if BTS is doing a concert 😂

I took the cablecar/elevator back down to the ground but even though it was only about 1km back to the metro and my hotel it took me nearly an hour and a half. I don’t know why but today my feet just started hurting so badly. It was also still really hot despite being nighttime so I might’ve been experiencing a bit of heat stroke as well. When I finally got back to my little drawer hotel my feet were literally bleeding from blisters.

Until tomorrow,

[mikael-iat410]

IAT 410 Project Journal Entry 5

This week has brought forth huge advancements for our game. On Monday of this week, I felt I was understanding Unity to an extent that I had never experienced and that made implementing new things, fixing bugs and providing balance adjustments a super fast process, and that made developing exponentially more fun. Thomas had also implemented sounds and made some adjustments to the boss to spice it up, and the game’s now looking more fun than ever. Aden provided some nice graphics and we’ve gotten those implemented into the game.

In terms of challenges, we've wanted to address an issue that some playtesters' strategy is just to shoot enemies from afar in the non-frenzied state but we want the player to use the frenzy mechanic. The attacks, when Frenzied, are stronger, allowing for more damage in short amounts of time, at the cost of losing a costless ranged attack. However, we also wanted to tone down the strength of the frenzy attacks, because they're so strong as it stands. So I made them have longer cooldowns and reduced the range, establishing a contrast in comparison to the gun being rapid and long-range. The way I would explain the difference between the frenzied and non-frenzied states is that the frenzied state can be characterized as more fast-paced, more aggressive and requiring urgent kills to sustain the heightened power level. I felt playing the game that there isn't a sense of urgency to the frenzy mechanic, so I made frenzy meter drain faster over time each frame so players have to be more aggressive towards enemies. The non-frenzied mechanic is more defensive; damage is relatively lower but the player has an easier time staying alive because they can maintain distance while attacking.

This week I've been wrapping up mechanics such as the blood bombs and the light attack, which are two of the most complex attacks the player has at their disposal. The light attack is a powerful melee attack that you can mash to get up to three hits out of, with a cooldown. It’s not the most interesting attack, but it was a fun challenge to program. While this wasn't always the case, the blood bomb has been my FAVORITE mechanic to program and playtest this week. It’s an extremely satisfying mechanic where the player can throw a bomb that inflicts tons of damage and has a lot of range to it. There’s so many interactions sewn into this one mechanic; it explodes under multiple conditions, either when colliding with a player, colliding with a wall or travelling for long enough without hitting anything. Landing a blood bomb against a group of enemies is super gratifying, and makes me feel like I’m good at games (even though I’m not in the slightest). Plenty of other mechanics have been changed, either for the purpose of bugging, making mechanics easier to execute or balancing.

The hitflash, blood bomb and light attacks

There’s one issue that has been a challenge for a few weeks now, which I think has been complicated because of me not being a very experienced gamer. Feedback was one of the most commented on issues of our game. There wasn’t a lot of it offered. A few days ago I did a playtest with my brother, and he said that the game lacks feedback. A large portion of the changes I made these past two weeks were in response to comments that he made, as well as Jonathan. For instance, one feedback I got from both of them was that it is difficult to tell when the player is getting attacked. As said in the lectures, especially the one that took place in the lab that took place today (Nov. 14th), lacking proper feedback can drag down the quality of the player’s experience playing the game. I provided a hitflash for the enemy early on but did not do the same for the player, which led to the critiques we have gotten. Now, the player glows red when they are getting attacked. However, I still have a lot of work to do on that front because I’ve received recommendations earlier today from Jonathan to make the player and enemy flash (instantaneously) instead of glow. I haven’t done that yet because this is a new suggestion, but that’s one of the first things on my list of things to do.

[rewirelessify]

Rugged Speakers for Outdoor Activities

Are you looking for the perfect audio companion to your outdoor adventures? Rugged speakers can provide the sound and durability you need, but are they worth it?  Yes, rugged speakers are good for outdoor activities as they are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and physical impacts. They provide quality sound output and are easy to carry and use. Rugged speakers are an excellent investment for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities and wants to enhance their experience. This article is about " Rugged Speakers for Outdoor Activities". In this article, we explore whether rugged speakers are good for outdoor activities, and what features they typically have that make them suitable for such environments.  We will also discuss how to choose a rugged speaker that best meets your needs. With this information, you will be able to determine if a rugged speaker is right for you.

Advantages of Rugged Speakers for Outdoor Activities

As someone who loves being outside, I've found that having a rugged speaker makes all the difference in the world for my trips outside. Not only are they built to withstand tough environments, but they also provide high-quality sound and are incredibly portable. From my own experience, here are some good things about rugged speakers for outdoor activities: Durability and Resistance to Harsh Weather Conditions First of all, rugged speakers are made to last and can handle rain, dust, and other harsh weather conditions. This means that they can be used in different outdoor settings without worrying about damaging the speaker.  Portability and Ease of Use Second, rugged speakers are easy to carry to any outdoor activity because they are small and light. Whether I'm camping, hiking or having a picnic in the park, I can easily pack the speaker in my backpack and take it with me. Quality Sound Output and Versatility Another advantage of rugged speakers is their quality sound output. They are made with high-quality drivers and amplifiers that make them sound great even when you are outside, where it can be hard to hear.  Compatibility with Various Devices Also, many rugged speakers are made to be flexible, so you can connect them to different things like phones, tablets, and laptops. In the end, having a rugged speaker has made a huge difference for me when I'm outside. They have made my time outside more fun by letting me listen to music and podcasts.

How Rugged Speakers Enhance the Outdoor Experience

As a hiker and nature lover, I spend a lot of time outside, whether it's on a remote trail or in a nearby park. I like the peace and quiet that nature gives me, but I also like to bring music with me to make the experience even better. That's why you need rugged speakers. The Freedom to Enjoy Music in Different Settings without Worrying about Damaging the Speaker One thing I really like about rugged speakers is that they are made to be used outside. They are strong and can stand up to bad weather, so I don't have to worry about my speaker breaking if it starts to rain or snow. I've had my speaker for years, and even though it's been bumped and bruised, it still works perfectly. The Convenience of Having a Portable and Durable Speaker for Outdoor Gatherings Rugged speakers are also great because you can take them with you. Most of them are small and light, so you can put them in a backpack or even your pocket. I love that I can bring my speaker hiking or camping and set it up anywhere I want to listen to music. The Role of Music in Enhancing Outdoor Activities The sound quality is, of course, the most important thing about any speaker, and rugged speakers don't fall short in that area.  They make great sound, and many of them can be used with a wide range of devices, like smartphones and tablets. I also like that some rugged speakers have long battery lives, so I don't have to worry about running out of power in the middle of a hike. Overall, I think rugged speakers are a must-have for anyone who likes to be outside and listen to music. They can last for a long time, are easy to carry, and sound great, so they are perfect for any outdoor adventure.

Types of Rugged Speakers for Outdoor Activities

As someone who likes to be outside a lot, I've had the chance to try out different types of rugged speakers over the years. These speakers are made to handle rough weather, physical impacts, and other problems that come with being outside.  Here are some of the types of rugged speakers that I have found to be the most useful for my outdoor adventures: Wireless and Bluetooth Speakers Wireless and Bluetooth Speakers: These speakers are very portable and can connect to devices wirelessly. This makes them great for camping, hiking, picnics, and other outdoor activities. They come in various sizes, and some models can be clipped to your backpack for ease of use. Waterproof and Shockproof Speakers Waterproof and Shockproof Speakers: These speakers are made to be resistant to water, dust, and physical impacts, which makes them perfect for the beach or pool. They can also be used for water-based outdoor activities like kayaking, fishing, and rafting. Solar-Powered and Environmentally Friendly Speakers Solar-Powered and Environmentally Friendly Speakers - These speakers are powered by solar panels, making them eco-friendly and ideal for outdoor activities that take place during the daytime. They are small, light, and easy to carry, and they make good sound.

Tips for Choosing the Right Rugged Speaker for Outdoor Needs

I'm a big fan of the outdoors and love to explore nature and do things outside. I always bring my rugged speaker with me when I go camping, hiking, or anywhere else. Years of experience have taught me what to look for when picking the right outdoor speaker for my needs. Looking for Features that Suit Outdoor Activities When picking a rugged speaker, the first thing I look for is how long it will last. It's important to find a speaker that can handle rain, dust, or wind. A speaker that is waterproof and shockproof is a good choice because it will keep the device safe if it falls or gets wet by accident. Choosing a Speaker with Good Sound Quality The quality of the sound output is another important thing to think about. A good speaker should make sound that is clear, well-balanced, and loud. This makes sure that I can still hear the sounds of nature while listening to my favorite music and podcasts. Choosing a Speaker with Good Battery Life and Compatibility with Devices When picking a rugged speaker, portability and battery life are also very important. It's important to choose a model that is small and light so it doesn't take up too much room in my backpack.  Also, I always choose speakers with long battery lives so I can listen to music without having to worry about running out of juice. Lastly, I look for speakers that work with my devices, like my laptop or smartphone. Wireless and Bluetooth connections are great ways to stream music from my phone or other devices without having to use cords. Overall, picking out the right rugged speaker has made my trips outside more fun and memorable. With the right gadget, I can make my experience better and make the place I'm in more fun and inviting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Are Rugged Speakers Good for Outdoor Activities?

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the topic "Are Rugged Speakers Good for Outdoor Activities?": What Makes a Speaker "Rugged"? A rugged speaker is designed to be durable and able to withstand harsh environmental conditions, such as water, dust, and shock. They are built with protective features that make them resistant to damage, making them suitable for outdoor activities. How Do I know if a Rugged Speaker is Waterproof? Most rugged speakers come with an IP rating that indicates their level of water resistance. The higher the IP rating, the more water-resistant the speaker is. A speaker with an IP67 rating, for example, can be submerged in water up to 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes. Are Rugged Speakers Portable and Easy to Use? Yes, rugged speakers are designed to be portable and easy to use. They are often lightweight and compact, making them easy to carry in a backpack or bag. Many models come with features like Bluetooth or wireless connectivity, making them easy to use with your smartphone or other devices. How Long Do Rugged Speaker Batteries Last? The battery life of a rugged speaker can vary depending on the model and usage. Most models come with a battery life of around 10 to 12 hours, although some can last up to 24 hours or more.  It's always a good idea to check the battery life before purchasing a rugged speaker to ensure it meets your needs. Can I Connect my Rugged Speaker to Multiple Devices? Yes, many rugged speakers come with Bluetooth or wireless connectivity, which allows them to connect to multiple devices at once. This feature is useful if you want to switch between different devices, such as your smartphone or laptop, while using the speaker.

Conclusion

I need a rugged speaker for hiking and camping. My speaker has functioned well in all types of conditions, from blazing sun to heavy rain. The speaker is waterproof and shockproof. It's crucial to consider sound quality while choosing a robust speaker. I can hear clear, loud sounds with my tough speaker. This makes hiking, reading by the campfire, or listening to music or a podcast more enjoyable. Durable speakers are also portable. These speakers are usually compact and light, so they're easy to pack and bring on trips. These don't weigh much, so I can listen to music while traveling. Finally, Bluetooth and wireless connectivity have improved my outdoor enjoyment. Without wires or cables, I can stream music or podcasts from my phone or other devices. The speaker's battery lasts all day, so I can listen to music without charging it. I recommend bringing a durable rugged speaker for outdoor activities. It'll enhance your outdoor experience. Ihope you all liked our article. For more articles visit us : Rewirelessify Read the full article

[ovaruling]

that is extremely well said, and i completely agree.

i do want to add my input here, for whatever it’s worth as a “cis” woman who has had cosmetic surgery, bc i am always going to speak up when i get a whiff of it on this site.

anon, i am going to guess that you’ve never had cosmetic surgery. i have had over 10 procedures. let me jump in here, bc if you’re not yet familiar w my cosmetic surgery survival, you’re about to be.

giving surgery to girls with eating disorders is a good comparison, unfortunately. because that’s exactly what cosmetic surgeons did for me.

when i went into my 2nd surgery, at 18 years old, with my ribs showing after having lost about 170lb in 1 year by starving and purging, the cosmetic surgeon didn’t look at me and go, “my god, no way. you poor girl. you need help.” nothing was said when i was weighed in the office and clocked in at one that was most definitely much too low for someone of my height.

this surgeon was the one who did liposuction on me so deep into my waist that it left me with permanent damage. he was famous for that tactic—the “hourglass” shape. the fabrication i believed was “my true body.” i was “supposed” to look like that, right? i was an 18-year-old girl who was starving. but i was still “supposed” to look like that.

i kept getting surgeries. many. i could tell you about them all in great detail, but i’ll leave it at this: it ruined my life. i can never, ever undo the damage that was done.

and not a single one of those surgeons did anything but try to sell me more. when i went in for my BBL—the one that nearly killed me, btw—the surgeon told me, “oh, did you lose a lot of weight or something? yeah, you’re going to need a tummy tuck, soon.” he prodded at me and told me to turn around. pinched my “loose skin” and waggled it in the mirror and told me, “look. look at that. you’re a young girl! we can’t have THIS.” waggling my flesh between his fingertips so hard that it left a red mark when he finally let go of my body.

and, do you know, i still never have been able to get him to return a single call of mine in here, what, 6 years since my BBL almost killed me? not a one. didn’t care that i needed help. didn’t give a single shit.

but oh, yeah, my gender was totally affirmed. my gender of being a deeply sick, deeply mentally ill young girl—later woman—who was literally told every step of the way, no matter what surgery i had already had done. “you need buccal fat removal”—“you need another breast lift”—“you need lipo here, here, and here”—oh, yeah, i definitely felt affirmed after my mystery autoimmune disorder developed. after all of my infections. after all of my additional MOLD infections. after all of the scar tissue. after all of the permanent nerve damage. after all of the visits to the top clinics in the country, my mother having to help me to walk, bc no other doctor or specialist in the state knew what the hell was wrong with me. after being told by those top clinics, those five-star clinics that work tirelessly to understand even the most confounding of conditions, “we just don’t know. i’m sorry. have you seen a therapist?”

i definitely have my gender affirmed now that i’ve done almost everything society told me i should have done.

do you know what i’d give to have the pain of feeling the surgeon waggle that “loose skin” back? cuz what i got instead is so, so much worse.

it’s human experimentation.

if you’re interested in a full list (it could never be full—i need a fucking book) of the consequences of what i did to “affirm” myself, feel free to visit my original account and after that, visit my “anti cosmetic surgery” tag (link to that tag in my pinned post) for further commentary and posts i have made.

but i live in debilitating pain every second of my life. i no longer have independence as i near 30 years old bc i cannot be left alone for long periods of time without aid. the conditions i developed after elective cosmetic surgery disabled me. i will be chronically ill for the rest of my life. i will be in pain for the rest of my life.

anon, i don’t care what your philosophy is on whatever social whims deserve to be “affirmed.” i am telling you as a survivor of this sickness—the sickness of thinking you not only can but MUST modify your body through elective surgery—that it is nothing more than human experimentation.

do you know what i’d give to be an internet philosopher, just wondering about this? i lived it. and so have countless other women.

if you’re already aware of the risks, then you are already telling me you will willingly sacrifice me and others like me for the pursuit of harmful aesthetics. you are even telling me that you will sacrifice trans people! why would you do that? even if you don’t give a shit about me or “cis” women, how could you do that to the group of people you are claiming to fight for?

have you not seen the tiktoks of trans people talking about their surgical complications? their worst nightmares coming true? have you not read the stories from them? the despairing pleas for help, now that they can never go back? or have you just skated your eyes over post titles like “i regret it all” and kept scrolling?

anon, you don’t sound like you really care about trans people. you seem willing to sacrifice the health and well-being of one just so another MIGHT get what they want out of this barbaric industry.

if you wanna get into the extremes, you also sound like you’re ok with letting the suicidal tendencies of this group simply increase tenfold. because after cosmetic surgery, those feelings have been known to go up.

they definitely did for me. every day of my life is pain.

anon, i don’t really think you care about trans people. in fact, i would even say you’re harming them with this viewpoint. it sounds like you’re a gambler willing to feed a lot of people to the machine on the slight chance that it might get you or someone else whatever you imagine a “jackpot” to be in this situation. and i’m guessing it’s just looks, right? the simulation of “beauty.”

how many of us survivors have to scream before you will even admit we exist?

anon, please go talk to the women who regret their cosmetic surgeries. please go talk to some of the detransitioners who regret their surgeries. i’m begging you. you are not listening. i will say it again: this is human experimentation. these are not life-saving surgeries—they are life-ruining ones.

and if you’re only going to focus on the 1 person who CLAIMS to be satisfied w their surgery, while ignoring the rest of us, whether we’re trans or not, then i’m sorry to say i have to call that one hell of an echo chamber.

a small question: don't cis people get gender affirming care? like women will get bothered if they look too manly or be compelled to have implants and facial reconstructions out of a female beauty standard. men do similar things as well.

the fact that you call getting plastic surgeries out of insecurities or to fit beauty standards “gender affirming care” is disturbing to say the least. it’s not healthcare to get plastic surgery bc you hate your own appearance and want to be considered more beautiful…. you’ve been successfully brainwashed by plastic surgeons

[peony-pearl]

Iroh gets a letter from Zuko a few months after Ozai’s defeat. The new Fire Lord has been keeping tabs on his sister, and over the past few months and letters, he’s mentioned that her anger has begun to dissipate. However, it very quickly turns into something else.

Nothingness.

His once passionate, clever sister stares out into nothing.

‘Uncle, I think I’ve made a mistake’.

Iroh realizes he can’t remain in Ba Sing Se for now. He gives temporary ownership to one of his apprentices and he takes off for his birthplace.

Zuko is overwhelmed, but thriving. He can handle the legal works; it’s Azula’s condition that is putting the most stress on him. He and Iroh agree it would be best that they go to see her together - Iroh’s sudden appearance could have the potential to trigger something in Azula that could cause damage to others or herself.

Iroh returns to the prison he was held in for an unknown amount of time. He could only recall the amount the days he’d been in there from the time he’d realized the eclipse was imminent to the day he escaped.

He sees Ming, in good health, and he bows and thanks her for the kindness she showed to him.

Upon being escorted to Azula’s room, there is a curtain hung just beyond the bars of the cell, ensuring some type of privacy for the princess. Zuko steps in, pulling the curtain aside, where Iroh looks upon his shattered niece.

Oh, he knew this look very well.

The despair, the emptiness. He knew it all too well.

“Azula,” Zuko says. “May we enter?”

Azula doesn’t speak.

“Azula?” Zuko repeats. Still nothing.

Iroh stands up straight. “Princess Azula,” he says with the command of a general, but the restraint of the man who owned the Jasmine Dragon.

Azula’s eyes look up.

Iroh’s own eyes are guarded, but soft. “May I enter your room?”

Azula stares at him, and for the first time in weeks, there’s a glimmer.

But it’s not at all pleasant.

“No.”

They return to the palace. Zuko apologizes for taking Iroh all the way up there, but Iroh shakes his head.

“No, I needed to see her.”

“... What now?” Zuko asks. Iroh sighs, looking upon an old portrait. He was surprised it was still hanging. It was of the entire family at one time - Azulon, flanked by Iroh and Ozai, with their wives and children. Only three of these people had left the mortal realm and yet... Iroh still felt like he was looking at a communion of ghosts.

“We can try again; but not tomorrow. We mustn’t overload her in her state. I will remain and assist you with your duties; help with your workload.”

Zuko smiles. “That means a lot to me. Thank you.”

It’s several days later, and another ‘no’ from Azula that has Zuko worried.

Iroh, upon being told ‘no’, only tipped his shoe over the threshold of the cell to get one clue as he peered in quickly - the cell was smeared with smoke residue

He looked on the sole of his shoe to find ash caked on it.

“We could only have firebenders work with her for the first month. She just... she would attack everyone. Even alone she would firebend in her cell, screaming at people that weren’t there. We had to... we had to restrain her because she was just in a cycle of destruction, but that didn’t last long either. She just... kept going. She would either hurt others or herself and it was constant. She’s only just now healing from the worst of her bruises; but it’s only because she just... won’t do anything. I worried about her before but now I’m... I don’t know.”

Iroh hummed. He remembered the state of his cell back when he was imprisoned. It was a standard; cold, dirty, and dark.

Perhaps there was a new approach he could take.

He returned without Zuko several days later. Azula barely registered the sounds of the guards offering to help Iroh carry something, but he insisted he do this alone. The door was unlocked, and the curtain pulled back.

Iroh stood at the threshold of Azula’s cell with a broom, a mop, and a bucket that carried several other items.

“Princess Azula?” He says upon catching his breath.

Azula looks up at him, still with that spark in her eyes like flint striking a fire.

Iroh doesn’t flinch. “May I clean your chambers?”

Azula hesitates. She curls inward, but he finally gets a response.

“The spiders stay.”

Iroh nods. “The spiders stay.”

He quietly asks a lingering guard to fill the bucket with water - should anything go south, they know Iroh can manage to fend the girl off. He begins by handing a piece of cloth to Azula.

“Use this to protect your nose and mouth; this could get dusty. I don’t want you getting sick.”

He sets it next to her. She doesn’t respond immediately.

He begins sweeping, the floor immediately changing shade. He nudges the broom into the corners in the ceiling to evict old cobwebs, but he did inspect other webs for signs of life before digging away at the stretchy, sticky architecture.

Azula’s eyes occasionally peer over, but she remains curled up on her bed, back to the wall as her uncle is eventually on his knees scrubbing her room. The day goes by, he is sweating, and yet, all he asks of the guards when they check in on him is two cups of tea. One for him and one for Azula. Even when she doesn’t touch her cup, he still asks for a refill for both of them.

But they don’t talk, and he doesn’t force conversation. Azula only hears the occasional hum, and him finding a hidden spider.

“Watch out!” He chuckles, “I almost turned you into part of my brush!” he says, allowing the spider to clamor onto his hands as he relocates them to a dry part of the room.

It’s well near dusk, Iroh looks to Azula in concern that she hasn’t touched the meal she’s been brought.

But instead of pushing her emotionally any further, he decides to only ask “May I return tomorrow and finish? I would like to bring you some bedsheets from the palace.”

“... My round pillow,” she says.

“I’m sorry?” Iroh asks.

“I want my round pillow. From my bed.”

“Round pillow from your bed. I will bring it tomorrow.”

While going over paperwork with Zuko a maid returned to the office with several pillows that could have fit the description Azula mentioned. Iroh shrugged.

“I’ll just take them all.”

It was an awkward trek, but no matter. He entered Azula’s room with his arms full of pillows and bedsheets. She looked up to see him trying to smile positively.

“That one,” she said, “The dark red one.”

Iroh shrugged. “I mean... you can have them all with you,” he said. He walked over and gently flooded one side of Azula’s bed with pillows before nodding and returning to gather the packed bedsheets, which he began to unravel from being folded when he heard a choking sound, and he turned towards Azula-

Only to find her in tears as she held her favored pillow. Iroh hesitated.

“Azula? What’s wrong?”

She shook her head, clamping her eyes shut as she cried silently. Iroh set the bucket and mop aside and slowly approached her.

“It... It smells like home.”

Oh.

“It smells like the palace; it smells like me! It smells like home and I hate it!”

She throws the pillow, now trembling violently as she cries.

Of course. The last time she was home... Everything happened.

Iroh swiftly moves to take all of the pillows out of her sight. He looks back to see her mired in intrusive memories. Ones she begs to stop.

Immediately he remembers being curled up on his bed after returning from the Siege of Ba Sing Se, begging for the images of his son’s corpse to leave his mind - all after stumbling upon one of Lu Ten’s old toys tucked away in a closet.

How he wanted to disappear, to meld into the walls, to not be seen, to not feel or see a thing.

It was a tender game when all you wanted was to feel human again, but you also just wanted to leave... but there was nowhere to go.

Iroh looked at her, his niece that he’d never quite shared a bond with. One he’d scuffled with and dismissed.

He was just about to turn away, unsure of what he needed to do when-

‘I looked away’

His eyes flashed open. He stopped.

Guilt that was old began seeping into new.

He looked back at Azula.

‘I looked away’

He’d sworn he would never do so again.

How was this any different?

He slowly approached Azula, and he sat on the floor next to the bed. He didn’t say anything. He couldn’t think of what else to do. All he could do, for now, was just be with her.

She wasn’t Zuko, in the same way that Zuko wasn’t Lu Ten. Helping Zuko had been difficult. Helping Azula... not only were they not on good terms, but... they were so much alike. The prodigy, the exalted child.

Fallen from grace after the lies they’d been fed prove to be their greatest downfall.

Iroh swallowed, hearing sobs that echoed his.

He couldn’t think of much else to do; except to slink his hand out towards her on the bed, palm up.

She didn’t notice at first until she wiped her eyes and looked upon the worn mattress. She saw him offer his hand, worn and calloused from years of fighting and age. He didn’t move. He didn’t look at her expectantly.

His gaze was surprisingly empty, but not hollow. He muted his expressions to maintain some sense of neutrality so she didn’t feel obligated to answer.

His arm became tired after some time, but he waited it out. He’d been in more uncomfortable positions, like his now-screaming lumbar muscles that were upset that he was just sitting on a stone floor without some kind of cushion.

It takes time; but he has all the time in the world.

He did for Zuko.

He can do it once more.

He keeps his hand out.

He’ll never look away again.

He keeps his hand out...

[aries-writingblog]

Enemy Fire: 8

Summary: There’s a new kid in town, and she’s got a city to usurp.

Pairing: Jason Todd x F. Reader

Word count: 1.4K

Warnings: language, threats, violence, gunshot wounds

AN: photos are from Pinterest

Jason sat in a chair at her bedside, his legs spread wide. He’s been sprawled there for hours, waiting.

He was mildly impressed with her, yet again. She had managed to distract him enough to actually steal something off his belt.

The street rat in him couldn’t believe it.

And for that, he was pissed.

So he was waiting for her to wake, so he could kick her ass.

But he had been there since Dick called him and no change. She still hadn’t woken.

He had sat for hours, examining her face. Her full face. He had never seen her without the domino. Now, able to see all her features, he couldn’t deny she had an eerie beauty.

A new scar graced her cheek, the skin still looked irritated and raw.

His fingers came up, carefully touching his own scar that lashed angrily across his throat.

Batarangs never dealt too much damage. Just enough to leave a permanent reminder.

YN groaned, her lungs felt pressured, like they had been filled with water. Her body was heavy. Aching. Her eyelids were in much of the same condition.

Her vision was bleary and blurred as her eyes finally cracked open. Where the hell…

“Good morning, Princess. Mind telling me why and how you lifted that nifty little device?” Jason asked. He tapped his fingers against the chair’s arm.

She blinked groggily, rolling onto her side. Jason cocked an eyebrow.

YN groaned, the stitches in her skin pulling irritably. Her eyes quickly found the figure sitting beside the bed.

He wore regular clothes: a light blue T-shirt with dark jeans, combat boots on his feet. A signature, brown leather jacket layered over it.

Black hair tussled perfectly, the white streak nearly positioned in a perfect question mark— almost begging her to ask. Obscuring his identity, a black domino lay across the bridge of his nose, whiting out his eyes.

But just beneath the mask, a cruel, curved scar began at the corner of his lip and traced a path across his skin.

She didn’t even have to guess.

This was Red Hood. Or at least, what he was comfortable showing her, with how much she had caught him off guard.

Pushing the thick blankets from her body, YN groaned again, a vain attempt to keep herself quiet. She made it to her feet shakily, wincing at every harsh tug of her stitches.

Jason sat up, realizing she was committed to escaping.

“Where the fuck are you going?” He barked. Anger flushed his face, red hot heat in his cheeks. He shoved the chair back, rushing toward her, standing in front of the door. “I’m speaking to you.”

YN shoved at his chest; The force was weak, she nearly toppled over from the exertion. If only she had been freshly hospitalized when he first met her, he felt he could’ve taken her a lot easier.

“I have to get home. He’s coming.”

“Not ambiguous at all.” Jason griped, under his breath. He leaned back against the door. Blocking the only way out— unless she broke through the window, which she was seriously considering. “I’m gonna help you but you have to be clear with me here.”

YN laughed, the action made her stomach ache but she ignored it.

“Oh, you’re gonna help me, are you?” She snarked. Her face settled into faux gratitude before it was broken by a vicious sneer. “When did I ever ask for your help?”

“When you stole my pager.” Hood retaliated.

YN’s mouth closed, her lips pressing together. Jason scoffed, chuckling darkly under his breath.

“I didn’t know what I was stealing— it looked like a taser.” She lied, shrugging one shoulder.

Jason rolled his eyes.

“You’re not gonna make it far like this.” He gestured to her injuries.

“I’ll go as far as I need to.” She heaved out, her hand absentmindedly clutching at the wound on her side. “I’ve been on my own for years, Hood. I’ve survived worse.”

“Sure.” He droned. Jason finally pushed away from the door and stepped aside. Holding his hand out, presenting her exit. “When you pass out in a few miles, I’ll be right behind you to gather your unconscious body.”

YN shoved past him, as soon as it was available. It didn’t matter in the moment that she certainly didn’t own the shirt or the purple sweatpants she wore, or that she was only in socks. Or, most importantly, missing her domino mask.

She had to get out of this place. For more than one reason.

“What’re you gonna do with it? Bury me in the backyard?” She shouted back, hobbling as fast as she dared down the hallway.

“Well, actually, there is an unoccupied grave back there.” Jason admitted.

YN rolled her eyes, scoffing quietly. She pressed her hand to the wall, keeping herself upright.

The carpet underfoot was soft, the furniture nearby lavish. Where the hell was she, anyhow?

“It’s so hard to see why you’re still single.” She grumbled.

Jason sighed, watching her struggle passively.

She definitely didn’t look like the same person that attacked him and nearly destroyed him twice. She looked more like an injured animal, trying to hide herself away until she healed.

She looked more like himself.

Jason bit down on his lip. He was gonna regret this.

He moved forward, stepping in front of her again. Blocking the path. She leaned her shoulder against the wall with a grunt. Nearly breathless from her attempt at escape.

“Whoever’s hunting you, whoever you’re worried about, you can’t face them like this. You’re hurt.” He insisted, trying to keep his face neutral.

“And you just want to keep me here where you know where I am.” She clarified, putting a hand on his chest. His muscles were soft— a healthy layer of fat over the strength lurking beneath his skin. He took care of himself; A strange realization to come to, but a realization nonethelesss. “No thank you. I’ll be in my lair, plotting my evil domination.”

She pushed him away, continuing along the hallway with her hand pressed to the wall.

He pursed his lips at her stubbornness.

“God, you’re such an asshole.” He declared, turning to watch her fumble down the stairs.

She only shook her head; Jason was sure she was grumbling under her breath at him.

Dick emerged from the living room, upon hearing commotion from upstairs. Standing at the end of them, he watched as the mysterious girl came down, her face screwed up in anger.

“You’re awake.” He smiled in greeting. YN blew right past him, forcing herself out of the door as soon as she opened it. He turned back to see Jason halfway down the stairs. “What did you do?”

Jason snatched the mask from his face, giving Dick a glance that read ‘are you kidding?’ Shoving his mask into his pocket, he stared at the retreating figure down the driveway.

“Trust me on this one,” Jason grumbled, his hands came in front of him, rubbing his fingers over the mostly healed but still raw skin on his wrists. “She’s psychotic.”

Dick glanced down to his movements before glancing back up to the driveway.

She had left in a hurry— no shoes, none of her clothes, only the borrowed ones she wore.

This whole situation was becoming increasingly more confusing.

“Where’s she going?” He questioned.

It seemed strange that Jason was unaware of this girl’s possession of his pager. Even more suspicious that this random girl, somehow connected to Jason, ended up with two gunshot wounds in an alleyway.

“She left.”

“Did she tell you who shot her?”

Jason shook his head, turning on his heel. Dick followed quickly.

“No, but she knows.” Jason threw the door open to the study.

Opening the door behind the desk, he dragged his fingertips along the wall. They caught on an uneven section and he pushed inward. A set of spiral stairs led down, into the dark.

“Who was she?” Dick asked.

Jason groaned at the constant barrage of questions his brother lobbed at him.

He supposed this was his punishment for keeping them all out of the loop, but this was his problem to solve and he didn’t need the help of his older brother.

Lights flickered on as Jason stepped on the first flight . Dick went to follow, but Jason placed a firm hand on his chest and shoved backwards.

Dick’s mouth fell open with incredulous offense.

“I’m about to find out.”

[clareguilty]

The Naked Thing

Hello! I was dying without air conditioning a few weeks ago and decided to make it Mando Smut Mandalorian/f!reader Rating: Explicit | No Warnings Word Count: ~2900

The Crest falls out of hyperspace too soon, and you go flying. Curling around Grogu in your arms, you twist in midair so that your back hits the console to avoid crushing him. A lever digs into your spine, and you curse loudly. That’s going to bruise. Oh well. What’s another?

“What the kriff, Mando?” you snarl. Grogu seems unbothered, blinking at you and probably learning way too many swear words for a child of his size.

Mando pulls himself off the control grid with a pained groan, helmet swiveling as he takes in the damage.

“The good news,” he begins after a moment, “is that we lost them.”

That is good news, you agree. You were lucky that the army of bounty hunters and ex-imps hadn’t kept track of you. If you had shaken them off your trail, then that would earn you a head start to a safer system.

“The bad news is that they shot out our hyperdrive.”

“Dank Farrik,” you curse again, then glance at Grogu. Maybe you should watch your mouth more?

“...And our temperature regulator and our heat shields.”

You decide that it is an appropriate time for as much foul language as you please.

“What does that mean?” you ask. You hadn’t grown up around ships -- spent the last dozen years on the same dead-end planet until Mando picked you up. The most you were good for was turning a knob or flipping a switch here and there. Usually you just kept an eye on Grogu while Mando did all the piloting and bounty hunting and whatnot.

“We’ll have to travel sublight, but we can’t land planet side because without the heat shields any atmosphere worth a damn would burn us up. Our only option is a New Republic Outpost. We’ll be able to land there, and we’ll be safe while they repair the Crest. I’ll chart us a course and let you know how long it should be.”

“You know,” you snap, “we wouldn’t be in this mess if you weren’t so scared of droids. If we had an astromech on board, then we could get the hyperdrive repaired without having to crawl our asses through deep space in the hopes that whoever picks us up doesn’t want us dead.”

Mando doesn’t say anything. You don’t know if your words meant anything at all to him because you can’t see shit behind his helmet. Huffing, you take Grogu down to the hold. Not long after, the engines fire up again.

It takes a few minutes to set in, but its quick enough to be noticeable. The ship is getting hotter. Like… unbearably warm.

You fill a canteen with water and make sure that you and Grogu are both hydrated. After a little bit of digging, you manage to find a portable air circulator. You and Grogu sit directly in front of the current, doing your best to keep cool.

Mando comes down after a little while, he cocks his helmet when he sees you.

“It’s hot,” you whine.

“The temperature regulator is shot too. We don’t have a way too cool the ship down or shield the heat of the engines.”

You sigh. “How long until we can get repairs?”

“34 hours. Will the kid be okay for that long?”

Grogu hasn’t outwardly complained about the heat, mostly just sitting in front of the circulator with his eyes closed and ears flapping, but you’ve been worried as well. “He’s kind of… amphibious,” you frown. “I’ll get him a basin of water to sit in and put him in the fresher with the circulator. That should keep him cooled off.”

Mando nods. “Thank you. Will you be okay?”

You shrug. There’s not much you can do. As long as you stay hydrated then you should be able to last 34 hours.

“Thank you,” he says again.

“For what?” All you’ve done is curse at him and berate him for not having an astromech droid.

“For looking out for him back there. You saved all of us with that droid popper. And the move with the cannon was impressive.”

You aren’t expecting genuine praise from Mando. It always felt as though you were dead weight to him. Through all the planets you’ve been on -- and been chased off of -- you’ve always felt useless.You can’t fly, you’re not the best shot, you can barely take care of his kid. It means a lot that he doesn’t actually hate you. 

“I’m starting to get the hang of this,” you grin. You had never considered yourself a hero or adventurer, but you had commandeered a cannon and shot down three imperial fighters.

“I’ll be up in the cockpit if you need anything. Just knock.” And he’s gone.

‘Knock’ means that Mando is probably going to take his helmet and armor off, which means you also get a few hours of total privacy. You set Grogu up in the fresher with a basin of water and the circulator -- though it pains you to give up the weak, artificial breeze.

It’s only gotten hotter, and your already filthy clothes are starting to became unbearable. You had gotten splashed with gore and grime and who knows what in your escape, and it wasn’t pairing well with the heat onboard.

Stripping out of your clothes, you sprawl naked on the metal floor. It’s dusty, but slightly cool, and you plaster as much of your skin to the durasteel as you can manage.

Time passes with you systematically rolling across the floor of the hold to try and keep from baking. It’s bearable only because you know there will be an end. As long as the ship keeps chugging along towards the space outpost, then you will be saved.

The hatch to the cockpit opens, and you leap to your feet. Mando clambers down, jumping when he sees you.

“You’re naked,” he raises his hands -- his bare hands -- and backs against the ladder.

“You’re naked.” you point.

“I have a helmet and pants on,” he says. But that’s all he has on. His chest and arms are bare, and it’s more skin than you’ve ever seen before on the man.

“I’ve never seen you out of your armor. That has got to be more scandalous than me being naked.”

You must have made a point, because Mando doesn’t respond. Instead, you both just kind of… stand there. You can’t tear your eyes away from his chest and from the angle his helmet is pointed it seems he’s having a similar issue.

“Did you, uh, need anything?” you finally manage to ask. Your mouth is dry, and you take another uncoordinated drink from the canteen, shivering as some of the water spills down your chest.

Mando coughs. “I just wanted to make sure the kid is okay.”

“Oh,” you turn to open the fresher door just a crack. You had checked on him just a few minutes ago, and he still seems fine. After a moment of pause, Mando comes up behind you and you can feel the heat of his skin against your back.

Grogu is asleep, curled up just in front of the circulator and the basin of water so that the cool air blows over him. The fresher is several degrees cooler than the rest of the ship, and while it feels amazing, you don’t want to let the heat in.

“I’m going to go back up now,” Mando says quickly, and then he’s gone through the hatch once again.

You resume your circuit of laying on the floor, but it feels like the ship is only getting hotter.

That’s when you take to banging on the hatch to the cockpit. “Mando, I’m going to kick your ass! You had better get us to that outpost or find a way too cool this ship down! I spent years on Tatooine, and this is the hottest I have ever been in my entire life!”

“I can cut the engines to stop generating any heat, but then we’ll just be coasting through empty space and we’ll never make it to the outpost.”

You huff. “At this point you should just freeze me in carbonite.”

Mando does not freeze you in carbonite, but you do eventually make it to the New Republic outpost. They give the three of you a small dorm and Mando arranges for the Razor Crest to be repaired. You don’t have any credits between you, so you wonder what he offers in exchange.

You toss your gear into the room and head out to get food for everyone. You always enjoy being in New Republic space. No one is out to murder you or imprison you. The officers are usually nicer. Everyone likes the Skywalkers.

A friendly droid loads you up with several plates of food, and you stop to check out the holonet broadcasts on your way back. Things in this corner of the galaxy are a little hectic -- something you just witnessed firsthand -- but its less gloomy than it used to be.

Mando is sitting on the lower bunk when you get back. He’s back in his full armor, but you can read his posture pretty well. Grogu is playing in the corner, levitating some rocks you had found for him a few planets back. You set the tray down, fully intending to take your portion and eat out in the hall or in one of the communal sitting rooms. Before you can even turn away, Mando has already grabbed a plate of food and tugged his helmet off.

“WOAH,” you raise your hands in front of your face, ducking your head before you can see too much. Curly hair. Tan skin. Moustache. If there is one thing you’ve learned, it’s that Mando doesn’t let anyone see him without his helmet. It’s a cultural thing, and you respect that. “What is with you being naked today?”

Your eyes are open, but very pointedly looking at a wall nowhere near him. He shifts for a moment, and you wait for some kind of explanation.

“Look,” he finally begins, “we’ve been through a lot together at this point. I’ve traveled with you longer than anyone since I was a foundling with the watch. You’ve saved my life as well as Grogu’s many times, and we just survived one hell of a fight. Not to mention, I saw, um, all of you today. I figure it’s only fair.”

You’re touched. It’s an honor that Mando trusts you enough to remove his helmet. For as long as you have been travelling together, you’ve assumed that you care for him far more than he cares for you. “You don’t have to,” you say. “I don’t want you to feel obligated.”

“I trust you,” he repeats.

You turn to face him. His eyes are so soft. Tired and kind and the warmest brown. He stares at you, taking you in for the first time with his own eyes and not the visor in his helmet. It’s unreasonably intimate considering he was staring at you naked with the helmet on just 16 hours before.

“Has anyone ever told you you’re kind of cute?” you laugh and look away, smoothing your hands over your pants. There’s food in front of you, and you use that as a welcome distraction.

“I’ve never trusted anyone enough before now to see me.”

How can he just say things like that? You try to drown the rapid beating of your heart behind some kind of bitter vegetable.

Mando begins to eat as well, slowly and unsurely. He picks at a few different dishes before finally speaking again. “You’ve, uh- I mean… you’re beautiful as well.”

You laugh loudly at that. It’s so shy. This man had seen you overheated and completely naked lying on the floor of his ship. You roll your eyes and shoot him a wink. “Something you like in particular?”

Mando chokes, coughing for a minute before chugging down half a glass of green jelly juice. He finally regains his composure, but his voice is rough when he speaks again. “I’d say the best view was from behind.”

It’s the last thing you expect from him. He’s so shy and reserved and has always backed down from your defensive teasing. It’s a moment before you can pull yourself together. Still, you aren’t sure what to say. Instead, you cram some shredded raw crustacean in your mouth and hope you aren’t too flushed.

Mando offers to take the trays back. The dorm bathroom has a shower with running water and you intend to take full advantage. Grogu rolls a rock at your feet as you head into the bathroom, and you lightly kick it back to him. “Are you tired of putting up with us yet? You’ve been a baby longer than I’ve been alive. I bet we seem like idiots to you.”

Grogu, predictably, says nothing. He makes a raspberry noise with his lips and plops down into a sit.

The shower is one of the greatest gifts you’ve ever enjoyed in life. Hot water, high pressure, steam and soap. You take your time washing up and letting the jets work out all of the kinks in your muscles.

When you slide the stall door aside, Mando is standing at the sink. Helmetless. Shirtless.

He jumps slightly, staring at the floor as you step out of the shower. 

“We have got to stop doing this naked thing,” you say. It doesn’t actually bother you. You like that Mando trusts you, and you’ve never been shy about being naked around others, but he’s too attractive and it drives you nuts.

“I rather enjoy it,” he manages to pull his gaze from the floor to shoot you a wink. Your pulse speeds up.

“Don’t start something you can’t finish, Mando,” you step forward. You’re still steaming from the shower and dripping wet. He’s never been this cheeky before, and you kind of enjoy it.

His gaze darkens, eyebrows rasing. He reaches out to grab your waist, pulling you in and pinning you against the sink. You gasp at the feeling of his skin on yours, leaning back as he crowds you against the basin.

“Grogu is napping,” he whispers.

“I think the shower will fit both of us,” you breathe.

He’s already working at the buckle of his pants, toeing out of his boots. You drag him back into the shower with you. The jets hit his back, and he melts a little. You wrap your hand around his cock, and he looks like he may collapse. His eyes flutter shut, one of his hands slamming against the wall by your head.

You lean in to brush your lips over his skin as you stroke his cock. You’d never even seen this man’s face before today, and now you’re kissing your way over his jaw and down his neck. His other hand grabs your ass, kneading the flesh and pulling you closer so your hips brush his.

Your thumb swipes over the tip of his cock, and he shudders. It happens so fast, you didn’t know he had spun you around until your cheek is against the shower wall. His hands are glue to your hips, digging into your ass and pulling you to him so he can grind his cock against your slick skin.

“Please,” you whine. You haven’t had sex with anyone since you began travelling with Mando, and opportunities to get yourself off come few and far between with three of you on the Crest. You’re desperately horny, and you’ve wanted to fuck this man since you found him in that godforsaken desert.

He lines himself up and drives his hips forward, sinking into you with one solid thrust. You bite your forearm to muffle your moans, panting as you try to get used to the sudden stretch.

“You good?” he asks, leaning forward to kiss your cheek. 

“Move,” you say, demanding but desperate.

It takes a moment to find leverage in the tiny -- smaller than you first assumed -- shower stall, but Mando begins to fuck you at a steady pace. You reach down to rub your clit, clenching around him. You’re going to finish quicker than you’re used to -- probably because you’ve been turned on since you saw Mando shirtless on the crest.

From the way Mando’s hips twitch and his rhythm falters, you guess that he’s close to coming as well.

His hands are everywhere. Your hips, your ass, trailing over your stomach and and reaching up to squeeze your breasts. His fingers brush your throat and you nearly come from the touch alone. He feels the way you tighten around his cock and places a hand on your neck, squeezing your jaw between his thumb and forefinger.

You come so hard your knees give out and your vision goes white. Mando keeps you from collapsing in a bruised heap on the shower floor by simply continuing to fuck you until he comes as well.

It’s not a lot of space, so you’re slumped together under the spray of the water. You manage to wipe yourself clean in a few swipes and stagger back out so Mando can actually wash up. He’s much quicker than you were, and he’s out of the shower by the time you’ve finished rubbing scented moisturizer over your skin. The New Republic sure knew how to treat their guests.

“I think we should definitely keep doing the naked thing,” he grins.

[roscgcld]

DAYDREAMING!AU || new reality

;request: rn i’m obsessed with your writing & the daydreaming!reader<33 but i also love angst so what would happen if she ended up getting really hurt protecting another student - hope that wasn’t too weird.. again, i love your writing !!

note: ahaha, i am glad that a lot of people enjoy my daydreaming!reader works; she is also one of my babies as well >< and originally i wasn't going to do this cause i had no idea on what to write - but i had managed to layout a rocky plan before i got some bursts of inspiration lol. ended up becoming too loud though ><” I am sorry for that~

pronouns: she/her

daydreaming!reader masterlist

“There is a chance that she will never wake up from this.”

Shoko gave the others in the room a concerned glance as she glanced up from her tablet, hating how silent it was besides the quiet beeping of the machines around the occupied bed. Laying in the bed was Y/N, a breathing tube carefully inserted into her mouth with the ventilator beside her being the only thing that’s keeping her oxygen levels normal. “The amount of damage she took was quite large. And even though she had managed to regulate quite a strong barrier of Curse Energy around her at all times, it wasn’t enough to brace her for the impact of her being slammed into the build.”

The mission shouldn’t have ended this way - the first and second year students were sent on a mission to deal with a few Finger Bearers that had appeared in the city due to the lack of sorcerers on duty at the time. They were under the care of a few First Grade sorcerers, all hand-picked by Yaga-sensei to ensure the safety of the kids.

However, things rarely go to plan in the jujutsu world.

Yaga-sensei sighs softly as he leans back into his seat, his eyes glancing over at his student that was clearly battling to stay alive. Guilt started to eat him from the inside out, since this was technically his fault. Sure, everyone knows that there is no way that you can go on a mission without enduring some casualties. But the fact is that this was not what he had expected for the outcome to be.. “I am going to kill them myself.”

“G-Gojo-san!” Ijichi hissed out as he glances over at the white haired shaman in the room with wide eyes, the man having been leaning against the wall opposite from the hospital bed with his arms crossed over his chest. His head was tipped forward with an almost too casual expression on his face, yet anyone can tell the barely suppressed anger that lurked underneath. An anger that was only a few moments away from exploding. “You can’t - don’t say things like that!”

“And you expect me to sit back as they failed to save the children?” Gojo asks in a loud voice, effectively squashing whatever confidence Ijichi had built up inside of him. The hand that was resting arm tightened, the veins at the back of his pale hands started to protrude out as Gojo’s anger started to show itself. “I need a good explanation on how their incompetency put our student in this state. 5 First Grades against 3 Special Grade Curses? With 7 talented students by their side and they still can’t handle it? Give me a fucking break.”

“Not everyone can be like you, Satoru.” Yaga-sensei finally mumbles out as he rests his forehead into his hand, fingers pinching at the space between his eyes tiredly. “If anything, it was my fault. I had underestimated the brains of the Finger Bearers, and because of that, all my calculations were wrong. I put retrieving the fingers over numbers. So if you want to find someone to be angry to, the blame is on me.”

The room went quiet after Yaga’s explanation, both Ijichi and Shoko sharing a caution look before casting a glance over at the blindfolded man. After a few tensed moments Gojo pushed himself off the wall and walked out of the hospital room without another word, closing the door behind him quietly; a stark contrast to his usual habit of either slamming the shoji doors too hard, or leaving it open completely.

That out of character move definitely had Shoko sighing in concern. “That idiot...I hope he’s not going to do anything stupid.” She mumbles softly before she turned back to face the young girl laying on the bed, quietly reaching over to brush her fingers through the soft strands that had fallen over Y/N sleeping face. “You better wake up soon, sweetheart...I worry that this might finally push him over the edge.”

Occupying each seat outside of the small waiting area in the infirmary were the other students; wounds bandaged, yet their anxiety was palpable in the air. They had heard what had happened, yet were sheild by the other sorcerers who had called for back-up. Last they heard of Y/N was a scream before what sounded like a building collasping. “Do you think Y/N-senpai is alright?”

Yuji was the first one who dared to break the silence, glancing up from his clenched hands before him to glance at the others. “I mean...it must have been bad, since she was charted off as soon as back up arrived.” Yuji mutters softly as he tightened his fingers together, trying to stop them from shaking. He felt awful - if only he had spared a few seconds to glance over at his senpai, maybe she wouldn’t be in the condition she’s in now. “It’s not every day you’re rushed straight to Ieiri-sensei’s office...”

“...If there is one idiot who can pull through, it’ll be her,” Maki mumbles out quietly after awhile, looking away from her kouhai to stare down at the wooden floors of the building they were in. “Even if it’s bad, she always pulls through it...there is no reason why she can’t do it this time.” She mutters softly just as a pair of footsteps came towards them, causing everyone to look up at the approaching figure. 

Gojo paused when he spotted the others, the question they wanted to ask was clear as day. And for once, Gojo wished that he was able to reassure them like he always does. For him to be able to put up the act that everything was alright, that everyone will be okay. 

But he knew that it’ll do no justice if he did. “Is she...is she alright?”

The question that fell from Yuta’s mouth was left hanging in the air for a few moments, the sliver of hope they had moments ago slowly dimming with each passing moment. Quietly Gojo slipped his hands into his pockets, his blindfolded eyes downcast; too scared to see their reactions. For once, he wished that he was not the one to break the news to the students. “Y/N-chan...might not recovery from this.”

His words sent shock waves through the students, yet he balled his fists up in his pockets to continue with what he had to say. “She hit her head too hard...and if she was not subconsciously protecting herself with Cursed Energy all the time, the impact would have caused her skull to crack in two on impact. But it still took a lot out of her person, and Shoko said that-”

The sound of a metal chair being thrown backwards echoed across the room, causing Gojo to look up just in time to see Yuta standing up with wide eyes as he hastily tried to calm his friend. “Maki, you need to calm down.” He tried to reason with the girl, who had her backed turn to the group, her hands shoved deep into the pockets of her jacket. “This isn’t your fault-” Yuta tried to reason, only to pause when Maki just silently started to walk away, leaving with no more but a loud slam of the main door that echoed down the hallway once more. 

For a few moments no one said anything else, yet the first one to move was Megumi; who turned to face his sensei. “Can we visit her?” He mumbled out quietly, to which Gojo just glanced over at him with a slightly raised eyebrow. “Usually people talk to someone who is in a coma. Might jolt them awake or give them encouragement to fight harder...I am sure Y/N-senpai will get lonely if no one visited her..”

“Why not?” Gojo said after a few moments of thought, giving his students what he hope was a reassuring smile as he turns a little; nodding down the hallway. “Shoko managed to stabalise her condition. Just make sure to sanatise your hands at the door.”

Quietly the group of students followed behind their silent sensei, keeping close to one another as if they were trying to give each other comfort. The walk to the room seemed too far, the door seeming to grow further and further away from them with each step. It was if it was trying to stop them from seeing the truth; yet they didn’t stop. Yet soon they found themselves standing before the smooth door; the single grey name plaque with her name written in black resting in the silver plaque holder. “Right, here we are.”

After everyone was handed a blob of hand sanitiser and had wiped it onto their skin, the small group entered after a quiet knock to the door. “Y/N-chan, I’ve returned with the others...minus one, that is.” Gojo hummed out in delight as he made his way towards the bed, a silent gesture for the others to do the same. “You know Maki-chan though. Once she finishes beating herself up, she’ll come running back. She always does~”

Quietly the others made their way into the room, eyes scanning over the beeping machines and many wires connected to the sleeping girl. “Y/N...senpai..” Nobara mumbles out in shock, her eyes resting the ventilator; not believing that a girl that was bounding about the college earlier today now needed help to do something as simple as breathing. “No way...there is...”

A warm hand rest on the top of her head, Megumi quietly giving her a form of comfort whilst his wide eyes stared at the bed before him in shock. No one dared take a step forward, like they were standing on the other side of a fragile glass bridge that was moments away from breaking. “Y/N..”

Gojo felt the hole started to eat inside of him as he watches how his students were staring at their fellow classmate in shock. Quietly he settled down in the only seat at the corner of the room, watching from the shadows at how the others will react to seeing her in such a state. The first person to snap out of it was Yuta, who quietly places a hand on Toge’s shoulders before giving it a light squeeze. “Shall we go and say hello?” 

Quietly Yuta made his way towards the bed, only to hesitate one step away from grabbing onto her hand. He stared at the frail hand, a simple IV needle carefully taped on the back of her palm for a few moments; a clear look of uncertainty on his face. Yet he took a deep breath, and with a trembling hand, carefully took Y/N’s cold hand in his. “I...Hi, Y/N...” Yuta mumbles quietly into the hospital room, voice barely heard over the constant beeping of the heart monitor. “Sorry...we took awhile to visit...and sorry that Maki isn’t here...I am sure she’ll drop by when she is ready though.”

The only response he got was the sound of the steady beep of the heart monitor, to which he just tighten his grip ever so slightly on Y/N’s unmoving hand. He could hear the soft giggle that Y/N would let out at his words, and if he felt tears welling up in his eyes as he hears her voice bouncing around inside his head.

“It’s alright, Yuta-san! I am sure you were busy before that. And I know Maki-chan will come after you leave - but you didn’t hear that secret from me~”

The silence of the hospital room made Yuta sick to the stomach, the idea that he might never hear Y/N’s voice again started to really sink in. Her usually warm and familiar touch felt cold and lifeless, causing Yuta to carefully tuck her hand underneath her hospital blanket; as if he was trying to warm it up once more. “I...I am going to go grab her favourite stuffed animal from her room. I am sure she’d love to have something of comfort whilst she’s here...if you’ll excuse me.”

Without another word Yuta just walked out of the room quietly, Yuji being the only one turning to watch his senpai leave with a look of concern. Out of everyone Yuji was definitely the one who seemed to be able to hold himself together the most, so it was no surprise when he was the one that went next. “Yo, Y/N-senpai,” Yuji greeted quietly as he walked towards the hospital bed, easily dodging all the wires and such. After all, this wasn’t his first time visiting someone he cares for in the hospital. “Can you hear me? I hope you can - or not Fushiguro might lecture me for being loud.”

The other sorcerer couldn’t even find his voice whilst Yuji continues on; his voice soft yet soothing as he looks down at his senpai with nothing more but a soft smile. “I know you’re trying your hardest go come back to us, and you’d probably tell us that we’re not the ones to blame. That you’re a big girl now, and things like this happen all the time.” Yuji continues, the only indication to his change of mood was the slight quiver that was hard to hide. Yet Yuji continued on anyway. “I hope you know we miss you...and we’re worried sick that you’re in the state you are now. But I know that you need some time to rest up, and soon you’ll be back on your feet again, right? ‘Cause..b-because that’s how you’ve always been.”

Silence enveloped the room once more, with Yuji just not sure on what else to say to her as he stared at her pale face. The other three in the room sort of just huddled together, all of them unsure of what to say to her. They weren’t the best with emotional words - beside Toge, who usually doesn’t use words at all - so asking them to keep their tone in check whilst referring to their unconscious classmate is a little too much for them.

So after awhile Yuji decided to lead them out of the hospital room, giving Gojo a parting smile before he closes the door behind him. Leaving him alone as he stared at the slumbering figure of his student as he rests his elbows on his parted knees. Quietly he rests his head in his hands, eyes closed as he tried to push back the light migraine that was coming on. He hates that it is his duty to break the news to the others - her parents, her elders. Heck, he has to give a call to Nanami and Utahime to tell them the bad news. 

If it was anything else, he wound be more than excited to blow their phones up. But this? He wishes that the duty was handed to someone else - because he himself doesn’t even believe that this was happening in the first place. 

He wishes that this was all just a terrible nightmare.

Maki quietly pushed the window open as she climbed in from the roof, the doors of halls of the infirmary long going silent; cicadas chirping away in the night sky. Maki quietly stuffed her hands into the pockets of her hoodie, eyes racking over Y/N’s sleeping form, to the amount of machines that were working by her side to make sure that she’s alive. “Hey, idiot...I’ve arrived.”

Quietly she made her way towards Y/N’s bedside, her eyes clouding over with an unreadable emotion. If she was being honest, she didn’t know how to react right now. On one hand, she was pissed - she is pissed off because she could have done something to help Y/N. Maybe if she was just faster, just a bit more aware, maybe if she was training to try harder. Maybe if she can just try harder-

A loud slap sounded across the room, Maki having pulled her hand out of her pocket to slap across her cheek hard to snap out of the spiraling thoughts. The burning sting on her cheek reminded her to return to reality before she started to trash the room out of anger, something that she and Y/N had been working on for some time now. Y/N would always say, “You should never turn to anger and violence to deal with your issues!”

Maki wonders what her reaction would be if she had saw Maki slapping herself so hard that there was a light handprint on the side of her cheek. “You’re so annoying, you know that?”

With a tired sigh Maki settled down in the seat that Gojo had occupied earlier in the day, keeping her eyes on the steady heart monitor; her eyes following the spike that indicates the faint heartbeat of Y/N. “Who the hell knew that it took an entire building to really get you hurt.” Maki sigh as she tore her eyes away from the screen, looking down at her boots quietly; examining all the scuffs and scratches on marring the smooth leather. “Call me stupid, but I really thought that it’d take more than that. Remember when you had jumped out the window of the 10th floor and left with no more but a bruise? You were crying about it ‘cause you couldn’t wear dresses for about 2 weeks.”

Maki let out a tired laugh at the memory of finding Yuta trying to reassure a crying Y/N when she found the bruise on her knee; Yuta just patting her head with the most amused look on his face whilst she cried her eyes out at the idea that she can’t wear her cute dresses until it cleared up. “Imagine what will happen when you wake up from this? God, that is going to be a pain.”

A soft sigh left Maki’s lips as she glances over at the stuffed sheep that Yuta had brought from her room; along with a few more random stuffed animals that surrounded her head like a halo. This caused her to smile sadly as she rests her head on her shoulder, watching her for a few minutes without saying anything. Maki had always been bad with words and emotions; with all the things she had gone through when she was younger. Wording how she feels and emotions are not Maki’s favourite thing to deal with, since she wants to keep this badass, strong woman front she has on all the time to prove something to her elders.

“You better wake up from this, or not I am going to kick your ass.” Maki mutters after a few moments, getting up with a tired sigh before she casts her another glance at Y/N. Without missing a beat, she reaches over to brush strands of hair away from her face, warm hand resting on her head for a few moments before she places a few parting pats on her head; something she had always done when she needs to leave for a mission or a meeting outside of school. 

“‘Night, brat. Wake up soon, okay?” Maki mutters, and with a final sigh she made her way towards the window she climbed in once more, quietly shutting it behind her after she hauled herself over the railing. It was only in the dead of the night that Maki quietly lets her tears fall, biting her lip hard to stop whatever sounds that were threatening to leave her lips. 

Because at the end of the day she is stubborn, and refuses to believe that this might be her new reality.

A week had passed since the day that the others found out that Y/N had fallen into a coma of a sorts, and everyone would visit at least once just to see if there is any sight of change. That there might be a sign that she was going to wake up soon. And there were slight changes; a few days after she had been admitted she was allowed to get off the ventilator and rely on oxygen instead. But she was still in bad shape.

Nanami tries to make time to drop by to visit as well, coming over to quietly read pages of the book that he was reading. Whenever Y/N was sick, she would call Nanami over the phone and ask if the man can read to her; something about how she finds comfort in his voice that puts her at ease. And since Ieiri had encouraged them to talk to her more for stimulation, Nanami takes the time to read to her after a long day of work. It brought him some comfort as well, listening to the constant beeping of the heart monitor and the humming of the other machines around her.

Gojo would sometimes drop by as well, only to berate Nanami for his ‘boring’ book choices; and an unconscious Y/N has to endure two adults arguing about book choices and how Gojo’s titles are definitely not appropriate to even bring onto school grounds.

Besides the occasional argument, sometimes Gojo will prop his phone up against a vase of flowers that Yuji brings so that Utahime can FaceTime him; the students from the Kyoto side being able to see and talk to the slumbering Y/N. For the most part, everyone was shocked that she was in the state she was in; having never expected such a bright and talkative person can fall into such a state.

The most distraught one was definitely Todo, who had almost jumped out of his seat and make a full on dash towards Tokyo if it wasn’t for Noritoshi and Mai joining together to restrain the man, along with Principal Gakuganji threating to hold him back from their planned trip to Tokyo the following week that had him calming down.

But barely - the man is still more than ready to just up and run across the country just so he can be closer to his ‘beloved Y/N-chan’.

Every day, without fail, Toge will come into her hospital room with a new accessory to pull her hair back into; carefully brushing her hair out and applying dry shampoo so it wasn’t greasy to the touch. Once he was satisifed he’d carefully style her hair back so it didn’t get in the way of her checkups, taking his time with everything so he gets to spend more time with her. He doesn’t say much, he usually finds that doesn’t whenever he is around her; so he takes his time when he does her hair in hopes that she can feel that he is there for her.

Yuta and Megumi will find time after classes to go and visit her together, telling her about everything that had happened whilst she is asleep. Sometimes Nobara will visit as well, must for the most time she’d come alone in the evening after dinner to just rant to her about everything that she found annoying that happened over the day. Nobara usually stay until Ieiri comes to kick her out, hoping that Maki might come in as well to visit Y/N.

But Maki never does - yet everyone knows that Maki finds the time in her day to go and visit her like everyone else. However, no one dared to ask her how or when she does it. They’ve accepted that it was probably a sensitive subject to her, and that it’s off limits to ask her unless you want her to ignore you for the rest of the day. Gojo had learnt it the hard way when he had teased her, only to be thrown out the window of their classroom by an annoyed Maki.

Even his Infinity is no match for that woman’s wrath.

Days soon led into weeks, with slow but not so encouraging signs of improvement from the young girl. The elders of her clan and her parents had visited the college as soon as they can, and had kept tabs with every single thing that is going on with her. There was no denying the fear of her suddenly relapsing once more, and soon it will become too much for her parents to bear. The idea of keeping Y/N around, knowing that she is in so much pain, just for their selfish want of keeping her alive was a reality they want to avoid. 

The once vibrant and lively campus soon turned gloomy; the hallways of the school quiet without the familiar sound of bunny-themed slippers running across its worn-out flooring. The chime of a familiar giggle was missing in the air, along with a dreamy voice that just never seems to stop; no matter what time of the day it is. There were days where the others forget that Y/N was not there to make dinner for the night, or she wasn’t there when they want to ask her opinion about something. Her room, which once served as a sanctuary for the students who can’t sleep at night, now became too painful to even walk past on certain days.

Yet everyone tried their hardest to go on with their days, knowing that it was what Y/N wanted them to do. If they were to allow their grief to consume them whole, they knew the delicate routine they had rebuilt would crumble before them. And if there is one thing they can do to keep Y/N’s memory alive, is to live their lives to the fullest. To try and cherish each and every day, no matter how painful reality is without her by their side.

They have to try, for her sake.

It wasn’t until a month passed when Yuta had came running into the lunch hall, looking like he had seen a ghost as he tried to catch his breath. “Okkotsu-senpai?” Megumi asks in concern as he looks over at the older man, putting his tray down to try and give his panting senpai a hand. “Are you-” He asked, only to have Yuta put a hand up to stop him as he took a few deep gulps of air.

“A-Awake...Y/N...Y/N is awake.”

Within a few seconds the students were sprinting across campus, none of them believing what Yuta had said until they have see it for themselves. What is usually a 10 minute walk from the lunch hall took about four minutes with them sprinting, possibly annoying half of the cleaners of the school that they were breaking the no running rule. Yet they didn’t stop even at their annoyed outcries, the simple wooden door of the infirmary almost coming off its hinges at how hard Maki had thrown it open.

Maki was the one who pushed the hospital room door open, causing the people in the room to jump in shock. Including Y/N, who had let out a soft squeak of shock; her voice hoarse from not using it for so long. The others blinked in shock at the sight of Y/N’s bright eyes meeting theirs at the doorway, ones that blinked before she gave them the biggest smile she can muster.

“H-Hi.” Y/N mumbles softly, to which Nanami just gave her a rare smile as he gently rubs her back, Gojo smirking softly as he recorded the reactions of the others by the door. He had gotten over the shock a few moments ago. “Don’t strain yourself, Y/N-chan. Remember what Ieiri-sensei said about straining your voice.” The blonde man hummed before he turned his blue eyes over at the shocked students as well. “And that goes to you too. If you all stress her out, I am not against tossing you all out.”

Y/N made a noise and turned to try and reassure the older man, not noticing how the others were staring at her in shock. The first person to move was Maki, whose eyes look suspicious wet as she stormed into the room. “I am going to kill you.” She growled out loudly, to which Y/N jumped before she held her arms out for protection; feeling a shiver of fear go up her spine. Yet before she can make a move to stop her, Maki suddenly wrapped her up in a hug, the arms that Y/N held out to try and pacify her angry classmate freezing from the unnatural reaction from Maki.

Y/N blinks for a few moments before she smiles softly and wraps Maki up in her arms as well, gently patting her head as Maki silently wets her shoulder with her tears. “I know.” Y/N mumbles out softly before her eyes met the others, giving them a soft smile as she gently gestures to the others to enter her room. Soon there was just a huge ball of crying teenagers hugging one another on Y/N’s hospital bed; Gojo and Nanami having moved aside to give them more space for their reunion as they watched on from the other side of the room. “Should we stop them?”

“Nah, we might get murdered if we try.” Gojo said with a hum as he grins over the sound of intelligible crying, looking over at Nanami who had a ghost of a smile on his lips at the sight. “Besides, this is great content. I never had a video of Maki crying before.” Gojo admitted, to which Nanami’s smile dropped as he looked over at him in annoyance. 

“Why am I not surprised at all?”

© roscgcld — all rights reserved to me, rose, the author and creator of these works. do not repost/translate/claim my work as yours on any platform

[willowser]

4, 5, and 10 for the writing ask game!

4. What’s a word that makes you go absolutely feral?

✧ hmm ! i actually just really like the word feral itself LOL it's so, idk, wild and i love it when it's used in almost every sense, because i think it portrays a certain type of emotion in a certain type of moment very well. but, for the sake of not making this easy for myself, i think maybe tender, because it seems so gentle and vulnerable and soft.

5. Do you have any writing superstitions? What are they and why are they 100% true?

✧ i have to be in the right physical setting to write, and it is not always at my desktop. i really enjoy the keyboard on my desk because it types so fluid and nice and is so clacky — but recently, it's been tripping me out to sit there. i just can't get anything done while sitting there ! so i've been on my chromebook a lot, just moving around my apartment LOL and i cannot write without sound of some kind, it's just not possible. most importantly, i think if you try to hinder yourself to one specific WIP, you will make yourself miserable and therefore not able to write it. i've talked about this before, but in the past i used to try and put a hold on myself and not allow myself to write anything outside of what i was "supposed" to be writing, and my motivation to get through it was meant to be the desire to work on something else — but it just never worked. i think if you block your creativity out like that, you're doing more damage than good. idk if those count as superstitions, but !!

10. Has a piece of writing ever “haunted” you? Has your own writing haunted you? What does that mean to you?

✧ oh god, absolutely. it means that it is always at the back of my mind and i am unable to escape it LOL i am thinking about it almost always, how it made me feel in the moment to read it, how much it inspired me and how deep it dug into the pit of my heart. i'll list fanfic's that have done this for me, simply because this is my fandom space ! warning that these will most likely include spoilers for fics listed !!

✧ “I’m in love with you,” You say, and you can hear it distantly, like someone else is speaking it. [ surrender, by ofmermaids; chapter 8: surrender ]

✧ “Just gimme one thing,” he asks, and it’s so quiet you’re sure your heart’s thumping is louder. “When… Is it soon?” [ on my way (to you), by ofmermaids ]

✧ I couldn’t—they won’t let me come find you. I can’t—I don’t know how to—god fucking damn it. You’re… fuck, I’m not saying this right. If you’re hurt, I’m gonna be pissed. I already bought the wagyu on the way to work and I don’t want it to go bad, so you’d better be in fucking pristine condition when I find you. Just—call me back if you get this. Please. [ i like to call myself wound but i will answer to knife, by kirketeer; chapter 8 ]

✧ “I can make us dinner at home. I don’t give a shit about paying for parking. I can… damn. I’ll do fuckin’ anything.” He exhales, shaky, and his lips ghost against yours, like he wants to kiss you again but he’s holding himself back by the last tattered strands of his self-control. “Just want you to myself.” [ in the dark of morning, you promise me the sun, by kirketeer; chapter 6: winter pt ii ]

✧ Dabi’s usually a lot less evasive about his answers than you are. I’ve lost count. I never loved any of them. Only you. [ higher than the mountain, deeper than the sea, by phen0l; chapter 3, section 24 ]

✧ as far as my own writing, hmm. i can only think of one, really:

✧ Sometimes Enji kissed his mother. Sometimes she looked like she liked it. Back then, he thought maybe you would, too. He didn't know he had blood on his bottom lip until he got home and Enji asked him about it, until Rei inspected it like he'd bit it by accident. But he couldn't tell them, didn't tell them that all of it, every moment with you, had been on purpose. [ if he's a serial killer, then what's the worst that could happen to a girl who's already hurt?; chapter 1: if he's as bad as they say, then i guess i'm cursed; looking into his eyes, i think he's already hurt. ]

[sserpente]

A/N: Request from @wrenstrange! Put up the decorations, it’s finally time again! Enjoy, everyone!

Words: 1957 Warnings: pure fluff, blood sample/needle/syringe, soft!Loki, fatique, fainting

You dropped like a piece of wood right about when you were making yourself a cup of tea in the kitchen. Knees ceasing to support you any longer, vision darkening, stars dancing around you making you dizzy. Your eyes rolled to the back of your head and before you knew it, your body finally won and shut down.

Although if you could have chosen, you would not have fallen straight into Loki’s arms whose reflexes caught you, preventing you from hitting the hard floor beneath you. He cradled you with his brows furrowed, his blue gaze almost helpless as he looked at Thor and Stark for support.

Then, everything went black.

-

“Welcome back.” You blinked, the artificial lights above your head blinding you. A hand held you down when you attempted to sit up drowsily. Bruce was leaning against a metal table in Tony’s lab, hands crossed before his chest and with a concerned expression on his face. “You blacked out,” he explained, “out of the blue.”

“How are you feeling?” Tony added.

You only realised then that it was Loki who had held you down. He was sitting on a chair right next to the makeshift bed they had carried into Tony’s lab and he was observing you with Argus eyes. Your heart sped up when you noticed. You usually tended to avoid the God of Mischief at all cost. There was a part of you that was afraid of him after watching him making an entire crowd kneel in Stuttgart, the other was hands down swooning over him. It had all started when he had rescued a cat from a tree, honouring a cliché he had not even been aware of. But someone who helped defenceless little kittens had to have a soft heart deep down, no?

Thor had brought him to Earth along with him after Asgard had been destroyed. He could not exactly be considered an Avenger but he had long surpassed the villain image… at least, to some extent. Well, you were no Avenger either. You used to be a SHIELD intern and then somehow ended up with the superheroes themselves. Apart from some basic fighting skills and the ability to use a gun, you had been trained to spend most of your time in front of a computer, often working twelve hours or even more a day. What did they say? Evil never sleeps.

“Any idea what might have caused this?” Bruce continued.

You shook your head. “No. But I’ve been having migraines and a persistent fatigue that just won’t go away.”

“I see… anything else?”

“Um…”

“You can talk to us, (Y/N).”

“Well, I… I’ve been dizzy a lot lately but that sometimes happens during my special week of the month so I didn’t think anything of it.” You took a deep breath but hesitated.

“And?”

“I’ve been sweating way more when working out. Like, a lot more. Instead of making progress… I feel like I’m getting weaker every day. It’s frustrating.”

“Uh-huh. I’m taking a blood sample. FRIDAY will run a couple of tests on you to figure out what’s wrong.”

“What? No! Nothing’s wrong! We don’t need a b-blood sample.”

“No one faints for no reason, (Y/N), especially not on Loki.” Loki rolled his eyes but did not leave your side, even when Bruce started fiddling around with some gear and apparently, a first-aid kit and then approached you with a syringe and a small clear vial.

“I’ve done this a million times before, I’ll be gentle.”

“No! No, no blood test, Bruce, please!” Almost hysterically, you moved back on the bed, your heart in your mouth.

“(Y/N),” Loki suddenly said calmly. You shivered when he spoke your name, his head tilted slightly. “Are you afraid of needles?”

“N-n-no…” You lied. Loki raised an eyebrow.

“Look at me.” He said. Hesitating only a little, you did as you were told. It wasn’t like his tone allowed any contradiction anyway. In fact, it reminded you a lot of his strict and bossy tone when he had caused chaos in Germany. “It has to be done. Hold my hand and do not take your eyes off of me.”

“Who are you and what you have done to Reindeer Games?” Tony tossed in, throwing the Trickster a suspicious glance. Loki rolled his eyes once more. As if he had any obligation to explain himself to Stark of all people.

In the meantime, you were panicking even more. Loki was being nice and considerate with you and Bruce was about to pierce your skin with a needle. Oh, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck… your breathing sped up.

“Look. At. Me.” Loki repeated. You obeyed this time, allowing him to take your hand and press it gently. Much to your surprise, it immediately calmed you down a little. You gaped at him unbelievingly. You didn’t even feel the needle going into your skin and drawing blood. Wait… was he casting a spell on you?

“There. All done.” You could not bring yourself to look where Bruce brought your blood sample but when both Tony and he stepped away and turned their backs on you, you swallowed.

“T-thank you…” You had to ask—not because you did not think he was not capable of offering his help without seeking a personal advantage and not because you didn’t think he was too evil to even think about being selfless… but because you were genuinely curious about his motivation. Loki did nothing without a reason, he was always one step ahead. “You put a spell on me, didn’t you?”

He nodded. “Why… why did you do that for me?”

“We are all afraid of something.” It was the only response he gave you. For a few moments, you merely sat there quietly, neither of you uttering a single word. Only when Bruce and Tony returned did you realise that Loki was still holding your hand.

“Okay… I’ve got the results from your blood test and FRIDAY couldn’t find anything suspicious.” Tony announced, scrolling on his tablet. Bruce adjusted his glasses to take a peek.

“You said you’ve been feeling tired? You sweat a lot, you get dizzy, and I’m presuming you barely have an appetite?”

“I don’t have time to eat a lot to be honest…” You confirmed.

“Any concentration problems?”

Pressing your lips together to a thin line, you thought about it for a moment. Now that he mentioned it… it had gotten obnoxiously hard to focus on your work lately. Eventually, you nodded.

“Sounds like severe exhaustion to me.” Bruce said. “Do you have issues with low blood pressure or diabetes or any other medical condition? No, FRIDAY would have found something like that. You know what I think? You overworked yourself.”

“Like… a burnout?” You probed.

“Most definitely.”

You grunted. Oh, that was just great. There you were, attempting to squeeze in regular workouts in this awesome training hall the Avengers called the HARM room after work to get stronger and hence, eventually gather up the courage to speak to Loki and now you looked exactly like what you did not want him to see you as—a weak and meagre human.

“The best medicine would be for you to quit work for a while and stop physical exercise altogether.”

“Banner is right,” Tony added. “Take a few weeks off and rest, sleep in, eat more and healthy… the whole program. I officially give you a holiday.”

“You’re not my boss, Tony, you can’t give me a holiday.” Your smile was weak. “But I don’t have time for this anyway! I can’t believe this is happening so soon before Christmas!” You whined. “I can’t stay in bed, I’ve got so much to do! I have to buy presents and decorate and bake biscuits and make gingerbread… Besides, I’m gonna fall behind on all the data.”

He shrugged. “I’ll take care of that. Let me talk to Fury. You let us know if you need anything. Can you take her to her room, Reindeer Games? And please, no funny business.” Beside you, Loki was just frowning, utterly ignoring the billionaire’s request.

“Why were you pushing yourself so hard?” He finally spoke when the two Avengers had left—whether it was genuine confusion or mere curiosity in his voice, you were not sure. “Why were you training for battle in the first place? I have never seen you out on a mission.”

You sighed. Time to let the cat out of the bag, it wasn’t like you were still going to make a good impression on him anymore now.

“I wanted to impress you, I guess…”

“Impress me?” Loki repeated incredulously.

“Yeah… catch your attention… in a way. I mean, part of me is still terrified of you, of course but… you have a good heart, Loki. I knew when I saw you rescuing that cat from the tree.”

The God of Mischief rolled his eyes. “I knew this was going to damage my reputation.” He responded with a sly smirk, making you grin. “It was an innocent kitten, what was I supposed to do?”

“See?”

Your heart skipped a beat when his blue eyes locked with yours. He appeared… uncertain; not used to dealing with affection. Loki swallowed.

“Can you walk?”

“I’m not sure…”

The God of Mischief sighed, his lips pressed together to a thin line. Without any hesitation, he snuck one of his arms under your knees and wrapped the other around your waist. He lifted you off the makeshift bed as if you weighed nothing—and to him, you probably didn’t.

Loki carried you to your room in utter silence and eventually lay you down in your bed. Your heart jumped when he sat down on the edge of the bed himself, with a peculiar interest in his hands so he would not have to look you in the eye.

“There is no need to impress me.” He suddenly said. Your head shot up. “I did not think anyone would even… never mind.”

Oh. It almost felt like you were finally getting to know each other, for real this time.

“Do you want to stay for a while? I was going to watch some Christmas movies if I’m not allowed to get out of bed.” You sighed. “I can’t even decorate. You have no idea how many decorations I have to put up. None of the others care to make it a little more festive here, especially not Fury.”

“Yes, I have seen the boxes.” Loki replied. “It’s a little… corny, wouldn’t you say?”

“Honestly, when living among superheroes who risk their lives every single day, you could use a little corny.”

“I see.” Loki simply waved his hand and before you knew it, your entire room was decorated. Green and red tinsel shimmered on your window sill, holiday lights were blinking above your door and fake—but incredibly real-looking—snowflakes hung from the ceiling. Many of your favourite decoration items were now sitting on your nightstand and your desk, including your tiny little Christmas tree. The rest of the decorations, so it seemed, Loki must have spread all over the Tower.

“Oh my Goodness… Loki, this is amazing!” The God of Mischief winked and when you looked down on yourself, you noticed you too were wearing a green and gold Christmas sweater. Heavens, you could kiss him. “Thank you so much! What did you… is the entire Tower…”

“Yes.” He confirmed. He didn’t have to. Tony did only a fraction of a second later.

“Thor! Can you tell me why my Ironman helmet just grew metal antlers? I swear to God, if Reindeer Games has something to do with this…” It was then you exploded with laughter despite your exhaustion.

-

A/N: If you enjoyed this story, I would appreciate it so much if you considered supporting me on Kofi! It’s either for caffeine or red wine, I’ll take both. ko-fi.com/sserpente ♥

[keilemlucent]

half-day

hawks | takami keigo x reader 

word count: ~3k

absence helps the heart grow wounds 

warnings: reader takes medication, angst, sad uwu 

beta’ed: @hawnks

a/n: so in the middle of all the horny, here’s some angsty, SFW, hurt/comfort i wrote as a vent. enjoy 💗

...

“Did you take your meds yet?”

You paused on the edge of the bed, rubbing at your eyes with the inside of your wrist.

“No, I forgot. Sorry.”

You kicked yourself for how weak your voice came out.

Keigo’s wings drooped, though you could only tell by the wide shadow they cast on the wall of your shared bedroom.

It was late, far too late for you to be awake, but you’d forced yourself to stay lucid and somewhat lively to wait for Keigo to arrive home after patrol. It wasn’t something you did often, as he so often was kept past his scheduled hours.

This night was no different.

He’d come through the balcony door in the early hours of the morning, sighing harshly and kicking off his boots with a huff before even noticing you blinking at him from the couch.

And with a single look, his heart sank.

Keigo wasn’t an idiot.

You looked so tired.

Your eyes were shadowed, punched with sleepless bags and the corners of your pretty lips pulled down and taut. You worried your hands, picking at your cuticles and fingernails.

You mustered up a smile, and fuck, if it wasn’t one of the weakest things he’d seen in a long time.

He’d been quick to whisk the two of you off to bed after that. A short shower later, he slung on some sweats and draped a towel over his shoulders. He tried to keep his look casual, despite his own exhaustion, aches and anxiety.

Because you looked shitty.  

Not that you ever looked bad, Keigo had seen you in any number of states. Fucked up, fucked out, bright and shining like the sun itself and tear-streaked—

But none hurt in the same way or as much as he’d been seeing you lately.

When he crept into the bedroom, your gaze was vacant, trained on the floor as you picked at a hangnail on your thumb.

So he asked about your meds, just probing, seeing where you were at.

Truthfully, Keigo’s work had been keeping him from home, though he wasn’t actively avoiding you like this.

But, he did have the undeniable knowledge that his absence was hurting you.

Guilt.

“You don’t need to be sorry, dove,” Keigo slipped next to you on the sheets, letting his wings stretch out and back over the thrown back covers. “Do you want some fresh water?”

You shook your head, silent, as you grabbed your pill organizer from your nightstand.

Keigo eyed the old glass of water, frowning. He could practically see the dust settling on the surface of the stale liquid.

“Are you sure—”

“It’s fine, Kei’, let’s just go to bed,” Your voice was so hollow, half-broken and swallowed up by the gulp of water you took down with your meds.

Keigo managed to keep a grin on his face, but it was hard.

He couldn’t restrain himself from taking your cheeks in his hands, worrying your undereyes with his thumbs the moment you set the murky glass down.

You didn’t say anything, just sagged into his grip, brow creasing.

There was a tension in the air, but nothing that could be cut or the kind that could easily immolate. This was the kind of sluggish frustration that pulled on your muscles and ligaments like gummy syrup.

It dragged the two of you down.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” You spoke without thinking, your hands inching towards his knees.

Why was he?

“Lots of reasons, the first being that I love you,” Keigo reminded you, softly, pressing a kiss to your forehead.

It was all the touch you needed to fall into his shoulders, pressing your face into the wet towel around his neck.

It would’ve been cumbersome, a deterrent from fully touching him, but in that moment, it soaked up the budding tears at the corners of your eyes.

He didn’t need to know how poorly you were doing.

Why did his little affections send you spiraling?

Why did each of his touches feel like aloe to a wound that was deep and tarry, impossibly endless and nothing that could be tackled in a night?

Why did it hurt so good?

“I don’t want to hear the others,” you told him, squeezing his covered knee. “I think I know. I’m sad, not dumb.”

Your quip earned you a half-hearted chuckle, Keigo smoothing a hand up and down your spine.

“Can you lay with me?”

You gave a wordless answer, slipping into the sheets with him while feebly rubbing at your eyes.

Keigo sends a few feathers to click off the bedside lamps, keeping on a small light atop the dresser, the kind that throws pinpricks of faux stars onto the ceiling in oscillating little rings.

It was a false comfort, but you’d both take it.

You laid facing each other, naked in mind and body by then.

With your cheek squished into your pillow, it was even easier to see the tear tracks and worry that you carried.

Keigo had to be careful, he knew he had to, if he pushed you too hard for your words or feelings, you could just lockup, deflect and drift off into fitless sleep yet again.

You didn’t make him reach for too long, didn’t let him worry himself for very long, before you spoke up, weakly, and interrupted his thoughts.

“We’re okay, right, Kei’?”

The question sent splinters of worry into the tender flesh of his heart.

Keigo responded instantly, dragging your body into his as his feathers twitched and ruffled, “Yes, yes, we’re completely okay, better than, I love— “

“I know,” You pressed your face into his sternum, locking an arm over his lower back. “I know you love me.”

You still sounded so empty.

Keigo didn’t know what to do, fuck, he was grasping for even what to say.

“How can I make it better?”

He had to try, right?

Maybe that was the reason why he’d been rushing off so often and for so long lately, without rest, no matter how he felt.

He was a hero, his job was to make things better. He wanted to fix things, mend and stitch the ills and pains of others.

Yet, the person closest to him was splitting at the seams.

Work had been busy, busier than normal, and it just gave him the excuse to avoid his personal problems, like any sane, normal person.

Maybe, he was justified in shoving off the weight of everything, maybe, but only because every time he asked how he could help, you’d just say—

“You can’t, Kei’. It’s okay.”

Just like you did then.

Except, in the past, your voice would just echo from your lips as you gave him a sad smile.

This time?

Your voice broke and your breath hitched as you tried to tug him closer.

He can feel your tears wet his chest.

You tried to fight for so long.

You still were, notably. Against the loneliness and against the odds of your odd relationship, you smiled and mused your way through the struggles of it. You loved Keigo, and the burdens were bearable. They were never from him, they were from the fucked circumstances of his employment and the conditions around it.

You had a deep, heartfelt understanding of this. It was communicated about since the beginning of your partnership, and you had learned, quite well, how to deal with Keigo’s job as a hero. You’d peace with it, mostly.

A lot of the time, contending with this reality was hardly difficult.

But, it was distinctly entirely unmanageable during times when your own mental health started to spiral downward.

So, here you were, beginning to weep into your partner’s chest over all of the weight that was bearing over your mind.

Each moment, your mind sparked with a new poison, until one slipped out amid your muffled tears.

“I can’t even fix m-me— “

You snapped.

And you damn near shrieked into his chest.

Keigo hadn’t seen you do this poorly in a long time.

It hurt, all of it did, but like fuck he was going to push off the responsibility any longer. You’d never admit it, but his absence had to be doing some damage.

“You don’t need to,” Keigo promised, shifting to straddle your hips.

Maybe, on a different night, things would’ve gone a different direction.

Not that night though.

Keigo pressed his weight over your chest, tucking your face into his neck as his feathers settled up and over the two of you. A scarlet shield that read black in the witching hour of the evening.

You didn’t really notice, but you could feel Keigo’s breath and body over the top of yours. He was like some sort of barrier towards the outside world and god did you need it.

You tried to reply, but your words came out as blubberings, broken by tears and ragged breath as you buried yourself into Keigo.

Despite the fact that Keigo was over you, it was the unseen, soul-crushing weight of you that bore down on him.

How did you let it get this bad?

You choked on another sob, your thighs squeezing around his hips.

Your nails raked down his back, an accident borne from your own frustration. Keigo didn’t react to the pain, even when it tread so close to the sensitive roots of his wings. He could bear it— if you had to, he would as well.

This is the least he could do, right?

Be there, though he definitely should’ve been there sooner.

He nuzzled his nose into your temple, brushing his lips over the sweat and tears gathering.

“Cry, dove, I’ve got you now.”

And god, did you.

You sputtered and wept against him, whatever hollow sheen you’d been carrying falling away to a flood of pent up pain.

Keigo had his own mess of emotions about being complicit in letting you get to this point, and what that said about him as a partner, but he swallowed those feelings down to the pit of his stomach and busied himself with comforting you.

He wiped the tears from your cheeks, kissing away the stray ones that dripped down to your jaw and neck. His fingers and nails scratched and massaged your scalp, part of him prayed that the little circles he drew would pull some of the tension and stress from inside your skull, but that was just fantasy.

Ultimately, the only thing to do was nothing, and that was probably why Keigo avoided it for so long.

Powerlessness was not something he was used to, nor did he want to become familiar with it. He was the number two hero in the nation, for fuck’s sake. The last thing he ever felt was helpless, sans a few choice feelings about his arrangements with the Commission.

But with you?

He felt so useless in moments like these.  

But, that was the nature of these things, and he knew this, the two of you had been over that, but that didn’t mean he didn’t feel himself getting choked up.

And as much as he wanted to suppress his own feelings, he just fucking couldn’t.

And everything spilt over at once, as things tend to.

Keigo scooped you up, pressing your front to his, pressing your cheek into his own, a few of his own tear tracks forming.

The feeling of Keigo’s own sadness tugged you from your own panic.

You swallowed thickly, your dry tongue sticking in your mouth as you tried to speak coherently.

“H-hey, Kei’?” You asked, trying to rub away at his tears. “C-could you take a h-alf day tomorrow? You don’t need to, but— “

Keigo shushed you with a kiss, sagging over top of you a moment later.

“Yeah, y-eah, of course,” Quietly, Keigo added, muffled into the crook of your shoulder. “You shouldn’t have to ask.”

“It’s okay, but it’s how i-it is,” Your voice shook as you coaxed Keigo to meet your gaze.

And oh, to bear souls with another is quite an intimate thing, don’t you think?

Especially when there was so much raw between the two of you, things that weren’t quite right, and things that hurt a bit too much.

Yet, at the same time, as you searched Keigo’s pretty ambers, more vibrant next to his reddened eye whites, you held nothing against him. There was both implicit and explicit understanding swimming in the air between you.

The unavoidable harshness of your arrangement with the truth that both of you cared so much, even if you didn’t know how to chew of your chunks of reality. It was comforting, seeing Keigo give you a broken little smile as you rubbed his tears away, and he yours.

“I love you,” Keigo's wings fluttered with his words. “I’m sorry for not being here like I should’ve been.”

“It’s okay,” It was, mostly. “I’m sorry for pushing you away.”

You both needed to be better, but being ‘better’ was a process in and of itself.

Carefully, you rose, your hands finding Keigo’s bare hips while his helped prop up your back.

You swallowed around your fat tongue, grimacing and reaching for the stale glass of water.

Just before you could grab it, Keigo reached past you, stopping your hand from closing around it.

“Let’s start small,” Keigo gave you a weak smile. “Can I grab you some fresh water?”

You nodded, the warmth and care of the gesture immediately relaxing you. Quirking a brow, you managed a small grin, “Yes, thank you.”

And you let him.

And all that you’d been carrying with you didn’t dissolve, but it maybe felt lighter.

...

You spent the rest of the night twisted up in each other.

Truthfully, Keigo felt greedy. He’d been too absent and that had made him needy for you and your touch, even if it was just idle and soft.

He craved you in other ways, but you were more than enough.

By the sun rose came, he was hardly sated, but he had calls to make and things to arrange.

...

The next morning, you awoke alone, though the sheets were warm.

A few feathers laid around you, snuggling up to your cheeks and under the covers, fluttering every so often against your bare skin.

As you drew back to lucidity, you could hear Keigo’s muffled voice from the kitchen.

Your body ached, but in a necessary way. It reminded you of the night prior, along with your scratchy eyes and raw throat.

You threw on one of his shirts and padded towards his voice.

Despite your state, and the rawness of the air, Keigo still managed to stun you speechless, as he so often did.

He stood in the kitchen, hip popped against the counter with a pair of sweats hanging dangerously low on his hips. His phone was tucked between his shoulder and ear as he spoke low, hushed and hurried, his hands and a handful of feathers helping prepare two steaming mugs of coffee.

You didn’t eavesdrop, only approaching when Keigo breathed a sigh of relief and the phone was set down on the counter.

Somehow, you were able to surprise him.

Your arms looped around his waist from behind, circling and squeezing.

“I’m guessing you’ve gotta run?” You mumbled into his spine with a weak laugh. “I should say fly, huh?”

Keigo clicked his tongue, turning to drape his arms over your shoulders, “Nope, neither, dove. Two days.”

“… Two days?” You scrunch your brow, though Keigo was quick to smooth out the wrinkles with a quick kiss.

“Two days off a month, barring emergencies, not counting today. Fully off and all yours. And that’s not counting today,” Keigo’s smile warmed his voice. “Sound good?”

Your scrambled psyche rushed to catch up with the revelation that ‘holy fuck, Keigo actually had real, scheduled time off.’

“I can see how hard you’re thinking, chickpea,” Keigo tsked, somehow wrangling you onto the counter top, slotting himself between your parted thighs. “I’ve got this one, okay? I want to be around more.”

You bit your lip, gaze pointed towards the ground.

“For me or for you?”

“Why can’t it be both?”

You swallowed your tongue, still frowning.

It easily could.

Keigo needed the rest, even if he had trouble admitting it. As much as he claimed to be lazy, he was more so a workaholic due to his background. It was difficult for him to ever stop working for any considerable length of time.

Perhaps it wasn’t in his nature, just his training.

All the same, the idea of having Keigo around and mostly to yourself for a few days a month seemed goddamn fantastic.

“... Can it?”

Keigo softened visibly, rubbing at your side, just below the bottom hem of your sleep shirt. Maybe, he was a bit sheepish in those moments, but he’d had to be pretty stern making the calls he had that morning.

Speaking to the right people to allow him to get that time off had been a pain, but seeing the slow way you were deflating and melting into his arms made it worth it.

Not to mention he needed some lazy days as well.

“Of course it can,” Keigo gave a soft little smile. “Both of us getting a bit of extra rest, don’t you think?”

You flickered your gaze to his, where the gooeyness of his amber eyes caught and held you.

A part of you, one that had been particularly loud lately, screamed to ask for more reassurance. That in some way, Keigo was lying and you had to know.

But, with a deep breath, and a press of your forehead to his, you relaxed a bit.

Not enough, but it was a sure start.

“Alright, but only if you promise to let me help you relax too, and that includes today,” You silenced any retort he might have with a gentle kiss.

The moment you tried to pull away, Keigo’s hand was on the back of your neck, holding you steady and close.

“I dunno dove, it is my half-day,” He hummed with a raise of his eyebrows, the dark circles under his eyes hardly detracting from how luminous he so constantly was, “I think I’ll do whatever I’d like.”

You gave your own little grin, “That’s alright too, I guess. As long as you get some rest today.”

“So, a lazy day, that’s what I’m hearing?” Keigo’s wings fluttered at the concept.

With a nod and one more stolen kiss, you hummed, “A lazy day it is.”