#Karin hated that thing since day 1

[hubba1892]

Das Nest (2019) | Unter Feuer (2024)

[xjulixred45x]

How would be manon interacting with klaus and karin? What would be vince/rody think about it?

aww that would definitely be adorable!

Manon has definitely interacted with Klaus a lot in the time she and Rody have been together. either because of the times when Rody acted as babysitter for his parents taking care of him or even because of Rody himself wanting his two favorite people to interact with each other.

Rody, like I said, is the type of older brother who brags a lot about his little brother for being so smart and yada yada. so Manon finds Klaus to be a very adorable and tender child.

I can definitely see Klaus drawing pictures of Manon, of Manon with Rody, of Manon, Rody and him together, etc. The two end up having a fit of tenderness.

Klaus is also one of the (un)lucky ones who gets to try Manon's food, which although it is better than oatmeal or burnt cereal...yes, let's say that Manon is lucky that Klaus is as polite as he is sweet.

MANON FIXING KLAUS'S CLOTHES BECAUSE RODY DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO SEW SHIT I CAN'T--

Manon was the one who took care of Klaus when Rody couldn't and even went to pick him up from school, so in general I would say that she loved him a lot (especially being an only child) and was happy that he and Rody loved each other.

Rody loved the dynamic between Manon and Klaus. And I even fantasized about what it would be like if Manon would play the same way she does with Klaus with her children, maybe? one day?

After the breakup, it was difficult for both Manon and Rody to explain the situation to Klaus :'(although she would probably agree to take care of Klaus occasionally to 1- do Rody a favor and 2- Klaus is a sweetheart, how can she tell him No?

With Vincent it is a much more complicated case, I would say that he even doesn't like Manon interacting with Karin, but at least he has a reason. Since knowing that Manon is using him as a rebound, he believes that if she tries to get closer to Karin it is out of interest. and he doesn't want to involve Karin in this drama.

but...on the other hand...he can't really do much against Manon when Karin genuinely warms to her (and vice versa).

I imagine Vince is SUPER strict with the babysitters he hires for Karin, like, he has a whole roster of rules they have to follow if they want to work AT HIS HOUSE with HIS DAUGHTER. and Vince fires without hesitation those who have broken one rule or more (even something like eating fast food or delivery is worthy of firing in his eyes).

and the few nannies who stay don't stay for long. They love Karin but HATE Vince. so they work occasionally/in emergencies. so Vince ends up in a bind now that the restaurant is more popular and he needs to supervise it.

So he takes advantage of Manon's interest and has her as a FREE babysitter so Karin can have a proper babysitter without him worrying.....although in this AU it is most likely that this will backfire and Manon will end up going his home ONLY for Karin🤣(like that meme of "MOVE BITCH!!")

Manon and Karin would do a lot of girly things, draw together, go shopping (with Vince's money lol), do crafts, they tried to cook dinner together once and surprisingly it didn't turn out too bad? It was not burned or too bitter, that's progress!

Manon would even stay OVERTIME so she could read Karin a bedtime story and she's definitely the type of person who will bitch at Karin's Bullies if she runs into them. She helps Karin gain confidence by telling her how cute and smart she is :3 I can see Manon doing many hairstyles for Karin, braids, pigtails, buns, etc. And she also lets Karin do her makeup or let her draw her.

definitely in this rare AU Manon has a much better chance of surviving 😅 thanks to the favor of the adorable children.

[dk-wren]

Week 1 - 30 Days of Buddy Daddies

Week 1 is in the books and to my surprise, I was able to actually stay on top of daily responses pretty well. Anyways, here are my answers for the first seven days of @yuraamar 30 Days of Buddy Daddies. ENJOY!

Day 1: Favorite Protagonist

I love each protagonist for different reasons, but if I had to choose one, I would say my favorite is Kazuki Kurusu.

I love how Kazuki immediately stepped up to save and take care of Miri after their chance meeting at the Christmas party. And while at first he might have not been the most prepared, I loved how much Kazuki tried to make things work or accommodate to Miri’s needs, and even afterwards once he was able to do take care of Miri and daily tasks with confidence.

In growing his confidence as a papa, I loved seeing Kazuki’s journey to accepting that he can change and love Miri and Rei, without betraying or forgetting Yuzuko. Similar to Rei, Kazuki’s own discovery of what it means to love and be loved is another main reason why I’m gonna go with Kazuki as my favorite protagonist.

Day 2: Favorite Secondary Character

Miss Anna all the way!!!

Why is Miss Anna my favorite secondary character? I really can’t think of a reason that hasn’t already been talked about before.

Her care and concern for the children in Giraffe class. Asking Miri if she enjoys living with her two papas, with sincerity and not judgement. Willing to help and offer suggestions as Miri adjusts to daycare. Also, just her spirit in the Sports Day ep and the reoccurring gag of her piano playing skills being scary (diabolical I believe is how the sub refers to it as) are even more reasons why Miss Anna is my favorite secondary character.

Day 3: Character You DON'T Like

In Kazuki's ultimatum speech to Misaki about parenthood in ep. 3, a lot of what he said resonated with me about the role of a parent. To see how much abuse and suffering Rei experienced at the hands of Shigeki during his upbringing (really just the one flashback and implications, but it's still made clear), seemed to be in conversation with what Kazuki said, in terms of doing everything a parent should not do. To see how Shigeki's actions affected Rei into his adulthood, is why I am going to choose Shigeki as the character I don't like.

Day 4: Moment of Miri

It is so hard to choose a favorite Miri moment when literally every time she came on screen I was dying of a cuteness overload. In terms of the smaller moments, I really love her little dance when that one veggie show comes on, as well as during ep. 3 when she starts kicking Rei's seat and says she wants to go swing (because that is certainly something I would have done, and probably did, when I was little).

These are more family moments (or specifically with Rei or Kazuki), but I feel like Miri is at the center of them so I'm gonna share them here. That being said, other favorite moments include Miri asking questions about Rei and his father's relationship throughout out ep. 8 (as well as the general cuteness of Kazuki and Miri planning a surprise party for Rei, in matching outfits!) and the whole scene when Miri gets her everything crepe in ep. 10 and shares it with her papas. I also will never get tired of watching the post-credits scene of Miri seeing her new room for the first time.

Day 5: Kazuki Moment

Oh boy, where do I begin? I love in ep. 1 how Kazuki just melted when he first meets Miri in the elevator, and she wants to try some of his cake, as well as when Miri says "I love you, Papa."

Maybe not a favorite, but I also love his little dramatic moments when having to deal with all the docs and steps to enroll Miri into daycare, as well as when Miri tells Kazuki she hates him.

In terms of the more emotional moments, since Kazuki is the high-energy partner, I really enjoyed the moments when he could open up and be vulnerable. The two that instantly come to mind are when he's at the hydrangea field and talks with Karin about not wanting to change/forget Yuzuko, as well as during the family's last outing and he hugs Miri tightly thanking her for everything she's taught him.

I would add here too for favorite Kazuki Moment(s) of him trying to keep his cool when asking where Miri came from in ep. 2. I know this is worded broadly, and I'm struggling to find a better way to write it to make it more specific, but also Kazuki's interactions with Rei and interactions with Miri in ep. 8 are some of my favorite Kazuki moments.

Day 6: Moment of Rei

Gonna get it out of the way first: Rei's smiles, but specifically during the Sports Day ep. and finale.

One of my all time favorite moments is from ep. 3 when Miri is about to be taken to the local station by two officers, and Rei comes out of hiding to declare that he does not just know her, but is her Papa! There's a clip online of this moment, and the amount I rewatched it (and the giant smile it constantly gave me) is probably a little bit unhealthy.

Also, love the moments when Rei's talking with Shigeki and the emotion/attachment comes out. First in ep. 8 when he tells Shigeki that Kazuki has nothing to do with anything, then in ep. 11, when Rei fully lets his emotions shine through, and tells Shigeki he'll do anything to spare Miri and keep her safe. This of course leads into his phone call to Kazuki, and oh my goodness, the terror, the urgency, the line delivery, all so incredible!

The very iconic "I have something worth protecting too" and Rei declaring to Kazuki they can't abandon Miri and that they can change (while grabbing Kazuki's hand) are also some of my favs. I'm also gonna add the first time Miri finds Rei sleeping in the bathtub, their ensuing conversation, and how Rei leaves Miri wrapped up in his blanket, asleep, as another favorite Rei moment.

Day 7: Favorite Scene

Adding onto the trend that's already taking shape in my answers, WAY TOO MANY.

My answer definitely changes from day to day and depends on what mood I'm in. But if I'm actually going to answer this prompt with one scene, right now I would say it's Rei and Kazuki's arrival at the Suwa Manor in the finale (maybe a bit longer than one scene, but basically everything that takes place from the front gate to Rei telling Kazuki he'll face the boss alone).

Both of them have something worth protecting and fighting for (Miri and a life all together, away from the organization, which can't lie, gets me right in the feels). They both also know there is no turning back now, which results in them entering the mansion guns blazing. Also, the idea that they will not stop until they have freed themselves (or died trying) causes them to radiate energy that both rarely do (imo Kazuki is radiating an abnormal amount of chaotic energy for him and Rei is radiating a very focused energy that is centered by a clear motivation, rather than a broad idea). The moment of Rei and Kazuki bursting through the front door/smoke is quite literally engrained permanently in my brain.

I also love how this is the first time we are able to see how well Kazuki and Rei work together since every time before, their plans have been derailed by Miri in some way. While this may be my own interpretation, I also feel this is the first time Kazuki and Rei are fighting or completing their job for the exact same purpose/goal, which they whole heartedly believe in too. And don't even get me started about their team-up/partner attack against Ogino in the kitchen! Literally, screamed my head off during that moment.

The banter, the clear trust they have in each other, and their absolute dedication to leaving the organization is the reason why this is my favorite scene.

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See you next Sunday with my Week 2 responses!

(Also I really suck at decisions-i.e. one moment/scene-so sorry about that)

-Dakota Wren

[madara-fate]

Not very hard to understand sns. At the base they are sakura haters, and want to be with sasuke. Sakura is obviously not an option because she is less powerful than sasuke, so they aren't equal or whatever, hence, she isn't the one they can use. That leaves Naruto since karin can be eliminated by the same logic. Naruto is very, very bad for sasuke. But according to sns, he stands up to him, fights him, and even turns out to be stronger. Hence, perfect for self-insert shipping since they're dynamic fits there easy. Easy to make tropes, situations, etc about sasuke and Naruto, but all these ppl don't understand sasuke one bit, but just like Naruto , they want to own him. I do ship ss, but I have read a lot of top sns during my early Naruto days and comparing it to sns fiction now, it hasn't changed one bit. Most of them are about how sasuke's redemption journey is not at all important, how sasuke's feelings aren't important, he's just a toy for Naruto to get in the end. No travelling for them obviously, since Naruto is a complete nationalist and no one even dares to try and make him hate konoha or realise sasuke's desire for revenge. Little to no hate for hinata, she's used to make sasuke jealous, sakura bashing almost always, sometimes even bashing Sai for no reason at all, hating on team taka/team 7 depending on their interpretation. I've also observed that the threat to their ship is mostly sakura, but never hinata. Hinata is never the problem because they are all self inserting as Naruto, he can have as many people in love with him as they want, but god forbid sasuke may have ambiguous feelings for sakura or they may even have dated in the past. Although hinata is also not treated very kindly as well, she is just used to make sasuke jealous, or for Naruto to reject, and then simply fade into the background. Sometimes she is also bashed, but it's mostly sakura in sns fics. It's funny and sad that no one really understands sasuke, majority of sns, ss , and God the sk and sasuhina shippers , who are the weirdest bunch of them all XD

All of them in general want sasuke to repent for his revenge , for leaving so and so behind, but it's never about them understanding why and how hard it was for him to do so. Sasuke has just become this object to achieve, as if his perspective isn't important at all. Kishimoto has done a lot of things wrong in Naruto , but making sasuke this complex and unreachable for 90% of the series has mostly started these fan wars. Sns love to call sakura obsessed with sasuke for no reason or shallow reasons , but they can't see that Naruto was just as obsessed, and if they can, they can't see just how obsessed they are with sasuke, for no good reason other than the fact that he would look good with their self insert.

This is the problem with maximum pro sasuke ppl on Tumblr as well as outside, they all turn out to be sns , which just makes their entire page a lie, if you are pro sasuke , hate konoha, but turn around and ship sasuke with the number 1 nationalist Naruto, you really do have some issues lol.

I've been in the fandom for a while now, and despite all the losses sns have had to face, they still are trying to find material in boruto to support their self insert ships, and go hysterical when they are beaten by canon ships, most ss because nh has been dry for content lately, it's very fun to watch them try to cancel entire companies like viz, whose translations they often use to discredit sakura at every turn. It's sakura they are the most scared of, both the people in their otp loved her in their lives, hence she must be eliminated at all times. People are this defensive only when they start thinking that they are one half of their otp.

They're so many examples of this on Tumblr where a pro sasuke who is anti ss turns out to be sns, when the sasuke they all adore, the one in shippuden, had no interest in anyone but his desire to avenge the uchiha.

Same problem with sakura x others, to try and diminish sasuke's value in her life is the dumbest shit I have ever seen and makes me instantly abandon a story. Even if she falls out of love, don't make it seem like it was just a crush or sasuke abhors her. There are stories in which sasuke is downright cruel to her even after his redemption, just to villainize him. It's awful to see how little people understand sasuke, and just use him however for the sake of their self insert. It's making me hate fanfiction again, I definitely agree with you, sasuke is mostly character assassinated in these stories, and it's hard to find stuff where his perspective is properly considered, especially in the sns side of the fandom.

This was a lot to take in, but I can see your point.

[thewhitefluffyhat]

Alikari Halloween Part 2 Ramble

Have you ever wanted to lock two fictional characters in a room and not let them leave until they talked out their problems? This event is literally just that, and not even trying to hide it!

...Naturally, since Alina is involved, it still manages to go terribly!

I mentioned in my post on Part 1 of the event that the situation could have gone very wrong and very deadly, and what do you know, that's exactly what happens.

And I don't hate it? Arc 1 Main Story Alina goes all-in on the evil, but what makes villain Alina interesting to me is the ways in which she still does have a consistent set of values she follows, they're just very divorced from normal morality.

("Only the artist is allowed to destroy their own art," "Alina doesn't lie" - stuff like that.)

But yeah, even with memory loss, if you trap Alina in a room and suggest that killing someone will allow her to escape, she has no reservations about doing so. If anything, I'm kind of surprised that it wasn't her first thought.

Hotaru being so lazy she barely gives a damn when Alina tries (and is stopped by Karin) is pretty funny too. I was initially unsure why Hotaru was here, but her apathy isn't a bad addition to the comedy dynamic.

Moeka and Akari, I'm not as sold on. Though Moeka gets some decent mileage out of being the only person around besides Karin with functional social skills who can stand Alina long enough to attempt to *teach* her those skills.

Yes, in case there was any doubt, Alina's lack of social skills is entirely genuine. Which presents a bit of a problem when the girls realize that to undo one of Karin’s commands, they have to convince Karin that Alina has changed for the better.

Moeka has to tell Alina to try things like "smiling" and "maybe call Karin by her real name for once." But Karin sees through the act immediately of course.

Anyway, once again, I'm looking forward to the full translation. Even just on my own, I noticed quite a few callbacks to bits of Alina's non-Main Story characterization. The "Alina doesn't care if Alina is kind or not. I just do what I want," pictured above, for example.

There's also some interesting stuff in here about Alina not wanting or understanding what Karin wants to change about her.

And there's even a very dark callback to that "Only the artist is allowed to destroy their own art," when Alina finally runs out of patience and gets the idea to kill Karin. Because as of Arc 2, Alina considers Karin one of her artworks, for some reason.

So yeah, Alina's now considered murdering Karin.

Before Alina can actually do anything, though, Karin winds up feeling so bad she preemptively deletes herself via another command. I guess that's one way to turn the situation around! Goodness these two are a mess.

(One day I will find an OTP that doesn't involve the characters trying to kill each other occasionally but evidently that will not be AliKari!! XD)

Anyway this is a comedy event, so of course everyone finds a way to rules lawyer Karin's command and bring her back.

In the meantime we get more silly shenanigans, including a flip of the first half of the event. While Part 1 involved Karin turning the dream familiars into Alina copies so she could role play Alina saving everyone from a witch, in Part 2, there's a segment where the girls all try to tempt Karin back out by pretending to be having fun doing Halloween things alongside some Karin copies.

It doesn't work, though. The actual solution is to have Alina say she forgives Karin for annoying her.

Then Karin accidentally summons the event boss by sleeptalking another command, at which point everyone gets fed up and Hotaru suggests Alina duct tape Karin's mouth shut.

...I've seen Alina compared to Erika Furudo from Umineko before, so that little detail really made me laugh. I, Alina Gray, finally have duct tape!

Anyway, as cruel as that is, it actually allows everyone to escape, so uh. Useful stuff, duct tape.

Overall Thoughts?

The event really does keep up the "this is funny until you think about it more and then it's pretty dark" tone up until the very end.

I remember being quite down on the RikaRen Christmas event, since even though it did involve them solving a minor relationship problem between them, it felt like treading water rather than progressing character arcs. But Alina and Karin genuinely do have a lot of problems in their relationship that would need to be resolved for AliKari to even slightly work. So this kind of story feels a lot more justified and necessary.

Except that it actually ends with their relationship even more messed up than before?

Like, you know how in Alina and Karin's Magical Girl Stories, they both struggle on their own but when they're together, they manage to bring out the best in each other? Alina forcing Karin to be honest with herself and Karin reminding Alina that she's human?

This event is the opposite of that. It's a story about how Alina and Karin can also bring the absolute worst out of each other instead. Alina's stubbornness and disinterest in even the bare minimum of kindness drives Karin to increasingly wild measures and despair over changing her, and Karin's pushiness and inability to stop making things worse eventually backs Alina into a corner to the point that she starts trying to delete people again.

And by the end of the event, they still haven't learned anything.

Karin's conclusion has her getting inspired to write a "The Redemption of Alina Gray" manga, looking to Magical Kirin for inspiration. She just keeps digging her delusional hole deeper.

Meanwhile Alina hasn't actually changed for the better. One of the central questions the event explores is "Can you redeem a villain who doesn't want to be redeemed?" And the answer it ends on is... no, but you sure can break her will enough that she'll learn to lie convincingly to please you!

Hey, uh, you know how Alina could be pretty terrible, but at least she didn't really have the capacity to lie or fake her intentions? Great, now we've taught her to do that! What could possibly go wrong?

[bansept]

Ichihime Random Headcanons : Movies

I should work on animating a run, but oh well. Have those very random and honestly not very clever headcanons about our orange heads reacting to movies.

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Superhero movies :

Ichigo finds them boring. Most of the time, the plot is obvious, and the moment the villain is introduced, he knows how the hero is going to defeat them. Orihime, on her side, is the type to be very hype about them, since they have superpowers and that's cool.

They sit next to each other at the start, but as the story goes, Orihime changes positions, seats, even stands for certain parts, and Ichigo definitely gives up on watching the movie when his girlfriend stands in front of the screen for the 10th time. He simply sits there, scrolls on his phone, and chuckles at Orihime's reactions.

Action movies :

Ichigo likes the ones with a desperate situation, like Armageddon, Interstellar, Gladiator... Anything can happen, and he's often seen gripping the couch while his eyes stare intently at the screen. Good luck disturbing him during those epic scenes.

Orihime appreciates them, but without too much exaggeration. Too much fighting and she starts joking and talking about other things, to make the atmosphere less intense.

While Ichigo stays rigid for the whole movie, Orihime ends up with her feet on his lap and taking the vast majority of the couch, yawning.

Comedies :

Ichigo chuckles, Orihime laughs.

For once, Ichigo likes them as much as Orihime, when they are good. If they have lazy writing and too many crude jokes that are pretty much useless to the movie, then he hates them, but if the humor is on top and the story has a cute accent to it, then he is sold and will have a great time. Orihime just loves all of them, since it's rather easy to make her laugh.

Orihime sits on top of Ichigo, with his chin on her shoulder. That way, she knows he'll watch, and he knows he can tickle her anytime.

Romance :

Ichigo doesn't want to admit it's his favorite. Not because he's ashamed, but because it would lead to an unhealthy amount of movies to watch all day for the weekend, because Orihime would make them have a marathon.

Orihime cries when the couple has to be split apart for whatever reason, and Ichigo gently rubs her back, telling her it will be okay. And of course, it is okay, because when the happy ending ends, the two adults kiss, Ichigo mocking Orihime for doubting such movies. She doesn't mind much.

That feeling when a sex scene comes up and you're with your parents? They feel like that if Rukia and Renji are over, the two shinigamis wriggling their eyebrows while teasing them for choosing such a decadent movie. But when they are alone, the scene is... interesting to study, and notes are taken.

Do they sit with each other? Yes, they sit cuddled together, so much that if one pauses the movie to go grab some snacks or get a bathroom break, it takes a good 5 minutes to untangle their limbs.

Animated :

Ichigo liked only a few before he watched more with Orihime. The classics from Studio Ghibli, that Yuzu and Karin "forced" him to see with them always the reference.

Orihime did check a few Disney when she was by herself, but was always too sad at the end to say she really enjoyed them. But then she got to experience more, and dang it if they're not well made.

They watch it all from Disney and Dreamworks, but still have so many from other studios to see, it's crazy. Ichigo, of course, immediately picks up the Shakespeare reference from the Lion King, and talks more about the differences rather than the movie itself.

Orihime hugs Ichigo to her for the whole movie, stopping only to sing the songs she knows, or hum the music, and Ichigo smiles at the comfort those movies give.

Horror :

Ichigo was against. Orihime was against. Their lives were fine until Rukia the Gremlin made them watched a certain Conjuring movie.

Orihime dislikes them for the unnecessary violence, mental and physical. She can watch them and not have nightmares, but she prefers not having throwbacks from when she was a captive.

Ichigo doesn't flinch, doesn't even squint his eyes at the jumpscares. He is utterly unimpressed for the whole 1 or 2 hours, but the minute he hears something from the kitchen, he gets a knife. Don't test him on that.

They form the wall of "You shall not scare me" together, their knees ready to block unwanted images.

Rukia deeply apologizes when she notices Orihime being so uncomfortable, promising to check the movie as much as she can before suggesting it. Orihime calms her down and it's settled: no psychological horror.

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There it is! Something for you guys to munch on!

I apologize for the lack of content right now. It's almost the end of my school year, so things are a bit tight, but I'm still writing!

It's still far ahead, but I will be participating in the upcoming Ichihime Week, while still updating the stories I have.

I plan to do : BG AU, Steeling You and then Protector before writing some more stuff, maybe, for the special week.

Until then, bisous!

[thegizka]

Smile

Writer’s Month Day 1:  Flower Shop AU

Hitsugaya takes particular notice of one of the flower shop's regular customers. It turns out she's taken notice of him as well.

Read it on Ao3.

Note: I do not own any aspect of Bleach.

The first time Hitsugaya saw her was his third day on the job.  She came into the shop with her sister to pick up an order under the name Kurosaki--lilies and ferns and pink camellias with sprigs of baby’s breath.  There was a note to cut them to fit a grave’s vase, so he snipped the stems and wrapped the tips in a damp paper towel before handing them over.  The sisters paid and thanked him.  He met her eyes briefly as she turned to go but thought nothing of it.  She was just one of a sea of customers.

A few months later, the sisters returned to pick up another order.  The blonde wandered around the shop for a bit, her sister trailing behind her.  Hitsugaya was on the other side of the store inspecting some arrangements for wilting.  He saw the blonde stop and smell a chrysanthemum before saying something to her sister who shrugged and said something in reply which caused her to frown.  They picked up their order from Matsumoto and left.

In another few months, she came in by herself.  She barely glanced around before heading to the counter.

“Pickup for Kurosaki please.”

“Sure, one moment.”  Hitsugaya turned to the shelves of orders, scanning the names until he found Kurosaki.  The bouquet included some zinnias instead of lilies this month.

“Do you need this trimmed?”

“Please.”  She stood with her arms crossed, leaning her weight on one leg like someone who was used to moving, not waiting.  She struck him as a person who didn’t fare well in idleness.

“You’re not with your sister today.”  Hitsugaya wasn’t normally one for small talk, but Matsumoto kept telling him facilitating an enjoyable experience was part of customer services.

“She has to help our father with an emergency, so I’m running the errands today.”

“It’s not a serious emergency, I hope.”

“No, not really.”  She exchanged payment for the bouquet.  “Thanks,” she said and left.

A few weeks later, he saw her on his day off.  Ever since he had moved away from Momo and Grandma (she wasn’t really his grandma, but he had nothing else to call her), he had taken to walking around Karakura Town on his own.  He didn’t enjoy staying in his tiny apartment alone.  It was too quiet.

Matsumoto had decided to take him under her wing, which was nice, but she was loud and bold where he was quiet and calculating.  Sometimes her company was too much.  Besides, they didn’t always have the same days off, which left him frequently alone with his thoughts and memories.

On those days, he’d wander Karakura Town, partially to get to know his new home and partially to distract himself.  It was a strange new place.  The town charaded as an average residence with a decently sized shopping district, a school, and a hospital on the outskirts.  Hitsugaya was noticing a lot of quirks, though.  The residents were pretty eccentric, and there was a higher than average amount of accidents.  He couldn’t decide if there was something greater at work or this town just had bad luck.

He was walking along the river when he saw her.  She was on the other side where the bank was wider.  He’d seen kids playing on the swaths of grass and couples picnicking there.  She wasn’t alone when he spotted her.  Her sister was sitting further up the embankment watching while she and an older boy with orange hair kicked a soccer ball.  Hitsugaya had never played soccer, but he could tell just by observing that she was good.  She had control of the ball and excellent balance.  The guy she was with had fast reflexes, but his movement indicated he didn’t usually use them for soccer.  He was chasing after the ball more often than he was guiding it.

Hitsugaya stopped in his walk and watched them for a while.  He found their interactions fascinating.  Whenever her opponent missed, rather than be triumphant, she appeared to berate him as though he wasn’t taking it seriously enough for her.  She always seemed so disinterested in the shop that this passion was intriguing.  She was expressive and energetic.  When she kicked the ball into the boy’s chest hard enough to make him stumble, she laughed.  Her sister got up and went to the boy with concern, but she went after the soccer ball.  When she rejoined the others, the boy ruffled her hair without a sign of anger or resentment.  She pushed him away with long-suffering annoyance.

He found his thoughts turning to Momo.  Their interactions had never been this natural or energetic.  He wondered if that was because they weren’t blood-related.  He could tell from the shape of their faces that the orange-haired guy was most likely their brother.  As they gathered their things to leave the riverbank, the boy kept a careful eye on his sisters, walking half a step behind them to keep them in sight.  Hitsugaya wondered if that was instinctual.  He wondered if Momo had ever done the same with him.

For Hitsugaya, their interactions had always been distant and calculated.  It was hard to pretend to trust after experiencing life alone for so long.  He had never adjusted his walking pace to match Momo’s or felt any form of fondness when she called him Shiro-chan.  But he couldn’t deny that he cared that she had been around for him.  She had kept an eye on him even when he forgot to keep her in sight.  He recognized that this gave him no right to consider her move away to college a betrayal, but the emptiness and regret he had felt had driven him to move away on his own.  The maturity he had gained helped him see how foolish of a boy he had been.

The Kurosakis had long left the opposite bank, and Hitsugaya bade his feet continue walking.  He redirected his thoughts to designing a new flower arrangement.  It would feature peach blossoms and forget-me-nots.

The next time they met, she caught him off guard.

“Do you like working here?”

He paused in his trimming to look at her.

“Karin,” her sister scolded, “that’s rude!”

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“I’ve been in here a dozen times since you started working, and you’re never smiling.  Why do you work here if you don’t like it?”

“Karin!”

“There are more important things than enjoying my work,” he replied, finishing the preparation of their bouquet.

“That doesn’t mean you can’t have fun.  Pleasure and responsibility aren’t mutually exclusive.”

“I take pride in my work.”

“You’re dodging my question.”

“Karin!”  Her sister looked furious.  “We have to go.  I’m very sorry.”  She bowed to him.  “Thank you for the flowers.”

He watched them leave, whispering and bickering together.  Why did she seem to care so much about his answer?  Not smiling didn’t mean he hated it here.  He rarely smiled at anything.  He was a little surprised she had noticed.

Two days later, Karin came back to the shop.  She wasn’t picking up an order; Hitsugaya noticed every time a bundle was set aside for Kurosaki, and there hadn’t been anything on the pickup shelf that morning.  He was assembling a new arrangement at the work table near the back of the store.  She wandered between displays, periodically pausing to inspect a flower, but she seemed disinterested and unsure.  Matsumoto was busy helping another customer, so Hitsugaya approached her.

“Hi,” he greeted.  “Can I help you find something?”

“Oh, hi.”  She seemed started.  “I was just looking for something for my sister.”

“Did she tell you what she wanted?”

“No,” she sighed.  “She doesn’t know I’m here.  I messed up, and Yuzu’s really mad at me, so I figured I’d get some flowers to apologize.”

“Ah.”  He briefly wondered what rift between the sisters warranted flowers, but it wasn’t his business.

“She understands a lot more about this than I do,” Karin mumbled, twirling the stem of a lily gently before putting it back.  “All I see are flowers, but she gets the meanings behind them and knows what care they need to last longer.  It makes her extremely difficult to shop for.”

“Not many people know the language of flowers nowadays.”

“Do you?”  She looked at him with genuine curiosity.  For a moment, he had her full attention, and it sent a pleasant shiver down his spine.

“Sorry, dumb question,” she said, looking away quickly.  “It’s probably a requirement for your job.”

“It’s not, but I did learn it.”

“Then do you know of any good apology flowers?”

“Sure.”

She looked at him with relief and expectation.

“Just get her flowers she likes.”

“Seriously?  I thought you’d point to something and say ‘This means I’m sorry, please forgive me’ and I’d be good to go.”

“I’ve never come across a single flower that says all of that,” he replied, his bemusement bringing a slight grin to his face.  Karin blinked before grinning herself.

“That’s because flowers don’t really speak, dummy.”  She shook her head, possibly to hide the hint of color in her cheeks that accompanied her lame joke.  “Get her flowers she likes?  Hmm.”

She wandered the aisles, and Hitsugaya followed, offering suggestions and advice when she seemed unsure.  They collected sunflowers and pink carnations, lilies of the valley and white daisies.  He chose some foliage to fill out the bouquet and highlight the blossoms.  She browsed the ribbons while he trimmed the stems and finalized the arrangement at the work table.

“Thank you,” Karin said, running a strip of ribbon between her fingers.  “I was totally lost in here on my own.”

“You’re welcome.”  He tied the yellow ribbon she had picked out around the stems, finishing it with a bow.

“Did you do this?” she asked, indicating the arrangement he had been working on when she entered.

“I did.”

“I like it.”  She leaned down to sniff one of the flowers.  “I recognize the daffodils, but what are these purple ones?”

“Salvia.”

“They work nicely together.  You have a good eye.”

He wanted to tell her it was just part of his job, but his usual blunt reply died on his lips.

“Thanks.”

They looked at each other for an indecipherable moment before he thrust the bouquet at her.

“Thank you again,” she said as she handed him payment.  “I think Yuzu will like these.”

“Is it enough for her to forgive you?”

“Oh yeah.  She doesn’t stay mad for very long.  And if she’s not satisfied, I’ll just come back and buy some more.”

“I’ll brainstorm some other combinations just in case.”

“Thanks for your confidence in me,” she snorted, but there was a grin on her face.  “See you later.”

Hitsugaya watched her leave.  A little part of him hoped he’d see her again soon.

[rinusagitora]

Another empty seat in the city of ghosts.

Fandom: BLEACH

Characters: Toushirou Hitsugaya, Momo Hinamori, Kisuke Urahara, Tessai Tsukabishi, Ururu Tsumugiya, Jinta Hanakari, Yuzu Kurosaki, Ichigo Kurosaki, Karin Kurosaki

Pairings: HitsuKarin, others not mentioned

Words: 1.6k

Summary: Shinigami!Karin AU. Chapter 1/8. WARNINGS- mentions of suicide, dysfunctional families;  Karin has taken her life. What follows is a maelstrom of emotion.

AO3

It was hard to believe that, only days ago, Karin took her own life.

Toushirou saw it coming from miles and miles away. He was the one who cleaned up her cut wrists. Hurried over when she was suffering. But it wasn't enough.

Ultimately, Karin got what she wanted: a chance to be a shinigami.

Toushirou and Momo were being processed by the gate guardians. Following Aizen's desertion, they'd tightened up gateways to other dimensions. Now, captains and lieutenants were unable to travel without permission, unless they wanted to receive potentially fatal electrocution from the sigils staining their skins.

But they passed through later. Upstairs, Kisuke Urahara was showing them their gigai.

"Hinamori-fukutaichou, I'm afraid this is vastly different from your last gigai. Since your stay is short-term, it's more or less a... silhouette. Only purposes being harboring your soul, and suppressing your powers. Since it's a ceremony with so many powered folks packed together, we're trying this to avoid hollow attacks."

"Aye," Momo replied, nodding.

"Yours is similar, Hitsugaya."

Toushirou frowned. "It's Hitsugaya-taichou," he corrected Kisuke. Kisuke merely chuckled. He probably blamed Toushirou for Karin's suicide as well. Like he'd talk her into something so traumatic. Asshole.

"Yes... yours is similar, of course, except for... well, deadened nerves. Kurosaki Yuzu is livid."

"Fuck me..." he grumbled.

"I'd rather not, but I'd be prepared for a slap or two. Hopefully, she leaves the nether region alone, but if not, it is equally as dead."

"Thanks for the heads up," Toushirou said. "Where is Karin?"

"The temple, with Kurosaki Ichigo. He's kept a tight leash on her since the... the..." Kisuke couldn't finish. He looked like he was about to cry.

"Thank you," Toushirou said. As much as he hated Kisuke, Toushirou knew Kisuke was fond of Karin, perhaps as fond as his children were.

"Well, I will see you two there... I have to get ready for the memorial service."

"Thank you, Urahara-san. Take care."

He and Momo stepped into their gigai, prepped with black kimono, although Momo's hem and sleeves were adorned with flowers. Lilies and marigolds. How appropriate.

"You remembered the envelope?"

"Of course," Momo replied, straightening her collar. "The car is waiting. Shall we?"

"Aye."

On the drive over, Momo lit her pipe. Toushirou was never particularly fond of tobacco, or how his sister's habit ruined her skin, but given what was to come, he could sure use a puff. Or a drink.

Maybe he should've brought Rangiku... She didn't cope much better during funerals, but she, at least, would have something that she was willing to share to take off the edge. Very much unlike Momo. The only thing she ever really shared with him was conversation. Practically force-fed him, refrained from sharing the shit he cared about.

They came to a stop before the temple. Many were filing in. Toushirou recognized a few. Uryuu arrived just before them, Hiyori loitered in the doorway. Many he didn't recognize.

Jinta and Ururu were there with their other father Tessai. They bowed in unison.

"Yuzu is livid," Ururu said.

"So Urahara told us."

"I stand by her."

Tessai knocked Ururu upside her head. "Enough, honey," he warned, then turned to Toushirou and Momo. "Thank you for coming. Karin-chan will be pleased."

"I imagine," Momo replied, still smoking. "What should we expect from Kurosaki Ichigo?"

"We're keeping him in line if Yuzu doesn't," Jinta replied. "He agreed to keep the peace when Tou-tou and he talked."

"And the Kurosaki girl?" Momo asked.

"Yuzu?"

"Nay, the one we're here for."

Ururu looked inside. "She's... not crying. I think she's distancing herself from this ordeal."

"Perhaps it's for the better."

Tessai said, "Hand-off will occur before cremation. Kurosaki Isshin only agreed to allow us in for the service since Karin asked, but the burial is for family and Kurosaki Ichigo's close friends only."

"I see Kuchiki-fukutaichou as well."

"She won't be causing trouble. She's here as a family friend."

Toushirou and Momo bowed again. "Many thanks," Toushirou said. "We'll head in."

Rukia was the first to spot them. She strode over. "Neither of you are welcome. Please leave before Yuzu sees you."

"The deceased requested us, and the patriarch has permitted us entry," he replied. Everyone was so fucking hostile...

"No matter. Do you want to start shit?" she hissed.

Momo said, "We haven't started anything, Kuchiki-fukutaichou. Besides... do you think it wise to start shit here? Our powers are merely dampened, but I know for a fact there are enough of us gathered here to alert trouble if contention brews."

Before Rukia could reply, Yuzu stormed over. Rukia quickly escaped.

"What the fuck are you doing here?"

"Your father said we were welcomed to the ceremony," he said.

She jabbed a finger against his chest. "You may as well have murdered my sister! I don't want you here!"

Toushirou sighed. "And I do?"

"And who is this skank?" Yuzu hissed, jerking her chin to Momo.

"My sister." Toushirou frowned. "Don't treat her like my mistress."

Momo encased Yuzu's hands. "We are here to grieve just as ye. I understand how difficult this is. My husband passed during a tumultuous time... We hadn't time to bury him, either."

Toushirou almost rolled his eyes. Momo learned how to lie from the best. But it worked. Yuzu relaxed.

"I'm sorry. It's been... it's been a long couple of days."

"There's nothing to apologize for, Kurosaki-san." Momo bowed. "If you need anything, please let me know. I haven't service at home, but Urahara-san can reach me if needed."

"Thank you."

"May we take a seat?"

"In the back, please. The front rows are taken."

"Aye. Thank you again, Kurosaki-san."

Momo and Toushirou took a seat. Because of their gigai suppressing their powers, Toushirou was unable to see Karin, although knew she was there. There were too many people of strong reiatsu concentrated in the temple. It risked a hollow attack. The dampening was meant as a security measure.

The Seireitei owed Ichigo too much to go against a small favor, however cruel it was to Karin.

"I can see why Kurosaki-san is so upset," Momo said.

"Karin was in pain," he insisted.

"I'm in no position to judge her," Momo reminded Toushirou. "But look at the Kurosaki family... Stiff as boards. The little one is the only one weeping, and neither of them is consoling her."

"They're... dysfunctional. I'm sure she refused it."

"For good reason?"

"Aye. They... nay, we all, have lied to her for years. I'm sure she harbors conflicting feelings."

Momo hummed. "Aye."

Toushirou took a good look at the altar, surrounded by white lilies. He frowned. White was never Karin's color. Blacks, reds... Hydrangeas or marigolds would've been more appropriate.

But she was beautiful in her photo. Smiling, youthful. It made him mad too. She was happy with him. With Jinta and Ururu, not some sad, doctored school photo.

Thankfully, Momo didn't seem to pick up on his internal tantrum, merely smoked.

The time came for the service. A priest stepped up and uttered a sutra. Toushirou admittedly zoned out during it. None of it concerned them. What did was Karin. She was in there, but he was unable to console her, take her to her new home, to ease her pain... It was bullshit. Complete bullshit.

Once the service came to an end, Toushirou and Momo quickly escaped, joining Kisuke outside.

"I don't have much time... I'm going to the cremation as well," he said.

They wordlessly stepped out of their gigai. They were tucked into the back of a van and covered with a shimmery sheet that made them completely vanish. Momo and he bowed.

"Best of, Urahara-san."

"Kurosaki will meet you by the aqueduct under an overpass. It's in the center of town," he explained. "Anticipate some... some shit from him too. He's very upset."

"Thanks."

With that as their goodbye, they sped off to the heart of Karakura. Toushirou saw Ichigo's hair from the sky, and they sunk to the ground.

The second Toushirou saw Ichigo, he wanted to strangle him. It felt like they were sizing each other up. Toushirou was sure to lose an arm, but it would've been satisfying clocking him.

Karin was sitting on a bench. There was still a generous amount of chain leftover, thankfully. Toushirou just hoped she hadn't experienced the chain consuming itself... the immense pain.

Toushirou couldn't bring himself to bow to Ichigo, but Momo did. "Thank you for allowing us into your sister's service, Kurosaki-sama."

"It wasn't my choice."

"Nonetheless," Momo said, smiling. "I'd like this to be done in an as expeditious manner as possible."

Karin hopped to her feet. Toushirou instantly wanted to sweep her off her feet and carry her like his bride into the other world, away from that mess. That nightmare. "Let's go," she said.

"Hang on." Ichigo stopped her with his arm out shooting. His eyes bore into Toushirou's, and he glared back. "I want him to admit his fault in this."

"Jesus Christ!" Karin shrieked. "I killed myself because there's nothing for me here! Toushirou had nothing to fucking do with it."

"Bullshit! He had to have said something."

"It's your fault I killed myself, alright? It's all your fault! I got tired of getting steamrolled and gaslit by you so I killed myself to get the hell away from you!" Karin ducked his arm and ran over to Toushirou. He happily accepted her embrace. "I'm going to the Seireitei. I'm becoming a shinigami... It's the only way I'll be happy. Fulfilled."

Ichigo looked hurt. Crying. Toushirou turned away, opening the senkaimon into the other side.

He had no idea what awaited them in the future. He hoped, at least, Karin's suffering eased.

[antifainternational]

Hi, do you have any advice on what to do if you think someone close to you is sliding towards the alt right? I don't want them to get sucked into that bullshit. Thanks in advance

Oh, this is a tough one!  Lots of us have seen people we care deeply about get sucked into the alt-right brainwash.  It’s difficult to reason with them since they’re so easily swayed by entirely unreasonable bullshittery.

Karin Tamerius has written a lot on this topic.  She recommends using five points:1) Ask open-ended, genuinely curious, nonjudgmental questions.2) Listen to what people you disagree with say and deepen your understanding with follow-up inquiries.3) Reflect back their perspective by summarizing their answers and noting underlying emotions.4) Agree before disagreeing by naming ways in which you agree with their point of view.5) Share your perspective by telling a story about a personal experience.This is also what you learn when you take any sort of training on “active listening.”  To practice, Tamerius has created an “angry uncle bot” that coaches you through responses to a Fox News-loving uncle’s rants over the Thanksgiving Day table. We’ve actually responded to a lot of the garbage that passes in the alt-right as legitimate debating points and you’ll find many of our takedowns in our archive. Another thing you can try: it’s been shown that prejudices are often based on social distance.  The less contact someone has with a certain category of people, the more likely they will harbor some kind of prejudice towards them.  So if your person is showing signs of hating on certain categories of people (LGBTQ+, migrants, Muslims - what-have-you!), it might be helpful to come up with reasons & situations for them to interact with people from that group.  It’s much harder to hate someone when you see that they’re a human being with many of the same interests and needs as your own!We’d also like to add a word of caution: if this person is being radicalized by the alt-right, they are increasingly becoming a threat - probably to you; certainly to people around you that the fascists & bigots would like to exterminate (racialized people, ethnic minorities, religious minorities, migrants, LGBTQ+ people, disabled people, etc.).  It’s probably a good idea to consider that this person you care about may become dangerous and even dangerous to you if they don’t turn their shit around.  If this is the case, then it might be wise to put some distance between you and them to protect yourself & your people.Anyone else have some tips for Anon?

[ellanainthetardis]

Author Interview

Tagged by @flutteringphalanges​! Thanks!

Name: Karine. Ellana-san. EllanaSan. Ellanainthetardis. That’s a lot of names lmao.

Fandom(s): Mostly I’m hayffie exclusive those days. I’m hoping to go back to Lucifer. I kinda want to have a rewatch and hopefully find my love back for this show that S3 has detroyed... I loved writing fics for this pairing. I’m also anxiously waiting for the 6oC adaptation because I’ve hold off writing kanej fanfics for now but... I love them so much I’m not sure I will be able to resist the show. I am also currently obsessed with Phryne/Jack from Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries but not writing just stalking ao3.

Where You Post: Ellana-san in on fanfiction.net, EllanaSan on AO3 and ellanainthetardis on tumblr. I don’t post anywhere else and if you see my fic elsewhere it’s like been stolen. yes it has happened before. No it’s not fun.

Most Popular One-Shot: On ff, it’s a HP called The Shadow Of Death. It’s a time travel Severus & Harry mentor story I actually was quite proud of at the time. On AO3 it’s a Lucifer story called Redeeming The Devil in which Charlotte/Mom goes after Chloe and Lucifer has to step in so basically devil reveal and all of that. I think it’s one of my fav I wrote for this fandom.

Most Popular Multi-Chapter Story: On ff, according to the stats, it’s Have a Drink Sweetheart but since it’s a collection of one shots I think that doesn’t really count so the next one is “Les Cicatrices du Temps” which is probably the one I’m most known for on the French side of things. It’s a HP story, again with time travel and again with Severus & Harry mentor, and it’s actually part of a trilogy. I haven’t finished part 3 yet but I don’t despair haha.

On AO3 it’s Invictus which is a hayffie story that explore a canon au in which Haymitch’s family never died, forcing him to become the puppet rather than the example. I’m not sure it’s the longest thing I’ve ever written because of the trilogy I just mentioned but it’s the longest in one setting and I’m proud of having finished it. It took a lot of work, an amazing beta, and it was a huge part of my life at one point because it covered I think... close to two years?

Favorite Story You Wrote: It’s difficult to choose because it depends of fandoms. For HP, I would say the Cicatrices trilogy for sure. For Hayffie... It’s so haaard to choose. I think it would be a tie between Invictus, Into That Good Night and April Showers for very different reasons. Invictus because of the commitment it took and also because, as I said, I associated to a specific time in my life. April Showers because I really enjoyed being able to explore post MJ in a more psychological way and it allowed me to explore more characters. I may or may not have fallen a bit truly in love with everlark while writing that one actually. And Into that Good Night because it was so out there, so full of self-indulging angst - like Haymitch being forced to kneel and beg - that I don’t think I would have ever written it if I hadn’t been in an angsty place myself and needed an out. But I’m happy with out it turned out and I don’t know... That one I do have a lot of tender feelings for, I guess.

How You Choose Your Titles: There’s no methods for me. Either I will take it directly from the work or I will try to find something like a theme in the work or I will look up quotes or I will look up songs... I don’t have a specific go-to method.

Complete: stories? I’m not sure how to see that. Everything is on ff and they say I’ve published 188 stories... I know I have two WIPs in SG and HP, 1 probably abandoned in hayffie, 2 currently being posted, HADS though that doesn’t really count does it? One Buffy I never closed but it’s also a os collection... Honestly I have no clue I would say 183? In those waters. I thought it was more haha. Though, I guess if you take HADS alone... XD HADS frightenes me okay? I try not to look at the number of chapters.

Incomplete: Well... There is part 3 of that HP trilogy I have been neglecting for a while. One chaptered story in Stargate I gave up on. The Speed Finding Soulmate story in hayffie I gave up on too although I think about that one often and never say never I might revisit it one day. And obviously the two currently being posted When It Rains It Pours and Katniss The Vampire Slayer.

I always try to have the finished product before posting because I hate WIPs. In the case of the Speed Finding Soulmate story for instance it was supposed to be a one shot and then I added more and more but if I had thought it through, I would have writtten the whole thing first. I have unfortunately a respectable WIP folder XD

If I can’t have the whole thing finished, like KTVS for instance, I try to be comfortably ahead so I never run out of chapters and I can keep a steady schedule.

Basically if I can’t keep to a posting schedule it stresses me out. If I don’t have the next chapter ready, it stresses me out because I don’t want to let anyone down. So... Yeah. I like having everything done before posting.

Which doesn’t answer the question I realize... So incomplete work, not counting os collections, I think might have 5 (2 of which are actually being posted but finished or ahead enough).

Do You Outline?: Never if I can help it. If I write down or break down a story, I will lose the will because it’s all there black on white. If the story is big or complicated I will take notes on a notebook and, maybe, maybe a loose list of events but mostly my way of writing is forge ahead and figure it out as you go. Mostly, the stories write themselves I just type. Everything ends up making sense by itself.

Coming Soon/Not Yet Started: Well, I did finish E10 of KTVS so you know that’s good haha. I plan on writing E11 soonish. Right now I’m kind of in a writing slump of sorts. I should be finished the mind wipe story but I’m a bit tempted by a modern au involving a certain tattoo artist and this former army man... There’s a lot I want to write tbh.

Do You Accept Prompts?: Yes but you have to not be afraid of waiting a long LONG times. I sometimes publish prompts that have been submitted years ago. XD I have a lot of prompts and I tend to write the one that inspire me most but I do try to post the chronologically older ones first.

Upcoming Story You Are Most Excited To Write: Well.. there is this idea of a tattoo artist Effie. It would be cute mostly I don’t think lots of conflict. Also the mind wipe story which I was working on before the crack happened, which is basically an au in which they experimented on Effie during MJ and wiped her mind clean so she doesn’t remember anything at all. And there are a few others wips in my folder that might be cool to revisit so idk. I’m telling you right now I haven’t written in 3 days I’m angsty to start again but I’m not sure what to tackle. I want a a tiny break with KTVS before attacking E11...  OH and there’s also a modern au inspired by a prompt about effie ptsd in a modern setting that I thikn would also take chapters but basically I was thinking bodyguard au and YEAH. Lots of angst.

[lilikags]

Game Plan (Kenma Kozume)

Gamer soulmates do exist, huh. 

Pairing: Kenma Kozume x female gamer reader  Type: fluff, soulmate au Before read notes: The game referenced here is Epic Seven, sorry if you are confused but I think you get the idea... right?

You sighed. You didn't know what to do. It was gym class, the last class of the day. It was your least favorite class. They were doing volleyball, and you knew just about nothing about it, even though you had been forced to play it for years. You figured you'd forgotten how to play.

After changing into your gym uniform, you started to think about what you were going to do after school. It was a Friday, meaning that it was the weekend as soon as school ended. You were going to play games, since that's what you usually do. Roana's coming out today, huh. I guess I'm going to pull. She seems good. I have enough to pity in skystone, and I've got about 400 bookmarks. So, 80 summons without using skystones, and  3,800 skystones'll be used up if I do end up pitying. If  I just do the daily missions, it'll take me around probably 80 days to get that back, not including the daily sign in prizes and the Re:Birth event, if I get stuff from that- (1)

"(y/n)! (y/n)! (y/n)!" you heard a voice call you. Looking up, probably after the third time you were called, you asked, "What's up?"

"Geez, your head's in the clouds! What'cha thinking about?" you best friend, (b/f/n),

"Hmm.... well, just what I was going to do later," you replied, knowing that (b/f/n) could see through you like just-polished (does that makes sense?) glass.

"What were you going-" (b/f/n) was interrupted by the teacher, who had started the class. She sorted the class into 4 groups, with 2 games going on at a time. You and (b/f/n) were separated, so you couldn't talk during class. You mostly just stood there and walked around, looking like you were trying. During your second game, your team and (b/f/n)'s teams played each other. (b/f/n) was really into it and made you participate for once.

When class was over, you went to the locker room to change, and as you were about to put your shirt on, (b/f/n) did a jump scare on you, which made you jump.

"What the heck, (b/f/n)?" You always hated jump scares, especially from (b/f/n), because her hands were always cold. Cold hands on bare skin (A/N: it sounds weird, but you're in the locker room. changing.) is always the worst.

"Heh! Got'cha again!" (b/f/n) laughed. You sighed. You finished changing and left the locker room. You started to think about your game plan for Epic Seven. (A/N: it's an amazing game, check it out!) You weren't too far into the game, and you'd just entered midgame by being able to auto Wyvern 11 and want to focus on building a golem team. You had already built and 6-starred Cermia, your nuker, and wanted to build Cecilia, your tank and defense breaker. (2) You were thinking about using either speed/hit sets or health/def/hit sets, when (b/f/n) scared you again.

"Can you just stop that already?" you asked (b/f/n), getting annoyed from her jump scares.

"Y'know, (y/n)..." (b/f/n) started.

"Yes?" you answered, curious to what she was going to say.

"Why don't we go to the mall later?" You were surprised that you didn't expect (b/f/n) to say that. It seemed very (b/f/n) though.

"Since when have I willingly gone to the mall?" you asked, not wanting to go.

"I heard there's a new anime store there~~" (b/f/n) tried to convince you. That was the reason you were going to go. You and (b/f/n) bonded over anime years ago, and you always watched every season's most popular anime. (3) So even though you spent more time playing games than watching anime, you were always on top of the trends and still loved it.

"Okay, I'll go," you answered, trying to hide the fact that you were actually excited.

Riiiiiing! Riiiiiing! The bell rang, meaning that the school day was over and you were finally free. You and (b/f/n) walked towards your lockers together, since they were right next to each other. You listened to her talk about fashion and other things like that. She'd gotten into that recently and was all over it.

Both of you finished gathering the stuff you needed over the weekend, and while at your lockers, you and (b/f/n) had decided to drop off your backpacks at (b/f/n)'s house, so that you could talk the whole day. You don't talk too much, but (b/f/n) does, and you don't mind her talking much.

(b/f/n) wanted to go to the clothing shops first. She had to go to some family reunion soon, so she had to buy something fancy. You accepted, knowing that (b/f/n) wouldn't forget about the anime store, because ever since she discovered Kimetsu no Yaiba: Demon Slayer,  she's been all over it too, and you were 99% sure that new anime store would have Kimetsu no Yaiba merch.

You didn't know much about fashion, so (b/f/n) picked out the clothes for herself and asked you for a second opinion. While she was picking out clothes and trying them on, you had nothing to do, so you thought about the build you were going for. (A/N: for Cecilia, referenced earlier in the chapter) Your phone was almost dead, and you wanted to save the remaining battery in case your parents called or something. So, you borrowed (b/f/n)'s pen, which she carried everywhere for a reason you haven't been able to figure out for years, and started to write out your plan for building Cecilia.  

                                                                *

"Hm?" Kenma noticed some pen marks on his skin all of a sudden. He and Kuroo were walking to practice when he noticed it.

"What? Did you notice something from your soulmate? ~~ Hmm~~~?" Kuroo teased him, knowing what was up.

"Mhm. She wrote something."

"Hmmm? Let me see," Kuroo leaned over to see what was being written.

Cecilia-

- Speed/hit set

- main stats: Effectiveness%, Def%, health%

- substats: effectiveness, def, health, eff. resist

"Hmmm... seems like game stats?" Kuroo figured. Kenma shook his head.

"Character build?" Kenma nodded, meaning that Kuroo's second guess was right.

"You know which game?"

"Epic Seven, I guess."

"Heh~~? So you do know. Maybe gamer soulmates do exist~~" Kenma didn't reply. The two walked into the court, and they began their daily volleyball training. Kenma noticed that there was something new written in few minute intervals. (A/n: does that make sense?) They had a common theme: Epic Seven builds. First was Cecilia, then Tamarinne, then Ravi, and so on.

"Woah! Your soulmate writes their skin?! Cool! Mine doesn't! I've tried lots of times, and they wouldn't respond!" Lev noticed what (y/n) was writing.

"I think they're for herself," Kenma muttered.

                                                                   *

"Wait, (f/n)!" (b/f/n) called out. You turned around. "Hm?"

"You're walking too fast! I can't keep up!"

"You're just slow."

"Oh, come on!" (b/f/n) had to run to catch up with you. As you entered the store, one thing caught your eye. It was an Epic Seven Poster, which you went straight to.

       (b/f/n) followed straight behind, and asked what this was about.

"It's an Epic Seven poster. I don't know who made it, but I'm buying it. It has Krau, Ludwig, Aither, Vildred, Destina, Yuna, Ras, Arky, Mercedes, Karin, Iseria, and best girl Angelica in it. It's totally worth." You explained, putting on a smirk and feeling like you're the smartest around.

"Oh, you really like this game," (b/f/n) said.

"Yeah, you didn't know? All this time?" you said back, trying to get at her for those jump scares.

"I just didn't know you liked it this much. Maybe I'll give it a try."

"Wait... really?!"

"Uh, yeah."

"We're going back to your house and getting you this game once I'm done here."

"Once WE'RE done here."

"Yes, once WE'RE done here. Yes, yes."

The two of you walked around, excitedly looking at the different merch they had there. You ended up buying lots of stuff, since you're a collector and love collecting things. Once the both of you got to (b/f/n)'s house, you took her phone out of her hands and downloaded Epic Seven. You charged yours while you were at it, and you gave it back to her once you got back and it loaded. Even with the tutorial, you explained everything in detail, and (b/f/n) knew she couldn't stop you, so she just listened and figured it would make understanding the game easier.

You had tons of notes on your hand at this point, so you figured you might as well write (b/f/n)'s username on there as well. You wrote it, along with her discord server, since (b/f/n) had gotten it recently and invited you to her server.

                                                                            *

Kuroo was staying over at Kenma's for a sleepover, and they were playing Smash Ultimate. (A/n: if you don't know what this game is, you live under a rock.) Then, Kuroo noticed some more notes on Kenma's hands.

"There's more."

"Hm?"

"Your soulmate wrote more. Let me see~." Kenma lifted his hand from the controller for once, and Kuroo spotted a discord server and an Epic Seven username.

"Ooh, maybe they want you to join a server?"

"No way. It's probably for herself again. There wouldn't be any need to tell me."

"Let's join it! I want to see who's in it. Your soulmate'll be there!"

"I don't really care."

"I know you'll join it later 'cause you're curious."

"I don't really care."

"Well, I'm joining it."

"It's rude to just join other people's servers without their permission-"

"Whoever gets the link is welcome~~" Kenma sighed. He couldn't stop Kuroo at this point.

→ kuroo hopped into the server.

(b/f/n): Uh, how'd u get the server invite? idk who u r.

kuroo: I got it from my friend. His soulmate wrote it on her hand.

(b/f/n): Ah, I know who you're talking about. I think.

kuroo: Ooh, great! Let's introduce them!

(b/f/n): OMG YAAAS. I wanna see how their ship turns out~~

kuroo: Great minds think alike, let's take this to private chat

(b/f/n): 'kay- got it!

(y/n): You know I joined the server, right?

(b/f/n): ...

kuroo: ...

→ applepi joined the party.

applepi: Well, you can write your plans here. I don't mind.

(y/n): I don't mind either.

(y/n): Hey, applepi, if you're my soulmate, text me.

applepi: later

(y/n): now.

(b/f/n): wow, hasty now, eh?

(y/n): I just want to confirm.

(y/n): and when I read the word "hasty", i immediately thought of Haste. pretty high on the tier list imo.

kuroo: what?

(y/n):

       (y/n): That's mah boi Haste. Ever since Melissa event. tho W. Schuri and A. Vil are higher on the list but they're ml so they're hard to get.

applepi: He's cool, but Roana's better.

(y/n): she ain't even out yet. tho best waifu now.

applepi: well, it's because she gives the revive buff... vampiric touch isn't that great compared to revive

kuroo: can you just take this to private

(y/n): thank you

Placeskip brought to you by Haiba Lev.

Soulmate: So, you're (y/n)?

(y/n): yeah. Wanna try going out? It seems pretty interesting how people instantly fall in love with their soulmates. I wanna test a theory.

Soulmate: ....

(y/n): I'm an expert on Epic Seven. I know "cheats". well not really, but farming gear gets better when you do it my way.

Soulmate: sure. ok.

(y/n): actually, I don't know your name yet. what is it?

Soulmate: Kozume Kenma. Just call me Kenma.

(y/n): vid call?

Kenma: .... not yet.

~~~END~~~ uwu

Extra! bc this is the 1st chappie! :)

"Hello?" Kuroo answered.

"Can you see us?" (b/f/n) asked.

"Yeah, can you see us?" Kuroo asked and answered. We both nodded.

"I think he's cute! If you don't hurry up, I'll take him~~" (b/f/n), the scare and provocation master told you.

"He's mine already... baka," you muttered. Kenma heard it, and both of you blushed.

Hello, it's Lili! I hope you liked my terrible first fic!

Some notes:

- (1) This whole time, I was talking about Epic Seven. It's a great game.

- (2) Def break/decrease defense- debuff that decreases the opponent's defense by 70%

-I'm not an expert at E7, I've only been playing since the SSB (Seaside Bellona) banner (July 2019) so I'm not that great. And it was the first gatcha game I really ever played besides Food Fantasy and Love Nikki, but those don't really count.

- 2174 words 

- Suggestions/comments/constructive criticism/grammar suggestions all appreciated!

Edited 5/10/20. Posted on tumblr: 7/4/20 Edited on tumblr: 10/12/20 Note: There are pics on the Wattpad chapter, but I couldn’t put them here (I lost them when I changed computers :/). Check it out there if you’d like to see the pics!  Credits: Original header image is from Igor Karimov on Unsplash.

[thewhumperinwhite]

Café: Treetops

Previous: Teaser 1, Teaser 2, Hospital/Squad Car, Empty Bar, Used Car Lot 1, Used Car Lot 2, Gas Station, Roadside 1, Roadside 2, Forest

TW for: illness/fever, mention of decapitation/murder, smoking mention, very lightly implied parental neglect, Thing That Seems Like Deadnaming For A Second But Take This As My Personal Guarantee That Sol’s Deadname Will Never Be Said Out Loud In This Story.

Also i’m not gonna check but i think this might be the first chapter where Sol smiles? so look forward to that.

@whumpitywhumpwhump

----

Rainwater is dripping from Sol’s hair down the bridge of his nose and soaking into his shirt collar, even though if you asked him five minutes ago he’d have told you his poor abused work shirt had absorbed literally all the liquid it could physically hold. 

“Just for the record,” Kent says in a slightly breathless voice, “when I used the phrase ‘huddled in trees,’ that was sarcasm.”

Sol thinks about rolling his eyes, but given that nobody would see it from this angle, he doesn’t bother and just leaves his eyes closed instead.

“Funny,” Pax snaps, sounding, at least, no longer pretend-cheerful. “When I told you to shut the fuck up, I was serious.” Sol can hear them shifting, but doesn’t turn to look, partly because he does not care and partly because he thinks he might fall out of the tree if he tries.

“I think you should both shut up,” he says flatly, knowing he’s wasting his fucking breath.

It does earn him almost a full minute of silence, which is a step up, technically.

“The bleeders are too clumsy to climb trees,” Pax says testily, apparently unable to help themself. “Therefore, being the wonderful, coordinated living beings that we are, we are taking advantage of that weakness.”

“I know that,” Kent says, also sounding slightly testy, but even more tired and kind of in pain. “I am aware of the logic, but I gotta say that I am not feeling super coordinated at the moment.”

“I know that,” Sol growls. “I was the one who had to help you up, and since we are all fuckin’ exhausted from that little ordeal, how about we all just go the fuck to sleep, huh?”

Kent makes a noise that is probably supposed to convey irritation but just sounds sort of— pathetic. “I can’t sleep. I don’t understand how either of you can sleep when it’s so hot up here.”

Sol blinks his eyes open. That— does not sound like a great sign.

Careful not to overbalance and throw himself off the narrow branch currently supporting his ass, Sol cranes around the trunk of the tree to squint through the driving rain at Kent, who is leaning back against the tree with his eyes closed. Sol half-carried him up this bigass goddamn tree and set him with more care than he wants to admit in the stablest position he could find, at the fork of two large branches, but at the moment his perch there looks kind of precarious.

Checking to see that Paxon, on the opposite side and several branches higher than either himself of Kent, probably can’t see— not that he cares what they think— he leans carefully forward to lay his wrist against Kent’s forehead. It’s hard to be sure of anything when the freezing rain has turned his hands and arms into icicles, but the heat coming off Kent’s face almost makes him jump.

“Aw, great,” he mumbles, grabbing hold of his own branch so he can lean forward a little more to examine Kent’s face, which, now that he’s looking, does have kind of a greenish cast to it. “Hey, man,” he says softly, giving Kent a gentle poke on a part of his cheekbone that doesn’t seem to be bruised yet. “How ya feeling?”

Without opening his eyes, Kent heaves a tired sigh that turns halfway through into a cough. Sol freezes like a popsicle, going very quickly back over the last several hours to try and determine whether one of the bleeders could possibly have bitten him without Sol noticing— but Kent’s brief coughing fit fails to bring up any red-flecked phlegm, so Sol tries to reel in his panic. He doesn’t sound crazy, anyway— just sick. 

“Not very good,” Kent croaks, letting his eyes drift open. They look kinda glassy, but Sol sees with knee-weakening relief that they are not particularly bloodshot. “Too warm. And also shivery.”

“I fuckin’ bet,” Sol says. “You look like microwaved dogshit, dude.”

Sol chews his lip, something uncomfortably close to worry churning in his stomach. When he doesn’t move away, Kent laughs faintly, though it turns into a cough at the end.

“You sure you want to get that close?” he asks, smiling a little, though it doesn’t come close to reaching his eyes. Sol doesn’t think Kent’s smiles usually do, actually.

Sol blinks. “Huh?”

“Aren’t you worried I’ll suddenly decide to take a bite out of your arm?” Kent says, and it sounds like it’s trying to be a joke but isn’t quite making it.

Sol stares at him for a second. Then he snorts.

“Please,” Sol says, smirking. “You? I could definitely take you, crazy or not, you fucking stick. Besides, look.” Sol fishes around in the pockets of his sopping-wet jacket, ignoring Kent’s look of utter confusion.

His lighter is freezing and dripping wet, and who knows if it’ll still work as an actual lighter after this, but it makes a serviceable mirror, in a pinch. He holds it up so that Kent is blinking into his own wide blue eyes.

“See?” Sol says, and is surprised at the softness of his own voice. “Not a drop of blood in sight, man. You’re probably just feverish from running around in the mud with open cuts and stuff.”

“Heartening,” Kent says, reaching up to change the angle of Sol’s grip.

“That’s what I’m here for,” Sol says, smirking.

And then Sol suddenly realizes that Kent’s hand is wrapped loosely around his own, and is horrified to feel his own cheeks heating up, which is--so fucking stupid.

“Who’s ‘Rina’?” he asks curiously, blinking down at the lighter, and Sol starts badly, jerking his hand away like Kent’s question burns his fingers.

“No one,” he barks, shoving the lighter back into his pocket, leaving Kent with his hand still outstretched and lips parted slightly in surprise.

“Oh,” Kent says, blinking. “Uh, sorry, I didn’t mean to— “ He pulls back, looking carefully anywhere but at Sol’s face. “Sorry.”

Sol stares at Kent. Kent stares at the unnervingly-far-away ground.

Goddammit, it’s like kicking a puppy.

“Ugh,” Sol growls, running a hand through his hair. “Look, fine, whatever, don’t look at me like that— Karine is my little sister, okay? She always hated it when I smoked, so she used to steal my lighter all the time. That’s why it’s— that’s why.”

He had been very mad at the time, in high school at some point, when he had finally wrestled his lighter back from her— after almost a week of searching and shouting half-hearted threats at her when their father wasn’t home, which was often— only to find that she had scratched Sol Sux Shit on one side and her own big girly signature on the other, with a big fucking heart around it. He didn’t talk to her for a few days after that.

He didn’t throw the lighter away, though, either. That was junior year, or thereabouts; he’d been Sol for a short enough time that seeing the name scratched permanently into metal was--something, even if it was followed by the words “sux shit.”

It’s been— Christ, almost four years since he’s seen her, which means she’s all grown up and definitely has at least two boyfriends by now. That thought makes him unconsciously ball up his fists, and then he’s distracted by the sound of Kent laughing at him.

“Wha— what are you laughing at?” Goddammit, is he blushing again?

“I’m s-sorry,” Kent says, amid honest-to-god giggles. “I-it’s just— your face—!”

Sol just barely resists the urge to cover his cheeks, trying to will the heat back out of them. “Sh-shut up, I was just—” He pulls up short. “H-hey— are you okay?”

Kent is doubled up with hard, damp-sounding coughs, so much so that Sol has to dart out a hand to keep him from falling forward off the branch.

“Kent— hey—”

As he’s readjusting himself to hold up Kent’s weight without falling off his own branch, there’s a rustling in the branches above them, and Paxon Field drops abruptly onto the end of Kent’s branch, like an enormous pink cat.

“Let me see your hand,” they say sharply. When Kent doesn’t immediately respond, they reach forward to tug his hand away from his face.

“Hey!” Sol snaps, trying to shove them back, “what the hell are you—”

“Shut up,” Pax says, turning Kent’s hand over so they can examine both sides. Finding no blood on it, they relax, their hand sliding off the hilt of their sword.

“Idiot,” they say, not unkindly, and reach up to lay their wrist against Kent’s forehead. Kent, his coughing fit finally starting to subside, lets them, his weight pressing into Sol’s chest in a way that is— neither embarrassing nor pleasant but in fact entirely neutral, fuck you. Pax sighs. “You’re burning up, you dumbass.”

“That’s not exactly his fault,” Sol snaps, to his own surprise more than anyone else’s. Pax raises their eyebrows at him. Kent’s eyes flutter shut. “Well,” Sol goes on, into Pax’s surprised stare. “We’ve been wandering around in the rain for a long time. He’s got— broken bones and stuff.”

Paxon gives Sol a look he can’t quite read, and then frowns down at Kent, whose cheek now sits just under Sol’s collarbone, like coughing has used up all his remaining energy. “How long have you been feelin’ the shivers, sunshine?” they bark.

Grumbling like an annoyed child, Kent turns away from Paxon, which involves burying his face against the sodden front of Sol’s shirt. Sol freezes, a violent electrical current making its way up his spine. When Kent mumbles his answer (which is unintelligible but seems to contain the words “the car”), Sol can feel his lips move against his chest, and would readjust if he could move. ...probably.

“Then it’s entirely your fault, you daft idiot,” Paxon snaps, annoyed. “Why the hell didn’t you say anything?”

Kent turns back, opening one blue eye. “I suppose,” he says coldly, “I was worried you’d decapitate me.”

Paxon, to Sol’s surprise, starts like they’ve been hit. There’s a very awkward silence. Sol is afflicted with a bizarre desire to laugh.

Then Paxon growls, long and low, and starts their descent out of the tree.

“Uh,” Sol calls after them. “Where are you going?”

“To get sunshine some medicine, I guess,” they shout back, bitterly. “Since neither of you is in any way equipped for survival, apparently.”

Sol stares down at the top of their head as they make their weirdly nimble way down out of the tree. Then he looks down at Kent, who is also frowning down at Paxon’s retreating form.

“Someone should go with them,” Kent mutters.

Sol shifts uncomfortably. “You can’t stay in this tree by yourself.”

An embarrassed flush makes its way into Kent’s pale cheeks, and he shoots Sol an apologetic look from under his lashes. Sol’s brain stops working for a second and he misses what Kent says next, but makes an educated guess that it’s some variation of “sorry for the trouble.”

“Don’t be dumb,” he says, biting his lip.

Sol runs through their options in his head, and from the unhappy look on Kent’s face he suspects the blonde is doing the same.

“Fuck,” Sol mutters, and then, making sure Kent has a firm grip on the tree trunk to go with the confused look on his face, turns himself very carefully around on his own branch so his back is to Kent, the blonde’s bony knees digging into his back slightly.

“Um,” Kent says.

“Shut up,” Sol snaps. “Put your arms around my shoulders. Try not to choke me or we will both fall and die.”

“Um,” says Kent.

Sol takes a moment to bury his rapidly-reddening face in his hands and groan because why does shit like this keep happening to him. “Paxon shouldn’t go by themself, and you can’t stay here or climb down. This is the only fucking solution, okay? I don’t like it anymore than you do, so shut up and get on.”

There’s another terrible silence, which Sol uses to pray to anybody who might be listening to give him a fucking break already.

Moving carefully, like he’s waiting for Sol to stop him, Kent slides his slim arms around Sol’s shoulders, knitting his fingers together around Sol’s chest and being careful to avoid his windpipe. After a moment’s hesitation, he moves closer, awkwardly scooting forward so his legs are wrapped around Sol’s waist.

Sol, very aware of Kent’s chest and biceps and thighs, clears his throat loudly.

“Okay,” he says, trying his very best to sound businesslike. “I need my hands to do the tree-climbing thing, so hold on, yeah?”

Sol can feel the heat coming off of Kent’s face where it’s buried against his shoulder even through the thick wool of his jacket, though he can’t tell how much of that is the fever and how much is embarrassment roughly equivalent— if there is a loving god— to his own.

“Yeah,” Kent mumbles miserably into Sol’s jacket. Sol feels a slightly insane giggle building in his chest. 

“Okay,” Sol says slowly. “I am now moving to the next branch over. You good?”

“Perfect,” Kent says in a very muffled voice, and shifts slightly against Sol’s back. Sol clears his throat again, and reaches out for the next branch, shifting so that he’s carrying most of Kent’s weight.

“Christ, do you ever eat?” he says before they can stop himself. God, maybe they will make it to the ground, after all. “My sister’s cat weighs more than you.”

Kent, his face very warm indeed, chooses not to respond. In fact, he keeps his mouth mercifully shut for almost the whole awkward, painful climb down, and Sol’s left foot is actually on solid ground when he finally mumbles, so low Sol can’t be entirely sure of the words, “Thanks, Sol. You’re wonderful.”

Sol freezes with one foot still on the lowest branch, feeling an unfamiliar sort of heat spreading in the center of his chest. Before he can stop it, his mouth twitches into something that feels suspiciously like a grin.

The feeling fades pretty quickly when he turns and sees the color Pax is turning from trying to hold in their amusement. Seeing Sol’s fiery glare and immediate, violent blush, they give up and throw their head back, sending bright peals of laughter up into the still-raining sky.

Sol bristles, his hands tightening under Kent’s thighs. “Sh-shut up! Don’t— don’t laugh at me!”

Pax laughs hard, holding their stomach. “Your face!” they crow delightedly. “You’re turning purple, babe!”

Sol’s blush doesn’t get any worse, but probably only because there’s no more blood left in the rest of him. “Shut up!” he squawks. “It’s your fault for leaving us up there, anyway!”

Pax shakes their head, grinning. “I didn’t say you had to come with me,” they point out. 

“Kent didn’t want you wandering off by yourself,” Sol snaps, looking over his shoulder. “Did y— oh.”

Kent, his lips slightly parted and rain making his long lashes sparkle a little in the moonlight, has rested his head against Sol’s shoulder and is breathing long and steady, his breath making faint snuffling noises through his broken nose.

Sol stares a little.

“What’s up with sunshine?” Paxon says, a trace of worry in their voice. “He’s not dead, is he?”

“No,” Sol says, a confused smile spreading over his face. “I think he’s fallen asleep.” Looking carefully anywhere but at Paxon’s stupid smug grin, he clears his throat. “Let’s just go. I’ll carry him. He isn’t heavy.”

[the-funtime-autocrat]

Ennio Morricone (1928-2020)’s haunting opening theme to the 1972 Italian Giallo mystery, “What Have You Done to Solange?”

“Ennio Morricone, OMRI[1] (Italian: [ˈɛnnjo morriˈkoːne]; 10 November 1928 – 6 July 2020) was an Italian composer, orchestrator, conductor, and trumpet player who wrote music in a wide range of styles. Morricone composed over 400 scores for cinema and television, as well as over 100 classical works. His score to The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) is considered one of the most influential soundtracks in history[2] and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.[3] His filmography includes over 70 award-winning films, all Sergio Leone's films since A Fistful of Dollars, all Giuseppe Tornatore's films since Cinema Paradiso, The Battle of Algiers, Dario Argento's Animal Trilogy, 1900, Exorcist II, Days of Heaven, several major films in French cinema, in particular the comedy trilogy La Cage aux Folles I, II, III and Le Professionnel, as well as The Thing, Once Upon A Time In America, The Mission, The Untouchables, Mission to Mars, Bugsy, Disclosure, In the Line of Fire, Bulworth, Ripley's Game and The Hateful Eight.[4]After playing the trumpet in jazz bands in the 1940s, he became a studio arranger for RCA Victor and in 1955 started ghost writing for film and theatre. Throughout his career, he composed music for artists such as Paul Anka, Mina, Milva, Zucchero and Andrea Bocelli. From 1960 to 1975, Morricone gained international fame for composing music for Westerns and—with an estimated 10 million copies sold—Once Upon a Time in the West is one of the best-selling scores worldwide.[5] From 1966 to 1980, he was a main member of Il Gruppo, one of the first experimental composers collectives, and in 1969 he co-founded Forum Music Village, a prestigious recording studio. From the 1970s, Morricone excelled in Hollywood, composing for prolific American directors such as Don Siegel, Mike Nichols, Brian De Palma, Barry Levinson, Oliver Stone, Warren Beatty, John Carpenter and Quentin Tarantino. In 1977, he composed the official theme for the 1978 FIFA World Cup. He continued to compose music for European productions, such as Marco Polo, La piovra, Nostromo, Fateless, Karol and En mai, fais ce qu'il te plait. Morricone's music has been reused in television series, including The Simpsons and The Sopranos, and in many films, including Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained. He also scored seven Westerns for Sergio Corbucci, Duccio Tessari's Ringo duology and Sergio Sollima's The Big Gundown and Face to Face. Morricone worked extensively for other film genres with directors such as Bernardo Bertolucci, Mauro Bolognini, Giuliano Montaldo, Roland Joffé, Roman Polanski and Henri Verneuil. His acclaimed soundtrack for The Mission (1986)[6] was certified gold in the United States. The album Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone stayed 105 weeks on the Billboard Top Classical Albums.[7]Morricone's best-known compositions include "The Ecstasy of Gold", "Se Telefonando", "Man with a Harmonica", "Here's to You", the UK No. 2 single "Chi Mai", "Gabriel's Oboe" and "E Più Ti Penso". In 1971, he received a "Targa d'Oro" for worldwide sales of 22 million,[8] and by 2016 Morricone had sold over 70 million records worldwide.[9] In 2007, he received the Academy Honorary Award "for his magnificent and multifaceted contributions to the art of film music." He was nominated for a further six Oscars. In 2016, Morricone received his first competitive Academy Award for his score to Quentin Tarantino's film The Hateful Eight, at the time becoming the oldest person ever to win a competitive Oscar. His other achievements include three Grammy Awards, three Golden Globes, six BAFTAs, ten David di Donatello, eleven Nastro d'Argento, two European Film Awards, the Golden Lion Honorary Award and the Polar Music Prize in 2010. Morricone has influenced many artists from film scoring to other styles and genres, including Hans Zimmer,[10] Danger Mouse,[11] Dire Straits,[12] Muse,[13] Metallica,[14] and Radiohead.”

“What Have You Done to Solange? (Italian: Cosa avete fatto a Solange?) is a 1972 giallo film directed by Massimo Dallamano, and starring Fabio Testi, Karin Baal, Joachim Fuchsberger, Cristina Galbó, and Camille Keaton. The plot follows a series of violent murders occurring at a Catholic girls' school in England where a young student has gone missing.The film is a co-production between Italian production companies Italian International Films S.r.l., Clodio Cinematografica and West German company Rialto Film.”

[ssa25]

Day 5: Red string of Fate (Sasuhina Month 2019) - Part 2

@sasuhinamonth

Continuation from Part 1-

Eight months later

Ino and Sai request the pleasure of your company at their wedding on the……. 

Hinata fidgeted in her seat, as the maid of honour, was glowering her way. She recognised the pink haired woman from three years ago. She remembered her name, an appropriate one considering the colour of her tresses, Sakura.

"Why the fuck is that woman giving us the stink eye?", Tenten noticed it too. At that moment, Hinata regretted agreeing to accompany Tenten as her plus one, when Neji my cousin and her recent boyfriend couldn't cancel a last minute work related travel. 

This wedding reception was one of the crazier ones she has attended. Booze was flowing, the music was loud, and most guests were already drunk and on the dance floor. 

Tenten and her had entered the premises only a few minutes back, and Hinata was already feeling awkward. 

Sai was a famous tattoo artist and Tenten's family business supplied special handcrafted tools to him.

But now seeing some of the familiar faces of Sakura, Chouji, Shikamaru and Temari (who gave her the cold shoulder), and the bride Ino, Hinata knew that it won't be long before she crossed paths with Sasuke. The very idea made her nervous. Their last encounter had ended on a strange note.

Her inner musings came to a halt when she saw Sakura sit next to her at the table. Tenten was away chatting up with a potential client. 

"Who invited you here?", was her first question. 

Hinata wondered if she should even respond to a passively rude question. 

"Well?", she pushed her to answer. 

"I'm here with someone who was invited.", Hinata answered in a clipped tone. 

"It's so convenient, isn't it? Showing up at a celebration you have no business being a part of.", her venom laced words only mildly offended her. Shino, her close friend always says- people who take digs at others are unhappy and bitter within, so feel sorry for them instead of yourself. 

Grabbing her purse, she decided to go to the bar.

"A Daiquiri, please.", she requested the bartender. 

"Martini."

She instantly recognized his voice beside her. She should have been more surprised, but she was already expecting to see him. She kept her eyes on the stained glass bartop, but if she were to be honest, she really wanted to turn towards him. 

"I hoped to see you here.", Sasuke spoke to her. 

Finally, she looked up at him and took in the minute changes. He grew his hair out a little, it made him look even more appealing if that was even possible.

"Aren't you a little late to the wedding?", she commented, as she had to drag her eyes away from his direction.

"I am. Apologetically so. Work commitments are to blame.", he rubbed his hand across his face tiredly. "I heard about you and Gaara from Shikamaru few months back."

"You seem to know a lot about me."

Their drinks were served promptly, and they both took to it quietly. 

"Not as much as I would like.", he replied looking at her from the corner of his eyes. 

Hinata could feel herself turning pink from the alcohol and Sasuke's unveiled interest. As stoic as he looks, he has always openly verbalised his interest in her, making her heart thrum. It was an odd sort of effect. One that she couldn't say she felt with Gaara.

"Kyoto is beautiful. I have only been here once when I was a kid.", he continued. 

She nodded her head, then turned to see him. "Do you still live in Tokyo?" 

"I do.", he started rotating his glass, an air of anxiousness around him as he grew silent for a few seconds. "With my girlfriend."

Her eyes widened at the revelation. She felt her heart drop steeply after a momentary soar. 

He looked into her eyes with a pained apologetic expression. "I want to be honest with you."

Quickly, she looked away fearing a display of her vulnerability. "That's…. That's good." 

"…. I'm not sure if I should say this, but I wish I wasn't in a relatio-" 

"You shouldn't…. You shouldn't say it. ", she did not want to hear anymore. "It's not fair to your girlfriend."

"Nor is having thoughts about another woman. But somehow I cannot stop myself from thinking both of those things.", he gulped down the rest of his drink.

"Is it Sakura?", the questioned slipped past her lips before she could even judge if it was appropriate.

"No. Uzumaki Karin. She's Naruto's cousin."

She wondered if the said woman was at the party with him.

"I...I should get going.", she said as she got down her seat. "Goodbye."

"Can I atleast have your number? Believe me, I have the resources to get it myself, but I didn't think you would appreciate it."

He was right. She wouldn't. But she still had no good reason to share her number with him. 

"Why do you need it?" 

He frowned at her, upset at having to respond to a question he knew she wouldn't like the honest answer of. 

"To keep in touch.", he half lied. 

And she could see right through it. She would hate to be the reason for someone else's despair. 

"Maybe next time."

---

Six months later.

We are engaged!! Karui and Chouji invite you to share their joy and celebrate the special occasion with them on…. 

"We've got to stop meeting like this… "

Hinata turned around to find Sasuke behind her, in a long black coat over a blue shirt and black trousers. He seemed unaffected by the freezing weather, as his eyes grazed over her. She was bundled up with every winter accessory she could fit into, but still felt like she was freezing her ass off. Now, seeing him look devastatingly handsome in the cold nights, and staring at her with those deep dark eyes, she felt a warm tingle run up her spine.

"You think so?", her voice sounded more steady and confident than she actually was. 

"Am I finally allowed to have your number?", he asked her taking a step closer to her.

She had heard about his break up with Naruto's cousin, from their common friends. And she felt ashamed to realise that a burst of happiness had bloomed in her heart to be aware of the news. She wanted to keep her hopes low, but she did want to see him again. And here he was, right in front of her, wanting to know more about her. 

"Don't you want to go inside and congratulate the newly engaged couple first?", she reminded him timidly. 

"I have my priorities straight.", he replied and stayed put. Looking behind her, he asked her with an arched eyebrow. "Are you waiting for someone?"

"I was.", she smiled and stepped up to him. "Not anymore."

They both keep their eyes affixed on each other for a few seconds, before Sasuke instinctively wrapped his arms around her and buried his nose in her thick luscious hair, breathing in the scent he had been wanting to get another whiff of, for almost two years.

He sighed in satisfaction when he felt her arms hug him back. He realised that she was opening up to him too, so he took his chances. 

"I like you.", he said blatantly. 

She laughed shyly into his chest, before replying. "I do too. But I can't for long, if I freeze in this weather." 

Chuckling, he rubbed his hands on her back, and turned her towards the door of the champagne bar. Once in the confines of the warm ambience, they both stuck together savouring each other's presence. 

Most of their friends kept looking their way to scrutinize the budding relationship, but it did not affect the bubble they were in.

Chatting and drinking, they made up for lost time. When it was all done, they had shared their phone numbers, addresses, some anecdotes and a few promises.

---

Three months later. 

We still Do and Always will. Come and join us as Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto renew their wedding vows on the eve of their 35th wedding anniversary on the…. 

Hinata read the thick gold embossed invitation card for Mr. and Mrs. Uchiha. She found it in her letterbox, returning back home from work.

Turning around the invite, she found a pale blue sticky note on it. 

I know you told me that you might not be able to make it. But I just had to send it to you. It's only been a few weeks since we last saw each other, but I can't wait to see you again, under any pretext. If you can't make it to the vow renewal, I will drive to Kyoto the weekend after.

-Sasuke

Hinata bit her lower lip as she tried to contain her smile. Sasuke and her had agreed to try a long distance relationship, after they both realised that their work commitments could not be altered on a short notice. But they were both willing to try. Sasuke was usually the one to travel to Kyoto during weekends, Hinata had been to Tokyo only twice. 

But what Hinata knew, and Sasuke didn't, was the job interview she had, at a reputed hospital in Tokyo the week after. It felt like they were both getting very serious very quickly. If he had invited her to a family event, it would mean that he had planned to introduce her to his family. It made her nervous to just think about it, but in a good way. 

So, when she finally turned up at the party, in a stunning black backless dress, with news about her new job offer, Sasuke was completely blown over. That night, for the first time she gave herself to him, body and soul. 

'People don't meet accidentally, they cross paths for a reason.'

xxx

Note:Apologies for the major delay.

[madara-fate]

Did you ever have any technical problems with Naruto the manga, like the pacing of the story, artwork in each volume, translation etc?

The translations, definitely the translations. A lot of the time, different translations aren’t really a big issue, because they generally just use different synonyms of the same words, thereby maintaining the overall meaning of the sentences and conversations. However, there have been several instances where the translations have been so bad that they completely changed the meanings of what the characters were saying, therefore causing fans to misunderstand the significance of certain lines, or sometimes even the entire context of certain scenes. The following three scenes are not the only examples of this, but I feel they are the most glaring instances.

Sasuke and Sweets

During chapter 140, Sasuke met Kakashi at a Dango/Natto shop, shortly after Itachi and Kisame exited the scene. In the MangaPanda version, Sasuke states that he was planning on buying some sweets:

Which led some SS fans to incorrectly assume that he intended to buy those sweets for Sakura, since we know that Sasuke doesn't like sweet things. However, this was cleared up in the Viz translation (generally the most accurate one), where Sasuke instead stated that he doesn't like Natto or sweet things:

A minor error in the grand scheme of things, but one which nonetheless completely changed the meaning of what Sasuke said, which is unacceptable. How can you go from Sasuke saying he was going to buy some sweets, to him saying he doesn't like sweet things? They're not even close to being the same.

Sasuke and Sakura’s Travels

This is probably the translation error that I’ve discussed the most. In the MangaPanda version, Karin says “we travelled together”, referring to herself, Sakura and Sasuke. Thus, these translations signify that Karin accompanied Sasuke and Sakura on their travels:

However, that did not happen, and this error was once again rectified in the Viz translation where Karin clarified that “they travelled together”, correctly indicating that Karin didn't travel with them:

This was a much bigger error than simply having Sasuke claim that he was going to buy sweets, because that doesn’t really change canonical events. This however, gives fans a false recounting of the story. It would be like claiming that Hinata actually accompanied Naruto and Jiraiya during their training between Parts 1 and 2; just completely false information.

“You’re Annoying”

Ironically enough, this example was very “annoying”, because it completely downplayed a recurring theme in Sasuke and Sakura’s relationship. Sasuke calling Sakura annoying had become almost like a tongue-in-cheek term for the former towards the latter. The first time he said it (top right), he meant it because Sakura was making light of an orphan’s struggles. The second time (top left), he said it as a sly way of confirming to Sakura that he did indeed remember that day by the bench. And the third time (bottom), he said it with a fake smile on his face, portraying his frustration that Sakura was once again reminding him of the bonds which he was trying so hard to let go of:

However, in what was a very rare case of the Viz translations screwing things up, they had Sasuke say “you make me sick” the first and third times, and “you will never change” the second time:

This not only ruins the continuity of the theme by having Sasuke say something completely different the second time, but it also removes the pet word between them. Removing “you’re annoying” is like removing “usuratonkachi/you loser” from Sasuke to Naruto; it’s just not the same, and it shows that even Viz has it’s flaws. The translations are generally fine, but when fans often base their hateful opinions on mistranslated scenes, that just makes it even more imperative that the translations are always as accurate as possible.

[mysterylover123]

Mysterylover watches Bleach Episodes 12-13

1. Aw, boo Uryu! If you’re gonna fight fight fair. Unleashing all those hollows! I was promised a RivalFight.

2. Fyeah more TatsuHime. Tatsuki is getting spirit powers now. Does this mean Ori and Tatsu are gonna get involved with the plot?

3. Is it me or does Rukia’s buddy look like a fugitive from One Piece?

4. Karin also getting some development, yay! Though it’s sad development as all her friends turn on her. She’s so sassy, I love her. 

5. Chad is back. And apparently his real name is ‘yastora’ or something like that, not Chad. Thank god, that name was just so dissonant. 

6. OMG Orihime has such a lesbian harem. I’m jealous of her, and as usual she’s just being The Best. Saving her girlfriends. OMG please let her get powers and be involved in the main plot too.

7. Go ahead and kiss her Chizuru. You know you wanna. “I like it much better when you’re laughing!” OMG Tatsuki has some competition. 

8. YAS TATSUHIME VS A ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE. Tatsuki jumps in to save her girl. YAS. Join up with Ichi and Ruki. You four will rule the world.

9. Tatsuki, for Ori, can fight against her body being taken over. Another shipping weakness of mine, S/Os fighting through hypnosis to save each other. And she BIT that thing, like Goku vs Freeza. Holy Crap Tatsuki’s the best.

10. Wow bastards picking on poor Flashback Orihime. F you all. And Tatsuki befriending her while she was lonely, her hair shows her trust, etc. I hate to keep harping on about this but O-T-FREAKING-P.  “Please  don’t cry” OMG please save her with the power of love Ori.

11. Holy Shit it actually worked. YES. ORIHIME HAS FREAKING SUPERPOWERS. I AM SO EFFING HAPPY RIGHT NOW. 

12. She talks to pixies or whatever they are. YAS. Flower Power. Whatevs. Ori has superpowers now. Go save the day (and your girlfriend), Ori. 

13. YAS she did it. Holy shit she’s amazing. Just....taking out supervillains within seconds of starting work on her powers. Fainting of course, because that’s what happens the first time you use your OP Shonen Power and it overwhelms you. And now she’s finding out about the plot. YAS. 

14. Wow ichigo, you basically did nothing. And we were promised a rival fight! Since Ichi is murmuring how mad he is at Uryu, I’m guessing he will fight him in an episode or two anyway. 

15. FUCK YOU KON. Keigo is no longer the Mineta of this show, that Title of Dishonor belongs to Kon now. 

16. Rukia and Uryu are meeting now. And he’s showing that he has something of an honor code, so I’m assuming he’s going to be the Rival With a Heart of Gold (and those smirks between him and Ichigo are certifying the shipping vibes. . Anyway these two episodes were really good. Just a genuine treat, filled with good RivalRy, Ladies kicking ass, and Orihime being awesome. Good show.