#THIS IS WONDERFUL TYSM

[felassan]

Snippets.

A user asked if there are instances wherein Rook will be referred to by their last name. "Yes, there are places where we refer to Rook by their last name. It's very contextual - we don't want to awkwardly insert a reference in where it doesn't make sense - but it does happen, though it is going to be more common with some backgrounds than others."

Q. "Does Solas have a type of tea he doesn't mind as much as others? Or are all of them equally detestable?" A. "Orange zinger."

A user asked about the ages of the companions. "We're not getting into specifics right yet, but the companions cover a broad range of ages and experience. They're all pretty established in the world and in their expertise by the time you meet them, though. You are recruiting a team of experts after all."

You can have body tattoos!

John Epler: "Echoing Corinne, the last few weeks have been an absolute whirlwind but also incredibly rejuvenating. I'm so excited to share more with y'all."

A user stated "There are no restrictions on lineage/faction/class combinations other than dwarves cannot be mages". Corinne added "Correct. I've really been enjoying the different combinations."

Q. "Will the gender identity of a trans/non-binary Rook be acknowledged in game by other characters? (beyond just pronouns I mean)". A. "There are moments when you can disclose and discuss, however, disclosure remains the right of the individual so you have to make that choice for yourself." (!!)

Re: release date. ''Exact date has not yet been revealed. Fall 2024 is as much as we can say right now.''

''Lots of great cameos in the game, but I'm not going to spoil anything. You'll have to play to see who shows up for yourself.''

''We can't reveal our upcoming marketing beats or media presence just yet. Stay tuned.''

Q. ''Can companion AI be customized - ie. DAO/DA2 style tactics or even something like Aggressive -> Defensive'' A. ''Very different system this time around. In the skill trees you can affect their behaviors, like setting you up for combos, or auto-healing you when health gets low. Each Companion is a little different mechanically.''

Q. ''Will we get the option to give our Rook more fantastical hair colors, like purple, blue, pink?''. A. ''Yes''

Q. ''How about heterochromatic eyes?'' A. ''Yes''

Corinne: ''We're so excited too! As much as I've played, I absolutely cannot wait to do my first playthrough when the game is out. Also cannot wait to hear about all of your decisions and experiences.''

Q. ''Will I be able to make a short qunari and a tall dwarf or are there limits to that? Do the qunari have to be buff?'' A. ''There are limitations, of course... but yes, you can make a Dwarf that is tall or a Qunari that is short, relative to their lineage. We stan the skinny Qunari''

Corinne: ''Need to get back to it, all. But it's always a pleasure to check-in and see the great questions. We'll do this again soon :)''

[source: the official BioWare Discord]

(emphasis mine)

[erwinsvow]

size kink + manhandling + rafe x shy!reader…. is a concept NO ONE will survive. i stand by my words.

babe this was such a delicious prompt. i fear not even i survived. this almost seems like their first time having sex i feel like she needs such a firm hand in the bedroom. yay! ♡

you glance up at your boyfriend, looking back down again quickly. you don't know how you ended up here, pressed against the door frame of his bedroom, your wrists trapped between rafe's hands, pushed flat against the surface.

rafe's pushed against you, so close that the only thing you can think about is the scent of his cologne. you eyes flutter shut when he moves, pressing his face against your hair, then against your cheek, pressing a hot kiss there. you squirm, wanting to get free, because it's too overwhelming. it's no use—rafe will chase you down even if you manage to run.

"eyes open. up here. look at me." it's a command, and ever-obedient, you comply, looking up though you can hear all the blood rushing into your ears, everything else going blank and fuzzy, the only thought left in your mind is the way your boyfriend's look at you right now, like you're prey that he's finally caught.

he lifts your wrists above your head, pinning them in place with one hand, the other coming down to your jaw, gripping your face tight while he leans in for another kiss. you feel boxed in, all senses flooded with nothing but rafe, and you sigh, cherishing the feeling.

"y'ready? hm?" you nod, but you know it's not enough. "let me hear it, then." you whine, but rafe tightens his grip.

"i'm ready for it, daddy." your eyes shut again, face feeling hot and skin aflame. "swear."

"good girl." you think he's gonna let you go, send you to get ready on his bed, but instead he picks you up just as quickly, throwing you over his shoulder. you let out a yelp, while he slaps your ass from his position. "c'mon, kid. said you're ready. m'not waiting any longer."

[squidokja]

Because I'm a Villain...

My interpretation of Luka's POV - Villain Song by Stella Jang

[ghuleh-recs]

belated birthday kisses for the supremely kind, lovely, and talented @ghelullu ♡

[atomgecko]

My full piece for the @halloffamezine ! 💜🧡❤️

This was my first zine participation and I'm very very happy I got to draw My Guy for it!! ^_^

[wild-moss-art]

Postwar doropetra for @luminessdoodles 💖

[superstar-shifts-askblog]

Hello! Its nice to meet you! Whats your favorite thing about the Daycare? Your least favorite?

Do you know how long it takes to clean a ball pit?

[gotchibam]

Ditto art raffle doodle reward for Squishy! 🩷🩷🩷

You can join my monthly art raffle by being a member on one of my ko-fi tiers 😊

[prismaticpichu]

No, Sephiroth, you cannot read in one of the display IKEA beds.

DUDE!!! GET OUT OF THE FUCKIN’ BALLPIT

[saturngalore]

the seventies 🪩

[just-null]

i am OBSESSED with that one yandere hantengu clone art! but i do wonder, did you change their appearance a bit to make them look alike but at the same time not? this is hard to explain, but i observed the clones nose shape, sekidos hair being more different than the others, and facial structures making them each being different. very sorry if this doesn’t make sense it’s hard explaining what i noticed (T ^ T)

I think I understand what you mean, don't worry! you did wonderfully!

and basically, yes and no!

Some things were probably accidental (like facial structure), but the purposeful tweaks were their eyes and hair yeah!

I wanted the viewer to be able to tell the difference between them without being explicitly told who's who.

[design yapping under the cut]

I've heard that depending on what expression you're making often, it changes how you rest your face, and I wanted that to translate into how i drew them!

that and if you look REALLY closely, there are some subtle differences between them all in the anime/manga, so i accentuated those and added my own spin to it too.

So, if i were to draw the four making a neutral expression, it'd look something like this!

And that would HOPEFULLY be enough to give you an idea about who's who while also keeping their faces EXTREMELY similar yet a little different at the same time

but knowing me....... i'd probably still make it super obvious.......

I changed their nose because Hantengu had a sharp nose, and I thought it'd be hot cool to see them with one! I have no excuse for the eye bags and dimples.. they look like they have the type of hot guy aura to have those traits............... orz

i try not to forget small details but i probably do sometimes making them look different //slams head against wall

[kimmie2me]

Hi hellooo<3 would it be alright to ask for something related to bunny izuku?💞

Soft Steps, Warm Gazes

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀𓂅⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Bunny!Midoriya Izuku x AFAB!Reader

…..

In the magical realm of Pristine Plains, where the sky gleamed with colors as vibrant as the world below, you lived in a cozy little cabin nestled between sun-dappled trees and winding cobblestone paths. Your home sat tucked under the watchful branches of an old willow, blooming wildflowers surrounding it in a burst of colors and soft scents. The ground was lush, warm underfoot even as you wandered between the garden beds, checking for ripe fruits and vegetables, their vibrant skins gleaming in the afternoon light.

Pristine Plains was a realm of endless wonders, home to all manner of creatures, each unique and astonishing. From dragons with scales that glistened like jewels to fae with wings iridescent as sunlight through stained glass—everyone here thrived in a harmony as delicate as it was beautiful. Your life was simple yet deeply fulfilling. Each morning, you picked the finest fruits and vegetables, arranging them in woven baskets outside your cabin, free for any traveler who might need a bite to eat.

Today, as you set a plump bunch of berries and bright tomatoes into a basket by your door, you noticed someone lurking at the edge of the trees. He wasn’t the usual traveler passing through, nor was he a neighbor coming to exchange stories and fresh goods. He was… well, adorable, really. A small bunnyfolk, standing half-hidden behind a tree trunk, with wide, emerald-green eyes that sparkled with curiosity and caution. His fur was a soft, dark green that glistened under the sunlight, almost like ivy in morning dew. He wore a simple tunic that matched the color of his fur, and his little nose twitched with what you could only assume was nerves.

You hadn’t seen him before, and you wondered what had brought him here. He seemed hesitant, shifting his weight from one foot to another, glancing repeatedly at the baskets of fresh produce beside your door. But despite his clear interest, he made no move to step forward.

So, you did what you always did for someone in need: you offered kindness.

With a soft smile, you carefully filled a small basket with some of the freshest goods—the fruits and vegetables you could tell he’d been eyeing the longest, the ones his gaze had lingered on. Strawberries, plump and red; a handful of shiny green apples; and a small bundle of leafy greens that you guessed might be a favorite for someone like him. You approached him slowly, your footsteps soft on the grass, not wanting to startle him.

He noticed you approaching, his long ears perking up in surprise, and his eyes grew even wider, if that was possible. His small, fuzzy hands went to his chest as if to steady himself, his nose twitching rapidly. But he held his ground, a hint of resolve in his gaze as he watched you with a mixture of curiosity and something else, something softer, that you couldn’t quite place.

“Hello there,” you greeted, your voice gentle. You held out the basket to him, keeping your movements slow and kind. “I noticed you watching. I thought you might be hungry.”

His gaze flickered from the basket up to your face, his cheeks turning a shade pinker, the color spreading to the tips of his ears. “Ah… I… I didn’t mean to… um…”

You waited patiently as he stumbled over his words, clearly flustered, his little hands fidgeting with the edge of his tunic. Eventually, he reached out, tentative, like he was afraid of somehow offending you by accepting the gift. When his fingers brushed the basket, you saw them tremble ever so slightly, as if this was something he rarely allowed himself to do.

“These are for… for me?” he asked in a soft voice, his emerald eyes glistening with genuine surprise.

“Yes, of course,” you reassured him, your smile warm and open. “Please, take them. I always have plenty, and it’s nice to share with someone who appreciates them.”

He took the basket into his arms, holding it close like it was something precious, his face softening with a look of wonder. His gaze met yours again, this time with something shy but deeply appreciative. “Thank you… I—really, thank you so much. I was just… passing by, but…” He paused, glancing down at the fruits in his hands, then back up at you, ears twitching slightly as he struggled to find his words. “I didn’t know if it would be… rude to ask.”

“Not at all,” you replied, heart warming at his thoughtfulness. “I’m always happy to help. Besides, you look like someone who deserves a nice meal.”

At this, he turned a shade darker, his cheeks nearly matching the strawberries you’d given him. He mumbled a shy “Thank you” again, his fingers toying with the stem of an apple, his eyes flitting from the basket to you and back again.

As he lingered there, you noticed his gaze repeatedly drifting to the cabin and the garden behind you, his curiosity clearly sparked. It was adorable, how he tried to be so polite even when his interest was obvious.

“Would you like to come inside?” you offered, stepping back a little to give him space, watching his expression brighten in surprise. “I just brewed some tea if you’d like to join me.”

“Oh! Oh, I—um, yes, that… that sounds… nice,” he stammered, nodding a bit too quickly, as if he’d been waiting for you to ask.

You guided him up the small cobblestone path, his little bunny steps soft behind you as he followed, clutching the basket close to his chest. Inside, your cozy cabin was filled with warm, earthy scents of dried herbs and flowers, shelves lined with small jars and woven baskets holding all sorts of fruits, vegetables, and dried petals. A small, crackling fire added a comforting glow, casting gentle shadows across the room.

He looked around with wide eyes, taking in every detail, his gaze darting from one corner of the cabin to another, as though he couldn’t believe he was really here.

“Please, make yourself comfortable,” you said, gesturing to a cushioned chair by the fire. He settled into it with a little wiggle, his face lighting up at the warmth of the hearth as he held the basket in his lap like a treasure.

As you poured tea into two delicate cups, he glanced shyly your way, the tip of one ear twitching. “I’ve… never met anyone like you before,” he admitted softly, his gaze fixed on his tea as though he was afraid to say it out loud. “You’re so… kind. I mean, it’s rare. I… I usually have to…”

His voice trailed off, and he shrugged, a bit sheepish.

You watched him, a gentle understanding in your smile. “It’s okay. I’m just glad you’re here now. If you ever need anything, please feel free to visit. I have plenty to share.”

The bunny took a careful sip of his tea, glancing down shyly before finally gathering the courage to speak again. “Thank you again… for the food, and the tea… and, well, for all of this. I, um… I’m not used to people being so kind, you know?”

You tilted your head, a gentle understanding in your eyes. “That’s alright. It’s nice to share a meal with someone who appreciates it.” You extended your hand across the small wooden table. “I’m glad to meet you, really. My name is [Your Name].”

“Oh!” He set his tea down, quickly reaching out to shake your hand, his fingers soft and warm, and his touch delicate. “I-I’m Midoriya Izuku. You can just use my given name..if you want,” he said, his ears twitching in what seemed like both excitement and embarrassment. “I’m, well, a traveler… I like to explore and learn new things.” His green eyes brightened as he spoke, his nerves easing slightly. “Pristine Plains is so beautiful. I didn’t expect to meet someone as kind as you here, though.”

“I’m glad we met too, Izuku. It’s nice having a visitor who appreciates this place as much as I do. I’ve lived here my whole life, but it’s still so full of surprises.”

A small, surprised smile tugged at Izuku’s lips. “You must know every tree and flower in this place by heart, then?”

You laughed, a warm, gentle sound that made his cheeks turn even pinker. “Not every tree, but I’d like to think I know it well. I spend my days out here, tending to my plants and sharing what I grow with travelers. It’s a peaceful life.”

Izuku’s gaze softened, and he looked at you with a quiet reverence. “That’s… amazing, actually. So you’ve met a lot of people? I mean, all kinds, I bet.” He glanced down, ears twitching again as if suddenly self-conscious. “I hope… I mean, I hope you’ll let me come by again sometime?”

You smiled, nodding encouragingly. “Of course, Izuku. You’re welcome here anytime! I’d be happy to have a friend around.”

Izuku’s face brightened, and his expression softened with genuine gratitude. He took another sip of tea before glancing out the window, where the sun was beginning to sink, painting the skies in hues of lavender and gold. He sighed, a reluctant note in his voice. “I should probably head back before it gets dark. But… thank you. Truly. For the food, the tea, everything. I don’t know how to repay you.”

You waved a hand dismissively, shaking your head. “There’s no need. Just come by again, whenever you like.”

As he left, he turned back one last time, his face lit up by a grateful, almost reverent smile. “Thank you… for everything.”

.....

From then on, Izuku visited every day. Sometimes he’d bring you small gifts he’d collected on his journeys—crystals from nearby hills, feathers he found while wandering, and little tokens he thought you’d enjoy. Other times, he would spend hours helping you in the garden, his hands careful and his gaze admiring as he watched you work. He was good company, and soon, his visits felt like a natural part of your days, a friendship blossoming between the two of you.

One morning, you noticed Izuku was especially excited as he arrived, a glimmer of anticipation in his green eyes. “I was thinking… um, there’s a place I’d love to show you,” he said, his words rushing together with excitement. “It’s just beyond Pristine Plains, in a forest called Elkwood. I visit it sometimes when I need to clear my mind. But I think… you’d really like it there.”

Curiosity sparked within you, and you nodded eagerly. “I’d love to see it. Lead the way.”

Together, you made your way through Pristine Plains, the familiar paths soon giving way to denser trees as the two of you ventured into Elkwood Forest. The moment you crossed the threshold, you felt a subtle, gentle shift in the air, a kind of magic woven into the trees and the ground itself. It was as if the forest welcomed only those who carried kindness in their hearts, a feeling that wrapped around you like a warm embrace.

The trees in Elkwood were taller and grander than any you’d seen, their trunks wrapped in glowing moss and their leaves shimmering with a faint, silvery light. Flowers in colors you couldn’t name bloomed around you, their petals glowing softly under the dappled sunlight.

“Oh! Look over here!” Izuku called softly, pointing to a small group of fairies that flitted about in the air, their tiny, glowing wings leaving trails of golden light as they moved. They seemed curious, hovering close to the two of you before darting away with musical laughter.

As you wandered deeper into the forest, you came across a pond, its water so clear it looked like crystal, reflecting the magical surroundings like a mirror. Baby dragons splashed in the shallow end, their scales glimmering in shades of blue and green, their playful cries echoing across the water. You felt as if you’d stepped into a dream.

Izuku watched your expression with a fond smile. “It’s amazing, isn’t it?” he murmured. “Only those with true kindness in their hearts can pass through the border surrounding this part of the forest. That’s why… well, that’s why I thought you’d love it here.”

You turned to him, touched by the warmth in his words. “It’s beautiful, Izuku. Thank you for sharing this with me.”

He beamed, his gaze softening as he looked at you. “I’m just glad I could share it with someone who sees it the way I do. Most people don’t notice the little things, you know? Like how the flowers glow… or how you can hear the fairies singing if you listen carefully.”

The two of you sat by the pond, watching as the sun set behind the trees, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange. The soft chirping of the forest creatures filled the air, and for a long time, you both just sat in peaceful silence, absorbing the magic of the forest.

As dusk settled, Izuku turned to you, his eyes reflecting the gentle glow of the forest. “Thank you for coming here with me. I… don’t have many friends, you know? And I… I’m grateful for you.”

Your heart warmed at his words, and you reached out, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m grateful for you too, Izuku.”

And as the stars began to twinkle above, you knew that this friendship—this bond—was something truly special, one that had grown from simple kindness and blossomed into something magical, as rare and beautiful as the forest around you.

[honeycreammilkshake]

Hey so idk if you know about this, but in Japan the politicians are going ham on trying to get BL and GL censored and illegal (???)

And with how gege likes bl, gl, and a lot of queer romances in general, do you think if he didnt play it safe, sukuita would have been canon?

i think i've read about the recent backlash on yaoi/yuri/etc in japan. and i'm really happy gege came out in support of queer series. i feel like it means a lot that they did that.

i also have a feeling that gege knew exactly what they were doing when they made sukuna and yuuji so shippable, but i'm also sure that jjk being a shounen would have prevented sukuita from being canon either way, only because then the series would technically be classified as yaoi or bl instead. and since this was marketed as shounen, it's highly unlikely that the publishers will allow it turn into bl (especially now that there's more censorship of yaoi).

however, gege still (so unsubtly) went out of their way to give us some of the most bl-looking scenes between yuuji and sukuna.

i mean just look at this!!! sukuna is like some kind of lovesick kitten, trailing after yuuji the whole time, yet insisting he's nothing more than an intimacy-hating stray who can't stand any kind of closeness or warmth. but if that's the case, why cling so much to yuuji, who (may i remind you) was the only guy to treat sukuna as human??? i don't know, kinda looks like you're a bit needy for that affection, sukuna.

then there's them constantly taunting each other like boyfriends that can't stop being competitive for one moment. (over the literal smallest of stuff, too. you know the infamous king of curses couldn't care less what kind of crayfish he got if he wasn't with yuuji... he constantly has to show us - so painfully unsubtle - just how much yuuji gets to him.)

but at least he gets to one-up yuuji during archery... though of course the brat isn't as impressed as he should be. (you can just sense the hurt pride dripping off of sukuna's words after yuuji said playing with him wasn't enticing.)

i mean, this whole chapter just made me feel like sukuna is like those tsundere guys in yaoi who can't tolerate having feelings for the cute protagonist everyone loves, so they have to be as edgy-looking and rude as possible whenever their crush comes around. (and then their crush is just 10x nicer to them because of it, which only makes them even more insecure and angry.)

sukuna, it looks like you're repressing lots...

... especially with whatever you got going on here—

(do you think gege drew this with a nosebleed?)

and just when you thought it couldn't get any gayer... these two are pretty much canonical soulmates whose fates have been chained together since before they even met.

(i think i'm noticing a trend with how gege draws them like this —back to back, two parts of a matched set, all but fused together.)

it reminds me of those yaoi manga where the protagonist becomes an unwilling (at first) bride to the monster guy everyone else hates but then slowly starts falling in love with him despite everything because oh maybe he isn't so evil after all.

and though the most recent chapter have really made it seem like yuuji has been pursuing sukuna in this way, let's not forget that sukuna was also the biggest flirt with yuuji before all the feelings hit him far too hard.

sukuna, you've known yuuji for only a few days and you're already feeling up his heart? isn't that usually not until the 3rd or 4th date?

so he does something like that but then has the nerve to act all coy with yuuji later on...

"it's annoying" he says but he's smiling. he looks almost excited. (yes, we know you like yuuji looking up at you without permission, sukuna, we get it already. you don't have to spell it out for us so obviously.)

and yuuji, honey, you know he's into that, right? stop falling for his thinly-veiled traps; you know he loves to bait you like this, you're just feeding his ego. (and also i can't forget to mention just how frustrated sukuna gets when yuuji does ignore him!)

oh and remember that fighting is how sukuita flirts, just in case you didn't pick up on that already.

they look so excited to be doing this right now — yuuji's unhinged grin, sukuna's "fight me" eyes... (mappa, it's a crime that you didn't animate this ;-;)

i'm crying, they could have done comedy together.

also... why are they grinning at each other like this?

sukuna's sitting on top of you, yuuji so why are you looking up at him with that completely unhinged look on your face? (i would say get a room but isn't that what innate domains more or less are?)

and again. if we didn't understand it perfectly well enough already, gege doesn't want us to forget that sukuna just loves it when yuuji fights back.

just look at his feral grin at the idea of yuuji trying to take him on... he loves messing with this brat.

and although sukuna and yuuji are never officially married, the fate they're forced to is almost exactly just that. in sickness and in health (mostly sickness) they are bound to each other, and only death does them part.

crazy how they got divorced TWO times...

.... yet they still can't escape whatever threads them together

even if it's not explicitly stated, it's still heavily implied that yuuji was the one to set sukuna on this different path, to remind him of whatever humanity he had left.

he was the one to connect with sukuna as the king of curses was dying.

to hold him gently and remind him that the monster he is was a matter of chance, that they could have shared that same curse if yuuji hadn't had his grandfather to provide him the fulfillment he needed while sukuna didn't have that in his own life.

to even propose that they could live together, even if he alone would accept such a thing.

it's like something straight out of a doomed romance story. i've never seen such romantic dialogue even in actual bl romance.

and if the heartbreakingly, over the top romantic dialogue wasn't enough, this is their official art, too:

like does any of this look straight to you? (also sukuna can't stop trying to get his hands all over yuuji, it's insane.)

i think it's pretty clear that sukuita is essentially canon already. and short of gege drawing them violently making out with each other (which, technically, that's what fighting is like for them) that crazy one-eyed cat made it nearly transparent that sukuita is actually a thing.

gege, you're THE shipper. to think they got away with inserting the most wonderfully messed up and fascinating yaoi story into a shounen series about a boy who literally sticks his enemy's fingers in his mouth is just crazy.

[shivroy]

hiii I LOVE everything youve been doing with Hibs <333 im curious if youve had any thoughts about Hearts lately? or Hibs’ thoughts about Hearts (dead or alive)??

have not really had thoughts about her but here's a couple drawings... formal/conference attire vs street wear

[anticidic]

43 + kunizai for the spotify wrapped ask game thingy :3

#43: 0 (zero) English ver. — LMYK

Was it you who I’ve been searching for? Spent my life alone and waited for? So tenderly and endlessly You made me whole, you made me whole Was it you who I heard through the door? When I cried and had no place to go? I’ll never believe I’m alone In the end we begin ‘til we meet again You made me whole, you made me whole

(Beast!Kunikida + Beast!Dazai)

The hammer of a gun clicked.

And aimed itself at Dazai.

Not the first time it happened, but now the second time in less than a week Dazai found himself staring down the barrel of someone who should’ve been his friend. But that was in another world and not here. He wanted to lean forward and press his head against the cold metal, pray for Kunikida to pull the trigger and make it simply end. In another world, Kunikida would’ve chided him for saying such a stupid thing.

Here, with the hatred that burned in Kunikida’s gaze, Dazai was pretty sure he would act upon that threat—and wouldn’t think twice.

“You. Again.” The grip Kunikida had on his gun was shaky. As if the idea of gunning down the leader of their enemy was but a figment of his imagination, and now here in the flesh, he didn’t know how to react without crumbling. His stare of disbelief was replaced by an unwavering glare. “You’re back again. You’ve come to antagonize me now, or what? Leave! You’ve bothered Akutagawa and Oda enough, and if the president would give me the word, this conversation would never have happened.”

Dazai remembered his own gun tucked safely away in his coat pocket. In the blink of an eye, he could have it out, but then they would be at a standstill with the pressing question burning between them: who had the courage to pull the trigger first?

It took a true kingsman to summon the will to face reality in all its darkness. To stare straight into the abyss and do what needed to be done. It also took a true kingsman to suffocate under the crushing weight of a crown he never wanted but was forced upon him.

Only two others could know of the intricacies of their little world here. Dazai had it carefully planned out and his fated ones chosen ever since he took leadership. No, that wasn’t right. Even before that. Before eighteen, before he tossed Akutagawa aside for his sister. Those two did not include Kunikida, and it pained Dazai. With how Kunikida looked at him, wanting to scream at him to go away—to go away for good and leave everyone alone six feet under where Dazai belonged—Dazai wanted to scream back.

In another life, they were not on opposite sides like this. They had each other’s backs through thick and thin: through Yokohama’s almost total annihilation twice over and through their enemies that threatened to sever the agency. Now they were enemies. They still fought for the city’s peace, but Dazai had become public enemy number one in this world.

Forcing out a chuckle through that terrible thought, Dazai slid his hands into his pockets and stepped closer. Any closer and cold metal would touch him. Until Kunikida took a step back with every one of Dazai’s that went forward. “I suppose I should’ve expected my warm welcome to be having a gun pointed at me, but it’s still disappointing when I mean no harm.” He removed his hands and held them out in front of him, tilting his head slightly. “Unless you plan on shooting me right here and right now, your threat is empty and meaningless to me. Besides, it’s easier for me to talk to you without a gun between us. What if you…miss? Then what, Kunikida-kun—”

“Don’t call me that,” Kunikida snapped back and aimed the gun at Dazai’s forehead. “You will never be welcome here. I only agreed to meet with you because I wanted answers and suspected that you had been planning something for a while now. I know all about the subordinates you sent after the agency. Akutagawa’s sibling that you hold over his head…the meeting you tricked Oda into. All of it! You’re not a friend.” The gun shook and he bared his teeth in a scowl. “You’ll never be. So long as you’re the Port Mafia’s boss, you’re forever a problem that needs to be watched. You, your underboss, all the executives. Every last one of them.”

“What if I told you there’s someone much worse than me out there?” Dazai steeled his nerves and stood tall despite the agony that welled up in his chest and threatened to burst. It was Oda all over again, and somehow more personal. He could take a rejection. He took several in his time since he was a kid. But he couldn’t take rejections that caused constant deaths in the heart. Only a little longer, he rationalized. Only a little longer until curtain call and the final plan was set in motion.

Then he’d be gone from the world.

“Somewhere…at some point in time…horrible things happened to our city. And to all the people in it. There’s someone who seeks to destroy and rebuild the world from the ground up, and we’re all just a bunch of mass casualties of that vision.”

“I have no reason to believe anything you say.” Kunikida narrowed his eyes and moved the gun slightly off to the side. “I’ve heard of no such threats, and you’re telling me someone will destroy the entire world?”

“And it’s coming soon—a few days, tops. A devil in disguise. You could shoot me, and we’ll all be doomed here, too.” Dazai reached out and pushed the gun aside. He noticed Kunikida’s grip tighten as he reluctantly lowered it to his side. A slight smile played on Dazai’s lips. A tiny victory even if a giant chasm stood between them. They couldn’t be friends, but it was something.

“Is that supposed to be your reasoning for tormenting half the agency—that there’s someone out there worse than you? Because it sounds exactly like something I would expect someone from a criminal organization to say to explain away the blood on their hands.”

“And how many of yours have blood on their hands?” Dazai shot back. “We do what needs to be done, for the benefit of Yokohama. Isn’t that right?” Closing his eyes, he breathed in deeply and opened them again, expression softening. “You say you don’t believe me, but I’m glad you heard me out, at least. …You haven’t changed.” Turning away, Dazai heard fabric rustle and an annoyed grunt, no longer feeling the killing urge radiate from Kunikida.

It was replaced with frustration. And a sort of defeat.

“May we meet again in a kinder life, Kunikida-kun.”

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[medicatedmenace]

hi trans people!!

hi transmascs! hi they/them transmascs! hi he/they transmascs! hi they/he transmascs! hi he/him transmascs! hi she/her transmascs! hi neo/xenogender transmascs! hi genderfluid transmascs! hi intersex transmascs! hi genderqueer transmascs! hi gender non-conforming transmascs! hi agender transmascs! hi any/all pronoun transmascs!

hi transfems! hi they/them transfems! hi she/they transfems! hi they/she transfems! hi she/her transfems! hi he/him transfems! hi neo/xenogender transfems! hi genderfluid transfems! hi intersex transfems! hi genderqueer transfems! hi gender non-conforming transfems! hi agender transfems! hi any/all pronoun transfems!

hi enbies! hi they/them enbies! hi he/they enbies! hi she/they enbies! hi they/he enbies! hi they/she enbies! hi neo/xenogender enbies! hi genderfluid enbies! hi intersex enbies! hi genderqueer enbies! hi gender non-conforming enbies! hi agender enbies! hi any/all pronoun enbies!

you're all very awesome and super cool!! you're doing amazing!! have a wonderful day!!