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alreadyblondenow · 4 years

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When December comes | Hendery

✦ Hendery x reader x Lucas ✦ Fluff, Smut, Angst, Royalty AU, Nutcracker AU ✦ 3/5 for HOLIDAY SERIES: Once Upon A December

Summary: As an adopted legitimate princess and future queen of two kingdoms, you grew up proving yourself that you deserve the role that has given to you. Nothing is simple about being an adopted princess but being arranged to marry Prince Hendery turned your life upside down.He left you, eventually. And by the time he came back to your life, you have a loving boyfriend, and Prince Hendery…. is arranged to be married to your sister now.

Word count: 8,690k

Warnings: adopted reader (if thats triggering at any point, please click away) A lot of smut, unprotected sex, mentions of sex, swearing, mentions of other idols, fingering, mentions of rough sex, heavy cheating, major character death

A/N: PURE FICTION. This is a love triangle fic but not much focused to Lucas, more on Hendery. Inspired by a bunch of royalty movies, especially princess diaries, Nutcracker (ballet), inspired by the song Satisfied from Hamilton. Love writing for Hendery so much. Check my recent post for Hendery’s thirst photos whahaha, as per Lucas character here idk I always see him as sweet and lovable and he always knows what to do. The guy has serious good leadership skills if you haven’t’ notice and i think its sexy. I’m glad this didnt reach to 10k bc u know me i hate my works being long af haha enjoy reading mwa!

For @jeongyoonohs sorry it took me so long to finish this :( But this is for you!

OPENING

Once upon a time, in a kingdom not so far away, ruled by a king and queen who can’t have a baby no matter how many times they’ve tried. The sad news spread all over the kingdom and caused chaos everywhere mainly because they were scared for the fall of their beloved kingdom.

But the king is wise. He made an alliance with the kingdom of his truest friend and together they helped each other’s kingdom by making an agreement. “I can’t have a child, but my queen and I have decided to adopt a baby girl,” the king says to his fellow king.

“And my wife is carrying a baby boy”

“It’s settled then. My adopted daughter will be arranged with your son, and someday be married to each other” They shook hands and made the agreement official by sealing it with their signatures and royal seals in front of their queens.

The kingdom that lost their trust with their king is now calmed relieved after hearing the great news of the two kingdoms having an alliance. And to fully earned their trust again, they searched far and wide for a baby girl that will soon be the future of their kingdom.

“And that baby girl is you my darling” your grandfather finishes his bedtime story to you. Caging you in his strong arms, cradling you like you’re truly related by blood. “Grow up as a fine woman and save this kingdom” he added. You embraced your grandfather back and smiled so sweetly at him, tracing his handsome features… then you remembered.

“Tell me the story about the Nutcracker prince,” you singsong to him. He doesn’t tell you the original story, but instead, he always tells you his version and it’s always better. His embrace became tighter, then he looked at his expensive watch to check how many minutes does he have left.

“Okay. I only have a few minutes left, princess” He started by introducing the Nutcracker prince to you which is actually magical because even though you’ve heard of this so many times it never gets old and you’re always excited to hear it again.

He described the prince as a soldier like him, but a younger version he says with a giggle. And that Nutcracker slash prince slash soldier is made specifically for you so that one day, the two of you can rule two kingdoms all at once. “Why do I need a prince?” you pout, and your grandfather is startled by your question.

“Well, jeez, I don’t know. I’m sure you can still be a fine queen without a prince, right?” he says while tucking you in and preparing you for bed. “But let’s just say that princesses like you need a proper man like the Nutcracker because… grandfather will not always be by your side” of course he can’t mention death to you, no, you’re too young to know about these things. So he kissed you goodnight on your forehead and promise to see you early in the morning again.

Growing up as an adopted princess was never easy because the eyes of a judging kingdom have always been against you and your family. That’s why as you grow up, you swore to yourself that you will prove them wrong and that you are the future of this kingdom. At a very young age, you made your parents proud of your gift of leadership and continue to make them proud by doing great in school.

Until one day, the queen finally got pregnant.

The kingdom became so busy about the queen’s pregnancy and literally, every person is excited about your baby sister. You were only nine years old and you were innocent as you can be so you don’t know that the attention is slowly shifting to your baby sister. You didn’t mind of course, again, you were just a kid. But as you grew older and older you can finally foresee a life behind the shadow of your baby sister. The real princess. It’s like she took everything from you… but whenever you remember that you’re adopted, it seems like she’s just taking what’s originally hers in the first place.

Today is your thirteenth birthday and you celebrated it with your grandfather in an amusement park. He is the only person left in your life who can see you as a rare gem and you’re thankful for him. As you walked around the busy park, with a few bodyguards on your sides, you and your grandfather laugh and laugh while you’re eating hotdogs on a stick.

“Your father told me that you refused to have a ball for your thirteenth birthday? Why?” he asked while enjoying his food.

“I’m not a real princess grandfather, I don’t deserve a ball. And besides, riding that scary rollercoaster is better than dancing with a bunch of princes whom I don’t know in the first place, and playing dress-up the whole night”

“Hmm. Don’t you say that you’re not a real princess, there was a Y/n before your baby sister. And the kingdom is still looking forward with you ruling us someday because you’re older than your sister and you’re still a legi-“

“timate daughter, I know, I understand grandfather thank you for reminding me” you wiped the ketchup on his lips and smiled at him, “What will I do without you? I hope that my Nutcracker prince is exactly like you. Wise and strong”

“Don’t worry about that darling, you’re still young, and I’m still here” he giggles and walks you towards that scary rollercoaster ride.

ACT 1

Things slowly change around the castle and you learned to distant yourself from your parents but not forgetting your duty as a first born and legitimate adopted daughter of the king and queen. And as you enter royal high school, you thought that your life will get uglier but no. Surprisingly, school made you feel alive and less of a princess and more like a future leader.

But most importantly, you finally met your Nutcracker. Prince Hendery.

Usually, prince and princesses meet for the first time during a royal ball, soiree, or a simple lunch at the palace’s garden grounds. But you and Prince Hendery, met in the school hallway for the first first time. It is as if your whole world slowed down, every student walked in slow motion while you and Hendery locked eyes on each other. And the best part is, he did not know that you’re the princess who’s meant to be forever with him.

At first, you don’t talk to each other and just simply exchange smiles and glances from time to time whenever you cross paths in the hallway, eating at the cafeteria, or ‘reading’ at the library. You thought it wasn’t fair that you know everything about him but he doesn’t even know what you look like.

“You know I’ve been flirting with this princess for months already, do you know her name?” Hendery whispers at his fellow prince, Xiaojun, and told him to take a look at where you’re seated. Xiaojun then scoffed at his friend and playfully slapped Hendery’s face knowing that he is completely clueless about who you are.

“I don’t know if you’re always going to be this dumb, you’re going to be a king someday. Anyway, that princess is Y/n. The Y/n” and that is all it takes to make Hendery realize that he has been flirting with his soulmate for weeks now.

From there on the prince has become bold with his gestures. Sitting with you during breaks, even flirting with you in front of your friends and his friends. Prince Hendery has the most beautiful smile you have ever seen, hair is black and soft and you bet it smells good either, he was tall but just right for your height. Not only he was perfectly handsome, but he is a gentleman too. In other words, everything about him screams prince charming.

You and prince Hendery were the talk of royal school. Everyone knew about your arrangement and the alliance of your kingdoms. You even hear people talk on the hallways that you’re literally made for each other that’s why everyone envied you.

“Let’s grow up first, okay?” Hendery says, giving you a single rose during your school’s Valentine event. A simple gesture that says there's no need to rush on being in a relationship and make everything official between the two of you but also, it was a subtle move to show everyone that you already belong to each other so there should be no competition.

You fell in love with each other from a distance, not rushing through love, taking your time, and enjoying your youth because you have a lifetime together. Although, Hendery likes reminding everyone that you’re his in the most subtle way, may it be hugging you in public, kissing your cheek before you go home, and smiling your way whenever he sees you around the school.

From freshman year until your senior year, you and Hendery waited until you’re both legal of age to finally make it official. The news was all over the TV, tabloids, articles, and magazines that you’re in love with each other. It was a cute high school sweethearts story and every day was perfect.

Senior year just started and you and Hendery decided to study together but the planned study session became a make out session, giggling and cuddling in his bed while still wearing your uniforms. The prince was looking at you, admiring your pretty face touching your features softly then suddenly he noticed that he can almost see your breast. He looked away, of course. And covered his head with one of his pillows as he groans in frustration.

“What? Why?” you asked, completely clueless. He didn’t answer you, instead, he covers your exposed skin with a small pillow. “Oh shit, I’m sorry” you apologized immediately and became shy like him too.

“It’s okay. If I’m being honest I wanted to touch you but, I knew better than that. Can we promise to be each other’s first and last?”

“You mean sex?”

“Exactly, sex”

“Only if we seal it with a kiss,” you bite back in a flirty tone, looking at his pink lips that are slowly coming closer to you. When your lips touched, you returned the kiss and swing your arms around his neck, situating him accidentally in between your legs. Skirt lifted and all. Your bodies are becoming warm in an instant and you both know you need to stop before you make wrong decisions.

“How's that for a promise? Let’s get married when we grow older and have sex every day” he bit the shell of your ear, making you giggle and laugh with him. Being this horny with each other is normal, you thought. You are both young and full of passion, and it amazes you how Hendery wanted to wait until you get married and be kings and queens.

Senior year is perfect. Every day.

Until one day, Hendery’s father died and he stopped coming to school. You hear different kinds of gossip every day. 'Is he a king now? That's why he's not coming to school?', 'School is boring for king Hendery now', 'Are they gonna be married soon?', 'Are they even ready to rule yet?'. Again, you were the talk of the nation. The headline ‘Prince Hendery left Princess Y/n’ was everywhere and you can't do anything about it. You weren’t hurt that he left everything, you were more worried because maybe he’s all alone and grieving. You wanted to ask his family but you respect their privacy.

“So he just left?” you told your grandfather everything. He just came back from his cruise around the world and you’re happy to see his visible tan lines, for sure he had a great time.

“Yep, just like that grandfather,” you walk shoulder to shoulder around the palace’s garden, looking at the flowers and harvesting some fruits.

“Well, I’m sure he had his reasons. Just stretch your patience my darling, you know what they say, love is patience” he pats your hand before picking a lemon. “Enough about the prince, I heard you are making quite an impression now. The king is beyond impressed” he was talking about your win, elected student body president. Apparently, it’s a big deal for your father, because, during his stay in royal school, he was elected as president too.

“I didn’t try too much, I think I won because of my popularity and not because of my leadership skills” you once again doubted yourself but of course, your grandfather is here to straighten you up.

“Show them you’re both. Popular and a great leader”

It was always a good talk with your grandfather, but whenever you remember that Hendery is not with you anymore it automatically makes you sad. You missed him. So much.

ACT 2

But even though you missed Hendery and it’s like he took a part of your heart and brought it with him, life goes on. You faced Senior year and showed everyone your perfect smiles like nothing is bothering you. But at night, when you’re all alone, you just can’t help but look at your pictures with Hendery on your phone and miss him.

Life goes on.

With or without your prince.

You studied day and night, kept your eyes on the prize, and busy yourself until your heart is finally healed. You waited for him of course, you waited long and hard but you can’t wait forever.

As you continue to know yourself, get involved with a lot of organizations in college, your journey has become even more thrilling when you met Lucas. He’s not royalty nor does he came from a rich family, he’s “just a man who’s brave enough to ask a princess on a date” his exact words.

Lucas is a whole new adventure to you. He’s the epitome of new things and new experiences. But your favorite thing about Lucas is, he can make you forget that you’re a princess even just for a few hours. He made you happy every day because he never forgets to tell you that being happy is the most important thing in this world. He loves you with every part of his being. And he’s ready to face your world and be with you in every step until you become queen.

“N-no I don’t want to be king. I can be your butler and still love you for all I care” he covers your naked body while you both come down from your highs. Tonight is one of those nights that you can be with Lucas without having your bodyguard. He was praising you during sex, calling you ‘princess’ or ‘my queen’ whenever he thrust and pushes you on the edge, so you asked him a stupid question if he wants to be king. “I just want to be with you, people may see me as a gold digger once the news that you have a commoner boyfriend comes out, but we both know that’s not true right?”

“Of course, not” you embraced him and apologized for the question, hiding your face on his chest. You feel his big hands caress your back to comfort you and soon plant kisses on your temple. He’s always sweet and gentle like this. If only people would see the kind of person Lucas truly is.

“But what if he comes back? What will happen to us?” he was talking about Hendery. When Lucas knew that you’re arranged to be married to Hendery, he didn’t take it lightly. He was mad but not to you. You didn’t talk for weeks and you’re both heartbroken, but Lucas realized that it's better to love you fiercely now than waste his time worrying about the future.

“I will talk to my father, don’t worry about that. Wong Yukhei don’t you trust me?” you kissed his chest to put him back in the mood and change the subject. Of course, he can’t say no to you.

After getting your degree in college, you started working for the king and queen, spearheading foundations, and knowing the kingdoms that you’re going to rule someday. Remember when you thought your parents will forget about your existence because they had your sister? Well, that didn’t happen. Your parents were proud of everything you’ve achieved and they wanted your sister to follow in your footsteps.

Slowly, you proved to them that you don’t need a king to rule this kingdom. Introducing Lucas to your parents did not go well at first but eventually, they saw that you and Lucas are happy with each other despite having different worlds.

Still, they want to keep your relationship hidden.

It’s Christmas Eve and you’re all dressed up right now, ready to shake a lot of hands and dance with a bunch of princes and dukes and god know what else but you can’t help but take care of a few things before you enjoy this night. You were signing some last minutes contracts and reading proposals when you heard a soft knock from your door, “S-sorry. Come in” you see your boyfriend dressed up in a tux, looking so handsome. He smiled at you before he enters and closed the door behind him, “well you look dashing” you put your pen down and crossed your arms.

“I’m here to pick you up your majesty, the guests are waiting downstairs and your grandfather-“

“Oh he’s here! Perfect!” you exclaimed and express your excitement upon hearing that your grandfather is here. You haven’t seen him for a very long time and you have lots of stories to tell him. “Oh shit- by the way. Lucas, uhm… Can you zip my dress, I forgot I unzip it because it was uncomfortable. Stupid ball gowns” you said, turning your back to Lucas and waiting for him to take care of your zipper. But before he zips you up, he kisses your exposed shoulders and massaged them.

“Don’t forget to have fun tonight okay? I’ll be watching you like a hawk the whole night- well actually, not you. The men that will dance with you tonight” Because Lucas has no rank or title, he can’t earn a dance with you because it’s against the conditions that your father gave.

“All done your majesty,” he says and stepped back to open the door for you.

Every Christmas Eve, throwing an extravagant ball has been your family’s tradition for centuries. It is known by royalties across the globe and this fancy Christmas party is actually part of your kingdom’s history. Different respective kings, beautiful queens, annoying princes and princesses, dukes and duchess are invited and all are here not only to have fun but also here to talk business with you.

The night goes on, dancing with a few guests before you meet and spend some time with your grandfather. You wanted to whine and complain to your assistant but she’s just doing her job so you shrugged it off. “How many more left?” you asked while waiting for the next Prince to ask to dance, “two more your majesty. Your grandfather is next after this” you smiled and thanked her, giving a bow to the next prince who’s about to dance with you. And the moment you lift your head to meet his eyes, you thought you were dreaming.

For a moment you forgot proper princess etiquette and gave Hendery a tight hug, shocking everyone at your behavior but they’re even more shocked about Hendery’s appearance. ‘The son of the dead king has finally shown himself’ you hear everyone murmur around you but you don’t care. You smiled so big seeing that handsome face again. He kissed your hand and asked you to dance which you accepted gladly, now that Hendery is back and you’re all dressed up wearing your tiara, you feel like a real princess finally meeting his prince in a storybook.

“Where have you been?” you whispered to him.

“I’m sorry I left you like that, I was devastated” he whispers back as you two dance in the middle of the ballroom with the other royalties, trying so hard to hide the excitement. While you were dancing with Hendery, you remember that handsome smile that made your knees weak, his sweet gestures to prove his feelings for you, and your promises to each other.

Is it really true that first love never dies or your love for Hendery was just too strong that it never died?

When Hendery was about to hand you over to your grandfather, your father and mother came out of nowhere with your younger sister on their side. Is it because they’re happy to see Hendery too? Or are they going to press you regarding the arranged marriage again? You cling to your grandfather as you get nervous but careful not to show it. “Ah! Hendery welcome back! How was your time in the army, good?” your father exclaims. So all this time he knew where Hendery is.

“I had a hard time your highness, but I made it back in one piece” Hendery answered and made a small joke that made you all giggle and let out a small laugh. Oh you missed him.

“Hendery, I want you to meet Y/n’s younger sister” you watch him kiss your sister’s hand, “and also your future bride to be”

You were completely taken aback by what you just heard and the words that came into your head were, ‘I thought you were mine’ but you didn’t speak your mind and listened further to what your father is saying. But as you listen more, you feel like your dress was becoming tighter and tighter in every second that you can’t breathe anymore. “She will be your queen in your kingdom, and Y/n will be an independent queen here” your father explained proudly.

“But she’s too young” you pointed at your sister but you see how your sister’s eyes are sparkling. Too late. You thought. You watch her be charmed by Hendery’s visuals, that damn smile captured your sister’s heart in an instant.

“Hendery can wait until his bride is in the right age to be married, right son?”

“Of course your highness, it’s my duty” he answered confidently.

After the unexpected talk, you excused yourself, went to your room, and breathed outside on your balcony. You can’t forget your sister’s face as she looks at the man you used to kiss and you used to love. She has no idea what controversy she will face in the future, she is so young and blinded by infatuation…Or maybe you’re being like this because you’re jealous.

“Believe me I’m just as shock as you are”

A familiar voice made your heart race and your body stiffen in no time. You turned around secretly hoped that you’re wrong, but you will never forget his voice and also how his mere presence makes your heart excited. “How did you get in here?”

You hear him scoff and stood behind you, “We used to make out a lot in your room-and mine too of course. I still remember the way to your room by heart” he looked up the stars to stop himself from looking at you. You looked so beautiful tonight that he can’t stop blushing and admiring you.

You were silent. Mainly because you don’t know what to say and you’re not sure what to feel either.

“It’s going to be fine” with all his courage he tried hugging you like how he used to when you were only teenagers. But you pushed him away and stepped away from him. Hendery felt a slight pang in his heart, he never thought that you could do that to him.

“Were not together now don’t you get it? You were gone for years Hendery, a lot has changed”

“You’re hurting me, this is not our fault we love each other what's wrong with that” he reasons out, trying to lower his voice because someone might hear him.

“Loved. Past tense. My sister likes you and you are arranged to be married to her Hendery” you close your eyes as you remember what happened again earlier.

“If I have known that life will take you away from me, I shouldn’t have wasted my time and showered you with love and affection when we were young”

With a heavy heart, your first love left you in the cold night with a confused mind.

ACT 3

To make it up with your grandfather, you spend Christmas morning with him while drinking tea by the palace garden and telling him numerous stories about Lucas…and also your talk about Hendery last night.

“Don’t do something stupid that your future self with regret” he says, stirring his coffee and chewing his bread with jam. He was talking about cheating, he didn’t tell you exactly but you get it. “Did you tell your boyfriend already about what you felt upon hearing your sister’s engagement?” You shook your head and see your grandfather get disappointed but he understands that everything that’s happening now is not easy for you.

“He’s away, for now, left first thing in the morning to go to Hong Kong for his family” you felt hopeless again.

“Oh everything will be fine. I’m sure he will understand, that man is wise. I’m rooting for him” he says like Lucas is his son.

“What- really not Hendery?” you let out a laugh because your grandfather is cute.

“Nope. Now, don’t ask me why. Figure it out yourself” he winks and continues to eat his breakfast.

As days go by without Lucas, you and Hendery continue to meet each other accidentally whenever he visits your sister. You’re a busy woman, but your mind seems to have time to think whether they kissed already, hold hands, or admitted their feelings to each other if there's any.

You saw flowers on your way to your office and you thought that maybe it's for your sister, from Hendery and you can’t help but to get envious and jealous. He used to give you flowers back when you were in high school and now… he’s doing it to your sister too.

While you were reviewing proposals, you got a phone call from your personal phone and it's Lucas which you’re very excited to answer. “Hey” you singsong, putting the phone between your ear and neck while you continue to scan through papers.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch, everything okay back there?”

No. You wanted to tell him that you’ve been having these weird feelings towards Hendery. “No, baby. Everything’s fine, I’m working now… As usual- how's everyone there?”

“They miss you. They wanted you to visit next year” he says, breathing deeply before he continues. “Listen, I want to stay here for a little longer. I miss them too you know-“

“And it’s fine! Baby, I understand. You’ve done so much for me already, go and be with your family” you felt guilty for caging Lucas in your country. Even though he’s the one who wanted to stay here, still. You can feel that he’s homesick sometimes.

After working in your office, you went straight to your room and purposely skipped dinner because you knew that Hendery is still here. When you opened your door, the same flowers that you thought Hendery gave to your sister is sitting on your coffee table with a small envelope that has your name on it.

Dear Y/n,

Back when we were in high school, I gave you a single rose for Valentine's day and I told you, “Let’s grow up first”

Now that we're all grown up, and still obviously madly in love with each other, I will not hold myself back from loving you. Not anymore.

I’m sorry for leaving, please give me a chance and meet me at the back of the palace at midnight. I’ll be waiting.

Bold of him to think that you’re still madly in love with him. How can he say that?

You look at the letter as you grow weak and let yourself flop on your couch, face first and still undecided if you’re going. Frustrated and guilty, that’s what you’re feeling ring now. Frustrated because you don’t know what to follow, your heart or your mind. Guilty because your heart says you should go.

At the end of the day, you find yourself walking in the dark on your way to the back of the castle to meet Hendery. Hugging yourself as you cling more in your thin cardigan, trying to keep yourself warm as you feel your heartbeat faster by every second you come closer to the meeting spot. You see Hendery at the back of a thick tree, face illuminated because of his phone screen. “Oh you’re here. Sorry I was about to ring your phone” he admitted.

“Why am I here? What do you want?” You asked in the softest way possible. He saw that you’re shivering and invited you to go around the tree. There you see a blanket and small pillows and the lake was perfectly lit by the moon. What a beautiful view. And while you were admiring the view, you feel him place his jacket around you and motions you to sit on the ground with him.

“Please for once let’s pretend I didn’t leave you. I didn’t want my father to die, I didn’t expect our kingdom to suffer. And you’re the only good thing that’s left to me. So please”

You looked at him for a second that soon turned into minutes. You bit your lower lip and you remember that you weren’t mad at him for leaving, so why are you mad at him now?

Slowly, you accepted the warmth that he offered and sat close to him, sharing the blanket and keeping you close. “You’re here to hear me apologize sincerely” he gulps before he starts talking and explaining why he left, looking into your eyes so you know he’s telling you the truth. He told you that his father’s last will is for him to join the army and to be a soldier because in his father’s eyes he’s not yet ready to be a young king so he didn’t have a choice but to leave.

You were heartbroken while hearing his part. “I was never mad at you for leaving. I was worried about you”

He smiled sweetly at you. The kind of smile that makes your body warm and heart flutter, he pulled you close and you let him. “I know. Mother told me you were looking for me, but she can’t tell you anything. I told her I’m the one who should tell you someday. I’m sorry” he embraced you tightly, his cheeks resting on your shoulders. And right then and there everything is clear to you. You still have feelings for him.

“What are we gonna do now? My sister, Lucas” you asked him as you rake away strands of hair from his face.

“I’m not in love with your sister” he admitted without hesitation.

“But I love Lucas” there’s that guilty feeling again. You feel your heart breaking for Lucas, he doesn’t deserve being cheated on like this.

“I thought you were mine” he whispers. And even if it's a whisper the hurt was obvious from the sound of his voice. He didn’t see it coming. He didn’t think that this will be more complicated than he imagined.

“Funny. I thought the same thing when my father told us you're enggaged to my sister” you admitted and scoffed.

“Give me a chance to win you back. And if you're not coming back to me, just let me be with you for a little longer. I beg you”

There was a moment of silence and Hendery understands that you needed that silence to think, “Okay” you said. And saying ‘okay’ never felt so wrong. You cupped his face and tried to turn this moment around, “what's it like to be away from home?”

“Sad. I think of you every day and of course my family but they get to see me but you... not even a picture just our memories in my head”

Now that Hendery is a prince slash soldier, you remember the Nutcracker story your grandfather used to tell you for bedtime. That’s when you realized that you and Hendery are truly made for each other.

But you have Lucas...

As your night with Hendery continues and makes up for lost time, the emotional reunion turned to giggles and laughs when your time together has ended. He invited you over to his own house for a date since he can’t take you out like he used to, and reminded you that you gave him a chance to win you back, and thanked you.

On the next day, your mind was blanked. You can’t believe that you’re cheating on Lucas and have been refusing to answer his calls.

Days went on like this until you’re not awkward with Hendery anymore and you’re comfortable again around him. He showered you with love, you accept it wholeheartedly. Every day was sweet with Hendery even though you’re both aware of the future consequences but no one seems to care for now.

You go to his place and spend time with each other, whether talking the whole night and telling each other stories, him making you giggle and laugh with your legs on top of his thighs while you both sit on his couch enjoying a glass of wine or whenever you’re busy reading something or you brought a little work at his place and he can easily take your stress away by making you laugh.

Today, you came early and decided to cook for him and have dinner together. You don’t know but Hendery is leaning on the door frame of his kitchen with a flower in his hand, watching you chop some peppers in his kitchen. He felt like he finally won you back. Just seeing you hum while you prepare dinner makes his heart so happy. He then walked slowly and hugged you from behind, resting chin at the top of your shoulders, and showed you the flowers he has for you.

You smiled so big, dropping the knife on the chopping board and turning around to give him a kiss.

That’s your first kiss again.

He was shocked but you did it again. You realized he was trying so hard that he’s slowly being successful in winning you back and you’re actually scared of the future but he makes you happy.

“What? It’s not like we haven’t kissed before” you touched his lips and felt his embrace tightens every second. “Dinner in 30 minutes” you smiled and went back to finish chopping the peppers and finding a nice vase for the flowers he gave.

After dinner, a few glasses of wine, cheese, and grapes, you and Hendery are buzzed and talking about work as prince and princesses while enjoying the view from his couch. The lights are turned down low and you didn’t even notice at first but the mood has been making you horny even though your topic was stressful and your minds are clouded with alcohol. You don’t know what came into your head but you sat on his lap with lidded eyes, touching his body feeling his hard rocked abs through his white dress shirt.

He giggles and laughed at you. He’s so fucking handsome when he does that. “Seriously you have to stop you will embarrass yourself in the next morning,” he told you to stop but he fixed the way he sits and made sure you were comfortable on top of him. He teased you more, smiling so handsomely and making your heart flutter.

“I'm not that drunk just buzzed. Want me to prove it?” You challenged with a flirty tone that turns him on.

“Mhmm. Okay,” he tilts his head and waited for this proof you were saying.

“I still remember how we sealed our promises with a kiss. Like that day when we promised to be each other’s first and last” your fingers went up to his hair, ruffling his soft black hair and massaging his scalp.

You don’t know what happened but the mood changes and he’s avoiding your eyes. ”I’m sorry,” he says.

“No no don’t be, you’re here now make it up to me” you kissed his neck while he gets drunk even more because of your kisses. Your hands are placed on his neck like you’re telling him you still belong to each other, rolling your hips slowly to make him horny as much as you are.

“Did you have sex with anyone already?” his question made you stop what you’re doing to him and pulling away from the kiss to look at him, you thought he didn’t like what’s happening. But to your surprise his lips went to your neck, kissing you softly but full of lust. You feel his warm tongue just below your jaw and it felt great.

“Lucas, how about you?” You moaned out, shamefully.

Usually, his heart will hurt whenever you mention Lucas, but he’s the one kissing you now. So instead of getting hurt, he smirked. “A couple of girls. Life can be stressful I need an adult stress release. Any kinks?”

“Not that I know of? You?”

He stopped and looked at you to tell you the story. “Well remember when we were making out and I accidentally saw your breasts?” you nod at him, “I think I developed some kind of breast kink and I always imagine that I’m having sex with you instead of a stranger” he admitted and looked at you clothed breast right now. “That's how much I miss you” he placed a gentle kiss on your lips and went back to leaning comfortably on the couch. He got shy but he can’t stop looking at you.

To be honest your heart swells knowing that he desperately wants you like that. As quickly as you can, you untuck your blouse and removed it in front of the prince. “You can experience the real thing tonight “ you intertwine your hand with his and slowly placed it on your breast.

Breathing heavily. Both of you. You’re like teenagers who are just about to have sex for the first time.

He sat up to meet your lips and kiss you the way you deserved to be kissed, slowly you feel his hand travel to your back to unclasp your bra. You removed and fed his lust, revealing your breast to him for the first time. Hendery was so nervous that his hands are shaking when he removed strands of hair away from your face and held you on your shoulders, slowly he lowered your body on his and started kissing your collar bones and chest before he proceeds to your breast.

It was quiet and all he can hear is your moans and the sound of his wet kisses. You wanted to tell him that his lips feel great against your skin, and simply tell him to fuck you already. When his mouth finally reached your hard nipples and bit them softly, you parted your lips and your arms swings around him and push his head to your breast even more. You noticed he knows how to use his tongue, you figured he has been doing this to someone else for years and years while the whole truth is he always wanted to do it to you. The way he flicked his tongue brings you back to reality and when he sucks your nipples good your grip on his hair tightens and when that happens he bites your nipples again to make you shiver. This man is good.

He placed his hands just below your boob area to hold you still while he does whatever he wants to your breast. Sucking, pinching, bitting, and kneading. Everything felt good and your moans are good proof. With his strength, he got up from the couch and carried you to his room while you kiss with lust. He lay you down on his king-sized bed and kissed your body down while unbuttoning your pants and pulling them down until you’re only wearing your panties. Hendery then unbuttoned his dress shirt in between your spread legs, kneeling in front of you, stripping until he’s only wearing his boxers briefs. He situates his body on top of you grinding on your clothed private parts, hands all over each other’s body. He then went back to kissing your nipples and sucking them but little did you know Hendery is just distracting you while his hands are slowly coming down inside your panties.

With a great shock, you closed your eyes and parted your lips as you feel Hendery’s cold fingers slide up and down on your wet slit while his mouth is still sucking your nipples. It was a whirlwind of feelings, everything felt good, and seeing Hendery enjoy turns you on too. By the time you had your first orgasm, shaking and body so sensitive with swollen nipples, Hendery was kissing you softly and asking you in the most innocent way if you’re okay. The sound of his giggles makes you calm, the way he whispers soft praises beside your ear while his hands roam freely around your body. Truth is he’s genuinely happy right at this moment because he doesn’t need to imagine anymore.

He went back to kissing your body down until he reaches your wet core and licks it up and down for a while before he lines his cock. In between your widely spread legs, you watch Hendery lick you good and feel him moan from time to time. “Hendery” you called him, kneeling in between your legs in an instant, flashing his beautiful body to you. His skin is flawless, strong arms, perfect abs, and of course, fucking beautiful smile. Everything about him makes you weak right now that you just opened your legs, reach for hard cock, and line it to your entrance yourself. “Woah” he giggled and stopped you, “Okay calm down, I’ll fuck you good I promise” he pumped his cock in front of you and lines it immediately just how you want it and slowly enters you. He wasn’t big like Lucas but he kept his promise, he fucked you good.

So good that you asked for more as you grip his Egyptian cotton sheets and let your body be dragged with every hard thrust he give you.

So good that you asked him to go slower because you don’t want it to end yet.

So good that you asked him to cum inside you and asked for another round.

On your third orgasm, your hole is dripping with mixes of your cum and Hendery’s while the handsome prince is kissing your neck as you come down from your high. “I love you” he whispers but he was too late, you were sleeping soundly already, arms wrapped around his neck. He smiled and kissed you one last time before he pulls out and cleans you up.

He didn’t sleep that night, he just watched you sleep beside him. Let you cling to him in the middle of the night, watch you roll in his bed and expose your body, but of course, he’s quick to cover you again. And when the time comes, he wakes you with kisses on your shoulders, embracing you tightly and kissing you more.

“Wake up” you hear him whisper and you try to open your eyes the moment he told you so. You see his window, it was still dark so you closed your eyes again. “Want to watch the sunrise with me? You’re going to love it” he went down from his bed and opened his curtains so you can have a full view of the sky while you enjoy your comfort in his bed. You sat up and waited for him to join you again and stay warm together. Slowly, you see how the sky became pitch black to deep blue to light blue until you can see the pretty view outside his house. It was calming. He was holding your hand the whole time.

After watching the sunrise with him he fell asleep while holding your hand and you think he’s cute for having a tight grip even though he’s sleeping. While he was sleeping, it’s now your turn to admire his handsome features and watch him sleep before you start your day and make breakfast.

You hate to admit it but it looks like he has completely won you over.

“You look good in my dress shirt” he greets you good morning and kissed you on your temple while you set the table. You feel his hands in your hips, slowly coming down to your butt, and realized that you’re only wearing his dress shirt and thin panties. He still can’t believe that this is all happening, “are you real?” He whispers.

“Yes. Now come on, I have a meeting with the parliament. Need to go home and get ready” you eat some fruits as you scan your schedule for the day and there you see it and completely missed it.

Lucas went home last night. And you left your personal phone in your car. Fuck you said to yourself but didn’t show it to Hendery.

Leaving this morning became harder than you expected and you spent a total of 20 minutes kissing and flirting with Hendery before you finally open the door.

You went on with your day and made an excuse to Lucas as to why you didn’t pick him up at the airport last night. You were at your office with stacks and stacks of paper works and you weren’t even acting stressed when he came in because you were indeed stressed with everything.

“Oh baby, I’m really sorry” you greet him with a kiss and left everything on your desk. Lucas saw how stressed you are so he understood immediately and didn’t even bother asking. “You’re coming home to me tonight right? I missed you” he added and pouted like the big baby that he is.

“Uh-huh. Of course yes, I’m all yours” you smiled and he hugged you so tight before he leaves you to work again.

“Of course. You’re always mine” he said and kissed you goodbye.

The nights are cold for Hendery when Lucas got back because he can’t get a hold of you. No text, no call, no email. No nothing. And once again, he was heartbroken and he felt like he’s losing you again.

When he visited your sister a week since the last time he saw you, Hendery saw you with Lucas and didn’t even think of taking another glance. He had all these emotions ball up in his chest and he needed to release them.

“Hey, I didn’t know you were visiting today” your sister was surprised and invited him into her room. When she turned your back at him, he saw your figure in your sister. He’s back to imagining girls to be you, he’s back to that sick habit of his. But he can't help it. Effortlessly, he flirted with your sister, and surprisingly your sister was horny. Very horny for Hendery. One thing led to another and the next thing he knows he’s fucking her hard from behind kissing her shoulders and imagining that it’s you.

“What’s that noise” you murmur to Lucas while you were having a nap with him. Lucas giggled and whispered back, “I think Prince Hendery paid her a visit and... you know...” he was giggling and keeping you close to him as he went back to his nap, completely clueless that you’re hurting.

Everything that you and Hendery built from the past few days falls down when you came to his house and had your first fight.

ACT 4

“You didn’t call! Or texted that he’s already back you just left me hanging!”

“And that’s a good reason to fuck my sister?”

“It just happened!”

“Bullshit!” You shouted back. Louder than before, completely overpowering his shouts. With all his bravery, he got you a glass of water, came closer to you, and caressed your shoulders to keep you calm.

“I fucked up and I’m sorry, please,” he says sincerely.

Then you realized something.

“You don’t have to say sorry to me. It’s okay if you and my sister fucked because someday you will be married to each other. Were the ones cheating”

He listened to every word you said and begged you to take it back because he’s losing you again. When you finally said, “let’s end this Hendery. Do you want to have more fights like this in the future? What will you feel if I tell you that me and Lucas fucked last night-“

It was like thunder, disturbing the silence of his quiet house when he grabbed the glass of water and threw it in one corner.

“Exactly my point. We don’t belong to each other anymore. I’m sorry”

“Y/n. Please-“ he begged once again but you just repeated everything you said and left him.

The end.

It was the end of your story with Hendery.

But just as you thought that you’re done handling one heartbreak for the day, you’re wrong. Lucas called to tell you the news that your grandfather had a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital.

After everything that happened on that day, you never made peace with Hendery and never talked to him again. Lucas saw you at your lowest and took care of you every day after the funeral and never left your side.

Months passed by quickly and Hendery is staying in your palace as per your sister’s request and continue to ignore each other for safety. Sometimes you greet each other for formality but never as friends and as past lovers. Lucas is not stupid to not see what’s happening.

Two months before your coronation day, you were sitting on your throne with your leg up and pouting as you’re thinking if you’re really ready to be a queen. You see Lucas enter the hall but you did not move an inch. He sat on the cold floor in front of you, reaching for your hand and kiss it.

“I miss him, I wish he could see me as a queen” tears started to fall but Lucas is quick to dry them.

“He saw you as a queen already even when you were only a little girl” you understand what he said and you’re thankful for him for not leaving you at your lowest and choosing to be with you even though he found out about you and Hendery. “So... I wanted to do this, while you’re still you. And not...the queen” he says awkwardly and pulls out a small red velvet box.

But you sit properly and stopped him from opening it and saying the question that will change your life, “how can you stay to a woman who cheats?”

“Your grandfather told me love is patient. I had a meaningful talk with him, you’re right he’s wise. He told me you love me and he said if one day you do something stupid and wrong, which turns out you did... He told me ‘check your heart if you still love her, and if you still do marry her and don’t ever let her go again’"

Tears started to fall from your eyes again. “So will you marry me Y/n. Let me be the one to dry your tears forever?” He let out an awkward laugh, nervous about the next thing that will come out of your mouth.

“Yes, of course, yes” you cup his face, and this time you’re the one to dry his tears away.

Little did you know that Hendery heard everything. And he is beyond heartbroken.

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sun-stormz · 4 years

Text

Genshin Impact Visions & Gods

This has been bugging me since i started playing in mid november, but what makes a certain Archon give a Character their Vision. Considering i couldnt find any official info, I decided to do some research on each Archon and then on the player Characters we have of each element as of beginning of December 2020.

This will contain spoilers on characters & story!

Note: The travelers will not be included due to them not having Visions and having more then one Element.

I am basing this on overlaping themes and not on anything related to the actual Archon. I did add some info on the archons tho, due to this being about Visions and archons

“It is unclear whether Visions are directly granted by its element's corresponding Archon or by the nation's Archon. There is also the possibility that granting a Vision requires approval from both Archons. Yet another possibility is that they are granted by neither, and are instead given by the gods on Celestia.”

-Genshin Wiki on reciving Visions

Starting with my Favourite Element, Electro.

Electro wise, We have five Characters as of right now: Kequin, Razor, Beidou, Fishl and Lisa. The Electro Archon, God of Eternity, Baal, is the ruling Archon of the Area, Inazuma, whitch is the area we are getting in the 1.4 update in 2021.

To start off i read into any info i could find on Baal and i gotta say, she is a interesting Fellow. As of right now we know that Baal has locked Inazuma down and has initiated a Vision Hunt Decree, due to her thinking Visions should be under the sole domain of divinity. She also hasnt handed out any Visions since this decree which means all Electro characters we know have gotten theirs before this drastic change.

Now, why did these 5 characters get their Visions? Well each character has a different reason, from Razor wanting to protect those he calls friends to Lisa simpley saying it would be of use to her and just getting it. From what I've found there isnt really a big overlap in the reciving of the characters, but what is overlaping is their fixation on something.

Razor recived his vision due to him being fixated on getting stronger to protect his friends after he failed to while being dragged away by an abyss mage

Kequin was fixated on sharing her beliefs, that the people of Lyiue shouldnt rely on Rex Lapis and have their Pride and that their views are of Equal importance

Fishl was so fixated on a book series she changed herself to be like the main character, fishl and her Vision manifested in the form of Oz, one of the characters from said book

Beidou was fixated on killing Haishan, a sea monster, from a young age and recived her vision when she did so

Lisa is pretty much fixated on understanding magecraft and the cost of reciveing a Vision.

Now onto a easier Element, Geo

The Archon of Geo and Contracts, Morax, Archon of Lyiue.

Morax or Rex Lapis, was one of the oldest gods, defended Lyiue in the Archon war, the Currency in Teyvat, Mora, is named after him and as of Chp.1 Act 3 we know that he has taken the form of Zhongli and has retired as the Geo Archon.

Morax, Along with Barbatos, are the only two Archons of the Original Seven that havent been replaced.

Now, who are our Geo Characters? Noelle and Ningguang, two dedicated powerhouses! This one is fairly simple, thanks to voicelines we have of Zhongli since he came out as a player character (Bless the pity pull for giving me this man)

In his “About Ningguang” Voiceline he says: ”Despite the multitude of affairs she deals with in a day, Ningguang always continues to press on. A rare gem indeed. I'm reminded of the time that she used to walk barefoot from Yaoguang Shoal to the south wharf, trying to sell her wares as she went. Time is cruel to humans.”

Noelle recived her vision when Jean Acknowledged her hard work when she tried to get into the knights of favonius. in her “Vision” story it states: This was a lucky day that she would always remember, for she would receive recognition from two all-important sources this day: once from Jean, and the other from the gods. Her hard work has been remembered after all.

So for short: Hard working and dedicated = Geo Vision

Next up we have Anemo

Our wonderful Tone deaf bard, Venti or otherwise known as the Archon of Anemo and freedom, Barbatos, the not really ruling Archon of Mondstadt.

Barbatos is a freedom loving guy and refuses to rule over Mondstadt, the city of freedom and is by far the weakest of the Archons, despite this the people of Modstadt still love and adore their windy God.

I went into this one thinking “Oh this is easy, itll be love for freedom or something!” Nope, it surprisingly wasnt. Jean and sucerose recived their visions through their Determination it seems. Sucerose from doing her 159th Dandilion seed Simmering experiment and Jean seemed to be determened to be a good grandmaster and to protect Mondstadt.

That aside, i couldnt find many overlaps with the two, they are both free spirited and love what they do.

Now on to Pyro

Pyro, the Element of the Archon Murata who is also the god of War, is wielded by the fan fav Diluc, as well as Klee, Xiangling, Amber, Bennett and Xinyan.

Not much is known about Murata, Venti describes her as a “ wayward, warmongering wretch” and thats about all we know. She presides over Natlan.

Now to the characters, this was acually the easiest of them all: Passion.

Every Pyro user has a huge amount of passion that a rolemodel or Loved one ignited within them.

This one definitly surprised me the least and i am really excited for when we meet Murata and Natlan.

Diluc has the same passion his father had

Klee has a passion for Explosives that her mother ignited

Xiangling has a passion for food and cooking she got from her father

Amber got her Passion for Mondstadt and the outriders from her grandfather

Bennett got the Passion for adventure from all the old adventurers he calls dads, yes Dads as in plural, that raised him

Xinyan has a passion for Rock, tho i havent found out more of her story due to her being so new.

Now heading onto Hydro

Hydro, along with Dendro, is the only element where we do not know the name of the Archon. All we do know is that they are the Archon of Hydro and Justice and rule over Fontaine.

So straight to the Hydro characters: Barbara, Mona and Xingqiu.

I dont really count Childe due to the only thing talked about is his dilusion and i am rather confused on if he even has a real vision but i still love him lots

Im going to be honest this one really had me running the brain gears for a while.

All three recived their Vision as an extension of the self.

Barbara got hers after helping a sick boy by singing to him to help him sleep through a fever, Mona rekindeled a learning aid to her vision, to aid her with her search for the truth of the rules of the world and Xingqiu got his after he explained the principles of his clans martial arts anew, litterally saying that martial artists should see Visions as a extension of the self.

Last but definitly not least, Cryo

Cryo, the Element of the Archon know as the Tsaritsa. We acually dont know her corrisponding ideal nor her acual name and this one was just as geargrinding as Hydro.

The Tsaritsa, Ruler of the fatui and the one that gives them their Dilusions, is one interresting lady. We get a description of her from Childe: “Her Royal Highness the Tsaritsa is actually a gentle soul. Too gentle, in fact, and that's why she had to harden herself. Likewise, she declared war against the whole world only because she dreams of peace. Her gaze was cold but pure, arrogant yet sharp. She was not only the sacrosanct Cryo Archon but a true warrior also.”

Kaeya, Chongyun, Diona and Qiqi, our current four Cyro userer, all have rather interesting storys when it comes to how they got their Vision.

All dont accept something

Kaeya felt guilty about hiding who he was from the family that adopted him after his father abandoned him to be a spy in Mondstadt, and told Diluc, someone he used to be very close with, the truth, since then he sees his vision as a stern reminder that he must live his life under a heavy burden of Lies. He pretty much doesnt accept the truth of his situatin and would rather live with that heavy burden

Chonyun is surpressing a part of himself, the condition he has, and as Xiangling says in Chongyuns stories, is denying a part of him. He trys to work around his condition and wont accept it as the way to go about how he practices exocrism.

Diona wont accept the truth about her father being a Alcoholic, and places the blame on the Alcohol industy instead of accepting that he isnt as high and mighty as she thought. She wont accept that her fathers bad control over his drinking habits is the reason he acts as he does and instead blames the alcohol industry.

Qiqi didnt want to accept her death nor does she really accept her Zombie like traits and only uses them when she needs to defend herself.

My theory is the Cyro Visions are recevied when you wont accept the grim reality as it is, if this is positive or negative variates

When it comes to the last element, Dendro, we sadly know nothing nor have we seen any dendro character in action. So that might be a addition later on.

I’m really interrested if we find out the actual criteria for reciving each Vision one day

#genshin impact #genshin diluc #genshin theory #kaeya #diluc ragnvindr #zhongli #childe #genshin venti #genshin chongyun #this game is taking over my life

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prettywordsyouleft · 4 years

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Christmas Is: The Star On Top

Pairing: Park Chanyeol x female reader

Genre: Christmas au / childhood friends to lovers / fluff

Warnings: competitive nature towards a darn tree, lol.

A/N: Welcome to the first story in our collab, Christmas Is! I based my idea a bit off of how my younger brother and I would fight over who would get to put the star on the tree as kids. I hope you enjoy!

Word count: 2134

The Star On Top | Noche Buena | A Series Of Unfortunate Events, Not By Lemony Snicket | The One Carol | Naughty Santa

This collab will be shared daily during 14-18 December.

You could sense the urgency brewing as the decorations container emptied, your own little hands reaching for two baubles instead of one, hoping that would give you an advantage. Yet he was right on your tail, both vying for the prized jewel that was nestled at the bottom.

The star.

Each year you fought over who would put the star on the tree and even if you were only eight, you knew that it would be another battle royale over who would get to put it on. Especially since last year, it wasn’t you who was victorious.

“It’s my turn!” you proclaimed loudly to the adults who watched on with loose interest, too busy catching up on the year thus far. Reaching for the star, you held it up with pride. “Ready?! I’ll put it on perfectly!”

“Nuh-uh!” the fellow child in the room stated, snatching the star out of your grip easily. It helped that he was at least a good hand taller than you by now. Chanyeol snickered. “I was faster. You still have a decoration in your hand to hang up, Y/N!”

“But you did it last year!”

“So, it’s the first to finish decorating!”

Glancing at the tree, you pointed to an overcrowded area. “You didn’t do a good job!”

“So fix it!”

“You fix it!”

“Chanyeol, Y/N, calm down,” your father called, and you immediately burst into tears. The paternal figure came over to rub your back gently. “Why are you crying, poppet?”

“Chanyeol is trying to put the star on the tree again. He did it last year! It’s my turn now!”

“You got to do it two years in a row!”

“Only because you were sick!” you refuted.

You didn’t know why putting the star on the tree had become a big deal to you at such a young age. You took it far too seriously, and over the last few years, you and Chanyeol had increasingly gotten quite competitive for the spot each Christmas. You assumed it had something to do with your brother being older and uncaring for things like tinsel and Christmas lights whilst the magic of this time of year always enchanted you. Chanyeol was similar, and when your families met up for the annual cabin retreat mid-December, you barely settled your luggage down in your room before pouncing on one of the adults about setting up the tree – usually with Chanyeol echoing the same excited whining.

And then the race would begin.

Forever the diplomat, your father looked at you both, rubbing at his brow line before chuckling heartily. “Do we still have to go through this each year?”

You both nodded adamantly.

“Well, I think we should do it this way. Each of you grab a side of the star.”

“But that’s not fair!” Chanyeol whined as you stomped your foot in agreement.

“He’s taller than me, how do I reach the top if I’m trying to hold on, Daddy?!”

“Chanyeol can use the stool,” your father recommended, and his hands reached out for your waist. “You can use my helpful shoulders, poppet!”

It wasn’t ideal, and you both sneered at one another with impertinence as you got ready.

“Hang on, let me grab my camera out,” Chanyeol’s mother called, soon ready for the usual photograph that was snapped at the end of each tree decorating session.

You didn’t smile, and Chanyeol was definitely scowling. His hot little hand kept inching for more of the star, and just as the countdown hit one, he pulled most of it out of your hand, beaming as he placed it on the tree.

You, of course, were caught crying and pointing accusingly in his direction.

One day, you’d end all this nonsense with him once and for all.

However, it wasn’t going to be this Christmas that you did so.

Even now, as adults yourself, it was ingrained in you both to arrive at the cabin and pull out the tree right away. Chanyeol glanced at you and grinned. “Nice to see you here, Y/N.”

“We drove up here together, you idiot,” you shot back, unwinding the lights from the box.

“Ready for another battle?”

“Can’t we just be grown up about this?” you wondered innocently, before lassoing the tree Chanyeol was still setting up on its legs. He gaped at you as you giggled, the slackness of the rope of lights sliding down to the bottom easily.

Over the years, you had each gained enough experience on how efficient your tree wielding skills could be. You had equally figured the other’s weaknesses too. You were good at the lights, but for some reason, tinsel and you didn’t agree. Chanyeol could dress the tree in the sparkly stuff but would easily overcrowd a section with more than one of the same coloured bauble or ornament and would have to rearrange multiple times. Still, it always came down to the final moment on who would win the star to put on the top. You each had your fair share of putting it up, and the scores were pretty even by now.

You didn’t know how it would play out this year, no matter how good your strategy was each time.

“Yeolie, you put two green baubles side by side again!” you called out gleefully, just for the man to shunt you away from your task of placing some up higher.

He smirked. “Why do you always aim for the top, Y/N? You stopped growing when you were thirteen. Stick to the bottom and let me get the top since I can with ease.”

“Mm, you’re right. Your back will break if you have to bend down too low, isn’t that right, giant?”

“Not funny.”

“Nor is you poking fun at my height. That’s why stools were invented.”

“Be careful, you know the legs on that thing have had to hold a lot of you over the years. It’s rickety.”

You gaped at his low blow until you felt it wobble under your hasty step up.

Grabbing your waist and righting you, time seemed to stop still.

So, you both hadn’t exactly lost your competitive nature about dressing the tree, but things had changed between you recently. You smiled tenderly at the man still holding you and cupped his jaw in your palm. “Thank you for saving me.”

“I couldn’t let you fall, now could I?”

“Mm,” you hummed, hovering your mouth over his. You felt his breath hitch and grinned at how easy his desires came to the surface. Reaching down, you unhooked the ornaments from his finger. “Also, thanks for handing me these.”

“You’re wel- HEY!”

“All is fair in love and war, Yeol.”

“The day I fell in love with you was a curse,” he grumbled, right as the front door to the cabin opened.

You each stopped to greet your parents and family members fondly.

Laughing, Chanyeol’s father pointed at the half decorated tree. “You two never change, do you?”

“Even arriving early this time to get it going,” your brother commented as he placed his one-year old daughter on the floor. “Your commitment is impressive.”

“Leave them be, they love this part to the holidays here,” your mother mentioned, now fussing over her grandchild.

Ignoring the chatter in the great room, you nodded at your partner in crime and got back to it. Most of your jibs at one another were playful, although there was a whole lot more touching than there had been as children. But the same heightened breathing and focus remained when the decoration box was nearly empty.

“This year is my year,” you confirmed, and Chanyeol shook his head.

“No way, am I letting you cheat me out of another turn.”

“You did that to me so many times,” you laughed, encircling his waist with one arm.

Chanyeol equally entrapped you at his side. “Nice try, I’m not going to fall for your charms twice this Christmas.”

“Why? Is it because last Christmas I fell for yours and ended up in this predicament with you?”

“Our relationship is a predicament now?!”

“Well, it sure isn’t something either of us could predict, now is it?”

“We all did,” your parents agreed with ease, and you laughed when you glanced over at them.

“You’re just saying that because you wanted further ties between the decades of friendships you have,” Chanyeol pointed out and you nodded. “You’ve been priming us for this moment for our whole lives.”

“And it took you both exceptionally long to do as we wanted,” your father teased, the group of parents all laughing between one another.

You rolled your eyes and turned to look in the box. “Hey, where is the star?”

“What?”

“Chanyeol! Where did you hide it this time?!”

“I didn’t! Stop trying to prank me, Y/N.”

You shook your head. “I really don’t have it. And if you don’t…”

“Oh, Matilda, look at you!” your father crooned at his grandchild, scooping her up into his arms.

It was then when you saw what she held and gasped noisily.

“Camera time!” Chanyeol’s mother cried, and before you could react, your niece had stolen the show and put the star on top of the tree.

She clapped excitedly as all the adults, aside from both you and Chanyeol, exclaimed over her efforts.

“But she didn’t even help us decorate the tree,” Chanyeol lamented softly, and you groaned.

“That was always the rule when we were growing up.”

“Now we’ve been tricked by a one-year old,” he surmised as you both sighed heavily.

“I’m not decorating the tree next year. She can drag it out and decorate it herself.”

“I’ve never seen two bitter faces in all my life,” your brother commented, shaking his head at you. “Face it, there’s a new generation in town.”

“Yeol, we need to have a baby.”

Not even hesitating to agree with you, Chanyeol nodded. “Then our child can take on Matilda.”

“And we’ll see who gets to put the star on top then!”

Glancing at one another, you then started to laugh, shaking your heads at your combined failure.

Later in the evening, when you had retired to your bedroom, Chanyeol smiled at you when he returned from using the shower. “Still butthurt that your niece robbed us of victory?”

“I guess we’re adults now. The fun over Christmas for us is done.”

“Until we have our own kid,” he teased, running a hand over your stomach fondly. “Not anytime soon, though.”

“Our parents were cruel for letting us get so out of control about a silly tree,” you told him as he climbed into the bed beside you and the man hummed positively. “Our child won’t have to battle for any glory like that. We’ll just buy a second tree and let them decorate it.”

“Why didn’t our parents do that for us? It would have saved me from getting bitten by you when you were ten.”

“And the black eye I got from you at twelve.”

“That was an accident, and you know it!” Chanyeol chuckled and pulled you into his arms.

“We have so many fond memories here over the years. When the tree escapade was over, we really played well together.”

Kissing the side of your head, Chanyeol grinned. “Now we play a little too well together.”

“Not tonight Yeol, I’m tired.”

“Can I give you a present early, though?” he wondered, and you glanced up at your partner curiously. It was then that you saw how anxious he was. Sitting up a little, you waited for further information. “I might have missed out on putting the star on top of the tree this year, but can I put a star on you?”

“Huh?”

Slipping out a simple ring, Chanyeol held it up so the light would reflect and make the stone sparkle. “Let’s get married, Y/N.”

“Oh my God… of course!”

As he slid the ring on your finger, your emotions rose. Chanyeol beamed with satisfaction once it reached the base of your finger. “Well, I got to put the star on top after all.”

“Wait. I lost, once again?!”

“Isn’t marrying me a win?”

“But you beat me to do it!”

“Were you going to propose?”

“Maybe!”

Pulling you into his arms as he laughed, Chanyeol peppered you in kisses to distract you. It ended in a passionate embrace, and when you moved back to catch some air, your newly-officiated fiancé nuzzled your nose. “Since I got to do this first, you can put my wedding band on first.”

You grinned. “You know the way to my heart, Park Chanyeol.”

“And you already have mine completely, future Mrs Park.”

“So maybe… I’m not as tired as I thought.”

“Is that so?” he mused, kissing you several times. “Merry Christmas, my little star.”

______________

Next: Noche Buena

[Christmas 2020 Masterlist] | [Main Masterlist] | [Request Guidelines]

#kwritersworldnet #kdiarynet #park chanyeol #chanyeol fiction #chanyeol fanfic #chanyeol fluff #chanyeol au #exo #exo fiction #exo fanfic #exo fluff #exo au #christmas is collab #kpop fiction #kpop fanfic #kpop fluff

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redrosesartcabin · 4 years

Text

Self indulgent series: Part 2.1

Life: Part 1

(Kenji x female reader, authors perspective) (the reader is a singer) (also: Some angst in here. I dunno why, but I just love writing some angst with fluff endings xD)

“So, let me get this straight”, the interviewer said, bewildered by the story the singer and songwriter Red Rose had brought up, “you met your now husband, Kenji Kon no less, on Jurassic World as one of the kids who got stranded for five months?”

“That’s correct”, she said. She had answered that very question a million times, but she couldn’t fault them for it: It was an unbelievable story (though she started to wonder how not everyone was aware by now that she was one of the teens back than).

“It was in December of 2015. I was thirteen years old and exited to be one of the first teens to visit Camp Cretaceous. I have to admit, I wasn’t and still am not, maybe even less than before, the biggest fan of dinosaurs. I’m not particularly interested in facts about them, but I definitely was interested in seeing some Dino action! So when I won first place at the talent show of my school-“

“Unsurprisingly”, the interviewer interluded at which the audience gave a collective chuckle.

“-I was still very excited about going to Jurassic World. My parents never wanted to go and in retrospect I can understand why. But you know: I was a naïve thirteen-year-old and didn’t think much about the consequences of the past. What happened at Jurassic Park you know? I was convinced Jurassic World was different and all worked out. Boy was I wrong! We all know it now! But at least I can say that I got, besides trauma, lifelong friends and my amazing husband out of it”

“That definitely can’t be disputed”, the interviewer agreed. Red Rose found him quite pleasant. Although he was a chatterbox, he was still very respectful and didn’t poke too much into the Jurassic World story: Although she was, for the most part, over the trauma, it was still a work in progress and it’s not a time she always remembers fondly. On most days she remembers the good moments she had with her newfound friends there, but sometimes she could feel the adrenaline rush through her as she thought of dinosaurs trying to eat her and her fellow campers. She saw flashes of sharp teeth and could feel hot, stinking breath and hear growls drawing shivers down her spine. Red Rose liked to focus on the human part of the experience, so she preferred being able to tell the tale of Jurassic World the way she wanted without being asked too much…

“So, Kon helped you reach fame if I remember correctly?”, he asked.

“Definitely! Though, I mean: I was able to do most of what I’m doing. Teaching myself how to use certain programs. I taught myself how to sing and I’ve always written my own stuff…But I certainly wasn’t good at marketing myself or making myself grow.

Kenji and I became boyfriend and girlfriend when I was sixteen and he was eighteen. That same year we went on vacations for three weeks in the Caribbean’s. And “, she let out a laugh. The camera closed up on her and caught a smile and a glance that looked so touched by love anyone could feel how much she adored her spouse, “I remember how we went on the private part of the beach Kenjis father had purchased. I sat down on a hammock and a guitar and just started improvising and singing. Little did I know my boyfriend -gosh that sounds weird to say now- was filming me. He put it up on Instagram, and he already had quite a following back then, so it gained quite some attention. Though not necessarily because it was a nice scenery or any of that: But because people genuinely liked how I sing and the melody I had come up with. And well… it got wild from there. People soon requested I make my own Instagram page for making music.

A year later I was asked if I would like to produce some music and well… then my career started”

“That’s honestly such a cool and sweet story. Though how about an even sweeter reunion? Please welcome: Kenji Kon”

Red Rose got up from her seat with a wild jump, not as the eccentric, elegant yet kind of crazy minded artist, but as y/n Kon. As the wife who hadn’t seen her husband in person for a month because of the production of yet another movie starring him as the protagonist.

The crowd clapped in awe of him, as fans. She wanted to clap because her heart was clapping too. Her heart was dancing a tango inside of chest as though she was seeing her middle school crush in the hallway. His dark eyes, ridden with depth met her y/e.c. ones and all they could read in each other’s eyes was happiness and love.

This happened within miliseconds, but it passed by in slow motion for her, so she perceived herself running towards him with calm. For the rest of the world however she was perceived as looking like a golden retriever who had missed his owner whilst they were at work and were ready to play.

It was adorable. It was downright touching how the couple met each other halfway and gave each other a long, passionate yet gentle kiss (so that it wouldn’t be too inappropriate for life TV).

“Not to be giddy, but you really are a couple to die for”, the interviewer said. The audience half chuckled half yelled in agreement. She felt her cheeks blush in a deep dark shade of red and heard her husband chuckle in embarrassment. She looked down to her and whispered “Hello love”

Kenji had, unsurprisingly, had found joy in being actor. Being dramatic and showing his face on camera all the time? Perfect!

And he honest to god was a great actor. Though it did get annoying from time to time that he was casted as either the pretty faced villain or the charming, perfect love interest. Sometimes he was even both.

Y/n didn’t like to admit it, but she was quite jealous at the beginning when she saw him kiss other men and women on screen. It took a big fight for her to admit that.

She wasn’t proud of that fight at all. She had been, without wanting to, been very critical of her then fiancé (it was about six months before they got married). She would call him several times a day when he was on set of a particularly spicy rom com and observe his socials every couple of minutes. Y/n remembers her friends teasing her about it in the beginning and then eventually scold her. “Don’t you trust him?”, they had asked and she had answered, “I do….”, and they knew she was telling the truth, yet there was more behind it.

Kenji soon caught up and noticed her strange clinginess.

“What is up with you, Y/N? You know I have work to do! You can’t call me that often on set!”, he had yelled when the topic came up. He had been visiting for the weekend before he would go back on set.

“Why not? Can a girl not talk to her fiancé?”, she had asked with a sharp undertone

“Of course, you can darling. But twenty times a day is simply too much!”, he argued, yet he tried keeping his tone softer.

“I don’t call that often”, she pouted

“Oh YES you do!”, he put his phone out and showed her the times she had called just the other day. She counted about thirty, “I was nice with that number!”

“And? So what? You can just put your phone on silent”

“Yes, of course I can. This isn’t about solving the notification issue it’s about solving your trust issues towards me. Why don’t you trust me?”, as he asked the question his anger had subsided and genuine hurt showed in his eyes in his voice, “you monitor me like I’m an inmate”

“I…”, she was only able to say, her throat suddenly seemed dry, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to… I…”, she couldn’t find the right words to explain it. It hurt too much to admit. She thought she had been over that thought pattern a long time ago, but it had returned to her.

“What? What have I done to deserve this?”, he asked, “Why are you even with me, if who I am disturbs you so much?”

And that… that sentence had hurt her more than that ugly thing inside of her she hadn’t wanted to face.

“You fool!”, she screamed in fury as the sentence he had uttered stung, her eyes filling with endless tears, “How could you ever think you disturb me? You are the most beautiful, wonderful human being I know, inside and out. And on top of that you are incredibly kindhearted. And that’s why I’m like this… I don’t want to lose you. And it’s not that I don’t trust you: I highly doubt you’d ever cheat on anyone. You are too kind for that. But I fear… I feared when you are together with all these good-looking actors you might not find me enough anymore. I know it’s stupid, but you see: The past haunted me again. When I was called fat. When I was called not-good-enough. When I read social media comments saying you’re out of my league and I don’t deserve you. Ugly words that ate me up inside when I was a child and young teen. I thought I was past that but I…I…”, now the tears were too many and her words died with hiccups. She felt his form surround her in a hug that felt so warm and yet sharp as knifes. She loved his touch but felt guilty for not opening up about this sooner. She had never wanted to be like this, but alas she had been too much of a coward to burden him or herself with this.

“Love”, he whispered after comforting her for a couple of minutes, “Look at me”

She lifted her head. Her eyes were red and puffy, her lips were dark pink, and tears had run streaks across her cheeks. It broke Kenji to have hurt her so deeply, yet he also knew that it wasn’t his fault. It was however his responsibility, to clear this up once and for all.

“Love listen”, he started, “I completely understand your jealousy. But we’ve been together for almost ten years and in all that time, I’ve never encountered a woman more incredible, deeply fascinating and intrinsically beautiful as you. No acted kiss could bring me away from you, no sexy actor could keep my mind from ever wishing for more than to be by your side. I’ve been by your side for almost six years: What should change now?

The monster from your past is, as already stated: Past. Their words were untrue. These people were in pain themselves when they caused you pain. You were a target to unleash the inner turmoil of others. It’s no excuse but it is the explanation. Those who feel they must hurt others are those who seek the most attention and power because they’d be devoid of having a self. I should know: I used to be similar to that. And I had my phase of jealousy as well, you know?”

“Really?”, y/n managed to ask

“Oh yes! I was in rage every time I heard you talk about any of your guy friends back in high school. Difference is I could hide it better because we were apart a lot of the time. I feared you would find someone who had more of a personality than me. I was no longer sure looks would cut it”

“Gosh love”, she answered, her voice love drunken, “you burst of personality. You aren’t just a pretty boy or well… pretty man. You have so much spirit and energy to give to the world. You are the definition of happiness and sunshine. And on top of that you are an incredibly talented man with so much to show. You wield the human mind and emotions so well you can convert yourself to be something other than yourself convincingly-”

“See?”, he asked, “and just like you love me like that and see all that good I sometimes don’t recognize, I see it in you… I always love you”

“I love you too. I’m sorry”

“Don’t be sorry. I’m so happy we had this talk. It was much needed”

“Yeah”, she hummed as her lips almost touched his and within seconds the couple found themselves passionately kissing

Ever since then they hadn’t had any of these kinds of self-worth problems. They’d say I love you on a daily basis and gave each other compliments whenever they could.

One thing the fans found especially cute was that, without fail, Red Rose would comment on each of Kenji’s selfies and comment “hey gorgeous, you single?” and he’d answer every single time, “Sure Sugar. Meet me at seven on your favorite street-corner”

One time they took a picture of each other on a nice-looking street corner. Kenji had called the picture “finally found the street corner. Been waiting to meet this lady for a while, apparently her name is ‘your wife’, which is peculiar but otherwise she seems nice”.

The picture even went viral and became one of the all-time favorite celebrity pictures of 2026.

After the talk-show they flew back in his helicopter.

They were in New York city and y/n looked at the city landscape with a fascinated gaze as she observed the flickering lights of the big apple.

Kenji looked at her with eyes shining almost as bright. He loved her love for everything new she sees. He had noticed that the first time she had seen the watering hole. He wasn’t really interested in her that way yet. He was fifteen and she thirteen, that makes quite a difference at this age. But still he couldn’t but smile as she looked at the dinosaurs with big eyes. And he loved that she hadn’t lost that spark, even as she got older, even as they came together and grew and changed together.

Y/n noticed his gaze and shifted hers to look at him.

‘What a beautiful man. I’ve missed him so’ she thought to herself.

“I missed you”, he said as though he had read her mind just now. Maybe he had. They had been together for so long they were often able to read each other’s subtle shifts in expression. Quite a beautiful thing.

“I missed you too”, she simply answered, “did you plan this talk show surprise?”

“Yes and no”, he admitted, “I was meeting up with Donavan O’Connor, the director of the ‘Elaine, the one?’ series. When calling Donavan, he told me had been to talking to Ray (the interviewer) and he was casually pointing out the funny coincidence you were meeting up for and mention the funny coincidence, that you’d have an interview with him that same day I come to the city and well… needless to say I called Ray and arranged things... I just had to. Couldn’t miss the opportunity to surprise my beautiful wife”

She smiled at that. A shy and flattered smile that reminded Kenji of when they were teens.

They landed on the roof of a nice-looking hotel. They had decided to stay the night here in New York before travelling back to Ireland… yes: Yes Ireland.

Most celebrities lived in L.A., but Kenji and y/n had preferred living a bit apart in an old mansion near the coast of south Ireland, close to the northern border. Although Kenji was a people person, he didn’t like the dishonesty and lying in the industry and wanted to get away from that with his wife who thought the same.

Besides: It was a beautiful country.

As they entered the room, they felt peace and happiness as well as a certain kind of tension arise.

Needless to say, there was another kind of reuinion going on that night...

(Sorry about that short ending, I had to heavily edit that ‘cause it originally was a... well... non Pg scene xD)

#kenji camp cretaceous #kenji x reader #kenji kon #kenji kon x reader #camp cretaceous #camp cretaceous fanfiction #jw cc #jurassic world camp cretaceous #self indulgent #self indulgent af

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mostlymovieswithmax · 3 years

Text

Movies I watched in September

I skipped a month again. But not to worry. This is a wrap-up of all the movies I watched in the month of September (2021). I think I maintained a steady ratio throughout but perhaps there’s not as much on the list this time because I wanted to get on with other things, be that work-wise or just trying to get out to the beach as much as possible and make the most of the last dregs of summertime. I went swimming in the sea a lot! But I also got to catch the new James Wan movie, Malignant (twice!) as well as the new James Bond, No Time To Die. Not to mention a couple of classics! My hope again with this list is to introduce people to new movies that they may otherwise not have seen or perhaps have never have heard of. These short reviews are my own subjective opinions on each individual movie. I’m thinking maybe a more informal approach to movie criticism can help include others who are just passing through. So here is every film I watched from the 1st to the 30th of September.

Fanny and Alexander (1982) - 8/10

Coming from Ingmar Bergman, I was surprised to see just how warm this was. I’m a big fan of the Swedish director and while this isn’t my favourite from him (perhaps due to it needing a second watch, or the fact I watched it in three chunks because it’s about three hours long and I overestimated how much time I had in the day) it’s still an interesting departure from what I’ve come to expect from him. Fanny and Alexander is a dreamy Christmassy movie that presents an overarching theme of love, spending a large portion of its runtime just hanging out with this big family on Christmas and showing how close they are. I would love to watch this again at some point in December and see how my opinion shifts but for now, while it could meandre in places, I can’t deny how unique a movie it is.

Another Round (2021) - 10/10

I had seen Thomas Vinterberg’s latest film before this point but this was the first time I got to see it in a cinema. Luckily for me my local independent cinema was showing it one night and while they had a few technical hiccups with setting everything up, the movie itself was still fantastic. Following a handful of school teachers who experiment with whether they can maintain a certain level of blood alcohol throughout the day, Another Round demonstrates a sense of unease and sadness throughout an otherwise comedic tone. These emotions are balanced perfectly, boosting an already intriguing concept that examines our relationship with alcohol from every angle.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) - 4/10

Straight after Another Round, I made my way to the chain cinema to meet up with friends to see the new Marvel movie. At this point, having had my second dose of the Covid vaccine that morning, I was starting to feel the effects and I was not doing well. But I watched the movie anyway, all the while wanting to be in bed. Shang-Chi was massively underwhelming and I’d go as far as to say it was even incompetent. Truth be told, I like the Marvel Cinematic Universe but from the get-go I already wasn’t hyped for this movie and I was expecting it to be about mediocre but what I got was something a lot worse. I won’t rehash what I’ve already said on this film so if you want to hear me rant about it a bit then I would recommend checking out episode 47 of my podcast, The Sunday Movie Marathon.

Your Name. (2016) - 6/10

Ultimately this was a fun little romance movie but I can’t say I understand why people adore it, nor do I understand why it needed to be animated. For what it’s worth, I found it cute and entertaining but nothing much jumped out to me.

Phil Wang: Philly Philly Wang Wang (2021) - 7/10

I’m always stumped on what to say about stand-up shows. It was good! I enjoyed Phil Wang talking about different things in a funny way and it got some laughs out of me. Admittedly I’m writing this a couple of weeks after watching it but it’s certainly a decent way to spend an hour if you’re looking for something light and fun.

The Lego Batman Movie (2017) - 6/10

I remember seeing this in the cinema with two of my friends and the theatre wasn’t exactly packed but those that were there were either children or parents. But I like The Lego Batman Movie! Clearly this was made by fans of the character as it’s packed with a lot of details and references from old comic runs but as someone who has never read the comics or seen those older movies, it still managed to be entertaining and while I won’t say it’s quite as good as The Lego Movie, the animation is still top notch and the voice actors are certainly giving it their all, especially Will Arnett as the titular character. It’s just a bit of fun!

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) - 10/10

A friend of mine told me to go to the screening of Terminator 2 at my local because they themselves weren’t able to attend. The first Terminator movie is a real gem and one of the most 80’s-type movies I’ve ever seen. I was excited to watch T2, remembering next to nothing about what I watched of it when I was a child. So it was just me in this screening, with one person in a row in front of me, and one other person behind me. If I had it my way, I would have been the only person there because this is honestly one of the best movies I’ve ever seen and it was very hard not to yell out every time something incredible happened, especially when it’s so action-packed and basically goes all out at every opportunity to deliver some of the most jaw-dropping effects or choreography. Truly there is never a dull moment and I was grinning like a lunatic the entire time. This film rocks!

Mirror (1975) - 7/10

Andrei Tarkovsky is one of my favourite directors and the new Criterion release of his film, Mirror, had been on my shelf for a while. My friend and fellow podcast co-host, Chris, was also interested in watching this movie so we decided we’d give it a watch and review it on the podcast. But this is such a weirdly structured film that the entire way through, neither of us knew what on earth was happening. What we got from the experience is reflected in the episode we made and I would love to watch this again at some point, hopefully with more context and a better understanding of what I’m in for. But in the meantime, you can hear the discussion on episode 46 of the podcast.

The Night House (2021) - 6/10

The Night House is David Bruckner’s follow-up to his previous movie, The Ritual and while I’ll say I prefer The Ritual, this is still a decent watch, just don’t go in expecting horror. More of my thoughts can be found in episode 46 of the podcast.

The Ritual (2017) - 7/10

After watching The Night House, I decided to go back to the director’s previous film, The Ritual and I got a lot more out of it this time around. Themes of guilt and grief permeate the movie and the result is this weird and unnerving film about a group of guys who go hiking in Sweden after the death of one of their friends and encounter dark forces beyond their comprehension. It can be drawn out at times and probably could have been boosted with a better script but there are so many interesting and strange ideas presented that culminate in a haunting third act that it’s worth watching just to see what on earth they’re being hunted by.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) - 10/10

Straight after recording an episode about our favourite movies on the podcast, I returned to one of my all-time favourites. Holy Grail is such a fantastically funny movie with so many memorable lines and moments that it’s become a staple in the comedy genre. Setting it in Arthurian England is a surefire way to make sure it stands the test of time, making use of the budget in a way that heightens the comedy, for example: not being able to get horses and so resorting to having a man banging two coconut halves together as they skip through the grassy terrain. It’s the writing that really takes centre stage here; the guys from Monty Python were/are geniuses. A couple more points were made on my podcast so please do listen to that to hear more: Episode 46 of The Sunday Movie Marathon

Malignant (2021) - 7/10

The new James Wan movie was bonkers! I saw this one twice in quick succession without hesitation. To find out why I love it so much, listen to episode 47 of the podcast.

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) - 8/10

We got a marathon of the first three Nightmare on Elm Street movies on the podcast so we watched them in quick succession within a day. This first movie is a true masterpiece of its time. For more insight, listen to episode 47 of the podcast.

A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy’s Revenge (1985) - 2/10

Quite an embarrassing departure from the genius and fun of the original. Elm Street 2 is not only technically unfulfilling but a wholly unentertaining movie to boot. More thoughts in episode 47 of the podcast.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987) - 3/10

While only a few hairs better than its predecessor, Elm Street 3 is still a mere shadow of the original. All in all, these second and third instalments in the franchise have put me off watching any of the others. More thoughts in episode 47 of the podcast.

Her (2013) - 10/10

Her is at once a beautiful love story between a man and an AI, and a scarily accurate look at how technology is expanding and moving forward. It uses warm colours and smooth camera work to create something that feels homely and safe, juxtaposing the often cold and dark feeling of science-fiction films to tell an intrinsically human story. What would it be like to go through this and what are the hurdles that need to be overcome? Her is a masterpiece of filmmaking and it left me emotionally exhausted in all the right ways.

Alien (1979) - 10/10

First time I’ve seen Alien in the cinema (as I was too busy not being born yet to see it on an initial release) and it was amazing! This is cosmic horror at its best. With all the eerie sound design, slow and deliberate camera movement, and outstanding effects, there’s no wonder as to why this is considered one of the greats and seeing it on the big screen was enthralling.

Aliens (1986) - 8/10

I had never seen Aliens before so the opportunity to see it for the first time in a cinema was one I could not pass up, especially since I was able to see it straight after the first. This is more of an action movie than the first one and as that, it was really something to see. While I don’t think it quite measures up to the original, James Cameron does bring a style to it that makes it something completely different while still feeling in line with its predecessor. A problem I’ve found as time goes on is that I don’t find myself thinking much about Aliens whatsoever and that’s probably down to its characters who generally I found quite weak. I’m already not big on standard action flicks and this is a clear cut above those but it does still fall victim to the trappings. That being said, I would in no way call this bad or even mediocre because it was a lot fun and being able to see it in the cinema is an experience I’m very grateful for.

Gunpowder Milkshake (2021) - 6/10

Gunpowder Milkshake is trying very hard to be John Wick and although it never really manages it, there is still fun to be had with its action (because really that’s all this movie has to offer). There’s a very creative scene in which Karen Gillan has to fight some goons in a hospital with a gun taped to one hand and a scalpel taped to the other, with the caveat being that her arms don’t work. Despite that and a good enough performance from Gillan, the rest is very goofy, with a villain about as intriguing as an advert for life insurance and a story that to say the least, leaves much to be desired.

I Lost My Body (2019) - 10/10

Another one for the podcast, I Lost My Body is a glorious cerebral animated piece that hits every nerve in my body. Listen to episode 48 for more.

Alice In Wonderland (1951) - 10/10

Perhaps the best early Disney movie in my humble opinion. Alice In Wonderland is complete insanity, doing things simply for the sake of it in a beguiling dreamlike take on Lewis Carroll’s classic book. Listen to episode 48 of The Sunday Movie Marathon for more.

WALL-E (2008) - 9/10

WALL-E is one of Pixar’s best. It is a cautionary tale of where the world is headed wrapped in a sweet story about going to the ends of the solar system in order to help those you love. I do however have one big problem with this movie and you can find out more in episode 48 of the podcast.

Killing Them Softly (2012) - 6/10

A lot about America’s economy at the time, Killing Them Softly goes about showing the lengths people will go to for money and yes it is generally solid with a fantastic speech by Brad Pitt to cap it off, but it cannot avoid meandering scenes of listless dialogue that neither engage me nor make me care about the characters it presents.

The Dirties (2013) - 6/10

Funny! The Dirties is a mockumentary about two guys making a movie about bullies in their school. While often it was generally chugging along and making me laugh, it tended to err on the side of plain as regards its presentation. A lot of scenes happen for the sake of it and in a movie that’s around an hour and twenty, it’s amazing I still managed to dip out in the latter half. More thoughts in episode 49 of the podcast.

Telstar: The Joe Meek Story (2009) - 3/10

Ah, I really hated this. I don’t even want to talk about it anymore. Just listen to episode 49 of the podcast to hear what I had to say.

Blade Runner 2049 (2017) - 10/10

This is my favourite movie! I got to talk about it on my podcast! Listen to episode 49 of The Sunday Movie Marathon to hear what I have to say!

No Time To Die (2021) - 8/10

Best Bond movie? Perhaps. I’ve not seen every Bond movie but of the ones I have seen (which does include all of Daniel Craig’s run), this is as good as it gets. Despite a near three hour runtime, No Time To Die felt as though it wasted very little. I’ve always complained that I could never follow the plot to these movies because often I simply didn’t care about it; for me it’s more about the action and seeing Daniel Craig be James Bond. No Time To Die does not escape some of the general tropes that often don’t leave me thinking I’ve watched something masterful but what I will say in its favour is that it’s fucking fun! Don’t expect to love it if you already dislike these movies because generally it stays in the same vein as the others before it, but for Bond fans it’s something totally enjoyable. Captivating cinematography, biting fight choreography and action set-pieces, a core struggle for James who actually goes through relatable hardships his time round, coping with being part of a family and trying to keep them safe.

I was happy to see a bit more attention paid to female characters this go round; in a franchise that often glamorizes Bond’s sexual promiscuity and ability to woo any woman he likes, it was much more refreshing to see that he often did need help from a lot of badass, well written female characters.

No Time To Die has been waiting to be released for a long time now and now it’s actually out, I’m pleased it’s not hot garbage. In fact, quite the opposite is true. The final swan song for Craig’s fifteen-year tenure as one of cinema’s most recognisable heroes outdoes all that came before it. Bravo.

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svpernatvralis · 4 years

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NERISSA MONTEVERDE is a 537 year old cis female fae. people say they have a striking resemblance to fahriye evcen. they work as the owner of royal jelly flowers and are part of the syndicate ( fae right hand ). people say they’re really coquettish, imaginative, & meticulous, but unfortunately also fickle, manipulative, & reticent. why are they in invictus? well, they simply wish to protect their kind.

hey, hello, hi, bonjour! s’up buttercups? ‘tis i, your friendly neighbourhood loser chrissie and i’m super duper excited to be here among you fab human beings! this is my precious bby nerissa who is honestly quite curt sometimes tbh lmao still, she’s got a good heart deep down and is pretty much what you might say away with the fairies 99.9% of the time hsjakgkjf no pun intended tehe. plot-wise i’m open to literally anything and everything so come at me with any ideas ya got! i’m always diggity down to spit ball ideas and form some dope connections so pls feel free to invade my ims or hmu on le cord and we can brainstorm until our heart’s content! if ya wanna, go ahead and light that lil grey heart up red and i’ll shimmy my butt your way for all of the good stuff. anywho, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty, shall we?

fundamentals.

name. nerissa angelique monteverde.

age. 537, but appears around 29.

d.o.b. december 17th.

gender. cisgender female.

pronouns. she / her.

orientation. pansexual.

affiliation. the syndicate.

rank. fae right hand.

job. owner of royal jelly flowers.

connections.

birth mother. enya. †

birth father. caliban. †

step-mother. nyx. †

siblings. unknown.

significant other. n/a.

child/ren. n/a.

pet/s. n/a.

proficiencies.

spoken languages. english, turkish, german, italian, french, spanish, & latin.

negative traits. brusque, calculating, distant, deceptive, & promiscuous.

positive traits. elegant, headstrong, observant, independent, & confident.

strengths. dedicated, strong-willed, direct, honest, loyal, patient, reliable, enjoys creating order, & excellent organiser.

weaknesses. inflexible, stubborn, judgemental, uncomfortable with unconventional situations, too focused on social status, finds it difficult to relax, & has difficulty expressing emotion.

appearance.

eye colour. hazel.

hair colour. brown / auburn.

height. five feet, eight inches.

weight. 59 kg.

miscellaneous.

zodiac. sagittarius.

element. fire.

house. slytherin.

meyers briggs type. estj-a.

alignment. true neutral.

enneagram. type one.

temperament. choleric.

intelligence type. interpersonal.

background.

NERISSA ANGELIQUE MONTEVERDE — five hundred and thirty-seven, fae, owner of royal jelly flowers, + fae right hand for the syndicate !

possible triggers : adultery, infertility, execution, beheading, murder, death.

tl;dr. alrighty, where do we start with this lil spitfire? she uhhh ... has a lot of issues and is quite distant bc of it. nerissa was the product of an affair between an esteemed fae ( caliban ) and a fire faerie ( enya ). though nerissa never had the chance to meet her birth mother as her step-mother ( nyx ) banished enya shortly after she gave birth. enya’s banishment was a result of the rage nyx held toward her. in part, due to her inability to conceive a child of her own and also due to her anger for her husband’s affair. thus, nerissa grew up under the impression that her biological mother was nyx; neither of her parents divulging the truth behind her parentage. although nerissa was not biologically nyx’s daughter, nyx adored the young fae as if she were her own blood. in truth, nerissa spent more time with her ‘mother’ than with her father. in part, caliban felt the loss of his mistress even though he refused to acknowledge her part in his daughter’s birth. basically, he never had any time for nerissa and excluded her from everything. still, she remained upbeat about it, thinking that one day she'd win his love. she did not. shocker. growing up, life was mostly positive for nerissa. her father’s guards protected her, and his warlock friends aided her with her abilities and taught her the fae ways as well as those of the human beliefs. as the years passed by, nerissa grew stronger and smarter; becoming an adored figure among her fellow fae, yet, in the background, tensions rose between nyx and caliban when their family dynamic became endangered by nyx’s threat of revealing the truth behind nerissa’s heritage. in fear of their secret becoming common knowledge ( and most importantly, ariela finding out ), caliban ordered for his wife to be executed for ‘treason.’ of course, nerissa tried to protest this due to her love for the woman she believed to be her mother but her attempts to prevent her father’s ruling were futile. days later, nyx was publicly beheaded by one of caliban’s most loyal guards. this act served to place a wedge further between nerissa and her father and as the years ticked by, until his untimely demise which was when nerissa left her home behind. soon after, she joined the syndicate where she now sits as the right hand for the fae. to this day, she remains unaware of her true parentage and continues to struggle with the haunting nightmares of her childhood. so yah, nerissa had a pretty rough childhood but she's bounced back. well, about as much as you'd expect from someone who grew up feeling unwanted and unloved. really, she just always tries her best and is a perfectionist and wants to protect her kind.

random extras.

her signature scent is chanel N°5.

she’s fearless af. throwback to her upbringing, most likely.

she’s all sweet smiles and charming words until her expression turns sharp and deadly. it’s her tactic to entice then pounce, if you will.

she loves to surprise people. most assume she’s a pretty girl but oh, she loves the look of shock on their faces when she unleashes her inner bish.

in a way, her words are like her weaponry.

an angel of vengeance in a pair of designer sunglasses tbh.

owns waaay too many pairs of heels.

her signature look is her blood-red lips.

often wears suits and totally rocks them.

when it comes to whether or not she is morally decent or an extremely bad person, she is somewhere in the middle of that spectrum—she isn’t heartless but she isn’t compassionate either.

she’s v ambitious, v morally ambiguous, v self-serving and v self-involved.

she can be pretty deadly if you piss her off enough.

is truly an independent woman who don’t need no man.

loyalty means a lot to her. if you betray her trust, then she’ll freeze you out.

while she’s a major ice queen on the outside, she has the potential to melt with the right people.

may seem like she has a superiority complex and acts as if she’s better than you, but it’s just because she knows her worth and her value.

she knows her strengths and isn’t afraid to assert them.

she’s v confident. not in a cocky way, but she is definitely self-assured in her looks and abilities.

avoids violence when possible.

prefers blackmail and taking advantage of people’s pressure points.

she’s her own biggest fan tbh.

#invictusintro #aloha!#this took me forever dsjhdjs #but pls hmu for plots etc : )

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homenum-revelio-hq · 4 years

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Welcome to the Order of the Phoenix, Bailey!

You have been accepted for the role of ROSLALIA CLEARWATER with the facelaim change of Im Jinah! We were so excited to see someone interested in Rosalia. We think she’s such a multi-faceted character and you really brought her in life in your application. We cannot wait to see how her appearance back to the Order will change the dynamics here! Welcome to the roleplay!

Please take a look at the new member checklist and send in your account within 24 hours! Thank you for joining the fight against Voldemort!

OUT OF CHARACTER:

NAME & PRONOUNS: Bailey - she/her

AGE: 26

TIMEZONE: CST

ACTIVITY LEVEL: I work full time so usually I’ll be on in the evenings and weekends. If I had to wager a guess, I’d say I should be able to get on around 3 times a week.

ANYTHING ELSE: triggers - animal abuse/cruelty/torture.

CHARACTER DETAILS:

NAME: Rosalia Clearwater

AGE: 30 - December 12, 1951

GENDER, PRONOUNS, and SEXUALITY: Female | She/Her | Bisexual

BLOOD STATUS: Half-Blood

HOUSE ALUMNI: Gryffindor

ANY CHANGES: Requesting a FC change from Jamie Chung to Im Jinah

CHARACTER BACKGROUND:

(tw: minor self harm)

PERSONALITY:

You know those girls you hear about - the ones that grew up with scrapes on their knees and branches in their hair, with wild smiles and honey sweet laughter? No concept of fear, the kind of girl who embraced everything the world threw at her with her feet planted firmly on the ground. Rosalia was once that girl - always ready to speak up and defend those that need defending, quick to fight and just as quickly settle down into a discussion.

She liked to have an understanding of those around her, how they thought and what drove them. It was maybe a more Ravenclaw trait but she found most confrontations didn’t escalate to the same extent if she heard someone out.

Not that she didn’t have opinions - she knew what she believed in and would do research to help support her ideas. Sometimes she’d get fixated on one idea and hold fast to it, that Gryffindor stubbornness settling into her veins. It would take examples and sources to change her mind at that point, not just an opinion. Of course, when it’s the minority (half-breeds and muggle born) there aren’t always the official resources to back up their experiences - biases run rampant throughout history.

She is a natural born leader and teacher - being the eldest of 4 definitely helped her develop those skills. It showed in her classes too - the ease with which she answered questions and how she would help others around her who were struggling, usually regardless of house. The Slytherin’s usually didn’t ask for help from her but if it happened, her answers were usually a little more clipped and there was a distrust in her eyes that wasn’t present with other houses.

Rosalia could definitely be rash in her decisions, jumping into a fight or conversation without knowing all the details. Most of the trouble she landed in was because she didn’t look before leaping.

She has learned over time to not only listen to what people are saying, but what they are not saying. Gaps in information and missing links usually mean something is fishy and she will never hesitate to prod a little if she feels there’s more to be said.

What do they struggle with?

As a child, she would ask question after question, regardless of how appropriate they were and without any regard for tact. The teachers in her muggle schools tried to train her out of it but it wasn’t until she went to Hogwarts that she truly began to see people from all walks of life and how her questions might affect someone. It was also the first place where her punishments stuck - detention in the muggle world would never compare to scrubbing out cauldrons for hours on end or polishing trophies until her hands were red and raw.

Over time, those relentless questions turned into a love of debate and she would eagerly

argue wixen politics or the rights of certain people or why the colour purple was clearly superior over all other colours. It was fun and it always felt like a contest and she did have a love of winning.

Her biggest struggle came around after she was hit by the curse. It wasn’t like breaking a bone, where the pain was immediate and overwhelming and recovery was slow going but the healing was obvious. No, this curse was more insidious - a dark mark forming on her bicep and over time spreading down to her fingers until her veins were dark and her fingertips black.

Slowly losing the mobility of her wand arm was debilitating - the magic thrummed in her veins but she wasn’t able to cast it, to release it to the world. And then one day, she woke up and couldn’t feel anything where the darkness was - no fizzy thrum of magic, no pinpricks of her sewing needles, not even the sensation as she dragged her sharpest knife along her forearm.

After fleeing Britain and the war, it took a very long time for Rosalia to be able to sleep through the night without dreaming of the night that sent her life into a tailspin. Even now, after all the work she put into her rehabilitation, a big part of her still doesn’t believe she will be able to be of use to the Order. What good is a wix with one good arm and unresolved trauma to an organization that is trying to save the wixen world?

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF FAMILY:

Growing up, she never knew her father. Her mother, Vanessa Clearwater, rarely talked about him other than to say that he was a muggle and they were better off without him. It was the same with the rest of her sisters - all of them had a different father, always muggle, and never present. Any time they would ask after any of their absent fathers, Vanessa would snap and send them off to do chores until they were exhausted.

It was a strict upbringing but not unpleasant by any stretch of the imagination. Vanessa instilled in each of them a sense of worth and confidence that would be hard to shake. Magic was intermittent among the girls: Rosalia was magical from the age of three, Violette didn’t manifest anything until her 8th birthday, Alysum was the late bloomer of all of them - her letter came as a surprise and her first year was a struggle, but she did manage to manifest magic. Her magic was always the weakest. And Poppy never showed any aptitude for magic. This meant that her entire family doted upon her and did their best to include her whenever they could, but there were some times that Poppy was excluded despite their best efforts.

Vanessa Clearwater: Mother

Rosalia Clearwater: Eldest

Violette Clearwater: 2nd born

Alysum Clearwater: 3rd born

Poppy Clearwater: 4th born

OCCUPATION:

Rosalia doesn’t currently have an occupation. Before she fled Britain, she was a full time member of the Order and devoted all her time to the cause. Once she was set up in Brazil, she picked up a waitressing job in a muggle restaurant to pay for her rent and food. Now though, as she steps out into the familiar gloomy atmosphere of London, she has nothing. No occupation, no home - she’s not even sure if she’s still a member of the Order.

ROLE WITHIN THE ORDER/THOUGHTS ABOUT THE ORDER: What is their purpose in the Order? How do they feel about the organization within a failing war? Remember, the Order is also an illegal vigilante organization and that can be difficult for characters to navigate.

It was her home. She was a defender, a light against the evils of the world and now she was nothing. A burden to the people she once called family and a liability if she were ever caught. The guilt haunts her - knowing the risk her actions and memory could have.

And still…some part of her wants to be welcomed back, to rejoin the people she loves. Time is short and survival isn’t guaranteed - the gut wrenching article she read in the Prophet confirmed that. The darkness was spreading and she had to get back out there on the front lines…even if it meant her death.

Penance by sacrifice - could she ever make it up to the Order for leaving? If not..she would give her life for those that hadn’t fallen. She would do all she could to pass on what she’d learned to other members of the Order but, as far as she was concerned, her life was tainted and although she was ready to fight, she knew that her life wasn’t worth the same as someone like James Potter.

SURVIVAL:

She fled to Brazil and for a while, could not practice her magic at all. Each spell was a fight and every time she reached for it, it felt tired and lethargic. She got set up in a muggle beach side town and started working in a restaurant to make enough to live. She’s going back to Britain now and to be honest, doesn’t intend to survive. Her survival is no longer on the table - the survival of the Light is all that matters now.

RELATIONSHIPS:

Fragile, non-existent, shattered - coming back, she doesn’t expect any sort of warm welcome. She misses them all though, her heart aching every time she thought of back home, thought of sending another owl, of just picking up and going back to the friends and family she once knew. But her dreams are haunted by their scorn, by their betrayal and she finds herself cowering away in her small bachelor room.

Moody - he was her friend, suspicious and rough and always on edge but someone she could trust with her life. And now….well, if he didn’t hex her on sight, she would think it was a miracle. If she could just talk with him, explain why she left how she did…maybe he’d at least give her the time of day.

OOC EXPLORATION:

SHIPS/ANTI-SHIPS:

Note that there are no planned endgame ships set in this roleplay. There are a few characters who are in romantic relationships at the start of the game, but it will be up to players to decide if those relationships can survive the war. This question does not guarantee that any ship will happen, it is merely for fellow players to see where your interest might lie.

Really, anything organic. Will have to work through trauma - doesn’t intend to survive war - why make long term commitments? Open to old flames/exes as well, if we want to establish something from Hogwarts time or from before she fled the country. Could be almost anyone in Hogwarts time and after that time, anyone who was part of the Order. Would never have a relationship with a known death eater - I am down for twists and subterfuge and betrayal though along those lines.

WHAT PRIVILEGES AND BIASES DOES YOUR CHARACTER HAVE?

Rosalia definitely has some biases that she got while attending Hogwarts. Competitive by nature, it only made sense to her that of course Gryffindors were better than Slytherins. You only had to look at how the Quidditch games went or where the Slytherin common room was located - the dungeons were creepy and gross and those thoughts just translated over to the students who lived there.

As time went on and she slowly had smaller courses with more classmates from different houses, her immediate disgust and distrust began to go away. She was more likely to treat her fellow Slytherin classmates with respect and even joked around with them, but if she ran into unfamiliar Slytherins in the halls, her gaze would harden and that suspicion would filter back in.

She’s grown a fair bit since her school days and having travelled, does understand that you can’t judge someone based on how they were sorted or who they were at a young age. Still, there are some microaggressions she can’t shake and it takes a purposeful thought process to correct herself when she notices them.

Muggles - Rosalia has two different trains of thoughts when it comes to non-magical folk. The first one is based on Poppy - the baby of the family and someone who needs to be protected. She doesn’t have the luxury of magic to rely on and she struggled a little more compared to the rest of her family. If Rosalia had to compare, she would say it was most similar to seeing a puppy on the side of the road in a box that needed a home.

The other train of thought stems from what Vanessa has told her about her father. How he didn’t want to be a part of her life, how unreliable he was, how much better off they are without him. It’s normal for muggle parents to be absent from their child’s life and Vanessa didn’t want that for any of her kids.

Living among muggles hasn’t warmed Rosalia’s heart to them. If anything, the resentful side of her has grown - working in a customer service role has shown her the worst side muggles have to offer.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO?

Honestly, I was looking around different roleplays on tumblr and I really loved the premise of this group. I also liked how the plot drops really incorporated all characters involved and seems to include everyone.

I’ve also kept thinking about this group after I messaged the main a month ago about the potential FC change. I literally couldn’t get Rosalia out of my head.

PLOT DROP IDEAS:

I really like the idea of exploring the trauma and PTSD that Rosalia has and how this will affect her return to the Order. I also like the idea of her not succeeding when she initially returns and forcing her to deal with some of the trauma she’s been avoiding.

I also love the idea of getting her to a place where she can produce a full bodied patronus again as she hasn’t been able to since she was hit by the curse.

#homenumaccepted

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mischiefandspirits · 5 years

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Who is Iron Man?

After a three month imprisonment by terrorists, child genius Tony Stark was rescued by an unknown entity. Who is this Iron Man? The world wants to know.

SI Founder Found Dead

By Kate Mallory - December 17, 2009

Today we mourn the loss of a technological superstar.

Last night, a car accident took the life of Stark Industries founder and CEO Howard Stark (age 87) as well as his wife Maria (age 79) and daughter Amanda (age 34). The family was reportedly on their way to the airport for a vacation in the Bahamas when, according to police representatives, one of their car’s tires blew out causing the vehicle to crash into a tree on the side of the road. Howard and Maria were pronounced dead on arrival while Amanda died en route to the hospital.

As Amanda was an only child and never married, the family is survived solely by her son, child genius and media rascal Anthony “Tony” Stark (age 8). A sudden illness had sprung up that morning, causing him to need to stay home with a family friend and saving him from the deadly crash.

Questions have begun to rise up over the future of both Stark Industries and the young Stark, but SI has only given a quick statement before closing all lines of communications for the time being. The statement, in short, revealed that Stark Industries COO Obadiah Stane would be taking over as CEO temporarily until Stark’s will can be seen to. Likewise, young Tony is set to remain with the mentioned unnamed family friend until such time.

Read on for a full obituary and discussion on what this could mean for the future of Stark Industries >>

BREAKING NEWS: A Stark Disappearance

By Tech-miss - January 26, 2011

A late-night posting, I know, but I’ve got big news, readers! A leak from within Stark Industries has just revealed that the company’s prized heir is currently MIA on the other side of the planet.

Two days ago, Tony Stark had been in Afghanistan for a demonstration of the Jericho Missile -- a revolutionary missile system utilizing SI’s repulsor tech -- when the military convoy escorting him fell under attack. When backup arrived, many of the soldiers were either dead or injured while Stark was nowhere to be found. A team has already been formed for search and rescue, headed by Colonel James Rhodes: USAF officer, military liaison to SI, and friend of Stark’s.

That was all the leak was willing to say, but requests have already been flooding in for further comments from the airforce, SI, and Stark’s legal guardian Obadiah Stane so I’ll be sure to update you all the moment I get more information!

Comment down below with your thoughts and theories my fellow techies!!!

The Child of Death Back From the Dead

By Ryan Prince - May 2, 2011

The business and technology worlds are in a stir today and unsurprisingly it’s all due to Tony Stark.

The nine-year-old returned to the states today after having been rescued less than a week earlier from his three-month imprisonment at the hands of the Ten Rings terrorist organization. True to form, he immediately made a scene.

Mere moments after Stark was reportedly supposed to have stepped off his plane, his minder and personal assistant Virginia “Pepper” Potts reached out to the Stark Industries public relations department to call together a press conference for Stark. Bolts&Blogs was on the list and I was lucky enough to be free to represent the site even with the short notice.

Stark opened the conference without the usual flare that has become his signature over the past year, though he did start it by sitting down in front of the podium with a cheeseburger and asking everyone to join him on the floor. He explained it away as an attempt to make everything less formal, but the boy was (justifiably) visibly exhausted by recent events.

Little information has been revealed about Stark’s imprisonment, but it’s hard not to imagine what he might have gone through and his appearance only makes it worse. He was thin with malnourishment and the rush makeup job he had gotten hadn’t managed to completely cover the bruises across his face or his sunburned flush. One of his arms was tucked into a sling and his artfully styled hair was now long and limp. There was also a seriousness about him that looked alien on the formerly excitable and mischievous boy.

Once everyone but those operating cameras had sat, Stark then proceeded to greet his legal guardian, Stark Industries CEO Obadiah Stane (Why Stane hadn’t been at the airport to greet his ward sooner is unknown at this time), before setting into a monologue about his grandfather, the late founder of Stark Industries Howard Stark (More information here). He wondered over what Howard had thought about the company, if he had doubts or was as confident in everything he did as the news painted him.

He then mentioned the soldiers from his escort that had died due to, as reports have hinted, Stark Industries made weaponry, stating that the company had “grown from arming the knights into arming the dragons.”

When questioned about what had happened in Afghanistan, Stark answered as such:

“I had my eyes opened. I came to realize that I have more to offer this world than just making things that blow up. I know I have no power to change the company until I’m legally declared an adult and can claim my inheritance, so that is why, effective immediately, I am leaving the weapons manufacturing division of Stark Industries until such a time as I am capable of deciding what the future of this company will be, what direction it should take and is consistent with the highest good…”

Whatever more he had to say was lost as Stane escorted him off the stage into Potts’ waiting grasp. The man, despite his ever-present smile, had clearly been caught off guard by his ward’s statement and quickly concluded the conference.

As anyone who knows anything about technology could tell you, nothing worth talking about comes out of Stark Industries without the tiny fingerprints of the company’s resident genius on it, which begs the question of what this means for their weapons department? Will they still be able to stay ten steps ahead of their competitors without Stark’s designs? Where will Stark’s focus go now as Stark Industries has always been first and foremost a weapons manufacturer? I suppose we’ll have to wait and see.

[Subscribe] to Bolts&Blogs for the most up to date information from the world of technology and feel free to join the discussion down below!

Hidden Hero

By Tech-miss - June 27, 2011

New information has come out regarding Tony Stark’s rescue, readers, and it’s a doozy.

For starters, it wasn’t the USAF that did the rescuing.

According to the report published early this morning, an “unknown entity” (Let’s call him Uno) launched an attack on a Ten Rings base which the air force later realized was being used to hold Stark as well as a second unnamed prisoner (aka Doc) who had been brought in to treat the injuries he’d gained during his kidnapping. Uno then staged a rescue, freeing Stark and Doc before destroying the base. Afterwards, they watched over the two until a USAF chopper began to close in, at which time they took off and disappeared.

As far as anyone can tell from the report, the USAF doesn’t appear to have any idea who the rescuer is. Stark apparently didn’t have a clue and if Doc did, we’ll never know as he, unfortunately, fell unconscious shortly after being picked up due to wounds he received protecting Stark and died not long after while in surgery.

Of course that means theories abound. Everything from a secret SI black ops team to the stereotypical ALIENS!!!! have flooded the forums. I’m particularly interested in one such theory that posits Captain America was the one to save them, if only because all the OP said to justify it was “Cap could do it!!!!!” and I find that hilarious.

Hopefully, we’ll get some more information soon. Here’s hoping Zombie Cap didn’t save Stark for his brains.

Comment down below with your thoughts and theories my fellow techies!!!

Who is Iron Man?

By CamicsComics - October 27, 2011

Hey there CamComs! Today’s post is going to be different from my usual stuff, but that’s because we’ve got confirmation that a real-life superhero is flying around!

Some background that you might be missing if you live under a comic book-lined rock like I do: Five months ago child celebrity and genius Tony Stark was rescued by an unknown person after he’d been kidnapped in Afghanistan. If you’re wondering who would think sending a nine-year-old into an active war zone is a fine idea like I was, then I’ve got two words for you: attempted murderer. But we’ll get to that.

Theories have flown about regarding who might have saved him, and today the world got its answer.

Well, at least we got his alias.

See, while the kid was in Afghanistan he found out his company’s weapons had ended up in the hands of the very guys who were keeping him prisoner. Since most of the weapons were his own designs, the kid understandably decided to leave the weapons business. Honestly, the kid shouldn’t have been there in the first place, but again, his legal guardian was super sketch.

Said guardian was Obadiah Stane. He’d been a partner to Stark’s grandfather Howard Stark and took over as CEO after the man’s death. He’d allegedly been a pseudo uncle to Stark’s mother so people said it made sense the man was given guardianship. Apparently those people never considered the millions of stories about evil uncles killing off their nephews to become king.

Honestly, from what I’ve read, I’m surprised Colonel James Rhodes wasn’t given custody. The guy was friends with Stark’s mother, had a rapport with his grandparents, and is still close with Stark.

Stane had never even met Stark until he was given custody!

I’m getting off track though.

Today during a press conference, Stark revealed that he’s been looking into the dirty weapons. A few days ago, his assistant Pepper Potts found evidence on Stane’s computer that not only has Stane been dealing under the table, but he had put a hit out on Stark. When Stane realized he’d been found out, he decided to finish the job. He attacked Stark and nearly killed him before using an experimental piece of SI technology to try to kill Potts and the agents (they didn’t say who the agents were with, just that they were agents) that had accompanied her to arrest Stane.

Which brings us to the reason for this post.

Apparently the person who had rescued Stark from Afghanistan had been looking into the weapons too and arrived at the mansion Stane and Stark shared just in time to save Stark. Using information the boy gave him, he then flew over to SI to take down Stane.

And yes, I did mean flew. Because this mysterious person the media had dubbed Iron Man is exactly what you’d expect from a name like that. He’s got a high tech suit of armor that can fly and shoot lasers!!! Like I said real-life superhero! Not only that, but he’s got a team of robots to back him up.

Don’t believe me? Look it up! Stark leaked pictures online of said Iron Man taking down Stane to prove he’s not just some kid telling stories, which was quickly followed up by a bunch of different people posting their own pics all over social media to back him up.

When questioned on Iron Man’s identity, Stark refused to comment. However, he did admit that the rumors about Iron Man being his bodyguard were false.

“Although IM came to Afghanistan for me, it was because he’s was a good friend and not because he was being paid as some rumors have suggested. Also, any and all rumors that I created the suit or bots are not only untrue, but also super insulting. The suit is a work of art straight from IM's genius mind and he deserves all the praise for it.”

Of course, people picked up on the “good friend” comment when it comes to trying to figure out the man behind the suit. A theory that Col. Rhodes was Iron Man seemed the most likely as he is close to Stark, headed the search and rescue unit, and graduated MIT with degrees in engineering and physics. However, as some have pointed out, there are photos and videos showing Rhodes with Stark and Potts during the fight between Stane and Iron Man.

That’s it for the past, but what about the future?

For Iron Man’s future, it seems like he’s going to be working with the US military to track down all the dirty SI weapons. For little Stark, things are still up in the air.

Since his legal guardian is out of the picture and he has no living relatives, there is some debate on where he’ll go. Both Rhodes and Potts are trying to get custody. I’ve covered the good on Rhodes, though I should point out his position as SI’s military liaison does put him in an awkward place. Potts is in a similar position as she’s currently Stark’s employee. That said, there’s no denying Potts knows how to take care of him as she basically became his nanny after Stane took control and shifted her from her former position (the PA to the CEO) to being Stark’s PA and minder, which basically means she took care of the paperwork aspect of his job, made sure he was on time for appointments, got him to eat and go to bed, kept him out of trouble, and other such things his legal guardian should have been doing instead of plotting to kill a nine-year-old.

She’s also clearly fond of the kid. There are pictures all over of her and the kid together and even at her most scolding she never really seems to be angry with him (such as in these pictures from a gala where Stark apparently decided to set off a CONTROLLED EXPLOSION!?!?! “For some entertainment”! And apparently this is typical behavior? No one’s ever been hurt, but seriously kid?). In fact, she’s often caught indulging in his more playful mischief (such as these pics that show the two of them dancing at the recent Firefighter's Family Fund benefit where Stark apparently gate-crashed his own party).

We also know she has no fear telling off her boss no matter what considering we’ve got multiple sources to prove that the reason the woman got her job in the first place was because she -- and I’m not kidding here -- forced her way into Howard Stark’s office back when she was just a financial jocky to make him correct an error he’d made on some paperwork. She’d earned a face-full of pepper spray, a job, and a nickname for her bravery, the last courtesy of Tony Stark himself.

Well, sweet CamComs, as much as I’d love to keep talking about this, unfortunately, that’s all I got for now. I’ll be keeping a close eye on Iron Man and Stark (because there’s zero chance that kid won’t get caught up in something again. Heck, maybe he’ll even build his own suit and become the hero’s sidekick. Seems right up the kid’s alley) and keep you updated, but unless something else happens, I’ll be back to my usual content on Tuesday.

Subscribe, like, and share, CamComs! Until next time, be the hero you want to see in the world!

Iron Tweet

By Ryan Prince - November 12, 2011

Does the mysterious superhero Iron Man have a Twitter? It would seem so!

Two days ago, @1r0n_M4n opened with the name 0111 01 1011. At first glance, one might think it was just a fan account, but the accounts first Tweet -- “Is this how I do it @ Tony?” -- was not only liked by Tony Stark, Virginia “Pepper” Potts, and Col. James Rhodes, but Stark also replied to it with “Yeah, but you actually have to use my thing, @1r0n_M4n”. Rhodes followed suit with “Was Iron Man spelled out normally seriously taken already?” and Potts responded with “Yes, but @1r0n_M4n wanted it spelled like that to begin with.” By that point, many had taken notice of the account and it only increased when the account became verified late last night.

While the account has since been flooded with questions about the hero and suit, none have been answered. However, when someone jokingly asked for help with a math homework problem, Iron Man responded with a picture of the problem worked out. This began a slew of people asking for Iron Man’s help with their varying homework problems until Potts spoke up with “@1r0n_M4n you can’t just do people’s homework for them. They need to learn how to do it themselves.” Iron Man immediately apologized and afterward only responded to such tweets with links to varying sites that proved to have useful information for whatever the problem might be. While most gave up afterward, some --usually college-age -- continued to request assistance with grateful thanks afterward.

The account currently has 500k+ followers and growing, but only follows six accounts. Stark, Potts, and Rhodes are obvious, but people have become curious over the other three: @GirlFriday, @Uuuuuuuuuu, and @DUM_E.

@GirlFriday (named F.R.I.D.A.Y.) appears to be a graphic artist. The account boasts no personal tweets, but many designs have been posted, some of which are said to have been sold to different companies. A few Stark Industries logos have even been found on the site, including the current one.

@Uuuuuuuuuu’s (named U) account consists entirely of retweeted music videos with genres ranging from classical to rap with the only comments being a sad or happy emoji for each to apparently give the account owner’s approval or disapproval.

@DUM_E (named Butterfingers) is a more wildcard account. It mostly consists of retweeted recipes and cooking videos, but there are also links to recipes on what appears to be @DUM_E’s own personal cookbook website as well as original cooking videos featuring far less appetizing mixtures (such as the one which features what appears to be motor oil being blended with strawberries, a banana, and almond milk). This seems to be the most curious account though as it is the only one with personal comments, though they are all coded in an odd mix of binary and morse code. Most of the comments either review recipes they’ve tried out or complain of annoying brothers and sisters without giving any names, but that’s not the curious part.

You see, those that put in the effort to decode @DUM_E’s comments realized that the same code was used for @1r0n_M4n’s name. Translated it reads Jay. Although that’s not much to go on, it is more than we had before. That’s not all though, because people have compared pictures from Stark’s workshop to screenshots from @DUM_E’s videos and website to show that the videos were filmed at the kitchenette in the lab. This has led some to believe the account might be a “shitpost” account of Stark’s, though others have argued that the comments about siblings wouldn’t make sense for him. When questioned, @DUM_E responded with a pair of tweets that, when translated, read, “Tony could not make good food like me.” and “If I didn’t make him food and bring it to him, he’d never eat.”

Before anyone else could respond, @1r0n_M4n added, “The recipes in @DUM_E��s videos are his more experimental ones and @TStark rarely partakes in them. @DUM_E usually feeds him the recipes from his site.”

Stark’s Twitter was immediately bombarded with questions of which of the video recipes fell into the “rarely” column, which Stark refused to reply to. Rhodes, however, posted a none too subtle tweet a short time later about how Tony and he agreed motor oil tasted better with bananas than chocolate.

Who could these mystery accounts belong to and how are they connected to Stark and Iron Man? How are Iron Man and Stark connected in the first place? Could these mystery accounts be the key? How many times has Stark eaten motor oil? Time will tell.

[Subscribe] to Bolts&Blogs for the most up to date information from the world of technology and feel free to join the discussion down below!

#Iron Man #j.a.r.v.i.s.#tony stark #rhodey #pepper potts #fanfiction

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missnight0wl · 6 years

Text

A night to remember

Summary: It’s finally time for the Winter Ball, and the whole curse-breaking gang is having fun. They deserved it.

Note: You can also read about Helena’s “Ups and downs” on the day when Charlie asked her to be his date.

Words: 2780

December 24, 1988

“Come on already, Helen!” called Andre, leaning on one of the chairs in the Ravenclaw Common Room. He was waiting for his friend for some time now. When he hoped she’s finally getting down, the girl decided she didn’t want to go to the ball at all.

“I feel stupid!” she whined.

“You’re overdramatic. I’m sure it’s fine.”

There was another moment of silence, and then Helena eventually appeared in the door, stepping a bit shakily. She was wearing a light blue dress made of tulle, finishing a little below the knee. Her hair was twisted in a bun with soft curls framing her face. She spread out her arms presenting herself.

“Lovely,” remarked Andre contently.

Helena stared at him sceptically. “For real, or you’re only saying that so I won’t cry and ruin my make-up?”

“It’s kind of both if I’m being honest,” he replied and thought for a second. “Just try not to frown so much, and keep your back straight…” he added, adjusting his own posture. “Oh no, why are you crying anyway? It’s really good, I’m telling you!”

The girl’s eyes indeed glistened with tears. She was breathing deeply in an attempt to hold them back. Andre approached her quickly and held her shoulders in a supportive gesture.

“It’s…” Helena stuttered out. “It’s just so normal, y’know…”

“What do you mean?”

“Just… just getting ready to a party, instead of curse-breaking…” Her voice started to tremble.

The fellow Ravenclaw seemed to be surprised by those words, but almost immediately this look was replaced by compassion. “Oh my. Oh… Come here,” he said, hugging his friend affectionately while also being careful to not wrinkle her outfit. After a while, he glanced again at her now slightly embarrassed face. He reached for a tissue to fix some mascara smears. “Tonight, you’re the most extraordinary normal girl at Hogwarts,” he continued comfortingly. “There will be no curses, no mysteries, and no tears, all right? We’re gonna have fun, I promise you.”

Helena sniffled. “Thanks, Andre,” she said quietly.

“Now, I believe you’re missing one more thing.”

The girl’s hand automatically went to her neck, as Helena was mostly worried that she could’ve forgotten her necklace. But grandma Queenie’s pearls were in their place. “What is it? I took everything you told me.”

Andre was watching her carefully. “I’m not sure… Like, one redhead by your side maybe,” he concluded, trying very hard to stay serious. Helena rolled her eyes, yet she couldn’t help but beam. “Really though, don’t hold him any longer. I believe most people went to the Entrance Hall by now.”

“What about you? Will you be ready in time?”

Andre threw his Pride of Portee scarf over the shoulder. “Darling, I’m always ready.”

“But you’re not going like that, right…?”

“Of course not. But don’t worry. I’m good at being fashionably late as well,” he said, winking at her. “Just go now! I’ll see you there.”

Helena embraced him once more and obediently left. Charlie was waiting for her on the fifth floor, near the staircase leading to the Ravenclaw Tower. They had decided to meet there so they wouldn’t have to search for each other in the crowd. The Seeker’s eyes were wandering around the corridor until he noticed her.

“I hope you didn’t wait much,” she greeted him.

He grinned instantly, his eyes twinkling. “You look amazing, Nell.”

“Why, thank you! And you look very handsome.”

Charlie blushed a little hearing the compliment, but then he apparently remembered something causing his enthusiasm. “Oh, check it out!” He turned around, glancing back over his shoulder. On his dark pewter robes, there was a silhouette of an icy blue dragon. The picture was glittering in the warm light of torches. “Isn’t it brilliant?”

“Yeah, it’s pretty great,” Helena replied with a mysterious smile, focusing more on Charlie’s face than a dragon.

The redhead eyed her with the sudden understanding. “You did it, didn’t you?”

“Perhaps…”

“I thought that maybe it was Ben.” He rubbed the back of his neck, looking at the ground. “But I just realised how well it matches your dress...”

“Ben helped, actually,” Helena hurried with an explanation. “And Badeea. She told me she’s not sure if it’s permanent because of the fabric, though it should survive the night.”

“Well, I love it anyway. And I love your dress,” he said, bringing back his excited expression. “Shall we now?” He approached nearer and bent his arm so his date could grab him.

By the time they went down the ground floor, the Front Hall was full of students in beautiful formal robes: boys looking around nervously, girls shrieking with laughter. Seeing that, Helena felt even happier that she already had her Gryffindor besides when they stepped among the people. The first pair they spotted was Penny and Ben. The Hufflepuff had decided that she’d rather spend that event with a friend, rejecting the same invitations from a good few boys she barely knew.

“We don’t have to dance, Ben, if you don’t want to,” they heard Penny saying when they got closer, still remaining unnoticed themselves.

The boy smiled diffidently. “Actually, I was taking some classes back in Muggle school. My teacher claimed I was quite good…”

“Really? You’ve never talked about it!” said surprised Penny. “I guess we all needed this ball, even if only to learn more about each other.”

They both cheered up even more, finally seeing Helena and Charlie. Their group was getting bigger and shortly after everyone gathered, the door to the Great Hall opened. The room looked really breath-taking, decorated in the winter theme. Frosty ornaments were shimmering thanks to many floating lanterns, and the centre of the Hall had been cleared to create a dance floor. Along one of the walls, there was a stage with the instruments ready for the band.

After Dumbledore’s short speech, it was time for the opening waltz. The musicians started to play a pleasant, quite ceremonial melody, and the first couples proceeded to step forward. Charlie turned out to be a better dancer than Helena expected. He was steering quite confidently, and even though his hand on her waist felt awkward for a very short moment, the girl could tell they both were becoming more comfortable with each song. She wondered if the Gryffindor looked more mature thanks to the formal outfit, or she simply missed that change in him recently.

When they had finally decided to rest, they found the table occupied by their four friends: Penny, Ben, Tonks, and Tulip. It wasn’t long before Andre also joined them.

“No way. You’re disappointing me,” he said dramatically, taking one of the chairs. “Did you really come here to sit?”

“Don’t worry, we’re only taking a break,” Penny explained on the group’s behalf.

Andre rolled his eyes jokingly. “We’ll have all the holidays for that, though. By the way, Penny. I hope you’re staying till the end of the ball.”

“Of course I am! I mean, I miss Bea terribly, but you all were so engaged in saving her that I couldn’t leave without spending this time with my friends. She’s safe, and we’ll still be together on Christmas Day…” The Hufflepuff paused abruptly because apparently, something near the entrance drew her attention. “Wait, is that Talbott? He told me he’s not coming!”

They all looked in the same direction, where indeed was standing the quietest Ravenclaw boy. He seemed to feel rather lost, yet he was very elegant. He was searching for familiar faces in the crowd and brightened up as soon as he saw their group. Helena might have something to do with his appearance, nevertheless, she kept it to herself.

“Would you mind if I go to him for a moment?” asked Penny. Not hearing any objections, she smiled at Ben and said before going away: “I’ll be right back.”

Andre decided that it’s a good moment to make the company move. “In that case, it’s time for me too. Tulip Karasu, will you do me an honour to accompany your fellow Ravenclaw?” he asked, reaching out to his classmate.

“Well, Andre Egwu, how could I say no to that?” replied the red-haired girl, taking his hand.

Tonks wasn’t exactly pleased with that. “Hey, and you’ll leave me alone?”

“You could dance with me,” Charlie suggested playfully.

“I don’t know, Weasley…”

“Oh, c’mon! You won’t dance with your best mate?”

“It’s nothing personal, Charlie. I’m just worried about your feet,” clarified the Metamorphmagus. “I don’t think you use them much in Quidditch, but I’d hate to damage Helen’s dance partner.”

The Seeker glanced at his companion, maybe making sure she’s fine with that, so she answered him with a grin. “I think I should be fine.”

“She’s not that terrible!” Tulip shouted over her shoulder before disappearing with Andre.

Charlie and Tonks stood up as well, the boy briefly touched Helena’s shoulder, and soon she was left alone with Ben. The Gryffindor appeared absent. Something was clearly on his mind.

“How’s it going, Benny?” she asked solicitously.

Her question woke him up. “I’m fine, actually. Really,” he added, seeing her worried expression. “I was just thinking how much has happened since I got to Hogwarts, how much has changed.”

“Like, you abandoned your hobbies?”

“Yeah, among other things,” he said with a pensive smile.

“Do you still feel you don’t belong here?”

“You mean at Hogwarts? I don’t know, maybe less often. A little. To this world though?” Ben pressed his lips and shook the head. “I don’t even know what I could do after school. Maybe I’ll stick to Astronomy…”

“Oh no, my dear, you’re not gonna waste your talents like that,” Helena stated with determination. “Come on, who did you want to be as a child?”

The boy frowned in the silence at first but quickly gave in. “I wanted to be a doctor,” he mumbled.

“Brilliant! You’d be a great healer!”

“Helen, I’m scared of blood…”

“Yeah, but you’ve proven me more than once that helping others is more important than your fears,” the Ravenclaw said cheerfully. “I mean, it’s just a suggestion, but maybe you’d like to think about it. Just… You can do whatever you want, Ben.”

“You know, Charlie told me pretty much the same thing some time ago.” He took a deep breath. “All right, I can think about it.”

“Well then, it’s a good place to end that serious talk,” the girl summed up. “So, are you going to invite me to dance now? For the sake of following the past passions,” she added encouragingly.

Ben blinked blankly. “Oh! Of course! Um… Shall we dance?”

Helena chuckled. “I’d like it very much.”

Even if Ben wouldn’t take her career advice, it was good to see him on the floor. He seemed way more relaxed, and actually self-assured. Before the girl noticed, though, Andre showed up nearby, asking politely for a change, and even later, Helena found herself in a pair with Barnaby. Finally, she switched with Rowan to dance with Bill while her best friend returned to her original partner. After one or two other pieces, Head Boy made a bow, so the girl tried to curtsey gracefully. She was expecting that Weasley would escort her to the table, however, he leant towards her instead.

“I think someone is missing you already,” he said, indicating direction behind her back.

She turned around. Charlie was sitting alone, drumming his fingers on the tabletop, though his red cheeks suggested he hadn’t spent there much time. He beamed when their eyes met. For the rest of the night, the two of them were inseparable.

They danced a lot, fooled around, and simply enjoyed themselves. Helena was grasping each moment of that, when she was looking in Charlie’s bright brown eyes, laughing at his jokes, smelling that unique scent of grass and honeysuckles – and something new - whenever they got closer during slower songs. And although the redhead was clearly giving her his full attention, his sense of duty overtook at some point – in a way, at least.

“Don’t you think they have a little too much fun?” the Seeker asked, embracing Helena after the spin. He actually looked quite amused himself.

“What now? Who are you talking about?” The girl followed his sight.

“The mischievous trio.”

At one of the tables, Tonks, Tulip, and Jae were having the time of their lives. They were also partially influencing Rowan and Barnaby sitting next to them. “I don’t know. Aren’t they always like that?”

Charlie drew nearer. “Wanna sit down for a bit?” he proposed, smiling softly. She nodded, intrigued by the situation.

When they approached their friends, Tulip was chatting with Rowan.

“You’re just so smart, and I’m proud you’re in our house, Rowan Khanna,” the first girl proclaimed. “We’re making a great intellectual duet, don’t you think?”

The other Ravenclaw exchanged looks with Helena, holding back a laugh. “Yes. Yes, we are, Tulip.”

“And you have such a great impact on Barnaby! He advanced so much with you!”

“I know, right?” Barnaby joined the conversation. “I could be a prefect if I met Rowan earlier.”

Rowan flushed with a shy grin. While Helena was thinking how adorable this short exchange was, Charlie apparently focused on something else.

“Hey guys, what are you drinking?” he asked, glancing at the glasses in front of his suspects. The three of them fell silent.

“Just drinks,” replied Tulip, regaining her focus.

“Oh yeah? Can I try some?”

Tonks jumped on her feet immediately. “Sure, I’ll bring you some! Do you want too, Helen?”

The girl didn’t get a chance to respond. “There’s no need, I’ll only take a sip,” the prefect interrupted.

“No, really, I’ll get some…” Nymphadora insisted.

“It’s alcohol, isn’t it?”

The Hufflepuff bit her lips and the Ravenclaw peeked nervously at her associates. The Gryffindor, however, tried to act cool.

“You can’t prove it,” he said with a serious face.

“Really, Jae?” Charlie leaned back, resting his hand on the back of Helena’s chair. “I was starting to have some hope for you.”

“Hey,” his roommate protested. “Why you assume I’m behind it?!”

Tulip chuckled, patting Jae’s shoulder as if she just heard a very good joke.

Tonks stared at Weasley with innocent eyes. “So are we in trouble?”

“No, you’re not. Yet,” he answered grimly, although his expression sort of ruined the effect. “Just, be responsible, okay? Do you know what this word means? And try to not be too happy about it around Bill.”

“Happy about what?” Head Boy emerged out of nowhere and took one of the seats. “Are you talking about booze?” He didn’t get any answer, so he went on. “Oh, I know about that. I keep an eye on Jae longer than you, brother.”

“Oi! Maybe it was the girls’ idea, huh?”

“Oi!” the girls barked at Kim, clearly not appreciating his suggestion.

The boy seemed to be defeated. “Great. So why I’m even hiding?”

“Well, I’m pretty sure the teachers still don’t realise, so you know…” Bill put his finger to the lips.

Helena raised her eyebrows. “William! What happened to you? Have you been drinking yourself?”

“Of course not!” he replied with a weird gleam in his eye. “I’m simply in a good mood.”

“Is it because of that dance with Rakepick?” Charlie teased his sibling.

“She’s a great dancer if that’s what you’re asking about. Not as good as McGonagall, but still,” Bill said with a smug smirk. “Besides, I’m just glad to see my friends happy for a change. It’s like all the stress from the past months was left somewhere outside the castle. And I don’t know about you, but I’m not planning on changing that at least until the end of tomorrow.”

Bill often put into words what his fellow Curse-Breaker in the making had in mind. Yet at that point, the girl felt his words were especially accurate. Until the end of the event, Helena was watching all those people so important in her life. Rowan, Penny, and Chiara chatting at the table. Ben trying to stop Barnaby from making a deal with Jae. Badeea marvelling at the decorations and explaining something to Talbott. Tonks and Tulip acting suspiciously, surprisingly accompanied by Merula. The eldest Weasley looking conflicted after he noticed the said trio. Andre being very proud of the stylisations he had helped create. And… was it Diego dancing with Ismelda?

Penny was right, they all needed this ball. For one night, to forget their sorrows and worries. For one night, to just be teenagers.

Charlie perhaps needed it the most - just so he could finally steal Helena’s very first kiss.

#hogwarts mystery #hphm #hphm mc #jacob's sibling #helena ellis #charlie weasley #charlie x mc #andre egwu #ben copper #penny haywood #nymphadora tonks #tulip karasu #jae kim #bill weasley #rowan khanna #barnaby lee #year 5 #the winter ball au #my writing

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nobeliumoxygenoxygen · 6 years

Text

Class 1A || The annual UA Hunt

For the BNHA Gen Secret Santa exchange at @bnhagensecretsanta. My secret santa was @mymusicismylife77. It was nice meeting you (if talking to you on anon counts...) and I hope you enjoy this!!!

SUMMARY:

THE ANNUAL UA HUNT IS HERE!

FIRST YEARS - YOU’LL BE SPENDING 12 HOURS IN USJ FINDING CANDY CANES AND BAUBLES AND OTHER ASSIGNED ITEMS! YOUR TEACHERS WILL BE OUT AND ABOUT READY TO ELIMINATE YOU! MAKE IT TO THE END AND YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO THE SURPRISE ACTIVITY!

GOOD LUCK AND PLUS ULTRA!

WORDS: 16k (It got a bit long)

NOTE: You might need to pay attention to the times. Nothing really important but I jump around a bit and have really long time skips whoops. (And I’m so sorry I’m late!! (It’s the 24th where I am)) (pls excuse the mistakes I’m going to come back to edit more properly lol)

DECEMBER 1 | 5:55AM | 5 MINUTES UNTIL THE HUNT

The snow piled on top of the dome. On a sunny day, they would have been able to see past the glass to the sky, but now, all they saw was the white nothingness. Though even if there had been no snow, it was too early in the morning for the sun to shine.

It was unsettling, to say the least. Especially when the students of class 1A felt quite alone in their designated areas. Though they stood with their team, the silence was almost unbearable. The fact that the teachers were supposedly somewhere near them did not help their nerves.

The timers on their watches beeped.

30...

Uraraka Ochako rechecked her suit, fighting off shivers and chills. Asui Tsuyu gave her an encouraging nod, mentally fighting off the cold. Iida Tenya and Midoriya Izuku shared a quick, soft smile. Todoroki Shouto scanned their area, the landslide looking exceptionally dangerous. It may have been early, but Team Christmas Tree was ready for the Hunt.

22...

Hagakure Tooru bounced on her toes, the movements of her gloves and boots giving her away. She refused to think about the cold, refused to think about how much she hated her “hero suit” at this moment, as she lifted a gloved hand. Her teammates, Ojirou Mashirao and Sato Rikido high-fived her.

18...

Jirou Kyouka leaned away as Aoyama Yuuga twirled around her and Yaoyorozu Momo. He was literally creating sparkles from his laser; from nerves or excitement or plain “Aoyama Yuuga”-ness, Jirou couldn’t tell. As impromptu her team had been, she was confident they’d be able to adapt to each other quickly enough, especially with Yaomomo in their team.

12...

Kouda Kouji whispered to the small ant on his hand, his initial fear of the insect subsiding as he spoke with it. Tokoyami Fumikage and Shouji Mezou watched as their friend let down the insect and as it crawled out and away from them. Kouda straightened, a shy smile on his face as he nodded; it was done.

6...

Bakugou Katsuki nudged Kaminari Denki and Ashido Mina, giving them a fierce glare as they jolted awake. They yawned loudly, the silence around them enhancing any noise. Sero Hanta shuffled away from some falling gravel, grabbing Kirishima Eijirou, sweating as he realised just how precarious the structure they were in was. It was too bad they’d been sent to the Ruins zone--with Bakugou’s quirk, it was all too easy to imagine everything crumbling down.

1...

In unison, class 1A tensed as their timers counted to zero.

Their watches beeped, signalling they were allowed to move.

An announcement poured into their ears, the familiar yell of Present Mic over the intercom.

“FIRST YEAR CLASS ONE AAAAAAAA! YOUR HUNT HAS BEGUNNNNNNNNNNNN!”

And as one, class 1A jumped into action.

Their Hunt had begun.

NOVEMBER 20 | BEFORE THE HUNT

“Sensei! What do you mean it’s only twelve hours? The poster said it was twenty-five!”

Aizawa Shouta stifled a sigh. It’s okay, he told himself, they just want to know. It’s not their fault they didn’t wait for you to explain. He paused. Oh wait, it is.

He intensified his stare, silencing the mumbling going around the class, Ashido slowly sliding lower into her seat.

“For the first years, your Hunt is only twelve hours. Next year, it will be eighteen. And in your third year--if you make it, that is,” He couldn’t help but add, enjoying the way some of them blanched too much. None of them had forgotten Mineta, though his expulsion had been a relief. And a reality-check. “Your Hunt will be twenty-five hours long. It’s to prepare you, slowly but surely.”

Another hand shot up.

“Yes, Kaminari?” He called tiredly. How many questions could they possibly have? Everything should have been explained in the posters damnit. All he was meant to do was explain the date, time, and the short paragraph he’d been given to read out.

“Why is it twenty-five hours?”

Bakugou scoffed, causing Kaminari to look at him.

“What? It’s a good question!”

“Like hell it is. Why do you need to ask? It’s Yuuei. They’re not gonna stop at two or twenty four hours. They have to go that extra fucking mile.”

“Plus Ultra, and all!” Sero added.

Aizawa nodded, already feeling his eyelids droop. He shouldn’t have stayed up so late with Hizashi making those stupid posters. Actually, Hizashi shouldn’t have left those damn posters so late in the first place. Actually, he should have just left him to deal with it on his own; Nemuri was right, he had a soft heart. “I’ll answer any further questions after I tell you this.” He cleared his throat, looking at the paragraph Nedzu had written. It was far too short to be informative, but the principal did have a knack for surprises--and he definitely wanted to surprise the first years.

Aizawa opened his mouth to read it out. “Number one. You will form groups of three to five, no more and no less. Two, food is provided in the neutral zone of the entrance and water is located in the drinking taps around each area. Three, teachers will be out to cuff and eliminate you. If you are caught, you will be brought outside to watch your fellow classmates succeed where you failed.” His lip twitched at that. Nedzu was being quite straightforward. ‘For fun and stress-relief’ his ass, he knew as well as anyone that this was going to be a test of ability for the students. It was merely poorly disguised. “Four, you will be given watches that will provide a timer, a button for help, the list of items you may be able to find, and your point counter. Five.” Aizawa raised his eyebrows slightly. “Good luck.”

The class was silent, eyes either on him or focused on the desk--great, the problem child already looked like he was planning something. Even greater, Bakugou was grinning like he planned to blow up the Simulation Joint.

“Well, I guess you all want to talk about it.” The sheer energy some of his students were emitting--namely Hagakure, Ashido, and Kaminari--told him enough. As soon as he dismissed them, they’d be on their feet chattering on and on. He might as well give them mercy. “You may talk about it for the rest of homeroom.”

As he’d expected, half the students were out of their seats, gravitating towards their friendship groups, probably creating their teams already. Aizawa sighed, slipping into his sleeping bag before shutting his eyes.

The temperature was much nicer indoors, better than the cold outside.

Aizawa fell asleep much faster than usual, to the sounds of his students’ chatter.

DECEMBER 1 | 7AM | 1 HOUR INTO THE HUNT

Uraraka scanned the rocky area, looking down at the slope and the buildings that jutted out. She found nothing in particular but still knew that something had to be there. From up high in the air--courtesy of her quirk and Asui’s tongue wrapped around her torso--she could see some of the other areas. She could even see the Central Plaza and make out the glint of the Golden Sack--though maybe that was just her imagination.

She twisted in the air, trying to spot something--anything, really--but found nothing that screamed out to her. She sighed, tapping Asui’s tongue to signal she was done.

There was a sudden tightening around her waist and she was slowly pulled lower and lower. When she touched down, she released her quirk, the effects of gravity returning, and Asui pulled her tongue back.

“Did you find anything?” Midoriya asked. She shook her head sadly.

“There wasn’t much. There’s lot to see on the grounds, but not here. Nothing, well, nothing really stood out enough to check it out,” Uraraka explained, shrugging. “No bots either. I guess it’s too rocky to have a bot roaming around this place.”

Iida stepped forward, a hand on her shoulder. “No need to worry Uraraka-san! We’ve only just begun the Hunt! We can explor--”

A burst of ice exploded from the ground, Todoroki suddenly yelling. “Move now!”

The other four ducked down, scrambling away as Todoroki blasted another wall of ice before following.

The ice triggered a landslide, rocks and debris raining down on them.

“What is it Todoroki-san?!” Iida called out, slowing to allow the boy to catch up.

“Midnight,” He said simply, all the explanation they needed. They nodded.

The hour they’d spent without seeing a single teacher had been far too quiet--suspicious, even. They shouldn’t have been surprised, and yet they still were. How she had managed to come up close enough that Todoroki had had to use his ice quirk in such a large burst...

At least they were on full alert now, eyes darting to every crevice in the landslides area.

They moved into formation; Todoroki in front, Iida and Midoriya at the back, and Uraraka and Asui in the middle. They’d planned that formation in case they ever needed a quick getaway from a threat, either from in front--which Todoroki would take care of--or the back--which Midoriya would take on. Putting Uraraka in the middle was so that she could use her quirk on the others, and in turn, Asui would be able to latch onto her and Todoroki, and then Iida would activate his engines to run, picking them all up on the way.

They continued to run for a good few more minutes, unsure of how fast Midnight was. Would she be able to catch up? Was she stuck in the ice? They doubted it; their teachers were craftier than that.

Todoroki swerved into a dark overhang, the crevice deep enough to hide the five of them as he created an extra layer of ice to protect them in case the overhang collapsed.

Uraraka leaned against a wall. The run had been rocky and dangerous--one wrong move and they could have gone sprawling down the hill.

“Do you think we’ve lost her?” Asui asked, staring worriedly at the entrance of the cave.

“For now, yes, but not for long.” Todoroki used his flames to light the cave more, moving his arm to look around.

Midoriya gasped, stopping Todoroki’s arm to leave it in one spot. A bauble sat in a hole, hidden enough that unless someone had been standing right where they were, it wouldn’t have been seen. Uraraka eagerly walked to it, snatching it and grinning triumphantly as she showed the glittering ‘2′ painted on it.

“We’ve found something! Finally!” She cheered, rubbing the bauble affectionately. When she remembered the others, she blushed, shyly handing it to Iida.

Their watches beeped. Their point counters now all said ‘2′. Their first points.

Iida smiled. “Well done Todoroki-kun! You found this cave, and so, you have found this bauble too!”

Todoroki shook his head, a small smile on his own face. “It was just luck. I did not see anything from the outside.”

“We should leave the cave now. There wouldn’t be anything else in here. If Midnight finds us, we’ll be trapped, kero.” They nodded, turning when a new voice spoke.

“It won’t be Midnight trapping you inside.”

They tensed, eyes landing on a familiar figure who stood at the mouth of the crevice.

Ectoplasm. Or, at least, one of Ectoplasm’s clones.

“I’ll be eliminating you all now.”

DECEMBER 1 | 7:15AM | 1 HOUR 15 MINUTES INTO THE HUNT

The sound of crashing and explosions filled the air--but it was distant, echoing off the dome.

Jirou looked above, aware of the way the rocks were suddenly all around them. She glanced behind her, meeting Aoyama’s distressed eyes and Yaoyorozu’s worried ones.

“Where do you think that came from?” Yaoyorozu asked, hand braced on the rocky wall. “It sounded terrible.”

“Perhaps it was Bakugou-san,” Aoyama suggested.

Jirou shook her head. “No, that was too...rocky, not like Bakugou’s explosions. It was like...like a landslide.”

“Ah!” Yaoyorozu gasped. “That’s right! The mountains area is right next to the landslides!” She nodded. “It was probably from there.”

The other two agreed silently and left it at that. No one really wanted to think about the implications.

Truthfully, the sounds had been one of the few things they’d heard. It was jarring, being in almost utter silence save for the sounds of their own footsteps and the falling of small rocks and gravel, to hear the loud booms. But it reminded them of the outside.

Had USJ always been so big? Jirou swore it hadn’t been so big before--not even during that USJ attack, and she obviously knew how isolated she had felt, being so far away from everyone else except for Yaoyorozu and Kaminari.

They’d been walking for so long, her feet were beginning to hurt, no matter how much she refused to acknowledge that. An hour and--what? Ten minutes?--her feet were already aching.

The worst part was that they hadn’t found anything but a candy cane, which had only been one point.

“Oh finally!” Aoyama suddenly cried out, pushing his head over Jirou’s shoulder to see the opening of the gap they’d been walking through. It hadn’t seemed so long and narrow when they’d first squeezed into it. They’d glimpsed the other side and had thought it would only be a good five minutes walk--it had ended up taking ten minutes. “I have never been so glad to see more rocks!”

Yaoyorozu and Jirou cracked small smiles. That was true.

But Jirou still held up a hand as she stopped a few feet away from the opening, plugging her earlobes into the rock and sending sound waves.

Nothing, nothing--wait.

She turned, looking up.

“Yaomomo, can you look behind you a bit? There should be something back there.” Yaoyorozu nodded, stepping back and looking up to see a small rock jutting out from above.

“Is it on that?”

Jirou nodded. “I can get it, though.” She extended an earlobe, reaching up and over, brushing against the surface of the rock--

She furrowed her brow, then sensed the slight beep within--

“TRAP!” She screamed, jumping backwards into the open.

Jirou’s eyes widened as she fell backwards, eyes on Aoyama as he lunged for her.

They wouldn’t make it.

The explosion knocked Aoyama to the ground, his hands instinctively reaching up and over his head. It rocked them and though his eyes were shut, he recognised the moment something fell over him, covering him from the light.

Oh non oh non--had a rock landed above him? Was he trapped? What about Yaoyorozu-san?

He risked peaking his eyes open, lifting his head to see a sort of metal roof above him.

Yaoyorozu coughed. “I-I just managed to get something out before anything hit us. Aoyama-kun, are you alright?”

He nodded, blinking rapidly. “Merci Yaoyorozu-san!”

“Guys!” Jirou called from the opening, ducking down to see them. “Are you alright?”

“Oui Jirou-san! My sparkle is fine too!” Jirou nodded slowly at that, slightly confused.

“Can you crawl out?”

“Yes Jirou-san!” Yaoyorozu said from behind. “Aoyama-kun, do you mind?”

Aoyama started crawling forward, his face scrunching in distaste as he noticed how much dirt and gravel had lodged itself in his suit. But he kept going forward, shaking his head to rid his hair of the excess dirt as soon as he made it out. Yaoyorozu followed suit and the team stood out in the open.

Aoyama turned, seeing the red in the corner of his eye. “Oh! Is that a candy cane?”

The other two stopped, turning to see the candy cane resting on top of Yaoyorozu’s metal sheet. Smiles broke out on their faces. Aoyama reached forward, eager to grab the candy cane when--

Ectoplasm leapt down, landing on top of the sheet, his boot crunching down on the sweet.

Aoyama lurched backwards, bumping into Yaoyorozu and Jirou, all their eyes trained on the teacher.

“Come on, can’t you give us a break?” Jirou muttered lowly, eyes narrowed.

He stayed silent--it was probably a clone--but charged forward and the trio dived to the side: Aoyama and Jirou to the left, Yaoyorozu to the right.

Ectoplasm’s leg snapped out, catching Yaoyorozu in the stomach, sending her rolling away.

“Yaoyorozu!”

She stopped rolling a few metres away, pushing herself up and squinting as Ectoplasm quickly ran after--her eyes widened, readying herself to produce something else when he suddenly swerved to the side, Aoyama’s laser shot missing.

He stood, hands behind his head as he shot laser after laser at the teacher, forcing Ectoplasm to dodge dodge dodge--

It allowed Jirou to come up from the side, her earlobes out and racing towards him--

They landed, sticking into the clone’s body and she let out a sound wave large enough that it melted back into, well, ectoplasm.

The three of them panted, left alone in the clearing. Yaoyorozu stood up shakily, dusting off the gravel from her cloak. Jirou walked over to her, helping her steady as Aoyama approached, trying to ignore the way his stomach ached.

“That was...” Yaoyorozu began.

“Surprising.”

“Terribly rude.”

The girls looked at Aoyama, who smiled. “Honestly, right after an explosion too!”

“I suppose we should expect nothing less from Yuuei.” Yaoyorozu said, nervously laughing. The other two agreed.

“Still.” Jirou twisted an earlobe around her finger. “It’s only the first hour and--” She glanced at her watch, “--fifteen minutes. What else will we have to face?”

They looked at each other, the reality check slapping them in his face.

Aoyama twirled on the spot, startling the other two. “Well, let’s not waste time then!” He stopped, grinning, almost sparkling. “We’ve got candy canes to find now!”

Jirou and Yaoyorozu glanced at each other, then back at Aoyama, who was already looking around the open mountainous space. They smiled.

None of them noticed that their point counter had gone up by three.

DECEMBER 1 | 7AM | 1 HOUR INTO THE HUNT

Midoriya didn’t hesitate once as he ran forward, using a small percent of One for All to push him forward; his arm pulled back as he charged it up, aiming straight for Ectoplasm.

“GO NOW!” He yelled.

Iida spurred into action, activating his engines as Uraraka used her quirk on her and Asui, Todoroki too far back to reach.

Midoriya was close--so so close. He waited until he was just a foot away, until his fist was a foot away, and heaved it towards Ectoplasm, the teacher having kept still.

He ducked and Midoriya punched the air, cracking the ground slightly from the force.

He couldn’t dodge Ectoplasm now and with the teacher jumping straight up and landing his head right into Midoriya’s stomach, he was forced to take the blow, eyes bulging.

Though it allowed Iida to run past, Uraraka and Asui holding on.

Asui shot out her tongue, wrapping it around Ectoplasm and pulling--

Their teacher was thrown into the air, spiraling down down down the slope, rolling and rolling until he disappeared below.

Iida gritted his teeth, hard, as he forced himself to stop before he followed Ectoplasm down.

It wasn’t enough. He was going to fall and bring the two with him damnit damnit--

Uraraka pressed all five fingers to shoulder and Iida went weightless--the three of them weightless together--

They slowly floated forward, Iida’s legs leaving the ground before Todoroki reached out and grabbed his foot, pulling the three back down.

When their feet were firmly on the ground, Uraraka released her quirk, her stomach only slightly upset. She sighed in relief--both in evading Ectoplasm and in her stronger stomach.

Then their attention was taken by the groaning Midoriya.

“Midoriya-kun! Are you alright?” Iida called, marching to the doubled over boy.

Midoriya raised his head, a shaky smile on his face. “Y-yep! Just...just fine.” He dropped his head again. “That was just a really, really strong headbutt,” He said, voice wobbling.

“It’s okay Midoriya-chan, we can stay for a bit while you recover,” Asui said, crouching down next to him.

“I don’t think so,” Todoroki spoke up suddenly, getting their attention. “Our watches haven’t gone off. We would have gotten three points if we had defeated Ectoplasm, but we haven’t. I don’t think he’s incapacitated.”

They blinked, all looking at their own watches for confirmation.

“We’ll be on the lookout for him!” Uraraka declared, pumping a fist in the air.

“And Midnight-sensei!” Iida added.

Midoriya shook his head, straightening slightly. “No, it’s okay, I can handle--” His cheeks puffed out.

“Midoriya, you shouldn’t push yourself. You’re clearly still recovering.”

“It’s just a headbutt guys, I’ll-I’ll be fine after I stand up.”

“A headbutt from Ectoplasm,” Asui corrected. “Though, I admit, I am a bit surprised. He must be stronger than expected to get such a reaction from you, Midoriya-chan.” She tilted her head. “After all, you manage with broken arms and--”

“Annnd that’s good Tsu-chan!” Uraraka interrupted, smiling apologetically at the other girl. She made to put a hand on Midoriya. “Don’t worry Deku-kun! Just relax--”

“Oh? So you were here all along?”

They tensed, blood freezing.

Midnight stood above them, perched on a ledge high up. She smirked down at them, holding her flogger whip from her shoulder.

Midnight licked her lips, her eyes narrowing.

“Seems like you were just attacked.” She rolled her shoulders. “Well, it’s not my problem.”

The atmosphere thickened as she shifted her weight.

“It’s so early to be eliminated.”

DECEMBER 1 | 8AM | 2 HOURS INTO THE HUNT

“Bakugou, if you growl one more time you’re going to turn into a dog.”

“Shut up pinky.”

Screech.

“Hey! I thought we graduated from stupid nicknames!”

“Not when you’re being annoying.”

Clang.

“Guys--”

“Hmph! You’re the one being annoying, growling like a dog at this and at that!”

“Guys--”

“Well, maybe if we’d start doing something I wouldn’t be so restless.”

Clang clang.

“Guys!” Sero yelled, eyes widening at how loud his voice had been. The bickering two stopped to stare at him; Kirishima nudging Kaminari to wake the blond boy up more. “Didn’t you hear that?”

“Hear what?” Kirishima asked, looking around them at the creepy buildings.

“I don’t know, like, something moving?”

Bakugou scoffed. “We’ve been hearing these buildings fall apart for hours. That’s nothing new, damnit.”

Sero shook his head, determined to make them hear it too. “No, no it was new. Not like something had broken. Like something had been pushed off.” He held up a finger. “Just-just wait, yeah?”

They waited for a good twenty seconds, though some more begrudgingly than others.

Nothing.

“Oh come on!” Sero groaned, throwing his arms into the air. “So when I need them to hear it you don’t make a sound!”

Kirishima patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry Sero--”

“Oof, you alright there Sero? Not going crazy?” Ashido poked his helmet. Sero sighed, stepping away. It was no use. Unless he heard it again, unless they all heard it, they probably wouldn’t believe him.

They continued walking, eyes on all sides.

The ruins were creepy. They’d nailed that aspect of this area, at least. The buildings were tall and leaning against each other precariously. There had to be more around here, but so far they’d found only three candy canes and one bauble--their points adding up to four in total.

It wasn’t the same as before--during the USJ attack--Kirishima had to admit. It was quiet, so so quiet, so unlike the way they’d been attacked from all sides by villains back then. He was happy to be with his friends.

Kaminari yawned again--getting him another harsh nudge to the back.

“Goddamn, how tired can you be?” Bakugou huffed.

“I’m sorry okay!” Kaminari said, raising his arms in surrender. “I’m not used to waking up at the buttcrack of dawn!”

“It wasn’t even that early!”

“For you!” He retorted. “No normal person wakes up at five to do morning jogs you know.”

“Hah? What do you mean no normal person? People who want to fucking exercise will do that.”

“Ughhhh, we already do so much exercising at school. I can’t figure out how you want to do more--”

“Okay that’s enough,” Ashido interrupted, pushing forward to lead the way through the streets. Or fake streets. She still wasn’t sure whether she was impressed by the authenticity of it all. It seemed too real to be fake. Had it really been built like this? Or did Yuuei just build around a ruined--

“Wow, it’s not like it was you and Bakugou fighting just a minute ago,” Kaminari mumbled, pouting.

Ashido simply smiled as they broke into a crossroad, a few cars piled up in the middle.

As they neared it, she gasped excitedly. “Oh oh guys guys! I think I see a candy cane! Finally!”

She raced forward, Kaminari hot on her heels. There hadn’t been a rule about not eating the candy canes, and so far, they’d all given the lollies to him. Apparently, they were trying to ‘wake him up’ with sugar. He’d keep faking his sleepiness if it meant he got all the candy canes.

The other three followed more slowly, looking around.

Sero’s gut clenched. It was too easy. Right in the middle of the road. He fingered his helmet, using the new upgrades the support department had added--heat vision, night vision, to name a few--since the start of winter.

With the heat vision activated, he turned as he walked, looking at the buildings, down the road, the roof--

The roof!

“Ashido! Kami! Duck!”

The duo did as told without question, ducking and diving to the sides as a few bullets shot out towards them, shattering one of the car’s windshield.

Bakugou grinned, crouching. “Snipe, huh?”

“Hm? Yeah, why?” Sero turned--

Just in time to see Bakugou running forward, the bullets narrowly missing him as he propelled himself with his explosions.

“Bakugou!” Sero and Kirishima yelled. They glanced at each other, before clenching their jaws and rushing after him.

Bakugou raised his arm up high, in the direction of where the bullets were coming from--

BOOM!

He smirked at the explosion, the satisfying recoil of his shoulder as he continued forward, leaning down to grip Ashido’s collar and heave her up.

“Let’s go damnit!”

She swayed but steadied herself, following him across the road and behind the building. They glanced back to see Kirishima and Sero yank Kaminari up, running after them.

“So what do we do?” Kirishima asked when they regrouped.

Bakugou’s grin was near-feral. “We take him out, of course.”

Kaminari stared. “Do we even get points for getting him?”

Sero tapped at his watch, scrolling through the activity sheet quickly. “Uhhh--” He reached the end, the last activity glaring up at him: ‘FIND SANTA AND THE GRINCH!’ He looked above it, finding what he was looking for. ‘INCAPACITATE A TEACHER WITH THEIR OWN CUFFS - 20 POINTS!’ “We get twenty points.”

“Hell yes!”

“Oh hell no, do you think we can take him?” Ashido said, incredulous.

“What? You think we can’t?”

“Well, I mean, it’s Snipe and--”

Bakugou cut off Kirishima. “And invisible girl and four-arms--”

“Shouji?”

“--won against him during exams. This’ll be a piece of cake.”

Sero shook his head. “Sorry, I’m not convinced. They had quirk suppressants and weights on back then.”

“And they were only two against him. We’ve got five against one.” Bakugou sighed, irritated. “Do you really think we’re all that fucking weak?”

Kirishima smiled at the phrasing. “We can’t slip up this early in the game.”

But Kaminari was nodding, a grin forming. “You know what, I think we can take him on.”

“Hah! See?”

“Yeah,” He said absently as the idea grew on him. “Yeah! Come on guys! Let’s do it!” Kaminari stood straighter, his arms raised in excitement. “We’re class 1A! If anyone can take him on, it’s us! Five against one!”

Ashido raised an eyebrow at him as she murmured to Sero, “Motivational speech much?”

Bakugou clapped Kaminari on the back--probably a bit harsher than what was normally deemed affectionate. “So you do have some guts!”

He turned to the others, his grin downright feral now.

“We’ve gotta go plus ultra, right?”

Sero looked at Ashido, then Kirishima. He wasn’t sure they were sold yet, but he knew if the two kept at it, they probably would be soon.

“Brave words for people standing around unguarded.”

The five shots were impossibly loud in the otherwise silent ruins.

DECEMBER 1 | 9:30AM | 3 HOURS 30 MINUTES INTO THE HUNT

Aizawa grimaced as the familiar screaming of Yamada filled his ears. Well then, he thought bitterly, it seemed he was on the move. He wasn’t sure if it was a bad thing.

No one had made a move on the golden sack. Which was good. He didn’t really want to fight this early in the Hunt; didn’t want to eliminate any of his students this early. Of course he wanted them to have fun--god, did they deserve to have fun--but it didn’t mean he was going to go easy on them.

Nevertheless, as Yamada’s screams echoed from the Flood zone, Aizawa felt a shift in the Simulation Joint.

Yamada’s voice would be heard from all over.

It was a wake-up call for everyone.

Maybe he would need to prepare.

DECEMBER 1 | 9:30AM | 3 HOURS 30 MINUTES INTO THE HUNT

“See anything?” Hagakure called out to Sato, a few metres away on her left. She refused to let herself shiver, knowing that if she started, she probably wouldn’t be able to stop. Ugh! She really hated her ‘hero suit’ right now. No, actually, she hated that the USJ wasn’t heated properly. Come on--did the teachers even care about them?!

Sato shook his head, sighing. “Nothing! The water’s too dark. Was it always this dark?”

Ojirou jogged back over. “I don’t think so. I think they made it darker for the Hunt.” Sato groaned.

“That makes things so much easier for us.”

“If only we had Tsu-chan with us!” Hagakure said as she walked over. “Hey, Sato, are you sure we can’t eat the candy canes?”

Sato looked thoughtful for a few moments before shrugging. “Well, they didn’t really say anything about eating it. Or not eating it. So...”

“So can I eat one?” She asked hopefully, clasping her hands together. “It’s already nine thirty! We’ve got the points from the candy canes, they can’t take it away right? Because, technically, we still have the candy canes--it’ll just be in my stomach!”

The boys glanced at each other, smiling at Hagakure’s logic. It was...technically right.

Her stomach rumbled. Loudly.

“Oh! That’s-that’s embarrassing!” Hagakure squealed, hands on her face. “Don’t look at me! I’m just starving! Ahhh!”

Sato scratched the back of his head, reaching into one of his pouches. “I guess we should have some. To keep our energy up.” He pulled three candy canes out--three of the five they had--and handed one each to the others, keeping one for himself.

So far, Team Spirit had eleven points. They had probably exhausted the supply of candy canes and baubles in the flood zone, having found most of the candy canes as they went down the water slide.

That had been a disaster. The water slide had had an explosive halfway through, and as Ojirou slid down, he’d triggered it, collapsing the slide. He’d splashed safely in the water though, but not before giving Hagakure and Sato mini heart attacks.

There’d been three candy canes in the slide alone. They weren’t complaining, it was a good thing, especially since they hadn’t found anything else after that.

Ojirou had seen something glittering underwater though, and he’d attempted several times to swim towards it, only to come up sputtering and coughing. It was too deep but he had sworn it was a bauble--a shiny, golden one too.

So now they were peering into the dark water, trying to find more, closer baubles but with no luck.

“Should we just leave? I don’t think there’s a chance of us getting whatever’s down there unless you’re sugar rush gives you bigger lungs,” Ojirou said, looking at Sato.

Surprisingly, the boy blinked in thought. Then shook his head. “Man, I got really hopeful there but...” He sucked on the candy cane resentfully. “Even if I did get bigger lungs, I’m not confident that I’d make it back up safely--cause I get sleepy and all.” Ojirou nodded, understanding.

“So!” Hagakure started. “What should we do? If we leave, where do we go?”

They looked around.

The conflagration and ruin sections were next to them, but they were sure some of their classmates had been put in those areas. Would it be a good or bad thing to run into them? Would the competition be too intense? Would there be anything left in those areas?

“Maybe we should try just going down into the general area? And take down some villain bots?” Sato suggested. The other two thought about it for a few moments.

“That sounds like a good idea! But...well…”

“What is it, Hagakure?” Ojirou asked.

“Like, is anyone else down there? It’s silly, never mind!”

“No no, go on, it’s okay,” Sato insisted.

“Well, I just think if no one else is down there, does that mean we’re doing a bad job? Only because that means they’re all still looking and haven’t given up on their areas!” She added hastily.

The boys nodded slowly. She had a point. They glanced at each other. Were they giving up too easily?

“HEY HEYYYY!”

They froze momentarily, turning to see Present Mic standing on top of the rocks, staring down at them.

“YOU KIDS ALRIGHT?!” They swallowed, Sato finishing the rest of his candy cane--it wasn’t his pure sugar, but it was still sugar. “WELL EITHER WAYYYY! I’M GONNA HAVE TO TAG YOU ALL NOW, YEAH!”

Present Mic opened his mouth.

“COVER!” Ojirou yelled, bracing himself.

The scream was piercing. It hurt and made their heads ache no matter how hard they pressed their hands to their ears.

Ojirou gritted his teeth as he pried his eyes open, staring at the water. It was rippling--but would it muffle the sound?

At this point, anything was better than the screams.

He let go of his ears--loud loud loud--and lurched forward, grabbing Hagakure’s gloved hand and Sato’s torso with his tail. Sato opened his eyes, wordlessly asking the question.

“THE WATER!” Ojirou yelled. He doubted they heard, but Sato nodded, and all Ojirou could do was hope Hagakure had understood too.

They ran forward, leaping into the air and splashing into the cold water.

Instantly, it filled their ears--good, oh thank goodness it really did muffle the screams.

Present Mic stopped, watching the trio disappear underwater. He grinned. “Ah, smart kids. Really, why’d they put me in the water area?” The grin darkened. “Ah well. I conquered water a long time ago.”

He leapt down from his perch on the rocks, stepping into the water until he was knee deep. He sighed. “Man, and I just got this dry-cleaned too.” Shaking his head, he inhaled deeply.

Hagakure gasped, bubbles escaping her lips as the water rippled. The other watched her worriedly as she began to thrash, swimming up and up, losing her hold on Ojirou’s hand. They followed--it was probably a better time than any to get a breath of air in.

As soon as they broke the surface, the screams returned with full force, their gasps of air lost in the noise.

Hagakure ducked back down, the vibrations in her skull making it hard to figure out where the screams were coming from--she hadn’t had the nerve to stay above water for too long.

They swam as far as they could, breaking the water to breathe and duck back down.

How long was the lake again? How long had they been swimming for?! Sato thought tiredly. He glanced at the other two, meeting Ojirou’s eyes. We have to take him out. He wasn’t sure if the message was conveyed, but the boy nodded.

Hagakure gurgled something incoherent, pointing ahead.

A dark mass loomed just in front--the ship!

Bracing themselves, they waited until they were right next to it before swimming up.

Present Mic frowned, stopping to rest his throat. He hated having to push that hard to be heard underwater. Now, where were they? “Great job Hizashi--you lost them.” Probably for the better, he added to himself. He didn’t really want to have an underwater battle--his clothes were far too good for that and this early in the Hunt? He was not going to fight the other students sopping wet.

Meanwhile the trio were slowly swimming around the boat, finding a ladder to get on or at least hold onto.

“It stopped. He stopped.” Sato huffed out.

“Not for long though. I’m sure he’s gonna start any time now.” They nodded.

Hagakure looked down, squinting at the water. “I’m going to see if there’s any baubles on the hull!” She breathed deeply and ducked down before hearing their responses, using her hands to propel herself forward through the width of the ship.

Nothing nothing nothing. Dangit! There had to be something right? The ship had been the one thing they hadn’t checked yet, considering it was out in the middle of the lake and she really hadn’t wanted to jump in--it looked way too cold for her, and well, it was. She was shivering already.

You know what? Stuff it. I’m asking for a cloak or a jacket next time, she thought, resolved. Invisible girl or not, she wasn’t going to freeze for the next few months.

Her hands hit a spherical object, the ball-like thing attached to the hull. She brightened--a bauble! And a pretty, sparkly one too!

She shoved it out, pulling it from the hull just as more screams rippled through her brain. Argh! Could he just stop already? It was beginning to force a harsh headache.

The bauble sunk as it ripped from the hull and Hagakure turned it over in her hands, her eyes widening at the painted ‘4′ on it.

Four points! That was great!

She was reminded of her limited air and hurried to push herself forward when suddenly the bauble opened--opened to reveal four robotic arm-like things that latched around her hand.

She winced, but continued swimming--whatever it was, she’d inspect it above water, her lungs were beginning to--

Yank!

Something was pulling her back--no, not her, her hand--the hand with the bauble attached.

She struggled, pulling her arm as far as it could but it was like-was like a magnetic force!

The bauble was still attracted to whatever it had been attached to.

And now it was pulling her along.

Oh no no no--Hagakure fought to keep her mouth closed, fought to stop herself from screaming. Oh no--was she going to drown? No, no she wouldn’t, Yuuei wouldn’t let her.

But if she didn’t get out soon she was going to pass out.

She stopped resisting and instead focused on the bauble--the robotic arms were skinny, but metal and strong, it dug into her hand painfully.

She used a nail to pick at it, gave up, and went to shove it off, the way she’d shove off a bracelet that was too small on her. It scratched her hand as it moved--but it moved! And that was the main thing.

Pushing pushing pushing, Hagakure tried not to let the squeezing of her chest affect her. One arm of the bauble was nearly off--and it was gone! It left a stinging line on her hand and even though she couldn’t see it, she knew it’d be there.

Using the now free arm, she pulled at it, getting the second one off--good good, just a bit more--and then she used both to pull it more effectively.

She was turning blue--well, she couldn’t see herself turning blue but she hadn’t held her breath for so long before. If she wasn’t turning blue then she didn’t know what she was. Was she even making sense? Her panic increased, but she tamped it down, refusing to let it surface. If she panicked now, it would be all over.

She was hero! She wouldn’t panic!

With one last, desperate, heave, the bauble ripped off of her hand and she sent it sinking away. Did they get the points? Agh, who cares who cares--she did, she didn’t want to disappoint her friends--she needed to breathe!

A large arm caught her on her back and suddenly, Hagakure rushed forward, water streaming past in bubbles.

Sato! And by the looks of him, he’d devoured some sugar!

Sato kicked his enhanced legs, his mind slightly furry around the edges, but he knew he had to get Hagakure up and breathing--how long had she been down there? They hadn’t realised--Present Mic had been so loud--until too late, until it had been at least thirty seconds. Maybe more. He couldn’t tell.

They burst through the water, Hagakure immediately breathing in a lungful, maybe two, of air, coughing and wheezing as she clutched Sato’s arm.

Sato glanced hazily at her, unsure of what to do now.

Luckily Ojirou had made his way around the ship, finding his teammates and letting out a sigh of relief.

“You guys okay?” He called, swimming over to them.

Hagakure nodded, then coughed. “I-I--”

Ojirou shook his head. “It’s okay, take your time. You got us four points! That’s great Hagakure!”

Blinking the watery tears away, she beamed--thank goodness! At least it hadn’t been for nothing.

“You okay there, Sato?”

“Hmm? Yeah...just...” He shook his head, blinking rapidly to wake himself up. He couldn’t get sleepy this early. “Good job Hagakure-san! That was a good idea.”

She smiled again, her coughing subsiding.

“Wait, what’s that?”

They all stopped, peering at the small metal stick still hanging onto Hagakure’s hand.

“Eep! Gross gross!” She shrieked, shaking it off. It didn’t sink immediately, so Ojirou took it in his hand, looking at it closely.

Tiny golden letters shone on the side--Hatsume industries!

He blinked. Wasn’t that that...determined support department student? The one that had used her gadgets during the festival? And helped make most of their suits?

“Looks like they get support students in on the fun too!” Hagakure said, somewhat less bubbly. “That was a really scary invention though.”

“What did it do?”

“I think it was magnetic! It grabbed onto my hand and pulled me back!” She shuddered. “I do not want to know how she comes up with these things.”

“YOU KIDS ALRIIIIIIIIIIGHT?!”

They started; Present Mic had moved, standing half in the water but still relatively close to the shore.

He watched the trio. He had been starting to get worried. From what he recalled, none of them had underwater breathing like quirks, so not seeing them for a while had been concerning. Plus, Thirteen and Recovery Girl would kill him if he had just stood around doing nothing--Hunt or not.

They didn’t respond, merely swimming away and behind the ship. He frowned. He was being considerate! “WELL I GUESS YOU ARE THEN! GET READY!”

He continued to scream, almost bored. No matter though, he was not going in the water either way. He knew he’d be getting an earful from the other teachers as soon as this was done. Aizawa and Kayama were sure to ask how he’d gone. His fights were never quite interesting. All he could say was--

“HOLY CRAP!”

He dived to the side, sloshing water out of the way as a--was that a lawn chair?! As a lawn chair was launched towards him.

“WHAT THE HECK?!” He looked up, his glasses askew, at the team that had made it onto the ship--how fast had they climbed?!--and now the yellow one was chucking probably whatever was on the ship at him. He groaned. He’d been too soft and now look at him, cowering at furniture!

He waded out of the water quickly--hating how soggy his pants felt, damnit, there better be no cameras around here--and dodged another lawn chair. His only comfort was that they had to run out of furniture soon.

Oh wait.

He crouched, waiting until something else was thrown--this time a lamp, were they going below deck too?--and then popped up.

“YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

The yellow boy visibly winced, crouching down and behind the railing of the boat. He did not stand up for a while and Yamada did not see the other two.

Maybe he should stop for a bit. If their eardrums got shot, Recovery Girl would be on his ass about it for weeks.

He relented, resting his throat for a bit, hands behind his head as he whistled.

Eh, they could spend the whole day like this unless either one of them made a move.

Yamada turned his head slightly, keeping an eye on the boat to see the Central Plaza--

“Oh man! Someone’s out there!”

He glimpsed a group of students running out and towards the Central Plaza. From where he stood, he couldn’t see where Aizawa was but the teacher was probably somewhere in there--

WHACK!

Yamada fell to the side, his face pounding as it hit the ground. Damnit, how had he missed--what had he missed again?

A shadow loomed over him and he froze--oh no.

“Sorry sensei, but--” A jingle of metal and Yamada tensed, ready to get up when-- “Oh. That’s a big caterpillar.”

Yamada’s blood curled.

Where? Where?!

He screeched, jolting up and butting heads with the student--Ojirou, that’s his name--and frantically roamed his hands over his own body, feeling the hated tingling of bugs crawling over him even through clothing.

“WHERE? AHH WHERE IS IT?!”

“Sensei--wait! Are you--”

“AHHHHH!” He screamed, unintentionally activating his quirk.

He couldn’t find the caterpillar but ooh something was crawling on him, the sensation tickling his hair--his hair!

“It’s in my hair isn’t it?! ISN’T IT? MY HAIR!”

A click of metal and suddenly his arm was cuffed.

Huh.

How’d that get there?

He looked up to see the other cuff floating in the air along with a watch. Ohhh. The invisible girl.

“Good thinking Ojirou! You took advantage of his fear of bugs!”

The tailed boy blinked. “His fear...of bugs?”

“Mmhmm! Jirou told me he was scared of bugs! I completely forgot about that until now!”

“Oh.” Ojirou looked at him, suddenly guilty. “I’m sorry sensei, I really didn’t know. It was just a really big caterpillar.”

Yamada clenched his jaw as he tried to smile.

Their watches beeped.

“Oh my god! Thirty five points guys! THIRTY FIVE! SATOOOO!” The watch bobbed up and down--maybe she was pointing at it. Yamada smiled at the weak yell. He tried to squash the thought. Get on my level, kid.

Ojirou helped him up, smiling apologetically. “Really, sensei, I’m sorry. I didn’t know--”

“Ah it’s okay kid.” It really wasn’t. How could the world hate him so much. “Good job you two.” He was going to get such an earful from Recovery Girl. “Now I gotta take myself to the Entrance.” A walk of shame. “Better spend this time wisely while I’m not here to bless ya with my voice.”

Ojirou and Hagakure glanced at each other--blessings, huh?

“Good luck with the rest of the Hunt, YEAHHHH! I’ll be coming for you all!” Yamada savoured their pale faces--well, the boy’s paling face. He turned swiftly, hurrying away to the Entrance through the back of all the areas.

He did not want the other teachers to see him.

Team Spirit met up on shore again as Sato used his strength to swim fast.

“AWESOME GUYS! YOU DID SO GOOD!” Sato grinned, high-fiving his teammates.

“So did you Sato! You have good aim!” Hagakure replied.

He blushed, shaking his head. “Nah. I was honestly worried I was going to chuck you two out of the zone. How’d you manage to get him in the end?”

Ojirou turned away, looking down as he scratched his cheek. “I...I said there was a caterpillar and Yamada-sensei...well...”

“He freaked! He freaked sooo badly Sato! Jirou wasn’t kidding when she said he was scared of bugs!”

Sato raised his eyebrows, glancing at Ojirou. Clearly this win wasn’t the type he’d enjoy; even if he had unknowingly taken advantage of their teacher’s fear. He patted Ojirou on the shoulder. “Don’t worry about it, Ojirou. They’re not gonna pull their punches, so why would we?”

“Yeah Ojirou-kun!” Hagakure added. “I nearly drowned back then! All’s fair in love and war!”

Ojirou smiled weakly, thinking, Is this a war now?

“Anyways, we’ve got sooo many points now! I think we can go get something to eat!”

Sato checked his watch, eyes bulging. “Whoa! It’s ten past ten! We fought for a while!”

As one, their stomachs all rumbled, eliciting various degrees of embarrassment.

“Yeah, let’s just get something to eat now.”

“Mmhmm! Before Yamada-sensei comes back!”

That got a shudder from all of them.

As cheerful and boisterous as their teacher had been, the way he’d said ‘I’ll be coming for you all!’ did not reassure them at all.

Not one bit.

DECEMBER 1 | 10:30AM | 4 HOURS 30 MINUTES INTO THE HUNT

“Taken down by some bugs?! AGAIN?”

“Ehehe, well...”

“Don’t you ‘well’ me Yamada! Pathetic! You’re a pro! Your students are braver than you!”

Yamada sunk into his seat as Recovery Girl roughly unlocked the cuffs, practically fuming at the ears.

“That’s a good thing! You know...for them...to be...” He stopped talking as she gave him a glare.

“You know just as well as I do what I meant! Hmph!” She bustled over to the cameras. “So early in the Hunt too! Look at them all! Aizawa’s managing with a whole flock of those students!”

Yamada grimaced. He could only hope the old woman wouldn’t tell anyone but that was unlikely.

“Wait till they hear about this!”

Yep.

Unlikely.

Impossible.

DECEMBER 1 | 7:30AM | 1 HOUR 30 MINUTES INTO THE HUNT

Kayama sighed for the fiftieth time.

What a time to be stuck in ice.

She wriggled her arms, stretching them over her head. She really shouldn’t have underestimated them--shouldn’t have underestimated the fact that the winter cold would help Todoroki’s ice powers in this way.

Though, she supposed, they had put up a good fight. If it weren’t for Todoroki’s surprise at the end, she might have eliminated them all. She smiled; how terribly cruel that would be, eliminating them when the fun’s just begun. She’d cut off their youth-fueled energy just like that.

Still, she gripped her flogger whip tighter and continued her chipping. It was such a tedious job, the ice wouldn’t give way at all, and when it did, only the barest fractions fell away. And with Ectoplasm out of commission--or at least, one of his clones--she wasn’t going to get any help anytime soon.

She glanced up at the camera drone hovering above and waved.

“I wouldn’t mind a little help you know!” She called out to it.

It bobbed away.

She sighed again. Recovery Girl was probably huffing and puffing at her ‘incompetence’. Well, she thought in defence of her imaginary argument, at least the kids hadn’t been able to cuff her.

Todoroki had been too focused on stopping her from eliminating his dazed teammates that he hadn’t been able to hold back and, though it was kinda a win-lose situation, he’d frozen her all the way up to her neck, leaving her head out. They hadn’t been able to cuff her, unfortunately. Fortunately for her though.

Kayama glanced around, searching for anyone.

And when she found no one, she let a bit of her composure slip.

“Damnit just melt already why are you so freaking cold what is this ice made of--”

A mechanical but familiar voice spoke from the side and she froze.

“Maybe you should have been more on your guard instead of being so caught up in their ‘youth’! Hmph!”

Kayama smiled at the drone that made it’s way around her, waving. “Nice to see you too, Recovery Girl.”

“You can’t see me! But I can see you! Stuck in that pile of ice.” Incoherent muttering came from the drone, and Kayama could only imagine the scorn. “It’ll take another half hour to get free of that by the looks of it.”

“It could take shorter--”

“Good luck Kayama.”

Kayama slumped, pouting. She lifted her whip, saw that it was being worn down instead of the ice and clenched it tighter.

Those kids were going down.

DECEMBER 1 | 8:30AM | 2 HOURS 30 MINUTES INTO THE HUNT

“Split up damnit! SPLIT! UP!”

“No Bakugou I don’t-don’t leave me with him!”

“WHO SAYS HE’S GONNA GO AFTER YOU?”

“LOOK AT HIM! HE’S GONNA KILL ME PLEASE BAKUGOU--”

Bakugou grunted in irritation as he rounded the corner, stopping short at the half-crumbled doorway. Beams were placed haphazardly across it, and there was only one opening he could try. Everywhere else was too small. He took off his gauntlets, pushing them through first.

Kaminari bumped into his back, winced as he clutched his nose.

“Is your head made of rock?! Dang that hurt!”

“Maybe you should watch where you’re going damnit.”

“Why have we stopped? He’s right behind us!”

Kaminari glanced behind him, fearfully waiting the moment Snipe would round the corner and shoot them dead. He still thought the bullets were real, no matter what the others said. They broke through the road and shattered glass--real or not, it would hurt!

“Bakugo--” He stopped dead as he turned back, finding Bakugou’s foot slipping past into the crumbled doorway. “Wait wait wait! How am I supposed to fit through? Bakugouuuuu!”

“Just fit through. Bend or something, I don’t care. Hurry up, or you won’t be able to catch up.”

As his footsteps receded, Kaminari’s panic increased. First of all, he wasn’t as flexible! Second of all, how was Bakugou that flexible in the first place?

Kaminari jumped as a shot hit the wall. Snipe was coming oh great Snipe was coming near.

He hastily jammed a foot through the opening he’d seen Bakugou fit through, gritting his teeth past the pain as it scratched against his clothes. He lowered as he got the rest of his right leg through, using the wall to support himself as he twisted to fit his shoulder.

“You’re being incredibly slow.”

Kaminari jumped. Snipe stood at the corner, watching him with guns raised. He lifted his left arm.

“Please don’t shoot me I’m innocent!”

“What?” Snipe muttered lowly. “Never mind.” He cocked his gun up higher, walking forward as he took out a pair of cuffs from behind. Kaminari’s heart raced--no no no he couldn’t get out.

He sped up, pushing the rest of his body through and getting his head and other shoulder out. But his left leg was still on the other side and--

Another shot rang out and a beam fell, trapping his foot.

“Oh crap.” His face blanched. “Oh craaaaap! No no no! Get off get off get off!” He pulled at his leg uselessly, twisting his foot this way and that but it didn’t budge, in fact it only made the beam slip lower, putting more pressure. Kaminari turned his head. He was in another room, but there was a hole leading to the next one over. Was Bakugou in there? “Bakugou! Bakuuu! Gouuuu! Please help me please please please--”

A shadow fell over him and he yelped as he glimpsed Snipe through the beams. He could electrocute the teacher--he knew that--but what if Snipe cuffed him first? Who’d be faster? And what if Snipe jumped as he shocked the ground? And then he’d be out of commission for the next few hours?

He didn’t want to find out. Not if it meant risking that much.

But Snipe was looming closer and with a resigned expression, Kaminari shut his eyes, mentally preparing himself for the shock--

BOOM!

The explosion rocked him to the side, his arms reflexively being brought up to protect his head from the smoke.

Boom!

Another explosion rocked the ground, but smaller. His foot was free but he didn’t feel safe yet.

Kaminari blinked his eyes open, peaking through his arms to see the beams blown away, Snipe all the way back down the hallway again, the window illuminating Snipe in a dark shadow, Bakugou standing beside him.

Bakugou standing next to him!

“I knew you wouldn’t leave me to die!”

Bakugou scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Yeah? And what was that look then? You were about to shit your pants.”

Kaminari grinned, waving his hands as he stood up. “Just for the theatrics!”

“Sure,” Bakugou mumbled, eyes trained on the teacher. His arms were still raised, probably ready to set off another explosion in the event the teacher shot them.

“Hm. I would have gotten you if it weren’t for your friend.” Kaminari grinned wider, giving Bakugou a thumbs up and a thanks at that. “Too bad.”

Snipe pulled out his other gun, returning to wielding the two guns when a different shadow lurched up from the window--

The remaining glass shattered as Sero leaped inside, tape pooling from his elbows as it shot out and wrapped Snipe up. The teacher grunted, his arms uselessly tied back but refusing to let go of the guns.

He flicked his wrists, angling them.

“SERO!”

Sero glanced down just in time to see the guns aimed at his feet, his eyes widening--

Ashido slid from behind the corner, her acid destroying the floor. She reached out a hand and slapped the gun away, shooting some acid to it for good measure.

Snipe still had the other gun though, and without hesitation he shot once, twice, thrice, at Sero, who jumped backwards in a flurry of movement his tape getting cut off.

Snipe used that moment to break himself free, the tape falling away.

He sensed Ashido’s kick before he saw it--ducked, stepped back once, and rammed his elbow out, catching her in the other leg.

She yelped, sliding into the wall, her last image of Snipe being him jumping out the window.

The four rushed to the window, seeing him land on the ground where Kirishima stood, hardened, but the man merely ran back inside the building, shooting bullets at their friend.

Kirishima made to follow, but saw them and stopped. “You guys okay?!” He called out.

“Yep!” Ashido yelled back.

“We didn’t get him buuut.” Kaminari held out an item--the cuffs--and beamed. “We got these! I think they fell off when you exploded him Baku!” Bakugou turned away, scoffing, but with less venom that normal. Below, Kirishima grinned, giving them a thumbs up as their watches beeped.

5 points for getting the cuffs of a teacher. Of course, it wasn’t the twenty they’d been hoping for, but it was better than nothing.

“We should start exploring the buildings better. I saw so many candy canes while we were running, but I didn’t have time to pick them all up,” Sero suggested as he created some tape to help them down.

They nodded when they reached the ground, a new fire burning in them after the fight as a result of the adrenaline.

It was early. They’d had a slow start but...

They were going to win this.

DECEMBER 1 | 11AM | 5 HOURS INTO THE HUNT

The bot’s arm came crashing down, it’s weight forcing Tokoyami to steady himself as Dark Shadow pushed it back up. It was the same bots they’d fought during the sports festival, but something told him that there had been upgrades made. And in the dome of USJ, there was a lot of light, so Dark Shadow was sufficiently weaker than usual.

But as Dark Shadow held the bot’s arm in place, Shouji leapt up, jumping onto the arm and pounding down onto the bot, sending it’s head flying off. It jerked around a bit, it’s other arm turning in an erratic circle, digging into the ground as it passed.

Shouji brought his arms down on the exposed wiring, ripping them out until the bot stopped moving.

He jumped back onto the ground as their point counter went up by one.

Kouda came running up to them, smiling and signing, though a bit shyly. “Good job guys!”

“It was nothing. The burden of my wrongdoings is heavier than any monster,” Tokoyami said quietly. Kouda smiled, nodding along.

“We should get moving to the Entrance before any more bots attack. I admit, I’m hungry. Now’s a better time than any to get going.” Shouji advised, looking around. They’d gained two points by taking out two bots but now the rest of their attention was being taken by Team Riot who were charging forward towards Central Plaza.

Tokoyami shook his head. “Are they taking on Aizawa-sensei now? Have they even eaten yet?”

“I don’t know, but while all the bots are distracted, we should go.”

They nodded and rushed forward, Dark Shadow and Shouji keeping an eye on their backs. They broke out of the trees, feet running on concrete once again.

They skidded to a stop, staring up at the looming robot.

A three-pointer bot from the entrance exam swiveled it’s head towards them, the lens swirling and zooming in.

Like before, it’s arm swung high, but this time the arm spun as it lifted and--

It froze, electricity sparking around. A laser beam cut through the middle and it broke apart in two, revealing the team behind.

“Hey, sorry for taking the kill.” Jirou smiled, her earlobes retracting. Aoyama had his arms wrapped around his middle, leaning against Yaoyorozu for support. The trio looked particularly beat up, dirt on their faces; Yaoyorozu’s and Aoyama’s cloak ripped.

Despite that, there was a gleam in their eyes; burning bright and strong.

Shouji nodded at them in acknowledgement. “Are you going to the Entrance too?”

“Yes. It’s already been several hours since we begun. I am feeling quite famished,” Yaoyorozu explained. Indeed, she looked pale, maybe even thinner than before, though they couldn’t be sure.

"Let’s go then.”

The two teams started up the stairs, a swift jog in case any robots decided to follow them up, though it was unlikely considering it would be harder for them to drive up stairs.

But then again, in the course of the part five hours, they’d learnt not to underestimate Yuuei.

Several times.

“We moved to the Conflagration zone to dry after we stayed in the Downpour for a few hours. Cementoss-sensei was there but we managed to evade him long enough.” Tokoyami looked to Kouda. “Kouda’s quirk is quite good for finding things--his insect friends told him the whereabouts of ‘strange objects’. It’s thanks to him that we found most of our items without running into Cementoss-sensei.”

Jirou turned to him. “That’s great Kouda! You’ve gotten over your fear!”

Kouda blushed, shaking his head and signing quickly. “Only a little bit!” He returned his teammate’s looks. “And you two did so much work too! Shouji-kun-you’re great at getting information! And Tokoyami-kun too!”

Shouji ducked his head, one of his arms creating a smile. Tokoyami and Shouji thanked him for the compliment.

“What about you three? Where did you come from?”

Yaoyorozu smiled weakly. “The mountains. It’s lucky we had Jirou-san otherwise we would never have dodged half the traps in there.”

“But even with me, we couldn’t get away from them all.” Jirou replied bitterly, clenching her jaw.

Yaoyorozu gave her an encouraging smile but it was Aoyama who said, “But you still did wonderfully Jirou-san! It is not your fault we were attacked by several Ectoplasms!” He huffed--the sound still encompassing some of Aoyama’s usual flare. “My hero suit has been ruined so terribly! It’s hard to keep up my sparkle!”

Jirou shook her head, her lip quirking up. “Yeah, that reminds me, how many Ectoplasms did you guys have to fight?”

Team Eclipse looked at each other.

“We fought four, but one of them might have been the same one,” Tokoyami answered. Team Sparkle nodded, grimacing. He noticed their looks and asked, “How many did you fight?”

“Seven,” Yaoyorozu replied immediately, resentfully.

“And they weren’t the same ones!” Aoyama added.

“At that point, I was wondering if he was just out to get us or something. I stabbed my earlobes into so many Ectoplasms I had to clean it off.” Jirou suppressed a shudder.

They slowed as they reached the top of the stairs, the smell of food making it to their hungry noses. More than a few stomachs rumbled, but no one mentioned it. As they stepped up, they were met by the sight of three Ectoplasm’s.

The stairs to the Entrance had two flights. They had only made it pass the first.

“If you want food, you will have to get past us.” The Ectoplasm in the middle spoke. Something about him told them that that was the real Ectoplasm. The way he spoke and kept unnaturally still. “Of course, you could always let yourself be eliminated.”

Both teams readied for a fight.

Jirou clicked her tongue, sick of the sight of that particular teacher.

“You really can’t give us a break, huh?”

DECEMBER 1 | 11AM | 5 HOURS INTO THE HUNT

“KAMINARI! NOW!”

Ashido stepped forward, onto Kirishima’s back--the boy using his quirk--and leapt into the air, willing herself to stay aloft as Kaminari readied himself and activated his quirk. She shot acid out of her feet to give herself a few precious moments more.

The ground sparked, electricity travelling into Ectoplasm and the three-pointer bot and Ectoplasm and--

No, not Aizawa-sensei.

“Sorry guys! He’s-he’s hard to control!” Sero gritted his teeth, digging his heels into the ground. Aizawa-sensei was currently in the air, using Sero as a way to swing him around. His torso was wrapped in the boy’s tape but his own capture tape was out and shooting straight for him--

Sero ducked, stepping a bit too close to the area where Kaminari’s electricity ranged and felt a striking zap go through his body. His teeth clattered together, and he tasted blood--crap, he’d bitten his tongue.

The zap was over just as quickly as it had begun, Kaminari feeling the aftereffects come on and deciding to stop before he truly went out of commission.

A few metres away, Bakugou stood blasting at advancing robots; three-pointer bots, a pain. He barely glanced at the rest of his team, trusting them to do good enough not to get cuffed.

Team Riot were currently in Central Plaza, having made an effort to go for the Golden Sack (worth forty points). They’d charged in, a semi-plan made to lure the Ectoplasm clones away using Sero’s tape so that Kaminari could zap them all in one go and make it easier for Ashido, Kirishima, and Bakugou to take on Aizawa-sensei.

But it had all gone wrong.

Though maybe it hadn’t gone wrong. Their plan had just been rushed and slightly loose.

Aizawa-sensei had been fast--faster than they imagined--and even though they’d timed it so that their homeroom teacher was on the other side of the fountain, where the Sack sat upon, he’d managed to swing himself over to them, landing in front and erasing their quirks.

They’d struggled evading their homeroom teacher--who knew almost all their strengths and weaknesses--and the three clones without their quirks, but through a series of running and ducking, they’d managed to split Aizawa-sensei’s focus, allowing some of them to get their quirks back.

Sero had been the first to get away, and he’d instantly shot out his tape to catch all the clones in one go. It had been a massive effort to pull them altogether but when done, he’d yelled at Kaminari to get ready.

Aizawa-sensei had heard that though, and he’d returned to erasing his quirk but the tape was already out.

Kirishima and Ashido instead used a few harsh, strong kicks to finish off one of the clones but then a bot had come up from behind Sero and they’d been forced to run, leaving the other two to escape.

It had been at that moment that Kirishima had come running to them, Bakugou leading Aizawa over to the other side as he made a run for the Sack--whether he knew he was helping by distracting Aizawa-sensei or he genuinely thought he could reach the sack, they didn’t know.

But it helped.

It had been the moment they’d needed.

Their quirks returned.

That brought them to the present.

The robot malfunctioned, it’s movements jerky and strange until it collapsed onto the ground. Ashido threw a wad of acid to the clones for good measure--they’d started to melt down but they could never be sure--and she rolled onto the ground.

Kaminari wobbled on his feet, a shaky smile on his face as he gave them--or he gave what he hoped was them--a thumbs up. It wasn’t them.

But Sero and Bakugou were still locked in battle.

“Oh c-come onnnnn--” Sero hissed, feeling his hold on Aizawa-sensei loosen and the teacher slipped free, using his own tape to swing down to safety.

A large blast shook the ground--Bakugou’s howitzer. It had sent all the bots away though and allowed him to focus back on their battle.

He snarled in joy as he beheld Aizawa-sensei’s falling form--falling in front of where he stood, their teacher’s back to him.

Without wasting time, Bakugou blasted himself off the ground, racing towards him fast fast fast--

Aizawa twisted in the air, kicking his legs around to meet eyes with his students behind his goggles. Bakugou’s explosions sputtered out, but he still had the momentum--

Aizawa sent out his capture tape to trap the boy’s arms.

It had worked--but Bakugou was still grinning.

Aizawa’s eyes widened--the Sack.

He looked down--the ground coming up fast--, and sure enough the rest of team Riot were speeding towards the fountain--Ashido especially fast with her acid. He used his quirk on her and she stumbled but continued, none of them bothering to look up.

He couldn’t help the twitching of his lips.

They all had that much trust in each other. A development, he supposed.

But their success wasn’t going to last.

Before he released Bakugou, he swung the boy to slam him onto the ground and rolled. Aizawa snapped up immediately, returning his capture tape to get it to catch Kirishima in the ankles--and the boy went falling.

Sero spared a glance.

“GO!” Kirishima yelled, yanking his foot away but ultimately letting himself get pulled backwards.

That left the other three.

Aizawa felt a headache start. Damn, this was troublesome.

Yanking Kirishima far enough, he sent his capture tape out past Sero and Kaminari--to Ashido, the closest.

He smirked.

It grabbed onto her legs, trapping them together as he pulled her back, making sure to give the tape an extra jerk to get her spiralling backwards, knocking into Sero and narrowly avoiding Kaminari.

Kaminari stumbled sideways. His head was still stinging and his stomach ached from the emptiness but--crap, now he was the only one left. Damnit Aizawa-sensei! You couldn’t have taken me out?! This pressure’s too much!

He gritted his teeth and pushed forward--ten metres, eight, five--

The Sack was blindingly bright--gold, too. Probably fake, but who knew with UA? And so close, so damn close--

He reached out, stepping into the moat around the fountain’s main section.

He barely registered the beep in time.

The fountain blew up.

Something wrapped around his waist and he was pulled backward, the pressure around his midsection too strong--too strong too strong he was going to puke up his empty stomach--

The heat seared his front, his face; he turned his head, his arms lifting uselessly to cover his face.

He was thrown backwards, landing near Kirishima, the redhead scrambling towards him.

His ears rung, but he could vaguely make out what he was saying.

“Are you okay? Kami--talk! You okay man?!”

Kaminari tried to nod.

A shadow passed over him and he was being lifted by strong arms--Bakugou. One arm slung over the explosive boy’s shoulder as he was dragged away.

He didn’t know where they were going, but they were going away--away from Central Plaza.

And the Sack.

The ringing subsided, only to be replaced by a different kind of sting.

He’d been so close.

And he’d ruined it.

“‘M sorry guys. Coul’n’t get it,” He mumbled, hazy.

He heard a scoff. “Tch. You got closer than any of us dunce-face. Don’t sell yourself fucking short.”

“Yeah Kami! That was amazing! You can’t blame yourself for not knowing they’d blow the whole thing up!” Ashido chirped from somewhere behind.

Kirishima appeared in his line of sight. “That was super manly dude!”

Silence.

“Hey Sero, say something.”

“What? I mean you guys all said it already!” A pause. “Okay! You did great Kami. Seriously. Rest up, we’re bringing you to food.”

At the mention of food, his mind focused a bit more, his vision narrowing. Yes, food, food food. Finally.

Though it still felt like forever until they made it, Kami’s feet hitting the stairs over and over until it finally stopped only to start up again--how many stairs did the USJ have? He couldn’t remember but surely it hadn’t been--

“You made it. You can relax now. You’re in neutral territory.” He was being moved somewhere else, laying on a soft surface. “Kaminari, if I heal you, you’ll feel tired. Are you okay to risk that?”

“Yeah yeah, just heal him already.”

“Hmph, patience Bakugou.”

SMOOOOCH!

Instantly, his body relaxed, sinking into the soft mattress. He felt better, but he did feel tired now.

Kaminari opened his eyes, meeting Kirishima’s eyes. He grinned at him, giving a thumbs up.

“So where’s the food?”

A packet of something both hard and soft landed on his chest.

“Here.”

Kaminari turned to look at Jirou, her eyes uncharacteristically narrowed. She was glaring at him furiously.

“What’d I do?” He asked, confused and slightly intimidated.

Yaoyorozu appeared next to her, putting a hand on Jirou’s shoulder. “Jirou-san, I don’t think it’s a good idea to glare so much.” Her eyes softened, but she still frowned.

“I can’t help it. We had to fight through three more Ectoplasms just to get up here and they could walk through free. Fantastic,” She said flatly, slumping on the ground.

“I guess being first isn’t always the best, huh,” Sero added unhelpfully, as he received another glare.

Kaminari looked around, finding the two other teams--Eclipse and Sparkle. Ashido laughing at Aoyama’s ripped cloak, the blond boy clearly trying not to pout. Sero talking to Shouji and Tokoyami. Kouda sitting against a wall, nibbling on an apple as Bakugou chomped on a banana next to him.

Though everyone was beaten up considerably, bruises and scratches that hadn’t healed, there was a spark in their eyes.

For once, they weren’t fearing for their lives. For once, they were having fun.

DECEMBER 1 | 11:10AM | 5 HOURS 10 MINUTES INTO THE HUNT

Recovery Girl smiled at the cameras, shaking her head. She could hear the students’ chatter from behind the door.

She watched as Aizawa reset the fountain, the Sack slung over his shoulder, bots roaming the area.

A softie through and through, she thought.

You could have cuffed and eliminated them all, Aizawa, before going to reset the fountain.

And yet you didn’t.

DECEMBER 1 | 1PM | 7 HOURS INTO THE HUNT

“Are you sure this is a good idea? Do you really think it’ll work?”

Hagakure nodded, taking off her boots. “Well, maybe not! But we have to try at least! If I can’t get past Aizawa-sensei, I won’t be able to get past villains in the future!”

Ojirou and Sato smiled hesitantly, nodding slightly. “It might be a bit different than that, Hagakure-san. Aizawa-sensei is a pro at stealth too.”

“Exactly!” She piped, ripping off her gloves. She shivered. Now the cold could really attack her. “If I can get past him, this’ll be a true show of my skills!”

Sato pointed at her watch. “Are you going to take that off?”

Hagakure looked at it, poking and prodding before relenting. “No. I don’t want to risk disqualification or something, but I’ll be careful.”

She peaked over the tree, staring at the new fountain. After it had blown up a few hours ago--it had been one huge explosion--something had opened up below and a new fountain had popped right up. The only sign that it had been blown up in the first place was the debris scattered around.

“There’s no more Ectoplasms too! This could work out great for us guys!”

Her teammates looked at each other, before resigning to the fact that she wouldn’t give up.

“Be careful out there.”

She nodded, grinning.

She waited until Aizawa was on the other side and ran forward, keeping low so that her floating watch wouldn’t be too visible.

The run was longer than she’d anticipated, and by the time she made it to the cut hedges bordering the fountain, she was panting. But she’d made it!

Aizawa was walking back over to this side. She could tell by the sounds of his footsteps.

Closer, closer, closer--he should be walking away by now--closer, closer--closer?!

Hagakure’s heart raced. Why was he coming closer? Had he seen her? She glanced at Ojirou and Sato--her heart dropped.

Their eyes were wide, even from a distance she could see that, and they waved frantically at her.

Someone was standing over her.

She looked up, a squeak leaving her lips as she stared into Present Mic’s eyes.

Was he always this scary?

“Told ya I’d come for you!” Present Mic opened his mouth. “SHOUUUUTAAAAAA!”

“What? There’s no need to shout,” Aizawa-sensei grumbled, coming over.

Hagakure scrambled away from the hedge, stumbling up as she spun to face the two teachers.

“So you thought you’d be able to sneak past huhhhh? Well, that’s too bad man!” Present Mic yelled, the second sentence in english. Hagakure swallowed, continuing to step back--dangit, why did she have to have a stupid watch? That gave her such a disadvantage!

Ojirou and Sato appeared at her sides in defensive stances.

“We should run. I don’t think we can take the both of them,” Sato murmured from the corner of his lips.

Still, the two teachers heard him.

“Really?” Aizawa-sensei muttered. “I would have hoped you three knew you were at an advantage.” They stilled. “Two of you have quirks I cannot erase. And the third is sufficiently trained in combat to put up a decent fight.”

Present Mic grinned. “And you know! You’re all pretty close! You could get to me before I shot your eardrums.”

Team Spirit looked at each other.

They came to a silent agreement.

Stepping back--

They ran.

“AW COME ON MAN!” Present Mic sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I was really looking forward to that you three! Yeee-AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

The trio winced--they hadn’t gone too far yet and the effects of Present Mic’s quirk could be heard all over USJ. It was a piercing as they remembered from a few hours ago.

Aizawa elbowed him.

“OW! Man that hurt!”

“You’re hurting my ears.” He clicked his tongue, turning away.

Team Spirit made it back to the trees, running past for good measure. They slowed, stopping and resting on the grass.

“He thought we’d forget about the capture tape or cuffs? I feel underestimated,” Sato huffed out.

The other two smiled wryly.

“Though without those two things, we really would be at an advantage,” Ojirou said, straightening.

“I’m not taking any chances! We’ve only got five more hours to go! We can do it!” Hagakure cheered, still out of breath.

“Yeah. Just a few more hours to go.” Sato looked at Ojirou, smiling. “Plus ultra, yeah?”

They nodded.

DECEMBER 1 | 2PM | 8 HOURS INTO THE HUNT

Kouda waited until the ant had finished speaking before standing to tell his teammates. He also couldn’t believe it, but then again, he really should be able to. It wasn’t something out of reach for UA.

“What is it, Kouda?” Shouji asked.

“There’s some in the dome. Wedged between the glass and taped to it. They’re saying it’s the same thing as our candy canes.” He looked at Tokoyami. “Can you..?”

Tokoyami nodded, Dark Shadow already wrapping over his body. “I’ll do my best.”

He flew into the air, climbing higher and higher--the ground lower and lower. It would have been dizzying and despite his training with his special move, the day’s events wore down on him. Eight hours, one meal, and no sleep since the beginning--he didn’t want to think about his bed.

From in the air, Tokoyami could see much of USJ. The mountains zone had been half-destroyed, smoke piling up high; the waterslide in the Flood zone had collapsed; bots roamed the grounds, looking for students to attack. From that height, Tokoyami felt untouchable from the threats of below.

“Dark Shadow--keep an eye out too!” The beast nodded, and they swerved close to the glass--though he couldn’t see out of it anyway, snow covered the outside from view. They’d been walking behind the Flood zone, keeping to the edges of the dome to get easy candy canes and baubles. It had been a fruitful excursion and they’d barely run into anyone--friend or foe.

Tokoyami scanned the dome with his eyes. Nothing yet, but he trusted Kouda and Kouda trusted those ants.

Dark Shadow flew them closer, almost skimming against the dome.

There! A bauble, black to blend into the beams, hanging.

“Do you see it, Dark Shadow?”

“Yeah! Grab and go!”

Tokoyami reached out his hand--his fingers grazed the bauble--he latched onto it, ripping it free.

“Good, we got--”

Electricity sparked through his body and Tokoyami hissed--what the--?

A second set of shocks rippled through him and he looked closer at the bauble, eyes narrowing at the circular object stuck to it’s skin.

“What is it? A taser or something?”

“Something like that.” With a grunt, Tokoyami scratched the device off, letting it fall to the ground. “I should have realised there’d be traps. Even up here, they’re not going to go easy on us.” Though if the rest are just like this one, we won’t be able to tell there’s traps til it’s set off. Tokoyami thought bitterly.

He shook his head. It’d be fine if they were just zaps.

He checked his watch--their point counter at forty-eight now. The bauble had been worth four points.

“Tokoyami! Is that an item?” Dark Shadow asked, and Tokoyami looked up to see a pair of red glasses attached onto the side of a beam. Midnight’s glasses--worth seven points. He smiled.

“Yes. Good spotting Dark Shadow.”

They repeated their routine, though more carefully now.

And yet it still did not prepare them for the burst of pink gas.

No--Midnight’s gas!

As Tokoyami had pulled the glasses away, it had triggered the trap--releasing a shocking amount of Midnight’s gas. Somehow they’d stored it up here.

Dark Shadow dropped to escape it, but then something shot out of the glasses and latched onto Tokoyami’s hands. He felt a pull and his arm went up, towards the beam where it was slowly but surely being encompassed in the gas.

“Tokoyami! What is it?”

“Some-something is pulling me back up! It’s strong,” Tokoyami gritted out, clenching his jaw. He shook his hand, but the rod-like things on the glasses were unyielding. “Keep going Dark Shadow!”

Dark Shadow charged down, leaning more to the left as a result of the force of whatever was pulling Tokoyami’s right hand. He tried to pull his hand down, make it easier for his shadow beast to fly.

They were hurtling as fast as they could go, but still it pulled them back--

The pressure released, sending Tokoyami’s hand shooting forward and then his whole body, the same feeling when someone would step on the brakes--

“DARK SHADOW!”

They were nearing the ground faster than he knew they could control--no, nearing the Conflagration zone’s dome. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he swore he heard Shouji yell over the sound of the wind rushing past.

“Tokoyami! Duck!”

He ducked his head deeper into Dark Shadow’s arms, gritting his teeth as the inevitable impact arrived--

CLANG!

They collided with the dome, Tokoyami thankfully safe from most of the impact, though his head still rattled, but Dark Shadow absorbed the most of it.

Dark Shadow gripped a beam to prevent them from sliding off, then slowly went back, using the beams like a fireman’s pole as they slid towards the ground.

Shouji and Kouda ran to meet up with them.

“Are you alright Tokoyami-kun?”

He nodded, standing up, refusing to let his wobble be shown. “Yes. That gas...” They looked up at the still-spreading pink gas. “It surprised us. And then there’s this.” He lifted up his right hand, the glasses still attached to it.

“What is that?” Kouda asked, shyly stepping forward to peer at it. Now that he could see it better, it resembled something of legs. Or arms.

“I don’t know. But it latched onto me and kept pulling me up. Something was pulling it towards the gas.”

“Magnets?” Shouji supplied. Tokoyami nodded. That was probably it.

“Thank you Tokoyami-kun! You got us eleven more points even with those traps!” Kouda beamed, smiling. Tokoyami blinked, lowering his eyes. Yes, he supposed he had, even after all that.

“I can go back to searching up there after a few minutes rest. There’s clearly more to find up there.”

They nodded, looking up. The gas was was a reminder to be more careful, but Tokoyami wasn’t going to let his team down.

He’d fly up there and get them all the points.

DECEMBER 1 | 3:30PM | 9 HOURS 30 MINUTES INTO THE HUNT

Exhaustion battered them down.

Midnight had been out for blood. Wherever they went, she followed. They’d moved from the landslides to the mountains to the stairs--and still she’d followed!

Now team Tree was in the Conflagration zone. With Todoroki’s quirk, they assumed they would have an advantage in there, but the flames raged on around them--and sweating buckets did not help. They’d dressed for the cold; their extra layers of clothing becoming an enemy.

“Should...should we just leave?” Uraraka asked weakly, pulling at the collar of her suit uselessly. “It’s really...really hard to see anything in here.”

Midoriya pursed his lips, thinking. They’d been in here for half an hour and they’d found enough items to make it seem like no one else had gone through this zone--too hot or too dangerous?

He didn’t want to give up, but looking at his team, some of them were looking bad: Iida, in his elaborate hero suit, moved with less energy than usual. Asui was sweating, her eyelids drooping, and he himself felt groggy and sticky with sweat. Todoroki was the only one who looked decent, and even that much was a stretch, when he kept ocnstantly freezing his left side.

They’d already stacked up to seventy-four points. That was probably good, right? Yes, there was no need to push everyone to their limits, especially since they’d gone deep inside the zone now they’d need to take a while to get back out.

“Yeah, that’s a go--”

The pillar of concrete came out of nowhere.

Well, not nowhere, but the ground.

It brushed right up against Todoroki--the one who’d been leading--and a second on on their left started growing.

“It’s Cementoss!” Iida called, grabbing Uraraka and Midoriya and running to the right with them.

Asui leapt sideways, her tongue already half out when Todoroki used his ice to destroy the left wall and propel himself to the right.

They regrouped against a burning building, Todoroki freezing over the section nearest to make it safe.

“So it was you after all,” A deep voice rumbled out. They tensed, for once the searing heat replaced by a deep focus. The flames made it hard to find Cementoss, but the sound had come somewhere from ahead. “Only one other team made it in and out of this zone. They lasted fifteen minutes. I’ll try to make this quick.”

Concrete spiked up from the ground, heading straight for them--they had to split--

Midoriya and Iida leapt to the right, Uraraka, Todoroki, and Asui going left.

The concrete smashed into the frozen building, the ice shards shattering and falling upon them.

Todoroki gritted his teeth, activating his right and sending ice shooting in the general direction the concrete came from. He heard a shatter, and clicked his tongue--Cementoss must have shielded himself.

Uraraka tapped his shoulder. “We should go--he can obviously see us--” The ground wobbled underneath them and it was only with the help of Asui did they get pulled back in time before concrete shot up, right where they’d been standing.

“I don’t think we can win without risking too much, kero,” Asui said as they ran around the building. The flames leaped out at them but Todoroki iced the path as he led the way, pushing through.

Uraraka nodded. “Yeah. He must have something--maybe some sort of heat vision goggles to see us?”

“Whatever it is, we’re at a clear disadvantage,” Todoroki grunted. Damnit--and he’d been so confident in his ice quirk too!

They ran around, the building longer than they’d realised.

Uraraka glanced to the sides, watching as Todoroki iced the ground and walls for them--

Her eyes widened. She slid to a stop, stumbling uncouthly as she stared through the ice to what was inside.

A star--or, it looked like a star.

She racked her memory for what she remembered it from, squinting and scrunching up her face--what was it what was it?

“Uraraka-chan!” Asui hopped back to her side. “What is it?”

She pointed at the star. That’s it! “The star for-for the christmas tree! It’s worth like-ten points guys!”

Todoroki slid back over to them, eyeing it.

Uraraka turned to him, eyes eager. “Can you get it, Todoroki-kun?”

He nodded. “Keep an eye out for Cementoss, though.” He put his left hand onto the ice and melting it away as fast as he dared--he didn’t want to risk damaging the star, and thus losing the points.

The ice melted quick, and when he broke through a violent burst of flames escaped.

He stepped back with his right, letting his left take the heat. Uraraka and Asui stepped back, the flames large enough to melt the rest of the ice, making way for more fire to be generated by however way the school did it.

“Todoroki-kun! Are you okay?” Uraraka called.

He clenched his jaw and nodded. “I’ll take it out--be ready to run if it’s a trap.”

Uraraka and Asui stepped away, but not before Asui wrapped her tongue around Todoroki’s midsection. The heat stung, but in the event it was a trap, she wasn’t going to leave him to it’s mercy.

Todoroki touched the hot metal--his teeth were going to break with how hard he was gritting them--and found the pointed section, running his finger down until he could get a better grip. Bracing himself, he yanked it out--

Asui threw him backwards, the explosion shattering the rest of the ice until he created more to stifle it. Still, the ice cracked at the force.

Uraraka gasped--Cementoss!

“Run!”

They ran, pushing past the flames now that Todoroki was still being pulled by Asui.

The end of the alley approached, a wired gate separating them from Midoriya and Iida, the former ripping it open--

The ground shook--they refused to stumble--

It wasn’t wide enough for them to leap through--not yet not yet--

Midoriya activated One for All, using what was probably more strength than necessary to rip the rest of it open--the whole fence crashed down, but on their side.

“URARAKA!” Iida yelled, hand outstretched--and she understood.

Reaching backwards, she clapped hands with Asui who held out hers--the girl went weightless, still clutching Todoroki--and Uraraka ran forward, stretching to reach Iida--

In the end, the concrete bursting behind them was what gave them the speed to reach him.

They flew forward, Todoroki slamming into Uraraka’s back as she whipped her hand out and used her quirk on him too.

Bracing herself, she used it on Midoriya and her too, the nausea growing.

But now Iida could run.

They all gripped onto him, whether it was an arm or his torso--

He crouched, activating Recipro Burst and--

Zoom!

Rushing past the flames, Iida maneuvered carefully, knowing he had limited time to get them all out of there--ignoring the flames that reached for their bodies--far, far--

They made it a considerable distance before his Burst ended and he stumbled to a stop.

Uraraka released her quirk’s effect, and they all collapsed onto the grround, adrenaline pumping through their veins at the wild ride.

“We should...go...before he catches up...” Iida panted out, staring at his engines.

Midoriya grinned at him. “Do you really think he’ll be able to catch up with your Recipro Burst?”

Iida looked up at him, a proud smile growing. “Perhaps not,” He admitted. “But we need to make sure.”

“Well it’s a good thing we’re near the exit then,” Asui croaked out, looking in front.

They turned, the doors to leave the zone right in front.

“And our points too!” Uraraka piped up suddenly. “You did it Todoroki-kun! We’ve got eighty-four points now! That’s so much!” She threw her arms in the air, exhilarated, and threw an arm around the boy, who stiffened.

“So that’s what got the points?” Midoriya asked, pointing to the star still in his hand.

He nodded. “But it was Uraraka who found it. If it weren’t for your quick seeing, we would have missed it.” He looked down, clenching his right hand. “I was too focused on icing the area I didn’t think about the items we could have found.”

Uraraka shook her hands dismissively. “Don’t worry about that Todoroki-kun! We got the points so that’s good...” She trailed off as the ground shook again.

They all glanced at each other, standing.

“We should go...” Midoriya began nervously.

“Before Cementoss does catch up, kero,” Asui finished.

They all nodded, making their way to the exit.

When the cooler air of the outside hit them, they couldn’t help but sigh.

Sure it was cold, but it was much better than the searing heat of those flames.

They looked up.

And froze.

DECEMBER 1 | 4PM | 10 HOURS INTO THE HUNT

Toshinori hated that smile of Nedzu’s. It’s the smile that told him the principal was planning something.

Something that probably wasn’t going to be good.

Nedzu completely ignored him, too deep in thought.

It had been hard work getting all the puzzle pieces into place. His students were unpredictable, but it was the teacher’s who’d nearly messed it up. Especially Midnight and Present Mic--he’d have to talk to them about holding grudges with their naive first years.

But finally everyone had been gathered onto the grounds.

And by the looks of their confused faces, none of them knew what was coming.

Nedzu lifted his tea cup and took a sip.

He put a paw on the button.

And with another, darker smile, he pressed it.

Toshinori couldn’t help but wish his students good luck with all his heart.

DECEMBER 1 | 4PM | 10 HOURS INTO THE HUNT

The fountain split into four, the Central Plaza opening up to pull it in. The ground as class 1A tried to figure out what was going on--were they still doing the Hunt? What was this part all about?

The Golden Sack was the first thing that came back out.

And then a giant Ectoplasm followed suit, the Sack perched on his head.

(Yaoyorozu put a hand on Jirou’s shoulder to stop her from screaming. She was sick sick sick of that teacher!)

He loomed above them all, casting a menacing shadow. Once his upper body was out, the teachers seemed to follow, rising from the ground.

(Midnight smirked darkly at Team Tree; the five getting chills up their spine. She still hadn’t given up.)

(Hagakure subtly stepped behind Sato, hiding herself from Present Mic--despite the fact that she was the best hidden in the first place.)

As the ground closed up again, around Ectoplasm’s giant clone, snow poured out, filling the area around and piling around the teachers.

“Well well class one A,” Nedzu’s voice spoke all around them. “You’ve all managed to last until the final hours of our Hunt! Impressive! It’s been rarely done.”

“Hmph.” A distance mumble huffed somewhere. “If someone hadn’t been so stupid they would have eliminated some of them.”

(Midnight and Present Mic’s smirks twitched--the elderly lady was not getting over their earlier mishaps anytime soon, it seemed.)

“Yes yes. But in the end, class one a made it. It’s been so long since I decided to do this!” Nedzu laughed giddily, the sound chilling. “Now, you might want to take cover.”

“You won’t warn them hm? Of course you wouldn’t.”

“Where would be the fun in that?”

The sound of screeching and creaking pierced their ears and as one, the class looked up to see the glass receding and--

Snow fell.

And not the soft, beautiful snowflakes.

It fell in harsh, loud thumps.

(Tokoyami called on Dark Shadow to shield team Eclipse as the snow weighed on them.)

(Kirishima pulled Bakugou back, under the cover of trees, in an effort to stop the boy’s obvious desire to Howitzer impact the snow.)

When the snow finally made it all down, the class emerged from their covers.

It was thicker than they’d have thought, piling up as high as their shins in some areas. But it was uneven too; the domes of the Conflagration and Downpour areas taking up a large chunk of it.

Nedzu returned to the intercom. “So! It should be rather obvious now, I’ve left so many clues, but...” A low chuckle. “It’s a snowball fight!”

Simultaneously, they froze in surprise.

A what?

“I’m sure you all know what a snowball fight is. But…” A pause that shouldn’t have been as menacing as it was. “You don’t know what a plus ultra snowball fight is.

“If you want the sack, you’ll have to get past all of the snowballs and your teachers. But I warn you…” Nedzu pitched his voice higher in excitement. “If you get hit, you’re out! You can’t make any more attempts on the Sack nor can you help your teammates!”

Nedzu giggled--this was so fun! “One more thing. If any one of you gets the sack, you will win. Even the lowest scoring group can win with the Sack now. Any one of you could win the sixteen thousand yen cheque.”

(Uraraka’s eyes flamed. The amount of food she could buy with that!)

Nedzu put his paw on another button. “Good luck everyone!”

DECEMBER 1 | 4PM | 10 HOURS INTO THE HUNT

This time, class 1A was not facing the imminent, stressful threat of death.

This time, they were merely children once more, teaming up against the silly but real threat of snowballs.

Some of them smirked, grinned, smiled; others ducked their heads, and dug in their feet, tensing their muscles.

They were teenagers. And they were heroes-in-training.

They were going to defeat these snowballs, even if it meant using their stupidly powerful quirks for something as trivial as a snowball fight.

Plus Ultra, after all.

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claryaastark · 5 years

Text

The Fragments of Him

082819

I gritted my teeth as I saw him running towards my direction. He seems scared but he still manage to tease me with a seductive smile and a wink — and that made me more furious. I rolled my eyes, heaved a sigh and calm myself.

“You’re 30 minutes late” I said calmly but with diction.

“Woah chill, I’m sorry, I need to finish my stuff first” and he smiled awkwardly while holding his ears.

“Don’t lie to me, what is it this time?” I said while raising one of my eyebrows.

“Hehe, my friends forced me to join them on a gig”

“And?”

“That’s it.”

“I know you, tell me!”

“And hehe, we drunk a little”

I picked up my stuff and rose from the grass then I walked away from his direction. He grabbed my arms and hugged me.

“I’m sorry” he whispered with a very gentle tone.

I cried because I know for a fact that I couldn’t resist this man, not ever. Instead of saying a word I just let myself cry on his chest.

“I’m sorry for keeping you wait, I won’t do it again, promise!”

“Promise?” I pouted my lips.

He gently tapped my head and smiled.

“Promise”

He held my hand then we went to our favorite spot. It was on a highland, where we have the chance to have a perfect glance on the city below. The wind is cold, and it almost touches the inner layer of my pale skin. During the eve, you can hear the deafening nights of silence. This place is very peaceful, there are no stress and problems to chase you. And I feel free.

I don’t have the chance to see him everyday, for a certain reason ; he always disappear literally. I still find it weird that we only have the chance to see each other every 4th day of the month. And luckily, the 4th day this month is Sunday. We’re not busy, we don’t have school, acads, and shits like those we encounter every weekdays.

I was 18 when I met him. He came to this place out of nowhere. He talked about random things, and I answered him. I do not know as well, how he found my little paradise since I was a child. But it doesn’t matter anyway, at least I found a friend in the middle of nowhere. And I’m not alone, that’s one thing for sure.

Because of my little drama about him, being unpunctual, I didn’t notice the violin that he was holding. We sat on the mattress, along with the basket of fruits, bread and milktea! And we talk, we laugh, he played the violin and he sang for me. He held my hand like he doesn’t want to lose me. 4th day of the month serves as my escape. There are lots of things that’s been bothering me, and I don’t wanna talk about it, not ever again. And he is my rest and my escape in this life of shit.

The sun is setting, and time literally flew so fast. He is dashing along with the rays of sun. He smiles like a morning sunshine, and talks like a dancing ocean waves — calm and assuring.

He was hugging me from behind while we cherish the moment of silence. I felt a pang of pain in my chest after I closed my eyes. Then I count, from 1-10.

“5, 4, 3...2”

“I’ll be back, I won’t leave”

“...1”

That’s the last thing he said to me and, he disappeared.

It was September and today is the 3rd day of the month. I’m on my room. I was flipping a 5-peso-coin while tapping my fingers on the wooden table. Here I am again, calculating the possibility of his uncertainty. I miss him so much, it was a month since I last saw him. Since we talked, since I touch him. I miss his silly jokes, his sweet remarks, his attractive perfume, his calm voice and his sunshine-like smile. Damn it!

I kicked the chair and I anxiously walked around the room, seriously, I’m so excited to see him again tomorrow! I looked myself in the mirror and I can’t help but smile. I got a lot of stories to talk!

I heard a loud consecutive knocks from the door and I opened it enthusiastically, I saw her again, the sweet woman in a color white casual gown.

“Tomorrow’s the day, you should sleep early my love!”

She smiled gently — my mom.

“Yes mom, thank you!” I jumped and we almost fell to the floor when I hugged and kissed her cheeks.

“Good night, my love!”

And I slept early, despite of uncertainty inside my mind.

This time, I was the unpunctual one, I was ten minutes late. Blame my closet, I had a hard time on choosing what to wear today. Today’s 4th day isn’t just an ordinary day of the month, it was our 24th meeting, our second anniversary. I saw him playing the guitar strings. I tiptoed and cover his eyes from behind.

“Happy 24th day!” and I kissed his cheeks.

I felt him smiled.

“I miss you so much” he said with a sad and excited mixed tone. He pulled a bouquet of colorful roses beside him, and a box colorful rolled paper.

“Read this once you’re home” he said naughtily.

He asked for my hand and we dance under the morning rays of sun, I buried my face on his chest and I let myself be drowned on the happy moment. I don’t wanna lose him, no and not ever.

We spent the day by eating, dancing, singing, laughing, and sharing each other’s story.

It was the sunset again, and it was the hardest and painful part of the day for me. Today’s farewell seems different.

He’s just staring at me, and he’s holding my hand thoroughly. I felt awkward but I didn’t ask. He kissed my lips and a drop of tears fell on my cheeks.

“I’m gonna miss you so much, I’ll be back!”

I did the same routine of counting from 10-1 and then again, he disappeared.

Seasons have changed, and time flies. It was the winter season and today’s 4th day seems gloomy. The rain pours and I was standing under one of the trees on our favorite spot, while holding my umbrella. I saw him walking towards my direction wearing his white hoody.

I smiled. The sun is nowhere to be found but he still has the dashing aura, like he glimmers around and he’s the only thing that I see.

“You seem cold” he removed his hoody revealing his color black shirt.

“Wear this, and let me hold the umbrella” I let him hold the umbrella for us, and half of the day, we just spent our time on watching the raindrops.

During the afternoon, I escaped and I run under the rain.

“Baby! You’ll catch a cold”

His face frowned. But I laugh instead.

“Who cares about cold? Come here! It’s fun”

I can see a hesitation on his face, but he still run towards my direction. And we danced, and kissed under the rain. I closed my eyes, and I put my head on his chest.

“I got to go”

I was shocked, we still have few hours before sunset.

“Why?”

“It’s time to go” he said expressionless.

“Are you kidding me, we still have few hours!”

“It’s time to go”

“Baby, stop it, stop joking! The sun haven’t set yet”

“It’s time to go!”

His hand are slowly disappearing, and he keeps on repeating his word.

“What’s happening?” I was crying hard because of sadness and confusion.

“Don’t leave please, please” I begged, but to my dismay, his body is turning into fragments, into pieces of dust in air.

“It’s time to go!”

That’s the last thing I heard before I closed my eyes, and he disappeared in front of me.

I opened my eyes, and I saw her. My mom, still wearing a white casual gown with a stethoscope on her shoulder.

“It’s time to go, my love”

She smiled. I looked at the calendar, and it’s the 4th day of December. I was wearing a hospital gown, and there are lots of apparatus in my head. I am also wearing a dextrose.

“She’s slowly recovering, the effects of her cognitive behavioral therapy is quite improving. Just let her regularly take her meds, and see you on next session, on January 4th. Advance happy new year!”

Mom smiled on her fellow doctor and we were left alone on the room.

I cried, and mom hugged me. She knows, she knows so well that I built a world inside my head.

I looked at my sketchpad and I saw him, I saw his smile, his golden aura. I saw him playing the guitar, the violin, I saw him hugging me and kissing me.

He is just a fragment of my imagination. My escape from this illness. I created him, I created us.

I was on the process of treating myself, and mom is my personal Psychiatrist. I suffered from traumatic disorder, after I lost dad on a car accident when I was 17. And I am taking meds, hallucinogens to be exact. It distorts my sensation and it produces a dream-like state experience.

I tossed a coin, that represents the uncertainty. The uncertainty of things between me and him. The uncertainty that I might not see him again, even on my imagination. The probability of being left behind even on the own world that I created inside my head. But I trust him, I trust that he will never leave, and he will consistently be with me.

But what happened on today’s 4th day of the month, is different. I let him flew away and turn into pieces of dust. Maybe, the doctor is right. I decided to leave my world of fiction and imagination and face my reality.

He is gold, and I’m colorblind. But still, I fell in love with a man that I created, I fell in love with a fragment of my own imagination and I’m glad that I did.

That time, I let myself cried.

2 years have passed. And I’m glad that I am finally leaving Illinois, my place of healing. And today’s the day, that I’m going home to the Philippines. 4th day of August. I smiled with the bittersweet memory inside my head.

“Calling all passengers of flight 416 bound to Philippines”

I held my luggage and hand carry. And we went inside. I’m not knowledgeable when it comes to airplanes but I am seeing a Boeing 737-200 in front of me. And this is where we gonna ride.

I put my earphones the moment I sat, and brought out my sketchpad. I smiled as I saw him, but this time, he is alone on my sketches. I felt a man who sat beside me but I didn’t even throw him a glance.

I started sketching again inside the plane.

Someone poked me, I got irritated and I removed my earphones to look at the man beside me, and I almost throw myself when I saw a real life representation of him, of my imagination. And he is in front of me.

“Miss, excuse me, why are you sketching me?” He asked half confused and half mesmerized as he stared on my artworks.

I didn’t speak a word. And I just let myself stare on him. Still shocked. He is real, and he is in front of me. This isn’t a dream or hallucination.

My heart is beating fast and I’m keeping myself from crying. Nervous, I still got the courage to ask for his name.

“Who are you?” I asked.

Half confused, he still answered me.

“My name is Roya”

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seams-unusualbc · 6 years

Text

Everything is myth

written in December 2009

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

Around the time that I started watching The Phantom Reviewer on YouTube (and toying with a silly idea for a farce-parody Phantom comic of my own...) I peered briefly into the depths of Phan Fiction to be had. I was astounded. Not only at how much there is but also at how varied AND--most importantly--how well-received. I mean, the people who are into this stuff are into it! And I feel like I stumbled on a reason why... ALL of these artists/storytellers and readers know the same information about these characters! They all KNOW the samepeople! A storyteller spins a tale about Edward Cullen or Long John Silver (or better yet: a crossoer where they run into Mr. Sulu from Star Trek) and the readers GET IT. The same as how a tribal storyteller or Shaman might tell a new story (or alter the old) about characters he and his audience knows. This is to keep them amused, and to keep them LISTENING. He might tell a story... instead of how Raven Stole The Sun--somehting everyone would have known already-- he might get everyone excited about a brand ew story about how Raven Got in Big TimeTrouble When He Slept With the Wife of.....well, whoever. Fan Fiction. Same. Fucking. THING. I had this idea (which lasted about 2 and 1/2 days) that I might return to school as a Sociology Major and my thesis would be about Fanfiction filling the role that was once filled by storytelling myth is society! (Mary Sues are Shamans! ZOMG!) (Something like that) Likewise, people in history, and even living celebrities have been drawn into this pantheon. That's nothing new: the Romans and Egyptians made their own, living leaders deities all the time. Nowadays, there's fanfiction--both realistic and silly-- about the likes of Benjamin Franklin, Queen Victoria, Mozart and Leonardo DaVinci. There are fanfictions about people who are *alive*... Elijah Wood or President Obama! And--in truth-- whenever you imagine (or, for that matter, dream) about a famous person that you know something of but you are not personal with... you are creating a little myth about them. Your imagination fills in all the details that that you cannot possibly know. Now! Suppose you were to actually *meet* Johnny Depp on a regular basis and get to know him as a regular guy: talk about your kids or the fellow at work that annoys you or whatever. He would cease to be a myth. This I hypothesize: As the pockets and blank spaces that your imagination had to fill become filled with facts, memories or realities about that other person, that person changes status from being a myth. In Julie and Julia, the author talks a length about the Julia Childs that lives in her head--whom she met through the cookbooks-- AND how she's (specifically!) different from the Real Julia Childs that was barely alive by the time Julie wrote her blog. The Mythic Julia--the combined effort of Julia herself and the imaginations of the pubic that loved or hated her--was the one Julie had connected with. The mythic Julia was much more useful to her, AND --I would argue-- every bit as real. So! I got this idea that its pretty much impossible to ever know history as a reality and its always a myth because (!) youre always getting someone's re-telling of events that (for the most part) they weren't around for. If there's one thing I take from my Myth Class at PCC, it will be the that in the section on Creation Myths, my instructor--in her wisdom!-- included the Big Bang Theory. When questioned, she explained that the definition about an origins myth is, A Story that a people tells to itself about where it came from based on the best evidence that it has on hand... even though no one from that society was there! which includes the Big Bang Theory. Which. Is. AWESOME. But after thinking about it, all history is like this. Ancient history is written based on scavenged paragraphs from one or two individuals. One or two perspectives on an ENTIRE civilization can't possibly approach the truth. But then one gets to thinking about the later histories..... the settlers and the natives or the Catholic Church and the villagers in the hillsides (Your Pagan Ancestors!!) or anytime there is one force that comes in to prey on another... They're all incomplete! As many historians have bewailed in the past, It's only the winners of the battle who write the books! History is MYTH! Relative myth, I would assume for the conveniences of living on Planet Earth... but a myth none-the-less! So. I'm walking and thinking on the train tracks by the crossroads and am thinking of this when I briefly remember one of the vignettes from Waking Life. One that always bothered me because I felt like they never got a chance to explain the whole thing and it was poorly edited. anyway. the scene. (Which... I can't find on YouTube..... Lame) Um, its these two women having coffee and one of them says: "You know that thing Benedict Anderson says about identity? Well, he's talking about like, say, a baby picture. So you pick up this picture, this two-dimensional image, and you say, 'That's me'. Well, to connect this baby in this weird little image... with yourself living and breathing in the present, you have to make up a story like, 'This was me when I was a year old, "and later I had long hair, and then we moved to Riverdale, and now here I am.'" "So it takes a story that's actually a fiction... to make you and the baby in the picture identical to create your identity." I always thought they rushed through that part, but I kinda feel like i got it now. Fist off, I *realize* that I'm speaking as someone who has a (ahem!) "special" memory... But. Even for people who remember normally, memory cannot be as true as what we LIVE and EXPERIENCE in the present! If this is not so, then how about when memories fail us? How does pain fade over time? How do we forget? Our imaginations fill in the details (for some of us more than others, I will admit) and --in effect!-- our memories fill a mythic role! Because OUR memories cannot be right NOW NOW *NOW!* And *Now*--within yourself-- is the only certain truth.

#pop culture paganism #mythology #fanfic #fandom #fan fiction #truth #julie & julia #memory #identity #benedict anderson #waking life

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vennilavee · 6 years

Text

Brighter than Sunshine Part I

Pairing: Avengers x reader

Summary: Ellora isn’t an Avenger, but she has powers. Specifically, her powers involve fire, but she doesn’t know how to control it.

Warnings: Cursing, death

Word Count: 6894

A/N: I’m the worst at summaries lol. I wrote this a while ago featuring an OC- Ellora (I posted a “teaser”). Here’s an officially official part I of the story. Enjoy, thanks for being here! PS: the beginning will be set in post battle of New York!

One of her earliest memories of realizing that something was off about her was when she was in elementary school. She remembered feeling so hot, like the sun was burning her up alive. She remembered wanting to rip her clothes off and jump into a pool, before realizing rather dryly that it was the middle of December and snowflakes were due at any moment. She slowly became accustomed to her furnace-like body temperature as the years went on- she would brush it off as simply being warm blooded whenever her friends accidentally brushed against her and commented on how warm she was. Her darker skin seemed to glow the older she got and her brown eyes began reminding her of faint embers once she reached high school. But still, she told nobody and no one. Admitting that something was biologically different about her out loud was a step that she wasn’t willing to take.

She was a generally calm person in her childhood years. It took quite a bit for her to get angry or upset when she was younger. However, when she turned fifteen, it seemed that a flip had switched. Suddenly, she was fighting with her parents every day, screaming until her throat went raw. Everything made her angry. How suffocated she felt, how angry she was at herself for being so ungrateful, how her parents just didn’t understand her. She could scream at the sky for hours, scream her voice into hoarseness and still, it wouldn’t be enough.

How silly was it, that she thought she knew herself so well at fifteen. The rage began building from then on and she physically felt it. Every time she lashed out, she felt coils of anger cozying up with the already present rage that had made a home in her. Her family chalked up her outbursts to teenage rebellion. She ignored their worried glances and knew that this was something more than teenage angst. Alright, maybe it was a little teenage rebellion. She was hurting everyone around her- her friends, family, her younger brother. Because she was too emotionally stunted to work through her anger.

It took her a few months, but she had become better at containing herself. Her containment included ways of stopping her thoughts short to prevent herself from getting even more angry. Her outbursts were scarce once she approached her senior year of high school. Her relationship with her parents was still a work in progress, but so was she.

A few months after she had turned 17, that’s when she noticed it. It was after her gal pals had snuck away from their respective houses and went to a house party. She remembered being glad that the house party was walking distance from all of them so that none of them would have to drive back, and could all get properly drunk off of shitty beer and vodka. Of course, a simple night had gone to shit rather quickly, as they usually did. Murphy’s Law and all.

She trekked down to the basement filled with juniors and seniors, even some sophomores, that she had grown up with. The majority of them were her fellow seniors, all excited about the prospect of the future after graduation. Ellora happily refilled her red solo cup with jungle juice, engrossing herself in conversation with her friends. She quickly noticed that her one friend was missing, and she sighed. Ellora set out to make sure that she was okay, a habit that had her friends frequently making fun of her.

Her legs carried her to the backyard, near the small gazebo that the party host’s rich parents owned. It would have been a pretty place to star gaze from. And that was when she heard it, the quiet sobs and loud voices. The familiar tremors of fury danced around in her veins and she tried her best to quash it. Her jaw hung slightly when she saw Anna quivering in fear, her body shrinking out of reflex in front of Kishan’s much larger one. He was yelling at her, shouting at her for speaking to one of the other boys at the party. His hand gripped her much smaller wrist tightly, and Ellora was sure it would bruise. The bead of anger flared up again, coaxing her to unleash her wrath on him.

Ellora knew Kishan was an asshole. But being an asshole was no excuse to scream at your girlfriend, or hold her so tightly out of anger that she would be reminded of it the next day.

“Hey, dickhead,” Ellora seethed, marching up to Kishan and pushing him out of Anna’s reach, “Who the fuck do you think you are?” Anna watched her eyes come alive, slick with embers.

“Stay out of it,” Kishan dismissed her, his eyes meeting her own. She was a good head shorter than him. The whole scene probably looked comical to anyone watching. Ellora pushed at his chest again, feeling the familiar heat rising inside of her.

“Don’t fucking touch me!” Kishan pushed her back without thinking twice.

“You should’ve thought about that before you started yelling at Anna! Get the fuck out of here, you’re disgusting,” Ellora snarled at him. Anna was about to tell her to stop, that she was fine, but then she noticed embers and smoke pooling around them. More specifically, embers were coming out of Ellora’s mouth in small sparks. Anyone would have missed it, if they weren’t looking closely. Her fingertips were glowing a faint orange, also easy to miss.

“It’s not my fault she’s a stupid bit-”

“Finish that sentence, I fucking dare you.” Ellora pushed him back again. Her blood had turned into fire, she was certain. Her organs had melted and were replaced by some sort of eternal flame. She was so fucking hot, she had to be sweating bullets, her skin was going to melt off-

She almost missed Kishan’s yelp of fear when her fingers made contact with his jacket. There were small holes in his jacket, almost as if they had been burnt off by her fingers. Which they had been. His eyes were wide, finally noticing the lifelike flame in her eyes, the burnt tips of her fingers, the glowing of her throat.

“What the hell? What the hell! You’re a fucking freak,” Kishan exclaimed, managing to escape her and running back into the house.

Ellora looked at her hands and almost screamed when she saw that there were literal flames coming out of her fingertips, sparking playfully at her. As much of a curveball this was, she was unsurprised- it explained her rage, her temper, her outbursts, her irrationally high body temperature, how her rage seemed to melt into her and caress her in a way that nobody else could. She lifted her hands up in wonder, seeing the embers coming out of her mouth and nostrils. And then remembered that Anna was behind her. They were both silent, Anna staring at the flames sputtering out of her and Ellora waiting for her friend’s reaction.

“So how long have you been able to do that?” Anna whispered in awe.

“Never,” Ellora whispered back, “I don’t know how to stop. How do I make this go away?”

“Take a few deep breaths,” Anna suggested, “In and out. Breathe with me, Lor.”

Ellora closed her eyes and took breaths in cautiously. She felt the heat around her dissipate slowly, almost retreating back inside of her. She coughed and her eyes sprang open at the cinders that came out of her mouth.

“Holy shit,” Ellora whispered, “Holy fucking shit. Please don’t tell anyone. Holy shit. Anna, what the hell.”

“Hey, don’t worry. We’ll figure this out,” Anna grasped her shoulder and pulled her in for a hug, “No wonder you’re always so warm. You’re like a real-life space heater.”

Ellora giggled at that, pushing her worries to the side for the time being.

“Hey, thanks for… getting him away from me,” Anna said softly. Ellora shrugged and scratched the back of her head.

“Wanna go home and eat ice cream?” Ellora asked, her face still feeling warm, but in a different way.

Anna nodded enthusiastically, her almond eyes alight with joy.

Anna had stuck by her through all of it. When she started to gain a little more control with her internal flame, Anna was there. When she lost control occasionally, Anna was there. She could even perform little tricks with her fire, as she had begun calling it affectionately. Anna would always love to see the shapes of animals that Ellora could make and she would always look like a child whenever her fire shapes chased each other happily.

They ended up going to college together, a few hours away from home. They had opted to try random dorming rather than dorm with each other. To venture out and gain more friends, grow their social circles a little bit. But they still found their way to each other and Ellora still trusted only her with her fire secret. They had both blossomed into confident, young women during their time at college. Ellora didn’t trust herself in physical relationships, afraid that she would lose control and hurt the other person. Anna tried coaxing her out of it, but couldn’t really blame her.

Anna was her anchor. Until, one day she wasn’t.

Ellora had blocked that particularly painful memory out of her head for a while. She had been in the car with Anna that day. Anna had been driving- it was supposed to be just a quick run to grab some food, ice cream, and margarita mix. They were planning to watch movies all night and gossip with alcohol and food. A true girl’s night.

Somehow neither of them had seen the car speeding down the road before it was too late. Ellora heard the crunching of glass, the grinding of metal against each other and tasted blood in her mouth before she could process what had happened. She coughed a few times, blood splattering on the dashboard. Blood was rushing to her head, and she realized that the car had flipped. Where the hell was Anna?

“Anna? I’m going to get us out of here, holy shit-” Dread filled her stomach when she realized that Anna wasn’t responding. Ellora barely heard herself screaming for Anna to wake up, she barely felt herself push through the metal and stumble out of the car to the other side. She didn’t feel the tears running down her face as she tried to push her best friend out of her car. She managed to melt through the car door with her flames, not caring about the implications of it.

Her phone. Where the fuck was her phone? She needed to call 911. Fuck it, she would use Anna’s phone. She fished Anna’s phone out of her purse and hysterically dialed 911 with shaky hands.

“I don’t know- I don’t- I don’t know if the other car, if they’re alive. Please help me,” Ellora’s voice was bordering on hysterical.

She tried, she really tried to calm herself down. Anna was so good at this. Anna. Please wake up, Anna. I can’t do this without you Anna. The operator instructed her to check if she was breathing and for a pulse.

“I can’t find a pulse, what do I do? Don’t let her die in my arms- she’s my best friend-”

Ellora placed her on the ground and began performing CPR, screaming for someone, anyone to help her. Her arms were about to give out, but she couldn’t stop. She wouldn’t stop. She felt the fire begin to rise inside of her but took a few deep breaths to quiet it. She couldn’t set herself on fire, not here and not now.

“Anna, please. Please. I can’t- I can’t- I can’t…” She was whispering, chanting her name like a mantra. She didn’t know how long she was there, sitting on the ground performing CPR on her best friend. She didn’t even know if the other driver was alive or unconscious or what. Some sick part of her hoped that he was hurt, for hurting her best friend. Her hands began to glow again and she quieted her mind, mentally stroking the ball of rage within.

The ambulance pulled up next to the wreckage and they were next to her in seconds, gently removing her hands and replacing them with her own. She felt like she was moving in slow motion somehow. Like she was watching a movie, a movie about herself. Her body was moving, her lips were trembling but her mind was still. Her mind was calm, as if this was a dream. As if she would wake up soon.

Once they got to the hospital, Anna’s parents were already there. She couldn’t look them in the eye, knowing that she couldn’t save their daughter. Her own parents were nowhere to be found. But she didn’t care, it was better this way.

They told her that Anna had gone into cardiac arrest. They did everything they could to revive her- but the blood loss was too great. Ellora didn’t understand- she had done CPR on her. Why hadn’t it worked? Why didn’t anything work the way it should? Why didn’t the other car stop? Why couldn’t she do anything right? Why? Why? Why?

For the first time in her life, she noticed, she was cold. Her flames seemed to retreat further into the depths of her mind, sensing her despair.

The funeral had been exponentially worse. They were surrounded by everyone who loved Anna- which was a shit ton of people. Everyone loved Anna- she was a positive ray of sunshine on any given day. She avoided eye contact with Anna’s family, too ashamed to look in their direction. Anna’s brother had been sneaking glances at her during the whole service, worry tinting his eyes.

Ellora focused on not setting herself on fire for the remainder of the service. She looked up at the cloudy sky, cursing herself, cursing whatever God was up there, and cursing everything in general. Speeches from the family came and went, and Ellora couldn’t help the tears rolling down her face. Then, it was her turn for her speech. She contemplated not giving a speech, but she had to. Anna was her other half.

“Ummm… I’m Ellora. Anna… Man, Anna’s my best friend. God, we did everything together when we were kids. Learned how to ride bikes together, learned what make up was, went through that awkward transition from middle school to high school,” There were a few chuckles at that, “She was… she was the sun. She was the sun on a cloudy day, she was the sun even when the sun was already out. She was so bright, and she just… she just radiated wherever she went. She made me want to be a better person. She set me on fire... and I’m just. I can’t…I can’t imagine we have to live in a world where her smile isn’t something I get to see every day.”

She couldn’t do it anymore. She stepped away and all but ran to the restroom, feeling a sob threatening to rip from her throat. She gripped the marble countertop, feeling her world beginning to spin a little. Her body shook with the intensity of her sobs and she crumpled to the ground, barely registering a pair of arms circling around her.

She looked up and saw Anna’s older brother, Adam in front of her. She was sure the solemn look in his eyes was a mirror of the same look in her own.

“I’m sorry,” Ellora mumbled. Adam kissed her forehead, his arms steady around her.

“It’s okay,” Adam said softly.

“No. It’s not okay, nothing about this is okay!” Ellora felt the fire beginning to rise for the first time in days. Suddenly Anna’s voice popped in her head, gently telling her to just breathe.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t save her,” Ellora looked away from him.

“What? No, we never blamed- Ellora, please look at me,” Adam pleaded with her gently, lifting her chin up to meet his eyes, “We never blamed you. The last thing we did was blame you. You are so goddamn brave, Lor. So, fucking brave.” Adam was crying, tears beginning to fall into her hair and then Ellora began crying again too, wrapping her arms around him, holding him tightly.

That was the first time she found herself missing the warmth of the fire.

She ran away to medical school after that. More specifically, she ran away to the heart of New York City, not too far from where she grew up. Ellora would be damned if someone else died in her arms when she could have done more for them. The fire had become something of a friend for her now, rearing its head when she was lonely, cheering her on when she was sad, and rising when she was happy. She hadn’t lost control of it in a while, but she still played with it often, enjoying the comforting feeling of sparks flying out from her fingertips.

The first time Natasha had caught sight of her, it was in a quiet, hole in the wall coffee shop. She was pouring over textbooks, a highlighter was stuck in between her teeth and she was feverishly typing on her laptop. Her hair was in a messy ponytail, her glasses sliding off her nose. She looked tired, but the determined fire in her eyes was worth noting. Natasha wished she could take a closer look, to see if the fire in her eyes was a trick that her mind was playing or if it was really there. She hadn’t noticed Natasha’s curious glances. She took a sip of her coffee, making a face when she realized it was lukewarm, bordering on cold. Without a second thought, her finger began to glow and sparks dipped into the coffee, warming it up for her.

Natasha raised an eyebrow with a small smirk. Suddenly the girl looked up and met Natasha’s gaze unwaveringly. Her mouth was set in a defensive line, her eyes refusing to yield. Natasha forced her eyes away, surprising both of them. But she didn’t miss the girl’s smirk.

Natasha found herself frequenting the coffee shop the girl did her work at more than she would like to admit. She would sit for only 15-20 minutes, sipping on coffee she didn’t necessarily need. For someone who was a trained assassin, she was taking an awful lot of time working up the nerve to speak to her. She knew it wasn’t a good idea, being a regular at this place. But she couldn’t help it. She half expected the woman to not be there some of the times she went in. But every time so far that she had gone in, the woman was sitting there, typing away furiously on her laptop and studying notes.

Natasha had noticed that she only left her hair down if it was straight. When it was in her natural curly state, she tied it up. She wondered why that was. Today, her hair was straight and she wasn’t wearing her glasses. Contacts, maybe? Yes, Natasha swore she could see the outline of her contact lens on her iris. She noticed that her hands were almost always gloved- maybe she was cold? Natasha had noticed the small embers spit out of her fingers more than once, and she wished she could see it again.

Ellora was damn near close to screaming. School was kicking her ass more than she liked to admit- deadlines and exams were rapidly approaching and there just wasn’t enough time in the day. Anna’s death anniversary was coming up and she just didn’t want to think about school. She wanted to go back to her apartment and bury herself under her covers for a few hours with some tea and with Netflix playing in the background. She wanted to sit with Adam and cry-laugh about their memories together. She felt the fire rising inside her once her mind flitted to the memory of the car accident and she took a deep breath, forcing the memory out.

It didn’t help that this intimidating red-headed woman was basically stalking her. She hadn’t noticed at first, but as the weeks went on, she saw the familiar green eyes watching her carefully. The woman looked somewhat familiar, but Ellora couldn’t place from where. Her features were all sharp, defined and jagged. But her eyes were soft, a pretty sea-green that reminded her of a lilies and rivers. Ellora sighed. She was lonely, she knew it. The fire had subsided for the last few days, making a rare appearance only when she got emotional. She wished she could speak to it. Or speak to someone. So, she took the bait and thought fuck it.

“Are you stalking me or something?” Ellora asked the red-headed woman who was sitting at the table in front of her. Ellora adjusted the scarf around her neck, peering at the snow beginning to fall. Winter was her favorite season- the cold air made her feel normal, it felt so nice on her overheated skin.

“Or something. The coffee here is really good,” The woman said smoothly. Her voice was velvety and Ellora swore she could listen to it all day.

“It’s alright,” Ellora said, “The cappuccinos are decent.”

“What do you come here for, if not the coffee?” The woman quirked an eyebrow at her, leaning forward.

“It’s quiet here. Easy to focus. You?”

“Same, I guess.”

“Oh yeah? What are you focusing on? You don’t have any papers, books or even a laptop with you,” Ellora cocked her head to the side, her eyes dancing. Natasha swore internally. She had been sloppy. She decided to be honest.

“I like people watching,” Natasha shrugged, feigning embarrassment.

“So, you are a stalker,” Ellora grinned, crossing her arms across her chest. Her eyes danced with mirth, and Natasha was sure that there were real flames in her irises.

“Well, I’m Ellora,” Ellora offered her hand to her.

“Nat,” Natasha shook her hand, forcing herself not to linger on the warmth of her gloved hand. Nat asked her about what she was concentrating on so heavily and Ellora sighed, telling her about her med school exams that were looming ahead of her. Nat gave her a few tips on concentration and how to focus for extended periods of time to which Ellora asked “what are you? A hypnotist?” Nat snorted at that with a genuine grin.

Their coffee shop friendship began to bloom after that. Most of the time, Ellora would be studying or doing work of some sort and Nat would be perusing her laptop or the newspaper- to which Ellora rolled her eyes and said “Who even reads the paper anymore?” and Nat would reply “Call me old-fashioned.”

Ellora found herself being faintly reminded of Anna. While Anna was pure sweetness and Nat was hardened a little bit, Nat and her shared similar traits- quiet sarcasm but mean when needed, an affinity for black coffee, a terrible sweet tooth, they both knew multiple languages, and they both seemed to be able to read her mind before she had to voice anything. Natasha wondered if she had her own friends from med school, or if she chose to spend her free time in this coffee shop with her. Either way, she was thankful for this little slice of normalcy.

Days turned into weeks which turned into two months, and Ellora found herself inviting Nat into her apartment for pizza and beer after a particularly long week. Anna’s death anniversary was this weekend and she found herself not wanting to be alone for the first time in a long time. A happy grin spread across her face when Nat enthusiastically shook her head yes. Ellora had finally remembered where she had seen Nat from- she was part of the battle of New York all those months ago. She was an Avenger. She had made the Black Widow nervous when they first met, and this realization caused her fire to purr happily.

“When were you going to tell me you’re an Avenger?” Ellora asked casually, grabbing two beers from her fridge. Natasha observed her cozy, minimalist living space. There was a bookshelf in right corner of her living room, next to a large window. The television sat comfortably on the wall and there were a few pictures on the bookshelf and the walls. There were candles and plants in random places- on the coffee table, kitchen island, even on top of the fridge.

“The same time you were gonna tell me you’re growing a fire inside of you,” Nat said without missing a beat. Ellora’s eyes widened and her fire grew at her fingertips. She quieted the glow of her fingers and Nat looked at her in awe.

“How did you know?” Ellora asked, sitting down next to her and removing the gloves on her hands.

“I saw you warm up your coffee with your very own sparks that first day I saw you in the coffee shop,” Nat said softly, “Look I didn’t mean to spring this on you. We don’t have to talk about it.”

“No, I want to talk about it,” Ellora surprised herself. She leaned back on her couch and took a swig of her beer. She passed the other beer to Natasha and propped her legs up on the coffee table.

And so she told Natasha- how she knew when she was a kid that something was different. How her body temperature always ran much higher than everyone else’s. That the rage inside her was always there, sometimes sleeping and sometimes roaring along with her. It never truly went away, it was like a pet almost. That the first time she saw fire come out of herself was when she was with… Anna.

The fire was rearing its head out again and Ellora welcomed its presence.

“We were seniors in high school. This guy wouldn’t leave Anna alone, he was yelling at her and his grip on her wrist was so tight, I knew she’d bruise. I just couldn’t think straight, it was like everything inside of me was replaced with fire and it wouldn’t stop growing. And then this happened,” Ellora twirled her fingers around, allowing them to glow prettily against the sunrise from her windows, the embers akin to miniature fireworks. She created a little fire fox and a husky dog with her fingers and they chased after each other. Natasha watched Ellora carefully, her eyes watching for any sign of distress. She watched the fox and dog chase after each other before they evaporated into embers and Ellora sighed.

“Anna loved when I made animals like that. Her favorite was the fox and the dog. She always said she was the dog and I was the fox,” Ellora twiddled her thumbs together.

“Was?” Natasha prompted. Ellora laughed bitterly.

“She’s dead. Car accident when we were 19,” Ellora said sharply. Natasha placed her hand on Ellora’s shoulder, who tensed at the contact. Ellora wanted to shudder from the intensity of Nat’s gaze.

“I don’t really have much control over it, whatever it is. Sometimes I get headaches if I don’t let my flames go once in a while. But nothing major has happened.”

“Have you ever lost control?”

“Once, after Anna’s funeral. I couldn’t stop the flames from engulfing me and I didn’t want to either. I lit myself on fire- I think I was hoping that I would burn along with the fire, too.” Ellora shrugged, drinking more of her beer. Admitting these things to someone other than Anna’s tombstone was cathartic. She hadn’t told anyone since Anna about her powers, and she hadn’t really opened up to anyone since then. She had forgotten how nice it was, to have a friend.

“I could help you teach you to control it,” Natasha offered, “Or I could find someone who could help.”

Ellora laughed. “I’m not a hero, like you Nat. I get by.”

“Well, you are studying to save people’s lives. If that’s not a hero, then what is?” Natasha asked with a coy smile.

Ellora let the moment pass, letting her words hanging in the air and settling in her uneasily.

Natasha almost felt guilty. Fury had asked her to keep an eye on Ellora shortly after the battle of New York, her fire breathing abilities had been on SHIELD’s radar since she was a child. She honestly wasn’t expecting an easy friendship out of this mission, but it happened anyway. She found herself looking forward to time spent with her, to hearing her rant about her long weeks of rotations, about shitty professors and preceptors, to hearing about how she wanted to become an emergency department physician when she was done- the adrenaline was unparalleled and she lived for it. She felt Ellora opening up more and more with her, telling her stories about her undergraduate years- how she used to be a big drinker, how she had lots of acquaintances back then but nobody was her friend. Somehow, Ellora knew that Natasha liked listening-anything to distract her from the horrors of her own mind.

Natasha had even introduced her to Sam and Steve and Ellora couldn’t help the starstruck expression of wonder on her face. She didn’t want to make them uncomfortable with her ogling but Natasha couldn’t help but laugh at the adorable, reverent expression on her face. Ellora had quickly charmed them, talking animatedly with Steve about growing up in New York City and shitty New York sports teams and passively flirting with Sam until they were both giggling in stitches. They hadn’t made any mention of her powers, which she was grateful for. Although, she was sure that Natasha had informed them by now. After all, they were the Avengers.

The sky was a sullen grey on the day of Anna’s death anniversary. The smell of fresh, overnight rain took over her senses as she made her way to the nearby florist that was on her way to Anna’s tombstone in Brooklyn. Ellora could practically hear her fire whimpering at her, quietly pleading to let it free. She sighed, silently telling herself to get herself together.

The cemetery was quiet. She knew Anna’s family would have been there in the morning, which is why she elected to go later in the afternoon- closer to the evening. She just wanted to sit in peace and quiet. She still couldn’t bear to look Anna’s parents in the eye. Sometimes Adam would visit her in her apartment. They would watch movies and drink wine together, falling asleep on top of each other in a mess of limbs. Ellora would be lying if she said that they hadn’t made out once in a while whenever he visited. They never talked about it after, but the mutual intimacy was nice in a time when they had both isolated themselves.

Ellora sat in front of the tombstone, pushing her hair back and shivering despite herself. The frigid air was picking up slightly, and despite her friendly little flame, she was beginning to feel cold. She placed the daisies and sunflowers in front of her grave next to the flowers her family had brought her earlier in the day.

“Hey, Anna. It’s been a while,” Ellora began with a soft chuckle, “God, I don’t even know where to start. Well, so… I’m friends with one of the Avengers. The Black Widow. Nat… Can you believe that? She actually wants to be friends with me.” Ellora laughed mirthlessly, tugging her gloves off. She waved her fingers slowly, creating the familiar fox and dog out of her fingertips and letting them run wild. She even created a bear, a bunny, a giraffe and an elephant to play with each other. The embers came alive with her fingertips and she felt a calmness settle inside her.

“I feel like maybe she was asked to look after me or something. Because of my powers. I don’t know. I met Captain America and the Falcon, too. Steve and Sam. You would have liked them. You would have liked all of them.” A shuddering sigh passed through her lips.

“I… School’s alright. Rotations are starting soon, that’ll be cool, I guess. I saw Adam last week. Don’t hate me, but we hooked up again. And I didn’t even heat up that much. Like I was warm but not that warm. Like I didn’t burn him or anything, although he could use a tan. He’s looking a little pasty these days.

“I know what you’d say if you could say anything. That you’re happy I’m branching out again. That you’re glad I’m not just wallowing, that I’m being myself again. I guess it took me a while to come around. But it’s nice. Even just to have one good friend like Nat. You know I showed her my fire the other day? I showed her that cool thing you liked with the animals and that thing I can do where it looks like a star is collapsing on itself. She called me a supernova.”

“I guess… I don’t know. I’m a little proud of myself. Sometimes the days are hard. Sometimes all I can see are your dead eyes, your blood all over the windshield, sometimes all I can feel is your heart stop in my hands. But it’s getting better, I think.”

Steve heard a familiar, soft voice in the cemetery. His eyebrows shot up to his forehead when he saw animals made of fire prancing all around Ellora, who was sitting in front of a tombstone, wiping away her tears with a small smile. He tried his best not to listen, but he couldn’t help it with his super hearing.

“I guess… I don’t know. I’m a little proud of myself. Sometimes the days are hard. Sometimes all I can see are your dead eyes, your blood all over the windshield, sometimes all I can hear is the sound of metal crunching and scraping, sometimes all I can feel is your heart stop in my hands. But it’s getting better, I think.”

His heart clenched at her words involuntarily. Natasha had told him that her friend Anna had passed away from an accident when she was young, but neither of them knew details. Steve felt for her, he really did. He knew what it was like to lose a best friend so young. To feel responsible for it, to feel the never-ending guilt of why didn’t you do something more, more, more, more? Suddenly, he was on the train again, watching Bucky fall with a bloodcurdling scream. Steve sank into the ground in front of Bucky’s tombstone and placed a few flowers there. He missed his best friend, he really did. He wished he could tell him about Peggy, about what Times Square looked like now, about how Howard Stark’s son was infinitely smarter than Howard with a side of sarcasm and arrogance to match. Steve looked up again, watching Ellora giggling at her animals of fire. He watched her create shapes with her fingers, her whole body seeming to come alive with the fire itself. She was far away, but Steve could see the embers dancing around her. Her throat seemed to glow along with the fire inside of her. She was pretty, in her long peacoat and her curly hair and wild eyes. Ellora turned her head to watch the fox and dog chase after each other when she noticed that she wasn’t alone.

“Steve? Is that you?” Ellora walked over to him, her animals following her cautiously. Ready to protect her if they needed to. Steve waved at her almost guiltily.

“I wasn’t- I wasn’t spying on you,” He spit out awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Hey, it’s cool. We come here for a reason, don’t we? What’s your reason?” Ellora asked, smiling at Steve’s blush. Her voice was concerned, genuine and kind and he almost choked.

“Bucky. Bucky and my mother,” Steve replied, patting the space next to her.

“Bucky?” Ellora asked while taking a seat. Her animals scattered away from her, prancing off a few feet away from her.

“James. His full name was James Buchanan Barnes. But we called him Bucky. He went to war before me and we met up in Germany, after the serum. He… died there. His body never came back.” Ellora took Steve’s hand in her own, surprising both of them. The name sounded familiar to her- she recalled hearing that name in history classes during high school. His big, blue eyes were a million miles away, reliving one of the worst moments of his life.

“You would have liked him, if you knew him back then. He was so full of life- always making people laugh, never thinking about himself. The number of times he saved me,” Steve chuckled and Ellora smiled encouragingly, “He was… he was so confident and good with people. Not just girls- with older people, younger people, kids, parents, grandparents, you name it.”

“He would have liked you, too. He loved science and space. Your fire would have fascinated him,” Steve sighed. Ellora squeezed his hand. He found himself enjoying the extra warmth she radiated, feeling comforted by it.

“I’m honored I can hear about him from you, Steve,” Ellora said softly. And what else could she say, really? Watching your best friend die was something that never went away. The blood always stained your soul, no matter how much time went by. The most you could do was live your life. Steve found himself mesmerized by her eyes- Nat was right- her eyes contained golden flecks of ember in them. He wondered if she knew that her eyes contained a burning universe of their own within them.

A flaming rose erupted from Ellora’s index finger and she let it float on his tombstone for a few moments. The silence between them was comfortable, as Steve replayed old memories in his head- memories that felt faded and rusted around the corners. A slight breeze sent ruffles through her hair, causing the rose to sway a little bit. The sunset in front of them painted splashes of gold, orange and red across the New York City skyline. There was always something quiet about the moment when the sun started to set. It was a promise of the night to come, of the New York City lights, of the city to come alive. But also, it was a promise of quiet, of reading a good book, drinking hot tea in fuzzy socks.

Her eyes seemed to come alive as the sky burst in front of them. Steve watched her content, soft smile as the rose grew a little bit in front of them, almost testing how long it could burn before the sun set completely. Her eyes reminded him a little bit of the sunset, flecks of gold reflecting in her irises the same way that streaks of gold painted through the red and orange. Her brown skin even glowed a little bit, making her look like she had fallen out of the sunset and to him.

Ellora watched her fire animals fade away with a sigh, lingering on Anna’s tombstone for a moment longer before turning her head toward Steve.

“Hey, wanna grab a drink?” She asked quietly with a smile. She barely knew him, but she wanted to. He looked like he could use a friend, and frankly, she didn’t want to be alone either. Her face split into a contagious smile when he nodded.

“Well, come on then. Let’s go start our wild Saturday night,” Ellora grinned at him, slipping her hands into her pockets.

“Yes, a wild Saturday night after we just spent our day at the tombstone of our respective best friends,” Steve said sarcastically. He realized what he said after the words left his mouth and Ellora stared at him in surprise before laughing and clutching her stomach from her laughter. The corners of his mouth pulled into a smile as well and he felt light at the sound of her genuine laughter.

“Oh man, nobody told me Captain America was a sarcastic little shit.”

Steve wanted to correct her and say no, Steve Rogers is a sarcastic little shit, but he knew she meant well. With that, they made their way to a close by bar that looked relatively empty. The night began to descend upon them and Ellora felt lighter than she had felt in a long, long time.

tag list: @coal000

#avengers x reader #natasha romanoff x reader #steve rogers x reader #bucky barnes x reader #sam wilson x reader #avengers x ofc #avengers x oc #natasha x oc #natasha x ofc #steve x ofc #steve x oc #bucky x oc #bucky x ofc #sam x oc #sam x of #my writing #can you tell idk how to tag this

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