#and yoru was the one who tried to turn him into a weapon

[risenajax]

asa really solved the aquarium arc by realizing the war devil's powers are a matter of her perception and whether she thinks she owns something, and then immediately thought denji must not like her because she couldn't turn him into a weapon. she's truly the peak of cringefail

[bidisastersanji]

ZoSan soul eater AU where Sanji turns into three katanas 🗡️🗡️🗡️

This ability would be a bloodline power like Tsubaki’s but one borne of experimentation. The Vinsmokes are a long line of mercenaries (like Black Star’s family) who experimented on their children for centuries to create the “perfect weapons”, and Sanji is the “failure”.

He is, of course, estranged from his family and joined the Death Weapon Meister Academy to try to do some good.

Zoro and Sanji have a terribly adversarial first meeting on their first day- only for Zoro to learn that Sanji is one of the only weapons in the world that would actually make his style possible without having to rely on three people (which would be insanely difficult to handle- to get four people on the same wavelength like that is unheard of)

Sanji only wants to be paired up with a woman meister but because of how he comes off a bit too strong (read: a big flirt) or because who the hell can handle three swords, or a little of both most probably, he ends up having to suck it up and be paired off with the mosshead prick he fought on the first day.

They do relatively well with time but really hit a roadblock when trying to learn soul resonance- and it gets even more frustrating when nearly all their friends master it.

Background lore:

Kuina was Zoro’s best friend and weapon growing up (she was Wado Ichimonji) but she died in an accident and until he meets Sanji and is forced to get a magical weapon because he’s reached the limit of what normal weapons can do, Zoro had switched to regular katanas

Zoro decided to bite the bullet and join the DWMA after a run in with Mihawk and his weapon Yoru- and realized he could never beat him with regular weapons

Sanji’s siblings also have unique weapon abilities, and what makes them so unique and strong- and why Sanji is the “failure” is that they don’t need a meister to wield them. They can fight like Justin Law , transforming parts of their bodies. Ichiji can fight alone as a guillotine, Niji as nunchucks, and Yonji as a flail (spiked ball on a chain)

Sanji tried his best to develop his own fighting style- turning his legs and one arm into katanas (he can’t do only one sword at once) , balancing on his remaining arm and thus mainly fighting with his legs- but it was never enough to beat his siblings who had better mastery of their weapon bodies.

Luffy doesn’t use a weapon he fights as a talented hand to hand combat meister and can use his souls waves to attack like professor Stein

Usopp is paired with his slingshot weapon Kaya, Nami uses her clima tact rain weapon from Alabasta: Vivi

[toggle1-mrfipp]

Something I really find interesting about the Horsemen is that whatever their power is, there’s something about themselves that works in opposition to their strengths.

As stated by Pochita, the Control Devil wanted to form equal relationships with other people, to be genuinely loved and to have a family, but that words in opposite of their powers, where they can have complete control over anyone they think as lesser than them. Makima desperately wanted that, the one movie that got a reaction of her, made her cry, was a scene of two men hugging, and when she brought it the other hybrids to fight the Chainsaw Devil, Katana Man, Reze and Quanxi were all fawning over, she wanted to create her “perfect world” all for this. But she wasn’t capable of extending this sentiment to other people, she only ever saw them as tools, lesser beings and dogs to be commanded by their master. Denji was the one person who was willing to show her complete and unconditional love, but she had no problem destroying all his happiness just so she could get to Pochita, and in the end her never even bothering to see him is what led to her defeat.

That’s why I am eager to see Nayuta return. Pochita told Denji to give her lots of hugs, and he does, he wants to give her a normal life, and to see her through college. Nayuta is in a position that Makima never was, the Control Devil’s dream is right there for her, it’s being handed to her without any of the baggage of her previous incarnation, and I really want to see if and how she’s able to give the same love that Denji is giving her. Being unable to feel love and affection for other people make Makima one of the dangerous enemies Denji ever fought because anyone and everyone only existed to further their goals, but a Control Devil capable of feeling genuine love for other people? I imagine that they would be one of the weakest devils you could encounter, but would be one of the happiest ones out there.

Then there is War. They have the power to turn anything they perceive as “theirs” into a weapon, but the strength of that weapon is shaped by the “guilt” they would feel by transforming it. War wants to kill Chainsaw Man, and wants as many and powerful weapons as they can get, but they clearly have no problems doing so, they don’t care what they turn into a weapon, meaning that the actual strength of those weapons is limited. That’s why the possessed a human, because they can feel things like guilt, and anything that they turn into a weapon can be more powerful than anything War can produce. Yoru created a number of pencil spears to fight Yuko, but none of them worked, Asa creates a sword from the uniform her mother gave her, fails to hit Yuko at all, and still turns her into diced bits. That’s how powerful the guilt can translate into.

But here’s something interesting; Yoru shares Asa’s brain and body, she knows what Asa is thinking at any moment, she can feel the things Asa does, not only on a physical level, but an emotional level. Asa is beginning to like Denji, meaning Yoru feels secondhand emotions for him. Yoru is the one who tries to turn Denji into a weapon, but that little bit of affection she feels for him means she has guilt over this. Meaning that the longer that Yoru resides within Asa’s body, the more she can potentially grow as a person, come to care about things, and feel guilt over her actions, which will increase the power of the weapons she makes, but hinder her ability to create them in the first place.

I am really curious to see what the deal with the Famine Devil is. She says she wants to “help” her little sister, but Yoru was clearly very alarmed to her presence. Whatever powers Fami possesses, I imagine that like with Makima and Yoru, that there is something about her that hinders them, the same applying to Death whenever they show up.

[iridescentscarecrow]

csm 168 thoughts:

1. presentation of physical intimacy

thinking about the rain as metaphorical device which triggers this aggressive perversion of asa's ideal romance (as seen in her poetry) by yoru is especially interesting in light of this chapter. its title "kiss, love, sperm" mimics earlier "rain, brothel, removal." the brothel's nature of indulging in physical intimacy as set outside the parameter of love (presented by katana's misogynistic figure) instead culminates in this act, framed by yoru as satisfying sex drive. meanwhile, the sperm around which 167 is made horror, the realisation of the entirety of the act, is washed away by yoru using the rain, the same rain that effectively created the setting scene in the alleyway prior to this encounter.

later, yoru only mentions the kiss to denji.

another way this framing operates, showcasing the changing nature of physical intimacy, is the meaning of [fish] within part 2. asa talks about hating fish, specifically raw fish. fumiko talks about wanting to eat sushi everyday. to asa, fish is something that her "principles" stop her from eating, similar to the "between cat and criminal" distinction she etches out for yoru: who she can turn into a weapon. fumiko's eating of fish can be //eld to her assault of denji & her enjoyment of power.

more on the fish analogy: interesting then that the sushi restaurant is where we see a mention of "fresh raw testes" on the sign // the dick denji blames in 165. the "raw fish" asa hates. the sushi denji asks for (reiterating what fumiko tells him).

denji reiterating people who otherwise harm him isn't new either. we know that his thoughts on physical intimacy echo what makima tells him in part one, he's internalised that, as he does her words on how he can't have a family. yoru too reiterates & changes the context of the residue of this, what denji tells asa about sex. it being given reason as "feel[ing] good" against asa's hatred of physical intimacy, of raw fish.

yoru tells denji she only kissed him because it felt good. the act that's *unspeakable* is not spoken of, having been washed up by the rain. you see denji horrified & traumatised in the wake of this reiteration [of him] while attention is diverted to the kiss by yoru. where it becomes about asa's romance, about whether she *likes* denji.

2. sex as a location of control

the structure of sexual abuse & violence perpetrated by adults onto children is something that has underlined part 2 since the very beginning: with asa's teacher as set up. this is later given nuance with the csm church's grooming of children specifically through marriage, the same marriage that is problematised through how the eyepatch PS worker talks about his wife, the misogyny there (& her murdering him).

the fish analogy, IMO, assumes new dimension here. in the same conversation that fumiko talks about fish, miri tries to sell the church as a place of sexual excess to denji: "you can have sex with all the women you want." it's an intriguing exercise to consider this with asa's mentioning of the *rawness* of fish, the church's affiliation with the fire devil & its significance: fire's use in cooking <fish>, a transformation of [control through sex] into marriage, its severe institutionalization.

asa's internalised misogyny here, in her use of the word "slut" problematises <transgressive> sexuality instead of the issue of its locus around control. it harkens back to her restraints on her "selfishness," & how barem speaks about asa at the church. she uses this misogynist word against yoru while simultaneously thinking of herself re: perception. her violence against yoru is an act of self harm, a reaction to both an assault neither of them are able to articulate & the brutality of the city structure she is caught within.

[imkillerbae]

Thinking of You (Valorant Chamber x Fem!Reader) (Angst, Fluff)

Summary: Chamber arrives with his team in Paris, the city of love. Or so they say. They take a little detour on memory lane.

Word count: 3k🤯😬

CW: Slowbubrn, Angst, lots of regret, lots of fluffiness at the end, drama, lots of crying, the author loves to see the reader and Chamber suffer. (A/N: This was supposed to be an Angst/Smut fic, but I kinda removed the smut cuz it didnt fit. Should i write chamber smut tho cuz idk if anybody wants it. Feel free to request.)

-----

The city of Love. Or so the rest of the team called it. Astra and Skye both marveled at the old buildings below them, pointing out the beautiful churches and bustling life on the streets. “If I knew we’d be here, I would’ve asked Jett to come with us,” Phoenix yelled so he could be heard, the sound of the aircraft drowning his voice into a whisper. “I’m envious. How does it feel to be back home Chamber?” Yoru asks rhetorically, smirking and chuckling to himself.

Chamber caressed the case of his gun, eyeing the floors of the aircraft. He didn’t like being in Paris. The place that used to feel like home was now just a husk of what it used to be.

But it wasn’t always like this for him. There was a time when he didn’t feel pain coming back home to France. There was a time where the city of love truly felt like home. It was because of her.

She was the love of his life, the only one that he ever saw himself spending the rest of his days with. He remembered her soft locks of hair, those beautiful eyes, the feel of her skin, and her voice. After working abroad, she was the one he came home to. She was his home. Paris was the city of love.

She was a radianite engineer that worked for Kingdom Industries, smart and innovative. They met by chance through a project they both worked on. He chuckled in his seat, remembering how hard he tried to impress her with his weapons expertise and his golden business card. It was one of the very few moments that he actually tried to be cool. She found his efforts amusing, and after the fifth time he asked, she eventually said yes to a date. All expenses paid for by him, of course. He treated her like a queen.

She was an independent and level-headed woman, even after they became a thing. But anytime she would be in his arms, hidden away in their little sanctuary, in the house they built, on the bed they made, she turned into the gentlest and sickeningly in love person ever. He felt like he was wanted and needed. And if he ever disappeared, he would be missed. That was something he longed for, as someone who worked in the covert and secretive business. It was a comfort that someone who he loved was always there, looking for him.

He remembered fond memories of them, the vivid images swam in his head.

He held her hand, kissing it tenderly. “Ma cherie, you are so beautiful. Your radiance is something even radianite cannot contend with,” he said against her hand, then he proceeded to kiss her palm, then thumb, and finally, he pressed her pulse on his cheek. “What do you mean? My hair’s a mess,” she laughed, grabbing his other hand and squeezing. It was a lazy Sunday morning, and they decided to sleep in.

They sat on the bed, in front of each other with their legs crossed. The white sheets were strewn about, bedsheet crinkled at the corners. Outside the window, the sky was bright but gray. It was raining, the wind from the windows blowing on the curtains softly. The light from the outside was the only thing illuminating the room.

“Happy anniversary my love,” she whispered, moving closer, staring into his eyes. Their foreheads almost touch, and he gives her hand a gentle squeeze. He often travelled all over the world, but no view could ever compare to what was in front of him. “Happy anniversary, mon amour.” Quiet moments like these were close to his heart. His life was crazy, hectic and stressful, and with a kiss from her, a soft look, and a few encouraging words, all his worries would falter away. He gave her a peck on the lips, smiling. “Thank you for choosing me.”

He wished he could stay in that memory forever. But he couldn’t. He could only dream.

He had a mission to fulfill. Something that would change the world and his life forever. Together with his double, they would desecrate the whole Kingdom operation in Fracture. He had it all figured out: his weapons of choice, their positions, escape routes. Everything was accounted for.

Except for her.

He was already a person of suspicion in the whole operation after a lousy move he made. He made sure that she would be transferred to another site before the opening day of the reactor, much to her disappointment. She didn’t know that this wouldn’t be the only disappointment she would be having.

“I want to end things with you civilly,” he almost choked out his words. His expression was serious, but his heart was beating fast. His hands sweated in their gloves as she stared at him with wide eyes.

“What?” the word barely made it out of her lips. She held her night gown with clenched fists, trying her best to keep herself together.

“I’m moving to another country for a more… important job. Unfortunately, it entails isolation, and I’m afraid that it will be a hassle for me to keep this relationship going. So excusez-moi, I must pack for my flight,” he said as robotically and as coldly as he could, turning his back on her. He pretended to grab some of his clothes as she stood there silently, trying to understand what he said.

“B-but I don’t understand… Vincent we’ve made it work despite the distance… despite the long days and nights apart, and suddenly it’s a problem for you now?” She grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back to face her. That was what she always did, consulting logic before her emotions, but her tears told another story. It crushed his heart seeing her in tears.

“This job requires all of my attention, and I cannot have you as a distraction.” He replied curtly, looking into her teary eyes, and she took a step back. “I-is that all I am to you? A-a fucking distraction?” She says, but before he could reply a rehearsed sentence, she yells painfully. “We’ve been together for years Vincent! Years! I gave you everything, and I was ready to spend the rest of my life with you!” She cries, her voice echoing in the room. The moonlight was glaring at both of them in the dim room.

“What about us? What about me? You said you love me. You said you loved me!” She beats on his chest, but he does not move. He does not flinch or defend himself. He just stands still. “You lied, you lied to me.” She cried, and he couldn’t take it anymore. He grabbed her cheeks and kissed her as if it was the last time. He held her like there was no tomorrow, and he touched her like he would be a dead man soon.

And as she woke the next morning, it was as if he was never there. As if he never existed. The bed was made up on his side.

That was the last time he’d seen her in the flesh. He made a deal with Cypher for updates about her. Apparently, she retired after the accident. She used all her money to start a small business in the heart of Paris. A café where she was the barista. It did well from what he could tell. She had her run of lovers, but currently she had no one. He chuckled, finding it hard to believe no one would be interested in the numerous regulars she had.

“Why are you smiling to yourself?” Phoenix pokes Chamber’s arm, and he snaps out of his trance. “He’s probably plotting something,” Skye jokes. “Why don’t you make use of your riches and pay for some pastries we could munch on!” Astra chimes as she hopped off the aircraft.

He breathed in the Parisian air. He smiles fondly. “I know a place.”

----------

“He’s paying right? He better be ready, cause I’m trying everything,” Yoru smirks as he eyed all the bread and pastries displayed behind the glass. Chamber stood behind all of them in the line. The café was moderately full that their commotion wasn’t something unusual. “Je voudrais pan au chocolate,” Sky says, or at least tries to. Her australian accent was apparent.

“You reckon we can beat each other with a baguette?” Phoenix asks, and Yoru smirks. “Only one way to find out. We’ll get two of those.” He requests.

“Okay, noted on that. Anything else?”

He tried to keep his composure, hands tucked inside his pockets. That voice was familiar, too familiar. He held his breath. It was her.

“Hmmmm, I want the croissant. Did I say that correctly? Anyway, what about you?” Astra says, pointing her golden fingers at him. She followed her gaze, and his face registered in her head almost instantly. They stare at each other as she waited for him to speak. She was frozen in place, but his voice melted her down.

“Coffee. Hold the cream please, merci.” He says simply, pulling out his credit card. It was designed with his iconic golden streaks, something she couldn’t mistake for anything else. She held her hand against her chest and spoke quietly. “Vincent?” She said carefully, shakily holding out her hand for the card. He instead took her hand and held it against his warm lips. “Y/N. Ça fait un bail, ma cherie,” he greets, squeezing her hand.

She pulls her hand away, stepping back from the counter. She was breathing heavily, panicking. “Excusez-moi,” she excuses herself and retreats into the back of the café. After a few moments, a different person serves them. The other agents eye Chamber strangely as he casually receives back his card. He was unbothered by all that, and they became curious.

Sometime as they sat on one of the booths, Chamber spotted someone from the counter in a hooded jacket, walking quickly out the door. He figured it would be her, so he stood up and followed. “What’s up with him,” Yoru asks, face stuffed with bread. “I don’t know, but it definitely had something to do with that pretty lady earlier,” Phoenix replies, cheeks fat. Skye takes pictures of them.

“Mademoiselle, please stop.” He starts, pulling her back by the wrist. But as she spun around, a strong slap lands on his face. The whole café stops and stares.

“Stop? For what? I don’t wanna hear anything you have to say.” She pulls her wrists free but he grabs her arms instead. He drags her upstairs to the second floor, a room mostly reserved for meetings, parties or other events. He locks the door behind him before facing her again.

“S’il vous plait, let me speak. Please Y/N, I missed you with all my heart,” he begins, but she struggles. “Shut up! Don’t lie to me, don’t speak to me, don’t, don’t…!” She cries, her struggling becoming weaker. Hearing him say he missed her made her break down and cry. Her knees got weaker and she leaned on to him, beating on his chest. “Let go of me! Let go…!” She cries harder, and it broke his heart hearing her voice crack and falter.

He pulled out a chair from under the table and sat her down as she broke down on the table. She cried in French, all the pent up frustration and anger pouring out of her. He couldn’t blame her. It was a bad idea coming here all of a sudden, bringing back distant painful memories she so desperately tried to move on from. But she couldn’t, and neither could he.

He sat there quietly, rehearsing what he was about to say. She looked different. She was older and more mature looking, her lips rogue red, arms more defined through her shirt. Her voice was the same, even as she cried. He missed her immensely, and wondered how it felt to be at home again, in her arms.

“I do not know what you are trying to do but I do not want to see you. I do not want you near me,” she says finally, leaning on the table. He kneeled in front of her and held her hand, his other hand on her cheek. “Mon amour, let me explain everything. Please, I did not mean to leave you, to leave us behind. I had to do it, for your sake. For the world’s sake. I had a mission, and I had to keep you safe.”

He then proceeds to explain the protocol and how they protected the world from thieves from another Earth. How radianite was in danger in this Earth, and everything that he felt was necessary to tell. He watched her look at him in disgust and confusion. Occasionally she would whisper ‘liar,’ but he willed himself to continue.

“I’ve suffered everyday knowing how much you’d come to hate me for my decision, and I lived with pain in my heart since I left. You were never not on my mind, ma cherie. Not a day goes by that I’ve not wondered how you were, who you were with, if you were safe or not. Believe me, I tried for your sake, for your peace of mind. I didn’t want to hurt you any more than I already have,” he removes his glasses, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

“Anytime I am in Paris, all I want to do is run home to you. Abandon everything, change my name and stay with you like before. If only life were that merciful,” he lays his head on her lap, squeezing her knee. She felt her skirt get wet, and she realized he was silently crying. Vincent never cried. It’s not my style, he once said. Her hand hovered above his head shakily. She was still mad, but she couldn’t deny her heart. She petted him as he wept, hugging her legs, begging her to listen. The lump in her throat was painful, but she spoke.

“D-do you still love me?” She asked, a tear running down her cheek. She wanted to hear it from him again. She longed for those words as much as he did hers. “I do, I always have,” he replies, looking up at her. She smiled through her tears, then bit her lip. “Please say it. Tell me you love me, please…” she begged, and he swallowed the lump in his throat. “I love you Y/N. I love you,” he replies, kissing her lips as he helped her up from her seat.

Their kiss was deep and filled with longing. He melted in her arms like cold butter on bread, and as much as her mind hated it, she embraced him. And when she’s able to gasp for air, he would give her pecks on the cheek, nose, chin. He could not get enough. After a while they both settled in silence, foreheads touching as he kept her steady in his arms. He never knew he was so deprived of love until he was home again.

He could tell that she was still hesitant, avoiding his eyes, but he caressed her cheek. “I promise, I will make it up to you. I will make up for all the pain I’ve caused, and all the time we’ve lost. Hurt me if you wish, just make me yours again.” He begged, and she looks up at him wearily. “H-how do I know you’re not going to leave me again… how do I know you’re not lying…” She sniffed.

“It was wrong of me to keep my job a secret from you before. I will not make that mistake again. But forgive me for withholding details. I do not want to put you in danger.” He begins. “If it will make you feel better, I would like to introduce you to some of my… coworkers. It was rather rude of us to leave them out of the blue.”

She sniffs but nods, wiping her tears. She pulls away from his embrace and straightens her skirt, wiping her hands on them. Her face was flushed red, eyes puffy from crying. He was going to have to explain a lot to the others.

-----------

“You have a girlfriend?!”

Most of the team was surprised, Astra immediately sending messages to the others about the latest tea. “Jett is gonna flip when she hears about this.”

“Man, I used to think all your pizzaz was just a ruse. Now I gotta take actual notes. Damn,” Phoenix slumped on his seat, staring at Y/N who was rather mesmerizing without her apron on. She chuckles lightly, shaking her head. “I’m not his girlfriend,” she corrects, biting the inside of her cheek. They all turn to Chamber as he sipped on his coffee nonchalantly. “Yet.” He continues, and she rolls her eyes. “It’s going to take a lot more than just words to convince me.”

“Do not worry. I do not intend to only charm you with my words. You’ll find that I am plenty fun with actions as well.” He chuckles, holding her hand underneath the table. She gazes at him softly and smiles. She doesn’t know how this will end, but somehow, with him being more honest, she was willing to give it another chance.

Yoru’s face scrunches  up at the flirting happening in front of him. “Please, not in front of my croissant,” he groans, and Skye hits his shoulder. “Shush.” Y/N smiled at all of them. She was happy he had these people around him to keep him leveled.

[caramel1mochi]

ぐちゃ ! (Splat!) [Yoru x F! Reader] [End]

Heya! Guess who's officially done with Yoru? That's right, this gal!

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go binge watch Iso's trailer again as a rewar– I mean, to get a feel for his personality, if you catch my drift hehe

Catch you next week! And this time I won't be late!!

❤ฺ·。

Yoru x F! Reader

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 4.5 / Part 5 / Part 6

Genre: Fluff, some angst

TW: Detailed violence

Words: 6k

Synopsis: Hapless doesn't even begin to describe you. With your life flipped upside down within the span of a day; you're left to rely on your best friend Tala to help you pick up the pieces and build the new one forced upon you. And this 'luck' seems to have caught the attention of one of her friends.

。+❤ฺ·。❤ฺ·。+❤ฺ· +❤·。❤ฺ·。+❤ฺ·

To say today had a good start would be a vast understatement.

You woke up feeling untouchable, as if even a bullet wouldn’t be able to take away the triumphant aura you exuded around everyone on your way to responsibly prepare for the mission.

You were smiling ear to ear in the training range; gunning down bots like a particularly happy paperboy delivering the newspapers. Neon definitely felt that something was off. But it wasn’t the fact that you weren’t an anxiety-ridden mess, no. What concerned her was how good your aim was, and especially how calm you were with how you wielded your weapon. It was contagious.

She stood next to you and crossed her arms, speaking loudly to counteract how deafening the shots were.

‎ 

“Someone’s happy today.”

‎ 

You shrugged and continued shooting.

‎ 

“It’s just a good day, you know? Clear weather, chill vibes and everything.”

‎ 

Neon raised an eyebrow. With the upcoming mission, she herself was prepared to reassure you on how things would go as smoothly as they did last time. But this? This attitude was as natural as catching sight of a flying pig.

‎ 

“Alright, lay it all out, A/N. You were gone all day yesterday.”

‎ 

She forced a blush out of you with just those words, and prompted you to stop shooting for a moment. There was no reason for you not to tell her. Well, except for one…

‎ 

“It’s not like you’d believe me.”

‎ 

“Don’t be like that, when have I ever doubted you?”

‎ 

She said with one hand on your shoulder, completely confident in her words. And you could make an entire list in response to that. A sigh escaped you before you finally managed to meet her gaze.

‎ 

“Fine. I may or may not have gone out with Yoru yesterday.”

‎ 

Neon paused for a moment. Then, she snickered, as if you told her you’d won the lottery.

‎ 

“Be honest. I’ll be impressed with whatever it really is.”

‎ 

“I’m not joking, Neon!”

‎ 

“No way, Yoru doesn’t go out with people two consecutive days in a row, I tried!”

‎ 

Sounds like something she’d do, alright. Just as you went to throw a snarky response at her, you jumped once she gasped in the most diva way possible and forcefully tilted your Bulldog upwards.

There, she saw it.

‎ 

“What is this?”

‎ 

Neon called out as if she spotted a bomb. In fact, she scared you, until you realised she was pointing at your prized gift from the day before. She tilted the gun to get a better angle and held the omamori in her hand to make sure it was what she thought it was.

‎ 

“There’s no way– is that from Yoru?!”

‎ 

You flushed and pulled it away, swiftly turning on the safety considering how stupid of a move this was.

‎ 

“I told you, dummy!”

‎ 

“I didn’t think– did he give that to you or did you sneak into a shrine? There’s no way you got that, right?”

‎ 

You allowed her to take your gun to inspect it. And with just a few touches, she confirmed that it was an omamori only he’d get.

‎ 

“I’m serious, he gave it to me!”

‎ 

“How?! I've known him for months and I can barely get a text back sometimes!”

‎ 

Which is why you couldn’t wait until the mission to finally not have something go wrong for once. Nevertheless, you innocently shrugged and tucked a lock of your hair behind your ear in the most smug manner possible.

‎ 

“Oh, well, you know. I guess some of us are naturally irresistible.”

‎ 

“What-ever.”

‎ 

Neon crossed her arms and pouted for a moment. But then, she met your gaze with a devious glimmer in her eyes once a brand new idea popped up. Uh oh.

‎ 

“Sooo… did he cook you something this morning? Anything delicious for breakfast?”

‎ 

“I woke up late.”

‎ 

She clicked her tongue, before getting back to the main task at hand.

‎ 

“Okay fine. When he does, which he will, you wouldn’t mind, you know… sneaking some for your best friend, right?”

‎ 

You couldn’t hold back the giggle that escaped you. Of course Neon would request something preposterous like this. Why wouldn’t she?

‎ 

“Ease up, Neon. Too early. We’re still just friends, remember?”

‎ 

“We’re almost a month in and you still don’t know how Yoru’s world works? If he feeds you, he’s basically proposing!”

‎ 

You definitely knew, but you weren’t about to admit that. She began shooting with your Bulldog as each of you spoke, almost as if to emphasise the fact you had an omamori tied to the gun.

‎ 

“That’s a reach.”

‎ 

“Why’s that? It’s not like you’d say no if he does.”

‎ 

“Pshh. As if you know that.”

‎ 

Neon tossed your Bulldog back to you, before grabbing your wrist and forcing you to get a good look at the roots. Only now did you notice how organised and easy-to-digest they were, as if they were sets upon sets of cables that unwrapped from each other. No wonder why it felt like your arm was easier to have.

‎ 

“This wasn’t here before!”

‎ 

Your eyes widened as you took the sight in. And for once, it looked organised.

‎ 

“Wait– when the hell did this happen?”

‎ 

“You didn’t notice this?!”

‎ 

You flushed and pulled away as Neon laughed. But since you were a simple tee, you couldn’t really cover up your arm.

Before she could somehow sneak in one more snarky remark about how unfocused you were, the door to the training range loudly slid open and caught both of your attention. Your eyes promptly darted to the entrance. The strong light from behind shone upon a silhouette that took you a moment to recognise.

But if the imposingly tall stature didn’t help with that, his voice surely did.

‎ 

“Excusez-moi, not to interrupt a pleasant conversation, but we have to leave.” <Excuse me,>

‎ 

Chamber called out, earning a sneer from Neon. One that you unfortunately didn’t see.

‎ 

“Leave? Wait, what time is it?”

‎ 

“One.”

‎ 

Your eyes widened. 

‎ 

“Crap. Okay, talk later Neon! Don’t forget to wait for me until I’m back!” 

‎ 

You quickly reloaded your Bulldog and rushed towards him. Neon excitedly waved as you moved through the doorway with the same grin on her face.

‎ 

“I’ll be waiting, break a leg out there!”

‎ 

She said, earning a nod before you disappeared down the hallways. With Yoru’s omamori in hand, you thought, you hoped it wouldn’t be your leg that would break.

You moved down the halls with Chamber by your side, inspecting your weapon one final time.

‎ 

“Man, time flew by so fast. It feels like I haven’t even trained. Also, am I late?”

‎ 

Chamber chuckled, his polite laughter echoing through the hall just as much as the clicks of his dress shoes did. You couldn't tell whether or not he was mad. But from the looks of things, he seemed... unamused.

‎ 

“Late enough for Brimstone to send me to get you. Was your phone off, by any chance?”

‎ 

Uh oh.Your face turned red. And immediately, you began fiddling with your bracelet. Crap, he mentioned your phone; did they send you a bunch of messages that you didn't see?!

‎ 

“Oh, sorry. I– I left my phone back in my room…” You awkwardly smiled, feeling a bit more embarrassed. “I’m making a terrible first impression on you, huh? Sorry about that…”

‎ 

“No need for an apology, A/N. I completely understand. It must be exciting, non? Your first mission with a team.”

‎ 

Chamber noted with a smile as he fixed his tie.

‎ 

“Ah, to be young, innocent, and on my first mission again.”

‎ 

You couldn't help but smile. His voice was calm. Just the stagnant tone of it could put you to sleep if he just spoke long enough. With everything else, there's no way he wasn’t one of the higher-ups, right?

‎ 

“So you’re Chamber, right? I heard you’re an expert. Does that mean they’ll bring you on the other side?”

‎ 

He shrugged and put both hands behind his back as he walked.

‎ 

“That is a contingency I cannot predict. Personally, I would hope otherwise.”

‎ 

“Why not? Fighting yourself sounds like fun. Speaking of, now I’m curious about how you are on the field.”

‎ 

“I admire your optimism. That being said, if I were you, A/N, I would stay far, far away from my double.”

‎ 

You paused to process what he said.

What did he mean by that? But just as you formed an answer to that question, Chamber stopped in his tracks, and only now did you notice that you had finally arrived at your destination. You stopped as well once you made your way through the doorway. It felt like the voices of your colleagues were drowned out during the conversation, for some reason.

‎ 

“Ah, here we are. Now, as I was saying, keep that attitude up, and I guarantee nothing less than an excellent performance from you.”

‎ 

He said with the same smile he had the entire conversation.

‎ 

“Best of luck to you.”

‎

And with that, Chamber took his leave and left you with your thoughts like nothing happened.

‎ 

“Thanks…”

You mumbled, before quickly looking around in order to distract yourself from what he just said. Luckily for you, however, you spotted Omen in the far right corner of the area, both his arms crossed as he listened to Sage ramble on about something.

Quickly, you made your way towards them.

❤ฺ·。

The place you've arrived at looked vastly different from the pictures you'd seen beforehand. But, to be fair, you looked at it for a picosecond before leaving for more, ahem, 'important' matters. Once the aircraft landed, you stepped out with the rest and prepared yourself for the sand that might enter your eyes, recalling which site you were supposed to be in.

But before any of you could actually move to where you needed to be, you immediately found Brimstone standing in front of all of you.

‎ 

"Alright, let's get one thing out of the way. How many of you read the brief?"

‎ 

You proudly lifted your hand.

‎ 

"I did!"

‎ 

"Me too."

‎ 

Yoru chimed in, and the both of you earned a nod before he turned to look at Omen and...

‎ 

"Phoenix, buddy, you're coming with me."

‎ 

The Englishman’s eyes widened.

‎ 

"Woah woah, why me? Why would you assume I haven't read it?"

‎ 

"Have you?"

‎ 

Brim asked with a raise of his brow, and Phoenix quickly let out an awkward chuckle whilst he scratched his head. Omen, unlike the two of you, minded his own business and proceeded to walk to his designated site.

‎ 

"Well, I didn't read read it, but I skimmed over it. Still counts, right?" 

‎ 

Brim walked off to A site right behind Omen, and Phoenix promptly followed behind.

‎ 

"That's still more progress than last time! Wait, Brim, just hear me out, fam! How come Raze never gets in trouble for it?"

‎ 

You giggled to yourself before moving to your site: B.

While you walked, you extended your arm and took in the sight all over again. Seeing the roots so organised felt like such a breath of fresh air. Not only that, but being able to feel it without it mimicking the sensation of being trapped in a deep maze of a forest.

A shade of deep blue caught your eye, and you lifted your chin to see Yoru standing next to the doorway with his Sheriff in hand. You hadn't noticed him walking off during the feud between Brim and Phoenix.

‎ 

"Testing out a new look?"

‎ 

You playfully rolled your eyes.

‎ 

"Mind you, this is your fault."

‎ 

"Tch. Then no wonder it looks good."

‎ 

There he was, the confident Yoru you knew and probably loved.

‎ 

"You're too confident for someone who got all red over a hug."

‎ 

Yoru chuckled. Just as you took another step forward, he spoke up once more.

‎ 

"You okay?"

‎ 

"Uh, yeah, of course I am. Why?"

‎ 

"Just asking..."

‎ 

This time, his tone was much more... you couldn't really put your finger on it. Despondent? You noticed his awkward stance. His shoulders were tense, and his eyes had this odd glimmer in them.

...

Oh.

‎ 

"Are you talking about the last mission?"

‎ 

"I didn't say anything."

‎ 

"I'm serious, Yoru. If I can't be ready now, then I'll never be."

‎ 

He shrugged and walked through the doorway to which you promptly followed from behind.

‎ 

"I know."

‎ 

His path was curt once he felt a tug at his sleeve, and he looked behind to see you gently holding his wrist.

‎ ‎ 

"Hey, dinner after?"

‎ 

Yoru stared at you for a few seconds and fought the blush that crept up on him. Then, he shook his head.

‎ 

"Save it for next week. I need to rejuvenate."

‎ 

"Rejuvenate?"

‎ 

"Introvert thing."

‎ 

A set of familiar beeping echoed from window. And it wasn't only a few seconds later until an explosion took its place, grabbing both of your attention. Definitely Raze. Even you knew that.

‎ 

"That's our queue. See you around."

‎ 

Before another word could be exchanged, Yoru tore the fabric open and disappeared into the ocean of blue he called a dimension. But you couldn't help but let your thoughts roam as you moved near the radianite crates stacked on top of each other.

Having been around Yoru enough to make him come out of his shell, you knew when he was uncomfortable or not. And he sounded like he held something back. Did you do something wrong? Was it the date earlier? Did you push things too far?!

You mumbled an 'ow' once you picked at your bracelet too hard, a ting of pain following the scratch. In order to distract yourself, the radio was muted and you hesitantly called out your situation.

‎ 

'Uh‎– Raze on B.'

‎ 

Enough anxiety, you had a mission to get to. Evident by the rapid footsteps that came from long. You immediately took position and held out your arm, lightly twisting each root until you found the right one to slow down their push. Since they were now untangled and you were calm, it was exceptionally easy to navigate the maze that used to be your arm. Not the scent, not the hand… You paused once you felt a peculiar one.

The bomb.

Just as you heard the footsteps switch from a sandy ground to a wooden one, a burst of sundew escaped your arm and immediately landed where they would have stepped if they didn't push themselves back.

The roots stuck themselves on the ground and prevented them from entering.

Perfect.

You held up your gun and diligently watched the angle in case they'd start to get bold.

'Any updates?'

‎ 

Brimstone asked over the radio. You were so focused that you'd completely tuned everything out, so you jumped once he spoke. Yoru unmuted.

‎ 

'They're not committing. Probably a distraction.'

‎ 

You were surprised at this. Despite the ruckus, he seemed confident in this assumption.

‎ 

'Good call. Then we're staying here. Think you can hold your own out there, kid?'

‎ 

'Yeah. We just need smokes.'

‎ 

The blast echoed on Yoru's side made you wince. Luckily for you, he muted and spared you the inevitable ringing in your ears. 

And it only took a few seconds before a purple mist emerged right where you were aiming, shielding you from the bullets that would promptly be fired. Combined with Yoru's call, you could now tell they were shooting at random.

‎ 

Some time had passed since that ‘attack’.

Despite what you thought was a hard push earlier, Yoru was ultimately right in the end and they'd aggressively pushed out on A, forcing Yoru to rotate. You, however, decided to go from behind. The distant gunfire took over your ears and unintentionally helped shield your footsteps as you moved. Then, it stopped and a heavy thud followed.

‎ 

"Yo, I got the spike!"

‎ 

Phoenix proudly called out over the radio. But before you could hear who responded to him, you immediately tuned it all out and focused in on the steps right around the corner. You were in bath, and there was clearly someone who wasn't paying attention to you. In the words of Neon, 'easy pick'. Or whatever she used to say.

Then, the sound of the teleporter went off and concealed you even further. Just as he took his final shot and stepped back to reload, you held out your arm and began twisting a specific set of roots to emit a strong scent. You knew you'd started to do something right once  he began to cough into his elbow. And with a deep breath, you mentally prepared yourself to get your first kill.

You peeked and began shooting, refusing to let your finger off the trigger until the Bulldog ran out of bullets. And... you did it.

Gekko's dead.

‎ 

A huff escaped you once you took a step back, reloading with incredibly shaky hands. Your eyes were stuck on the omamori as you worked. You got your first kill.

The teleporter going off twice snapped you out of your trance, before the voice of Yoru took over your ear on the radio.

‎ 

"Who's in bath?"

‎ 

"It was me, I got the pick on Gekko."

‎ 

You said with a shaky yet excited voice. Now you started to understand why Neon spoke like that sometimes.

‎ 

"Finally got a kill? Nice one."

‎ 

You couldn't help but smile at this.

‎ 

"Chamber's stuck in hall with the spike. It's only us here. If we can draw him out, one of us can get an easy kill."

‎ 

You peeked to see the spike sitting right in front of the teleporter. And if you looked closely, you could see a golden glint reflected off of him. Probably the tattoos on his head. Yoru was backsite. With all of this in mind, a plan immediately popped up.

‎ 

"Stay there, I'll lure him out."

‎ 

"Got it."

‎ 

You stood near the doorway and already knew which root to aim for before you even lifted your arm. A shadow slowly emerged from above and blocked the glimmer. 

Then, the air stopped.

‎ 

Just as the building he was in buckled under its own weight, Chamber peeked, shot then disappeared into the teleporter with the spike. It took you a moment to look down on your hand and realise that there was a hole on your palm, blood slowly pooling around the wound and escaping.

‎ 

❤ฺ·。

‎ 

Everything felt like a blur at that point. Noises were drowned out, your mind drew blanks and your eyes were focused on only your hand.

Warmth slowly began to encircle your right shoulder. And like a virus, it began spreading in a line across the inside of your arm, red fluid continuously seeping out of the 'small' wound on your palm. It took what felt like a few minutes to comprehend the fact that he hit his shot almost perfectly. So perfectly, it went through your arm and tore your roots apart.

Then, you realised that the odd deafening noise around you had been reduced to a mere rumble. But once you looked up, the explanation was immediately provided. The exit was blocked by what seemed to be the building you ripped apart before he took his shot.

You couldn't move your right arm whatsoever.

‎ 

You felt a pull on your chin. And before you knew it, you were looking right at a familiar set of brown eyes.

‎ 

"Hey, hey, look at me, are you okay?"

‎ 

How did he get here... so fast?

‎ 

"Y‎– yeah, I'm good, I..."

‎ 

The centre of your right shoulder felt so heavy now, as if the bullet inside now began increasing in weight. You still haven't been able to comprehend the fact you were shot. Yoru, however, wasn't in a state of shock like you were.

‎ 

"We need to get you to Sage."

‎ 

"We have to run to B."

‎ 

You both said at the same time, and you earned a dirty look from him.

‎ 

"Yoru, It's fine. It doesn't hurt."

‎ 

"You're bleeding."

‎ 

"It's not important! Look, let's take care of the spike first, then we can get to my arm. The teleporter's just outside!"

‎ 

"We're not going‎–"

‎ 

"I'll be good, it's not like it hurts, anyway!"

‎‎  

Before he could get another word in, you immediately moved through the entrance from behind and walked as fast as you could towards the teleporter. Yoru followed from behind despite his ability to disappear into the rift. You weren't lying when you said it didn't hurt. But that, unfortunately, was before the adrenaline had worn off. And you hadn't realised such a fact.

‎ 

‎ 

Now that a moment had passed, with each step you took, it felt like you were exerting more and more energy just to get to your destination. You stopped just a few feet next to the would-be teleporter to catch your breath. What you hadn't noticed was that it was blocked by so much rubble, it was impossible to get through even if you wanted to.

You lifted a hand towards the wreckage and began sifting through the remains of roots you had to clear an entrance. But no matter how much you tried, you couldn't locate any points for what you needed. It was as if the roots Chamber sliced stripped you away of your powers completely.

Yoru held your chin and noticed the tinge of blue that painted your lips. That wasn't to mention how deathly pale you were, even more than you naturally were.

‎ 

"You're losing too much blood."

‎ 

You weakly shoved his hand away.

‎ 

"Don't do that..."

‎ 

Yoru rolled his eyes. And since you forgot who you were dealing with, you were to pay the price. He slipped a hand under your legs and one behind your back, exploiting your weakened state to easily lift you in his arms.

‎ 

"Get‎– let me go!"

‎ 

You tried to push him away whilst he moved back, to no avail. And just moving your good arm left you exhausted. Combined with the sudden aching that overtook your right one, it felt like you were stabbing yourself from the inside over and over.So you rested your head on his shoulder and let him take you... 

...

Where was he going again...?

‎ 

"You, you wouldn't let anyone do this to you..."

‎ 

"I wouldn't have used my abilities out in the open‎–"

‎ 

He snapped back, before he caught himself and cleared his throat.

‎ 

"I'm... sorry. You're right, I wouldn't."

‎ 

Yoru sighed. Then, completely unprompted, he let out a whispered cuss under his breath.

‎ 

"I should've taken the chance when I had it."

‎ 

"Huh...?"

‎ 

"Nevermind."

‎ 

You felt the hot afternoon sun shine upon you once Yoru moved through the doorway, before he stopped out of nowhere. You took it upon yourself to lift your heavy eyelids and look at what was in front of you.

The wreckage from A went through the teleporter, enough to block the entrance to the fight. And it was as if Yoru knew what ran through your mind just by the way your foot twitched.

‎ 

"We'll be fine."

‎ 

You heard a bullet whizz by each of you from behind. Luckily, Yoru dodged it and immediately moved towards the rubble, allowing the walls to conceal you. He set you on the sand and took out his weapon.

‎ 

"I'll be back. Try to hold out until then, A/N."

‎ 

You quickly grabbed his sleeve.

‎ 

"Wait‎– don't, don't leave me here, let me help!"

‎ 

"I can't let you get hurt twice."

‎ 

"But Sage can bring me back, I can still‎–"

‎ 

Yoru got on one knee and held your shoulders.

‎ 

"I'm not letting you get hurt. Don't make me repeat myself."

‎ 

You stared at him for a few seconds. Despite your blurry vision and all of the noise from the fight deafening you, you could see the look in his eyes. His irises swam with vulnerability.

‎ 

"You're not giving up, huh...?"

‎ 

He stared at you and let the tense silence be your answer. But just as he went to stand up once more, you pulled him back and pressed your lips against his forehead.

‎ 

"I'm so lucky to have you."

‎ 

Yoru, stunned, simply blushed and weakly smiled.

‎ 

"I... could say the same thing."

‎ 

He caressed your cheek with his thumb, before finally standing up and digging his hand through the rift.

You closed your eyes in order to gather all of the energy that you could. And judging by the constant ringing in your ear combined with the repetitive beeping, it sounded like the spike had been planted. You put your left hand on the nearby stack of crates, helping yourself up. The omamori on your Bulldog caught your eye, its green colour shining brilliantly against the dullness that surrounded you. It almost worked in pulling you out of your dizzy state.

Your eyes locked on the rubble whilst you caught your breath. There must be a way to get through this. But how? Your roots were sliced from within.

You held out your incredibly shaky arm towards the entrance and took a deep breath in an effort to calm down and outline exactly what remained. Scent couldn't be produced and you couldn't squash anything either. That left you with… You perked up once you noticed one single root that was still connected.

The bomb. The bomb was still there!

It wasn't much, but you had to get creative with it. You took a few steps back and leaned on the wall, aiming towards the rubble. Then, you shot.

‎ 

A burst of sundew immediately stuck to it like ducklings to their mother. You then rushed to grab it with both hands, and, despite the ever increasing pain, you pulled on it as hard as you could. The sundew refused to let go. In fact, it stuck to it even more, which pulled the rubble with it. And the more you struggled, the more it held on.

The next thing you knew, you were on the ground once you'd finally pulled out the massive brick the sundew was attached to. This set off a domino effect.

You grabbed the Bulldog and rushed behind cover as the wreckage began to tumble over. Sand upon sand covered the air and the noise from this move split your ears for what felt like minutes.

Then... silence. The dust had settled.

You weakly clutched your Bulldog and leaned on the wall whilst you walked to the now-clear entrance.

‎ 

The fight could be seen through the open window. And so could the spike, surrounded by fire and being defused by Phoenix. The rest were clearly holding off someone in garden alongside Yoru who was behind them. He was only halfway through, and there were only a few seconds before the bomb would go off, judging by the black aura and the unnatural impact it had on the area around it. Victory should be guaranteed...

But that was until you noticed Sova near the doorway who aimed his bow and arrow, ready to shoot a dart. One dart, stall them and that would give the bomb the time it needed to explode. They didn't see him. It seems like he didn't see you, either.

Before he let go, you took aim and immediately began shooting, the bullets rapidly digging through him. It took only one more for you to take his life.

The Englishman immediately met your gaze and said something with a wave of his hand, but his words fell on deaf ears since all you could hear was the pounding of your heart. You huffed and stood up, taking a few steps back to lean against a nearby wall. The Bulldog fell out of your grip, and the omamori's gentle green colour was defiled with the trail of blood that continuously seeped out of you.

Then, it all went dark.

‎ 

❤ฺ·。

‎ 

You awoke from your deep slumber with not only a raging headache, but with an arm so sore it felt like it was only one wrong more away from melting off of your shoulder. Almost completely driven by instinct, you immediately sat up and clutched your head, a gentle voice adjacent to you immediately reacting to such a move.

‎ 

"Oh, A/N, try not to move too fast–!"

‎ 

The pain set in just as Sage held your shoulders, and you mumbled an 'ow'. It felt like the blood inside your body was swirling and sloshing inside you as it got used to the sudden movement.

‎ 

"Ah, really...? I turned my back on you for one second..."

‎ 

"Sorry... First mission, and stuff."

‎ 

"Don't start with that, you did great! Two kills on your first mission is something to be proud about!"

‎ 

You ran your fingers through your hair and began gently rubbing your head, the ringing in your ear slowly dissipating. It took you a moment to comprehend what she said. But once she did, guilt quickly set in.

‎ 

"Thanks... Yo, I wasn't too bothersome to revive, was I?"

‎ 

"Revive? No, you didn't die, you didn't die at all! You've been out for two hours, you actually survived!" 

‎ 

You didn't believe her, despite the wide grin on her face. Probably trying to save you the embarrassment of dying on your first mission.

‎ 

"Totally..."

‎ 

"I'm not joking!" she smiled tenderly and clasped both hands together, "Ah, I– I know this sounds hard to believe, but you truly did."

‎ 

"Let me get this straight, you're saying Chamber tore all my roots and I survived?"

‎ 

"Not just your roots, A/N; he tore a few of your arteries as well and you still made it! It was miraculous!"

‎ 

She placed a finger on her chin once a new piece of information popped up.

‎ 

"Now that I think about it, theoretically, you should have passed out thirty seconds afterwards. Hypotension is no joke."

‎ 

You paused once you caught something from the corner of your eye. On a nearby counter right next to the sink was your trusty little Bulldog, the familiar omamori still tied to it. Unfortunately, it was soaked in blood. And you swore you could see that it was torn, as well.

Huh...

‎ 

"Really...? Maybe my luck's really turning over this time."

‎ 

"Possibly. On another note, if this happens again, I might have to put 'durable' in your files."

‎ 

She winked playfully.

‎ 

"Seriously? Wait, no, Brimstone might–"

‎ 

You heard two knocks before the door behind you swung open, revealing two very familiar silhouettes. Neon and Yoru solemnly stood near the doorway, a serious expression very unnatural for your Filipino friend to have.

But once she noticed that you were awake, her eyes glimmered with an abundance of joy.

‎ 

"A/N!"

‎ 

Uh oh.

Before you could prepare yourself, you were already pulled into a hug that put all the aching in your arm to shame. She hugged you even tighter (and knocked the air out of you for good measure) before finally pulling away.

‎ 

"A/N, you're alive!"

‎ 

"I'll... leave you three to talk. Erm, Neon?"

‎ 

"Huh?"

‎ 

"Brimstone?"

‎ 

"Wha– oh! Oh come on, she just woke up! Can't you tell him to give me a few minutes, at least?"

‎ 

Sage sheepishly smiled, both hands behind her back.

‎ 

"I'm sorry... This'll take just a few seconds, okay?"

‎ 

With a loud groan, Neon decided to follow the healer with an immense amount of reluctance. But you couldn't let her go without some reassurance.

‎ 

"I'll catch you later, Neon!"

‎ 

"I know you will!"

‎ 

The door slammed shut and they disappeared. You wanted to ask Yoru what that was all about; but you had a much better idea in mind.

‎ 

"I– I wanted to–"

‎ 

Just as Yoru looked back, he found himself pulled into another embrace. This one, however, didn't cause him immense pain.

‎ 

"Missed you."

‎ 

You mumbled. And to say Yoru was speechless would be a vast understatement. His mind drew blanks at such a sudden move, despite it not being the first time. And all he could really do in response was put one hand on your back.

‎ 

"You... Um, you had me worried back there, you know?"

‎ 

The words mindlessly escaped his mouth, but he didn't really do much to stop it.

‎ 

"Really?"

‎ 

"Yeah..."

‎ 

He quickly cleared his throat before he continued.

‎ 

"Don't take this the wrong way, but I'm impressed you got Sova. I don't know how you got through the rubble."

‎ 

You pulled away with an unamused expression.

‎ 

"I– I thought you died back there."

‎ 

"You need to expect more from me, dummy."

‎ 

He blushed and rolled his eyes.

‎ 

"I said don't take this the wrong way, 'dummy'."

‎ 

You glanced at the omamori on the counter behind him, but promptly looked back so that he wouldn't catch on.

‎ 

"So, uh, speaking of dying... Where do you get omamoris again? Shrines?"

‎ 

"Yeah."

‎ 

"Are you going there any time soon?"

‎ 

You tried to be discreet about it, but somehow, he still caught on and looked back to see what your eyes kept darting to. And he saw your weapon, the omamori you spoke of gently resting on top of it.

‎ 

"Huh, it's torn?"

‎ 

"Yeah."

‎ 

A meek smile forced itself on your lips as he walked towards the Bulldog and picked it up. Damp with your own coagulated blood, and torn open just as you thought.

‎ 

"Sorry about that."

‎ 

"What do you mean? It's a good thing."

‎ 

Despite scrutinising it, Yoru didn't sound as bothered as you did. In fact, he sounded pleased.

‎ 

"This means it did its job."

‎ 

You perked up at this, but you caught yourself before you did anything impulsive.

‎ 

"So... remember when you mentioned dinner?"

‎ 

"Totally. You said no."

‎ 

Yoru nervously cleared his throat.

‎ 

"Yeah, I, um, I remember. And I don't want to miss my chance this time."

‎ 

"Miss your chance?"

‎ 

"I don't like it when people get all up in my business. But you know what?" He pulled you close by the waist. "Maybe it's not so bad when you do it."

‎ 

You snickered.

‎ 

"You're just saying that because I almost died."

‎ 

A mischievous smile painted his previously callous features. No matter how much he tried, flirting just wasn't Yoru's thing. That much you could tell. But teasing definitely was.

‎ 

"Fine, guess I'll ask Sage to join me for the date I had in mind."

‎ 

The word 'date' immediately snatched your attention.

‎ 

"Wait. Okay, fine, let's hear it. What's the idea?"

‎ 

"Hanami's coming up and... I haven't celebrated with another person in a while. Wanna join me?"

‎ 

Hanami? That's right, it was the first of May; the trees must've bloomed already, and the celebration must've started. You beamed at this and completely disregarded your sore arm.

‎ 

"Is it just the two of us?"

‎ 

"Tch, yeah. I have a good spot booked and everything. There's this one old lady that sells the best dango, I'm thinking of going to her again this year. If, um, again, you don't have to, but–"

‎ 

You gently elbowed him with your good arm. Even then, he could barely feel the pain you intended him to feel.

‎ 

"Don't say that, yes I am. We're going. Where's the spot?"

‎ 

"Don't you need a minute to rest?"

‎ 

You proudly gestured to yourself.

‎ 

"I'm well rested. Don't I look like it?"

‎ 

Yoru stared at you for a few seconds.

You looked dishevelled. It was natural for someone who danced with death mere hours ago, but the confidence you radiated made it look like it was just the wind after a pleasant jog up a hill. He couldn't help but agree, and that was made obvious from the slight shimmer in his usually narrow eyes.

‎ 

"If you say so."

‎ 

You moved towards him.

‎ 

"So, where's the spot?"

‎ 

"Kitanomaru park–"

‎ 

The words were lodged in his throat once you took his hand in yours, pulling him out of the patient room and into the hallways. If you keep walking down this hallway, you'll eventually pass by someone who'll see you both like this. But he worked to convince himself that he didn't really mind...

You met his gaze with a warm smile, before pulling him close to you.

‎ 

"That sounds amazing."

‎ 

Just the thought of spending the day with Yoru on that river sounded like some kind of paradise only few would achieve. Fortunately, you were one of the 'few', and you were about to enjoy it as much as possible.

You knew what that day would entail, and you were ready for it.

[blacklegsanjiii]

North Blue Language CH 9.

“Kuraigana.” Zoro shrugs, leaning against the counter near the cook. Sanji turns back to his lunch preparations, but his shoulders are stiff.

There was no answer given beyond that. Even after another year when the crew reunites and Robin doesn't answer where she's been and Sanji’s only response is to say ‘Hell’. Zoro tries to push everything about Sora and Sanji out of his mind because Sanji doesn't ask. He doesn't push or pull for answers. Sanji is not a liar but he and Robin both keep their fair share of secrets. Something necessary for their survival; they have silent conversations that start and end in a matter of seconds.

Zoro wants that with Sanji but their relationship had been purely physical and Sanji avoided touch like the plague now. Luffy being the only exception because Luffy was Luffy. He knew the crew better than anyone.

“You're being dumb.” Luffy said. 

“What?” Zoro said, snapping his head to his captain.

“You're being dumb.” Luffy repeated. “If you're angry you should talk.”

“I'm not angry.” Zoro replied. Luffy didn't dignify him with a response. He just bound away on rubber limbs to play a game with Chopper, Brook, and Franky. Zoro didn't feel angry. Zoro's just happy to be with his crew again to be with everyone and see them. Even if Sanji was avoiding him.

Fuck it, he'll go drive answers out of the cook if it kills them both. Zoro heads to the galley where Sanji is cooking. He's more muscular than he used to be, parts his hair on the other side to show off his other eyebrow, and has facial hair.

“Booze is not up for grabs, Moss.” Sanji says in lieu of greeting him.

“We need to talk.” Zoro says.

“About?” Sanji asks, sparing him a glance as he reaches into his suit pocket for his pack of cigarettes.

“Kuraigana.” Zoro shrugs, leaning against the counter near the cook. Sanji turns back to his lunch preparations, but his shoulders are stiff.

“I don't know what that has to do with me.” Sanji says easily.

“Cook-” Zoro starts.

“You should know when to leave well enough alone, Marimo.” Sanji cuts him off. 

“You look like her.” Zoro says after a few beats and Sanji gives him a side eye but gives no answer. Zoro feels like punching something, maybe Sanji, but he hooks a finger into the cook's belt loop and pulls him close instead. “Cook.”

“I'm serious. This isn't something you can play around with.” Sanji snaps.

“I'm not.” Zoro snaps back.

“Then let it be.” Sanji bites. All Zoro can think of is the way Mihawk told him to find balance. The way Sanji holds his knives, the same set he's had since Baratie, looks like the way Mihawk carries Yoru. They're tools to aid him, not define him. Mihawk would still be the greatest swordsman in the world with a different sword, Sanji would still be the best cook on all the blues with different knives.

“I'm here.” Zoro says finally, letting the cook go. Sanji hums in response and Zoro leaves. Sanji finally puts a cigarette between his lips and lights it with shaking fingers. A deep inhale of menthol flavoured smoke fills his lungs. They are not the same as they were two years ago. To the world the only Sanji that exists is Blackleg Sanji, not Vinsmoke Sanji or Sanji Mihawk. They are both dead, one died leaving Germa at eight; the other when he left Baratie for the final time to join the crew. 

~*~

“Let me help.” Zoro sits by Sanji and takes his left leg and- “Holy shit this is what your legs look like?” His leg is black, blue, yellow, and purple. It's covered in nicks and scrapes and his foot looks disgusting. He doesn't have nails, his toes are bent weird, there's a solid print of his dress shoe and sock on the top of his foot.

“These are my weapons, I'm not going to use armament for every little fight. If you have to make comments I can do it myself.” Sanji snaps as he tries to pull his leg back but Zoro keeps it in a tight hold. Before Chopper joined the crew Sanji stitched them up. No one had repaid that favour, except maybe Luffy. Luffy who constantly clung and asked for food from Sanji. Luffy, who complained when Sanji wasn't cooking and threatened to beat people up for not liking Sanji's cooking. “You've seen them before.” Sanji points out and yeah, he has. Zoro had seen them before, in Skypiea.

“It's been a while.” Zoro grunts as he starts disinfecting. Sanji doesn't vocalise his pain, just grits his teeth and lights a cigarette. “You should call them.” 

“You should mind yourself.” Sanji threatens. They're leaving Fishman Island, Jinbei joining them for the time being. “He's dead anyway.” Sanji mutters more to himself than anything. Zoro doesn't understand what that means. Mihawk is alive, Sanji is alive. They could talk, the crew wouldn't let it get out. Zoro didn't say anything in retaliation, just cleaned and bandaged Sanji's legs for him.

Robin pays attention, she always does and Zoro gets pulled aside. Well he gets cornered in the crows nest. She comes in and sits, eyeing him like she does with all the crew.

“He’s dead.” She says plainly.

“Who's dead?” Zoro grunts as he lifts his weights.

“The boy he was raised to be.” Robin answers. “Just as I left the girl my mother raised in Ohara.” 

Zoro stops, letting his weights drop as he looks at Robin. Declaring their past selves dead was an act of survival then, as well as their secrets. She's looking at him with an expectation he doesn't understand. 

“I don't think they'd care.” Zoro growls. “Who cares about that shit?”

“Then let me be clear. If he declared himself as Sanji Mihawk the government may reinstate his father's bounty and declare war on Kuraigana. The government and many others would be after our dear Cook-san for no other reason than to get at his father. I knew when I joined the crew. His sword training and observation haki are greater than he ever lets on.” Robin explains. “He will never claim his heritage and while I wear mine by force, I still wear it proudly.” 

Zoro thinks about how the cook always just seemed to know and deliver food or drinks or something. He doesn't ask for anything though, like his parents said. He doesn't demand attention or help with anything. He sinks into the shadows trying to be unobtrusive. 

“He has us.” Zoro says.

“Even so.” Robin says, standing to leave. “Their son is dead. Leave him in the ocean.” She leaves and Zoro stares at the empty place she left. Sora and Mihawk do not consider their son dead, he's sure Perona went back to tell them. If Sanji has never asked for things, even the smallest, insignificant things like Sora told him before Mihawk wiped him into the ground. Sora taking potshots at them while they trained. He imagines Sanji being a kid and dodging Mihawk and Sora and the humandrills and smiling and laughing like he did before Ace died. 

Before they were separated. Zoro wants that cook back.

[rekas-writes]

Spooktober Day 1: Lost

Pair: Yoru/GN! Reader Source: Valorant

Type: Drabble - 997 words Genre: Fluff, tiny smidge of thriller Perspective: Second-Person (You/Your)

Summary: During Skye’s team-bonding trip outside, you end up lost with your only source of company being the one and only, prickly, and already annoyed Yoru.

TW: Slightly creepy, ambiguous ending at the end!

A/N: Stole some of the mist from the Entity from DBD just to make this setting- Speaking of, maybe I’ll add DBD to the Fandom list. I'm also kind of iffy on this one :C I really tried to paint this like a monster reveal rather than a mirror. Hopefully the next prompt hits better.

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

You weren’t quite sure when you got split up from the others until you were knee-deep in brittle, sharp branches and all-consuming fog, your poor heart already thumping at the lack of familiar chatter and footsteps. The evening light barely shone through the canopy of leaves and thick tree branches, and the dimming of the world around you only made your mind race with morbid possibilities. What if it got too dark for you to find the others? What if something happened to your friends? What if something sinister attacked you? You were on your own with no weapon bar the utility knife Skye had gifted you. The only thing keeping you together was the rift-walker who was still somehow attached to you, dragged into the mess you unknowingly stepped into. It was a wonder how he managed to find you despite having lagged behind the entire time.

He was understandably irritated at the situation, having already been grumpy when Skye woke the whole gang up at the ass-crack of dawn to go nature hiking. Getting lost, while trying to drag your ass back in line, and getting seemingly trapped within thick, immovable fog at every turn was very much not helping his mood. Then, you just had to open your mouth while Yoru tried to guide you both out by himself (though, really, you weren’t sure how he was going to get you out when he knew damn well he couldn’t see a thing- just like you). How did he even find you in this damn fog?

“We’re lost aren’t we?” It was meant to be light-hearted, but the tension and growing anxiety really killed the humour in it. You regretted it the minute it left your mouth, grimacing as you struggled to even look in his general direction. Now really wasn’t the time,

“We wouldn’t be in this fucking mess if you didn’t stray from the damn path. All this just because you wanted to pick some flowers for the flower girl,” he grunts the last bit under his breath, and you swear there’s some kind of scorn in the way he mentions Skye… It almost seemed like… Jealousy? Whatever it was, it was gone in the blink of an eye as he straightened himself and sighs, “I… Listen, I’m sorry. I just…” He’s rubbing at his temples as he talks,

Your eyes widen a little bit at his change in demeanour, blinking slowly before you shake your head, “No, no, it’s fine. You… You’re right. I shouldn’t have wondered so far. I should’ve asked the others if they could stop for a bit,” you offer a small, apologetic smile but he only frowns a little,

“That doesn’t make it ok for me to lash out at you,” the way his face scrunches and his brows furrowed in both guilt and shame is almost adorable, and if you didn’t value your safety, maybe you would’ve told him so. He seemed a little softer on you than the rest, or at least, that’s what Phoenix always said. It was moments like these that made you see it. From the way he swallowed his pride in arguments, to the way he patched you up after training, to the way he brought you meals you missed despite his scolding. 

Cautiously, you rest a hand on his shoulder. He’s still warm to the touch despite the evening drafts that begin to sweep at your hair, and there’s a faint smell of something sweet? metallic? carried through the scent of damp grass and splintered pine. He’s twitchy under your hand but he remains still, eyes peering into yours with an unreadable expression,

“Hey, it’s ok,” you offer a smile, hesitant yet warm, a means of comfort amidst the uncertainty that painted your surroundings. Hell, you were VALORANT agents. You’d faced certain death and worse, surely this was nothing. Yoru’s face softens a little, his shoulders relaxing under your hold. It’s almost like you aren’t lost in the middle of who knows what. It’s just you two in the common rooms back on base, relaxing and watching whatever dumb horror film you could find to celebrate the spooky season. You give a little thumbs up, a wink spurred on by Yoru’s loosened posture, “There’s nothing we can’t do together!”

This time, he laughs. A proper, little thing as he shakes his head and brushes you off. The deep rumble sounds so pleasant in your ears, you yearn to hear more. You want to see that soft look on his face again as he looks at you, almost like you were the only thing he cared about. That sense of security only heightens from that moment as you grin and laugh a little, if only to brush off the growing butterflies in your stomach,

“Yeah, yeah, just don’t get lost again. I’m not looking for you if you do,” he rolls his eyes and walks on, and you don’t bother to question where he’s going. Anywhere was somewhere you supposed, as you rooted through foliage laced with tangled brambles and barbed nettles. You’re quick to thank your guardian angel that you stuck with long cargo pants for the trail. The material barely seems scratched.

You inch over, walking a little closer together with Yoru remaining seemingly unaware, the proximity giving you body heat to fight the passing cold as well as providing a reason to quell your panicking brain. Even if you were lost, you were with Yoru. You’re safe, a mantra you repeated to yourself in the waves of doubt when your gut feeling twisted and turned. Oh, you really shouldn’t have ignored it. 

Your heart almost trips over itself with how hard it was hammering.

You see a recognisable figure ahead of you: a shock of familiar blue hair, an eerily recognisable bright blue jacket and as they turn, you see a face that looks at you with an all-too confused and frightened expression to continue feeling safe with the person who had been by your side this entire time. 

“Yoru?”

[oceansatedogs]

asaden thoughts? 🙏

asaden thoughts... hm maybe i should answer this ask when my brain's actually not totally crappy but i'll give it a shot. big disclaimer, i'm not the sharpest tool in the shed

but

i like them a lot as they are right now, and i also like them for what they could be. i'm really into how asa parallels makima but Wrong, and how denji actually is shown to be a lot more aware of how people treat him & how he navigates relationships now

and i like that asa as a character has so much going on to her - she's a huge asshole who thinks she's better than everyone else, but she also feels like the fucking worst. in a way, she puts herself on a pedestal in a way that alienates her just like makima. except of course, the reasons they're standing on their respective pedestals is but a difference in how they frame how different they are from other people

that being said, i bring up makima because in part 1, she and denji's dynamic were a huge thing. we see denji still struggling with the remnants of his trauma re: makima; like, for example in the latest chapter, he questions if the way people treat him has something to do with him

but something i'd really want for asaden, even if they ended up just being platonic, is to make these makima vs asa parellels mean something - something good for denji's character development

with asa, i want to see him say "no" more. i want him to see the fuckin penguins and for asa to try and compromise instead. and most importantly i want him to know, if the truth ever came out about the whole "yoruasa possession thing", that at least asa saw some loser named denji and not chainsaw man

and that's another thing i like about asaden! asa is like, pretty much the first girl to not be after his chainsaw heart. which is. very sad because the bar is 6ft below the ground. but i am glad she actually sees him. i mean, also literally too re: when she saw him amongst the crowd from up a balcony(?) when she was considering who to turn into a weapon

i just want them to take it as slow as they possibly can within the bounds of a fujimoto story and see where it goes

i think asa could come to really care about denji. it's clear she likes him a lot (which is hilarious because instead of denji, it's HER who fell in love easily). and it's funny how she tries so hard to hate him when in reality, she knows he's genuinely a good person at heart. and looking at him probably makes her feel worse about herself. because who's really "between cat and human", her or denji?

but she keeps pushing him away because she 1) is generally afraid of letting people get too close it seems and 2) doesn't want another person to get hurt because of her

can you imagine? if she managed to turn him into a weapon? the one girl denji really believed could love him the way he always wanted, was just using him the whole time? the guilt would be immense

and what about asa? i mean like, i don't wanna get my hopes up. but i think denji could really show her a good time. he could be really good for someone like her - they're both losers who could really understand one another, and neither of them have that many friends

yeah, i like asaden. my thoughts on it are all over the place but at the end of the day i just want them to kiss. and i mean i want asa to kiss denji, not yoru lol. though asa is probably screaming, shitting, crying, etc rn

[luckyrave]

Chainsaw Man Chapter 118 Thoughts

The famous saying always goes: Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me three times,  shame on both of us. It was honestly the best way to articulate my immediate view for what was to come reading this particular chapter of Chainsaw Man. Question is do I mean this in a positive or negative aspect? That is the question to keep in mind here with the scenario at play between Denji and Asa. 

  Leave it to Tatsuki Fujimoto leave all the readers in a bind ending off the previous chapter the way he did because everyone was curious. Did this signify the end of Denji’s character? Was there something else that the readers had to pay close attention to while going through this chapter?  Needless to say, Yoru’s special card didn’t exactly do any favors. Denji was perfectly fine and immune to the whole thing which left her utterly dumbfounded about what just happened.  Same thing could also be said about Denji who was completely lost as to what “Asa” tried to do and decided to just play it off as her way of saying goodbye, and thus he said “Asa Spinal Sword!” just moments before leaving. 

Once he wasn’t in the picture,  Asa questioned what Yoru was doing and was relieved that Denji didn’t become a weapon. This still left The War Devil as to why it didn’t happen, and Asa who came to the conclusion that the reason it might not have worked was because Denji didn’t like her.  Even going as far as stating “Not that I care because I don’t like him either.”  When being confronted about Fami,  Yoru told Asa to stay clear from her moments before passing out since Asa hadn’t gotten much sleep while  she was trapped in the Aquarium.  Asa, reflected back to everything that happened between her and Denji during their time in the Aquarium, and despite her earlier statement about not liking Denji; it’s shown how bothered Asa truly was at the predicament. Even after all of that, he still didn’t like her?  Even as thought of annoyance occurred where she expressed hating Denji for not liking her back before the scene shifted over to the school where she stood before him. 

Finally, The big date that Denji revealed to Asa was to head over to the movie theater to watch mummy movies nonstop until 2 am.  However, she doesn’t wanna go on any pricy dates and would rather rent a movie as it would be cheaper.  The only one out of the two who had a VCR at home was Denji which left him a bit uneasy. Asa even expressed to Denji that the date didn’t need to happen which left him in a dilemma about the alternative proposition to which he agrees after some thought. Denji does warn Asa about three conditions that she has to follow while they are at his place otherwise it could mean death which Haruka overhears with concern bringing an end to the chapter.

All in all, this chapter of Chainsaw Man gets an Amazing+ rating.  When I first finished up my readthrough, I was really considerate of rating the chapter a Pure Perfection, but the only flaw that came to my mind was how Tatsuki Fujimoto pulled the same card a third time. This tactic isn’t exactly a bad form of storytelling, but it is one that does kind of standout even though it’s more ofa nitpick in all seriousness. I did love how you got to see what was going through Asa after Yoru failed to turn Denji into a spinal cord, but also get a bit of insight with Yoru’s perspective on Fami.  What was also really intriguing was the situation with Denji getting tensed about having the date with Asa at his place and those conditions I have no doubt believe involve Nayuta in some fashion.  Now there is only one single chapter remaining and before I’m fully caught up to latest chapter in Chainsaw man, and  next chapter thoughts will be up soon but until then, I hope you all take care of yourselves out there and stay safe.       

[agentgumsh0e]

placing bets with yoru (yoru x reader)

summary: you win some, you lose some when it comes to yoru

word count: 790+

warnings: very minor mention of injury

notes: this is part of the warm-up series, found on my masterlist (last part in fact!)

“wanna place a bet?” said the riftwalker by your side as he turned to you. the two of you were now waiting for jett to enter the training-room-turned-warzone with killjoy.

“judging by how many creds jett has dropped losing against you, i'd rather not take the chance,” you replied, looking over, “besides, i don't carry creds on me.”

yoru shrugged flippantly with a smirk. “you could lend me your knife. it has a nice design on it. what brand is it?”

you scoffed. “like i know. and only if you're willing to bet your motorcycle. let me take it for a ride if i win.” you thoughtfully paused before continuing, “and you have to take on max-bot.”

“i didn't know we were upping the stakes. i didn't want to mess my hair up today,” yoru said, arching his eyebrows slightly. “but if you insist, i'll add that you have to fight the machine too.”

you matched his haughty grin. “you have yourself a deal. i'll bet on them winning since, unlike you, i actually have faith in my teammates.”

while the doors to the training room opened and jett and killjoy stepped in, yoru’s smirk grew. “i think i've already won.”

-

to your chagrin, he was proven right as killjoy sprinted through the doors with jett dashing closely after her as gunfire sounded behind them. even botty was not spared from the wrath of max-bot.

“so,” yoru started with an outstretched hand, “your knife. and it's your turn.”

you sighed, withdrawing your knife from its sheath and placing it carefully in his hand. in the brief moment that your hands touched, you noted that his hand was quite cold. “sure, sure. i'll miss you, dear knife.”

“i'm just borrowing it. no need to cry about it.” his smirk grew as he inspected your knife, adding sarcastically, “i'll promise to take good care of it.”

mentally cursing him for winning, you made your way towards the back table to select a gun. as you prepared your weapon, jett, who was polishing her knives near the back, asked, “woah! going by yourself?”

you nodded sheepishly. “yup. lost a bet.”

“yeah, i know how that feels. don't let him win, huh?” she smiled, patting your back and wishing you luck.

you decided that you had nothing to lose as you began to step foot into the training room, though you were halted by yoru clearing his throat and calling out with surprising sincerity, “and good luck, (y/n).”

you glanced at him, and it seemed like he was trying to hide a blush as he crossed his arms and ducked his head into his jacket collar. emboldened by his words, you smiled and blushed in spite of yourself, seeing as his eyes would be on you and you only.

-

leaning against the now-closed training room doors, you gasped and tried to catch your breath after coming back from your fight with max-bot. not to your surprise, you didn't win, and you were dreading the mocking you would get from yoru. you could hear it already: “don't tell me that was your all. i've done more with just my hands.”

but actually to your surprise, it didn't come. at least, not as you expected it to have.

from his seat next to the window, you could see that yoru had retained his smirk as he held his amassed credits in one hand and used the other to play around with the pile. coolly, he said, “you almost had it, (y/n). emphasis on almost.”

“yeah, whatever. are you saying that because you feel bad that your pockets are heavier because of me or…?” you responded, slightly out of breath, while you rolled your eyes and set down your gun on the back table.

yoru looked away slightly. “i, uh.”

“you what?” you questioned, eyebrows raised and a hand on your hip.

jett gladly answered for him. “he didn't bet against you this time! you should've seen his face! all wide-eyed for you. really analyzing. seems like he only believes in you and, of course, himself.”

a proud smile crept its way onto your face as you watched yoru’s face cringe with pain, as if the hit to his pride was physical. “really now?” you teased.

his typical scowl replaced his current wince. “くそ, i'll let you ride my motorcycle if you'd stop talking about it.”

you hummed, faking being in deep thought. “hmm, i don't know. can you personally teach me how to ride? or do i need jett to tell me more?”

“maybe i'll teach you, if you'd shut up. you're no use to m—...anyone as roadkill or in casts anyways.” though his moment of genuineness was short, you were fine with him winning, just this one time.

[a-valorant-effort]

can u do enemies to lovers w yoru 🥺 like maybe their rlly good partners in valorant but their both too stubborn 2 admit they like eachother n all the other agents r like 😉😏😏 tysm!!!!!!

*sees enemies to lovers request*

Cass:

Keep it Together

Yoru x GN!Reader

I got carried away with this one oop-

“Would you get out of the way? I can’t even see through the scope.”

“I’m in the rift, Y/N.”

“Oh, my bad. You’re big blue ego must have leaked back into this dimension, you’ll be spotted quick.”

It’s like this. Everyday. Back and forth. Left and right. Yin and Yang. Y/N and Yoru haven’t gotten along since the day they showed up. Yoru, a flashy radiant with the power to travel through dimensions and become invisible to the enemy team, was a force to be reckoned with when it came to being a ground fighter. Y/N, was the opposite. Powerless, dull, armed with nothing but their quick wit and lethal aim. It was in this clause where they differed so heavily. No one really knows why they do it. Jealousy? Intimidation? Or simply pure hatred? One claiming to be better than the other, competing for kills on deadly missions and high stakes infiltrations. Y/N, the eyes in the sky, while Yoru lie low.

“Both of you, stop bickering. Your target is in there, kill him, then get out.” Brimstone sounded tired over the communicator, more so than usual.

Through a stroke of chance, Yoru was able to sneak past the guards and saw their target. Pulling out his knife, he slowly crept up to the man before his heart almost dropped at the sound of a bullet coming through the window. The target lie dead.

“Got em.” Y/N giggled through the com.

“Oh, fuck you.”

The bickering never stops, not even once their mission is over.

“I don’t need a flashy power to be better than you.” Y/N leaned over the couch, their arms swung over the cushions.

“Neither do I.”

Y/N scoffed. “You’re nothing without that radianite.”

“The same can be said about your weapon and you. You’re nothing without that either.” Yoru looked into their eyes, smirking.

“Y/N. A word.” Brimstone called from the hall.

“Daddy’s calling.” Yoru laughed.

“At least mine came back.” Y/N shoved a pillow in his face and walked off.

“Jesus christ. Do you two ever stop arguing?” Viper rubbed her temples.

Jett nonchalantly tuned in, her eyes still trained on a video game on the tv. “Yeah dude, you two need to fuck already.”

Yoru coughed. “What?!”

“Yeah bro, you two got something going on there.” Phoenix was beside her, focusing just as intently.

“You’re hysterical. I don’t like Y/N, I just want to put them in their place.”

“In your be-,”

“No.”

Phoenix and Jett laughed.

“I’m serious. I despise Y/N. I would rather listen to Killjoy talk about astrophysics all day.”

“Oh really? What do you hate about Y/N?”

“Oh wow, where do I start? They’re useless. They can’t do anything but aim really well from a distance. I have to save their ass everytime they get into a little bit of danger. I hate how they look when they get a good shot with the operator. I hate that stupid little giggle they have. I hate the way their uniform perfectly hugs their hips a certain way. I hate it when their pupils dilate slightly when the get excited, I hate it.” Yoru took a breath. Phoenix and Jett stared at him, their attention fully drawn to him.

“What?”

“Dude, you’ve got it so bad.” Jett laughed.

It struck him like a hammer to a nail. The more he thought about Y/N, the more endearing the thoughts became. Oh god, he liked them. He loved them.

“Well no point in standing here loverboy!” Yoru hadn’t realized he said it out loud, so Phoenix’s response caught him off guard. “You gotta tell them!”

“No chance, they hate me. No way they feel the same.”

~~~

“This fighting needs to stop.”

Brimstone had Y/N in the briefing room, sitting on opposite sides of the long ovular table.

“It’s not my fault he gets on my nerves at every turn.” Y/N kicked their feet up. “And if you hate us fighting so much, why don’t you just separate us? Seems to me anytime I need a partner you’re putting me with the rift-rat.”

Brimstone put his hand to his forehead. “Y/N, do you know why I pair you up with Yoru?”

“Clearly not.”

“Because mission success rates are the highest when you two are put back to back. Monte Carlo, Venice, New Zealand, all of your duo missions have come back successful, the only error is when you two decide to turn it into some sort of competition.” Brimstone laid out a file folder that was labeled “Rift-shot” Y/N opened it to find all of their and his statistics lying within it. “Think about what you two could do if you stopped trying to step on each other and instead tried to lift each other up. You’ve done it before.”

That last part was interesting to Y/N because, well... yeah, they have. They can remember all of the times Yoru has bandages them up in a clutch situation, or the times Yoru was about to get caught but a piercing bullet to the head deliver by them had saved him. Whether they liked it or not, Y/N and Yoru were perfect for each other. Back and forth. Left and right. Yin and Yang.

“We’ve got reports of a radianite shipment getting lost somewhere in Croatia, you think you’re up for the task?” Y/N lifted their head and looked Brimstone in the eye who gave them a knowing look.

“Fine. I can do it.”

“Not the answer I’m looking for.”

Y/N sighed. “We can do it.”

Brimstone smiled. “Dropship will be ready for you first thing tomorrow morning, I expect no issues.”

~~~

Yeah. There were issues.

Why Y/N had agreed to a mission when they couldn’t even look at each other now wasn’t their best move. They uncomfortably shuffled next to their partner who was also trying to mask his discomfort. They stayed like this, two trained killers who couldn’t even look each other in the eye for more than a second. Through apologies, awkward shuffling and flinching at even the smallest touch, they found it difficult not to say anything.

Y/N was the first to speak. “Hey.” Yoru turned his head. “I uh, I’m sorry I took that knife kill from you. I probably should have-”

Yoru interrupted. “No!” He coughed, and readjusted his tone. “You did well. As long as the target is dead we did our jobs well.”

“I guess so.” Y/N leaned in a bit more towards Yoru, more comfortable in his presence now. “And the look on your face was pretty funny.”

They giggled, and for once Yoru didn’t find it obnoxious or annoying. It was, cute. Comforting. And it made Yoru laugh along too. “I can’t say I disagree.”

Y/N held out their hand. “We make a good team, don’t we?”

Yoru held his out with a smile. “Yeah. I guess we do.”

And in that moment, everything felt right.

~~~

So why did everything go wrong?

Y/N hit the ground running, as fast they could even though they were carrying a whole human over their shoulder. Yoru was loosing blood quick, they knew that, but there wasn’t much they could do until they were out of harms way.

“The drop ship isn’t far, come on, you have to stay with me.” Y/N went as fast as they could, trying to make Yoru comfortable but also rushing at the same time.

The two hobbled into the ship, dodging bullets on their way. Once they were safe, Yoru collapsed on the cool metal floor, blood seeping through his clothes and violently coughing dead air.

“Hey hey hey.” Y/N frantically kneeled next to him and cupped his face. “It’s a 90 minute flight home, you have to hold on a little longer, I’ll do what I can to keep you around until then.”

His face may have been bloody and pale, but Y/N still saw him as the beautiful boy he was. Stroking his cheek and gingerly running their fingers through his hair, Yoru tried his best to muster a smile.

Yoru held the back of Y/N’s neck, trying to bring their face closer down. “Come here.” Y/N leaned down and Yoru lifted his head slightly to meet them with a kiss.

“Keep it together ok?” Y/N said after they broke the kiss. “I can’t lose you.”

Yoru pressed another kiss to their cheek and closed his eyes, knowing that his Y/N would be there when he woke.

[kanaesparadise]

Hi, if your request box is open, can i have a oneshot (or headcanon, whichever you prefer!) with yoru x fem!reader, where yoru is having a bad day and the reader tries to cheer him up but he says something very rude and she gives him a silent treatment or gets really mad at him? how would he react? It's ok if you don't want to write these 💖 smoochess

Of course I will write, it's enough if you want it dear <3

For the first time in a long time, you were alone at the base. Everyone, including Yoru, had gone on a mission to different places. When you're alone, you usually listen to music, wander around the base's garden, or rummage in Yoru's room to see if there's anything different in it. For some reason he always had new items.

You knew Yoru was on a mission with Sage and Phoenix, and it was almost night. You could see their coming soon from the panel in the main room of the base. You saw them enter the base, you went to the entrance to greet Yoru and others. When you saw Yoru, you could tell by his expression that he was angry, you just wanted to calm him down a bit.

You opened your arms to hug him, he raised his hand to stop you and said "Not now (Y/N)" and continued walking without looking at you. You were a little upset looking at him from behind because that's not what he usually does. Phoenix and Sage didn't seem to be in a good mood either, although Phoenix smiled when he saw you.

"What's up (Y/N)?"

"I'm fine, but you don't seem very well, especially Yoru. How was your mission?"

Yoru had not gone very far, and he had heard what you said. It's something that normally shouldn't get angry because you had asked something quite normal, but he turned to you quite angry.

"Would you like to know how the mission went (Y/N)? TERRIBLE! The idiot you're talking to ruined everything and even now he's smiling at you! Look pathetic!"

"Yoru can you come to yourself? You failed, why don't you think Sage doesn't react like you do? Because there's nothing you can do anymore, if you're so talented and think it's all Phoenix's fault, why couldn't you do everything yourself? Because-"

"Are you defending this guy to me!?"

"I'm defending Phoenix, not this guy, I'm defending my friend Yoru! If Phoenix did the same to you, I would defend you, but if you realize it, you always do it!"

"If you think so, go hug your Phoenix, date with him okay? I'm out."

Tears filled your eyes with what Yoru said, but your anger at him was more intense;

"Okay, if you try to talk to me again I'll kill you Yoru. Don't make the mistake of approaching me, I won't pity you."

Yoru wasn't going to take what you said seriously at first, but when he saw that you were looking at him in a rather frightening way despite the tears in your eyes, he knew you meant what you said. Phoenix looked angrily at Yoru as you left their side;

"Dude, what did you do now, what was the (Y/N)'s fault? (Y/N)! Wait, we'll seriously lift your spirits!"

Sage cleared her throat to get Yoru's attention as Phoenix ran after you. With Sage's voice, Yoru turned to the woman who seemed quite angry but at the same time quite calm;

"The next time you say something, I suggest you think again, Yoru. Because I can't take you seriously when you're angry, you're just being stupid. But (Y/N) takes you seriously and cares about what you say. I think it's a big mistake, but I can understand her. It's pretty hard to love someone like you. You better do something, I don't know if you can really handle (Y/N) being with Phoenix."

Sage had vanished as he walked towards the main hall with a reproachful glance at Yoru. Even Yoru did not expect such harsh words from Sage.

He took a deep breath and started walking towards his room. He was thinking about what he said to you at the time, he was aware that he didn't know what he was saying when he was angry, and he knew that you put up with him for a long time. Sage's words echoed in her mind, "I don't know if you can really handle (Y/N) being with Phoenix." she said. On reflection, he realized that this would be a disaster for him;

"Fuck, how could I be so stupid!?"

TIMESKIP

Phoenix also called Jett and Astra, and they were all trying to distract you. You were happy to see their efforts to make you smile, but you couldn't calm your anger towards Yoru. In your current state, you could really try to kill him and he certainly wouldn't be able to do anything, but you loved Yoru and you didn't like the thought of hurting him. It hurts when you think about him so much that he says such cruel things.

"From Earth (Y/N), sweetie are you here?"

When you woke up to Astra's energetic voice, you could see the black woman looking at you with concern;

"Sorry, I'm just immersed"

When you felt Jett hug your shoulders, you turned to look at her.

"Don't go that deep, or I may not catch you! But if you're in the air, don't be afraid, I'm the one who has the upper hand."

When you laughed at Jett, she smiled at you and sat next to you. As you were about to continue playing the board game they brought for you, you saw Yoru walking through the door, panting. You saw that he was about to call out to you, you pointed the gun you kept under the table at him;

"I wasn't kidding when I said I'd kill you, what do you want?"

Phoenix and Jett took turns looking at you in panic, then at Yoru. Astra had told them to stay back so Jett and Phoenix wouldn't touch you.

"Calm down I know you can shoot me! Can't you just take it down?"

"Why should I took down it, I said don't come close to you, right?" "Let's talk, I beg you (Y/N)."

You could see the look of regret on Yoru's face, you took a deep breath and lowered your weapon. You stood up and crossed your arms across your chest;

"What are you going to talk about?"

"Can't we talk privately?"

"No, I'm not the only one who's upset with you, Yoru."

This time, Yoru took a deep breath, he knew very well who you were talking about. The regret on his face was more evident as he looked at Phoenix;

"Sorry Phoenix, as usual, I sounded harsh. Don't mind me."

"You know, I'm not the type to get upset that quickly. It's just that you're like my brother now and for a second I thought you were serious when they said that. Don't worry about me, I think what you said to (Y/N) was more serious. We'll settle things with you again, brothers. There may be fights between them."

Yoru smiled at Phoenix and turned to you. You wanted to see what Yoru would do without any reaction. He walked slowly towards you and wrapped his arms around you;

"I'm sorry, dear. I know you've put up with my behavior for a long time, but I promise I won't do it anymore. No matter what. I wasn't serious about what I said, I swear I love you so much and I don't want to lose you."

You smiled and hugged Yoru back;

"I knew it wasn't serious, I was just hurt. I love you too, Yoru."

Yoru moved away from you and placed a short kiss on your lips, and as he was about to look at Jett and Phoenix, he glared angrily at the person who had grabbed his head with a hard blow to the top of his head. Astra struck again when she saw Yoru's gaze;

"Don't you dare upset this beautiful girl again, Yoru, or I might break your head like this."

"Okay okay don't hit me anymore, I promised!"

Astra pulled her hand away, looked at you, smiled, winked, waved to you all and left. Usually you didn't say anything because she always left all of you without giving a reason. Still, you felt pretty lucky to have such friends and a boyfriend like Yoru. After all, they were the kind of people anyone would want.

[chad-valorant-enjoyer-and-writer]

[ Chamber x Viper ]

It's not looking good for the Frenchman lemme tell you that. :p read the earlier parts plz.

[ Gilded Gold and Harmless Poison ]

Part-5

The trek down the mountain was a quiet one. The clouds grew grey and thunder boomed. Flashes of lightning illuminated the path occasionally.

rain poured and it poured.

But despite the weather, Sova couldn't feel worse than he already did. Viper was quiet, the rain staining her makeup and wetting her hair.

Cypher was jolly, both from being dry from the rain and the reval of chamber.

Contrary to his brilliant melitary performance, Sova didn't see him as Chamber, but as Vincent. A man, who was treated harshly by the world, a man who tried to do the right thing and was betrayed– a man shunned by his own father. A man he left in the cold for dead.

Somewhere in Sova's cold Russian heart– he understood why they did what they did, but his mind was conflicted.

Viper and Cypher boarded the vechile while he stayed behind and looked up in the rain.

***

Vincent heaved on the muddy ground, both wet from rain and in blood. In his hand was a bloody French Amry knife.

The knife he kept and maintained as a constant reminder of why he does what he does. The knife that his mother's father had used. Surrounding him was the dead bodies of every single soldier that came at him.

They were sliced to pieces, bleeding from various wounds inflicted by their weapons and Vincent's antique knife.

He got up from the ground, absolutely stained by blood and grime. He stared at his mother's grave, or what was left of it. Bullets holes turned the magnificent statue to sponge.

"Even your grave protected me mother..." He sighed groggily, holding his wounded side as he started to walk away.

The statue crumbled as Vincent walked away. Like a sign of no turning back.

The taxi driver was in his car, listening to music when a bloody hand slapped the side window. "Ahhh!!"

Vincent opened the door and collapsed on the back seats.  "Qu’est-ce qui t’est arrivé!? (What happened to you!?) " He yelped.

"H-Hospital... Hôpital.." Vincent groaned, slipping form consciousness.

***

Brimstone watched the footage provided by Cypher. His expression changed drastically from worry to anger. Both from Fabron's plot and Vincent's involvement.

"Gather everybody in the briefing room... After you clean yourselves."

Viper nodded before leaving the room promptly. While Sova walked out after glaring at Cypher.

Brimstone turned to Cypher. "Where is he?" Cypher shrugged. "Either dead or on his way to a hospital somewhere in France."

"find him if he is. He knows things that we don't– preferably, we need him alive."

"Right Away." Cypher nodded before leaving the room.

***

Phoenix straightened his jacket as Jett kept shaking him. All agents were present except Chamber, who was on leave.

Brimstone was on the podium, with viper, Cypher and a pissed-off Sova.

On the seats were Omen, Killjoy, Sage, Phoenix, Jett, Reyna and Raze.

On the tables or walls were Breach, Skye, Yoru and Astra.

None was walking aat the back of the room–seriously her super speed keeps her from sitting still– Fade was on the back corner and KAY/O was on the entrance.

Everybody was here beside chamber. The atmosphere seemed tense so phoenix tried to crack the ice. "Mate, aren't meetings supposed to be attended by everyone? Where the bloody hell is chamber?"

Jett nodded. "Exactly, even if they're on leave– all agents are required to join."

Viper sighed and looked at the two agents. "This meeting is about him. And he is no longer an agent."

The room went quiet immediately. Brimstone stepped up to podium. "Earlier this morning, he asked for a day leave and I gave him one."

"However, Chamber's motives have been in question since the beginning of his recruitment. Following protocol, we set a tail on him." Viper added. "We followed him around France for five hours as he was procuring items."

Cypher displayed Footage of Chamber getting a large bouquet of flowers. "pretty~" Jett hummed.

"He then boarded a taxi to a gravesight–"

"Hold on fam'!–" Phoenix interjected. "You're tailing the man whose clearly going to a funeral. What the hell man."

"That's what it was supposed to be." Sova finally spoke up. "While he was paying to his Mother's grave, he was ambushed by Kingdom Soldiers."

Cypher played the footage on the big screen. The whole interaction between, Vincent and His father– how he escaped their hold and his counter attack, before the three agents left.

"So you left him for dead." Fade spoke up. "I know your cold blooded but goddamn." She huffed, looking at Viper.

"As interesting as this is– what's the point?" Yoru impatiently added.

Brimstone sighed again. "Vincent knows a lot of things that we don't. As of this moment he is AWOL. Our mission would be to capture and contain– or eliminate him."

The room still was quiet.

Cypher took over. "His full name is Vincent Rabron, son of the deceased Chloé Fabron and Adam Fabron. His backgrounds as the French Army' Ace sniper puts him as an incredibly-lethal individual."

Anyone in the force knew that, Chamber never missed, unless intentionally, and His weaponry are a cut above most in the protocol– they want to capture a guy like that? As much as they distrusted chamber, they respected his skill. And whenever they met his double– they made sure to duck.

"His motives are unclear and he is very dangerous. As an example of what he could do–" Cypher pulled up a satalite image.

Sova immediately was surprised. The meadow of Irises were littered with corpses. "Damn." Breach gasped.

"He did all that, outnumbered 50 to 1. With nothing but a scavenged vandal, sheriff and a knife." Viper added.

Sova scowled. "Is this a strategy meeting or are we villainizing him? We had a chance to help yet you two kept saying not to!"

Phoenix understood by Sova was so pissed. They left him for dead. Which was messed up.

"what's done is done– his words, not mine– what matters is what we do about it." Cypher said, before pulling up another screen. "Traffic Cams have spotted the Taxi he was in the University Hospital of Bordeaux."

Brimstone took over. "our mission requires two teams . I, Viper, Sova, Cypher, Killjoy, and KAY/O will be in team one." Brimstone scoured the room. " Any volunteers."

A few agents raised their hands. "Neon, Yoru, Fade– Thank you for volunteering."

"alright bruvs I'm washing my hands of this. Phoenix explained. this is overkill!"

"Sage and Skye– thank you. Wheels up in half an hour. Dismissed."

***

Sova stared at the floor of the aircraft. He looked out the window, and with his exceptional vision, he saw the hospital and the rooftops around it. He knew what he had to do.

To be continued.

[secret-engima]

A Dissidia AU where all the Good Guys(tm) are various Noctis’ (allowing you to have the Noct’s that make you say, “interesting, but what’s the rest of the story? Hello? Hello?”). Regis, via Crystal-o-Vision is simultaneously a joy (so many sons!) and a sad (I can’t be with the sons). And the opponents? Eh, uhm. Hadn’t got that far. Nox and Ardyn’s? With maybe a few Glaucus? (The hell am I doing on this side? I have Idiots to Sheppard in a vaguely ordered fashion.)

Hmmmmmmm I’m still not sure what to DO with this but like- okay?

-Materia tries calling for Champions and it goes ... not well.

-All the various Nocti stare at each other. Canon Noctis, who has never done this before is an Internal Scream. While Nox is chill with it until he spots Little Nox. Noxtaur has jumped into the nearest perch and is Staying There while he laughs himself sick, N!Noctis is gently patting his big brother’s shoulder in sympathy while sporting big eyes, LN!Noctis is holding his little brother’s hand protectively, and NT!Noctis has joined his brother up in the rafters. Night King (NK)!Noctis is spacing off into the distance hoping if he ignores this problem his sanity will return, Yoru has broken out the sake and is looking honestly amused by all this, Au Ra Noctis is slowly climbing up to join the Taurs in their Perch of Hysteria, Youkai!Nox is looming in the far side of the room because he’s in his animal form and that animal form is Big™, and Deleantur-

-Deleantur, sitting in the corner watching this madness unfold, just kinda- sighs pathetically as he realizes that he’s technically the eldest and that means he’s theoretically in charge of this fiasco. Then he spots Fem!Nox & Fem!Noctis skulking over to his corner for peace and quiet and his brain shorts out.

-There’s also a Noctis lurking in the background who looks like he’s halfway daemonified but doesn’t FEEL like the Starscourge. Nobody is brave enough to ask for clarification and he doesn’t seem too keen on answering (he also seems about 80% Feral and none of the time-traveling Nocti want to think on those implications so they don’t). Next to him is a Noctis dressed in what looks like an Imperial uniform and while he’s acting polite enough he’s also welding a cane like it’s a weapon and his smile is DEFINITELY just this shade of Ardyn Scourge Crazy.

-Nobody is talking to that Noctis.

-Which suits him just fine.

-Eventually Deleantur and Nox (the OG Nox) manage to call order among all the Nox and Nocti and confront Materia about this issue. Materia very confused and apologetic but they ARE here now so maybe they could fight for her anyway?

-Since a minimum of all the Nox’s + Deleantur have lived through this plot at least once in their lives before, they are chill with the idea. The others less so.

-Imperial Noctis just kinda laughs in a way that gives no one any reassurance and the maybe-daemon Noctis has joined Youkai!Nox in his corner, they appear to be conversing via growl. All the Nocti elect to ignore this for their own sanity.

-Spiritus calls up material and he kinda laughs at her for accidentally calling so many copies of “the same soul” while HE managed a diverse cast (aka the regular Dissidia baddies) but Nox spots both his Ardyn and a Taur Ardyn at their respective Titus’s so hah jokes on you Spiritus.

-The Ardyns, of course, insta defect with the Titus’s following along behind Sighing™ at all the stupidity in their lives and OH LOOK AT ALL THE MORONS THEY HAVE TO BRAINCELL. At least Regis isn’t here.

-More than a few brains break meeting fem!Ardyntaur (and Fem!Nox & Noctis), but it’s STILL not as creepy as Imperial Noctis lurking in the back staring at Ardyn in a way that’s simultaneously Death™ and Perfectly Blank™ so.....

-Also Maybe Daemon Noctis has abandoned the strategy of “Stick Together and Get This Over With” in favor of chasing around the Clown Guy trying to rip his spine out. Or maybe eat him. No one is 100% sure.

-The Nocti and Noxs take turns holding Little!Nox and staying in the back under the watchful, massive eye of Youkai!Nox, and Deleantur leads a small group of Nocti to retrieve the various summons so they can get info on the World-Eater. it still takes a few days to get Materia and Spiritus to agree to cooperate and then a few more to find the World-Eater, during which such shenanigans occur as-

-All the compiled Nocti, Noxs, and Ardyns taking a nap on Youkai!Noctis because he is Large and Fluffy.

-The Titus’s exchanging tips on handling their idiots.

-The Ardyn’s having too much fun weirding people out with their existence (especially the Noxs and Nocti who are used to a male Ardyn)

-Fem!Nox, Fem!Noctis, and Fem!Ardyn all having some Girl Time because Female Solidarity in this Insanity.

-Little!Nox befriending Maybe Daemon Noct.

-Little!Nox getting a piggyback ride on Noctistaur’s back while Noxtaur quietly dies in the corner from embarrassment and cute.

-Little!Nox in general being an Utter Gem of Cuteness and leading the charge in all the Noxs adopting a very confused Sephiroth en masse.

-Little!Nox managing to befriend Imperial Noctis via having a sick day and suddenly deciding the only lap he can nap his sickness away in is Imp!Noctis’s. Who bears it with a grace more born out of bluescreening but hey.

-Everybody gets confused about Deleantur, who refuses to answer their questions (the Noxs figure it out and are kinda a Horror tho).

-By the time the World Eater is found and it’s time to fight, all of Spiritus’s champions minus Sephiroth and the Ardyns and Tituses are thoroughly terrified of anything Lucis Caelum. XD

-The fight is big and Epic and there are armigers everywhere and somehow Deleantur manages to out OP everyone else present with OG Nox, Imp Noctis and the Ardyns as close seconds.

-Needless to say, the World Eater is Very Very Dead™ by the time they’re done and honestly Spiritus and Materia are very glad that these lunatics are going home.

[remmushound]

My spooky gift exchange to @nightneko!!

Content warning: Blood, decapitation, character death, trauma

Leonardo was running. He was running but it wasn’t enough. The rain pounded all around him like the song of his own demise, the stone under his feet growing slick and the purchase hard to find, but that didn’t matter. As he long he kept going forward, that didn’t matter. The momentum was needed, and he couldn’t slow. Not for a second. The moment he slowed, he knew he would get caught.

It had all started out so innocently. He had been practicing his portals after a bout of insomnia seized him in the night like the claws of a great raptor in flight, and he had to do something to pass the time. Sleep didn’t come after an hour, or two, or three. On the fourth hour came resentful training up on the rooftops of his city, so beautiful and bright when compared to the suffocating fog and black sky of this doppelgänger world He found himself in.

Time after time, he had traced a circle in the air and step into it. Time after time he thought of the places he wanted to go— from the Bronx to Brooklynn to Queens... to Tony’s Pepperoni’s and Murakami’s Place; the blind salesman would always leave out leftovers for the Yoru ni kuru hito, the ones who came in the night, who he couldn’t see but knew where there and would make sure he got home safely. Then Leo had gotten reckless. He started testing his speed. How fast he could teleport. How fast he could think of new places to go. Testing the limits of his weapon, fueled by a cocky sense of invincibility that most teenagers had. Hueso had warned him of such things as portal jackings and the horrors they could hold for the one attacked. How, the more times you teleported, the stronger the signal you sent out, like a beacon to your coordinates. How it made it so easy for them to find you.

When Leo had finally decided to go home, he had such a clear image of the lair in his mind. Bright and colorful, the walls covered by Mikey’s increasingly impressive graffiti, some of the older examples drawn over by Donatello’s equations whenever he’d have a breakthrough without paper handy. Numbers and symbols traced over colorful pictures of old, worn from the years but still carrying so many memories in the peeling paint. Leonardo imagined everything down to the last detail; every last crack left by Raphael by accident or on purpose. The groove worn into splinters chair by years of repeated use. The kitchen filled with leftover pizza, the snore of three sleeping turtles and an old rat echoing down the halls. But there was none of that when he stepped through the rift and landed on the other side.

Instead of the warm invitation he had expected, the air was cold and lifeless. The walls were gray and the floor stone, with no mat or rug to block the barrier of frigid ground. Instead of comforting light, there was dim gray, and his breath came out in heavy plumes of fog. There was no gentle snores— no sound at all, in fact, apart from the distant sounds of running water. The air didn’t smell of breakfast, but of rot and decay. It smelled like death.

“Wha... guys?”

His voice echoed in a haunted melody that returned to him from all directions.

“This is a surprise.”

Leonardo jumped and spun around to face the figure approaching him, not quite at tall as Leonardo, but regardless was walking in such a way that made him feel small. Hands folded behind his back, a peculiarly designed white lab coat draped over his bulked form, and a mouth frowning. A mutant. A turtle. With a purple bandana.

“Who are you...?” Leonardo had asked once his body allowed him too. The other was so familiar to him, yet somehow... monstrous. Maybe in the way he didn’t smile— nothing like when the Donatello back home rarely ever offered the gesture. When Donnie did that, it was just Donnie being Donnie. But this frown seemed almost sinister, somehow.

The other mutant only hummed. On his three-fingered hands were red gloves— no, they were white. They must have been, at least, under the layer of glowing crimson that coated them top to bottom in a A viscous layer. It was then Leonardo noticed that the pattern on the lab coat wasn’t just a pattern— it wasn’t a pattern at all— it was blood.

When Leonardo’s eyes began to adjust to the dark of the sewer tunnel, more patterns and items came to his view. Strewn up on the walls and on showcase in dim, glass cases— in jars, fermenting in some kind of liquid, and on the floor and even some hanging from the ceiling. Body parts. Mutant body parts. Fur and scales and skin— organs and bones and... shells. Three of them. Hollow and empty of the lives stripped from within them, adorned with ribbons and weapons. The pelt of a mutant tiger laid on the floor, mouth opened in an eternal cry of agony. A rat— an old, mutant rat— was stuffed and positioned in such a pose it were as if he were alive; mediating in an eternal slumber. Leonardo had almost called out to him until he saw the stitches. The stiff and limp tail, the unmoving body. And that’s when Leo ran.

He splashed blindly through the waste-infused water, charging through the blackness parted only by the odd storm drain offering lamplight from above. Quite often he’d stopped to catch his breath and to try and listen through his heaving and the pound of rain from the surface. Every time he did stop, he was faced with the heart wrenching sound of the second set of foot steps getting closer. Closer. Closer.

The five minutes it took him to find the nearest manhole felt like five hours, and the time it took him to scale the ladder and escape through it felt like even longer. Longer for the blood-splattered mutant to catch up. The first thing he has done once he crawled out into a trash-strewn alley was to find the nearest fire escape— if he could just get away long enough to stop for a moment, long enough to think, maybe a plan could be found in the chaos. There was always an escape. There was always an escape. There was always...

Three buildings crossed and Leo looked back. Three building down he saw the sick, perverted Donatello standing there silhouetted in the light of the street, bō staff in hand. Grinning at him. Leonardo ran on.

Seven buildings crossed and he turned to look back. The monster was even closer now and Leonardo could make out the features more clearly. He could see the other turtles eyes. He didn’t know what to expect when he gazed into them. The red, glowing eyes of a monster, perhaps? Eyes void of any sanity or sense? Maybe! But no. They were just eyes. Just normal eyes. Bronze, gleaming with life. Leonardo ran on.

Ten buildings down. Thirteen. Fourteen. Leonardo couldn’t run anymore. His legs gave way and he crashed to the ground, yet still his pursuer kept on going. His pace did slow when he saw the other mutant collapsed there on the building, but he didn’t stop. Leonardo tried to crawl. If he could just get into the sewers again, or the streets, if he could just disappear!

It was too late.

“Wow.” The donatello—no, Leo couldn’t bare to think of him like that— the mutant stood over him with a partial smile. He wasn’t panting, hardly even breathing. It was like he wasn’t even alive, and with the appearance of him it was easy to believe. “Y’know, I would’ve expected you to put up some sort of fight. My Leo sure did.”

Fight— fight! Leonardo reached behind his shell. The Mutant clicked his tongue and laughed, shifting his body to show off the gleaming sword supported on his back.

“Probably shouldn’t have dropped this either; just, in hindsight, you know.”

“What— please—“ Leonardo couldn’t get full sentences out; breathing was far more important.

“I know, I know.” The mutant laughed and waved his hand, “but hey— it’s all in the name of science, huh? I’ve never worked with a Trachemys scripta elegans, so you're something entirely new to me!”

He pulled out a needle filled to the brim with hot pink fluid.

“And here’s something new to you!”

Leonardo crawled to the ledge and tried to escape over it, only to be met with a sharp kick to the middle of his carapace that pinned him to the stone.

“This is just a little something to make you sleep...”

“DONATELLO!”

The voice sliced through the night like a knife. A woman’s voice. The Mutant’s force on Leonardo’s shell lifted, and when Leonardo turned to look, the turtles back was turned to him, staring at a girl. A girl with ginger hair and a pale face speckled with brown freckles.

“April!” The abomination gave a grin.

April? This girl was April?

“Donnie this has to stop.”

Leonardo could escape now if he wanted to. Sure, his legs were still numbly sore, his chest still heaving, but there was some sort of energy returning to him. He couldn’t just leave April though...

“Come on April, you know I have to.” The Mutant walked toward April with gentle demeanor that betrayed the darkness inside him. “Sacrifices have to be made in the name of science!”

“How many is it going to take, Donnie?” Tears flowed freely through April’s eyes like water spickets. “Leo, Raph, Mikey, Splinter... am I next?”

“I would never hurt you, April.”

His sword— if Leo could just grab his sword he could save himself and the April! He could grab the sword and he could...

No. He could never go through with it. Not with that monster looking like it did. Not with him looking like Donnie. But if Leo could just chase him off...

“Splinter didn’t didn’t even fight back, did he?” April went on. “He didn’t even try to stop you!”

The mutant shrugged. “He could never hurt his son.”

“You’re a monster...”

Leonardo pushed himself slowly to his feet and crept forward. His hand out in front of him, ready to grab for his swords hilt, just praying this April kept the Mutant distracted long enough.

“I’m not.” The Mutant shook his head, “I’m a scientist.”

Leonardo bit his tongue in his focus with enough force to draw forth the metallic taste of blood. Just a little closer...

Then his wrist was seized when the other turtle spun around with lightning speed, gripping him tight and hoisting him up like a ragdoll. The Mutant fixed Leonardo with an amused stare. “And I’m also a ninja.”

Leonardo tried to struggle away. “Please— please just let me go!” He had no shame, he had nothing to lose but his life, “Just let me leave! I wanna get back to Donnie and Raph and Mikey!” His cheeks were stained hot with tears, and his chest felt as if it were being constricted by a python. “I WANT MY DAAAAD!”

The Mutant stopped. Leonardo gave a soft whimper as he was dropped violently and landed with a hard THUMP. He wiped his eyes to try getting a better read of the other turtle. To look in his eyes and try to decipher what thoughts were hidden behind the dark pools.

Then the Mutant laughed. The turtle dressed in purple laughed. A laugh that made his eyes close and called forth a few snorts between breaths. It was wrong— it was all wrong. A laugh should be gentle and lighthearted, drawn forth by a genuine joy. A noise meant to make your heart flutter a bit, especially when it was you who called that heavenly sound to release. But not this noise. This noise was a sinister one, a cold pleasure that made the surrounding air drop at least a few degrees. A monster like that didn’t deserve to laugh.

“You should see the look on your face!” He howled the evil tune of Leonardo’s demise. Then, all at once, the laughter stopped.

Leonardo’s ears rang. Though it took his mind several moments to process what had just happened, his body registered everything at once. A warm wetness all over him and the rooftop around him. The sound of a blade had come first of course— unmistakable to the swordsman— flashing through the air and slicing flesh. Slicing bone. And it was that which expelled the red fluid off in all directions. Then there was a thump. One loud, powerful thump that set Leonardo’s heart to continue the pattern and beat in his chest far too fast, far too hard. Surely it would jump out at any moment and leave him there, bleeding out with a gaping hole in his chest.

Then sound exploded back into his ears. The taste of iron flooded his senses, drowning out everything else. He touched his hand to his face and when he withdrew it, green had turned to an oozing red. The teenage girl stood there behind the headless corpse, holding Leonardo’s sword in shaking hands, just as bloody as Leonardo was. Her bosom heaved. Her breaths came out in soft whimpers, and her arms soon gave way and let the sword clammed to the ground. In the next moment she was gone, down the fire escape and leaving Leo there with the body.

He didn’t know how long he sat there waiting for his legs to regain strength, but by the time he was able to move, the blood had already begun to dry on his skin and flake off in a brownish powder. He picked up his sword and his numb arm guided the blade to make a portal. He gave a chuckle. Almost perfect.

He just about stepped through it before he remembered he was only holding one sword. He turned back to the dead mutant, a slight blood still oozing from the severed neck. Pillaging it’s body like a vulture made Leonardo sick, and he had to make a dash for the ledge of the building to hurl over it. He had his sword though. He could go... home?

Home. Warm and bright. By now it would be filled with the bustle of his family getting ready for the day. The whistle of Splinter’s morning tea... Mikey making breakfast. The sound and scent of sizzling bacon became so alluring it was almost real— and then it was. When Leonardo opened his eyes after stepping through the portal, Splinter sat at the head of the table, sipping his tea as he clasped it between two paws. Raphael and Donatello were bickering about something or other, and it was like the sweetest music. Leonardo looked down at himself and he was as clean as he was when it left— somehow the blood had left him, even though he swore he could still feel it slipping across him. A nightmarish sensation. Mikey, bright-eyed and yet to reapply his shell paint, turned to Leo with a smile and offered a plate of eggs and bacon and toast.

“Hi Leo!” He grinned. “You’re late for breakfast, mister! Here— eat.”

Leonardo smiled and almost broke into a sob as he accepted the plate. “Thank you, hermano...”

His eyes flashed to Donatello. The words that fell from the softshells lips were silent upon Leonardo’s ringing ears. When he blinked, all he saw was the blade slicing down— slicing him.

Suddenly, Leonardo wasn’t so hungry.