#anyways i love this little duo despite giving them this devastating set

[arachnidiots-a]

LIV HEWSON as LIAM KAZ & RONEN RUBINSTEIN as TK STRAND (@parameddic) Heart Found in Austin, 911: lone star verse

mutuals may interact , featured may reblog , everyone else dni

[mc-critical]

This ask got me thinking after one of your latest asks about Hurrem's suicide attempt. Do you think Hurrem's enemies( such as Mahidevran, Hatice, Ibrahim, Gulfem...) would start to be a little bit more sympatic towards to Hurrem if they learn her suicide attemps for Suleiman?(Like when Afife saved her in ep 72) I mean, Valide started to respect and understand her after she saw how much she really loved Suleiman and was willing to give her life for him. Also Afife started to understand her after saving her life. What do you think about the other enemies ? :)

It highly depends on the dynamic each one has with Hürrem individually, their own reasons for putting their foot down on her or being enemies with her, how much can that "new knowledge" move past these reasons and everyone's own individual view on Süleiman.

I feel the one who would sympathize with Hürrem the most in such circumstance would be Gülfem. She has experienced a level of loss and knows what it means to feel that life isn't worth living after that loss. If she learns, she would surely understand and perhaps say that, despite of everything, Hürrem is attached very strongly to Süleiman and has immense loyalty for him. She wouldn't condone Hürrem's other actions that don't sit well with her (like bringing Nigar in the harem only to spite Hatice, reminding her of the infidelity at every turn and even using Gülfem herself to frame Mahidevran for an assault in order to become the ruler of the harem since that was relatively soon), but would put the action into context in front of everyone.

This reaction would be helped by the fact that Gülfem isn't exactly her enemy per say, is very forgiving and patient, isn't used to holding grudges, and is only ever against Hürrem when she does something against her loved ones or she crosses some kind of a line by petty insults or comebacks. Besides, Gülfem still strives to see the good in Süleiman by this point of the show, being his emotional support and conscience even before S04 and becomes worried about what would happen to everyone every time he's ill, so such action of Hürrem's would be pretty explainable for her, even though she could certainly think that Firuze is something she had coming for her, and if they get a chance to talk about it in the depths of my headcanon, they would be the most possible "duo" to have a heart to heart.

Both Ibrahim and Mahidevran's perspectives have pretty much in many ways been shown by episode 55 where Hürrem prepares to do something pretty similar to her suicide attempt in episode 72, just with even more massive stakes.

A major part of the conflict between Hürrem and Ibrahim is rooted on Süleiman: his attention on both of them and the amount of influence Hürrem wants to exercise over him. However, the loyalties they have towards Süleiman is where they have managed to find common ground. Ibrahim is fully aware that Hürrem would never directly act against him. Him learning about a suicide attempt of Hürrem's due to the prospect of losing Süleiman would be nothing new to him, since, as highlighted by their confrontation in E55, he was aware that she was in such a state where she was willing to 'do the impossible'. They were both devastated by the ongoing events and they could come to a mutual understanding. It's possible for him to at least try to understand what she's going through there. But that would only last for so long, for the moment he learns about it. He would widen and maybe think, but... that would be about it. Because if Mahidevran directly acted before Valide hid the children and with SS's fate still being uncertain in E55, Hü and Ibro would have teamed up to stop this mess, but not here.

I once again come back to the comparatively more personal stakes of Hürrem's suicide in E72: this attempt wouldn't be enough to put everything between them behind, for Ibrahim to have such a strong amount of sympathy, none of this can be forgotten by a single suicide attempt. Their history is much longer than that. I would say that he would indeed think about the fact that Firuze is bothering Hürrem so much, wonder for a few seconds, how did it come to this, tell Matrakci about it and tell him that Hürrem must be very threatened to go for this, maybe with a hint of understanding... but that would be about it. It would be a temporary reaction, nothing between them or their dynamic would change in a significant way, he wouldn't get more sympathetic with Hürrem. Because that is a side of her Ibrahim has seen, on the possibility of another, scarier, more dangerous future for them both.

Mahidevran is the person who, is not only the least likely to, but surely, by one hundred percent, wouldn't sympathize with Hürrem over her suicide attempt at. all. Her hatred for Hürrem is seriously big and the points where they both could ever come to an understanding are rare. Some suicide attempt would seem something incredibly trivial and far too small to turn the tables. That is empowered even further by Mahidevran's own ongoing character arc that relates to Süleiman and the way her inner strength evolves by her letting go of him. At this point of the show, Mahidevran wouldn't even be able to relate to what Hürrem has done on a personal level, since Süleiman is nothing but memories to her already. It's not an experience she could connect herself with because of this exact shifting of priorities. What she wants even more at this point is Hürrem's end and she would be fine with however would it happen. {We could say she would generally prefer suffering for her (as she said in E55, but it's a belief confirmed again in E79, saying that death would only be a salvation for her spy; and then advanced even further in S04.), but is on board with killing her as well. (see her sending Diana to kill her)} I even imagine her to still widen at the news, but to wonder why did Afife even save her. (if they learn about that, too)

Despite of this, I feel there're a few angles of how precisely Mahidevran would view this suicide: the confrontation between Hürrem and her in front of SS's bed in E55 is key in her witnessing her say that it's namely dying with Süleiman that she would do if SS died anyway. And there we have Mahidevran claim that Hürrem doesn't do it out of love, but out of fear for her life. She could view Hürrem's suicide in E72 like this, too, and this way she would not only not sympathize with her for it, but also condemn her for doing it in some way. She may not read these intentions as genuine, she may even see it all as a plan of Hürrem's to win Afife over? There wasn't an indication that Mahidevran's view of these stunts of hers changed by that point, even though Mahidevran realized that her E55 actions were a mistake. The second angle of this could be the direct demonstration of her belief of the endless cycle of the harem that would never change. Yes, in E64 Mahidevran had stopped believing that another woman could defeat Hürrem (seen by her expression when Hatice told everyone that this is the only thing that would beat Hürrem), but seeing Firuze brought something else to the table. Then Mahidevran begins once again saying that Hü would burn in the same fire she did, calling back to her words in E61 that one woman would come and destroy this indestructible love. Seeing this realized with Firuze, seeing Hürrem struggle against her that much to the point of giving up, albeit in the opposite way Mahidevran did from SS... it would just show that Hürrem indeed isn't irreplaceable, that every good thing comes to an end, that Hürrem's victories wouldn't be endless and that she would doom herself one day. This could be a part of what Mahidevran wanted, confirming her beliefs of then, yet weakening her rival by a severe amount. Firuze having such an affect on Hürrem would by no means be approached sympathetically by Mahidevran, even if it hypothetically happened in the moment where it could (by that I mean early S01, in E10, when SS was rumored to be dead and if Hü tried such a thing then. And if, say, Firuze existed instead of Sadıka, ofc.), because even then Mahidevran's priorities would be immediately switched to the baggage little Mustafa had to deal with. Hürrem and Mahidevran had their few and far between moments of understanding, but that understanding was connected to their children and their motherly instincts. Only then would they be close to put their differences behind. Not here.

I find Hatice's possible reaction to be kind of a mix between what virtues she has seen in Hürrem before and their relationship in S03A's present. We know that Hatice completely stood against Hürrem because of her simultaniously threatening dynasty and family and what they stood for in Hatice's eyes. However, there have been two exceptions throughout S03A where Hatice actually sided with Hürrem or was shown to be empathetic to her. One of the exceptions was Süleiman falling ill once again in E78 where she was standing next to Hürrem and sharing her desire to see SS recover. That circumstance is similar to what E55 offered, because Hatice saw Hürrem in a better light, albeit for a moment in this case, while showing a loyalty to both the dynasty and the family that is Süleiman. That's where they're able to set their differences even in times where they are full on enemies. It is possible that Hatice may show a hint of understanding for Hürrem's suicide, because she is showing some kind of loyalty to Süleiman and after all, Hatice did once truly admire their love and even understood Hürrem's urge to send the Russian concubines off back in S01. She could understand why Hürrem did it and even empathize with it in part. It wouldn't be completely impossible, since she also has an idea of what it is like. But on the other hand, things have changed since S01: Firuze is the person Hatice counted on to take the win out of Hürrem's hands and Hatice was in such a state that she wanted Firuze to completely take over, which would make us think.

Nonetheless, learning of Hürrem's suicide attempt would definetly surprise Hatice, because even though she wanted for Firuze to take away Hürrem's Thursdays, such a reaction from Hürrem wouldn't be that expected and she would possibly view it as extreme even, since as I have said, Hatice didn't want to kill her in S03A. To knock her down a peg, to put her in her place, yes, but to want or expect such an ending for her, with her doing it herself.. I don't think so. She could even ask her is she okay and even thank Afife for saving her. Again, I don't think it would change their dynamic all that much, probably would keep a bigger eye on Firuze's moves?, but it would be a little moment of piece between them and Hatice could really sympathize. Because Hatice is still very human at her core.

[Side note: Ayşe Hafsa's dynamic with Hürrem changed so much after she saw Hürrem in E55, namely because she saw another side of Hürrem, virtues she didn't think she had and for the defense of which she stood up against Hürrem - again, the loyalty to dynasty and family. In E38, when she overheard her, she saw Hürrem marching against all of them by saying she would get rid of basically everyone and then her seemigly using SS's trust and love for her in cold calculation. In E55, she saw her love for SS in a different better light, a loyalty so strong and contrasting it negated every doubt Valide had against her and made her fully support her as a result. To be fair, the contrast with Mahidevran also helped, since Valide was conversely disappointed by a person she had an almost familial bond with and it's just that the occurrences in the whole episode were just so massive they made her switch from one side to another. Her son's future was put in question as much as her own.

Afife wasn't really an enemy of Hürrem's. She was more of a "lawful neutral" type of character: she helped with the Firuze case only because she was led to believe that Hürrem disrupted the balance in the harem and this balance could be fixed only through another woman. She told Hürrem off that one time, because Afife was so loyal to the laws she found herself to act by them and them alone, thus claiming that Hürrem isn't a Valide Sultan and Afife could arrange the entertainment regardless. (and also because the plot demanded it.) There wasn't any personal ire there. But Hürrem's suicide is something that touched her on a personal level, for she loves SS as her own son. That's once again, something she has never had the chance to see in her life, something new that moved her and made her more supportive of Hürrem and view Firuze in another way. Because after such event she couldn't help, but think: "Could Firuze do the bold thing the legal wife and the mother of his majesty's five kids just did?".]

[dontbesoweirdkira]

Being Present Mic’s favorite student would include

A/n: why don’t yall show my mans any love? Like damnn smh he just out here breaking people's eardrums and tingz and y'all cant even give him some acknowledgement or what not smh. Present Mic stans, you may now rise

-I imagine you’d be like that American exchange student and you laughed at a bad pun he did in english and he felt super special because no one ever understands the puns he does, so now he’s just constantly bothering you

-like you’re just walking down the hall, trying to get to class and you just hear 

-”HEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYY Y/NNNNN MRS.AMERICAAAAAAAAAAAA.”

-*invoked with fear*

-Like seriously he won’t leave you alone…..at all

-”Y/NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN what’s upppPPp?”

-He love speaking in english to you because it’s keeps him refreshed and plus it’s fun seeing Aizawa all flustered because he only understands 60 percent of what you guys are saying

-You get used to him I promise, he’s actually like the sweetest little thing that wants the best for you uwu. Like if you’re a shy student he’ll break you out of your shell most definitely!!

 -He asks you to do his introductions because aizawa refused for the 1000th time but it actually was super fun so you don’t mind

-”GIIIVE IT UP FOR PRRREEEEEESEEEENNNTTTTTTT MICCCCCCCCC THE ONLYYYY ONEEE THATTT CAAAAN BREAAAAK YOUURR EARDRUUUMSSS AND WILL TO LIVVEEEE IN UNDER A MINUTE.”

-He did a super long hyped up into for you at the sports festival like and he kept cheering you on soo much he was like a soccer dad watching his little princess play her first game

-I swear he was wearing a shirt that said ‘Go Y/N!!’

-Everyone knows you’re his favorite like if you thought All might and Deku thing was a bit much well like he is on a whoooleeee new level

-Speaking of All might and little broccoli, there is an unspoken rivalry between All might and Present. They are always like

-”Haha did you see young Midoriya’s moves today? He is working so hard, he’ll be a great hero soon!”

-”Yeah of course, BuT did yOU sEE mY Y/N todaY????

-SocCeR DAdS

-You and deku kinda does friendly competitions just to watch the two teachers go at it

-”DEKU CLEARLY WON MIC.”

-”LISTEN YOU BLIND FOSSIL IT WAS Y/N!!”

-It was a tie tbh

-Always asking you about American slang and terms like brooo

-”y/n what’s a yeet? Someone told me  I need to yeet off a building and I kinda wanna do it for my next youtube video on youtube.”

-You helped him set up the youtube channel btw

-”so i say period after something truthful is said?”

-”YOUUUUUU ARE THE BESSSSTTTTTT STUUUUUDENTTT Y/NNNNN PERIOODDDD.”

-”like that?”

-You keep him updated on all the trends and make sure his outfits are looking good

-He lets you design a new logo for his brand

-Did I mentioned he’s like super sweet. Like one day you opened your locker to find a note he wrote for you.

-”Heeeeyyyyy Y/NNNNNNN, 

Whats upp best student evvvvvaaaaa???? I just wanted to say i’m proud of you and I heard from a little sleepy birdie (sensei Aizawa) that you aced your test in hissss claaaaaassss wooooooo!!!!! Because of that i mayyyyyyy haveee brought you ice cream that may or may not be in the fridge in the teachers lounge that you may or may not can get during lunch perioddd…… anyways MIC OUT!”

-He helps you control and project your powers when you are struggling with them

-Helps you with the weird Homework assignments All might and Aizawa gives you

-”wtf is this shit? This is your homework?? Hold on, I’m calling shouto .”

-Lets you sleep in his class

-He is like your personal translator if your japanese is a bit iffy or you don’t know how to say something

-Oh and Aizawa adores you also but like he keeps it on the down down low. Like people actually thinks he kinda doesn’t like you but that is not the case at all. Like he supports Mic’s constant spoiling of you and might throw in a gift or two with him.

-Aizawa looks at you guys as his two kids that he will literally protect at all costs. 

-If anyone is messing with you or you need something just yell out ”MR.HIZASHIIIIIII.” or “MR.AIZAWA” and he’ll be there in under a minute.

-Bakugou threatened you once, and Aizawa and Hizashi heard….lets just say he never messed with you again.

-Same goes for you, if anyone is teasing or talking wrongly about Present Mic, you’ll square up any day.

-”yeah he’s like so weird and does he realize that no one thinks he’s cool like stop trying so hard.”

-FigHt mOde ActIvaTeD

-You got in trouble but it was totally worth it and Mic was super flattered but as a teacher he still had to discipline you. He high five you tho and said he wasn’t mad and he only got you in trouble because the other teachers would have bashed him for favoritism

-Once you get more comfortable with him, You guys have like daily talks about anything and everything, he’s a really good listener and will listen to your weekly rants.

- Despite being a literal crackhead, he is super wise and has a lot of knowledge so if you need advice, just ask.

-Knows when you aren’t feeling your best and tries his all to make you smile, it usually ends up working and you’re just laughing at his bad jokes and he’s like

-”YYyyyYYYYy/NNNNNNnnnnnnNNNNNNnNnnn IS FEELiNG BEtTTeRRR  YAYayYAAY!”

-He’ll let you hide out with him and Aizawa when there’s a bunch of kids are crowding you and asking questions about your home country or when school is just overwhelming

-”MR.HIZASHIII THEY ARE AFTER ME AGAAAAIIIIN.”

-He’d 10/10 adopt you if he could

-He invited you on his radio show like twice, it actual helped gained a lot of listeners from a younger audience and even some international people listened in as well. It was actually pretty fun, of course you were a bit nervous you weren’t sure to expect but it was reallly cool. It was almost like an interview, he asked you a few questions about yourself and your school life even opinions on different heros or what not.

-DO NOT AND I REPEAT DO NOT LET THIS FOOL KNOW YOUR BIRTHDAY, HE WILL EMBARRASS YOU INFRONT OF THE WHOOOOLEEE SCHOOL I SWEAR NO ONE CAN STOP HIM

-”But Mr.MIcCCcCc plEAsE Dontttt iTs NOt A BIg DeaL.”

-”i must y/N….LETSSS A BIGGGGGGG HAPPY HAAAAAPPPPYYYYY BIRTHDAAAAYYYYY TOOOO Y/NNN L/NNNN-”

-you died 

-He got a little cake made for you, it had little candies and sparklers on it. It was mega adorbs.your name was also on it but it was spelled wrong. 

-”Here ya go Y/N! Sorry your name is spelled wrong...i tried to fix it but it got all smudged so i just left it.” 

-For his Birthday, you made a picture frame that had a selfie with the two of yall and gave him a little card that said, “Happy Birthday The best teacher evaa! You’re super great and I hope one day we can fight side by side and be the best duo in history! Enjoy your day old man. -The best student evaaa”

 -You teamed up with eraser head to throw a little surprise party for him at a cute little restaurant and he ended up crying sksksksksksdnjksk it was so soft.  

-At the dance you didn’t have a date or anything so ya boi Mic danced with you and it was uwu like super soft. He even walked around with you a bit and let you wrap your arm around his, like he’s the best teacher seriously

-At the end of the year when it was time for you to go back to America, he was devastated like seriously he’d miss you and y’alls antics. He practically begged you not to go back. Yeah he held your leg and cried on the floor….Aizawa had to pull him off of you so you could leave 

-”Don’t cry Mr.Hizashi!! I I’ll see you again one day! Thank You so much for being an awesome teacher this year, I’ll miss you.”

-you actually got approved  to come back the following year but you kept it a secret so you could surprise him when you walk in his class again.

-he was big boi shocked 

-”YYYYYYYYYYyyYYyyYyYYy/NNnnNnnNNNnnn SKDJNKHDKSK YOU’RE BACKKKKK WHERES AIZAWA I GOTTA tELL HIM SILDKSISJSSKKSNJSK DID YOU CUT YOUR HAIR OMHDNKJD  ITS SO CUTEEE AHHHAHSHJSHSJHS AZIAWAAA LOOK AT OUR LITTLE GIRL SSKLKSMLS.”

[baegarrick]

hi hello so i’m coming to you because you’re the only person in the zukka fandom that i’ve seen blogging about the old guard and i love that movie SO MUCH and i can’t stop thinking about immortal zukka..... aang as either nile or andy bc i can’t choose, andy wouldn’t lose her immortality, and no one would betray anyone bc i say so 😌 how do you think an atla/the old guard au would work?? (zukkababey)

ok i rly love the idea of immortal everyone but tbh!!! i really dont know enough about asian history to like... go into detail about this honestly and I really didn’t want to come off as racist by fudging some stuff, but here r some bulletpoints about Things

(also u can slide into my dms 2 talk about this if u want, or if u have a discord, sorry it too so long I literally cant stop writing when I get on Topics. I'm so sorry if this gets off topic)

Sokka & Katara

In this au they’re not biologically related, but are both Inuit

Sokka dies first in a skirmish with another group of indigenous people in northern Canada (Inuit Nunangat) sometime prior to 1800

He knows he died, his people saw him die, and he doesn’t understand what’s happening (I really don’t know enough about the Inuit people to say whether they would have rejected him or tried to help him understand what happened to him)

however, I’d like to think they’d at least tell him to talk to the angakkuq, the shaman, and would probably see this as a positive thing

Eventually his band of people would whittle down to just a dozen or so, after long winters and harsh climates, and they were forced to assimilate with other bands who didn’t have ancestors who were there when Sokka died in the first place, so he has to move on.

He travels around for a while, trading and learning and staying in bands for a few years before moving on to another group, until it’s the 1800s

Around this time, Katara is born (and dies)

She refuses to stand down against a white French hunter who wanted to take one of the young women in her village as a wife, and she’s killed, and the woman is taken anyway.

When she wakes up, she’s furious, and before she can understand what happened to her, she finds the man and kills him. She’s arrested and set to be killed when Sokka finds her.

They aren’t biological siblings, but they come from the same people, and the world is changing rapidly and they’re the only people they know who are like this. The idea of marrying Katara is the worst thing that Sokka can think of-- look at her, she’s just a baby!!-- so they call each other siblings and travel together.

Zuko

ok again i know literally 0 things about chinese history like i googled “female chinese warriors” for suki and got like 100 things for mulan

Zuko is old, probably one of the oldest of the (living) group, but younger than Aang

he was the first son of the second son of the emperor in a time of political conflict in China. His father, the prince, was at war with his own brother who Zuko considered a father figure.

zuko speaks out against his father and is killed for being a traitor, but, guess what, he doesn’t die!!! his father does it again for posterity and uhhhhhh still doesn’t die. (or rather, dies, and comes back)

here’s where my uhhhhhh lack of knowledge is Bad

would his father banish him for being cursed? for somehow being against the gods?

or would he force him to fight in his armies, against his uncle, because he can’t die?

I was going to go with “banished” but fighting for decades in a fight he doesn’t want to be in is so! much! worse!

his father wants to know the secrets of his immortality and when he can’t share it he’s tortured and tested for years, and eventually sent out to fight as an immortal soldier who can’t die.

eventually he escapes, and leaves china for a long time (he doesn’t return for centuries)

he is highly distrustful of anyone for years bc of his father!! he wanders around for years like he does in Zuko Alone (or like Quynh before Andy finds her) and while he sees small bits of humanity, he has little faith in it and their wars, because he is Not One Of Them

For money he joins bandit groups or warlords or mercenaries, because why does any of that matter to him? Everyone dies.

Eventually he meets Aang, who is Humanity Personified, and Aang asks him if he thinks they can be friends-- but they’re on opposite sides of this conflict and Zuko is too disillusioned to want that. (they part ways)

He meets a man, Iroh, who reminds him of his uncle. They travel together for far longer than Zuko normally would, because he likes having a father figure, and because Iroh lost a son about Zuko’s age. They travel for years and Zuko never ages, so eventually he has to leave. Iroh finds him a few years later, greyer and slower, but tells Zuko that he knows about Zuko.

Zuko reacts poorly to this, lashing out, but Iroh is calm. Zuko breaks down and tells him he can’t give Iroh what he wants. (what Zuko assumes he wants-- what they all want, immortality)

But Iroh’s like, why would I want that? it sounds like a curse, son. Why would I want to never see my son again?

He tells Zuko: we’re not meant to be alone

After Iroh passes a few years later, he tries to track down Aang but can’t find him. He, however, has dreams about the others.

alternatively///////// japanese zuko?????? RONIN ZUKO???? love it but im too tired to think of More Than That after typing all the chinese zuko stuff up, although im Sure a ton of it would cross over bc im vague as Hell

Aang

he’s the oldest of the group but you wouldn’t know it!!!!

Roku was his mentor, the first immortal that any of them know of. He’s thousands of years old when Aang meets him. (He’s also the first to die. He shows Aang that All Things Must Die)

Aang is Tibetan, a Buddhist monk, one of the earliest, maybe the 7th century?

He dies in a temple fire

here again my complete and utter lack of knowledge is Bad

according to Dzogchen, individuals can transform their body into an immortal rainbow light, so there’s some mention of immortality in certain parts of Tibetan Buddhist culture, but idk how widespread that is since wikipedia didnt even have a source for it

he becomes a missionary and travels around asia for decades before Roku finds him

Roku!!! he’s an Old Immortal, and probably wants to die a little bit at this point, and he eventually does!! but for awhile he and Aang travel around together, and butt heads a bit bc Aang’s pacifist nature, and Roku thinks Aang Will Change as he gets older

aang is absolutely devastated by the Mongol invasion of Tibet in the 13th century

roku dies about a hundred years after he meets aang, and aang travels around a little aimlessly for awhile, learning all kinds of things and befriending people he’ll outlive. it dampens his spirits a bit.

eventually he meets Zuko, who’s far more jaded than Roku was, even, and wants to be friends, but respects Zuko’s decision otherwise.

Eventually, aang travels with the Norse to Canada in the 15th century, but when they leave they don’t take him with them. Instead, he ends up frozen ala steve rogers. Katara and Sokka find him a few hundred years later.

alternatively////// Aang IS the newest kid. he’s the Nile of the group. He’s still a Tibetan monk, and views this as a teaching/learning opportunity. He would also probably like everyone to stop killing each other. Sokka rolls his eyes at him constantly.

Toph

toph is a struggle bc how do you deal with an IMMORTAL BLIND GIRL

I’m gonna stick w her show backstory: rich, blind daughter of a wealthy Chinese family

Is kidnapped and her throat is slit when she’s young (maybe an older teenager) and the kidnappers panic, leaving her body. She’s found, namely unharmed, and resumes life despite the fact she knows she died.

However, being a privileged young girl, she’s kept under watch and it quickly becomes known that she’s immortal.

She’s regarded as a living deity for centuries until she meets Suki, who rescues her from the place and teaches her to fight. (she becomes a myth, later, rather than a historical fact)

alternatively//////// she could have been first generation chinese-american, and therefore the youngest

Suki

Suki was a third generation female warrior of her family who guarded the boarder during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), and trained from a young age in martial arts. (insp by the story of Mu Guiying)

She’s a war orphan, and leads an army of war widows and orphan women, but meets her untimely end with some of her sisters in a reign of arrows. She’s buried by some of her sisters before she wakes up again, and has to claw her way to the surface.

Her sisters don’t know how to react to her (a lot like Nile’s soldiers) so she eventually leaves them.

After her death, she hears rumors of a living goddess (Toph) and goes to see if there really is another person like her, and finds one of the people from her dreams (Toph)

She trains Toph to fight despite her being blind, and the pair become an unusual duo for a couple hundred years.

eventually, they start dreaming about a pair of siblings in the New World (not that new!! people live there!!) and book passage there in the 1800s with the first major wave of Chinese immigration

They dream about each other. it happens a lot at first, but it tapers out over the years. it grows stronger whenever a new one (katara) is born, but Katara and Sokka have NO desire to leave their homeland to go look for these strange people until they find Aang. (what languages might they have in common? russian??? the russians came to settle alaska, I know bc my stepmom is native alaskan and russian--- the Mongols invaded TIbet and Mongolia is right next to Russia, so Aang might know it??)

When they find Aang, Suki and Toph start dreaming of them again, and so does Zuko and they all start making their way to San Francisco. The Chinese wouldn’t arrive in Canada until around the 1850s (according to google) so Sokka probably wouldn’t speak any Chinese (mandarin???? i dont know things), but Zuko might speak some English or Russian. [really just gonna be a bunch of chinese, inuit, and tibetan people speaking russian to each other, isn’t it??]

Aang greets Zuko like an old friend, and Zuko Does Not know what to do with that. he’s skirtish and shy and hasn’t really been around a lot of friendly people. Sokka does NOT trust him. At all!! (he wants Katara to stay FAR AWAY from him. stick with the harmless monk we found at the bottom of a lake, katara.)

They find Suki and Toph in a bar. Toph hustling people for money, and Suki drinking at the bar. It’s very strange to have all of them around, and it’s like, 1830. they all decide they like each other, after they get some good old fashioned stabbing in-- Katara is the only woman Sokka has been around whos like him, and she’s like his little sister, and all he wants to do is Protect Her, so he doesn’t know what to do with women who known knives. (get his ass handed to him, thats what)

I want Zuko to be a broody mess but honestly he’d probably revert back to yelling at people/things in ancient Chinese (mandarin? I’m not really sure what period he’s from exactly). He’s still got that Good streak in him, esp since he’s like, a hundred years off his adopted uncle Iroh.

and you know what? 1830 america is NOT a cool place for anyone!! least of all asian immigrants, native americans, or women of either group

So the Gaang take to helping those people out any way they can. (Aang wants Peace, but you know white people, we don’t listen). They actively get involved in the underground railroad, eventually the civil war, and also helping out native americans, as well as chinese immigrants working on the railroads.

also so sorry I know the ask was about Zukka but I had to write a million words about their backstories first

Zuko + Sokka eventually come to a truce as the only dudes in this entire group who are willing to fight. Sokka is interested in both men and women, but he’s never really shared his life with anyone, and it’s the same for Zuko. Sokka, because he was regarded as an elder with his people, and after that he could only stay a few years. He had lovers, like Yue, but they all eventually died and Sokka couldn’t do anything about it!! Zuko, because while he also had lovers, he couldn’t really bear to be around humanity for a long time after what happened to him. (he’s vehemently opposed to slavery)

I think they get together at first just kind of because there isn’t really anyone else. Suki + Toph are kinda their own thing (are they lovers? sisters in arms? who knows), Katara is like Sokka’s sister (and if Zuko touches her Sokka will end his destiny permanently), and Aang is... aang.

It’s sorta a friends-with-benefits thing, except its an immortal warrior reluctant companions-with-benefits thing because can you really call this a friendship?? (its a family, eventually). Eventually it’s just kind of always been a thing. Sokka checking Zuko first when he comes back to life, counting down the second to make sure Zuko comes back at all. Zuko tells people he’s the only one allowed to kill Sokka, because lets be honest, the first couple of months with rowdy immortals meant killing each other a lot. When Sokka is killed violently in the Civil War, he wakes up half an hour later (slow, slow), to find a field of bodies and Zuko sitting next to him with his dao blades in the dirt, waiting for him. Sokka tries to make a joke, but it just makes Zuko mad, because what if that was the last time. (sokka jokes that he’s young, yet, not like Zuko)

They don’t really talk about it, partially because they don’t live in a world where it’s acceptable. What kind of title fits when you can only use it with 5 other people? But this time, when Zuko was afraid Sokka might not wake up, thirty years after they met, after lifetimes of being alone for both of them?? Sokka has to let Zuko know he loves him. Loves him!!! He’s not just here for the meantime.

thats all I have rn bc its 9pm and I’ve been writing this for like 3 hours. again if u wanna slide into my dms or if u have a discord and wanna talk about this/other stuff hmu. so sorry this got off topic.

also, the order I had them born in is:

roku --> aang --> Zuko --> suki --> toph --> sokka --> Katara

which may or may not be accurate to my timeline lol

Sokka probably speaks all of the Inuit languages, as well as French, English, and Russian, being alive for long enough to learn it all.

Katara refuses to learn French. Hates it. Never wants to learn.

She and Sokka personally keep Inuit traditions and languages alive as elders of their community, though it’s so much harder in modern times to stay connected to their culture bc they don’t age!!

disclaimer: bc the show was written as a complete mashup of several cultures I had to like..... pick where ppl were from. I picked china for Zuko/Suki/Toph bc they have a beautiful culture and a lot of dynasties I have heard a lot about recently while half watching the history channel. I really, really don’t know a lot about non-white culture as a white american from FLORIDA (so like, literally the farthest place you can get from the Inuit people and still be on the same continent). if you know more about these cultures than I do and I said something blatantly wrong pls let me know and I will change it.

[roseprincesskristina]

The Blue Pacifist's Delectable Dessert

((Heya guys. I have to upgrade a previous fanfic I made last year to make it a little more steamy than before. Changed a few sentences since they didn't come out right, fixed the title and such. But now, here's a better revamped version of everyone's favorite Maverick hunting duo enjoying their off duty vacation, or a private "meeting" away from their comrades at Hunter HQ. Before reading, you don't have to read or view this that involves yaoi, especially sexual stuff. However, for those of you who admire boy's love, then feel free to enjoy the fiction with your heart's content. Anywho, hope you guys enjoy reading! 😊✌))

Pairing: X/Zero

Rated: M

Franchise: Megaman X

Daytime at Maverick Hunter HQ, before the maverick crimes have occurred into the middle of the town on Abel City. Humans and Reploids still coexist as one into the similar society without restrictions. At Headquarters, the fearless hunting crusaders X and Zero, dueling against the king of all maverick monstrosity as well as former commander, Sigma. Right now, they are off duty to enjoy their lives together with no further disturbances from anyone. Especially the dual pistol wielding wild child, Axl. 

The brunette is finally working onto the reports in peace, away from the devastating wars, genocide and such, just to clear his mind except one memory to be stored forever. The only person who truly looks up to him more than others and accepts him for who he really is that he cannot live without: Zero. A serious mentor who is no joke and meant business when it comes to criminals. Even blood thirsty irregulars. Elsewhere, he is practicing in the training simulator for a perfect score, no mistakes. Thinking about his partner while training fuels his stamina, speed, strength and mind to increase ten times faster than before, as well as running away from his nightmarish past. Slashing and hacking each and every one of them in one sweep of a broom or feather cleaner. His saber is the vacuum and mavericks are the dust that spread the mess across the carpet. All set and done, this session has been completed. Civilians saved, villains whacked. With nothing better to do, he returns to check on his friend for an “emergency meeting”.

“Yo, X.”

“Oh. Hey Zero. How are you?”

“Meh, training’s alright. But way too easy for yours truly.”

“He he he. As you always say.”

Both of them chuckled during a small conversation. 

“So anyway, X. We’re gonna be attended on a serious meeting this afternoon about something important.”

“OK, Zero. I’ll be there shortly.”

He nodded as the rose red android walked off to his room. With a special plan he has in mind for his shy lover while rubbing his hands together, chuckling evilly.

“He he he he… Oh, I’ll give him a serious meeting alright. A very special one in store he’ll never forget for the rest of his life." 

This afternoon passed, the forest pupil eyed peace lover has been reminded about this "meeting” that his buddy mentioned earlier to participate as he walked over to his room to tell him that it will began shortly. The red blonde is already ahead of him, all prepped for something sexually important. A perfect chance for some fun until the blue hunter begins to knock on his partner’s door, but it was opened automatically.

“Hello? Zero? Are you in here? I’m here to inform you about the starting of today's meeting. Are you ready?”

He went inside to pick him up for the meeting, but then, something around the room has changed quickly. Red all around him, completely established. Candles, roses, and more into a special decoration. Could this be some sort a trick or perhaps anything else?

“Yes, my little soft cupcake~. I’m ready~. And this time, there’s gonna be some changes around here~. We’re having our own private meeting together~. Alone~"

The deep soothing and calm voice was coming from the shadows echoing across the brunette when the door had suddenly closed behind him automatically. Then, a strange long haired silhouette proceeds slowly with one hand placed onto the hip exiting from the bathroom. Closer and closer to him with the pink reddish tongue rotating across his lips.

"Z...Zero?"

“Come over here, my cute little disciple~" Allured the sunshine headed superior with his finger moving, commanding the sea armored buster user to proceed at him. "And let me.......comfort you with my hospitality~"

"Well... Alright then." Responded the blueberry 17th commander, covered by his own shade of blushed scarlet while proceeding towards his hard yet sexy senpai.

It was Zero, who had faked the whole scheme about the serious meeting shtick all along by surprise, roping his arms around his cerulean lover's neck after approaching himself to him.

"So~ How about you, X~? You ready for our occasional meeting alone~? With your one and only senpai~?" Comely said the erotic crimson ex maverick, rubbing his bae's underchin.  

"Uhh… Zero?” Flustered the shy Light bot. 

“Shhhhh~…. No need to speak, little man~” The blond placed his finger onto his young lover’s lips to interrupt his question, placing him politely onto the bed to sit him down. "Just try to relax by taking a seat to forget about those dull reports all day long and enjoy a quality time of watching me perform for you~“ 

"O...OK..." He hardly gulped.

Before the start of this romantic business, the sapphire droid looked towards his lover for a moment. Seeing him in a different outfit. Meaning that he’s not wearing his inner suit underneath his armor, but it shows off half of his body and abs while wearing a sparkling knotted crop top sided with a long dancing dress knotted around his waist, the different kind with a slit design showing the left leg. Detailed with a non see through mask to cover the luscious lips for later, along with the initialed pierced Z shaped gem within his succulent navel. It was very hot for him to wear, so he strips from it to cool down. Golden hair fully tightened into a ponytail to make it doesn't blond his view from gazing towards his pure blue joy.

"Uhh… Uhhh…” The brunette was speechless after witnessing his mentor’s gorgeous abs, blushing nervously like a strawberry.

“Mmm, you like my flawless abs, X~? He he he he~... Then perhaps I might show it off to you, if you like~” He winked flirtatiously at the empathetic B class buster user, starting to do a lustful belly dance slowly for a pleasurable entrainment while moving his manly hips to spice up the entire mood, including his partner in crime. Blowing a kiss while performing to keep the commander of the 17th unit company. As he dances, the unique hips are starting to sway motionly, performing in front of the only person he knows and trust the most. Then, he began to stroke all over his entire body endlessly to throw the mild pleasure upon his partner, moaning in satisfaction.

“Z…Zero..? What is going on?” The bright sapphire shades gun bearer asked, dripping by the sweat of flush.

“He he he he he~ No need to ask such pointless questions, baby blue~ What you really need to do is focus on my delicious hot body, waiting for you to become its victim~.” Winked the previous irregular android, motioning his hands upon his iron well being seductively right in front of X. 

Shaking his harden hips rapidly will shut away the boring stuff from his lover’s mind, wanting him to focus on what’s important, increasing the intensity of his energy. He slowly runs his entire body all over his abs and crotch to create an endless spell upon the shy brunette. To permanently spread around this room including him. Endlessly.

“Succumb to my glorious gem, X~ Try not to flee away from something impossible to resist so easily~” He compelled, pouring more of his charms on his tree bark haired boyfriend. “Obey my hard, ripped, succulent body~”

“Z...Zero…? Have you gone....insane all of a s-!”

Before he could even ended his sentence, the tall motivator in red jammed his lips into his shyly lover's, eating away the dreary worries right out of his body with a seductive force. But slowly while placing the hand onto his partner's cute little crotch.

"M...Mmmmph~?!"

"Mmmmmmmmmmm~"

"Mmmmph~! Mmmmmmmph~!"

"Mmmmmmm~ Mmmmmm~"

A few hours then, after for a longing spell of a smooch given by the upperclass crimson has forced the B class novice to wallow in a pool of desires, no hoping for exits or escape plans as an excuse to leave but to accept this love virus seeping down his core. Replacing the bad memories filled with conflict, into something more clear and important as in "staring at anything beautiful like my best friend" type memory.

"So baby~ What did ya think of my gift~?" He asked with awareness.

"It's beautiful, my master~...." Replied the blue sky themed android, compelled fully despite of the deep slurping kiss. "I will happily cherish your gift by placing my eyes onto you~...."

"Good boy~"

Perfectly hypnotized by the further kiss, the blond seductively dances his way to him with his hips rattling, bending over to make out with his friend’s lips deeply. Taking his hands and placed them on his buffed waists in the middle of dancing as he kisses the young blueberry, who started to caress his boyfriend’s legs non stop in a looping motion.

“Mmm~ I love it when you playfully massage my thighs, X~” He sighed in pleasure while kissing the honorable blue hunter some more. "Oh, your hands are so soft and yet also deliciously warm on my body~ Ohhh~ Unh~ U...Unh~..."

“Mmm…” The muffled moan during the mouth connection has drained the sadness out of the cerulean individual and filled his body with satisfaction. 

Now his true focus is on the one person he knows and trust while circling his arms onto his golden haired lover’s hips. While dancing even more lustfully, he smoothly strokes his body all over once more until suddenly…..

“Oops~! He he he he~ Oh my~.... What an unfortunate accident I’ve done to myself~. Or is it~?” He giggled, pretended that one of his fingers have slipped into his innie of the stomach.

The accident that happened right now is that the former scarlet Wily bot have “accidentally” placed his finger inside his diamond shaped navel. One of the most flawless man cave to ever search into, or perhaps to play with it slow and hard. 

The kind hearted gunner started to blush even darker when he first witness his red bae’s “accidental act” that he did. Almost fainted by chance, but unfortunately not. His pure little heart would began to pump a beat slowly and hastily at the same time. 

“Z….Zero! What in God’s name are you doing?!” Blushed the B Class hunter, covering his nose to prevent the starting of the perverted bleeding. But it’s useless.

“He he he he~ Maybe I should.... play with my cave just to amuse you even more~” Said the A Class mentor with a seductive tone, rubbing his godly pit of the navel with his finger before shoving it inwards by a slow motion.

He does so right away by circling his finger inside the navel slowly before doing something hard and fun. Moaning softly and panting with pleasure and starting swirling his tongue upon his lips has made the peace loving android very love sick. Seeing his lover playing around with his beautiful navel, this is completely new to him. His perfect desire towards his lovable potential boyfriend has launched the rocket up to the stars for a special 4th of July. The blue hunter flustered in red, attempting to resist this dazzling beauty before him, trying to fight off the spell from possessing his mind. However, it is no use to defend himself from it. 

“Mmmmmm~ It’s useless to resist, X~ Especially from my flawless charms~Just surrender to it and worship my treasure tomb~” He sexually compelled the young reploid, playing with his navel some more and licking his lips in sultry with a purr. Wiggling his entire hips to move his tiny tummy hole very closely to the sapphire droid. "Come on, boy~ I know you wanna taste this sweet dessert that you desperately desire~ Or are really you nervous~? He he he he~"

"G...Good God..." He gulped once again, fighting off his own inclination by attempt. Avoiding to break the code of the Maverick Hunters regulation that was promised not to disobey, but the irresistible charms caused by the blonde sword user would place a cage upon him to make it very impossible to ignore or to escape. With no choice but to suffer and witness the "poisonous" beauty before him. 

"Oooooh~ My navel is so hot along with my body~ Don't you agree, my sweet little kohai~?" Flirted the flaming themed slasher, deepening his tasty treasure hole to force his blooming violet to submit. Stretching it wide by two fingers of the other hand should be able to create an irresistible trick to toss it across his face. Exiting the entire tongue right out of his mouth, preparing for a rocking party, running the lips into a slowly yet circular pose. "It feels so good when I pleasure it so passionately~ And yet so freaking hot from all the hard work under the summer evening~ Maybe I should fetch something cool to keep my hard sexy body fully hydrated~" With that said, he immediately swipe the bottle of clear water kept in his mini fridge and opened it by removing the cap. However, the idea in his head was right ahead of him when he started to pour the pure H2O all over his whole anatomy. Chest orbs, stomach, the works in order to ultimately arouse the blushing B Class warrior. And most importantly, his crispy navel until one of the drops have entered within it.  

"Mmmmm~ That's much better~ So refreshing~" He moaned, while being all wet with more liquid splashed upon him. "I'm feeling so filthy when my body is still sweaty~ Guess I should clean myself up because I'm a dirty hunter~" Still moist into the raining drips of clean water, he commenced himself by caressing the crimson armored anatomy all day long. Sided with massaging the chest and crotch. Secondly, the rounded booty. Then last but not least, his treasured innie.

"Ahhh~ I can't stop polishing myself when I'm around you, baby~ Even my flavorable cavern is quite moist too, especially since I punish it~" He groaned in satisfaction, screwing with his irresistible abs and navel rapidly "without" ever to control himself or urges. Arousing his precious little pacifist by getting him to submit.

"Mmmm~ What a naughty little navel I have~ So soggy and yet irresistibly moist~ It even wants me to give a little punishment for being so wet from this cool water~"

"*gasps* M...My goodness... His gorgeous body.... Along with his navel... It's so... sexy.... No...! I must resist from this distraction.... I must..." He hyperventilates. Feeling of his core skipping a beat like a heart due to exercising for raising the blood level. He began to shield his eyes by looking away from the unavoidable charm, however, had almost peered at the handsome sun haired mentor's navel.  

"Mmmmmm~ That's right, baby blue~ What you've seen before you is the most perfect jewel of all~ You see, my navel may be beautiful, but it's kinda dirty for me to clean it up~ If only there's someone with a tender heart that would do me a huge favor, I'll gladly give him a special reward for his hard work~" He roleplayed, staring the attention at the sky colored freedom fighter who is still struggling to battle against his urges. 

The gorgeous red individual takes his other finger to allure the young reploid into a  “comehere” position while the other hand seductively explores his man cave even deeper than ever before. He winked at him sexually along with a chuckle and purred into his earport as he tilted forward. h

"Oh X~" Singly spoken the A Class expert, sex talking towards the kind hearted blaster user by lifting his head gently and whispers in his ear. "Mmmm X~ You're even more handsome in that shy expression on your face, trying to look away from my warm, passionate, unyielding body that I'm gonna give you for being a good boy who obeys his master~ I love that in a reploid~ Which is why it makes my navel REALLY hot by your innocence~...." Licking across the listening port, the young commander of the 17th unit have flustered to the max.

"O...Oh d..d..dear...." He shooked with slight hesitation, trying to backward himself from this cornered "predicament".

"Mmmm, I wanna please you the living crap outta you so bad, boy~ Even to punish you all the way~"

"G...Gulp..." The nervousness effect had already gain this opportunity to take him as well as the body under his control to assist him by force, stretching his eyelids of prevention trying not to fall asleep in the center of the blonde beauty's impossible view of sexual performance grappling around him. On the other hand, the tall mentor in bright burgundy strolled forward to give his "more than a friend" boy toy a very longing purr into his ear port.

“Purrrrrrr~"He said into his lover's hearing port. "Just give yourself up, kid~ Like I said before, it's useless to escape from my powerful charms~ Look into my eyes and be mine~ You have no choice but to surrender my spell~ Look at me, X~ Become my slave~"

"U...Uhhh… I….I…. ” Until then, the endless spell has grasped him tightly at last. Showering all over his mind with both his belly dancing pleasure and some delicious navel punishing to erase away the unwanted views of wars and death. All of it will disappear from existence forever 

“Yes, my senpai… I will focus upon your beautiful domain…” Said the hypnotized brunette, completely paralyzed by his lover’s consensual spell. 

“Mmmm~ Much better~” The blond smiled seeing his lover finally succumbed to the spell as he dances his way to him. Shaking his delectable hips non stop along with the investigation going on inside his navel until he finally reaches towards to the shy reploid. Placing his other hand on his cheek, rubbing in circulation like the one with his bottomless pit on the right and then, he tilted once again towards his ear with a ravishing whisper.

“You’ve been a very good boy, X~ I'm so proud of you for paying attention~" Zero grinned with glad. "For doing such a wonderful job, I think it’s time for you to enjoy your well earned dessert~”

He revoke his finger from the navel, gesturing his lover closely with his other one once more as the sensitive hunter slowly advances towards his stomach, preparing for a taste of his scrumptious treat. With him completely under the desirable spell, he shall gain the honors of inserting his tongue into his mentor’s stomach hole while feeling the groping palm squeezing his tiny blue bottom along a little spanking, wanting his bae belching out a silent moan of enjoyment. Finally enjoying the hot meeting with him alone was the excellent plan. Continuously rubbing his senpai’s hips while licking his prized gem. 

“Unh~ Uhh~ Oh yes~ Yes~ That’s it, my dear kohai~ Embrace my treasure closely as your life depends on it~" Panted the irregular hunting master, teasing his disciple's blueberry ass into a circular fashion.

"As you wish, my handsome senpai~” He muffled while licking non stop, blushing in pink shade due to the soft senses from his instructor's hand.

During the enjoyment of a private yet sensual meeting, both of them began to make out all the way upon the bed while the innocent android rubs the hips of his fellow dancer endlessly, while the pepper colored tutor continuously fingers his cave seductively. After that, he allows the emerald eyed hunter to lick inside of it with his tongue, swirling it around as he moaned passionately and permanently. 

“Oh yes~ Yes~ Mmmm~ Worship my man cave, X~ It needs its nourishment and must be parched immediately~” He panted lustfully of commandment

Yes, my sexy mentor~.... I will polish your flawless pit with all my force~...." Replied the ocean colored apprentice, searching deeper within the body hole by tongue.

"Mmmmm~ Oh God~ Unh~ Unh~ Keep going, baby~ Oh, my body is really boiling hot right now~"

The indigo hunter kept going faster and faster than ever while the blond wraps his arms around his neck, holding it closer for a deeper search as well as nourishment. Both of them moaned back and forth, right, left, up, down, in, out, hot, cold, night, day. Things are getting even more intense yet somewhat pleasurable. This sexual meeting between the two hunters is the best important meeting than any other kind of hobby. The master expert purrs again with lust and enjoyment while his indigo student kept licking his favorable snack/dessert further and further. 

“Oh X…. X…. X…. X…. X…. X…. X….X.... X.... X.... X.... X.... X..... X..... X..... X....X!!!!!!!!!

Several times of the red swordsman humming his lover’s name continuously until something inside him erupts with love juice. Panting even faster like he’s rushing to save someone from jeopardy as the sky painted gun fighter kept enjoying it harder and longer until the meeting has been concluded. All of the bad memories deep within the Class A mentor’s brain are finally replaced and done away with at last, storing a new one to help him remember someone close and trustworthy to him always. Finally, he can obtain the rest that he deserves, hugging his beloved blueberry with descending tears.

"Ahhhhh..... God.... That was extraordinary.... Thanks, babe~" He sighed, huffing with a thrill of sensation warming his frozen heart.

Nightfall arises as the beautiful moonlight appears above the skies, shining through the windows. Both hunters are cuddling each other closely, bodies pressed tightly and arms trapped around them in a loving sensual way.

“Oh Zero… This was the most romantic meeting I’ve ever attended to.” Smiled the innocent peace lover, intrigued by this new experience.

“Heh. Glad you think so, babe~ What’s really inspiring is that you really enjoyed the dessert I gave you~” He said.

“Y…Yeah. It really is delicious~” The brunette blushed as the blond kissed him on the forehead.

And so, both of them lean closer for a soft and deep kiss for an amazing day, hopefully it might get even beautiful next time when it’s nighttime. Saying “I love you” to each other before enjoying the comfort of each other within their bed. This has been the best vacation of their lives. No mavericks nor interruptions whatsoever to spoil their loving bonds. Just the two of them, all alone in this room. The blue monarch and the red hornet.

"I love you, my sexy red dragon~"

"I love you too, my beautiful blue unicorn~"

The End

[unlockthelore]

Folding Clothes

While chores aren’t the most exciting thing in the world, they do have a perk to them — one Yuusuke is happy to teach his son.

Chapter 1 of the Doin’ the Human Thing fic and part of the Guns and Roses series on Ao3. For more updates of this specific fic, follow the doin the human thing tag. 

Yuusuke had come to terms with the idea of chores being a necessity in everyday life. While it wasn’t the most exciting thing and he would’ve hardly liked to take out the trash, clean dishes, or sweep the floors — having a clean house took work. Especially when it was a house full of people who needed a bit of cleanliness to wreak their usual havoc. Chores weren’t exciting. However, doing them with his family did provide a certain appeal.

Kurama was often the go-to option if Yuusuke needed something done, and work divided between them was done in no time flat, albeit with no small amount of teasing and a few stolen kisses here and there. It was certainly hard to complain about washing dishes with Kurama hugging him from behind, the solid warmth of his body pressed to Yuusuke’s back and soft lips at his ear whispering wicked things.

Deft fingers toying at the waistband of his sweatpants, quickly moving to safer territory when tiny footsteps accompanied by even tinier voices interrupted the moment. Never failing to make Yuusuke laugh when Kurama shifted from tempting lover to doting father, addressing the small duo who pulled him away for their own needs or the simple want of playing with him.

Normally, Yuusuke would’ve been amenable to Kurama’s helpless glances but the dishes did need to be done. In fact, he might have taken a little longe with them. Allowing the sounds of his children’s squabbling with their father to lull him deeper into his thoughts until the rumbling of the dryer stopped with a loud beep. Drying off his hands, Yuusuke threw the dish towel over his shoulder and started off toward the laundry room. Piling all of the warm clothes into a basket and hefting it in his arms easily, the weight nothing compared to most of the heavy lifting he had to do over the years.

Compared to handling territory disputes and sitting on a makeshift throne while Yomi and Mukuro bickered at one another, Yuusuke would’ve taken folding clothes anyway. Especially if it granted him a view like this. In the short time he’d been gone, Kurama managed to wrangle their two kids into some semblance of order.

The tinny 8-bit music coming from the television’s speakers occupying their son, Asahi, as he swayed from side to side, attempting to beat the most recent level of his game. Yuusuke spied Kurama glancing up from his laptop once or twice, glancing toward the screen, his eyebrow raising when Asahi made a questionable move and lips curling up at the corner when Asahi passed another obstacle.

Kurama’s relationship with video games had been a little rocky ever since their battle with Sensui and while he did enjoy them, it wasn’t until Asahi expressed his interest that he’d truly thrown himself back into the love of them. Time was needed and a few child-friendly explanations on why his father’s breath hitched whenever Asahi reached a “Game Over”, or why he needed a break when Asahi asked him to let him win. But things were getting a little better steadily — it wasn’t fun — but some things in life weren’t.

A little tug at his pants leg turned Yuusuke’s attention downward to a little girl who was no taller than his knee. Her dark hair falling in her eyes as she rubbed at them, tiny sniffles coming with a sleepy whine. Yuusuke setting down the basket to swing her up in his arms, tucking his hands beneath her as she curled closer to his shoulder with a content sigh.

“Tired, Tsubaki?”

“Mm…”

Yuusuke caught a glimpse of golden eyes slipping shut before her small faces pressed to the side of his neck. Gentle snores and even breathing coming after a few pats to the back and a soft hum, the basket lifted up beneath his opposite arm and carried to the couch.

“Do you want me to take her, Yuusuke?” Kurama asked, his voice a touch softer as he reminded Asahi to turn the television’s volume a little lower as to not disturb his sister. With no complaint, the tinny music was barely audible.

Yuusuke hiked Tsubaki up on his hip, ensuring she was still asleep before he turned around to look at Kurama. “Nah, I got her. ‘Sides, how’s work co—“

A rustle of fabric and the basket creaking drew his ear and Yuusuke’s brows furrowed, his gaze dropping to the head of red hair peeking from beneath one of Kurama’s white dress shirts. After moving it aside and squinting, eyes as brown as his own opened, gazing up at him questioningly. To Yuusuke, it was a little cute how much Asahi resembled Kurama. Like his father, Asahi possessed the same mane of red hair, long and filled with demonic energy in every strand which meant it was impossible to cut and wouldn’t stay short for long. It grew at an impressive length and his bangs often covered wide rounded brown eyes. Yuusuke might have been a little biased but he felt blessed with having two beautiful kids, although Asahi’s cuteness was just as weaponized as Kurama’s was.

Asahi smiling up at Yuusuke despite clearly being burrowed in a basket of clean clothes and Yuusuke was hard-pressed not to smile back. Hearing the muffled chuckle from Kurama only earned him a sideways glance.

“… What’re you doing?” Yuusuke asked gently, amusement lilting at his voice betraying him.

Asahi poked one foot in the air and wiggled his toes, seeming to tuck himself deeper beneath another one of Kurama’s dress shirts and Yuusuke’s jacket. “It’s warm in here, daddy.”

Yuusuke couldn’t help laughing. Soft though it was, Asahi didn’t take well to being laughed at when he didn’t know the joke. His nose wrinkling cutely. “I get that, kiddo. I just took these out of the dryer, but I mean what’re you doing in there.”

Asahi squints at him as if he asked the easiest question in the world, and the look is so blatantly him that Yuusuke snorts.

“Being warm?”

Arguing with four-year-old logic seemed a little futile and he did look cozy, but Yuusuke knew that the clothes would lose their warmth eventually, and not fast enough for him to coax Asahi out of them. Tsubaki shifted in his hold, pressing her face against the side of Yuusuke’s neck earnestly, a little brush of something against his arm reminding him of her tail. Her ears following shortly after, twitching and tickling his cheek. Small snores reminding him that she was fast asleep and he sighed.

Like a beacon of hope, Kurama came to the rescue.

“Asahi, those were just cleaned.”

His tone ever patient and gentle when regarding their children, although Yuusuke could practically hear the smile in his voice, the older redhead far too amused with his son’s antics.

Yuusuke could hardly blame him though. He was entertained daily with the mischief that his children got up to and while Asahi shared a greater deal of his looks with Kurama, his creativity was surely derived from Yuusuke. His imagination was vast and wild. Often times, Tsubaki was his partner in crime but whereas she shared Yuusuke’s looks, she had more of Kurama’s disposition down to his humor and wit.

It made them a devastating duo but also the best of friends. Yuusuke was an only child but his friends — namely, Kuwabara — gave him some sense of what it would be like to have a sibling. All of them had become a family to him of sorts and while Kurama was also an only child, they agreed that having more than one child would be nice. And seeing the pair that they had, Yuusuke still felt the same, even when his son dove into a pile of clean clothes just to be warm.

Turning his attention back to Asahi, Yuusuke chuckled seeing the younger redhead staring at the older.

“But I am clean, dad,” Asahi argued and Kurama quirked a brow, leaning against the arm of his chair.

“Yes, but not ‘out of the dryer’ clean.”

Before they could delve into a verbal sparring match, Yuusuke intervened. Laying Tsubaki down on one end of the couch, he freed his hands to lift Asahi out of the basket, not minding his pouting and squirming. Swooping him in close, Yuusuke nudged his nose against Asahi’s own. The pouting ceasing almost immediately and a sunny smile wormed its way past his surly expression, soft giggling as Yuusuke peppered his cheek with kisses before plopping him in Kurama’s lap.

Vendetta between older and younger immediately forgotten as Kurama wrapped his arms around Asahi, practically dwarfing him with his larger frame. Asahi didn’t seem to mind, always happy to cuddle to one of his fathers, and happier when he had a wider view of the world.

His smile impossibly bright, legs wiggling a bit with socked feet narrowly reaching the screen of Kurama’s laptop until Yuusuke eased it out of the way. Sharing a look with Kurama and giving him a kiss upon his head as Asahi finally made himself comfortable.

“… Okay daddy, I don’t wanna lay in there anymore,” Asahi kindly informed Yuusuke, the former detective shaking his head.

“Good to know.”

Pulling down a blanket from the back of the couch, Yuusuke tucked it around Tsubaki, carefully scratching behind her ear and listening to the soft mumbling as she curled into a ball. Her tail tucked close to her and ears pressing back against her head, tiny nails sharpened to claws and twitching. She might have been dreaming about running through Makai again. Yuusuke making a mental note to have another camping trip with the kids on the weekend. Kurama wouldn’t have to work and he could ask Keiko to take over the shop for a little.

He’d have to bribe her with a little something from Makai but it was worth it. And it wasn’t as if he wouldn’t have gotten her anything anyway.

Setting to the task of folding clothes, Yuusuke was acutely aware of the conversation going on behind him.

“Dad…?” Asahi asked in the soft curious tone he used when he was on the verge of asking for something.

Kurama didn’t respond for a second but the clicking of his keyboard slowed. “Yes, little one?”

“Can you move over there?”

Yuusuke arched a brow, glancing over his shoulder long enough to see where Asahi was pointing. Kurama looked as well and smiled, nodding to Asahi’s request.

“Of course.”

Asahi brightened up immediately, hopping down from Kurama’s lap and waiting until he moved to the other side of the living room, sitting down in front of the television with his laptop in hand. It took a moment for him to settle and he leant back against the low table, but Asahi waited patiently, picking up the controller left upside down by the console. After Kurama settled, Asahi leapt into his lap and made himself comfortable, cuddling close to him and picking up his controller. Unabashedly resuming his game as Kurama fiddled with a new set-up for his laptop while allowing his son to sit in his lap.

Yuusuke snorted, pairing together some of Asahi’s socks as he asked teasingly. “Did you really just ask your dad to move so you could sit comfortable?”

Looking over his shoulder amusedly, he saw Asahi peek from around Kurama’s arm with a sheepish smile.

“… Maybe?”

Yuusuke sighed. Well, there was no harm in it. Kurama seemed comfortable where he was and settled into his work just as easily as he did in his own chair. Asahi returning to his game and the quiet evening rolling on until Tsubaki started to make small noises in her sleep. Upset whimpering and sniffling, a signal that she was going to cry before she woke.

“Ah, hell…” Yuusuke cursed under his breath, dropping the t-shirt in hand.

From behind, Asahi called. “Language, daddy,” at the same time that Kurama muttered absentmindedly, “Language, Yuusuke.”

Yuusuke rolled his eyes. Like father, like son. Reaching down to ease the blanket from her tiny fists, Yuusuke tucked his arms around Tsubaki and cradled her close to his chest. Grateful that he wasn’t wearing a shirt as his youki wrapped around her. Skin-to-skin contact, as Shiori put it, worked wonders.

Gradually, her whimpering and warning cries eased into soft grunts and sniffling. Her eyes slowly opening and peering around the room. Golden and glistening with unshed tears, she peered up at Yuusuke and his heart melted. It was hard to hear her crying although he knew at times it was for no reason, he’d do anything to make her feel better. Pressing a few kisses to her crown and muttering softly against her skin.

“There we go. See? It’s just me…”

Tsubaki folded into him, clinging to the longer strands of hair brushing against the back of his neck. A wince barely visible when she tugged a little harder than he liked. He’d have to ask Shizuru to cut it for him again. Nudging the basket to one side, Yuusuke sat at one end of the couch and tucked Tsubaki against him.

“Just me, kiddo.. It’s just me.”

“Why’s Tsu crying?”

Yuusuke glanced up in time to see Asahi’s concerned look, the 8-bit music completely ignored as his character plummeted into the abyss. Most kids would’ve been a little miffed at losing a game but Asahi’s attention wasn’t most kids and his attention was solely on his sister when she was in distress. It was one of the things Yuusuke loved most about him. Asahi took to being an older brother like a fish in water, and helped out tremendously. It was a little jarring at times how one of them would try to complete a task only to find it done, albeit at times sloppily, but practice made perfect and Asahi gave it his all where Tsubaki was concerned.

“She’s still little,” Yuusuke explained. “She gets a bit fussy when she wakes up and isn’ sure what’s going on.” Seeing his confused expression, Yuusuke decided to try a different approach. “When you’re really small, all you wanna do is be warm, safe, fed, and loved.”

That seemed to do the trick. Realization forming as Asahi’s mouth formed an almost perfect circle, his head bobbing. “So… when you get older, y’don’t wanna do that anymore?”

Yuusuke shook his head. “Mm… when you’re older, you start wanting to do more stuff. Like me. Doing chores, looking after your sister, talking to you. Doing stuff like that makes me happy.”

Asahi seems skeptical at that, squinting at him. “… You’re happy doing chores?”

Ah, maybe his kids picked up on the lost love between him and chores after all. “Well, not really. But I’m happy giving your dad a break, and lettin’ you run around and your sister sleep.” He chanced a glance down at Tsubaki, hearing her sniffling subside and her soft sighs as he rocked her back and forth. “That stuff makes me happy, so I do chores.”

“Oh…”

Yuusuke figured the conversation would end with that until he heard soft footsteps and a small quiet voice ask, “Can I help?”

He arched a brow, seeing Asahi pointing at the basket and staring spat him. While he had no doubt that Asahi would fold some of them wrong, it was an easy mistake to rectify. Though it did surprise him.When he was a kid, he didn’t take to doing chores very well, but he was also rebellious in many ways. Part of him thought his kids would pick up the same mannerisms but he’d been surprised thus far.

“Yeah,” Yuusuke said, giving him a smile. “Thanks.”

Tsubaki steadily roused from sleep and once she was entirely awake, she insisted on helping as well. Yuusuke never thought that showing his kids how to fold a shirt would be fun but it was hilarious seeing them do it and attempt to copy him. A wave of affectionate youki pressing against his back while he laughed at Asahi’s attempt to be a ghost beneath a sheet, Tsubaki’s shrieks of laughter bringing a smile to Yuusuke’s face while Asahi chased her around the living room.

Feeling the wave wash over him with familiar warmth, Yuusuke glanced toward Kurama who smiled at him. A look of fondness in his eyes that was returned almost immediately. Damn, he really was getting soft.

Eventually, the kids wound down and the laundry was neatly folded and placed in the basket to be tucked away in the correct drawers later. Asahi climbing up on the couch and nestling close to Yuusuke’s side while Tsubaki curled up on his chest, both succumbing to an afternoon sleep spell. Tucking a blanket over the pair, Yuusuke hugged them close to him and settled down with his back pressed to the couch cushions. His eyes slowly slipping shut down and again until he felt a weight beside him, a deep voice speaking close to his ear.

“You are very good with them, Yuusuke.”

Opening one eye to glimpse Kurama smiling happily, Yuusuke sighed in return and shifted to allow Kurama to take most of his weight. “You really think so?”

He doubted Kurama would say it without meaning it but it meant a lot to hear his answering hum. Strong arms fitting around Yuusuke’s own, careful fingers gliding over Tsubaki’s cheek and the tips of her ears, the pair twitching as Kurama pulled his hand away. Asahi cuddled closer to Yuusuke’s side, sighing softly when Kurama combed his fingers through his hair.

“Did you ever imagine being a father?” Kurama asked after a moment, his hand resting on Yuusuke’s upper arm, rubbing small soothing circles.

Yuusuke snorted harshly. “Hell no. I barely imagined making it past fourteen. Didn’ even have a dad… seeing them, makes me wonder how the hell someone can just… leave it all behind.”

“I can’t fathom it either.”

Kurama’s hand squeezed his upper arm, a warm strong hand that could be just as gentle and nurturing as it could be forceful, tenderly coming to rest against Yuusuke’s shoulder. Kurama’s chin resting against his shoulder. Yuusuke sighed. He knew that things in Makai weren’t as picturesque. Kurama was one of the lucky ones, with a mother that loved him to pieces and an unbelievable father-figure. But others of his kind were seldom abandoned, as was tradition. Grow strong or die. And Yuusuke balked when Kurama mentioned it, though seeing the indignation at his kind’s tradition and ferocity in which Kurama threw himself into being a father — Yuusuke knew he wasn’t in this alone.

“They’re tiny people with big emotions,” Yuusuke muttered offhandedly, finding the filter between his head and his mouth loosening more than usual. “Half the time, adults were always telling me to shut up and sit down when I just wanted to know. Asahi’s every bit of curious as I was and I’d tear someone apart if they treated him like people did me.”

There was always that balancing act. Not wanting to repeat what was done to him but also not wanting to do his kids a disservice. Even if he didn’t have a father of his own, Yuusuke had plenty of father-figures, some less perfect than others, but he’d do the damn best he could for his own.

“As would I,” Kurama said and Yuusuke snorted.

“Oh I know you would, Mister Threaten-A-Plant.”

Kurama gave a one-shoulder shrug, grinning playfully as he nuzzled against Yuusuke’s cheek. A habit that Yuusuke had gotten very used to over the years. “I protect my kits,” Kurama muttered, brushing his lips against his skin.

“Yeah? Well, your kits aren’t slouches. Asahi nearly knocked someone’s head in when they almost made Tsubaki cry.”

Kurama chuckled, pride in his laugh and the glint of gold in his eyes as he regarded their son. “He’s quite protective over his sister.”

“Almost puts Hiei to shame.”

Their conversation lulled into silence and Yuusuke noticed Kurama’s hair slipping over his shoulder as he relaxed. His breathing evening out and one of his hands resting upon Tsubaki’s back where Asahi’s had also fallen. One hand, larger and calloused. The other, smaller and still growing. Yuusuke wasn’t sure what kind of person his son would grow up to be but with Kurama by his side, he was more than optimistic about finding out.

“… You sleepy too?” Yuusuke asked after a short while.

Kurama quietly mumbling. “Comfortable..”

“Right, right, my bad…” Yuusuke chuckled, pressing a kiss to his cheek. Kurama was always cuddly when he was tired.

Slowly, Kurama opened his eyes and green met brown, his smile warm. “.. Thank you for taking care of the laundry.”

Yuusuke’s heart fluttered, his lips meeting Kurama’s in a chaste kiss before he leant against him. “Anytime.”

[raendown]

Pairing: MadaraTobirama Chapter: 13/18 Word count: 2424 Summary: When Tobirama is exiled from the Senju clan without warning, without even the chance to plead his case, it feels like his life is over. What does he have to live for now without his older brother to believe in him? Captured by the Uchiha in his moment of weakness, Tobirama slowly learns to live again with the last people on earth he would have ever expected to care for - or to fall in love with.

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Chapter 13

Negotiating the terms of an alliance and designing the blueprints for a brand new village probably would have gone a lot faster if Tobirama had been willing to go to the gatherings himself. The famous trio of intertwined clans, the Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi, had all agreed to throw their lots in with this venture even before the first roads were paved. Being able to say that the meetings were crowded enough already with so many people there to protect their own interests was quite a convenient excuse for Tobirama to avoid them.

Madara refrained from calling him out on the lie, though it was clear he had spotted it. It was Izuna that ribbed him about his choice to stay behind – very gently, though, so he knew it was only a way to help the situation feel normal. Tobirama appreciated both of their efforts and he showed his gratitude by pouring over every scrap of cramped notes they brought home to him, writing out suggestions for changes or additions and pointing out the occasional flaw in someone’s logic. The shadows had always been his favorite place to work from anyway. Credit was nice but in situations like this it was more important that things be done right than for everyone to know who came up with what idea.

Whether or not anyone from the Senju clan recognized his influence was unknown but Madara and Izuna both mentioned that his name had not come up more than once, not after one of the Akimichi got halfway through his name only to be cut off by a wild look from Hashirama, dangerous eyes and a lips pressed so tightly together they turned white. Even Madara admitted he had no idea how to interpret that look and no one had dared to mention him again after that. Tobirama tucked that information away, unsure of what it meant but certain that it was important.

Then finally, after almost five long months of arguing, compromising, and general idiocy, construction of the village began. With Madara and Izuna – and nearly half of the clan, actually – away at the construction site, Tobirama and Hikaku were left behind to defend the compound on the off chance someone was stupid enough to think of this as an opportunity. Hikaku stood in as de facto clan head while Madara was absent since he was the one who wore the crest and bore their name but it was Tobirama to whom the people came when they had a problem. Luckily Hikaku didn’t seem to mind, joking that it was less work for him.

Most of the ones who had gone to help with the construction came home a couple days a week, rotating on a schedule so there were never too many absent from the worksite at a time. Quite often when it was Madara and Izuna’s turn to come home they fell asleep the moment their bottoms hit some sort of comfortable surface and their bodies finally accepted that they were allowed to rest. For the rest of the time, however, Tobirama spent most of his days alone in the house they had all shared until recent events separated them.

And he was lonely. It was ridiculous to consider how close they had grown in just the one year they had been together and yet he couldn’t help himself, meeting them at the gate each time they returned and reveling in the affection when one or both of them fell asleep on top of him. It was a treat to run his fingers through their hair and whisper all the little things they had been missing while they were away. He said absolutely nothing when Madara followed him groggily to bed once or twice, only smiled to himself when the man curled up on top of his chest.

Despite now having the opportunity to spend copious amounts of time with the person he had once called his best friend Madara hadn’t changed the way he treated Tobirama in the slightest. Things between them were just as they had always been, they greeted each other after each separation with the same warmth, and Tobirama didn’t even notice until the tension unraveled that he had been silently holding his breath to be set aside in favor of the original duo. Keeping the place he had earned in Madara’s heart was more of a relief than he could say. Whether Madara and Hashirama struck up their friendship again was honestly not important to him but to be pushed away to make room for another would have been devastating.

When everything was prepared and at last it came time for each of the clans to officially move in to the compounds built specifically for them, Tobirama found himself hesitating finally, all packed up but not ready to go. Izuna found him sitting on the empty frame of his bed, sheets and mattress both sealed away for easy transport. The second their eyes met his friend flopped down beside him and fell over sideways across his lap like a massive rag doll.

“I hear cuddling a stuffed animal is good for when you’re having a pout,” he said. “But all my stuffed animals are packed away so I suppose you’ll have to live with just me.”

“You don’t have any stuffed animals.” Tobirama looked away and tried to look offended.

“Well that just means you’re extra stuck with me then, doesn’t it?”

“Ridiculous.” A light shove didn’t shift the man and Tobirama wasn’t much inclined to try any harder at the moment. Instead he crossed his arms and leaned his weight on them, balanced over Izuna’s hip.

He could have just admitted to what was wrong, that he wasn’t sure he wanted to risk even the slightest chance of being seen by Hashirama quite yet, but it wasn’t in his nature to share unless prodded to. Playing along with the teasing was more bearable than opening up his own vulnerabilities even if he had done so for his two closest people several times before. It still never got any easier.

Which was stupid. They had already seen him at his very lowest. What could possibly be more embarrassing than knowing they had watched him literally giving up on life?

It was still easier to return Izuna’s teasing – and more fun, of course, so Tobirama did just that. After living together for so long he knew exactly what to say to press the other man’s buttons in all the best and most terrible ways.

“So what you’re saying is that you want to cuddle on the couch as soon as we get there? We could do that. I’m sure all the ladies would just be falling over themselves to get a piece of you if they see how much of a cuddle-bear you are.” Pressing down, he deliberately put more of his weight on Izuna’s hip. “Especially if they see you aren’t afraid to cuddle with another man. No wrong impressions to be gained from that, surely.”

“Alright! Alright! Get off!” Tobirama let him wriggle helplessly for a minute before letting him go. When he was back on his own feet Izuna made a show of straightening his clothes until he was entirely presentable. “I just thought you would like to know that Madara promised to try and lure the Senju clan head away while the rest of us are moving in so you can slip by without drawing attention. If you want.” Because of course he would. Of course Madara would understand without Tobirama having to shame himself by spilling his guts. Izuna winked conspiratorially and Tobirama paused before answering, an old idea reoccurring to him when he least expected it. When it would be most useful.

“I may have a better idea,” he said. “You already know which house we will be living in, correct?”

“Yeah, I helped build it. Why?”

“Can you bring something in there for me?”

Izuna gave him a strange look but Tobirama only grinned. He’d almost forgotten about this; felt a little guilty thinking about it now, actually. That jutsu had first been conceived as a way to fight the man standing in front of him, had been intended as his ultimate end, and Tobirama could hardly believe how grateful he was that such a thing had never come to pass. It was incredible to think of all the things he wouldn’t have in his life now if those plans had come to fruition.

Staying behind while the rest of the Uchiha emigrated away from their ancestral lands was hard. He had to force himself not to check the position of the sun every five minutes, distracting himself with a dip in the pond – sans clothing, just because he could. It didn’t negate how utterly alone he was in the large empty compound but it did entertain him while he waited.

As soon as dark fell and he was absolutely certain Izuna would be inside the new house with the special kunai he had agreed to carry, Tobirama was ready with his clothes back on and his hands together in a seal he had only successfully activated once before. It felt like the world collapsing in on him for an infinite second, like his body being torn apart and reassembled all in the same instant. It was, in a word, incredibly uncomfortable. Luckily he was prepared for the sensation and consciously blocked the resulting wave of nausea.

Madara and Izuna gave matching shrieks of surprise when he appeared between them without any sort of warning. He probably could have informed them of what he intended to do, explained how he planned to get in to the village without being noticed by a single member of the Senju clan, but he was glad that he hadn’t. This way was much more amusing and he got the extra treat of seeing the impressed looks they both tried to hide from him.

The first thing he took note of was that he could feel Hashirama’s chakra burning as brightly as ever less than two miles away, sorely missed yet entirely unwelcome. Fragments of him sparkled all throughout the village, remnants of his chakra left behind in all the wood he had grown to help their village spring up from nothing. To distract himself from the conflicting desire to rush out and find the man he asked Madara and Izuna to show him around. It was an opportunity they snapped up eagerly even without knowing about the internal conflict he’d just run in to. Both of them had a hand in designing and building this home and they were both quite proud of it, ready and waiting for the opportunity to finally show it off to him.  

His bedroom, he noted, was much bigger than before and set right next to Madara’s while Izuna had made sure his own was all the way at the other end of the house instead. The kitchen was more spacious and there were two bathrooms, thank kami. In the backyard he was not surprised to find where another little pond had been dug out then shored up and lay waiting for him to fill it with water.

What he was more surprised to find was the lab, hidden away in the sizable back shed and presented with a dual flourish and knowing grins. Tobirama stood in the entrance with what was probably a very stupid look on his face as he stared unabashedly around at all the shiny new equipment.

“You built me…a laboratory?”

“Look, we know you said you wanted to fund it yourself. But we thought you deserved to be just as happy here as anyone else and that this might help you settle in or whatever.” Madara gestured vaguely to the contents of the room. “We didn’t say this stuff was for us, just for the clan as a whole. And we didn’t order it all at once. I’m not even sure anyone realized we ordered a whole lab full of glass and tubes and crap – or if they did I’m sure they wouldn’t guess who it was really for. Don’t know if we got everything though. I don’t even know what most of this stuff does.” He scratched awkwardly at one cheek while Tobirama stumbled in to the room with wide eyes, trying to see everything at once.

It was perfect. It was better than the set-up he had built for himself in his first home with more advanced equipment and better quality tools. He could hardly believe anyone had gotten him something this amazing as a gift. Already his mind was racing ahead of him and planning out all the incredible work he could do with this equipment but first he turned back to the ones who made it all possible.

Izuna, he noticed, had slipped away sometime while he was distracted with his shiny new gifts. He was grateful for the privacy as he took double fistfuls of Madara’s robe and for once his heart ran ahead of his brain in an effort to express his gratitude.

They were both equally surprised by the kiss. As soon as Tobirama realized what he was doing he froze and the two of them stood there staring in to each other’s eyes with their lips mashed together uncomfortably.  They sprang apart at the same time, clearing their throats and looking absolutely anywhere but at each other. Madara was the first to brave the silence with his voice cracking under the strain.

“You like it. Good to know. I should – right? Yeah. Lots of things to unpack.”

“Right. Yes. I have – mhm. Unpacking is – yes. We all have that.”

Nodding very seriously, they turned and stepped towards the door at the same time, pausing before running each to each other and then spending several minutes in an awkward back-and-forth dance trying to figure out who would leave first. Eventually Madara stomped his foot and bulled forward to storm back to the main house. Tobirama watched him go, resisting the urge to press fingertips to his lips like a deflowered maiden in some terrible romance novel.

All other possible ramifications of the unexpected kiss aside, at least he wasn’t concentrating on any of his other problems anymore. Hashirama’s signature continued to flutter from place to place while Tobirama closed the door of the lab behind himself and slowly followed in Madara’s wake with only one thought on his mind.

Izuna was never going to let him live this down.