#bros got no other choice but to thug it out

[raddestrose]

Bros discovering emotions for the first time

best of wishes to him

[snowysosturn]

Allies or Affiliates? - Chris Sturniolo Part 3

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8

Pairing : Y/n x Chris Sturniolo

Summary : Law student Y/n’s life takes a turn when she reconnects with Chris, her brief teenage flame who is now a dealer for a dangerous Boston drug gang. As their bond reignites, Y/n is drawn into Chris’s tumultuous world, where rival gangs clash and loyalty is everything. Balancing her love for Chris with her own ambitions, can their connection survive the chaos that threatens to pull them apart?

Warnings : MDNI, mentions of drugs, mentions of court, mentions of shootings

Chris’s POV

It was early Saturday morning when Nate showed up at my place in Somerville, looking like he hadn’t slept a minute. He’d just been let go from the police station after being kept overnight. I could tell from the way his eyes darted around that he was still a little on edge. It wasn’t the first time Nate had found himself in trouble, but this was different. Getting arrested for carrying too much weed while being tied up with our crew was a whole new level of risky.

Nate and I were both part of the Crimson Cartel, a gang deeply embedded in Boston’s streets. His family had been involved for as long as I could remember, and his cousin Danny was one of the big players. I got pulled into it all because of Nate - our friendship was solid, and when he joined, it wasn’t long before I did too. 

“Got a joint, bro?”  Nate asked, his eyes already scanning the kitchen for one.

I laughed. “Seriously? You just got back from being arrested for possession, and you want to smoke up?”

“Hell yeah. What else am I gonna do?” He shrugged like it was no big deal.

I liked the occasional joint. It helped take the edge off, helped me relax when things got too hectic. But that was it - just weed, nothing harder. I knew where to draw the line. Sure, I sold drugs, but I didn’t get involved with any of the other shit. That was strictly for the older guys in the Crimson Cartel. Those were the ones who handled the hits, the intimidation, the gruesome work. They had been in the game for years, hardened by it. Nate and I, we were different.

We were the youngest in the gang - Me being 21, and Nate just 20, everyone else was 30+. We’d been involved since we were 16 & 17. Our job was simple: handle the drug runs, get the product from one place to another. No blood on our hands, no breaking bones or taking lives. It was a clean line, or at least that’s what I told myself. I wasn’t in this for the violence. Hell, I wasn’t even in this by choice, one bad decision snowballed, and now this was my life. My family freaked the fuck out when they found out. Kicked me out, didn’t want anything to do with me. That’s how I ended up living with my uncle Jerry, just trying to get by. I guess it helped having an uncle who liked to smoke too.

Just sell it – that’s what I kept reminding myself. I was good at it. I didn’t have to hurt anyone. I didn’t have to be like the older guys who let the gang swallow them whole. I wasn’t a thug, and I wasn’t going to become one. That’s how I stayed sane in all this.

The older guys in the cartel, though – they didn’t think like that. For them, it wasn’t just about the money. It was about power, about making a name for themselves on the streets of Boston. Nate and I didn’t fit into that. We were runners, sure, but we kept ourselves out of the violent shit. Nate had a reckless streak growing up, especially when he was with his cousin Danny, but even he didn’t want to cross that line.

Still, the older we got, the harder it became to stay in our lane. The more we were around, the more they expected from us. Every time I handed off a package, there was always this nagging feeling that eventually, they’d want more. Nate and I had managed to avoid that side of the cartel for now, but I knew it wouldn’t last forever. There’s only so long you can run drugs before they start pulling you deeper in.

The truth was, this life had a way of blurring those lines. Sure, I wasn’t involved in any hits, but I was part of the same machine that funded them. Every deal I made, every bag I handed off, it all contributed to something bigger, something more dangerous. As much as I tried to keep myself at arm’s length from the bloodshed, I was still part of the problem. And deep down, I knew it. But I had to keep telling myself that it was different. That I was different. As long as I stayed on the edges of it, as long as I kept my head down and just did the runs, I wouldn’t have to cross that line. I wouldn’t have to become like Vince or Danny or any of the others who’d let the cartel define them.

We headed out the side gate of my bungalow and settled into the backyard. It was chilly, but the kind of brisk Boston morning you get used to. I pulled out a joint, lit it up, and handed it over as Nate slouched back into one of the old chairs. As he took a deep drag, I asked, “So, what the hell happened?”

He exhaled slowly, the smoke curling up into the air. “Man, it was a mess. I was out helping Danny and Sully with a run. You know, just moving some weight, nothing crazy. But then Danny got a call, said one of the big guys from H Block was back in town, and he couldn’t let that slide.”

I nodded, knowing all too well how territorial things had gotten lately between us and H Block.

“So, next thing I know, we’re driving down Charles Street, street was silent as fuck not a sinner on the place. I’d just smoked a joint and was high as hell when Danny starts shooting. I panicked when the shots went off and I hopped out the car. The car took off, and I was stuck there like a damn fool.”

I couldn’t help but shake my head. “You didn’t try to get back in?”

“Nah, man. They were gone, and I freaked out. I didn’t want to stick around a crime scene, so I ran. Ended up at the Public Garden trying to blend in, but it’s October so I’m sat there freezing my ass off. Eventually, I had to leave, but cops were swarming everywhere and I’m still high as fuck so of course, I run into them.”

I laughed a little at the irony, but it quickly faded when he said, “They nailed me for carrying more than the legal amount of weed and suspicion of selling. And there’s already whispers about me being involved in the shooting. If that gets out, I’m screwed.”

“Jesus, Nate. So, what happens now?” I asked, taking the joint back from him.

“I’ve got until Monday to figure things out. That’s when my court appearance is.” Nate said, leaning back in his chair as though he wasn’t too worried.

I took a deep breath. “So, less than 48 hours?”

He nodded, eyes half lidded as the weed hit him. “Yeah, but my record’s clean. It’s the first time I’ve ever been caught with anything, so I should get off light. Worst case? A fine and some community service. I doubt they’ll throw me in jail.”

I passed the joint back to him. “And they don’t have anything solid linking you to the hit?”

“Not yet, I mean from what I remember no one else was around.” he said, exhaling smoke. “But you know how it is. If they start digging, anything could come up.”

I sat there, processing everything. Nate was right, he might be fine, but there was always the chance the cops would sniff out something worse. “You want me to do anything?”

“Yeah, actually” he said, rubbing his hands together. “I’m supposed to do a run in Roxbury tomorrow, but with the heat on me, I need to lay low. Can you cover it?”

I thought about it for a second. It wasn’t like I had anything better to do. “Yeah, I’ll take care of it.”

Nate nodded, looking relieved. He gave me the address, and I pulled out my phone to type it into my notes app. As I did, I noticed a drop down notification that made me freeze.

“@y/ny/l/n2 liked your photo.”

I blinked, staring at the screen. Y/n Y/l/n? It had been years since I’d heard that name. Curious, I clicked the notification, but by the time the app loaded, it was gone. There was no mention of her like, no new activity on the post. Weird.

Nate noticed I was distracted. “What’s up?”

“Nothing, just.. an old name popped up,” I said, pocketing my phone.

“Old girl?” he teased, a grin forming on his face.

“Something like that” I muttered, still thinking about Y/n. I hadn’t seen or talked to her in years, but I couldn’t deny that her name stirred something in me. We had a brief thing back in 2018, nothing too serious, but I always had a soft spot for her.

Nate eventually decided to head home, needing some rest after his long night in the station. I waved him off, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Y/n. What was she up to these days? Was she still in Boston? Why did she like my post after all this time? What made her look at my Instagram?

That night, I went over everything for the run tomorrow, making sure I had everything in place. But no matter how much I tried to focus, I couldn’t stop thinking about Y/n.

She was one of those girls who left a mark on you, no matter how brief things had been. And even though it had been years, I couldn’t help but wonder what seeing her again might be like.

Monday came faster than I expected, and I found myself standing outside the Boston Municipal Court with Nate. He looked calm, or at least as calm as he could be given the situation. But I knew better. Nate always tried to play it cool, even when he was freaking out on the inside.

We hadn’t talked much since Saturday, and I could tell the nerves were starting to hit him now. His foot tapped restlessly on the courthouse steps as we waited for his case to be called. The morning air was crisp, the fall chill creeping in, and it wasn’t helping either of us settle.

“You’ll be fine” I muttered, trying to reassure him.

He gave me a tight smile. “Yeah, let’s hope so. Just gotta get through this.”

When they finally called Nate’s name, we both stood, making our way inside. The courtroom was filled with the usual mix of people – lawyers, family members, defendants. Everyone there for one reason or another, all waiting for their fate to be decided. As much as Nate tried to shrug it off, this was serious. The rumors about the hit on Charles Street were swirling, and we both knew if they got any real evidence, he was screwed.

Nate’s lawyer made a decent argument – first-time offense, clean record, no solid evidence tying him to anything worse than possession. They dragged it out longer than I thought they would, but in the end, the judge gave his ruling.

“A charitable donation of $2,000 and 50 hours of community service” the judge announced, his voice echoing through the courtroom. “Additionally, Mr. Doe, you are expected to refrain from any drug-related activities for the next 12 months. Any violation of this order will result in harsher consequences.”

The words were like a weight being lifted off Nate’s shoulders. He was let off easy. I knew he’d be able to pay the fine without blinking, and the community service? It was nothing. But the whole “refrain from drug-related activities” part? That was funny. We both knew that wasn’t happening. Nate just had to make sure he didn’t get caught.

As soon as the court was adjourned, I felt the tension drain out of me. Nate’s future was safe, for now. I clapped him on the back as we left the courtroom. “See? Not so bad.”

Nate grinned, shaking his head. “Yeah, man, I guess I got lucky.”

But even though things had turned out okay, I needed to get out of there. The courtroom felt too small, too confined. I needed air, space to think, and to breathe. I left as fast as I could, practically jogging out of the courthouse doors and into the cool October breeze. It hit me like a wave, and I inhaled deeply, trying to clear my head.

That’s when I saw her.

The most strikingly beautiful girl I’d seen in years. A face that was hard to forget. Something in my chest tightened as I watched her walk across the courtyard, almost in slow motion. She was looking down at her phone, completely unaware of my presence.

And then it hit me. I knew that girl.

Wait–Y/n?

The same Y/n I hadn’t seen since 2018. The same Y/n who had been on my mind all weekend after that weird Instagram notification.

My feet were frozen in place, and for a second, I felt like time had stopped. There she was, standing just a few feet away, as if fate had decided to throw us back together after all these years.

Y/n.

What the hell were the odds?

I didn’t know if I should walk up to her or just keep my distance, but before I could make a decision, she looked up from her phone and our eyes locked. My heart skipped a beat.

There was no avoiding it now.

Y/n’s Pov

"Y/n?" His voice was deeper than I remembered, smooth yet surprised.

I blinked, still in awe of how good looking he still was. He had that same disheveled charm, the messy brown hair, sharp jawline, and those piercing eyes that always seemed to see right through me. Only now, he was taller, broader. He had grown into himself, and it was impossible to ignore.

"Chris" I breathed, trying to act casual but failing miserably. "Wow, it’s been a while."

"It really has" he said with that signature smirk of his. "It’s nice to see you. You look great."

I could feel my cheeks heating up. "Thanks. You too."

We stood there for a moment, just taking each other in. It was surreal, seeing him after all these years. I didn’t even know what to say or where to start.

"So.. what are you doing here?" I asked, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

He chuckled lightly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Nate got into a bit of trouble, as you probably saw in there. I’m just here to support him."

"Right" I nodded, still trying to wrap my head around everything. Chris and Nate, in court. A few years ago, I never would’ve pictured it, well maybe Nate but not so much Chris.

"How’s life treating you?" he said, eyes scanning me in that way that made my heart flutter. 

"It’s good, actually. Just finishing up a big project for college. Still getting used to all the work, but I like it."

He nodded, his gaze softening. "I’m glad to hear it. You always had your head on straight."

Before I could respond, Nate appeared, walking up to us with his usual nonchalance. He looked at Chris first, then at me, a flicker of recognition passing across his face.

"I’ll wait for you in the car, man" Nate said, slapping Chris on the back before giving me a nod. "Nice seeing you."

I returned the gesture, watching as Nate sauntered off. It was so strange, seeing both of them like this. Nate barely glanced back, disappearing down the steps toward the parking lot. My eyes flicked back to Chris, who was still watching me with that familiar intensity.

"We should hang out sometime" he said, almost casually, but there was something more to it.

My stomach did a flip. "Yeah, that would be nice."

Chris smiled, a genuine one that sent my pulse racing again. "You’re still living in Beacon Hill, right?"

I shook my head. "No, we moved once I started college. My parents wanted a bigger house in a quieter area, so we’re out in Brookline now."

He nodded, while giving me a soft smirk. "That’s cool. I’ve still got you on Instagram. I’ll shoot you a message, and we can figure something out."

The casual mention of Instagram made my face burn. He definitely saw the notification. I could feel the heat rising up my neck. But if he knew, he didn’t say anything. He just gave me that same charming smile, one that felt all too familiar.

"Yeah, sounds good" I mumbled, trying to keep my cool.

With one last glance, he gave me a quick nod before turning to leave. I watched as he walked away, feeling the blood rush to my face. The way he moved, the effortless confidence — it all hit me at once.

Chris was back in my life, just like that. And somehow, it felt like things were about to get a lot more complicated.

a/n: first chris povvvv

taglist: @mattybearnard @sturn-33 @ncm9696 @yourfavsturniologirl @crazy4jewel @sodakid1234 @stupendoustreewinner @lovealwayssturniolos @matthewsturniolosss @m4ttsmunch @loveexxx @ilusa @starkeyszn @wonnieeluvvr @dylnblue @valxrieq @maggot3647 @cigarettecemetary @ribread03 @chrisstvrns @bandasaruswrx @noplaceissafeanymore @amexiass @witchofthehour @mattssgf @jetaimevous @v33angel @ivysturnss @urmom69lol @ashlishes @watercolorskyy @sturnioloshottiekay @amelia-sturniolo3 @imjusthereforthesturniolosmut @pvssychicken @alizestvrnss @lvrsturniolo @slutniolo @spaghetti835928383 @marrykisskilled @sturnsxplr-25 @bxtchboy69

[sk3tch404]

Late Night Hanma Blurb

A/n: Thought abt this during an itty-bitty road trip today. Smoker Hanma does smth to the chemicals in my brain. Forgive me for any lengthy bad writing. I've had a long day and I just wanna yip yap about one of my fav crazies 🙇

CW: Hanma can give two shits about your lung health but chooses not to when he feels like it, intimidation, threats of forced drug usage, sometimes forced participation in violent activities, thoughts of lovers suicide/murder(?), and whatever other yappin I put in here.

Hanma who smokes a fuck ton and doesn't mind giving you the good ol' second-hand effects of it, but absolutely detests you doing it on your own.

He snatches the stick from your mouth and holds it up and away from you with a small grit in his teeth. Hanma glares down in some curiosity but clearly squints in irritation.

"The hell is this? Don't tell me I'm being a bad influence on you now. If I catch you with one of these again, I won't let you off the hook so easily. You got it, Y/n?"

When you retort, telling him it's no different from when he does it and it is your own choice whether he likes it or not, he merely scoffs with a tilt of his narrow head. Throwing down the cigarette, the sound of his sneaker stomping and scraping it out against the pavement echos through the air with an annoying presence. Shuji demands the rest of your stash with a looming stare that can only put you into a state of sinking discimfort.

"Come on, don't be stubborn. Ya know, if you wanna do it so bad, why don't you try the whole pack? Mine too since it's a shitload better than that cheap stuff."

Reluctant on suffocation and early lung cancer, you begrudgingly hand over your smokes to him. Hanma smacks down on the box with an evidently loud shot of noise and slides it out of your palm--- pocketing it. He stretches out narrow smile as he leans down towards you.

"See, now it ain't so hard to listen."

He's still ticked off by the fact you think you can do whatever to your body without his permission, but since Shuji is so generous, he'll let you learn from your mistakes. See, he can be nice.

Don't test him though. Next time you're caught defying his selfish wishes, he's beating you down with degrading language and probably also beating whoever was involved. The convenience store employee that sold you the cigs, vape, or maybe even chewing tobacco? Yeah he's taking out his held back frustration on them. Bro is jumping over the counter and tearing their shit up.

Avoiding him because of his brutal and honest-to-God psychopathic personality? Now that's just cruel. Shuji is dragging your ass by the back of your shirt and pushes you to his motorcycle. The leopard print on the back of the bike makes you wanna barf every time you see it, but you got to keep it down if you wanna have enough energy to deal with him. He'll take you out no matter where you are at in that point of time and make you remember who he is; who you think you're messing with.

"Y/n, how many times do I have to tell you? Aim for the nose. That's easy for amateurs like you. Actually, lemme show you how to really deliver a jaw breaker-"

Yeah, he'll show you just how bad it can get with some random thugs on the street. You should be grateful with how gentle he's treating you. Instead of ending up with facial fractures, you have nice dates and thoughtful gifts. He's even teaching you a few tricks. How lucky can you get?

"I'm all done. Shit, I'm starved. Let's go grab a bite to eat, kay?"

Hanma thinks the only way you'll ever keep paying attention to him is if he keeps you and your actions in line. If you go off doing your own thing, his usually unmoving heart can't just stand there and watch you slowly leave him. Despite the negativity be brings into your life, he actually gets really fuckin anxious when he doesn't know or understand what you're doing. It's so troublesome how you make him feel. Yeah, being bored as shit is bad, but seeing you, the only thing that could ever bring him down to his knees unwillingly, slip away with nothing but disdain for him? Fuck no. He won't accept it. Shuji would rather kill you and then himself than have to bear the strange feeling of pain, or what other people call heartbreak, by his lonesome self.

Should he ever say he loves you, that would be the point of no return for the both of you. His hands have you tight in his clutches. No way out, no way back in for anyone else.

[muggycuphead]

weird flex but ok i guess pt.31

30

War…Hold up, do we really need a warning for this one? Dunno, but however, watch out for slightly disturbing and kinda…disgusting imagery, trypophobic patterns, as well as ‘necrotic’ (and dark themed) designs I made while having funky fever bc o h m y g o d do I get a little crazier every new quarantine day (and at this point it’s coming to be an usual thing for me, big sad). However, most are made no other than for the sole sake of satire, so y’know, no need to get your underwear in a twist

Friday Night Funkin’ BoyFriend’s Hood – AU fanconcept sketches [XXVI]

*Note: this occurs almost a year after BF moved in NG city and met up GF, alongside the nights out they go on

1. Not-so-discrete sneak-in

(GF and BF are just casually walking by the street, when suddenly…)

“…Yo, what’s going on there?”

“Huh?”

(BF turns to where GF is looking at, and sees a strange rocky-humanoid guy sneaking in his family’s workshop after breaking the lock open)

“What the... oh, oh no. G, that guy is clearly looking for trouble, we gotta get him fast!”

“Wait, you sure? He seems tough, even for me…”

“That ain’t no excuse! I’m gonna defend my family’s place even if I gotta take a few blows for it!”

“…You know what? F it, let’s go get that rascal!”

Now that’s what I call having quite the guts

2. Track-down

(BF and GF walk over the shop, being as quietly as possible)

“{There he is…}”

“{What is he even doing…?}”

“{Looks like he’s meddling around with the gas supplies…Not much of a surprise considering who he is, honestly…}”

“{…Well, what’s the plan now?}”

(BF takes out his phone he brought along and takes a picture, then sends it to Broddy and pockets the phone back)

“{Hopefully it reaches soon. For now, we must keep him busy until they come over}”

“{You do realize you could’ve just called the cops with that, right?}”

“{We can’t risk having him run away}”

(The intruder finally notices the mumbling from afar, and turns around, slightly noticing BF and GF hiding through the dark)

“Looks like I got company here, huh?”

(GF gasps as softly as possible) “{Oh no!}”

“{It’s time, now or never}”

Y’all I tried make this one make sense without derailing to overboard nonsense; FNF might be funny hehe most of the time but bruh

Though y’know, we talking about kiddos here, so…y’know

3. Facing off the crook

“What’re ya pipsqueaks doin’ here, huh? Didn’t ya mommas ever told ya not to snoop into other people’s business?”

“Well, first and for most, you basically left the door open there so it’s not like you weren’t sort of ‘inviting’ us in anyway; also kinda dumb for a burglar that should know what he doing if you ask me”

“And talk about snooping into other’s business, that’s exactly what’cha doing here at mah family’s property, yo grease rat! But be sure I ain’t gonna let’cha get away with it, no siree nay!”

(During BF’s speech, GF cast a spell under her breath and emerges her wings out, catching flight soon after)

“And neither am I”

(Charcoil chuckles, leaving his stuff behind and getting slightly closer to the kids, cracking his knuckles with a smug glance)

“Well, would’cha look at that? Little kids tryna be thugs here, how cute. But if you two are down for a buffet of roasted knuckle sandwiches then I’m all for serving ‘em. C’mon, chump, show me how much can you take!”

Bro sure ain’t afraid of the fuzz

This is up to each’s imagination now, idm

4. His loss, yet her motivation

(Suddenly, in the middle of the racket, BF gets distracted and Charcoil, taking advantage, punches him on the face, dropping him aside and knocking him out in the process)

(GF pauses and looks at him with worry) “B!” (Yet, she’s interrupted by Charcoil trying to do the same to her, but failing as she flies away from him)

“Pft, what a joke; boy was so eager on getting my ass, yet didn’t last long enough to get through with it. You really should reconsider ya peer pickin’, girl”

(Wrong choice of words.txt)

(GF gradually goes from concern to anger…to straight up vindication, as she frowns towards ‘Coil)

“…You wanna go bro? YOU WANNA PIECE OF ME?!” (fires up) “I’LL SHOW YA!”

Mess with someone of your same element, you ass

5. Fuck ‘em up

“For a defective demon child, you got quite the blow!”

“Shut your trap, jerk!”

Again, up to interpretation for the most part

But still

YEAH DESTROY ‘EM WOWOWOWOW--

6. BAD BAD BAD BAD

(Suddenly, in between the whole mess-a-roo, Charcoil gets an idea, and quickly taking one of the gas supplies, throws it towards GF as she casts a fireball spell, which ends up hitting the gas tank)

 “OH NO!”

“Gotcha!”

(The gas tank gets shoved towards the remaining gas supplies, as Charcoil jumps away, “taking cover”)

(Seeing the upcoming disaster, GF quickly drops herself onto BF, covering his body with hers and her wings, preparing for the worst to happen next)

Fuck you Charc u piece of shiitake

[variousqueerthings]

Daniel LaRusso: A Queer Feminine Fairytale Analysis Part 1 of 3

Disclaimers and trigger warnings: 

1. These fairytales are European, although there’s often overlap in themes globally. I know European fairytales better, which is essentially the reason I’m not going to branch out too far. I opted to also stick to Western movies so as not to narrow things down, but also in particular “waves hand towards all of Ghibli” amongst many others. There’s a reason the guys in Ghibli are so gender.

2. TW for discussions of rape culture and rape fantasies

EDIT: FUCK I’M A GOBLIN CHILD! FORGOT TO PUT A MASSIVE MASSIVE THANK YOU TO @mimsyaf​ WHO HAS BEEN THE NICEST, KINDEST EDITOR ON THESE THOUGHTS AND CONTRIBUTED SO MUCH TO THEM AND GENERALLY IS A WONDERFUL PERSON!

Part 2

Part 3

1. Introduction

I recently wrote a little thing, which was about Daniel as a fairytale protagonist – specifically one that goes through some of the kinds of transformations that are often associated with female protagonists of fairytales.

I used quotes from Red Riding Hood, Labyrinth, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and Dracula, which, as an aside – the overlap between fairytales, horror, and fantasy and the ways each of those genres delve into very deep, basic questions of humanity and the world is something that will always make me feral. I will be generally sticking with fairytales though. Also I am very excited about some of those Labyrinth concepts going around!

I’m going to use “feminine” and “masculine” in both gendered (as in relating specifically to people) and non-gendered (as in relating to codes) ways throughout this, depending on context.

To be binary for a moment, because sample-sizes of other genders are low, women are usually able to fall into either feminine or masculine arcs, although sometimes the masculine-coded woman can become a “not like the other girls” stereotype and the feminine-coded woman a shallow cliché – in both cases they’re also under more scrutiny and judgement, so it’s always worth asking “is this character not working for me because of the writing or because I have ingrained biases? (Both?)”

Men don’t often get feminine-coded arcs. Because. Probably a mix of biases and bigotry. But there are some that seem to have slipped beneath the shuttered fence of “Sufficient Narrative Testosterone,” and Daniel LaRusso is one of them.

2. Some Dude Comparisons (Men Doing Manly Action-Hero Things like being trans symbolism and loving your girlfriend… seriously those things are hella manly, I wish we saw more of that onscreen…)

a. Neo

Much like Neo The Matrix, whose journey is filled with transgender subtext and specifically and repeatedly references Alice In Wonderland, Daniel doesn’t go through quite the kind of hero's journey usually associated with Yer Standard Male Hero, especially the type found in the 80s/90s.

Neo is my favourite comparison, because of the purposefulness of his journey as a trans narrative and the use of Alice. But I’m sure there are other non-traditional male heroes out there (but are they trans tho? Please tell me, I want trans action heroes).

Neo “passes” as a socially acceptable man, but online goes by a different name - the name he prefers to be known by - feels like there’s something inherently wrong about the world around him and his body’s place in that society, and then gets taken down the rabbit hole (with his consent, although without really “knowing” what he’s consenting to) to discover that it’s the world that’s wrong - not him. And by accessing this truth he can literally make his body do and become whatever he wants it to.

Yay. (The message of the Matrix is actually that trans people can fly).

Neo is – kind of like Daniel – a strange character for Very Cis Straight Guys to imprint on. He spends most of the first movie unsure about what’s going on, out of his depth, and often getting beaten up. He is compared to Alice several times and at the end he dies. He loses. He has to be woken up with true love’s kiss, in a fun little Sleeping Beauty/Snow White twist. Yes, after that he can fly, but before that he’s getting dead-named and hate-crimed by The Most Obvious Stand-In For Normativity, Agent Smith, and being carried by people far more physically capable than he is (people who also fall outside of normative existence).

Trinity and Neo in The Matrix. The fact that a lot of the time neither of them is gendered is something. Literally brought to life by true love’s kiss.

I’m not about to argue that Daniel LaRusso is purposefully written along these same thought processes, so much as the luck of the way he was written, cast, directed, acted, and costumed all came together in the right way. And this is even more obvious when compared to That Other Underdog Fite Movie That Was By The Same Director as Karate Kid.

b. Rocky

The interesting thing about Rocky is that he is (despite being a male action icon) also not written as a Traditionally Masculine person. Large portions of Rocky – and subsequent Rocky films – are his fear and insecurity about fighting vs his inability to apply his skills to another piece of work and wanting to do right by his girlfriend (and future wife), Adrian. The fighting is most often pushed onto him against his will.

Much like in Karate Kid there is barely any fighting in Rocky I. Most of it is dedicated to how much Rocky loves Adrian and the two of them getting together. The fight is – again like in Karate Kid – a necessary violence, rather than a glorified one (within the plot, obviously watching any movie like this is also partly about the badassness of some element of the violence – whether stamina or the crane kick, it’s all about not backing down against a more powerful opponent).

Rocky is played by Sylvester Stallone. He’s tough, he’s already a fighter (albeit in the movie not a great one yet), he’s taking the fight for cash – so although he’s also soft-spoken and sweet, you’re aware of the fact that he’s got those traits that’d make a male audience go “Hell Yeah, A Man,” or whatever it is a male audience does watching movies like that… cis straight men imprinting on oiled muscle men sure is a strange phenomenon, why do you wanna watch a boxing match? So you can watch toned guys groaning and grappling with each other? Because you want to feel like A Man by allowing yourself to touch the skin of other men?

Apollo and Rocky in Rocky III. This sequence also includes prolonged shots of their crotches as they run. Sylvester Stallone directed this. This was intentional. Bros.

Daniel LaRusso is not built like that. But that doesn’t really have to matter. Being smallish and probably more likely to be described as “pretty” than handsome, and not having a toxic masculine bone in his body does not a feminine archetype make. It just makes a compelling (and pretty) underdog. 

c. Daniel

So where does the main difference really lie? Between Rocky and Daniel? Well, Rocky has the plot in his hands – Daniel, largely, does not. Rocky is acting. Daniel is reacting or being pushed into situations by others. Just like our boy Neo. Just like Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Snow White – just like some of the women in some contemporary(ish) fairytale films like Buttercup (Princess Bride), Dorothy (Wizard of Oz), or Sarah (Labyrinth).

This isn’t a necessary negative about stories about girls and women, so much as looking at what it is girls and women in fairytales have/don’t have, what they want, and how they’re going to get it. It’s about power (lack of), sexuality (repressed, then liberated), men, and crossing some taboo lines. It’s also about queerness.

3. The Karate Kid Part One: Leaving Home

Daniel LaRusso is a poor, skinny, shortish kid (played by a skinny, shortish twenty-two-year old) who doesn’t fit in after having been taken away from the home he was familiar with against his will. Not every male protagonist in a fairytale leaves of his own will, and not every female protagonist leaves under duress – Red Riding Hood, for example, seems perfectly happy to enter the forest. However generally a hero is “striking out to make his fortune,” and generally a heroine is fleeing or making a bargain or being married off or waiting for help to arrive. She is often stuck (and even Red Riding Hood requires saving at some point).

Daniel then encounters a beautiful, lovely girl on the beach, puts on a red hoodie (red is significant), is beaten up by a large, attractive bully, loses what little clout he may have had with his new friends, and generally has a mostly miserable time until he befriends and is saved by Mr Miyagi. To do a little Cinderella comparison: Miyagi is the fairy godmother who pushes Daniel to go to the ball in disguise as well, and that disguise falls to pieces as he’s running away.

Then Daniel asks for help, Miyagi gets him enrolled in a Karate Tournament, and starts teaching him. Daniel wins the tournament and gets the girl, the end.

While Daniel has chutzpah and is a wonderful character, none of the big events are initiated by him, except for the initial going to the forest/beach (and within all of these events Daniel absolutely makes choices – I’m not saying he’s passive): Lucille takes them to California, Miyagi pushes him to go to the dance, Miyagi again decides to enroll him in the tournament and trains him, and only because Kreese doesn’t allow for any other option, Ali is the one who more often than not approaches Daniel, and even their first encounter is pushed by Daniel’s friends.

Daniel really is at a dance/ball in disguise and receives a flower from a girl who recognises him through said disguise, it’s unbearable! It’s adorable! I get it Ali, I fucking get it!

Daniel’s main journey within this – apart from not getting killed by karate thugs (love u Johnny <3) and kissing Ali – is to learn from Miyagi. He’s not necessarily a full-on feminine fairytale archetype at this point, although there are fun things to pull out of it, mainly in the context of later films and Cobra Kai: the subtext of karate and how that builds throughout all the stories, the red clothes, the themes of obsession, his being targeted by boys whose masculinity is more than a little bit toxic and based on shame… more on all that coming up.

He doesn’t technically get a home until they build him a room at Miyagi’s place, but he definitely leaves the woods at the end of this one, trophy lifted in the air after being handed to him by a tearful Johnny and all.

And then they made a sequel.

4. The Karate Kid Part Two: Not Out Of The Woods Yet

Daniel’s won the competition, Kreese chokes out Johnny for daring to lose and cry, more life-lessons are given (for man without forgiveness in heart…) and Daniel and Ali break-up off-screen, confirming that TKK1 was not really about the girl after all, which, despite Daniel and Kumiko having wonderful chemistry, is also an ongoing theme. Daniel enters the screen in The Most Baby-Blue Outfit seen since Tiana’s dress in Princess and the Frog? Or that dress in Enchanted? Maybe Cinderella’s (technically silver, but later depicted as blue)? 

(Sidenote: At everyone who says Sam ought to wear a callback to that suit,  you are correct and sexy).

Surprise, Miyagi’s building him a room.

Double-surprise, Miyagi needs to go to Okinawa.

Triple surprise, Daniel reveals he’s going with him, because he’s his son dammit.

The Karate Kid Part Two is maybe the least Daniel-LaRusso-Feminine-Fairytale-Protagonist of the three, because it’s not really his movie. Daniel runs around with Kumiko (aka the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen), continues to be The Best Non-Toxic Boy a middle-aged Okinawan karate master could ask for, lands himself another Built Karate Rival (twice is just a coincidence, right? Right?), and eventually doesn’t die while wearing red again – twice: When Chozen almost strangles him to death at the Miyagi dojo and then during the final fight. The Saving Of The Girl (both the little girl in the storm and Kumiko) actually puts him in a more traditional masculine space than the previous movie did, even if the main theme of the film is about compassion and kindness and by the end, once more the boy whose masculinity is built on rockhard abs and matchsticks is on his knees. Daniel just has that power over big boys. It’s called kick/punch them in the face hard enough that they see stars.

There’s an aside to be made here about how much Daniel really is an observer in other peoples stories in this, although he is the factor that sends both Chozen and Kumiko into completely different directions in life (Chozen and Kumiko main characters when?) Anyway he comes out of it presumably okay, despite being almost killed. Maybe a few therapy sessions and he’ll get over it. Too bad Terry Silver is lurking around the corner…

5. The Karate Kid Part Three: The Big Bad Wolf

Alright people have written Words about the third movie. It’s fascinating. It’s odd. It’s eye-straining. It’s like olives – you’re either fully onboard the madness or it’s too off-putting for you (or you’re like. Eh, don’t see what all the fuss is about either way...). It’s basically a non-consensual secret BDSM relationship between a guy in his thirties (played by a Very Tall twenty-seven year old Thomas Ian Griffith) and a 17/18 year old (played by a shorter twenty-eight year old Ralph Macchio).

Also recently we got more information on Mr. Griffith’s input on the uh… vibes of the film. Apparently it wasn’t just The Sweetness of Ralph Macchio’s face, the screenplay (whatever that amounted to in the first place – release the script!), the soundtrack, the direction to not tone it down under any circumstances, the fact that Macchio categorically refused to play a romance between himself and an actress who was sixteen, no: it was also TIG coming up with fun ways to torture Daniel’s character and suggesting these to the director. Clearly everyone has fun hurting Mr Macchio (including Mr Macchio).

The point is that aaallll of that amounts to that Intense Homoerotic Dubiously-Consented-To D/s subtext that haunts the movie and gives a lot of fun stuff to play with. It’s also a film that – if we’re analysing Daniel along feminine-coded fairytale lines recontextualises his role in this universe.

The Fairytale goes topsy-turvy. Through the looking glass. Enter Big Bad Wolf stage right. Karate is a metaphor for Daniel’s bisexual awakening. 

“Oh, when will an attractive man touch me in ways that aren’t about hurting me?” he asks after two movies of being hurt by boys with rippling muscles. “Why do men continue to notice me only to hit me? Do you think wearing red is making me too noticeable? Anyway, Mr Silver looked really good in his gi today.” 

Daniel’s diary must be a trip.

[arcane-ish]

Talking (Relation-)Ships: Vi & Jinx

Ahhh, the big one, the one the series is about, the relationship that was always their first choice to cover. 

I will probably rush over this more than it deserves because: 

1.) I have less to talk about things that are actually good 2.) Act 3 is around the corner and it might throw off all my thoughts and theories

On the shipping front, again rule 34, I would never fully exclude it from existing (after all Wincest is a thing), but it does seem that like in this case there seems to be very few shipping-shipping. At least when I glanced over AO3 it looked to me like all fics on them seemed to be based on the League interpretation where it was just violent cop versus mischievous robber and probably not known yet that they are sisters. 

Overall, I think they have done a pretty great job with this relationship in Arcane, they really sell the emotion and the pathos (like Jinx lighting the signal). I for one really enjoy that they didn’t shy away from some of the grittier moments, like Jinx feeling left out of the group (ie when everybody fights the other street thugs) or Vi slapping Powder. It makes it feel more real to see this darker and gritter and unpleasant side as well. 

The main execution quibble is again that it feels a bit contrieved how Vi got abducted and disappeared just at the right/wrong moment. Or how Sevika taunts her so quickly about Vi having hanging out with an enforcer. 

The big question mark with Vi and Jinx of course is how it will end, where it is going. I generally do assume the point is to create the League situation, but there can still be facettes to it. 

I have to say, after seeing them on Arcane, it’s kind of unsettling to read the game quotes, not just that they are on different sides, but how genuinely mean they sound particularly on Vi’s side.  Jinx: "Jinx? Stands for Jinx! Durr." Vi: "I'll wipe that grin off your face. Permanently." Jinx laughs maniacally. Vi: "I forgot how annoying your laugh is." Jinx: "Rules are made to be broken... like buildings! Or people!" Vi: "Alright, who let crazy in?" Jinx: "Vi? Stands for stupid." Vi: "How long do I have to pretend to tolerate you?" Yes, Jinx also insults Vi (calling her stupid or fat hands), but I dunno, Vi’s just seem harsher and more tired to me, while Jinx’s stuff feels more childish. 

In Arcane, I think they intentionally introduced Jayce/VIktor and Silco/Vander as contrasts and particularly Silco and Vander is supposed to show us conflicts that are completely unresolvable and that end in death. So we should at least be scared that it could end very badly, but I have a hard time taking it seriously because we weren’t really shown much of their pre-fallout bond. 

For the way they are portrayed in Arcane, if they end up on opposite sides, the things that would halfway work for me would be: 

1.) Actually they mostly made up, but because Vi got drafted into the enforcers they just pretend to chase each other. Jinx does funny and weird pranks, Vi pretends to chase her, but always lets her go. They team up on occasion. 

2.) Jinx fractured further and Vi’s drive is to catch her and “get her back”, emotionally.  

Also, I do like Vi/Caitlyn, but I really hope it doesn’t turn into having to choose Cait over Jinx. Aka if the point of the story was Vi breaking the bros before hoes/sister before mister code. That wouldn’t sit right with me (if Jinx and Vi ends sadly I am all for Cait being there to comfort Vi). 

Let’s Talk Vi

Obviously I see lot of love and care there (oh, those flashbacks of little Jinx). Yes, Vi is flawed too and she is young so I personally don’t blame her longterm for being a bad sister/lashing out at Jinx, I don’t think that it makes her a bad person long term. 

A scene that really affected me was after they clash and Vi walks out and she breaks down, but then she does scramble up and wants to run to Powder before she gets nabbed by Marcus and of course her desperation to get Powder back after she comes out of prison. 

I do read their relationship as Powder maybe was unusual/neurodivergent even before the death of Vander/Mylo/Clagger and Vi was taking her for her and trying to comfort her through crying fits etc. So she has some experience in how to handle that. And of course whenever there is something like that, there is also the question whether that is taxing for the caretaker too. 

Let’s Talk Jinx

So obviously there is a lot of love there and mixed emotions, but as much as I would like to think that Jinx misses Vi and it’s only Silco and Marcus keeping them apart, there is that scene where Jinx shoots the firelight who looks like Vi in the back. 

I tend to read Jinx as not really believing everything Silco tells her, or maybe she does think that he could be right about Vander, but not necessarily Vi. 

Now Vi being angry at her and walking out on her clearly hurt her and I could sort of see it as a “cut out the thing that can hurt you” kind of thing. It’s clearly that she is still very insecure, that Sevika’s words about Vi having replaced her get to her and she shows jealousy immediately when Cait is there. 

There has been some good discussion on Powder wanting to be useful and that she feels left out when she’s not useful. I feel like this goes along with her feeling different, feeling like an outsider, having trouble to connecting to people (probably due to neurodivergence), even Vi. So maybe that is a story there, that even if they do really love each other, that there is this one aspect that Jinx will always be alone in.  

Overall

My two questions: 

1.) Do I think that they do/did they fuck? 2.) Do I think that they could be happy together?

Don’t really make too much sense in this context, but for consistency, for 1, no, I don’t think so. 

As for 2, I would say, yes, I can picture them having a fairly happy and supportive sibling relationship if things had been just slightly different. So, not much to say there.

Final Grade: A (I like them a lot, the pathos and emotion is well done)

Disclaimer: these are my feelings as of the end of Act 2 of Arcane, my rating might go up or down drastically based on what happens in Act 3.

[jean-does-not-have-a-horseface]

Before Dawn: Bonus Chapter (1)

Helloooooo, alright listen, I re read a choice with no regrets and uhm here is this, a little insight on what has happened a little while before our story began, I'm sure you'll want to see some nice bonding with Isabel

Warnings: just a few teeny little mentions of intercourse

@hidehaskak of course here's your tag❤️

Turtleneck

"Yehawhaww" The moment you appeared at the entrance to the roof Isabel screamed at the top of her lungs in great enthusiasm. You stood silent after you spared her a smuggling nod pacing your eyes between the two men that accompanied her, awaiting for a signal of approval. "I knew I could get you to come! You guys don't mind her hanging out with us right? She's a friend."

At that sound the males finally gave in, letting Isabel close the distance between the both of you. Her significantly smaller arms wrapped around your frame in a pure hearted childish manner and seeing that you towered over her you placed your hands on the small of her back, almost too reassuringly to the males' liking. Their unforgiving gazes burned holes in your whole body with much rage built in for ruining their fun for the night.

You knew you were practically unwanted, but it was for Isabel that you stepped foot on this rooftop to begin with. Tired of her never ending pleas to join her and her so called bros as they looked at the stars and talked about everything and anything you had decided to violate curfew and join her, not them, just her, because you wanted to share some more moments with her. This young little redhead was growing on you in the best way possible, you thought she kind of reminded you of yourself in times where you needed salvage or just a friend with whom you could share your piece of mind and heart.

She wasn't like that at first. Isabel probably resembled a rose, it occurred to you, with her godly youthful looks and her thorn like personality. It was a result from growing up in a trashhole like the underground, among thugs, being forced to build a rough personality if she wanted to survive, it was merciless for her and any other girl down there. But the bubbly side of her personality assured you she was much more than a badass teen who could hand you your ass in any fight, she had a pure heart and you longed to help her feel like she deserved post childhood experiences. But for now, it felt as if your roles had reversed. Sure, you were -if not just as her- bubbly and kind but sometimes you were frustratingly unresponsive and ill faced that it worried her until she got to know you. You hadn't put yourself in a place to talk about you trauma to her; she had her own demons and there was no point in burdening her with your abusive background, but you managed to explain to her that most of your weird and uptight behaviors, most things you could dispose of to become a better person, were curved into you in ways you could share yet. And Isabel, as respectful as ever had assured you it was fine not to be able to share.

Most girls would shut her out due to her formal nature as a thug, much like your friends who at first were adamant about discouraging you to befriend her. They had assumed she wouldn't be able to be nice and kind or to talk like them, but you were against any pretentious act behind her back. Maybe it was due to egoistical motives that you wanted to salvage this little girl, because she reminded her of you, and Nanaba, the only person who fully knew about your situation was taking a stand against this at first. She didn't want you to hurt yourself or the redhead in the process of trying to project your condition on her. But you didn't give up. With Isabel as your new bunkmate you had many chances of getting it right.

"Did you bring what I asked you to?" Isabel hurriedly asked, reaching her hands to make a quest inside the tote bag that you carried. You showed no sign of holding back as you let her peak into the cream colored bind, but only managed to cover your ear as her squeks got louder. "Thank you thank you thank you! Sit down, show me!

Isabel shooed Levi and Furlan apart, placing herself right next to the blond man while tapping her hand on her left side. You followed her smile hesitantly and proceeded to sit down to where her hand was rested a few seconds ago, next to Levi. You felt his eyes ravaging your whole form, up and down as if you were some dirty pig that seeked to rub its mud onto him. When seated neatly enough as to not touch him you proceeded to pry open your tote bag and toss a share of it insides to Isabel.

With a determined face she got a strong hold of the grey colored yarn and the pair of slightly thick needles you had managed to recover for her. "Okay show me, show me!"

"Oh what's that?" Furlan peeked his head over Isabel's shoulder to inspect of the situation.

"It's yarn and needles."

"Ahh, Furlan don't interrupt, (y/n) show me how to cast on!"

"See that's the easiest part, sweetheart." You watched Isabel coo at the support in your tone while she puckered her lips to a cute kid like pout. She followed your slow movements as if you were a goddess, showing her how to create new wolds with her strained hands.

Levi, even though he was suspicious of you, a member of Erwin's team who tried to coax her way into Isabel's life, felt somehow relieved to see that beloved expression on Isabel's face. He had overheard her once, taking to her self in the mirror, wishing she had a lady friend to spend time with and it pained him that she had a feeling of such lack inside her. Therefore your presence was a little soothing in their company. He would be lying if he said he personally didn't like it. After all he had thought you were a beautiful company to Erwin in one of the many times he had come across him in the Underground, silently watching him from the shadows. Not that he was a creep to begin with, it was just his lack and a response to the question of whether you can ever see a stranger twice, that you were actually a scout.

"Where did you learn to do this (y/n?)" Furlan was set to break off Levi's thoughts for one too many times tonight.

"Old mothers are adamant about these things, you know, good girl stuff and all."

"Oh." He began with a flirtatious tone that made both Levi and Isabel turn to him wide eyed "Good girl huh? Every Bad boys dream, including min- ah shit Isabel, ouch!"

The squint in Isabel's eyes was something that you couldn't see and you even ignored it as a matter of fact. Isabel was aware of your teeny crush on Levi, she had gotten it out of you one day during training after she had caught you gawking and drooling at him for doing the bare minimum. It was simply natural for her to get overly excited at the fact. Ever since then she had been convinced that him and you would be a perfect match, that you wouldn't have to be so uptight with him after all but you would always brush her off. It didn't torment you just get, even if his cold gaze somehow tickled your heart at certain times you were perfectly fine with hanging out around him. But there was no point in trying to convince Isabel to give up, not when she practically lived off of you and the male duo. Perhaps that was why she had squinted her eyes so hard at Farlan, she didn't want the couple in her head to be broken apart before it even started.

For the rest of your time with them you barely speak. You were fine with standing there and knitting away your project, a grey ribbed sweater that you had accidentally managed to make huge up to a certain point when you didn't find a purpose in casting off and undoing. You wondered if Isabel really wanted to knit or if it was her excuse to have you hang out with the ravenette since she had seemed to long forget about her needles and was fixated on a bottle of booze, talking away about some merchants in the underground flee market. You figured you should take your leave being to alienated to break their usual trio, you couldn't even keep up with their conversations, not that they cared to include you.

"So if you're all about playing housewife what are you doing here?" Farlan's voice calls out to you almost strained from any actual purpose, he probably knew it was kind of rude on the part to not include you after Isabel had invited you.

You remained silent for a few moments, tilting your head back to stare at the jewel decorated dark sky. Finding the right words for your purpose seemed unbelievably difficult and suffocating but it perhaps was nothing compared to their previous lifestyle.

"I didn't want to die." Two of the three almost fall to instant, bubbling laughter the moment your thoughts longer in the air as actual words.

"And you came here out of all places?" Levi sternly inquired without ever initiating some sort of eye contact.

"I wasn't top of my class, but even if I was I wouldn't go in the MP. I don't want to live a full life as a bastard you know and Garrison, let's say I have my reasons as to not going there."

Something about that bastard themed sentence caused curiosity to twitch inside Levi's chest but he didn't quest on it, oversharing wasn't in his plans to do so with a practical stranger, even if deep down you didn't exactly feel like one. He couldn't be explain that feeling but he could certainly understand what it was that made Isabel so attached to you. Something about your aura was like fresh, dripping honey, unprocessed yet sweet and endearing and overpoweringly strong to the flavor.

"You're not a bastard you had parents right? You just talked about your old mother."

Conveniently, Farlan's words allowed you to shut up and look away, further away from the former thug trio and into the vast horizon that laid before you. You contemplated what was it that enamored everyone outside the walls. With all that death, the scouts corpses that rot every where, you didn't have anything against the walls or life inside, taking down Titans and following orders was therapeutic enough to you as long as you came back to an eventual cup of milk tea and your knitting and embroidering projects. You couldn't bring yourself to give a damn about your future, but you liked fighting for the future of others, maybe somewhere there was a child, just like you, who wanted to get away from an abusive household and start a new life or pick up on experiences they had never lived. These people deserved not to feel caged inside the walls and plus, the nature of the Titans was very much appealing to you due to Erwin and his constant pep talks.

"Wait so how did you end up in Erwin's squad if you're mediocre?" Farlan pushed again, not wanting to let you stay silent for what's worth it.

"Don't forget I'm a veteran. I've outpassed the years a scout is expected to live so Erwin decided to move me to his squad, Mike insisted since we were from the same district."

"Oh so you fucked your way up huh?"

With the corner of his eye Levi watched as your eyes widened in shock. He couldn't possible know about your past, but you didn't seem the tyoe to go around and fuck your superiors so you could earn a higher rank. You were too ignorant to anything, it was prominent that you didn't care about even receiving your own room for serving well all these years.

"How dare you! As if it's something to open your legs for!" There it was, sweet confirmation that you indeed were ignorant.

"Good girl and all huh?"

"Sure."

There was something tense in the air as Farlan flirted, the subtle roll in your eyes, the unusual monotony of Isabel's voice, even Levi has seemed to bring his shoulders towards his collarbones in any attempt to distance his mind off of the unrequited nature of scenery. You weren't flirting back, momentarily he wondered if you even knew how since the sheer blush on your face betrayed your otherwise distinctive spitfire. You acted more childish than Isabel, in a way that you probably didn't realise caught Levi's attention because he didn't mind to spare you a glare, he'd rather keep it to himself.

____

Next time, it was supposed to be Farlan who approached to help you get your foot out of the muddy hole it was stuck to, Isabel squealed profanities at him, but it was Levi who had managed to push past him and the redhead, exposing his self to the cold pouring rain to run towards you. Just how stupid of your team was to leave you in the pouring rain to make your foot in your own?

His mind was at gaze as he sprint, random thoughts filling empty apathetic species that begged for overthinking to take over them. He knew Farlan didn't really like you, he was just trying to such to their plan and keeping you close was in sole purpose of getting closer to Erwin but for Isabel is want like that. She really liked your company, even he enjoyed some of your company at times and they weren't taking any chances with using you.

Moreover and much to his despise, he found himself in a very murky situation with each extension of his foot to your location. Fuck did you really have to look like that? With one leg stretched, toned bottom swaying in the air, strong veiny hands gripping on your knee, mud on the tips of your fingers and hair wet, making wild moves as you flipped your head upwards to get it out of your face. He twitched at the way a small tress stuck to your chapped lips, almost as if you were a goddess of water, a Nereid, as if you were made to be in this drenched state. Small droplets traveled from your chin down your exposed neck, hiding inside the base of your soft grey turtleneck, it was indeed a magnetising scenery, an alluring unraveling play to his eyes but he dared to rip his eyes away. He wondered if anyone could perceive this scene the way that only he did.

"Tch, try not to get that filth on me." He spoke as his sleek palms wrapped around your torso in delicate force, fitting almost perfectly. He closed his eyes. What the fuck was he even thinking? He wasn't even going to stay here for long.

"Wouldn't dream of it, but I beg of you to help before I get sick"

From a distance Isabel watched with teary eyes. A soft feeling of happiness engulfed her whole, not letting her give some form of attention to Farlan who clicked his tongue.

"Whatever Farlan, Levi is finally going to get some action for once. It's not like it's interfering with our mission!" Her brows forrowed at his sight. "He likes her, can't you see?"

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that if you don't actually tell him"

Her eyes harded at what Farlan had said. Of course, she knew Levi would deny ever laying his eyes on anyone but she wanted to be there to watch him experience falling in love, hell even falling out of it. Farlan should plainly accept that Levi is not always going to be hang up from their group. Sticking together even after their time at the military was a given, but wanting to have lovers and relationships now that they could enjoy their lives? Isabel was eagerly excited for it.

She watched you and Levi as you freed your leg from the muddy puddle, flying over by the force you had both been laboring and falling on too of each other, Levi's face was contorted in anger, fumingly red as he tried not to tell at you and she was definite about his feelings towards you.

Outside and laid with his back in the mud, Levi felt startled in a way he hadn't experienced before. He could faintly feel the tips of your breasts on his chest and he guessed you were using cloth binds since the impact wasn't enough to get him beyond a little flustered, but he could admit that this was embarrassing. He was angry, for being muddy that is, god knows just how much he despised mud and the smell of filthy rain but there was something about the way you straddled him and it touched a little flicker inside of him that told him it was alright to be muddy for a few more seconds, as long as he was underneath you. Despite his lack of experience in romantic or tense moments, he only had had sex a few times that he could count on one hand and he had despised each one for being disgustingly filthy, he definitely could sense the electric field in the air around you.

But as soon as the moment occured and you took your glistering eyes off of his, you pushed strength into your arms, digging your palms in the dirt to lift your self up and he was once again his normal self. With a click if his tongue he slipped from underneath you, denying your open hand that seeked to offer him a little help. He wasn't here for a sappy little romantic adventure, he was here to find those documents and kill Erwin, you were merely getting in the way of his brain functioning properly.

[the-starless-sky]

cozmez x Akan Yatsura / “FAMILY” voice drama track 2

Part 1 | Listen through Spotify.

Reo: And? You woke up this morning and he's gone? Aren't you overreacting~?

Hokusai: It's still only afternoon...

Satsuki: Ain't he just gone to the convenience store or something? And went to the game center when he's at itー

Kanata: Haah!?

Satsuki: Don't get riled up at that!

Kanata: Nayuta won't ever do something like that! He's never went out without saying anything to me... and I can't get a hold of him too...

Satsuki, Reo & Hokusai: ...

Iori: D'ya have... an idea as to why he disappeared?

Zen: Waka...!

Kanata: Last night, we had a fight...

Satsuki: What the heck, so it was a fight.

Reo: Aah, so maybe 'cause of that he felt it hard to see you face to face? I know that feel, you guys are siblings after all!

Hokusai: Really...?

Zen: What did you guys fought about? If it's alright with you, would you please tell us?

Kanata: He told me... to go out. He told me to go out more, and meet more people. He said that'd make me stronger.

Zen: I see.

Kanata: But I don't need that...! I only need Nayuta. Even so, he...

Iori: But it doesn't seem like s'all it was.

Kanata: ...!

Iori: To ask for my help 'til ya bow yer head, something ya've never done, means there's 'nother reason, right?

Kanata: Sometime ago, right at the time we got the Paradox Live invitation, I was attacked in town. There were three of them, punks targeting my phantometal.

AKYR: Oh...

Kanata: 'Cause they were trying to lay their hands on Nayuta, I beat them to a pulp.

Satsuki: Seriously!? You're kinda strong even though you're lanky, huh!

Reo: Monkey, you're noisy.

Hokusai: Kanata, what happened next?

Kanata: That time, they probably remembered my face. If they found Nayuta when he's alone...!

Reo: You guys have the same face, so if they misunderstood, it wont be pretty...

Hokusai: Dangerous...!

Zen: I see. So that's why you came to our place.

Kanata: This kind of thing... I know that I'm not in the place to rely on you, but...!

Iori: Aight! We should help each other in times of need. Got it, y'all?

Satsuki: Yeah!

Reo: Can't be helped~! I'll help you.

Hokusai: I'll find Nayuta. I'm good at finding lost cats.

Zen: Then, let's immediately divide the work. Waka and I will stand by here. We'll gather information. Everyone else go out to town, and search.

Iori: Ooh~! Ya look the part, don'tcha, Zen~! Ya look like those police detectives on TV dramas!

Zen: Please don't poke fun at me.

Iori: OK. Sorry.

Zen: Cough. Just in case, the search team is to move in groups of two. Decide the assignment of area and get in contact as appropriate.

Reo: OK~! Then, I'm grouping with Hokusai~

Hokusai: Understood.

Satsuki: Then, Kanata's with me.

Kanata: Y-yeah...

Satsuki: Be at ease! With this Gaia-sama, fearful enough to silence a crying child, we'll find one, even two little brothers in no time!

Kanata: Y-yeah...

Zen: If something happens, immediately get in touch and wait for reinforcement. Don't force yourselves.

Reo: Roger!

Iori: Aight, let's go all out!

Everyone: Yeah!!

_

(Sounds of train passing.)

Reo: Aah, I'm tired~~! Jeez~ We've been walking around all day, my legs feel like lead!

Satsuki: You've got no stamina at all.

Reo: I mean, to top it off, Hokusai tried to ask cats...

Hokusai: If only I can speak cat language...

Reo: Kanata, how's it on your end?

Kanata: We've got nothing. We couldn't trace his steps after he got out of the apartment...

(Hokusai picks up a call.)

Hokusai: Yeah... yeah... understood.

(Hokusai hangs up.)

Hokusai: From Zen... he said they didn't get any leads too.

Reo: Eeeeeh, seriousyl!? Zen-nii's an ex-police detective but he's no good at all!

Satsuki: Don't diss Zen-nii!

Hokusai: This area isn't Big Bro's territory, so...

Satsuki: But like, it's impossible to look around this much and get nothing at all.

Reo: Siiiiigh. Then, what do we do from now on?

Satsuki: We've got choice but to continue, don't we?

Hokusai: Yeah...

(Sounds of train passing.)

(Kanata stops walking.)

Kanata: Enough already.

Satsuki: Eh?

Kanata: Enough already. I'll search by myself from now.

Reo: Haa? What the heck are you saying?

Kanata: I said, I'll go search for him by myself. You guys don't have to do anything else. Sorry for getting you all mixed into this.

Satsuki: You...!!

(Satsuki grabs Kanata by the shirt.)

Satsuki: Don't look down on our chivalry!! [1] Nayuta is your family, ain't he!? Big Bro acknowledged that and agreed to help you. Just because we searched a little and couldn't find him, there's no way we'd just say 'yes, okay' and run with tails between our legs!

Reo: He's your one and only important little brother, isn't he!

Hokusai: We'll definitely... find him.

Kanata: Eh... but...

Satsuki: No fuckin' 'buts'!! You were searching desperately, lookin' like you're gonna die, didn't you? You got us in this far, don't pretend to be tough now!!

Reo: That's right, that's right! At times like this, you should just meekly depend on us! Right, Hokusai?

Hokusai: Yeah, that's right. It's okay to depend on us.

Kanata: ...

Reo: Hey... when you came to our place, you said you investigated the Suiseki group, right?

Kanata: Yeah...

Reo: Then, you knew about the raid, didn't you?

Kanata: Yeah, just the gist of it. I heard that in just one night, the group got utterly annihilated by something.

Reo: ...would've died.

Kanata: Eh?

Reo: Me... Satsuki, and Hokusai, too. That time, if our timing shifted even a second, all of us would've died.

Kanata: ...!

Reo: A deep red sea of blood... everyone died. I couldn't save anyone. Not the boss, not my comrades...

(Sound of crows cawing.)

Reo: That's why, at that time, I swore. That I wont lose my comrades, my family, ever again.

Satsuki: ...We're family.

Kanata: Family...

Satsuki: Yeah. For ordinary people, we might just be thugs, but for us, we're family. I was always like this since I was little. I get into fights quickly, and I can't study at all. Both my parents and my teachers all gave up on me - I didn't even go to elementary school properly.

Reo: Haha. Satsuki-chan's completely an elementary school graduate, after all.

Satsuki: Shut up. Everyday, everyday, I'm always pissed. If I hit others, they'd get scared. I feel refreshed, and thought I'd rise up with these fists. At that time, Big Bro took me in. Big Bro and my comrades taught me, who was abandoned by my parents because they thought I was uncontrollable - How to use chopsticks, how to eat fish, greetings, manners, and the right way to fight... patiently, they taught me, again and again, without ever giving up. Thats why I decided that they are my family. I don't care what others say. No matter how useless they are, I won't abandon them. That's what family is.

Reo: ...Me, too. I chose my own family. My blood related family has... how to say it? Broken up, and I haven't seen them for years. I don't want to see them, either. But it's not like I hate them or anything. Papa taught me hip hop, and Mama... see, she gave me this cute face, after all.

Satsuki: You gonna say that yourself?

Reo: But you see, my family... all thought that they're the most important. They make debts that Papa couldn't pay back, lots of things happened, and my family broke up. Aha, pathetic, right?

Hokusai: Reo...

Reo: Yeah.

Hokusai: There, there.

(Hokusai pats Reo's head.)

Reo: Haha, Hokusai's so nice... Unlike a certain shitty monkey.

Satsuki: Who the fuck would pat your head, disgusting!

Hokusai: Me, too. My father is in prison. We probably won't ever meet each other outside anymore, for life.

Kanata: Eh?

Hokusai: I'm the son of a criminal. When everyone knew of it, they all left me. Only animals don't look at me with rose-colored glasses. They always stay by my side. But, Big Bro and the others were different. They treat me as Masaki Hokusai, as a different person than my father. They told me to raise my head when we walk together. To them, I'm not a shameful person, because we're family.

Kanata: Family...

Satsuki: Yeah. We're not related by blood, though.

Reo: We didn't have any other choice but to choose our own family. But, Kanata, you have Nayuta, right?

Hokusai: You have to protect... your important family.

Satsuki: Yeah! Don't look down on elementary school graduate!

Reo: Waah~ how embarrasing!

Hokusai: Fufu...

Satsuki: Wh--, Hokusai, you too?

Nayuta: Kanata?

Kanata: ...! Nayuta!!

Nayuta: What are you doing in a place like that?

Kanata: What, you ask--

Satsuki: More importantly, where'd you appear from suddenly!?

Nayuta: Kanata... these guys are Akan Yatsura's...? What are you doing together?

Kanata: You idiot! We were looking for you!!

Nayuta: Eh? "Looking"?

Kanata: Where were you all this time!?

Nayuta: Where, you ask... um, I couldn't think of a good lyric, so I went out for a walk, and then I got lost, and I was tired so I took a nap somewhere, then... What did I do next?

Satsuki: Are you a stray cat!?

Hokusai: As I thought, I have to learn cat language...

Nayuta: Haha, what? What is it? Kanata, too, making such a scary face.

Kanata: Stop messing around! How worried did you think I was!!?

Nayuta: Eh?

Kanata: Saying "go by yourself", and disappearing...

Nayuta: Eh? What?

Reo: Kanata was worried that you got kidnapped by some punks.

Satsuki: He even bowed his head to us.

Hokusai: And searched for you desperately, you know?

Nayuta: Ooh... Seriously?

Kanata: Yeah...

Nayuta: No way... but...

Kanata: Quietly disappearing like that... I won't forgive you.

Nayuta: Kanata...

Kanata: I don't have anyone else but Nayuta. Nayuta's my only family. That's why, that's why... don't ever quietly disappear... don't ever...

Nayuta: Kanata... It's okay. I'm by your side. Always, whenever, I'm always by Kanata's side.

_

(Sounds of them walking.)

Kanata: ...Sorry. I got you all to walk around a full day and you guys even treated us to food.

Reo: It's okay, it's okay. We put the tab on Big Bro, after all!

Satsuki: Raimen-tei's soo yummy, right!? Honestly, I thought that cozmez's detestable bastards with cocky music and attitude, but we actually get along, don't we?

Hokusai: Haha. Then, we'll part here.

Reo: Starting from now on, we're rivals, okay?

Satsuki: Don't get into a fight, 'kay!?

Kanata: U-uhm!

Reo: Yeah?

Kanata: If, if you guys were lied to by Suise-- no, your family, what will you do?

Reo: Lie?

Kanata: Yeah. If kept an important thing secret.

Satsuki: Ha? That's no big deal, ain't it? Even though we're family, we'd still have one or two secrets we can't say.

Reo: Like the place where Satsuki-chan hides his favorite erotic magazines~

Satsuki: HAA!?

Reo: On the floor below the closet, it's obvious!

Satsuki: You bastard-

Kanata: Not something like that! For example, if it has something to do with your lives...

Satsuki, Reo & Hokusai: ...

Hokusai: Even so... no, if so, I'd believe them.

Kanata: Believe?

Hokusai: If so, it's kept a secret to protect us. A lie to protect your family. I won't doubt it.

Kanata: ...!

Satsuki: Yeah, that's right! I'm satisfied if I had to put my life on the line for Big Bro.

Reo: Me too, when I decided to follow Big Bro, I've prepared myself, after all.

Satsuki: Right? Don't look down on our chivalry!

Hokusai: Yeah.

Reo: Well, that's that, so...

Satsuki: See ya! The next time we meet, it'd be on the stage.

Hokusai: We won't lose.

Reo: Prepare yourselves, okay~?

(Satsuki, Reo & Hokusai walks away.)

Kanata: Ah.

Nayuta: What's wrong, Kanata?

Kanata: I missed the chance to say thank you to them.

Nayuta: Hahaha...

Kanata: What?

Nayuta: You made friends.

Kanata: Ha!?

Nayuta: It means, you have people other than me that you'd say 'thank you' to.

Kanata: That's...

Nayuta: Kanata. Kanata, you can change. You can get more, way stronger than you are now.

Kanata: That's why I said that's...

Nayuta: I'm with you. "If the two of us are together, we're the strongest", right?

Kanata: ...Yeah. If the two of us are together, we're the strongest.

_

Iori: That so? Good that y'all managed to find him. Yeah, good job.

(Iori hangs up.)

Zen: Did they find Nayuta-kun?

Iori: Yeah.

Zen: The only thing we can do is to watch over them. It feels kind of vexing, isn't it?

Iori: Yer right, but cozmez's a strong opponent. Can't let our guards down on the next live.

Zen: Of course, I will go all out! I have no intention to lose!

Iori: Yeah! Becoming of Akan Yatsura, let's go merrily an' flashily!

_

Notes

1] As in the spirit of helping the weak and fighting the strong, generosity, heroism - usually a term used by the yakuza.

[meliaaizawa]

RAMEN OF REGRET

Shota dealing with Mei's departure to her internship.

Mei moved to Tokyo about five months ago. Or is it six? I’ve lost track of time. Though my mind told me it was best to let her go, things haven’t been the same around here. For starters, it’s been a lot more work trying to get around during my patrols. I had gotten so used to having Mei’s copied cloud quirk. I can’t just fly around with her anymore, so my legs and arms have been sore from swinging and running around so much. Last week, I got stabbed by some thug while I was stopping a mugging… Instead of Mei being around to treat my injury, I had to go to a doctor to get it stitched up. She would even help me grocery shop when she was around. Bottom line is that my whole schedule the past few months has been out of order. I thought that her being away was rational, but to be honest, it’s been a lot more difficult than I had originally anticipated.

However… all of that is cakewalk compared to the inner battle I’ve been dealing with. Mei deciding to go to Tokyo was an easy out for me… or so I thought. It was the perfect opportunity for me to get rid of my feelings for her. No Mei around, no love for her would develop… simple, right? WRONG. On the contrary, Mei has been sticking around in the back of my mind like a pesky weed that I can’t seem to get rid of. I didn’t expect to just stop thinking about her overnight… but I also wasn’t expecting to think about her even more six months after zero contact with her. Somehow, even from all the way in Tokyo, she��s able to plague my mind. How annoying.

Shota stopped writing at the sound of a knock at his door. “Yes?” he answered. “YOOOO SHOTAAA IT’S YOUR BESTIE!!” he heard the cursed voice of Hizashi say from the other side of the door. “I’m not at home,” he replied, plainly. “I’m letting myself in, then,” Yamada said, followed by the jingling of keys and the rattling of the doorknob. Shota nearly forgot that he gave him a spare key to get inside and feed Kohi while he was on an extended mission a couple months ago. He acted fast, shutting his journal and throwing it underneath the couch that he was lounging on. Just in time… as Hizashi walked into the darkness of his friend’s apartment.

“BRO, I HAVEN’T SEEN YOU IN AGES!” he said, turning the lights on, causing Shota to blink wildly. “How can you even see in here??” Hizashi continued, walking into the surprisingly messy apartment. “My eyes were adjusted,” Shota replied, rubbing his eyes and trying to readjust to the lights being on. “And I’ve never seen your place this messy before,” Hizashi added, knowing that Shota was an overall very tidy man. “I’ve been busy… now leave me alone,” Shota said, still laying on the couch. “I’ve left you alone now for the past six months. It’s time for you to get out and get some fresh air!! Let’s go grab some food!!” his friend replied.

“No,” Shota said, shortly. Hizashi crossed his arms and tapped his foot. “Fine, if you’re going to be stubborn, you leave me no choice but to remain in your apartment until you decide to leave,” he replied, sitting down on the floor right in front of the couch, taking Shota’s remote and turning the TV on, as if making himself at home. If there was anything that was important to Shota, it was the comfort of his own home. He got up from the couch and snatched the remote from Hizashi’s hand, turning the TV off. Though in his loungewear, Shota went over to his front door and slipped on his boots. “Let’s get this over with, then,” he said.

The pair walked through the neighborhood, over to a nearby ramen shop that they used to frequent. *Of course, we would eat here of all places* Shota grumbled to himself. They went in and placed their orders before taking a seat at the bar. Hizashi was chatting about something while Shota’s mind wandered. Ramen had always been Mei’s favorite food… really, she loved all soup, but she was crazy about ramen. So crazy that during their second-year school festival at UA, Mei convinced her three buds to sign-up for a ramen eating contest with her. She ate so much that they had to go out and buy more. Her and Hizashi were the final two in the competition. She could’ve easily kept going, but when she recognized that Yamada would’ve been sick if he ate any more, she dropped out, letting him win. She said she didn’t want the winner’s sash and trophy anyways.

“Hm? What’s on your mind, bro??” Hizashi asked, interrupting his train of thought. “Nothing of importance,” Shota replied, shortly. “It’s obviously something important!! That ramen has been sitting in front of you for almost five minutes and you haven’t even touched it!” he pointed out, causing Shota to notice. “I was letting it cool down,” he lied, taking his chopsticks and starting to eat. “It’s because ramen is Mei’s favorite food, isn’t it? OK, REAL TALK… you haven’t been yourself for MONTHS. In fact, I can specifically point to the change six months ago when Mei left,” Hizashi said. “What are you getting at?” Shota asked, acting uninterested as he continued to eat his ramen.

“What I’m getting at is that you should just call her!! You’re acting all depressed as if she were dead, but she’s not!! In fact, she’s probably been hoping you’d call her… Whenever I talk to her, she always asks about you… I’m sure she misses you!!” Hizashi told him. “Why should I care?” Shota asked. “Because it’s obvious you’re in love with her,” he replied, causing Shota to choke on his ramen slightly. “I’ve always had a feeling, but now I know for sure… I mean, why else would you just let her leave to go to Tokyo? You were afraid of commitment, weren’t you?” Hizashi asked. “We’re ready for the check,” Shota told the waiter behind the bar.

“It’s obvious your life is so much better with Mei in it… what’s stopping you from hopping on the next train to Tokyo, finding Mei, and telling her about how you really feel?” Hizashi asked while Shota settled up with the waiter. “It’s better this way,” he replied sadly before getting up from the table and walking away. “Hey, wait up!!” Hizashi called after him, but he walked out of the shop. “Sir!!! How much do I owe??” Hizashi asked the waiter. “Oh, the other gentleman paid for your meal as well,” he answered. “SHOTA!!!!” Hizashi called as he ran out of the shop, looking up and down the streets wildly… but Shota stealthily got away.

[keelywolfe]

FIC: The Rose and the Thorn: Chapter 5 (Mafia AU)

Summary:   So where was Blue while Rus was off getting kidnapped and how did he end up with Red, anyway?

Tags: Spicyhoney, Mafia AU, Flower Shop AU, Violence, First Meetings

Warnings: Some violence. A wee bit of unwanted touching and some innuendo.

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4

~~*~~

Read on AO3

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Read it here!

~~*~~

It was barely afternoon and Blue was already tired. He’d spent the morning coaxing a variety of flowers in their garden into bloom, gently forcing them to quickly travel through their growth cycles until they were ready to be cut and added to a bouquet.

Normally, their garden had a rigid schedule to keep from pushing the plants too much; stimulated growth could only go so far, after all. But losing most of their stock was forcing Blue to abandon it. Using so much magic in such a short amount of time was exhausting and when Blue parked in their assigned spot, the elderly van wheezing to a stop, he took a moment to sit in the sagging driver’s seat, ignoring the spring pushing through the cheap vinyl to poke at his coccyx as he closed his sockets for just a moment.

There really wasn’t time for a rest. Papy was waiting on these flowers, likely working hard since this morning readying the baskets for Blue’s delivery. There were funerary floral arrangements to be made, birthday gifts, romantic gestures, and every one of them added desperately needed profits back into their coffers.

Rest would have to wait. Instead, Blue pawed through the glove box, past the yellowed owner’s manual and an odd collection of fast food napkins to find a granola bar in its depths. Tastelessly stale, the chocolate chips cast in a white haze and Blue ate it anyway, chewing without tasting. It would help revive his magic and he’d be able to paste on his sunniest smile for Papyrus when he got inside.

His little brother was working so terribly hard, so many long hours on his own. Blue’s soul was so tight with pride, it felt as if it were ready to explode and shower his Papy with it, even as he kept the underling guilt hidden away, tucked back where his brother wouldn’t have to deal with it.

This was his fault. Papy shouldn’t have to deal with the brunt of the stress. He’d abandoned his own faint hopes for college to help Blue with the business, worked hard without a fuss. He learned to make flower arrangements from bouquets to corsages, how to run the registers, how to smile and charm their customers into buying more than they intended. This was Blue’s dream, not his, but he’d thrown himself in entirely, and Blue didn’t want him to know about the bills rubberstamped in red ‘past due’ ink. He didn’t want Papy to worry about their dwindling savings.

The insurance money would help, quite a bit if the representative he spoke to yesterday was correct, and they only needed to last the few weeks until it came.

A little hard work hadn’t dusted him yet, Blue told himself as he got out of the van and retrieved the first heavy bucket of cut flowers; lilies, for the funeral arrangements. A few weeks more wasn’t going to do any harm.

When he got to the shop door, for a moment Blue didn’t understand why it wouldn’t push open. Then he realized the open sign was off, the door was locked tight. The shop was closed, on a Friday afternoon when all the lovesick swains got their paychecks and were ready to pick up flowers in hopes of a romantic weekend and they’d be purchasing their bouquets elsewhere because his shop was closed.

Later, Blue would be ashamed his first instinct was largely irritated; had his silly brother forgotten to leave the door open for customers, they did have some stock! But that was not for more than a startled second, long enough for him to see the broken mug scattered across the stoop.

He leaned down to pick up a shard of the plastic, absently noting the tremble in his hand. It had been his brother’s favorite travel mug, a silly thing he’d gotten it at the thrift shop, leftover from some Halloween or another. The skeletons that danced around it would dance no more, the piece Blue held had lost its legs, and he took very little comfort in the fact there was no dust on the broken pieces because there was a single splotch of redness, a near-perfect circle of dried marrow.

Someone had hurt his brother, Humans, perhaps the same ones from yesterday and how had he ever believed in his naiveté that Humans would welcome them to the surface with open arms.

“now thems some pretty flowers you got there.”

Startled, Blue turned towards that voice, ready to tell them with as much forced politeness as he could muster that they were currently closed, and would the police even come if he called them, would they even care, who else could he possibly—

Then he caught sight of who spoke, and his soul felt as if it froze right in his rib cage, icy fingers digging in and oh, his little brother was in far worse trouble than Blue could have ever guessed.

He’d never met the Fells, neither on the Surface or below it. The Underground was a big place and the madscrabble life they’d grown accustomed to in Ebott did not lend itself to making new acquaintances. Not that Blue frequented the sorts of places where one might meet the Fells. No, he’d never met them, but he knew them by reputation. Thugs, whispered along the gossip-line, loan sharks, racketeers, even murderers said the quietest rumors, though not for very long.

This one could only be the older brother, Red. He stood only a bit taller than Blue and nearly twice as broad, with little resemblance past the fact they were both skeleton Monsters. His teeth curved into a jagged, shark grin, unlike Blue’s blunted smile and his eye lights were the burning crimson of an ember. His dark expensive suit with its rich scarlet shirt boasted of handsewn silks, and the fingers holding his cigar were circled with gold rings whose stones were too garishly large to be anything but real. His other hand was tucked into his pocket, oddly threatening for its nonchalance. Flanking him were two large Dog monsters, white on white ties and shirts, and Blue was suddenly struck by the absurdity of it all.

His little flower shop along with his brother had somehow been transported into some ridiculous Godfather-esque alternate, only proved by Red exhaling a billowing cloud of smoke as he said, “but it looks t’me like you’ve got a lil’ trouble bloomin’. lose somethin’? or mebbe someone.”

Inappropriate laughter bubble up, choked away, and Blue heard himself say, “I suppose I did.”

Red nodded as if Blue had offered not a stream of wisdom, but an entire glistening fountain. He started pulling his hand out of his pocket and Blue tensed, angel-only knew what thoughts about guns or knives shooting through his mind. But that hand was empty and Red only plucked one of the lilies from the bucket, running a razor-tipped finger along the satiny petals.

“Are you here to help with that? My…my missing person?” Blue asked at last. Not that he wanted to, he didn’t, but his options were few, any choices dwindled away. There was no one else to ask and with every second that went by, the danger his brother was in could only be growing. This had something to do with yesterday, Blue was sure of it, and he couldn’t even imagine what sort of trouble his sweet, funny brother had gotten into to cause all this.

Rumor had it Red never broke his word, that he had a twisted way of keeping it, a monkey’s paw wish. But for his brother, Blue would have bargained with the devil incarnate.

He wondered if he was.

“could be,” Red said idly. He twirled the flower stem between his fingers. “you got quite the green thumb, dontcha.”

“Yes?” Blue agreed, warily. He’d heard that before when they’d first come to the Surface, and his refusal to grow drugs had been a costly one, losing him possible allies. He wondered dismally what conundrum he was about to be balanced on for his brother’s safety.

“hm.” Red gave the lily a considering sniff, “might have to see if we can drive your posy sales a lil’ better, after we get past this oopsie daisy.”

Blue didn’t know what that meant but he was sure he wouldn’t like it.

“tell ya what,” Red gave him a conspiratorial wink and a finger gun, as if they were close pals and not a known criminal chatting with a simple florist, “me and the neighborhood watchdogs here, we’ll take care of it. you hang tight and we’ll get your bro back to you.”

Blue didn’t ask how they knew it was his brother. He didn’t ask a thing. He simply crossed his arms over his chest and said, “No, I don’t think so. I’m coming with you.”

That earned him a deep frown, “baby blue, i think mebbe you didn’t hear me so good.”

“I heard you perfectly well,” Blue told him and didn’t bother with any astonishment over what this…this person might know or not know about him. Nicknames and whatnot were not important. Papy was. “And I don’t care. I’m coming with you and I’m staying until I see my brother.”

A low growl came from one of the Dogs, silenced instantly when Red held out a hand. Those jagged teeth curved into an unpleasantly wide grin, “you think so, eh. and if i say no?”

It was not particularly difficult to work up some tears, they’d been hovering thickly beneath the surface the moment Blue found that broken coffee mug. He let them loose now, wailing as loudly as he could, “How can you leave me like this!” Fat droplets rolled down his cheeks, huge sobs gasped out, “and with a baby on the way?”

Red froze, his cigar drooping in his teeth as his grin fell away so abruptly Blue half-expected it to shatter on the stoop with the remains of Papy’s coffee mug. All around them the people on the sidewalk who’d been previously been looking discreetly away were abruptly watching with avid interest, aghast and greedily outraged as Blue wept loudly, one hand pressed against his apron to his belly over their nonexistent child. A few people were shuffling their feet as if considering playing the hero, weighing their odds against a cruel wealthy ex-boyfriend and his friends casting aside a tiny pregnant clerk.

“get in the fucking car,” Red muttered. He tossed the lily on the ground, trodding on it as he turned to do the same. Blue tried not to see the mangled flower as a metaphor and followed, hopping through the open door that one of the Dogs closed firmly behind him.

He settled into the enormous leather seat, buckling his seatbelt to at least make it more difficult if Red decided it might well be easier to simply shove him out of the car on the next block.

Not that Red seemed to be considering it. He was rummaging through a small bar installed in the side door, pouring a finger’s worth of what was probably very expensive whiskey into a crystal glass, knocking it back in a single gulp. He poured another then settled back in his seat with it, crimson eye lights targeting Blue.

“you got some balls, kid,” he grumbled. It almost sounded grudgingly admiring but there wasn’t time to worry about that.

“Can you promise me you’ll get my brother back to me? Safe and sound,” Blue hastened to add.

“sure, toots. we’ll get your bro back in mostly one piece,” Red said. He grinned again, all jaggedly sharp teeth as Blue’s gorge rose, purring out, “nah, he’ll be all safe and sound. got someone on it right now, and not one of the usual mutts, neither. he’ll get your bro. meantime, we got some things we can discuss, you and me.”

Blue lifted his chin defiantly. He’d known what he was getting into. If there was a price to be paid for saving his brother, Blue would offer his own soul on a silver platter. But there was no reason for Papy to know. “I’m sure we do, so long as it’s a private discussion between us.”

Those crimson eye lights gleamed and Blue could very nearly hear the invisible chains of fate closing around him. “good boy. now, let’s talk about you, baby blue. how’s business?”

-fin

Read Next Chapter

[hypmic-translation]

Gimme the Mic

Hypnosis Mic!

ALL: Gi-Gi-Gi-Gi-Gimme the mic!

ICHIRO: Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, gimme the mic A leader going his own way, bad Ichiro’s appeared Unanimously admitted as the head Do you wanna get eaten up today too? (1) In control, I’m the rhyme master Buster Bros!!! This street will now become our front line ‘Bukuro will trample on anyone who dares declare war These wack bastards won’t get my mic off me

JIRO: The bomb’s been ignited, take cover This blast’s attack will rock your body Oi oi, ain’t this fight all just for show? (2) Hey, only meet my eyes if you wanna know pain, got it? In ‘Bukuro every time we cross each other’s paths You’re sure gonna end up in tears two or three times Go on, run away with your tail between your legs Like I thought, you’re just a faker after all

SABURO: You’re totally something like a cocky online troll (3) Seems like the mob is finally making its appearance (4) I can see that you’re in high spirits Scattering like ants after stomping on their nest Boasting like a caged monkey Morons for opponents aren’t even worth my time Merely yelling won’t win in a debate against me With an IQ that low, it simply isn’t enough

CHORUS: Gi-Gi-Gi-Gi-Gimme the mic! Signal the beginning, hear the cue, it’s my mic Stalling won’t bring you victory here Division battle, rule the stage Now, cry out your best words and style different rhymes Steal everything and show off, make an original flavour

Now stand up, gladiator Retreat all cowardly haters Mightier than sword or pen, Hypnosis Mic Divide the world, my punchline (Bang bang bang!) (5) Adrenaline (Pump pump pump!) We’ve got no choice, it’s kill or be killed, so don’t look back

SAMATOKI: No questions asked, here’s MAD TRIGGER Your mouth is shut, swallowed up by this blue coffin (6) C’mon, this is Samatoki-sama’s grand entrance Props like you lot should bow down to me In the end you’re all just puppets Ain’t it chivalrous of me to yank on your strings ‘Hama’s not a joke; not somethin' you can make light of I’ll make you drink the saliva that you’re spittin’!

JYUTO: Amateurs like you should fear my handcuffs You think puny weapons’ll ever spook me? Hah? Disobedience means immediate arrest Forge you a warrant, throw you in the slammer Wandering streets with no care for city limits I’ll turn a blind eye to the law, unchained and unattended Without good sense you’ll be in danger My badge decides your case as black or white (7)

RIOU: Cool and collected, I’m Crazy M From ‘Hama’s soldier into a focused laser No gaps in my focus, I’ll keep you in sight Can’t run in this city; stand your ground, take the beef You’ll get no mercy going up against me Stabbing you with my words just like knives No room for hesitation, I’ll pull the trigger and take your life You know what I’m saying?

CHORUS: Gi-Gi-Gi-Gi-Gimme the mic! Signal the beginning, hear the cue, it’s my mic Stalling won’t bring you victory here Division battle, rule the stage Now, cry out your best words and style different rhymes Steal everything and show off, make an original flavour

Now stand up, gladiator Retreat all cowardly haters Mightier than sword or pen, Hypnosis Mic Divide the world, my punchline (Bang bang bang!) Adrenaline (Pump pump pump!) We’ve got no choice, it’s kill or be killed, so don’t look back

KAZUSATO: Dark liberty, North Bastard Now we’ll take front stage I’m the general of Akabane’s sacred grounds Burn into your memory this wondrous retreat (8) Pursuing forms without sharpness (9) The background is nothing but darkness Scream and cry out as you’re swallowed by all of these wicked shadows You have to die

RYOZAN: I’m a talented trickster A jet roller coaster of lies MC Griffin rolls up, quick-talkin’ deceit (10) But I’m gone once shit starts goin’ down (11) A flippant, young, master MC Aah, y’couldn’t hear me? Don’t worry ‘bout it A cowardly lawbreaker, and slanderous too You gotta win to fit in with this loyalist society (12)

KENEI: Since the day I was born I’ve had dangerous thoughts Armed with logic instead of chasing delusional ideals We will put terror into all of your hearts How shall I mangle you? I’ll dissect you at once Crazy doctor, MAD SNAKE Getting involved brings your life close to the end Before you can notice my dark, hidden impulses I’ll administer my poison, just like a serpent!

ALL: Gi-Gi-Gi-Gi-Gimme the mic!

ICHIRO: A rebellion’s beginning, it’s time for justice SAMATOKI: All you spineless cowards hurry up and go home KAZUSATO: Thug life is superior, a dirty highway to success ALL: A revolution of words, gimme the mic!

CHORUS: Signal the beginning, hear the cue, it’s my mic Stalling won’t bring you victory here Division battle, rule the stage Now, cry out your best words and style different rhymes Steal everything and show off, make an original flavour

Now stand up, gladiator Retreat all cowardly haters Mightier than sword or pen, Hypnosis Mic Divide the world, my punchline (Bang bang bang!) Adrenaline (Pump pump pump!) We’ve got no choice, it’s kill or be killed, so don’t look back

Welcome to the division (Gi-Gi-Gimme the mic!) Welcome to the division (Oh, oh yeah) Welcome to the division (A revolution of words, gimme the mic!) Hypnosis rings out this masterpiece! Now, don’t look back It’s kill or be killed so don’t look back

NOTES:

“Eaten up” is slang.

Mirroring Ichiro, Jiro’s rhetorical question line also includes a slang term (“for show”) which refers to an event being staged or faked. Essentially, he’s saying that the battle isn’t even interesting enough to be real.

First line and already Saburo is making otaku references. He says ikiru/ikitsu, which is a derisive term used online to refer to someone arrogant or cocky, and chuubou, which means “internet troll” (and is also slang for middle-school student? It could be that he’s referring to himself in that line too, but I wasn’t sure).

The word Saburo says here is uzoumuzou (“crowd”), which is basically him calling the other two divisions about as challenging as anyone else.

A punchline in rap is the second half of two bars; one for setting up and one for delivering a blow. These can be both funny and insulting, and usually incorporate heavy wordplay. As you might expect, Sasara is very, very good at this.

“Blue coffin” is a reference to both Samatoki’s speaker and his last name Aohitsugi, which is what that directly translates to.

In Japanese police terminology, “black” means that you’re extremely guilty and “white” means you’re more or less innocent.

This guy loves sounding fancy. Akabane is a relatively small but popular neighbourhood for nearby Tokyo citizens to relax at night, where it tends to come to life, so calling it a “retreat” basically means it’s somewhere nice to go.

It was difficult to find a way to make this sound good in English while keeping the lyric format, but essentially Kazusato’s saying that “you can’t find us because we’re impossible to focus on”, like they’re hidden.

Ryozan says beshari here, which is a term used in the entertainment industry to refer to someone who is talented at communication with others, and good at thinking fast and ad-libbing on the spot.

Here he says tonzura, which is slang usually used when someone runs away from a crime they’ve committed.

A loyalist is someone who sides with the government/whoever’s in charge when an uprising is happening.

[may8344]

The Journey of a Forgotten Soldier (Levi x OC)

Relationships:

Alana Frey (OC)Levi (Shingeki no Kyojin)/Original Female Character(s)Levi Ackerman/Alana FreyFurlan Church/Original Character(s)Furlan Church/Alana Frey

Characters:

Levi (Shingeki no Kyojin)Furlan ChurchIsabel MagnoliaAlana Frey (OC) - CharacterErwin SmithHange ZoëPetra RalGunther SchultzEld JinnOluo BozadoKeith ShadisSpecial Operations Squad | Squad Levi

Additional Tags:

Graphic Description of CorpsesBlood and InjuryViolenceMurder

Summary:

Alana Frey, a girl born in the Underground City, longed to see the true sunlight every morning that she would wake up. Alongside her comrades: Furlan Church, Isabel Magnolia, and Levi, Alana’s life as a thug continued with no way around it; until the sudden day she and her companions were offered the deal of a lifetime.

“Once you complete this job, not only will you be generously compensated for your work,

but you will also earn the right to live above ground.”

Word Count: 2.5k

---

Chapter 11: Together Forever, Never Apart

“At this rate, we won’t be able to use the flares no matter how long we wait,” Isabel noted, almost in tears due to the helplessness of their situation.

“If Squad Leader Flagon’s sound grenade is still working, then we might be able to meet up with him if we’re lucky,” Furlan jumped in trying to calm down the redhead.

“Scouting is hopeless. I can only see a few meters at best. It’s almost as if I could hear Titans breathing around us.”

“Yeah… this is bad you two. After all, if Erwin gets eaten, we won’t be able to get the papers back.” His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden sound that rang through the air. “A sound grenade! Was it our squad?! It wasn’t that far. Sounds like we might be able to join them somehow, but… Levi.”

Both him and Isabel gave Levi a determined look. The ravenette pondered the idea of going after Erwin in this weather and under these handful of bad circumstances. Erwin could be eaten at any moment, his squad was somewhere else alone, Alana was missing, it was downpouring rain, and Titans were everywhere just waiting to pounce. However, he had to make a choice: stay and fight with his friends or go alone and retrieve the document.

“I’m going alone.”

That had thrown off the other two as they stared at him with shock.

“You two join up with Flagon. I’ll get the documents and then… I’ll be the one to kill him. I won’t let him get eaten by a Titan.”

“I’m going too, Big Bro!” Isabel declared.

“Isabel.” Levi looked at the redhead with calm but determined eyes. “What do you think? Just me, or Flagon and Sairam? Who’s more likely to become Titan chow?” His words had made the emerald-eyed girl falter. “If the four of you stay together, it’ll raise their chances of survival.”

“Levi!” Furlan yelled as he urged his horse to ride side-by-side to Levi’s. “Keep your cool and think! If you wait a little longer, the fog might clear up!”

“Are you saying the Titans will wait until then?” He replied sharply.

“Nevermind that, just listen! We don’t know where the Titan’s will appear in a situation like this! Acting alone is dangerous!”

“I heard you already!” Levi yelled back. Unlike his normal stoic character, the silver-eyed man began to lose his patience. “I can do it by myself! Trust me!”

The two men stared each other down as if testing their determination. The blond was the first to break the silence. “Is that an order, Levi?”

“An order? Why does it have to come to that? I’m just…” He sighed,” You two…”

Suddenly, Furlan had a grin on his face at the sight of seeing Levi hesitate. A small chuckle left his lips and he gave a reassuring nod to Levi. “Fine, I’ll trust you. Don’t die.”

“Make sure you come back, Big Bro!”

Levi gave one more look at the two before rushing ahead.

The rain began to pour even harder as Levi shielded his eyes. “Tch, I can’t see an inch in front of me. I guess I have to rely on instinct… If I continue forward and to the left, I can use the second row as a marker, and right into the centre. Don’t die until I get there, Erwin.”

[~]

“Magnolia! Church!” Flagon called out, relieved to see more of his team. “So you’re okay!”

Both Sairam and Flagon were together, but Alana was nowhere to be seen. Anxiety bubbled up in Furlan’s chest as he wondered where his ravenette friend could be. “Hey, where’s Alana? Have you seen her?”

Sairam shook his head. “No, I thought she was with you.”

“You’re kidding,” Furlan let out an angry sigh.

“Maybe she met up with another squad. Or…” He trailed off, not wanting to put the bad ideas in the universe.

“There’s no way in hell that she’s dead! She’s one of the strongest people I know. She can’t be dead ‘cause of a stupid Titan!” Furlan argued back. Alana was somebody important to him; someone he vowed to protect.

“I remember her,” Alana whispered to Furlan. “Isabel, I mean.”

They were lying alone on their backs together in their dimly lit bedroom, whispering stories and conversations. It was only a couple hours ago since Isabel had barged into their household.

“You remember her?” Furlan questioned, confused by her statement. “You mean before today? How?”

Alana shifted under their blanket onto her side, her face somber. “I saw her maybe two or three years ago in an alley, not long before we met you. She was really skinny and malnourished. A lot of people around her were starved, while others were dead. I was thinking of letting her tag along with Levi and I, but I... I hesitated.”

“You couldn’t have known. What if she suddenly turned tail and decided to hurt you or Levi? And having to teach her how to fight while trying to feed all of you would be difficult.”

Her crystal blue eyes darted up to his, appalled. “How did you know what I was thinking?”

He merely scoffed at her sudden shock as he laid the back of his head in his arms on top of his pillow. “Lana, I’ve known you for... what, two years now? I know how you work.”

She fidgeted with her beaten up ring in embarrassment. “Yeah, yeah. It’s just… I regret not being there for her back then. If I was, she might have had a better couple of years. She’d actually have some food and… and a better chance of survival-”

“You saw herself in you.”

Alana frowned. As much as she wanted to chide him for cutting her off again, she couldn’t help but admit that he was right. She really had seen a child version of herself within Isabel.

“I hope you know, I’ll never let you suffer like that again.” Furlan declared boldly as he moved onto his side, one elbow propping him up. “You’re not going to suffer or die on my watch. I swear to it.”

The ravenette frowned at his words. "Don’t say that kind of stuff…” She mumbled with a hoarse voice. Alana shifted onto her back again and hid the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes with the back of her arm. “We don’t know what’s going to happen. Ever.”

“I won’t let you end up like your parents, Alana.” Furlan gently pried her arm off her face, staring into her bright blue eyes. “I promise you. Do you trust me?”

There was a moment of silence between them. While Furlan remained sturdy and calm, Alana’s mind flooded with the memories of her parents, and how they ended up dying. About how she was forced to run alone on the streets for years, trying to survive. The world had been cruel to her all of her life. Even so, the dedicated blond in front of her swore to protect her with everything he had. She had no choice but to give in.

“I trust you.”

“What happened to Levi?” Sairam’s voice broke through his memory.

“Uh… We got separated in the fog,” The redhead responded, trying to cover up their missing friend.

“But he should have heard the sound grenade! Is he… dead?”

“Of course he isn’t!” Isabel screamed, “Levi will come back! Bet on it!”

[~]

Levi’s horse was suddenly pulled to a halt. In front of him, at least five soldiers were sprawled dead on the ground. Horses laid alongside their riders with cuts and broken bones sticking out of their hide. He had made it to his marker, the spot in between him and his target.

But he hadn’t expected to see dismembered soldiers.

“So this is… what happens after a Titan eats you,” he murmured to himself. Slowly, his gaze dropped to the large footprints on the ground. They may have been shaped like humans, but their size was incomparably large. “The footprints…” His eyes widened in fear. “Shit, they’re leading back behind me!”

Jerking the reins, he directed his horse to head back in the direction he came; to the area where his squad was. “Those bastards… Hurry!” He urged his ride as much as possible. Tilting his body down, he rode close to the saddle, hoping he’d make it in time. “There’s too many. They’ll be overwhelmed.”

As Levi made his way to the section his squad was in, he was almost hit by an on-the-run horse. Making his way past the fog, he was shocked at the far distant sight in front of him. There were at least five Titans surrounding the area, and in one’s mouth, Sairam’s body hung.

Tear’s flooded the wounded soldier’s eyes as he helplessly stabbed at the lips of the Titan chewing on him. Blood started dripping from his mouth, and he was losing hope. The man’s powerless cries reverberated around the area.

“Sairam!” Flagon screamed, arriving on his horse while being chased by another Titan. “Don’t move! I’m coming to get you!”

“Squad Leader! Stay back!” Sairam cried, completely petrified. “Run while you can!”

“Sairam!”

“Take care! I’ll see you on the othe-” The Titan’s large hand shoved the remaining part of Sairam’s body into its mouth, cutting off Sairam’s last words. Blood was splattered everywhere, red mixing with the rain.

Levi took no time to keep his horse moving forwards. He wasn’t in range to use his ODM Gear to propel him there quicker, and no trees were in sight. “Furlan! Isabel!” He called out. Dreadfully, his cries were inaudible to his comrades.

“Sairam!” Isabel shrieked at the sight of her squad member’s terrible death, holding onto her reins and not paying attention to her situation.

“Forget him, you idiot! Run!” Furlan yelled beside her on his horse. “There’s no way we can take on five of them in this rain! We need to scatter for now!”

As the blond readjusted his eyes forwards, he was met with the face of a large Titan hidden behind the fog. Yanking his horse away as quickly as possible, he was unsuccessful in completely escaping. The hoof of his animal twisted in the mud, flinging the rider off. The large, brown horse had fallen directly onto Furlan’s leg and part of his gear.

“Furlan!” The redhead hollered, riding towards her fallen comrade.

“Shit! Hurry, you shitty horse!” Levi was practically begging, kicking its side. That sudden movement startled the animal, and it had stumbled down just like Furlan’s. Unlike him, though, the ravenette jumped off and continued running towards the remainder of his squad, though a lot slower now. “Furlan!”

As the sudden Titan reached out his meaty fingers towards the struggling blond, Isabel jumped in with her ODM Gear, attacking the hands of the monster. Successfully cutting off four of the five fingers with a battle cry, she moved rapidly to cut the nape. Despite having the perfect momentum and angle, the Titan moved its head away, causing her to tear through its left shoulder instead.

Prepared to send another attack, she landed on the back of the Titan while being held up by her grappling hooks. Nevertheless, due to the rain, her boots had lost their grip and she slipped forwards. The top of her head slammed straight into the large spine of the Titan, almost knocking her unconscious. Isabel dangled from her wires, trying to open her eyes.

But instead of being met with the sight of Levi coming to her rescue per usual, her vision was filled with a Titan’s disgusting face.

Her emerald eyes shot open with recognition, but she didn’t have enough time to react. Instead, the beast’s mouth hung wide open over her, about to chomp down. Her usual determined face contorted into pure fear. Her eyes swam with tears as she knew it was the end for her.

“Big… bro.”

A disgusting chomp resonated all around as Levi and Furlan watched with terror. Their friend--practically little sister--was gone. The Titan, who just consumed Isabel, rammed into the back of the now fingerless Titan due to its extra momentum. While the blond was frozen in fear, the ravenette’s face turned stone-cold as he ran faster and faster, brandishing his blade.

The two large Titans fell from the impact onto Furlan’s horse. Freeing himself, Furlan scooched back. “Isabel…” he murmured as he witnessed the Titan’s face full of the redheads' blood. “You bastard!” He roared, wielding his own blade. He pulled on the trigger that launched his wires, but nothing came out. “Huh!? Shit just my luck that it’s broken!”

In a flash, a figure latched its ODM Gear onto the back of the Titan’s neck, slashing the nape out. The large monster fell face-first into the mud, dead and steaming. “How could I run off and abandon my squad!?” The person, Flagon, shouted at Furlan. As the squad leader landed, he pointed away from the attackers with his sword. “Church, look for a horse! The survivors should run!”

“Behind you!” The blond yelled, rushing towards his confused leader. “There’s another one!”

Swiftly, another meaty hand swung over and picked up Flagon. The poor man was yanked harshly to the side as he coughed up blood. Jerking his head back to his enemy, he saw an agape mouth ready to feast. Squeezing his eyes shut, the leader prepared himself for his head to be crushed by the disgusting teeth of the Titan.

“Squad Leader!” Furlan called out one last time. Glancing down at his broken gear, he pounded his fists against it, “Move! You can handle that, right!?” Knowing it was hopeless, he sighed in defeat. “So this is it then… really.” The hungry TItan, after gnawing on Flagon’s body, turned towards the blond, reaching out its hand again. “Oh, what the hell. C’mon, you big fuckers! Let’s go!” He sliced off one of its fingers with his blade from his position on the ground.

“Furlan!” Levi yelled, as he finally was able to latch his ODM Gear onto the Titan's arm. He was so close. The rushing ravenette gripped his handles tighter, squeezing the trigger as far as it would go, doing anything he could to make it in time.

But the Titan had already grabbed his best friend.

Finally hearing the call of his silver-eyed comrade, Furlan’s head whipped towards Levi’s quickly approaching figure. Unfortunately, he was already aware that the ravenette’s speed wouldn’t be enough. Slowly, the blond raised his free hand, giving his remaining friend his typical small, farewell wave as he had always done in the Underground. Closing his baby-blue eyes, he muttered his final words. “I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you until the end, Lana.”

Right as Levi reached the Titan and cut off the arm that had a hold of Furlan, he realized he was too late. His friend had been bit in half.

All that remained was Furlan’s boot as it fell down into the dark rain puddle beneath them.

---

Part 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 

[blackhakumen]

Mini Fanfic #391: To Make it Official (Super Smash Bros Ultimate X Persona 5)

One night at the Leblanc Café in Shiyuba, the owner of the coffee place, Sojiro Sakura, was about to close it for the day, when suddenly a Giant Golden appears out of thin air, showing two ladies causally walking out of it.

Sojiro: (Chuckles Lightly once he saw a familiar face) Well I'll be.... It's been a while, Cereza.

Bayonetta: (Smiles Brightly) Sojiro, darling! It's so nice to see you again.

Palutena: (Shyly Waves at Sojiro) Hello, sir....

Sojiro: (Noticed Palutena Walking Behind Bayonetta) Ah. You must the goddess girlfriend Cereza told me about. It's nice to finally meet you in person.

Palutena: (Smiles Softly) Likewise. (Frowns a little once She Noticed the Café was empty) Oh no. Is the place already closed for the night?

Sojiro: It was. But since the both of you are here now, I suppose I can stay here a bit longer to serve you two ladies on the house.

Bayonetta: (Finds Herself a Seat) Many thanks, dear.

Palutena: (A bit Unsure) Yes. Though, you really don't have to give us coffee for free if you don't want to.

Sojiro: Nonsense. Any good friends or family of Ren's is a friend in my book. Speaking of which, how is the boy doing there anyways? He isn't causing you two any trouble as of late, has he?

Bayonetta: (Smiles Sincerely) Hardly, Sojiro. Your dear nephew has been so wonderful to be around.

Palutena: (Smiles Softly) Yeah. We love him already.

Sojiro: (Chuckles Lightly) I'd figured you would say that. Ren's been talking about you ladies non-stop to me whenever I call him in the weekends.

Bayonetta/Palutena: ('GASPS') Really?

Sojiro: Oh definitely. He looks up to the both of you so much that you practically mean the world to him at this point.

Bayonetta/Palutena: (Hearts Begins to Melt in Definitely) Ohhhhhh Our Baby Boiiiiiii~

Sojiro: (Burst out Laughing at the Couple) Oho man. The boy wasn't kidding when he said you two would like doting mothers to him.

Bayonetta: (Pouts at Sojiro) Well it's not we can help ourselves, you know?

Palutena: (Blushes while Pouting at as well) Yeah! We in the Smash Family love each of our babies all the same. And Renny is most certainly no different.

Sojiro: I know. I know. (Smiles Softly) Still, it's nice for the kid to have someone to look up to besides me, of course.

Bayonetta: Us too. Which reminds us..... Sojiro?

Sojiro: Hm?

Bayonetta: (Look Towards Palutena Before Nodding at One Another and Holding each other's hands) This might be coming out as shock, but.....

Palutena: ...... We're actually thinking about adopting Ren officially.

Sojiro: (A bit Surprised) Really now?

Bayonetta: (Nodded) Yes. I know it's a bold move for both of us to make, but we really mean it when we said we adore having Renny around with us. So much so that...we really want him to be part of our family.

Palutena: That's right. But we want to tell you about this first before either of us would do anything. You're the closest thing to he considers to be his actual family.

Bayonetta: That's why we came here. So hear you thoughts about this...and to see if you approve, of course.

Sojiro: ..........Huh. You really are taking this whole mother thing that seriously, huh?

Palutena: (Nodded) That's right. Like we said before, we love each and every one of our babies equally. We would do anything for them. Even Ren.

Sojiro: (Thought About the Ladies' Request Before Finally Coming up with what to say) I'm not entirely what Ren would say about this. But if you honestly want my opinion on this.....(Smiles Softly) I, for one, think it's admirable of you two to go this far for him.

Bayonetta: You... really mean that?

Sojiro: (Nodded) Of course The kid been through a lot since he first got here. So it's nice to hear he has people he could look up to as parental figures. Especially after everything he been through after his arrest....('Sigh') Not to mention how his former parents literally disowned-

Palutena: (Starts Growling and Gritting her Teeth in Anger) !!!

Bayonetta: (Gently Squeezes her Lovers' Hand to calm her down) Calm yourself, darling. Please.....

Palutena: ( Takes one Good Look at her Lover before Sighing Heavily while Calming Herself) You're right.....(Turns to Sojiro with a Frown on her face) I'm sorry for sudden change of mood, Sojiro. Just the mention of them alone got me on edge......

Sojiro: Don't be. I....take it that Ren already told you about them?

Bayonetta: (Frowns Firmly) Yes. He has. And let's just say we each have very..... very few choices of words to say about them. None of them are positive in the slightest.

Sojiro: I don't blame you there, sister. To this day, I still can't believe they disowned him like that....and for a crime he didn't even once commit!.....Then again....(Frowns a bit Sadly) I wasn't any better to the kid either.....

Bayonetta: (Frowns) What are you saying, Sojiro darling?

Sojiro: ('Sigh') The first time I met Ren, I treated him like a common thug like everyone else in his home town. I didn't even cared if I'd kicked him out or not.....(Look on the Floor in Shame) Guess you can say that I'm really no better than these poor excuses of actual parents, huh?

Bayonetta: Well, we, for one, don't think that at all.

Sojiro: (Eyes Widened) You don't?

Palutena: Of course we don't. Ren told us a lot about you ever since he moved into the mansion. He told us how you would always take the time to teach him how to make good coffee and curry, how you would actually spend some quality time with him and your daughter whenever neither of you three are busy, you practically raised him as your own, even after you found out he was a Phantom Thief.

Sojiro: (Couldn't Believe What He's Hearing) He.... really told you that much about me, huh?

Bayonetta: (Nodded) That's right. You're one of the few people in his life that means the world to him.

Sojiro: (Smiles Softly to himself) (Damn....that knucklehead might actually make me cry here tonight......)

Palutena: Sojiro, are you okay?

Sojiro: ............................ Alright.

Bayonetta/Palutena: Hm?

Sojiro: You two said you want to adopt Ren, right? Well, you're really serious about doing this......(Smiles Sincerely) You have my fullest support and approval.

Bayonetta: ('GASPS') Oh my Gosh! Really?!

Sojiro: (Happily Nodded) After everything Ren told me about you ladies and how serious the both are on being his mother figures....I honestly couldn't think of anyone else better care of him than you two right now.

Bayonetta: (Already in Tears of Pure Joy) Oh Thank you, Thank you, Thank you so much, Sojiro!

Palutena: (In Tears as well) We promise we'll do whatever we can to love and protect him.

Sojiro: (Chuckles Lightly) That's great and all. But what would you two do if Ren declines the offer?

Bayonetta: Then we'll just look after him like we normally do. Though, we really hope he accepts our offer.....

Sojiro: Judging on how much he brags to me about you two, I'm sure he'll say yes. Just have a little faith in that, alright?

Bayonetta: (Nodded with a Sincere Smile on her face) Yes, darling. We will.

And with that, Sojiro and the lovely couple enjoys the rest of the night drinking coffee and catching up with one another with a casual conversation until it's time for each of them to come back to their own homes.

@keyenuta

@26shann

@miki-13

@cyber-wildcat

@chompycroc

@ink-correctsmashbrosbloo

[iwritethat]

Jason Todd: Badass

A/N: Jason Todd back in his Robin day’s, inspired by the Titans TV Series to be quite honest.

>>>>——————————>

They couldn't understand it, no one could. There was Jason Todd, Robin 2.0, renowned for his fiery temper and street thug background - which on his own was perfectly normal - but then there was you. Innocent, kind hearted and pure, beautiful you with a moral conscience to rival Supermans'.

It wasn't supposed to be a viable match but anyone could blatantly see Jason had a thing for you whereas you continued to be unreadable much to the surrounding heroes frustration. According to their knowledge, you were an extension of the Batfamily albeit not in the vigilante game but rather an associate and closest to Jason in particular. Origins remain unknown.

.

In retrospect they shouldn't have underestimated you from the start, possibly even delved deeper into why their resident cold hearted Robin was enamoured with a holy angelic soul such as yourself. Regardless, it was too late and as soon as you'd heard whispers of Robins capture echoing throughout Young Justice you found yourself standing before Nightwing and his selected Team within the hour demanding you go with them. Wally laughed, and Artemis immediately slapped him whilst Dick shook his head in disappointment.

"I'm going."

"I get you wanna protect Robin (Y/n), but it'd be safer for you here." West justified despite how adamant you were.

"Thanks for the concern KF but I can handle myself. When do we leave?"

"They’re right, it’s too dangerous, we’ll bring back Robin. There’s too many men to risk your life (Y/n).” Nightwing was correct, his tone more of an order even though you were not under his supervision by any means.

However, the one thing about knowing Nightwing was that he was Team Leader, essentially whatever he says goes - and this time that didn’t fall in your favour.

That's not how you found yourself staring up at Bane with Robin tied up a few paces behind you with blood dripping from his lips - no, you did that by disobeying orders and tailing the Team. It hadn't surprised you that Jason���s reckless headstrong attitude had gotten him stuck here in the first place but you couldn’t chastise him when you’d reinacted the same choices in order to save him. Meanwhile the rest of your unwilling squad were withheld by the threat of your safety - you're sure you could hear Batgirl and Kid Flash curse at your behaviour but you’d do anything to protect the people you care about.

.

"Bane right? How about I propose a deal, if I beat you senseless then we all go free and if you win, then you can do whatever you want." You playfully suggested, the less than intimidating stature you held and cherished smile encouraging his confidence. Even though he had the upper hand, it wouldn't be displaying the correct image to his employees if he turned down a challenge from the weakest opponent out there.

"I wouldn't Bane." It was a cough, a splutter from a smug Robin despite the unanimous glares/protests from the rest of your team.

"Bring it Pipsqueak!"

It was painful for all of them to watch, Kid Flash making visible movements towards you every time you took a hit only stopping himself when guns were aimed at your figure. You heard Artemis and Nightwing desperately call your name as you were slammed to the ground again, Banes hand tightly around your throat as you were pushed further into the floor with a groan.

"Stupid bet to make kid, but you and your friends will pay for it." He released his grip, allowing you to slowly get back onto your feet and wipe away the blood from your nose with a giggle. The villain immediately snapped to you, expressions of shock littered the room - all except the relieved smile of Jason because he knew you better than anyone ever could under the kindest smile known to man.

"I haven't lost yet~"

“Wha-“

“Did you know that you pivot your right foot 45 degrees away from your target when you go for a left uppercut?” Your head tilted as he came at you, performing the perfect counter thus silencing the room.

“And you do not have your anger under control, therefore your movements become desperate and easier to predict. Much like now.” Your tone was informative, analytic and upbeat as you sent Bane to the floor again.

It was like something flipped, reality had been warped or some other inconceivable explanation was required - your movements had changed, now quicker and stronger than ever as you anticipated Banes every offence, mapped him out like a book and within 57 seconds the huge male was knocked unconscious on the cold concrete of the warehouse with you elegantly crouched on his chest with an innocent grin. In the midst of their awe, Nightwing managed to take an advantage whilst the guards were distracted enabling his team to make a clean escape too.

.

You delicately walked over to Jason, slicing his restraints with the male practically falling into your arms.

"I warned him, that was badass doll." Robin lowly chuckled, forehead resting against yours which displayed how grateful he was to see you. Normally affection would never be displayed in front of anyone else unless it was playful flirting but this? This was meaningful.

"You okay dork? You're bleeding a bit." You softly replied, thumb brushing across his lower lip to remove the crimson liquid and looking back up to be met with his admiring gaze.

It was no secret that he liked you, it was in the way he spoke or rather flirted - a characteristic of Robins as you'd discovered but it was genuine, you knew because he opened up to you - whether he had meant to or not. There were the sweet gestures where he forgot himself and the momentary lapses, where he remembered that he was Robin and dating you would be dangerous.

Yet in this instance he couldn't care, because danger was exhilarating and you would make everything worth it so he closed the distance a little further as if silently asking if you felt the same. You noticed, being attune to the way he thought made the whole ordeal easier and you couldn't help the sincere smile gracing your features at the action, taking it as a sign of approval his lips met yours in a slow chaste kiss.

It was over as soon as it got started, Robin not even thanking you as you glared up at the boy wonder before rolling your eyes and brushing past Kid Flash who could barely make sense with his frantic gestures. Artemis' gaze followed you out, opting to comment on what they were all thinking as Jason stood beside Nightwing.

"No wonder you like (Y/n) so much."

"Tch, yeah right. That badass nerd - hell no." Robin laughed, smirking proudly at his brother.

"You literally just kissed-" Dick began, already confused by Little Wings’ contradicting displays.

"Bro, you kiss girls all the time. Doesn't mean anything."

"You what?!" Barbara practically radiated rage at Jasons’ haphazard statement, Nightwing instantly paling at the revelation.

"Ah no, Batgirl not like that I - Robin!!"

"See ya, thanks for the assisted save because let's be honest (Y/n) woulda just come alone anyways!" Before his brother could finish, Jason had offered a salute and disappeared into the night leaving the ‘adults’ to resolve their issues.

.

Later that night, you found yourself in one of Gotham's many local bars leaning against the counter simply minding your own business when a bottle was slid in your direction. You directed your irises toward the origin, finding none other than Jason wearing his favourite hoodie under a casual jacket with a beer bottle in his hand.

"How was your night?"

"I saved a guy tonight, didn't get much thanks mind you." There was a tinge of venom in your voice but it was more exasperated than anything.

"Oh? A kiss and a beer not good enough, what sort of thanks were you expecting?" Jason was sarcastic on the other hand, leaning on the bar beside you.

"I don't know Jaybird, now Arty, Wally and Babs know what I'm capable of. I'm an asset to them."

"You're not, Dick wouldn't let that happen and you don't have to join the Team. But hey seeing you kick butt up close and personal was an experience." He was serious now, your companionship was important to him and he’d never let them use your abilities when you didn’t want part of his lifestyle. He’d promised that many moons ago.

"Oi! What the heck are you two doing in here, you aren't 21!" You both flicked to the outraged voice of Dick Grayson, the male standing at the doorway with Barbara in tow. It was a shock to Dick and Barbara when they caught you both at the bar, underage - how'd you even get in?Instantly Jason grabbed your hand, intertwining your fingers with his own as you both laughed whilst dancing through the crowd toward the fire exit.

"Don't even think about it or I'm using this as blackmail!" Babs echoed, not so fluently managing to evade bodies due to her taller stature.

.

You ran, and you laughed, staggering onto his favourite rooftop of all Gotham - the one adorned with Gargoyles, his favourite perched proudly at the centre. You’d managed to lose the other two more experienced Bats much to your amusement. The wind graced your skin and your gaze shifted to the night sky admiring the rare clarity of the stars, however Jason came to a halt beside you, finding your fascination to be much more beautiful.

"It's funny, we're just a streetrat who needs adult supervision and a misguided teenager who can barely function in society. How did we make it this far?" You mindlessly stated, eyes embarrassingly directed toward the ground as you smiled.

Jason moved closer to you, lifting you chin with his finger to meet his irises before he spoke.

"Isn't it obvious? Because it's us, we're here together despite whatever our connection is." He was so gentle despite his contrasting occupation, closing the distance between your bodies as he went.

"I shouldn't have kissed you tonight." Your tone was lower, halting his actions and you missed the brief glimpse of heartbreak cross his features. However his tone was more confident yet soft as he replied working to hide his disappointment.

"I'm pleased you did."

"Ah classic Robin behaviour." You rolled your eyes, but he sensed the playfulness behind your comment.

"If you haven't noticed... I've got a little thing for you, it's been us as a team for a while that somewhere along the line I thought about 'us' as more. Sure you're no vigilante, but you're my friend and that means more than anything." It was enough, you could allow yourself moments like these to be forgotten with the wind. And you let him in once more, like you had done on multiple occasions before, you let him kiss you, with as much admiration he could display in such an intimate act.

You pulled away, breathless, enjoying the time you had knowing that every night he left could be your last - but for now, you had him.

"I'm glad it's you Jason."

"Me too (Y/n). Me too, until death rips us apart."

.

Little did you know how soon that would be.

[gumnut-logic]

Dirt (Part Nine)

From here.

For @ak47stylegirl  Hopefully this makes up for the lack of Alan and Virgil in the previous chapter. This is the fic that never ends...I’m hoping it will wind up soon. Only a few threads left, but then it has a mind of its own.

Thank you to @vegetacide and @scribbles97 who continue to support my muse wonderfully ::hugs you both madly::

Thank you to all of you who have liked and commented on this fic. You have supported my muse like you wouldn’t believe. You made it into what it is, otherwise it probably would have stopped at the two hundred odd words it started at - we are now well over 13,000 words. You push me to new heights ::hugs you all::

I hope you all enjoy this.

-o-o-o-

His brother’s hand was still and lifeless. None of that boundless energy moved the muscles, the strong and artistic fingers lay dead in his.

Alan drew in a strong breath and it strangled him. Why, Virgil, why? He didn’t have to die. He didn’t.

He could have escaped.

But he didn’t.

He stayed.

Alan cried out, but his throat was raw and sore and there was no sound.

Virgil, damn you!

And Alan Tracy woke up crying.

“Hey.” The voice was soft and the touch against his cheek gentle. “Allie, it’s okay.”

His vision was blurred with tears and his own throat was attempting to strangle him. A hurried blink and Scott sharpened into focus.

His big brother.

His battered big brother.

One eye was swollen shut and an awful shade of red and purple. His hand was holding Alan’s.

Alan pulled his fingers away without thought. “Scott?”

“Hey, little brother. How are you feeling?” Scott’s one functional eye glanced down at his now empty hand and he withdrew it with a frown.

Alan didn’t answer, doing his best to shed the horrible weight on his heart.

Virgil shouldn’t have done that.

“Alan?”

Grandma appeared beside the other side of his bed.

His bed.

He was in hospital.

The non-sequitur drew him up short. “What happened?” His voice was little more than a rasp and his chest hurt.

“What do you remember?” Scott’s voice, usually so deep was still soft, somewhat tentative.

Alan stared at him. “Virgil dying.”

Scott’s one healthy eye widened. “No, no. Look.” And he pointed beyond Alan, to his right. Grandma shifted and there lay Virgil.

The man looked half mummified and was horribly still, but the stats above his bed flickered steadily. Alan stared a moment, the memories clogging his head.

Dirt. Darkness.

Death.

He burst into tears again.

Oh god.

“Hey, hey, hey, Allie. He’s going to be fine. You’re going to be fine. Gordy’s going to be fine.”

It took a moment and his chest ached with emotion. “Gordon?”

And Scott moved to one side to reveal his fish brother sitting up in bed waving in his direction.

“No, Gordon, you are staying put.” Penelope, Lady Penelope. And yes, there she was, holding Gordon back from getting out of his bed.

“But Scott got to get out of bed.” It was little more than a childish whine.

“Scott didn’t get shot.”

Shot?

And it hit him. The hole. The gunshot. Gordon collapsing.

Alan sucked in a breath. “What the hell happened?”

Scott’s lips thinned, but he opened his mouth to answer, just as John pushed open the door and wobbled through with a tray of coffees and a bag of something. “Alan! You’re awake.”

“Keep it down, John. Virgil isn’t.” Grandma hissed at his older brother and he was brought up short.

“It would be a damned good idea if he did wake up.” It was muttered by Scott, but Alan heard him.

Another glance in Virgil’s direction. His brother was lying stiff on his back, pale and lacking all animation. “Is he okay?”

“He’s going to be fine, dear. He just needs some time to get well again.” She turned back to Alan. “Just as you do. Relax, honey, it is all over now.”

But Alan couldn’t keep his eyes off Virgil. “Why did he do that?” His voice was high-pitched, fragile, and desperate for an answer.

“Do what?”

Scott touched his arm and Alan turned back to him. “Stay. He didn’t have to stay. He could have died. And for nothing!” That last came out as a shout. As much a shout as his aching chest could manage. “He was going to die.”

His big brother didn’t answer, something flickering in his eyes.

“He loves you, Alan.” It came from Grandma and Alan found himself looking up at mirror blue eyes. “Sometimes love has us doing silly things.”

“He was going to die.”

“He didn’t.”

“He didn’t know that.”

“Yes, I did.”

It was croaky and spoke of so much pain. Every head in the room turned towards Virgil to find his brown eyes dopey, but open and searching. They found Alan and closed, as if in relief, before opening slowly again. “Couldn’t do anything else. Couldn’t leave you.” The words drifted off into a breathless rasp followed by a groan.

Scott was moving before his brother finished. His body got in the way between Alan and Virgil. Alan reached out an arm and wordlessly tried to grab him.

“Scott.” Grandma grabbed his big brother, dragging him into an impromptu hug.

Alan could see Virgil again.

“Why?” It was a single syllable and he wasn’t even sure his big brother was still conscious.

“Couldn’t let you...alone.” A frown flickered across his brow.

“Virgil...” Scott was almost straining against Grandma’s grip.

Alan couldn’t reach Virgil and Virgil couldn’t reach out; his entire left side bound up in bandages. But suddenly Alan’s bed was moving sideways, his drip shifted out of the way by a hand above the bed. A blink.

John.

John was moving his bed.

The beds slapped together as Grandma dragged Scott out of the way. Alan could finally reach his big brother.

Fingers sketched across bandages.

Brown eyes smiled at him sleepily before sliding shut.

“Virgil?”

Scott’s voice was soft. As soft as it had been with Alan, and Alan felt a sudden sorrow for his biggest brother.

“He’s okay, Scott.” A slow blink, his own weaknesses threatening to drag him under again.

“He’s okay.”

-o-o-o-

Kayo squared her shoulders, her eyes latching onto her aunt. “You can’t be serious.”

“I am, I have to be.”

“Unacceptable.”

“Virgil, no matter the reason, killed a man. A very prominent man in this country. He had a lot of support and they are demanding recompense.”

“I don’t care. The man was a thug. He held the Tracys at gunpoint, shot Gordon, tortured Virgil...” She swallowed attempting to get her anger under control. “How can you possibly be considering this?”

“I’m not considering anything, Kayo. I have no choice in the matter. Do you think I would do this if I didn’t have to? He’s my godson, for goodness sake.” And the powerful woman bowed for just a moment, the distress at what she was being forced to do showing through the cracks. “If you have an alternative, please...”

Kayo almost took a step back. Colonel Casey had been part of her life since she was little. Never had she seen the woman this vulnerable. Never had she seen the woman plead.

“They can’t have him, Colonel. I will not allow it.”

The GDF colonel straightened, a mixture of concern and hope on her face. “Kayo...”

“Trust me. They won’t.” With that she turned and strode out of the woman’s office.

The moment she was out of earshot, she hit her comms. “Penny, Eos, John, we have a situation.”

-o-o-o-

Virgil may be willing to die for his little brother, but to be trapped in a hospital room with the two youngest was a whole different kind of hell.

“Alan, it was my turn.”

“So not your turn, bro. You had an extra move. I didn’t miss it, I’m not that stupid.”

The argument had been on and off for the last fifteen minutes, and if Virgil had been able to get out of bed, he would have cuffed both his brothers about the ears just to get them to shut up.

Of course, he was more than grateful that both of them were mending well, both sitting up in bed picking at each other. Alan’s leg was thoroughly wrapped in bandages, but it wasn’t long before he’d be released. Gordon’s shoulder was strapped up almost as much as Virgil’s, but unlike the engineer, the bullet hadn’t actually broken any bones and he was healing fast.

Virgil had both a broken collar bone and cracked scapula, not to mention the curse of two snapped ribs. Surgery had pinned them back to his spine, but so much ow.

And the bruising...

His left was properly mangled, but his right shoulder, along with his back, were decorated in blue as much as Scott’s face.

His eldest brother was a mess, more so mentally than physically, but a mess nonetheless. Officially he had been discharged, but the pilot had refused to leave and money had its ways.

Scott hovered as expected. Three brothers out of commission was enough for a whole new crop of grey hair and it was rare that he, John or Grandma weren’t here right now. Left alone with the two injured younger brothers, Virgil was considering some grey of his own.

“Awww, c’mon, Gordy, that’s cheating!”

“Them’s the rules, bro.”

“Bullshit!”

“Will you guys shut up!”

It came out in a rush and, honestly, he knew it was crabby of him, but, god, he felt like crap.

“You okay, Virg?” Gordon’s voice slipped into worry.

Damn.

“Just keep it down, could you?”

He could feel two pairs of eyes staring at him. “Okay, sorry, Virgil.” It was a chorus.

He didn’t sigh, no, he didn’t.

Yes, he did.

“Sorry, guys.”

“S’okay.” Alan.

Virgil just closed his eyes.

A hand on his forehead made him jump...and hiss at the sudden movement.

“Relax, bro. You’re tense enough to break another bone.”

Gordon was hovering over him.

“What’re you doing out of bed?”

“Just checking up on my sick brother.” The aquanaut’s concern was obvious in his voice.

“I’m fine. Go back to bed.”

“You look like shit.”

“Well, thanks, that makes me feel so much better.” He blinked his eyes open. “Go back to bed.”

“You need some more painkillers?”

Shit. God, no. That would let the memories loose.

“No, I’m fine, Gordon, just leave me alone.”

“See, Alan, I told you he would lie his ass off.”

“Okay, I owe you twenty.”

“It was fifty. You said double or nothing.”

“Fifty is not double twenty.”

“Guys! God, get another room.”

He loved them, but, for goodness sake!

“Sorry, Virgil.”

Again with the chorus. He couldn’t even turn over and shut them out that way. He clenched his eyes closed.

There was a scuffle and a protest beside his bed and he just sighed. Sleep would be wonderful.

“I see you are neglecting yourself again.” The deeper tones of his eldest brother had him letting out an exhausted breath. “Sorry, I left you alone with the terrible two.”

“I’m fine. It’s okay.”

“Gordon’s right. You are lying your ass off.” Fingers touched his hair again, brushing it off his brow.

“I’m fine, Scott. Alan and Gordon are just having fun. It’s fine.” That last syllable was no more than another exhaled breath. God, he was tired.

But everything hurt so much.

A grunt from Scott and Virgil opened his eyes.

His brother truly looked like shit.

“You okay?”

“Better than you. You need rest.”

His eyes tracked over Scott’s injuries. “Pot. Kettle.”

“No, I think your injuries trump mine by a massive scale.”

Virgil just grunted at him. In the background, his other two brothers were far too quiet for his comfort.

And yes, that was irony itself.

“I’m fine.”

“Sleep and prove it.” That one blue eye was stabbing him into his pillow.

“I’m trying.”

“You’re in pain.”

“Of course, I am.” Okay, so it came out harsher than expected.

“You need more painkillers.”

“I need peace and quiet.”

Scott didn’t answer that. Gordon peered around his eldest brother, obviously not nagged enough to make it back to his bed.

“Gordon, bed.” It was automatic and Virgil didn’t miss the slight curve of Scott’s lips at his words.

“Only if you take more drugs. There is your deal, Virg. Drugs or the Gordo show.”

“Gordo and Alan Show!” And yes, Alan yelled it from his bed.

Scott was smirking outright.

For the love of-

Scott was grinning.

“You asshole, you planned this, didn’t you.”

“Possibly.” The smile vanished. “But you deserve it. You’ve been in pain all morning and you won’t help yourself. So, I brought in the big guns.”

“That’s us.”

Thank you, Alan.

“Interesting tactic.”

“Tactics are my skillset.” The hand was combing his hair again.

“Okay, fine. Get them to drug my ass, but I claim no responsibility for the result.”

“You’ll do fine. You’re amongst family.”

He eyed Gordon. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

“Trust me, Virg, I’m not in a joking mood.” And all the smile disappeared off Gordon’s face. “You’re in pain, please, just take the drugs.”

But Scott had already hit his comms, John’s voice answering. A moment later, a nurse entered the room with a syringe.

God, he hated the drugs. They made him stupid. And the memories...

“It will be okay, Virgil.” That hand continued to stroke his hair. “You’re safe.”

Moments later as the heat crawled up his arm, he questioned that. The world shifted and separated from him. He didn’t feel safe. There was something gnawing at him and, like in the sleep from earlier, it found him in the haze.

“I’m sorry.”

Fingers still combing through his hair, his brother just smiled.

Before doubling and drifting away.

-o-o-o-

 Part Ten

[coollyinterferes]

GENERAL.

full name.  Robert E. O. Speedwagon nicknames. The “official” one would be Boss among his mates and to the whole lot of ruffians in Ogre Street (the one people keep wrongly translating as “bro” in some of the jjba translations). Other than that, he’s not used to being called nicknames on a regular basis, though some people he’s crossed paths with seem to have a thing for giving him nicknames derived from his last name (Speeb, Speeds, etc). Depending on the closeness between him and the person calling him by a nickname, he might be like “please stop” or won’t mind at all Uncle Speeds/Uncle Speedy and similars apply only until he’s become the uncle figure of George II and, later on, Joseph and Holly, too. height. 5′11′‘ / 180 cm age. 25-28-ish in the main verse, though I play him in literally any stage of his life upon request. zodiac. libra / pig (in the Chinese zodiac) languages. English. Some Spanish, French, Italian and a variety of languages he’s managed to pick up during his many journeys around the world (enough to hold basic conversations, usually), as well as the bits of Chinese he’s managed to grasp from what Kenpo (Li) has taught him.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS.

hair colour.  somewhere between light and golden blond. eye colour. chestnut brown. skin tone. light skin, making him somewhat prone to getting sunburnt if he’s not careful when he’s out in the sun for long periods of time. body type. mesomorph. accent.  Cockney. dominant hand.  right, but is quite skilled with both hands, posture. He usually stands up straight, but never overdoing it, really, just... kinda doing it in a casual way, enough for him to be comfortable but trying to keep it “gentlemanly”. He keeps it a bit in the “dominant” side too when he’s in the slums (can’t show weaknesses over there). He tends to slouch a bit when he’s sitting and relaxing, though. scars. His trademark scar that runs from the top of his nose all the way down to his jaw on the left side of his face is the most notorious one at first glance. He has a considerable number of other noticeable scars all over his body (chest, arms/hands and thighs, mainly), though. Most of them come from his criminal lifestyle, knife fights, brawls, one from a time he was shot at, some around his wrists and forearms from the time he was learning to use his bowler hat and so on. He’s also acquired a new set of scars during PB, like some on his hands from the burns he sustained during the fire at the Joestar mansion as well as a new, large, one across his chest that he got from thawing Zeppeli’s frozen arm. This one isn’t as noticeable as the rest, but it’s visible still. tattoos.  None, but he was “persuaded” into getting a prince albert (more like: lost a bet and had to get one, lol). i know that’s a piercing and not a tattoo but i had to mention it since i rarely ever do it *shrug* most noticeable features. Does his loud voice count here? Uh, his cleanly shaven face, his long blond mane and his choices of colorful accesories and stuff (most of these partly respond to the Gay Etiquette™ of his time but also to his own preference since he genuinely likes them, too) could be what stands out the most at first glance. The large scar on his face, too. His thick Cockney accent, though this one stands out to foreigners and people he’s just met mostly. His loyalty and undying devotion and support towards those he genuinely cares about.

CHILDHOOD.

place of birth.  London (East), England. hometown.  London (East), England. birth weight / height. He was born to a poor family in the slums, so there are no official records on the matter. He was most likely born a bit underweight given the conditions his parents lived in. manner of birth.  Natural birth. first words. “dadda”. siblings.  none. parents. both of his parents are deceased. His mother died shortly after giving birth to him due to a poorly treated infection derived from it. His father passed away in unclear conditions by the time Robert was 5 years old. parental involvement. Robert has no recollection of his mother given how young he was by the time she died. The same can’t be said about his father, though, since he was raised by him: A poor, hard-working, and caring man. Between the working conditions at the time for the lower classes –long ass work days with ridiculously low pays– and exhaustion, among other things, his father got very little free time to spend with him. However, that didn’t mean the relationship between them was sour. It was all the opposite, actually, as they would spend as much time as possible together, playing together, his father telling him stories and talking to Robert about his mother and how wonderful she was and so on. Sadly for little Robbie, this only lasted a few years, as his father was unfairly imprisoned and was found dead in his cell just a week or so later in unclear conditions. I’ll cover the whole subject of his parents in a separate post later on but, yeah, all things considered, the parental involvement, while not perfect, was as good and dedicated as it could be in those conditions (and now you also know where he got that 'parental’ side he has towards the Joestar children from).

ADULT LIFE.

occupation. He’s job hunting/switching jobs in the main verse, trying to find his place in the world after leaving his criminal lifestyle behind (for the most part, at least). current residence. He still lives in Ogre Street in the Main Verse, but he doesn’t partake in criminal activities as often as he once did.This is why he sometimes can be seen sporting a new bruise or more, since some of the more unruly thugs there are trying to climb to the Boss spot now that Robert has shown clear intentions of changing his ways and, thus will try to pick up fights with him (there’s a lot more to explain on this matter but i’ll cover that on a separate post) close friends. Main verse: Jonathan Joestar. Tattoo and Kenpo (named Li, here), obvs. Later on, Erina (Pendleton) Joestar, too. relationship status. Single and crushingpiningfddsfdgfh financial status. Main verse: Ehhh, let’s just say it’s seen better days (since there are times he runs out of moneys and thus doesn’t have anything to eat for the day...or for days ;;;; ). Future verses/PostPBpreBT verses: You know the deal: He rich af. driver’s license. Naw. But he does drive that car shown in the manga from time to time. His peers don’t let him very often cause he’s nearly run over some folks before, lol. criminal record.  Officially? None, really. Which is kind of a feat given his role as one of the biggest and most influential ganglords in the rowdiest area of London. He’s done a lot of illicit things, though, which include but are not limited to: Thieving (pick pocketing, plundering, etc),  murder, fights/brawls (sometimes involving knives and/or guns), etc. There’s also the fact that he’s a homosexual man in a time where "homosexual acts” were illegal and could be punished by the law, so I guess it counts, too?

SEX & ROMANCE.

sexual orientation.  homosexual. romantic orientation. homoromantic. preferred emotional role.  submissive | dominant | switch |  unsure preferred sexual role.  submissive  |  dominant  |  switch (top leaning) |  sex repulsed libido. Average. turn on’s. subtle but sensual touching. He’s particularly sensitive in the neck and chest area. His thighs, too. He will be putty in his dear’s hands with ease, really, since sex works as an extension to his feelings and emotions towards the other person when it’s a long-term relationship (as opposed to one night stands/casual relationships –which aren’t very common for him anyway–, where there are no truly deep feelings involved and sex is just a mean to release some stress). During the act, he has a thing for having his hair gently pulled and, to a lesser extent, giving and receiving love bites, especially in those areas that are normally covered by clothes. This one is somewhat related to the time he lives in (a largely prudish and homophobic era), in which it is best to keep things as under the table as possible, especially when both parties involved happen to be males, but it also works as little secret reminders to his dearest of his love towards him. turn off’s. Probably overly kinky stuff and “weird” stuff like scat and watersports and stuff like that. He’s more into the soul-bonding aspect of it all, really.

love language. He’s all for making his dearest one feel loved in every single possible way. He will always do anything and everything in his power to make his bf feel special, be it by giving him massages, tender touches, holding hands, brushing/petting his hair, cuddling with him, and so on. He is very physical on this aspect (would totally be all up for pdas if Victorian society wasn’t so uptight about it even among m/f couples) so, as long as his bf is comfortable with it, he sure af will be giving him lots of love that way. And the spoiling doesn’t stop there, cause he will always do his best to buy his bf presents, even before he makes it big in the oil industry (he will save as much money as he can from whatever his current job is and spend it on his dear), with flowers being some of his fave presents to give. And since he’s some into the language of flowers, it goes without saying that every bouquet he gives is like a little love letter to his bf. Actual letters are another part of his love language. Not as common as the flowers or the gifts, tho (since he’s always been more into showing his love via actions and not just with words). So, yeah, he’s the kind of man who loves to shower his dear with lots of love, affection and devotion in any way he can~ He’s also into doing little things for his dearest, such as getting him lunch, helping him with whatever he might need help with and being there for him always.

relationship tendencies. He’s usually more on the chill and confident side when it’s something more casual and less serious. However, when there are genuine feelings involved, he tends to becoming a blushing mess and a big pile of nerves too, especially whenever he falls for someone with a higher status coughjonathancough. And it’s simple: He’s quite self-conscious, so he’s always kinda afraid that other person will see him the way he sees himself, with all his flaws and some of the unredeemable things he’s done and so on. On top of that, he doesn’t truly know how to properly handle genuine affection aimed at him and also doesn’t feel deserving of it, too, so... Yeah. He usually has a bit of a hard time when it comes to relationships, but that's usually due to all the raging homophobia in Victorian times and how he doesn’t want to tarnish his dear’s reputation with some “gross” and “indecent” stuff, as homosexuality was labelled back then. However, he tends to be a bit more open and relaxed in general in private for those same reasons. As for his insecurities, he will gradually feel more at ease as time goes by (reassurance and stuff from his dearest will do wonders here) since he’ll be a little less afraid to fuck up, too, now that he knows his dear loves him back.

MISCELLANEOUS.

character’s theme song. there’s a bunch I could go with for his theme song tbh, but I think I’m gonna go with Keep Pushin’ by REO Speedwagon, this time. hobbies to pass the time. travelling, reading, getting into trouble, gambling, spending time with friends and loved ones, learning new stuff, etc. mental illnesses. He has some, ehh, mental baggage from his days of extreme poverty as an orphan child in London’s streets, some of which comes up every once in a while in the shape of dreams that feel more like vivid memories/nightmares. He also developed certain symptoms of PTSD, mostly after all the events involving Dio, such as occasional restless/sleepless nights as well as occasional nightmares, feeling terribly upset at certain memories/events (such as Zeppeli’s death or the tragic fate of Jonathan), and so on. That said, he also suffers from survivor’s guilt. There’s the occasional depression over all that stuff and small bouts of anxiety over “what if Dio ain’t dead yet!?” since, well, the guy managed to survive near death 2 times by the end of PB (just imagine the pain and distress it would have caused him to hear he not only survived a 3rd time, but that he also stole Jonathan’s body to continue with his wicked ways). None of this is diagnosed, though. There was also a period of time he lost interest in almost everything after Jonathan’s death and slipped back (and way too hard) into his old ways for a while. physical illnesses. None, just the occasional pain that comes from poorly treated old wounds. left or right brained. Right with bits of left. fears. Losing his (remaining) loved ones, either by rejection or death, even though he’s gone through loss a lot of times already. Seeing them hurt or just generally being unhappy, if that counts? Seeing Dio coming back once more even after Jonathan’s ultimate sacrifice. self confidence level.  Fluctuates, really. He’s quite confident within the slums but, out of it? He becomes a bit more self-conscious, mostly due to the hard views society had back then towards scarred people as well as poor/questionable people as well as homosexual men. It all goes down the drain when a love interest comes into play, because all that self-conciousness hits twice harder when he’s around this person, hence why he’s often an anxious mess around them orz He becomes a lot more confident as time goes by, though, and starts feeling more at ease, too. vulnerabilities. Probably the fact that he wears his heart on his sleeve all the time. Same with him being a hot-blooded man, so he’s prone to go head first into things sometimes and running his mouth, too. He’s also a bit too reckless in his ways sometimes, so he’s prone to getting wounds in batlle and stuff (they aren’t usually too serious, tho, since he’s fairly good at avoiding what could may be fatal blows)

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