#but yeah ive just been offline so i can avoid it all.

[symphorine]

im excited abt the characters and the new stories and ive always loved the setting. i still want to play veilguard. but im deeply disappointed by the way past choices wont matter in a "your choices do matter" game series and i think thats pretty normal. even expected. i really dont agree that this approach was a good one, both as a fan and as a writer. saying that you only pulled forward into veilguard choices that you could "do something interesting with" and that "the rest we took care not to invalidate" irritates me a lot.

not everything has to be cool or interesting or take time! codex entries, one or two line comments, minor cameos and npc interactions that refer to (or are based upon, e.g. romance choices or what some characters went on to do after previous games ended) choices you, the player, made in previous games, is what makes it all feel alive and connected! you lose nothing by doing that! for new players you paint an interesting picture of a complex world; for returning players you acknowledge what they decided to have happen. in, once again, the "your choices matter" game series.

and like i said in previous tags, "not invalidating" by just avoiding or erasing any mention of past choices or their consequences feels incredibly cheap. all of a sudden my world isnt a web of characters on their own paths, its just a blank slate that someone put crude toys on. im being forced to leave behind what i was supposed to be able to bring. maybe its expectations that i placed on the game with no information but, once again, in the "your choices matter" game series, and considering we very much could do that in both da2 and dai, i dont think its unfair expectations at all.

is this more complicated to implement if you ask the player to recap it all directly in the game? yeah! but why discard the keep in the first place? it's a good tool for it and i think it would have been very easy to make it less dependant on an internet connection if the concern was to keep davg entirely offline. would also have been easy to offer one or several worldstates to pick from in game for new players. is the problem that the keep works in ways incompatible with veilguard? its essentially a bunch of prettified dropdowns. you can change that. you can recreate it easily in the game even. you know exactly what files it would have to ingest for worldstate imports, that makes it so much easier as well.

idk it really leaves a bad taste

[doodlebloo]

Sorry I haven't been online today, I just think I may fucking explode if I see one more post about c!beeduo "discourse" from either side of the issue.

[gumnut-logic]

One of my favs

Definitely an Allie night tonight (except for that very alluring photo of Virg earlier, and the incident with the mullet :D). I has no new fic to share due to the evilness of work, so here be a repost of an Allie fic I wrote for @ak47stylegirl​ during Fandomversary 2019.

Despite not being a Virgil focussed fic, it has become one of my favs.

-o-o-o-

Freckles

This was going to suck.

Alan taxied Tracy Two into her hangar and groaned. Thunderbird Two was up on her struts, over module four, obviously undergoing a maintenance cycle. Virgil would be on the floor and he had no hope of avoiding his brother.

Not going to stop him from trying though.

Post flight, a grab of his bags and he was sneaking.

Stealth Tracy. He could do it.

First things first, locate Virgil.

From where he was standing there was no sight of him.

“Hey, Alan. Good trip?”

He jumped and dropped his bags. “Hell, Gordon, give a guy a heart attack.”

His fish brother raised his hands in defence. “Well, excuse me. Next time I’ll send you a morse code welcome from the other side of the Island so I don’t disturb you.”

Alan let out a sigh. “Okay, I’m sorry. Great to see you, too.”

And Gordon was staring at him. “Are you hiding?”

“Gor-“

“What happened to your face?” And his sunnies were ripped off his nose. “Ho, ha, this is gonna be great.”

He grabbed his glasses from his brother and shoved them back on his face. “Shut up, Gordon.”

“Does Virgil know?”

“No, and I’m trying to keep it that way, so shut up.”

His brother grinned at him and held out a hand. “For a price.”

“Price? What price?”

“Help me flush Four’s sanitary systems.”

“Aw, god, Gordon, no! I’m not cleaning up your shit.”

“Heh, then I’m going to go get Virg and have a discussion about your face.”

“Gordon, please.”

“Nope, sanitary flushing or embarrassed blushing.”

“You suck.” He glared at his brother. “I’m going to remember this. Next time Scott is after you, don’t bother coming to me for help.”

For the briefest of moments, Gordon’s eyes widened before he regained his composure. “We’ll see about that. Have fun with Virgil.” The aquanaut wandered off.

Aaargh, Gordon could be such a...

Something clattered on the concrete on the far side of the hangar. Alan shrunk into Tracy Two’s shadow.

Okay. Let’s do this.

Grabbing his bags he slipped along the edge of the hangar until he reached the module train. Creeping around the far side of module six, he peered out the around its backend.

Virgil was hanging from Two’s thruster assembly, head buried in a hatch.

Okay, he might just be able to manage this.

Stepping lightly as possible, he crept past his brother towards the elevator.

“Hey, Alan, welcome back.”

Damn.

“Uh, hey, Virg.” He refused to look up and just waved casually, his heart beating like crazy. Maybe those several metres up in the air would save him.

“Did you have a good time.”

“Had a blast. Brandon sure knows how to throw a party.”

“So I heard.”

Heard? “Uh, I’m a bit tired I’m just going to go upstairs and unpack.”

“See you at dinner.”

“Okay.”

“Oh, and Alan.”

“Yeah?”

“Nice sunnies.”

He almost looked up. Almost.

“Uh, thanks. See you later.”

Not if he could help it.

He beelined for the elevator. One annoying brother avoided...mostly...one more to go.

The elevator was blessedly cool and he leant against the silvery wall while the car carried him up to the residential levels. God, he hoped he could make it to his rooms. He felt hot and just ugh.

The elevator stopped just short of his destination.

Damn.

The doors opened and he held his breath.

Brains and Max entered and the ride resumed.

“Max, honestly, I d-do not know w-what you were thinking.”

The robot sputtered at his creator, beeping madly.

“But that was G-Gordon. You h-have an entire d-directive listing regarding his behaviour. Y-you know not to do everyth-thing he asks.”

Another impertinent beep.

“That is exactly why you h-have an entire d-directive listing!”

Apparently they hadn’t even noticed he was there.

The elevator slowed at his level and he made a point of edging around Brains. Max beeped at him, but Brains had fallen silent, chin on hand, elbow on wrist, as if posing for a sculptor.

Alan didn’t care, he just wanted out of there and  threw himself around the corner.

Straight into Scott.

“Woah! Allie, welcome back! Hey steady there.” He wouldn’t admit it, but despite what he knew was about to happen and the suffering that would follow, it was good to see his eldest brother.

And kinda nice to be held by him too.

“What’s with the sunglasses?” He could almost count it down in his head. He looked up at those mirror image blue eyes and let his shoulders drop. This was so gonna suck. “Alan? What’s wrong with your face?”

His brother held both of his shoulders and peered at him. A moment and one hand gently peeled off the sunglasses. “Oh my god, Alan. What were you thinking?”

He let out a sigh. So busted. Who was he kidding. This was inevitable. “I guess I wasn’t thinking.”

“That much is very clear. You are going to the infirmary now.”

“Aw, Scott it isn’t that bad.”

“You have blisters, Alan!”

“I have?” He hadn’t really looked in a mirror since he left the Gold Coast. Brandon, of course, had laughed at him. It hadn’t seemed that serious. A bit of sunburn was all.

That’s what you get when you party all day in the Australian sun and forget your sunscreen.

Though come to think of it, he was feeling rather hot.

“Virgil, drop everything and meet me in the infirmary.”

“Aw, not Virg, really?”

Scott wrapped an arm around Alan’s shoulders and started to herd him towards the elevator. “He is the most qualified.”

“But it is only sunburn.”

The elevator doors closed behind them.

“Alan, you know I know you know all the symptoms of exposure, so don’t even bother.”

The arm around his shoulders was very gentle.

Virgil was standing in front of the elevator as the doors opened. How the hell he had gotten there so fast...but the expression on his second oldest brother’s face told him everything.

He hadn’t managed to sneak past at all. Virgil had been following him.

Nice sunnies indeed.

Virgil approached quietly, not saying a thing. One large finger reached up under Alan’s chin and tilted his head up gently. The medic sighed and a worried frown creased his brow.

But he didn’t say anything.

Virgil let him go and led them out of the elevator and into the infirmary.

Alan climbed onto the bed as directed and waited for the lambasting. After all, he knew he had been an idiot, and deserved every word.

“Where else?” Brown eyes were looking at him in concern.

“What?” Damn, he was hot.

“Where else did you get burnt.

“Oh, arms, hands, feet...and maybe my hair? Feels like my hair is on fire.”

“C’mon, lay down.” Scott was suddenly shoving a pillow under his head. The pillow was lovely and cool. His shoes were gently taken off and that was a relief in itself.

Virgil took his temperature and frowned even more. A glass of something was handed to him and he was told to drink. It wasn’t unpleasant, but it was obviously something medical. It was cool on his throat.

Grandma appeared and as with everything Grandma, it was fussing, hugs and, well,...love.

“Did Brandon know you were burnt this badly?” Something pricked his hand and he discovered Virgil had stuck him with an IV bag. Was that really necessary?

Gordon barrelled in. “Hey, Brandon has you on his vlog!” His brother held up his phone and all the family turned to watch.

And Alan saw himself for the first time.

Sunburn panda.

Omigod.

Very sunburnt panda.

In front of twenty odd million viewers.

“Thunderbird Five.” It was Commander Tracy who spoke.

His middle brother blinked into existence beside the bed. “What can I...Alan? What the hell?!”

“John, hack the Bear’s feed. I want those images gone.” John’s turquoise eyes lingered on Alan for a moment, before narrowing on the feed spouting from Gordon’s phone.

His voice was almost menacing in reply. “FAB.”

He blinked out.

Twenty seconds later, the Bear feed went offline. Rather abruptly.

Gordon was staring at Alan. “Allie, what the hell did you do to yourself?” Obviously the hangar had been dark enough to conceal at least a little of his colouring. “Blisters?”

Virgil was hovering with some kind of medicated cream in his hands. The next moment was absolute bliss as his brother applied the ever so cool, numbing wonderment to his face. He literally sagged into the bed.

“I was so, so stupid.”

“Yes, you were.” Virgil’s voice was a reassuring rumble. “But at least we know you won’t do it again.”

“No, no I won’t.”

John blinked in again and Alan found himself surrounded by his family. As Virgil started applying the cream to his feet, Alan suddenly wondered why he had been trying to hide from these people. Sure there would be nagging, perhaps some laughter and good natured ribbing, but...

Grandma reached over and draped a damp cloth over his hair. “Feeling a bit better, dear?”

“Yes, Grandma.” It was only a bit of sunburn, but... “Thank you, guys.”

“Don’t do it again.” Scott, as always worried.

“Look after yourself better, Alan.” Virgil, always caring.

“Don’t make me keep an extra eye on you.” John, always watching.

“A panda! I’ve always wanted to see a panda!” Gordon, always loving.

Grandma gently brushed a stray hair off his forehead. “Rest, honey.” Always Mom.

His family.

-o-o-o-

FIN.

[ua-monoma]

.10.20.

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

...

v-shinsou

[shinsou is online]

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Oh...

v-shinsou

...

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

...

Hello again...

v-shinsou

... hello

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

I wasn't sure if you'd come back.

You seemed pretty adamant to avoid talking with us the last time...

v-shinsou

well, surprise or whatever...

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Yeah...

v-shinsou

yeah...

not like i have many other options

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Hahahahahaa.

Yeah.

v-shinsou

yeah...

youre one of the ones that are... supposed to be here, right?

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

That's some... interesting wording... What does that mean?

v-shinsou

youre not from another timeline or whatever, right?

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Oh. No. I'm not.

v-shinsou

huh...

you were a hero student, right?

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Am.

I'm... currently taking a bit of a leave of absence, ahahaa... A personal vacation.... hahaha.

v-shinsou

a vacation to... here?

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Haha. Ha.

...hehehe...

Yes, it's a little ridiculous when you put it like that, ha...

v-shinsou

... yeah...

why? [deleted]

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█ ...

v-shinsou

...

shouldnt you maybe... not admit to still considering yourself a hero student in here?

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

... Hm?

Oh... Perhaps you're right, I suppose I should keep the delusion I'm operating under more of a secret, a private... thing....

But then I'd miss all the opportunities for such delightful pity... Oh, poor Monoma, so broken, he still doesn't realize, hahahaa, let's coddle him and do what we can...

No, you're right, there are better strategies, I suppose... I suppose I. Oh. ... yes... I suppose I've been slipping....

v-shinsou

yeah...

normally, saying that kind of stuff is how you get tortured or just... disappear.

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Maybe that's what I want.

I've got such a penchant for being tortured, after all! I was thinking of making it a career of sorts, actually...

Not very familiar with the underground, but I'm sure there's a thriving business there for that very thing...

Not that my captors here would allow me to be shared in such a way, oh no, all so selfish, ahaha...

v-todoroki

Neito...

v-shinsou

...

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Todoroki-kun! Hello... I was just thinking about you.

v-todoroki

Were you?...I've been worrying about you.

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Worried...? Ah.

Why? Hm.

Well, I'm glad you're here... I wanted to tell you that I missed you. Too.

I miss you, too. Haha.

...Don't be worried about me...

v-todoroki

I am. I will be.

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Why...?

v-todoroki

I care about you.

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

... Aha... oh.

v-shinsou

gross... [deleted]

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

...

v-todoroki

Keep in touch. If I can help let me know.

[shouto. is idle.]

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

...

v-shinsou

ugh...

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Aha... My apologies... having such a conversation in front of a third party... not the most considerate of us...

v-shinsou

whatever...

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

...

v-shinsou

youre certainly...something... for a hero student

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

... I'll take that as a compliment.

v-shinsou

...

it wasnt one. [deleted]

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█ ...

Ah. Anyway.

Enough about me,,,

Have you gotten used to our universe yet? I understand it's a jarring experience...

v-shinsou

what kind of question is that...

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Um.

v-shinsou

no, i havent

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Okay... sorry.

v-shinsou

...

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

I didn't... mean to offend... just thought it'd be a topic of conversation, maybe...

Sorry.

I'll just stop trying. Stop... talking. A...ha... ah...

This is so wrong, I hate it, I don't remember this being so hard...

v-shinsou

what are you on about?

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Sorry.

v-shinsou

whatever...

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Habit, bad habit...

v-shinsou

friendly reminder, im not the version of me youre used to

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

...

v-shinsou

you should get used to that instead of pretending, hero student

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Okay. Sorry.

v-shinsou

mhhm...

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

It's... an adjustment... I just have to adjust... alright...

v-shinsou

yeah.

whatever...

it's certainly not nice to be dropped into a completely different timeline where i have like, virtually nothing.

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

... Yes... I'm sure that'd be at least moderately terrible...

v-shinsou

yeah, moderately...

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Aha...

v-shinsou

what?

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Nothing in particular...

v-shinsou

that so?

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

If you really wanted to analyze my every reason for laughing, we'd be here all night and day, probably...

Not that I'd mind that, I suppose...

Ahah.

v-shinsou

...

id have to care about you to want to analyze your laughter [deleted]

no thanks.

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Aha... 'twas merely a joke, it wasn't an invitation...

v-shinsou

... yeah, whatever...

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

...

v-shinsou

are a lot of the things you say supposed to be jokes or something?

or are you just... like that? [deleted]

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Considering how representative they are of my life, yes. I suppose they are.

v-shinsou

...

was you saying that you wanted to take care of me some sort of weird joke too?

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

If you'd like to take it that way, sure.

v-shinsou

...

youve got a pretty fucked sense of humor...

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Comes from being pretty fucked up.

v-shinsou

for a hero student [deleted]

yeah...

totally didn't pick that up when you were telling me how much of a masochist you are [deleted]

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

...

You really dislike me...

v-shinsou

why wouldnt i, hero student?

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

...

v-shinsou

what?

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Nothing.

v-shinsou

...

whatever

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Lot to adjust to, is all.

Why even continue this conversation, if you hate me so...? Why are you wasting your time?

v-shinsou

... you just answered your own question

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

...?

v-shinsou

im wasting time, since ive got nothing better to do right now

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Ah.

v-shinsou

why talk to me if you know that i dont like you?

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Masochism, as you aptly pointed out earlier. Or, maybe I just keep hoping to change your mind. Or, maybe I'm using this conversation to make myself feel worse. Or, loneliness, as my dear friend mentioned the other day... again, another thing I could go on all night and day about.

My actions of late haven't made much sense. So.

v-shinsou

change my mind?

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

...

That is what I said, yes.

v-shinsou

you want me to change my mind about what exactly? you?

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

I suppose.

v-shinsou

how exactly do you want me to change?

...

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

I don't know, exactly...

Haha, I just don't love being hated, is all... It's fine, don't even worry...

v-shinsou

no one does, hero student whatever... should get used to being hated if youre going to continue with your 'vacation'

@v-aizawa

My, I see another new face has been added since I was last online. And the lost little lamb is here as well.

v-shinsou

creep.

@v-hawks

...

v-shinsou

...

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

... Fantastic... Always wonderful when we're all getting along...

v-shinsou

shut up.

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Haha.

v-shinsou

[control freak is idle]

n-hawks

...

@v-kaminari

yeesh thats a mess n a half

n-hawks

mess...

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

... You're someone I'm unfamiliar of...

v-hawks

ahh...

v-kaminari

oh! that is right! i also dont know you all either so thats. funny. yeah.

n-hawks

...

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

... Are you going to introduce yourself, then...

v-kaminari

i dont really wanna reveal my name yet i dont think but.......hiiiiiiiiii im. attempting at becoming a more powerful villain, thats about it for now

n-hawks

powerful... villain...

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Fine way to attempt it. By staying hidden.

...

Though, I suppose it works for some...

Tch...

v-hawks

hahahaa.. doesn't it.

i'm hawks.

n-hawks

hawks...

v-hawks

so is he.

n-hawks

...

v-kaminari

well, its not like i wanna be Popular or anything....yet, at least, i wanna work more on things and laying low while i gather more um. resources and allies.. sounds best doesnt it? sounds more fun if i can fully emerge with a bang

v-shinsou

[control freak is no longer idle]

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

But you've already emerged, haven't you...? Just by being here, you already have a presence... you'd think, if you wanted a more impressive presentation, you'd have one right from the start...

v-kaminari

true i did fuck that up a little....i got lonely :(

v-shinsou

who's this?

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Hahahhaaa.... isn't that adorable...

v-kaminari

well, since the bitch pointed out my plan was flawed i shall reveal my name, so sad i messed it all up not fun

im denki kaminari, dont rat me out sweetheart

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

...

Aha, alright...

v-shinsou

another hero student double...

v-hawks

lovely...

v-kaminari

the hell you mean by that?

v-hawks

gettin to look like a fuckin daycare round here.

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

I hate this... I hate this...

v-shinsou

... wouldnt you get a kick you of that, creep?

v-hawks

kaitou..?

n-hawks

kaitou...

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

I hate this.......... I hate this...........

n-hawks

hate...

v-shinsou

maybe you should've picked a better place to vacation, hero student

v-hawks

hey, calm down..

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Hahaha.

Wouldn't matter.

All these replications... you all follow me around... like cockroaches... doesn't matter where I go, God, there's so many of you now...

I hate it I hate it I hate it

v-shinsou

cockroaches, huh?

v-kaminari

well um. i think that would be my cue to leaaaavee i do NOT wanna make an enemy like. 5 minutes into chillin with my villains....does not sound FUN so im gonna make like a library book and check out-

[shocker is offline]

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

...

v-shinsou

ugh...

guess even the doubles of hero students are annoying

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

...

v-shinsou

hopefully the double of you that pops out isn't as self centered as you are

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

... me...?

There won't be a double of me...

v-shinsou

how can you be so sure?

dont we follow you like... cockroaches?

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

...

v-shinsou

what? youre the one that said it

im just making sure that you dont forget

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

"Forget"... aha

I have a headache my head hurts

v-shinsou

poor you

maybe thats a sign that its time for your vacation to fucking end

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

...

This is so tiring... I don't understand what you're doing... tired... tiring... if you want to hurt me so badly, I'd rather you just do it in person... tiring...

Since it makes you feel better... clearly does... why delay yourself the fun you'll clearly have...

v-shinsou

oh fuck you

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

What... why are you angry now...

v-shinsou

not really into torturing people, sorry to disappoint.

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

You want to act like a bully, I'm allowing you the full opportunity... You clearly want to prove your dominance somehow, I'm trying to give that to you.....

v-shinsou

...

if i wanted to bully you, i'd be a hell of a lot fucking crueler to you

just run back to ua already, hero student

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

So you're a bully that can't commit. Somehow that's even worse.

v-shinsou

stop calling me that.

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Make me.

v-shinsou

...

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Don't you fully have the ability to? C'mon. I'll be the only one who even lets you use your little quirk on them.

I'll answer anything you like.

v-shinsou

oh fuck off already...

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

You don't like me when I try to help you, you don't like me as the victim, you don't like me giving you everything you obviously want... ahaha, you are so hard to please...

v-shinsou

help me?

someone like you will never fucking help me.

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

You don't know anything about me.

v-shinsou

youre one of the lucky ones

none of the lucky ones want to get anywhere near a freak like me [deleted]

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Oh, yes, I'm so fortunate, that's exactly why I'm here... because I was the one who won fate's hand...

Is that what you're after, then? Petty vengeance?

Come get it, then.

Release your frustrations. I don't mind.

You obviously want to live out a fantasy of power. Go ahead.

v-shinsou

fuck off.

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

You're perfectly within your power to stop talking to me if you aren't enjoying yourself, Shinsou-kun.

v-shinsou

dont call me that...

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Hahahaa.... Well, if I can't call you by your name and I can't call you by what you are, what should I call you?

Freak? Would you prefer that?

Freak.

v-shinsou

...

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Freak freak freak.

v-shinsou

[control freak used illegal software to download your location]

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

Incredible. I would have just told you where I am.

v-shinsou

[control freak is idle]

█►─═ ₭卂𝔦†ᵒù ═─◄█

So impolite...

...

[splattershotsundae]

Ink is Thicker Than Water --- Chapter 5: I give it a 10

Toda spent most of his afternoon wishing he felt well enough to pace. Finding out that Orvokki was still alive was no small news. She was a cruel woman, and visions of what she was like, and what she thought like still stuck with him and plagued his sleep. Another thing to worry about was Simon… They’d logged off in a huff, and he was genuinely worried, both about how they were and about… how they really thought about him.

A motion from his skope caught his attention and he took a sharp breath. Simon was back online.

T: hey

S: Hey.

T: I'm sorry about earlier. i was freaking out bout Orvokki, and I forgot and gt a little carried away. T: we decided we still arent going to do anyhting right now.

S: ... Ok.

T: ... u doing ok...?

Toda sighed a little after he sent it. He should just ask them... He was probably freaking out over nothing. Simon had told Jill that she was strong, in and out of battle, hadn't they? And hadn't they told him that they thought Rank was just a letter and a number, before they played Rainmaker? ... But when they lost at Blackbelly, they took that pretty hard... He'd thought it had something to do with what Yuri had said to them, especially with the conversation the two of them had had afterwards... but was that the case?

S:... Not really. S: But there's not much we can do.

T: Yeah...

T: can i ask u something?

S: Yeah, sure.

T: when did u know that u liked me? How long had we knon each ohter? T: Im not trying 2 b gushy, just curious.

S:... S: Call me shallow, but I'm pretty sure I was going to yell at you for bumping into me until I saw your face. S: when I said I'd always found you cute... I... Wasn't kidding. S: I kind of thought it would just be a fling...but here we are.

His breath caught in his throat, and it felt like his stomach had dropped a few inches. Oh no. Any other time he would've been a little flattered, but... no no no...

S: what really got me was... Getting to know you though... You've been a good influence on me. S: I wouldn't trade meeting you, or how I feel, for anything in the entire world.

T: Ive been a good influence on u?

S: Yeah.

He paused, looking at the message. What had he done that they'd think was a good influence? He typed a response, trying to make it sound lighthearted.

T: how so? hvae I... inspired u to make more puns or smoething? :P

S: Ha, maybe that in addition. S: ... I was starting to forget what trust felt like. S: well, except with Jill. But the point is, I needed some mutual trust... You and Bato sort of reminded me. You guys got me to open up. S: I'm sure there are other things here and there but... That's what comes to mind first.

T: ah...

S: Are you ok?

T: yea mi fnie

Toda winced; he'd sent that way too quickly... Quit stalling and just ask already, for crying out loud.

S: .... Toda...

He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, his face flushing, then took a deep breath. Here goes nothing…

T: We told Jill about the conversation we had the other day; we were trying to explain why w weren't going to tlak to 3, and we sort of back ourselves nto a corner. T: wen we told her you had sort of said not to mention it to hr, she said it was because u thoght she was weak T: Because she lkies to batle for fun, and u battle to win T: she thinks taht u think that makes hr weak

S: ... She... Still thinks that?

T: Thats what she said... T: ... So ou don't think that?

S: Did you think I do?

T: I didn't at first, cause I told u right when we met that B nd I play for fun T: btu seh said if u hd liked m from the start tehn u would have askd us anyway T: I still didn't wnat 2 tihnk that u thought liek taht T: btu i wsa...

S: i domt anytmore Damn it.

[SloshMasterV3 is offline]

T: wiat no! His fingers trembled. He didn’t mean to make them upset again, he just… He took another deep breath and wiped his eyes. At least he had an answer… Sort of...

He read their last message again; they didn't anymore... So had they used to?

A chime pulled him from his thoughts.

[4PawzAndMeow is online.]

J: re u the reason theres a new barrge of sobs comin form S's room?

Toda's heart sank. Oh no…

T: ... Probbly...

J: O J: I... wasn't bein serioos.

T: u soundd pretty serious

J: i ment th@ i didnt think u were Y... sry

T: oh

J:... U dint brak up wih thm did U?

T: no no T: no I didn't

J: @ lest theres th@

T: yah...

He glanced at Simon's tab. He needed to apologize again... But… it could be hours before they came back online…

T: hy Jill T: can I cme ovr? T: I want to say sory to thm. T: or hve a chance to

J: say sorry 4 wh@?

T: how abot if thy dn’t wnat to hear it I go to yuor room an we cn talk

There was a long pause.

J: yeah K. J: th@ works.

T: k T: be theer soon

J: k

He took a deep breath, then got his shoes on, slipped on his Splattershot Jr’s holster, and went on his way, taking his time so he didn’t wear himself out. He thought all the way over, running through his head his apology over and over again. How much should he say? Probably everything. As he drew near to the Grace house, he took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

Madeline opened the door, blinking in surprise. "Toda?" She asked. "Simon and Jill didn't say you were coming over."

"Afternoon, Mrs. Grace." Toda said, probably more formally than he needed to. "Jill invited me over about an hour ago?”

She paused, glancing over her shoulder for a second, then stepped aside to let him in. “Alright, just don’t bug Simon right now, they’re… not feeling so good today.”

He felt a twinge of guilt; That was the exact reason why he was here. "Thank you.” He said, peering around as he entered.

It was still quite a mess, the floor was scuffed and stained in a multitude of places, the stairs had no railing, bullet holes in the walls, the drywall on the ceiling was cracked, and Madeline’s prized roller was resting beside the stairs instead of hanging on the wall, at least for the moment. It looked like a warzone, and to be fair it sort of was. He gave a nod toward Madeline, then carefully made his way upstairs, managing to avoid grabbing for the railing that was no longer there.

He carefully stepped up to Simon’s door, a lump in his throat. He could hear faint sobbing on the other side, and he briefly considered skipping and just talking to Jill… when he saw her staring at him from down the hall. Her gaze flitted from him to the door and back again expectantly.

He took what felt like the millionth deep breath that day and knocked softly on the door.

“Go AWAY!” They shouted immediately.

He flinched, glancing for the stairs and praying Madeline hadn’t heard that. "Simon?" When there was no reply he steeled himself and continued. "Simon, I.. I wanted to apologize for earlier. I would have sent a message on Skope, but you were offline and… " He looked down at the floor. “The question was personal, it… I hope it didn’t feel like… an attack. When Jill.. When she told me about your past, it... Kind of struck a nerve with me. There was this kid I was sort of friends with for a while, named Benny; I think I referred to him once as a 'Luna-wielding ass'... It's a long story, but I should have known better than to think that you would think like that. I know you're not like that, I know that isn't you. I'm really sorry."

There was a long pause before the door opened a crack, and Simon stuck out their hand. Gingerly he took it, grip loose, just in case they wanted to pull away. However, their grip tightened, and they flung open the door, pulling him into an embrace.

He squeaked and stumbled as he almost lost his balance, but then squeezed them tight, resting his chin on their shoulder. "I-I'm really sorry." He repeated.

"... Nothing’s getting easier..." Simon whispered.

"No, it it isn’t..." He agreed. "... You'd think we would've earned a break at this point, huh?"

"You would think..." They agreed with a sigh. "... Well, while things are this difficult, if this 'Benny' shows his face you let me know so I can punch it."

He smiled just a little bit. "I will... Thanks."

"No problem... You don't even have to tell me why." They said quietly.

He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "... Is there someone I should keep my eyes out for?" He asked. "So I can return the favor?"

Their grip tightened around him. "Roderick. You see that bastard you can punch him as hard as you like."

"Gladly." He muttered with a small nod.

"It's a deal then." They said.

"A deal.” He agreed. “… Can we sit down? I had to do a lot of walking and I’m kind of worn out...”

“I’m not surprised, it’s awfully late.” They said, edging over to sit on the foot of their bed.

“… Wait, it is?” He asked, pulling away.

“… Yeah, Toda, it’s like, 10. Dude, it’s dark out and it’s summer, what time did you think it was?”

“I dunno, 6? 6:30?” He said, feeling his cheeks flush.

Simon slowly put one palm on their face. “Did you even set up a ride home? The trains are going to close soon.”

“… I forgot to tell my mom I was leaving.” He admitted.

Their other hand joined the first. "… Okay, I can ask my Mom if she'll drive you home-" They broke off for a long moment. "... You're probably not going to be comfortable with that."

"... Not really." He said, breaking off eye contact, sure his ears were flushed by now.

“How about I ask mom and dad if you can sleep over, and then we play some video games downstairs?

He smiled at that, nodding “Yeah… I need to call my parents too.”

They smiled. “Okay, meet me downstairs soon.” They said,

He nodded, absently adjusting his cap as he watched them go… They were still so cute…

After a moment he pulled his phone out of his pocket. “… Hey dad, it’s Toda. Can I stay the night at Simon’s house?”

THUD

Toda sat up with a snort, rubbing one of his eyes as he tried to figure out what was going on.

"Of course it's still a problem!" Jill was shouting.

"Shhh! Keep it down! He's still sleeping!" Simon replied.

"And already it's all about him!" She snapped.

Oh no. He remembered now. He’d spent the night at Simon’s house, after coming over to apologize… apparently there was still friction between the twins however… He grabbed his squidvader cap and started to put it on.

"It's not all about him! What's this 'it' you keep talking about anyway!?" Simon snapped, he could hear them pacing outside.

"I... I don't know, but.. This isn't working!" Jill replied.

"No SHIT. But I'm not just going to sit here while you yell at me for every mistake I've ever made." They said angrily.

"Maybe you should apologize for once!" She huffed.

His hearts sank a little. “Oh no...” He abandoned tucking all his tentacles into his hat and stood, quickly making his way to the door.

"I thought this might be the one time you'd be ok with it!" They exclaimed.

"You broke your promise!" She said.

"Ok, First off, We shouldn't be having this argument right now, and second of all, I thought you /liked/ Toda!"

"I do!! I do! He's the nicest kid you've ever dated. But I'm tired of you being so selfish and hypocritical!"

"Hypocritical? How am I-"

"You talk about how you want to be just like mom, just as good as mom. But when it comes down to it, you /have/ to have me with you, and you only use our squad as a dating device!" Jill shouted. “None of us deserve that!”

Toda flung open the door and peeked out, having to use one hand to hold his hat on. Both Jill and Simon turned to look at him, looking rather embarrassed.

“… Hey Toda~” Jill said, tone cheerful, but posture anything but.

“… Sorry.” Simon said, looking away.

"... It's okay." He mumbled, still a little bit groggy. He looked between the two of them… they were both obviously upset… He was never good at helping during something like this, that was what Bato was good at… Right, be like Bato. He squared his shoulders, then stepped up and put a hand on Jill’s shoulder. “It’s… okay to be upset.”

“Upset? I’m more than upset!” She said, pulling away from him. “I’m furious!”

“Tell me something I don’t know.” Simon huffed. “We should just leave it.”

“Leave what, the squad!?” She snapped. "You'd probably LIKE that! You can just as easily find a cute and/or muscular and dumb boy to replace me by tomorrow!"

"Jill!"

Toda flinched a little bit at her tone, pressing himself up against the wall. "Jill… Can you maybe take a deep--”

"ADMIT IT! YOU DON'T WANT ME!!!" She interrupted.

"YES! I! DO!!!" Simon snapped back.

"BULLSHIT!!!" She screamed. YOU LIED ABOUT DATING TODA, YOU PROMISED YOU WOULDN’T USE OUR SQUAD FOR DATING AGAIN, ALL YOU DO IS LIE LIE LIE!"

“Jill I--” Toda tried to cut in.

"THAT'S NOT TRUE!!!" They screamed back.

“Simon---” He tried again.

"YOU ALSO LIED ABOUT THE AGENT THING!!” Jill screeched.

"I-I DIDN'T LIE, I JUST DIDN'T TELL YOU!!!" Simon hollered, slightly wavering.

“ENOUGH!” Toda snapped, flushing with embarrassment. “… Sorry, I… You’re not going to get anywhere if you keep screaming at each other! Jill, what’s really wrong?”

Jill was silent a long moment. “… I… I’m lonely, and I’m worried I’m going to lose Simon to you…”

Toda’s ears drooped. “I’m not trying to take them away… I’m sorry you felt that way...” He slowly looked at Simon. “… Simon, what about you? What’s wrong?”

They looked at him a long moment, then sighed. “… I… I’m scared I’m going to lose you too Jill, but… I’m scared that if we get involved, we’ll.. die. It’s dangerous out there, and I don’t want you to be left without me, or to be without you, or both of us to be gone, and our parents are left in a ruined house all by themselves...”

Jill was quiet for a long moment. “… So you aren’t… just scared of me being hurt?”

They shook their head. “No, of course not. I’ve been hurt out there just as easily…” They sighed. “I’m sorry, for… saying that you were weak once… I didn’t know it had stuck with you and I didn’t know just how much I’d hurt you. You’re not weak, and trust me, I’ll never say you are again. You’re stronger than me in a lot of ways.”

She paused, then huffed. “No I’m not...”

“Yes you are.” Simon pressed. “You’re stronger in will and in joy, and… maybe physically, I’m not sure.”

She started laughing, then wiped at her eye before holding out her hand, palm down. “To Splattershot Sundae.”

They smirked, and put their hand on top of hers. “To Splattershot Sundae.”

“To Splattershot Sundae.” Toda agreed, putting his hand on top of theirs.

There was a long pause, then Jill put her other hand on top and spoke in a deep voice. “I’m Bato and I’m totally here.”

Toda laughed. “Dear Judd, that’s spot on.”

"... We good Jill?" Simon asked.

"We're much better. I'll... Try to talk with you if something comes up, rather than just blow up." She said awkwardly.

“I would appreciate that.” They huffed. “… Hey, where’s mom and dad, they hate it when we fight.”

Jill got a gleam in her eye. “Mom got… /the call/”

Simon’s eyes went wide. “Really?”

"... The call?" Toda asked, glancing between the two of them with a confused look.

"The call's just what we call it when Mom suddenly gets dragged in to more work, but she can't legally tell us what it is." Simon explained. "But in this case that's good news… perhaps a battle’s around the corner."

He smiled. “Oooo, that is good news!”

"And then Dad's off to regular work." Jill asked.

"Seems we've got the house entirely to ourselves." Simon shrugged. "As well as the burden to make breakfast, I think."

Toda's stomach growled a little bit at the mention of breakfast and he blushed, rubbing the back of his neck.

Jill giggled. "It seems like a cereal morning to me!” She said, then sprinted down the hall. “Better come after me quick or I’ll put ice cream on it!”

“Jill, no!” Simon yelped, running after her.

Toda laughed and ran after them, letting himself smile.

Toda is Knitter’s character.

Simon and Jill are Shuckle’s characters.

Splatoon belongs to Nintendo.

Please consider liking or reblogging if you enjoyed, it’s nice to know we’re doing things right.

Shuckle has a patreon if you would like to provide additional support!

[<PREV] [INDEX] [NEXT>]

[admirablemushroom]

chat with a stranger

[7:43 PM] ttd29: Tell me more about him [7:43 PM] ttd29: What is it that you like so much about this guy who doesnt respond to your needs? [7:43 PM] Theodore: ok so we met by playing dota2 together [7:44 PM] Theodore: he was a very nice guy who didn't scold me for feeding the enemies [7:44 PM] ttd29: Ok great start

[7:44 PM] Theodore: so for some reason i asked him his fb and we started to become friends [7:45 PM] Theodore: at the time i was dating a girl [7:45 PM] Theodore: i sent a few memes to him [7:45 PM] Theodore: u know, from r/suddenlygay, etc [7:46 PM] ttd29: Wait you’re bi? [7:46 PM] Theodore: you can say so... [7:46 PM] ttd29: Lol interesting [7:46 PM] ttd29: Anyway go on [7:47 PM] Theodore: i usually go by being gay in order to avoid surprise moments like this [7:47 PM] Theodore: anyway [7:47 PM] Theodore: we got closer and closer [7:48 PM] Theodore: i even asked him how to kiss a girl before i got that girl [7:48 PM] Theodore: then one day he was comfortable enof to admit that he's bi [7:49 PM] Theodore: and i eventually dumped my ex-gf bc i was an asshole [7:50 PM] Theodore: in my defense i felt tired to fake my masculinity [7:50 PM] ttd29: No need to defend yourself [7:50 PM] ttd29: At least you didnt cheat [7:50 PM] Theodore: then a few days later i met him in a coffee shop [7:50 PM] Theodore: that was our first meeting [7:51 PM] Theodore: and we started hanging out more often [7:51 PM] Theodore: after 2 meetings, we became boyfriends [7:53 PM] Theodore: ok after this point there was no major event [7:53 PM] Theodore: he also gave me a book 'call me by ur name' [7:53 PM] ttd29: How long did you guys date? [7:54 PM] Theodore: in the book, he signed "you're the best thing that ever happened to me" [7:54 PM] Theodore: the book has been given away to one of my friends [7:55 PM] Theodore: i can go on about how disgusting that book is but maybe another time [7:55 PM] Theodore: (not his fault, Andre aciman's fault) [7:55 PM] Theodore: then i took a 6-month exchange study [7:55 PM] Theodore: so we maintained our communication online [7:56 PM] Theodore: after getting back to vn, we went out together again [7:56 PM] Theodore: then we had arguments about this and that, i remember i was a pretty rude guy and i raised my tone a lot of times.... [7:57 PM] Theodore: must've been tiring for him to go thru all that [7:58 PM] Theodore: at the peak of the conflict, one day we were arguing about something i dont remember but pretty sure i started first [7:58 PM] Theodore: he left in the middle of the convo to play video games [7:58 PM] Theodore: which i was very angry and sad [7:59 PM] Theodore: but he also quit the match to talk to me [7:59 PM] Theodore: and u know, i was not a considerate person, i usually started a fight and made a fuss about anything [8:00 PM] Theodore: and when im stressed, i write a lot [8:00 PM] Theodore: and when i write a lot, whoever read it gets stressed too [8:01 PM] Theodore: ok i see u went offline lol, prolly u got stressed too [8:02 PM] ttd29: Lol relax [8:03 PM] ttd29: I just took a shower [8:04 PM] ttd29: And then after that what happened? [8:05 PM] Theodore: wait me, i need to finish the monstrosity i cooked [8:06 PM] ttd29: =))))) [8:06 PM] ttd29: Oke [8:20 PM] Theodore: ok so at one point i just straight up told him dont talk to me anymore [8:20 PM] Theodore: which i very regret til this day [8:21 PM] Theodore: after that text, he never answered me again [8:21 PM] Theodore: he didn't respond to anything [8:21 PM] Theodore: basically he ghosted me [8:21 PM] ttd29: For a year??? [8:22 PM] Theodore: yes [8:22 PM] Theodore: i had been through a lot of confusion, anger, self hate, regret, depression, you name it [8:22 PM] ttd29: And he never talked to you again until now? [8:23 PM] Theodore: i kept messaging him for months, until July last year i told him this would be my last text (it wasn't), which he also didnt read [8:24 PM] Theodore: and a few days ago my depression hit me so bad i had to bring up that shit again [8:24 PM] Theodore: this time i talked with a mutual friend of us [8:25 PM] Theodore: along the lines i told my fren that 'the only reason i haven't commit suicide is because my mom would be sad if i did' [8:25 PM] Theodore: my fren told my ex that i wanted to commit suicide... [8:25 PM] Theodore: -.- [8:25 PM] ttd29: Quào [8:25 PM] ttd29: Okay [8:26 PM] ttd29: Great friend [8:26 PM] ttd29: =)) [8:26 PM] ttd29: After that then what happened [8:27 PM] Theodore: anyway, i also sent him a few words that said 'i dont understand how things went wrong but im sure whatever my mistakes are, i am not deserved to be ghosted for a year like this' [8:27 PM] Theodore: after i filed a request to delete my fb account [8:27 PM] Theodore: so i told my fren find some way to make him read my last message before the account got deleted completely [8:28 PM] Theodore: actually he completed what i asked him to do, but the way he did it was a bit questionable wasn't it [8:28 PM] Theodore: in some way, he distorted what i said about suicide [8:29 PM] ttd29: Yeah that was totally not cool [8:29 PM] Theodore: anyway, my ex sent me an email to apologize bc i blocked him on all media [8:29 PM] Theodore: before i received the email, i felt like i was reborn [8:30 PM] Theodore: that i could finally give up the past and move on to the new chapter [8:30 PM] Theodore: but then... the email =.= [8:30 PM] Theodore: i just wanted him to read, i didn't want an answer anymore [8:30 PM] Theodore: it is too late for an answer [8:31 PM] Theodore: anyway i got stressed again and my emails sent to him got longer and longer [8:32 PM] Theodore: he eventually responded that he was super tired with this way of talking of mine and that's one of the reasons he gave up the relationship [8:32 PM] Theodore: i guess he had a point, i sometimes feel like im overdramatic about things [8:32 PM] Theodore: and yes when im stressed i'd write a lot and talk a lot [8:32 PM] ttd29: Yeah well [8:33 PM] ttd29: Now where are you guys? [8:33 PM] ttd29: Still exchanging emails? [8:33 PM] Theodore: so fast forward a few emails, i got friendlier and finally connected to him on discord [8:34 PM] Theodore: i dont really use discord but im not ready to reconnect with him on any other platform [8:34 PM] Theodore: so this is the choice [8:35 PM] ttd29: And you guys are talking normally now? [8:35 PM] Theodore: i guess??? idk, i dont feel that way [8:35 PM] Theodore: but, as i said, his mom is going thru cancer treatment [8:35 PM] Theodore: so he must be very busy and, in his words, he did not have the mental capacity for this [8:36 PM] Theodore: so yeah, although i really want to get back, i still feel like im chasing him [8:36 PM] ttd29: Okay got it [8:37 PM] Theodore: id been already texting to a ghost for almost a year, now i still have to try to get his attention [8:37 PM] Theodore: but [8:37 PM] Theodore: i cant blame him because who knows what his situation right now [8:37 PM] ttd29: Was about to ask why do you want to get back together but realize that’s a redundant question lol [8:38 PM] Theodore: here [8:38 PM] Theodore: also cuz he's cute so it's not that easy :frowning: [8:38 PM] ttd29: =))) [8:38 PM] ttd29: Lol [8:39 PM] ttd29: Cute guys are abundant out there waiting for you [8:39 PM] ttd29: Anyway [8:39 PM] Theodore: just enjoy my awkward humor amidst a stressful story [8:39 PM] ttd29: I kind of understand what you’re going through [8:39 PM] ttd29: Enough to know that you wont be rational right now lol [8:39 PM] Theodore: ... [8:39 PM] Theodore: thats disappointing [8:40 PM] ttd29: If i tell you he’s not the right guy for you, would you suddenly stop wanting him? [8:40 PM] ttd29: I don’t think so [8:41 PM] Theodore: that's what u think [8:41 PM] Theodore: this afternoon u said something that was quite impressing [8:41 PM] Theodore: but now it's not cuz i forgot [8:41 PM] ttd29: :slight_smile: [8:41 PM] ttd29: I said [8:41 PM] ttd29: It’s okay to miss someone [8:42 PM] Theodore: here [8:42 PM] ttd29: But you need to be rational enough to know whether they are good for you [8:42 PM] ttd29: That’s the more important part of the equation [8:43 PM] Theodore: it's so pity to give up such a beautiful story like that, i literally could turn it into a wattpad series which makes fangirls cry out every night [8:43 PM] Theodore: what we had together was so romantic and any relationship which came after was incomparable [8:44 PM] ttd29: This right here my fren [8:44 PM] ttd29: Is why every relationship comes after are not comparable [8:45 PM] ttd29: You havent fully dealt with your shit yet so everyone else are just rebounds [8:45 PM] ttd29: You think they would cure you, but you need to cure yourself first [8:45 PM] Theodore: i never found any friends that were so compatible with me like him, let alone a lover [8:46 PM] Theodore: for real, if i had great friends, i could have just turned to my friends and never given a shit about him [8:46 PM] Theodore: but i've always been a lonely person [8:47 PM] ttd29: Do you ever think [8:47 PM] ttd29: You’re so consumed by your pain, that you’re not letting your friends in? [8:47 PM] Theodore: ive been always like this since kindergarten [8:48 PM] ttd29: Like what? [8:48 PM] Theodore: alone [8:49 PM] ttd29: Lol it’s all connected together now [8:50 PM] ttd29: You’re always alone. So once you found someone who cares, you put wayyy too much pressure on that person to care for you [8:50 PM] Theodore: wow [8:50 PM] ttd29: So they cracked [8:51 PM] ttd29: Yeah [8:51 PM] ttd29: At least that’s the vibe I got from our conversations [8:52 PM] ttd29: And then you never really let anyone in to care for you after that person left. [8:52 PM] ttd29: I’m sure your friends really care about you. But you don’t tell them how they can help you so they must be frustrated as well [8:52 PM] ttd29: Hence the suicidal distortion thingy [8:53 PM] ttd29: Maybe they were concerned and wanted to help, but didnt know how to [8:54 PM] Theodore: hmmm [8:54 PM] Theodore: w8 me, im on a phone call w mum [8:54 PM] Theodore: brb [8:54 PM] ttd29: Oke [9:12 PM] Theodore: you are right about the whole thing [9:12 PM] Theodore: i wouldn't say i didn't let anyone care me after he left [9:13 PM] Theodore: it's just hard for me to connect with someone on that deep level [9:13 PM] Theodore: i used to be quite clingy around friends who i found compatible with me [9:14 PM] Theodore: but at the end of the day, i think it's important to know that they also have their own lives [9:14 PM] Theodore: so i dont really have friends anymore, cuz i feel like im bothering them [9:15 PM] ttd29: What is this deep level that you were able to connect with the guy? [9:15 PM] Theodore: yeah i have best friends here and there but i dont find myself comfortable as i was with my ex [9:17 PM] Theodore: he's both a best friend and a lover; we shared a lot of hobbies and favorite topics, ... and also i felt like he would always be there to lend me an ear, unlike a normal friend [9:17 PM] Theodore: which has been proved to be incorrect lol [9:17 PM] ttd29: Sounds like you need a hug lol [9:18 PM] Theodore: i really appreciate that u are staying here to listen to me [9:18 PM] Theodore: and u gave some very interesting insights that no one else did [9:18 PM] Theodore: prolly becuz they didn't care enof, or they just wanted to quickly conclude my problems so they could go to sleep [9:19 PM] ttd29: Haha i’m flattered [9:19 PM] ttd29: Idk you just sound like you really need to talk this out [9:20 PM] Theodore: and now that we're connected on discord, i kept getting mixed signals from him [9:20 PM] ttd29: I believe being able to talk about our problems always help [9:20 PM] Theodore: i'm a bit obsessed to discord recently and i found myself waiting for a dm from him [9:20 PM] Theodore: :neutral_face: [9:21 PM] ttd29: You know what your problem is? [9:21 PM] Theodore: i dont want to... you know... after all the shit ive been thru, i now have to continue waiting for him [9:21 PM] ttd29: You never really get a full closure from him [9:22 PM] ttd29: I mean he just ghosted you out of the blue. Then he only came back and apologized when he thought you were going to committ suicide [9:22 PM] Theodore: yes, please continue [9:22 PM] ttd29: You never got a sincere apology [9:23 PM] Theodore: you are right... [9:23 PM] ttd29: That’s why you’re so hung up [9:23 PM] ttd29: And you got your own problems to fix to [9:23 PM] ttd29: Starting from your “clinginess” [9:24 PM] ttd29: He’s not going to fix that problem for you [9:24 PM] ttd29: And if you guys got back together, you will eventually break up again, because the root of the problem was never resolved [9:24 PM] Theodore: you are right [9:25 PM] ttd29: I don’t want to tell you what to do. But you surely deserve an in-person, sincere apology from him, for leaving you in the worst way possible [9:26 PM] Theodore: i suppose [9:26 PM] Theodore: but he's in an emotional distress, so i cant really blame him, or expect anything from him [9:26 PM] Theodore: im thinking about ending this come-back plan from my side [9:27 PM] Theodore: i think he wont give a shit lol, because he also said we would still break up if none of us changed [9:28 PM] ttd29: Yeah so if he is aware of that [9:28 PM] Theodore: i really thought i had improved myself as a person after all the regret, but now that we found out that i still have a tendency to cling to people i care about and that makes them suffocated [9:28 PM] ttd29: And if he really did love you and respect you enough, he would understand you need this, Theodore. [9:29 PM] ttd29: This is your problem that you need to work on improving [9:29 PM] Theodore: need what? an apology? [9:29 PM] ttd29: Yes [9:29 PM] ttd29: A sincere apology [9:29 PM] ttd29: Not an “i only apologize because i think you’re going to commit suicide” [9:30 PM] Theodore: you are right, the moment i knew that was the reason he apologized, i was shocked and disappointed [9:30 PM] Theodore: shall i keep waiting for anything from him? [9:30 PM] ttd29: Just text him that [9:31 PM] Theodore: no, i dont want to [9:31 PM] ttd29: :))) if i were there, I would snatch the phone from you and text him myself [9:31 PM] Theodore: u seem like a cool friend to be around :)) [9:31 PM] ttd29: You said he was mature enough to know it’s not a good idea to get back together [9:32 PM] ttd29: So be it [9:32 PM] ttd29: But he must admit he was wrong [9:32 PM] ttd29: Wrong to treat you like that [9:32 PM] Theodore: i also asked him for an in-person meeting but he declined becuz he's busy with his mom [9:33 PM] Theodore: i think it will take a long time for him to get over that, and by that time he will have forgotten about me probably lol [9:33 PM] ttd29: Or via text, or via email or whatever. [9:33 PM] ttd29: Get him to apologize sincerely [9:34 PM] Theodore: he did apologize me multiple times [9:34 PM] ttd29: Okay fine [9:34 PM] ttd29: If you’re think they’re sincere then they are [9:34 PM] Theodore: even on discord, one time he asked me how i was doing and i told him about my depression and he apologized [9:34 PM] ttd29: But if they are not then you should get one [9:34 PM] ttd29: Omg no that’s not sincere [9:34 PM] ttd29: :slight_smile: [9:34 PM] Theodore: ??? its not [9:35 PM] Theodore: how do i know [9:35 PM] ttd29: Why must his apology always be connected to your mental state [9:35 PM] Theodore: he's not capable of writing dancing words like me [9:35 PM] Theodore: idk?? [9:35 PM] Theodore: so it's not sincere... [9:36 PM] ttd29: A sincere apology should be when you guys are both in normal state [9:36 PM] ttd29: And you know that he’s really sorry for what he did [9:37 PM] ttd29: Not just because he thinks saying sorry would make you not depressed/want to commit suicide/etc [9:37 PM] Theodore: got it [9:37 PM] Theodore: aww fren thanks for helping me realize it [9:38 PM] Theodore: maybe i still have feelings for him and want us to be back so i did put the bar quite low for an apology [9:38 PM] ttd29: Lol I need to consider becoming a mental therapy [9:39 PM] ttd29: Yeah to be frank I don’t think getting back together is a good idea [9:39 PM] ttd29: You need to deal with your emotional baggage first [9:39 PM] Theodore: okay [9:39 PM] Theodore: so no waiting for him [9:39 PM] ttd29: Yeah!!!! [9:39 PM] ttd29: Work on yourself [9:40 PM] Theodore: ok... [9:40 PM] Theodore: haizzz... [9:40 PM] Theodore: such a beautiful story

[mintchocolateleaves]

We’ve Only Just Begun (4/??)

Summary: The world comes to a halt, everything torn apart, All-Might left as dust, Deku the last hero left standing. In this world the villains win. In a fit of desperation, Midoriya Izuku turns the clocks back. In a fit of desperation, he rewrites everything. TimeTravel!AU

[Beginning]     [Previous Chapter]

Before

“They said they'll meet us in Tokyo, right?” Uraraka says, breathless, grief already lacing her voice. Izuku knows well enough that denial will be her coping mechanism.

He also knows from the way she refuses to let herself cry, that her denial will be enough to get them killed. It's how she's gotten the scar that runs down her stomach, a pink raw line that stretches against her leg. He's not going to let her refusal to accept their friends' deaths lead them into any traps.

Not again.

“Uraraka. They're not going to meet us there.”

Her resulting laugh is strained, laced with despair as she turns to face him. She stares – practically begging – for him to go along with the illusion she is attempting to weave.

“Of course they are,” Uraraka mumbles, and there is something akin to hysteria in her voice. It bubbles, rises from her throat, catching on the tip of her tongue. “They're not liars, Deku. They said-”

“They're not liars, no.” Izuku agrees, narrowing his eyes. He pockets the transmitter, bites the inside of his cheek and attempts to think a way around this revelation. It's impossible – there's only one outcome of those raids and they both know it. “They're dead.”

Uraraka recoils at the statement, trips over her feet. Banging her elbow on a piece of rubble she lets out a yelp, alarmed as the rock digs into her skin. The second she recovers from the shock, she scrambles to her feet, glaring through narrowed eyes.

It burns. “We don't know that.”

“Yes,” Izuku replies, “we do.”

Disbelief. Uraraka doesn't look at him, but it's present on her face, pure refusal to believe anything other than the best. Shouldn't she know by now not to be so hopeful?

“They never came back for the transmitter,” he says, voice harsh, not the gentle tone he'd have used once. Maybe he's just tired, maybe he knows he can't be empathetic any more without tearing himself apart, piece by piece. When the silence stretches in on itself, he continues, “they didn't come back for it. And Kacchan's transmitter is offline too.”

“They-”

“They're either dead Uraraka,” Izuku says, firmly, “or as good as dead.”

He offers her a hand, the closest thing to comfort he can give without leaving himself vulnerable. “It's just us now. Let's not waste their information.”

Uraraka nods. Takes his hand before wrapping both arms around his waist, resting her head on his chest. She's shorter than he is – has been ever since Izuku had hit that one growth spurt in their third year at U.A – but it's not just her height that makes her seem small. The news has hit, makes her shoulder curl inward.

“Tokyo then,” Uraraka whispers.

“Tokyo.” Izuku agrees.

After

The hero team wins.

Izuku deflates at the words. He feels them like a slap to the face, as if the sting is enough to bring him back to the present moment.

This is not a fight against villains, it's a fight against children. A strategy game intended to make them better at fighting, to turn them from amateurs into full blown heroes. It's not something to be proud of, even if Uraraka's lips lift upwards into a grin as she jumps up and down in excitement.

Heroes don't win, Izuku thinks, as he turns to Uraraka and feigns his own happiness. They always lose – because by the time they show up, something has been stolen, whether it be innocence, or valuables or... or life.

“The losing team is unscathed,” All-Might's voice blasts through the speakers of the training building, something that leaves Izuku's smile thinning into a sad smile, his eyes turning to the rubble around them. How long, he wonders, has it been since a battle has ended without severe injuries. “The winning team, however, seem to be out for the count.”

Izuku turns, glances over at Uraraka. She's on her knees, trying to deal with the queasiness that comes with using her quirk too much. Other than that though, she doesn't look injured. He turns then, glances at one of the surveillance cameras to where he knows All-Might must be watching.

“Oh no, Uraraka's just feeling a bit queasy, she's fine.” He sends a smile and gives the camera a thumbs up, before his expression falters. Then, he tilts his head, “...wait... did you mean me?”

Out of the corner of his eye, he watches as Iida stands up. The boy steps closer, a frown creasing his forehead as he makes his way towards Izuku. He stops in front of him, lips tight in a grimace as he narrows his eyes. Iida says, “of course All-Might is talking about you, you're... you're injured Midoriya!”

Izuku glances down at himself, at that is when it really clicks.

His suit has practically melted, he's severely burnt, and the thing that's been distracting him slightly, is his own pain as each neuron screams at the next, echoing the fact that he's in agony. Well... not so much agony, but Izuku definitely feels it, and has to lock his jaw to keep from reacting.

Izuku waits a moment, counts to five, and then lets out a small laugh. He says, “I'm okay, really. Nothing a bit of ice won't heal.”

The look he receives is nothing short of bafflement. Iida places both hands on Izuku's shoulder, hesitantly, as if to avoid causing any further pain, before saying, “ice reduces swelling, but not to this extent... Midoriya... you need to go to recovery girl.”

Izuku supposes he'll have to, but for now, he's going to help Uraraka up.

“Hey,” he says, offering her a hand, the skin feels raw, but it's doesn't hurt too much when he pulls her up, so he figures he should be fine. “we did great.”

Uraraka sends him a look filled with only doubt. But she is standing, and so is Izuku – and even better yet, the only person actually injured is him – so he decides to negate it. He offers her a grin, pulls her out to where Iida and Bakugou are stood, waiting for All-Might's grading verdict.

Last time, Iida had been the VIP of the match. Izuku doubts it'll turn out any differently.

“No seriously,” he babbles, as they meet with their two classmates, “we couldn't have won without your quirk Uraraka.”

Uraraka smiles, and the movement is shy. Izuku squeezes her hand, offers a smile, before they stop. He wonders how long they'll have to wait for All-Might's verdict, whether he'll be conscious enough after recovery girl uses her quirk on him to watch the other matches his classmates will carry out. Probably not, he's sort of... lacking energy today.

“I've come to my decision,” All-Might says, and his voice is a boom in their ears, too loud for their ear pieces to handle without leaving their ear drums buzzing afterwards. “The VIP from this match, is Uraraka!”

There's a small gasp of air from beside him, and maybe Izuku has deflated due to this match, but Uraraka has practically inflated. She lets out a small laugh, uncertain, before turning to Izuku and grabbing both of his hands. She gets a little too close for Izuku's liking, but her happiness makes it easier to bear, if only a little.

“I'm the VIP Deku,” she says, and Uraraka shakes him slightly in her excitement, “I can't believe it. Me!”

Izuku smiles.

It's not an unexpected result though, not if he thinks it over. Out of the two groups, only the Hero team had worked together. And Uraraka had adapted to each of Izuku's plans with little confusion. Unlike the first time they'd fought the match, she'd been on guard too – well, mostly – not getting distracted or letting the situation run away with her.

And well – she's unharmed too. If only a little sickly from the overuse of her quirk.

Her being the star of the match is only expected, but still, she glows.

Izuku thinks that maybe Uraraka hasn't won much before. It's almost sweet how much it makes her feel happy. Her expression is one that he wants to protect, the innocence, the pure giddiness she feels at being recognised by their teacher for having performed well in the fight.

Izuku can't let her lose that. Not again.

“Yeah,” he says, and he feels heavy on his feet, pain making his vision blurry, “you're deserve it, you know?”

He doesn't hear her reply.

Everything goes black, and he faintly recalls the feeling of unconscious grabbing hold of him, but mostly, it happens in the time it takes to blink – milliseconds, and he's gone.

He wakes to the sound of All-Might talking to Recovery girl.

They're talking about him, about how he's only been a student two days but has already been in the medical wing three times. Maybe it's inevitable, Izuku thinks, he's never been particularly good at escaping trouble without receiving at least one new injury.

He's tired though, absurdly so. It's a feeling that drags him down, makes it difficult for him to sort through his thoughts. It's almost like he's forcing himself to search through murky water for a penny, it's impossible.

Instead, he blinks until his eyes feel less heavy. Glances around the white medical room. His arm is linked to an IV, and it's itchy against his skin, but Izuku's isn’t stupid enough to rip it from his arm. He hardly wants to bleed out, and he doesn't have the energy to press against the hole in his arm until blood congeals and seals the puncture.

His arms don't feel so burnt any more.

Which is probably good, considering the sting he'd felt. A glance at his skin shows that it's slightly red – like a faint sunburn, but it's not as severe as he supposes it must have been to make his pass out. Damn... that means he must have missed the other fights.

And he'd almost been hoping he'd be able to watch them this time...

It doesn't matter, he supposes – after all, he already knows their fighting styles. Just not how much they've developed them so far. Maybe he should know, should remember, but frankly it's been so long and most things about UA come back to him in a haze.

“Midoriya, my boy!” All-Might seems to notice that he's regained consciousness, and he steps away from recovery girl – away from the scolding he'd been receiving for not teaching Izuku to use All-for-One without injuring himself – turning to his student. “You're awake.”

And Izuku, barely conscious, finds himself muttering. “All-Might... It's really you.”

All-Might coughs. He looks small too, when he's living his life as Toshinori Yagi, unable to stay in the inflated body his fans know him to wear. It's not a quiet small though, Izuku thinks, but rather a strong and determined small.

Izuku has missed it. Has missed being able to see his mentor without it being a memory he's conjured from his head to convince him to keep going.

“Of course it's me Midoriya,” All-Might responds. He looks confused for a moment, but it's not overly worried. “Who else would it be?”

Who else indeed.

“Sorry,” Izuku says, and he smiles sheepishly, “I think I'm still half asleep. And it's not until I fully wake up that I convince myself this isn't a dream.”

He's not even been here a day and already the pressure is loading itself onto his shoulders. Izuku will be able to deal with it, he's dealt with worse, but until then...

“It's not a dream, my boy,” All-Might says, “you're going to become a hero.”

Ah. Yes – he must be thinking that Izuku is excited about becoming a hero, that he thinks attending U.A high is just a dream. Which... well it was, once. Somewhere between then and now, it'd changed into something more desperate. The dream twisting into a nightmare until the only thing he'd desired was to survive.

“Yeah.” Izuku says, and he knows he should smile at this point, but he closes his eyes instead, tries not to grimace. “I'm going to be a hero, and I'm going to save everyone.”

All-Might doesn't respond. He probably thinks that Izuku's fallen asleep again. He doesn't sleep though, remains awake listening to his breathing until Recovery girl wakes him up and tells him class has come to an end.

He has to grab his bag to leave for the day, but Izuku doesn't think he'll be able to do so rather quickly. He pulls half heartedly at the bandages around his wrists, something just to ensure the burns that haven't fully healed yet won't grow agitated, but it doesn't offer any comfort.

Izuku's classmates, he knows, will be waiting for him.

Last time, they had offered him sympathy for losing his match against Kacchan. Kirishima has offered to spar with Izuku until he felt more confident in his fighting technique, but he'd never really taken him up on it. Had felt far too embarrassed about losing. Now, he's not sure whether he'd be able to actually say yes – not without letting them see the skills he's picked up.

Although... Izuku will need to reteach himself certain techniques, moves that had relied on instinct and quicker reaction times...

“Oh, it's Midoriya!” Kirishima is the one who drags his attention from his thoughts, as he opens the doors. He looks impressed, as he leans forward, glancing at the smaller boy. “You're fight was epic.”

Izuku offers him what he hopes looks like a shy smile. “...Yeah?”

“Definitely!” Ashido jumps in as he makes his way towards his desk, grabbing his bag. She fist pumps the air in excitement, offers a grin. “You dodge really well.”

“And those moments when he just went straight into the flames!” Tsuyu adds, joining the mini crowd around him.

“Oh yeah man,” Sato says, “I wouldn't have the balls to do that!”

They introduce themselves after that, which... would have been useful if he didn't already know them. Izuku rubs the back of his neck, and grins, feels awkward about the entire thing. He'd actually been trying to hold back... but had he still done too much?

“I grew up with Kacchan, that's all,” he says. “I know some of his tells.”

Some tells meaning, all of the tells he'd had as a teenager.

“But still!”

Izuku tunes the praise out, and he grabs his bag. He interacts when it's his turn to speak, but his mind is on other matters. Like Kacchan's who's probably leaving school already. And the home he's going to have to step inside when he leaves the school gates behind.

“I'm sorry,” he says, waving his hand in what he hopes looks like an apology, “but I need to go catch up with Kacchan before he leaves. Can we pick this up tomorrow?”

His classmates seem very understanding – Uraraka states that they'll have to work together another time, and Kirishima still asks if they could train together some time, and Izuku leaves the classroom behind feeling both happy and lonely at the same time.

First he needs to deal with Kacchan.

He finds him just outside of the school building. The other boy's shoulders are slumped slightly, and he kicks at a pebble as Izuku calls his name, trying to grab his attention. It works, but Kacchan doesn't turn to look at him. He stops walking though, and Izuku thinks maybe that's enough.

Now, he just needs to think of what to say.

His quirk – something about that, he supposes. He can't spend much time with Kacchan thinking he's been fooled for years, so he should say something about that. And then, he should also mention the fight in a way that doesn't sound boastful...

Ah, why is it difficult to deal with teenagers?

“Listen,” Izuku says, racing down the steps, nearing to Kacchan, “I can't tell you much, because it's not my secret to tell. But... I've not been lying to you – This quirk... It was given to me.”

Kacchan turns to face him. He glares.

Izuku thinks that it's prompt enough to keep going. He says, “I only won today because Uraraka and I worked together. I wouldn't have won against you by myself-” a lie, but Kacchan needs a little ego boost after a loss like this, “so... next time, let's fight just you and me. Okay?”

The glare deepens.

“Goddammit,” Kacchan growls, and if Izuku's right, there are tears in his eyes. He decides not to comment on them. “I don't understand what you're saying at all. Gifted power? Listen, I lost to you today, but next time... I won't lose to you again, got it Deku?”

Izuku nods, and Kacchan turns away, stomps down to the gates.

Now that he's dealt with Kacchan – one difficult task checked off the list – he thinks over what he's got to do next. The thought fills him with dread, the next task that he won't be able to put off. He has to go home for the day. And he'll have to pretend everything is fine.

He has to go home.

[Next Chapter]

[yoon-kooks]

Beginner’s Luck

Pairing: Seokjin x Reader

Summary: You were never a believer in online dating, but things weren’t exactly working out offline either. So what was it that you were missing?

Genre: Fluff, Gamer!AU

Word Count: 3.5k

Prompt: “Can I kiss you?�� (request by anon)

You laid on your bed staring at your phone screen, mindlessly swiping left. Your best guy friend, Jungkook, had suggested you try out some dating apps since meeting people face-to-face was a bit difficult for a shy snowflake like yourself.

It had been a few hours since Jungkook had set up an account for you, but you had yet to find someone who really caught your eye. Not that looks were all that important to you anyway. If anything, you’d prefer not to see their face and just get to know their personality instead.

“You might as well deactivate your account if you have no intentions of swiping right,” Jungkook glanced over at you before turning back to his laptop screen, “Shit, I just died.”

“I just don’t get how meeting someone online could ever work,” you rolled over to see what your friend had “died” in. All you saw were a bunch of little anime characters running around attacking a giant fish that literally took up half the screen. “I haven’t seen this game before… Is it new?”

“Ya! It came out a few days ago and I’ve been hooked ever since!” The boy clicked something to revive his character and travelled back to where you assumed the giant fish was. “You should play too since I haven’t made too many friends yet!”

“What about Tae?” You tried to avoid getting yourself involved in Jungkook’s gaming addiction by name-dropping the other gamer in your friend group.

“Nah, I asked him but he’s too busy playing Overwatch,” Jungkook shrugged. “The boy’s an addict, I tell ya.” You rolled your eyes at the biggest addict you knew.

“Well what about the people you met in the game?”

“There’s this one guy, Jinnamon, who goes to the same school as us, and I actually met up with him the other day in person.” The boy cursed under his breath after dying again. “He’s a pretty cool dude, but he kept making weird dad jokes.”

“If that’s your only complaint, he can’t be that bad, right?”

“I suppose…” Jungkook finally just flipped his laptop over and rage-quit after dying for a third time. “I GIVE UP. Here, if you don’t wanna make your own account, just use mine because I’m 100% done with this shit. It’s a stupid game anyway.” You snickered at the boy’s childish temper because you knew he’d be back online after a few hours of boredom. But in the meantime, you decided to check out the game that had gotten him all fired up.

It wasn't just a fighting game, you learned. There were also little mini games and quests you could do with other people, and also places just for chatting. You walked around the town where most people gathered for a little while and then headed to where you thought the giant fish was. It took you about ten minutes to find it, but once you did, you started hitting random buttons on the keyboard to use all different types of magic on the fish. And before you knew it, the fish had been slayed so you picked up the fish bone that dropped. You didn’t understand why a veteran gamer like Jungkook had had such a hard time defeating the monster when it had been so easy for a newbie like yourself. But what were you supposed to do next??

“Hey Kookie?” You tapped the shoulder of the boy who had fallen asleep on your bed, but he was out. Probably because he had stayed up all night playing the game. Not wanting to interrupt his sleep, you decided to ask someone else.

You searched for some kind of messaging system within the game, and once you did, you realized you were only able to message people on your friend list. Since Jungkook had specifically mentioned that Jinnamon guy, you clicked on his name to start a chat.

Nochu: “um hi”

Jinnamon: “oh its u again”

Jinnamon: “i thought u left me lol”

Nochu: “no that was my friend ^^;; he didnt like your dad jokes lol”

Jinnamon: “wait ur friend? u mean jungkook? who r u then o.o?”

Nochu: “Y/N”

Jinnamon: “o im seokjin btw but just call me jin ok”

Nochu: “lol i understand your username now. thats cute😹”

Jinnamon: “rlly? most ppl hate my puns LIKE UR FRIEND”

Nochu: “wowow someones salty hehe”

Jinnamon: “im NOT”

Nochu: “you kinda are /:”

Jinnamon: “ANYWAY. why is a peasant like u speaking to me?”

Nochu: “peasant???”

Jinnamon: “obviously knights like me are superior to mages like u”

Nochu: “i dont really know what youre talking about but okay???”

Jinnamon: “wow what a noob”

Nochu: “gtg bye”

Jinnamon: “WAIT. im just kidding! rlly. what do u need?”

Nochu: “i killed a fish and idk what to do???”

Jinnamon: “lol what fish?”

Nochu: “the big one in the cave that takes up like half the screen? idk what its called”

Jinnamon: “wHAT”

Nochu: “???”

Jinnamon: “pics or it didnt happen”

Nochu: “what pics?? all i have is this fish bone item???”

Jinnamon: “tHATS THE QUEST ITEM OMFG U RLLY DID KILL IT WTF”

Nochu: “what do i do with it?????”

Jinnamon: “give it to me of course lol”

Nochu: “how do i do that?”

Jinnamon: “omg u rlly r a noob”

Nochu: “what?? ive never played this before!! how am i supposed to know??”

Jinnamon: “first of all the trading option is on the bottom right of the screen”

Jinnamon: “and second dont just give away ur quest items to strangers lol”

Jinnamon: “so now that we cleared that up, what r u gonna do with the fish bone?”

Nochu: “give it to u???”

Jinnamon: “omfg no… ur hopeless”

Jinnamon: “i guess i have no choice but to take u under my wing”

Jinnamon: “can we meet up?”

Nochu: “like in person??????”

Jinnamon: “ya its easier to explain this stuff in person”

You thought about it for a moment. Jungkook did say he met up with this Seokjin guy before and that he was a pretty cool dude from your university, so it was safe to assume he wasn’t a creeper at the very least.

Nochu: “okay lets meet in front of the school library in an hour?”

Jinnamon: “got it~ ill send u my number so we can text”

You logged out of the game and packed Jungkook’s laptop into your bag. Honestly, you were beyond nervous about meeting Seokjin in person. While you were fairly comfortable with keeping up a conversation with him in the game, you weren’t sure how things would go outside of that environment. But you reminded yourself that the two of you would have the game to talk about, so there was no reason to worry about any awkward silences.

You glanced at the mirror to check your outfit before scolding yourself for making it seem like a date. Just as you walked out of your apartment, you silently said bye to Jungkook who was still dead asleep.

It was a sunny day on campus, a nice change from the darkness in your room that Jungkook loved to play his games in. When you reached the library, you scanned the area for an empty bench to sit on as you waited. But thanks to your luck, all the benches were occupied with at least one person. Of course, there was still room for you to sit next to someone, but the thought of that gave you butterflies.

Just when you were about to take a seat on the brick wall instead, you noticed a lone boy sitting at one end of one of the longer benches. If you sat there, it probably wouldn’t be so bad since there would be a fair amount of space between you and the boy. So you approached the bench.

“Um, excuse me, is it okay if I sit here?” You stared at the boy who was significantly more attractive up close than from a distance. He definitely stood out with his broad shoulders and his more than handsome face with beautifully plump pink lips.

“Yeah, go ahead,” the boy nodded, “I’m just waiting for someone.”

“Oh, me too,” you smiled at his adorable choppy bangs before taking a seat at the opposite end of the bench. Who knew such a stunning boy existed at your school?

You checked the time on your phone and saw that you were about five minutes early. Rather than text Seokjin immediately, you decided to wait a bit so he wouldn’t feel rushed.

To kill time, your eyes began to wander. Your campus was known for its breathtaking scenery, but somehow all you wanted to look at was the choppy bangs boy. He was looking down at his phone, texting away. You wondered who he was waiting for. A date maybe? The only thing that snapped you out of your daze was the vibration of your phone.

2:02PM Seokjin “im here~”

2:03PM noob “me too lol”

2:04PM noob “wait where??”

2:05PM noob “i just realized i have no idea what you look like lmao”

2:06PM Seokjin “im sitting on one of the benches”

You noticed Choppy Bangs looking up from his phone and scanning the area.

2:07PM noob “uhh… youre not the guy sitting next to me right lol”

2:08PM noob “the guy with the choppy bangs?”

2:08PM Seokjin “…”

2:09PM noob “oh shit it IS you o.o”

“What do you mean ‘oh shit’??” Choppy Bangs turned to you and made some kind of a squeaky windshield wiper sound with his laugh. “And they’re not choppy bangs!”

“Sorry!” you giggled. “So you’re really Jin?? I didn’t expect you to look like that.” You were still in shock that you were the lucky person the handsome boy had been waiting for.

“Like what?” Seokjin raised an eyebrow at you. “I swear, Jungkook said the same exact thing when he saw me for the first time. Like, am I really that handsome?”

You just nodded, trying not to laugh. Maybe he came off a bit strong, but as a shy person yourself, you actually really envied how he embraced his good looks and spoke so comfortably around you. “Shall we go inside, then?”

The two of you made your way into the library and found an empty table next to the window. Rather than sit across from you, Seokjin took the seat right next to you. But it made sense since he needed to show you how to play the game properly.

“Was that really the first time you played this game?” Seokjin asked with big eyes as he brought out his laptop from his bag.

“Ya, I swear!” You took out Jungkook’s laptop and waited for the game to load. When you were presented with the log-in screen, you realized you made a grave mistake. You had no idea what Jungkook’s password was.

After logging into his own account, Seokjin stared at your confused expression for a second and picked up on your problem. All he did was make his squeaky laughing sounds.

With bright red cheeks, you called your friend and prayed that he would pick up to tell you his password. Otherwise, what was the point of meeting up with Seokjin? You’d feel terrible if you made him come all this way only for you to be locked out of Jungkook’s account.

But of course, Jungkook didn’t pick up. He was probably still fast asleep and wouldn’t wake up for who knows how long. So you sent him a text instead in hopes that he would get the message some time soon.

“He better reply quickly,” you groaned.

“Well, in the meantime,” Seokjin slid his laptop in front of you. “Show me how you killed the fish~”

“What? You still don’t believe me?” you smirked.

“Well considering you can’t even get past the log-in screen, no, I don’t believe you.”

“Okay you have a point hehe,” you smiled as you looked at Seokjin’s character, which also coincidentally had his same choppy bangs. You pressed a few buttons, but rather than magic attacks like Jungkook’s character, you were swinging a sword around. “Hey, this is different from Jungkook’s guy.”

“That’s because I’m a knight and he’s a mage!!” Seokjin shook his head at you. “Didn’t I explain this already?”

“Yeah, but I don’t know what the fuck knights and mages are!” you pouted, shoving the boy next to you.

“That’s because you’re a noob,” he teased, giving you a light shove back.

“At least I could kill the fish thing!” You moved Seokjin’s character back to the giant fish’s cave and waited for it to spawn.

“Hmm, we’ll see.” And with that, the giant fish appeared. You jumped around and swung your sword, but it was a lot more difficult to control a knight. Just when the fish’s health bar was lowered to the red, you fell victim to one of its attacks where it literally threw up water in your face. A tombstone dropped and Seokjin’s character became a ghost.

“Omg look! You died! You’re a ghost~” you giggled, pointing at Seokjin’s floating character.

“Listen, the fish was supposed to die, not me,” the boy chuckled at your innocence.

“Sorry I couldn’t get you the fish bone though…” You made duck lips and tilted your head in Seokjin’s direction.

“That’s alright,” he patted your head. “You’re not bad for a noob.”

“Stop calling me a noob! You’re the noob~” You grabbed his hand off your head and started pulling at his fingers. “What do you need the fish bone for anyway? Can you become rich and famous with it?”

“You just give it to some witch for a quest. It’s a pretty useless item actually,” he shrugged.

“What! I thought it was important!” you whined. “I thought I was really cool for defeating the fish!! You made me feel special!!”

“I mean, you were the first to kill it, so that’s pretty cool, right?” Seokjin swatted at your annoying hands that were still tugging on his so he could properly entwine his fingers with yours.

“I guess…” You were starting to feel a bit foolish for thinking you were some hotshot after killing some fish in a video game, but Seokjin was really making you feel extra special with the way he held your hand so gently. And you didn’t want it to end.

Buzz! You jumped at the sudden vibration in your pocket. Whoever sent that text better have had a really good reason for interrupting your moment.

3:34PM Kookie “my password is ilyjustin”

3:35PM Kookie “wait why do you need my password?”

3:36PM Kookie “wait where the fuck is my laptop?”

3:38PM Y/N “i have it lmao”

3:39PM Kookie “???”

3:39PM Kookie “dont break my baby”

3:40PM Kookie “oh god its too early in the morning for this shit”

3:41PM Kookie “good night”

You put your phone away, a little upset that Jungkook had ended up responding so quickly. Things had been going surprisingly well without Seokjin even teaching you how to play the game. You just felt good around the boy.

“I guess I can log into Jungkook’s account now…” You flipped the laptop screen up and began inputting the password, but Seokjin was quick to put a halt to your typing.

“Maybe we should take a break?” He got up and stretched before extending a hand out to you. “We can always play online later, right?”

You nodded and took his hand into your own before you had the chance to chicken out. “So where are we going?”

“Have any suggestions?” He swung your hand back and forth. You had to take a moment to think, but there actually was a place you had been dying to visit. And the only reason why you hadn’t gone there yet was because you had no one to go with. But now you did.

“The aquarium!” Your eyes sparkled. “I wanna see big fish!”

“Like the one you slaughtered and then got slaughtered by?” The windshield wiper laugh came out again. It was a sound you were growing really fond of.

“Yeah~ Can we go?” You looked up to Seokjin, who smiled back at you.

“Sure~”

-

“Oooh! Jin, look!!” You repeatedly tapped the boy’s shoulder until he turned to the flat, gliding creature you were pointing at in the tank. “It’s cute, right?”

“You think stingrays are cute?” he asked. “You have really weird taste, ya know that?”

“I like most fish, okay?” you pouted and crossed your arms like a child. “All of them excep-” You cut yourself off and took a step away from the tank when you saw a giant grey and white fish with rows and rows of dangerously sharp teeth staring right at you. “Except that.” You hid behind Seokjin and peeked out from his broad shoulders.

“Aww I thought you wanted to see big fish?” he teased.

“But not a shark!!” You clung to the back of his flannel, shaking as you kept an eye on the great white.

Suddenly, Seokjin’s large hand wrapped around yours as your heartbeat slowed and returned to its normal pace. It wasn’t hard to feel safe in his hands. “Let’s go look for other big fish, yeah?”

“Okay…” You were still pouty, but you really enjoyed holding his hand. It just felt so natural and right. And you appreciated how much Seokjin was trying to make sure you were comfortable.

The next room you walked into was darker than the rest. You stayed as close as you could to Seokjin in case any shark wanted to jump out at you, even though you were well aware that that was physically impossible.

Your eyes grew big and your mouth formed a big O when you looked at the glowing tank in the center of the room.

“You like jellyfish too?” The boy chuckled at the curiosity in your eyes.

You only nodded. The way the jellies flowed and glowed so effortlessly in the water felt unreal. Almost as unreal as the fact that you were genuinely falling for a boy you had just met online. And you needed a moment to let all your feelings sink in.

“Hey, Jin?”

“Yeah?”

“What did you think of me when I first talked to you online?”

“I thought you were a noob. And it turns out, you really are one.” He leaned his head on your shoulder. You elbowed his stomach. “But I also thought you were pretty cute and innocent. Turns out I was right about that too.”

“Really?” You looked up to the boy with your puppy eyes. “Because to be honest, I didn’t expect you to be cute at all~”

“What!”

“But I’ll admit I was wrong~” you giggled. “You’re super handsome and nice, and I really liked spending time with you, and-”

Seokjin cut you off with a warm embrace. Your whole body felt the heat radiating from the boy’s chest. He’d make an excellent snuggle buddy, your pure and innocent mind noted. “Today was fun,” he spoke into your ear.

“It was!” You gave the boy a huge smile as your eyes wandered right onto his plush pink lips. There was only one more thing that could make the day any better. “Can I kiss you~?”

The next moment, you felt his lips pressed up against yours. You had thought nothing would feel better than holding his hand, but the sensation of your lips locking with his was more than enough to solidify everything. You had found the one.

Just earlier that morning, you were swiping left on some dating app, doubtful that meeting someone online would ever result in a relationship or love. Four hours ago, you were fighting some stupid fish. Three hours ago, you were insulted by some boy calling you a noob. Two hours ago, you met that same boy in person. An hour ago, you accidentally turned his character into a ghost. And just now, you kissed him as if a spark had gone off somewhere in your heart. It was never that meeting someone face-to-face was difficult, or that online dating was a hoax. It was just that you hadn’t found the right boy until that very moment.

You just had one hope as your lips parted with his. When you left the aquarium, when you went back to playing that silly online game, or when you decided to quit the game because it was kind of boring, you only hoped your relationship with Seokjin would continue to bloom, both online and off.

“Hey! We never found the big fish!!” you cried, walking out of the darkness of the aquarium and into the brightness of the setting sun.

“Oh shit you’re right…” Seokjin stroked his imaginary beard. “Okay, here’s a question to make you feel better.”

You tilted your head with a confused look.

“Are we… o-fish-ally dating?” You weren’t sure if you were laughing because the joke was so terrible, because the windshield wiper laugh came out once more, or simply because you were with the boy you loved.

“I suppose we are,” you giggled, wrapping your arms tightly around Seokjin as he planted a kiss on your forehead. “And by the way, I was kind of waiting for you to drop a dad joke all day.”

“Sorry to keep you waiting!”

“It’s okay, let’s just go and fight the other big fish together~” You gave him one last peck on the cheek before heading home, hand in hand.

A/N: Shoutout to any og maplers who caught my pianus reference LMAO~

[chimericarchitect]

gallionicTrickster 5

-- gallionicTrickster [GT] began trolling talentedSalad [TS] at 21:47 --

[09:47] GT: nerd

[09:47] TS: Hey dude. You've been offline for a while.

[09:48] GT: oh you know

[09:48] GT: i been busy

[09:48] TS: With what? Your corpse party?

[09:48] GT: yeah pretty much

[09:48] TS: Is that REALLY what you've been doing?

[09:49] GT: did you know that seadwellers REALLY dont take kindly to criticism?

[09:49] TS: Oh no

[09:49] TS: What did you do?

[09:49] GT: same thing as always

[09:50] GT: talk shit from the safety of my hovel

[09:50] GT: #yolo

[09:50] TS: They came after you? #UFuckinIdiot

[09:50] GT: well its fine

[09:51] GT: my lusus was kinda hungry anyways

[09:51] GT: theyve developed a taste for seafood

[09:51] TS: dude

[09:51] TS: So

[09:51] TS: Are you okay?

[09:51] GT: yeah im fine

[09:51] GT: i do this all the time

[09:51] TS: To seadwellers

[09:51] GT: well

[09:52] GT: they tend to last alot longer

[09:52] GT: but since my trap infested hive isnt where im actually hiding im not really in a whole lot of danger

[09:52] TS: Wait

[09:52] TS: You invited me over

[09:52] GT: pffft

[09:52] GT: yeah to my actual hive

[09:53] TS: PleaseExplain.exe

[09:53] GT: well

[09:53] GT: i kind of have a little bunker close to my "legitimate hive"

[09:54] GT: as a cerulean im given quite a bit of freedom in designing my hive

[09:54] GT: i live in a tiny underground box

[09:54] GT: right next to a giant deathtrap

[09:55] GT: im not much of a hunter myself

[09:56] GT: so i figured if i lured enough easily offended assholes to my hive i can just let them die to a bunch of traps

[09:56] GT: and my lusus get fed ma boi

[09:56] TS: Yeah, but... I mean, I'm surprised you'd go to such lengths. 'Specially considering hives are designed by wrigglers. You were a creepy grub.

[09:56] GT: yeah pretty much

[09:57] TS: So, if everything is fine, why've you been hiding out for days on end?

[09:57] TS: you haven't said a word

[09:58] GT: that last violet blood was a bit smarter than i gave him credit for

[09:58] TS: What happened?

[09:58] GT: almost made it out alive

[09:58] GT: gave my lusus a run for his money

[09:59] TS: Is your lusus hurt?

[09:59] GT: not too poorly

[09:59] GT: just a few scratcges here and there

[10:01] TS: Concerned.exe

[10:02] GT: shouldnt be.exe

[10:02] TS: AreYouSureAboutThat.meme

[10:02] GT: dankasfuckbro.mem

[10:02] TS: You ruffian.

[10:02] GT: pretty much

[10:02] TS: Do you know the seadweller's name?

[10:03] TS: Did you get their lusus too?

[10:03] GT: nah

[10:03] GT: unless you count clamSmasher69 as a "name"

[10:04] TS: I don't think so. Do you know the names of ANY of your victims?

[10:04] TS: Or is it just usernames?

[10:04] GT: usually just usernames

[10:04] TS: Does that make it easier?

[10:04] GT: yeah basically

[10:05] GT: i also usually target the upper end of the hemospectrum because the lifestyle of the high and mighty makes it easy to piss them off

[10:05] GT: but stupidity is universal

[10:06] GT: i get the occasional lowblood here and there

[10:06] TS: You've probably made a few enemies

[10:06] TS: to say the least

[10:06] GT: yeah basically

[10:06] GT: i kind of hate our species anyways

[10:07] GT: either i end up dead or i cull so many highbloods that our society changes in some slightly pleasant way

[10:07] GT: either way i kind of win

[10:07] TS: Wow. Bit of a black slut, huh?

[10:08] TS: JK

[10:08] TS: It sucks

[10:08] GT: eh

[10:08] GT: it is what it is

[10:08] GT: its why most of my freinds are lower on the spectrum

[10:10] TS: Nobody's ever figured out your secret technique?\

[10:11] GT: not yet

[10:11] GT: i give out my location so they dont really need to "track me down"

[10:11] GT: avoids them finding my hidey hole

[10:12] GT: i keep a few tricks up my sleeve just in case

[10:12] TS: And no one's been smart enough to think that maybe, JUST MAYBE, the fact that you hand out your coordinates is a touch strange?

[10:12] TS: Bleh

[10:12] GT: its almost like i specifically target trolls that arnt very bright

[10:13] TS: You can't know that as an absolute

[10:13] TS: You barely resaerch your targets at all

[10:13] TS: You don't even know their names

[10:13] GT: no

[10:13] GT: thats true

[10:14] GT: i usually pick people who consistantly act like an ass over trollian

[10:15] TS: Does that mean you'd cull yourself if you met you?

[10:15] GT: yeah basically

[10:15] TS: datk

[10:16] TS: *dark

[10:16] GT: the main difference being that i can laugh at myself and let it go

[10:17] GT: if someones so up their own ass that they need to go hunt someone down for calling them a pussy

[10:17] GT: then they kind of are just asking to get killed

[10:18] TS: *shrugs*

[10:18] TS: I wouldn't know

[10:19] GT: *shrugs*

[10:19] GT: *SHRUGGING INTENSIFIES*

[10:19] TS: *POWERSHRUG ACTIVATE*

[10:19] GT: *ENDLESS SHRUG*

[10:19] TS: *THE SHRUGWAR BEGINS TO DISSOLVE SPACETIME*

[10:20] GT: *shrugmageddon*

[10:20] TS: *the shruggening*

[10:21] GT: so tell me about yourself lowblood

[10:21] GT: your one of like

[10:21] GT: 4 people i cponsider friends?

[10:22] TS: You have four friends? That's pretty wild

[10:22] GT: yeah basically

[10:22] TS: You seem okay, so...

[10:22] TS: What do you wanna know?

[10:22] GT: eh

[10:22] GT: nothing specific

[10:23] GT: so why do you roleplay a lime blood over trollian?

[10:23] TS: Well, I mean...

[10:23] TS: Mystery is cool, right?

[10:23] GT: thats fair

[10:24] TS: I mean, what if you ACTUALLY met a limeblood?

[10:24] GT: well idk

[10:25] GT: i dont really care much

[10:25] GT: i mean sure itd be rare and thats cool

[10:25] GT: but eh

[10:25] GT: blood color only really means how long you live and how beefy your arms are

[10:26] TS: You make an interesting point, Teivel. Why do you think the limebloods were hunted to extinction, then?

[10:26] GT: although i heard limes were crazt strong with psionics

[10:26] TS: Is that why?

[10:26] GT: well i mean

[10:26] GT: probobly

[10:26] GT: either that

[10:27] GT: or some petty grievance betweenthem and the highbloods

[10:27] TS: If THAT was all it took, I don't think limebloods would be the only extinct caste

[10:27] GT: because the highbloods tend to cull anything that displeases their delicate sensibilities

[10:27] TS: to a degree

[10:28] GT: so it was probobly because a caste that was lower on the spectrum had crazy strong powers

[10:28] GT: and the higher bloods wanted to maintain the status quo of "being top dog"

[10:30] TS: Most lowbloods have stronger psychic abilities, and besides. You're a highblood too.

[10:30] GT: blegh

[10:30] GT: dont remind me

[10:30] TS: Haha! Is it really so bad?

[10:31] GT: no not particularly

[10:31] GT: im just kind of a pansy

[10:31] GT: that and well

[10:31] GT: i dont exactly get the highblood treatment anymore

[10:32] TS: Not after killing off so many others, right? Or is it because of something else?

[10:32] GT: well highbloods killing highbloods is basically the morning salute for our people

[10:32] GT: its because of this thing

[10:32] GT: idk

[10:33] TS: What thing? :/

[10:33] GT: blegh

[10:34] GT: a couple sweeps back i developed a weird mutation

[10:35] TS: A couple sweeps ago?? That's unusual. I thought most mutations happened during wrigglerhood

[10:35] TS: WHat is it?

[10:35] GT: well fuck it

[10:35] GT: i have a third horn

[10:36] GT: its small and it grew in much later

[10:36] TS: Huh. That was enough for you to get excommunicated?

[10:36] GT: well

[10:37] GT: its not really commonly known

[10:37] GT: i stopped going outside basically

[10:37] TS: Oh. SO you've only recently become a shut-in? I thought that was just how you'd always lived.

[10:37] GT: well i tend to stay indoors anyways

[10:38] GT: i dont live to close to anyone in particular

[10:38] GT: but still

[10:39] GT: less its known less problems ill have

[10:39] TS: Then how have you lost your highblood status if no one knows?

[10:40] GT: its not like a club or anything

[10:40] GT: we dont have membership cards

[10:40] GT: its just how people talk to you and react to you

[10:41] TS: What's changed?

[10:41] GT: idk actually

[10:42] GT: mostly that ive become scared of going outside and that its inevitable that im going to get culled at some point

[10:43] GT: i never really exerted much of my highblood authority before that anyways

[10:43] TS: Join the club, I guess

[10:43] TS: It's interesting

[10:43] TS: I think

[10:43] TS: Yeah

[10:44] TS: Krolio is the only normal friend I have now

[10:44] GT: krolio rules

[10:44] TS: Tru.net

[10:44] GT: i find that olive bloods tend to be pretty chill

[10:46] GT: not constantly being stepped on by litterally everyone while not exactly being encouraged to treat everyone like shit tends to produce trolls that arnt that awful

[10:46] TS: I'll tell Krolio you think he's cool

[10:46] TS: So like, does it hurt? Your new horn, I mean.

[10:46] GT: oh like a sonuvabitch

[10:46] TS: :(

[10:47] GT: i can feel it growing

[10:47] TS: (lewd.gov)

[10:47] GT: its like if a knife decided to grow out your forehead

[10:47] TS: Oh

[10:47] TS: That's... awful, right?

[10:47] TS: Have you been stabbed before?

[10:47] GT: no

[10:47] GT: but i imagine its pretty awful

[10:48] TS: Not that you have a lot to imagine, I guess

[10:53] TS: Is that it, though? Just a new horn?

-- gallionicTrickster [GT] is now an idle chum! --

[10:58] GT: well

[11:01] GT: i can like

[11:01] GT: move stuff

[11:01] GT: if i think hard

[11:02] TS: Wait, really? I wasn't actually expecting you to get bitchin' powers or anything.

[11:02] TS: You're not pulling my leg, are you?

[11:02] GT: no

[11:02] GT: it makes my head ache a little when i do it

[11:02] GT: but its no so bad with tiny things

[11:03] TS: That's...

[11:03] TS: Really cool!

[11:03] TS: ^_^

[11:03] GT: dfgfcgcgvhbjkjhgfcgvhbjnnhgfg

[11:04] GT: im not used to compliments

[11:04] GT: you dont think im a freak?

[11:04] TS: Well, not really

[11:04] TS: I'm more freaked out by the killing, honestly...

[11:04] TS: I'm a shit troll

[11:05] TS: SHHHHH.exe

[11:05] GT: thats fine

[11:05] GT: you got better stuff to do with your life anyways

[11:05] GT: considering that statistically your like

[11:06] GT: not gonna live as long as others

[11:06] TS: Maybe not.

[11:06] TS: Hm.

[11:07] TS: I don't spend a lot of time thinking about my own mortality

[11:07] GT: well

[11:07] GT: its good to be aware of it

[11:07] GT: most highbloods think theyre gonna live for centuries

[11:08] GT: im sure youve already outlived several of them

[11:08] TS: YIKES.SUPERNOPE

[11:08] GT: yikes.superyes ;D

[11:09] TS: You're a real wild one

[11:09] TS: It's interesting

[11:09] TS: I appreciate you

[11:09] TS: Uh, sorry

[11:09] GT: dfghjnhgfccgvhbjhgvcf

[11:10] GT: thats very nice of you

[11:10] GT: YOU ARE EQUALLY APRECIATED FRIEND

[11:11] TS: WOWZERS/CAPSLOCK.SUPERCOOL@NERDGATHERING.COM

[11:11] GT: #capslockisgangsta

[11:11] TS: #bitchyouknowit

[11:12] GT: so what is your actual blood color?

[11:12] TS: Oh, well...

[11:12] TS: MMMMMMM

[11:12] TS: Okay

[11:12] TS: But stay shushed about it

[11:12] TS: I really am lime

[11:12] GT: wait

[11:13] GT: what

[11:13] GT: fo sho?

[11:13] TS: Yeh, for reals

[11:13] GT: fuck

[11:13] GT: thats awesome

[11:13] GT: i mean im sure its actually kind of terrible cause like

[11:14] GT: most trolls would kill you on sight

[11:14] GT: but still thats super cool

[11:14] GT: congrats

[11:14] GT: but also my condolenses

[11:14] TS: Dude

[11:14] TS: Nice

[11:14] GT: so like

[11:15] GT: can you shoot lasers?

[11:15] GT: ive heard you guys shopot lasers

[11:15] TS: I... Lasers? I'm surprised you believe me. Unless you're just being an ass.

[11:15] TS: Are you being an ass?

[11:16] GT: well idk

[11:16] GT: i was just trying to be polite

[11:16] GT: i figured you were telling the truth

[11:16] TS: Well, I AM, but...

[11:16] TS: You don't need proof? You just... trust me?

[11:17] GT: well sure i guess

[11:17] GT: i trusted you enough to mention my freakazoid horn

[11:18] TS: Huh. Well, I mean, it's not like I can hurt you for having a mutation

[11:18] TS: Not from here

[11:19] GT: then maby you should come to my hole in the ground and hang out

[11:19] GT: by hanging me

[11:19] GT: or something

[11:23] TS: You and your sinister overtones of drama and despair

[11:24] TS: Classic Teivel

[11:24] GT: yeah basically

[11:25] TS: That's swiftly becoming your catchphrase, you know

[11:25] GT: yeah

[11:25] GT: BASICALLY

[11:26] TS: exhasperated.autorun

[11:27] GT: so are we like moirails?

[11:27] GT: or just shitheads?

[11:27] TS: Shitheads

[11:27] TS: definitely

[11:27] GT: ok cool

[11:27] GT: shitheads fo life

[11:28] TS: shithead_fistbump/DOIT.edu

[11:28] GT: fuck

[11:29] GT: dank

[11:29] TS: SERIOUS STUFF!!

[11:29] TS: Is your lusus actually okay?

[11:29] GT: yeah they fine

[11:29] GT: they a big tough lizard

[11:29] TS: Lizards are the master race confirmed

[11:30] TS: stay tuned for more useful facts

[11:30] GT: YO

[11:30] TS: So, how big is that new horn? Does it match your others?

[11:30] GT: thats lewd

[11:30] GT: its tiny

[11:30] TS: dude

[11:31] GT: but its vlike

[11:31] GT: still growing

[11:31] TS: It's been growing for, uh... two sweeps, you said? And it's still tiny

[11:32] GT: compared to my normal horns yeah

[11:32] TS: Huh

[11:32] TS: So wait

[11:32] TS: how tall are you?

[11:35] GT: 6'4''

[11:36] TS: Huh

[11:36] TS: Still tall, but not as dramatic as I though

[11:36] TS: Aren't highbloods supposed to be massive?

[11:36] GT: eh

[11:36] GT: thats rascist

[11:37] TS: Nice

[11:37] GT: ye

[11:37] TS: SO are you a shrimp or not?

[11:39] GT: not particularly

[11:40] TS: Okay, that's a relief

[11:40] TS: I've never seen anything other than the Jade bloods

[11:40] TS: so I wouldn't know

[11:40] TS: Ignorant racism, I guess

[11:40] TS: caste-ism?

[11:41] GT: its fine

[11:41] GT: friendly cast-ism is a-ok in my book

[11:41] GT: be careful tho

[11:41] GT: might mistake it for a black-rom flirting

[11:42] TS: That's just because you're an idiot

[11:42] TS: and everything has to do with romance

[11:42] TS: Hey, dude?

[11:42] TS: I gotta go

[11:42] TS: prior arrangements

[11:43] GT: okey dokey

[11:43] GT: ima go sleep in my cacoon

[11:43] TS: You do that

[11:43] TS: Catch you later

[11:43] GT: cya later limey ;)

-- gallionicTrickster [GT] gave up trolling talentedSalad [TS] at 23:44 --

@gallionictrickster

[gumnut-logic]

Freckles

Fandomversary Fic Two - Alan and Family for @ak47stylegirl

Prompts go here

-o-o-o-

This was going to suck.

Alan taxied Tracy Two into her hangar and groaned. Thunderbird Two was up on her struts, over module four, obviously undergoing a maintenance cycle. Virgil would be on the floor and he had no hope of avoiding his brother.

Not going to stop him from trying though.

Post flight, a grab of his bags and he was sneaking.

Stealth Tracy. He could do it.

First things first, locate Virgil.

From where he was standing there was no sight of him.

“Hey, Alan. Good trip?”

He jumped and dropped his bags. “Hell, Gordon, give a guy a heart attack.”

His fish brother raised his hands in defence. “Well, excuse me. Next time I’ll send you a morse code welcome from the other side of the Island so I don’t disturb you.”

Alan let out a sigh. “Okay, I’m sorry. Great to see you, too.”

And Gordon was staring at him. “Are you hiding?”

“Gor-“

“What happened to your face?” And his sunnies were ripped off his nose. “Ho, ha, this is gonna be great.”

He grabbed his glasses from his brother and shoved them back on his face. “Shut up, Gordon.”

“Does Virgil know?”

“No, and I’m trying to keep it that way, so shut up.”

His brother grinned at him and held out a hand. “For a price.”

“Price? What price?”

“Help me flush Four’s sanitary systems.”

“Aw, god, Gordon, no! I’m not cleaning up your shit.”

“Heh, then I’m going to go get Virg and have a discussion about your face.”

“Gordon, please.”

“Nope, sanitary flushing or embarrassed blushing.”

“You suck.” He glared at his brother. “I’m going to remember this. Next time Scott is after you, don’t bother coming to me for help.”

For the briefest of moments, Gordon’s eyes widened before he regained his composure. “We’ll see about that. Have fun with Virgil.” The aquanaut wandered off.

Aaargh, Gordon could be such a...

Something clattered on the concrete on the far side of the hangar. Alan shrunk into Tracy Two’s shadow.

Okay. Let’s do this.

Grabbing his bags he slipped along the edge of the hangar until he reached the module train. Creeping around the far side of module six, he peered out the around its backend.

Virgil was hanging from Two’s thruster assembly, head buried in a hatch.

Okay, he might just be able to manage this.

Stepping lightly as possible, he crept past his brother towards the elevator.

“Hey, Alan, welcome back.”

Damn.

“Uh, hey, Virg.” He refused to look up and just waved casually, his heart beating like crazy. Maybe those several metres up in the air would save him.

“Did you have a good time.”

“Had a blast. Brandon sure knows how to throw a party.”

“So I heard.”

Heard? “Uh, I’m a bit tired I’m just going to go upstairs and unpack.”

“See you at dinner.”

“Okay.”

“Oh, and Alan.”

“Yeah?”

“Nice sunnies.”

He almost looked up. Almost.

“Uh, thanks. See you later.”

Not if he could help it.

He beelined for the elevator. One annoying brother avoided...mostly...one more to go.

The elevator was blessedly cool and he leant against the silvery wall while the car carried him up to the residential levels. God, he hoped he could make it to his rooms. He felt hot and just ugh.

The elevator stopped just short of his destination.

Damn.

The doors opened and he held his breath.

Brains and Max entered and the ride resumed.

“Max, honestly, I d-do not know w-what you were thinking.”

The robot sputtered at his creator, beeping madly.

“But that was G-Gordon. You h-have an entire d-directive listing regarding his behaviour. Y-you know not to do everyth-thing he asks.”

Another impertinent beep.

“That is exactly why you h-have an entire d-directive listing!”

Apparently they hadn’t even noticed he was there.

The elevator slowed at his level and he made a point of edging around Brains. Max beeped at him, but Brains had fallen silent, chin on hand, elbow on wrist, as if posing for a sculptor.

Alan didn’t care, he just wanted out of there and  threw himself around the corner.

Straight into Scott.

“Woah! Allie, welcome back! Hey steady there.” He wouldn’t admit it, but despite what he knew was about to happen and the suffering that would follow, it was good to see his eldest brother.

And kinda nice to be held by him too.

“What’s with the sunglasses?” He could almost count it down in his head. He looked up at those mirror image blue eyes and let his shoulders drop. This was so gonna suck. “Alan? What’s wrong with your face?”

His brother held both of his shoulders and peered at him. A moment and one hand gently peeled off the sunglasses. “Oh my god, Alan. What were you thinking?”

He let out a sigh. So busted. Who was he kidding. This was inevitable. “I guess I wasn’t thinking.”

“That much is very clear. You are going to the infirmary now.”

“Aw, Scott it isn’t that bad.”

“You have blisters, Alan!”

“I have?” He hadn’t really looked in a mirror since he left the Gold Coast. Brandon, of course, had laughed at him. It hadn’t seemed that serious. A bit of sunburn was all.

That’s what you get when you party all day in the Australian sun and forget your sunscreen.

Though come to think of it, he was feeling rather hot.

“Virgil, drop everything and meet me in the infirmary.”

“Aw, not Virg, really?”

Scott wrapped an arm around Alan’s shoulders and started to herd him towards the elevator. “He is the most qualified.”

“But it is only sunburn.”

The elevator doors closed behind them.

“Alan, you know I know you know all the symptoms of exposure, so don’t even bother.”

The arm around his shoulders was very gentle.

Virgil was standing in front of the elevator as the doors opened. How the hell he had gotten there so fast...but the expression on his second oldest brother’s face told him everything.

He hadn’t managed to sneak past at all. Virgil had been following him.

Nice sunnies indeed.

Virgil approached quietly, not saying a thing. One large finger reached up under Alan’s chin and tilted his head up gently. The medic sighed and a worried frown creased his brow.

But he didn’t say anything.

Virgil let him go and led them out of the elevator and into the infirmary.

Alan climbed onto the bed as directed and waited for the lambasting. After all, he knew he had been an idiot, and deserved every word.

“Where else?” Brown eyes were looking at him in concern.

“What?” Damn, he was hot.

“Where else did you get burnt.

“Oh, arms, hands, feet...and maybe my hair? Feels like my hair is on fire.”

“C’mon, lay down.” Scott was suddenly shoving a pillow under his head. The pillow was lovely and cool. His shoes were gently taken off and that was a relief in itself.

Virgil took his temperature and frowned even more. A glass of something was handed to him and he was told to drink. It wasn’t unpleasant, but it was obviously something medical. It was cool on his throat.

Grandma appeared and as with everything Grandma, it was fussing, hugs and, well,...love.

“Did Brandon know you were burnt this badly?” Something pricked his hand and he discovered Virgil had stuck him with an IV bag. Was that really necessary?

Gordon barrelled in. “Hey, Brandon has you on his vlog!” His brother held up his phone and all the family turned to watch.

And Alan saw himself for the first time.

Sunburn panda.

Omigod.

Very sunburnt panda.

In front of twenty odd million viewers.

“Thunderbird Five.” It was Commander Tracy who spoke.

His middle brother blinked into existence beside the bed. “What can I...Alan? What the hell?!”

“John, hack the Bear’s feed. I want those images gone.” John’s turquoise eyes lingered on Alan for a moment, before narrowing on the feed spouting from Gordon’s phone.

His voice was almost menacing in reply. “FAB.”

He blinked out.

Twenty seconds later, the Bear feed went offline. Rather abruptly.

Gordon was staring at Alan. “Allie, what the hell did you do to yourself?” Obviously the hangar had been dark enough to conceal at least a little of his colouring. “Blisters?”

Virgil was hovering with some kind of medicated cream in his hands. The next moment was absolute bliss as his brother applied the ever so cool, numbing wonderment to his face. He literally sagged into the bed.

“I was so, so stupid.”

“Yes, you were.” Virgil’s voice was a reassuring rumble. “But at least we know you won’t do it again.”

“No, no I won’t.”

John blinked in again and Alan found himself surrounded by his family. As Virgil started applying the cream to his feet, Alan suddenly wondered why he had been trying to hide from these people. Sure there would be nagging, perhaps some laughter and good natured ribbing, but...

Grandma reached over and draped a damp cloth over his hair. “Feeling a bit better, dear?”

“Yes, Grandma.” It was only a bit of sunburn, but... “Thank you, guys.”

“Don’t do it again.” Scott, as always worried.

“Look after yourself better, Alan.” Virgil, always caring.

“Don’t make me keep an extra eye on you.” John, always watching.

“A panda! I’ve always wanted to see a panda!” Gordon, always loving.

Grandma gently brushed a stray hair off his forehead. “Rest, honey.” Always Mom.

His family.

-o-o-o-