#chapters. like i know he's ominous as hell but if he's not a secret villain than i'm willing to bet there's something interesting that made

[halloweentual]

i looove reading stuff by authors i know are known for writing the most tragic characters known to man. i'll be looking at a new character like "yo so when's the trauma reveal?? 🤨☺️"

[lemon-natalia]

Nona the Ninth Reaction - Chapter 32

ngl i thought Crux was a total goner at the beginning of last chapter, but he’s still kicking somehow. he's probably fuelled by pure spite at this point

‘the Reverend Daughter has no cavalier living’ just imagine having to walk around with the knowledge that you are literally dead. like not just that you came back to life or anything, but that your body and you are literally still dead. that's just insane. also what the fuck must Aiglamene be thinking right now, given she has no idea about how Gideon ended up like this

FUCKING IANTHE IS BACK. i fully thought she had finished her ominous appearances in this book, how the hell did she get here so quickly 

i love that she’s apparently adopted Augustine’s smoking habit. it really adds to her James-Bond-Villain flair for the dramatic, which is coming out in full force here 

speaking of the fact that what’s happened to Pyrrha - namely, surviving - isn’t normal, and none of the other Lyctors’ cavaliers nor Naberius survived in a similar way. it might be unlikely given that G1deon is dead and can’t exactly say anything about what went differently during his ascension, but i hope we eventually get more information about how exactly that happened at some point 

yeah the fuck is up with Ianthe, actually. there are so many descriptions of Ianthe looking horrifically pale, and the specific mention here that she looks almost dead and pretty close to Kiriona, who is actually dead, it makes me wonder if there’s something genuinely weird going on with her?

‘Are you ever too late to come into my life and say that’ ooof the relationship between Pyrrha and Gideon is just so painful on both sides

oh for fuck’s sake Kiriona, i can’t believe she’s friends with Ianthe of all people. like they even have a secret handshake, i would kill to know how that relationship developed. these two actually getting along might be the creepiest moment so far actually 

okay, so there’s some interesting insight into Kiriona’s motivations here - if we take her at her word here, she’s got a new primary goal of wanting to be John’s cavalier. again i’m really curious as to how Kiriona and John’s relationship developed to the point that this is something she seems to genuinely want. although it could also be less that its something she really wants and more that she literally has nothing else going for her right now

and more importantly for the overall plot of the series, John is the one who told her to open the tomb and kill Alecto, two things that seem pretty opposed to his motivations earlier in the series. he’s told Kiriona that only she can do it, but given Alecto’s not so much a person as she is a Resurrection Beast in a human body, could anyone even kill her? so if John has the ulterior motive of unlocking the tomb, that makes me very concerned as to the reason why 

and once again like the end of HtN, if Ianthe is openly horrified by something it seems pretty damn dangerous. she seems to know what will happen if Alecto is released and be genuinely terrified of it, which given the look at how powerful John can get when working with Alecto (see: literally killing the entire solar system), I can see why she seems so afraid. plus i might be reading too much into this, but Ianthe’s (most obvious) major goal, becoming a Lyctor, was achieved all the way back in GtN - from the fact that she wants to keep John ‘nothing’, she seems to be pretty desperate to hold onto that status as his only Lyctor 

‘Nona unravelled’ oh no i am not even close to being emotionally prepared for this, even though i knew it was coming 

John really went all out on the religious imagery with the whole tomb thing, like he even sealed it with a rock for pete’s sake 

Palamedes complimenting (presumably) young!Harrow’s efforts at disabling the traps leading to the tomb is everything to me 

also absolutely killing me this chapter are the little hints at Gideon’s continued devotion to Harrow after everything; Gideon begging Harrow, even though she doesn’t know where she is, to ‘keep it together’, the fact that she is so willing to give up all of her blood and die for Harrow a second time. i am so obsessed with these two 

wow I cannot believe that Crux of all people is coming in clutch at the climax of this book

oh wtf Gideon DID end up killing Crux, fucking hell!! rip Crux you died as you lived: being a complete hater. he really made sure his last words were to emotionally destroy Gideon as much as possible huh 

these whole couple of pages are like a microcosm of all of Gideon’s biggest emotional hang ups really. her projecting pretty hard onto Crux about how he ‘could have lived’ for Harrow but can only die for her, her whole moment of boasting to someone who treated her awfully her whole life about how she actually is someone important. and then ending with killing Crux, which of course doesn’t 'feel good' - killing him doesn’t give her any of the parental love that she missed as a child, or remove the emotional abuse she suffered from him, or actually solve any of her emotional issues 

the running narrative in the background about Alecto remembering John leading her to the tomb is pretty disturbing i won’t lie. it's just so creepy to read about him reassuring Alecto as he leads her to essentially what is a jail cell

also i am fully aware that there’s a subplot about Anastasia and Alecto’s relationship in this last chapter, its just that there’s been so much else going on that i honestly just have not been paying attention to it at all

‘Well, happy birthday to me’ oh poor Nona, her wishing herself a happy birthday before she dies just … hurts so bad. she started out genuinely happy and optimistic, and i knew full well it wasn’t going to last, but it still hurts

[worryinglyinnocent]

Fic: Forged Through Fire (11/13)

Summary: Amestris. Once democratic, now a military dictatorship. Prohibition is strict; personal freedoms curtailed. All alchemists must be state-licensed or face imprisonment. Foreigners are met with suspicion. It’s a grim place and a grim time, but there are some people able to bring a little light to the world. Behind an innocent-looking bookshop, speakeasy proprietor Chris Mustang has formed an unlikely alliance with unlicensed alchemist Van Hohenheim to provide alcohol to those who want it and medical care to those who need it. When Riza’s newly complete tattoo becomes infected, Roy brings her into this underworld, little knowing the way it will change their lives in the future – uncovering the secrets of the mythical Philosopher’s Stone and the schemes of a Fuhrer hell-bent on achieving immortality, all whilst navigating what they mean to each other.

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Rated: T

[One] [Two] [Three] [Four] [Five] [Six] [Seven] [Eight] [Nine] [Ten] [AO3]

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Content warning for this chapter: Implied medical abuse and vivisection; mild blood and gore.

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Forged Through Fire

Eleven

“Well, that’s not at all ominous.”

“You can’t deny that it’s the perfect place to house a super-secret alchemy laboratory, though.”

Riza peered out of the car window at the building they had pulled up across the street from. It looked like it was on the verge of collapsing, the very definition of a dead building, surrounded by high fences with ‘CONDEMNED BUILDING IN DANGER OF COLLAPSE, NO ENTRY’ signs plastered all over them. 

“How stable is it?” she asked. 

“The building itself is more stable than you’d think from looking at it, but the lab’s underground anyway.” Marcoh sighed. “I swore I’d never come back here, you know.”

“We surmised as much,” Roy said. “But we’re very grateful that you’re here nonetheless.”

“For the record, I think that this is the worst idea anyone’s ever had, and I’ll remind you that I used to work directly for the Fuhrer and was there when he dreamed up Project Xerxes.”

“This can’t be as bad as that, surely.”

“It’s up there.” Marcoh looked to Roy on one side of him and Riza on the other; Armstrong was driving with Havoc riding shotgun. “We’d better go before they clock that we’re up to something. Are you ready?”

Riza readjusted her borrowed uniform; it felt strange to be wearing military blues and even stranger to be wearing Roy’s clothes, even if Gracia had altered the spare jacket and pants to fit. 

“I think we’re as ready as we’ll ever be. Come on, the longer we spend out here, the longer they keep doing whatever it is that they’re doing to Hohenheim.”

They got out of the car and Armstrong and Havoc drove away to go and enact their part in the plan. 

“Don’t you think that someone would have noticed people going in and out of this supposedly dilapidated building all the time?” Riza pointed out as they crossed the street towards the gates. “Especially if the people are obviously government, even more especially if one of them is the Fuhrer, and even more than that if some of the people are being dragged in unconscious with black bags over their heads.”

“It’s not exactly a highly populous area.” Marcoh gestured around at the other blocks around them; most of them were in a similar state of disrepair to the lab’s front even if they weren’t actively condemned, and even though night had fallen, there weren’t any lights burning in any of the windows. “Most of the people who live in this area want to keep a low profile anyway; if they see something strange then they aren’t going to question it. Besides, the prisoners all come in via the vehicle entrance in the next block.” That was the entrance that Armstrong and Havoc were going to infiltrate.

“I mean, ordinarily I would use that one too, but Mustang here wanted to make an entrance,” Marcoh groused. 

Roy shrugged. “If you’re going to take refuge in audacity, go the whole hog.”

“The thing working in your favour, obviously, is that this lab is by necessity pretty cut off from the rest of the military network so that as few people as possible know about it.” 

“Considering how frantic Central Command was earlier when they couldn’t find Bradley, I can well believe that,” Roy muttered. 

Marcoh was examining the padlock on the gates. “Ugh, they changed the combination since I was last here. Never mind.” He pulled some chalk out of his pockets and drew a small transmutation circle on the padlock, pressing his hand over it; the metal sparked bright white and the lock gave out. It seemed simple. Too simple. Riza’s hand went unconsciously under her jacket to the gun belt at the back. She couldn’t shake the feeling that they were walking into a trap. 

Nevertheless, this was the only plan that they had and the only plan that might have any chance of working. 

They made their way up the rubble-strewn path towards the main door of the building. Now that Riza was closer, she could see that unlike the rest of the structure, this was definitely completely up to scratch – heavy and reinforced and showing no signs of wear and tear, a dead giveaway that this was not at all what it seemed to be. 

Marcoh drew another transmutation circle and the door swung open under his touch, leading to a dark corridor that seemed to have no connection to the rest of the building. 

“Be careful; there are steps downward about ten feet along,” Marcoh said. “Follow me.”

Riza and Roy inched along in the gloom, although Marcoh seemed assured of where he was going. They were about fifteen steps down when there was a clunk and the stairwell was bathed in a flickering glow of light; Marcoh had flipped a switch somewhere on the wall. Riza glanced over at Roy. His expression was hard to read in the dim light, but he looked focussed, sharp. Riza hoped that her own worry wasn’t etched on her face. 

She had volunteered for this part of the mission, knowing that she wouldn’t be recognised by the military where others might be. Roy was willing to take the risk, knowing that they would need more alchemic power than just Marcoh if it came down to a fight, especially since Marcoh’s speciality was medical and Roy’s was combative, and if they needed any current military knowledge then Marcoh and Riza would both be stymied by lack of familiarity. 

There was also the fact that Riza didn’t think they’d have been able to keep Roy away if they’d tried. A long and loud argument had ensued after the incident with Kimblee in the ammo cabinet, since it was only a matter of time before Roy’s name came up in connection with that, but Roy had won out, and here they were, about to enter the villains’ lair. 

The steps came to an end in front of another door, and Marcoh turned back to them. 

“This is it. Once we’re in, there’s no turning back. Are you ready?”

Riza nodded. “We’re ready.”

Another transmutation circle unlocked the door and they stepped into the Fifth Laboratory proper, a long, dingy corridor stretching out to the left and the right. The place wasn’t any more inspiring than the steps down to it had been, and Riza shivered at the inherent creepiness of it all. 

Marcoh led the way confidently down the corridor. There was no sense in being furtive if they were to achieve what they’d set out to do, in fact, that was the entire point. As long as they acted like they had every right to be there, then the plan would hopefully go off without a hitch. If they started behaving suspiciously in any way…

“Hey!” A young military officer had come out of a door into the corridor in front of them. “You can’t be down here!”

“Yes I can,” Marcoh said calmly, continuing to walk straight on with calm self-assurance. 

“Halt!” The officer pulled out his sidearm and aimed it at Marcoh, who stopped but didn’t raise his hands in surrender. 

“Young man, do you have any idea who I am?”

“You’re trespassing.”

“I can hardly trespass in my own laboratory. I can see that you’re young, so I can forgive you for not knowing me. My name is Dr Marcoh, and I am the head of this facility.”

The officer lowered his gun, staring bug-eyed at Marcoh. 

“Dr Marcoh? But you’re…”

“Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” Marcoh’s voice was as mild as if he’d been commenting on the weather. “Since the unsuccessful attempt on my life I’ve been lying low to avoid a repeat performance, but on hearing about the chaos going on in Central at the moment I decided that the time was right to come back and see just what kind of havoc has been wreaked in my absence. So, if you could please alert your superior and let them know that I would like to see them, I would be most obliged.”

“Yes, erm, right away, sir.” The young soldier holstered his gun again and waved for them to follow him down the corridor, showing them into a small office. “I’ll, erm, I’ll need to get my CO to verify all this.”

As soon as the younger officer had left the room, locking the door behind him, Roy sprung into action, moving chairs and climbing up towards the ventilation grill on the wall. As Marcoh had explained to them earlier, the main laboratory experiment room where they would be working on Hohenheim could only be accessed through several other rooms if they wanted to go in through the doors, so to save effort and time, it would be easier to go directly there through the air vents, however much of a pain shuffling through them might have been. The grill came away easily enough, and Roy gave Riza a leg up into the shaft. 

There was so much dust that Riza had to press a hand over her face to stop her sneezing. There was just enough room to get through on hands and knees, but turning round would be impossible so she hoped that Marcoh’s mental plan of the place still rang true or they might end up lost in the vents forever. She shuffled forward a little to allow Roy to get up into the shaft behind her, slapping at the cobwebs that crisscrossed in front of her before finally giving up and pulling her turtleneck up over her mouth and nose. It wasn’t perfect, but at least it would stop her choking and giving away their position. 

“Good luck,” she heard Marcoh hiss as he replaced the grill behind them. 

“We’ll need it,” Roy muttered. 

They set off, their progress somewhat painstaking with the need not to make any noise and the undeniable fact that ventilation shafts were in their very nature noisy. 

“I really hope there aren’t any rats in here,” Roy whispered. Riza stopped and glanced behind her, glaring at him. He dutifully looked sheepish. “Sorry.”

The shaft got darker and darker as they moved away from the room that they had left Marcoh in, and Riza felt along blindly, scared of somehow falling down a long drop. Eventually, after a sharp left turn, another grill came into sight, and she slowed down, inching forward to take a look through it. 

It was not the room they wanted, but she still had to hold back a gasp at what she was seeing nonetheless. Below them, Bradley was sitting in what appeared to be a normal doctor’s office, not unlike the makeshift clinic back at the bar. He was hooked up to a couple of drips, but the one that caught Riza’s attention was the blood bag transfusing into his veins. 

She felt Roy tap her ankle to get her attention and she glanced back at him, finger to her lips, then pointing at the grill. He nodded his understanding, and Riza continued to watch what was going on for a moment, focussing on the blood. Looking closely, she could see the odd tiny red spark crackle in the dark liquid, and if she hadn’t already been convinced it was Hohenheim’s blood then that sealed the deal. 

“How much longer do you think it will take?” Bradley asked presently, and Riza heard the unseen second occupant of the room moving around. 

“The process has slowed down. I think we’ve reached capacity in terms of how quickly he can regenerate the lost blood.” 

The other figure moved into Riza’s field of vision, evidently a doctor of some sort, checking the drip line into Bradley’s arm. 

“How are you feeling?”

“No different to normal.”

“Well, it might take a while to have any effect, and it may take us several attempts to get the refining process right.” Riza craned to see as much of the room as she could, and her heart leapt to her mouth when she saw the containers of blood lined up on the doctor’s desk. How much had they taken from him already?

Roy tapped her ankle again and she shuffled forward so that he could take a look through the grill as well. If nothing else, at least it showed them how close they were to their destination. If Marcoh’s memories were to be believed then the inner lab room would be the next grill on the left. 

She froze as she heard the door to the room below burst open, and the person who had opened it be rebuked severely by Bradley and the doctor. 

“I’m sorry, Sirs, it’s just that Dr Marcoh’s here!”

“What?”

“Dr Marcoh! He just arrived!”

“That’s impossible!”

“Evidently not.” Bradley’s voice was dry. “Go and see what he wants.”

Roy nudged Riza again and she kept moving as quietly as she could, feeling him shuffling along behind her, and it was only once they had rounded the next corner and could no longer hear Bradley and the doctor talking that she heard Roy swear violently but almost silently. Riza agreed with the sentiment completely. They were getting Hohenheim out by any means necessary. 

Riza almost missed the next grill since the room it opened onto wasn’t anywhere near as brightly lit as the office had been, but her shoulder brushed against it and she stopped suddenly, Roy bumping into her. Peering down through the grating, she let her eyes become accustomed to the faint light inside, an eerie red coloured emergency bulb set high in the wall above the door. 

Hohenheim was there, strapped down to a table in the middle of the room. He didn’t look conscious, and Riza’s heart was pounding in her ears.

“Riza?” Roy hissed. She glanced behind her and nodded. No time to dwell on the horror; they had to get the grate off from the inside and get down into the room without Bradley in the office next door hearing anything. She moved up to let Roy get at the grate, shuffling on until she found the next junction and awkwardly turning around. By the time she got back, Roy was drawing out a transmutation circle onto the grill. He gave her a look that said ‘pray this works’ and pressed his palm to the chalk. 

The metal started to bend and warp under Roy’s touch, and although the process was slow-going to avoid making any noise, eventually the grate was open. Roy stuck his head out of the gap, then one hand, snapping to produce a spark and using the ensuing ball of flame as a torch to look around the room.

“We should be ok, it’s soundproofed,” he whispered. Riza didn’t want to think about why it was soundproofed. She glanced down at Hohenheim again before Roy began to pull himself through the hole, dropping down onto the ground heavily. Both of them froze, but the soundproofing appeared to have done its job and Roy held out his arms to catch Riza as she followed him down. 

Hohenheim was cuffed down at all five points and Riza began to undo the stiff buckles holding the metal in place, Roy providing flickering flame light to work by. The short chain lengths attaching the cuffs to the table clinked ominously, and both of them kept looking towards the door for the slightest hint of what might be happening with Bradley and the doctor in the next room.

“Roy, what do we do about that?” Riza pointed to the tubes snaking out of Hohenheim’s chest, draining his blood slowly and directly from his major veins. 

“Well, in any other circumstances, just yanking it out would be a bad idea, but this is Hohenheim so if anyone can survive it, he can.”

“You heard the doctor though. He’s running on empty.”

They didn’t really have much choice, and Roy made the decision for her, grabbing the tubes and pulling. Riza was glad he wasn’t awake for it. Immediately, blood started to pour steadily from the opening; Riza pulled off her jacket to use as a compress, realised how filthy it was from the trip through the vents and just used her hands instead. After a couple of agonising seconds, she finally felt the crackle of alchemy below her palms and Roy gave a sigh of relief, putting out the flame he’d sparked to cauterise the wound. Hohenheim was still alive and still immortal, for now at least. 

Riza wiped her hands on the jacket. 

“Hohenheim? Hohenheim, can you hear us?”

There was no response. She wondered how heavily sedated he was, or if he’d just passed out from the blood loss. 

Roy went over to the door, listening closely and peering through the keyhole. They had already known that there was no way they would be getting out the same way that they got in, so now they just had to wait and hope that the rest of the plan went off without a hitch. Although Riza had her pistols with her and Roy was carrying as well after the excursion to the armoury, she really hoped that they wouldn’t have to shoot their way out. 

Hohenheim gave a muted groan, and Riza took his arm around her shoulders to pull him up. She hadn’t realised how tall he was until he was a dead-weight.

“R’za?” He squinted at her as she dragged him off the table. 

“Sh, we’re here to rescue you.”

Roy rushed back over to help and they made an ungainly way back to the door, listening for the hopefully obvious signs that the other part of the plan had worked. 

There was no mistaking the ear-splitting shrill of the fire alarm, and the sounds of panicked confusion beginning in the rest of the building began to echo through the vents. On the other side of the door, Riza could hear raised voices and anger. Together she and Roy pushed Hohenheim further back into the corner - he was still way too groggy to be able to react quickly to anything, if he could react at all. There was the sound of a key in the door lock. Riza grabbed a pistol. Roy was poised ready to spark. 

The door was flung open and they pressed themselves back to the wall behind it as the room was flooded with painfully bright light, showing the very empty table and the transmuted grate. “They’re in the vents!”

Whoever had opened the door turned and rushed back out again, and Riza looked at Roy. He nodded, then waited a moment before inching around the door and looking through into the room beyond. 

“We’re clear, Bradley’s gone.”

They hoisted Hohenheim up between them and made their way out of the lab room and into the office, hastily abandoned, and Riza went to check that their exit route was clear. She could hear people running around, but this stretch of corridor was clear; presumably even within secret locations there were some parts that were even more secret than others, and she doubted that Bradley would have wanted too many people hanging around and potentially finding out about his immortality treatment going on. 

She nodded to Roy. 

“Wait.” Roy gestured to the bottles of Hohenheim’s blood stacked up on the desk. “We need to do something about those. Might as well stop them in their tracks whilst we can. God knows no-one needs an immortal Fuhrer Bradley.”

Riza nodded. “What’s your plan?”

“Well, I don’t think that pouring it down the drain would be a good idea; I don’t want to think about mutant immortal crocodiles in the sewers under Amestris.”

“I don’t think that there are any crocodiles in the sewers in a land-locked country, but I get your point.”

Roy held up a hand, poised to snap. “I don’t think that torching the entire room will dramatically lower the market value of this place too much.”

Riza just stared at him. “Are you sure?”

“There’s already a fire alarm going off.” Roy shrugged. “Might as well give them something to be alarmed about.”

They made it out of the room and along the corridor a little way, leaning Hohenheim on the wall. He was getting more and more with it, but he was still weak and it was taking time for his regeneration to get him back to normal. Roy went back to the doorway and snapped. Riza could see the flames licking the doorway, lighting up Roy’s grim face for a while as he watched the blaze begin to consume the room. Satisfied that everything had been destroyed, he came back towards her as smoke began to billow out, and the three of them made their way as quickly as they could through the corridors. 

They were almost out of this section of the rabbit warren when they came face to face with the doctor from the office, no doubt hurrying back to check on his precious experiment.

“Where are you going with my Philosopher’s Stone?”

Riza glanced sideways at Hohenheim; despite the fact he probably still had sedatives coursing through his system and was still recovering from his copious blood loss, the stare that he was fixing on the doctor was pure, unadulterated rage. If looks could kill, Hohenheim’s death glare could have buried this gold-toothed bastard three times over. 

Riza adjusted her grip on Hohenheim and reached behind her for a pistol with her other hand, but she didn’t need to fire. The wall next to them swelled and reformed with a shriek of brick and plaster under strain, smacking out and sending the doctor flying. He landed limply with a groan, and Riza looked sideways again. Hohenheim hadn’t moved, but she caught the slight quirk of a satisfied smile on his face before he gave a shuddering groan of exertion.

Roy gave an impressed nod. “Yes, that’s certainly one way of doing it.”

They continued on until they reached the corner; Riza darted ahead to peer around and nearly yelled as she came face to face with Havoc in his dark covert ops clothing. He lowered his gun.

“Thank God Marcoh’s got a good mental map, I was beginning to think I’d never find you. You’ve caused so much chaos, by the way. They’ve got people all over the air vents now. This way’s clear back here. Hey Doc,” he added to Hohenheim, going over to where he was leaning against the wall and taking an arm around his shoulders as they moved off in convoy in the direction Havoc had just come from. “Good to see you.”

“Is Trisha ok?”

Roy gave Hohenheim a look. “You’re besotted. You’re only half awake, you can barely stand, you’ve just spent I don’t know how long having your blood siphoned off and your first thought is Trisha.”

Havoc laughed. “Hohenheim’s a lover, not a fighter, Roy. We’ve always known this. She’s fine, Doc; she’s safe at the shop with Hughes and Madam.”

They had only gone around one more corner when they hit a large obstacle. 

“Right.” Havoc visibly deflated at the sight of the heavy wall blocking the corridor in front of them. “Will you believe me when I say that wasn’t there before?”

Roy nodded and gave a long sigh. “Yes. It’s a fire barrier, it would have come down when I started throwing actual fire around.”

“I suppose the whole point of it is that there isn’t an alternative exit?” Havoc sighed as Roy shook his head.

“It’s fine.” Hohenheim pulled himself upright against Havoc’s shoulder and reached out towards the barrier. Red sparks crackled around the edges and the entire thing exploded outwards. Havoc just looked at him, and he shrugged.

“Sorry it wasn’t neater. Haven’t got full control back yet.”

Havoc just continued to stare as they stepped through the rubble. “You know, I’m really glad you’re on our side.”

They continued to make their way through the labyrinth of the laboratory, out towards the exit where Havoc and Armstrong had come in with the car. Riza was glad of Havoc being there to guide them; they’d passed where she and Roy had come in with Marcoh and they were into unknown territory now. The smoke from Roy’s earlier fire in the doctor’s office and experiment room continued to follow them, billowing around the ceiling. Their path was starting to cross with other people in the complex now, but no one was paying them any mind, all too concerned with getting out as soon as possible now that it was evident that there was definitely a fire in the building somewhere. 

Riza stopped in her tracks when she heard an ominous creak from behind her. It sounded like the entire building was groaning. She remembered the creaking sound that the wall had made when Hohenheim had knocked out the doctor, and the exploding fire door, and the ever-present and ever-increasing smoke. 

“I don’t think this building is very structurally sound anymore,” she said, taking to her heels again with the rest of the group. “The ‘in danger of collapse’ sign out front seems more and more accurate.”

The ear-splitting shriek of concrete and metal under pressure was all the warning they had before a massive chunk of ceiling fell down.

“Riza!” Roy practically threw her out of the way, covering her. When the dust cleared, she was glad to see that he was unhurt.

“Roy? Riza?” Havoc yelled from the other side of the debris. “Are you guys ok back there?”

“We’re fine, but we’re not going to get over this in a hurry.” Roy helped Riza back to her feet. “You go ahead and get Hohenheim out of here, that’s what’s important. “

“What about you two?”

“We’ll double back and get out the way we came in with Marcoh.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure, now get going before anything else collapses!”

Havoc didn’t need telling twice, and Roy and Riza turned tail, running back in the direction they had just come until they reached the long corridor they’d arrived in before. It was blessedly free from smoke, and the creaking sounds were left behind them. 

“Do you think there’s any chance that Bradley’s been crushed under falling masonry?” Riza asked. 

“God, I hope so.”

“Is that so, Mustang?”

Riza’s blood ran cold.

[thecleverdame]

Gods of Twilight - 22

Alpha!Werewolf!Sam x Human!Reader

Master List (posting schedule is there as well)

Summary: You marry Sam, The King of Lebanon, as part of an alliance between two lands. You soon discover that nothing is as it appears and that your husband is hiding a secret that may end your relationship before it can begin.

Warnings: smut, dub-con, canon-level violence, domestic discipline, spanking.  This chapter does contain some non-con elements.

Beta:  @ilikaicalie​

*This story is complete. All 27 chapters are available on Patreon. To get access to this and many other stories, subscribe for a pledge of 2.50 per month. CLICK HERE

-

You’re not sure where you are. You think you’re awake, blinking several times but there’s nothing except all-consuming darkness. 

“H-Hello?” you call out, throat on fire. You’ve never been this thirsty in all your life. There’s a haze of confusion, the heat of your own body, the sensation of blood boiling in your veins, but the air around you is frigid. 

Are you dead? Where is Sam?

Fear blooms in your chest as you pat along the floor, feeling for any sign of your surroundings. There’s cold stone under your palms. You feel further along, trying to find a wall only to realize there are bindings around your wrists. You panic, pulling both arms toward your body as a heavy chain rattles cold and heavy over your legs. 

“Help me!” You shout, curling into a ball, trembling in fear. “Is anyone there? I need help!”

A thousand thoughts collide at once. Have you been kidnapped? Are you dead? Where is your husband? All you want is Sam to appear and explain what’s happening. 

“Sam!” you call out. “I’m here!” 

For a long time, you sit there and cry, the panic coming in surges, bringing with it sweat and heat and desperation. You pull at your bonds, tugging and thrashing until you think you’ll break your arm. There’s a warm wet trickle sliding down your right arm and you know it’s blood, the cuff around your wrist has sliced through the skin and if you keep fighting the chains you’re afraid of doing irreparable damage. 

During the worst of it you writhe and scream, sure that you’re in the pits of hell, locked away, alone and chained for all eternity. At some point, you wear yourself out like an exhausted toddler after a fit and fall asleep on the ground in a cold sweat. 

When you wake the second time, you’re prepared for your surroundings. But you also feel different. There’s an ache in your stomach as if you’ve eaten something that doesn’t agree with you and surely you have a fever. 

Somewhere in the distance, there’s the dripping of water falling. Looking toward the sound you focus in and see a faint flickering in the distance, the only sign of life so far. The discomfort in your stomach spreads upward, bringing with it nausea and sense of...longing? No, that’s not it but it’s a strange need sparking to life. 

The sound of the water grows louder. The longer you stare into the distance the more you realize you can see a far off glow of a torch. Your wrists are sore from trying to escape but you suddenly feel strong. There’s no explaining it, but a determination sets in and you’re sure that you can free yourself. 

“Pull yourself together,” you whisper. You stand, slapping your cheeks to focus on the task at hand and then you push forward with every last vestige of strength within you. The metal holds and for a moment you think your wrist will snap, but instead, the cuffs crack. First, one, then the next, leaving you breathlessly victorious in the dark. 

Carefully you move in the dark, mindful of not tripping. But as you walk you discover that you can in fact see. It’s muted, but you can discern the outline of the stone that covers the floor and the doorway near the end of the room. 

There’s a long, winding hall in both directions with half-burnt torches lighting each direction. You look both ways, unsure of where to go, but fear guides you to move. Right seems like as good a choice as any.

After walking for what seems like a lifetime, you come upon another Y. One of the halls is lit, the other ominously dark, ready to swallow you up. Closing your eyes you send up a prayer and follow the flames. The tunnel curls away into infinite nothingness.You shudder, feeling your brain starting to go hazy, searching for a way out. Should you go back?  

Eventually, the tunnel opens up into a tall room and you’re met with the sight of an enormous statue. You recognize it as a larger version of the same statue in the Great Hall. This is King John, and to his right is a stone carving of Queen Mary. 

Sam’s parents. You’re in the catacombs of your own castle. 

What could this mean? The implications are endless, but at least you haven’t been kidnapped. You’re thankful for that. 

A few fears whirl to life in the back of your brain. What’s happened to your husband? However you ended up here, Sam would certainly never allow you to be chained up in the bowels of the castle. The longer you walk, the more certain you are that he’s fallen victim to some cruel fate. You pray he’s alive, tears swelling up and dripping down your cheeks. 

There’s a faint memory and then the realization that the last thing you recall is pregnancy. You were round as a house and excited to spend the afternoon walking in the countryside with Sam. 

You pat your flat stomach, sighing heavily in confusion. Nothing makes sense, up is down. The very universe seems to have turned on its head. A sudden, spine curling pain rips through your stomach, sending you to your knees as you moan in agony. Something is wrong. You’re dying, you’re sure of it. 

Taking a moment to recover, you manage to get back on your feet and keep moving. Scrambling up two sets of spiral stairs you find yourself in one of the lower passages of the castle. While you never spent time in the catacombs themselves, you explored these areas when you first came here. Spent dusk till dawn tiptoeing around and memorizing each nook and cranny. 

There’s a window ahead, but no light shining in. It must be night time. 

You walk on, careful to remain as quiet as possible. The circumstances in which you awoke are bizarre and you suspect that there are villains afoot. 

You can hear voices, a distant conversation between two guards discussing the bosom of a servant girl. It’s strange, you’re sure they’re far away, but you can still make out every word. Slipping down a narrow back passage you move stealthily around the outside wall of the castle, only to have it spit you out into the Great Hall. 

Peeking around the corner you check to ensure that no one is lurking. It must be the wee hours of the morning and the castle should be asleep. 

You’re met with a welcome sight. Dean. You’ve never been happier to see him, at least he’s a familiar face. 

“Dean!” you hiss, walking toward him. 

He turns, eyes bulging at the sight of you. It seems to take a moment for him to realize it’s you, hands falling from his hips, mouth gaping open. 

“What are you doing?” he rasps, taking a careful step in your direction. “You freed yourself?” His eyes dart to your bloody wrists and tattered nightdress. 

“Someone took me prisoner! Chained me up in the catacombs!” You sputter, fresh tears pooling in your eyes. “They left me to die down there. And my baby, do you know what happened to my baby?”

“Oh, no,” his face falls, eyes fluttering closed as his fists clench. 

“Where is Sam?” You inch closer. “Is he alright? I have to let him know I’m alive.”

“He knows,” Dean explains gently, holding out a hand like a trainer working with a wild horse.  “He put you down there himself...for protection.” 

“What?” You choke, your body going cold. Of course Dean would take joy in pitting you against your husband. “What are these lies?”

“You need to remain calm,” he whispers, swallowing hard. “Why don’t I send a guard to find Sam and we’ll call a maid to clean you up.”

You look down your skirts, covered in mud and grime. You can only speculate what the rest of you must look like. 

“Wait,” your mind is racing. “You said Sam put me down there? He chained me?”

“There is so much you don’t understand right now. He only did what he thought was best. Let me have someone find him, he can explain-”

“No,” you panic. 

Is it possible your husband has turned on you? What is it that you’re not remembering?

“Talk to him, he can explain-”

“Where is my son? Did I give birth?” you whisper, the swell of emotion aching in your chest. “Did he die?”

Dean blinks, eyes wrinkling as he nods.

“You have a daughter and she’s in perfect health.” 

A daughter. You were so sure the child was a boy and yet his words ring true somewhere deep inside. 

“Will you take me to her?” You move closer, reaching out to your brother-in-law. “I want to see her. She must need me.”

“She’s fine,” Dean counters. “You’ll see her soon, I’m sure.” 

“Please,” you implore. “Please, I know you hate me but you have to tell me what’s happening-”

You’re interrupted as pain shoots through you stomach. It’s similar to your monthly bleed but magnified a thousand times. As the spasm passes you break out in a sweat, glancing at the roaring fire. 

You stare at Dean thinking a thought so foreign, so treacherous, that you can scarcely believe it’s yours.  But you can’t deny that you find him...attractive. There’s a pull, a lust that creeps out of the recesses of your mind, popping up out of its hiding place. 

And you swear, although you know it cannot be, that you can smell him. Tipping your head from one side to the other you examine his face. He’s frozen, watching you have a life altering realization as you breathe in deep, taking his scent into your lungs. 

Your heart speeds up, chest rising and falling faster as you slide closer. 

“What is wrong with me?” Squeezing your eyes shut, you pull Sam’s face to the forefront of your brain. 

Sam. 

Sam. Your husband. The father of your child...and yet Dean is right here and he doesn’t seem to be bothered by the idea of you eyeing him like a choice cut of meat. 

“We shouldn’t be near one another.” He gulps but doesn’t move away. 

“I feel,” you swallow, a trickle of sweat rolling down your temple. “I think I have a fever.”

That has to be it, you’re sick. It’s the only explanation for these adulterous urges. 

“You’re in heat,” he breathes in through his nose, pupils widening. “Or close enough.”

“What?” you murmur, not really listening. “I am rather hot.” 

“You don’t-” he goes silent when you glide closer. 

You arch upward, eyes fluttering closed at the heat of his skin and the scent of him surrounding you, wrapping around and crawling inside where you’re vibrating with need. You reach up, sliding a hand over his chest and he grabs your wrist. 

“Stop.” 

“Why?” you ask.

“You’re married to my brother.” 

“I…” the thought gets lost somewhere in the lust induced haze. “I know I should stop but I want to be close to you.”

He’s looking down at you as his tongue darts out over his lower lip. His head dips down, your mouths a moment shy of connecting. 

“Take your hands off her.” 

Sam’s voice is a low growl. You pull back from Dean to find your husband standing in the middle of the room. Both of his hands balled into fists at his sides and his eyes narrowed, focused on the two of you. 

“Brother,” Dean swipes a hand over his face as he turns away. 

“Sam,” you heart swells, then shatters at the sight of him. He’s furious, and he should be. He just caught his wife in the arms of his brother. “I don’t know what’s the matter with me. I’m so sorry. I can’t think. I’m overcome with this...fever.”

Dean retreats further away from you and the pain rips through your abdomen. You cry out, falling to your knees, howling and clutching your stomach. 

“She’s in heat.” Dean says that word again and it dawns on you what he means. But it can’t be. You’re human. 

“Please make it stop,” the pain grows stronger, and you drop onto your side, lying on the floor and writhing desperately. “What’s happened to me?”

“Stay away.” Sam thrusts a finger toward Dean. “You’ve done enough damage.” 

“I did what needed to be done,” Dean spits back. 

“And you would have again if I hadn’t come upon you. You would have fucked her in the name of salvation.”

“Watch yourself!” Dean steps toward Sam but you draw their attention, letting out a blood curdling scream. 

“Am I dying?” you cry, looking up at your husband. 

“No,” he whispers, his face morphing from anger to something softer. Kneeling down he scoops you up in his arms. “I’ll take care of you.”

While it’s not quite the same as being near to Dean, Sam holding you, pressed up against his body, quells the cramping. You claw at his shoulder, bury your face in his chest. 

“I don't understand,” you whisper, tears sliding down your face. 

“I know.” Sam walks away from Dean. “Let me make you feel better, then I’ll explain everything.” 

[makeste]

BnHA Chapter 246: Plot Whiplash

Previously on BnHA: Hawks handed Endeavor a copy of Re-Destro’s NYT bestseller and was all “ಠ_ಠ READ THIS!!” He then flew off back to the PLF and was all “hey guys just got back from handing out free copies of Destro’s book to everyone in a 1000-mile radius, which absolutely nobody asked me to do, well anyways you can thank me later” and they were all “SWEET.” Back at the Endeavor HQ, Bakugou got all fired up to BUST SOME HEADS but Endeavor’s sidekicks were all “WAIT FOR THE PLOT YOUNG MAN.” Meanwhile in his office, Endeavor discovered a secret code in the book Hawks gave him, which basically read “HEY WHAT’S UP THE LEAGUE HAS TAKEN OVER THE MLA AND HAS AN ARMY OF 100,000 PEOPLE” and Endeavor was like “!!!!” And then we cut to the League and Toga was all “IN FOUR MONTHS TOMURA IS BLOWING THIS SHIT TO KINGDOM COME” and then the chapter just ended. Sometimes it be like that.

Today on BnHA: Tomura sits down with Ujiko who monologues a bit about Quirk Singularity and then starts some sort of quirk-upgrading process which will apparently take four months to fully set in. And also he’s like “oh btw let me tell you about One for All” so THAT’S A THING NOW, GREAT. We then cut back and forth between Endeavor and Hawks, who both somehow come to the weird conclusion that THE INTERNS ARE OUR ONLY HOPE NOW using logic that is hard to explain on account of THERE ACTUALLY ISN’T ANY LOGIC BEHIND IT, SHHH. But anyway, so Endeavor figures out the rest of Hawks’s message and he knows that Hawks is trying to figure out what the League is up to, and something something that’s why the internships are so important. Like, I get that the Terrible Trio are future legends in the making, but these guys are seriously like “well okay let’s just go ahead and rest all our hopes on them” out of the blue, and Hawks has this big monologue about how “THINGS WON’T GO ACCORDING TO YOUR PLAN, VILLAINS” and okay then!! And then the last two pages are basically just DID SOMEBODY ORDER SOME HYPE with more shit going on than I can possibly sum up so I won’t even try lol. But damn.

(All comments are my unspoiled reactions from my initial readthrough of the chapter. I did a quick edit for grammar and clarity afterward, and added a few ETAs in the process, but aside from that there are no changes.) 

okay guys, I’m feeling kinda under the weather today, but I know this chapter’s gonna be good so lesssssss gooooooo. bring me back to life Horikoshi

(ETA: lol well there sure was a lot happening in this chapter, that’s for sure. my head hurts.)

oooooh it’s a sexy Jump cover celebrating season 4!

I really need the anime team to step up and give Ochako and Tsuyu some more screentime in the Basement Arc since the manga did not do them justice. there’s only like a 20% chance of that happening, which is depressing, but it’s 2019 and the winds are slowly changing, albeit at a geriatric pace. so I’ll allow myself to have some hope. you never know

YEAH SON LOOK AT THIS COLOR SPREAD Y’ALL THIS IS RAD

hello I love everything about this. the colors, the focus on our best girls, Deku’s bizarre-yet-awesome assorted sci-fi accessories (Deku do those headphones let you communicate with space or what), and of course, the five million TVs in the background which for some reason all appear to be from the 70s. all of this to remind us to TUNE IN TOMORROW FOR THE LONG-AWAITED SEASON 4 DEBUT. I will definitely tune in! the first episode is just gonna be the usual half filler/half clip show, but honestly season 3 was so good that I could sit through a whole hour of nothing but highlights and still be thoroughly entertained

anyway let’s move on because there are GAMES AFOOT, and we’re hopefully about to learn which direction this arc will be headed in!

OH SHIT OH FUCK

yep, that’s him. Shigaraki “destruction incarnate” Tomura. I see we’re getting our weekly dose of “just a reminder that WE ARE SCREWED” even earlier than usual this chapter, huh

so does anyone else get a chill up their spine every time Ujiko makes an appearance, or is that just me? like, god. he may honestly be even creepier than AFO. he’s just completely soulless, this guy. he’s got like this Mengele vibe to him (though that may be kinda dicey to compare horrific real-life atrocities to fictional ones in a shounen manga, but I’m just trying to explain why I find him so disturbing) and it really freaks me the hell out, ngl. anyways so him wearing a surgical mask and standing in front of this weird examination chair is pretty much the last thing I need right now. go away Ujiko

so Tomura is all “I want it cuz you promised, so pay up jackass”, and like. fair, though

I really like this new art style Horikoshi’s been using for him since his Awakening. kinda curious how it’s going to translate to the anime, or even to a color spread. but at the very least in black and white it looks siiiiick

smh look at this little punk trying to downplay how insanely freaking overpowered his quirk currently is

okay first of all, “President Baldy” is only alive because you left him alive. and he also had to chop off his own legs to stay that way. like, what kind of argument is this, Tomura? “this power is far from invincible, all my enemies have to do is amputate their own limbs and then they’ll have me right where they want me.” you know what, just go on and destroy the world right now kid. you’re getting greedy now and it could be your undoing

that is a nice parallel between him and Deku there, though. now I’m craving some Symbolic Artwork of them standing back to back each holding out their scarred right arms. maybe with their respective mentors in the background. here at BnHA we prefer our parallels nice and dramatic

sdskfjlaskdj

son of a bitch. I really wish he wouldn’t say that with such utter certainty. “the next conflict will be our last.” cue me flipping through the BnHA table of contents and trying to determine just how far along we actually are here, because this is veering dangerously close to Final Battle signaling, and like, ALREADY?? TOMURA ARE YOU JUST BEING THEATRICAL OR ARE YOU FOR REAL OMG. motherfucking DARK LORD’S LIPS curling into the WICKEDEST FUCKING CRESCENT I’VE EVER SEEN, fuck me

(ETA: it occurs to me on readthrough #2 that “the next conflict will be our last” could be interpreted to mean him and All Might specifically. like, the last conflict between the two of them. and that might very well be true, and would not surprise me at all. shit.)

fjsgk now Ujiko’s talking about research. and quirks!! glkjlkl

fully expecting the camera to cut to some NOUMUS any second now oh my god. also trying not to think about how crazy ominous that fucking chair looks. and how many people this maniac has probably strapped down to it and done god knows what to them. hey Horikoshi you know what, I’ve had just about enough of this dark shit, can we please cut back to my kids now I’m feeling too unsettled. goddammit

anyhow of course we are NOT cutting away, and Ujiko is continuing to talk about quirk evolution, and now segueing into a speech about that quirk singularity thing. -- which he apparently named?? wow

is he actually going to do something to Tomura? holy shit?? this whole time that they’ve been talking about this “power” I’ve just been assuming it was something external, like some other handy dandy villain resource that AFO’s just been sitting on or something. this is not where I expected things to go. didn’t he just get an upgrade??

anyway so here’s a brief summary I just wrote up of The Past Six Months of BnHA:

Deku: [gets a new quirk]

everyone: bruh. Horikoshi really out here giving Deku AFO Powers while Tomura just sits around starving to death on a couch. what the heck

Horikoshi: [powers up Tomura to the point where he can destroy anything just by it being in contact with something that Tomura happens to be touching] [has Tomura use this power to level an entire city]

everyone: -- oh. okay, you know what, never mind --

Horikoshi: [gives Tomura an army of 100,000 people] [also gives him command of 11 extremely lethal and nigh-unstoppable killing machines, just one of which was almost enough to take out the number one hero, LITERALLY THE STRONGEST GUY THE GOOD GUYS CURRENTLY HAVE IN RESERVE]

everyone: okay we’re sorry we get it you can sto --

Horikoshi: APOCALYPSE IN FOUR MONTHS!!!

everyone: WE GET IT WE’RE SORRY PLEASE

Horikoshi: [GIVES TOMURA ANOTHER POWER-UP]

everyone: [curled up in fetal position sobbing]

starting to think the mangaka might be the actual final villain here. hmm

anyway. so I guess we have four months until Tomura ascends to Actual Godhood and proceeds to rain hellfire down upon the world. what are you all gonna do with your four months. I personally have a lot of stuff to binge, but knowing me I’ll probably just waste all my time reading fanfic while youtube videos play in the background which I’m not paying any attention to. what am I doing with my life

oh were we not done hyping him up? there’s more??

(ETA: I got so caught up in the OFA comment I didn’t pay attention to Tomura becoming a beautiful decayed butterfly in this exquisitely creepy panel here. but damn.)

-- HOLD THE FUCK UP. does Tomura know about One for All??? because I was under the impression that AFO hadn’t told him? this would change a lot if he knew this entire time, holy shit?!

aaaaaaaaand exactly one panel later Horikoshi is all “no he didn’t know calm the fuck down” lol

okay then. so he didn’t know, and he’s only just finding out now. well tbh that’s still worthy of a smiling crying emoji face though :’) this is fineeee

shit here we go oh shit

-- WAIT, SO WE’RE JUST CUTTING AWAY FROM THEM? NOW YOU CUT AWAY? YOU GET WITHIN INCHES OF CONFIRMING THE FUCKING ALL FOR ONE FOR ALL THEORY AND THEN IT’S JUST “ANYWAYS HERE’S ENDEAVOR” YOU KNOW WHAT, HORIKOSHI, I --

just. come on dude. AFOFA 2019! let’s make it happen! dammit

sigh, so looks like it’s back to the admittedly-still-epic “Hawks passes down secret information about the villains to Endeavor” plot. I guess we’re not exactly hurting for good plots all around. I may complain but honestly we are spoiled

so Hawks is saying that he actually doesn’t know the specifics of the villains’ plans yet. well shit

apparently his feathers can only pick up sounds from short range, and the villains keep escorting him away whenever they get to talking about the good stuff. well at least that explains that potential plot hole from last week. Hawks’s feathers may have a short range, but Horikoshi’s plot hole caulking gun can fill in leaky plot holes from fucking miles away. amazing

ffffffff

don’t mind me I’m just sitting here fretting about Hawks continuing to be in mortal danger and risking his life to gather information in a race against time against the end of the world. Horikoshi out here piling up stakes like a freaking vampire hunter

but in the meantime, everyone please stop what you’re doing for a moment to look at this absolute unit of a bellhop slash security guard

apologies Lord Vader he was just trying to get to the dining hall. my bad. as you were

and holy shit I hope you enjoyed that light comedic break because two seconds later Re-Destro has dropped in to fixate Hawks with one of those Lightly Menacing Smiles he’s so infamous for. so that’s just fucking great!

HAWKS WATCH OUT FOR YOUR FINGERS

omg. imagine, a showdown between the two stealth murder MVPs of the series, Yotsubashi “Sleeper Hold” Rikiya (yes I did have to look up his real name just now) and Takami “Tag Em And Bag Em” Keigo. true, RD may no longer have legs, but he didn’t need them to choke out our little mouse buddy now did he? anyways speaking of which I just remembered that I fucking hate Re-Destro and I honestly hope Hawks does kill him. it’d be pretty easy to fit him into a bag too. he’s basically just a torso and arms now

oh sure Horikoshi go ahead and spring this on me after all of that ranting why don’t you

by the way does Re-Destro have Robot Legs now, or

looool he does

I will say this for Horikoshi, he knows my weaknesses. more robot limbs please. either badass or memeable ones, either is fine

meanwhile I skipped over this panel of Hawks and Twice being buddies in order to get to the legs, and shame on me for that. let’s go back

Twice is a genuinely good guy and I hope Hawks can tell. I wonder how fake this smile is. I feel like it’d be easy to relax around Twice regardless of how tense you are about your secret spy mission which could go south at any time. anyways this is wholesome

and now we’re cutting back to Endeavor who is taking his sweet time reacting to this whole thing. Endeavor can you fucking chill with the poker face already geez

okay wait, what

are you serious?! I fucking can’t with this lady. “now make sure to throw these children directly into the line of fire! it’s good for them and builds character!” I’m sorry, I thought this was the Hero Public Safety Commission, not the Putting Juveniles Directly Into Harm’s Way Commission?? at least change the acronym to something more appropriate then. Heinous Pathetic Soulless Cowards. just a suggestion. jesus

anyway so for a moment I got confused as to whether this was implying that she’d told Endeavor about Hawks’s undercover mission. but it seems like he’s still unaware. shouldn’t be too long before he puts the pieces together though at this rate

lol in the very next panel, even

meanwhile you’re just sitting on your ass reading a book! FUCKING DO SOMETHING ALREADY, ENDEAVOR

so he’s thinking that the “preparation” part of Hawks’s message is referring to the interns. let me back up a sec and write down the entire message as he’s read it thus far

“four months from now / rising to action / until then / will send / signals / in case / of failure / preparation / numbers”

...read like that, it really does sound like Hawks is advocating to get as many soldiers ready as possible. even if that includes actual children. including Endeavor’s own son. shit. I mean, I get that they don’t have much of a choice, but that’s still so fucked up. sure, we as omniscient readers know that Deku is their one and only hope, but they don’t know that. as far as they know these are just a bunch of teenagers with less than a year’s worth of experience that they’re propping up on the front lines. and the plan is then... what? hope they don’t die too quickly?? fuck

Hawks is out here having an argument with me in his thoughts. you wanna play it like that, Hawks? fine

I don’t know what kind of “but” you can tag on to the end of that paragraph that could possibly win me over, dude, but go for it I guess

and we’re finally cutting back to the kids in question now! with Burnin’ casually trying to crush Kacchan’s hopes and dreams

okay but I love how both Deku and Shouto are like “easy there buddy, we got you” and trying to keep Kacchan from having a fucking aneurysm sob. JUST TRY AND HOIST HIM ONTO SOME DUMB SIDEKICKS, LADY. YOU’VE MADE A POWERFUL ENEMY HERE TODAY

oh shit

oh my god. are we going to get our first actual interaction between the three of them that doesn’t consist of them grumbling annoyed introductions at each other and then running off to fight an old fortune teller omggggg

I love how Deku and Bakugou look weirdly intimidated by him lol. Bakugou where did all that “YOU’RE KIND OF A JERK” confidence go all of a sudden

YESSSSSSS

GODDAMMIT, I’M STILL SO MAD AT YOU GUYS FOR BEING ALL “LET’S JUST MAKE THE CHILDREN DO IT,” BUT DAMMIT THEY KICK ASS THOUGH SO I CAN KINDA SEE YOUR POINT

NOW HAWKS IS METAING ABOUT THEM AHHHHHHH

DAMN STRAIGHT THEY WOULD HAVE. BRING ON TOMURA AND ALL OF HIS STUPID POWER-UPS. WOW I’M WEIRDLY HYPED UP ALL OF A SUDDEN WHAT’S WRONG WITH ME

AND FUCKING LOOK AT THIS TWO-PAGE SPREAD AHHHHHHHHHHH

MOTHERFUCKER [WHIPS OUT PEN AND NOTEBOOK] TIME TO ANALYZE THIS BITCH

so Ochako and Tsuyu did indeed go back to intern with Ryuukyuu again! makes sense, she is a top ten hero after all. who’s that with them, though? almost looks like Yanagi from the hair and the mask, but the costume looks different? hmm

I CAN’T BELIEVE IIDA WENT BACK TO INTERN WITH FUCKING MANUAL AGAIN. THIS GUY IS THE BRAN CEREAL OF HEROES. though I fucking love him though so yeah it’s fine

JIROU AND SHOUJI TEAMING UP WITH GANG FUCKING ORCA AW YISS BOYS THIS IS THE GOOD SHIT LET’S GOOOO

KOUDA AND MANGA TEAMING UP WITH WASH OMG. MANGA IS THE ONLY ONE ON THAT TEAM WHO ACTUALLY FUCKING SPEAKS. IS WASH’S SIDEKICK SOME SORT OF BROOM PERSON OMG

A WHOLE FUCKING ACRE OF KIDS HAVE ALL GANGED UP ON THIS CAVEMAN-LOOKING FELLA I DON’T EVEN RECOGNIZE. WHO ARE YOU. DID YOU CROSS OVER FROM THE FANTASY AU

KIRI BACK WITH FG AND BROUGHT TETSUTETSU ALONG FOR THE RIDE HELLS YEAHHHH

KAMINARI AND SERO WITH KAMUI WOODS AND EDGESHOT I’M HYPERVENTILATING AHHH. AND SHIOZAKI TOO!! I’LL JUST PRETEND I DON’T SEE MINETA THERE IN THE CORNER. MIGHT BE TIME TO DUST OFF THE OLD “CANCELLED” STAMP AGAIN BUT WE’LL SEE HOW THINGS GO

WHO ARE MOMO AND TOKAGE AND MINA AND AOYAMA (WHICH BTW IS THE GREATEST HERO TEAMUP OF ALL TIME HOLY SHIT) TEAMING UP WITH!? TELL US. AND PONY AND MONOMA. GODDAMMIT HORIKOSHI

whew! anyway. they’re all still screwed, but by golly that was nice to have that little invigorating breather of life and hope

LOL OH SHIT THERE’S ANOTHER ONE

okay, SOMEONE TELL ME RIGHT THE FUCK NOW WHAT ALL MIGHT IS LOOKING AT OR I’M GONNA LOSE IT. holy shit. he was researching the past users of OFA, wasn’t he? WHAT DID YOU FIND OH GOD. he’s not just upset, he looks one step shy of fucking crying?? did he learn about what happened to Nana’s son and his family, maybe? shit shit shit

so Yanagi is interning with Kendou then? so who was that with Hadou and Ryuukyuu and the rest. one of Ryuukyuu’s sidekicks?

IS THAT FUYUMI (SPOILERS FUCKING YEAH IT IS) AND WHY DOES IT LOOK LIKE SHE’S FUCKING PRAYING OMG. it looks like she’s kneeling at a family altar?? like saying a prayer for someone who is PRESUMED DEAD, maybe?? LIKE MAYBE A LONG LOST TWIN BROTHER OH SHIT OUT OF NOWHERE THE HYPE DON’T STOP!!

AND WHY DOES NAO HAVE HIS HAT OFF AND CLUTCHED TO HIS CHEST LIKE HE’S TELLING SOMEONE BAD NEWS. GOD WHAT THE HELL EVEN ARE ALL OF THESE PLOT THINGS HAPPENING ALL OF A SUDDEN. LIKE I DON’T KNOW WHERE TO LOOK NEXT

KUROGIRI AHHHHHHHH

WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING TO ERI’S HORN!? DOES ANYONE ELSE SEE THIS?? AIZAWA??? HELLO!?!?

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, TEAM OT3. TIME TO FUCKING SUIT UP. APPARENTLY. WELL ALL RIGHT THEN. [JACKET ZIP] [GUN COCKING SOUND EFFECT] LET’S GO PUNCH ‘EM IN THE MOUTH

y’all. this chapter was like plot whiplash. this went in so many different directions and hinted at so many different things that I’m at a complete fucking loss as to what to process first. but I guess the interns are gonna save us all, somehow. lol okay then

[ashleyh713]

Bewitched Chapter 1

Bakugo X OC fanfic

The first day Bakugo met her started out like any other.

 He was forced by his mother to go to the store for some groceries on his day off even though the boy insisted that they still had plenty in the cabinets. But just like everything, his mother didn’t listen in the slightest. 

Stomping into the store, Katsuki groaned, not understanding why he had to do such a stupid thing. He had far enough on his plate as it was, seeing that his entrance exam for U.A. was coming up next week.

The boy shoved a couple items into the basket before aggressively crossing them off on his list as fast as possible. The sooner he got this done the sooner he could go home.That’s all he cared about right now. 

Moving to another aisle, the boy stopped when he found a display of his favorite spicy noodles a couple feet away from him. There seemed to be some kind of sale happening so the majority of the shelfs were barren and empty, with only one bowl on the center shelf. Perfect. 

Bakugo stomped up to the display before licking his lips, already feeling the warm heat that the noodles would bring and reached forward, fully intending on grabbing the last pack. 

Although as his hand touched the plastic coating, his fingers bumped into another who was reaching out as well. Frowning at the action, Katsuki looked up to find a girl staring back at him. 

She was wearing a black oversized jacket with the hood covering her eyes, although Bakugo could just barely make out her long light purple hair hanging out of the sides in a half ponytail. It was like she was trying to hide her appearance, although Bakugo didn’t really care about that now. This girl, she had a lot of nerve. 

He expected her to pull back and apologize like most girls used to do at his middle school. It didn’t help that Katsuki always wore an unpleasant expression which scared most of them away. It’s not like he minded though, Katsuki had more important things to worry about then frivolous girls. 

Although strangely enough, her reaction was not that at all, watching the girl instead grip tighter to the bowl and try to shake his hand off. Was this girl itching for a fight? “Hey! Hands off extra! I saw it first so get lost!” 

He slapped her hand away only for her to clamp down on his arm before smirking under the hood. “Who are you to tell me what to do? I think it’s you that should get lost.” 

Narrowing his brow in annoyance, Bakugo pulled back then, reaching for the noodles as the stranger blocked his advance. “What did you just say to me?! You wanna fight?!” 

She only shrugged her shoulders though. “Bring it on angry porcupine boy.”

Gasping at the insulting nickname, Katsuki felt his palms grow in heat as he threw an explosion in the middle of the store, causing the display behind them to explode. “Do you think I’m playing around? Just give me the goddamn noodles before I set you on fire!” 

Although she only seemed amused. “Ooh touchy. Go ahead and try, if you can catch me.” 

Then before he could register it, the girl quickly grabbed the last bowl of noodles before running off through the store, causing Bakugo to shout. “What the...Get back here you little..!” 

He set off then, chasing the girl through the aisles and throwing explosions in her direction as the other shoppers begged him to stop. Although Bakugo couldn’t stop, he needed to show her who he was messing with. “Stay still so I can kill you!” 

The girl stopped before jumping onto one of the displays and smirking. “Now what fun is that? You better step up your game porcupine boy. I’m not really impressed.” 

Growling in response, Bakugo put his hands out before letting off a giant explosion and blowing up the entire display she was standing on. “How’s that for impressive?” 

Although he couldn’t help but be surprised as the girl jumped off the table before completing a backflip over his hand and landing gracefully with a light tap. “Nah, I’ve seen better. Ah well, see you. Thanks for the fun.” 

Not fully understanding, Katsuki raced forward only to be pulled back by one of the store owners, obviously very upset that the boy had destroyed everything. “Hey, you! Come with me! You better be willing to pay for this, you hooligan!” 

Pulling against the man, the boy grumbled only to hear another employee grab the girl that was trying to escape. “And where do you think you’re going?” 

Bakugo smirked at that, knowing that girl would be in just as much trouble when he watched her lean toward the workers ear before whispering something out as his eyes grew dull for a moment. 

Then a second later, the man loosened his grip and bowed as she headed towards the exit. “I’m very sorry about that. Have a nice day.” 

Katsuki’s brow turned to confusion as the girl then waved him off before turning to meet his eyes, a knowing smirk now on her face. Wait, they were letting her go?! What the hell, she was responsible for all this! 

Then to dig the knife in a little deeper, the girl pulled out the last bowl of noodles from her pocket before showing the boy and waving it around as if to heckle him. That bitch, she was messing with him! 

Turning on her heels, she then walked out of the store causing Bakugo to go after her, only to be stopped by the employees. “Wait, let me go! She’s the one that started all this bullshit! Don’t let her go assholes!” 

Although the workers didn’t seem to listen, instead pulling the boy into their office so that they could call his mother. 

All throughout the process, Katsuki had one thought in his mind. Who even was that girl, and how did she get out of this so quickly? 

Katsuki one thing for certain though, she was going to pay for messing with him. 

---------------------------

A couple hours and one long phone call later, Bakugo walked out of the store even more angry than ever. His mother was beyond pissed at him for destroying that store but every time he tried to mention that girl, the store workers didn’t believe him for some reason. It was like she was never there in the first place. 

Shoving his hands in his pockets, he made his way down a side street only for a soft chuckle to echo above him. “Took you long enough. What were you even doing in there?” 

Widening his eyes at her voice, Bakugo looked up only to find that very same girl sitting above him on the fire escape ladder to one of the apartments, eating his noodles. “You..get your ass down here so I can kill you! How in the hell did you even get away, you brat?!” 

She thought for a couple seconds before shrugging her shoulders and jumping down from the stairs. “Now that’s a secret. Okay, I’m here now, so what are you going to do to me Mr. Scary porcupine man?” 

At the sound of his nickname, Bakugo frowned before grabbing the girl by the collar and pushing her closer to him. He needed to show her who she was messing with. “How dare you try to make an ass out of me back there! Do you have a death wish?!” 

Although the girl could only laugh though, obviously not intimidated in the slightest. “I hate to break it to you but I think you did that all on your own.” 

Her words only made his grip tighten though, already over her behavior. “Why you..!” 

Suddenly a gust of wind tore through the space, causing the girl's hood to fly backwards as Bakugo locked eyes with her for the very first time, his own gaze growing large at the realization. 

Her eyes looked so unique, so different from anything he had ever seen before. They seemed ominous yet somehow hypnotizing at the same time. They were light purple in color to match her hair although her pupils didn’t look human. They were small thin black lines that only filled a quarter of her eyes, kind of like a snake or a lizard. Just staring at them brought a sharp shiver of uncertainty down his spine.  It was like they stopped him into utter silence, drawing the boy into a trance. He had never seen anyone like her before.

Looking down at the floor, the girl spoke back, this time slower. It seemed she understood the power her eyes had. “You know it’s rude to stare.” 

Blinking back in surprise, Katsuki felt his hands loosen of her collar before falling to his sides as she spoke again, desperate to change the subject now. “Say, are you always this touchy? Oh wait, I know who you are. You're that kid that got kidnapped by that sludge villain the other day, right? Talk about embarrassing..” 

At her words, the boy's chest lit up again, his time in anger, snapping him out of his past delusions about her eyes. “Shut up! Who even are you anyways?” 

Thinking about his question for a moment, the girl only smirked. “Oh come on, you’re gonna have to do a whole lot more than that to get my name. How about we start with yours first?” 

Katsuki noticed the deflection of the question and huffed. “No way in hell am I giving some random extra my name.” 

This caused the girl to frown though. “Alright then, I guess I’ll just have to keep calling you angry porcupine boy then. Hey by the way angry porcupine boy, have you ever thought of anger management classes? I think they’d be good for you.” 

Bakugo balled his fists in annoyance then, shouting back. “Would you stop with that!” 

Although she only kept going, knowing that the name was bugging him. “I’m sorry, you won’t give me your name so angry porcupine boy it will have to be until then. I know it’s a bit long but what can you do, right? Also I really was serious about those anger management classes. You know if you want, I know a guy that...” 

Bakugo cut her off then, already reaching his boiling point as he shouted in her face without thinking. “Fine goddamn it. My name Bakugo Katsuki, aka the new future number one hero. You got that?!” 

He then realized that he had just played into her hand, swearing back as the girl saddened for some reason. Katsuki thought she’d be happy to learn his name, so why did she look damn depressed all of a sudden?

Speaking back in utter boredom, the girl then turned from him “Oh, so you’re one of those. How generic. I thought you were way more interesting than that.” 

Narrowing his eyes in confusion, Bakugo stepped forth. “What the hell, do you have something against heros or something?” 

This caused the girl to stare down at her feet, thinking for a moment before bitterly laughing back. “Yeah, or something. Why on earth do you even wanna be something like that anyways? It’s so boring.” 

Her words choice was strange, it was like she had some kind of hang up on heros for some reason. Too bad Bakugo wasn’t going to be just any hero. 

Puffing his chest out, Katsuki replied. “And what the hell is wrong with that? I’m not just going to be a hero, I’m going to be the best!” 

Although she still didn’t seem impressed, just waving him off and yawning. “Yeah yeah, like I haven’t heard that one before. Well good luck with that. Lemme know how that works out for you.” 

His eye began to twitch then, held up on her words. “Hold on, are you saying I can’t do it?! Screw you asshole, you watch. I’m going to be the best, even better than All Might!” 

She stood there silent for a couple minutes before curling her lips into a small smile, laughing back, enjoying the declaration. “I take it back, turns out you are interesting Bakugo.” 

Taking a step closer then, Katsuki narrowed his eyes in confusion as she reached a hand up to touch his face. Did she want to fight again? “W-What the hell are you doing?” 

Just then, his eyes locked onto hers and that uncomfortable hypnotizing feeling washed over him again, causing the boy to be unable to move as she shushed him. 

Tracing her fingers across his face lightly, Bakugo shivered as she hummed back. “It’s a shame you want to be a hero Bakugo, you could do so much more. Ah well, I guess it will still be fun to watch you struggle.” 

Not really understanding, the girl then placed her slender fingers to his lips before smiling. “This was fun, so let me give you a parting gift.” 

Then before he could register it, the girl leaned forward, pressing her lips against Katsuki’s roughly as the boy gasped in surprise. What the hell was happening and why couldn’t he pull away? No, it was like he didn’t want to pull away. 

Grabbing onto the sides of his face, she pushed deeper into him causing the boy to groan, her body brushing against his and causing a sharp shiver to course through him all at once, now somehow hungry for her touch and confused at the same time. 

He gasped again when Katsuki felt her tongue brush the top of his mouth, a soft gasp of surprise echoing through him as his whole body began to shake with anticipation. His breath grew shallow as he reacted to her kiss, her tongue reaching a bit further and causing the boy to let out an unexpected moan. Suddenly it was like his body was begging for her, following her whims and desires with no resistance. 

She pulled away then, Bakugo still completely in a daze as she licked her lips and winked seductively. “By the way, my name is Sienna. Maybe I’ll see you around Katsuki.” 

Then, just as quickly as she arrived, that mysterious girl was gone, leaving Bakugo by himself, not really knowing how to process what had just happened. 

Placing two fingers up to his lips, he could still feel the warm heat from her, Katsuki’s nerves waking up all at once as he let out a loud and confusing scream. “...WHAT THE FUCK!” 

The boy then paced back and forth as he ran his fingers through his hair in confusion. He was just kissed, that crazy ass girl just kissed him! What the hell even was that?! Who just kisses someone randomly without knowing anything about them?! That was his first kiss too..

Although he still couldn’t stop himself from placing his fingers back to his lips, remembering the sensation and the feeling he had pressed against her.  She said her name was Sienna? Who even was that girl? Katsuki knew he would be lying to himself if he said he didn't want to see her again though.

Shaking his head, Bakugo’s confusion quickly turned to frustration, now balling his fists into the air and shouting. “I’m going to fucking kill you when I find you!” 

-------------------------------

The U.A. entrance exam came and went rather quickly although the only thing Bakugo could think of during the entire time was that crazy girl that kissed him. He wondered what the hell she was even thinking. It had been a week since then and every time someone that remotely passed by him, the boy couldn’t help to turn, expecting it to be her. 

Although he had no luck in his search and everyone around him didn’t have the faintest idea the girl existed. It was like she wasn’t real. 

Sighing to himself, Katsuki roughly greeted his mom before slumping up the stairs to his room and slam open the door, fully ready for some damn peace and quiet. 

Although that’s not what he got. 

Sitting at his desk was the very girl herself, swirling around on his black spinning chair like there was nothing wrong with the fact she was in his house. “Oh, there you are. Took long enough.” 

Widened his eyes in confusion, Bakugo slammed his door shut before shouting towards her. “What the hell are you doing?!” 

Shrugging her shoulders, Sienna replied calmly. “Waiting for you.” 

Although the girl was missing the point. “I mean, what the hell are you doing in my house?! How the fuck did you even get in here?!” 

Sienna thought for a moment before pointing to his open window, causing the boy to gasp. “You broke into my house by climbing through the window?! What is wrong with you?!” 

Standing up from her spot on the chair, the girl shrugged again. “It’s your fault you left it unlocked. You know, you should really do something about that. I mean, who knows what kind of crazy people could break in….” 

Totally obvious to her own irony, Bakugo hissed. “You mean like you?!” 

Sienna only frowned then. “Okay, now that’s just rude. Do you know how long I waited for you?” 

Although Katsuki wasn’t amused, already grabbing the girl by the arm and pushing her back towards the window. “I don’t care, get out of my house you damn woman!” 

Moving her back a couple feet, Sienna pushed back only for the two to trip on their own feet and tumbling onto the bed roughly. 

Grumbling, Katsuki propped himself up only to find them in a suggested position, now practically sitting on the poor girl. She didn’t seem to mind though. “Oh how forward Katsuki. You know, if you wanted to do this all you had to do was ask.” 

The heat started to rise in his cheeks when suddenly, Katsuki’s mother called up from downstairs loudly. “What the hell are you even doing up there Katsuki?! Quiet down would you!” 

Sienna opened her mouth to speak when Bakugo gasped, clamping his hand down on her mouth before echoing back. “Shut up you old hag!” 

They remained silent for a minute until his mother's voice was no more and Bakugo sighed. Who knows what kind of reaction she would have to seeing a woman in his bed like this? She’d totally misunderstand.  

Now turning his gaze back at Sienna, Bakugo leaned closer. “Now tell me, why the hell are you in my house, and don’t give me that kind of bullshit like before!” 

She muffled underneath his hand causing Katsuki to let go, Sienna now staring up at him. “You had your entrance exam today, right? I wanted to see how it went.”

Katsuki’s eyes widened then, not expecting that response. “Why do you even care about that? We don’t even know each other, you extra.” 

He sat up, allowing the girl to do the same as she brushed off her black dress. “I already told you Katsuki, you’re interesting, that’s why. You’re not like any wannabe hero I’ve met before.” 

Narrowing his eyes in confusion, Bakugo replied. “Is that some kind of insult?” 

Although Sienna just shook her head before smiling.  “Not at all. In fact, very few people have caught my interest like you have. So you should feel special.” 

Yet Katsuki didn’t feel special. “I should feel special that you broke into my house and attacked me? If that’s the case, I don’t wanna be goddamn special. I want you to leave me alone!” 

Sienna frowned at that before crossing her arms over her chest. “Attack you? What are you talking about Katsuki? I thought we had a nice conversation before…”  

This caused Bakugo’s face to rise in heart, recalling the kiss. “You call punching my face with your face a nice conversation? Bullshit, that’s harassment you crazy woman!” 

Thinking about his words for a minute, Sienna then gave a sly smile, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “What, do you want me to do it again? All you have to do is ask..” 

He saw her lean forward only for Katsuki to panic, not knowing what he wanted. Then he pushed her backwards, his reply not sounding fully convincing. “No...Hell no! Get the hell away from me! This is what I’m talking about! Why did you even do that in the first place?!” 

Falling into the mattress at the rejection, Sienna answered calmly. “Why did I kiss you? Simple, cause it was fun.” 

Although Bakugo couldn’t accept that. “So you just go around kissing people for fun?! What the fuck is wrong with you?” 

She thought about that for a minute before shaking her head. “You’re wrong Katsuki. You’re the first person I kissed like that. I just wanted to show you how entertained I was when we spoke. I wouldn’t do that to just anyone, only those that interest me.” 

Her words were strange and broken. That wasn’t how normal people were supposed to react. Well then again, breaking into someone's house wasn’t how anyone was supposed to react. There was something strange about this girl. 

Looking at her nails, Sienna spoke again. “So are you going to tell me how the entrance exam went or am I just going to have to assume?” 

He knew he probably should’ve kicked her out of his house but somehow, Katsuki didn’t want to, just sighing back and giving up. “What do you think happened? I dominated the competition of course. It’s only a matter of time before I get my acceptance letter.” 

Sienna listened to his words before frowning. “Oh, that’s nice. I was kind of hoping you’d fail and not go to that godforsaken school but also on the other hand, U.A. would be blind not to have you in the hero course, so I guess that’s good. Congratulations.” 

It was almost like she was disappointed that he passed which was odd. It was obvious she had something against heros. “There is no way I’d fail. I already said it before, I’m going to be the number one hero and that’s final! I won’t let anyone else surpass me.” 

Blinking in surprise, the girl's expression then turned from sadness to amusement, now letting out a small laugh. “Of course you’d say that.” 

Then, he lifted her arms up in a long stretch before yawning. “Alright well. Now that I know I guess I should leave. Thanks for the chat Katsuki. Sorry I bothered you. I won’t come back since that's what you want.”  

Standing from the bed, Sienna started to move towards the window when Bakugo realized that this may be the last time he saw her, and he still didn't know who this woman was. 

Then, he did something expected, he grabbed her arm, causing the girl to freeze. “Sienna, hold on damn it…” 

Blinking once, the girl turned around towards him in question. “Yeah?” 

Not really knowing what to say or do, Katsuki spoke back. “Listen nerd, you can’t just break into my house and leave when you feel like it! Who the hell even are you and how come no one knows who you are?” 

Looking down at his arm, Katsuki swore he saw her eyes sadden a bit. “You don’t need to know about that. I’m no one. I’m just curious about you, that’s all. You can forget I was even here.” 

Although that’s not what Bakugo wanted, desperate to know more about the mysterious girl. “Don’t tell me what to do! I’ll remember who I want to, damn it!” 

Sienna's eyes widened at that, feeling her chest lighten just slightly as she reached forward. “Oh no, look what you did....” 

Remaining silent, the girl placed two fingers on his cheek as her eyes locked onto his, that familiar hypnotizing sensation returning all at once. “Shit, I really want to kiss you right now...” 

Then, she leaned in closer and instead of pulling away like he probably should have, Katsuki remained still as her body pushed into him, her lips now laying claim once again. 

Grabbing onto his shirt, Sienna ran her lips across his own as the boy groaned back, welcoming back that familiar sensation like a couple days ago. He really shouldn’t be doing this but it was like he couldn’t say no to her movements. 

She bit down on his bottom lip before using her hands to shove him down onto the mattress below them and continuing her claim on his lips, the girl groaning as well from her own pleasure. 

Running her hands up his chest, he felt her tongue brush the inside of his mouth as he let out a quick moan and Sienna smiled through the kiss, happy with the result, now playing with his spiky hair and running her smooth fingers across the top. 

She then ran her mouth across his bottom lip, slowly pulling it up as Katsuki groaned underneath her. “Sienna..fuck..” 

The sound of her name brought a shiver to her own spine, casting her eyes towards the boy playfully. “God, I love my name coming from your lips. Why do you drive me so crazy Katsuki? I wish I knew..” 

Feeling the hot breath in her ear, Katsuki shuttered at the sensation when suddenly, her phone began to ring in her back pocket, shaking the girl out her delusion and pulling away sharply. “What the hell..” 

She then looked at the surface before frowning as Bakugo spoke in short breaths. “What is it?” 

Choosing to stay silent for a moment, he saw Sienna sigh heavily before throwing her phone onto the bed and changing her attitude into something more calm. “I’m sorry, looks like I got carried away. Seems like I’m going to have to end this now. What a pity..” 

Bakugo turned his eyes in confusion as the girl then leaned back towards himself pressing her lips together. “Don’t worry, after this you won’t remember a thing..” 

The boy tried to stand up then, only for Sienna to push him back down before letting her voice return in the form of a beautiful melody. Her song traveled across him as he processed the words, now feeling numb in his entire body. 

Listen to my song and sink 

Deeper into the ocean deep

Have your memories wiped away 

But still to live another day 

A girl with no face and no song

A girl that will never belong 

Little hero, don’t you see

You have been bewitched by me 

So don’t you yell and don’t you shriek

For now you will go to sleep 

With every word, Katsuki’s mind dragged further and further into her lyrics, his body complying to her wishes all at once and forgetting about the girl that had befallen his life so suddenly. 

Once he was unconscious, Sienna sighed before looking down at her phone. What was wrong with her? She shouldn’t be so caught up in a hero. That would just be really bad for her later. 

That boy Katsuki was only a plaything, a means to fool around. She needed to stop thinking so much about him and get head on straight.

 Sienna already had far too much to do as it was. 

-------------------

Walking into the old abandoned bar, Sienna threw herself onto one of her barstools before slamming her fists onto the counter. “One on the rocks.” 

Kurogiri looked at her in confusion before sighing. ‘Aren’t you underage? You shouldn’t be drinking..” 

Although the girl only frowned as she hissed back. “I had a bad day, alright? So give me the damn alcohol Kurogiri. What are you, my mother?” 

He was just about to reject her again when another voice stopped him. “Give it to her, we want her to join us, don’t we? We should be welcoming hosts.” 

Kurogiri sighed in defeat and started to get to work as Shigaraki came up behind her. “What took you so long? I thought you were only going to surveillance the school?” 

Sienna rolled her eyes in response. “Shut up, I did what you asked, I just got a little distracted that’s all.” 

This caused the villain to smirk. “Oh, and what boy toy did you pick up this time? I hope you played around with him well.” 

Sienna smiled at that, nodding her head in approval and thinking what that wannabe hero. “Of course, who do you think I am? How else would I spend my time?” 

Shigaraki seemed satisfied with that, now pulling out a large map and showing the girl. “Speaking of which, now that you finished checking the area, we can finalize our plan to kill All Might. I assume you're still in?” 

Staring down at the plans, Sienna couldn’t help but smile. “Of course, why the hell do you think I’m here anyways?” 

As his eyes grew darker, Shigaraki replied. “Oh I remember exactly why you’re here. You are a villain after all. My little Sienna, or should I say, Enchantress?” 

[split-n-splice]

Ponytail, ponytail, ponytail! ;3 Chapter art here!

[Chapter Guide]

14. The Nature Of – 2

Steeling himself before he could be let down, he braced to see neither hide nor hair of his aloof so-called partner in crime over the coming days. That was fine. He didn’t need to see her, and it was probably better he didn’t. She was a distraction, and chauffeuring her to and fro was an utter waste of his valuable time.

It seemed as though the harder he tried to set his resolve not to miss her, the more he did however.

The dreadful loneliness left in her wake was gnawing at him and growing worse by the day as he came to terms with how empty the lab felt in her absence. It was delusional. She’d only joined him little more than a month ago now, and about half of that time she’d spent out of the lair on her own. Yet there was distinctly something missing without her stationed nearby to offer the occasional remark to his mutterings or pestering to get him out of the lair. Existing in a room alone was disheartening now, and somehow the humanoid androids waiting dormant on a work table only worsened the crippling sense of isolation he’d once thought he was accustomed to.

He could have easily ordered henchmen to take her place in the lab to lend an ear and provide conversation and some sense of companionship, but it wouldn’t be the same. Henchmen were adept at lazing about, but they couldn’t offer the same sort of banter even if they tried, and they certainly weren’t a nice sight in his chair and didn’t smell so pleasant.

In any case, the empty space served as motivation. Drakken blotted out any hope of his preferred lab hand strolling in at her leisure as he focused intently on drawing out plans on pet projects in between constructing limbs for the torture chair, determined to get the made-to-order device finished as soon as possible, God be willing.

Maybe his motives were questionable – he’d sure appreciate a better understanding of them, anyway – and maybe he was a little ashamed of the compulsive urge, but it was the ache for the stray subordinate’s particular brand of company that served as initiative to hurriedly finish the despicable chair riddled with hidden terrors for a loaded villain-wannabe riding on family coattails and cash from daddy’s casino. Getting paid was a good motivator too, of course, just a little less compelling than usual.

Drakken fancied the thought of hunting down Shego’s mysterious getaway driver to test it out as he loaded up the torture device in the back of the van with the assistance of a henchman, but there was no time for a road-test and the thorough cleaning that would be needed even if he had the offender in his clutches now. He might have let an impish chuckle escape at the wistful idea though. Most of the henchman’s face was obscured but Drakken knew a raised brow when he saw one, and he quickly snapped at the buffoon to get the gate.

He hadn’t completely grasped how obscenely early it was until the garage door opened and he saw it was pitch black out. He double-checked his wristwatch. Convinced the dash wasn’t reading wrong, he shrugged to himself and disregarded the hour.

If he wanted to make it in time, he had to get a move on it anyway. He’d already arranged yesterday to meet the big-shot today at noon, and there’d be hell to pay if he was late.

He’d informed Joanne Buckley that he’d be borrowing everyone’s favorite barista as well. Buckley hadn’t been terribly understanding, and Drakken was almost afraid she’d reach through the phone to wring his neck at the short notice in the middle of the night, but her good favor was bribed with a recipe for pumpkin strudel just in time for the holidays. He of course omitted that it was another of his family’s secret recipes. No one could duplicate Mother’s pumpkin strudel anyway, but they were welcome to try.

Completion of the order and a dire need to hit the road seemed like an acceptable excuse to pull up to Shego’s apartment in a shady cargo van at 4am. He was too eager to wait until daybreak, and it was a six hour drive to Las Vegas anyway, if they were lucky.

He was relieved for clear skies and dry weather this time as he crossed the frosty lawn, although the cold nipped him through his jacket. It was still favorable to getting drenched.

As keen as he’d been to hurry over, he found his feet felt like lead as he climbed the staircase to her apartment. The light above her door was off, a jack-o’-lantern beside it dark and ominous and grinning down at him as if mocking him nastily for the heavy feeling in his gut.

If he was nervous, it was because he was surely about to wake a volatile woman who could blast a hole clean through him if she wished with alien fire beyond his understanding.

With that thought in mind, he stood aside just in case as he rang the doorbell.

He expected nothing, to have to ring it again, to have a grouchy disheveled girl swaddled in a blanket answer – so the immediate barking of a dog wasn’t the answer he’d anticipated. Before he could even hope it may just be a neighbor’s – the landlady had some dogs, didn’t she? – the porch light came on and the door cracked open for a scrappy young man with patchy stubble to peer out at him.

Bewildered, Drakken took a hasty step back from the barking brown canine stuffing its muzzle through the crack of the chained door. “I-I must have the wrong place. So sorry,” he uttered in stupefied reflex. There were only four apartments. He couldn’t possibly have the wrong door. Had she relocated without telling him? The fear was quickly dismissed, yet he wasn’t comforted either.

“Shut that thing up, man,” grouched a familiar voice from inside – which only bewildered him more. Something heavy struck the door, a boot maybe, making the man on her side of it wince. “Who is it?”

“Uh, I’unno, some dude,” mumbled the scruffy fellow as he drug the snapping dog back by its collar and shushed it with a kick that nearly earned him teeth in his calf. The boy squinting out the door was either groggy or high, Drakken wasn’t sure, but he wasn’t leaving now that he knew for certain Shego was inside. “What are…who’re…?”

Drakken snapped out of his stupor and a scowl hardened on his face. “Wouldn’t you like to know,” he retorted, and stepped forward. The young man tried to shut the door, but Drakken’s hand held it open, the chain strained taut. He tried to peer over the man’s head, but thought twice for privacy’s sake, and chose instead to call in, “Pack an overnight bag, sister, we’ve got business to attend to.”

He spun and quickly strode away before she could complain.

He’d been patient long enough, working tirelessly for days now – but a little longer wouldn’t kill him. His jaw clenched against the cold the heater had yet to stave off, and his fingers drummed on a knee as he was kept waiting for no more than ten minutes.

There was a jolt in his chest when he spied the door to the second story apartment fly open, his assistant practically leaping out of it into the dark. Her hair was wet and plastered flat around her face and down her back from a rushed shower. She wasn’t suited up, V-neck sweater and cuffed jeans revealing that much, but her go-bag surely packed with her gear was slung over her shoulder.

Her company was all but yanked out the door and over the guardrail as she turned to lock up. He was quick to follow on her heels, pulling his mutt along on a leash, clearly displeased by the sudden eviction and hounding her every step. While Drakken couldn’t make out their argument, their bickering brought a bitter smirk to his face. He watched hopefully in anticipation of the punk receiving a blast of green embers, but it didn’t happen.

Halfway down the steps, Shego jumped over the rail to evade the dog boy. She cut across the lawn, marching toward the van with the persistent ragging droning behind her as the boy jogged to catch up. Drakken was glad he wasn’t on the receiving end when Shego abruptly spun on the man at the sidewalk, bidding her indignant pursuer a farewell by shoving him roughly back to the lawn, causing him to slip and fall and a confused playful dog to clobber him.

Whatever they were, they certainly didn’t come off as a happy couple, but nonetheless Drakken tried not to consider it might be jealousy churning in his gut as she laughed at the dog boy’s misfortune. He still took some comfort in knowing he wouldn’t have to share his hired companion for at least the day, and maybe a little longer if he played his cards right.

While dog boy was down, Shego took the opportunity to jump into the van, and Drakken didn’t waste time idling.

With streetlights few and far between, it was still rather dark in town, but he could tell she was scowling unappreciatively at him as she combed tangles out of her damp hair with her fingers. “I need more of a heads-up next time, Doc,” she groused. “What’s so important it couldn’t wait until morning?”

“Technically, it is morning,” quipped Drakken, and she snorted with a roll of her eyes. He jabbed his thumb over his shoulder. “I’m making a delivery. You’re escorting.” He braced for her to tell him it sounded too boring for her.

++X++

Shego twisted around to scrutinize the cargo taking up much of the space in the back. She couldn’t begin to guess what the large lumpy indistinguishable object was, bundled up in a white sheet and strapped down to keep it from rolling around on the caster wheels peeking out at the bottom. For all she knew, it was a henchman being held hostage. But probably not. The angles were a little too sharp and numerous to be a human body.

An exasperated groan escaped her as she sat back. “You think someone’s going to steal Casper?” she mocked. Or maybe it was the ghost of Quasimodo. Whatever it was, it looked like a two-person job just to move.

“Possibly,” Drakken said airily, waving a hand. “I need you along to ensure I’m not cheated in this deal.”

“I’m just the backup then, huh?” Shego wondered with a weary sigh, but only received a surly grunt in confirmation. “Could’ve taken a gun or a goon, but no.” At this hour, that might have been preferable, but she supposed the job spared her from having to properly deal with the interloping guest that had crashed out on her floor. The unexpected summons may have been a blessing in disguise. She’d been in too much of a rush to beat around the bush trying to clue the junkie in that he wasn’t welcome to stay all day.

“I’m sorry, did I inconvenience you?” Drakken sneered testily. “You can go back to sleep if you’d like. I’ll wake you when we get there.”

Shego stifled a yawn at the mere mention. Her getaway driver’s car had been impounded no thanks to her antics, and she hadn’t slept well with the junkie sheltering at her place, too uneasy with the unsavory presence to get any decent shut eye.

Humming thoughtfully to herself as she leaned forward to survey Drakken, she suspected she’d still had a better night’s rest than him. Even for scowling in a manly sort of pout, his eyes were a little extra squinted, his grip on the wheel a little too slack. She swore the bruise-like bags around his eyes were darker than normal too.

The next sign of fatigue was an indisputable delayed reaction time, made clear before they could even leave town when a cat strolled out into the headlights and he nearly ran over the poor creature. A relieving shred of compassion shined through his rough exterior when he slammed on the breaks in the nick of time just as Shego shouted for him to stop and reached for the wheel herself in reflex.

Drakken blinked at the startled kitty scampering off into the dark and rubbed his head with a small groan. He might have mumbled an apology, but mostly whatever came out of his mouth was disjointed and indiscernible, but she got the idea.

Sighing heavily, Shego unbuckled and ordered, “Swap time, Dr. D.”

Alarm must have brought him back to his senses somewhat, because he flicked a wide-eyed glance to her. “What? Why?” he asked stupidly, as if she really needed to explain.

Shego reached over to put the van in park before he could object. “You didn’t get any sleep tonight, did you?” she guessed. She wondered how many hours straight he’d been working on the lump now covered in the back, but didn’t ask. “You need to take better care of yourself.”

“What’s it matter to you?” he snipped in defense, and put the van back in drive.

“It matters if we crash because you fell asleep at the wheel,” she shot back. It should have been an acceptable answer, but he was still too stubborn, his scowl set on the road ahead. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way, Dr. D.”

That was the threat that made him grudgingly stop in the middle of the road once more, but not without a loud grunt of frustration as he yanked off his seatbelt. He stepped into the back to make way for her, and his gesture for her to take the driver’s seat would have been polite had he not been glaring so bitterly at her.

“To Vegas,” was all Drakken said as he settled into the passenger seat, holding a sidelong frown on her for a long moment.

Before they could leave town however, he’d tucked himself up against the door, popping the collar of his suit and tucking his chin down as if to stay warm. No sooner had they reached the highway did she hear light snoring coming from the passenger seat. He must have been thoroughly drained to go out like a light so quickly.

Seizing control of the van was an act of self-preservation, she told herself. Genuine concern for him had little to do with her commandeering the wheel. It was just a favor, and happened to be in her best interest.

Come daybreak, she couldn’t help peering across to her passenger to study the dark ugly bags under his eyes again. She found herself wondering for the umpteenth time if the man ever squeezed in time for rest on his agenda, or if he had some sickness she didn’t know about – though her money was on insomniac. During her stay at the lair, she’d caught on he was almost always awake and about long after she’d called it quits for the night, and he’d be up to tackle the day often before she was even out of her PJ’s. It was like he was mature enough to set an alarm clock yet still needed to be told when to go to bed, assuming he slept at all.

And come to think of it, he’d been looking particularly rundown since she’d been out of the lair. She wondered if her occasional late-night remarks to go to bed already might have been doing him some good after all. Maybe the big baby did need someone to look after him, Shego mused idly as she drove through her own fatigue. At the very least, he could use someone around to keep him from becoming so distant and lost in his projects that he forgot about leaving the lab for basic needs like sleeping and eating.

Shego frowned back to the road, scolding herself inwardly. As far as ensuring his wellbeing went, she was contractually obligated to protect him, as in bodyguard services, and that was about the extent of it. Keeping him company and making sure he took care of himself wasn’t in her job description. If she had any moral obligation to, then it was just a misguided drive to look after someone, anyone, she concluded, and blamed it on the years spent taking care of her brothers in addition to the hero training that had been drilled into her. The loner would probably take advantage of the fault if he knew she had a soft spot. That, or he might be so prideful he’d push her even further away.

Either way, she chastised herself and turned her attention to the more pressing matter of rustling up breakfast.

She’d had too much time to think on the highway. Even pushing the speed limit in the chugging old van, it had taken the better part of the morning to journey from the oasis to Vegas. She’d cast too many glances over at the crotchety man she let snooze the whole way. She’d even gone as far as keeping the radio turned down low or off out of courtesy.

When they finally arrived in Las Vegas, she found it was as busy as she’d expected, if not a little more so depending on what wrong turn she made. In some way, she was glad to have taken up residence in the little middle-of-nowhere town across the desert, because she certainly hadn’t missed the traffic of the big city, especially one whipping into a holiday frenzy.

Despite the new ambiance of a bustling tourist town, her companion didn’t stir even as she pulled in to the first joint she found with available parking space.

Chewing a nail, Shego watched him for another moment, half expecting Drakken to come around now that she’d cut the engine, but the exhausted man remained dead to the world. He wasn’t in the most presentable state, and she had the suspicion he’d overlooked preparing himself for any form of business deal beyond putting on a suit and tie. His hair was clean, but not slicked back or even brushed, and even his suit was a bit unkempt today. She doubted a wardrobe change into something more respectable was an option.

As she contemplated any other option to spruce him up, Shego reached across to remove the glasses slipping from his nose before they could fall, stealing a moment to take in the rare sight. He was considerably less geeky without the great big lenses. The memento she’d left him long ago was shown off better without a rim to hide it as well, which was a bonus for the intimidation factor, but unfortunately he needed his glasses to see, so she pushed them back on. His face scrunched slightly as she did, but he didn’t wake.

She dug into her go-bag for a comb and an elastic band next, ignoring the voice of reason that she didn’t have to dote on him. Because she wasn’t doting, and he wasn’t some kind of weird replacement for her little brothers. He was a grown man for goodness sake. She was doing this for herself, because she wasn’t going stepping out in public with a bedraggled man. The rumpled suit was bad enough.

++X++

It was while delicate fingers were fumbling behind his head, tugging uncomfortably at his hair, when Drakken’s eyes finally blinked open. His company hastily finished whatever terrible trick she’d been up to in time for him to recognize her face far too close to his own, and he recoiled in the same moment her hands left the knot at the back of his head. He reached for it, anticipating another damn braid, but found his hair tied back instead, which wasn’t much better.

Pressed into the corner, he opened his mouth to sputter something in indignation at her, but she hummed pleasantly and nodded in an approving way and his complaints died before they could leave his mouth in any discernible manner.

“It works,” she chirped, but he was sure he heard sarcasm. “Now I think I can be seen with you.”

Before he could articulate a retort, he saw an attempt to give him a curlicue coming when she wet her finger with a pop of her lips and reached for his hairline. He clapped a hand down over the fringe and ducked away from her reach, fumbling for the door handle. “Stop that!” he snapped, face heating as she chuckled blithely and he all but fell out of the van. He didn’t need someone else’s saliva as part of his hairdo, and he didn’t need her deciding for him how he wore it. Still, he smoothed his bangs back as she climbed out the passenger door after him, and he made no move to tear out the band she’d secured at the nape of his neck while he’d been helpless to fend it off.

He slammed the door as she slipped up behind him. She must have been quite proud of herself, as he caught the cheeky woman staving off a smile as he checked his reflection in the side mirror. He wasn’t sure how pleased he was by the ponytail she smugly waggled between her fingers, but didn’t see a point in going against her over something so trivial, so he let it be. It made his mop look a little tidier, according to her, but he swore for the whole parking lot to hear that he’d lop it off if she told him it was cute one more time. Cute was not something he needed tarnishing the reputation he was already struggling to forge.

Flustered, Drakken tugged on his gloves and straightened his jacket, and he followed his unruly subordinate into the café of her choice.

It didn’t smell quite as nice as Buckley’s, and it was busier and louder, but fewer people stared, either too busy to care about a blue man or desensitized to Vegas weirdos. Or maybe they assumed his blue skin was part of a premature Halloween costume. There was no telling, really.

In any case, somehow the fresh brewing coffee and sweet scent of baked goods were enough to boost his morale, and it reminded him he was famished too. He kept it to himself how relieved he was she hadn’t pulled into some Cow-n-Chow drive-thru for cheap egg sandwiches and weak burnt coffee, but he did sigh wistfully and dryly muse that he wished it was a particular spitfire behind the counter to serve him.

Although the comment earned him an unappreciative elbow in the ribs, the idea brought a wry smirk to his face as he ordered, and he made a mental note to risk running into Buckley to pop in at the café back home sometime to catch Shilo on duty.

He had to wonder if being catered to could compare to the pleasantry of sitting across a table from her though, watching her pick apart an oversized blueberry muffin that sufficed for breakfast. It was the warm aromas in the atmosphere providing a sort of high that brought a smile to his face, nothing else, but she eventually looked up to catch him smirking in her direction and kicked his shin under the table to wipe it from his face.

Otherwise she didn’t mention his staring. “Chocolate man, huh?” she chirped. It was the first thing she’d said since placing her own order.

“No shame in that,” Drakken replied quickly around a mouthful, and washed down the bite of chocolate muffin with a gulp of mocha. For a moment, he tried to watch out the window as Shego had been, watching little plagues of starlings swarm like small black clouds to scavenge around the parking lot, but her unmoving stare on him now made him peek back. “Something the matter?”

“Dr. Drakken,” she said firmly, clearly enunciating his title with a disheartening note of formality. He slurped his mocha uneasily under the weight of the suspicious jaded gaze fixed on him. “If this was just a delivery, we could be home by dinnertime. Any particular reason you had me pack an overnight bag?”

There wasn’t. Not one he’d really thought through anyway, except that he wasn’t planning to be home by dinnertime. And if luck would have it that a motel room was in order later – he stopped that train of thought in its tracks. A go-bag was just a precaution. It was always just a precaution, albeit not one he was in the habit of taking himself. Besides, it was absurd to expect her to layer up to conceal her uniform every time he needed to drag her off somewhere. She was just teasing him. He could tell by the tiny smile quirking at the corners of her mouth he was determined not to glance toward.

Drakken floundered, gaping like a fish out of water. Did she have to stare at him? “I just thought after we finish this errand, we could stick around a while and – scope out some places to maybe – um. It’s been a while since I’ve had anyone to hang out with, and since you moved out, well…we haven’t really since then, and, um – you’ve been nagging me—”

He couldn’t even tell what he was trying to say himself, but somehow she must have got the gist of it. She turned her eyes down to watch the anxious fidget of his fingers before interjecting with a scoff, “Dude, you are so desperate.”

Her lips pressed into a flat line as if trying to stave off the smirk that inevitably cracked across her face a moment later when he choked on an indignant objection even less coherent than his plea for company. She was absolutely right. He was desperate. Delusionally desperate.

She popped another piece of muffin in her mouth and sat back, her smirk stretching wider. “As long as I’m getting paid, I don’t see why not,” she added nonchalantly. “We can go tagging or something.”

Just like that, his hopes soared higher than he was willing to let them. Her willingness to give him her time had him grinning like a fool nonetheless, despite a sinful warmth bleeding in his chest. “Child’s play,” he quipped. He was treading in dangerous water just looking up at her. “Sounds delightful.”

Drakken made a mental note he’d have to keep a cap on letting it show how pleased he was to have her beside him for the day. She was paid company, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t enjoy it. It was worth every penny having someone to conduct a little illicit business with.

The day couldn’t possibly get better. 

[mtvswatches]

Jane the Virgin 2x01 Chapter Twenty-Three

Spoilers disclaimer (please read before sending messages or writing comments.)

Click here for previous recaps!

Stray thoughts

1) That’s probably the longest “previously on” I’ve ever seen. I imagine all these plot twists make it very difficult to capture the attention of casual viewers, hence the length of the recap. And I’m dreading the scene where Jane finds out her baby’s been kidnapped…

2) “Los Milagros de Mariana” looks pretty progressive for its time, doesn’t it? Especially for a telenovela…

3) Oh dear, Jane and Rafael are watching pictures of Mateo and they have no idea he’s gone…

4) Sin Rostro’s a brunette now. Huh. I’ve wondered if they’re going to go with a different actress or if they’ll give her a different haircut once she shows up again. I mean, she’s bound to show up again, right?

5) I can’t imagine what it must feel like to have your child taken away from you. Jane’s clearly in shock, she hasn’t processed this information yet…

6) Oh thank jebus, Sin Rostro has given Michael instructions. I really hope Mateo is back with his mom by the end of this episode.

7) She took the baby… to get her brooch back? What kind of value does it have? It can’t be emotionally significant… could it be some kind of key or something? It must be something that she needs for evil purposes… Kudos to her, though, she knew that the only way to manipulate Michael into doing anything for her would be to put Jane or her baby in danger.

Also, I think I have to admit that my theory that Rose was the fighter chick was way off.

8) 

9) I think the narration needs amending...

9) “First of all, she’s not a psychopath, she’s a sociopath.” Because that’s what’s relevant at this juncture…

10) Ugh, this other moron, really?!

Like, she justified everything she did before because Sin Rostro was supposedly blackmailing her and threatening her family, but it seems to me that she is now really into being a criminal.

11) And this bitch is telling Michael about all the valuable information that’s in the chip on the brooch like she wants him to waver and consider the possibility of not giving it up! Please die.

12) Aww, this was very sweet and heartbreaking…

And Rafael and Michael actually hugged? But now the narrator is all ominous and tbh, I didn’t need that, I was already expecting everything to go to shit considering the baby was back with his family in the first act…

13) Seriously?

14) Oh, Petra, I really hope you get over Rafael SOON. He’s definitely not worth all of those cons…

15) OMG, they really said this? And it didn’t get censored?

NARRATOR: I'll say this. The girl's got spunk.

It’s such a dirty joke, I can’t believe they got away with it!

16) Yeah, I’m not a fan of this storyline…

17) I’m sorry but of all the outrageous situations that happen in this show, this is the one that’s pushing my suspension of disbelief…

No mother would go ANYWHERE other than their doctor’s appointment in the first couple of weeks of a new-born baby, especially not when he’s only one day old! That’s ridiculous! First of all, the baby shouldn’t be exposed to germs of bacteria because he still hasn’t been vaccinated. Some doctors even suggest that you shouldn’t take them out until they’re one-month old, unless it’s absolutely necessary. Second of all, moms of new-borns use of all their energy to feed and care for their babies – there’s no way in hell they’re going to get all dressed up to go to a mummy’s club or something? NO FUCKING WAY!

18) What do you know? I’m actually sympathizing with Michael…

19) So… Rafael’s semen is now… a baby’s present. Full circle, I guess.

20) It’s so weird to see that once upon a time they were a loving, healthy couple…

21) Isn’t the narrator all of us when you find yourself rooting for the “villain”?

NARRATOR: Hurry up, Petra! Wait! Why am I rooting for her?!

22) You know who I don’t feel sorry for? Luisa. She’s a fucking moron.

23) OMG ROGELIO!!

ROGELIO: In the last 24 hours, I have ruined multiple celebrity friendships by tweeting their dirty secrets in an effort to distract the press. It has not worked!

I’d really wish there was an official Rogelio twitter account because I’d love to see what and whose dirty secrets he tweeted about!

24) I really do like their friendship…

25) Aw, Jane is blaming herself because her maternal instincts didn’t kick in and it got Mateo kidnapped.

26) I guess Michael has stopped being the Nice Guy TM and moved into being Actual Nice Guy. Huh.

27) And Rafael was also kind of decent by thanking Michael, but then he wasn’t when he started having a very intimate conversation with Jane right in front of him. I guess Jane and Rafael are going to be co-parenting under the same roof now…

28) So… Magda’s advice is that Petra should sell Rafael’s sperm back to him… now, wouldn’t it be much more profitable for Petra to get inseminated with it? Evil, yeah. But so much more profitable.

29) And Moron is planting ideas on Petra’s mind…

LUISA: He got mad at me, actually. Because if I hadn't screwed up in the first place, then none of this would be happening, which it's true. I mean, that should have been your baby.

PETRA: Thank you. You're right. It should have been my baby.

NARRATOR: To be fair: Luisa didn't know Petra had Rafael's sperm.

LUISA: There's still a chance with you and Raf. I swear.

So I guess she’s going for it. But I want a storyline for Petra that doesn’t involve Rafael IN ANY WAY.

30) Okay, good, Xiomara came clean about her wedding with Rogelio. I’m glad they didn’t make her keep it a secret because it really doesn’t make much sense.

31) So… Jane felt the need to tell Michael that Rafael is staying at her house strictly as Rafael’s father. I guess it’s back to Michael. But then…

That ought to make a girl at least a bit confused.

32) ?????

I’m confused!

33) As a season opener, it was an okay-ish episode. The cliff-hanger was resolved rather quickly, which I appreciate. I don’t think it would’ve been a good idea to have Jane apart from Mateo longer than she was. It was somewhat fun, but I didn’t feel the stakes were high enough or that the season storylines were truly being established. The final scene was confusing, which I guess was meant to be, and I can’t say I’m on board with rehashing the Michael-Jane-Rafael triangle AGAIN or with Petra getting inseminated with Rafael’s sperm. I really don’t see any potential in those storylines, so let’s hope the season goes somewhere else instead.

34) Hope you enjoyed my recap, and, as usual, if you’ve got this far, thank you for reading! If you enjoy my recaps and my blog, please consider supporting it on ko-fi.Thanks!

[echodrops]

So, given Dabi's perceived incompetence, you think his scars are self inflicted? I figured that, if Dabi is indeed Touya, he must have tried to impress Endeavor and show him that he is "worth it". So he probably tried to train himself in seclusion. But with a body meant for ice, he was not able to handle the flames and ended up burning himself and running away, traumatized or something along those lines. Admittedly, it could be a stretch, since we have no details on what exactly happened.

Post is NOT spoiler free, watch out anime-only fans~!

Had a bunch of asks about Dabi in my inbox after my Dabi post but I got distracted thinking about ships… I’m back now and gonna answer a few that are all about that Dabi is a Todoroki theory~

Look man, if he’s not Touya, I will officially be the S H O O K E S T. At this point, the real plot twist would be if he wasn’t! I really think there are just so many signs at this point that I can’t make myself believe it won’t happen. I mean the fact that Horikoshi deliberately drew Endeavor’s eyesight being damaged before his confrontation with Dabi so that Endeavor wouldn’t be able to see him clearly??? COME ON.

But man we’re all going to look so stupid if he isn’t Touya…

Rest under the read more to save people’s dashes:

As for how Dabi got his scars… I don’t have any answers, of course, just my own theories and conjectures based on vague statements and panels in the manga…

I guess first I’d point out that while we don’t know really much about Touya at all, we do know a couple things:

1) He physically took after Rei way more than Natsuo or Fuyumi did. Despite being Natsuo’s confirmed older brother, Touya was a tiny kid. Given that he would have to very close to Fuyumi in age or older than her, the fact that he was shorter than his sister just makes this all the more noticeable. This kind of tininess is usually (although of course not always) a deliberate visual indicator that there was something wrong with the child’s health. Looking at the only two panels he appears in definitely gives the impression that he was a pretty fragile-looking kid who I would not be surprised to hear had health problems (bad fevers from an overpowered fire quirk, anyone?).

2) His posture in this frame is also pretty telling. They all look nervous–it’s obvious they’re being looked at by Endeavor and are uncomfortable with it–but while Natsuo looks a little shame-faced and Fuyumi a little confused, Touya is clutching his hands together in a classic “timid child” pose. It seems likely to me that he wasn’t an especially assertive kid.

3) Then there’s the whole hair issue–is his hair red like the anime or white like the manga? The only reason I could see for not coloring his hair dark in the manga is that Horikoshi specifically uses black ink for the red color of the Todoroki family’s hair–coloring Touya’s hair completely black would make it beyond obvious that he’s Dabi. But still, couldn’t he have used tone like he does for Kirishima’s hair? We know that white hair = ice quirk, so I am very interested to find out whether the anime has it right in using red, or whether the white used in the manga is plot relevant, and we’re going to find that Touya really did have a body meant for an ice quirk…

4) We also have Natsuo’s ominous comment:

To me at least, this statement seems somehow… specific? Like there was some Big Deal™ that immediately caused Touya not to be in their lives anymore, and Endeavor was directly involved in it. Natsuo definitely strikes me as the type who would blame Endeavor for a training accident, even if Touya was training of his own free will, but I can’t personally shake the feeling that Endeavor was right there whenever the Bad Thing with Touya happened and that Endeavor, Fuyumi, and Natsuo all know more about Touya’s fate than they’re willing to talk about. I think it’s important that we’ve never seen a scene of Natsuo and Fuyumi getting any close looks at Dabi either.

6) The kids’ ages are important I think. Shouto is about five years old when he sees his siblings playing soccer, and they all looked about the same age there as in this second screen cap, although I wouldn’t put Fuyumi at 12 in the screen cap above, so maybe not… In any case, we know that Shouto was already in training (~5 years old) and Touya had no major visible scars. So Touya made it to at least 12 years old without doing major damage to his body (although of course it could be under the clothes). Based on that, personally I would doubt a bit that he was training and burning himself in secret, at least not for any extended amount of time.

6) The one piece of evidence we have for figuring out what actually happened to cause the scars is the burn pattern itself, especially on Dabi’s face. One thing that people have often pointed out is that Dabi’s facial burns line up fairly well with the places fire also settles on Endeavor’s face:

Also I’m pretty sure Dabi officially qualifies as BNHA’s biggest glow up. If you compare chapter 67 to chapter 190 it’s like looking at two totally different characters lol

But, more importantly than this, I think, is the fact that we never see Dabi’s fire take this shape in the manga. Although in a couple of scenes his flames have covered parts of his face, we’ve never–not even one time–seen fire specifically come from below his eyes or around his mouth like Endeavor. This is not something that normally happens with his quirk–which could mean that he was copying Endeavor when the injuries occurred.

So what did happen?

I don’t know, but if you ask me for a personal headcanon about it:

In a desperate attempt to protect his mother from being taken away and forced into the mental institution, Touya Todoroki challenged his father to a fight he could never win and pushed his own body so far beyond its limits that he nearly died.

I mean, if sweet baby Shouto had a reaction this intense:

Just imagine the reaction of the children who would have been conscious to see their mother ripped away from their home, possibly violently, possibly forever? With Rei having snapped hard enough to attack Shouto, I can’t imagine that she would have taken well to Endeavor physically confronting and restraining her to force her away… It could have been quite a horrific scene in the house after Shouto passed out from the pain, and what better way to cover up damage to one kid then to blame Rei, who had already damaged the other? This would help lend greater credence to Rei still being in the mental institution too: if the doctors have her on the record for causing or at least provoking the injuries of not one son but two…

Obviously such a fragile-looking child as Touya, who we know was never formally trained, would have stood no chance against an absolutely enraged Endeavor, but if we know one thing about the Todoroki family, it’s that they’re stubborn beyond belief. Endeavor probably batted aside his failure of an eldest son like it was nothing… but Touya refused to stay down. I think, overwhelmed by hatred and resentment, he put everything he had into trying to fight back against his father, bursting with flames too hot for his ill-suited body, heedless of his own pain.

That break in Dabi’s bottom lip is from the unprotected skin splitting as he screamed in rage and agony while on fire. Just sayin’!!

And even after going beyond his limits in every way, to still inevitably be crushed beneath his father’s heel… I can’t imagine the degree of loathing such a miserable defeat would make a child feel for heroes and all of hero society who let down the Todoroki siblings so badly…

If Touya ran from the hospital afterward, we could even be looking at a situation in which Dabi has been raising himself all alone since he was 12 or 13. Hell, he might even have caught the tail-end of Stain’s soapbox speeches about the revival of heroics while living out on streets…

BUT, YOU KNOW, that’s just my imagination running wild. XDD

I’m sure that my headcanon is too exaggerated to be true, but I do think the scars are self-inflicted and that Touya did fight with Endeavor at some point before abruptly leaving the Todoroki household.

Or… he’s not even a Todoroki and he totally gave himself those scars just to look cool or something lolol.

It’s SYMBOLICCCCC.

Okay, being a little more serious, I think it’s mostly being used the same way as that one scene of Itachi in the rain in Naruto:

Holy shit I never thought I’d be looking at a page of the Naruto manga again…

It’s basically a scene used to humanize and show a tiny glimpse of a “villain” character’s hidden depths–is Dabi all evil, or is there some softness underneath?

The blood is definitely supposed to symbolically represent tears, which actively tells the reader “Something about the idea of families hurts Dabi.” Coupled with the fact that he’s also smiling in a way that does not suit the moment at all and talking about how thinking about what Snatch said actually drove Dabi crazy, I think we’re also supposed to be getting the feeling that Dabi is not quite as calm and collected as he seems to be on the surface. We all love to call him the “sane man” in the League of Villains’ sea of crazy, but it’s entirely possible that Dabi is experiencing or has, at some point, experienced a psychotic break and that the almost lazy, unaffected behavior we see from him most of the time is little more than a thin veneer on top of a much less stable inner-mind…

What interests me is how many people (even the BNHA wiki) seem to suggest that these symbolic blood tears indicate that Dabi feels remorse for the families of all his victims… But I wonder if that’s really the case at all.

Does he feel remorse regarding his victims’ families… or only his own? While I think it’s tempting to imply that Dabi feels bad about all the families he’s hurt in general (which would be a good redemption arc flag), I’m actually inclined to think that Dabi is a little more self-centered character than that, and it’s his own family that’s on his mind here, not guilt over strangers he’s never met and never will meet.

I lol’d. Even more than that–by saying this to Endeavor, he’s almost certainly ensured another Dabi vs. Endeavor clash in the future, so like… he basically gave his dad impenetrable plot armor for another 50-100 chapters. XDDD

Dabi, my dear heart, why are you such a dumpster fire???

[killiancygnus]

Serendipitous Melody 19/22

Summary: Everyone has dreams. You might dream of becoming an astronaut or teacher, or you might want to become a doctor and save as many lives you can. Emma Swan’s childhood dream was being a singer. But with life getting in the way and never finding the courage to overcome her fears, she never had a chance to follow it. That is until a little push from her friends lead her to cash on an opportunity; and, who knows, she might even get more than what she’d wished for.

Rated: T

Word count: ~4.4k

A/N: *hides behind a Christmas tree* Hi! I’m so so sorry for the delay! This chapter was a bitch to write and between life and uni, I didn’t have much time to write in the past month or so. I hope you enjoy this chapter anyway! It might take me a while to update once again though because I have exams until the end of February but I swear chapter 20 will be long and angsty so I hope you won’t mind. Don’t forget to let me know what you think about this update!

Thanks to the wonderful @the-reason-to-sail-home for her mad betaing skills.

Tagging some friends: @mahstatins, @villains-happy-ending , @stardusted-nymph, @allisonchameron, @kmomof4, @hencethebravery, @katie-dub, @captainwiley , @irishswanff, @thejollypirate, @dassala , @imhookedonaswan, @ofshipsandswans , @legendofthephoenixcs, @yayimallamaagain and @londonsbridge

If you want to be tagged too let me know :)

Links: Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9- Chapter 10 - Chapter 11 - Chapter 12 - Chapter 13 - Chapter 14 - Chapter 15 - Chapter 16 - Chapter 17 - Chapter 18 / AO3

The ominous clicking of his father’s cane echoed down the halls as Neal sat on the couch next to the fire, quietly sipping a glass of wine. He knew his father knew was aware of what he had done. There was little he couldn't find out. The leverage and the ties he had made it impossible for the people he had on his watch list to keep any secrets, and that included Neal too. He was well aware of that but he didn't really care, he never did. It wasn't like he was ever going to reach for him first. All his father always cared about was getting what he wanted - a trait he had inherited, Neal had to admit - but this time, it so appeared they had a few interests in common.

“Calling her wasn't a wise move, son,” Mr Gold said entering the room, his tone flat but revealing a hint of annoyance.

Neal didn't even turn to face him.

“For as much as we'd like to believe that, neither she nor Jones are stupid. They'd put two and two together. And if they didn’t, miss Mills would,” he continued, pondering each word as he walked around the couch so that Neal would see the strained grin on his face. “You were selfish and careless, not to mention foolishly impatient. Our plans might go downhill because of what you have just done.”

Neal placed the glass on the small table next him. “The plans that don't seem to be having the effect they were supposed to, you mean.”

“What you were expecting? Her to leave Jones’s side after the first difficulty arose? Her to run back into your arms as soon as you stumbled back into her life with a phone call?”  

At hearing his father words, Neal shot up, hands clenched into fists. “I have done my waiting!” he shouted. “You have your personal vendetta for what happened to mother and I understand that, but once again there’s something that for you is more important than me. Emma has been the first and only person that truly cared about me. She was mine! I was stupid enough to let both her and my son go, that’s true, but that doesn’t mean I won’t stop fighting for what is mine. And as it happens, our interests are very much alike; that's why we are here, working together, no matter how much I might not like it. So yes, excuse me for being a little impatient.”

Mr Gold bit his lower lip, his jaw set. He was trying not to yell back at him in rage and keep that coldly stern face of his, Neal could see that. He didn't care about how much he had enraged or hurt his father, though. He meant what he said, every single word of it. But honestly, it shouldn't have been news to him. Their relationship had always been somewhat dysfunctional, especially ever since his mother died.

“Son, I…” he started, not really knowing what to say. “You might be right. However, you must remember that this article's purpose was just to undermine her securities, weaken her for when we'll strike again. And you know what will happen then.”

“Hell will break loose,” Neal whispered, the reflection of the fire in his eyes making them look even wilder than they actually were.

Robert Gold smirked, taking a step closer to his son. “Oh, that it will.”

Saying Neal’s call had shaken her was an understatement. She wouldn't talk much about it, but he could see it in her eyes. She had been dealing with the Henry situation and all the hateful messages and nasty articles that were directed at her, which both left a veil of hurt and hopelessness in her eyes. It was only after that call that the carefree and joyful part of Emma, that it took so long for him to see and help her set free, became just a fond memory. All the walls around her heart he had managed to break, she had started to build back up that night.

It pained him to see her like that, so fragile, so vulnerable, nevermind the stoic masks she would put whenever she realised her feelings were written all over her face, but he didn’t know what to do. All he could do was hold her, show her how much he loved her, try not to let her think about anything that was weighing on her, and yet he could still see the uncertainty she tried so hard to hide.

Those bloody tweets had gotten to her in a way he didn’t know how to make better. It wasn’t like he could publicly condemn those people without arising more questions about his and Emma’s relationship. And that was definitely not the time to come out as a couple.

It was a mess. A bloody fucking mess. And the words that fucker whispered in her ear that night on the boat sure as hell hadn’t made things any easier.

They had informed Regina about Neal’s threats as soon as possible the following morning. At least she did look surprised this time at this new turn of events, but the small flicker of genuine shock on her face was soon replaced by a calculating look.

“Miss Swan,” she said before him and Emma could unstick their legs away from the narrow space between the desk and the chairs’ legs and leave her office, “I've been doing some thinking since the last time we met. Sit.”

Killian and Emma shared a confused (and from her part worried) glance as they sat back down.

“In light of the most recent developments, I think it's time for you to properly meet my - our - son. What do you say, Miss Swan?”

From the corner of his eye, Killian noticed Emma staring agape at Regina. Conscious that no word would fall from her mouth anytime soon, judging by the deer-in-the-highlights look she had, he spoke, “Wait a second. Are you suggesting Emma to tell Henry she's his mother?”

“That's exactly what I'm saying, Jones.”

“Why?” Emma stuttered, finally able to mutter a word, “Neal is threatening to do everything he can to get to him, including destroying my reputation and now you want him to meet me?”

“I have to admit it’s not the best of ways for him to meet his mother, but as you said, Neal won’t stop before he gets what he wants. Henry deserves to know who the man is who will make everyone constantly worried about his safety and who will try to throw shade over Killian and you.”

Emma opened her mouth to protest but then shut it without even saying a word. Killian sighed. Regina was right, he knew that. The kid couldn’t just stay in the dark, especially not with that curious nature of his. He was far too observant and clever for his own good, he would find out both about Emma and his father sooner or later. It was better for him to hear the story directly from his mother or Emma herself, as things seemed to be headed to.

“Maybe,” he started tentatively, feeling Emma’s attention focusing on him. “Maybe you could drop him one day next week after school. He’s been wanting me to teach him to play the guitar for ages. I could teach him the basics, and then me and Emma could talk to him.”  

Killian ignored Emma’s pointed look and just looked straight ahead at Regina.

“Yeah, that could work,” she agreed, and then smirked, “It seems like there’s a brain behind the eyeliner, after all.”

Killian glared at her and made to talk back a witty remark when Emma’s uncharacteristically feeble voice interrupted him. “Wait.”

As two pairs of eyes landed on her, Emma cleared her voice and straightened her back. “I don’t think it’s a great idea. I mean, it is but he might get suspicious. As far as I know, he doesn’t own a guitar and unless you are hiding a past as a rock star, of which I’m very sceptical about,” she said for Killian’s amusement, gesturing at Regina, “you don’t look like you own one either. Knowing Henry, he would wonder how he could practice in between lessons.”

Regina pursed her lips in annoyance. “I’ll talk with Robin. I’m sure he’ll share one of his guitars with him, Miss Swan. Do you have anything else to say?”

She only gave Emma the time to shake her head that she continued, “Wonderful. I’ll drop Henry at yours Friday afternoon. Try to bring him back in one piece, please.”

And that was how they found themselves Friday afternoon, sitting on the sofa, waiting for Regina to arrive with Henry. Thank goodness Friday was only a few days away from that meeting, because Killian thought Emma would combust with nervous energy, judging by how much her left leg was trembling, making him feel like he was sitting on one of those massage couches.

“Emma…” Killian sighed, putting a hand on her knee to still her movement.

Blushing, Emma willed her leg to stop twitching. “I’m sorry,” she apologised, looking up at him, “I’m just -”

“Nervous. I know love.”

The soft, reassuring smile Killian gave her didn’t even have the time to fade away from his lips, that the intercom buzzed, making Emma jump on her seat. Trying to suppress a chuckle, he leaned in to give her a sweet, gentle peck on her lips before going outside to fetch the boy.

By the time he made it to the swimming pool, a small figure run up to him and threw their hands around his waist.

“Killian!” Henry shouted.

“Hello to you too, lad,” Killian laughed, ruffling his hair. “Why don’t you go inside and put away that backpack of yours? I’ll be right behind you.”

Without making Killian asking him twice, Henry bolted towards the door. Killian didn’t move right away though. His eyes met Regina’s through the windows of her car, and it was only after he gave her a nod, that he turned around following Henry inside.

As soon as he got back in, he was happy to see Henry already chatting away with Emma about his latest favourite book. Hearing him walking in, she lifted her gaze up and smiled a beautiful, happy smile he just couldn’t help return.

“- And it’s not a normal book of fairytales. They are all twisted and linked together. Like Captain Hook is actually good even though he…”

“Well, of course,” Killian agreed, interrupting the boy’s excited babbling, “I’m always a gentleman after all.”

“Not you Killian! Captain Hook!”

Killian winked at Henry’s offended exclamation, making Emma burst out laughing. “I don’t think he sees the difference,” she said in between giggles, putting a hand on Henry’s shoulder, as if she sided with the lad. Rude.

“Anyway, if you guys have to play the guitar, you better go upstairs and get started.”

Nodding at her suggestion, Killian climbed up the stairs, shortly followed by both Henry and Emma, on the lad’s insistence. Not hearing Henry’s steps behind him anymore after turning in the corridor towards the music room, he gave a quick look behind his back and stopped. “Where are you going, lad? The music room is this way.”

“I know,” Henry replied from the other end of the corridor, “But the bathroom is this way!”

Chuckling, Killian shook his head and took Emma’s hand leading her inside the room.

“Everything alright, love?” He asked, leaving her hand only to put it on her hips with the other and bringing her close. “Butterflies stopped flying around your stomach?”

“Yeah,” she smiled, putting her arms around his neck, “those kind of butterflies did, as for the others…”

Giggling, he captured her lips in a short loving kiss. “Good,” he whispered against her lips, “Although, there’s no need to flirt with me, Swan. I’m already yours.”

“I know, but if I don’t who’s gonna keep your ego all happy and fed?”

“Well…” Killian started, not wanting to pass an occasion to see Emma’s unamused face. She was adorable whenever she did that. He told her many times, but somehow she had always been pretty unconvinced about it. To him she was always beautiful, that was true, but it hurt him to think that she didn’t think the same of herself.

“Will you stay here watch us?” he asked, once she stopped side-eyeing him, uncertainty once more appearing on her face.

“I don’t know. Maybe I’ll stay for a bit and then I’ll go downstairs baking some cookies. I’m sure Henry would like some later, boys his age are usually hungry all the time, right?”

Killian smiled, before leaning in and leaving a kiss on top of her nose. “That’s a wonderful idea, love,” he whispered, as his lips travelled down towards hers to kiss her one more time.

He didn’t know how much time had passed, but it did feel like minutes when Henry’s voice made them jump apart. “Eww, gross!” He screeched, making a disgusted face from behind the door before trotting in.

In spite of the deep blush covering her cheeks, Emma was the one who recovered first. “So,” she started, stopping to clear her throat in embarrassment, “are you ready to start?”

“Duh,” he said, taking a seat on the circular couch, where a guitar was waiting for him, shortly followed by Killian.

He started showing Henry how to hold the guitar and where to put his fingers to play an easy song. Emma stayed there for a while, watching them with a smile on her lips, deep in thought. He couldn’t tell what was going through her mind, though. He could read her quite easily most of the times, but apparently it wasn’t the case that day. It was only after Henry managed to play his very first song without much hesitation, that she left, not before giving the boy a round of applause and making his cheeks go red.

They played for a couple of hours before they considered it enough for a day. Killian was sure though, that if it wasn’t for the delicious aroma coming from downstairs, Henry would have wanted to continue until Regina would have come pick him up. However, as soon as he smelled cookies in the air, he asked if they could stop and sprinted downstairs, much to Killian’s amusement. That kid had far too much energy for his own good, maybe making him eat cookies wasn’t the smartest idea, but he was about to find out a lot about his past, he could eat all the cookies he wanted if that meant he’d be more inclined to take well what Emma was going to tell him. A little bribery never hurt anyone.

After tidying up a little, Killian followed Henry downstairs and sat on the far end of the sofa pretending to work on his phone. It was the perfect spot: there Emma could easily see him if she needed some reassuring or him to come help her out, and he could hear what they were talking about.

“Hey! Are you hungry, kid?” Emma asked, a hint of nervousness in her voice. “Yeah? Then what are you waiting for? Take a seat.”

After a few moments, Henry exclaimed gulping down a first bite of cookie, “They’re so good! How many can I have?”

Emma chuckled at the lad's contagious enthusiasm. “Well, considering your mom is pretty scary when angry and I don't know how well you handle sugar, I'd say we can be safe with two more, kid.”

Whooping, Henry wolfed down the rest of the cookie in his hands before taking another. “My mom calls me kid, you know?” He said, once his mouth became free to talk once again. “My biological mom, I mean. Her and I email sometimes.”

At his words, Killian put down his phone and sat up, closely watching Emma’s reaction. Her posture was stiff and she was nervously playing with her nails under the table, but aside from that, she definitely didn't look like someone whose son had just made a pretty much spot on and completely out of the blue remark.  

“Yeah, I know,” she nodded, her voice wavering a little.

Henry frowned, the cookie up in the air and on its way to his mouth now forgotten. “How?”

“Because I'm her. I'm Emma.”

Henry stared at her agape for a few long moments. “You’re my mom?”

“Yeah,” Emma breathed out, her voice so small Killian almost couldn't hear it. “I guess you must have many questions, don't you?” She added with a nervous chuckle.

Seeing the way the lad had basically frozen, Killian couldn't help hold his breath in worry for his reaction, much like Emma he suspected. Slowly, Henry put the cookie down on the napkin and stood up, looking straight at Emma. In spite of the fear he was going to bolt, she held his gaze.

It all happened in a matter of seconds then. First mother and son were staring at each other, then he threw his arms around her neck, letting Emma hold him tight after the shock wore off.

Killian smiled at the scene, finally relaxing too.

It was only after they broke apart, that the lad demanded answers. Answers which Emma then calmly gave. She told him about her childhood, about his father. She told him about David and Mary Margaret and the time she spent in prison. All bits and pieces, not enough to disclose all of the worst things in her past, but definitely enough for a child to understand why his mother decided to give them up.

He listened attentively, never interrupting her, as if he understood how hard it must have been for her to talk about all of that. Sometimes Killian would find himself at loss of words for how perceptive Henry could be for such a young lad. And this was definitely the case. He truly did seem to understand both the said and unsaid.

However, he was dying to ask something, Killian could see that in the shining of his eyes. So much like his mother.

It was only after Emma finished talking though, that he spoke, leaving a speechless Emma and Killian behind. “So, since you are my mother, would that make Killian my step-father? Because that would be so cool!”

At that, both Emma and Killian’s eyes widened and as they could read each other’s minds they spoke as one. “What?”

All the seriousness of the moment gone, their home was filled with the sound of Henry’s laugh.

It took a few weeks, but she finally started to be free to go out without being followed by journalists and paparazzi, all wanting to hear what she had to say on the matter sprung by that Mr Gold’s magazine. Social media, instead, was still a mined camp for her, that she now tried with all her might to avoid.

It wasn’t easy, though. There were still times where she couldn’t not see what was being said about her, where people’s comments and assumptions drove her so mad that yes, she wanted to break her no comment policy and explain them at length exactly what were her opinions on the words that had been pointed at her. No matter how she was feeling, though, Killian was always there. He was a reassuring and calming constant in her life, the only one she could reach out to during the day, without worrying about the hour nor the moment.

As if on cue, just as things started to get better, shit began truly going down.

Another article was published: “An Enchanted Farce” GOLD’s cover shouted in big, bright red letters just above a blurry but not questionable picture of them kissing. Not just kissing, though. Were it so it wouldn’t have been such a big deal, but her back was up against the wall of a dimly lit corridor of the Enchanted’s studios with Killian’s body pressed against hers still wearing his characteristic “coach clothes”.

It was a scandal.

People started shouting at favoritism, of course, and many things were said, especially on the internet. Killian took the least of the lash, his doting fans swearing he’d never do anything like that and pitying him for being played by “the Swan bitch”. She was called many names - slut definitely the most recurring one - and blamed for “using Killian just to assure herself a place in the final”. Her talent and fairly new and moderate fame, once again questioned.

It was overwhelming, for the both of them, but to Emma, who had just managed to move on after the previous article lash out, it was the last straw. And like no time had passed at all, she found herself back curled up on the sofa, reading all the trashy magazines she could get her hands on and spending far too much time scrolling through her Twitter notifications once again.

Consciously, she knew it wasn’t her fault at all, but she couldn’t help blaming herself for what had happened. She didn’t regret kissing Killian that night, she didn’t really regret anything regarding her relationship with Killian. Her mind was swimming in “what if’s”, and Killian was… She didn’t know how to explain it but he made her happy, in a way she had never been. But if something life had taught her was that happiness wasn’t in the cards for Emma Swan, and all this mess proved it.

She had ruined their lives, she had ruined it all. She knew how risky it would have been to act on their feelings while the show was still on, she feared what could have happened if someone would find out. She should have known better that night. She shouldn’t have let him kiss her in that corridor, but she didn’t think that night and this was the result. Her reputation ruined, possibly forever, and his career too. He should be furious. Music was his life, the one thing that helped and accompanied him through all the things, both shitty and good, life threw at him. He had worked so hard to follow his dream and now thanks to her, it could be the end of it. Why wasn’t he furious?  

“You should stop reading that crap, Emma.”

Emma looked up at him with bloodshot eyes, Killian’s voice putting a halt to the whirlwind of thoughts in her head. “Why?”

“Because this,” he reached forward, taking the magazine resting on her lap and flipping its pages quickly as if to prove his point. As Emma stood up to take the magazine off his fingers, he continued, “This is hurting both you and us. It’s putting thoughts in your head that aren’t even remotely true. I’m not gonna say it’s gonna be easy, I’m not gonna say it’ll go away tomorrow, but eventually this will be behind us, all buried and forgotten. That can’t happen though until you stop blaming yourself and you start truly trusting Regina to deal with this mess.”

Killian let her take the magazine from his hands and Emma dropped it unceremoniously on the couch. “And how wouldn’t it be my fault, huh?” She asked, crossing her arms over her chest and looking straight in his eyes. For a moment she thought she must have looked crazy, bloodshot eyes, tear stained cheeks and all, but she didn’t care. “Enlighten me.”

“Well, for starters as far as I recall there were two of us that night at the studios. You couldn’t have known there was somebody behind the corner taking pics just as much as I couldn’t have.”

“You’re right,” she said, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. “But I should have thought something like that would have happened. After all, since when do good things stick to Emma Swan?”

At that Killian arched an eyebrow in confusion, his expression equal parts frustrated and dazed. “That's not…”

“You know what? You should have known it was too risky, too!”

“What? Emma you can’t be serious,” he almost shouted, the higher tone of his voice crashing with his words that very much sounded like a plea.

“I should have stopped you from kissing me that night because this is exactly what I was worried about back then,” she said, her voice rising little by little at every word.

Killian’s expression darkened. “Are you saying you regret that kiss? Our real first kiss? Do you also regret what you said me back then about your feelings for me? Or has it all been a lie since then?”

Emma’s eyes widened at his questions. “Yes...I mean, no!” she exclaimed before passing a hand over her face, trying with all her might not to let her voice quiver, or even worse break down in tears. “Don’t you see I ruined everything? Your career is at stake because of me. You got too close and now you are dealing with its repercussions.”

“I don’t bloody care about my career!” Killian positively growled. “If it meant being able to be with you, I’d give everything up and be a fucking music teacher, or do something else. But look at you: what would you do for me? You are throwing everything that there was between us out of the window just because that fucker of your ex and that bloody crocodile of Gold are making things less than easy. This is exactly why you’ve never been and would never be happy. You run when it gets too hard without even realizing what you already have. Now I’m going to ask you again and I want you to look at me when you answer: did you ever love me?”

He was right, she knew that, just as part of her knew she wasn’t being fair and reasonable. She was too upset though, too scared. In that moment, all she could think of was that he’d be better off without her, and it fucking hurt. She was hurting them both, she realised as tears welled up in her eyes.

She didn’t know where she found the strength, but eventually Emma willed her eyes to meet his as she pronounced those final three little words, that seemed to weigh like a ton of bricks on her tongue. “Yes, I did.”

Her mind didn’t register the hurt in his eyes. Or she didn’t let it, she wasn’t sure. All Emma did, instead, was grabbing her purse and walk away, slamming the door behind her.

As she drove off the walkway, she didn’t even feel the tears streaming down her face.      

[brerediddy]

more than survive - chapter 10

Jeremy walked home alone, his feet dragging. The previous events felt like a dream but he knew that they weren’t. He had come to terms with the fact that he’d been a gigantic dick to his best friend, but he figured that he was at least somewhat justified. Michael was always prodding and prying and sometimes people just don’t want to talk. Sometimes secrets weren’t meant to be told.

He kicked a pebble or two out of his way, grumbling to himself. He would apologize to Michael in the morning after they both had a chance to cool down. All would be well. Maybe they could kiss some more.

Kissing, well, that was incredible. Even though the thought of the evening left a sour taste in Jeremy’s mouth, he couldn’t deny that kissing Michael had to be the absolute highlight of his life. It was wonderful and soft and sweet and hot. God, he wanted to do it again.

And then he went and fucked it up. Shocker.

Caught up in his own self-pity, Jeremy didn’t immediately notice when his phone rang. It vibrated in his pocket a few times before he was able to pull himself out of his repetitive thoughts. Checking the caller ID, he rolled his eyes and blew out a long breath. The SQUIP seriously needed to learn about personal space.

“Hello?” He murmured, glancing at the calm night sky above him.

“Hi, Jeremy.”

“What do you want?” Jeremy was aware of the pout in his voice, but he did nothing to stop it. He’d had an eventful night.

“I need you to meet me. Our lot, right now.”

“Seriously? It can’t wait until tomorrow?”

The SQUIP commented, “Don’t whine. It’s not becoming of you. If we wait until tomorrow, it’s too late.”

“Fine,” Jeremy breathed after a moment of deliberation. “It’s not like I’m doing anything else anyway.”

“Perfect,” drawled the villain, hanging up before the boy could ask any more questions.

-

When he arrived at the lot in his suit, he was surprised to find that the SQUIP was nowhere to be found. He’d wanted Jeremy there in such a rush, he had assumed that it was urgent. Apparently not. What the hell?

A cool breeze blew and the back of Jeremy’s neck tingled. It really was dark, almost pitch black. The lights of the city dimly illuminated the area, but the nearby streetlights faded in and out ominously.

The boy hesitantly raised his voice to call out, “Um, hello?” A few trees rustled but no other sound broke into existence. “You told me to meet you here?”

“I did,” the SQUIP agreed, stepping out from seemingly nowhere. He was wearing his usual get-up, black coat and all, but the bottom half of his face was covered by his blue scarf. It muffled his perfectly-enunciated words ever-so-slightly. “And you came.”

“I did,” Jeremy spoke. He wasn’t sure why he felt so threatened. He and the man had an agreement, right? Nevertheless, he fixed his posture and stuck his chest out as much as he could without looking too stupid.

“That was a bad idea, Jeremy.”

Jeremy swallowed nervously, searching the man’s eyes for any indication of a joking nature. There was nothing to be found. He didn’t even think the SQUIP was capable of joking. He took a moment to steady his voice before asking, “Why’s that?”

“That pill that I gave you, Jeremy. It was supposed to help me,” he spoke. “It isn’t helping me.”

“I’m sorry,” the boy responded nervously. He knew that the man was too powerful to take on alone, especially when he was tired and emotionally drained. “I don’t know what you want me to do about that.”

“There’s nothing you can do.”

“O-Okay,” Jeremy stammered, backing away from the man slowly. “Then why am I here?”

“ There’s nothing you can do. ” The SQUIP let his mouth lift into a small smile. “But there is something that I can do.” He took a step towards the teenager, turning his chin to the side. “My first plan didn’t work out. Luckily, I have a back-up.”

In one quick motion, the SQUIP raised a hand and threw Jeremy into the brick wall behind him, pinning him tightly. He moved forward, his eyes focused on the boy. “I wish it didn’t have to come to this, but this isn’t a mutually beneficial relationship anymore. This is how it has to be.”

“It doesn’t,” Jeremy responded quickly, desperately. “Let me go. We can figure something else out.” If the SQUIP killed him, how was he supposed to protect the city? How was he supposed to protect Michael? “You can’t do this.”

“I can, kid. That’s the beauty of the whole ‘having powers’ thing. And don’t worry. I won’t break our promise. Michael is insignificant. I have my sights set on something...bigger.”

“And what would that be?”

“The world, Jeremy. My God, you’d think that you could have figured that one out.” The SQUIP turned his back for a moment, letting his shoulders drop. “Goodbye, Spider-Man.” Without a second glance from the villain, Jeremy could feel the air leaving his lungs. The world around him faded in and out with the streetlights and then suddenly, it was just gone.

-

The next time Jeremy came to, it was due to the hard, cold, splash of water around his suit. He opened his eyes enough to see only darkness, only the deepest blue he’d ever registered. His ribs hurt from the impact of hitting the water, and he shook his head to clear the fog from his oxygen-deprived mind. His mask was sticking to his face, pressing against his nose and mouth and he still couldn’t breathe. What was happening? Was this what death felt like?

Jeremy tried to push forward, to swim to the surface that was rapidly shrinking away from him. When he willed his arms to do something, to carry him up, he found the hard metal of handcuffs holding them back behind him. What the fuck?

He was going to die here.

Black clouds lined his mind, his chest aching. This was how he was going to go. This was it.

His last thoughts drifted to Michael, to the last conversation he would ever have with the love of his life. With anybody. God, it was such a stupid fight. Not worth it.

The energy left Jeremy’s body, allowing him to drift further down. Maybe he’d see Michael again someday, he considered. His eyes fell shut and he let the water take him.

[multi-fandomtrashtm]

So I binged Boku no Hero Academia (SPOILERS BELOW)

So I binge watched and binge read this entire series up to date in about 4 days straight. And let me tell you; this is some good shit. 

It’s a very refreshing and welcome change of pace to a lot of other big shounen. 

To start off, the protagonist, Izuku, starts off as a average guy who wants to become a hero- typical underdog plot, it’s fine. You know what I really enjoy about him? Everything.

I like that right off the bat, he has to train like hell to even start to be able to use his powers. I like how his powers have logical limits. I like how he gets around his quirk’s double edged sword in the beginning with strategy. This is the only shounen lead I’ve seen use strategy constantly and doesn’t have a craving for fighting in some form. I like his design because he doesn’t just have black dots for eyes. I like that he isn’t crazy ripped. I like that he isn’t afraid to cry. I like that he’s both striving for the top and improving himself in just about every way, not just in power. 

The art in this series is great. Personally, I find it to be my aesthetic. I like how the women don’t have huge knockers, though this series certainly isn’t the first to not have it. 

I like how the quirks and designs are unique for each character (except one, but that’s an acceptable gag). Because of their personalities and appearances, I like all of the 1-A class. 

Except Bakugo. 

Holy shit, he was such a cunt. His irrational anger at pretty much everything and him pulling a Leeroy Jenkins was more than annoying. It really bothers me how he never, ever got payback for him bullying Deku for years. Every time he opened his mouth, I just felt so irritated because he would never chill out for even a second, it seemed like. Eventually, his dickishness did tone down a little and I could acknowledge him being smart. I’ll probably never outright like him, but I can tolerate him a lot better now. Bless Kirishima for giving this boy some much needed friendship. 

For story, I’ll just go by the arc. 

Entrance Exam Arc -  Battle Trial Arc

Kind of slow paced. The first time I watched the series, I didn’t get past this because things were just so slow. 

Anyway, just exposition, character introductions and reasons to hate Bakugo. 

Unforeseen Simulation Joint Arc

Very dramatic. I like the fights in this arc. Tomura genuinely creeped me out after I got past his weird design. And his quirk...ouch. Poor Aizawa. 

Sports Festival Arc

VERY good fights and even more characters. It was during this arc that I finally acknowledged Bakugo’s intelligence and started tolerating him. 

I respected Uraraka’s fight with him. It reminded me a lot of Sakura’s fight when she cut her hair. Both girls were seriously outclassed, but tried their damndest try to win through cleverness and strategy. Both still lost, though. I appreciated Urararaka’s endurance, attitude and strategy. I’m sure that it would’ve worked against someone else. Good try. 

Ok, Deku vs Shinso is the only instance of an asspull win thus far. What happened to make Deku break out of the brainwashing just didn’t make sense. I hoped that the author would explain it down the line with All for One, but nope. 

Todoroki’s subplot was interesting. First and foremost, his dad is a dick when it comes to being a father. Experimenting with your own kids to try and project your dream onto them? Stop. Just stop. If you can’t beat All Might with your own strength, then you’ve lost, it’s over. Also, don’t tell me that Todoroki isn’t almost an anime Zuko. Because he is.

I liked Deku giving him some spur of the moment therapy and it was nice to see Todoroki surpass his trauma, if even for a short bit. The art and animation for their fight was stunning. 

Bakugo vs Todoroki was certainly epic. I’m pretty sure that Todoroki could’ve won if he’d used both sides. But I understand him stopping at the last second. A motivational speech from Deku isn’t going to magically erase a lifetime of trauma, I’m afraid. 

Sidenote: I really like Hatsume. She reminds me of Iruma from Danganronpa V3 but less bitchy. 

Field Training Arc

Gran Torino is neat, but cliche. The badass grandpa mentor? He’s this exact trope. 

Stain and Tomura’s interaction was...okay? I guess? It was an interesting conflict in ideals. It also made me realize how much of a manchild Tomura is. 

Wasn’t expecting Iida to have a revenge arc going on. It gave character depth I just wasn’t expecting. Sad that he got stomped immediately. Didn’t expect Todoroki and Iida’s bond at all, either. It’s nice that he’s reaching out, I suppose. 

Stain’s quirk was oddly specific. Deku being un-paralyzed first because of his blood type made me want to call bullshit. But I just..can’t. We knew Deku’s blood type from his profile. We knew that Stain’s ability works with blood. It’s just crazy specific. Anyway, Stain’s death was disturbing. 

End of Term Test Arc

On some level, I knew that Deku and Bakugo would get paired up. Them being able to compromise on fighting and running was a surprise given how stubborn Bakugo is ;especially with Deku. It was nice that Deku went back for Bakugo when he literally got stomped. It’s amazing how he doesn’t hold a grudge against him. 

Wasn’t expecting Yaoyorozu to have a subplot about her lack of confidence, though I had noticed it earlier. Her and Todoroki’s teamwork was neat. I didn’t see him to be the type to give a motivational speech. 

School Trip Arc

Oh boy. When shit hit the fan in the woods, I could feel how scary that would’ve been. Here you are, in the middle of the night, in the woods, probably alone or with 1 other person, surrounded by a CLOUD OF POISON, all you can hear is explosions/screaming/silence and you know that you’re a sitting duck because you don’t know where anyone else is or how strong he enemies are. 

Deku’s fight against the guy that killed Kouta’s parents was a nice show of strength. Fukami’s raging dark shadow was a nice way to get rid of a villain. Overall, I liked it. Just 2 things: 1) Bakugo saying “Don’t come, Deku” was ominous. Nice. 2) I feel like Dabi may know Todoroki somehow. Not like “heard of”, but know him, even if Todoroki doesn’t know him. 

Hideout Raid Arc

Let me tell you; this arc was beautiful. Bless Kirishima and his friendship with Bakugo. Yes please. And the Pro Heroes charging in on the League of Villains was hype as fuck. Everything about that just made me hype in a way that I hadn’t been in months. 

The play on words with All for One blew my mind. “All for One” as in “all abilities for one person” = Stealing quirks so that belong to one person only. 

All Might vs All of One was...beautiful. His determination, the visuals of him cradling the last of his power just for this fight, everyone finding out his secret, everyone cheering him on anyway...Almost got a little emotional there. 

Deku’s mom was being logical in those last chapters. I’d be wary if my son’s school kept constantly being hunted down by just about everyone and he kept getting injured every time. But through the power of Kouta’s sweet letter and All Might begging (this was also nice), she caves. 

Hero License Exam Arc

Man, everyone in this is just interesting. Not much to say except the Shapeshifter using Uraraka’s appearance was smart, but not smart enough. 

The whole Rescue Maneuvers thing was very necessary. It’s cool if you’re strong, but if you don’t know how to actually save anyone, you’re not even a hero at that point. Case and Point- Bakugo. Sure he could see who should be prioritized, but I don’t think anyone would be comforted by the way he handles things. Also, it’s hilarious that there’s actually a job of being a Professional Victim. 

Internship Arc

Of course Bakugo wants a fight. Of course. A least he’s not doing it out of irrational anger this time. 

The big 3 are kind of hilarious. It’s Kaede, Sasuke and Vault Boy. Jokes aside, Nejire is the definition of Innocently Insensitive and Tamaki is kind of adorable. 

Nighteye is perfect. I love his dead serious attitude and love of humor. His process of hiring Deku was neat. It’s funny how they’re both huge nerds when it comes to All Might. Look at all that merch!

Eri is cute and I can already see the fandom calling her “an innocent, sweet cinnamon roll to be protected.” Overhaul is intimidating and he reminds me of Law from One Piece. With his ability he could literally annihilate you. Damn. 

Kirishima and Fat Gum’s alliance (even though Kirishima got stomped immediately) was sweet. More than that, I just like the fight itself and Rappa’s attitude. And Toga is joining the fray, well, this is going to be messy. 

 AND THAT’S ALL CHAPTER TILL NOW! 

Whew, that was a lot. 

That said, I really do like this series. It’s my new weekly read.