#does EVERYONE want the aki cover????

[hayakawapartner]

ohhhgh thank god

(+ bonus pochita)

[almoststedytimetravel]

Please oh please may I hear a scrap more of your thoughts on the Arena designs?

Well I mean if you insist...

First Ken and Koromaru. Koromaru design is peak and not just because he's a dog. Koro is wearing Ken's old hoddie which is peak but also does a little bit of story telling via design since it had to be Ken who adjusted the old hoddie and sewed on the wings, telling us that in between Persona 3 and Arena Ken has developed some sewing skills (and has likely worked on more practical skills because he doesn't have anyone who can do it for him).

Now Ken himself... His design is just the Gekkokan uniform with the student council arm band and evoker+holster. Which is boring, Ken's design is boring however, if I am to play devils advocate for a moment, I can kinda get what they were going for. Ken is doing his best to act like a normal middle schooler who has never experienced the horrors, meaning the lack of customisation in his uniform is reflective of his trying in fit in. Now, everyone has seen this design.

This is one of Ken's concept designs and while this graphic only points out the Shinjiro Peacoat and the Akihiko Sweater Vest, you may also note that Ken has a pocket watch around his neck (a reference to the pocket watch from Shinjiro's portable link). While the way his collar is open is the same way Junpei's was in P3. his jacket is also undone which is a trait shared by both Makoto and Junpei (since neither Akihiko nor Shinjiro wear the school jacket in the fist place). This design also has Ken wearing gloves like Akihiko. This concept design is peak but if I has to guess why they didn't go with it, that's likely because the large coat would make Ken's animations really hard to read, specifically, it'd be really easy to lose track of Koromaru since Koro would blend in with the coat that would also cover the screen. Ken and Koro are already one of the best fighters in Arena they don't need to be made even more difficult to fight.

Now then Akihiko Sanada, he needs to be put down. That's the only adequate way I have to describe him. First of all, why does he have a knife? Second, Why is his evoker on the right side of his body in his offical art but on the left in his actual battle sprite? Third, and this one isn't character design related but, WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE HASN'T CALLED KEN IN ALMOST A YEAR?! I can get over his yapping about body building like, god forbid men have hobbies, (half of the examples people get mad at isn't even Aki talking, it's the illusion the "Protein, protein, and more protein" line is just Naoto hearing things). But, why does he look like that?! you're telling me that mr Dorky sweater vest wearer who halls around his blazer instead of wearing it is going to start dressing like this?!

Oh and he is also supposed to be 65kg. If you want my 2 cents on how I would redesign Akihiko, personally I would put him in his epilogue clothes but with his blazer over his shoulders (and made a little longer to be both reminiscent of a cape and of Shinjiro's coat, heck maybe even make it Shinji's coat).

Yukari, Junpei, and Fuuka all look great but I don't have much to say about them, since there is nothing egregious about them. Like I said, Junpei's cross necklace is a gift from Chidori and it's a really cute reference. Junpei and Yukari are both in their "work clothes" since they both came straight from their jobs, while Fuuka is in more casual clothes, because she was with Mitsuru, Akihiko, and Aigis.

Mitsuru... She's in a skin tight battle suit with a fur coat. She's in high heals, her rapier's blade is blood red, if anyone else was dressed like that they's look so fucking ridiculous but Mitsuru pulls it off. She's serving cunt and I respect it.

Aigis switching her ribbon for a tie is kinda funny but I didn't even notice it in my play through of Arena and only noticed it when I was watching a playthrough of Q2 and the Robot who was modeled after Aigis was called Ribbon and I went "Wait a minute" and booted up Arena to check, only then did I notice the tie

[treedaddymcpuffpuff]

Beneath Miles of Stone - Part twelve - John Wick x Plus Size Fem Reader

Summary: John has been in prison for nine months. He’s content to stay if it means appeasing the high table and keeping peace between the owners of each continental. However, he meets someone who erases that willingness. Peace be dammed.

TW: angst ; traumatic pasts ; nod at violence

“Well, well, well.” Michael shoves her shoulder lightly. “Are you cheating on your foreign boyfriend with old friend, or is old friend foreign boyfriend after all?”

“Nice tongue twister.” She giggles from his play fighting.

“Am I seriously not allowed to know?” Michael groans, draping himself over the couch and reminding her of a 1950’s housewife who just murdered her husband in his silky black robe.

She sits beside him, immediately relaxing into the soft cushions and ready to take a two day nap. “He’s private.”

“Fine, fine,” Michael grumbles. “But it’s like, are both of them private...” he raises his eyebrows and bites his bottom lip.

She chuckles. “Michael.” She doesn’t want to hurt his feelings, so it’s only a half hearted attempt at a warning.

Michael raises his hands in surrender.

She looks him over, and he’s got this soft grin and imploring eyes that just know she wants to say something, and, fuck, she really does.

But, she doesn’t trust herself not to give out too much info and…What? Are the cops even still looking for him at this point? Is her escaped death demon prisoner turned guardian angel on the run?

She’s chewing on her bottom lip so much that she can taste poinsettias.

“Just…tell me what’s bothering you,” Michael says. “I honestly don’t need to know anything else. In fact-“ he grabs a pillow from behind him “-if you start to reveal too many personal details I’ll hit you with this.”

She rubs her temples. “Can I take a shower and think about it?”

“Hello Johnathan,” Winston greets as John slides into his leather booth.

“Winston.”

“You have caused quite the ruckus, haven’t you?” Winston muses, clicking his tongue, eyeing John over the rim of his glasses

John raises his eyebrows and folds his hands on the table. “I didn’t start it.”

“I believe you,” Winston nods. “But you definitely ended it.”

“I got out, didn’t I?”

“Still, everyone’s quite angry.” Winston chews his teeth for a moment, brushes off the slacks covering his right knee. “I may have a war on my hands for this.”

“Sorry.” John looks sincere this time.

Winston shrugs. “It’s your head, John.”

“Sure.”

“Why did you kill him, anyway?” Winston asks, curious. “He always seemed nice.”

“Human trafficking.” John’s tone drops. “A friend’s daughter.”

“Ah,” Winston muses, satisfied to understand. “What a bastard.”

John’s face narrows and his eyes darken. “Yeah.”

“They can’t put a bounty on you, you know,” Winston tells him. “Continental owners are committed to peace. Most of them admire you, Johnathan.”

“I know,” John says.

“Still, they’ll have pressure from their constituents to end your life and my hotel. Not in that order.” Winston gives him a half grin, feigning unbothered by the violence that is about to invade his free time.

“You know I’ll stand by New York,” John tells him. What he really means is that he’ll stand by Winston, but that point is already solid and unmoving between them, so he doesn’t feel the need to reiterate it.

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Winston muses. “But likewise.”

Winston thinks for a moment, purses his lips. “You could come stay for a while, catch up, delay the fight?”

John shakes his head no.

Winston sighs. “This better not be about a woman, John.”

John stays silent, and in that quiet Winston has his answer. He doesn’t look surprised. “Ah, L’amour.” He smiles, genuinely. “Took you long enough. What’s she like?”

“It’s not like that,” John says.

Winston snorts. “Go back to prison, then.”

John glares and sets his jaw in the way he does to indicate that he’d rather die than obey.

“Uh-huh. So, what’s she like?”

John leans back into the bench, defeated, thinking for a moment. Winston is more akin to understand metaphors rather than common sense, so John uses one.

“The sun.”

“A flower cannot blossom without sunshine, and man cannot live without love,” Winston sighs, leaning back with both arms spread around the back of the faded, stapled leather.

John shifts in his creaking indent.

“Viggo came by looking for you,” Winston says. “He wants you back.” He raises his as eyebrows as if to suggest something wicked.

John rubs his fingers together, thinking.

Winston goes on. “I wouldn’t mind having the mob over - just for some company.”

John grunts as if to laugh. “What’s in it for you?”

Winston grins. “Zero point zero one percent protection.”

John tilts his head. “Where’s the other ninety nine point nine nine?”

“Don’t get cocky, Johnathan, of course it’s you.” Winston sips his martini.

They sit there for a moment in silence, John thinking while Winston looks him over. “So it’s a no to dinner with Viggo, then?”

“I didn’t say that,” John says.

“When are you free?” Winston raises his eyebrows expectantly.

“Night shift.”

Winston gets cheeky, leans closer. “What’s her name?”

John leans away. “Get me a drink. And give me my coins.”

Winston grabs a paper from the stack beside him, takes a pen from his lapel, and writes. He slides the note to John. “You could’ve just asked for the car, too, you know.”

John folds the scrap neatly and puts it into his pocket. “I didn’t think you’d be in a good mood.”

Winston rolls his eyes. “Translation: I wanted to have a little fun after getting out of prison.”

“Were you in a good mood?” John raises his eyebrows, trying to prove a point.

“Are you still in prison?” Winston fires back.

John finally gives him a delayed, full, toothy grin. “How about the drink?”

Winston tips his head, motioning to the pocket that John put the note in. “Get your own.”

———————————

They don’t go to breakfast this morning. He takes her to a snowy, secluded park where they can snuggle in his car with the heater on.

“I think cuddling was a great suggestion,” he says, hands trying to bring her closer so that she’s on top of his body instead of smashed into his side.

She buries her face into his flannel, gulping in fresh cologne and musky detergent, still timid about putting her full weight on him.

He plays with her hair, kisses at her head and cheek bones to get her pliant enough that she’s on his lap happily instead of reluctantly.

There is a shared thought between them, and it’s about how sickly romantic this ordeal has become in such a short amount of time, but that idea is drowning beneath their desire to get each other closer.

They sit onshore, warm and holding hands, watching doubt and trepidation sink and die. No, not watching; too pre-occupied with one another to even realize or care that it’s happening.

“Yes,” she says, playing with his burly hand.

“Da.”

“No?”

He tugs her hips against his thigh to match the tempo of the sharp word. “Net.”

She giggles like a delighted child. “Handsome man.”

“Krasavchik.”

She tries to make her mouth fumble with the pronunciation of that one.

He clicks his tongue, shakes his head, helps her go slow, syllable by syllable.

She pats his cheek. “Kra-sacheek.”

He looks at her with his mouth tipped and eyebrow raised. “Just say krasavets.”

“Krasavets,” she says.

“Roll your tongue a little,” he instructs.

“I can’t.” She plays with the collar of his shirt.

“Try it,” he goads, digging impish fingers into her ribs, acting like he’s desperate to hear her do it for his personal enjoyment.

She laughs and squirms. “Fine, fine.”

She does really try hard, but it just gets him laughing at her.

She sticks out her tongue, embarrassed.

“ты такой милый, я мог бы тебя раздавить”

“What did you say?” She asks

“Cute girl,” he answers.

“That sounded pretty long winded for cute girl.” Her voice leaks suspicion.

He grins devilishly. “If you would take your lessons seriously, you would know what it means by now.”

Her mouth pops open in an astonished smile. So easy to get under her skin. “We literally just started.”

“Words from an amateur,” he sighs, rolling his eyes. The dramatics of this stoic man are her favorite thing in existence right now.

She attempts to tickle his side, earns a little twitch, the grab of her hand tight and fast as if to snap it in half.

A tinge of pain crosses her face, but it’s replaced quickly by a wide, mischievous grin. Who needs to dwell on stinging grips when a big deadly man is under your hands and able to be tickled?

He pulls her hand to his mouth and kisses her fingers. “Did I hurt you?”

“I’m made of bone, John,” she groans. “You won’t break me.”

His eyes turn sour. “I’ve broken plenty of bones.”

She refuses to be scared of him anymore despite him reminding her that he’s a walking sledge hammer. “I don’t care if you break my bones.”

The violent vision of her pretty crying face as he contorts her arms behind her back and breaks her pelvis with the thrust of his hips makes him choke on any words he could have responded with.

“Plus, let’s revisit this you being ticklish thing,” she says, trying to get him smiling again instead of brooding.

He licks his teeth into a grin. “That a war you think you can win, honey?”

It’s her turn to pout at him. “Let me win.”

That’s something he never thought he would hear come out of her mouth.

“Or at least give me a head start?” She tries.

“Oh, right now?” He asks, looking at his watch. “Okay. 30.. 29 .. twenty-“

“Noooooo,” she cries, kissing him to shut him up. “Let me prepare first.”

He nips at her top lip. “I thought that’s what the head start was for?”

“I need at least a week.” She licks the sting of his teeth away, but he grabs her mouth, because it’s his to nibble and nip and bruise as he pleases.

She looks up at him, confused, her bottom lip caught in his fingers. Her warm, damp maw is open, so he sticks his thumb onto her tongue.

She closes around it and sucks, owlish eyes rolling to the side to avoid the look of starvation on his face.

He pops from her lips, grabs her chin and makes her look back at him. He’d kill for this enchanting woman, he realizes. He’d die for this woman.

“Will you teach me?” She asks, uncomfortable in the tacit silence.

“Right.” He clears his throat. “Give me another word.”

“No.” She shakes her head. “Sorry. Will you teach me to fight?”

At first, he wants to say absolutely not. But that would be stupid, now. He needs her in his life, and his life is dangerous. With everything moving so quickly, including his attachment to her, he forgot about that part.

The past few days have been calm. Almost domestic. If he were normal, he would be ready to ask her to actually date him. He is acting completely delusional, blind, stupid, and it’s been wonderful.

Men are like wolves, a taste of blood is not enough. Pretty soon the desire for it becomes insatiable. John is no different from any other man in that way. He appointed himself father death a long time ago, and that has been his one purpose. Blood, heads, bullet’s with names on them.

A taste of love, he realizes, is also similar.

And her, so fragile and sweet in his hands, she creates a new path. Domestic bliss, waking every day to her pretty face, kissing and watching movies and flirting and making her warm and satisfied.

So many things he didn’t ever think he could have, all right here in his arms.

If he was weaker willed, he’d be pissing himself in fear from it all.

There are two options: leave her alone, forget about her and go back to doing what he’s built for, or teaching her basic skills to defend herself against his violent life that he needs her to be in.

One of these options is already never going to work, so that narrows it down.

“When do you want to start?” He replies.

“I have off tonight.” Her smile is wide and grateful because she really did not think he would agree.

“You need sleep, food, fluid,” he explains. “Self defense seems simple, but it’s hard on your body.”

“So is that a no to starting tonight?” She plays with his collar absently, and he takes the opportunity to huddle her closer.

“Sleep, food, fluid,” he repeats. “If you can get those things, then we’ll talk tonight. Beginner’s foundation.”

She seems a bit offended suddenly. “How do you know I’m a beginner?”

He cocks his head, trying to picture her fighting someone and coming up blank. He tilts her chin back and forth with his fingers, examining her cherubic face, the soft curves that belong captured in watercolors of a renaissance painting. Built for love, he thinks. Built for pleasure and playing. Fragility and soft, merciful beauty. Fighting? He almost scoffs. Instead, he inquires, “you’re not?” Anybody can be trained to be deadly, but he’s just not seeing it in her.

“I grew up in foster care,” she tells him. “I met a lot of bad people….”

He can tell that she doesn’t want to talk about this by the memory of it contorting her face.

“It’s okay,” John says.

“No, I’ll tell you.” She pulls her chin out of his hand and sits up.

He feels like he just ruined something, wants to drag her back and hold her in place. His fingers twitch, but he stays still and receptive to her story.

“Men.” She swallows, looks at him, looks down at her hands. “It’s usually men.”

He looks confused. “Fighting men?”

“Only the ones who hurt us.”

“Us?” As realization hits, so does anger. He can’t keep it out of his tone despite great attempt.

“I wasn’t the only kid in the system,” she explains. “I often had many siblings. I can only remember one family where I was the only kid they had.”

He nods, motioning for her to continue but already guessing where this is going. She’s a girl, after all, and women have vastly different experiences when it comes to growing up in orphanages and temporary homes.

“At first, I was the youngest, and I had no one to protect me. So then, when I was the oldest, I tried to become the protector I needed.”

His rage claws and screams for more detail. Mainly, one particular piece of information: Names, full and last. Maybe addresses if she can remember them.

The first rule of kill for hire is don’t be a hero and mind your own business. He should’ve known that was never going to work for him. These days he’s incapable of letting shit go or staying in his lane, and he’s sure it’s just going to get worse because he’s allowing it.

Why fight yourself if you already have to fight everyone else? Easier to just agree and compromise your base instincts into symbiosis.

“And screaming and calling the cops and asking for help - it never worked. Nothing peaceful ever worked. Violence became commonplace.”

“But, in turn, you were met with more violence.” He looks away from her for the first time since she’s known him - not in embarrassment, but contempt -  and watches snow tumble along the pavement.

“Bingo.”

John doesn’t want to imagine what she’s saying. He doesn’t want to think about her getting beaten like an unruly dog. He hates this. Rage so potent it turns all the delicate white scenery red. Hallmark movie transitions into slaughterhouse film. He wants heads, body counts - desires these so carnally that it makes his teeth ache and brain boil in cerebral fluid.

“I’m sorry.” Her small, worried voice fades the earth from crimson to pale pink.

“Sorry?” He asks.

“Did I make you mad?” She rubs at her forearm, and chews her lip. A tear slithers down her cheek.

“You?” The distance between them is too much, so he puts his chest to her forehead. “No. No, baby.”

She cries into his shirt while he rubs her scalp.

She knows what this is, at least on her end. The soft intimacy, the meeting of his friends, the terms of endearment he uses so casually after such a short amount of time. Still, she wants to ask him to tell her, in plain terms, how he feels and what is going on between them. She almost does, right here in his arms, leaking vulnerability. She opens her mouth to ask him if he really likes her, but the fear of scaring him away sows it shut.

“You need sleep,” he says, kissing her hair.

“Can I stay with you?” She asks. “Will you stay with me?” If he says no, she’ll drop it, she promises herself.

“I have some things I need to do today,” he replies, unable to stop his lips from pursing against her crown repeatedly.

“You’ll come back tonight?” She asks, cursing herself for the desperation.

“I want to,” he assures, “but I don’t know how the day will go. Here.” He uses his sleeves to wipe the tears off her face.

[short-black-diamond]

High school sweethearts!!!

Summary: When he thinks that the day can't get any more boring, you are here to cheer him up! (and make his heart flutter)

---

He stares out of the window, milliseconds away from falling asleep. But, it seems like fate is not on his side today as something hits him. He opens his eyes in confusion, and there it comes again; a tiny rock. Before he has time to think how it even got to the third floor, right into the open window, let alone right where he was, a third, but also bigger pebble lands straight in his hands. It is covered. He looks around. Nobody is paying attention to him and the teacher has their back turned. He carefully opens the paper. 'Care to have lunch with me? I've cooked something for ya :D' He smiles at your handwriting. A simple sms would've been enough. With a dreamy sigh does he look at the back of his classmate infront of him, already zoning out to think of what you could've made this time. He has fallen in love with your cooking and you. And it is only a matter of time before the last period ends.

Nagi, Reo, Isagi, Bachira, Aryu, Shidou, Barou, Oliver, Denki, Sero, Kirishima, Shoto, Denji, Aki, Itadori, Gojo, Megumi, Shikamaru, Naruto, Choji, Beel, Mammon, Levi, Shima, Mikey, Nahoya, Chifuyu, Baji, Takemichi, Zenitsu, Inosuke, Muichiro, Murata, Hinata, Kageyama, Kenma

...

It's PE and for once, he doesn't want to do anything, just rest. As he jogs in a relaxed pace, he catches sight of you playing basketball with your female classmates. And unconsciously do your eyes lock and you smile. He blushes and speeds up, not wanting his crush to think that he was not giving it his all. And while he is running away from you, but craning his head in your direction from time to time if you're maybe looking at him again, he can't help but think about how sweet your ponytail looked on you, or how your ckeeks were adorably red from all the running and jumping you did. He frowns, trying to get your pretty smile out of his head. If only it were that easy, with the way you're holding him in a chokehold around your pinky finger, he can't help but sigh frustratedly with a heavy blush and furrowed brows.

Beel, Rin, Sae, Kunigami, Barou, Kirishima, Iida, Bakugo, Izuku, Megumi, Toge, Yuuta, Rin Okumura, Shima, Ryuji, Draken, baji, Hakkai, Kakucho, Tengen, Inosuke, Tanjiro, Akashi, Lev, Bokuto

...

He can't concentrate on his homework, not when he's in a library, surrounded by his friends who are cracking jokes left and right. And even though he tries to act mature, he can't help but laugh as well. Then, he hears something sweet. You. "Hey guys, didn't mean to bother you, but I have help with this chemistry excercise. Can someone explain it to me?" And never in his live did he pack his things that fast and was also next to you in an instant. "L-let me help you. I needed a reason to get away from these idiots anyway.", he explains, and tries not to aknowledge his friends doing a pantomime of kissing, hugging and moaning as he is leading you as far away from them as possible.

Bakugo, Barou, Rin, Megumi, Lucifer, Shikamaru, Sasuke, Suguro, Draken, Mitsuya, Angry, Giyuu, Gyuutaro, Tsukishima, Kuroo,

...

He is very bored, he could fall asleep. How long is this going to take?! Why didn't he come to the cafeteria sooner?! He knew that he could've come a little sooner because today it would be the day where there would be his favourite snack on the menu. What he didn't know was that it was also everyone elses favourite. And as he is standing on the line, he catches sight of you retreating with one of the limited goods. "Say, uh, are there any more left?", he asks you. You smile and give him yours. His eyes widen as you place the dish on his plate. "This was the last one." "W-wait, but didn't you want to eat this??" You shook your head and took his sushi. "I know how much you love that snack. I took it for you. And in return, I can have your sushi, so it's a win-win, don't'cha think?" He nods with rosy cheeks and thanks you, going to the table his friends sat at. They were watchign him with shit-eating grins. "L-leave me alone...!", he yells, but they only laugh at him. Meanwhile, he gazes at the snack on his plate lovingly. He had to marry you as soon as posible, that was for sure.

Mikey, Angry, Takuya, Akkun, Beel, Levi, Mammon, Saiki, Itadori, Megumi, Toji, Isagi, Chigiri, Rin, Reo, Inosuke, zenitsu, tanjiro, Bokuto, Kenma, Hinata, basically all of the haikyuu cast...<3

---

Hey guys, how are you? I just wanted to write something else for once. I hope you guys liked it.

Read you in the next post!

[the12thnightproject]

Chapter47: Epilogue Katsu settles in in Azuchi. Plus kittens.

Mitsuhide x OC; Hideyoshi x MC (Mai)

All Chapters Archived on Ao3 

Logline - With Mai, Hideyoshi, and Aki missing, Mitsuhide and Katsuko reluctantly team up. Disguised as a merchant and his concubine, can they outsmart the man known as the God of Deceit?

Azuchi, Six weeks later…

The maids were going to kill me. Having been one myself, I understood the frustration of someone dripping mud across a freshly cleaned floor. But even though I left my mucky geta at the entry, there was no way to stop the rest of my clothing from scattering dirty water all the way down the corridor.

“You should just let Katsuko decide.” Though I’d intended to go change into dry clothes, I ended up halting by the door to Mitsuhide’s office area when I heard Toshiie’s voice.

What is this all about?

Before I could hide behind the door to eavesdrop, Mitsuhide called out. “I hear you out there, Brat, you might as well come in.”

As I entered, both took in my barefoot and soaked appearance with varying levels of concern (Toshiie) and amusement (Mitsuhide). I sighed. “Yes. My horse dumped me in a puddle again. Yes, in front of Nobunaga.”

On the bright side it had been after the afternoon of negotiations with a contingent of Nanban merchants, so at least I hadn’t spent the day messy and uncomfortable. Far from being insulted that one of his entourage had suffered an embarrassing splat, Nobunaga had been amused by the whole thing. Though he was still an imposing authority figure, and a stern boss, I suspected that below all that was an inner troll.

Mitsuhide took off his socks and passed them to me.

“Funny. That horse never does that to Ieyasu.” Toshiie’s comment confirmed to me that Ieyasu had continued to secretly ride her on the days where I was occupied with my duties as Nobunaga’s translator.

Eager to move the conversation away from my latest riding mishap, I turned to Toshiie. “What are you doing here?”

Usually at this time of day, he was in Ieyasu’s manor, while the two spent the afternoons exchanging medical knowledge. Now looking much more like the brother I remembered, he’d been enthusiastically training in feudal medicine. To everyone’s surprise, Ieyasu appeared not only to tolerate his company, but actually enjoy it.

Immediately Toshiie clammed up, looking furtive. Mitsuhide simply raised his eyebrow. Oh. Another romantic gesture was incoming. Mitsuhide had taken to love bombing me with just-because gifts. The gestures were always thoughtful, though occasionally embarrassingly timed, such as when he had Keiji perform a K-pop ballad in the middle of a banquet. (“How did you remember all the lyrics and teach it to him?” “I have my ways.”)

Hm. I would get nothing out of Toshiie with Mitsuhide around – I would have to privately interrogate my brother later.

“Come over here – I haven’t seen my darling fiancée all day.” Mitsuhide patted a spot on the floor next to him. I was soaked and muddy, but… details. If Mitsuhide wanted to be covered with ambient muck, who was I to stop him? After kissing me thoroughly (much to Toshiie’s embarrassment) Mitsuhide easily switched to business mode. “Was your day a success?”

“Yes to the negotiation, no to the drawing.” Before leaving modern Japan, I had printed out a screencap of Father Slappy Hands, and Mai had tried to draw him wearing period appropriate costume. I’d taken the drawing with me to show it to the Nanban merchants, but none of them recognized him. Nor had I been able to locate Francisco to question him about the man (or the gun).  He was still playing least-in-sight, and his business had been shuttered all winter.

Removing the drawing from the leather tube that had protected it when I splashed down, I unrolled it and showed it to Toshiie. “Do you remember this guy?” It was unlikely he would recognize the man who had spied on the gymnastics meet. It had been nearly fifteen years and Toshiie only had him on camera for a few seconds. So I was surprised when Toshiie said, “Nuno da Guerra. Why is he dressed as a missionary?”

Mitsuhide pulled our original screencap out of his desk and passed it to Toshiie. “Same man?”

Toshiie squinted at it. “Could be. What is this about?”

“He attacked us in Sakai. Once when we were investigating a slave auctions, and then a couple weeks after that.” At my selective edit (Toshiie did not need to know exactly how I had been investigating that) Mitsuhide raised his eyebrow, but let the omission go. “How do you know him?”

“I don’t know much about him at all. He would sometimes visit the herbalist.” Toshiie gave a bit of a shrug. “But… there are rumors that he’s bringing in opium from Goa.”

“That would certainly be a deviation from history.” A new voice came from the ceiling, then a moment later, Sasuke popped into the room with a graceful flip.”

“Dear me. Are you at all aware of a concept called… a door?” Mitsuhide gestured to his rifle, which was within reaching distance. “One of these days someone is going to hear you scrabbling around up there, shoot first, then question later.”

“If I ever made enough noise to, um, scrabble, Kenshin would skewer me before I lever left Kasugayama.” Sasuke turned and bowed to Toshiie. “Greetings and salutations. I take it you are Katsu’s brother.” He raised his hand in a Vulcan salute.

Since Sasuke’s greeting had only served to confuse Toshiie, I introduced the two of them and explained the future connection.

“Before this conversation can degenerate into a litany of modern Japanese cultural touchstones-,” MItsuhide’s eyebrow raise was in full force, “will you please expand on what it is you were talking about when you so charmingly… dropped in.”

Sasuke pushed his glasses up on his nose. “Historically, Japan never had the type of … issue… with opium that the Chinese empire did. Although its use medicinally dates from this period, it was rarely used recreationally, and by the nineteenth century the Tokugawa shogunate proactively banned it. Therefore, a foreign merchant attempting to disseminate it as a drug in this era, could theoretically do a fair amount of damage to a culture that has not been inoculated by China’s bad example.” Having dropped that lecture on us, Sasuke turned to Toshiie. “Did I hear you say you were working with the one and only Tokugawa Ieyasu? Would you mind if I accompanied you back? I’m eager to hear your impressions of that man.”

Seeming bemused by the torrent of words, Toshiie simply nodded.

“Wait, Sasuke. Were you just in the ceiling to spy?” Seemed like a rather large risk, especially when he could easily have just walked in through the entry.

“Ah. It escaped my mind when I heard him mention Ieyasu.” Sasuke dug a letter out of his kimono. “Yoshimoto sent this.”

Moving quickly, I grabbed the letter before Mitsuhide could confiscate it. “Thanks, Sasuke.”

He and Toshiie were already on their way out, with Sasuke eagerly listing his favorite Ieyasu accomplishments.

“It’s probably for both of us,” I said to Mitsuhide, hoping to prevent a sarcastic-

“Ah yes. Of course. I am accustomed to receiving love letters from a resident of Kasugayama.” He pulled me closer to him. “Hm, you are indeed quite damp.”

“There’s a thing called rain that you may have heard about.” Then, because I doubted he would let me leave with an unopened letter, I unsealed it and held it up so that we could both read it. “Save you the trouble of stealing it later.”

“Pity. I quite enjoy your attempts to ransom back your belongings.” He rested his chin on my shoulder and began narrating the letter. “’Dear Katsuko.’ Hrm. Inauspicious beginning. I would think you’d rate a darling at least.”

“If you’re going to snark all the way through this-“

“I make no promises.”

Sigh.

“I hope this letter finds you well. Thank you for the letter you sent via Sasuke. I shall cherish it always.” Mitsuhide tapped my forehead with his finger. “You wrote to him?”

“He did see me go over the wall. I thought he at least deserved to know that I survived… and deserved thanks for helping me out.” I elbowed him. “May I finish or are you going to continue to be a yandere about it.”

“Carry on.” He tickled the back of my neck. “He may have a paper from you, but I have the real thing.”

“’I am relieved to know that you survived your journeys through time, and if you are indeed settled in Azuchi, I wish for all your happiness. However, be assured there will always be a place for you wherever I am.’”

Hm, maybe I shouldn’t have let Mitsuhide read over my shoulder after all.

Luckily for the sake of peace in our relationship, Yoshimoto’s letter quickly switched gears to catch us up on politics. “You maybe be aware that Yoshiaki has entered a Buddhist temple. He will not be leaving it, as he recently suffered a brain storm that has left him rather incapacitated.”

Brain storm? Stroke? Yoshiaki was a little young for that, although I supposed it was possible.

“I thought that might occur.” MItsuhide sounded a bit… disappointed. “Although I do wish that could be confirmed.” Ok, not disappointed. Suspicious.

“As for your young friends, Sho and Hiko, they have settled in nicely at Kasugayama. Hiko has been all but adopted by Kanetsugu, who prizes education and has a school in the city. Our lovely flower Sho has a string of lovelorn vassals following her every step, although she does seem to prefer arguing with Yukimura. Shingen and I are amused by how easily they annoy each other. Meanwhile, I have returned to my passionate patronage of the arts. Come the Spring, I do believe I shall make the journey to Azuchi in order to explore the wares of your local artisans. I hope to encounter you then. Yoshimoto.”

“Is he warning us of an attack on Azuchi in the Spring? Or does he really plan to go shopping?” With Yoshimoto, it could go either way.

“I suspect the latter. Kenshin may be battle crazy, but he prefers to fight in a more open territory. Terrorizing civilians is not his style.” Mitsuhide made a move to confiscate the letter again, but I quickly folded it up. “It’s rather disappointing he wasn’t specific on the timing of his travel plans, in order for me to ensure you and I are elsewhere.”

I decided to ignore that bait. If we got into an argument, I never would get to the bathhouse, and I had become more uncomfortably damp as the afternoon wore on. A hot bath, and then maybe I could convince Mitsuhide to make an early night of… drat.

A long discussion of any of the things we had just learned had to wait. I’d forgotten that Mai had arranged the often-threatened “double date” for this evening. True, I liked Mai and Hideyoshi, and a meal cooked by Masamune was almost enough to make me forget my preference for a quiet night in. But given the already late hour, I rushed through my clean up, then had to press Mitsuhide into service to help me control my hair.

“Are you sure it’s going to stay?” I gently touched the series of knots behind my head, all held in place by a mass of hairsticks, including my beloved bellflower lockpicks.

He placed his hand on his heart. “I am devestated to hear you question my abilities as a hairstylist. It will last as long as it needs to last.”

With that cryptic statement, he led me into Hideyoshi’s manor… where I discovered that the hairstyle was meant to last until I bowed, at which point, the structural integrity disintegrated, gravity took over, and everything landed on the floor in a clatter of hairsticks. I cleared my bangs from my vision in time to see Hideyoshi wince.

Yep, I had already heard his opinions of how an employee of the Oda ought to look in public. It was similar to his opinions on running in the hallway, allowing Nobunaga to purchase a large quantity of konpieto in Saiki (as if I could have stopped him), and general tardiness.

To his credit, aside from flinching, Hideyoshi easily moved things along, becoming a perfect dinner host. Though Mai was the only one of us who had ever been on a double date, the evening proceeded smoothly enough, especially when Mitsuhide brought up Yoshiaki’s reported illness and the conversation turned to politics.

It was nice to be able to sit back in a relaxed setting and watch Hideyoshi and Mitsuhide interact. Though on the surface, Mitsuhide subjected Hideyoshi to as much teasing as he did me, I could see there was deep respect and admiration between the two of them. I recalled Mai mentioning that Mitsuhide only teased when he was serious, and I mentally amended that to the fact that he only teased where he loved.

Yep, his love language was snark.

As I continued to watch the two of them, Mitsuhide’s expression radiating relaxation and contentment, even as he good naturedly disagreed with something Hideyoshi had said, I realized that contentment was mirrored inside myself. I … was … happy. It was unexpected. Though I had spent most of my life running from unhappiness and my mother’s example, I had never run toward happiness. Instead, I’d had a hard-fought equilibrium, a balanced life that I enjoyed, and I’d been fine with my lot.

But this all was new. And… lovely.

Catching my gaze… and the direction of my thoughts, Mitsuhide smiled at me. “Happy?”

“Yeah. I can’t imagine anything that would make this moment better.” If I could have frozen everything in time, I might have chosen this exact point.

Although Mai did have a suggestion that was intriguing. “Mitsunari and a basket of kittens.”

“Ok, that might just-“

“No.” Her voice was full of wonder and amusement. “Mitsunari has a basket of kittens.” She sighed and gestured to a point behind me.

I turned and… Mitsunari stood at the door, holding a basket of kittens. A little grey one had already escaped containment and was climbing his arm.

@($^()*!(&*^

“My response was perfectly normal given the situation. He had a basket of kittens.” I took one of the hoodies I had smuggled back to the Sengoku and used it to create a makeshift bed for the new feline members of our household – Hawkeye and Natasha.

It turned out that Toshiie’s ‘secret’ meeting with Mitsuhide had been to determine which kitten I might like. They’d decided to let me choose for myself, hence Mitsunari’s sudden appearance (he’d gotten the message confused) with his cat’s recently weaned offspring. “Thank you for the gift. It was very thoughtful.”

I stood up and gave him a kiss.

“To be clear, the gift was the cats themselves, and not the man holding them.” He picked up Natasha, tickled her grey striped fur, then held her against his chest. “Until I saw you and Mai melt that way, I had not realized that women become that weak when presented with the sight of a man holding a miniature cat.” He set the other kitten on his shoulder then smirked at me.

It didn’t have quite the effect that Mitsunari had, but he looked handsome none the less, especially when he tapped his finger over his sensual lips.

“A basket of kittens. Not that he held onto that that long.” Mitsunari’s attempt to keep the kittens in the basket had met with certain failure, resulting in seven furry bullets ricocheting all over Hideyoshi’s quarters. By the time the five of us managed to round them all up, the double date was well and truly over.

Mitsuhide seemed to have ‘the touch’ with them, and he settled them onto the hoodie. They instantly curled into each other, and dropped into sleep. “Tomorrow, I’ll introduce them to Chimaki and ensure she understands they are friends. But for now…” He turned, scooped me up, and carried me to our own bed (he seemed to like doing that, and I was getting used to it). “I believe we should follow their example.”

In moments, we had created our own ‘cuddle puddle,’ our arms and legs entangled. “The fact that you remembered I still miss my old cat. It was… I’m…” Too many words struggled for supremacy. This was beyond happiness.

“I know.” He pushed my hair out of my eyes. “I remember every moment of that night. The best and the worst parts of it. I wanted to love you slowly and thoroughly, but I told myself that was not something I could have. Still… there was a part of me that pretended it was the first night of many. That we would return to Azuchi together, I would find a cat for you, and you would-“

“Give you everything. I have. And I will.” No more words were needed. He made good on his promise and began to make love to me, slowly, tenderly, taking time to assuage both of our needs, rocking against me as gently as a boat rode upon the waves.

Maybe it had been a longer route to get here… but we had made it.

The tenth thing I hate about Mitsuhide. The fact that everything about him makes it impossible to avoid loving him.

Coda: Sasuke

“Status update?” Aki, still looking frail and slightly feverish, settled behind the massive European style desk in his office.

Sasuke considered telling his part-time employer to take a few days off, but he settled for handing the man a bottle of antibiotics stolen from the hospital pharmacy. Though Aki had wanted to return to the Sengoku era immediately, Sasuke and Kayten convinced him to wait at least a week to ensure his infection would not recur. Instead, they had used the prototype to laterally jump to Sasuke and Kayten’s primary timeline, where at least the police (not to mention Shingen and their alternates) could not follow.

Now, after very little rest, the three were in the modern version of Aki’s manor in the Togakushi mountains, trying piece together the strands of the known timelines. While Aki was often out of communication range, as he hopped around the multiverse, he usually had let them know where he was going. The trips to 1578 and 1586 had been unplanned, leaving Kayten and Sasuke scrambling to not only manage the timelines, but also search for Aki.

“To borrow a phrase, would you prefer hearing good news or bad news?” Sasuke did at least like to prepare people first.

In this case, though, Kayten was clearly feeling less polite and her hiss of frustration suggested she didn’t appreciate his attempt to soften the blow. “One of the Katsukos was executed.”

A harsh way to put it, but Sasuke remembered the look on Kayten’s face when they arrived in timeline G a few days after her alternate had been put to death. He’d never wanted to see that look again.

Aki closed his eyes for a moment. When he reopened them, he said (in Sasuke’s opinion) the worst thing possible. “And Hikosane?”

“He’s fine. Dad. Adopted by one of Nobunaga’s vassals.” She got to her feet, glaring at them both under a fringe of violet bangs. “I know there’s a bunch of us… versions of myself scattered across the multiverse … maybe to you, it doesn’t matter if one of us dies. But it feels like little pieces of me are being chipped away.” For a moment it looked like she was about to say more, perhaps even include Sasuke in her blast of anger. But instead, she simply left the room, without even a slammed door to punctuate her outburst.

Unsure of whether to try to comfort his friend or continue to keep Aki company, Sasuke stayed frozen in indecision.

“She’s wrong.” Aki’s voice was so quiet, Sasuke might have thought he imagined it. “I lost them both once, and my response to that almost destroyed the multiverse.”

Coming next winter… As Yuki Likes It

Courier, scout, daredevil, housemaid … Bodyguard? Katsuko has had many identities in the seven years since a wormhole sent her back in time to feudal Japan, and she’s found a certain satisfaction working for Akihira. Then an accidental encounter with an alternate timeline gives her a glimpse of a blissful future with a handsome grey-eyed warlord.

To ensure that future for herself, Katsu accepts a mission guiding a young prince and princess to Kasugayama. But a series of betrayals endangers that mission, and only by accepting the escort of Sanada Yukimura do they have any chance of reaching their destination. Meanwhile, Katsu’s wish for that once-glimpsed future is tested by her growing friendship with Yukimura. Not that it matters, as Yukimura is fascinated by the beautiful Princess Shohime… a girl already betrothed to the Dragon of Echigo.

Only time can sort out this entanglement of mismatched lovers. And time… is the one thing that is quickly running out.

… Loosely inspired by Shakespeare's As You Like It

Excerpt

I handed Shohime my arrows, knowing her aim was nearly as good as mine. “You know what to do.” I nudged her toward the cover of trees. “Wait… give you your shawl.”

While she and Hikosane vanished in the undergrowth, I pulled my hair out of the braid, and wrapped her shawl around my shoulders. It would fool no one at close range, but hopefully I could lead our attackers out of the area until the Kanamori vassals could bring reinforcements.

Then I leaped on my horse, and making as much noise as I could, cantered out to the crossroads, where the mercenaries were still searching for us. Moonlight wasn’t fast, but in this mountainous territory, a surefooted horse was more valuable anyway. To ensure I had their attention, I shrieked in fear, then took off through the trees.

Behind me, I could hear the pounding of hoofbeats, and the occasional yelps as one of the ronin got too personal with a low-hanging branch. Taking a meandering path, I zig-zagged through the area, until I was sure the men behind me were thoroughly lost.

After that, it was simply a matter of finding my way back to the others. I love it when a plan comes togeth-

In the midst of my anachronistic celebration, I heard another horse behind me. “Hey! Stop!”

Yeah, that would be a big old no. I spurred Moonlight into action again, but this pursuer was a bit more competent than the others, and no matter how sharply I turned, I could not lose him.

Plan B.

I cut back around, across his path, and took Moonlight directly toward a puddle of water. As expected, as soon as her feet got wet, she reared up, and dumped me off.

Shit, this is going to hurt.

I thudded to the ground, rolled, and, as the rider approached, I pulled Shohime’s shawl over my face, pretending to be overcome with terror. Whoever wanted to kidnap her would be surprised to discover they had the wrong girl, but the longer I could string this out, the better chance I had to learn why he wanted her. As footsteps reached the spot where I had ‘fallen’ off my horse, I added a couple of theatrical sobs.

“Ah… geez. Don’t cry. Are you hurt?”

The voice was vaguely familiar. I risked peeking up at the man who was raking his hands through his hair in frustration… Sasuke’s friend? Yuki? What did Yuki want with the Princess? And how could I make his life a misery for grabbing me instead?

Another story has come to an end, and it's always hard for me to say goodbye to the characters - that snarky kitsune just worms his way into the soul, doesn't he? We will of course see these characters again in other longfics, and I'm actually in a few weeks going to do a follower celebration here, with one of the options being "suggest or vote" on a scene to go with a fic in the Katsuverse.

As you can see, Yukimura will be our next hero in longfic #4, and, despite the angsty coda of this story, I'm hoping it will be heavier on the comedy side (more in tone to Mitsunari's story than Shingen's).

Until then, I want to once again thank everyone who read this story, whether you were a Unicorn commenter, or left a comment sometimes or just quietly came in to read. I'm so grateful for everyone - I love this community, both here and on Ao3.

In the meanwhile, as I try to get Yuki's story written, I'll be bringing back a throwback Thursday fic, so starting in April, keep a lookout for A Mitsunari Night's Dream.

@lorei-writes @bestbryn @lyds323 @tele86 @akitsuneswife @selenacosmic

[starry-night-rose]

“The moon is out tonight, isn’t it romantic?”

Character Playlist / Character Inspirations

Full Name: Lilith Clara Winchester

Nicknames: Lulu (Her Family), Lili (Trinity @rosietrace ), Miss Winchester (Crowley), Miss Lilith (Konstatin @terrovaniadorm )

V/A: Toyosaki Aki (JP), Brenna Larsen (EN)

!Twisted from Lucy Westenra from the Dracula!

Age: ???

Birthday: September 7th

Horoscope: Virgo

Species: “Human” Vampire

Gender: Female

Pronouns: She/Her

Height: 154 cm (or 5’1)

Hair Color: Golden Blonde

Eye Color: Sky Blue

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Homeland: Briar Valley

Family: Unnamed Mother †, Unnamed Father †, Unnamed Fiancé †(?),

Dominant Hand: Left

Dormitory: Terrovania (belongs to @terrovaniadorm )

School Year: 3rd Year

Class: 3-B (No. 13)

Best Class(es): Magical History, Animal Languages

Worst Class: P.E

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Favorite Food(s): Macaroons, Pomegranates, Cherries, Apples, Blood

Least Favorite Food: Garlic

Hobbies: Taking Long Walks, Flower Arranging, Scrapbooking

Dislike(s): The Sun, her Vampirism, Her constant Sleepwalking

Talent(s): Singing, Needlework, Baking

Sexuality: Bisexual

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Personality: Lilith is described as an Angel among the students of Terrovania! Always willing to help others and to soothe their minds, Lilith is like Terrovania’s very own big sister! Always sweet, Lilith carries herself with compassion and always thinks of others before herself even if she tends to neglect her own needs! However, when the moon is high and the air is crisp, Lilith shows a different side of her. It is when Lilith is consumed by her need to feed. Lilith becomes a bloodthirsty and manic monster, bent on quenching their own thirst. Besides these changes, Lilith becomes more assertive and alluring, bringing her “prey” in. Lilith is mostly unaware of how she acts while in this form but feels deeply remorseful for it! Lilith tries to keep this side of her from the rest of society as to not hurt them but at times, it does get out.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

TW for Murder, Blood, Violence

Backstory: Lilith wasn’t always the half human-half vampire being she is now! Lilith was born a normal human in a little village in the Briar Valley to two parents who cared more about their social standing rather than taking care of a child. Lilith was used as a pawn in an arranged marriage to a rich noble’s son. Lilith couldn’t refuse the marriage proposal but over time, she grew to accept it. The noble’s son treated her well but it was clear that neither of them wanted the wedding to happen.

The wedding started normally, up until the exchanging of rings when it arrived. It was all so quick, one moment Lilith and her Fiancé were exchanging rings and the next, the entire chapel was covered in blood. They say it was a wild animal that attacked the wedding but that couldn’t be farther from the case. Lilith hid under the alter, watching the carnage occur. Bones broken, skin ripped, the metallic taste of blood on everyone’s lips, it was a nightmare. Lilith had no idea where her fiancé had gone, most likely taken by the creature, and was fearing for her life. It wasn’t long before it came for her as well. Lilith was weak against its attacks and fainted. The only thing that was able to jolt her awake was a bite to the neck. The bite caused Lilith to come back to her senses and fight back. What she did was bite the entity back on the arm, just enough to scare it off and leave her alone. Lilith soon passed out for a long, long time. When she finally woke up, she learned of her wedding in the form of an urban legend many years later. Lilith was unsure as what to do but decided to find a way to survive. Lilith later lived in a cottage in the Briar Valley before getting an acceptance letter to NRC. Confusingly, Lilith accepted and made her way to Night Raven College and was sorted into Terrovania.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Trivia!

Lilith likes to wear high collars to cover up her vampire bites

Lilith finds herself sleepwalking most nights, she’s not quite sure how to stop it however!

Lilith is often seen humming to herself while taking her walks!

Lilith often carries a parasol when going outside

She took up flower arranging to pass the time when she was younger and now does it to calm herself down!

The ring is magic and keeps Lilith’s vampirism at bay! If removed, then Lilith will immediately give into the vampirism

Lilith is a fan of the opera and regularly attends!

If this post hadn’t already given it away, the “wild animal” was none other than a newly turned Konstatin!

[nero-vanderwolf]

It’s April 9th when stuff goes mildly awry. Of course, being in SEES and the Seekers of the Lost, Shinji is painfully used to it.

However, when Goro and Ken come in, equal amounts flushed and frantic, yelling about something called the Metaverse, Shinji is confused as hell.

““There’s a weird app,” Ken says one afternoon after school, “that takes you to some another world or something. It’s called the Metanav!”

“Kid, slow down. What the hell are you sayin’?” Shinji asks, sitting at the kitchen table with a coffee (courtesy of Aki) and a book (courtesy of Goro).

“I can show you! There’s a thing called Mementos, too, and it’s like an amalgamation of everyone’s cognition-”

Shinji tenses. Cognition. Mitsuru had told him something a while back, on one of their many phone calls. How she and a team of researchers were looking into something called ‘cognitive psience’. Apparently, one’s view of the world could be physically altered by a change of heart. The idea was interesting, Shinji had admitted, but it seemed almost entirely unlikely.

Mitsuru had just laughed, told him that was why they were researching it. Shinji had told her to be safe before hanging up and relaying the ‘Mitsu Update’ to Aki.

“Papa? Are you okay-?”

Shinji looked up from the guilded cover of his book, and nodded. “Yeah, I’m okay. Just... thinkin’.”

“What about?” Ken asks, sitting next to him at the table. Shinji drinks the rest of his coffee, setting the cup down with a dull thunk on the hardwood.

“Cognition. Mitsuru is workin’ on somethin’ like that. Researchin’ it. Listen, Ken. I don’t mind ya goin’ to that ‘Metaverse’ place, but you’d better be damn careful. I don’t want you getting hurt.”

Ken pauses, then nods. “Of course. I’ll be careful. You can come with me, if you want! You and Dad both! Goro, too!”

Shinji shakes his head. “I’m too broken for that, kid. I ain’t old, but this body’s been through a lot of shit.”

Ken’s face falls, but he nods in understanding regardless. “I get it. Well, I’ll make sure to tell you all about it! Hey, I’m gonna go study for a bit.”

He gets up from the table, wraps his gangly arms around Shinji’s shoulders, then scampers upstairs.

Shinji sighs, running a hand over his face. Aki can’t get home fast enough.

KEN DISCOVERS THE METANAV oh god they're discovering all the ways to traverse the shadow world... this could be potentially bad. what if ken activates it and akechi gets dragged in by it and he discovers his powers..... th. the LOOOOOKKKIIIIIII!!!!

actually i dont remember if akechi has a persona yet or not. does he have robin hood?

[minevn]

(I'm sorry for the mistakes) What do LI do in life?

Minato: Minato has been helping his grandparent's out at the shop ever since he moved in with them! It first started with getting things ready in the displays and helping his grandma get orders ready. Then on the weekends Minato would get fishing lessons from his grandfather until eventually he was the one who got most of the fish and delivered them to where they needed to be.

Haruto: Haruto is a CEO of his mothers interior design company that was handed down to him in her will. Haruto and his mother are both clean freaks who enjoy nicely decorated homes. Haruto enjoys his job, he likes what the job entails. Honestly, he's not even sure what job he would do if not interior decorating, no job is cleaner in his eyes.

Jun: Jun is college student majoring in fashion and in her free time is an influencer. She wants to make beautiful, trendy outfits for everyone to wear! She enjoys doing silly little challenges and showing off her designs online. She'll lose her mind if she finds out you watch her and if she see's you wearing her designs.

Hoshi: Hoshi works as a cook in his dad's restaurant with his dad. Hoshi honestly doesn't have any aspirations, nothing that he's ever been like "Oooo! I wanna be that! That's my dream!" He's tried many other things, but nothing too appealing for a life long aspiration. He's pretty fine with being a cook, he likes it enough.

Habiki: Habiki works as a host for his dad's restaurant(At least in the beginning) and he hates it. Unlike his younger twin who has no dream, Habiki does have a dream. They want to go on stage and play the violin, they want to make beautiful music for everyone, mainly themself.

Kage: Kage is a job-hopper, they can never keep a job too long and don't really have any jobs they want. They try to find night shift jobs or jobs where they can stay inside. Currently, in game they work at the graveyard, making sure that no one is digging up bodies or anything, often cleaning the graves as well.

Kei: Kei is a hacker, legally and illegally. He has his own little cyber security business that helps with stopping hackers from hacking your computer. But he often hacks into places like he shouldn't, places that contain confidential info that is only supposed to be seen by few eyes. He enjoys his job and studies for a bunch of other things as well :3

Yani: Yani's a coder, for video games. She makes the characters, the music, the backgrounds, everything. She does a few other side jobs, but never keeps jobs long, things like cashier at a convenience store. Yani also enjoys animating and has a fairly large following on her animation channel. She also take's commissions. She doesn't buy a lot of things so has quite a bit of money saved up.

Aki: Aki is a model. She often helps Jun model outfits, but she'll model any kind of outfit. She often makes it on covers of magazines and has a ton of fans, helps get Jun some exposure! Sometimes her job can be really stressful with obsessed fan and high, unrealistic expectations.

[brainfilehasstoppedworking]

I love hurting Taichi and Takaaki...who said that?

《~~~~~》

Taichi couldn't feel a thing. It hurt to move, that's one thing. He coughed and gargled as blood built up in throat. He didn't want to die. He couldn't die. Chihiro and his wife were still out there. He couldn't leave everyone he cared about.

He heard footsteps. Was that…?

"Oh…my God…" He heard a voice say. "Taichi…!" The person ran to his side, putting their hands on his wounds. Trying their best to cover them up. But they were too big to be covered. "No…no, no, no." They cried softly. "A-Aki…?" Taichi winced as he tried to look over.

"Taichi! What happened?" Takaaki asked, his horrorfied face making Taichi wince again. "Attacked…bear…attacked…can't…feel…" Taichi struggled.

Takaaki nodded, he frantically hooked his arms underneath Taichi's own. He reached over for Taichi's laptop as well, placing it on the programmer's chest and started to drag him. "Aki…!" Taichi screamed in pain. Or tried. It hurt. "I know. I know." Takaaki said, muttering.

"Aki…just leave me…hurts…won't make it." Taichi said. He jolted as the pain in his neck gave him a sting. "I'm not leaving you behind. You'll be fine." Takaaki said as he continued to drag him. "Aki…" Taichi swallowed. "Note…" Taichi said.

"What?" Takaaki stopped, looking down at him. "Note…shirt pocket." Taichi instructed. "Leave it. For…the girls…" Taichi struggled. Takaaki nodded and reached into Taichi's shirt pocket. He put it down in the pool of blood that once had Taichi in it. He went back and continued to drag Taichi. When Takaaki was able to drag Taichi far enough, he sat him down, propped up against a wall.

He removed his coat and wrapped the clothing around whatever he could. Just enough to cover Taichi's wound. "I'll find us a place where we can get you better."

"Aki…Aki, I know…I know you want to try but I can't– I won't make it." Taichi argued again. "Yes you will. You have to. I can't lose you too." Takaaki's grip on Taichi's arm tightened. "Not you, too, Taichi. Not the person I care for the most." Takaaki rested his forehead on Taichi's own. "I love you too much to want to leave you behind. So try…" Takaaki said, gray eyes that were once a beautiful red looking into Taichi's dulling green ones.

Was that…a confession…? Now? Taichi would've laughed if it didn't hurt. It hurt more when Takaaki picked him up in his arms. Using whatever strength he himself could muster. He wasn't that strong, but good thing Taichi was light. Taichi was afraid his precious laptop would fall. But he trusted Takaaki to not let it. Taichi leaned his head against Takaaki's chest. "You're stubborn…" He said.

"Hm. Let's stop talking, I want you to save your strength." Takaaki told him softly. Taichi closed his eyes and nodded. He wanted to imagine a world where it wasn't like this. Where he was in Takaaki's arms, but for a different reason. It was calmer. He could actually feel his limbs. He could feel the older Ishimaru better.

God it hurt…

He felt so sleepy.

Maybe…

Maybe he should fall asleep…

It scared Taichi that he wouldn't wake up, though. That he'd leave Takaaki. That he was right and that he wouldn't make it. He couldn't. It hurt. He bled too much already. Why was Takaaki so stubborn?

"Aki…" Taichi breathed out, struggling to speak more. He coughed again, blood splattered on his shirt and laptop. "Don't force yourself." Takaaki said, worry in his tone.

"Thank you…" Taichi said finally.

"Don't talk like that…" Takaaki said, holding Taichi closer. "But thank you…for…not…giving up." Taichi slurred before falling into a calm sleep. He was still breathing, Takaaki noted. But he better hurry before Taichi does stop.

[pocket-of-summer]

Chapter 4 - Author’s Notes

Hey! Thank you everyone for your patience. I’ve probably said this, I’m aware my update speed isn’t the fastest and even then each update isn’t that long (writing is hard)...of course this is just a personal project for myself first and foremost, but even I wish I could chip away at it a bit faster lol. Either way I don’t want to overpromise anything with this dumb little story so just come along for the ride, feel free to drop off and get on wherever 😂 Thank you for checking it out!

This chapter’s notes covers a bit on Akihiro and Zemimon, but also some stuff we saw in the chapter.

▶Go to: - Continue to Chapter 5

Akihiro

Akihiro’s given name (秋広 Akihiro) literally means autumn ‘秋’ wide/vast ‘広’. Ok so with the reveal of the gods(?) in this chapter actually their names kinda have some meaning! A bit! I’ll write more about it below.

His family name (小川 Ogawa) literally means small ‘小’ river ‘川’. That completes the family names being based on water 😂 I think they were supposed to be more important in the story, but now it’s just more of a...theme thing?

I remember in one of my old posts someone commented something like he gives off Iori (Digimon 02) vibes...yes!!! I guess I made him kind of the ‘good boy intellectual’ of the group haha, with some traits similar to Koushiro (Digimon Adventure) and Iori.

Zemimon

So, Zemimon’s initial design was actually meant to be like an insect-dino cross:

It’s a pretty cool idea right!? But I couldn’t really get any ideas for his evolutions, and also him being a dino kind of overlaps with Pangorumon’s dino-based evolution line. I do honestly like the idea though and might like to use it for something else in the future...

Zemimon’s next design is more bug-like, but leaning more mechanical? I wouldn’t mind it but I guess it’s hard to make bug designs look balanced as a cyborg (I feel like they can go either organic or mechanical-looking, but I struggle to design something that looks clearly in-between). And since there is that subtle theme of ancient gods(?) in the story, I kinda wanted to go for something more organic-leaning. Which brings us to the current Zemimon design!

Other notes

As mentioned earlier, the kids’ given names have kinda a bit of relation to the gods:

“Haru-no-Kami, the god of spring, he watches the heavens and the stars.” Haruka’s name (春日) means ‘spring sun’.

“Natsu-no-Kami, the god of summer, she watches the earth and the seas.” Natsumi’s name (夏海) means ‘summer sea’.

“Aki-no-Kami, the god of autumn, he watches the great expanse and all who exist within.” Akihiro’s name (秋広) means ‘autumn expanse’.

“Fuyu-no-Kami, the god of winter, she watches the flow of time and every moment in eternity.” Chifuyu’s name (千冬) means ‘thousand winters’.

Hahaha so the names have (a bit) of meanings...what does it mean?? Let’s hope I manage to survive and continue the story to the point where it’s explained a bit better 🤣

Also we saw Murexmon this chapter! I was already set on her general body shape but so indecisive regarding her helmet lol.

Also yes she can come out of her helmet! She doesn’t usually do it because she’s totally defenseless in this form. Imagine a soft slug, but without the slime...the texture would feel like a plush toy but alive, kind of. Does she have legs? It’s a mystery O:

Lastly, the enemy Digimon of this chapter is the official Digimon WaruSeadramon! Yes if you’ve watched Digimon Adventure there’s the not-so-subtle parallel of WaruSeadramon triggering Dedemon’s evolution like how MegaSeadramon triggered Ikkakumon’s evolution in Adventure lol 😆

That’s all for now! I start a new job tomorrow so I don’t know what that will mean for my already slow update speed 😵‍ I hope it goes smoothly so I can continue their story!

[estasticvanni]

//Angst?

Afab Hinata X Kuroo//

(literally had to make this work somehow)

It had been almost 6 years since Kuroo dumped Hinata,sure falling out of love is something that happens but falling out of love after their anniversary..?The thing is Hinata kept a secret from him since they broke up,he was supposed to tell him but never got to.

Hinata sat on his couch,his eyebags were my dark. Safe to say he hasn’t gotten an ounce of sleep but why? “Dad!” The six year old with inky hair and brown eyes came tumbling over,Her smile was delicate. “Hello sunshine” Hinata spoke weakly as he smiled,Eiko smiled and jumped around”Let’s go! It’s time for school!” Hinata nodded before getting off the couch and putting his shoes on”Come on! Let’s go! I wanna see Aki!” Hinata laughed at his daughter’s enthusiasm “Is Aki a new friend?” Eiko nodded “He’s my school twin hehe!” Hinata smiled and opened the front door for Eiko,The short short haired child ran through the door frame and outside

“Let’s go,It’s time for a new day!”Eiko ran down the apartment stairs without looking back at her dad”Wait for me!” Hinata smiled as he chased her down stairs to his car

//At Eiko’s school - 8:00 Am

Eiko played with the other kids,being slightly competitive “I won that!” Eiko shouted as she saw the teacher bring out treats “Now now,everyone is a winner!”Eiko pouted and pinched Aki,who had gotten a treat “ouch! let me go Eiko chan!” Eiko stopped and poured,where’d she get this from..?

//After school - 12:00 Am

Eiko ran outside the school with her friend Aki,from a distance they look like twins! “Dad!” Eiko ran towards Hinata and Aki ran towards his parents,Hinata smiled as he kneeled down to Eiko “How was school?” “It was good! Can Aki come over please?” “Who’s Aki?” Eiko pointed to Aki who was with his mom and…

“Kuroo…?” Hinata stared in disbelief “Aki! Come over here!” Aki ran over pulling Kuroo along with him. What a strange day,reuniting with a old lover…

“Papa! This is my friend!” Aki proudly spoke as he hugged Eiko,Kuroo’s wife walked over aswell “Ah you must be her dad?” She extended her arm towards Hinata,He shook her hand,avoiding the glare Kuroo was giving him. “Yes i’m Eiko’s dad! I’m guess you’re Aki’s mom?” The lady nodded and smiled

Kuroo was stuck in his thoughts,Eiko looked like him,Hinata was here..What the hell is exactly going on,like sure there’s other people with black hair but the hair covering one eye?! he doesn’t think so…

“Mama! Papa! Can I stay over at Eiko’s place?” Aki asked with his beady blue eyes,His mother chuckled and nodded,whilst Kuroo was still deep in thought..”Dear..?” Kuroo snapped out of it and put his hands in suit pocket “Yeah he can go..”

Aki smiled,him and Eiko danced together as to celebrate,Hinata chuckled at the scene. Kuroo stared,He wanted to ask questions but now wasn’t the time..”We can meet at the central park tomorrow!” His wife’s voice startled him,Hinata was already walking off with the two children,holding their hands if they were his own.

//At Kuroo’s Mansion(Can’t imagine him not being rich..)

Kuroo sat at his desk,his leg perched on the other,He was thinking,It’d only been 6 years since he left him so how the hell did he have a child..more specifically why’d it look like him?!As curious as Kuroo was he decided to do some digging,luckily he wasn’t blocked on anything so he was free to look as he pleased

So that’s what he did,scrolling endlessly just to find some kinda explanation,When did this child even come up…He stopped scrolling,he found just a single picture,Hinata in a hospital bed holding a baby…”oh you’ve gotta be kidding me.” Kuroo sighed,If Eiko was in the same grade as Aki,she’s 6 years old…meaning…”So that’s when she was conceived…” Kuroo sighed and turned the computer off,It was on their anniversary.

Kuroo felt overwhelmingly horrible,He broke up with Hinata that day. And just now he’s finding out he has a child. What the hell does he even do at this point..

//At Hinata’s house

Eiko was playing with Aki on the couch “I’m the princess so you have to save me!” Aki stuck his tongue out “I’m the dragon! Being a knight is lame!” Eiko pinched him “Nuh uh!” Hinata chuckled ,Bzzt! Hinata’s phone rang,He looked at the caller id,surprisingly…It was Kuroo..?

Hinata picked up the phone.

“Hey,long time no talk eh?”

Hinata didn’t say anything.

“Hah….Anyway. You have a child now..what about that huh…?”

“Yeah I have a child…what about Eiko?”

“Is she..is she mine..?”

Hinata sighed audibly “Yes she’s your child.”

Kuroo chuckled,He knew it. But now what..?

“So…You never told me..”

“Didn’t give me the chance to.”

“Right..”

Hinata didn’t bother with this conversation,all he wanted to do was watch his daughter be happy and play with her friend but I guess you can’t do much when you’ve kept a secret for so long.

“So,is there a chance I could atleast be in her life..?”

“How unlike you,wanting to be involved.”

Kuroo sighed “Look,just answer me okay?”

Hinata didn’t bother,Kuroo has a family already. Why bother with the one he unknowingly made..

“Hinata…”

“HINATA.”

“God fucking damnit! Answer me!”

Hinata could care less,He was fine without this guy in his life. Sure he struggled raising Eiko alone but that’s just a given.

“Is this how you treat me huh? Look I just want to care for her! Let me be a father okay?”

“Why bother? You already have a family,one you made on purpose.”

“You’re being difficult you know. Why did you keep this from me?! What have I done?”

Hinata scoffed,the audacity this guy had was insane. It wasn’t like before they broke up,Kuroo barely was around,stringing the ginger on while he was out doing god knows what. It wasn’t like Kuroo had taken advantage of how lovesick Hinata was and got himself a ‘boyfriend’ that he barely have any affection to,and if he did it wasn’t even affectionate.

“What have you done…? You’re not innocent,you weren’t innocent. You know what you did to me!”

“Oh is that it? You’re clinging onto the past..”

Hinata wanted to throw his phone but instead hung up,He’s not about to argue with a hood for nothing.

“Dad! It’s time for bed!” Eiko tugged at Hinata’s pants,Hinata smiled and nodded “Goodnight!” Eiko tan off to her room with Aki and just like that,another day has ended.

//Years later//

Aki always comes over,which forces Hinata to talk to Kuroo and his wife,well ex wife. The bastard got divorced,Definitely devastating but hey it’s not Hinata’s concern. Until the smug bastard shows up at his doorstep,smelling like wine.

What makes this worst is that it’s raining and the guy is still in his suit..

“Shoyo! Come on you gotta let me in…it’s freezing out here..” Hinata frowned,is he drunk or not..?Nonetheless Hinata pulls Kuroo in and locks the door behind him. “Thank god,I was thinking you would’ve left me to die..you wouldn’t would you baby?” He was drunk. Sober Kuroo knew better than this. Hinata sighed while he wrapped a towel around the dripping man

Honestly this reminded Hinata of the times they were in love,well..What he thinks is when they were in love..Hinata’s love was real,Kuroo’s was phony. He hates him for that. “Hey,Where’s my kid?” Kuroo asked while hiccuping “With Eiko.” Hinata didn’t look up to meet Kuroo’s eyes,God he hated those hazel eyes,the ones he looked into when he cried,when he smiled,when he begged Kuroo to stay.

“ah,my children are together!” Kuroo snickered,If Hinata could punch him,he would. Hinata didn’t say anything,he sat on the sofa and turned on the tv,Kuroo stumbled over and sat directly next to him. Has he ever heard of personal space..? Aki and Eiko run out from the hallway “Catch me if you can Eiko!” Hinata watched in amusement while Kuroo cackles like the idiot he is.

The two children stop when they see Kuroo,they look at eachother and then at Hinata. Hinata shrugs. “Look at my children playing together!” Kuroo wrapped a arm around Hinata and chuckled “Huh..?” Eiko loooked confused. “Why don’t you tell her Hinata?” Hinata pushes Kuroo off him and sighs.

“He’s your father.”

“WHAT.”

Cliffhanger that will never be resumed!

So imagine what happened after with your imagination!

This took atleast 4 breaks to write..

Anyway! Hope you enjoyed it!

//Yes there is probably some spelling mistakes or missing words because I somehow forget to type the words…

sorry for that! I was trying to finish this up!

See ya next time ★

[quietplace26]

Final part~

Lost and Found au (7)

"Akito..." Someone... Someone was calling his name...

With a groan, Akito forces his eyes open. He blinks a few times to get the sleep out of them as he looks around to see who said his name.

He was still in the same room as before. Still under a warm blanket and still covered in sleeping Nekomata kittens. But the biggest difference was sleeping right beside him on the floor. It was KK.

"K-KK?" Akito's voice cracked with emotion as he whispered KK's name in disbelief.

That whisper wakes KK up. The older man sits up with a grunt, looking somehow more grumpy than usual with his scowl and messy hair.

KK blinks a few times as he looked around before his gaze landed on Akito.

After a beat of silence, "Akito!" KK lunges toward the bedridden male with a loud cry, hugging him tightly.

Akito could do nothing but hold on for dear life as KK hugged him and pepper kisses all over his face, saying how he was so relieved that Akito was okay!

They were both crying but neither cared as they held eachother tightly.

The ruckus and sudden movements wakes the Nekomata kittens. When they saw how Akito was awake, they too threw themselves at Akito with happy cries.

Hearing the loud noises, the Nekomata healer comes in to see what was ahppening. Seeing how Akito was being held by KK and the fact he was covered in Nekomata kittens makes the healer huff in amusment.

The Nekomata healer claps his paws together, getting everyone's attention. "Alright little one's! It's time to go back to your rooms now."

The kittens start whiningabout how they wanted to stay with 'Aki nii-san' and their new 'oji-san'!

Akito had to hold down a snort when he saw KK"s face when he heard what the kittens called him.

The Nekomata healer eventually manages to shoo the kittens out after they said goodnight to Akito and KK.

After the kittens left, the Nekomata healer does a quick check up on Akito, saying the human was completely healed now. He too leaves the room.

Now it was just Akito and KK...

Akito was starting to get nervous. After the Nekomatas left, KK became quiet, refusing to look at Akito at all.

Was KK mad? Akito wouldn't blame him if he was. He did keep secrets from the older man, but what else was he supposed to do?!

Tell this amnesiac man that he was originally a wraith that possessed Akito in Shibuya and they somehow took down Hannya?! Like hell KK would've believed all that!

With tears of frustration building up, Akito looks away from KK.

"Akito." KK calls out to him with a surprisingly gentle voice. "Akito. I remember everything."

Akito freezes. Slowly, he looks over to KK, feeling something akin to hope build up in him.

"KK? You remembered... Shibuya?" Do you remember me goes left unsaid...

KK tugs Akito closer, settling the younger man on his lap and buries his face into Akito's neck. "I remember fighting Hannya." KK's voice was muffled, but Akito could hear a slight tremble in the older man's voice.

KK's grip on Akito tightens. "That bastard... He killed me." KK was shaking now, and truthfully, Akito wasn't much better, but Akito pushed his stress aside to comfort KK. He hugged KK back, placing a hand into the shaking yokai hunter's hair, petting gently.

"After I... died, I became a wraith. But when I felt myself begin to fade away, I started looking around for someone to possess." Akito just hummed, konwing where this was heading. "There was a body laying on the road, and I didn't hesitate to possess it."

KK pulled away from Akito's neck, staring directly into the younger man's eyes. "That body- It was your's!"

Akito gives KK a weak smile as he nods. "Yeah... It was mine."

KK shudders as he pulled Akito closer, smushing the younger man to his chest. "I nearly killed you for your body..." KK hisses out as he pressed a kiss into Akito's hair.

"But you didn't kill me KK." KK just sighs. "I didn't, but it doesn't make feel any better for the fact I nearly did kid."

KK goes on to tell Akito everything that he remembered, letting Akito add little things every now and then. An example of this was when he and KK were seperated the first time.

"...I'm sorry."

"KK it's fine-"

"No it isn't fine! I let my selfishness get to me, and left you alone in a dangerous area filled with visitors!"

"KK. Listen to me." Akito cups KK's face, forcing the older man to look at him. "I don't blame you what happened. You saw what Hannya was doing to your body, you had every right to try and take it back from that lunatic."

Akito let's go of KK's face and pulls the older man over to his futon. Now the both of them were snuggled under the covers. KK had an arm slung around Akito's waist, pulling the younger man so close their bodies were pressed firmly together.

Under the warm covers and snuggles, KK continued sharing what he remembered.

Tears were shed when KK finally recalled what happened to Rinko and Erika. Some smiles were shown when KK remembered all the spirits/yokai he and Akito helped in Shibuya. Even a few laughs were shared when some of the more odd missions were recalled.

Then came the final battle with Hannya. "We kicked his ass, didn't we Akito?" Akito nodded. "That we did."

Akito thought KK said everything he wanted to say, but was surprised to hear the older man apologize again.

A soft laugh leaves Akito. "You really are in a apologetic mood today aren't you KK? What exactly are you apologizing for now?"

"Mari. I'm so sorry I couldn't help you save your sister."

Oh boy... Akito sighs as he stares at KK sadly. He never once blamed KK for Mari's death. If it was anyone's fault, it was his...

"If it's not my fault than it isn't your fault either Aki." Maybe Akito would believe that one day...

Soon they get end of the tale, where KK explains that after he said goodbye to Akito, he woke up in front of a old broken down Tori gate.

"I still have no clue how I was revived, or even how I got my body back, but I'm not gonna waste this second chance. Especially since I get the chance to be with you Akito."

Akito blushes a bright red and smiles shyly as he leans up to give KK a quick kiss before burying his face into the older man's chest.

The happy momnet was broken when the door cracked opened and a few tiny, furry heads poked in. "Aki nii-san? Can we sleep with you and oji-san tonight?"

Despite KK making a face that clearly said he didn't want these tiny furballs sleeping with him and Akito, the younger man still let's the kittens in.

KK and Akito quickly find themselves covered in Nekomata kittens, who were all purring and nuzzling happily against the two humans.

"Aren't they cute KK?" Akito was smiling down at one tiny kitten that was curled up in his hands, purring away as she slept.

KK too had a kitten in his hands, and Akito saw a slight smile on his face. "They're pretty cute..."

As Akito and KK got comfortable again, KK pops a question. "How do you feel about joining my team?"

Do you even have to ask KK? Of course I'll join."

"Good. Just need to introduce you to Ed and Dale, and we'll go from there."

"Okay KK." Akito snuggles closer to KK, slowly dozing off to the sound of sleeping Nekomata kitten's purrs. "Night KK... Love you..."

Something brushes against Akito's forehead lightly. A kiss perhaps? And KK's quietly whispers a soft, "Love you to Akito..."

[blubbly-pizza]

I watched - Chainsaw Man - 2022

"This show is beautiful."

I love watching a group of sad sacks and pieces of shit just doing their thing. Rather than talk very much about the story, I want to focus on characters. Partially because the first season delivers a very complete season, but even when the dominoes are falling for the last couple episodes, you can see someone on the side setting something even wilder up.

I'm not going to cover everyone, and not long analysis, just notes on bigger impact characters to me.

Denjii - Sad piece of shit. Manipulated. Underloved. No way to look at the future beyond a single dream. Loses himself as soon as he achieves it.

Power - Piece of Shit. I love her. She uses blood to make weapons. As much as she grows through the show, and further in the manga. She just does not care about people.

Aki - The Sad Boy. Revenge incarnate without the ability to follow through. Like would be protagonist if he had more power.

Kobeni - Sad girl. Imagine your family telling you that your only worth is as meat to be fed to a grinder. Then agreeing with them. The poor bean.

Makima - Piece of shit. She horrifies. As soon as she shows up somethings just... off. Like obviously she's outwardly kind, but as a viewer you know immediately it's toward her own goals.

These two are only in Manga but still.

Quanxi - Perfect. She has a polycule of fiends. Halloween!

Asa - So sad. She can't make friends to save her life. I like her weird vibes with Denji.

There isn't a single, just happy, character. Inherently they live in a world of fear. Wow that remind you of anything? Obviously even in their world good things happen. People are happy at times.

Excellent show, excellent manga.

[prettyboykatsuki]

cw for violence, major chainsaw man spoilers

ive said this before at some point but to me i will always see kishibe as the closest thing symbolizing hope and renconcile that chainsaw man will ever have and it's because of this particular warning to quanxi, his former partner who he was in love with for many years and still feels a relatively obvious sympathy for.

he targets the only thing that still matters to quanxi, one of her girls, and sits down to have a conversation with her all while flipping through a notebook. his words while speaking are also sincere.

"i lost my fangs a long time ago"

kishibe's one of the only characters who hasn't taken up a severe apathy in regards to his life. where as aki fought with revenge, himenos world view became extremely pessimistic, quanxi become hedonistic and intentionally blind to the world around her. kishibe is one of the few characters left in the series who is genuinely somewhat reconciled with the reality of this work, all while maintaining a sense of composure and humanity through the thickets. he is neither denying reality or entirely content with it but this equilibrium is what cements his survival.

this is a quality he sees in denji, who arguably does the same thing in the face of the tragedy that befalls him. they're both characters with an an almost unyielding sense of perseverance.

whether or not kishibes intention for recruiting quanxi are entirely rooted in sympathy is up for debate as quanxi is incredibly powerful. but when kishibe makes a promise of safety towards quanxi, i do believe he knows full well there is a high likelihood she will not join his side.

that of course begs the question, why inform her that makima is listening if not for some sense of camraderie?

quanxi goes on to reflect about her world view using a metaphor about a news reporter she watched.

but engaging this panel briefly - they both make eye contact with each other. there's a pause to her actions, a hesitance about the right choice with neither one showing much of an expectation towards the other.

this is an old friendship, of people who have started at the same place and diverged heavily. regardless of whether or not kishibe wanted quanxi on his team based on her sheer strength, his care for a former companion or both - informing quanxi about these circumstances has always felt indicative to his state of mind as a devil hunter. he has always taken care to face reality head on.

"kishibe, be a good dog and keep your collar on. some advice from your former buddy." is a line full of subtext, ultimately showing that quanxi has no intentions of returning from the place she's found herself in and has no intentions of learning about makima. she's resigned herself to doing her job and protecting her girls.

ultimately, kishibe and quanxi do not reconcile to team up. a lot goes on as the arc continues, not limited to fighting the darkness devil and santa claus (lmao). the ultimate occurrence however is one thing and one thing only.

in the end, everyone is saved by makima (foreshadowing makimas relationship to power but that is unrelated here). when everyone makes it out of the darkness, and quanxi is reunited with her girls - she only has one request of makima.

for those of you who don't know much earlier in the arc - we see one of quanxis girlfriends speaking in chinese when using her power. she says that exact line when fighting "a corpse is talking"

this means that kishibes intial warning "makima is listening" was correct the entire time. this is something only quanxi could recognize at the very ened. for a brief moment we see it register on quanxis face before we get a panel shot of kishibe with his eyes covered. him blindfolding is both to protect from makima, but also ultimately heeding quanxis advice - later confirmed by what kishibe comments at the very end of his arc.

yoshida asks kishibe about taking off his blindfold, but his only response is

"i don't want to see a thing,"

a testament to not only their relationship regarding each others as friends, but kishibes genuine care for one of his only remaining lifelong friends. in this way, perhaps quanxi was right. ignorance is bliss and kishibe doesn't intend to know any more than he has to about the death of his friend.

'makima is listening' is one of the hardest manga panels of all time i will die if i think about it too long

[blueparadis]

𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 —» ❝BABY, I'M THE REASON WHY BAD'S SO FUN❞ [ ❤︎ ] featuring Armin Arlet, Eren Yeager, Levi Ackerman, Aki Hayakawa, Denji, Yoshida Hirofumi.

[ §] — › Parties were never your forte but when your boyfriend mentioned it is nothing but a “go as you like” party you could not resist, especially when they pleaded that they will do anything to go to the Halloween party.

+. LU$TOBER MASTERLIST + PART OF HAPPY HALLOWEEN COLLAB | NAVIGATION LINKS.

[ CWs ] — › female anatomy, mention of alcohol, power play, roleplay,s/d dynamics, f&m orals, implied polyamory , exhibitionism, overstimulation, unprotected, voyeurism, sloppy makeouts, fauxcest... everyone is just tipsy & handsy.

ARMIN ARLET.

[ DEVIL AND ANGEL ]

This is the first time he had you like this: on all your fours, face digging into the pillow hands desperately grabbing the edge of the bed while Armin is jamming into you from the back. It was the costume. He doesn't want to destroy your wings by having you in a missionary position, his favorite, and neither want to destroy his by having you on top of him. Don't get him wrong, he loves the sight of your boobs when you bob on him while he holds you by your waist, it is just the costumes that are keeping him from fucking you like an animal. The belt around your torso that extends to the tail of a devil turns him on more as he jocks down to suck your dry lips while slowly thrusting into you with broad strokes. He was enjoying the lotus position, having your nipples rub against his but the way you were scratching his back and squeezing his shoulders while he was moving you up and down his cock, he thought you might ruin his angel wings. It did not only cost him money but purposely lost some bets to his friends, like would he ever film you while fucking you? of course he would. your moans and screams have a different folder in his mobile but he never thought he would fuck you while someone else would film you for him, someone trusted, like Connie. He did not even ask you since he knew you would not mind after all you are the one who made this particular bet with him. Besides, with your blindfold on and having Connie all mum, muffling moans escaping his mouth while pumping his cock sloppily is far more enticing than all the other positions he has tried with you.

EREN YEAGER .

[ DRACULA AND LILITH ]

"Do you know lilith was dracula's daughter?", Eren asked placing his fat cock over your tummy to see how deep he is gonna be in you. He has fucked you so many times yet never gets tired of it; he never gets tired to see your doe eyes eagerly waiting to have his cock buried inside you. Even though the party was in his house, and everyone was busy, their cheerful voices could be heard tsince the door is slightly parted. "Eren you should close the door…", you meekly spoke biting your lower lip as he ran the tip of his cock in between your pussy lips. Eren towered over you cooing, "mmh-hmm", taking your lips in his. He wanted to feel your pussy wrapped around his cock but this was more enjoyable for him. He was kissing you sloppily having your hands pinned above your head while his cock was nudging your entrance. "lilith hated his father…", he whispered into your ears. "can you take a guess?", now he was standing while pumping his cock, preparing to enter you. He was fully dressed, only his cock was out. Black cape covering his whole body except his hard cock while your red gown was somewhere on the floor, your bra tucked along your boobline revealing your those pebbled nipples and panty was inside Eren's costume pocket. "No idea, eren… no idea why she hated her father.", you say sitting upright. You peered through your eyelashes biting your lower lip again, as slowly as possible staring him into his eyes as you played with your boobs. It earned you a smirk from Eren. "cuz her father punished her every time she disobeyed.", he muttered cupping your cheeks. His thumb grazes your lips parting them. You closed your eyes sucking his thumb that had a little bit of pre-cum "now, why would you flirt with Jean under my nose?", the moment your eyes opened, his hand was replaced by his fat, girthy cock. you did flirt, you did disobey him when he said you should avoid Reiner at this party. How could he overlook such disrespect? He needed to make an example and he did. Everyone in the party saw you coming out of the room with unruly hair, lipstick smudged, and with Eren's hand circled around your waist. Reiner knew why was that, he was in the adjacent room able to hear your hard moans as Eren fucked you witless.

LEVI ACKERMAN .

[ BATMAN AND CATWOMAN ]

"I'm batmaannnn", Levi roared as you were busy with the final touches for your costume sitting in front of the mirror. He was looking at you through the mirror, he wanted you to laugh, and you wanted it too but the lipstick would get ruined. You inclined towards the mirror tearing off your gaze from him yet finally gave in when he did it again. A trail of chuckles filled the room and you noticed he was smiling too. He left the bed approaching you with his stern signature look on his face, the one that always seems to scare people but not you. Levi rested his hands loosely on your shoulders. While he suggested going to the Halloween party, you took the responsibility to choose who you two would be, and what kind of outfit you would wear. It was definitely on purpose. You never wanted to go to a party to drink and chat about others. Levi is not sure either why he suggested you but he could not say no later since you were on board very easily. "We could be a little late to the party, can't we?", his lips were near your ears whispering while he ran his fingertips over your chest. Levi could not stop thinking about how your body looked underneath that body-hugging dress even though he has seen it before, enough to get bored. But this was new, you arching back while your toes curled when he bit your earlobes. "Fuck, let's just cancel the plan already.", he hissed squeezing your boobs as rough as he could. You've won. You smirked but instantly regretted it. Levi was fast. He sat on the edge of the bed manspreading as he spoke, "If you moan or even touch yourself. We will go to the party but if you don't moan, touch yourself, I can agree with what you suggested yesterday." His hands took out his cock and started to rub. You watched him like a hawk as he drawled in, "Let's see who owns whom." You bit your inner lip as he spat on his palm and started to pump his cock, up and down, huffing rashly as he spoke,

"do you know what i'm thinking?", he spreads his legs a little more. "Oh c'mon take a guess", you can't. if you even move a bit, you knew that would be his win and you did not want that. "I'm thinking of you. naked. sucking your nipples while my cock … ughh…mmgh…this cock is deep inside you", you wanted to touch yourself, down there where you could feel your arousal; your pebbled nipples that begged for attention. You licked your lip eyes focused on his aroused cock that's limped at the tip. You wanted to leave the seat and sit on his cock but that would mean two things. Not only do you've to go to the boring party but also give up on the idea of having Levi watch you as Erwin fucks you on the very bed Levi is jacking off.

AKI HAYAKAWA .

[ WEREWOLF AND THE RED VALERIE ]

It was getting late yet Aki was in no mood to go home. Why would he? The party was held at Himeno's house and he was family to her. As the night grew longer, the crowd became thinner. "yes, coming.", you uttered with annoyance for the third time but Aki was getting more and more restless. Hence, he pulled you into his lap. The red cape was practically covering your whole body and when Aki pulled you onto his lap, his lower was half-clad too. With a glare from Aki, the spectators left and Aki's lips latched onto your neck. You gasped from the abrupt touch shoving him away and exclaiming bashfully, "Akiii, there are still people." to which he chimes, "Oh yeah!" He does not care. He has been imagining you to fuck that red dress since the preparation of the Halloween party. Aki does not stop rather his hands slip through the side slit of your dress, massaging your boobs. He is trying to get you comfortable since he is used to your habit of bashfully declining his primary advances. However, he was not ready for your reaction to his rough touches. You quickly angled yourself across his lap taking his face in your palms and kissing him blocking his way to talk. He was already hard. How long have you been in his mind? you ponder sucking his lips but that does not matter, what matters is how his hands are skillfully linked underneath your thighs helping you to glide against him. "fuck babe", he exhales breaking the kiss. Your arousal was on his bulge that was straining his pants. You scanned the place. Most were either stoned or drunk or did not care. Now, Aki has never been the one to give up. He took out his cock and aligned it against your entrance. Thanks to your that giant cape, all his handy-work became unnoticeable. Everyone just thought you were wasted and under your boyfriend's protection, resting your head on his shoulders; yet no one knew how his cock was wrapped by your gummy walls as he casually kept talking and drinking. one small movement by either of you would result into something else, something animalic. "Don't worry babe, if you fall asleep I'll still fuck you after everyone is gone.", he murmured playing with the hem of your panty. Who knows how long the wait will be.

DENJI

[ VAMPIRE & VAMPIRE BRIDE ]

Denji knows it is just for the costume but he can't help it. He cannot get the thought out of his mind how your soft palms, would look good around his cock, especially with that shining engagement ring you wore. It was tempting him more. Denji was already tipsy, and with his no-filter attitude, he had the upper hand. "Listen, let's just ditch this place", he murmured against your ears while you were talking to your friends. "but it is against the rulesssss", you uttered in a protesting tune but when you noticed his smirk you knew you had to listen to him. And that's how you ended up in a lonely corner of a room with him up against the wall, your palm rubbing his bulge as you kissed him sloppily. "we need to hurry", you remarked before taking his cock out and starting to stroke. He groaned so loudly that you could feel your skin tingling. Denji's eyes were full of lust and hunger. He was gripping the edge of the desk while one of your hands kept stroking him. His knuckles turned white as you paced up, mouth open ajar, bold moans filling the rooms. His thighs grew closer, lower tummy twitched suggesting he was nearing his orgasm. "Do you want to touch me too, huh , Denji ?" you asked but he was too sucked into heat to answer. But when that ring went out of his range of vision, depriving him of his orgasm he looked letting out an aching groan. "Yes, YES, ohhh...yeas... I want to. I want to". There was no way you two would get out of the room any sooner since the moment Denji managed to catch up his breath he throwed himself over you saying, "I wanna suck those tits too"

YOSHIDA HIROFUMI

[ THE KNIGHT & THE PRINCESS ]

"I'll die for you princess. I'll save you from the bad prince", Yoshida's words toppled one over the other while yours echoed through the corridor. He was drunk, so such words of kindness spilled from his mouth. He is not the guy to say things without taking detours. You guided him to an adjacent room where there are fewer people, and less crowded. As you made him sit on the edge of the bed, the people that were already in the room left one by one. Yoshida might be drunk but he sure knew how to convey his feelings to you, that is, how much needy he is. Fidgeting with the hefty belt of his costume he started to murmur, "Yn, need you. please" You gulped before playfully placing a kiss on his lips thinking he might be just teasing you since it is a rare circumstance where he admits that he needs you. You were about to break the kiss but lithe cold hands held your face pulling you closer. His movements were slow, sloppy but when your hands traveled to his belt he became needier. He let out a throaty chuckle saying, "You're going to be punished for this, for loving your knight". He was so in his character that you had to bite your lip to hold your laughter. "Oh how scandalous!", you growl pushing him on the bed. You adjusted yourself on his crotch before jocking down and kissing him. It's adorable how he follows you whenever you're trying to break the kiss; he propped on his elbow as you recoiled trying to break the kiss and grind on him. His warm member rubbed against your vagina making you moan. You started to roll your hips, gliding against his cock, touching yourself all over since he was too drunk to do so and you were too needy to refuse to let it go. While you were caught up in chasing the high, Yoshida grabbed your waist and rolled you over saying, “Do you really think you can have me like that so easily princess?” His obsidian eyes glinted as he took the dagger from his costume, trailing it on your lips. “ well, would you fancy a blood pact princess?”, he whispered pressing the sharp tip on your plush lips. You rubbed your lips on his cheeks and whispered yes as you retreated. Yoshida smiled when he sensed wetness over his cheeks.

network — @tokyometronetwork

[wisteria-blooms]

long hair & tattoos (bill weasley & reader) (7/15)

CHAPTER DIRECTORY

A/N: Thank you for the lovely comments on the last chapter!! I love reading through them and love the fact you’re enjoying the story. This is probably going to end around 12 chapters because I can't plan accordingly, haha.

CHAPTER 7: You and Bill attempt to find a solution to your new predicament. (3.1k words).

TAGLIST: @inpraizeof @milkiane @lovesanimals0000 @alisslahey @milfodyssey @itscheybaby @lookingthroughmirrors @stiles-argent24@aki-ham @my-current-fandom-is @salvatoremuse @nimue-lady-of-the-lake @agathne @benbarnesismybaby@bangbaang @venus-d-vinyl @lexxxtacyyy @pink-hufflepuff @unicornicopia1 @itsrhyann @awesomeowlbook

(I think I got everyone! Let me know if I forgot you or you'd like to be added!)

CHAPTER 7: MOVE IN WITH ME

After dinner, you found yourself in a right state and Bill was quick to pick up on it. Even though he should’ve gone straight home, he led you outside of the manor, telling your father he wanted to talk through your plans for the move. He added that he was very thankful for Lucius’s generosity and that he was excited for this new chapter. Under polite appearances, you knew he was probably dreading this as much as you.  

Bill steadied you with his arms as you walked past the back gates, maintaining an image of lovers until you disappeared into the cypress trees. When you were out of sight from prying blue eyes, he apparated both of you far away to a familiar place—a hilly creek outside of the Burrow. There, he let you lay down on a field of grass. Your hands were covering your face, your thumbs rubbing your temples. You were much too stunned to say anything, so Bill just sat beside you silently, listening to the crickets and the fish flopping about in the pond interspersed with your groans.  

You were going on about ten minutes of silence now. “Lovely night for stars, isn’t it?” he said, attempting to get you back on planet Earth.

“Sure is.”

“You can’t even see them,” he stated with a sigh. He drummed his fingers on the grass, resisting the urge to pry your hands from your face. “I’ve never heard you so silent. Are you quite alright?”

“How could I be?” you asked weakly. “I thought we had it, Bill, I really thought—”

“I don’t mind it, really,” Bill responded. It seemed like he’d been thinking about what happened at dinner, too. “If the penthouse is as big as your father says it is, then we could both live there without issue. We might not even see each other.”

Though glad he was open to the idea, you couldn’t accept his proposition. “That’s not it.”

“Then what is it?”

“It wasn’t supposed to go on after tonight,” you groaned, your palms pressing hard into your cheekbones, leaving red blotches on your face. “We were supposed to never talk again.”

“True enough,” he responded calmly. “But now that this has fallen into our laps, we’ll have to deal with it.”

“I’ll use the money to rent elsewhere,” you suggested.

“It’d look suspicious if you rented under your name. Your father would find out.”

You wracked your brain for another option. “Then I’ll take your flat.”

“I don’t know if the owners will be so happy after I announce the termination. And even then, there’d be a place under my name and yours.”

You let out a long groan. Your mind was cloudy and finding a reasonable solution was impossible. You couldn’t stay home without admitting defeat. You couldn’t rent without your father finding your name on a lease. You couldn’t even rent under someone else’s name lest they get entangled in your web of lies. And it would take no time for your father to trap them like today. 

But most importantly, you didn’t want to intrude on Bill’s privacy.

The only escape route was for you to spend your days as a vagabond, floating from inn to inn.

After a few more moments of deliberation, you spoke. “You can have the penthouse.”

There was no other sound but the fluttering of the leaves.

“Only if you’re sure.” Bill’s voice was so light and clear in the night. “Then where will you stay?” he asked.

“Does Charlie have room for me in Romania?” You peeped through a slit between your ring and middle fingers. “I’d much rather live there.”

“Charlie spends a lot of his time outdoors,” Bill explained with a chuckle. The bass notes of his laugh fluttered into your ears, calming your rapidly beating heart. “Even I wasn’t accustomed to his idea of er, accommodations, when I visited him in Romania.”

“Do you have any extended family?”

“Tons, but none you’d know,” he responded. “Why don’t you move in with Fred and George in the meantime?”

“I don’t think their flat is meant for two, let alone three,” you squeaked, having seen the inside of the cramped space a handful of times. “I’d be stuck in the broom closet.”

“That’s not true,” Bill assured as he lightly placed a hand on your shoulder. “I’m sure they’ll be more than happy to accommodate you.”

“I’ll think about it,” you affirmed. “Could you plant the idea in their heads?”

Bill nodded. “If you open your eyes and get up, I will.”

You moved your hands from your face to the ground and pushed yourself off the grass. You blinked, letting your eyes adjust to the bright starry sky. Bill was right. The stars were beautiful tonight. You turned to face Bill, whose blue eyes looked like diamonds under the moon’s luster.

“Feeling better?” he asked with a kind smile on his face.

“A bit.”

You pulled at the grass below you. There was something else you needed to get off your chest.

“Bill?” you called.

“Yes?”

“I’m sorry I dragged you into this.”

Bill shook his head. “It’s fine.”

You looked down at the grass, still unconvinced by Bill’s words.

“We’ll get through this, together,” he affirmed. “Here, see?”

When you looked up, you realized he had extended his pinky out to you, just like you had to him at the coffee shop. You couldn’t help but smile. Feeling just a bit more hopeful, you hooked your pinky to his and shook on it.

“Now, let’s get you home?” he asked.

You nodded. You felt a wave of relief at his unchanged demeanour towards you. Bill was so pleasant and understanding. Just a gentleman in the purest form.

Languidly, his hand rolled over until his palm was flush against the back of your hand. Then you felt his thumb grasp your palm. Before you knew it, he had apparated you back to the gardens. With Bill supporting most of your weight through the gates, you let a pent-up wave of fatigue overcome you.

You briefly recalled being guided up the staircase but nothing more. You weren’t sure how you woke the next morning in your own bed with your pillows fluffed so nicely and you tucked so securely under your covers.

It was a story that only the gardens could tell.

As karma would have it, it was your turn to have a terrible sleep and a dreadful morning as a result.   

Sluggishly, you walked down the stairs, any pep in your step abolished. Your head was heavy and pounding like a steel drum. You were sure you looked as wretched as Lucius did the night after the first dinner. Luckily, your parents had a brunch to attend today and weren’t around to witness you in this state. But there was someone who was.

“Good morning,” you begrudgingly greeted your younger brother who was in the sunroom enjoying a cup of tea.

“Morning?” he guffawed. He looked down at his silver watch. “What an odd concept of time you have, dear sister of mine. I hope you spent it packing.”

Packing. You narrowed your eyes at him. “Why would you assume I was?”

“Father and I were chatting this morning,” he boasted. “We were thinking of how to best use your room after you’ve moved out. Maybe we’ll throw Dobby into that unkempt place. Suits him well, don’t you think?

And that more than confirmed your suspicions that Draco and Lucius were in this together. But you wouldn’t crumble. The humiliation of losing to them was too much to bear. Stripped down, you were still a Malfoy and the mentality of winning triumphed everything. You supposed you and your father weren’t too different in that regard, but you’d toned your rivalry down to a level much more palatable for normal society. And so, you would wage this war until you were victorious.

“That’s unnecessary,” you reproached. You were trying to pour yourself coffee without spilling it over your white blouse. You hoped a hit of caffeine would nurse your headache. “You would starve if Dobby weren’t around.”

“I’m more worried about that boyfriend of yours, given your lack of housekeeping skills. He’ll become a sack of bones with you in the kitchen. He’s probably used to his fat mother feeding him all the time.”

“That’s so unkind,” you scolded. “Your nastiness makes that mug of yours uglier.”

“We come from the same gene pool,” Draco countered with a scowl. You must’ve struck a nerve as he always took pride in appearances. “If I’m ugly, so are you.”

Feeling your headache intensify, you decided you weren’t in the mood to further fight with Draco. You took your coffee cup on a saucer upstairs instead. On your bed, you fell asleep sporadically throughout the day. Each time you woke up, you hoped this situation would just prove to be a terrible nightmare.

“You what?”

“How did this happen?”

“This whole thing really backfired on you, didn’t it?”

“So, you’re just gonna give Bill the nice place?”

You waited a week before talking to Fred and George and for good reason. You were perilously close to the date you were supposed to move in with Bill so the question couldn’t wait any longer. After combing through every possible option, you decided laying low with the boys was the most suitable one. They were your best friends, and it could be a fun summer. Furthermore, your father would rather die than voluntarily step foot into Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes. And you doubted he was so invested to personally check up on you.

So, here you stood on a Saturday afternoon after they’d closed.

“I am,” you responded firmly. Your desperation was showing through your eyes and your pride was crumbling into a million little pieces. “And I’d be grateful if you had any space for me.”

Fred’s lips lifted into a smirk. His arms were folded over his chest. “Never thought I’d see the day where a Malfoy is begging a Weasley for something.”

You resisted the urge to make a snappy remark.

“Not even a retort?” Fred asked.

You feebly shook your head.

Immediately, Fred’s demeanour softened a bit. “George, can you move what we have stored in that room?” he asked his brother. “And undo the charm on the bed. Get it back to its regular size so (Y/N) can sleep on it.”

“I’m on it!” George said as he ran up the stairs. You listened as his footsteps grew more and more faint. 

“It’s serious, huh?” Fred asked when George was gone. “Do you want to explain how two dinners turned into this?”

You groaned. “Not now.”

“We’ll talk it over drinks?”

You nodded. “Yes.”

“Come on, then,” Fred said. “I’ll give you an official tour of our place, since we’re roommates now.”

You followed Fred up the stairs. The steps leading up to the flat were double the length of the one that connected the first and second floor. Fred led you through the sole door that housed another three doors. He strode to the very last one, opened it, and ushered you through.

Your first thought was if Fred and George’s flat had always been so… small. You might’ve crashed here one or two nights before, but you were usually too drunk to remember it and eager to get a greasy breakfast the next morning. But like you remembered, the kitchenette was on your left, stripped of anything other than the bare minimum: a stove, a kettle, some pots and pans, and some plates. There was a counter with two barstools dividing it and the living room. The living room was furnished with a plain black leather sofa and a coffee table with a couple of magazines littered on top. The only glimmer of daylight was from the balcony at the end of the flat.

Fred led you to the middle room on your right. “This is your room.”

“Just got it clean,” George called from inside the room. He stepped back, re-appearing, as he appraised his quick work. “Don’t be shy, come on. Take a look.”

Apprehensively, you pushed the door open with your eyes squeezed shut. When you slowly opened them, you saw a L-shaped room. You didn’t reckon this room could even take a shape because of how much junk had been piled in here. The space was also so narrow that it couldn’t even fit your wingspan, and you were sure Fred and George had longer arms than you.

You turned towards the closet on your left. You gently slid it open and found it was no more than a few inches deep. It had all but four hangers and was full of—!

A storm of dust violently flew up your nostrils, eliciting a loud sneeze from you.   

“Excuse me,” you sniffled.

You slid the closet door closed, saving yourself from another barrage of dust. You trekked another five steps forward until your body hit a swivel chair. It was paired with the small desk that blocked the foot of the bed. The bed was hidden from plain view, nestled in between two walls underneath a small curtained window. It was a measly single-sized bed. Of course it was. It was all that could fit into the small nook. Fred and George were at least nice enough to give you a paper-thin duvet and a lumpy pillow.   

“What do you think?” Fred asked.

“Our rooms aren’t much bigger,” added George. “Just saying.”

“Great!” You responded with as much enthusiasm as you could muster. Internally, you were horrified. You sat down on the bed, expecting some bounce, but winced quietly when there was none. Did Fred and George sleep on Nicolas Flamel’s stone slabs? How were they okay with this?

You never considered yourself high-maintenance but this was truly an unliveable place.

After seeing your future accommodations, you ran home in despair. You certainly weren’t expecting to live in luxury, but you weren’t expecting what you’d just seen either. You hated yourself for thinking this, but you'd miss manor with its countless rooms and sprawling ceilings. It reminded you of when you and Draco, full of the youthful curiosity that every eight and six-year old possessed, flew around the manor on brooms, chasing each other from room to room. You were having such fun until your father found out and forcibly set you two back on the floor. You remember taking the brunt of the scolding because it was your idea, but it was worth every second.

“Where have you been?” Narcissa called out to you as she descended the spiralling staircase. She must’ve heard you come in. She was wearing an elegant black chiffon dress paired with heels. Her hair fell in perfect curls around her shoulders. She was dressed as if she just spent an afternoon at tea with her friends.

“Talking with Bill,” you responded from afar. “About the move.”

“Well, you’ve got to start packing for it,” she fussed, beckoning you to come upstairs with a tilt of her head. “You’ve less than a week.”

Begrudgingly, you followed behind her. With her heels clacking on the polished staircase, she looked wholly unsuited to be doing any manual labour, let alone packing, but you supposed that was what magic was for.

She opened the door to your room and appraised it. You followed her eyes to the bed that was laying there in its king-sized splendor. You were definitely going to miss laying horizontally on it without putting your head through the wall and poking into Fred or George’s room by accident.

“Where would you like to start?” she asked.

“How about the closet?” you suggested. You walked away from your mother and towards the door of the expanse walk-in. When you stepped inside, your eyes landed on racks upon racks of clothes and shoes. Your handbags and accessories also had their own separate shelves. You willed yourself not to think about how your new room was a fraction of the size of your closet.

“Don’t you want your entire wardrobe?” Narcissa asked in a puzzled tone as she followed you in. She sifted through your dresses one by one. You had a handful for every occasion: summer dresses, cocktail dresses, work dresses, dresses for tea, for dinner, for brunch, for reposing on beaches, and more. “Your father has seen the suite. You’ll get a sizeable closet like this one.”

“I’m trying to downsize.”

Narcissa raised an eyebrow in disbelief, having never heard those words come out of your mouth before. She knew you loved tending to the upkeep of your clothing collection so this was peculiar indeed. You supposed you were your mother’s daughter in that regard.

“Well,” she said after a few moments and summoned a suitcase for you. She must’ve considered this new show of minimalism Bill’s influence. “Go ahead and choose what you’ll bring.”

Hanger by hanger, you plucked clothes and threw them into the enchanted suitcase. You had to make sure to pack a second one for Bill, so if your parents were to stop by for an impromptu visit, he could scatter your belongings and make it look like you lived with him faster than Lucius could suspect anything. You packed mainly your work clothes, having no desire to attend any functions or do anything fun this summer. This move and figuring out how to maintain the façade of a relationship had sapped any personality out of you.  

When you were satisfied with the closet, you re-entered your room and started sifting through your drawers. They were full of old photographs, letters, and trinkets accumulated over the years.

“And these duvet covers? Will you bring them?” Narcissa asked, splaying her hands on your bed. You gulped, thinking about how awfully these would fit on the sliver of bed Fred and George were providing you.

“Bill has covers already,” you lied. “His mother has already sewn them.”

Narcissa sighed heavily. You were about to correct her, thinking she was disappointed by Molly’s handmade bedding, but she spoke up again before you could.

“I can’t believe you’re moving out.” She sounded sentimental, sincere even. Her red lips were pulled down in a frown. “It feels like yesterday that I put you to sleep in your crib for the first time,” she continued. “In this very room.”

If someone had told you a month ago you were going to be moving into Fred and George’s flat and fake-dating Bill Weasley, you would’ve died of laughter.

But you couldn’t even find humour in it. It was your reality now.

You fought the quiver of your lip and smiled gently.

“Me neither.”

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