#endlessly fighting against being forced to see spoilers

[redstarfish-art]

Yes to all of the above for sure.

I have had SO many people PURPOSELY spoil things for me after I actively told them I hate it because they find it funny (and also as mild, control thing).

People who like spoiling things for others already try to defend themselves by pretending this is not a big deal. And I am sure those people will be weaponising the findings of this study. The article title already begins that process (although seemingly more as a clickbait thing).

The reality is, spoilers CAN be enjoyable to some people. This is not news.

These people have always existed and some of them have recently felt a pressure that they could not express that they like spoilers (an unfortunate side effect of the collective pushing back against people who go around spoiling things for people on purpose).

People who like spoilers have also expressed frustration at not being allowed to talk about the series they've recently consumed to people who have yet consumed it. This is because they like spoilers and they want to talk about a piece of media they've recently watched. Some of this group are respectful and find other people to talk to, while some of this group will be taking this study and deciding that they have scientific backing to say whatever they want and anyone who doesn't let them do that is oppressing them.

Like most things, it is important to check.

If you've never felt any big fear of hearing spoilers, maybe you can try reading spoilers before watching a show to find out if you are the type that enjoys spoilers or if you are the type that hates spoilers (and some people will be a mix of the two depending on the media in question).

However, if you have friends who actively hate spoilers, respect their choices. Respect their needs. This one study about a very specific situation (in which people give consent to be given spoilers before consuming a piece of media) is not applicable to a huge range of real life situations.

And finally, there's a HUGE difference between choosing to read spoilers for yourself, and being forcibly told spoilers against your will.

The thing about spoilers is, I don’t actually think they spoil things for me. That momentary feeling of surprise when the big reveal happens is fun, sure, and I like trying to figure out a mystery on my own.

But I also just really love foreshadowing? Knowing what’s coming up lets me look for all the signs that the creator is laying out for me. It’s a different kind of puzzle, and one that I get just as much satisfaction out of, if not more.

If I enjoy a story, I’ll still enjoy it even if I know how it ends. The most lasting stories we have, as humans, have been spoiled for all of us before we even hear them. Famous tales become a shorthand that we use in every day life. Learning the story of the Trojan Horse actually became more interesting as a result of understanding the phrase first.

There was a time in my life when I didn’t understand people who would flip to the back of a book to read the last page before they started the story, but I think I get it now. There’s a comfort in knowing how things end and an enjoyment in taking the journey regardless.

[megamuscle885-blog]

Severed - Worm Fanfiction Review

CW: Suicide and canon typical gore.

I don't think I've so eagerly anticipated an imaginary and, likely unwritten at the time of this post, scene in fanfiction than @heyitschartic's Severed. I've been following this series since it was posted three years ago. I'll avoid spoilers and the scene I'm imagining in question will be under the cut, but the basic premise is that Jack Slash chooses Skitter as his nominee during the Slaughterhouse 9 arc, rather than Oni Lee, who was disappointing, and Golem, who he later contrived the entire S9k arc for.

I will say that this work is a beautiful plunge into What Ifs which look all the more horrifying if you compare them against canon. You get flashback snippets of the S9 arc retold from a few perspectives before being thrust into post-GM, maybe pre-Ward? era with modern Skitter. I can certainly say that Severed blows all other S9!Taylors out of the water, Taylor is authentic in ways I haven't seen with anyone else. 10/10, each chapter is at it's absolute peak and it has 11 chapters as of this post. Each gut-punch has me anticipating the next chapter, only for the next chapter to explain why Taylor's friends and enemies hate her so much. I gasped when Tattletale said that to her. I strongly recommend Severed to anyone and everyone who hasn't already read it yet. Here's the link:

Oh wait does this count as the first of my Worm fanfic reviews--

So, I've read chapter 11 and I've been having Taylor and her clone rotating in my head endlessly, but the scene I'm anticipating is the one hinted at in Chapter where Defiant wants Taylor to go under the knife with Bonesaw again so Riley can fix all of Taylor's everything that is physically wrong with her, because her body is practically bio-tinkertech, even after they ripped almost everything else out.

I can only imagine Taylor reiterating that she refuses to be put under for the procedure, and using every moment to vent her anger and frustration on a Riley that is likely seeing marked improvement in her therapy (maybe). But Taylor keeps hitting her with blow after blow. "They'll never let you work on anyone else ever again, so you had better not kill me." and "Nobody will ever let you willingly touch them, I'm the only one who you can use your tinker abilities on, and that can change if I don't need you anymore." "If you ever find someone you can trick into letting you touch them, hold them, or even work on them, I'll kill them. It'd be better than the fate worse than death that letting you touch someone inflicts, and I should know, I'm living through it."

Maybe Chartic has something else planned, but I would like to see this Bonesaw cry. An unshakable, unmoved Taylor just heaps on the abuse through her own tears of pain, holding Riley hostage even as she roots through her guts to put her back together. It's very Taylor to fight through pain to force people to help her. The last time they saw each-other, Riley was doing well. I don't think she'll be doing very well after they meet again.

Maybe an overseeing team of surgeons and Capes become increasingly uncomfortable as Riley is tormented. They find themselves defending Bonesaw of all people, from one of her former victims too.

I'm sorry if this is unsolicited Chartic, but I can't wait to see their reunion, whatever form it takes. Severed's way of making Taylor suffer the consequences of her own actions, while invoking sympathy simultaneously with disgust at Taylor's betrayals; the depths she's sunken to, and then to finally wrap it up with shame and admonishment of her friends, turned victims, is masterful. How dare either they or I judge her for what she had to do to survive. Each chapter reveals that it got worse and worse. At some point, I suspect that (one of) the reasons that Taylor is being given such little leeway by the rest of the cast and remains constantly under the threat of harsh re-imprisonment or execution by vengeful kill-teams is because she somehow became the worst member of the Slaughterhouse Nine or even surpassed them in notoriety.

Tattletale telling Skitter to kill herself was such an insane scene that I stood up and covered my mouth. I was in disbelief. But knowing now that Skitter had betrayed the Undersiders to a slaughter by Mannequin (after having sacrificed her own father and, essentially, her own pre-cape life and innocence with him. The Taylor that she did not want to be, embracing the Skitter she chose to become) and then at some point caused the remainder of the Livsey family to kill themselves the same way Reggie did, with gunshot wounds, really clarifies that Taylor did something unforgivable. She exploited her friendship with Lisa to injure her in a way that can never be repaired. Lisa in canon never really had much to do with her parents ever again, but she probably didn't want them dead for neglecting Reggie.

I may edit this later, or reblog it, as new thoughts on the work come to me.

[merbear25]

Helo there! Would you mind if I may request Akainu x son! Reader please?

You can write this in any scenario you prefer,and bulit their relationship however you like💕

I understand if you can't do my request, but thank you either wats💞💞💞💞

I don’t mind at all! I was playing around with some ideas on where to take this, and I’m sorry but I can’t see him being the most…loving father figure, so I couldn’t resist having angst. Thank you for sending this in and I hope you like what I’ve written for you 💜💜

CW: SFW, platonic, angst (strained family dynamic), m!reader, reader is in the marines, spoilers for Marineford Arc

When the need for acceptance trumps one’s own morals (Akainu)

The light never seemed to touch you, as you were unable to break away from your father’s shadow. Whenever you were acquainted with another, your surname piqued their interest more than the individual they were speaking to. Though the yearning to be recognized as your own person persisted, the want to live up to the name that’d been passed down gnawed at you. 

Growing up under the watchful eye of your stern and cold father planted the seed of feeling inferior—igniting the drive to earn your place as his son.

Without any particular talents, your will to push forth began to falter as you struggled to move up the ladder in the Marines. That being said, the adversities you faced molded you into one worthy of bearing the title of Captain, but the title bore a weight that was unbeknownst to many, one which tested the limits of your morality.

The cruelty in this world brought out the worst in people—forcing them to act against their better judgment in order to get ahead in life. You saw those who’d started out as sound individuals, only wanting to protect and serve civilians being morphed into greedy, power hungry heathens. When you didn’t fall into the same pits of damnation, even going so far as to speak out against your fellow Marines, the title you held was put into question by your higher-ups.

Even a title worthy of praise and admiration wasn’t enough for your father to give you that drop of encouragement, that smidge of approval you’d been working endlessly to obtain. When your loyalties were questioned, any hope you were holding onto was slipping. His glare burrowed into your soul; while he delivered the formal warning, your ears strained to focus over the sound of your suppressed heaving breaths.

The days following were met with inner turmoil—thoughts which clouded your mind and casted darkness during a time when you were in most need of light. With news of war trickling down through the ranks, a chance at redemption was overshadowed by the fleeting opportunity of regaining ethics.

As the weight of each blow collided with the irredeemable enemy, the sling of your weapon carried the burden that’d been plaguing you since childhood. Such selfish reasons for fighting didn’t phase you in the moment, instead being pushed aside to fester and later eat away at you in your darkest hour.

Even with the dust from the battlefield having long been settled and the residue on both the ground and survivors having been washed away, only the remnants of that day dwelled.

With your reputation having once been on the chopping block, the regained trust from your fellow Marines brought you such little satisfaction. Even when promoted, the recognition your father bestowed was accompanied by your own bitterness. The praise you’d sought after was lack-luster: faint acknowledgments shown through phrases and subtle nods.

Giving you more time to work alongside him didn’t even grant you the sense of accomplishment you thought you’d wanted. Now feeling as if you were being looked at under a microscope, you begged for your doubts in this cause to go undetected by your father’s eagle eye.

[acourtofthought]

Contains TOG spoilers........

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But first....... Lucien ☀️🔥

Thoughts slammed into me, images and memories, a pattern of thinking and feeling that was old, and clever, and sad, so endlessly sad and guilt-ridden, hopeless—

"all the sounds that Lucien so carefully sorted through while he kept watch."

Like Rhys, he usually opted for words to win his battles.

“I trust in the fact that we currently have possession of the one thing he wants above all else. And as long as that remains, he’ll try to stay on our good side. But if that changes …"

"His talent was wasted in the Spring Court."

"There was a reason he had that fox mask, you know."

No wonder he’d been so eager to head alone into Velaris that day he’d gone to help us research. I shot a look at Rhys. Seems like Lucien can still play the fox.

“Lucien can’t be entirely trusted anymore.”. “Lucien might mean well, but any reports would be skewed—even if he isn’t aware of it—in their favor.

Lucien stared out the window—as if he could see the lake across a sea and a continent. As if he were setting his target.

“Eyes can be blinded,” Nesta said. “Not the ones under my command,” Azriel said with soft menace.

"Lucien will never be good enough"

“There are others in your court as delusional as you are. They’ll get it for me one way or another, with the right incentive.

I'd be surprised if we don't get a super clever scheme in Elucien's book, courtesy of Lucien.

SJM has previously said Dorian and Lucien would be great friends and we know that Dorian was not only extremely powerful with raw power that be could shape as he desired but he was also very cunning. In KOA, he took two of the Wyrdkeys and tracked down Maeve to find the third. Maeve asked Dorian to work with her, explaining that she wants the keys so she can get rid of Erawen and his brothers for good.

Dorian agrees, asking her to bring the spiders to his side and he will marry her, giving her a new Kingdom to rule over.

In a later chapter, Maeve slips into Dorians mind, using her powers to control him but the entire time he's been tricking her, using her own power against her (a Valg!) to learn how hers actually work, taking over her mind instead.

There's already notable similarities between Dorian and Lucien, their polished persona's, their fathers both had them held down and forced them to watch the execution of the woman they loved, unknown magical powers, hints at Lucien being extremely powerful as Dorian was powerful, and their intelligence.

SJM has also pointed out how Rhys and Lucien share a likeness in how they use their words to fight battles and we know Rhys often schemes, having others question his intentions only to find out he had some wildly clever plot going the whole time.

I could easily see her having Lucien do something similar. Maybe he'll have a plan for Koschei or the Human Queens that he didn't inform the others of, something Elain becomes suspicious about and starts following him (Mr. and Mrs. Smith anyone? It would be even better if this followed the arranged marriage trope 😂).

The others acknowledge Lucien is clever and insightful yet they still underestimate him. You can tell they look at him as a tool for when it benefits their own purpose rather than viewing him as an equal, a force to be reckoned with.

I'd also love if it led to Az eating a bit of humble pie. He's so certain of Lucien being unworthy, imagine if Lucien managed to outsmart Az and his shadows.

[remidyal]

Vow - Lunacy-verse FigAyda fic - Preview

I was HOPING to finish this fic by Valentine's Day but that's not gonna happen; this one's fighting me. Still, I want to at least share this preview (which a few people will have seen) and that I'm working on it and will post it Eventually.

It's after everything in Lunacy (my completed novel-length fic where Adaine becomes a werewolf when Jawbone bites her) but parts of the epilogue, as will become obvious, so spoiler warning for that fic.

"…and I swear that there is no force on any plane that will stop me from returning to your side."

There was a lot around her in this moment that Fig wasn't really seeing, because she was too busy staring into Ayda's eyes. The Gold Gardens, around them, decorated with protective runes and firey colors. All the various parents of the brides - Garthy and Arthur, Sandra Lynn and Gilear and Gorthalax and Jawbone. The wedding parties, Adaine just behind Ayda as her maid of honor (and also just behind Fig as her own, Fig knew). Kristen, officiating, nor any of the others who they loved who had crowded into Leviathan to see this. All she could really focus on was her paramour, succubus, girlfriend, fiancee…

"I pronounce this wedding official. Go on and get your kisses in, okay?" Kristen said, a bright smile in her voice but all Fig heard was the permission. She stepped forward, planting a hand firmly on Ayda's side, and allowed her paramour, succubus, girlfriend, fiancee wife to drop her into a deep kiss, the normal embarrassment of doing so in front of anyone other than maybe Adaine not getting to her.

It was a perfect day, and with Adaine left to take care of the Compass Points in their absence they had a perfect honeymoon, life stretched out endlessly before them.

Too Soon

"Fig, please, I'm not sure you're in the right state of mind to even think about what you're asking from me." Aelwyn O'Shaughnessey told her, even as she kept up an abjuration allowing her to hold baby Ayda while feeding her a bottle without burning herself.

Fig could barely stand to be in the same room as her, salt fresh in the gaping wound in her soul, but the person she knew most familiar with the workings of the sort of thing she wanted was also the one who Ayda had arranged to care for her successor, knowing that Fig would never be able to do it herself. One more gesture of love in a life that had been full of them.

One last gesture of love.

"Aelwyn, you know I mean it." Fig said, finally, because Aelwyn was looking too tired to argue with. Being a foster mother to werewolves was one thing - there had been very few points in the last sixty years where Aelwyn HADN'T looked at least a little stressed - but Aelwyn hadn't taken care of an actual infant, and it seemed to be wearing on her more than normal. Unless perhaps the full moon was soon - Fig usually tracked that, but in her own grief she'd lost track of time.

No, wait. Fig did recognize the set of Aelwyn's shoulders, hunched as if she'd been straining against a great weight, from more than one previous occasion. Jawbone and Riz and Gorgug… Others were mourning the Ayda that had been, too, even if the pain might not be as acute as her own.

"Look. You should at least… please talk to Gilear and Sandra Lynn, and Adaine and Fabian too. You owe them that much, if you're going to ask for something like this, Fig. And you owe yourself thinking about it longer." Aelwyn said, before tilting her head and looking towards a window, hearing something that Fig couldn't, her eyes going wide. "Oh, hells. Please, can you hold her for a moment?"

Fig could hardly say no to that, because Aelwyn would only ask if one of her other wards were doing something truly foolish, and Fig HAD timed this for when Adaine would be at the Compass Points instead of helping Aelwyn out. Aelwyn vanished in a Misty Step (Fig could just hear her breaking up some kind of argument outside between two of the children) leaving Fig holding the echo of her love. No need for protective magic for her; the fire couldn't bother her at all.

Baby Ayda stared up at her, flaming eyes wide but otherwise quiet. Fig felt her resolve harden. This was not her Ayda, of course, but it was still important that she would be cared for. Fig just couldn't be any part of that.

She leaned down, her lips touching Ayda's forehead gently. "Don't worry. Aelwyn and Adaine will take care of you." She would wait however long Aelwyn made her wait for help, but her choice wouldn't change.

[tears-and-smiles-ao3]

The Witcher fanfic masterlist

Fighting to get to you

Gen fics

What my heart just yearns to say

Geraskier. 1,996 words. Fluff, first kiss.

Geralt wants to tell Jaskier how he feels, but battles with his inner belief witchers shouldn't want the comfort of another. He cares for his bard the only way he thinks he's allowed until Jaskier forces a conversation between them.

Teen fics

Geraskefer. 2,600 words. Kidnapping, rescue, danger, peril.

Geralt and Yennefer fight tooth and nail to rescue Jaskier, held against his will in a castle on top of a perilous peak.

Revelations

Geraskier. Emotional hurt

Minor Blood Origin spoilers. Jaskier thinks it's unfair that his witcher doesn't love him back.

What He Deserves (1/2)

Geraskier. Angst, regret, emotional hurt

Geralt sees a dandelion poking out proudly from the ice and guilt eats at his heart. Jaskier didn't deserve the words he said on the dragon hunt. If destiny will lead him to Jaskier, he deserves the bard screaming at him. He deserves Jaskier telling him to leave.

Mature fics

All tied up

Geraskier. Bondage

Geralt ties Jaskier to a chair.

Begging

Geraskier. Edging

Jaskier begs Geralt to let him come after hours of being edged.

Dancing Around His Feelings

Jaskier x Countess da Stael. Sex work, oral sex, emotional hurt, unhealthy coping mechanisms, hint at polyamory

Jaskier is still feeling hurt by what Geralt said on the Caingorn mountain when he takes up the Countess' offer of staying with her for the winter.

Grovelling

Geraskier. Apology kink, dub con, dacryphilia

Jaskier seeks to make amends the only way he can.

Lessons in Self Discovery

Multi, Jaskier, Aiden, Lambert, Geralt. 1,679 words. Open relationships, voyeurism, spanking, caning, bdsm, kink discovery

Geralt watches Jaskier get spanked by Aiden, then Lambert caned. It makes him realise something about his own desires to submit.

Lovely bottom

Geraskier. Implied rimming

A massage turns into something spicier.

The real treasure

Geraskier, Geralt and family. Implied/referenced chastity and sex, no smut, family feels

Jaskier sends Geralt on a treasure hunt. It may take all day, but Geralt manages to find the real treasure in the end.

Explicit fics

A Nice Afternoon

Geraskier. 1,921 words. Modern AU, oral sex, Himbo!Geralt.

Jaskier wants to 69 with Geralt, but he can't just tell him. Instead, he uses a cake to get the message across.

Bring your hunger

Geraskier. Sexual attraction, wet dreams, eventual getting together, sex

When Jaskier gets propositioned by a man after one of his shows, it causes Geralt to start thinking about his own desires for the bard. The witcher resists his temptations, but destiny seems to have other ideas because Jaskier is in his thoughts all the time. What will it take for Geralt to finally fall into Jaskier’s arms and kiss him?

Endless

Geraskier. Anal sex

Vampire!Geralt shows Jaskier a really good time with his endlessly hard cock.

Jaskier sandwich

Multi, Jaskier, Aiden, Lambert, Geralt. Open relationships, bondage, threesome, blow jobs, anal sex, modern AU.

Jaskier is a switch and likes to get dicked down every now and then. Luckily, Aiden is more than happy to open up his bed to Jaskier.

One Special Night

Jaskier x Elihal. Trans character, oral sex.

Dandelion knew the earrings would look perfect on Elihal.

Petals In A Storm (16/16)

Saskier, Jaskel, one-sided Geraskier. Casual sex, open relationships, oral sex, anal sex, face sitting, vaginal fingering, shaming language, emotional hurt, grief, angst, canon typical violence, kidnapping, asexual character

Since the mountain, Jaskier has been grieving Geralt and funnelling all his emotions into sleeping around, unable to believe the love he has within his grasp with Sam the Baker. It takes being plucked out of his life and meeting another witcher, Eskel, to realise that maybe his views on love have been misguided.

[starshipsofstarlord]

Not on my boat

Pairing | Bucky Barnes x reader

Summary | whilst helping Sam fix his boat, during the midst of its progression, Bucky corners you within the old Wilson heirloom, leaving your friend and future captain, rather disgusted in the both of you.

Warnings | tfatws spoilers, mentions of death, some angst, smut, oral (male and female receiving), fingering, unprotected sex, bit of choking, swearing

Requested ✖️

Quick link to my masterlist, if you’re interested in reading more of my crap 😬

Hearing the waves crash against the side of the boat brought a smile upon your face, as you felt the breeze brush against your face. It was peaceful, fixing something rather than leaving it broken in order to save lives. If you weren’t swarmed with the government on your tail about how you were not allowed to use your powers, you’d be living out a free and happy life with the man you loved.

You were enduring a break from your assistance on the old Wilson vessel, your legs plodded around its platform, as you surveyed every piece that was in progress. Soon it would be in tip top shape, and when Sam and Bucky’s relationship was on par with that, that was when the two of you had planned to leave. There were plenty of things the two of you had to make up for before you could reside in peace; one of those things was that list of his.

It was a ledger of the amends that he had to make, a reminder of all the lives that had either taunted his own, or he had stolen from whilst he was not himself. James did not deserve the grievance that he was pardoned with, he was struggling, that much was clear. He had lost Steve, and then he was forced to watch as the shield had been handed off to some wanna be cap. To say he had been furious at Sam was a deep understatement, but as said, he was making amends.

Sam was a good man, you had learnt that much from the time that you had spent avenging to him. You had yet to tell him, but you weren’t planning on going back to that life after Karli was stopped, you wanted to continue working in the small shot bar slash grill, where Bucky and Youri would visit during your hours for lunch, and remain in that partition of worlds. Having Bucky and normalcy was a fine balance, which was a deep seated structure that you deeply needed.

If you did not have that then you were sure you’d explode, and hurt someone, or break something. That was no longer your duty, the fighting that you had spent most of your life giving into was coming to an end, and you were more than fine with that. A civilian life sounded good enough, and something that you could definitely settle for, though, you weren’t sure that Bucky would do the same, you hoped that he would.

That gleam in his eye was far too noticeable every time that he looked at that star striped shield. It had brought him much pain, but it had been there in the corner of his sight everywhere he had went. And now, Sam Wilson, the man that his best friend had entrusted with it, finally accepted the mantle, holding it in his firm grasp, ready to become the next captain to walk the earth, and both you and him knew that he would do far better than Walker could.

He was already a hero, he’d been fighting the Sam foes as Steve for some time, that was enough to know that he was ready. His hesitancy had been understandable, more so after listening to Isiah, though, it was nice to see Sam take his own path on this one. There were pictures of his younger self assembled upon the wooden walls, he was with his sister Sarah. She seemed like a nice woman, a part of you wished that you get to know her better, but she wasn’t a buyer into the whole superhero get advantages agenda, and nor were you.

From what you could tell, Sam had his advantage right here; his family. Sarah was supportive of him, always aiding him necessary, whilst she simultaneously raised to young boys, that looked admirably up to their uncle, and feeding the kids that they went to school with because their parents had no intention to. If you could, you’d buy a replica of her life, her head was above water, although the boat almost wasn’t.

The boat. It was an heirloom, something that you did not have of your own family. Everyone was gone, the only person you had was Bucky, and thinking of him caused a light chuckle to fall from your lips, he made you endlessly happy. But neither of you could have the picture perfect life, and that was why the pair of you worked, you were each well aware of the restrictions that taunted you both, and had both been down dark roads on more than one occasion.

Things were turning brighter though, as the sun glared through the old glass, casting luminosity to stroke the high points of your face. A gently creak had your head diverting to the door way, where no other than James Barnes was leant up against, his metal arm pressed to the frame as he adoringly swept his oceanic pools over your form, slowly stepping closer.

“What are you thinking about doll?” He asked you, his tone genuine, as you sighed from his words, rubbing your eyelid as you felt a small itch. You puffed your cheeks, as you placed your hands on the super soldier’s waist, rubbing small and vigilant circles through his grey shirt.

“Too much.” It was an honest answer, everything was rattling around like pins in your mind, sinking in and letting loose to their own will. They could not be organised, they would only tumble about again, until the box was empty, though, for now, you had nowhere else to put them.

“Sarah said we could spend the night.” At his words, you hummed, taking note once more of how generous the woman indeed was. “We get the couch, so you best be on your best behaviour baby girl, nothing dirty goes on inside.” A small smirk crept its way onto his handsome face as you gasped at his spoken intention, lightly hitting the vibranium of his arm.

“Why do you blame me for not keeping it in my pants?” You interrogated him, glaring up at the man with a furrow between your brows. “You’re the one that corners me, a lot like this actually, so that you can get your own way and fuck m- oh, that’s exactly what you’re doing now, isn’t it?” You scoffed, crossing your arms and stepping away due to the man’s hormonal impulses. “Why am in not surprised?” You asked yourself, shaking your head at the behaviour of your partner.

“Hey, I’m doing us both a favour. Sex in someone else’s house is not exactly appreciated, and there’s kids, that i would rather not risk getting caught by.” He moved towards you, grabbing an ass cheek in each hand, as he pulled you closer by his grip. “At least then, there’s a chance I can survive the night, without being woken up by you sucking me off, or riding me.”

He was pushing your buttons, and he far well knew that, almost too well. It was his technique to get you riled up, that way, there’d be no dismissal of his current proposal, though, you continued to wear that adorable frown that he loved so much, and so, he gave your ass another firm squeeze, causing you to gasp against his chest. “Fucking on their dead parents’ boat isn’t exactly respectful either.”

“We’re helping fix it, may as well take our break on board, let loose a little, release all that’s clouding your mind.” He shrugged, knowing that his words were tempting you into complying with his lustrous whim, and so, to put another step in to helping his cause, he stepped back, reaching behind him to pull his shirt over the back of his neck, leaving his muscular torso bare, and free for your eyes to roam.

“That’s not fair.” You whined at him, not stopping yourself as you moved closer, and smoothed your hands down his stomach. “You’re such a tease Barnes, why couldn’t you have just fingered me in the public bathroom and waited until tomorrow?” A groan slipped from your mouth, as you peppered kisses over his warm flesh, tasting the sweat on his skin as your tongue swiped over the ridges of his six pack.

“Where would the fun have been in that?” He watched you roll your eyes, but continue to work your way down to his navel, stroking his v line with your fingertips. “We’ve had sex on a plane, might as well add a boat to the list.” Bucky remarked, groaning as you put your weight down onto your knees, looking up at him with your pretty eyes, as you palmed him through the denim of his jeans.

He could feel his cock stirring beneath the material, wanting more, eager to breach the layers that were keeping your tongue from rotating around him. But he remained still, as you swept your hair out from your face, the noise of your pulling down his zipper audible, as you sent him a naughty grin. The man above you licked his lips, breathing a sigh of relief when you tugged his jeans and boxers down, his erection swiftly bouncing up, the leaking tip pointing rudely at your face.

With a quick hand, you grasped his length, rubbing over his veins as you pumped him, spreading the moisture of his precum over his rigid skin, aiding you in your movements. As you proceeded to jerk him within your grip, your mouth moved forwards, your breath fanning over his balls before your tongue slipped out to stroke them, swiping up the droopy skin, as you suckled one into your mouth, contently moaning from the flavour of his skin.

Your eyes had shut as Bucky opened his own, watching you through a hooded gaze as you happily assisted his genitals, sending him into a crusade of pleasure as you used your well adversed skill set upon him. Your bottom lip ran up his shaft, slowly dragging along his reddened skin, until your reached the tip, your hands fleeing down to fondle with his sack, as your mouth stuffed itself full of his cock.

“Baby girl.” He breathed, his chest feeling tight as he stood there, practically naked aboard your friend’s boat. James gritted his teeth, watching as you effortlessly bobbed your head up and down half of him, lazily grinning as gagging sounds eventually emitted from your throat as you had him down the back of your throat, saliva slipping down your chin as you shook your head from side to side with him choking you with his dick.

Though he worried not for your struggle, not as you moaned against him, your lashes fluttering though your eyes were shut. He reached his vibranium hand down, stroking the side of your face with the cool metal, a high whine whistling it’s way out of your nose. Your spare hand reached up, cupping it against you, as you hollowed your cheeks, steadily breathing your nostrils.

A light frown covered your face as you focused on smoothing your tongue on his underside, causing Bucky to throw back his head, his stomach sternly clenching as he felt his balls twitch; and then, before he could fathom it, he was filling your mouth, cumming down your throat, as he pulled out, the last of his seed falling upon your tongue as he manhandled himself, feeling sensitive as he watched you fumble your tongue around your mouth, swallowing the mix of your spittle and his cum.

“Taste so fucking good.” You spoke, laughing lightly as you stared up and saw his dazed expression. Bucky pulled you up, his hand cupping your ass again, as he backed you up against the dash, your back lightly hitting against the window as he pulled at your shorts, whisking then down your legs, rubbing you through your underwear. His tongue explored your mouth, tasting himself as he located your clit, your arms grabbing at his shoulders to push him down, to which he complied.

His noises echoed through your mouth, as he pressed kissed along the top of your thighs, his fingers surpassing the seams of your panties, swiping at your entrance, until his prodding ceased, and he sunk his middle finger into your pussy, feeling you clench around him instantaneously. His teeth bit into your skin, emitting a squeal out of you as you harshly tugged his hair, making him rut his loose cock against nothing but the air.

“So wet.” He mumbled against your skin, as his vibranium snapped the sides of your underwear, letting the damp material fall to the floor, as he licked circles around your clit with his tongue, pulley airy sounds of pleasure of of your lungs. He slipped in another finger, his nose being pressed against your mound as you tugged him even closer, feeling as though you were almost there. Then you came, his fingers quickly exiting you as his tongue plunged in your entrance, cleaning up all your juices.

“Need you to fuck me Buck, please honey”. The man stood, stroking his hard cock as he teased your entrance. He swiped it through your slit a couple of times, before slapping his head against your clit, making your mewl against his lips, as you licked your essence from around his mouth. “James...” His cocky demeanour returned, as he watched you glance down at his cock, pressing your lips together in desire.

“Thought you didn’t want to fuck me on the boat.” He sneered dominantly, gripping your throat with his vibranium fist, giving it a tough squeeze, finding it endlessly hot as needy tears pooled in the corners of your eyes. Your lips pouted as you sputtered to speak, but you were just so hungry for him. “Guess I’m just gonna have to take pity on you doll, aren’t I?”

With that,he wedged his way through your folds, filling you to the brim as he bottomed out, gently releasing your throat to paw at your tits through your shirt. “Move baby, move.” You mumbled, your head feeling dizzy as your nails dug into the back of his neck, pulling him closer so that you could place tender and supple kisses across the front of his shoulders.

And so, he began to thrust into you, keeping a grip on your hips as he raised your leg around his waist, driving into you deeper, your head tiredly lulling as you chanted his name in soft and delirious pants. “So damn tight angel.” The soldier muttered, biting down onto your chin as he kissed his way up to your lips, abusing the swollen flesh a little more. The kisses were sloppy and downright needy, his vibranium hand held your chin up so that it would tip in rhythm with his movements, making access to the inside of your mouth easier.

“Buck.” You mumbled against his lips as your eyes rolled, your own hand circling your clit as you jutted against his exceeding administrations, one hand crawling up into his scalp as you let our small screams. You were indefinitely close, and as Bucky swerved his head around your own, moving his lips to nip at your earlobe, you came, coating his cock in your wetness, as he continued to hit his hips against your own.

It wasn’t long until he followed after, your clumsy hands trailing down to roll his balls in your palms being the last thing to push him over the edge. Bucky remained standing between your legs, each of your heads resting over each other’s shoulders as you felt each other, eyes closed, and smelling how the aroma of your sex wafted around you, like a personalised perfume.

“Hell no.” And the peace was broke, as Sam’s voice broke it. He had his hands on his hips as he shifted his gaze away from the two of you, unimpressed by what had happened. “The two of you get a break and you - not on my boat!” He practically screeched like a falcon at the pair of you, his arms flailing about like a bird’s flapping wings.

Although he was maddened, it didn’t settle well with you. You were too far out of it to acknowledge what he must have thought about the on deck dick that you had gotten, you were too lost in Bucky, the feeling of him still inside of you, and the falling of his cum out from beneath you both. “You know what, I’m outta here.” Sam left, quite glad to do so.

“You alright doll face?” Bucky asked as he pulled out, making you wince from the feeling of emptiness. You nodded as he reached for your underwear , leaving them be when he registered he had torn them, and instead opted to picking up just you’d shorts, pulling them onto your legs, redressing himself afterwards.

“I love you Buck.” You smiled tiredly, humming as he pecked your lips a few more times, combing his hands through your sex hair, as he returned the facial expression, seemingly calm. It looked good on him, the pair of you had momentarily forgotten your traumas, and it was bliss.

“Love you too darling.” He pecked your nose, staring lovingly into your eyes as he helped you down, and abled you with support to stand. “Unfortunately I think our breaks over beautiful.” He spoke, his hand upon your waist as the pair of you walked from the scene, going to fetch a bottle of water from Sarah, whom you hoped had not learn of your oversea adventure .

[narcissisticmf]

winter festival | loki x fem!reader

description: in asgard, the winter solstice arrives and a festival is held in the city.

trigger warnings: spoilers from thor (2011), angst, fluff, mentions of trauma, etc. read at your own risk.

word count: 1.3k

Gazing over the city, your palms pressed against the glass window, overlooking the thin white sheet of snow that laid about Asgard. The reflection from the glass bounced back into your eyes, making them glisten beautifully. You felt your fingers slowly darken in red as they pressed against the window. You heard a muffled tss and quickly took your hands from the cold glass, clutching your fingertips to your chest.

"You must stay inside, Lady Y/L/N," You turned your head to look back, noticing the eldest Odinson behind you.

"But I wish to go to the festival," You replied with a pout protruding from your bottom lip.

"You'll die," Thor responded and walked towards you with nothing but arrogance in his strut.

You released a soft breath, knowing he was ultimately right, but you couldn't fight the urge to see the city in such a solstice. You felt your palms grow hot, flames growing upon them as you gazed admiringly at the ice and snow all over the city. You felt Thor take his gloved hand, pressing them to your firey hands. The flames burned out as you turned to look up to him, thanking him with a forced grin.

You turned on your heels and walked deeper down the corridor of the palace. Your shoes clicked along the floor while your eyes sunken, with complete dismay that you would be unable to attend the festival. You passed the youngest Odinson's room and noticed Frigga's hands running through Loki's hair, making sure he would look presentable for the Asgardians.

Glancing into the room, you were able to note how unamused Loki seemed with the whole preparation. He looked like a lost puppy gazing at his reflection, while he sat before the vanity. You took into account how beautiful he looked, even when he was completely and utterly miserable.

"Lady Y/L/N? Is there something I can do for you?" Frigga spoke up, not taking her hands out of Loki's hair.

"Ehm.." You fiddled with your steaming fingertips and looked from Frigga to Loki, who gazed at you softly. "The guards got into some stupid argument again, I figured I'd consult you before it got out of hand," You lied through your teeth, hoping to get some time with Loki alone.

"Oh dear," Frigga hurried toward the doorway, "Fix him up while I'm gone, I'll be back shortly."

You nodded gently, mentally patting yourself on the back for your work. You turned to meet Loki's gaze and felt your heart flutter at how soft he looked. You walked towards him and watched as his cheeks grew warm, your eyes could sense that.

"You don't have to do this, Y/N," Loki stated as you took your warm palms to his hair, running your fingertips through the soft texture of it. "Mother is always wanting me to look my best, even when I'm not required to," He breathed out gently, letting his eyes close at the feeling of your hands in his hair.

"I lied about the guards, I just wanted to see you. I know how you get before events like this," You whispered and noticed his eyes opened, looking up to you with a warm smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"You've gone soft," Loki took his finger to your stomach, poking you gently enough for you to release a laugh.

You were the daughter of Hephaistos, the God of fire. Odin was very close with him, which made you very close with Loki growing up. Thor, too, but you felt more emotionally connected to Loki. For some reason, the two of you were endlessly compatible, in more ways than one. You grew your abilities when you were just a small child, you learned this by mistakenly setting your chamber into flames. Luckily, Loki was able to put out the flames with his ability to generate ice with his bare hands.

"I wish I could prepare for the winter festival," You whispered softly, growing genuinely unhappy with being unable to.

"Who's to say you can't?" He questioned with a lift of his brow.

"Thor," You replied blankly.

Loki released a soft sigh and took his cool hands to your wrists, pulling your hands from his hair. You looked down at him with nothing but dilated pupils and a nervous quiver in your lower lips. "Put these on," Loki turned to his drawer beneath the vanity and pulled out small leather gloves. They looked as though they could fit you perfectly. He sat up, straightening his posture and slipped them onto your hands. "They'll keep the ice from harming your power source," He mentioned while making sure they clung around your fingers tightly. "I had the wrong size made when I was receiving them so I'm giving them to y–" You stopped Loki with a growing smile, making him all the more flustered.

"You had these made for me, didn't you?" You questioned softly, stepping closer to him as he was still within his chair. He hesitated before nodding softly.

Leaning down, you were close to pressing a kiss to his cheek, but Frigga returning made you pull back immediately. You watched Loki's affectionate gaze falter at your manner of retreating.

"The guards weren't fighting, Lady Y/L/N," Frigga spoke up with her hands at her sides.

"Silly me, it must've been something else I heard! I best be going, I'll be at the festival, arriving a few moments before you," You held your hands behind your back, unsure if Loki wanted anyone knowing he gave them to you. Frigga gave you a stare before you exited the room, continuing down the corridor with your heart racing rapidly.

.

Dressed in a warm black gown, you kept the leather gloves against your palms and smoothened out the skirt of the dress. The sleeves were long and went down to your wrists, kissing the bottom of the gloves Loki gave to you. Upon your feet were boots that would keep your warmth insulated.

About to exit your room, you glanced down the corridor to see Thor with Loki, speaking to one another outside, upon the balcony that overlooked Asgard and it's thin sheet of snow. You gazed at them for far too long, for Loki caught your stare as he stood before his brother. His eyes met yours. You felt your face heat up and eyes flicker a gentle orange, that happened when you got nervous.

You turned your head down before glancing up again to see Loki walking down the hall, in direction to you. You felt your warm heart beating quickly as he finally stood before you.

"You look beautiful," were his first words as he pulled his thin lips into a smile.

"Thank you, Loki," You whispered gently, your eyes flickering back to their original color. You turned your gaze up to him and found his cold palm pressed to your cheek. You took in a gentle breath at the feeling, but didn't fight his actions for they felt rather natural for the both of you.

"Would you do me the honor and attend the winter festival beside me?" Loki spoke softly, his words were soft and his eyes slowly darkened into a beautiful red, his skin faded blue. You smiled at him, but he seemed rather shameful and tried to control it, without moving his palm from your face.

You took your warm hands and cupped his face, pulling him down to press a kiss to his cold lips. You felt your body temperature decrease at the beautiful feeling of Loki's mouth against yours. Your lips molded together like the Gods crafted them specifically for one another.

"Yes," You muttered into his mouth as he smiled against your lips in response. His arms snuck around your waste, pulling your closer and deepening the kiss further.

.

a/n: hi babies!! i'm in love with loki and i've been really wanting to write something with him, but i was always too nervous because i want to make sure his character is accurately written! i hope you liked this one my beautiful darlings. i love you mwaah! be safe and treat people with kindness. — angelina.

[taikova]

Yooo since you're reading bnha (amazing art!!!!) i gotta ask... what you think of Bakugo 👉👈 of course feel free not to answer if you would prefer not to! Really glad we have all the other favorites in common tho cause I'm living for those fanarts rn

Hey! And thank you!

bakugou is a fine, well written character and i've warmed up to him lately (for obvious manga spoiler reasons.. which i will go into so spoiler warning) but it has long rubbed me the wrong way how midoriya's perspective on being his bullying victim has been and still continues to be very subdued or at a standstill. every time its come up between the two, it has been about bakugou's struggle and development. [cut for length]

beyond the story being deliberately written that way by a person with their own biases and preferences (which is fair), it is a consequence of 1. midoriya having not really taken a look at his life and himself, since he hasnt been encouraged/forced to do so like bakugou repeatedly has (getting physically maimed doesnt seem to ring any warning bells for him whatsoever) since he got an opportunity for greatness that exists outside of himself (/is bigger than himself), and which keeps him very busy and distracted. PLUS his views of himself and what he should be align with the mha society's views on how a hero should act (striving for a singular, unbreakable, selfless symbol of peace) which means theres not similiar outside pressure for deep introspection, and 2. from a storytelling perspective, bakugo being tightly wound in midoriyas view of himself - he looks up to bakugo and wants to beat him, because he values bakugou's views and drive... which is likely also why he has taken bakugou's "useless" nickname to heart, and every failure he faces as he's desperately trying to claw his way out of that moniker (or trying to change the meaning of it on its head) makes him feel worthless all over again, but still unable to take a deeper look at himself. Which is why he fights so hard against it, trying to become a hero who goes against that core view of himself which had been cultivated over years and years of bullying and even physical assault.

like... midoriya really really looks up to and admires bakugou and his opinion (not all of them, just.. he's definitely affected by things he does and says), thus it would make sense that only once bakugou acknowledges and openly regrets their shared past and how he treated midoriya, is Midoriya able to acknowledge to himself how he's been super unfairly treated and hurt. Assuming theres time before shit hits the fan. I do hope we get to see it.

all of that^ seems to be about to be cracked open in canon currently/ soon? I strongly think midoriya's flaws and his desire to prove himself at all costs, and be personally responsible for everything alone (and accompanying lack of consideration to how that belief and attitude belittles the effort and trustworthiness of the people around him) are directly tied to how he was victimized and made feel worthless for being quirkless his whole young life, on top of... Living in a society. bakugo is always the loudest and most personal cause for those feelings, given his proximity to the core of mha's story and themes and physical proximity to midoriya and how their arcs and lives are endlessly intertwined, and how much time is spent on bakugou's development and how bakugo represents a reminder of the "worthless deku" life midoriya tried to leave behind since given OFA quirk (or before that, probs since he was 4) despite also representing the opposite.

i guess ive found it frustrating how long its taken for midoriya's struggle with himself to be acknowledged while bakugo, who can be blamed for a big part of it (tho obviously not shoulder all of the responsibility), had a lot of chapter time spent on him, kept growing and getting better in heaps and bounds, and how the story always seemed to sideline midoriya in favor of bakugo. but as i said, given how the story panned out so far, i have come to peace with it, and the frustration doesnt bother me as much. im glad bakugou's grown so much. im just much more interested in seeing what deku's perspective will look like now, if it shifts for the healthier (i kind of hope he will have the wherewithal to grow a bit more distant from bakugou as he needs to process things, but thats just what id personally prefer)

i talked more about deku than bakugou, which, my bad, but i think that kind of answers your question too? more than what i could say abt bakugou with words.

[spacedustmantis]

GILLION TIME!

as the number one gillion tidestrider understander (democratically elected), i feel as though it's my duty to explain to the masses this guy and his complexities.

spoilers up to episode 99 under the cut. trigger warnings: abuse, indoctrination (?), violence, gore, death, hallucinations, unreality, i think that's it

first off riptide is a pirate campaign, chip, jay and gillion are the main characters, the navy are the bad guys, there's an underwater society called the undersea, which is very cut off from all other cultures. magic etc. exists of course, it's dnd.

gillion gets introduced to us as a comedic character first and foremost. he is literally a fish out of water, having come to the surface only a few days before the campaign starts, and he sticks out like a sore thumb, partially due to his teal skin and green hair, partially due to his loud and boisterous demeanor. he doesn't understand the world around him and seems rather naive, yet he has an unshakable sense of justice, a drive to do good and eliminate evil from the world and a solid belief in destiny.

his lack of self-worth comes into play early, when he takes on the burden of making a deal with one niklaus hendrix. the town they've been staying at gets released of it's curse and in return gillion now owes a favor to this powerful tiefling. this is our introduction to what is presumably the main antagonist of the campaign, and it sets a trend for gillion. self-sacrifice to protect and/or save others, no matter how close he is to them.

meanwhile his friend and later co-captain, chip, takes advantage of his naivety to play a few pranks on him. he tells him to feed his new pet bird gunpowder (which leads to gillion trying to feed it to fire-spitting sea lemurs, blowing up their boat), tells him that bugs are the evilest thing imaginable and need to be slain, and that to greet a bald person you must slap them on their head. all this gillion believes, as he trusts chip to not lie to him and he doesn't have any point of reference for the social norms on the oversea (or the undersea, but we'll get to that later). when chip reveals that he lied to him, gillion takes it as a serious affront to his honor and challenges him to a duel.

and here we find out that while gillion has been taught many things, emotional conflict resolution is not one of them. we see him draw blood instead of talking it out with his friend, refusing a draw or a stalemate. he also was taught that humans are vile, selfish, violent creatures, and while he disregarded that when he came aboard chip's boat, he still has those beliefs ingrained in him.

gillion wins the duel and makes chip promise to never lie to him again.

it takes a bit before we get a glimpse into gillion's life before the campaign again. in the meantime we learn that he is 'the champion of the undersea, hero of the deep' but what that means is unclear. we see him throw himself into danger again and again, and we see him willing to kill, bloodthirsty even. his lack of nuance in morality issues becomes apparent again and again. in his book someone is either good or evil and if they are evil they need to be eradicated. but we also get to see a softer side of his emerge every now and then, particularly when talking to or playing with his pet frogtopus pretzel (keep her in your head, we'll come back to her).

the next bit of backstory we get is when a secret of his is forced out of him by the meat room (don't think about it too hard). we find out the reason gillion is on the surface and not at home, is that he attacked a navy officer (a human, the kind of person he was taught to fight against) and was banished from the undersea. it's made clear that gillion feels endlessly conflicted about it, doesn't want to believe he was kicked out, and feels guilty for being flawed.

more stuff happens, there's a confrontation with jay's father, vice admiral jayson ferin of the navy, in which he compels her to shoot gillion. in this confrontation gillion takes off his armor. he got it payed for by jay in return for a future favor and when jay wants to cash in that favor, saying that gillion should let her go, he instead takes off his armor, since he can't follow through on that favor. so jay shoots gillion, he goes down, jay and chip talk it out, gillion gets healed and they make it out.

the crew heads to all-port, the center of this world, and while there gillion meets his older sister edyn. we find out that he hasn't seen her "in a long long time" (presumably a year or so), and after a short talk at the bar she works at, they head to a different bar to talk about plans relating to the navy. during this edyn, chip and gillion talk some more and it's revealed that gillion was taken from his family by the elders (government) at a young age to be trained to be a champion since he was the hero of the prophecy. the only person who ever visited him in the palace was edyn, and she gifted him pretzel to keep him company. after a while edyn's visits got more and more sparse and edyn tells gillion in this conversation that she wasn't allowed to visit as often anymore, which gillion was never told about.

we also hear about gillion not having time for hobbies or family or friends, since his entire life was taken up by training. and he makes it apparent that he was told he wasn't good enough repeatedly, having to endure extra lessons and critique and disdain from the elders. but he also says that he still has full faith in the elders, believing them to be knowledgeable and trustworthy and still seeing them as authority figures.

a few episodes later we finally learn about the prophecy:

"a hero born from moonlight, storm and sea. / they shall rise or fall to bring unity. / they will be tested or bested by evil's hand. / by their choice one will remain, sea or land."

this prophecy is obviously putting him under immense amounts of pressure. his whole life he has been taught that it will be his responsibility to bring unity and slay evil and choose between two entire cultures, one of which will presumably be wiped out. the choice seemed simply for most of his life, but now that he has seen the surface and befriended the people there and seen what they are capable of, that choice looms over him like a guillotine. one of his homes will be destroyed. he will have to choose one of his families over the other.

after that, we take a bit of a break from gillion and the next time we come back to him, we dive deep. the crew has made their way to liquidus, a city powered entirely by water, worshipping the moon goddess lunadeyis, and directly above them is the sun city (and i can't fucking find the name of it anywhere!!) where they worship the sun goddess aster.

here gillion learns about his purpose as chosen one. he sees two murals, one in liquidus focusing on lunadeyis, and one in the sun city focusing on aster. both tell the story of how they fought over the world. how lunadeyis wanted it to be dominated by water, and aster wanted it to be dominated by land. one of them offers the idea of a champion to settle their dispute. it is believed that gillion is the champion of one or both of the goddesses, but the idea of a second chosen one comes up too, and gillion seems ecstatic about it, as if a weight had been lifted off his chest.

there's also a scene in which the captains go to confession (bc they're in a church) and gillion confesses to having fun with his friends and not wanting to be the chosen one, convinced that that is a sin.

and then they go to the feywild with their pal felipe (remember him, he becomes important) and things really start going to shit for gillion. they arrive at a carnival at which pretzel (his closest companion and longest friend and stand-in for his sister edyn) gets taken from him. he gets a bit mad and has a few breakdowns (if you want to know more i wrote 3k words about that episode here) and then during an improv show they put on in an effort to find out where pretzel is he draws two cards from their newly acquired deck of many things. the first one, rouge, puts a curse on felipe that makes him hate gillion, and the second one, donjon, makes gillion disappear and become imprisoned in an extra-dimensional space, which location is unknown, and he can only be brought back by a powerful wish spell. essentially he's just gone and his friends have no clue how to get him back. they go through the feywild and do a whole adventure thing all while being distraught about gillion.

meanwhile gillion is now in the trauma dimension. everything that happens here is fabricated by his own mind, memories mixed with fears mixed with internal conflict. he finds himself in a white space and before him appear black silhouettes of his elders, putting him on trial. he is put through simulations that would, in an effort to find out whether he is fit for being champion, test him on his sins: wrath, pride and impulsivity. he is told that if he is found guilty it would take more than just a wish spell to recover his soul.

the first two simulations are similar to the training simulations he was put through as a child: fighting an evil version of himself and having to make a decision between eliminating evil and saving the town (a simulation which he never was able to beat since the elders never explained to him what they wanted from him, which was save the town), and having to eliminate an entire camp of navy soldiers asleep in their quarters. it is worth mentioning that during the episode charlie and dm grizzly discussed the possibility of gillion being tasked with killing children of navy officers to "prevent them from multiplying" to which charlie said that that probably happened. fun! gillion approaches both simulations differently to how he used to, and finds success, illustrating his growth.

the last simulation is different. it is not a memory of training, but a memory of the day he was banished from his home. we find out a bit of worldbuilding but we also find out gillion stabbed jay's dad! this time he doesn't stab anyone, but he does speak his mind against the elders and against jayson.

when the simulation fades he is asked for his last line of defense, and he admits to what he believes to be his final sin: his hatred for the elders. it's an insane monologue that makes me cry just thinking about it and you should absolutely watch it here. this moment of him standing up to the elders and telling them how mad he is about how he was treated is both a huge step (even though the elders aren't real, but a memory) and a sign that even after everything, gillion still blames himself for not being good enough, that he feels guilty about feeling anger towards his abusers.

before the trial can come to a close and gillion gets to find out whether he's guilty or not (and therefore being robbed of that closure), niklaus interrupts the memory/hallucination thing and lets us know that he is now in possession of the pearl that holds gillion.

jay, chip and felipe make it back from the feywild, jay makes a deal with niklaus, getting the pearl with gillion, they get him out of the pearl, and they sail off in direction of all-port again.

one day chip and gillion play around with some mind-reading bracelets and what started as good fun became less fun, when gillion digs too deep. while in the feywild chip got the opportunity to talk to any person alive or dead and because he's down bad he chose gillion's sister edyn. he found out that edyn is working with the navy but she made him promise not to tell gillion. chip told jay about it but kept his promise and never mentioned it to gillion. this makes gillion mad at chip for lying to him despite promising not to, and extremely worried about edyn. they have a fight (this time they apologize to each other beforehand and the fight itself is actually really fun), gillion tries to call edyn and immediately hangs up out of anxiety and that's it for the day.

a few days later they arrive at all-port, where gillion avoids confrontation with his sister as long as he can. when he gets urged to do it by chip, they make their way to the bar that edyn works at. they're told by the owner that she's on break, but that she left something for gillion in her locker. it turns out to be a letter in which she tells him how much she loves him, and misses him, but also that she can't explain anything beyond that she's doing what she thinks is right and that she just wants gillion to come home again.

gillion has a breakdown over it, very emotional scene which is also worth checking out, but i don't have a clip. if you want to watch it it's episode 88, near the end.

earlier that day gillion also experiences the first racism directed at him by the people of all-port. :(

later in combat with navy vice admiral kuba kenta he gets scratched by his claws and now has the nightmare curse. he dreams of his sister edyn dying, over and over and over, and then he decides he's had enough of that and stays awake for days on end, focusing on keeping their ship afloat. it's more half of a ship and he has encased the back end in ice so that it doesn't sink, but it needs to be re-frozen every hour, so he can't sleep anyways. also he's in mass amounts of pain.

he gets his grandpa back, who has been a bird (remember that bird from the very beginning?) for ten years, and then he was in a coma for a week, but now he's awake. which is good!

they arrive at an island where gillion finally sleeps again and dreams of a tar black see, a hand on his shoulder and a shack full of the corpses of his loved ones. then they fight a house and while attempting to short rest to get his hp back up, gillion instead becomes paralyzed with pain and hallucinates visions of his friends dead at his feet and his own sword painted in blood and his own flesh melting.

then after fighting the house and some other stuff, gillion goes to sleep and wakes up not having dreamt of anything due to the mind-reading bracelets that he and chip put on. then follows a whole session of them raiding a gang camp, then falling into the hands of a bad guy that they've had issues with before, and then both chip and jay being murdered while gillion is shackled to the wall, helpless, unable to do anything. then gillion actually wakes up. (the fact that this was a dream sequence was kept a secret not just from the audience but from charlie as well, which in retrospect is really funny to watch but watching it for the first time was awful)

his immediate reaction to this is disbelief that he is really awake, flinging jay across the room, stabbing himself to make sure he is awake, and general insanity. he's also hallucinating now. chip and jay know that he's going to die if they don't do anything about the nightmare curse, so they haul his ass to a neighboring island in a tiny rowboat to get him cured by jay's mom. during the four days of travel gillion doesn't sleep once, at the end of that treck he is at 5 points of exhaustion, which means his max hp is halved, he is paralyzed and that he will die if he gains another point of exhaustion.

he gets cured in the nick of time, they make their way back to the island that they left their crew on, and that's basically it. we're caught up with gillion's story!

major bracket round 4 group b

[buckyjamesbarnes1917]

Endlessly

A/N: Reader is a survivor of the Super Soldier Serum Experiment and continues to be haunted by the nightmares & terrors she had to endure during her time as one of HYDRA's pets. One day when she's thinking her existence simply doesn't matter in the world, someone from her past showed up unexpectedly. This does contain a little bit of TFATWS spoilers!

Warnings: Suicidal Thoughts, Nightmares/terrors, and torture & death. (All three & flashbacks are in italics)

“P-p-please no, you don’t have to do this, I have a family,”  said a man trembling and begging for mercy on his life with tears rolling down at his face at the end of the barrel of the gun

I just stood there with the same cold, blank stare that stayed upon my face on every mission, mind unfazed, no emotions, the way HYDRA created me. I still felt part of my mind screaming “Don’t! He’s done nothing wrong!” but my mind couldn’t fight against the forces & the control HYDRA has on me. I pulled the trigger and muttered, “The mission is finalized.” After I determined the man to have no sign of life, I stepped over the body to then feel his hands grasped my ankles and then I saw his bloodied face frozen with an agonizing expression.

I awoke suddenly to then start panicking, thinking I was still within HYDRA’s facility where they still had control over me & tortured me to do their biddings. After I finally calmed my breathing down, I reminded myself, “You’re okay, you’re safe in your own apartment, HYDRA fell with S.H.I.E.L.D when the Avengers took them down, just continue the breathing exercises, and everything will be alright.” Except, it’s not going to be alright, though doing the breathing exercises keeps my breathing under control, I’m still being tormented by my nightmares. I sighed and got out of bed, maybe a shower will help me clear my thoughts.

~Meanwhile, on a plane to America~

“What’s the story about the name Zemo was talking about when we were on our way to Madripoor?” Sam asked as Bucky thinks back to the conversation.

“To beat Karli, we need a lot more allies, I suggest we start by enlisting the help of Y/N L/N,” Zemo said as Sam looked confused & Bucky’s facial expression tweaked 

“Who-” Sam started to say until Bucky interrupts him, “Don’t you ever mention that name again.”

“I’m sorry, so let’s talk about the plan,” Zemo responds as Bucky went back in his seat.

Bucky sighed and said, “Her name is one of the people I have to make amends with, she was one of HYDRA’s experiments.”

“Hold up, I thought Zemo got rid of all the super soldiers, why did he spare her?” Sam responded as he and Bucky finally exit the plane

“He spared her life because he had a feeling that she could be free from the controls of HYDRA and so that she could try to live a normal life, like me,” Bucky said as Sam looked at him confused and asked, “How do you know that?”

“Before The Dora Milaje took him to The Raft, he knew she was on my list when he went to cross his name off. Zemo didn’t give me a definite answer why he told me, he just felt like it,” Bucky responded as Sam nodded an okay

“You think she can help us?” Sam asked as Bucky nodded his head and then said, “But it’s not going to be easy to convince her to join the cause.”

“Why? Did you do something to her that caused her to be on your list?” Sam asked 

Bucky sighed and said, “You don’t even want to know.” as Sam stayed silent, a sign that he understands and doesn’t want to push it

“I’m going to visit Isaiah before heading home to Sarah and the boys, want to tag along?” Sam asked as Bucky shook his head

“No, I’m going make amends with someone I should’ve made them with a long time ago,” Bucky responded as he only has one mission on his mind.

~Back in New York, a day later~

“You’re okay, you’re okay,” I kept whispering to myself, repeating the mantra

The shower did help me clear my thoughts, but throughout the day, I couldn’t shake the dread & despair the nightmares and terrors brought me. I know it wasn’t my fault for all those deaths, I was a weapon that HYDRA created and used, but HYDRA doesn’t exist anymore so I’m not a weapon. I don’t know why Helmut Zemo spared my life that day he confronted me, I have no place in this world nor would be of any use to make a difference.

“Why am I still alive? I’m nothing and nobody even cares about me nor care I still exist.” I whispered to myself as I rest my head on my knees

Then I heard a knock on my apartment door and stayed silent to see if I can recognize if one of my neighbors is behind the door. I got up from the floor and composed myself together before I go up to the door to check through the peephole and I suddenly froze when I saw who was on the other side, James Barnes aka The Winter Soldier, HYDRA’s former powerful weapon. A lot has changed and its been a long time since I came face to face with him.

“Y/N, I know you’re behind the door. Can you let me in so we can talk?” James whispered so I can only hear him

“You know he’s changed too, he isn’t The Winter Solider anymore, let him in,” I could hear my conscience telling me

I then started to unlock the door and opened it to him standing there, with a concerned face.

“What are you doing here?” I asked as James walked into my apartment

“Your name’s on my list,” James responded as I looked at him in confusion

“What list? Your list of people to kill or torture?” I asked as James hands me a notebook with his writing that shows my name under the title, “Amends”

“I’m no longer the Winter Soldier. I’m James “Bucky” Barnes and you’re part of my efforts to make amends,” James said

I was about to ask something, but then James interrupts me by responding, “I heard you.”

I started to develop a confused look on my face and then realized, with his enhanced hearing, he heard what I said minutes before he knocked on the door. I looked away from him and mutter, “Of course you did.”

“How long have they been happening?” James asked as I said in response, “Since before & returning from the Blip. Glad to see you’re looking well, therapy going good?” adding a little irritation at the end since therapy hasn’t been working for me

James sighed and then responds, “I’ve been having them too so, you’re not alone.” 

“I thought therapy was suppose to help with that,” I said with a tone of shock in my voice that maybe he hasn’t changed much

“It’s helping, but not as much as it needs to.” James replied 

 James sighed and then said, “I’m sorry for what happened in the past, all the pain & torture I caused you as the Winter Soldier. I know I can’t take it back, but if you’ll allow me, I want to make it up to you. I need your help.”

I contemplated accepting his apology to then say, “Okay. What do you need help with?”

“Are you aware of the Flag Smashers?” James asked as I nodded my head in response “Well, their leader, Karli decided to lay low after what Walker did to one of her followers. We need to be prepared for her next move when it happens, but Sam & I can’t do all this by ourselves, so will you help us when the time comes?”

“Why me? You heard what I said, I’m nothing, Zemo should’ve ended me when he had the chance,” I responded as James looked away

“You are not nothing, you are a survivor and a fighter. Zemo spared your life because he believed you would make a difference in this world and protect it when the time comes. I know that you are strong enough to stand your ground and I believe in you,” James said as I stood there, stunned not knowing that his words would make that much of an impact on me.

“Okay,” I responded as James looked back at me, “I’ll help you and Sam take down the Flag Smashers, whatever it takes.”

I could see James thinking about something so I asked, “James, what are you thinking about?”

“How would you feel about taking a trip down to Delacroix, Louisiana? You get a break from the city and you get to meet Sam so you can start to build your trust in him,” James responded 

“Think that would do me good since I haven’t gotten much sleep, also sorry for getting irritated with you,” I said as James laughs and smiles at me

“It’s fine, doll, also call me Bucky,” Bucky responded as he starts to back up and turn around to leave my apartment with me walking behind him

“Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile or laugh like that before,” I thought to myself as I start to smile at the ground, “It’s definitely having an effect on me.”

As we’re on our way to Louisiana, he caught me up on what happened overseas, including the incident with John Walker.

“So wait, Walker wouldn’t give up the shield and felt no remorse for what he did to Steve’s legacy? What an asshole,” I said as Bucky chuckles in agreement.

“Yeah, Sam and I took the shield back, which left Walker with a broken arm,” Bucky responds as he looks at his vibranium arm that’s resting against mine.

“Hey, remember, you’re free from HYDRA, you don’t have the arm they provided you, and you learned to resist the trigger words,” I reminded him as he nods his head

“I’m sorry if this brings up the nightmares, but are they about your victims or is it just your subconscious making you feel what you do?” Bucky asked as I sighed

“They’re  just about me remembering what I’d done and how much control HYDRA had over me, it’s just hard to shake off the feeling of dread & despair after experiencing them,” I responded as I felt Bucky move his hand into mine and squeezing it in reassurance

“It’ll be okay, maybe the change of scenery will help the both of us,” Bucky whispered 

After we arrived two days before, we went to the docks where we saw everyone helping out Sam and his family with the boat. Bucky and I walked over to the boat when we see Sam talking to two locals when Bucky decided to help them get an equipment out of the trunk.

“Thanks Buck, this her?” Sam asked as Bucky nodded, “So will you help us?”

“Yes, I will help you with the Flag Smasher, need help with the boat?” I responded as Sam said, “Hope you don’t mind”

“No, we don’t mind. Where do you want us?” Bucky asked as Sam pointed us to where he wanted us

As we were working, I notice out of the corner of my eye, a woman who looks to be Sam’s sister, walking along the dock with a clipboard.

“Hey, I’m Bucky,” I hear Bucky say as the woman stops in front of him

“Sarah, nice to meet you, and who are you?” Sarah responds to then turn her attention to me

“Y/N, nice to meet you too, also don’t mind Bucky, he’s a bit of a flirt,” I said teasingly as Sarah laughs and Bucky makes a face at me that says “Really?”

“What? You know I’m right because if I recall, in the 1940s before you went to war, you were one of Brooklyn’s biggest flirts, I read about it at the exhibit,” I responded towards Bucky’s way 

Bucky shook his head and smiled to the ground, thinking no one would notice, but Sam did.

After I finished up with what I was tasked to do, Sarah asked me to help her out with something so I got off the boat and followed her to where we needed to go, leaving Bucky and Sam sitting there. Sam walks over to the cooler and grabbed two Heineken to then hand one to Bucky.

“Alright, so what’s going on between you two?” Sam asked as Bucky sighed

“We’re just focusing on me making it up to her and completing my efforts to make amends with her,” Bucky responded as he took a sip

“Bucky, I’ve seen that look in your eyes, you’re in love with her, how long has that feeling been there?” Sam asked, unknowingly oblivious to the fact I returned from helping Sarah and was standing nearby.

“I remember seeing her at the facility after Steve broke the trance, the first thought that came to my mind was, “Who was this girl with the blank cold stare?” then they commanded her to do her task and I could see for a split second that her eyes showed emotions. A split second, I knew she still had the parts to her that made her human,” Bucky responded as he then said, “That’s when it happened.”

“So after HYDRA fell, you forgot about her or did that memory only existed in the Winter Soldier persona?” Sam said as Bucky got up to stand

“After Hydra fell and I started to gain my mind back, I always thought back to her, wondering where she was and what she was up to. One day, I decided I was going to see for myself, so I found her. When I saw her that first time since that day at the facility, Sam, I wanted to make my presence known to her, she looked so lost and knowing what me as the Winter Soldier did to her, not knowing if she even remembers it, I didn’t want to force myself to stand face to face with her because I didn’t know if she was ready then to talk to me or if it was going to jeopardize her healing from the torture and the horrors of HYDRA. So I left, though it pained me that she never would’ve known someone still cared about her, and I wish I could’ve helped her with her nightmares before now,” Bucky said as he runs his hands over his face

“Y-you really feel that way?” I finally spoke, making my presence known as Sam and Bucky looked towards my direction

“Okay, that’s my cue. I’ll let you guys talk and have your privacy,” Sam said as he got off the boat and left, leaving me and Bucky alone on the docks

“Yes, I do feel that way and I am so sorry that you’ve been feeling that way for a long time,” Bucky responded with tears welling up in his eyes as I go on the boat to stand in front of him

“Hey, hey, it’s okay.” I said putting my hands on his face, feeling one of his hands wrap around my wrist, “I’m glad that you did what you felt was right for me no matter how bad you felt about doing it. You were willing to be patient until the day you felt I would be ready to face you again.”

“So you’re not mad at me?” Bucky asked as I leaned in closer to the point where our lips are close to touching

“James Bucky Barnes, despite all the torture and pain you put me through as the Winter Soldier, I still forgave you at my own pace which you allowed me to have. That makes you one of the amazing guys I have the pleasure of knowing,” I said as I finally kissed him, making the first move

Bucky kissed back and moved one of his hands to my hair and the other to settle on my waist as we kissed in the sunset. We pulled away and I looked up to see Bucky smiling down at me, then he reached to one of his back pockets to pull out his notebook and handed it to me.

“So shall we cross off your name off the list?” Bucky asked with a smirk plastered on his face

I smiled back and said, “Definitely” as I took the notebook & pen from him and crossed out my name.

“Feels good huh?” I asked him as he laughed

“It does, so should we start finding a hotel to crash at before our flight back home?” Bucky asked

Before I could even answer or make a suggestion, we hear Sam from behind us, “You guys can stay at our place if you want to.”

I was silently glad that Bucky took up on Sam’s offer because that night was the first night in years where I had a peaceful sleep and it was in the arms of someone I loved & trusted in the house of people we felt comfortable around.

[omegawolverine]

I love it when people talk about things they're passionate about, tell me something cool!! Anything you want, just something you find interesting or want to talk about :D

hello anon my beloved, I am in a bad mood so you will be receiving a passionate, yet lowkey of pissy rant about why villainizing bakugou makes me wanna vomit and its NOT just because I'm a dumbass kinnie :)

tws: child abuse (emotional and physical), near death expierences, bullying, kidnapping, suffocation, lots of trauma in general tbh. if you've seen bnha then basically just keep all the general triggering plot stuff in mind incase i missed any warnings

also, note: I havent caught up on bnha in a minute, I'm at like the start of the war arc but I barely remember shit there tbh so like. probs missing new stuff. also bnha spoiler warnings lol

so, for starters, the homie bakugou has like,, a good handful of issues that come from his childhood that explain why he's an ass. he was always praised and never actually reprimanded for being a twat which led to him having a huge ego that ended up fucking him over majorly. this ego was something that his mother acknowledged him having, but literally didnt try to fix it with anything other than violence. see here:

like, instead of trying to help him, she hits and insults him, which is probably what led to his weird inferiority/superiority complex. being constantly told by others that you're outstanding and one day you'll be a top hero because you're rude and aggressive and then going home and being hit by your mother for those exact same behaviors is bound to fucking confuse a child.

so like, now that we've established that its definetly canon that his mother (parents? I think he said parents at some point but masaru doesn't seem like the type so 🤷) hits him though we don't know how much or how often (though if bakugou was as much of a little shit back then ((which as far as we've seen- he was)) then it was probably often), lets talk about how regardless of all that 1) hitting your kids as "discipline" not only doesn't work but is abusive lol like idc if it's spanking/popping them on the mouth for talking shit, slapping them across the face "on occasion", etc. shits not okay 2) hitting your kids!!!! does not work!!!!!!!! it is literally PROVEN not to work!!!!!!!! hitting a child who has done something wrong doesnt teach them to stop doing something it teaches them to be scared of you, which will cause the child to withdraw, removing part of their support system (assuming said abusive parents would even offer that up) and will most likely lead to them thinking they're a bad person, not that their actions were bad, which are two different things. so, ya know, that would clearly have an effect on a kid. like, as someone with a mother who reminds me all too much of mitsuki: I have acted like a complete shitbag and taken my anger out on people to feel better in the past because of the way my mother treated me. though it was nowhere near what bakugou did, I still know first fucking hand what a mother hitting and insulting her child will do, especially if they have no proper outlet for that (friends, a safe place to vent) which bakugou never fucking had.

theres also the fact that just talking to your kid the way mitsuki does (saying it's his fault he was kidnapped because he's weak, all while hitting him) is not??? okay?????? ive seen people arguing that this was just a joke in poor taste but like her son was KIDNAPPED and even if it was a "joke" there's literally NO WAY that would EVER?? BE FUNNY??????? she just sounds like the kind of parent who at the very least says shit without thinking that would traumatize bakugou (because being told right after being kidnapped it's your fucking fault by your mother is absolutely traumatizing) but it comes across as her being emotionally abusive.

mitsukis character as a whole comes across as a shitty mom who doesn't realize she's a shitty mom and thinks bakugou being an ass isn't at least partially her fault even though she's admitted to realizing he has always had an ego problem and doing nothing to fix it except for hitting and yelling which obviously did nothing but make him just as loud and violent as she is.

this is obviously not the entire reason why he's a dick but he was never properly taught that the shit he was doing wasn't okay and people not stopping it and/or praising him endlessly even tho he was a bully is basically the same as encouraging it, thank you very much.

moving on from that, let's talk about bakugous other traumas and how he naturally responds to them. hint: it's with either full blown panic or a fight response (verbal or physical, though usually physical. also sometimes it's the panic followed by the fight response.)

so far in bnha (keep in mind that I am not caught up, I've only read up to the beginning of the war arc and i barely remember those bits so) bakugou has...

nearly died via sludge villain (he was unable to move and was being suffocated to death- keep this in mind)

lost for the first time ever and against deku of all people (this nearly sent him into a full blown panic attack, likely because of that sexy little inferiority/superiority complex combo. think of this as like. gifted kid burnout lite. he has always been the best of the best and now suddenly he is being beaten by somebody who has always been weaker than him, which immediately makes him start thinking he was never actually that good, he's actually a fucking failure, a goddamn fraud)

won the sports festival by default (bakugou counts this as yet another failure because todoroki didnt try his best. had bakugou lost to todoroki full strength, he would've taken 2nd place with a bit of bitching, but he still wouldve taken it rather than refuse the medal as it would be a reminder that he failed. instead of accepting that like UA shouldve, the staff chained and muzzled him on live television and then had all might, his fucking idol, force the medal into his mouth. remember the sludge villain incident and how he couldnt move and was suffocating to death? yeah.)

been kidnapped because of the way he reacted to winning during the sports festival (he was aggressive and tried to refuse the medal because he felt he didnt deserve it and was then retraumatized by being chained up and muzzled. his "villainous attitude" was a fucking trauma response, do not tell me otherwise)

was then chained up once again by the LOV after being kidnapped,,, do we see the "retraumatize bkg" theme yet?

"ended all might" (he literally blames himself for all mights retirement because had he just not have been weak, all might wouldve had more time, right?)

my point with all of these is that bakugou has been severely traumatized and has then had his trauma responses (aggression, fight) used to further demonize him. not all people with trauma react the fucking same and the way the fandom just refuses to acknowledge anger as a valid form of trauma response is gross as hell.

moving away from that topic, bakugou has literally never had any actual friends, they all just used him and didn't care about him which absolutely will fuck up a kid, especially one who already has all that other shit going on. bakugou deadass never had a support system or people to help him grow as a person, let alone properly work through his fucking emotions so it's not surprising that he would take out his bullshit on the one person who tried to help him especially considering he saw dekus actions as him thinking he was weak. bakugou was raised to not seek help, he thought somebody strong shouldnt ever need it, so for somebody like deku (who bakugou percieved as weak and helpless already) to offer up help? deku must obviously think bakugou is even weaker than him, what other explanation could their possibly be!

speaking of which, there's his heaps of insecurities that he basically hid by being a twat and bullying others for most of his life. kid was so insecure he bullied deku for fucking years cause he thought deku looked down on him, thought he was better than him, etc. and that only got worse bc his idol then decided to take deku in, train him and even give him his quirk. there's probably some shit im missing but still he's got issues and always has had issues. that being said, he's actually improving and working them out now which is what makes him a really good, interesting character. it's also nice to see a character who is a dick without some tragic backstory (like his backstory is sad but its not the classic "my family was fucking slaughtered and i turned into a raging bitch who murders people" type shit) bc that rarely happens and it's like most assholes don't actually have a story like that they're just assholes lol

now lets talk improvement! lil bitch has been getting better since he got into UA and im so happy abt it!! he had a rough start what with deku suddenly having a quirk and all but like he is really improving now and it highkey shows that bakugou just mostly needed people who 1) didn't constantly praise him and actually criticized him instead 2) actually fucking punished him doing stupid shit and 3) some motherfucking friends

Since going to UA he's gotten actually feedback from teachers about his weaknesses and how to get stronger, he's lost against others, hes been told he has a shit attitude and is a dick, told he should be nicer and leave deku alone, etc etc. He hasn't gotten in trouble too much with teachers but others give him shit for what he does and aizawa has punished him too, while still acknowledging that bakugou is an amazing and dedicated student, something which no one else had done up til that point. and uh???? homie actually has friends who like,,, don't use him and also call him out when he's a dick. like specifically kirishima has done this shit and him and bakugous relationship is clearly very healthy and beneficial for the both of them. makes me feel all happy n shit, ya know

bottom line is: while it is absolutely valid to dislike or even hate bakugou because he is a massively flawed person who has been very cruel to others, villainizing him for the way he acts which in large part seems to be from a lack of guidance, a shitty mother and heavy amounts of trauma, is fucking awful. his actions cannot be fucking excused, he needs to apologize and continue to grow, but he is also a fucking teenager, who is just now being told that the way he acts is unacceptable by people who dont fucking abuse him (and I swear to god if any people who think mitsuki isnt abusive interact with this fucking post I will fullstop hardblock you, I do not fucking care) and actually treat him like a normal person instead of some prodigy child or someone who needs to be fixed.

people are free to debate my points or whatever bc I know some of this stuff is up to interpretation but like. dni if you're just here to say you hate bakugou for xyz reason or that he's irredeemable. also especially dni if you compare him to fucking endeavor yall bitches make me gag.

anyways thxs for the ask anon <33 sorry this is a kinda messy info dump lol

[leileisa]

hold on [ kuroo tetsurō x reader ] [ soulmate! au ]

   ⌙ kuroo has been against love since the very beginning, but maybe you can give him something to hold onto.

when you love someone, and they break your heart   don’t give up on love, have faith restart

part of the love is on it’s way series [masterlist]

word count: 2.2k

genre: fluff? kinda? maybe a little angst

warnings: timeskip spoilers, arguments

ever since he was young, kuroo has had multiple interactions with lady luck.

but he knows that she’s not picking on him for every single thing he does, because he’s had one too many valuable experiences throughout his life that, when he looks back on, makes a soft smile break out on his face in content. he’s well aware that lady luck has been especially kind with his friendships- he’s so thankful for every single person in his life, but he’d be caught dead before being sentimental to their faces. she’s also been generous with his success and his smarts, and while he knows that he worked hard in school, opportunities like his didn’t come out of thin air.

kuroo tetsurō knows that he’s living a life that others would kill to have, and he’s appreciative of his good luck; he wouldn’t change the opportunities that he was given for anything. but with all the good that lady luck has given him, he can’t help but bear the overwhelming weight of hating the one thing that others hold so dear to their heart, the thing that clutches the hearts of everyone around him so tightly and refuses to let go.

he thinks that people who believe in love- in their soulmates, specifically- are foolish. not stupid, or dumb, just unaware of the deceitful illusion that was marred onto their skin that they believe to be their ‘one, true person’. they’re fools because they haven’t seen what love can do to people. it’s destructive, dangerous, an unstable hallucination that people cling to on the belief that it’ll make them happy, and it’ll satisfy their need to be loved. their expectations of love blind them from the reality of a fabricated assurance that was never actually promised to them- just idealized in order to create a society that was dead set on believing.

but believing wasn’t enough, not whenever you’re a product of a  mother and father who separated because their love for each other had crashed and faded away into nothing-ness. it was obvious, after a short period of time, that they were tired of pretending; the fighting, the screaming, and sometimes even short bouts of violence that haunted his childhood. he remembers crying himself to sleep nearly every night.

kuroo despises that people can love blindly. he doesn’t see a reason why a phrase that magically appears once you turn eighteen should determine who you’re supposed to fall in love with. he used to argue that he hated soulmates because there was no scientific reason behind them, that it was almost impossible for the universe to have a perfect match for everyone, but even his science-obsessed self couldn’t put it off for so long (he got tired of saying “magic isn’t real, so why are soulmates?”). so he decided that his person would be a person he chooses, not someone that was picked out for him.

but after numerous arguments with his friends, he stopped bringing it up. nobody besides kenma, his best friend, knew why he was so against soulmates, and he wanted it to stay that way.

when he turned eighteen, kuroo can’t say that he wasn’t a little bit excited to see his tattoo, his tattoo that would show what the first thing his ‘soulmate’ was going to say to him. it was like a mystery game; was it going to be something funny, a witty pick-up line, maybe? or was it going to be an apology- maybe you two bumped into each other on accident. the possibilities were endless, and it was exciting to see what would be on his skin forever. but there was no way that he believed in soulmates, or that this person would be his person forever.

but when his tattoo finally showed up, at the ass crack of dawn on his birthday, right on the inside of his pinky finger (which was really weird, because he’s never seen that on any of his seniors, ever), he knew that lady luck was on his side.

‘sorry, but no.’

it was almost ironic- actually, it was totally ironic, that the first things his soulmate would say to him was something so bland and boring. it actually gave him a sense of relief, knowing that the first thing that this person would say to him is a dismissive apology, and it only fueled his distain for soulmates even more.

the satisfaction that he got eventually led to him forgetting about his mark, and it helped him focus on his future. in a way, he was thankful for his soulmate for his tremendous success.

it helped him live more freely, to live without restraint, when he talked to people. it was almost impossible to completely avoid the topic of soulmates, but he didn’t care. he wasn’t worried about what others thought of him, because it was his life. he lived it however he wanted. and if there was anything that his mark told him, it was that his soulmate wasn’t interested in him either.

kuroo was incredibly charismatic, and he knew how to keep a conversation. he knew of so many things, old and new, that kept everyone he was talking to on his toes. he flirted endlessly with people, and it didn’t hurt his feelings when someone turned him down. he knew how people were fully committed to a person they had yet to meet, or had already fallen in love with. he respected other people’s decision, because he knew what is was like when people disrespected his.

but lady luck had a twisted sense of humor.

it was just supposed to be a get together with his friend, bokuto. catching up, he called it, after months of being busy with their adult lives. the two sat at a fancy restaurant (past them would never believe that they’d be successful enough to spend this much money on food), dressed head to toe in suits that made the middle-class drool with envy.

“still not feelin’ the whole soulmate thing, huh?” bokuto asked, closing the menu. there was so many options it was overwhelming, but he knew what he wanted (he wasn’t the type to explore his tastebuds).

“don’t think i ever will,” kuroo replied, meeting bokuto’s teasing eye contact.

“that’s so funny,” the professional volleyball player said. kuroo was proud that one of his closest friends got so far with  his passion, but who in their right mind would let an overgrown child on the court?

“how so?” he prompted.

bokuto grinned, leaning onto the table. he was cautious not to knock over the expensive alcohol. “i met someone the other day,” he said; kuroo groaned, and he awaited for an upcoming tale of what he assumed to be bokuto’s soulmate encounter, but was instead met with: “who has the same feeling about soulmates that you do.”

“oh really?” kuroo had met a select few who had the same thought process as him. well, theirs more steered on the ‘how can a soul be split in two’ while his was more like ‘i’ve seen how faulty soulmates can be’.

“yup,” bokuto said, popping the ‘p’, "you guys should talk!"

"i think i'm okay," kuroo responded, taking a delicate sip of his whiskey. it stung as it went down, but what's to enjoy in life if there's little pain?

"no, seriously," bokuto stated, getting his phone out of his coat pocket. "you guys should talk. you two have a lot in common."

the noirette rolled his eyes, leaning back in the cushioned chair. "how so?"

"you guys both can't get a date." bokuto grinned, holding the phone up to his ear, “let's see if she picks up."

"haha," kuroo said, voice monotone, "very funny." he was a little ticked that bokuto was calling a girl during thier friend-date, but once bokuto had his mind set on something, trying to get him to stop was impossible.

he saw bokuto’s eyes gleam with mischief when the ringing stopped, and kuroo thought he heard a “what do you want?” coming from the other end.

“you know how you talked about never being able to get a date?” bokuto asked. he didn’t wait for your response before he handed the phone to kuroo with an overly eager nod.

“sorry, but no.”

kuroo’s throat went dry as his mind instantly raced to the words that were tattooed on his the inside of his smallest finger. suddenly, he’s anxious. his heart stops, and his hands are starting to get sweaty. he doesn’t know what to say-

“i’m not going on a date with you, bo.”

it doesn’t make sense, kuroo thinks. you weren’t talking to him, you didn’t know he was the one who had his phone to his ear, so how- just how were those the same words that were supposed help him find his other half?

the lack of response obviously confused you, and he heard a small ‘bo?’ from the other side of the phone. he couldn’t help it, he told himself, that he thought your voice sounded beautiful. you were supposed to be perfect to him, but there’s no way that you were actually meant for him. so with a wary glance towards his friend, kuroo got himself together.

“well, that’s just not nice.” he said. he’s surprised he didn’t stutter, with how his heart was still racing. maybe it’s the faint amount of alcohol in his veins that provided little comfort, but he’d take what he could get.

for a moment, kuroo is afraid. he’s afraid you’ll hang up on him, because if bokuto said you two have the same view on soulmates, he feels like you’d run away. not because you’re scared of the commitment, but because you know what being a soulmate entails. he knows that the most frightening thing to him is being forced to love someone, and the endless possibilities that could follow. he’s afraid because he doesn’t know the outcome, and he assumes you feel the same way. he tells himself that it doesn’t mean anything if you hang up.

but you stutter for a second, at a loss for words, just like he was. there’s silence on your side, and he knows you figured out that you’re supposed to be meant for each other. he waits for it, the monotonous beeping to show that you’ve ended the call, but-

“have you met bo?” you ask, voice quiet. “he’s-“

“a lot,” kuroo finishes, and he knows that he’s done for.

he’s lived his whole life telling himself that the connection and relief you feel when you meet your soulmate isn’t real. he rejected the thought of soulmates since he was little. but even he can’t ignore the feeling of his swelling heart as a smile breaks across his face. it’s an overwhelming sense of comfort that flows through his body, and he can’t do anything to dwell the overall pleasantness that he feels inside from just talking to you.

you, his soulmate, the person he told himself he was never going to give a fading chance because there's no way that he'd love someone just because the universe told him to. you, his soulmate, the person that he wants to hate so much because he doesn't believe in a love that's set in stone for him. you, his soulmate, the person that he didn't choose.

“yeah, a lot,” you agree, and he hears you let out a small chuckle- it’s a blessing to his ears, “and ugly.”

kuroo laughs, because that’s definitely not how anyone would describe the professional volleyball player, and he knows you say it in jest.

“you wouldn’t go on a date with him because he’s ugly?” he asks, saying it loud and clear for bokuto to hear. his friend lets out a loud ‘hey!’, loud enough for you to hear, and his suspicions are only confirmed when he hears you let out a snicker. the conversation is cut short when the phone is snatched out of his hands, and kuroo laughs again as bokuto hangs up the call after telling you ‘if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.’

"i'll send you her number," bokuto says with a pout on his face. and kuroo can't wait. once he feels the vibration of a notification that bokuto did, in fact, send your contact to him. he doesn't hesitate to send you a quick text.

[kuroo tetsurō to you]      would you go on a date with me?

he curses lady luck. he's mad that, within a span of less than two minutes, he might change his mind on soulmates. he's scared because he knows that, if he goes along with what fate has in store for him, he might get hurt. he can't lie and say that your voice wasn't magic to his ears, and that he can't wait to hear it again, but he has to pace himself. if he throws all the caution that his past has given him, he's can't help but think that his parents divorce would have taught him nothing.

but it was so easy to talk to you, even if it was to make fun of your mutual friend. even as bokuto's pouting at him from across the table, kuroo can't fight the grin that's been on his face for the past few minutes.

[you to kuroo tetsurō]      idk, are you ugly too?

kuroo just hopes that you're both willing to give this whole soulmates thing a chance.

taglist: @noya-sleftankle​, @crayonwriting​, @aonenthusiast​ (there was one more ask that i forgot to save the name of! im so sorry ☹︎ )

►send an ask/dm me to be added to the taglist!

[love-toxin]

yandere heart; ashe, wilardo, noel, sirius.

a/n: yandere headcanons for the witch’s heart male cast. 

warnings: spoiler heavy, obsessive love, mild smut elements, blood, character death, criminal coercion, murder, suicide. 

Ashe

He would never have a bad thing to say about you. And, by extension, nobody else would have the chance to speak badly about you either. 

Before he has the courage to tell you about his feelings, he would seek out comfort in books with characters that remind him of you, especially if they are love interests. Even if there’s a time when he can’t bear to dump his heart out in front of you, he can still fantasize about living your lives side-by-side. 

The main motivation for his love to become an obsession is when he starts to regard you not only as a close friend, but as family. By then, he'll want to stick as closely to your side as possible, and make sure that you never leave his sight lest you be hurt or killed. And his fantasies will start to develop into more intense scenarios--most of them being how you’ll be married and start a family of your own. 

This, of course, will extend to even personal trips to the bathroom. He won't intrude if you need to use the toilet, but he'll insist on waiting outside the door and keeping guard if you're doing so, as well as when you need to take your bath.  

Unless you're close enough to let him in--in that case, he'll be sure to turn away or busy himself with washing at the sink while you bathe if you're shy. And if you're more comfortable, he'll be eager to sit you between his legs and take your bath together, so that you can wash each other's hair and lather the spots on your backs that neither of you can reach. He’ll absolutely take the chance to tickle you, too--and you’ll probably have to endure a bit of shouting from Sirius if he hears you “roughousing” together in the baths. 

He won’t kill you if you try to leave him--but he will get close. The tip of his knife might waver against your neck for a few moments before he pulls himself out of his fury, and your tears will bring him back to reality so he can comfort you in his arms, despite being the one to terrify you in the first place. 

However, if he were pushed to the very brink, and he was sure that he could get ahold of the heart, that might be the one time that he’d sacrifice you in order to further his plans. He’d despise himself for it if he used your death to cover his tracks, but surely when he gets the heart he can bring you back along with everyone else. That would be the thought that comforts him right up until he has the heart in his blood-covered hands. 

Perhaps, if he’s bored or he thinks you need some training, he might steal you from your bed in the night and strap you to a chair in his room. Until the wee hours of the morning he’ll pace around you, knife in hand, wondering aloud what he should punish you with for being so difficult. Maybe he'll cut you and blame it on your own clumsiness, maybe he'll leave some burns and say it was an accident...maybe he'll break one of your ankles and convince the others it was a bad fall down the stairs, before scooping you up the next day and keeping you in his room to tend to your wounds. 

It would be a mistake not to realize that he's completely sadistic, and wants nothing more than to keep you under his thumb and manipulate you until he can call it love. You can't die on his watch, but you're not going to live without him either--and you can be sure that you'll be helping him to obtain the Witch's Heart, even when you realize where it is. 

He'll kill everyone if it means he'll keep you safe. But honestly, he'd do it without that prompt too. You're his accomplice in life, death, and love--and even if you say no, he’ll still have time after time after time to try it all again, even if he doesn’t realize it.

Wilardo

If he didn't care about you, he wouldn't push you away so vehemently. He knows he loves you from the start, which is why he refuses to get close to you in the beginning. 

However, he does want to know your business. All of it.

If he doesn’t find you in your room or his, he’ll go looking for you until he does. He’ll rifle through your things, read your diary, and even take possession of your room keys so he has complete control over when you leave, and even where you go and what you do. Any time you wish to return to your room, you’ll have to ask him first--and if you oppose, he’ll just shoot the lock off your door so you won’t have the choice to keep him out. 

If you aren’t already staying in his room, you might even awaken to find him in bed with you, his body nestled into yours from behind as he quietly breathes against the back of your neck. And if you move around enough so that he knows you’re awake, he’ll tease you endlessly with a rare playfulness, and fiddle with the hem of your clothing like he might tug on it before leaving it be. 

Speaking of which, as much as he'd loathe to do so, he'll threaten you with his gun if you start getting especially confrontational with him. He wouldn't kill you for no reason, but that doesn't mean he won't tell you he will--he finds it a bit more effective if he threatens to blow his own brains out, however. You'll always come crawling back with sympathy if he does that, so he tries to keep those particular threats to the bare minimum in case it loses effectiveness. 

His pace will change if you figure out the truth, however. If by some fluke you find the guts to try and kill him while he's sleeping or not paying attention, he'll lose any shred of self-restraint he had once kept around you. Besides, once you watch him rise from his place after you've stabbed him in the neck, or shot him point blank, or poisoned his drink, there's very little chance that you'll have any more courage left. 

He'll find somewhere dark, and quiet, and cramped to keep you for awhile until you learn your lesson. During this time, he'll force you to care for him and dress his wounds even if he has to hold his gun to your head the whole time, and will relish in the way you tremble when he asks you to kiss him better. 

If he ever feels as though he needs to make amends, he’ll offer you some flowers. Specific ones, of course, all plucked and pruned by his hands--he doesn’t really care for the allure of it, but he knows it will touch your heart as it does all foolish, romantic people. He could even turn it into a pavlov effect, and manipulate you so thoroughly that you’ll already feel some dreaded sympathy when he pulls out a rose or leaves a bouquet by your bedside table. 

He'd kill both Sirius and Ashe without hesitation to further his goals, or to protect your life if it came down to it. Though, when he finally realizes where the heart is, he’ll turn his sights towards you and bring about your end himself.

It’s one of very few times that he’ll be comforting, gentle, even sweet--in your last moments he’ll try to keep his plan to himself, and will hold you close and soothe you with kisses and reassurance while you cry. He’ll relish in the lovely sight for a short while before he finally puts a bullet in the back of your skull, and makes his wish as soon as he can afterwards, so you won’t have to spend even a spare few moments apart as he follows your lead. 

Noel

There’s nothing he wants more than to save you. From the monsters, from the truth, from him--from everything. If he could make his wish come true, he would ask that you just be happy and safe. 

He's kept up by thoughts of you all the time, however not all of them are necessarily pure. In fact, it wouldn’t be untrue to say that when he’s alone, he struggles not to consider all the things he could do to you if it were just you and him in the mansion. 

Despite this, he'll never have the courage to kiss you first, or even initiate anything beyond perhaps holding your hand, or cuddling. If you want affection from him then you'll have to ask, or initiate it yourself, to which he'll never refuse. 

He’s not nearly as manipulative as the others, but he won’t necessarily let you off the hook easy either--if he senses other people getting close to you, he’ll spy on them and even gently interrogate them about their intentions, if not urge you to stay in his room during the night so he can keep an eye on you while you rest. Even if he doesn’t suspect any of them will kill you that time, it’s still a valid excuse for him to watch you sleep and fantasize about every little thing he loves about you.

In this realm, too, he won’t stop himself from giving you dreams every so often. They’re always happy ones, and he always manages to insert himself into them, even to chase away your nightmares. Most times, he uses it just to spend some peaceful time with you...but there are times that he takes it a step further, and takes them to a much lewder place if you allow him to go there. And the morning after those ones, he’ll always be locked in his bathroom and insist that you go to breakfast without him. 

It's only because of you that he keeps the cycle going over and over and over again--as much as it pains him to see the others rip each other to bits, and the demons revel in the bloodshed, he just can't let you go. The guilt of keeping you from living your life just can't overwhelm the needy, aching love he has in his heart for you. 

And as he gets weaker, and the monsters become more dangerous, he’ll struggle to keep the routine going day after day. He can’t stave off his fate forever, but he finds comfort in the few moments of peace that he’s always been fighting for, in between the fighting and killing and the times that you’ve gotten caught in the crossfire. 

Speaking of which, Noel’s kills have all occurred solely because of those incidents. Wilardo eliminated you for getting in the way, Ashe silenced you so you wouldn’t warn the others about his crimes, Sirius spilled your guts when you found out too much...every time he witnesses it, it’s even harder than the last. 

But those stories are the ones the demons love the most, when they get to watch him tearing through the mansion to punish your killers, and eviscerating all that stand in his way. He’ll never be proud of it, especially not the rare times when he’s had the chance to prevent it, and enacts his vengeance in front of your pure, soulful eyes. But if it’s necessary, he’ll do it a thousand times more. 

Even if it stands against his own morals, he’ll resort to nearly any means if it involves you and your safety--and to preserve your happiness, even if he knows that he can’t ever make it last forever, no matter how many times he tries. 

Sirius

Pleasing you is not just an option, it's his absolute duty. Even if the residual effect is due to his servitude to Dorothy, he still wishes to fulfill all of your needs with no help--or interference--from anybody else. As far as he’s concerned, the only person in the world that you need is him. 

He will ask you to do some chores as he does the others, but he will push you away to take over himself when you've barely even started. Rarely is it because you're incompetent--it's mostly just an attempt to stroke his ego and show you how skilled he is. 

Oh, you’ll also be confined to his bedroom for the entirety of your stay in the mansion. There’s no extra rooms, he insists, at least not any that have the protection symbol to keep the monsters at bay--and besides, as long as you’re his, you won’t be spending much time apart anyways. 

You’ll have no affection from him if you get on his bad side, however, which may be a blessing or a curse. It’s sparing in the first place if you aren’t in the privacy of his room, and if you piss him off or say something he disagrees with, he’ll ignore you completely until you “come to your senses” and apologize. 

This also applies to a lesser extent when you distract him from working. He might raise his voice or snap at you for doing so, though he softens up much quicker, and can be soothed with some sweet words and a kiss or two. 

And if those kisses ever turn into something more, he’ll do his best to convince you that he’s not as filthy-minded as you seem to assume. He swears he won’t stoop to that kind of behavior with other people about--but he’ll say nothing about what will happen when they leave, except that you should get comfortable with sharing his bed for awhile. 

He'll also force you to keep his charms on you at all times, and will paste them in various places in his room just as an added measure. One of the few times he'll use them in combat is if you're with him, too--if he can't get any of the others to dispatch the monsters out of your way, then he'll begrudgingly do it himself. 

He'd kill Ashe more times than not. If there’s anyone he can’t trust, it’s him--and you’ll always be the reason for it. He just can’t afford to allow someone so sinister to roam the mansion freely, and if he has to do it in front of you, then so be it. You can hate him as much as you want, but he’ll want you to do so while you’re still alive. 

But again, there will be so many times that Ashe gets you first, and sometimes Wilardo as well. As much as Sirius curses his own weakness, it never stings quite as badly as when his neck is sliced open, and he dies begging his killer to spare you while knowing that they won’t. Or worse, finding your corpse and cursing out everyone else in a rage, only to be taken to the grave next and have his body thrown carelessly atop your own. Even if he won’t remember it the next time, it doesn’t make him any less obsessed with keeping all other threats away from you. 

But if you have to go to hell, then he’ll follow you even there. There’s no question about granting a wish, or clinging to the past--you belong to him, and wherever you are, he’ll force himself to be so that he can keep hold of the only thing he’s ever truly loved. 

[shinydelirium]

MLQC Season 2 Chapter 15 (Kiro’s Chapter) Part 4 [Double Courage] & [New Game] Translation [CN]

***SPOILERS*** DO NOT READ IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE SPOILED!!! 

I decided to combine 2 parts into one post since 15-5 was short. Enjoy~

For the previous translation of Chapter 15: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

[Double Courage]

There was no sound of footsteps coming and going outside the door and I was the only one left in the empty utility room.

I know he is still outside. Looking at the closed door, I slowly stepped forward and lifted my head.

It suddenly occurred to me, when I first arrived at the hospital after hearing that Kiro had an accident.

At that time, he was also on the other side, refusing me.

I turned around, leaned against the door, and sat down. Soon, the sound of footsteps quietly leaving came to my ears.

I have to admit, I really can’t help him. I am not strong enough to make him feel more at ease.

People need to accept their own weaknesses and limitations in order to think about what they can do from their own perspective.

The whole space is quiet and my heart is surprisingly calm.

I closed my eyes and replayed all the scenes of my time with Kiro over and over again in my mind.

If I were Kiro, why would I need to use another identity while insisting on solving the problem alone?

If I was admitted to the hospital and refused to see anyone, it must be because there is a serious illness and I don’t know how to deal with others.

And I act alone because it may be dangerous and I don’t want to be dragged down by others or….

MC: Drag others down with me.

My brain is spinning so fast. I always feel that there is something that has constantly plagued me and I have come to a conclusion.

MC:…Kiro’s illness has not been cured?

So everything makes sense now.

From beginning to end, he never said why he was admitted into the hospital.

If he was attacked because of what he did, then he abandoned the identity of “Kiro” and acted under the identity of “Helios�� which made it even more logical sense.

It is precisely because the illness has not been cured. He cannot expose his weakness but at the same time, he will also worry that he will be a burden to others because of this.

MC: Kiro, are you trying to be strong again?

Secretly covering up his wounds and then create an identity of another person to carry everything on his back.

But this shouldn’t be a world where only superheroes get hurt.

MC: Kilo, display location.

Following my instructions, an electronic map immediately laid out before my eyes. I looked towards the center of the map and was shocked.

Next to the little bear wearing a small flower is another bear.

Helios hasn’t left. He was just outside the door.

I remember coming in, passing by the fire control room.

I thought for a while, not worrying about it anymore, I reached out my hand and touched the head of the little bear that was close to me, as if I could the person behind it.

MC: Kiro, can you hear me?

As I expected, there was no response.

I carefully tapped the microphone on the collar twice and then muttered to myself.

MC: Kiro, I know you are there. You can just treat this as me talking to myself but listen to me, okay?

MC: I know that I am very small and there are many things I can’t do and can’t help much.

MC: I don’t think it is shameful to admit that I am weak, because I know where to move forward after realizing this.

MC: For example, right now I’m thinking, do I have to learn some hacking skills or any combat skills?

There was a vaguely violent cough outside the door and I couldn’t help but smile.

MC: I know you must have encountered something sad.

MC: I also know that I can’t help you with this. You are afraid that I will only worry more so you choose to stay away from me.

MC: But Kiro, do you know?

MC: Sometimes you are a coward and then you make yourself look strong.

Kiro:….MC

Kiro’s dull voice rang in my ears as if it came from the collar and also from the door behind him.

MC: Kiro, you don’t have to be so strong.

MC: Difficulty is like a giant beast with its teeth and claws bared. A little bear will inevitably be nervous and scared when facing it.

MC: But it doesn’t have to force itself to fight alone because if it were two bears, the courage would be doubled.

MC: The weapon to defeat the beast is often not any sharp knife, but the power of courage.

MC: My courage can be lent to you at any time.

There was a small voice and I knew he was listening to me carefully.

MC: I know you are working hard for everyone so I hope I can also help you in some way.

Next, I started to tell him all the information about the hunter game, Joker and the little boy I learned about.

Rather than watching him fight alone, I will accompany the superhero in my own way.

After Helios closed the door of the utility room, he took out the hidden mini computer from under the console of the fire control room.

This is his temporary stronghold. It is located in the center of the city so it is convenient for his system to scan the entire terrain of Loveland City.

After he hacked into the opponent’s map program and was kicked out, he came to a decision.

He wants to build a brand new system to replace the other party’s authority and control over Loveland.

He opened the program on the mini computer and took out another device.

After the device started up, a beam of light projected into the air, showing an unfinished 3D map.

He sat down and flicked his fingers quickly in the air and the program projected in the air began to change with his movements.

This is a program he developed overnight to scan a map of the city and it is more intuitive than a 2D map.

At the same time, he tried to hack into the opponent’s system again, only this time, he did not bother to snatch the program they made.

He just wants to use their system to master the information of all players and all supply points so that he can enter the next step of the plan.

He quickly worked out a plan to end the game, with every step interlocking. And the first step of all plans must be that she can stay safe.

He knows that once Kilo is enabled, his identity will be exposed to the girl.

But in such a chaotic situation, he can no longer consider that much to ensure her safety.

After finding her, his ecstatic mood made him temporarily forget the anxiety caused by those recent events.

He forgot for a while that Kiro is broken, lonely and silent.

When she heard that she was looking forward to meeting the healthy Kiro, he suddenly recovered.

He is no longer the same Kiro, at least not the Kiro she was expecting.

He still couldn’t stand in front of her as Kiro.

The girl’s voice chattered endlessly, but it made him calmer than ever.

When she said that she wanted to learn hacking techniques or combat skills, he couldn’t help but cough.

At that moment, he was sure that she was serious.

She said that he was a coward.

She said that he doesn’t need to be so strong.

Helios tapped his fingers on the keyboard and gradually stopped.

Never compromise, never give up.

He feels his heart slowly being peeled off. There is a force pushing him forward.

She was right. As long as she was by his side, he would gain great courage.

This courage can support him to do many things and make him feel even more strength.

And the information she brought was really helpful to him.

Although he had investigated some information long ago, some of it was the first time he had heard of it.

The name Joker and Evol may be the main messenger of the game and the boy who can provide teleportation for him.

The so-called “ghost” to “human” transmission is actually done by this young man.

He frowned and began to think about what changes his plan needed to make as a result.

Fast fingers flew over the keyboard again and a “beep” came from multiple devices at the same time.

He raised his eyebrows slightly and his eyes showed unstoppable sharpness.

After scanning the three-dimensional map of the city, the player’s information points have been fully entered, the locations of the supply points have been disclosed to him, and the girl’s location information has also been erased from the game.

Helios: This game is mine.

[New Game]

I leaned against the door and suddenly felt a vibration from my phone. When I picked it up, I found that the phone had a black screen.

Before I had a chance to restart it, the screen automatically lit up and then a line of words were displayed.

“Welcome to the new hunter game.”

New hunter game? I was stunned for a moment, before I realized what had happened, the word “hunter” was marked with a red “X” by the animation effect.

MC: Welcome to…..the new hunter game?”

The red animation effect keeps flashing on the screen, seeming to constantly emphasize the concept of “new game”.

Did Joker change the rules of the game? Why cross out the word “hunter”? What does he want to do?

Unsettling emotions came to my mind. I subconsciously wanted to call Helios but I heard a familiar voice come over the phone.

??: Now, the game management rights will be changed.

??: I hereby announce, the new game has officially started.

This voice….is Helios!

I looked at the phone in disbelief and saw the screen change along with his voice.

“Hunter Game Is Out”

Helios: All the rules of the hunter game are invalidated.

Helios: There is only one rule you have to abide by—“No harm to anyone.”

I looked at the big words “NO FIGHT” displayed on the screen and faintly guessed what Helios wanted to do.

Helios: The communication method will now be opened, allowing all players to establish contact.

Helios: The game system adds a help platform and anyone who needs assistance can upload coordinates.

Helios: The map resumes normal use and all supply points will be publicly marked.

When he released these rules, the signal of my mobile phone showed full frame synchronously; a dialog box for help also popped up on the screen.

Then the phone automatically opened a brand new Loveland City map which not only showed the locations of all supply points but also a panoramic 3D map.

Helios: But don’t be too happy. My game will only be harder.

Helios: All of you, still have to follow my rules.

His tone was blunt, as if he was really the master of the game.

I was a little puzzled. Helios is clearly helping everyone to restore peace in Loveland. Why is he deliberately being so cold?

Although the fog has not dissipated, he can directly announce the end of the game. Why would he go the other way and announce the new rules of the game?

At this time, the screen switched to the surveillance on the streets of Loveland City and Helios seemed to have set up thermal imaging technology to clearly see colorful figures on the screen.

After seeing the contents of the surveillance clearly, my eyes widened unexpectedly—

Many people still pushed and scrambled for the aerosol at the replenishment point, fighting hard, and the scene was chaotic.

It seems that the so-called “new game” and “new rules” are meaningless to them.

Faintly, I seem to understand something.

Even if the game itself is stripped away, some people will still be dominated by fear or some kind of temptation and continue to dwell in the cold-blooded fighting.

So is this also Helios’ consideration?

I looked back at the closed wooden door waiting for his answer.

Helios: If someone insists on going their own way and continue to compete for limited resources…

Helios: The aerosol that you’re competing for will be ineffective at the moment.

Before he finished his words, everyone on the screen seemed to be taken aback. Several people raised the aerosols in their hands and panicked.

Helios: This is my game.

Helios: If you don’t believe me, you can try it.

The picture automatically zoomed in and the aerosol in the person’s hand was clearly exposed---the aerosol valve was automatically opened.

The crowd seemed to have finally realized the existence of the new game and stood there facing each other.

This is the meaning of Helios building a new game—

If the game is announced directly, everyone will continue to compete for aerosol if the fog is not effectively resolved.

That’s why he created another image of the game controller and introduced new game rules.

The purpose is to establish authority, let everyone follow his instructions, and get out of the mindset of fighting in a more orderly manner.

Helios: If you want to live, you must act according to my rules.

Helios: All players will be divided into three levels and displayed on your mobile phone screens according to the length of the remaining survival time.

Helios: Sub-level players need to help emergency level players to obtain aerosol.

Helios: The more people you help, the higher the ranking will be.

Helios: The highest-ranked person can still get a generous bonus.

Helios: Remember, “you are the game itself.”

Helios: Looking forward to your wonderful performance.

Helios completely changed the rules of the game.

If it can be executed smoothly, it will make the hunter game lose its original meaning.

It turns out that this is his “own way” to solve the hunter game?

While sighing, I was also a little worried.

The current situation is undoubtedly a huge change for Joker. In order to take back control,  he will certainly not give up.

I was about to remind Helios to be vigilant but suddenly there was a slight noise outside the door. Helios opened the door in the next second.

Helios: Let’s go.

Helios: Someone has snuck in.

-End of Part 4-

Continue to Part 5 

[nightprince]

Day 8: Sugar

Day 8 of @oc-growth-and-development OC-tober. This is my female human Titan from Destiny (though this prompt takes place in Destiny 2, with slight spoilers for the last two seasons). Shoutout to my wonder wife @nightsminx for assigning the characters to the prompts.

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Valeriya stood within the heart of the Iron Temple, staring up at the statues of the past Iron Lords. She stood in front of the fire which endlessly burned within the center of the great room, a cup of coffee cradled within her hand. She came here to decompress after what happened in the Last City. Too many things to process at once. She almost didn’t want to believe that one of their own could turn against their allies so quickly. Almost didn’t want to believe that the citizens of the Last City could be swayed by hatred so easily. Yet was it truly surprising?

Valeriya herself had been slow to accept the Fallen - the Eliksni, her mind reminds herself - as their new allies. After fighting them for so long, even Valeriya found it difficult to trust them. Too often remembering the various Houses of the Eliksni who raided and pillaged. Could remember all too well the many Eliksni she had fought and killed. Could remember the splicers of House of Devils as they unleashed SIVA. Could remember the House of Salvation as they wielded the powers of the Darkness.

Yet the House of LIght went out of its way to show that they, at least, wanted peace. That they were no longer willing to scavenge and needless battles. Valeriya had walked among the Eliksni of House of Light and could no longer see the raiders of the past. All she could see were civilians and children. And when the Vex came through the portal, House of Light stood beside Guardians and defended the Last City.

How could Valeriya think ill of them afterwards?

Yet they were still betrayed from within.

Savathûn, the Witch Queen of the Hive and Oryx’s sister. Had impersonated one of their closest allies and had walked among them. Had set them against each other even as her minions forced eternal night upon the Last City. And then she had the nerve to flee to the Dreaming City, seeking asylum with the Queen of the Awoken. Pleading that she was being hunted and wanted to free herself from the Darkness.

Valeriya did not care. Did not bother to chase the Witch Queen to the Dreaming City. Astra could handle anything dealing with the Awoken. Valeriya would never set foot there, neither in the Dreaming City itself nor on the Tangled Shore. Not after what happened to Cayde. Not after Astra continually turned her back on the Last City. They were all fools for believing anything that Savathûn said.

The mug in her hands cracked from the force of her grip and she downed the rest of the coffee before it could break. She frowned only slightly at the overwhelming sweetness which invaded her senses. Why was she always putting so much sugar in the drink? Because Astra and Rayina had always liked - 

She threw the mug into the fire and watched as it shattered. They were no longer her friends and she refused to think of them as such. They were fools, the both of them.

Fools for turning their back on the Last City.

Fools for turning their backs on the Traveler.

Fools for turning their back on her.

Valeriya unsheathed the sword upon her back. The same sword the Lord Saladin had forged for her when she had defeated the House of Devils Splicers and stopped SIVA from spreading. She didn’t know what Savathûn was really planning. Trusted nothing the Mistress of Lies spoke. But she and any Guardian willing to become an Iron Lord would be ready.

She drove the sword into the fire before her, Solar energies coating her entire body. She would once again be a beacon of the Light.

This, she swore on her honor as an Iron Lord.