#even if they’re on the same team pFFT

[flamingator]

Have some scrungly doodles of Guard Dog I did while at work :D

[finelinevogue]

Hi babe! I absolutely love your work and read it everyday! Do you think you could do a blurb where its aaron x bau reader and the reader has a toxic/abusive family and hotch and the team find out about it on a case or something (angst but turns into fluff)? I LOVE YOUUU!!!

family is everything

hiya my lovely!! love you too :(( oh stop you’re far too kind omg 🥺 of course i can give this a go - hurt/comfort fics >>>

pairing - aaron hotchner x bau!reader

word count - +5.4k

cw: pre-established relationship, bad coping methods, mentions of childhood abuse, hurt/comfort, happy ending

Spencer was performing one of his magic tricks.

He had captivated the audience of more than half of the room, much to Hotch’s dismay.

“And this gets you girls?” Morgan questioned, perched on the corner of the desk adjacent to Spencer - which happened to be yours. “How?!”

You laughed along with the others as you spun yourself side-to-side in your office chair.

“It’s all in the mystery, my sweet one.” Garcia pinched Morgan’s cheeks. She was the only one who could get away with it.

“Oh I can do mystery.” Morgan added.

“But can you do… magic?” Reid asked as he ended the magic trick by holding out the correct card that Morgan had picked earlier.

“What?!”

“Yes Reid!”

“Pfft.. Whatever.”

Everyone started clearing away from Spencer’s desk, Morgan walking away with a sulk. Garcia lingered by Morgan’s desk no doubt attempting to cheer him up with her endless flirting.

When you’d joined the BAU you had seriously thought they were together.

Why wouldn’t you?

They constantly flirt. They’re almost crude with each other. Yet they had never even entertained the idea of being with each other.

It didn’t matter to you whether they were single or not though, because your heart was slowly being given over to someone else. Someone who happened to be your Unit Chief; Aaron Hotchner.

The relationship was still very new.

Your team knew about it, but it was still being kept quiet. That was just you and Aaron, though. You didn’t feel the need to be flashy with your relationship. In fact, you enjoyed living with each other in those quieter moments because it meant you had each other all to yourself.

It was that moment that you found yourself looking up to his office.

Aaron happened to walk out of his office at that exact moment, reading a case file in his hands.

You bit down on the pen you were holding as you watched him walk past, eyeing him up because you could now without consequence.

Aaron didn’t return the look but you did notice the smirk as he walked down the ramp towards the briefing room. It was like he could tell that you were looking at him. That made you smile, turning around in your chair to hide the blush from anyone.

"Think we've got a case?" Reid asked you.

"Probably. It's been at least two days since our last."

Both you and Reid stand up, prompting the others on your team to do the same. You as a team of profilers had gotten so used to what it looked like before a case was briefed that you just knew now, before JJ could even call you in.

JJ, Hotch and Rossi are all in the room already.

The case files were set out on the table - one at each seat. JJ had the screen set up ready to present and Hotch and Rossi were already looking through their files.

You sat down on the chair next to Hotch. They had kind of become your unofficial assigned seats.

"Okay JJ." Hotch nodded.

"We got a call from San Fransisco Police Department after a string of murders have been loosely tied together."

"Loosely?" Emily questioned.

"Several domestic abuse victims have been found murdered. Isla Hubert was strangled, Beth Fountain stabbed and Meredith Cole shot."

JJ flicked through the pictures of the women and you could feel your face go pale at the sight.

Your breathing hitched, but luckily nobody noticed.

Your hands scrunched up into fists so tight that your nails were digging into the skin of your palm. It was the only way to cope with this situation without drawing attention to yourself.

You focused as much on JJ presenting as possible.

"At first it was hard for the police to put them together since M.O.s were so different with each murder - hence, loosely - but after they looked more closely it turns out that each of the victims had recently left an abusive relationship."

"Suggests a possible revenge-motivated unsub." Reid added.

"Yeah." JJ nodded.

"How did the PD make the connection?" Morgan asked.

"All of the victims were women who had either filed restraining orders and, or had sought help from a domestic violence shelter." JJ switched the image on the screen to the shelter.

You looked down at your lap, your fists still enclosed.

You were normally very collected when cases were presented, but it was really hard with this one.

Not only is San Fransisco the city you grew up in, it also hosted that very domestic violence shelter that you used to go to every day.

It made you feel sick, because had this unsub been around ten years ago then that could have very well been you up there on the presenting screen.

<.><.>

You were gathering your stuff up on your desk when Aaron came over to you.

"Hey." You tried to smile but Aaron knew you better.

"Something's bothering you, so rather than have me tiptoeing around it I'm asking you to tell me what's wrong."

He sure doesn't beat around the bush.

Even though this case is horrendous for you, it did warm your heart a little to know that Aaron knew you so well only after a couple months of dating. Maybe it was the profiler in him, but you chose to believe it was simply because he cared about you.

"Nothing. I'm fine."

Every man should know that when a woman says she's fine... she's not. Aaron did know that but he also knew not to push it right now.

"Okay."

After you stuffed your water bottle in your bag, Aaron caught your hand with his. He carefully opened your palm. You could feel the panic in your chest as he did so.

"I will stop asking you if you're okay, if you stop doing this."

He pointed out the crescent moon shapes you'd imprinted on your palms from your finger nails. He wiped his thumb over the skin as if they would magically just disappear. He probably wanted to kiss over them, but you knew he'd never do that in front of everyone here.

You couldn't answer verbally so you nodded your head instead.

<.><.>

Rossi and Hotch were the last in the room before leaving.

They both left and locked their offices at the same time. Both of them had their coat and bag hanging off an arm.

"Hotch."

"Yeah?"

"Y/N..."

"I know." Hotch cut his friend off before he could finish the sentence, already having an inkling of what he was going to say and not knowing whether her could stomach hearing it being said out loud.

<.><.>

On the plane there was more time for a brief.

You were sat leaning against a window at the table with four chairs, listening carefully to what was being said but making no effort to contribute.

"So there were no signs of sexual assault?" Emily asked.

"No." JJ shook her head.

"Well that eliminates some motives." Rossi said.

"Such as?" Garcia asked through the video call.

"Well we know he's not a sexual sadist now. It's almost like whatever he is doing is because he believes it's right. It's the only way." Reid explained.

You swallowed back the growing lump in the back of your throat as the team continued to talk.

The situation almost felt dissociative. You were physically here and physically involved and yet your brain kept trying to zone out of the conversation.

You looked out the window just as a memory flashed.

You laid on the floor of your bedroom - a room that was supposed to be yours and supposed to be safe. You had been sleeping when he had come in.

The door was wide open because you hadn't found the strength to stand back up again since he'd been in.

Your pyjamas were long length and yet you felt completely exposed. Tears fell down your cheeks as you stared up at the glowing stars on your ceiling, imagining a world where you could visit them right now. A world that was a little more silent and a little bit brighter.

All you could hear though was his voice saying, "I have to. It's the only way you'll ever learn."

"...And Y/N and Reid, you work on the geographical profile. Hopefully we can narrow down where these victims are being taken from." Hotch's voice brought you back from the memory.

You had clearly missed a lot of the conversation but no one pointed that out for the rest of the flight.

<.><.>

San Fransisco was just as dull as you remember it.

A lot of people who lived here, commuted through here or even visited here would think quite the opposite, but when a bad thing has happened to you in a certain place then that place becomes unworthy of its beauty.

As you continued to get set up in the police station Hotch asked you to step aside for a minute to talk to him.

You both stood in the cold and dark interrogation room so you could speak privately.

Your arms were folded over your body defensively as you stood waiting for Hotch to talk.

"Y/N, if this case it too much for you then..."

"Too much?" You chuckled, "Why would it be too much for me?"

Hotch sighed, "I don't know."

"Exactly Agent Hotchner, you don't know." You uncrossed your arms and walked towards the door - done with this conversation.

Aaron knew not to touch you in order to catch your attention, so instead he stepped in front of the door so you had no exit.

"Hey, don't do that." He said softly and you knew he was referring to the way you had called his name.

He had never really been Agent Hotchner, or SSA Hotchner, to you. He'd only been Aaron or recently in the quiet of your homes it had turned into a loving 'honey' or 'love'.

You could see the hurt in his eyes that you had put there.

"I'm fine." You repeated, feeling like you might be sick over saying those words again and again.

You thought you truly had been fine.

For the longest time all of this had been buried deep within you. Your job was so busy and hectic that you never really had the opportunity to think about your past. You had also been fortunate that there had been no domestic abuse cases so far in your year working for the BAU.

Yet it was all flooding back now you did have this case. Your mind was constantly active with the haunted memories of your past.

Memories that you were too afraid to speak out loud.

"Okay, but if I think for a moment that you aren't capable I will pull you from this case." Hotch said seriously. He was done playing nice.

"That won't be necessary. I am more than capable."

Hotch looked at you for a moment and saw the challenge in your eyes. However, he could also see the emotion deep within them like there was a part of you that was screaming to be let out.

"Morgan and I are going to the women's shelter. You and Emily can interview the families of the victims."

Your heart stopped a little. You're sure that your eyes must have given you away as you lost eye contact with Hotch to try and keep composure.

"I thought I was with Reid?" You asked.

"Not anymore. Families are coming in in half an hour." He said before leaving the room, leaving you in there with the door open.

"Fuck." You muttered to yourself.

You wiped under your eyes before any tears could run. Messy mascara wasn't something you wanted to explain today. You let out a shaky breath, trying to not let it sound too loud. The last thing you wanted was to attract unnecessary attention.

You were fine, after all.

<.><.>

"Mr and Mrs Cole. Thank you for being here." Emily started off the interview.

Mrs Cole was crying. Mr Cole was not.

In your eyes that told you everything you needed to know. Unfortunately you couldn't claim you knew anything without sufficient evidence. Evidence that the team was looking for now.

"I can't believe my baby is gone." Mrs Cole cried, sniffling into a tissue that you had provided for her.

"I know this is hard Mrs Cole," You said, empathising with her more than she could know, "But if you could both help us answer some questions it could be really helpful in helping find out who did this to your daughter."

"Okay." She nodded.

"What kind of person was Meredith growing up?" Emily asked, wanting to know what kind of childhood Meredith had.

"She was always so bright. She just wanted to be happy." Mrs Cole answered shakily.

Mr Cole scoffed and looked off to the side.

"Something to add Mr Cole?" Emily prompted.

"What my wife means to say is, Meredith was difficult."

Your mind alerted you then. You knew what was meant for a daughter who was deemed as difficult by her father.

Your fingers clenched to dig your nails into your palm but the second you did Aaron's face came across your view.

"I will stop asking you if you're okay, if you stop doing this."

You could still feel the brush of his thumb across your skin. His warms hands against your cold ones. His soft touch the lightest you had ever felt from a man.

Your hand unclenched, resting them on the table instead.

Emily had been carefully watching you, having been asked by Hotch to keep on eye on you. Your near slip-up didn't cause any interruption to the interview and Emily took the lead to continue.

"We understand that Meredith recently left her relationship with Adam. Do you know why?" She asked.

Mrs Cole looked nervously at her husband.

He huffed as he crossed his arms over his chest, "She was always so dramatic. I mean, every couple fights but that doesn’t mean you throw everything away."

You took note of how Mr Cole minimised the abuse that Meredith was clearly receiving.

"Did Meredith ever tell you that Adam hurt her?" You asked.

Mrs Cole sniffled but it was Mr Cole that answered, "She exaggerated things."

"So you’re saying she lied?" You prompted, seeing how twitchy Mr Cole was getting in the metal chair.

"She always wanted attention." He said.

That's what they all say but really the attention was just another way of saying they were looking for somebody to give them a way out. They were desperate for someone to see them and know that they weren't safe - that they needed saving.

Lots of women can't save themselves and the ones that do are never safe again.

"Did she ever come to either of you for help?" Emily asked.

Mrs Cole nodded, "She… Meredith wanted to leave so many times, but she didn’t think she could. She was scared."

"Scared of him?" Emily said encouragingly.

It was only a small gesture but both you and Emily caught the small glance that Mrs Cole gave her husband.

If it wasn't clear to you before then it was ridiculously clear now what had happened.

"Of everything."

"Or scared that no one would believe her?" You muttered to Emily. She nodded in agreement.

Mr Cole must have heard though because he angrily slammed his hands on to the table. It took absolutely everything in your professional career to not flinch. The loud noise caused your heartbeat to skyrocket.

This is not him. This is not before. You kept reminding yourself.

"What exactly are you implying?" He shouted defensively.

"Robert..." Mrs Cole tried to calm him.

"No! What are you saying?"

You and Emily looked at each other and you gave her a nod to signal she could continue this, even though it was you that taunted him.

"Mr Cole. When your daughter was younger, was she ever worried about her current or future. relationships?"

"I raised her to be tough. Not weak." He spat.

You were curled up in a ball on your bed. The room stank of ammonia thanks to your nervous tics and the fact he had walked through the door angrily.

You had run away from an argument downstairs but he had caught up to you.

"You need to learn to be tough, child. I didn't raise you to be this weak."

The room went quiet for a moment. Only the sound of Mrs Cole's sniffles filled the room.

Mr Cole's words sparked the last question you wanted to ask.

"You didn’t believe her, did you?" You asked.

"She made her own choices." Mr Cole said.

You promptly stood up from your chair, "And now she’s dead."

Mrs Cole burst out crying as you spoke, but you charged out of the room before you could console her. She knew anyway. She knew what her husband was doing to her daughter and still she did absolutely nothing, either because she was terrified or she simply didn't care.

But she was just a child.

You were just a child.

<.><.>

The bathroom was as depressing as the rest of the police station.

You had needed a moment to collect yourself.

Interviewing someone who had these whacked beliefs about raising children triggered you in a way you didn't think possible.

The way Mr Cole spoke was chilling and it made you remember all those dark nights when you didn't think you'd ever be loved again. In fact, back then, you don't reckon you knew what love was.

Your grip on the bathroom counter tightened as you tried to ground yourself.

You were so in your own head this whole case and you hadn't caught who was responsible yet. This case was only going to become more triggering as you went along and as you potentially uncovered more bodies.

Right when you felt like you might just let every emotion out Emily opened the bathroom door, you leant back off the counter and tried to look composed.

"Just wanted to let you know that the team's back. Oh and there's someone here who wants to speak to you." She gave you a small smile.

"Okay, thanks." You smiled back and it felt like the fakest thing in the world.

<.><.>

The last thing you expected when you returned to the main area of the police station was to see your father.

Your footsteps halted, like you couldn't physically move any closer towards him.

The rest of the room kept carrying on like normal, but you felt your words completely dry up and your hands begin to shake. You tried to process all the questions you had for him being here all at once.

"Y/N!" He raised his arms out like he was ready for a hug but you stepped back, knocking your hip into the corner of a desk in panic.

The rest of the team watched the situation before them.

They'd never seen you look so lost.

“There you are!” He smiled but you heard the venom behind each word. He was putting on his charm in front of all these people, but really he restraining himself from showing his true colours.

"W-what are you doing here?" You asked.

He scoffed like that was a silly question, “It’s been a long time.”

You can feel the weight of people's eyes on you. Other agents. Cops. The team. Aaron. The last one makes you nervous.

You have an inkling that Aaron knows something and yet you have never managed to tell him. Aaron makes you feel safe like no one ever has, but you still can't find the courage to speak up. You're also worried what he might do should he find out.

This doesn't need to become a thing. You don't want to become one of the teams victims.

So you tried to take control of the situation for once, "If you have something to say, say it. Otherwise, please leave. We have work to do.”

"I just wanted to check on you.” Your father's jaw clenched as he spoke.

Check on you? After all these years of no contact?

You didn't want him checking up on you. You didn't want him anywhere near you.

After all these years you still feel trapped near him - even when he's not touching you.

Aaron must have been watching closely, because he could tell that you were done with this situation but it was clear your father wasn't. It didn't take a profiler to work out the cause of that tension. Aaron needed the situation handled before anyone could do anything - his own fists were readying to swing should your father take one step out of line.

"She's asked you to leave, Sir." Aaron said stoicly.

You could feel Aaron right next to you, arms crossed over his chest to make himself look more dominant. Your father was only small anyways, but next to Aaron he was nothing.

Your father looked between you and Aaron, chuckling to himself.

"You Y/N's boyfriend then?" Your father asked.

You stiffened next to Aaron, your palms flexing as you tried to remember Aaron's words from earlier.

"Aaron Hotchner." He gave your dad a small nod.

You noticed how Aaron didn't flex his credentials. It was a classic profilers move of undermining the man who thought he was in charge, because then they never really know what to expect.

“I gotta say, I’m surprised.” Your father chuckled. “Never figured Y/N would be the type to get involved with someone like you.”

Aaron's facial expression didn't change. In fact, if anything, he looked a little more pissed off.

Your mind was trying to get you to choose between fight or flight. Normally you would fight, but having your dad so near really triggered your flight response. So you tried to cut the tension and deescalate the situation. before anyone got more hotheaded.

Although seeing Hotch punch your father would feel pretty good.

"Okay. I think we're done here."

Your father shrugged, raising his hands in defence, “Watch your tone. There's no need to get upset. I'll go.” He said, making it seem like you were being the unreasonable one.

Your father's words and the way you immediately shut down after he said them were a dead giveaway to your past.

It was impossible to hide it.

And for the first time in your relationship with Aaron, you felt exposed.

This was part of your story - part of you - that you never wanted him to have to see. Aaron had far too many of his own demons to suddenly take on yours as well.

Your father makes the effort to walk towards the main door, but not before stopping to speak again. “You’re still the same, aren’t you?”

He was baiting you.

“Still running. Still pretending. Does he even know?” He continued.

His words made you look towards Aaron and it hurt to see him look so angry. Was he upset that you had hid something so personal and traumatic from him? Would this alter your relationship?

You turned to look at the rest of your team too. Emily looked heartbroken. Morgan looked angry. Reid looked so sad. You were making your favourite people feel sad.

Your own eyes welled with tears as you thought about all the people that you were hurting by just being here.

Aaron had clocked on from even before the briefing of this case that something that happened in your childhood. He just didn't think it was as sick and as twisted as this.

Aaron watched your head dip, your fists scrunch in the way he hated to see and your lips continuously mouthing; 'I'm sorry'.

How on God's Earth could you ever think you had something to apologise for?

“That’s enough." Aaron's voice cut through the room, making you look up at him with fear. Not fear of him, but fear for him. You knew all too well what that man who called himself your father could do. Rossi had been more of a father in a year than you actual father had in ever.

Your dad turned and smiled. He'd won.

Your darkest secret was out in the open and your father didn't care if he was taken down with it. The heartbroken look on your face would last him a lifetime.

You couldn't breathe.

Even after all these years your father had still had a hold over you and he could still win. He could still make you feel worthless with a simple few words. That's all he needed.

The tears fell over your cheeks as your chest heaved.

Policemen were watching your breakdown and your team looked as heartbroken as you felt.

You felt disgusting, crying over your own self when you were supposedly on a case to save other people like you. This time wasn't meant to be about you and yet somehow it now was.

You put a hand over your mouth as you tried to hold back a verbal sob.

Everyone's eyes were on you.

Watching to see you break down into nothing.

You couldn't do this. You never wanted it to be like this. You thought you were stronger than this.

Saying nothing more, you excused yourself politely and ran out of the room towards the back of the station - far, far, away from your father. But far, far, away would never be far enough.

<.><.>

Hotch hadn't moved.

He stood his ground as he watched your father - that piece of scum - chuckle once you'd fled the room.

"Get. Out." Hotch gritted out through his teeth.

Your father nodded.

Morgan moved closer to your father, looking at Hotch briefly to silently tell his boss that he had this handled and that you would need him more than he was needed here right now.

Hotch nodded, but not before getting one good last look at your father's face here. The next time he would see his face was going to be when Hotch put him behind bars.

<.><.>

Aaron found you out the back of the precinct.

You had one hand to your chest as you tried to control your breathing, the other holding yourself against the cold wall for support.

Your crying was calmer now but the tears still fell.

You turned to face Aaron when he walked out of the door. You tried to stand taller, pulling your shirt down to fit properly.

“I’m sorry. I—I didn’t mean for that to happen.” You sniffled, wiping the back of your hand over your cheek.

"Don't apologise."

"N-no. I should’ve handled it better. Shit." Your voice was so shaky that Aaron was surprised you could even speak.

"Sweetheart, no."

You should’ve controlled the situation better.

“This isn’t on you.” Aaron reminder you gently.

“Everyone looked so—Aaron, I just made everything worse.” You said as you remembered how the team looked and how you could taken emotional control of an already vulnerable case. It was unprofessional.

"This isn’t on you.” He repeated. “None of us are upset with you. We're devastated for you.”

You wanted to believe him, you really did, but that felt too hard to accept.

You shook your head as you tried to calm down the tears and hiccups that were reappearing.

"Honey... Listen to me and listen carefully. Nothing that just happened was because of you. Nothing that has happened was because of you." Aaron took a step closer to you.

"But, he..."

"Ssh, ssh. Listen." Aaron said softly, close enough to reach out for your hands now. "Hey, look at me."

When his hands touched you, you became completely grounded. You felt like you were right here instead of back there. Aaron was right in front of you and he wasn't running away. He was right there.

"You're still here." You said through a hiccup of tears.

"Of course I am." He said with a frown.

"I thought you-you'd leave, o-or not want me and..."

"Stop that. No. I don't mean to cut you off but I won't have you convincing yourself that I'm not anything but with you for the long haul, okay?" Aaron was so close now, linking his fingers through yours so that he could help you release all the anger from your fists.

"That first day you came into the BAU I was so low. I was. And I felt like you had been sent to our team not only to fix our capacity issues but also to... to fix me. I felt, for so long, like I had lost a part of me and yet the minute you walked through those doors... Well, I knew."

"Knew what?"

"That the part of me returned." Aaron's fingers squeezed yours to continue to ground you, "So if you think for one moment that I'm letting you slip away from me, with that part of me, so easily... Well I'm not even entertaining the idea." He gave you a smirk.

"So we're okay?" You asked for reassurance. Aaron was more than happy to give it to you.

"We're okay." He kissed your forehead, letting his lips linger there for a little while to keep you close.

Aaron had noticed you pushing him away all day, so to have this time right now to be close with you was something he wasn't giving up so easily.

You were too busy embracing Aaron's touch to realise he was holding back tears of his own.

<.><.>

Both you and Aarons stood out back for another ten minutes or so, just talking through everything.

You didn't want to go into any details with him right now, but you did admit what your father used to do to you when you were a child and why this case hit far too close to home for you.

Aaron almost berated you for being so careless with your own emotions and mental state, but thought now was not the best time for that conversation. Instead he filled his talk with comforting and reassuring words. He had to make sure that you felt safe again.

He also promised to make your father's life a living hell - in whatever capacity legal...

That sort of terrified you but also made you feel a little lighter.

Morgan opened the door out back soon after, smiling at the way you and Hotch were holding hands and comforting one another.

"Hey. We got a call off the anonymous tip line. Girl called Sheree Rockstead called in to say that she's noticed some guy following her around the past few days. She's also just got out of a violent relationship and she's attending the women's shelter. She's seen the news and is worried."

"It's definitely our guy." Hotch said, not breaking his hand holding with you. "Let's set up an evac. plan. for Sheree and a trap for our unsub."

"You got it." Morgan nodded before leaving again.

Aaron turned back to you warily. You gave him a half smile in return.

"I'm going to stay here." You said.

"Okay." Aaron nodded. He would've benched you anyways if you demanded on going, knowing that field work was not the right thing for you right now.

"Be safe. Please."

"You too."

"Aaron..."

"I know. I'll be safe, I promise. Just want to make sure you are too. I mean if your father comes back when I'm not there I..."

"He won't." You shook your head. "Plus Reid can fight him off."

"Reid?"

"He has magic, after all." You laughed and Aaron had never been so happy to hear something in all his existence. His only hope was that he could continue hearing it with every day he had left.

<.><.>

On the way home on the jet everyone had passed out asleep other than you and Aaron.

There was still too much to talk about.

You had made your own announcement to the team about your past - a more revised version than what you would be telling Aaron - because you thought it was important for them to know.

Morgan threatened to become an undercover spy and "beat his ass" - his words. Hotch threatened to give him a pysch test if he kept throwing those words around, so he shut up - but only when his boss was present.

Garcia tracked down your father's whole life and it turned out he was drowning in debt and your mother had left him. His life was pretty crap and that made you feel really good.

Aaron, though, he had been a crutch for you throughout.

You were so lucky to have him.

But he would say he was luckier to have you.

And that would be the only competition that you and Aaron would ever have.

[gday-gecko]

so i finished tgr. that was. something. here's my review :) (spoilerss)

Well.

It was a bit slow-going. Mostly because I hadn't re-read the 1st one and this didn't seem to do the "road so far" kind of thing. (The amount of deaths in this book was very Supernatural-esque, though. I thought we were maybe moving away from the mafia, but nevermind apparently.)

I really like how Jean actually starts to trust Jeremy and Cat and Laila, and even his team a bit. Oh my god, they're so sweet. (And Jeremy is about as subtle as a heartache.)

“Does that really matter?” Jeremy asked, studying Jean with a stare that felt prying. “I’m not learning French for anyone but you.”

That first game was INSANE. The "Have a winning day!" and the way he pulls Cat out of the way when the guy starts a fight. Hinch was foulllllll. Also. Excuse me, Jean. What do you MEAN you hit yourself in the shin to chase after that guy when he got around you. What.

“You were incredible out there. I know everyone else will say the same at the post-match roundup, but I wanted to say it first. And I know you’re only going to get better from here, because I know you’re still second-guessing this new style. I can’t wait to see how far you can go this season.”

Aw, Jeremy <3

First Jean is beat up on court and blablabla, you know the drill, and then he's subbed off and bullied and beat up AGAIN???? WHAT THE HELL?? Thank you Coach Rhemann for saving the day. And Jean's subsequent breakdown. :(

Anyone learning stuff about the Ravens will never not be funny (even if it's awful, it's really great to see people realising how fucked up they are).

ANYWAY THE FOXES-RAVENS GAME??? I WAS AT THE BUS STOP. I WAS GOING TO DIE. NEIL??? ARE YOU OKAY?? THAT WAS UNHINGED. HOLY MOLY GUACAMOLE

It didn’t matter how many laps he ran with his team; every time he blinked, he saw Neil broken and still on the court floor.

...At least they got disqualified?

Jesus Christ they cannot get enough. I was actually about to cry when they set the house on fire. Laila's first proper home? All Jean's stuff that he'd slowly started to collect. BARKBARK?????? I'm happy we got to see Agent Browning though, he's funny.

“I hate this sport,” Browning said to his partner. “Explain to me why they’re all like this.”

Thea also!!!!

I'm glad we got to learn more about Jeremy. Wow, his family sucks. Poor Noah. :( And Elodie as alive!??!?!

DOG!!! THEY GOT A DOG!!!!! I WAS ABOUT TO CRY THEN TOO!!!! DOGGGGGGGGGGGG

“My coworkers and I had an informal bet that Moreau would get in at least one brawl. I thought for sure we would see the Trojans’ first red card.”

That reporter had me giggling.

Pfft, chaos? Never heard of her. I can't wait for the next book <3

(copied from my storygraph review)

i need to go see whats up on ao3 ;)

[mysteriouslyjovialcolor]

Austria 2018

-Shortest circuit of the season

-Mercedes have won here since 2014! And have a front row lockout again!

-Championship battle between Seb and Lewis again

-Very random but the graphics are better this season

-Ooh Valterri has pole!

-Oh? Daniel’s 29th birthday? Nice!

-Carlos is in Renault!

-Pfft apparently Ocon and Gasly are already clashing (they’re not even on the same team yet)

-Charles Leclerc is here this season!!!

-I’m looking forward to seeing his old races

-Fernando starting from the pit lane (Maybe I’ll actually see someone start from there this time)

-“Lance Stroll who is a traditionally very fast starter” Is it the Aston Martin that sucks then?

-“Only 2 drivers have ever won a Grand Prix on their birthday” who??

-George Russell!!!!

-Ohmygod Kimi had such a good start and then he lost it!!

-Both the Ferraris going wide

-Can I root for Nico having a good race this time or is that a lost cause?

-Charles going up 3 places 👏👏

-Oh no he went wide! He’s p19 now! (I may have jinxed him 🫣)

-Toto’s reactions are so emphatic

-Not me focusing more on Charles moving from p19 to p17 than focusing on whatever is happening out in the front

-“Nico Hulkenburg in trouble I think there” NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT! JUST WHY!

-I hate this Renault

-Sigh, at least let Sainz pick up a point or two

-Oh no! Valterri retiring too??

-I’m sensing that the cars did not in fact get better in 2018

-Stacking pit stops for one team looks very cool

-Yay Sainz in points

-New season and still no radio subtitles, the disappointment is real

-Ricciardo p3!! Red Bull 2-3!!

-Kimi locked up so many times this race

-The Williams and Sauber look so similar

-Fred Vasseur is Sauber’s team principal? No wonder Charles works well with him now, he basically debuted under him

-Lewis running out of power too?

-Just learnt about blistering in real time. Really wish I didn’t learn about that through Daniel Ricciardo’s tires

-Sainz has dropped to p17, my curse on Renault worked a little too well (It was supposed to avoid you Carlos, I’m sorry)

-I’m going to be so sad if Daniel loses p2 on his birthday

-Big sigh

-That was a smooth overtake by Vettel on Hamilton

-Ferrari 2-3 now

-James Vowles: “Lewis, sorry. I have thrown away the win today but you can still go back up there, I believe in you”

-If I was Lewis I would so curse the man out

-Oh come on, let the Ferraris race

-I’m going to be so annoyed if the team just makes them swap positions without letting them fight

-“What about Max Verstappen?” “Is he still in the race?” lol as he leads 7 seconds ahead

-Oh Charles in p13

-p12

-“I’m feeling good so don’t worry” At least Max is having a good day

-Haas is having a good day too, which is really weird to say, but I hope they have a good day at COTA 2024 too

-Oh for god’s sake, Red Bull was supposed to have a better car this season, why is Daniel out rn, on his birthday too

-At least Charles is in the points now

-“We are not okay, we are not okay” I see the Toro Rosso has not improved at all

-From a Mercedes 1-2 to a Red Bull 1-2. If Ferrari manage to overtake Max, it would be a Ferrari 1-2.

-That would be a crazy race run

-“Unless, if the two Ferraris and Red Bull blow their tires up now, Hamilton might still have a chance here” Now that’s a tall order

-Nice move there from Checo

-Woah cars up to p5 have been lapped

-Oh no Charles out of the points again

-* gasp * Lewis actually lost power! No way!

-Who put a curse on the Mercedes this race??

-My only consolation, once again, is that this means Charles is back in the points

-p9!

-“They’re looking maybe for some divine inspiration to help Max Verstappen to win the race here” yes me too

-“I think he should keep that rear tire if he wins this Grand Prix, make a coffee table out of it”

“Kiss it for good luck maybe”

Oh these guys think they’re so funny

-One more lap, ohmygod this is stressful, I can’t believe I’m worrying about tires, what has life come to

-Come on come on come on

-Let’s go Max!!!!!

“Aah this is amazing, in front of all those fans, in the Red Bull ring, with a Red Bull” yesss let’s go!

-Aww the mechanics just pulling him into a group hug

“Your fourth Red Bull victory. It felt like your first now with Kimi Raikkonen chasing you down till the last lap” That’s such a good call back

-The last time Mercedes had a double mechanical retirement was in 1955- that’s crazy. They really did get cursed.

-They’re all so cute on the podium

-Adorable fr

[mdzs-fics]

The Shade of Old Trees by Kryal

Action/Adventure Alternate … just Lots of Alternate, with a Modern Setting 9 of 25 chapters WIP 128k words

In his defense, Wen Yuan hadn’t planned to jump in front of a bunch of twitchy guys holding guns.

Except that his head had been full of a horrible jumble of he’s alive, he’s alive, he’s alive and they’re going to kill him…!, and the security guys had left the door open, and he hadn’t known what he was going to do beyond something but he had to do it!

“Don’t get in the way, kid!” the guy in front snapped, and oh great, Wen Yuan actually recognized him, this was the same guard who always kept trying to kick him out because high school students didn’t belong running around the university, even though no one else cared and he even had official permission to come. “He’s dangerous, he attacked Doctor Lan, move!”

“Of course he did!” Wen Yuan snapped back impatiently, not budging. “What would you do if you suddenly woke up and you’d been kidnapped by aliens?! That’s got to be how he feels right now!”

One of the other guards made a strangled noise, and the third’s lips twitched slightly. The guy in the front just spluttered – and spluttering was fine, it was even good, Wen Yuan would take it, especially when spluttering meant the guy had lowered his gun a little bit…

“…pfft…”

He blinked and looked over his shoulder. Because Yiling Laozu had just laughed. Okay, not laugh-laughing, but he knew a snicker when he heard one, and the man’s silvery-grey eyes were… he’d always thought the expression about eyes dancing was a bit of poetic license, but this time Wen Yuan was pretty sure that no other phrase would fit.

Blinking again, Wen Yuan smiled tentatively, and felt his heart squeeze a little when he got an amused grin in return. Because that wasn’t I’m in over my head and don’t know what to do, Wen Yuan knew what that looked like from Mo Xuanyu. That was this whole situation is unexpectedly hilarious.

Sputtering became a snarl. “You think this is funny, huh?!”

The next second got… confusing.

There was a pow sort of noise. Suddenly Wen Yuan wasn’t standing where he’d been, because he’d been pushed off to the side and Yiling Laozu was there instead, eyes narrowed and face hard, one arm raised with a closed fist in front of him, watching the security guard like he was one second from taking the man down hard, and Wen Yuan had a feeling he could do it…

“Su Minshan, what the hell are you doing?!”

The prologue of The Shade of Old Trees begins with the discovery of a body trapped in ice on a mountainous glacier near Yiling. Nicknamed Yiling Laozu, it soon became apparent that the body could not stay where it was. There were too many people coming to look, a whole lot more after someone released a photo. Eventually, the body is cut away from the glacier and sent to Cloud Recesses University as part of a multi-disciplinary study. The Yiling Laozu was, after all, dressed in the manner of someone from fifth or sixth century China.

As part of the team, Lan Wangji didn't expect there'd be much to do, being the "Historical Culture and Language Expert". The dead do not speak. His secondary degree in folklore … well, the Yiling Laozu did have a sword.

The Shade of Old Trees has a lot going for it. Literal time travel (via glacier). Historical mysteries. Academics and cultivation. And a small group of researchers attempting to acclimate the Yiling Laozu (ok, Wei Wuxian) to the 21st century.

Mysteries abound. Where was Wei Wuxian in historical context? Why is there no mention of the Sunshot war? Who attempted to steal the body from the lab after Wei Wuxian was secretly moved? When did cultivators go away?

This makes for both a great read and a fresh approach to the life and times of Wei Wuxian as we see him reminisce about his own past.

Names will be familiar. Wen Yuan, teenager, is on the project as Lan Wangji's assistant. Wen Qing is the medical lead. Nie Mingjue is head of security. There are other Lans involved, several Jin and at least one Yao on the project.

Wen Yuan is still in high school, and has a number of friends his age who are disappointed that his summer is going to be taken up working with a 1500-year-old body. Just wait until he finally gets to tell them about "What I did this summer".

The story is currently ongoing and started releasing chapters in December of 2023. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to reading them as they come out.

[kaiba-cave]

My coworker has been so annoying lately with her complaining. They’re merging us with Toronto’s office and she hasn’t stopped complaining about it since they told us. She seems to think the Toronto people never do any work and now that we’re merging we’ll have to do all of it for them. And it’s like, it’s not that deep. Yeah we’ll have to learn different clients now that we haven’t had before, but we’ll still have the same amount of entries and employees working on them as before, we’re just one big team now instead of two smaller ones? So it’s not necessarily more work than usual?

But she seems to think it is, and she’s also the type of person who puts more work on herself than is asked of her and then complains about it as if she didn’t do all that on her own. My boss isn’t asking her to do anything extra than she already does but she’ll do it anyway, and then complain about it. And I also get the feeling that she thinks she does the most work so that all this “extra” she thinks we’ll have to do by merging two teams is going to be all on her, like the rest of us don’t do anything ever.

Like??? Even my other coworker was just like well we don’t have to get every single thing done every single night, we just do what we can. You don’t have to worry so much about it, it’s really not a big deal. But to her it is and she won’t shut up about it, pfft. Like girl, no one else is complaining as much as you why don’t you take the hint that none of us care that much, you’re the only one who seems to. 😩

Her complaining is extra annoying when my boss will just send out a random email with information or whatever about the merge and she just has to reply all with something like “in other words us doing all their work for them!” and it’s like. Please just stop. If you don’t have any legitimate questions or suggestions about it then just be quiet. 😂

[toreii]

Lost in the Book with Stitch part 24

Uninhabited Island - Cottage

Lilia: “Mmhm. There’s good weather today, too.”

Lilia: “Thanks to the cottage, I slept more comfortably than yesterday.”

Jack: “Although it was comfortable, mosquitoes came in from the part where the wall was broken.”

Lilia: “It was a lot fewer than yesterday, right? Endure!”

Grim: “I got stung in the back again. Why are they always stinging where you can't reach!”

Riddle: “I woke up with the morning sun coming in from the place where the wall was missing…”

Floyd: “I'm glad I was able to wake you up.”

Azul: “You’re pretty irresponsible.”

Ace: “I've finished eating the fruit left over from yesterday...what are we doing today?”

Ace: “We don’t have enough food and water to last us until the night.”

Riddle: “That’s right. It would be best to go collect some food again. We also have to repair the cottage.”

Riddle: “In any case, it shouldn’t take very long unlike yesterday. Shall we meet up at noon?”

Floyd: “Then. Today, we’ll divide into groups like yesterday.”

Floyd: “How are we doing this? I don’t care if it’s by lottery again…”

Lilia: “Floyd! Will you team up with me?”

Floyd: “With Flapjack octopus?”

Lilia: “Yeah. I was moved by the preparations and music of yesterday's bonfire. If I’m with you, something fun might going to happen.”

Floyd: “Hmm, I’m fine with that. Let’s traverse the island together.”

Lilia: “Yay! Let’s go with Stitch, too!”

Stitch: “Good!”

Lilia: “Yeah, that’s the spirit! The three of us together are invincible!”

Everyone: “WAIT A MINUTE!!!”

Lilia/Floyd: “Hm?”

Stitch: ?

Azul: “I’m not particular about the groups, but Floyd and Lilia cannot be together.”

Floyd: “Why?”

Lilia: “Are you jealous that we are good friends? Don't worry, I belong to everyone.”

Ace: “No, it’s because we don’t know what will happen when you two get together…”

Riddle: “Correct. The dangerous Floyd and the free-spirited Lilia-senpai, I do not know what will happen if they’re on the same team.”

Riddle: “And, if Stitch were to also join you…this island may as well sink.”

Floyd: “Even if you expect it, sinking an island may be difficult.”

Riddle: “NO ONE IS EXPECTING IT!!”

Jack: “I don’t mind being alone, but if we’re splitting up into two…”

Jack: “Shouldn’t Azul…senpai and Floyd…senpai become the food gathering team?”

Jack: “The Octavinelle guys who run ‘Mostro Lounge’ should be familiar with eating and drinking…”

Floyd: “I’m fine with that. What do you say, Azul?”

Azul: “I also have no objections. It’s definitely better than yesterday…”

Azul: “Floyd, let’s do this as usual.”

Floyd: “Now then…”

Floyd: “Crabby-chan. It looks like the different pairings from yesterday won’t be bored.”

Ace: “You mean me? Surely, you can collect food with just you two from Octavinelle…but…hmm…”

Floyd: “It’s a big decision.”

Ace: “You’re worried about it right now!?”

Ace: “Well, I’m not one to complain, either. Glad to work with ya.”

Lilia: “So, I’m with Riddle and Jack. I’m pleased to work with you.”

Riddle: “Yes. I look forward to Lilia-senpai’s abundant knowledge.”

Jack: “If we apply yesterday’s experience, we should work a lot better. I’ll do my best.”

Lilia: “You two are serious. That’s fine, too……kufufu.”

Lilia: “Aaaahh~~ I still wanted to work with Floyd! It looks more interesting than this team.”

Jack/Riddle: “What?!”

Riddle: “Floyd is better than me? No way! No matter what, I won’t lose to him!”

Jack: “Right, I can’t lose to him, either. I’m more interesting!”

Lilia: “Interesting? For example?”

Jack: “For instance…uuhhh…..umm…I-I can make silly faces……?”

Riddle: “I can……I know the perfect joke for a tea party! I learned it in an etiquette book.”

Grim: “Both of those are so boring.”

Lilia: “Pfft…hahaha…! It’s already interesting. This is the best team that deserves to be teased!”

Grim: “Well, what about us? Which team, Ace or Jack…?”

Grim: “Hm? Stitch, will you come along with us?”

Grim: “Are you attracted to my charisma? Nyahaha.”

Grim: “I don’t want ya to rely on me to much. We’ll take care of ya. Right, Yuu?”

Yuu:

“Pleased to work with Grim and Stitch.”

“Let’s do our best, Grim and Stitch.”

Stitch: *Climbs on Yuu*

Ace: “As expected of the headmaster’s official beast tamer. Not just Grim, but Stitch, too?”

Riddle: “So, Yuu and Grim will go with Stitch to see how the spaceship looks.”

Floyd: “If we can fix the spaceship with the materials we have now, let me know right away. Completing the spaceship comes first.”

Lilia: “Okay. Let’s do our best again today!”

Everyone: “Yeah!”

[anonymityisfunwriter]

Two Sides of The Same Coin - Chapter 12: "Delicate"

"Is it cool that I said all that? Is it chill that you're in my head? 'Cause I know that's it delicate..."

Pairing: Sunshine!Reader x Grumpy!Bucky Barnes

When Bucky opens the door to your apartment the next morning the absolute last thing he expects to hear is music loudly echoing through the kitchen. And he most certainly doesn’t expect to see you flouncing around the kitchen, looking completely unaffected from the night before.

“-Oh damn, never seen that color blue. Just think of the fun things we could do 'cause I like you,” you sing along, dancing all around the kitchen completely oblivious to Bucky watching you with a smirk on his face.

“And here I thought you were going to be too hungover to get out of bed,” Bucky wryly remarks, lifting the needle off of your record. 

“Ah,” you yelp, ducking behind the kitchen island, though unbeknownst to you, and much to Bucky's amusement, your head still slightly pokes out.

“I can still see you,” Bucky quips, more than mildly amused by the situation.

“No, you can’t,” you call, curling yourself further into a ball.

“Yes, I can,” he says, rounding the island so he’s standing in front of your huddled up figure.

You look up when you see Bucky’s shoes standing in front of you and the first thing you see is the mischievous grin on Bucky’s face. “Oh, James!” you exclaim, standing up and dusting yourself off. “Didn’t see you there!”

“Why are you hiding from me?”

You were hiding for one reason and one reason alone. It was something very important you'd learned this morning- the one thing worse than getting drunk and embarrassing yourself was remembering getting drunk and embarrassing yourself. 

“What?” you scoff, dragging out the word. “I’m not hiding from you.”

“So you usually curl up behind the counter?”

“Absolutely! All the time," you lie so poorly that you don't even believe yourself.

“Hmm,” he nods in amusement. “It couldn’t have anything to do with you getting drunk last night?”

“Pfft…no," you wave dismissively. "I’m totally fine. No big deal.”

“Alright,” he shrugs, and for a moment you think that the embarrassment is going to be short lived, but in the next you're proven very wrong. “As long as you’re okay with spending the day with me and my pretty face today.”

Your two hands clutch at your blushing face, cringing at the memory of your lack of a verbal filter from last night. “I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“So you don’t think I’m pretty?” he asks with a smirk. And in that moment, he found himself back as the unbelievably charming ladies man from the 40's. Apparently riling you up was just as much fun as spending time with you. 

“No!” you quickly object. “I mean yes, but-”

“Relax,” Bucky laughs heartily. “I’m just messing with you, Doll.”

“You are?”

“I am. Promise.”

You sigh in relief. “So why are you here? And where’d Sam go?”

“What, you don’t want to spend the day with me and my pretty face?” Bucky quips, laughing when he sees the furious blush on your face. “Okay, okay that was my last one. For real this time.”

“I’m not sure I believe you,” you huff, dramatically crossing your arms and looking away from Bucky.

Bucky playfully rolls his eyes and chuckles. “Anyway, Sam’s at the compound. I imagine lecturing everyone about what happened last night. He called me so you weren't alone.”

You frown, feeling guilty about the team getting lectured about what happened. “Is the team going to get in trouble because of me?”

“Doll, they should get in trouble. Steve’s my best friend, but he should’ve known better. They all should’ve. They’re lucky you and Wanda didn’t get seriously hurt.”

“I didn’t mean to hurt her,” you murmur.

“I know, but you could’ve gotten hurt too. And you did get hurt. Speaking of, how’s your arm?”

“It’s fine.”

“It doesn’t hurt? That was a pretty nasty gash.”

“It stings a little, nothing I can’t handle.”

“Okay,” Bucky nods, unsure of what else he's supposed to say, so he decides to go with the question that's been at the very forefront of his mind for a while now. But especially since last night. There was a lot about you that didn't make sense, your enthusiasm and eagerness on missions, the way you handled criminals- always looking to take the pacifist's way even though he and Sam know you could probably take them out without breaking a sweat, your status as SHIELD's most valuable asset, none of it made sense to him. “Can I ask you something?”

You smile at Bucky. “Go ahead, I’m an open book. Or as my therapist would say I have severe issues with setting boundaries.”

He chuckles, offering in return, “Well mine would say that I have the opposite problem.”

You huff in amusement. “Your question?”

“Right. Last night, I kind of got the impression that maybe this isn’t what you want. Being on the team. Missions. Fighting.”

“Okay?” you shrug, unsure of how exactly your wants factor into what is.

“So if this isn’t what you want, why are you going along with it?”

"Well, it's not like they asked me what kind of job I was looking for after they rescued me," you joke.

"I'm being serious."

"You're always serious."

"And you're deflecting."

"I don't know," you answer honestly, slightly taken aback by Bucky calling out your avoidance tactics. "But it'll all work out somehow."

“How can you think that? How can you possibly think that?” Bucky demands, wanting to know how you could possible maintain your seemingly endless optimism and positive outlook. He’s partly asking because he wants to figure you out, but also- in a much more depressing sense, he wants to know how he can think that way too.

“How can I think everything will work out in the end?”’

“Yes,” he grunts. “How, after everything the world has put you through, how can you believe that things will just work out?”

“Because it did,” you reply simply. “I’m not an idiot, James-”

“I never said you were,” he immediately interjects, vehemently refuting the idea that he thinks you're in any way lacking intelligence. 

You smile, “What I mean is: I know- I know it’s not perfect, I know I have a lot to learn, and that maybe this isn't the life I would've chosen for myself- but it did work out for me. I’m free, out in the world, and a year ago that's more than I ever thought I would get. And yes- some days it’s hard, really hard some days, but most days I look around and…” you sigh wistfully, “It can’t possibly be that bad, can it?”

"I don't know how you do it," he mumbles. Part of him wants to tell you to run- to get as far away from SHIELD and The Avengers as quickly as humanly possible because he knows how this ends for most people. But the selfish part never wants to let you go.

“Besides, the world- I mean, the world is amazing," you continue. "Everyday I get to wake up and find something new, to see something for the first time. I have you and Sam- I have people now! It doesn’t matter how I spend my life because it’s all so…incredible.”

"Okay," he nods, not wanting to press the issue any further. And also trying not to place any implication on the fact that you just called him and Sam your people. "Another question- a much easier question this time."

"Shoot."

“I thought Sam didn’t leave you alone?”

“That's not a question," you point out. He playfully rolls his eyes as he waits for you to answer the question. "He doesn’t. At least he's not really supposed to.”

“But you seemed very surprised that I showed up, but Sam wasn’t here.”

You shrug. “I thought he went on a run.”

“You don’t go with him?”

You laugh a little bit louder. “No.”

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing, I just don’t run. I would even go as far as to say I hate running.”

“So there is something you hate," he teases. 

Your face drops and you suddenly have a very serious expression on your face, “If I’m running it means something is chasing me and you should be running too.”

“Didn’t realize this was such a hot button issue,” Bucky snickers.

“Have you ever been dragged out of bed at 5 AM to go on a run? It’s not a good time.” 

"I actually have- and I know it's not a good time."

You definitively nod once. "Then we're finally in agreement about something."

After that, you two settled into a quiet morning. After finishing your breakfast interrupted by Bucky, you two just sit together catching up on various sitcoms as the thankfully uneventful day passes you by.

“I didn’t take you for a vinyl hipster," Bucky jokes, thumbing through your shelf of records as you search the fridge for what to make for lunch. After your heavy conversation this morning, Bucky had steered clear of any more heavy topics. Instead resorting to light, playful conversation between friends. Just friends. 

You huff out a laugh. “I’ve learned that I like collecting things. Besides, I don’t have a phone, and no radio in the house so there's really nowhere else to play music.”

“Right," he nods, turning back to the bookshelf.

“I’ve worked my way through the decades. 50's, 60's, 70,'s up until today really."

"Not the 40's?" Bucky playfully questions, plucking a record from your collection and setting on the player. 

"Nah, nothing good came from the 40's," you state plainly.

Bucky head snaps over his shoulder to glare at you only to find you standing there with a cheeky grin. "You're messing with me," he exhales in relief, slightly shaking his head.

"I'm messing with you," you laugh. "Mostly payback for earlier."

He shakes his head, fighting the smile that tugs at his lips. "Not funny."

"I think I'm pretty funny," you quip, carefully listen to the soft music that fills the room. "I like this one- good choice."

"Contrary to what Sam thinks, I do have pretty good taste. If I wasn't in cryo, I could see this as something I would have danced to."

"I would have loved to see that."

"I don't do much dancing these days," he wryly admits.

"Why not? If I knew how to dance I'd dance all the time."

"I'm pretty sure I saw you dancing around the kitchen this morning," he playfully points out.

You push his shoulder, rolling your eyes, "You know what I mean."

Bucky sighs loudly and deeply, trying to internally convince himself that this isn't a terrible idea. But what kind of friend would he be if he didn't impart wisdom where he could. Even though he'd gone up against aliens, all kinds of criminals, the big three as Sam once put it, for some reason this took all the courage he had. With one hand, he grabs yours pulling you up off the kitchen chair, the other coming to rest on the small of your back. 

Thought you don't offer any resistance, your eyes widen the slightest bit as Bucky guides you away from the kitchen table. "What are you doing? I told you I don't know how to dance."

He groans playfully as he gently twirls you around. "Just - don't question it, alright?"

"Okay," you quietly agree, smiling as a unfamiliar fluttering sensation settles in your stomach.

You wonder if Bucky feels that way too.

Next Chapter

"Two Sides Of The Same Coin" Chapter List AnonymityIsFun Masterlist

[ashinaisshin]

Why I find Alhaitham more defiant and snarky (and funny) in Chinese than in English

Thank you @echoelbo​ for asking me to elaborate! so I have an excuse to make a rant post about the English localization 🙈

Disclaimer: I will only discuss a few scenes from the Sumeru archon quest where the difference especially stood out to me. That said, I don’t think the English localization did a bad job at portraying Alhaitham (he is still a defiant, snarky, funny piece of shit guy in EN), but I just think some of his lines that I found very iconic in CN didn’t quite achieve the same effect in EN due to some minor mistranslations and/or changes in wording that seemed unnecessary.

Act 4, after investigating the hospital (this is more of a subtle mistranslation)

In CN, he says “只是我性格比她好而已”, lit. “I just have a better personality than her (Shani)”, instead of “I’m just a more likable person than her”. Surely, being likable is an aspect of having a good personality, but judging from the context, I think by "good personality” here Alhaitham is saying that he doesn’t give a shit about what others think of him he has more self-confidence and a more positive mindset than Shani, who is very self-conscious of her identity and learned to live her life cautiously to avoid offending anyone. The localization team could’ve just done a literal translation here, but instead they decided to specify “good personality” in a way that doesn’t make the most logical sense based on the context imo.

Act 4, before heading into the underground palace

This is a pretty big change. A direct translation would be “Indeed. In my view, gods are just a higher form of living being. You could also say they’re animals.” He literally called gods “animals” here. I remember being impressed by his boldness when I first did the quest in CN, precisely because of the word “animal”. “Creature,” on the other hand, doesn’t have nearly the same effect.

Act 4, the “20 languages” line

As a real PhD student in linguistics on Earth and not a member of Haravatat on Teyvat, I admit I might’ve been more triggered by this line than people usually would. No, linguistics students do not need to speak 20 languages to graduate as far as I know. I think Alhaitham is just trolling here. Sure, MHY can let him speak 20 languages because well, he is Alhaitham, but definitely not “every student”. In CN, I think it’s arguably more obvious that he isn’t serious in this scene by saying, lit. “It’s nothing. Every young person should master at least 20 languages before they graduate, shouldn’t they.” In EN, the “shouldn’t they” part got deleted, which turned his line into a direct statement. The EN voice acting here does sound a little sarcastic which made it better, or maybe it’s always been obvious to you that he’s trolling and I’m just overreacting, but the way this line was translated still feels counterintuitive to me.

Act 5, his dialogue with Dehya + Cyno before Jgnagarbha Day

When Dehya asked for a word of encouragement from Alhaitham before their big day, Alhaitham, living up to his “just here to strategize, not to lead” self, answered, in CN, “If you’re asking for my personal opinion, I’d probably choose to go home.” The key point here is, he wants to go home himself. He doesn’t care what “we all” do as the EN version seems to suggest, let alone if “we all” should “get some rest”. Dude’s just a tired feeble scholar who wants to go home after his work is done, not a leader caring for his comrades! Although the English still conveys the same idea, I honestly found the CN version much more hilarious.

What made it even funnier in CN is that in Cyno’s “...” line, CN Cyno made a light “pfft” sound – like, he literally lowkey lol’ed at Alhaitham’s statement about wanting to go home. In the EN version, however, Cyno’s “...” sounded more like a displeased grunt to me.

[fe-semi-decent-scenarios]

May I request some Sylvain headcanons? How would he react to reader crush who's avoiding him like the plague? Maybe he asked them out to hang out "as friends, nothing serious haha" but he might have kinda forgotten about some other chic he was seeing at the time (oops) and now crush got unintentionally roped up into dumb drama and wants nothing to do with it. Cue the cold shoulder. Maybe this would work best pre-timeskip, Sylv was more of a mess then 😅

{Hello! This is extraordinarily late. I really have no excuse. I hope you like it if you’re still in the fandom!} 

Master-list: Here

Is it bold to assume that he expects to be avoided? He is the king of self-sabotage after all. Especially if we are talking pre-timeskip.  

He’s a womanizer. He takes pride in it. Anyone who’s his type would be disgusted by the behavior 

He talks the talk of wanting to be a forever bachelor, but we all know that’s a sham. He wants stability, he wants loyalty, he wants kindness...basically, if you’re what he wants then he’s going to push you away intentionally to save you from himself 

So...yeah. He has no problem with his crush avoiding him. He’s convinced it will pass so long as you’re happy. He’s content being on the side, even though his close friends say otherwise 

Aka. Felix picked up on what he was doing and laid down the hard blows. Basically told Sylvain he was a child. Pfft. As if he would be any different 

Felix would do worse in his position, but Sylvain holds the thought in to avoid being pummeled 

It takes Ingrid’s threats to make him try and attempt being friends again. Something about how he was jeopardizing the ‘team effort’ by letting you ‘sulk’

He felt there was more to it than that, but he didn’t want to press. Not to respect it, but more so because he didn’t want to know the answer 

It’s one thing if you were ignoring him from how he acts. That’s fine. 

but he--he doesn’t want to hurt your feelings.

He’s not stupid. He’s painfully aware of how you stare during class

how you take a step towards his table at lunch, before shaking your head and choosing somewhere else 

how the one time Lorenz went too far, calling him a disappointment to nobles and tossing in a comment about his brother...you became enraged.

So angry he could see veins popping out of your neck

Lorenz earned a bruise the same color as his hair, it was awesome

He only ever saw that level of anger from Felix. Needless to say, surprises were bountiful that day. 

He turned a blind eye to it all, until now. After pining for so long and then ignoring him, he was shocked you accepted his invitation to eat lunch 

“Heyyy (Y/N)? Want to grab a bite to eat? Been a while since we’ve seen each other and that’s not good for friends, don’t you think?” 

Ignoring Ingrid who may have been watching, he did his best to sound natural

He didn’t miss you wince when he leaned on your shoulder, or the way you stepped back at his emphasis on ‘friend’ 

He also seemingly “forgot” that he was supposed to have lunch with his latest hookup. He definitely wasn’t planning to have them interrupt, cutting your time together short and getting Ingrid off his back. Possibly making you hate him in the process and eliminating any chance he had with you in the future 

He was planning it. Just so we’re clear 

and boy did Sylvain love to self-sabotage. The hollow feeling in his heart was well deserved, which he confirmed when everything happened according to plan. 

You both were eating lunch in the courtyard. Him making small talk, and you uncharacteristically silent. Not too far along comes his latest partner, mad at him for being so forgetful and even cheating on them. He took his opportunity 

“Cheating on you with them!? Are you serious!? They’re just a friend, chill out,” 

It was done. He committed the ultimate friendzone without fault. The way his partner looked at him in horror was also expected, but their shock wasn’t directed his way.

Why weren’t they looking-? 

“Are my feelings a game to you? Do you like making people feel like smeared shit on the bottom of your shoe?” 

The way you shook next to him. Your head down and hands crushing the drink in your grasp. He almost expected you to throw it at him, but instead your hands caught water. Droplets fell at a rhythmic pace. 

“Did you seriously ask me to lunch when you already had plans? After not talking to me for weeks?! After treating me like I was never your friend?! I know you have a hard time being honest with yourself. I know you don’t like people who’re pushy, so I held back talking first,” they throw their cup onto the floor, standing to glare at him. They purse their lips, trying to barricade their next words yet failing horribly, “but this?! You have me awake for endless nights wondering if I did something wrong and then you use me for petty drama?” 

They do the last thing he’d expect, and grab his newest ex by the arm. Before he can process a defense they’re both walking away, with his ‘friend’ furiously wiping at their eyes

“You can’t even give your partner a proper breakup. I knew you were bad, but not that bad,” they halt, turning to look over their shoulder, “I can’t believe I thought you cared about me. I...you know what, you don’t get to hear the rest,” 

and you both were gone. 

It was the afternoon bell that pulled him from his stupor. He knew that meant class was starting, yet Sylvain didn’t want to go. 

Yet he also didn’t want to just sit around. So he forced himself to do what he does best, pretend whatever just happened never occurred

Hours go by, and then some days. He hasn’t heard from his ex once, which was rare since they normally try to reconcile at least once. As for you? It was the same cold shoulder as the past few weeks, except this time was different 

You didn’t stare at him during lessons 

You didn’t take one step towards his lunch table before turning away

You didn’t defend him when Ingrid gave him a nasty bruise on his cheek, or when Dorothea called him vile 

You just...didn’t? He got exactly what he wanted. You did nothing, as if he never existed and your friendship never happened 

and yet- he didn’t feel the relief that he expected. He wasn’t happy that you moved on, and every time you laughed his latest meal felt it was about to be re-plated 

Your feelings - his crush. They were never the burden he made them appear to be

When he tries to sleep it off, all his brain would conjure is a crushed cup. Trembling fingers digging into tin, their tips changing color from pressure. Droplets of water trickling from thin air and falling on top. 

Your feelings were a game to him. One that he lost from the start 

He lays in bed, arm over his eyes and lets his tears fall

[nyoomfruits]

the moon’s never seen me before

pairing: max verstappen/charles leclrec word count: 800+ a/n: uuuh so i recently fell down the lestappen hole and then did what i do whenever i have a new obsession: i wrote a fic about it  the prompt was ‘"Can you imagine us being together?" "Pfft, nightmare material."’ taken from this list. set somewhere after the abu dhabi gp. 

It takes Charles a few tries to find a door that actually leads outside, and when he finally does he takes a deep breath in the chilly night air, the anxious feeling that’s been sitting in his stomach all night finally dissipating a little.

He takes another deep breath and looks around, realizing that he’s on a tiny balcony overlooking the city and that he’s not alone.

Max is leaning against the railing, bottle of beer dangling from his hand as he raises an eyebrow in Charles direction.

“Ah,” Charles says, “my apologies. I wasn’t aware this rooftop was taken. I will,” he makes an aborted move towards the door, but Max stops him.

“It’s fine,” he says, turning his back to Charles to look back over the city.

Charles, who isn’t really looking forward to going back inside to rejoin the party, figures that’s good enough, and joins Max at the railing.

A silence falls over them, and it’s both comfortable and unsettling all at once. It makes Charles realize that even though they talk now, are on good terms, might even be something close to friends, they are hardly ever alone together. There’s always other drivers around, or press, or team members.

Now it’s just them, Charles finds himself at a loss as to what to say.

“Congrats,” Max eventually says, toying with the label of his beer bottle. “On your P2. You deserved better.”

“Thanks,” Charles says. “You too. Congrats, I mean.”

Max hums noncommittally. They’re right next to each other, arms leaning on the railing, close enough to touch.

Charles figures it’s as good a time as any to ask the question he’s been dying to ask since he stepped out here to find Max already there. “Shouldn’t you be inside? Celebrating?”

Max looks at him, and there’s the little twinkle in his eyes that always makes Charles’s stomach feel like it’s floating inside of his body. “Shouldn’t you?” He raises an eyebrow, challenging, and Charles snorts.

“I’m not the world champion.”

Max makes a dismissive motion with his hand. “Meh, been there done that.”

“Oh, you asshole,” Charles says, punching him the shoulder as Max laughs loudly. During their interaction they've somehow impossibly moved closer, so their forearms graze together with every small movement.

“Feels overwhelming, sometimes,” Max says, suddenly a lot more serious, a lot more vulnerable. “All eyes on you, all the pictures, the questions, the expectations. Suffocating.”

Charles, who still feels the ghost of the anxiety that made him search out this balcony in the first place, nods in understanding. “Yeah, same, I guess.”

Max looks at him, and it almost startles Charles how close their faces are. The soft light from the moon illuminates Max, makes his eyes stand out even more, and he’s looking at Charles with an almost disarmingly honest expression on his face.

Charles opens his mouth, to say something, anything, to break the weird tension that seems to suddenly be simmering between them, when the door swings open.

The boys turn around in unison, panicked looks on their faces, as an elderly woman in a beautiful red gown steps onto the balcony. She startles when she sees Charles and Max and looks them over, clearly coming to the completely wrong conclusion when her confused look turns into a knowing smile and she winks at them as she says, “I’m so sorry, boys. Carry on.” Before disappearing back inside.

There’s a second of silence, but then Charles and Max look at each other and burst out in slightly uncomfortable laughter. “God, I think she thought we were making out up here or something,” Max says, as their laughter dies down a little.

“Can you imagine?” Charles says, still chuckling a little. “Us being together?”

“Pfft, nightmare material,” Max says, bumping their shoulders together. Neither of them mention how they haven’t moved an inch since the woman showed up, how they are still pressed so close together their forearms are touching, how when they turn their faces towards each other, their noses almost touch.

“You wish you were so lucky,” Charles says, smiling softly at Max.

“Oh, definitely,” Max says, and Charles is pretty sure he’s joking, but there’s that twinkle in his eye, that goddamn twinkle, and Charles breath hitches for a second. Their faces are still only inches apart, and for a second Charles can’t help but think it would be so easy to just lean over and kiss him.

The moment is broken when Max turns to look back over the city. Charles can’t tear his eyes away just yet, glancing at Max’s profile illuminated in the moon light. He knows this should scare him, this whatever they have going on right now, but it’s the first moment all night all his feelings of anxiety seem to have completely disappeared.

So instead, he lets himself have this moment, this quiet little moment where it’s just the two of them, and joins Max in staring out over the city. Max says nothing, just gently bumps their shoulders together, and Charles knows he understands.

It’s a long time before either of them rejoins the party.

[sepublic]

            OKAY SO THERE’S EVEN MORE-

         There’s more than ten new images and I can only fit ten on a post, so I’ll have to skip a few redundant ones sorry but;

         We got this girl in a similar uniform to that new sport Willow is trying! I guess it IS a new type of sport and not just Grudgby, Boscha may or may not be relieved… However she might still have to compete with this new sport for attention. This familiar background character is gasping and shielding herself in anticipation of some brutal attack ofc.

         TIBBLES??!! I was hoping that guy was DEAD! He seems to be in the same room those guys who scammed Gwen are, I think…? He’s getting hit by an abomination fist which is CATHARTIC, is Amity there? Is she gonna help Luz with her investigations? Are they trying to learn the origins of the curse during Elsewhere and Elsewhen, or after; So they’re asking around, and we get confirmation that Tibbles’ father sold the curse???

         VINEY AND SKARA YESSSSSS!!!! I guess Skara is trying a new sport, maybe leaving Grudgby; Which in her defense, she seems to be a reserve player for the Hexside Banshees so I can see why. Is she also leaving Boscha’s group or just Boscha? For Willow? SKARLOW?! Also these VINEY cameos you can tell Ally Maki was really up for it and the animators boy howdy they RESPONDED to her popularity I feel so damn blessed y’all. They love us. Gus is part of Willow’s team and they’re playing at night, which might connect back to a previous promo of Luz and Amity in their school cowls looking shocked. Is that Abomination just an enemy team, or that bun… Darius? ODALIA?!?! Will our protagonists be attacked after Hunter’s report, which leads to Luz ‘reaching out’ the next episode as she realizes what’s at stake??? Or HUNTER reaches out, realizing what he’s done wrong?

         We have Young Eda and Lilith, Lilith with a grudgby ball… YOUNG EDA AND LILITH FLASHBACKS!!! Of their gorey days in the banshees! Young Raine, will we see this flashback prompt Luz getting Eda’s letterman? Lilith looks so BABEY here-

         Wrath breathing fire… Can’t tell what’s in the background. Looks like red trees, so maybe the EC does attack the kids at the end of ASiaS, in response to Hunter’s intel about the school? Especially if they’re interested in Willow and Gus for leading a protest last season… Wuh oh, but YES! Willow getting recognized! Will she meet the Plant Head because of this? Learn more of her power?

         We got Eda looking HOT like someone just punched her, but she’s bounced back in harpy form! Love it. Probably rescuing Raine in this shot, showing off her harpy form to prove Belos’ decision to let her live with the curse as a punishment really IS bull. The background seems like daylight tho so maybe not?

         Willow applying face paint and looking ready to KILL!

         Young Raine and Eda having a stare-off… Looks like a flashback, this is probably a bait-and-switch joke. It’d be tragic if it wasn’t and had to do with Eda keeping secrets tho, which might lead to Eda telling Luz why she and Raine broke up, and incentivize Luz to tell the truth about her promise to Camila!

         Then we have Raine in present-day, glazed-over eyes as an obvious parallel to what we saw before… Them in a stare-off with Eda? It looks like sunset, is Wrath’s appearance due to a Conformatorium rescue of the BATTs? Pfft, Wrath’s gonna see who Eda is REALLY into, what if he gets jealous but also agrees?

         Luz jumping through the roofs like a rebel! She looks so graceful, it’s sunset and we see a construction float for the Coven Day Parade. Our protagonists are probably preparing for the parade, at night, and that shot of Raine is from them psyching up for the parade, maybe being drilled if they remember Eda or not.

         We also have Gus showing off his magic, maybe to prove a point that Illusions ARE cool and can be useful in these sports tryouts?

         The Owl House is glowing with magic within, related to whatever contraption that King and Hooty made? Some spell with Luz and Lilith to go through the ages?

         CURSE FORM BELOS GLIMPSE! Or something like that, he looks EERIE… Blue eyes all over, what does it mean??? Is this the beast that Belos became cursed with, actually? Is this him confronting King’s dad in a flashback? Will we see what Belos was up to before the crusades, how he was a wild witch before the white and gold garb? Before the curse worsened? How Philip became THAT? Those blue eyes remind me of Luz’s proto-portal… Belos confirmed to have been trapped in the in-between???

         LILITH!!! LLITH!!! And Luz with the helmet! This proves the spike helmet is from Elsewhere and Elsewhen! And Lilith… She’s got a dark-blue shawl as a reference to her hair? Does that mean her REAL hair is orange underneath, hence the contrast and callback with the shawl? She looks so beautiful… Also is this a flashback? Are they going through visions of the past via a scrying potion? This aesthetic… Is THAT the same ghost town Adegast used when duping Luz??? I remember speculating that abandoned town was the ruins of Belos’ crusade but… THE CALLBACKS HOLY SHIT! Are we getting lore of pre-Belos isles? Historian Lilith learning the truth instead of what Belos told her, how he rose to power and why?

         G-GHOST KID?!?! Purple… Like Oracle magic, is this the Oracle Head at play? In Belos’ castle, messing with Belos or Hunter? Kikimora? Or it’s someone else… That mask looks BELOS, but it seems to be brown hair! Not like Philip or Hunter… Or his dad I presume. Are we learning about the beast that Belos became cursed with; Was it some monster worshipped by locals, until the Collector captured it? Will we see Philip and the Collector together, leading into Belos?

         It’s the Coven Day Parade! It’s nighttime… That float on the right resembles the cats from the Adegast episode, which further makes me wonder if that episode really DID include an important town of the past? Is… Could that town be related to Philip/Belos? The curse, and that’s why he has a float resembling one of the fake residents? Because Adegast simply replicated the past??? We see Raine looking fine so it’s clear they’re brainwashed, no scars it seems… And the PLANT HEAD YES! Given the previous promo, her and Eda are def fighting. Belos uses an illusion to look good, or it’s Kikimora’s.

         Hunter has enlisted in Potions while undercover… Makes sense, it’s his aesthetic and it’s not a fulltime thing. But also he’s magicless so it WORKS too, parallels Luz and Eda… Yessss!

        That seems to be it, for now! I prefer this extra content… I’ll try to organize it into cohesive episodes, but here’s what I think so far!

[xoxo-teddybear]

The Talk - Bakugou Katsuki

Bakugou x f!reader // ft. Bakugou’s daughter

Warnings: Crack, Fluff, Cursing, Sexual Mentions

BAKUGOU’S MASTERLIST

Summary: Katsumi has recently turned 8 and Bakugou thinks it’s time for her to receive the talk and tries to get Y/N to give it to her, however Bakugou finds himself doing the deed instead.

“Katsuki! Go!”

“No I just-“

“You have to-“

“But I don’t-“

“AH AH AH JUST GO!”

“nooOOO!!”

Bakugou and Y/N both spoke over each other saying those things until eventually Y/N pushed Bakugou into the room and barricaded the door to keep him inside. On the inside, Bakugou slammed his fist against the door demanding to be released.

“Y/N Bakugou! Open this door right now!” He screamed from the other side.

“Sure thing dAD,” she said dramatically, “after you do what you gotta do!”

“It’s DAD-DY TO YOU!” He screamed again. “LET ME OUT!”

“Suki! This was your idea!” You explained from the outside.

“Yeah but we’re a team! I thought we would be doing this together!” He said.

“Yeah well I didn’t wanna do it and since you insisted so bad that this just had to happen, you can do the deed!” You argued from the other side of the door.

“Y/N! You can’t keep me in here with that..that DEMON!” He screamed.

“Daddy?” Bakugou flinched as he quickly turned around with his back pressed against the door. He shook in fear as his smile trembled and his eye twitched as he looked at that thing on the floor. It was sitting in the chair holding a cup of hibiscuses tea while it wore a pink boa and tiara. It had an orange boa ready to go with an extra tiara on the other seat for the tea party that was currently happening in the girly princess styled bedroom.

“Yes princess?” He said to his eight year old daughter as she looked at him with a waiting stare. And yes we referred to her as ‘it’ before.

“You said you would join me for my tea party to give me the talk about something. What was it?” Katsumi said. Bakugou gulped in fear as he watched his daughter gesture to the empty seat. Bakugou slowly walked to the tiny chair and sat as his knees scrunched up to his chest. He cleared his throat as he put on the boa and tiara and looked around to see he was seated next to Mr. HoneyBear and Madam Unicorn. Katsumi poured him a cup of tea and he picked up the tiny ceramic, that was much too small for his large hands, until he heard his daughter clear her throat.

“Ehem,” she said. Bakugou stared and watched as she picked up her cup and stuck out her pinkie. His mouth formed an ‘o’ as he mimicked her actions and carefully took a sip. He placed the cup down as he placed his hands on his knees, making a small rhythm as he was nervous and didn’t know how to begin.

“Okay daddy! What did you wanna tell me?” She squealed. Bakugou looked around in nervousness. He didn’t even know how to begin the talk.

“Okay! Um...well. You see Katsumi..you are old enough to finally know where...umm...how...eh,” Bakugou stumbled over his words until Y/N poked her head in to help.

“Where babies come from,” she whispered and then shut the door again. Bakugou growled as he looked at the door.

“If you’re so good at this why don’t you come in here?!” He whispered yelled.

“Because you’re the one that wanted this to happen!” She whispered yelled back through the door.

“Coward!” Bakugou seethed. Y/N then opened the door again to give her two cents.

“Nice boa and tiara, PRinCeSS,” you teased. Bakugou threw one of the cookies on the plate at the door and it was going to hit you but you shut it before it could. Bakugou settled in his seat and tossed his boa to wrap around his neck and readjusted his tiara.

“Right Katsumi, it’s time for you to know where babies come from,” he explained to the eight year old. She stared at him with a raised brow as she sipped from her cup.

“You and Mommy already told me, remember? You guys said the storks bring down the babies!” She explained. Bakugou cringed at the memory of the time he almost slipped up and practically explained sex to his daughter when she was only 5. Luckily, Y/N saved his ass with the stork story.

“Right, but the storks just bring the babies..they don’t...create them,” he said.

“Oh! So then who creates them?” She innocently asked with the same doe eyes her mother had. Bakugou bit his lip in nervousness as he began to tremble again.

“Well you see...when two people..um, love each other..very....much....they Umm...at a certain time they’ll...” Katsumi began to get a little bored and yawned. Katsuki watched and just decided to rip the band-aid right off. He slammed his hands on his thighs as he spoke.

“You know what! Forget this! Katsumi! When a man loves a women, they’ll....” Bakugou trailed off as he realized exactly what he had to say. He stood up and put himself in the corner as he sat on the ground with his knees crunched up to his chest again.

“Daddy, just tell me! I’m getting bored and the tea is getting cold!” Katsumi whined. Bakugou sighed out as he returned to his seat.

“Katsumi, listen,” he exhaled before he began, “a man has this thing called a penis,” he cringed at his words, “and you know that a woman, like yourself, has a what?”

“A vagina. You and Mommy taught me the big girl words so that if something bad were to happen, I can properly explain and get help without confusing anyone. It’s part of my no-no square.” She said while casually messing with her toys.

“Right..and uh...your no-no square can only be touched by...uhm...your doctors with permission and..uh, in the far future, the one you love.” He explained.

“Like you and Mommy?” She asked.

“Uh..no..well..not really. Only in certain cases but you can trust that me and Mommy will never hurt you,” Bakugou said.

“I trust that! But what do you mean ‘love’ then?” Katsumi once again questioned.

“Well..love..as in like a boyfriend or a husband-“

“Or a prince?” Katsumi excitedly asked.

“....uh..sure?” Bakugou said, “but eventually..you and your...prince, OR PRINCESS OR ROYAL MAJESTY.. whatever you’re into, will eventually want to experience...something called..uh..sexual interco-“

*DING!*

“Whats that?” Bakugou asked as he pointed towards the timer.

“My brownies are ready!” Katsumi said and excitedly got up to get her desserts. Bakugou raised his brow in question as he didn’t realize his daughter could bake.

“Brownies?” He questioned.

“Mhm! I made them in my easy bake oven!” She said as she brought the tiny tray containing six mini brownies over to the table. “Try one!”

Bakugou looked at the tray and saw burnt pieces and he’s pretty sure he saw a bubble on one of the slimy brownies pop. He silently and subtly gagged but covered it up with a cough. He cleared his throat before he used a shaky hand to pick one up.

“And what’s the number we use to call in emergencies?” Bakugou asked.

“1-1-0,” Katsumi said.

“Good girl,” he said and took a small bite into the brownie. He chewed and bit into some hard, crunchy pieces but felt something else running down his throat. “Umm..Katsumi, Princess-“

“You like it? I tried really hard because I know you’re a great chef Daddy!” She happily explained. Bakugou couldn’t hate on his little girl’s brownies so he just had to ask a few questions.

“They’re Umm..delicious! A little burnt but it’s still very....very...good? But uh..what did you put in these?” He cautiously asked as he continued to chew.

“Brownie batter, duh, and sequence, rhinestones, and just a pinch of glitter!”

“HAH!” Y/N laughed from the other side of the door.

In the middle of Katsumi’s explanation, Bakugou swallowed the piece of brownie and began choking, he tried to get his cup of tea to wash it down but it was too tiny to do any good. Katsumi just watched in confusion as her father choked and sat down as she sipped her own cup of tea with a confused and almost sarcastic face. Bakugou lifted the tea pot and attempted to drink out of it but saw it was empty. He ran to his daughter’s door and tried to open it but Y/N still had it blocked. He blasted it open with his quirk and Katsumi just laughed at the scene with her hand covering her mouth and Y/N stood infront of the doorway in shock.

“Katsuki!” She yelled at her husband for breaking the door but he only ran down to the kitchen sink and turned on the faucet as he jugged down the flow of water. He finally stopped choking and after he finished his symphony of coughs, he flopped onto the couch.

Back with Y/N and Katsumi:

“Hang on love, just enjoy your tea and then wait here. Mommy will be right back.” Y/N said and then ran downstairs. She found her husband face down on the couch and laughed at him.

“Umm.. Katsuki..are you, pfft..okay?” You laughed out. Bakugou just poked his head up to glare at his wife and flopped his head back down on the couch.

“She can wait a few years for the talk. I’m pretty sure the universe just gave me a big fat fucking hint at that.” He grumbled into the couch.

“Hehe..I told you so~” Y/N said in a sing-songy voice.

“I tOLd YoU sOoo- SHUT UP!” Bakugou complained. Y/N just continued to laugh at her husband’s whine and just rubbed at his back to comfort his pain.

—

After cleaning up the mess Katsuki made at Katsumi’s door and helping her daughter wash up, Y/N finally put Katsumi to bed and met her husband down stairs. He was still on the couch but this time he was sitting while watching some random channel on TV. He noticed Y/N and opened up his arms for her. Y/N joined him on the couch but laughed a little as she cuddled into his side.

“Umm..Suki?”

“Yes love?”

“When are you gonna take off that boa and tiara?”

[thatoneguitargirl]

𝘪 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘤 | max mayfield x reader

requested by anon this is quite possibly my favorite fanfic I’ve ever written so tsym for requesting !!

Max Mayfield gets jealous because her girlfriend seems to be a little too close with Lucas

my masterlist

»»————-　　————-««

MAX MAYFIELD WAS NOT NORMALLY ONE TO GET JEALOUS. Especially when it came to her love life. She knew her girlfriend was loyal and completely in love with her. Yet she couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy every time Lucas Sinclair was around.

(Y/N) was more physical with him than she was with anyone else in the party. The two would whisper jokes into each other’s ears during D&D, team up in two player arcade games, and their constant force field of sarcasm. It was more than Max could take.

The party was all sitting around in Mike’s basement after finishing a particularly grueling campaign. Max and (Y/N) sat draped over each other on the couch while Mike and Will cleaned up.

“I can’t believe that half of your attacks even worked. You must be rigging the die or something,” (Y/N) suggests, and Dustin smiles to himself in triumph.

“You’re just mad that all your rolls were shit,” Lucas mocks and (Y/N) fakes offense.

“I just can’t roll. If it was real life, I could totally take those monsters”

“Pfft- no, you couldn’t! You could barely walk up the steps without running out of breath,” Lucas fires back.

(Y/N) looks back to her girlfriend for support but finds none. Does everyone think she’s a weakling? “Guess I’ll just have to show you my strength”

(Y/N) gets up from her seat and pretends to crack her neck. She shakes out her hands and smirks, “Come on, tough guy. Fight me!”

Lucas stands up in front of her and cracks his knuckles. “It’s on!”

Max and Dustin watch the entire exchange. Dustin was used to their playful fighting, but Max was biting her lip skeptically. “Maybe we shouldn’t do this right now”

(Y/N) swats her as if to say that it’s ok. Lucas stares down his opponent. Too bad while he wasn’t looking (Y/N) kicks him in his shins and he buckles at the knees.

Lucas falls to the ground and (Y/N) pins his arms to the ground. She puts her knee on his chest and smiles.

Max watches as they move, and she feels sick. “One, two...” Dustin counts, but before he can get to three (Y/N) is launched off of him and across the room.

She stumbles on her feet and prepares to fight again. Lucas repeats her same moves and suddenly they’re in the same position, roles reversed.

Max closes her eyes tightly and excuses herself. Something about getting a breath of air. (Y/N) watches in concern as she leaves, but Lucas is still in the fight.

“What? Got distracted by your girlfriend?” He asks and (Y/N) tries to break free.

“Stop it. I think something’s wrong”

Lucas isn’t having any of it, so he pushes her wrists down into the ground. This sets off a fire in (Y/N) and she gains the strength to knee him in the balls and escape from his grasp.

Lucas writhes in pain as (Y/N) picks herself up and runs outside to search for Max. Luckily, it wasn’t too hard. For she found the redhead girl sitting on the steps with her head down.

“Maxie? Are you ok?” (Y/N) asks and she can hear the sniffle of someone pretending they weren’t crying. She sits down next to her girlfriend and tries to wrap an arm around her shoulders.

Max brushes her off and (Y/N) resolves to just sitting beside her. “Why did you leave so suddenly? Do you feel sick?”

Max wipes her face and turns to look (Y/N) in the eyes. “How come you like Lucas more than me?” She asks.

(Y/N) looks taken aback. “I don’t like him more than you. Max, I love you. Why would you think that?”

“Because you’re obsessed with each other. You talk to each other more than anyone I’ve ever known and you two can get so close sometimes- it makes me think you two should be together”

(Y/N) softly smiles and wipes her partner’s face with the sleeve of her shirt. “I’ve known Lucas since forever. He’s basically my brother. But, he could never compare to you” She grabs Max’s hand and rubs circles on her knuckles.

“You’re definitely much more beautiful. And better at games. And give the best cuddles anyone could ever ask for”

Max slightly smiles and (Y/N) moves her face closer. “Plus, that dumbass can’t hold a candle to the make-out queen of the world”

Max thinks her girlfriend is going to connect their lips, but she’s unpleasantly surprised by a kiss on the cheek. She raises an eyebrow and (Y/N) whispers, “Not until you acknowledge that you’re the only one I want”

The ginger girl chuckles quietly and says back, “Ok, fine. You’re totally in love with me?”

“And?”

“And I’m just as in love with you”

The pair connect in a kiss filled with affection and unparalleled closeness. It was the perfect moment.

But soon their soft, passionate touches turned into something more. The two teenage girls became much more heated and lustful...

“Holy shit! I was just checking if you two were still alive. Not trying to inhale each other!”

The pair turn to see an obviously traumatized Dustin and start laughing uncontrollably. He immediately heads back into the house muttering swears under his breath, leaving Max and (Y/N) to ride out their fit of laughter. Alone on the steps of Mike Wheeler’s house, perfectly and completely in love.

[ragingbookdragon]

Even Though We May Be Hopeless Hearts Just Passing Through, I Was Made For Loving You PT. 1

Batsis x Kyle Rayner

Word Count: 2.1K Warnings: Explicit Language

Author's Note: I realize the other story didn't follow the whole, dating the brother's best friend trope, so I decided to remedy it. And what do you get when you cross a hopeless romantic with someone who's new to love? Perfection. That's what. Enjoy! -Thorne

**********************************************************************

Saturday mornings, in Dick’s opinion, were meant for sleeping in and quite possibly going to IHOP when everyone finally crawled out of bed at ten. They were not meant for being shoved in the side by a little brother.

“Golden-boy,” a voice grouched from beneath the bedside. “Your phone’s been going off for an hour. Either put it on silent or answer the goddamn thing.”

Dick let out a tired ‘pfft’, rolling onto his stomach, face buried in the side of the bed as he looked down to the floor. “Annoyed much, Little-wing?”

“I am going to shove that phone so far up your—”

Reaching over, Dick put the phone to his ear. “Hello?”

Where are you?

“Still in bed,” he responded, sentence ending in a groan as he stretched. “Why?”

You were supposed to be on the flight back to Gotham two hours ago.

Dick’s eyes went wide, and he sat up, gaping at the bedside clock. “It’s today.”

It is today. I can’t believe you forgot it was today.

“Oh my God, it’s today and we missed our flight.” He stumbled out of the bed, barely registering the shout from Jason as his foot landed in his brother’s stomach. “Jason, get up! It’s today!’

“What’s today?” his little brother griped, rubbing his abdomen.

“(Y/N)’s coming back!”

Jason’s eyes went wide, and he scrambled to his feet, hurriedly finding his bag to change out of his nightclothes. “Christ, I can’t believe we forgot that (Y/N) was coming home today!” he looked at Dick. “This is your fault.”

“My fault?” Dick yelped. “How is this my fault!”

He scowled. “Big brother wanted everyone to be with a sibling for the night, so they’d be together and be punctual but you and I both know neither of us have any concept of time.” His scowl grew. “I knew I should’ve bunked with Cass. She’s on time no matter what happens.”

Dick threw Jason’s sweatshirt at him. “Dress now, bitch later.” He put the phone back to his ear. “We missed our flight, but we can drive there.”

Your car’s in the shop.

“Shit,” he hissed, spinning in a circle to help his brain circuit enough to think of something new. “Uh-uh-uh—”

“Kyle!” Jason shouted, pointing at him. “Kyle’s like thirty minutes away from Manhattan! We’ll go to him for a ride!”

Dick grinned. “We’ll find Kyle.”

You sure Kyle’s at home?

“Pfft, Kyle’s always home on the weekends. He’s lazy.”

Just get here. (Y/N)’s plane is going to land in less than four hours.

“We’ll be there,” he said. “Is Diana coming too?”

Of course. She is (Y/N)’s mother.

“Nice. Alright, see you in Gotham, Bruce.”

Love you boys. And be careful. I’ve already heard that Cass, Tim, and Steph got into a fender-bender with Damian and Duke.

Dick blinked. “They’re…they’re legitimately driving separate cars? How’d they hit each other?”

Don’t ask.

The line went dead, and Dick looked at his brother. “Ready?”

Jason nodded. “Already got an Uber to Kyle’s place.”

“We could always just Uber to Gotham?” he offered, and Jason recoiled with a shocked look.

“And pay a ridiculous amount of money instead of just paying Kyle’s gas? Fuck no, big brother.” He shoved his wallet and keys into his pockets. “C’mon!” he chirped, rather excitedly. “Our baby sister’s coming home!”

***

When he swung the door open to yell at whoever was pounding on it, he wasn’t expecting to see two of his best friends grinning like idiots. “Wha—”

He’d barely gotten a word out when Jason shoved a bag of fast food in his hands. “Get dressed. You’ve gotta drive us to Gotham City.”

Kyle blinked, glancing down at the bag before looking at Dick. “Why?”

“Our sister’s coming home, and we overslept and missed out flight outta here.”

“And you came to me…why?” he asked.

“Because you have the functioning car.” Jason retorted, antsy on his feet. “C’mon Kyle. We have to hurry! (Y/N)’s coming home!”

Figuring it was better to agree than to argue, Kyle relented, handing back the bag of food before he disappeared into his apartment, reappearing moments later, dressed in a pair of dark blue jeans, a graphic tee, and his usual slim casual jacket. He took the bag back and started digging around in it.

“Who’s (Y/N)?” he inquired, biting into a breakfast burrito as he locked his front door behind him.

“Our baby sister.” Jason said.

“I thought Cass was your baby sister?”

Dick nodded, getting out his own breakfast from the bag. “She is. But (Y/N)’s like…the OG baby sister.”

Kyle blinked, glancing over at him as he pushed the elevator button. “That makes no sense.”

“He means that (Y/N) was around before Cass was.”

“And she isn’t with you guys why?”

“She’s been on Themyscira for the last few years training with her grandmother and the other Amazons.” Jason answered as if it was the most normal thing in the world, stepping onto the elevator.

Kyle merely stared at the two brothers who were looking back at him; he felt like he’d been punched in the stomach. “Wait, your sister’s an Amazon?”

“Yep.”

“Who’s her mom?” he asked, stepping between them.

“Wonder Woman.” Dick said.

Strike two. “Who’s her dad?”

“Batman.” Jason responded.

Believe it or not, Kyle went three for three punches to the gut. “Bruce and Diana had a kid together?”

“Yeah.” Dick murmured. “I think it’s also why B’s so insistent against inter-team-relations.” He nudged Jason behind Kyle. “First time he attempts dating a coworker he ends up with a baby.”

Jason snorted. “And all those lessons about, ‘Children, whatever you do, don’t date anyone on your team. It’ll only lead to babies and limited visitation’.” He laughed again, then he frowned. “I don’t think any of us have followed that lesson.”

Dick opened his mouth to make an excuse but all that came out was a pitiful, deflate of air followed by, “That’s actually a good point.”

The elevator dinged and they watched the doors open before walking out towards the parking garage. They climbed into Kyle’s car, Jason in the front because his legs were longer than Dick’s, and Dick was a contortionist anyways so if anyone deserved to have their knees in their chest, it was him.

Halfway through the drive Kyle asked, “You guys are paying for my gas, aren’t you?”

All he received was unsure responses and he merely sighed.

***

He figured he should’ve just dropped Jason and Dick off at the airport in Gotham and drove home, but he couldn’t help but want to see just what the daughter of Wonder Woman and Batman looked like. He imagined a little girl dressed in a Batman suit three sizes too big and wielding a sword and a lasso way too heavy for her. It made him smile, the way that the two brothers gushed about (Y/N). From their praise, she was their world. Kyle had to see her though, because nothing was going to satiate that curiosity of seeing the big Batman’s daughter.

He watched Dick and Jason crane their necks like birds as they looked around. And honestly, the family shouldn’t have been that hard to find considering that every time Kyle was around the entirety of the Batfamily, they were like psychos on steroids—he very much so understood why the entirety of Gotham’s villains became flighty when every member of the Batfamily was out patrolling.

Kyle wasn’t expecting a voice to crack over the airport, loud and bubbly. “Brothers!”

All three of them stopped, even him who wasn’t even a sibling, looking over towards the call and Kyle’s jaw dropped as a young woman sprinted over to Dick and Jason, slamming into them with the weight of a train. The three of them collapsed into a pile on the floor, but they were laughing so Kyle assumed the siblings were alright.

“Princess!”

“Baby girl!”

“Oh, I am so glad to see you both!” she exclaimed. “I have waited so long to come home!” she was on her feet in moments, pulling them to theirs as if they weighed nothing. And Kyle knew Jason weighed a lot—he’d been crushed under his best friend before in fights.

Suddenly, she stopped and looked over at Kyle who immediately felt his heart lurch under her sharp gaze. “Who is this you have brought?”

Jason gestured to him. “(Y/N) this is Kyle. He’s a friend of Dick and mine. Kyle, this is our little sister, (Y/N).”

She huffed laugh. “I am not little, Jason. I am twenty-one.” Reaching out, she immediately pulled Kyle in for a hug, squeezing him tightly. “It is good to meet you, Kyle.”

“You too,” he murmured, feeling his cheeks warm as she pulled away and placed her hands on his shoulders.

“Any friend of my brothers is a friend of mine.” (Y/N) smiled. “Are you a superhero as well?”

He couldn’t help but toss a quick glance towards Jason who nodded. “Uh, yeah. I’m a Green Lantern.”

(Y/N)’s eyes widened in wonder, and she let go of his shoulders in favor of grabbing at his hands until she found his ring. She stared at it, murmuring quiet, ‘ooo’s and ah’s’. “That is simply amazing!” she chirped, looking at him, and then she silently gasped, raising his hand near his eyes. “Oh…your eyes are almost the same color as your ring.”

Her smile made Kyle’s heart beat a little faster as she expressed, “They are beautiful.”

They gazed at each other, too captivated in the moment to understand that the family had gathered around them by then. Someone’s hand curled around (Y/N)’s wrist and she looked over seeing Dick tugging her hand away.

“C’mon Princess, let’s go get your things on the belt.”

She smiled and followed, giving a small wave to Kyle, who returned hers shakily whilst grinning like a dope.

Someone elbowed him in the ribs, and he gasped, holding his side as Jason muttered, “Don’t ever stare at my sister like that again.”

Kyle blinked, glancing at him. “What’re you talking about?”

“You know exactly what I’m talking about, you goddamn skirt-chaser.”

“I didn’t do anything!” Kyle spluttered.

“You’re thinking about it.” Jason warned, pointing a finger in his face. “Make a move on (Y/N) and I’ll kill you with your own ring.” Kyle recoiled just as she and Dick were coming back, both holding a suitcase.

“Father!” she called, glancing at Bruce. “Dick and I have retrieved my luggage.”

He smiled at her. “Let’s go put it in the SUV then.” He paused, looking over the large group. He and Diana had ridden together, and since his children had fender-benders, they’d picked up Cass, Tim, Stephanie, Duke, and Damian; there wasn’t room for (Y/N) too.

“Father? Is something the matter?” (Y/N) was staring at him with concern.

“There’s not enough room in the SUV for you too. Maybe we—”

“There’s room in my car for (Y/N)!” Kyle blurted out, smiling nervously at Bruce. “I can follow behind you.”

Before anyone could screech ‘NO!’, mainly Dick and Jason, (Y/N) lit up like the morning sun. “Oh, that is a wonderful idea!” she grabbed onto Diana’s arm. “We should all stop for ice-cream though! Mother, what do you say?”

She smiled at her and leaned over, kissing her head. “I say that sounds like a fantastic idea, daughter.”

Kyle grinned and held out his arm for (Y/N), her giggling as she took it. “You know, I don’t live in Gotham, (Y/N), but I do know a good gelato store around the area.”

“What is gelato?” she asked, and he groaned.

“Oh, I can’t believe you don’t know what that is.” He started off, pilling her along, leaving everyone behind. “Don’t worry, I’ll show you.”

Jason’s face pinched and he looked over at Bruce. “Can I break the no-kill rule just once?”

Bruce blinked, crossing his arms over his chest as he watched his daughter laughing along with Kyle, both looking like newlyweds already. “Believe it or not, I’m strongly considering it.”

“Bruce.” Diana admonished. “Let (Y/N) and Kyle become friends. You know she doesn’t have many outside this family here.”

Dick growled. “Except Kyle doesn’t want to be friends with (Y/N), Diana. He wants to be her boyfriend.”

“They just met though?”

“Yeah, and Kyle’s a propose on week two type of man,” Jason griped. “Jesus Christ, this is going to be a disaster.”

“I don’t know about you guys, but (Y/N) and Kyle said gelato and you guys are just standing here.” Tim said. “Can we go now?”

[daitsuu]

Nijimura Audio Drama Translation

Nijimura: Oi! If you have nothing to do, then go make rounds outside!

Members: Understood!

Akashi: Nijimura-san, about the groupings of the next game–

Nijimura: Oi Akashi.

Akashi: Yes?

Nijimura: What’s up with Haizaki?

Akashi: Oh, I didn’t see him since the morning today.

Nijimura: Oh yeah? I haven’t seen him since yesterday.

Akashi: Oh.

Nijimura: That’s weird. I didn’t see him the day before yesterday either. Can you please remind me what club he was a member of?

…..THAT BASTARD!! WHAT DOES HE THINKS HE’S DOING NOT SHOWING FOR CLUB ACTIVITIES FOR THREE DAYS!? HUUHH???

Hey! Has anyone seen Haizaki in school grounds today?

Kuroko: Um, we’ve passed each other in the corridors during lunch break.

Nijimura: I see, so he came to school huh? But he’s just slacking off of club activities. Haizaki….. Today, I’m definitely NOT going to show you mercy!

Kuroko: Haizaki kun. I wonder why he won’t come to club activities.

Akashi: Who knows. But even still, he’s a member of the first string. If his unauthorized absence continues, it’s going to leave an effect on the whole team’s morale. I think it’s about time for me to warn him directly about this.

Nijimura: Oi Akashi! Kuroko! Do you guys have any idea about places Haizaki is likely to go to?

Akashi: Kuroko, can you think of something?

Kuroko: Oh yeah, I think I’ve seen him one time at a game center after practice before. I don’t know if he’s there today too though.

Nijimura: Ho, a game center huh.

[At the Game Center]

Haizaki: Right… Right… Right… Yes!!  And just a little bit farther… Oh, it’s looking good! OH YES I CAUGHT IT!! COME TO ME, COME TO ME!

…Huh? Why the hell did you fall off at that place, I had you grabbed so good! What the fuck! They’re definitely making it loose on purpose!!

*starts to kick the crane machine*

Nijimura: Oi, oi. Don’t put the blame on the machine just because you suck, shithead.

Haizaki: Ha? Don’t you talk down on me. Come here and say that to my face!!

Nijimura: “Come here?” Since I’m in this place because I have some business with you, it’s actually a perfect opportunity.

Haizaki: !!!!! ….Nijimura….san

Nijimura: It’s good to know you haven’t forgotten my face and my name. So is it alright to assume you already know what I came here to tell you?

Haizaki: W-who knows?

*starts walking away*

Nijimura: I took the trouble to come all the way here to see you and you’re already leaving? That makes me sad.

Haizaki: Ha? To see me?

Nijimura: Yeah! Even if I look like this, I’m the captain of the Teikou Basketball team after all.

Haizaki: Hah. Did you come here to sermon me or something. You guys can still do club activities without me there right? Just leave me alone.

Nijimura: Pfft… Hahaha! That line of yours is too transparent.

Haizaki: What?

Nijimura: You slack off non-stop from club activities to get attention to yourself right? Aw, it’s alright, I won’t leave you alone. You sure are a “kamatte-chan”.

Haizaki: Don’t fuck with me!!

*attempts to punch Nijimura*

Nijimura: Oh? That was a better punch than I expected.

…..However, that won’t work on me.

[Probably in the Lunch Hall]

Haizaki: Ugh.. Ouch…

Akashi: This seat.. Isn’t taken, correct?

Haizaki: Ha? ……Akashi. It IS taken.

Akashi: I see.

*sits down*

Haizaki: I said the seat is taken! ……Damn it

Akashi: What happened with those injuries on your face?

Haizaki: So noisy, it has got nothing to do with you.

Akashi: Were you at the game center yesterday?

Haizaki: Tsk.

Akashi: I see. Then this will make things faster. Club activities for today will involve a practice match of first years vs second years. Please make sure to attend.

Haizaki: Ha? Don’t order me around. Who the hell do you think you are?

Akashi: I am simply fulfilling my duties as the vice captain.

Haizaki: Aaaaahhhh yes sir, is that so Mr. Vice Captain sir, thank you very much for taking the trouble!

Akashi: …….. Haizaki. What is the reason behind you not attending practices?

Haizaki: Reason…? I don’t have one. I just felt like it.

Akashi: If you have no plans on even attending the club, then you could always just quit, couldn’t you? Your slacking off has come to a point that it leaves a bad influence on the team.

Haizaki: Stop putting the blame on me.

Akashi: I heard that you started a quarrel with people from a different school the other day as well when you were wandering about. Learn to be more prudent before the problem gets out of hand.

Haizaki: I SAID. STOP ORDERING ME AROUND!!

Akashi: Haizaki! What will you do about club today?

Haizaki: Heh. I was actually thinking about showing my face a little bit but I changed my mind. All thanks to you.

Akashi: …………..

[After club activities]

Nijimura: Hai…za…ki!

Akashi: The cleaning and locking of the gymnasium is finished.

Nijimura: Ou. Thanks for your hardwork.

Akashi: Nijimura san, if it’s paperwork, please let me do it.

Nijimura: Huh? Oh, okay. Then, I’ll leave the continuation to you.

Akashi: …..So in the end, he didn’t show up did he? Haizaki, I mean.

Nijimura: Breaking his promise with me, that bastard. I should’ve punched him two or three more times!!

*Akashi laughs*

Nijimura: Well, that only means we have to do something about him again but anyway, how was the first year vs. second year match today?

Akashi: Yes… For the team with only the firs years, I think that the balance of fighting power among the members is close to being at the tipping point/danger zone. Moreover, with Kuroko’s participation, we are now able to create a change in the flow of the game. However at this point in time, we are not able to take full advantage of this change.

Nijimura: Yeah, since there are no players with a style like Kuroko’s… So it means that the ones playing with him must develop a technique themselves to go along with it.

Akashi: While we’re at this point, Aomine on the other hand, is able to go all out with his own playing style thanks to Kuroko’s invisible passes. In today’s match, his speed greatly improved.

Nijimura: He always practiced with Kuroko even before he came to the first string right? Either they’re in tune with one another or he’s just excited. It’s just like the straightforward idiot he is, isn’t it?

Akashi: On the other hand, Murasakibara is harboring annoyance.

Nijimura: Huh?

Akashi: Endurance, experience… It seems he feels a lack in Kuroko who is yet to catch up with the first strings regarding those matters.

Nijimura: Hm.

Akashi: Because of this, the snacks are disappearing at a rate that is 1.5x faster than before.

Nijimura: Stress-eating!? Really… His body is so huge but he’s really just a brat. He should be a little bit more stoic like Midorima– well, that’s not gonna happen.

Akashi: Since Midorima and Murasakibara’s personalities are quite polar opposites aren’t they?

Nijimura: Well, Midorima being Midorima is too absorbed in his own thing that he lacks awareness of his surroundings too.

….and he seems to be always holding weird things???

Akashi: They’re Oha Asa lucky items.

Nijimura: *Sighs* Really…. you guys are all so troublesome.

[Kuroko texting]

Kuroko: Hmm I wonder if this is too long for a message… Alright, this is about it. Pressing send…

*phone rings*

Kuroko: This is a ringtone right? Hello?

[ Ogiwara: Kuroko! ]

Kuroko: Ogiwara kun! Hajimemashite!

[ Ogiwara: What??? ]

Kuroko: Ahh, sorry. I mean, in a talking-on-the-phone kind of way.

[ Ogiwara: Oh I see. If you say it that way, it gets kind of embarrassing. ]  

Kuroko: The call came all of a sudden so I kind of panicked.  ]

[ Ogiwara: Haha, sorry. It’s because just when I was trying to send an e-mail, your message to me arrived so… I got so happy I called you without thinking. ]  

Kuroko: Did you receive my message?

[ Ogiwara: Yup! I received it. ]

Kuroko: That’s great to hear. Since we used written letters until now, I’m still not used to this.

[ Ogiwara: I’ll be your practice buddy so keep on sending me messages and calls, alright? ]

Kuroko: Okay!

[ Ogiwara: So, how have you been recently? Since going up the Teikou’s first string! ]

Kuroko: I feel like I’ll vomit. Actually, I do vomit.

[ Ogiwara: EH!? ]

Kuroko: The practices are so many times harder than the third string’s and it takes all of my ability just to finish them. Just remembering makes me go…. ugh—

[ Ogiwara: Oi oi oi are you alright? ]

Kuroko: Yes

[ Ogiwara: You get a feeling like… “that’s Teikou Middle School for you” right? No wonder they’re so strong. ]

Kuroko: Everyone accomplishes those kinds of practices as if it’s just everyday routine and it’s really amazing.

[ Ogiwara: But Kuroko, even before you were still in the third string, you did your best more than anyone to the point of doing independent practices, right? So you’ll definitely catch up to them one day! ]

Kuroko: Aomine kun told me the same thing before. You two definitely are similar in some ways.

[ Ogiwara: Aomine? Oooohh that friend you told me about before who’s really awesome at basketball? ]

Kuroko: Yes! Even in among the first string, his abilities are far superior. But during times I’m feeling down, he’s someone who will casually just keep his pace to match mine.

[ Ogiwara: I see. It’s nice to hear you have a friend who you can count on. ]  

Kuroko: Oh yeah, he bought me ice cream on the way home from practice before.

[ Ogiwara: Ice cream???? Even though it’s this cold?? ]

Kuroko: That day, I was so exhausted and down because I really couldn’t keep up with the day’s practice so he went “well, just eat it out”

[ Ogiwara: Oh, I see! ]

Kuroko: I thought that it was to resupply sugar into my system and to cool me down…

[ Ogiwara: Hmmmmm, somehow, I feel like he didn’t really think about stuff like that? ]

Kuroko: When you put it that way… I really did start to think it may be the case.

[ Ogiwara: Hahaha! But he really is a good guy isn’t he, that Aomine. Well that means at least, that you are able to be a first string member without being brought down no matter how hard the practices are. ]

Kuroko: Yes! How is going on your end, Ogiwara kun?

[ Ogiwara: Oh! Well for me, even if it’s just little by little, they’re starting to include me in the starters. ]

Kuroko: Starters? That’s amazing!

[ Ogiwara: Even so, it’s because there are a lot of practice matches where the opponent also uses first years. ]  

Kuroko: Even still, I think it’s amazing that you’re selected among the many first year members.

[ Ogiwara: I’m happy just being able to go out and play in the match but when the cooperative moves we’ve experimented on during practices actually work in the match itself, it really is the best feeling. It’s as if you were able to prove the greatness of teamwork. ]

Kuroko: Teamwork…

[ Ogiwara: Hmm? Is there something wrong? ]

Kuroko: Actually, there’s someone in the first string who doesn’t really come to practice often. He’s also a first year, you see.

[ Ogiwara: Ahh, so there really are people who find the practices too hard and back out of frustration? ]

Kuroko: Oh no, actually he’s a player that’s good enough to be chosen as a regular. But then for some reason, he just keeps slacking off of club activities.

[ Ogiwara: What’s up with that? Did he have a fight with a teammate or something? Or like his parents got mad at him because his grades went down because of too much balling? Did you try to hear his reasoning? ]

Kuroko: Well, I’ve never asked him directly myself but it seems that all he does is play around after school when he slacks off of practice so I really don’t think that’s it.

[ Ogiwara: Then… It really is just purely slacking off? Hmmm… No matter how good he was that he was able to be a freshman first string member in Teikou, if he keeps slacking off, won’t he be left behind by others? Does it mean he doesn’t care about that? ]

Kuroko: I think it isn’t like that but…

[ Ogiwara: Hmm but even while slacking off, he doesn’t quit the club. So that doesn’t mean that he has come to hate basketball either, right? Hmmmm… I don’t really know but if he likes basketball, he’ll probably come back. ]

Kuroko: If he likes baskeball….. I guess you’re right.

[Haizaki in stealth mode after school]

Haizaki: *Sigh* it seems I was able to go undetected but if someone from the basketball club sees me, I’ll be 100% scolded. I’m having none of that today!

Voice: Heeeeh. Who’s going to scold you, you said?

Haizaki: That hot-headed captain.

Voice: What are you having none of, you said?

Haizaki: Getting beat up, of cours— ahhh!!

Nijimura: You never learn do you?

Haizaki: Ni, Niji—

Nijimura: Oh hey there, I’m Nijimura san, that hot-headed captain! I was contemplating on how you didn’t keep our promise yesterday so I went out of my way to wait for you right here! If I remember correctly, we were supposed to have already met at the gymnasium yesterday, right? HAIZAKI? *cracks knuckles*

Haizaki: You bastard…

Nijimura: Who did you call a bastard?

Haizaki: Eh!?

Nijimura: Thanks for making a fool out of me. Come to the practice this instant!

Haizaki: Shut up! Always picking on me like a target!! Let me say this to you today as well!!

Nijimura: Oh, do tell!!

Haizaki: THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARDWORK CAPTAIN NIJIMURA, PLEASE DO YOUR BEST ON THE PRACTICE OKAAAAYY!?!?!?!?!?!

*bolts*

Nijimura: You— don’t screw around with me!!!!!!!

*chases*

Nijimura: Don’t you run away from me Haizaki!!!!!

Haizaki: You’re so persistent!!! It’s because you keep chasing me!!!!!

Nijimura: Don’t try to reason out with me!!!!

Haizaki: UOOOHHHHHHHHH

*Haizaki trips and falls*

Nijimura: Haizaki!!! Oi, are you alright? You didn’t sprain your arm or your leg?

Haizaki: You… Just the day before yesterday you beat me up and now you say these things!?

Nijimura: Isn’t it obvious I didn’t go all out on you at that time? Don’t put it on the same thing as you just simply tripping and falling.

Haizaki: You held back on me?!

Nijimura: Oh? Those are nice eyes.

Haizaki: Just as you said, don’t make a fool out of people! I’m gonna beat you up!!

Nijimura: Well isn’t that perfect, come at me!!

*Haizaki and Nijimura go at each other and Haizaki is beat up*

Nijimura: Well, you fight good but you’re still a hundred years too early to be my serious opponent.

Haizaki: Damn it…

Nijimura: Haizaki, don’t run away anymore.

Haizaki: I’m not running from anything—

Nijimura: Not about fighting you idiot. Hey, Haizaki. Why don’t you try to face basketball honestly for once?

Haizaki:

Nijimura: ………….Ah? He passed out. *Sigh* so troublesome, geez!!

[Teikou gymnasium]

Nijimura: Ossu!!

Akashi: Nijimura san?

*Haizaki groaning in the background*

Akashi: ……? Nijimura san, could that be….

Nijimura: Yup! Hey, where are your greetings?

Haizaki: ‘Sup…..

Kuroko: (His face…. is nothing like how it originally looked like)

Nijimura: You know this guy gets really energetic and runs around all excited when he sees my face so I also did my best to bring him here!

Akashi: But….. In his state now….

Nijimura: Oh pish posh, right Haizaki? You’re super excited to be able to join practice after all this time right?

Haizaki: Yeeess……

Nijimura: Yup, that’s a nice response! Well anyway, why don’t you go join that mini game over there! Off you go!

Haizaki: OWW!!

Nijimura: Haizaki!! That was your return wasn’t it!

Haizaki: Ahh damn! Give it to me!!

*shoots ball*

Haizaki: Yeah that’s how it goes!

Nijimura: Don’t go putting on a smug face just because you made one shot! If you have time for that then get back as soon as you can!!

Haizaki: Yes, sir!!

Kuroko: Haizaki kun….. He really is good.

Akashi: That’s what you think?

Kuroko: Eh?

Akashi: He indeed has abilities that is superior than the norm, however, the ball is not going to him in a way it can be most put into effect. It’s undeniable that there’s a lack of cooperation.

Kuroko: That means that indeed, there’s a fundamental lack of practice, right? However rather than Haizaki kun, it looks like it’s the other players who are feeling uncertain about Haizaki kun’s play style.

Akashi: So you did see through it, Kuroko. It means that Haizaki slacking’s off has begun to show its effects.

Kuroko: So it’s good that the captain was able to drag him here even while he used excessive measures, isn’t it?

……Akashi kun?

Akashi: Don’t you think…. Nijimura san is a little too hung-up on Haizaki?

Kuroko: Hung-up?

Akashi: Nijimura san has an eye for people. He has from the beginning a rather correct evaluation about me, and he knew about how you worked harder than anyone else in secret. But… He’s different towards Haizaki. Even while knowing that there’s a high probability of him leaving negative effects on the team, he’s made it so that cutting him loose won’t be an option from the very beginning.

Is there any good in letting the Haizaki the way he is now, stay on the team even to the point of resorting to violence?

Kuroko: Akashi kun…

*Nijimura humming*

Akashi: I’ve locked the doors to the gymnasium. I’ve gone and returned the keys to the faculty room.

Nijimura: Oh! Thanks!

Akashi: Nijimura san…. I told you, I’ll do the paperworks.

Nijimura: Oh? Well, I’m feeling rather good today because we were able to practice with the complete set of first string members after a long time so…. since I’m almost done, you can go ahead of me if you want.

Akashi: ….

Nijimura: What’s wrong? You’re not going home?

Akashi: I have something I wanted to ask Nijimura san. Is it alright?

Nijimura: I don’t mind.

Akashi: It’s about Haizaki.

[ Ogiwara: Oh yeah, about that guy you said who always slacked off of practice… ]

Kuroko: You mean Haizaki kun?

[ Ogiwara: Did he come to club today? ]

Kuroko: Well, yes, in a way.

[ Ogiwara: “In a way”? What’s that supposed to mean. ]

Kuroko: Captain went and beat Haizaki kun up and dragged him back when he was about to go home and slack off again.

[ Ogiwara: “Beat up”!? You mean with fists? ]

Kuroko: His face looked so horrible. To think Nijimura san was that strong…

[Ogiwara: Nijimura? Eh, Nijimura…. You mean that blond haired Nijimura san? ]

Kuroko: Eh? Captain isn’t blond.

[ Ogiwara: Hmm could it be a different person? But then the last name “Nijimura” is rather rare… So that just means it just isn’t at the present? ]  

Kuroko: Ogiwara kun… You know our captain?

[ Ogiwara: Well, during elementary school, I actually watched a Teikou match once. When I did, there was this person who was a starter while being a freshman and he was so incredibly strong. That person was called “Nijimura”. ]  

Kuroko: He was blond that time?  

[ Ogiwara: Yeah yeah. Honestly though, his attitude during the matches weren’t really the best… Like he’s arrogant just because he’s good? He lashed out even when the people he’s talking to are his seniors…  ]

Kuroko: Nijimura san… Arrogant?

[ Ogiwara: So he’s the captain huh. It’s rather unexpected! ]  

Kuroko: Well for me though, the story you told me now is the one that’s unexpected.

[ Ogiwara: Really? ]

Kuroko: Yes. Nijimura san is someone who can boast great faith from the coach and he listens to our opinions even if we are his juniors. Even to Haizaki kun.. Well, the means are quite, you know… But he tries his best to bring him to practice… It’s a very different image than what Ogiwara kun knows. Besides, he has black hair now.

[ Ogiwara: Hooooh. Then maybe… Some things might have also happened with Nijimura san since that time. ]

Akashi: What did Nijimura san think about Haizaki in the practice today?

Nijimura: Well, for someone who doesn’t go to practice, his movements weren’t dull. He isn’t on Aomine’s level, but his instinct and skills to bring the ball to the goal without any qualms haven’t changed.

Akashi: Hm

Nijimura: But that’s in the end, his individual ability. He missed numerous easier and more ideal chances to get the ball into the goal. There’s also that angle where you know the others hesitated to pass the ball to Haizaki but that guy doesn’t look at his surroundings to begin with. I guess his egocentricity did him a little good here.

Akashi: So you did notice.

Nijimura: It seems you are wanting to say something. Tell me. You don’t have to hold back.

Akashi: Haizaki’s bad conduct, isn’t just his own personal problem– it is beginning to leave quite a tangible effect on the team as a whole. Even if you tell them not to mind, distrust is something that grows stronger. After all, isn’t Haizaki’s reason for slacking off in the end just pure laziness? If he doesn’t respond to repeated warnings, then I think that the effort Nijimura san goes out of his way to put on him is just a waste.

Nijimura: Heh, you didn’t really hold back at all.

Akashi: In my opinion, I think that the faster we cut Haizaki off, the better it will be for the team.

Nijimura: Well, for the team, that may be the correct decision. But hey, can you give it a little more time?

Akashi: ….

Nijimura: To you who is capable and is able to walk in a straight line in life, someone who is aimless and who always postpones the answers might just seem “lazy”. But for me, his slacking off seems like an escape.

Akashi: Escape?

Nijimura: To never be ordered around, he’s walking around living selfishly but he’s probably just frightened to be bound to one place.

Akashi: I somehow sense some first-hand experience/feeling into what you said.

Nijimura: Hahaha, seriously you’re too sharp! Well, you can say that when I was in first year, I was also a bit sharp around some edges. When I look at Haizaki roaming aimlessly, I kind of remember myself and get embarrassed.

Akashi: So in other words, Nijimura san is projecting himself onto Haizaki? Therefore you think he’s going to change like you one day?

Nijimura: You really say it so bluntly. Well yeah, that’s probably it. Haizaki’s reason for joining the basketball team could probably just be because he’s just better at it than others. But then, why do you think he doesn’t quit if he just keeps slacking off?

Akashi: ….

Nijimura: Well, let’s go home. But you know I’m kind of hungry so maybe I’ll buy some meat bun from the convenience store? Do you want to come along, Akashi?

Akashi: Isn’t it already time for dinner by the time we arrive home?

Nijimura: Oi oi Obocchan. Don’t tell me you’ve never just went out and bought food to eat? There is a different room for these foods in the stomach apart from the one for dinner! It’s delicious because you eat it while going home.

Alright! I’m going to initiate you into the art of buying these foods so let’s get going!

Akashi: Nijimura san! I’m not exactly hungry…

Nijimura: This is my treat, don’t be shy!

Nijimura: Kuroko! Your right leg wasn’t raised enough in your take-off!

Kuroko: I apologize!

Haizaki: Hey, lameass.

Kuroko: Haizaki ku–

Haizaki: Give it to me.

Akashi: !? Haizaki

Nijimura: You’re late, Haizaki! Hurry up and go get changed!

Haizaki: *Sigh*

Nijimura: Answer!

Haizaki: Yes sir!

Akashi: Did you do something, Nijimura san? To think Haizaki will come to practice on his own…

Nijimura: Who knows? Maybe he’s learned his lesson after being beaten up too many times?

Akashi: I don’t see the merit on both sides in using force on Haizaki to practice –

Nijimura: I will force him, Akashi. As long as he’s in the basketball club.

Akashi: ….Why?

Nijimura: Because… I’m the Captain of Teikou. However, it’s up to him from now on if he will change or not.

Akashi: Is that Nijimura san’s way…?

Nijimura: Yes it is. But don’t worry. I won’t tell you to do the same thing as me.

Akashi: ….

Nijimura: Well, I’m not gonna tell you to copy this *cracks fist*

Today, I’m gonna have you pay the debt for all the times you’ve slacked off until now!! Prepare yourself, Haizaki!!!!!