#even villain can be soft

[mazeppafanart]

Shhh they’re sleepin’

[kurishiri]

03 . . . happy birthday, darius! ˗ˏˋ🪽´ˎ˗

— this translation may not be 100% accurate or may contain creative liberties for characterization or narrative flow purposes. if you enjoy, please consider reblogging, but don’t repost or claim these as your own!

— cw: invasion of personal space, objectification (?)

Darius: People really are unbelievable.

Kate: Huh? Ah, wait for me——

Seeing him turn on his heels, I chased after him going the direction opposite of the commotion in a bit of a panic.

Darius: I’m feeling a bit worn out now.

D: And it looks like the weather will turn on us any minute and start raining anyhow, so I just want to head back.

Looking up, I could see what appeared to be rain clouds, but...

Kate: I would like to get you a present, though, so could you wait a bit for that?

Darius: Did you come across something?

Kate: I did, actually. I won’t take long.

With a faint smile, he gave a nod.

Darius: Alright, but I’ll be heading back first if you do take long.

And so, after that, I hurried off to buy his present and returned to his side,

but the moment we returned to the castle, it started to rain hard, as though a bucket full of water was flipped over,

and despite the fact it wasn’t even night, it was dark outside.

Darius: Thank goodness we beat the rain.

He stared out the window, opening his mouth.

Darius: That said, I sure wasn’t expecting to not only have to see that nonsensical scene, but also have to wait.

Kate: What’s nonsensical now?

Darius: You know, how humans always put the most unbelievable ideas into words, like how they’ll make someone else happy for life and whatnot.

(Oh...)

—— Flashback ——

Darius: People really are unbelievable.

—— End flashback ——

(I didn’t really get what he meant by that, but at that time, Darius’ eyes were bitingly cold.

(I don’t know what makes him think and say something like that, but...)

His profile as he looked out the window seemed to hold a tad bit of loneliness, and seeing that, I felt as though my heart was being squeezed.

(We spent the whole day together, and yet I still don’t know a thing about Darius...)

Darius: So? What did you buy?

His expression changed then, and so I held out my present.

Darius: A handkerchief?

While the design was simple, with honey yellow embroidered on the white cloth, it held a quality of elegance to it.

Kate: I was thinking you could take it with you while you’re out so you could wipe your mouth and whatnot.

K: That, and the embroidery on the handkerchief can also be like a protective charm.

(I still don’t know him well, and I don’t know if there will ever come a day when we can really understand each other completely either, but...)

Kate: I hope you can live a life with just a little less clouding your heart, even if it’s just a single thing.

I had thought the handkerchief resembled him, and when he took it, Darius stared at it fixedly.

Darius: Hehe, you really are a tad strange now, aren’t you.

And then, he suddenly started to laugh.

Kate: Huh?

Darius: It’s just interesting to me because I’ve never had a single human come up and say something like that to me before.

Kate: Not even one?

Darius: .........

D: I mean, see, I can fend for myself just fine, you know?

(Oh, I see, I knew that he was strong, seeing as he’s the leader of Vogel, so maybe something like this was just unwanted on his part?)

While giggling, he placed the handkerchief in his pocket.

Darius: Today was quite interesting, so I won’t turn this into an international problem.

Feeling a wave of relief rush over me, I thought back on today.

Kate: I also had quite a bit of fun today.

K: At first, I was surprised and wasn’t sure what to do,

K: but also, I figured spending your birthday in a whole different country than your home one alone would be a bit lonely, right?

That said, I found myself continuing to think of what to do for what started off as a celebration on a whim, without any plans.

Kate: So that’s why I’m glad I could celebrate it.

While I did feel some sense of unease with him, I turned once again to face him.

Kate: I hope you’ll let me celebrate again.

The moment I said these words, there was a flash of light outside the window, and there was a loud sound.

Kate: Oh, it’s thunder...

Turning toward the window, lightning ran through the sky, and while the sound of thunder surprised me to the point my shoulders jumped,

(It kind of reminds me of the color of Darius’ eyes.)

For some reason beyond me, I felt no fear as I stared outside, and——

Darius: Then, will you celebrate with me next year too?

Kate: What?

When I turned around, I saw him standing there with a somewhat disquieting air about him.

Darius: Next year, and the year after that too...

D: Do celebrate, always and forever, until I draw my veeery last breath.

Kate: Uhm, that...

(I don’t know when Vogel plans on returning to the place from where they came,)

But, if they were still here next year, then...

At that time, I could actually make some plans, and I would want him to feel really happy to celebrate it.

(But, I think until he ‘draws his very last breath’ might be a bit of a stretch...)

But the moment I opened my mouth to speak…

Kate: !

He placed his arm right above my head, and my vision filled with nothing but him.

Although the scent I picked up was gentle and made me feel a bit calm,

the words he murmured in my ear made me anything but calm.

Darius: ...Actually, I do have plans to send some things I don’t need back to Germany.

D: Maybe I should send you with them?

Those words came so out of the blue, I found myself stiffening.

Darius: If I do that, then for you that would mean a betrayal against Crown, and I imagine you would never again be able to return, yes?

His voice as he laughed was gentle, and yet at the same time incredibly cold.

Darius: Then you’d be left with no choice but to stay by my side for life... even knowing that, could you still say the same?

My breath caught in my throat from the fear that rushed down my spine, and I couldn’t look away from those honey-colored eyes that held me captive.

Then, the room once again flashed, and the sound of thunder boomed from behind me——

Darius: Be sure to give me your answer by the time lightning strikes again, alright?

(I had thought he was someone who resembled an angel...)

But perhaps, he was more like the lightning outside, having struck down on my life without so much as a warning.

Fin.

With the sound of thunder, the cruel angel wants the little robin

← prev fin. epilogue →

full masterlist 🪽🍰 ╱ ko-fi

[thegreatyin]

giggling kicking my feet blushing madly

[designernishiki]

tbh it really feels to me that y3 was implying/hinting at minedai having had at least some sort of under the radar romantic relationship, rather than just mine alone having an extreme one-sided obsession with daigo– like… based on how daigo talks to him and how immediately concerned he is for mine, all of which right after mine admits outright that he Loves (capital L) him to kiryu and all that… it feels more like a reveal of their relationship having been romantic than a reveal of mine’s feelings alone. I need to lay down

[transmasc-rose]

Amy/Rory I Saw the TV Glow au:

Amy as Maddy/Tara, who ran away and never came home, who talks about things that can't be real (the TV show, the TARDIS, a world where they're strong, a world where they're something better).

Rory as Owen/Isabel, meek and yet loyal and yet terrified of his best friend and what she means. And what she says. And what she shows him.

Doctor Who, the TARDIS, the Doctor, all wrapped up into the role of the Pink Opaque, the TV show from their youth, and something Amy grasps onto and never let's go. Something Rory abandons for a normal life.

And yet.

[tanjir0se]

Just found out that in the Netflix ATLA, during his Agni Kai with his father, Zuko…fights back. He fights back. They just couldn’t resist having their cool little action sequence so they have him. Fight. Back.

The original Agni Kai scene is fucking heartbreaking to watch especially as an adult because it’s so clear that Zuko is just a boy, a boy so different from yet so devoted to his cruel and abusive father that he falls onto his knees and BEGS not to have to fight him. He’s not violent, he’s not angry, he’s a boy trying desperately to get approval and love from a man who probably isn’t capable of either. It’s one of the greatest Zuko scenes in the entire show because it so beautifully and heartbreaking tells the audience—WHO ISNT EVEN ROOTING FOR ZUKO YET—“he’s not like his father. He is not your enemy”

BUT NO LETS JUST COMPLETELY THROW THAT IN THE GARBAGE BECAUSE OOOO COOL FIGHT SCENE

FLAMING HAMMER EXPLOSIONS UPON THE NETFLIX EXECS FOR ONE MILLION YEARS

[ai-higurashi]

You ever are just sitting there and suddenly are hit by an au you haven't thought about in months?

Anyways FOWL au my beloved, I'm so sorry I abandoned you. One day I shall write the ideas down, I promise.

[yet-another-heathen]

🦽 Too weak to walk, for Henry <333

(@whumpvp kiss kiss)

Content Warning | Post-op wooziness, medical whump, Henry being pliant and helpless, Fluff

---

This was about as routine a heart surgery as they came. The battery in Henry's ICD had run low, and so for the sixth time in his life he'd gone under to have it replaced. Both of them were familiar with the process, and they'd had more than a month to prepare. But it didn't stop Wesley from nearly melting with relief when he first laid eyes on him again. Exhausted and pale and drugged, but still aware and still in one piece.

Wes filled out the paperwork. Collected the post-op meds, thanked the nurses one last time. Then he took the handles of Henry's wheelchair, and started them toward home.

Wes had seen him like this a few times before, but it was never going to stop making his heart ache. Henry's eyes were glassy and vacant, watching the floor tiles go by without seeming to follow them. He was still holding his hospital pillow close to his chest, looking every bit like he'd crumble apart without it.

Henry winced as they went over the threshold, knuckles going white on the pillow. Wes was even more careful about the next little bump, and then they were out to the lane where the valet was waiting with the Audi. The sound of traffic going by, the murmur of other waiting patients, the smell of heat and asphalt hit like a wave.

Henry seemed to stir a little, recognizing his car. And then he started looking around, brows furrowed until he found what he was looking for. Wesley.

"Hey," Wes said gently. He leaned down and locked the wheels on either side, making eye contact with one of the nurses and nodding for them to come over. He squatted down next to Henry, giving his arm a squeeze. "We're gonna help you into your seat. Then we're headed home to rest, okay?"

Henry's eyes were on him, blinking too slowly as he tried to focus. But eventually he inclined his head in what was probably a nod, and turned his eyes back to the car as if figuring out how to try to get in there.

Wes almost didn't catch it when Henry shifted his weight forward in an attempt to stand, only to nearly collapse into the car door. "Hey- hey—not yet." He caught him, and the other nurse jogged over to close the distance. They each took Henry under his arm, steadying him. "Let us do the work. Just put your foot here....and the other....there you go. Now on three. One, two..."

They hefted him the rest of the way out of the chair, and helped him transfer to the car. Wes caught his head just before it hit the roof, and let out a breath of relief as Henry sunk down into the seat. It took a few more moments of helping him adjust his legs and get buckled. Wes made sure he was able to keep the pillow between his seat belt and the incision site, and Henry went back to hugging it just as closely as before.

Wes thanked the nurse, then closed the passenger door. Once they were both in the silence and familiarity of the Audi, Henry's eyelids drooped. He looked exhausted, and his breathing was coming slow and a little labored. Wes buckled in, then reached over to give his leg a squeeze. He got a little sound of acknowledgement. He knew he was there.

The drive home was a quiet one. He took a longer route home, one that would avoid as many stops signs and potholes as possible to avoid jostling Henry any more than necessary. And when they finally pulled up to the steps of their rowhouse, Wes let the car idle for another minute as he coaxed Henry back to awareness.

"I'm gonna come around to get you. And we're going to take the steps really slow, alright? It doesn't matter how long it takes to get us there."

Henry made a mumble that sounded like an acknowledgement. They'd talked about this before his surgery, and somewhere in there he still knew the plan. Handrail on one side, Wes on the other. Slow and steady.

Wes gave a nod, and then came around to open his door. He helped him unbuckle, and murmured, "We're gonna leave the pillow here for now, but I promise I'll give it back when we're inside." He still saw Henry hold it even tighter for a moment, before that little bit of resistance caught up with common sense. He let Wes take it, fingers still clinging loosely as it was pulled away. The longing on Henry's face made his heart ache, but he knew it would be forgotten by the time he got it back.

Getting him to his feet was no small feat. Getting him to the base of the steps wasn't either. Henry wasn't exactly a light man, especially when he was swaying as they went. He kept tripping on his own shoes as though he couldn't remember quite how to place them. But with Wes' help they made it to the hand rail, and from there Henry finally seemed to remember his balance.

There were only ten steps up to the door, and every one of them was taken carefully and clumsily. Wes helped him lean up against the doorway as he got it unlocked, feeling Henry's whole frame trembling with exhaustion against his side.

And then they were home. He tossed the keys onto the counter, and helped Henry up the last step. Henry started hanging back just inside the doorway, looking down at his feet. It took Wes a moment to realize he was trying to toe off his shoes.

The sight tugged at him. Even drugged halfway to hell, routine was still such a powerful thing.

"It's alright, love. Let's get you sitting first. I'll help you out of them once we're in the bedroom."

"...mm?"

"Yeah. Promise it'll make it a lot easier."

He coaxed him along. They went past the couch and to the bedroom, where blankets and pillows and water were already set up and waiting. He eased Henry down onto the bed, and bent over to help him pull off his shoes.

He was gentle getting him undressed. Careful to make sure he didn't try to lift his arms, steadying him when he started to sway. He helped him settle back against the pillows. Henry's skin was clammy to the touch, but he still leaned into him when Wes pressed a kiss to his forehead. "I'm gonna be right back. I just need to go get the rest of our things."

Henry was almost asleep again by the time he returned. He roused him just enough to offer him his pillow. And when he saw it, the look of relief on his face said everything. He curled around it like a long lost friend, tucking his knees up and burying his cheek against it with a sigh. It didn't seem to matter that he was surrounded by other, indefinitely better pillows. This was the only one he had eyes for.

Wes sat down beside him and combed fingers back through his hair. And with that, in moments, Henry was asleep.

[schrodingers-romy]

I feel like the world's most petty little bitch <- blocked someone who had an annoying opinion abt a character I like

[francesderwent]

you may not like it but Syd and Richie are literally the Elena and Damon of The Bear

[arttrampbelle]

Plz as a shang tsung tsimp.

Plz don't treat my mans completely soft. Dont declaw him.

I mean shang tsung can be fluffy,even a sad wet cat. But.....for the love of god people dont forget he's a villain.

Don't wimpify him to add nuance.

He can be sympathetic and you feel bad for him without destroying his whole point of his character.

I hc and it's practically shown even in canon too tho not as well defined that. Shang tsung is liu kang's opposition. He is the yin to lius yang. The darkness to the light. Liu is everything that shang could have had or been. And liu is everything that he could become.

God! I could go on forever about this.

But please if you are gonna like shang tsung. Love him at his bastardness or dont fucking love him at all!

Like we can add a sweet side but dont forget that the snake bites. And is venomous af. And this is ONE DANGEROUS SOB!

Shang tsung tsimps. simp responsibly plz.

[leatherbookmark]

oh god okay i understand that maybe not everyone is as indecisive/comfortable with saying "it depends!" as me, but like, i'm sorry, i'm sorry, but i just can't take people who call izzy a villain seriously

[despairforme]

"i can fix him" nuh uh i can make him worse

Exactly. He didn't want to be FIXED. He didn't want anyone to get close to him in hopes that they could fix him ( change him ). Because they couldn't. There was no way to fix him, because he wasn't broken. Thinking he could become a kind and caring person was just a fucking fantasy. He didn't have those pieces within him. If one tried to force them onto him, they still wouldn't fit. There was no slot for them to be put into. That wasn't to say that Nnoitra was completely incapable of doing nice things for anyone. He hadn't been completely horrible ALL THE TIME in his relationships. But deep down? He'd still been evil.

So what about making him worse? Yeah, he could see how that was easy to do. Because being a bad person was his default state. It was oh so easy to encourage.

Nobody could make him better.

But someone could make him worse.

[zmeydeva-arch]

people say misogyny has improved in the rpc and at large i would say sure but my god... the way some of y’all talk about your “best boy’s” canon female love interests just oozes hatred. you don’t keep that energy when the tables are turned and your male fave is actually the one acting up in the relationship. i think it’s totally fine to dislike a canon ship and choose to disregard it in your portrayal because you don’t think it serves the way you want to write your muse. although, when that choice is based on the fact that you are painting a woman as “abusive” when she maybe is, at best,  a little mean to the man in question you gotta step back and think about why you are interpreting her that way. also funny that two men can banter and you think that is cute and flirty but god forbid a woman get a bit quippy, now she is a villain! 

[scarecrowdrugs]

Ngl, I feel a little too self-indulgent with Clarice sometimes. At the very least, she's easily outclassed by almost every other vigilante in Gotham. Idk, I've had the vigilante idea in my head for over a year, but I do sometimes play around with her remaining with Jon, but I'm too attached at this point so 🤷‍♂️

[alteredphoenix]

Two reasons why I think Azurathel calls Turalyon a zealot:

(1) The most likely: His first introduction to the Alliance is being met with soldiers that have him and the dracthyr surrounded point blank right outside Stormwind and sees the place is crawling with SI:7 scouts that are keeping tabs on them and mages that can see through their visages at any given moment. This is an example of being wary of a new entity that’s finding refuge/a new home from a black dragon that was at one point under Alliance custody for playing both sides in the Pandaria Campaign plus the history of fighting between the Alliance and black dragons a’la Onyxia, so it makes sense that the trust isn’t there. However to him this probably verges on the grounds of paranoia (because, again, there’s no way Azurathel has any idea of the history between the Alliance and black dragons at this point in DF), so while Azurathel understands the precautions he’s thinking along the lines “yeah, this guy’s may be a good soldier and leader but he’s also cracked, he doesn’t need a Titan artifact to watch what we’re doing” - and Turalyon understands the wariness.

Or,

(2) The least unlikely: Azurathel heard about Turalyon being a Light worshipper (despite not having any idea what the Light would be, being asleep for millennia), saw him decked in that golden armor, equated that to the Primalists’ worship of the Incarnates and usage of their shamanic magic, and had warning klaxons go off.

Or,

(3) The devs know how much people are salivating over having a (white) Human Male Paladin being made a villain for a change (due to a number of player HMPs in RP realms being alt-right/channeling their fascism/xenophobia through Scarlet Crusade RP) and threw in the “zealot” crack as a nod to the fanbase that want villain!Turalyon despite there not being any buildup between Azurathel and the dracthyr being led to Stormwind and him meeting Turalyon off-screen) a’la See Point 2.