#eye for an eye revenge agency's two people

[mostlyfate]

the category is: uwu

Hamabe Minami as Shirasawa Mami Talio Fukushu Daiko no Futari タリオ 復讐代行の2人 2020, dir. Kimura Hisashi, Yamamoto Toru

[embersofhope-if]

What interactive fiction would you recommend (besides this one)?

oh anon i follow over 150 if blogs let me get you some of my favorites😊 This is very long so all of them are under the cut🫶

some of these you'll probably already have heard of bc of how popular they are, but trust me, they're popular for a reason, lmao

these ones all have demos (if i messed up and some dont uh ignore that)

@infamous-if - "You're going to be a superstar, no matter what it takes." genuinely one of my favorites ifs (seven lawless my beloved please come back home the kids are asking whats taking so long)

@coeluvr - "You play as the only remaining member of the royal family of Vesphire; living in the home of the man who took away everything from you." another ive been obsessed with recently. i will forever love revenge stories (and my pookie helios)

@merrycrisis-if - "As a late 20-something year-old fresh from a recent break-up and struggling to pay rent in New York, life throws up more questions than answers."

@ramonag-if - "When your village is razed to the ground, you're left fleeing with an exiled prince. You can trust no one but each other. Your father's dying wish was to protect the prince, but can you really trust a man who was exiled from his kingdom?"

@nyehilismwriting / Project Hadea - "Set in a distant future, you play the role of an elite operative of Scytha Industries, a private contracting firm. ‘Contracting’, in this case, refers to anything from political assassinations, to private security, to bodyguard services."

@vapolis - "You’re a mercenary, gun for hire, assassin, information extractor, delivery person – call it what you want, because the people that hire you for your services don’t give much of a shit what you call yourself as long as you actually get them what they want."

@godsandvillains-if - "As the only metahuman with the ability to wield the powerful Chaos Magic, your very blood holds the answers to unlocking the secrets behind the control of time and space, but it has the drawback of being almost completely volatile."

@hvllowheart - "LAMB TO THE SLAUGHTER is a spy game where you take on the role of an agent under the codename Wraith, who up until two years ago was one of the best agents TERRA has ever made. now the agency returns into your life and pulls you back into the field as agents go missing by the dozens."

@eyesofshan-if - "Years ago, you were uprooted from the only home you had ever known and captured to be sold as a slave. Now, war is at your doorstep once more while you are left in a delicate position — as a commander of the country that invaded your homeland. While investigating a case of illegal human trafficking, you come across a plot that threatens to rip this tentative peace apart."

@apt502-if - "Moving from your small home to New York City was supposed to be a dream. You were supposed to start your new life with your long-distance partner and dive headfirst into full-on adulthood. Everything was supposed to be perfect. How can you not love being in your mid-twenties in the Big Apple?That is until your put-together, white collar partner dumps you the same day you arrive. Fun."

@acourtofserpents - "As the only human in the Kingdom of Faerie, you're no stranger to shining eyes that hold looks filled with hatred, lips painted in the color of forest fruits whispering your name, heads with pointed ears turning at your every step. Though you long for their approval, for a place amongst the wicked immortals, they remind you with every breath you take that as you came from dirt, to dirt you will return."

@softlyopulent-if - "All of King Adder’s children are a mystery to the common folk, but you—you are nothing but a ghost. A ghost, that spends eighteen years locked away in the deepest part of the palace, so that no eyes may lay upon you.And those that do—they do not treat you kindly.And when you are finally of age, at last, you are betrothed to the child of the King of a far away kingdom, to secure an alliance that your father has been seeking for years.And you are swept away to a place even more foreign than your own land, to be wed to a stranger that looks at you with contempt. To live in a kingdom of citizens that despise you. And perhaps, just perhaps, fight a war."

@heromaker-if - "Stories of heroes, legends and chosen ones are commonplace. But you'd never thought it was your child who would have to save the world from the Demon Lord's clutches."

@theabyssal - "In The Abyssal, you assume the control of a powerful deity that was betrayed by their fellow gods. Imprisoned against your will for all eternity, you had a long time to plan your revenge."

@milaswriting - "By birth, and association, you are one of the most famous people in the big city of Lehsa. Your father's the mayor, and you're from a bright, vibrant, bustling city... and yet, until recently, you didn't realise all the secrets yourself and the city held."

@zico-if - "You were supposed to be a sacrifice in order to bring an eldritch god to your realm, a sacrifice that was never supposed to live. Instead of dying and summoning the god intended, you find yourself face to face with an ancient being that was chained and locked away for the horrors they once committed."

@collegetennisoriginstory - "Experience the ups-and-downs of life as a freshman on the Cargill University varsity tennis team amongst a colorful cast of characters."

@disenchantedif - "You used to be a beacon of hope. Now they only know you as the failure, the Unchosen. Will you rise above them? Will you become better or far worse than they could ever imagine?"

@bouncyballcitadel - "Play as a first-year surgery intern at Citadel Health. Will you become the star intern and curry the favor of the chief? Or will you uncover Citadel Health’s secrets and break a story or two? This will be the best and worst year of your life. Don’t forget to save lives and break some hearts along the way."

@leoneliterary - "You play as a thief pressed into the employ of a mysterious nobleman. With the your life, the fate of your guild, and your honor on the line, you'll have to navigate the perils of the royal court and combat a more mystical threat. The story is set in Cusmo, the naturally fortified, desert capital of Hashind, and will showcase the much praised Upper Cusmo, the crime ridden Lower Cusmo, and much more."

@doriana-gray-games - "Play as your version of Sherlock Holmes in this romance detective game!"

@fallenlightsif - "You are the half-sibling of High General Ezrah Rhys and have lived the past twelve years of your life in Kesdon, the capital of Ebia. You've spent most of your time training and honing your skills for the future that awaits you. A future that is entirely your own."

@shai-manahan - "They call you Ripper. It’s a horrendous name to give to a detective like you, and definitely not one you chose for yourself, but you suppose it’s to be expected given your reputation for putting powerful people behind bars. Businesses feared you. The other cops hated you. Local gangs despised your entire existence. Yet, despite all of that, you remained untouched. Until that day, when all the lies and the deception and the foolish mistakes turned your life upside down."

@larkingame - "someone is after you. for over a decade and a half now, you’ve traveled up, down and across the country--running schemes and hunting fiends with your mentor, con-man-by-day, vampire-hunter-by-night, Wyatt Abrams--the prolific vampire slayer and the living descendant of Gregory Abrams, founder and prophet of the Abrams Family, the nomadic vampire-hunting cult that raised you--and was wiped out years ago. carrying the abrams name means also means carrying on it's enemies--but that isn't to say you haven't forged a couple of your own along the way. now, it seems someone is trying to make good on old threats and promises. they've placed a bounty on your head. so you and wyatt do what you do best: you run away. to some little town, out nevada ways, where the title of town preacher is unexpectedly thrust upon you--bringing back years of trauma you thought long tucked away."

@evertidings - "you are a bounty hunter. responsible for taking in rogue supernaturals, you work for IAOS—the international agency of supernaturals—where, alongside your best friend and partner, you two have quickly become the best hunting duo of the branch. after a particularly tricky hunt, you brief your boss, Caine Atheron, and come back to work the next day to find that he has mysteriously disappeared overnight, the company is now in the hands of his best friend, Sebastian Mai. and though no one else seems to question it, something tells you that there's more to the story."

@rotten-games - Regrets Of The Traitor: "You are the Ruler of Hadaria after killing the previous Queens and betraying all who once trusted you. Sat upon the throne with all the power available to you, one would be forgiven for believing you finished with your quest. With a strange figure in your dreams speaking vague prophecies of magical artifacts, a mysterious cult moving into the city, and a group intent on unseating you from your place, perhaps you’re way in over your head for a farmer’s kid. City of Immortals: "You follow a pair of siblings worlds apart as they get accustomed to their new realities in two very different worlds. One trapped in an unnatural desert wasteland where every resource has a scarcity, not knowing if they’ll be the only one left when everything turns to dust, the other working as a private investigator in a sprawling underground metropolis of the undying. Each not knowing the other is alive, will they unravel the mysteries that somehow connect their two new homes?"

@shepherds-of-haven - "Shepherds of Haven is a dark fantasy interactive fiction game. In it, you play as a Mage living in a world where magic is outlawed and your people—those possessing supernatural powers—are oppressed and reviled. The world is ruled by humans who believe in science, technology, and industry: at best, you and your kind are nothing more than a fairytale, and at worst you are the state’s greatest threat."

@someoneverypretty-world - "As a child, growing up in the slums of Hvinir without any guardians, you believed you would not live to see 30. Until Haven, a thief guild, took you in and taught you how to survive. Facing hardships, the guild leader tasks you to sneak into the castle with the mission to take."

@northern-passage - "The Northern Passage is an 18+ horror fantasy CYOA, where you play as a hunter sent up north to investigate a series of missing people along the border of your home country and in the port cities of the Blackwater. Working with your handler, Lea, you will travel north and discover that things are far worse than you ever could have imagined, and that there is something powerful lurking out in the deep, dark sea…"

@thedecoy-if - "♔ The Decoy is a dark fantasy that follows you, a 21st century normal human, kidnapped to an alternate magical universe to play the part of the missing heir to a powerful throne...who also happens to be your doppelgänger. ♔"

@ripperplague - "You are a doctor, a prodigy in hiding. Deep in the underbelly of Valeris, you hide among the shadows. You work hard to wring the blood stains off your palms, your face...your soul. Redemption and revenge are parallel goals, the flames of rage and disgust mingling. How could anyone ever love you?"

These ones dont have a demo yet, but im still absolutely obsessed

@pavedinashes-if - "You're only 20 when suddenly your life goes bam! Throwing you into a whole new city, a different country even. Wasn't part of the plan, but you know how life loves to mess with plans. People happened, stuff happened, and suddenly you're on the move. The new chapter ahead? Buckle up, 'cause it's not gonna be all sunshine and rainbows. And guess what? Your step-mom? Yeah, she's right there in the same city. She's always had this knack for trying to steer your ship, like every decision's a GPS checkpoint. But hey, there's this one thing that's never let you down—your skateboard. It's like the buddy that's been with you through thick and thin, the one that never bails. Among all this craziness it's like your anchor. So, the big question is—can you break out of the loop you got in? Find your place in the world and restart or lose yourself in temptation? Time to find out."

@riptide-if - "Your dad has always said you swim as if your were born to be in the water; the rest of your family has always said that he is the whole reason you turned out like that. So, it's not really a surprise when you had used all the money you got for your 7th birthday to buy a surfboard. And even less of a surprise when you started joining small surf competitions by the time you were 10, later followed by bigger competitions. It seems you are the only one surprised when it turns out you're able to compete in the World Surfer's League's Ultimate Tournament Tour*. Thrown into a mix of fellow surfing prodigies, rookies, and pros, do you really have what it takes to win?"

@weepinwriter - "You are inmate No. 1441, incarcerated in Tartarus, the most notorious prison on the continent. You find yourself imprisoned for a crime that you do not remember committing, leaving you in a state of uncertainty about your own identity and purpose. The first memory you have is awakening to the sensation of a gun being shoved into your mouth."

@whatawaitsus - "Despite being one of the most expensive schools in the nation, nothing particularly interesting has happened at the school in the nine years you've been here— aside from the occasional accidental possession caused by a ghost or the common room getting flooded after a nixie gets too frustrated over their homework. That is until students start to go missing."

@evermount - "Blue-suited guards stand in every corner, but they're no threat—you're under threat. And this is how you keep safe. It's necessary; the council said so themselves. Under no circumstances shall Evermount be left, ever. So, no one has, and no one intends to. Why would you? It's peaceful—you're at peace. You have your spouse, and you have your house; everyone's happy. This is all you've ever known."

@forsakensword-if - "When the Deathless, an Ancient Evil that hasn’t been seen in over two million years, returns to Earth, it threatens the extremely precarious peace that has settled between the warring factions of Heaven and Hell. God, in an effort to protect Humanity from the consequences of a war between the Angels and Demons, sends Heaven’s best warriors to banish the Deathless once more. When that ultimately fails, it is declared that God’s Sworn Sword and Heaven’s Chief Angel will be charged with finding a way to destroy the Deathless once and for all. That Angel is you. The Archangel Michael."

@velena-if - "You wake up in a dark, cold place with no memories of yourself, save for one: the memory of your death. It becomes clear soon enough that you are in the Nav, the domain of the goddess of death, Morana, and the sanctuary of all the evil spirits and monsters. For you, Nav will be the place where your life changes forever."

@countdown-if - "Three months ago, life took a sharp turn. Your mother found herself entangled in a situation so bad, she couldn't dig her way out of it, like usual. This time, the hole was way too deep. She needed help, and the only people capable of aiding her were the same ones she had vowed never to allow back into her life, let alone introduce to you and your younger sibling. Who were they? Your grandparents—a powerful and well-established duo. In short, they did manage to help your mother back on her feet, but not without strings attached—never without strings. Now, you're facing a senior year in a private school, fully funded by none other than grandma and grandpa, dearest. The only task at hand: do what your mother couldn't—graduate."

@dropout-if - "This is your first summer home since you began studying in Stanford. That is what everyone thinks. This is your first summer home since you dropped out of college, thus becoming the biggest disappointment in your neighborhood. That is what only you know. "

@stonewall-if - "Stonewall Military Academy: the most brutal, merciless, and unforgiving boarding school in the country. Most recruits either desert or die by the end of their first year. It is where the fiercest and deadliest killers are trained and molded to be the military's steel fist. And it is not for the faint of heart."

@viperdove-if - "You are the Dove, the heir to one of the most powerful crime families in your country. The grip your family--your father--has on their side of the land is tight, and now that you've reached adulthood it's time for you to be fully absorbed into the machinations of gang warfare. That means opium, mercenaries, assassinations. In this ancient world, blood moves people just as much as money does."

@fallen-if - "You are an individual that has been known by many aliases over the years. Child of the dawn, the original sinner, star of the morning. But no matter the name, your identity remains the same. You are the one that defied the heavens, the one that cast aside the shackles of tradition and broke free from the constraints of the divine. You are Lucifer Morningstar - The Fallen Angel. "

@maboroshi-if - "Maboroshi is an Interactive Fiction Game based in the world of Naruto, however, all events within the story span during the end of the First Shinobi War and the beginning of the Second Shinobi War."

@greatprotector-if - "Forced out of your family's farm against your will, you are now an ocean away from home, and you have somehow been chosen to be the main protector of the heir to some kingdom you’ve hardly even heard of. The spot's only open because the former protector died of old age, so that's probably a good indicator that it won't be as strenuous as it sounds. But despite that, you pour yourself into your work. You can't help it. You feel safer decked out in armour, and you like having something you're trusted to look after. Protect some royalty, cover all your blind spots, and try not to worry about all you've left behind."

@retribution-if - "Retribution, He Cries is a revenge story set in the Dark Ages of the fictional world of [REDACTED] and other realms."

@thescarsilivewith-if - "You were a kind monarch once. After your mother’s brutal reign, you thought your people needed respite. Evidently, they didn’t think the same since their bloodthirst only increased. Three years after your coronation, your mother’s favourite consort dethroned you with the army and the clergy’s support. As you fled from the palace together with your spouse, from an arranged marriage celebrated only three months earlier, you were found by slavers. You managed to save your spouse but not yourself. Four years later, your spouse finds you, though you’re not the same person they knew. You are not changed in spirit alone, however, for your magic grew in your captivity and now you’re unbound. When the crown chose you as its owner, you wanted peace for your kingdom. Now the only thing you crave is revenge."

[noodlesoup1819]

Day 2: Mental Disability - Autistic Ranpo

I didn't get to doing anything proper for this day, but Autistic Ranpo is featured heavily on Day 7, so keep an eye out for that. (this can sort of be read as the background for that post if you want to know what my personal interpretation is.)

Instead let's talk about some of my Autistic Ranpo Headcanons! (ft. Poe and emotional support animal Karl)

(these are my personal hcs based on my autistic experience and is not reflective of everyone's interpretation and experience of autism <3)

I think Ranpo went undiagnosed until several months of living with Fukuzawa. Because of Ranpo's intellect, no one ever really questioned the things he struggled with until Fukuzawa.

The first time Fukuzawa started thinking there might be something actually up (rather than Ranpo just being Ranpo) was the first time he properly got lost trying to navigate the subway. Ranpo ended up going missing for serval hours 4 towns over and Fukuzawa finally found him curled up on a bench having a meltdown.

Another thing that clued him in was food. Fukuzawa, trying to be the Responsible Adult™️, pushed a little too hard about not having so many sweets. It wasn't until there was a big blow-up fight about it that Fukuzawa understood that Ranpo wasn't just being picky.

It took a little time, but the two of them fell into a rhythm and Fukuzawa became a safe space for Ranpo.

Before the agency was set up properly, Fukuzawa kept stim toys and earplugs in his sleeves for whenever Ranpo needed them. (now he keeps them in his desk drawer)

After getting a diagnosis and settling into the agency, Ranpo manages his autism much better. The agency always has someone there to help him navigate, everyone respects him in spite of his childish demeanor, and he has a very set routine.

When things do get overwhelming, he still has places within the agency to calm down. Fukuzawa will always let him join him for tea in his office. Having made a bit of an adoptive sister in Yosano she let's him chill out in his office if he ever needs any down time (everyone's too scared of her to bother him when he's in there.)

The rest of the agency is good at accommodating him too. Kunikida has no problem using his ability to make stim toys or aids for him whenever they're out on a case. Dazai, while kind of a pain in the ass, gives him some good intellectual stimulation when they hang out that's hard for him to get elsewhere (they're besties you can't convince me otherwise). Atsushi carries around snacks for him. And everyone regardless of who they are will help him navigate transportation.

Eventually he also has Poe who he can either go to or call to come and bring Karl. The author has a really calming presence and having a soft animal to pet and play with always helps.

Speaking of Poe, their first interaction will always haunt him as one of his autistic blunders. Ranpo really respected him as a detective and wanted to complement his skills... but didn't quite realize comparing him to himself would sound like gloating. He's really glad to have met Poe again (even if it was through a 6 year revenge plot).

Poe also understands his autism in a way that most people don't, being autistic himself.

The first time Ranpo had a proper meltdown around Poe was before Ranpo had the chance to explain his autism to him. After calming down, Ranpo was super impressed with how Poe dealt with it and it led to a conversation about both of their experiences growing up and why Poe has Karl as his emotional support animal.

Ranpo also gets headaches frequently. He's never really found a cause, but he suspects his autism has something to do with it.

When he was young and lived with Fukuzawa, Fukuzawa would let him sleep with his head in his lap and play with his hair when things got bad. (He would still let him, but Poe does it most often now)

This got long 😅 but I hope you enjoyed! 💖

[phantomchick]

The ending of Oshi no Ko vs The beginning (chapter 166 vs 10)

So as you can see, there's clear evidence of intentional parallels happening here. This is the aftermath of Ai's death that mirrors the aftermath of Aqua's. Aka already claimed to have the ending planned well in advance months ago so it's not a big surprise that even the ending panels of the first (not counting the prologue) and last chapters match.

And yet Oshi no Ko still falls flat despite fulfilling its promise of a revenge-tragedy.

I think the biggest problem it has is the way the last chapter tells us instead of shows us as chapter 10 did.

Yes chapter 10 also used narrative text boxes a lot, but I argue that the effect then was much more immersive.

With them being used with precision to move us through a time skip with only the most necessary information about the fall out for the characters, even the distance had the effect of doing characterisation work with Aqua describing in a narrative text box how the policemen hid the scene from Ruby but Aqua felt his mother's body going cold beneath him as they arrived - this use of the text boxes casual tone over child Aqua sitting in his dead mother's lap gave a sense of disassociation and shock to the scene.

Even the textboxes turning black to mirror Aqua's dark emotions concerning his revenge as the star in his eye turned black showed how much attention was being paid to their use.

Ruby.

Ruby felt much more real in chapter 10, her rant about the internet's callous response to Ai's murder felt real and emotionally charged. In comparison, for all she's the main subject of the last chapter, she feels like a 2d cut out of herself, barely in there for all we see her struggling through Akane's observant gaze.

She expresses her motivation to be an idol despite hardship by acknowledging that Aqua's right about idolwork being difficult and cruel but reminding him that despite the darkside of the entertainment industry, their mother 'shone' very brightly. The talk about how Ruby shines more the darker things get and how this is a good thing because it reaches out to people trapped in darkness of their own (just like her when she was a terminally ill cancer patient) is clearly meant to echo this idea.

Frankly it fails.

Ruby feels hollow.

To the point where we barely get any insight into Ruby's real feelings at all or any emotional connection with her in comparison, by 166 it's genuinely unclear whether or not she's lying even to the portrait of her dead family when she's 'alone' on her way out the door.

We don't see a conversation between her and her adoptive mother about Aqua, we don't see her talking to Akane at all. We see her grief and her success from a deified distance, just like the fans do. And it alienates us from the character.

Lies are love and she has two stars in her eyes. Just like her mother did.

I think this more than anything condemns the idol industry, she has to keep lying even to herself about her job being fun because otherwise what was all that pain and suffering and loss for?

Aqua died in a murder-suicide (shout out to Taiki for experiencing a loved one doing this twice, poor guy) to give his little sister success in a job that she has to get up at 5.30 for, devote her entire youth to and will have to quit in less than a decade. It has to matter, that she provides escapism for people who are suffering like she did, but it doesn't change the grim reality of her exploitation.

I think the lack of dialogue in the final chapter and the loss of voice for Ruby in the last few arcs mirrors the loss of agency she experiences as she becomes the ultimate idol, everyone's star.

But that doesn't change the fact that from a reader perspective it's just bad writing. Aka failed to carry his audience with him to the finish line and his messages about the idol industry were blurred by the rushed plot after the movie arc began.

If it weren't for Mengo's art hard carrying the clumsily executed story, I can honestly say that I don't think many would have read this manga all the way to the end.

[animeyanderelover]

Tw: Yandere themes, possessive behavior, obsession, clinginess, delusional behavior, stalking, manipulation, violence, sadism, murder, f! reader

Tags: @shumidehiro @leveyani @izanami78

S/o is like Kocho Shinobu

Fukuzawa Yukichi

⚪​An easygoing smile, a cheerful demeanor, a charming friendliness. Upon first glance you do not seem to fit in at all with the rest of the Detective Agency, all of them in their own rights a bunch of excentric people with unusual quirks and habits. It is this environment filled with people who aren't normal though that interferes with your abilities to successfully fool the members. Fukuzawa is only one of many who suspects you to hide something beneath that bright facade yet he has vouched for you, putting his trust in your abilities to protect Yokohama and its citizens. You spend a lot of time around the usually composed man, you adore teasing him and making fun of his inevitable stiffness and awkwardness as soon as you start teasing him, always causing his stoic walls to crumble as embarrassment paints his cheek a slight pink. He isn't the only one getting teased though, he often catches you doing the same with people like Atsushi as you always pick on him, your remarks almost sadistic which often leads Fukuzawa to interfere and reprimand you for your words, reminding you to be more mindful with the words you choose as you may hurt others feelings.

⚪​There is so much hatred underneath that smile and Fukuzawa knows that yet he finds himself unable to help you, a fact that bothers him deeply. You're unable to live a free life, your desire for revenge having stolen your wings to fly wherever your heart desires as you dedicate your energy into defeating whoever has taken away everything from you. He can't even remember how often the both of you have engaged into conflict over this deeply-rotted anger of yours, your sweet smile contradicting his oppressing seriousness. He doesn't wish for you to pump your body full of poison, doesn't wish for you to go down a path of hatred and anger that would lead you nowhere yet you dismiss his warnings and worries as your mind has already been made up. You're ruining yourself all in the name of vengeance and Fukuzawa is unable to let you go through with your plans. Tension rises as there is a sudden security you find yourself surrounded by, the walls slowly narrowing around you as you realise Fukuzawa's attempts to restrict you. A flicker of your frustration briefly flickers across your eyes as you visit him in his office. Now it seems the greater will is going to decide the winner.

Yosano Akiko

🦋​Yosano and you make one terrific duo when you join as you have a lot in common. Your abilities having connections to butterflies as well as the shared sadism and the expertise in medicine. Both of you work very closely together most of the time yet there is an unspoken distance between the two of you, one that drives Yosano slowly crazy the further her feelings for you grow. She senses something simmering beneath your surface, a suffocating wrath that scares her slightly yet more than anything she wishes to understand you better. Her feelings for you are undeniable and you with your keen intellect have picked up on it by now yet never do you give her a comment about it, choosing to further torment her as if her feelings do not matter to you in the greater scheme of things. Time and time again she has found you all by yourself in your laboratory, surrounded by toxin that you painstakingly create and coat your katana with to later paralyse or even kill your enemies by scratching and stabbing them with the tip of your weapon. She's seen your speed and your agility yet she deeply worries about you, afraid that one day your hatred will lead you down the wrong path.

🦋​It is when she figures out that you have pumped your own body full of poison that Yosano finally breaks down, her heart breaking as she realises just how consumed you are with a hatred she still fails to understand. She begs you to stop with your madness, her heart throbbing painfully in her chest as you give her a carefree smile and wave her worries off, telling her that you'll be fine. You've been planning and scheming for years for your revenge and if worst comes to worst she can simply use her own abilities to heal you if something should happen to her. You couldn't have broken her more than with those words as she realises that all along you never cared for her as much as she cared for you, your desire for revenge always having taken priority as you worked with her so closely due to her own increased knowledge with the human body. What even is she to you? She's precious, Yosano is a good friend of yours. Words you mean truthfully yet the truth sometimes hurts more than a lie as Yosano realises that even if you consider the entire Agency as your family you only joined because you would get your best shot at getting revenge by working for them. Well, she won't let you.

Dazai Osamu

🤎​Poisonous words laced in honey, an empty chest hidden behind a breathtaking smile and a bleeding heart rotting with hatred covered by a charming and cheerful facade. You are truly as graceful and beautiful as the abilities you possess yet Dazai is still aware of the venom that has filled your entire body. You are gorgeous yet deeply broken but hide your bruised heart behind a carefree and bright mask and the realisatio of how similar the two of you are almost makes Dazai want to laugh out loud. He shouldn't be as smitten with you as he is for he already knows that you can't fix him nor is he convinced that he could help you yet still he is unable to avert his eyes from you, feeling as if you have bewitched him already. Every smile you give him, every insincere compliment of yours and even the jabbing words you speak when you tease him only fill him more and more with an addicting sensation that threatens to overwhelm him. You know of his feelings for you yet you brush them off as they do not matter to you, you only silently watch as he willingly pumps himself fuller and fuller with the venom you provide him with, festering the obsession within him until there is no antidote that could cure him.

🤎​You are a minx. You are a witch. You have ruined him and only stood there silently whilst watching it all. And here he thought he was the secretive sadist between the two of you. Dazai is torn apart between elation and pitch black bitterness for what you have turned him into as he knows that your heart could never belong to him, dedicated to the dead for which you intent to sacrifice your own life for to achieve your revenge. Both of you are broken souls, neither one of you could ever be normal for the scars both of you received run far too deep. Yet there is something undeniably magnificent he finds in that. It's a fatal attraction, a lethal obsession he knows will only hurt him further yet with that pain always comes such a sweet sensation that only leaves him craving for more. An addiction wouldn't be appealing after all if it wouldn't be as beautiful as whatever it is the two of you have. Your presence is his poison and his medicine all in one, pain and sweetness blurring together until his heart threatens to burst as he greedily clings to every shred of your heart that you reveal to him. You complicate him and in return he will ruin you even more, drag you down with him until neither of you survive without the other.

Nakahara Chuuya

🟠​In hindsight he should have headed Mori's warning when you were initially assigned to be his partner for an upcoming mission to take down a pesky organisation who had been mingling with the business of the Port Mafia. He should have followed Mori's words when the boss warned him to always remain careful around you for you were much more than you may look like upon first glance. Admittedly, there has always been something about you that has slightly unnerved Chuuya yet at the same time it also intrigued him, drew him closer. Your expertise in poison and pharmaceutics has proven to be terrifyingly effective to torture hostages for information and your use of poison in fights as well as your agility, speed and your own gift have been a great asset in this mission. You entrance him, lure him closer as if you were a spider in disguise of an innocent butterfly yet he doesn't realise that he is slowly getting pumped full of poison until he finds himself caught in your web. You take his breath away yet his heart is aching, aching for he knows that your heart is unobtainable to him. You're possessed by something else that he doesn't know of and Chuuya is desperate to find out what it is.

🟠​An entire building left in shambles, the bones in your leg shattered all whilst Chuuya is pinning you down, his body littered with scratches and wounds as he can feel the poison already numbing his body and dulling his senses yet it is the sheer amount of adrenaline and desperation still keeping him conscious. The fight that ensues after he finds out the truth shatters his confidence and reveals the ugly obsession you've been feeding him with. You only tagged along because you wanted to kill the boss of the organisation for it was him who took your family away from him and for the sake of revenge you have pumped your body full of literal poison, spent years of your life planning and scheming for this day. It is your resolve to give up your own life to take the person you hate most down with you but it is Chuuya's own obsession that stops you and the clash of different wills that leads to the fight between the two of you. For the first time he sees your true emotions swirling in your eyes as you glare at him despite the broken bones you received from him. Everything is over before it even began yet Chuuya chants over and over again that he will fix this somehow even as he loses consciousness.

Fyodor Dostoevsky

🍎​Fyodor is the demon you intend to slay for it is him who remains responsible for the death of your loved ones. Years you dedicate tirelessly researching and even staining your own hands in blood yet all the lives you take seem insignicant in the face of your wrath as you destroy yourself and hunt down those who work for the devil. It is this sheer dedication that alarms Fyodor eventually of your presence as the news that someone seems to hunt after him and slay all his pawns stir a fascination within him even though he is already scheming how to kill you. You have captured his twisted interest as he himself decides to indulge you in your little hunt as he joins the game as both of you start wrestling to figure out who is the true hunter and who the true prey in this dangerous game between the two of you. The dedication you have shown over the years to kill him almost flutters him and as if to reward you he dedicates more of his own time into figuring you out and it is through gathering intel on you and observing you cautiously that he finds himself growing attracted. Both of you were given weak bodies yet both of you found ways around it to still take down those who stand in your way.

🍎​A little demon you are, daring to fill him with your poison as an obsession festers within his heart and you, witch that you are, hold the only cure. You are a sinner but you are a beautiful sinner, one that Fyodor intends to keep to himself. Your wings are stained in blood yet he intends to cleanse you of your sins until you are a beautiful, white butterlfy. His beautiful butterfly, forever encased within his own grasp without a way out. He will gladly face your burning wrath and step into the flames of your hatred for he desires his own revenge against you. Look at him, at the woeful state you have reduced him to and receive divine punishment from him. You have already stung him enough and now it is time for you to receive his own poison as well and suffer for the sins that you have committed. He truly sees the temptation of the devil within you as you are as gorgeous as you are deadly yet Fyodor sees himself as a man of faith who will not falter to the alluringly sweet addictions offered to him. Not now at least. Not until he has trapped you within his own web and pumped you full of his own venom. Do not fret for you will be a beautiful butterfly unable to flap its wings as soon as he is done with you.

Nikolai Gogol

🕊️​There is a twisted sense of companionship once the two of you meet for the first time as the clown senses the brooding emotions bubbling beneath that cheerful surface, reminiscent of his own silly acts he likes to put on. You've been denied a normal life as your hatred was too strong for you to break free, there are chains holding you back as much as they are holding him back. My, emotions truly are nothing more than a meaning to deny the two of you to stretch your wings out and soar through the air. It is through this strange connection that the two of you manage to work together as Nikolai's ability is quite useful for you and your own gift entertains him enough to want to stick around. He cackles when he figures out that you have pumped yourself full of poison, have essentially made yourself into a biological weapon all to ensure to murder those who have taken your family away from you. How wonderful it is, having someone he can suffer with. Such desperation suits you. If only you'd be as dedicated to him as you are to the person you plan to murder. Your venom has already entered his system yet Nikolai remains unaware of it as of now though the twinges of jealousy are already there.

🕊️​The poison starts taking effect the moment he finds out that you have managed to kill the person you have been chasing for years, now alive and free from the chains of hatred that used to tie you down. Only then does he feel the slimy sensation of despair pumping through his blood vessels as he realises that you are a free butterfly whilst he is still the caged dove. He thought the two of you were feathers of the same wing, he thought you were supposed to stay chained down with him yet you dare to obtain your freedom whilst leaving him behind? How lonely, how infuriating it all is as he realises that you have chained him down even further whilst he hasn't done the same to you. Oh, how cruel you are. Enjoy your little freedom for as long as it lasts for now it is Nikolai craving to tie you down using the same methods that have already once kept you from living a normal life. He is going to track down the people you cherish, he is going to murder them in front of your eyes and he is going to shackle you in heavy chains once more that will forever connect the two of you. He is going to rip your mask off of your face and he is going to bask in that pure look of despair and hatred you will give him.

[ecoterrorist-katara]

I really liked your meta about bloodbending, this is a big ask but how do you think that the whole bloodbending storyline could/should be rewritten? It’s clear that the writers are using bloodbending as a metaphor for slavery but it rarely comes across that way, and poor Hama was failed spectacularly by the writing

hello anon! thank you for this fabulous question & hope you don't mind that it took me ages to get to it.

TL;DR: I think making Hama into a serial killer/abductor was a terrible narrative choice. If it were up to me, Katara would have a (child-friendly) ethics discussion about bloodbending with Hama, who then joins them on the Day of the Black Sun. After the war, bloodbending becomes a lynchpin issue when the North attempts to colonize the South, but Hama and Yugoda find healing uses for bloodbending in the kerfuffle.

But first, my "ATLA bungled colonialism themes" soapbox: to me, bloodbending is a metaphor on two levels. The storyline about how Southern Waterbenders are captured and then transported to the FN certainly seems to reference the Transatlantic Slave Trade, like you said, though without the labour exploitation aspect; the storyline about Hama and bloodbending feels like an allegory for guerrilla resistance in general. Imo the narrative kind of cheapened these potential real-world connections by making The Puppetmaster a spooky Halloween special with a dash of “an eye for an eye” parable. The narrative's treatment of bloodbending, and Hama, feels like an unintentional reflection of “unacceptable” colonial resistance and "dark" knowledge of the colonized (fearmongering around Vodou etc). A common colonial narrative is that the colonized are sinister and underhanded for engaging in things like guerrilla warfare, which is either too violent or too cowardly depending on what’s more convenient for the colonizers’ narrative at a specific point in time. I think ATLA’s approach to bloodbending reflects this general sentiment, especially since Hama is drawn as this creepy Hansel & Gretel-style witch, a keeper of a sinister / untrustworthy / threatening type of knowledge. I also really don't like the part of the story where Hama became a serial abductor out of this indiscriminate thirst for revenge. While it's possible in real life for a colonized, incarcerated person to make those decisions, and good fiction can explore that effectively, a children's show is not the place. ATLA's target audience and general tone couldn't handle all the complexities around that, so they turned Hama into a cartoon witchy villain. Groundbreaking.

Anyway, I think the start of The Puppetmaster is actually very promising. Hama's story, and the children's discovery of her SWT roots, was touching. Katara's growing sense of unease at discovering the "darker" uses of waterbending (taking water out of flowers) is interesting. Katara is the perfect character to explore the intricacies of "how far is too far in colonial resistance." Because she's not a pacifist, like Aang, but she's also not a total pragmatist, like Sokka or Suki, and she cares about the fates of random people more than Toph. She's angry and compassionate in equal amounts.

I would love a conversation between Hama and Katara about bloodbending -- not in the dead of night while Katara has to protect her friends, but where Hama talks about the genuine hopelessness she felt in the Fire Nation prison. And Katara could talk about why she thinks bloodbending is wrong -- taking away someone's agency -- and Hama can ask Katara what she would've done in that scenario; maybe she can point out that she could have made the FN guards kill each other, but she only made them open her cell door, so it was the least violent escape she could have done; and I think, framed that way, Katara would have started to see bloodbending not through a lens of fear and disgust, but sheer pragmatism, and realize that all bending can be good or bad.

During the war, I think Katara and Sokka could convince Hama to join them on the Day of the Black Sun: Hama, for the first time in decades, has hope, and she gets to see some of the people who used to be just little kids when she was kidnapped from her home.

After the war, bloodbending would become a hot button issue in North-South relations. I could easily see the Northern waterbenders being horrified at bloodbending, in the same way Medieval Europe & puritan America have been horrified by witchcraft and other feminine-coded knowledge. I could envision the Northerners using bloodbending as justification for why women shouldn't be allowed to waterbend, and justification for why the South is backwards and therefore needs the North's influence (which would also tie nicely into the North and South comic). While Katara is busy with the political BS, Hama is swapping notes with Yugoda the healing master, and then they would eventually arrive at the conclusion that bloodbending could be used to heal.

(I can't take credit for the "Northerners horrified at bloodbending" idea, btw -- colourwhirled's Southern Lights has a storyline around it.)

Anyway, Hama deserved so much better. I like seeing her in AUs where she never had that stupid "kidnapping FN civilians" plot, like the aforementioned Southern Lights, or Lykegenia's The Things We Hide (which I read earlier this year and loved!). Hama and Jet's storylines are why I don’t trust ATLA’s politics, nor the politics of its creators. As much as I love Zuko and find his redemption arc to be an incredible story of a conscientious objector in the heart of the empire, Hama and Jet should have also gotten their redemptions too.

[chuuyaswifeandhoe]

If only

Pairing: Chuuya x femreader Warnings: swearing, mention of suicide attempts, language, hated, gunshots, death, mentions of killing, violence This is the second part of Not today. Enjoy!

Wake up, survive, kill, sleep, repeat. Wake up, exist, betray, sleep, repeat. Wake up, get yourself almost killed, sleep, repeat. Wake up, die. 

One year and a half has passed since Chuuya decided that you didn't have any value for him. You decided to celebrate it at the old apartment, exactly where it happened, so you would not forget why you're still alive. Revenge. No, you laughed at the flickers of the candles around the living room. Revenge was too kind for him. You wanted to make him hate himself. To feel useless, used, an incapable body having to survive with the consequences of his own actions. That's what you had been doing for the last year so he had to go through it for the rest of his life. Seemed only fair, an eye for an eye, a broken soul for another one. Even better, a broken soul to crush another. You blame yourself for the break up. If only you wouldn't have opened the discussion about marriage and kids. If only you would have been happy with the situation you were in, not craving for more, not wanting more from life, maybe he wouldn't have said those words to you. If only you would have acted differently. If only you would have changed to suit him better. If only…

You sipped another gulp from the expensive bottle of wine, his courtesy when he left you the apartment. No need to cry over spilled milk. Still, tears fell down your cheeks without warning. It stung, it is not like you could get rid of the feelings of betrayal and disappointment. In the dim lights of the candles you let yourself feel human again. It was a long year for you, one where you made permanent changes in your life. No more good girl behavior. Only a cruel bitch without a heart. One of the most interesting evolutions within the Mafia. That's what they called you. You had your underground name as well, Shadow. The one who kills her victims in their sleep, walking right behind you, living in the dark, never knowing when is going to hit. People don't fear their own shadows, so you took advantage of that. Befriending the target, using your innocence to make them trust you then slashing their heart in the sheets. Literally. 

You sighed, he should be back in two days. You found out after joining that the executive was sent on a suicide mission, having no communication with the outside world. A mission that has been extended longer than anyone anticipated. But everyone trusted him to accomplish the impossible and come back alive and successful, destroying some gangs, scoring some diamond deals, and bringing back the prize of the rarest diamond in the world. Easy, for the most powerful ability user in the Mafia. Not so easy to understand why he acted like that more than a year ago. You saw the reasoning behind it, but still, there were other options if he wanted to protect you. You shake your head, no, he did not want to protect you, he wanted to get rid of you. 

In retrospect, he tried to protect you after his departure, after the breakup.  You were desperate, you wanted to turn off your feelings so bad, everything hurt. In a desperate attempt, a message was sent to Dazai if his offer for the double suicide was still up. But he expected the message when he met you on the roof of the building his scope was to get you down, to hold you, and to make sure you didn't do it. What an ass, Chuuya informed him and knew already you'd try to kill yourself. “Bella, is not worthy, I promise you I'd take your offer under other circumstances, but now I know for sure that is going to get better.”

After that night you laid out your options on a piece of paper. The first was to get over with this life. Not an option anymore, Dazai did not help you and suddenly members of the agency bumped randomly into you at the grocery store. Atsushi wanted to accompany you and Yosano wanted to go shopping. Nice of them but it was making you feel worse. You wanted to root under a rock. Fragile. You felt fragile, ready to break if someone looked at you the wrong way. You wanted to move out of the apartment, but couldn't, you were between jobs and you were in no shape to start looking for one. To put on a fake smiling face… no. And ironically after three weeks, a position was available at the agency, for a secretary. What a lovely coincidence. And for a bit you even considered it, to have them around wasn't a bad idea after all and would also comply with Chuuya's demand to never get in his face again. But then, after the “interview”, while at the caffè, Atsushi -bless his innocent heart- left out a secret in his blabbering “Chuuya must really love you Y/N-san, kneeling to ask the president for the Agency to protect you”. He received a smack over his head from Kyoka and you acted like you did not hear him, but it was the moment you decided you weren't going to take the job at the agency. 

Bastard. Thinking he can control your life after breaking you like that. To make sure you were having a good life, that you would be under Dazai’s careful eye. The second option was to move back to your village, back with your not-so-close family. Not really an option, but more a desperate attempt to get the attention off the agony present in your life. And you tried it, with a short visit, wanting to understand if it would do you any good. But at the news that you and Chuuya broke up, your family started blaming you and accused you of being such a stuck-up bitch. Everything good about you was your relationship with Chuuya and you screwed everything up and your life did not have any value anymore. And maybe, to a certain extent, you started to believe it.  So after that weekend, you got back, having to deal with life again.

The next option was to just get on with your life. Going out, dating, meeting new people, living again. Well, you got yourself somehow functioning in those six weeks before deciding that there was a fourth option that was more suitable. You tried looking for other jobs, and you got yourself on two random blind dates which were absolutely horrible, but a friend of yours decided it was a good idea to get you out of your slumber so you accepted. You decided you were going to be single forever because there was no way you were going to deal with all that. And you also wanted revenge and when the opportunity arose, you went straight for it.

The fourth option you never envisioned or dreamed of. Joining the Mafia. A friend, of a friend, of another friend found out from some underground source about a recruitment process going on so you decided to join. You started preparing for it, hitting the gym and having shooting training on Chuuya’s money, because if he left you the card you might as well use it. One of your biggest qualities was the attention to detail and to anyone’s surprise shooting a gun. You remember the ‘basic training’ Chuuya gave you after telling you about his job so you could shoot a gun if you ever needed to protect yourself and he was amazed by your skills to not miss any of the targets he put in place. So, until the recruitment stage came around you trained. It was not like you had any better to do, apart from moping around in your sadness.

You started as a weakling, a mere nobody. No particular skill, apart from a good aim. The rest was hard work, broken bones, lots of cuts and bruises, not getting in your own way, being in constant fear for your life, and learning to kill. The first time was the hardest. Then you went on autopilot. No regrets, no remorse, no feelings. Exactly what you were looking for, a way to numb out your heart. No more worrying about a lover, a relationship, a breakup, or a future. Then, it was a question of being in the right place at the right time and saving Mori’s life in an altercation. The boss rarely participated in those things, but there were times he wanted to feel the thrill of fear and descend into the dirty underground. Obviously, some Black Lizard mission you were involved in by accident, but they did not fully clear the perimeter and a sniper got away.

You were feeling very suspicious about the whole deal, it was intuition, and you just knew something was wrong. Luckily, you saw the red dot on Mori’s chest, had enough balls to push him aside, and got yourself two beautiful bullets in your chest. You survived and got the permission to have one wish granted. You could ask whatever you want. You thanked your new direct Boss and asked him to keep this for the future when you would find a wish worthy of the occasion. You got yourself noticed, what weakling would dare touch the Boss in such a manner? So you started to be involved in more high-profiling missions. You received special training from the Black Lizards, transforming you into one of the finest assassins the Mafia had at its disposal. A killing machine, who did not ask twice about the victim, just got the job done. ‘’No hard feelings’’ was the last phrase every one of your victims heard. And your way of doing your job was very interesting to Mori. Approaching the targets in plain sight, gaining their trust in so little time, then breaking it when killing them. Every one of your missions seemed like a personal revenge you took. And Mori was definitely pleased, his mind coming up with different plans on how he could use his new pawn.

How ironic everything seemed to you. To be in front of the man Chuuya was trying to protect you from. Saving said man with your own life and getting your hands dirty just like him. Definitely, he did not expect his plan to backfire like that. You were dying to see his reaction when he would find out. Well, you will not be there, probably, as you were set to have some solo missions, which started exactly the day he was going to return. You were grateful, it would give you a bit more time. For what? You didn’t know. But you did not feel ready to see him again. Well, it was something you’ll worry about another day, now, you let yourself cry, be desperate again, and hope for the release of death. Tomorrow, you’ll get your knives and guns attached to you again.

The days rolled around and you departed to your new series of missions first thing in the morning. Little did you know that at the same time, in Mori’s office, a meeting regarding your future was happening.

‘’Chuuya-kun, as always your results are impeccable. You’ll get days off until your new partner will return from her missions’’.

Chuuya raised an eyebrow. He was tired and done with it all. But he definitely did not expect to have a new partner upon his return. He liked his solo missions and did not want to have to carry someone’s slack around. But he had little to no energy to fight. He just wanted to get in contact with Dazai right now and ask about her. His mind was only about her and how to make things right again, in case she did not move on.

‘’Thank you and who is her?’’

‘’ Her name is Shadow’’. 

[maybeitsalivescribbles]

Hey! Hope your having a good day! If you want to, could you do a story where a supervillain typically goes easy on a group of rookie heroes, as he usually fights them just for fun, and could destroy them if he wanted.

He just lets them think they can beat him.

Then, something happens (maybe they cross a line, and one of the heroes tries to stop their team from crossing that line but they don't listen) where the supervillain shows them just how powerful he actually is?

Sure. Do you mind if we stop for ice cream?

*

A Taste of Revenge

“You’ll never get away with this!” yelled one of the three Heroes from afar.

Supervillain smiled and just waved at them while flames and energy beams hit his forcefield without leaving a scratch. It was, in fact, the third time this month he was getting away with this.

The heroes were all new, of course. The town was too little for the closest hero agency to care about what was happening here, so they’d only sent their three youngest. Sometimes they popped in while he was minding his business. They always thought they’d found a way to break through his defenses, and were always wrong. He didn’t care much, amused by these three overgrown teenagers who were looking equally embarrassed and proud of their muscles, trying to speak loud to cover their awkwardness. There was no use hurting them. The hero agency would have sent someone competent in their place. If Supervillain was only mildly inconvenienced by them, and they were convinced to gloriously fight against evil, everyone was happy.

It was sunset. There was no time to sleep before another night’s work, but enough to take a break. Supervillain went home, put his citizen clothes on, called his cat who jumped on his shoulders, and went in his favorite ice cream shop. Coincidentally, it had a magnificent view on the shiny new heroes headquarters.

The door bell rang. The shop owner raised her head and smiled at him. He was a usual customer.

“Hello, Citizen.”

“Hello, sir. Hello to you two,” she added, nodding politely to his pet.

Supervillain smiled in return. To make sure he wouldn’t be ever recognized, he’d gotten a cat. Mister Whiskers was more than happy to follow him in his ice cream adventures, especially since Supervillain was the one who walked for them both. People asked to pet the kitty sometimes, but never gave his face a second glance.

“What will you take, sir?”

Supervillain pondered for a moment, answering then:

“When I was eight, my mother took me to see the ocean for the first time. I want three scoops of that memory flavor in a cup, please.”

“Right away, sir.”

She took a cup that she filled three times with white ice cream, then gently set her opened palms over it and closed her eyes. The scoops changed into a lovely turquoise. Mister Whiskers mewed with anticipation, opening and closing his mouth.

“And for the cat?”

“A kid scoop of Oyster-Caviar, lactose-free.”

She gave his orders to him. Supervillain thanked her and settled in his usual corner. While Mister Whiskers ate his own treat like he hadn’t already eaten thrice today, Supervillain took his time, glazing by the window. For the Heroes headquarters, it was the end of the day. Secretaries were pouring down the establishment. He looked at them with interest, wondering how many people was needed to manage three baby heroes. Sometimes they went in the ice cream shop, looking harassed, not giving him a second look. They never stayed long. It was just enough for him to memorize their faces and note their schedules.

Supervillain bit his lip to hide his smile when he saw the Heroic Trio getting out of the agency, their faces crumpled. Every time he saw them by the window, he wondered what would happen if they were coming here. Today, he realized that he was going to find out. After pausing, all three opened the door and went into the line that had been forming.

Supervillain took a spoonful of ice cream. It melted on his mouth as lightly as foam. It was a flavor of pure joy, with an aftertaste of melancholy. These holidays had not lasted long. Why rush his break, then? He was more than convinced that he wouldn’t get noticed, and if he was, well, that was too bad for the customers. Most of them didn’t linger anyway. They thanked Citizen and went out, hastily eating out outside, maybe because the Heroic Trio grumbled louder and louder about the wait. The line went down quickly until the moment a little boy asked for a cone.

“I can make all the flavors you want in the world, young man,” said Citizen. “Every memory, every feeling, every object, the weather, time itself, everything has a taste.”

The little boy thought long and hard, reading out loud the suggestions. After fifteen minutes, he made his choice:

“Chocolate.”

Ignoring the loud groans behind, he was about to merrily go out, when one of the heroes caught him by the shirt:

“You haven’t paid, kid.”

“She gives it to me for free,” explained the boy, pointing at Citizen.

“Really? Why is that?”

The kid shrugged, licking his cone.

“Sometimes, I do the dishes.”

“He’s right,” intervened the shop owner. “He’s done nothing wrong, let him go.”

Hero released the kid, who went away trotting and licking his prize, and turned back to the owner with a frowning face:

“What sort of business are you running here?”

Citizen raised an eyebrow:

“I don’t understand.”

“Do you see these suits, ma’am?”

“Well, yes-”

“That means we’re heroes. He-roes, you understand? We protect you all day, putting our lives in danger for you. We’ve just escaped the most dangerous criminal of this town. We’d like to give us a little respect.”

“But I didn’t-”

“You made us wait to indulge a kid who can take anything he wants? It’s bad business practice. Terrible, even. How can you make profits like that? It’s a wonder this shop is still open.”

The three heroes towering over her, the woman tried to look at Supervillain, the only customer remaining, but he avoided his gaze. He wasn’t about to blow his cover for that. Furthermore, Mister Whiskers had finished his cup and was now interested in Supervillain’s ice cream. He put it away, but as he avoided the cat’s insistent paws, he was still listening to the conversation, quietly readjusting his perception of his self-proclaimed foes. Kids they were, but bullies are of every age. He heard them making their choice (one Nova scoop, two Oncoming Storm scoops, one First Prize cup), and refusing to pay.

“ If you give free food to the bloody kid, I think you can afford to give us a free pass, too.”

The shop owner made the effort to laugh, throwing her red braid off her shoulder.

“You have a good sense of humor,” she said politely.

“I’m not joking.”

Ah, thought Supervillain, there you go. Citizen raised her tone, but they laughed at her:

“What are you going to do, use your power?”

“That’s not our fault if all you can do is ice-cream flavor', said another. “I’m sorry you can’t be a Hero, but not everyone is born equal, don’t take it on us.”

Supervillain stared at his blue ice cream melting, waiting for the shop seller to burst in tears and give in. That didn’t happen. Instead, she clenched her fists and said:

“I am more useful than you.”

The booming laughter of the Heroic trio filled the room, but the shop owner was fed up. She hit the counter with her little hand and yelled, covering their voices:

“I feed children who are hungry. I give people the taste of things they’ve forgotten and can’t have otherwise. I give people shelter when they need it. You’ve just set foot in the neighborhood and do nothing but cause property damage. I am the better Hero. Now get out of my shop.”

The laughs died out. With a stony face, one of the heroes went behind the counter, pushing her away, and took their orders by force.

“Keep telling yourself that,” he said.

The doorbell rang when they left. A heavy silence fell.

The shop seller rocked slightly on her heels, burying her face in her hands. Supervillain looked at her, then at his now melted ice cream. His mom had offered him to see the ocean to cheer him up. He remembered why, too. Because of the day before. A school day. A bitter taste in his mouth. The wall behind his back. Kids with frowning looks and mocking smiles.

“Forcefield is not even a real power.”

“You’re so uncool.”

“What can you do, uh? Hiding like the coward you are?”

Supervillain sighed, shaking his head. No, that wouldn’t do at all.

He stood up, holding out a handkerchief to the ice cream seller. She took it without looking at him. While she blew her nose, he turned his eyes towards the Hero headquarters, looking at the Heroic Trio walking away.

“They’re kids,” he said. “They don’t know a lot of things.”

“That doesn’t give them an excuse to-”

“I know. They have no respect for powers that aren’t flashy enough for them. They’re the kind of people thinking that forcefields are for defense only.”

He smiled. All the windows on the first floor of the Hero headquarters exploded.

People screamed in the streets. The Heroic Trio came back running despite the glass shards flying, trying to localize the culprit.

“They have no imagination,” he explained pleasantly at the shop owner, who was looking at the scene with wide eyes. “They don’t know how impenetrable shields that can be projected from everywhere could be used otherwise.”

He glanced at the building now cut in two, shaking his head:

“I mean, how can they realize that this kind of shield could pierce any matter like a knife through hot butter?”

The heroes wanted to rush towards the headquarters, but bounced back. The forceshield was now covering the whole building, slightly buzzing. It didn’t stop there. It got tighter and tighter until the walls cracked and collapsed under the pressure.

“People inside-” squeaked Citizen.

“It’s the end of the day, my dear.”

The heroic trio was running around, getting people away, swearing and not knowing what to do. The forcefield didn’t vanish until the building was in ruins. Only then Supervillain turned towards the show owner. She flinched hard, but he only pulled out his wallet.

“Now, how much do we owe you?”

*

Back to the Hero x Villain Masterlist.

[ofmdsalt]

i do think it’s funny that the gentlebeardies who proclaim their love for the revenge crew don’t actually talk that much about or create content for the revenge crew. they don’t give a shit about the “boatful of queer poc that Izzy sold out” (LMFAO) unless they can use the crew’s diversity as some kind of moral gotcha. they care about GB because that’s the only thing that matters about the show in their eyes. and it’s so fucking unoriginal!!! just endless regurgitated post about “omg they’re soooo in love~~ and isn’t it great that love conquered all their problems~~!” it’s unoriginal derivative dreck unless they have to invent new ways to lie about how izzy deserves the death penalty.

oh anon you get me

you have no idea how much i hate the diversity of the crew being used as a literal weapon in this fandom when it comes to demonizing izzy and washing Ed and Stede of any of their wrong doings.

im frustrated by the use of the crew in season 2 only because it was so painfully obvious to me that the budget cuts really affected the ensemble. the way the Swede and Buttons were written out of the show felt rushed and like it came out of nowhere, especially as those two characters, felt the 'least' developed out of the rest of them. so giving them both this long winded set up to be written out was too clunky for me.

i miss when Frenchie was singing and strumming along on his lute. i miss when Jim was Jim, because lbr that was Vico in s2. it just felt like Jim wasn't there anymore. i can't say what happened in the writer's room at that time or what sort of material Vico was given or if it skewed more to improve, but a lot of what was established for the characters in s1 was missing for me.

the rhetoric of this being the Ed&Stede show i think did more harm than good. the assertion that the other characters are only here in service of Ed and Stede's development reduces the sense of scale and scope and also agency these characters have.

a lot of the foundational aspects of GB as a ship i think falls a bit too much into fan service. people talk about how revolutionary and groundbreaking the ship is as a cis gay couple on screen. as if it hasn't been seen before. like i didn't get the wow moment of Stede in the mermaid costume as other fans did. Stede's dream at the beginning of season 2 with him killing Izzy and then colliding with Ed in this romantic gesture of love and passion on the beach is straight up fantasy for Stede, but i think fans took the idea of Stede literally killing Izzy a bit too seriously because that is Stede's fantasy. he wanted his reunion with Ed to be simple and understandable. that it was all Izzy's fault when the reality of the situation was so much messier and complicated. like David and the writers were literally telling us that Izzy is not the enemy here because this moment on the beach was pure fantasy. and fantasies can be dangerous

and then the fans said that Izzy deserved it, should have had his second leg shot and amputated, that he deserved to die, that he's still a nuisance even in death despite the fact that he's dead. that is both a master manipulator but also a cringe fail loser incapable of doing anything right. and it's like. okay. you don't seem to understand this character either.

like a lot of the problems in this fandom have existed before and will continue to exist in other iterations. every fandom has its ship wars. every fandom has long ass call out posts about characters they don't like. but let's not pretend this is anything revolutionary

what i've noticed is that this fandom will reach a burnout period and it's probably already upon us. the constant need to be like 'we're trending!!' when all algorithms are dog shit and glitchy as hell doesn't mean anything. plus the fact that there are only two seasons, less BTS content to go around, it's all coming from the same overdrawn well and eventually it will come up empty.

it's okay to step back. it's okay to leave a fandom for a bit and come back to it years down the road. it's okay. but all of this is exhausting

[wordingg]

Revenge Is Cold Comfort

Dead Boy Ween Day Two ~ Prompt: Comfort

Summary: Charles and Edwin go to a park to see some ducks and Charles gets into a fight.

AN: check the tags on this one, just in case. there is comfort, but you gotta make it to the end!

It was a rare day that saw Charles and Edwin spending time together without Crystal about. But, as she had so firmly told them "these curls don't maintain themselves" and had warned them in no uncertain terms not to bother her while she was at the salon or she would "punt them directly into the sun" they decided to honor her wishes and give her a day to herself.

So, Charles and Edwin found themselves with a whole day to fill, with no pressing cases to work on and no Crystal to bother.

After a few minutes of the both of them puttering around the office uselessly, Charles said, "We haven't had a day out ourselves in, God..." Charles looked up at the ceiling like it would have his answer.

"Not since April," Edwin helpfully supplied. That day had been quite lovely. Charles and Edwin had attended a performance of Shakespeare in the park and then spent the afternoon in a nearby combination coffee shop / bookstore where Edwin was able to peruse both the interesting people and the new releases just put on the shelves.

"Right. That's way too long, probably," Charles said with a wrinkle of his nose. "Let's go out!" he said, clapping his hands and grinning at Edwin devilishly. Edwin firmly told his heart to go back where it belonged and stop trying to climb up his throat. Charles looked quite devious, but he often did. It didn't require that kind of reaction from him of all people.

Swallowing, Edwin turned on his heel to grab his coat and shrugged it on. "Capital idea, Charles. Lead the way."

They ended up in a park a bit farther away from the office than Edwin had expected. "I want to see the ducks!" Charles had insisted when Edwin asked why he had picked that particular park. He supposed that was as good a reason as any. Ducks were perfectly pleasant to look at.

It was a clear and warm autumn day, the strong buttery sunshine chasing off most of the chill. That being the case, the park was full of people, despite it being the middle of a weekday. True to his word, Charles went straight for the duck pond, crouching down at the edge and gazing intently at the ducks swimming in lazy curves along the flat mirror like surface of the water.

"D'you ever think it's odd that only cats can talk?" Charles asked idly as he frowned at a particularly round mallard duck that looped around to point one beady dark eye at him suspiciously. "I feel that if cats of all creature can talk, surely ducks can too."

Edwin frowned down at Charles. He looked again at the especially rotund duck who was apparently engaged in a serious staring competition with Charles. Sometimes, even after thirty-eight years of living together, Edwin still had no idea what went on inside Charles' head. When Charles wasn't speculating about the communication abilities of aquatic birds, Edwin could appreciate Charles' unique way of thinking as an asset to the agency and something to be admired. It was hard to remember that while he was staring down a duck.

"I'm certain I have no idea," Edwin muttered, despairing at the thought of what the rest of the day had in store for him. Hopefully not more ducks.

Whatever Charles was about to say in response was cut off by the sound of a loud smack just behind them. Before Edwin had even fully turned around, Charles was on his feet and walking fast.

Only a dozen feet away was the apparent source of the sound. A large man holding a now crying little girl by her upper arm and whispering fiercely at her. His free hand was still raised threateningly and she was holding her steadily reddening cheek in one little hand, her big brown eyes welling over with shining tears. It didn't take a detective to put the sound and the scene together and realize what had happened.

"Oi!" Charles shouted, still stalking toward the scene.

"Charles," Edwin called, hurrying after them. "They can't hear you," he said, already knowing that it didn't matter.

Charles got right up into the man's face, squaring up like he was ready for a fight. "Oi, you wanna do that again, mate?" he spat.

The man didn't react, of course. He couldn't see them. But, the little girls' eyes got even bigger as they focused on Charles and the way he had pushed himself between her and the man.

"Are you listening to me, you little brat?" the man shouted, giving the girl a hard shake.

"Get your FUCKING hands off her!" Charles shouted, giving the man a hard shove. The man went flying backward, his eyes now almost as big as the little girl.

When the girl stumbled, Edwin stepped in smartly to catch and right her before she could fall. She gasped at his touch and he took his hands away quickly. He understood that touching a ghost could be quite unpleasant for the living, but he didn't want to let the little girl fall either.

She turned her big wet brown eyes up at Edwin and he felt his heart melt a little despite himself. Her tears had stopped, but her cheek was already starting to swell, the poor thing. He tried his best to give her a reassuring smile and held his index finger up in front of his mouth.

"Oh," she said faintly and then nodded. She shuffled a little closer to him and Edwin tried not coo at her.

Just a few feet away, the man was shouting and cussing up a storm as Charles kicked his feet out from under him every time he tried to stand up. A small knot of people had gathered around to watch, a few of them with their smartphones out to record what to them likely looked like a man flailing about wildly and somehow failing over and over to gain his feet.

After almost a full two minutes of that, someone finally noticed the little girl standing back with a swollen red cheek and tear tracks on her face. A kind looking middle aged woman who had been watching the man in concern glanced over, her eyebrows shooting up her forehead as she saw the girl. She hurried over and physically put herself between the man and the girl, which Edwin approved of.

"Hello, dearie," she said as she knelt down to the little girl's level. She had a bit of a northern accent and she smiled kindly at the little girl. Edwin watched her closely, cataloging her appearance and temperament (the woman was wearing a cardigan, she had a purse and sensible shoes, she was wearing a wedding ring on her left hand third finger, the edge of a tattoo peaked out from beneath her collar) and found nothing to raise his concern. "How did you get hurt? Are you all right? Are your parents here somewhere?" the woman asked.

Behind them, Charles had stopped tripping the man and a few good samaritans had stepped forward to ask if he was having a seizure or a stroke and if they should call the paramedics. The man seemed shaken and confused and was having trouble answering.

The little girl looked up at Edwin questioningly. "I think you can trust her," Edwin said quietly. "Tell her the truth."

The little girl nodded seriously and then turned back to the woman. She was looking up at Edwin with a frown, but obviously couldn't see him. Her attention went right back to the girl when she looked at her.

"That's my uncle, Samuel," the girl said very clearly, pointing over the woman's shoulder at the man still slumped on the ground. "He smacked me for getting my dress dirty," she said sadly, fingering a little spot of mud on the end of her skirt.

"Wanker," Charles spat, stepping up behind Edwin. The girl's eyes flew to Charles and his own widened in surprise. "Oh! Uh, I mean. What a meanie?" Charles looked desperate to Edwin for help.

Edwin gave Charles an unimpressed look. "Really, Charles."

"Right. Sorry," Charles winced in apology. He turned back to the little girl to give her a big warm smile, the kind of smile that Edwin sometimes felt might be burnt onto the back of his eyelids because it was so bright and unforgettable. "Don't you worry about him, love. He won't be bothering you anymore, I don't think."

The woman, unaware of this little exchange, was already on her cellular device talking to emergency services. She had her arm tucked around the little girl's waist and was shooting nervous glances at the man who still seemed not to remember to look for his niece. Edwin thought this was quite right. It was gratifying to know that there were still good people in the world who would step in to do the right thing, whether he and Charles were there or not.

"Are you fairies?" the little girl asked Charles with her big shining eyes focused entirely on him.

"What?" the woman asked, a little shocked. She looked toward where Charles and Edwin were standing with concern and then demanded into her small rectangular telephone "Please hurry! She's in shock, the poor thing."

Edwin wrinkled his nose at the implication that he and Charles might be fey. "Absolutely not," he declared. "If you ever see a real fairy, do not speak to them. They are quite insufferable," Edwin informed her seriously. He and Charles had more than a few run in with fairies over the years of working cases and every one down the last was the most awful bit of nonsense he had ever had the misfortune of coming across.

"We're ghosts. Ghost detectives, actually," Charles explained. He then elbowed Edwin, which Edwin felt was quite uncalled for. "Give her our card, mate," he said with a smile.

Huffing, Edwin pulled one of their enchanted business cards from the inside pocket of his coat and offered it to the little girl. She took it very carefully, looking down at it like it was magic, which Edwin supposed it was. Luckily the woman had been too busy watching two police officers approach at a fast walk to notice the card appearing in the little girl's hand.

"You can tuck that business card into an envelope with a letter and then put it under your bed and it will be delivered to us," Edwin informed her.

"Or you can call the number on there," Charles said, pointing to the phone number printed neatly under their address. "We have one now. Right handy, it is," he said with a smile.

Edwin looked up at the clear blue sky and took a deep breath. A phone number just didn't have the same gravitas as a magical business card that could summon the dead postman who delivered their mail, but he couldn't begrudge Charles anything. Even ruining a good moment.

"Yes, or you can use the telephone number," Edwin sighed.

"Thank you," the little girl whispered, before the two police approached her and the woman and they were both pulled into a serious conversation about what had just happened.

Charles and Edwin stayed in the park for a long time. They watched the police talk to the little girl, and then more police arrived to speak to her uncle, and then more police arrived to put her uncle in the back of a vehicle in handcuffs, and finally the girl's mother, still dressed in an apron and non-slip shoes, ran crying through the park to scoop her daughter up in her arms. The nice older woman also stayed the whole time. Edwin had privately begun to think of the three of them as the little girl's volunteer security team. She certainly looked at all three of them like she trusted them to keep her safe. That was a feeling that Edwin would cherish for a long time.

The sun was setting by the time that the last of the police and the crowd of onlookers finally dispersed. The ducks, who had been avoiding the side of the duck pond that had been host to so much chaos, finally returned to swimming lazy half circles in the water near the edge.

Charles sat in the short brown grass watching them. Edwin wanted to scold him for sitting on the bank that was surely more duck feces than it was grass, but knew that it didn't really matter. It wasn't as if Charles' clothing could get dirty from something as mundane as duck poop.

After a long time spent with the two of them staring morosely at the ducks, Charles said, "Sorry for losing it there for a bit."

"Quite understandable," Edwin assured him quietly. He peaked at Charles from the corner of his eye. He was frowning at the shining surface of the pond, his eyes not tracking any of the ducks, his hands fisted in the material of his pants.

"It's not," he bit out. "If I was smart, I would have looked out for the little girl instead of just-" Charles bit off whatever he meant to say. Edwin actually heard his teeth click together as he did it. "You had your priorities straight. You kept her safe," Charles said, finally turning to look at Edwin. His eyes shined too much in the warm orange light of the sunset, betraying the tears swimming at the edges of his dark curling eyelashes.

Warning lights were going off in Edwin's head. This subject was a minefield and Edwin was uniquely unqualified to navigate it. He never knew what the right thing to say was, when emotions were involved. He barely knew the right thing to say when they weren't.

But, Charles looked so beautiful and tragic in the fading light of autumn, that Edwin knew he must try, come what may.

Hesitantly, Edwin reached out and placed his hand over Charles'. He carefully pulled the hand loose from his pants and weaved his fingers between his friend's. He looked down at their fingers twined together, because he felt if he looked at Charles' face he would never be able to put his thoughts together.

"Perhaps I stayed with the girl, but the only reason I could do that was because I knew I could trust you to keep that man away from her," Edwin said.

Charles made a strange sound and Edwin looked up at him. The tears had escaped and were running down Charles' cheeks, spectral fluid glowing a pale blue in the fading sunlight.

"Charles, you are kind, and strong, and most of all compassionate. I would never disparage you for being yourself, because I love the person that you are," Edwin said firmly.

And then he wrapped his arms around his best friend in the world and let him cry onto his shoulder as the sun sank below the horizon and the ducks finally left the pond to find their own place to roost.

[mostlyfate]

Talio Fukushu Daiko no Futari タリオ 復讐代行の2人 2020, dir. Kimura Hisashi, Yamamoto Toru

[arealphrooblem]

Deathtouched Part 2

I had no idea people would like this so much! Thank you guys! Here is part two early because I got inspired!

Warning: this contains serious kissing/making out.

Synopsis: Hero, a person who's power nullifies other powers, is the only person who can touch Villain, a person who kills whatever he touches. When Villain shows up at the Agency hell bent on revenge on Supervillain, Hero is the only one who can stop him.

Part one here:

They kept Villain in one of the interrogation rooms, hands taped into his gloves and shackled behind the chair. A black hood covered his head. Agency took no chances.

Hero sat in the chair across the table from him and waited for him to wake up.

It did not take long. In fact, it did not take as long as the amount of sedative should have given him. The Villain came to with a violent jerk, the chair scraping over the floor.

“It’s okay,” Hero said. “You’re safe. You’re in the Agency’s custody.”

He stilled at the sound of their voice.

“Safe?” he asked, sardonic.

“For now. So long as you answer our questions. And you don’t kill anyone else.”

He pulled at his bonds, cocked his head to the side. “You’ve made that second one exceedingly difficult. But it wouldn’t have worked on you regardless. . . .would it?”

Underneath the cold exterior was a thread of . . . yearning. It had been a calculated risk, kissing him. But if someone had the power to kill everything they touched . . .when could they have ever had anything resembling affection?

“I am a Nullifier,” they explained. “No one’s powers work when I touch them. And what about you? How does your power work?”

“What do I get for answering your questions?”

Hero cleared their throat. “Um . . .you’re not really in a position to negotiate.”

Honestly — neither were they. Hero was not trained for interrogation, but today was a day for firsts.

“Then kill me. I have one purpose left in me, and if I cannot fulfill it, then I have no need of this world. I owe your Agency nothing.”

Hero nibbled on their lower lip as they weighed their options. They didn’t want to see Villain killed. He didn’t attack out of the need for chaos or senseless violence. He had tried valiantly to let Hero, a perceived innocent and weaker party, escape. And the Agency needed to know what kind of heinous actions would fuel a man like this to such single minded revenge.

Taking another calculated risk, Hero stood up and walked around the table to Villain. His head cocked to the side, following the sound of their footsteps. Hero reached out and pulled the black sack off, revealing a mess of dark hair and that fathomless stare of his.

“If you answer my questions . . .I’ll touch you.”

His face spasmed from yearning to guarded in an instant. “ . . . How so?”

This was the gamble. Slowly, so as not to startle him, Hero climbed into his lap, settling hesitantly sideways with their legs dangling over his thighs. One arm looped over his shoulder and gripped the back of the chair for balance.

The other cupped the side of his face. Their thumb brushed back and forth over his cheekbone and his eyes fluttered closed.

“Like this.”

They skated the back of their knuckles down his cheek and then traced their thumb down the sharp line of his jaw. The Villain’s breath stuttered out in a shaky gasp. Hero could feel his chest heave with each breath, like a frightened horse.

“What — what do you want to know?”

Through light caresses and gentle scrapes of fingernails over scalp, a dark, tragic story unfolded. The Agency knew Supervillain had experimented on powered individuals, but they didn’t think any of them had been successful. According to Villain, however, one experiment proved very successful. After multiple agonizing gene therapies, Supervillain had created the ultimate weapon of a human being.

And then he had disappeared, leaving the weapon behind to face a world he no longer belonged in alone.

Of course, Villain didn’t know for years it was because the Agency had finally caught Supervillain and locked him away. Only recently did he learn, through the shattered network Supervillain left behind, what really happened.

It made Hero’s heart ache to hear how young Villain was when the experiments first started. How lost and afraid he had been for so long before it all hardened into cold, calculating rage. How worthless he viewed his own life when compared to his purpose.

It made their touches grow more and more . . .affectionate. They played with his hair, they traced the shape of his ear, his jaw, felt his throat swallow roughly under the pads of their fingers. They smoothed the frown lines of his brow, brushed over the faint traces of freckles on the bridge of his nose, and once, allowed their lips to brush over the thudding pulse of his neck.

That had caused him to choke mid-sentence and Hero had to pull reluctantly away to allow him to continue.

They were the touches of a lover and it felt addictively dangerous, like running your fingers over the flame of a candle. It didn’t help matters how Villain reacted so deeply to every touch — every hitched breath, every flutter of his eyes, every hard swallow only drew Hero more to him. For the first time, they felt like they had power, rather than the void of power.

Finally, Hero had only one question left. They asked it with surprising reluctance.

“What plan did Supervillain have for you when he made you?”

“I’ll tell you,” he said, swallowing, “ . . .if you kiss me. Again.”

Just like last time, Hero did not hesitate. Though this kiss was much sweeter, slower. They cupped his face in both hands, fingertips buried in thick dark hair. Unlike last time, he kissed Hero back with a soft inexperience that made Hero’s pulse thud loud in their ears. They licked into his mouth in short, teasing passes of their tongue until they felt a groan vibrate from his chest to theirs, until the hesitancy of inexperience quickly melted into bold slides of tongue, until —

Until the power shuts down, plunging the windowless room into pitch darkness.

Until gloved hands came from around the chair, cuffs dangling from one wrist, to wrap around Hero in an iron grip.

Part 3 Here

Tagging: @those-damn-snippets @harpy-can-read @puddleslimewrites

[xsommeee]

Chuuya pov at double black reunion after 4 years.

“Where is Akutagawa?” Chuuya asks, looking around.

An eerie silence takes over the jolly group. Their calm smiles falter. An instant sense of worry rushes through his mind. Emo boy shouldn’t be a sour subject unless he’s become a traitor. 

This is a sort of environment where people will blab shit they think he can’t handle, he remembers the same expression on Mori’s grim face while he said Dazai’s benn sighted two years ago and then offered him a ticket to Paris with an incredibly long mission planned. It was a horrible meeting and he left Japan right after.

“S-senpai’s interrogating a member of the armed detective agency.” 

Chuuya blinks, what in the world is the armed detective agency? A detective agency with people walking around with machine guns in their hands? As amusing as that may seem, it’s one of the few organisations with a special ability permit. That much Chuuya remembers from having read. 

A foreboding feeling ensnares him, he can hear the drums of war burst in his ears like in the period Japanese movie he watched a few days ago in the flight, it’s because of that bastard.

“I’ll go see him” Chuuya picks up his hanging coat from the chair, he’ll see him, his legs start moving on their own he could be jumping out of the window. Murderous intent is ebbing out of him and he can feel the power this anger begets.

A gentle hand halts him. He looks at Ane-san, “You” -are playing into his hands? Are being an idiot? Shouldn’t go? Fucking kill him when you see him? Not act reckless?

“Should take your hat and call the driver.” 

His eyebrows furrow, he was being rude and Ane-san just– “I apologise for my bad manners.” He parrots a phrase he learnt to use very often while training under Kouyou when he was a junior.

She just nods her head slightly while placing the hat on his head, mouthing a go. An unsaid don’t come back miserable falls into his ears. He leaves. 

His lips burn with a desire to have a cigarette puckered between them, but he belatedly realises that Hirotsu borrowed his pack and still has it. 

The old fags tryin’ to make him quit smoking for a very long time. A hypocrite given his love for cigars. 

Chuuya’s too hurried, even if he’s trying to not be. So he doesn't ask anyone for a light.

He reaches the port mafia’s maze-like dungeons, skidding here and there to finally see a furious Akutagawa smashing the small iron door shut.

“Chuuya-san?” Akutagawa says when their eyes meet. Blinking as if in disbelief. 

The kid's fist is glaringly red against his pale, almost albinic complexion. Dazai deserves this albeit more. He beat and kicked a helpless orphan into a horrible messed up killing machine. Akutagawa has every right to extract revenge Mafia style. 

Somepart of Chuuya, however enraged and disgusted by the bandaged jerkface, still wants him to be okay -not hurt too gravely per say. It is his competitive side, the one that seeks a fair fight against his lifelong rival. 

“Welcome back home, I was told you would be joining in the evening. What purpose brings you here?”  

Chuuya shrugs, pressing skip on the question. 

“Is Dazai locked up in here?” His finger points towards the door with a slight tremor. The name, he hasn't spoken that name in years.

Akutagawa scowls murmuring a slight hum. 

“How? Why?” Chuuya asks. The fucker’s too meticulous. He’d never do anything unwillingly even while sleeping. 

“We have received a hefty bounty on a weretiger. Dazai got sloppy and got caught in the process.” Akutagawa replied. 

Chuuya’s in a daze, Dazai protecting people? Akutagawa reads his astonished expression. 

“The weretiger is a member of the armed detective agency.”

Right, Dazai is a member of the armed detective agency. 

He doesn't know anything about this agency. He'd been not home for such a long time, avoiding it at times when he could visit back. A foreigner to all soil on Earth. An Earth that crumbles under him, pulls on his command but doesn't accept him. 

“Give me a quick debrief.” He orders his subordinate. 

Long agonising minutes later he’s lowering his head to stand trot down the narrow fleet of stairs. 

He looks up to see Dazai chained to a wall in this dimly lit basement. 

Dazai's changed. He’s wearing a beige coat and a bolo tie and he is missing a patch of bandages that used to hide a part of his face. 

It's the first time he's looking at both of Dazai’s eyes, captivating him with the brightness they hold.

“You being chained here is like a painting worth a million dollars.”

It's not that much, they aren't that bright at all, in fact they are dim but they aren't hollow like they used to be on most days. 

He'd seen only one eye gleam at him with brightness and it was only at the moment Dazai had joked or lied to him. 

He feels his throat constrict, irritates at how shaken his resolve of killing Dazai has become already. 

Dazai curses under his breath, an overly dramatic horrified expression plastered on his face. 

“Still as short as ever I see and hiding a bald patch under this hideous hat are we 

Chuuya~”

Yeah he's regained the sentiment, this is it Chuuya Nakahara would grant a suicidal maniac his life’s wish today. Strangulation would be the attributed reason in the post mortem report. 

“And you are still obsessed with suicide. It will make the happiest man on earth to strangle you.” 

“Yes but you see Chuuya my goal has changed, I now seek a beautiful women to commit double suicide with.”

He clicks his knuckles. There's a lot of things he needs to ask. He’s just waiting till he gets those answers. 

“You can fool Akutagawa but you can not fool me. I was your partner after all.” The word partner leaves a bitter aftertaste on his tongue and he instantly feels the urge to smoke rise. He grits his teeth with an attempt to quash it. 

[baileysbooks]

Six Star Reads

Ever read a book that just goes beyond your wildest imagination? That totally alters the way you feel and think after you close that final page? Me too. Here are my all time top reads, or Six Star Reads!

Alone with You in the Ether by Olivie Blake

So before I tucked into this book, Olivie Blake was already heading towards being my favourite author, or at least one of, but this book cemented her in that position and just blew me away. This book is a romance, but its also a story about time and space and math and bees and humanity and human connection and love and family and loss and mental health and so many things, all while just... being a book about two people meeting and falling in love in Chicago. This book marries incredible prose, beautiful storytelling, and Olivie Blake's masterful character work into something so incredibly special. I read it, re-read it, listened to it, and its the first book I've ever annotated, as someone who does not enjoy writing in my books. I have not been able to stop thinking about it since I read it and probably never will.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

If vibes is your thing, you and I are going to enjoy a lot of the same books I think. This book entranced me. There is plot and there is storytelling, but this book is so wrapped in atmosphere and energy and this beautifully crafted magic that I could not put it down. I read it a few years ago and I think it about it at least once a week, and its the only book where, even though I already own a copy, I have to physically stop myself from buying a copy whenever I see it in a store. I could barely summarize the plot to you but it wouldn't matter if I did. This book just has to be experienced.

The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo

Yet another author who is easily one of my favourites of all time. Her prose is extraordinary, especially in this book and in her other book Siren Queen. A Gatsby retelling, told from the point of view of Jordan Baker, Daisy Buchanan's best friend, this book brings magic, and even some decidedly dark magic, into the story, along with exploration of race and gender and sexuality in the 20's, all under the backdrop of the sticky, intoxicating beauty of a sweaty New York City summer, which Nghi Vo manages to capture with an extraordinary deftness. The point of view shift also makes Daisy into a fully formed character, someone with agency and a rich life, instead of leaving her as the object of Gatsby's desire. This book is rich and lush and gorgeous and I recommend it to everyone.

The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi

This gothic tale was a decided shift from other gothic works I had read, in that it is so deeply focused on a friendship between two teenage girls and how a connection that deep and that intoxicating can shape a person forever. The way the story is told is delicious, with stunning prose that slowly but surely weaves the story into being before your eyes. I listened to this book and it quickly became an all time favourite. It's hard to explain what this book is about without spoiling, but go into it blind and just let it take you.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

This is the duology I credit with getting me back into reading. An expertly written cast of characters, a fast paced plot, a deftly handled heist, stunning world building, and just enough romance and intrigue and twists to keep your on your toes until the last second. I know this book has been talked about a million times, and not much can be said that hasn't been said before, but it really is as good as everyone says. If you haven't yet, give it a try!

The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter

If you like action and fight scenes, and fantasy, this book is an absolute MUST. Based in African mythology, a revenge story that, honestly? Puts John Wick to shame. The action in this book was INCREDIBLE and once the story starts it does. not. let. up. This book moves at a blistering pace and takes turns and twists I did not see coming that make the stakes feel so much more real. I read this book in two days, bought the sequel immediately, and am now waiting for the perfect moment to crack it open and lose myself in the world again. Definitely dark, much darker and heavier than the other books on this list, but its another one I have not stopped thinking about.

Let me know what you think of these, and if you have any six star reads!

[callsigns-haze]

Pretty like a crime

Chapter 12

Pairing: Agent Jake 'Hangman' Seresin x Singlemom! Agent Y/n 'Cobra' Y/l/n

Summary: Cobra is finally back on the agency and is finally back in the job. With Kai at home she has to jumble being a mother and a agent. She's sent to her first U.C mission but never thought that she would meet a blonde, green eyed Texan...

Warning: Mentions of gun use, ptsd, mentions of death, mentions of shooting, flirting, mentions of abuse, description of dead body, death, blood, undercover work, alcohol use, smut, kissing

Prologue/ Part 1/ Part 2/Part 3/ Part 4/ Part 5/ Part 6/ Part 7/ Part 8/ Part 9/ Part 10/ Part 11

You held him in your arms. Funerals. You hated them but at this point you've built up an immune system to the tears and pain. On the outside of course, never the inside. Your arm was wrapped around Jake's waist and you put your head on his shoulder. You looked down at the ground.

Javy.

You see, Jake loved Javy like a brother. You know? Hangman and coyote the ultimate duo. Yep, that was them, that was the two lads we were talking about. They knew that one day they'd be gone but never expected it so soon. Jake also felt guilty. He brought Javy out that night to seek satisfaction in revenge upon Matthew and yet that cost him Coyotes and Justin's life along with Matt's.

You stayed there a little bit after everyone walked away. Jake needed his moment. Honestly, how do you say goodbye, to someone who's been with you for your goddamn life. Who gave you some of the best laughs of your life and flashes a smile when he looks at yours. Jake never wanted this to end, Coyote was one of his closest friends.

Along with Bob. Bob and Hangman were rough but never strangers. He was like a younger brother to Jake, always there if he needed a hand, always helping him hunt someone down. Calling him a baby or dummy was a way of expressing his love because he expressed it through his cockiness and Bob knew that, he always did.

Phoenix. She was the 'man'. Jake always teased her about running as fast as she could but she only wanted to prove that she could be as fast as a man. And Jake was so sick of men coming at her again, because if she was a man, she'd be a man.

Fanboy, he was sweet like candy, in his veins. Surrounded by all the horrible things of the day. He was like lightning in a bottle, happiness never leaving because it was all that he thought of. All he did was strike people with the heart of electric love. He strikes with that electric love.

Payback, he was calm. His eyes are godlike and voice and tone approved. He was patient and timing with a bunch of happiness underneath the prince-like features. He was composed but with Jake he was wild.

Jake loved each one of them. They were his family. And now they were all in the stars. The six feet made it feel so far. Jake felt alone between the heavens and the embers. Oh, it just crushes him so hard, stabbed him like a knife in the back for a million different reasons. They built and shaped his heart and now a part forever stopped beating.

You whatsoever love the daggers equally as much but one man today had a special feeling upon you. Justin. He was your brother. Your love for him beats deeper than the ink of your matching tattoos. You both went through similar trauma and that's the truth. You may have grown apart, lived different lives but heaven only knew that somehow you'd find your way back to him.

And Matthew. He may have been your ex but still. He was the man that rocked your world solid while it lasted. He was the love of your life or what you thought he'd be but not anymore. It still hurts for a million different reasons, he was the light in the dark and now it suddenly dims. He took a piece of your life and now you stay here not knowing how to respond honestly.

You allow Jake to have a moment and walk over to Bradley and your little boy. As soon as Kai notices you walking over, he speeds out of Bradley's reach and runs to you. You grab him mid flight and lift him up into your arms, placing him upon your hip. You give him a delicate kiss on his forehead and walk back over to Bradley.

"Is Jake okay?" Asked Bradley, he worry about his only friend who managed to survive this murder attempt. You look over where your boyfriend stands and simply sigh. You didn't know what was going to happen from now on. There was nothing left for you here, no proof about your past existence and no survivors to tell on your tale.

Kai rests his head in the croak of your neck as you rub his back up and down and finally answer Bradley's question. "Honestly, only time will tell."

He simply nodded and asked, "And you?"

"I'll be fine." You will be fine, with time obviously. You just needed time like every normal person would.

You all stand in silence until Kai lets out a little pep in your ear, a sort of whisper, is a better way of describing it. "Can I go to Jakey? He seems sad, I don't wanna see Jakey sad."

You tried to stop your tears from welling up in your eyes and you kissed your son's forehead and nodded a simple yes and put him down on the ground. The second those little booties collided with the ground those feet took off in Jake's direction. God bless for your boys.

-------

You have just placed your son in bed and tucked his covers up tight to his chin. The two of you were telling stories, just like every single night. It was a story followed by a melodic bedtime song. You have just sang the last note as Alfie strides in with his golden fluff, slipping across the floor like a mop. You give him the lightest rubs as he gets up onto Kai's leg bed space.

You know Kai is a comfort now. He has the best guard to watch now and you could finally take two steps back before closing the door.

Jake decided to go to Javy's place to just get some last things and say a last proper good, goodbye. You knew it was a while till he would get your plans done and dusted and Bradley still was coming up to collect work papers soon.

All you have to do now is wait. Rest and wait, that's all you got to do now. You slide down to the couch with a bottle of wine in hand. You weren't even bothered to get glasses for this, you were drinking it damn straight from the bottle. You needed it for after today and the night that only sparked.

You needed to stop that November flash as it filled your eyes once again. It was like a cure. This place was once a madhouse, decking the halls with light and life. One for friendship, two for love, three for you never letting go. But too bad you're messed up in the head, nobody would even notice you're dead.

You lie there for a while, half a bottle done. How did you feel? You felt like you were going to die. You rolled your head back on the couch. Bradley would be here soon and you were far from sobber. You lay like that for a while longer, eyes closed and head tilted up to the ceiling as your last breath was long and clean before a rag covered your mouth and nose with a hand over your eyes.

Current taglist:

@callsign-magnolia

@shanimallina87

@callsign-dexter

@rosiahills22

@horseslovers2016

@djs8891

@hookslove1592

@emma8895eb

@hardballoonlove

@kmc1989

@dempy

@mamachasesmayhem

@senawashere

@emma8895eb

@buckysteveloki-me

@sweetwhispersofchaos

@a-beaverhausen

@itsmytimetoodream

@jessicab1991

[starlightshadowsworld]

A lot of shows and stuff try to convince me that insert group are a family.

When really they aren't.

And it's something Bungo stray dogs has managed to accomplish.

The Detective Agency feels like a family.

Everyone but Noami and Junichiro were against saving Atsushi until Fukuzawa ordered them too.

Saying Atsushi is one of them, he is family and that's all the reasoning they need to save him.

And I thought that's were this ends, they'll remain as coworkers.

But they don't.

Kunikida and Atsushi choose against going with everyone on the murder Mori express and it doesn't cause an argument.

Doesn't cause any divide between them.

Ranpo, the one arguably taking this whole thing the worst, is reaffirming Kunikida's ideals and that he's the best of them.

He extends an olive branch to Atsushi so he can contribute in a meaningful way and not feel like a burden.

Even against the entire Port Mafia, with the stakes this high, the Agency sticks together.

Kunikida and Dazai are constantly at each other's throats, and yet they care about each other so much.

To the point Kunikida doesn't know what he'll do without him. That without Dazai I can't even face the Port Mafia, nevermind this threat.

And the first thing Dazai says to Sigma upon his release is that he missed having Kunikida around.

Kyouka wasn't even an official member, the city was going to be destroyed and Dazai spent the time telling her that people can change.

So that she'd pass her entrance exam and could survive.

In the Manga after Fukuzawa agrees to take Kyouka in, the police Detective comes in for a job and wonders if Kyouka is the killer they're after.

Atsushi makes up a story and when that doesn't do it, Fukuzawa straight up says she's his grand-daughter.

All this seconds after she becomes one of them.

Junichiro in his first mission with Atsushi, gets injured and tries to get him to leave them behind.

To save himself.

Kenji enters his rage state after Tecchou tells him that Atsushi is going to be tortured.

Fukuzawa literally breaks his own vow to work alone, every single time he recruits someone.

They are a family.

And it's not just them.

Kouyou was genuinely worried about Kyouka leaving the Port Mafia because she knows how it ended when she tried to leave.

She doesn't want the same fate for her.

Higuichi and the black lizards essentially defy orders to go rescue Akutugawa.

Because they care that much for him.

The scene of Kouyou, Chuuya and Mori drinking one of Chuuya's expensive treasured wines after saving the city really hits that home for me.

And that's without touching on Chuuya and Dazai's relationship, both in and out of the Port Mafia.

There's a lot of jibes, a lot of insults and a lot of care and trust.

And with family being such a theme, it makes me wonder if the two organisations that fell apart, were in part because they weren't a family.

The Guild and the Hunting Dogs.

Both organisations where everyone was essentially coworkers.

Lucy was dropped the minute she wasn't seen as useful anymore, becoming a traitor when she bonded with Atsushi.

Poe didn't care for the Guild, he just wanted to meet Ranpo.

Fitzgerald had a family he wanted to save (funny how he's the strongest member) and saw anyone else as pawns.

Nathaniel... Is fucking crazy but went off the deep end because he truly cared for Margaret and couldn't exist in an organisation he believes used her.

Leaving behind Fitzgerald and Louisa, who's bond becomes a lot more than simply a boss and his subordinate.

They genuinely care for each other and it's their teamwork that allows Fitzgerald to possess the eyes of God surveillance company.

As for the Hunting Dogs, Fukuchi wanted a team of soilders and realised too late they were more than that.

Tecchou throws aside justice to find Jouno.

Jouno found what it felt to care and help others and that fundamentally changed him.

Tachihara cares for them but he found his family and his place in Port Mafia.

He was able to go of his revenge for his brother, because he had already gained what he lost. He didn't need to keep hurting and hunting anymore.

One by one they all turn on Fukuchi, a man who believes in sacrificing 500 people to potentially save thousands.

He sees them as simply pawns, a means to an end and they turn their backs on him.

Breaking the hunting dogs and his rouse apart.

The irony being Fitzgerald was doing all of this for his wife and Fukuchi was doing it all for Fukuzawa.

... Idk if any of this makes sense but yeah 😅