#forgot to post this right away because I was jumping around like a maniac

[cult-of-a-buttercup]

I FUCCKIIINGGG DID IT I COMPLETED THE ROW OF PURGATORY WITH THE FLEECE OF FATES THE GODHOOD ACHIEVEMENT IS MIIINEEEE

[sirtadcooper]

Javier Peña and the Brown-Nosed Bear

Fandom: Narcos Category: Gen, Humour, Crack Relationships: Javier Peña & Steve Murphy Characters: Javier Peña, Steve Murphy Word Count: 1,900+ For: @djarsdin and @javierian.

Warnings: Swearing, drug mentions, crack (as in a silly idea) treated far too seriously, period inaccuracies, food, McDonald’s.

Summary: Javier Peña is not having a good day so Steve Murphy brings him a McDonald’s Happy Meal to cheer him up.

Notes: This makes no sense. The Happy Meal menu is from the UK in 2021, the toys are from 2018 and the boys are in the 1980s. But just go with it, for me, pretty please?

This, all of this, was inspired by @djarsdin’s tag “someone get this man a happy meal” under this already dryly funny post by @javierian. This is for both of you. :)

Any Spanish is from Google Translate so please forgive me if it’s wrong.

(One-shot.)

Javier Peña and the Brown-Nosed Bear

Javier is staring blankly down at a page, cigarette hanging loosely from one hand as he cups his chin with the other. The typewritten words are blurring and he’s read the same paragraph countless times now, in limbo, unable to get any further.

A small red box, having evidently just been thrown in his direction, lands with a soft thud right under his nose. Javi jerks back with a start, blurry black and white suddenly replaced with bright red and… yellow? Javi blinks, his tired eyes finally focus — it’s a McDonald’s Happy Meal.

“There,” says Steve, “now cheer the fuck up.”

He sets two soda cups down safely on the desk and throws himself down onto his chair with enough force to send it rolling backwards a few feet. Identical Happy Meal box cradled lovingly on his lap, he rolls the chair forwards with his feet until he’s close enough to his desk again to put his boots up on it.

Looking over, Steve nods meaningfully at Javi’s paperwork.

Javi follows his gaze. “Shit.”

Javi’s half cigarette has been dropping flakes of ash onto his page. He swipes the tiny flakes away with the side of his hand — when only faint grey stains remain on the crisp white paper, he rests the still lit cigarette on the rim of the ashtray and leaves it sitting there, hazy wisps of smoke rising into the air.

“You look like shit,” Steve comments needlessly around a huge bite of a chicken burger.

Javi grimaces, rubbing at his tired eyes. He feels like shit, he doesn’t need to be told, thank you, he wants to say. Instead, he says aloud, “How’d things go with your C.I.?”

Chewing noisily, Steve shrugs. “No shop talk over dinner. I’ll tell you later. Eat up.”

With a pointed look, Javi sets the paperwork aside. Perhaps he will try to finish it again later, perhaps tomorrow, or even better still it may find itself in Steve’s annoyingly sparse inbox.

Opening the red and yellow box, Javi finds a bag of fries and a box of chicken nuggets. He hadn’t realised how hungry he was — as soon as the scent of fried fast food hits his nostrils his mouth starts to water. He glances at the clock — well after four in the afternoon. Last time he had checked it was just before one.

“Oh — almost forgot.” Steve plunges his hand into his jacket pocket. First he places a tiny tub of ketchup on Javi’s side of their desk, then a wad of napkins an inch thick.

“Your kid joining us?” Javi asks, meaning the excessive collection of napkins, but concentrating on pulling the lid off the ketchup dip.

Steve, halfway through his chicken burger already, adopts an enigmatic expression. “I’ve learned to be prepared.”

Javi is absolutely ravenous — the chicken nuggets and fries after almost a day’s unintended fasting are heavenly.

They both eat in companionable silence until—

Crunch!

Javi looks up from his food, takes a moment to register what’s in front of his eyes. “What the fuck is that?”

“It’s a carrot stick.”

“What’s it doing in a kid’s meal?” Javi asks, and then, more to himself, “Why am I eating a kid’s meal?”

“One — it’s healthy. Connie and I are watching what we eat right now and trying to keep in shape.” Javi can think of other ways two married people could keep in shape, but hasn’t the chance to voice his opinion as Steve carries on, “Two — shut up, it’s tasty, ain’t it? And three — I thought it might cheer you up, you’ve been a real downer today.” He doesn’t use a finger to emphasise each point, rather a wiggle of a carrot stick with the end bitten off. Javi decides instantly that he doesn’t like that.

“I’m touched,” he says dryly, dipping a fry in his sauce. He really is touched by the kind thought from his partner, but the kind thought is wrapped in so many layers of hillbilly bullshit that it’s hard to find the words to express that. He leaves his gratitude unsaid, veers the conversation away. “How did you order all this, anyways? Your Spanish isn’t that good.”

Steve appears offended, which Javi knows to mean that he isn’t offended at all. “Hey, I know the words for ‘drug dealer’ and ‘cocaine’ and ‘gun’.”

Javi peers into his red and yellow box — only a plastic bag with something black inside remains. “I don’t see any cocaine in here,” Javi mutters under his breath, deliberately loud enough to be heard.

“These carrot sticks are better than coke, believe me,” Steve says, shoving another piece of carrot into his mouth with a triumphant grin as if that proved it.

Javi shakes his head, sips on his soda. “Lying bastard.”

Steve’s expression gives nothing away.

“I just pointed at what I wanted. Took me a few attempts but I got there in the end. How do you say carrot sticks in Spanish? Just, you know, for future reference.”

“Palo de mierda,” Javi tells him with a straight face, without hesitation.

“What?”

“Palo de mierda,” Javi says again, unrepentant — he holds in a breath, hoping that Steve doesn’t catch on. He needn’t have worried.

Steve repeats it a few times, committing the phrase to memory. Javi stuffs a whole chicken nugget in his mouth before he can laugh.

They lapse into silence again — or as silent as it can be when one of them is crunching on raw carrots.

Chicken burger and carrot sticks finished, Steve wipes mayo off of his moustache with a napkin. A few minutes later when Javi reaches for a napkin from the pile as well, Steve looks very pleased with himself.

Javi starts tidying up, collecting the leftover rubbish from his desk and putting it inside his red box. Only his soda remains to be finished.

“Nice,” Steve says and Javi looks up — he’s got a little stuffed penguin toy in a plastic bag. “My little girl’s gonna love this.”

Javi reaches into his box and pulls out a bag too — it’s a black thing with a brown nose and tummy, some kind of stuffed animal he doesn’t recognise. He turns it over — there’s a card inside.

SLOTH BEAR, it reads.

“Here you go,” Javi says, lifting himself out of his chair to reach across their desk made out of two desks. He holds out the sloth bear in its plastic bag for Steve to take — but Steve doesn’t make a move, just stares at Javi like he’s sprouted an extra head that’s just told him the sky isn’t blue. Catching his look, Javi asks, “What? It’s for your kid.”

“No, no, man, that’s yours,” Steve says, shaking his head along with every ‘no’.

Javi doesn't retreat, just shakes his outstretched hand as if to tempt him — the little bear in the bag jumps up and down and the plastic crinkles noisily with the movement. (Javi hasn’t thought of the Serpent tempting Eve in the Garden of Eden for a long time.)

After a few moments of them staring stubbornly at each other, bear in a bag suspended between them, Javi falls back into his chair with a huff. He looks down at the bear in his hands. “What am I going to do with this?”

Steve rolls his eyes and lifts up his hand, fingers wiggling to beckon Javi — or the bear — to him.

He gets the bear — it flies across the desk and slaps him on the cheek with some force, bouncing off of him and to the ground. Steve bends over in his chair and it rolls back slightly as he strains to reach the bear where it has landed. He straightens, the bear clenched securely in his fist, and fixes Javi with an outraged look. “What the hell?”

Javi takes a drag of his half-finished cigarette, blows out the smoke. “It’s a tiny stuffed animal, Steve, it can’t feel a thing.”

“He’s got a brown nose.”

“He?” Javi mutters to himself, but is talked over.

“He’s got a brown nose, d’you know what that means?” Steve points at the bear’s pale brown muzzle, just in case Javi hasn’t noticed — he has noticed, he just doesn’t see why the hell he should care.

Steve’s expecting an answer — Javi rolls his eyes, feebly attempts, “He — it — has been using a sun bed wrong?”

“No, it means he’s your mascot,” Steve declares with childlike glee.

Javi blinks in the face of Steve’s unaccountable delight. “You’re losing it, Murphy.”

“He is. Think about it — how much brown-nosing do you and me have to do on a weekly basis? It’s a fuckton. I can handle it fine because I am calm and collected and an excellent people person — but you? You look like you’re constipated the whole time — quit flipping me the bird, man, I’m serious here — and the big cheeses know it, Javi, they’ll start taking a real dislike to you. But this bear is an expert, look at him, it’s all over his face. You take inspiration from him and he’ll show you how to brown-nose like the best of them.”

Steve holds out the bear in the bag for Javi to take. The three of them stare at each other — Steve with a look of ridiculous seriousness, Javi with straight-up disbelief, and the bear with the blank expression of the fucking inanimate.

“Kiss my ass,” Javi says, and in one swift and graceful movement he’s out of his chair and heading for the restroom. His knees protest after sitting for most of the day but he’s not fucking stopping. He has to get away from this maniac. “I’m going for a piss,” he throws over his shoulder as he disappears into the corridor.

When he returns several minutes later Steve is gone — but the brown-nosed bear is unwrapped from its plastic bag and nestled in between his outbox and his pen pot.

Javi sighs, but the bear stays.

TWO DAYS LATER

“Ambassador Noonan wants to see us about my C.I.,” Steve tells Javi, almost apologetic, as he puts the phone back on the hook.

“Both of us? Great,” Javi says, the final word sounding chipper but dripping with sarcasm.

They both head for their desks, collecting I.D. badges from drawers and putting their coats on. Steve fiddles with his hair — which makes very little difference, Javi thinks — and picks up his car keys. “I’ll drive,” he says, and goes on ahead.

The brown-nosed bear catches Javi’s eye as he turns to leave. He pauses despite himself, mutters, “Fuck it.”

He puts the bear in his pocket and follows Steve out of the building.

In the meeting, every time Noonan says something that will needlessly halt their progress in catching Escobar, Javi squeezes the bear hidden in his pocket and tries to look less ‘constipated’, as Steve succinctly put it.

Steve’s C.I. will get them a small step closer to Escobar but a small step is better than none at all. Noonan is pleased, grants them some extra funds and manpower to follow the C.I.’s lead. In all, the meeting goes much better than usual — they leave with more than they arrived with.

Javi and Steve are descending the stairs to the underground parking lot together when Javi says, “Palo de zanahoria.”

“Huh? What’s that?”

“Palo de zanahoria. Carrot sticks. In Spanish.”

[miyaniacs]

collaboration between @shhhlikeme and @thosenerdy3amthings​

about: Casually scrolling though YouTube Hanamaki suddenly stops. His eyes scan over the title again and again “Most Handsome & Beautiful Haikyu!! Faces”.  As soon as his brain comprehended what he just read, he clicked on it. There was someone out there, ranking him, his friends and the people around them? He HAS to tell Matsukawa. There is no way he can not. Not after what he just saw. Let the vicious cycle begin … 

Link to the video and credits are in the masterlist

Introduction /Oikawa and Iwaizumi

Kageyama and Hinata

written by @shhhlikeme​​

“Hey Kageyama!” Hinata greeted the man standing on his lawn, hopping out of his house like an orange bunny. 

“Why were you calling me when I told you I’d be here in 2 minutes, boke.” Answered the setter, skipping hellos and turning his back to walk to the library. Hinata caught up with him. 

This afternoon, the two college boys / ex teammates planned on heading the local library. Even though they attend different post-secondary schools, they had gotten so used to cramming together everyday in high school for three years that they find comfort in working alongside eachother to pull out the grades they need, even though neither of them were willing to admit it. 

“Oh! Because I thought of something I had to tell you and I didn’t want to forget it when I got out here!” 

Kags was annoyed, as per usual. “Alright.... So are you gonna tell me what it is..........?” 

Hinata‘s mouth formed an “O” as he lifted up his index finger excitedly to say what he’s been itching to tell his friend for weeks......only to not have any sound come out: because he forgot. 

Kageyama glared at him. “You forgot.” 

Shōyo waved his arms around maniacally as they walked. 

“Well crap! Maybe if you got here on time I would have remembered!” 

“Boke. Think. What was it about?” 

Hinata raked his memory with all his might. “Uhhhh......Twitter. Something about Twitter. Oh, right!!! I sent you something funny of Twitter!”

“I’m never on Twitter. And I won’t find it funny.” Tobio mumbled, sliding his phone out of his pocket, unlocking it with his thumb, he pressed the Twitter app that might as well have cobwebs on it. Tobio had like 50+ mentions and 20+ direct messages. 

Looking around his arm to see, Hinata pointed to the screen. “Hey.... why is The Great King messaging you??” 

Tobio was suddenly very interested. “What? He did? What did he say?!”

Retrieving the iphone, Hinata opened the direct message, taking the liberty of shoving his face closer to the screen and reading the message out loud: 

“Oikawa said..... ‘ha guess who’s better again’ ...............then he said..........’once second best, always second best ..... nail polish emoji.....middle finger emoji..............sticking tongue out emoji’............and then there’s a video link. A rank.”

“A rank!?” His blood boiling because his ex-mentor could easily get under his skin, Kageyama ripped his phone out of Shōyo’s hand and brought it close to his face for analysis. 

“Someone put out a ranking?” He inquired. 

“Ouuu lemme see! I think that’s our old coach Takeda on the thumbnail!” Hinata grabbed the phone back, getting excited. 

“No, Boke! Let me hold MY PHONE!” 

The two began a scrappy cell phone tug of war, resulting in a toss of the phone several feet in the air into the neighbours yard. The video had begun playing as they threw it.

The two competitors paused - looked at eachother, then hurdled over the fence, jumping over the lawn gnomes and raced over to the phone that was playing the Rank video. During the race, they slid onto their stomachs on the grass, immediately trying to pry it out of the other’s hands before settling on placing it in the middle as they both held the device.

“Whoaaaaaaaa.” Hinata widened his eyes as he saw the pictures roll to left. “How did they get all these pictures of everyone?!” 

Taking the phone completely and pausing the video, Shōyo rapidly scanned his surroundings as if he’d just seen a red target on Kageyama’s forehead from a distant shooter. 

When he figured the coast was clear, he brought his attention back to the video. 

“WHOA OVER 400,000 VIEWS?!” 

Annoyed, Kags pressed play again. 

“I mean maybe there’s no spies around but it is kind of scary. Where did they get these pictures!?” 

Lying on the grass, Kags bumped Hinata’s shoulder with his own in an attempt to get him to shut up about random shit. “What’s my rank.” He inquired. 

“Hey they put Aone-san at the end all the way at #166!? Well, that’s mean.” 

Kags nudged Hinata again with his shoulder. “What’s my rank, Boke.?”

“And hey that short Ace that you said I fly higher than back in 1st year is at #115! I think he’d be really angry to see that.” 

I don’t care: Kags thought. 

Nudge. “What’s my rank, Boke?” 

“HAHA! ONION HEAD IS AT #77! .......But how did he beat out Lev, looking like a human onion?” Hinata scratched his head. 

Shut up: Kags thought. 

Nudge again. “What’s my rank, Boke.?” 

“Hmmm.... I see a lot of old heads on this list! I guess the person who made this list likes grandpas!.” 

Harder nudge. “What is—“ 

“Awesome! Inuoka is in the Top 50?! Way to—“

Never the patient sort, Tobio Karate-chopped Hinata on the head. 

“WHAT IS MY RANK, YOU IDIOT—!” 

Hinata yelped in pain, turning to scream back in his ear. “—I DON’T KNOW KAGEYAMA, OBVIOUSLY WE HAVEN’T SEEN YOU OR ME IN THE VIDEO YET SO—“

“—WELL SKIP TO AT THE END, THEN! YOU THINK I WOULD BE RANKED ANYWHERE NEAR THE PLAYERS YOU JUST MENTIONED—“

“FINE! I’LL FAST FORWARD IT BUT ONLY IF YOU STOP YELLING IN MY EAR! I NEED TO USE THEM TO PLAY IN MY GAME TOMORROW—“ 

“HEY YOU KIDS WHEREVER YOU ARE GET THE FUCK OFF MY LAWN WITH ALL THAT YELLING BEFORE I CALL THE COPS—“ Yelled a shaky elderly voice from the grumpy old bat that lived on Hinata’s street. 

The boys froze as if that would render them invisible. Kageyama quieted down so that his idiot friend could just fast forward quickly. Given the circumstances, Hinata did, to top 15. 

“Oh, hey! There’s Asahi!” 

The two boys whisper-exclaimed in unison. 

 “Tsukishima should not be in the Top 15.” 

They also said in unison, deadpanning.

“Hey look! It’s me!” 

Both boys exclaimed, seeing rank #13 and #12 roll across the screen.

“At least whoever did this knows I’m better than you, Boke.” Kags muttered.

“Why should you be higher than me?!” Hinata yelled. “You look like the monster Natsu thinks is hiding under her bed!” 

“Oh shut up....” 

Glancing back to the screen, Hinata gasped. “AND THERE IS THE GREAT KING! At Number 5, wow!” 

Kageyama was not happy.

“I mean, I guess I can see why they would mistake Oikawa because he is in all the magazines so they probably have seen him more so I’m only a little insulted about that. But the real question is... WHY would they think Coach Ukai—the guy who smokes a pack a day and can barely jog one lap around the gym—is a better player than ME?! I’m disgusted. And Kiyoko?! She only serves underhand! What kind of stupid video is!? Show me who made it I’m going to send them my highlight tape right now so that they can correct this shi—“ 

Hinata blinked, interrupting his frenemy. “Uh, Kageyama....?” 

Kags stopped his angry rant momentarily to glare at his old teammate. 

“What?!”

“...You do realize that this isn’t a rank for greatest volleyball skill, right? It’s uh..... for looks. How attractive we all are.” 

Upon hearing the new information, Kags’ infuriated face fell. 

“....Really?” 

Shōyo nodded.

“Oh.” 

Kageyama’s entire demeanour changed, switching from shifty— to absolutely careless. He stood up calmly from the grass and dusted off his attire. 

“Then I don’t care.” 

He stated simply, turning to head in the direction of the library again, expecting Hinata to follow with his phone.

“Wait! What are you going to answer The Great King!?” 

Tobio shrugged as he walked away, so, naturally, Hinata took his response literally. Not wanting to be rude and still holding onto Kags’ phone, Hinata responded to Oikawa’s dm that had the viral ranking with a: 

🤷🏻‍♂️ 

Immediately, you could see “.....��� on the screen because Oikawa was typing. 

Oikawa: WHY AREN’T YOU ANGRY 😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻

“Hm. I guess Oikawa-senpai was hoping for a better reaction out of Kageyama.....” 

In the distance, Kags yelled, 

“HINATA! We have to study. Let’s go!” 

“Coming!” 

Shōyo called, quickly forwarding the video to his own Twitter so that he could send it to Kenma later. He does that with every interesting video he comes across, so maybe Kenma would get a kick out of it. 

Shōyo did not remember seeing Kozume on the list because Kageyama had gone into his distracting rant about unfairness, but Shōyo just figured he had skipped his anti-social friend’s rank when Kageyama made him fast forward to the Top 15. 

Little did he know.......... that the quiet cat boy’s ranking..........was even higher than Oikawa’s.

 taglist ( open ) : @your-local-bnha-writer​​​ @chaichai-the-weeb​​​​ @kageyamasbraincell​​​​  @nekxrizawa​​​​  @ushiwakaflaka​​​ ​ @tendouthighs​​​​  @brokeyiam

[jungshookz]

So how about a drabble? ANY DRABBLE WOULD DO IM THIRSTAYYY

hERE is the somewhat completed but uncompleted hwayoung’s birthday draft that i was supposed to post :-((( but forgot to :-(((( 

universe; ceo!yoongi

wordcount; 1.8k

something that you can safely say hwayoung inherited from you is the fact that you are very much a believer in getting as much beauty sleep as possible

the girl would snooze the entire day away if it weren’t for eating and diaper changing

in fact yOu would snooze the entire day away if it weren’t for eating and diaper changing

so it was more than surprising when you opened the door this morning to see her already up and waiting for you to come and get her

“what in the world are you already doing up??” you gasp exaggeratedly as you step into her room

you head over and switch off her white noise machine before turning to face her “good morning, birthday girl!”

hwayoung squeals excitedly as she starts to bounce up and down in her crib while holding onto the railings

“mamamamama-“ she babbles and starts to bounce even moRe enthusiastically as you approach her crib

you smooth her bedhead hair back before leaning down and smaCking a kiss on her forehead

“did you sleep well?” you squish her cheeks in between your hands before leaning down again and giving her a little kith on her nose

“ba.” 

“i hear ya loud and clear, girl. should we head down for breakfast? daddy’s slicing up some bananas for you in the kitchen.”

“ba!” hwayoung raises her arms for you to pick her up

“we should probably change your diaper first because no birthday should start off with a warm wet tushy.” you scoop hwayoung out of her crib and cradle her against your hip

you pause when you give her bum a little squish as you adjust her and you unintentionally grimace 

,.,.that is a very full diaper

u love ur daughter but changing diapers is still GROSS 

anyways 

since hwayoung’s birthday falls on new year’s eve you thought it was going to be tricky figuring out how to celebrate them both at the same time

which is why you came up with a completely foolproof plan that you think everyone will be happy with

here’s what’s going to go down on december 31st 2019

you will celebrate hwayoung’s birthday for the entire day

and then you will celebrate new year’s eve for the entire night when hwayoung goes to bed!

see??

but wait 

now that you think about it

,.,.,.does hwayoung also want to celebrate new year’s with you guys?

does she even understand the concept of a new year?? a new decaDE?????

ok you’re definitely overthinking this

keeping her up til midnight is going to mess with her sleeping schedule biG time so that probably wouldn’t be a good idea

“-then uncle jimin and jungkook are coming over with your presents, and we’re going to open them, and your ice cream cake is in the freezer-“ you make your way down the stairs slowly as you tell hwayoung about how the day is going to unfold

she lets out a little sigh before leaning against you and tucking her head under your chin

“happy birthday, chunky monkey!” yoongi’s face lights up when he sees the two of you coming down the stairs and hwayoung immediately perks up

“dadadaba!!!” you give her one last kiss before handing her over to yoongi and of courSE she’s reaching out to him before you even hand her off

she has her mama’s girl moments but most of the time she is definitely a daddy’s girl

yooongi immediately smooshes several kisses to her cheek and hwayoung cackles with glee

“-and good morning to you-“ he hums and leans over to give you a quick kiss “i thought you were going to get up to help me with breakfast!”

“y’know, i was… and then i was like… extra sleep sounds vEry nice…” you smile sheepishly and scratch the back of your neck “but this spread looks great!”

yoongi went all out for breakfast this morning

buttered slices of golden brown toast

crispy sausages and slabs of bacon

scrambled eggs

freshly-squeezed orange juice too!!

and of course a bowl of sliced up bananas for hwayoung because she’s been going through a banana (and blueberry!) phase lately

yoongi even sprinkled a couple (whole grain) cheerios on her tray for her to pick at

“what time did jimin and jungkook say they were coming over? i should probably start decorating for the party soon.” 

after making sure hwayoung is snug and secure in her seat, you pull a chair out to sit down on

yoongi hands you a cup of hot coffee before pausing slightly “i think they said 10 or 11? i’ll text them again after breakfast to make sure.”

“bada?” hwayoung raises her fist and unfurls it before revealing a perfectly round blueberry

she blinks owlishly at you when you don’t make a move

and then you realise that your daughter is offering you some of her breakfast which is vEry kind of her

you pluck it from her before popping it into your mouth “thank you, my sweet little baby.” you reach over to push her cheerios closer to her

“baba.” she murmurs and shoveS some mushy bananas into her mouth

“are you going to offer any to dada?” you gesture to yoongi and yoongi pushes his bottom lip out in a pout before holding his hands out

hwayoung giggles as she continues to mash bananas and blueberries into her mouth

goD

you love her sticky little face

:’)

“y/n, check it out!” jungkook raises both of hwayoung’s legs up in the air so that you can get a good look at her feet

hwayoung squawks as she flops back against kook’s tummy and she lets out a little whine

“we’re matching!!!” jungkook wiggles his own feet and you snort when you see that they’re both wearing brand new nike air force 1s

at least now you know hwayoung is just as trendy as kook

but also why is jungkook wearing shoes in your living room like a maniAC

before you get a chance to gently remind jungkook that it would be greatly appreciated if he took his shoes off, jimin pipes up in a huff

“i can’t believe you literally copied my gift idea-“ jimin gestures to the open doc martens box and jungkook rolls his eyes

“i didn’t copy anything-“

“i told you i was going to get her her first pair of doc martens.“ jimin states before reaching over to pull hwayoung’s sock up

“yeAH you said doc martens you didn’t say anything about nikes-“ jungkook lets go of hwayoung’s legs before leaning back against his palms

hwayoung sits up properly before peeking around to look over at you

she’s looking at you like she wants you to rescue her

“oh you are suCH A MOOCHER-“ 

hwayoung twists around and places her hands on the ground so that she’s kind of lying over jungkook’s thigh before pushing her bum up to help her to stand up

aH

okay here we go

her new shoes were made for walking and that’s exaCtly what she’s going to do

you drop down to your knees and hold your arms out as hwayoung slowly toddles her way over to you while jimin and jungkook continue to bicker over their gifts in the background

“c’mere, come to mama!” you grin excitedly as she steps toward you 

you remember the first time she walked

you were worried that she was never going to walk because all the kids from your mommy’s group had already started to walk but hwayoung still seemed to prefer crawling

you remember you were on the phone with yoongi while preparing dinner one night

hwayoung was on her play mat by the fridge stacking her little toy blocks and all in all having a good time by herself

and yoU were kind of a mess because you were trying to do like 10 things at once

talk to yoongi

chop up some onions

stir the pot

watch the other pot

make sure the pots and pans in the sink aren’t going to topple over

anyways it took you a second to realize that you had dropped your wooden spoon onto the floor but you couldn’t pick it up at the moment because you were holding a veRY hot pot

“so, what time did you say you were going to leave the off- oH-“ you jump three feet into the air when you suddenly realise that hwayoung is standing right behind you as soon as you turn around after having put the pot down

what the-

she blinks at you before holding the wooden spoon up for you to take “bahbah?”

your brows knit together almost immediately “what the f-“

“y/n, what’s wrong?” yoongi asks on the other line and you tilt your head in curiosity as you look down at your daughter

h-how,..,,. how did she get from her play mat to over here so,.,. so quickly.,., and also,.., she is definitely standing on her own two feet right now

usually she has to hold your hand or lean onto something but here she is

standing

like a normal human being

you take the spoon from her gingerly before clearing your throat “uh, nothing! nothing. i just- i think- i think hwayoung is- well, she’s-”

“spit it out, you’re worrying me-” 

“she’s standing! by herself. she’s standing on her own two feet. and i’m pretty sure she walked over to me. by herself. alone.” you clear your throat

you haven’t taken your eyes off of hwayoung because you’re waiting for her next move

but she’s just staring right back up at you 

you neARLY cried but you held it together for the sake of not freaking hwayoung out

and now she’s toddling around everywhere!!!! she still plops down every now and then but she can make at least 10 steps before giving up and waiting for someone to pick her up or just crawling over to the destination by herself

“wow, these are nice…” you hum as you check out hwayoung’s new shoes

they are vERY white and you know they’re going to get all scuffed up in like five seconds flat

but you’ve already imagined a million different outfits to match with the shoes and you’re excited >:-))

the docs that jimin gifted are also very nice and you’re looking forward to buying moRe outfits to match with them

“see, look what you did!” jungkook scoffs as he twists to gesture to hwayoung “your yeLLing scared her off- c’mere, hwayoung, come to me-” 

“no no, come to mE-” 

hwayoung looks up at you helplessly and you snort 

everyone wants the birthday girl’s attention today!!! 

help me help you make your wishes come tru (aka send me a request)

drabble tag; drabble masterlist

[seventeen-alternative-universe]

Curiosity killed the cat (but I wouldn’t mind)

Thanks to @dramaloverrants for such a wonderful idea.

Sypnosis: Lu Yao hid something from Chusheng. It made him curious, and he tried to find out why, only to know that Lu Yao, indeed, got into troubles.

Chusheng felt like Lu Yao was trying to hide something away from him.

It wasn’t a problem to him when people had secrets, but since the first day he met Lu Yao, the detective never really tried to hide, nor lied to him about anything (well, although sometimes he would be a little sneaky, tried to have fun here and there in the police station, Chusheng wouldn't mind about that for a bit, as long as Lu Yao didn’t harm anyone).

However, the way Lu Yao acted lately gave Chusheng the jitters.

For example, Lu Yao loved to eat, because to him, food was a part of his normal life besides cases. Whenever they went to a restaurant, he would definitely order a take-out and continued to eat through the way. However, seeing him absolutely immersed in something that made him forgot to order a food parcel was alarming.

“San Tu, you don't like this restaurant?”

Chusheng asked, then frowned when he saw his partner's distracted state again. He lightly shook his shoulder, which earned him a flinch from Lu Yao.

“Sorry, can you repeat what you just said?”

“You don’t like the dishes of this restaurant?” Chusheng repeated the question. It is rare to see Lu Yao in such a preoccupied state, Chusheng thought. “You’ve been distracted recently. Is there anything bothering you?”

“Oh nothing. Just some theories about biology wandered in my mind.” Lu Yao laughed, put his sweaty hands in his pocket in front of Chusheng's gaze, and hoped that the inspector wouldn’t notice about his worried state.

Chusheng stared at him for a few minutes before looking away and sighed. He knew Lu Yao was trying to hide something, but he couldn’t force him to tell about that. He respected Lu Yao’s secret.

“Alright. Let's go then, the case won’t solve itself after all.”

Lu Yao nodded then paced to Chusheng’s car, ignored the inspector's worried look burning the back of his neck.

~~~

It was dead midnight when Chusheng saw Lu Yao at the corner of the street, which really surprised him.

Chusheng knew that Lu Yao was an active sleeper, and he would not give up his precious sleeping time for anything, except those times when he would pull several all-nighters to solve a case. But tonight they didn’t have any, so there were no reasonable excuses for Lu Yao to roam around this late.

What alerted him more was the scene of Lu Yao talked to someone, probably a man, in the dark, dusty corner, next to the Bank of Sassoon.

Chusheng silently approached the corner, tried to eavesdrop on the conversation between these two. Clearly, the hushed, strained voice of Lu Yao couldn't help Chusheng, but the rough voice of the other man did.

“Please, I'm begging you. I know that you are the greatest detective in Shanghai, you are my only hope.”

“Li Xiansheng, I… I couldn't take this case. Please understand.”

“Please, Detective Lu, I don’t trust in the police force. My wife's mysterious disappearance was closed by those men, no one gave me an answer to that. And now my daughter is missing too. History repeats itself, and the police just didn’t care.”

Another cold case needs to be reopened, Chusheng thought to himself, continued to observed the two. He heard a surrendering sigh before Lu Yao spoke again. “Okay. I will solve this case as a detective personally. Just give me four days.”

“Thank you, thank you.” The man said profusely. “I will never forget your help.”

Lu Yao only nodded, waited until the man went away, then silently returned home. Chusheng followed him, made sure that he came back safely before having a trip to the police station.

He decided that if the stranger didn’t want the police to get involved, he would help Lu Yao and deal with this by himself in secret, as an ex-mafia.

~~~

“You want me to help you with a disappearance case?” You-ning asked. Chusheng nodded.

“Do you know any missing cases that weren't solved, and stayed on the newspaper for a long time?”

You-ning frowned, then rummaged through her piles of paper. She put an old news on the table.

“Here. A man posted on the news the descriptions of his wife, saying that she didn’t come back home after a party that was organized at a small casino. At the time she went missing, the wife wore a black breton hat with a black pegged dress.”

“Quite normal, wasn't it?”

“Yes, it could be considered normal.” The journalist gave him another piece of news. “Guess who just posted that same kind of descriptions few days ago?”

Chusheng read through the columns: lady, 20 years old, wore a black breton hat with a black pegged dress. Same descriptions, just different people.

“When did that man first posted the descriptions?” Chusheng asked.

“About 18 years ago. His wife at that time was around 20 years old.”

“Thanks for that pieces of information.” He said and left the room quickly, ignored the startled call of You-ning behind him, then drove to the police station. At there, he ordered Salim and A-Dou to search for the cold case files, read all of them carefully, then noted down any suspicious, or related points. Although this process took a lot of time, but in the end, Chusheng did notice some patterns, and all of them led to a person.

And his finding made him regretted about letting Lu Yao solved the case.

Chusheng wished he stopped Lu Yao from accepting to help the man that night. He didn't know about the man's connections with those nasty foreigners. He blamed himself for not noticing about this earlier. The overwrought feeling inside his heart probably didn't help either, as it continued to grow when he came to his car, and saw the familiar lanky figure, not far away from him, being pulled to a car in an unconscious, probably drugged state.

Lu Yao.

Chusheng cursed under his breath, jumped into his car and followed, his knuckles turned white from holding the steering wheel so tight. He might drive over speed, but he just wanted to save Lu Yao after all.

Seeing the car parked and Lu Yao being dragged out, he took in a deep breath, got himself mentally prepared, then followed those men in a deadly silence.

~~~

Everything around Lu Yao was a blur, and it kept spinning.

He remembered that he came to a room that was allocated by Li Xiansheng to discuss more about the case, but by the time he got there, he suddenly felt really sleepy, and his last conscious thought was oh, the room was filled with chloroform.

Lu Yao could sense the rough pull of someone on his arms and legs, then the car engine roared, yet he couldn’t move, his long body were limp and he was so, so fatigued. The jolts that were caused by the car bumped along the road only made the nauseous feeling worsen.

When they stopped, he was pulled out of the car, and tied onto a chair inside a small cabin near a river, as he could felt the moist wind blowed on his face. He felt a cold, sharp blade slided on his neck, on his face, followed by a hollow, maniacal laugh. Just a move went wrong and that blade would take his life, but it seemed like the kidnapper wouldn't mind about that. He tried so hard to open his eyes, but all of his efforts were useless. So many thoughts and possibilities ran in his mind, and he wished he could hit his head on something to stop them. He wished for someone, just someone, to came and save him. 

Just when that thought came into his mind, he heard the sound of screams and shattered objects echoed in the small cabin. He wheezed, and shrunk his body as small as possible, wished that he would be unnoticed. Tears rolled on his cheeks as his headache subdued due to anesthetic effects of chloroform. Am I going to die?, he thought, before he surrendered to the pitch dark of unconsciousness. His last thing stayed on his mind was the appearance of Chusheng, his Qiao Si, his favourite police, his wallet, his partner, as he cut all the ropes that tied him, hugged him in his strong arms, enveloped him in his warm and whispered to him with his signature husky voice.

“San Tu, I'm late, I’m so sorry. I will take you home, our home.”

~~~

Lu Yao ran in the dark, his breath was uneven and his legs were weary, but he still kept running. At one point, he lost his balance and tumbles, but he stood up right away. They were so close behind him, ready to catch him. Fatigue and exhaustion took over his sense, but he still ran.

Then suddenly, he stopped. 

He couldn't move his body, even though he tried to kick, to struggle away from the death grip, but to no avail. He vaguely heard the shout of someone, then that shout became clearer and clearer.

“Lu Yao, Lu Yao…”

A gasp, then Lu Yao sat up, blinked his eyes a few times to adjust to the darkness, before he noticed Chusheng holding his shoulders, eyes wide with worry and concern.

“You are awake.”

Chusheng sat down next to him, carefully wiped away the sweat on his forehead, but Lu Yao seemed to have a different idea, as he held the inspector's calloused hand, and rested his head on it.

“Chusheng, I was scared, so scared.”

“I know.” Chusheng hummed. “I wished that I stopped you from accepting that man's request. I promised to protect you, but I failed, and I...”

“Shhh.” Lu Yao shushed him, then press his forehead on him, let their noses brushed against each other. “You came there just in time. You saved me.”

“But… the trauma of this…”

“Don’t worry.” Lu Yao smiled a little, before kissed Chusheng, their hands interlaced. “I will be fine, as long as you stay by my side.”

“I promise.”

Lu Yao nodded, before pulled Chusheng to lay next to him, and clinged on to the strong, firm body like a koala. He mumbled something, probably between “I love you" and “Good night", then went to sleep. Chusheng kissed his temple then smiled.

As long as Lu Yao stayed by his side, he would be fine.

[myinnerdemons-inverted]

Can you post a short story of where the purge happens once a year, how does inverted Ava and her crew deal with this. Assuming that It lasts for a full day and that it only lasts within a certain cities boundaries and that this year its ava's city

(Before I start I want t say I’M SO SO SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG I’VE BARELY HAD MOTIVATION TO WRITE RECENTLY AND THIS HAS BEEN HAUNTING ME IN MY ASK BOX FOR MONTHS NOW I PROMISE I DIDN’T FORGET ABOUT IT! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!) (Also, I’ve never seen any of the Purge movies so I’m sorry if I get anything wrong, I’m just going off of what I know, which is that everything is legal)

At first, the boys were confused, mainly on why Ava was covering all of her windows and boarding up her door. The moment the sirens sounder was when fear set in.

“Ava, what’s happening?” Asch asked, he seemed calm but the panic in his voice gave away his thoughts.

“Make that fucking blaring stop!” Rhys shouted, covering his ears.

“I forgot to tell you!?” Ava asked. Like the others, she was panicked. “It’s the Purge!”

“The what?” Rhys asked, he was more annoyed than anything.

“It’s in my city this year!” Ava said, still hammering away at the wooden board that’s blocking her door, “Basically, there are no laws for a full day! Which means there will be people running around, breaking into places and maybe killing people and I’m too young to die!”

“Wait,” Rhys said, “So we can go out and cause as much damage as possible and have no consiquences?” His grin was manic, and he reached for his gauntlets that held their place on his belt.

“You’re not going anywhere!” Ava said, “None of us are! We’re staying here until it’s all over!”

“Hell no I’m not!” Rhys shoved his way past Ava and pried the door open. “I’m off to level this city! Don’t try and stop me!” With that, he equiped his gauntlets and ran down the hall, smashing through the nearest window and jumping out. There were already sounds of gunshots in the distance.

Asch bit his bottom lip, “I’m going after him,” he announced, “You three, protect Ava.”

“Right!” Pierce saluted.

“O-of course,” Leif said, still shaken up.

Noi only nodded.

“I’m counting on you,” Asch smiled before running out the window after Rhys.

“Stay safe!” Ava called out. She closed the door once more.

Pierce then came up with Ava’s couch hoisted above his head, she didn’t even notice that he went back to get it. He placed it up against the door. “That’s should do! Humans aren’t strong enough to move couches, right? Maybe if there were enough of them? But what if—“

Leif placed a hand on Pierce’s shoulder to silence him.

“Sorry,” Pierce said. The questions would still bug him, but he could keep those thoughts to himself for now.

Leif then walked over to Ava, placing a hand on her shoulder as well, “It’ll be alright, Ava,” he assured, though he was more talking to himself.

“I know I’ll be fine with you guys here but... what about everyone else? My friends? The seniors who live here? They’ll be okay, right?”

Ava leaned her head into his shoulder and he wrapped his arms around her, rubbing circles on her back, “They’ll be fine, okay? Everything will be alright. You said this would only last a day, right? It will be okay?”

Leif was always the go-to when you seaked some kind of comfort.

“Promise?”

“I promise,” Leif said, though in all honesty he wasn’t sure. He just hoped that no one would be killed.

~~~

Rhys wasn’t hard to spot out, all Asch had to do was follow the large explosions and manic laughter and he would find he knight in no time, right?

Oh, how wrong he was. Those types of things were going on everywhere. How could such a place devolve into such chaos so quickly? And in broad daylight nonetheless? Why? Why would such an event as this exist.

It would be bad to call out to Rhys directly, it would give himself away soo easily, and if Rhys heard him he would just run in the other direction.

The cocking on guns caught him off guard for a second. He turned around and saw maybe five or six people with weapons pointed at him.

“A pretty boy like yourself shouldn’t be out here,” one of them said. Asch had hidden his horns already, so that wasn’t why he was being targeted.

Asch sighed before swiping his hand in a horizontal motion, sending a wave of water crashing into the group before they could respond, sending them flying into a nearby building and letting the crumple to the ground. They were only unconscious, thankfully, but they might need to check for head injuries later. “My apologies,” Asch muttered before setting back out to find his knight.

Asch normally wasn’t one to get annoyed, but this, such as finding a needle in a haystack, would be a pain.

~~~

Sounds of gunshots and other noises of destruction echoed thoughout the city and made it to Ava’s appartment. She sat on the floor, knees huddled close to her chest. Noi sat next to her as well, but he didn’t do much else to comfort her.

The three knights had their weapons at the ready, Pierce with his longsword, Leif with his rapier, and Noi with his dagger.

So far, nothing had happened. The appartment was earily silent, no one even dared to breathe too loud.

A bang at the door broke the silence. Then another. And another. They were loud crashes, the wood threatening to splinter under the weight, like the person was ramming their while body at the door

The knights took a fighting stance. The door then splintered, a man tumbling through the top half of the door and over the couch.

The knights stood in front of Ava, ready to guard her.

The man looked up at them, his eyes were dialated and red, sunken into his skull, definitely due to some drug.

“Pretty lady,” he slurred, getting to his feet.

Pierce was the first to spring into action. He reared his sword back over his shoulder, but instead of slashing the man he struck him with the butt of the sword’s handle, knocking him out.

Suddenly, another man came from seemingly nowhere, with the same drugged out look in his eyes. He raised what looked like a machete and tried to swing at Pierce, only for Leif to step in and parry the attack.

They all looked back over to the hole in the door, where more of these drugged up maniacs crawled through the opening.

Great, a bunch of idiots decided to go through this mess while high.

Noi was still with Ava.

There were now at least five men drugged up out of their minds in her appartment.

Pierce quickly took out another one, using the same technique he used to take out the first.

Leif disarmed another by swiping the pistol out of his hands with the tip of his blade and using a similar move as Pierce to knock him out.

One had charged at Noi, swiping a metal baseball bat at his head. Noi ducked, dodging the feeble attack easily before sinking his dagger into the man’s gut.

While this was happening, one of them had made their way to Ava, knocking her on her back and straddling her waist as he held a butcher knife above his head.

Before he can strike, however, a blade pierced deep through his neck from behind.

The blade was pulled out and the man’s knife clattered beside her. Noi caught the man as he fell forward before he fell onto Ava and tossed him aside. He helped a stunned Ava back up to a sitting position.

Leif stood in front of her, tears flowing down his face, blood coating the tip of his blade. He let out a shaky, “I’m so sorry...” before dropping to his knees.

When Pierce finished dealing with the rest of them he ran over to the others, joining them on the floor before wrapping his arms around the three of them. Ava and Leif were crying and Noi was as blank as ever, though he did wrap his arm around Pierce’s back.

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” Pierce repeated over and over.

~~~

Asch had finally found Rhys. How long had it been? Five hours? He knows it’s definitely been way too long.

“Rhys!” Asch called out to him.

Rhys, who was standing on a pile of rubble, rolled his eyes, “What do you want?” His hands were still smoldering.

“I want to take you back to Ava’s appartment. Haven’t you done enough?”

Rhys laughed, “What? I’m just getting started! I’m not stopping now!”

“You are, Rhys. This is an order.”

An order? Asch never ordered them to do anything unless it was important.

“Why should I?” Rhys crossed his arms, his gauntlets clanking against each other.

“Someone has to clean this all up, right?” Asch gestured to the destruction around them, “if you destroy everything it will never look the same again. We’ve walked down this street so many times, remember? The mall is right down there.” Asch pointed down the road. “You want to walk down this road with Ava again, right?”

Rhys clenched his fists, “I hate it when you’re right.” He leaped down fro the pile to Asch.

“Let’s get home, alright?”

Rhys rolled his eyes. “I’m only listening to you because you’re still my prince or whatever.”

Asch smiled, of course.”

~~~

The rest of the day was uneventful. Noi had tossed those men’s bodies out the window and onto the street. A bunch of dead bodies was enough to ward off anyone with a braincell from entering.

During the night everything had gotten louder, preventing any of them from resting, like they would eve dare to during this time.

Eventually, the announcement was made.

The Purge was over.

[dazailover69]

Eternal Agony- Leap Of Faith (Dazai x Reader)

WARNING: Suicidal Themes 

(Y/N P.O.V)

Darkness.

Its all I see, Its all I feel, Its all I know.

I feel empty. Gone. Lost.

       Am I Dead?

.

.

.

.

No. That would be impossible. Especially because my ability is always active. Its such a strong ability, but it's negative effects are what drive me to do insane things.

Blood. I feel blood, dripping down my wrists.

Oh.

I'm having an attack.

My, my, my, well yes you are~.

Every bone in my body chilled at it's voice. Goosebumps formed all over my skin, causing the hairs to rise.

"Please. Please. Not again. Not again," I weeped and begged, "I can't. I can't do this again." My voice quietened with the fear of whats about to come.

Y/N, Y/M/N, Y/L/N~. Now why would I hurt you~?

I grew still. My E/C dulled, as I come to the realisation I won't be able to escape this time.

I begged one last time, in hopes of a miracle, "Please. I need rest. Please, please, please just leave me alone."

Its laughter echoed within my mind.

But I'm your guardian angel, Y/N, It's voice darkened, leaving a burnt imprint in my head of the cold harshness of Its voice, I would never hurt you~

A miracle was all I needed.

I forgot miracles,

       hope,

       love,

    dreams...

   don't exist.

Ango gave me hope, he gave me a light that I might be free, but I guess its a lie. It always is.

I succumbed to the voices of It, letting It destroy all the little hope, love and happiness, be burnt by the brutal strength of its words. It will take control of me. When I awake from this nightmare, I know what I'll see.

My blood will scatter the entire room, coating every bit of wall with crimson colour of my blood. It doesn't matter though.

Why?

Cause no one will know. No one will see the pain It forces me to feel, No one will touch the blood that laces my room, and No one will hear my screams for help.

My ability causes me unbearable pain. But what makes it worse is that no one will believe or see or hear the true pain it causes me, because my pain is always healed by it.

Life,

I have an endless life.

But all I want is to die.

(Dazai's P.O.V)

Sunlight glimmered and burned my eyes. I was stuck walking in next to the simpleton in the world, while I we head to our next objective.

Y/N. We were looking for her. After what I told Mori, he wanted to meet her and find out her intentions.

So now I'm strolling towards my mission, in the heat of the streets of Yokohama. I guess it was a beautiful day, for an ordinary person but for me I knew it was awful. The constant nagging of my orange haired counterpart, only made death more desirable. If I wanted, I could possibly die from dehydration going hand in hand with hyperthermia, although it might take around 2 days.

I sighed, "Too slow."

Chuuya screeched, "HEY! SOCIAL MISFIT! WHAT DO YOU MEAN TOO SLOW?!"

"Sorry, would mind not talking to me? I'm busy breathing right now." I replied coolly.

Angrily replying Chuuya said, "I'm going to rip your head off, you suicidal maniac"

I turned around to face him. "Somewhere out there a tree is working tirelessly, producing oxygen for you. You should apologise to it" annoyance clearly evident in my tone.

"AYE, SHITRA-!" Chuuya's screaming got cut off by the sound of something making contact with the ground.

Keyaki Dori Avenue. We were on that street, right next to Yokohama Landmark tower. Someone must've jumped. It's the only logical reason. Screams of the crowd reached my ears, causing a multitude of people to surround what fell. Faintly, I remembered the soft brokenness of Y/N's words.

Because mine won't let me die.

It's her. It has to be her.

I managed to weave through the crowd, pushing pass;

every parent covering their children's eyes,

every teenager looking away crying,

every person cradling their loved ones

and finally pushing pass every person running towards the body.

I ignored every scream and curse of Chuuya telling me to come back.

I was right.

. . . . .

It was her.

Y/N.

She lied on the dark grey concrete, lifeless. Lifeless. Her H/C was scattered in multiple places, with new gushing blood, flooding from her skull. Crimson. Y/N's blood was dark crimson red. Her E/C eye were wide open, but her iris held the same broken sadness, she felt the last time we met. Her clothes, a pure white dress-shirt with dark black pants, were bloody. She's gone. She's dead.

While do I feel a slight pain in my chest? Why am I hurting? I don't understand.

I turned around, letting my gaze fall to the floor. My head swarmed with so many thoughts that I couldn't control. It was like an endless swarm of thoughts that not even a Tsunami could compare. I wasn't thinking right. I don't like this. Why am I hurting? Make it stop. Make it stop please!

"DAZAI!" Chuuya's voice broke my internal conflict.

Sweat beads were falling down my face. I sat hugging my knees on the concrete, rocking slowly back and forth.

How did I get here?

Oh.

I had an attack.

I stood back up, Chuuya holding my arm incase I fell again. "What the hell, Dazai" Chuuya calmly asked, "What the fuck just happened?" My gaze fell onto Y/N body. Why did she give me an attack? She makes me feel things I never wanted to feel. But I don't know what that is.

Although, something brought my attention back to reality.

Her body, eyes, blood-

A white glowing cult like circle surrounded her body, similar to what my ability looks like when activated. Every drop of blood slowly returned back into her body, while all the open wounds healed. She slightly levitated off the ground, before her ability deactivated causing her to drop to her feet. Her eyes opened, letting the dull E/C attach immediately to my dark brown eyes.

Y/N's soft sorrow-filled voice caught me off guard, "Do you believe me, now Dazai? Or do I have to jump off another building?"

My voice went dark and hoarse, I was sick of what she was doing to me. "Not until you answer my question. Who the fuck are you?"

Her gaze turned sour and slightly annoyed. With a soldier-like tone, she replied, "Y/N, Y/L/N. I am an ability user. I have the power to live through even the cruelest of deaths, at the expense of something invaluable.

My ability is called...

                                               Angels Of Death "

____________________________________________________________

Authors Note:

hello~ i've been busy lately but im going to try to post here every sunday 6pm PST time. also i decided to give this chapter earlier than what was intended. enjoy this chapter~

cya~

(Word Count: 1172)

[thebikles]

little Merlin fanfic which I still haven’t named: chapter 2!

Chapter 1: https://thebikles.tumblr.com/post/616315012077813760/little-merlin-fan-fiction

Arthur breathed in and then out again, the air somehow heavier in his lungs.  With each inhale he attempted to fortify himself, with each exhale he compressed his skittishness into a smaller chamber of his heart.    

He was all ready, there were no more straps of fabric or clinking bits of metal left to adjust. He had run out of reason to delay, all that was left was the rippling red fabric of the tent and the crowds waiting beyond.

Arthur was glad that no one was there to watch as he waited for the will to walk out into the noonday sun. At least he didn’t have to wear casualness like a cloak or hide behind his inherited arrogance. Fear was so much simpler when he didn’t have to wish it away. When he acknowledged that it could cripple him and stepped forward all the same. Arthur had stared dragons and undead warriors and hippogryphs right in the eye, what was one measly crowd compared to all that?  

He still hadn’t moved. Was still trapped in this ridiculous stalemate with himself. 

Stepping onto a stage, Arthur had learned, was like jumping into a freezing mountain lake. There was no use testing the waters or thinking too hard. The only thing to do was to close your eyes and leap. So he batted away the tent flap like he didn’t wish he could disappear inside of it. And Arthur strode onto the track like all the faces and cheers suddenly aimed at him didn’t awaken an instinctual, untamable paralysis. 

He smiled and waved reflexively, but could only bring himself to look at Merlin. Merlin, who had always been easier to look at than all the rest. His servant, no, his friend was leaning against a pole on the sidelines with his enormous ears and little red scarf and his silly genuine grin. Arthur relaxed a little when he caught his eye, felt that there was a bit of mettle in his bones after all. 

Arthur understood that he should have been embarrassed about their conversation that morning. He knew that a future king was supposed to be strong, and inspire confidence. That his father certainly wouldn’t have poured out his muddled and knotted heart to a member of the staff. 

But Arthur couldn’t bring himself to regret it. Instead he felt… better. Like for the first time there was someone truly on his side, one who didn’t care whether he would succeed, somebody who had seen him at his weakest and didn’t flinch. 

Even though Uther and the rest of the kingdom might disagree, Arthur knew that he was allowed to fail and that made him feel like he could win. 

And he did, of course he did because he was Prince Arthur and charging head first into danger was what he did best. 

Fear, even the good kind known as adrenaline tends to warp time. It muffles the facts and heightens sensations so that Arthur only remembered snapshots of what followed.

He knew the way his helmet whittled his gaze to one brutally horizontal stripe of sight.  The way his horse surged forward with the trumpet without waiting for his command so that he felt more like a passenger than rider on this maniacal race that could only end a sudden violence.  Arthur remembered as he always did, the severe focus it took to succeed, the way his many selves consolidated and for those few moments he felt real, felt flesh and blood. 

Then there was a jarring reverberation up his arm, a stinging explosion of splinters and the slow deflation of his chest, which never totally reached equilibrium before another jousting match began.  

Arthur noticed the subtle variation between a crowd cheering at him opposed to a crowd cheering for him, and was able to enjoy it, just a little. 

He was preparing himself for another round, tensing for more bursts of painful excitement when he realized it was over. That people were congratulating him, that he had won. Arthur laughed madly as sweat dripped into his eyes, because that’s what happens when you spend an hour charging directly at large pointy objects, you leave a little unhinged. 

The prince was happy and covered in dust and giddy with the realization that he’d already been judged and found worthy, so now he could do no wrong. 

On the way to a change of clothes and a proper celebration he passed Merlin and forgot for the second time that day to look disdainful. 

“Arthur!” Merlin matched his pace as they headed for the castle, “That was…” He waved his arms around, trying to conjure the right word, but was eventually reduced to, “So cool! Congratulations.” 

“Yeah well,” Arthur felt both uncomfortable and sure of himself as he clapped him on the shoulder, “I have you to thank for this. So uh... “ He cleared his throat, “Thank you.”  

I have you to thank. 

The words ricocheted around Merlin’s head all afternoon. He attempted to act normal and keep his head down as he hauled around tables and chairs and helped prepare for the feast. But he couldn’t quell the smile that kept leaking from his lips or suppress the lightness in his gait. He felt full of helium, of pixie dust and it didn’t go unnoticed.   

Gaius was watching him out of the corner of his eye, “You seem very happy today Merlin.” 

He attempted to school his features and succeed in looking even guiltier, “Just excited about the celebration tonight.” 

“Really?” Gaius raised his eyebrows and busied himself with another steaming concoction, “That’s all it is then?” 

“Yes.” Merlin was one hundred percent lying now but he didn’t care. It was the principle of the matter. “Can’t I just be happy for once? Do I really need a reason?” 

“No no… of course not.” 

“Well. Good.” 

They lapsed into silence and Merlin was left with his thoughts. He was aware that he was being silly. Their interaction had only lasted a few seconds and by replaying it (and perhaps embellishing it) over and over again in his head, he had woven it into something much more meaningful. At least that’s what he attempted to convince himself.  

For Merlin could still feel the weight of that hand on his shoulder, the way his surprise at being touched left him feeling raw and electrocuted.  And he was sure he hadn’t imagined the hint of shyness in Arthur’s voice, how for a moment they weren’t prince and servant but simply two people who appreciated one another. 

Merlin left his hands to deal with the sweeping and dish-washing and whatever else, freeing his mind to travel to another, impossible dimension where instances of sincerity happened much more frequently, where fingers lingered and kisses were inevitabilities. 

It was in this way that he took his place for the feast and joined the party it dissolved into: feeling like he was wavering over the edge of a cliff, about to fall into the sky.  

[thewolfisawake]

Critical Role

Favorite character:

In CR1, Percy and Scanlan. And gonna sound so hipster but I did legitimately like Percy prior to the Briarwood arc. I liked his place as the more subdued person that didn’t need fanfare for his support. And then I was scared and intrigued when he was more...forthcoming in that arc since he was quieter before (I think I read this was also because Taliesin was bit shy starting out but got comfortable). And Scanlan, was the man I shed tears for because I kept crying ‘oh god, someone please notice. Someone HELP HIM.’ They both had some serious gut punches and their stories did shift the dynamics (of the story and the party respectively) permanently. They are also great support and yet also had some amazing solos. 

In CR2, Caleb and Fjord. I just like me some sad boys apparently. I think Caleb’s bumbling and trying to do right but struggling with doing what’s good for you so painfully relatable. As of writing this, I haven’t caught up yet but I’ve seen him make such leaps and bounds in terms of letting people in and being a support to others. I also think mechanically he’s a show of how the drawbacks like his fear can make for good moments. As for Fjord, he’s just in general how I think a moral compass or herder character can be done without irritating both the player and viewer. I mean morals of this cast is more wonky but in general Fjord seems to put forward a general ‘we all get through this’ and respect towards the team. 

Least Favorite character:

In CR1, Keyleth. And no, it’s got nothing to do with Marisha. She’s cool. I honestly felt bad for her because Keyleth had to pick up the moral slack whenever Pike wasn’t there, which was often. Some of her best moments were when she had to draw the hard line. But it was far outweighed with having this moral high horse for some reason even though they promptly do something just as low down as the ones she looked down on. Also, I feel it’s hard to do a character that is naive but also very likable so again, sorry for Marisha. 

In CR2, I like so many but I’ll go with Mollymauk. And it was a bit of a shame because he was like the one person I heard so much about. I did like that he was the one that tended to push into some of the best shenanigans I’ve listened to. However, he was just fine. There wasn’t much to push him into love him so much nor much to say I dislike him. I’m a little disappointed of not being able to know what his deal was I guess was what I would choose if I have to say what made him least favorite. 

5 Favorite ships (canon or non-canon):

Vax’limore - Their interactions just oozed banter and playfulness. There was no intro to how that this happened, it just jumps into their flirtations. And it was that cute banter and the real ‘I’d do anything for you, my friend’ that ended up hurting seeing Gilmore have his heart strings pulled as they did. Like if you love him, let him go. For real. Don’t dangle it in front of him like that. 

Pike/Percy - Weird thought but I thought it was pretty clear that Pike liked Percy. Everyone sees her as a stalwart beacon but she still has wants and falls off from time to time. But she tries. And she saw something within Percy that was dark and I don’t think it was necessarily ‘I want to fix him’ but ‘I want to save him.’ And Percy find a light in Pike like many do but also seeing her as just Pike.  

Perc’ahlia - I mean, it’s canon. Thing is that I can’t pinpoint a moment when it began. Just that it happened and that felt okay. I think they’re both maniacs in their own right and it’s kind of cute how they indulge each other’s passion/excitement. Gifts feels like Percy’s love language and he shows it so much in how he tinkers for Vex and her glee in what new way she can fuck shit up is enough for him. And also it’s really delicious the parallel with them and the Briarwoods and Laura has stated that if Percy had died died, that it was possible Vex end up the same kind of menace Delilah was. 

Vex/Zahra - In some other life, they would have been the femme fatale couple. All of their interactions were enjoyable and they so clearly enjoy each other. Just looking over and it’s the eyes with them.

Widobrave - Partners in crime. I think that their dynamic isn’t simple and that’s what’s so interesting. They see each other as someone to protect and don’t exactly see how the other views them as the one to be protected. And they have ‘without question’ sort of trust in each other and are genuinely awed and so happy when they witness one do something great. It gets sad with more of their backstory. And it gets me that both immediately felt guilty for keeping it a secret from them. Not the entire party, their partner. They both have seen past appearances and see the strength, the zaniness and the brilliance the other possesses and I can’t wait to get to more of their moments. 

Character I find most attractive:

CR1: Gilmore. My god he was gorgeous. Vax why did you just walk away from that? Raishan. Look, she was hot and smart and even if she fell eventually, she made the most of when she was there. 

CR2: Cali is so frickin’ adorable. Like she’s so cute and hey, if not for the whole cult chasing her thing, it’d be nice to stick around and sightsee. I am also a ‘Jester is really cute’ person.

Character I would marry:

I don’t really think there’s anyone I’d actually--well, I think maybe Pike because stronk lady that can get into mischief with but at the same time just be able to be content with.

No one in this campaign so far. 

Character I would be best friends with:

I would LIKE to be friends with Cassandra because everyone continues to ignore how this woman has been tormented and then thrust into very important position. All while harboring guilt for what she had to do to survive. The girl needs a break and I’m here with a blanket and some tea.

I would like to be friends with Nott actually. She’s really cool and I think it’s fun to let her be her zany self. 

a random thought:

So who is really credited as the inventor of firearms, Percy, who did technically make it, or Ripley, who is the one that sold the schematics to make them mass-produced? 

Is there just an abundance of mysterious magic ladies in Wildemount or what? 

An unpopular opinion:

Scanlan deserved his anger and feelings of being unappreciated. Even if he was brought back, it does not lessen that there was uncertainty nor the lack of respect towards his body. Vox Machina had gotten cocky and it drove one of their members away. Vex and Vax were the only ones that took Scanlan’s frustration to heart and did not mess up with Tary for that reason. Also Tary was a parallel of the worst of the party, which is why most of them couldn’t stand him. 

The small races are not fucking children. I don’t get why they get called children or thought of like that. They’re just short, goddammit!

My Canon OTP:

CR1: Perc’ahlia for above reasons.

CR2: None to be seen so far?

My Non-canon OTP:

CR1: Because I’m hella fucked up, I am enamored by the thought that Percy had a crush on Ripley. Because she paid attention to him, one of the younger and less interesting of his family. And to him she was brilliant and she took advantage of that, which is how he survived or why they got in. And Percy never forgot or forgave her. 

CR2: “And they were roommates” “oh god they were roommates.” * whispers * I kind of liked Fjord and Molly. They felt like foils that were amicable with each other aaaaannndddd actually had nice interactions? 

Most Badass Character:

CR1: NO MERCY PERCY

CR2: Shakaste is pretty awesome and Khary Payton is awesome. 

Most Epic Villain:

CR1: Raishan. Like I wish she could’ve been a bigger villain but alas the dice were not on her side. I think her arc was the most interesting as she was the true threat in the party’s eyes despite there being a dragon terraforming their home. 

CR2: At this point? There hasn’t been a major villain for the party.  

Pairing I am not a fan of:

I don’t really have anything I can’t ship in this one.

Character I feel the writers screwed up (in one way or another):

Can’t really say anyone ‘screwed up’ since this is a lot of improv and all that. So I guess miss chances I think would only really be Molly since y’know, he’s dead. 

Favourite Friendship:

CR1: Pike & Grog - They’re Best Buddies, y’all. I can’t get over how much they just pal around like that’s just the usual for them. And technically it is. They can go get wasted together and then kick ass after. It’s just the casualness of their relationships and how much respect and lack of reverence that I like. Pike is just Pike to Grog so he finds no reason to hold back or hold her as a light unlike the rest of the party. But he does want to do good by her because she’s his friend and he doesn’t want to disappoint her. And Pike never insults Grog’s intellect and actively works to help him improve and deflects the party’s remarks of how he is. 

CR2: Empire Kids - They’ve come a long way from their seats of mistrust and standoff-ishness. I think there was a post that put it best that they’re ‘learning how to human.’ And because they both are at the same point of it, they are struggling together. As a result they’ve come to lean on each other to keep themselves from going to far. They’re not perfect but they’re trying to keep this found family of theirs together. 

Character I most identify with:

CR1: Keyleth. Being the one to try to keep people together or on the straight on narrow isn’t easy. It sucks and I’m not usually the person that should do it but here I am.

CR2: Caleb. I am very off-beat and odd but I do want to have friends and the like....just not stellar at showing that...

Character I wish I could be:

I mean, this is D&D where awesome shit goes on all the time. So anyone I guess?

[j--halstead]

A New Start

aaaand I’m back writing and posting fanfics at hours I should be asleep to all (13 wow) of my followers :) I haven’t written in about a year so be gentle Magnum P.I. really just started giving me all the feels once I put some sad tunes on and it just kinda came to me ((mostly because the fandom is so small and there are approximately 8 magnum x higgins fics

set post-season 1 finale

Things between him and Higgins have been, well he doesn't know how to describe it. Different, but that didn't seem like it does anything justice. Thomas feels as if they are a far cry from the two people who met when he first moved into the estate. Higgins' tolerance of Thomas and his antics has certainly grown, and their relationship, if you can even call if that, has grown also. He's learned more about her past, the life she had before she met Robin Masters, and he's actually shared some of his past with her. Some. He's not going to burden her with the real heavy stuff, the stuff that only Rick and TC are aware of. Like, well this. Him, sitting alone on the cool sand in the moonlight of one in the morning because the guest house still feels too unfamiliar for nights like these.

Ever since Hannah first came back weeks ago, Thomas hasn't been able to shake the feeling that he is the cause of all of this. He got them all thrown in the POW camp, he got Nuzo killed, he brought them all back into here on the island, and now Juliet. When the hell had she gone from Higgins to Juliet? Well, that's the whole point, isn't it? Since she was disavowed, she's been shot, beaten, held hostage, and put into far too many dangerous situations that a majordomo should be in. All because he asks her for favors and help. Just as he's finding all of these new sides to her, learning more about her, he gets her hurt just like-

"Magnum?" Her voice actually makes him jump. "Magnum, what are you doing out here? It's almost three o'clock in the morning." Apparently he's been out here longer than he thought.

"Nothing Higgy, just- just not tired tonight." Thomas still hasn't turned around. The heels of his feet dig into the sand when he hears the sand crunch underneath her feet, his toes wiggling enough to feel how cool this sand feels packed underneath his skin. A hollow laugh falls from his lips. "It's probably the whole time change thing. You know, from traveling around the world in a single day. I haven't done that in a while."

Every one of his senses feels heightened. Each wave that rolls onto the sand sounds like a tsunami, the reflection of the moon is as bright as a flashlight. Even Higgins, Juliet, he can hear every breath she takes and how ragged it sounds when she lets it out. But what startles him the most is the sudden warmth around his shoulders. The feel of the fabric against his skin tells him that it's a throw Juliet keeps in the office.

"Can't have you getting ill." Thomas hears the way her voice dropped low enough that if anyone else were around, they wouldn't hear. She sits next to him, feet digging into the sand and hands too close to his own.

"You should go back to sleep, it's late.” 

"You aren't the only one struggling to sleep tonight, Thomas." His fingers pull the blanket further around his shoulders and then drop and dig into the sand. Suddenly, he's itching to reach out to her. To hold her, touch her, remind himself where he is. "Would you like to talk about it?"

"Would you?" He immediately regrets the way he snaps at her. Sandy hands run through his short, cropped hair. "Sorry." Thomas feels her eyes on him, but he keeps his own fixed on the waves. He can feel the grains of sand stuck under his nails but can't be bothered to stop digging little rows. It helps. The small movements, it lessens the feeling that his entire body is buzzing to move. "How'd you know I was out here?" 

"The lads. They were whining to go outside, I assumed they needed to go to the bathroom but they led me down here. I sent them back once I knew it was you." Juliet's voice never rises above that soft tone. One he rarely hears. 

"I didn't hear you call them off." If he was being truthful, the lads could have been right behind him, barking their maniac heads off, and Thomas probably still wouldn't have noticed. 

"I didn't have to. They stopped at the edge of the grass and waited for me to catch up. Contrary to popular belief, they do like you, Thomas, they just happen to like me more." He can hear the smile on her face, which is the one thing that makes him turn to face her.   

That first look at her blocks out everything. Her hair is pushed behind her ears, with the occasional shorter pieces brushing against her skin in the breeze. The moonlight catches her eyes in a way that Thomas has never noticed before. But her lips, they're still pulled into a soft smile, teeth caught in the bottom lip ever so slightly. He notices the very worn U.S. Navy crewneck sweatshirt he let her borrow so long ago that he forgot he even brought it to the estate. And in this moment, he knows the word the describe them. Refreshing. A new start. Robin hired Juliet after she was disavowed and lost the man she hoped to start a life wife. Thomas was hired after the worst eighteen months of his life. Both with nowhere to go, no one waiting for them to come home, no previous life to return to.

So Thomas stops fighting everything and just breathes. His fingers brush over Juliet's, which are resting in the sand inches away from his own. Without breaking eye contact, she pulls his hand into hers, squeezing gently.

"What can I do?" His brow creases in the middle but she cuts him off. "You're in pain, you're hurting Thomas. I know we aren't the greatest of friends, but we've been through many of the same traumas. Or I can call Rick and TC if you'd prefer them." His head is shaking before she finishes. He feels the way her thumb moves across the back of his hand in circles, dragging grains of sand along with every stroke.

"I didn't think it would hurt this much." Thomas draws his eyes back to the waves, something that has been a constant source of relaxation since he was a kid in Virginia. "I thought that the pain I felt years ago, when we were taken, when I realized it was her fault, was it. I never thought I would see her again, let alone lose her again. And I want to be mad at her. I don't want to feel this hurt about her dying when she ruined my life and TC and Rick and Nuzo's lives. I want to be pissed the way Rick and TC are, but I can't. You probably think I'm insane for helping her in the first place and now feeling like this." His words shake with each shake of his head.

"I understand" Juliet says firmly, for the first time since stepping on the beach. "You loved her. You said it yourself, there was a time when you were going to marry her. And if it was myself and- and Richard in your position, I have to say that I would be feeling much of what you are." A soft tug on his hand brings Thomas' eyes back to her. "I believe that once you see a future with someone it takes quite a while to recover from that loss. To figure out what comes next."

Thomas pulls his hand free from hers. Noting the slight disappointment on Juliet's face, he wraps an arm around her shoulders, bringing the blanket with him. As his cheek settles against the top of her head, Thomas lets that little piece of British wisdom sink in. He feels the brush of her skin against his tee when she yawns and he realizes that it's most likely closer to half past three, if not four o'clock. But the tug on his tee that comes from Juliet's grip on the fabric is all he needs to decide that they can have this moment for just a little longer.

"Are you still figuring out what comes next, Juliet?" Thomas speaks so softly that he's not sure if she hears him, or if she's asleep.

"I stopped trying to figure out what comes next the day a man in a raggedy ball cap hopped the estate's fence. I've found that it's easier to take life day by day, sorting it out as it comes." The way Juliet pulls her head back from his chest, looking at him like that, it gives him all sorts of ideas of what could happen next. What he might want to happen. But what he never expects is for her to say "It's refreshing, this from the lifestyle I used to have."

[makeste]

BnHA Chapter 115: Hard-Boiled Villain Antics

Previously on BnHA: The provisional license exam concluded. Everyone from class 1-A passed except Todoroki and Bakugou. The exam committee announced there would be a special training course for the ones who failed, and they would then receive their licenses as well. They want all the students who made it to phase two of the exam to ultimately succeed because with All Might gone, the world needs as many quality heroes as it can get. The U.A. kids said their farewells to the other schools and prepared to board the bus home. Deku inquired about the weird girl from Shiketsu Academy and was told she had already left, and that furthermore she’d been acting strange for the last few days. We then learned that the girl, Camie, had actually been Toga in disguise, and that she has a shapeshifting quirk which allows her to take on others’ appearances once she drinks their blood. Oh, and. Now she has Deku’s.

Today on BnHA: We take a break from our intrepid hero hatchlings to check in with Twice from the League of Villains. He stares broodingly out the window like a noir character, listens to the news talk shit about Endeavor, watches a group of Tarantino tribute villains rob a store, and gets a phone call from the villain broker Giran. We learn that the League has temporarily split up and are recruiting to expand their organization. We also learn that Twice has more than a few screws loose, the reason being that when he was younger he used his duplication quirk to clone himself, only to have the clones all murder each other one by one until he was the last one standing. If that isn’t fucked up enough for you, perhaps I can interest you in the new villain introduced in this chapter, who goes by “Overhaul” and has a penchant for dismembering peeps. Or perhaps you’re more a fan of the classic villain, in which case the chapter ends with All Might meeting up with our old friend All for One, so, you know. Enjoy that.

(As always, all comments not marked with an ETA are my unspoiled reactions from my first readthrough of this chapter. I’ve read up through chapter 151 now, so any ETAs will reflect that.)

who the fuck is this

he’s staring darkly out of his window and hating all the people he sees walking past

but also there’s a black speech bubble thinking the exact opposite. “I think it’s fantastic”

is this that Twice guy, maybe

I was wondering what you were up to, yes. good catch there

“THIS MAN STARTS HIS MORNINGS A LITTLE MORE HARD-BOILED THAN MOST.” yes, the really hardcore way to start your day is to hate people from windows

holy shit this ominous fucking chapter! right from the get go!

“unleashed.” and the text underneath: “a world where All Might is not coming”

I’m thinking it’s safe to say the villains are winding down from their little break

I’m so curious how Tomura is doing. prediction: still crazy

the narration is saying that the news networks and Internet are constantly buzzing with “idle chatter fanning the flames of anxiety”

jesus christ this is so similar to the real-world climate in the last few years. anxiety and fear-mongering

oh shit the newspeople are talking about Endeavor

depends on whether you’re the type who can accept assholes who beat their wife and kid

(I personally am not)

they’re being really polite about it, but they’re saying that you can’t help but contrast him against All Might

he’s “coarse”

“he just looks like an ordinary person pretending to be a superhuman” I’ll take it a step further; he looks like an asshole not even trying particularly hard to pretend he’s a nice guy. and yeah, he’s strong, but not even in the same realm that All Might was

oh my god it’s a list of top “Moogle” searches for Endeavor. this is the most 2010s shit I’ve ever seen in a manga omggggg

yeahhhh, public opinion is just not on this guy’s side. and good riddance

basically he’s become “the symbol of weakening heroes.” exactly. I feel like all these people must just be like, “is this really the best we can do now omg”

is Endeavor Donald fucking Trump

this is one of the best chapter openers I can recall reading in a long time. there’s something fascinating about watching a well-established fictional world get shaken up and seeing how the people of that world respond. it’s reminding me a little of the post-Goblet of Fire Harry Potter universe. and why do I have a feeling that by the time this series ends, we’ll have progressed all the way to Deathly Hallows in terms of grittiness

the narration is continuing and saying that just as All Might brought hope to everyday citizens, his presence was a curse to villains

and now that curse has been lifted, so “it’s no surprise at all that it’d turn out this way”

and it’s showing some guy robbing an ATM or something. not sure what he’s carrying, but anyways he’s busting through a wall looking happy and deranged

now a pro hero is showing up to stop him

but another villain is cracking the back of the hero’s head with a huge metal pipe

and two more villains are waiting over by their getaway truck

nice Tarantino reference there. bold and unsubtle and in-your-face

and the narration is talking about how villains are feeling more emboldened and more free to run around without fear of consequence. and that the more daring they get, the more villains they inspire in turn, and it goes on and on. “running a red light isn’t scary if everyone does it with you”

we’re seeing the exact same thing happen irl nowadays with racists and nazis and the alt-right and such, aren’t we. my escapist manga is really starting to hit close to home here

now Twice is getting a call from someone

isn’t this the guy who introduced Toga and Dabi to Tomura

damn, manga, you’re really going to make me go all the way back to like chapter sixty-something to check this. fine

yep, it is. chapter 68

he says that in the past two weeks there’s been a surge of black market requests for things like suits and related items

he says it’s all thanks to the League of Villains

really it’s thanks to one specific villain that did all the work and is now imprisoned though. just saying. though no doubt he won’t mind Tomura getting the credit

anyway so Twice is asking why the broker guy called him

probably cuz Toga got Deku’s blood, so now the gang is getting back together to hatch some more schemes

yep

so Twice is like yeah of course I heard, and the broker dude is like okay catch you later then

gotta say, I was already fond of Twice just as a funny and eccentric (you have no idea how much my brain struggled to find an adjective to use in place of “quirky” there, but needless to say I wouldn’t have been able to keep a straight face otherwise) character. but it’s pretty damn fascinating to witness his psyche on display now as well

apparently the League has been separated and scattered for a little while, both to lie low and to scout for more people to join the group

and now we’re cutting to Dabi and he’s just roasting some poor dudes alive

damn son

oh shit what’s happening to Twice

this guy is soooo weird

he says his quirk is “doubling.” “I make one into two”

okay. I don’t get it at all, but

-- WHOA

IS THIS THE FUCKING PRESTIGE OR WHAT. AND WASN’T THIS ALSO A PLOTLINE IN FUCKING CALVIN AND HOBBES

he says each of the clones claimed to be the real one (by “real” I assume “original”) and they started arguing and eventually they all killed each other

and he’s not sure even now whether he’s actually the “real” him

holy shit I would read an entire book about this guy. I want David Fincher to direct a movie about him

it seems like he’s not even really that evil, it’s just that he’s so crazy that the league was the only place he could find that would accept him. “what I was searching for were others who are just as crazy as I am”

I would read a spinoff manga about Twice and his existential nightmare of an existence, trufax. this is so compelling I almost forgot about the fact that we’re thirteen pages into this chapter and so far it’s been all villains and no U.A. kids

-- what the fuck

IS THAT THE GUY FROM EARLIER?? WHO ROBBED THE ATM???

(answer: yes, I just went back and looked)

WHY IS HIS FUCKING HEAD HERE?? IS THIS HIS QUIRK OR SOMETHING MORE HORRIFYING THAN THAT

farewell Reservoir Dogs. you had a brief and uneventful run culminating in THE MOST HORRIFYINGLY GRUESOME SCENE I’VE EVER SEEN SHOUNEN JUMP ALLOW IN THEIR FUCKING MAGAZINE. NOT ONLY WAS IT INDEED HIS FUCKING HEAD, I COUNT LIKE SEVEN OF HIS AND HIS FRIENDS’ OTHER BODY PARTS MORBIDLY STREWN ABOUT AND ROASTING ON THIS OPEN FUCKING FLAME. dude what the fuck

oh boy here we go

now his buddy in a raincoat -- and they all have the same plague doctor masks on btw -- is saying he took the money and let’s get out of here

he’s calling the “YOU GUYS HAVE AN ILLNESS” dude “Overhaul.” okay I’ll admit that’s a pretty badass villain name

and Twice is watching them all like, “oh. more maniacs”

so I’m guessing he’s going to recruit these guys lol

the narration says that both the heroes and villains’ sides have begun to undergo changes in appearance. well, we’ve seen a lot of the heroes’ side of things so far so I guess it’s nice to take a break from that and see what the villains have been up to

is this the prison??

OH SHIT!!!!!

WHAT IS HE DOING COMING OVER THERE TO TALK TO HIM OH MY GOD

“THE DISCUSSION WITH THE BIG BOSS IS ABOUT TO BEGIN” [FRANTICALLY CLICKS TO THE NEXT CHAPTER!!!]

-- except no, damn it, because I gotta check out the bonus page first :/

 bonus

...actually the bonus page is just Horikoshi being excited that there are now two spinoff series. apparently he’s a fan of Illegals. I do want to check that out (especially since he just said Eraserhead has a cameo in it omgggg), but like hell if you think I’m clicking away from this main story just yet. I still have 85 chapters to go and it’s not like things are exactly getting boring omg

[insphoeration]

Write Me A Love Story ~ Part 2

Fandom: IGOT7// AGHASE

Pairing: Im Jaebum X Fem!reader

Summary: College AU! JB is the most popular guy on campus who has a passion for writing, JB and the reader write to each other anonymously. Kind of sort of based loosely around Love 020 on netflix (got watch it, it will change your life!!)

Usually, your corner of the school forum was relatively quiet, not a lot of people went on writing pages so you were a little surprised to see yours and Defsoul’s messaged to each other compiled together and on the main page of the school’s forum. 

You couldn’t go anywhere that day without someone talking about the Defsoul and the Baby Bird. Some people referred to you as Sparrow, the same way Defsoul did but most people switched back and forth, not knowing what to call you. You weren’t sure why Defsoul called you sparrow, he’s been doing it for a while now even though you kept signing off Baby bird. 

It was nice to hear that people liked your writing but it was almost too much when you overheard professor Im, Im Jaebum’s mother, talk about how Defsoul and baby bird were meant to be. You left before your coffee was even ready, heading straight to your room. You couldn’t open your laptop, you didn’t know what to say to Def, especially with all these eyes on you, most of all you wondered if they were even still around. You couldn’t bare the idea of Def deleting. 

Jaebum had a similar experience that day. He logged on to see his alias plastered all over the schools forum. He was a little freaked out at first, jumping every time someone said his name, and freezing every time someone said Defsoul. It was weird to hear it out loud at first, it was just something he came up with. It was never meant to be anything more than a name that would keep himself secret but now it was everywhere and he didn’t know what to do. 

“That is so cute!” Yugyeom exclaimed. Jackson mirrored his excitement. 

“Everyone is trying to find out who they are.” Jackson said, showing the maknae’s the post. 

“Not a chance!” Said BamBam. “Their pages are void of anything personal, there is no way people are going to figure it out.” This peaked JB’s interest. 

“You think?” He asked, twirling a pen in his hand, Jackson stopped and turned to him.

“I never thought you would care about this sort of thing.” He accused with his eyebrows raised. JB shrugged, 

“I don’t.” 

Jinyoung narrowed his eyes at JB, watching as he pretended to be busy with his text book. After the commotion died down and it was just the two of them, Jinyoung leaned into JB and whispered. 

“Bam Bam was right, you don’t have anything to worry about.” Jaebum looked at his friend, panicked that his identity was revealed. But Jinyoung wouldn’t tell anyone, and he only knew because JB scribbled lyrics in his notebook one time then later posted them as Defsoul. “Unless the computer major’s are hopeless romantics like apparently everyone else at this school.” Jinyoung chuckled.

“You really think so?” JB asked, his heart beat so fast every time he thought about the posts, but he forgot there was another person on the other side of them. 

“Do I think you should have your IP address encrypted or do I think you should leave sparrow another love letter?” Jinyoung retorted, answering JB’s question. 

You were studying in the common room with a few girls from dorm 2 when Nayeon screamed. You gasped, jumping about three feet in the air. You were still trying to catch you breath when the other girls asked her what was wrong. She held her phone tightly, giggling like a maniac. 

“Defsoul left another message for Sparrow!”

Sparrow, Where are you? Have you flown away already? I’m not really sure what to do...all I can think is ‘you and me against the world’ but right now, it feels like its just me. I have been feeling very confused lately and the air feels even heavier, and when I imagine you flying away, I see you struggling against the harsh wind. You’re tired and scared and so am I. Wherever you are Sparrow, I’m here. I’ll be here when you get back. Def 

[turnupswritessometimes]

Banana Fish - AshEiji - Skipping Stones - Ch8

Title: Skipping Stones

Part: 6/?

Word Count: 6564 (It’s two chapters put together.)

Description: A collection of oneshots filling in some scenes that probably didn't happen in between episodes/scenes, but that I like to think did because these boys need to talk to each other.

Edit: This fic is also available on A03 and ff.net under the same name. I would post a direct link but Tumblr then doesn’t put the post in searches so..

Ash had been surprised to see Bones and Kong heading out of the building. He stopped them, immediately asking why the hell they thought it was okay to leave Eiji alone.

"Sorry, boss – you know we wouldn't," Bones said. "But, you know, he asked us to. Specifically."

"Said he's got a surprise for you," Kong shrugged.

Of course. Eiji had a surprise for Ash, so it didn't matter if he got killed or kidnapped. It didn't matter if anything happened to him, because he had a surprise planned for Ash. That boy was going to be the death of him.

"Next time, don't listen to him, okay?" Ash said, but he clapped them on the shoulder and wished them a safe journey home.

He had been out all day, getting various things done, and he felt the exhaustion in every part of him. He felt as though he had been melted by the summer sun and put back together. His legs ached and his head swam with the heat.

But at least he was outside of their apartment. He was almost home. And home meant Eiji.

Ash kicked the door open and back closed, throwing himself against it and sighing.

"It's too hot, Eiji," he dragged the words out as though he was melting.

"Really?" Eiji was leaning against the doorway to the kitchen, a smug little grin on his face. Fuck, he looked so cool. As in, not sweating every part of himself off. "I've been cold – with the air con on."

Ash blew a raspberry at him, then smirked and rushed over to him.

"Isn't my loving boyfriend going to give me a welcome home hug?"

He moved fast – faster than Eiji could duck away from. In the next moment he was being pressed against Ash's shoulder with Ash's arms wrapped around him so tightly he could barely breathe. Not that breathing was an option, Ash stunk of sweat. His palms made Eiji's t-shirt damp.

"Ash – that's gross!" he tried to push away from him, but he was held tight. "You're gross, get off!"

Ash just laughed. He held Eiji for a moment more, pressing a damp kiss on his forehead and waiting until he looked up at Ash with a pout on his face. Then he released him.

"How much do you trust me?" Eiji asked.

Ash took a moment to reply, his eyes scanning Eiji's face intently. Those starry eyes and that little smile as he looked up at Ash. He had a surprise planned all right, and he was bursting at the seams to tell him. "More than anyone I've ever known."

"Is that really saying much?" Eiji muttered. He didn't seem to care about how much Ash stunk.

"Fair point," Ash shrugged. "But I do trust you. So much."

"Stay there-" Eiji turned, then turned back. "And close your eyes, okay?"

Ash laughed, but did so, crossing his arms and leaning against the doorframe. He felt his heart pounding, his whole chest felt warm. Eiji had prepared a surprise for him. For Ash. Because he wanted to. Because he cared about Ash.

He didn't want this moment to end – the moment of not knowing what it was Eiji had gone to all that effort to. To take the risk of anything happening to him just for prepare something special – just for Ash and him. The thought was enough. He didn't need the surprise.

"Okay, here it is," Eiji said. Ash opened his eyes to find Eiji stood in front of him, grinning up at him. Eiji with a cupcake cradled in his hands. A vanilla cupcake with a single, blue candle in it. A candle that reflected in Eiji's huge dark eyes. "Happy birthday, Ash."

He froze for a moment, his eyes watching the candle flickering. His felt his heart skip a beat, like Eiji had reached right into his chest and squeezed it. After a moment, he forced himself to swallow and try and find some words.

"It's my birthday?" his voice was raspy. Eiji nodded, but his smile was faltering and he started to look nervous. That hadn't been what Ash had wanted, but he had to set his own mind straight first. "How did you know?"

"I asked Ibe-san – it was on your paperwork from – from prison," Eiji was starting to look worried now. "It is – is it okay? I figured you'd-"

"It's fine," Ash forced himself to move. It felt like he was made of lead. He forced himself to wrap his own hands around Eiji's. He went for a smile, but it didn't work. He ditched it. "It's just – I had no idea it was today."

"You forgot when your birthday was?" Eiji asked it so innocently and earnestly.

"I haven't been paying attention," Ash shrugged. He must have had a certain look on his face, because Eiji's eyes widened and Ash knew – he wasn't sure how but he knew, that Eiji understood everything that was going on.

"Well?" he said. "Blow your candle out and make a wish."

"Sure," Ash couldn't stop himself from smiling. It made him feel worlds away from Eiji – Eiji, who still made Birthday Wishes and thought about things like birthdays. It made him feel like a child again.

So he blow out the candle on the cupcake, and made his wish. It was a selfish one. One that he felt guilty making, because there were so many things that he should wish for – that would be of much more help than what he actually wished for.

But the things he should have wished for didn't include Eiji. And those things he could do himself, or die trying.

He would need a wish to keep Eiji by his side, as selfish as it was.

"What did you wish for?" Eiji murmured, with the kind of look in his eye that told Ash he knew – word for word.

"I'm not that familiar with wishes, but I know if you tell them they don't come true," Ash said. They were still holding the cupcake.

"That's a vicious lie spread by cowards," Eiji said.

"Mmm," Ash ruffled Eiji's hair. "Call me a coward, then. I ain't chancing it."

"Boo you."

"C'mon – split the cake in half and we'll share it."

It put a grin back on Eiji's face, and he darted back into the kitchen to get a knife. Ash watched him for a moment, feeling like he was about to burst, before he forced himself to head back to the sofa. He climbed over the back, falling onto the cushions with a thump. This was incredible. It was more than he ever thought would happen on his birthday – had he hadn't even been thinking about it. He covered his eyes, grinning to himself like a maniac. Eiji had got him a birthday cake.

Eiji flopped onto the sofa, the cupcake cut into two halves on two plates. He handed one to Ash, practically glowing. His cheeks seemed permanently pink these days and it suited him.

Ash took the cake, wishing his mouth behaved like his heart did instead of spewing nonsense like, "You didn't make it, did you?"

Eiji paused, a mouthful of cake hallway to his mouth. "Why?"

Ash shrugged. "Just wondering."

He received a glare and a light kick from Eiji for asking and found himself laughing. Laughing on his birthday. That was new.

"I – thought about telling Bones and Kong, maybe some of the other guys too, but I figured you weren't the guy for a big party to celebrate." Eiji said, his voice soft.

"You'd be right, I guess, I don't know," Ash sighed, leaning back against the sofa. It clung to his sweaty legs, but he felt so relieved just to be sitting that he didn't care. "I haven't had a big party for my birthday in a very long time. Surprised?"

"Right back at you, I guess – I haven't had a big party since I was small."

"You didn't have wild birthday parties in your teen years?" it was easy to tease Eiji, but it made him feel bad when Eiji laughed so openly.

"No way!" he said. "I mean – I had a few friends at school, I guess. The guys from high jump always went for karaoke or something, but they did that for everyone and I can't stand it. I didn't like it when my family made a fuss of me over my birthday," Eiji must have caught the look on Ash's face because he stopped. The words were on the tip of Ash's tongue – must be nice to have a family – he bit his lip to stop them from escaping. The subject was changed – maybe not expertly, but changed nonetheless. "Do you think if we went to the same high school – we'd be friends?"

Ash laughed. "And just how would a star athlete like you wind up being friends with the school's bad boy?"

"Oh, I'd probably get caught up in one of your wild schemes and end up in detention sat next to you. After a week or two, we'd be the best of friends."

"You've been watching too many American movies."

Eiji laughed. "Probably."

"Do they even have detention in Japan?"

"Nope. I'd have to go to school here for our romcom to play out."

"I wouldn't want you to go to school here," Ash let it hang in the air, his mind on the numbers of pupils that regularly flashed up on the news. "Surely there's a way for our romcom to play out in Japan."

"Unless you turn into the cat from the Chinese Zodiac every time you get hugged by the opposite sex?" Eiji asked, his mouth full of cake.

"What"

"Or maybe I break something and have to work at your club - and the bad boy thing is all an act for the Host Club?"

"Is that really what rom-coms are like in Japan?" Ash couldn't stop himself from smiling.

"No not really- but my sister liked that kind of stuff more."

"You're weird."

"Look who's talking!" Eiji still had a mouth full of cake. He looked like a chipmunk and it made Ash's heart flutter. It made him want to grin and act like everything was normal. It made him want to kiss Eiji's pink cheeks until they turned red.

But there was an elephant in the room, breathing down his neck. He couldn't do it, not with it's beady eyes on him.

"You don't have to avoid the subject," he said, slipping his legs from the sofa so that he was sat on it normally. So that he didn't have to look at Eiji.

"I didn't know if you wanted to talk about it," Eiji murmured, swallowing heavily.

"I need to - a little. As much as I can," Ash took a long breath, because he wasn't sure how easy it would be to take the next one. "I remember my birthdays when I was little - at least, I think I do - it kind of all blends into one. I remember Griffin grinning at me and handing me some home made present that I would carry around for weeks afterwards. I remember my dad sitting my down and presenting my birthday tea like it was a three course meal. It was scampi and chips. I guess I've always liked shrimp - prawns, whatever. He'd probably just shoved it in the oven but it was my birthday meal and that made it so damn special. It made everything else fade away - all that mess with my coach didn't matter because I was king of the house for a day."

"It must have been nice, at Cape Cod," Eiji's voice was still soft. He took all of this in his stride. "Did you go down to the beach?"

"It was too crowded. The best time to go to the beach was in the autumn - when the early evenings were still warm. It'd be empty but there'd be a load of stuff left behind - ghosts of the people who came. We'd go through it and make up stories of why they left it there," he waited a moment, glancing across at Eiji. He was resting his chin on his knees, his hands around his legs. "Did you go to the beach much?"

"A bit, yeah. The high jump guys wanted to stay the night one time. I chickened out and couldn't even get on the coach," Eiji laughed, and it was that shaky laugh that he used to have when he was nervous.

"Look how much you've changed," Ash rested his chin in his hand, looking over at him with a small smile on his face.

"Shut up." Eiji rolled his eyes, for a moment looking too much like Ash. It brought him back to what he had started talking about – the brief distraction hadn't shifted the stone in his stomach.

"It was different, of course, when I ran away. I don't know how long it as before I became aware of years again. I could barely separate out days. Hours and minutes seemed like things that could change at any moment - nights stretched into seconds before they would be back, like rabid dogs. I remember seeing a guys watch once - I'll spare you the details - but my eyes focused on that watch. The seconds seemed to tick by so slowly - like when you put the t.v on half speed or something - and then all of a sudden they sped up and they got quicker and quicker and - he was standing up. I kept seeing that clock face. It was weird. It was like waking up from a Nightmare because there was still a reality. Time still existed and there was a world beyond this. I feel like that clock was what kept me going. Time was still going. Whilst time was still going the police could find us."

Eiji was silent. He sounded heartbroken when he finally spoke. "They never did, did they?"

"Never put your faith in the police. It was at- he couldn't say it, not without stringing words that made him sick together - his that I had a window. And there were days and a clock and I could orientated myself. Prepare, count down, try and figure out how much time had passed. It was impossible - I couldn't even figure out how much I'd grown. I couldn't remember what I was like before. That boy with the scampi and chips dinner felt like someone I had made up to escape," Ash pushed the hair from his face and let it fall back. He took the moment to swallow. "I asked him one day. How old I was. He looked at me like i had told a joke and asked why I wanted to know. I don't know what I said. I guess it doesn't matter because he didn't tell me then anyway."

"That doesn't sound like you."

"My attitude came later, when-" Ash stopped. There was still a part Eiji didn't know. He wanted to keep that part to himself, as least for the moment. "When I was his favourite. It played out the same but I told him I wanted to know if I was legal yet."

"How did that work out for you?"

"The look I got for it," Ash hated the dry laugh that came out of his mouth – it made him sound like something he didn't want to be. But Eiji giggled a bit too and that made him feel better. "But it kept him away for a while."

"How old were you?"

"Fifteen," the answer was automatic. Ash could almost smell that room. It felt like he was back there, he could picture that day so clearly. He could continue – he could explain that the next year was the year he got that car. The car that he had wanted to hate – wanted to destroy – but could never bring himself to. He was bored of talking about himself – he wanted to talk about Eiji. It felt like he knew nothing about him. "You must have been going to high school at that age, huh?"

"Yeah," Eiji let the word trail away. "Hey, you haven't eaten your cake."

Ash took a mouthful of it, though his stomach was churning with old memories. The taste, at least, helped him to come back to the room he was in. Here with Eiji and everything was okay.

"You're trying to change the subject," he said.

"There's not a lot to tell, really," Eiji said. That was when Ash noticed. There was a sliver of frosting on the edge of Eiji's mouth. Instinctively he leant forward, his eyes focused on that instead of Eiji pausing. He wiped it away with his finger.

"Thanks," Eiji blinked at him, and then frowned when Ash licked the icing. "Hey, that was from mine."

"I'll compensate you," Ash said, and kissed the corner of Eiji's mouth. It made him smile, melting against Ash's touch. "Fair?"

"Mmm," Eiji paused, his eyes mostly closed. He kissed Ash again, long and slow and warm. "Now It is."

Ash kept his eyes closed, wrapping a lazy arm around Eiji's shoulders.

"Did it help?" Eiji asked, his fingers curling into the front of Ash's t-shirt. "To talk about it?"

"I guess so," Ash was focusing on a tiny freckle Eiji had by his ear, just underneath his cheekbone. It was adorable – and easier to focus on. "I mean, it still makes me feel sick."

"What can I do?" Eiji asked. His hand was hovering over the side of Ash's face, like he was too scared to touch him. Ash caught his fingers with his free hand, burying it into his own hair and lean-ing into it like a dog.

"I don't know," he said, his thumb rubbing circles into the back of Eiji's neck. "Don't apologize – that just makes me feel worse. But don't just say nothing – I don't know – you're good with it. You don't make a thing of it."

"I try not to," Eiji murmured, his fingers exploring Ash's hair. "But I don't know the right thing to say to make you feel better."

"Just keep doing what you're doing," Ash pulled Eiji closer, so that their noses bumped into each other's. "You're – incredible, Eiji."

He felt Eiji's hand drop from his hair to wrap around his neck, but he caught Eiji's mouth in his own before he buried himself against Ash. He held the kiss, feeling as though his lips were on fire at the feeling of it. He wanted to know Eiji's lips as well as he knew his own, to be able to conjure the feeling up in his mind even when Eiji was on the other side of the world.

Eiji's mouth was soft and he melted against Ash like hot wax.

"Thank you," Ash murmured, not bothering to pull his lips away. "For the best birthday ever."

"Oh, come on," Eiji's fingers fiddled with the hair at the nape of Ash's neck. He loved that feeling – he would never cut it. "It can't have been better than when you were little."

"Nah. Since Cape Cod – thinking about all of that-" he didn't have the words, suddenly there was a large lump in his throat that he couldn't shift.

"Yeah," because Eiji could just understand everything that he said – or didn't say. He pressed Ash to him, burying his face in Ash's hair.

"It's okay with you here," he said. Eiji smelt of home baking – of vanilla. He knew he probably still stunk of sweat.

"Good," Eiji pressed a kiss against Ash's cheek. "Happy birthday, Sweetie."

The pet name made Ash's stomach jump. Now he understood why it always made Eiji flush and grin like nothing else in the world mattered. None of those other birthdays had Eiji and that easily put it miles above the rest.

It was a happy birthday. A very happy birthday.

"Here," Max pushed an envelope across the table.

"What's this?" Ash toyed with the handle of his latte glass, not touching the slip of paper.

"I think you know," Max was smiling slightly.

"So you found out too, huh?" he raised an eyebrow, trying to look intimidating. He used to intimidate Max. Somehow he'd lost that, along the way.

"I was the one who told Eiji."

Ash grunted, rolling his eyes.

"Oh, sorry, did you have a bad time? Should I not have told him?"

He took a sip of his latte instead, glancing away from Max – back to the collection of cakes behind the glass of the counter. He felt warm and hated how he didn't really mind Max seeing it.

"That's what I thought – open your present," Max tapped the envelope.

Ash raised an eyebrow. He wasn't amused and for once he wanted Max to know that truth as he pulled the envelope towards him. "You shouldn't have."

"I know."

"I'm serious, Lobo, I don't - I don't do birthdays. It doesn't matter and I'd rather you spend the money on, I don't know, feeding yourself, rather than wasting money on stuff I don't need." He said, but his fingers moved on their own as they prized the envelope open. It was like there was a magic pull to the envelope.

"Since when have you called me Lobo?" Max leant backwards, sipping from his coffee. He had practically downed it, and it was his second. He was watching Ash with a strangely smug expression on his face.

"Since when have you got me birthday presents?" Ash replied.

"That's what dads do, kiddo."

Ash pulled the card out of the envelope. It even had 'son' written on it in huge, pop-lettering and a character Ash recognised from T.V. He raised an eyebrow at Max.

"He reminds me of you," Max was smiling. "Your presents inside."

Ash flicked the card open, keeping his face impassive, but his heart was racing. There wasn't any writing inside, just an arrow pointing to the 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY' that the card had already printed inside it. A gift card had been tucked in for River Island, the receipt wrapped around it like wrapping paper.

He couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. He had been expecting something a bit more exciting.

Which made him feel like a child. Eighteen year olds got stuff like this on their birthday and were happy about it.

What had he been expecting anyway?

"It's so you can buy jeans without holes in them for a change," Max said.

"Hilarious," Ash rolled his eyes, but there was still that warm, fuzzy feeling in his chest. Max had gotten him a present. Because he had wanted to.

"Aren't you going to say thanks?"

"Should I give you a kiss on the cheek to say thanks, dad?"

Max frowned. "You're not funny."

"Neither are you," Ash said. He paused, tapping his latte glass with his nail, because there was suddenly something in the air. "Was that awkward?"

"Only because…" Max trailed off, his eyes on the card instead of Ash.

"It's me?" Ash finished.

"Well, yeah," Max absentmindedly scratched his ear. At Ash's sigh, he gave him a wry smile. "No offence, kid."

"I'm used to it," Ash muttered. He took a sip of his latte, tucking the voucher back into the card.

"What are we going to do with you?" Max's voice was still good humoured. It was good – he was getting the hang of this. His tone changed, however, when he continued, it became softer. It was more like he was talking to himself than Ash. "I said I'd protect you – when we first met."

Ash shrugged. "I said I'd kill you."

He forced a laugh because he didn't want to add that neither of them had kept up on their promise. Max had tried – he supposed, but he was starting to believe that he could never be protected. He was doomed, or cursed, or something.

But his laugh was infectious enough to get Max to laugh as well and suddenly the tension in the air was gone.

"So, come on, I'm dying to know – what did Eiji get you for your birthday?" Max asked, leaning across the table conspiratorially.

"Just a cake."

"You do anything special?"

"He said he didn't want to make it a thing."

"Were you safe?"

Ash choked on air. He had to take a moment, fighting back a cough and feeling his face burning. It wasn't like him – that was never something Ash Lynx was embarrassed about – but coming from Max – and about Eiji –

"We don't – he haven't-" Ash managed to take a full breath. "There's no need."

At least Max had the decency to look embarrassed that time. He still recovered too quickly for Ash's liking. "At least that's one discussion we don't have to have."

"About the birds and the bees? But I was so looking forward to watching you squirm," Ash had finished his latte. He swirled the coffee drags around the bottom of the cup. "I don't – I don't want this, with Eiji, to be like – I don't want him to think-"

To think what? Ash couldn't come up with an answer. He just let it hang there, in the silence. Everyone else seemed to be chatting about trivial things – they chatted about normal things like t.v and the news and funny anecdotes. No, Ash had to turn a normal conversation about his birthday around to his past. To dive into that conversation on a perfectly good, sunny afternoon.

"He wouldn't," Max seemed genuine. "Eiji's not like that and you know it. You kids have to go along at your own pace, anyway. I'm – I'm just happy that you're happy."

"What was that?"

"I said you're a punk."

"Yeah, and I'm gunna spend that voucher on some ripped jeans," Ash found his smirk coming back to him all too easily. Like nothing had ever happened. "Maybe I'll splatter paint all over them too."

"Of course, you would."

Ash grinned. He knew that somehow they had just said 'thank you' and 'your welcome.' It was weird that Max – Max Lobo of all people – seemed to understand just what he needed. He needed someone to tell him he was being irrational and then call him a punk. It made him feel like he was a normal teenager. He liked being normal. A normal teenager with a normal boyfriend.

At least, sat like this, and spinning the gift card between his fingers, he could pretend.

Maybe that would be enough.

Ash was getting used to this. He was getting used to dragging a grinning Eiji out to places whenever he started looking peaky. He was constantly aware of how difficult it must be to be stuck inside all day, taking pictures of creeps and hiding behind the curtains. Bones and Kong could be good company, he guessed. But still, it was better to take Eiji to wherever he had just thought of, so that he wasn't trapped inside. Especially when it was still warm and Central Park was still green. He had known one of the carriage drivers there – he was an expert at matching his accents to tourists in an effort to get them to chose him. But for Ash Lynx – they rode for free, and Ash could point out double the landmarks. Sure, they were gang shooting landmarks, but it still counted.

Eiji was starting to suit Ash's baseball jackets and skinny jeans, looking like a native instead of a tourist. The only downside was that he was hiding those starry eyes behind his sunglasses, so that when Ash looked at him, he just saw himself mirrored. He wasn't interested in looking at himself.

It felt like they were catching up for lost time – lost years of teenage romance. Summer Loving, Ash supposed. The thought always made him smirk. He could definitely rock the Danny Zuko look – and Eiji – Eiji would look adorable in white slacks and a yellow shirt –

Or sewn into his pants. Ash didn't mind either way.

Ash didn't mind how cliché they were being – apparently, Eiji didn't either. Ice cream, the boat lake in Central Park, Coney Island – though Eiji was nowhere near as scared of the rides as Ash thought he would be, ice skating and so many dinners out. Even if Ash had to wear glasses and Eiji was glancing over his shoulder every five minutes. When they were with each other, Ash could kid himself that it was normal. That they were just two teenagers enjoying a Summer break together. That Banana Fish and everything else was just a tv show. Not related to them and not important.

And it helped that Eiji was getting ridiculously comfortable around Ash. Maybe not in public – outside the apartment they were both wary of it. There was always the risk Arthur – or one of Arthur's guys would spot them. As soon as they knew Eiji was with Ash he'd had a huge target on his back – as opposed to the sizeable one he had now. So they were careful.

But in the apartment, Eiji brushed against Ash almost every time they passed, like a cat rubbing against his legs. He was liberal with his kisses now, attacking Ash's temple or cheek whenever he felt like it. Whenever there was a moment that they were just relaxing together.

It made Ash feel braver too. It made him feel like he wouldn't break Eiji – that he could push a little further. Because that was the way he knew – he understood physical affection more than telling Eiji how he felt. It was easier to show him. Kissing him was the only way he could show Eiji how much Ash's heart belonged to his. How it swelled and backflipped and somersaulted whenever he looked at him.

"You know," he murmured, his mouth against Eiji's jaw. They were on his bed, the smell of the Summer sun still clinging to them, its warmth still trapped against Eiji's skin. Eiji could be a tiny sun. His skin was doing that thing in the afternoon light where it glowed gold. "I don't usually have someone sat on my lap."

Eiji was quiet, his fingers tracing through Ash's hair. He had a habit of playing with the too long bits at the nape of his neck. "Do you want to sit on my lap?"

"Mm," he took Eiji's lip in his mouth, playing with it for a moment with his teeth and feeling Eiji sighed against him. He relaxed, his whole body weight on Ash. He was heavier than he looked. It was a good weight. It was good, having his hands on Eiji's back to support him. He pulled away, slowly – because 'mm' wasn't a proper answer. His eyelashes flicked as he looked up at those dark eyes. "There's always next time."

"I like the sound of that," Eiji murmured. He kissed Ash again, his mouth ever so slightly open. It sent a thrill through Ash and he trailed his hands down Eiji's back. He knelt upwards slightly to accommodate Ash's hands and grinned when Ash cupped his butt. No doubt he was thinking of that first kiss – when he had felt Eiji freeze and could practically hear the other boy's heart racing. When he had been thinking of the message in pill, but also when he'd seen the opportunity to kiss Eiji. It had meant to be just the once. How lucky he was that it was just the first in a string of many.

Eiji was still kissing him, his hands firm and sure on the back of Ash's head, his lips teasing Ash's open. Ash's stomach fluttered – yes, he was ready for this.

But then his stomach dropped and turned. He couldn't even say why, but he just knew he suddenly felt like he was going to be sick. Ash stopped. His hands fell down.

"Stop." He whispered.

Eiji did. Immediately he pulled away, his hands on Ash's shoulders. He blinked at him, his face flushed. No doubt he was blaming himself.

"I can't," Ash said, and found that he couldn't explain himself. "I'm-"

"It's fine," he couldn't bear to see him apologising. He slipped off of Ash's lap and sat next to him in the bed, instead. His hands finding Ash's and holding them tightly. "It's okay."

"You must hate this," Ash's throat felt dry, his hands as heavy as lead in Eiji's grip.

"No," Eiji squeezed his fingers as though he was trying to draw warmth back into Ash. "No, honestly."

Ash raised his eyebrows, attempting to untangle himself but with no success. The sick feeling was starting to retreat, as quickly as it had welled up inside him. He focused on trying to breathe.

"What happened?" Eiji asked.

Ash shrugged. "I – I just – I can't."

"What do you need?"

He could have burst into tears.

Instead, he murmured. "Air."

It felt as though his pummelled heart was trapped in his throat. Eiji kept hold of one of his hands as he stepped around the bed to the window, until only the tips of their fingers were connected. But he still managed to hold on, cracking the window open without opening the drapes, so that they drifted lazily into the room like ghosts.

Ash stayed quiet. It felt as though he had been locked inside a suit that look liked himself. He could see, but everything looked dull and he could hear, but everything sounded far away. There was just old memories forcing him back into himself.

But there was still Eiji's fingers against his. And they were warm.

He sat back down next to Ash without a word. They could hear the buzz of Bones and Kong's voices in the other room.

"Are you angry?" Ash whispered, because the silence was felt awkward.

"What? No – never!" Eiji turned to him, his eyes wide. "I didn't know if it was a talking thing? Do you wanna talk about it?"

"I don't know," Ash admitted. He seemed to be saying that a lot more to Eiji now and he didn't feel as bad about it. It didn't make him feel like a failure or a fraud for admitting it – for not being the ultra-confident Ash Lynx. Without that persona – he didn't want to think about who he was – who he really was underneath. But that seemed to be the person that Eiji wanted to know. "I don't – I just, don't want this to be – I don't to turn you into me. And I know – that it's different, that it's completely different – but I can't – it can't be like those times."

Eiji was looking at him with such a strange expression. It was like he was the only thing Eiji could see – like something special. Not something broken. He was looking at him with those soft brown eyes, like the eyes of a deer.

"Oh, Ash," he sounded for all the world like he was melting. "I need to hug you – is that okay?"

Ash nodded, and he was surprised that Eiji actually waited for him too. But then he was all wrapped up in Eiji's arms and Eiji's face was buried in his shoulder and his hair was tickling Ash's nose and was in his mouth-

And Eiji was shaking.

"Shit - are you okay?" Ash's hands were hovering over Eiji's back, scared to hold him. "Are you crying?"

"Because this must be so hard - and you're trying so hard and you're - you're just so - so sweet! You shouldn't be thinking about me - you should be thinking of you! If you're okay - not me!" Eiji's voice was muffled and he began to hiccup halfway through. It scared Ash - really scared him - sent a wave of cold right through his core. He had never seen Eiji cry. With everything that had happened - Eiji hadn't cried.

But he was now. He was crying because of Ash. Because Ash finally put his finger on the fear that had been gnawing inside him since that first kiss with Eiji. The feeling that, no matter what he did, he would end up showing who he used to be to him.

Eiji was crying because Ash was scared and that was more chilling than anything else in the world.

He pressed his face back into Eiji's hair - vanilla and cheap aftershave - wrapping his arms around him because he needed a moment. He needed something to hold on to - just for a moment.

Then - "look at me, Eiji," in a tiny, soft voice. But at least he sounded calm as his finger found Eiji's chin and nudged it up to face him. There was still a tear rolling down Eiji's cheek, catching the sun as it fell, like a spark of light escaping from him. "You – just caring about me – that's better than I ever expected-"

"You're making it worse!" Eiji wiped larger tears away with the heel of his hand.

"Well then what can I say?!" Ash heard his voice cracking as it rose.

"I don't know!" Eiji's voice rose to match Ash's. They both gave a breathless, nonsensical laugh, before Eiji was hugging Ash again. He was so warm. "Just – oh God, Ash – just it's okay. It's okay. You more than deserve this and you more than deserve to feel whatever way you want. I told you before, I'll follow your lead, alright? Whatever you're comfortable with."

Ash closed his eyes, concentrating on the feeling of being held by Eiji. Like this, it was like Eiji was his whole world. He'd be perfectly happy to stay here, in Eiji's arms, forever.

"You're incredible," he whispered, revelling in the feeling of holding Eiji in his arms. He was so solid – so there.

There was someone that cared.

And apparently he deserved that.

[sorenthelegend]

Thoughts on Phantom 🌹🎶❤️ (West End, August 6th 2018)

(Hahaha the post was too long so I’m going to put Act I here and reblog to add Act II 💖)

Last night I went to see The Phantom of The Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London - my first ever West End show and my first time ever seeing Phantom!!! Safe to say it was AMAZING 😍 it was everything I could have hoped for and more!! I had Ben Lewis (!!!) as the Phantom, Bridget Costello as Christine and Jeremy Taylor as Raoul, all of whom were absolutely brilliant!

Ben Lewis’ Phantom.....what can I say? The first word that springs to mind is captivating - every moment he was on stage I was utterly spellbound. He puts so much emotion into his performance, and I had tears in my eyes more than once. He really captured the difference in the Phantom from when he first takes Christine down to his lair to when he takes her again after Don Juan - you can see how much the unmasking breaks him, he loses his gentleness and becomes more erratic, and he breaks down SO WELL. Everything about Ben Lewis is amazing.

Bridget Costello is STUNNING!!! Not only is she beautiful, her dancing is amazing and her voice is gorgeous. She had such amazing technique with everything she did - she conveyed even the subtlest of Christine’s emotions perfectly, and her performance was stellar.

Jeremy Taylor was brilliant, my Angry Boi™️ Raoul 😩😍 I honestly fell in love with his version of the character - he was more aggressive than I expected, but it was due to his fierce protectiveness over Christine, and you could really feel his animosity towards the Phantom. Absolutely amazing.

Prologue/Overture: ohhhh I got actual CHILLS when the chandelier went up 😍 idk if it was intentional but the lights flickered in time with the music? The orchestra were incredible (more on them later), and the atmosphere was so great

Hannibal: Piangi, you deserve the world. Hannibal was brilliant - the dancing was great, the music was really good, but mainly it was HILARIOUS 😂 my boi Wade the Elephant had a bedazzled helmet (you live your best life, Wade) Carlotta smacking the newspaper out of someone’s hand while she was singing is somehow a mood (petty goals my gal) also was she flirting with Andre?!? The “AMATEURS” line was perfect, the look on his face was just 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

Think of Me: Okay this was so well acted it hurt 😩 Christine started off really shy and quiet, but once she lost herself in the music she was confident and strong and all-around PERFECT 😍 she had such a breathless smile on her face the whole time, you could tell how much she loved to sing and loved her music. Raoul said “brava” instead of “bravo” and I was so proud, also he didn’t randomly get up and leave like in 2004 so the boy has gained some sense 😂 the cadenza was absolutely gorgeous and I’m jealous of that high note 😩😍

Angel of Music: Meg has such a good voice!! It was sweet and innocent and harmonised beautifully with Christine’s. There were different lyrics to the ones I know (instead of the “Christine you must have been dreaming” lines we had “I watched your face from the shadows/Distant through all the applause/I hear your voice in the darkness/But the words aren’t yours!”) and I LOVED them - it was like Meg was just as excited about Christine’s Angel of Music as she was, rather than her trying to tell Christine that her Angel isn’t real. Loved it.

Little Lotte/The Mirror: Raoul walked into the dressing room and said “Christine Daaé where is your red scarf” and I almost died because somehow the way he said it was really attractive 😂 I loved the harmonies in this, and I really enjoyed the interaction between the two. Christine’s fear when she talked about how strict her Angel is was really good, it subtly set up the dynamic of fear between Christine and the Phantom (which only becomes more evident with the progression of the story). I got chills again at the mirror opening, I totally get why Christine was so hypnotised 👀

The Phantom of the Opera: TITLE SONGGGGG 😍😍😍 the way they showed the descent into the underground was really clever (they had a staircase-type thing that slowly lowered as they walked across it, giving the impression that it was sloping downwards) and the CANDLES omg there were SO MANY OF THEM 😂 during the “sing for me”s at the end of the song the Phantom moved his hands like he was drawing her voice out from her, and he properly went “ohh” when she hit the right notes (the self-caress bit was almost like he was trying to regain his composure)😩😍 I never thought I’d fall in love with someone because of the way they toss a hat away but DEAR GOD it was glorious 👀😍😩👌🏻

Music of the Night: 😭😍 the singing was, as ever, absolutely perfect, and the acting in this was superb - there was a lot of chemistry between the two, and he kept flinching away when he touched Christine, like he couldn’t believe he was able to. At the “touch me, trust me” lines, he had closed his eyes and she reached up to touch his mask, and he instantly pulls away and grabs her wrist with wide eyes. The doll was suitably creepy, but it’s great because we get to see the Phantom carrying Christine (he strong)👀 It was beautiful.

I Remember/Stranger Than You Dreamt It: Okay the performance of the Phantom when composing was perfect - he was scrambling for a pen, jumping up and scribbling furiously when he worked out a phrase, blowing on the ink to dry it so it wouldn’t smudge....10/10. Christine tried to take his mask off a few times but he was so focused on his composition that he didn’t notice (she only missed because he jumped up to write stuff down) and his reaction when she did take off the mask was so well done. He screamed when she took it off and chased her about the lair, trying to get the mask back (and you could tell she was genuinely scared of him) before collapsing on the floor. The “damn you, curse you” line was so full of emotion (he kind of groaned at her?? “ohHhhhH DAMN you” 😂 I loved it, you could feel his frustration) and he then proceeded to fully break down in tears as he sang STYDI. I almost cried watching him, he was so broken and tearful (you could almost HEAR his tears in his voice), and once he put his mask back on you could tell he was annoyed at himself for getting so upset and tried to almost angrily compose himself 😂 honestly one of my highlights of the whole show

Magical Lasso: The ballet girls all ran away screaming when a guy in a cloak and hat walked past 😂 Madame Giry was raging, wish she’d slapped him it would have been gold

Notes I: The looks on their faces when they were reading the notes 😂👌🏻 André did a little sad face at “the dancing was a lamentable mess :(“ and the “what is it that we’re meant to have wrote” was obviously brilliant, it was hilarious - this was Angry Raoul’s debut, he was PISSED about that letter and even MORE pissed when Carlotta accused him of sending hers

Prima Donna: I really liked this one, usually it’s not one of my favourites but it was really well done - when the managers did the bit about “although he may demur/He must have been with her” Raoul stopped in his tracks and turned to stare at them half-disgusted, half-angry, shaking his head a bit. Meg spent the first part of the song looking around the managers’ desk for the notes and examining them, like she was looking for clues as to who the Phantom was. At the end they all sang “sing Prima Donna once more” in a different manner - Raoul was angry and almost sarcastic, Madame Giry looked so done, Carlotta was having the time of her life (but the best was Raoul - he almost spat out the words “prima donna”, so much venom, I love my Angry Boi)

Poor Fool, He Makes Me Laugh: I would genuinely pay good money to see the whole of this opera 😂 the fops looked great, Piangi KILLED it, and it was all going brilliantly until the Phantom shows up to ruin the party. The croaking was great, but I also really liked how Christine forgot her blocking because she was scared of the Phantom. His laugh was proper chilling 👌🏻 the ballet was so good, André walked into about four dancers trying to get off the stage, and I loved the shadows behind the scenery showing the Phantom. If Buquet was a doll it was a hella accurate doll, it was dead realistic 😂 the chaos on the stage was brilliant, and the laughter really cemented the Phantom as a total maniac

Why Have You Brought Us Here: you could really see Christine’s fear in this, also I liked how on the “there inside your mind” lyric Raoul gestured towards Christine’s head, like he was trying to convince her that the Phantom was a figment of her imagination. I missed a lot of Angry Christine here because where I was sitting it was hard to see downstage right (ie the bit of the stage on my left-hand side), but she moved out into centre stage for “but his voice” - Raoul looked at her all concerned during this bit, and you know that he genuinely believes Christine has imagined the man

All I Ask of You: Raoul is my protective boi and I love him okay 😩 he hugged her tighter when he sang “I’m here, no one will harm you”, and he had a determined look in his eyes and more of an edge to his voice, like he was daring the Phantom to try and harm Christine. It was such a sweet and romantic song, the kiss was more gentle than most I’ve seen before, it was just like watching two teenagers in love, plus their voices are so powerful (chills again)

All I Ask of You (Reprise): My HEART 😭😩 this was so heartbreaking, he was crying the whole way through and looked like he was physically in pain (particularly during “he was bound to love you when he heard you sing” - because the Phantom taught her to sing, I think he blames himself for that). When Christine and Raoul were singing he covered his ears and shook his head while sobbing her name, and it was painful to watch 😭 I had the absolute fear while the angel was going back up because he STOOD UP (please don’t fall off), he was so dramatic and angry and I SWEAR to you he was looking RIGHT AT US at this bit - the chandelier falling was SO intense, it fell so much quicker than I was expecting, what an amazing end to the first act

(Act II to follow! 😂)

[team-fartress-over-crotch-blog]

Can't see the rules so I dunno if this is okay, buuut. How would the tf2 mercs react to a Sentient Sentry? That somehow talks? Maybe it's Merasmus' fault?

The rules are here, dear ^^  https://team-fartress-over-crotch.tumblr.com/post/171920895210/rules

Merasmus slipped into the base, eager to fulfill his master plan. He rolled, jumped and stuck to the wall until he reached the garage. Merasmus lifted the garage door and crawled into the building. Merasmus maniacally cackled at his success and began to place a curse on a sentry. After the spell was cast, Merasmus boasted about how brilliant he was! He brought a sentry to life, however, he forgot to give the sentry a mission. All he did was give it a voice and free will...

Heavy: • Is highly suspicious about it. • Avoids it at first, but when he sees the sentry alone in the garage he goes and checks up on it. • He’ll come in every now and then just to vent about his comrades or something. • Eventually, it leads to a daily routine of them talking and lounging around. • Introduces his gun to it, all proud like a dad. • Secretly hopes his gun and the sentry date or something. • 100% wants his gun to talk too.

Medic: • A NEW OBJECT FOR EXPERIMENTS!? • Medic no! • Yeah, he’s banned from ever seeing it again. • However, he does sneak in during the dead of the night and takes notes on it. • They begin to talk, mostly about the sentry, but it does progress into a nightly conversation session. • Offers to build a body for the sentry for sure.

Sniper: • Was very skeptical at first, but came around when he saw the joy it brought to his crew. • Hesitantly sat next to it and started to ask it questions. • It was awkward. • Totally brings it up to his roost during a battle. Just to feel a little less lonely. • Places his coffee mug on top of it. Regrets it when coffee is spilled everywhere. • INSTANT PANIC BECAUSE OH MY GOD COFFEE GOT ON THE SENTRY • Sentry turns out okay, Sniper keeps drinks away from it.

Demo: • He looks at the sentry. • Then looks at his scrumpy. • And back at the sentry. • Yells for his teammates to 1. Confirm that isn’t that drunk and 2. there’s a talking sentry in their midst. • When he finds out that it was the work of Merasmus, he rolls his eye. • Begins to tell the sentry who Merasmus was and even shares stories about the wizard. • Soldier jumps in with stories of his own, all three of them laugh and joke. They hit it off real quick. • Demo is 110% overprotective of the little sentry during battle. • Offers to oil its creaky parts. (sexy sax solo in the background)

Soldier: • Doesn’t really surprise him when the sentry starts talking. • He talks to sentries all the time, they’ll eventually respond, right? • No no no, even that was wrong to Soldier. • Immediately points his shovel at it and demands to know why it’s there. • The sentry quickly explains that it was Merasmus that brought it to life. Once Soldier processes what it said, he merely laughs and puts down his weapon. • “Any friend of Merasmus is a friend of mine!” • They begin chatting away and Soldier sternly teaches the sentry what it is and what its purpose on the battlefield is. • Somehow manages to strap the sentry onto his back like a backpack and takes him out to battle.

Scout: • Screams. • “Robots are takin’ ova the fuckin’ world! Again!” • When he finds out Merasmus did it, he’s just ticked off. • Kicks the sentry and cusses Merasmus out. • Sentry did not appreciate the kick and promptly shoots him in the foot. • Scout does come back (after his foot’s healed) and starts talking to it. • Realizes that it’s pretty chill and plays ball with it. • And by playing ball, I mean Scout pitches balls and the sentry shoots it while it’s airborne. • Scout never gets bored again.

Spy: • Nope. No. Absolutely fuck that. • Pays no attention to it. It’s just another thing Merasmus disaster. • However, after awhile it appears that the sentry means no harm. • He gives in and pats its head from time to time. • TEACHES THE SENTRY TO SHOOT ENGIE IN THE ASS • Snorts when it actually happens.

Engineer: • He knew it was going to happen one day but by his own doing. • Everyone totally thinks he did it, but he can’t steal such a genius idea. • As the sentry explains Merasmus did it, he’s slightly impressed but also pissed off. • Definitely feels like a father. • Gives the sentry an update, a few wheels, and extra guns. Now it’s mobile! • Takes great care of it, polishing it often and oiling it. • Loves to have his little sentry out on the battlefield with him, just to have some decent conversation.

Pyro: • Is very excited to find another friend. • Instantly hugs it, mumbling pleas for them to keep it. • Funnily enough, the sentry knows what Pyro’s saying, even when the others don’t. • Pyro often draws on it with crayons and gets scolded by Engie every time. • Pyro will read children’s books to it and has sentry read them too. • Never lets anyone touch it on the battlefield. Will blast everyone’s ass if they get too close. • Even though sentry is compatible on its own.

[delunastar]

Deeper Dive (Undercast)

All I did, was close my eyes…I closed my eyes, trying to drift into a peaceful sleep for once. I don’t know why I try, the same demon in my head, pesters me…and the same memories, haunt my mind. I’ve become, almost afraid to sleep.

It all repeats. I close my eyes…and then, I open, looking at the same scenarios, that haunt my dreams.

All those memories…play in my mind, nearly every night. The raid, my parents, the murders, the torture, the screams…the maniacal laughter, that was mine, but at the same time, it wasn’t.

I would watch myself, doing, all the horrible things, she made me do….I watched myself, smile as I did it…and laugh…laugh as the screams, got louder, and more agonizing.

Then, I would wake up…

—————–

Blu sat up, quickly from her bed, reaching in a sharp, but soft gasp as she did so. She looked around the room as she panted to catch her breath, realizing that it was all a nightmare. Only it wasn’t. It happened, it was real, and stuck with her for the rest of her life. She looked at V, on the other side of the room, sound asleep.

Blu looked at her lap and ran a hand through her hair, before wiping the sweat off her forehead, and the small tears, caught in her eyes. She held up her charm, at almost eye level to look at it. She stared at it longingly, before closing her eyes and gripping the charm.

She let go of it shortly after, pulled the blanket off her lap and quietly got out of bed, not bothering to put her boots on. She crept out of the room, careful not to wake V, and made her way out the door, closing it behind her quietly.

‘If only you weren’t so stubborn.’ The oh-so-familiar voice in Blu’s head spoke, ‘if only you didn’t care.’

’Shut up.’ Blu spoke in her head to Dark as she made her way to the deck.

‘If you weren’t so stubborn, and if you didn’t care, You wouldn’t have those nightmares. And you’ll realize the real enemy here~’

’Shut up!’ Blu shouted in her thoughts, ’your the enemy! You, hurt all those people! And I was the one getting tortured for things YOU did!! Don’t act so high and mighty you heartless monster. Your the reason I’m not trusted, and your the reason, why those people are dead! YOUR, the reason why SHE’S dead!! It’s all your fault!’

'You are being hysterical. Sooner or later, I will, take over again, and you’ll realize the real enemy. You won’t want to hold back anymore. You’ll finally decide to do things, MY, way’

Dark chuckled evilly in Blu’s head, and Blu only scowled,

'I’ll, never let you out. I won’t let innocent lives die by your hands again.’

Dark had then gone silent, as Blu finally reached the deck. The moon light peaked through the clouds and shined dim light on the deck, the cold, midnight breeze making Blu get slight chills. She walked to one side of the ship, and leaned on the forward on the railing, resting her elbows on it as she looked at the ocean.

She watched the calm waves, gently hit the side of the ship, and sighed, biting her lip. She hesitated, but, she looked at her hands, slowly bringing them up to eye level.

Her eyes flashed, and for a moment, she saw her hands, both covered in blood, and a knife in her right hand. She closed her eyes shut, and clenched her hands into fists as she brought them to her chest, trying to shake the thought out of her mind. She covered her face with her hands then looked down, bringing her hands close to her chest. Both her eyes, closed.

Then out of nowhere, a voice came out from behind her.

“Hey, I, Sea, your up pretty late. Heh.”

Blu gasped as she jumped, surprised by the voice, “oh god-” She turned around and saw who it was, relaxing a bit, “oh…hey..”

“Heheh,” CTK chuckled, “you alright?”

“Uh, yeah…sorry, not used to having others be up this late too. Usually its just me at this time…” Blu said, turning towards the ocean again.

“Heh, you must be a real, Night owl, then,” CTK joked as he went to join her on the side of the ship, watching the ocean as well.

Blu laughed a bit at the pun, “well…guess I’m not as, Bone tired, as you mate..” She lied.

CTK chuckled at her pun as he looked at her. Then he looked at her a little more, she seemed, pale, almost scared of something, “hey…you sure alright? You look, kinda pale..”

“Hm?” Blu looked at him, a bit surprised by his concern, but she looked down, and out at the ocean again, “Oh…yeah um…just, had a lot on my mind…kinda shook me up is all..”

CTK nodded. He understood perfectly, course, he’s had lots on his mind before. And still does, almost all the time, “you…wanna talk about it?”

Blu was silent for a moment, then she shook her head, “…no……” she then looked at him after a bit, “what are you doing up?”

CTK looked at her then at his left hand, “the curse’s spread, kinda kept me up. Thought I’d, chill out here for a bit till I get tired.”

“I see..” Blu replied with a nod, “must be a real pain..”

CTK only nodded, confirming her statement.

There was a silence as they both watched the ocean, it wasn’t awkward, it was a more peaceful silence.

“Do you ever, look out at the ocean and just think about how, interesting and beautiful it is?” Blu asked CTK, breaking the silence.

“Hm?” CTK looked at Blu, but he didn’t respond, so she just continued.

“It’s so, calming and full of life. It’s the connection that, brings this world together. And it’s, one of the world’s biggest mysteries. Like, the curiosity you get when you look at the ocean, you can’t help but wonder what mysteries it does hold. It’s an interesting thought, but, also a scary one….” Blu said, thinking out loud.

CTK’s face lit up a bit at her, he had never heard something, so deep about something he was afraid of. It made him think, and he agreed, it was an interesting thought, but it was also scary,

“Yeah I get what you mean about that last part…”

Blu nodded, and went silent before speaking again, “and then…when you think about it…the ocean is almost, like a person..”

CTK looked at Blu confused, “what do you mean?”

Blu was quiet for a moment before she took a deep breath and spoke, “when you look at the ocean….what do you see?”

CTK hesitantly looked out at the ocean. He saw the calm waves, of the ocean’s surface, glisten from the reflect moon light. He couldn’t help but feel astounded. Usually, he was too scared to look at or even come close to the ocean. But as he looked at it, with not fear, but curiosity and astoundment, that fear in him, slightly faltered.

“All I see is, the waves…and surface of it,” CTK answered.

“Exactly,” Blu began, “when you look at the ocean, all you see what’s on the surface. You can’t see anything under it, and you don’t know what’s beneath the surface. Like when you look at a someone. All you can see is what’s on the outside, and usually people judge it just from one’s surface….you won’t know what’s really beneath the surface of the ocean, unless you dive in and see for yourself. You won’t know what’s in the inside of someone unless you dive in deep and see for yourself,”

“……wow..” was all CTK could get out. He was lost of words and his mind, felt like it just exploded, and opened up more. Never had he heard something so deep, so poetic. But it made him think. Think about things that have been on his mind for as long as he could remember.

“But….what if…you don’t want anyone to know…?” He asked quietly, as he thought out loud, gripping his left hand, “what if you don’t want anyone to know the truth about you….?”

Blu looked at him, a bit surprised. She never expected him to ask her that, and it made her a bit uneasy. Had he figured her out already? Had he known what she’s done? Had he known her truth? Or….was he suffering through something, similar to what she’s suffering through.

She took a bit to answer his question, but she eventually got up the courage to do so, “then…maybe they don’t need to know…maybe it’s best if no one ever knows the truth. But, even so, it’s best, to let others in, when you need it. They don’t need to know everything…but, just enough, so they can help you. Let them know you more….” she looked at him, into his eye socket, “let, me, know you more…”

CTK looked back at her, right in the eye, silently, and unsurely, “huh?….but, were barely know each other…I barely know you..”

Blu looked out at the ocean again, away from his gaze as she spoke, “..that’s a good thing…”

He was confused by her statement but decided not to question as he looked out at the ocean as well. He sighed, “this got real deep, really fast…”

Blu smiled slightly, “everything seems fast to me…”

“Are you usually like this when you talk?” CTK asked her.

Blu shook her head, “no…not often..”

“Where did you learn stuff like, what you just said?”

Blu looked at her hands at the thought of her, “from someone who, looked at things differently than others…”

“They’ve must’ve really been something…” CTK commented.

“Yeah..” Blu agreed, “She was…”

“And I have to admit….it’s kinda nice, when you talk about things like that..” CTK complimented as he looked her, a small smile on his face, “really.”

Blu laughed a little, with a bit of blush on her cheeks and smiled a little.

“Thanks mate…”

——————————

Omg, I posted this before I was done. And I had to delete it and I was so mad because I forgot what I wrote. Thank you to @vzearia for helping me remember what I wrote. ^v^

I would’ve been super pissed otherwise.

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Also, I thought I would write a story that would show some first interactions with Blu and CTK in undercast ^^

Hope you all like it!

Blu/Dark: me ^^

CTK: @perfectshadow06

V: @vzearia