#god i for real mean slow burn like this is gonna feel like a gen fic for just about forever

[angelofdarknessss]

Beautiful Sinner

Prologue: 2/2 Previous part: prologue 1/2 Next Parts: CH-1 Word Count: 3,719 Main Pairing: Toko Fukawa x gen!neautral reader Summary: You meet the headmaster and realize how much danger you and your classmates are in. Author note: Again, This is a slow burn long-fic! Please keep in mind that the reader won't romantically converse with Toko at the very beginning!. Not much I wanna say here! Happy thanksgiving to you all!

You all started to hear an unfamiliar voice. The voice came from the tv screen on the wall…what was shown was a silhouette of a…teddy bear?

“Ahem! Ahem! Testing, testing! Mike check, one two! This is a test of the school broadcast system! Am I on? Can everyone hear me? Okay, well then…!”

The mystery voice sounded so playful yet dangerous. So calm and unconcerned…Who exactly was this? You felt a deep, unnerving dread at the sound of it. It seems like Makoto felt the same way as his eyes were glued onto the screen.

“Ahh, to all incoming students! I would like to begin the entrance ceremony at…right now! Please make your way to the gymnasium at your earliest convenience…That’s all. I’ll be waiting!” Then the screen cut off. Nothing but silence filled the room.

“…….”

“What. The. Hell was that just now?” Junko said anxiously.

“Well then, if you’ll excuse me…” Byakuya said before walking out the room calmly. You don’t understand how he could just willingly leave like that after watching that very suspicious announcement. That guy is insane.

“Wait! You’re just gonna leave like that?!” You yell at him. He turns to look at you with a look of disdain. “It’s better than sitting here looking like fools. Goodbye.” He then leaves us.

“Ohh yeah, now I get it! This whole thing was just to get us all pumped for the entrance ceremony!” Yasuhiro lets out a sigh of relief. “Man, thank god it was all a joke. I’d totally be freaked if this was real!”

“Seriously, Yasuhiro? You too?” You look at him with disappointment. “What? It’s obvious, isn’t it? Anyways, I’ll head out too. Wonder what they got planned for us next…” He says before leaving just as Byakuya did.

Right after him followed Leon, Chihiro, Celeste Toko. All who was left was Me, Makoto, Hifumi, Kyoko, Aoi, Sakura, Sayaka, Mondo and Junko. That disturbed feeling you had before.. you couldn’t get it out of your mind. And it looked like you weren’t the only one…

“This…this doesn’t seem right.” Sayaka nervously stated.

“Yeah, that announcement was totally weird.” Junko followed up.

“Maybe, but just staying put doesn’t mean we’ll be safe.” Kyoko bluntly said. “Besides, aren’t you guys just a little curious to find out what’s going on around here?”

You bit your lip. She was right. “Well. Yes, but… how do we know we aren’t just walking into some trap? That didn’t look normal.” You expressed.

Sakura crossed her arms. “If we do not move forward, we learn nothing. The only choice is to push ahead.”

‘I…I guess she’s right.” Makoto shakenly replied. You patted him on his shoulder. “You nervous too?” He just nods. “Yea… how’d you know?” “…I can see you’re shaking.”

Makoto lets out a flustered laugh. “Oh. I am.”

“It’ll be okay.. I think.. that doesn’t stop me from being nervous though. But.. I know we don’t have a choice. We have to go.”

Makoto looks at you for a moment before nodding. “You’re right. They said to go to the gym, right?”

With that, we all headed out of the room and back into the main hallway. We looked towards our left and spotted closed double doors with a sign labeled “gym” above it. Makoto and I nervously walked towards it and headed inside the room. Inside were multiple trophies and banners that hung towards the left of us.

Mondo huffed irritably. “God, I had no idea this Hope’s Peak Academy place was gonna be such a pain in my balls. It really ain’t that much different from the time I spent in juvie. Hell, this place is even worse!”

“Right... it’s like a maze in here. And most importantly... where’s the other students? Why is it just the 17 of us here in this massive school?” You spoke. Sayaka hummed in agreement.

“Isn’t that like, seriously not good?” Junko said nervously. “Th-They’re just trying to spook us! They’ll take those metal plates down later, I’m sure of it…” Taka said, also nervously. If he was trying keep his composure, it really didn’t show right now.

“All we can do now is hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” Sakura stated.

“Well, hell, it ain’t like I’m scared or nothin’. Let’s just get this over with!” Mondo angrily says, very clearly just as scared and nervous as we are. “Hey! Where’s whoever called us here!?” He then storms right into the gym. Taka followed him yelling “Mondo, stop! No running!” Sakura and Hifumi soon followed those two.

Now, it was just you, Junko, Sayaka, Kyoko and Makoto.

“Well… should we…?” He looks at you with uncertainty. You can still feel his nervousness radiating from him, and you cant blame him at all. Hell, you weren’t even sure if you wanted to see what was inside that gym. But.. you knew you didn’t have a choice. As Sakura said, if we don’t move forward, we learn nothing.

“Yeah.. lets go. Most of them are already in there anyways.” You turned to look at the remaining students in the room. “Are you guys coming or….?”

Kyoko didn’t respond. Sayaka seemed to be shaking, but ultimately nodded.

“I’m totally getting a bad vibe right now…b-but...it’s... not like we can like… go anywhere else s-so…. yeah whatever.” Junko shakingly sputtered. After that, you and Makoto began to walk towards the doors, and momentarily Junko, Sayaka and Kyoko followed behind us. You placed your hand on handle, anxiety riddling in your bones. But you knew what you had to do. It was inevitable to predict what was going to happen when we stepped in, but no matter what… we need to keep moving.

You opened the door and stepped inside. And what was waiting for you was…. The rest of the students. The gym itself really did look like an entrance ceremony…oh.

“Oh…It just looks like a normal entrance ceremony.” Makoto let out a slight sigh of relief, but you still felt uneasy.

“See? Told ya! It’s totally normal entrance ceremony stuff!” Yasuhiro stated calmly. “Normal?...What kind of entrance ceremony are you used to?!” You asked.

No…No no no….. you don’t believe it. Something is going to happen you just know it. This isn’t…-!

Just then, that same unfamiliar voice was heard…again.

“Hey there, howdy, hello! Is everyone here? Good! Then let’s get things rolling!”

Everyone turned to the front of the gym, what we saw pop seemingly right out of nowhere was…a black and white teddy bear..? What?

“Huh? A…teddy bear?” Chihiro asked confusingly.

“I’m not a teddy bear! I…am…Monokuma! And I am this school’s headmaster!” The bear responded.

What I was seeing was…incomprehensible...indescribable…just…. unreal.

“Nice to meet you all!”

That voice, its so bright and carefree but it felt so completely out of place. It transformed your anxiety to outright terror.

This earned a scream from Hifumi. “Wh—? Waaaaaah! That teddy bear can talk!”

“Calm down! I’m sure there’s just a speaker inside it.” Taka said with uncertainty in his voice.

This seemed to anger Monokuma. “I told you already, I’m not a teddy bear…I’m Monokuma! And I’m your headmaster!”

“AAHH?! It’s alive! Holy fuck?! Kill it kill it!!” You hid behind Makoto, who gave you a ‘Seriously, dude?’ look. Monokuma gives you a saddened look. “So cruel!...I thought I’d be welcomed with more love..”

“Seriously man, calm down! It’s prolyl just a remote-control toy or somethin’.” Mondo sputtered out. He himself wasn’t exactly the calmest compared to the others.

Monokuma’s attention went to Mondo. “How dare you compare me to a child’s plaything! You’ve cut me deep. Deeper than the Mariana Trench…. My remote-control system Is so complex, even the folks at NASA can’t recreate or even comprehend it!” He starts to laugh. “Ah, but don’t make me say stuff that might destroy NASA’s dreams. I just couldn’t BEAR that!”

Nobody laughed at his lame pun. Go figure.

Celeste places her hand over her mouth. “ ‘bear’ that? Really? You are…unfortunate.”

Monokuma clears his non-existent throat “Now then, moving on! We really must hurry and get started…”

Junko scoffed. “Giving up already? No other stupid bear puns?”

“Quiet down now, quiet down. Ah, okay, so…!”

“He has abandoned the gag..” Sakura muttered.

“Everyone, stand at attention and bow! And…good morning!” Right after Monokuma said this, Taka immediately followed up with “Good morning!!!”

“Teachers pet…” You mumbled under your breath. Toko seemed to agree as she stated “Y-You don’t have to s-say it back..”

“Now then, let us commence with a most noteworthy and memorable entrance ceremony!” Monokuma happily states. “First, let’s talk a bit about what your school life here will be like. Now, ah, make no mistake—you few students, so full of potential, represent the hope of the world. And to protect such splendid hope…you will all live a communal life together solely within the confines of this school.”

Huh….what?

“Ah, now then…regarding the end date for this communal life…There isn’t one! In other words, you’ll all be here until the day you die! Such is the school life you’ve been assigned.”

It felt like your breath had just been stolen from your body. What do you mean... until the day we die?

“Wh-What did he just say? Until the day we d-die…?” Toko stuttered.

“Oh, but fear not! We have quite an abundant budget, so you won’t lack for all the common conveniences.”

“Shut up! That’s the least of our worries! What is this?!” You yelled.

“Yeah, what the hell? You’re saying I have to live here forever?” Junko angrily asked. “You’re screwing with us, right?”

“I am NOT screwing with you! I am no liar; of that you can be 100% sure.” He yells. “Ah, and just for your information…you’re completely cut off from the outside world.”

“Cut off…? So all those metal plates all over the school…They’re there to keep us trapped in here?” Makoto asked. “That’s exactly what they’re there for. No matter how much you may yell and scream for help…help will not come. So with all of that in mind, feel free to live out your life here with reckless abandon!” Monokuma replied with that same cheery voice. It was starting to really annoy you.

“Come one, what the hell is this? I don’t care if the school or whoever else is behind it all, this is just a bad joke.” Leon stated, followed by Mondo who agreed with him. “Yeah! Cut this shit out! It isn’t funny anymore!”

It never WAS funny!...You’re still freaking the hell out!

“You keep saying this is a lie, or a joke. A bunch of skeptics, all of you.” He laughs into his paws. “But I guess you can't help it, huh? You all grew up in an age where you're taught to doubt your neighbor... Well, you'll have plenty of time to find out whether what I say is true. And when that time comes, you'll see with your own eyeballs that I speak the undeniable truth.”

“Having to live here forever would be…quite the problem.” Celeste sadly but also calmly replies.

“Come, now. What's the matter with all of you? You decided of your own free will to attend Hope's Peak Academy, didn't you? And now, before the entrance ceremony is even finished, you've already decided you want to leave?” He tilts his head with his pay resting on his cheek. “Oh, but you know... I guess I did forget to mention one thing. There *is* one way for you to leave the school...”

Toko’s head perks up at this. “R-really…?”

“As headmaster, I've crafted a special clause for those of you who would like to leave! I call it...the Graduation Clause! Now, let me tell you about this fun little rule. As I mentioned, to maintain an environment of harmony here, we rely on a communal lifestyle. And if someone were to disrupt that harmony, they and they alone would be allowed to leave the school. That, my students, is the Graduation Clause!”

Disrupt the harmony…? What did he mean by this?

“What do you mean by…..’disrupt the harmony’?” You nervously asked him.

Monokuma looked at you with that same creepy smile as he laughed. “Puhuhu… Well, you know… If one person were to murder another~”

……

“M-Murder!?” Makoto exclaimed. You remained silent from fear, you could only blankly stare at the bear as the word ‘murder’ repeated in your head. “……….”

“Stabbing, strangling, bludgeoning, crushing, hacking, drowning, igniting, how you do it doesn't matter. You must kill someone if you want to leave. It's as simple as that.”

No way… no fucking way…..

“The rest is up to you. Give it your all to achieve the best outcome in the worst way possible. I see that stylist over here is eager to kill, looks like they prepared in advance!” Monokuma laughed loudly. “Puhuhu~! Those scissors can do some real damage to the throat!”

Now all eyes were on you. You hesitated before responding to him. “I-I what?! These are for hair only! I’m not going to murder anyone you sicko!” You defended yourself.

“Keep telling yourself that! I’m sure it’ll work out in the future….anywho..I bet *that* got your brain juices flowing! Beats the heck out of a human catching a salmon, huh? Like I said before, you guys are the hope of the world. But you know... Taking that hope and seeing it get murdered creates a darkened shadow of despair……And I just find that so…darn…exciting!”

Leon began to shake again. “What the hell are you talking about~? To kill each other is..It’s!”

Monokuma tilts his head. “To kill each other is to kill each other. I'm sure there's a dictionary here somewhere if you need it.”

Aoi clenches her fist angrily. “We know what it means, that's not the problem! Why do we have to kill each other!?”

“Yeah! Stop blabbering on with all this nonsense! Just let us go home already!” Hifumi yells.

“…Blabbering?”

Suddenly the environment felt even more dark than it originally was. Monokuma’s tone got sharper, he was starting to get visibly irritated again. “Blabbering, blabbering, what do you mean blabbering!? Stop blabbering on about blabbering on! You guys just don't get it do you? "Let us go, let us go!" You keep on saying the same thing over and over and over and over...! Listen. From this moment on, this school is your home, your life, your world. Got it?” He lifts his paws up. “And you can kill as much as you wanna kill! So go ahead, go on a kill-kill-killing spree!”

“Alright, come on…how long are you gonna keep this up?” Yasuhiro smirks, not understanding how much danger he’s in right now.

“Eh?”

“You got us, okay? You scared the hell out of us. So you can go ahead and reveal the trick now.”

This guy is seriously going to get himself killed..

“Reveal the trick…?” Monokuma tilts his head.

“Yeah, cuz I mean…Y’know, this is all some kinda trick and all, right? So uh, like…”

“Dude, shut the hell up and get outta my way.” Before Yasuhiro could finish his sentence, Mondo shoves him aside, placing himself right in front of Monokuma. His voice rumbling like thunder.

“Listen up, asshole! This shit’s gone way too far! What the hell kinda joke IS this!?”

“Joke? What, you mean like your hair? Maybe you should’ve got stylist to give you a better hair do!” Monokuma teased him. This severely angered Mondo.

“FFFUUUUUUUUUUUU--! Mondo roared out, then there was a loud BOOM. It was the floorboards, he launched himself into the air and flew straight at Monokuma like a bullet. He held Monokuma into the air with his left hand. “Gotcha, you little piece of shit! I dunno if you're a toy or a stuffed animal or whatever the hell! Either way, I'm gonna rip you to fuckin' shreds!”

“Waah! Violence against the headmaster is in violation of school regulations!” Monokuma flapped his little arms and legs helplessly.

“Mondo! What are you doing?! Don’t touch it!” You yelled. “Shut the fuck up!” he replied to you before turning his attention back to the bear. “Let me outta here you dumb fucking bear…OR I swear to Christ…”

Monokuma went dead silent. Nothing was heard except…beeping.

“What, no smartass comeback this time!?”

The beeping got louder and faster.

He’s a—!

“Stop that goddamn beeping and SAY SAOMETHING!”

“SHIT— THROW IT!” You yelled out.

The beeping gets even faster.

“What…?” Mondo looks at you with confusion.

“Hurry up and throw it!” Kyoko yells. Without hesitation after being told a second time, he did what he was told and as soon as he did—

*KABOOM!*

Monokuma exploded.

We all stood there in complete shock for a moment. If it wasn’t clear to us already, it was now. This isn’t a joke. This was all real. The painful ringing in your ears and the smell of gunpowder proved it.

Mondo was stunned for a few seconds. Fear engulfed his face. “The hell!? Th-That sure as shit wasn’t a joke. It blew the hell up…”

Chihiro held her hands together nervously. “But you know... This means that the teddy bear's been destroyed, right?” This would’ve been good if it was true but…Monokuma just popped right back up out of nowhere.

“I told you, I’m not a teddy bear! I’m Monokuma!”

“AH?! ANOTHER?!” You screamed.

“You son of a bitch! You seriously just tried to kill me just now!” Mondo angrily said. This earned a stern response from Monokuma. “Well, yes. I was serious about trying to kill you. You did violate one of the school regulations, after all. I'll let you off with a warning this time, but you'd better be careful from now on. Any naughty boy or girl who violates my rules won't get off with just a little swat on the butt.”

“H-Hey…So does this mean there’s like, a bunch more of you around here somewhere?” Junko asked.

“Monokumas have been placed all throughout the school, yes. Plus, don't forget the surveillance cameras installed everywhere. And if you're caught breaking any rules, well... you all just saw what happened, right? You don’t want to get BLOWN TO BITS do you?” He laughs into his paws. “Puhuhu... And I won't be so forgiving with my punishment next time. So don't let it happen again!”

“You call that a punishment?...Th-This is just…wrong!” Makoto sputtered out.

“Now then, lastly…To commemorate your joyous entry into our school, I have a little something for you…” He takes out a handbook with the Hope’s Peak Academy logo on it. “This is our official student handbook! Pretty cool, huh? As you can see, it's fully digital. So naturally, we call it... The e-Handbook!”

“Ahem. Yes, well, moving on... This handbook is vital to a healthy school life, so don't lose it! When you start it up, it will display your name. Always make sure you have the right one! Now, this is not your everyday notebook. It has so many more uses than that! Also, it's completely waterproof. Splash it, wash it, drown it, it'll keep on ticking! And thanks to its space-age design, it can withstand an impact force of up to ten tons. Very resistant! It contains all of our school regulations, so make sure you review them thoroughly!”

He now gives us a stern look. “You'll hear me say this a lot, but any violation of school regulations will not be tolerated. Rules restrict, yes, but they also protect. Society, for example, would be utter chaos without laws. The same thing applies here! Which is why it's crucial we have strict punishments in place for violators. Okay, well...that brings our entrance ceremony to a close! Please enjoy your abundantly dreary school life! And...see ya losers!”

And with that, he was gone, leaving us all in a state of pure shock and fear.

“So, guys…How would you define what we just experienced?” Taka asked.

“How…? Why…? I don’t understand any of this…” Leon was shaking, muttering nonsense to himself. But Toko seemed to be even more in fear.

“We have to l-live here forever…? Or…k-kill?...Wh-What…? What just happened!?”

Kyoko and Celeste however, considerably seemed to be the calmest out of everyone here.

“Everyone, we need to just calm down. First, let's just take a second to summarize everything we just heard. Based on what Monokuma said, we essentially have two choice. Choice number one is that we each stay here, living a "communal life" together until the day we die. And the other choice is...” She trailed off, Celeste finishing what Kyoko was about to say.

“If we want to get out of here alive, we must kill someone. Right?”

Chihiro started to cry. “But...killing someone... That's...”

“It’s HORRIBLE! I want to go home! I-I need to see my dad…!” Your body continuously shook. This couldn’t be real, this wasn’t real it shouldn’t be real..

“A lie, is what it is. All these ridiculous things we've heard... This all has to be fake!” Taka was still visibly shaking. No matter how much we wanted to believe it was all a joke… a lie.. it was more than real.

“Right now, it doesn’t really matter if its real or fake. What matters is… Is there anyone here who's seriously considering all this...?” After Byakuya said this, we all went radio silent.

Nobody had a response. Including you and Makoto. You looked at Makoto, then looked around at the others.

We all stared at each other, trying to gauge each other’s thoughts. You could taste the metallic on your tongue from you biting your lip harshly. You then realized the hidden terror within the rules Monokuma laid out…’you must kill someone if you want to leave’. If you trap people in one place and lay out one weapon, someone is bound to take that weapon and murder to leave. It’s just nature, someone will kill. And it made you severely nervous.

We’re forced to wonder. “Is somebody going to betray us?”

And that was how your new school life began…. This school, which seemingly came from heaven at first had rose your hopes high…You thought it was a school full of hope.

But you were wrong. Instead…it was a school full of pure despair.

Thanks for reading! Hope you'll stick around for my future chapters! <3

[sabraeal]

don’t speak boyshit, Chapter 1

[Read on AO3]

On her last first day of school, Inomata Maria wakes up before her alarm.

It’s hardly the first time; as a firm believer in punctuality and a staunch eschewer of crutches, Maria has only ever placed a begrudging measure of trust upon that little black box. Thirteen years might endear some to its beady little gaze, but she knew better-- at any moment it might fail to remember her five am wake up call, or worse yet, play the radio, and then it would fall to her to make excuses to the disciplinary committee as she stood outside the academy gate, shouting into the uncaring wind.

It had never happened, of course, but one never knew when such petty appliances would decide to rebel against their function. And today, today--

Well, she couldn’t afford to be late.

The buttons of her blazer are shined to gleaming, skirt pleats pressed with precision, stockings fresh from the package, elastic clinging tight around her calves. With one last loop, her bow tie lies flat against her collar, academy brochure perfect.

Because above all, that’s what she is: the model student. If she has nothing else, she’ll have that.

“All right,” Maria informs her reflection, arms raised up in front of her, a readied stance. “Do your best.”

“Ah, Maria.”

Mother peers around the corner, brow already furrowed tight above her nose. She looks like her, people say-- the kind that spend too long looking at the wedding portrait in the hall, or at the baby pictures on the credenza-- and she can see it sometimes, in certain lights. Those tight lines around her mother’s mouth will be hers one day, as well as the faint crow’s feet tracing the corners of her eyes. Maybe even the reading glasses too, if she doesn’t get better posture when she studies. Just another legacy waiting for her, like always.

“Are you going already?” Mother’s shoulders already round into a concerned hunch. “Is there someone you’re planning to meet?”

A dozen answers rise to her lips; who else would be up this early for school, or no one would bother coming out here for me, or who would I meet when all my friends are books--?

But that’s not true. It hasn’t been for a long time-- not since Yuki and the other girls crowded her at the flower viewing all those years ago, filling her contacts with hearts and flowers as well as their numbers.

“No,” she says instead. “I just wanted to be early today.”

Mother eases. “I see. Excited to start your last year? Before university, that is.“

A grimace flickers across her reflection, gone as soon as it came. “Of course.”

“You’ll do your best, won’t you?” That furrow is back between her eyes, like it never left. “We’d like to send you to a good university once you finish.”

There’s no reason for the way annoyance zings through her fingers, so strong she has to clench them to dull the buzz. It’s not a new sentiment, not in the least, but for once it’s a request, no-- a question. As if this close to the finish line, she’s suddenly become someone else, someone who isn’t the perfect student they’ve raised her to be.

The joke, as she overheard Kamitani say once, is on them. There’s no one else Maria knows how to be.

“Of course.” The Maria in the mirror looks stern, studious, just the way she always has. “What else could I do?”

The academy’s entrance ceremony is supposed to be a solemn occasion; most of the first years may only be rising up from the middle grades of the gakuen, but their parents are still in sober attendance. It’s a sea of business casual-- a wave of somber black suits followed by one of wives in pressed pink and floral skirts, as befitting the season. It is, by all appearances, an event just as serious and dignified as any other high school induction, however--

“Niichan!”

--Maria is relatively certain the children aren’t supposed to be here. And even if they are, one of them is definitely not supposed to be wiggling a foot up near Kashima’s knee, failing to whisper, “Up!”

His laugh is soft, half embarrassed and half pleased. Somewhere in the vicinity of her chest, something gives an entirely unnecessary squeeze. “Kotaro, please...”

It’s possible, Maria allows, that the chairwoman has changed the rules. They are her grandsons now, and even Maria might be tempted to bend them for a sight as cute as this.

“Niichan,” Kotaro informs him with all the gravitas a three year old can summon, “I wanna sit in your lap.”

“Oh my.” With only Nezu as a buffer between them, Yagi leans toward her-- no, toward the scene Kotaro is quietly making, his foot quivering as much as his lower lip. “Is that Kotaro-kun?”

“Sit back.” Nezu’s arm braces against the chair in front of them-- the girl sitting in it spins around with a frown, one that only lasts as long as it take her to see that it’s 3-A’s handsome prince looming behind her-- but it’s a futile effort. After two years, Maria knows: there is no force on this earth stronger than Yagi’s desire to witness chubby cheeks.

And of course she is the one sitting in the chair with the best view.

“What is he doing?” he asks, breathless, tawny hair nearly brushing her shoulder. “Is he trying to climb on Kashima-kun’s--?”

Maria plants a hand on his forehead, enjoying his too-brief slack jawed shock, and shoves him back. “None of your business.”

His lower lip trembles. As if she has ever been moved by such a thing. “But...”

“You’re going to get blood all over your uniform,” Nezu reminds him wearily. “And then what will you say when we have to show the first years around?”

Yagi straightens, suddenly every inch the boy the class president he’s been elected to be. He’s smart, he’s nice, and he’s hot, Kawata was always quick to offer, and for a brief moment, he’s at least got two out of three.

“Inomata-san.” He turns all of that intense, dark-eyed smolder onto her. “You’ll tell me what’s happening, won’t you?”

Yagi might set a fire among all the other girls, but against Maria, it fizzles like a spark on wet wood. “No.”

“But Inomata-san--”

“Kotaro.” Kashima replies with an infinite well of patience, the sort Maria already feels drying up the longer Yagi buzzes in her ear. “I don’t think this is really the time--”

“It’s not.”

Maria blinks. It’s no surprise Kamitani’s next to Kashima, but still-- she hadn’t noticed. Not until he spoke up, voice soft and flat, his gruffness already grating.

“Oi.” It doesn’t take much for him to frown-- Kamitani just looks like that-- but the corners definitely deepen, an ill-tempered knot brewing over his nose. “Go back to Usaida already.”

Kotaro spares them a doleful glance and raises his still-pudgy arms. “Up, please.”

Kashima wavers; it’s the smallest bend, like a sapling in a stiff breeze. Kamitani grunts a warning, and he snaps back into himself, releasing his last, desperate volley. “Where is Usaida-san?”

A single chubby hand points; its trajectory sails past the rest of 3-C, right out onto the bleachers the academy’s set up for the parents, cherry blossoms swirling on the wind--

Ah, and there he is. Maria’s mouth pulls thin. That lazy lump of a man, covered in squiggling toddlers, still manages to have a hand free to hold a camcorder. He’s not even ashamed of the havoc he’s allowed Kotaro to cause; oh no, he just grins-- well, more since his fox-face comes with that as a default, she’s sure, and smug-- and sticks up his thumb. You can do it, Ryuuichi, he mouths.

“Do what?” Kashima wonders aloud, saving her the trouble. “I’m...already in high school...?”

“Ignore him.” Kamitani fails to follow his own advice, glaring up at the stands. “Glad my idiot brother’s too old for that geezer to drag out here.”

“He’s only twenty-five,” Kashima murmurs, more scolding than he’s ever managed on Kotaro. “Besides, I wouldn’t say that too loudly. It might give him ideas...”

Kamitani clucks his tongue, mouth opening to doubtlessly give another unasked for opinion--

And then the wind blows, hard enough that the cherry blossoms break from their branches. Pink scatters through the air, littering the hair and laps of classmates and parents alike.

Why, with ceaseless, restless haste, her mind provides, the same monotone she hears her study guides in. Falls the cherry's new-blown bloom?

Maria frowns. Ki no Tomonori; a fact she knows against her will. She’d never liked the Hundred Poets-- never liked poems, for that matter-- but still those lines rattle around in her memory, no use whatsoever. It’s not like they’ll ask about any of those on her entrance exams.

A few petals scatter in her hair, but a clump drops straight onto Kamitani’s lap. She expects him to grunt, to brush it off with a grumble about how dumb outdoor ceremonies were, but instead his eyes widen, and--

And he sneezes. Loud enough that it stops one of the PTO from speaking. And then again, and again. Four times, each louder than the last, before he snuffles, rubbing at his nose.

Kashima stares. “Are you okay?”

With as much gravitas as a man covered in sakura can manage, Kamitani says, “Shut up.”

“Niichan!” Kotaro’s loud enough that the speaker stumbles again in his speech, casting a wary glance down at 3-C. “Up.”

“Well...” Kashima wavers.

“He’s going to do it.” Yagi’s chin hovers at her shoulder, entirely too close. “I can tell.”

So could a blind man, but she’d rather fail an exam than be caught agreeing with a boy like him. “Can’t you sit in your own seat?”

“I--”

He’s yanked back into his chair, Nezu’s weary face behind him. “Sorry.”

“I suppose just this once...” Kashima’s voice weaves threadily to her ears, and she catches him just as he lowers his arms, clasping Kotaro beneath his own. “It would be fine...”

“Tch,” Kamitani clucks. “Spoiled.”

The first years file into the halls, fresh faced and eager; Yagi flags down the advanced class, gesturing for them to line up by the wall. A few girls are already whispering behind their hands, casting speculative looks toward the president, giggling when he sends a curious glance their way.

Maria sighs, smoothing down her skirt. “I don’t know why you wanted me to do this.”

“You’re the top ranking student in our class,” Yagi reminds her with the infuriating calmness that got him elected as class rep in year one. “Who else would be better to introduce them to the academy’s advanced course?”

Someone who knew how to talk in front of crowds for one. And maybe one who was good at school, instead of someone who was just good at studying. She doubted any of these children would be pleased to hear that her advice for their secondary school education was to eschew all social bonds and dedicate themselves to study guides.

“See?” Maria longs for Nezu to appear, if only to remove the temptation of throttling the class president in front of his new crop of aspiring fan club members. “You can’t think of anyone else, can you?”

The girls along the wall stare at them, inquisitive, and Maria sighs. “I could if I was better with names.”

Yagi smiles. Her fists clenches at her side reflexively. “But you aren’t, so let’s say I’m right.”

The doors swing open again, bringing a burst of cherry blossoms to litter the floor as another class tromps through. This time it’s third years, and Maria catches a glimpse of bristled black and tousled brown before one of the girls whispers, “See, there he is.”

Ah, so even the Prince isn’t enough to hold a first year’s attention. Maria smooths out the twitching corner of her mouth, turning to address the girl--

“I made him a bento once,” she tells her friends proudly, flicking at the loose bun wound over her shoulder. “He even said ‘hi.’“

Maria’s mouth thins. “It would be best if you all waited quietly. This is an academic institution, not a-- a--” she wishes she was better at improvisation-- “group date.”

The girls simply stare, slack-mouthed, as if it’s some superhuman feat to hear them nattering only a meter away.

“Ah, Inomata-san,” Yagi laughs awkwardly, “I think we can be a little more understanding. This is only their--”

“Inomata?” The ringleader shrills, fists riding high on her hips. “You’re Inomata Maria?”

She’s half tempted to say, That would be Inomata-senpai, but she restrains herself to a choked, “Yes.”

The girl steps out of line; she’s shorter than her, but with the sort of length in her limbs that said this height was temporary. “I’m Inui Mika, and I am your rival.”

She huffs, marching back to the wall. Folding her arms across her chest sulkily.

“Rival?” Yagi blinks, swiveling to stare at her. “What’s that all about?”

“I...” Her mouth works, useless. “I wish I knew.”

“Can you believe it?” Yuki’s knees knock hers as she presses close; only Maria’s steady hand keeps her bento from spilling right off her lap. “Kashima-kun really let Kotaro sit on his lap the whole ceremony.”

Only half, but the distinction seems pedantic when the truth is just as terrible. “I can.”

Spoiled, Kamitani said, like he always did. Maria hesitated to agree with any opinion that was so quickly followed by a slap, but in this case--

Well, a third year letting his brother sit in his lap the whole ceremony, no matter how cute and how small said brother was, wasn’t precisely well-adjusted. Not that Kamitani was either, but it wouldn’t be the first time she took words from his mouth with a grain of salt. She had a terrible suspicion it wouldn’t be the last.

A pensive sigh slips from her as her chopsticks pluck at a ribbon of omelette. Still, it was cute. Part of Kashima’s charm was his closeness with Kotaro; other girls might talk about the boyishness of his face, or the sweetness of his voice, but Maria watches his gentleness, the soft way he speaks to his brother, and it makes her think of what he might be like with her--

Children, of course. Their children. Not that she thinks about them having children, but even if she did that would be-- normal. Girls did that with boys they...felt affection for. She certainly didn’t want him to treat her like Kotaro. That would be...weird. And unlike the both of them, she already had parents. She didn’t need...that.

“Maria-chan,” Yuki starts thoughtfully, mercifully saving her from herself. “I have an idea.”

Maria is a terrible friend.

She knows this intrinsically, the same way she knew at age six that no matter how many hours she put into practicing, piano would be a waste of her time and her parent’s yen. After two whole years of halting progress, she shows just as much aptitude at friendship as she did at piano-- ever taking two steps forward one day to slide back ten the next. Still, she has no intention of giving it up wholesale, like she did with her dreams of being a musical prodigy-- oh no, if some people are content to plunk out the melody of a song or two, tripping over notes they’ve lost the memory of, she can do the same with this.

Just as some people are made for concertos and duets, some are made for the deep, abiding friendships that Yuki’s shojo manga bloom with-- and Maria is made to study. In everything else she can just...dabble.

But Maria is a terrible friend. She knows this because the moment Yuki-- the closest thing she has to one of those shojo manga friendships-- utters I have an idea, her attention wrenches instantly, irrevocably away from listening.

Instead, she thinks about universities. About whether it would be better to attend one of the more prestigious ones in Tokyo, the ones that opened doors in countries around the world but required her to rent an apartment; or stay closer to home so she could save up her money, maybe find a place to move to right after graduation. Her mother said they wanted to send her to a good school, a convenient shorthand for far away with how many kilometers it was to the city, but most of those entrance exams would be competitive, and if she wanted to get an edge on the applicants from the cities--

“Maria-chan. Maria-chan.”

“Ah...” She blinks, her attention dragging down to see Yuki’s cheeks impatiently puff. Kirin made the same expression when Kumatsuka-san told her that giraffe-kun wouldn’t be able to attend yochien with her. “Y-yes?”

“Maria-chan,” Yuki hums, danger in every note. “Are you not listening?”

She should lie. It’s not what she’s comfortable with-- it makes her skin itch to contemplate it, to think about cobbling together the conversation from what few words sifted through the tangled layers of her thoughts. But it would be the kind thing to do; a little white lie to smooth ruffled feathers.

“No,” she admits instead, shame burning the tips of her ears. “I was thinking about entrance exams.”

Yuki’s chopsticks had been pinched around a choice chunk of pickled daikon, but it drops, rolling into her rice. “Entrance exams? Those aren’t until December!”

“W-well, if I want to take some for the universities in Tokyo, I should start planning now,” Maria sputters, knees squeezing tight beneath her bento box. “There’s always a lot of people taking those exams, and they have a reputation of being grueling--”

“Maria-chan,” Yuki says with infinite patience. “We haven’t even been third years for a day, and you’re already thinking about university.”

She’s been thinking about university since she was four years old with very little break. Maria hardly sees the point in stopping now when it matters more. “Is there something else I should be thinking about instead?”

Her tone is supposed to imply the question is rhetorical-- Usaida had made her practice that at the beginning of second year, when he discovered that what he thought was her wry tone was actually earnestly inquisitive, and he had crowed, this will cause so many misunderstandings in a way that seemed more eager than concerned-- but neither literature nor rhetoric has ever been Yuki’s strongest subject. She lights up instead, like Shibuya just before dusk, knees rattling the lunch sprawled precariously on her thighs.

“Yes!” There’s trouble in the way she sighs-- no, worse. Romance. “Have you noticed? The trees are blossoming.”

She’d certainly noticed Kamitani sneezing all morning; first at assembly, and then again when she’d passed by 3-C for...reasons. It���d been impossible to miss all the petals she’d collected as well, threaded through her hair and hidden in the folds of her skirt, spattering the ground whenever she moved enough to dislodge one.

But that’s...not what Yuki is talking about. “It’s...spring?”

“Right, exactly!” Her mouth spreads wide as if Maria’s said something brilliant, instead correctly identifying a season. Even Taka could do that. “Don’t you think we should have a flower viewing party?”

We. The word still trips her up when Yuki says it. We, as in a unit. We, because they are friends.

“A hanami?” Her mind skips to that first year, to the way Yuki and her friends crowded around her, her phone buzzing in her hands, changing into their friends. Expanding her contacts beyond just Mom and Dad into a scrolling list of -chans, turning it from a filial tether to the phone of a regular teenage girl, one who received LINEs that weren’t just about when she was expected to be home. Even now she remembers it; the first day she actually felt like a normal girl.

“Like last year?” she says when her silence has gone on too long, Yuki’s hopeful eyes already taking on a desperate shine.

“No! Well, maybe a little.” Yuki’s bento rattles with her restless energy. “I’d want our girls of course--” there she goes, ours, like Maria belongs to them too, instead of being suffered the way she always has been before-- “but not just them.”

Maria frowns. “Who else is there?”

“Oh, you know. Other people.” Yuki twiddles her chopsticks between her fingers, pinker by the moment. “Ah, maybe...Ebizawa-kun seems nice? Or, ah, Saginuma-kun? Or, um...”

Her jaw drops, hand slamming her bento shut. “Yuki-chan, do you mean boys?”

“You don’t have to say it like that!” she yelps, clapping her hands to her cheeks. “I just meant that they’re also our classmates. It makes sense that we might--”

“Is this--” Maria draws in a steeling breath-- “a group date?”

Yuki’s silence is damning.

“I don’t have time for foolishness like that,” she announces sternly. “Boys are a waste of time.”

“Maria-chan!” Yuki’s mouth purses, her eyebrows drawing down like a storm cloud. “This is our last year of koukou. After this we’ll be--” her voice drops, ominous-- “adults.”

Legally, perhaps, although culturally two years shy, but if Usaida-san is any indication, either line is more technicality than a natural law.

Yuki seizes her hands, pressing them between her palms, warmth seeping through the spring’s chill. “We have to make the most of our last days of youth! We have to--” her eyes tear with earnest emotion-- “to squeeze the last of its sweet nectar onto our tongues and savor the taste.”

Her words are too professionally composed to be anything but a quote; the kind whispered by women in novels, attributed to the Hundred Poets-- but Maria high suspects this one is from a manga. “And just how are we supposed to do that?”

“Uh.” Yuki squirms, palms clenching hers like she might absorb the reason through their skin. “A hanami?”

Maria is no expert on how to drink the last of anything’s sweet nectar, but that sounds a little thin, even to her.

“Or,” Yuki squeaks, “maybe getting boyfriends?”

She bolts upright; the last of her bento clatters to the brick below, ejected neatly from her lap. It draws more than a few curious looks her way, girls bending over to whisper behind hands, just like they always did. Even with the wind stealing every word, she knows what they must be saying-- what’s wrong with her? Why does Inomata-san act so strange? It’s because she is! She’s just a little study robot that doesn’t know how to be human.

“Count me out!” She scowls, stooping down to pick up the scattered remains of her lunch. Rice sticks to her fingers as she mutters, “I don’t care about things like that.”

Her bento teeters on the bench, and when she glances up to steady it, Yuki looks dangerously thoughtful.

“You know, Maria-chan,” she begins, too innocent. “We could invite Kashima-kun, too.”

She nearly drops the bento again. “W-what does that matter to me?” she shrills, jolting to her feet, box clutched to her chest. Thankfully, she remembered the lid. “Y-you can invite whoever you want! It has nothing to do with me!”

Yuki stares at her with such pity, she’s almost ashamed. “Oh, Maria-chan...”

“W-what?” This would be so much easier if her skin wasn’t so eager to betray her, if she could just stop burning every time someone muttered something even like his name. “It’s true! I don’t-- he’s not-- I’m not--”

“It’s okay.” A hand gently touches hers, Yuki’s sad smile greeting her as she peers down. “You’re not over him.”

Maria opens her mouth, protest flung from her throat like a reflex-- and she catches it between her teeth. With a sigh, she slumps to the bench. “I don’t remember you getting over him either.”

Only a few weeks ago she’d been sobbing at the academy’s gate, clutching the metal bars and wailing about how she was running out of time, how the end of this year meant she only had one more before she’d never see him again. Unless somehow she found a way into the same university, or she applied to the same place where he worked, or if she just happened to find out his address from a newspaper article, talking about his accomplishments--

And now Yuki only heaves a worldly sigh. “I can’t dedicate my whole youth to one man, Maria-chan.”

Yuki’s voice has always been pretty, light and fluty and easy, the way boys like. But it drops deeper now, humming in her chest, and for the first time Maria hears a woman’s voice, the one she might grow into with a few years under her feet. Kamitani-sensei always said failed romance gave a girl character, and she sees it now in the way Yuki’s jaw settles, determined and new, and the wistful flutter of her eyes. She’s always been pretty-- always will be pretty-- but now she’ll be striking as well, and--

And then she mutters, “Especially when he’ll never notice me.”

When Maria sighs, half of it is in relief. Yuki will always be Yuki, and that new scorned woman part of her-- well, that’ll keep until they’re actually women.

If their positions were reversed, Yuki would seize her hands, folding Maria’s too-large ones up in her perfectly dainty ones. Stars would shine in her eyes, and her mouth would spin the world’s most perfect confections of comfort: never give up, she might say, or one day he’ll look right at you and see how amazing you really are, or maybe even, I’m sure he already sees you, Maria-chan, how could he not?

But Maria’s never been Yuki. She could never be Yuki, because all that comes to mind now is, there’s no reason to worry about boys when grades are so much more important. How could she possibly be any comfort when it had taken her a year and change to realize that fluttery, awful feeling in her stomach when she even glimpsed a hair on Kashima’s head wasn’t her usual, jittery anxiety that dogged her in every social situation. No, it was something different, something even more terrible and debilitating: a crush.

She could throw up just thinking about it. Lucky Yuki that she managed to escape.

“So you like someone else now?” she asks, since it seems like the polite thing to do.

Yuki blushes, a pretty dusting of pink on the apples of her cheeks. Maria’s certain she’s never managed one like it in her life. “Ah, no, not yet. But any day now, I’m sure! There’s a lot of cute boys in our class.”

“Ah.” She taps her fingers on the brushed metal of her bento. “So that’s why you want to invite, er, Ebinuma-kun, and, um-- Seri-- Sagi--?”

“Ebizawa-kun and Saginuma-kun,” Yuki corrects gently, giddiness making the names bobbing and buoyant in the air between them. “And maybe? I don’t know them all that well, and it might be nice to get to know a few, see if any of them, mm...catch my eye?”

It’s not impossible-- statistically, it’s even probable-- but despite all these passionate protests, Maria knows: Yuki will measure every boy she meets against a Kashima-sized measuring stick, and it doesn’t take an abundance of sense to know she’ll always find them lacking.

“But look on the bright side, Maria-chan! We’re no longer rivals!” Yuki’s smile is so bright, so earnest she can’t bear to remind her they never were, not really. Just two soldiers trapped in the same trench. “I can truly cheer you on, no matter who you choose.”

Maria is no expert in romance, and even less in love, but she’s pretty certain there’s nothing even close to choice involved. If there was, she wouldn’t have chosen to like anyone, let alone someone as hopeless as Kashima.

“Well, if that’s the case,” she says firmly, “I choose to study.”

Yuki heaves a weary sigh. “Oh, Maria-chan, if only you could study to get a boyfriend, then you’d be the most popular girl in school.”

[hermitreunited]

TUA Feedback Fest!

💜💜 Favorite Fic Writer 💜💜

I could have split these all up to go under various rec theme posts, and maybe I will, but the gosh darn truth of it is that I love every fic by @sunriseseance​ aka Oceansweather so dang much that I needed to make a post about all of it. A very detailed post. It’s long, but she and her work deserve it. <3

A Hard Rain’s A Gonna Fall

Summary: In 1963, most citizens of Dallas had no idea where Vietnam was. He knew that because none of the people he passes as he walks look particularly dead inside. The sidewalk scorches his feet even though the sun hangs low in the sky. The air is hot and wet and it feels like a jungle growing in his chest.

aka, A Fourth of July fic about Klaus, trauma, family, and history. Takes place in 1963.

Rating: NR⎜Pairing: Implied Klaus/Dave⎜Word Count: 4k+⎜Complete (1/1)

This is true for all of her fics - the writing style is so engaging and good and smart! This fic in particular, though - WOW the narration is incredible. Gets you very deep into Klaus’ headspace for a gripping, panicky experience. He’s dealing with the fallout of a traumatic event that is about to happen to most of the people around him. So complicated and sad and intricate!

He wants to warn her that, hey, in 6 years your little boyfriend is going to get drafted and he’s going to go to a country you couldn’t pick out on a map and he’s going to kill people who he shouldn’t kill and every week he’ll write you a letter promising you that when he gets back you’ll move out of the city and your baby will have a real forest to play in and then he’ll kill some more people he’ll go to hell for killing if there’s a hell to go to, and then, well, he’ll get shot in the chest and the blood will come out of his mouth, too, and you’ll have to know that you weren’t there, weren’t fast enough to hear his last words or offer him some last comfort and he’ll be dead and for what? 

Happy Birthday, Johnny

Summary: It’s a nice place. Allison made sure of that when she chose it the first time. Three stays ago. God, they’re only 23 (And they are 23 now, or close enough). Three times? She may as well be lighting her money on fire.

Still, the chairs are comfortable. The visiting room is empty, of course, apart from a man with deep, heavy bags under his eyes. Fluorescent lights hum above her as she waits. They wash everything out, cast everything in a harsh shadow. Not that anything about the experience isn’t harsh. This is stupid. She knows it, now, as she feels her heart beating in her throat and the backs of her legs and her fingers.

What if he doesn’t want to see her? What if he was asleep for, what, the first time in 13 days? That’s how long it’s been this time, right? What if he hates her? (What if he’s right to do so?)

Rating: NR⎜Pairing: Gen⎜Word Count: 3k+⎜Complete (1/1)

Get ready for your heart to break from the Allison and Klaus feelings (and hold onto them, because she’s going to do this again, Allison and Klaus feelings is her brand). Being Hargreeves siblings is complicated, so so complicated, especially for these two, whose circumstances could not be more different, but when it comes down to it, they are quite similar. It’s pre-series, so it’s Sad, but boy is it ever a detailed look into these two excellent characters.

On their 13th birthday, before everything went wrong, Klaus snuck into her room at midnight with a magazine he stole and a cake he made. The smell of smoke stuck to all of his clothes, his skin, his hair. He gave her the cake, all of it, and the magazine. The smile that accompanied them haunts her.

He asked if he could sit with her, and she said yes. He asked if she’d ever smoked before, and she said no. He asked if she wanted to, and she said yes. He asked if she wanted weed or a cigarette, she said cigarette. That’s what the movie stars did. He gave her a look, a laugh, and showed her how to hold it so it didn’t burn her fingers. Not that he’d lit it yet. He wanted to make sure she had it down before he set her on fire.

Slow is in My Blood

Summary: Dave touches him, sometimes. In dances through root systems lit by a diffused moon, Dave puts a hand on his lower back, his arm, his shoulder. To help, he says. Your balance, he says, it isn’t good. I don’t want you to fall. These pits are endless, he says. You don’t like the dark. A touch to help. It helps.

aka, A meditation on Klaus and allowing himself to be loved. Dave doesn't die at the end.

Rating: NR⎜Pairing: Klaus/Dave⎜Word Count: 1k+⎜Complete (1/1)

I am biased, I suppose, because this fic was a gift to me. But like!!!! This fic!!! It’s sad and beautiful and lovely and so perfect. I can’t not think about Klaus and Dave’s relationship without thinking about the dynamic in this fic, about how Dave initiates and Klaus keeps himself from running away. It’s gorgeous.

Maybe it’s not one sided. Maybe he touches Dave on the back of his neck just to watch his skin react. Maybe he hopes the reaction comes from the touch itself, and not the chill Klaus carries with him. Maybe he lets the touch linger long enough for Dave to smack his hand away. Maybe he knows, somewhere, that smack is the wrong word. Dave doesn’t smack. He holds, and moves. He lacks a violence somewhere at his core. Maybe it’s the only way Klaus has something Dave lacks, and maybe it’s the only thing Klaus wouldn’t share if Dave asked. 

I’ll Be Cleaning Up Bottles With You on New Year’s Day

Summary: Sitting behind him on the windowsill, in a truth that still feels false, is Dave. Quiet, right now. Rubbing Klaus's neck. Kissing it occasionally. New clothes, even, though still only things Klaus saw Dave wear in life. The closest he came to fancy enough for New Year's was the outfit he wore on the night they first kissed. The dates still get muddled in his head.

Dave still smells like Dave. Klaus can bring that back, too. The earthy-clean skin, the slight scent of sweat, the cotton of the polo. Something else, underneath all that. Something that Klaus could recognize anywhere, could follow to the end of the world, could die to protect.

Rating: NR⎜Pairing: Klaus/Dave⎜Word Count: 1k+⎜Complete (1/1)

OKAY Okay okay. This fic was the equivalent of a bottle of wine when I read it on New Year’s Eve, because it just took these 1092 words, and suddenly I was crying and telling my friends how much I loved them. Me talking about it here is not going to do justice to the warmth and love that you will feel from this. You just have to read it. If you want to experience a moment of perfect contentment and peace that will probably put happy tears in your eyes, read this.

His family is together. Really. They sit in the living room, wearing out couches that have lasted centuries. Allison spills her champagne. Luther only moved Klaus to the slightly-opened window when Klaus started smoking.

Diego's puzzle, which he insists isn't his, keeps finding more pieces. Five and Diego work on it together. He watches them work on it together. He watches Luther help, before getting up to change the record on father's phonograph.

Karma, Leave These Kids Alone

Summary: Klaus is right, because he usually is. Their childhood was worth fearing. But it wasn’t all bad, she thinks, and some guilt pangs her. I wouldn’t wish this on us, but I’m glad I got him out of it. I’m glad Claire is safe.

She holds out her hand for him, and he takes it.

aka, A meditation on Allison and her traumas, guilts, fears, and loves. Centered around her and Klaus, their love for one another, and how that changes her love and fear for Claire.

Rating: NR⎜Pairing: Gen⎜Word Count: 2k+⎜Complete (1/1)

Allison and Klaus complicated feelings part deux! Now with added Claire feelings! The story centers around Allison’s fear of her daughter having powers, which I would read 100 fics about, and because it’s an Oceansweather fic, it doesn’t stop there. The Hargreeves are adults now who are trying to understand their childhood, and how they relate to each other. It’s complex and sad and it hurts but also it’s healing and growth and love.

He laughed that familiar laugh.

Why would she see the dead? Well, she has an imaginary friend like you used to. She has nightmares. Klaus, I am terrified for her. How did you know it was real? He was quiet, and then he said, well, I could see them. I always could. If she doesn’t see them, she doesn’t see the dead, right?

And Allison said yes. That makes sense. And then Klaus was quiet for a while longer, and then he gagged, and then he said, well, why are you terrified for her? She heard the venom in his voice.

Same As It Ever Was

Summary: He tries to love the heels. Really, he does. He knows Dave loves him in them. He knows, hey, it’s his job to look good. Right? Dave fixes cars and Klaus fixes dinner and cleans the house and looks oh so pretty. So, yes, he has to wear the heels. He doesn’t own any other shoes and he can’t go walking around barefoot. Not with his toenails painted black. Why were they black again? And, say, why did his wrist look so blank? He traced a shape that he couldn’t place onto his skin and waited for something to appear. Like invisible ink. aka, Life is perfect for the Hargreeves, which must mean something is wrong. How fortunate that Klaus is smarter than anyone gives him credit for.

Rating: NR⎜Pairing: Klaus/Dave, Diego/Eudora, Five/Delores⎜Word Count: 8k+⎜Complete (1/1)

This fic is so. freaking. cool. It’s closest probably to a horror story? It’s definitely creepy and uneasy, but it’s also melancholy and thrilling and - very importantly -it features Smart Capable Underestimated but Badass Klaus! I am willing to bet you have not read anything else in the fandom like this, and that you are going to be absolutely captivated. I know I am!

Klaus doesn’t want to see Dave, which is not a feeling he should have. He knows this. He knows he wants to see Dave every day for the rest of his life. So why is he running? Why are his feet carrying him to the bathroom? Why is he locking the door? The tumblers clang into place. His hands shake and he’s going to fall over and brain himself if he doesn’t catch his balance. He can only remember feeling so terrified twice in his life—except he can’t. He can’t remember it at all. So he can’t remember ever feeling this terrified.

It’s just Dave.

[a-jynx]

Glory Rider - Part 2/3

Summary: Y/N’s best friends talk her into doing some tricks on her new Honda Grom, but what happens when doing a certain trick could possibly lead her to her riding days were over?

Warnings: Cursing, mentions of injuries, hospital visits, car crashes, pissed but loving Jared and Gen, somewhat graphic detail in gore (part 2), along with uncle Jensen and aunt Dan coming in to help,

Pairing(s): Jared x daughter!reader, Gen x daughter!reader, Jensen x niece!reader, Dan x niece!reader

Tags: @iliketowrite02 @waywardnewcomer @laceyn-1201 @supernatural-teamfreewillpage @casiskween @i-hear-crazy-calling-my-name @sandlee44 @j-k-ruffell  

Enjoy! Feedback is the glue to my writing!

“Hey, babe, have you seen Y/N?!” I called while making my way downstairs, attempting to fix my beanie into place as Gen peeked her head out of the kitchen, a large smile on her face.

“Yes, papa bear, she’s fine. She wanted to go take her new Grom out for a little while with Alex.” Gen grinned as Shep and Tom came running in from outside, large grins on their faces as they yelled at each other.

“Mm, you know how I feel about her being on those things..” I gently growled as she arched a brow, frowning before she walked forward wrapping her arms around my waist as I did the same to her.

“I know, but you know she’s careful - plus she’s been riding for almost five years; of course, I’m worried about her too because there are idiots in the world, but we can’t take it away if it makes her happy, J..” Gene gently sighed as I nodded, yet a frown still tapped to my lips when the boys came rushing out of the kitchen, crawling between our legs as we laughed.

“Hey, let me finish up breakfast and then we can all go to the park like we planned, I’ll have to call Y/N, and Alex to meet us over there.” Gene smiled as I scooped up the boys, them wiggling in my arms as I did small circles, them screaming and laughing as we went around, and around, and around - yep, I’m gonna be sick.

“Sure, I’ll have to-”

Suddenly, I was cut off by the sound of my phone ringing. Furrowing my brows, as I thought it was work or Jay, I carefully placed the kids on the floor as they went rushing away, I grabbed my phone and placed it to my ear.

“Hello?”

“M.. Mr. Padalecki..?”

“Um, yes, who is this?” I furrowed my brows at the sniffling on the other side, suddenly feeling heaviness in my chest as my eyes trailed over to Gene, who was too occupied with cooking to notice the worry in my voice.

“It’s.. It’s Y.. Y/N..” The coughing and cracking with choked sobs voice made everything seem to just stop. The world stopped spinning, my wife stopped cooking, and my kids stopped playing as I straightened my back - my mind whirling to what could’ve happened.

“What happened?” I quickly placed the phone against my ear and shoulder as I moved quickly, shuffling on my flip-flops as I moved to the kitchen and pressed a kiss to Gene’s temple, catching her off-guard as she frowned at my sudden worry.

“She.. She was doing a trick, and.. And this man - oh my god, he hit her with his truck!” The girl shouted as she couldn’t control anymore of her cries, and that’s when it hit me.. My baby girl is hurt, or even most likely dead..

“Dammit! O.. Okay, is there an ambulance there yet?” I growled whilst running a hand through my hair.

“Y.. Yes, it’s the Jefferson Hospital,” after that, I hung up, I couldn’t take any more of this..

“Babe? J? Jared, where are you - what’s happening?” Gene called as I rushed around, grabbing my wallet and stuff my phone into my sleep shorts as I threw open the door, I turned back to her and gave her this look of desperation as she furrowed her brows.

“I.. I’ll call you when I know exactly, okay? I love you.” I quickly shut the door and got into my car, my heart was already in my throat.. But I knew it would drop as soon as I saw her.. Jesus, God.. Please let her be okay..

As I parked near the entrance of the hospital, I could see Alex standing there with worry and anxiety just coming off him in waves. I made my way over, shouting for him as he looked towards me a small thing of relief flooded him as he ran to meet me.

“God, Jared.. I’m - I tried to stop her! I’m so sorry, I.. I..” Alex sighed, a broken noise tumbling from his lips as I grabbed him and wrapped him in a hug before pulling him back as he tried to contain himself.

“It’s okay.. She’s going to be fine, and don’t blame yourself, okay? Just take me to where she is,” Alex nodded as he turned away, leading me into the however-many-floors hospital and it made me sick to my stomach…

The smell of chemicals, the sounds of murmuring people, and seeing doctors and nurses with masks and latex gloves just sent shivers down my spin - my girl didn’t deserve to be here. She deserved to be out there - to be free.

“I already told the doctor and nurses that you or Gene would be coming, they wouldn’t let me go in since I’m not immediate family,” Alex sighed as we stepped into the elevator. I didn’t even quite register what he was saying as I attempted to keep tears from flooding my eyes, and my heart from exploding out of my chest.

Suddenly, the silence was broken from my phone buzzing, pulling it out of my shorts’ pocket I saw Jay’s picture appear before I answered, swallowing down the bubble that formed in my throat.

“Jay?”

“Jared! Hey, Gene told me to call you, is something wrong? She said you were acting weird before you rushed out of the house..” Jensen’s voice was somewhat drowned out by the sound of a cars’ engine.

“I.. It’s Y/N, J.. She was riding and got hit by some douche.” I stiffened as I said it - hearing myself say it made it all seem that more real.

Jay cursed before clearing his throat, the dinging of the elevator signaled Alex and myself of as we went towards her room.

“I’ll be there as soon as I can, Jefferson Hospital, right?”

“Yeah..” I hung up, stuffing the phone in my pocket as I listened to the beating of my heart, and the flooding of my blood filling my ears as Alex stopped near a windowed room; and that’s when it happened - it all became real.

Y/N’s bodied laid on the hospital bed, a large breathing tube stuck down her throat whilst a machine kept her breathing, bandages wrapped around her midsection, and the only thing hiding the rest of her was a simple sheet. Dried blood clotted up in her hair and forehead, some stitches on it - she looked pale. Hell, she looked like she was about to greet Death like she would when I returned home after filming…

“Oh, my god..” My stomach lurked as I slowly rounded into the room; God the smell.. The smell of her metallic blood and the chemicals making it hard to bare as I stared at the girl I promised to protect.. To love and treasure more than anything, now laying in a bed with machines keeping her alive.

“Alex, who.. Who’s the man that did this?” I bit my cheek to keep from growling; whoever did this was about to get a whole other meaning of ‘pain’. Alex stepped closer, placing his hand on the bed as he stared down at his best friend; he was hurting almost as much as I was..

“He.. He stopped to check on her, but he never gave us a name or anything. All I remember was the license plate.”

“That’s good enough. I’m going to sue his ass for everything he has - dammit! I knew she should’ve never gotten into riding!” I turned and slammed my palm against the door, before running both of my hands through my hair, frustration rolling through my veins as I attempted to clear my head.

“Jared.. I - she loved riding, it was her passion. Plus you knew you couldn’t say no to her the day she asked you for her first bike..” Alex moved away from Y/N, placing a hand on my shoulder as I turned towards him, feeling the burn of tears in my eyes as I sighed, my bottom lip trembling.

“Well, this isn’t the first bike situation - this is the last one. She’s not going to leave the house on another one of those death traps ever again, and I don’t care how pissed, or how upset she gets - its final. Her glorified riding days are over.” I swatted a hand in the air, emphasizing the point of there was no more riding days to follow after what happened - I wouldn’t allow it.

“Jared, think about this rationally.” Alex slightly pleaded, but I waved him off. Moving around him as I grabbed the seat closest to Y/N’s bed, pulling it close and plopping down into it; I reached forward and took her wire-free hand into my own.. It felt cold.

“I am, Alex.. If this was your child, you would be doing the exact same thing!” I slightly growled, my papa bear showing through. Alex stood behind me, I could hear the delayed breathing from his nose as I narrowed my eyes at my daughter’s body.

“Jared, please… If you keep her cooped up after this, she’ll never want to ride again. She’ll be terrified to even leave the house,” he whispered with a slow yet painful sigh.

I rolled my lips together with the shake of my head, scoffing slightly before turning my head and glancing at him from over my shoulder. “Maybe that’s for the best.” I hissed as hurt and agony tightened in my throat. Rolling my thumb over her cold hand, a sudden commotion came from outside, only to reveal Jay from the hallway with worry and anger twisting on his face.

“Jared..” Jay took a few steps into the room as I stood, Alex, taking a few steps back as I met him halfway as we wrapped our arms around each other before pulling apart and turning back towards Y/N. “So, do we know what happened, or… How long?” Jay asked in a whisper as I swallowed thickly and shook my head, glancing at Alex, who stood there with furrowed brows and sad filled eyes.

“I just got here, but they haven’t said anything… I need to call the cops though, Alex said he knows the mans’ license plate, so I need to get them here soon.” I cleared my throat, before moving towards the door and to wave Alex to follow as he nodded once, quickly moving behind me as Jay moved further into the room before sitting down where I sat before, grabbing onto Y/N’s wrist and holding her hand tightly.

She’s already so broken, but if I lose her to some idiot… I’ll break them even more. 

Part 3: Coming soon! 

I hope you all enjoy this new chapter! I’m hoping the third part will be the best! 

[moonwolfhowl]

Yuletide 2k19 edition

Hiyo, first off I’m moonwolfhowl on tumblr and nightmoonz on AO3. I’m really excited that you got me and I just want to thank you so much in advance and I really hope you have fun with this!!

Secondly, here are a couple things that I like and dislike, (and some prompts but you can take ‘em or leave ‘em). If you’re not 100% sure on if something is or isn’t my deal my ask box is open and the anon option is turned on.  

Ratings: I prefer through T-M, but tbh I’m pretty easy so if you wanna go up to E feel free ^__^“’

Likes, Loves and DNWs:

Likes and Loves!

AUs! No, seriously, every kind of AU

Humor! Especially: sarcasm, witty banter, etc…

Angst and hurt/comfort are awesome!

Slow Burns

MUTUAL PINING and/or SEEMINGLY unrequited feels

idiots to lovers, this can either be enemies to lovers or friends to lovers. sort of related to the point straight above XD

found families

Fake relationship/dating/marriage you know for a cover/mission/(fill in the blank)

Bed Sharing

Sex Pollen

“In Vino Veritas” 

Happy Endings!!

Squicks/DNWs (do not wants):

Character Bashing

Abuse of any kind

Cheating

Actual unrequited feelings

Harm to animals

Non-Con

Incest

Mpreg

Major Character Death

Scat and/or Watersports

2nd and 1st person perspective

Spiders especially Tarantulas, this is a huge trigger for me

Okay! I’m gonna put a break here because this is a long post and all prompts/ideas are below.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alrighty, so these are just some silly prompts or ideas that you can take from or totally ignore altogether! It’s really just some ideas that you can look to if you’re stuck or need a jumping off point.  And man, like if you already had an idea? Please feel free to go with that instead, I just want you to have fun  = ^__^ =  

Also again, if you have any questions the anon option is turned on for my ask box.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~OOctopath Traveler - Therion, Tressa Colzione, Cordelia Ravus, and Leon Bastralle

Oh boy this game. I have no words that can even describe how much I LOVE this game. The storytelling was fantastic and I got really invested in not just the main 8 but in all of the minor/side characters too. I know I have Therion, Cordelia, Tressa and Leon specifically but if you want to throw in any of the other characters in the tagset you totally can, same with any side ships (here’s looking **You don't have to include ALL the characters I selected here in your fic, you can mix them up or follow a prompt I have. I only request that you include at least one of the ones picked here <3

I’m kind of open to anything but if you do need a jumping off point (and/or want to see me gush over my favs) check out the prompts below

Therion - I love him and would die for him he is my perfect little trash bandit. It kills me how he longs to belong somewhere but is equally afraid of it for very good reasons. Because of this he’s so heavily guarded and *sobs* his reactions to people (the 8 and Cordelia) genuinely caring about his wellbeing? It just hrrk! I’m so happy I started with him, that I got to see his growth throughout the story and how his emotional wounds finally seem like they’re on their way to healing. Tressa - My adorable little gremlin, she’s such a little badass! While money may be on her mind a lot she’d never cheat anyone! She’s genuinely kind and her travel adventure is so interesting because it’s about exploring the world, experiencing new places—and while she has a certain understanding of this—she learns the true meaning of sentimental value in things. I love her so much. Leon - I love how much of his character is wrapped up in some mystery and that he seems like a tortured but mature soul (as you can see I have a type.) Cordelia - I love Cordelia and she is entirely underrated. She’s been through quite a lot and her faith in my best boy helped him come back into the world able to to trust and love people again. She’s very soft and caring and now that her stolen heirlooms have been restored to her she can come back into the world herself.

Gen ideas:

Tressa and Therion teasing TF out of each other doesn’t matter what about or who about. I just love them and they have such a brosis vibe

Tressa spear fishing and shocking Therion or everyone by it, you can add any and/or all of the characters in the tag. (Inaccurate Tressa, "What? I live in a Port Town my dudes.”)

I know this is cheesy but Therion having his first Apple Pie would destroy me ; __ ; it can be when he’s little or an adult, AU, Canonverse or Canon divergent it can be a Birthday treat to himself, it can be the first thing he pays for with money he earned on his own. If you want to include any character my sign up sheet or want to include any other octo character(s) that’s fine too!

Shippy ideas (which I’m a little more into but whatever you are comfortable with is a-okay by me):

Cordelia Ravus/Therion (Thordelia)

THEM *SWOONS* I just love them, Cordelia helps my baby boy trust in people again and brings happiness back to his world… and he has so much respect for her I’m just— ; __ ; I just love them

Actor & Author relationship: AU, Canonverse or Canon divergent you name it!

Again Tressa teasing TF out of Therion but specifically about Cordelia (esp after his chapter good god. *swoon*)

Cordelia’s POV on her Noble Thief

Anything post game like I wouldn’t mind seeing her rebuilding Bolderfall, visiting each layer of the city and helping it thrive

Fake Dating. Any Setting XD

The “I’m supposed to take out the target but I fell for them instead” is also very good

Tressa Colzione/Leon Bastralle

; w ; their relationship and care for each other—like Thordelia’s—makes my heart melt

Any kind of them traveling together and developing feels on the open seas post game

Her being his apprentice and learning from him while teaching him some new things

Does Leon have a thing for the arts? Is that why he’s particularly enamored endeared to Tressa spotting the painting?

yeah ngl anything, my thirst is real

A Very Shippy and utterly ridiculous prompt. Tressa x Leon (Treon? Lessa?) and/or Thordelia (however if you wanna include other side ships like Olberhardt or H’aanit x Ophilia for example you can go for it!)

Masquerade! Can be Canonverse, Canon Divergent or AU!

A Masquerade ball in which: 

They can either know each other beforehand or not

Halloween Party, Adults, College AU

idk this is just something to have fun with and hey lol if you wanna make it more mature feel free

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Promare - Lio, Galo, Gueira, Meis

Man this movie messed me up and all the right ways. Honestly one of the most chilling things was to see all of the Burnish being used as engine fuel… I like—ngl I cried, and then when Lio gets used as the core? ; __ ;

Honestly I will be happy with anything you come up with, there are so many possibilities just know that a heavy angst fic is A-okay by me, but if you want to do a flufflier or humor fic those are also so Very VERY good. I have some ideas below but again like if you have an idea in mind or started something by viewing my likes list go for it!

**You don't have to include ALL the characters I selected here in your fic, you can mix them up or follow a prompt I have. I only request that you include at least one of the ones picked here <3

Lio - Um yes I love him. He’s just such a tortured soul and true cares about people. I like—honestly he is my favorite character. The way he used his flame to protect Galo? How hard he fights for the Burnish? How hard Gueira and Meis fight for him and stop at nothing to save him speaks volumes about the kind of person he is. I just love him and want him to have nice things

Galo - This wonderful brilliant dumbass. I also love him and despite me calling him a dumbass he’s actually pretty with it when it comes to adapting to his environment. He also takes in new information and rather than reject it out right he examines it critically. Like the way he approached Kray about the Burnish experiments was not the smartest… However, he still went to find the truth no matter how much it could have hurt him and that really defines what kind of guy he is.

Gueira & Meis - So unfortunately we didn’t get to see much of these two but what we did get to see was GOLD. I love them, I love how they fight so hard to protect their fellow burnish and how loyal they are to Lio. Like omg when the Burnish were being rounded up but they used the last of their strength to save Lio, believing—knowing that he would come back for them? *hrrk* My heart.

So okay!!! Ideas and/or prompts! Again you don’t have to use these if you don’t want to <3

Anything Shippy with Lio and Galo + hurt/comfort?? 10/10

An AU where the Promare gift the Burnish with their “fire bending” abilities permanently

Anything found family esp if it's adopting Lio's litter fam with Galo's ; w ;

I'd love to see what was going on with Gueira/Meis while they were locked up side by side. What did they talk about? Their faith in Lio? Them possibly growing up with Lio? Their feels for each other? And honestly you can go as angsty as you want to with this.

Gueira & Meis being over protective (big bros) of their boss and bestie Lio. (Poor Galo lmao)

Feel free to include any other characters you want from the tag set or canon in general ^___^ 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Crescent Moon - Any

Ah… my poor beautiful tiny manga fandom… I love this 6 volume series so much. The storytelling can be fast paced at times but it doesn't even phase me considering how detailed and intricate the themes, lore, relationships and monsters & magic are. For this fandom anything goes, like any AUs, tropes, canon compliant or divergent is all welcome here.

Bonus points if you have your own take of the song/legend: “Princess Princess why do you cry?”

If you want to make a fic about the Princess and the Demon boy when they were kids, or have any fic at all featuring them (kid or adult) I'm all for it.

I love Mahiru Shiraishi/Mitsuru Suou they are such little disasters anything with them would be amazing but I’m a multishipper so if you have a ship that isn't them and you've been dying to write your ship? Write your ship! I'd love to read it!!! 

And anything including Akira is god tier - he is the bestest boy. 

I’m sorry I know this prompt is very open ended and very vague but like I’d just be happy with anything

[anneapocalypse]

Line of Sight

Red vs. Blue. Carolina and Wash, gen. 2000 words. Rated M. Also on AO3.

CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR SEASON 15 THROUGH EPISODE 10.

Written for the RvB Angst War. Prompted by @tuckerfuckingdidit​:

agent illinois is actually camped out in a sniper’s nest when wash and carolina find his place. he knows he’s being hunted, and he intends to strike first.

Warnings: Violence and injury, hostage situation, implied/referenced minor character death, implied background relationship. See the endnotes on AO3 if you need to know specifics. 

The shot comes out of nowhere.

Carolina feels a sickening sense of deja vu, adrenaline kicking in like it hasn’t since Chorus. In an instant the beach becomes a battlefield, every wall and tree and scrub brush becoming cover for the sniper who’s just dropped Wash in the sand beside her.

They just walked out in plain view, didn’t sweep the area, didn’t establish a perimeter, she was so stupid—

A choked sound comes from Wash’s throat, over the radio, harsh in her ears.

She has her sidearm drawn, scanning frantically for hostiles as she drops to one knee, ready to spring up at the first sight of her enemy but she has to help Wash—

Straight through the breastplate. Hell. Must’ve been armor-piercing. Wash doesn’t have an overshield wouldn’t have had it up if he did—

she’s so stupid.

There’s the perch. Should’ve seen it from a mile away. An old lifeguard stand, most of the paint worn off revealing gray-weathered wood, and someone crouched at the top with her in their sights—

The shooter is marked as friendly on her HUD. Not unknown, friendly. And the color—

Carolina swallows down the sick panic in her throat and opens the old TEAMCOM channel.

“Friendlies! Cease fire, repeat, cease fire. This is Agent Carolina of the former Project Freelancer, my partner is Agent Washington, stand down.”

The voice that comes over TEAMCOM is familiar.

“I know who the fuck you are. Toss your weapons out of reach. His too. Keep your hands where I can see them.”

“You shot Wash—”

“I said drop your fucking weapons!”

“Okay, okay.” Carolina hucks her pistol into the sand, wincing. Rifle too. Wash’s rifle is on his back. She grabs his sidearm off his hip instead, throws that, reaches for the biofoam slot.

“His rifle too.”

“I can’t get to it without moving him, and I have to treat the gunshot wound or he'll bleed out. Let me do that, and then you shoot me if you want to.”

There’s no reply, which Carolina takes as an affirmative.

She yanks the canister out of its slot and pops the emergency release on his breastplate. The undersuit is soaked with blood around the entry wound, and it’s gotta be a lot worse around back. Red is seeping quickly through the sand underneath him and from the vitals warnings flashing on her HUD, she knows he’s losing blood fast.

Carolina jams the nozzle unceremoniously into the wound and sprays and Wash screams, twitching in agony as the foam fills up the cavity. It’ll burn real bad for the first minute, then go numb. You learn to appreciate the pain response, tells you your buddy’s still with you, but that doesn’t make it any easier to hear.

“Hang in there, Wash,” she says quietly over their private channel. “I’m gonna get us out of here.”

“S’okay, boss,” Wash wheezes back, and fuck, the relief that comes over her at hearing him say words nearly collapses her in the sand beside him. “A’ready got my straw.”

“That’s the spirit,” she says, trying not to choke up.

With the wound closed and the blood loss stanched, at least for now, she pulls Wash’s battle rifle out from under him, tosses it in the pile with the rest of the weapons. Wonders if she can gamble on old Illinois having forgotten about their standard-issue combat knives.

“I said all your weapons!”

Probably not.

Carolina sighs, chucks her M11 and Wash’s into the pile. “Anything else?”

“Now I want you to stand up and step away from the weapons. Go stand by the shack over there and—”

“I’m not leaving him.”

“I can start shooting again anytime, Agent.”

“You have the high ground,” Carolina snaps. “If you wanted us both dead, you could’ve killed me already. You want to know why we’re here. I want to know what has you shooting ex-Freelancers on sight. You can take our weapons. You can restrain me. You can interrogate me. I don’t care. But I am not leaving Wash behind.”

There’s a long silence, in which Carolina can hear only the crashing of the waves, the pounding of her own heart, and the rasp of Wash’s breath.

“Okay,” the sniper says. “I’m coming down. But if you so much as move, I swear to god, the next one goes between your eyes.”

“Got it,” Carolina says.

She flips quickly to the shared Red and Blue TEAMCOM. “Captain Tucker, come in Captain Tucker, this is Carolina, please respond.”

Nothing but static returns.

She knows this one. Not well. One of York’s drinking buddies from back in the day. York stayed friendly with a lot of people on the lower squads after the rankings started. Wash and Connie too. She didn’t. Wasn’t interested in people who weren’t on her level. Illinois wasn’t the competitive type, York pretended not to be. Figures they got along.

“Can you walk?” she mutters to Wash over their private COM.

“Maybe,” Wash wheezes. Coughs once, and it’s enough to make terror coil in her stomach. “Not far.”

Illinois is striding toward them across the sand, rifle holstered now, pistol drawn. He keeps it trained on them, kneels by the pile of weapons, grabs Carolina’s pistol and ejects the magazine, taking it. His pistol arm is steady, but Carolina notices his other hand is shaking. He stares at them for a long moment. Carolina stares back, waiting.

She’s startled when Illinois lowers the weapon, comes around the other side of Wash, and shoves an arm under his shoulders. “Help me get him inside. Hurry. It’s not safe out here.”

“Tucker, come in,” Carolina hisses again over TEAMCOM. “Sarge, anyone, if you are within range, please respond.”

Nothing. They’re on their own.

The shack is small but surprisingly clean, sparsely furnished with a hammock slung from the rafters, and a colorful woven rug spread on the floor. Nothing would reveal this rustic beach getaway for the hideout of a former special operative, save for the two footlockers shoved in the corners on opposite ends of the hammock. Repainted. No names on them that Carolina can see.

“Illinois,” she begins.

He shakes his head sharply. “Don’t use those names. They could be listening.”

“We’re on an encrypted channel.”

“It doesn’t matter. Don’t you understand? It doesn’t matter, they can find you anywhere—”

“Okay,” Carolina says quickly. “Okay. Just tell me—what should I call you?”

Illinois sighs, and his shoulders sag a little. “Just Samir is fine.”

Carolina takes a deep breath. “Okay. Samir. Wash—David—he needs medical attention. The biofoam can only stabilize him temporarily, you know that.”

Samir sighs, moving restlessly from one foot to the other. “I know. I’m sorry. If you’re for real, I’m—I’m sorry.”

“Samir,” Carolina says carefully. Wash’s respiration is labored. His blood pressure is lower than normal, but stable for the moment. He’s alive, but whatever she says next, it has to be with the goal of getting them out of what looks a whole lot like a hostage situation, and getting him medical attention.

Never was good at negotiation. She thinks of Sharkface, gunned down in the streets of Armonia.

Not the time, Carolina. Lock that down.

“Samir,” she says. “Who did you think we were?”

Samir’s fingers are fidgety on his pistol. “You. Not you. I don’t know. Bad either way. You were supposed to be dead. You show up on the news years later with a bunch of sim troopers. You—” he gestures at Wash with the pistol hand, his trigger discipline a lot less rigorous than Carolina would prefer, “were Recovery.”

Wash manages a weak facsimile of a chuckle. “Been a long time since I was called that.”

“Well, I was too. I know what that means.”

“What are you talking about?” Carolina says, trying to keep the impatience out of her voice.

But Wash groans softly.

“I didn’t kill them, Samir.”

“Wash, what—”

“Your squad, I didn’t… I didn’t kill them.”

“His squad…” Carolina says, baffled.

“Beta squad. We were all reassigned to Recovery after the Alpha mutiny, and…” Illinois laughs bitterly. “Wash knows.”

Wash gives a weak nod. “Most of them them were the on the first response team at Valhalla.”

Carolina takes a minute to process that. “So they’re…”

“Dead,” Wash says hoarsely. His BP is actually still dropping, Carolina notes with dismay—very slowly, but it’s still dropping. “I recovered their bodies.” He swallows, coughs again. “I didn’t kill them, Samir. I swear. Others, yes, but not them. It was the Meta.”

Samir lets out a long breath. “Okay.”

“Why would you think Wash—”

Samir laughs harshly. “I was Recovery, remember? Level Zero, full recovery of the incident, all that happy horseshit. Li and I just wanted to get away from all that. Start a new life. That’s why we ran. Why we came here.”

“Li.”

Samir hesitates, then kneels. Draws two letters in the sand. RI. Rhode Island. Rho.

“We came out here together.” Samir’s voice chokes up, and he tenses all at once, looking from one of them to other. Swinging in the wind, Carolina thinks. Panicked and lost. Alone.

She knows the feeling intimately.

“You thought we were coming for you,” Carolina says in a low voice.

“I didn’t know,” Samir says heavily. “I couldn’t be sure. I don’t know you anymore. You’re wild cards, both of you. Alpha Squad. Recovery. Dead, then alive. I didn’t know.”

“What,” Carolina says slow, deliberately, “happened, to Li?”

Samir’s shoulders sag. His arms drop to his sides. Finger off the trigger. Good.

“I went for one of my walks around the island, and when I came back, he was gone. His armor was gone. He’d suited up, taken the boat. I found it drifting… It doesn’t make sense, we never wore our armor anymore... and he went alone. Like something lured him out there. I know it sounds crazy, I…” He sags back against the wall, slides to the floor, head in one hand, the pistol still gripped in the other, his voice breaking. “I looked everywhere for him. Everywhere. He’s just gone. And now they’ll be coming for me, too. Maybe it is you. Maybe you’re just saying all this to get me to let my guard down, and then you take me, too.” He shudders, makes a sound like a sob. “At least tell me if Li’s dead, okay? That’s all I want to know. Just tell me if he’s dead.”

Carolina has been slowly, slowly, moving her hand across the floor.

She’s close enough to grab that pistol. It would take nothing, a fraction of a second. Get the jump on him, regain control.

She takes a deep breath, reaches out and touches his shoulder, gently.

“We didn’t take Li. We didn’t come to take you. But you’re right, someone did. Someone is hunting us. You’re not crazy.”

Illinois looks up.

“We came to warn you,” Carolina says quietly. “See if you knew anything. I’m sorry we were too late for Li, Samir. I’m so sorry.”

He doesn’t say anything, just keeps looking at her.

“Samir, Wash needs a medic. He will die, if we don’t get him help. I know you don’t want that. I know you don’t want anyone else to die.”

The pause is agonizing. Wash’s breath is so loud in her ears.

“I can get up to the radio tower and call for help,” Samir says, finally.

I can go, Carolina doesn’t say. I can get there faster. That would mean leaving Wash behind with Illinois. She believes his story, but she cannot trust that he won’t panic again.

She cannot let Wash out of her sight. Starting to regret letting any of them out of her sight, but she won’t make that mistake now.

“Okay,” she says. “We’ll stay right here. And Samir… I’m really sorry.”

“Yeah,” Samir says heavily, getting to his feet. “Me too.” He holsters his pistol. “I never did get your name.”

Carolina swallows. “MJ. Friends call me MJ.”

“MJ. Thanks.” Samir nods. “I’ll be back soon. It’s twenty minutes to the tower, fifteen back ‘cause it’s downhill. If I’m not…” He pauses in the doorway, looks over his shoulder at both of them in turn. “If I don’t make it back, you should run. I mean it.”

Carolina doesn’t answer that. Instead she finds Wash’s hand, gives it a squeeze. He returns it, weakly, but still there.

“Hurry back,” she says, and watches Illinois go.

[italicwatches]

[legacy content] My Hero Academia - Episode 01

I am a bundle of nerves. And not just in the literal “I have so damn many nerve endings in my body right now” sense. …Anyways, let’s try to fight the nerves back with a new show. This is another one where I’m playing to the crowd, to build up for doing something that’s really just for me. So it’s My Hero Academia time! Here’s what I know: Superheroes. People like it a lot. The manga’s of the next gen now that the Big Three are a thing of an age ago. Let’s see how it turns out, in My Hero Academia, episode 01! Here we GO!

-I…Okay, Hulu has literally decided it no longer wants to work on my tablet. It worked literally perfectly the last time I watched something on it. …Okay. Funimation app it is.

-We begin, with…Oh my god did you seriously just start the ads over because I switched to Japanese audio. Oh my god this is awful. Oh my god this is the worst. How long is their free trial, again?

-Okay, we’re back. We begin, with a young boy, defending a crying friend. And he’s terrified…But he’s willing to fight…Okay. Okay the fucking captions aren’t lining up. I can’t WORK LIKE THIS.

-Got Hulu working. Little baby protagonist, scared. HEY THE SUBS WORK RIGHT. He’s gonna fight! But the bullies have superpowers! Stretchy parts, and wings, and fire, and our hero kid Deku…Does not. So he gets the shit kicked out of him, because at the age of four, he learned that all men are not created equal…

-But he made a fuckin’ choice. He could’ve let himself remain lesser, or he could pull himself up, and claw up every scrap he could from this world. And as we come into the now, Deku, real name Izuku Midoriya, is a spry, athletic youth who doesn’t shy away from the conflicts of supers, from engaging his fan-boyish joy in these broad displays…

-Opening! No subs, of course. Will that be fixed? Look, I’m just hoping I can actually watch the show.

-And we get some history. It began in China. A baby was born that gave off a constant source of light…And then, all around the world, others were born with powers, extraordinary abilities. Some of them from birth, some finding them in puberty…The supernatural, the extraordinary, became ordinary. 80% of the population now has some kind of power, some unique thing. It’s a place of chaos, but as in all times, one can look for the helpers. The good souls, the warriors of justice…

-The superheroes.

-And as the huge villain that Deku’s watching kicks an entire electrical line and its tower down, another man races in, catching it! The hero Death Arms, with overwhelming physical strength, holds the entire structure upright…As a water controller, Backdraft, quickly creates a safety line! It seems this crook’s a glorified bag snatcher, but lost control and went monstrous. And that’s when fangirl favorite Kamui leaps in for the actual restraint, as Deku gets his way up to the front of the safety line to watch…Kamui Woods, the rising star! One of the other guys watching can recognize such an eager fan of the local heroes, as our barked hero is flung back…But he doesn’t even flinch, sprouting branches from his arms, to unleash the PRE-EMPTIVE, BINDING, LACQUERED CHAIN PRISON!

-Except CANYON CANNON! A giantess leaps in from the side, and kicks the monster-man right in the side of the fuckin’ head, making her big hero debut! Mt. Lady is here, ands is nowhere near above showing off her ass to the fanboys and oglers in the audience if it gets her attention. As we see, there’s an explosion in crime, but also an explosion in those who war against that crime. With the efforts to adjust the laws, the police and the system to deal with all of this slow in coming, the people had to take efforts themselves…Until heroes became an accepted standard, a way of life.

-It’s since become an official position, a government job with serious paychecks and some real perks…And Deku, not even noticing the whole fan service angle, is busy jotting down his analysis of her actual combat and her macro power. Which is very impressive, but means she could cause real damage to the city, so she’s probably going to be of limited use and only called in for the biggest threats, unless she can control how big she gets…

-Episode 01! Izuku Midoriya: Origin

-Then it’s to Aldera Junior High, where in class, the question of what to do is a thing. Many students in their future are, of course, intending to be heroes…With Katsuki Bakugo, one smug motherfucker, intending to get up to the top. To not just be some small-town local hero, but to be the big deal. He’s even passed the mock tests, and intends to be even better than the top hero, All Might himself! And he’s going to get there by going to the top school in the nation for supers, the best of the best…

-Oh and our protagonist also wants to go there. Despite his lack of powers. And then people are laughing at him and he’s getting a bit freaked out…And what are you gonna do, man?

-Which is when, at 12:02 PM, a slime monster is fleeing, another bag-snatcher type who took a bunch of cash, and yet all the local heroes are filling out paperwork back at the office…When one man chooses to bulk up, and step in to get involved…

-Commercial break!

-And we are back! The school day is over, and our humble protagonist is ready to head home…When Katsuki steals his notebook right out of his hand. This is…Right, look, I’m gonna level with you, I’m having a hard time get through these scenes. So you know what, we’re cutting through the detailed analysis. Katsuki is a piece of shit, burns the notebook, I want to see him broken, and the only reason I am willing to push through is because it is necessary.

-And on our protagonist’s way home, we cut to young Izuku watching an old video as a child…All Might’s debut, a hellish crash scene, the man who dove in and hauled people out by the dozen…Who became a symbol. Not the first hero, but the one who changed the world…Who made people believe in the real might of heroism. In the idea that one could do great things…

-And then, the doctor’s visit. The one where Izuku’s Quirk seems to simply not exist. His mother has powers of physical attraction(as in, she can force objects to come to her hands), and his father can breathe fire…Izuku should have shown one of these, or else something unique…As we see a, well, quirk. A telltale sign. Whatever process started the powers developing, it also rejected a few unnecessary parts of baseline humans…The simplest one to check? An extra joint in your pinky toe. Your average super has a single joint there; Izuku, has two. Like you or I.

-And he went from watching those videos with giddy joy, with desire to save others as the man he so idolized…To watching them in despair, in depression, in the vain and futile hope that something would change…Why the fuck did I commit to this. Why, the fuck, did I do this to myself. As young Izuku’s mother fell into sobs, at the despair of her boy…

-And back in the now, Izuku tries to fire himself up, tries to hold on, as he cuts through a tunnel. He made a fucking choice. He chose to keep pushing forward. There’s only one way to show a guy like Katsuki, and it’s to prove him wrong the hard way…!

-But as he passes through…The slime creature rises up, choosing to try and take him over and use his body as a shell with which to escape! Izuku struggles, fighting, trying to save himself, as the thing drowns him in its own muck…His notebook falls, and he sees childhood designs of his own theoretical costume…Will this be his last sight…?!

-No. Because All Might has chased this thing down right here. He dodges a vicious whipping blow from the slime, and unleashes, a single blow…The TEXAS SMASH, whose mere hellish pressure slams through the slime’s entire body, knocking it to pieces and freeing our young hero! He falls to the ground, losing consciousness, but alive…

-And when Izuku comes back to…It’s with fuckin’ All Might himself staring over him, trying to make sure he’s okay! All Might, who apologizes to the young man for getting caught up in things, but there’s nothing to fear! And he’s caught the slime creature safely, by emptying some soda bottles and putting the thing-that-was-once-a-man in them! Hahahahaha!

-And Izuku freaks out a little bit, okay a lot, and oh god think he needs an autograph okay notebook—ALL MIGHT ALREADY SIGNED IT FOR HIM HOLY SHIIIIIT

-So All Might has to get going…And good luck and good day, young man! But as he prepares to get going, Izuku is caught up, still feeling like he needs to ask something…When All Might realizes, a bit belatedly as he leaps into the sky, that this young fan is still clinging to his leg. Well this is a problem. But okay! You have questions, then just hold on tight, he’ll make a safe landing somewhere better…And then All Might has to hold back a cough. One that’s…a bit bloody…

-So the duo end up landing on a rooftop, where Izuku is barely able to stand, but he made it. And now All Might has to really get going…But Izuku, Izuku, who’s idolized this man for his entire life, who…Who feels so inadequate before his hero…Who…Can’t get the questions, the yearning, the overwhelming desire for a single scrap of encouragement, past his lips…

-Until finally, he has to squeeze his eyes shut, has to clench his fists, and beg to know. Can a man without a Quirk, become a great hero? Could a nobody like him, hope to be someone like you, All Might?!

-And that gets the hero to stop. To look back, and really see young Izuku for the first time. Not as just another fan, or a bystander in a battle…But a young man who truly needs a hero…

-Credits!

Well, that had some heavy, tough moments, to be sure. But we’re through the first episode, and now things will hopefully change. Not least, I’m hoping one of these fucking apps actually works correctly. Seriously, how is it so hard to do subbed anime correctly…

Ahem. Anyways, look forward to more content next time, in episode TWO of My Hero Academia! Wait for it!

[moonwolfhowl]

Octo Exchange Letter!

Hiyo, first off I’m moonwolfhowl on tumblr and nightmoonz on AO3. I’m really excited that you got me and I just want to thank you so much and I hope you have a bunch of fun with this!! 

Secondly, here are a couple things that I like and dislike, (and some prompts but you can take ‘em or leave ‘em). If you’re not 100% sure on if something is or isn’t my deal my ask box is open and the anon option is turned on.  

Ratings: T-M

General Things I Really Like:

Things I like!

AUs! No, seriously, every kind of AU

Humor! Especially: sarcasm, witty banter, etc…

Angst and hurt/comfort are awesome!

Slow Burns

MUTUAL PINING  and idiots who don’t realize they like/are in love with each other

found families

Fake relationship/dating/marriage you know for a cover/mission/(fill in the blank)

friends to lovers

enemies to lovers

enemies to friends to lovers

strangers to friends to lovers

Happy Endings!! 

General Things I REALLY Dislike/Do Not Want:

Character Bashing

Abuse of any kind

Cheating

Harm to animals

Non-Con/Dub-Con 

Incest

Mpreg

Major Character Death

Unrequested Pairings

Scat and/or Watersports

Spiders especially Tarantulas, this is a huge trigger for me

Okay! I’m gonna put a break here because this is a long post. 

some ridiculous prompts!

So these are just some silly prompts that you can take from or ignore altogether! It’s really just some ideas that you can look to if you’re stuck or need a jumping off point.  And please, if you already had an idea please feel free to go with that instead, I’m sure it’s awesome!! 

Also if you have any questions the anon option is turned on for my ask box.

I’ll separate these prompts with character specific prompts and then have gen/shippy and/or platonic relationship prompts so you have a couple of options. 

Again I just want you to know, I seriously will not be offended if you don’t want to do any of these prompts I really just want you to have fun  =^__^=

Character prompts

Therion

My little trash bandit!!! (Who I will fight, die and kill for) Ok, I know this is cheesy but Therion having his first Apple Pie ; __ ;

it can be when he’s little or an adult, AU, Canonverse or Canon divergent

it can be a Birthday treat to himself, it can be the first thing he pays for with money he earned on his own, if you want to include any character I put in my sign up sheet please feel free! And if (and only if) you want to include Cyrus or H’aanit then by all means go for it!

Therion actually pursuing acting! 

But in all honestly I just really l want to see Therion happy and for him to have nice things  ;;; __ ;;;

Prim

I don’t really have a prompt for her but I can tell you I picture her as the troll-y big sister type. I feel like she adopted this persona in Sunshade or maybe just with the octofam, either way I just see her making everyone’s life hell just cuz and it’s fantastic XD.

(I would not object to seeing Prim enlisting Tressa and Ophilia teasing Therion XD) 

Tressa

My adorable little gremlin who has never done anything wrong in her life. I will fight and die for her. 

In canon she has a pet squirrel which is so adorable and so her! So if you want to go wild with an ‘A girl and her squirrel’ type of story I won’t complain.

Tressa spear fishing

Leon

I love how much of his character is wrapped up in mystery so I was thinking maybe: 

What his life was like in Victor’s Hollow? 

Did he stowaway onto the first ever ship he sailed on

Did he ever buy a ship before he rebuilt Baltazar’s? Or did he just steal them >:3 (speaking of which if you wanna include Baltazar you definitely can but please don’t feel like you have to <3 )

Does he have a thing for the arts? Is that why he’s particularly enamored endeared to Tressa spotting the painting? What was it like when he obtained the painting Tressa would later admire?  

Cordelia

I love Cordelia and I think she’s underrated. She’s been through quite a lot and her faith in my best boy helped him in so many ways ; w ; 

I would love to see her having a huge struggle with her writing. You can include everything and anything from: head banging against a desk, crumpled up pieces of paper, scowling at her notebook or doing something else to take her mind off of it for a bit 

I also wouldn’t mind to see her walking through Bolderfall visiting each layer of the city and helping it thrive

Tbh anything. I love her and she deserves the world

Ophilia

I don’t really have any prompts for her but she’s so sweet, I just wouldn’t mind seeing or knowing more about her!

Gen, Shippy and/or Platonic Prompts

Cordelia Ravus/Therion (Thordelia)

Actor & Author releationship: AU, Canonverse or Canon divergent you name it! (This can be platonic or shippy! I have a personal preference towards it being shippy but if it’s not your ship that’s totally okay!) 

So remember when Prim told Therion actors make more in a day than thieves make in a year? And lol Cordelia wrote cool stories of a romantic nature (The Princess and the Noble Thief XD) and sent them off to Noa? 

I dunno I just think this would be really really cute if Cordelia and Therion worked on a play together. She’d write it and Therion would act in it, they could either just become friends or... friends to lovers XD. Also I would not be opposed to Prim and Tressa teasing TF out of Therion. 

Actually ngl anything with them, it can be fluffy, hurt/comfort, mutual pining. Anything. my thirst is real

Tressa Colzione/Leon Bastralle

gods I love them so much.

Any kind of them traveling together and developing feels on the open seas

Meeting at an Art Museum AU

Actually again ngl like Thordelia above anything feel free to go where your muse takes you

Some or all of the characters I requested (and if you’d like you can also include Cyrus, Olberic, and H’aanit but of course you are not obligated to do so <3)

Prank wars! 

Exactly what it sounds like, everyone plays light hearted pranks on each other. 

You can use any setting for this Canonverse, Canon divergent or AUs

Really ANY and ALL AUs (Coffee Shop Au, Mechanic AU, College AU, Tattoo shop AU, Magical School AU, Fantasy AU, Pac Rim AU, legit all the AUs in the world are pretty chill with me)

Tressa Colzione & Ophilia Clement & Prim Azelhart 

Good Old Fashion found family bonding!

I’d love this to be about them being close and/or bonding! I found their travel banter with each other very sweet and I just think some lighthearted teasing, gossiping (or ruining their fellow traveler’s lives by teasing them) would be adorable. 

Very Shippy prompt! Tressa x Leon or Thordelia (however if you wanna include other side ships like Olberhardt or H’aanit x Ophilia for example you can go for it!)

Masquerade! Can be Canonverse, Canon Divergent or AU! 

A Masquerade ball in which

They can either know each other beforehand or not

Halloween Party, Adults, College AU

idk this is just something to have fun with and hey lol if you wanna make it more mature feel free

If none of these appeal then please don’t worry! I just hope you have fun!!!