#haru is good for her cause that woman is STRESSED

[ladyofvoss]

WIP;;

"She thinks you're disappointed in her", he interjected.

The change in Seliene's demeanor was almost immediate, the pained look on her face as if struck.

"I would never-", she started, but Theodard raised a hand to halt her arguments.

"I know you wouldn't, and I know your reticence is borne of worry, but how can she truly tell? You are overjoyed, ecstatic even, for the paths your daughters choose. Ecstatic, that is, for all but one. Think of how it looks to her, a child".

Whatever protest his elder sister had died immediately, and though he loathed to see it, the despairing look on her face proved to Theodard that his words sunk in.

"What would you have me do?", she spoke after a moment of pregnant silence, "I do not wish to crush her spirit, but I will feel no less at peace with this. I have barely gotten used to you drawing sword and shield to fight".

Theodard had a feeling she would bring that up, so similar was this conversation to their many disagreements when he was but a fledgling swordsman. But years had passed, and he was no longer a boy with a sword in hand and nary a thought in his head. And he knew Thalia wouldn't remain a child forever, either.

"She's made her choice, and the scales have been weighed in her favor. You can't stop her, Seliene. You can only prepare her".

He knew there was only one way to give her the reassurance she needed. A compromise he was more than prepared to make. For her sake and his niece's.

"And it shall be under my guidance".

Green eyes widened in surprise, and Theodard knew he had her attention.

"My years of travels and in the battlefield have granted me with knowledge that will prove invaluable to her. I have gained allies and comrades who I know would be of great worth as teachers. She will be more than capable of protecting herself. I will personally see to it".

Theodard watched as Seliene seemed to parse his words. He could practically see the gears turning in her mind. He knew his sister. There were very few people she trusted when it came to her family, her daughters especially. And there were very few she trusted more than him.

The answer was clear with the way she shifted her stance, shoulders drawing back as she considered him carefully before she finally spoke:

"You will train her harder than anyone who's come before her. Five times harder. Ten times harder-"

With each word she took a step closer, until she closed the gap between them, looking up at Theodard with an expression of not just renewed resolve, but one of beseeching.

"Until she is better than even you".

Seliene has always trusted him, and Theodard has never once let his sister down. He had no intention of starting now.

"Agreed".

[localgirlbecomesobsessed]

I’ll help you distress

Haru x Olivia (established relationship)

In which Olivia decides to help Haru relax in a way that’ll be fun for the both of them…

Warning: SMUT

Contains:clit rubbing, size kink if you squint, overstimulation, p in the v, top haru, being tied up, biting, lingerie, all the good things in life ; kind of proof read but am exhausted so… i tried me best

Olivia was stressed.

She’s just finished up helping at mortkranken and she needed to have an all-in-one shower as well as get ready in time for when Haru got to the cathedral.

She’d luckily set up the place before she left this morning. She could only hope the cats haven’t moved anything during the day, it was a lucky day where they both finished early, it was only 9PM and she doesn’t know how they’ve managed it but they’re hopefully going to be meeting for 10PM.

A late dinner and a movie was their plan.

Her plan however included something a bit more…saucy.

———————————————————

Nervously checking herself out in the mirror as she fiddled with the stocking straps, she was hoping Haru would like to surprise but she couldn’t be sure.

She was wearing a light blue corset bodysuit, the bust being a floral lace with the stockings matching it, she had lightly curled her hair and attempted to do her makeup, a silver sparkly eyeshadow with dark red lipstick, she had a dark blue lacy choker and she was wearing the garnet necklace he had got her when they first started dating.

She threw on an oversized grey hoodie and pink joggers in order to help surprise Haru, who should be coming at any moment. She checked her display, a picnic blanket covered in rose petals and a huge amount of large pillows for them to sit on, she had prepared chocolate covered strawberries, onigiri, strawberries and cream sandwiches as well as an assortment of other snack food. She had sparkling rose wine for the both of them courtesy of Rui, she had spare blankets and she’s set up her laptop with a boring film prepped already.

All that was left was Haru who seemed to be right on time as he let himself in, a bouquet of flowers in hand as he grinned running over to Olivia as he swooped her into a hug, the two giggling as he spun her around.

“You ready for our date!”

———————————————————

“Fuck.”

Haru whined out in between breaths, he and Olivia were on the blankets halfway through a movie that was dreadfully boring when he found himself more mesmerised by the girl in front of him…which has lead them to this situation.

Olivia was straddling him as they heavily made out, Haru’s hands in her hair as he pulled her closer deepening their kiss, she desperately ran her hands under his shirt her hands dancing against him, feeling anything and everything she could get her hands on, she couldn’t help herself as she sucked at his tongue causing the man underneath her to whine once again. She pulled herself away kissing down Haru’s neck as she nibbled and sucked at his pulse as he gripped at her waist trying to pull her closer.

“Ru take off my hoody…”

She breathed into his ear as he quickly followed her instructions, who was he to say no to a beautiful woman? Especially if it’s to take her top off, he gasped as he threw her hoody off, launching it across the room.

“Beautiful…”

He moaned at the sight before him something switching the flip in his head as he drooled at the sight before him, hands caressing her sides as he ate up the sight of her in her lingerie. He fumbled to get her trousers off causing the girl to giggle as he gently pushed her off of him and guided her to lay down on the blanket. He sat up hands slowly trailing down her body as she shyly looked up at him, he thumbed at her bottom lip smudging her lipstick even more grinning to himself as she sucked in a breath as he leaned over her, pressing his knee into her clothed cunt, slowly grinding it into her as he trailed kisses down her neck. His fingers ghosted underneath her choker, squeezing around her neck slightly as she let out a choked moan. She started grinding herself into his knee, biting her lip as Haru ran his hands over her thighs, massaging them slightly as he slightly snapped her stockings back onto her enjoy the way her thighs jiggled as he did so.

“Ru…I wanna touch you too.”

She softly pulled his face back to her as she wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him in as she attempted to flip them around, only to be held in place by Haru, who tilted her head up deepening their kiss as he used the other hand to tightly grip her waist.

“Not yet Oli.”

He nipped at her neck, smirking at her gasp as he nipped and sucked at that spot, enjoying her short gasps and soft whines as he started rubbing tight circles around her nipples, tracing the pattern of the lace as he pressed light kisses across her chest.

“But I-“

He could be convinced that Olivia is an angel just by the noise of her sweet moan as he sucked at her nipple, cutting her off as she melted in his hold, hips rolling against him as the feeling of her getting herself off drove him crazy, he was a bit crazed and starting to get obsessed with hearing her sweet breathy moans.

“You’re so pretty baby, how am I meant to keep my hands off ya.”

Haru whined out, dragging his teeth across her tits as she sharply gasped holding onto his shoulder as he continued his mission, sucking and nibbling as she grinded against his knee, begging for more as her own goal slipped her mind as she got lost in lust. Her thighs squeezed around his leg as she felt the fire inside her tightly wound up, she bit her lip trying to subdue her moans. Haru chuckled as she tried and failed to do so, her head rolling against the pillow as a mantra of moans fell from her mouth, her legs shaking as her heels dug into the blankets, Haru rolled his knee into her once more watching in enjoyment as she jolted against him.

“Oli, you gonna cum for me?”

He brushed his lips over hers before diving in, tongues battling for dominance as she whimpered in his hold, hands grasping her hips as he helped her reach her peak, helping her grind against his leg at a delicious pace as she dug her hands into his hair clinging on as she felt herself about to explode, she dug her claws into his back as cries echoed throughout the cathedral, a trail of slick followed her against his leg as she shook and jolted against him.

“Ru I can’t I’m-“

She cried out shaking as she felt her orgasm take over, her face flushed as cute whimpers escaped her as Haru helped her ride out her first orgasm of the evening, he couldn’t help grinning to himself as he gently laid her back down peppering kisses all over her face as she tried to catch her breath.

“You really do look amazing though Oli…all dressed up for me~”

He muttered hands travelling her body as he gripped and caressed at her curves, she leaned up gently placing a hand on his chest as she guided him into a seated position, straddling him once again as she blushed a furious red.

“You look so handsome today too Ru…”

She pressed a kiss to his cheek as she hurriedly undid the buttons of his waist coat and shirt, trying not to get distracted as Haru pulled her harshly from underneath her thighs, making her press right against his hard length as he grasped her chin, pulling her close as he brought her in for another heated kiss.

Olivia swiftly pushed his shirt of as her fingers trailed down his chest, moaning in appreciation as he started slowly pressing her harder against him, she rolled her hips against him, the two groaning in tandem as Haru grinded into her, slowly humping against eachother as Haru slowed down the kiss. It was turning her on too much as muffled moans couldn’t stop leaving her lips, Haru wasn’t in a better state as one arm wrapped around her waist and the other become lost into her hair harshly tugging at it as she whined loudly into him. She rode him, pushing him down into a laying position as she rolled her hips over his clothed length, Haru groped her ass as he let out a low groan making her lose her mind slightly as he couldn’t help humping against her, his mouth forming into a small O as she rubbed small circles on his abs, a wet patch forming on his trousers as his precum seeped through.

“Oli…Baby stop please I-“

He bit his lip as she slowed down, brows furrowed as she cupped his cheek.

“What’s-fuck-wrong Ru?”

She asked worried, he leaned into her hand huffing out a laugh as he bounced one of his legs.

“Oli, if you keep it up I’ll cum, I can’t do that just yet…”

He purred out as he slowly sat up grinning as he pressed a wide eyed Olivia back, he brought her lips to his as he pushed her back into one of the big cushions she brought down for their picnic. Pressing her hard into the pillow as he groped at her body, sighs and moans echoed into him as he undid her corset, slyly taking the ribbon out as he put it to the side.

“Oli, did you buy this just for me…”

He coyly asked grabbing her wrists and gently pressing them against the pillow. Kissing down her neck relishing in the soft moans that spilled out of her.

“Y-es, just for you Ru, wanted to…gods please-“

She whimpered out as he undid her choker, softly biting into her neck as she writhed underneath him.

“Wanted to what Oli…?”

He asked keeping his voice light and easy as he fought against the desire to eat her whole, wanting nothing more than to dissolve her into tears as she begs him to cum…she’s just too cute, especially like this.

“Hmmm Oli I can’t continue if you don’t tell me baby.”

He whispered against her lips watching in delight as she looked up at him with half lidded eyes.

“I wanted to surprise-help with your stress Ru…”

She blushed in embarrassment as he gazed at her inquisitively, checking her out in her pretty little outfit as she tried to pull an arm out of his grasp.

“Wanna touch you Ru…”

She whined out as he held her arms down more firmly.

“Pretty Oli, you want me to release all my stress on you baby?”

He cooed at her, ignoring her previous statement as he slid himself down pulling her arms down with him as he started kissing around the tops of her thighs. He grabbed the ribbon pushing her arms back up as he delicately bounded them together, he tied it tightly so she wouldn’t be able to get up as he grinned down at her as she looked at him confused.

“Oli, can I really take it all out on you? You okay like this baby?”

He kissed her hands as she lightly gasped.

“But Ru, I was gonna spoil-“

He chuckled as he leaned back up, sliding her legs over his thighs as he rubbed soothing circles into her hips, enjoying the whimper that escaped her as her eyes fluttered.

“This is spoiling me Oli, I won’t be able to hold back tho baby…hmmm you’ll have to let me know if it’s too much!”

He brought his thumb to rub light circles around her clit, the material now soaking wet from Olivia’s dripping core, her hands fought against the ribbon holding her back as he put more pressure into it.

“Are you okay with being tied up Oli?”

He pressed a kiss to her chest, just right above her exploding heart as she nodded in agreement, Haru raising an eyebrow at her as he slowly stopped his movements.

“Yes Ru…I like this.”

She gulped as the confession escaped her, Haru’s blush creeped up his face as he kissed her neck.

“Good girl…I like it too, you look so pretty all tied up for me, you’ve made yourself into such a cute present, you’re gonna be the perfect stress reliever baby.”

He unlatched her choker a hand caressing around her throat as he littered her neck with small kisses and bites. Groaning, as she leaned her head back arching to give him more access, his gloved hand squeezed at her breast as little gasps escaped her.

He gently spread her legs out, hands gripping at her soft plush thighs, trailing up and down the tops of her thighs before sliding a hand across her tummy, giggling as she wiggled her hips, he dragged his hand back down slipping a thumb underneath her bodysuit, her eyes rolled back as he rubbed fast and tight circles directly onto her clit before rubbing his thumb down her slit, feeling how warm and wet she was as she dripped down his fingers, he bit his lip as he brought his thumb to his mouth, licking it all off as he moaned around it, he did it again pressing it into her mouth as she looked up at him through her lashes, his mouth agape as she twirled her tongue moaning and whining around his thumb.

“Fuck-taste so good for me pretty girl.”

He fumbled to undo the zip of his trousers, shaking out of them as he threw them across the cathedral, she giggled as he grinned excitedly down at her, sneaking two fingers underneath as he massaged her clit, a loud whine escaped her as he leaned back over her.

“Baby…I don’t wanna destroy your pretty outfit-“

He paused pressing kisses to her chest as he trailed his way back up, she couldn’t stop her hips rolling with his fingers, it was all too much, his relentless movements and kisses driving her insane as his hot breath hovered over her neck as Haru hummed happily as she writhed underneath him. Her half lidded gaze couldn’t help eating up the sight of Haru who was practically naked, a flush across his face and neck as sweat trickled down him, she could feel his hard length dig into her, his abs tensing as he watched her unravel.

She needily bucked her hips as she leaned back her mouth agape as choked gasps escaped her, she was so close to cumming, she was throbbing from how close she was.

“How do I get this off baby?”

Haru cooed at her lovingly as he cruelly took his fingers away, Olivia clamped her thighs together rubbing them as she accidently ignored his question, he pried her legs apart as he slid his hands from her ankles all the way to her waist, hands pawing at her, he groped her thighs again accidentally ripping her stocking as he moaned at the feeling of her soft plush thighs trembling under his touch.

His gloved hand fumbled until he felt a zip at the dip of her back, he unzipped it, grinning happily as it only took off the bottom half revealing her dripping wet cunt, he threw it in the direction of his trousers, Olivia watching him with wide eyes as he pulled down his briefs, his thick long length springing out as its red head streamed with pre-cum, it looked as though he’s already cummed from the sheer amount, she gulped as she took in the sight rocking her hips as she silently pleaded for him to do something.

A harsh slap against her clit met her instead, Haru giggling as she let out a yelp before a high pitched moan was pulled from her, he rubbed soothing circles on her clit, he repeated this multiple times enjoying her cries as her wet pussy sang to him.

“Oli…you didn’t answer my question.”

He started rubbing his cock head against her slit, his eyes almost rolling back as her warmth beckoned to him, he couldn’t put it in just yet…

Her cries were so cute as he rubbed relentlessly at her clit, he tried to control his breathing as his breath kept hitching at the feeling of her juices trickling out of her as she arched beautifully against the plump pillow, she looked so small underneath him, he felt like he really might devour her with how adorable she looked.

He slapped her clit again, eyebrows furrowing as her wails echoed throughout the room, as blinding white hot pleasure overtook her, he rubbed his head against her clit, perfectly catching his slit against her as choked moan escaped him.

“It looks like they’re kissing, right baby?”

She nodded enthusiastically, eyes rolled back as he could see her literally go dumb on his dick…and he hasn’t even put it in her yet making him smirk, his ego enjoying the boost.

He spanked her clit again, teasing her hole with his cock, as she shook and jolted erratically, he grinned as he saw her juices gush out.

“It feel diff-fuck I can’t Haru, I can’t-!”

Maybe it was the way she said his name or her shrieks or the way she was literally going insane from his touch, but he couldn’t help himself as he kept spanking her clit, she tried to wiggle away from him but he just held her waist keeping her in place as fat hot tears rolled down her Cheeks.

“Too much baby? Want me to stop?”

He replaced his cock with his finger as he began determined to get her to squirt, inserting two fingers as he bit hard into his lip at the feeling of her gummy walls clamping around him, he curled his finger into her, slowly thrusting as he watched her jaw drop as she locked eyes with him as they heard her juices squelch against him. She let out a loud whine as he felt that spot, her eyes rolled back as black filled her vision, he focused on her g spot as she uncontrollably jolted against him, he pressed one hand against her tummy rubbing soothing circles as she started gushing around his fingers, her hot juices squirting out of her as it wouldn’t stop, her fingers gripped at the pillow underneath her as her eyes shut tightly. Her cries continuing as Haru couldn’t stop, mesmerised by the waterfall until she started begging him to stop.

“Such a good girl for me, squirting all over my fingers-fuck such a messy thing.”

He grabbed her chin pressing a chaste kiss to her lips as he started undoing the ribbon. She was trying to catch her breath, her body weak from the earth shattering orgasm, her legs still twitching from the stimulation.

“Ru…?”

She whispered as he looked at her perplexed, a devilish grin overtaking him as he leaned in close.

“Olllli, we’re not done yet baby? You can handle a couple more right.”

He littered kisses over her face as let out a tired giggle as she struggled to cup his face, nodding in agreement as she fluttered her eyelashes at him.

“Yeah…Ru I can…”

They’ve had sex a couple of times before but it was usually her taking the lead…she doesn’t know what switched the flip but she’s definitely not complaining, though a pout did come her way as she thought about her original plan and all the things she wanted to do to haru…

Haru manoeuvred her arms around his neck as he picked her up moving her to the other pillow so they weren’t lying in a wet patch as he gently flipped her over, grabbing another pillow as he tucked it underneath her, to make her more comfortable and to help create a delicious arch that Olivia has already propped herself into.

———————————————————

Olivia doesn’t know how many times she’s cummed now, Haru gripping her her wrists as he pulled her arms back pushing her into a deeper arch as sweat trickled down her forehead.

Haru was insatiable pounding into her with no remorse as he watched her go dumb on his dick, her eyes rolling back as she became close again the position making him hit her in all the right places.

“You’re so cute baby, look how well you’re taking me-“

He cooed at her as she clenched hard around him, her gummy walls beckoning him in as he let out a low groan, leaning down as he kissed up her back before biting hard against her shoulder, he felt her shake beneath as all it took was a couple more thrusts for Olivia to cum, she creamed around him a ring of her cum thickening around his base as his eyes fluttered at the feeling of her pulsating around her.

He thrusted meanly and deeply into her, his grip on her wrists was bruising as he chased his own high.

“Oh god baby, this is it, so good for me, so good-“

Haru babbled out as a mantra of his name cried out from Olivia as she begged for him to cum in her. Her words were slurred and nonsensical as she became furiously cock drunk on Haru.

“Ru please I need-“

He pressed himself deep against her as he let go of her wrists caressing her sides as he pulled her as close as he could against him. He squeezed roughly at her hips as her arms dropped limp against the bed, he went dizzy as he imagined himself filling her up, the condom stopping him as he slowly pulled out. He pulled it off tying it and throwing it into the bin along with the many other ones from their mini marathon.

“Baby…just one more I promise.”

He gently turned her over as he leaned over her, watching as her dazed eyes found him as she cutely smiled up at him.

“Can you do it for me Oli? Doing so well for me baby”

He rubbed a thumb across her cheek as he kissed her, deepening the kiss as she whimpered against him, he rubbed soothing circles into her hips as Olivia could barely think, she just wanted Haru, she bit at his bottom lip as she pushed her tongue in, dancing around eachother as she sucked at his tongue. His moans being swallowed by her as she pulled away, a trail of saliva following them as she looked up at him with half lidded eyes.

“Please Ru…”

She pleaded wrapping a leg around her as she rubbed her foot up and down against his back.

He gulped as he went to reach for another condom, coming up empty as he frantically checked around, frowning as he went to reach for his bag only to be stopped by Olivia.

“Don’t worry about it.”

She was blushing a furious red as her shaky hand grabbed his, she tried to avoid eye contact but a frowning Haru tilted her head to face him as he pressed a chaste kiss against her lips.

“You sure Oli?”

He mumbled against her lips breathing heavily, the air was electric as the intense heat between them boiled over as Olivia shyly nodded at him.

“Yes Ru.”

He let out a shaky breath as his hands found their way across her body, caressing and squeezing at anything he could get his hands on. He lips pressed to her neck as he licked and nipped, tweaking her nipples as she whined out, moaning as his hands slowly found their way to her legs, pushing them into a harsh mating press as he swooned at the sight before him.

“Good girl, gonna take everything for me right Oli?”

He moaned, his strong grip holding her legs down as he reached down and started rubbing his cock all along her slit, cries echoed throughout the room as his head rubbed circles around her overstimulated clit rubbing his cum all over her.

He started pushing himself into her, hands grasping desperately at her legs to keep himself stable as he become enveloped in her warmth, it felt like he was melting as she harshly clenched around him. Her hands shooting out to grasp onto his as he sharply gasped as he fully sheathed himself into her. His face beat red as he tried not to cum on the spot, he buried himself into the crook of her neck trying to force himself to not melt inside of her.

He took a deep breath as he started drilling into her, sharp gasps and whimpers spilling out of Olivia as Haru hit the deepest part of her, pounding directly into her g spot as she felt drool start to escape her mouth, if she wasn’t so pleasure filled she would’ve been embarrassed. Loud squelches enveloped the room as Haru relentlessly pounded into her, tears spilling down her face as white hot pleasure overtook her very being once again, her nails digging into Haru as she held on with all her strength.

“Fuck-‘Livia, you’re fucking swallowing me whole, want me to cum? I’m gonna fill you up baby I-“

Haru sobbed into her ear as his thrust become erratic, he growled and groaned as one of his hands ripped out of her grasp as his thumb rubbed at her clit.

“I need you to cum for me, let yourself go Oli please cum with me I can’t-“

He whimpered into her ear as an explosion occurred throughout her, she heard the pillow rip beneath her as her nails dragged through the pillow as a silent scream pried itself from Olivia as she arched herself into Haru. She gushed all around him with no warning as Haru wrapped a hand around her neck, his nails digging into her thigh as he maniacally pounded as he looked down at the mess being created by Olivia as she squirted all around him. Sobs and gasp escaping her as he continued to drill into her g spot ripping out the earth shattering orgasm from Olivia as she shook in his grasp.

“Fuck.”

He bit hard into her shoulder as he paused, trying to push himself as deep as possible as he filled her up. Olivia moaning as she felt Haru, he collapsed on top of her as his cum started spilling out of her, the sheer amount surprisingly them both after all the rounds they just had.

He gently guided her legs down, massaging them as he looked up wiping a stray tear away as she tiredly looked at him.

“Dya’ feel better Ru?”

Her words came out slurred as she kissed the crown of his head as he shuffled up peppering kisses all over her face as they both tried to catch their breath.

“Mhmmm you really know how to cheer me up baby, how are you feelin’?”

She giggled as he started massaging her wrist, frowning at the bruises that were already forming around her wrist as he pressed sweet kisses against them.

“Feel tired…”

She murmured out, eyes drooping as Haru chuckled at his tired wife girlfriend. He slowly pulled out of her, Olivia wincing from the overstimulation and loss as he wrapped a blanket around her, scooping her up as he carried her upstairs, his jellied legs somehow making it that far as he pressed a kiss to her forehead as he went to grab a warm flannel. Olivia whimpered as he went to go;

“I’ll be back Oli! Just one sec my lady~”

He pattered into the bathroom collecting a warm flannel, a scrunchie and some makeup wipes, cleaning himself up quickly as he then went to the kitchen grabbing two water bottles and some clothes for the both of them.

He quickly got changed, wearing her cropped hoody and oversized pink joggers that still come up a bit too short on him. It was still cozy though and smells like Olivia so he can’t complain, he walked over to his nearly crashed out girlfriend, as he delicately unwrapped her from the blanket. Olivia frowning at the lack of warmth, shivering as Haru gently cleaned her up singing songs of praise for his favourite girl as he sat her up. He passed her a water bottle as she drained the bottle immediately. He wiped away her makeup, she gently grabbed one herself and wiped the lipstick off of Haru’s face both giggling as she did.

She went to get up before being gently pressed down by Haru, as she looked up at him tiredly.

“Gotta go to the bathroom, be back I-“

He scooped her up grabbing her change of clothes as he carried her to the bathroom, Olivia giggling at his dramatics as he softly placed her in the bathroom, giving her privacy to do what she needs to do. She shakily came out of the bathroom, dressed in an oversized fluffy hoody and blue shorts as Haru scooped her up once again as he lead them back to bed flopping down as she snuggled into his side, he took his glove off throwing it in the direction of where the rest of the laundry was. It was a combined effort to get the prostethic off, both too exhausted now and having to share a braincell.

“I love you Olivia Ito.”

Haru was brushing a hand through her hair, his heart pounding as she snuggled into his chest, quietly massaging his other arm as he may of overdid it.

“I love you too Haru Sagara.”

[blackhakumen]

Mini Fanfic #817: Relaxing With Big Sis (Persona 5 X SSBU)

4:34 p.m. at Beachside of Isle Defino.........

Sae: (Sits Next to Makoto on the Wooden Table Chairs While Watching Ren and the Others Spraying Water and Throwing Water Balloons at Each Other) So this is really the "Water Wars Game" that Futuba mentioned......

Makoto: Yep. She said it could be a good way of being proactive and refreshing at the same time. Despite how extreme the game is being right now......

Dark Pit: (Chasing a Screaming Pit with Water Balloons in the Distance) Don't run, Pit-Stain! I see you!!

Viridi: (Starts Chasing Dark Pit Angrily With Water Machine Gun of her Own) GET AWAY FROM MY ANGEL, YOU STUPID BAKA!!

Amy: (Running Away in the Opposite Direction While Carrying a Girl Screeching Sonic in her Arms)

Lavenza: (Running Away While Carrying a Screaming Morgana in her Arms) Everyone run! A mad woman is about to cause havoc as we speak!!!

Futuba: (Riding on Omega's Back While Shooting Water At Everyone) IT'S HIGH NOON, SUCKERS! AHAHAHAHAHAHA!~

Sae: I see....(Turns to Makoto) I'm surprised you didn't participate in this. You could've gotten a chance winning if you use your skills properly.

Makoto: True, but after the whole arresting nonsense from earlier, I just wanted to sit back and relax.....(Gives Sae a Playful Smirk on her Face) You're more than welcome to join in if you want.

Sae: ('Scoffs') Please. And have the risk of my hair getting wet? I'll kindly pass on the invitation thank you very much.

Makoto: (Giggles Softly) Since when did you care so much about your hair?

Sae: Before you were born. (Casually Flips her Hair) With long, beautiful hair like mines, it's only natural that you to take good care of it.

Makoto: Your hair does look great on you....I wonder if mines will grow longer in the later years.....

Sae: It's a possibility. (Smiles Softly) But regardless of having short or long hair, I still think you're as beautiful as ever, little sister.

Makoto: (Giggles Softly While Blushing a Little) Thanks, sis~ (Starts Hollering at Ren at a Distance) AIM FOR THE HEAD, REN-REN!~

Ren: (From the Distance) ON IT, HONEY!

Ryuji: (From the Distance) Wait! NonononononoNO!-

'SPLASH' 'SPLASH' 'SPLASH'

Ryuji: REALLY, DUDE!?

Ren: Sorry, bro! Queen's orders are Absolute!

Ryuji: I'll show you Absolute! COME HERE!!!

Sae: (Sighs as She Turns Back to Makoto) Speaking of Ren-Ren in question, how was your time spending at a hotel room together as of late?

Makoto: It was a wonderful experience, sis.

Sae: Really now?

Makoto: (Happily Nodded) Mmhmm. We did quite a lot of things together in there. We watched movies, play video games, we tried doing each other's nails at one point....(Starts Blushing Once More) we did a little cuddle session every once in a whil-

Sae: You two did it one of those nights, didn't you?

Makoto: (Eyes Widened in Complete Shock While Her Blush Turns Bright Red) WHAT!? W-W-What are you talking about!?

Sae: Did it. You know, it's a phrase for having se-

Makoto: I KNOW WHAT IT MEANS, SAE! I-I mean, really. (Starts Giggling Awkwardly) That's ridiculous! Absurd even! We would never! I mean, who would really go out of their way and-

Sae: (Raised an Eyebrow) Makoto....Be honest with me.

Makoto: ('Sighs in Utter Defeat') Alright fine! You caught me! Ren and I did it a few nights ago for the first time and it was one of the best moments in our entire lives! And BEFORE you start speculating anything, we proceed in caution and used protection throughout the whole experience! So PLEASE don't get mad at Ren, okay!? PLEASE!!

Sae: (Gently Grab Both of Makoto's Hands) Relax, Makoto. I'm not upset.

Makoto: Y-You're not?

Sae: (Giggles Softly) Of course not, you adorable, ticking time bomb~ You're already growing up. So.... it's natural for the both of you to do these kinds of things eventually. If anything, I'm more proud of you at the fact that you two took direct safety measures to go along with it. So please don't stress yourself out so easily over this, okay?

Makoto: (Sighs While Calming Herself Down) Right. (Smiles a Bit Sheepishly) Sorry about all of that....and thank you.

Sae: (Smiles Softly) No thanks or apologies are needed, little sister. I was inlyexpressing worries and support for you like I always do. (Kiss the Top of Makoto's Hands) Because I love you very much.

Makoto: (Heart Begins to Melt in Pure Happiness) I love you too, sis.

Omega: (Starts Running Away From Rouge With a Screaming Futuba on his Back) Danger! Danger! Danger approaching our reach!!!

Futuba: KEEP RUNNING, BIG GUY!!!

Rouge: Omega!! What did tell you kids about shooting water at me!? (Begins Chasing the Duo From a Distance) DON'T YOU DARE RUNAWAY FROM ME WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOU, YOUNG MAN AND LADY!!!

Makoto: ('Sigh') So anyways, what are you planning to do later on today?

Sae: Well, first, I'm going to ask Haru if I can move in with her, Futuba, Mona, and Lavvy-chan for the remainder of the vacation.

Makoto: Wait. I thought you said you were going to move in with me and....Ren....(Eyes Suddenly Widened Once She Realized Something) Hey, wait a minute!! (Glares at Sae) Did you say all of that earlier to mess with us!?

Sae: (Starts Smirking Playfully While Shrugging) I have no idea what you're talking about, little sister~

Makoto: Sae Niijima, tell me the truth NOW!!

Sae: (Giggles Softly) Okay! Okay! You caught me! I was messing with the both of you earlier. Believe or not, but...I kinda wanted to see the stupid looks on your faces.

Makoto: (Groans Heavily While Facepalming Herself) ('Ughhhhhhhhh') I should've seen all of this coming from the very start...... You're a huge troll, you know that?

Sae: Perhaps. But you still love me either way.

Makoto: (Sighs While Smiling Again) Yeah. I do. Now and forever.

@princekirijo

@keyenuta

@caleb13frede

@26shann

@ma-lemons

@albion-93

@shumakoweek

[secret-engima]

...Rufus Shinra and the Turks in KHR

-Pure, total, utter, CHAOS.

-This boy was raised to rule an EMPIRE that played pretend as a power company there is no one more suited to wreak havoc with the Mafia than this boi and his pack of trained killers.

-Let’s be really mean and make Rufus be reborn as Tsuna and OH BOY the chaos starts from a young age.

-Tsuna doesn’t remember his old like until Nono seals him, and several days later (after Nono and Iemitsu have left) in the continuous desperation to LIVE-SURVIVE-NO-NO-NO that comes from having part of his soul locked away, Tsuna cracks open a part of his mind that should have never been touched, and Rufus spills out across the young, vulnerable mind of his second life with a gasp and a shudder, and he feels something in his veins screaming to be let out, and it feels like drowning-freezing-dying so he FIGHTS with every ounce of Will he has.

-The seal was meant to restrain the young, untrained Flame of a toddler. This new and unsettled, it was not prepared to hold back the surge of Will that came from an adult mind honed to a razor edged and tempered in world-ending apocalypses. The seal shatters into a thousand shards, but not before it carves at Rufus’s soul on the way out, and Nana rushes her son to the hospital for what looks like a seizure.

-The doctors have to restart his heart three times before he finally stabilizes (before his Flames finally flush the last of the seal shards from his system and are allowed to flow free through his veins). During the tense, hours long struggle to keep him alive, Nana calls the number Iemitsu gave her over and over.

-No one answers.

-Rufus wakes up in a hospital, and the sensation is not unfamiliar. It still takes him a moment to recognize the woman dozing in the chair by his bed with dark marks under her eyes as his mother (new mother) and this life as Tsuna’s life, not Rufus’s.

-Well. This is.

-Not what he expected when he died.

-He gets the feeling Gaia is laughing at him.

-The doctors can’t figure out what caused his seizures, nothing unusual shows up on any of their tests or scans. The only thing is heightened stress hormones and blood pressure, but not nearly high enough to cause damage. Eventually they let Nana take him home, but the woman who was previously so distant and ... ditzy in Tsuna’s memories is now protective, alert. Rufus assumes it’s because having your child nearly die horribly for unknown causes would make anyone (barring say, his old father) terribly upset.

-(He doesn’t know that Nana carried him all the way to the hospital because she doesn’t have a car, that his Flames, screaming Sky and biting, feral Mist, soaked into her own soul in their desperation, and in their quest to tear off his seal, shattered the one Iemitsu had sneakily applied to Nana’s passive Sky flames as well).

-Rufus thinks on Tsuna’s memories and realizes that it was his absentee father and “grandfather” (hah if that’s not a crime lord euphemism he’ll eat his own shoes) that caused his awakening and near death. There is something morbidly amusing in having a terrible, probably criminal father in both lifetimes.

-It would be funnier if he had any of his old allies to help him along (to make him feel less lonely).

-He also has powers now, and for a while he wonders if that makes him some kind of Ancient or halfbreed of one, but either way he keeps them secret, and he’s pretty sure Ancients didn’t use quite this much fire in their powers.

-He keeps his head down, he gets top marks in school but makes no real effort to socialize with his peers (none of them are worth knowing except maybe Hibari, but Hibari is feral and Rufus isn’t sure he wants to deal with that), and in secret he practices control over his Flames. He has two of them, one is bright orange and bright and POWERFUL, it’s the easiest to call. The other is weaker, but it’s incredibly useful. It’s light indigo in color, and with it Rufus can weave illusions from simple “don’t notice me” things to full on imagined animals or people as distractions.

-One day though, he gets caught playing with his powers by one Yamamoto Takeshi. The boy looks at him with an implacably neutral expression and Rufus is wondering if his purple fire can erase minds, when suddenly he smiles and holds out a palmful of blue fire.

-Rufus’s orange Flame lurches out of his skin in a breathless, needy desperation that startles them both, the Intuition in Rufus’s head SINGING found-you-found-you-mine-mine-mine- and there’s a click in both their souls-.

-Takeshi relaxes and something in Rufus’s soul cries with joy and recognition. Then Takeshi folds his hands politely in front of him and smiles a smile Rufus would know anywhere in the world, “Hello sir,” Tseng murmurs, “it’s good to finally see you again.”

-After that, their adult reserve crumbles, and the two children (only ten years old) cry heart wrenchingly on each other’s shoulders, because they saw the world end, they saw death, and now they woke up and thought for years they were the only ones.

-The others trickle in slowly after that, in fits and starts. Kyoko wanders over one day and introduces herself as Elena, and Rufus realizes Ryohei, her very quiet brother, has been something of a Martial Arts fanatic since a few years ago (since Rufus broke his seal, he doesn’t know it, but the sheer power and desperation of his Flames echoed over the town and woke up the others, though they did not realize where their awakening had come from).

-Cissnei shows up on his doorstep without explanation, her hair dark purple now and her body skinny from malnutrition that Rufus’s new mother happily sets about fixing.

-One by one his Turks drift in, and when Hibari starts growling over the intrusion of a budding gang in his territory, Rufus finally deigns to give Hibari his full attention.

-It’s a fight that ends in two broken arms, three broken ribs, a black eye and a nasty concussion, but one of those arms, the black eye, one of the ribs, and the concussion aren’t his and Hibari looks at Rufus in something like awe before he names Rufus Fluffy Carnivore and suddenly Hibari has a new turk recruit who comes with his own small army of pompadour wearing minions.

-Excellent.

-Rufus is content to start small. He doesn’t want to attract the attention of his father’s organization yet, but he has established himself as a small Yakuza now (though no one knows he rules it, his illusions are so helpful in making him seem smaller and weaker and clumsier than he is, to the point the oblivious students and teachers call him Dame-Tsuna) and he is looking into uncovering which Mafia group his father works for (so he can someday tear it up by the roots and burn it down, just to see the look on Iemitsu’s face).

-Of course, when he turns 14, everything gets ... complicated.

-Namely a tiny hitman shaped vaguely like a toddler shows up on his doorstep, calls him Dame-Tsuna, and says he’s here to teach Tsuna how to be a proper Mafia boss.

-Rufus and his Turks are Not Impressed™.

-But Iemitsu sent this tiny hitman, and Rufus is never one to pass up a chance to play the enemy for a fool, so he plays along. He plays the startled, skeptical civilian, the klutzy middle schooler with a group of wacky friends who don’t fit in any better than him, and when the TRAINED KILLER who is the best in the world (or so he claims) buys it wholesale, Rufus has to struggle not to roll his eyes at the sky because HONESTLY.

-Then Reborn drags a boy from Italy here, one who is quiet and wears sunglasses and has perhaps too much love of explosions and Rufus grins to himself and clicks his fingers at Tseng. Tseng takes the boy aside, and when they come back, Rude calmly swears fealty to Rufus without batting an eye.

-Reborn’s strangled surprise in the corner is priceless.

-It’s less priceless when Reborn shrugs it off as coincidence and keeps buying the “Dame-Tsuna” persona.

-It takes until Mukuro (Reno, a nearly broken, fractured Reno who has kept his sanity only because of the memories his torture dragged up out of his soul) shows up with two more of his Turks and Rufus and Rude talk them down in minutes (and with a lot of tears afterward, because these bodies are only 14 and Reno and his comrades have been through too much already) that Reborn starts to get suspicious that Something Is Up.

-Even so. The Dame-Tsuna insults and condescension persist, and Nana is bristly from it now (from being lied to in the face and expected not to notice) and Reborn still doesn’t notice and it is honestly getting on Rufus’s nerves.

-The day the Varia show up and he is told that Tsuna is to fight for the throne of Vongola, a pack of seeming 14 year olds against TRAINED ADULT ASSASSINS. Rufus decides enough is enough.

-On the day of the first fight, Rufus calmly and openly tells his Turks to “Take the Field”. The leader of the Varia, a man who’s Flames all but scream pain and betrayal and anguish (a familiar set of emotions, albeit not hidden and turned into poison, and it seems like Rufus is destined to be reminded of his first childhood at every turn doesn’t it) laughs at the “arrogance of the small trash”. Rufus just smiles, thin and polite and sweet.

-Martial Arts tears through Lussuria with a flurry of punches and kicks that send little shockwaves through the arena and the laughter slows.

-Knives (now named Haru) doesn’t even bat an eye at the lightning umbrellas and instead goes straight for the man’s sensitive bits with a lightning enhanced foot, then holds a knife to his sensitive parts and sweetly asks him to yield.

-By the time the Storm battle occurs and Rude has neatly burned off a good chunk of the Varia Storm’s hair with his bombs, the laughter has stopped and the staring has begun. Reborn and Iemitsu are deathly silent as they watch “Tsuna’s civilian friends” shred the Varia like paper, but really what did they expect to happen when they pitted the only group of unenhanced alive who could go toe to toe with SOLDIERs and win against some over-confident assassins?

-The Varia leader gets steadily more furious with each uninterrupted victory from the Turks, snarling and raging at his subordinates in a way that is most unbecoming. By the time it’s the turn of the Skies (and Nono is there to watch and such a PITY he didn’t get killed in the exploding mecha suit, truly), Rufus is still smiling thinly and Xanxus is fit to burst with fury.

-”What are you?” Xanxus roars not long into their fight, when Rufus calmly dodges every blast and seems to all but fade from the senses if they take their eyes off him for a mere moment, “You’re supposed to be a Sky! Stop fighting like a trash Mist!”

-Rufus stops, and pointedly does not look at Reborn or Iemitsu or Nono. He just grins, wild and bloody, “Alright.”

-He lets his Sky Flames out.

-The two so-called referees, Iemitsu’s pet Rain, and the Varia’s Lightning all drop to their knees from the pressure.

-Xanxus gapes.

-”Turns out,” Rufus hums calmly as he creates a shotgun out of Mist Flames and fires a round of pure Sky Flame at Xanxus’s chest (the man barely dodges with a stream of curses), “that nearly dying of a prolonged seizure and three heart attacks when you are just a toddler because of the Flame Seal that your dearest father and father’s boss tried to carve into your soul means your Dying Will is very, very strong. Who knew.”

-Xanxus actually lowers his pistols to stare at Rufus, “They. What.”

-Rufus politely refrains from shooting this man while his guard is down, because an enemy of Nono is a potential ally that shouldn’t be wasted, “You heard me. Ask mother dearest if you want. She was the one who ran to the hospital with my seizing body in her arms and spent the next seven hours outside the emergency room calling my father’s number with no response, unsure if I would live or die. But please, don’t let mere facts stop you from telling me how I’m trash who can’t light a candle with my Will. It certainly doesn’t stop my so-called Tutor.”

-Somewhere in the background, Reborn makes a strangled noise, and Rufus thinks that the Varia Sun is the one making the angry kettle noises all medics make when their medical sensibilities have been gutted and set on fire in front of them.

[pinehurst]

My Take on the First 3 Episodes

Let’s talk about Fugou Keiji for a second because I’ve been dying to talk about it. 

After waiting practically 5 months, the long-awaited third episode finally aired. I remember back when Fugou Keiji was first announced the hype over Daisuke took over the internet. Good looking? Check. Rich? Check. Parted black hair? Check. Nonchalant? Sign me up. I also gave into the hype; heck, who wouldn’t? He’s practically the whole package; my dream man so to speak. The Jumin Han of another dimension.

Disclaimer: This discusses the only 3 episodes out at the moment and as new episodes come out I’ll most likely just create new posts so everything here isn’t really definite so to speak? My theories and beliefs are just based on the first 3 episodes so they may not be the most accurate thing out there.

Disclaimer #2: This is me just rambling on so things may not be in the best order so please bear with me (it’s mainly just my thoughts on how our 2 main characters have developed so far and any theories that I have)

Once the first episode aired, I was absolutely hooked on both the synopsis and the characters. Two detectives working together despite having completely different beliefs? Imagine the drama that would unfold! 

Haru Kato, our main detective, would put his life on the line in the name of justice, taking extreme measures to uphold his humanistic values. The first episode heavily emphasized this idea. He insisted he take part in the entire bomber mission even though he wasn’t apart of the First Division. Ranks mean nothing in the face of human lives. Once he and Daisuke, the richer half of the duo, closed in on the van bearing the bomb, without any hesitation he jumped onto the van only to warn the driver inside, who happened to be a thief. This seemingly innocent civilian’s life was in danger: they had no right to die from a terrorist attack. He knew well of the dangers as there was only a minute left until the bomb detonated, yet his morals took over. If nobody is going to save her, he must do it. Would he have still done this if he knew that the driver was a thief? We can’t be so sure yet.

Even in episode two Haru’s traditional values prevail as he continued to pursue Isezaki, the smuggler in question, despite being exhausted and practically lifeless. The first two episodes really painted Haru as this character who is willing to go to the extreme and literally kill himself for the sake of others. His work method basically revolves around these old-school techniques.

Kanbe Daisuke lies on the opposite side of the spectrum though. He is far more materialistic and uses his wealth to buy his way through every situation. In need of a car? Just buy it from the prince of the Abura Emirates. A tower is affiliated with a smuggler? Just buy the tower and do whatever you must. He marches to the beat of his own drum, refusing to cooperate with Haru and even ignores his complaints. Haru is very clearly repulsed by Daisuke’s ways as he views it as though he’s cheating at life. Using money instead of working hard? Pathetic. Daisuke, on the other hand, just doesn’t seem to understand Haru’s views. Why go through all that trouble when you could easily solve it through a few million bucks? He doesn’t necessarily value human lives in the same way that Haru does either. As seen in the first episode, he almost ran over a mother and her son if Haru hadn’t intervened. But Daisuke’s character is far more complex in my opinion.

This is where my theories come into play. I suspect that something happened in Daisuke’s past that caused him to lose trust in others or even respect for other humans if we could go to that extreme. The series began with Daisuke playing the piano while saying:

“I had a father, and I had a mother. I believe I had a happy childhood. However, ever since a certain day, everything had changed.” 

This led me to believe that maybe possibly his parents died from a tragic murder or anything that would cause him to lose sympathy or care for others. Or any type of sad backstory for that matter. Maybe this is why someone of his rank and wealth even decided to join the police/detective force in the first place rather than selfishly indulge in his wealth.

Anywho, the first episode really helped build my theory. This is especially notable at the end as Daisuke is driving the prince’s car up the bascule bridge to push the cleaning van with the bomb. He smirks that devilish smile that we all swooned over the first time we saw it as the van crept closer to the edge of the bridge. Once Haru jumps out of the car to save the “civilian” inside, Daisuke’s facial expression changes to a much more soft, almost confused expression. A few minutes later when Haru is hanging off of the bridge, Daisuke watches Haru helplessly hang. He’s the one who decided to help the civilian, now he’s suffering the consequences. Why help him? 

Episodes 1 and 2 really helped to establish the contrasting personalities and mindsets between Haru and Daisuke, which I really enjoyed. The fact that our two main characters are as different as night and day made the show much more comedic, which I absolutely enjoyed! The subtlety in the expressions too: stunning. *chef’s kiss*

The third episode elaborated on their personalities and really added a sort of “depth” to them. Oh boy was this episode chaotic and full of new information. This is the episode where we see their first step towards true partnership, Haru’s backstory, and even met grammy Kanbe. Let’s dive into it.

The episode started off with Daisuke, Haru, and Suzue visiting the Kikuko, or Daisuke’s grandmother. As of right now, it’s still unclear whether Suzue is Daisuke’s fiancé or sister, but either way she was in no way the focus of the episode. Daisuke seems much more submissive towards his grandmother, a side of him we’ve yet to see. This is even prominent in the opening song as Daisuke is seen smirking alongside the other members of the Modern Crime Prevention Task Force (MCPTF) yet he has a much more neutral face around his grandmother. Is it out of respect? Quite possibly. He is much more composed (even though he always has been) and compliant, furthering my case. Back to my theory, maybe his grandma raised him after his parents died and that’s where his respect grew from. The possibility is always there.

It’s also noticeable that Daisuke seems much more irritated towards Haru as in practically any screenshot from these first few scenes you could feel the pique radiate from him. Daisuke even gave Haru the stink eye a few times before Haru ratted him out to his grandmother (harsh). Whatever happened in Hong Kong must’ve been brutal, but it really helped throw a curveball in their relationship. 

After that bop of an opening, it’s revealed that Haru is sitting next to a student facing lots of difficulties early on ranging from his sister’s bad health to failing his college entrance exam. Haru very clearly sympathizes with this kid as he also failed his first college entrance exam, and heck who wouldn’t feel bad for a kid going through this much stress? Imagine the absolute grief Haru felt when he found out that it’s that same kid who held a woman at gunpoint later on. When calling Kamei later on, Haru shouted:

“No! Don’t tell him. Absolutely not.” 

Considering his relationship with his fellow peers, we can safely assume that he’s referring to Daisuke. At this point, we know that Haru doesn’t trust Daisuke at all. Like not even a sliver. That rich boy help him? No sir. No thank you. 

This scene also unveiled the tension between Haru and the First Division. Haru and Hoshino are clearly not on good terms as they speak formally to one another, almost as though they weren’t partners a few years back. A flashback plays soon after and its revealed that all went downhill when Haru misfired and ended up wounding one burglar and killing one innocent civilian (who held a gun at Haru most likely out of fear; I mean, who wouldn’t be scared in such a situation). This ultimately led to his demotion to the Third Division. Lots of drama. Lots of tears. This backstory revealed exactly why Haru is unable to shoot anymore: his past trauma is to blame. 

Haru still clearly cares for Hoshino though. When he and Daisuke listened in to the First Division’s call line, Haru practically prayed that the perp wouldn’t get shot, for both the sake of morals and for his friend. His “friend” is mentally incapable of shooting anyone and the perp just “isn’t a bad guy.” Haru is revealed to be an even greater advocate of morality and humanism than we previously thought. Even though this college student was hosting a stand-off, Haru refused to believe that he was any less human and hoped to find a way to prevent him from approaching death’s doorstep. So, to answer the question from earlier: yes, Haru would still save the thief if he was aware of it. He values human lives to the point that the First Division had the audacity to say that he “has no right to be a police officer.” 

Daisuke listened closely to Haru’s wishes and worked to make them come true. He worked to find a way to bring the perp down without any bloodshed and practically did anything to conform to Haru’s wishes, ranging from allowing him to use HEUSC to setting off smoke rockets to prevent the perp from getting shot by the police. When the First Division chief insists that Haru shoot the perp, Haru is clearly hesitant. What if things go wrong again? No, why should he shoot him when he wants him to live? Should he just throw away his morals in the midst of panic? Haru is shown to try to reason with the perp and just couldn’t bring himself to shoot him. Maybe there will be some development in the future? Who knows. 

Daisuke later on bribes the perp by stressing he’ll pay for his sister’s surgery in order to resolve the actual reason he decided to host the stand-off in the first place. Daisuke obviously did it for the mission and maybe he didn’t feel remorse whatsoever (heck who can tell what Daisuke is thinking) but I have a feeling that as the series progresses Daisuke will start to do these acts of kindness not only for the case but also out of authenticity. The perp seems intimidated (possibly by Daisuke’s lifeless expressions) and gives in and the day is saved! The third episode formally wraps up with another unforgettable bop. 

The takeaway from the entire episode is that Daisuke started cooperating with Haru and even allowed him to use HEUSC. Was this because he had a change in mindset? Or was he just following his grandmother’s wishes? Personally, I believe it’s both but leaning towards the latter. Daisuke, as mentioned before, has a different kind of respect for his grandmother and would submit to her wishes. Since she said “don’t trouble your coworkers,” he decided to work with Haru rather than just alongside him. She also insisted that Haru help coach Daisuke, so once again, he’s following her orders. However, I do believe that Daisuke is rather curious about Haru’s lifestyle. They are quite different as a matter of fact. He wanted to understand how Haru could easily put his life on the line for other people and maybe even wanted to change himself. That’s unlikely considering it’s only the third episode, but that possibility is still there. 

But I strongly believe that Daisuke had a change in mindset, even if it may be small. He jeopardized his life and walked towards the perpetrator only because he trusted Haru’s words: “He isn’t the type of guy to kill.” Maybe Daisuke did this only to follow his grandmother’s wishes. Maybe he did this out of sheer trust. Maybe he did this to try to better his relationship with Haru (the chances are, yet again, a bit low). Nonetheless, he still put his life at risk and this was one small step in their partnership (and one giant leap for fangirl-kind). That’s not to say that their relationship isn’t still iffy. Whenever Haru starts to speak in the car, Daisuke just puts the pedal to the metal and drives off into the distance.

Personally, I enjoyed this shift in character in Daisuke in the third episode. I've seen many comments regarding how it's sudden that his character changed, but I felt as though it made sense (as explained above). I see where they're coming from as we were robbed from the Hong Kong trip, and it’s evident that something happened in Hong Kong that caused a shift in their characters; however, I felt as though the third episode put emphasis on the fact that Daisuke is changing whether it be by his free will or his grandmother’s, or both. 

In conclusion: I cry over pretty boys so much to the point that I wrote an entire review on them.

EDIT: So it’s been confirmed that we’re going to learn about what happened in Hong Kong in a drama CD. All I can say is yes

[queenharumiura]

"Good evening, are you Mrs Miura Haru? Oh, so we request your presence at the hospital, your husband is in comatose and we wanted to talk about this with you." The hospital nurse told in the phone, as Haru knew that Hayato did really went to work in a dangerous mission, he was missing for a few days now, as it seems the first news she received. [TYL Hayato]

[Unprompted ask]- You wanna hurt me this way? FINE. Let’s see what I’ll do. //rubbing hands like a fly

Warning: Death mentions for sure, violence? 

It has been days since she’d been told that they lost contact with her husband after he’d gone on a particularly dangerous mission a while back. It was an understatement to say that she was a mess. In front of others, she made sure to keep a strong front to keep them from worrying, but once she closed the door behind her, she’d always collapse to the ground.

From a young age, Haru had always known about Tsuna and the others playing a mafia game, but she also knew that the ‘game’ was all too dangerous sometimes. That much was evident in the way Gokudera and the others would sometimes disappear for a period of time and return injured.

She also happened to know that Tsunayoshi Sawada was dead. This wasn’t common knowledge as it was kept under wraps to prevent mass-hysterics, but it was hard to hide the news from the wife of the right hand man. Sleep? She couldn’t remember the last time she’d slept. Even if she tried, she’d find herself waking up every 20 to 30 minutes to check for messages on her phone.

Did they find him? Was he okay? Was he--? She always stopped herself from thinking too far, too afraid that her thoughts would bring it to reality. It was slowly killing her, keeping secrets from people. Kyoko and Hana had no idea that Tsuna had died, and she couldn’t tell them anything as this was highly confidential information. She only found out by accident.

It still upset her to this day to think that such important information was going to be kept from her, but she could understand why. After hearing about his death, she would have the occasional nightmare of the others succumbing to the same fate.

It would be a lie to say that she wasn’t afraid of dying a painful death, but she was even more terrified of dying before Gokudera and being the source of further grief. He was already tormented over failing to protect his boss and now he had the extra pressure of filling in for the boss.

His work load had doubled… maybe even tripled, and she couldn’t bring herself to nag at Gokudera like she used to. How could she when she knew why he had to do all this extra work now that Tsuna was gone? All she could do was support him from the side, making sure he took some time to eat some food.

Now days she found herself spending time in his office, where he spent most of his time. It smelled a lot like him (and his cigarettes) and she kept this room tidy if nothing else. That way, this room would be ready for him to work at the moment he arrived. She used to joke about how he was married to his desk, affectionally nicknamed ‘desk-chan’.

Haru would try to distract herself by doing other things, but she never could bring herself to finish anything as her thoughts would always drift back to her missing husband. The weight on her ring finger felt heavier each passing day with no word about his whereabouts. If you asked her, she couldn’t begin to tell you how many times she’s cried since being told Gokudera went missing.

Did she try to go out to find him? You know her, she did try. Was she stopped before she could begin? Yes. The others knew her too well. She was in effect kept on house arrest to ensure she wouldn’t do something ‘stupid’. It wouldn’t be good if Gokudera comes back and finds out Haru died because she was rash.

In her sleep deprivation and the stress over what was happening all around her, Haru found herself sinking deep into her thoughts, reflecting on her life. She could’ve had a simpler life. One where she could be married with kids by now. One where she wouldn’t have to worry about getting a call that her husband died, being a widow at not even her 30’s. Did she regret it? Not as much as you would think.

Regardless of all the hardships, she loved her husband and she was here for the long haul.

This was something she didn’t speak to others very often, but there was a time when Haru thought that she was useless and unnecessary. It wasn’t necessarily anyone’s fault but her own. She was weak. It wasn’t Kyoko’s fault that Tsuna liked her and only seemed to have eyes for her. Likewise, it wasn’t his fault for liking Kyoko, she’s perfect, after all. No matter how hard she tried, he wouldn’t ever look her way, not in the way it mattered most, anyways.

She found herself comparing herself to Kyoko and started to think that she was lacking. Maybe she was being a bother. It’s simple to say her self-confidence was hurt, but the self-loathing was far worse. She loved her friends too much to ever blame them for anything. Even a whisper of a thought for such a notion would send Haru reeling with self-hatred. Her relationship with Gokudera did help her build herself back up.

Sometimes, she wondered if she was really right for him. She was holding him back, wasn’t she? He always had to worry about her safety and stress about what would happen to her if she were ever caught. (Simple, Haru would sooner kill herself then let herself be used as a hostage. Of course, he knew that, and that’s why  he worried.)

More than that, she started to fear that she was something like a bad luck charm. Maybe it was that if she loved someone, she had sentenced them to death.

Ring Ring

Ri- “Hello?” Haru immediately answered the phone that was on Gokudera’s desk.

Haru listened to the woman speak on the other line, and she almost forgot how to breathe. Gokudera… was alive… but he was in a comatose? How bad was his situation? Her whole-body breaks into shivers as the fear surged, chilling her blood.

“Yes, I’m his wife. I-I’ll be right there.” She couldn’t help but shed tears in relief upon knowing that he wasn’t dead at least. How dark, to find relief that your husband is in a comatose. No longer able to jump into dangerous situations.

At least, he’s alive.

-

                                                  [time skip bc I can]

-

Haru rushed into the hospital and she was directed by the nurse at the front desk on where to go. She spoke to the doctors before she rushed to his room to see him laying there, looking as if he’s sleeping peacefully. She doubted that to be true. She subconsciously touched the base of her neck.

She’d experienced it first hand, how when he sleeps for too long, his nightmares come to plague him and he is prone to lashing out violently at the nearest person in his perceived sense for danger. That… was a cause of a meaningful conversation with him. At the time, he was more shaken than she was.

If it was her, she’d be willing to die for the sake of her husband. There was no doubt in her mind, but in that situation, it’s different. She would die for her husband, but she wouldn’t die by her husband. He already tormented himself over failing Tsuna, but to add on almost killing his wife by almost strangling her to death because of his trauma?

She sat beside him silently, taking his one hand in her own, sobbing for who knows what number it was that day. He felt warm.

“You promised you’ll come back, but I didn’t think it’d be like this, Baka-dera.” She sobbed quietly, clutching onto his hand for dear life. “If you die too, what do you expect me to do?” What would happen to the Vongola? She knew very little about his work as he kept his work private, but she was a learned individual.

If she had to, she could read the backlogs of all the paperwork and get a feel for what needs done. Don’t underestimate your wife who only attended the most prestigious schools in her younger years.

A bitter laugh escapes her, “Who am I kidding. If you die, I don’t know if I could live on without you.” She meant this both emotionally and literally. If even the right hand man were to die, the Vongola was on a fast track to death, and as his wife, she would surely meet a gruesome end.

Well, if she were to die, at least she’d be with her husband. That’s something to look forward to if push comes to shove.

“Bad man, by the time you wake up, my head will be full of white hair from all the stress you gave me.” She could only crack a joke in a situation like this because that’s how she coped.

Taking a deep breath, she exhaled slowly wiping her tears away with her hands. “Right, your wife isn’t weak, is she? If you’re out of commission, then I have to take over. I’m sure you’d yell at me for this, but guess what? You can’t speak up to stop me.” She paused, as if hoping he’d wake up and call her stupid like he always would.

Biting her lower lip to stop the quivering, “I knew what I was marrying into. Let me take on the responsibility this time. Who knows? I might even do a good job. If not… don’t keep me waiting too long.” The unspoken words being that she intended to do her best to help the Vongola while he was out of commission. If she died in the process, she could at least say she did her best and feel no regret.

Sparing one last look at him she pulled out her cellphone to dial a few numbers. First and foremost, the others needed to be notified of his condition and they needed to move him to a more secure location.

You know? The duty of the wife is to look after her husband in sickness and health.

I’m your wife until death, and death may come for one of us sooner than we thought.

I’m sorry for being selfish, but I hope it comes for me first.  

After all, people still need you here.

More than me.

[foreverfamilyforevervongola]

A Vongola Family Christmas

And this marks the end of this year’s KHR Holiday Celebration! Thank you so much for all the asks! I’ll see you in the New Year!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

...

Summary: Tsuna would always remember his first Christmas with his extended family. A group of people that couldn't have been more different, yet they shared similarities that they perhaps didn't want to acknowledge. When the inevitable brawl breaks out, Tsuna, ever the peacekeeper, steps in and breaks it up. Christmas is a time for family, and they are his, and he hopes, one day, they will all get along.

...

Tsuna was seventeen when Timoteo invited him and his family to Italy for the annual Vongola Christmas party. He wanted his future successor to start to mingle with their central allies, begin to forge new connections and allow other Famiglia to see the heir to the Vongola Family. Tsuna had not wanted to go if he was going to spend Christmas doing business, but Reborn had intervened and well, that had been that.

"Isn't this exciting?" Nana exclaimed, stepping through the automatic airport doors and beaming, a rather out of place expression amongst the holiday hustle, bustle and impatience that engulfed the horde of travel-goers.

Balancing a stack of luggage in his arms, Tsuna said uncertainly, "I suppose so."

Though he was rather composed, he was stressing out on the inside. He knew for a fact the Varia would be there and mixing his Guardians together with the assassins was never a good idea. He didn't have a clue who else would be attending this high-class, vied after gathering (Reborn refused to tell him anything), and Gokudera didn't handle strangers well. There was also the matter of Hibari and Mukuro—

Schink!

Whipping his head around, his eyes tripled in size at the ever-familiar sight of Hibari's tonfas clashing with Mukuro's trident, the latter's crimson eye beginning to flash with Mist Flames. "Stop it!" he hissed, wishing he wasn't burdened with so much luggage. "You can't do this in an airport! They're going to think we're terrorists or something!"

"Don't worry, Juudaime," assured Gokudera. He strode over to the fighting pair and barked, "He told you to knock it off!"

Using one tonfa to deflect Mukuro's trident, Hibari used the other to slam into Gokudera's stomach. "Don't tell me what to do, herbivore."

"We haven't even left Japan yet, Mukuro-sama," said Chrome in slight exasperation.

Mukuro smirked at Hibari, who glowered, but he took a few steps back. "I suppose I can wait to destroy him. It wouldn't be merciful of me to kill him on his precious home soil. I have some Christmas spirit." Shifting his gaze towards Tsuna, he said in amusement, "I did have an illusion cloaking us. I'm not a fool."

"I beg to differ," drawled Hibari.

"Why must you guys always fight?" asked Haru with a disapproving frown.

Satisfied for now that they would not cause untold damage to the airport, Tsuna turned his head around. Kyoko came up beside him and linked arms. "Are you excited, Tsuna-kun?"

"No," answered Tsuna honestly. "This is going to be a disaster."

"Don't be like that," chided Ryohei. "This will be EXTREMELY fun."

"Tsu-nii, where's I-Pin?" Lambo asked anxiously, pulling on the hem of Tsuna's jacket. "We're gonna see her, right?"

"Absolutely," soothed Tsuna. "Fong is meeting us at Grandfather's house with her."

Yamamoto sauntered forwards and swung the excited eight-year-old into his arms. "We'll see her before we know it."

"Bianchi," Futa spoke, getting the pink-haired woman's attention. "Can I get a magazine from that gift shop?"

"Of course," granted Bianchi. "I could use one myself."

"Don't be long!" called Tsuna as they departed for the strategically placed shop that seemed to sell almost everything for a traveler's needs. "The plane leaves in less than an hour."

They were an odd group as they progressed towards the security check, many travellers leaping to get out of their purposeful path. Nana turned to Tsuna and said happily, "I can't wait to see your father. This will be a wonderful Christmas we get to spend together!"

"Uh-huh," uttered Tsuna. If we make it to Italy in the first place.

As they neared the metal gates, Tsuna suddenly screeched to a halt, causing the rest of his family to stop and eye him curiously. Lips curling into a frown, he asked, "Okay. How many of you people brought your weapons with you?"

Hibari and Mukuro were a given, considering they just tried to kill each other in the lobby. Reborn glanced at Tsuna with an amused smirk and he knew he shouldn't have bothered to ask. Gokudera shifted his eyes about nervously and Yamamoto chuckled sheepishly.

Lifting his eyes heavenward, Tsuna heaved out a sigh. "Right. Those harbouring dangerous weaponry go first while we normal, peaceful people stand off to the side. I may or may not bust you out of jail."

This is going to be a very long Christmas.

…

The ballroom glittered with garland draped over the windows and dozens of cranberry candles. Poinsettia made up the centerpieces of the tables and the colour scheme of the tablecloths, napkins and other décor followed cranberry red and pine green. There were about a thousand people at the party in total, and when Tsuna first saw the tuxedo-clad crowd his throat closed up and he made a strangled squeak. Reborn gave the back of his head a sharp slap, causing him to swallow his anxieties and move forwards. After Timoteo proudly introduced him to the group of high-ranking Mafia Dons, Tsuna smoothly maneuvered through the crowd, Gokudera and Yamamoto remaining by his side.

The Varia were there, as he suspected, but he was surprised to see Xanxus among them. They were at a table shrouded in the shadows of an isolated corner, speaking lowly with one another. Tsuna's eyes widened at the sight of the Gesso and Giglio Nero families, stationed at tables at opposite ends of the massive, elegant ballroom. The ex-Arcobaleno were also there, and Tsuna suspected only the combined force of Reborn and Yuni (and perhaps Lal Mirch) could have convinced Verde to attend. Ken, who was normally uncontrollable at the option of free food, sat stiffly at a table with Chikusa, Fran, Chrome and Mukuro. His mother and father had their hands intertwined the entire time, casting loving glances at each other that filled Tsuna with childlike embarrassment and affection.

Tsuna felt relief at seeing Dino and his family in attendance, for at least he would be of assistance in meeting some of the Dons. As he made his circulations, he could see the hands on his wristwatch steadily moving, and he felt a pang of sadness that he would not get any time to speak with the people he really wanted to interact with.

A burst of joy went through him at the sight of Lambo and I-Pin reuniting, when Fong finally arrived with the girl fashionably late. The two collided with each other in a hug, dissolving into delighted laughter. The guests looked at the pair with scowls, but their expressions hastily rearranged at the many murderous glares they received in turn.

It was ten at night when the guests started to trickle out, just as the snow started to pick up speed outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. Finally having a free moment, Tsuna made his way over to Yuni's table. "I'm exhausted," he groaned, rubbing at his neck. "Did I look as miserable as I felt?"

"Not at all," assured Yuni. "You had a very gracious smile."

"Thanks. I'm glad it's over. I think I made a good impression." Tsuna cast a quick glance to check the status of the members of his family. "And putting Hibari and Mukuro at separate tables was smart. Though I'm surprised Xanxus hasn't tried to shoot anyone."

"I think he has a steady stream of booze to keep him occupied," piped up Gamma dryly.

"And steak," added Yuni.

"I could use some steak," muttered Tsuna. "I managed to snag some miniature sandwich wraps from the servers. I wish I had more time to enjoy myself."

"You can," replied Yuni. "The Vongola Family normally stays long after the guest have gone."

"Oh." Tsuna smiled. "Great! I hardly got a chance to speak with anyone. Did you have fun?"

"I did," said Yuni, though her smile didn't reach her eyes. "Gamma, would you mind getting me some punch please?"

"Of course, Princess."

Gamma swept off to get Yuni another drink and the girl let out a long sigh. "I haven't been able to go on the same side of the room as Byakuran-san," she said with a frown. "Gamma doesn't trust him at all. I understand why, but I wish he'd trust me."

"He loves you. He doesn't want to risk losing you. He'll come around eventually."

"It's taking longer than I thought," said Yuni doubtfully, idly pushing a piece of chicken parmesan around her plate.

Gamma soon returned with a glass and did not miss Yuni's downcast expression. Brow furrowing, he asked, "Is something wrong?"

Giving a slight shake of her head, Yuni said, "No, I'm fine. Thank you, Gamma."

"This is your first gathering, is it not?" Gamma asked Tsuna.

"Yeah."

"How did you find it?"

"Er…boring," said Tsuna with a slight grin.

"Not holding back I see," said Gamma in amusement as Yuni giggled.

"Don't tell Reborn I said that. I'm going to use a different choice of words when he asks the same question."

After a few more minutes of conversation, Tsuna wandered over to where his parents sat. Lambo was happily munching on a chocolate dessert and Futa was eating his ice-cream, both sitting securely in Iemitsu's lap. Nana stroked her fingers through I-Pin's raven braids as the girl ate her spaghetti.

"You didn't have too many of those, did you?" he asked Lambo.

"No," lied Lambo.

"Yes," said I-Pin.

"A lot," added Futa.

"Aw, it's Christmas. It's a special occasion. Let him eat all the sweets," said Iemitsu cheerfully, ruffling the boy's hair.

Tsuna rolled his eyes. "He eats enough sugar on a regular day. But fine. You're the one who's going to have to deal with his hyperactivity later."

"You look so handsome," gushed Nana, using one hand to straighten his orange tie. "No one here holds a candle to you. Except for your father, of course."

"As usual, never the best," quipped Tsuna.

Accepting a kiss on the cheek from his mother and a back-slap from his father, he went to see his Guardians. Hibari was reclining in his chair, eyes closed. Mukuro was near the food table with Ken and Chikusa, the three of them looking slightly more relaxed now that there was less people. Ryohei smiled as he approached. "Tsuna! How did it go?"

"Okay," said Tsuna with a shrug. "I don't remember a lot of the names, which Reborn is going to probably shoot me for."

"Don't worry Juudaime, I kept track in this notebook." Gokudera removed a red-covered notebook from his suit jacket and flipped through it, revealing pages of neatly written notes.

"You're a lifesaver," said Tsuna gratefully and Gokudera's face glowed. "I'm sorry this hasn't been more fun."

"Don't be silly," countered Yamamoto. "We're all together, aren't we?"

The table rattled slightly as Hibari shot out his foot, kicking Yamamoto in the shin and causing the teen to yelp. Eyes still closed, he muttered, "Stop being so sentimental."

"I thought you were asleep," snapped Gokudera as Yamamoto laughed.

"I am. You're disturbing me. Shut up before I bite you to death."

Pwish!

There was great roar of wind, so strong the windows rattled. Startled, Tsuna turned to stare out the window, eyes widening at the vortex of snow that swirled about outside, a pure white sheet that obscured everything from sight.

"Yay!" cheered Lambo. "Snow!"

Regarding the weather thoughtfully, Timoteo said, "Well now, it seems that we are snowed in."

A chilling silence followed after his casual remark as everyone realized exactly what that meant. It was broken by Xanxus flinging his glass clear across the room, where it shattered against the opposite wall. "I am not staying here with you trash all effing night," he snarled. "I came because I was promised steak and booze. I'm effing out of steak and the good booze is gone."

"Feel free to try and drive home," sneered Gokudera.

"Insolent brat, don't talk to Boss like that!" barked Levi.

"Squalo told me if I started some merda during the party he'd kick my ass," drawled Belphegor, removing his knives. "Party's over and your face is pissing me off. I'll skewer you first."

"Voi, if you effing kill someone, you're doing the damn paperwork!"

Iemitsu stood, raising his hands in a placating manner. "There's no need to get riled up. There are plenty of rooms in which you can stay."

"Ushishishi, if you think I'm sleeping in contaminated sheets, you've lost your mind."

"I don't know why that bothers you," drawled Fran. "It's not like your royal or anything."

"You little piece of—"

"You're all too noisy," growled Hibari. "I'm going to bite you all to death."

"Kufufufu, I'd like to see you try," mocked Mukuro.

"Guys!" snapped Tsuna. "You're not helping!"

"I think a show is exactly what we need to entertain us," said Byakuran in amusement.

Gamma glared at the white-haired male. "I'm sure you would love nothing more to see blood spilled."

"Gamma!" pleaded Yuni. "Stop."

Zakuro stood up, lips twisting into a snarl. "I'm tired of your disrespectful attitude."

"Disrespectful?" echoed Tazaru incredulously. "Someone who brainwashed our Princess and manipulated us will never deserve respect."

"Simmer down," ordered Lal Mirch. "You're all acting ridiculous."

"I cannot believe I'm here in the first place," said Verde disdainfully. "It's like being surrounded by a group of unintelligent monkeys."

"Verde," said Fong sharply. "Relax."

"If you all don't shut up I'm sending you into a black abyss," said Mammon in irritation.

"It'd be better than spending it with these jerks!" cried Skull, who sat in between Colonnello and Reborn, and promptly got his ears boxed by the both of them.

A strong pulse of anger and irritation struck through Tsuna and he spun on his heel, eyes zeroing in on the source. "Xanxus, don't!"

Boom!

The one gunshot was all it took to set off an avalanche of chaos.

Mukuro and Hibari wasted no time in colliding with a clash of tonfas and trident. Ken and Chikusa immediately went to back their friend up, animal roars and spraying needles adding to the sound of metal striking against metal. Gamma, Tazaru, Kikyo and Zakuro went head-to-head in the middle of the ballroom, Byakuran's and Yuni's shouts to cease going unheeded. Belphegor went after Gokudera, knives gleaming under the crystal chandelier and there was a sharp hiss as the silver-haired teen lit up his dynamite. Disgusted with the lot of them and willing to take his risks in the extreme weather getting home, Verde tried to storm out, only to be physically restrained by Fong.

After one too many insolent and nasty remarks, Colonnello wrestled Skull to the floor. Irate by their childish behaviour, Lal Mirch went to try and break the two up. Basil, Turmeric and Oregano immediately helped Iemitsu try to calm the situation and defend Nana and the kids from stray projectiles. Tired of Shamal's relentless advances, Bianchi finally snapped and slammed a poison cake into his face. For the hell of it Squalo delved into a swordfight with Yamamoto, inspiring Ryohei and Lussuria to have a spontaneous boxing match.

It was as if Tsuna was seeing everything in slow motion. Bullets whizzed past his head, the threats and swears muddled together in his ears. He had seen his family fight before—it was as natural as breathing. But this…this was different. This was them, nearly all of them, not getting along with one another. In fact, none of them probably would have been there in the first place if it wasn't for him. He was the core reason they were all together, that they even had a connection with one another. He felt their rage, their dislike, their irritation and their agitation. It throbbed through his bonds, nearly overwhelming him.

It was then that he got a true look around, that he realized how isolated and separated everyone had been throughout the party. Ken, Chikusa and Mukuro had stayed together in one corner of the room. The Varia stayed in another. The ex-Arcobaleno were at one end of the room. The Gesso and Giglio Nero families were at opposite sides. The CEDEF members got their table closest to the Guardians, but yet still not quite close enough. Bianchi, Kyoko, Haru, Futa and I-Pin had been placed at the same table as Nana and Iemitsu before they started to circulate, at least making an effort to mingle. Spanner, Giannini and Shoichi were placed at the back of room. Dino and Romario had understandably been placed with their family, but a distance away from Tsuna and the others.

It wasn't right. It didn't feel right, how separated they had been during Christmas, a time meant to spend with family. How were they supposed to get to know one another if they stayed with the ones they knew best? How would they forge bonds if they had an excuse not to?

Tsuna was startled from his deep thoughts by a knife swishing past his ear and he jolted. The volume in the room increased tenfold and his head immediately began to ache. He darted his eyes around, staring at the brawling with a rising ire and anger. Reborn and Timoteo were staring at him, waiting, and Tsuna knew he was expected to take control of this situation. Timoteo was watching the chaos with a serene expression and Reborn seemed to thoroughly be enjoying himself. Shoichi, Spanner and Giannini had flipped their table over to use as a shield. Dino and Romario had quickly moved over to guard the girls, Kyoko and Haru watching everything with wide, concerned gazes.

"ENOUGH!"

His shout rumbled across the ballroom, the force of his Will causing everyone to halt in their tracks. His Sky Flame blazed on his forehead, amber eyes daring anyone to defy him. Quiet eventually set across the room, the culprits of this free-for-all battle glancing at Tsuna warily. Xanxus glowered at the brunette who dared give him an order, but lowered his gun. It took quite a bit to anger Tsuna enough that his Flames were brought forth.

Breathing heavily, Tsuna took a moment to calm down. I-Pin took Lambo's hand and the two approached him. "Tsu-nii? Can we go play?" ventured I-Pin hesitantly.

Shifting a quick look to Timoteo and receiving a permissive nod, said, "Keep to the corridor outside the ballroom. Don't break anything."

Brightening at this, Futa departed from his table and went over to Fran, who had been watching the entire ordeal from the back of the room with a raised brow. He took the small illusionist cheerfully by the arm and dragged him out the glimmering gold doors. Lambo and I-Pin were a little slower to follow. The Lightning Guardian approached Yuni's table and extended a hand towards Nosaru.

"Wanna play?"

The purple-haired boy's eyes widened and he shot a hopeful glance towards Yuni. "Can I?"

"Of course," Yuni granted, relieved that at least some of her family members were willing to get along with the others. "Thank you, Lambo-kun."

At Byakuran's table, I-Pin folded her arms neatly in front of her. "Do you want to play with us?" she asked Bluebell and Daisy.

"I don't know how to play," said Daisy, eyeing I-Pin uncertainly.

"It's okay. We can do something easy."

Bluebell, who did not get chances to play with other girls around her age, turned to Byakuran. "Could we?" she asked hesitantly.

"Absolutely." Byakuran smiled at her and reached out to rub the top of I-Pin's head in gratitude. "I think that's a great idea."

Encouraged by Byakuran's approval and I-Pin's inviting, sincere smile, Daisy eased off his chair. He clutched his stuffed bunny to his chest as he followed after the two girls, the children disappearing into the corridor.

Staring after them, Tsuna lamented, "Why can't you people be like them?"

"The hell is that supposed to mean?" asked Ken, voicing the thought everyone held.

Tsuna waved his arms in exasperation. "I-Pin and Lambo hardly know Bluebell, Nosaru and Daisy, but they wanted to play with them anyway. They know they're different and come from different backgrounds, but they don't care."

"Is there a point to this?" drawled Xanxus.

"Yes! The point is that if they can be friends, then you, grown-ass adults, should at least be able to hold a civil conversation."

"Tsu-kun, mind your language!"

Pressing a hand against his forehead, Tsuna very nearly gave into the desire to whimper. "Yes, Mom."

Verde gave a snort of disbelief. "Why could I possibly have to say with people like you?"

"Seems to me a genius like you should be able to hold a simple conversation," countered Tsuna.

There was a brief rumble of laughter at this, mostly coming from the ex-Arcobaleno, and Verde regarded the brunette coolly for a moment, his lips twitching into the barest hints of an impressed smirk at his quick rebuttal.

Resting his cheek against his knuckles, Xanxus narrowed his eyes. "Are you trying to lecture me, scum?"

"Yes," said Tsuna matter-of-factly. "You've got the social skills of a robot, and in fact Spanner's Mini-Moska had more than you do. If you don't to talk to people, fine. But geez, have you ever heard the saying if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all?" He nimbly sidestepped and snatched the flying wine glass flung at him out of the air, setting it on the table nearest to him. "And you," he continued, pointing at his male Mist and Cloud, "I will send you to therapy or rehab or military school or something if you don't stop fighting."

Hibari and Mukuro glanced at each other before shifting their gazes away, lips curling upwards. Huffing out a breath, Tsuna set his hands on his hips. "I know we all have our differences. I don't expect everyone to get along all the time. But I would appreciate it if you would just try." He took a look around the room, at the faces of the people he had met and bonded with over the years, and his expression softened.

"You know, I never in my life thought my Christmas would ever be this extravagant, this big. I only ever celebrated with my mom and sometimes my dad. I wished I could have a bigger family to share Christmas with. Now I have it. I have you. And it would be nice if you could maybe stop fighting and trying to kill each other for a couple of hours or so."

"Awww, that's so sweet!" cooed Lussuria, and was promptly struck across the back of the head by Squalo.

"Well said, Sawada-dono," said Basil with an enthusiastic clap.

"You're a useless herbivore," muttered Hibari, but he finally slipped his tonfas back into his suit jacket.

"I don't have an effing clue how you've survived this long with that bleeding heart," said Xanxus flatly.

Yuni moved over to Gamma and Tazaru, taking them both gently by the wrists. "I know you're scared for me. I know it's hard to forget what Byakuran-san tried to do. But he's not really the same person as he was in the future. I know he's a good person. I can feel it. And I know, if you gave him a chance, you'll feel it too."

Gamma stared down at her, his expression conflicted. He glanced at Byakuran, who was clearly touched by Yuni's words. Closing his eyes, he exchanged looks with Tazaru before saying, "For your happiness, Princess, we will try."

Yuni's face lit up and she happily hugged them before dragging them over to where Byakuran and his family were.

"See that, that's what I'm talking about," said Tsuna, hopeful at this progression. "We're all going to be snowed in for the night, anyway. Let's at least try to get along." He paused and added, "Or in Xanxus' case just ignore everyone." He caught the incoming fork before it could stab into his shoulder.

Skull glanced around the room, expression reluctant. "I don't think any of us have anything in common."

"Sure you do," said Tsuna with certainly. "In fact, you all have one thing in common. You drive me absolutely insane."

There was a lot of jeering at that, but Tsuna felt the atmosphere ease. With a reluctant expression, Verde made his way towards the trio of engineers who were now righting their table. Belphegor shoved Gokudera in the shoulder and the Storm Guardian sneered in return, but they both sat down at the same table. The Gesso and Giglio Nero families crowded together and Shamal, wiping frosting off of his face, lazily made his way over to speak with Iemitsu and Nana, Fong joining them shortly after. Basil invited Ken and Chikusa to sit with him, Oregano and Turmeric, which they hesitantly accepted. Lal Mirch, Colonnello and Skull moved over to sit with Dino and Romario.

Mukuro and Hibari managed to sit next to each other without causing any more bruising. During the night, the Guardians circulated amongst the others, all of them now on the same side of the ballroom. They took turns checking on the kids, who raced about the corridor with ringing laughter. Kyoko and Haru, ever polite and friendly, daringly approached the Varia table. Xanxus made an annoyed hum in the back of his throat but did not startle them away.

Heaving out a sigh of relief, Tsuna rubbed the back of his neck. Timoteo, who had moved from his prestigious spot at the grand table at the front of the ballroom and was now sitting with Tsuna's parents, regarded his heir with pride. Reborn's fedora covered his eyes, but there was a smile of approval on his lips. Dino caught Tsuna's eye and he flashed a thumbs-up.

Their first Christmas together didn't get off on the right foot, and they were not quite all friends by the time morning came and the snow melted enough for them to leave. But Tsuna had hope. They were all different, sure. But they had all been through the unimaginable, things only they would ever be able to understand. They were his family, the large one he always wished for and finally received.

They would all be comfortable with each other eventually.

…

Twenty-four-year-old Tsuna reclined back against the leather couch, a glass of wine between his fingers. The drawing room was filled with noise, laughter and conversation. A fire roared in the fireplace, the Christmas tree glinting with warm white lights. The environment was much more inviting and personal than the ballroom, which was why Tsuna decided the drawing room would host their family Christmas, leaving the ballroom for the Vongola party.

Gamma, Byakuran, Yuni and Kikyo were conversing on the couch by the door. Spanner, Verde, Shoichi, Shamal, Giannini and Futa were playing a game of cards. The eighteen-year-old was leaning slightly against Verde's side, his feet tucked in Shamal's lap. Gokudera, Fong, Belphegor and Turmeric were engaged in poker, and from the amount of swearing Gokudera was doing, he was losing. Tazaru, Zakuro and Levi were having a heated debate, probably over which football team should win the final tournament. Ryohei was playing checkers against Skull, his brow furrowed in concentration. Timoteo, Reborn, Kusakabe, Iemitsu and Romario were talking politics on the couch near the Christmas tree. Mammon, Torikabuto, Mukuro and Chrome were seated near the fireplace, having a mini-illusion contest.

Squalo, Yamamoto, Bianchi, Lancia, Colonnello, Nana and Dino were playing a board game. Nosaru, Bluebell, Daisy, Lambo, I-Pin, Basil, Ken, Chikusa, Mochida and Fran were in an intense video game battle. Oregano, Hana, Kyoko and Lal Mirch were sitting with Lussuria near the television, alternating between chatting and settling the group of gamers when they got too rowdy. Hibari and Xanxus were sitting on opposite ends of the couch in the middle of the room, both of them with their eyes closed and heads tilted back, letting the noise of their family wash over them. When Haru picked her way towards Kyoko and the rest she had to pass by Xanxus. Her foot caught the corner of the coffee table and she started a quick descent for the ground. The Sky Varia easily caught her by the arm and righted her without opening his eyes. Hibari gave her a sharp kick to the ankle, a rebuke for being unaware of her surroundings. Haru pouted at him as she went to sit beside Lussuria.

Contentment, affection and warmth hummed throughout the room, entwining through their bonds. Tsuna could not help the grin from curling across his face as he recalled their first Christmas together. They had come a long way since then. They still fought like crazy, but it was just what they did. They went through too much together to keep each other at a distance. There were a few new additions over the years, like Moretti, Mochida, Hana, Kusakabe and Lancia. They all integrated nicely, for they were all weird, insane and tough in their own unique ways.

Christmas was a family occasion, and Tsuna was extraordinarily happy that he got to spend every year with his. They had celebrated seven Christmases so far, with many more to come. But Tsuna would always remember the first one they spent together.

[crowsent]

Whumptober 2019 Delirium

Yusuke Kitagawa, Persona 5, Delirium

CW: Madarame’s shitty parenting, starvation, hallucination, child abuse (minor)

=

Akira took one look at him and shook his head. “Stay behind, Fox.” The others nodded absentmindedly, agreeing with Joker’s decision. “You look a bit pale. We’re just going to handle a few requests today, so we won’t even be delving that deep into Mementos.” Yusuke could see the traces of a smile on Joker’s lips, meant to assure him that Yusuke wasn’t being a hindrance by not fighting, that it was perfectly alright for him to stay in the backlines. “Rest up. Don’t push yourself too hard.”

Haru, ever considerate, said, “We should go out to eat after this!” It was met with a chorus of agreements. Ryuji, in particular, hollered in delight, which prompted Morgana to swat him with a paw. “I’m sure we’re all going to be tired after fighting and there’s a place I’ve wanted to go to for so long. It would be much better if we could all go together, right?”

“Right!” Morgana cheered. “Now, onto the mission!”

Yusuke wanted to argue. Proclaim that he was so close to finishing his recreation of “Desire” and turning it into a piece worthy of something. A piece that depicted the inner workings of the heart, a theme that had eluded him for so long. Mementos, a place teeming with the unfettered desires of human souls, would be the perfect reference point from which Yusuke could begin his research into furthering himself as an artist. The designs and aesthetics of each individual level were so vastly removed from each other that Yusuke could analyse them for years and still never fully grasp it in its entirety.

The shadows as well, were of interesting shapes and colours. Why, the giant elephants that could very quickly tire out their group were quite fascinating to look at. Yusuke could stare at them for hours and to have a hands-on experience in a fight would prove beneficial to sparking his creativity. After all, battle sharpened his senses, honed his skills, and allowed him to pinpoint even the smallest minute detail he would otherwise never notice.

He should be on the frontlines, fighting. He’s quite capable of it. Though Akira was right that Yusuke was paler than usual, frailer than usual, he was certain that he would not be a burden. Admittedly, his aim might be impaired by the fact that his vision was swimming, but if he widened his range, then surely he would be able to hit something. Or at the very least, push the shadows towards someone whose vision wasn’t filled with black dots.

But ultimately, it was not his decision to make. And before he could even conjure up a convincing argument, Akira had decided on a party, and Morgana had already shifted. Whatever words he might have thought to say died on the tip of his tongue and Yusuke followed the others onto the bus, accepting the lack of stimulation for today’s trip into Mementos.

It was a shame. While working on the sequel to his Desire, Yusuke had several, smaller pieces he needed to finish. His art teacher hadn’t caught on to his slump as of yet, but it would be a matter of time before Yusuke’s incompetence was revealed. He needed to do something to prevent that. There were several half-painted canvases he had at the Kosei dorms, but lately, whenever he picked up a brush, his artistry simply fled.

What is he to do without inspiration?

Mementos, in a way, was Yusuke’s temporary answer to the drought he was facing. If he could fight, if he could feel death reaching its bony fingers out, attempting to grasp him, trying to drag him from the mortal realm and into the land of the forsaken, then surely, he would discover something new, something breathtaking, something that he absolutely must capture with paint.

Oh well. A lost opportunity is a lost opportunity. Akira -no- Joker, he was Joker here, was flexible and fair. If one of the Thieves wanted to fight, he let them, but should he deem them sick or tired or in Yusuke’s case, severely exhausted, then no amount of negotiation would change his mind. The only way Yusuke was fighting, was if the party was ambushed by a Shadow far too powerful for them to handle and Joker called backup.

Compared to that scenario, Yusuke would much rather go a day without having anything interesting to look at.

He could still try gleaning something from the dark cavernous depths he could see outside Morgana’s window though. It wasn’t quite like experiencing everything directly, but it would have to do. Yusuke pulled out the sketchbook he had tucked in the coat of his thief outfit and a pencil and watched the walls run. Sketching something, anything, when he was starving proved to be a challenge, but one that he was already familiar with. It would be no different than he was at the shack. Although, every jolt of the Mona Bus reminded Yusuke that he hadn’t eaten anything since

Since.

He can’t remember. It couldn’t be less than a week ago, when he turned in a project for his class. A mediocre piece that somehow fooled his instructor into thinking that Yusuke was not in the slump he was in. Technically masterful brushstrokes and a vague, abstract subject can get one far, apparently, despite hunger and fatigue. Yusuke hasn’t eaten.

He was starving. There was food being sold at the Kosei cafeteria, and if Yusuke remembered correctly, he had done some grocery shopping just the other day. Bread and jam, with one or two cans of sardines, but if he wanted, he could easily get some food for himself when he got back.

Not that it mattered. Yusuke could postpone having a meal until after he’s finished at least one of his projects. Worldly attachments prevent you from painting to your fullest potential. You must cast aside your pain and your hunger and focus on nothing but art. Art is the only thing you will excel at and you must devote all of yourself to perfect that craft.

If Yusuke focused on eating, on food, on base desires, then he would never create the masterpieces that he was surely capable of. Art is pain. Art is suffering. Art is beauty that can only be achieved through dedication. Food can wait, even as his stomach felt empty. Great art is worth suffering for and until you create something worth your food, you’re not getting a bite. It’s all for you, Yusuke. Don’t you see? This is how true art is created. It’s all for your sake. I’m doing this for you so be a good boy and paint.

Absently, Yusuke found himself nodding.

“Uh, Fox? You good man?” Ryuji sat with Yusuke near the back of the bus and nudged Yusuke’s arm. “What’cha doin?”

Yusuke turned away from the window to look at Ryuji. The skull mask looked menacing in the yellow light of the Adyeshach levels. “Isn’t it obvious?” Ryuji shook his head, the confused curl of his lips visible. “I’m sketching ideas for my new piece.”

Ryuji’s eyes darted to Yusuke’s sketchbook, then to his face. “Right. Hey Panther?” On Ryuji’s other side, Ann jolted to attention from her nap. Ryuji tapped her arm repeatedly and gestured to Yusuke. “I think I might be going insane so check for me. Does Fox have a sketchbook in his hands?”

“Ugh. You woke me up for this?” Ann slumped back into her seat and punched Ryuji in the shoulder. Yusuke found himself nodding. How can he sketch without a sketchbook?

“Of course Fox doesn’t have anything in his hands. Don’t be stupid.”

Wait.

“I assure you I have been spending my hour productively.” After all, if Yusuke can’t fight, he should at least spend the trip to Mementos sketching out ideas. “The yellow light brings an ambience to Mementos that I would otherwise not find in the real world. I would not be such a fool as to waste this opportunity.”

This got Ann wide awake. She shifted in her seat, leaning over Ryuji to stare Yusuke down with narrowed eyes. “Oracle!” Ann yelled. Futaba, sitting near the front, turned around. “What colour is Mementos?”

Futaba made a non-committal noise. “Kind of purple, kind of red. Why?”

She was wrong, but Yusuke elected not to comment on that.

“Doesn’t he look paler than usual?”

By now, everyone was turning to look at him. Yusuke could see the worry behind their masks. They were worrying too much.

“I’m perfectly fine.” Yusuke assured.

And promptly passed out.

-------------------------------------------------------------

“Is he okay?”

“The Doctor called the school dorms and told them that Yusuke was suffering from stress and mental fatigue but... she said that should be fine.”

“He can stay at Leblanc right? I’ll talk to Sojiro about that.”

“Right. Right. Yeah. Okay. I’ll get some blankets on the bed for him. I can sleep on the couch.”

“Dude. I can’t believe that he just collapsed. Makoto almost crashed the car.”

“I panicked! I didn’t think that Yusuke would just faint like that.”

“Still, I can’t help but wonder. Why did he pass out like that? Um. I’m still quite new here so I don’t know if I’m overstepping, but he doesn’t seem very healthy to me.”

“He’s always so pale…”

“Hey, Guinea Pig.”

“Takemi. How is he?”

“Fine. It’s nothing life threatening.”

There were disembodied voices around him, floating in the air. Yusuke blinked his eyes open to find drab white walls and the stench of sterilisation pungent in the air. It smelled like a hospital. Or a clinic. He hasn’t been to one recently. Why was he here? Or was the room redecorated without his knowing?

“What happened to him, Doctor?”

A woman stood at the foot of his bed. It wasn’t one of sensei’s pupils, but she was fairly young. Perhaps a visitor? No. Sensei did not allow visitors to stay at the shack. She had unusually blonde hair. Yusuke would love to paint it. He might just make that the next piece he submitted. She stood next to a woman in a white lab coat; a doctor.

“Exhaustion and fatigue plus an inordinate amount of stress caused him to collapse. Not to mention delirium and auditory and visual hallucinations that stem from malnutrition and sleep deprivation.”

“Oh no.”

“But when I messaged Inari just the other day he told me he had some food at the dorms! Did he not eat them?”

“Possibly.”

Yusuke can’t eat just yet. He had to create a new piece, before the deadline, before Sensei gets angry at his lack of productivity. He can’t just lay around doing nothing. Yusuke shifted and everyone in the room turned their eyes on him. What an odd group.

A young man with jet black hair sat beside Yusuke and gently pushed him back onto the bed. “Yusuke. Sleep. Just. Just sleep. I should have realised sooner, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologise,” Yusuke slurred. The black-haired man wore glasses. Yusuke would like to paint him too. “I can’t eat until I finish something. Sensei said so.”

“Sensei?” The black-haired man had lovely black eyes that matched his hair. His brows were creased in worry. “Yusuke. He’s not here. You’re safe. He can’t make you do anything anymore.”

“What do you mean?” Sensei stood by the door, scowling. He looked like a shogun, with a shiny gold robe and gaudy make up. Yusuke tried to point. The black-haired man held his arm down. There was an IV drip in the crook of Yusuke’s elbow. “He’s right behind you.”

The doctor sighed. “It will be a while before he’s back to normal. I suggest that you all get some rest.”

“I’ll stay with him,” said the black-haired man.

Sensei would get angry if there were visitors in the shack. Yusuke should have them all leave, for their sakes. But. A part of him didn’t want to be left alone. His eyes were heavy and he slid them shut. The black-haired young man looked worried.

Yusuke was starving.

He needed to finish another painting soon.

[thisisthepartwhereyou]

BEASTARS MINI-STORY #3: “The Pitfalls of Thin Walls pt. 2” by JCL

TEXT: ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE SEBUN COMES HOME We see Legosi and Haru walking together through the corridor towards Legosi's apartment in the hidden condo. HARU: "I am glad to hear that you finally got your teeth fixed." Legosi puts a finger in his mouth and adjusts his dentures. LEGOSI: "Well my boss was quite sympathetic, so he agreed to giving me an advance so that I could pay for them."   HARU: "You know, you never told me, how did you break them in the first place?" Legosi looks emberassed. LEGOSI: "I bit down too hard on a lolipop..." Haru looks both amused and a little disturbed as she imagines Legosi, a big and scary-looking wolf, eating a lolipop. HARU: "A... Lolipop?" (I would've liked to see that...!) It is then that Legosi notices something offscreen. LEGOSI: "Oh, Mugi-san." It is Mugi, one of Legosi's neighbors. MUGI: "Good morning you two. Hanging out today?" LEGOSI: "Yes... And speaking of which, thank you again." MUGI: "You're welcome! Just remember to wash the stuff thoroughly before returning it. And make sure to use your hands, no machinewash!" LEGOSI: "Of course!" Mugi laughs a little to himself as he walks past them. Haru gives Legosi a questoning look. HARU: "What was that about?" LEGOSI: "Oh he just leant me some stuff..." Mugi suddenly stops as he notices that Sebun's door is open. MUGI: "Hm?" --- We are now in Legosi's apartment, which is much better-looking than it has been before. The walls are repainted, there's some new furniture (including a kotatsu and a tiny tv), a potted plant next to the stove and a small table with a terrarium on it. HARU: "Hooo... I see that you've really cleaned this place up, huh?" LEGOSI: "Yeah I had some help with that. Jack and the guys from the drama club also helped me hustle up some old furniture for a fair price." Haru takes a closer look at terrarium in the window, spotting a rhinoceros beetle in it. HARU: "They even got you this little guy to keep you company?" LEGOSI: "Uh no, my grandpa gave him to me as a house-warming present." HARU: "Your grandpa huh?" She then notices the potted plant next to the stove. It's a little violet flower with six petals and green leaves. She instantly becomes intrigued by it. HARU: "A midnicampum holicithias! And a very healthy-looking specimen at that! To think that such a pretty little baby can be so poisonous...!" Legosi scratches his head. LEGOSI: "Well, I figured it could help to get rid of the smell." Haru turns to Legosi and looks confused. HARU: "Smell?" LEGOSI: "Well, you did say it smelt kind of funny last time you were here, right?" HARU: "Oh right... I did say that, didn't I?" She proceeds to close her eyes takes a deep whiff of the air in the apartment; her nose moving up and down in a typical lagomorphic fashion. HARU: "It does smell different, that's true. But it's not just the flower, it also smells kind of like..." She suddenly looks confounded. HARU: "... Fried noodles?" Legosi sneaks over to the other side of the stove, which is covered by a large towel. He removes the towel and reveals a wok full of food.   LEGOSI: "Surprise." Haru looks surprised and walks over, looking over the big meal. HARU: "You've made yakisoba?" -- We see a flashback, as Legosi thinks back to when his grandfather Gosha helped him renovate the apartment. As they are repainting the wall, he gives him a bit of advice: GOSHA: "Cook her something. Your grandmother used to love when I surprised her with a meal." -- LEGOSI: "M-hm." Legosi blushes and stands up straight, almost like he is a private standing in front of a military commander during an inspection.   LEGOSI: "I uh... Figured it would be nice, you know, to make you something sometime!" (Thank God that Mugi had some cookware that I could borrow) Haru looks at Legosi, cocks an eyebrow and gives off a little smile. HARU: "You weirdo, you didn't have to do that." LEGOSI: "But I wanted to." Haru giggles. HARU: "Well... It would be rude to say no, and it does smell good. So why don't we dig in?" Legosi looks excited and proceeds to turn on the stove. LEGOSI: "Okay, I'll just reheat it then!" -- TEXT: ABOUT 55 MINUTES BEFORE SEBUN COMES HOME We are now out in the hall. Fina and Raika has arrived outside by the door to Sebun's apartment and are met by Mugi, who is standing next to it. MUGI: "It looks like Sebun left the door open when she left an hour ago. I am just watching it for her till she's back. I tried to call her on her cell, but I heard it ringing from inside too." RAIKA: "She must've been really stressed about something to forget both her phone as well as leave the door open." FINA: "Do you think it'd be okay if we went in and returned this though? We've had it for a while." Raika holds up a DVD-copy of Harold and Kumar go to White Castle (2004). Mugi pushes the open apartment-door in. MUGI: "I think that should be fine." The three proceed to walk in. Raika places the DVD on a nearby deskcounter. Fina seems to detect something in the air though. FINA: "Did she leave something cooking? I smell fried noodles." MUGI: "That's probably from Legosi's place. He's cooked a sweet little meal for his girlfriend." Fina smiles at this. FINA: "Aww isn't that nice? Girls like little gestures like that." Raika gives Fina a skeptical look. RAIKA: "But you hate when I cook for you..." A vein of annoyance appears on Fina's head. FINA: "Because you always make the portions too big, so I have to throw most of it away. Besides, I am not a little girl, I am a grownass woman, so I can make my own meals." RAIKA: "I never said you couldn't, I just wanted to-" An argument is about to erupt between the two, but both stop to stare at Mugi, who is pressing his ear against the left wall of the apartment. FINA: "What are you doing?" Mugi meet their odd looks with an awkward expression. MUGI: "I was just a little curious... I mean, aren't you?" Raika and Fina stare at Mugi, and then they share a look that seems to imply a reluctant 'yes'. -- TEXT: ABOUT 50 MINUTES BEFORE SEBUN COMES HOME Legosi and Haru are sitting down by the kotatsu; a bowl of yakisoba each in front of them. Both hold a pair of chopsticks and clap their hands together. LEGOSI & HARU: "Itadakimasu!" The two proceed to eat... Or rather, Haru proceeds to eat, while Legosi stares at her in nervous anticipation. Haru chews her first bite carefully. She soon notices Legosi's stare though. Sensing that he is awaiting her response, she swallows. HARU: "It's good." Legosi wags his tail. LEGOSI: "Really?" HARU: "Yes. The freshness of the carrot shavings really add alot, and it's not too spicy either. You've made yakisoba before?" LEGOSI: "Well, yes. I used to make it a lot with my grandpa. Though this is the first time I¨ve made it completely vegan." HARU: "Yum!" -- Meanwhile, we see that Mugi, Fina and Raika are listening in on them next door. Mugi and Raika is using a glass each while Fina is pressing her ear against the side of Raika's while she is leaning over from the back of his hand. MUGI: "Sounds like it's going well so far." Raika looks a little bored though. RAIKA: "Yeah. not a lot of action yet though. Come on, throw us something saucy!" Raika places a finger across her lips and shushes him. -- Legosi and Haru is continues with their meal, as Haru suddenly states: HARU: "You know, you've never mentioned your family up until now. What are they like?" Legosi swallows heavily at this and looks a bit uncomfortable. LEGOSI: "Welll... I uh... I haven't really talked about them, cause I didn't find an opportune moment." Haru blinks. She finds the word ´opportune´ an odd choice of words in regards to ones family; like a it was a bad subject or something. HARU: "Why? Don't you get along?" Legosi looks like he's struggling to find the right words. LEGOSI: "We've had issues. I was kind of angry at my grandpa for a long time, so I didn't talk to him much after I started at Cherryton. We just recently re-connected..." Haru looks a little regretful for bringing this up. HARU: "Oh." (Damn, I must have touched a sensitive subject... I better change it) "What about your parents?" Legosi looks even more uncomfortable; bordering on depressed. Haru detects the negative vibe and bites down on her lip. HARU: (Oh no, wrong move...!) -- In Sebun's apartment, the trio keep on listening. RAIKA: "Poor guy, sounds like he's got some baggage there." MUGI: "Maybe they don't approve of their relationship?" RAIKA: "That would make sense. I mean mine and Fina's doesn't approve of ours." Fina gives Raika an unamused look. FINA: "I think theirs is a vastly different situation from our own. I mean they're a couple, and we ain't!" Raika replies with a sassy tone. RAIKA: "Well who's fault is that?" Fina looks annoyed as hell in response. FINA: "Who's fau- Scale and proportion ought to be the main culprits!" EBISU: "Um..." The three look at the door, which has now been opened. In the doorway stands Bogue, Ebisu, Eugen and Zaguan. They stare at the trio while each holding a DVD-copy of Harold and Kumar go to White Castle.   ZAGUAN: "..." The trio stares back. RAIKA: "... Sup?" TEXT: ABOUT 45 MINUTES BEFORE SEBUN COMES HOME -- HARU: "I am sorry, I didn't mean to open old wounds or anything..." Legosi looks sad. LEGOSI: "No, no, it's just... Well, the reason I haven't really talked about my family a lot is because, well, there's a lot to unfold. And a lot of it is not pleasant." HARU: *HIC!* Legosi looks surprised, as do Haru, who covers her mouth with one hand. HARU: (What the...?) "Sorry, I have no idea where that came from." She gives Legosi a reassuring look. HARU: "Look, if you want to talk about it, I am all ears. But if you don't want to right now, you don't *HIC!*" She covers her mouth with both hands this time, seriously surprised now. Legosi gets up. LEGOSI: "I'll get you something to drink." As Legosi takes a glass, goes over to the sink and begins to fill it with tapwater. Haru begins to lean over the table, her hands covering her face, like she is feeling sick or something. HARU: "I feel kind of funny...!" When Legosi sees this, he hurries over, places the glass of water on the kotatsu and puts a hand on her back. He looks concerned. LEGOSI: "Haru? Are you alright?" Haru begins to mumble something without looking up. HARU: "Flower..." LEGOSI: "Flower?" Legosi suddenly recalls a recent memory: Haru examining the potted plant. FLASHBACK-HARU: "A very healthy-looking specimen at that! To think that such a pretty little baby can be so poisonous...!" As this flashes through his memory, he also recalls chopping vegetables for the yakisoba, next to the potted plant. LEGOSI: (No, it couldn't have...) His thoughts begins to manifest into the worst possible scenario; like seeds or petals falling off the poisonous flower and getting mixed up with the hacked vegetables. He then proceeds to imagine Haru taking her first bite of the yakisoba. TEXT: POISONOUS We see a zoom-in of this bite, with Legosi's imagination envisioning a dark aura and skulls and bones dancing across it. LEGOSI: (NO!) Legosi grabs a hold of Haru with a scared to death-looking face, while Haru groggily mumbles. HARU: "Flower... A flower..." LEGOSI: "Don't worry Haru! You'll be alright, I'll call an ambulance! I'll-" Haru looks up. Her face is deep-red and sporting a silly grin. HARU: "If we have a daughter *HIC!* We should name her after a flower! Tee-hee...!" Legosi looks surprised. LEGOSI: "Huh?" TO BE CONTINUED...

[theoccationalwriter]

Fault

(Akira Kurusu x Reader)

Words: 2967

Summary: Akira has disappointed the reader one too many times and now after seeing the consequences of his actions at your expense he finds a way to do right by you.

“I have a lot of things I need to catch up on this week, you know that if could hangout I would, ” Akira said apologetically, rubbing the back of his neck.

Do I though?

The two of you had been walking from school when you asked to hang out sometime with him. Your hopeful smile faded at his response, this had been the fourth time in a row he had turned you down on plans to spend time together. He had been preoccupied so much recently that you barely even see him at school. He always had something more important to deal with, understandably with his probation and issues at school. And with so many things on his plate, you’d hate to be a cause of stress to him. So, you tried to keep a leveled head and not to take it personally but deep down inside it still hurt.

“Well, when do you think you’ll be free next.”

“Honestly, I’m not sure when, but I’ll let you know when I find out.” He said with half a smile, in an attempt to cheer you up before beginning part ways from you.

You flashed him a quick smile and a wave goodbye, but as soon as you were out of his view, your face had fallen once more. Ever since meeting Akira two months ago, your friendship with him grew quickly as well as your feelings for him.  Admittedly, your simple crush on him escalated into something more before you could do anything to stop it. How could it not? Akira too perfect for his own good. Your heart couldn’t resist his charming personality accompanied by boyish features. As much as you wanted to tell him, you couldn’t bring yourself to burden him with your feelings.

Then on top of that, he honestly had no reason to like you back. Akira had so many other girls in his life that he was better off with. You felt that you couldn’t begin to compare to how beautiful Ann is, how smart Makoto or Futaba are, or even how sweet Haru is. The thought alone pulled at your heartstrings as you furrowed your eyebrows.

Making it home, you put your bag away and threw yourself on your bed, letting out a long sigh feeling the tension in your body ease away for some time. Just as you were slowing dozing off, your phone vibrated in your pants pocket. Pulling out your phone, you looked to see that it was your mom texting you. Letting you know that she’d be working late and asking you to pick up an order she had made earlier at a nearby bakery.

You had quietly chuckled to yourself. 

No rest for the weary.

By the time you willed yourself to get up off of your comforting bed and head to the local bakery, it was past sunset, and the moon was just barely peeking over the horizon. You waltz in into the small restaurant, the nostalgic smell of warm bread hit your nose and you can't help but smile. The cashier kindly greeted you as you stepped up to the counter and asked for the order you were sent for. After she brought the box of pastries and rang you up, you when to leave and held the box in one hand and door open with the other hand for an elderly woman who then said a soft thank you and stepped out of the building.

You took one more look inside the bakery, but once you did, you felt your world stop. Your heart fell to the bottom of your chest and the fingers gripping the door ran cold through. The site your eyes had set upon had caused them to start welling up and you had to bite your lower lip to keep back a small sob.

Sitting at a table in the far corner of the shop was Akira, who was tenderly holding Makoto's right hand sitting across from him. Although, the feeling of defeat didn’t hit you until you glanced at the expression on his face.  Relief. Contentment. Love? Akira has never looked at you the way he was looking at Makoto now. And you’re realizing now that the thought and idea of Akira loving someone else did not nearly hurt as much as having it shown right in front of you.

With your body moving on autopilot, you let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding in. Then letting go of the grip you had on the door and you left as swiftly as possible. Although for a fleeting second, you swore you saw Akira break his gazed at Makoto and look at you.

Catching up, huh

Your mind was so clouded with thoughts and white noise that you didn't even notice when you got home and headed to your bedroom. You slid your chilled body under the blanket on your bed and laid your throbbing head on the pillow. Closing your eyes, you felt the tears you tried so hard not to let fall even in the privacy of your room rolling down your cheeks.  When you had finally fallen asleep in the wee hours of the morning, all you wished for was to feel anything other than empty hollowness in your chest.

~~~~~~~~~

To say that Akira had been busy in the past month or so it would have been an understatement. After dealing with school, several jobs, and the metaverse, Akira really had no time to do anything else other than sleep and maybe eat. Having to turn you down again today may have hurt him more than it did you.

When he first came to the school, you were one of the few people who overlooked his criminal record and didn't listen to the rumors his fellow students spread about him and welcomed him with open arms. Now seeing your sadden face as he canceled on you yet again made him feel guilty beyond belief. Especially since he started to develop romantic feelings for you.

Now he's had crushes in the past, but you were different. You made him feel like somebody, and you brought the best out of him. The fact that he can only return your kindness with disappointment tears him up inside. Hearing a chime from his pocket broke him out of his thoughts, and he looked on his phone to see if a text from Makoto, asking to meet him at a bakery nearby for a moment.

Considering that it was reasonably close to a LeBlanc, he decided that he could spare a few minutes and meet her for a quick chat. When he had gotten there, he saw her sitting at a table in a quiet corner of the restaurant looking down at her hands that was nursing a lukewarm cup of cocoa. He then walked over to the booth and sat down across from her.

“Evening Makoto, what’s up,” Akira said to her casually.

“Hey, Akira...” Makoto spoke shakenly, quickly catching Akira's attention.

When she picked her head up, he had noticed that her eyes were red and puffy. But before he could ask, she began to explain to him the argument she just had with her sister and how it was worse than usual. While she was talking , he had been listening intently, and when her voice hitched, he went to comfort her by holding the hand that was beginning to shake on the table. He started to brush a thumb over the top of her hand and gave her a soft look, after a couple minutes she began calming down.

A few moments later though, he felt like someone was staring at him from afar, and he flicked eyes up to see the figure of a person near the entrance of the building quickly rush off out of view. He looked at the general area for a couple more seconds before he turned his attention back to his friend. She then noticed the time, “ it's getting late, I think I should start heading but home.” Akira then nodded in agreement, and they stood up from the table and headed for the door. Makoto then said goodbye one last before turning and walking in the opposite direction.

Akira was definitely tired once he got to LeBlanc and helped Sojiro with some of the last evening customers before closing up for the night. Just as Akira was going to start working on some assignments he got from class today, his phone chimed again. Only this time it was Futaba messaging the whole group.

Futaba: “Guys I just a hit on the Meta Navi, a new palace just showed up tonight. ”

Ryuji: ”What do you guys say, think we should check it out?”

Akira thought for a moment, they had finished their last palace almost a week ago, and he had already restocked on any items or ammo that the team was short on so when the time came they would be prepared. Since that time is right now, he decided that it was safe to go ahead and enter the new palace tonight.

Akira: “Alright, let go and scout out the palace to see what we’ve got our hands on. ”

With that being said the group then proceeded into the Metaverse.

~~~~~~~~~

Right now Joker couldn’t decide which is worst a scorching desert or bone-chilling tundra, though it didn’t matter which one he chose because right they had to deal with the latter. The thieves were violently shivering as they entered the palace and being inside didn’t seem to lessen the bitter cold at all.

The palace resembled desolate, overgrown ruins of what may have been a temple. Drips fell from the high ceiling into giant puddles of water on the cracked stone tiles. The place was eerily silent other than the howling wind and crunch of colorful broken glass from the shatter windows they were stepping on. It looked as though this place was once enchanting and beautiful at one time.

Joker and Fox quietly observed the torn and weathered-down paintings hanging from the walls. For some reason, the people in the picture looked so familiar.

“Man this s-sucks!” Skull yelled annoyed, his words echoed off the walls as he rubbed his hands together and blew into them.

“Shut up, we don’t know what’s lurking in here” Panther snapped. She was about to say something else, but the faintest of whispers caught the team’s attention.

He doesn’t care us~

Everyone took cover and hid against the wall facing away from where the voice came from.

You know it would be a lie if he did~

Joker leaned over to peak around the corner and saw multiple little shadows surrounding the owner of the palace. They were curled up on the ground shaking and quietly sobbing into their hands.  Then one shadow with glowing crimson eyes spoke up.

Enough of this all we need is a little loving~

Then they suddenly began to violently tremble, clawing at their chest, and let out a blood-curdling screech. The noise caused the palace to quake, and each thief went to quickly cover their ears. The shadow laughed when the screaming stopped.

“Don’t say that” the person whispered in agony.

Joker’s eyes widen in surprise as he recognized the voice, but couldn’t think of who exactly it belonged to. The shadows and the person continued to bicker back and forth, the shadows constant taunting becoming too much for them to handle. Joker genuinely felt bad for this person as it was apparent that they were more of a harm to themselves than others. He turned to the group, about to signal them to fall back and figure this out from another angle when the shadow said something that had him stop dead in his tracks and look back.

“No one could ever love us, so what made you think Akira would be any different?”

“I... I… I don't know.”

For the first time since the thieves were in the palace, the owner picked her head up and turned looking down at the shadow who asked the question causing her face to be visible to the Phantom Thieves. Joker felt paralyzed, he couldn’t look away from your shadow form. Your whole form was ebony black, and you had glowing (f/c) eyes with silver tear streaks running down your face.

He was so caught off guard at the site of you, he didn’t react when you caught his gaze. It wasn't until you gasped that he snapped out of his trance. You looked at him defensively and summoned your shadow personas to fight alongside you.

He didn’t have to fight you, did he? Even though it's your shadow, he's honestly not sure if he could fight you. The rest of the thieves noticed Joker’s hesitation in taking a defensive stance and instead decided to grab him and retreat. You made no move to chase after them.

Joker took one look, and he was sure that the look on your face would haunt him for the rest of his life. Your expression held that of nothing but anguish despair and utter hopelessness. And he looked away from your eyes only for them to fall on what you held firmly in your hand.  He wasn't able to see it before, but now softly glowing in your hand was a strip of three Polaroid photos of the both of you together that you had gotten in a photo booth when you guys went to the fair the month prior. Your treasure.

~~~~~~~~~

Back in the real world, Akira couldn't stop thinking about your Palace. He couldn't focus on anything. How could you of all people have a palace? He had thought back to all the months you guys been together, he didn't recall you showing any signs of evil desires. But then again he hadn't seen you in a while, something could have happened, but he didn't know about. That you didn't tell him, but why wouldn't you have told him? As far as he knew he's the only person you were most honest with. The only person you really trusted.

Akira had started pacing around in the attic and running his hand through his hair, trying putting all the pieces together. The people in the paintings, they had looked so familiar almost as if he was looking in a blurry mirror. The whispers about him loving you that shadows have been taunting you with. The palace in itself being cold and broken. And your treasure being something so unique and specific. It all became so clear.

His heart split in two. He didn't want to believe it, but it was the only reason that made sense. Your Palace was actually about him. You loved him. And he broke your heart. He's the reason why you have a palace in the first place. It's his fault. It was all his fault. And the idea that he was the cause of your Palace broke him. He started to tear up, he can't bear the thought, but he has caused you so much pain. He had to fix this now. Akira wasn't going to make you wait another moment. He left LeBlanc and ran as fast as his feet would carry him to your house.

The morning Sun was beginning to peer through your window, and you would look at your alarm clock that that read 6:15. Suddenly, frantic knocking caught your full attention, and you realize that the noise is what woke you up. Now, who would be knocking at your door this early in the morning? You slipped on your house shoes and made your way to your front door.

You looked through the peephole and surprised to find Akira standing on the other side of the door. Without a second thought, you swing the door open. You looked up at Akira, and you're shocked to see how disheveled he looked. His hair was messier than usual, he was sweating and breathing heavily, and his eyes were red and a little puffy as if he was...crying?

“Akira are you-!”, You didn't get to finish your question has he grabbed you and pulled you into a hug. As surprised as you were, you were still able to melt into his warm embrace. His arms held you tighter to him as if you're going to disappear if he didn't. Akira buried his face in your shoulder and was mumbling what only sounded like several apologies one, after the other.

“Akira what has gotten into you?,” You asked as you reluctantly pulled away from him.

“I love you, I'm so sorry that I made you think any different. Please forgive me. You have no idea how much I love everything about you.” Akira said quickly, while holding onto your shoulders you looking you directly in the eyes.

You didn't know what to say to such a sudden confession and after what you saw yesterday. You looked at Akira's face, and you noticed how scared and almost desperate he looked. You have never seen that look on Akira's face, and it was safe to say that no one ever has. You could see that he so desperately wanted you to forgive him for whatever reason you couldn't think of.

You looked up at him and held both sides of his face in your hands, and your heart couldn't help but warm up at the sight of his boyish features, you smiled and hummed softly to yourself. He put his hands over yours and smiled down at you with concern and curiosity still in his eyes. You lean forward and press your lips to his, and he slowly closes his eyes and melted into your kiss.

I love you too

[mazojo]

Favorite Sohma’s

Hi yes, uh, I needed a space to rant about fruits basket because I am still very broken so yea

Disclaimer that this is just my opinion and I still love them all very much, just needed to get this out of my system ayee. Also I will include a song that reminds me of them because I am that invested in this so yeaaaa

14- Kagura Sohma

Boy by Little Mix - “I know what you’re worth girl, you know what you got”

I rank Kagura as my least favorite just for the fact that I cant really relate to her I guess? I mean, she is okay, I think she is cute and all but I don't think violence is the way to go about her struggles and she is so much more worth than she gives herself credits for. In the end, I dont think I full understood her big struggle as much as the other characters and thats why she is at number 14, although I want her to be happy and full of love and support like the others ;w;

13- Akito Sohma

My Eyes by Neil Patrick Harris and Felicia Day - “But it’s plain to see, Evil inside of me is on the rise”

Akito is a complicated one for me man. Of course, in the beginning and throughout the manga you learn to really dislike her because she did some terrible things, specially to my baby boi Yuki and eye-.... But then when we learn more about her and everything she has gone through we start sympathizing with her but i..... cant just forget everything she did. I get she was traumatized since she was little, she became dependent on the zodiacs because of her father’s words and mother’s behaviour thus becoming a broken person with this big responsibility she didn't ask for. It really ticks me however, how much pain the others underwent through her, and even though its a healing process, the traumas and everything they suffered is still there which is why I cant place her higher. I do not hate her by any means, but she isnt my favorite person on this list either. I do ship her with Shigure and I think they help each other out, and they grow from the other.

12- Shigure Sohma

Used to the Darkness by Des Rocs - “Now would you pray before you twist the knife? Yeah, would you take my hand and take a life?”

*big sigh* Shigure is also a complicated one for me. It may be my big dumb energies showing but I didnt fully get a grasp on his character? I know he was doing everything for Akito’s sake to liberate from the curse and be with her so she is finally a “woman” but he always acted a bit shady xD?? I would have love to know more about his backstory, we dont get much from his motivations and character other than the perverted aspect and that he loves Akito lmaoo. I do think he is hilarious and I love the dynamic he has with Hatori and Ayame lol

11- Ayame Sohma

Starships by Nicky Minaj - “Starships were menat to fly, Hands up and touch the sky “

To be honest I am pretty neutral about Ayame’s character. He is hilarious and I love how Yuki insults him every tike he gets the chance lolll. I like how throughout the story he tries to change to become a better brother to Yuki and person even though he is pretty extra most of the time about it. He has a good heart and even though he made some mistakes he owns up to them which in my opinion, makes him a good character <33 I love his friendship with Hatori lmaooo they balance each other out sooo well

10- Kureno Sohma

Taking Chances by Celine Dion - “Never knowing if there's solid ground below, Or a hand to hold, or hell to pay”

I really like Kureno! He has gone through quite a bit and he needs a hug. I am sad thinking how most of his life he lead it pretty similarly to Yuki’s, apart from everyone and super enclosed to his relationship with Akito due to him breaking the curse and feeling bad about it. I do wish we would have gotten to know more about his personality and story, if we did I would have definitely ranked him higher! He really reminds me of Tohru’s father and I think Uotani is perfect for him <33 would have love to see more about the two of them and hopefully they expand upon it in the anime

9- Ritsu Sohma

Waving Through a Window by Ben Platt - “On the outside, always looking in, Will I ever be more than I've always been?”

Okay okay so I have a lot of thoughts on Ritsu. Manga Ritsu is okay, I really dont have much of an opinion on him due to him appearing only in a few chapters, I feel like from the Sohma’s, he is the one we get the least information about. But then the anime episode came out where they presented Ritsu and I thought they gave him so much more life and rounded personality where, I get to relate a lot to him? I am someone who is constantly apologizing for absolutely no reason and seeing him be all anxious and stressed about others interactions is big relate to me and I stan. I also think the whole dressing as a woman plot line is better dealt with in the anime and I hope we get to see more about his insecurities and troubles in the future because he is truly a very interesting character! I stan my one (1) anxious monkey.

8- Kisa Sohma

Mean by Taylor Swift - “But you can take me down with just one single blow, But you don't know what you don't know”

Cinnammon rooooooolll. Kisa is such a cutie. I dont have much to say other than my mood every time I think about Kisa is hugging her like Tohru does because she is babyyyy. Also her bullying story is one I think many viewers and readers can relate a lot to and such an important topic I think they covered pretty well and I loveee. Also her and Hiro are one of my favorite ships because they work so well and asdfgh in this household Kisa is a queennn.

7- Isuzu Sohma

Take me Home by Jess Glynne - “Came to you with a broken faith, Gave me more than a hand to hold”

I really like Isuzu!! I am pretty bummed we wont get to meet her in season 1 of the Anime reboot but hopefully in the nest season! She is quite a complex character that I didnt really understand at the beginning but once we see how much she loves Haru and all that she does in order to protect and keep him save she really went up my list. She has gone through so much, from her shattered reality from her parents, Akito threatening Haru, her being locked up withour given any food.... Isuzu is so strong and one of the best build characters in the series and I am super excited to see her in the anime!

6- Hiro Sohma

Time to be a Man by The Airborne Toxic Event - “And it’s time to be a man, Tell me how does that go?”

My bastard childdd <33 He is such an asshole and such a sweetie at the same time. His whole inner struggle of not feeling like a good enough man for Kisa is so heartwhelming and I think it really makes sense to the type of person he is. The flashbacks of him telling Akito how he loves Kisa and the feeling of uncertainty and impotency when seeing the girl he loves being hurt by his actions and wanting to be good enough for her even though he is more than enough sdfghjasd. I am also a softie for older brothers who love their families *cough cough* spoiler alert: Momiji *cough cough* that I love me one angry boi

5- Hatsuharu Sohma

4 Seasons by Rex Orange County - “I saw myself as less and you so high above me”

Cow boil! apart from the fact that I love love loveeee Haru’s design, I think he is also such a well build character! He is not only supportive of everyone (aka the loves of his life, Rin and Yuki xDD) but he is so interesting! His split personalities give him a cool trait (even though dark Haru doesnt appear much in the end of the manga) and I love how he helps everyone and makes sure those he loves are protected at all cost and happy. He is Rin and Yuki’s fan club stan leader and I am co-leader so we been stanning aye

4- Hatori Sohma

Fireflies by Owl City - “I'm weird 'cause I hate goodbyes, I got misty eyes as they said farewell”

Boooooy the next four to come are my absolute favorties and I would die for their happiness and love so *takes big breathe* I LoVE hAtORi sOhMAAa. To be honest when we first meet him I didnt like him much. I thought he was your usual dark deep character who doesnt talk much because he is too cool for everyone (which, he is) and that was that. But boi was I in for a riDE. His story about having to erase the memories from the woman he loves is one of the ones I cried through the most. I put myself in his shoes and wonder if I had to erase the memory of the person I loved the most, make them forget they ever met me, all our happy times, sad times, angry times.... No matter what its one of the most saddening moments and the whole scene is heartbreaking, which makes me love Hatori even more for the fact of how strong he is and selfless. He puts himself before others and he need to know he also deserves happiness and I am glad in the end he got it because homeboy needed a break ;w;. I also adore Ayame’s relationship with him xDD, he is like his idol and big same.

3- Kyo Sohma 

This song saved my Life by Simple Plan - “Sometimes it feels like nobody gets me, Trapped in a world where everyone hates me”

Top three babyyyy. We have now my angry cat boi™. I mentioned it before but going into the reboot firsthand without reading the manga nor watching the first anime, I thought Kyo was going to be my absolute favorite character. I knew he would be the angry boi who was soft inside and probably had a tragic backstory™ that made him act the way he did and I am a sucker for those types of characters. And I love Kyo, I really do, specially when we find out more about his struggles and past. The exclusion he felt throughout his life for being the cat, the abandonment, feeling like he had no one and was ready to die because he didn't have any source of genuine happiness (well, apart from Kazuma ya know but stillll). Then he finds Tohru, the girl he promised to protect, the one that reminded him of the woman that helped him out all those years ago and I just.... poetic cinema at its finest. Kyo and Tohru make one of my favorite couples and I love how flustered and In absolute l o v e he is with her and Kyo is great man....

2- Yuki Sohma

Nandemonaiya by RADWIMPS - “Crying even when you're happy, Smiling even when you're feeling lonely”

THIS WAS ONE OF THE HARDEST DECISIONS OF MA ENTIRE WEEB CAREER SO EXCUSE WHILE I SCREAM. Yuki Sohma won my heart and entire soul throughout the series. I liked him from the start but he wasn't my favorite favorite at the beginning you know? I thought he was isolated and thats why he didn't have much friends and he was perfect and what not but boi was I wrong and happy about it. I think one of the reasons Yuki is one of my favorite characters in fruits basket is how much I can see myself in him. Having the constant need of perfection while also wanting to connect with others but finding it hard is something I personally struggle with and every time we learned a little bit about his backstory my heart broke. Everything Yuki had to go through, the rejection, the isolation, understanding that you are loved and not a burden, falling in love with someone, finding that figure of a mother/friend he always yearned for.... The complexity of Yuki’s character is astounding and I love my rat boi so so much.... When he joins the student council, finding his little group of friends and opening up to a more carefree and true Yuki, forgiving those around him and going and eye- YuKI IS MY BABY RAT BOI AND STAN HIM OR PERISH FROM HERE ;w;

1- Momiji Sohma 

Eine Kleine by Rachie - “If I were to go through life living just to take somebody else's place, Then I would rather have been born as a pebble, living out my peaceful days “

*Clears throat* *trumpets sounds intensify* *stands on podium* I LOVE MOMIJI SOHMA WITH ALL MY HEART AND HE MUST BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS. Thats it. Thats what I want you to get out of this post. I don't know if this is maybe an unpopular opinion-ish but Momiji’s backstory of his mother rejecting him, saying awful things, him having to accept being forgotten by his mother and sister whom he loved, not even being able to live with his family, is one of the most heartbreaking ones of fruits basket. Maybe its like what I said with Hiro and I am a sucker for big brothers that love their families, the sad smile of Momiji, my baby, angel, perfection when he sees his family and not being able to be with them, him loving Tohru but letting her go and be with Kyo because its her happiness that matters to him and I am-..... The selflessness of Momiji and how much of a sweetheart he is, his heart of gold and always being there for those around him, that moment where Akito was looking for Tohru and he got hurt trying to defend her.... Momiji is one of my all time favorite characters. He is a precious bean and I will never not shut up about my love for ma boi <333

Anyways that was long and ramble but I just needed to shout this somewhere because I've been missing they //rip

[rickyriddle]

Shutou Suzu analysis

Hello everyone! Been a while since I did a AnR analysis huh, well here I am, back for some analyzing. This time the character I’ll analyze is everyone’s favourite grandma, Shutou Suzu! This analysis will be kinda a challenge for me, since unlike other AnR characters I can’t base my analysis on a mental disorder, and analyzing through a disorder is mainly my specialty. But I’m gonna do my best! I wanted to make a Kouko analyzing at first but I kinda got requested to make a Suzu analysis. Okay, now is time to start the analysis. Get ready for an analysis about I believe one of the most interesting AnR characters.

Let’s start by talking about Suzu’s backstory. Suzu is estimated to be born during the Meiji Restoration era (1868 to 1912), so she is over 100 years old. Let’s say that the series happened the same year the anime aired (2014), Suzu would be between 102 and 146 years old. But since a lot of people think AnR happened in a more futuristic setting, she could be even much older than that. In the past, she used to be close to a man named Takeo, who she described as her precious person. People assumed he was her lover. Their birthday was only one day apart and he was one year younger, so they often joked about the fact they will never have the same age. This became ironic when Suzu developed her illness, the Highlander Syndrome. Since she couldn’t age anymore, Takeo became older than her, and eventually left Suzu for another woman. Suzu eventually learned about her disorder and that with modern medicine, there was no cure. Now, the consequences of her illness are different between the official translation and the fan translation, so I need to talk about both of them.

In the fan translation, it’s said that her illness prevents her body to age and collapse. Which means Suzu is totally immortal, she can’t die of old age. In the official translation, it’s said that her body can’t temporarily age, but that when she’ll reach a critical point she’ll suddenly and quickly aged. Both outcomes are horrible and tragic in their own way, but not the same way. For the fan translation, Suzu’s fate is to always outlive everyone she loves, condemning her to solitude. In the official translation, Suzu’s fate is to temporarily outlive those she loves, before being eventually instantly killed by her illness in a pretty gruesome way (her flesh breaks down immediately). I don’t know for sure which one is the right translation. Personally, I think the fan translation one is the correct one, because in KnR epilogue Kouko said “I’ll definitely outlive you so you won’t be alone anymore” and it makes me feel like Suzu really can’t die, well not naturally, otherwise if she could Kouko’s statement wouldn’t have felt so impossible. But this analysis is not to debate about it, in both cases to outlive people she loves, but in one she also had the stress of suddenly dying of a flesh break down.

Before going further, I want to discuss Suzu’s personality before Class Black. As a regular teenager, she was showed to be pretty normal, a little bit frivolous, more into entertainment then intellectual activities. She didn’t seem particularly smart, nor dumb, her intelligence seemed pretty average. She was also shown to be kind of playful, and even childish. Really different from the Suzu we know during Class Black. Later in her life, she’s showed to become more and more jaded when people tell her happy birthday, since she was still looking young and people kept leaving her behind. When she learned the truth, that she was sick, she looked really desperate and sadden, she even I think cried over it. So she used to be really sensitive, which she isn’t really anymore.

Before continuing with Suzu’s current personality, let’s talk a little bit about the context of her past. Suzu lost one of the most important people for her, not because he died (well, he eventually did, but that’s not the point), but because he abandoned her for another woman. Being abandoned by someone she loved and trust must have been really painful, especially since even though she didn’t know about her illness, Suzu must have known she was different. And more and more people commented at her birthday how young she looks, reminding her how different she was, how abnormal she is, which made her birthday, usually the happiest day of a year, a cruel reminder of her difference and of her past lover’s abandon. And then it became worst when she discovered that she had the Highlander Syndrome, which confirms to her that not only she’ll never be normal, but she's condemned to always outlive people she loves and ending up alone (or having a sudden and gruesome death). This must have put her on so much stress and despair. So she continued her life, knowing her rather tragic fate, with as her only hope to eventually have a cure for her illness.

But there’s not only her personal experience as context. Let’s not forget that Suzu was born into a totally different time, with different values and morals. The Meiji Restoration era was when Japan restored practical imperial rules, when Japan was still an Empire. It was an era with a lot of changes going on, primarily Japan stopped being an isolated feudal society. So it was starting to be less military-minded when Suzu was born and more modern. Then it was the Taishou era, who’s described as the time of the liberal movement known as the "Taishō democracy". But then, it was the showa era. A really military-driven era where Japan moved into political totalitarianism, ultranationalism and fascism. This is also when the 2 World Wars happened. It’s also the era where Japan transform into a democracy with a constitutional monarch. So Suzu lived through those two wars and which Japan participated for the second one as allies for Nazi Germany. And the Second Sino-Japanese War also happened during this era. Suzu when through so many changes, she was exposed to many ideologies, to war, political changes. She probably had to adapt to all those changes, even if she didn’t necessarily condone them. All of this shaped her as the person she became later.

Now that we when through some context, we can talk about Suzu’s current self. In AnR, she showed to be a really knowledgeable person, quite wise, calm, and pretty intelligent, and somewhat cunning. Those are traits that her younger self didn’t have, and a result of her long life. All of that she went through made her this way. She experienced so many political and ideology changes, which made her knowledgable and wise. And this knowledge and wiseness are what contributed to her current intelligence. She wasn’t really smart during her young day, but her current self is. So her intelligence isn’t nature, it’s nurture. She developed it through her incredible life experience. Suzu is also quite calm as a person. She barely never show intense emotions. I believe that after all the stress and despair she went through, Suzu became kind of jaded, or emotionally numb. Like if after everything she went through she was so emotionally exhausted that her emotions became numb. But Suzu still has emotions, they are just less intense now. Two things that cause emotional responses from her are Kouko and her condition. Suzu can be really enthusiastic and even playful when she’s with Kouko. And when Nio made a comment about how being immortal would be cool, Suzu became pretty gloomy (anime only). So I believe Suzu can only be really emotional when it comes to someone she likes or her illness. And I think that Suzu did experience distress about being different and abnormal at some point, but that it eventually faded away since she had matured. Right now, rather than feeling bad about this, she’s more focus in finding a cure so she can finally be normal and die. She also seems to value hard work over luck.

Which brings us to another topic. Suzu during Class Black. Suzu joined Class Black with the wish of finding a cure so she can finally age and die normally. She immediately took an interest in Kouko, her roommate, and she often informed her classmates about certain details, like Sumireko’s family and Otoya being a serial killer. She was enough knowledgable to know that, but in Otoya’s case, it’s not only that. She correctly guessed that Otoya was Jack the Ripper of the 21st Century, which is more than just knowledge. She was able to analyze her behaviour and determined her true nature, and associate her to an infamous serial killer. So we can add analyst to the list of Suzu’s skills. After Kouko’s expulsion, Suzu became the class representative. She had some interesting moment with her classmates, especially Hitsugi.

One was a foreshadowing of how old Suzu actually is, and that despite how old she was, even herself couldn’t perfectly guess what kind of person someone was (tho judging by how she guess Otoya’s true nature I would say she pretty good). It gave her a more serious and a little bit dark vibe.

The other show that Suzu isn’t insensitive to romance. She does find Tokaku and Haru cute together, and talked about how she finds Romeo & Juliet (and by extension Chitaru and Hitsugi) beautiful because it’s first love. I think it’s because it reminded her of her past, of Takeo who maybe was her first love and it did end tragically, at least for her. Suzu is sensitive when it comes to young love, especially first love, since it reminds her of herself and Takeo. It makes her nostalgic and also melancholic, something I discuss in my anr disorders analysis.

Before going there, let’s take time to talk about Suzu’s interest. The series shows that she’s really into bath and like to use bath salt (apparently bath bomb in the official translation, which makes it so funny given the fact she uses bombs). She’s also into stretching. Both could be because her body weakens due to her old age and she needs to ease the pain and strengthen it. So those two hobbies would be a cause of her illness. Suzu is really knowledgable in flowers, especially their meaning, and even in her young days, she liked flower. But her long life gives her more knowledge about this subject. Suzu is also into games, especially shogi (Japanese chess), and maybe cards game. But shogi is special to her. After all, it’s Takeo who taught her shogi. This game reminds her of him, it makes her nostalgic, and even melancholic. She even keeps dreaming about him and her past with him. No matter how long it was, she’ll keep thinking about him, and shogi represents her nostalgia and melancholia, both caused by her immortality. In a way, all her interests are a cause of her illness.

Right, we were talking about Suzu during Class Black. Suzu tried to kill Haru on her birthday by putting a bomb necklace around her neck, a gift she received from Kouko. But instead of instantly killing Haru by making the bomb exploded, she decided to turn her assassination attempt into a somewhat fair game. She set a death trap that could have got Tokaku killed, but even if they lost the last card, Suzu talked about her past, revealing an important clue: Takeo’s birthday. And she reminded them of it after they lost the card. Haru understood this clue and won the game. Despite still having time, Suzu decided to give up.

And that will bring us to a more headcanon part of this analysis. Is Suzu truly an assassin? I already talk about it in one of my analysis, The meaning of assassin in AnR, check it if you haven’t yet. So, Suzu is indeed considered as an assassin during her time at Class Black because she agreed to do an assassination attempt. But what about her before Class Black, in her everyday life? I highly doubt she’s an actual assassin. Nothing in her backstory suggests that she’s one. Then, how did she get into Class Black? My theory is that she’s an acquaintance of Yuri. They met in the past for an unknown reason, and Yuri learned about the Highlander Syndrome. Given Suzu’s skills, she considered that she could be a strong opponent for Haru and decided to invite her to Class Black. It’s somewhat implied in KnR that they could be old acquaintance, even if it was more of a joke. And it wouldn’t be the first time someone managed to get into Class Black because they know Yuri. Remember Sumireko? It’s implied that Yuri was her teacher when she was a child (Sumireko called her Yuri-sensei). And Yuri invited her to Class Black when she was still a kid. I highly doubt that Sumireko was an assassin when she was that age. So it proves that not only you don’t need to be an actual assassin to be invited, but that knowing Yuri can get you into Class Black. So my theory about Suzu knowing Yuri and being invited because of that is a possibility.

Another thing that makes me doubt Suzu is an actual assassin, her behaviour during her assassination attempts. She could have killed Haru so easily, she had so many chances to just make the bomb explode. But she didn’t. And it makes me think that she simply couldn’t. She can’t kill someone out of cold-blood, because she’s not an actual killer. She never killed before. And killing for someone who hasn’t been trained or doesn’t lack empathy is really hard. So she made it a game as a way to distance herself from the act of killing, she gave Haru chances to survive so she wouldn’t feel like she’s actually killing her. If Haru dies, it’s Haru’s fault for losing, not hers. I even wonder if she actually wanted to kill Haru. Suzu does want her wish to be granted, but maybe she does have second thoughts about killing to have it. Maybe she gave this clue about Takeo’s birthday because, in the end, she didn’t want Haru to die. But that’s mainly speculation. But I’m convinced that Suzu’s main reason to make it a game was because she was simply not an actual killer.

Now let’s talk about how I personally view Suzu. To me, she’s the most neutral character in the show. Unlike others, her wish isn’t to help someone, obey to an organization, or simply to harm others. Her wish is 100% for herself. She’s not someone who would help or hurt someone unless it benefits her. Even though I do think that deep down, she’s a good person, I feel like she’s more a morally grey person. She’s over 100 years old, she when through stuff most people would never experience, someone like her as a different outlook on life than others. She still put an innocent girl through a death game and even seemed to enjoy it in a way, and she nearly caused Tokaku’s death. Suzu is capable of cruelty, but only if it serves her goal. But she’s also capable of kindness and genuine sympathy, especially towards Kouko, like after the main series she took care of an injured Kouko. So I would say Suzu is neither good or bad, but neutral. After losing people she loved and being abandoned, it’s possible Suzu lost interest in others and started to only think about herself, valued her desire over those of others, and even consider herself different due to her immortality. But if she remains with Kouko, she might become a better person and re-learned to care for someone else other than herself.

This brings us to another point I would like to discuss about Suzu: her relationship with Kouko. Kouko is the person Suzu was the closest to during Class Black. Even though Suzu was relatively friendly and polite to her classmates, she also felt a little bit distant from them. Suzu knows that everyone she gets close to will outlive her, it happened to her so many times, so she probably doesn’t want to get too close to not go through this pain again. She condemns herself to solitude to not suffer anymore. But she seems to make an exception for Kouko. But why? The first time interaction we saw between them was during their introduction. Kouko declared herself leader of everything and it’s at this exact moment that Suzu showed interest in her. Seems like Suzu has a type: bossy and assertive people. I think that at first, Suzu was intrigued by Kouko. And since they were roommate she felt the need to at least get a little bit closer to her. I think that what makes her want to be with Kouko is how intelligent Kouko is. Suzu being herself pretty smart, she was able to bond intellectually with Kouko. Kouko is really mature for her age so Suzu doesn’t feel like she’s a child, making it easier for her to bond with her. Suzu agreed with Kouko’s wish (to quit her assassin job), and I think that perhaps she doesn’t feel like it’s right for her to be an assassin, and maybe if give her a new form of respect towards Kouko to want to take control over her life and choose for herself. In KnR, Suzu describe Kouko as diligent, but clumsy (which makes her want to protect her) and with a dark past (which makes her want to comfort her), Suzu is able to sympathize with Kouko’s past, because she knows how it feels to lose someone she loved and feel responsible for it. They may have really different past, they can still relate to that. Suzu also describes Kouko as adorable, so her attraction to her is a mix of her personality and physical appearance.

Speaking of KnR, let’s talk about Suzu’s portrayal in this series. In KnR Suzu is shown to be a little bit perverted. She checked Kouko’s panties and pretty much act as a voyeur with her, and given the fact Suzu is over 100 years old and Kouko a teenager, it’s kinda creepy. It felt like she’s a perverted old lady. Like I do think it was only for comedic purpose, but I still view KnR as mainly canon. So I have to take this scene into consideration. I don’t think it’s a big part of Suzu’s overall personality, but I feel like it’s important to acknowledge that Suzu is the type of person who would check young girls’ underwear and spy on them.

I think I’ll stop here. In conclusion, Suzu is a knowledgeable, wise and smart person due to her life experience, she’s mainly a neutral person who works to serve her own goal, but she does have a good side, especially towards Kouko. Her old age and immortality gave her a different outlook on life which makes her morally gray. In my opinion, Suzu is one of the most complex and interesting characters in AnR and I wish there was more content about her, I feel like there’s so much more to explore about her. That’s gonna be all for my analysis, don’t hesitate to tell me your thoughts, and thanks for reading!

[auncyen]

Overload, pt 3

"This is just a scene that's already in the game," I said. "You're changing something that bugged you in canon, and now it's Sae talking to Ryuji and Ann instead of Sae talking to Ren, but still, most of what Sae has to say was in canon. How bad can it be?" ...Ha. Ha ha.

Part 1 | Part 2

[ships-for-you]

Unfortunately, I can’t tag this person. I’m sorry!😰

Note: I made this longer than how I normally write to compensate for my absence.

For Black Butler, I ship you with

Ronald Knox!

You two would’ve met under peculiar circumstances.

You had sadly passed in your past life caused by suicide.

And now, you’re being punished for dying too early.

You once worked alongside a tall man named William T. Spears for a few months since you passed the training program and are now being formally taught by your superiors.

It had been a considerable amount of time since then, and you had been working on your own.

You enjoyed being alone and occasionally chatting with your co-workers until he came along.

Honestly, ever since he joined the dispatch, he’s been flirting non-stop with the females of your group.

Not to mention, a certain someone that you once tried courting but wasn’t interested you, he managed to snag her too!

Besides, it’s as if he doesn’t even show up to the dispatch to work.

Just to flirt.

It doesn’t help that he works under you therefore whenever he doesn’t do his job, you work overtime to pay for his mistakes.

But it’s fine, as long as it saves your co-worker the stress of overtime.

Even if you end up with it, it’s just in your personality. Too nice! You have my respect.

And that has taken a toll on you.

You even screamed at William and Grell once for simply greeting you.

Coffee doesn’t work since you’re not human anymore.

Any type of caffeine doesn’t.

So one day, Ronald came to apologise. Of course, not on his own accord but because he was told to do so.

He hasn’t seen you in so long because you’ve been out most of the time trying to reap more souls in order to compensate for what he couldn’t do.

When he opened the door to your office, he saw the mounds of paperwork.

He laughed a bit and then just set the water that he had brought with him beside you.

When you turned to look at him, that’s where he saw the messy state you were in.

Messy hair, glasses fogged and slightly out of place, eyes bloodshot and the obvious darkened callous spot on your middle finger from writing so much.

You muttered a small “thank you” and continued writing your reports. That was when he felt as if he truly respected you.

He did respect you for your work, how efficient it was,

Not to mention, his higher-up is pretty hot. Of course he respected you but only now did he feel guilty for his actions.

“I’ll help you.” “There is nothing for you to help with.” “I’ll do my job properly this time.” “Alright.”

Needless to say after this interaction, you’ve become close friends.

Occasionally having playful banters in the office or sharing slightly suggestive jokes to one another.

You usually go reaping together whenever your targets are close together.

Would visit each other’s quarters and homes whenever you wanted.

Practically living-off on one another.

The, “Work-Husband-and-Wife” type of partnership.

Most people don’t understand your relationship but do at the same time.

It’s pretty...interesting.

For Free, I ship you with Rei Ryugazaki!

I would imagine you meeting during one of their practice sessions.

Is it wrong that I find you being closely acquainted with Haru?

Anyway, being a close acquaintance to him and practically being his second mother, you would visit him at school.

One time, you remembered Haru doesn’t eat much at school and he informed you that he would have practice later.

So you went to Iwatobi and packed food that would be good enough for at least 3 people, in case someone didn’t have any either.

Not many joined the swim team, as Haru said.

So you didn’t expect a lot of people being there.

You didn’t expect to see a really cute girl with a red high ponytail.

And you didn’t expect to see a fellow glasses character with you.

Your eyes met and you simply smiled and made your way to Haru who seemed to have a little picnic with Makoto and his other friends.

“Hey Haru, you didn’t pack lunch right? Do you think this enough? Do your friends have food? Uh, hey you! Do you have food with yo—“ “Yes, this is enough. Thank you (y/n).”

You would sit down with the team and tell jokes to one another. “Hey! Did you hear about that one deaf guy that got run-over by a car?” “No.” “Ah, well don’t worry! He didn’t either.😏”

Rei laughed the hardest in all honesty. The joke was directed to Haru because you tried to make him laugh. He only scoffed.

After eating and resting for a short while, they got back to training and occasionally abandoning the rules of swimming to have fun instead.

“Oi, Nagisa! Don’t you da-“ “Sorry Rei-chan! It’s so funny to see you embarrassed!”

It’s almost endearing how close they are. Like a whole family.

Not long after, Rei, whom you found out to be the glasses boy, quickly said goodbye and rushed out of the area as quickly as possible.

“What’s up with him?” “We don’t know, we thought that maybe he had a high-maintenance girlfriend or something...” “I’ve always cirwed Rei as the type to be weakened by love.” “Don’t worry, we’ll get him to focus and have fun again! “

You, alongside Gou, compiled books to help strengthen Rei’s love for his partner.

And turns out, you were both wrong.

He didn’t have a partner

Turns out, he’s actually trying to pay-favours from the track team.

You were slightly worried for his well-being and decided to visit the gang after shook every other day.

You oaccasuonally hanging out with the guys and at your house.

You being an absolute doll and making them their favorite food.

You’ve become closer to Rei throughout these hangouts.

You felt as if you could debate about anything to help keep your reading skills sharp.

Especially when it came to the topic of the superficial.

You two would end up to be the closes of friends.

And who knows? Maybe even partners

I know I’d be jealous

For Diabolik Lovers, I ship you with KarlHeinz!

(Key: Art - Is a vampire’s personal blood-bag and plaything. Can be used solely for feeding and/or pleasurable activities. Of human race or a hybrid of a supernatural being. Occasionally, however rarely, utilised solely for companionship.)

Where to even start?

It all started at a ball. A grand ball that was held by the Demon Lord himself to commemorate his daughter Cordelia’s coming of age day. She was the illegitiamate daughter of the king however, he has decided that it would only be appropriate to honor a celebration to her. Not having proper guidance from her family, it was only natural that she did not know what to do therefore she relied on her art, you, to guide her and inform her about the social standing of majority of the nobles at the ball.(reference from Blood Bank haha)

She surveyed the area and chatted with you when it was absolutely necessary. You, being very knowledgable with the state of the kingdom and yet being highly insecure, could only utter short but brief answers to her queries. You took note of the celebration’s schedule and took out your pocket watch. You glanced at the orchestra and decided that she had merely an hour an a half before the waltz would commence. You encouraged her to socialise with the men and find a suitable conversational partner to dance with. She nodded her head and dismissed you without a second thought. You adjusted your glasses that seemed to have slid down your nose bridge a bit and fixed your long brown hair. In times like this, you wished she had a suitable figure to guide and educate her of the importance of her postition. You worried for her future and her outlook of her situation that would soon affect her decisions in the following events of her life. What she should be trained for, the common good of her future kingdom, the proper way to lead her people. Instead, she had a dead mistress for a mother and a passive deadbeat for a father.

You decided to merely cling to the walls of the ballroom once the first dance had started. Your mistress had surely acquired a partner to dance with and you decided that it would be best for you to simply observe rather than partake in the celebratory dance. Walking alongside the woman who was envied by all was enough to redirect the attention towards yourself and you had enough of the spotlight.

As you were worriedly keeping a watchful eye on your mistress, a tall man had approached you.

This man had the most devious look on his face. Given the material and craftsmanship of his robes, he must’ve been of royal blood-line. ‘A vampire perhaps?’ You started to deduce him, he seemed like a very knowledgable young man. A man that seemed to make sure he gets what he wants no matter who he needs to step on, no matter who he needs to take advantage of. Surely he had the riches and the charm, most especially the charm. He seemed like the type of man to solely rely on logic and not so much on the probability of anything happening. A very calculating character, isn’t he? Your mind thought of all those under the vampire race and had settled on the conclusion that this charming young man was none other than KarlHeinz.

“Good evening, my lady.” He greeted, his voice surprisingly deep for his age. He bowed slightly whilst you curtsied. “Good evening, my Lord. How may I be of service?” You questioned with your voice slightly shaking, surely he wasn’t the type to start idle chatter without an ulterior motive. “What is a charming young woman such as yourself doing alone at the King’s ball? Surely you must have an acquaintance or a lover nearby to keep you company.” He laid a gentle kiss on your backhand and looked in to your eyes. He truly meant what he had said. Such beauty manifested in a mere mortal’s body. He could sense an inquisitive however slightly anxious nature surrounding you. And the scent of your blood was absolutely intoxicating, you were most likely sold from the finest of curators. Surely his prescience should not affect you this much. You seemed like a very interesting pawn to be utilised in his game and he would ensure that you will aid him in pursue of his experiments.

He decided to keep this conversation going. He took note of how you fidgeted on the sleeves of your dark blue gown and how your lenses have fogged up slightly due to the warmth radiating from your face caused by the inability to carry out such conversations with a person you had barely known. You exchanged minimal information about each other. He understood your humor for play on words and you understood his cunning personality. He appreciated your interest in the supernatural nature and he came to be interested in your motherly and caring personality. Perhaps you have thought wrong about him? Perhaps he was a very caring young man who would ensure that his partner would be spoiled with the affection and wealth that he will share with her. Given your conversations, he seemed to have been of high caliber and had attained good education. Perhaps he could be a suitable suitor for your mistress? You only desired the best for her.

You had introduced him to your mistress and you could tell merely by the way she looked at him, your companion had found the one that would guide her and mold her in to the greatness that she will become. She would be lead by him and be taught to be devoted to this powerful man and hopefully have a suitable family that will treat her with only the best.

Sadly, you were wrong. The debonair man that had talked to you in such a caring and gentle manner was long gone in Cordelia’s presence and only became the cause of her life to spiral in to this debacle she was in. His influence was the opposite of what you had expected of him when it came to caring for her. If you had just knew, you would have interfered. Then your mistress wouldn’t have turned in to this horrible being that she is now. Your “nephews” wouldn’t have been in such shock to harm their mental state. And most certainly but not regretfully, you wouldn’t have been the only proper parental figure of his 6 sons.

[ourlastbastion]

Embers Ch. 11

AO3 Link

FFNet Link

Haru wanted little more at that moment than to curl up and to be swallowed up by the void. To cease existing and disappear from life and reality. Instead, he settled for sinking deeper into his seat.

Never had a train ride felt this terribly long.

“It was pretty boring in the end. But the snacks were really good!” Patty continued, chattering on with that child-like excitement. She had not stopped talking since her group had boarded the train, intent on talking to Haru like he was some old friend. “But the stuff that happened before and after the conference were pretty fun!”

She kept going on and on about that fucking DWMA public conference going on in London, and Haru wound up learning far more about how it went, what it was about, and why it was so fucking important than he ever wanted.

Which, granted, wasn’t a hard point to reach seeing as he wanted to know absolutely nothing about what the DWMA was doing, or anything that had to do with that school.

But Christ! This woman could talk!

She talked and talked about some guy named Oxen or something and the crush he’s had on some girl since he was like twelve, and how he has yet to give up, constantly making various attempts to win her heart and sweep her off her feet, just determined to not give in despite how nothing he was doing was working and the girl was probably gay anyways because “have you seen how she is with her weapon”? They have to be dating, there’s no way they aren’t!

She talked about how the new students lacked the same flare and energy that her year had, and how this year had half as many new students as her first year had. How this conference went over how to react when a civilian was crossing paths with a witch or Kishin Egg. Which boiled down to running away and finding a phone to contact the DWMA. Which itself did absolutely nothing to solve the immediate problem of a powerful non-human being trying to and possibly actually succeeding in killing people. But it was the DWMA, Haru couldn’t expect them to actually save the day before people got hurt.

She talked about herself and her sister, about their fucking meister and how weird he could be but that “He’s still a swell guy!”. She talked about how they were obviously the most awesome meister-weapon team because they worked directly with the big bone daddy himself and were the weapons of Death Jr., son of the aforementioned big bone daddy. That Death was essentially their adopted dad and that they were also a family as well as a team (Gag!).

The woman talked about how Kid had his own speech he got to make at the conference about how brave the British meisters and weapons have been and continue to be, and how proud the world is of them for doing their part in keeping the world safe.

“You’re going to Paris, too, right? Are you staying there, or just stopping cause you gotta get somewhere else?” she had asked, somehow, miraculously, beyond all matter of reason, logic, and physical possibility, not out of breath even a little after how much she had been talking.

And Haru, being the magnet of absolute horrendously, terribly, disgustingly shitty luck had answered without really thinking, just wanting the conversation to end and for her to shut up. “Stayin’ fer a lil’ while.”

He shouldn’t have said that. Should not have said that.

The woman fucking squealed so loud that other passengers turned to look at them, that the older blonde looked over her magazine and the mini reaper frowned in a way that showed he’d long since accepted this life of headache, and Haru sank deeper into his seat, wondering how much farther until the cushions just swallowed him.

He should not have said anything, should not have responded at all.

Because then the woman just went off about how fun it was that they were both spending time in Paris, that maybe the five of them could do sight-seeing together, and oh, hey, does Haru know French? Ah, right, his name’s Auclair or something, he’s probably from France, right? Yeah, of course he’s from France! She knew a little French, but she wanted to see how they’d react if she just spoke Italian. Cause she knows Italian. Maybe she could make them think she’s Italian and not American. 

They’d never really gotten to visit Paris for fun, it’s always for a mission, but this was the first time they were going to get to stay there for vacay time, and she was going to use it to the full advantage. Oh, they should all go to Disneyworld together! Or was it Disneyland? Disneyland, Paris? Ah, who cared! They’ve also got a big fancy art museum, Kid might like that, but it might also drive him absolutely mad. It'd be funny to see him trying to straighten everything until it’s at the perfect angle, and that’d take days. They might spend their entire vacation in the museum if he did that!

The worst part of it all? Not even an hour had passed. There was still over an hour left of this fucking trip.

It went on and on, her chattering and talking, not even caring that Haru wasn’t responding, just talking about whatever came to mind.

Eventually—the universe finally taking a look at Haru and thinking it’s screwed him over enough that it was time for a small, tiny, microscopic mercy— she somehow fell asleep mid-sentence. Which was for the best, because it had reached the point that had Patty not stopped talking, Haru was going to get locked up for a murder he actually did commit.

Good God she was annoying!

As if sensing his misery and fury with some bullshit Shinigami powers, Death the Kid had turned to him and offered Haru a sympathetic, understanding smile. “Sorry about her,” he said, nodding to where the blonde was snoring. “Patty can be a bit overwhelming at times, and she had a bit more coffee today than she should have.”

Haru snorted, at least he could take comfort that he wasn’t the one stuck living with her.

It was a blessing the gaiter covered his mouth; he would have been baring his teeth with how angry he felt. But his mood lightened and his expression softened as he looked to Bea.

Somehow she had been able to fall asleep too, not that he blamed her, she had been up all night, the poor girl must have been exhausted. She looked so peaceful sleeping, leaning against the side of the train, using Haru’s jacket as a pillow. How could he keep feeling angry when looking at her like that?

“She’s your sister, right?”

His mood spiked a bit, negatively, and he turned his attention back to the other side. This time it was the older sister, Liz, or something. She had looked over her magazine to the two, brow raised but a knowing look in her eyes. “I know that look, you clearly care about her a lot,” she explained.

A pause, long and thoughtful as Haru turned to look away from the two, his eyes falling back on her sleeping form. “She’s my family,” he said, reaching over to brush some stray strands of hair from Beatrice’s face. “She’s my everythin’.”

He didn’t know what he would do, what he was supposed to do, if he lost her. It had only been two years, and already she had thawed out some of the shards in his heart and wormed her way in, taking hold of his heart and soul. If he hadn’t known better, he’d have accused her of being a witch, of having used witchcraft to bring him under her spell.

“I get what you mean,” Liz had agreed, and Haru saw her look to Patty. “She might be hard to handle, but I’d do anything for my sister, to keep her happy and healthy.”

Ah…

What was this feeling rumbling deep inside of him? Camaraderie? Yes, that must have been it. A sense of camaraderie with a fellow older sibling, to meet someone who understood his love for Beatrice, his willingness to do what it took to keep her safe and happy.

Perhaps this group wasn’t quite as bad as Haru had initially feared. Sure, the baby reaper was a threat, and the younger blonde was more annoying than Ichiro could be, but… maybe they weren’t so bad. If Haru was careful, maybe they could spend time together, just a little. Perhaps he could arrange for them to just casually cross paths at Paris’ Disneyland park, not actually hanging out, but just crossing paths so why not stop and chat, maybe have lunch together, once everything’s calmed down and they’ve gotten settled in. 

Or maybe at the Louvre. Patty had mentioned that in her rambles and, well, Haru wanted to show Beatrice the Louvre. And the Eiffel Tower. Maybe take a little boat on the Seine. There were so many sights in Paris that she would love, and he wanted to show her all of them.

But that brought up other questions, too.

Haru would need to figure out some kind of income source once they got to Paris, he’d have to find a job, the kind where no one would really pay him any mind, the kind where he’d just blend in. There was little doubt that Rosie would offer them shelter, but he was not going to depend on her for finances. He could take care of Beatrice and himself without handouts.

They’d just need a room for a short period, until Haru got enough money to afford the two of them their own apartment. Housing was a bit on the expensive side in Paris, a lot more so than his apartment in Pocklington had been.

He could fall back on being a bartender, Haru felt he did a pretty good job of it in Pocklington. It wasn’t stressful, but not the worse. Maybe go back to being a cook, no people interactions, less people would see him while working, and he wouldn’t be as stressed.

Hell, he’d work as a character actor at Disneyland if it paid. He could put on a smile, play nice and be friendly if needed, he was a fairly good liar, after all. Plus, they paid well if he remembered the articles right. Well, as well as they could for people without any degrees.

Or, he had better not. Attraction characters were a bit too public. He didn’t need his face on the internet, and they’d make him take his mask off. So, no, he could scratch that off the list. The two of them needed to lay low, especially if mini-death was going to be in the city.

But, once he and his weapons were gone?

Haru smiled beneath his mask as he looked to Beatrice, running his fingers through her hair, his chest feeling warm.

Once Kid and the sisters were gone, they’d be safer. They were out of Pocklington, no one was going to know them, recognize them. They’d have to lay low, but that doesn’t mean imprisonment.

Beatrice wouldn’t be recognizable, no one in Paris was going to look at her and think that she shares the same face as some girl who went missing in a small English town two years ago. No one in there was going to care about the news of some nowhere town in another nation. Beatrice would be able to go outside and play, she wouldn’t need to stay holed up all day and go outside in disguises. She could even step outside without him at her side—okay, maybe not that. Cities were dangerous, he wasn’t going to risk her being out on her own without him there to keep her safe.

But she’d be free. She’d have more freedom no longer having the pressure of someone maybe noticing and recognizing her. No longer worried that the police would bang on the door demanding that she come with them and be sent back to her parents.

Don’t be too careful. Police are looking for you, his mind warned.

An officer and a weapon attacked; his crime discovered. People dead. The police were looking for them. Being in another country would help, but the DWMA was not hindered by borders like the cops of Pocklington were. Maka was probably going to want to hunt them down after what they did to Soul, being in Paris would only help for a short while.

They’d need to move again. They couldn’t risk getting too comfortable, dropping their guard too much.

But this was a respite. Paris would be a moment of peace and safety. Then, they’d plan their next move, where to go to next, where to hide next.

This was their life. It had been Haru’s life for so long and now it was Beatrice’s. He felt guilty about that, that she’d never have a normal, stationary life, that she was going to be on the move, always looking over her shoulder. But she was safer now than she had been before, and she’d see more of the world than she ever would have before.

This was for the best.

“Has she considered enrolling at the academy?”

Haru’s blood froze, those daydream thoughts gone like clouds on the wind.

He turned back to Kid, his expression turning cold, hard, staring at those yellow eyes as the hate and rage boiled under his flesh. “Excuse me?” Of course, of fucking course he would know! He’s a Shinigami, he can see souls! He can probably tell each type apart with a single glance. The man must have known the moment he saw them the moment he set his eyes on her, that she was, that she—

If he noticed the animosity, Kid did not show it.

He merely shrugged, looking back to Beatrice, and then turning his gaze back to Haru. His posture polite enough, nonconfrontational, annoyingly, infuriatingly calm. “She’s a weapon, is she not?” he asked, as if he hadn’t already known. His tone curious, as if wondering if Haru hadn’t known—of course Haru would know! “She could benefit quite a bit from joining the DWMA.”

What went unsaid was, of course, that the DWMA would benefit having another child to send off to hunt killers and monsters. To die for a God that was too afraid to step foot outside it’s castle.

He almost snarled. “An’ give up ‘er life for a fight that ain’t even hers?” Haru challenged, moving so that his entire body blocked Kid’s view of Beatrice. “Sorry, but we ain’t fans of yer schtick, try solicitin’ some other weak-willed sap.”

“That’s not what—” Kid had begun, raising his hands in an offering of peace. He looked surprised, as if he were unused to someone being so vocal in rejecting such an enticing offer of a fancy suicide. “I only meant that—”

“That yer so in need of new students that ya gotta ask rando’s on a train.” With an angry huff, Haru twisted to look away from them, only keeping an eye on their reflection in the mirror. “Ask someone else, we ain’t interested.”

He didn’t respond to that, thankfully. It would have seemed that the young God had realized that there was no point pestering Haru and had gone quiet.

Quiet.

That’s how the rest of the train ride went.

Quiet.

Haru couldn’t let go of his anger as he sank into his seat, not looking back to the reaper and twins as the last hour of the trip went by. Instead he tried to keep himself in control as he wove his fingers through Beatrice’s hair. It was shorter. In the two years he had known her, her hair had grown to be quite long and healthy. It was a shame that he had to cut it, but it was for the best.

It was still soft to the touch, nothing like the dry, wiry texture it had when they first met. Her face full and soft.

His anger began trickling away.

By the time the train had pulled into Gare du Nord, his anger had faded away, almost completely. It still lingered, it would always linger, but he felt relaxed.

He had roused Beatrice and led her out, carrying their bags himself while allowing her to hold onto his sleeve to stay with him. Haru made sure to veer away from Kid and his group, not wanting them to try asking Beatrice directly. Not that it was needed, as soon as they were off the train, he had lost sight of the three in the crowds.

“Hang on tight, Bea,” Haru said, loud enough to be heard over the chatter of the crowded station. “Les’ jus’ get ta exit. An’ then we’ll go lookin’ fer Rosie, kay?”

Beatrice answered by drawing closer to him, hanging on tighter. “It’s as crowded as St. Pancras,” she mumbled.

“That’s cause London an’ Paris are both busy cities. Nothing like Pocklington.”

He hope this wouldn’t be too much for her. They had only stayed briefly in London, long enough to get a change in looks and get on a train. But they’d be here in Paris for a short while. It’d be a contrast to something as small as Pocklington.

But that’d be for the better. So many people, no one is going to really stop and notice them, remember their faces. They’re just a couple more bodies in the crowds.

He gently wrapped an arm around Beatrice, careful not to bang her with a bag, and held her close as they made their way through the train station, shouldering past people to make way, the air livid with French words and conversations. Haru understood it, though it had been a couple of years since he had actively spoken it, he still understood. ‘Welcome back!’ ‘Have a safe trip!’ ‘Of course the train’s delayed. It’s always delayed!’ ‘I could have sworn I put my charger in there, where’d it go?’

His throat clenched, but he kept them walking.

He held Beatrice closer, tighter, his heart a drum in his chest, a thunder in his ears.

The sun was bright, blinding, the air thick, suffocating. His fingers itched to dig into something, to grind his nails into something. To—to—to—

“Ah, there you two are!”

Hearing Rosie’s bell like voice fill the air, the air grew lighter, and Haru felt the weight on his shoulders ease away as the familiarity embraced him.

Souls ears were ringing.

For a moment, his thoughts spun in disoriented circles, trying to replay what had happened, but spinning and glitching like a scratched CD struggling in a player. Repeating the same bits over and over, skipping over parts. A song made of dissonance. He struggled to recall where he was, where he should be, tried to recall everything.

Then he noticed Maka, and his mind found it’s anchor.

She was watching him from one of the armchairs, a book open in her lap, green eyes wide with concern, the want to run and hug him and the knowledge that she shouldn’t battling it out on her face. There was a tremble to her lips, the bags under her eyes darker than they had been when she had gone to help the detective.

Maka took a breath, “Good…” she glanced to the clock on the wall, briefly, and then back to him. “Afternoon. Good afternoon, how are you feeling?”

“Like I can sympathize with all the eggs we’ve eaten now. I know how they’ve felt whenever broken open for consumption,” he said with a cracked smile and a twinge of shame. Shame for ending up hurt and in the hospital. For letting his guard down and letting someone get the drop on him. “I’m feeling fine. More or less. A bit of a headache. Got a stubborn ringing in my ears.”

The rest of him felt surprisingly intact. He expected some stab wounds, maybe some organs to have been cut out and currently circling the black market. But he felt like everything was still there.

He hadn’t realized that he had spaced out until the added weight to the hospital bed brought his attention back to his meister as Maka watched him, still concerned, still afraid.  Sorry, he wanted to say, but refrained.

“You catch the guy, at least?” Soul asked instead, chuckling a little as he pushed himself up to sit. “I’d like to share a few words with the bastard, let him know I don’t really appreciate being knocked out like that. Seriously wasn’t cool.”

With a sigh, Maka shook her head, “No. Haruto was long gone by the time we arrived,” She admitted, folding her hands on her lap. “You’ve been out for twelve hours. Grace—Watson, she’s not woken up yet. You got off pretty easy in comparison.”

Shit. He thought. How much time had passed between Haruto fleeing and them arriving? Again, Soul found himself berating himself, scolding himself for having let his guard down, for having let Haruto get the jump on him and flee. Even worse, someone got hurt because of it. Maka wasn’t going into the details of what Watson’s condition was, but, it wasn’t hard to get it was bad by how she had reacted.

With a groan and a sigh, Soul fell back against the pillows. “Any other bad news?”

Maka smiled, strained and forced, “Well, a lot’s happened. Elijah and I made some discoveries. I don’t know if it’s necessarily good news, but it’s progress,” she offered, tightening her hold on her own hands. “And, well… before we get into that—what were you doing there?”

Ah, she wouldn’t have known, Soul realized slowly. He hadn’t been quite that forthcoming when he took Watson and made orders to the cops, had he even explained to the other officers why he had them rushing to find info on the guy? His head was too fuzzy to remember. He had called Maka, had sent her a couple of texts, but he didn’t quite explain what was going on, had he?

“The witness identified Haruto at the scene of the murders,” Soul said, not bothering to raise himself up again. “He was quite bloodied and had the knife. We did some digging while you and Elijah were doing your thing, found that ‘Haruto Arakawa’ was a fake name, that he’s been using a fake name for both jobs and his apartment. I thought that if he were the killer, we didn’t have much time to waste, he could up and run off—he knew there was a witness who could identify him, there was no way he could stay in Pocklington.”

Maka leaned closer to him, running her fingers through his hair, grazing the bandage wrapped snuggly around his head. “So you went to chase down a killer, just yourself an a cop?” The way she asked was accusatory, but then she deflated and sighed. “I can’t blame you, you tried calling me.”

He grunted, leaning into her touch, eyes falling closed. He could fall back asleep right here and now, drawn to slumber by her gentle ministrations. But, he stayed awake, with some effort. “Found something else out when I went into his apartment.”

She hadn’t said anything to suggest that she knew the full story, had she not seen the apartment? Not heard about the photos?

Maka scratched him right at the base of his head and Soul felt a rumble in his throat. “What’d you find?”

“Photos.”

“Oh? Oh! Oh, wow, just—wow. I didn’t, Haruto hadn’t seemed like the sort to be into those kinds of things.”

Soul leaned away from her touch as he snorted, he didn’t even need to look at her to see the blush. “Not those kinds of photos,” he corrected. “Photos of Amanda. All safe for work, don’t worry,” he added before Maka could speak. The humor was there, but then he let it die down as the severity of the situation sank back in.

He turned to look at her, red eyes staring into green. “Maka, there were a lot of photos. The wall was covered entirely in them. A lot of them were from when she was twelve, before she got kidnapped. But—A lot were current. Like they could have been taken last week kind of recent.”

There was a pause of silence, Maka had gone rigid as she looked to him, and Soul waited for what he said to dawn on her. “There were no photos recovered when the officers searched the apartment,” she said, slowly. Soul had been worried that’d be the case, it’d make sense for Haruto to hide the evidence of his involvement in the kidnappings. Still, Maka’s brows furrowed together, her lips pulled back into a tight frown.

“Haruto kidnapped Amanda.”

He dipped his head, nodding in agreement. “Can’t see any other way he’d have so many photos of her. She looked happy, but—looking happy for a photo is one thing, it doesn’t mean much. What we do know is that he has Amanda,” Soul said, reaching out to take hold of her hand, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. “Right now he’s our only living known link to these kidnappings. We need to find him.”

Maka groaned, leaning, and pressing her face into his shoulder, twisting her hand to hold his in return. “Soul, I love you, but you don’t know how much more that complicates things right now.”

“Eh?”

Maka looked like she wanted to say more, but refrained as a quiet, nervous knock came from the door. Both weapon and meister turned to the doorway, the gentleness gathering on Maka’s face not going unnoticed by Soul. He was curious, though, to see who could be coming to visit him. Elijah surely wouldn’t have gotten such a warm expression from her unless something happened while the two were checking out corpses together.

He ran his hand through his hair, trying to make it look maybe not so much of a sloppy, lame mess for whoever was coming in, still curious. But his curiosity was answered quickly enough.

Soul dropped his hand back to his lap, staring at the doorway, surprised and just a bit happy, though mostly just surprised. “You’re awake,” Crona was standing awkwardly in the doorway with, oddly enough, a bouquet of flowers, though some looked missing, like a certain weapon took to plucking from the bundle just to be a nuisance. “I can go, if you were in the middle of something.”

“No,” Soul said, smiling and offering the other side of his bed for them. “Come on, stay. You’re not interrupting anything too important, and your company would be a breath of fresh air compared to hers.” He jabbed his chin in Maka’s direction, his grin growing at her insulted injection.

Crona looked relieved, stepping into the room, and still holding onto the flowers with long, trembling fingers, like they weren’t quite sure what to do with them now that the bouquet was in the room. “I brought—I thought I would bring you something. Carnations are okay, right? Ragnarok wanted to eat the flowers, he, ah, got a few, sorry.” They were rambling, edging closer to the bed, to Soul and Maka.

“I was trying to save him the embarrassment of having to accept such a lame gift!” Ragnarok sprouted from Crona’s back, leaning lazily against their frame as they made an attempt to swipe the bouquet again, only for Maka to reach out and swat his tiny fist out of the way. The weapon stuck his tongue out at her as she took the flowers from Crona, placing them in an empty vase beside the bed and let his unnatural eyes fall back on Soul. “You look fine. What, you got so soft that you’re hospitalized by just a single hit?”

Soul rolled his eyes, despite Ragnarok’s word, there was no animosity to it. “Sorry, not all of us are made of black blood,” he retorted, before patting the side of the bed once more, waiting until Crona had taken a seat. Ah, both S. O’s with him again, he’d missed that. Would have been better if it hadn’t taken a hospital trip for the early reunion. But beggars can’t be choosers. “What are you two doing here? You didn’t fly all the way down here just for me, did you?”

There it was again. That tension. The same one Maka had before they had been interrupted, the kind that told Soul that he was horribly out of the loop of something big.

“You don’t know yet?” Crona asked.

Maka sighed, burying her hands in her face. “I was about to tell him,” she said, and then quickly, apologetically, held a handout to Crona before they could say anything. “No, no, you didn’t interrupt. It’s actually better that you’re here for it.”

“R-Really?”

“Yeah!” She confirmed, reaching over Soul to hold Crona’s hand. “You know more of the bigger picture than I do. You’ve got more you could tell him than me. Save him from the whole debriefing he’s going to need from the Captain.”

Soul normally wouldn’t mind it. Maka was better at boosting Crona’s morale when they got into the self-blame territory than Soul was. But maybe right now wasn’t the best time when their conversation was only leaving him with more questions. “Okay, can someone explain to me what’s going on? I’d like to not be out of the loop.”

A squeak of surprise and a muttered apology, the two separated. Soul rolled his eyes and nestled into his pillows, trying to find a comfortable way to sit before turning to Maka. “You said the whole thing with Haruto is complicating things,” he said, and then turned to Crona, “And the way you’re acting, I don’t think you came down just to check up on me. So, one of you want to tell me what’s going on?”

Only a pause, and then they told him. Maka explained the connection the murder had with a case Elijah worked a few years back, Crona explained the similarities the murder had with the killer his team’s been chasing after. They told him of the missing hearts, the torture, of the profiles Interpol made, and the victims from the London case. Of the differences they had, but how the similarities were too much to just overlook.

They told him everything they had known.

And when they were done, Soul’s head was spinning more than it had when he awoke.

He stared at them, and took in a deep, even breath, and stared at them some more. His mind was still processing, the loading bad still inching along like an old internet browser. Then, he raised his head to stare ta the ceiling, at the fan lazily spinning above.

“You weren’t kidding when you said this complicates things,” Soul confessed.

The Podcast Killer. Possibly the culprit behind the London murders some five or so years back. Notorious international serial killer who neither Interpol nor the DWMA had caught yet. A sadistic, violent killer. Who may very well be Haruto Arakawa. While Haruto himself may even be involved in the kidnappings going on in the region for the past few years.

Child kidnapper, international serial killer.

Were the cases truly by the same man? Or had they simply crossed paths and become intwined? It was hard to accept that they had been around a serial killer, that they had crossed paths with him multiple times and never once actually, genuinely suspected him of anything.

But that was the point of the mask, was it not? Whoever the guy was, ‘Haruto Arakawa’ was never meant to arouse suspicion.

But, if that was the case—why hadn’t he killed Soul? Why hadn’t he killed Watson? He had the opportunity, and he was already identified as a killer by a witness, there was nothing for him to lose, just kill the two and flee, take on a new name and a new face, and he could easily slip into hiding once more.

Souls head began hurting once more. This was too much to think about so soon after waking up, too much to process. Too many theories, possibilities, too many what-if’s racing through his head.

“Soul, get some rest,” Maka said, gentling pushing him back to lay down as she and Crona got off the bed. She must have noticed his tiredness, though it was probably a side effect of whatever painkillers the docs had him on. Was he on painkillers? “Just, get some sleep, we’ll come back to this once you’re up and ready again.”

Crona pulled the blanket up to his shoulders, offering a small smile, worried and concerned, but a smile. “We’re going to find him, okay? We’re not letting him get away, not—not after what he’s done. So you need to rest, so that you can join Maka in the field.”

He groaned, but his eyes were already feeling heavy. “Got it,” he muttered.

Their voices began to drift away, though they were still in the room with him. His head ached; his ears had an incessant ringing to them. His mind flashed to that moment in the apartment, to those vivid green eyes he saw before passing out, the pain as the bat struck his skull, the wild look in those eyes.

Who was Haruto?

[rainbowwritesthings]

Racing Hearts

Akira is an omega seven months pregnant. Each chapter will contain a different pairing. First Chapter is Ryuji.

AO3 link-------http://archiveofourown.org/works/11158509/chapters/24900945

It had been a long and tiring day for Akira, Leblanc had recently grown in it’s popularity and the usual's had been there as well, the day was only made more exhausting by the child that wouldn’t stop moving inside him.

With a sigh he rubbed the spot on his side that had most recently been attacked and received a few pitying stares from his patrons. One elderly woman even went so far as to ask if he needed to sit down, he had politely refused of course, but the sentiment was not lost on him.

The other looks he received were less well meant, and he heard someone loudly ask their companion what kind of mate would leave a pregnant omega alone this day in age.

Even Morgana couldn’t help but scoff at that notion, “if only they knew what you were capable of.” Akira smiled at that, then shook his head when someone questioned him about a meow.

The day dragged on until it was only an hour until he could close, he would admit to being a little disappointed he hadn’t seen Ryuji, but knew that the alpha had been helping out a struggling student lately.

“Hey, hasn’t that guy in the booth been here awhile?” There was no question about who Morgana was talking about, the café had emptied out twenty minutes ago until only Akira, Morgana and the mystery man remained.

Looking down at the cat he nodded, he was getting a weird vibe from the man as well. Instinctively he moved into a battle position when the man looked over at him, trying to play it off he went to clean a nearby cup, making sure to keep him in the corner of his eye for any sudden movement.

Not a minute passed before that man made a move to stand when the door swung open to reveal a tired, yet cheerful Ann. “Sorry for coming in so late, but I’m about to drop!”

Seeing the alpha the man in the booth quickly made his leave, which only left a bad taste in Akira’s mouth. Ann blinked in surprise at the speedy departure, then she noticed how tense her old teammates seemed to be.

“What was that about?” Morgana jumped up on the counter, something he could only do when it was empty. “Lady Ann thank goodness you're here, that man was up to no good.”

This visibly shocked the blonde and she looked back at the door, as if waiting for him to show back up, “really?” Akira knew that if anyone else were to come in that both Morgana and Ann would be watching them too closely so he went over and flipped the sign to show the café was closed.

“What did he say?” Ann asked, she was relieved that Akira was closing early, not just because of a potential threat but also because the man looked exhausted. Morgana shook his head, “he didn’t really say a whole lot, just asked for coffee. Though he kept staring at Akira, especially his stomach, in a really weird way.”

“Maybe pregnant people turn him on.” Akira grabbed two glasses of water and gave one to Ann before sitting down himself.

“I mean I guess that might be it, but it’s still a little scary. I mean three pregnant omegas have disappeared now, and you aren’t as capable to kick but as normal. Is Futaba feeling any better, I know she’s been sick but it has been a week. Or maybe Haru can come back from America early?”

The thought of someone hurting one of her closest friends had Ann bristling, but she knew it would be better if one of the actual Leblanc employees came back rather than her act as a guard dog.

Akira shook his head, “Futaba’s still has a fever and I’m not going to interrupt Haru’s business trip for something that may not even be a problem.” Morgana cast a sympathetic look towards Ann, this type of stubbornness was what he’d been dealing with for a week now.

“What about the boss, or even Ryuji?” Morgana knew what the answer would be but still had to at least try.

“Sojiro’s retired and Ryuji is already busy enough teaching.” Akira grabbed the two now empty glasses and stood to go refill them. Only for his vision to tunnel when he actually got up, and his head began to pound, he heard Ann’s voice from far away he felt himself blackout.

He heard Ann and Morgana calling to him, yet they sounded so far away and drowned out by his own heartbeat. As the sounds grew louder he noticed other things, like how badly his shoulder, back and head hurt.

Or that he felt nauseous and was covered in sweat, cracking an eye open he was overwhelmed by the bright light attacking him and let out a small groan before stirring. “Akira?! Oh thank god, the ambulance is on their way.”

He recognized that as Ann but was confused as to why she sounded so panicked, and the ambulance comment threw him off. After a pause he jolted up, hand flying to his stomach and felt a rush of relief when he felt a flutter of movement to signify that the child was alright.

That relief was short lived when a wave of dizziness attacked him and he was thankful that Ann was there to keep him upright. “Take it easy, Akira. Maybe you should wait until paramedics get here before trying to do anything.”

Akira nodded but didn’t remove his hand from it’s place on his head, soon he heard the signature sound of sirens and after making sure he would be ok, Ann went to lead them in. The prognoses had Akira burying his head in his hand for a different reason; anemia , stress, standing up too quickly was a good recipe for passing out, the kind paramedic informed him.

They offered to take him to the hospital but he shot them down, going to the hospital for something as simple as poor nutrition would just be embarrassing. That and he was hoping that they would leave before Ryuji came back, as if summoned Ryuji turned the corner on his way to the café.

He heard an odd whisper about an ambulance and unconscionably picked up his pace, soon he was staring at an ambulance and his heart dropped. Without thinking he began sprinting towards it, his fear spiked when he saw Ann standing close to it.

When she saw him she looked annoyed by his absence, but at seeing his face she immediately went into damage control mode. “Ryuji don’t freak out, he doesn’t need you stressing him out-”

Her human blockade failed when Ryuji shoved past her, ignoring her entirely, he didn’t slow down until he saw his mate sitting in the back of the truck. Soon enough Akira was being squished in between two strong arms, a nose buried firmly in the crook of his neck.

“God I thought my heart was goin’ to stop. Are you ok? What happened?” Akira rubbed his back gently, “I'm ok, just stood up too fast and blacked out.” Ryuji leaned back to look him in the face, “seriously? You can pass out ‘cause of that?”

Akira rubbed the back of head and shrugged, “well there’s some other stuff too.” Ryuji’s face fell, “shit, I should home sooner. God I suck at this.” Akira frowned, “were you helping out Yukio-chan again?”

Ryuji nodded, “yeah, her dad blew up at her again and I’m the only teacher that’ll listen to any of the kids.” Akira nodded, “so you should keep coming home late.” At seeing the look at confusion he continued, “that’s why you became a teacher wasn’t it? To listen and help the students that no one else would?”

Ryuji nodded, “yeah, but I shouldn't be ignoring my mate for, like anything. Especially when you're, like seven months pregnant.” Akira leaned forward and gave the alpha a kiss, meanwhile Ann was standing with one of the Paramedics.

“Let’s give them another minute.”

Tell me what you thought. Also what pairing next?