#horikoshi never pick up the pen again and if you even think about trying to write another abuse victim

[kurgy]

[makeste]

BnHA Chapter 324: Is There a Force Field Around Him??

Previously on BnHA: Flashback!Rat Principal was all “please tell Midoriya that I spent a concerningly small amount of money upgrading U.A. into a wacky physics-defying funtime grid so as to make the final battle much more confusing for everyone.” Present Day!Mic (or Present!Mic, if you will) and Jeanist were all “if only somebody could deescalate this dangerously unhinged mob, we’ve tried nothing and we’re all out of ideas.” Ochako was all “LISTEN UP PEOPLE.” The mob was all, “god??” Ochako was all, “NO, IT’S ME, OCHAKO. I’M REALLY HIGH UP ON THIS BUILDING AND THE VISIBILITY IS LOW DUE TO THE RAIN, SO I CAN SEE HOW YOU MIGHT MAKE THAT MISTAKE. ANYWAYS, DEKU WAS OUT THERE RISKING HIS LIFE FOR YOU CLOWNS EVEN THOUGH HE’S JUST A KID, SO I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IF YOU COULD ALL REMEMBER HOW TO BE DECENT HUMAN BEINGS, THANKS.” Let’s see if her Big Scolding Energy has any impact.

Today on BnHA: Horikoshi is all “so I have this speech planned out, and it’s really good, but it also only really needs about 6 to 8 pages, but I’m gonna see if I can stretch it out to 17 pages so I can kill time before we get to the next volume cliffhanger two weeks from now.” Anyway but it really is a good speech though. There are feels, and tears, and more talk about how Deku is so in need of a shower that just looking at him requires a tetanus booster, and more feels, and more tears, and bonus ship drama, and an iconic callback to the very first chapter which reframes the entire series in a new context in a totally epic and moving way, and it’s all very good. Except that Horikoshi is determined to never let anyone actually give this kid a hug. Who hurt you, dude.

omg we are opening on a callback to chapter 212, a.k.a. the chapter with by far the cutest flashback that doesn’t involve any baby Todorokis

baby Ochako is lethally cute. she could literally murder someone with her cuteness. I just want to scoop her up and play airplane with her until she accidentally activates her quirk while we’re spinning around and we both helicopter up into the air never to be seen again

“a child’s insistence” huh well that’s all well and good, but I sure hope this doesn’t mean we’re going to drag out the whole “sternly lecture the obnoxious citizens” plot for another whole chapter. no offense but I think we’re good

so page 2 is just continuing the whole happy/worried faces monologue, which of course is very important to Ochako’s character as it provides the context for why “who protects the heroes” ended up becoming her thing. and this is making me think we actually are in for a whole second chapter of this sob. when will my boy finally get to rest

OH MY GOD SUDDENLY THESE PEOPLE HAVE EYES IMAGINE THAT

HORIKOSHI: [reaches for a box of tissues while tearfully penning an homage to his beloved Spider-Man 2, specifically the train scene where the crowd sees Peter without his mask and they suddenly realize just how young he is]

HORIKOSHI’S HOMAGE SCENE: “COME TO THINK OF IT, I GUESS IT WAS KIND OF MEAN FOR US TO PICK ON THIS TEN YEAR OLD KID WHO WEIGHS 75 POUNDS AND LOOKS LIKE HE LOST A FIGHT WITH SATAN’S MOLDY OLD BASEMENT”

lol at this one guy who can feel the mood of the crowd shifting and is all “WAIT, NO, I WANTED TO KEEP BEING AN ASSHOLE DAMMIT”

as many pointed out last week, this man is wearing an All Might shirt. that’s some fantastic irony there

-- SDKFJWIGKS

“LITTLE GIRL, I HOPE YOU’RE NOT SUGGESTING THAT WE SHOULD ALL BE WALKING AROUND DRESSED LIKE A SOVIET-ERA BUS STOP.” heh. last week I said I was ashamed of BnHA being my favorite manga. that was a lie, actually

(ETA: in the original Japanese Ochako’s next two lines are basically “the only ones covered in mud will be us heroes!” followed by “please give us some time to get rid of the mud”, with that second line basically being the single funniest thing I’ve ever read rdslkjl. Ochako thank you so much for supporting my running gags. “YEAH WE KNOW HE’S DIRTY. WE ARE GONNA TRY AND CLEAN HIM UP, BUT IT MAY TAKE A WHILE, I’M JUST SAYING. I MEAN LOOK AT HIM. HE LOOKS LIKE AN ASBESTOS COSPLAY.”)

doesn’t the megaphone kind of look ever so slightly like an axe that she’s wielding maniacally here

easy there Lizzie Borden

also that’s a really bold claim to make there. and not one she necessarily should have to make, either. but as we all know, there’s nothing that shounen manga likes more than having its heroes bravely hoist heavy burdens of responsibility like good self-sacrificing citizens

p.s. lowkey loving how Kacchan is positioned here standing slightly behind Deku. not presuming to stand in front of him all overprotectively (because he would hate if anyone ever did that to him), and kind of being unobtrusive and letting others take center stage -- but still being close enough to Deku that he can catch him if he stumbles or passes out again

(ETA: or maybe not lmao.

DEKU: [falls to his knees]

KACCHAN: [glancing up from his phone a few minutes later] “someone just sent me the stupidest meme about milk crates -- oh. uh. you good...?”

really, son. “the burdens you can’t carry, we’ll carry them for you. ...later, I mean. right now it’s late, and we’re all cold and wet.”)

also lowkey loving this OchaTsu moment here

I was going back and binging Ochako chapters this past week for reasons, and I gotta say it really stuck out to me just how often these two are paired with each other. they do everything together. it’s a really sweet friendship that often goes unappreciated but it’s very cute

meanwhile, not to be outdone by the OchaTsu, Iida is staring at Ochako with open admiration talking about how she’s fighting too. it’s been so long since we’ve had any IidaRaka you guys. I was starving and I didn’t even know it

oh my lord IT’S FINALLY HAPPENING

THE LIGHT IS BACK. he finally looks like him again. what a cathartic fucking moment omg

ffklkdw

“I KNOW YOU ARE ALL SCARED, BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS, WE DEFINITELY CANNOT GUARANTEE YOUR SAFETY AND WE ARE ALL SCARED TOO!” good pep talk there kiddo

BUT, jokes aside, truth be told this is the exact right approach to take imo, and something that’s long overdue. I’ve said this before, but this new generation of heroes is shaping up to be much more transparent than the All Might generation. they’re basically abandoning the almighty, untouchable Superman “heroes as gods” concept in favor of the more nuanced “heroes as people” concept instead. and that’s a good thing. seeing their heroes as humans, with human limitations and weaknesses and flaws, will hopefully not only lead to more scrutiny and accountability, but also more awareness of how hard some of them are working and how much they’re sacrificing. that’s something All Might never quite grasped back at the start of the series -- that the weak, vulnerable, injured him could be just as inspiring as the mighty, invincible him -- perhaps even more so. there’s a power in seeing otherwise ordinary people show extraordinary bravery and compassion. it inspires others to try and do the same

SSDLHK AIZAWA SIGHTING AAHHHHHH

so he was still back at the hospital this whole time?? smdh at this disrespect. that feeling when your sexy self-insert character’s powers of rationality are too strong, and so you have to nerf him so that he doesn’t ruin your Deku Angst arc twice over by (1) immediately talking some sense into Deku and making him come home Right This Instant Young Man, and (2) not allowing him to leave U.A. in the first fucking place. excuse me, you want to do WHAT now, Midoriya?? that’s it, go to your room

also living for Katsuki and Hawks’s soft expressions. Shouto’s too, although his is tinier and harder to see. and Jeanist’s 12-foot-long neck. imagine Jeanist’s head with Mic’s hair. maybe Jeanist had a mohawk back in the day and that’s why U.A.’s doors are so big now

speaking of soft faces, Enji’s is also excellent

what could this random close-up possibly imply?? hell if I know. but Horikoshi truly fears no discourse and that’s what I love about him

OMGGGG

“smh my child is so dumb.” poor Ochadad. your child is cute af count your blessings

SDOFFHSMH

I’m telling you guys. lethally, catastrophically cute

this speech is still ongoing lol. Horikoshi you’re doing so good but I think we get the point now my dude. you gotta learn how to transition out of these things

UNEXPECTED TOGA WHAT

“there we go” Horikoshi says, crossing off the last line on his list of Ochako ships. “that’s all of ‘em”

poor Ochako is just repeating the same “LET HIM REST, PLEASE, WITH EVERYONE’S COOPERATION, IF YOU DON’T MIND, WE APPRECIATE IT” talking points over and over again hoping someone will throw her a bone and acknowledge her already. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP HER

literally they’re all just staring up at her silently omg. work with me people!!

now she’s saying it for the 56th time but more dramatically all of a sudden

they got so dramatic that for a minute I thought she had suddenly leaped off the building or something

look, not to rush you or anything Horikoshi, but I’m starting to get the feeling that this is yet another one of those “the volume is ending soon so I need to either hurry things up or slow things down in order to make sure we end it on my perfect cliffhanger ending” chapters where you go to ridiculous lengths to drag things out much to the exasperation of your week-to-week readers

(ETA: ftr, volume 31 ended on chapter 306, and I’m predicting that vol. 32 will end with chapter 316 (a.k.a. “you’re next!” [explodes]). I’m guessing vol. 33 will follow suit and likely end on chapter 326, so keep your eyes peeled for a big cliffhanger in two weeks’ time. Deku’s dad?? All Might in peril?? U.A. traitor at long fucking last?? we shall see.)

is Deku straight up falling in love with Ochako right on the spot lol what is happening

I know I just said that I enjoy when Horikoshi gives zero fucks about discourse, but shipping discourse is a whole different beast lol. I hope he’s prepared

(ETA: and for the record, I have no interest in shipping discourse either, as always. and I think this scene can be interpreted as platonic, tbh, with the context being that Ochako was literally introduced as someone who was willing to help him so casually without a second thought, and now here she is saving him again.

I don’t think it really fully hit Deku until this moment how much he needed saving. like I said in another meta somewhere, selflessness is basically just selfishness on behalf of others. and Deku is selfless to a fault, but that’s okay, and it doesn’t mean he needs to change -- he just needs friends who are willing to be be selfish on his behalf in turn. and I think the full emotion of what it means to have friends like that just hit him at last. everything his friends have done for him, how much he needed it and didn’t even realize, and how grateful he is. anyways what a terrible day for rain.)

-- son of a --

is he apologizing?? or pleading?? please tell me that’s not the case, because what the actual fuck. Deku you beautiful precious radiant selfless child, this is the exact opposite of how this should be. all these motherfuckers should be on their knees apologizing to you

DEKU WHY

I DIDN’T ASK FOR THIS FREAKING BOMBARDMENT OF EMOTIONS GODDAMIT. OUT HERE ARMED WITH YOUR FREAKING TREBUCHET OF FEELS TO LAUNCH AT ME UNPROVOKED. WHAT’S WITH THAT

FREAKING CHRIST. THIS BOY IS CRYING HIS EYES OUT AND HORIKOSHI IS JUST ZOOMING IN WITH THE CAMERA, LIKE CAN WE JUST CUT HIM A BREAK ALREADY. ENOUGH OF THIS. HE’S SO YOUNG AND HE TRIES SO HARD AND I JUST NEED HIM TO FEEL SAFE, HORIKOSHI PLEASE CAN YOU JUST GIVE ME THAT ALREADY WHAT IS THE FREAKING HOLD UP!!

GIGANTIC FOX LADY!!!

GIGANTIC FOX LADY PLEASE BE MY HUGGER BY PROXY!! SERIOUSLY GIRL IF YOU JUST HOLD YOUR UMBRELLA OVER HIM OR SOMETHING AND DON’T GO THE EXTRA MILE I’M ABOUT TO LODGE AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINT. THIS IS GETTING RIDICULOUS NOW

!!!!

A KOUTA IS GOOD TOO!!! oh my god if Kouta hugs him I will seriously 100% straight up cry. go on and test me

FOR THE LOVE OF --

is this man expressly forbidden from drawing hugs in his contract or something. DO YOU DO IT JUST TO SPITE ME?? this is tyranny, sir

AND I KNOW, THIS PAGE ACTUALLY CHALLENGED THE VERY PREMISE OF THE SERIES ITSELF, AND HERE I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT HUGS, OR THE LACK THEREOF. “this is the story of how we all became the greatest heroes.” and just like that, he waves a polite middle finger at all of the Strongest Greatest Chosen One shounen protags of old, in favor of something much less conventional, much more interesting, and much more suited to Deku’s character. because if that one sentence doesn’t just sum up Deku to a T. he gladly relinquishes his Greatest Hero status in favor of acknowledging the hero in everyone. what a class act. that’s my protagonist

I love this kid so fucking much I swear. only just PLEASE. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. GIVE HIM HIS HUG

[adminbryantsaki]

Tick Tock

(Hello there, I’m back with the Bnharem’s collab. This month is a Soulmate’s AU. I picked Aizawa. And decided to throw Hizashi at him then throw them into a closet to see what the results are. I hope you enjoy what I put together for you all. I don’t own Shouta Aizawa/ Eraserhead or Hizashi Yamada/ Present Mic. Horikoshi Kohei does. Here is where you can read all the other stories and art done for this collab. And here is my own master list. The banner was made by @nocturnalazura. If this isn’t your cup of tea, blend of spices, or brew of coffee, move on.)

Tw: ABO, mentioning of a heat/rut cycle, mentioning of male pregnancy, slightly abusive household.

Wc: 3,683

Aizawa stared at the timer on his forearm. It read about a week left before he would meet his soulmate. He had the entrance exam to U.A in a week. Would he meet his soulmate then? He didn’t know and at the moment he didn’t really care. He heard his dad call him to come down for breakfast before he sent him off to go training. He didn’t want to go training. He wanted to lay in bed and not have anything to do and not have to go anywhere.

“Shouta! Time for breakfast!” His dad called from the base of the stairs. He groaned and slid out of his bed and stumbled into the bathroom to get changed and help his brain wake up a bit before he had to face his father. He looked at the little bright green and red moon on the underside of his left wrist. He was glad that it was still there. He noticed some music notes appear on his arm like on a music sheet. He was a little confused by it but waved it off as something his soulmate doing. He finished getting dressed and pulled on a hoodie to hide the writing on his arm. He walked downstairs where his family was sitting having breakfast.

“Good morning, Shouta. Did you sleep well?” His mom asked as he sat down at the table. “I slept fine.” He spoke as he served himself some eggs and miso soup. He ate in silence before his father lowered his newspaper and addressed him. “Son, did you see that other boy in your dreams again?” He asked with a hint of venom in his voice that his son’s soulmate was another male. Shouta remained silent and looked at the moon tattoo on the inside of his wrist.

“Well? Did you or not? Answer when you’re spoken to, Shouta.” His father said harshly.

“Yes, I saw him again. I see him every night, dad. You need to get used to the fact that my soulmate is another guy!” Shouta retorted.

“Finish your food and get to training. You have to be ready for your entrance exam into U.A.” His father spoke. Shouta remained silent and ate his breakfast. He finished quickly and put his dishes into the sink before he went downstairs and began to warm up. He focused on the days counting down to when he would meet his soulmate and he could get to be free from his family.

§§§§§

Across town, Hizashi was walking down the street to a café that he liked to spend his time after school. He would mostly do his studying there or write out a script for a potential talk show he wanted to have one day. He also likes to draw so he would take his sketchbook and doodle as he thought of ideas for the talk show. He was waiting for his drink since the café’s policy was that you needed to buy something off of their menu to be able to hang out there. Hizashi didn’t have the best relationship with his parents and he seemed like a quiet kid. This was all because of his quirk. His quirk was connected to his voice, and he had a hard time controlling it. He came out of the womb with his quirk in effect. His parents were wary of him growing up and being frustrated or angry. That’s when his voice would get out of control and people within range of him would get injured. He hated hurting people that he cared about so unless he was in his room or their basement that his parents had soundproofed, he remained quiet and hardly spoke in case his quirk activated. He doodled music notes on his arm, not knowing that his soulmate was seeing them. A waitress came over with his drink and he silently thanked them and covered the mark on his neck as he received his drink. The mark that he covered was the Greek letter Alpha. He didn’t want anyone to think that he or his soulmate was an Alpha. He took a sip of his drink and pulled his sketchbook out along with his pencil. He closed his eyes and began to draw.

§§§§§

After Shouta warmed up, he decided to go on a run. This helped him think and clear his mind after his dad upset him.

When his tattoo appeared on his wrist when he was about 10, he was confused and showed his parents. They told him that the moon meant his partner would be a Luna. He was lucky that his soulmate was a Luna as they were rare in the world. His father was just as confused as he was and asked what a Luna was as he had never heard of one. His father took him to a doctor to have it explained. The doctor explained that a Luna was like an Alpha but they were able to conceive and have a litter like some Betas and Omegas did. His dad let out a sigh of relief that day that his son would be able to produce an heir. What if he didn’t want kids? What would happen then? Shouta tried to shake the thoughts out of his mind as he ran around the block again before he went inside. He grabbed his wallet and left the house saying that he would be back by dinner. He walked to his favorite park where several cats he knew hung out there. He went to the swing set and sat lazily on one of the swings before an orange tabby cat came up to him and brushed up against his leg. He reached down and petted its head and smiled. “You’re lucky to be free and not be tied down by a stupid quirk and a greedy father.” He spoke. The cat meowed and sat down. He slid down from the swing and scratched the cat’s head which he got meows of approval. He stayed there with the cat for a little while before he got hungry. He went to the sandwich shop down the road that he had gone to before, unaware of the cat now following him. He entered the shop and noticed the cat trying to sneak in. He knelt down and addressed the cat. “You have to wait out here, baby. I’ll bring something out for you.” He told the cat. They stayed and he went inside. He came back out a few minutes later with a fish sandwich that he shared with the cat. He then walked around town just to kill time before it grew dark. That’s when he began to head home. He walked through the front door and went up to his room just before his mom called him down to wash up. He washed his hands then helped set the table and helped his mom bring food to the table before he sat down. His dad was either down in the den or at work. He hardly was around, and when he was, he would say something rude to either him or his mom. He thanked his mom for working so hard and served himself some of the food. He ate in silence before his mom spoke to him. “How was your day out, Shouta?” She asked as they ate. “It was good. I met a new cat in the park. They followed me to the sandwich shop and I fed them part of tuna sandwich before I just walked around town.” He said in a neutral tone before he took a drink of tea.

“That sounds like an eventful day.” She responded. Shouta nodded and finished his food. He put his plate in the sink before he went up to his room. He grabbed a washable marker and wrote something on his arm to his soulmate. “Hey. How was your day today?” He wrote. On Hizashi’s end, the words appeared on his forearm and he frantically looked around his general area to find some kind of pen or marker to respond. He found a marker and wrote back. “It was fine. Spent some time at a Café drawing. How was yours?” He responded. “My dad still doesn’t like that you’re a guy and that we see each other in our dreams every night.” “Don’t listen to him. We can be happy together when we meet. How long does your timer say?”

Aizawa pushed his sleeve up to see the timer now saying six days. “Six days and change. So, we meet sometime in the next week. I have the entrance exam to U.A. what about you?”

“I’m applying to go there too! I hope we both get in.”

“Me too. I’m going to try and get some sleep. I’ll see you in my dreams.”

“Ok. Sleep well, Shouta. I’ll be there soon.”

He smiled and got changed for bed. He then slid under his covers and closed his eyes. He went to the dreamscape where he typically saw Hizashi. He went about laying in a field of flowers where he would stay until Hizashi joined him. He looked up at the sky and saw that it was filled was with stars. He gazed at them for what felt like hours until he felt someone slide next to him. He looked over and saw Hizashi laying next to him. He smiled softly and held his hand.

“I missed you,” Aizawa spoke quietly. “I missed you too,” Hizashi responded. “Can we just lay here quietly?” He asked. The blonde nodded and he propped himself up on his elbow and ran his fingers through Aizawa’s hair. Shouta hummed and leaned into his touch. Hizashi rubbed circles on the base of his soulmate’s skull which earned him a satisfied groan. He stopped and pulled away as he was afraid that he had hurt him even in their dream realm. Shouta looked up at him confused. “Why’d you stop?” He asked. “I thought I hurt you.” “You didn’t, it felt good. Keep going, please.” Shouta told him. Hizashi sat up and crossed his legs in a sitting position. Shouta shifted so his head rested in his partner’s lap. Hizashi massaged his head until he dozed off and woke back up thanks to his alarm going off. He groaned and held his head. Waking up from the dreamscape like that usually left him in a bad mood and he had a headache. He looked at his phone and saw that it was Saturday. He could sleep in today. He slid back under the covers and went back to the dreamscape. He was lucky to find Hizashi still there looking a little bummed out. “Sorry about that, my alarm went off. I can sleep in today. That means we have more time together.” Shouta said with a soft smile. His partner grinned and hugged him. They laid out on the grass and relaxed. “When we meet in real life, can you do the head massaging thing on me?”

“Of course. I can’t wait to meet you.” He told him and ran his fingers through his soulmate’s hair. He hummed and eventually laid down next to him and held his hand.

“Goodnight, Shouta. I hope you have a good day.” He said before he closed his eyes. Shouta closed his eyes too and woke up to his alarm waking him up. He opened his eyes and pulled his blanket a little tighter before he got out of bed and packed a couple things before, he sneaked out his window and went down the street. He sat down on a bench while he waited for a bus. He pushed his sleeve up and grabbed a marker before he wrote something out on his arm. “I don’t think I can wait six days. I want to meet you now.”

“Aren’t we supposed to wait? What’s going on? Why do you want to rush your timer? Is it something with your dad again?”

“I’m tired of the routine. I want to meet you and spend time with you. It’s getting too hard to not be able to touch you and hold you close.” He wrote back and held his head in his hands. “I’d come to meet you but I have my last music class today. I’m sorry Shouta.” He wrote back. Shouta looked up as the bus pulled up. He got on and paid his fare. He didn’t care where he was going. He just wanted to be away from his parents and his house. He sat in the back of the bus and leaned back. He watched as a few more people boarded the bus and the bus began to drive off. He looked out the window and watched the buildings and landmarks go by. He rode on the bus for a couple of hours before he got off at the mall and spent the rest of the day there. He did catch the bus home knowing he would be scolded for leaving the house without a word. He snuck back into the house only to find his father sitting at the table.

“Shouta. Where have you been today?” He heard his father ask. “Out. I needed to get away from here.” He responded. “You could’ve at least checked in and told us you were alright. You had both me and your mother worried sick.” “I can understand why mom would be worried. But why you? Was it because I didn’t come down and have you give me some kind of training schedule that would take up my whole day? I just want to be a normal kid.” He spoke. “You aren’t normal, Shouta. You have a wonderful gift. Your mother and I want the best for you.” His father said. “Did you ever think that I want this? That I want to have to wear an eyepatch for weeks on end until I can control my quirk out of one eye? I’m tired of it! I want to have breaks! I want to be able to go out and have fun either on my own or be able to actually make friends, did you ever think of that? Do you even listen to my teachers when they’ve told you that I haven’t been able to make friends at school because they only want to be friends with me because of my quirk and that’s it!” He let out. “Go to your room.” His father said. “I plan to!” Shouta yelled before storming to his room and slamming the door shut. He changed into nightclothes and flopped onto his bed and stared at the ceiling until he fell asleep and went into the dreamscape. He met again with Hizashi that night and he told him what had gone on between him and his dad earlier that evening. Hizashi listened and played with his soulmate’s hair as he talked.

“We have what? Five more days until we see each other? We can make it through this, Sho. Don’t worry. “Hizashi spoke and smiled. Shouta sighed and relaxed with his head in the blonde’s lap.

“I’ll do my best not to. I’m just glad we get to see each other every night… I have a question. If we weren’t soulmates... do you think we would be friends?” Shouta asked.

“Yeah! I think we would.” Hizashi responded and kissed his forehead. Shouta gave him a soft smile before drifting back to sleep.

§§§§§

The next five days went by quickly and soon it was the morning of the exam. Shouta grabbed his gym bag and ran downstairs to eat some breakfast before his mom would drop him off at the gate of U.A. He glanced down at his arm and the timer said about half an hour. He was excited and his dad could sense it. “What are you so excited about today?” He asked. “I’m excited for the exam dad,” Shouta responded as he ate his cereal.

“There’s something else. Are you going to meet your soulmate?” He asked. Shouta froze and looked up at him. “How did you know?” He asked. “I was the same way before I met your mother. Good luck on the exam son, I hope you make a good first encounter with your soulmate.” He spoke. Shouta thanked him and his mom drove him up to the gate. Shouta got out and checked his timer again. Only twenty more minutes before he would run into Hizashi. He felt butterflies in his stomach as he was both nervous and excited at the same time. He also had the feeling of wanting to puke his breakfast up. “Good luck, Honey. I’ll be back when the exam is over. Just text me and I’ll be here.” His mom said. He nodded and walked into the school. He was led to the gymnasium where they were given the introduction and rules to the exam. He swore he could feel his soulmate in the room. He pushed his sleeve back again and only fifteen minutes remained. He grabbed a pen and wrote something. “Where are you? I swear I can feel you in the room with me.”

“I don’t think I can see you. It's too dark in here. What training ground are you on?”

Shouta checked the little card he received when he was registered.

“I’m in B, what about you?”

“I’m in the same one. I guess we will see each other out there then?”

“Yeah. I’ve been waiting my whole life for this.”

“Me too.”

The instructions were given out and all of the students were told to get changed into whatever they were going to wear for the exam. Shouta got changed into his workout clothes and a basic form of a kind of scarf he used in his training to capture villains. He practically ran to the fake city where his soulmate, himself, and a few hundred other hopeful students were hoping to get into this school. He arrived along with a few others and looked around the small group trying to spot the blonde hair of his soulmate. He checked his timer again and only five minutes remained. He groaned and watched as other kids like himself arrived. He watched his timer count down and reach the last thirty seconds before he squatted down and watched the numbers tick down to zero. Someone was standing over him and he knew that the person standing behind him was his soulmate. His eyes widened and he stood up. “Hizashi?”

“Hi, Shouta. It’s nice to finally meet you in person.” He spoke.

Shouta slowly turned around and saw his face. He raised his hands shakily and cupped his face. He didn’t care if people were watching them. He let his bottled-up emotions pour out and hug his soulmate. “Hey, hey. I’m glad we could finally meet too. The exam is gonna start soon. “I know I just never thought I’d get to meet you, even if the timer ran out.” He told him. He pulled away and held Hizashi’s hands and looked into his eyes. He felt a weight lifted off his shoulders.

“You ready to go get into U.A.?” Shouta asked.

“You bet. Let’s do this!” Hizashi responded. §§§§§

After the exam was over, they were told that they would get letters in the mail in a few weeks as to if they got into the school or not. The pair were leaving the school when Shouta’s stomach growled. “Do you want to grab some lunch? I know a good place around here.” Hizashi suggested. “Sure. Let me text my mom.” Shouta responded as he pulled his phone out and told his mom that he was going to get some food with Hizashi and she responded wishing them to have a good time. They held hands going down the mountain and to a café where they got some food. They sat down in the café and talked for a bit. Shouta looked intensely at his soulmate. “Do you have a symbol somewhere on your body? I have a red and green crescent moon on my wrist. I’m guessing it means that you’re a Luna?” He asked.

“Yeah. I got a little ‘a’ on my neck. I was told that it means you’re an Alpha. I was told when I hit puberty and my dynamic manifested was that I’m a Luna. I don’t know if you looked it up or not but it’s a variant of an Alpha.” He explained. Shouta looked a little confused and leaned back. “So, you’re like me. But not?” “I have both a rut and a heat. So, in the future, I can have kids if we ever want any.” He spoke. Shouta blushed hard and hid his face. He then ate his food. Then they spent the rest of the day together. Shouta even got to spend the night at Hizashi’s place that night.

A few weeks later they both got their acceptance letters into U.A. The both of them celebrated by having a sleepover and then getting supplies that they would need in class. The day of them going to U.A. inched closer as they grew more in love. Shouta did spend one heat cycle with Hizashi before school started and he marked him. The mark appeared as a simple cat head.

They walked into school hand in hand. They were in for one hell of a life together.

The end.

[quirkfics]

pretentious

word count: 6.3k

warnings: smut, dirty talk, doggystyle, aged up, Monoma and his attitude

pairing: Monoma Neito x Reader (gender neutral)

author’s note: You know what, I can’t be the only person to think that Monoma Neito admires Tuxedo Mask. Phantom Thief, okay, so Horikoshi says he likes Franco-Belgian comics, which, valid, comics!! But I think Monoma secretly wants to be as suave as a shoujo hero and nothing anyone says can change my mind

It's just a t-shirt, honestly. You're not a big follower of the hero circuit, but the merch they put out for Deku has some super sweet green lightning strikes. The t-shirt looks artsy and isn't in-your-face with his brand, it matches fairly well with most of your clothes, and the guy seems okay?  Actually, that's kind of untrue. He seems so ridiculously earnest and kind that watching his interviews is a bit painful sometimes. So what the hell, you bought one of his shirts. There had to be thousands of other people sporting the same thing, but as far as you know, you're the only one whose ever been openly mocked by a pro hero for wearing it. In front of a live newscaster, no less. "Excuse me?" You know you haven't heard wrong, and even if you had, you're fairly sure that the shock and confusion in the faces of the small crowd around you would have clued you in. You're not entirely sure what this hero is trying to accomplish either, dissing on a fellow pro's apparent fan. Maybe they have some kind of rivalry going on through the media? Whatever the reason, you don't exactly care, but he's fucking rude. "Honestly, how can you excuse yourself? Wearing merch from that has-been." He chuckles, shaking his blond head, and then reaches a hand out in your direction, his black coat snapping in the breeze as he beckons you forward. The crowd around you starts to part, leaving a clear path to the small cordoned off area for his interview. Yeah. You're pretty sure this is some kind of media stunt, and you're wishing you'd never stopped to see what was happening. "How about I-" he starts, voice smooth, but still mildly disdainful. No. You don't want any part of this. Ignoring him, you turn on your heel, relieved when the crowd lets you go without too much fuss. Some of the people are looking at you like you're crazy - a pro-hero had wanted to pull you into the limelight! But a handful of people good-naturedly reach out to pat your shoulders as you pass them by, complimenting your support of Deku. "Can't even be persuaded to listen?!" He calls out, though his voice sounds a bit strained. You shouldn't acknowledge him. You know it. You don't want any news footage of you screaming at some asshole pro-hero flying around the internet anywhere, but... Well. You can't stand people like that. You raise your hand in a wave, and very clearly flip him off. You hope you never see him again.

--- Part of you wonders if someone has hit with you some kind of unlucky quirk, because within the week, you run into Phantom Thief again. 

To be fair, the only reason you'd stopped at the merch stand was because the thought of that asshole made you want to vindictively buy more junk, never mind that you didn't need any of it. You've just picked up a little bobble-head, shaking it to see Deku's little wild haired head bounce about, when you realize that someone has stopped, too close, behind you. As soon as you glance over your shoulder, there he is, dressed in civilian clothes, smirking as he brushes his perfectly cut hair out of his face, all the better to meet your eyes. "It is you," he says, voice haughty, one eyebrow raised. The moment he spots the Deku bobble-head in your hand though, the smirk slowly morphs into a sneer. "You fans really are hopeless. Supporting someone so- Are, are you even listening to me?" You are, sort of, but you're too busy scanning the area for cameras or reporters to reply. Granted, you'd noticed that he wasn't in costume, but you don't trust this guy in the slightest. There has to be more to him stopping than just harassing someone for their choice in hero memorabilia. It can't be good publicity, being so rude, but what do you know? You can't spot anyone, but Phantom Thief is stepping back into your line of vision. "Hello?" He demands. "No cameras today?" You ask, turning to put the Deku bobble-head back on the merch stand. When you turn back to face him, he's staring at you with wide eyes, lips parted in confusion. "No?" But the way he says it is too much like a question for you to be comfortable. You sigh, step around him, and start down the street. You don't make it far, though you'd hoped he'd take the hint. The sudden cacophony of footsteps says he's jogging to catch up, probably scuffing his loafers on the pavement. "It's rude to ignore someone, you know. I was trying to-" "Rude?" You repeat, halting and feeling the heat of anger straighten your spine. He passes by you and nearly stumbles, hurriedly turning back to face you. "You know nothing about me! You picked me out of a crowd to try and goad me into arguing with you about hero merchandise in front of a live newscaster. I don't care if it's some media stunt, trying to play up animosity between you and Deku or something, but  why on earth would I want to engage in that nonsense?" "You thought that-" He starts, eyebrows raising, but you still want no part of this. You interrupt him, stepping into his personal space to poke him solidly in the chest. "I don't know what you have against the guy, if this is about ranking or you genuinely hate him - whatever." He takes a step back, but now he's looking over your shoulder, expression turning blank, and then almost serious, very clearly ignoring your presence. "But what kind of hero singles someone out to- And you accused me of not listening?" You scoff, ready to leave him there on the street. Getting into an argument with the guy isn't helping you, and you don't want to be an outlet for his anger either. Before you can walk away though, he's muttering something underneath his breath. "-isn't that wonderful?" You catch, before the honking starts. It's continuous, someone laying on their horn, a loud voice whooping and hollering - and then you hear the screams. Phantom Thief doesn't give you time to turn and look. He grabs you, hands around your biceps, and then hooks his foot around your ankle, pulling you into a rolling fall. It's simply a mess of noise and movement after that. You land on top of him in front of an open convenience store door, and before you can get your bearings, he's rolled the both of you into the shop, just in time for a truck to come barreling down the sidewalk. It takes out a trash can and a shop sign, knocking them willy-nilly about the street, and then speeds on by, followed quickly by a green blur. There's silence, for all of two seconds, before you realize that Phantom Thief is on top of you. His legs are bracketing your thighs, one of his hands is on the back of your neck, ostensibly to keep your head from being jarred, and he's smiling. You can't help yourself. You sound indignant, almost shrill, but what the actual fuck?? "Why on earth do you look so pleased with yourself?! We almost died!" "We didn't," he says instead, a smirk tugging at his lips. The excited look in those infuriating blue eyes of his has you clenching your teeth, though the way he's still pressed against you has you tempted to turn your face away. This entire time, you'd felt like something was off about him, but this feels almost... charged, in a way. You realize, after a moment, that your ears feel hot. Is it because- no. It's just that he hasn't moved. "Off," you growl at him, tensing when, instead of just getting up and leaving, he pulls you up with him. He's still too god damn close, but he doesn't react when you take a pointed step back. "Precious Deku didn't save you, did he?" He asks, still smirking, his cheeks just the slightest bit pink. "I did." This. This is getting ridiculous. You're about to lay into him, you're shaking, with adrenaline, with rage- and then his phone rings. He answers it speedily, half turning from you as he mutters quietly into the device, and then sighs as he hangs up a few seconds later. "It's such a shame. But it looks like my expertise is required elsewhere." He pats at his ridiculously pressed polo shirt, still immaculate despite rolling the both of you around on the ground, and pulls out a small pen. He doesn't ask, just grabs your hand and starts writing, talking all the while. "I'm Monoma Neito, out of costume, and all I was trying to say the other day is that I think you'd look wonderful if only you weren't wearing that travesty of a shirt. By all means, support Deku, he.. works, doesn't he? But I would be happy if-" His phone rings again, and now Monoma is rolling his eyes. He caps his fancy little pen and squeezes your hand. "Work never stops, does it? Regardless, I'll be waiting." Monoma Neito, Phantom Thief, whatever, he has the audacity to wink at you as he strolls out the doors, but it isn't until a lanky store cashier stops next to you that you really realize this entire encounter was him trying to... flirt? "Sure is smooth, isn't he?" The cashier asks, smiling at you lopsidedly. When you stare at him blankly for a moment, the cashier motions to your hand. Written, in fairly nice penmanship, for someone scribbling on skin, is: Monoma Neito, drinks this evening at 6 As well as his phone number and... You're pretty sure he drew a pair of Tuxedo Mask goggles. --- There are a million things wrong with this entire ordeal. Monoma obviously has some kind of complex, and regardless of his intentions, good or bad, he still comes off as rude and uncaring of others feelings. He's insulted you in front of a crowd, and face to face in front of the merch stand. Okay, so he'd saved your life, sure, but he didn't ask if you were single, or even if you were interested in dating someone. He's full of himself, and agreeing to go out isn't a smart idea. You know this. He's not exactly unattractive, though, and you've definitely... noticed. That rush of warmth, ears and neck growing hot, yeah. He'd pushed a few good buttons. Except you can't just forget about everything else he's done, and you really don't want to give him any kind of upper hand. Are you really going to do this? It's 4PM when you open your text messages, type in his number, and then stare at the cursor. I have plans this evening, you start. You don't, but he doesn't know that. He doesn't even know your name. Maybe he's just calling you 'That cute one in the Deku shirt', and if he has a complex about the guy, you can.. Sort of see why he'd be such an ass. Whatever. I have plans this evening, and I'm not getting drinks with anyone who doesn't have basic manners. I'll give you a chance next Thursday, over coffee. There. That sounds reasonable and gives you the moral high ground, right? Before you can chicken out and maybe just replace it all with a 'flipping off' emoji, you hit send. My treat, comes in a text before you can even set your phone down. I'll admit I haven't been as civilized as this kind of interaction calls for, but I assure you, my manners are immaculate. You'll see. Time will tell, you fire back. I haven't exactly been impressed. And yet, I still have your attention. It's just my hair, isn't it? You stare at the text for a bit, wondering if you should keep up the conversation or not. Before you can decide, he's texted you again. Ah, no response. Not the hair then. Maybe you're just looking forward to giving me a piece of your mind? You don't exactly make it difficult to want that, you know. Shit. You guess.. You are going to talk to him. For a few minutes anyway. You won't forget about me, this way. You're a pro hero! Even as someone with minimal knowledge of the hero circuit, it's impossible to forget about you all when you live in the city. Maybe, but I want you to remember Me. Specifically. I remembered you. You don't even know my name. Have you just been calling me 'That Deku Fan'? Hardly. I don't want to think about his name in conjunction with a face I've admired. Tell me your name. You're a bad liar. You end up giving him your name - and way too much of your time. You've been texting on and off for the better part of the past two hours, when you think that you should stop. You're supposed to have plans, after all, and despite how infuriatingly engaging he is, you don't want to deal with questions about what exactly, you're going to do with your "busy" evening. Monoma says good evening without kicking up too much of a fuss, which, after everything you find a little odd. And then your doorbell rings. You're halfway to it before you halt, glancing down uneasily at your phone. He was an ass and he knew how to draw you into a heated discussion, but you hadn't actually thought he was stalker-ish. You're.. Not at my door, are you? You fire off, as quick as possible, before someone knocks again. I don't know where you live. Are you joking? It should be reassuring. Maybe it's a neighbor, maybe someone is trying to make a delivery to the wrong address? You've gotten the creeps though, and you clutch your phone tightly as you walk over to look through the peephole. It's.. a very short delivery woman, balancing a basket on her hip. And you feel stupid, now. "Uh, hi?" You say, unlocking and opening the door mid-way. "Hi!" She beams at you, brandishes a clipboard and says your name. "Is that you?" "Yeah, that's me. Is-" Your phone buzzes in your hand, but the delivery woman is already checking something off on her clipboard and then asking you to sign it. She hands off the basket, wrapped in cellophane, as soon as you're done signing, and then she's gone after a chipper goodbye. Your phone buzzes again, so you close the door, set the basket down and then open up the texts. Do you have uninvited guests? Are you in trouble? I'm fine, apologies. I've gotten a gift basket? The timing of the doorbell and you saying goodbye was just odd. Monoma texts you back immediately, but you're setting the phone down to pull the cellophane off the basket, and then you're laughing. It's filled to the brim with Deku merchandise, as well as a handwritten card from Deku himself, telling you that his publicist tracked you down and apologizing for your trouble and any embarrassment you might have suffered because of Phantom Thief. 'Thief is actually a very good hero, he just... Loses his head a bit when it comes to myself and a few other old schoolmates. But thanks so much for your support!' When you check your phone again, Monoma has said: Something from another admirer? and the thought of sending him a picture is very tempting. Unlike Monoma though, you're not going to let yourself act like an ass to get or keep someones attention. More like an awkward parental figure, you tell him, because, strangely, you feel like you've gotten advice about Monoma. It's what convinces you to keep the coffee date, anyway. --- Over the ensuing week and change, Monoma keeps texting you. You wish you could deny it, but he's charming, as long as old grudges aren't brought up. It's hard, at first, to reconcile this loyal-to-a-fault man with the one who'd opened his mouth and been such an absolute ass, but... He's so ridiculously honest and up front about things that you might even be starting to forgive him? Or rather, you want to, but you're withholding judgement until you see him in person again. We're still on for Thursday at 10:30AM? I won't stand you up. My reputation would never recover if you did. For some reason... That sends up alarms. You'd never stopped to question, much, whether he was really interested in you, but what if... What if he was doing this for media reputation reasons? What if the publicist for his hero agency was orchestrating this whole thing? The weight in your stomach makes you apprehensive about your decision all over again, and even re-reading the note from Deku, who obviously has more insight into Monoma's character than you do, doesn't quite assuage all of your concerns. Still, you're not one to break your word. You show up a few minutes early on Thursday, where Monoma is already waiting, staring off into the distance as he stands outside the coffee shop doors. He's dressed in an outfit similar to the last one you'd seen - chinos and loafers, but this time he's wearing a button-up. It's hard not to sigh as soon as you see him, because he's ridiculously handsome, but... he just looks so full of himself. Still, you don't spot anyone lingering around that might be paparazzi. That unsettled feeling finally stops clamoring for your attention in the back of your head. "Morning!" You call out, giving a slightly stilted wave when he looks in your direction. That smirk is back on his face as you approach him, but he meets you halfway, smoothly brandishing a small rose boutonniere towards you when the both of you stop. For a moment, all you can do is stare at it. "Do you.. do you really like Tuxedo Mask?" You ask, reaching out to accept the flower, but Monoma gently slaps your hand away. "You don't like debonair characters?" He asks, snagging the lapel of your coat. Monoma's fingers are nimble and quick as they fix the rose on, but he doesn't step away from you when he's done. "Are we going to prom?" You snort, instead of answering. He's ridiculous, but- you're here, aren't you? Monoma sighs, nose wrinkling for a moment before he finally gives you some space. "I am attempting to repair the initial impression you had of me. I realize it'll take some time, but I do enjoy these kinds of things." He takes a couple smooth steps ahead of you to get the door, the barest hint of a blush on his cheeks. No. Monoma is a romantic? You're not sure what you're about to say - perhaps something a bit biting, because you can't seem to help yourself around him, but there's a sudden commotion inside the coffee shop. Monoma tenses, eyes wide as he reaches out to save you from the sudden shower of iced coffee, but he only succeeds in getting himself in firing range as well. The both of you are left soaking, clothes and hair dripping, with a teary teenage girl standing in the doorway. The heel of her shoe had caught the rug. You're still half-way convinced that you're right about having been touched by an unlucky quirk, but now you definitely know that he isn't setting you up. He's too vain to get caught in the crossfire, just for a bump in reputation. --- You, perhaps unwisely, end up back at Monoma's place to clean up. Your clothes are in his washing machine, but the silly rose he'd brought you is sitting on his bathroom counter, sticky and smelling of coffee, even after your shower. You hadn't really had the heart to throw it away, despite it likely being a lost cause. You snag it before you leave his bathroom, wrapped in one of his ridiculously fluffy bathrobes and head into his living room. "Better?" Monoma asks, straightening up from where he's been sitting, gingerly, on the edge of his couch. You hadn't taken long, but it'd still been kind of him to let you go first. "Much. Uh, thanks, again." You walk over to the open kitchen area, carefully setting the coffee-scented rose on the counter before you turn to face him. "It's the least I could do," Monoma insists, attempting to brush some sticky hair out of his face. He grimaces, nose wrinkling, and slowly lets his hand fall back down to his side with a sigh. "Now, if you'll excuse me for a few minutes - coffee wasn't a good look for either of us." He disappears down the hall to the bathroom, leaving you to your own devices. Alone. In his house. You catch the sound of the shower starting, just a moment later, and decide to wander. His house is clean, with minimal amounts of clutter. There's a stack of cookbooks tucked carefully on a kitchen shelf that look well used, and old, but well-taken-care-of, utensils hanging from a small rack above his stove top. There's a game system in the living room that looks like it doesn't get a huge amount of use, but the pictures everywhere are most definitely intentionally placed. They are the items that are designed to catch your eye when you walk in the room. A few are most definitely years old, as Monoma is still in a school uniform in those, but the people in those pictures are still in the more recent ones as well. Heroes, you think, wryly, they have such intense bonds. Not for the first time, you wonder what the situation is with Deku, but you're still not willing to pursue it. Especially not when you have a fragile peace, of sorts, now that his intentions are clearer. Your phone, shoved hastily in the large robe pockets earlier, buzzes. Twice. The screen lights up again when you pull it out of the pocket, with text notifications from... From Monoma. They're both pictures, and for a split second, you think they might be nudes, but a towel is there, hanging precariously low on his hips. Monoma Neito, the hero Phantom Thief, is sending you shirtless selfies. In his own house. It's outlandish, and kind of pretentious, but laughter bubbles inside of you until you have to go sit down on his couch to hide your face in your hands. You hear Monoma moving between rooms, but you can't bring yourself to look up, still trying to stifle your laughter. "That funny?" Monoma asks a few moments later when he comes to a stop in front of you. Though his expression looks uncaring, there's a tense line to his shoulders that says he's worried. "It's not - they're very - very nice, but-" You breathe out, finally calming your desire to cackle. "We're in your house. You couldn't just risk walking between rooms, you had to text me shirtless pictures to make sure I saw." He cracks a small smile then, which just makes you bolder. "I mean, I do appreciate them. I won't have to rely on my faulty memory later." "Later?" Monoma presses, and all the tension is gone now. He flops down next to you, just a bit too close, the corner of his mouth curling into a smug smile. And you've scared yourself, just a little. You look away from his bright blue gaze, towards the kitchen and the careful set-up. "Do you cook?" You ask, almost cringing at the obvious subject change. Monoma doesn't seem to mind though. He lights up, and the slightly stifling atmosphere vanishes, filled with easy conversation about cooking techniques and your individual preferences, or lack-there-of. "That does remind me - we never got any coffee or food, and it's getting close to lunch. Would you like to order something here while we wait for your clothes?" Monoma isn't looking at you, more than likely to avoid putting any pressure on the decision, but the answer comes to you all too easily. "That sounds good, actually. All the food talk was making me hungry." And maybe... You're interested in spending more time with him. In seeing more of the Monoma who talks about his interests, who talks to you, without the dramatic posturing. He gets up to grab his phone from his bedroom, listing the options the both of you have to choose from, but you can't actually say you're fully listening. You rattle off a handful of choices when he asks for your order, and then you try not to stare at his pacing figure and the way his calves flex as he pivots. Monoma sits back down on the couch when he's finished, turning that smirk back your way again. For a moment, heat begins to crawl up your spine. "So, do you mind if I ask why you have such an obsession with.. Deku?" Monoma, just barely, keeps from sneering when he says the name, but it's still as good as cold water over your head. "I don't," you state, voice a little sharp. "Actually, I might ask you the same. I wore one t-shirt, and just happened to glance at a piece of memorabilia, but you're the one who is outlandishly competitive when he's mentioned." Monoma is silent. Staring. It's rather likely that he didn't expect that particular response, but seriously? You're supposed to be on a coffee date. Keyword being date! If you had any inclinations towards the hero Deku, why would you be here with someone who dislikes him so intensely? "I've done it again," Monoma finally sighs, tilting his head to rest back against the couch. "What? Stuck your foot in your mouth?" He groans, covering his face with both hands. "I sound like that idiot Bakugou, don't I?" You're assuming he's talking about another hero, but you have no idea which. "Who?" Monoma sits up, turning to face you fully and carefully reaches out to take hold of one of your hands. You're tempted to jerk out of his grip, but he's obviously recognized how rude the question came across as, so you wait, eyes narrowed. "I am competitive. In high school it was over things out of everyone's control, but - I felt like my friends and I were being slighted. Continually. We were looked over, and I was jealous. It's not an excuse," he hurries to add. "I'm prone to it, where my old schoolmates are concerned, even though it's..." "Been years since then? I've noticed." You sigh, looking down at where he's cradling your hand, one of his thumbs nervously stroking over your knuckles. "I... I like you, Monoma. Yeah, your first impression left a lot to be desired, but you've been open with me, otherwise. I get that you have a hang up about Deku - but I don't know him. I own exactly one shirt because I thought the green lightning looked trendy and it was easy to match. I like this," and you squeeze his hand. "But if you're going to explode with jealousy over this guy when we've only known each other for just over two weeks-" Monoma is nodding his head, repeatedly. "Thank you," he says, shoulders slightly slumped, "for being so candid with me. This is something I need to work on, but if it's too much, please, you don't owe m-" "No," you interrupt. "No, I don't owe you. But I think you owe me lunch, at the very least." He looks up to see the smile on your lips and the awkward tension finally eases. "At least?" He prompts, smiling, for real, this time. "Another shirtless selfie, maybe." You look away from him now, feeling shy for saying something so flirty. Monoma hmm's, and the softness of it brings back the heat that he'd inadvertently smothered earlier. "Towel optional?' He goads you, and you turn your head, eyes flicking down to his lap before you realize how obvious your peek was. "Just say the word," Monoma suggests, and then he's lifting your hand to kiss against your wrist. Shit. How is it that something so soft can make you so sensitive to touch? You hope your jumping pulse isn't evident, but you're fairly sure hiding your reaction is a lost cause. There's a pink tinge visible on Monoma's neck, and part of you wants to make a joke about being 'hot under the collar' and how it seems to literally apply to him. Would that be pushing things? "What word?" You ask instead, and you want to get closer. You wonder how it would feel if his hands slid up your arm to tug you into his lap. Monoma is quiet, eyes dipping down to trace over your skin - is he mapping out where to place his lips? "Tuxedo," he says slyly, finally lifting his heavy lidded eyes to watch your expression. It's almost a challenge then, the way he says it, his fingertips pressing into your wrist - as if he expects to feel the heavy thrum of your pulse. The smart thing to do would be to tell him you'd keep that in mind. To pull your wrist from his warm hands and talk about safer subjects. But you can't exactly back down from that, can you? You turn your body to face him, careful not to break his hold, and lean forward. "Tuxedo," you whisper back, like it's a secret, and relish in the way his fingers spasm around their hold on you. Slowly, as if giving you time to change your mind, Monoma let's go of you wrist and stands, moving his hands to his buttoned up shirt and popping open the first button. When you don't move, not even to bat an eyelash, he's a bit more steady, fingers moving rhythmically over the buttons until he's shrugging the shirt off of his shoulders and tossing it, carelessly, over the back of the couch. "Do I need a special word for stop?" You ask, nearly breathless when Monoma's fingers slow on the button of his chinos. "I believe that stop itself will work just fine." Monoma seems to think better of unbuttoning his pants. He kneels, palms resting on your robe covered knees for balance. "Do you.. Do you want to stop?" For all that you probably should, you definitely don't want to. You shift forward, lifting your hands to cradle his face, a thumb stroking over his cheekbone. "I don't want to stop," you confess, and then Monoma is leaning forward to meet you. The first kiss is soft, not hesitant, but testing angles, just a brush of lips. The second is more firm, and then it's thrilling as his hands slide up your thighs, pushing back the robe. Your lips part on a breath, and then his tongue is curling against yours, and he's making soft, heady noises against your mouth. It isn't long before you're both tangled together on the floor, Monoma pressed hard and aching between your legs. You must be a sight, disheveled hair and robe parted, just enough for one of his hands to slip between you, fingertips dragging against your hip- and then the doorbell rings. The both of you simply stare at each other for a moment, drunk on kisses and the warmth of skin, before Monoma's expression clears and he's cursing beneath his breath. Instead of jumping to his feet, he plants a wet, messy kiss on your lips, seemingly content to stay where he is, until the doorbell rings again. "Our lunch," he says with a sigh, finally pushing himself up and away from you. Monoma stands, clears his throat and then rolls his shoulders before he strides to the door. He only has it opened a crack, just enough to converse with the delivery person on the other side - and probably to keep them from seeing you spread out on the floor. You... Should probably get up. Slowly, so as not to startle him, you stand and set yourself to rights, or, as much as you can. Your ears feel like they're burning, but there is no reason, none, to be embarrassed.  The exchange is polite, but short, before Monoma is closing the door and turning towards the kitchen, two containers held in his hands. He sets them down, his bare back to you, and pauses. Nervousness runs through you for a moment like wildfire. His back is tensing - maybe he's- but then Monoma is turning around, eyes darting to where you'd been laying, and he deflates. "Ah," he says, blinking awkwardly down at the carpet. "Hungry?" He offers, finally lifting his gaze to your face, a delightful pink blush spreading across his chest and along his cheeks. There are.. too many ways to respond to that. You are hungry, of course, because breakfast was a long while ago. You're also hungry for more of Monoma, but that sounds kind of cheesy. Your heart is still beating too wildly to think of something appropriately teasing. So when you end up blurting: "I never said stop," you're both mortified because why, but also thankful that it wasn't the hungry for you comment. The look in Monoma's eyes tells you that it just so happened to be the perfect choice. Frankly, the food is forgotten as soon as he crosses the room. Your hands are in his hair, his mouth is back on your neck, and you're both back on the floor, tugging impatiently at each others clothing. You've unzipped and half pushed Monoma's chinos down before he realizes the knot of the robe tie has spun to your back, and then he's turning you and pushing you onto your hands and knees as he plucks frustratedly at the tie. You're tempted to tell him to give up, but when he presses forward, his dick against your ass, you decide not to bother. You shudder and then Monoma is making a noise of triumph, tugging hurriedly at the robe until it's in his hand and he's tossing it somewhere else in the room. He ruts up against you, groaning and then his forehead thunks down on your spine. "Monoma?" You ask, voice shaking, because you want this, damn it and he's so close but he's not doing anything. "Just- just a second, I promise," he says and then he's up and rushing back into his bedroom. The loss of him against you, the loss of heat, has you aching, goose-flesh rippling over your skin, but Monoma is quick. You barely spy the bottle of lube in his hands before he's kneeling behind you again, hand pressing between your shoulder blades until you're able to rest your cheek against your arms. He sighs, happily, as his hand strokes over your ass-cheek, and then pulls away. You shift, impatient again, but when Monoma's hand returns, it's cool and slick and rubbing over the sensitive parts of you and then everything just feels good. One of his hands is curled around your hip, while the other just sounds obscene, fingers curling and tugging and slipping inside you. "Monoma," you gasp against your arms, pushing your hips back, wishing he'd hurry. "Please," you try, spreading your legs a little wider, and that makes Monoma's breath hitch. "Please, what?" He asks, but his voice is strained and you know, even without looking at his face, that he'll give in to whatever you ask of him. "Please, fuck me. I want your dick, I want to- fuck!" You're not embarrassed to say that you'd shrieked, just a little, when he'd thrust into you. It was a shallow thrust, but sudden, and you'd been fucking aching for so long that the stretch of him has you gasping. You shift your arms and then you're moaning against the carpet as Monoma rolls his hips. There isn't any speech between the two of you while you find a rhythm, but when Monoma leans forward, hand slippery and slick as he tries to grasp the back of you neck, he starts to babble. "You feel- fuck, I haven't been able to stop thinking about you. Not since- not since I saw you in that stupid shirt - the look you gave me. And then-" His hips are slapping against your ass, his fingers gripping almost too-tight on your hip. "And then in that store, feeling you underneath me- knew­ you'd feel good. Knew how fucking good you'd feel, spread open and messy for me." "Monoma, Monoma you're going to make me-" "Yes," he gasps and then he's adjusting one of his legs, and the angle changes and he's let go of your hip to reach around, hand between your thighs and everything goes hazy. He's still pumping into you, hand moving against you and everything feels so fucking good it hurts. He's cursing then, losing his hold on the back of your neck and then he's saying your name, over and over as he tenses and then stills, voice gone quiet. The both of you stay where you are for a moment, breathing heavy, until he finally pulls out of you and almost collapses against the floor. Your thighs and knees are aching as you stretch out, but he's smiling and then you're smiling, and - his stomach is growling. "Hungry?" You ask, between stifled bouts of laughter, but Monoma's dopey expression doesn't change much. "Want to get dinner with me?" Monoma asks, when you've finally quieted down. "Dinner? Monoma, we haven't had lunch yet." But... You're rather tempted to say yes. He's charming, and engaging - even when he's being rude - and he is a very good lay. "Hm. Alright. Dinner sounds good." "Really?" And he sounds surprised. He's... He's kind of a dork. "After lunch," you clarify. "And maybe after another example of your prowess, but in your bed, if you don't mind." Monoma doesn't mind, and he is more than willing to show you. Enthusiastically.

[inexpliqable]

“Izuku.” Todoroki placed a kiss on the tip of Midoriya’s nose. “Izuku.” His cheek. “Izuku.” His mouth.

They'd finally decided to call each other by their first names and Todoroki didn't know how he'd survived until now not saying it.

He leaned down and kissed Midoriya again. “Izuku.”

- they pine and they get together and they are so fckin gay.

words: 2472 

no warnings apply

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Todoroki picked up his phone for what was probably at least the eighteenth time that night and considered texting Midoriya. What would he even say? The words “Hi. good evening. I can't stop thinking about you.” flitted through his head, and he sighed. Why was this so difficult? He'd talked to Momo just fine when he'd had a crush on her. Why was he so different about Midoriya?

He put his phone back down and resigned himself to never speaking with Midoriya ever. He would just pine from afar. That was fine.

He could just stare from his seat and- oh.

Midoriya: hi Todoroki. This is Midoriya :)

Oh, god. What did he do now?

Midoriya: do you want to see the new book I bought

Todoroki breathed a sigh of relief. Obviously, Midoriya would've had a conversation ready.

Todoroki: Sure

Midoriya: [Midoriya sent a picture]

Midoriya: it's about the history of minor heroes and how they affect our society

Todoroki chuckled softly to himself. Only Midoriya would get excited over a history book.

Todoroki: When'd you get it?

Midoriya: I pre ordered it two weeks ago and it came today

Todoroki: I see

Todoroki’s mind drew a blank. What was he supposed to say now?

Midoriya: what type of books do you like to read?

Todoroki: I don't really read that much. Comics I guess

Midoriya: really?!? What kind?

Todoroki: Horikoshi Kouhei

Midoriya: you like him?! Me too!!!!

----------

Now that Midoriya thought about it, it was only inevitable that he'd end up falling for Todoroki. It had started as a small crush, but then they began texting every night. The conversations slowly slipped in during the day, and then they were talking constantly. Even in person. They sat together at meals, during breaks, and they'd even hung out after classes a few times.

How had Midoriya expected to resist loving someone like Todoroki?

The more they talked the harder Midoriya fell. Todoroki was kind and a maybe little awkward, but he was still easy to talk to. Besides, Midoriya himself was awkward. Two negatives multiply to become a positive, right?

Over the course of a few months Midoriya had learned that Todoroki was easily moved- he'd even cried over a cheesy vintage movie about a blue alien.

It was also surprisingly easy to make him laugh. You just had to understand his sense of humor. What was worrying, though, was how quick he was to chuckle at depression memes. It was almost too much for Midoriya who, in his own mind, was referred to as the king of self deprecation. Perhaps, it was just different when other people laughed at them.

Midoriya groaned and rolled over onto his back, scrubbing a hand over his face. When would thoughts of Todoroki stop plaguing his nights. This crush was going to take over his life, when all he wanted was to go to sleep and stop pining.

His phone buzzed with a text, and he smiled involuntary. There was only one person that could texting him this late at night.

Todoroki: Are you awake?

He always texted so formally. Impeccable grammar and always punctuated.

Midoriya: yeah. You can't sleep either?

For a second, Midoriya was tempted to send a second text telling Todoroki he couldn't stop thinking about him, but the chance of it being received poorly was too much of a risk to take.

Todoroki: I found a cat video. Would you like to see it?

Midoriya: of course??? cats are great???

Midoriya grinned. Todoroki’s obsession with cat videos had come as a surprise as first, but now it was just another endearing facet of his personality.

Todoroki: [todoroki sent a link]

Midoriya: amazing. thrilling. absolutely breathtaking. I've never seen anything so beautiful

Midoriya sighed. Except for Todoroki himself of course. That hair and those eyes and- was it weird to think that Todoroki had beautiful hands?

Todoroki: What about that dog video you sent me yesterday?

Midoriya: close second then

----------

Todoroki: Midoriya

Midoriya: we're in the middle of class omg why are you texting me

Todoroki: I have something to tell you. Can we meet after class?

Midoriya: don't we always?

Midoriya: are you okay?

Todoroki: Yeah. I'm fine. Can we

Todoroki: I'll meet you at the big tree, okay?

Midoriya: okay

----------

Midoriya pulled his phone out of his pocket and clicked the call button beneath Todoroki’s name. What if Todoroki had blocked him? Would he do that?

The call rang once, twice, three times before Todoroki finally answered with a hesitant, “hello?”

“Hi. Todoroki?”

“Yeah?”

“Can I give you my response now?”

“Now? Right now?”

“Look out your window?”

Midoriya could almost hear Todoroki rubbing his temples.

“Are you outside my window right now?”

“Yes.”

“At three in the morning.”

“Yes.”

“Do you- do you want to come in?”

“Please.”

The window opened and Midoriya ducked in, rolling onto the floor, already blushing.

“Hi, Todoroki,” he said, smiling sheepishly.

“You know I wasn't expecting an answer, right? Especially not at three in the morning.”

“I- I just- I'm-”

Todoroki raised an eyebrow.

“I really like you too,Todoroki. I couldn't stop thinking about you or your confession, so I figured no time like the present, right? And I'm sorry if it's creepy that I was outside your window, but I had no idea what else to do and-” Midoriya was talking in such rapid fire speech that Todoroki nearly couldn't keep up, but once all the words registered…

“You like me?”

Midoriya stopped talking and looked down at the floor, fiddling with the hem of his shirt.

“I- yeah. Th- that's what I said isn't it?”

“I, Todoroki Shouto, somehow got you, Midoriya Izuku, to like me back?”

“What do you mean somehow? You're amazing.”

“I-”

Midoriya suddenly deflated, looking like he'd lost all his nerve. “I'm just going to go now. I like you. That's all I wanted to say. I think I'm going to take the stairs this time.”

He slid past Todoroki, making for the door and desperately willing for the red in his cheeks to die down a little.

Todoroki's hand caught his sleeve. “Midoriya, wait.”

“Y- yeah?”

“Are we still going to talk to each other?”

“Of course. Why wouldn't we be?”

----------

“Midoriya?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you want to be my boyfriend?”

“Did you just ask me out over the phone?”

“Do you have a problem with that? I can ask you again tomorrow if you want.”

“No. I mean- yes. I mean- no, I don't have a problem with it. Yes, I want to be your boyfriend.”

“Oh, good. I would look like an idiot if you didn't.”

“What?”

“Open your door?”

Midoriya crossed over to his door, hesitantly unlocking it. “H- hi?”

“Do you like them?”

Midoriya peeked out and breathed out a soft, “holy shit.”

Todoroki was standing there, chewing on his bottom lip, with a bouquet of sunflowers in his hands. Even nervous and flushed, Midoriya couldn't help but think that he looked like a prince, and that he deserved someone so much better than him. Someone more attractive, more intelligent. Not that he thought he wasn't those things. Todoroki just deserved more.

“Stop that.”

Midoriya looked up at him. “Stop what?”

“Stop thinking whatever you're thinking right now.”

“I wasn't thinking any- are those for me?”

“No, I bought them because they'd make a nice salad.”

“What?”

Todoroki turned from a mild pink to a red dark enough to rival his hair. “Nothing. They're for you.”

Midoriya took the bundle of flowers, grinning so brightly Todoroki wondered how he hadn't gone blind from looking yet, and glanced into his room, trying to decide whether it was presentable or not. Probably not. That was okay.

“Do you want to come in?”

“Sure.”

Midoriya stepped back and looked for a place to put the flowers. Every available surface was covered with books and pens and odd objects he'd found while running.

“Hey, Midoriya.” Todoroki tugged him by the sleeve. “Come here a second.”

----------

“Izuku.” Todoroki placed a kiss on the tip of Midoriya’s nose. “Izuku.” His cheek. “Izuku.” His mouth.

They'd finally decided to call each other by their first names and Todoroki didn't know how he'd survived until now not saying it.

He leaned down and kissed Midoriya again. “Izuku.”

“Stop saying it.” Midoriya said, his nose scrunching up with laughter.

Todoroki found the action oddly reminiscent of a bunny rabbit.

“Saying what? Izuku?”

“It's just my name.”

“Exactly. It's your name. I like saying it.”

Midoriya pushed his palm against Todoroki’s face. “That's so cheesy. Have you been reading romance novels lately?”

Todoroki turned his head and kissed Midoriya’s hand. He looked like he was glowing, his skin flushed pink and his curly hair spread out like a crown against the pillow.

“No, just thinking about you.”

Todoroki couldn't help but feel a little smug and also a little amused at the sight of Midoriya’s face burning tomato red. Eight months ago, he wouldn't have believed he could be the one to cause that expression, and now that he knew that he could, he didn't think he ever wanted to stop.

Midoriya whined. “Stop trying to one-up me in the romance department. I was supposed to be the smooth talker.”

Todoroki smirked. “Since when?”

“That's cold.”

“And you're one of the coolest people I know.”

----------

Todoroki watched Midoriya put his hair up into a ponytail and mentally cursed himself. Why did he have to fall in love with someone so cute? He was even getting distracted by a ponytail, for goodness sake.

“Shouto, are you okay?” Midoriya mouth split into a grin. “You're staring.”

Todoroki blinked out of his thoughts and nearly choked on his own breath. “Uh. Yeah. You're um… hi.”

Midoriya laughed. “Hi back.”

“I was- ah… I was just-”

“What were you thinking about?” Midoriya was still smiling, his eyes crinkled at the corners.

“I was just- you're really cute.”

“We've been dating for over a year now.”

“Yes? And you're just as cute as before.”

“I just thought maybe you'd be tired of me by now. Or at least used to me.”

Todoroki frowned. “Why would you think that?”

Midoriya shrugged. “No reason.” He turned back to his paper, biting at the end of his pencil. “You're going to get wrinkles on your forehead if you keep doing that with your eyebrows.”

Todoroki brought a hand up to his forehead, rubbing at the furrow between his brows. “Why did you say you think I'd get tired of you?”

Another shrug. “Nothing.”

Todoroki scooted to the end of the bed, reaching his hand out to take Midoriya’s. “Hey. Look at me?”

Midoriya turned, flicking his gaze to Todoroki's. “Yeah?”

“I love you.”

“You- I- what?”

“I love you don't ever doubt that, okay?”

“I- this isn't how I imagined we'd tell each other we loved each other.”

Todoroki snorted. “How did you expect it to go?”

“Well, I thought I'd say it first. While we're watching a movie or something.”

“You were going to tell me you loved me in a movie theatre?”

“Not a movie theatre. We would be on the couch cuddling, and I'd just say it.”

“That's gay.”

“I'm gay.”

“Good point.”

They sit like that, in silence, staring at their hands, for a few minutes before Midoriya speaks again.

“Shouto.”

“Yeah?”

“I love you.”

“I know.”

----------

Todoroki rolled over onto his face, trying to figure out how he felt about his life’s most recent development. His father had finally kicked him out of the house. He'd been prepared for it, of course. He'd been prepared to leave since middle school, but expecting it and it actually happening were two very different things.

What did he do now?

He felt his phone buzz in his back pocket and considered not checking it. He really didn't want to talk to anyone right now, but he didn't want to inconvenience anyone with a late reply.

Izuku: I saw the news. Are you okay?

Shouto: I'm fine. I'm back in the dorms now

Izuku: do you want me to come over?

Todoroki thought for a minute. He wasn't sure if he could handle any more interaction, but Midoriya was okay, right?

Shouto: okay. My doors unlocked

A few minutes later, he heard his door click open and a bag being dropped on the floor. Suddenly, the idea of anyone, even Midoriya, seeing him in this state was too much. He rolled over ready to tell him leave, but then he saw Midoriya standing there looking like he was trying terribly hard not to cry and decided that he couldn't do it.

“H-” his voice was raspy, and he mentally cursed himself. “Hey, Izuku.”

“Scoot over a little?”

He nodded and moved closer to the wall, allowing space for Midoriya to crawl in with him.

Midoriya curled up against Todoroki’s back, and wrapped an arm around his middle. “I'm right here if you need me.”

“I-” Todoroki’s voice broke, the tears coming faster than he expected. “Thank you.”

----------

“Shouto!” Midoriya ran over to him, a bouquet of flowers in hand.

Todoroki turned, a smile already tugging at the corner of his lips at the sound of Midoriya’s voice.

“Izuku.”

“Why didn't you tell me you were valedictorian? I mean, it was only to be expected, but a little heads up would've been nice. I could've gone around telling people. ‘Hey did you know my boyfriend’s the valedictorian? Pretty cool, huh?’ These are for you by the way” Midoriya put the bundle of flowers in his arms, talking at a hundred miles per hour.

Todoroki blushed. Nearly three years of dating and flowers still made him flustered. “Thank you.”

Midoriya shrugged, still somehow reluctant to receive thanks from anyone. “It was nothing.”

“It’s not nothing to me.”

“Sh- shut up, oh my god.” Midoriya punched Todoroki on the arm, laughing.

“Where’s your mom?”

Todoroki peered over the mass of people scanning for the familiar head of Midoriya Inko.

“She's talking with All Might. Just because we graduated doesn't mean she's stopped worrying, you know?”

He did know. Midoriya Inko was the kindest woman he’d met in his entire life, and he still thanked her in his mind everyday for forgiving him.

“Are you going to Kirishima’s graduation party?” Todoroki said, absent mindedly tucking a stray hair back behind Midoriya’s ear.

“I- I am. Yeah. Are you?”

“I’ll meet you at your house at six?”

“We can just leave together right now?”

“Yeah?”

“Race you to the car?”

Todoroki smirked. “What does the winner get?”

“I guess we’ll have to see.” Midoriya was already running off, graduation cap held in his hand.

Todoroki laughed, chasing after him. Three years ago he had come to UA looking to make a name for himself, and now he was leaving happier than he’d ever been.

[patheticphallacy]

Hallo!

So let’s start this post by referencing the major creative crisis I went through this month, stemming from a blogging rut I found myself in beginning in July. I’ve got through it now, and I have basically the next month and a half of content already scheduled in preparation for my return to Uni, but the rut was real, guys.

I spend a lot of time on my posts and I found myself very low regarding the content and the amount of response I get to what I post. I know blogging is a lengthy process, I’m not going to immediately get response considering the blog is only just over two years old, and I genuinely love writing these posts and reviews. It’s a worry I tackle often, but sometimes it just gets to me and makes me feel kind of hopeless of ever getting over my general anxiety regarding interacting with other people. I keep my distance just because I don’t know how to make friends in the community, and I feel like that translates over to my blog sometimes too, but I’m really trying to change that by talking to more people!

Other than that: August was boring. I read, I watched random stuff, and I worked overtime shifts so I have enough money for rent when Uni starts. I’m honestly a pretty boring person during off-time from University just because of how far away I am from people, combined with my lack of money. Maybe next Summer will be more exciting.

I also want to add that my blog is going to be a lot busier now the end of the year is approaching. I always seem to have a calm period in November, but every other month, expect chaos! Good chaos, though. Friendly chaos. October is a great month for me as I love horror and supernatural things, which means I have twice as many post ideas.

READING WRAP UP

    Assassination Classroom Volume 3-4 by Yusei Matsui– I expect to read more Assassination Classroom this month, but I ended up starting another popular manga series (that’ll come up later). I did enjoy these two volumes, and we got some intriguing looks into Korosensei’s backstory. 

Ibitsu by Haruto Ryo– I hated this. Straight up. It felt very targeted towards the humiliation of teenage girls with a lot of unneeded torture and nudity, and I just felt sick after reading it, and not in a way I can enjoy with some stories. 

Bond of Dreams, Bond of Love Volume 1-4 by Yayu Sakuragi– This is an age-gap romance between an 18 year old and his childhood friend who is… six/eight years older than him, one of the two. There were some really weird moments, for sure, and I won’t dispute that the age gap was kinda gross at points, but I feel like by the end the conversations on adulthood and the main character finally having his frustrations recognised meant a lot. 

My Love Story Volume 7-13 by Kazune Kawahara– I’m in a perpetual state of mourning now that I’ve finished this series. It’s one of my all-time favourites. The ending is so heartfelt and they get into heavier issues towards the final volume that I feel helped carry the main relationship from feeling young into adulthood as the characters began college. It addresses jealousy and feelings of incompetence, while never belittling the trust these characters have in one another. It’s handled so maturely and so unlike other stories, and I’m satisfied with the conclusion, even if my heart is broken. 

    My Hero Academia Vigilantes Volume 4 by Hideyuki Furuhashi– Not as good as volume 3, but has some solid character development and we finally have a showdown of sorts. This does end on a cliffhanger, fair warning.

Starlike Words by Junko– Reaaaally didn’t like this. Poor development of character and relationship and the nudity felt gratuitous and gross, especially considering these characters are only 15/16. 

These Witches Don’t Burn by Isabel Sterling– Another one that disappointed me. I have a review for this linked at the end of this post, just know that I had issues with the treatment of toxic relationships and a victim blaming attitude. 

Peter and Alice by John Logan– An OK read that’s very meta, a play that imagines the meeting behind Peter Llewelyn Davies and Alice Liddell in 1932. It’s very tragic and the weaving of the characters they inspired into their own stories was incredible, but I found myself thinking the whole time about how this… probably didn’t happen. I know I should have suspended my disbelief, it just felt impossible. 

    One Piece Volume 1-11 by Eiichiro Oda– EE. This series is great! I literally started the longest running manga series I’ve come across so far and I don’t regret starting it, even if I did at first. The first 100 chapters have flown by with incredible character development and a wonderful world being shaped, and I adore it. 

Their Body and Their Afterthought by Shelby Eileen– Not my favourite poetry collection. I don’t want to be too harsh, but it felt like it reiterates what I’ve read in other collections on similar themes and issues without ever offering anything new with form. 

I Hate Fairyland Volume 1 by Skottie Young– I previously read this volume years ago. After a re-read, I’ve lowered my rating. I’ve just read way too many different comics and manga and whatnot to not be slightly critical. The art is still great, but it felt like I was struggling to get through this at points, especially after starting volume 2 and having to stop from boredom. It feels repetitive. 

Sunshine, Sadness and Other Floridian Effects by Shelby Eileen– This collection was better than Their Body, luckily! It has some stunning imagery, calling up impressions of water and the turning of the tide in tandem with loss coinciding with moments of happiness, and I do recommend it. 

    Faithless #3/#4 by Brian Azzarello– Starting to get bored with this series. There’s only so much shocking stuff and nudity without any kind of explanation for it before you grow tired. I’ll carry on reading for a few issues; I’m just ready to drop it if nothing much keeps happening. 

Pochamani Volume 1-5 by Kaname Hirama– Ohhh this was such a great series! It’s out of print so I had to read it online, and only the first five volumes are actually translated, which was so disappointing but I still recommend this series. It’s got the first fat main character I’ve seen in a manga series, and has so much conversation surrounding body shaming and positivity and the constant grappling with self-hate when you have a fat body. It means a lot to me, and seeing a romance where a fat girl is adored by her boyfriend is so wholesome. 

The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell– I literally started this last year and it took me that whole period of time to read 140 pages, and then in the space of a week I read the last 150. There’s definitely a sense of elitism and anti-genre fiction (especially what is typically branded as targeted towards women) which aggravated me, but the general humour was great and there was an interesting insight into the running of independent bookshops. 

The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling– I feel like I’ve gone OFF about this book on here in August, but this book deserves it. It’s an intense psychological sci-fi horror where main character, Gyre, goes on a caving mission that ends up being more than it first appears. I love the relationship that develops between Gyre and Em, and I highly recommend the audiobook!

My Life with Bob by Pamela Paul– I have a whole review on my Goodreads that I feel summarises my issues with this book. I enjoyed this, but same with Shaun Bythell’s book, there’s a definite sense of elitism in some ways. I think Pamela Paul was willing to paint herself negatively in some respects and show the harmful thought processes she could have, and I appreciated that. My review is a lot more elaborate! Sorry!

  Pen & Ink by Isaac Fitzgerald and Wendy MacNaughton– This is a fun side-by-side of tattoos with the explanations behind them from the people that have them. The stories are whacky and fun, in some places, but are also sentimental and heartfelt in others, and I like the different thought processes behind getting them and the way everyone still seems to love them. 

My Hero Academia Volume 19 by Kohei Horikoshi– SO. GOOD. The real strength of this series lies in how well developed the characters and their relationships are, and this volume especially reaffirms that. Aoyama is so sweet and if he’s the traitor I’ll riot! 

  TBR JAR PICK FOR SEPTEMBER IS: WILLFUL MACHINES by Tim Floreen! My best friend picked this one out for me, thank you friend!

THINGS I WATCHED

I FINALLY went to the cinema again and watched BTS: Bring the Soul. I loved it.

I re-watched Daddy Day Care (don’t ask, it’s literally the only film I watched on Netflix the whole month and I hate that) and it opens with Ben– Eddie Murphy’s in-movie son– climbing out of bed and putting on the exact same Spongebob slippers my sister and I had when we were younger and it was amazing. I’ve never felt so nostalgic over something so unintentional in a film.

Not a watch, but a listen: the Teenage Scream podcast hosted by Kirsty Logan and Heather Parry, where they read and breakdown classic Point Horror novels from the 90s.

As always, I watched random stuff on deep dives on YouTube. This included: An Aesthetic History of The 1975, fat people don’t belong in magazines (it’s not what it sounds like), Being Lowborn w/ Kerry Hudson (an author interview! yes!), and I guess I’ll recommend the latest paperbackdreams video because I love Kat’s channel!

POSTS

University: Second Year Breakdown

A Bookshelf Tour: Part 1

REVIEW: These Witches Don’t Burn

Shakespeare Plays as Taylor Swift Songs

REVIEW: The Luminous Dead

Top Ten Tuesday: Read Books I Wish I Owned!

A Bookshelf Tour: Part 2

If you liked this post, consider buying me a coffee? Ko-Fi. 

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August Wrap Up Hallo! So let's start this post by referencing the major creative crisis I went through this month, stemming from a blogging rut I found myself in beginning in July.