#i kinda made almost everyone get along with their mentors in this universe
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rottenpumpkin13 · 7 months ago
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Okay but with the thing about Genesis and Cloud getting married for April Fools Day.
Kinda morbid but before Genesis defects from Shinra, he tells Cloud to take the biggest life insurance claim out on him.
Which either forces Shinra to admit that Genesis is actually alive when they said he died in action or to pay a large amount of money out to Cloud.
I couldn't not write this.
-
Cloud sat in a cramped, stuffy office, feeling the discomfort of the rigid chair against his back. The room belonged to the claims department, a neglected corner tucked away on the General Affairs floor of the building. Across from him sat a trio of figures—a visibly anxious man in a suit and two imposing Turks. His leg had stopped jittering two minutes ago when the female Turk⏤Cissnei, he thought, Zack knows her⏤"broke the news" to him.
"Killed in action," she said, lying through her teeth, along with "I'm sorry for your loss" and "no remains have been recovered so far."
Everyone in that room knew it was a lie, including the "widower" himself, sitting there with his arms crossed and feigning the grief Genesis instructed him to display that night he explained his plan.
"You want to get married?" Cloud repeated, the words echoing in the training room, bouncing off the walls and reverberating in Cloud's ears.
"Not in the romantic sense,” Genesis clarified with a teasing grin. “And certainly not with the traditional details of a wedding, although I wouldn’t mind seeing you in a white dress.”
Cloud rolled his eyes, making Genesis's smile turn into a laugh.
"Tell me this is one of your bad jokes," Cloud sighed.
Genesis shook his head, his expression serious. "Like I've said before, I want to help you, but seeing as I will not be able to continue to mentor you, I have to find some other way to guarantee that you're well provided for in my absence."
Genesis winced as he moved his arm.
The mention of Genesis's impending departure was a bitter pill for Cloud to swallow, made all the more painful by the sight of his mentor's wounded shoulder.
"I can’t see how marriage factors into this," Cloud admitted, his tone skeptical.
"When I…" Genesis narrowed his eyes, "Leave, they'll declare me M.I.A. And when I openly defy and wage war against them, they'll try to kill me off and M.I.A will turn into K.I.A. Once our marriage is finalized, you're to take an insurance claim out on me. When I die, they'll have no choice but to give you the money."
Cloud's eyes were wide by the time Genesis finished speaking, in a way that almost made his heart ache. He was going to miss him.
"I don't want you to…" Cloud's voice was small, his brow scrunching together in disbelief.
"And I won't," Genesis assured him with a smile. "They'll do everything in their endless power to brush my existence under the rug and erase me from the public eye. So we're going to take advantage of that to make sure you're comfortable after I leave."
Cloud's hands were two fists balled and pressed into his lap. He kept his gaze fixated on his quickly whitening knuckles, anything to not look Genesis in the eyes, because he knew a pathetic tear would escape his own.
"I could come, you know."
"Defect?" Genesis sounded impressed. "Give up on your dreams, be branded as a traitor, and be targeted by Shinra? I don't think so, Cloud."
"Why not?"
"Because your life will be different." Genesis looked at him, his expression unreadable. "Trust me. You'll be able to take the money, leave the army, take care of your mother, go to university, and start a completely new life as far away from Shinra as you can get."
Cloud dropped his head, his sigh rippling through his body as he finally unclenched his fist.
"So….marriage," he said. "When?"
Genesis hesitated, relieved and in disbelief that Cloud didn’t protest. "We can make it official at the courthouse today," he suggested, unable to hide the urgency in his words. "I leave for Wutai in a week—it has to be now."
"And what will you tell Sephiroth and Angeal?"
"The same you'll tell Zack." Genesis smiled. "An April fools' joke gone wrong because we weren't aware the marriage was legally binding."
Cloud scoffed, shooting the SOLDIER an incredulous look. "That….kinda sounds believable."
"Good. It has to be."
Cloud met his eyes, finally. "This isn't how I pictured getting engaged."
Genesis hummed. "Don't worry, I can get you a ring."
Cloud elbowed him, instigating Genesis to respond with a nudge of his own. Their exchange escalated into a brief play-fight marked by their shared laughter.
Cloud knew he would miss him.
And he did.
Cloud sat, looking down at his hand, playing with the gold band on his ring finger as he tried his best to swallow the lump in his throat. He didn't know why he felt like this. Genesis was still alive, degrading, but still alive until his body finally gave out. There was nothing Cloud could do to help him, so he had to do the next best thing and honor his wish, honor the "joke."
With a heavy sigh, Cloud finally lifted his gaze to meet the expectant eyes of the suit sitting across from him.
"So how much am I entitled to?"
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olive-garden-hoe · 10 days ago
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PEOPLE WANT THE NUMBER LORE (1 greatly appreciated moot allowing me to yap, @alphabootayyyshaker9000) SO I SHALL DROP IT:
*note I made this up when I was like 8 with little to no change in the way I have thought about it since*
1: just a guy tm, he/him
- the most chill guy you’ll ever meet
- stays out of people’s business and amplifies the characteristics of those he’s with by staying quiet most of the time (identity rule)
- not held in super high regard by the others and he’s fine with that
- can be pushed over the edge (imaginary numbers)
2: anxious eldest daughter of divorced parents, she/her
- wants everyone to get along
- WILL sacrifice anything and everything to keep the peace (this is important)
- constantly a nervous wr ça vut hides it with even stability
3: wacky uncle tm, always thought she/her but I’ve caught myself using they/them so she/they ig
- eldest sibling who WILL pull pranks on you but knows when to stop
- likes having fun and enjoys a bit of chaos
- very chill, most like her or have no opinion (besides 8)
4: condescendingly nice guy (he/him)
- four begins to show signs of the higher number supremacy I made up (bro as I’m typing this I’m realizing how batshit insane this is)
- wants to be kind but is just nice
- passive aggressive and talks shit about everyone behind their backs
- associated with autumn brown… for some reason?
- wants to be just like 8
5: sans archetype pre-sans (he/him)
- a chill guy with quietly powerful abilities
- looked down upon by most (except 1 and 3) but doesn’t care
- breaks the universe on a whim (all multiples end with 5 or 0)
6: girlboss arc (she/her)
- BIG inferiority complex at first
- has a FAT crush on 7 and everything she does is for him
- big arc comes after 6x7
-begins to love herself and self-worth explodes
- not rebellious after 6x7 but not as much of a simp
7: the bastard (he/him)
- a magic-wielding trickster (Loki-adjacent ig but I didn’t know about that when I made this up)
- plays tricks to the detriment of others and is full of himself
- puts down anyone for his own gain
- loves chaos
- has a slight crush on 8
8: pretentious girl next door (she/her)
- convinced she’s better than all numbers below her
- talented sorceress, but not as much as those above her or 5
- admires 9 as a mentor and does everything to get his attention (she fails)
- constantly trying to improve herself
- highly intelligent
9: emo wizard (he/him)
- he doesn’t care for any numbers beneath him, including 8
- dislikes most everything and everyone
-fully thrown himself into magical studies and is now a prodigy, close to but not exactly on-level of the double-digits
10: The master (they/him)
- almost god-like from the magical power he has attained at this point
- benevolent by convenience
- not fond of any other numbers, not pretentious just highly introspective and antisocial
- teaches some tricks to those below them
- I imagined he was so busy with his studies he rarely interacted with any other number (that’s why his multiples are so simple)
11: wacky uncle (he/him)
- THE guy
- 3 but like Hawaiian shirt on the beach with flip flops kinda way
- always though of him as adjacent to Doc Brown from BTTF but with more zany sound effects
- 10,11, and 12 are equally powerful but 11 uses his to just make sandwiches and shit
12: the reluctant mom (she/her)
- caring but won’t admit it
- usually the one to teach lower numbers magic
- ends up helping the numbers more than one may think
- pretentious as a coping mechanism
OKAY OKAY OKAY LET ME EXPLAIN WITH THE MULTIPLES:
- products of these characters are basically the embodiment of their relationship in numeric form, but are also physical and comparable kinda? It’s hard to explain, but I think it makes sense???
- since I didn’t need pneumonic devices to remember things like 3x3 and 4x3, multiples of numbers that are characters aren’t counted
- generally, even numbers are considered ‘stable’ (as in, representative of a relatively healthy/normal relationship) and odd numbers are ‘unstable’ (meaning generally chaotic but with various embodiments)
- multiples of 2, since she’s so accommodating, are considered the ‘ideal relationship’ or ‘best form’ of the number she’s multiplying by
- numbers within the multiple are similar but not necessarily the characters talked about prior
I won’t go through all the products but here are some keystone ones I use:
3x7=21: two relatively chaotic numbers that like playing jokes create a number beginning with an even number and ending with an odd number because it’s unexpected and funny and shows their chaotic but not unsustainable relationship. 7 grows bored easily, however, and even 3 is to stable for him…
4x4=16: since 16 is the product of 2 and 8, considered to be the perfection of 8 and 4 wants to be like 8, his interaction with himself leads to a product that embodies his unhealthy idolization of 8 and his grandiose ideals of himself (thinking he himself is 16, not just 8, which is his perfect form)
6 arc:
6x9= 54: 6 tries to get along with bigger numbers in an attempt to impress 7 regardless of how 9 is not interested in getting to know her. 9 contribute the first digit of 5 as an odd number like him, conveying his vanity, and 6’s need to be liked by 7 is embodied by 4, the last digit of 7’s perfect form of 14
6x8=48: 6 befriends 8 in an attempt to get to 7 who’s been ghosting her, and 8 (despite herself) forms a relatively close bond with her and advises 6 to seek joy from herself before seeking joy from 7, which 6 says she takes to heart but doesn’t really, a fact 8 doesn’t notice because she’s too wrapped up in congratulating herself on how good of a number she’s being. The last digit represents 8’s vanity permeating her and 6’s relationship while the beginning digit represents 6’s persistent thoughts of getting close to 7, now becoming more focal in her mind as it takes the first number here as opposed to taking the second number with 9.
6x7=42: finally 6 gets 7’s attention and they date, which is apparently stable, which makes 7 uncomfortable and causes him to distance himself from 6. The beginning digit represents the persistent idolization of 7 by 6 as previously discussed, and the final digit is even as well to represent how ‘stable’ the relationship is by 6’s own design. 7 hates this stability, though, used to chaos and being frankly cruel, leading to…
6x6=36: after 6 realizes how toxic 7 is and that he doesn’t really want her like she wants him, she finally steps back and breaks up with him. She goes on a journey of repairing her relationship with herself, culminating in a happy identity number with the first being a factor of herself and the second being herself. This shows her growth as a person to finding value within herself instead of in the arms of another.
I probably sound insane and this definitely doesn’t make sense but it’s how I learned my multiplication tables lmao
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tonydaddingham · 1 year ago
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AWCW being the most popular angel in Heaven meanwhile everyone excluding Muriel STILL hates Aziraphale
hi anon!!!✨ idk if you're the same anon as before re: AWCW knowing saraqael, beelzebub, and lucifer, but in any case... i don't think it necessarily means that he was popular? tbh i haven't thought much about it - but for me, if anything, AWCW sounds like someone that was very impressionable, rather easily led, and eager for praise. that sounds like someone very easily manipulated, to me - not necessarily popular? (or idk, are they the same thing?)
fwiw, im going to look at this without the memory-wipe theory in mind.
pre-fall, he is very enraptured in his work, to the point that he almost strikes me as the mad-professor character type in how blinkered and passionate he is about his creations. could go on about this scene in this context, but he strikes me very much as having been a team of one - "working on this since... well, forever!" - albeit working closely with Upstairs on the design. however, now that im thinking about it, i do wonder if AWCW ever really spoke directly to god on this part of her universe? he later says about gravity, "seemed like a good idea when we were all talking about it...", so actually, in truth, did he get beyond the department meetings? he's not 'important enough' (inference here) to know about the plan that will directly affect his creations...
anyway, i digress. AWCW seems like someone who gets a bit disenchanted with him and his creations being taken for granted, and is happy to be recognised by the actual 'cool kids' instead. angels that he thought were friends, but probably just dragged him along, made him do shit, and then ultimately used him - the issue is, however, how willing AWCW may have been in doing all this.
saraqael's interaction with crowley re: their memory of him as AWCW building stars together (which tbh for me kinda supports the department thing i said above - i personally think saraqael outranked him), however, seems largely professional. that being said, personally, i think they were rather fond of AWCW, maybe again in his childlike wonder and brilliance - and i don't think that fondness came from remembering the AWCW that we see at the end of the pre-fall scene.
i think saraqael may have been a supervisor, or perhaps a mentor, but took a special interest in AWCW, and later kept an eye on him (see: use of his chosen name "crowley" when they meet in heaven). again, not going into the memory-wipe theory, but alternative to that may well be that AWCW was, again, at this point so enraptured in his work that he didn't really pay attention to his supervisors; i think he knew he wass brilliant, and was blind to other people in turn.
funnily enough, it seems that by extension of this the only one to actually turn his head was aziraphale, but even then that seems to only be when aziraphale tells him about the plan for the stars. otherwise, i think aziraphale could - in AWCW's eyes - have honestly been another angel and AWCW would have interacted with them (in the beginning of the conversation anyway?) in exactly the same way; he just wants to show off his stars.
the one that does confuse me is furfur. and no, not just because of the monkey/waistcoat thing, but because this is the only interaction where, for me, it denotes any sense of "cool" into AWCW; the way that furfur talks about who crowley was is almost 'hey you were one of the cool kids and we hung out one day after detention do you remember do you- oh, you dont? cool whatever neither do i'
now this to me (aside from the fact of furfur literally referencing the great war in this context) says to me that furfur literally only knows him from after AWCW fell in with the Bad Crowd. two very different reflections of this facet of crowley's history, indicated from two different perspectives (ie furfur and saraqael). but neither, to me, make him a popular kid.
instead, i think it makes him the nerdy guy who was getting Annoyed and Angry at being used or underappreciated, and fell in with an even Worse Group that used him even worse, because they made him feel appreciated. he doesn't indicate this in the s1 dialogue about how he came across "lucifer and the guys", but... well, i'll say it again - i think that crowley is a particularly unreliable narrator. or a least a skewed one.
aziraphale's story to me is very different, because actually? from the very little info we've got about him pre-fall (way less than crowley, arguably), i personally wouldn't be surprised if - at the time - aziraphale was the truly popular angel. happy to look at parsing this out separately, anon, but im aware this answer is long enough as it is!!!✨
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annastarlingverse · 2 years ago
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YOUNG JUSTICE
TIM DRAKE FULL NAME: TIMOTHY JACKSON DRAKE-WAYNE DATE OF BIRTH: JULY 19TH, 2000 PLACE OF BIRTH: GOTHAM CITY, NEW JERSEY CODE NAMES: ROBIN, RED ROBIN, THE DRAKE, RAPTOR RELATIVES: JACK DRAKE (BIOLOGICAL FATHER); JANET DRAKE (BIOLOGICAL MOTHER); DANA WINTERS DRAKE (STEP-MOTHER); BRUCE WAYNE (ADOPTIVE FATHER); DICK GRAYSON, JASON TODD, DUKE THOMAS, DAMIAN WAYNE (ADOPTIVE BROTHERS); SERENITY ALLEN, CASSANDRA CAIN (ADOPTIVE SISTERS) ALLIFIATION: BATFAMILY, YOUNG JUSTICE, TEEN TITANS
LIZZIE ALLEN FULL NAME: ELIZABETH ROSE ALLEN DATE OF BIRTH: DECEMBER 21ST, 1998 PLACE OF BIRTH: CENTRAL CITY, MISSOURI CODE NAMES: BANSHEE, CIRCE, SCARLET CANARY RELATIVES: HENRY ALLEN (BIOLOGICAL FATHER); NORA ALLEN (BIOLOGICAL MOTHER); JOE WEST (FOSTER FATHER); SERENITY ALLEN (BIOLOGICAL SISTER); BARRY ALLEN (BIOLOGICAL BROTHER); IRIS WEST-ALLEN (FOSTER SISTER/SISTER-IN-LAW); BART ALLEN/BAR TORR (FOSTER BROTHER/CLAIMED COUSIN); WALLY WEST (FOSTER BROTHER) ALLIFIATION: TEAM FLASH, YOUNG JUSTICE, TEEN TITANS, BIRDS OF PREY, CANARY FAMILY
CASSIE SANDSMARK FULL NAME: CASSANDRA SANDSMARK DATE OF BIRTH: MAY 1ST, 2000 PLACE OF BIRTH: WASHINGTON D.C. CODE NAMES: WONDER GIRL, OLYMPIA RELATIVES: HELENA SANDSMARK (MOTHER); ZEUS (FATHER); HERA (STEP-MOTHER); DIANA PRINCE, DONNA TROY, ERIS, ARTEMIS, APHROTIDE, ATHENA, PERSEPHONE (PATERNAL HALF-SISTERS); JASON PRINCE, ARES, HEPHAESTUS, DIONYSUS, HERMES, PHOEBUS APOLLO (PATERNAL HALF-BROTHERS) ALLIFIATION: AMAZONS OF THEMYSCIRIA, YOUNG JUSTICE, GODS OF OLYMPUS, TEEN TITANS
CONNER KENT/KON-EL FULL NAME: CONNER KENT DATE OF BIRTH: MAY 1ST, 2000 PLACE OF BIRTH: CADMUS LABS CODE NAMES: PROJECT CADMUS, KR, SUPERBOY RELATIVES: CLARK KENT ("FATHER"/BIOLOGICAL TEMPLATE); LEX LUTHOR ("FATHER"/BIOLOGICAL TEMPLATE); LOIS LANE (STEP-MOTHER); LYRA KENT (ADOPTIVE SISTER); JON LANE KENT (HALF-BROTHER); JONATHAN KENT (ADOPTIVE GRANDFATHER); MARTHA KENT (ADOPTIVE GRANDMOTHER) AFFILIATION: SUPERFAMILY, YOUNG JUSTICE, TEEN TITANS
BART ALLEN/BAR TORR FULL NAME: BAR TORR/BARTHOMELOW ALLEN DATE OF BIRTH: UNKNOWN PLACE OF BIRTH: UNKNOWN CODE NAMES: IMPULSE, KID FLASH RELATIVES: UNKNOWN BIOLOGICAL FAMILY; JOE WEST (FOSTER FATHER); CECILE HORTON (FOSTER MOTHER); BARRY ALLEN, LIZZIE ALLEN (CLAIMED COUSINS/FOSTER SIBLINGS); IRIS WEST-ALLEN, WALLY WEST (FOSTER SIBLINGS) ALLIFIATION: FLASH FAMILY, YOUNG JUSTICE
CISSIE KING-JONES FULL NAME: SUZZANE KING-JONES DATE OF BIRTH: MAY 1ST, 2000 PLACE OF BIRTH: STAR CITY, CALIFORNIA CODE NAMES: ARROWETTE RELATIVES: BONNIE KING (MOTHER); BERNELL KING (FATHER); OLIVER QUEEN (LEGAL GUARDIAN) ALLIFIATION: TEAM ARROW, YOUNG JUSTICE
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youngbugandtonystank · 3 years ago
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I don't really try to over think things in the MCU because it is fictional but, it did not really made sense when everyone in the world turned on Peter when he was accused of killing mysterio and being spider man. But when Wanda mind controlled an entire town nobody did a thing. And it is highly unlikely that no one from Westview did anything about it. I don't know what they could have done but there must be some people who wanted justice I guess.
It just does not seem fair that Peter suffered while Wanda got off without consequences.
Btw I love your blog!
And you know it's about to get worse in MoM. I just knooow they will try to justify her actions there too lmao and I kinda know (or have the feeling) how they'll do it, this could go two ways: 1. they're going to say it is her destiny as the Scarlet Witch to get corrupted and mind-controlled by the multiverse darkness and that's why she did the things she did: ‘It's your destiny to destroy the world!’ 
And then the 'Poor Wanda, brainwashed like Bucky all of her life, now Tonky stans need to shut up' hahahahahah 
But, I'll argue that every single thing she did was by her own volition and she actively participated in those decisions without taking full responsibility for them. In fact, Wanda believes everyone gets away with stuff and instead of thinking along the lines of a good person with moral psychology, she firmly thinks she should be able to do it too and not get repercussions for it ‘you break the rules and become a hero, I do it and I become the enemy’. The amount of cringe I’ve gotten from some of yall claiming this equals to Taylor Swift’s quote of ‘A man does something, it's strategic, a woman does the same, it's calculated. A man is allowed to react, a woman can only over-react’ YALL TAYLOR NEVER ENSLAVED AN ENTIRE TOWN, NEVER KILLED ANYONE OR COMMITTED SERIOUS CRIMES this why her quote works, because she’s an actual good person hahahaahahhasdfgh tf is wrong with yall
Monica tells Wanda that the people she mentally tortured and enslaved for months will never know what she (wanda) sacrificed for them and Wanda actually NODS at this LMAOOOO the writers were on crack in this part. This means she believes she didn't do anything wrong. Just because someone else did it doesn't give you the right to do it too, if you're a good person (given this is how they want to portray Wanda, as this poor innocent girl) then you'll learn from their mistakes (Tony, Strange, Natasha, etc) and become a better version yourself.
Wanda is a mythical being with very unstable magic that runs on the oldest electromagnetic radiation in the universe. Her powers are influenced by her emotions and almost all of her decisions were driven by them. Even if the Darkhold manages to corrupt Wanda, it was her decision to take the book and study it without consulting with someone like Strange first; someone she said knew was coming to talk to her. Apparently in the MCU, therapists never came back from the snap or something, and sure, a therapist could not help Wanda’s control over her magic but they could help her control her emotions, which is essentially the mechanism of her magic. 
When she mentioned the 'endless nothingness' she said she felt in WV, I just kneeeew they were going to do this (justify her actions by giving the responsibility to outside forces) because that's exactly what Hell (dark dimension ruled by Dormammu) in the MCU is; a realm of never-ending darkness. This is exactly why I think they're going to blame all of her actions on her being corrupted by some dark force. Basically, mentally, Wanda is in Hell. This is why I told yall that her supposed mentors; Steve and Clint failed her. Instead of getting her the help she needed, they pushed her to fight and not accept basic responsibilities/boundaries or get mental help, but what else can you expect from Steve (thought going back in time was better than therapy) or Clint (decided it was a good time to kill people instead of helping the world in better ways while his fam was dead)?
And the other thing that could happen is what Kate Herron; Loki's director, said about He Who Remains' involvement in the Infinity Saga. She believes the Kang variant did script everything in the MCU up until the last movie: "I suppose well, by our show's logic, yes, because he says like, ‘I paved the road, you just walked down it.’ I guess in theory, yeah, he would’ve scripted that because by our show that’s what we’re saying. Everything has been predetermined by this one character, even if up to this point we’ve believed the characters have had free will." In others words, the Kang variant did script the entire Infinity Saga, meaning Tony Stark was destined to die and he used Peter Parker to lure Tony into his death. Meaning Wanda was meant to do all those things to open a door to the multiverse and let the monsters in. 
Could be either of those. (thank you!)
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dawnwave16 · 4 years ago
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dad Bruce Wayne only Marinette doesn't know till she has been shipped off to him thanks to lila's lies. So she has to hide the fact she us ladybug and the new guardion while the bat family have to find the fact they are the bat family Mean while Jason has started a betting pool on when the newest member of the family joins the bat family
Sorry, this has taken so long! While I read a lot of Maribat I’m not very familiar with how they are in canon so I’m not 100% sure if I got this right! I also kinda ran out of insperation near the end so if it feels rushed that’s why. :)
Story:
A bug amoung the bats.
To the staff of the plane, the girl sitting in the window seat just in front of the right wing was quiet and withdrawn.  To her family, she was untrustworthy and a risk to their livelihood.  To those who she used to think of as friends, she was a backstabber and a liar who hid her bullying tendencies behind an innocent face.
The truth was she was none of those things.  Her name was Marinette Dupain-Cheng and what she was, was beyond angry.  
She had arrived home after the battle with Miracle Queen only to find her bags sitting for her by the door. Her parents had given her two hours to box up everything she deemed worthy of being sent to her new home as well as any trinkets she might want to take with her in her hand luggage before they had handed her a bus pass, a one-way plane ticket, a letter to her new guardians and told her they could no longer risk having her under their roof so they were sending her to Gotham to be with a family there that could hopefully get her back onto the ‘right path’.
A soft sigh escaped Marinette as she stared unseeingly out the small window.  Slowly a tear rolled down her cheek before she angrily swiped it away.  As if she didn’t have enough to deal with, she thought angrily.  Now she would have to hide the fact that she was Ladybug as well as the newly christened High Guardian of the Miraculous from people she didn’t know.  Who knew how well that would go.  
Another tear escaped her eyes as she thought about how she had been betrayed.  Looking back, she wished she had told Adrien that Lila had threatened her in the bathroom that day.  Or that she hadn’t blindly believed him when he’d said that she would out herself if they took the high road.  She wished she hadn’t tried to deal with everything by herself instead of telling her parents before Lila had gotten to them.  But most of all she wished that her trust in adults hadn’t been completely destroyed by it all.
Now she was alone and heading to a country she had limited knowledge of, where they spoke a language she wasn’t confident in speaking (although she understood more than she could say) and to a city that had more villains than Paris.
By the time her plane landed in Gotham airport, Marinette had a new mask in place.  She refused to let herself be hurt again and if that meant that she had to hide her true nature, so be it.  From now on, the world would see the ice queen she needed to be even if she wasn’t sure how to be one yet. The seatbelt sign flickered off as the captain announced the time and weather conditions before wishing them well as they disembarked.  Marinette took her time gathering all her things and making sure she had everything she might need, to hand.  
The letter from her parents sat in the front pocket of her bag like lead.  The miracle box was in the main compartment of said bag next to a blank sketchbook and a few odds and ends.  She had been too upset to design during the flight. 
Reluctantly, Marinette disembarked the plane and retrieved her bags from baggage claim.  Once she had everything she scanned the waiting crowd for whoever was meant to be fetching her.  Spotting her name on a card being held by a distinguished older gentleman she slowly made her way over to him, trying not to drag her feet despite waiting to.
“Sorry to keep you waiting sir.  I am Marinette Dupain-Cheng,” Marinette introduced herself in stilted high-school english, emotions locked behind a blank mask that would make an assassin proud.
“Oh God, it’s another Demon Spawn,” the man’s companion muttered.  She flicked her eyes over him.  Where the man holding the card was wearing a formal suit and looked neat and representable, the one who had just spoken looked like a biker.  A scuffed brown leather jacket hung open over a black muscle t-shirt.  Ratty jeans held up by an equally scuffed belt covered his legs.  The bottom of said jeans were tucked into well worn combat boots while a white steak in his hair added to the ‘dangerous’ vibe rolling off of him.
Marinette returned her attention to the older gentleman.
“My name is Alfred Pennyworth, Miss Dupain-Cheng.  Welcome to Gotham.  Please ignore Jason, he tends to act before he thinks.” His voice was cultured, Marinette noticed even as she nodded.  When he indicated that she was to follow him, she tightened her grip on her bag  and the luggage trolley and did so silently. 
 * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
Jason watched his new sibling closely.  Her face was guarded but her body language screamed that she had been hurt and badly so.  Her stiff posture reminded him of Damian despite her being closer to Tim’s age.  The strange thing was that as far as Jason could see the stiffness seemed to be more of a defence mechanism rather than her true personality.  He sighed, what was it with his family always attracting those that were damaged to the point where they hid?  And why was it that both of Bruce’s biological children were the worst damaged?  Did the universe hate Bruce that much?
Although Jason didn’t know it, Alfred was thinking along the same lines.  
The trip to the mansion passed in relative silence as Marinette pulled out a cell phone and quickly started messaging all of the people that had requested commissions to explain that their orders would be delayed.  Her parents didn’t know about this phone, nor did they know about the fact that Marinette was a very successful designer with an exclusive customer base. They didn’t even know about Edna Mode mentoring her whenever the designer for the heroes had time. They thought she was still trying to get a foot in the door of the industry.  It didn’t help Lila had claimed Marinette was trying to use Adrien as a way to get to his father either.
By the time the trio reached Wayne Manor she had caught up completely.  She had also managed to further freak Jason out with how quiet she was.  As far as he knew teenaged girls were ever this quiet even when they were on their phones.  From what he remembered, girls talked non-stop no matter what.  Well most girls, Cass seemed to be the exception and now, so did Marinette.
The meeting with the rest of the family was just as icily polite as the one she had given at the airport.  All she did was hand an envelope to Bruce before saying she was tired and retreating to the room Alfred obligingly led her to.  Jason turned his attention to Bruce, who had made a strangled sound.
“B?”
“She doesn’t know…” was the choked reply.
“What?” Dick queried in confusion.
“Marinette.  She doesn’t know she’s my daughter.  Sabine never told her.”
“Holy…” Jason breathed while Damian froze.  
Damian had been willing to hate her just because Marinette had a better claim on Bruce due to being older than him but how could he hate her now?  She didn’t know she was Bruce’s daughter at all!
* * * * * * * * 
Over the next three months the bat family discovered very little about Marinette.  She hadn’t reacted as they had expected to the news that she was Bruce’s daughter at all.  Instead of bouncing off the ceiling in excitement she had become even more withdrawn, appearing only for meals and to attend school as was required. 
All of the boys had tried to get closer to her but had been rebuffed which had just added to their frustration too.  Eventually Tim had turned to his hacking skills and what he had found had left him in a cold fury.
“Tim?” Dick asked cautiously.
“Is everyone here?” Tim’s voice was noticeably trembling as he spoke.
“Yes,” Bruce grunted.  He was just as frustrated as his sons.
“Spill already, Replacement,” Jason snorted.
“Right, well apparently our sister wasn’t always this cold.  Judging from the records I’ve  been able to get my hands on she used to be a virtual ball of sunshine.  She was class president, she helped at the bakery, did charity work and bent over backwards from all those she considered to be her friends.  I’m not sure what changed though.  It looks like it was almost overnight that all her ‘friends’ started targeting her over social media, she was expelled but that got repealed fairly quickly, and suddenly she was the class parier.  It doesn’t make sense.”  Tim sighed as he ran his hand through his hair in frustration.
There was silence for a while before Damian growled and stalked out of the room.  Dick shared a look with the others before running after him.
“What are you planning?”
“Just to get some answers, Greyson.”
The two soon found themselves at the door that led to Marinette’s room and Damian raised his hand to knock.  A sound made him pause, it was almost like a…
“No way, did she just laugh?” Dick breathed.  Soon both boys had their ears pressed against the door.
“Look, Uncle J, I get you want to send Fang after the little bitch but that would just give him indigestion.” Marinette was saying which made the two eve’s droppers eyes widen.  Uncle J? Fang? And did she really just swear?
“Yeah, I know you are angry but really what more could be done?  I tried exposing her lies.  I tried warning the class.  Heck I even tried taking the high road but in the end she won.  I’m now in Gotham and none of those that I trusted to support me are here.  I never thought Tom and Sabine would fall for her lies!  They know I have multiple sketch books and that one of them is inspiration only.  They know the books are colour coded.  So why would they even think I’d copy someone else’s ideas!”  Marinette’s voice was raw with pain and defeat as she spoke which stunned the boys. 
There was a pause as Marinette listened to whoever was on the other end of the call then they heard a loud sigh.
“Do what you feel is best Uncle J.  I just don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive them.  Tom and Sabine raised me yet they still turned on me and sent me away.  I grew up with most of the people in my class yet they still believed that I could bully someone. They turned on me so quickly I almost got whiplash from it.  If that’s the thanks I get for trying to protect them, for trying to make sure they don’t fail to reach their dreams, then I wash my hands of them.  Doesn’t stop it from hurting though.”
Dick and Damian shared a look.  Marinette was chatting away in French but thanks to them learning it they were still able to understand everything.  Slowly they straightened up and made their way back to the batcave to report what they had heard.
 * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  
Marinette closed her eyes as she thought about the last three months.  Bruce had enrolled her in Gotham Academy and she was working as hard as she always did to make sure her grades were as high as possible.  She was pretty sure the whole school thought she was a total snob what with her ice cold attitude to most things but she didn’t care.  The only ones she showed her true self to these days were Edna, Jagged and the clients she had amassed before leaving France, the Kwami’s and her online Boyfriend Roy. 
She had met Roy by chance after attending a masked ball with Edna almost a year after she had started being mentored by the pint sized designer. Roy had tried to wriggle out of having to attend any future balls by behaving badly but Marinette had derailed his plan when she had simply grabbed his ear and told him to either quit his behaviour or she’d deal with him. He had tried to fight back but had found himself hogtied in a measuring tape. Once he had calmed down and Marinette had repaired the rips in his blazer the two had discovered they had a fair bit in common and they hadn’t stopped talking since.
When Jagged had called her to check on her she had decided to give him the full, unedited story. While he hadn’t been impressed he understood where she was coming from. Why should she have to keep fighting to help others when they wouldn’t do the same for her? Marinette flopped backwards on her bed as she thought about everything she’d learned. Bruce being her father had been a shock but it did explain why she had blue eyes. She didn’t care though. The family the man had built showed her he cared about family more than wealth so why hadn’t she known about him beforehand? Why had her mother sent her to him as a punishment? 
A knock at the door had her sitting up and making herself look presentable in a hurry.
“Come in.”
“Marinette? Can we talk for a bit?” Bruce asked her cautiously.
“Sure.” Marinette kept her mask of cold, indifference in place as she replied. “What can I help you with?”
“I know coming here and finding out I am your father was a shock but I was wondering if you could tell me about what happened for you to be sent here in the first place? I will understand if you don’t want to but I want you to know I’m here for you if you do.” Bruce said carefully. Marinette looked over Bruce’s shoulder and saw Tikki and Wayzz nodding incouringly at her. The kwami’s didn’t like how closed off Marinette had forced herself to be but had understood.
“Will I have to change again if I do tell you?” 
“Not change per say, maybe just drop the mask around the family a bit. As much as you are comfortable with anyway.”
Marinette studied Bruce for a moment before making up her mind. She’d tell him about the school issues but there was no way he’d be finding out she was Ladybug anytime soon. Secret identities and all that cam first. 
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dgcatanisiri · 4 years ago
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I’ve said a few times, I’d sooner have had Felix as a companion over Dorian, on the basis of how Felix has a better claim to being capable of becoming “the Redeemer” of Tevinter society - he is already an outsider to Tevinter culture, considering that he’s the son of a Magister who has minimal magical gifts - Worlds of Thedas says that his grandfather tried to assassinate him for this. Meaning this is someone who has always been on the outside of the dominant culture of Tevinter society. 
Now, if you’ve been on my blog for any length of time, you have probably seen me talk about the difference of queer focus versus queer relevance. Long version is here, short version is that queer focus orients the story on the struggles of being queer, while queer relevance orients the story on something that is relatable across the board, but ends up having resonance for the queer people. 
My go-to example is something like Cullen’s addiction - addiction is something that hits anyone, queer or not. But because of the culture of queer spaces, where our safe spaces are bars and clubs, places where developing these habits is significantly easier, the story of breaking the addiction has queer relevance. 
Or some time ago, I looked at how Cole is pulled between being more spirit-like or being more human-like, and felt that it kinda read like a trans metaphor, of Solas pushing him to be like he had always been, the way that Solas was more comfortable with him, even if Cole had changed from that, or Varric encouraging Cole to explore the person he was becoming, even if that meant he could never go back to who he was before. 
Or, going away from Dragon Age, the Star Trek Deep Space Nine episode Rejoined featured a romance between two women. Now, these women both also carried the memories and personalities of two people who were married. Because Star Trek. In their society, the Reassociation is taboo (so it gets the capital letter treatment), because their people encourage each new life to separate itself and be distinct from the prior lives - Reassociation is so taboo to their people, they are threatened with expulsion from their society if they go ahead and take up the relationship again. It’s not taboo because of it being two women, but the metaphor is obvious because of how it IS, and yet the story doesn’t linger on that fact, all the concern is wrapped up in the natural reactions of the characters involved, how it impacts the characters in universe, letting the audience connect the dots and apply their own awareness.
So, going back to Dragon Age and Felix in particular... There’s that same relevance in him, because he can’t be what his culture says he should be. He has the same position as Dorian in Tevinter society, but for different reasons - he’s the son of a Magister, but he has barely any magic. So that kills almost any chance for him to provide that contribution to the distillation of “the perfect mage.” 
And yet... Since here we have the loving father proceed to accept him regardless, it demands a different story, while still allowing that perspective - Felix can talk about how Tevinter society said that Alexius should have disowned him and had another heir, but Alexius didn’t, choosing to love and accept his son as he is rather than try to force him to be what he is not or abandon him for being what he is. Now it’s not a queer focus, centered on the pain of a queer person, it’s a story where the queer character (since I’m saying swap Dorian for Felix, I’d want Felix as a gay romance) was accepted. 
Considering how awkwardly shoved in the homophobia of Dorian’s story is when we’re three games into the franchise and only being introduced here - because Fenris, the escaped Tevinter slave, SURELY should have mentioned that the nobility of Tevinter don’t approve when male Hawke (new nobility in Kirkwall) romances him, or brought it up against Anders, who romanticizes the fuck out of Tevinter. The few other instances of homophobia in the games could be passed off more as formed from out-of-universe reasons, that the writers still live in a homophobic society, and so are still using that lens - that’s certainly how I was looking at them until Dorian’s story came along. 
Like I saw it the same as all the sexism in the games - they pay a lot of lip service to Thedas being without it, that women are accepted in the armies and leadership, that their Jesus-figure is a woman (and more Joan of Arc-y, but she’s not the center of the IRL religion...), the priesthood is all about women, barring men from higher positions... And yet there’s still a LOT of patriarchal structure, the focus on kings and bloodlines through the son, and, y’know, wouldn’t a society that both worships a woman AND prizes dogs NOT use ‘bitch’ as a gendered slur? You can’t get away from the biases of the society you the writer are writing these things in. You can try, but things slip through the cracks. And that’s legit how I saw any nugget of homophobia in the game as well, as a societal bias of the writers.
Dorian’s story made that impossible. It said that there was genuine homophobia in this society. And it said that this place that I’d seen homosexuality as being a difference that made no difference was no longer that safe space. And I don’t know about anyone else, but I find offering places of safety and acceptance for queer people more important than reemphasizing how damaging homophobia/queerphobia is.
Because I need queer narratives that AREN’T focused on queer pain. Because I can get that anywhere else, I need my power fantasies far, FAR more. Give me queer people who are unquestionably accepted. I’ll take the metaphors, the stories that have the obvious subtext, BUT are grounded within their universe.
So instead of this being an anvil of “my family can’t accept my queerness!” it’s just part of Felix’s character. Because we have Alexius as the character willing to let the world burn to save his son. Hell, I think it would have been GREAT to get Felix’s response to Alexius’s judgment at Skyhold instead of Dorian - it’s not just the mentor figure who has fallen from grace, it’s the father who would have killed everyone for the chance to save you. How do you respond to that?
Felix was better poised to be “the Redeemer” than Dorian was. And he had a queer relevant story without it being queer focus, Make Felix our companion (meaning that we’d probably need a new mage companion for the sake of balance and all, which means probably also changing up at least one other character’s class and story, but since they’re not going to remake the game, this is all academic anyway, so the character element is all that I’m looking at here), have Dorian as like a brother or still the mentee figure, maybe graft the sickness over to him instead of Felix (or build a questline around helping Felix recover). 
And then Felix can speak of Tevinter with the luster worn off, because he’s spent his life seeing the faults of the society, the rot at its core, rather than just having had his eyes opened because Tevinter’s ills have finally reached him - they were always impacting him. He had family members try to kill him because he couldn’t be what they wanted. He’s only able to enjoy what he does because his father refuses to shut him out, something that surely has closed doors for Alexius, maybe even drew him to the Venatori before the sickness.
Felix is a better candidate to be “the Redeemer.” He’s experienced Tevinter’s ills more blatantly and more frequently than Dorian has. Felix should have been the companion over Dorian.
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smolbeandrabbles · 4 years ago
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Illicit Affairs - Harold x Reader (Adore)
Cruel Summer / Magnets / The Next Best Australian Record
GIF CREDIT: X
@wltz-bby​ @happyskywhale​
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 Author’s Note: I know I said I was kinda finished with these two as far as I thought safe to take them.  Oh, but this song I haaaaaaad to...
So here’s another one on the list of ‘how long does it take you to write a fic’. I decided I was writing this on 8th October (when I wrote my plot notes. at like 11pm) then I wrote and finished it on 10th/11th.  Whereas sooooome stuff gets stuck in my drafts for like 6 months. And honestly I really don’t know how I do it. There’s a fic on my side blog that I turned around in 24 hours, which is another thing entirely but I am the most inconsistent writer! 😅🙈😬 I don’t know how you all put up with it, to be honest, but I’m glad you’re all here!
Ah shit we being and ‘end’ with Taylor again?! Ah well, can’t be helped!
Disclaimer: Adore/Adoration not mine / gif not mine / lyrics not mine
Premise: With Harold now divorced things get a little easier for a while, but you shouldn’t expect things to remain so un-convoluted for long, especially when you receive an invite to Tom’s wedding...
Words: 6418
Warnings: Sexual connotations / Sexual Pre-Amble / Swearing
_______ Make sure nobody sees you leave Keep your eyes down Tell your friends you're out for a run You'll be flushed when you return Take the road less traveled by Tell yourself you can always stop
And that's the thing about illicit affairs And clandestine meetings And longing stares It's born from just one single glance But it dies, and it dies, and it dies A million little times
Take the words for what they are A dwindling, mercurial high A drug that only worked The first few hundred times
And you wanna scream Don't call me kid Don't call me baby Look at this godforsaken mess that you made me You showed me colors you know I can't see with anyone else Don't call me kid Don't call me baby Look at this idiotic fool that you made me You taught me a secret language I can't speak with anyone else
And you know damn well For you I would ruin myself A million little times ---
Life all seemed a little easier after his divorce. You still had to be careful, that much was certain, but it didn’t feel like a full affair. The only attachment either of you had was each other. For you it felt like a weight was lifted - a worry. If you only had to worry about what your friends and the University would think if they found out, all that really mattered was being careful on campus. Surprisingly easy; longing glances in class could have meant anything (didn’t they all already know you had a massive crush?), but that ‘catch you later’ smile on his face was the best new thing. Not every night, but a few of them you would spend back at his place. It felt like a real relationship now, you’d found something meaningful. Now you could spend time with him off campus, you seemed to get even more careful on it. It wasn’t the only place you could touch him, hold him, kiss him anymore. You’d been concerned about him leaving you. The age gap in itself would give him more than enough reasons. But he didn’t; Harold stayed. And eventually it wasn’t just belief that he wouldn’t leave you, you knew he wouldn’t. So another year at university ended, and this summer was the first you’d spent between Sydney and home. Obviously, Harold wasn’t going to be coming back. And far be it from your parents to stop you from going back to see your friends. They were just glad to see you happy, and having your own adventures. And you did get to have adventures, even if you never left his house. Summer bled into another year of university, important as your final one, strange in every social context you could possibly think of. Unusually tough to balance – and it made you only too glad to immerse yourself in your class work rather than your relationship. One of the blessings of Harold being that much older than you and having been there before (and heck as if he didn’t know about stressed and struggling university students), was that he understood and let you get on with what you thought was important. You still saw him, just not as often, and it affected nothing between you. Tom wanted to see more of his father, again that was understandable to you, but it was weird to see him kicking around Sydney and occasionally in your classes. On the instances you did bump into each other – and none of them very compromising, that you made sure of – you were civil. But there was never anything more to it than that, until Mary. Your first thought should obviously have been ‘I guess his girl back home didn’t work out’. Instead it was more about things becoming even more convoluted. Harold had come to you with the great idea that, as a final year and preparing to take that leap into the world of acting, you could mentor the lower years on your experience. Your mentee met your ex-boyfriend, and the next thing you knew they were dating. Harold thought it was hilarious, you weren’t so sure – but were at least prepared to see the ironically funny side. You certainly neglected to mention it any time you talked with her though. You weren’t sure you could get through a conversation without ‘Oh yeah and by the way he’s a cheater…’ Highly inappropriate! As you did start to consider your future seriously, the path you found yourself on came from an unexpected place. A new friend – a guy in class who you knew of, but had never really worked with. Stuck together for one of your many final projects, this wasn’t just about developing a few scenes – but a whole two-person stage play. It was like a light bulb moment, how well your energy and creative process and thinking matched. On the same page from the first moment, you weren’t sure which one of you had suggested doing this past your final year, but it seemed like the most logical thing in the world. As expected, Harold was nothing but supportive. Even joking that you’d get your work finished and produced before any of his. Before you hushed him with kisses and let him know how much you believed in him. Adding to your mad year, Harold also moved house – still beach front, modern and pretty. But it maintained a nice rustic aesthetic. Polished wood and steel. He whisked you up to see it before he’d even bought it – because apparently you got a say in things like this now. ‘Why? You’re the one living here.’ ‘I want you to still want to visit me.’ ‘I’d visit you if you were in a 1 bedroom flat with peeling paint and a leaky kitchen sink, you know that.’ ‘Yeah but, maybe it won’t always just be my house.’ You hoped he didn’t expect to be met with anything but joyful screaming at that. The very last thing – as if everything else wasn’t enough - was the final year production. Gruelling auditions were worth it once you got the main part, opposite your future business partner. It was nice, it was going to give you a taste of the future, a trial run. Harold unfortunately was in charge of the second years instead, but he brought Tom over to help manage it – no prizes for how he met Mary. Still, you went along to watch and support. Wondering how exactly you could make him a piece of the puzzle… proud of him and his vision. It made you nothing but excited for that original work of his to be complete – it would be nothing but an honour for you to star in it. Yet it also meant that he didn’t get to see yours until it debuted, and somehow having him on the front row provided you with a confidence boost. And that little wink he gave you as you took your bows gave you all the hints you needed about where your night was going… You wouldn’t lie to yourself anymore, Harold was everything you had always wanted. *** You gave it almost exactly a year after you had finished studying before you ‘came clean’ to your friends. Oh, you were never going to tell them the full details, and you certainly weren’t about to tell your parents everything: just that you were with someone, and you were happy… really happy. In your opinion that was all that should have mattered to them. Your friends were all incredibly shocked at first, but then supportive, and they instantly brought back some of their old favourite jokes ‘Holy shit! Good marks eventually DID get you in his pants after all!’ The truth was not the official line: You had met in a café like total coincidence just to catch up, once… twice… turning into a fair few times… turning into chemistry. Still totally weird, still with that age gap that made everyone (and you meant everyone) caution you, still this ‘he was your teacher once-!?’ that hung around. But not the truth, not that this had been going on so much longer than that. A story that you were both happy with – because no one ever needed to know the full story. And Harold was right about his house; although you had a small apartment across town you hardly stayed there – you spent all your time with him at his. You didn’t want to call it yours, didn’t dare speak the word ours until he did it first. But it always hung there, unspoken… Soon enough your friends grew to love him. How different things were out of the classroom, the conversations and interactions between them. Them all telling you that they finally got it – and then understood why, upon you meeting up again, why you’d hooked up. Which only had you pitying them for not seeing how gorgeous and amazing he was in the first place. There were a lot of shared evenings that happened around his house, where he’d let you invite your friends over but stayed well out of the way. Harold also let you invite them to his birthday though, and after the initial celebrations he and his friends stayed inside, whilst your friends stayed out on the porch. There was a chill in the air, but the fire was still going and you were all huddled together under blankets. As one by one his friends left and you were still sitting out giggling and sipping wine and beer, Harold came out to check you were all okay. Because he cared about them as much as you did. It made you love him even more, if that was at all possible. They probably loved that they could wind you up over this more than anything else, but that was fine for you, you knew it would take time for them to get used to the idea, although the tide was already turning; it was weird but they were also loving it. No one had left, somehow in all this madness you’d kept everything. It all seemed a little too good to be true sometimes, so you made sure to count all your blessings.
 Harold’s play still wasn’t finished; he always said he was almost there, but seemed to be taking an age to edit it all – he’d let you read nearly everything but the conclusion. “Why? Won’t I like it?” “I just want it to be the final-final version before you read that. I guess it’s more… thought provoking than satisfying.” So he kept you guessing. You’d become more of a stage actor than you’d ever expected… perhaps eventually you’d commit yourself to film and TV too. You’d done a few here-and-there episodes but nothing concrete. But it was the dynamic between you and your writing partner – who, if you were honest, was quickly turning out to be your best friend – that kept you in stage work. You’d started a small production company to write and produce these plays and they were pretty successful. But you’d also been included in other, sometimes large scale, productions. And, yes, as ever, Harold was front row for as many of these as he could be. You spent your spare time as you had before, tangled up with him, reading or writing together. With always the promise of: ‘Once I finish I’m casting you in this!’ and any time the school did a production, well… it was your turn to be front row for him.
*** Your joint influence on the people in your lives became more apparent, and also came as a surprise. To you at least. And your question was tentative even if you knew the answer already. “Harry… did you… get an invite to Tom’s wedding?” He pointed up to the fridge upon which was stuck the invite; very pretty, clearly there had been a lot of thought put into this and you would think a lot of effort would be put into such a wedding. You crossed the kitchen to look at it: Plus One, interesting. “Does he know?” “He knows I have somebody but not who, why?” By now he’d caught the piece of card you were holding in your hands, and you held it up. “I didn’t expect to get one myself, but here we are. I mean if I was going to be included at all, maybe I’d be on my parents one, but-” “Oh! Mary’s influence?” “Perhaps. I haven’t told her anything either, but why me? I’m his ex and I’m friends with her… but not very good friends.” “Family friends, maybe that’s it.” “A courtesy invite? I suppose it could be. But it’s not like my parents knew you and Roz that long, I didn’t grow up there like Tom and Ian-” You thought better of it and held that thought. You scored the invite with your nails, “Do you… want me to go?” Harold tilted himself back slightly, folding his arms, “Why? Are you thinking of not going?” “It’s not that, it’s that my parents are going. They’ve already discussed it with me, I’m certainly not ready to out this. And I don’t want you to spend your son’s wedding worrying about that. It’s a big day for him and you!” “Would you go anyway?” “Harry-” “It shouldn’t be about me.” “No, it should only be about you! Yes, I would like to go, but not if it makes more sense for me to stay away.” “Then accept and come.” You blushed gently, “Is that what you want?” “Of course I do. We can play it safe, geez, the last time we were around your family was when this started and was at its most dangerous. It’s not an affair anymore, you’re not my student anymore. If something happens then it happens, but look at you. You’re a star in your own right now, you’re an adult and your life is your life!” “It’s the family friends thing, they will go crazy. Even with the story line we made up, I doubt they’ll speak to me ever again.” “Do they know you’re seeing anyone?” “They’re vaguely aware.” Vaguely was certainly the operative word – more because you certainly expected for talk to get back to them that you had a relationship. You’d never made it sound serious to them, but you told them a little to sate their curiosity. “Well then,” He walked forward, cupping your face, “we’re on the same page and we’ll be fine.” “If you say so.” “I do, don’t you trust me?” You giggled, before leaning forward and grazing your lips to his, “No offense, but that’s a stupid question!” *** You were right, there was a lot of effort put into the wedding. There were less guests for the ceremony, but from what you’d been hearing there’d be quite the after party. As you were on your own invite, you also got the perks of a separate room to your parents. You didn’t hang around the wedding party when you arrived – you weren’t about to turn up here and make yourself a nuance - and it gave you time to relax and prepare yourself for tomorrow. You’d have to try to be on your very best behaviour, no matter what Harold had said, you didn’t want there to be any incidents. Your dress was in a colour that flattered you, covered in little appliques of your favourite flowers, sensible heels in the same colour. The opportunity to do your own make-up and hair; though you kinda missed having backstage stylists… The idea was simply to follow Harold’s lead, considering this was Tom’s wedding. He greeted you with familiarity; his ex-student who he’d seen in many a production since you’d graduated. He even seemed to indicate that you had in fact met up a few times just for general interest catch ups. To which Harold also added ‘maybe I’ll get you in to talk to my students sometime.’ Your parents did ask how exactly it was that you’d leave this detail out. ‘It’s just day to day stuff! You don’t tell me every time you see your friends-!’ Now, ‘friends’ wasn’t a word they questioned. You knew you weren’t going to get to sit next to him, but your family was sitting behind him and that was adequate, he might have only glanced back a couple of times, but they were enough to have you beaming. The ceremony was sweet, smooth sailing; they really did look in love. It gave you pause for thought – was that how you looked at Harold? Still? You’d been together a while now, but then you supposed so had Tom and Mary. Maybe that was just a wedding effect – after all, was there a more romantic day for two people? You also smiled a lot, it was such a lovely occasion to behold, even the atmosphere – like everyone was finally in the place they were meant to be. Which, considering the convoluted way this had all started that fateful summer, was fairly incredible. Harold placed his hand delicately on the small of your back, as you both left the chapel. “Don’t want you to think I don’t think you look beautiful…” You nudged him gently, “If you’ll let me return the compliment.” He chuckled, “No.” “Yes! I mean that’s got to be one of the main reasons I’m here!” His cheeks turned pink and he looked a little bashful, removing his hand from you, far enough away from everyone else to sneakily lace your fingers behind your back instead, “But I mean it.” “Thank you, that’s very sweet… Yet I’m hardly the main spectacle. It’s all stunning and her dress is flawless.” “I don’t disagree, it’s very lovely. We have the rest of the day and the party yet.” “Well alright, I know you’re privy to everything.” You smiled, “I’m just happy you’re involved.” “Hmm. It’s humbling.” “You’re his father!” “He’s spent more time with Roz. Tom didn’t have to ask me.” “Well, I suppose you can’t change my opinion… As long as you know my opinions of you!” “Oh.” He let you go as you approached the drinks reception and winked, “Yes, I would think I did!” The drinks reception and dinner afterwards had exactly the same set of increasingly hilarious conversations. You weren’t always in ear shot of each other, or in the same social circles, but everyone wanted to know about the people you were respectively dating. You were a couple of drinks in, and became much more willing to open up – to the point where you were positively gushing about him. You gave your partner no name, age, or any of the questions they were asking that would be more revealing, but were more than willing to tell the rest of the story. And when you heard him being asked roughly the same questions - and sometimes you were standing together at these points - he was doing exactly the same thing. You were surprised one of you hadn’t broke out in a beaming smile or had glowed in sweet embarrassment yet. And yet it did make you feel so happy that Harold was happy to talk about you in the same way, and every so often you’d catch each other’s eyes and you would smile just like that. There was something about both being in on such a secret; you were happy you’d decided to come and be here – even if you weren’t with him, you were most definitely with him. You didn’t approach Tom and Mary until a little later but they were both so happy to see you. And you congratulated them with about as much enthusiasm. “First up you both look gorgeous! And this wedding is so beautiful… oh my gosh, you guys!” You hugged them both tight. “Congratulations, I’m so happy for you both!” “Hey,” Tom nudged you, “What’s this I’ve been hearing about you, though!? Get him married.” “AHaha-” You excused yourself from your laugh, “I mean I dunno I… maybe.” You quickly turned the conversation back on them, “You both look so joyful, and so great together. Enjoy it, alright.” You pointed to Tom, “Extra enjoy it for me, I’ll see where I go.” “Oh, I will!” He grinned, hugging you again. You wondered if he ever had told Mary that you’d dated. You supposed it wasn’t the relationship with him you needed to worry about so much. Mary pulled you back to her, “Thank you, so much!” “Oh, you were always star material…” you squeezed her tight, “But you’re welcome. Maybe we’ll get to be in a production together soon!” “I’ll hold you to that!” She giggled, wishing you well as you let her go. You breathed a sigh of relief as you made your way back to your parents, all’s well that ends well…
 ***
It was a little later, after the first dance, and when everyone was moving around the party freely: everything now in full swing and at least a few of them having already having had too much alcohol, that you realised your assumption was wrong. Some people here weren’t having a good time. You were alright to sit alone and observe for now. You’d known what you were getting into. Ian, best man and from what you’d been told by Harold the one to start this whole ball rolling, was sitting around rather dejectedly. You’d watched him intently for a little while, and he seemed to be getting confrontational with just about everyone – including your man. Now he just appeared to be sulking. So much for us all being more grown up now… Eventually you’d clearly stared at him long enough to have caught his eye, and you offered somewhere between a sympathetic and fed-up smile. Attempting to give an air of ‘yeah man, I know the feeling!’ considering you were also sitting here alone, but his face just scrunched into an even bigger frown as he huffed, crossing his arms before looking away. Okay then, sorry I tried! You weren’t left alone for much longer than that, as Harold wandered over. ���Hey, you doing alright over here?” “Yeah, fine.” You waved off Ian, just in case he’d seen any of that brief exchange, “Just taking some quiet time.” “Well, that’s an awful lot of quiet time…” He held his hand out for yours, “Come on, come dance.” Your eyes immediately widened, and you looked from his hand to his face, “With you!?” “No, with someone else – yes, me!” “Harry, I don’t think that we should-” “I want you to enjoy yourself… c’mon.” You closed your eyes, taking a deep breath and praying this wasn’t the worst idea you’d ever had, as you placed your hand in his and he pulled you up.  “Think of it as like… a father daughter dance.” “Oh no, you just made it worse.” His laugh was embarrassed, “Oh, yeah I guess I did, didn’t I – sorry!” Harold didn’t try to make it romantic, although clearly because it was between you it was, and you supposed it was something a little reminiscent of ‘father of the bride’. Well, no one else – not even your family – was dancing with you, so why the hell not? Still you voiced the question. “Should we be doing this?” To which you were only presented with your own question: “Shouldn’t we really be beyond caring?” You couldn’t help but laugh, “You been drinkin’?!” “Not that much, give me some credit!” Oh, the want to pull him closer, your wish to lay your head on his shoulder and close your eyes as he swayed you gently on this dancefloor. To look into his eyes like you really wanted to, and were using all your self-control to make sure you weren’t. For him to just wrap you in his embrace right now. It didn’t happen, and you didn’t expect it to, but it hurt a little. Still, here you were and he was ‘holding’ you – it was as close as you were going to get, and you savoured every single second of his skin on yours. Eventually you did actually get to dance with your father and then some younger ‘gentlemen’ (though, whether you’d call them that…) cut in and you let them dance with you the way you wished that Harold could. At least you were enjoying yourself, to you that was the most important thing. But, you ended up back over by the drinks table with your actual other half, observing the party once more, and you broached the subject of the catalyst. “What did Ian say to you?” “Huh?” He turned, bottle half way to his lips. “I mean it looked like he was getting a little irate.” Harold just looked confused, so you sighed with an eyeroll, “Earlier!” “Oh.” Then he laughed, “Well clearly he’s the least happy person at this entire wedding, and he ironically said this was all my fault.” Your eyebrows raised, “Sorry!?” “Well I did take Mary to Tom’s 21st. So, I guess… that’s where they became a little more serious.” You snorted, “Holy shit. The wedding is your fault!? But what’s wrong with the-” you looked back out to the guests and then it clicked, “Everyone was growing up… You think they ended all the affairs at home?” He gave you a face to say he agreed with your deduction, “I’m glad we didn’t get the memo.” You only laughed, “I don’t think I would have agreed to the memo!” “Now we’re on the same page-!” **
You were standing outside on the patio, admiring the stars and lit scenery, when Tom caught up with you again. “Can I ask you something?” “Yes. And you just did.” That had him laughing, and you only slipped into chuckles too, he still liked how fast you were at quipping. Suddenly you were transported back – what would this have been if it didn’t become such a mess. “Your boyfriend…” “Mhm.” You straightened to the edge in his voice, and although Tom was looking at you seriously there was a hint of playfulness to his voice. “How long have you been together?” You couldn’t tell if he’d figured you out yet. “What if I said, it’s the same guy that I first mentioned to you in that massive argument we had?” He leant back against the railing, breathing out heavily. “I feel like I should have… figured it out before now.” “Considering I don’t know what you’ve figured out – you want me to help?” “It’s my dad, isn’t it.” It wasn’t even a question. You were a little affronted by his tone: “You don’t have to make it sound so creepy. In fact, if you want me to bring up glass houses…” He was a little taken aback that you’d just admit it, “Shit, you knew about-!?” “I told you I did. Yeah, that’s how this all started, you and Ian and…” you waved your hand and then pointed at yourself, “Only I stayed with mine… Geez, I’m sorry.” “Sorry?” He laughed, “Why?” “He’s… your dad. That’s not why I dated you, it’s just how it happened.” “You don’t have to explain!” He waved his hands around, “He’s happy, you’re happy, you’ve spent a lot of time together today, I have observed, and it just… I dunno, I guess it clicked. Everything he’s said about – well you – but his other half, and everything you’ve said.” “Oh, damn, is it obvious?!” “No. I just have all the pieces, don’t I?” “You’re… a little too cool with this.” “I told you we were cool before.” Tom’s look was significant, “We’re still cool. And I’m not gonna go telling everyone, until you’re ready to go do that yourselves. Besides,” he nudged you with a smile, “you seem to have enough dirt on me!” “Uh, I would never. You go off and enjoy your married life to an amazing woman, you idiot!” “I’ll do my best – but I’m never gonna call you mom!” “I’m just glad I’m older than you!” You folded your arms with a grin as he left you, with a wave, before turning back, “Why’s that!?” “The likely inevitability of grandbabies. I’m just gonna have to be the cool aunt or something!” You didn’t think you’d heard anyone laugh so loud in a long time. ***
It continued to get later, although the party was still going on and you could hardly take it anymore. You’d watched him move around in it all day, and now all you wanted was that suit on your hotel room floor, or his. That single button he’d undone and the slacked nature of his tie was nowhere near enough for you. But it was hard to let him know that when you couldn’t just go over and grab his hand; you had to just rely on glances and hope that he got it. And clearly he did, as he crossed the room back to you. Although instead of telling you that he was ready to go, he came with a cautionary tale. “We need to be careful about this.” “And your suggestion is?” “Well, we have to stagger when we leave, but you might want to say goodbye to people. Because your parents will notice you’re gone.” “Oh, your son isn’t gonna notice you’re gone, huh?” It was then Harold decided to tell you he’d seen your conversation with Tom, “Well he knows, doesn’t he.” It wasn’t a question, and you were stuck on how to respond, “I didn’t hear, but I saw you two. Is there anything you want me to say to him?” “…Well, that’s between you…” You lowered your eyes, “I didn’t tell him, he guessed.” “Sweetheart, it’s okay.” Harold couldn’t touch you, so his nickname made you look up. “I’ll talk to him, maybe not tonight… You go, I’ll watch you, wait for me.” You nodded and he gave you a gentle wink before you both headed in different directions. You had one more drink before you started to play the tired card – although really you were far from it – and said goodbye to your parents, a few of the others you knew here, and finally bride and groom before you headed off. Outside of the reception room the hotel was cool and quiet (you supposed it was pretty late) and you could take a breather, sliding out of your heels on the steps it felt so good to be back on the floor. You wandered slowly up the corridor and across hotel reception, you weren’t exactly sure whose room you were heading to, but nearly everyone was on the same floor and you were all certainly on the same wing. You were just finding your way up the steps on the other side of reception when you heard the footfall of smart dress shoes behind you, and turned to Harold saying a goodnight to the receptionist who had pulled night shift. He continued his pace as he caught you, turning up the corridor but not before turning back and wishing you a goodnight. You couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow: who were you keeping up appearances for now? Hotel staff? You shook your head and turned, finding him back at his room, apparently having trouble with his key.
“Would you like some help?” You slipped yourself between him and his room door. “If you would be so kind.” “Not sure I was talking about your room key…” You smirked, prising it from his hand, waiting for the beep to pull him to your lips by his tie, you stumbled backwards into the room as he pushed the door. Harold waited until it had closed to pull you into him, hands into your hair. It felt so good to have him touch you again, and you realised how much you’d yearned for it all day, as his hands moved down your neck and shoulders to your back, he continued to pull you closer. “God, I love you.” You almost whimpered it – kisses leaving you breathless, and you weren’t sure if that was because of the whole wedding atmosphere, or that you hadn’t had even a single chance to tell him face to face in nearly two days. But he needed to know, urgently. He chuckled, nuzzling your face with his own, “I love you too.” Your breath still caught every time he said it, even now. After having to wait so long for his first, there wasn’t anything any less special about it a hundred, a thousand, a million times later. He was still nothing ever but delicate with you, guiding you across his room to the bed before his hands collected on your shoulders again. Harold took a step back, the low level lighting set the perfect mood, but he moved his body so the moonlight could shine on you through the still open curtains. “You are so beautiful.” His fingers gathered under your chin, to keep you from shying away from his eyes as your own hands collected on his chest, ready to push his jacket down his arms. “You truly are.” As if he didn’t already affirm this nearly every day of his life, and Harold kissed you again. “Me?” Your instinctive reaction to flirting was always to nervously joke, “You look in a mirror, lately?” Harold shook his head before his lips traced yours again and he let you relieve him of his jacket, you were quick to unfurl his tie too. You stilled at the buttons of his shirt because his hands were back on your shoulders again and you relaxed your stance, releasing his lips to watch him push the straps of your dress down, guiding his hands across to the slight zip, he ghosted you a kiss in thanks before he let your dress fall to the floor. This time as you caught his collar to run through the buttons you kissed him harder, pushing your body into his – encouraging him to touch you and moaning into his kiss as you did so. His shirt was off quick and joined your dress as he deepened the kiss and you wound yourself around him, enjoying the taste on his tongue. Your kiss continued to get hot and heavy as your hands shot to his belt; he was no longer of the persuasion to stop you on bedroom thresholds, opening his body up for you to relieve him of it and undo his suit pants. Relenting as his hands caressed your back, finding your bra clasp; you always felt so fragile under those large hands of his, but all Harold ever did was take care of you. He lifted you gently from the floor and laid you both back in the sheets, kicking off his pants as he did so. You remained locked in your kiss as he caught you in an embrace, pulling your panties slowly down your legs, your breathing was a little shallower, at the friction of his hips against yours. You could hardly wait for him now, eagerly reliving him of his own underwear. “Shh shhh…” Harold gathered your hands in his, breaking the kiss and you whined, making him chuckle, “Darling, we have all night…” “…Harry…” The way you whined his name was delightful and that flicker across his eyes that he couldn’t control had you craving more of him, “please.” And you knew he wouldn’t deny you if you asked politely. “All night.” He repeated, and all you hoped was you weren’t going to be too loud when the other guests retired to their rooms for the evening. Hooking your leg over his hips he made sure you were completely comfortable before he entered you. You held him tighter, trying to stifle your moans in his skin. But he groaned gently too, and it was an exquisite little sound. In the comfortable quiet before you moved together, you kissed him gently again, reaffirming what you’d said before, “I love you.” Free to tell him all night now, you weren’t about to waste any opportunity. He rubbed his hands over your skin, sweet and delicate, “Darling I know… I’ve known that for a very long time.” He caught your lips once more, “I only hope I remain deserving of such love.” You weren’t sure why he occasionally said things like that to you, maybe sometimes he felt guilty about the whole thing, but you would only ever reassure him. He was deserving, and you knew he would always remain that way.
*** It was very early morning when you awoke, too much excitement in the air – even in the aftermath of the wedding - for you to sleep. You stood out on the balcony, watching the watery sky as the sun began to break through.  Harold was content to watch you from the bed as you were draped in his shirt and the bed sheet, looking out towards the ocean. There was always something about all these ocean views… He stood and half-dressed himself before joining you, he almost didn’t want to break the silence and how serene everything was. Harold opted instead to simply stand with you, caressing your exposed skin, stroking the small of your back delicately. You wore a soft smile, and although you weren’t looking at him, he knew that he was where all your focus stayed. Eventually you tilted yourself, so your head rested against him – and the noise you made was of content. The silence remained for a long time, because there was nothing for either of you to say. Why say ‘I love you’ when you’d spent your night showing each other how in love you were, and how much you appreciated the opportunity to be with each other… There was something even more beautiful about you in the afterglow, but Harold wasn’t sure he could handle just telling you that yet. There was something about the time of day, about the time you’d just spent with him, all the joy that surrounded the wedding that made you speak honestly. Something had weighed on you for a long time; it wasn’t a bad weight, just a muse you were almost too scared to voice. But after everything, right now felt like the best and only time to say it. So you did. “Is it crazy to want this... for me to wish this could be us one day?” You couldn’t look at him for fear of becoming so embarrassed that you’d stammer ‘forget it’ and run from the room. That perhaps all you would see in Harold was hesitation, and it might break your heart in two right then and there. You assumed his answer; that he would chuckle at you, and be as lovely with you as ever but tell you not to be so stupid – this wasn’t to be your fate. That wasn’t what Harold said, and the silence didn’t hang because he didn’t know what to say, but because what you’d voice demanded the gravitas and respect of a real answer, a thought out answer. He took a breath, looking out to the sky as you were, before smiling and taking your hand, pulling your body into his embrace and kissing the crown of your head. He kept his voice low and gentle, as delicate with you as ever. Why had you expected anything less? “No. I don’t think it’s that crazy at all.”
---
Thanks so much for reading 😘🤗
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thevirtualcanvas · 5 years ago
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Thrice - Mirio x F!Reader
A bout of three, his first touch, first kiss and first time making love to you. 
More explicit than my Tamaki x reader fic which can be found here.
Mirio can't even remember the first time he touched you. Was is back in middle school the day you first met? Or later on in that year when you stumbled into him in a corridor causing his quirk to go haywire and watching as his foot permeated through the floor. Everyone knew he was a friendly guy. Unopposed to high fives, friendly hugs, and even leaning against those he knew. His problem was touching you make his skin light on fire. In a good way. Your quirk didn't actually set him on fire, of course. It made him want to touch you almost constantly, it was embarrassing and exhausting. He would find himself looking for sneaky ways for his fingers to lose themselves in the velvet of your skin. Those books look heavy you want me to hold 'em? He'd ask as he would guide the stack of books from your arms, fingers and smile lingering. You got hand picked? Man that's great! Mirio would beam as he would rest a large hand on your delicate shoulder, full of exuberance and excitement for your personal achievements.
The first touch of his you truly remembered was when your first rescue attempt was televised. Some punk kid had decided to film you in your hero costume rescuing people from a burning building alongside your mentor instead of getting to safety. So when you came back to school on the Monday everyone knew, your friends, your teachers, even the other students who you weren't so familiar with. Mirio caught you at lunch with a great, big hug. You could feel the heat from his firm body, the smell of his deodorant, and the way he hummed in joy as he held you. Your soul left your body as your friends gawked and giggled behind their hands. Watching as you were unable to resist the urge to hold him back.
You did such a great job! Me and Amajiki watched your rescue video online over the weekend. You must be so proud!
He said, as he pulled away hands enveloping around yours. Strong, callused fingers holding you lightly, as he continued to praise your efforts. Mirio telling you all of these wonderful things about yourself made you feel week at the knees, his delicate words were as enticing as his lingering touches. And just like that he was away again, leaving you basking in the dwindling beams of sunlight he left in his wake, yearning for a little longer in his light. Your friends nudged you from the gawking mess you were into a somewhat normal person. He's totally got a thing for you. They would say, nodding at each other in a knowing look. No way he has, he acts like this with everyone, you would assure them as you tried to rub away at deep blush thrumming in your cheeks. They would roll their eyes, you were a total lost cause and the bell would ring for next period. You ambled down the corridor in a daze, fingers tracing where his had been.
Mirio's mind can be as jumbled as his charming personality. He kissed you before he'd even confessed to you, he just presumed you already kinda knew. In his own head this was his way to confess his feelings. Words didn't do him justice, he didn't have Tamaki's delicate way with words or Nejire's bold confidence. He was happy go lucky, sure, but for some reason he'd always done better with actions.
The day he kissed you wasn't planned, per se. He'd been conceptualising it in his head for weeks. It was nearly time for summer break and he knew his window of time was shrinking, and not to mention if he didn't confess soon Nejire would do it for him. Which, while the idea was sweet he could see a million reasons for it to go wrong. So that's why when he saw you hanging about on the grounds on your own he decided to just to go for it. You looked so cute in your summer uniform, blazer flung haphazardly behind you, tie loose, and sleeves rolled up as you read a novel; eyes lost in the page, lips parted and tongue out through sheer concentration. He jogged over and lay on the grass next to you, and waited until you noticed his presence; enjoying the pink in your cheeks and surprise in your voice when you finally noticed him.
He asked what you were reading and from there you both slipped into an easy conversation, like always, when he wasn't trying to charm you or compliment you there was an undeniable comfort in his companionship, something that left you hollow whenever he had to leave. So you talked for what seemed like hours about anything, everything. School, the news, your book, and then when he asked you about your internship you blossomed in front of his eyes. Eyes sparkled and you flowed with every word, almost dancing as you regaled him with tales from your time with the hero agency you were working at. He could have died on the spot a very happy guy, but watching you talk so energetically stirred something within him. He shuffled closer, making sure you still looked comfortable, trembling with excitement as you would tell a part of your story and your hand would curl around his wrist as you would detail the exciting parts. Your knees were touching, faces inches apart and you still seemed happy in his presence so he reached up, pushed away some of the fly away hairs that had become loose in your storytelling. Electric zipped through your body, time stilled and the only thing left in the universe is Mirio; close to you, fingers just behind your ear and face closing in. A sky of blue fills your vision, flickering to his lips before he close the gap. He fills your body with warmth. From the gentle touch of his lips, to the way his hand feels against his head to the soft drum of his voice along your teeth. You can't think, only feel, only respond. So you push back against him, whimpering into the kiss as you find yourself flush against him. Mirio isn't going anywhere, he's like a rock. Solid and unwavering he holds you until you're both so overwhelmed he allows you to retreat back and collect yourself.
He lets out a laugh as you pull yourself round. Wow – that was something. Guess now is a good time to tell you I like you, huh?
Throughout your whole relationship Mirio isn't afraid to show his affections and that is something you truly adore about him. He's never crude in public, but loves holding your hand, giving you a hug as you pass in the hallway and having you sit between his thighs during downtime in the common room. But when it comes to making love, it's at the back of his mind. To Mirio this is a big step and he doesn't want to mess it up, your relationship is so fulfilling and rich, most of the time he just forgets about it. He's not one to pressure you into doing anything and honestly, he is the make-out king. Undisputed, you'd tell anyone, but mostly Nejire because she can't help herself, she's a sucker for gossip. When you're in the privacy of your own rooms, he'll ply you with kisses, touches and an array of idyllic praises you reach the point of breaking, wondering what else could he possible do to make you feel this good?  
Most have this preconceived notion that Mirio is a player and a bit of a sex pest under all that charm, approachability and good energy. But it's simply not true, he's a trusting, patient, sweetheart that thinks of your comfort first and foremost – and, well, he's not ready himself. It's not until he turns 18, after rescuing Eri and losing his powers that's capable of committing to you. Things had been tense, not between you and him, but Mirio and the world. After his mentor's death and the loss of his powers this bundle of light was lost in the dark for a long time. His only saving grace was to try and keep a smile on the face of the little girl had been through so much. When she was ready enough for other people, he even brought you along, (with the permission of the Principal of course) and you played dress up, had tea parties and played with toys. All of the things Eri had been deprived of in her short life, showing her the delights of just being a child. Mirio watched as Eri clung to your arm and chuckled with glee as you tickled her, or helped her dress up and played with her hair. Watching you bond with Eri turned his stomach to goo and his heart to fire, then as you gushed about her cute little nose, long silver hair and that adorable little horn on her forehead during the walk home and something clicked within him. He couldn't wait to get you back to his dorm.
Being pushed up against the wall and lifted to his hips as you entered the privacy of his room wasn't a new concept. He did it all the time. Delighted to show you his subtle strength and need for you, it was usually littered with a barrage of praise and playful kisses, but this time it was different. There was a hazy lust in his eyes that had never been there before, it was infectious. His hands and lips targeted bare patches of skin as you press your hips to his, breathing shallow and cheeks pitted in a deep blush as he grumbles into the crux of your collarbone.
I need you...
He would whisper into your skin, spikes of blonde hair swiping across your cheek before pulling back and awaiting your answer. You fumbled, caught in the headiness of his desire for you. Of course, you needed him too.
Mirio talks through the entire process, the soft gravel of his voice awards you with a bounty of praises. As he undresses you, touches and tastes the length of your body he dotes words of passion into the blemishes of your skin. Blessing you with adoration beyond comprehension. You're a mess, emotional to a point. You want to cry, kiss him, hold him, need him in you. He takes his time and focuses on your own pleasure, holding you in stasis, a form beyond fear and doubt. You find serenity and calm as he places his lips against your soft stomach.
One day...
He murmurs against the skin as you catch his meaning in an instant. A shiver races your entire body as he announces his hunger of you. He reiterates your consent, reminding you can stop at any time. Not bloody likely. Not when he looks at you like that. So when he's prepared and finally enters your body you flinch at the fullness of him. He waits, twitching within you, waiting for you to be ready, telling you how good you're doing and how amazing you are.
He holds you the entire time, letting you control the pace, ever the gentleman. Your legs are around his hips, your fingers digging into the deep muscles of his shoulders. You call his name and he catches it in a kiss, drawing a dizzy moan from your faltering voice. He picks up his pace, quickly reminding you of the strength his body holds even without a quirk. You can feel the hard muscles taut against you, straining as he chases your infinite pleasure.
You climax first, trying your hardest to bury your moans into his skin. As you finish Mirio isn't far behind, sweating, glorious and beaming like the sun. He doesn't pull out at first, instead he flips you over and lays you on his chest, both hearts beating erratically. His cock still straining inside of you. He brushes the hair away from your face and places a light kiss against your sweaty brow. Your post coitus glow is enough to get him going again, and this time he has you bouncing on his hips, allowing him to watch as you take his length in stride.
You're doing such a great job, baby.
You're exhausted before he is, but that's fine, not everyone has the stamina of a pro hero. He takes you for a shower, cleans you down and you both dive, naked under the covers. Mirio massages your body, reward for taking him and being such a good sport about it. He kisses the cool, delicate patch of skin on your shoulder, leaving a shudder going down your spine.
I love you, Mirio.
You say with a content smile as you drift off to sleep.
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britishassistant · 4 years ago
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Too Many Bridges (I Dig Canals) 1
He was twenty-two when he died.
His mama hadn’t wanted him to move out to West Texas, crying that it wasn’t safe. His dad had soothed that he’d be fine at UTEP, the first one in the family to go to university, a business major, doing them all so proud.
His little sister had said they’d all dealt with much worse in high school, where the teachers screamed at you for speaking Spanish until you could barely remember a word.
His short older sister just snuck a dumb Homestuck backpack into his luggage, filled with the latest volumes of Boruto. He’d liked to read them while eating shitty convenience store ramen at 2AM.
Then he’d run out of cup ramen in his senior year, gone to the 7-11 at 1AM to grab some more, and made the mistake of glancing at a cracker junkie shaking from withdrawal.
Last thing he knew, he was bleeding out around a knife while the druggie tore through his groceries, crooning, “C’mon, c’mon where’s the hit, where is it, I know you’re hiding it.”
He’d only had the strength left to flip the racist fucker off before he finally drifted away.
He wakes as a baby.
The only natural response to this is to begin screaming.
What the fuck, what the fuck, what the fuck, what the fuck?! Why the fuck is he a baby?! Is everyone a baby when they go to Heaven?! Or wait, his butt’s kinda damp, is this Heaven at all?! Is he in Hell?! Was him flipping off that cracker enough to get him sent to Hell, after all he’s done?! All the masses he’s been to?! For the love of Christ, what’s going on—
A woman with white-blond hair and a tired face leans over him, muttering something harsh-sounding in a foreign language.
A loud and angry sounding man’s voice shouts something from somewhere he can’t see, which startles him into crying harder.
Then a large and callused hand slams down over his mouth, practically smothering him.
The woman’s face looms over him, wrinkled and shadowed like the face of the devil himself, poisonous green eyes glaring at him.
“Damare, kuso gaki.” The devil-woman hisses.
He whimpers.
His hair is green now.
Like a dehydrated shrub left too long in the heat, spiky-dry and almost yellowing at the edges.
And his eyes are purple. As if the green spiky anime hair wasn’t enough to humiliate him.
He misses his mama and his dad and his sisters but thank Jesus they’ll never see him like this.
At least his skin color’s pretty much the same as his last life. If he ended up resembling that fucking junkie who murdered him in any way, shape or form...
Well. All he knows is it wouldn't be pretty.
His new name is Meiun Nobuo.
The devil-woman who would rather smother him in his crib than let him cry apparently gave birth to him.
The deadbeat who cursed him with this eye and hair color and returns most nights stinking of alcohol and rotting fish is the sperm donor.
He misses his real family.
They live in a dock town.
Their house is farthest from the shore, so the scent of rotting fish guts and seagull shit is vaguely bearable. It’s bigger than the fishermen and farmer’s huts and market stalls that make up the rest of the village, with a curved asian roof.
He thinks the sperm donor is in a relatively high position in the village, perhaps an official of some sort. Probably inherited, because he seriously doubts anyone with a brain would elect that drunk deadbeat to any position of authority, but who knows.
He used to think the same thing about the government in his past life, and look what happened there.
Ragged official looking people buzz in and out of the rooms he’s not supposed to enter all day every day. Some of them smile at him if they notice him, lips spread sickeningly wide and eyes sycophantically crinkled.
Others look at him like he’s a nuisance, worthy of only their ire.
As if he asked to be reborn to this fucking paltry excuse for family when he had a perfectly good one back home
The devil-woman isn’t from around here.
That much is obvious in the way she’s constantly ill at ease, snapping at the slightest inconvenience, acting like everyone’s out to get her.
To be fair, a lot of them probably are just for the chance to have some peace and quiet again.
He privately counts himself among that number.
She’s always grumbling about how much better it is in rain, but regardless of the weather her shitty attitude never seems to improve.
She also starts trying to poison him when he turns four.
When his rice tastes weirdly bitter he spits it back into the bowl.
The devil-woman slaps him across the face.
“Eat.” She hisses, forcing his head into the bowl. “I didn’t destroy my body for you to bring shame to the Dokuso name like this. Your great uncle was already immune to neurotoxins by the time he was your age. The least you can do is eat.”
He tries to struggle, to scream for someone to help him, but the devil-woman just forces his head down farther until he swallows every last grain of tainted rice.
His body won’t stop shaking for the rest of the day, every gasp of air feeling like it’s scraping his lungs raw.
It becomes some kind of demented pattern.
He’s poisoned, he suffers, his body adjusts, he’s poisoned again in a new way, rinse and repeat until he seriously finds himself contemplating whether his last death was better than this.
The look of dissatisfaction the devil-woman always wears, as though he’s somehow not doing this (or dying) fast enough for her liking, weighs the argument a lot.
On the days where he’s in less danger of throwing up his guts, he has lessons with a tutor, because of course he fucking does.
Death, taxes and homework: the three constants of existence.
The tutor calls him a prodigy with mathematics, even if his grasp of kanji is shaky.
The deadbeat uses this as an excuse to push some of his work onto a five year old with some garbled line about “carrying on the work of our forefathers”.
He hates this.
He hates it so fucking much.
He prays every night, asking Christ why he’s being tormented like this. He hasn’t got an answer back yet.
He’s gonna make a break for it as soon as he’s old enough to do so. He’s still too young to be allowed out of the house, even for festivals. He also doesn’t receive anything like an allowance yet either, though he suspects that’s more due to the fact that the sperm donor is a cheapskate.
It’s fine. It’ll be fine. He’s already got access to some of the accounts, has proven himself to be a dedicated worker beneath suspicion.
Nobody’ll suspect the kid “carrying on the work of his forefathers” if money begins disappearing, not when there are so many greedy adults around. It’s foolproof.
He’s just gotta wait until he learns where he is and how he can get away.
He can do that. It’ll be fine.
“The daimyō has declared dōjutsu users enemies of the state.” His sperm donor complains one evening. “The Mizukage has authorized the use of deadly force to subdue them.”
The devil-woman sniffs, says something nasally and contrarian back but he can’t hear her over the blood rushing in his ears.
Dōjutsu.
Mizukage.
His mouth is dry. He can’t breathe.
There’s no way—there’s absolutely no fucking way—the tech here is way too primitive, he must be hallucinating, going through withdrawal from not reading his favorite manga for so long.
There’s no way this place could be the same world as Boruto. Besides, Chojuro would never authorize a-a genocide like that, Kagura-kun would be so disappointed in him—
But Kagura-kun’s grandfather wouldn’t have had any problems with it, would he?
It’s not until the devil-woman whacks him over the head and screams at him to get up that he realizes he’s on the floor.
He climbs shakily to his feet.
He endures the scolding quietly.
He goes to his room when dismissed.
He shuts the door behind him and slides down it, trying to muffle the sounds escaping his throat. They could be hysterical laughter or sobs. He really isn’t sure.
Because of course he’s been reborn years before any of the good characters of this series or plot developments that he can clearly remember will make their appearance.
That’s just his fucking luck.
He presses his forehead to his knees and screams.
This revelation helps along his plans, at least.
If he’s in Kiri, then he knows he’s probably on one of the many islands that make up the...peninsula? Archipelago? Fuck, geography was never his strong suit.
But yeah, he’ll need to charter a boat to get to the mainland so he can disappear.
He briefly entertains the idea of becoming a ninja for Kiri, maybe growing up to become one of Chojuro’s aides and Kagura-kun’s mentors. Getting to meet Boruto when that arc comes around.
But no. Or at least, not yet.
Going there before Terumi Mei has had the chance to overthrow Yagura isn’t a good idea, what with the whole “kill everyone else you studied with to become a genin” thing they’ve got going on. Also the people claiming to be his parents might track him down and have him sent back.
Fire Country is probably his best bet to vanish. The ninja there actually care about the populace.
He might even be able to go to Konoha. See Boruto and Sarada and Mitsuki grow up firsthand.
The thought leaves a warm feeling in his chest even as his limbs tremble from the effects of the latest venom for the rest of the week.
It doesn’t last.
Of course it doesn’t.
It’s one thing to know that certain people in the community are slated for death.
It’s a different ballgame entirely to see a mob barge into the sperm donor’s office, howling for blood.
He can only hear the words “kekkai genkai filth” chanted like a curse before the deadbeat is nodding his head and rising, grabbing a huge ass sword from where it’s been gathering dust on the wall.
He tries to shrink back, tries to let the throng pass him without drawing their attention, but a hand grabs his collar and yanks him away from his little table, away from his calculations, and drags him along with the frothing crowd of people with hate in their eyes.
He’s squashed near the back of the herd, but every time he tries to get away there are hands and arms to yank him back into line, hands of men or women or—Jesus, or other kids.
He’s eventually funneled through the doorway of a tiny farmer’s hut, pushed into one of the walls by the crush of people, and he looks up and there’s—
There’s—
Oh God.
Oh God.
Oh Jesus in Heaven have mercy.
He can’t look.
It’s awful, it’s too much, he can’t look, he can’t, he gags, averts his eyes—
He sees the girl in the corner of the room.
She’s crying, mouthing “Mama” to herself over and over.
One of those murderers has seen her too.
The man takes a step towards the girl—
“Stay the fuck away from her!” He yells.
He can’t remember moving. All he knows is he’s now in between the girl and the mob, knees trembling and adrenaline pounding in his ears.
His voice is all shaky and squeaky, not intimidating at all.
He’s scared.
Jesus Christ, he’s so scared.
These monsters just killed that innocent lady for their dumb fucking witch hunt.
What’ll they do to this girl if they get their hands on her?
One of the villagers steps forward and growls, “Outta the way, boy. You don’t wanna get hurt for that thing.”
“Fuck you, asshole!” He screams back.
“Meiun, discipline your fucking brat before we do it for you!” Someone else in the mob shouts.
The sperm donor is pushed to the front and begrudgingly holds out a hand. “Don’t be stupid Nobuo. Get your ass over here, now.”
“Listen to your father!” The demon-woman shrieks from the safety of several people away.
He laughs. He can’t help it. “My father?! You want me to acknowledge that drunken excuse of a sperm donor as a father?! Get real, you fucking hag!! You and him wouldn’t know what real fucking parenting looked like if you fucking murdered it in cold fucking blood!!”
He points at what’s left of the lady. “Because guess what? Looks like ya did!”
“How dare you—” The deadbeat’s gone dark purple.
“No, how dare you?!” His hands are shaking and Christ, there’s no way this can end well, but his mouth won’t stop running. “That lady was a perfectly fucking nice lady, a loving wife and a good mom and you assholes think you can just come out here and murder her for what?! Having something that you don’t?! Being a genuinely good person, like you aren’t?! You’re all just JEALOUS FU—”
Pain explodes in his temple.
A man’s screaming, “SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP, YOU KNOW NOTHING YOU LITTLE BASTARD, SHUT UP—”
He tries to raise his arms, tries to fight back, but the man’s swinging too wildly, he can’t stop the blow to the gut that knocks the air out of him.
More arms appear from nowhere, shoving him to the ground, pinning him down, jeers and taunts about how if he loves kekkai genkai filth that much he can join them, see what happens to them.
The knife glints evilly in the light.
He doesn’t wanna die again.
Jesus Christ, he doesn’t wanna die again.
There’s cold for a moment behind his right ear.
And then there’s nothing but agony, red and sharp and pounding pounding pounding and Nobuo is screaming screaming screaming.
Until his throat feels like it’s going to give out.
Until he knows he’ll die like this.
He doesn’t wanna die he doesn’t wanna die he doesn’t wanna die he doesn’t wanna die he doesn’t wanna die he doesn’t wanna die he doesn’t wanna die he doesn’t wanna die Christ—
The sensation is sudden and painful.
Like he’s been punched in the chest again, but in reverse.
Something erupts from him, with enough force to leave him breathless.
The jeers and ugly laughter become screams as pained as his own.
“Shit, he’s one t—?!” is the last thing he hears before a sound like glass shattering over and over overwhelms all other noise, even the terrified shrieks for mercy.
Nobuo’s eyes roll back into his head.
He blacks out.
The right side of his head throbs.
He whimpers in pain, curling in on himself.
“A-are you alright? Are you hurting? I tried to patch you up as best I could...” A soft, sweet voice murmurs.
He cracks open his eyes a sliver to see a dark-haired head with a pretty face hovering over him. The pretty face looks worried, almost scared.
“What...?” He tries to ask, voice croaky as hell. “Where...?”
“Ah, I, uh, took you and ran away after you got those guys off you.” The pretty face explains, averting their eyes for some reason. Their kimono is torn in places. “You-your e-head was bleeding really bad, so I tried to fix it, but I don’t think I did a very good job...”
What?
His hand lifts to the side of his head, feeling cloth sticky with what he can only assume is blood.
And feeling nothing beneath it.
His breathing hitches. He tries to stop it, tries to gulp the panic and fear back down, he can’t cry, he’ll get hit again if he cries, he can’t—
He lets out a sound that can only be described as a wail, shoulders shaking.
There’s movement and he flinches, oh god, he doesn’t want a hit, not now, not when he’s already dealing with this—
Small, thin arms wrap around him, trembling. A head of soft hair buries itself in his other shoulder, and a low voice begins sobbing “I-I’m so-sorry, I-I didn’t, I co-couldn’t stop them, I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” in his remaining ear.
A small part of his brain notes that this is the first time he’s been hugged since he woke up as a baby.
They cry for a long, long time.
Finally, when it feels like he’s gonna have a head cold for a week at least, he shrugs his shoulder minutely.
The girl looks up, face blotchy and red.
“You’re that girl, right? What’s your name?” He croaks.
The girl tenses and pulls away a little. “I’m Haku. I’m eight. A-and I-I’m a b-boy.”
“Oh. Sorry.” He rubs the back of his neck, feeling his cheeks flush. Where does he feel like he’s heard that name before...?
“And you are?” Haku prompts.
“M-Meiun Nobuo.” He states with a grimace. “M’ six.”
“Ah...then Official Meiun was...” Haku’s eyes begin to fill with tears again. “Y-your father, and, and your m-mother—”
“God no.” He snaps. “That man impregnated that woman to make me, but father and mother are the last things they can be called. Real parents don’t pull the shit they do on their kids.”
He folds his arms across his chest. “This may’ve sped up my plans, but you did me a favor, taking me with you. I was planning on running away anyway.”
Haku lets out a confused sniffle.“Where were you planning on running away to?”
“Fire Country.” He might puff out his chest a little. “Their ninja actually care about people, and they don’t hate kekkai genkai there.”
“Kekkai genkai...th-that’s what they kept calling me and m-mama...” Fat tears begin rolling Haku’s pretty face.
He shakily slides an arm around the older boy’s shoulders. “Y-you can come with me. If you want. I-I don’t exactly know the way, I was hoping to get some more geography and funds first, b-but I’ll figure something out, I swear.”
Haku takes a few deep, shuddery breaths. “I-I don’t either, but I know how to get to the next village, if that’s okay?”
“That’s great! That’s way better than what I can do!” He assures, giving his traveling companion’s shoulder a pat. “...d’you, like, wanna start going now, or...?”
“Can we stay here for a moment?” Haku asks. “J-just until I can check your head’s okay?”
Meiun Nobuo nods carefully, leaning more against the older boy. “Sure. No rush.”
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nanayoungishere · 4 years ago
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History Repeats In Mysterious Ways AU
The most self indulgent AU I can think of. 
Basically it’s a universe where Izuku has a twin (who eventually becomes evil but more on that later) who ends up getting One For All. Izuku, meanwhile, accidentally stumbles upon a half-dead All For One in some filthy alleyway and ends up getting All For One’s Quirk foisted upon him before the evil bastard dies. 
You see in this AU, the final battle between All Might and All For One happens super early. As in, several months before the series originally starts. And since it happens so early, All Might still has his quirk and was able to fare much better in the final battle. 
Moreover without the added stress of trying to rescue a kidnapping victim, the rest of the heroes were able to take care of All For One’s forces much better than they did in canon. All For One’s organization gets dismantled, the Nomus are gotten rid of, the Doctor is arrested and his research is destroyed in the struggle, Kurogiri disappears to parts unknown, and Tomura dies in the crossfire. 
Basically All For One is not having a good time in this AU. Everything he worked for, all the preparations he made, were basically made pointless. He has no legacy, no successor, nothing left. And while he was able to drag himself away before getting brutally killed by All Might, he knew he didn’t have much time left. He was fucked and he knew it. 
He only had one thing left in him: the ability to pass his quirk on to someone else. It was something he and the Doctor had been working on for some time now, a way for Tomura to finally succeed him as the Symbol of Fear. Because of All Might’s constant and unrelenting pressure on him, All For One hadn’t gotten around to switching his quirk out for a copy. He made enough adjustments so that he could switch it out, but didn’t get the chance to before All Might busted in and started kicking his ass. 
So when Izuku happens to stumble upon him while he’s bleeding out in an alleyway, he takes the chance to foist his quirk on him as a last ditch effort to keep his legacy alive. After all, all quirks have an imprint of the user hidden within, and All For One’s imprint on his quirk is basically a second him. He figures that, given enough time, his imprint will be able to take over Izuku’s body, giving him a second chance at life and revenge. 
So that’s how Izuku ends up with an absurd quirk, along with an evil voice in his head that tries to take over his body/tempt him into villainy. He also has to deal with all the other voices of the many, many quirks All For One stole over the years, as well as all their conflicting memories and feelings. 
A huge portion of the story is just Izuku struggling to stay sane and in control even as All For One tries to mindfuck him into surrendering his body or becoming evil. There’s also the fact that a lot of All For One’s quirks are too much for his teenage body to handle, so he ends up having to keep himself from ripping his body apart like in canon. There’s also all the suspicion from everyone else, All For One’s old minions showing up and pledging their allegiance to Izuku, villainous rivals challenging Izuku for territory, and much, much more. 
Basically, things aren’t going well for Izuku in this AU. And that’s not even going into his (future evil) twin. 
Izuku’s twin (whom I will be calling Zukin for now) is considered to be much better than Izuku in the eyes of others. He has a telekinetic quirk that allows him to control, manipulate, and enhance fire/heat so long as he has a prior heat/fire source. He’s very outgoing and overtly friendly to others. He’s selfless and makes a point to reiterate his love for heroes and how he wants to be one. He constantly looks out for his quirkless brother, protecting him against bullies and thugs. He’s considered by many to be Bakugou’s rival of sorts, even by the kid himself. He’s athletic, strong, skilled -- pretty much perfect in the eyes of others.
He does, however, have one main flaw: his need for external validation. 
See, a large part of the reason why Zukin wants to be a hero is because he wants to be validated by others. It’s something he’s always felt, ever since he was young: a need for positive attention. He wants it all, all the praise and respect and love from the people around him. It’s not enough that a few people like him; he wants everyone to like him. He has a need for it, a craving that won’t go away. And since everyone treats heroes like living gods/celebrities, he quickly decided that he needed to be one too. 
Which in of itself isn’t too bad. Craving attention from others is something everyone feels, and wanting to go into heroism for your own personal goals isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If anything, it’s normal. 
But Zukin often allows his need for validation to get in the way of doing what’s right. Which is how he managed to get One For All. 
In canon, Izuku managed to get One For All by risking his life to save Bakugou from the Sludge Villain even after All Might himself told him he couldn’t be a hero. In this AU the exact same thing happens -- only Izuku gets mistaken for his brother and Zukin is the one who gets attacked. 
Basically, when Izuku latches onto All Might and asks if someone quirkless can be a hero, he uses very vague terminology and wording that implies that he’s talking about someone else. Part of the reason why is nervousness -- he’s talking to his idol after all and the stress of almost dying ends up making his kinda delirious. 
So All Might gives him the no and Izuku walks off. The Sludge Villain gets away and ends up attacking Zukin while he’s walking home with a friend of his. Zukin, shocked by the sudden arrival of a villain, panics and ends up pushing said friend into the Sludge Villain’s clutches and makes a break for it. The villain snatches him anyway and in his blind panic, he uses his quirk to no avail. It just makes everything worse, just like it did with Bakugou in canon. 
Izuku arrives just as the Sludge Villain is about to suffocate Zukin and his friend. He jumps in, tells his brother to snap out of it, and manages to free the friend just as a crowd and the heroes arrive. 
So the thing about Izuku and Zukin is that they look exactly alike, down to the freckles. Sure Zukin is a bit more buff than Izuku, but you wouldn’t be able to tell at first glance, especially in their school uniforms. So when the heroes arrive and they see one bother bravely saving the other and their friend -- and when they later find out that one of the brothers is quirkless -- they immediately believe that the one with the heroic/powerful quirk was the one who saved the day. 
And Zukin goes along with it. Partly because of the whole external validation things, but mostly because of shame. Shame that he panicked, shame that he pushed a friend towards a villain to escape, shame for his own cowardice. He knows he didn’t act like a hero in that moment, that he acted like a selfish coward and he hates himself for it. And the thought of other people hating him too -- the thought of everyone whispering about how much of a coward he is -- makes him panic. So he takes the credit for the save before he can really think about it. 
And because both Izuku and Zukin’s friend sustained a good amount of brain damage during the struggle, they can’t exactly remember what happened during the fight or even what happened that day. So when Zukin says he saved them, they believe him. 
So everyone heads off to the hospital and that’s when All Might meets up with Zukin. The kid’s awestruck but more than a little confused when All Might makes a casual mention to his and Izuku’s conversation. He quickly realizes that Izuku and All Might must have met before though and -- not wanted to out himself as a coward in front of his idol -- acts as though he was the one he talked to. He talks about his brother, how he’s quirkless, and and says that he just wanted to see if it was possible for him. 
All Might smiles, makes a big speech about how he’ll make a good hero one day before offering to train him. And Zukin, struck by hero worship and a rising sense of glee, immediately agrees. 
He feels bad about it later, when he tells Izuku and realizes that he essentially stole All Might’s training from him. He justifies it by saying that it’s for the best; Izuku is quirkless after all and that sorta training would be wasted on him. Zukin is the one with the best chance of going to US and being a hero. Izuku just needs to face facts: quirkless people can’t be heroes. The sooner he realizes this, the better. 
So Zukin trains with All Might and, eventually, gets offered One For All. Zukin immediately thinks of Izuku and how by taking credit for his actions, he essentially stole a quirk from his own brother. Izuku’s one chance of getting a quirk and Zukin stole it. 
It makes him feel so, so guilty. But not guilty enough to turn down All Might’s offer and admit the truth. Because the thought of his idol realizing how he lied to him -- the looks he’ll probably give him -- makes him swallow back his words. 
He takes One For All and vows to make it up to his brother later, ignoring all the guilt and the voice in the back of his head that calls him a liar. 
So a huge part of Zukin’s story is his decent into selfishness and cowardice, how the residue guilt and paranoia ends up turning him into a monster. Because taking Izuku’s spot as the rightful user of One For All isn’t the only shitty thing he does. Over and over again he does shitty things in order to maintain his image as the perfect hero, to live up to the legacy All Might has given him. Zukin acts like he can handle the pressure, the responsibility, but it becomes increasingly clear that he can’t. And eventually, it turns him into a villain. 
So that’s the main idea of this AU:
One brother given one of the most heroic quirks in existence, surrounded on all sides by heroes and heroic personalities, mentored by one of the greatest heroes in history, and who still ends up becoming a villain due to their own choices. 
Anther brother, spat on by society and the world at large, forced to use a villainous quirk that he never wanted, with an ancient villain whispering within his mind, surrounded by all sides by villains and villainy, and who ends up becoming a great hero despite it all. 
A heroic All For One vs a villainous One For All. The irony of it is delicious. 
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twilightofthe · 5 years ago
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Star Wars Characters in an Avatar: The Last Airbender AU
So I’ve been thinking of this for a while. The way I’m doing it, only Force-Sensitives will be benders cuz that feels right
PREQUELS
Anakin Skywalker: Earthbender. Well, actually he’d be the Avatar and his best skill would be firebending, but Anakin grows up in the Earth Kingdom in this AU in that desert where he races sandships and wins by sandbending. He also figures out metalbending cuz he’s a nerd and still good with metals and mechanics.
Obi Wan Kenobi: Firebender. NO WAIT LISTEN. Firebender!Obi is a hill I will die on because ik he might SEEM more like water or air or even earth, the guy in ATLA who Obi Wan mirrors the closest is Uncle Iroh. They both are distinguished war generals former war generals who ended up outcasts because the government they served was no longer what they stood for and their loved ones got hurt/killed. Both are the Wise Old Mentor who guide the troubled young men whose fathers brutally maimed them. Both are fucking deadly when they want to be and only grow stronger with age. The only difference is that Obi Wan gets along with Mark Hamill while Iroh.... Does Not. Obes is a firebender because he knows how to control it. Also, if Anakin goes evil in this AU, y’all KNOW the Mustafar fight in this would have to be an Agni Kai. Speaking of, another firebender story Obi Wan matches is Roku (yes he’s the avatar but again, was born Fire) whose friendship fallout with Firelord Sozin is VERY similar to Obi Wan and Anakin’s mess, right down to someone’s wife dying because of their BS.
Padmé Amidala: Earth Kingdom. She also leads the Kyoshi Warriors cuz c’mon Pads and her royal handmaidens are basically MADE for that right down to the facepaint. She serves the Earth King, and is a diplomat between nations
Ahsoka Tano: Waterbender. Ooooooh I debated this for a while whether she should be water, air, or fire, but ultimately chose water cuz Ahsoka gives off big Korra vibes. She’s from the Southern Water Tribe, probably figured out bloodbending but flat out refuses, more of a fighter than a healer, WILL freeze your ass Elsa-style.
Qui Gon Jinn: Airbender. Yeah so no one wiped out the airbenders in this AU, he’s the go-with-the-flow type and has the same tendency to pick up weird animals. It was between air earth and water for him but I figured he was too stubborn for water and too idealistic for earth. Definitely uses his height to wield a big airending staff around and can knock like twenty ppl over at once. Figures out energybending but only to really make his plants grow xD
Satine Kryze: Water Tribe. Ooooooh y’all Satine was the one I had the most difficulty with because ugh basically ALL freaking Mandalorians are fiery hotheads and Satine the most fiery of them all so putting her as the nonbending pacifist leader of a bunch of firebenders is VERY tempting because that would make an interesting story. However, I ultimately chose Water Tribe, the Northern Water Tribe in particular because Satine feels a lot like Princess Yue. Very put-upon leader who’s facing enemies from the outside as well as arguments within her own advisors, just wants the best for her people, ultimately willing to die for her beliefs and her people when some asshole outsider comes in and attacks, traumatizes her boyfriend when she does die and the fandom tends to poke gentle fun at her boyfriend for it afterwards. Also, Bo Katan and her Nite Owls feel a lot like the water tribe wolf warriors to me.
Palpatine: Firebender/Earth King. Yes this makes sense because although Sidious HAS to be a firebender because lightningbending, he also has to be able to screw over Padmé and Anakin. So, he’s a firebender who manages to manipulate his way into the Earth Kingdom and take control of the throne and Ba Sing Se. May or may not still hold power in Fire Nation and talk them into invading everyone anyway or not, but he’s def evil.
Yoda: SWAMPBENDER. Bahaha ok so I know that the swampbenders all kinda fell under waterbender status, right? But yea waterbender would work really well for Yoda, but you KNOW he lives in the swamp as a cretin alllll the time in this AU and trolls everyone else and likes splashing them in the face. Yoda could also def be an airbender
Count Dooku: Earthbender. Dooku is solid, tall, works with the earth, and I think Form 2 kinda looks the most “grounded”, shall I say, of all the forms. Just the way he moves and his stubbornness definitely say earthbender to me, though he could also def be fire
Mace Windu: Firebender. The way in canon he’s all about self-control and knowing how to work with the darker side of you and the rage that’s there, yea, Mace would be a smokin’ (haha) firebender
Maul: Firebender (dammit there’s too many Fire Nation in this AU see this is another reason why I put Satine in water). Maul’s all about the fiery anger, again would really work well for a faceoff against fire!Obi Wan in this AU, Maul to me really looks like a tragic, worst-case scenario never-redeemed!Zuko. So basically Azula lol which ALSO works very well for the S7 Maul vs. water!Ahsoka fight echoing the final Azula and Katara fight
Ventress: Airbender. No, not just because she’s bald and has tats xD. Ventress would make very good use of the air glider AND the airbender ability to create a bubble around someone and suffocate them. (Airbenders can’t be pacifists in this AU otherwise the only people who could go there would be Satine and the Organas lol). She fights in almost a dancer, flying around sort a way that’s similar to what Aang does, and I could also see her whapping someone with an airstaff.
Jango Fett/Boba Fett/The clones: Earth/Fire. Ok so idk how clones would exist in this universe so I’m just gonna say Jango gets around and has a LOT of kids. Jango seems a lot like a down to earth get ‘er done kind of guy, he’s got the heavy hitting kind of play the Earth Kingdom likes. Boba would be much more of a Fire Nation emigrant. The clones I’d say are mostly Earth Kingdom in personality if I had to pick with a smidge of water and some fire of their own.
Bail Organa: Fire Nation. Bail is the one who lives in the Fire Nation and refuses to really play any way besides fairly. Also good for if he and Breha raise Leia because Reasons
Bonus! Hondo Ohnaka: Air Nomad. Hondo has no bending abilities, but he flies around on a flying bison named Melch and Causes Problems. He harasses Fire Nation blimps and Earth Kingdom trading routes and dive bombs the Water Tribe and is just the Horrible Goose of the ATLA!SW world.
ORIGINAL TRILOGY REBELS AND ROGUE ONE COMING UP NEXT
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c-c-cherry · 5 years ago
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Alone
AKA: Poor Twilight just really misses his friend. 
A whole lotta master/Protégé Time and Twilight hurt/comfort dynamics. (YES this IS angst because when is it not?)
Word Count: 1356
Wrote this before my finals and posted it on AO3 but I kinda forgot to post it here, so here it is!
**Linked Universe is an AU that belongs to Jojo here on Tumblr. This was inspired by that AU, so please go check it out!**
◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇
“Midna? Who’s-”
The words drifted out of Wild’s mouth almost effortlessly, and Twilight felt like something had struck him right in the lungs, winding him as a wave of grief hit him at the sound of her name. Twilight tried to keep it together, he really did, but he felt like he was underwater--everything Wild was saying after that went just in his ear and out the other.
A broken sigh that caught Wild--even himself off-guard caused him to back away protectively, inching farther and farther away from his companion.
“Twi? Twilight, what’s wrong? Are you-?”
Shrinking in on himself, he stood up with a start, ignoring Wild’s protests. The shock and adrenaline of what had just happened were still steadily coursing through his veins. He couldn’t let them see him like this. He was supposed to be stoic. Quiet. A leader. Like Time. Not some weak, senseless, spineless-
“Oof-”
Twilight jumped back as he felt another body slam into his. His breath hitched as some of the firewood tumbled out of Time’s arms and onto the forest floor. Twilight frantically looked around at the sleeping bodies all around him, but none of them stirred.
Time. Why did it have to be Time?
“Pup?” the old nickname slipped off his tongue softly, and Twilight felt the dampness on his lashes spread to his cheeks. His face tinted red with embarrassment as he pushed past the older hero and sped quickly further into the woods.
“Hey, pup-” Time tried to whisper to him as to not wake the others, but the hero was already gone. As his body filled with dread, he turned to Wild, the only other one awake.
“What happened?”
His voice didn’t waver, his eyes glowing like a raging sea. Wild looked shaken, but Time didn’t adjust his expression.
“I-I don’t know!” he said, his voice trembling, “I couldn’t sleep--so we were up telling stories and suddenly he just--just got up!”
Time frowned, trying to think of what could have made the stoic hero so emotional--certainly not something Wild had done from the looks of it.
“Okay,” Time said, now a little calmer, “Okay.”
“I-I didn’t mean to make him upset…” Wild said quietly, drawing his knees up to his chest, his back pressed against the tree he was sitting under. Time relaxed his shoulders and gave the young hero a sympathetic smile.
“Hey, it’s not your fault, okay?” he reassured, struggling to find the other words, “He’s just...not in the best mindset, you know?”
Wild nodded in understanding, wiping his eyes a bit with the back of his hand.
“I mean it, kid. It’s not your fault.” Time reiterated, “Don’t beat yourself up about it.”
Wild gave him a half-hearted smile, and Time looked around the camp. Everyone was still miraculously asleep. Sighing, he handed Wild the bundle of wood he had collected while trekking through the forest.
“I’m gonna go find him. If anyone wakes up and asks...just don’t say anything, okay?”
“Okay,” Wild answered, throwing a log onto the fire, “But come back soon...and tell him I’m sorry.”
***
Twilight sucked in an uneven breath as the camp got farther and farther out of his view. He felt his eyes start to blur over, causing him to lose his footing just slightly. Groaning in irritation, he swatted at his eyes, roughly attempting to get rid of his tears. He felt his breath catch in his throat as he finally stopped running. His back fell against a large tree and he unwillingly let out a held breath at the impact.
He felt the need to transform, it was more logical if he wanted to get away faster and unscathed, no one would be able to track him that way. Not even Time. But his chest ached too much and the strenuous task was too much for him. He was worried that he’d break down and not be able to switch back.
Besides, he would notice that cold, familiar feeling of coldness on his back, the feeling of loss of something that was once there. He couldn’t feel it as much when in human form, but he was far too fragile right now. Wolf form would absolutely break him. He missed her too much.
It was stupid to stay up late like that, especially on this day of all days. He was bound to say or do something he would later regret. But Wild looked so lonely, twilight knew the kid needed to get his mind off something. But when they started exchanging old stories, it was only a matter of time before he would slip out one about ‘you know who’ and not be able to handle it. When they started talking about girls--lovers-- it was impossible to stop himself from slipping up.
And now look at him. He was humiliated. And cold. And shaking. Why was he shaking?
He stared at his hands, calloused fingers shaking in the darkness. He balled them up in hopes of lessening the feeling, but it quickly spread to his wrists until an entirely new wave of panic set onto him.
“I’m sorry, Midna…” he muttered to himself, burying his head between his knees and feeling his uneven breaths tempt more tears to fall.
Midna wouldn’t be sitting here pathetically like him. She’s a princess--a queen more now likely. She has an entire realm to look after, duties to take care of. She shattered the mirror for everyone’s own good. She was happy to go home. She wouldn’t be thinking of him this way, with so much grief, so why was he?
They only knew each other for a handful of months at most, but that didn’t stop the landslide of tears that dripped down his face.
“You doing alright there, pup?”
Twilight’s breath hitched in surprise but barely raised his head to face his mentor.
“Don’t--don’t look at me right now. Go back to camp, I’ll be--I’ll be fine,” he sniffled, trying but failing to conceal his current state.
“Oh, Twi,” Time crouched down next to the curled up figure, “We’re practically kin. You think I can’t tell when something’s wrong?”
Twilight didn’t answer but acknowledged the warm body that was now inches away from him.
“We can talk,” the older one said softly, “I’m always here to talk.”
Twilight sniffled, finally lifting his head up and attempting to wipe away his tears with the back of his hand.
“I feel awful,” he sighed, digging the palms of his hands into his eyes. Time wrapped an arm around his disciple, feeling how the hero’s tense body melt into his warmth. Twilight always had a sensitive spot for Time, the only people that could really get close to him were him and Wild, for reasons no one really understands.
“I don’t know if Wild said something, but he feels terrible about it,” Time mentioned. Twilight shook his head.
“It’s not his fault…” he muttered, sighing angrily as bitter tears started to reform. He didn’t mean anything by saying it. I just didn’t want him to see me so weak…
“Heroes cry, Twi, contrary to popular belief. And I know everyone one of us is stubborn, but we’re all allowed to have our weak moments.” Twilight sat up in surprise at that statement. Did he really just say all of that out loud?
Time chuckled quietly at his protege and ran his hands lightly through his hair. The sniffling hero didn’t protest.
“I don’t exactly know the full details of your journey, we’ve all had upsetting things happen along the way, but just know that I’m here if you need it, cub.”
“I don’t...I don’t really know if I’m ready to talk about everything yet,” Twilight sighed, “Today’s just...a lonely day, that’s all.”
Time nodded. He understood what it was like. After a while of looking silently out at the night sky, the pair finally got up and started walking back in favor of sleep. As they neared the light of the fire, Twilight pulled Time into a soft hug, catching the hero off guard.
“Thank you,” the stoic hero whispered. Time smiled.
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roseprincesskristina · 4 years ago
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New Year Love
((Since this is the true conclusion of 2020 despite of all the gun violence, pandemic, deaths, sadness and such. But now, everyone begins with a new chapter for 2021. For this story, humans and reploids are more prepared for the millennium of a lifetime, saying goodbye to the old year by making way for the true beginning of the future. While the two Maverick Hunters are, on the other, are enjoying their new year celebration by spending with each other in private at HQ, especially Zero's room. Before reading, it involves yaoi. So if you are not a fan, then you don't have to read this fiction. But, if so, you're welcome to enjoy this story. Anywho, without further ado, please enjoy reading and Happy New Year! 😊🎉🎉🎉🎇🎇🎇))
Midnight has slowly made its way by the appearance before the starting event of this evening's New Year extravaganza party here in Abel City, where the white diamond orb of light ascended into the middle of the dark sapphire skies, sided with a few stars twinkling beautifully like the precious gems or the clear oceans. Crickets created a quiet chirping sound for the soothing mood when it comes to nighttime, fireflies brighten their bottoms into the flashy shade of green for an even more peaceful atmosphere all across the earth. Humans, along with reploids, are surely hyped up for the conclusion of this previous year due to the endless cycle of maverick revolution ruled by the infamous king of all irregularities and former commander of the band of hunters, Sigma.
Few or many lives have been revoked into death, cities crumbled from certain attacks, and to cease the existence of all mankind to all the strongest robotic kind to rule the universe for eternity.
With every bit of hope have almost been decreased hastily, but thankfully, a duo of elite crime busting hunters have intervene the former mad commander's ambitions as well as to destroy his schemes in puny smithereens. One of them is the pure hearted B Class gun user who despises the unyielding feud between machines and man with the possessed potential. The other one is the serious, too cool for school A Class beam saber wielder with a non reckless strategy and lacks the practice of mercy towards enemies. Together, they're known as Maverick Hunters. Humanity's last hope for achieved freedom from disasters. Battling their paths throughout a horde of those who would follow their master's footsteps, especially the eight criminals that use to be hunters from before. Dueling against the arrogant rabble rouser in purple named Vile, and finally, ending the nightmarish nightmare by defeating the big boss himself. Numerous times in fact, no matter how many times he resurrected himself, but always dismantled by the irregular hunting crusaders. Peace has been restored at last, cleansed by the virus of villainy, where everyone began to applaud towards the hunters of foiling their enemies dreams. And this, where it all began, the true combination of both reploids and mankind living as one.
Meanwhile, back at the present time where everyone, as well as the Maverick Hunters, have began their special occasion at the Hunter HQ garden fields. Decorated everyone including the new year drop ball for the later countdown. While the guests are partying, having a wonderful time together, chatting, enjoying foods and drinks, taking turns with their speeches about others who made their lives even better if it wasn't for them during the crazy year, and lastly, telling of their new years resolution. Folks and reploids are remaining by having a blast. Even the rousing young prototype who is now a hunter, Axl.
Elsewhere away from the gang, the two droids, X and Zero, are relaxing in one piece alone inside of each other's room, enjoying their new year solo time in the dark. Mouth connected all night long without ever wanting to stop, caressing their backs smoothly, grinding on one's  armored bodies to force out the satisfy moans from the lower part of their stomachs.
"U...Unh~ Oh Zero~ Please don't stop yourself from polishing my body~ I... I kinda love it when you massage me~" Moaned the shy hunter of the 17th unit, intrigued by his crimson partner's soft touch across him. Letting out his pinkish tongue before panting, pleading for more.
"X~ You know I love it when you're enjoying my hands placed on your gorgeous little ass along with your body~" Aroused the blood colored mentor, kissing his lover's entire body with a starving attitude. "I want more of you, baby~ Your softness and nature have cured my cursed bloodlust from the past~ I lost control of myself, but now that you're here by my side, I felt peacefully comfortable around you~"
"Zero~ Zero~ I don't wanna live in this new year without you~ You're even more important to me that lifted my spirits~ Reminding me of your inspiration has made me the symbol of peace, helping others in need and beating Sigma with my full power and your courage that help me succeed~ It's all thanks to everyone who guided me, especially you, my love~"
"X~ You also done the same thing when I was acting too serious during my missions~ Refusing to accept anyone's help but to work on my own turfs, becoming stubborn every time someone wanted to help, and I'm very sorry for calling soft because of your emotions and sympathy towards your foes~ It really inspired me to be myself and still as cool thanks to you~ Nothing would put a smile upon my face more than your words of kindness which filled my cold broken heart~ So, thanks again, baby~ You really made my day~"
Influencing each other with the gallon of appreciation, sided along a plate of love, the cuddling couple resuming their enjoyment together by lip sucking like there's no tomorrow or next time. Making out all crazy on the bed, tongue kissing, giving one a naughty spanking for being a bad reploid. Comforting each others well beings or souls by their warmth, ignoring useless judgements by flushing them, along with hatred, down the toilet where it belongs. Living within their less colder shadows with full confidence, snuggle into one's shoulders without getting lost in the middle of nowhere but ridicules from anyone possessing a haughty personality. Watching out or got their backs when it comes to danger, filling in due their absence from missions or meetings.
"Zero~ What would be your new years resolution~?" He asked, but was already aware of that answer.
"It's obvious, babe~ To stay by your side for as long as it takes~ Cause I'm not going anywhere now that you're alone with me~" The upperclass hunter replied, pulling his cerulean closer to him for a deeper smooch as well as the desperate taste.
"I would think of doing the same thing~ I felt very strong hearted around you, Zero~" The kind spirited lower class smiled, responded with a kiss while being pulled towards.
"Mmmm~"
"Mmmmm~"
Their longing silent mouth connections have shut off the horrible memories that bother them, as well as their focuses, replacing all of it with each other's images to help them relax and regain control once again. Leaving everything in the past behind them or to never look back. For a harmonious year to come very shortly, two hearts have finally conjoined into one.
"Zero~ I love you~ With all my heart~"
"I love you, X~ Even if it means to sacrifice my life to protect you~"
"And I will always be your guardian angel to help you rise up when you're going to give up~"
"And I'll be your undying strength when you're giving out~"
Outside the Hunter Base, the entire crowd is completely prepared for the exciting countdown to be announced. Their hearts began to pump a rapid beat to helping the blood increase greatly. Even the teen shape shifter has felt this hyped up since his first promotion of becoming an irregular destroyer. They all have directed their attention upwards the skies for the fireworks to burst after the millennium ball has descended.
Inside, both the maverick stoppers wrapped themselves into each other's arms for a permanent embrace. Cherishing their hearts with tenderness and softness clothing their surroundings to form a private barrier around them without interruption from anybody.
"Thanks for being here with me all these years, Zero~ Having you by my side has really put a grin on my face~" X said gladly, feeling the endless warmth from his mentor's hand keeping him company.put
"Anytime, X~ You've done the same for me since we met~ Everything would be a living hell without you~ I'm glad that peace has been brought back because of you~" Replied Zero, smiling towards his young lover into his grasps. Happily being with one another forever, away from the densed insults showering them. But to be praised by those with positive traits around them that assist their mysterious potential to proceed further instead of stopping. Earning complements and friendships that never ends. Also, to be there for all reploids and humans.
"And mostly ~.... "
"But most of all~...."
And finally, the backwards counting has commenced as everyone joined in. While the two lovers would approach each other for a new year kiss.
The crowd starts to count: "10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!"
Both irregular fighters have reached into their faces saying this before the reunited lip mashing.
"You are my everything~"
"You are my everything~"
The entire audience have shouted "HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!" as they cheer roaringly, while both lovers have kissed at last. Hearing the booming effects of the bursting fireworks into the air, lighting on their armors into the middle of a occasional deep smooch. All kinds have continued their fun during the beginning of the new millennium, hoping for it be far more better than this year. And as for the B and A Class heroes, well, everyone is already aware of their new year resolution: Staying by each other's side no matter, even when it means to sacrifice their lives.
"Happy New Year, Zero~"
"Happy New Year, X~"
"And... I love you~..."
"I love you too, baby blue~... Never forget it~"
"Oh Zero~"
"Oh X~"
"Zero~"
"X~"
"Zero~...."
"X~...."
"Zero~..... " Whispered the peace admiring buster bearer, proceeding his face towards his loving partner closely.
"X~...." Same goes for the scarlet swordsman, meeting his cute teammate's face for a preparing lip to lip sucking as well.
The duo are now continuing their holiday moment with each other alone by meeting lips once more, allowing the rest to enjoy their evening as well. Hopefully, this new and improved chapter will become much more tranquil than the unending disasters happening from the old year. Wherever there's trouble hidden itself out of suspicion without ever to become noticed, the inhuman hunting dream team will always get the job done quickly and over with. All humans and reploids will forever live as one, no matter the difference or appearances, everything will be possible.
The End
Happy New Year, everyone!
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jvncnt · 4 years ago
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𝐡𝐞𝐲  𝐡𝐢  𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨  ,  beautiful  people  !  my  name  is  lenny  (  22  ,  she/her  ,  mst  )  &  i’m  absolutely  hyped  to  be  joining  this  amazing  group  !  it’s  honestly  been  a  hot  minute  since  i  last  rped  in  a  group  ,  but  i  truly  cannot  resist  anything  that  my  bbys  stephy  &  leia  come  up  with  so  here  i  am  !  i’m  bringing  you  my  boy  jayden  ,  a  completely  new  muse  ,  but  i’m  really  excited  to  develop  him  here  .  pls  bare  with  me  if  whatever  is  below  the  cut  is  a  mess  ,  that’s  just  representative  of  my  permanent  state  rn  sjkdlhfs  but  i  wanna  plot  with  each  &  every  one  of  you  ,  so  pls  hmu  !  give  this  post  a  like  or  slide  into  my  dms  ,  or  u  can  reach  me  via  d*sc*rd  @  lenny the pooh#3088  !  ily  all  already  ,  can’t  wait  to  be  a  part  of  this  group  ✨
*  𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐠𝐨𝐬  here  and  do  i  have  the  tea  for  you  .  jayden  is  back  in  bridgehampton  for  the  summer  ,  living  off  the  vincent’s  family  $670 million  net  worth  .  must  be  nice  to  come  back  home  to  the  hamptons  ,  i  wonder  what  his  fellow  class  of  2017  grads  think  of  his  return  .  you  know  ,  he  was  known  around  town  as  the  vainglorious  and  for  bhs  senior  superlatives  he  was  crowned  as  most  likely  to  punch  you  in  the  face .  i  wonder  if  that  still  holds  true  today  ,  a  lot  can  change  when  you  go  off  to  pace  university and  study  commercial  dance  .  either  way  ,  i  bet  he  is  still  very  steadfast  ,  assured  ,  truculent  and  heedless  .  hopefully  this  time  next  year  the  plans  to  dance  professionally  come  true  .  in  the  meantime  ,  i  look  forward  to  seeing  him  blast  cross  me  -  ed  sheeran  ,  chance  the  rapper  ,  &  pnb  rock  at  every  hamptons  function  .  it’s  going  to  be  a  wild  summer  home  ,  welcome  back  .
alright so i’ll just drop some bullet points here that’ll tell u all about jay !
( tw : mention of suicide , drugs )
his father is one of the most well-known boxers around , but not for anything great : he was a major heavyweight champ in his early days but shortly after jayden was born his mother committed suicide after a really difficult struggle with postpartum depression , which was not aided by her concern for her husband’s dangerous and demanding career — after that , everything sorta went downhill for jay’s father .
he was caught in one of the biggest drug busts in new york history and went to prison , leaving 10 year old jay in the hands of his paternal grandparents in the hamptons , who already were more like parents to him than his father would ever be .
his grandfather was a big time boxer in his day ( then worked as a mentor to some other big names until his retirement ) , and his son’s troubles disappointed him because he wanted the vincent legacy to live on , so he started mentoring jayden to reclaim the family name in the boxing world .
for a while things went well and jay was into the whole boxing thing , but his grandfather began to put more and more pressure on him as he grew older , along with everyone else around him — he was the star of bhs’ wrestling team and everyone envisioned him up on the big stage , giving creed a run for his money — but jayden couldn’t see it . he really wasn’t that into boxing . sure it gave him an excuse to punch shit and get his anger out , but that only goes so far until you begin to question the true meaning behind what you’re doing .
for jay , the only meaning he could see in pursuing a boxing career was to reclaim the vincent name that his father had tarnished all those years ago , as his grandfather wanted him to , but that moment of glory wasn’t enough to outweigh the lack of passion jay felt underneath every punch — not to mention how much he feared following in his father’s footsteps . he also wasn’t sure he wanted to give his father the satisfaction of reclaiming their throne .
so what was he going to do ? well , where his passion lacked in boxing , it absolutely thrived in dance . his grandmother founded a major dance studio in the hamptons and jay spent many evenings there while growing up . at first he just did homework in his grandmother’s office , but then he started snooping on classes out of boredom before he befriended one of the male teachers who convinced him to try out a class . and from there it kinda snowballed . his teacher turned into more of a mentor than his grandfather would ever be , and jay felt more excitement leading up to his dance classes than his boxing lessons .
his grandfather at first saw dance as a good way for jay to keep up his stamina and exercise in different ways , but then he started to notice the imbalance between his grandson’s passion for dance and for boxing and he grew frustrated . “ dancing’s not for vincent men , " he once told jay . “ grow some balls and throw some punches . ”
out of pure fear of his grandfather and disappointing him , jay continued to pursue his grandfather’s dreams for him and trained almost every day , but then he’d sneak away to late night dance sessions because he just couldn’t avoid how magnetized he was to a life of dance . the creativity , excitement , and pure fun held more meaning than boxing ever would for him , but it took him until high school graduation to properly admit that to himself .
his grandmother , the wonderful spitfire of a woman she is , sneakily led jay through the application process of every major dance academy across the states , even though her husband found no use in sending their future heavyweight champion grandson off to college . she’s always supported jay for every decision he’s made and wanted nothing but the best for him , whether it was boxing or dance or something completely different . she’s the source of all of his confidence , ambition , and determination .
it wasn’t until the acceptance letter came in the mail from pace university that jayden came clean to his grandfather . it was a messy , loud , stressful , emotional night , but his grandfather eventually realized there was no use in arguing or fighting — he raised jay to be strong , independent , and everything he wished his son had been , and he knew that when jay set his sights on something , he was going to do it no matter what .
WHEW ok now we come to the present : jay has been excelling in pace’s commercial dance program , his passion for dance blazing brighter than ever before , and he’s returned home to the hamptons every summer to visit his beloved grandparents . with his senior year coming up , he has already lined up several auditions for world tours and music videos and more to set his dance career in motion . he’s honestly looking forward to seeing his old bhs alumni over the summer and rubbing their noses in the success of his own future that he is writing .
as for a lil about his personality :
he’s well known as the vainglorious , aka excessively proud of oneself or one's achievements ; overly vain .
not to say he’s a bit of a dick but ... he’s a dick . 
as much as he hates to admit it , he definitely inherited his father’s hotheadedness and his utter selfishness .
he has always been the kid who doesn’t just think he’s the shit , but is the shit . he’s cocky in an annoyingly charming way and flirted his way up every social ladder during high school .
being the star of the wrestling team also didn’t help to deflate his ego sdljkhf like he didn’t love boxing or wrestling , but he knew he was damn good at it and just likes being the best .
as for some positives about my boy !! he is a charmer and he’s always loved to have fun . he spent so much of his childhood and teen years training and working hard that when he gets free time , whew he revels in it .
working hard is in his blood and he just oozes determination and will be your biggest hype man because he’s a dick but he still wants to see everyone succeed ! he knows what it feels like to be passionate about something and wanting to chase your dreams , and he will help you chase those dreams !!!
a big ol’ flirt , but he’s not really a player . he’s never been one to sleep around or act like breaking hearts is a sport . he grew up really admiring his grandparents’ marriage , all while remembering the poor relationship he knows his parents had , and definitely is a bit of a romantic . but that’s not to say he isn’t down to have some fun either lol
UUHHHH I REALLY DK WHAT ELSE TO SAY !!!
like i said , he’s a work in progress so i’m sorry this isn’t more detailed or fancy , i’m truly just so excited to be here that i wanted to get this up asap !
if you'd like to take a look at the shitty pinterest board i made for him , you can find it right here ! you can ignore the extra sections on it , it's a recycled board from an old muse but i'm leaving the connection sections there in case any of the pins work with the plots i get going with u !
as for connections , i’m truly down for anything and everything !! which i know is sooo basic to say but i’m forreal . if you have some angst or drama you wanna throw my way , i am here for it ! i also pride myself on my ability to brainstorm fun plots , so don’t be afraid to reach out !
xo ily
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horanimal-10 · 5 years ago
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Okay, I know we still have the final to go, but given what we've seen so far what's everyone thinking about the Olympic roster? Who you think deserves to make it, who you want to make it, who is a definite no at this point, anything. Now, I basically know jack shit about soccer (I was a field hockey player, oops) but I definitely have some thoughts about who I want/think deserves to make it. 
Let's start with the front line, shall we? 
Christen Press. I mean, this one is obvious. In what universe does CP *not* make the roster? I'll tell you which universe - none. She's clearly having a moment, she's healthy, everyone loves her. She's in, signed, sealed, delivered. Put it on my grave.
Pinoe. Okay, okay, "she's only good on set pieces" people say. Yeah, and those are pretty important. And aside from last night's somewhat sub-par performance in that department, I think she's looked pretty damn good this tournament. Fit af. Plus there is something to be said for the leadership and experience the older players have to offer. I think the rest of the team respects her and values her, and she's super positive and supportive of everyone, which I love. As long as she stays healthy, she's in.
Heath. Whoo. Honestly, I don't think we got a good look at her, what with her limited minutes. But she's the nutmeg queen, she's great on corners, she's spicy, and she does that nifty little backheel thing. And again - experience. Definitely takes on a mentor role with some of the younger players. She's had some injuries going back to the end of the club season, but as far as I know they've been minor. I still cringe every time she gets fouled, but I think she'll be okay as long as Vlatko continues to be smart about managing her minutes until she's 100%.
AMorgs??? Okay, this one's loaded. I give her major props for continuing her training during pregnancy, and I 100% believe she has the drive to be match fit by July. That said, pregnancy and childbirth are unpredictable. If she ends up needing a c section (which I wish on nobody, fingers crossed for a nice, uncomplicated delivery) I don't think she'll be ready due to the recovery period. That is the only reason I hesitate to say she's going for sure but I am hoping for the best and want only good things for her.
Baby Mal??? I don't know. This is a tough one. As much as I miss her, I will admit to thinking (please don't kill me for this) that she looked kind of lost and unfocused in the friendlies last fall. She has the skills to be there, no doubt, it just seemed to me she wasn't connecting well with her teammates, wasn't anticipating where they would be, etc. But I love her and hope she works shit out.
Carlos??? She isn't starter material at this point. This tournament, for her, seemed to be about getting Carlos to the Olympics, not the USWNT. Not at her best, by a long shot, and unlike Pinoe I don't think the younger players really see her as a leader or mentor. Not gonna lie, I was rooting for her because I admire her drive and dedication to keep going, but she fell short here.
Now, I'm skipping ahead to goalies, because honestly that's the easiest.
Uncle Naeher. Biggest no-brainer along with Press. (Honestly...can anyone give me a valid reason for her not to start? I doubt it.) I think she proved both in international and club play last season that she deserves the starting spot. It's hers to lose, but she won't.
Ashlyn. I hesitate to say I'm 100% sure here, but it's a pretty good bet. Campbell or Bledsoe could sneak in there, but at this point I'm leaning towards not. We really didn't get a good look at where she is right now, what with there not being a whole lot of action on that end of the field, but apparently Vlatko likes her so I'm good with that.
Ugh. Now we have midfield and backs. Honestly the toughest spots to cut anyone because they're basically all looking rock solid. 
Rose. Why tf would you cut Rose? That's right, you wouldn't. She's had a solid tournament. Would have liked to see more of her, but benching her against Costa Rica was prob a good call, given her yellow card from the previous game. (Confession - sometimes I feel like she falls in the "looks like she could kill you; would actually kill you" category. Anyone else get this vibe? Not necessarily a bad thing…)
Lindsey. Honestly, I feel like sometimes she doesn't get the credit she deserves. Does she ever have a *bad* game? Even when she's not at her best, she's still The Pretty Good Horan. Solid as a rock. Great one-touch passes. Has perfected the art of the header. Awesome volleys. Just got her first international hat trick, yay! Looks cool, calm, and collected, but is capable of being absolute chaos on main (exhibit A: That Game™ vs Utah). Leaves no square inch untouched as she roams from box to box. Minus last season's concussion (and maybe a minor hamstring injury last fall where she missed a friendly? Am I right?) she's been healthy, which is more than I can say for several others, so there's also that. And she's the love of my life, so I will accept zero criticism on this one.
JJ. She's fast, she's feisty (and sometimes ultra spicy), she and Dunn are adorable bffs, she's a leader. I have nothing bad to say about her. But I'm still kinda salty that Chicago beat Portland in the semis so that's as nice as I'm gonna get. (No hate though, really, she's fantastic.) She needs to stop giving me heart attacks with the couple-pics-that-could-be-pregnancy-announcements, though. One USWNT baby at a time, thanks.
Sammy. Well, she got herself two braces so far in qualifying (okay, that one goal was highly questionable, but the ref said goal so goal it is), so she's definitely made a strong case for herself. She's tall. She's able and willing to catch The Great Horan (you know, because she's the only one taller than The Great Horan). She panics over being the first one on the bus. The only thing I don't like about her? She plays for NCC. But honestly she's adorable, really fucking good, and I love her so I can overlook that.
KO. Okay, I'll admit I was nervous. Her first couple games were a little shaky, she had a few pretty big goof-ups (but I mean when she whiffed that one time she had literally just recovered from a savage attempt at breaking her ankles so I can't even blame her for that) but her ankles were away at war for like 6 months so what do you expect? Last night she was in fine form. She brings a great energy to the game, connects well with Tobito, has the Stanny connection with CP and some cute, newfound friendship thing going on with Horan, and is basically the ultimate hype girl (when she's not being the ultimate frat daddy). When you need a bitch, she's your woman. And she's hot. Like, HOT hot. As long as the ankles hold up, she's gotta be on that roster. I am rooting for those ankles. Hard.
Sonnett. Really did herself a solid with the minutes she had. No complaints from me. Almost scored a goal, and I'm not counting it out in the final. Not afraid to break ankles. She's scrappy, spicy, saucy, a sit-down comedian, a soft smiler, and a package deal with Horan. She deserves the world. The world (or at least the USWNT and its fans) deserves her. Please don't cut her, Vlatko. I beg of you. (I'm not saying if you cut her, I'll cut you, but like...I'm not NOT saying it, either...)
Krieger. What do I need to say except she showed everyone why Jello was an idiot not to play her. She's a beast. And I really, really, really need the wives to both make it bc I will cry if one does and the other doesn't.
Dunn. I mean, have you seen her? She's all over the field. She almost scored during her 100th cap. I've never seen her have a bad game. Voted best dancer on the team. The only problem? See Sammy above. F'n NCC. She deserves better, dammit.
Dahlkemper. Okay, don't sue me, but I really don't have any feelings toward her either way. A lot of people love her. I've never heard anyone say anything bad about her (except this one time I saw someone roast her on IG for following Honkle, but that's her business I guess) so that's good enough for me. Also she's pretty and posts thirsty comments on her teammates pics so basically I stan a supportive Abby.
Broon. Cool as a cucumber. The voice of reason. A literal angel. Captain Becky never lets us down.
Okay. Now for who I don't think will/should make it. 
AD. This makes me really, really sad. I love AD. But she's the only player on the roster who didn't get any minutes, so I think that says exactly where she stands in Vlatko's eyes. It's a shame, because she's amazing, but it's super hard to choose between her and Ash.
Lynn. Clearly Vlatko sees something in her, and tried really hard to make it happen. It didn't happen. I was kind of rooting for her, just because everyone else seemed to be against her, but she just didn't seem to connect with the rest of the team. She's fast, I'll give her that, but it's not enough. 
Jmac. Another one I was rooting for just because everyone else was against her. She has talent, and when she's on she's great, but she wasn't connecting with the others. 
Moe. Nothing against her, just no compelling reason to cut anyone else for her. Injury-prone, which obviously isn't good.
Allie. See Moe, minus the injuries. Bonus points for social media content, though.
Baby T. No clue where she stands with the injury. If she's 100% I have absolutely no reason why she shouldn't be on the team, but I don't know who I'd cut to keep her. If she isn't 100% I'd rather she take the time to heal completely. I know it was reported that she'd be ready to resume training around February, but a while back she herself said she didn't think she'd be 100% by the Olympics so who tf knows. She's SO young and could have 2-3 Olympics (and World Cups) ahead of her so no need to risk a career-ending injury by rushing it. But if she IS ready I'm down for her being an alternate (or, heaven forbid, making roster in the event that anyone else is injured). I like Tierna. I want a long, successful career and only good things for her.
Player I selfishly just want on the team because I like her.
Midge. She was a Thorn, so maybe I'm a little biased, but she's good, she's young (but not *young* young and inexperienced), she's versatile. I like her. A lot. 
Okay, that's all I got. Let me know what y'all think.
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