#i added it to ao3 and everything

[momotonescreaming]

[Part One][Part Two] [Part Three][Part Four] [Part Five] [Read The Whole Thing on Ao3]

Steve is slumped over in bed when Tommy pushes the door open, blinking slowly and clearing his throat. Like he’s sunk further down into his pillows without Tommy propping him up. His heart clenches at the sight of him. His eyes flick to the door, to Tommy, blinking against the light from the hall. Bright, white, hospital lights — harsh against his concussed eyes compared to the dull lighting of his room. Tommy didn’t click until now, that Steve’s lights were off. Fuck, why didn’t he realise? Makes sense, if reading made him throw up, what did light feel like?

Like the worlds worst hangover, cranked up to a thousand, Tommy imagines.

He tries to shut the door behind him slowly, quietly, as to not to agitate Steve further, without spilling tea all down his hand. Somehow he manages it, and places the tea on the table next to Steve’s bed. Next to a lamp, a box of tissues, and an empty paper cup. It all looks a bit depressing. The tea makes it slightly better, and not just because Tommy got it for him. The steam curls up into the air, the warmth radiates from it. It’s kind of nice.

Still disgusting though.

“Got you your grandma juice,” Tommy teases, sitting back down in the ugly chair. Trying to subtly move it a little closer to the bed as he sits down. A little closer to Steve. If he needs help, Tommy will be right there. Just like when Steve called. It eases the pressure in his chest slightly, being back in the room, looking at Steve, knowing he’s right there.

“Thank you,” Steve mumbles, eyes half closed as he snuffles against the pillows. He looks half asleep. He looks adorable. Wrinkling his nose like a bunny. In the quiet of his mind, Tommy lets himself think it. Doesn’t dare let the thought breach his lips, exit his mouth. But he and Steve have been apart for so long, and it’s easier to focus on that, than the bruises and wounds that litter his face.

Steve braces his hands on the mattress, pulls himself to sitting again, looking a little woozy and wobbly. Instinctively, automatically, Tommy stands up, arms reaching out for Steve. He stops himself. Hands hovering in the air, twitching, itching to reach out and touch Steve again. To help him. Make it easier, even just a little. But the shiver runs down his spine again.

What if Tommy’s overstepped? What if Steve’s at his limit? Would it be better if he just left? It might kill him a little, a coil of it poisoning his heart. A stone sinking in his stomach, if Steve were to kick him out. But he’d go, Tommy knows he will.

“You good?” He settles on saying, still hovering next to his bedside. Brows furrowed, heart hammering in his chest. He can feel it, every thud of it against his ribs.

“Can you?” Steve says, words thick in his mouth as he gestures vaguely at himself. At his bed. So Tommy ignores the way his breath hitches in his throat and grabs Steve’s hands again. Braces them against the metal bed frame and pulls Steve to sitting. Adjusts the pillows behind him.

Steve sits with a sigh, propped up by the pillows, and he looks wiped. Just from that. So Tommy lets go of his hand, ignores the way their fingers brush, linger, as he retracts his hand. Grabs the tea he just put down, and holds it out for Steve.

They’re close, he’s standing so fucking close. And Tommy can see the way Steve’s eyes widen as Tommy holds the cup out to him. The honeyed depths of his eyes, an eye catching, achingly familiar brown. He could lose himself in them, if he wasn’t careful.

Maybe he doesn’t want to be careful anymore. Maybe this really is the start of something.

Steve grabs the cup — still in Tommy’s hand — his own large calloused hands  enveloping his. They could blame it on the concussion, on Steve’s slow movements. Bogged down with the weight of his concussion. But this feels purposeful. They lock eyes over the steaming cup, and Tommy lets his eyes rake over Steve’s face. Trying to discern, to figure out, all that Steve has lying under the surface.

He used to be so good at it.

Steve takes the cup, and Tommy lets go. Sits back down, eyes still locked on Steve. Watches as he takes a sip, slow and careful, before resting the cup in his lap. Holding it there, letting the warmth of it seep into his hands. Looks down at it, almost contemplative, before back up at Tommy.

He looks tired, sure, bruised and beaten — but Steve looks almost more sure of himself now. Like he’s let himself come back into his body. Tommy wonders how much of that was him, there, helping. And how much was just time and a cup of tea.

He hopes it was him. Getting the message and answering the call. Reaching out, helping, listening, fucking trying. The awkward pains of admitting you were wrong, or you could be better, is worth seeing his best friend again. They’ve been friends since kindergarten. Steve helped him pull his baby teeth out. He snuck candy bars to Steve in class. They joined the basketball team together. TommyandSteve. The pair of them together through everything.

And maybe they’d have that again, if Steve let him.

“Do you-“ Tommy starts, immediately cutting himself off with a laugh as Steve also starts to say something. Still in sync. He gestures to Steve to go ahead.

“Would you maybe,” Steve starts, fingers tapping against the side of his cup. Looking over at Tommy through quirked brows. “Would you maybe want to visit me again tomorrow? After school?”

Oh.

That’s literally what Tommy was going to ask. Does Steve want him back? Or is this a one of? Steve getting closure. Their relationship finally ending. No more TommyandSteve. Cleaved in two by one Nancy fucking Wheeler.

But no, Steve wants Tommy to come back. To talk, to keep him company. He’d fetch him a hundred cups of disgusting tea if it meant he got to spend more time with Steve.

“Dude, of course.” he starts, gesturing down at his sweatpants and worn shirt. “You think I go out in sweatpants for just anyone? No.”

Steve laughs, which was the goal. It makes something warm and sticky start to bubble in his chest. Like a sweet tar, sticking to his ribs, his lungs, his fucking heart. The things Steve did to him. It didn’t feel like this with anyone else.

And maybe he didn’t have to push it down this time, the way Steve made him feel, now that he had a chance to be back in his life. Didn’t have to hide it with red hot anger, and words spat with vitriol. Jokes at other peoples expense.

Maybe he could let himself love Steve.

[firewasabeast]

Bucktommy all dressed up and dancing together

oh you gave me the perfect excuse to write buck and tommy dancing to the song I put on repeat and imagine them having played at their wedding. If you'd like to listen before, after, or while reading, here you go.

“You look fancy!” Buck noted with a smile as he walked into their new place. “Got a hot date I don't know about?”

Tommy was dressed to the nines. A black and white tux with a bowtie, hair perfectly coiffed. It was a bit confusing, seeing as they had planned to order tacos and spend the evening putting furniture together once Buck got off work.

“Something like that,” Tommy replied slyly. “Go get changed. I've got your tux on the bed.”

Buck tilted his head, confused. “Where are we going?”

“Who said we were going anywhere?”

“Tommy, I- I don't get it.”

“Humor me, Buckley.”

“Oh, we're whipping out the last name, are we?” Buck asked, wiggling his eyebrows as he headed for the bedroom. “Okay, Kinard, I'll play along with your silly little games.”

Buck went into their room and got changed, put on his dress shoes and fixed his hair as well. He had no idea what was going on, but he couldn't help the butterflies in his stomach. Tommy had a way of making Buck feel like he was the only person in the world. And even though he didn't know what was about to happen, he had a feeling this was one of those times.

He came back into the living room to dimmed lights, candles lit, and Tommy holding a bouquet of red roses.

Now Buck felt a little worried. His eyes widened. “Did I forget an anniversary? Oh my God, Tommy, I-”

Tommy moved in closer, cutting off his worries with a kiss, two fingers under the chin as per usual.

“You did not forget an anniversary,” he whispered against Buck's lips before pulling back from him and handing over the flowers. “I just wanted to surprise you.”

“Well,” Buck smelled the flowers, “you succeeded.”

Tommy shrugged. “You're always surprising me, keeping me on my toes, figured I should return the favor sometime.”

“Oh please, you surprise me every day. I'm always learning something new about you.”

Tommy held out his hand for Buck to take, and Buck glanced between him and the flowers. “Shouldn't I put these in a vase?”

“We will in a minute,” he nodded toward the table near them, hand still outstretched. “Lay them there for now.”

Buck gently set them down, then placed his hand in Tommy's. He let Tommy lead them to the center of the living room, where he then stopped.

“What're we doing?” Buck asked, utterly confused.

Tommy pulled their stereo remote out of his pants pocket, pressed a button, then stuffed it back into his pocket. He kept his hold on Buck's hand, but took a couple steps back, asking, “May I have this dance?”

The music began and, although he felt like he had just arrived on a new planet and skipped the tour, Buck said, “Of course.”

From this moment, life has begun

From this moment, you are the one

Right beside you is where I belong,

From this moment on

“You look beautiful tonight.” Tommy spoke softly, bringing Buck close to him. They each had an arm wrapped around the other's waist, their other hands still intertwined as they began to dance.

“Thank you. My boyfriend picked my outfit for me.”

“Oh he did, did he?”

“Mhm.”

“He's got good taste.”

Buck swore Tommy's eyes twinkled as they stared at one another. The whole world could have imploded in that moment and Buck would have been none the wiser.

“Hell yeah he does. You should, uh, should see how good he looks though. Smokin' hot.”

From this moment, I have been blessed

I live only for your happiness

And for your love, I'd give my last breath

From this moment on

“Not that I'm complaining but, um, what's all this for?” Buck asked.

Tommy let out a sigh. “I was thinking about how we never got to dance at Maddie's wedding, and that's a damn shame. I was looking forward to it.”

Buck couldn't help but laugh. “That was six months ago, Tommy!”

“Six months too long.”

I give my hand to you with all my heart

I can't wait to live my life with you, I can't wait to start

You and I will never be apart

My dreams came true because of you

Sometimes, Buck felt like he was dreaming. That Tommy was a figment of his imagination. Someone he created to make himself feel complete.

And maybe another person couldn't actually complete you, but Tommy came pretty damn close.

Buck moved his arms to drape over Tommy's shoulders, hands cradling at the nape of his neck. Tommy used the change as an opportunity to bring them even closer, his arms around Buck's waist, hands settled at the bottom of his back.

“I love this song,” Buck said, resting his head on Tommy's shoulder. “Reminds me of when I was little, hearing it on the radio.”

From this moment, as long as I live

I will love you, I promise you this

There is nothing, I wouldn't give

From this moment on

“Anything Shania is a favorite of mine, but you know that already.”

Buck smiled, humming as he turned his head to nuzzle into Tommy's neck. “Walking in on you dancing to Any Man of Mine in your underwear? I'll never forget that one.”

Tommy snorted. “It's a wonder you didn't leave me right then and there.”

“It's a wonder I didn't propose right then and there.” When Buck realized what he said, his body stiffened. He went to pull back, to ask if that was too much, but Tommy kept him close.

“I would've said yes.”

The words were spoken barely above a whisper. Buck almost missed it completely. But he didn't. He heard Tommy and it made his heart skip a beat. He melted into him further.

Oh, you're the reason I believe in love

And you're the answer to my prayers from up above

All we need is just the two of us

My dreams came true because of you

Technically, they weren't dancing anymore. Instead swaying gently as they held each other up.

Buck lifted his head slightly, just enough to look into Tommy's eyes. “Did we just sort of propose to each other?”

Tommy smiled, his nose scrunching up in the way Buck loved so much. “I don't know. A little bit, I think. A promise, maybe?”

Buck nodded, laid his head back down. “I like that.”

From this moment, as long as I live

I will love you, I promise you this

There is nothing I wouldn't give

From this moment, I will love you

As long as I live, from this moment on

Buck made no effort to release himself from Tommy's grasp as the song ended. He closed his eyes, now wet with tears as he became overwhelmed by the amount of love he felt. “Can we play it again?” he muttered out, willing his voice not to break.

Tommy moved just enough to hit replay on the remote and press a lingering kiss to Buck's forehead. “As many times as you want.”

From this moment, life has begun

From this moment, you are the one

Right beside you is where I belong

From this moment on...

[ecstarry]

snippet from pt.3 of olympic villa au - full fic here

“No, tell me why you are upset.” 

Regulus snapped his arm back and stared at him with absolute disdain. “Don’t fucking tell me what to do, Potter.”

“So it’s Potter now?”

“What do you want from me?” 

To kiss you, James thought. 

“Why are you this mad?” James couldn't wrap his head over how insensitive Regulus was acting.

“I’m not fond of people who fake interest, whatever the reason for that may be.” Regulus wasn't even looking at James while speaking.

James was even more confused by that answer, and quite honestly, he was starting to get upset too. 

“Regulus what the hell? Why would I send an apology if I didn’t want to make things right?”

“Do you mind?” Regulus started walking away. “I really wanted to do my cardio for the day.”

[littlestarlost]

eve, in the garden (an avatrice ficlet)

Ava is generally fascinated by all the things Beatrice does, but it’s all the fruit that finally sends her over the edge. 

Beatrice, who slices her apples into perfect sixteenths and peels mandarins while keeping the skin in one piece. 

Beatrice, who always rests the strawberry against her lips before taking a bite, as if in reverent prayer. 

(It’s a look Ava has only seen when they're in the throes of passion, and when Bea eats strawberries.)

Beatrice, who eats green grapes by peeling the skin off first, using only her teeth and tongue. 

(Ava makes herself come just by grinding her thighs together, panting hot into the corner of the pillow so Beatrice won’t wake up.)

Beatrice only buys things when they’re in season, so it isn’t until the first nip of October that she brings home a pomegranate. She actually brings home five—only one of which is going into the chutney she wants to try, but they were on sale—and as Ava helps put away the groceries she can’t help but drift towards them. Spending twelve years unable to feel has made her a glutton for novelty, even to this day; the chance to feel something new is still a shining golden treasure. Her sensory-hungry hands are immediately drawn to the pomegranate’s taut flesh, the healthy weight of it in her palm, the way something gives just a little under the surface when she applies the slightest pressure. 

“How do you eat these?” Ava asks, her mouth already watering for some reason. “Is the skin good? Can I just go full apple, or this another rambutan situation?” 

Beatrice laughs, her joy like pealing bells on a Saint’s day. “Not quite, but there is kind of a trick to them. Would you like me to show you?” 

Ava nods. “Yes, please,” she says, voice low. She can’t help herself when Beatrice shows her things. 

They have to finish putting the groceries away first—Beatrice, as always, is an edging queen—and then Ava has to do the dishes she left in the sink from this morning. But eventually things are to Beatrice’s liking (Ava would do a million dishes just to see that specific calm smile), and they stand together by the sink: Beatrice filling a bowl with lukewarm water, and Ava with her chin planted on her hands like a brat. 

“Watch this,” Beatrice flashes the tiniest smirk, twirling a paring knife between her fingers before stabbing it into the top of the pomegranate, cutting a neat circle around the calyx and removing it as casually as she might kill a man with her bare hands. “Now, do you see the white pith inside, in between the seeds? You have to peel that off, and it’s often easiest to do in water, like so.” She slices a few straight lines down the pomegranate before submerging it in the bowl and cracking it open like a spine, which sends a delightful shiver down Ava’s own back. 

In Beatrice’s hands, everything becomes holy. The water bath is a baptism, the squirt of juice blooming blood-red like a temple crowned with thorns; the pith floats to the surface like clouds as the arils sink to the bottom of the bowl. They don’t pop out of the pomegranate easily; Beatrice has to coax them off the pith, her thumb stroking the seeds until they submit. She pulls up a handful—tiny seeds, once held in bondage and now freed, pearly pink and nearly translucent around the edges. The water runs through her fingers in rivulets. 

“Here,” Beatrice breathes, as if speaking too loud might shatter the moment. She takes an aril from her cupped palm and raises it to Ava’s lips, her fingers lingering as Ava’s tongue darts out to receive it. “Close your eyes.” 

Ava obeys, eyelashes fluttering as she bites down on the tiny seed. There’s a burst of tart-sweet juice on her tongue, a gentle crunch—refreshing and intriguing and gone far too soon. 

“Delicious,” she groans with pleasure.

[breadandbees]

Half-Cold, Half-Hot, Half-Hero: Chapter 15/?

Fandom: Boku no Hero Academia | My Hero Academia (Anime & Manga)

Word Count: 180k

Relationships:

💥 Bakugō Katsuki & Todoroki Shōto 🔥

❄️ Todoroki Shōto & Todoroki Siblings 🌧

🧣 Bakugō Katsuki/Todoroki Shōto 🧤

Additional Tags:

Alternate Universe — Canon Divergence

Fix-It of Sorts

Fluff and Humor (with an emphasis on Humor)

Angst and Tragedy (where the Tragedy has already happened)

Getting to Know Each Other (but it’s an uphill battle both ways)

Summary:

These were the facts anyone who had ever studied the history of Heroes knew: 1) the first person to be registered for a Quirk was a social justice advocate against a super-human society, 2) about 80% of the population had a Quirk compared to the 11% upon the first-of-its-kind global census, 3) "supermodern" Quirk users were comprised of the fifth and sixth generations, and 4) everyone who had been born into Hero society learned how to dream for something the first time they laid eyes on a Hero because everybody dreamed of becoming a Pro Hero someday.

These facts were the foundation of what made for a very compelling story. But they were all just very, very compelling lies that made way for two things to survive: 1) even more lies and 2) the Todoroki family.

An AU where Shouto Todoroki has the power to change the story, but he isn't the one who chose what changed when he was just an idea—a strategy, a counter-measure. He doesn't even understand the changes. All Shouto knows is that he has to be the number one Hero or else everything he's discovered about the future falls on his head and Touya's. So, he doesn't have a choice.

Not Rated | Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings | Other (for Familial Dynamics + Friendships + Undefined Relationships revolving around POV character)

Read here on AO3!

[drpoisonoaky]

If you write as many fics as I do I was sooo tired of not being able to organize them. Then I remember “oh shit i’m an engineer” so I made this app:

(en/es)

I also made it for android, but I have to find 15 testers if I want to publish it for everyone so if you want to try it send me your email and I send you the link :3

[compacflt]

took my two week break from opening any top gun-related word document. Was very relaxing. now starting to edit & repost chapters, in anticipation of printing out my final copy

every year-old typo i encounter makes me want to end it all i swear to GODDDD

[iwouldservehim]

AO3 is taking donations right now, and as they once again get above what they asked for, it reminds me of one of the neverending buffons who got mad one time over this specifically, that they get extra they must be pocketing.

And other than the transparency of expenses, you must realise the donation count is also very much transparent. Like, as it happens. People very much see the minimum goal was achieved and they make the decision to pitch in a bit more regardless. Willingly. Not even out of fear that otherwise the staff might not be able to keep the site on without. They want to.

It is absolutely ridiculous to be getting mad and imply some kind of manipulation or secret scam.

[samarecharm]

I'm pretty sure the fic you're thinking of is "past the places where we might have turned" by taizi!

GOOD LORD THATS THE ONE. HOLY SHIT. THANK YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH. WOW!!!!!!!!WAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

LINKING IT HERE. THANK YOU !!!!!!!

[wygolvillage]

i feel like a lot of arguments over Internet Platforms could be solved by simply rejecting platforms entirely and hosting everything on your own website. but a lot of people dont want to learn html i suppose

[lavenderpanic]

Okay so I'm editing IAAFYF because idk I'm just obsessed with the story and don't have the energy to write new stuff so I'm just going back and editing and I'm only now realizing how many inconsistencies there are 😭😭😭 You can really tell I never meant for this to become my most popular fic because there is no internal consistency. I accidentally gave Brock the police uniform of my state even though he lives in a different state, there are so many inconsistencies in the apartment layout, there is just so so much that needs to be edited

[random-shit-writing]

you know how some people do movie marathons? or binge watch a show on netflix?? yeah i do that with ao3. i find a specific character or relationship tag on ao3, and then binge all the fics in that tag

[palismet]

hello i do still be working on my *checks notes* seventeen hunter fics in progress. no i have not finished any of them. yes i am mentally ill ✌️

[theamazingannie]

Love seeing someone call AO3 a bad website in any way and then checking their bio and they’re 17. Like. Baby girl. You do not know the horrors of a badly coded fanfiction website. AO3 is a DREAM. We were in the TRENCHES back in the day

[starbudspresents]

Re.Gray 005 - The Black Order

[ Masterlist ] [ Read on AO3 ] [ Raws ]

♦ 133

sfx: pata pata pata [flap flap flap]

Allen: haa... Allen: haa... Allen: Why... would they build it... up here...

sfx: yoji yoji yoji [grip pull grip] sfx: gashiko! [scraping grip on top of cliff] sfx: hyuoooooooooo [wind whistling down cliff behind him, emphasizing how high up he is]

5th Night - The Black Order

♦ 134

Allen: Exorcist headquarters... Allen: The Black Order.

5th Night - The Black Order

♦ 135

sfx: hyuuuuu [woooo, wind whistling spookily]

Allen: ...I presume? Allen: I was warned, but it really does have quite the ambiance... Allen: Timcanpy, this is the place, right?

sfx: go go go go [dun dun dun]

sfx: patata [flap]

sfx: goku [gulp] Allen: Well, let's go knock.

Order golem: ji—— [bzzzz]

Reever?: Hang on, who's that kid!?

♦ 136

Komui: Oh, dear, an outsider at the gates~~? Komui: Why didn't they fall off!?

Reever: Director, hey.1 Reever: I'm not so sure he's an outsider.

Lenalee: Here, come look.2 Lenalee: He has Marshal Cross' golem with him.3

Komui: !

Allen: Pardon me? Halloooo? Allen: Allen Walker, here on Father Cross Marian's introduction?4 Allen: I'm here for an audience with the Order's leader.

♦ 137

sfx: zawa zawa [murmur, mutter]

Komui: An acquaintance of the Marshal's! Komui: So he is alive.

Reever: kachi [putting the headset in his ear] Reever: He says he's here by "introduction". Ring any bells, Director?

Komui: ...... sfx: zu— [slurp] Komui: Not a one.

Allen: Um?

Reever: The Gatekeeper's going to have a look at you. Stand still.

Allen: Huh?

Gatekeeper: ......

Allen: ...... Allen: Pleasure.

sfx: GUO [BULGE]

Allen: EEK

♦ 138

Gatekeeper: X-ray examination!5 Gatekeeper: Classifying: HUMAN or AKUMA? sfx: piko [spotlights click on]

Allen: Whoa—

sfx: bu bu bu [bzzt bzzt, picture glitching]

Allen: ?

Gatekeeper: !? Won't focus—? sfx: piko piko [light beams clicking like camera] Gatekeeper: Is it a bug? sfx: bo [picture clears momentarily] Gatekeeper: !! sfx: bu ["DISQUALIFIED" buzzer sound]

♦ 139

Gatekeeper: Yooouu're OUTTA HERE

sfx: buh [Komui spittake]

Allen, side: eeek

♦ 140

Allen: Wha—!?

Gatekeeper: HE'S BUGGED Gatekeeper: There's a cursed pentacle on his forehead!! He's out, out!!6 sfx: gyahhhh [bawling] Gatekeeper: The pentacle is the mark of the Akuma!! Gatekeeper: He's with them— Gatekeeper: With the Millennium Earl, probably!!!

Allen: WH—?

Staff: WHAAA!?

Gatekeeper: Spy incursion! Spy incursion!

Reever: Quick, which Exorcists are here right—7

65: Unnecessary.

♦ 141

Lenalee: Kanda's already there.

sfx: pih [a beep, but I'm not sure where it's coming from]

sfx: ZA [fwoosh, falling at high speed]

Allen: !?

♦ 142

No dialogue on this page, just Kanda glaring down at Allen from atop the gate; a fateful meeting.

♦ 143

sfx: gira [blade glinting]

Kanda: Pretty gutsy, showing up here alone....

Allen, side: Bloodthirst!?8

sfx: ba-tsu [leaping off the building]

Allen: W— Allen: Wait a moment!!

sfx: zoku [blade slicing through air]

Allen: !! sfx: gua [arm transforming]

♦ 144

sfx: DON [impact]

Allen: WH—

Kanda: !

♦ 145

sfx: bi [wince] Allen: Ouch? Allen: ! Allen: !? Allen: My anti-Akuma weapon is wounded!? Allen: Akuma bullets don't even dent it, but one slash of that sword...!? Allen: Wait, is his sword perhaps—

Kanda: ... Kanda: Hey, you. What's with the arm?

Allen: ...It's an anti-Akuma weapon. Allen: I'm an Exorcist.

♦ 146

Kanda: What? sfx: girah [scowl] Kanda: Gatekeeper!!

sfx: biku [flinch] Gatekeeper: B-b-but— Gatekeeper: He wouldn't come into focus, what was I supposed to do!? What if he'd been an Akuma!?

Allen: I am a human being! Allen: A little cursed, I'll grant, but a proper human being nevertheless!

sfx: don [thump]

On chin: the "Gate" of "Gatekeeper" written in English, not kanji

Gatekeeper: Uggghh, don't touch me, you clod!! sfx: gyaa, gyaa [Gatekeeper caterwauling]

Kanda: Hmph... Well, whatever.

♦ 147

sfx: za [sword humming through air as Kanda takes his stance] Kanda: A look at your insides should clear things up.

Allen: He's initializing his anti-Akuma weapon!!

Kanda: My Mugen will rip you apart.9

Allen: A sword-type anti-Akuma weapon!!

♦ 148

sfx: don [Kanda charges]

Allen: Wait, for the love of God wait! Allen: I swear I'm not an enemy! Allen: You should have a letter of introduction from my master, Cross!!

sfx: pita [last-second halt] Kanda: Letter of introduction...? Kanda: From the marshal...?

Allen: J-Just so... Allen: Terrifying! Allen: Addressed to someone named "Komui"?

♦ 149

Komui: You there! sfx: bishi [dramatic fingerpoint]

Mohawk: Y-Yessir?

Komui: Search my desk!

Mohawk: Search... that?

Lenalee: Komui....

Staff: Director....

Komui: I'll help too!

sfx: hero [floppy] Mohawk: Found it!! Here it is!! Mohawk: A letter from Marshal Cross!

♦ 150

Komui: Read it!

Mohawk: "Komui: I'm about to send you a kid named Allen. He's all yours. Cross"

Komui: Right then! You heard the man. Komui: Foreman Reever, call Kanda off!10 Komui, side: I need more coffee.

Reever: Tidy your desk once in a while!! Reever: Kanda, stand down!

sfx: piko piko [flip flop]

Komui: Lenalee, Komui: give me a hand getting ready, will you? Komui: Been a while since our last recruit.

♦ 151

Gatekeeper: O— Gatekeeper: Open sesame~~~? sfx: ngogogogo [doors groaning open]

Komui: Recruited by Cross, hm...? This ought to be interesting. ♫

♦ 152

KOMUI LEE Chinese | 29 years old Height: 193cm (6'4) Weight: 79kg (174lbs) Birthday: June 13th Gemini, blood type AB A scientific prodigy brimming with curiosity... it would seem. At this point in history, people tended to call scientists "magicians" or "alchemists". By that measure, all the golems and odd gadgets at the Order were created by Science Division "magicians". I do wonder why Komui turned out so weird... I actually based his character on my manager, Yoshida-shi11, but perhaps I should keep that little tidbit to myself.

♦♥♦

FOOTNOTES

Title: 室長 shitsuchou is a pretty flexible civilian title that applies to someone who is managing or coordinating a section or division within a larger organization. In this case, Komui is the division director of the Science Division, which runs Exorcist HQ, but the Order itself is a larger organization and contains other sections presumably led by other people. [ ♠ ]

Honourific: 兄さん niisan "elder brother". Honestly, this is the one thing I hesitated longest over when deciding to leave out honourifics: what to make Lenalee call her brother. I tried just using "brother" at first, but it didn't work with the rest of the translation style, so I moved to "Komui", which also bothered me (though slightly less). I have seven siblings myself, so I thought about what we do, and realized that in English, we generally only call people by name or title if we're trying to get their attention or specify who we're speaking to. Therefore, my current compromise: a) In direct conversation when it's clear who she's addressing, don't call him anything. b) If she is trying to get his attention, specify, or give him heck, use his name (again, as a sibling normally would). c) In third-person conversation, refer to him as "my brother" so that their relationship remains clear. I know it still reads a bit funny for all of us who have previously read more direct and literal translations, but please bear with it. [ ♠ ]

Title: 元帥 gensui. Most versions translate this term as "general". I suspect that's because most previous translators were working in the US, where that is the highest attainable military rank. The more direct translation of the word, however, is "marshal", and in the European countries where this story is largely set, that is the highest rank (often specified as "field marshal", as in "one who marshals troops in the field"). [ ♠ ]

Title: 神父 shinpu "(Catholic) priest, reverend father, minister, padre". As Exorcists all double as Catholic clergypersons, it would make sense for higher-ranking members to be called "Father" or "Sister" so-and-so. [ ♠ ]

Yes, literally x-ray vision. The Gatekeeper is such a great example of the Order's magiscience, which is obviously far ahead of the rest of the world; Allen hitchhiked and walked his way across Eurasia to get there because there are no major railroads yet, but the Order has projected screens and radiography. [ ♠ ]

Yeah, that "pentacle" (which also showed up on the cover of 003, but I forgot to mention it then) is actually the sigil of Baphomet in the western Esoteric tradition, and both the sigil and western Esotericism will come up again. The linked wiki is quite long, and there are a lot of potential meanings one could infer. I don't feel prepared to guess what Hoshino was specifically after with this one just yet. [ ♠ ]

Term: 城内 jounai "within castle walls" (HQ is often referred to as "the castle"). Reever's asking which Exorcists are currently present at HQ to respond to the situation. Relevant to the name of the next chapter. [ ♠ ]

English doesn't really have a perfect corollary to 殺気 sakki, "murder-feeling", a very shounen-manga term that refers to directed homicidal intent and operates in much the same way as one might "feel" eyes on the back of their neck. Allen feels Kanda's intent to kill him and is appropriately alarmed. [ ♠ ]

六幻 mugen "six" + "illusion(s)". Invented compound. There are other possible translations of "gen", such as "phantom", "vision", or "apparition", or even "rare mythical treasure", but I agree with other translators that "illusion" makes the most sense in context. [ ♠ ]

Title: 班長 hanchou "foreman", "squad/group/team leader". While Komui is the head of the whole division and responsible for all manner of non-science things, Reever — his direct subordinate and right-hand man — manages the scientists in their actual day-to-day work. The difference between "general manager" and "operations manager", basically. [ ♠ ]

Also known as "Y-shi". A name to remember. [ ♠ ]

[mewharley]

I HAVE SO MANY THINGS I WANT TO DO BUT I'M HAPPY

I've been looking for new music and finally found a new fav song and a group to check because they sound cool ???

and draw!! i want to draw!! I've been drawing digitally lately <3 And i want to read!!! I have like 3 fics to read that I haven't caught up on yet and they're SO GOOD

but I want to finish this one drawing for one of them... <3 <3 <3

it's so wild actually doing things, it's so nice