#i say all that but I wanna die when he's battling on track

[with-my-calamitous-love]

YOU’LL SEE ME IN HINDSIGHT

touya todoroki x reader

you spend one last night with your husband before he goes to battle shouto and endeavour.

angst/smut, mha official ending spoilers

part 1/3

inspired by wildest dreams

2 years of hiding. 2 years of silence. 2 years of putting the outside world on pause. 2 years of bliss.

to fall of the face of the earth with your beloved was possibly the most romantic thing you could have ever experienced. you existed in your own snow globe, dancing in circles round and round shielded from the outside world. but you both knew it wouldn’t be forever.

you had a quiet house on the countryside, surrounded by gorgeous acres of land. for you and touya, it seemed much to large for both of you. but acres of nature’s serene solitude provided the two of you enough time to escape from the world. you, at least, wanted to escape. for touya, it was more like purgatory. this is where he spent his time before death.

the backyard was perhaps your favourite part. you sat on the old wooden steps on the porch, eyeing the lush vegetation that seemed to thrive despite the ever-increasing fleetingness of the moment. soon, no one would pick the peaches from the trees, or harvest the sweet strawberries from the bushes. no one would admire the flowers that grew for miles or the sweet smell of life. no one would ever see the beauty of the land that touya todoroki loved you on.

you hear his creaky footsteps come up behind you, watching you as you watch the world- like you are his world. for a moment, he sees nothing.

“the magnolias.” words finally escape your lips.

“hm? whats that doll?” he asks.

you take a deep breath, prying your eyes away from the garden and finally turning to face your lover. your hand raises to point at the delicate white petals bundled together like a stanza.

“those ones over there. magnolias. they smell the sweetest.”

his blue eyes follow over to where you point as he sits down next to you. he simply nods, looking at the flowers you told him smelled the best.

a thought crosses your mind. you overheard him talking it over with shigaraki. you knew what tomorrow was. yet you were hesitant to let the words leave your mouth. you didn’t even want to dare it.

“…you know you’re going to die, right?”

the words leave your tongue like a curse.

at first, he looks over at you, bewildered by the statement. but touya isn’t dumb- he knows you can pick up on things. and he knows he isn’t dumb enough to wanna lie to you- though admittedly the lie is better. the lie is so much more comforting in this instance.

“…i know, doll.” touya tells the truth.

you don’t say anything, but your silence is perhaps the loudest thing he’s heard all day.

“its too late to give up on it now.” he says it like he’s trying to salvage it. as if theres any way to fix all the pain he hasn’t even caused you yet. he knows your grief is only inevitable.

“…thought so.” you sigh, getting up from the creaky wooden steps and moving back into your home. its a home that you and touya have built together. dirty rugs with tracks stained from his large black boots. your coat and his hanging from the door, his so much darker and larger than yours. the dirty bowls in the sink you have yet to wash, leftover from soba night. the memories, the dreams, the love. the world was about to see dabi, but for two years you got to love touya.

so many memories were suddenly engulfed in fire. dancing barefoot in the kitchen, trying on his coat that reached the floor on your frame, hugging him and feeling the warmth only he could give you. all of it was soon to be ash.

he follows you into the house, watching as you move about. he’s silent, since words always seemed to fail him when it came to you. theres a heavy tension that lingered in the house. soon, this wouldn’t be yours and touya’s home. soon, these walls would be haunted. soon, this would no longer be a home.

“you know theres no way you’re getting out of this alive, right?” you ask as if to confirm your worst fears. funny, since you already knew the answer.

“…as long as i take that old bastard down with me.” touya says, a familiar flicker of revenge ruminating in his brilliant turquoise eyes. perhaps love wasn’t meant to end suffering, after all.

and thats enough to make your voice resonate with that familiar crack of anguish.

“…what about me, touya..?”

he winces. he expected you to yell, to scream at him. to tell him how much of an asshole he is. how much you hate him. somehow, your strangled, quiet cry hurts more.

“you… you’ll be fine. you manage.” he’s lying through his teeth and you both know it.

what else could you say?

you turned away from him, walking upstairs to your bedroom. this was the room you loved the most. so many late nights and sunny, early mornings. god, getting to see him all tuckered out from the previous night, the deepest morning voice you have ever heard. his cheeky remarks, half lidded blue eyes looking into you. the way he pulls you back into bed, asking where the hell you think you’re going. all of that love was packing its bags and moving on.

he follows you again, not knowing what else to say but not wanting the conversation to end either. maybe he just didn’t want you and him to end, despite the fact that neither of you had a choice.

“i was never apart of your plan, was i?” your voice cracks again, asking him to confirm your deepest hurt. you knew it to be true. loving you was never something touya ever intended on doing. yet he stayed.

he only sighs, trying to find the right words. “i’m sorry. i never meant to drag you into this-“

“don’t be.” you quickly cut him off once you realize he’s not denying anything.

touya was a man of promises. he knows that he’s made a vow. a vow to bring endeavour down, to expose him for all the suffering he’s condemned him to. to show his father that he was the worst thing to ever happen to the flame hero. he branded that promise deep into his heart, and he had 0 intentions of letting it up now.

not even for you.

the sound of cooing causes both of you to stare out the window. there, perched on the window sill, are two doves- happily chirping to one another, unbeknownst of the pain just lurking behind the glass.

“you know, doves mate for life.” you say, looking at the smaller one nestling into the snow white feathers of its much larger companion.

“kind of romantic, isn’t it?” touya shrugs, also noting the way the two birds hold onto each other like nothing else matters. even with the ability to fly, to sore the sky and see the stars up close, the two birds loved each other like none of that was even remotely interesting.

“it is romantic.” you agree. “loving each other for the rest of their lives. even if that life is short.”

he quickly catches on.

touya swore he’d love you for the rest of his life. even if that life was too short for him.

touya watches the birds alongside you, their delicate, graceful forms seeming to symbolize something more than just a couple of birds resting on a window sill. they continue to coo quietly to each other, cuddling and nuzzling against each other, completely at ease and content with the love they’d found.

after a moment of silence, touya speaks up, his voice quiet and hesitant.

"you know i don’t want to leave you, right?”

wanting seemed irrelevant, here. it didn’t matter what you or touya wanted. fate was decided, against what either of you want.

“i know.” you say, solemnly. you rest your hands on touya’s side of the dresser, like a wounded soldier hanging his head low. your heart was hurting. by this time tomorrow, he’d be gone. the love of your life would be gone.

for a second, touya is lost in his own world of hate. he hates himself, more than he’s hated anyone in his entire life. he hates himself for letting you love him. he hates himself for having to leave you here, all alone, safe and stranded.

he’s then pulled out of his trance when he sees you in his drawer, holding the ring he’s kept hidden from you for months. a beautiful, silver ring with a sapphire as deep as the blue sea. alongside is his ring, just a simple, silver band. he mentally curses himself for not hiding it well enough.

his heart beats out of his chest, watching you slowly turn to him, holding the ring.

“you remembered i like sapphires.” you say, not a question but a statement. of course he remembered your favourite gemstone. touya remembered every little thing he loves about you.

“yeah… course i did, doll.” he says, as if its obvious he remembered.

he wishes he could actually cry when he sees you slip it onto your left ring finger. god, it fits you perfectly. his eyes remain mesmerized as you flex your fingers, seeing how it looks on you.

you legs carry you over to him, pulling him in close. you rest your hands on his chest and your forehead against his. touya’s scarred hands find their way to your waist, drawing you in as if to shield you from all the heartache thats to come.

“you know we can’t actually get married, right?” you dryly chuckle, your voice barely a whisper. “especially not legally.”

he hums in response. he’s well aware you two could never go down to a courthouse and officially commit to one another. “you think i care ‘bout that?” he manages a smirk. “i still wanna marry you. even if its just between us.”

“so, you’re really gonna turn me into a widow tomorrow hm?” you ask.

his blue eyes flicker down to your ring, his brain still unable to compute that its real. “i guess so.”

you smile, though theres an undeniable hint of sadness in your eyes that touya knows all too well.

“i know you don’t wanna leave me, touya.” you whisper, looking into his eyes, staring into his soul.

he physically feels his heart clench at your words. and at the look in your eyes, he feels a wave of emotion wash over him. he wants to reach out and take you into his arms, to hold you tight and never let go. but he can’t. he has to stay strong, no matter how weak you make his resolve.

“i.. i know i don’t want to leave you, i don’t want to leave you behind. but i have to. i have to do this. i have to take him down.” he says, gritting his teeth at the thought of that bastard.

“i hope you do.” you encourage. “fuck that guy.”

touya almost laughs at this, pressing his forehead against yours. “yeah. fuck that guy.”

“i… i hate him. i hate him for doing this to you. for turning you into this. for taking you away from me. from what we could have had.” you can’t help the tear that falls from your eye just thinking about it, thinking about what you lost. the husband you could have had, the kids, the future… all of that could only live on in your dreams, now.

touya’s eyes widen in surprise and pain at your words. he honestly hadn't thought about it like that before, hadn't considered how endeavour’s actions had impacted you, too. he knew that his hatred and need for revenge had caused a rift between the two of you, but hearing you say it out loud, seeing the pain in your eyes, it cuts straight to his heart.

he looks at you, his expression torn between anger and guilt.

"i’m sorry. i’m sorry I've put you through all this, doll. i’m sorry i let my anger and hate consume me. its all i know.” he says, closing his eyes. he can’t bare to watch you cry over something as pathetic as him.

“i… i think you’re a murderer. and a villain. touya.” you seethe. and he accepts that hatred from you, because he doesn’t deserve anything more or less.

“and i also think you’re a deeply traumatized person who was stuck as a kid who feels like nothing but a failure after, being in a 3 year coma.” you conclude your true feelings. he doesn’t say anything to that for a moment.

he knew that you saw him for what he was- a killer, a villain, a monster. but hearing you say it out loud, hearing you sum up his entire life, stung.

he tightens his grip on your hips, his fingers digging into your flesh slightly as he struggles to keep his emotions in check. he keeps his eyes averted, unable to meet your gaze.

“i know what i am. what I’ve become. i don’t know what else to do.” he says, defeated, like the end of a long battle.

“can you love me? is that an option?” your question is more of a plea than anything else. finally, he looks you in the eye, as if the answer to that question is obvious.

“you’re the only thing i think i’m capable of loving.” he admits, more to himself than to you.

“you’re the only thing thats made my life worth living. and im so fucking grateful. for you. and your love.” the way he says it like a goodbye hurts all too much. but its words you need to hear. making him feel love was an absolute honour.

you pull him close to you, wrapping your arms around his neck desperately. oh, to memorize the feeling of his body against yours as his strong arms circle your waist, pulling you up to match his taller frame.

“you’re the best i’ve ever loved.” you say.

“you’re the only thing i’ve ever loved.” he confirms.

“then spend one last night with me. as your wife. whatever you do in the morning is up to you, i don’t care, but just give this night to us.” he can’t deny the way you beg him- even though you don’t even have to ask. he was already planning on it, visualizing all the ways he was going to physically show you he loves you in the bed tonight. but he needs to make sure, first.

“are you sure you want that, doll? one last night?”

“what i want is forever, touya.” you clarify. “but if i can have just one last night, i think we can make it work.”

and once he’s gotten your consent, the rest of the night is set.

✧.* ⋆.˚ ☾ .⭒˚ ✧.* ✧.* ⋆.˚ ☾ .⭒˚ ✧.* ✧.* ⋆.˚ ☾ .⭒˚ ✧.* ✧.* ⋆.˚

most think that guys can only fuck or make love- but touya gave you both and everything in between that night.

the way his hands roamed over every inch of your body like he was trying to etch himself onto you. god, the way his cock slid in and out of you at an unreasonably fast pace. he can’t help that he wants you, that he wants to be the only guy to ever throw you onto the mattress and fuck you till your absolutely spent all over him.

“fuck. yeah? ya like that doll?” he groans into your ear, the filthy sounds of skin slapping together filling the room. “gonna fuck you so good. god, your pussy is so fucking good.”

he has you on your back, turquoise eyes drinking in the way your eyes roll to the back of your skull. to say it looked absolutely filthy was an understatement, but to you two and just you two, this was how you showed love. touya was never a man of words- sure, he could tell you that he loves you, that he wants you, and that he doesn’t want to leave you, but you both already know that. so he lets his actions speak for him: spreading your legs to opposite sides of the room, playing with your pussy until your absolutely gushing, and not even daring to stop even when you can barely form a coherent sentence. he loves how he gets you like this. because he fucks you until your sobbing- partly from the mind melting pleasure, and partly from the fact that you know you’ll never find a cock this good ever again.

and touya’s not usually a huge biter or a kissed, but god, does he go crazy over the way you scream when he sinks his teeth in. and he won’t stop at a few nicks- you’re funny. the way he loved you is agonizing. loving you manifests as an all-consuming entity. he’s driven wild by the pleasure, and he wishes he could just have you whole right now.

if theres one thing you learned from loving touya, its that the idea of love being just a feeling, a simple chemical in the brain, was simply incorrect. no. love is not a feeling. love cannot be summed up into a simple 7 letter word. love took over your senses, the sight, the ears, the touch, the smell and especially the taste. you honestly wished touya would just consume you. and not just for lust or for petty desires. you wished to become a part of him. he wanted to taste your flesh against his lips like it was god damn salvation. let his being be apart of yours as his lips bless your skin, begging for another bite. let him feel something that is so wrong yet so right. let him want something that feels too good to be true. because its him. god, the way he loves you as if he’s savouring the rhythm of your heart- only he makes it beat that way. he watches, absolutely mesmerized as your fluids drip down your thighs, watching how he makes you melt. in the end, the two of you are reduced to nothing but empty space. because you were touya’s favourite part of himself.

you scream his name until his throat runs dry, as he continuously chases the feeling of your velvet walls clenching around his cock. god, the way he feels when your nipples slide over his pecs. how you scratch down hid back, how he actively has to keep his quirk in check as not to burn you- not that you’d mind a brand in the shape of his hand. he’s already left his fingerprints all over you, anyway.

“p-please! ah! don’t stop!” you moan for probably the 100th time. not that touya’s complaining, he loves your desperate side. he loves that he’s the one who can coax it out of you.

you’ve lost track of how many times you’ve come. from his fingers, to his mouth, to his cock that felt like it was shaped especially for you. your thighs tremble around his waist desperately, begging him to pull yet another orgasm out of you. and touya happily obliges. he loves to fuck you till all you can think of is him.

he can feel himself unraveling, wanting nothing more than to see his cum dripping down your beautiful pussy. he knows that this is the last chance he’ll have to take you like this. and when you arch your back and scream ‘TOUYA!’ at the top of your lungs, he loses it.

the groan he lets out in your ear as he finally releases himself into you is mouthwatering. warm, thick, ropes of his seed stuffing you to the absolute brim. you feel your toes curl and your mind blank, only being able to focus on the sensation of his love melting away every single worry or doubt in your mind. the way the sweat from his and your body forces you two to stick together as he holds you against him, helping you come down from the intense high.

his body collapses down beside you, mustering all his leftover energy to pull you closer to him. he pulls the blanket over you and him, like cementing his rightful place next to you, holding you in his arms.

“could lay here with you forever.” he utters, somewhat hoping you won’t catch what he says.

“i wish you would.” of course you catch on.

he pulls back slightly to look you in the eye. having you here, hair sprawled out, in his arms. you’re covered in the evidence of him like your a crime scene- his favourite crime at that.

his heart clenches at the thought of tomorrow. that at this time in 24 hours, he won’t be with you anymore. and that made him want to scream.

your hands move up to cradle his chin, brushing your thumb over his lower lip. your voice is rasped from your recent activities as you ask your question: “can i ask you something?”

“anything, doll.” he says confidently.

you inhale deeply. “can… can you feel me here?”

you motion to his burnt lower lip, and then to his patches of purple, burnt skin, barely holding itself together. its a question you’ve wondered for years, yet have always feared the answer.

his silence is nerve wracking, before finally answering.

“yeah. i can.”

even then, you’re not convinced.

“even when i kiss you?” your voice is barely above a whisper.

he leans in closer, as if its important to him that you hear this.

“you’re the only person that makes me feel things, doll. yes, i can feel you.”

he inhales again, knowing that he needs to ask you this sooner or later.

“promise me something, babygirl.”

“anything.” you nod.

“promise me… promise me that when i walk out that door tomorrow. promise me you’ll find some other guy. someone that makes you happy and protects you. that..”

that loves you like he does. but touya knows that no one will ever love you like he does.

to say your heart shattered at that was an understatement. how could you ever even think of finding another man, when your heart irrevocably belonged to touya todoroki?

“…is that what you want?” you asked, still shocked.

the question hits him like a punch to the gut. no, he absolutely, unequivocally does not want that. the thought of someone else with you, loving you, holding you, being with you… it makes him sick to his stomach. no, he can’t even bare the thought of someone being tangled with you like this. dreaming of you like he does. loving you with a love so bright it burns- it made him sick.

and when he thinks of that. of you moving on without him.. selfishly, so fucking selfishly, it makes him want to burn the world down. because if it’s nothing but ash, no one will get to have you, even he’s gone. maybe to love him meant burning it all down, anyway.

and for a moment, he's tempted, so very tempted, to say no, to tell you that he wants you to never move on, to tell you to love him and only him, selfish as it may be. but he can't. not when he knows he never even deserved you in the first place.

"…yes."

and you have the audacity to scoff.

he looks on confused, and a little offended. what was so audacious in this moment it had you laughing?

“touya.” you call his attention. his blue eyes never even left your sight as he nods.

“do you honestly think love just ends when you leave?”

it stumps him, for a moment. like his heart stuttering at the thought. he tries to figure out where you’re going with this as he answers.

“no. i don’t.” he affirms.

“exactly.” you say. “it doesn’t. in fact, i don’t think i’ve loved you any more than i do right now. love is felt the strongest when its leaving.”

your words do more to him than he’d like to admit. he gulps.

“so even right now, you love me?”

the answer to that should have been obvious.

“i’m never not loving you.”

he manages a dry chuckle, pressing his forehead to yours. god, he wishes he could have this forever. but he knows a demon like him can’t enter heaven.

so for now, he embraces you fully, rubbing circles onto your back and hushing you to sleep. the cool air blows through the room, so he shields you with his body, wanting you to feel nothing but the warmth and the comfort you deserve. he may not be the guy you deserve, but he sure as hell can protect you like he his.

and for what might be the last time, he savours the way your lips bless his in a kiss. your the only name on his lips, the only one that could ever feel what its like to love him.

he feels his heartbreak as you fall asleep. he hopes you dream of him. dreams are so much happier.

“…i’m never gonna stop loving you.” he whispers.

and with that, touya falls asleep.

[onlykindaweird]

Did you know?

(spoilers for the musical if you want these to be a surprise)

In the outsiders musical, its stated that the day the curtis parents die is actually Darrys birthday. Ponyboy had forgotten to get the frosting after school, and when the curtis parents went to pick it up, they got stuck on the tracks.

yeah, dallas gets hit by a train in the musical! a theory i recently saw suggests the train is a metaphor for death following ponyboy. (he "swears that deaths following him" in Deaths At My Door)

In several of the songs, the church fire is foreshadowed! (instances being "I try to keep you from the fire, but its me whos getting burned" in Runs In The Family (reprise), "you wanna be James Dean? your gonna crash and burn." in Grease Got A Hold.)

Also in Grease Got A Hold, Sodapop spells "grease" as "grae". (okay, ive heard someone say the "not too selective" is S, but sodapop being dyslexic is way more funny) "G is for getting the girls every time cause youve got irresistible charm, R is for reeling them in and then keeping the prettiest one on your arm, E is for effortless swagger the kids that the ladies can never deny, A for affected b ut not too selective and E is for catching their eye."

In Justice For Tulsa, there is a pause towards the end of the song. (between "you better run for your life" and "next Saturday night") that pause is Two-bit getting burnt by Bev with a cigarette. (Bev is a soc, shes awesome. you can follow her actor Melody Rose on tiktok.)

at the start of Finale (Tulsa '67) "When i stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, i only had two things on my mind. Paul Newman, and a ride home." thats not Brody Grant (Ponyboy)! thats Brent Comer (Darry)! hes reading ponyboys essay! which is a reference to the fact darry always reads and checks ponyboys homework!

Bob, Dally, and Johnny all fight in the rumble! another metaphor for Ponyboys battle and race against death. "Ponyboy!" is shouted when ponyboy realizes he was about to punch Johnny.

Randy isnt in the musical, instead we have Paul! played by Dan Berry.

[dumbass-duo-showdown]

DUMBASS DUO SHOWDOWN ROUND 3 BATTLE 1

MONKEY D LUFFY & RORONOA ZORO (aka zolu) VS SHAWN SPENCER & GUS

PROPAGANDA

ZOLU

I could rant about them for actual hours but like it's so hard to put thoughts down. But literally an actual quote was someone telling Zoro that "you promised you wouldn't cause trouble" and Zoro replies, EXACT WORDS, "I had no choice because I ran into Luffy." There was also an exchange where Zoro was giving Luffy food and Luffy warns him it might be poison while eating it and Zoro is just like "huh, so that's why my stomach was hurting". They also both swung from vines once and BOTH decided to Tarzan yell. They agreed it was a requirement. Also, Luffy once said he didn't wanna be a hero because heros would share their meat and he wants all of it, and Zoro entirely separately says the SAME THING BUT WITH BOOZE INSTEAD. There are so many examples of them sharing a single braincell. More than I could ever list. But those are the examples I thought of off the top of my head.

On the surface, Zoro seems to have some common sense, and only follows Luffy’s dumb schemes out of respect. Then Nami joins and you realize that Zoro’s seriousness IS his dumbassedness. He and Luffy have one track minds for their own goals and wants, and while they may clash, they have a decent amount of respect for each other.

haven’t finished one piece yet but one example: zoro when stuck figured cutting off his feet would be a genius idea and luffy is luffy. there’s never any thoughts going on in that head

When I first started One Piece I thought Zoro was going to be the badass smart counterpart to the dumbass protagonist just like Vegeta or Sasuke. Turns out I couldn't be more wrong. Him and Luffy are besties and share one brain cell and even thou Zoro uses it most of the time it's still one.

They share one single braincell at the same time: after being seriously injured in a battle, one wakes up to drink sake the other to eat meat. One almost cut a Noble (which means being pursued til death by the most powerful marines), the other actually punches said Noble. One gest stuck between buildings, the other inside a chimney for absolutely unrelated reasons

Their solution to everything is to fight it. They never have a plan and just rush into everything. Somehow they are technically the leaders of the group as captain and first mate. They have both at some point attempt to cut or tear their legs or arms off to get out something. They used the same metaphor to explain why they aren’t a hero without hearing the other say it (a hero would share their meat/booze I want to keep it all to myself).

they said let us cut/punch a hole trough a giant tsunami and they did it <3 also one time they were suppossed to lay low, but well they both immediately started robbing and attacking a town and being recognized and labeled as criminals in a new country. they don't even share a braincell, whatever braincell they had before immediately leave as soon as they both are together, also King of the Pirates and World Greatest Swordsman dreamteam, also for lasagne thing not only would the house be gone, the city be burning and they are fleeing the police while also fighting the police

They're just soooo stupid. Zoro can't walk to steps without getting lost. So Luffy will yank him miles through the air to land on wood. Or stone. Or some other hard substance. Luffy would fight someone on accident for meat. And Zoro for booze. And they have no brain cells between them. Zoro new Luffy for approx. 3 seconds before he decided he would die for him. And Luffy heard about this big scary bounty hunter who was captured by marines and went. I need him on my crew. They're perfect for each other.

I dont where to begin. One of their latest feats though is them going into the enemy base, Meaning to sneak in, Luffy went in after another guy, Zoro after Luffy, luffy then Announced himself, started a fight bc ppl wasted food on purpose, ZORO hearing a commotion, SLICED THROUGH A BUILDING TO GET TO LUFFY AND THEN REPRIMANDED LUFFY FOR FORGETTING THE PLAN AND BEING UNABLE TO BE QUIET. THEN. T H E N LUFFY SAYS HE SPILT FOOD ON PURPOSE AND ZORO IS INSTANT LIKE oh ok. They gotta die. (Theres more to it but thats the gist. And thats not even. Much. They r just so stupid together <33)

they both get lost very easily, they will throw hands with anyone, very stupid but very understanding, were a 2 person pirate crew that sailed around on a rowboat, motivated entirely by fighting, meat, and sake, neither is particularly literate one time luffy got his hand stuck in a bottle and zoro tried to get it out by cutting his hand off, yes this happened in a canon episode

look, I have a tag for them that's literally #pair of idiots.

Gus & Shawn

They’ve been friends canonically since at least 3 years old and at the start of the show they’re I wanna say 30 maybe? And yet these two grown men are THE most chaotic idiots (affectionate) in the whole show (and let’s be real anywhere). The entire show in fact hinges on the idea that they’re dumbasses and WILL get into carat shenanigans. Episode examples include the one where they are investigating an alien abduction, the one where they’re looking for big foot, the vampire one, all of these by the way they hundred percent believe to be true until they themselves unwillingly prove otherwise. And maybe the most dumbass moment of all time, when Gus finds his boss dead and instead of calling the cops he gets his dna ALL OVER THE CRIME SCENE, calls Shane to help clean up and Shawn gets HIS DNA ALL OVER THE CRIME SCENE AS WELL!!!! Truly cannot think of a worse reaction to finding a dead body. They’ve been sucking that single brain cell that exists between them dry for over 3 decades now and they show no signs of stopping.

they are such idiots (affectionate) and they can't live without each other

they are. so stupid. both of them can be smart in their own ways but when you put them together the dumb best friends energy is unmatched. they are platonic soulmates pretending that shawn has psychic powers and solve crimes by dicking around and somehow always coming out alive. they accidentally befriend the criminals they’re supposed to be investigating constantly. they’re always one step away from being fired or arrested bc of their dumbassery

the entire show is literally shawn pretending to be a psychic (← dumbass behavior) and gus aiding and abetting him and actively a dumbass as well

If you have seen even a single episode of this show, you know these two fools are the best duo ever. Constantly bantering theough 80s movie references and animal like noises, most often above a dead body, these two bring unique different dummy energy that both brings each other up and builds up their own skills along the way. I will love these two men until the day I die and they deserve an honest chance to be the best dumbass duo of all time!

[uriekukistan]

Hope your day or night is going well!! ✨

Okay, top five Megumi lines/scenes?

ahhh thank you i hope yours is as well!! and thank you for the ask!!

im in the car rn so some of these i couldn’t track down the specific chapter/page bc i dont wanna use all my data :’)

1 - “i’m not like itadori, i have no problem earning 100 points for myself.” or something along that line

one of the things that fascinates me the most about megumi is the way he places value on lives, and this line is just so cool to me. he’d said before this that he saves people unequally, but this shows just how far that goes. he’ll kill anywhere from 20-100 random people so tsumiki and itadori, the two people he cares about and thinks are worth saving more than anyone else, don’t have to get their hands dirty, and their lives hold more value to him than others. it’s also so interesting to me because of the way megumi doesn’t consider himself a good person like tsumiki or itadori, and therefore doesn’t really see himself as worth saving, so it’s just a necessary burden he has to carry as the “bad” person for those two. also add that in w this line, and im on the floor

2 - his battle vs sukuna at the detention facility/“i’m not a hero, i’m a jujutsu sorcerer”

another moment where we get an insight into his ideas on good/bad people and who deserves saving, can you tell i love this aspect of his character? i mean, he’s about to sacrifice himself for itadori to live (hopefully), even though he literally met the guy two weeks ago, because he thinks he’s a good person who deserves saving. it’s the first insight we get into megumi’s thought process, and this was really the moment that made me start paying attention to him more. i also love how he kept a softer expression on his face and didn’t cry until after itadori died, like he didnt want itadori to feel sad or guilty in his final moments im SICK also the fact that he took the name-tag to that guys mom even though he didnt have an interest in saving him, like he was paying a respect to itadori….ugh…anyway yeah i love dissecting the way he values life.

3 - “so start by saving me, itadori”

see as an itafushist of course this had to make the list like this whole chapter has me on the floor but anyway aside from that, i love thinking about this scene because the words he’s saying seem so contrary to how he thinks? like he’s asking to be saved but he doesn’t think he’s worth saving? so it needs an extra layer of consideration. i feel like he really said this more to motivate yuuji (and save tsumiki) than actually wanting to be saved himself. plus the “it’s our fault, don’t be selfish and give up all alone” aaahhahahsj i just love this moment i feel like it shows his character very well….when the idgafer actually very much gaf….

4 - his first domain expansion

hellooo this was so sick and cool and badass of him like i dont think there’s anything i need to say for this. huge character development moment for him too. add this with the simple domain he had in dagon’s domain + the part in the culling games arc where he literally hides himself in the shadows……he’s crazy powerful and i dont wanna hear anything abt it! if u were traumatized like that you’d be curled up on the floor too

5 - “if you die, i’ll kill you” both times

again as an itafushist i couldnt not include this….of course there’s implications for megumi’s character as well but i feel like there’s only so much i can talk about his moral code in one post yk? but yeah i think it just shows how much the people he cares about matter to him

also bonus i love just any culling games megumi, his determination to save tsumiki and make it so itadori doesnt have to kill anyone makes him grow so much as a character and as a sorcerer, i love it sm

thank u for the ask! any excuse to yap about megumi 🤞

[hiemaldesirae]

Hiii :) it’s me again, the anon who yapped about fanon Vox, I’m here because I need to yap again: I’m kinda worried about season 2

After rewatching season 1, I felt like the stakes weren’t high enough for Charlie & the Hotel. One would think going into battle against Heaven would be devastating and disastrous but the only characters that permanently died were…background characters. I don’t count Sir Pentious because bro is alive and will most likely have a bigger role to play in the story now that he’s in heaven. The hotel was destroyed, yeah, but like minutes later it was rebuilt with the help of Lucifer.

That’s another reason why I feel like the stakes aren’t high enough, they added Lucifer way too soon. How are Vox & other future villains meant to stand a chance against the King of Hell?? I think it would’ve been better if took Charlie a couple of seasons to convince her dad to help her cause.

My main worries for season 2 are about Vox because I can’t stop thinking about him LMFAO. Anyways, I’m scared Vox will be a second Adam, goofy villain that gets killed off pretty quickly and anti-climactically. Vox was already a silly villain in season 1 (sending Pentious to the Hotel as a spy, cheering when Alastor got his ass beat, etc, etc.) so it’ll feel like a waste if they continue writing him that way. I want Vox to be an actual threat and kill one of the main characters PERMANENTLY. Preferably Angel Dust cause it’ll cause a shit ton of discourse since he’s well-loved by both the characters in-universe and the fandom but I don’t think that’ll happen. I just need Vox to lock in 🙏

Don’t get me wrong, I love Hazbin Hotel (only because of Alastor & the Vees but shhh ����) but I want the story to evoke emotions from me, I wanna be anxious, I wanna feel hyped, but I don’t feel any of this when things go too perfectly for the main characters and everything goes wrong for the antagonists.

I’m so sorry for the long ass essay, I would make my own post but I don’t wanna be perceived 😭😭

oh i completely understand ur worries nonny dont even worry about the essay

i definitely feel like theres a Risk of that happening to vox especially since . well. vivz doesnt have the best track record to begin with (cannot speak for hb but the way she deals with some characters and resolves their arcs is. questionable) but i personally think (hope? believe?) that since there are members on the writing and animation team who are fans of the vees that she wont just kill vox off for no reason / comic relief(or any of the vees, really) + also of all the vees vox is probably the most likely to die in a dramatic scene considering how he and al are set up to be character foils and killing him off in the stupidest way would be such a horrific storyline fumble i cannot in good conscience believe that vivziepop would even be able to fathom its stupidity. of course im holding out hope still because if theres one thing ive learnt about the internet its that you do not under any circumstances trust any public figures to make the right decisions ever and this applies to animated shows too.

vox killing someone forever would really manage to cement his place in the storyline as a big baddie, but i do have to disagree on wanting angel dead- personally- and as much as it pains me to say this- i think him killing husk or niffty would have the same effect while not interfering with angels healing arc: in fact itd even further angels healing arc and self discovery, alongside giving alastor a reason to perhaps go toe to toe with vox. (i do think that killing angel off would have an interesting result but it feels like an abrupt and unnecessary move to make, tho it may just be ny preference to want to see recovery arcs fulfilled so those characters can live their best lives)

++re what you said ab the hotel not having enough stakes for the next season, i totally agree- bringing in lucifer feels a bit like a cheap copout and didnt really serve to further **charlies** character arc (arguably you could say making up with her father developed her backbone more but. hm. idk you couldve done that in a multitude of other ways sooo)

[jjtheresidentbaby]

Could I ask for a caregiver Uncle Bobby Singer babysitting a little (around 3-5 year regressed) reader fic?

And if possible, the reader is usually a hunter with Dean and Sam (and they're the usual caregivers), but they don't feel comfortable hunting with regressed reader so they drop the reader off at Bobby's as backstory?

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Favors ໒꒱ ⋆ﾟ⊹

|| bobby singer & reader

warnings: set sometime in the earlier seasons, mentions of canon typical hunting/violence, reader being referred to as a Winchester

Bobby scratches at the back of his head for a moment, looking down at you with a bit of apprehension in his eyes. Sam and Dean had called three hours ago asking the older man if he could do them a favor, he agreed as he knew saying no would only get him a earful of pleading and low-grade guilt tripping, but he hadn’t expected the boys to drop off a human.

As far as favors go Bobby Singer is known for doing a lot of them- finding out lore, helping burn some bones, posing as fake fbi agents to talk to local pd, he’s even tracked down the closest gas station on a few occasions when Dean thought he was going to die off on the side of the road. Babysitting is not on that list, unless of course you count how Bobby got to know the two Winchester brothers so well, but that was twenty something years ago.

He in no way thought he’d have a toddler sitting in front of him. Sam had given a brief rundown of how to care for you and what age regression is- which Bobby already knew, idjit - and Dean all but threatened murder if anything happened to you while they were out hunting a wendigo only a state over from Bobby. Real assuring speeches from both of them, Bobby swears it’s like those two forget who taught them half the things they know.

“So, what do you wanna do today? I think I have some of those old westerns that Dean used to watch, but those might be a bit grown up for you, um…” His voice trails off to nothing as he wracks his brain trying to think of what the boys did as toddlers.

He didn’t see much of Dean at that age but Sam was around, always doing whatever his brother was doing, or trying to read too advanced books in Bobby’s library til Bobby would come and pluck him away to— he can’t remember what they’d do. It’s moments like these he wishes he had a parenting book around but he knows he handed those off to a local couple a few years back when he helped them rid their house of an angry spirit that was particularly upset with the nursery they were building.

“Can you play army men with me?” God you sound just like Sam did. But it’s a solid plan and Bobby’s able to quickly grab the baggie of plastic army men stuffed into the backpack the boys left behind for you, not that they should be gone more than the night based on how apprehensive they both were to leave you.

“Sure thing sweetie.” The army men get dumped onto the coffee table once Bobby clears away a few lore books, you definitely don’t need to be seeing all that.

“Your troop goes there and mine goes here, then we go to war.” You explain in a cheery voice as you push a group of the toys over towards Bobby’s side of the table.

Soon enough the two of you are battling against one another and Bobby’s worries about watching over you slip away. It becomes easy, a familiar comfortability of caring for a Winchester kid - let’s face it that’s what you are now, blood or not - and Singer’s able to throw himself into the task as he would during a hunt or research binge. Although he has to admit that taking care of you is much more fun.

[baileypie-writes]

Hello. Those new Tropical-Rouge headcanons gave me an idea. How about those headcanons (partner constantly insults villains), but this time with Healin' Good cures?

A/N ~ Sure! Hope you enjoy!

(Btw, I totally stole these insults from Reddit)

~The Healin’ Good Pretty Cure with a Teammate Who Insults the Villains~

~~~❤️‍🩹~~~❤️‍🩹~~~❤️‍🩹~~~

Fandom: Healin' Good♥︎Pretty Cure

Fanfic Type: Headcanons

Reader: Gender neutral, a Pretty Cure

Relationship: Platonic

Characters Included: Nadoka Hanadera/Cure Grace, Chiyu Sawaizumi/Cure Fontaine, Hinata Hiramitsu/Cure Sparkle, Asumi Fuurin/Cure Earth

Genre: Comedy

Word Count: 976

Warnings: Small jab about Shindoine being parentless(Reader)

~Masterlist~

~Healin' Good♥︎Pretty Cure Masterlist~

~~~❤️‍🩹~~~❤️‍🩹~~~❤️‍🩹~~~

~Cure Grace/Nodoka Hanadera~

~~~🌸~~~🌸~~~🌸~~~

~ Cure Grace is very shocked, and a bit uncomfortable with your… um… “comments”. Even if they were directed at the villains. She can’t find it in herself to say anything mean about anyone ever. So she can’t understand how you could.

Nodoka: “How do you say those all those things?”

(name): “All what things?”

Nodoka: “You know, all the mean things.”

(name): “Oh. Dunno, I just say whatever comes to mind.”

Nodoka: “Wow…”

~ She knows that not everyone is the same as her. For others, including you, this kind of behavior amplifies your fighting spirit and abilities. It helps get off steam as well. So while she isn’t a fan, she keeps quiet.

(cure name): “Wow Daruizen, I can’t wait to talk crap about you with the others when we’re done here. Right, Grace?”

Cure Grace: “Huh? Oh. Hehe, yeah…”

~ She’ll even defend you. If Cure Fontaine ever scolds you, she’ll try to explain and justify your actions the best she can. She just wants you to be able to heal the earth in your own way. Even if it may seem a bit obnoxious.

Cure Fontaine: “(cure name), you have to stop! It’s just too mean!”

Cure Grace: “But Fontaine, it helps distract the bad guys, making defeating the Megabyogens easier.”

(cure name): “See, Cure Grace gets it!”

Cure Fontaine: “Ugh…”

~~~🌸~~~🌸~~~🌸~~~

~Cure Fontaine/Chiyu Sawaizumi~

~~~💧~~~💧~~~💧~~~

~ Cure Fontaine stopped in her tracks the first time she heard your brutal insults towards the villains. She asked you to repeat it, wanting to be sure she wasn’t just hearing things. Once you confirmed she heard correctly, she was horrified.

Cure Fontaine: “What did you say?”

(cure name): “Huh? Oh, I just told him that he’s not the ugliest person alive, but that he better pray they don’t die.”

Cure Fontaine: “Oh my goodness! Why would you say that?”

(cure name): “Because it’s true?”

~ She’s been trained her whole life to be nothing but polite to others, even people she doesn’t like. So while she does fight the bad guys, she doesn’t go out of her way to be mean to them. So she sees your behavior as straight up barbaric.

(cure name): “I bet your parents change the subject whenever people ask about you.”

Shindoine: “I don’t have parents.”

(cure name): “Huh, no wonder.”

Cure Fontaine: “(cure name)! How rude!”

~ She can’t help but gasp every time another insult leaves your mouth. She knows she should be used to them by now, but she just can help it. Your words were just so… vile. Of course, you get scolded by her after the battle. But obviously, that doesn’t stop you.

Cure Fontaine: “(cure name), can you just… not say such mean things?”

(cure name): “Why? Don’t you think they deserve it?”

Cure Fontaine: “I don’t think it matters if they deserve it or not. I just don’t wanna hear it.”

(cure name): “Then just don’t listen…”

~~~💧~~~💧~~~💧~~~

~Cure Sparkle/Hinata Hiramitsu~

~~~✨~~~✨~~~✨~~~

~ Cure Sparkle finds it hilarious! It’s the highlight of any battle for her! The first time she heard the way you talk to the villains, she laughed so hard, her fighting skills depleted. Which is obviously a downside, but she doesn’t mind. You all still get the job done, after all!

*Megabyogen lands an attack*

(cure name): “Oof! Hey, for someone like you, that’s pretty good!

Cure Sparkle: “Haha! That was a nice one!”

Cure Fontaine: “Sparkle, focus!”

Cure Sparkle: “Oh, sorry!”

~ She joins in whenever she has idea of what to say. She knows her insults will never be as good as yours, but there’s no harm in trying! It’s always a fun time for her when she gets to talk smack with you. In fact, she does so even more post-battle!

Hinata: “Did you see the look on Batetemoda’s face when I said that? Haha!”

(name): “Haha, yeah! I almost felt bad for him!

Hinata: “Right? I mean, his poor Megabyogen didn’t even last five minutes either!”

~ She’d never admit this to anyone, especially you, but she really admires you for your lack of shame when it comes to being mean to bad people. She writes down all of her favorite insults of yours in a notebook. She’s built up quite the collection! She’s saving them for any occasion where she might need a nasty comeback.

(cure name): “If you were the light at the end of the tunnel, I’d turn back around!”

Cure Sparkle: “Ooh, that’s a good one. I better add that later.”

Cure Grace: “Add what to what?”

Cure Sparkle: “Nothing!”

~~~✨~~~✨~~~✨~~~

~Cure Earth/Asumi Fuurin~

~~~🎐~~~🎐~~~🎐~~~

~ Initially, Cure Earth was shocked and taken aback by your words. She may not have been alive for long, but those were simply the rudest things she’s ever heard! However, considering who they were aimed at, she quickly brushed them off.

(cure name): “I’d give you a nasty look, but it seems you’ve already got one!”

Cure Earth: “Oh my…”

(cure name): “What?”

Cure Earth: “Oh, nothing.”

~ She is all about healing the world. So while she may not understand your behavior, she just figures that’s your way of doing it. Sure, it may not be her cup of tea, but it’s yours, so she just lets you be.

Chiyu: “So (name)’s behavior doesn’t bother you at all?”

Asumi: “Not really. It’s just their way of getting things done.”

Chiyu: “So I’m really the only one…”

~ Also, she won’t lie, she’s pretty impressed with how good your insults are. She can barely even come up with her own. Latte finds them funny sometimes too, so that makes her happy. Though, if you ever swear in front of her, be prepared to get an ear-full from her afterwards.

(cure name): “Wow, there’s no way you’re this much of a dumba-“

Cure Earth: “(cure name)…”

(cure name): “… this much of an idiot naturally. You must go home and practice.”

~~~🎐~~~🎐~~~🎐~~~

~~baileypie-writes

[gerbelx2000-blog]

I see your au when I scroll the p5 tag and i noticed you drew Okumura and your oc (the Russian girl) a couple of times and I wonder, does Haru know about her? Is she jealous that her father spends time with another girl but not with her?

Alright, this may be a lengthy one so let’s start with the big one: 

Tori is a palace ruler.  

Her distorted desire is to be he greatest, untouchable, heavy metal rock and roll guitarist.

Unfortunately, she’s no saint. After years of being locked up in “Unwanted Children Protection Services” back in Moscow, she’s developed an antisocial and violent behavior to anyone who comes into contact with her.

Her crimes are vandalizing public property, setting off poisonous graffiti bombs on concerts, bars, etc. 

When Haru and the rest of the Phantom Thieves caught wind of the mysterious troublemaker known as Belial, they decided to investigate and change his/her heart.

Coincidentally enough, the Blooming Rogues(villains led by Junya) were set to investigate the mysterious vandalizing monster. Once they clashed, it turned into a battle 

They then discover that she owned a palace and in her psyche, she was a blonde rockstar.

After battling Belial, she took a blow to the back. The injured adult looking palace owner then reverted into a child. Futaba and Wakaba detected that this was her true form. 

The Phantom Thieves were distraught by what they’ve done. They were supposed to change her heart not kill her. 

Haru was most of all traumatized by what she had done. She raced over to where Okumura and Wakaba were and examined the young girl’s wounds. 

Kuni, after a change of heart and realizing that Haru was just a girl that was already abused enough, showed empathy and told her to escape from the palace as it was collapsing.

Haru at first refused to do it, saying that she wanted to check up on Tori, but her father softly halted her, begging her to please take care of themselves as the villains alone will take care of her.

In sheer reluctance, she agreed to do it, escorting everyone out of there as safely as possible.

The Phantom Thieves retreated back into LeBlanc, trying to cope over the harrowing experience. 

Haru was worried her father wouldn’t forgive him, but after seeing some compassion displayed, she felt a slight bit relieved. All that was left was wondering if the girl was going to be okay.

Meanwhile after fixing the child up, Kuni and the others discussed how they can cover up the tracks after the concert collapse. 

The girl wakes up revealing herself to be Patricia Ivanya Utsunomiya. 

This shocks everyone as it seemed like she could speak a little bit of Japanese.

She showed her reluctance and apathy towards the villains, stating she didn’t deserved this.

But Kaneshiro interjected, saying, “Kiddo, none of us do. Yet we do it anyway. We don’t NEED a reason to do it other than we just don’t wanna see someone die. We don’t NEED permission to do it because it’s our choice.” 

“I’m a freak…” she said with despondency.

“Join the club. Everyone of us is a freak in their own right. We were born in a way we shouldn’t have been born and we’ve done some things we’re even ashamed of.” 

Madarame then states, “What he’s trying to say is, You don’t have to be alone.”

This may be the start of a kindling relationship of her and her newfound family. And this was when Kamoshida gave her the nickname “Tori” which means bird and part of the katakana spelling of Patricia(Patorishia) 

Haru often times bumps into Tori and Okumura in malls and cafe streets.

At first, Tori was hesitant to befriend someone who seemed to hate her. 

Haru expresses that she understands that Tori hates her guts and what she did was unforgivable. Even so, she wants to make things right.

Slowly overtime, and after her awakening, she’s not only gotten used to Kuni and her friends. But her new older sister figure,Haru. 

Her old mischievous personality came back in full swing, but this time it came with a touch of kindness.

The dynamic I would describe simply put, Haru is the kindly and intelligent figure to the young playful and rowdy kid. Sometimes Tori tries to prank Haru, resulting in the curly haired girl scolding her, much to the blonde’s amusement. Overall, they seemed to get along like peas in a pod. 

Sometimes, they even invite her to teach her father Kemono Crossing New Horizons(Animal Crossing New Horizons), sometimes, Haru and Tori would look at some flowers, and at times, Haru would do Tori’s hair while the child sang a song on the guitar.

Hope you enjoy my work and hope this answers your questions.

[takingchences]

𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐓 𝐩𝐭. 𝟖

Where the descendant of a legendary quirk longs to rewrite history by becoming a hero. But in order to fulfill her dream, she must first face off against ghosts from her past and a growing attraction for the insufferable Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight.

Pairing: Katsuki Bakugou x OP!fem!oc

Warnings: mature language

series masterlist + my masterlist

Bakugou and Kirishima fought back to back. More villains had continued to pour into the faux office building as they'd fought their way down floor by floor. The blonde grimaced, firing blast after blast. The room was loud and full of sound, but all he could hear was a girl screaming, reaching out for someone to save her.

Someone that wasn't him.

The unwelcome thought fed his anger, his attacks rising to a new level of ferocity. "Die, you bastards!" He growled, his vermillion eyes narrowed. I saved her ass how many times, and she looks to that Icy Hot bastard for help?!

A flash of silver caught his eye. "Watch it, Shitty Hair!" He yelled. The rock-skinned boy turned just in time, successfully blocking the attack and quickly disarming the villain.

"Thanks, man!" He sent him a sharp-toothed grin. Bakugou blocked an oncoming kick with his arm, palming the villain's face with his other hand and exploding it. He released a battle cry as two others tried to ambush him from either side. With a quick uppercut and swift kick to the temple, the two villains joined the growing pile of limp bodies on the ground.

They kept attacking relentlessly until, finally, the heroes-in-training were the last two standing.

"Let's hurry and find the rest of our class." Kirishima panted, wiping at the sweat dripping down his face. "If we're both still in the USJ, then everyone else probably is, too. And not all of them have the offensive skills we do. We gotta make sure they're safe. Especially since we screwed things up when we got in the way earlier." He stared down at the ground, his fists clenched so tightly by his sides that the knuckles turned white.

"If Thirteen had been able to suck up that villain, then we never would've been separated like that." Disappointment, anger, and self-loathing deepened his voice. He turned to face the ash blonde. "Sana could be in a lot of trouble right now. We have to help her and make it up to the others!"

"You wanna track everyone down and be her knight-in-shining-armor, have fun. But I'm gonna go destroy that warpy bastard." Bakugou flexed his fingers, shaking out his arms. The muscles were beginning to cramp and ache from overuse of his quirk. He'd have to act fast before they completely stiffened.

Kirishima placed a hand on the blonde's shoulder. "Our physical attacks didn't hurt that guy." Bakugou shrugged him off, moving towards the exit.

"C'mon," the redhead called after him. "Don't be an idiot, man."

"SHUT UP!" Bakugou glared over his shoulder. "I'm gonna take him down because he's their way in and out. If I cut off their escape route, they'll be stuck here."

A lizard villain appeared just behind the blonde. "Hope you had fun chit‐chatting. Too bad you let your guard down‐" he cut himself off with a girlish shriek. He fell to the ground unconscious, his face covered in scorch marks.

Bakugou continued talking as if that didn't just happen. "Anyway. If all these villains are small fries like these guys were, then our classmates can handle them." That idiot can take care of herself. If her wannabe assassins were this shitty, then she'll already be headed towards the main plaza.

Kirishima stood there, wide-eyed and slack-jawed. "Since when do you act so calm and rational? Usually you're all like 'DIE! DIE! DIE!'"

"I'm always calm and rational, you red‐haired loser!" Bakugou argued, making Kirishima laugh. The blonde grunted. "Go find the others if you want to." He turned on his heel and continued walking.

"Wait, hold up!" Kirishima ran after him. "I think what you're really saying is that you believe in our classmates. And that's thinkin' like a man, Bakugou." The redhead smiled, punching his hardened fists together.

Bakugou groaned, stomping away as the rocky redhead chased after him.

¸☾⋆*･ﾟ¸☾⋆*･ﾟ¸☾⋆*

Ojiro raced through the burning mock city, every breath burning his lungs. His heart was pounding as fear and adrenaline raced through his veins.

"Damn it! He's too fast!" A villain cursed from behind.

"I see him. Up there!" Another voice called out from his left. He could barely hear their footsteps over the roaring of the flames.

I have to help the others, the boy chanted to himself like a mantra. I have to help-

Up ahead, between the destroyed buildings, he could see bursts of blinding light. Distant screams could be heard with each flare. Is that... Sakano? He hesitated for a moment before moving towards the flashing lights. It could be nothing, but I have to check and see. The warp villain said she was a target. Of all our classmates, she's probably in the most danger right now.

The lights pulsed once more before fading out.

Ojiro pushed himself to run faster, unsure if the sudden ending was a good or bad sign. He was only about a block or two away at this point. Rounding the final corner, he skid to a stop. The blonde boy was unable to comprehend the sight before him.

Dozens of villains were scattered across the burning landscape, some moving... and some not. Wails of agony could be heard as many of them lay clutching their bodies in pain, the stench of burnt flesh making his stomach roll. Ash fell down like snow around them, staining their broken bodies with soot. Ojiro turned away from the scene with a deep grimace, covering his nose and mouth in both disgust and horror.

Sana was nowhere to be found.

¸☾⋆*･ﾟ¸☾⋆*･ﾟ¸☾⋆*

Most of class 1-A had witnessed the display of power in the fire zone from their own battlefields, had felt the force behind it, and it made them fight harder against their own horde of enemies. But like Ojiro, they weren't sure if the display was a message to them, and if so, what? Was it a cry for help or a reassurance that she was fine?

Kirishima had been the first of the duo to notice, quickly grabbing Bakugou and pointing behind them towards the blinding beams of light. "There she is!" He made to retreat back towards where they'd come from, only for Bakugou to pull him back.

"We don't know it's her," he glared into the distance, eyes narrowed on the blasts of energy. He could feel the heat coming off of them from hundreds of kilometers away. "It could be a trick to lure us over."

Kirishima frowned, his gaze jumping between the ash blonde and the lights. "But what if-"

"Flashlight can handle herself." He begrudgingly faced forward and continued to walk towards he plaza. "What happened to that 'believing in our classmates' crap?"

Kirishima sighed, lingering a moment before following after the blonde.

The duo made it to the plaza just in time. Todoroki and Midoriya were already there, the rest of their class nowhere in sight. Bakugou crouched on the ground, his hand wrapped around the warp gate's neck armor. "Guess I found your body that time, you smoky bastard!" He snarled, a feral smile on his face. Keeping a heated grip on the metal plate, his eyes continuously swept the area for a glimpse of strawberry blonde hair. Where the hell is she?

All Might was still locked in battle with the monsterous Nomu. "Kurogiri," the lanky bluenette scolded. " How could you let this brat get the best of you? You've gotten us into a real jam here."

Bakugou scoffed. "You got careless, you dumb villain. It wasn't hard to figure you out. Only certain parts of you turn into that smoking warp gate. You used that mist to hide your actual body as a kind of distraction, thinking that made you safe. That's why we missed."

"You live up to your school's reputation." The portal's low voice rumbled underneath his hand.

"But if you didn't have a body, you wouldn't be wearing this neck armor, right? You're not immune to physical attacks if they're well aimed." Crackling filled the air as Kurogiri tried to break out of his hold. The villain groaned. "Don't. Move." the explosive blonde warned. "You try anything funny, and I'll blow your ass up right now, ya got it?" He scowled down at the smoky figure. "They'll be cleaning you up for weeks."

"That doesn't sound very heroic." Kirishima chided from a few feet away.

Shigaraki scratched his neck. "They escaped uninjured and captured my two strongest men. Kids these days really are amazing." The scratching intensified. "They make the League of Villains look like amateurs. Can't have that," he tutted, dropping his arm back down. "Nomu."

The purple, bird-like being screeched, breaking free from Todoroki's ice. They watched in horror as the creature's missing limbs regenerated in seconds. "How is that thing still moving?"

"Stay back, everybody!" All Might warned. "What is this? I thought you said his power was shock absorption?"

The man's facial expression was covered by one of many hands he wore, but his crazed delight was audible as he spoke. "...I didn't say that was his only Quirk. He also has super‐regeneration." He held out his arms. "Nomu has been modified to take you on even at 100% of your power. He's basically a highly efficient punching bag that hits back." He turned his head towards Bakugou."First, we need to free our method of escape." The boys gasp, knowing what was about to happen, but unable to do anything to prevent it in time. "Get him, Nomu."

The creature was a blur as he moved towards the ash blonde. A powerful wind blew past, stirring up smoke and dust. There was a streak of blinding light and the deafening sound of impact.

"Kacchan!" Midoriya screamed. Once the debris cleared, they noticed that where Bakugou had once stood was a feminine figure encased in bright golden light.

"Sana," the three boys sighed in relief.

Sana reinforced the dome of solid energy she'd thrown up against the Nomu. The monster shrieked and pounded against the barrier with solid fists. The girl held firm, pushing back against the creature until the sizzling of its purple-black flesh filled the air as the heat of her quirk intensified. The Nomu howled in pain, but did not relent. All Might quickly intercepted the beast, driving it away so that she and Bakugou could get to safety.

The ash blonde grabbed her by the waist and blasted them away from the fight. Sana pushed herself away from his grasp as soon as they reached the others. "Don't touch me." She breathed, her words coming out a bit slurred.

Bakugou bared his teeth in a silent snarl.

The girl didn't look like her usual self. She seemed disoriented and just overall, not all there. Her usually tan skin was pale, cheeks flushed, and the hair around her face was damp with sweat. Her eyes were foggy and uncomprehending, the pupils so dilated that only a sliver of color was visible. She staggered as she put distance between them, swaying from side to side as though she might collapse at any moment. Her every breath was a labored gasp.

"Sana." Shoto stepped forward. His tone was a blend of caution and concern.

"Hey, are you okay?" Kirishima joined him, arms outstretched and ready to catch her.

She didn't seem to hear them. "It's too much," she panted, her voice a soft whine. She closed her eyes, her hands grasping the hair around her temples, clutching it between her fingers tightly. "Too hot."

Shoto took another step forward, reaching out to her with his right hand, while keeping the others back with his left. "Sana," he spoke in a hushed voice, trying to catch her eye. "Sana, look at me."

"Too hot," she repeated, her feverish gaze wild. 'S too hot." Her chest rose and fell rapidly. The glow of her eyes was intense, the thin irises resembling supernovas. The air around her seemed to hum and crackle with energy.

Shoto threw his arm forward, fully encasing her in layers of thick ice. It instantly cracked and hissed upon contact.

The other three boys, having witnessed the entire thing, were very confused and outraged. "The fuck did you just do?" Bakugou yanked him closer by the collar of his costume.

"What gives, man? She-"

"You don't know her like I do," the white-and-red haired boy replied lowly. Broken blocks of ice chipped away, shattering like glass as they hit the ground, revealing an unconscious Sana. "The shock of the sudden temperature change knocked her out. She'll be fine."

Her body lurched forward as if she were boneless. Her former best friend caught her before she could hit the ground, careful to only touch her with his ice side. Steam rose from where her feverish body met with the layers of frost he'd coated himself with. She didn't stir throughout All Might's final showdown with the Nomu, nor when the other Pros arrived to help.

Bakugou and Kirishima watched from a distance as their dual-haired classmate handed their friend off to the paramedics, who flinched upon touching her. They quickly wrapped her in an insulated blanket before loading her onto a gurney and escorting her to Recovery Girl's office.

Villains were brought out in chains of quirk-canceling gear and lined up next to police vehicles. Bakugou overheard the officers whispering among each other about the critical condition they'd found the villains from the fire zone in. Most of them had to seek medical attention for second and third degree burns all across their bodies. The criminals blathered on, half-mad, about a girl with glowing eyes as they were loaded into the prison vans.

Mina and the rest of the girls had come running up to them once they were outside, peppering the boys with questions about Sana's condition. All the while, Bakugou glared at the back of Todoroki's skull.

"Don't touch me," she'd said, pushing him away. The bastard's words still rang in his head.

"You don't know her like I do."

Bakugou wasn't an idiot. He'd noticed during the two months they'd been in school that there was something strange going on between the two. One could always be spotted staring at the other when they weren't looking. The stolen glances and longing, sorrowful looks made him curious about their relationship. The only time he'd actually seen them interact was during the combat training exercise weeks ago.

When she'd given him that stupid speech about putting his feelings aside, had she just been looking out for him as she'd claimed, or had she also needed a reminder?

"You don't know her like I do."

The blonde tched. Smug bastard.

¸☾⋆*･ﾟ¸☾⋆*･ﾟ¸☾⋆*

Sana blinked slowly, her eyelids heavy from exhaustion. She felt someone squeeze her fingers, pulling her attention to the side of her bed. Shoto sat there in his school uniform, his hand gently holding her's.

"Hey," she greeted, her voice scratchy with sleep.

Shoto nodded in greeting, removing his hand from her's. Sana instantly missed the contact. She was lying in a bed with a thin blanket draped across her. The room was noticeably chilly, yet she felt fine. "You overdid it." He looked at her from the corner of his eye. "You almost lost control. I had to knock you out."

"Thank God," she closed her eyes, relief flooding her system. She hadn't hurt anyone. The memories of what happened after she'd landed in the fire zone were foggy. She remembered the smoke, the heat, and fighting off villains... but not much after that.

"Even when you weren't in the right state of mind, you still managed to save Bakugou." He told her. "You held off that Nomu, too. I don't know how you did it."

Me either. Sana was still trying to process everything that had happened. She'd only fully lost control of her quirk once, when she was younger. She'd woken up a week later distraught and confused, with no recollection of what she'd done during that time.

"I hoped I'd never have to see you like that again." Shoto's hands were balled in his lap, and Sana wished more than anything that she could reach over and grasp his hand in her's. "I swore to myself that I wouldn't let it get that far."

"I know," she said softly. "I know you did your best to help me. Thank you," she mustered up the courage to place her hand on his fist. "I mean it, Sho. Thank you."

The Todoroki boy held her gaze. "Just because I'm mad at you, it doesn't mean that I stopped caring about you. If anything, it makes your betrayal worse."

"Shoto," Sana's voice cracked, tears trailing down her cheeks. "What are yo-"

Her former friend pulled his hand away, standing from his seat and shouldering his backpack. "Now that I know you're awake, I can go." He made for the door, but stopped. "Be careful when you get home." He warned. "The USJ attack is all over the news."

He walked out the door, and Sana pressed a hand against her mouth to contain a sob.

¸☾⋆*･ﾟ¸☾⋆*･ﾟ¸☾⋆*

Sana was checked over by Recovery Girl one more time before she was allowed to leave. She changed out of her costume and took a quick shower in the locker room, forcefully scrubbing the layers of sweat and grime off her skin.

The sky was a dark blue when she stepped out of the school. A black towncar idled by the street outside the gates, waiting for her. Taking a deep, calming breath, she opened the backdoor and slid inside. Across from her, a pair of glasses glinted in the dim light.

"I warned you about this Hero nonsense."

[mieux-de-se-taire]

Demolition Lovers - MCR Interviews

89.5 WSOU FM Interview - 7/11/02

6:48-7:02, 20:33-20:57, 30:48-31:03

Interviewer: And then it all ends with “Demolition Lovers,” which is like the climax. Gerard: Yeah, originally, the song-- um “Demolition Lovers” was supposed to be called “I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love,” but I just hate it when, like bands name-- Interviewer: (Dramatically) The title track of-- Gerard: The title track! Yeah, I just don’t like title tracks.

Ray: (After being asked his favorite songs) And the last song “Demolition Lovers” because that song took us just about 6 months to write. We had that song very ear-- like, parts of the song very early when we first started the band, and it just took 6 months to finally get it right, and to hear it...like how it sounds on the CD, was just-- is just incredible. It’s really moving, for me, and I think for all of us because it-- it took so long to get right.

Gerard: This song is called “Demolition Lovers,” and…there you go. (Laughs) It’s about uh-- you wanna know what it’s about? Interviewer: Yes Gerard: It’s about uh…a willing to dish out and receive bullets for somebody… (laughs) because you love them that much.

/

HardcoreNJ Interview - March/April 2003

Paragraph 14

Interviewer: What is your favorite song on your album and why? Matt: Easily “Demolition Lovers” because, it was the one song on the record that was more of a project to us than the other songs. It took like 6 months till we got it right, so the song really felt like an accomplishment when we were finished. It shows a wide perspective of what we can write.

/

WVAU Radio Interview - 3/26/03

13:23-14:02

Interviewer: What is the meaning behind “Demolition Lovers”? Gerard: “Demolition Lovers” is-- the meaning behind it is-- the song’s about wanting to do something for somebody or trying to prove to somebody how much they mean to you, and I wanted it to have this very like Ro-- not so much Romeo and Juliet, but very Bonnie and Clyde type feel, like two people out on the road together, willing to take a bullet for each other, kinda very like true romance type style. And it also goes out to somebody very special, and um... Interviewer: Aww Gerard: It’s kind of a way to tie up the whole record.

/

89.5 WSOU FM Interview - 7/3/03

16:42-17:03

Gerard: Bullets was more like wistful. It’s more like about Romeo and Juliet type, star-crossed lovers and stuff like that. Like “Demolition Lovers” captures like the theme of the whole record, you know, two people willing to die in a gun battle for each other and stuff like that. The next record’s stepping a little away from that kind of romanticism about it, and it’s going more into the like coming back from the dead to get revenge.

/

MTV Interview - 6/23/04

Paragraph 7

Gerard: We had a song called 'Demolition Lovers,' from our first record [I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love]. In the end of that, the main character and his girlfriend get gunned down in the desert. So, on this album, he's in hell looking for her, and the devil tells him she's still alive. And he says, 'I have to be with her,' and the devil says, 'Then bring me the souls of 1,000 evil men. I'll send you back to earth, and when you kill the last one, you'll find her.'

/

MTV Interview - August-October 2006

0:37-0:49

Gerard: And we had been working on theme and concept songs since Bullets. “Demolition Lovers,” the last track off Bullets, basically leads you into Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge, so there’s even like a thematic connection.

[sarah-sandwich-writes]

for the title ask game: We Were Gods (we were kids)

I want to hear more about that one, that's a riveting title! :eyes:

Ahhh yes, so originally this fic was inspired by the song Battle Cries by The Amazing Devil. It's a duet and like a divorce song? "This isn't a break-up, dearheart, it's a season finale!" I got the title from the lyrics where one part sings the line "We were gods" and then the other part echoes it with "We were kids" and that's just *chefs kiss* perfect fanfic title thank you TAD <333

The premise was childhood friends to estranged almost lovers to supers fighting on opposite sides to reluctant allies to (finally) lovers. And it was going to be a parkner fic (peter parker/harley keener). It was going to be an epic slow burn spanning nearly their whole lives.

Then I thought why not pry it out of its fanfic foundation and stand it on its own as an original concept? Harley is essentially my OC and Peter could be shaped into an OC too and the plot I had in mind had hardly any of the source material in it so why not? I'd just tweak some names, create my own super powers and aliens and then boom! Book!

Didn't work 🙃 I wrote a 110k draft and got to the end and was like wow this sucks. I half-assed the world building and tried to hang onto plot devices that just don't work outside the mcu (they don't even work within the mcu but I digress) SO now we're back to square one: making it a fanfic. Except it's not really square one because I have 110k that I need to snip and prune and repot back into a fic.

Actually it's more like 85k bc I have to re-write the beginning since I ended up keeping that part for my book, but the rest just needs reworked into something I like with the characters that we know and love plugged back in. It's going to be a massive revision project but not any more difficult than writing the thing lol

But anyway! It's going to feature super villain!Harley which I am very excited about. He is sooooo tortured in this one and Peter has the shittest luck in the whole world <333

I don't have a good excerpt to share so here is the high-level outline for part one!

Part 1: Childhood

Peter’s parents die in a plane crash. He moves to Rose Hill to live with Uncle Ben and Aunt May and meets Harley

Harley has his hands full with… his dad just walked out. He wasn’t abusive. It was just shocking and all at once. They thought something terrible happened, but after they report him missing Scotty at the corner store stops by and says he sold him scratchers. Then a few hours later the sheriff stops over with his hat in his hands and tells them his truck was found in the lot at the airport in Nashville. “Let him go,” Mama says. “Don’t want no man who don’t wanna be around. Let ‘im go.” And that was the end of that.

Peter arrives while Harley is getting used to being the only one home after school. Abbie’s off with Mrs. Farley in town while Mama works, so it’s just him most days ‘til Mama gets home around 5.

Starts hanging out with the Parkers. They keep him ‘round for dinner. Scares Mama the first time bc he didn’t ask ahead and wasn’t home when she got there. She demands to meet them.

They get on great and once they learn of her newly single situation they offer to watch Harley in the afternoons until she gets home from work. No need for payment or thank yous—it just so happens that Peter could really use a friend right now and they’ve been getting along so well.

So it begins. No creek. No pokemon. Peter and Aunt May clash like the dickens, but Uncle Ben is always cool and rational and settles things before they go too far. It’s nice.

Peter is obsessed with planes and tracking flights and researching news of lost flights, crashes, etc. Huge fear of flying, but not of heights. This fear stays with him, even when Harley turns into a flying superhero.

EJ is Harley’s bully. Harley is a talkative little nerd with a stutter and a penchant for mathematics. He attracts the mean types and Peter has a loud bark and never has had the good sense to back down from a fight. The shared battles cement them together.

After being blindsided by his dad leaving, Harley had to reevaluate everything he thought about family. Family is no longer who you get along with, despite differences. It’s no longer who you put on a smile for. It’s who you can disagree with and still hug and laugh with at the end of the day. It’s refreshing that he always knows where he stands with the Parkers. They have big feelings and they don’t bury them, but they’re solid. They’re dependable. They’re there.

Then the Parkers move to New York and leave Harley behind and his theory on what makes a family falls apart all over again.

[tklyhcs]

alright uhhh i saw some people requesting this on other blogs so i'm stealing those actually, taking those thanks (using this an excuse)!! this isn't the fandom i necessarily wanted to start with but the other ones i wanna write have insane amounts of characters so boy band men first i guess

(IF YOU SAW ME ACCIDENTALLY PUBLISH THIS TOO SOON, NO YOU DIDN'T)

heartsteel hcs here we gooo

kayn 💜

ok fr he's so fun to write for, didn't expect this one to be so cute. easy ler and lee! he likes to be a little bully and use his dirty little grabbers, mostly at ez let's be real. he isn't confident he's gonna win any other matchup so ez is easy picking. and thanks to the blooper reel k'sante is another target because kayn is a scrapper and crawls all over him like a monkey. mostly spiders his fingers all over and laughs evilly like he's won a hard fought battle. he's slinky and quick so he mostly has his target begging for someone else's help, and when they do get said assistance he cries and whines that it's not fair. don't be fooled he enjoys the extra attention!

he just plays to win all the time so when someone else tags in he's sure make everyone know that HE WOULD HAVE WON!!!! HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR EVERYONE ELSE CHEATING!!!! and man that stupid leash why does he even wear it if someones gonna tie his wrists in a knot. and like a true lee he wears that crop top so when he's all tangled go for the abs! he laughs so much it becomes obvious how he got so cut, by laughing his lungs out apparently. when he laughs his fangs show too it's cute.

he's also painfully obvious about not minding since he neeeever calls mercy, never surrenders. he just deals with it! not something someone who DOESN'T enjoy it would do. he could easily call mercy and call it quits but hmmmm he doesn't seem to want to, odd.

for spots i wanna say the waist is really really bad. top of the ribs under the armpits, his abs, his sides, all have him kicking his legs with a shout. he also scream laughs, explodes into laughter at first touch. but his voice also cracks at the first yelp, sounds like a cute lil boy shriek. partial to being "attacked", as he calls it, on the couch. he likes getting to be able to flop down and pass out after, sorta like a little kid it's so fucking cute bro he tuckers himself out laughing and wriggling on his back. dude is exhausted n happy (he swears he is NOT happy abt this) he's just tired for no reason okay. now it's his post giggle episode nap!

k'sante 💛

hear me out ok when i saw his shirt being a turtleneck i was IMMEDIATELY LIKE 🫵 his spot is the neck. it's so the neck. suddenly for him there's more than a few perks of being like.. 6'7" and it's not just being able to get things from high shelves. kayn and ez are menaces to this man it's gotta be 2 on 1. and in the official art pieces, ez getting carried on his back? oof k'sante y'all shouldn't have done that. cause now there's legs locked around his chest and ez is like SURRENDER OR DIEEE and getting all up into that shirt collar. he SCREECHES and spins around trying to shake him off he's stuck on him now. hopping around doing a lil giggly dance with ez on his back. kayn jokes and teases about how instead of focusing on singing, he should work on his dancing instead!

thanks to the blooper reel i can die on the hill that k'sante is a whiny boy and calls yone for help all the time. yoneee helpppp they're bullying me m gonna tell yoneee aaaa. kayn saying OH YOU BIG BABY stop complaining!! no one to help you now! ez is this guy's worst nightmare his cold little fingers are like knives on his neck. k'sante tends to run hot so they're just so nicely sticking a cold can of soda to his nape to help obviously. yone will help sometimes but mainly just because he's trying to keep the team on track (he will also torture k'sante with cold soda cans).

necks are a good tickle bite's worst enemy. chomp. and when someone is up in there biting, he just has to laugh and wait til it's over ☺ and with both of his elbows bent up so he can use his hands to cover his neck. gasp.. who's to protect his armpits! 🤭 noooo one! his neck is his worst spot so he'll make sure to keep it covered! but that does mean he'll get some armpit tickles instead! pick your poison k'sante. they team up on him like this often and ngl he likes it when they're close on em! sweethearts. but he doesn't wanna LOSE so he brings his puppy eyes to yone he's like 👉👈 yone.. help.. what a cop out! but it's not that great of a cute beg it's more like k'sante scream laughing and attempting puppy eyes but yelling HELP AAAA YONE HELP awkwardly waggling his arms. i love making big men be tickly and look foolish. sorry i love embarrassing them uwu

ezreal 💚

wow what a lee he's textbook lee i bet he has a secret tumblr account for all his private tk blogging activities. there's a lot to say about him: MOST IMPORTANTLY though his cute smile alright look at his teeth they're so fucking cute i'm obsessed. probably his only weapon as a ler are his sharp teeth. pointed and dull at the very bottom makes for very ticklish bites, so beware if you're too confident in winning! he will wiggle his head between your head and shoulder and bite! exaggerated fake growls and all. he'll be a little too proud of winning, so don't let him.

he has a reaaaally cute snort laugh too. i think his fans would document it thoroughly and embarrass him by posting clips of it nonstop. he has a more controlled laugh for outings because he's serious about his fandom image, but sometimes he laughs at something and chokes on his breath a bit there. i think it would be a shame of someone (kayn) decided to squeeze his side and make him giggle and snort while he's doing some filmed social media trend. that would soooo bad amiright 🫶 lol he would scream, cover his mouth, and tell his followers that he's BUSY and MUST LEAVE immediately. he basically RUNS to his room to scream into his pillow. like how dare u embarrass him in front of his online friends.

the clip hits all platforms in record time and he maaaay read a few comments because it's people saying it's cute of him and he secretly fawns over those. like "omg you think i'm cute heehee" he's ridiculous. but phel and kain playfully tease him sending pig emojis 🐖🐖🐖 ez is like "DON'T SEND THOSE TO ME DON'T- HEY DON'T POST THAT ON SOCIAL NOOO DON'T COMMENT MY FANS WILL SEE" and they all affectionately change his name in their phones to 🐖 just to tease him.

for spots, he'd be ticklish up sides to his ribs, spidering fingers have him slumped into the couch, laughing hard and snorting, of course. his feet and knees are quite ticklish! only known because he tends to put his feet up and yone continuously tells him to knock it off. but he found that suddenly tickling his socked foot does the trick.

aphelios 💙

he's a difficult one, since he's not much of a talker! but not like he's spared from anyone's wrath. his laugh is what you'd expect and it's fantastic; breathy, wheezy, and full of obvious mirth.

he's prone to pranking the others and while he can be nonchalant and aloof, sometimes the sight of one of the others falling or making utter fools of themselves has him in stitches (and being forced to laugh via tickling is no different). and when he wears his mask it's especially endearing to see his eyes screwed shut as well as him holding his stomach and hunching over, shoulders shaking.

he can't help acting like a little troublemaker and they always pounce on him after he gets someone good with those pranks he pulls. seems like he's more playful than he looks. if anyone stretches, he's the first to poke. if someone gets stuck doing something, phel is there making sure he doesn't waste the opportunity, what a jerk! so do everyone a favor and give him a taste of his own medicine. he's his own worst enemy though, because once he starts wheezing in laughter you pounce on him with tickles and it's downhill from there. he's already laughing so he has no chance of fending off an attack.

and a secret: he's very weak to teasing too! he doesn't talk back he just hides his face in shyness. they fall for a trap he's so deviously placed and now he's under them, mumbling out giggles when they poke him all over saying "what's so funny huh??" he waves his hands at them and pushes em by the shoulders trying to curl up the best he can. pokes drive him nuts and then when you speed up it's even worse, him trying to catch the offending hands. "no timeouts allowed because you started it!"

but it seems like he just doesn't stop pranking the others, so he must like it more than he lets on. he's surprisingly a goofy lil boy. he laughs himself silly, voice hitching and gasping all the way. he laughs himself DIZZY it's cute. he's like kayn he needs a break after. and usually even after whoever is done bullying him, he spends his time giggling quietly his skin still feels electric. he sure is brave for someone who takes so much time to recover.

yone ❤

he's a fun one, the stoic characters always are. most likely to screw his mouth shut and try to deal with pesky fingers at his ribs until he can't any longer. prone to overworking so breaking his concentration is absolutely a necessary activity. and also breaking his concentration playing video games is also crucial, because according to sett he plays too well so he must suffer and be prodded at during playtime too. -i mean what sett would never stoop so low he says.

anyways- yone's usually the mediator but he can get caught up in the mess when someone points out that he's been getting off the hook when it comes to roughhousing. he typically prefers 1 on 1, so he won't lose kayn says. and maybe that's true no one knows. he's really REALLY good at pretending he isn't at all sensitive and keeps it together for, i dunno, 5 seconds. it doesn't seem like a lot BUT it deters most. not these motherfuckers they're in it to win it.

yone will hold back then the giggles bubble up in his throat and you can hear him hum a moment, then they spill out from his lips. he mumbles and whispers out giggles for a moment then it becomes very apparent he won't win this fight and he covers his mouth. that's when it's over. he really starts to laugh and realizes the sensations just won't stop and he's lost. he's most likely to swear actually lol he's like i can handle this. i can handle this..... Fuck.

once he's attempted to cover his mouth he has already lost. he has a very nice, boisterous laugh and his smile is also a 10/10. it's nice to not see his eyebrows furrowed so much. he's lucky he's good at catching people's offending wiggly fingers or else he'd fall apart way more often. so when they trail fingers up his back where he can't reach them or fend them off? it drives him nuts. index finger from the nape and down the spine has him arching and twisting away with a loud yelp.

and that leaves the stomach vulnerable and that's next. tickling at his stomach and he jumps back and grabs whoever's wrist and says to CUT THAT OUT. okay mr. grumpy, jeez. it works as a good attitude adjustment because if he's mad at one of em for fooling around, this can easily divert his attention. k'sante usually has the job of doing so but when he does, he doesn't get yone's support the next time he's on defense. in fact, yone might lead the charge.

sett 🧡

hahaaaa oh man last but not least. most ticklish easily what a mess. being 6 foot 10 is not gonna help him here. sure he can rough somebody up but this is way more difficult for him. the one to be on the floor first begging "pleeheheaasee-" and kicking his leg like a puppy.

he's OBVIOUSLY most sensitive in the midsection he's a tummy boy okay just trust me. and this man may lift, box, it doesn't matter because if you knead his midsection his strength goes right out the window. you can feel him paw at your prodding hands with the weakest grip you've ever seen. his worst enemy is when you do the claw hand on his belly he's in hysterics i'm telling you. wiggling on his back saying "i give! i give!" and flopping onto his side when he's released from their tickly clutches. now, make that two pairs of hands, or ten, he doesn't have a chaaaaance.

he's definitely a good tickle monster to the others but once they elect k'sante to hold him down (he can bench sett apparently so he's gotta be the bad guy on this one) he's like "NOO DON'T DO IT GUYS I'M SORRYEHHEEHE" he preemptivey starts laughing when he sees wiggling fingers creeping closer and closer to him, begging wildly for mercy before anything happens. he calls out to each one of them, praying that they'll help! he's not the one to take what he dishes out.

and also the ears! don't forget about those! they are oh so ticklish and they twitch when you touch them. roll the delicate ear between two of your fingers and it has him in a fit of giggles. any fighting techniques he might know mean nothing in the face of a laughing fit.

first to help someone relieve stress via giving attention and being a stress toy himself. though, he's prone to going after someone first even if he always loses. we appreciate his effort. he'll probably have someone fighting on his side simply because he's a lost cause. has a good relationship with physical affection! his favorite to give: ticklish kisses n raspberries, in combo with a hug of course. try not to get caught in his clutches. if those are his tactics.. maybe he does deserve to get got. he's not as embarrassed as his track record would suggest! takes his inevitable loss in stride.

haaa this long as fuck 👍 i don't think i've written anything at all since 2018 or smth really i tried to keep these diverse so lmk how i did! also like always i do not reread and check anything so. this is it

[dumbass-duo-showdown]

Propaganda for Zoro & Luffy

I could rant about them for actual hours but like it's so hard to put thoughts down. But literally an actual quote was someone telling Zoro that "you promised you wouldn't cause trouble" and Zoro replies, EXACT WORDS, "I had no choice because I ran into Luffy." There was also an exchange where Zoro was giving Luffy food and Luffy warns him it might be poison while eating it and Zoro is just like "huh, so that's why my stomach was hurting". They also both swung from vines once and BOTH decided to Tarzan yell. They agreed it was a requirement. Also, Luffy once said he didn't wanna be a hero because heros would share their meat and he wants all of it, and Zoro entirely separately says the SAME THING BUT WITH BOOZE INSTEAD. There are so many examples of them sharing a single braincell. More than I could ever list. But those are the examples I thought of off the top of my head.

On the surface, Zoro seems to have some common sense, and only follows Luffy’s dumb schemes out of respect. Then Nami joins and you realize that Zoro’s seriousness IS his dumbassedness. He and Luffy have one track minds for their own goals and wants, and while they may clash, they have a decent amount of respect for each other.

haven’t finished one piece yet but one example: zoro when stuck figured cutting off his feet would be a genius idea and luffy is luffy. there’s never any thoughts going on in that head

When I first started One Piece I thought Zoro was going to be the badass smart counterpart to the dumbass protagonist just like Vegeta or Sasuke. Turns out I couldn't be more wrong. Him and Luffy are besties and share one brain cell and even thou Zoro uses it most of the time it's still one.

They share one single braincell at the same time: after being seriously injured in a battle, one wakes up to drink sake the other to eat meat. One almost cut a Noble (which means being pursued til death by the most powerful marines), the other actually punches said Noble. One gest stuck between buildings, the other inside a chimney for absolutely unrelated reasons

Their solution to everything is to fight it. They never have a plan and just rush into everything. Somehow they are technically the leaders of the group as captain and first mate. They have both at some point attempt to cut or tear their legs or arms off to get out something. They used the same metaphor to explain why they aren’t a hero without hearing the other say it (a hero would share their meat/booze I want to keep it all to myself).

they said let us cut/punch a hole trough a giant tsunami and they did it <3 also one time they were suppossed to lay low, but well they both immediately started robbing and attacking a town and being recognized and labeled as criminals in a new country. they don't even share a braincell, whatever braincell they had before immediately leave as soon as they both are together, also King of the Pirates and World Greatest Swordsman dreamteam, also for lasagne thing not only would the house be gone, the city be burning and they are fleeing the police while also fighting the police

They're just soooo stupid. Zoro can't walk to steps without getting lost. So Luffy will yank him miles through the air to land on wood. Or stone. Or some other hard substance. Luffy would fight someone on accident for meat. And Zoro for booze. And they have no brain cells between them. Zoro new Luffy for approx. 3 seconds before he decided he would die for him. And Luffy heard about this big scary bounty hunter who was captured by marines and went. I need him on my crew. They're perfect for each other.

I dont where to begin. One of their latest feats though is them going into the enemy base, Meaning to sneak in, Luffy went in after another guy, Zoro after Luffy, luffy then Announced himself, started a fight bc ppl wasted food on purpose, ZORO hearing a commotion, SLICED THROUGH A BUILDING TO GET TO LUFFY AND THEN REPRIMANDED LUFFY FOR FORGETTING THE PLAN AND BEING UNABLE TO BE QUIET. THEN. T H E N LUFFY SAYS HE SPILT FOOD ON PURPOSE AND ZORO IS INSTANT LIKE oh ok. They gotta die. (Theres more to it but thats the gist. And thats not even. Much. They r just so stupid together <33)

they both get lost very easily, they will throw hands with anyone, very stupid but very understanding, were a 2 person pirate crew that sailed around on a rowboat, motivated entirely by fighting, meat, and sake, neither is particularly literate one time luffy got his hand stuck in a bottle and zoro tried to get it out by cutting his hand off, yes this happened in a canon episode

look, I have a tag for them that's literally #pair of idiots.

[hapalopus]

I am rapidly gaining too many hrihriwa ocs to draw, here are their coat colors

Moussa - Milu - Raban

Vigga - Tarok - Flori

Lio - Bekaar - Kaya

Character descriptions below

Moussa: My main man. Equivalent of early/mid-20s (hrihriwa age slightly slower than humans). Youngest foal of the Lord of the A'atwe Clan, but unfortunately they're also the oldest colt in the family, which means he's Lord Apparent. Just wants to hang out with their secret human girlfriend, doesn't wanna be in charge of squat. Jack of all trades, master of absolutely nothing. "The weird kid" in the herd, who'd rather climb trees with humans than race through the fields. Large social circle but only a few genuine friends. Most creative shapeshifter in the entire clan.

Milu: Moussa's older sister. Massive eldest daughter syndrome. Actually wants to be Lord, but the A'atwe clan has institutional sexism. Bossy and bitchy to make up for her feelings of powerlessness. Takes on much bigger burdens than she should. Desperate for her parents' attention. Has close friends, not a lot of friends. Stressed 24/7. Born to snort adderall, forced to live in a fantasy world.

Raban: Moussa's/Milu's sire. Current Lord of the A'atwe. Equivalent of mid-50s. Traumatized and prone to lashing out when his buttons are pressed. Watched his family die in a raid, you know the deal. Big on battle training, and frustrated that none of the foals get it, because the last raid was 50 years ago. Actually a good leader. Unfortunately not a good father.

Vigga: Moussa's/Milu's dam. Logistic genius. Without her the clan would collapse, and everyone knows it. Slightly better parent than her mate, not that that's saying a lot. Babies Moussa, emotionally neglects Milu. Equally as traumatized as Raban, but they're genuinely a good couple who care for each other, they just shouldn't've had kids. Knows everyone and everything, including the clan's humans and livestock. The clan drama is her telenovela. Lives in denial of the clan's sexism even though she knows it's choking her and her filly and all the other mares and fillies, she knows, she just feels powerless to stop it, she knows but it's easier to play along.

Tarok: Moussa's best friend. Nice to be around, but hangs out with Moussa partially for clout. Comes from an unstable home like nearly every other foal in the clan (everyone was affected by that raid 50 years ago). Wants power, but doesn't realize. Has yet to understand why he does what he does. Doesn't really get why Moussa is friends with so many humans ("they're just workers given to us by the gods right?") but accepts it. Will eventually sell Moussa for 1 corn chip.

Flori: One of Moussa's friends. Haven't decided on a personality for her yet.

Lio: High-ranking noble stallion. Ornery. Loyal o Raban but doesn't like or respect Moussa.

Bekaar: One of the adults who were passed over during the raid - in his case because of horrible conformation (swayback, cow hocks, weak pasterns, steep shoulder, etc.). Mentor figure for basically everyone in the clan, but especially the nobles. Knows that Moussa isn't leader material but has a hell of a time convincing Raban. Beginning to go from "so old everyone assumes he's wise" to "so old everyone assumes he's a toddler."

Kaya: A loner from another clan. Only one who escaped their raid. Survived in isolation for a few months before giving herself up to the raiders. Works as a riding horse, for the raiders' leader. Tells herself she's doing it all to track down and free her clan members, but she has done some terrible things in her clan members' name. Probably too terrible for her clan to forgive her, should she ever find them.

[gyokujyn]

playlist title: no grave can hold my body down

bet.

I got this prompt and then immediately got pneumonia, so I haven't been conscious enough to actually write out a post well, but I have been working on this slowly. I made a hard rule of no Hozier for this one, but then I couldn't decide if I wanted to do a themed list or one of those playlists where the titles spell out the phrase. So... I did both.

Oh, I'm'a write it out for ya is the playlist that spells out the phrase, "no grave can hold my body down" but to make it a little more challenging, every song here is a(n obsessive) love song. I feel like this one is actually pretty straightforward, so I'm not going into detail here about the choices.

no grave can hold my body down is an anthology, of sorts, a playlist of ballads and bops about many different people and creatures who could not be held by their graves. More details about each of the tracks are under the cut.

Track 1 - Ain't No Grave by Johnny Cash

a man vows he will be called from his grave to the final battle between Heaven and Hell, having been made an angel

Well, meet me, Jesus, meet me Meet me in the middle of the air And if these wings don't fail me I will meet you anywhere Ain't no grave can hold my body down

Track 2 - The Curse by Josh Ritter

the love story between a woman and the deathless creature which subsists on her love for him

She asked, "Are you cursed?" He says, "I think that I'm cured" Then he kissed her and hoped That she'd forget that question

Track 3 - The Woods by San Fermin

a boy is lured into the woods where his body is buried, but he doesn't stay there

The nights are lovely, dark, and deep But I'll appear when you're asleep You'll wake up with a sudden hurt With mouth and nose all full of dirt We went, the two of us into The woods behind the little school Yeah, I'm still buried in the mud Skin and bones, and brains and blood

Track 4 - My Body is a Cage by Peter Gabriel

perhaps more figurative than the previous tracks, this song talks about being trapped in a body and culminates in the release of both the spirit and the body

My body is a cage That keeps me from dancing with the one I love [...] My body is a cage We take what we're given Just because you've forgotten Doesn't mean you're forgiven [...] I realize I'm dancing with the one I love [...] Set my spirit free Set my body free

Track 5 - Dead Man's Hand by Lord Huron

the narrator buries a dead man who begs not to be laid down in a grave

"I know how to live, I don't know how to die, And there ain't no thrills in the afterlife So lift me up out of here, my friend, And I'll wander the night 'til the ages end." Lit by the moon, he walked through the sand, And he waved "goodbye" with his dead man's hand.

Track 6 - From the Ashes by ILLENIUM, Skylar Grey

pulling from the legend of the Phoenix, the narrator doesn't fear death because they will rise from the ashes

I would rather die Than for things to stay this way [...] You wanna burn down everything in sight I'm not afraid of a little fire So light your matches And I will rise from the ashes

Track 7 - A Woman Scorned by Jordan Reyne

a woman scorns her husband, once lost at sea, for returning to her a dead man

"Don't weep for me love" says your ruin faced form like I'd pine for a man who has failed me. Still I find myself wound in your seafarers clothes, and breathing the scent of your whiskey. So give me your hand, as the sea gives you breath, and you rise back up out of the salty. oh you stink like the dead, but it's what we both are and the least you can do is come with me.

Track 8 - Dance in the Graveyards by Delta Rae

why lie in your grave when you can dance in the graveyard?

When I die, I don't wanna rest in peace I wanna dance in joy I wanna dance in the graveyards

Track 9 - Love Don't Die by The Fray

a vow is made that regardless of what is done to their body, the singer will never leave their love's side

A thousand years go by But love don't die If I know one thing, that's true It's that I'm never leaving you [...] You can break it up (up) You can burn it down (down) You can box it in (in) Bury it in the ground You can close it off (off) You can turn it away (away) Try to keep it down (down) Six feet in the ground But love don't die

Track 10 - embodi3d by Montaigne

you cannot kill me in a way that matters

I'll make you a slave (slave, slave), or a zombie Come on be my grave (grave, grave, grave) like a phoenix, I'll- Rise (I wanna rise) I wanna find a body I, I wanna be embodi3d

[tsarisfanfiction]

Eclipse: Chapter 14

Fandom: Trials of Apollo Rating: Teen Genre: Family/Adventure Characters: Apollo, Hades Are we getting somewhere? Is this... progress? Nah, don't be ridiculous - we're not even halfway through yet! I have a discord server for all my fics, including this one!  If you wanna chat with me or with other readers about stuff I write (or just be social in general), hop on over and say hi! <<Chapter 13

HADES XIV Apollo Makes the Sound of Fear

Clang.

Orion’s hunting knife swung up, blocking Hades’ strike, and he frowned.  There was a tremble in the blade, fear not so easily dismissed when the Helm was active, although Hades had to keep its full power in check so as not to incapacitate Apollo, whose pale face was clearly not just due to the sheer volume of golden ichor in places that were not inside his nephew, where it was supposed to be.

Gods did not experience blood loss the way mortals did – the loss of ichor was not fatal, or at least Hades had never heard of a god losing enough to die – but the precious golden liquid was still important to their reserves of power and the godly feats they could do.  Apollo wasn’t shaking, not even from fear, and his reflexes seemed to be as sharp as ever as another arrow hurtled towards Orion, forcing the giant to disengage from where his blade was locked with Hades’ in order to bat it away, but his quiver was empty and it seemed an eternity before a new arrow materialised in his hand.  He’d been comparatively slow in summoning arrows throughout their time in Tartarus already but this was practically glacial for the god of archery.

He was also the god of healing and ought to replenish what he’d lost faster than most, but Hades was conscious that he was going to have to be the primary offensive force against the giant, regardless of whose bane Orion was.  Apollo had clearly proven that he could outsmart Orion, based on both the giant’s own words and the fact that Apollo and presumably Asclepius had managed to escape an earlier encounter, but the severe injuries the younger god had received while the giant appeared mostly unharmed also lent credence to Orion’s boast that Apollo was not his match.

Hades slashed at the giant once more, irritated when Orion again managed to fend him off despite the fear permeating through him and the fact that the Helm was rendering Hades invisible, and then a third attack proved beyond a doubt that, somehow, Orion was detecting his movements.

No doubt in time he could wear down the giant, but this was not a battle he wanted to allow to drag on any longer than necessary – a confrontation of this calibre was powerful enough that it could alert and potentially even attract other, powerful, opponents, and Hades would rather get through their mission with the least fights possible.

He temporarily fell back, away from the giant to instead hover – still invisible – immediately behind Apollo.

“Find a way to defeat him,” he ordered.  Apollo flinched, almost imperceptivity but enough to tell Hades that, unlike Orion, he could not detect him while he was invisible, which brought a flicker of a thought to the back of his mind to be addressed in a moment.  “I will not let him pass.”

It was not a boast, but a statement of fact.  Objectively, he was stronger than the giant, even if the covenant that he required a demigod to defeat him meant that he was frustratingly unable to win, no matter how great the power gap between them was.  Orion would not pass him unless he allowed it.

Even if the giant could track him.

Hades allowed the seed of a thought to swell and grow as he headed back into the fight, not waiting for any acknowledgement from his nephew.  Apollo, for all he acted otherwise, was not a fool and would understand it was their best option to finish the fight before they gained too much unwanted attention.

Some was, sadly, inevitable.

Orion had taken his brief respite as a chance to materialise more arrows and retrieve his bow, and Hades had to hack two arrows before they whistled through his intangible self and slammed into his nephew behind him.  Then, he stepped around to the side of the giant and slashed again.

Once again, the hunting blade caught his swing, and Hades regretted that he had to be tangible in order to make contact with others, because Orion’s blade was far, far too fast.

It was also purely reacting to his attacks, as though it was the attack rather than Hades he could detect, and the seed of suspicion continued to grow.

With the archery and good looks, the connection to Apollo was blatant, yet Orion was not just Apollo’s bane, but Artemis’, too, which meant he must also have aspects of the goddess to oppose.  Archery was no doubt for both of them, but he was certainly also a hunter to rival the huntress and, it appeared, hyper-vigilant to anything that might treat him as prey – such as an invisible Hades.

Arrows whizzed towards Orion, who was once again forced to disengage from Hades in order to deflect them, and Hades refused to let such an opening pass, pressing the giant back and forcing him to dodge rather than parry.

From there, the tone of the battle was set.  Hades pressed Orion, refusing to permit the giant to try and get past him to Apollo, despite that being his clear intent – Orion, like Apollo, was clearly no fool and knew that he was not a match for Hades, despite Hades’ unfortunate handicap without a demigod present.  Apollo, however, was the most vulnerable of the three – no protection from an irritating covenant, as well as being the weakest.  If there was anyone who could lose, it was Hades’ nephew.

Arrows flew, golden ones passing though Hades’ invisible, intangible self while black ones were knocked out of the air.

Ichor spilt, Orion’s skin splitting open as the points of arrows caught it in passing and gaining trails of gold down his face, his arms, every exposed patch.  Hades caught him more than once, too, but never more than a glancing blow – the giant’s reflexes were too fast, his reactions appropriate for the bane of two of the nimbler Olympians, and whatever antithesis to Artemis’ hunting he had seemed inclined towards preventing himself being prey.

He was also swift.

Hades had said Orion would not get past him, and they were words he stood by, but whenever the giant had a moment’s reprieve from both his and Apollo’s attacks, he was pressing forwards, the bane of the swiftest god (even Hades had heard about Hermes’ defeat in a footrace), bow in one hand and vicious knife in the other as he tried to open another deep wound in Apollo’s form.

More than once, Apollo had flinched back, out of the way, as though he feared that Orion would pass Hades, and the older god reminded himself that even Apollo could not see him, did not know where he was and therefore had no way of knowing for certain that he would always be there, blocking the knife and pressing back against the giant.  Even though he was.

Orion’s mocking grin had disappeared a long time ago, replaced by a vicious scowl of fury as he leaked more and more ichor.  That, at least, was some degree of victory – Orion felt threatened by their combined forces, despite the lack of a demigod in the vicinity looming over all of them.

But it wasn’t enough.

The giant was not retreating, did not even be appearing to consider the potential to disengage and bide his time for later.  That seemed rather un-hunter-like of him, but there was nothing Hades could do about it except keep fighting, keep pushing, and find a way to keep him down – or hope that Apollo could come up with something.

So far, there were no pearls of wisdom on the subject coming from his nephew, who was continuing to fire arrows into the fray, a barrage far too slow to be worthy of the god of archery but unfortunately understandable considering both their location and his wounds.  Hades could not spare the attention to check how quickly Apollo was healing, but between Tartarus and his bane, it was no doubt far too slowly.  The too-long pauses between arrows only confirmed it.

Orion was also fast-healing, and unlike Apollo was clearly drawing strength from being in Tartarus as his wounds kept sealing up, leaving fading trails of ichor across his skin as the only evidence they had existed.  His laser eyes – Hades had wondered, briefly, if Hephaestus’ technology was enough to surpass the Helm of Darkness, but dismissed the thought within less than a second; Hephaestus was good, but he was not an Elder Cyclops – seemed focused almost entirely on the younger Olympian, other senses guiding his defences against Hades’ attacks.

Then the battle changed.  A new edge to Orion’s stance manifested, a shift that had Hades on fresh alert and slashing forwards with the certainty that he needed to stop whatever was coming.

He stopped the first knife.

The second skipped past, hidden until the last possible second by the first.

Apollo would shoot it down, Hades reasoned as he pressed his attack; it was only a projectile, his nephew could handle that with ease, even in his current condition.

Except he heard no sign of an arrow colliding with a knife.

Instead, Orion’s laser eyes lit up, a flash of vibrant red that certainly meant nothing good, and behind Hades, something hit the ground.

He couldn’t afford to look, but he glanced anyway.

Apollo was down, pushing himself up with arms that trembled as a fresh wave of ichor flowed onto the surface of Tartarus and looking worse than Hades had ever seen him.  The bone-handled blade was buried in his throat, straight through the jugular, and it still wasn’t enough to kill Apollo, not by a long shot, but it was concerning.

Hades barely had time to register the half-manifested golden arrow on the ground beside the god before he was drawn back into combat with Orion.  The giant had gained a major advantage and there was no doubt that he knew it as he kept lunging forwards, his focus on Apollo appearing to be almost single-minded, save for his near-instinctive blocks of Hades’ own attacks.

It was no longer a case of simply holding Orion in place as he waited for inspiration to strike – either himself or Apollo, he hadn’t been picky.  Now, Hades was forced to the defensive, with no other possible explanation save that he was whole-heartedly defending his fallen nephew.

He could sense the flickering aura of Apollo behind him – still very much alive, still conscious, but weak and struggling nonetheless – but couldn’t turn to look.  Instead, he prompted the Helm to stop holding back and allowed a fierce aura of fear to surround him, feeling somewhat regretful that Apollo, too, would be receiving the full blast but knowing that he would need everything he had to keep Orion away from his nephew long enough for Apollo to find his feet again.

And, more importantly, finally come up with a way to eliminate Orion as a threat to them, both now and for the rest of their time in Tartarus.  Hades refused to be hunted for the duration of their mission; he was no weak prey and he would ensure Orion knew it.

The wicked grin was back, a flicker of self-satisfaction on the giant’s face even as he kept trying to pass Hades, kept trying to finish the job he had started with far too much of what seemed like success, and Hades hated it.  He was used to disrespect – his brothers, much of the rest of his family, giants and titans and others who would oppose the gods – but this was more than simple disrespect.  This was disregard, the cockiness of someone who fully believed they were superior to the point of dismissing those around them.

Orion fully believed he was winning this fight.

Hades refused to lose.

One of his strikes caught the string of Orion’s bow, slicing cleanly through and causing the ends to recoil violently against the giant’s face.  He hadn’t been using it much, mostly because Hades had not granted him the space and time to do so, but it was still enough to once again wipe the arrogant smirk from Orion’s lips.

Tension gone, the bow seemed to shatter, and Orion discarded it on the ground without a second thought.  Instead, a third hunting knife leapt into his hands from somewhere in his quiver, leaving him with two blades to Hades’ one.

Hades’ sword was the far superior of the two, however, and he remained relentless in his attack, waiting for Apollo to drag himself to his feet again and finally come up with a way to defeat his bane, because inspiration on the matter was clearly evading Hades with practised ease.

Perhaps if he managed to hack him into enough pieces and then scattered them across the Pit, Orion would be unable to reform by the time they were done with their mission and out of Tartarus.  It had not succeeded so far, but Hades had no intentions of giving up.

Behind him, he could feel Apollo’s essence straining, as though the god was trying to pull off one of his more powerful feats despite the amount of his ichor glistening across his body and pooling around him on the surface of the Pit, none of it where it was supposed to be - inside his form.  What he was hoping to achieve, Hades had no idea, but he was too busy keeping a violent giant back, hacking and slashing at his limbs in an attempt to sever them and begin the process of disassembling Orion’s body.

For his part, Orion seemed more determined than ever to get to Apollo.  Perhaps he considered whatever Apollo was attempting to do to be a real threat, but Hades was careful not to pin his hopes on that.  In his condition, it was unlikely that Apollo would be able to succeed at whatever it was he was trying to achieve and Hades could not rely on the younger god to pull through.

Then Apollo began to sing.

His voice was not as strong as Hades had heard it before, but it was not as weak as his condition implied it ought to be, and the familiar tones of his nephew’s singing voice washed over both of them.

It was not one of his modern menaces, to Hades’ relief.  He did not recognise the song, although he was aware he had only ever heard a small selection of the god of music’s vast repertoire, but it had the sound and tone of an ancient Hellenistic epic, if not older.

More surprising than Apollo’s sudden inclination to burst into song – which, under normal circumstances, would be no surprise at all – was the underlying sound beneath it.  Hades had not noticed it to begin with, either because Apollo had begun his song unaccompanied, or because it had been too quiet to catch his attention, but there was an undercurrent of some instrument or other.

Orion turned near incandescent, pushing forwards with a fresh wave of viciousness born of what felt like desperation, and Hades focused all of his attention on keeping the giant back, away from Apollo and whatever he was doing that seriously threatened Orion.

Even so, Apollo’s music was never something that could be simply ignored.  He could be known to sing about anything, from great battles to the ideal cut of a chiton, and yet no matter how ridiculous the subject matter, it seemed to insist that everyone in earshot pay attention.

He was singing about fear.

Hades felt it coil up his back, whispering and hissing, reminding him of Kronos’ stomach, of his last trip to Tartarus, of other moments he had no desire to ever recall again.

Music was never something to be underestimated; Hades himself had faced the power of music before, in Orpheus as he forced his way into the Underworld with nothing but song and almost succeeded in getting back out again.  It was simply common sense that Apollo could evoke and manipulate emotions to his choosing with nothing but his voice, and perhaps whatever instrument he chose to accompany his singing, but Hades’ previous exposure to music had always been other emotions – grief, sadness, regret, love, celebration, happiness.

He had never heard Apollo focus on fear before.

It was not as potent as the Helm – nothing was as potent as the Helm at full power – but the effect it had on Orion seemed to be just as great, if not greater.  Hades didn’t know why that was, if it was because he and Apollo were linked in that irritating way their banes had, but any cockiness had been stripped away from the giant in a sudden shift.

Now, Orion was desperate, his swings losing precision but getting more and more vicious as he pushed and pushed and pushed, even more disregarding of Hades as he threw himself in the direction of Apollo and his music with the frenzy of one whose sanity had suddenly disappeared.

Hades dismissed his invisibility to stand firmly – visibly – in the giant’s way as he lunged, driving him back with his blade and making deeper cuts as Orion’s blocks became sloppier.  Sadly, for reasons Hades wasn’t certain on but could perhaps make an educated guess, the Stygian Iron wasn’t able to absorb the giant’s essence and eliminate him from existence for ever more, but it was still a wickedly sharp blade and Orion’s skin split with no resistance beneath it.

All the while, Apollo continued to sing.

The sound moved, as though the younger god had finally managed to make his way to his feet again, and Orion let out a bellow of an injured – dying – animal.  Hades did not turn to look behind him, not even when the sound approached, old words in a tongue not spoken by any deceased soul to have arrived in the Underworld for several centuries singing of things that provoked nothing but the deepest, most crawling fears the mind could conjure.

Then there was gold in his periphery, the gold of ichor glittering across the body it decorated, but also the spun gold of hair, the blinding gold of the sun, the gold of Apollo.  From what Hades could determine without turning his head away from Orion, who lunged again, more a rabid animal than an intelligent being, and was once more driven back by Hades’ blade, Apollo was far from healed.  The golden ichor still covered his form liberally, and the bone handle of the hunting knife still protruded from his throat.  His face was too pale, and arms trembled despite the surety of the fingers on whatever that thing in his hands was.

It was not an instrument Hades recognised, but that was hardly relevant.  What was relevant was that Apollo had managed to put Orion on the back foot in their fight, and Hades had every intention of capitalising on that fact as much as the Fates allowed.

The next slash of his blade felt different as it made contact with Orion’s form.  The subtle resistance that had served as a constant reminder that the giant could not be killed had gone, and Hades saved the questions for later as he brought his sword back before driving it forwards, just as the giant made another frenzied lunge for Apollo.

Whatever Hades had expected to happen, it wasn’t for Apollo, still singing, to grasp the unfamiliar instrument tightly before swinging it up and, with a sudden burst of light as his form grew to match the giant’s height, smashed it down on Orion’s head.

Less than an instant later, Hades’ sword rammed straight through Orion’s armour and buried itself right to the hilt against his chest, the blade directly through the giant’s heart.

Orion stopped moving.

One moment, and then another passed, all three of them seemingly frozen in position, before the giant slumped forwards, boneless.

Hades stepped to one side, withdrawing his sword in a single, smooth moment, and watched him crash to the ground.  Spiked black hair was matted with gold, the skull seemingly caved in from Apollo’s blow, and more ichor oozed from the exit wound from the tip of Hades’ sword in his back.

Not one to take risks, Hades slashed down and clove the head from the body, confused but certainly not complaining when it rolled a pace away before the giant disintegrated into ash.

That appeared to be Apollo’s cue to crash to his knees, the younger god’s chest heaving as though he was struggling for breath, despite being a god who didn’t need such frivolous things.  He was coated in ichor, which was steadily dripping down to the sharded surface of Tartarus, and shaking in a very un-god-like manner.

The instrument in his hands more closely resembled a mangled invention of Hephaestus’ than something that ought to be capable of producing the emotion-inducing music Apollo had drawn from it during the battle.

Hades had several questions, but he was all-too conscious that the conflict had drawn the eyes of every monster in the vicinity, and that Apollo was giving off the impression of a god brought down low – an easy kill, to the monsters of Tartarus.  It didn’t matter that he had just brought down a giant – not just any giant, but his own bane – with those wounds.  Monsters were opportunistic, and even the stupidest amongst their number would know that this was the weakest they would ever see a god.

“Stand up,” he ordered his nephew, shelving the questions until they were out of their current situation – it was not a predicament, that would imply that Hades couldn’t eliminate every single monster before they could even approach.  “This is no place to rest.”

“I know,” Apollo replied, his voice quiet in a way that implied exhaustion.  Hades was not surprised; the amount of ichor he had lost certainly justified that, let alone whatever feat he had pulled off – presumably summoning the instrument from the Overworld – in that condition.  Despite his words, however, he didn’t rise.

Hades recalled his struggle in the middle of the battle, when Orion’s knife had struck his throat – there was no sign of the blade now, clearly disintegrated along with its master and leaving a waterfall of gold spilling down Apollo’s chest.  His condition was nothing short of bad, even for a god, and he found himself moving before the thought had completely coalesced in his mind.

He moved to stand directly next to Apollo, whose hands appeared to be locked around the instrument.  This close, the tremor in his legs as he tried to get his knees to co-operate were visible, but it was clear that his final blow against Orion had taken a considerable amount of his strength.  Hades didn’t let himself wonder if it was the physical exertion or the mental toll of the encounter.

“Come,” he said, reaching down and hooking his hand beneath Apollo’s shoulder, hauling him up and tightening his grip on his nephew’s upper arm as the younger god shakily got his feet under him.  As soon as he sensed Apollo was balanced, he released him and took a half-step away, reinstating his personal space.  “Follow me.”

Apollo needed to rest.  Hades was well aware of that – he didn’t even have the strength or wherewithal to clean himself up and dismiss the ichor staining his form, despite the weakness it projected to the hungry eyes watching them.  For the briefest of moments, Hades considered dismissing the gold himself, but discarded the thought before it finished appearing.  Changing another god’s appearance was not something to be done on a whim.  It was not, strictly speaking, something to be done at all.  There was an intimacy to that action that went beyond even anything he had with his beloved wife, Persephone.

It was certainly not an intimacy to be shared with his nephew.

The younger god did not protest as Hades forged a path forwards, away from the lines of monsters seeking to leave for the Overworld, and fell into a half-step behind him.  The mangled instrument remained clutched in his hands, and Hades decided to allow himself that one curiosity as they walked.

“What is that?” he asked, gesturing at it so Apollo knew exactly what he was referring to.

“This?” his nephew asked anyway, lifting it slightly.  “This is the Valdezinator.”  Hades had certainly never heard of that instrument, and did not miss the similarity to the name of a certain death-defying demigod.

Demigod.

“Created by one Leonidas Valdez, I presume?” he observed, still unimpressed with the creator in question despite the realisation why it was that instrument, out of all of them, that Apollo had chosen to summon and wield against Orion.

“Yes.”  There was a hard edge in Apollo’s tone suddenly.  Hades ignored it.

“I did not know something crafted by a demigod would be enough to fulfil the covenant,” he said instead.  Apollo shrugged.

“It’s as much help as we ever gave them in the war,” he replied.

Hades couldn’t deny that, and allowed the conversation to lapse away into silence.  Injured, Apollo seemed content to let silence wash over them, too.

There was nothing to be done about the trail of ichor Apollo was leaving in his wake, so Hades discounted it from his considerations as he looked around for a part of Tartarus that would be appropriate to stop for a while.  The jagged cliffs that marked the edge of the highest area of the pit were filled with craggy caverns, and once they were far enough from the Overworld exit for Hades’ liking, he led Apollo straight into one.

The monsters that had made it their home were eliminated from existence before they could even register the presence of the two gods, and Hades turned to face Apollo, who was glancing around at their new surroundings.

“Rest,” he ordered, and his nephew startled.  “You look pathetic.”

“What about the quest?” Apollo asked.  His voice was still quieter than Hades was used to, with a slightly rough edge that sounded out of place against the otherwise melodic tones.  “We need to-”

“You need to rest,” Hades overrode him sharply.  “As it stands, you will invite any cocky monster to try its luck, to say nothing of worse opponents.  Orion is far from the strongest occupant of the Pit.  Attempting to continue when you cannot even make yourself look presentable is the height of foolishness.  We will take a pause here.”

For a moment, it looked as though Apollo was about to protest, but then his shoulders slumped and one hand finally disentangled itself from the mangled metal – the Valdezinator, or what remained of it after its collision with Orion’s skull – to cover the still-leaking wound in his throat.

“I see your point,” he said after a moment, before sitting down on the floor of the cavern and leaning against the side.  “Sorry.”

Hades turned his back and looked out of the cavern’s entrance.  “Orion was your bane,” he said after a moment.  “Exhaustion is to be expected.”

“You’re not even injured,” Apollo protested, and Hades rolled his eyes, despite knowing Apollo couldn’t see the action.

“I am more powerful than both of you,” he reminded him.  “He was not my bane.”

Silence settled between them.  Content that the conversation was over, Hades set his attention to watching for anything that might approach, regardless of how little a threat they might be.

Then Apollo spoke again, his voice soft, almost as though he wasn’t planning for Hades to hear his words.  “That was the first time I’ve ever defeated him,” he murmured.  It sounded almost like a confession.  “Neither of us have ever defeated him.  He drives us apart.”

Hades had nothing he wanted to say to that, so he pretended he hadn’t heard, despite the fresh questions sprouting in his mind – if the Twins had never defeated Orion, who had?

Whispered confessions seemingly over for good, Apollo lapsed into a silence behind him again.  The sensation of his essence seemed to slow, shimmering into something steady and calm, and when Hades glanced back out of the corner of his eye, he saw that the younger god’s eyes had closed.

Good.

Content that Apollo was, in fact, doing as he was told – and should be doing – and resting, Hades let him be and returned to watching for potential danger.

They would move on once Apollo was sufficiently regenerated.

Chapter 15>>