#i was like “hmm why is this design giving me deja vu”

[stcries]

me and @prsonatm are losing our shit in vc because we had a horrific realisation. (potential leaks/arcane spoilers below, look at your own risk)

[nadinefromwhere]

This lifetime but with him (Rafayel x real world reader) Chapter 4 - Date night

Prologue, Chapter 1 , Chapter 2, Chapter 3

After chatting with Rafayel for a good 4 hours, y/n decided to hit the shops shopping for clothes. Like designer clothes and some normal ones. I mean it's not bad to spoil yourself once in a while right?

y/n has spent a total of 6 hours getting ready. Shopping, makeup, clothes, styling you named it all. As she finished looking at herself in the mirror she wondered, was she pretty enough? Did she look fine even when she's wearing makeup? So much thoughts rolling through her head to the point of view she didn't realize she was 10 minutes late to the date

Rafayel was trying to wait patiently at the restaurant that he and y/n were supposed to meet up at. Looking at the view outside as the sun sinks down as night is approaching. 

“Where even is she” rafayel mumbles underneath his breath, starting to get impatient waiting for y/n. After all, he waited 800 years for her. 

y/n was walking as fast as she could to the restaurant, her mind racing with dozens of thoughts per second. She cannot believe that one moment she was sleeping in her bedroom back in the real world and then the next thing that happens to her is that she gets sucked into an otome game she just started playing. Even worse, she only ended in chapter 5 of the story..damm the Gods couldn't even at least let her finish chapter 8 before teleporting her here? Then she’ll have to improvise.

Going into the restaurant y/n tries finding rafayel until she spots a familiar purple headed man that was sitting on their reserved seats. Meanwhile for rafayel, he made eye contact with y/n as he stood up from his seat going to her. 

“Your here” Rafayel says smiling at her, giving her a pink tulip her favorite (if you have a different favorite type of flavor just uhh erase the pink tulip instead :) )

“Why thank you” y/n says smiling back at him, accepting the tulips he gifted for her.

“So should we go to our table already?” he asks holding his hand out for her

For some reason y/n felt like she was in a state of deja vu as rafayel held out his hand for her, it felt familiar for some reason

“Of course we should go to our table already, after all i'm starting to get kind of hungry” y/n says accepting his hand. “Then let's go then” he says smiling, leading her to the table 

 “I would like to get the steak.” y/n says looking at the waiter as he writes down there orders 

“What would you like to get sir?” the waiter says looking at rafayel “I’ll just get steak too” Rafayel says, closing the menu booklet

“It’ll take 15 minutes” the waiter says as he gets the menu booklets from the two of them going back to the kitchen

“About meeting each other a while ago in the cafe….” y/n says as she plays with her fingers 

“And what about it?” Rafayel asks, his eyes meeting hers as the ambience of the restaurant is a comfy atmosphere with candle lit dinner.

“Honestly you remind me of someone familiar. It's as if we met before” y/n says, not knowing she had an actual marriage with him before. She was as if the actual mc in game, but a different plot waiting for her in the near future. “Oh really? Then what did he look like?” Rafayel asks, wondering if she did actually remember him somehow

“Well he had your purple hair, a pretty smile, and he’s voice was very soothing” y/n says as she looked at rafayels features, moles on his face, his purple hair, and a pair of beautiful eyes. He was as if he was made by the Gods themselves. 

2 hours later they finished eating, as they left the restaurant rafayel asked “Want to visit the beach?” “Hmm at this hour?” she asks wondering why would they both visit the beach at this time

“Come on let's go it won't be that bad” Rafayel says, as he opened the the of the car and y/n going in it.

As they reach White sand bay, Rafayel pulls up in a parking lot by the beach. He wanted to visit the beach at night with y/n as in his opinion would be a perfect chance to be with her after so long

“Good thing i brought some slippers just in case” Rafayel says as he gives the slippers to y/n since she’ll have a hard time walking

“Not thanks i'm fine i’ll just go barefoot” y/n says declining his offer 

“Well i guess i should go barefoot too” He says removing his shoes

As they walked along the shore, it was an awkward silence until y/n starts speaking

“So uhh why did you bring me here in the first place?” y/n asks, as she looks at rafayel

“Well we just ate, so we need to walk a bit since technically we're both really full plus its not bad to see the scenery at the beach at night right” He says looking back at her 

“If i had to be honest i remember walking at the shore at night when i was a child, i’d always believed that a mermaid was lurking in the waters watching me silently. I only walked at the shore when I felt stressed out or when I just felt like it. The beach was like my escape from the pressure that was given to me as a child.” she says looking down to her feet that's was now covered in sand

“May I ask what happened in your childhood if you don't mind me asking?” He asks looking at her showing a face of concern

“My parents expected me to be perfect as a kid. They wanted me to take a career that I never wanted at all. They also expected for me to be the top of my class so at a young age i would stay up all night studying until dawn” y/n says tearing up while talking about her original parents. 

“hey , hey why are your crying” Rafayel’s instinct kicked in as he saw y/n tearing up so he wiped tears from her face using his own hand 

“I just…wanted to do a career that i loved and i-” y/n says, as she was now crying the tears continuing to go out from her eyes “It’s okay. It will be alright.” Rafayel says as he tries wiping out the tears from her eyes Minutes have passed, y/n had finally calmed down from crying and rafayel was driving her back to her place  “So when should we meet again?” Rafayel asks, he wanted to stay with her a bit longer but eventually y/n had to go back to her house “Tommorow if you’d like” she says smiling

“Want to visit an art exhibit tomorrow? After all i’d be there” “Sure why not” 

@kinny-away heres new chapppp

[celxt4rrz]

Not you making me cry about yuu leaving twisted wonderland 😭 can there be a happy ending or a plot twist were after yuu left they were sucked in their world only to find out yuu is rich asf and their parents owns a CEO 😍

a/n : i love your idea!!

back home

'welp... they're gone..'

my friends, my teachers, the ghost i befriended in ramshackle, and of course...

twisted wonderland

oh how i miss it so much, but there's nothing i can do...

what can i expect? im magicless, i also don't have a magic mirror to bring me wherever i want.

wait.

speaking of a magic mirror..

why tf is my mirror glowing?!

giving me deja vu.. am i also meeting mickey here? in my original world?

...

that ain't mickey bruh...

all i see is a hand reaching out for me(?) well it feels like it's reaching out for me yet it also looked like "it's" looking something to grab on..

i followed my instincts and grabbed "it's" hand, pulling it, revealing...

" HOUSEWARDEN ROSEH- i mean.. RIDDLE?!?! "

then one by one every housewarden is in my room.

" h-how? " it felt so unreal... are they really...

" AHHHH YUU-SAN WE MISSED YOUU!! " shouted the housewarden of scarabia as he run towards you and hugged you on spot. " lower your voice down kalim, we do not wish to disturb more people. " said by a handsome man. " indeed, our only main goal here is to greet yuu-san after all, it will be a hassle if we disturb more people. " the red haired guy who we called 'riddle' earlier.

" how.. "

" hmm?? " all the housewardens looked at you, tilting their head. " HOW DID YALL GET HERE?? " yuu shouted at them.

" it's summer break, crowley also allowed us to meet you since he knows the way to your world " a guy with horns said. " yawn.. can we just go straight to the point already? " this time a man with lion ears asked. " ye-yeah.. i.. i think.. the chocolate are about to me-melt.. " what a cute guy.. oh! the man with a cool fire haired said.

literally 'did you get deja vu, huh?' reference...

" uwahh, this room is huge!! it also had a comfy bed! look look! " kalim pointed at this bed. " hmm, i didn't know you were this rich yuu-san, by just looking at the room design and expensive items here- you sure are rich. " vil said as he looked into your makeup products.

" YUU ARE YOU IN THERE?! WE'RE COMING IN! "

shit. MOM AND DAD ARE COMING INSIDE MY ROOM($+#!*8#;8$#;)#

" hide!! " i whisper-shouted at them to hide, they looked at me and exactly knew what to do.

unfortunately we run out of time.. my parents found them..

" SO MANY MEN INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF OUR HOME YUU, WHO ARE THIS PEOPLE?? " mom shouted.

" rememberwhenitoldyouthatiteleportedtoanotherworld,ididn'ttoldyouthatitwasanallboysschoolsoyouwouldntgetoverproctiveofmetoomuch, ALSO THEY'RE MY FRIENDS MOM. "

" see hun, i told you they were our child's friend. " dad said trying to calm down mom.

" i literally thought, we're gonna get robbed... if we did what will happen to our precious child's future.. " mom kept mumbling nonsense right after.

" you can meet your other friends outside yuu, they are all waiting for you. " dad and mom went out of my room. i looked at the housewardens signaling to go down with me.

...

" now i get why mom thought we're getting robbed. " i saw grim, ace, and deuce climbing into a tree that is just right beside my bedroom window, epel and jack looked like they're some kind of bodyguards, sebek and ortho were holding a safety placemats underneath ace and deuce incase if one of them fell.

the leech twins and azul giving some weird typa potion to one of our maids to distract them, welp... advance condolences.

the remaining second and third years were setting up the table with decorations and food..

what a weird robbers.

but all i can do is smile and laugh, i really really miss them.. it feels like im in twisted wonderland once again.

" im back home.. everyone.. "

" welcome back home yuu-san!! "

a/n : im so sorry if this doesn't fit your imagination but this is all i can think of :') i hope you liked it

[marauderundercover]

Taking Chances Chapter 6: Let’s Play a Game (Overprotection)

Prev

AO3

Marinette ended up not staying for dinner. She talked to Bruce for a little bit, but he had to leave for some WE emergency and Marinette wasn’t really up to bonding with the boys- her brothers- yet. But that was fine. It wasn’t like she was desperate to get to know the man and wouldn’t be able to after this trip because she had to stay in Paris because of Hawkmoth. No, she wasn’t upset. Not at all. It didn’t hurt her feelings. Nope.

---

Walking into Madame Soleil's Wax Museum with Adrien by her side, Marinette is hit with a major wave of deja vu. And not a good deja vu. No, the memories of the last time she was in a wax museum with Adrien were awful, humiliating and- feeling a hand wrap around hers pulls her from her spiraling thoughts. Glancing down, Marinette tries (and fails) to hide her grin. Adrien is holding her hand. Adrien is holding her hand!

“Hey Marinette!” A familiar voice calls, a hand squeezing her shoulder, making Marinette squeal and whirl around.

“Dick? What are you doing here?” She asks, frowning at the boy- her brother- as he stands there with a huge smile.

“Well I heard that a new wax figure is being revealed today, and I thought I might come and see it.” He says with a nonchalant shrug.

“Really? Who?” Adrien asks. Dick’s smile twitches slightly as he glances at Marinette, making her frown. Was he seriously about to play the overprotective big brother card? Really?

“Jagged Stone.” Dick finally says, glancing at their entwined hands. Marinette tries hard not to roll her eyes. Come on, her crush is finally holding her hand and her brother (who she’s known for a day!) is seriously trying to ruin that for her?

“Oh cool! Do you think he’ll come to Gotham to see it, Mari?” Adrien asks.

“I think he’s definitely scheduled to make an appearance in Gotham in the next couple days. He’s picking up his new suit in person.” She whispers, grinning at the idea of seeing her “Uncle” in person again. He’d been touring for several months and she hadn’t been able to see him for awhile, just the occasional video call.

“So! What figures did you guys want to check out first?” Dick asks, wedging himself between the two and forcing Adrien to drop her hand. Glaring at her brother, Marinette scoffs when Dick just smiles innocently.

“The hall of heroes and villains sounds cool.” Adrien suggests, looking around Dick to see Marinette.

“Hmm. Okay, but if the Nightwing figure is in his disco costume, I reserve the right to melt the statue.” She says, frowning at the choked noise Dick makes. “Are you okay?” She adds.

“Oh, uh, yeah, yeah I’m fine. What’s 1so bad about that costume?” He asks, a hurt expression on his face.

“Have you even seen it? The only worse costume is Riddler’s.” Marinette says, adding a shudder for dramatic effect. Walking past the local celebrities room and the pop stars room, Marinette’s eyes widen as their small group walks into the hall of heroes and villains. Walking away from Dick and Adrien, she’s almost instantly drawn to the Batman figure. She reads the little plaque about the artist and frowns, turning to Dick who had moved to stand next to her.

“I thought it’d be taller.” She says, scrunching her eyebrows in confusion when Dick starts choking on air, gasping for breath as broken chuckles flood out of him. “Ookay then.” She mutters, turning and walking back towards the villains. Nightwing was, luckily, depicted in his most recent costume. As was Robin. Which meant the only real fashion tragedy (besides the god awful helmet Red Hood wore) was the Riddler. Pulling her sketchbook out, Marinette circles the wax figure, occasionally making notes and sketching out slight adjustments to the man’s costume.

“His costume might be terrible, but it’s still better than half of the akumas.” Adrien whispers, leaning over her shoulder. Marinette looks up at him, eyes wide as her face heats up with a blush.

“I, uh, um, yes. Yeah.” She says, trying not to wince at her lack of speaking skills. “I mean, at least we can rule out any fashion designer in Paris as Hawkmoth. Because if Hawkmoth was a designer, that’d almost be a bigger crime.” She adds, smiling as Adrien laughs.

“Good to know you’re not moonlighting as Hawkmoth, m’lady.” He says with a mock bow. Marinette snorts, then covers her mouth, embarrassment rushing over her. Adrien just shakes his head, wrapping an arm over her shoulders.

“In case you forgot, we’ve definitely seen each other at our most embarrassing.” He says, making her groan.

“Oh god, no. I tied us up with my yoyo!” She moans, turning and burying her face into his chest so she doesn’t have to look at him anymore. Her face heats up more when she feels him chuckle and wrap his arms around her.

“I’ve always thought that was paw-sitively adorable.” He says, laughing when she groans again. She pulls away slightly, looking up at him with a timid smile. He smiles back, starts to lean forward and-

“Hey guys! I heard they’re about to unveil the Jagged Stone figure. Come on, let’s go! Don’t wanna miss it.” Dick says, grabbing each of their hands and pulling them towards the exist (and successfully separating them again). Marinette tries not to glare at Dick. She’s about to have one less brother.

---

Dick Grayson wasn’t used to having a little sister that he could protect. Sure, he had a little sister. Cas was awesome, but she could also kick his ass without breaking a sweat. No, he’d never had a little sister to protect. Someone he could watch out for and support. But now….now he has Marinette. And he’ll be damned if he lets some little punk take advantage of his little sister. Ignoring Marinette’s glare, he positions himself right between her and...the boy. He’d need to ask Timmy to do a background check on the kid later. Especially if he thought he was good enough for Marinette.

“So are you guys big Jagged fans?” He asks, trying to pull the two back into a conversation. He narrows his eyes at the smile the kid gives Marinette. It’s too...adoring. Too much. She’s only...what, fourteen? Much too young to date. Especially this kid.

“Mari’s a bit of a fan, I think. But, personally, I much prefer Jagged’s designer.” He says, and Dick turns to him, missing the way Marinette’s face turns bright red.

“Are you talking about MDC? I love them! Their work is amazing! And Jagged Stone says that he’ll never have another designer. I heard that there’s a possibility of them opening their commissions again. God, I hope they do. I’d do anything for something made by MDC.” Dick rambles with a wide smile, deciding to ignore the kid for a minute in order to ramble about his favorite designer. As the group walks into the pop star room, Dick steps back and glares at the kid. He’d stepped just behind Dick and was apparently trying to hold Marinette’s hand again. Not on his watch. No siree. No one’s gonna hurt his little sister.

---

Bruce sighs, running his hands through his hair. He’d been checking the street cameras in Paris, trying to figure out what time Ladybug and Chat Noir patrol so that he can set up a meeting. Try and offer help, or maybe even offer to take control of the situation. Anything to get rid of Hawkmoth. But instead, it was like the heroes didn’t exist. He’d read reports of the heroes patrolling before, so why were they so quiet this week? The only akuma from the past couple days wasn’t even taken care of by both of them. Ladybug did it alone, and seemed worse for the wear when she came out of the battle. Where was Chat Noir? And why did it seem as though they had gone into hiding?

---

Marinette was five seconds away from committing her first murder. Okay, probably her only murder, unless her other brothers decide to be as involved in her love life as Dick is. Because Dick won’t have the chance to be a problem for much longer. Because Marinette was honestly going to kill him. Right as she turned to finally yell at him, and tell him to knock it off, the lights flickered. She pauses her tirade, glancing to gauge Dick’s reaction to see if this is normal. And if his worried glances back at her are anything to go by, this is not normal.

“Let’s play a game! Solve my riddles and you all can leave freely, but make a mistake and someone will pay greatly! Take one out and scratch my head, I am now black but once was red. What am I?” A man’s voice asks, Marinette frowning as the Riddler walks in, a wide smile on his face. Ten goons walk in behind him, all of them carrying guns. She was used to the akuma attacks almost every day, but didn’t Gotham’s rogues have anything better to do than attack every place her class went? With guns? Come on. Riddler smirks and points at Adrien with his cane.

“A match.” She blurts out, ignoring Dick frantically shaking his head. If nothing else, she should be able to work with Adrien to get everyone out. But she knew his style. And riddles weren’t really his thing.

“Oh goody. We have a volunteer. Tell me, what has to be broken before you can use it?” Riddler asks, stalking towards her. Thinking for a second, Marinette tries to suppress a smile.

“An egg.” She says. Riddler narrows his eyes.

“I have 13 hearts, but no lungs or stomach. What am I?” He asks, Marinette frowns, running through possible answers in her head.

“A deck of cards.” She finally says.

“Buzzy, come over here and hold onto our friend.” Riddler says, gesturing to one of the goons. The man comes over and grabs Marinette’s arm roughly, she winces. That’ll definitely bruise.

“I answered your riddles.” Marinette says, deciding that now's as good a time as any to start distracting the man.

“And how did you answer them so quickly?” He asks, the frustration clear on his face.

“What do you mean? Were they supposed to be hard?” Marinette taunts, ignoring the choked sound Dick makes behind her. She knew what she was doing. She did. She had to.

“Why you-” Riddler starts, stepping forward and pulling his hand back as if to hit her. Squeezing her eyes shut, Marinette waits for the slap. The slap never comes. Opening her eyes, Marinette’s jaw drops when she sees the Riddler’s fist held tightly in Dick’s hand.

“Don’t. Touch. Her.” He says lowly, a dark look on his face. Well that was unexpected. Riddler opens his mouth, probably to start spouting more riddles or other nonsense, when the goons blocking the exits drop. Noticing Red Robin and Red Hood picking off the other goons, Marinette throws her elbow back into the gut of the goon holding her. Not waiting for him to recover, Marinette stomps his foot and twists out of his grip. Grabbing his arm, Marinette manages to yank the man off balance and toss him to the ground. A hand on her shoulder makes her jump back and prepare to hit the person.

“Whoa, whoa, it’s okay ma’am.” The voice attached to the hand says. Marinette whirls around, ready to tell off the person, but immediately stops when she sees Red Robin.

“Sorry!” She yelps, jumping away from him. And she was too. She was determined to hit the person who grabbed her shoulder, so locked into battle mode, but she had managed to stop herself. Glancing around the room, Marinette notices Dick talking to Red Hood, his usual smile back on his face. That’s good. That’s normal, that’s right. The sudden blaring of the akuma alarm makes Marinette want to scream in frustration. Really, right now? It’s definitely already dark in Paris which means- Chat Noir. Ignoring everyone else, Marinette runs over to Adrien and grabs his hand.

“Akuma?” He asks, his voice low. She nods and tugs him towards the bathrooms, unaware of the eyes following them out.

Next

Tag list: @maribat-bdbwm @vixen-uchiha @stainedglassm @liquid-luck-00 @jayjayspixiepop @jjmjjktth @mizzy-pop @trippingovermyfeet @queenz-z @thepaceperson @iloontjeboontje @waiting247 @laurcad123 @toodaloo-kangaroo @ritacrow-blog @deathssilentapproach-blog @kittenmywaythrulife @imarivers8 @when-no-wings-do-broomsticks

[aalissy]

Videogames

Anddd new chapter doneee!! Lemme know what you guys think <3. It’s another reveal hehehe. My faveeee!! Also lemme know if you saw the new episode. I’d love to hear your thoughts!! It’s my new favorite of s4 and definitely in my top 3 favorite episodes haha!

AO3

Marinette pursed her lips as she tapped her foot against her floor impatiently. Chat was supposed to have been there an hour ago and she was getting restless. After checking the Ladyblog for the countless time that night, she determined that there was no akuma attack keeping him. Crossing her arms against her chest, she huffed, wishing that he would get to her house faster. They were supposed to have a video game tournament tonight and he wasn’t usually late.

Chewing on her lip, Marinette glanced at the time again, wondering if he had forgotten or if he was in trouble. Her gaze drifted sullenly over to the macarons and croissants that she had made fresh beforehand which had now cooled considerably. With a quiet sigh, she turned to her kwami. “Do you think something could have happened to him? Why is he so late?”

“I’m sure everything’s fine, Marinette,” Tikki chirped positively, “Maybe he’s just busy.”

She tilted her head in acceptance to Tikki’s words but turned to her balcony trapdoor to stare at it forlornly. In a bout of Ladybug luck, a soft knock sounded from it. Marinette immediately brightened, rushing up her ladder to open it for him. Running a hand through her hair, she spoke rather breathlessly, “Hi.”

Chat gave her a soft smile, raising a hand in a wave. “Hi, purrincess. Sorry I’m late. My work ran late tonight.”

Her eyebrow rose as her lips twitched in amusement. “You work? Are you sure?”  

He chuckled, shaking his head before he jumped down into her bedroom. He tapped her nose playfully as he said, “Yes, I do. I’m a pawsitively irresistible model that people can’t get enough of.”

Chat flexed in front of her and Marinette scoffed, rolling her eyes at him. Giving him an unimpressed look, she slid back down her ladder. “Sure you are kitty. And my designs are as famous as Gabriel Agreste’s.”

He snickered, following after her as his eyes glimmered with a mischievous, knowing look. “Purrhaps they will be in a few years, Marinette. You’re very talented.”

She flushed faintly, glancing at him softly out of the corner of her eye as she sank into her chair. “Aw, thank you, kitty! That’s very sweet of you to say.”

“You’re welcome,” Chat beamed back, sitting down next to her. His face lit up as he rubbed his hands together. “Now, are you ready for our competition? I think I’m pawpared to finally beat you this time.”

“Good luck,” Marinette shot him a smirk as she picked up her controller. “I’ve been practicing with a good friend of mine. I’d wager that he’s better than you too, so I’m pretty sure I’ve got this in the bag.”

With a pair of teasing blue eyes, she leaned in to flick his bell confidently. She had been practicing. Alya had begun dragging her to more game nights after learning how stressed she was so she and Adrien had begun playing together more often. It was a nice, relaxing break from her usual stresses of Ladybug. Plus, Adrien had actually managed to beat her once. He had pulled off a combo move that Marinette had never seen before, leaving her with too little health to finish him off in the end. Though she had pouted about it at the time, she was grateful for the new combo and even began practicing a defense against it.

Lost in her memories as she was, she barely heard Chat chuckle with a low murmur, “We’ll see about that.”

Narrowing her eyes at him playfully, Marinette then picked up a macaron, gesturing at the plate she had made for them. “By the way, I made some treats if you get hungry. Feel free to take some.”

Chat nodded at her happily, eagerly plucking up a croissant and gulping it down like he had been eyeing it since he sat down. Giggling quietly at his content expression, she booted up the game to catch him off guard.

“Hey!” Marinette heard him shout as she landed a punch that he didn’t have enough time to block. “That’s cheating!”

“Hmm,” she tilted her head from side to side. “I think it’s pretty fair considering you made me wait an hour before you got here.”

Sneaking a quick peek over at him, she saw his lower lip jutted out in an adorable pout. He whined quietly as their characters fought on the screen, “I already told you that it wasn’t my fault.”

Distracted by his pout for that brief second, Chat managed to get a good hit on her character. Pursing her lips in concentration, she focused her gaze entirely on the computer screen as her competitive streak kicked in. Marinette’s fingers moved across the buttons with ease, watching as Chat’s health gradually got lower and lower.

Just when she thought she was about to win, he shouted with pride, “Check this move out, purrincess!”

Marinette blinked in surprise as he began to play the exact combo that Adrien had used to win against her before. Fortunately for her the defense she had practiced still worked and she ended up winning. She wasn’t certain how exactly she had managed to win that game, though. She had just been struck with an eerie feeling of deja vu after Chat had shouted those words. Adrien had said something very similar before taking her down at their last game night and now images of the two boys were clashing and colliding in her head.

“Nice job, purrincess,” his voice snapped her out of her thoughts. “I thought that last combo would have taken you down fur sure.”

“It did,” Marinette murmured unthinkingly, her gaze stuck on his messy, blonde hair trying to imagine it neater.

He tilted his head at her in confusion, gesturing to the computer screen. “Huh? No I didn’t... It says you won.”

“No,” she shook her head rapidly, trying to calm her racing thoughts. “I meant that it did before. The friend I told you I was practicing with... he used that combo and beat me.”

Marinette searched his gaze, looking for any sign of recognition or acknowledgment. She got it. Chat glanced away, scratching the back of his neck in a very familiar way. Her heart practically stopped as her breath hitched. She was right.

Lost in her realization, she barely heard him murmur quietly, “You were right, then... he does sound like a better player than me.”

Sucking in a steadying breath of air, Marinette then chewed her lower lip as she hummed, “You know, I don’t think I was right about that. In fact, I’d say that you two are probably at the exact same level. The only reason that move didn’t work on me this time was because I practiced ways to defend against it.”

Chat’s gaze had snapped to hers as he stiffened considerably. He chuckled nervously, his hand leaving the back of his neck to run through his hair. “R-right.”

How had she not noticed it before? It was so obvious. Her lips quirked in amusement as she looked up at him. Nudging his arm, she teased, “Next time, try coming up with a different combo to defeat me, Adrien.”

“I know,” he sighed, seemingly not noticing that she called him by his civilian name. “But you’re so amazing, that it’s so difficult.”

Instead of answering, she continued to stare at him pointedly. Her eyebrows rose after a few more moments of silence and Chat’s mouth eventually dropped open as he realized. He scrambled out of his chair as he held his hands up. “I-I mean, uh, who’s Adrien? W-what are you talking about, purrincess?”

Giggling, Marinette leaned down to stare into his familiar, green eyes. Now that she knew, there were so many signs. She wondered if he’d feel the same when she told him she was Ladybug. Giving him a small smirk, she then said, “That’s you, silly kitty.”

Chat sagged, looking up at her desperately as he pleaded with his eyes. “Please, Marinette. You can’t tell anyone. If Ladybug finds out you know who I am, she’ll probably kill you and me.”

Marinette threw her head back in a loud laugh that she was certain confused him. When she finally caught her breath again, she leaned back down to stare into his bemused gaze, teasing him, “It might be good for you to start running then because Ladybug knows that I know.”

“Wha? How? How could that even be possible?!” He frowned up at her, looking terrified for his life.

“Because, mon Chaton,” she flicked his bell, pointing at herself. “Ladybug’s right here.”

“What?! No! I, y-you can’t be Ladybug. What about Multimouse?” Chat asked desperately.

She shook her head a few times before responding, “Just an illusion. I was using the fox miraculous at the time and--”

Marinette got cut off as Chat tugged her down onto his chest, wrapping her up in a tight embrace. Squeaking with a bright red blush on her face, she hugged him back with all of her strength. This was Adrien. The love of her life. The boy who was currently brushing a kiss against the top of her head, sending shivers up and down her spine.

“I’m so glad it’s you,” he murmured, his warm breath on her head giving her goosebumps.

“Me too, my silly kitty,” Marinette whispered, closing her eyes as she relaxed in his arms. “Me too.”

Right now, everything was perfect. In fact, she’d be content to spend the rest of her life here if he let her. Snuggling closer to Chat, she sighed happily. She needed to remember to thank Alya for those extra game nights. They really were the best.

[shintorikhazumi]

“Taken”

 A/N: Coz Khazumi is now sorta... Taken? teehee ;P Kidding... or not? Kidding Love, I am, I am :) ... If you ever see this. I’m dead.

AU? Maybe.. not magical.. pretty sure... hmm... college? Bubbly by Colbie is one of my all-time favorite sonnngssss. Also Last Chance by MYMP <3

Warning... Rushed? Super Rushed. SO... bad pacing... and might not be good? But still...

Enjoy?

~Shintori Khazumi

Tapping her foot against the wooden floor paneling of the semi-rustic designed coffee shop, Diana gave her final sigh of impatience before giving up on all this waiting, her cup-o-joe long since drained of its content.

So her date was going to be a no-show, she supposed, disappointed, mad, and sad.

Years of sorting out feelings and such, all gone to waste in just a matter of days. This very special first date, ruined. Diana’s single life... continued.

“Hey Lovely thing, don’t scrunch up your brows. They make you lose some of that charm.”

With a groan, Diana stood abruptly, surprising the flirty fellow customer of the shop. She didn’t need another buffoon to aid her in thinning out her patience.

Leaving a few bills on the table, she walked to the direction of the door, but was quickly blocked by the man’s arm. Diana immediately got a small whiff of his... masculinity... uncontrolled. Eyes narrowed, she glared him down, earning a small whimper to which she inwardly smirked.

“Out of my way.” She commanded.

“Hey now darling,” The male said, putting up a bravado that seemed to annoy Diana even further as he did not do as she wished. Couldn’t he see she just wanted to get out? To not remember this place, the reason why she was here? He spoke up again, to her immense irritation. “I noticed you’ve been alone for some time. Jerk stood you up? Got no class, that guy, but maybe...”

Diana had to lean back as the man seemed to lack any sense of personal space... and personal hygiene as well, it seemed.

“I could show you what a real man is like.”

Diana threw up in her mouth a bit, flicking the man unashamed on the forehead to get him to back off. “Well, if I think about it...” She saw that hopeful, lustful glint in his eyes, smiling slightly before pulling a glare. “... NO.”

Trudging away from the gaping fish of a boy she just rejected, Diana was surprised to have her wrist grasped in a tight hold, now feeling as if she was being forced (which she was) to go along.

“Now listen here, Missy, I don’t care whoever you are or whatever, but-”

“Let go.”

“Huh?”

Murmurs were springing up in the small cafe as Diana’s intense glare was fixated on the intimidated man, many eyes on the scene.

“Let. Go.” Diana reiterated, patience thinning out rapidly. “Or else I’ll call someone to ‘help’ me out.”

“Tch.” 

Smiling victoriously, Diana whipped about, hand free as she exited the small establishment, walking along the pretty much empty sidewalk of this unfamiliar town, city.

Having graduated from Highschool with flying colors, being offered a full-time scholarship at one of the country’s most distinguished institutions was quite the honor. Diana graciously accepted seeing as her dream of being a medical practitioner could be achieved here, in this place. She was a step closer to living that dream.

Happy as she was for this, nothing could beat the feeling of knowing that her best friend, someone who she truthfully could not believe she would refer to as such when they first met, a girl- Kagari Atsuko, was here with her in this town.

Having met during their first year in middle school, Diana admitted they clashed far too often, being polar opposites, sitting on opposite sides of the spectrum.

Akko was a heated ball of determination and fiery dreams. Diana was a cold and resolute, calculating person, never letting many close. It came as a surprise when one day they, this bickering pair, fighting, arguing, debating all the days away, suddenly became the best and dearest of friends- but that story shall be told another time.

As much as Diana said ‘best friend’, her feelings for Akko certainly outgrew the title.

Into their freshman year of high school, Akko, the lazy, tardy caterpillar coming to pick up the early-bird Diana Cavendish at the latter’s house in her fresh uniform, a smile on her lovely face and a small bouquet of flowers in hand as ‘Congratulations for getting into high school’,- or so she said, was a heart-throbbing surprise for the heiress.

Having her favorites all arranged in an eye-catching display, their scents filling Diana’s senses as she took in the warmth of Akko’s sudden hug made Diana realize a few things.

She never wanted to part from Akko.

---------

Into their sophomore year, Diana was granted the pleasure of discovering one of Akko’s well-kept secrets, something she never knew Akko had towards her. Nevertheless, this secret was pleasantly shocking.

Being a part of the student council, Diana always left school late, and Akko, being the ever-caring best friend, waited for her each afternoon religiously, seated in the classroom alone as the sun set, always granting Diana a gorgeous picture to come back from an exhausting meeting to.

One particularly stressing afternoon, Diana walked slowly down the halls of the empty school, body slouching uncharacteristically of her as she made the final curve before reaching her classroom.

The sound of a soft guitar solo playing filled the empty building, and Diana listened carefully, feeling her tiredness wash away, before her body relaxed completely by another sound joining the previous one. A voice. Such a sweet voice.

“The rain is fallin' on my window pane”

As if the heavens were in sync with the singers emotions, a soft rain pelted against the large glass windows, softly enough to not disturb the number.

“But we are hidin' in a safer place

Under covers stayin' dry and warm...

You give me feelings that I adore.

It starts in my toes, and I crinkle my nose Where ever it goes I always know That you make me smile, please, stay for a while now Just take your time-”

Diana regretted clapping that moment. The song came to an abrupt stop as Akko’s head whipped around, eyes turned to the door and expressing panic and dread.

“Sorry.” Diana quickly spoke, hands still frozen in place. “I just had to-”

“N-no! It’s fine!” Akko replied, getting off the desk she was seated on, scrambling to fix up the guitar she managed to find lying around and returning it carefully, still seeming to be in a panicky state. “I just- you’re done already... umm... that... this-”

“It was really nice.” Diana said referring to the same thing Akko was referring to.

A second of silence slipped by, the two girls content on just sharing a look.

“Thanks.”

------

From that time on, Diana encouraged Akko to let this talent out. Although hesitant, Akko shared to her that she had been studying guitar since she was in third grade. Her first teacher was her father, she had said.

Diana suddenly realized why Akko seemed in a rush on wednesday afternoons. She had lessons for guitar then. The blonde had also inquired if Akko ever took voice lessons which the sorter girl denied, saying she didn’t have a good enough voice to need them (something Diana strongly disagreed with).

But reaching their senior year, their third and final year, choices had to be made. Career choices.

As Diana was a member of a long-standing line of medical personalities, she was very medically inclined and was to proceed along those lines, inheriting her families hospital. Akko, on the other hand, was unsurprisingly offered a scholarship in a farther town for a music program she had always wanted to join.

Despite being happy that her dear friend was acknowledged for her brilliance, Diana was torn as this would mean they would be apart. 

Smitten by Akko after all these years, she had wanted to confess and  possibly... have Akko as more than a friend after and into their adult life, maybe living together(?) if that wasn’t pushing it.

But Diana was to attend a nearby national college, her family’s alma mater. They were going to be separated for too long.

And so a prom passed, exams, final requirements, the grand day of recognition and proceeding to the next stage of life, and it was graduation night.

There was a party thrown by Amanda O’Neill, a celebration for their class and everyone was invited. Diana was not a very loud person, and certainly not a party-goer. Opting to sneak out into any quiet place, she found a room, occupied by one best friend, a soft bed, and a guitar.

A sense of deja vu washed over the girl as they both found themselves caught in a stare-off, frozen, before Diana managed the words...

“Play for me?”

------

Akko ended up playing a few songs, Diana sometimes humming along, the pair all smiles, and subtle gestures, touches. Diana thought it was now or never.

“Akko-”

“Diana-”

Apparently, they shared the same sentiment, eyes conveying every single thought they had.

“Let me sing for you.”

  This is my last dance with you This is my only chance to do all I can do To let you know that what I feel for you is real This is the last chance for us This is the moment that I just cannot let end Before I know that theres a chance were more than friends

So don't let go Just make it last all night long This is my last chance to make you mine

“Diana... I love you.”

--------

A long discussion followed that night and Diana found herself with a girlfriend, the happiest lady alive. And it could only get better as she received a full-time offer from the school that also had Akko’s music program. It was a miracle that she would not allow to go to waste as she thanked the heavens for this blessing.

And this was how they ended up in the same unfamiliar town, the same city.

And Diana walked aimlessly still, just along the sidewalk until she found an empty park, beautiful in its peace and tranquility.

Seating herself on a cold bench, Diana thought on their relationship.

It had been about two months since they got together, but the reason for this meeting today was that they had yet to have their first date as both people found themselves incredibly busy over the course of the break, barely having enough time to sit and chat with all the packing and paperwork for moving and the campus and dorms. Diana’s family also had a vacation abroad.

Saying Diana was looking forward to this day was an understatement. She was far too excited, she needed this.

Alas, Akko was late, the two not sharing a dorm room due to different programs, apparently a no-show, and Diana simply wanted to cry, her day ruined.

She felt it. A drop of water touching her skin, splashing it’s sadness on her like a tin bomb. Slowly this drizzles intensity increased, Diana being forced to get up from her seat and seek shelter.

This rain made her even sadder as it was the time she needed comfort the most, and yet nothing shielded her from this sorrow, the skies crying with her-

...pup.

It was that kind of sound, Diana thought. How this particular cloth when hit by rain sounded. It was an umbrella. Diana knew it that it could have just been another kind soul, but it wouldn’t hurt to hope? Looking up with a name on her lips, “Akk-” Diana frowned, seeing he man from earlier, his gaze stopping her words from escaping.

A smirk formed on his face, and Diana knew this was no act of kindness. “Thought you could get away after putting me on the spot like earlier?” He growled, hand grabbing the woman’s wrist.

“Have you been following me?!”

Wordlessly, Diana felt herself being tugged into a particular direction, her protests falling on deaf ears, her yells muted by the rain.

“Help, someone!” Even if she had a strong enough will, a man’s physique was stronger by nature. Especially this one’s. “Help!”

“Quiet!” 

Without much choice as she was being dragged, only one thing entered Diana’s mind, and heart.

“AKKO!” 

“Ladies should be treated with care.” A voice said coldly, threateningly. “Especially ones that are taken.”

Diana felt herself effortlessly pulled into a warm protective embrace, no more hurtful hold on her wrist as the contact with the man ceased. Finding herself under a different umbrella, Diana’s eyes tried to focus and she saw another hand, one holding her captor’s hand in a way that would certainly force him to let go of her.

“When they say let go,” The voice full of warning suddenly had a temperature drop, sounding so terrifying, ensuring nightmares. “Let. Go.” 

Watching the chap released and running in the distance, Diana fond herself releasing a breath she did not realize she was holding. Now that she as sure she was safe, her heart thumped loudly against her chest, now growing conscious of this point-zero proximity she shared with her... girlfriend.

Not that t wasn’t alright, just that the heiress was always embarrassed by these sorts of things, still trying to accustom herself to them.

“Are you alright?” That familiar loving voice whispered into her ear, an arm wrapping around her waist as the other hand held up an umbrella for the pair to share. Diana registered a new sound. It was a worried voice, a sorry voice. A voice that regretted, a cracked voice.

Nodding silently as Akko hugged her from behind, Diana hoped she could feel the gesture, not knowing what to say or do. Honestly, she was still rather upset that Akko had not come to their date. As much as she wanted to turn around an return the embrace, she couldn’t. She couldn’t bear the negative feelings she held towards Akko at that moment. She couldn’t even hold the hand on her stomach that was panting calming patterns to soothe her.

“I’m sorry.”

Words were meaningless to Diana. But she did need an explanation, and for that, she needed those meaningless words. Yet, she couldn’t form them for herself. It frustrated her.

“I’m so sorry, Diana.” She only nodded in response. “Please... forgive me.” Akko’s voice as cracked and Diana knew she was now crying. A warmer wetness was spreading on her shoulder. “So, so sor-”

“Why.”

“Huh?” 

Managing that one word was already far too difficult for Diana, so she was glad that Akko had heard it and began explaining.

“Diana, I... you see... my mother called- oh, but I know this has been something you’ve been waiting for! I’m so sorry! This is no excuse to ruin our very first date, but... my mom said that my dad go sick, but- oh he go well now, so they were celebrating and... and... they sent me some stuff... and actually... along with those... umm... I can’t believe I left it at home... you were supposed to have- where is it?!”

The hand around her waist momentarily retreated into Akko’s pocket as she heard jingles of keys and loose change and paper. She flinched a bit as she heard skin slapping against skin, Akko hitting her forehead.

“I’m sorry I’m so dumb!” The heiress felt herself being taken by the hand, her freezing hand being covered by Akko’s warm one as she was taken back into more familiar parts of town, walking for minutes in silence.

 Reaching this place, Diana raised a brow as she was being guided into the music department of their school, weaving through empty halls until they finally reached an open and empty room.

“Are we allowed to-”

“Oh don’t worry!” Diana’s question was answered before it was completed. “This is my designated practice room so...” Diana watched as her lover went about, grabbing a cushioned chair and letting Diana sit down as Akko went to a closet and brought out fresh towels, surprisingly. “Don’t ask why we have these here. It’s a musician emote thing.” Akko shrugged, not handing Diana the cloth, but going behind her and gently drying out her hair after placing one on Diana’s lap which the blonde used to dry her body.

After being considerably dry, Diana watched Akko go grab another towel and dry herself off before going around a corner in the room and emerging a few minutes later with warm chocolate milk.

“Again, don’t ask.” She chuckled, handing the cup over to Diana who gratefully accepted.

And now, as they were both settled, Diana in her chair and Akko on the floor in front of her, silence resumed.

“How- how is your father?” Diana tried. She was trying. To make their situation less tense and back to normal. She now knew Akko hadn’t done this on purpose and that it was just some inevitable mishap.

“Hm? O-oh. As I said, he’s better... they never told me he was sick... but well, while celebrating, mom said he got drunk and stumbled into my room and... he found... some stuff.” Akko said his last part with a blush and Diana was now curious.

“Stuff?” She was about to stand from her seat to get closer to Akko, but she was stopped and made to sit back down as Akko’s expressive eyes lit up in the way that told Diana she had something in mind.

So again, the Cavendish could only watch as Akko got up, heading off to the side of the room where Diana spotted a guitar lying around.

While she was left to wonder, Akko was left to be nervous, her fingers quivering and not from the cold. Diana saw all this, even as the musician was sucking in a deep breath before her eyes widened in recognition at a familiar intro being played, before Akko’s voice charmed her in was so marvelous.

“The rain is fallin' on my window pane”

“But we are hidin' in a safer place

Under covers stayin' dry and warm...

You give me feelings that I adore.”

Akko, from her standing position, got on one knee, playing closer to Diana as the medical student remained mesmerized, drowning on those warm pools. 

It starts in my toes, and I crinkle my nose Where ever it goes I always know

Diana giggled as Akko did Crinkle her nose, bumping it against Diana’s gently causing the girl to blush.

. That you make me smile, please, stay for a while now Just take your time wherever you go.”

Diana gasped as Akko drew closer, her eyes now gazing on Diana’s lips as she sang the next part almost in a whisper, guitar being strummed softly.

“I've been asleep for a while now You tucked me in just like a child now 'Cause every time you hold me in your arms I'm comfortable enough to feel your warmth...”

 “Diana...”

Her breath hitched in her throat as Diana’s eyes shifted between looking at Akko’s lips, to gazing into her eyes, mouth dry, words caught. “... Akko...”

“Sing for me?” Having Akko kiss her nose affectionately was unfair, a sort of bribe, Diana would say, nevertheless, as Akko started on the last verse, she consented to the request and sang.

“It starts in my soul, and I lose all control When you kiss my nose, the feelin' shows 'Cause you make me smile, baby, just take your time now Holdin' me tight.. Akko....”

“Yes?” Akko’s hands stilled against the instrument, but Diana could still hear the accompaniment playing on. “What is it?”

“Wherever... Wherever... wherever you go.” Diana sang, to Akko’s pleasant surprise.

“ Wherever, wherever, wherever you go~.” Akko replied, bumping her forehead against Diana’s, singing in response. “Wherever you go I always know.“ She murmured, lips doing what the song said in its final words.

    'Cause you make me smile

“Diana, I’m sorry for being late. Sorry for ruining our first date, sorry-”

“Shhh...” A finger on her lips stopped Akko from further rambling. “It’s okay. Smile?”

And she did.

Diana gasped, Akko putting her guitar to the side and finally pulling something out of her pocket. A diamond necklace, one with the words, ‘Diana, Love and Forever’ engraved on it.

“Akko?”

“You said you wanted it... when we thought we were going to be separated... in high school.”

“Akko...” Diana covered her mouth as tears flowed down, barely registering Akko’s words of planning to give it to Diana on their first date and her mom sending it over because she left it at home. All she heard an knew for sure was-

“I love you.”

...

“I love you too.”

A/N: Too rushed. NO time... Ciao! Gotta runnnnn shoot....TEll me how it was?

~Shintori Khazumi

[very-merry-sioux]

Bond Beyond Time

This drabble-ish fic is for @chocolapeanut because I was surprised that they were commenting on my fic again. This is like the 3rd time, I’m really glad you like it that much. XD

Here’s a kind of sequel to A Thousand Knives, I guess? And also a kind of apology because I’m not done with the second chapter of Artificial Doll.

It was embarrassing to admit, but he had forgotten about the man in the museum. There were just too many things that happened after, the God cards, the Ishtars, Battle City, his memories. A strange man who gave him a strange card and said a strange message was not something his mind prioritized, mostly because it hasn’t killed him yet.

Battle City was a mess, if he were honest. And he doesn’t think anyone could blame him for forgetting.

Still, one of the reasons he never told much about his encounter to Yuugi is because he didn’t expect to meet the man again, nor did he expect the man to remember him.

Or actually, he didn’t expect Yuugi to meet the man. Nor did he expect the man to come up to him and start a conversation.

“You’re the boy from the museum, correct?” The man asks, smiling. “How are you? Was the card I gave you useful?”

He tries to hide his sheepishness from Yuugi, but with the way he was looking down at the Puzzle with suspicion, it wasn’t working.

“I’m… okay?” Yuugi replies, mentally side-eyeing the spirit. “And your card was, uh, very helpful in duels?”

Yuugi didn’t know what card the man was talking about, it could have been a calling card for all he knew. But given that this is his other self that he suspects the man is confusing him with, it was safe to assume it was about Duel Monsters.

“I’m glad,” the man beams. “I know you joined a tournament recently, so I hoped that it would help.”

Okay, this was getting a little creepy. He hoped this man wasn’t an overenthusiastic fan. ‘Other me?’

’… Remember that day when I asked to be alone?’

He did, he hadn’t asked for details, he was just glad that his other self looked less troubled after his trip.

Wait, that meant. “This is the onion guy?” He blurts out, the one he suspects his other self liked? He had thought it was a plain, bookish kind of guy. Maybe part of the museum staff who was happy to educate a high schooler. Not someone who looked like he could be part of an expensive host club!

'Aibou!’

Oh, oops, he thought that out loud. Not one who looked like he could be Anzu’s older brother - looks and kindess combined, he mentally amends.

The onion guy in question raises an eyebrow. “Are you remembering me just now?”

Oh, oops, he said that out loud.

‘You didn’t tell me he gave you that card!’ He had thought his other self had just bought a pack again. Also. ‘You didn’t tell me he was interested in you!’ 

Silence.

‘You didn’t notice, did you?’

The spirit says nothing, having the urge to be buried deep into the labyrinth of his soul so that nobody would find him.

“S-sorry, a lot of things happened… and you do look familiar,” Yuugi lies sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Say, uh, I never asked for your name, didn’t I? And-” he eyes the man, pursing his lips. “-how old are you exactly?”

‘Aibou?’ The spirit wonders why he was interested in that.

“Ah, I’m twenty. I’ll be twenty-one this December,” the man replies, then he smiles wryly. “And I suppose it’s fair you know my name, or else you’ll just call me the onion guy,” he chuckles. “It’s Hadou Madoka, at your service.”

“Madoka…?” Yuugi looks at the man some more.

“… Yes, it’s girly,” the man says dryly. “In my defense, I didn’t choose the name.”

Fair enough.

“Most just call me Ma or Mahou, by insistence of my… cousin,” the man says, shrugging. “Or they call me by my surname.”

He understood Ma but, “Why Mahou?”

“My part-time job, I suppose,” he answers. “I’m a stage magician.”

Huh. “Hadou Mahou… if you flip them, you’d get the word magical wave,” Yuugi muses. “That could be a cool stage name.”

“Don’t give my cousin any reason to mangle my name as it is.” 

The man looked too amused with his wordplay, he didn’t think it was that funny. “So what are you doing here anyways?”

“I’ve been hired for an event,” he jerks his head at the booths and other props currently being built and set around Domino Square. “I take it you were invited to join?”

What?

“There’s an event?" 

"The CEO of Industrial Illusions is hosting an event to introduce a set of new Duel Monster cards he designed,” the man explains. “You didn’t know? I guess since the duel tournaments are only for beginners under thirteen, it wouldn’t be under your radar.”

Battle City wasn’t even under their radar, they were just in the right time at the right place. If Yuugi hadn’t planned the date, and if Kaiba wasn’t being his typical dramatic self, they would never have known. “It’s more of I haven’t had time to be updated about anything, I’ve been busy.”

If trying not to get magically killed could be counted as busy.

“You do look tired,“ the man says, faint disapproval lacing his tone. It reminded Yuugi of the times Anzu knew he was up all night playing games. "The booths aren’t open and it’s a bit messy, but would you like a tour? You might even be able to buy some items and see some of the performers practicing,” he offers his hand. “It’s not open, so we shouldn’t entertain people yet, but I’m sure they’d give an exception to you.”

Yuugi considers this man some more, he didn’t look like he had any bad intentions. And honestly, after Battle City, his other self deserved another break. The date with Anzu had helped, but he remembered how relaxed the spirit looked that day he asked to take over and be alone with his thoughts.

The age difference bothered him, but he was sixteen (and he assumes his other self is at least that age too). So if it was just eating out and walking around, it wouldn’t be anything bad. And if this man was some kind of pervert, well, they’ve faced worse. His other self could handle an ordinary man.

And to be honest, he doesn’t think the man has any malicious intentions.

“Buy me some lunch and it’s a date,” Yuugi jokes, hands poised over the Puzzle, preparing to switch.

“I was planning to.”

Oh, well, how could he say no to free food? Even one that he won’t personally taste? He briefly closes his eyes to focus his energy.

The spirit stiffens at the large feeling of deja vu. 'Aibou, don’t you dare-!’

And he was out.

Unlike last time, he does not sputter and shout at the Puzzle in an embarrassing display. He instead bites his lip to keep himself for screaming the words he had been planning to say to his partner.

It takes him less than a second to compose himself.

“As long as you don’t feed me only onions,” the spirit sniffs, hiding his nervousness at being placed in this situation. “And as long as you explain to me why you gave me that card.” That was still a mystery to him.

“Have you tried falafel?” The man asks, he gets a shake of the head in reply. “Well, I know a place that makes very good falafel, I have a feeling you’ll love it,” he smiles. “And I gave that card because I wanted to, simple as that,” he reaches out to touch the spirit’s ear. “Hmm, speaking of cards, I actually have some more to give you… like this one!”

The man holds out a card that seemingly came from his ear.

The spirit was not impressed (that was a lie, he was kind of impressed).

“No,” the spirit says blandly, keeping a straight face. He quickly reads the description of the card and has to stomp down the temptation again. Did this man have a penchant for giving him cards he likes? Either way, he was not accepting freebies again.

“Not even if I add these?” The man waves his hand, and violet sparks emit from his fingers. One blink and there were suddenly three cards on his hand.

The spirit looks at the cards and bites his lip. “… No.”

“That wasn’t very convincing.”

“I’m not getting any more free cards from you, I know how hard it is to get support cards like that,” especially ones for rare cards like Dark Magician. “I have nothing to pay you with.”

“Duel Monsters is a trading card game, isn’t it?” The man waves the cards in front of him, like he was a dog being enticed with the scent of meat. “Well, you’re giving me your time, and I’m giving you these cards as thanks.”

“My time is not worth cards that rare,” he scoffs, a little insulted for Dark Magician that any of his support cards were considered that cheap.

“I think it’s worth a lot more, but this is all I can give you right now,” the man counters, grinning at the soft pink staining the teen’s cheek. “And lunch.”

He didn’t know what to say to that.

'Say yes, because we get free cards,’ his partner pipes up. 'Really good cards.’

'Aibou.’

'Right, right, leaving now!’

“Give me those cards, you manipulative onion-obsessed magician,” the spirit grumbles, face still hot from what the man said. “And tell me more about this faferu thing you think I’ll like.”

“Falafel,” the man corrects, giving the cards. He holds the spirit’s wrist gently and softly tugs to the direction of the restaurant. “It’s a dish that…”

The spirit allows himself to be pulled, focused on the cards he has now. He wonders if this will be a thing, that whenever he meets the man he’ll get cards related to his most trusted monster.

First was Thousand Knives.

Now these three. 

Bond Between Teacher and Student.

Dark Magic Twin Burst.

Dark Spiral Force.

(he wonders why they’re all related to Dark Magician)

He shouldn’t be spending so much time with the people in this world, shouldn’t be making more bonds that will just be broken, because he’ll be leaving soon.

But he feels the warmth of the hand and hears the gentle tone of his voice, and he thinks it’s just one bond. Just this one bond, one that is his alone and not Yuugi’s. One that is not related to Yuugi’s life at all, one that he found by himself.

Just one bond, it wouldn’t hurt.

[justanotherstoryteller-blog1]

One more mistake

      It was one of a few places where he could be alone. Ruins are the pretty isolated place, most of the monsters have left it a long time ago and those who remained kept their distance from him. Hours spent in silence made his hearing keen, he could hear intruder's steps long before he made it past an arch. He was alone, approaching from the back, wasn't very heavy and had no metal armor to protect him from hard blows, most likely a scout. He used his root as a whip to knock the enemy on the ground. He did not required his sight to know that he would not miss, his target shrieked in support of this fact. 

         "You know, you should not try to sneak up on me," he says in an insensitive tone, "I have already tired of your constant onfalls. But this one is even more pathetic than usual, I guess I will make a favor to the guard by removing such a weakling from it's ranks."

         "No! Please!" his victim cries.

         "Now you beg me?" he sounds almost surprised, "Can't you even die with some honor? Be gone, pathetic creature, I don't want to waste any more time on you," he threw his pellets even without turning his head, he had no interest in looking back anyway. Moment later he heard a sound of breaking bones. It wasn't long before he came back to his thoughts. 

         "Emm, mister?" the already familiar voice pulls him back.

         "So, you are still breathing, bug?" this time his surprise is real, he was certain that his last hit was deadly, "So this is why the royal guard took you? You are hard to kill, I will finish that we have started in that case."

         "No, mister, please! I don't want to fight, why can't we just talk our way out of this?"

         "Don't try to make a fool of me, those who don't want to fight stay away. There is a reason why you came here and I bet it is not to just talk with me."

         "I don't want to be here! I got lost, there was a cave on mountain's side I walked in to have some rest, but I stumbled over a root and fell into the hole."

         "So you are saying you are... a human?"  he turns, finally interested to see who he is speaking to.

         "Uh hum," the human nods, "Let's start again from the scratch. My name is Frisk, what is yours?"

         "I don't have a name, others call me "weed", or simply "flower."

         "How about "Flowey"? Flowey the flower," Frisk even manages to smile, he obviously is happy to move on to a more safe topic than his death.

         "Hmm... Fine."

         "Now when we are familiar, how about we talk about why you are so... wrought-up?"

         "You took a wrong time to fall, Frisk the Human. The Underground is a dangerous place now, especially for your kind," Flowey turns back, away from Frisk, "The king of this place has declared a war on the humanity, it's kill or be killed now."

          "A war?" kid certainly was surprised to hear about the war so close to him, "What do you mean? I never heard about any wars waging here."

          "Apparently, they can't leave this place because of a barrier of some sort. Your kin is safe, for now."

          "Then why the king has declared this war in the first place? It doesn't make sense if he can't go out."

          "I don't know, I've came into the place when everything was already as it is," Flowey sighs before continuing, "And nobody cared to give me a little explanation since the royal guard searches for me. Come then, little human, I will show you a way out of this miserable ruins," Flowey before the eyes of the bewildered child goes under the ground and appears further in the passage, "What? You never saw the way flower moves?"

      Flowey would never say that aloud, but he was glad to finally have someone around, even if it is just a pathetic human child. From the moment he found himself in that laboratory he was forced to constantly fight for his life, it was nice to finally talk for a change. 

          "See this?" Flowey uses his root to point on a set of buttons on the floor. After Frisk gives him a nod he continues, "This is a puzzle, you will see many more during your stay, they are part of monster's defense. This one is harmless, but others may hurt and even kill you, if you are not careful," Flowey pushes buttons in a designated pattern and then flips the switch, the door in the end of the room opens, "Simple enough, right? Don't get used to it, the others will be harder, let's move on to the next room."

           "Wait, you've mentioned m-monsters? W-what monsters?" Flowey turns around to look on scared Frisk.

          "Locals call themselves like this, pretty fitting name I think. You never heard of them?"

          "Well, we have a legend telling about monsters living under this mountain. I never thought it is actually true."

          "Then you should remember it well."

      Flowey was impressed by kid's progress. Human was smart enough to figure out the puzzles on his own and also was fast enough to dodge when he mistakes. Such a shame he would most likely die within next few hours, unless he would learn how to protect himself.

          "No, you are doing it all wrong, hit harder." 

          "But Flowey, I don't want to hurt you."

          "Damn it, you won't hurt me! It is just one of my roots! I can grow a new one even if you'll somehow chop it off with your stick!"

Teaching Frisk how to fight has proved to be extremely irritating. Flowey simply couldn't make him hit in full force.

          "What's wrong with you? Why can't you just hit my damn root with all of your force, so I could know how much you can do? We barely even started and you are already failing!" Flowey whips his root in frustration and breaks the stick in kid's hands in half, "Are all of you humans so worthless?!"

          "I'm sorry, Flowey. I just... don't see a reason for this," Flowey gives out a tired sigh.

          "Are you even listening?" he asks with the tired voice, "I keep telling you the same thing over and over again: "Kill or be killed". You won't live for long unless you fight."

          "It can't be that bad. Why fight if all can be solved with words?"

          "You can't just talk with the people who want to kill you! They don't care about how nice you are! It won't work!"

          "But it worked with you," Flowey answers with silence and turns away from Frisk, "Flowey?" Frisk quietly calls.

          "I am not like everyone else," he answers after a pause, "I have no interest in hurting you. I was just protecting myself and the best way to do it, is to strike first," Frisk was about to say something, when Flowey suddenly turns his head towards the next room.

           "You heard something?" Frisk asks with a little bit of fear in his voice.

           "We are no longer alone. Stay back, I will handle this by myself."

Flowey wasn't mistaken, the froggit came out from the room and rushed towards the pair. But instead of attacking, he ran past them in fear.

           "Hey! What's wrong?" Frisk asks the running froggit.

           "That was probably me," an unfamiliar voice came from the next room.

           "Oh no," says Flowey with low voice.

      Frisk turns to see a high man wearing an old, faded, but still decent checkered shirt of blue color with a black vest on top of it. A blade's handle sticks out from behind his left shoulder, it's faded brown color matches the man's hair. He stands firmly on his feet in  dirty hiking boots, his legs are covered by worn out olive pants. Frisk saw many humans looking like this, but this one had something unsettling in his look.

          "There is another human in here? Greetings, my name is Frisk." Frisk smiles warmly to the newcomer.

          "Nice to meet you, Frisk," the man starts to step towards the pair, "Sorry, but our acquaintance will be short," kid's smile instantly disappears. 

          "Why? Are you in hurry, or there is something wrong?"

          "There is," without slowing down, the man pulls a long bloodstained machete out of the scabbard on his back, "You have to die, kid," Flowey glances on Frisk.

          "Still want to talk?" he asks.

          "Wait! I am sure we can settle this down! No reason for anyone to die!" Frisk tries to reason, while stepping back. Flowey rolls his eyes.

          "Dammit," Flowey "steps" between two humans and prepares his pellets, and roots for a fight, "Stay back, I warn you," he says to the older human.

          "So, you wish to die together with this pathetic kid?" the man stops, "Or you think that you can just reset and try again if you fail?"

           "What?" Flowey looks both surprised and intrigued, "What are you talking about?"

           "Don't pretend like you don't know what I am talking about. I know much about you, little flower. Including your fun time travel ability."

           "But how did you—"

           "Know? Doesn't really matters, what IS matters that you are no longer possess this power."

           "What are you talking about? Of-course I can go back!"

           "Really? Why don't you try it, then? Come on, I dare you."

Flowey takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. It always takes him some concentration to gather his determination. He feels familiar chills and...

           "Looks like you are still here, little flower. Wanna try some more, or will we finally come back to business?" 

           "What have you done?!" Flowey shouts angrily.

           "I've done nothing," the older human points with his blade on Frisk, "It is him."

This words confused  already abashed kid even more. This deadly human talks about a weird deja vu Frisk got after his fall? He clearly remembered being killed by Flowey back then  and Flowey acted like he really should be dead. But he was alive, or not?

           "Didn't you noticed? This kid has already came back after being dead for once, you most certainly was around to see that," Flowey gives Frisk a long, confused look.  

           "So you are not just hard to kill," he finally says.

           "So, do you still wish to die, flower?" the man continues his approach. 

      Since the time of her exile, hard times have started for Toriel. Once the queen of all monsterkind now struggles to find something eatable in the old ruins. Even the other ruin monsters shunned her now. Ironically, the only one who was trying to make her existence here less painful was the one, who delivered her the greatest pain in her life. He never tried to apologize, or even talk to her about it. Instead he shared those little pieces of provision he had with her. She always finds his silent contribution at her porch every morning, even through she never asked for it. But this day was different, her pouch was empty. Since he never was late with his voluntary toll, this could mean only one thing: her deadly neighbor  is up for something. This was the reason why she was searching for him that morning. It wasn't hard to find his trail, just go where the scared to death monsters run from. It wasn't long before she started to hear voices of ongoing conversation, it wasn't friendly. "So, do you still wish to die, flower?" she heard the familiar voice, "This kid is not worth of your life, step away and you'll be fine," he was threatening someone, typically. He usually never hurt anyone anymore through. Wait, he said "kid"?  

           "Stop right there!" she ordered with the most threatening voice she was capable of.

           "Toriel..." he answers with a great sigh, but complies and slowly turns to her, "You can't even imagine how inappropriate your appearance."

           "I won't let you hurt another child, you fiend!" spotting his drawn out blade she readies her fire magic, "Step away from the child, slowly," the man does not move from his place.

           "This isn't your business, Toriel! We have a peace treaty, remember? As long as you are staying away from my business, I am staying away from yours. And I doubt it would be good for you to break this agreement," he raises his blade close to his throat, "Your fancy fire tricks won't protect your head from being chopped off, don't forget."

            "I am a caretaker, it IS my concern to protect inhabitants of the ruins from you. I warn you for the last time: step away, or I will move you with force!"

            "Who made you a caretaker? You are an exile! You no longer have any responsibility for anything except of yourself! Do what is good for you, go back to your house."

            "The only way I will let you hurt the child again is through my own dust," the man instantly goes grim. He looks down on his bloody blade for a few moments and then starts to walk towards Toriel.

            "So be it," he says in a somber tone.

        This can't be happening, Frisk couldn't believe this. Talking flowers, ruins, monsters and now two people will fight to death because of him! He could not just sit and watch, he had to do something. "Frisk? What are you—" Flowey begins to ask, but Frisk was far ahead of him.

            "Stop! Both of you!" he rushes past the man and stands between him and Toriel, "Don't fight because of me! Why can't we just settle down and find a better solution?"

            "Brave move, kid," the man says with the same gloomy voice, "But it can't be solved without someone's death," the man makes a fast step forward rising his blade to cut Frisk in half, but he wasn't fast enough to catch the nimble kid. Frisk dodges his blow and instantly retreats out of his reach.

            "My child, hide behind me. I won't let this miserable creature lay a finger on you," Toriel steps forward obscuring the child with her body, "My last warning: stay back!" the man answers with a furious assault.

        The battle was short, the old woman was no match for the skilled fighter. Now she lied on the ground with number of serious wounds while the man only had some minor burns. The man turns away from Toriel and towards frightened Frisk and drills him with a fiery gaze.

            "Look what I have to do because of you, maggot! You hide behind the good people's backs, like a coward! At least face your death like a proud man would!" he roars in anger, while approaching in a fast pace.

                Although Frisk wasn't much of a fighter, he still was capable to protect himself. In his own way. This was exactly what he was doing in that moment, he left the enraged  adult waaaaay behind. 

             "Frisk, stop," kid hears Flowey's voice, "He is no longer chases you," it still took scared kid few moments to realize the meaning of the words.

             "H-have we lost him?" he asks.

             "No, apparently he was distracted by something. Looks like that woman had some strength left after all."

             "Is she... dead?"

             "Likely. Let's get moving, we don't have time to waste on talks."

             "Flowey, how can you be so calm about it? That old lady died because of us and you are talking like nothing happened," Flowey lifts his "brow".

             "So, what? She is dead now, no reason to be obsessed by it."

             "But we can fix it! That man talked about some kind of time travel?"

             "Are you stupid or what!? Didn't you noticed that it doesn't work with his memories!? He won't give you a chance to escape next time! Aren't you smart enough to know it for yourself!?"

             "I... no longer know a thing, I guess. Monsters, fireballs, time travel, none of this shouldn't even exist! At least according to the modern science. I no longer know what to think. All of this is so... sudden," Frisk goes towards the closest wall and sits leaning his back on it.

            "Hmm... Sorry, about that. I was... a little bit harsh, this all must be really unusual for you and all," Flowey moves further in the corridor, "But we really don't have time for this, if he will catch up with us, her death will be meaningless. Come on. Get up, let's get going. This is the best way we can honor her," Frisk hesitates for a few long moments, but ultimately gets up.

            "Yeah, you are right. No time for tears, let's move."

        He let them go, for now. They won't go far anyway. For now he had another concern, he made one more mistake. Flower wasn't nearly as valuable, as Toriel and now she was dead because of him. He wasted precious time on pointless negotiation, one more mistake and one more good person to pay the price. When he will finish the proper burial, he will go and find that kid. And this time, there would be no negotiations.