#i will probably finish these properly but we shall see i have a lot of irons in the fire right now | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

cal-daisies-and-briars · 4 months ago

Note

🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸(AHHHH IMPENDING BUDDIE REUNION IM SO SCARED I HOPE IT GOES WELL!!!!)

🦮🦮🦮🦮🦮(loving darling cranberry and I want Buck and Eddie to address their tension!)

🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨(switcharoo world now with a pending will reveal! Can’t wait!)

⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️(TWATYTK my beloved i love seeing happy established Buddie!)

🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊 (oooh we love a dramatic reunion in a rain storm!)

It is taking all my restraint to not send you 30+ emojis for each story because I’m just that excited about your writing! You’re wonderful thanks for sharing!

HI AGAIN!!!!! You can send as much as you want I've been getting some huge ones haha.

48 for 🩸(IT GOES A LOT OF WAYS):

---

Everyone is tired and emotional and overwhelmed. So even after Eddie has showered and changed into pajamas - and eaten another peanut butter sandwich and a full orange - they all agree to go to bed early without too much further conversation. Better to hash things out with a fresh mind.

“Do you even sleep at night?” Sophia had asked while Eddie’s mouth was stuffed full of orange slices. “Because most of the vampires we’ve met are semi-nocturnal.”

Eddie had scoffed. Like he’s some sort of creature. But, to be fair… His body would choose daytime sleeping if it had a choice.

“Well, if I sleep during the day, I’m more likely to spontaneously turn into a bat when the sun goes down.” Eddie had retorted.

When Sophia called him a dick, he knew he deserved it.

Which brings him to now, hiding from them both a little, in the confines of a bedroom that is technically his, but smells like Buck. Feels like Buck. Has been Buck’s. Hiding from them is maybe an exaggeration. Maybe it’s that he doesn’t quite know how to balance his remorse and his love and his fear in their presence.

Just as Eddie is about to give into exhaustion and actually go to sleep, there’s a soft rap on the bedroom door.

“Come in,” Eddie calls.

Buck cracks the door open and looks through.

“Hey,” Eddie mumbles.

“Hi,” Buck steps in and shuts the door behind him. His right hand is shut around something. “Got a sec?”

Eddie has all the secs. He has nothing else in his life. In fact, he’s not even sure if he’s aging or not. So he might have infinite secs. Though he still needs to shave, so maybe he’s not in suspended animation.

“Of course.” Eddie says.

“Forgot this earlier,” Buck mumbles. He walks across the room to where Eddie is sitting on the bed and presses something cool and metal into Eddie’s palm.

He knows instantly what it is.

Eddie releases a shaky breath as he looks at the contents of his palm. His medallion. The St. Christopher medallion. The one he’d lost the night Kim killed him. The night he almost killed Buck.

“You had it,” Eddie says, squeezing the hard metal and looking gratefully up at Buck.

“It broke off when…” Buck can’t finish.

“Oh,” Eddie fills in the blanks. “I didn’t entirely remember.”

Buck nods. “I had the chain fixed.”

“Thank you for keeping it safe,” Eddie whispers.

---

15 for 🦮 (they shall get there!):

---

It probably could have gone on like that - steady and unchanging - for a while, if not for Bobby and Athena’s dinner party. Usually, they’d have it at their house. In the backyard. A nice barbecue or something. But, because Bobby and Athena’s wedding plans were soured by Bobby’s suspension, Shannon dying, and Buck losing a leg, they never had a proper party. Just a small courthouse ceremony with the kids. So now they’ve invited their closest friends and family out to a dinner at a fancy seafood place in Redondo Beach, months later, to properly celebrate.

This is, of course, not a problem on its own. In fact, it’s a lovely thing and Buck is very happy to be invited. Bobby continuing to include Buck in his life means more than Buck can properly express.

The problem is the small fact that, on his way to an upscale restaurant in which he dresses in proper slacks and an ironed shirt, Buck decides to forgo bringing Cranberry. He really doesn’t think much of the decision at first. She’s okay home alone for a few hours. He’s got a wire crate set up for her now. And he’s not even driving. Maddie and Chim are picking him up.

---

30 for 🚨(I'm so close toa big moment I have to be careful what I post here):

---

It’s a loud afternoon turned quiet night. After Eddie gets home from the lawyer’s, fate changed in ink, he returns home to find a clingy, shaken Christopher.

“Tia said you had a bad night at work and Buck said you were hurt but not as hurt as you could have been but you have bruises everywhere, and are you okay, Daddy?”

Eddie can’t fault him. He was scared of being lost to his son, too. So instead of talking to Buck about things, like he might have, they spend the day comforting Christopher. Spending easy, uncomplicated hours playing Mario Kart and watching movies. Buck builds a small cushion fort and orders them Chinese food for dinner. And really, truly, it’s a beautiful sort of day. The kind of day any parent wants to lock away in their memory like a little treasure. It’s just a shame it came as the result of everyone fearing for Eddie’s life.

Christopher crashes early. The stress has clearly caught up with him. Eddie tucks him in and reads him a story and stays with him a little bit longer than he might, usually. He’s getting bigger. Older. Soon he won’t even want this. And Eddie will have only gotten a fraction of these years. To think, he was so certain fatherhood wouldn’t suit him. That he would be bad at it. Maybe he isn’t anything to write home about, but he thinks of how he pulled himself out of a watery grave for this boy, he thinks about how he is willing to plan for the worst to protect him, and Eddie thinks maybe he has some merits.

He hopes, sincerely, that his life isn’t cut short. That he gets some time in this role. He loves it so dearly, now.

“I missed you yesterday,” Chris yawns as Eddie puts the storybook down on his nightstand. He cuddles his tiny body into Eddie’s chest.

“I missed you, too,” Eddie whispers, stroking his curly hair. “So much.”

One day, maybe, Eddie will feel like his son is old enough to hear that he loved him so much he refused to drown. The same way Buck had refused to drown that day at the pier.

---

45 for ⚡️:

THIS IS A RATHER SPOILERY SECTION SO PROCEED WITH CAUTION!!!

---

The thing is, Buck can’t forget about it. Not just during the blurry, hungover morning after Maddie and Chimney’s wedding. But in the weeks after, either. His brain seems to have clamped onto it with a vice grip.

Almost as much fun as we’ll have at our wedding.

A funny little sentence that Eddie didn’t seem to remember saying the next morning. Though, given the way Eddie complained about his hangover for the following fourteen hours, Buck thinks there must be a decent amount he doesn’t remember. The important thing is, Buck remembers.

Buck remembers, and Buck can do with that information as he pleases. And what he pleases might very well be to give Eddie that fun, happy wedding he was drunkenly talking about.

See, Buck thinks - after a totally reasonable amount of time spent considering this - that Eddie wasn’t just drunk and joking. He thinks he does want it. Even if he’s not saying so in sober conversation yet. When they got together, Eddie had said he wanted everything with Buck. And so far, the uncertainty about more children has been the only exception in that totality. But Buck knows Eddie takes marriage seriously. He knows Eddie takes them seriously. And he had really, truly seemed to love Maddie and Chim’s wedding. So it seems like a natural next step. Not just to check off boxes, but because the idea of celebrating their commitment to each other feels right. Buck wants that. If Eddie wants that too, then they should do it.

So, three weeks after Maddie and Chim’s wedding, just as April is about to fade into May, Buck decides.

He’s going to ask Eddie to marry him.

He just has to plan how.

☆☆☆

Eddie can’t stop thinking about it. It settled over him like a warm blanket when he was drunk at the wedding, but even sober and with distance, it still feels right. He wants to be married to Buck.

If he’s going sheerly on impulse, and what his heart says, he wants to be married to Buck, like, yesterday. Two years ago, even. If he’s going with what his head says - notoriously known for confusing him and leading him down the path to self-doubt - Eddie has concerns. Not about Buck, of course. Never about Buck. Buck is, despite some of his more baffling moments, perhaps the most marriageable person Eddie has ever known. Truly just husband material. If Buck was the only variable, it would be a no-brainer.

Unfortunately, Eddie has a habit of taking no-brainers and adding quite an afflicted brain to them.

It’s not Chris, either. Even with Christopher’s initial concerns about their relationship. If anything, marrying Buck would stamp out any of those doubts he had about Buck leaving. Hell, if they were married, Buck could do a pretty simple step-parent adoption, if he wanted. Not that Eddie has researched that. Point is, he thinks Christopher would be glad if Eddie told him he was considering this. So, really, once again, as with many things, Eddie is the source of his own frustrations. Classic Eddie. Though beating himself up for wanting to think through a significant life decision like a marriage - a second marriage - doesn’t seem fair either.

---

And finally, 18 stormy sentences for 🌊:

---

Eddie chases after him. He closes the door behind him, thankful for the dampening effect on the noise of the storm.

“Eddie? Hi.” Maddie says warily from across the bar. She’s holding a bundle of sleeping bags in her arms.

“Hi, Maddie,” Eddie says.

“You’re dripping everywhere,” Buck tells him, not bothering to even look back over his shoulder.

Eddie holds his tongue, despite his brain’s urge to point out the absurdity of this comment.

Eddie tries again. “Buck-”

“Oh, it’s probably Evan.” He cuts him off.

Probably. Not definitely.

Eddie can work with that.

“Okay, Evan. Please reconsider."

#daisies and briars writes #long death fic #any other way fic #buck service dog fic #if you can make the music fic #things we're all too young to know fic

12 notes · View notes

londonhalcyon · 3 months ago

Text

Fic Writer Interview (20 Questions)

This tag game passed by twice, once in January (because apparently this post has been sitting in my drafts that long) and again several months later, so forgive me for not remembering who to tag! These questions seem fun, so if anyone wants to join, feel free to say I tagged you!

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

20 at the moment, with plenty more WIPs.

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

480,895 words and counting.

3. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Not counting TMW bonus content, the top 5 are:

The Mad Witch (758 kudos)

"The Scarlett Cauldron" (77 kudos)

"Fear Itself" (76 kudos)

"The Most Powerful Witch" (72 kudos)

"Piper's Best Worst Day" (57 kudos)

4. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

I try to! I love engaging with my readers and other members of the fandom. Every comment always makes my whole day. Life gets busy sometimes, so I don't always have the time to respond to every single one, but I definitely see and appreciate all of them!

5. What’s the fic you’ve written with the angstiest ending?

Usually my fics have fairly hopeful endings, but "3 Years Ago," a pre-canon Murdered: Soul Suspect fic might fit the bill. Sometime in the future, it has the potential to be topped by "Will of the People," a Fallout 4 WIP that revolves around the Diamond City anti-ghoul riots.

6. What’s the fic you’ve written with the happiest ending?

My Secret Santa fics, "It's Not the Fall" and "Flawed Phials," definitely have the fluffiest endings!

7. Do you write crossovers?

Nope!

8. Have you ever received hate on a fic?

I get rude or condescending comments on occasion from people who don't know how to hit the back button and/or are unfamiliar with fandom etiquette, though nothing actively malicious. The one time I received a transphobic/homophobic message in response to TMW it was private (if it was public, I would have deleted it; I don't give a platform to that kind of thing at all), and honestly I hope that person is in a better place now because they really didn't seem okay at the time. I'm fortunate that the vast majority of my readers and mutuals are such wonderfully amazing and kind people.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

Yes, BUT, before you get too excited, not in The Mad Witch. Smut is by definition graphic, and TMW has a Teen rating that shall remain unchanged.

The smut scenes I've drafted so far (F/F and F/M) are for my Rosemary Reaper series (post-canon Fallout 4 WIP). Those fics will all be rated Mature, so while not overly explicit, they'll definitely be spicier than TMW. Maybe I'll share a snippet sometime if there's any demand for it.

10. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that I know of?? I have long since deleted my Wattpad account, so my fics should only be on AO3. If anyone ever finds one of my fics elsewhere in the wild, please let me know.

11. Have you ever had a fic translated?

I have not, which is probably for the best. I would like to make some heavy edits to the beginning of TMW when I'm done with it.

12. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Not a fic, though I have co-written a short fantasy story with a friend, with him writing for one POV character and me for another. We agreed on major actions and story beats, but we each kept a major secret that we didn't reveal until after we had written our individual parts. It was a lot of fun (though we were both painfully unskilled at the time).

13. What’s your all-time favorite ship?

I don't know if I really have one. I have ships I enjoy and characters I like to pair with OCs, though nothing I feel properly obsessive over. This might be a consequence of primarily writing for video game fandoms. But I do have my default game romances: Merula in HPHM, Piper in Fallout 4, Marcurio in Skyrim, etc. I'm also a sucker for unrequited love interests, like Serana in Skyrim and Aveline in Dragon Age 2. The ANGST.

14. What’s a WIP that you want to finish but don’t think you ever will?

I never want to say never because I'm currently 83,435 words into the last fic I said I would never write. But there are two fics that I'm almost certain I will never finish, which I'm kind of sad about: my post-canon Murdered: Soul Suspect longfic, A Certain Darkness, and my RWBY OC team longfic, DSRT.

I made it just shy of 200,000 words into A Certain Darkness before I had to drop it. My writing skills ended up surpassing the progress I had made, and by the time I realized how many characters, relationships, and plot points were just straight up bad, I had written myself into a corner. I do love Joy and Angel so much, a medium/ghost duo with way more homoerotic tension than my closeted teenage self ever intended. Maybe one day I'll gut the story, drop the characters into a different setting, and make it something original. One day.

DSRT ran into a similar problem, though fortunately I only ever wrote the first few chapters. I could probably reattempt it if I really wanted, but with the overwhelming number of WIPs I already have, it's hard to imagine finding the time. I do miss my team of teenage idiots: Dustin, Saul, Rosemary, and Talos. It was supposed to have a really tragic ending too, which I don't often get to write.

15. What are your writing strengths?

I often receive compliments on how human I make my characters feel, which is the highest honor anyone could give. I've been told my dialogue frequently flows smoothly too.

16. What are your writing weaknesses?

Conciseness. Why is this post so long omg.

17. What are your thoughts on writing dialogue in other languages in a fic?

Do it carefully and with necessity. Maybe a character is bilingual and blends languages, so it's part of their characterization. Maybe a password or spell needs to be said in another language because it's old or pretentious. It can work, but it can also be easy to mess up. I personally avoid writing dialogue in languages I don't have a good grasp of, or I try to consult other people if I do (not Google Translate, which sucks).

There's also the matter of if the POV character even understands the language being spoken. If they don't, then I don't write the language out (unless it's a phrase the character is going to learn later on). In these instances, it makes more sense to write something like, "The man muttered a phrase in a language she didn't recognize," or "She fired off something in Spanish, the words too quick to catch."

18. What was the first fandom you wrote for?

Star Wars the Clone Wars, baby! I was like ten or eleven. Never published, but my worldbuilding for that longfic (a saga, more like) was insanely elaborate. Alas, another story for the WIP graveyard.

19. What’s a fandom/ship you haven’t written for yet but want to?

Eventually, I want to get back to my Skyrim WIP, which includes a main Dragonborn/Marcurio ship. Maybe even with a little Dragonborn/Serana infidelity on the side (which Marcurio absolutely does not deserve, the poor guy).

20. What’s your favorite fic you’ve written?

I mean, I have to say The Mad Witch, don't I? That fic is where my community is, where every time I post a chapter I have a ton of people who get excited about it with me. It is the story I think about constantly, that I have spent literal years writing and daydreaming about. No matter what I've written before or will write since, this will be the defining fic in my journey as a writer.

That, and I have a special fondness for "Case by Case." I just think it's neat.

#there's so much going on in this post i don't know how to tag it #it wasn't supposed to be this LONG #tag game

8 notes · View notes

jokertrap-ran · 2 months ago

Text

[Gakuen K] Munakata Reisi Route: Good Friends? Translation

*Translator’s note : MC’s name shall remain as my normal (水嶋ラン) *Gakuen K Masterlist / Gakuen K Mobile Masterlist *Spoiler FREE : Translations under cut ! Reblogs appreciated~

Ran: Excuse me. Oh, are you the only one here, Fushimi-kun?

Fushimi: You can see for yourself, can’t you?

Ran: …That’s true.

Fushimi: …

Ran: …

Ran: (This is awkward…)

Ran: (Come to think of it, I haven't really spoken to him before even though he’s my classmate. )

Ran: (Maybe I should try to strike up a conversation now that we’re here together.)

Ran: The puzzle we had to solve back then was really something, don’t you think?

Ran: I wasn’t expecting that puzzle to have that many pieces, and for it to be a puzzle with no picture at that….

Ran: Where do they even sell things like that?

Fushimi: …Don’t remind me.

Ran: Oh, sorry.

Fushimi: You don’t have to apologize for it. You were the only one who lasted till the end, so I’m taking my hat off to you.

Ran: Well, I got immersed in it, and you were already gone by the time I looked up.

Fushimi: I was called away by the Disciplinary Committee. Did you not hear?

Ran: Nope. I noticed that everyone was gone after I’d finished the puzzle…

Fushimi: You were that zoned in on a jigsaw puzzle…?

Munakata: Fushimi-kun, are you here?

Fushimi: Yes.

Munakata: May I have the documents I asked for?

Fushimi: Here you go.

Munakata: Thank you. You work fast.

Fushimi: You’re welcome.

Munakata: Looks like everything’s been taken care of. Your punctilious attention to detail really does come in handy.

Munakata: Oh? There’s a sticky note attached to the document…

Fushimi: There were lots of typos, so I added some corrections of my own while I was at it.

Munakata: Sorry about that. It seems like I will have to put in a stern word with Domyoji-kun.

Fushimi: You probably already knew that they were there before you handed it over to me for processing.

Munakata: Not at all. I’m glad you noticed them.

Fushimi: …

Munakata: I overlooked the typos too. I’ll be sure to be more careful next time.

Fushimi: There’s no way you’d ever overlook a mistake like that.

Ran: (Yeah, he’s definitely not the type to overlook such trivial mistakes…)

Fushimi: Plus, this isn’t the first time either. There have been many careless mistakes appearing in the documents lately, so please tell him to fix them properly.

Munakata: …Fushimi-kun.

Fushimi: What?

Munakata: I wasn’t expecting you to give so much thought about the Club… I’m almost moved.

Fushimi: Huh?

Munakata: I’m proud of the fact that you’re one of us.

Fushimi: …

Munakata: Thank you for always covering up for my shortcomings.

Ran: (I’m sure he’s saying that because he knows that it’s true…)

Ran: (Munakata-senpai trusts Fushimi-kun, and despite what Fushimi-kun says, he still adheres to Munakata-senpai’s instructions.)

Ran: (They actually get along really well, don’t they?)

Ran: Heh.

Fushimi: …What are you laughing about?

Ran: Oh, sorry. I just thought that the both of you got along really well.

Fushimi: Huh? Who’s getting chummy with who now?

Ran: You and Munakata-senpai.

Ran: I enjoyed watching your exchange with each other.

Munakata: My, it sounds like we’ve become quite an entertaining spectacle.

Fushimi: Tch… And whose fault do you think that is?

Munakata: Is it not yours, Fushimi-kun?

Fushimi: No. It’s your fault no matter how you think about it.

Munakata: Hmph. We should live up to her expectations of us, so why don’t we play this game together—

Fushimi: No thanks. You’re only saying that because you want to do it, don’t you?

Munakata: Not at all. If anything, I simply want to entertain Mizushima-kun as well.

Fushimi: Then, why did you come to me with that in the first place?

Fushimi: Besides, if you’re just here to fetch the documents, don’t you have to go back to where you came from?

Munakata: How cold of you, Fushimi-kun.

Ran: (I thought they were both rather unapproachable people at first, but it looks like I was mistaken.)

Ran: (I hope I can get closer to them since we’re all in the same Club.)

»» ━━━━━━━ ∘◦♔◦∘ ━━━━━━━ ««

Next Scene: Reason for Maturity

#Gakuen K #Gakuen K: Wonderful School Days #K project #Otome #Translations #Munakata Reisi #Fushimi Saruhiko #Tomokazu Sugita #Gakuen K Munakata Route

5 notes · View notes

draconicsparkle · 2 years ago

Text

Medium was the most voted for selection! So here we go!

Including some other characters! And some I’m sure you all will like!

And part of it was inspired by something I saw in the mountains. Have y’all ever seen a snake puddle? It’s wonderful. Does anyone want to see the pic? Let me know!

Nagito woke up on his large bed groggily. He never was a morning person, and it always took him so long to fully regain consciousness. A vast contrast to his housemate, who he could hear moving around in the kitchen somewhere below him.

He sat up, stretched, and got out from under the covers. He lazily shuffled over to the wardrobe, picking out an outfit for the day at random. He didn’t care, his brain wasn’t caught up yet.

Once properly dressed, he headed down the stairs, yawning the whole way. The scent of bacon wafted through the hallway once he reached the stair’s base, making his stomach rumble.

“I heard that. Come in and sit down. It’s almost done,” Hajime called out from the nearby kitchen.

Not wanting to disappoint, he did so. He entered the kitchen to see the naga preparing food. His tail took up a ton of room, but he was able to maneuver around with no issues. He had lots of practice.

So not concerning himself with how Hajime was doing, Nagito sat at the table. A glass of water with his pills on a napkin awaited him. It made him smile, as Hajime knew exactly which he needed. It made him feel cared for.

He must have spaced out, as suddenly a plate with steaming hot food was placed in front of him. Muffins, eggs, toast, and bacon with a glass of orange juice alongside the water. “Before you say anything, yes I am aware you probably can’t eat this all. But try to eat as much as you can, okay?”

Smiling wide, Nagito took a second to thank everything in the world for his companion. “So kind. So generous. I hope you know that I appreciate all you do for me, right?”

Hajime rolled his eyes. “Oh, I know. You thank me endlessly every time. Now eat. I’m determined to get you to gain a few pounds before your next doctor’s appointment.” He tapped the glass of water with a claw. “And take these. Eat a bite first then take them.”

Nagito nodded, picking up his fork and cutting a section of the eggs. He ate the delicious food, savoring the taste for a few moments. He then took the pills, washing them down with the water.

Seeing this relieved the naga. “Good. That should help.” He crossed his arms on the table near him and laid his head on them. “I’ll finish what you don’t eat. So it won’t go to waste.”

“Taking a breather before they arrive?” Nagito asked in between bites, unable to resist ruffling the brown hair.

Hajime grumbled, but didn’t attempt to escape. “Yeah. They will probably want to eat some cooked food since they haven’t had it in a while.”

Nagito pulled his hand back, reaching for his glass of juice. “Do you think… she has made up her mind yet?”

A reptilian hazel eye opened. “About what you asked her last time? Yeah, I’m sure she’s decided by now. And I have a feeling I know what she will choose.”

Nagito set down his glass after taking a sip. “Whichever decision she comes to, I shall respect it. She’s important to you, and thus is important to me. The same goes for your brother.”

It was quiet for the rest of breakfast, Nagito managing to eat more than half the plate by the time he pushed it over to the larger creature. “This is yours now. Thank you for the food.”

“That’s more than last week. A good sign. We are getting you to a healthy weight,” Hajime commented as he took the plate. Nagito could see the beginnings of his jaw unhinging. “I’ll clean up this and then start on lunch preparations. Want to go watch for them at the door?”

The human stood up and pushed his chair in. “Yes, I can do that.” He turned and walked to the living room, not turning around. While he found it fascinating, he knew Hajime was a bit self conscious about showing him his fully open jaw. So he left the room to ease the other’s discomfort.

He reached the glass patio door, unlocking it and opening it up. He breathed in the clean air, relaxing and gazing out to the vast forest in front of him.

There was about half a mile in between his home and the forest’s edge, but he could still tell it was an amazing forest. He owned the forest, and he fully intended to keep it protected. He hoped it would one day become a refuge for Hajime’s kind. A safe haven, away from prying eyes and hunters' traps.

And speaking of Hajime’s kind, he saw some familiar shapes moving near the forest’s edge. Their movements rustled the plantlife as they moved. And soon they were out in the open.

Two nagas. Each one very different from the other.

The smaller one was female. She was wearing a loose hoodie that was a bit big for her. It resulted in her sleeves completely covering her hands. Her silver hair was frazzled, as if she had just woken up. Her scales were light pink with darker pink splotches. Chiaki, a coral snow corn snake naga.

The other was much, much bigger. He was wearing a pristine white button up shirt that had somehow escaped getting dirty in the forest. His hair was long and luxurious, looking like a model’s. And his tail was also extremely lengthy, decorated with black scales. Izuru, Hajime’s sibling and a black mamba naga.

Mostly.

Nagito smiled sadly as he recalled what Hajime had told him about his brother. They were born in captivity, and scientists had tampered with Izuru’s egg. Hajime had served as the control in the experiment. The experiment being to inject DNA of a completely different naga species into an egg and see what hatched.

In a sense, the experiment had worked, as Izuru had hatched with the body and venom of a black mamba. But his brain was also changed by it’s embryonic confusion of what he was supposed to be. His emotions were stunted and they would never develop.

But he ended up being incredibly intelligent. So intelligent, that he managed to trick the scientists into believing he was docile and stupid. And once their guards were down, he broke himself and Hajime out. They had fled to these woods, getting accidentally separated. Which is how Hajime had found his way to Nagito’s home.

Thankfully, after some time, the brothers had been able to reunite. Izuru had found another naga, Chiaki, and had been tended to by her. They had become friends, and Hajime joined that once they met and talked.

Nagito had kept out of the initial contact, not wanting to interfere. And he would have been fine if no contact ever happened. He understood it was hard for them to trust his kind after all they did to the naga species.

At least, that had been the intention. But Hajime had grabbed him and carried him to his brother and friend. He had been flustered and nervous that entire encounter, being held like that the whole time. But luckily, they had accepted him.

So now they dropped by every once in a while to visit him and Hajime. To which Nagito welcomed them with open arms.

That was why they were making their way to the mansion. Though they were taking their time. Nagito was fine with this, as he had nothing to do today. So he just watched from his location, hearing the sounds of activity in the kitchen from the brown naga.

Chiaki and Izuru reached him after a bit, slithering up to him with no hesitation. “Hey Nagito. Good to see you,” the pink naga said, rubbing her cheek against his in greeting.

“Good to see you as well. How have you been?” he asked in return, stepping aside to let them in.

“Sleepy,” she replied, yawning wide. Too wide for a human.

But Nagito wasn’t disturbed. “Somehow, I expected that.” He turned to the black naga. “And are you doing well, Izuru?”

A nod. “Yes.” His tongue flicked, red reptilian eyes scanning the inside. “Is Hajime in the kitchen?”

“He is. He’s preparing food for lunch. Though I am not sure what.” Nagito waited until every scale was indoors before closing the glass door. “Please make yourselves at home. Let me know if there’s anything you need.” He pointed to a large crate near the fireplace. “And the vials are over there if you want them, Izuru. Clean and organized and ready for use.”

“Excellent,” the black mamba stated. “I shall do it before I leave.”

The reason for the vials was so that Izuru could inject venom into them. He produced a lot, being a black mamba. And he had decided to donate his venom to antivenom research. He didn’t need all of it, so he figured he might as well give it to someone who could use it. Proof of his change of heart on humans. Well, some of them. He definitely wasn’t planning on going out into the open.

But putting that thought aside, he went over to a room on the side and opened it up. “There’s more pillows in here. We can cover the entire floor with them. So there’s plenty. Grab what you need.”

Chiaki slithered in, grabbing an armload and carefully maneuvered out. “Soft. And comfy. You always have the best stuff.”

Nagito scratched the back of his neck. “I’m glad you approve. I want my guests to have the best.”

Chiaki dumped her armload on the ground, then turned to look at him. “Hey, about your offer… have you changed your mind? Are you sure it wouldn’t be a problem?”

Nagito shook his head. “There’s plenty of space and I have no shortage of money for food and other items you may need. If you want to, you may stay here like Hajime. You can have more opportunities to play games. I know you like them.”

Chiaki smiled. “I do. They are fun.” She glanced back at Izuru, who nodded to her. She returned to looking at Nagito. “Then yes. I accept.”

The human clapped his hands. “Wonderful! I can place orders for whatever you would like in your room. And I’m sure Hajime can give you a hand in setting things up.”

“I heard that! Are you volunteering me for work?” the brown naga shouted from the kitchen before entering the living room with his hands on his hips.

Nagito grinned at him. “Oh, don’t take it that way. It’s just that you are so strong and smart and wonderful. I thought you would be well suited for the task.”

Hajime blushed. “Nagito! Cool it with the compliments!” He sighed and looked over to his friend and sibling. “So Chiaki’s moving in? Good to have you. I’ll be sure to show you around if you get lost. It’s a pretty big house. And Izuru? You’re sure you are okay with her leaving the forest?”

The taller naga shrugged. “It is fine. I can handle myself well on my own. My visits here will be more frequent now, but I do enjoy living out in the trees.”

Hajime and Nagito each gave him a nod in understanding. The offer of housing had been extended to him as well. But he had politely turned it down. He enjoyed his pure freedom out there. And no one in this room wanted to take away his source of happiness.

Hajime cleared his throat. “Well, change of subject. The food is in the ovens. They will take about two hours to bake. So we can relax while we wait.”

Chiaki got a mischievous look in her eyes. “Does that mean…?”

Hajime nodded, also looking mischievous. “Operation Puddle shall now commence.”

Nagito was very confused. “Wait. What is-”

He didn’t have time to finish his question. He felt Izuru wind his arms around his midsection, raising him up and off the ground. He was lifted high up, the mamba tail allowing for Izuru to ascend to great heights. Nagito froze, holding tight to the arms around him.

Down below, he saw blurry shapes as Hajime and Chiaki moved quickly. There seemed to be an unspoken signal when they were ready, as Izuru lowered him back down. He was soon surrounded by warm snake tails of brown, pink, and black. It was incredibly warm and comfortable. Hajime’s head was on his left shoulder, Chiaki’s was on his right. And Izuru had laid his human torso on top of his legs.

“Ah, so this is what you meant by Operation Puddle,” he said, causing the nagas to smile.

“We are all going to rest. And that means you are too. You aren’t going to run yourself ragged while everyone is here. This ensures that,” Hajime explained with a smirk. He closed his eyes soon after, settling in for a nap. Chiaki and Izuru followed suit. Soon the human was the only one awake.

He laid there in the middle of the circle of snake tails, staring up at the ceiling. If he had told his past self that this would happen, he was sure he would not believe it. Gaining the trust of not one, but three nagas? And all cared about him?

He sighed happily as he got comfortable. If this was a dream, he certainly didn’t want to wake up.

Masterpost

#danganronpa #nagito komaeda #hajime hinata #komahina #fanfic #au #drabble #naga #izuru kamukura #chiaki namani

17 notes · View notes

elliothier · 1 year ago

Text

Happy 27th birthday from 2022! It's currently the 26th as I write this, because for the first time ever I actually completely forgot about Tumblr the entire day! Are you still on here? Has the habit crept back in? Have you finally escaped? We shall see! It's not like my tab has ever closed.

So time for the present day context! Or well, 'present day', I still remember! It started with waking up, mom showed up somewhere near noon, which I was awake for but we had no interaction, so I could wake up properly. The candle in the darkness stood out, and apparently represented the past -- downstairs were another 2, for the present and future. Improvised cake this time as the ingredients were too hard to get, instead it was a brownie with cherry jelly dip and caramel dip, which, yeah that was great. Present was an elite trainer box of cards, which definitely had some pretty dice. Lackluster pulls, but hey, it be like that sometimes.

It was a good day overall, still a bit tired from gran's celebration on the 23rd (and even more tired from yesterday as I write this), but that was nice as well. Met the new cousins, they're fathers of 3 and fit right in, because of course they do. Oh, and the youngest cousin is pregnant. I don't think I'll get accustomed to that any time soon; have you met the baby yet? Heck, have you seen her at all since then? We've definitely grown apart...

Heck, this was the first birthday without Astra as well, and without grandpa; very strange in hindsight, I didn't even realize until I read that the renovations were last year. Poor 25 year old me had no idea what was coming, but we got through it, and this year was a lot more relaxed! Music room is finally coming along, I've been learning Bach's Prelude I in C major the past few days, still in my room, but I'm about halfway now. I swear I'm gonna finish Guitar Quest this year as well, it's just one more chapter... Speaking of, have you gotten around to playing with the uncle yet? The anxiety block is real.

Anyway, the day itself was mostly focused around games. Entering the day across midnight was with Cursed and French, the Genshin co-op has been a lovely regular occurrence. Then in the afternoon some Casino Yahtzee with mom, which I lost, but was a lot of fun anyway. In the evening a desert dragon version of Catan with the three of us, which I won convincingly, because BOY did we have issues with grain and wool, and I was the only one with a grain import at all. And then exiting the day in Genshin again as well. (And the planning for this weekend is to play a game with K Alexander and the discord too, as well as co-op with Satan, exciting stuff!) No D&D like the last two years, but our group is still together, so that's no problem.

Oh, and how could I forget dad's pancakes! They were kind of falling apart, but that doesn't take away from the taste, it was a good choice of dinner that's for sure. If you see this early and need any inspiration, there's an option for ya! If not, I hope it was some tasty food regardless.

So anyway, I hope you have a good day and get a chance to chill, because my week this year is definitely Too Much. Should probably cancel work, again, just because my brain is dying and the day after there's another visit, for obvious reasons.

Lastly, don't forget about The Box! I definitely nearly did, I still have to do it, I really hope I didn't forget...

#timecapsule #happy birthday to me

2 notes · View notes

goose-books · 2 years ago

Note

i read your wips intro/masterpost, they all look super cool (!!!) but the status sections look like they haven’t been updated in awhile—any updates?

first of all, THANK YOU!!! means a lot whenever anyone checks out my posts! i have a tendency to forget this blog exists, which i can only blame partially on my being in school; i'm part of a thriving community of writing discord servers, and so i've gotten into the habit of sharing more writing there than here. also, from the bottom of my heart, i never have any idea what to post. so thank you x2 for asking for an update, because i can certainly do that!

in the order of the intro post, shall we? (which i have now updated, because it was bothering me.)

The Mortal Realm & Quark: "starting second draft summer 2021," he said (about the first). so that was a fucking lie. summer 2021 i spent working at a children's summer camp, which, while i love kids, sapped my sickly-victorian-boy strength like tuberculosis. and then i went off to college! so quark didn't happen in the fall, either.

both of these are on indefinite hiatus for now, but not shelved! as my oldest long-running projects and the ones that saw me through some specific parts of my life, they're very important to me, and i think about the characters and plots frequently. that said, i've grown a lot since i began each one, so some of my old plans no longer align with the sort of things i like to write now... both are probably due for a rehaul, and as i'm focused on other projects atm, i'm not sure when that will be! but they idle in the back of my brain like screensavers.

A Modern Tragedy: the scripts for AMT are entirely finished! (barring the intermission episode i never wrote, i suppose.) i wrote the last words and immediately encountered some issues, namely: i know how to write, but not how to record and produce a podcast. plus, a podcast-enjoying friend of mine who read the scripts pointed out that honestly, AMT has too many characters to work as an audio drama; i have written a TV show in audio form. and speaking of things i know how to do less than producing a podcast--producing a TV show. so at present i sort of just... have this. sitting on my computer. i've half a mind to just post the scripts on this blog; if you're interested in seeing them... you can certainly shoot me a dm.

darkling: this behemoth is fully drafted, goddamn it, and i did do a round of beta readers over summer 2021. that said, this thing scares me. i am far better at drafting than i am at editing, and approaching a 200,000 word book (yes. i know. i know) to rip the seams out and kick that word count into shape intimidates me. i think perhaps we should all be very mean to me until i acquiesce to sniffing the draft through the bathroom door (??? <- will being mean to me work? unclear)

Valentine van Velt is Dead: oh now this is ridiculous; have i really not updated the intro post in over a year? i suppose not. valentine van velt is out! i posted the book in full in google doc, pdf, and epub forms; you can read it right now today!

love, h: finally something on the intro post is true. this is still in brainstorming mode, less because i haven't figured it out and more because i need to enter another intense hamlet phase to be able to write it properly. it'll happen.

godsong: ah, and we approach the reason the rest of these projects haven't gotten done. my silly little lesbian aeneid is eating my brain. in the past year and a half, i have 1. plotted an entire trilogy 2. written a book and a half 3. spiraled into related AUs for literally over a hundred words. the problem with writing a project that combines multiple hyperfixations is that it will crawl into your brainstem and never ever ever ever leave you alone. ever.

...which is to say that i've written a godsong! i've completed a first draft of the first book and i'm currently drafting the second; i've learned that editing scares me and bogs me down, so i'm riding this hyperfocus as far as it'll take me before i do a beta-reading round. this may come as a shock, because i've posted very little about godsong compared to my other projects, and again, this is because i have no idea what to post. every now and then i get frightened about posting real excerpts, in case it somehow fucks me up copyright-wise. this is a largely irrational fear that i have anyhow. i'm dicking around trying to make character moodboards for intro posts, but i keep running into the moral quandary of whether i can knowingly use unsourced pinterest images, like, morally. unrelated, yeah i do have OCD, how did you know?

thank you for asking after my projects, anon! ^_^ this was a very nice ask to receive and it reminds me i really ought to post here more often... if i ever scrounge up enough pictures from fucking unsplash, we'll see about those intros. if anyone has questions, opinions, or suggestions for future maxblog activities, feel free to shoot me an ask!

#honks at you softly and oh so sweetly.#max.txt

8 notes · View notes

handelplayssims · 2 months ago

Text

Reaper's Reward - Week 3

Time for another week doing quests for Grim! This time, we seem to be thinking about Lady Mimsy and her knowledge of ambrosia. ...wonder if I can head off to Windenburg for extra points.

Two quests, one to Learn from the Lady by reading a tome we unlocked last week, and another to gather the first ingredient. Also it’s Explosion Day! ...I live in the UK and this is as close to Guy Fawks day as I’ll go with. Traditions include, fire, fireworks, airing grievances, and art and music spirit. Alex loves fireworks and the arts while Venus likes the fireworks. All in this household ignore being mean.But first, let’s go read the introduction to the Green Lady’s tome. And then do gardening. I am definitely also going to be giving the Fyres family this tome. I associate them with the lost Lord and Lady. Also Moria would probably go for it. Right, introduction to the book says that it skills gardening, fishing, and cooking. We’ll see if that actually hold out.

Sending Alexander to school alone today, it’s time for Bella to work-from-home. Her goals are to get to know sims in Uptown and to write a letter. Good to know. Ah, Bella making her breakfast counted off the cooking. Ah well. Anyway, time to work and we’re taking Geoffrey with us. He wants to meet someone new in a third location and Uptown will work for that. It’s morning so...let’s head over to the Uptown library! ...why library instead of lounge, you may ask? Well, I decided to have the richest sims in each area control what lots get built. Fengs wanted something quieter.

I see someone at the chess table so time to say hi! And- ...wow. Goeffrey is completely done with Friend of the World now. He is skilled after all that so, fair’s fair! ...let’s go for Neighborhood Confidante then. That mostly relies on random phone calls, but we can go out and say hello to other folks and point and nudge them in specific ways. Bella’s gotten to know chess lady, Bjorn, and Geoffrey. Now let’s get some donations before we head back home. Right, off for Bella to go and write a letter. Done and dusted. Let’s see...she needs to go on dates, but I want to wait for Alex to come home and do garden- mm. He has chess practice today. Welp.

Right, ambrosia society newsletter tells us to catch an angel fish! ...welp! New goals are to fish with bait or to travel to Caster’s Alley. Oh fun! Now Alex is going to get into the funky stuff! ...also gotta say, getting the pomegranate grafting just instilled in me FEAR. Can only nab apples cutting and my cherry trees aren’t grown yet. Hmm. Well, we got the book quest done already with Alexander doing his gourmet cooking. Good for him!

Past 8PM so let’s set off some fireworks since it’s properly dark now. By the by, you can order those off the computer, in case you forgot. Fireworks exploded, now to finish art and music for those who don’t have it. Venus shall practice singing and Alex shall head to the pipe organ. Also got Guidry to go and give another 1000 simoleans to the cause. Deal with it, ghost! You drop by every day so pay the dues!

And with that, everyone headed to bed. It’s time for-

Neighborhood Watch!

Henford-on-Bagley: The Vega household has moved in.

Another day, some more gardening to do for Alex. ...might as well also set up a slumber party. Alex is going to be spending most of his free time at chess so might as well work on other stuff.

...WELL. Geoffrey walked in on Bella autonomously flirting with Guidry. Uh, I declined getting him the jealous trait, but uh, negative sentiments time. Gonna have him yell at Bella for that. And...hmm. She does have a sad sentiment for betraying her partner. A smooth apology immedately cleared the negative sentiment though. Welp. But at least Geoffrey still has the fear of being cheated on. And Bella has the hurt sentiment from being yelled at. Anyway, Bella has a whim to do volunteer work so let’s let her and Geoffrey do some good deeds today. Comfortably compatible lifestyles sentiment for Geoffrey. Weeeeelp, so much for negative fallout from cheating. Except the fear.

Anyway, let’s see about getting started with Geoffrey’s aspiration. I don’t really care about expanding the family or finding new jobs for premades sooo...let’s see. Why don’t we have Mei Prescott go and befriend Bjorn Begersen. They’re both gloomy so why not? Huzzah! That worked! Let’s do one of those per day.

Had Geoffrey chat and talk to Venus, he wanted to mentor a child so perhaps teaching her about saying please and thank you and helping with homework would count.

It’s slumber party time! Instead of focusing on goals, I’m going to have Venus tell stories from the sleeping bag. It’s apart of her next aspiration stage after all! ...I am aboslutely chuckling about her telling the story about the Mother Plant though. Heheh. And that is done! Next is playing games. Sorry, chess table, you are now done and dusted and it is Simbles time! Simbles done. Now it’s past 1AM! It’s time for these kids to get some sleep. The biggest goal of a slumber party!

...I am honestly surprised Geoffrey is up this early in the morning. -shrug- Might as well have him befriend Kendall the butler.

And it’s 5AM. Finally time for-

Neighborhood Watch!

Eliza Pancakes in the Pancakes household has died. Eliza tried fixing the toilet and it randomly burst into flames!

-trumpets ring out- HALLELUJAH! For so long Bob has been dead and now it’s finally time for Eliza to join him. But also! It means I can do something new with that home. I have astronauts in Willow Creek and it feels slightly wrong to simply have the rocket ship not be a public utility. I’m going to get a community lot and make it into a maker space! And place a rocket ship on it.

Seiji Kato in the Kato household has died. Seiji stuck a finger in a plug and electricity came out.

...you I don’t know. RIP.

Gardening with Alex and making his own breakfast. Grind those skills! ...let’s end the slumber party slightly early because I want to go to school with Alexander today. Gold event so we get money and a new sleeping bag! Nice nice. Also I nabbed a graft off of the apple tree. Can’t give it to a cherry tree though, alas.

To school with Alexander! Finally filling up that social meter with him. Got to know his chess teammate Molly Prescott...and immedately became good friends with her. Welp, nicely done, I suppose. Huh. Got an invite to prom as friends with Molly. Might as well! We’ll see if I remember by prom time. WAIT, HE HAS A DATE. That sounds like a bad idea actually. Let’s uh, actually check in with Maria first. And give her a proper invite.

...but first, fishing. But I can bring Maria with me, at least. Asked her to prom and she accepted, very enthusiastically. Enough romance! Time to fish! I immediately spotted an angelfish pop up of a fishing hole I was interested in so let’s go!

So pro-tip, you can see fish swimming in where they can be caught.

IT WAS LITERALLY MY SECOND CAST! Game is being generous. 3 more casts of the fishing line to see what I get. Pffth, keep getting kitchen appliances and an apple. Anyway, let’s get some food and then we’ll head out to the magic realm.

...Molly walked up and asked to go to prom again! No! Well, now she has the hurt sentiment and Alex thinks she- wait no, we still have closer from happy memories sentiment. -shrug-

Also Tane Ngata decided to say eat right next to Alex at the small amusement park where I got supper for him, might as well say hello. He’s a fellow nerd so why not? And might as well convince him to join in the chess team.

And now, to the Magic Realm! ...and getting in there automatically finishes off the quest. Week done! That was quick. ...I am still in fear about the potental grafting issues that may come. Though pomegranate is not the rare plant I should worry about, I suppose. I know I can get that off of groceries.

Anyway, I got loads of fish! Let’s go home and set up a proper fish tank to showcase them in!

Fish tank all nice and set up. Will keep the Angelfish fresh until it’s time comes.

Bella needs rest. Alex needs rest. Venus needs to head back to bed so she can be ready for school but might as well make a friendship braclet while she’s still up. And then send her to bed. Geoffrey...eh, let’s just advise our butler to make friends. That’ll do.

Neighborhood Watch!

Izzy Fabulous in the Fabulous household has died. Izzy heard a dad joke and laughed a little too hard.

Aww man! Rip our fabulously gay and slightly famous guy.

Emilia Lucas in the Lucas household has died. Emilia asked a rabbit if it wanted a carrot, but the rabbit chose violence.

Anyway, that’s this week! A pretty easy one, all things considered. See you all next week for more fun!

#sims 4 #reaper's rewards #alexander goth #bella goth #geoffrey goth #geoffrey landgraab #venus goth

1 note · View note

chen-chen-chen-again-chen · 2 years ago

Text

OH OH YOUR WORDS HAVE MADE ME THINK A LOT OF THOUGHTS AND FEEL A LOT OF FEELINGS~

I think writers are naturally hypercritical of their own work. It makes sense because we're craftspeople - we want to make sure that the legs aren't wobbly, that the hems are finished properly, that the painting hangs straight. We have an intimate, inside view of our own processes and know how much of that is dark caves or weird branching tunnels or just endless rows of ????????

But readers (especially in the CO fandom!) tend to make the most generous assumptions. We want things to make sense and trust that they do; and if they don't, we tend to think that the fault is more with us as readers rather than with a story. Human beings, by and large, are wonderful at resolving cognitive dissonance, especially when we want certain outcomes. We want them to kiss! We want them to bang! We're not overly fussy about how they get there, just so jazzed when they do!

One of the biggest shifts in my writing from ten years ago to now is I am much more comfortable leaning into the "I don't know." Ten years ago, I thought, I MUST know where this is going, I MUST see every lighted step on this path before I can take a single step forward. (This made writing academic papers pure hell. Lots of weeping, anxiety, and watching Glee Project at four a.m.).

A lot of things helped me out of that. Becoming a writing tutor was probably one of the best things that ever happened to me; it forever changed how I think about the writing process, about giving and receiving feedback, about process vs. product, SO many things. I was lucky enough to have a very good film prof who always emphasized starting with questions rather than answers, so that we would be open to discovering things through the writing process. Facilitating writing circles was also a very good experience, and being able to talk with writers about the choices they were making and the effects that those choices created for the readers. Anne Lammott's Bird by Bird (shitty first drafts!) has been a touchstone that I go back to over and over again and I am constantly gifting this book to other writer friends, whether they are writing in academic circles or creatively or both.

I have a Google folder where I keep little notes called "Writing Lessons," which are really just more reminders for me. It's often things that I know or have forgotten and need reminding of again; I can post some on Tumblr sometime, if others would find them helpful.

One of those little notes is just this line from "The Snow Queen" by Hans Christian Andersen:

Attend!

We are now beginning. When we get to the end of the story we shall know more than we do now.

Anyway thanks for coming to my TED talk, I just had to blather all these things that your original post made me think of. Very excited to read more of The Vampire and the Boy in the Tower and Like We Had a Clue today!!!

sometimes i love when people explain to me things about my own stories. not only it's so cool that the act of reading requires active participation from the reader which means that different people find different meanings in the same story, but i love (though it also makes me feel stupid sometimes) when i'm bullshitting my way through shaky plot points without really trying to make sense of things, and then someone leaves a comment like “i love that you did this thing because [explains the plot point to me]” and i'm like YES. THANK YOU FOR ENLIGHTENING ME. NOW I KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN THIS STORY TOO!

#writing meta #creative process

34 notes · View notes

heyiwrotesomethings · 2 years ago

Note

make them requests 8

Fav author of mine, hello once again.

I would like to humbly request a shinobu x she/her reader, mafia (AU).The reader is an assassin that works for about anyone if they have the requirements<friends w shin>.(💵) Shinobu is against douma's gang because he killed Kanae. But douma wants to hire an assassin to kill shin ,so he turns to the reader but having work with her and knowing the reason she is after douma–not me hating his guts– so she declines. the bastard asked around and found some trustworthy sources that told him about the relationship between his enemy and the interesting assassin.

So in order to make both of the people he's after suffer, he kidnaps shinobu and sends a vid/photo /calls the reader to let her know what he will do to her if she doesn't come.And she goes to save her.

I shall leave the rest to your capable hands.

No Loose Ends

Shinobu Kochou x She/ Her Reader Modern AU

A/N: These two were similar so I combined them. Hope that was fine! I had fun writing this one. Sometimes I get a little discouraged because I don’t see any improvements in my overall writing ability but I feel like I can say pretty confidently that this turned out better than the original assassin fic I wrote so I hope you guys like it too! I’m not well versed in mafia knowledge or writing decent fight scenes, but I did my best. Hope y’all like it! ~~~ = the past. Warnings: Profanity, very brief mention of sexual activity, guns and murder, quite a bit of murder. Word Count: 8,239

“Took you long enough,” Shinobu teased from where she laid sprawled out upon the couch, a laptop resting on her stomach as she typed.

(Y/n) was sure if the other leaders within their circle knew that this was how their boss conducted her business in the privacy of her own home, they would probably throw a fit at how unprofessional she looked at that moment.

“Ew, don’t you dare track any blood and guts on that rug, I just bought that.” She added when she took a moment to look over the edge of her screen.

“Maybe if your buddy Tomioka could have provided me with a little more info, I would have been back earlier and a lot less messy than I am right now.” (Y/n) huffed, removing what she could of her blood soaked clothes in the entryway.

“I could use some help here.”

Shinobu rolled her eyes and put her laptop on the coffee table. She sat up and stretched, but made no move to actually stand.

“Just leave them on the tiles, I’ll call someone to dispose of them properly. As for Tomioka, I’ll tack an extra five grand to his bill. Does that seem fair?”

(Y/n) pretended to mull it over before nodding, a smirky kind of smile tugged at her lips at the thought of a bigger pay day.

“Yeah, that seems fair for my pain and suffering.”

“Good. Now go clean up so we can decide what to order for dinner. It’s late enough as it is, we’ll be lucky if anything good is still open.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll try to be quick.” (Y/n) tip-toed as fast as she could to the luxurious bathroom, happy to see that Shinobu seemed to have filled the tub in anticipation of her late arrival.

“Anything in particular you hope is open?” Shinobu called from the couch as (Y/n) finished undressing.

“You know what I like. I’ll be fine with whatever place you want.” (Y/n) called back.

“Okay!”

It was still kind of surreal to (Y/n) how she had ended up here. When she was younger, she had been living alone on the streets and reached a point where she decided she was through waiting for help that would never come. She decided she would start helping herself.

~~~

The first time she killed was when she had been followed down an alley by a tall, foreboding man. He pulled a knife on her, but she pulled hers quicker, slicing and stabbing until he slid to the ground.

Her heartbeat raced watching him choke on his own blood, but she was surprised not to feel any regret or panic at what she had done. It was no accident, she made sure no one saw them enter that alley, she planned to kill him if he tried to attack her, but she didn’t expect to feel as eerily calm as she did.

She took his cash, easily sellable items that weren’t personalized, made sure that there was nothing around tying her to the scene and then stealthily left the alley with what she estimated to be about eight hundred dollars.

She doesn’t remember the man’s face, but she does remember that her belly was full for the first time in months and she slept in a room where the door could lock and had an actual bed free of mites.

She was careful, but it didn’t take long before people came sniffing around. People on the streets talked, and if you suddenly had yourself a decent apartment and a little money to spare, they were going to find out why sooner or later. Fortunately, that only seemed to grant (Y/n) more opportunities.

She liked to call herself a freelancer in polite company. It wasn’t a lie, but people typically pictured journalism or photography when she said that, not an assassin for hire.

The life she had then was a far cry from what she knew as a young teenager. She had a business. Whether one would call it respectable or not was up for debate, but the money was good and a valid job never went unfinished.

It was through her work that she had first met Shinobu. The freshly appointed leader of her gang after the murder of her sister at the hands of a rival group. A cult of all things. (Y/n) recalled it had been raining.

“You’re the assassin.” Shinobu stated it as a matter of fact as she matched (Y/n)’s strides, marching beside her in the flooded sidewalk.

“And if you know that much, then you know the rules.” (Y/n) had quipped, not even glancing at Shinobu as she walked on. “You stop at one of my designated spots, leave your info and I contact you. Got it?”

“I don’t have time for that.” Shinobu persisted. “I need to make him pay, now.”

“Well I hate to break it to you sweetheart, but I have a system and not even you are special enough to override that. You want my help, you follow the rules.”

Shinobu growled and turned abruptly in front of (Y/n), blocking her path.

“I am the leader of the Kochou Clan, and you will listen to me or you will be very sorry!”

“Ah, you mean that Robin Hood group that steals from the rich to give to the poor? I find that rather hard to believe, threatening me like this. Doesn’t sound like something leader of a respectable group like that would say at all.” (Y/n) taunted.

“And why would you come here yourself if you truly are in such an important position? Why come here at all, even? You should have really had an underling come in your stead. Not very smart, nor safe.” She tisked. She tried to sidestep Shinobu, but she blocked her path again, fire burning in her eyes.

“Kanae, my sister, the last of my blood related family after our parents were killed in a car crash, the kindest person to ever walk the face of this shitty planet, was just slaughtered in cold blood. I’m not going to sit back and trust that it will all just work out. I—“ Shinobu shuddered under the cold rain, “—I can pay. I will pay you, give you anything you want I—“

“Alright just keep your voice down.” (Y/n) sighed and took off her heavy rain coat, throwing it over Shinobu’s head. “You’re freezing, we’ll talk inside.”

This was why (Y/n) had a system. So pretty girls didn’t come up to her close to tears on the sidewalk where just anyone could overhear and now she had brought her up to her apartment so now she knows where she lives. She may be an assassin, but she was not heartless. That was her weakness.

They talked until well into the morning. Shinobu gave (Y/n) all the information she had and they negotiated the terms of their contract. (Y/n) had to school her expression to one of neutrality when she heard Shinobu was willing to give her half a million dollars up front and another half a million upon completing the job. There was no back and forth counter offers, that was just her first unprompted offer.

“That’s a lot of money.” (Y/n) stated the obvious, mostly because she was stunned into silence otherwise. It was all she could bring herself to say.

“For justice for my sister, it is nothing.” Shinobu replied.

(Y/n) rubbed tiredly at her face. She couldn’t believe she was going to say what she would next.

“I’m not taking a million dollars.”

Shinobu opened her mouth, to either cuss her out or raise the offer, (Y/n) didn’t wait to listen.

“I am not taking a million dollars because that’s insane. You use that money to help people. Your people do good things with that money and I’ve seen lives turned around since you guys started up. This bastard that killed your sister,” (Y/n) could really not believe what she was saying right now,

“I’ll kill him for free.”

Shinobu was insulted and refused at first, but in the end (Y/n) had convinced her that it would be a shame to have Kanae’s hard work wasted on an already well off assassin. That money had to go to people who really needed it.

Instead, Shinobu promised to give her no shortage of jobs. As pure as her gang’s intentions were, their means were very much not. She had many connections that could benefit from the help of an assassin. They shook on it and the deal had been struck.

It took about three months to find the man that had gunned down Kanae, and (Y/n) recognized him. A competitor in her line of business. She could have simply killed him. All Shinobu wanted was the head of her sister’s killer, but this man wasn’t the one who wanted her dead, he had simply pulled the trigger.

She tortured him until he squealed the name of the man who called for the hit.

“Douma!” He cried, “It was Douma of the Eternal Paradise Cult! I don’t know what else to tell you! He’s never even let me see his face!”

Douma, (Y/n) had heard of him. He was a very illusive man, however. Even if he wanted to meet with someone, the hoops he’d make them jump through were no joke. He was careful, calculated, and apparently wanted the whole Kochou Clan destroyed if the little wrinkled and outdated photo of Shinobu she found in the other assassin’s pocket was anything to go by.

She put the unfortunate conduit of Douma’s demands out of his misery and took his head back to Shinobu, telling her all that she could.

Shinobu sat stone-faced as she absorbed the information. She nodded robotically when (Y/n) asked her if she was okay. She had known that someone wanted her dead, but having it all laid out before her, to have a name, it was a lot.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet.” (Y/n) shook her head. “The job isn’t complete.”

“You killed the man who killed my sister. That was all I asked of you.” Shinobu reminded.

“He was only doing the job he had been given. Douma is the one who wanted Kanae dead. I don’t like loose ends and…”

And… (Y/n) had grown far too attached. Douma would find out that his hired gun was dead and he’d search for another. Shinobu’s life would be in jeopardy until Douma was dead.

(Y/n) hadn’t expected Shinobu to rush in to kiss her in that moment she paused, but she did. And (Y/n) certainly wasn’t stopping her. Maybe it was adrenaline from earlier, maybe all that teasing and flirting over the past three months had been leading up to this, but it seemed to mean more to Shinobu than just a way to forget about Douma’s plan for her.

(Y/n) knew she was in trouble the moment Shinobu came to her in the rain. Even then as she eagerly kissed Shinobu back and let herself be pushed into the gang leader’s bedroom, alarm bells sounded in her head as she broke all the rules she had so carefully placed for herself.

Don’t stray from the system.

Don’t form attachments with clients.

Certainly don’t sleep with clients.

And never ever ever fall in love.

~~~

Yeah, I’m in much too deep. (Y/n) thought to herself as she scrubbed, watching the water turn pink around her.

That had been over three years now, they had become lovers, moved in together, just decided to get engaged last week… it would have seemed like a happy ending if not for the dark cloud that still hung over their heads.

Still not a single helpful lead to find Douma after years of searching. In that time, (Y/n) had stopped eleven other attempts on Shinobu’s life. All the information she gleaned from the assassins completely contradicted each other, leaving Douma virtually untraceable. He definitely knew someone was trying to find him through these hired guns.

Some people had systems and knew how to stick to them it would seem, she thought bitterly.

Once she was clean, she drained and rinsed out the tub and put on some comfy clothes. She flopped onto the couch beside Shinobu and kissed her cheek.

Shinobu hummed, looking up from her phone’s food tracking app to appraise (Y/n)’s blood-free appearance.

“For as attractive as it is to see you splattered with the blood of our enemies, this is much better,” She kissed the assassin softly, “welcome home.”

“Happy to be home.” (Y/n) smiled wrapping her arms around Shinobu’s waist.

***

(Y/n) woke in the early afternoon, happy to see that Shinobu was still dozing beside her. She traced the colorful tattoos along Shinobu’s back with her eyes. An array of butterflies, dragonflies and flowers. Her gaze lingered on the largest butterfly that rested high against Shinobu’s shoulder blade. She had gotten that one done for Kanae. It was frustrating to think that they were no closer to avenging her death.

“I can feel you staring.” Shinobu grumbled, she took a deep breath as she flipped over. Her eyes remained closed as she tried to hold onto sleep, she slung her arm behind the assassin’s back, running her fingers up and down its length.

“Sleep another hour at least.”

“I’m supposed to meet a potential client at four.” (Y/n) reminded.

Shinobu hooked a leg around over (Y/n)’s hip to illustrate how much she disliked the reminder.

“I need to get ready,” she kissed the top of Shinobu’s head, “The sooner I’m done, the sooner I get back.”

“Fine.” Shinobu sighed and slipped her limbs off of (Y/n)’s body, cracking an eye open to watch her fiancée (Fiancée! She was still getting used to the word.) slip out of the bed.

(Y/n) hovered over her and gave her a quick kiss before pulling back.

“I love you, I’ll be back soon.”

“Love you too.” Shinobu mumbled through a sleepy smile. She buried her head into (Y/n)’s pillow and went back to sleep.

(Y/n) looked down at her adoringly for a moment more before getting ready for her meeting clear across the city.

***

(Y/n) went to sit at the chosen park bench overlooking the pond, and waited. If the client didn’t make an approach in another ten minutes, the window would close and she could leave, but a girl with long white hair came to sit beside her only a couple minutes later.

“What’s the job?” (Y/n) asked.

“My boss is particular. He’ll want to see you himself before he commits to your services.”

“Then he should have come.” (Y/n) shrugged.

Never let a stranger take you to a second location. That was just a general rule everyone should follow.

The girl reached into her pocket and (Y/n) pinned her wrist.

“Do not start pulling out cash here.” She warned.

“Listen, if my boss doesn’t get to talk to you, it’s my head on the line. You can search me, the car, hold a gun to my head on the way there, I don’t care. Just come.”

“Now I know it’s not that simple. If your boss won’t come here himself, he’s not going to like me knowing where he lives.”

“The location is off the grid. Even he’s never been there before.”

(Y/n) leaned against the bench and blew out a heavy sigh. This situation had bad idea written all over it. Yet something was telling her to go, and not just her conscious feeling bad for the girl playing messenger. She mentally apologized to Shinobu. This would probably take longer than she had previously estimated.

“What do I call you?”

“Call Me Daki.”

“Alright Daki, let’s get this over with.”

(Y/n) couldn’t believe she was doing this. She followed Daki to her car, noting the crisp license plates and fresh paint job. Whoever Daki’s boss was, was dangerously cunning and did not cut corners.

She’d need to be thinking three steps ahead or more with a guy like that. Curse her gut, she should have just listened to her brain.

Daki drove out of the city and into the mountains. That drive alone took three hours. Then she turned onto a gravel road and went on that for another half hour before stopping at a scenic outlook that looked like it stopped being maintained a decade ago. She parked next to the only other car in the lot. The only other car they had seen since they turned onto the gravel road.

“Get out.” Daki said, unbuckling her seatbelt and stepping out of the driver seat.

(Y/n) did, and found two men waiting on her side to pat her down and she tensed. She heard a laugh a ways off behind her.

“Don’t worry, you can keep your weapons. It’s just a formality, really.”

Against her better judgment, she listened to the man and allowed herself to be pat down. The men looked over her head shaking their heads at whoever was behind her.

“Aw, really? No phone?” The voice was closer now. “Why not?”

“Phones are traceable, personal.” (Y/n) replied simply, schooling her expression, she did not turn to face the man.

“Aren’t you smart. You haven’t even turned to face me yet. Afraid I won’t let you leave alive otherwise?”

“After all the effort you went through to get me out in the middle of nowhere? I’m considering it a possibility.”

The man giggled.

“You, I like you.”

A large, well manicured hand rested on (Y/n)’s shoulder.

“Seems like my sources are right, you are the real deal, and the real deal is what I need. Come now, turn for me, I want to see the face of the best assassin in the city, maybe even the country. I could never imagine killing such a fascinating human being.”

(Y/n) didn’t need to decide if she should turn, the man did it for her with surprising strength. She was met with vibrant eyes the color of rainbows, long hair so blonde it was more apt to call it white, but it seemed natural compared to Daki’s.

“Breathtaking,” the man crooned, “come sit, we have much to discuss.”

It was almost comical really, sitting down at a card thin folding table and a couple of camping chairs to discuss killing someone.

“Bring the cases, would you boys?”

The men that had frisked (Y/n) placed two hefty looking suitcases onto the table. Quite frankly, she was surprised the table hadn’t folded under their combined weight.

The men opened them with a motion from their boss and (Y/n) had to stop her eyebrows from noticeably shooting upward.

“Two million dollars.” The man boasted. “You may count it if you’d like.”

“I’m good. You haven’t even told me what the job is yet.”

“Ah, look at me jumping ahead! Of course, of course. I have to say you have me nervous. Looking at all this money without batting an eye… does ten million sound more appealing? Boys, pop the trunk.”

“That won’t be necessary. Target and specifications of how you want the job done first. Monetary negations last. That is, if we get that far.”

“So mean.”

The man pouted, though (Y/n) didn’t buy it for a second. For as expressive and eccentric as the man appeared to act, it all seemed to be… well, an act.

“I’ll weasel into your heart yet, my lady. Five million up front, five million after the deed is done. All you have to do, is kill this girl. Now, the photo is outdated unfortunately, she’s probably in her twenties by now…”

It took everything (Y/n) had to keep an impassive expression. She tilted her head and scrutinized the picture as if laying eyes on it the first time, but it would be the thirteenth time now that she had seen the same old, grainy photocopied school picture of Shinobu.

After years of dead ends, Douma had sought her out himself and was unknowingly propositioning her to kill her fiancée.

She could kill him, she could kill him right now. Except… his men were armed, Daki as well. She had seen the glint of guns in the forest as the sky turned orange. If she died killing Douma, Shinobu would bring her back to life and kill her herself.

She waited for Douma to finish his rambling, pretending to mull over how to proceed. She sighed and closed her eyes.

“Sorry, but I’ll have to decline.”

“Huh?” Douma blinked owlishly, “But why?”

“This either isn’t worth my time, or you are leaving important details out. I don’t understand why you would offer ten million for the death of a single woman.”

“Why does anyone do anything?” He moaned, slumping in his chair, “The Kochou Clan has been stealing my followers for years. Offering them money and resources when they have no where else to go, when all they have to do is come to me for salvation. They were really getting on my nerves.

Then they even took my dear Kotoha away from me when she went begging. Offering her the money she needed to take herself and her little boy far away without a trace. She thought me a monster, but what monster takes in a teen mother and expects nothing in return? She wasn’t very bright that one, so quick to overreact.“

Douma decided to lean in over the table instead, staring at (Y/n) with his big, empty eyes. Whatever Kotaha saw in this man, (Y/n) had no doubt she had every right to flee.

“I’ll admit, you’ll be the thirteenth assassin I will have had sent her way, thus the pay. Surely you would relish a challenge such as this. Is it still not worth your time?”

(Y/n) forced her voice to remain even, uninterested.

“No. I’m sorry. This just isn’t the job for me.”

“Why not?” Douma whined once more, flopping against the table.

“Because it sounds boring, frankly.” (Y/n) stood. “Will your friend over there drive me back to the city or do I have to find my own way back?” She bravely asked.

Douma giggled and shook his head in disbelief.

“You really won’t do it?”

(Y/n) fixed him with a stony look and let the question hang in the air.

“You are truly fascinating. I can’t get a read on you at all. Just what are you thinking in there? Who are you?”

“I’m sure you know as well as I, sharing that kind of information is the exact kind of thing that gets you killed.”

Douma bit down on his lower lip. Had he finally met his match? He wanted to know everything about this woman and he wanted to know now, but the chase would be good. He could wait.

“If you insist, then I guess we are done here,” he turned to Daki, “Take the lady where she wants to go, Daki. Get her back safely and you can keep your head.”

“Yes sir.”

As (Y/n) opened the passenger seat door and got into the car, Douma leaned down to look at her through the window and fogged the glass up with his breath. He drew a little heart in the steam and (Y/n) suppressed a shudder.

“I hope I’ll see you again soon, lucky number thirteen. I’ll be thinking about you.”

(Y/n) turned her head away and muttered to Daki.

“Could you just fucking drive already.”

“Shut up.”

Douma stepped away from the car and into his own. Before Daki could fully pull out (Y/n) could see him waving at her through his window.

Even now as Daki drove her back down the mountain she had to keep her cool. Had to act like she hadn’t just let Douma slip right through her fingers. She just had to keep chanting to herself that they had a face to go with the name. They would figure out how to proceed together.

“I can’t believe you turned him down like that.” Daki said for maybe the eighth time as she sped down the mountain. “You’re insane.”

“Can you tell me something Daki, does he usually let people who deny him get this far?” (Y/n) asked, watching the heart fade from the window.

Daki was quiet a minute, but shook her head.

“No, he doesn’t.”

Well, at least she had that going for her. He liked her for some fucked up reason.

When Daki got back to the city the sky was pitch dark and the street lamps shined like stars. So much for a quick meeting, but Shinobu would understand soon enough.

She directed Daki to the same park they had met and waited for her to drive off and waited twenty minutes more to monitor her surroundings and check her clothes for bugs and trackers.

Then she took the longest, twisty, back and forth path home that she possibly could. Traveling on foot, taking a bus several stops ahead of home, getting on a train to head in a totally different direction. She entered bars just to get swarmed in a sea of dancing bodies and disappear out the back door.

When all was said and done, it was about three in the morning when she allowed herself to slip into the backyard of her house and she almost had a heart attack when she found herself at the business end of one of Shinobu’s bodyguards’ pistol.

The young recruit apologized profusely upon realizing it was her and ushered her inside, warning her that Shinobu was not at all in a good mood before running back outside.

“Shinobu?” (Y/n) called out tentatively.

Now back at home, certain she hadn’t been followed or bugged, she felt exhausted.

She heard quick steps thudding against the carpet of the next room over and Shinobu came in like a charging bull.

“Where the fuck have you been? Quick meeting my ass, the sun has been down for hours!”

“Shinobu,” (Y/n) took Shinobu’s balled up fists in her hands, trying to hide the tremble in them, but of course Shinobu knew right away that something had happened and turned her hands over and held (Y/n) back.

“What, what is it?” She whispered hurriedly, matching (Y/n)’s volume.

“Shinobu, I found him.”

Shinobu froze. She needed no elaboration on who ‘he’ was.

(Y/n) sat her down and told her what had happened from the moment she met Daki to the moment she snuck into the back of their house.

Shinobu was deathly silent throughout (Y/n)’s story until she finished talking. She looked over the assassin, and pulled her steepled fingers away from her lips.

“Are you done?” She asked, voice low.

“Ye— ow!”

“What the fuck were you thinking?”Shinobu smacked (Y/n) again and would have gone for a third if (Y/n) hadn’t caught her wrist.

“He could have killed you!”

“But he didn’t and now we at least have a face to go with a name.”

“And now you are on his radar. Damn it, (Y/n) if I lose you too-“

“That’s not going to happen.”

“You don’t know that!”

(Y/n) pulled Shinobu into her arms, Shinobu hugged back, tugging at her shirt.

“We’re in this together just as before. Nothing has really changed. You have my back and I have yours. Whether he comes after us or we get to him first, it doesn’t matter. We’re gonna kill him, and then we’re gonna get married and not have to think about that bastard ever again.”

Shinobu breathed deeply and released a shaky exhale from her lungs, still holding the assassin as close as she could.

“He’s going to push harder now you know. I don’t imagine he’s the type to let an outsider of the cult see his face without some repercussions.” Shinobu murmured.

“He isn’t.” (Y/n) agreed. “But I think this is new territory for him. He just strayed from his system for the first time in who knows how long. He’s opening himself up to making mistakes. He’s just a man, he’s only human.”

Shinobu pulled back slightly to look her in the eyes. She stroked (Y/n)’s cheek and gave a smile that did not reach her eyes.

“I hope you’re right.”

***

The next few weeks were tense. Everything seemed to go on as normal but the couple knew better than to think they were in the clear.

The gang was put on high alert. Whether it was to search covertly for Douma’s location, providing protection for their boss and her bride to be, or making sure their investments and businesses kept running like a well-oiled machine, everyone was busy.

Shinobu would not let (Y/n) go out to take any jobs, worried that she would cross paths with Douma again. It was bad enough spending years with a bounty on her own head, but the thought of (Y/n) being in danger was unbearable.

She knew that (Y/n)’s profession had never been safe, of course she did, but Douma and his followers were not an average gang. It was a cult. They treated him like a god. Such devotion Shinobu was sure, was built on a foundation of fear rather than respect. And fear made people desperate, unpredictable. They would do anything, even if it was to their detriment, if they thought it would please him.

Shinobu felt like she was playing an intense game of Battleship. With all the information passing hands, she was sure it was only a matter of time before someone got a hit.

She closed her laptop, leaned back against the headboard of the bed and massaged her face in her hands. Beside her, (Y/n) slept. She looked down at her, smiling faintly.

They were meant to go to one of the warehouses tonight in the cover of darkness to deal with some complications, but Shinobu didn’t want to wake her since it had been hard for either of them to sleep well recently.

She pulled the blanket more snuggly over (Y/n)’s shoulders and quietly slipped out of bed. She left the safe house they had been moved to a week prior and she was flanked by guards as she entered the backseat of her car. Her guards filed in around her and they drove off of the property and down the dark, rural road.

The drive to the warehouse was uneventful. They rolled up to the building and the driver parked, turned the car off,

And was promptly shot in the head through the windshield.

The guard in the backseat with Shinobu pushed her down and took out his gun, shooting in the direction the bullet had come from while the guard in the passenger seat attempted to start the car up again so they could escape.

Unfortunately they were already surrounded, and before Shinobu knew it, she was being dragged out of the car, soaked in the blood of her people. She struggled against the hold fruitlessly until she was dropped unceremoniously to the ground in front of a pair of shiny black shoes.

The floodlights turned on with a loud mechanical twang and Shinobu’s jaw was tilted upward with a large, smooth hand. She was met with rainbow eyes and a sharp, sparkling smile.

Shinobu grit her teeth, blood boiling. So this was the man responsible for ordering the death of her sister.

“What a fire in your eyes,” Douma chuckled, turning Shinobu’s head in his hand until she yanked her head away. Douma giggled.

“I’ve been having others chasing after you for quite sometime. I’m flabbergasted by how easy this little operation of mine has gone. I guess that old saying is right. If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.” He said with delight, but then he pouted.

“But where is the assassin, your fiancée?”

“Go fuck yourself.” Shinobu hissed.

“So vulgar. Come on now, I don’t want to hurt her. She fascinates me in ways I have never felt. When my sources had found that she was engaged, and to you no less, it was not a good feeling.”

Douma motioned for his followers to bring Shinobu to her feet.

“I’ve waited for your head for years, I can wait a little longer to slice you open if it means (Y/n) will come to me… Ooo, hand that here, Gyutaro.”

Shinobu’s phone had fallen out of her pocket in the scuffle and the man Douma had addressed picked it up and tossed it to him.

“This is going to be so much fun.” Douma grinned.

***

(Y/n) awoke with a start and felt around the bed for her phone, frowning as she realized Shinobu was no longer resting with her. She managed to find the phone under her pillow and was bewildered to find that Shinobu was attempting to FaceTime her.

She sat up and turned on the lamp on the bedside table, then she accepted the call.

“There she is!”

(Y/n)’s blood ran cold and Douma kept talking.

“I understand why you turned me down now. Your impassiveness in the face of a man asking you to kill someone you are supposed to love… was that an act or did you truly feel nothing. I need to know.”

“Where is Shinobu?” (Y/n) seethed, gripping her phone tightly in her hand.

“Alive, for now. See for yourself!” Douma flipped the camera onto Shinobu, feet tied, hands behind her back presumably tied as well. She was splattered with blood, but (Y/n) didn’t think it was hers. She was roughed up, but alive just as Douma promised.

“Say hi, Kochou!” Douma waved cheerfully off camera.

“(Y/n), you stay far away from here, do you hear me?”

“What a rude thing to say!” Douma said aghast, flipping the camera back around, “I’m sorry, (Y/n). You’re fiancée has been so grumpy since we’ve met up. I’m sure she doesn’t mean it.”

His eyes looked cold as ice despite his easygoing expression.

“We’re waiting for you at the warehouse. I’m sure you know which one. If you want to keep her alive, get here within the next hour. We have a lot to discuss. Bye-bye!”

The call disconnected and (Y/n) launched out of bed to prepare her weapons. If Douma thought this was going to be some friendly little get together, he was dead wrong.

“Surround the place. Be discreet and for the love of god you better have them taken care of by the time I have to act or we’re all going to be dead.” She spoke hurriedly over the phone while she snapped a full magazine into a second handgun.

“It’ll be done. Good luck.”

“I’ll need it. Thanks Tomioka, consider your bill paid in full.” She hung up, strapped her weapons in, and ran to the garage. She threw her leg over the Ducati and turned the key. It wouldn’t be a quiet arrival, but she had wasted too much time already. She needed something fast and small to weave through any possible traffic.

She rocketed through the streets to the warehouse. Douma’s people took aim at her, but Douma held his hand up, motioning them not to shoot, but simply keep their guards up.

“What an entrance!” He clapped.

“Where is she?” (Y/n) tromped over in Douma’s direction, until she heard a couple guns get cocked by itchy trigger fingers.

“Inside with her little worker bees, safe and sound I assure you.” He grinned, “Come, come, let’s talk.”

“Anything you have to say, you can say it right here.”

“Why the rush? Didn’t you miss me? I thought we had a spark before.”

“You kidnapped my fiancée, killed good people and you’re holding more hostage. I’m not in the mood for pleasantries over tea.”

Douma blinked, then he looked behind him to a beautifully set table, then back at (Y/n) with a pout.

“But it’ll grow cold.”

(Y/n) took her time looking around. There were fourteen cultists milling about that she could see, checking the perimeter or watching her interaction with their leader, and standing outside the warehouse.

She could only imagine more were inside watching the hostages and she had planned on more hanging out in the surrounding woods. If things started popping off outside, she worried what orders the cultists inside might have been given.

“I’m cold. Bring it inside if you want to have tea with me so badly.” She snapped, nearly making Douma swoon.

He looked behind him and with a snap of his fingers, two of the people began moving the table inside. Then he gestured for (Y/n) to walk ahead.

Upon entering the warehouse her eyes scanned for Shinobu immediately and found her propped against the back wall. Their eyes met, and Shinobu looked furious as well as scared, but she did not speak up. Not wanting to escalate the situation.

The warehouse workers looked shaken, but otherwise fine. There were only five of Douma’s followers here including the two that brought in the table. A much more manageable number. Giyuu would still need time before he’d be ready to signal, but when he did, she was fairly confident that if she strategized her blows, she could kill the armed cultists before they could think to take aim at Shinobu or the workers.

She sat down in the seat that would allow her to keep an eye on Shinobu and the workers, but unfortunately that left her back facing the doors. It was a risk she was willing to take.

Douma sat across from her looking very pleased with himself and motioned for one of his followers to make his tea.

“How do you prefer yours?” He asked.

“It’s fine as is. Tell me what it is

you want from me.”

Douma sighed dreamily and rested his chin in his hand.

“I think I have a solution that everyone will favor.”

(Y/n) waited from him to continue. Subtly looking just passed his head to see Shinobu making use of the attention being off of her. She seemed to have found something to work at her bindings with. (Y/n) rolled her eyes at Douma, bringing her attention away from Shinobu so she wouldn’t be caught. Douma continued you talk, seemingly none the wiser.

“You stay by my side and work for me, and I’ll allow Miss Kochou to live against my own wishes and she may continue her work with ninety-five percent of her yearly profits reserved for me, but should you fail me,” he made a cutting motion over his neck and playfully stuck out his tongue, “I’ll make her death so much worse than a simple bullet through the brain like what her dear sister got.” He giggled.

“See, I can be reasonable.”

“And you think I’ll agree just like that?”

“I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t. I’m being very generous. I’ve never felt like this before. I’m breaking all my rules for you.” He said, sliding his hand across the table in an attempt to rest it on top of (Y/n)’s. Before he could, a thunderous bang of a gunshot rang from outside.

(Y/n) flipped the table and pulled a gun, firing it in rapid succession to kill the man beside Shinobu fumbling for his gun and the two walking amongst the kneeling warehouse workers.

She hissed as a bullet grazed her arm, dodging just before it could do any real damage. She rolled and took another shot at the remaining men covering their eerily calm boss. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Shinobu hacking away at the ropes on her ankles with a jagged piece of metal.

The doors were thrown open, but (Y/n) could see it was someone from Douma’s cult. She aimed for the fuse box, casting the warehouse in darkness, causing some of the warehouse workers to shriek.

She ran in the direction Shinobu had been in and whispered her name, searching.

“Here.” Shinobu whispered back.

(Y/n) reached her hand out and found Shinobu’s she squeezed it before sliding her gun into Shinobu’s hand and pulled out another.

“Are you okay? All untied?”

“Yeah, what’s the plan?”

“I hear ‘em!”

Bullets rained from the opening between the doors and (Y/n) used the light from the doorway to shoot at their silhouettes.

“Tomioka’s group is our backup. We have to hunt down Douma before he escapes.”

“Really, you called Tomioka?” Shinobu had the nerve to complain, shooting at another silhouette that was taking aim.

“I didn’t exactly have time to give everyone a courtesy call. Come on!” (Y/n) pulled on Shinobu’s free hand and stumbled through the dark building in the direction they had last seen Douma and his followers go.

They could hear footsteps clanging against metal steps overhead. Not wanting to waste any time, (Y/n) aimed above her head and took a shot, causing someone to yell. There was a scuffle and a body was thrown to the ground, making room for Douma and his remaining man to keep running.

(Y/n) and Shinobu kept following as best they could from the ground listening closely to the clattering feet above. As they continued further into the bowels of the warehouse, the steps above became more echoey and it made it harder to know which way to go.

Then the metal clangs stopped, causing Shinobu and (Y/n) to freeze.

Then there was a mechanical humming noise, a generator presumably. Row by row, the lights turned back on, causing the couple to shield their eyes from the sudden brightness.

“Peek-a-boo!” Douma sang, aiming a shot at Shinobu.

(Y/n) pushed Shinobu, both narrowly missing the bullets that came their way. They took shelter behind a couple concrete support beams.

“I think you’ve upset me, (Y/n), I really think you have.” Douma called peering down from the catwalk.

“I’ve been nothing but accommodating to you.”

“You’re delusional.” (Y/n) yelled back, tossing a fresh magazine to Shinobu.

“I’m going to have to retract my previous offer. I think Miss Shinobu will have an awful time now because of your obstinance.”

“Oh go fuck yourself!” Shinobu fired three shots, she clipped Douma’s follower in the side, but missed Douma completely. She quickly took cover before either of the men above could shoot her.

“Such a mouth! Was the rest of your family so tasteless?” Douma taunted.

Before Shinobu could do something more brash, a volley of bullets came from the direction of the main entrance.

There was a millisecond where (Y/n) thought that this was going to be the end, but then she heard Tomioka barking orders and a wave of relief washed over her.

Giyuu’s gang shot out the chains that held the catwalk, causing Douma and his follower to fall to the ground, not far enough to kill them, but they certainly had broken bones.

Someone shot the follower dead before he could lunge for his gun and (Y/n) shot twice, once to shoot Douma in the hand and again to blast the gun he had dropped away.

Giyuu signaled his group to hold fire as (Y/n) and Shinobu approached Douma together, guns aimed straight at his head.

Douma tried to move, but the fall must have done something to his back or pelvis, as he could do little more than raise his torso up on his elbows. Blood oozed from the top of his head, running down his face, but he kept a smile all the same, seemingly more fascinated by the state he was in than fearful.

“Am I… dying?” Douma chuckled disbelievingly, then it became a small coughing fit.

“Looks like it.” (Y/n) replied bluntly.

“How is this happening? I always get what I want… I’m a god.” He didn’t sound angry or indignant. Just mildly bewildered.

“You’re a man lower than dirt who did everything he could to stay hidden in shadow. Having your followers do all the dirty work.” Shinobu sneered, pressing the barrel of her gun to Douma’s forehead.

“I don’t know what went through your mind that made you think you were suddenly invincible after all this time, but I’m ever so glad for your hubris.”

Douma giggled, Shinobu dug the gun harder against his skull.

“You two,” he wheezed, his hazy eyes switching between Shinobu and (Y/n), “you two make me feel things I’ve never felt. I wish I had a name to put with this strange sensation. I’ve been chasing it since I met you, (Y/n). Perhaps one day, we’ll meet again in hell? Start fresh?”

“Shinobu, you can take your shot whenever you want, love.” (Y/n) said, ignoring Douma. “Unless you want to finish him some other way, but I’d be quick about it. He’s fading fast.”

“I’ve dreamed of this opportunity and I’ve probably imagined him dying a thousand different ways.” Shinobu muttered.

“But I’m tired. A nobody like him doesn’t deserve some grand, notable death. A quick bullet to the brain to avenge my dear sister. Then he shall be cremated and buried in an unmarked grave. Perhaps a scrapyard or a desert… somewhere desolate. I don’t want his ashes to dare nourish a single seed. I want no part of him feeding back into the cycle of life in any capacity.”

“Whatever you like my dear. I’ll see to it personally.” (Y/n) assured.

Douma took an intake of air, but Shinobu didn’t care to hear anymore of whatever he had to say. She took her shot, and it was over.

(Y/n) wrapped her good arm around Shinobu’s shoulders and placed a soft kiss against her hair. Shinobu leaned against her in turn, a shuttered exhale escaped her lips.

The Eternal Paradise Cult’s ‘God’ lay broken on the concrete, never to rise again.

***

That night had been a massacre. There was no way around that. Fortunately all of the warehouse workers survived, but the trauma they faced would undoubtedly follow them for possibly the rest of their lives. Shinobu gave them a dragons’ share of money for their ordeal, but she knew it would only go so far.

There was also the matter of the gang members she had lost. That had hit particularly hard. They were good people. She knew that the money she gave those families would never fill the whole that had been left, but it was all she had to give along with her sincerest apologies.

Then there were the cultists. Though they had followed Douma’s word, they were still human. Naïve, lonely humans with nowhere to turn. Shinobu commissioned a memorial to be built in place of the warehouse. It took a lot of research to find the names of all those that had been lost, but to Shinobu it had been worth it. It was purely for them. Douma’s name and visage were not included.

She had read a news clipping about the surviving cultists who had been left behind at the compound. Their feelings in the matter were… complicated. Shinobu could sympathize with that.

Then there was Douma himself. The authorities never found his body, obviously. He was cleaned up and discreetly cremated. Shinobu left the ashes to (Y/n) to take care of. She didn’t want to know where his ashes were as a final insult. All she needed to know was the he was a forgotten pile of dust in an unforgiving landscape and that would be good enough for her.

And as good a job as Shinobu and Giyuu’s gangs did cleaning things up and squaring things away, the authorities simply could not let a mass casualty event such as that go unchecked.

Tomioka managed to duck under the radar, but the remaining cultists made sure to drag Shinobu’s name through the mud. Again, she didn’t grudge them that, but it did make things a little difficult.

She liquidated what assets she could, giving what she couldn’t to her most trusted allies who she knew would carry on her mission, her sister’s dream.

And then she fled the country.

Shinobu took another sip of the refreshingly sweet cocktail she had purchased, sitting comfortably in a beach chair under the shade of a palm tree while she people watched.

She heard someone plop into the vacant chair beside her with a tired groan and she smiled, tilting her sunglasses to rest on the top of her head. She had been waiting for (Y/n) to make the flight to their new home all week.

“So where did you put him?”

“Oh you know, somewhere indistinguishable from the scorching sand I buried him under. Didn’t leave the urn. Wouldn’t even know how to find the spot again in a billion years.” (Y/n) shared with a yawn. “Ugh, this jetlag is killing me.”

“Aww, my poor baby.” Shinobu cooed, offering (Y/n) some of her drink. “Think you’ll be be better in time for the wedding or should we push it back a couple days?”

“What? No way, I’m tired of waiting.” (Y/n) stretched back against the chair, the scar on her arm poking out of the sleeve of her t-shirt. “I’m ready to be Mrs… whatever fake name we got saddled with.”

“Me too.” Shinobu hummed in agreement.

“It is nice here, don’t you think?”

“How would you know, you just got here and you can barely keep your eyes open.” Shinobu joked.

“Any place I get to be with you is nice.” (Y/n) yawned again, unable to keep her eyes open any longer.

“Aren’t you sweet.” Shinobu laughed. She watched (Y/n) sleep for a bit before turning her attention back to the surf, feeling as light as the foam rolling in on the waves.

#demon slayer oneshots #kny oneshots #demon slayer x reader #kny x reader #shinobu kocho x reader #shinobu kochou x reader #shinobu x reader #shinobu kocho #shinobu kochou #requests #anonymous

170 notes · View notes