#it won’t ever happen but PLEASE

[maydaydiaz]

once again begging them to give eddie jewellery

[siflshonen]

Katsuki Bakugo, I miss you so much.

[anto-pops]

My wallet got stolen from work today and I gave myself a migraine from crying so hard for the past 2 hours lol

[hulloitsdani]

The ways in which I can make book 4 a bad time for Kiran Fire Emblem

[itaipava]

i used to be a big danny ric fan, but i’ve just gotten like a major ick from him, especially after the noises and distractions stint. i’m honestly so happy you said something, cuz i’ve lowkey been afraid too.

same!! like before saying this, he had already said some disgusting things that made me really uncomfortable, but the noises and distractions were the worst. i was very frustrated and upset, because i really liked him and i never expected that from him. but now i know who he really is and his true colors and that’s more than enough for me to stop following him.

[jounosparticles]

do you think you'll survive if we see tecchou and jouno reunite

i guarantee i will be 10000x more annoying on here for at least a month when they do. catch me with numerous theories and a super long analysis of every single panel. catch me posting the same panels over and over with different variations of me being super excited over it. i will explode out of pure joy!!!!

if we don’t get a reuniting scene my wrath will be known. there’s no way we Don’t get one. several chapters took place where tetchou fought to find jouno which asserted it as an important event you know? it would feel like a loose end if they didn’t give them proper closure on finding and just moved on.

im also hoping bones didn’t skip over it or something and that we see it adapted next season. i’d actually be heartbroken if we don’t get their uniting animated as well </3

ANYWAYS TLDR i will actually grow wings and fly around happily if they reunite on screen and will sob if they don’t

[honeykyeom]

hey! please don’t do this!

[tariah23]

Outside of all of… that happening to Gojo, and finishing Snowfall the other day, eek……..

[nefelibata-cloud]

a thought came to my head the other day and it hasn’t left…

so basically, diluc has been stuck in his office working since before the break of dawn. you decide to poke your head in at around lunch and give him a little shoulder and back massage. you had done this before, and even though he never said anything but a simple “thank you,” you could tell it sorta rejuvenated him. so you tried to do it everyday. your man is working non stop and constantly on the grind, he deserves a nice massage!

later that night, you visit him at Angel Share, and when you walk in he calls you over to the bar. taking a seat, he takes a hold of your hands and starts massaging them as he asks about your day, listening attentively. it’s subtle, and so very sweet.

diluc cherishes you, and loves your hands for how attentive they are to his sore and tight muscles. you try and give him a massage every chance you get. he loves your massages, but he knows with the amount of kinks and tight muscles in his neck alone that your hands must get tired quickly. so he always tries to repay you and show you how grateful he is by taking care of your hands, and massaging the area between your thumb and pointer as well as he can.

[littleoceanbabe]

ted lasso has been a fucking phenomenal show but if the writers completely fuck it up in the last episode i may have to quit cold turkey. or i will just pointedly entirely ignore the series finale and rewrite it myself.

[designernishiki]

kazumaji nation, if the pairing were to be canonized in y8, how do you imagine it happening? either realistically or ideally. go

[castielmacleod]

You know that trope where a character books a fake therapy session for some ulterior motive (like to investigate something, maybe to subtly interrogate the therapist, or for an opportunity to access to secure documents, etc) but then the therapist ends up getting the character to talk to them in earnest? And the character ends up just completely unzipped by accident? That literally should have happened to Crowley Supernatural

[pepprs]

also (this is it i promise) this is why i am so INSANELY excited to have my own room soon. like omg. it is definitely not perfect bc it’s at home and there’s a breaker box in it and you can hear footsteps really loud through the ceiling and also again *it’s at home* when i really need to not be living at home. but the quality of life improvement i am about to have is actually INSANE. i will be able to have a space far away from everyone else where i can sing without bothering anyone and play piano and decorate it (mostly) to my liking and have a desk and draw and paint and do whatever. finally!!!!!!!! that is going to fix me!!!!!

[gothsuguru]

listen since i can’t write any of my halloween stories for october (sad. heartbreaking. but i will save them.) i really just need to do this singular kinktober post 😭 and it’s not even horror related its just pure smut BUT HOPEFULLY THAT COUNTS… i just love the layout for it like it has to be my best layout ever even i gagged myself

[gothsuguru]

ari……….. I Too Would Wait Decades For A Bad Bitch Like Satoru (or go after his best friend idk i’m easy like that)

OKAY AHHHHHHHHH FIRST OF ALL LET ME RAMBLE A BIT FIRST PLEASE :3 i think our brains are Linked because tell me why i was listening to my haikyuu!! summer playlist while reading this and “monsoon” & “warm glow” by hippocampus started playing as i was reading!!!!! and then i reread the fic again after i saw your post of making it while listening to “baseball” (which is another banger i WILL be adding this to the playlist) but like??? THE SUMMER VIBES IN THIS FIC??? ARI??? let me rant about that actually i have SO much to say…………

ok genuinely i GENUINELY think this fic is one of the best examples of stunning descriptions like. tell me why i was literally fucking TRANSPORTED to a quaint beachside town in the summer??? i envisioned everything so VIVIDLY which is such a TESTAMENT to your writing and it literally envelopes the reader (me & anyone reading it) into your world! the description of the cool breeze ruffling satoru’s hair, the way the sun glows upon him & the way the rays of sunsets kiss his cheek, the smell of the food wafting through the air due to the street vendors cooking, the actual BEACH scene w the seasalt air & warm sand, the HOUSE descriptions w stunning flowers grown around the perimeter, THE SPRITE IN THE VENDING MACHINE!!!!!! THE HAWAIIAN SHIRTS!!!!!! FUCKING HONORARY DAD™️ ACTIVITIES BY SUGURU AKA HIM FISHING???????? THE RELATIONSHIPS IN THIS FIC????

this fic had very REAL human emotions, & the dialogues b/t the characters were SO genuine/not fake or “story-ish” at all! the way satoru was depicted in this fic… just EVERYTHING was SO amazing. i was planning on just doing tags but then i was like i actually have so much to say which is why i’m rb so i hope you don’t mind 😭 there’s just a lot Technically that i loved within your writing and i’ll try and explain all of it here LMFAO anyways ilysm and i love your writing :3 okie let’s go :3 (p.s. this rb might be more paragraph based on my part rather than just doing stuff based off quotes so i hope you don’t mind part. 2 hehehehehe)

ALSO i think you started it off WONDERFULLY. not showing the actual confession but rather the soft aftermath was GENIUS on your part esp bc i think what matters most is not necessarily the confession itself (it does still matter obvi bc it takes a LOT to confess) but in this case what matters the most for the fic is satoru’s response! and i ADORE how mature yet kind he was about it! and he’s also so valid in his reasonings too like he was 18 and reader was 14 when they met! ofc he wouldn’t be in love w them like that bc he sees them as a literal BabyChild! WHICH THEY ARE!

i think it’s also so sweet that he doesn’t make fun of them or anything, he says it gently & w finality & no room for “does he like me or not?”, he’s genuine and honest when he says he doesn’t feel for them That way. he loves them but isn’t IN love w them. he loves them like a fond older brother who wants to protect their baby sis’ bestie! i think this fic shows so much of him Looking out for reader (reminding them that he isn’t interested and that THEY deserve someone BETTER than him, holding them when he sees someone ogling them at the beach, being reader’s shoulder to cry on when them & riko had their first fight etc…) ((also riko being toru’s baby sis is canon to me Okie i loved that idea SO much)) ok. well. let me just get into a few of my fav things :’) y’know recently i’ve been so fond of summer lately… summer needs to be given her flowers! this fic made me adore summer more

satoru is looking right at you. kindly, patiently, like a benevolent god. his blue eyes flecked with dots of white, like fluffy clouds on a summer sky. tilting his head to the right, as if searching for confirmation, waiting for your response.

- the way you describe satoru & his actions is actually so unbelievably beautiful & stunning it’s UNREAL. this fic just had such WONDERFUL descriptions it really was such a masterclass of “show not tell” & also how imagery when it’s written well doesn’t leave anything up for question! i just Knew exactly what you wanted me to see and how you wanted me to see it bc it was written so VIVIDLY and w such care! and your IMAGERY… GODDDDDDD YOUR IMAGERY!!!!!!! blue eyes being flecked w white is so real and such a pretty way to describe how angelic his eyes are and THEN likening it to fluffy clouds within a summer sky??? immediately, if i didn’t even know satoru, i’d know that he was 1) angelically, ethereally, celestially beautiful 2) his eyes show a kindness and genuineness in them! when they say eyes are the window to the soul… that’s satoru! and i love his head tilt… he’s my little maltese puppy <333 (i want a pubby so bad……… cue kairo crying over this fic and puppies now 🤧🤧🤧)

above you, seagulls chatter and cry. you look around, and everything feels familiar, despite the time that’s passed since the last summer you visited. the same flowers, peach blossoms and hydrangeas and tulips in all kinds of shades; the same street vendors and aroma of freshly grilled fish. the same cute and quaint port town, quiet during winter and autumn, pleasantly noisy during the warmer seasons. right now, on the cusp of juke, there are enough tourists around to make finding the right face in the crowd a difficult task.

- the VIVID DESCRIPTIONS!!!!!!! do you see what i mean??? you just describe things SO well i envision them with such EASE! i need to learn from you w this… like ACTUALLY. it’s SO summery and fits the vibe so well! i love the seagulls chattering, different flowers (peach blossoms god i can smell them + the flower meanings as well… they all have SOMETHING to do with love in different forms…) describing the port and the senses that invade reader such as the smell of grilled fish, the sound and sight of tourists bumbling everywhere, a pleasant noisiness! i also liked the small mention of the quietness during autumn & winter (perhaps they meet again during those seasons… i feel like the quaint town would be so pretty… the smell of pumpkin spice, fairy lights & jack-o-lanterns everywhere, autumnal desserts & bonfires etc… ARI I WANNA LIVE IN THIS TOWN i’ll get an apartment w suguru there actually <333)

something swirls around in your stomach, little butterflies. tickling the ridges of your ribs, all those fluttering heartstrings.

- BUTTERFLIES SWIRLING AROUND! i love the words you used and how you describe this omfg… tickling your ribcage… FLUTTERING heartstrings <333 so pretty

you take a tentative sip of your lemonade. sour and sweet. the cubes of ice clink against the glass, fresh condensation cooling down the tips of your fingers. her gaze lingers on your skin. it’s heavy, just like his.

- ok so you’re probably like kairo why’d you put the sentences of reader drinking lemonade in here. Well Let Me Tell You………. i think that you have such a TALENT of showing intrigue even in mundane moments. like ok legitimately from the outside it’s just reader drinking a glass of lemonade. but the way you DESCRIBE it had me gagged… “sour and sweet” is just like the emotions brewing and brimming up within the reader. and just the additions of cubes clinking + condensation cooling down reader was just REFRESHING to me! and riko is similar to satoru in that their gazes carry weight & heft & at the end of the day they’re just looking out for you………. sniffles. the siblings of all time omg we were ROBBED

the sun beats down on you, fervent sunlight warming the water up ahead, calm waves and a sparkling blue to match the hue of the sky; cobalts and ceruleans, melting together like watercolour on a canvas. people crowd around the food stands, shaved ice and churros and grilled fish, scents mingling together with the joyous chatter all around you. vibrant sensations, enough to excite but not to overwhelm. 

- ?/&/@1!292@2$/3$20&23!292@3$29&23$&23&3 WJAT THE FCUDKKSKEKSKEKSKSKSKWKSKSKD LIKE HOW DOES SOMEONE EVEN THINK OF IMAGERY LIKE THIS???????? SERIOUSLY ARI FROM A TECHNICAL WRITING STANDPOINT HOW DO YOU THINK OF SUCH STUNNING DESCRIPTIONS!!!! like it doesn’t sound like you’re just Listing things off (which is a problem i have) it just sounds like you’re…… THERE!!!!! like you’re living this experience there and just existing in it!!!!!!! this paragraph is so beautiful “fervent sunlight” // “calm waves and a sparkling blue to match the hue of the sky; cobalts and ceruleans, melting together like watercolour on a canvas.” -> one of my fav descriptions of anything Ever… to liken the sky meeting the water as MELTING WATERCOLOR ON A CANVAS??? this place is so picturesque i need to live inside the summer haze of this town. AND THE FOOOOOOOOOD i’m hungry now :3 “vibrant sensations” is so apt bc that’s what i’m feeling now reading your descriptions + imagery like WOAH

a parasol, a blanket, a picnic basket. you see bottles of pink lemonade, wrapped sandwiches, strawberries in a plastic container.

- PART 2 OF HUNGRY KAIRO……………… I FUCKING LOOOOOOOOOOVE PINK LEMONADE!!!!!!!!! FEED ME THOSE WRAPPED SANDWICHES NOWWWWWWW!!!!!! RAHHHSHSHSHSHAHAKAKSHGAROEMWHDJE (sounds of me eating ferociously :3)

he’s smiling, when you approach. as always. hair tousled by the ocean breeze, blue eyes gleaming with mirth, exposed by the sunglasses close to slipping down the bridge of his nose. he’s wearing a hawaiian shirt, black in colour, white floral patterns to tie it all together. just unbuttoned enough to show off his collarbone, a sliver of his chest, the short sleeves exposing his biceps; patches of pale skin, shining with the beginnings of sweat.

- satoru always smiling… if suguru has a resting bitch face then satoru has a resting :3 face 😭 “blue eyes gleaming with mirth” can i just say using the word gleam here is perfect bc the color i associate w the world gleam is an icy blue -> satoru’s eyes <333 also you 🤝 me 🤝 every other person on the planet: lover of the word mirth MDMDMDMDMDMD also again!!!!!! i sound like a broken record but genuinely you do so well in describing things! the glasses falling off his nose is so good bc that’s how you can see his eyes!!! AND THEN HIS FIT……….. moaned loud as hell that’s MY bad 🤭🤭🤭 sliver of chest……………….. whore. EXPOSED BICEPS TOO???????????? whore part 2. (affectionate) basically i need him so bad i literally can’t fault reader for STILL being hopelessly in love w toru like… EVERYONE is

a new voice spills into the air, suddenly, and you’re brought back into reality. it’s silky and low, smooth and nice, honeysuckle nectar turned into sound.

- ARIIIIIIIIIII !/&/&/!/@/!/&2&1@1!-&-@1”1”1&/$2@1”&2&2 I’M NOT FUCKING KIDDING YOU WHEN I SAY MY HEARTBEAT STARTED SPEEDING UP WHEN SUGURU WAS INTRODUCED MY HEART STARTED RACING I’M NOT NORMAL!/&/‘&/!/! HE JUST. GODDDDDDDDD SO EFFORTLESSLY COOL & SEXY. reader is better than me i would’ve pounced on suguru and made him my husband. also. THE WAY YOU EXPLAIN HIS VOICE……… “honeysuckle nectar turned into sound.” ok that’s canon. no other sound desc. shall be used for sugu’s voice bc user twentyfivemiceinatrenchcoat cracked the code. GODDDDDDD THAT’S PERFECT!!!!!! it’s silky and low and smooth and sweet it’s alllllll dulcet honey tones

suguru goes eerily silent — ominous, staring into your best friend’s eyes with no visible emotion. enough to make her smile fall. you feel a sense of deja vu. // “wait, i’m just kidding!” she suddenly squeaks, clinging to your arm and hiding behind you. she’s always had good survival instincts. ”don’t put me in a headlock!”

- NJSLMSNSDJKWJDJDKEJDJD MENACE!SUGURU. I’M CRYIFNFNDNDNDND THIS BASICALLY JUST MEANS THAT SUGURU USED TO HEADLOCK RIKO ALL THE TIME I’M CRYIFNFNFNDNDN 😭😭😭😭😭😭 this made me giggle like ACTUALLY please him and satoru are such menaces i LOVE them 😭 also toru flirting w sugu and sugu essentially having the energy of Damn Bitch I Don’t Want You made me giggle…….. he loves bullying the gojo siblings <333 his fav pastime :3 methinks sugu loves reader too like that’s his lil baby :3 him when satoru & riko do anything: idiot sandwiches. him when reader does anything: hi cutiepie cupcake :3

his touch burns, as always. bare skin on bare skin. electric, a trail of sparks rushing through your veins. he’s warm, and solid, effortlessly composed — guiding you right where he wants you, which is by his chest, where you can practically hear the steady rhythm of his heartbeat — // he’s looking somewhere behind you, with an oddly cold gaze.

- the physicality of it all………. no like i’m feral rn. satoru’s touch burning them leaving a trail of sparks??? coursing through their veins??? AND HIM PULLING READER INTO HIS CHEST????????? reader is better than me i would’ve nestled myself further into his tits like this •-• like you can’t get me outta here if you tried……….! but i also like the fact that his heartbeat is steady… his isn’t racing like reader’s bc to him it’s an act of protection more than anything. compare that to reader’s heartbeat which is probably beating out their chest due to the physical proximity! also i looooooove serious!satoru so much it’s one of my ULTIMATE guilty pleasures (along w argument fics w suguru listen i love it ok there’s something so delicious abt suguru arguing w you/being mad in the heat of the moment but then him feeling guilty/ashamed after a while when he sleeps on the bed and you on the couch bc you’re stubborn like that bc HE was the one who was actually in the wrong… ok i’m rambling lemme find some sugurument fics rn…….) ALSO I LOOOOOVE when satoru’s gaze is cold & hardened it’s another facet of his character that i adore… my man has MULTITUDES!

the sun is beginning to set, melting like a sundae on the boundary of the horizon, rays of golden sunshine dripping down your wrist. satoru looks good in it, the pink and orange; peaceful, somehow. when the breeze licks a stripe across his cheek, he closes his eyes and exhales. there’s a smile on those lips, a smile of contentment.

- OH ARIIIIIIIII the way you use words like melting and dripping and licks a stripe to tie into the sundae… delicious. like ACTUALLY. i lovelovelove when writers do that so much it’s so SATISFYING to see! the pink & orange sunset too WHEW i love that the sky looks like ice cream sherbet <3 content!satoru my Beloved… my baby

you’re sleepy, and pliant, jaw caught between his fingers. he lifts it up, turns it towards him, just so that you’ll meet his gaze. two seas of blue, flecks of pure white, summer skies and summer clouds. “there,” he exhales, pleased. giving you a reassuring smile before pulling away. “you’ve barely looked me in the eye today. ‘s gonna break my heart, y’know.”

- BARKBARKBARKBARKBARK… SATORU IF YOU DON’T WANNA GET KISSED SENSELESS DON’T GRAB MY JAW LIKE THAT………. gonna be starting something you can’t finish LMFAOOOOOOOiwantyousobadOOOOOO ok but again. SUMMER SKIES & CLOUDS & SEAS OF BLUE!!!!!! he’s a sunshineboy (or a moonboy wink wink) AHHHHHHHH i also love the reassuring smile :’) and his DIALOGUE!!!!! i loved his dialogue in this fic it’s all so HIM! playful yet caring yet teasing yet mature <3 the “gonna break my heart” is soooooooo him. like buddy… you just might break mine too. but that’s okay. if it’s you then i don’t mind <3

“still not over that schoolgirl crush, huh?” // “… you could really, really do better.”

- love that this came back btw. also satoru saying it’s a schoolgirl crush when in reality reader deffo feels like they’re genuinely in love… i think toru does that not to undermine their feelings but to explain to them that babes you could do better and you should do better and you should find someone who can share the love you have! but what he doesn’t Realize (rather he does) is that reader genuinely honestly just wants him… willing to wait decades just to see where life takes you… whew

a fizzy, syrupy sweetness sticking to your teeth, a sense of nostalgia invading all your senses. and, as always, that silent adoration.

- oh i just really loved this line. nostalgia really does feel like this to me — a fizzy syrupy sweetness like a cola, invading your senses. and the silent adoration oh god i love this so muchhhhhhhh

it feels nice, to open yourself up like this. crack the lid of your heart and have him wade through the carbonation. it feels nice to have your feelings be acknowledged, even if they aren’t reciprocated. even if you’re completely delusional, and high on summer joy. it feels nice just to watch him shine.

- ANOTHER ONE I ADORED!!!!!! i just LOVE opening the floodgates of their emotions is being likened to opening a soda can! “crack the lid of your heart… wade through the carbonation.” yeah so ari WHAT THE FUCK??? how do you THINK of that??? like actually tell me how did that go into your brain??? that’s so genius and just so UNIQUE! and AWHHHHHHHHH reader being happy that their feelings are acknowledged makes me so :’) they’re so genuine in their love and adoration for satoru it seriously is such a sweet thing to see like their love is so PURE!!!! high on summer joy & love watching satoru shine <333

“in case the two of you ever happened to fall over at the same time, or something. i wanted to be able to carry you both back.” // “you’re both precious to me,”

- AWHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH THIS MADE ME SOOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY AND IT WAS SO SWEET like it’s serious business to him!!!!! getting physically stronger so if push comes to shove he can carry BOTH reader & riko bc he loves them and wants to protect them 🥹 the image of drill sergeant!suguru whipping satoru into shape has me cryifnnfnfnf he was like i won’t let a weak noodle-armed BITCH show me up… i just won’t. how much do you wanna bet suguru out bench pressed satoru. i bet my life savings ($2) not a lot but my money is on sugubear <333 (methinks suguru did the same as satoru just in case he ever had to pick up reader & riko) ((as much as he’s a menace he’s also protective))

he’s teasing you. the sun is setting, and the air smells like saltwater, and satoru’s back is warm. his voice is set to a melodic lilt, and you feel strangely tempted to close your eyes. // and you adore him again. 

- this was so pretty it almost put me to sleep w how much comfort & relaxation it gave me… like i put myself in reader’s shoes and feeling the warmth of satoru & the evening + smelling the saltwater + hearing the melodic lilt of his voice truly and honestly would just… COMFORT me. oh i adored this so much. and i agree w reader — i adore satoru all over again too :’)

right — loving him was never a choice, and waiting wasn’t an issue. getting over him is the tall hurdle, the root of the problem, a root you intend you trip over as many times as it takes for this something to bloom.

- love love LOVE the root imagery btw using a famous line and then using it as something to trip over until something blooms is so genius. and also. AWHHHHH reader is just so smitten it’s so fucking sweet to me

because he’s beautiful, and comfortable, and kind. because it’s his back you always end up clinging to. because he knows how you like your pancakes, how you take your coffee, what you look like when you cry. because you like this feeling, the swarm of butterflies in your stomach. even if they’re completely meaningless in the long run.

- THAT QUOTE ABT BEING KNOWN… being loved is being known or smthn along those lines… you know me and that’s why i love you. beautiful comfortable & kind is the perfect way to describe toru btw it’s so real. and AWHHHHHHH AGAINNNNNNNN IT’S JUST!!!!!! ofc reader can’t help falling in love w satoru he’s so warm and protective and knows what you like and has seen you at your best and your worst and also still adores you!!!! reader liking the feeling of BEING in love even if nothing comes out of it omfg that’s just so. WOW

you just like him. you just want to see where it leads you. that’s all. // “fine,” you hum, wrapping your arms around his neck. inhaling that familiar scent of sandalwood. “do your worst.”

- AND AS ALWAYS I LOVE YOUR ENDINGS!!!!! at the end of the day the reasoning it’s so simple and pure. they just like him and wanna see where it leads them. and i can’t fault them for that! “do your worst.” I LOVE THEM!!! and the familiarity of sandalwood……. Sniffles. i love Them both so much oh i LOVED this ari <333

OMG I’M SORRY I DIDN’T EXPECT IT TO GET LONG I JUST REALLY REALLY REALLY LIKED THE FIC!!!! since the ending is so open-ended……. methinks two (2) things can happen…….. i will express them here if you don’t mind :3 satoru introduces reader to someone like yuuta/yuji and reader becomes smitten w them OR a few years later, maybe satoru ends up liking reader back! or a secret third option (reader/suguru endgame but satoru threatens suguru w baseball bat <333) but also i rmbr you mentioned ace!gojo so i could totally see him just being fond of reader and that’s it! he’d go to reader’s wedding w whoever (if they ever choose to) and be happy that they found someone :’) at the end of the day he wants to see reader happy and that’s all that matters! <333 you 🤝 me giving a character the ace agenda (me w choso… ace!choso my beloved i’m hugging you so hard king)

BUT OMG SERIOUSLY I LOVED THIS FIC! love how this -> 🙂‍↔️🙂‍↕️🙂‍↔️ is reader everytime satoru tries to get them to not have a crush on him 😭😭😭 they’re steadfast in their love i gotta respect it! i think you mentioned that you were worried abt it being all over the place but i don’t think that was the case at all! i think emotions in general ARE all over the place for humans anyways so the way it was written was depicted perfectly! at the end of the day, reader is in love & satoru just doesn’t feel the same way but is still fond/protective of them! that’s their core and that’s their relationship and i love how it was shown! such a unique premise for a fic <333 i ADORED it! i also love that it wasn’t a mean/heavy angst type of unrequited — it’s soft and slightly bittersweet but you still have hope :’) also… toru in tight black tops & sweatpants… I See You Ari…….. i Too would like satoru to use me as workout gear

also. how much do you wanna bet that riko crushed on shoko the same way reader crushed on satoru. $1 gazillion dollars are on the table.

ANYWAYS. I LOVED THIS!!!!!! thanks for another great fic and another masterclass of amazing writing <333 MWAH! rest up and recharge and i hope you know it doesn’t matter what day you come out w your writing, we’re all gonna nibble on it lovingly like a block of cheese <333 MWAHHHHH SMOOCHES :3 tell suguru to call me back please……… i would like to see his fishies…….. 🤝🤧

we can dip if you’re ready ; satoru gojo

synopsis; your dreams of a peaceful summer are rudely shattered by the presence of your best friend’s older brother; the same brother who rejected you five years ago. the same brother you’re still hopelessly, uselessly in love with.

word count; 7.4k

contents; satoru gojo/reader, gn!reader, best friend’s brother!gojo (he’s the hottest man in the stratosphere), mild age gap (four years!), unrequited love, but with a hopeful ending kind of, bittersweet fluff, mostly summer shenanigans and pining, riko is satoru’s younger sister and i would give her the stars, sugu makes a guest appearance, (they’re both just there to bully gojo), he’s fairly mature in this i think, reader is very stubborn and very down bad, [name] used exactly once

a/n; personally i would let him use me as workout gear (tagging @teddybeartoji @dollsuguru @hayakawalove @vagabond-umlaut !! tysm for the help and encouragement ily 🥺🥺)

one mellow summer morning, over a breakfast of pancake and toast, the puppy-love you’ve nurtured for the past three years finally reaches its conclusion.

you’re seventeen years old. in three months you’ll be eighteen, standing on your own two feet, headed in a new direction — the whole world within your reach. but right now you’re still seventeen, and lovesick, and sleeping on a mattress in your best friend’s room. listening to the sound of the nearby sea. 

you’re seventeen, and dreaming about things you can’t have. you’re seventeen, and wearing your heart on your sleeve. 

you’re seventeen, and hopelessly, uselessly in love with a certain satoru gojo.

it’s early. your veins are sleepy and your heart is heavy, and you wake up at the crack of dawn just to catch a glimpse of him before he leaves for work. he’s leaning against the kitchen island when you trot down the stairs, and the smell of syrupy pancakes hangs heavy in the air. his bare chest is exposed, his pajama pants cling to the curve of his hips, and he rejects you with an easygoing kindness you wish he wouldn’t grant you. 

suddenly, without mercy. a finality to his voice.

”you’re more like a younger sibling to me. you understand, right?”

he ruffles your hair, and you’re still sleepy, and you wish you could grasp the strings of your heartbeat to stop it from fluttering like this. wish you could pull yourself out of whatever trance he put you in, three years ago, when you stumbled over the threshold to your best friend’s house and landed headfirst in his chest.

”you’re a good kid,” he says, and his smile teeters on the edge of something apologetic. mostly, it’s pitying. ”there are lots of people out there for you.”

he ruffles your hair, as affectionate as ever, the same as it’s always been. not a trace of any romantic intent. the weight of his palm on your head is usually a comfort, but like this?

it’s a specific kind of torture. 

there are lots of people out there for you.

(i know, you want to tell him, but your voice is raspy and your throat feels sort of dry. i know.

but i want you.)

“don’t get hung up on a schoolgirl crush, hm?”

when you finally raise your head, satoru is looking right at you. kindly, patiently, like a benevolent god. his blue eyes flecked with dots of white, like fluffy clouds on a summer sky. tilting his head to the right, as if searching for confirmation, waiting for your response. you muster up the will to nod; smiling in a way that must seem pitiful.

but he just pinches your cheek, throws his backpack over his broad shoulders, and asks you to let his sister know he’ll be home later than usual today.

then he leaves. he leaves you alone with two plates of sugary pancakes on the kitchen table, one for you and one for riko. he put whipped cream on top, and chocolate chips in the batter. it smells good. it smells like an apology.

and that’s how it ends. 

there’s no great climax, no real resolution. you bite down on your lip, and spend about an hour pitifully sniffling into a fluffy pillow, even though none of it comes as a surprise. it still hurts, though. your best friend comforts you, tells you that at least you have some kind of closure now — an absolute rejection to make your feelings go away. about time, she thinks, though she’s far too kind to say it outloud.

except they don’t.

the moral of the story is; satoru gojo doesn’t love you back. he’s known you since you were fourteen, since he was eighteen, and he could never see you as anything more than a little kid. you’re his sister’s best friend, and he loves you, but not in the way you love him. it’s not surprising, or shocking. it’s exactly how it should be.

satoru gojo doesn’t love you back. he never will.

(you really, really wish your stupid heartbeat cared.)

one mellow summer evening, five years later — you step onto a bustling train platform, dragging your luggage behind you, and breathe in the scent of a familiar seaside.

above you, seagulls chatter and cry. you look around, and everything feels familiar, despite the time that’s passed since the last summer you visited. the same flowers, peach blossoms and hydrangeas and tulips in all kinds of shades; the same street vendors and aroma of freshly grilled fish. the same cute and quaint port town, quiet during winter and autumn, pleasantly noisy during the warmer seasons. right now, on the cusp of june, there are enough tourists around to make finding the right face in the crowd a difficult task.

luckily, she’s quick to find you. with her long, dark locks of hair, neatly braided; her yellow sundress and matching headband, sunflowers embroidered into the fabric. barreling towards you with a speed that would scare you a little if you weren’t so used to it, used to her.

riko. your one and only best friend.

she’s nestled into your embrace before you can get any greetings out, and squeezing you so tightly that you have no choice but to let her beat you to it. she’s warm, like a bundle of sunshine. the same as always.

with a low whine of your name, she nuzzles into your chest. “i missed youuuu…”

a chuckle bubbles up in your throat. and even though it hasn’t been very long at all, even though you talk on the phone almost every day and saw each other in person just about a month ago, you indulge her. “i missed you too, riko.”

another whine, and then she’s pulling back. squishing your cheeks together and pouting petulantly. “you better have! don’t ever make me spend summer all alone again, okay?”

you match her expression, eager to protest. “you’re still mad about that? it’s not my fault i got sick.”

“too sick to see your best friend? too sick to continue our most important tradition?” she shakes her head, letting go of you. struggling not to smile. “awful. just awful!”

“drama queen.” her lips break out into a grin, and yours follow. “i’m here now, aren’t i?”

“you are,” she agrees, quick to link her arm with yours. you follow her steps, leading you towards that familiar house. you can see it from here, a roof burdened with morning glories, those expensive white walls. “no, but seriously. i’m really happy to see you.” her voice drips with joy, giddy and sweet. “i don’t think i’d survive two months alone with that old man.” 

ah. right.

your lips curl up into a smile, albeit a little uncertain. giddy, maybe. nervous? you aren’t sure. something swirls around in your stomach, little butterflies. tickling the ridges of your ribs, all those fluttering heartstrings. it’s been a while since you felt like this. all your summers are spent here, and all of riko’s, but he’s usually too busy.

the girl on your right chatters on and on, clinging to you, gradually melting away your skittish nerves. she tells you about her morning, what she ate for breakfast, the new show she’s been binging — it’s just as familiar as the house that soon comes fully into view. big and expensive, but still cozy, overgrown with flora. you don’t think either of the siblings really bother to take care of it, but it’s a pretty kind of neglect. a cute veranda, a beautiful garden. the apple tree you used to climb.

the buzz of an old radio spills out from an opened window, translucent curtains swaying with the breeze. when you strain your eyes you think you hear humming.

riko grins, dragging you with her through the opened gate. the yellow paint on the fence is starting to peel, and someone from inside has started pushing the door open, and the butterflies in your stomach can do nothing but sputter and squirm.

it’s summer, and you're back. back in that cute, quaint port town.

(and so is he.)

“why, hello there! if it isn’t my cute little [name].”

time stills, for just a single moment.

he looks the same as you remember. a little taller, you think, but he was always tall enough to tower over you; broad shoulders and long legs, sharp blue eyes gazing down at you. he’s wearing black shades, but you can still feel the weight of his pupils, crumble under the knowledge that his attention is entirely on you. wearing a pair of sweatpants and a tight black shirt, showing off every dip and ridge of his chest. a pleasantly cool breeze ruffles his white hair, short and trimmed, healthy locks to match his bright and sunny grin.

he looks happy to see you.

“don’t be weird,” comes riko’s voice, breaking you out of your little spell. all while she’s ushering you both towards the door, beyond the threshold, into the hallway. satoru clicks his tongue.

“so hostile today. shouldn't you be in a good mood?”

then he’s turning towards you, again, tilting his head just enough for his eyes to peek out the slightest bit. they’re crinkled at the edges, and his smile is fond. “how was your trip?”

more butterflies. his voice flows from his glossy lips, smooth and melted, pleasantly deep. you can only hang on to riko’s arm, mustering a small smile of your own.

“good,” you chirp. a little stiff, but polite, like you’re greeting an old friend; it’s been so long since you last spoke to him. ”i’m tired, though.”

your reply is met with a chuckle, a raspy tremor of his vocal cords. it sends a shiver down your spine. the weight on your arm disappears, as riko stumbles forward and kicks her sandals off. muttering something about gum getting stuck on the sole. you’re left standing right across from satoru, suddenly very aware of how much space he takes up all on his own. leaning against the wall, making himself comfortable. and chuckling, with that stupidly sexy voice.

“i bet. take a nap if you need to, yeah?”

a moment of silence. riko curses in the background, and you shift from foot to foot. unable to properly look into his eyes.

for a second, his smile drops — eyes obscured by the black glass of his frames, betraying no emotion. it only lasts a second.

then he’s moving forward, one large stride towards you, leaning down to wrap his big arms around your waist. bringing you into a hug, not as tight as you remember them being. you wonder if he’s holding back.

(his touch burns your skin, all the same.)

one of his palms finds solace on the top of your head, ruffling your hair. you can hear the smile in his voice when he speaks, terribly sincere. “i missed you, kiddo.”

a quiet squeak tumbles from your lips, and you pray to every god you can think of that he doesn’t hear it. his chest is pressed right against you, firm, radiating body heat. his limbs wrap you up in it, a cocoon of warmth that makes it hard to breathe. you can smell his cologne from where your cheek meets his collarbone; sandalwood invading your senses.

“i m-missed you too,” is all you can croak out, voice breaking pitifully. at this rate you might actually faint.

just out of view, riko narrows her eyes. before you can plead for help, she’s tugging you away from the embrace, pushing her brother away, and you inhale as much of the fresh summer air as you can. 

“alright, that’s enough,” she huffs, pulling you closer. “c’mon! we should unpack your stuff right away!”

“want me to carry it?” satoru asks, already eyeing your luggage like a predator about to lunge at his prey. even if you say no, you know he’s not going to listen. 

so you let him. and within the next few minutes, you’re seated on riko’s bed, suitcase on the floor, a glass of lemonade in your hand. blinking sluggishly. 

“are you sure you’ll be alright?”

you raise your head. your best friend is looking at you with a questioning glance, head tilted and brows furrowed. now you’re all alone, and it’s quiet, peaceful. her brother went out to buy snacks for you. all you can hear is the low buzz of the radio downstairs, and faraway waves. 

“huh?”

“i mean, with, y’know…” she moves her hands haphazardly, making some kind of gesture you don’t understand. “with my brother. and your… condition.”

you blink.

“… did you just refer to my crush as a condition?”

“well, it might as well be!” she groans, muffled, faceplanting onto the mattress. “don’t think i didn’t see you checking out his biceps just now. you’re so obvious.” 

heat rushes to your cheeks. you try to shoo it away with a furrow of your brows and a loud exhale, but it lingers underneath your skin. “look — i —“ you scramble for words, brain tied up in fatigued knots. “did you see that shirt? is he buying them a size too small, or what?”

“oh, come on! that’s all it takes?”

another pair of exhales. you cross your legs, and she rolls onto her back. the silence is comfortable, and you gnaw at your bottom lip until she speaks up again.

“you could really, really do better, you know?”

her voice is quiet. soft, sincere, delicate as a sheet of glass. you know she’s just looking out for you, that she doesn’t want you pining for a guy who’ll never return those feelings — she’s kind like that, always has been. but…

“… i just like him.”

you take a tentative sip of your lemonade. sour and sweet. the cubes of ice clink against the glass, fresh condensation cooling down the tips of your fingers. her gaze lingers on your skin. it’s heavy, just like his.

you meet it with a sheepish smile, a little self-deprecating, but not embarrassed. she already knows all about your predicament. 

(you just like him. that’s all there is to it.)

and she pulls herself into a sitting position.

“i know, i know,” she finally sighs, slumping against you, cheek smushed over your shoulder. “just don’t give him more attention than me, ‘kay?”

you let out giggle. “well, duh.”

she gives you a sunny grin.

“okay, good.” 

you put the glass down on the windowsill beside you. just so you can stretch your arms out, falling backwards; a mountain of pillows cushioning your fall. a yawn spills past your lips, and riko sits up.

“wanna take a nap?” she tilts her head, dark locks framing her pretty blue eyes, deep as the sea. “that’s probably good. we’re going straight to the beach tomorrow, you know!”

“mm…” your eyes flutter shut, and you focus on that faraway sound. waves crashing against sand, the whistling of seagulls, the salty scent of the ocean. “that sounds nice.”

despite your exhaustion, you end up tossing and turning that night. not because of your best friend’s snores, or the feeling of a mattress you haven’t slept on in two years — but from the quiet sounds downstairs. glasses clinking, a chuckle here and there. the tv being turned on. tossing and turning from the knowledge that your childhood heartthrob, current heartthrob, is in the same house as you. a little older, a little less childish, even more charming than you remember him being.

you’re older, too. more mature, you like to think, even if the gain is small.

(maybe there’s a chance?)

shaking the thoughts from your head, mind still spinning along to the tune of his humming, you squeeze your eyes shut and try to fall asleep.

you’ll be okay.

okay, nevermind. you’re completely screwed.

“oh, there you are!”

satoru is already waiting up ahead when you step onto the beach, feeling the sand between your toes, a pleasantly cool breeze giving you respite from the sweltering heat.

the sun beats down on you, fervent sunlight warming the water up ahead, calm waves and a sparkling blue to match the hue of the sky; cobalts and ceruleans, melting together like watercolour on a canvas. people crowd around the food stands, shaved ice and churros and grilled fish, scents mingling together with the joyous chatter all around you. vibrant sensations, enough to excite but not to overwhelm. 

a picture-perfect summer day.

your heart tingles with something giddy, skipping happily as you follow riko’s lead; she’s wearing a cute bikini set, frilly and floral, hair styled into a pair of braided pigtails, kept together by her favorite scrunchies. leading you towards her older brother, waiting patiently, having already grabbed a nice spot for you. a parasol, a blanket, a picnic basket. you see bottles of pink lemonade, wrapped sandwiches, strawberries in a plastic container.

more than anything, you see him. you see him, and realize just how screwed you are.

he’s smiling, when you approach. as always. hair tousled by the ocean breeze, blue eyes gleaming with mirth, exposed by the sunglasses close to slipping down the bridge of his nose. he’s wearing a hawaiian shirt, black in colour, white floral patterns to tie it all together. just unbuttoned enough to show off his collarbone, a sliver of his chest, the short sleeves exposing his biceps; patches of pale skin, shining with the beginnings of sweat. 

(you’re about to fucking explode.)

as soon as you’re in sight, satoru lights up, aiming the flash of his phone in your direction. his other hand stays tucked into the pocket of his shorts. “aw, look at you two!” he coos, grinning brightly, teasing and sweet. “pose for the camera, okay?”

you’re still too hypnotized to react, but riko scurries ahead, ready to steal it from his grasp.

“no pictures!”

“oh, don’t be like that!” he takes a step back, dodging her attack by a hair, still wearing the same grin. “you’re gonna thank me ten years from now, trust me. it’s for the memories!”

a new voice spills into the air, suddenly, and you’re brought back into reality. it’s silky and low, smooth and nice, honeysuckle nectar turned into sound. interrupting the siblings.

“it’s been ten seconds. how are you already bickering?” 

you turn towards its source, and spot a familiar face — right next to satoru. were you seriously too mesmerized to notice him? black hair, another hawaiian shirt, slightly lidded eyes… 

suguru. 

he meets your surprised stare with a relaxed smile, and takes a step forward; meeting you for a quick hug. he looks the same as he did when you were younger, odd bangs, hair tied up into a bun.

“hi there,” he hums, right by your ear, a light squeeze before he lets go. “it’s been a while.”

you part your lips, smiling through your words. a little stunned. “i didn’t know you’d be here too!”

he chuckles, a light shrug of his shoulders. “me neither. satoru called me last night and asked me to drop by. i had time to kill.”

“you missed me.”

a dubious look. suguru gives a lazy roll of his eyes, avoiding the smug voice to his right. “i saw you last week,” he tuts, an unimpressed expression on his face. “how could i miss you?”

“do you need a reason to miss your best friend?” he shakes his head, slowly, side to side. white locks swaying back and forth. “awful. just awful.”

you stifle a smile, completely unsuccessful. the sun feels nice on your skin, and the scent of the sea is nostalgic, and they’re all the same as ever. it’s like you can feel your nerves melting away, slowly but surely, like grains of sand slipping through the gaps between your fingers. 

“the matching shirts are cute,” you point out, wanting to partake in the conversation, only to be met with a pair of furrowed brows.

suguru sighs. “that…” he mutters, massaging his temple, not before shooting satoru a dirty glance. “wasn't planned.”

said man only grins, unperturbed, tucking his phone back into his pocket. thoroughly amused. “he’s mad that i stole his fit,” he chirps, stretching his arms idly. it makes his shirt ride up, ever so slightly, and you swallow a gulp.

“well… you look good in it.”

at that, satoru stills. gazing at you, silently, before breaking out into another grin. self-satisfied, a smooth curve, sunlight against the white of his teeth. you glance away, suddenly a little shy.

“does he?” the other two deadpan, completely in sync. it shoos away the smile on his lips, making way for a displeased frown.

“oh, come on. would it kill you to call me handsome now and then?”

“handsome?” riko places her hands on her hips, raising an unimpressed brow, a sassy lilt to her voice. “you look like a single father down on his luck.”

“seconded,” suguru quips, hiding the beginnings of a smirk. picking at a piece of lint on his shirt. “honestly, i’m surprised you’re wearing any layers at all. not gonna flaunt your abs this time?”

satoru brightens, suddenly. wiggling his brows, a sweet coo on the tip of his tongue. “oh? want me to loosen up a couple buttons?” he purrs, and you hate yourself a little for the instant yes that resounds through your mind. “you know you can always just ask, suguru.”

his teasing goes ignored, but you don’t miss the amusement that flits through the scope of suguru’s eyes, even as he tries to maintain that deadpan expression.

finally, he exhales. “well, see you later,” he hums, directed to you and satomi, checking the time on his wristwatch. “i should probably get going.”

“you’re not staying?” you ask, lashes fluttering with a confused blink. he smiles.

“i am,” he reassures you. “just gonna go fishing for a while. i thought i’d give it a try.”

“fishing?” riko exclaims, covering her amused grin with the palm of her hand. stifling laughter, you can tell, a bout of giggles begging to push past her lips. “what are you, fifty?”

satoru lets out a snort. to his left, suguru goes eerily silent — ominous, staring into your best friend’s eyes with no visible emotion. enough to make her smile fall. you feel a sense of deja vu.

“wait, i’m just kidding!” she suddenly squeaks, clinging to your arm and hiding behind you. she’s always had good survival instincts. ”don’t put me in a headlock!”

(they’re so stupid. 

gosh, you missed them.)

“oh, by the way — do you want some shaved ice?” she turns to you, eyes crinkled at the edges, voice syrupy and sweet. “i can go get us some. what flavour do you want?”

“ah, great idea!” satoru matches her tone, tongue flitting out to lick his lips, glossy with chapstick. “i was just craving something sweet.”

“you’re paying, by the way.”

“…”

“so? any preference?” she tilts her head, waiting patiently for your reply. smiling once she gets it. “alright, got it. you, suguru?”

“i’m good. thanks, though.”

“okie-dokie,” she puts her palm out, facing satoru. “money, please.”

he only tuts, digging through his pocket and pulling out a black wallet. you think you spot a photocard, but he’s pulled out a credit card and tucked it back into his pocket before you can get a closer look. 

“get me watermelon, okay? strawberry is fine too. if push comes to shove, go for anything other than lemon.” he hands her the card with a click of his tongue. “and watch out for creeps. if anyone hits on you, you know where to aim.”

she pockets it with a huff, exasperation on her features. “i’m twenty-three, toru. i can take care of myself.”

“aww, don’t be like that,” he coos, hands reaching out to squish her cheeks. she tries to squirm away, to no avail. “you’ll always be my little baby sister, you know. and, as your dependable big bro, i —“

“ugh, whatever.” she shoots him an unimpressed glance, finally escaping his hold. ”are you gonna go all men are wolves on us, or something?”

”they are! just look at suguru.”

”hey.”

you hide a growing smile behind your hand, watching them bicker and banter, feeling that sense of peace again. the summer day feels a little like a hazy daydream, a heavy nostalgia that sticks to your bones like gum on the sole of your shoe. 

and, once again — you end up alone with a certain someone. suguru walks towards the faraway pier, riko strolls up to the stand selling shaved ice, and satoru lingers behind. you think he looks relaxed, at ease, but you can’t really look at him for too long without feeling nervous. without feeling as if you’re both ignoring the elephant in the room. 

it still feels a little like there’s an invisible wall between you.

he’s the first to speak up, craning his neck and stretching like a big cat, a tiny groan escaping him. “well, there they go,” he hums. “what do you feel like doing first?”

“ummm…” you rack your brain for ideas, coming up empty. a little fried by his presence. you could go into the water, and escape the heat — sunbathing with him doesn’t sound so bad, though…

lost deep in thought, you barely notice him inching closer. still weighing your options, water or land, a relaxing nap or a splash war. you don’t notice until you feel his arm sneaking around your waist, pulling you closer, just by a hair. stealing all the oxygen from your lungs.

(you think your brain shuts down a little.)

his touch burns, as always. bare skin on bare skin. electric, a trail of sparks rushing through your veins. he’s warm, and solid, effortlessly composed — guiding you right where he wants you, which is by his chest, where you can practically hear the steady rhythm of his heartbeat —

and then he’s pulling away.

you raise your head to meet his gaze, completely flushed, unsure if you were hallucinating or not. he’s looking somewhere behind you, with an oddly cold gaze. you follow his stare, craning your neck, catching a glimpse of a man turning his back on you both before walking away.

… was he staring at you, or what?

when you search for satoru’s eyes again, they’re already on you. he’s smiling, a little sheepish, scratching at the back of his neck.

“sorry,” he chuckles. “i got paranoid.”

oh.

your skin still feels like it’s on fire. a lingering heat, blossoming where his skin touched yours, rendering you speechless.

finally, you gain control over your vocal chords, dry and charred. just enough to croak out a response. “i — it’s fine.”

your eyes stay glued to the sand beneath you, staring at a crushed seashell, unable to look him in the eye. feeling the back of your neck grow hotter. you miss the dirty glance riko sends his way, having just returned with the shaved ice, and the way satoru mouths out a silent what?

it’s easier after that. she grounds you, a little, leading you out into the sea. the water is pleasantly mild, licking at your ankles, coaxing you further, until it’s reaching up to your waist. it cools you down considerably, and before you know it you’re splashing her with all you’ve got, giggles filling the salty air — seagull cries above you and wet sand beneath your feet, a glimmer or two of tiny fish, loud laughter. sensations all around you. satoru watches you with a smile, munching on a sandwich, not joining you both until riko beckons him over.

the day stretches on, melting away into evening. people leave the beach behind them, suguru heads back to the house with a bucket of fish and a smug smile, riko dries herself off with a towel and rushes to a nearby convenience store when she notices that it’s about to close. murmuring something about dinner, shooting you an anxious glance, a silent will you be alright on your own? with him? 

you wave her off with a smile. hoping it’ll come off as convincing.

so, one way or another, you end up under a parasol with a certain satoru gojo; putting empty bottles of lemonade back into the picnic basket, rolling up the blanket, stuck with cleaning duty. satoru carries it all, unwilling to let you help, the basket hanging off his arm. you walk away from the beach, stepping onto solid asphalt again, beginning your trekk up towards the main street — not too long of a walk, but you’re tired, even though satoru doesn’t seem tuckered out in the slightest. walking a step or two ahead of you.

the sun is beginning to set, melting like a sundae on the boundary of the horizon, rays of golden sunshine dripping down your wrist. satoru looks good in it, the pink and orange; peaceful, somehow. when the breeze licks a stripe across his cheek, he closes his eyes and exhales. there’s a smile on those lips, a smile of contentment.

he turns towards you and waits until you catch up.

“tired?” he coos, tilting his head, absently tucking his shades into the breast pocket of his shirt. blinking slowly, eyes shimmering in the summery hue of evening. 

“kinda,” you smile, trying to muster a pep in your step. another hum buzzes in his throat, and then he’s facing forward again.

“c’mon. let’s get you something from the vending machine, okay? ‘s just up ahead.” he pats your head, once, twice. “that’ll give you some energy.”

you can only nod, following his lead. hydrangeas bloom all around you, a thick syrupy scent, paired with apple blossoms from the backyards you pass. then you spot the vending machine. satoru takes out his wallet, finding his card — it’s not the same one as before. riko still has it.

and this time, you’re close enough to see it. in his wallet is a photocard, clearly visible; of a baby, sleeping soundly, with short tufts of hair. a dark colour unlike his own.

(your heart melts, a little.)

“cola or sprite?”

you raise your head, looking through the barrier of glass in front of you. then you’re stepping forward, fingertip pressing against it, pointing towards a green can of sprite. not looking at him, as you make your choice. ”this one.”

— suddenly, you feel his skin on yours.

you’re sleepy, and pliant, jaw caught between his fingers. he lifts it up, turns it towards him, just so that you’ll meet his gaze. two seas of blue, flecks of pure white, summer skies and summer clouds.

“there,” he exhales, pleased. giving you a reassuring smile before pulling away. “you’ve barely looked me in the eye today. ‘s gonna break my heart, y’know.”

a pause. you gulp, on instinct, shying away from his unbridled attention — eyes moving from those summer skies down to the curve of his glossy lips, and then back up again. a mistake, because when you glance down once more, unable to help yourself, you see it.

that apologetic smile.

(you really are obvious, aren’t you?

how embarrassing.)

silence splits the scene in half, only the faraway sounds of seagulls as background noise. they sound a little like they’re laughing, mocking you.

satoru presses a button on the vending machine, followed by a quiet beep. he doesn’t look at you when he broaches the subject, and you wonder if it’s out of respect or discomfort.

“still not over that schoolgirl crush, huh?”

…

something twists inside your gut. a little ugly, a little sentimental. now that he’s made the first move, it’s easier to move the pieces.

“it’s not a crush,” you murmur, kicking at a pebble on the ground. surprised by how clear your voice comes out. “i’m in love with you.”

a sigh. another beep, and the sound of a sodacan falling against metal flooring. he crouches down.

“… you could really, really do better.”

you watch as he fumbles with the pick-up box, eyes trained on the back of his neck, the buzzed hair of his undercut. letting out a quiet breath. “riko said the same thing.”

a snort pushes past his lips, ripe with fondness. he pulls himself up from the ground, shifting his weight from one foot to another, reaching for his wallet again. “oh, i’m sure.” he tucks the card back, slipping it into his pocket. a stray cat strolls by you, unburdened, waving its tail in the air. “really, though. you should listen to her.”

something cold meets your cheek. metal, condensation, a pleasant shiver down your spine. he presses the aluminium can against you, and you receive it with a murmur of thanks.

“i’m too old for you, for one.” he continues, and suddenly you feel a little like you’re being lectured. you break open the lid of the sprite can.

“you’re four years older.” a fizzy sound crackles like static in your ears, carbonation bubbling up, sticking to your fingertips. “and we’re both adults.”

he huffs out a breath, only mildly amused. “i’m pushing thirty, y’know?”

you take a sip, lips against cold aluminum, melting sunrays lapping at your skin. it tastes sweet. 

“i know.” a pause, your bottom lip trapped between two sharp teeth. gnawing at the flesh. ”i can’t control how i feel, though.”

…

“yeah,” he sighs, leaning back against the glass. crossing one leg over the other, fiddling with something in his pocket. “i know.”

a moment passes. then he parts his lips, again.

“hey, how about you join me on a mixer someday?” he searches for your gaze, smiling, another one of those charming tilts of his head. “i know some cute guys. and girls, if that’s your thing.”

your answer is instantaneous.

“i’ll pass.”

…

another exhale, breathed out into the summer air. it drips with exasperation, ripe with fatigue, but there’s still something fond there. unmistakable.

“fine, fine. just… think about it. okay?” his palm finds its way to your head, ruffling your hair gently. that comforting weight. “c’mon, let’s go back. riri’s making dinner tonight.”

and then he’s taking a step forward. you watch his back for only a moment, still deep in thought. a fizzy, syrupy sweetness sticking to your teeth, a sense of nostalgia invading all your senses. and, as always, that silent adoration.

deep down, you know it’s true. there’s no changing this, whatever this is. in the same way riko will always be his baby sister, you’ll always just be the brat that sniffled into his chest after your first fight with her. 

he’ll never quite see you the way you’d like him to.

(but, then again, isn’t that a part of it? that subtle, subtle kindness of his. the sense of maturity that asks for nothing in return.)

satoru is a good guy. that’s why you can’t help but adore him, despite everything. can’t help but watch his back as he leaves you behind, wishing you could catch up.

it feels nice, to open yourself up like this. crack the lid of your heart and have him wade through the carbonation. it feels nice to have your feelings be acknowledged, even if they aren’t reciprocated. even if you’re completely delusional, and high on summer joy. it feels nice just to watch him shine.

you gulp down the rest of your sprite, toss it into a trash can across the street, and stumble after him. veins sleepy, heart heavy, overwhelmed by adoration. you’ve already cracked the lid open; everything else comes easy. you just want to make a move, any move. want to see how he’ll react.

“satoru,” you call, and he comes to a standstill. when he turns around your arms are outstretched. “can i have a piggyback ride?”

the man before you blinks. once, then twice, fluttering like angel wings, or pretty clouds. 

and then his smile grows. you catch a glimpse of his dimples, for just a moment, and then he’s beckoning you closer with a chuckle.

“yeah? now you’re suddenly all brave?” he shakes his head, no real discontentment behind it. “or are you really that exhausted?”

he studies you intently, ripe with fondness, and you think your sluggish blinks must be enough to convince him. because he crouches down, back facing you, and chirps out a hop on. a little teasing, of course, but still nice. his arms underneath your thigh, lifting you up like it’s nothing. making sure you’re comfortable.

he’s strong. very strong. the butterflies in your stomach flutter around again.

and you really are very exhausted. bones buzzing with something sleepy and fatigued, sore after all the running around you did in the water. completely tuckered out, resting your cheek against his back. like this, you can feel his muscles, the solidity of his body. it’s a little bit distracting.

“— remember?”

a series of blinks. you grasp onto his shoulders, holding back a yawn. “huh?”

“you falling asleep on me?” he chuckles, walking forward. one step after the other, the soles of his sandals hitting the asphalt. “i was saying — how i remember doing this back then.”

you tilt your head.

“when you fell and twisted your ankle. i think it was nearby, actually. some park?”

“... oh.” when you really concentrate, you think you do recall it; the feeling of his back against your chest, a dull ache in your foot. “yeah, i remember.”

satoru hums, a little buzz of amusement. “after that, you and riri would ask me for it all the time. carry us, big bro!” his imitation makes you smile, voice high and squeaky. “so childish, i swear. i could barely carry one of you.”

a chuckle tumbles from your lips, and it seems to spur him on; because he continues. nostalgia pouring out his throat.

“don’t tell her, okay? but, see — i started going to the gym after that. lifting weights. training, and stuff,” he huffs out an amused exhale, grinning softly. “suguru made me carry boulders on the beach. it was kind of our thing.”

…

“we almost got arrested once.”

you can’t help but laugh, hiding in the smooth fabric of his shirt, in between those white printed flowers. shoulders shaking slightly, giddy and amused. “you did that just ‘cause you were embarrassed?”

“no. because i wanted to be prepared,” he murmurs softly. “in case the two of you ever happened to fall over at the same time, or something. i wanted to be able to carry you both back.”

satoru continues to walk, facing away from you. always smiling, you’re sure. even if you can’t see it.

“you’re both precious to me,” he says, making sure to keep his hold around your legs steady. “that’s why i don’t want either of you wasting yourselves on some random guy.”

a displeased huff.

“… you’re not a random guy, if that’s what you’re implying.”

“well, of course not. i’m the guy,” he quips, standing a little straighter, and you can practically see the smug smirk on his lips. “but i’m not a very good person.”

you blink.

silence fills the open air.

he says it so casually that you almost don't catch it. matter-of-factly, like it’s just another obvious realization, something so deeply ingrained that it isn’t even worthy of a tonal shift. satoru, who makes pancakes for the people he loves, who carries your bags and buys you soda and keeps a picture of his baby sister in his wallet.

that satoru isn’t a good person?

(how could he ever, ever think that?)

“you are.”

a low hum buzzes in his throat, absentminded. you’re not sure he hears you. if he does, he simply doesn’t care enough to respond. the scene flickers by, the moment comes and goes — you want to protest again, but something about this silence makes you hesitate.

the only thing you can do is —

“satoru.”

another little hum. acknowledging, this time. 

“do you… i mean,” you choke down a bundle of words, replacing them with new ones. gnawing at the flesh of your bottom lip. “is there really no chance… you’ll ever feel the same? none at all?”

…

a mirthless chuckle. he sounds a little tired, you think. more than a little exasperated. but the amusement is still there, laced into his voice, and you drink it in the same way you’ve always done. a little root, soaking in the light of the sun.

“after all that,” he mutters, “you’re still asking?”

a moment’s pause. you listen intently, as if you could hear the gears of his mind shift if you focus enough. as if just being stubborn enough could coax him into opening up the way you have. 

finally, he parts his lips.

“well,” comes a sigh, a click of his tongue. he breathes in the summer breeze. “maybe in a couple decades or so.”

you stare. those white tufts of hair sway with every step he takes, and his voice has a finality to it that isn’t lost on you. 

“… okay.”

a pause. then he’s barking out a short laugh, shoulders shaking. you tighten your grip around them. “okay?” he repeats, pinching the skin of your thigh. “can’t you read between the lines, you little troublemaker?”

a huff. you kick your legs, a little, just stretching them contentedly. wet hair sticking to his skin, your cheek still smushed against him, enveloped in his neverending warmth. “i don’t mind,” you whisper, choking down a yawn. and you mean it. “i’ve already waited eight years. a couple decades more isn’t too bad.”

silence, again. you wonder what he’s thinking. you wonder if you’ll ever come close to cracking open the lid of his heart. he parts his lips, oxygen spilling out.

(you think it’s a start.)

“has anyone ever told you that you’re awfully stubborn?”

you’re quick to nod, forehead nuzzling into his undercut. wearing a satisfied smile. “riko tells me all the time.”

“does she?” there’s silent laughter hiding between his teeth, eager to spill out. “that’s good. listen to her, alright? you might learn a thing or two.”

he’s teasing you. the sun is setting, and the air smells like saltwater, and satoru’s back is warm. his voice is set to a melodic lilt, and you feel strangely tempted to close your eyes. 

and you adore him again. 

right — loving him was never a choice, and waiting wasn’t an issue. getting over him is the tall hurdle, the root of the problem, a root you intend you trip over as many times as it takes for this something to bloom.

because he’s beautiful, and comfortable, and kind. because it’s his back you always end up clinging to. because he knows how you like your pancakes, how you take your coffee, what you look like when you cry. because you like this feeling, the swarm of butterflies in your stomach. even if they’re completely meaningless in the long run.

satoru is right, and so is riko. you’re stubborn, terribly so — if only you could see that as a bad thing.

if only you were physically capable of giving this something up.

unlike the siblings and their overgrown backyard, you just can’t seem to look away from an ugly bud yet to bloom. just in case it ends up blossoming, this summer, or the next. just in case it turns into something worth plucking from the ground. it’s fine if it withers away, too. at least it’ll give way to better soil.

you just like him. you just want to see where it leads you. that’s all.

“but promise you’ll go with me to that mixer, okay?” his voice calls, breaking you out of your thoughts. unrelenting. ”i’ll find you someone who’ll get your mind off lil ol’ me.”

ah. that’s right. 

(you’re terribly, horribly stubborn —

and satoru is too.)

you grin, soft and giddy, thinking of the years ahead of you. what they’ll be like. where’s the fun in a certain future?

“fine,” you hum, wrapping your arms around his neck. inhaling that familiar scent of sandalwood. “do your worst.”

[audristarzz]

KOSA PASSES SENATE 7/30/24

Kosa has unfortunately passed the Senate on a 91-3 vote. I want this to be clear, It’s not going into effect, it still has to get to the House but I believe there will be a break for the month of August which gives us A WHOLE MONTH!! to call your HOUSE representatives and tell them to vote NO on Kosa. It’s not over yet so many people told their senators and representatives that they didn’t want KOSA. We can do it again, PLEASE do not panic and give up!! I know it’s scary I’m very scared right now myself but if we go silent that’s how it’s going to pass the House and get signed to the president. Let’s try to stop that from happening!!!

Call your house representatives!!!!there is more opposition in the House, we can stop it. BLOW UP THEIR PHONES!! edit: hi everyone!! I’ve made a change to the way I worded this post, I would like to apologize about the confusion I may have caused. When I had meant by “barley passed the Senate” i meant it as a way of saying how so many people voiced their concerns for so long (I first ever found out about Kosa on 7/19/23) which lead it just now getting to the Senate floor for a vote due to the pushback and feedback they had gotten. I apologize if 1. I had confused anyone and 2. If I did not word this right lmao :,) keep calling you’re all doing great!! - audri⭐️