#its so silly how cute she's being about holding hands with her little rival/crush by the crocodile infested waters

[evocatiio]

TROPPO l S02E07 - "T-Bone Ted"

In jail if someone helps you out, then you owe them. And eventually, they collect. And the only thing worse than having an enemy is owing a friend. That explains the lone wolf act. But that just sounds so lonely.

[teklarn]

I NEED A PART TWO FOR BAUKGOU’S AWKWARD CONFESSION!!

𝓫𝓻𝓾𝓽𝓪𝓵 - 𝓴. 𝓫𝓪𝓴𝓾𝓰𝓸𝓾 𝓹𝓽. 2

character(s): katsuki bakugou x fem!reader

a/n: k the first one kinda blew up and i've been on tumblr for like a week and it made me rly happy receiving the requests ty <33 thank u for all the reblogs too !! this is a bit later than i hoped it would come out b/c half of the original fic was deleted by accident, but i’m on summer break until sept 5 so hopefully i’ll still update frequently. 

𝕣𝕖𝕓𝕝𝕠𝕘𝕤 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕘𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕝𝕪 𝕒𝕡𝕡𝕣𝕖𝕔𝕚𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕!

summary: bakugou finds he’s rejecting his feelings for you in fear of becoming weak, however he just can’t seem to ignore you. 

genre: lil angsty, fluffy at the end

warnings: cursing, one-sided pining, gave reader a quirk, the fighting scene is bs i cannot write action scenes at all im so sorry lol,  second hand embarrassment for our dearest dynamight :(

word count: 2507

pls don't mind any typos! i try to edit to the best of my ability but i tend to type fast and i might miss a few or a lot of things. 

- - -

read part one here my loves !!

you found yourself bored, cheeks puffing out as you swirled around the drink in your glass cup, sitting across from midoriya. he was muttering again, which you’d always found cute, however you weren’t listening this time at all. 

part of the reason you’d rejected bakugou was due to the fact midoriya had requested your attention first, and not as friends. if you’d told bakugou that, it would just wound his delicate ego on top of the fact that you truly had no interest in him whatsoever. 

at the moment, though, he was the only thing on your mind. there was no sudden spark of attraction you’d felt when he’d confessed. of course, anyone would find it flattering that the katsuki bakugou found you attractive. his standards were higher than the clouds. 

at the moment, it felt like something was blocking your chest from feeling something for him, however you couldn’t pinpoint what it was. 

“—it was amazing, right, y/n? y/n?” 

your eyes flickered up to meet the emerald, wide-eyed eyes of your friend. you contemplated lying, but it was no use. shaking your head softly and pursing your lips, you set your drink down. “i’m sorry, midoriya. i’m just kind of...out of it, i guess you could say?” 

he cocked his head to the side. “’out of it’?” he repeated. 

“yeah,” you sighed, head pounding. 

“is everything alright? maybe today isn’t the best time for this.” 

“yeah,” you agreed. “maybe.” 

“do you want to go back to the dorms?” 

you nodded, massaging your temples. “yeah, yeah let’s go home.” 

midoriya let out a soft chuckle through his nose, smiling. “alright.” he offered his hand, and you gladly let him heave you up. 

“i’m sorry about this. honestly, midoriya, i enjoy your company, i really do. but i never assumed you’d catch feelings for me too—” 

“too?” he blinked. the two of you continued on your way back to Heights Alliance. 

you gulped. “yeah, there’s—” 

“are you saying you caught feelings for me, as well?”

your eyes fell blank, lips parting in question. “no, uh. you know what? never mind.” you giggled gently in hopes the two of you would laugh it off without another thought. perhaps you should keep you and bakugou’s quiet interaction to yourself. midoriya and bakugou were already rivals enough. 

- 

the following week was agonizing in many ways. sitting beside bakugou guaranteed that you would get strange, judgmental looks. it never guaranteed his stolen glances. when you’d catch him staring, his cheeks would flare up, and you swore he had smoke puffing out his ears. 

each time, he looked as if he would explode. what can you expect from a guy like him? 

it was easy to assume you’d just pissed him off, though. you weren’t the type of person to tell everyone you’d been asked out, but you needed to speak to someone about it. the thought had been nagging you, stuck at the back of your mind but just on the tip of your tongue. 

you even found that you were distancing yourself from midoriya, who, after asking you out, had insisted you begin calling him izuku. over everyone else, you’d choose him to speak to about the matter, but ever since you’d discovered he had feelings all along, it was strange being around him. 

you viewed him differently. he shot you glimmering smiles and blushed softly when you said his first name. 

“y/n?” 

you twisted around to see mina rocking on her heels behind you. “yes?” 

“are you okay? you seem...how do i put this.” she tapped a pink finger against her lips. “off. you seem off. is everything alright?” 

your brows raised. “oh, yeah. i’m good. thanks for checking in.” 

“is there anything you want to talk about?” she adjusted her hero costume. you and the rest of the girls were currently changing for another training exercise. 

yaoyorozu fixed her hero costume. “i don’t mean to impose on anything, but i have to agree with mina, y/n. of course, there’s no pressure to tell us anything. you’re under no obligation to unless you need and want to talk to someone, but we’re here if you need us, okay?” 

you nodded, smiling softly. “thanks you guys.” 

- 

it was the same training as before, however you were able to select a partner of your own. being that there were 21 students in the class, there was always ought to be a group of three, or one person left out. you’d come into yuuei out of pure luck, as some like to put it. 

you’d found it offensive they’d assumed it was that and not your own pure skill. it’d taken a while to re-convince yourself that you were worthy of being in the class, even if you were usually the odd one out. 

most students had already bonded by the time you arrived here, so finding a partner wasn’t always easy. once you and midoriya had gotten close, you two did most things together, however at the moment, you weren’t quite feeling it. 

surprisingly, your eyes caught bakugou standing alone, eyes scanning the room for a partner. kirishima must have partnered up with another friend, then. it was always them together. 

unfortunately, you weren’t quick enough to avoid either of them. bakugou was already trotting up to you, eyes locked on your figure just as midoriya began jogging to your side. 

in perfect unison, they asked, “be my partner?” (in two very different tones, of course.) 

you blinked between them, about to answer when aizawa came up behind you three. 

“are you guys in the group of three?” your teacher deadpanned. 

your shoulders slumped. “yeah, i guess so.” 

“get to work. you’ve already wasted five minutes standing around.” 

you nodded politely. “yes, sensei.” 

you swallowed. bakugou’s crimson gaze was pinning you in your spot, and midoriya’s lips thinned with a lack of enthusiasm when bakugou looked back at him. 

“get to work, you three,” aizawa repeated, walking away. 

“i can take on both of you.” bakugou cracked his knuckles. 

you clenched your fists. “we already know you’re at the top of the class, bakugou. there’s no need to rub it in our faces.” 

he averted his eyes, cheeks flushing red. it was like a sad, silly way of letting you know you won this fight. 

“i’ll go against you two,” you said, adjusting your hero costume. 

midoriya’s eyes widened. “what? y/n, but—” 

“but i’m not strong enough?” you finished for him. you knew where they ranked in strength, and while yours was just as powerful, if you let one thing slip, your arrows would disappear and you’d be dust. “that’s exactly my point, you two are practically at the top of the class with your quirks.” 

“tch, don’t hold back,” bakugou said, readying himself. 

“don’t go easy on me,” you mocked. 

“y/n, do you really think this is a good idea—” before izuku could finish, you and bakugou launched yourselves at one another. 

you charged forwards. an arrow flew from your hand, twisting its way right through the smoke of an explosion. when it cleared, bakugou was nowhere to be seen. 

a gasp fell from your lips as you turned around just a little too late. your ears rang terribly as your back collided with the ground. 

izuku cried out. green lightning flashed, and he was at your side in a moment. “kacchan!”

you groaned, sitting up. bakugou cut through the smoke with an arm. “fight me, damned nerd. there aren’t any pauses in a real fight.” 

you wriggled yourself away from midoriya. “midoriya, you’re my enemy in this.” 

“bu—” 

“no buts. fight me. and don’t hold back.” 

midoriya noted the determination in your eyes and stood, giving you a sure nod. you were back on your feet in a second. bakugou flew in the air and came crashing down just as fast as he conjured a blast in his right hand. 

attacking wasn’t your best option right now. you were smart enough to know that. an arrow appeared flat at your back and pulled you from where bakugou was targeting. 

cement flew into the air. 

that blast could have wounded you badly. possibly killed you, if he’d hit the right spots. 

in the air, you examined their zealous features. midoriya’s brows were furrowed in that determined smolder. 

bakugou, as always, looked angry. as expected, he charged first, shooting himself into the air. his foot nearly collided with your face, missing my barely an inch. you took your shot, revealing the arrow you’d hidden behind your back. the tip collided with his chest. 

you left the arrow to complete its command and stick your blonde opponent to the wall and trap him there while you went after midoriya. 

while he bested you in strength, you did the same to him when it came to speed. you dodged his punches like they were weak attempts at hitting a ball in a park. 

you grinned. in a battle of strength and speed, whoever landed the first hit would win. there was no question. 

twisting in the air, you allowed the ball of your foot to shove midoriya to the ground. he cried out as his face was crushed into the cement. 

it was perfect timing, as bakugou ripped free of your hold, the arrow keeping him in one spot dissolving into air as soon as its purpose was lost. 

your head whipped around to see him charging for you. 

your fingers curled. the headache pounding at your temples was beginning to get hard to ignore. 

bakugou launched himself at you, spinning in the air like a missile. he really wasn’t going to howitzer you...right? 

when he didn’t slow down, you threw your body to the right, the attack just barely missing your leg. it scorched a bit of your thigh. a groan fell from your lips as you cupped the area around the burn, shuddering with pain. 

bakugou’s chest was puffed proudly as he marched up to you, hands cracking with excited explosions. 

he pulled back his right arm, ready to spark up another fight as midoriya recollected himself. you bit your lip to hide the fact you were quivering. 

it was sudden, but bakugou paused when he saw your hand fly up. 

“give me a minute...” you gasped out, skin still sizzling. 

“y/n! are you alright?” 

you didn’t respond. midoriya smacked his friend’s arm. “kacchan! what’re you thinking?”

“midoriya, i’m fine. don’t stress over it.” you limped to your feet, rejecting the extended hand from your green-haired friend. “i’ll just go see recovery girl.” 

“do you need—” 

you smacked midoriya’s hand away, a little bit more rude than you intended it to be. “i’ll be...fine.” you offered a weak smile to hopefully make up for your tiny outburst. 

although you could see in his eyes he wanted to help, midoriya nodded and stood by, hand falling back to his side. you clutched around the patch of burned skin. the sting had faded a bit, however there was a soreness to the wound that felt like a constant stabbing to your leg. 

you swallowed the pain down, marching towards the exit with determination and a bit of a limp.

you looked back to see midoriya had gone off to tell mr. aizawa what was going on. your teacher nodded, understandingly. 

there were a few worried glances and offers for help in the hall, but you’d neglected them all and found yourself relieved to see recovery girl in her office, typing away. 

she turned as the door opened. “please knock beforehand next time—oh, dear. y/n? are you alright?” 

you gave a tense nod. “mhm. just got a bit banged up in training today.” 

the old woman pursed her lips, smile lines becoming evident. “i see.” she led you to the small cot reserved for patients such as yourself and directed you to sit down. 

she examined the bruise. “it’s fairly bad. what happened?” 

you made a gesture to the door. “i was brawling with bakugou and things got...intense.” 

“that boy has quite an extreme side to him, as i’ve come to notice.” 

“mhm,” you agreed. 

“unfortunately, y/n, i have no ointments to be able to treat this properly.” 

you nodded sheepishly before the old woman smooched your cheek. a soft green glow radiated around you. 

when she pulled back, she said, “now, your body will be trying to catch up on the healing process. that’s what my quirk does. speed up recoveries. since it’s sped up, you’ll require some rest, preferably sleep. i’ll make sure your teachers know you’re excused for the rest of the day, sound good?” 

“yes, thank you recovery girl.” 

she pushed herself out of her rolling chair and left the room, smiling at you.

your eyes fluttered shut not long after that. 

- 

the sun was gone when you woke up, the hallway light flickering off. 

“good, you’re awake.” 

you looked to the left. you cried out, gathering the white sheets around yourself despite being completely clothed. “bakugou! what the hell? you stalker! you creep!” 

bakugou took the slap you gave him on his arm. it was light, and didn’t do much damage. 

“what...what do you want?” 

even in the dark, you could tell bakugou’s cheeks were burning red. “about...about the other day. i wanted to talk to you about it.” 

your chest fluttered in unwanted hope. “there’s nothing to talk about.” 

“dammit, y/n, i wish there wasn’t anything to talk about. you’re insufferable and annoying and i can’t stand being around you because no matter what’s going on, you make my chest feel all funny. it’s stupid, and i can’t take my eyes off of you.” 

heat rushed to your cheeks. “i’m flattered, really. but i-” 

“i’m not asking you to reciprocate my shitty feelings. if anything, it’s better if you don’t.” 

“bakugou, i wasn’t...” you paused. 

“you what?” he snapped, voice soft despite his tone. 

“i was going to say that ever since you...ever since you asked me out, i’ve been conflicted about my own feelings.” 

“the hell is that supposed to mean?” 

“i’m not sure if i like you back or not, bakugou. but hearing you say all this...makes me want to give it a shot. sort of. also, why the hell are you watching me sleep?” 

bakugou swept hair from his eyes. “don’t go and try to change the subject on me, dumbass.” 

you gulped. 

“so what’re you saying?” 

“i’m saying,” you started, “i’m saying that maybe i want to go out on that date with you.” 

“say it again.” 

“what?” you looked up, his eyes boring into yours. 

“i said i want you to say it again. tell me you want to go out on a date with me.” 

it startled you how sure he was when he knew what you wanted, too. this was unlike the last attempt to ask you out. 

“katsuki bakugou, i want to go on a date with you.” 

he grinned. “where to?”

[shadowsfascination]

Dreams

Hot. Moist. Sweat. It gushed off him while he twisted and turned under the sheets, barely awake and still under the spell of a teasing dream. A soft sound, in between a growl and a moan, managed to escape Shadow’s lips, even with his mouth as dry as a desert.

His eyes were half-lidded, continuously blinking at a rapid speed. He gasped, clasping his hands into the ball of fumbled sheets atop him as if longing to hold on to something. His sub-conscious mind started registering the stimulus of the cold on one of his legs that peeked out under the blanket. He tugged it back under the warm, somewhat clammy sheets and a inhaled with a series of grated breaths.

“Shit… This again?”

Shadow laid his head to rest on the pillow below him and stared at the ceiling in the dark. His spiky quills pressed into the cushion, the cool cotton fabric nicely fluffing against his skin. It wasn’t until recently that he noticed how everything seemed to be the same saturated colour in the dark.

Not until these dreams decided to wake me up at the same darn point every night.

He grunted. Not only did he want to fall asleep again, he yearned to dream on that one particular dream. Shadow wriggled once more, huddling in attempt to find a comfortable position to drift off again- fast. He shut his eyes and snuggled up to the pillow beside him in the bed. A muffled groan carried away from underneath it. He was already too awake, too aroused to glide back in his dream again.

Fuck!

The black hedgehog sat up straight in a bed that wasn’t his. Ever since Amy left town two days ago for her internship, he decided he’d sleep in hers, which he convinced himself was fine… She asked me to check in on her house sometimes and I know where her spare key is hidden. It’s not like I’m doing something wrong…

In the pockets of his black jacket was an unfinished joint and a lighter- almost empty, judging by its’ weight. He opened the window in her bedroom, lit the joint and inhaled the smoke. Shadow rested his elbows on the windowsill, picturing Amy’s reaction to him smoking this stuff inside her home. Undoubtedly she’d show that cute, irresistible, agitated blush spread across her cheeks.

It had been that particular look on her face that lit a romantic spark in him. He remembered scoffing himself for the very first time after tracing the slightest affection for her. She was his friend and it should’ve stayed like that. But it didn’t and he had a love-hate relationship with his feelings for her.

Part of him despised the lack of self-discipline that eventually allowed him to fall for her, but then again: who could not fall for Amy Rose?

The young woman was simply amazing; kind, brave, strong, gorgeous, honest and pure. Hanging out with her was never an obligation to him. Even if he acted indifferent in the past, it was a mere cover. He enjoyed being with her so much that the innocent one-sided crush he made himself believe it’d become, faded over time to be replaced with an overwhelming sense of… lovesickness? Lust?

Shadow had yet to come to terms with whatever stirred inside him- if he’d ever decide to stop lying to himself. He craved being with her, even if it was just as her friend. But friends didn’t look the way he looked at her, the way he saw her, the way his mind was toyed with by her.

And lately it had gotten much worse. A feeling of possessiveness grew inside him when she told him her plans for a yearlong internship overseas. Surely she’d meet new people, make new friends, go out and meet guys. Guys who’d eventually find an interest in her. Shadow feared he might lose his chance with her forever. And yet… he’d just let her go like it was no big deal, casually waving her off like Sonic had. Along with his sigh marihuana scented smoke escaped his lips.

He looked at his phone. Nothing. His inbox was unusually quiet after Amy briefly informed him she’d arrived at her destination. It made him restless and impatient.

“I can’t believe I’m just as stupid as that faker…”

That last part was what made it so ugly. Sonic had taken Amy for granted for over a decade. Shadow had gladly been her shoulder to cry on and often told her he couldn’t understand how poorly the blue blur treated her. And now he had sunk as low as his rival when what he really longed for was to make Amy his girl and walk beside her, showing her off, proud as a peacock.

He imagined pulling her into a passionate kiss, one that would weaken her knees, send shivers down her spine. One that made it loud and clear to everyone that she was his woman. Now that was a decent goodbye! He sighed once again. She should be his!

Shadow’s mind drifted off to the night before she left. Amy went home early from the farewell-party her friends had thrown her. She had excused herself by stating she wanted a good night of sleep before her journey the next day, but asked Shadow to hang out with her in the end. Just the two of them. He knew far too well she’d do that.

Something in the way she acted that night puzzled his mind. It had lit sparks of hope that she felt the same way about him. If he wasn’t mistaken, there’d been this tense atmosphere between them.

____________________________________

 “My turn! Shadow, can you hand me that?”

…

“Shadow?!”

Amy frantically gestured with her hands to make contact with a Shadow whose mind seemed to have drifted off. The introverted hedgehog got sucked into his own mind, quietly moping and pouting to himself in his thoughts about her departure.

Blinking when he finally noticed her, she was already so close to him that it startled him a little. Sucking off the tip of the joint he held between his fingers, he instantly stiffened up. Shaking a little as he watched her, he became helpless to the arousal from the image and the prickling heat that flushed through his body.

The girl looked up to him, colouring his cheeks in a deep red, her lips still enclosing the tip. He was quickly to shift his gaze away from her, feeling she’d see right through him if he stared at her any longer.

“Sorry. I was out of it for a bit.”

She didn’t take it from him. Instead Amy let out a muffled ‘U-huh’ and guided his hand to her lips again to have another pull of the joint. Without warning she tucked her arms behind him, pulling him into a hug and chuckled a delightful laughter.

“Cheer up! I’m gonna miss you too, you know?”

“Tsk, darn right, you will!”

Amy snorted at his silly reply and gave him a playful push.

“It’s the truth and you know it.”

Shadow raised his eyebrows and crossed his arms, faking an arrogance that actually fit his personality quite well at times. Amy however saw straight through his act, aware that he found it difficult that she left. Despite everything they ended up being the best of friends and she was sure he’d feel lonely and bored without her.

“We can still catch up on the phone and stuff. It’s only for a year. It’ll be over before we know it. Besides, you’re gonna be busy too in the meantime. I’m so excited for you about the project you were tasked with. You always wanted to do this stuff, right?”

“Yeah, it’s something I’m looking forward to. I’ve always wanted to work with plants. I’ll get to investigate, plant and look after all these rare species the Central City’s botanical garden’s been given after the archaeologist department found this hidden, preserving millions of seeds.”

“A nice change of pace for you, after your last missions. Promise to show me around sometime when I’m back, okay?”

“Gladly.”

“Yay! Now… I need something sweet!” Amy said when a munchie kicked in. “But already I emptied my cabinets… Argh!”

“Wait here.”

Shadow jumped off the roof they sat on and walked up to his motorcycle. Amy watched him lift up the seat and grab something out the space hidden underneath it. He jumped up and pulled himself up on the gutter with two brown paper bags clenched between his teeth. A gleeful smile instantly spread across Amy’s face when she recognized the logo on them. He handed her one.

“I put another in your backpack for your trip tomorrow as well.”

“Aaah, you’re the best!”

Amy opened the bag and couldn’t fight the giddy, happy squeak that escaped her lips. All of her favourite candy from her #1 candy store in Spring Yard was in it, which wasn’t close to their hometown. Shadow must’ve gone out of his way to get this for her and he clearly put in some thought into picking out the confectionary in the paper bag. She happily stuffed her mouth with it and heard Shadow snicker beside her.

“You’re precious.” He chuckled at her.

“What? Oh! I probably look ridiculous.”

“I think it’s endearing.”

She quickly gulped it down and fake-shyly fidgeted, trying to compensate for what she thought was unladylike behaviour. In sudden confusion Amy scratched her quills. Since when did she care about that when she was with Shadow?

She then spotted Shadow unroll a liquorish-fruity roll, her absolute favourite. Tearing the paper bag as she searched for it in hers, her face soured, eye-lids dropping halfway down. She regretted she impulsively ate all the candy in three big bites.

“That’s what you get for eating them all at once.” Shadow said.

He shrugged and put the end of the now unrolled, spaghetti-like candy in his mouth with an amused expression. Amy turned around, bent over him and took a bite from the candy string, her grin turning as smug as his was before. Surprised by the pleasurable tension she experienced from being so close to him, she giggled her unease away.

There wasn’t much left of the candy string. To bite off that last piece, she practically had to kiss him. The thought spread a burning sensation through her chest. With Shadow’s heart jolting rapidly and the blood whizzing in his ears, he slowly sucked up the candy string into his mouth to see how she would react.

Don’t think too much of it. She’s just teasing me! Isn’t she? Shadow thought to himself.

Locking her jade eyes with his ruby ones, Amy leaned in a little closer. Shadow didn’t protest. Amy bit her lip for a second, but then enclosed her rosy lips around the other end of what was left of the short candy string.

He took in her flowery scent and felt her breath gently brush against his lips, their noses almost touching. His palms turned sweaty inside his gloves. Amy’s face was blazing, its’ heat radiating against his own.

He cupped his hands around her back ever so carefully, putting the smallest amount of pressure on them. Aghast and undecided Amy sat down on his lap, one hand on his chest, the other tracing the outlines of his lips.

Shadow decided to take the leap and leaned in a little closer to bite off the string when his phone loudly buzzed in his jacket, startling the hedgehogs. Amy squeaked and quickly slid off his lap, her face and ears coloured in a deep pink blush. Shadow awkwardly hid his face from her, grabbing his phone while he inaudibly cursed whoever ruined this moment for him.

Rouge: ‘Do you really think this is a good idea?’

What the-? How’d she even-? If she’s been spying on us, she will not hear the end of it!

 _______________________________

 After Rouge interrupted them, things became weird. They said their awkward goodbyes like they’d see each other again the next day. But they didn’t because she left for her internship and he went to pick a fight with Rouge. The bat was genuinely concerned about him and what it’d do to him if he and Amy kissed and she’d leave the next day for a whole year.

Even when Rouge meant well, Shadow had yet to comprehend how she’d caught onto his secret feelings for Amy and felt violated in his privacy. On top of that she should have minded her own business.

He put his joint and lighter on the windowsill and snuggled up in Amy’s bed again. With his crimson eyes slowly closing, he concentrated in good hopes the fantasy would sprang from his mind and reignite his dream.

Come on, come on… I’m at the station, where are you? You should be here!

He whispered aloud while Dream-Shadow skated towards the pedestrian-bridge that crossed over the train tracks at high speed. He jumped up the stairs, his heart wildly pounding in his chest, hurrying him forward, pushing everyone aside who blocked his way. The strangers always delayed him in so many, annoying, different ways and every time he was left no choice but to jump off the bridge as a shortcut to get to the platform in time. Although a part of him feared, a part of him knew, he’d be too late -again. A sea of unknown, irrelevant others were standing in his way. Why is it always this crowded?

‘Move! Out of my way!’

The pod had done its’ job and Shadow drifted off into a deep sleep. His gaze locked on to something in the distance, the familiar shape of the one he was after.

‘Wait!’

He clenched his teeth and sped up, screaming to the strangers to make room for him, but his cries fell on deaf ears once more. The empty voices of everyone out here muted his screams before they could reach her.

‘No! Not again! Please! I must…!’

Shadow never seemed to get closer to the train he tried to reach before it’d fare away, even when he was skating towards it at full speed. It drained him, sending stinging pains to his sides, but he never got to it. Like his feet were glued to the ground. Soundless, hoarse, growling cries leaving his throat as the train departed and the crowd suddenly vanished, like it had never been there to begin with.

‘WAAAAIT! YOU HAVE TO WAAAAIT!’

He never mastered control over the rotten feeling, even when he knew it always ended the same way. The fact that he didn’t make it, didn’t reach her, never was fast enough… It was mortifying for him. He was the fucking ultimate lifeform and he didn’t deliver.

He pounded his fists into a brick wall and growled like a beast. His muscles trembled from the impact as he watched the train disappear into the distance. The thought of chasing it tempted him for a second. He let the thought pass on and slid down against the wall, scouring his back to the raw structure and sharp chunks of stone in it. He bled, but didn’t bother. Shadow’s chaos energy always healed him so fast that hardly anything was an actual threat to the ebony hedgehog.

He let his dream counterpart stroll over the platform of the train empty station. It somehow was always empty at this point in the dream. The sun stood low, casting soft beams of light in magnificent deep oranges, reds and yellows, painting long, dark shadows behind objects blocking its’ reach. Shadow sank down on a black, metal bench on platform 3-b, its’ many thin metal lines pressing into his skin. He rested his head on his hand, curling up to a ball.

‘I’m so stupid! So DARN stupid! I should never have let you leave like that!’ He cried. ‘And now you’re gone! ARGH!’

The powerlessness and anger inside the black male came crashing out of him when a chaos sphere ignited from his hands. It destroyed the tracks with a shrieking bang, curling up its’ irons.

‘I thought you were different, Shadow.’ crawled up a voice from behind him.

Dream-Amy’s voice scared him wide awake. His muscles soured, adrenaline rushing through his veins, his breathing irregular and his phone buzzing under the pillow. The disappointed tone in her voice hurt him badly. He seized the phone with trembling hands.

Amy!

Suddenly only seeing her name on the screen made him scared as never before, but also strangely excited at the same time. Nausea sprung in his middle.

Amy: ‘U awake?’

Shadow: ‘Yes.’

An incoming call from Amy popped up on his screen. He swiped it to the right to pick up.

“Why are you still up? Tomorrow’s your first day, right?”

“I went out with some people from the dorm.”

“O-kay... Did you- did you have a good time?”

“Sure did. In fact a really cute guy asked me out. We’re going out Friday night.”

All right. He knew what this was really about. She was trying to make him jealous, trying to make him feel bad about the way they parted. And it was a totally justified thing to do, but her act revealed to him that she wanted him to care. Shadow’s muscles relaxed again and a confident smile curved his lips.

“Is that so? Did you tell him you secretly have feelings for someone else?”

“I’m not in love with Sonic anymore!”

“Who said I was talking about Sonic?”

…

Shadow was unable to fight the amusing feeling inside him from how baffled she was all of the sudden.

“Well- I-! I can’t believe you just let me go like that!”

“I’m sorry.”

Amy shrieked with a high pitched voice when she heard the acoustics of his apology twice. She turned around, the phone still held against her ear to see him standing in her dorm room. In one hand he held a chaos emerald and his phone in the other.

“What are you doing here?!”

“Confessing how much of an idiot I am.” He pouted.

“Go on.”

“It was highly indecent of me to let you go like that and I’m sorry.”

Part of him wanted to confess everything to her, take the leap and come clean, but he didn’t. The repeating dream that haunted him since she left had awakened a new fear in him: that she was only fooling around with him that night. It was yet to be proven irrational. He felt it was her turn to say something for this wasn’t a one way street.

“Thank you. It’s just… That night- I thought you cared about me.”

He sat down next to her.

“I do.” Way too much actually.

Shadow leaned in on her, resting his arms on her legs, his lips close to her ear. He closed her in between the wall behind her and himself in front of her only to whisper: “In fact, I don’t like that you’re going out with someone if that someone isn’t me.”

Amy let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. She tilted her head and unintentionally tightened her grip on Shadow’s chest fur. Her lashes softly tickled on his muzzle when she blinked. His musky scent and flirting intoxicated her senses. He levelled with her to catch her gaze, internally screaming from how hot she looked in what he realized was in fact one of his sweaters.

“Heh, here I only thought I had the hots for you, but it seems I was wrong.”

He pulled her closer by the cords of the sweater. Slowly he closed the remaining distance between them, softly pressing his lips against hers.

“So wrong!”

Amy smiled against his lips and straddled him, clamping his legs between her own, before passionately pouring into the kiss.

Chaos! I wanted this for so long!

_______________

AN: This one’s long! I decided to care less and just write and draw whatever I want, trying out new styles. Here goes...

Shadow and Amy are both adults here. Where I live smoking marihuana is tolerated.

Like always: send me a note for annoying typos, grammar mishaps etc. 

[gundhams-pandemonium]

Hi :) for the ot3 ask game i hope you don't mind answering multiple ones: 1, 2, 7, 8, 18, 23, 37, 43 for the training trio, ouma/Kaito/maki, komahinanami and sonsoudam? Thanks

Wow!! I get to talk about a lot of them, thank you 💕 Its under the cut because of length~

Sonsoudam

1) Who fell in love first? Second? Third?

Here is how (I imagine) it going: Kazuichi falls in love with Sonia, Sonia falls in love with Gundham and vice versa, Gundham has a crush on Kazuichi and Kazuichi is going through some internalized biphobia and has a crush on Gundham, Then, Sonia falls in love with Kazuichi 💕

2) Who confessed first and to who? Did they all start dating at once or did one couple happen first?

Answered this one for Sonsoudam right below this ask ☺️

7) Do they sleep in the same bed? If so, who sleeps in the middle?

I always imagined post game, when people start waking up they all sleep in a cuddle pile (Gundham sometimes will sleep somewhere else if its overwhelming) However, for the sake of this question ill imagine the three have their own bed. Both Kazuichi and Sonia switch who's in the middle, Gundham prefers to sleep on the (right) edge because his Devas sleep close to there; in case they need him~

8) Who proposes? How do they propose? Is it impromptu?

Also asked in the previous ask :>

18) Whats your favorite trope about them?

OoO, Hmmm, does "bonding through shares trauma" count as a trope? Does "Wow, I finally have friends after years of not having any- shit shit I've fallen in love???!!" Count as well? I like both 💕

23) What kind of affections do they each show?

Public PDA is very little, as Gundham struggles with it, however they enjoy snuggling on a couch watching a fav show/movie. Sonia, of course, loves when the two of them get closer to her when they watch horror movies. Kazuichi also will give them something he made/fixed up as affected. Gundham will praise what he made (and if he can, give him a kiss on the forehead or hand. If he can't he'll kiss whatever Kazuichi has made) while Sonia will run up and tackle hug him, telling him that it is very good 💕

37) Who says “I love you” first? Second?

Sonia would say the first I love you, then Kazuichi, Gundham would soon follow (though the words might not be the exact 'I love you' but it's clear that's what he means).

43) Who has the cutest laugh? Who tries to get the other two to laugh the most often?

*Sonia and Kazuichi double teams Gundham with either corny animal puns or dressing the Devas in silly outfits to get him to laugh*

Komahinananmi (did spell right? Who knows)

1) Who fell in love first? Second? Third?

They all fall in love around the same time, but deny that the others could be in love with them 😔

2) Who confessed first and to who? Did they all start dating at once or did one couple happen first?

Chiaki confesses to both Hajime and Nagito, then they all find out that they all like each other and the three start to go out.

7) Do they sleep in the same bed? If so, who sleeps in the middle?

Chiaki sleeps in the middle, the most, but on bad days for the other two will switch with Nagito and Hajime so they can get extra cuddles.

8) Who proposes? How do they propose? Is it impromptu?

Nagito plans on proposing [The three are on a big trip, they've talked about marriage before, etc, etc, this seems like a perfect time]- Everything goes wrong, and so he decides to scrap his plan. However, Chiaki and Hajime planned to and now their both bringing out their rings and so Nagito pulls out his (broken) ring and the three laugh

18) Whats your favorite trope about them?

Idk if counts as a trope but: gamer buddies, gamer buddies, gamer buddies

23) What kind of affections do they each show?

Come over here and let me give kiss kiss! Kiss for all three of them!! Nagito will cling to Hajime and Chiaki, Chiaki will rest her head on Nagito or Hajime, and Hajime likes to take both in his arms and hold them

37) Who says “I love you” first? Second?

Chiaki: I love you... I think

Nagito: And I love the Hope inside both of you💕💕

Hajime:... Love you two too... and all your quirks

43) Who has the cutest laugh? Who tries to get the other two to laugh the most often?

Chiaki likes to get Hajime and Nagito to laugh the most, but they both think her laugh is adorable so while she tries to make them laugh they try to make her laugh

Training Trio

1) Who fell in love first? Second? Third?

While I do love Shuichi and Maki falling in love w/ Kaito first... I love the idea of Kaito falling in love first~

2) Who confessed first and to who? Did they all start dating at once or did one couple happen first?

It happened, kinda naturally. They just always were together, and lots of people mistook them for lovers and finally they decided to make it official!

7) Do they sleep in the same bed? If so, who sleeps in the middle?

They all take turns being in the middle, Everyone can get a lil cuddle (as a treat)

8) Who proposes? How do they propose? Is it impromptu?

Maki and Shuichi plan together, But Kaito keep misses the plans (ring in a dessert: he doesn't get the dessert, trying to get on one knee, Kaito helps Shuichi up). Finally, they are like "Kaito!! Look over here and don't move, and they pop out the ring"

18) Whats your favorite trope about them?

I'm unsure? I dont think I have a fav

23) What kind of affections do they each show?

Kaito just tackle hugs both of them at any given time, also ruffles their hair. The three hold hands constantly, Maki will blush if anyone gives her a kiss on her nose

37) Who says “I love you” first? Second?

Maki says it first, then Kaito, then Shuichi 💕

43) Who has the cutest laugh? Who tries to get the other two to laugh the most often?

Kaito constantly gets both Shuichi and Maki to laugh, he finds their laughs equally cute. Also, when they laugh he laughs so 💕💕 win win!

Ouma/Kaito/Maki

1) Who fell in love first? Second? Third?

Ouma watching as Kaito and Maki get together: 😐😐 (Jealousy~)

But, also Kaito has his little rival/romance happening w/ Kokichi and realised he liked him

2) Who confessed first and to who? Did they all start dating at once or did one couple happen first?

Kaito and Maki began dating and Ouma inserted himself between them and would interrupt their dates.

Eventually, Maki is like "You like Kaito. I like Kaito. Kaito likes me and you. I hate you, but let's make this work for Kaito". Slowly (very slowly) Maki warmed up to Kokichi! They'd never really admit that they even tolerate each other (but they do)

7) Do they sleep in the same bed? If so, who sleeps in the middle?

Ouma is in the middle because, like usual, he just squeezes between the two of them. Maki asks if he has to do it every night

8) Who proposes? How do they propose? Is it impromptu?

Never thought of this tbh

18) Whats your favorite trope about them

Tbh I'm down with almost everything, I just want more content of them

23) What kind of affections do they each show?

The usual, hand holding, kisses, throwing Ouma (affectionately) yknow, the normal

37) Who says “I love you” first? Second?

Kokichi says I love you dozens of times "first" but doesn't count any of them. Maki does officially first, then Kaito. It takes awhile for Kokichi to say an honestly say an I love you

43) Who has the cutest laugh? Who tries to get the other two to laugh the most often?

Maki laughing is always perfect 💕

[vannahfanfics]

Sparks Flew

Category: Mild Romantic Fluff

Fandom: Gintama

Characters: Gintoki Sakata, Kyuubei Yagyuu

Requested By: Anonymous User

Kyuubei’s eyes were narrowed as she regarded herself firmly in the reflection of the mirror. She curled her hands tightly into fists while sharply inhaling through her nose, closing her one good eye as she gathered all her willpower into her soul; upon her deep exhale, her eye snapped open and she boldly announced to her intense reflection: “All right! Today is the day! There is no more putting it off!” Pursed lips and cheeks reddened from the fervor of her pledge were belied by a tremble in her dark brown eye. After a few seconds of holding the staring contest with herself, Kyuubei let out a long, wheedling whine and let her shoulders sag. She had been boldly proclaiming this notion for a week now, but so far it had not come to fruition. She was the successor to the Yagyuu household and a strong, independent warrior! She should be able to do it, no sweat! It was such a little thing, after all… Such a little thing��

Admitting to Gintoki that she had a massive crush on him, that is, which was not a little thing at all. Kyuubei hadn’t thought that admitting romantic attraction would be such a huge ordeal; after all, she had told Tae pretty plainly that she was in love with her, but Kyuubei had come to realize that the two situations were drastically different. She had been in love with the idea of Tae and not really Tae herself, and had just been confusing their deep bond of friendship with romantic love. With Gintoki, she was experiencing all these… strange sensations and reactions; her heart would pound in her chest like a drum and her skin would flush hot and her mind would dissolve to the consistency of pudding, which all resulted in her becoming a blushing, stammering mess.

Thankfully, thus far, the white-haired samurai had just been writing off her odd behavior as lingering effects of her upbringing and shyness around men. Kyuubei had attempted to do so, as well, but it had become painfully apparent to her that no one affected her the way he did. As she wallowed in her failure, she curled her hand against her heart, which was fluttering just at the image of him in her mind. It had been some time since the decisive battle for the world they knew and things had gotten back to truly normal… Yet, although there were no pressing disastrous impending dooms clouding over them, Kyuubei still could not bring herself to admit it to him. Kyuubei was well-acquainted with the bitter taste of fear, and its acidic bite had been poisoning her tongue with rising relish for the last week.

Kyuubei was very afraid. She wasn’t afraid of being outright rejected; she knew that people had their preferences and Gintoki was a flighty man who wasn’t the type to settle into a relationship. No, Kyuubei’s fears were rooted much deeper than that… She was afraid that he would reject her simply because she was who she was, stuck between identities and neither man nor woman. A sickening feeling began to crawl into her belly; she always psyched herself out this way.

Gintoki wouldn’t want someone like me, would he? I’m not beautiful or sweet or charming like Tae… What would I have to offer him romantically? I’m still struggling to even know what romance means, she thought miserably. Bitter tears stung her eye as she stared at that reflection of a creature caught in limbo. Kyuubei had considered embracing feminity in its fullest simply to appeal to Gintoki, but somehow, that left an even more bitter taste in her mouth than the described scenario. She exhaled deeply, calming herself down. No… If he is to love me, then I want him to love me, not some cheap imitation I try to present to win his favor. A small smile curled at the corners of her lips, but it was mostly forced. Kyuubei doubted that this day would end any differently than all the others.

She immediately began to question that when she walked out of her household to see Tae walking through the gates to the compound.

“Kyuu-chan!” A smile immediately lit up the brunette’s face as she trotted over to the swordswoman. Tae’s enthusiasm was always infectious, so Kyuubei could not help the appearance of a tiny smile on her own lips as well. Tae had apparently come to the compound in quite a hurry, as her face was flushed with a pink hue and shone with a thin veil of sweat, and she had to lean over slightly with her hand pressed against her chest while she fought for breath. “I’m glad I caught you before you left!” she puffed while continuing to smile up at her.

Kyuubei blinked in confusion as she watched the girl return to equilibrium. Tae didn’t seem particularly alarmed, so there was no reason to assume some kind of trouble had befallen her, but then Kyuubei couldn’t riddle out what had brought her to the Yagyuu household in such a hurry. She patiently waited for Tae to suck in a deep breath and straighten back up, seemingly ready to explain herself. “There’s going to be a fireworks festival tonight to celebrate the new year!” Ah, so that’s what this is about. The new year was in a few days, and considering it was the weekend, it made sense for a city-wide event to be held on a date that most of the townspeople could attend. “Everyone else is going! Please come with us, Kyuu-chan!”

Kyuubei’s cheeks instantaneously glowed a shade of apple-red. Everyone else most certainly included Gintoki, and Kyuubei was both exhilarated and mortified of that prospect; she was painfully reminded of her pledge to admit her feelings to the man in the mirror not ten minutes before. She swallowed down the nauseous sensation that was rising in her throat and turned away, eyes closed as she wrestled with herself. With such a romantic atmosphere as a fireworks festival, surely there is no better time—! She thought as she clenched her fists as if to physically force her nerves to steel. Kyuubei had been absorbed in romantic research as of late, which pretty much consisted of watching romantic dramas and reading shojo manga, and of the many things she had learned, one had been that fireworks displays were inherently romantic. To refuse this opportunity would be downright cowardly.

“Of course, Tae-chan,” she responded finally, turning back to her with the perfectly crafted unperturbed smile on her face. “I would be happy to attend.” On the inside, she was coiled up like a rattlesnake and quivering. No sooner than the words had left her mouth had the overwhelming desire to rescind them bubbled up inside her. However, she could not bring herself to do so, as Tae was so overjoyed that the beam she gave Kyuubei had a glow that rivaled the intense burning sun. Kyuubei gasped as Tae grabbed her by the wrist to haul her out of the Yagyuu compound. “I— What—?”

“We’re going shopping for yukatas, silly! Summer festivals aren’t complete without yukatas. We’ll find you a super-cute one, Kyuu-chan!” Kyuubei swallowed as the blush blossomed across her cheeks once more. Tae knew about her crush, and Kyuubei knew her well; no doubt, she was hatching a scheme in her cunning mind to doll her up and present her like a freshly-wrapped present to Gintoki in the hopes that sparks flew. Tae-chan’s innocent, child-like smile morphed to a mischievous grin for the briefest of seconds, confirming Kyuubei’s suspicion.

There’s no way out of it now, she resolved herself with a small sigh and allowed the woman to continue to tote her along. Once Tae had something in her mind, not even the forces of Hell itself could claw it out.

The yukata shop was fairly busy, packed to the brim with excited young girls, many of whom were eager to look dashing for their male suitors that evening. As the conversation around her buzzed with such topics of young love and winning favor, Kyuubei could feel her heart begin to pound anxiously in her chest. Even if I am wearing such a thing, will Gintoki even notice? Part of what she liked about him was his unabashed, aloof, almost bored personality and outlook on life, but a deep part of her very much desired his compliments.

Kyuubei was no fool; she was not strikingly beautiful like Tae and the other women surrounding her. A great many of them ceased talking as they passed, and the whispers of whether or not she was a man or woman were not unheard to Kyuubei’s ears. It wasn’t that part that Kyuubei minded, as she had no care for such trivialities; she was afraid, however, that because of that, Gintoki didn’t look at her as a potentially attractive creature at all— and that saddened her considerably. “Tae-chan… Are you sure this is a good idea?” she murmured as Tae came to rest to begin perusing the pre-made yukatas neatly arranged on a viewing table. Holding up one of pink fabric that would look stunning on her (but not Kyuubei, probably), she looked at her inquisitively.

“Aw, Kyuu-chan, are you worried about Gin-san?” As if the blush wasn’t telling enough, Kyuubei looked shyly to her feet. There was no point in lying, so she affirmed her suspicions with a weak nod. “Don’t worry! You get too much in your head, Kyuu-chan,” she chortled while knocking on Kyuubei’s forehead like a door. “Just be yourself.” Kyuubei’s rubbed the red mark that had appeared on her forehead as Tae returned to picking through the yukatas. To be herself was pretty cliché advice indeed, but it made sense to Kyuubei; really, she wanted Gintoki to like her for herself.

Perhaps I have been thinking too much about how confessing my feelings is to happen… I suppose if I am myself, then the opportunity will present itself? She deduced with a small frown. It was worth a shot and was likely to be better than her attempts thus far, and really, she was running out of options. Her mental dilemma embroiled her for enough time for Tae to make a decision, and soon she was spirited away to the dressing rooms.

As she once again marveled herself in the mirror, Kyuubei was a little unsure; not that she doubted Tae’s fashion intelligence, but she would have thought that Tae would try to accentuate her girliness. The yukata was of a deep blue fabric that accentuated the midnight tones of her hair. It was patterned with frothing waves at the hems the crested around her midriff to roll around the backside, and finally completed with a black sash. It was a rather androgynous design, and Kyuubei found herself curious as to Tae’s thinking. She slid open the sliding door to allow her friend to critique, and Tae began clapping and jumping lightly up and down. “Ah, just as I thought! It looks marvelous on you, Kyuu-chan!” Tae herself was indeed wearing the pink one she had spied earlier, which hugged her figure nicely and was embroidered with various flower patterns of many colors with a white sash.

“Why did you pick this one for me, Tae-chan?”

“Because it looked like you!” she responded simply before tutting at her to take it off so they could pay. The answer was far less than illuminating but Kyuubei knew better than to question her friend’s judgment, so she just did as bid.

~~~~~~~~~~

“Ah! There they are! Hello, everyone!” Tae called merrily from their perch on the riverbank as Gintoki, Shinpachi, and Kagura approached from behind them. As it turned out, the Yorozuya had rented booth space for an arm-wrestling contest with Kagura (which, of course, no one could beat, and thus they probably made scores of money from burly men whose egos refused to allow them to lose to tiny Kagura), so Tae and Kyuubei had spent most of the time enjoying the festival as a twosome operating under the premise that the other three would join them for the main event: the fireworks. Kagura was gleefully devouring some cotton candy, likely bought with her winnings, while Gintoki looked like he was close to reaching nirvana as he leafed through the wad of cash he was holding. He was the direct manifestation of a greedy miser at that moment but yet Kyuubei still felt the blush rising to her face as she spied on him, and she shyly cast her gaze to her lap as they came to plop on the grass beside them. It was worse when Gintoki sat down right beside her, making her squirm slightly in discomfort.

She had decided to tell him tonight, but how could she with all these people around? Soon the fireworks would begin, and there would be no way for him to hear her profession of affections. Her hands worriedly kneaded at the fabric of her yukata like a fat house cat in its owner’s lap. Just be myself, she reminded herself before looking at Gintoki with shining pink cheeks.

“S-so your carnival game was a success?” she stammered.

“Hell yeah it was!” he snickered as he waved the stack of money about triumphantly. “This oughta get the old hag off my back for a few months, and I’ll have plenty left over for Jump and pachinko.” His grinning mouth shone as brilliantly as the white moon hanging above their heads, and Kyuubei could almost see the muscles rippling beneath his clothing as he tucked the wad of cash into his kimono. Of course, he hadn’t wasted any money on yukatas like the rest of them and was dressed in his normal garb. Speaking of muscles, Kyuubei anxiously ran her hands up her arms, feeling the chiseled structure of her hard-earned anatomy. Would he find that disgusting about her? Surely Gintoki preferred a dainty, slim, and demure woman unlike herself, whose body had long since abandoned its fairy-like frailty due to her lifetime of training. She looked away as tears began stinging her eye. It was so frustrating, this love ordeal.

She loved him so much but couldn’t spare any of that love for herself, and that was her problem. She had not the confidence to admit anything at all, because her lack of self-confidence always sparked these worrying possibilities in her mind. Kyuubei’s fingers tugged at the grass, pulling up the emerald blades by their weak roots. I was a fool to think that anything would be different today, she thought miserably.

“Haha! Hey, everyone, look, I have sparklers! Let’s do them really quick before the show starts!” Tae announced loudly. Kyuubei looked up to see her staring intensely at her, and Kyuubei instantly knew that she had no intention of inviting Kyuubei along. As Kagura and Shinpachi gleefully scampered over to her to take handfuls of sparklers from the young woman, Tae gestured with her chin to Gintoki before spiriting the two young people further down the riverbank, where it was less populated.

Now, Gintoki and Kyuubei were alone.

The young swordswoman swallowed anxiously and looked at the silver-haired man. He had laid back in the grass with his hands behind his head and one leg propped lazily on the other; put a piece of hay in his mouth and he would be the picture of a contemplative farmer boy. She would’ve thought that his gray eyes would be fixated on the glittering stars above, but when Kyuubei looked, she was both fascinated and appalled by the fact that they were trained intently on her. She straightened up like a rod and pulled her arms against her chest as if to shield herself from their intense stare, flushing a deep pink. Silence settled between them as she just watched him thoughtfully watching her, before he sighed deeply and pulled himself back up into a sitting position, rubbing the back of his neck with a pouty look.

“Well, if you’ve got something to say, wouldja say it already? Tae won’t be able to keep those kids entertained for long,” he said bluntly. Though he was facing forward, those glittering gray eyes that looked like stars themselves were gazing at her with all the intensity of supernovas. It greatly unsettled her that he could see through her so easily and was terrified that he knew exactly what she was going to say already, and had just decided to outright reject her. Fidgeting nervously and playing with her hands, she looked meekly down at her lap. For all her strength and prowess, Kyuubei was helpless in the battlefield that was love, it seemed.

“Gintoki… Do you think… Someone could love me?” she asked finally, in a hushed whisper. She did not look up to see how his expression had morphed; she was afraid to. “I resolved once… To walk a path as neither a man nor a woman, because that is who I am in the truest sense, but… I am beginning to think… That I will have to choose one side or the other,” she frowned deeply. “How can a man find me beautiful, or a woman find me handsome if I exist in a state that is in-between? Have I doomed myself?” Her bottom lip wobbled as tears welled up in her eye before flowing over her cheek in a thin stream that absorbed the heavenly light from above to glow like liquid diamond against her pale skin. Finally, she brought herself to look up at him, and this time he was finally looking at the inky black sky above.

“Damn. That’s heavy,” he huffed quietly. Kyuubei grew saddened; he would probably say to her that she should ask Tae these questions, because what would he know about it. He exhaled loudly as he scratched at his head. At least, it looked like he was trying to find a way to put it delicately. “Look, sure, some people might not understand it, but I don’t think that it makes you completely unlovable. The whole point is to find somebody who loves you no matter what, right? So why should you worry about being appealing to everybody?” He grumbled in an attempt to seem comforting.

“I don’t want to be appealing to everybody!” Kyuubei interjected suddenly, and he looked at her in shock. Placing her hands against the cool grass, she leaned forward so that she was looking up at him with a face contorted in agony. For a second, her heart twisted in her chest and her lungs writhed as she attempted to force the words out of her throat, and then suddenly they were out in the open, leaving her mouth in a soft breath that hid the impossible effort of bringing them forth. “I want to appeal to you, Gintoki…” When she realized what exactly had come out of her mouth, she hung her head, black hair falling over her face. It wasn’t how she had imagined it happening, and it was a pathetic display.

He makes me this way… I can’t think straight, and I am just so afraid of how I’ll come off… she thought with a sniffle. All her investigating and research had been fruitless; she could not draw on it for her muddled mind and racing heart. Surely he was trying to hide his derision for her right now. She slowly raised her head as the silence pricked uncomfortably at her skin. She hadn’t been sure what she was expecting, but it was something far from the gentle, soft smile he was giving her right now. Kyuubei’s heart stilled in her chest as she drew in one final breath. That look alone seemed to send her to Heaven.

“Well, you don’t have to worry about that, because I think you’re just fine.” The tears began flowing faster down her cheek. She couldn’t tell if he truly knew the depth of what she had said or if he was just being his same nonchalant self.

Above their heads, the fireworks suddenly exploded into colorful brilliance; while everyone else’s eyes were trained on the artwork of the heavens, the two of them had eyes only for each other. Kyuubei watched guardedly as he resumed that same powerful stare that seemed to pierce her soul like the sharp edge of a katana to draw it out into the open, raw and sparking like a firework itself. Her eyes trailed upward a little to the silver curls of his messy hair because they were no longer that hue of tempered steel; like it was a blank canvas, his hair was being painted with the light of the exploding fireworks above, dazzling splashes of red and green and blue and gold. All the while, he just gazed at her, as if waiting for what she would do next. Did she want him to spell it out for him? The sadist.

Her hand twitched with the desire to thread her fingers through the strands. An instant later she followed through; almost as if her body was moving on its own, she reached up to do so, watching as the colors played across her slender digits that were weaving through the impossibly soft fibers. Suddenly she realized what she was doing and moved to snatch her hand back, but Gintoki caught her by the wrist. “Don’t throw me into the river,” he warned in a voice that rumbled like rolling thunder in the distance.

He grabbed her other hand and pulled it to rest on his shoulder, purposely forcing her to scoot forward on her knees lest she lose her balance. She was nearly chest-to-chest with him now, and because she was sitting up on her knees, she was nearly nose-to-nose with him as well. Every nerve in her body was bursting with electricity as she physically fought against doing what Gintoki had literally just asked her not to do; she still had a lot of problems managing physical affection from men. Even if she wanted to move, she really couldn’t; it was like his gaze had electrified her, rooting her frozen to the spot. She drew in a small, sharp breath as one of his hands settled at her hips and the other rose to gently caress her cheek, fingertips drawing an indistinct pattern in the soft, sensitive skin. “You still have something you wanna say, don’t you?” he mused in a low voice.

“I-I love you,” she whispered through quivering lips. I said it, she thought and her shoulders sagged a little as if the weight of the world had been lifted off her. A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth as he regarded her playfully until his face relaxed and he leaned in towards her own. Kyuubei’s eyes drifted shut of their own accord, the ghosts of the exploding fireworks momentarily dancing in the darkness as she awaited the inevitable. His mouth melded over hers as if it had always belonged there, moving in a gentle yet passionate kiss. Kyuubei melted against him as her breath was all but whisked away from her, and her heart beat like a drum in tandem to the popping fireworks dazzling the sky, and she thanked the gods that this day did indeed end differently than all the others.

Thus the sparks flew that night, both above their heads and between two students of the sword…  

Enjoy this oneshot? Feel free to peruse my Table of Contents!

[hyucksoftie]

rose | jeno

genre: angst & some fluff

words. 2.1k+

requested: yes

desc: he's the bad boy everyone warns you about, to you he's the love of your life, but to himself he's the boy that's been hurt one too many times.

a/n: this is long can y'all tell who my bias is 👽 anyways sorry for not posting for like 3 days

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He was like a rose, beautiful and delicate. A rose could go through a harsh winter and still make it out; similar to how Jeno could be hurt over and over and still stay standing. He was a strong soul, and no matter how good the intentions are, Jeno knows to protect himself. It's the rose comparison again. Just like the honey haired boy, a rose had its thorns. You'd have to cut away at them to be able to finally hold the pretty red flower. You'd have to break down at his walls to be able to finally get close to him.

Maybe that's why you were drawn to him. Drawn to his dark leather jacket and soft vanilla scent. You'd always see him with the same 5 people, never straying from his tight knit group. Jeno kept to himself mostly, the only words he'd say to others being 'thank you' or 'excuse me.'

Rumors would usually float around about the boy, talking about how cold and rude he was or asking if you heard that he sells drugs in the shady part of town. Jeno knew when people were talking about him. He'd act oblivious to all the glances and whispers that were sent his way.

The one person he would notice, was you. You were different to him. You felt different. Your group of friends would talk about him as you'd glance over, a look of curiosity on your face. He always preferred you from everyone else. You were nice.

When he walked to his classes, you would smile if you crossed paths, even offering him a small wave. Jeno would be too frozen up to smile or wave back, your figure disappearing before he could collect himself. Once when you caught him smoking behind the school, you didn't run off and tell everyone so you could degrade him. Instead you frowned, even asking him 'why are you doing that to yourself?' It made Jeno feel bad, you had looked genuinely upset.

Instead of distancing yourself from him like most suggested, you found yourself wanting to get to know him. Was he really like they said he was? Or was he the total opposite, an innocent victim of judgmental classmates that liked to spread lies?

One thing was for sure. Jeno did not live up to his bad boy name. He looked soft, too nice to hurt a fly. He was quiet, he did his work and didn't cause distractions in class. It's always been like that. Jeno's always been that way. So why the name?

It all started with a lie, as everything about him does. Some girl Jeno liked at the time gave him a chance and when she realized she didn't like him, she dropped him just like that. To make matters worse, she told everyone he played with her and forced her to do bad things with him.

Everyone quickly turned against Jeno, giving him dirty looks as he walked down the halls.

As always, not you. You'd softly whisper, asking if he's okay. Jeno's eyes would be glued to the floor, not paying you any mind. Despite constantly ignoring you (unintentionally) and your efforts to befriend him, you never gave up or got mad at him. He was a challenge you were willing to take.

It wasn't until you talked with one of his friends, Renjun, that you realized how similar Jeno was to a rose. Thorny, delicate and pretty. Renjun told you all about Jeno, already knowing you from the handful of times he'd talk about you. He knew your intentions were nothing short of genuine.

You learned that Jeno's mother had passed away early in his life, ending up stuck with his angry hurt father. His dad put the blame on Jeno, convinced his mother was gone because of him. Because of those thoughts, Jeno would often get beat by someone that was supposed to care for him. He never tried to fight back, he stood there silently and let his dad let out his hurt on him every single time.

You learned that in 7th grade, someone Jeno considered a friend turned his back on him. The person went from friend to bully.

Jeno has gotten messed with too many times, Renjun would say. The boy was practically immune to the hurt now. It has happened so many times, he could say he was used to it.

Things took a turn for the better when you were finally able to break down Jeno's walls. For the first time in a long time, he was feeling something other than hurt.

"What's it feel like?"

"What does what feel like? Being disliked even though you did quite literally nothing?"

"No silly, I was going to say what's it feel like being cute but if you want to be deep..."

Jeno chuckles, tilting his head so he's facing you. "You should know better than anyone. You're the cutest." You smile and reach for his hand, giving it a squeeze. "Thanks."

He squeezes your hand back, sighing softly. "My pleasure." The stars were bright tonight, but to you Jeno shined the brightest. He rivaled the night sky. You were so in love with him, you would do anything to make him smile that cute smile.

It hasn't been long since you finally gained Jeno's attention, but you knew you were head over heels for the boy.

He was so much better than the rumors you would constantly hear, so much. Your suspicions were right. Jeno was completely and utterly a total softie. He'd blush when you held his hand, refusing to look you in the eye when you brought up the redness in his cheeks.

"Jeno?" His eyes were still on you, humming out a response. "If you don't let anyone in, why did you let me?

Jeno smiles and scoots over to you, wrapping his arms around your frame. "Since day one, I knew you were different from the others. I could feel your niceness from a mile away." You dug your head in his leather clad chest, letting his vanilla scent overtake your nose. He looked good, he smelled good, could Jeno be any more perfect?

"You would ignore me though, I thought you hated me... I hated thinking I was contributing to your hurt." Jeno runs his hands through your hair, shaking his head.

"I never hated you; never will. And you didn't do anything, nothing at all. I've learned to ignore the stares and whispers anyways. I just naturally ignore everything, I guess. It's what comes with constant backstabbing. I don't let myself get close to anyone."

He looks down at you and kisses your temple, "but you're different. My conscious knew you were worth it."

You smile at his words, feeling all giddy inside. Different. He knew you were different from everyone else. That made you happy.

"The guys and I are hanging out tomorrow, I was thinking you could tag along?" You sit up and look down at Jeno, brows furrowed. "Won't I be a bother? Hangouts are supposed to be for friends, not friends plus girlfriend..." Jeno copies your movements and sits up, leaning on his outstretched arms.

He smiles at you and intertwines your hands.

"Don't be silly, Y/N! We all like you. Well- I obviously like you more but the point is! Everyone enjoys your company, you should totally come with." You smile back and nod, "okay sure." Jeno does a cute silent cheer, rocking your intertwined hands. His actions make you laugh.

He hugs your waist, making sure there's no space between the two of you. Jeno would never admit it but he loved skinship with you. "Great. Wait for me after school, we're leaving right after the bell rings~"

You do as Jeno said, you stand at your locker waiting for him to come. The bell had rung, most of the students already gone or waiting for their rides outside.

Jeno still hadn't arrived, you assume he was being held back by a teacher or something.

Someone grabs your hand and you smile assuming it's your boyfriend. But when you turn around you're not met with his sweet chocolate eyes, instead you see the eyes of the last person you wanted to see. Hwang Hyunjin: your ex boyfriend. Your smile immediately drops, guts filling with nerves, awkwardness. What did he want now?

"It's been a while, yeah?" You don't respond, only looking down at your fiddling thumbs.

Hyunjin pins you against the lockers, both of his hands trapping you between him. You tense up, cringing backwards to stay as far from him as possible. "I hear you're with that fuckboy no one likes. I think his name was Jeno? I don't really care enough to be sure." Gulping, you gather the courage to look him in the eye. "Shut the fuck up, Hyunjin. Leave him alone."

He smirks at your words, leaning closer to you. Even though you knew it wouldn't make a difference, you backed up. "Aw, you're defending him. How cute."

You don't know what he's up to or what he wants. All you know was that Hwang Hyunjin was trouble; he was way worse than Jeno but yet people stuck to him and praised him as if he were better. So why did you, the nice goody two shoes who was against all kinds of negativity, go out with the actual devil himself? You were dumb, naive. Dense.

You had a stupid crush and he knew it. He loved playing with you like you were a dumb little rag doll. His personal toy. Hyunjin loved that feeling of power. Especially over someone like you.

"What do you want, Hyunjin?"

He looks down at you and smirks. "Could it be any more obvious, Y/N?"

You glare. "Just spit it out."

Hyunjin's eyes are dark as he looks at you, his tongue licking over his pillowy lips. "I want you." Before you can say anything or push him off, the boy's lips are on yours. His kiss was rough, horrible compared to Jeno. Jeno was sweet, took his time and always mad you feel loved. With Hyunjin you just felt like an object. Something of no importance.

"What the actual fuck?" A familiar voice snaps you out of your frozen state. Finally acknowledging the situation, you glare at Hyunjin and push him off. "Jeno I-"

Jeno shakes his head, eyes glossy and lip quivering. He was used to feeling hurt but fuck, something about seeing you attached to someone else pained him. He never expected you to become a part of the list of all the people who've hurt him.

"Of course. You're just like the rest. You fucked me over just like the rest! I should've known you were the same. You just wanted to lead on poor little Lee Jeno! Have a story to tell to all your friends."

You open your mouth and try to let out words but none were coming out. Hyunjin stood to the side, watching with a smirk.

"Well congrats Y/N, you did it. You made me fall in love with you, go ahead and tell everyone how you played me. I'm sure everyone will love it. Stay the fuck away from me." Jeno walks past you, his form shaking and eyes pouring out tears. The sight broke you. The fact that you added more reasons for him to be suspicious of everyone broke you. You broke him. "Jeno wait!" You shout but to no avail.

Jeno leaves the school building, hugging himself. When he nears his friends they all quiet down, curious of what happened. "Jeno what's the-" He gives Jaemin a teary eyed glare, shutting him up. "Let's just go."

"What about Y/-" Jeno doesn't even want to hear your name right now. "I said let's go!" They all quiet down and pile into the car, not dragging the situation further.

As Jeno rode away, you stayed at the school, not wanting to accept the fact that the love of your life had just pushed you away. "It's okay, doll. I'm here for you. I'll treat you much better than him." Hyunjin puts on his best reassuring voice, pulling you into his chest. You're too frozen up to react.

You hurt Jeno. You thought you could open him up, slowly make him stop being so cautious of everyone. But instead you'd hurt him.

He was a rose, and just like a rose that's been through too much, he stopped being strong. Like a weakening rose in winter, he'd finally given in and let the winter storm engulf him. You'd been the last straw.