#killing her was not the intention I just wanted to make her easier to hit akfkakckwkdka

[gardenialver]

Girlies

synopsis - telling him a secret about girls

pairings - Tetsurou Kuroo, Shoyo Hinata, Kenma Kozume

content - fluff, reader is afab and fem, mentions of: periods, pads, boobs, discharge, boob touching but not in a sexual context, wet hair, it's slightly alluded to the length and texture of the readers hair but I've tried to make it slightly more upto interpretation

Tetsurou Kuroo

"Babe, I'm gonna tell you a secret but you can't tell anyone ok?" Your boyfriend looked at you with shaking eyes, "Why are you nervous?" You laugh at him, hitting his shoulder lightly.

"You're making it sound like you're about to tell me you've killed 5 people," You put your legs up over his lap and he holds onto them, "I'm not, this is a girl thing ok? You have to promise not to tell anyone,"

He leaned closer to you, shoving his face into yours, with a hand you pushed him away, keeping your fingers on his cheek. "When girls change their pad, they stick it onto the wall," You felt Kuroo's cheek raise as his face contoured to confusion.

"Wait so you like stick it onto the wall?" You nodded at him, "Yeah we just kinda," You made a slapping motion, "Wait, why?" You side-eyed him, a judgy look on your face.

"Because it's conventional, if you put it on your leg then it hurts like it hurts to take a bandaid off, you always whine when we have to get blood-tested, and if you put it on your leg then it sticks and you get your uterus tissue and blood on your leg and that's nasty,"

"If you put it on the floor then you have to bend to get it and that's uncomfortable and lowkey hurts but if it's on the wall, then you put your new pad on and then grab your old one and roll it up and throw it away, easy, conventional, clean, painless,"

"Wait, that makes so much sense," You nodded, "See, anyways you promise not to tell anyone I told you this, this is top secret," He nodded intently. You placed a small kiss on his cheek and he smiled into you.

Shoyo Hinata

"False alarm it was actually just discharge," You call out to Shoyo as you turn off the washroom light, there he was standing with painkillers, a ginormous plush, a heating pack, and an assortment of desserts.

"Thank you babe," You greet him with a kiss, touched at the lengths he went to just under the pretense that you may be on your period. Despite that he still gave you the large plush and put everything else away, crashing onto your shared bed.

His arms wrapped around you underneath your chest, tossing and turning, ending with you groaning and him stopping with wide worried eyes. "I'M SORRY DEAR ARE YOU OK?? WAS I TOO ROUGH I'M SO SORRY," All you could get out was a pained, "My boobs hurt"

There he was on the bed bowing in apology while you clutched your chest, one hand clutching onto the plush. "I'M SORRY I FORGOT THEY GET SORE!!! DO YOU WANT ME TO MASSAGE THEM OR ANYTHING??" Your boyfriend continued to worry but you threw your plush at him with teary eyes. "NO YOU PERVERT" "I DIDN'T MEAN IT LIKE THAT BABE I'M SORRY"

After a while of back and forth you laid your head against his chest. "It's so annoying Sho, that I keep preparing and thinking my period's here and it's not." He held you close, cupping your chest lightly to lift the weight off of you.

"The discharge wasn't this bad before was it?" He asks peering down at you and you only lull your head, "No it's been this bad I'd just never tell you properly." He pressed a long kiss to your cheek, "My poor babbyyyyy" He droned.

"Your boobs get very sore, your cravings kinda startish? The headaches and back pain, sometimes you get early cramps," He began to list and just saying it out loud made your body feel even worse and as she felt the weight pressing against him he leaned back.

"Is it like this for all girls? I only have Natsu to go off of and I'm sure she'd be uncomfortable telling her adult brother that," He said while moving his hands to rub your back.

"Yeah, I mean some girls have it easier and only get it for like 3-4 days and their pre-symptoms aren't as bad but it's definitely bad enough for you to mistake it as your period." While offering comforting kisses he continued to ask questions.

"Ohhh is this why girls will pack double the underwear on a trip for like three days?" You nodded, "So this is that type of emergency?" You nodded again, holding him closer out of the need for affection.

"DO YOU WANT ME TO CHANGE YOU???" "PERVERT" You yelled again lamely hitting him. "I'M SORRY, I JUST FEEL LIKE I FINALLY HAD AN EPIPHANY, A REVELATION, A BREAKTHROUGH." "A full circle moment? Well an emergency is also if you get your period and then you leak"

He nodded and adjusted himself closer to you, "Thank you for telling me babe," He cheerily thanks and you nodded, lips finally turning up at another kiss.

Kenma Kozume

With a towel slung over your shoulders you smiled at the feeling of cool air hitting your skin, "Babe I'm done showering" You call out to him, your slippers thumping against your feet and the flooring as you find him.

"Thanks I'll go shower now," He mutters to you, holding your hand momentarily before sulking off to the washroom. As you settled into his gaming chair, preparing to benefit off of his high levels and high currency in games you heard the usual shriek, pouting as you went to check on him.

"[Lastname] [Name], can you stop doing this." He scolded you while pointing to the cluster on the wall, "No," "What is this?" "Uh, my hair??" He rolled his eyes, "This is gross, this is nasty, why is your wet hair in clumps on the shower wall, THE SHOWER THAT WE SHARE"

"Ugh, stop being so dramatic, be happy it's not in the bath, either way all girls do this," He deadpans at you, "I don't care if all girls do it, I don't want to see your wet hair whenever I go to shower, your hair's long too''

"Can you stop being misogynistic? My hair's not even as long as you're saying it is" You mock him, trying to leave until you were held back. "No can you get rid of it?" He glared with his arm wrapped around you.

"Why can't you just do it yourself?" But you still complied as he carried you from point A, the shower wall, to point B, the trash can. "Ok now go shower in peace," You finally left the room, the steamed room now suffocating you since you had finished your shower.

Sighing again at the cool air that hit your exposed skin you went back to playing games on Kenma's computer, finally getting touchy with him when he emerged from the washroom.

You wrapped yourself around him, watching him play a horror game, your own version of mansplaining coming out of you whenever he wouldn't follow your instructions.

As time passed so did you and your partner's bathing practice. "I've finished showering babe," You call out to him, a new set of pajamas on your body and the usual sigh of refresh when feeling the slight breeze of the cooler air outside the bathroom.

Again your slippers thumped against the floor while you searched for Kenma, "Hi Kodzuken," You teased as you placed your chin against his shoulder.

He rolled his eyes and continued playing a little longer before he finally left to wash, allowing you to take over his gaming set. "pikmin" But again you were stopped by a noise of alarm in the bathroom.

However, this time instead of annoyance you now had a small smile on your face, knowing exactly what he was calling you for. "What??" "DID YOU MAKE F****** APPLETUN WITH YOUR WET HAIR??" "No that's obviously Wooloo, have fun showering,"

[delawaredetroit]

What do you think about the villains' endings?

I'll get into that as I get to the arcs where the League has more focus in my reread...but in general...

Shigaraki: 2/10. I'm less upset about him dying as much as the lack of chemistry between Izuku and Shigaraki in their final fight. Shigaraki doesn't get enough time to get any closure against All for One the way Yoichi does despite being put in similar positions. I also don't like that the most important part of Shigaraki and Shimura Nana's resolution, one of the few highlights of this plotline, happens offscreen.

Magne, Mr Compress: 3/10. I don't think they were well handled, but they don't get enough focus for me to care much either.

Spinner: 4/10. Unfortunately, he spent the arc where he could have been most interesting with his brain completely fried. He brings a lot of interesting ideas to the table, but overall he is mostly missed potential. To some extent, that may be intentional. In the last moments we see him, all he can think of are all of the what ifs.

Touya: 6/10. In the end, Touya gets most of what he wanted. The Hero Endeavor is dead with a reputation destroyed beyond repair. He gets Todoroki Enji's undivided attention for the rest of his days. The points are lowered because too much of that plotline is spent on Endeavor's constant whining and Rei and Shouto didn't get enough focus.

Toga: 8/10. Toga chose her own fate dying for someone she loved using a method she learned from the love she received from the League. Her story leads to the genuine reform she wants - a world where it's easier to live. I don't like that this self-sacrifice was never acknowledged by their society.

All for One: 9/10 for Vestige All for One and 1.5/10 for Original Body All for One. I didn't like All for One just becoming a baby to become unborn without any back up plan, and I didn't like that Bakugou got to be the one to kill him. It gets 1.5 points because it was funny. As for Vestige All for One, his last scenes with Yoichi and the One for All users really hit. I don't think there was enough of a resolution between himself and Shigaraki though. Also, I was a little disappointed in the lack of DFO...

Twice: 10/10. Thematically, it makes sense how and why his death happened. The manga did a good job making readers care about him before sticking the knife in. His death sets up a large part of the manga's conflict in the Third Act.

[giggly-squiggily]

Time Wasn't In Our Favor (Demon Slayer)

We're just going for the angst this week huh- kjajkearjkeajkr

Heyo everyone! I wrote this a while back and did a small poll with everyone on which Obamitsu fic they wanted to see: the super fluffy one or this. The fluff won. All this time later I finally decided to share this with everyone! :D I hope you like it!

CW: MAJOR SPOILERS FOR DEMON SLAYER MANGA. Angst, Heavy angst barely any comfort, mentions of past abuse, mentions of past torture, mentions of past bullying, insecurity, blood and injury, death, food mention, almost confessions, just lots of pain and heartache y'all I cried writing this kjarjkekjarjek

Summary: Four times Obamitsu almost confessed, and the one time they finally did.

“Kanroji looks…uneasy.” Obanai mused out loud one day, watching the pink haired Hashira speak with the others. While she smiled and greeted everyone as per her welcome, there was clear discomfort on her face whenever she was alone. She was always clutching the ends of her uniform, tugging on it as if it would somehow get longer.

“I don’t blame her. That perv was the one who made the uniform.” Sanemi grumbled, referencing none other than Maeda- one of the many tailors in the Demon Corps. He was good at the craft, but notorious for his…revealing design choices. “I heard he tried to pull the same thing on Shinobu and her Tsugoku. She burned it before him.” The Wind Hashira snickered, clearly pleased with the thought. “Shame she didn’t get to him a third time.”

“He designed yours too, yes?” Obanai eyed the bare chested Hashira, his scars gleaming brightly against his skin. “I assumed he only did that for the woman.”

“Ay, eyes up here, buddy.” Sanemi snapped his fingers, focusing the other. “And yeah- I told him to make mine like this. Makes the whole bleeding thing easier.”

The ‘Bleeding thing’ was what Sanemi called his Marechi blood- a rare type that demons craved like an addiction. He often used said blood to kill his targets, luring them in with the smell and cutting their heads off clean. It left him with scars all over, but the white haired man didn’t seem bothered by it.

Obanai was about to remark on Sanemi’s other intentions regarding the choice of clothes when his eyes went back to Mitsuri. She was now talking to Shinobu, her stance relaxed once more. It must have been comforting, having another woman on the team to talk to. While he hasn’t seen any of the Hashria leer at Kanroji, he wouldn’t be surprised if those outside their group have, taking in her entire being like a piece of meat.

The thought alone made his stomach turn. He wanted to hunt them all down and gut them.

“Ayo, your bloodlust is showing.” Sanemi reached up and nudged his foot, bringing him back to reality.

“Says the man with the most bloodlust here.” Obanai retorted, earning a snort.

“I save it for demons.” A half truth. Sanemi followed his gaze, humming softly. “She’s a tough woman. You don’t have to worry about anyone being gross to her. She’d probably knock them out with those killer biceps.” He nodded approvingly, flinching when Obanai punched his shoulder. “Ouch, damn- what the hell?”

“Don’t be cruel.” He growled, feeling protective. He didn’t know much, but they seemed to be an insecurity for her- her arms. The way she tucked them in when in groups or kept her hand gestures close to her chest. It was like she was trying to shrink in on herself.

“I wasn’t....” Sanemi rolled his eyes before turning back to the girl in question. “I didn’t mean it in a bad way. I like her arms. I think they're great.” He nodded. “Don’t hit me again- I’m not trying to steal your girl.”

“She’s not my-”

“But she does look uncomfortable.” He carried on, furrowing his brows. “Especially with the skirt. Think she’d feel better if we force Maeda to make her a longer one?”

Obanai doubted it. Not only would it not be ready for a while, but the implication felt…wrong. Like he was telling her what to wear, or that he was only looking at her legs.

Legs…wait a moment…

“Don’t. It’ll make things worse. But I do have an idea.” Obanai mused, starting to perk up.

~~~

“Oh wow…Iguro-san, these are beautiful!” Mitsuri gushed as she held up the socks. They were knee high, light green with stripe detail down the legs. Thick enough for coverage but light enough so she won’t sweat. They matched the tips of her hair, she realized- a detail she hadn’t even thought of herself. “I love them!”

“I’m glad.” Obanai smiled behind his mask, fighting down the blush threatening to spread over his cheeks. He looked away politely as she pulled them on, Kaburamaru hissing in approval as she squealed with delight. “They’re on! How do I look?” She asked, striking a pose. Already she looked much more comfortable in her own skin.

Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Obanai almost said it as he took in her smiling face, the look of utter joy in her green eyes as she fluttered about- beyond pleased. It was like the sun was eclipsed until this moment- finally peeking out behind a mass of dark matter to shine down on them, enhancing the world around them. Obanai nearly forgot to breathe when she smiled at him like that.

“You look wonderful.” He got out, making her blush and shine more.

One day, he’d tell her.

One day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Mm! Mm, mm mm! The smell is amazing!” Mitsuri was in heaven- her cheeks flushed with absolute joy as she breathed deeply. She had gotten back from a particularly long mission, and she was starving. The plan had been to go home and make something, but she ran into Obanai along the way. The first thing to greet him, much to her horror, was the growl in her stomach.

“Hungry?” He asked, voice teasing. Her face burned.

Now they were here- a small restaurant that Mitsuri knew well. The shop owner loved her- she tipped well and always made his day better. When she walked in, the old man greeted her with open arms and a bright laugh. “Welcome back, Miss Kanroji! Ah, I see you brought a date!”

“Oh, this is Iguro-san! He’s a fellow Hashira.” She reassured him, her cheeks bright red as the man and his wife came around to properly say hello. She dared a peek- Obanai looked rather flushed himself. Don’t let this get awkward, Mitsuri. “I’ll have my usual, though er…keep it to one serving.” She shifted, forcing a smile.

“Just one? But we made a whole pan-” The kind man began, cutting off when his wife pinched his arm. “Alright then- a serving of Curry rice for the lovely lady, and for you sir?”

“I’ll have the same thing.” He nodded, his voice quiet. The couple faded away as Mitsuri and Obanai took a seat, side by side along the table. She knew she should sit across from him but…”Sorry- is this weird? I’ll move.” She offered, starting to stand.

“It’s alright. I don’t mind.” He patted her hand, keeping her there. He didn’t look uncomfortable- even if he seemed to stop breathing for a moment. Oh dear, did she take too much space? She wasn’t exactly slender. Was she crushing him?

“Are you sure? I really don’t mind-” She began again, only to stop when the restaurant owner came by, placing their bowls before them.

“Here we are! I added half an extra serving for you, Kanroji. I know how much you love our curry rice!” He winked playfully at her before heading back, ignorant to the way her soul dropped to her stomach.

“Kanroji? Are you okay?” Obanai asked, brows furrowing as he took in her pale face. “Is there something wrong?”

“No! No, not at all!” She squeaked, shaking her head as she gathered her chopsticks. “I’m fine! Totally fine! Let’s eat, shall we?”

If she were completely honest- she wasn’t fine. When she usually came here, she was either by herself or with Rengoku. The Flame Hashira ate as much as she did, so she never felt weird polishing off so many bowls of the delicious curry rice.

Awful as it sounds, being here with Obanai- it reminded her of her ex fiance.

“You’ll never find a man who will welcome your presence for the rest of your life.”

“You eat like a boar. What man would want you?”

“Your hair is hideous. And your arms? God- it’s like you're more monster than woman.”

All this time later, and those words still stung. She felt them clawing up her throat, choking her. Her eyes burned as the shame she felt coated her skin like oil, sticky and suffocating. She couldn’t let Obanai see her eat that way. It was bad enough he saw her hair. He saw her fight demons in a way that was without a doubt not fit for a lady.

If he saw her eat like a monster- like a demon…

“Kanroji, are you okay? You look like you're gonna be sick.” Obanai sounded so concerned. He looked at her bowl, taking a sniff. “Is there something wrong with the food? You haven’t touched it. Do you want me to get you something else?”

I want to disappear. She thought helplessly. I want to fade away. I want to be more what the world wants. I want to fit in, to blend in. To go unnoticed. I want to be forgotten.

“I…” She began, freezing when she saw the chopsticks before her, holding some of the rice.

“Erm…sorry if this is…eh…” Obanai seemed flustered as he offered the food, his cheeks red behind his mask. Still, he held her gaze. “I think…I think eating something might make you feel better. Sometimes we get stomach aches from not eating…at least, that happens to me.” He nodded at the rice. “Erm…this is kinda awkward, if you want me to put it down I’ll-”

Her lips closed around the chopsticks, the rich flavor melting on her tongue. It was a little embarrassing, being fed, but… “Thank you.” She smiled, taking the chopsticks from his hand. Taking a breath, she looked at her bowl. She wanted so badly to dive in and eat, but…

“Kanroji, please.” Obanai nodded. “You should eat. If you want, I’ll keep feeding you-”

“Oh no! I got this!” She tried to eat slowly, but before long she was devouring her bowl, lost in its flavor. When she finished, there wasn’t a grain left. “Mm…mh!”

Oh no. Oh god. She forgot. She forgot he was-

The untouched curry slid into her view, Obanai’s eyes kind. “If you’re hungry, eat. A Hashira needs their fuel, and you especially.” At her questioning gaze, he nodded. “Love breathing is a branch of Flame breathing. Those types of moves burn through calories like nothing. You need to restore your energy, so eat what you want.” He nodded. “Besides; I think the restaurant owner here would be pretty sad to let that pan go to waste.”

Her eyes grew misty, but not from hurt. She smiled wobbly, taking the bowl. “Thank you, Iguro-san.” She paused then, suddenly feeling bad. “But your food…”

“I already ate.” He dropped casually, making her stare. “Really. I had those snacks you left me. They were amazing.”

“You really liked them?” She asked, her heart starting to swell. As she turned to her bowl, she heard Obanai ask the old man to bring Mitsuri her usual order. “And some Sakura Mochi. They’re her favorite.” He nodded, making her heart race within her chest. He remembered.

~~~

“That was amazing!” She sighed, patting her belly as she and Obanai left. The restaurant owner and his wife saw them off, smiling at eachother knowingly. She had a feeling she was never gonna hear the end of it from them next time she came. “Thank you so much, Iguro-san. You really didn’t have to pay though! I know my order can get…expensive.” She almost cringed at the amount of bowls she tucked away.

“It’s no trouble at all. You were happy, and that’s what matters.” He nodded, not quite looking her way as he tugged on his mask. His ears were red now, something she found rather cute. “Please never feel the need to hide from us, Kanroji. We’d never judge you for how you live.”

The unspoken “I” was there. It made them both blush.

“Thank you, really. I…” She wanted to say more then. It had been a long time since someone made her heart race like this. Someone who looked at her only fondly as she ate, no judgment in sight as she finished off bowl after bowl. He never pointed it out, only kept the conversation going; talking about missions and life and friends.

He made her feel…normal.

She wanted to tell him that.

She wanted to tell him more.

“Hm? What is it?” Obanai asked, looking at her curiously.

No. Not yet. She swallowed her heart back to her chest.

“Nothing. Just…thank you again.” She smiled, tugging at her hair.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Obanai was more careful than this.

As the Serpent Hashira, he was rather fast on his feet. He moved like his breathing style, slithering and evading demon attacks as he brought them down one after the other. At best, he walked away without a scratch.

Today, he wasn’t so lucky.

“Iguro-san! Oh no, you’re hurt!” Mitsuri was beside him before he hit the ground, the demon fading into ashes behind them as her hands steadied him. His entire body hurt, and his face felt wet. When he blinked, nothing fell from his eyes- it wasn’t tears.

Which meant it must have been blood. Lovely.

“It’s alright- are you okay?” He grunted, the smell of Sakura Mochi telling him she was rather close. Her hair was frizzy from the fight, and her eyes were wide with worry. She had a bruise along her chin, and her clothes were frayed at the sleeves.

Bruised and dirty, but she was alive. Good.

“Nevermind me, you’re bleeding!” Her hands reached out, hesitating momentarily before she took his chin, gently turning it to look at the cut. “It doesn’t look that bad- if Kocho-san was here, she’d know exactly how to handle it.”

“It’s alright- I can take care of it.” If anything- he’d prefer to. The cut ran past his mask, cutting it to the middle. In order to clean the wound, he’d need to remove said cover.

The cover that hid his scar and the painful memories it carried.

“You’re so strong, Iguro-san.” She smiled, cheeks pink as she wiped the blood away with a portion of her Haori. “That’s what makes you so great- you can handle just about anything.”

The words made his face heat up, and he was about to tell her not to use her Haori on him. “The blood will never come out!” He was about to say.

Only for the words to get caught in his throat when he felt his mask slip.

“Oh!” Mitsuri caught it before it could hit the dirty ground, the damage it took was more severe then they realized. “I’m so sorry- I must have worsened the damage! I’ll fix it up-” When her eyes came back to Obanai, he looked stricken, pale and shaky as he clamped a bloody hand over his mouth. “I-Iguro-san? What’s wrong? Are you about to be sick?”

He didn’t answer, his throat closed with fear and his mind racing a million miles a minute. No- no no no! This wasn’t supposed to happen! She can’t see it- she can’t!

His fingers pressed tightly against the scar tissue stretching past his lips, reminding him of that horrible day. The knife glinting in the candlelight. The pain stretching along his face. His tears as he begged and begged them to stop, to let him go, to kill him.

All for that horrid Serpent Demon. All to keep the stolen riches the demon provided.

He wished he could forget it. How he was almost given to that horrid beast, and the consequences that came when he escaped.

All of it, there on his scarred mouth. If Mitsuri saw it…she’d know what he was.

A coward. A monster.

“Iguro-san…” Mitsuri bit her lip, eyes wide with worry as she took in the shaking Hashira before her. Then her eyes grew clear. she grabbed her sword. 

Before Obanai could stop her, she sliced through a clean chunk of her Haori, the strip long and thick. Folding it, she brought it up and pressed it over the hand covering his mouth, her touch light.

“It’s not much, and it probably smells weird, but it’ll have to do for now.” Her eyes were so gentle, so kind as his hand fell away, his mouth once again secured. Her hands came around and tied his new makeshift mask into a secure knot, careful not to catch any of his hair in the process. “There we are! Feeling better?” She asked.

The mask smelled like sakura mochi and tea and home. Even with everything that happened, she never lost that scent. Tears burned his eyes and cut off his voice, making it impossible to speak. Instead, he reached out and took her hand, squeezing it tightly in his own. He hoped she’d hear his silent thank you.

When she squeezed back, fierce and kind- she squeezed his heart as well.

~~~

Later- with his face newly cleaned and his clothes fixed, Obanai found a small parcel waiting for him. The note on top was written in curly strokes, a heart dotting her name.

Iguro-san, I fixed your mask! It was kinda dirty, so I cleaned it as well.

With love- Mitsuri

He held it close to his chest, his newly stitched and clean mask. It still smelled just like her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Master Ubuyashiki was gone.

He gave his life so he could end this Demon war once and for all.

Mitsuri wiped at her tears, running through courier after courier as she searched for the demon in sight. She would not let Master’s parting gift go to waste. She would make his dream come true!

Now if she could only find the freaking thing!

This particular one- an Upper moon she believed- was rather elusive. Anytime she got close enough to cut her head off clean, she’d strum her Biwa and the room would shift. One minute Mitsuri was above her, the next she was free falling into yet another part of the tower.

“THAT IS IT!” She raged as she stood, racing through more hallways. The changing made her head hurt, and she was sure if she saw another Biwa after this the instrument would only play sour notes. Still- she had to pursue!

Flying high, she raised her sword, the witch once again in sight. “I’ve gotcha now-”

And then there was a door.

Smacking her then and there, pain exploded across her body as Mitsuri flew off the edge. Her nose was bleeding- but she didn’t know if it was from pain or embarrassment.

Or both. Most likely both.

Falling backwards, she knew it was not gonna end well. Her body was already sore from crashing into various walls and floors. This time she suspected she wouldn’t make it.

Suddenly, arms were around her, and she was flying. Blinking, she barely registered her savior before they rolled onto a nearby column. “I-Iguro-san!” She gasped, staring up at him. Her heart did a hundred funny things then as she looked into those concerned mismatched eyes.

And then her face burned, shame bringing her back to reality. “I’m so sorry- I got ahead of myself.” She moaned as she covered her face. “Forgive me!”

“It’s quite alright, Kanroji.” He reassured her, helping her to her feet. “You’ve done well. Please be careful- we don’t know how this Upper Moon works or what her abilities are. She very well could have more than we expected. It’s better to analyze her now and look for any openings.”

“Right!” She nodded, the logic in his voice soothing away her nerves. “You be careful too, Iguro-san. This whole room shifting thing isn’t fun to deal with.” Her bruises screamed in agreement, making her wince.

Obanai nodded, a picture of preparation. “Very well. Let’s-” Suddenly the floor split, sending them in different directions. “IGURO!” She cried, barely breathing as he dodged the column. Obanai called out something to her, but before she could react, she was suddenly flying once more, this time towards the ceiling.

With a wall jump and a slash of her blade, she was safe- barely. She shook it off as she turned to glare at the Upper Moon. “You won’t be able to attack me with the same move twice!” She cried, going for an opening.

The room changes, a door opens. She’s falling again.

Well damn.

“GAHHHHH!” She raged as she fell. She was so mad she nearly forgot what Obanai called out to her.

“MITSURI LOOK OUT!” Was what he called.

Mitsuri.

Mitsuri.

He said her name.

The realization motivated her, pushing her to her feet. “He said my name…I have to live, so I can say his.” She nodded, running once more.

And then…

“Later.” She decided. “I’ll tell him it all later.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rain would have been appropriate in a situation like this.

Footsteps she knew like the back of her hand came towards her. Gentle hands pulled her up, resting her against a bloody chest. “Kanroji..I’m back.” Obanai’s voice was raspy. He didn’t have long left.

“Please…call me Mitsuri.” She breathed, the phantom pain of her missing arms nearly choking her. There was blood everywhere. She didn’t know who it belonged to. At this point, did it really matter? “Did we…did we do it? Is he dead?” She had to know. She needed to know.

“Yes. He’s gone.” Obanai breathed, blood dripping from the cuts where his eyes once were. She wanted to see them. To run her once there hands along his cheek, brushing away the blood that coated his face and just feel him.

Muzan took that away from her. She hoped he burned wherever he went.

“Good…hey, I can’t feel anything.” She laughed up blood, shaking her head. “I guess I’m dying.”

“I’m dying too.” The words cut, even if she knew it was true. “So you won’t be alone.”

“No…don’t die yet.” She breathed as her eyes filled with tears. “You can’t die yet.” Her voice grew sad then. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t much use in the fight.”

“No, don’t say that. It’s not true.” His voice was so gentle as his hand came up, running through her shredded locks. “Do you remember that day? The day we met?”

“Of course. I got lost in the mansion.” She giggled at the memory, it felt so far now. “You helped me then. Thank you.”

“It’s the other way around.” His voice grew soft as he reflected on all their moments together. The day they met- how she laughed like bells and smiled so warmly at him. How their time together made him feel like they were just normal people living their lives.

“You’ve saved so many people with your bottomless kindness. You should be proud, Mitsuri. Thank you. Thank you so much for letting me stand by your side.”

Tears spilled down her cheeks as she let out a sob, shaking her head. “I’m so- so happy Obanai. Thank you, for always making me feel loved. Meals tasted better with you. I just- I want to do it all again.” She looked up at him through the blurriness, and it was like she could see him for all that he was- human and the love of her life. “If we are to be reborn, please- make me your bride!”

“Of course. If you will have me.” He pulled her closer, his lips brushing hers as the last of her breath faded away. “This time…I’ll be sure to make you the happiest person alive. I won’t let you die next time…Mitsuri, my beloved.”

Thanks for reading!

[lavenderdreams22]

Something About You - Rafe Cameron x Reader

Summary: A game of truth or dare leads you to an awkward situation with Rafe. Fluff.

Request: Could I get a Rafe x reader where they kiss on a dare? Something fluffy?? I love your writing

This isn’t exactly what you asked for, but the concept is similar. I hope you like it ❤️

Warnings: nothing really. Maybe a bit of cussing?

*****

“Come on, Y/N.” Kie laughed, taking another swig of beer. “You have to tell us. You chose truth.”

“If I tell you, I’ll have to kill you. What’s my punishment?”

Sarah leaned over to her, giggling as she fell over and struggled to prop herself up on her arms. When she finally managed to, she whispered something into Kie’s ear.

Kiara’s eyes widened as her face broke out into a mischievous grin. “Okay! Your punishment is…” she hit her lap to mimic a drumroll. “Sneak into Rafe’s room and steal his favorite watch.”

“He’s probably worn the damn thing to bed.” You said, your eyes wide.

You’d had a crush on Rafe for years. Something about him drew you in, but you knew that if you let yourself get too close, he’d chew you up and spit you out.

“Do it.” Sarah said, resting her head on Kiara’s shoulder. “If he’s wearing it, you’ll just have to come up with a really convincing reason for him to let you have it.”

You shook your head before standing on shaky legs and stumbling to the door.

The two of them broke out into a fit of giggles that was only slightly muffled by the closing of the bedroom door.

You snuck to Rafe’s room on what you thought were silent feet, careful to stop every couple of steps to listen intently to the sounds of the house. The last thing you needed was for Ward to catch you sneaking into or out of his sons bedroom.

As you reached his door, you could feel the sweat lining your shaking hands.

God he would kill you if he caught you outside his room like this. He would kill you again if he caught you inside his room. He’d probably kill you a third time for taking his watch. But in truth or dare, a punishment was a punishment… and you weren’t a pussy.

Taking a deep breath to steel your nerves, you shoved the door open. To your excitement, it was silent and the lights were on, making it easier to find what you were looking for. To your disappointment, Rafe was still awake. He was sitting up in bed, scrolling through his phone.

As he spotted the movement at his door, his eyes shifted to you, and a furrow appeared between his brows.

“What d’ya want Y/L/N?” He said, his voice the type of gravelly that sent shivers down your spine.

“Oh, I… I didn’t think you’d be in here on a Friday night.” You took a step forward as his brow furrowed even deeper.

“You’re in my bedroom.”

“Yeah, I suppose I am.” You smiled, the alcohol making you brave.

“Okay… get out?” He said, but it came out more like a question.

“I would, but I’m kind of on a mission right now.” Your eyes scanned the room again, landing on his wrist.

There was the watch, sitting pretty and expensive.

You crossed the room to him before you could rethink your decision and grabbed his hand, fiddling with the clasp on the watch.

“What the hell are you doing?” He snapped but he didn’t pull out of your touch.

“I just need to borrow this for a bit.” Finally wiggling the clasp loose, you pulled the watch from his arm. He just stared at you, confusion evident on his face.

“You’re drunk.”

“Yep.” You said, popping the ‘p’.

“You gonna pawn it?” He sat up more, leaning closer to you. “If you need money, just ask.”

“No, Rafe.” You rolled your eyes. “I’m not gonna pawn it. You’ll have it back tomorrow… Probably.”

He scoffed. “What do you need it for?”

“You let me worry about that, handsome.” You hiccuped and patted his cheek with one of your hands.

“Handsome?” His frown spread into a grin. “Since when do you think I’m handsome?”

“I’ve always… always found you handsome.” You swayed a bit on your feet.

“Okay, you must be farther gone than I gave you credit for.” He gripped your shoulders. “Sit for a minute.”

You gave a half hearted protest, but let him sit you down.

“So…” he started, slowly removing his hands. “You think I’m handsome?”

You hummed, feeling the blush creep across your already red face.

“Well, I’ll be damned.” He sat back, crossing his arms over his chest.

“But I never told you. Mostly cause I didn’t think it’d matter since… you’re… you know… you.” You gestured at him.

“And why would me being me make your feelings not matter?” His frown was back, and you wanted to kiss it away.

“I’ve been friends with Sarah for years.” You flopped back on the mattress, the watch still clasped tightly in your fingers. “You’ve never really given me more than a couple words here and there.”

“You’re always surrounded by guys.” He shrugged.

“Just JJ and Pope, maybe John B.” You shrugged. “They’re hardly guys.”

Rafe snorted. You cursed yourself for giving him the ammo, but you were too drunk to attempt to backpedal.

“God, you know…” you propped yourself up and met his eyes. “You’re just like… you’ve always been so attractive. I really started to notice in, like, 5th grade.”

“You’ve felt like this since 5th grade?”

“Yeah, course I have.” You rolled your eyes before your face split into a beautiful smile.

You didn’t notice the way his breath caught in his throat.

“Well, I’ve always found you, um… beautiful.” He shrugged. “You just seemed off limits, what with the pogues and Sarah.”

“Since when have you cared if something was off limits?”

He grinned. “Fair point.”

“So.” You nodded, sitting up farther. “You find me beautiful, and I find you handsome.”

He nodded, suddenly wary of the faraway look on your face.

“And yet, we’ve never done anything about it.”

His mouth went dry. It wasn’t that he hadn’t wanted to. Hell, he had thought about you more than he thought appropriate. Late at night, right when he woke up, when he was working, golfing, drinking. There wasn’t really a waking moment where thoughts of you didn’t plague his mind.

“No, we haven’t.” He gulped, hoping you missed the way his voice shook. He wiped his sweaty hands on his pajama pants.

“I think it’s time we rectify that, don’t you?” You leaned closer to him.

Rafe knew he should pull away… knew he needed to tell you to go, but he found himself leaning closer, his lips only inches from yours.

“You gonna let me kiss you, Rafe?” You murmured, your voice felt like a soft caress down his spine.

He didn’t answer, just closed the distance and pressed his lips to yours. You were soft and you tasted like beer and vanilla, and he was sure that he could spend forever in this moment and never have any regrets. But, too quickly you were pulling away, your eyes still closed as your breathed. He watched the way your chest rose and fell before you shot him another of your dazzling smiles. .

“Better than I imagined.” You whispered, finally opening your eyes to meet his burning gaze.

You shook yourself to snap out of the moment and put more distance between you. Rafe resisted the urge to pull you closer, to capture your lips with his, to pull you on top of him and further that kiss into something more.

“I should get back.” You spoke again, your voice still full of heat.

Before he could pull you back, you had crossed the room and let yourself into the hallway. He groaned, letting his head fall into his hands. This would really not help his small obsession with you.

When looked back up, the glint of something shiny caught his eye.

His watch.

You must have dropped it during the kiss, or maybe during your escape.

Before he could talk himself out of it, he launched himself out of bed, scooping the watch up, and forced himself to walk, not run, to the door. When he opened it, you were nowhere to be found, but the laughter from Sarah’s room drew him in.

Knocking on the door, he waited for a moment before Sarah giggled. “Come in.”

He pushed the door open, and his gaze settled on you.

“You forgot something.” He said, crossing the room in two small strides.

“Oh yeah?” You grinned up at him.

“Yeah.”

Falling to his knees in front of you, he gently grabbed the back of your neck with one hand and crashed his lips to yours.

After a surprised squeak, you kissed him back.

Where the first kiss had been warm and slow, this one was hot and fast, almost as if you couldn’t get enough of each other.

“I think I’m gonna be sick.” Sarah stated, fake gagging.

You pulled away, giggling, your breath fanning over his face.

He let go of you and got back to his feet before dangling the watch in front of your face.

Sarah and Kie gasped.

You turned to Sarah as you said, “I win.”

He wasn’t sure what you were talking about or what game you were playing, but Rafe couldn’t help thinking, as he grinned down at you, that he was the one who had won.

[pagannatural]

2.15 Tall Tales

-once again we have an earth-shattering revelation episode followed by silly sibling hijinks episode. Last episode Dean confirmed out loud he would rather die than kill Sam and that he is devoted body and soul to saving him. Now he is eating sloppily from a takeout container on Sam’s bed. Fascinating ecosystem.

-so Dean is on Sam’s bed. He likes hanging out and making a show of being annoying while lying on Sam’s bed. He must want Sam’s attention because it seems territorial. He’s licking his fingers and smacking his lips and being as loud and expansive as possible. Maybe Dean is reclaiming Sam in some way after he was possessed last episode by laying claim on his space.

-Sam asks Dean to turn down his music so Dean turns it up, and the song is actually so fucking perfect look at the lyrics

I could really just highlight the entire song. It’s about someone avoiding talking to the subject and the subject feeling out of their mind lonely about it.

It sets the tone for the whole episode and adds meaning to why they’re getting on each other’s nerves so badly. They’re avoiding talking about the big thing on their minds and subsequently picking at other things and at each other. Again, they’re lonely when there’s distance between them and they don’t feel they belong to each other.

-Sam and Dean recount their investigation into the case so far to Bobby. It’s a storytelling device that allows us to see into the characters’ perspectives and the ways in which they are unreliable narrators.

Sam recalls Dean being a sloppy drunk and basically asking him to have a foursome with him, a girl at the bar, and her sister. He recalls Dean leering at him and wiggling his eyebrows and Starla drunkenly hanging off of Dean, doing the same. It very much seems as though Dean and Starla are suggesting a small, incestuous orgie.

Sam turns up his nose because Dean is drunk and he thinks the girl is trashy and tanked. His judgment toward her is palpable and betrays his jealousy. It’s also a glimpse into the way he perceives Dean’s attempts at setting him up—he recognizes Dean’s interest in him sexually, he remembers when this happens, but he doesn’t think it’s serious because he thinks it’s about the girls rather than about him. Dean is a himbo in his story, kind of without intention or feeling.

Dean, however, describes hitting it off with a woman who is a classy grad student. He remembers Sam being extremely feminine and prissy and confronting him about making out with a woman like he’s Dean’s nagging girlfriend.

Trying to set Sam up is not a part of his story, instead he tells it like he’s the center of attention and Sam is jealous. It makes me wonder if Dean is self conscious about how he treats Sam, how he often involves him in his sex life. Later in the series Dean is described as “needy” more than once in the context of his relationship with Sam as a way to taunt both of them. It’s interesting that Dean would feel shame about needing Sam, whereas Sam’s shame is never really about needing Dean. This is one of the dynamics in their relationship that tends to operate consistently in the background for the entire show, and I see it as a birth order thing. Dean as the older sibling feels responsible for Sam, so he can’t be clingy and unhinged the way that Sam sometimes is without really thinking anything of it.

Dean also portrays Sam as feminine. Like, flamboyant. It’s probably easier for Dean to focus on Sam’s sexuality and make fun of him for being gay rather than take him seriously for being in love with him. So Dean is doing the same thing Sam is doing, dismissing Sam’s intentions and chalking his behavior up to something else.

Both stories are defensive in their own ways: Dean paints himself as totally uninterested in Sam. Sam paints Dean as indiscriminate and careless in his attentions but wanting Sam to join in. Common elements are Dean’s attention being on someone else and Sam being jealous. The variables are the why’s.

-Bobby: you’re bickering like an old married couple

Dean: no see married couples can get divorced

Okay so you’re not like an old married couple—not because you’re not married or because you’re not a couple, but because your connection is more permanent? Okay!

The brothers say they’re more like conjoined twins which is wild because regular siblings get on each other’s nerves plenty but they are not regular siblings and that description is not enough for them so they describe themselves as physically part of each other. Over and over we’re told that actually they are not “just brothers” like Sam said in Playthings.

-Dean was watching porn on Sam’s laptop. He eats in Sam’s bed and jerks off with Sam’s laptop and it’s like he’s a dog getting his scent on everything Sam touches.

-Sam gives Dean the sassiest look anyone’s ever given anyone

and I’m including it in this analysis because it’s giving major fem vibes.

-the alien story is actually super fucked up and horrifying, although it’s clearly played as a joke. The guy says he was probed and forced to slow dance. The brothers seem to be telling this particular story together in a shared perspective, because it’s already embarrassing for them to hear and talk about, and underneath the bickering they respect and understand each other.

-the next interview is Dean’s telling, and in it Sam is acting emotional and over-sympathetic and Dean says “you’re always saying pansy stuff like that.” Sam is once again caricatured as feminine and clingy. Dean puts a comforting hand on Sam’s shoulder and says It’s okay, and Sam’s face crumples. So in Dean’s retelling, he’s Sam’s shoulder to cry on when Sam is over emotional.

- Dean is reasoning through the connections in the cases and says the punishments are almost poetic “or actually it’d be more like a limerick” and sorry was anyone going to talk about Dean’s knowledge and interest in poetry?? I LOVE poetry but I didn’t technically know what the fuck a limerick was (so I googled it) and it’s a short poem that’s funny or silly in content. Dean is well-read. It would make SO much sense for him to be well-read because when he was younger he longed for more of a connection to the world outside of Sam and John and being locked in motel rooms, and reading would have been a good way for him to do that. He seems to enjoy fiction and characters he can relate to. It probably makes him feel less isolated.

-The brothers’ arguments this episode reveal such interesting glimpses into their life. Sam says “I don’t lose things” which would have been important as a child living out of motels trying to maintain his grades and seem normal. He probably learned as a child that he can’t just forget his things somewhere and go back to look for it later or call people he knows. If he leaves something in a motel room, that’s it, it’s gone forever, they will never go back and no one is finding and mailing it to him. I wonder if that’s also why he’s so particular about Dean not touching his stuff, because he had so little that was his. He probably got Dean’s hand-me-downs, and he had to share Dean himself with their dad which he famously hated.

Sam also says that Dean’s socks are in the sink. The only reason I can imagine for Dean’s socks being in the sink rather than just like, Dean leaving his dirty socks on the floor, is that he must’ve been washing them in the sink. Do they hand wash their clothing in motel sinks? It must be more convenient than going to a laundromat sometimes.

Sam also comments on Dean’s food going bad in the fridge. I read a whole essay on how this connects to Dean’s food insecurity, which makes sense to me. It also could be that he’s just kinda messy and doesn’t throw away his gross old food. I think Dean tends to get messier the more stressed out he is. He’s one of those people you can tell how he’s doing mentally by how his space looks— if he’s angry he’s breaking shit, stressed he’s looking worse for wear, happy he’s got everything neat and clean and starts nesting. Not to mention taking care of the Impala, his and Sam’s childhood home, is his pride and joy and one of the only mainstays in his life. His self care is very visible.

He is stressed as shit right now. Maybe eating greasy food on Sam’s bed is a cry for help and wanting Sam to talk to him about everything but not knowing how to bring it up.

-they fight over some money. It’s really something.

They are rolling around in bed grunting. Sam initiated the physicality of this fight by tackling Dean. It seems like a shared telling of what happened, and a good time to remember that the brothers have told wildly different stories and are both trying to make themselves seem as normal, cool, and under control as possible in these stories. And yet still they’re telling about the time they were rolling around and grunting in bed passionately. I’ll just leave that there.

-Sam pauses on the rush to the car with Bobby after driving a stake through the trickster’s heart. He starts apologizing to Dean, sincerity on his features, and Dean picks up on his intention and assures Sam “me too.” They gaze at each other lovingly over the roof of the Impala until Bobby interrupts and asks them to move it along.

-episode theme is perception, deception, and things not being what they appear. The trickster (Gabriel) casts illusions and the format of the narrative highlights how differently Sam and Dean can see the same story. They’re not seeing each other clearly, and they’re hiding from themselves, and it makes them lonely.

[rabbitonthemoon]

A small Nnoitra and Nelliel analysis made by humble me.

I clarify that I'm not the best at these things, but I really wanted to do it, I just hope it's a decent read XD. Well to start, there is a detail that although you can glimpse it's not explicitly said, and surprisingly it even made it to the game Bleach Brave Souls, when you have Nnoitra and Nel together the team it's called Two Beasts (or used to be called, this feature was removed a while ago), the name may sound a little strange at first, but yes, they antagonized each other, Nnoitra crossed the line with the surprise attack on her and her fraccions but before that they were both each other's villain. There is a scene where Nnoitra kills an Arrancar and says something like (Maybe it's not 100% accurate, I wrote it from my memory and there are many translations) "Are you wondering why I killed him if he was an Arrancar? I killed him because he was an Arrancar, saving an enemy won't save a comrade, if you want to follow me keep that in mind." The Arrancar known for his fits of anger was willing to let Nel follow him, strangely calm, I even used to think this scene was with Tesla, he didn't seem to have any grudge against Nel and logically he already knew that she surpassed him, if this was a simple rivalry of pure hatred, why this scene exist?

We know very well that Nnoitra wants to die in a bloody battle giving his all and losing his breath before hitting the ground, we see him passed out after a fight with several adjuchas, from which Nelliel saves him. Nelliel follows him against his will, she says it's to avoid lossing an Espada but everyone knows that Aizen couldn't care less, and if he seeks death she shouldn't get involved, it's implied that he was fine with her presence until Nel got her hands in that matter.

I'm sure Nelliel sees this as something good, she tries to find out the reason for his fights, in one of the many translations she says they are like a high, a false high, he tells her straight up that he wants to die, but she still doesn't understand, and I don't blame her, anyone would think wasting life like that is wrong, and that's probably why she tries to make him see reason. In Nnoitra's mind he surely thought that if she doesn't allow others to kill him, she should do it herself, the problem is that Nel doesn't want that either, and that was the biggest clash, she doesn't allow him to have his end with others, but she also denies him an end by her sword, telling him that he's not a warrior worthy of her.

We get to Nnoitra's attack, it was crossing the line, that's not up for debate, but it's still weird, it would be understandable if his plan was for her to die in the desert without much more, but his real plan was to disable her for a while and reach her level, it sounds far-fetched. If she hadn't turned into a child there would be two options, she would return no later than a few months later to beat him up without giving him time to get stronger, or most likely she would just go on her way and never see him again, but he really planned for her to come back for a fight. It's very clear that Nnoitra's intention was never to kill her, even when that would make their whole story much easier, direct and no one would question it.

In his last fight, if you compare the effort he made against Nel and against Kenpachi the difference is huge. Until the end he was reluctant to die at the hands of Kenpachi, but against Nel he didn't show much resistance, he didn't even use his resurreccion. He smiled when he was cornered against that rock, he didn't show the intention of releasing his Zanpakuto, but that same smile disappeared when he saw Nelliel return to her childlike state.

I think Nnoitra is more interested in Nel finishing him off than in defeating her. The purpose of his life is to fight to the end or die at the hands of someone strong, but I'm sure that what he wanted most in the world was to die by the hands of Nelliel, I can't say if it was a conscious or unconscious desire but maybe he realized this in his last seconds, the closest thing to dying at her hands was seeing her for the last time, he ignored all the things in his sight to have that last look, at the moment of fulfilling his dream he didn't even think about Kenpachi, she was still the center.

For someone who claims to view women as inferior, the fact that he wants to obtain something SO important to him from a woman says a lot. Kenpachi was undoubtedly a much bigger challenge than Nelliel could ever be, but he was not her, he will never be her, Kenpachi said that the fight was fun, something that Nnoitra probably always wanted to hear from Nelliel's voice.

Nelliel in the form of a child did not remember him when they met again, she probably blocked the memory, but in his last seconds she remembered his name, at that moment they were both the same, perhaps wondering if everything could have been different. A scene like that should not exist between enemies, in fact if it didn't exist no one would bat an eye, but it is there, almost as a reminder that there is more than meets the eye.

[autism-connoisseur]

i keep watching the penguin episodes almost a week late cause im watching w my dad okay but. i liked ep 7. i have a lot of thoughts about it. way too many, perhaps, so they're under the cut.

the explosion sofia sets off underground obviously damages crownpoint —an already heavily damaged neighborhood. in her haste to get to oswald she doesn't care that she's hurting the everyday folk, or maybe it didn't even cross her mind; just like when, in her haste to get revenge on the falcones, she didn't even think of what she would do to gia: orphaned, spared by some miracle... the same miracle that seemed to have taken her family away.

but back to sophia & crownpoint. crownpoint & this side of the city, in general, was the first thing vic and oswald talked about; the first foundation of the bridge upon which they stand (continuing the metaphor, one might argue that vic's stutter and the feeling of fellow disability it may have sparked in oswald was the reason the bridge was approved for building in the first place). but it's been also source of conflict between francis and oswald: she needed to escape it, so he took her away somewhere better, now he needs to escape that better place and they're back at where they started. i believe that francis is having these regressions in time as a combination of her illness and being back in the bad part of town, likely triggering the possible pstd from burying her two sons. then victor had to come back home & finally face squid: now he can never truly go back. cause sure he's dealing drugs and helping oswald and doing his part, but those make him someone. killing squid, that he'll never shake off. even if it does not get easier. vic is back where he was a mere months ago but irrevocably changed; this place has seen him born and then reborn.

so we have these three characters, on one side, intrinsically linked to crownpoint and what it stands for: poverty, helplessness, misery (even if life can be happy there: vic was happy, francis & oswald were happy) that they desperately try to live behind. they want a good life, the better life, and no one will give it to them, so they'll take it. even if it means standing against the families, who don't even know their names.

and that's why sofia does what she does. brings harm to harmless people, innocent people who (as we've seen in previous episodes) have already lost it all. and eva was right. sofia was born privileged. she will never understand the streets life. yes, that privilege didn't save her, didn't soothe her suffering one bit, but her mansion wasn't flooded, she doesn't know how it feels like to walk into a room and to know no one knows your name —this is both a blessing and a curse. the last ten years of sofia's life were torture in every sense of the word; but before then she didn't know what it was to truly fight for your life, your dignity, to stand your ground. and sofia, for all her rightful demands that people understand and see what was done to her —the injustice, the betrayal, the horror, the belittling, the pain, the loss of everything she ever had or held dear— has no qualms or worries about hurting others. because for her there is only revenge.

and last thing, i don't know if it was intentional, but the way oswald emerges from the explosion, sees all the damage, with his ears blocked and then suddenly unblocked, hearing all the confusion and chaos and suffering of people who have little to none to lose (because it already was), really reminded me of the moment in batman 2022 when the bombs go off and the flood begins. but i haven't seen the move in a while so i could be wrong. even so, it's the same. the struggle between the powerful, these two forces of nature almost, never ends well for the common folk. the blows they deal hit each other, sure, but it's always the defenseless who end up soaked in the aftermath.

[her-majesty-horiko]

𓂃 ࣪˖ ཐིཋྀ 𝐊𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐚 𝐙𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐲𝐜𝐤 𝐱 𝐅!𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

➷ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴅᴏ ɪ ʟɪᴋᴇ ��ʙᴏᴜᴛ ʏᴏᴜ?

ᴛᴀɢs - school au, jealously, jealous couple, bickering, compliments, flusteration, fluff, neon, gon

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

"You are really a big help. If you want I can pay you back." Your senior wink in flirtatious way as you simply give him a close eye smile as he waved back at you with a smile from his side too.

You were in same club, yesterday he was due with a club project but unfortunately it was still incomplete. Feeling bad for the guy you offer him your help and here we are now.

As he left you as you feel a dark aura emitting from your behind annnd it was Killua, ofc.

"I am gonna break those shining teeth of his then we will see if he can still smile."

"Seriously Killua?"

"Hey don't forget you almost were ready to kill me because you see a girl laughing while talking to me."

"Well I feel guilty about that!"

"Okay so you got right to be protective but I don't?"

"We both got right but that doesn't mean we should literally stop our partner from having normal human interaction and it's not like we can control intentions of other person."

"Oh? So you atleast know we can't control intentions of other person. Well hopefully next time you will remember that before lashing out on me!"

You both glared at each other so hard a spark was created before Gon calm you guys once again.

"That idiot girl is not being reasonable." Killua retorted as he cross arms against his chest.

"I dare to say that again." You said with your fist rising.

"You guys please stop." Gon said trying to hide his exhaustion with a smile.

"It's a no-no." Neon suddenly appeared as other three back up in suprise.

"Why are you even here?" Killua said with annoyed look.

"Of course to meet (Y/N)-chan." She hugged you, making Killua even more annoyed.

"Stop clinging to her will you?" Killua scoffed,"Well unlike certain someone I am open with my feelings." She said those words with smile but their meaning was sure sour.

"But like I was saying you guys need to improve your communicative skills."

"I think they are already improved enough. We're honest with each other." Killua said not liking to hear criticism from blue hair girl.

"Well if that's called improved then I don't know what's more worst then it." Gon mumbled to himself but Killua caught the words and hold his collar in annoyance.

"So today you're gonna compliment each other." Neon declared, hands on her hip.

"What how can we find something to compliment so easily?" You hold your chin between your fingers.

"Yeah." Despite agreeing with you this wast much hard for Killua because from his view each time you was there he can always find something to compliment about but of course it's easier to think than being done.

"It's a test of your love!" Neon announced, definitely not backing up on her plan.

"Test of l-l-love?" You repeat with flusteration clear in your voice.

"You can't be serious (Y/N)?" Killua question reading your face.

"W-well─"

"(Y/N)-chan agrees. Everything settles." Neon said she pushes you in front,"Let's start with you only Killua." Neon pointed at white hair boy, who stuttered 'me?' to which Neon casually response 'yes'.

Staring at you for sometime, making you self conscious he opened his mouth only to let out long breath.

"Is it too hard to find something on (Y/N)-chan?" Gon comment innocently not knowing it hit ther nerve on you as you immediately held white hair boy's collar and in threatening tone ask him to conform it.

"O-of course not! It's just. . . . little embarrassing to say." He said as he avert his eyes away. Upon hearing his reason you also set him free as an unknown feeling emerge inside you.

"That's a negative point." Neon said from sidelines, making an irk mark appear on Killua.

"It's okay. I know he act like all rough and all but on inside he is much caring and sweet. He probably feeling embarrassed so I-I think I will go first." You said in meek voice as you fiddle with your fingers while other three awed at your words.

Even through you act so mean and arrogant, you always try to understand him better than everyone else.

"You already complete your part." Neon said while Gon agree with her.

"I did?" You said as red lines appear on your cheeks.

"Yes you did, right Killua?" Neon eyed the white hair boy who was still in awed from your words.

"Maybe?"

"Don't maybe! Now just say something on your turn."

". . ."

He look at you once again before his eyes caught yours, looking at him with pure hope. This cause him to have red lines appear on his cheeks before he avert them again.

"I like. . . .your smile." He is burning from inside but atleast he was able to say something good.

"Huh? Not good enough. Say something more." Neon complaint. Killua was about to bark at her back before (Y/N) assured them,"It's fine."

"Even with this much words I am truly happy. Truly happy to hear him say that." Your pure aura of happiness was around you. Your eyes was down due to shyness, but your happy face was everything. And just like that everyone was in aw once again.

"Can I date you instead (Y/N)-chan?"

"WHAT?"

"She really deserves better."

"WHAT!?"

Words from Neon and Gon was sure out of box, confused Killua looked at them both while you feel your cheeks burning with compliment.

"I feel so special." You thought as you look down in embarrassment.

"I think that was good enough." Gon comment as he pat Killua on the back.

Neon nodded in response before she slapped her hands with suprised expression,"Oh I remember the real reason I come here for."

Hearing this Killua gritted his teeth as Gon hold him back.

"What was that it?" You really didn't care if that thing before only happen cause Neon forget her real reason, to add you were most certainly happy she forgot and proposed that plan.

"I am having a welcome party at my house in few days so I wanted (Y/N)-chan to come shopping me, if it's okay with Killua." Neon stated as everyone glances at Killua.

"It's her choice don't make me come in between." He nonchalantly stated.

"Oh~?" Gon and Neon said together making Killua annoyed as ever.

"Well if it's okay with you, can Gon and Killua also join us?" You ask Neon with red lines on your cheeks. Looks like you was trying to be cool about it but your face totally give you away.

"If that's what (Y/N)-chan wants then I am fine with it." Neon said in a tone, totally devoted to you.

"So we all will hang out together? Sounds fun!" Gon said in pure excitement while Killua tch in response.

You looking at other three just smile which Killua capture in his heart.

[rita-repulsa-ke]

follow up to this drabble, putting this one under a cut because it’s a bit bloodier (due to the murders). But romantic!

The door to the dance hall swung open. A woman, a witch, walked in. Agatha stood, downed the rest of Rio’s soda and regretted it, sticky sweet with a hint of blood, then strolled with intent toward her prey.

On the dance floor, Rio slit the soldier’s throat on an upbeat, an arterial spray that hit the couple next to her and kicked off a wave of screaming and fleeing, men and women stampeding past her to try and gain their freedom.

“Oh come on! You’re all going to war! Stay and fight, keep her entertained for me, I’m a busy woman!” Agatha yelled as the crowd swarmed around her and she lost sight of her prey.

She didn’t have to look behind her to know Rio was grinning.

She gave up on subtlety, cast her hands wide and her voice loud and people pinballed away from her, clearing space so she could see the woman in front of her—

The shock stole the air from her lungs, as she met Wanda’s impossibly green eyes.

No. They were too early.

Time, at a certain level of power, was only an illusion.

Now she did look behind, only to find that Rio was not looking at her. Instead, she stood facing a young woman in a plain gingham dress, her cheek speckled with dots of the soldier’s blood.

There’s a mass in her left breast, Agatha remembered. It’ll kill her before the end of the year.

Rio raised her hand to the woman, who took it without hesitation. They began to dance to no audible music, Rio leading, the woman following, eyes locked on each other’s.

Hey! I could use some help over here.

Fine, as always, she had to do everything herself. She swirled her coat around and took a step toward Wanda, who stood still even as people fled around her, waiting, patient.

Agatha took another step. Slowly. Her leg lifted, her muscles engaged, she put her foot down surprisingly close to the spot where it had started.

She wasn’t scared, of course. She was taking her time. Making her approach.

“It didn’t happen like this,” she said.

“No,” Rio said, somewhere behind her, her preferred location for Death. “It was so much worse.”

Wanda said nothing. Wanda waited. Why shouldn’t she? Time was an illu—

“Sweetheart,” Rio asked, and maybe there was a hint of genuine concern there, practically a love letter between them. “Everything all ri—“

She spun and power surged from her fingers, wild emotion transmuted into crackling, electric violence, headed straight toward the last couple on the dance floor.

Rio turned her partner adroitly, watched the magic burn a hole straight through her with the miffed expression of a child whose doll had been ruined and slowly let go, letting the body topple backwards.

Probably did her a favor, Agatha thought, as she turned, swirled and moved in an easier direction. Stepped over the corpse, caught Rio’s hand up in hers, settled her palm on the other woman’s waist.

“I thought,” Rio murmured, as they resumed the dance, Agatha leading, music unnecessary, they both knew the steps by heart. “You were a busy woman.”

Agatha shrugged, one-shouldered, gruff. “You stopped looking at me.” She did not look behind. There would be other opportunities to look back. Now, she only saw what was in front of her.

She wanted Death one step behind her, but she preferred Rio where she could see her. And not just because that made it easier to keep an eye on the knife.

The other woman closed the gap between their bodies, swayed with her.

“You’re getting blood all over my clothes again,” Agatha protested, but even to her ears, it was weak protest, a lame attempt at standoffishness in front of someone who knew her too well to be fooled by it.

Rio leaned her head against her shoulder without answer, nestled into her, and hummed.

Down, down the road—

“Wait,” Agatha said, sudden, frantic. “Not yet. I don’t want to remember yet.”

A warm hand cupped her cheek. “Agatha, it’s time to wake up.”

She bolted awake on dry leaves in endless night, felt the trace of fingers as they left her face and flailed out, making Rio skip backwards with a sound like a giggle.

“We’re in terrible danger,” Rio told her, in the tone another woman would use to issue a wedding invitation. “We’ve got to keep moving.”

“Yeah, blergh, moving,” Agatha said, keeping her eyes on the most terrible danger she knew as she rose stiffly to her feet.

Rio sprung up. “It’s not true, you know.”

“What isn’t?” Agatha asked, wishing she’d thought to pack a toothbrush on her wild magical journey, the inside of her mouth tasted like dirt and leaves.

Also, faintly, of sickly-sweet cola and blood.

“I never, ever stopped looking at you.” Rio turned away, put her hands behind her head, one of them holding a knife encrusted with blood and strolled away, humming to herself.

Down, down, down the road, down the witches road…

[brightdarkness-2013]

Chapter 20: Hang On! Here Comes Another One!

Summary: With Barricade gone Prowl struggles and Jazz talks to Prowl about his family

Prowl had taken to searching for comfort from Blaster and I. We tried to be there as much as possible, but we had to leave at some point and there were times when we couldn’t be there during the day. Blaster had his own goals and I was pulled away on a patrol or rescue. Or of course there was the forced family gathering for us richys for show. My sister just ate it up. Holidays were tense and they were pushing me to get a ‘real’ job and of course father hinted at pulling strings to get me into a good college. Besides that and heading home I was with Prowl. Prowl spent the rest of that time in his nest. Hiding from the staff and his neighbors who tended to watch him more intently since his escapes. He only ate at night now or when Blaster and I came. He only took what we gave him during the day. At night he’d take it into his nest and the only evidence we had that he was actually eating at all was the fact that he was throwing the bones out of the tank and onto the floor in front of the tank. He had made it easier for us previously by moving the bones off to the corner far off corner of the tank as he preferred things clean, but this was new.

We had to go down into the tank to check the nest previously as he had been just bringing the fish into his nest and leaving the bones in there and we had no clue whether or not he was eating at all, but after the second time that happened he had started tossing it out and onto the floor. It was a pretty straight forward sign that he wanted to be alone and didn’t appreciate anyone snooping around his nest. He never acted out violently or really glared at anyone, but he got his points across just fine without any real aggression or threats.

I sighed as I sat on the feeding platform with Prowl laying with his head in my lap. This had been a norm since his stubborn asshole of a pod mate got himself killed. We would just sit there until I had to leave. He didn’t move or make a sound. Sometimes I would talk and other times I had carefully placed music playing. Then there were times where we would just sit in silence. Sometimes Blaster would join us and other times he didn’t. There were times I’d come to find that Blaster had beaten me to it. We’d pull out the loose and dying scales since he hadn’t been doing it himself lately. This was much worse than back in the cove.

“I know you’re hurting and all, but this whole hiding all day isn’t good for ya either. I kinda get where you’re coming from if ya believe it or not. Sure no one in my family has gone and died besides a great grandfather that I never knew, but I do in a way.” I spoke absentmindedly that morning. “I know that despite how my sister acts I’d do whatever I could for her. It’s a very complex feeling really. I mean I know that if I told her not to do something that she’d go and do it anyway and when she realized that I was right she’d never bring it up. We don’t and probably never will have a relationship that’s even close to half of what ya had with Barricade and the rest of your pod as we have been practically ignoring each other for since we hit our teen years, but I’ve done some things for her. I’ve pranked every ex boyfriend that she’s ever had just because she is family.”

I sighed again as the cool sunlight fell on us through the dome above. Prowls newfound little fan club was watching us. It was a usual things now, but I had to wonder what was up with them. They had threatened and went out of their way to either ignore Prowl and Barricade or try to aggravate them, but now they just watched quietly. I pulled out a few loose scales that just barely hung on to his side. It was quiet.

“It’s kind of sad. We used to be so much closer. Maybe I do it for what we used to be. We, as richys, tend to have our friends picked out for us. We bonded on hating our forced friends. Hiding from them and doing whatever we could to ditch them so we could do what we wanted to do. I remember we hid in the attic in the far corner behind all these boxes for hours. Back then she wasn’t afraid of the spiders and their webs so it was fine. We sneezed from the dust and giggled as we talked about what they were doing downstairs as we played board games we had stored up there. We were home schooled back then and were stuck with private tutors and we were all we had.” I paused to take a breath as I lost myself in the memory of what we lost. “We did everything together back then. We had to literally beg and pester our parents every chance we had to get to go to an actual school with other kids. That wasn’t often as our parents just left us with the two maids. They were more than enough for us from the way they think. Less money and having one each following us and cleaning up our messes and feeding us and it was fine in their book. They really only had us because it was expected of them as people in high society I think.”

I was probably an embarrassment. I hummed to myself a second. I already knew they didn’t like my working here. They were either pissed or thinking about disowning me. They never threatened it before, but from how they were never around I wouldn’t put it passed them. They had no doubt forgot about us when they were on business. We didn’t exist really unless it was for some gathering the way I saw it.

“When we finally got into a real school, of course that was after the argument that we didn’t want to go to a high quality school with our forced friends, that was when we were forced apart. For the first time we were separated and we had to socialize with others. It took some time, but we made our own friends and… Well we drifted apart. It was subtle at first and before we knew it there was this… Rift between us. It was like there was this wall and any attempt to break it down was awkward and we just quit trying. Her friends fed off her high status and money while mine couldn’t care less. Nat... She started playing dress up for mommy and daddy and followed their little plans and I… Well I’m here.”

First

Next

Masterpost

[ellestra]

Space Adventure

I already saw The Marvels and it was pretty much exactly what I was hoping for - light, fast, fun. I will keep this vague since it's only Wednesday but it was really fun.

The action flows nicely and we get really cool dynamics between the three Marvels. I love Monica confronting Carol about her abandonment and it was refreshing that they didn’t let their issues distract them from the fight. I liked how Monica was the responsible adult and became the voice of reason. I loved how quickly she and Kamala fall into a big sister - little sister dynamic. And of course Kamala was the best one with enjoying the adventure and world saving. And fangirling over Carol. And then Monica. And of course Fury too (she’s basically going all Fury at the end). Also I loved their training montage.

I liked how Carol is confronted with her failure to deal with stuff that can’t be solved just by punching through things. She tries to fix it all alone because she broke it. But at every step she is shown she can’t really do it alone. She needs friends who can both help and call her on her bullshit - whichever she needs at the moment. And sometimes solve the issue because they have necessary abilities or capabilities. Not just Monica and Kamala but also Fury, Goose and a certain royal.

The villain of this is driven by hurt and anger and Carol is responsible for all of it. It's a classic story of good intentions gone horribly wrong because just kill the evil leader is rarely a solution that ends wars. Most civilisations are not Chitauri. Dar-Benn has some understandable goals but, as always happens in such cases, prioritising revenge doesn't end well. And hubris doesn't help either. Still, I could see why she would not want to believe any offer from Carol to be genuine. And it's nice of Marvel to give both Zawe Ashton and Tom Hiddlestone a big moment this week.

Also , there is a flerken bit that, for me, was alone worth the price of admission. It’s horror for the participants and it’s comedy for the audience and the music makes it so much better. I see myself watching it on repeat once it hits the internet.

You don’t need to watch any of the TV series (they catch you up on the important parts). Sure it’d be easier to care about Kamala’s family dynamics if you’ve seen Miss Marvel but even that is skippable. If you watched certain D+ series you’d also be more excited about one of the teasers at the end. For the other Multiverse of Madness is a template.

[shadow-the-artist-idiot]

I am so so so so normal about Scyllarus. Im so normal. Im so normal im so so so so so so normal im SO FUCKING NORMAL. CLAWING AND SCRATCHING AT THE WALLS OF MY ENCLOSURE.

Scyllarus Squilla my beloved i love you babygirl. Anyways now for the actual intent of this post

I drew the silly earlier,,,, i love my babygirl sm. Actyally i ahvent ranted about my goober on here i jeed to fix that immediately.

Scyllarus is a Pressure oc,, shes from an au me and a few friends have :333(you know who you are)

Scyllarus Squilla,,, Demigirl(She/They),, 32 years of age :3

She was yoinked by Urbanshade from prison after being wrongfully imprisoned. First match in professional wrestling, accidentally killed her opponent. Technically, she shouldn't have been arrested(i looked it up, and i dont think someone would get punished in this situation) but im chalking it up to general bias in the courtroom + good laywers or whatever, idk legal bullshit. Anyways. She was arrested and sent to prison for a few days, before getting yoinked.

She then got injected with a bunch of different dna, though mostly mantis shrimp. It actually not specified HOW Sebby got sillified, and hes my main frame of reference, so im choosing to view it as they get poked and injected with a silly version of animal dna. Trying to remember all of the creatures shes part. Mantis shrimp, lobster, uhhh coconut crab? I think? Maybe some shrimp and krill? That sounds right, i have it written down somewhere but im lazy. Anyways, those were all way smaller doses than the Mantis Shrimp, and were mostly given to heighten a few aspects of the mantis shrimp(lobster for stronger swimming, coconut crab for strength, etc)

Anyways. Shes VERY fucking strong, probably strong enough to punch through steel(human sized mantiw shrimp punch my beloved). The mantis shrimp dna also gave her slight anger issues, what with them being SO fucking aggressive. She had quite a bit of time to get used to her new body, luckily. Went in at around 23, is around 32 when the lockdown and the events of the game happen.

Once the lockdown happens, she took to staying in the underwater bits of the facility. What with all the animal dna, she struggles a lot with breathing on land. I haven't decided if shes just entirely unable to breath outside of water, or if its just incredibly difficult, but either way water is easier. While shes...friends? I suppose? With Sebastian, Thomas(sages oc), and Eury(Fangs oc), though she doesnt. Talk to them much. Mostly cuz shes scared she'll hurt them. She hides in the underwater bits of the facility, buried in the ground with her antenna sticking out. Whenever the player gets too close, she launches out, attacking them once before darting away. It would probably be a one hit kill, i think. Either that, or very close to it. Shes also present during the end searchlight bit of the game, seeing as its so incredibly underwater.

During encounters with Pandemonium, theres a small chance Scyllarus will interrupt the minigame abruptly, as she attacks Pandemonium. There would be a higher chance of this happening in the water bits, but its still possible in the normal rooms.

If she gets flashed whenever she jumps out, i think she'd run off. That would probably be the only way to prevent the attack whenever shes triggered.

Her voicelines would probably be a mix of screeching, apologizing, and grumbling. The other way to find her whenever shes in the ground would be a faint little clicking noise she makes with her claws.

Whats so very silly about my babygirl is that she REALLY doesnt want to do this. Shes such a sweetheart, but shes in a really bad situation with the worst parts of herself heightened. Constant fight or flight, kill or be killed. She probably would be so much nicer if she would let herself be friends with Sebby, Thomas and Eury, but shes so so scared she'll hurt them somehow. Ironically, she feels the same way about the player(s).

If they trigger her, she'll attack them, but if they survive she'd probably apologize before running away. Its why she has a chance to save the player from Pandemonium. She cant stand hurting people, but she has to if she wants to escape. That doesn't mean she wont help sometimes, though.

I think theres a VERY VERY VERY small chance to find her huddled up in a corner in Sebbys shop.

Shes so babygirl and i love her with my entire heart and soul. Shes my beloved and i will be putting her in the torture blender

[home-on-the-wastes]

Hell of a Ride (1/2)

When someone finally makes it through the Gauntlet, Gage's relieved that they might finally have a candidate for Overboss--until he sees that the contender's just a kid. Still, she's the first who's gotten this far in a long time, so maybe there's some merit to her skills, and would be a good fit for the role after all. Besides, kids can be bossed around, right? Characters: Porter Gage, Murk Mathis (Fallout 4 OC), Overboss Colter, Other Nuka-World residents Tags: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Nuka-World Amusement Park, Canon-Typical Violence, Canon Divergence, Swearing, Killing, Murder, Raiders, Implied/Referenced Drug Use, Underage Drug Use Part 1 // 2

God fucking damnit.

It was a kid. Redeye had said the new vic was on the young side, but Gage wasn’t expecting a teenager. A scrawny, wiry thing in armor that had been looted from corpses and didn’t fit right. Her gear was a hodgepodge of leather and old Gunner armor. She had gotten this far because of caution if Redeye’s commentary had a lick of truth, but slow and steady doesn’t help in a battle against Colter.

Still…maybe it was something.

Gage turned on the intercom. “All right, listen the hell up if you want to make it out alive—I’ve only got a minute.”

“Who’re you?”

The kid had already found the intercom. That was a good sign; taking initiative, or whatever.

“I’m the guy who’s gonna try and get you out of this alive, so listen up. The game’s rigged, kid—”

“It’s fucking rigged?!” echoed the kid. “Figures.”

“Shut up or I turn off this comm and you’re on your own.” Gage didn’t have the patience for this. It was easier when kids showed up wanting to be a raider, wanting to engross themselves in this life. But a kid surviving the Gauntlet was a whole different story–she couldn’t tap out or sneak off in the night. The gangs wanted a show. They wanted blood. “Now, you gonna be quiet?”

The kid said nothing.

“Good. Now, listen close.”

Gage outlined the plan. To the kid’s credit, she listened intently. She retrieved the Thirst Zapper as he instructed and paid attention to the plan. In fact, she got a little too quiet, and it made Gage nervous.

Funny, that stuff could still make him nervous.

“So, you got it?” he asked again.

“This isn’t going to work. Sure, water conducts electricity, but this is a toy.”

No shit, thought Gage. “Well, that’ll knock out his power armor long enough to let you get a few shots in. If you don’t believe me, then leave it, you little shit. You got a gun besides the zapper?”

The silence on the other end was, to say the least, concerning. Something clattered on the other end of the intercom. Then, the voice piped up again. “Yes?”

“Ammo?”

There was another clatter. “Yes.”

Gage shut his eye and took a deep breath. This kid’s fucked. “Well, good luck, kid. Try and die quick.”

“Fuck you.”

“Save that venom, you’re gonna need it.”

Colter shouted his usual pre-match bullshit, some of the crowd going wild. The others cheered but a few looked uncomfortable at the spectacle. The kid looked a little on the young side, still obviously a teenager, but since some of them were barely out of adolescence themselves. It could have easily been them in the arena with Colter instead of sitting in the audience as their fellow gang members lost it over the bloodshed.

Colter turned to the holding area, and Gage could hear the sneer of delight in Colter’s tone. “Don’t worry, kid–it’ll all be over soon.”

On cue, Gage hit the button to open the door. The crowd cheered.

Here we go, thought Gage. He saw the Thirst Zapper at the kid’s waist, tucked in a holster. Make it quick, make it painless. Make sure that kid doesn’t know what hit her.

The kid held onto her submachine gun, finger on the trigger, and charged. At least she was willing to give them a show.

The first part of the fight was painful. Coulter clipped the kid the moment she stepped into the arena. The kid hid behind the wreckage of ride pieces, occasionally taking pot shots but they rarely hit. It was obvious the kid couldn’t aim for shit–her hands shook so bad, it was comical. Colter chased her around like a loud cat toying with a mouse–shouting jeering remarks, but not taking her very seriously. The way everyone roared in the arena, Gage couldn’t help but feel bad. He didn’t want to even look, but he made himself watch anyway.

Then, a small explosion. A ripple of energy throughout the arena made Gage’s hair stand on end, his wrapped-up feet tingling as a current surged through the floor.

“What the–what is this?!” Colter demanded. 

Gage stepped sideways to see past Colter’s hulking frame. The sparking electricity that normally cloaked Colter was gone, leaving him standing there holding his combat rifle like a goddamned idiot. He let his guard drop, just for a moment, grabbing at his armor like that would fix it, and then–that’s when the kid struck.

Throwing the Thirst Zapper aside, she charged Colter, one hand around a beat-up submachine gun, the other outstretched to grab something. For a split second, Gage eyed something shiny at her waist–the machete hanging at her hip was just unnecessary weight in the fight of her life. That machete wasn’t going to do shit against the steel plating, and how the hell was she planning on picking up the Thirst Zapper in the chaos? The electricity would be shorted only for maybe ten, fifteen seconds tops. Not enough time to kill him. Maybe her plan was to give Colter lockjaw once she ran out of ammo if she lived that long.

The charging kid forced Colter to stumble back. They were so close to the glass barrier he could see her eyes past the smudged windows–dilated pupils so wide her eyes were almost black as a ghoul’s, fixed on Colter. Gage guessed she was hyped up on chems, and if her gritted teeth and foolhardy stupid charge were anything to go by, it was Psycho. Bloodthirsty, ready to give a show. 

The kid spared Gage the briefest glance and then—ran past Colter? Was her plan to try and get into the glass room, just charge and break the glass? No, not that—she reached out and grabbed some of the metal mesh on Colter’s armor. Used it to slide on the scuffed metal floors, relying on her weight to swing behind him. The metal cut into her fingers, blood bursting out in a gory pressure display, but she didn’t let go. She shoved her fist, still clutching the machine gun, towards the back of Colter’s power armor–

“Oh, fuck,” said Gage.

The fusion core popped out, wobbling loosely in its power chamber. The kid lost momentum and slid into an upturned bumper car with a crash but then dragged herself over it to give herself some cover.

“I’m gonna tear you apart!” roared Colter, unaware of the telltale signs of the power armor shutting down until it was too late. He made it about ninety degrees before it shut down entirely, and the fusion core started to slide to the ground. “You fucking bitch—”

She lined up the shot, which was impossible to miss, even with her shitty aim.

The resulting explosion threw everyone in the immediate area off their feet. Gage blacked out for a few seconds and came to with glass showering on top of him. He heard screams of panic and excitement once the ringing in his ears faded, noises of confusion, and the gang bosses tried to corral their people for a second as he collected himself.

Next >>

[docholligay]

BOY ARE YOU TWO ABOUT TO REGRET GIVING ME THE MILDEST POSSIBLE ENCOURAGEMENT.

I love Phil Ochs. He is easily my favorite of the protest folk/folk revival whatever you care to call that style and time in history. Bob Dylan is a better poet (but I mean, Jesus who can live up to Bob Dylan?) Joan Baez has a much better voice (A reviewer once said Phil had a 'nasally effective range of about half an octave' and given how many times he brought up/joked about it, i assume it stung), nearly everyone was easier to get along with, and yet with Phil Ochs it is love for me. I love the way he sings, it's simple and straightforward and sometimes plaintive in these ways that go beyond vocal theatrics. I like his patter, I like his humor, I like that he is willing to fight with Bob goddamn Dylan, I like the way he moves, i don't know. Fucking mess of a man. Love him. Do not get me started when i've had a few unless you're prepared to not get a word in edgewise for the next 20 minutes.

To the point, that a lot of the time I won't put anything of his on a mix album I make for someone! How stupid is that? I don't know, some things feel personal even thought they very decidedly are not. It's stupid. It's human. Whatever.

ANYWAY, SOME OF MY FAVORITE PHIL OCHS SONGS FOR THE UNINITIATED I THINK YOU SHOULD ALL LISTEN TO THEM. BUT I ONLY WANT TO KNOW IF YOU LIKE IT SO I THINK YOU ARE BETTER THAN OTHER PEOPLE.

The Power and the Glory: When I said Phil Ochs, man with a huge fucking FBI file on him by the time he died at only 35, wrote my favorite patriotic song, this was it. Beeb even knows part of this song, because when I walk her to the Y, I sing to her part of the way, and this is on the playlist.

There But For Fortune: This actually became a minor hit for Joan Baez! (Adding to his frustration about his own life) It's a really beautiful song about not thinking you're above anything.

I Ain't Marchin Anymore: I included this because if you've heard a Phil Ochs song in an American History class or something like that, it's this one. I do like it! It had an immense effect and I would be wrong to exclude it. It's much more of a straightforward protest song than anything else on this list.

Outside a Small Circle of Friends: I think about this song all the time, a cheerful rag about indifference to the suffering of others. Don't put yourself out! Remember, you need to think about what makes you comfortable!

No More Songs: This song always makes me so sad. I love it, but it does. After this song, he would only ever record about 5 more tracks. He never had another album. He had massive writer's block, he was disillusioned by the way the world was going, he was an alcoholic, he was very clearly starting to lose it*. And seemed to realize he was losing his grip. I love this very sad country-folk song, and I think a lot about the line, 'Is anybody home? I only want to say, I'm sorry."

*and boy did he. As in, for awhile he assumed a new name and said that person had killed Phil and replaced him lost it. Ranting about the Cia and the Fbi trying to kill him lost it. Getting into intentional barfights with patrons over nothing lost it. I feel bad, because as much as a pain in the ass as he could be, reportedly, he also clearly had a lot of people who felt a lot of affection for him. His brother tried to have him committed. His sister wrangled him from off the streets to live with her. His friends tried to help and encourage to record. Even Bob fucking Dylan talked to him about doing a tour together, and when Phil put together a benefit concert that was in danger of being canceled for lack of ticket sales, Dylan was like, 'I'll play" and it sold out immediately. Lots of people tried really hard to pull him out of it. But it was just...he felt like a political, personal, and artistic failure, he was out of his goddamn tree, and it was one of those situations where I just want to be like, "You tried your best, everybody! I'll accept literally any emotion about this from any of you but guilt." I feel bad for everyone.

[skycapt4in]

VERSE 3 : BRIGHT EYES, BURNING LIKE FIRE.

a study in : the downside of a new superpower, a whole new level of hysterical strength, asking yourself at what point did you stop being human?

So if you've been hanging around this blog for long enough, you know that at some point in Noah's story, he dies. He somewhat nobly sacrifices himself and Shi'p in an attempt to win his friend some ground in a civil war--, it's a whole thing. Dying wasn't his intention, but by the time he'd realized the position he'd put himself in, it was far too late to turn back now.

Another thing I talk about a lot is that Noah, since learning that he's got a superpower, has always wanted a better one, because while having a luck based power that only ever improves your own odds is cool and all, it's not very exciting. So imagine his excitement when, after he's brought back to life as a final defiant act of his luck, he's got a much more flashy power.

Then imagine his disappointment when he finds out that it's killing him all over again. Yeah, he doesn't have it easy.

So what happens is that Noah and Shi'p are in a fight, they're outnumbered and outgunned by a steadily growing number of attacking ships in what's found later to be a deliberate attack, Shi'p's too powerful to be kept on the battlefield in the eyes of the enemy. So she and her captain are targetted almost as soon as they make their appearance and it doesn't take either of them very long to figure that out, and doesn't take Noah very long to come up with his own little revenge plan, in which he was going to fuel up the Flare Engines and unload on anyone who so much as looks at Shi'p funny. They're critically hit while refuelling however, it causes a rupture in the tank and they're too far away from friends and allies to take shelter and repair, not that Shi'p had any chance of survival after the solar tanks are blown open the way they are. In his panic, Noah sends both Shi'p's AI and Plex back to Mezzao so that someone survived and could tell the story, doing this is just further shooting himself in the foot because without any of the AI's trying to control the craft as it deterioates further, he's just sending himself to the grave quicker.

The ship explodes, there's some scrap floating around out there that could be identified as the vessel formerly recognized as Noah's, but there's nothing left of the captain say for a piece of his mask.

Now Noah's luck power was only ever meant to make his life just a bit easier for him, but it's been warped and somewhat amplified because of the amount of dangerous situations he's put himself in over the years, to the point that it's truly become his last hope of surviving just about any stupid situation he puts himself in. It's only supposed to amplify his natural luck by about 30%. However, all superpowers can undergo some strange changes when their users are under immense amount of pressure and that's where the hysterical strength thing comes in. What would hysterical strength in a superpower, look like in a power that you can't actually see or even know is there? Well, it'll change the odds. For a very brief amount of time, seconds really, before Noah's death, his luck went into a sort of panicked overdrive in order to find a path in which Noah could walk out of the wreckage alive and mostly unscathed and they way it found was.. well.. Destructive.

Noah doesn't know that it was his own power that brought him back from literal space dust, doesn't know his luck fused what was left of anything living of him, with parts of Shi'p's dying energy reserves.

What he does know, or comes to learn once he materializes seven months later, not too long after the war is over and won by the good guys, is that he doesn't need to eat, sleep, or even breathe anymore, and that he can literally glow. Further research and some poking and prodding by Ravaa's best scientists and doctors, show that he doesn't need to do anything to sustain himself in the old fashioned human way, because he's now constantly absorbing energy, and that's what's keeping him going. However, it doesn't take very long for anyone to begin to notice that this is far from a good thing, as the more Noah absorbs energy, the more the remaining human parts of him are eaten away and converted into energy and light and by the time they reach the conclusion that he should definitely limit useage of his power, he's already lost an arm. It's still there, he can still use it, but it's constantly glowing and feels as if it's burning and just serves an omen of what's to come before one day he just disappates entirely.

At a low usage rate of his energy, he's got between 10-12 months left but it'll slowly be eating away at him constantly even if he isn't using it. He's got half of that if he, for whatever reason, decides to go all out with his new flashy tricks and show off, but I feel like that's not something we need to worry about happening.

[celestiall0tus]

Miraculous AU - Chapter 43 - Paradigm Shift

Beginning || Previous || Next

            Carapace looked over the edge of the building. “You sure you don’t want to be transformed for this?”

            Alix stood at the edge and stared out at the city. “Not yet. I want them to see me first.”

            “Ok, but are you sure you want to do this? It’s dangerous.”

            “No more dangerous than running around the city as I am? Letting the people see that the horse girl is Alix Kubdel?”

            “Fair enough. Just saying since you still have family.”

            “And they can rot in hell.”

            Carapace shrugged and held up Alix’s phone. “Are you ready?”

            Alix nodded.

            Carapace held up a hand and counted down to zero. He hit record and pointed to her.

            Alix sighed. “It’s been a long time since I just took a moment. Look at what’s around me. For so long I’ve just been running from everything. For once, it feels good to just stop.”

            Alix took several breaths and considered her next words.

            “We’re facing some fucked shit, aren’t we? Crazy ass storms, poisonous flower women, even bizarre muck creatures. And there’ll only get worse. But at the same time, I don’t blame these people. They’re hurt, but no one was there to help them. No one to help them up when they fell. No one to see them for what they became.”

            Another breath.

            “You’d think it’d be difficult to fall, but it’s so easy and it feels so good. To just… stop fighting that struggle and allow yourself to crumble. To give in to the worst of yourself no matter how much it hurts. To fight the world rather than fight your own demons. And it’s those demons that are being used to change us. Change us into the monsters.”

            Another pause.

            “However, some of us don’t need butterflies to make us monsters. I made myself one over the years. I was lost to my own darkness. It embraced me whole and I welcomed it. Because it was easier than facing the truths I buried deep within. The truths that turned to poison that threatened to kill me.”

            Alix looked up at the empty sky. She breathed in the cold autumn air and sighed.

            “I’m a broken, little girl. I’ve harbored so many negative emotions and thoughts for it. Anger at a world that would make me this way at birth. Contempt for a family so quick to shun me for who I was. Shame that I’d never fit into the mold that was expected of a young woman. Bitterness at a society that told me I would only be happy with a partner. It all built and built, and I just ran from it. But somewhere along the way, I grew tired. Tired of the endless struggle, the constant war within myself. At some point, I gave up, even if I didn’t realize it.”

            Alix gulped as tears welled in her eyes.

            “Every fight, every bad decision I made, I did to put myself in harm’s way. Because I just wanted it all to end. The struggle, the fighting, the poison, everything. But I wasn’t… I couldn’t do it myself. I thought it’d be different if someone or something else did. But it’s no different. It’s all the same line of thinking. It doesn’t matter who pulled the trigger if that was one’s intent all along.”

            Alix let out a harsh laugh.

            “And I would have been lost. I hid it so well that no one in my life knew. It took being at death’s door, ready to fall, before I was pulled out of the grave I made for myself. Only then were my eyes opened to the truth. It was ugly and awful, but she was there.”

            Alix smiled as she thought of Mayura.

            “A stranger, who in such a short time, became so much more. She had no reason to believe in me, to reach back, to anything, but she was there. She listened and showed me that I wasn’t alone. That there have been others who’ve felt my pain. Not the same exact pain, but similar. And I didn’t feel alone anymore. I felt… accepted.”

            Alix turned to the Carapace as tears fell from her eyes.

            “I’m here to share my story with the people of Paris. I’m a broken girl, but I’m one of your heroes. Tonight, I step out of the darkness I’ve been drowning in and into a new light. And I have her to thank. A stranger who had no stake in me but took that chance. And because of her, I want to say, you’re not alone. I stand before you to say, to some of you, I know how it can feel, but you’re not alone. And if fall, but can’t pick yourself back up, it’s ok to reach for help. I didn’t have the strength to pick myself back up, and that’s ok.”

            Alix took a step towards the edge, but Carapace held up a finger. He paused the recording.             "Wayzz, shell off.”

            Wayzz appeared from the bracelet and transformed Carapace back.

            “What are you?” Alix started.

            Nino smiled. “My turn. Let Paris see me for me.”

            “You have a lot left to lose. You have your father and your brother. It’s not like me because I know you still care about them.”

            “I know, but I want the city to see us as we are. See that we’re still just people under it all.”

            Alix smiled. “Alright, fine. If you insist.”

            Nino pressed play and handed the phone to Alix. She gave a thumbs up once she had the camera focused on him.

            Nino let out a breath. “It’s been too long since I’ve seen any real light. It’s almost blinding at times, but a welcome change from the darkness.”

            Nino paused as he considered his next words.

            “I wasn’t broken. I had a good life with a loving family, amazing friends, even a girlfriend that I loved more than anything. Everything felt perfect, until it wasn’t. Until one night when a man attempted to rob us. I don’t remember much from that night except a gunshot and my mother’s blood. I would have been dead too, if not for a convenient police drive-by. That experience changed everything. I was afraid of the darkness of the world. I hide away from life and shut out everyone in my life.”

            Nino took a few breaths.

            “I believed I would be safer if I locked myself away. I believed those around me would be safer if they stayed away. Yet, I still couldn’t let go of my ex, who I did nothing but hurt the entire time. She tried to pull me from the pit I fell into, but I wouldn’t budge. It felt safe in that darkness, safer than in the light. But then the butterflies came.”

            Nino’s voice cracked. He took several breaths to calm himself, but it failed. Tears welled in his eyes as he remembered.

            “They filled my head with my worst nightmares. They brought all my fears to the surface, the fears I stuffed away over the years. They clouded my eyes with terrible visions of blood and death. I witnessed that night countless times. Made me dream of the girl I loved drowning in a pool of her own blood while she blamed me for everything. It was awful.”

            Nino looked down as he wept.

            “Because of those butterflies, I finally pushed away the one person I had left. The one who cared enough to try, even if I just wanted to hide. It was only after she was gone that I learned the truth about what was happening. I was told, if I wanted to change, I had to change for myself. If I didn’t, I would become a monster like the others. That I would be a perfect pawn in someone else’s game.”

            Nino laughed as more tears fell.

            “Fear kept me in the dark, kept me from the world, but it didn’t compare to that fear. To become a monster and betray all that I once loved. Betray myself, even. When I was given the new chance to save myself, I took it. I didn’t want to be a monster. I just wanted to be safe. I wanted everyone else to be safe. In accepting, I would step out from the darkness, but there was still no light. Not until him.”

            Nino smiled and wiped away his tears.

            “He saved me from the butterflies. He gave me clarity when there was none. For the first time in years, I could finally see the light again. I could see my world for what it was. It wasn’t perfect anymore, and kinda fucked, but it was my world. Shrouded in darkness, but with enough light to chase away the worst of it all. And I’ve stepped into this new world. I stand in it, a man with nothing left to lose, but everything to lose at the same time. Ready to face whatever darkness may come next. But I’m not alone.”

            Alix and Nino reached out for each other. Alix switched to the front camera as she and Nino wrapped their arms around each other.

            “Paris, we’re your heroes,” Nino started.

            “We’re broken. Completely fucked, but we’re here.”

            “And we have a little message for the butterfly dude.”

            “You can knock us down.”

            “Kick us while we’re down.”

            “Hurt us where it hurts most.”

            “But if we fall, we’ll fall together.”

            “And we’ll pick each other back up.”

            “Because we’re not alone.”

            “And neither are all of you.”

            Alix smiled and nodded at Nino. “Kaalki, full gallop.”

            “Wayzz, shell on.”

            Nino transformed into Carapace, but as Alix transformed, her outfit changed.

            Alix wore a black tank top and short shorts. Her leggings changed to ripped dark gray fishnets. Black stockings came up just past her knees and her roller blades were black, but the wheels still white. Padding covered her knees, elbows, and hands. A horseshoe buckle appeared around her waist in a string belt that trailed off into a tail. The fabric of her goggles were now black and the lens white.

            Carapace lowered his hood and mask. “That’s a good look for you.”

            Alix smiled. “This marks the end of our end cycles. Tonight, we begin something new.”

            Alix backed her and Carapace up to the edge. They nodded and let each other go. They fell backward off the edge. Alix skated down the side of the building while Carapace fell freely beside her. They reached and grabbed each other’s hands. She threw him up as she jumped off the side and landed in the empty street. She reached up and caught him as he fell towards her. They linked arms and looked at the camera.

            ���I’m Liberte. I am the freedom that’ll fight for all of Paris to be liberated from the butterfly motherfucker."

            "I’m Carapace. I am the shield that’ll protect the people when they can’t.”

            “We’ll be here for all of you,” they said in unison.

            Liberte ended the recording and smiled. “Thank you for doing this.”

            “Well, I think you had the right idea. It’s dangerous, but I believe the people should see us as what we are, people. Just ordinary people.”

            “You won’t mind then if I send this to Louve, will you?”

            “Not at all. Everyone deserves to see, even if they don’t like it. This is who we are, no?”

            Liberte nodded. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Carapace.”

            “Rest well, Liberte. We’re going to need to be at our best.”

            Carapace waved good-bye before he ran off. Liberte turned and sent the video to Alya.

~~

            Alya settled into bed when she heard her phone go off. She checked and saw a message from Alix with a video attached. She read the message:

            Alya, I’m sorry for this, but I have to ask you upload this to your blog and share it with as many as possible. We want the people to see this. See us.

            Alya raised a brow as she watched the video. Her heart caught in her throat as she heard Alix and Nino’s stories. Bile rose as she realized how oblivious she was to Alix’s suffering. That she didn’t see how deep the suffering was. Nino, she knew his pain, and she felt for his struggle, but she was still mad at him. Nonetheless, she agreed with Alix that this needed to be seen.

            Alya got out her laptop and hooked up her phone as she worked to upload the video to their Miraculous blog.

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