#male Ida

[sambadeamigosgato]

🐙 Marina Ida x Male Reader Headcanons! 🐙

🪸📀~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~📀🪸

She leaves you for Pearl.

[katjacunt]

MHA BOYS: MIDORIYA, IIDA, SHOJI, KIRISHIMA

Their Favorite Thing You Do

MIDORIYA

Midorya loves it when you laugh. He will take you on dates to comedy shows and things you find cute just to see you laugh. He likes to take pictures of you when you are in the middle of laughing. He and Shoto show each other pictures of you and Shoto's significant other.

IIDA

Iida loves it when you take his glasses off. If you notice they're dirty you'll take them off and clean them while he tries his hardest to see you. He absolutely melts when you take his glasses off to kiss him.

SHOJI

Shoji loves it when you give him hugs. You can't help it, he has the best hugs!! But it always takes Shoji by surprise when he sees you run up to him with your arms out. He still is basking in the fact that you're not scared of him let alone that you like him close to you. He really is a gentle giant.

KIRISHIMA

Kirishima loves it when you hold on to his forearm. He's a strong gentleman and when you do that he feels that way. He will almost literally bounce up and down in excitement and pride from you doing and his good mood will be ten times better (if that's possible). He will brag to Bakugo non-stop.

[jupit3r-st4r]

OKAY TUMBLR.

I don’t know what my brain has conjured here.. BUT... HEAR ME OUT...

[faulty-writes]

[ Hello my dear followers and or fans. I present to you, a Tensei series. This was originally going to be a one-shot, but yeah, it ended up being 40+ pages long so I turned it into a series. A Christmas/Holiday series at that. Guess this makes up for the lack of Tensei content on my blog. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the first chapter! I’m tagging @ladycoleigh since I’m sure they’ll appreciate some Tensei content. ]

[ The two of you had been friends since your early days of Yuuei and since Tensei’s abrupt retirement, you have been learning how to be the new leader of Team Idaten and every good leader knows how to throw a holiday party. Unfortunately, shortly after Tensei’s arrival duty calls and he has to find something else to preoccupy his time until you return. ]

A sense of warmth lingered in the air, in addition to the soft festive glow from the twinkling fairy lights that adorned the ceiling, casting a golden radiance over the room and the people who stood in it. Strings of bright green ivory with touches of vibrant red and gold within their small branches decorated the doorways and windows.

The scent of freshly cut pine and cinnamon was strong, and several tables were lined with traditional holiday fare. The succulent aroma of roasted meats and sugar-coated cookies accompanied by the scent of spiced cider created a comforting blend that was usually associated with the festive season.

The gentle hum of holiday music echoed through the joyful chatter between the guests that were seated around the various tables provided, their faces illuminated with merriment. Overall, the room exceeded exactly what you were going for. Enchanting yuletide charm and holiday season magic.

Of course, you had your reasons for trying to impress. After your closest friend, Tensei, was injured by The Hero Killer: Stain, he insisted that you lead Team Idaten. It came as a shock, and thinking about it still filled you with an indescribable rage.

Tensei out of all people didn’t deserve to have such a fate and for his pro-hero career to be abruptly stolen from him. Yeah, maybe those were the risks of being a hero. However, some might argue that death is better than watching your life’s work shatter into nothingness overnight.

Although a bit rough at first, Tensei remained positive throughout the whole ordeal. In addition to trusting you to lead his agency, he entrusted Tenya, his little brother, to carry on his hero name. In that sense, you were almost certain that Tensei only chose you to be leader until you deemed Tenya ready to take over in your stead.

So, in retrospect, it was more of a temporary promotion if anything. Still, you couldn’t deny Tensei, and it wasn’t just because he was your closest friend. There was another reason, but it was one that you didn’t dare speak for fear of ruining what you had created with him over the years.

Yet it seemed that you were constantly faced with moments like these, where love and devotion were highest and begged you to just confess already. Valentine’s Day and Christmas seemed to be primary holidays where this overwhelming feeling was the strongest, yet every year you did nothing.

Apart from fearing that someone else would take him away from you, that is. What a life. Anyways, the reason you had rushed to put together this elegant little shindig, a day before Christmas Eve no less, was because Tensei had thrown a holiday party every year to celebrate his team and let them know he appreciated them.

Furthermore, it allowed the team members who couldn’t make it home for the holiday to at least feel like they had a family at Team Idaten. As such, you wanted to make sure everything was perfect and that your unofficial guest of honor, Tensei, would be amazed when he stepped, or uh, rolled through the doors of his former agency.

When that moment finally occurred, he glanced around the room, taking in every little detail while grinning ear to ear. “Wow, you guys went all out,” he turned to look over his shoulder at Enigma, one of his former sidekicks.

She had a rather unique appearance, with long black hair styled into two braids and straight-cut bangs that rested against her forehead. Her eyes, be them a tad creepy, were oval-shaped and completely blacked-out. No pupil or iris to be seen.

In contrast to her rather dark appearance, she wore a festive dress colored red with a string of lights encircling her body that flashed various hues of green, yellow, and blue. She looked at Tensei and nodded. “That’s awesome!” He declared, looking around the room again. “I can’t believe Y/n organized this,” he said, chuckling softly.

“Hm…” he turned his wheelchair, facing Enigma. “I was stoked when I got the invitation, and I thought-” Well, he thought you would be the first to greet him when he arrived. Then again, he bore the weight of his former agency on your shoulders when he was forced to retire, so it was understandable that you were too busy to greet him.

Still, that wouldn’t stop him from asking “Where is Y/n?” Enigma tilted her head before pointing across the room. Tensei knitted his eyebrows and turned his wheelchair to see you engaged in conversation with someone else. Maybe another hero or the newest addition to the agency that he hadn’t met yet.

Either way, his stomach churned, and the faintest frown spread across his face. The two of you had been friends since your Yuuei days, you shared countless memories and struggles. You helped him pick his hero alias and were the first person to support his idea of creating an agency solely out of sidekicks.

He was grateful to you but never knew how to show you that. But one thing was always true, nothing separated the two of you, at least so far. It was funny to think that he had been more worried about losing you than his own life or career when Stain rendered him...useless.

At least temporarily. But in the end, everything worked out. Well, almost everything. As he stared at you, a longing sigh escaped him. He knew the holiday season was usually filled with miracles, and boy could he use one to finally capture your heart.

“Mmhm, yes, and I-” you paused when you happened to glance across the room and noticed Tensei. Your body stiffened and your heart immediately skyrocketed, pounding against your ribcage erratically. Shivers ran through your body, leaving goosebumps in their wake and your hands feeling clammy.

You tried to steady your breathing which had become shallow and heavy. “E-excuse me,” you said and quickly walked across the room. It was unbefitting for a leader to appear nervous or uncertain, but as far as you were concerned, your feelings for Tensei were well hidden underneath the facade that you two were nothing more than friends.

Taking a deep breath, you flexed your fingers as if trying to get rid of the nerves and smiled at him. “Hey, I’m glad you could make it!” You exclaimed, leaning over to hug him. His embrace, as always, was loving and gentle despite feeling the curve of his muscles as he curled his arms around you.

His musky earthy scent filled your nostrils and reminded you of the crisp outdoors. You hoped that he couldn’t feel the fastened pace of your heart, but even if he did, you could always make up some excuse for it. Even if you detested lying to the person your heart yearned for.

“Sorry I haven’t kept in contact, it’s been a little crazy lately,” you explained as you leaned back and crouched down, laying your hand on one of his armrests. It was then that you examined his outfit more closely. He was wearing a sharp, tailored blue suit accompanied by a white shirt underneath it.

This created a striking contrast to his overall polished but casual appearance. A silk tie colored midnight blue hugged the collar of his shirt, and polished dress shoes adorned his feet that remained on the footrests of his wheelchair and completed his ensemble while instilling a touch of the famous Iida charm along with it.

He smiled at you, that same gentle smile you had fallen in love with over the years. “That’s alright,” he replied, his eyes beaming with happiness. “Actually…I know this is short notice but…” he paused and rubbed the side of his neck.

“Would you like to join my family for Christmas Eve dinner?” You tilted your head, surprised Tensei hadn’t asked you that sooner. “My mom’s been asking about you, and she’s also a little worried given how busy you’ve been lately.” You couldn’t help but smile. Yeah, that was Mrs.Iida for you.

Although you had gotten to know his family well over the years, it was a surprise that they hadn’t proposed that you marry Tensei. “Sure, it would be an honor,” you replied before the sound of the front doors and a loud “Yeeeeah!” drew your attention away.

The first one that caught your eye was a short boy with a messy crop of green hair, freckles colored his cheeks, and he was wearing the standard gray Yuuei uniform. Next to him was a familiar face, that of Tenya. He looked as he usually did, with his hair combed and neat and polished glasses on his face.

He, too, was wearing his Yuuei uniform. Between them was a face you hadn’t seen before, however. A young girl with long, white hair that was pulled back and separated into pigtails. Her eyes, colored bright red, were wide, and a small amount of fear or maybe social anxiety filled them.

You quickly assumed she wasn’t used to attending parties thus she was a bit shy when it came to crowds. In addition, you noticed that a small horn poked out of the right side of her forehead. She was wearing a fuzzy red Santa hat, which matched the red dress with the white trim she wore.

On her legs were black tights and white trim also lined the boots she was wearing. She glanced around the room once more cautiously stepping behind the boy with green hair. “Hey, it’s o-okay Eri,” he said, looking down at her.

She returned his gaze but said nothing. “I agree!” Chimed in Tenya, his hand chopping through the air at rapid speed. “There is very little to fear, for you are surrounded by the best-known heroes!” He announced, causing a few heads to turn his way and Tensei to chuckle.

“That’s my little brother for you,” he said in a soft tone, and a smile on his face. It was nice to see that he was proud of Tenya regardless. “I-it is?” Eri asked, looking at him but seconds later, she jolted involuntarily when Hizashi laid his hand on her head, affectionately ruffling her hair.

Despite being raised by several of the teachers, plus Mirio and Izuku for a few years she was still getting used to a kind touch. “There’s nothing to worry about!” He announced with a big wide grin, letting his hand fall to his side.

“It’s true, you’re surrounded by the coolest kats. Don’t worry now, Aizawa put me in charge, ya dig?! I wouldn’t let anything happen to ya!” he said, trying his best to encourage Eri. Although he hadn’t spent as much time with her as Mirio, Izuku, Shota, or Toshinori had.

He continued to try and make a connection with her. She needed as much comfort and love as she could get, and well, he couldn’t just sit aside and ignore her. Still, she seemed to have enough sense to believe his words.

“Mm, o-okay,” she replied but only grew more anxious when you walked over with Tensei rolling close behind you. “Hey Tenya,” you greeted happily, and he bowed in respect. “Good evening, Y/n!” He declared, once again chopping his hand through the air.

“Thank you for the invitation, we are very honored to attend such a festive celebration!” He stated. “Oh yeah?” you replied before glancing at the green-haired boy who looked just as nervous as the little one. His posture stiffened and he bowed.

“H-hello!” His voice fluctuated and that stutter didn’t help. “M-my name is Izuku Midoriya! I’m in Y-Yuuei’s hero course, C-class 3-A!” he announced, and your eyes sparkled with recognition. “Oh yeah, I’ve heard of you.” Turning to Tenya you said, “Is this the Midoriya you talked about before?” He nodded.

“Yes! Midoriya has been a wonderful example of a hero student and has inspired me to become a hero I can be proud of!” He announced, causing Izuku to flush furiously. “I-Iida I d-don’t think I mean…I j-just try my b-best and…” you chuckled.

“Well, sounds like you two are good friends,” you commented, and Tenya turned to Izuku and Eri. “This is Y/n, my brother’s closest friend and leader of Team Idaten,” he explained and felt some amusement when Izuku’s eyes lit up.

“W-what? N-no way, y-you’re the leader of…I h-have so many q-questions!” He blurted out, causing you to snicker. “I’d be glad to answer your questions…another time, tonight I’d like you to enjoy yourselves as guests of Team Idaten,” you said before looking at Tenya.

“Also, you forgot to mention one thing,” he looked at you with knitted eyebrows, he was certain he had not forgotten anything when he introduced you. “I’m only the temporary leader of Team Idaten, when Tenya is ready, he’ll become the new leader. Until then I’m going to be pushing him,” you said, punching him in the shoulder.

“He’ll get there, don’t worry,” Tensei chimed in, rolling closer to his brother to lay his hand on his arm. Tenya stiffened, it was still a little hard for him to see his brother in this state, even years after the fact. He took a deep breath and laid his hand over Tensei’s.

“T-thank you, brother,” he replied and while they were having a family moment, you looked at Hizashi. “So, Aizawa couldn’t make it?” you asked, and he shrugged. “Nah,” he said, waving his leather-covered hand through the air.

It seemed that he didn’t want or didn’t take the time to dress up for the party considering he was wearing his usual hero attire, complete with directional speaker encircling his neck. “Said he was busy with something else, so I’m covering for him,” he explained.

“Hm, okay so…” you glanced down at Eri who shivered when she locked eyes with you briefly and shyly looked away. The corner of your lip curled into a smile. She reminded you of yourself, at least until you met Tensei who helped you come out of your shell.

You placed your hands on your knees and leaned toward her even though she remained hiding behind Izuku. “Hi,” you said in a soft and friendly voice, but she continued to look away. “What’s your name?” you asked. Yes, you heard it earlier, but might as well be polite.

“U-um…I…” She latched onto her lip, chewing it nervously. “This is E-Eri!” Izuku said as he placed his hand gently on her back. “It’s okay, Y-Y/n is a hero too!” he reminded her. “Eri is a wonderful name, a pretty name for a pretty girl,” you said, hoping your compliment would butter her up enough to at least speak a few words to you.

“Uh, mmhm,” she replied. Well…that was better than nothing. “Heh,” you continued to smile and slowly stood up before looking at Hizashi again. “Well, I hope you guys enjoy th-” You paused when you heard someone calling your name.

Sighing, you muttered, “What now?” under your breath. Turning around, you saw Onemu Shiny, another member of your team running up to you. She was a short woman with equally short hair that fell to her ears in gentle curls.

She also had two distinct horns on the sides of her head. Her usual cheongsam mini dress and domino mask were replaced with a tight-fitting, maroon-colored dress. The front of it was adorned with sparkles that reflected the light in the room.

The air around her seeped with thick tension and you heard her catch her breath before speaking. “Explosions are occurring in the city district of Naruhata, several are injured, and four separate villains are on the loose.” That thick tension increased, almost suffocating you and silence fell over the room.

Your heart raced and the weight of everyone’s eyes fell on you, the leader. The one that would now call the shots, and how the operation of this mission would go. You glanced at Tensei, who was wearing a stern expression, Tenya who stood next to him mirrored it.

There was no longer any merry chatter echoing, and several guests were looking at you with interest. There was a mixture of curiosity and judgment in their gazes, and it caused a small amount of anger to brew inside of you. Who were they to judge you anyway?

The corner of your lip turned up, and a disgruntled smirk followed. It was amusing to think that before you would have cowered to others like them, those who thought you couldn’t properly fulfill your duties as a leader. But just like back then, you were ready to show everyone you had what it took.

Your hands curled into fists, and a sense of determination washed over you like a violent wave attempting to sink a ship in the middle of a thunderstorm at sea. Then your voice pierced through the air, “Team Idaten!” Like a well-oiled machine, the members of your team formed three lines in front of you.

Each line represented their role on the team. The first line was those that would stay at the control center of the agency, monitoring everyone’s actions and relaying messages and instructions back and forth between Team Two.

Team Two, as you can imagine, were the members that made up the front line. They would be the ones facing, fighting, and apprehending the villains in question. On occasion, they’d help Team Three with support and damage control.

Team Three mainly specialized in evacuation and tending to the injured, however. A sense of pride filled you. In moments like these, you were reminded how much you loved being a leader, working together as a team, and most of all, saving people.

After receiving instructions, the teams hurried to their designated stations, and you were about to run off as well. But a strong hand pulled you back causing you to stumble in response. You turned, ready to yell at the one who dared hold you back.

Instead, you latched onto your lip forcing your momentary anger down when you realized it was Tensei. His eyes locked with yours before speaking. “Take care of yourself,” he said before looking at Hizashi. “Do you want to take your students on this mission?” he asked, and you glanced at the man in question.

“Why yes! I believe this would be a wonderful opportunity to display the heroic skills that our prestigious school has taught us! We are licensed heroes, and it would be an honor to work alongside Team Idaten!” Tenya announced much to your and Hizashi’s dislike.

So much for being guests and enjoying a relaxing festive evening. He placed his hand on his hips, sighing. “Yeah yeah, I guess that’d be alright,” he replied before looking at Tenya and Izuku. “But don’t ya guys mess up, ya dig!?” He shouted, his voice vibrating off the walls and causing the tables and chairs to tremble.

The guests immediately covered their ears, hissing in response to the hero’s quirk. However, Hizashi seemed to ignore this given he was far too used to people, mostly students, reacting to his quirk in such a manner. Instead, he pressed his hands against his chest. “I’ll supervise ya alongside Y/n,” he stated with a large grin.

Tenya nodded while Izuku looked uncertain. “Well,” he said, placing his hand on top of Eri’s head. She looked terrified, more than likely because she didn’t want to be left alone in a strange place. “What…a-about Eri? W-we can’t just leave her an-” Tensei slowly inched over to the two of them and looked at Eri with a smile.

However, that terrified look remained on her face, and he partly understood why. Tenya had shared a few details about her previously and he knew that while it was okay to be afraid of the world, you relied on heroes to make it just a little less scary.

Like many others, Tensei, despite being retired, had the heart of a hero and even now, it continues to shine fiercely. At that moment, he wanted to be Eri’s hero and if he made her feel welcome and safe, then he had done his job. “I’ll watch her,” he insisted, and Eri looked at him in disbelief.

“B-but…M-Mr. Deku…” she said looking up at him, but he smiled and crouched down beside her. “It’s okay, I-Iida-san used to be a h-hero. One of the g-greatest heroes, and y-you can trust him!” Tensei nodded and grinned as he extended his hand out to Eri.

“What do you say? We can have fun together until my little brother and Midoriya come back,” he suggested. Eri once again looked at Izuku before stepping toward the man in the wheelchair. She looked at it curiously. “W-why are you in a chair?” Tensei kept a smile on his face and rubbed the back of his neck, chuckling softly.

“That’s kind of a long story,” he said and one he didn’t feel like sharing, at least not to her. There’s a chance it would frighten her and well, he couldn’t have that. Not when he was trying to make her feel safe and gain her trust for the time being.

So instead, he grinned. “Hey, I have an idea!” He said, rolling his wheelchair back an inch or two. “Why don’t I give you a tour of the agency? You can sit on my lap while I wheel you around, it’s the best seat in the house!” He joked, smiling yet again.

She tensed up a bit, unsure of his request until she felt a gentle hand on her back. “Huh?” She turned, seeing Izuku smiling down at her. “Go a-ahead,” he encouraged her and though she bit her lip in response, she stepped forward and awkwardly sat on Tensei’s lap, her hands fisted into the front of his suit.

“Don’t worry, we’ll have an awesome time,” he assured her, and you couldn’t help but smile. Tensei was very kind, and he extended that kindness to strangers and children alike. “Ready?” He asked, keeping one arm draped over her shoulders while he turned his wheelchair around and began rolling toward the nearest hallway.

Eri looked at Izuku who waved her goodbye as she left the room with Tensei. In a way, it was probably best that she be separated from the party given her shy nature. “Alright, come on,” you said, clapping your hands. “There are people in danger, we cannot waste another moment,” you instructed and Izuku tensed up.

“R-right!” he exclaimed, and Tenya nodded. “Apologies! Let us proceed without delay!” he stated and Hizashi grinned as he walked past them. “Time to get to work, kiddos!” He announced. Crime stopped for no one, and villains didn’t care what day of the year it was, they would do what they pleased.

Fortunately, their rein was about to come to a screeching halt thanks to the efforts of you, your team, and of course, the extra help provided by Hizashi, Izuku, and Tenya. “Heh, sorry this must all be new to you, right?” Eri paused and looked at him, a small pout decorating her lips.

“Have you ever been to an agency before? Heh, they’re pretty cool. I remember when I first opened mine.” A smile came to his face when he thought about you. “I had doubts about it, I spent a lot of time worrying if I’d be a good leader, but Y/n always put those doubts to rest,” he commented, getting a dreamy look in his eye.

“I don’t know what I would have done withou-” he paused when he noticed the look Eri was giving him. “Oh right, sorry,” he chuckled. “This is about you,” he continued rolling down the hallway which, much like the main room where the party was occurring, was lit up with festive lights that flickered.

The sound of the holiday music was faded but still audible. “Hm…” he came to a stop in the hallway. “What can we do…” he needed something to distract Eri and tapped his lips a few times before inspiration struck him. “I got it!” He announced, pointing his finger toward the ceiling.

He grinned at Eri who had gotten startled by his sudden outburst. “Why don’t you write a letter to Santa?” he chuckled. “I’m sure that’ll pass the time until everyone returns,” he suggested. Eri’s reaction wasn’t what he expected, however.

She frowned and looked away from him. “I…I don’t know what I want…” she said, even years after being free from Kai’s clutches she remained with emotional scars and those emotional scars often made her reluctant to receive gifts or to ask for anything.

Tensei furrowed his brow, but after a moment, he smiled. “Yeah, that’s hard to decide sometimes, especially when you feel like you don’t want or need anything,” he commented, placing his hand on top of her head. She trembled and looked at him even as he continued to smile at her.

“But sometimes you have to remind yourself that you deserve a gift too,” he said before lowering his hand. “Santa is the one person who won’t judge you no matter what you ask for,” Eri knitted her eyebrows. “…Santa?” She repeated. “Yup! I’m sure he visited you last year,” or so he assumed.

“He visits everyone and leaves them gifts, and I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you wrote him a letter telling him what you wanted,” he said as he resumed rolling to the end of the hallway where your office was. After carefully opening the door and rolling inside, the room was illuminated with light and a sense of nostalgia washed over him.

He couldn’t help but look around, and though it may sound selfish, he was happy you hadn’t changed anything. You could have done anything with it, painted the walls an entirely different color, or replaced all the furniture. Instead, you left it alone.

He wondered if that was because this used to be his office and you didn’t have the heart to change anything. All the walls were white, except the furthest left one which was adorned with framed calligraphy of the Team Idaten logo which resembled what Tensei looked like in his hero suit encased in a circle.

Underneath it, the words ‘Representative: Turbo Hero Ingenium’ were displayed. “You can sit at the desk, I’ll go find some paper and pens,” he replied, Eri hesitantly slid off his lap and cautiously approached the large wooden desk that appeared polished and had a stack of arranged documents on the far-right corner.

It rested in front of a large window that overlooked the bustling city below which was illuminated against the dark evening sky, causing various colored hues to peer in through the window. The smell of freshly cut pine and cinnamon was now replaced with a faint aroma of green tea.

The source of this was the small hot water dispenser, with delicate teacups, that sat on a low table in the right corner of the room. Zabuton cushions surrounded said table and its main purpose was for last-second meetings, usually informal.

Most of the time you found yourself using it to get a moment of peace when you felt overwhelmed by your workload and needed some freshly brewed tea to keep going. Eri carefully pushed the chair back and climbed onto it, laying her hands on the cool surface.

The sound of several drawers opening and closing echoed through the room as Tensei searched through them. He managed to find a few blank pieces of paper, and while he had found some pens, upon second thought, crayons would be more appropriate for Eri to use.

“Ah!” He exclaimed when he finally found some buried at the bottom of one of the drawers. Although they were broken in half, they were still usable, and he smiled before placing the items on his lap and rolling over to the desk.

He placed the papers down before sliding one in front of her and placing the crayons on top of it. He offered her a smile in response to her confused expression. “Mm…” she looked down and grabbed a red crayon, tapping it absentmindedly against the paper.

“Heh,” Tensei continued to smile, and waited a few minutes for her to begin writing but alas, she only wrote ‘Mr. Santa,’ and nothing else. He assumed she still didn’t know what she wanted to ask for this year. “How about I write a letter too?” he suggested, maybe if she saw him writing one it would inspire her.

He smiled and took another piece of paper before grabbing a blue crayon. “Hm,” he tapped it against his lips a few times, he knew what he wanted but how could he write that when Eri was watching him so intensely? Then again, honesty was best.

If he didn’t wish from the bottom of his heart, how could he be a good example for her? The only problem was how to convey what he wanted on paper…to Santa. Well, the only way to find out was to do it. So, without delay, he began writing his letter.

[ Chapter II ]

[haggishlyhagging]

“After a week in which eight men were lynched, [Ida B.] Wells wrote an editorial for Free Speech. She stated categorically that no one any more believed the threadbare lie that black men were being killed because they raped white women. Before the editorial was typeset Wells, wisely, left town. In Philadelphia she was handed a copy of the Daily Commercial which added to the reprint of her editorial:

The fact that a black scoundrel is allowed to live and utter such loathsome and repulsive calumnies is a volume of evidence as to the wonderful patience of southern whites. But we have had enough of it.

There are some things that the Southern white man will not tolerate and the obscene intimations of the foregoing have brought the writer to the very outermost limit of public patience. We hope we have said enough. (quoted in Sterling, 1979, pp. 82-3)

The offices of Free Speech were ransacked and type and furnishings were destroyed. Instructions were issued that incoming trains were to be watched and if Wells were found, she was to be hanged in front of the court house.

Wells made the link between systematic violence, oppression, and an ideology which made it acceptable. It was a similar link to the one made by Gage in relation to witch-hunting. In newspapers in New York she began a crusade against lynching, and, signing herself ‘Exiled’, she presented names, dates, quotations, which demonstrated that no black was immune from the possibility of lynching, and that lynching was a form of intimidation, of systematic violence against blacks, and designed to keep them in their proper place

Gerda Lerner (1981) states that Wells organised an anti-lynching campaign, and, 'Her constant theme was to expose lynching as an integral part of the system of racial oppression, the motives for which were usually economic or political. She hit hard at the commonly used alibi for lynchings, the charge of "rape" and dared bring out into the open the most taboo subject of all in Victorian America - the habitual sexual abuse of black women by white men. Thus, she expressed what was to become the ideological direction of the organized movement of black women - a defense of black womanhood as part of a defense of the race from terror and abuse' (pp. 85-6).”

-Dale Spender, Women of Ideas and What Men Have Done to Them

[zazzander]

I realised that Ida is probably named after Mt Ida and now I'm annoyed she has literally one line ever because that's an awesome name. I need her entire family history! I need to know if she's got a cousin called Olympia or something, you know??? This is important!! (if only to me). Like, can you imagine if the legacies all just had themed names? Octavian's family goes with emperors (Octavian, Julia, Claudia etc.) and Ida's family? Mythological locations (mostly mountains). That would just be so fun.

[lupinoschums]

[spookyscarycreepydollgirl]

I realise my second last post could be taken as me saying people who stumble across the Manor find the depressive human woman more intimidating than the man-eating spider monster. This is an inaccurate view of things, they find her more intimidating up until the precise moment they realise there’s a man-eating spider monster. Bastion’s host persona is very polite, gentlemanly, more or less indistinguishable from an ordinary human and overall a very gracious host. So it’s kinda hard to believe the weird lady who accidentally jump scared you on your way here and lied about there being anywhere to wait out your car breaking down. Ida also doesn’t really say “There’s a man-eating spider monster in that Manor over there, don’t trust anything he gives you and watch out for traps and non-Euclidean geometry.” Because that’ll get her laughed at. Her most successful rescues have essentially been to tell people that the Manor doesn’t actually have cellphone service before they can get close enough to the grounds for Bastion to contradict that narrative. (Technically there is cellphone service, it’s just not actually powered by the phone companies and shorts out whenever it’s convenient for there not to be mobile phone service. The Manor is your typical closed off horror location like that) Because if Ida has charisma 10 then Bastion has charisma 16 and he absolutely looks like the more trustworthy party to most people.

[therealslimshakespeare]

|| Radio ||

Requested plot points? ☑️

Circa: early February 1944

Immediate previous fic: Favorite Escape

Summary: when your hodge podge radio won’t work, who should ya call? Probably the flight engineer

Warnings: usual universe warnings apply, 18+ but nothing very alarming really happens in this one, references to others are made, some potential slut shaming in the beginning if ya squint? perhaps some queer baiting but it’s the Buckies rolling around on the flooor, they’re one massive queer bait lbr, it’s not me. Also. My shit Crystal Radio making descriptions- don’t come for me I haven’t made one and I spent five hours falling down a rabbit hole as to how the guys made them in the camps and at the end of the day I said: screw it! And went with one of the Brit’s scenarios 🍻

Edited only by my tired little eyes, full warning and have mercy 💋

Also, just a note I feel compelled to make- this fic centers around women in the army, in a war, which they’re spending under dire conditions in a POW camp. Yes there is love here, there is also hierarchy and discipline and the enforcement of that does not make one character or another necessarily callous or less loving. They are their ranks first and foremost as all signed up for.

“They’re forging papers, you know.” Maureen broached the topic to Egan one day, late February and when her cheeks were still bruised from Ida’s book.

Bucky paused his tracing of a map, sooty finger trailing along a river with the same incomprehensible name as its twin running parallel, he didn’t know anything about papers or anyone making them and she knew that. “Who?”

“Good ones. Identification, passports.” She enumerated.

“Who?”

“The Poles. The ones with the-“

“-the liquor.” he finished for her, remembrance and condemnation heavy in his wry tone. “The ones you stayed out all night with.”

“Stayed long enough for them to get drunk enough to show me.”she replied, without heat, which was surprising.

“Some grand plan of yours, huh?” He bit back a laugh, it was a fine way to cover her ass for being insubordinate. It was a way he’d likely try if he was in her place.

“No.” she swore instead. “Just luck, I happened to see them. They got careless. Maybe an answer to all Jack’s prayers.”

“Yeah. Anything to give that rosary a break.”

“Yeah.”

“You asked them?”

“What for?”

Bucky regarded her with thinning patience but something kept him from snapping, the feeling of a riddle still to be solved. “For some papers.” he clarified, measured and intent, she knew how much easier that would make their plans for Ida.

Maureen shook her head, glancing down at her twisting hands, “I didn’t want to-“ her mouth twisted too, “-I wanted to ask a superior first.”

Bucky considered that for a moment, slightly touched at her newfound wisdom, “Why not ask Buck?”

She shook her head again, auburn hair curling under her chin just so, even here in the stalag she had some traces of the old charm. “He’s got too much to worry about for me to be bringing in hypotheticals.” she was so upset by something she would not even meet John’s eye and he felt a slice of remorse for how he hadn’t even noticed the ground down change in her since she got here, his drinking buddy and the soft fleshed rival of merry old English days was a gruff and battered and sullen woman; being a red blooded American male, he regretted that dismal change. “And I'm worried about what to bargain with. What can I promise? We haven’t got much and I don’t have— there’s not much anyway, but what we’ve got I didn’t wanna promise. Not without-“ she still hadn’t met his eye, he tracked hers; a furious roving of pale blue back and forth across the floorboards and it made Bucky itch.

“Who signs these papers?” Bucky asked, thinking the logistics through, knowing she’d perk up if he brought them up.

“Haven’t a clue. Maybe they haven’t figured that part out yet. I don’t know. I just know they’ve got papers.”

“Good ones.”

“Yeah.”

“We haven’t got much.” he agreed, clicking his teeth in thought, “What’d you give them for the liquor?”

“They just invited me.”

“Didn’t have to lend a hand or nothin’?” he balked and Maureen threw him a glare that seemed more hurt than rage, and chastened by a voice inside that sounded much like his mama’s, he amended with sheepish humor, “Hell, feel like lending a hand myself these days, if it’d get me a whisky.”

Her gnarled fist curled white in her lap, she managed hoarsely, “They just wanted to talk about home. To someone who hadn’t heard about it a million times before.”

“They got cigarettes?” he asked.

“As most common payment for their booze -they’ve got enough to insulate their shack three deep.”

“Cigarettes won’t cut it then.”

“I’ve been thinking.”-

“Yeah?”

“The radio. I’m the only one who doesn’t think it’s worth the risk but, I know, it doesn’t matter, it’s happening. Gale’s going to keep trying. And if it works-“ she rubbed at her eyes, tired and unsure, “-that’s quite the bargaining chip.”

Bucky nodded slowly, eyes narrowing as his smile grew a touch broader, “News of the outside world.” he was half in agreement, “Buck asked for a week. Been four days.”

“He’s stumped.” Maureen retorted instantly. “And he’ll stay that way and he’ll go nuts and you’ll go die going over the fence and then he’ll have no reason left not to die too.”

Bucky whistled, low and chiding, “You’re full of rainbows today, Candy.”

“You know who he oughta ask.” she shook off the barb. “But he won’t. And I don’t want him risking it for this thing anymore than anyone else, but you all want it so bad, and they’ll shoot us for it if it works or not. I’m not asking her. But you would. Might as well get shot for it working, right? Isn't that what you said yesterday? You know who he should ask.”

Bucky’s keen eyes showed the moment it dawned on him, his eyebrows shot up and his mouth sagged and he ran a weathered hand over his face, “Awww shit, Candy.” came garbled behind his palm. “Ah shit.” he said again with conviction as he shoved the hand into his pocket, wretched acknowledgment of her point clear on his face.

“I didn’t want to suggest it, told Ida it’s a fucking dangerous thing and I’ll never forgive if— but you all—“

Bucky grounded aloud, “Nah, nah she’s -Lu would solve it.” he muttered, shushing her. “Demarco really pummeled you the other day, huh?” he added, and that got her to meet his eye, she looked spooked and a little incensed, “Saw him fuckin’ you up behind B compound but sheesh, s’like he hollowed you out worse than a jacolantern; yer shifty as hell.”

“He-“ Maureen still felt like blanching at the memory of Benny’s terribly correct opinions, his disappointed eyes and his fist full of her flight jacket asking her what in the living fuck was wrong with her besides a concussion, a sick childhood and an ever nauseating jealousy of Buck Cleven’s paternal time and effort, “-he had some admonitions. After…after the other night.”

Bucky hummed, shitty smirk taking up residence on his face, “How ‘bout that.”

“I’m gonna be better.” she muttered and Bucky felt for her, could almost taste the echo of his identical and hollow determination to climb the mountain of bad habits when weak from spuds and pneumonia. He told himself the same every morning and fell into bed condoning his failure every night, like a ritual.

“You’re gonna get us those papers.” he corrected, shoving off the wall to come near her, give her the full Major treatment and maybe a friendly hand, “And you can promise your drinkin’ buddies news from the radio.”

Maureen nodded in understanding, no joy or animation left in her green eyes. She used to enjoy a bit of subterfuge, now she only felt hollow misery at the thought that she'd dragged Lu into this, too. This risk she hated so much and yet no one cared. Lu would be glad to be dragged in, it’s true, she was itching at the chance to be useful and to make Gale proud, it’s how the girl was wired. It’s how most girls were wired, Maureen supposed, desperate to make Gale Cleven approve. Lu’s enthusiasm wouldn’t make the sight of her being made to kneel in the mud and have a bullet put in her head any easier, wouldn’t make Maureen feel any less responsible for it when her lifeless body thudded to the earth.

All that lovely goodness stamped out.

Over a radio.

Bucky’s hand felt too hard and too big on her shoulder. He had gone before the vision cleared, mud and wire and the freezing main square at Ravensbruck fading back to the musty bunk room. Maureen shook herself and stood up to make herself somehow appealing, reamniante some semblance of the cheerful rashness that had led her to the Polish combine in the first place: she found it hard to inspire. She’d like to count that a victory but she knew better, she wasn’t reformed she was just tired.

A washed face and a fake smile and the promise of news from outside would have to be enough to bank all their risks on, it would have to be.

“Crank,” she greeted the man in the hall, flashing him clean, water brushed teeth and her gentlest, freshly soot lined eyes, “I’ve been tasked by Major Egan with an errand, spare a minute to babysit me?”

__________________________________

Bucky finds Buck Cleven in his own bunkroom, Demarco outside on watch and that’s all Bucky needs to know to guess the radio is out and Buck’s working like a fiend yet again to make it work. Sure enough, he’s hunched over the table with it, mittened hands shaking from cold and exhaustion and a sheen of sweat on his forehead despite the paltry sweater he wears.

Bucky walks in and Gale gives him a soft, acknowledging glance before continuing to his work. Bucky takes up his usual place behind Buck’s left shoulder to watch and Buck, being used to it, goes on.

“My little Kriegie Marconi, huh?” Bucky allows the nagging impulse he has felt for weeks while standing in this position to finally exert itself, and his forefinger lifts and swirls in the curling gold strands of hair at the nape of Gale’s neck, his friend almost bolts away but then seems to choose a prey’s tactic and just stills, goes very still and Bucky scritches the scalp beneath his grab in assurance he don’t meant anything by it. He doesn’t think he does, at least.

Gale, wary and with a voice close to mechanized it’s so stilted, inquires with ever-present politeness, “You alright Bucky?”

It’s better than that whole ‘major’ business; getting called Major as if that meant shit anymore. “Yeah, ‘course I am.” Bucky rakes his fingers through the hairs there at the nape of that dainty neck, scritches the scalp with all four of his main ones, and uncovers a white long scar sliding round once he lifts the hairs there. “Why wouldn’t I be? Gonna be a father soon.”

Buck does jerk then, away from his touch and wheeling his chair around to glare at Bucky; it’s an impressively executed little pirouette and John misses the feel of his warm neck and oil soft hair. “Jesus John.” he reprimands.

“We’re gonna get outta here Buck.” John swears, he’s so sure of it because he cannot in all his thinking and predicting ever imagine a scenario where they don’t, and he chooses to think it’s not delusion but a good omen. “Ida’s gonna have that baby and when it’s safe we’ll all meet up.”

Gale is looking at him like he’s his own father again, Bucky knows that look, it always makes him equal parts ashamed and desperate, “Jus’ like that.” Gale mocks in a husky gust.

It’s devastating, and it’s intended to be, and Bucky could bear that with better humor if he could still touch Gale and his hair. “Just like that.”

Gale hums and it’s a mean sorta vocalization that makes Bucky’s heart thud and his skin prickle hot, it’s the kinda noise you kiss off a person, he thinks, but it’s Buck and so he doesn’t know what to do with it. “It’s gonna get you killed.” Buck is saying instead and Bucky lets him, “I know you all think she’s cracked up and maybe she has but it wouldn’t hurt to listen to Kendeigh sometimes when she’s tellin’ ya shit that a five year old could accurately guess, -goddamn it.”

His voice rose to a strong rage by the end and Bucky takes a chair opposite him, sick of standing there like a dumb dog waiting for his scolding to be over. “So what.” Bucky challenges him, “We just wait around and Brady pops out a child and the krauts let us keep it and it’s our new mascot and we all sing zippidy doo da, huh? Huh, Buck?”

Gale’s hands fell away from his face with a slam to the table, a shocking degree of anger showing for a split second and it gave Bucky an odd degree of gratification. “I jus’ want you to find a plan with better odds.”

Bucky sniffed and leaned forward, went in for the kill and Gale was looking at him like he expected it, like it was his turn to play daddy to everyone here and Gale for once was so beaten down he wouldn’t just allow the changing of the guard, he was close to angry at its lateness. It made Bucky’s heart thud.

“I’ve been listening to Kendeigh.” Bucky refuted briefly, “And we’ve got a plan.” Gale gave him a tired look of encouragement to go on, “How long’s it been since you slept? Huh, well, we got a plan. Practically perfect, or it will be, just need the radio.”

“Ain’t giving this away.” Gale said, “Not for anythin’, even useless.”

Bucky patted the table top in easy assurance, if he could have reached Buck’s thigh, he’d have patted that instead, “No, no, don’t need to give it away, just need it to work. So,” he softened his voice and his eyes tightened, “I’m callin’ Lu in.”

Oddly, Gale does not fight it. Not aloud, at least. There’s an anguished look of hate on his face and Bucky mirrors it. It’s for this place and the fucking awful choices they have to choose from every goddamn day.

“You run this by Ida?” is all he asks.

Bucky pops his flaking lips audibly, “What, need us both gangin’ up on you to agree? She’ll sign off. Smith’s an officer. Gotta remember that sometimes, Buck.”

The way his Buck swallows hard and dry contradicts his words, “I do remember that.”

“Really?” Bucky’s mouth gives a soft smile of doubtful incredulity and Gale’s mimics it, mournful but a smirk all the same, “Feel like she should answer to ‘Gale’s Baby’ these days. Lieutenant Smith who?”

Gale scoffs, “Careful now.”

“No really, she’s an officer and she wants to be treated like one. It’ll do her good to have work. Her kinda work.”

“Could get her killed.”

“Layin’ in her bunk could do that.”

Gale grunts, its sounds like an agreement.

“So I say Lieutenant Smith gets put on radio detail. Like her goddamn job description suggests. Huh, yeah?”

“Yeah.” Gale lets out a shaky agreement.

“Aaaaand,” Bucky draws it out as he rises again and saunters over to Buck who is ready for him and loose this time, “how bout I go back to bein’ the one you’re frettin’ ‘bout all the time. Got me almost jealous of the girl. How ‘bout I do. Huh?”

Gale’s scoff is fond as anything as he looks up at John with cheerful derision, “And you ‘bout to be a father? Make me an old man? Fuck no, ya looney.”

“Alright.” Bucky concedes with hands up in surrender before lurching forward and grasping Gale’s rickety chair back by its wobbly spokes and hefting it partially off the ground, beautiful and outraged prude of an occupant still seated in it, “Then I’ll play daddy and put you to bed, how ‘bout that.”

“John Egan for fucks sake-“ Gale’s fists pounded on the meat of his shoulders and his outraged protests wafted against Bucky’s neck and his jabbing knees collided with the meat of his thighs and Bucky hadn’t felt so close to him or so happy to be alive since England.

“Major sir, the hell is goin’ on?” Demarco’s tame inquiry from the safety of the doorway made them both lose their grapple and they collided together onto the floor, bunk bed barely missed by their heads and the hapless chair mixed up between their limbs.

Bucky grinned, hip sore from his fall and kidneys suffering from Buck’s trapped elbow there, “Puttin’ Goldilocks to bed.” he replied.

DeMarco processed that and the scene before him with grave sobriety before saluting lazily and turning to go, “Right on, sir.”

John did his best to rise up without further pinching Gale who was indeed trapped beside him and beneath him, chair legs wound between a lanky human leg in a puzzle that Bucky realized might take some caution to untangle without harm. Strangely, Buck wasn’t moving, he was just looking up at him like a cat would their clumsy master who has done somethin’ stupid which was a surprise to neither. It was so innocuous a look and so nostalgic, it winded Bucky with the realization he hadn’t seen it in ages, just as he hadn’t felt his boney ribs against his own and the feel of his elegant hands yanking him around in a fight. This miserable place really was stomping out the glow in the best people.

“Ya know Buck,” he ventured, clearing his throat for extra casualness, “I’ve missed you.” When Gale only kept looking up at him, perfect porcelain face with its unsettling scars and wary eyes without a lick of storm in them, John Egan grabbed his shovel and dug his own grave a little deeper, drug a finger down his cheek. “Missed all this.”

Bucky didn’t know what he meant by “this” but it felt safer and worse all at once, since he did miss Buck but he and Buck never used to hang out on floors with a chair as chaperone. Mercifully, Buck neither points that out nor moves away, acting very much like he needed to heaped on the floor with Bucky and a stray chair every bit as much as John did. Like it’s doing him good.

“And you couldn’t’ve jus’ said.” Gale murmurs with the softest eye roll of the century and Bucky feels like beaming and it must show in his face so strong and bright after a sunless winter that after a flash Gale’s cheeks flame from it and he averts his eyes.

“I dunno Buck, could I?” Egan asks one blushing cheek and Gale hasn’t got a good reply for that, so they just lay there on the floor.

“Go on now, get off me.” Gale doesn’t shove at him, he presses his hand to John’s forehead like he would a dog and John goes, obedient as one.

———————————————————————-

They found Lu with Murph and Benny and Brady, measuring out what seemed to be lot lines between Love Shack #9 and the next combine, boot scuffed perimeters already visible in the light snow and drawn in a decently tidy rectangle. There were guards loitering nearby, nosey as always with their cigarettes and their antsy dogs anytime someone did something out there besides piss or pace or stare at the fence.

“What’s all this?” Bucky inquired cheerfully, coming up to them with Gale, bundled and shivering behind him.

Benny looked up from tilling a furrow with his boot, right where Lu’s mittened finger pointed out. “It’s for the garden. S’posed to be spring before long.”

“A Chicago man oughta know better, Benny.” Egan snarked.

“Need us?”

Bucky sniffed, a casual set to his body that belied his quest, “Just the little one.”

Smith promptly looked startled, then eager. “All well Majors?”

“Need your advice on the color of my cufflinks with this suit.” Bucky extended his arm and beckoned her, “C’mon back in for a minute. One of you too, need a watch to go with the cufflinks.”

———————————————————————

With Benny on guard, Brady and Kendeigh having excavated the radio’s shell from the floorboard and table leg in which it resided, the Buckies stood over Smith’s small frame as she sat at the table and inspected the simplistic device with keen eyed appreciation for the construct.

“It’s really marvelous.” she assured Cleven, running her fingers over the carefully coiled wire and precarious pin.

Gale didn’t even crack a smile. “What’s wrong with it?” he asked instead.

She shook her head, a frown gathering. “Never made one-“ she cautioned.

“-but you get the idea.”

“Yes sir, I do.”

“So what’s wrong.”

Lu ran her fingers over the wire, again and again, the dusty metal not insulated, just bare copper, likely stripped from somewhere. It reminded her of early days as a cadet when they threw chicken wire mixed with hydraulic lines at herself and her fellow rookie engineers and told them to sort it, testing to see if they knew which was which. It had been so rudimentary she had wanted to laugh until she realized others were being flunked.

This was so basic she was stumped.

“Take your time, Lu.” Bucky spoke up after a burdened pause during which she could almost feel Major Cleven breathing down her neck.

“Candy, can I try with the headphone?” she asked at last, frustrated and out of her element, just a few months out of a plane and she had already lost her touch.

Maureen passed it over and Lu pressed it to her ear, not to discern what was quite obviously radio silence, but to imagine the whole process in reverse, track it down the cord all the way to the base, each possible breakdown of the conduction.

She fingered the ramshackle diode with burgeoning suspicion. “What’s your crystal?”

“That’s just…lead.” Cleven muttered.

“From?”

“Ground pencils.” Bucky supplied cheerfully.

Smith bit her lip, “We need sulfur added. Lead won’t conduct on its own.” She figured Cleven knew that, the grim and unmoving set of his mouth suggested so.

“Just- sulfur?” Maureen asked.

“If I had sulfur we could add it to the lead dust, ignite it and-“ Smith grinned at Kendeigh, knowing that she alone may have shared her enjoyment of a small conflagration from time to time, “burn it down and you’ve got something close enough to Galena. Just need a pinch of it should work.”

Bucky shoved his hands in his pockets and surveyed the mostly morose room. All except for the two girls grinning at each other over the hypothetical of a little chemistry experiment in a highly flammable wooden combine.

“We’ve got sandy soil.” Buck’s contemplative drawl spoke up, “Dunno if we could extract enough pure sulfur.”

Maureen stared back at Egan instead, “Other sectors have gotten portions of kits, chemistry kits, radio kits, they’ve been smuggled in with all sorts of stuff. Inside of a violin, oat bags. Nothing to fully build something. They might have sulfur. I could make inquiries and- well, Jack could pick it up next time the band goes over C compound to entertain the poor Aussie bastards.”

“How do you kno- nevermind, actually. Nevermind.” Bucky broke off, “Alright. Sure, why not. Ya sure that’s it?” he asked Lu once more.

She gave a helpless little shrug. “Gotta be. Or the wire’s dirty. Where’d it come from anyway?”

Gale gave Bucky a long suffering look as Bucky seemed to swell a couple inches and bounce back on his heels at the mention of his scrounging prowess. “The lamp.” he nodded above them all.

Jack Brady scoffed, short, clipped, betrayed, “That why it cuts out all the time? Strobed us so bad last night -thought the room was possessed.”

“Sacrifices Jack, sacrifices.”

———————————————————

Benny had hauled in enough water buckets to elicit some negative attention from the guards, and when the inspection came the inmates of the Love Shack insisted the drenched floors and table of the Majors’ barracks were due to sanitation post regurgitation. At night, with only one stolen torch light from Combine 15 to illuminate the endeavor, a basin of water beneath a smaller bowl in which lay their precious and recently procured ingredients, a science experiment began. The Majors and Ida gathered round, all looking as ghastly and spectral in the light of the flashlight as Brady’s fake ghost. It held the thrill of a bonfire night except for the stakes, which all in the room did their best not to dwell on.

“Zippo, Candy.” Lu gave the word and Maureen, with only the protection of Ida’s bent aviators to keep from a scorched cornea, flicked on her lighter and set the mixed powders ablaze.

It flamed up high and smelly, making Benny gag and mutter something about Meatball’s gas to a tittering Brady, and then died down to a yellow smoking ember.

“We should let it sit.” Lu surmised with a squeeze to Maureen’s only somewhat singed hand, her big dark eyes surveying the burnt bowl and their smoking experiment with glittery excitement at the possibility of success, “Let it cool, settle, maybe strain it. Can you get me a net? Oh Candy come now, get me a strainer?” she begged with a laugh as Maureen rolled her eyes at the idea of yet another trip to the Stalag Market for the most random items imaginable. If they hoped to not be suspicious, they’d need better lies or more money.

“How about cheesecloth?” Kendeigh tried not to grin indulgently- and failed- in the face of Lu and having recently been allowed to set something on fire

Lu kissed her cheek. “Cheesecloth would be perfect.”

In the end, cheesecloth did indeed prove perfect, and amongst the burnt dust of the combined minerals was a gritty little pinch full of the needed crystals. Or so Lu said, Gale agreed but the crease between his brows hadn’t lifted for two days; Bucky’s fingers had begun to twitch in antsy need to manually smooth them out. He imagined Maureen felt the same but she hadn’t said, uncharacteristically forbearant now she had some job to keep her sane. Even if it was playing fetch for Lu.

—————————————————————

“Well, this is it.” Gale muttered when the watch had been set once more, Murph and Hambone on the steps, Crank inside, Brady at the door, Benny at the window. Even Major Clark had joined them in the barracks for this final try and Lu’s cheeks were maroon from the attention even as her deft hands steadily pressed her concoction beneath its intended rod.

“Pass me the pliers, sir?” She asked and for a moment, the teacher became the apprentice and Gale fetched her the stalag forged tool, rudimentary like everything here yet the gripped and pulled and lifted same as the pliers back home. “You could check your look in this wire’s reflection.” She complimented Gale’s buffing of the copper wire.

He shrugged in turn. “Didn't wanna leave anythin’ to chance. That it?” he asked as her hands stalled and she surveyed her work.

Lu nodded solemnly. “Yes sir.”

Gale picked up the headphone from in front of him on the table like it was a gun he was about to bring to his head. “Here.” He extended it to her instead, “S’right, it was your job, you should be the first. Cmon.”

Despite her voiceless protest he pressed the headphones into her hands and Lu, never knowing how to disobey an officer, folded immediately.

For a good ten seconds everyone in the room held their breath as Smith pressed the headphone to her ear and gently wiggled the clothespin along the wire, searching and tuning, her face holding that old peaceful concentration they hadn’t seen since the last mission. She was at home with her mind tuned to another dimension. The pilots in the room knew that look, that was the look of someone at home with something that terrified them all the same, the gut swooping feeling of clearing the take off and sledding along the tops of the clouds. Wrong and strange and utterly incomparable to others, it was the closest to home one’s mind could be. Lu belonged somewhere on those electric currents and searching them out was like finding oneself again.

Then at last, Lu’s eyes sharpened out of their dreamy haze of concentration and she said, gentle as always, “It’s the BBC sir.”

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[marune2]

Gender swap Au Ida Faust and other

Josele is @loosesodamarble oc

Summary

Child Ida don’t understand her siblings especially like in this time like if both get grumpy and crying and josele have a man moment whit him

(Plz don’t ask why I’m doing it I have this tsenario in head what don’t go🫠)

———————————

Ida see how josele brings he’s big sister sweet and warm water bottle and kiss Morgan a lot

Ida:josy ?

Josele:yes ida what’s wrong?

Ida:why are woman in a bad mode if they bleed? Do I get it too?

Josele just looking at ida for some second‘s „well they have pain in there belly and as you know they bleed but I don’t know mush abaut it and why but no you don’t get it

Ida:oh I know why!!!

Josele raise a eye brow:you know?

Ida:yes Nachty did say god just wanted to first woman give all her blood but she did ask if she can pay it in installment payment and now pay all woman the installment payment“smile

Josele break in laughing out :oh good to know ida

Ida:I do I hate god for it because my big sister fell bad because of him I will protect them all at cost!!!!

Josele:smile well good to know but don’t say you hate god people will be not so nice if you say it just think it ok?

Ida:hmpf ok sound realistic fuc€ing human……

Josele:good do you want to help my now?

Ida:good but it’s you job after all you will marry both and have a lot of children!!!!!

Josele:going red and choke on he’s own spit

Ida?

Josele:Ida I’m whit Morgan Nacht don’t like my like this“laughing nervously but the toush to have both twins and then children whit there warm and lovely smile at him……

Ida:sure if you say so stupid josele do I can marry you?

Josele:Ida dear child we did have a talk you a little brother to my…“seufs but try not to laughing

Ida:awwww come on it would be nice at best you marry my Nacht and Morgy bam big happy family!!!!!!!!“scream he

Josele:now come Ida let’s work…..“go away

Ida:okay!!!“run after him

[aconitewolfsbane]

DPxDC prompt/story idea for anyone to use

We've seen a lot of 'Danny is the twin/older brother/clone of Damian/insert other batfam member' fics.

But...

What if it was Sam?

Talia's first attempt at creating Ra's heir was clearly going to be a girl. She knew that would be unsatisfactory for him, and he'd likely just order the baby's death.

So Talia hid the girl. She put her where ra's would never think to look for her:

with an annoyingly daft rich couple from a small town in the middle of nowhere that she met on a business trip.

Her only orders for the insipid pair was to keep the girl away from Gotham, as she was concerned that Bruce would find out and that would lead to Ra's finding out about Talia's small betrayal.

Talia returned to the League, lied to Ra's about the embryo failing. She took a year off to appear to rework the embryos collected to pick out a guaranteed male, and finally started a new one in the artificial womb, and eventually Damian was born.

Sam thought that her parents insistence on not taking her to Gotham for galas was because they were terrified she'd become goth, so... she did exactly that. The Manson's returned from Gotham to discover Sam burnt all the frilly pink dresses she had up until that point.

"What? I had adult supervision."

*points to Grandma Ida, sitting with a bag of marshmellows and a smirk*

Whether Grandma Ida noticed Sam's similarities to young Brucie Wayne, or the Fenton's did a standard contamination test, noticed the DNA and found that the only Manson willing to listen was Ida is up to the writer.

The portal accident happens, blahblahblah. We know the drill by now.

A reveal gone bad, the Fenton's being good parents, the GIW on the hunt, any combination of the above.

The kids are either rushed away by Ida or the Fentons with orders to go to Gotham, to Wayne Manor, or as usual, the kids just go there because it's the only place two half-ghosts, and three liminals can hide their ectosignatures.

Chaos happens, as it only can in a DP x Dc fic, and the batfam find themselves staring at the Batcomputer as the DNA results flash onto the screen, revealing that the young woman they thought was connected to Poison Ivy was actually...

"Dammit Bruce, are you just unable to keep it in your pants for even a second?!"

"Hnnn..."

"Wait, guys..." clicks to the maternal results.

"... Holy shit."

"... Mother?"

"Talia fucking hid another one?!"

"Langauge, Miss Steph. Master Dick."

"... New sister?"

[dead-lights]

portraits of the vatore siblings [in-game wall art]

I'm having a lot of fun putting the Vatores in period clothes, so I made some renders of them dressed up in 1890s-1940s clothing and threw them into that big frame from Vampires.

download [sfs]

This was a pretty big project: 3 cc wall art pieces covering 6 decades of fashion with 12 separate outfits, which resulted in 18 individual renders and 144 total swatches. Also, the frame itself is huge. I prefer them sized down (shift + [ in buy mode) but they are 100% the type to own larger-than-life portraits of themselves.

My hc is that the Vatores were born in the late 1930s/early 1940s, so imo they aren't actually old enough to have worn any of these clothes when they were first in style. I think they dressed up like it’s old times and took a buncha pictures just to confuse people trying to figure out how old they really are. Sibling bonding!

Included below are all 18 renders, with cc and full color below the cut.

1890s

1900s

1910s

1920s

1930s

1940s

I'm a little obsessed with Lilith's 1940s look ngl

lilith

1890s

hair: granny bun by @saurusness

hat: fine feathered hat by @gilded-ghosts

earrings: rose in the garden earrings by @rustys-cc

dress: the ida dress by retro-pixels (direct link)

pose: from mademoiselle by @blackpanda-ts4

1900s

hat: striped bow hat by @lilis-palace

hair: bertha by @buzzardly28

earrings: arthur earrings by @yakfarm

outfit: dress: edwardian huntress dress by @elfdor

pose: also from mademoiselle

1910s

hair and flower accessory: gibson curl updo by @the-melancholy-maiden

earrings: arthur earrings by yakfarm

dress: rose lunch dress by @happylifesims

pose: also from mademoiselle

1920s

hair: maxie by @raindropsoncowplants

lipstick: clara by @chere-indolente

dress: 1920s evening dress 06 by happylifesims

pose: from the louise brooks posepack

1930s

hair: gigi by @simadelics

coat: 1930s female coat 02 by happylifesims

pose: from barstool poses ii by @katverse

1940s

hair & dress from forties film noir by gilded-ghosts

pose: from monday poses by @ratboysims

caleb

1890

hat: 1920s top hat by happylifesims

1900

outfit: men's casual edwardian suit by @historicalsimslife

hat: 1920s bowler hat by happylifesims

1910

hat: 1920s fedora hat by happylifesims

1920

hat/coat: dmitri hat & coat by happylifesims

1930

fedora shape no. 2 by happylifesims

1930s male trench coat 01 by happylifesims

1940

hat: fedora shape no. 1 by happylifesims

suit: paper, ink, & sorrow suit by @anachrosims

sibling poses

jane austen poses by @atashi77 (both 1890)

model poses 32 (lilith 1900, 1920, 1930, 1940) and male poses 11 (caleb 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940) by @helgatisha

edwardian socialite by @funkyllama (lilith 1910)

@occult-cc-finds

[starriinightii]

You know how everyone of the 11 (seven + Nico, Will, Reyna and Thalia) has names that means something really deep except for three.

Sources : Google

The name Perseus is of Greek origin and means "destroyer". It may come from the Ancient Greek word pertho, which means "to destroy".

The name Annabeth is a combination of the names Anna and Elizabeth, and has multiple meanings: Favor, Full of grace, and My God is an oath.

From the Greek word iaomai, which means "to heal" or "cure", Jason means "healer".

The name Leonidas has its origins in ancient Greece, where it is derived from the Greek words leon, meaning lion, and idas, meaning like.

The Italian male name Niccolò means "victor of people" or "people's champion". It comes from the Greek name Nikolaos.

The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior".

The name Thalia is of Greek origin and means "to blossom," "blooming," "flourishing," and "festivity". It may also be derived from the Greek word thallein, which means "to flourish".

Reyna is a Spanish girl's name that means "queen" and has roots in Latin, German, and Yiddish.

And then, there's Piper, Frank and Hazel -

Piper is an English name that means someone who plays the musical pipe, flute, or bagpipes.

The name Frank has multiple meanings, including "free", "Frenchman", and "a diminutive of Francis and Franklin".

The name Hazel is a feminine name that means "hazel" and is derived from the Old English word hæsel. It can refer to the hazel tree or the color hazel, which is a greenish-brown.

[life-imitates-art-far-more]

Romaine Brooks (1874-1970) "Ida Rubinstein" (1917) Oil on canvas Symbolist Located in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington DC, United States Brooks met Russian dancer and arts patron Ida Rubinstein in Paris after Rubinstein's first performance as the title character in Gabriele D'Annunzio's play "The Martyrdom of St. Sebastian." Rubinstein was already well known for her refined beauty and expressive gestures; she secured her reputation as a daring performer by starring as the male saint in this boundary-pushing show that combined religious history, androgyny, and erotic narrative. In her autobiographical manuscript, "No Pleasant Memories," Brooks said the inspiration for this portrait came as the two women walked through the Bois de Boulogne on a cold winter morning.

[faulty-writes]

[ Hello followers and or fans, I present to you, Chapter Two of my Tensei holiday series. I hope you enjoy it. You can find the first chapter by searching this tag on Tumblr or clicking this link. ]

[ After discovering Tensei’s letter by mistake, you’re under the assumption that he’s in love with someone. As such, when the two of you leave together he notices that something is off but you’re not willing to tell him what. ]

The agency was empty, except for Team One greeting you upon arrival. You, the rest of your team, Hizashi, and the hero students were a little bruised and battered, but all right. Unlike your previous missions, however, you took priority on keeping Tenya from harm despite knowing he could handle his own.

This was mostly for Tensei’s sake, you could only imagine what he’d do if Tenya got injured. But even so, you had a fine medical team working under your agency, and after getting patched up, you changed into your festive attire again, and tracked Tensei down.

It wasn’t much of a surprise that he was in your office, and as you approached you heard laughter. It didn’t take much to realize who it was coming from and served as a reminder that Tensei, indeed, had a knack for making others come out of their shell. 

When you opened the door and stepped through, you were greeted with the most unusual sight. Tensei was spinning his wheelchair around with Eri in his lap, a large smile was on her face and her cheerful laughter continued.

“Heh,” you crossed your arms and leaned against the doorframe. “Having fun?” you asked, interrupting the moment. He came to a halt and like deer caught in the headlights, their eyes were wide and their expressions blank.

“Don’t look so surprised,” you said, softness enveloping your features. Tensei remained quiet, knitting his eyebrows as he noticed the bandages that covered one of your arms and the small cuts on your face. “Hm?” You noticed the way he was staring at you and tilted your head.

“What?” You asked before realizing. “Oh,” you looked at your bandaged arm, “this is nothing, don’t worry about it.” You knew he would, but you didn’t understand why. He had gotten injured countless times when he was a hero.

In particular, you remember the time he installed airbags into his suit. They proved to be useful when he ended up crashing and receiving minor injuries after trying to apprehend a villain by the name of Batto Yobayakawa. It was still amusing to think he was one of the few villains that stumped Tensei back in the day.

However, you would never understand his motive for uninstalling said airbags, even after you and the rest of his team tried to convince him otherwise. Ultimately, he had faith that all of you would keep him from being harmed. Although some might argue that using a mattress to prevent yourself from crashing again wasn’t exactly original.

Seeing others injured, however, didn’t sit well with him, especially since it was you. Eri suddenly seemed uncomfortable, her once happy grin now replaced with a dreaded frown and she too, seemed to be ominously staring at your bandaged arm. A certain fear danced in her eyes which had you immediately concerned.

“Eri?” You asked before crouching down in front of Tensei and trying to extend your hand out to her. She gasped in response, that fearful expression growing and causing her eyes to darken. “Hey,” you said, trying to calm her down.

“It’s okay, this was jus-” You flinched when she exclaimed, “I’m sorry!” You and Tensei exchanged concerned glances, and he placed his hand on top of her head. You noticed that she was trembling, and her eyes were squeezed shut.

“Hey, why are you sorry? Everything’s okay, promise!” He gave a large grin as he ruffled her hair. She hitched her breath and looked at him, her eyes misted over. He knew her reaction might have something to do with her not-so-good past.

But for now, it was best to de-escalate her worry. “Yeah, you didn’t do anything wrong,” you said in a soft voice, gently reaching out to hold her hand. She turned to look at you, eyes wide and a few tears falling down her cheeks. You wiped them away with your opposite hand and smiled at her.

“Just take a deep breath,” you instructed and while she tried to comply, she ended up coughing. “Slowly,” you stated, and while she did that, you looked at Tensei. “I can tell you guys had a fun time while I was away,” you half-joked before standing up.

“Sorry if I ruined it, but you’ll be glad to know that everyone made it back in one piece,” you said. “I told Midoriya and Tenya I’d bring Eri back, they’re waiting at the front.” It was a shame that you missed the party you and your agency worked so hard to set up, but there was always next year.

“Oh right, sorry we were having such a good time and-” he suddenly remembered the letters and turned his wheelchair to face the desk. “Hm?” Your eyebrows raised when he rolled over to it with Eri still on his lap, her little hands twisted into the front of his suit.

“Wanna show Y/n the letter you wrote to Santa?” he asked and Eri eagerly nodded before hesitantly taking it from the desk and sliding off his lap. He made a mental note to pick up his letter before you saw it, but he’d do it when you walked Eri back to Izuku and Tenya.

You smiled when she approached and chuckled softly when she held up her letter, her glance turning to the side. “Oh, can I read it?” You asked, and with her permission, took it from her. Her letter made you smile, not many kids would admit they don’t know what they want and instead, ask Santa to give others what they most want.

It was a very selfless request. “This is a very nice letter, I’m sure Midoriya would love to see it too,” you suggested, before handing it back to her and holding your hand out. “Ready to go?” You asked, and she stared at your hand like she was uncertain if she should take it or not.

But after a few seconds, she wrapped her small fingers around the palm of your hand. “I’ll be back shortly,” you informed Tensei before disappearing down the hallway with Eri. He nodded, smiling as he waved the two of you goodbye. Once he was sure you were out of sight, he turned to the desk.

He grabbed his letter and quickly looked down at the crayon-colored letters he scribbled down. His heart was beating like a hummingbird, and a rosy complexion colored his cheeks. It was a little embarrassing, he would admit, to write a letter to Santa, asking for...you. Maybe a little selfish too. 

Yeah, you were his friend. His best friend. But was it bad to want your best friend to fall in love with you? To ask Santa to make that happen? As most could confirm, when you chose to become a hero, you were also signing your life away.

It meant that you sacrificed other plans. Dating, falling in love, having a family. All seldom when you were a hero. But that was just it. When he was a hero, he had that special someone in his life. That someone he fell in love with, that someone he could envision having a family with. 

That someone who helped pick up his life, who kept his agency alive, and who meant so much to him and his family. He was more than certain others could see it too. Even his mother had given him hints throughout the years that you were the one for him, but he always laughed it off.

Maybe he did that to prevent his hopes from getting too high. Still, he knew that writing a letter wouldn’t magically make you, his. Even if it was the season of miracles. So, with some regret, he crumbled his letter and threw it into the small garbage pail next to your desk.

“Hey,” a metallic clank echoed through the room when his exhaust pipes that promptly stuck out of his elbows hit the push rims of his wheelchair. It seemed that your speedy return surprised him and as such, he jumped in his seat and spun around so quickly that he almost fell out of it.

You snickered. “Did I scare you?” Tensei chuckled. “Just surprised me,” he replied. “Sorry,” you shrugged and walked up to him. “Yamada said he wouldn’t mind driving you back home,” he paused, glancing to the side in thought.

“Or I could drive you, but I know it’s late and-” he perked up at your offer. “A ride from you sounds great,” he replied, and you couldn’t help but chuckle. “You are so predictable,” you commented, placing your hands on your hips with a smirk, but that’s what years of friendship did. ‘Friendship’ You frowned but quickly shook your head.

“Uh, cool. So, I’ll go tell him and Tenya you don’t need a ride, but are you sure? I was going to stay and clean up with the rest of the team, it might take a while,” you informed him. He chuckled. “I’m sure, I’ll help clean up too.” You knitted your eyebrows and pointed your finger at him.

“You do realize you were supposed to be a guest, right?” You couldn’t very well expect your guest to clean up. Tensei laughed. “All of you did such a good job organizing the party and taking care of that incident earlier. It’s the least I can do,” he explained before rolling closer to you and taking your hand.

Your eyebrows immediately raised. You should be used to the subtle signs of affection Tensei gave, but the way he squeezed your hand conveyed a sense of concern. “Something bothering you?” As if that wasn’t obvious enough.

His eyes shifted to the bandages that covered your arm. “I’m just glad you’re alright,” he said. “Well, out of the two of us, you’re the only one who has given a huge scare to me and the rest of the agency,” you replied, shaking your head, but a smile tugged at your lips. 

“And you can’t imagine how glad we were when we found out you were okay,” you took a deep breath. “But enough about the past, let’s go help clean up and…” you paused and glanced at your hand, still cradled in his. How you’d love to hold his hand forever, but unfortunately that wasn’t possible and instead, you smirked. 

“You can let go of my hand anytime you know,” you teased, and while most individuals would be embarrassed, Tensei merely chuckled. “Your hand feels nice,” he teased back but released it anyway. “Hardy har,” you replied, turning to leave with him following suit behind you.

When you walked out to the main lobby of the agency, you noticed that your team members were already halfway done with the cleaning, and they all paused to look at you. Tenya and Izuku also paused, and you noticed they too were helping clean up.

Maybe they had nothing better to do while they were waiting for you to ask Tensei who he wanted a ride from, and you assumed that Hizashi and Eri were waiting in the car for them. “Heh, wow. Beat me to it, didn’t you guys?” You turned to Tenya and Izuku.

“Tensei said I could give him a ride,” Izuku nodded while Tenya walked up to him. “Very well, I shall see you at the estate, brother. Please drive safely,” he stated, chopping his hand through the air. “I always drive safely Tenya,” you barked back, and Tensei chuckled.

“That’s true, Y/n is the safest person I know,” he said, playfully punching his brother’s arm. Tenya seemed a bit off-put by this and readjusted his glasses before looking at you. “Thank you once again for the invitation. It was an honor to fight alongside you today,” he said with a small bow.

You smiled. “It was no problem. You guys did a wonderful job out there. I’m proud of you,” Izuku bowed. “T-thank you,” he stuttered out before turning to Tenya, and after exchanging a glance the two of them left. You waved them goodbye before crossing your arms.

“I’m still helping clean up,” you stated before grabbing a small trash can and walking over to the snack table that was littered with empty cups and leftover food, some of which was half-eaten. Tensei smiled and rolled over to you.

“I can hold the trash can for you,” he offered, and you raised your eyebrow but inevitably surrendered it. It’s not like your arguments with Tensei were actual arguments, but sometimes it was best to lose the battle so you could win the war.

Not that there was a war, well maybe between your heart and your brain. But that was already implied, wasn’t it? However, you only managed to clean a small portion of the table before Enigma and Onemu walked up to the two of you. 

“Hm?” You paused and looked at them while Tensei turned to look over his shoulder, a clueless expression on his face. “Oh, hey guys, is something wrong?” He asked and you nodded. “Yeah, is something wrong?” They looked at each other before their gazes fell on you again. 

“Why don’t you two head home?” Onemu suggested laying a hand on your shoulder while Enigma took the trash can from Tensei. “What?” You replied, shaking your head. “No way, as leader of-” Onemu silenced you by placing a finger to your lips.

“We’re worried that our leader will be too tired if they stay too late,” she responded, making your eyebrows knit. Enigma nodded in agreement and Onemu stepped back. “Today took a lot out of us, but you worked harder than anyone out there.”

A growl rumbled in your throat. Yes, it never hurts to be concerned about someone else and to an extent, their working habits. But you wished they’d care a little less. Then again, maybe they didn’t want to lose another leader. That was understandable.

“We’re proud to have you as our leader, and we want you to be well-rested over the holidays,” she explained. Well...your assumption was correct. A sigh passed your lips, did they ever treat Tensei this way? You couldn’t recall and looked at him with an expression that begged him to give his two cents.

Sadly, he only offered a sympathetic smile. “Thank you,” he said before once again grabbing your hand. “I’ll be sure that Y/n gets proper rest, and you better do the same,” he said, addressing the team members in the room.

“Yes Sir!” they replied in unison. While you would never think ill of Tensei, you couldn’t help but notice that they had never replied to you in such a manner. Was that because they respected him more than you? No...your team respected you, or so you hoped.

Was it because he had been the leader for years before you took over and had a sense of seniority? You tried not to dwell on it and sighed again. “Fine,” you replied, shrugging your shoulders. “I know when I’m beaten,” at least in this situation.

“But be aware that our agency is on alert during the holiday season,” Which meant that if by chance, a villain attacked on Christmas Day, Team Idaten needed to secure and contain them. A hero’s work was never done. Unlike Tensei, you only got subtle nods in response and as if sensing your uneasiness, he squeezed your hand. 

You offered him a faint smile before looking at Onemu. “I just need to get my things from my office,” you said, shifting your gaze to Tensei. “I’ll be right back,” with that, you walked down the hallway. Your office door creaked open, and you bee-lined for your desk, grabbing your backpack from underneath it.

Placing it on the chair, you rummaged through it for your keys. Once that was done, you swung the bag over your shoulder. “Alright,” you said, yawning as you turned to walk around your desk, but your foot brushed against the trashcan causing it to tumble onto its side. 

“Damn,” you quickly kneeled to pick it back up when your eye caught the sight of a crumpled-up paper with what appeared to be blue writing on the inside of it. You placed the garbage pail against the desk and took it out. Carefully uncrumpling it, you realized it was a letter, and the first words of it were ‘Dear Santa.’

You quickly assumed it might have been the first draft letter that Eri had decided to throw away. But the writing was entirely different, it was more structured and professional while Eri’s was, well…what you would expect the writing of a child to look like.

You drew your bottom lip into your mouth, remembering that Tensei was waiting for you, but surely this wouldn’t take that long to read. You took a deep breath. ‘While I could ask for anything in the world there’s only one thing my heart wants.’ You paused, knitting your eyebrows.

“The one thing my heart wants?” You repeated, shaking your head before you resumed reading. ‘It’s something I kept wishing for,’ your blood ran cold, and yet, at the same time, your heart almost popped out of your chest. ‘If I could get them under my tree, that’s all I’d ever need. Signed…’ your throat tightened as you spoke his name.

“Tensei.” You allowed the crumbled letter to fall from your fingers. “T-Tensei…” you repeated before falling back on the floor, feeling the back of your shoulder hit the chair. Your heart sank in your chest. Was he…in love with someone?

It hurt to think that someone wasn’t you. But from his letter, it sounded like he had loved them for a long time, and yet…‘Friends…we’re just…friends.’ That reminder hurt most of all. At the same time, you knew that as his friend, you should be happy if he was happy.

You swallowed thickly, trying to fight back tears. Maybe you didn’t have the right to feel sad. After all, it’s not like you told Tensei how you felt, at least not with your words. You frowned, trying to keep your emotions under control.

You needed to get back up, even if you didn’t want to. Taking a deep breath, you grabbed the corner of your desk, using it to pull yourself back up. The walk from your office to the lobby seemed to last forever and Tensei was the first to notice the look of despair on your face and immediately sensed something was off when you returned.

“Is something wrong?” He said, rolling over to you as fast as he could before grabbing your wrist. Your throat tightened, and you looked down at him. You wanted to snap, to demand who he was in love with and why he kept it a secret from you but knew that wouldn’t solve anything. So instead, you shrugged.

“Guess I’m just tired,” you replied before walking past him and outside to your car. He frowned and followed behind you. Maybe you were just tired, but he didn’t completely buy that. There was no way your whole personality could change in a few minutes like that.

He knew it must be something you didn’t feel like talking about, at least not right now. So, he continued to follow you in silence until you arrived at your car and opened the passenger door for him. “Do you need any help getting inside?” You asked, your tone flat. 

He aligned his wheelchair with the door and shook his head. “No, I got this,” he replied, locking his wheelchair before reaching for the handlebar on the upper side of the inside of the door. Then he grabbed onto the inside of the open door, pulling himself out of the wheelchair and into the passenger’s seat. 

You couldn’t help but look at the spectacle with some amusement despite feeling heartbroken now, Tensei could still amaze you in the simplest ways. “I can see you’re still capable all on your own,” you commented before folding the wheelchair and placing it in the backseat with your backpack.

Climbing into the driver’s seat, you put your seatbelt on and ignited the engine. The dashboard lit up blue, and your headlights illuminated the street before you. Luckily, at this time of night, the city wasn’t too busy, and you knew the way to the Iida Estate by heart. “You can turn on the radio if you want,” you suggested.

Tensei leered at you for a moment. “Sure,” he said, and soon enough, holiday jingles filled your car, drowning out the awkward silence between the two of you. After a few minutes, he leaned toward you and asked, “Is everything okay?” again. “Yeah, everything’s fine,” you replied, not wanting to let your emotions completely take over.

He didn’t deserve that, he deserved that loving friend he had always known even if that loving friend was having a hard time accepting that he could have feelings for someone else. He frowned, not exactly wanting to take those words as an answer but leaned back in his seat.

His stare was somewhat blank as he looked ahead at the darkened street in front of you, adorned with streetlights and familiar houses. Still, he couldn’t get the distressed look of your face out of his head or that look of hurt that seemed to be dancing in your eyes. 

When you arrived at the Iida Estate, Tensei gave you the code for the gate and you pulled up to the driveway. The house itself was a rare fusion of traditional and modern ecstatic, constructed from rich wood that permeated a sense of elegance that was normally associated with the Iida family.

Its tiled roofing sloped perfectly and seamlessly curved into the prominent eaves that made up each corner of the roof. The windows were constructed from wooden shoji screens, making the light from inside the estate filter through it like soft sunlight, illuminating the engawa that surrounded the outside of the house.

This light also reflected off the stark wooden veranda that encircled the building. Most importantly, you noticed the ramp in front of the entrance. That was probably the newest addition to the Iida Estate and one that was made for Tensei’s sake. 

You carefully parked your car and retrieved his wheelchair before unfolding it and rolling it over to the passenger side door which he had already opened. You made sure to lock it and assisted him as much as you could into his wheelchair before pushing him to the front door of the estate that opened to reveal his mother.

“Oh, hello Mrs. Iida,” you said, bowing respectfully. Even if you had known the Iida family for years, you remained formal…at least with Tensei’s parents. She was an older woman, with short dark hair that ended just a little past her ears.

She had soft, coal-colored eyes and wore oval-shaped glasses. Despite her high-class upbringing, she had a casual sense of style. But she seemed prone to wearing a crisp white top with a powder blue cardigan and a knee-high, navy-colored skirt with Mary Jane’s.

She smiled softly at you and folded her hands in front of her. “I’m so glad the two of you made it back safely, Tenya informed me that you would be arriving late,” she stated in her normal motherly tone. “I’m afraid that’s my fault, Mrs. Iida,” you said.

“I thought scheduling the party during the evening would reduce interruptions but…well,” you rubbed the side of your neck and her eyes widened when she noticed the bandages that covered your arm. “Hm?” You saw the way she was looking at you and suddenly remembered that yes, you had bandages on your arm. 

“Oh, this isn’t anything major!” You reassured her. The last thing you needed was for her to react like Eri did. Although you knew that was pointless. Since Tensei’s incident, she took injuries, even minor ones, very seriously, and tended to over-worry. “There was an incident in the city district of Naruhata and-” She nodded and stepped closer.

“Uh...” You flinched when her fingertips brushed along your bandaged arm. “Yes, I was fortunate enough to view it on the local news station,” you hitched your breath, oh boy. “You commanded your team very well,” you felt a sense of relief wash over you at her words.

“Oh, uh thank you, Mrs. Iida,” you said, bowing respectfully before Tensei interjected. “Y/n does an amazing job, I sure put my faith in the right person to take over my agency,” he said, playfully grinning at you. “Heh,” you gave him a half-hearted smile in return despite the dull ache in your chest.

“Even if that’s true, you still have a powerful reputation at Team Idaten,” you muttered, glancing away. The way they responded to him versus the way they responded to you surely proved that. Tensei tilted his head, opening his mouth to speak but his words fell silent when his mother laid her hand on his shoulder.

“Tensei,” she said, “why don’t you wash up and get ready for bed? I’d like to speak to Y/n alone.” You tensed up, it wasn’t like Mrs. Iida hadn’t spoken to you privately in the past, you were almost certain she viewed you as another member of the family. 

But you couldn’t fathom what she wanted to speak to you about and perhaps that’s what caused the minor anxiety you began to feel. “Oh alright,” he said before looking at you. “I look forward to tomorrow,” he grinned yet again before proceeding to roll past the front door and his mother shut it before turning to face you.

She was wearing a smile, and the air around you seeped with joyful anticipation. She reached out, taking your hand and sandwiching it between hers. “I’m so glad you’re alright, watching you on the news reminded me of Tensei.” You saw a happy gleam shine in her eyes.

“You both demonstrate accurate leadership skills and I’m so proud of both of you,” she stated, making your cheeks glow a soft pink hue. “Oh, uh, t-thank you, Mrs. Iida,” you said, glancing to the side. “Tensei has…always inspired me to do my best and…” You thought over your next words carefully.

“It’s an honor to be the leader of Team Idaten,” you pressed a hand against your chest. Your heart was fluttering again, its pace erratic. She continued to smile. “I assume that you’ve accepted the invitation Tensei extended to join our family for Christmas Eve dinner?” You nodded and she chuckled.

“That’s wonderful!” She exclaimed before tightening her grip on your hand, it wasn’t malicious, but it was clear she didn’t want you to step away just yet. “If you don’t mind, there’s something my husband and I would like to discuss with you tomorrow, before dinner,” you knitted your eyebrows.

Mrs. Iida had always been welcoming, but her husband remained distant. Over the years, the two of you had only exchanged a handful of words. Tensei insisted his father’s behavior was because he was a strict man, traditional in a sense.

In addition, he attempted to convince you that his father favored you as much as his mother, but you weren’t so sure. The thought of talking to Mr. Iida sent a chill down your spine and made your hair stand on end. “Hm? Is something wrong?” Mrs. Iida asked, and you frantically shook your head.

“Oh, n-no, nothing is wrong. Uh, I’m sorry,” you said, stepping away from her. “I’m just t-tired, yeah. It’s been a long day and during the busiest season of the year,” you awkwardly chuckle as you make your way down the ramp toward the driveway. 

“But yes, I will see you tomorrow, Mrs. Iida. Have a nice night!” You exclaimed, bowing before quickly getting into your car and driving away, leaving her perplexed. You could barely concentrate on the road as you made your way home.

The only thoughts in your mind were what Tensei’s parents, and more importantly, his father wanted to talk to you about. Did it have anything to do with the mysterious person Tensei had written in his letter? Was there going to be a wedding?

Were they going to ask you to help him plan it or threaten you to stay away from their son now that he had found someone worthy of him!? Yeah, it was safe to say you were having a panic attack over the millions of possibilities that could occur tomorrow. 

But one thing was clear, and it came as a realization after you had finally gotten home, showered, changed, and lay in your bed staring mindlessly at the ceiling. “I…have to go through with it,” as much as it hurt to think about Tensei being with someone else, even if it wasn’t confirmed yet, you were his friend.

You loved him and even if he loved someone else, you couldn’t just abandon him if he needed you. Taking a deep breath, you sighed although it didn’t ease the ache in your chest. You frowned as you turned onto your side and nuzzled your head against the pillow.

Trying to fall asleep would prove to be a challenge but it didn’t matter. Time didn’t stop, even for a broken heart. You just hoped that you’d have enough strength to deal with whatever tomorrow brought, be it for better or worse. 

[ Part III ]

[absolutebl]

thai language question! what do tongthap and atom call each other in MLMU TH? it sounds like ‘nai’ or maybe ‘ngai’? it’s translated to both of their names several times on the YT subs. i’ve tried to look it up but i’m not sure i’m hearing it right 🙈

Thai pronoun: Nai

They are indeed using nai. Hold on I know I posted about that one at some point... AH HA here it is:

you want this section: (but I'll c&p it over here add to it at the bottom)

Nai & the Mafia 

So in 2022 Thai BLs seriously started moving setting outside of the school systems and thus added new pronouns (for us watchers) into the mix. KinnPorsche, Even Sun, and Unforgotten Night all use the pronoun nai (นาย) for you between men. Like many honorifics & pronouns, it’s derived from a minor title of nobility. In the 19th century it was declared the official courtesy title for adult males - regarded as a direct translation of “Mr”. 

It has several different uses today. 

As a title, it only appears before the real given name (not surname), in official/formal contexts, e.g. when writing down one’s name on an exam paper, job application, or government form. If used with a nickname, it implies a bit of irony (like a teacher calling out a misbehaving student). 

As a pronoun, it’s usually an informal second-person pronoun used with males of equal status. It’s a decidedly non-rude word, so it’ll be used among friends/classmates if they don’t feel close enough to use gu/mueng (or if a person just doesn’t use rude pronouns, like swear words there are people who don’t feel comfortable ever saying guu/mueng). 

Rao/nai as pronouns used to be the default mode of address on TV before gu/mueng became acceptable to broadcast in the 2010s. 

When used by females, nai is pretty much equivalent to males using ter with females - so an old fashioned but intimate and sweet, loving. 

On TV, the use of ter/nai is probably most often associated with straight dramas in the acquaintance phase of courting. 

Nai also has the meaning “boss” (similarly to the combined form เจ้านาย (jao nai/chao nai). If it’s being used as a pronoun in a more formal or deferential context (like organized crime), it is used in this sense. 

Usage number 2 & 6 are the ones we see in Thai BL. All that said I understand as a tourist in Thailand, you will hear nai but not all that often. It’s fine to use khun instead/back, but good to know to identify nai. 

Nai & My Love Mix Up

So My Love Mix Up is using #2.

With adult males, nai is actually often paired with chan. (I know, right, but it's what they use. See any of the mafia shows.)

But in this high school setting, Atom & Kongthap seem to be using pom or sometimes even tan. (I haven't touched on tan at all because I find it the most confusing pronoun.)

Atom & Half use guu/mueng. Atom use rao/name with Mudmee, and she does they same with him. Although I think she shifts to chan with Half when they get closer.

Kongthap doesn't seem to ever use informal. Even Half uses nai with him.

So I think the use of polite nai in this relationship is being dictated by Kongthap's character's reserved gentlemanly stiffness (much as in the original show). In other words, were it not for Kongthap's personality, this show in this setting (and with this pair) would be using guu/mueng. But because of the original IP and the extreme reserve of Ida in Kieta Hatsukoi (who also uses quite formal Japanese) we are seeing a linguistic characterization of one half of a couple carry through to the tenor of the whole relationship.

In other words, the use of nai was dictated by Kongthap's personality.

Frankly put, Kongthap would simply not use guu/mueng so they had to find some other way for these two to communicate. Rao/ter is too sweet and cute and old fashioned out the gate (these boys could graduate to it, I suppose, like in college or after).

Now they might have used khun instead of nai. If this were set in uni or the office that would have worked fine. Or even if this were a high school in Bangkok. But I'm not surprised they reached for nai.

In fact, since the announcement of the adaptation I was curious about how they were going to approach Kongthap's pronouns. I thought they might make Kongthap older to solve the issue with phi but they wanted to do the "going away to college together?" part of the plot, so yeah... nai is the solution.

This couple sounds a bit stiff and distanced from each other when speaking together as a result, but I understand why the script chose it.

Hope that explains.

(source)