mt-home

[plushie-lovey]

I wish I could take my plushies with me to cool places and take cute pictures of them there. Sadly I don't go out often, and on the very rare occasions when I go, its with friends who'd probably think I'm weird for toting around a plushie to [insert activity here]

[v0id-echoes]

so the Koraidon / Miraidon tera form and Loyal Three leader speculations I posted yesterday got a bit more traction than I really expected so they’ve been on my mind a lot today, and between my own thoughts and points made from people in the replies, I have a couple more things to add (mostly for the Loyal Three theory)

Teal Mask story spoilers and potential leaks for future DLC / Pokemon ahead

Previous Posts on these subjects:

Koraidon / Miraidon tera forms:

Loyal Three leader:

Now that you're all caught up, here's the new stuff:

Koraidon / Miraidon tera form theory

So on the Koraidon / Miraidon front, I wanted to elaborate on the point I made about how the tera symbol they (and Ogerpon) have on their pokedex images could just be a mark to indicate that they’re mascot legendaries, because I remembered they already have special details for this reason. Instead of the standard coloured frame / dex number, these three all have gold frames with some added details specific to each of them. Miraidon, for example, has a gold frame with designs resembling its chest wheel and lightning bolt patterns in the middle of the page.

I wanna bring this up because I think them already having special details due to being mascot legendaries could both corroborate or counter the idea that the tera mark carries the same meaning

on one hand, since they already have special dex pages it’s not outlandish to assume that the poke ball symbol would be changed for the same reason. It’s just another bit of additional style to go with the fancy dex frame

on the other hand, given that the other details are all personalised to each of the legendaries, I find it weird that they’d have a tera symbol specifically to carry the same meaning, rather than something more personalised like the rest of the added flair or something more generic like a Master Ball that can be more obviously associated with their legendary status

Someone also suggested in the replies of the first post that Ogerpon carries this symbol due to Kitakami’s implied connection to Area Zero- probably referring to the Crystal Pool area- however I personally don’t really get the argument here and think that if this tera mark was supposed to represent a connection to Area Zero it’d be applied to the other paradox pokemon (and maybe Glimmora) as well since they all came from the Great Crater, however they all just have the same generic poke ball mark.

I still think there’s a lot missing to properly confirm or deny this theory, and the dex marks alone definitely aren’t enough in my opinion given how debatable their meaning is, however for that reason I wanna bring up any kind of valid point that comes up in case something leads to a stronger argument

Loyal Three leader theory

Like last time there’s a lot more going on with this theory and, thanks to some observations people made in the replies of the last post- as well as a couple thoughts of my own- there’s even more evidence going into it now

For starters, one of the more to the point pieces of evidence, people have allegedly datamined some codenames for certain Indigo Disk Pokemon, one of which translates to “Poison Momotarō”, which would obviously relate to this supposed leader Pokemon given its resemblance to the Loyal Three’s toxic chains and its probable status as their leader and equivalent to Momotarō.

Centro marking this translation with a peach emoji also made me realise another parallel this Pokemon has to the Momotarō story. In the story, Momotarō was born from a giant peach, and if we look at the Pokemon it does bear a vague resemblance to a peach. Additionally, the shop in Mossui Town where the plushie of it is found is called Peachy’s. Feels a bit too coincidental to not mean anything to me.

Another thing I had someone point out to me is that there are more hints in the game that the Loyal Three do supposedly have a leader outside of them being classified as Retainers in the Pokedex, namely the signboards, which all depict the three being accompanied by a human / trainer. This character is also acknowledged briefly by an npc at Kitakami Hall.

If you’ve finished the Teal Mask story you’ll obviously know that we never see a human companion or trainer to the Loyal Three at all, not even in the accurate story told by Kieran and Carmine’s grandpa. Their only appearances are the signboards and this one npc. I also find it interesting that the one npc who mentions them questions their connection to the three, indicating that this figure probably isn’t as well known and recognised as the Loyal Three if their identity isn’t already common knowledge. Although it might just be a nod to the original Momotarō story, I personally see this as game freak hinting that the Loyal Three do have some kind of leader or ally while keeping their identity a mystery, which I think is more likely given how much evidence this theory already has.

That’s all I have on these two theories for now, I’ll try and bring anything else I find up in future, I honestly like talking about these kinds of things lol

[sanguineness-wings]

I've been wondering for so long why Hawks is my favorite when I connect so much with the villains, and I think I finally got an answer. Or one of them in regards to: why do I dislike being shown the villains as sad kids, but care more about Hawks' shitty life as an adult? It's because the villain's backstories' are so far in the past that they've become different people, and although the past still affects them, the story treats it as a way to "we need to remind you of who you used to be! bring you back to that trauma and then force you to be saved!" all to give them closure. That they're not looking for, because they're not "unfortunate" right? They're "happy." While Hawks is just a normal guy moving through life with all that trauma and nobody pays any mind to it, and isn't that so real? We all do that. Nobody is out here forcing us to change our bad actions or talking about our inner child, anyone I know only looks at the current you. It's all the present and the future and maybe that's why my heart keeps leaning towards Hawks despite understanding the villains.

Even if nobody does anything in an extravagant way to save him, it's okay. Because that's life, sometimes you have to save yourself. Often, that's an always. And moving through life you sometimes meet people who end up saving you in small ways in regards to other things, like helping you realize you can rely on and work with others. (Tokoyami.) Just being there to lend a hand when you need one, not leaving you alone during tough times. (Jeanist.) Could be someone you see a mirror of yourself in. (Nagant.) People you wish to help, and that keeps your spirit alive. (Endeavor and the Todoroki Family.) It keeps a little color in the world, gives something to trust, something telling you you're still needed, something that lets you accept hope into your heart and try once more, keep going. All these little things that spill a trickle of water from a full glass to keep things from overflowing. Kinda like why people recommend getting out more huh? Won't fix everything, but it'll take you away from the Bad Place for a bit, so it doesn't consume you.

Hori throws him a bone every now and then, and Hawks works with it. Anyone's whose ever been down in the dumps, but gotten slight victories that make their situation more manageable, or gotten involved in something that made them feel a little more active and engaged with the world and a little less dispirited might be able to relate. I think this is where his "optimism" comes from. Like a carrot on a stick, he can also always choose to not care, not think it's enough, but he lets it be enough for him and convinces himself that "if this" then "that too" it'll all be okay, soon. One day. Just don't give up or give in. I can see why his plushie was made out to be such a huge support, even though all that strength was really coming from inside him. It's just admirable, how he kept going y'know?

The story choosing to give him his freedom back is proof that he deserved to be saved, and that just because you're seen as an "adult" doesn't mean you won't be. And it happened in such a real way. A little odd if you're critiquing narrative choices, but more real than what the villains will get. Sometimes shit just happens and you can say bye-bye to your old employer, what can I say? Sometimes you struggle and then things just come up and all of a sudden your situation is vastly different than before, though maybe you still need to work things out. Maybe it's just your patience and good karma coming back to you. It's all so real and something that happens and can happen to any of us. Even his familial trauma is not something that gets a flashy shounen battle and several people talking to him about it, it's all something he lives with on his own, until he's able to let go of it. And it's lowkey forced upon him, but the relief he feels over it? Fate making that choice for him so he's able to accept it more easily himself without the guilt? Even though that's such a sad way for it to happen too? It's all so darn quiet, freedom and clarity, a win with a sense of loss, I can't. Dang Hori, he's such a human character.

I don't want to keep this sitting in my inbox any longer. It deserves to be shared with you all. My life has completely fallen apart at the moment and my brain is too mushy to add anything meaningful. But you articulated exactly why I gravitate towards Hawks. He's realistic, multidimensional, complex and his struggles are relatable.

And the villains, while I find them super interesting and relatable sometimes, they've lost my sympathy at global terrorism, yanno?

One of the things I love about the story Hori telling is how trauma affects people differently. The villains are stuck in their anger, to the point where they’ve lost the reason why they were angry in the first place.

And Hawks is the reminder to keep moving forward. He’s the gentle hope that everything will be okay. That kindness will be repaid.

And then i get super fucking enraged that the HPSC tried to manipulate that hope and kindness IN A CHILD but Hawks never lost it... but that's a rant for another time-

[funkymbtifiction]

hi! i’ve been thinking about what you said about the future self. i am very interested in being more intentional like that but i seem to have trouble doing it and i think my problem stems from struggling to concretize what i want for myself in the first place - i often have a distinct but fuzzy/blurry picture of what i want for my future self, but it’s highly subjective and emotionally based. more like i want to feel a certain way, or maybe be a certain way, which is often shifting around and which i can’t even really describe. since i struggle to put it into words, i sometimes buy small symbols (little plushies, art prints or ordinary things in specific colors or patterns because of the concepts those colors and patterns represent) that feel like they resonate in some way to sort of make it more concrete. but, while it leads to a colorful and expressive wardrobe and home, i guess it feels inadequate in the sense that doing that does not lead to the kind of changes habitually working on concrete goals brings. i often get stuck at the “specific” and “measurable” aspects of goal setting. once i do set a goal i either feel so strongly about it i do nothing else til i reach it, exhausting myself and neglecting other things in the process or i don’t feel strongly enough and get distracted and pulled away from it by more interesting things. how can you figure out how to make more specific what you want for your future self and then form goals and/or make choices with it in mind? and how can you achieve a sense of balance when working on goals, not doing too much all at once or too little?

thanks! i really appreciate all your replies. i hope you’re doing well and enjoying the holiday season so far :)

I tend to be very goal-oriented and one track minded, but this approach is the “slow and steady method.” It’s less about becoming _____ in the future, and more a realization that the decisions you make today are an investment in your future self. If you continue the patterns you are in today, your future self will be no better off and sometimes, worse off.

So think about it like this – if I am a 6 and you want a future free of anxiety, what little things today can I “course-correct” so that when I get to be 60 years old, I won’t be dealing with those anxieties anymore? If I want to be a more compassionate person, what can I start changing? You can even simplify it and make it concrete – if I want to travel the world after I retire, what can I start doing today to ensure that I have the money for that, and am in excellent health so I am physically able to do the things I want to do? If I want to lose weight and be down twenty pounds in a year, what decisions about what I eat today do I need to make? If I want to be well-read, what can I read today? If I want more friends at this time next year, what can I do today?

Do not overwhelm yourself with big things, but focus on something you know you want (a significant other, more friends, to be kinder or more well-read, or less anxious, or more in shape) and figure out one thing you can do daily that will build either the positive habit you need to get there (building on your 10,000 hours of practice for a skill) or change your thinking to take you there. (If I want to be a positive person, how can I look on the bright side of this?)

[violetsareblue-selfships]

answering assorted questions from this ask game for zayne & i (i really should come up with ship names hehe)

🍧 — if you has to put a label on your relationship with f/o, childhood sweetheart? married? tell me!

ooh, childhood sweetheart kinda works (we at least had small crushes on each other as children) but i think the best label is 'lovers' honestly :3

🔥 — who gets jealous easier?

we each have our moments, but neither of us is overwhelmingly jealous. (if i had to choose, though, i'd say zayne is)

💋 — if you two were a romance trope, what would it be?

friends to lovers; also second chance in a way - like it's lucky that we ran into each other again (but like we were too young to be in a serious relationship when he moved away so...) but yeah

🎂 — how do you two celebrate each other's birthday?

we'll take the day off (though it's harder to convince him to take time off for his own but oh well). for his, I'll bake him something and take him to dinner usually (then we can spend the night in together). for mine, he basically tries to spoil me - like doing whatever i wanna do.

🧊 — who sings in the shower?

i do, 100%. he might hum something if there's something stuck in his head, but I'm the one who does full-on singing when I'm showering

🔮 — who is more protective?

we're both very protective, but i'd say he is. though, he doesn't have to worry about me getting hurt very often (it's only when I'm doing any missions with May that he has to worry). but also, it comes a bit innately for me - like the way my evol is used most often is for shields so... yeah

🎈— what is your most precious memory with them?

gonna say it's our first kiss - he takes me up to Snowcrest thinking that the change of scenery would help with my writing (and he's going up there anyway to assist Dr. Noah with research) and we have a heartfelt conversation under the aurora and end up kissing <3

🐇 — what kind of pet do you think you could raise together with them?

i think we'd have a cat (or multiple cats, I'm not picky) but yeah! he's already been shown to have a fondness for them anyways :3

💍— what is their view on marriage?

the way this game is - he'd only want to marry me; though he doesn't know if he'll be allowed to (astra's whole curse on him bc of the foreseer version of him - astra's 'tools' were not allowed to fall in love and guess what happened lol) but yeah, he'd definitely be happy getting married to me

🎀 — do you have any matching clothes with them? If so, what does it look like?

i think we'd have coordinating outfits (like not identical matches but similar patterns & whatnot that look good together) - though maybe matching sweaters (I'm picturing like something with like a snowflake pattern or something similar hehe :3)

🧸— favourite gifts from each other?

i like anything he gets me - though it's usually either plushies or snacks (or occasionally video games (he has the salary where it's fine and he'd rather spend on me anyway)). for him, he likes the pastries that i give him - they're all made by me and he has such a sweet tooth. though i think he'd honestly like anything i give him - so long as there's love and thought behind the gift.

🌱 — how do you make up with each other after an argument?

we rarely argue - we're pretty decent at bringing things up before they become a problem. i think the only thing we'd argue over is if one of us got in unnecessary danger fighting wanderers and our method of making up would be similar - making the other a warm drink & a snack and apologizing. given that this is mostly out of concern, the argument ends pretty easily with a promise to be more careful in the future

🩹 — if you or your f/o got hurts, how would the other react?

he'd be upset but he'd know immediately how to treat me - he'd only take me to the hospital if it were serious enough (i swear, he'd even give stitches if he had to - he's very much capable). for me, i'd be concerned and i'd help him treat it however i can (he's given himself stitches before so i doubt i'd be much help but i can bandage any wounds if i have to) - though i hate any time he's hurting because of his evol because i can't do anything besides try to warm him up - making him tea or hot cocoa and cuddling him if i can...

❄️ — how would you spend Christmas with them?

there'd be a lot of making snowmen together & going to look at the lights (whether walking to do so or driving around) - we'd decorate his apartment together & set up a tree and bake together <3 basically the coziest version of the holiday possible

🎃 — what is your Halloween costume? Do they match with your f/o?

it varies - i like dressing up as all sorts of things. i do think he'd like to match if he's capable (i see this as him potentially dressing up for the children in the pediatrics' ward or smth for Halloween). could do things like vampires or animals (thinking cats again) or something like that ^-^

🌠 — if you or your f/o could make one wish come true, what would it be?

for me, it'd be for him to be free of astra's curse. i'd want him to be able to fall in love without the consequences of his evol hurting him. honestly, i think his wish would be the same - basically his only wish is to be with me (the birthday event really confirmed that).

📸 — do you have any photos of your f/o? do you use it as your wallpaper?

yes and yes! i have... 288 screenshots & 45 specifically that are 3* and 4* from the game - not to mention what i have saved on Pinterest (which i don't have in separate folders so idk the number) - for my wallpaper, i use a background switcher and it rotates through like pictures of all my f/os - specifically the folder i use for zayne is the official memories (so it pulls from those 45 :3)

🫕 — camping together seems fun, who cooks and who set up the tent?

honestly... i think if we were camping we'd end up renting a cabin or something but he'd be the one to set up the tent & we'd cook together :3

🍝 — do you two share your foods with each other? have you try feeding them yourself?

we do! really the only thing he wouldn't want off my plate is carrots & I'm usually pretty picky, but we'll share sweets and chips and stuff :3 and yes (in the birthday card, he asked me to feed him cake - it was cute :3) but he's not shy taking bites when i hold food out for him and vice versa :3

💄— what nicknames or pet names do you two use for each other?

My Pet Names for Him: darling, love, dearest, baby (among others) (i use so many pet names, literally like any you can think of honestly) His Pet Names for Me: Angel, darling, love (among others); he'd also call me his shadow occasionally alluding to my evol hehe

💎 — if you and your f/o were in a fake relationship/marriage, who do you think would lose at falling in love first?

I think it'd be the trope of both of us already having feelings for the other when the fake relationship starts but I'd probably cave first in revealing that my feelings are real.

🍿 — your perception of them and their perception of you?

zayne -> me: sweetheart, adorably shy when it comes to talking to other people, talented baker, basically the sun personified. concerned that people might try to take advantage of my kindness (but also knowing i can defend myself if i need to)

me -> zayne: super smart, super capable doctor who just needs a lot of love, deserves so much love & recognition (also dawnbreaker specifically - precious boy who deserves more than the game's giving him honestly). concerned that he overworks himself but also knowing he'll listen to me if i want him to rest (or i can make him rest at least sometimes hehe)

🍒 — what would your contact names be for each other?

Honestly his for me would likely be my name or 'darling' or something like that. I'd probably have him as 'Future Husband' or 'My Husband' with a heart emoji <3

🏷️ — what is you and your f/o's ship name? how did you decide on that name?

i don't have one but honestly i'd use something related to jasmine given that those flowers are significant to his lore <3; his tag, however, 'under the aurora's glow' is related to our first kiss <3 (also it showed up in the birthday video they posted; it literally said 'under the aurora' and i was like ooh a sign we're canon hehe)

[heythere-mel]

Sleepless

Frankie Morales x f!reader

Summary: Your niece comes over to spend the night, as your thoughts of you and Frankie being parents come to the surface.

W/C: 1.3K+

Warnings: none really. This is fluff af, with just a quick euphemism to spice. Tío Frankie being adorable comes with his own warning.

A/N: hey y’all, I’m back on my soft Frankie bullshit (did I ever really leave tho?) with another quick oneshot purely based on my niece staying over with me and her bed hogging ways. Thanks once again to @icanbeyourjedi for literally going back and forth with me over all the soft Frankie thoughts, especially this one that hit me at 6AM today. Also sorry if this is formatted terribly again, literally done on my phone, hahaha. Please enjoy 🥰

The last Saturdays of the month were always reserved for you and your niece to have sleepovers. She loved going over to your place because you were quote “the fun tía” always allowing her to stay up a little later than normal, building forts in the living room, and eating all the sugary treats she couldn’t have much of back home. This didn’t change either after you and Frankie decided to move in together. He practically was a big kid at heart so he didn’t mind getting a chance to partake in the little things such as these. Plus, seeing the bond he was creating with her made you think of the future with him, and maybe even doing all of this with your own kids some day...

Frantic rings from your doorbell signaled the child’s arrival. Opening the door to greet her, “Hi ti-“ she looked passed you with eyes wide and mouth agape as she nearly trampled you when she caught sight of the massive blanket fort that had taken up the entire living room. Frankie had been up super early saying he wanted to surprise her, grabbing every spare sheet and pillow he could possibly find in your little home. From under it all, you see that familiar hat and scruffy face finally pop out of the ‘doorway.’

“Hi small fry!”

“Tío Frankie!” As she ran to him, engulfing him in a big hug.

Did she just call him tío? Had she called him that before? Frankie had been in your life for the better part of a couple years now so you didn’t feel it necessary to correct her. Your heart nearly bursts right there.

“Did you build this?!” her little mind obviously blown at the construction of it all.

“Sure did! Do you like it?”

“It’s only the coolest thing EVER!”

Frankie’s chest swelled with pride as he took her little hand into his, leading her inside to give the grand tour.

The night went off without a hitch. You had ordered her favorite pizza, had all the ice cream with extra toppings, (Frankie couldn’t decide what to get so grabbed all the candy toppings possible because she “had to have options.”) and you were now settling in to watch her favorite movie, The Princess and the Frog, snuggled with her and about 10 of her favorite plushies in tow, the Baby Yoda plush being her new favorite.

Getting later into the night you and Frankie were trying to see how the both of you would fit into this fort to sleep alongside her, most of the room being taken up by the oversized stuffed animals.

“Tía, you and Tío Frankie don’t have to stay here with me. I am a big girl now!”

“Oh, uhhh, are you sure about that bub? We can find a way to make room.”

“Yeah! I’m 6 now! Duh!” as she stifled out a yawn.

Always the independent one. “Okay then. We’ll be right in the next room if you do decide you need us, okay?”

“Okay.” She softly murmured quietly starting to slip into sleep.

After one final check to see if she was tucked in alright and making sure to have her little night light plugged in, you start heading to your bedroom when you turn back to see Frankie bending down to give her a soft little kiss on the forehead and a whispered, “goodnight small fry.” Your heart couldn’t have been any more full at the moment.

Everything had gone smoothly, until about midnight when you felt something, or more someone tugging at your oversized tshirt. You slowly open your eyes only to bolt out of your sleep when you are met with the silhouette of your niece staring directly at you. Frankie springing up at the same time to see what was going on, instinctively starting to shield you with his body at the “threat.”

“Holy shit! I mean, shoot! You scared me bub!”

She said she couldn’t sleep and if it was alright to get into bed with the two of you. Obliging, you make room in the middle for her, making sure she was tucked in again as it took no time at all before small snores once again begin to emanate the room.

Slap! A small arm hit you directly in the face as you turn to try and move the child back over. Frankie wasn’t fairing any better as he had a small foot in his lower back. Each of you had both been relinquished to the edges of the bed clinging for dear life.

“Whose idea was it again to let her up here?” you groaned.

“She’s sleeping diagonally. How is that even comfortable?!” Frankie stated, now completely sliding out of the bed and staring down at the small girl who now overtook his half of the mattress.

“Here, let me scoot her over a bit. Maybe I can make room for the both of us.”

After a little adjusting, and even a failed attempt at trying to swaddle her to prevent future flailing limbs, you were left with a small space to share as the two of you lie on your sides facing each other, exhaustion starting to kick in.

Your leg was propped up on Frankie’s hip, trying anything to get into a comfortable position when you let out a defeated huff.

“Babe just, here let me.” Frankie taps your thigh signaling you to sit up as best you could with the child so close, as he maneuvered his way on to his back. “Okay you can lay down now.” as he pats his chest, beckoning you to him.

“Frankie, I’m not gonna put my full weight on you, you won’t be comfortable.”

“It’s not like we haven’t been in this position before.” cocking his eyebrow up with a playful smirk.

You huff out a short laugh as a playful “Francisco!” leaves your lips.

“Ven cariño.” as he gently pulls you to his chest.

You situate yourself wrapping your arms around his soft middle, your head falling into the crook of his neck, while his strong arms and broad shoulders encase you as you both let out a relaxed sigh at the closeness.

“This is nice.” you whisper.

“Told you.”

You bring your left hand up to play with some of the curls at the nape of his neck, him running his warm hand up and down your spine.

“Plus, I see this as great practice for when we have kids.”

You slowed the motion of your hand through his hair and slowly leaned up to face him.

“Y-you want to have children with me Frankie?”

The two of you hadn’t really had the “children” discussion yet. Having just moved in together you were taking things slowly. But knowing he was obviously having thoughts about it as well and how he had been so good with your niece, it further cemented the idea in your mind.

“Well, yeah of course.” as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

“I mean, when the time is right and all, you know? If you’d want that.” he quickly added.

You gently lean down to capture his lips in a chaste kiss, pouring all the tender love and emotion you were feeling in that moment into it.

“I think I’d like that.” trying hard to contain your growing smile.

“Plus, I know we’d have the cutest kids ever!” he blurted out.

You buried your head into his chest with a muffled laugh, then looking back up in total agreeance.

“Oh, THE cutest!”

Your hushed laughter calmed as you go back to simply embracing each other, allowing the woes of slumber to catch up to you, finally being lulled to sleep by Frankie’s heartbeat falling into rhythm with yours and a tiny hand reaching out to touch your entwined arms, also wanting to be just as close.

[kuroos-babie]

Falling in Love with a Single Mom HCs

Akaashi x fem!Reader | Daichi x fem!Reader | Oikawa x fem!Reader

[ Headcanons/MiniFic ]

Request:  🥺👉👈 if you could do more single mom headcanon-fic-things LOL SORRY IDK WHAT TO CALL THEM and w/ akaashi, daichi, and oikawa? THANK U i love u and your writing you're so sweet  —anonymous

a/n: okay so strangely enough, i thoroughly enjoyed writing oikawa's and it's probably my fav out of these three 😳 thank u for giving me the chance to write these and thank u for the kind words! i hope u like it 👉👈

❀ he’s been noticing you more and more — sat on the corner of the cafe he frequents during his breaks

❀ you would always order the same drink and sit on the same table by the window, he would occasionally glance at you, admiring the way sunlight hits your skin and the way the cafe music seemed to be playing solely for you

❀ but you always left too soon for his liking, 15 minutes before 2 in the afternoon to be exact

❀ he never knew where you went or what you did outside of the little cafe he sees you in everyday

❀ but soon enough, he was given a chance

“excuse me, is this seat taken?” 

he saw your eyes look up at him in surprise and your lips curve into a small smile, “oh! no, go ahead”

“sorry for the trouble, i didn’t expect it to be this packed today”, he said in an attempt to engage in small talk

“it’s no problem at all” you assured him with another smile, “i often see you here, do you work nearby?”

❀ the two of you continued to chat until akaashi needed to remind you of the time

❀ but of course before you could even leave he'll ask you for your number saying

"i'd really like to know you more, if that's alright with you"

❀ of course it's alright with you sjckskdks

❀ the two of you would meet at the café everyday, except the weekends — same spot and same time, until it became part of your routines

❀ keiji took his time getting to know you and openly expresses his admiration for you

❀ of course you liked him back, he was sweet and considerate, he was everything you would like in a partner

❀ but you just needed to make sure of one thing before diving headfirst into a relationship

"akaashi-san—"

"keiji", he corrected, reaching out for your hand

the warmth of his hand helped eased your nerves of bringing up something that may potentially be a huge deal breaker

"keiji, we've been meeting for a while and i thought maybe it's time i tell you,"

❀ when you said you have a daughter, you never would've expected him to say "can i meet her?"

❀ you almost cried then and there— it had always been a big deal to the guys you met before, you being a single mother

❀ keiji sensed your relief and squeezed your hand in reassurance that it really was no big deal to him

❀ well it was, but it wasn't something that would easily shake up his resolve of being with you

❀ meeting your daughter for the first time was set in the same café, on a saturday half past noon

❀ he smiled seeing the quiet four year old on your lap, curious eyes and a small smile as he held out the little bunny plushie he got for her as a gift

❀ weekend café dates became frequent with the three of you and soon became home dates— alternating between your and keiji's apartments

❀ your daughter loved when he read to her, having her sat on his lap with a picture book in his hands

❀ more often than not, you would catch him fast asleep on the couch— picture book on the floor and your child snuggled up against his chest

❀ during these moments, especially, you couldn't help but imagine spending every day with them both without having to part ways by the end of it

❀ and of course, when he wakes up, keiji can't help but think the same thing when he wakes up to you smiling softly at him and the little girl who kept a part of his heart inside her tiny little hands

❀ your son met him first

❀ he just got out of the police academy and was assigned near the elementary school gates

❀ kids would often come up to him with fascination in their eyes

❀ and it wasn't a different case with your seven year old son

"hey mister are you a policeman?"

"sure i am, why do you ask?" he answers with the softest smile, crouching down to the child's level

"that's so cool! mom said my dad was a policeman, maybe you're my dad?"

he watched the boy's eyes widen in realization and he couldn't help but chuckle

"sorry, bud, but i don't think i have a child yet neither do i have a wife"

"well do you want one?"

❀ that effectively painted his cheeks in red, standing straight up and ruffling the boy's hair, urging him to go straight home

❀ everyday your son would come up to him to ask him the same questions and saying the same things

"would you want to be my dad?"

"i think it'll be sooo cool to have you as my dad"

"let me ask my mom if you can be my dad"

❀ jesus help this man pls

❀ he found it all to be endearing and soon enough he looked forward to chatting with your son for a few minutes every afternoon on his way home from school

❀ your child would always brag about how nice you are, how pretty, and just how amazing of a mom you are

❀ an amazing lil wingman if u ask me

❀ it wasn't until one of his day offs that he met this wonderful mom that he always heard of— and boy was he stunned

❀ he was out grocery shopping, skimming the aisles when he heard the familiar voice of your son

"mama, it's the policeman i was talking to you about!"

before you even had the chance to react, your child bolted through the spice aisle and cling to this man's leg

you quickly caught up to him and was about to apologize to the stranger when you saw him get to your child's level and pat at his head

"oh hey, didn't know i'd catch you here"

"i'm with mama! now you can see just how pretty she is!"

❀ the comment made both your faces heat up but even moreso when daichi looked up at you, absentmindedly muttering a "she is"

❀ your son had the proudest grin on his face >:)

❀ the three of you went out for lunch then which you insisted to be for all the trouble your son has caused him— who so conveniently disappeared to the playhouse to leave you two to yourselves

❀ it didn't take a lot for daichi to be absolutely smitten by you— admiring how you could handle a child and a job all by yourself and still managing to have that pretty smile on your face

❀ he had to thank your son his little accomplice the next time they have their afternoon chat

❀ and maybe start planning on "Operation Get Mom and Daichi-san Together"

❀ started as students sharing a class and later on became inseparable best friends

❀ you two met in college

❀ tōru would rave on and on about how much better you were than "iwa-chan" whom he never lets you see during their facetimes bec you "might fall for him and choose iwa-chan over me"

❀ he was there to witness you going out with an orgmate, there to listen about the first time you got laid, and of course he was there to comfort you when your ex left the moment you told him you were pregnant during your third year in college

"do you want to keep it?"

tōru held you close as you cried, his soft voice mingling with your sobs

"i d-don't know"

you buried your face on his chest, prompting him to hold you tighter and rub comforting circles on your back

"whatever you choose to do, i'll be here", he promised "i won't leave you"

❀ the moment you decided to keep your baby was the moment it was decided that oikawa would co-parent with you

❀ during your pregnancy, he came to your apartment everyday and stayed over on weekends

❀ he kept his promise and never left your side even after you gave birth

❀ he practically moved in with you, staying up late at night to care for your child so you could get some rest, he changed schedules and skipped classes to let you continue going to yours

❀ it was alright, he said, afterall a pro volleyball team was already eyeing him— he was set even before graduation

❀ the both of you fell into a steady rhythm of domesticity

❀ eating breakfast together, taking turns changing your daughter's diapers, cuddling in the same bed and having sleepy conversations about the future and how you're both thankful of the other

❀ it was never established what you two were— you just knew that you were each other's constant and that you promised to stay with the other until god knows when

"what're you planning to do then?"

"i don't knoooow~ iwa-chan help me out here~"

"well, for starters, you should go and tell her— y'know, about argentina"

there was a moment of silence between the line, tōru mulling over his options

"i don't want to leave her" was his quiet reply

"i know you don't, but this opportunity may never come by again, don't let it slip"

❀ it was a few weeks before your graduation, your daughter now more than a year old, when he received the call inviting him to play for argentina

❀ on one hand he knew it was the chance of a lifetime, but when he looks at you in his arms with your daughter on your chest, he couldn't even think about leaving you

❀ it was less about the promise he made and more about how he couldn't imagine his everyday without the two of you

"y/n-chan~"

you only hummed in response but looked up to meet his eyes

"if i were to get invited to go to the other side of the world to play volleyball, would you come with me?"

he held your gaze with hesitation

"i'll go anywhere with you, tōru, i thought you knew that by now"

a small smile of relief graced his face as he exhaled, closing his eyes and rubbing his face against yours, "thank you"

the next few moments were spent in comfortable silence before he broke it with a chuckle, "is it too late now to ask you to be my girlfriend?"

"tōru, we're basically a married couple for the past two years"

...

...

...

"so will you marry me for real?"

[heybeybey]

Ready, Set, Don't Go

Words: 1,833

Genre: Angst/Family

Rating: G Summary: Levi may have resigned from the military, but he'd underestimated how much his daughter is as much of a fighter as him and Petra. (Set almost 2 decades after canon events)

Happy Father's Day, folks!

I'm sorry for contributing slight angst today but don't worry, nobody dies. 👍 Also here, have some wheelchair Levi and a teenage Ackerbaby.

And thank you to @levis-petras for being my beta for this fic 💖

- - - -

Levi wasn't much for celebrations ever since he was young. In fact, he only recognizes five dates that are worth commemorating:

His wife's birthday.

His daughter's birthday.

His twins' birthday.

His and Petra's wedding anniversary.

And Mother's Day, but that one wasn't just for Petra. Truthfully, it was also the only way he gets to celebrate his late mother. He barely remembers her birthday, and he wasn't even sure he knew in the first place.

So, you see, he only celebrates when it's all about the people he holds dear. He doesn't really see the point in All Hearts Day or even his birthday. A more cost-efficient option too.

However, it still hurts that he's spending Father's Day this way.

The day started off normally. He woke up to Petra peppering kisses down his neck, greeting him a Happy Father's Day. The twins—Luke and Philip—then came bouncing in, both boys eager to show him the cards they drew for him.

He came down to Izzy brewing tea—a blend his daughter bought for him as a gift—and greeting him with a hug. He'd have to admit that it's been nice to be coddled by his family.

Then came dinner time.

He noticed that Izzy had been uneasy the past few days, and all those nerves seemed to have culminated during dinner. The brat had been on edge the whole day that he had to snap at her to just spill it.

It first started with an off-hand comment about how there will be a ceremony the next day for new military recruits. He sees his wife give Izzy an encouraging look from the corner of his eyes as she stumbles through her words.

Izzy, who's not much of a great liar to begin with, quickly muttered 'I signed up for the military.' and refused to meet his eyes.

"What?"

"I know that you might not agree now and that you and mom had been through a lot," Izzy starts to explain in a rush. "But I know this is what I'm meant for dad! I think there's not going to be a lot of battles to fight and it's more just—"

"No," he cuts off.

Her squeaking words quickly turned into a hiss, and it only got worse when he demanded that he drop her spot.

Soon, Petra was ushering their twins up to the second floor, knowing how arguments between father and daughter can get nasty.

"This is not fair!"

"The answer is no, Izzy," he said, matching his teenage daughter's tone. He rolls his wheelchair to follow her all the way to their house's front door, hearing her rage around the house. "Oi brat, what did I say about banging on the fucking furniture?"

He distinctly hears Petra scold, "Language, Levi!" from upstairs, but both father and daughter ignores her.

"I'm 16 now, dad," she snaps back, ignoring his last comment. "You can't tell me what to do."

Izzy finally turns around to face him, never one to back down. She's looking at him now with fury in her eyes and a retort ready on her lips.

Definitely her father's daughter.

"Do you even know what you're doing, Izzy?" He said, voice finally softening as he takes in the loaded backpack on her back. He feels the weight of her decision then.

"I wouldn't have signed if I didn't."

He'd always had a hunch that Izzy was fond of the military. Too fond for his taste, if he's going to be honest about it.

Guilt pinches him a bit whenever he thinks back to his promise that he would stand by his children no matter the choices they make. Even at the age of 56, he remains steadfast to his belief to live a life with no regrets.

But he'd be damned before he even allows any of his children to enlist.

So the first time she daydreamed of becoming a soldier at the tender age of eight, he had quickly shut down the idea.

"Here, girls like dolls right?" he had said as he pushed the plushie to her arms. He doesn't really give a damn whether she likes toys that are meant more for girls or boys. He'd buy her anything she asks for, budget permitting. But for some reason, that moment had settled uneasily in his gut. "I bought this for you today."

"But I want that one!" she'd screech, pointing at the display of two toy dual broadswords.

Petra had reprimanded him, telling him that he shouldn't discourage their child just because of their experiences. He could only give his wife a worried look in return.

Izzy was 11 the next time she approached the topic, asking him about his time as Captain Levi Ackerman. While he and Petra had moved out of Paradis since the Battle of Heaven and Earth, never even thinking of looking back, Petra was able to keep a few portraits of their team and the other Scout veterans.

Izzy, the curious young teen that she was, found them.

"See, it says here that you were a captain!" Izzy exclaims, eyes sparkling with excitement and reverence. She'd been bouncing to and from the box with the portraits and other memorabilia during his and Petra's time in the Scouts. She then settled down, looking from the portrait of a younger version of Levi with Erwin to her father's scarred face now. Levi feels his hands clenching on the armrests of his wheelchair, his vision starting to blur the more he looks at his former commander's face.

"It's so cool that you were in the military. And that you even had a high position! Do you think I'll also become a captain in the future? Maybe you can train me so I can reach that level! Please dad, can you tell me more? Is that why you have that badass scar? Mom won't tell me anything—"

Brat didn't know that he was there until the end. He doesn't know what they teach in history classes to children nowadays, but he and Petra had agreed that there's no sense in mentioning their time as soldiers and the literal hell they've been through to any of their children.

Not really a good bedtime story for kids.

The thought of his own child witnessing the same shit he and Petra went through was enough to give him a new set of nightmares every night.

"She's young, Levi," Petra consoles him after he sat up sweating from a nightmare. Tears were also streaming down her cheeks as she clings on to his bare shoulder. "She might still change her mind."

The last time Izzy mentioned it, she was 14. Everything was starting to pick up again during that time. Paradis' military, unsurprisingly, was the strongest.

Armin came over to tell them that a new order will be established—a neutral party from different nations that they all hope would promote and retain the fragile facade of peace they all had before one side goes batshit crazy. Arlert had been the same level-headed young man that he was since Levi had to revive his charred ass back in Shiganshina as he explained everything to the former captain.

With this change came a new branch of military for implementation.

Izzy had been starry eyed since then.

"This might be the world's chance to truly fix things," she babbled on that whole day—a mixture of rants about the current state and how everything is being handled, and reverence at the possible future this change might bring.

"Imagine... Imagine being a part of that..." Izzy had trailed off then, eyes faraway but lit up with optimism.

All Levi can hear and see is another Isabel from years past.

Back then, he'd chalked it all up to the fanciful thinking of a child who doesn't know any better. Now, Levi desperately wants to believe that maybe this is just a rebellious teenage phase. He'd been around a lot of teenagers during his time and he'd witnessed how crazy they can get.

Like Eren and—

He tears himself away from the memory before his mind fucks him up further. He and Petra already deals with it on an almost nightly basis, and it's a thought he'd rather not dwell on during his waking hours.

The living room was quiet for a moment as both father and daughter stare each other down. Levi looks at his first-born now—committed and kind like Petra, blunt and fearless like him. The best of his and his wife's qualities mixed together.

But who knows when shit will go down again? Things were shaky enough in this damned world as it is. While he and Petra were able to find their own safe spot to raise their children in, one can never be too complacent.

He'd already lost too much, and most days he wakes up thinking that even his family is temporary. There one day, gone the next.

"I can do my part this way, dad," Izzy finally replies, drawing her father back to the present. She sighs, dropping down her bag and kneels on one side of his wheelchair so they'd be at the same level. "Like what you did. Like what you and mom did."

He remains quiet as he takes in the determination in her eyes. It's the same look Petra would have more than two decades ago when she saves another soldier from being titan shit. The same look his daughter would have whenever she refuses to let go of a toy before bath time back when she was a toddler.

He knows then that there's no swaying her from her decision.

"You're too much like your mother," Levi says, resigned. They even have the same strawberry-blonde bob, he notes. Izzy gives him a sad smile then.

"You're just too old to 'deal with my teenage bullshit', dad," Izzy retorts to lighten the mood, doing her best to imitate her father's previous rants.

He doesn't tell her that maybe what he's too old for is the possibility of losing another person he holds dear.

- - - -

When he sees her off the next morning, already in the uniform issued by the military, he decides that he'd rest easier at night knowing that Izzy believes he's there to support her. He fought for Paradis' freedom for half his life. Why would he rob his daughter from her freedom to choose the path she wants?

"I'm proud of you, Izzy," Levi whispers against her ear as she hugs him tightly, fighting against his desire to beg her to not to go. It may be uncharacteristic of him to want to sob out and cling further to her but damn it, this is his daughter.

But Izzy's breath hitches at his words, and tears soon started to fall. His own arm encircles tightly around her while he supports himself with a crutch. She looks at him gratefully, true joy in her eyes, and that was enough to stop him from forbidding her further.

"You're not allowed to die," he mutters instead—so similar to the 'encouraging words' he gave the young recruits he guided before.

Izzy laughs through her sobs and teases him, "Is that an order, 'captain'?"

"Damn right it is, brat," he replies, fondly ruffling her hair.

[toujoursmiraculous]

Thoughts and Reaction to WISHMAKER

Oh I'm so excited about this one! Marinette's little soft looks she gives Adrien in recent episodes before snapping herself out of it is adorable. Not overwhelming, just nice. Poor Adrien doesn't know what he wants to do. But the thing that hurts me most (probably because I was always in the same position he is in, so understand more than hurt from it) is the fact he thinks that with Ladybug adding more people to the team, he won't be needed and thus won't be Chat Noir anymore. OOOF it hurts! Poor Adrien doesn't realize that if Ladybug didn't give these Miraculous out, Shadow Moth would've gotten their Miraculous from them a long time ago. I rewatched all episodes out now in chronological order, and it's so obvious she cares about him and could not be able to do what she does without him. What needs to happen is for her to not only tell him that, but express it somehow for him to believe it.

"Come on, Plagg. It's time to start thinking about our future." OUR future. He's including Plagg in that future. Good! I definitely understand what this episode is trying to get across about jobs and careers, but a majority of people can't and never end up doing a job or career they love and gives meaning. Some struggle just to find something they can do with their circumstances, much less something that'd make them happy. A very good message though to encourage young kids to look into many interests and try to find what you enjoy to life to end up doing that makes an impact on the world to spread the positivity and happiness. Hey hey hey Alec, how dare you go after Andre the Ice Cream Maker?! But good on him for not letting it affect him at all, he's doing what he loves so the criticism doesn't matter. "Pistachio and pecan for the clear-sighted young man!" "Who? What young man?" "Hello Marinette." I love Luka so much and Andrew's voice is so smooth. x3 I've wanted to learn the violin for years, I have one, but have never been able to do much with it. Luka having and playing his violin makes me incredibly happy (and adore him even more). "Whoa. You definitely have a gift for finding the right words at the right time." "Adrien." "Ah, well, most of the time." LOL But this entire scene. Luka saying you haven't told him about your feelings have you, her noticing he's sad, and Luka being like let's go talk to him and help him then! Just. AWWW! Poor Adrien has so much pressure to find something he wants to do or his dad will make him do what he wants instead. That's going to make it even harder for him to find something... I remember a spoiler from a long time ago, of Adrien baking with Marinette. What if he finds he loves it when that happens, and it's what he wants to do? :o Ahahahaha when Luka goes and sits next to Adrien, Adrien looks up at Marinette expectantly to sit down too. Probably thought by him. but she went the safe route and went next to Luka. xD Adrien, thinking he knew what Luka and Marinette want to do. Luka knows what he wants but it isn't what Adrien or the rest of us thought. Marinette thought she knew but now she's not sure at all. So all three are kind of confused and it's complicated. Life's complicated. Have you noticed, this is the most honest Marinette and Adrien have ever been about something so deep and personal to them? And they're able to do it around each other. Because Luka's there. He's like their emotional guide to help bring them closer and I love it. "Nothing, my mind is empty!" "I'm completely lost!" - Marinette and Adrien say together. Dang. When Luka explains Marinette and Adrien's "inner music" that felt like the most deep and personal scene this show has ever had. "You two will eventually find what's already in front of you," he says before he knew. As they look at each other. Oh lovely foreshadowing moment here. "But you can't hear it clearly, just let the melody flow." In other words, let things happen as they should. Don't force anything. If it feels right to do something, do it. If it doesn't, don't. Wow that violin is so beautiful. Adrien and Marinette's reactions in

sync, the surprise at the tune, the contentedness, and wordlessly looking at each other before getting up and sitting closer. Such a beautiful scene, this has me in awe honestly. "I've wasted my life!" oh I'm sure that hit hard with some of us older viewers. :c I have trouble sometimes not thinking this way, but there's always still time to change how things are. I love that everyone's dreams are either sweet and positive or just plain silly. Like CrocoJagged.

Hey, hi there, son! I absolutely lost it LOL this was brilliant! And the way he runs away on his hind legs it's too much XD "Hey Adrien, go hide behind that tree!" and then he drags Marinette along to hide her. So funny he's the one taking control in this situation. He's really shown his superhero potential in this and Optigami, even when not suited up. oooh Marinette wasn't where he brought her. That was sus. "HEEEELP I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SWIM!" "If we get hit, we'll reveal our secret identities!" "What do you mean, m'lady?" "When I was six I wanted to be the Knitting Fairy, and the Knitting Fairy didn't wear a mask!" The fact she's distracted and Chat Noir had to be paying attention to pull her to safety was such a Ladybug move. What do you mean you're not needed, Chat?! Obviously you are! Also she's giving you information about herself! LISTEN. She never used to and doesn't have to tell you these things, she's choosing to! And she even asked about you and your childhood! "You must have just forgotten!" or didn't have one. I honestly didn't have a dream as a kid, either. I don't know, I never wanted to grow up and be anything in particular that I thought I could do. I didn't have wishes of things I wanted to do for fun much either. I don't know why exactly, but I had a dad that's enough like Gabriel so maybe that's why. (My sister proceeded to tease me about being a sentimonster, since there's that "Adrien's a sentimonster" theory going around). "But Dad, crocodiles know how to swim..." "I didn't when I was a kid!" THIS SCENE XDD I love it! "If Chat Noir and I get hit, you must come back to this exact moment." Yeah it was at that point my suspicions of Luka finding out about them both seemed to be very likely to happen. "Nobody can know about our secret identities." At this point I was going omg omg omg omg the entire time lol The fact that Adrien would decide to have his identity revealed so he could learn more about himself to help him in the future. o.o This poor boy! And here's Luka finding out about Marinette being Ladybug! The dramatic zoom in! Viperion goes "Marinette?!" literally with Chat less than a foot away and he doesn't even budge. He's really that sad he's not even paying attention to what's going on Dx Okay, Ladybug calling on her Lucky Charm just to have the plushie squeak in her hand got me lol "My childhood dream is being what my parents wanted me to be!" Adrien seems happy. And he's himself, it looks like, so I don't know if we just got it cut off short or if he is exactly what his parents wanted him to be, so he's happy knowing that information?

This back and forth between a serious moment and a hilarious one! Shadow Moth's horrified Adrien's Chat Noir lolol not even the same kind of reaction that was in Chat Blanc when he found out . Okay but back to Luka. I think he was much too far away to hear what Adrien was actually saying, but he can see that it's Adrien standing where Chat Noir was.

He sees Adrien's where Chat Noir was.

The realization that Chat Noir is Adrien.

Understanding exactly what it means for Marinette to be Ladybug and Adrien to be Chat Noir. It's interesting how the people of Paris were able to still have jobs that was as close to their childhood dreams as possible. The man that wanted to be Santa makes toys. Mr. Banana wanted to be a cucumber and while he's not one, he wears a Banana suit every day. Jagged wanted to be a crocodile so the closest he could get was to have one as a pet. Marinette wanted to be the Knitting Fairy and look at all she can knit and sew! Alec: "When I was a kid, I just wanted people to be happy!" so sad that his bullying made him want to make others miserable instead. But it's nice that he wants to start now trying to make others smile and be happy c: "Sorry Alec, but when you're a superhero, even your dreams have to remain a secret." But she told Chat Noir hers. If that's not her going in the direction of outright telling him who she is....! Please let Luka be the one to help Ladybug with Chat Noir and Adrien with Marinette. Please. They need it. They have to have Ladybug realize her feelings for Chat and be willing to tell him everything. And they need Adrien to open his eyes and realize his feelings for Marinette. Once those things happen, they'll be okay. Except Adrien still doesn't know what his dream is because that was taken away by Second Chance. Personally, I think his dream of wanting what his parents wanted him to be, is what he already is. He just doesn't know it. As for his future, that can be up to him to start finding! "Thanks to you, our secret identities were persevered and nobody discovered who Chat Noir and I really are..... uh, not even you, right?" "Not even me. Luckily Wishmaker never hit you or Chat Noir." LIES Funny that he was "Truth" before, but now he's spitting lies. HOWEVER don't worry, I understand very much why he's lying and with the way Marinette is, this would be something she'd worry about and obsess over and Luka doesn't want that for her. He knows he can handle it, and she'll find out about it later when she's meant to. I just think it's ironic and funny lol And ooooof the way Luka's face fell after she left. Poor bb. "It was nothing, Marinette. You know you can always count on me." Luka's going to be Marinette and Adrien's best friend in a way that Nino and Alya just can't be. I can feel it. "We're all okay. Thanks to Ladybug and Chat Noir."

Oh. Oh you dorks! It's like they somehow know deep down they're Ladybug and Chat Noir with that look at that line. They're looking at each other like they know to some extent... I'm sure nothing happened in an episode we have yet to see but, it feels a bit weird, don't you think? "I may not remember my childhood dreams, but that's okay! It's time to focus on the future and find my inner music, like Luka said!" AWWW good for you my precious sunshine boy! Keep being you. Also Adrien's disturbed look at Plagg killed me again.

Marinette: "I'll do it all! .... I'll be Luka's best friend and I'll love Adrien!" Yeah see, that's it! You guys are best as best friends, and Luka will one day find someone else and he'll be happy to have you as his best friend when that time comes too. As far as all the other stuff, that sounds very busy and exhausting, but if it makes her happy! "How can you love other people if you don't love yourself?" Oh dang, that's such a good line to have put in this show honestly! Nicely done. So this is definitely one of if not my favorite episode. Chat Blanc's been my favorite but this is at least up there with it! There's so much to take from this episode, and so much that can come from this episode's events that I'm both extremely excited and scared to find out what happens next.

[chatonne-rousse]

Three Kids and a Hamster

This was my contribution to the @adrienettezine.  I joined the zine as a beta and ended up as a pinch hitter - this sweet little fluffy story was the result.  I hope you enjoy it!  I just love these two so much.

Read it on Ao3 here.

                                           **********************

The same full moon that lit their way over rooftops and across the Seine an hour before shines through the hatch above the bed, illuminating their entwined legs in its gentle glow and casting shadows on the room below. Even if she weren't tucked beneath his arm with her cheek against his chest, this would be a place of perfect peace, awash in a sense of rightness and comfort and home. It makes his chest constrict all of a sudden, his next inhale a sharp shudder that rouses her immediately from near-sleep.

"You okay, Chaton?" she murmurs, eyes wide and worried.

He reassures her with a soft, genuine smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just...thinking."

Bending forward to press a kiss to her forehead, he pulls her back down to his chest and starts up a purr for her. The breathy giggle he gets in return is always worth the twinge of embarrassment and the weird tickle in his throat.

"About what?"

The purr dies down, replaced with a contented hum. "How much I love you, of course, Princess. What else?"

As expected, she swats him playfully and laughs, but a moment later he feels her hand stretch across his torso as she cuddles closer into his side.

"I mean it," she whispers into his shirt. "Your breathing got all weird. What's wrong?"

"Bugaboo, you know you take my breath away!"

"Adrien."

Her voice is all no-nonsense Ladybug, but it just makes him grin wider.

"I'm actually not kitten, Marinette."

She groans and lifts her head again but when she meets his gaze after an exaggerated eye roll, her features soften in response to his. She begins to duck her head shyly before changing course and pressing her lips to his instead, soft and sweet and warm. His eyes slip shut and he melts beneath her, his ever-romantic heart singing her name over and over in a three-beat cadence.

"I love you, too," she whispers against his lips, finally breaking away after a long, slow kiss that leaves them both breathless.

After a quick kiss at the corner of his mouth and another on his jaw, she settles back into the crook of his neck, her breath warm and tickly and perfect against his skin.

Logically, he knows he needs to transform and head home, but the stark difference between his bedroom prison and Marinette's warmth is enough to keep him here just a little longer, stretching time and tempting fate.

Wouldn't it be wonderful, he thinks, as the sleepy calm drifts over them once more, to stay here forever, just like this?

He imagines waking up this way, morning breath and snoring kwamis and a warm tangle of limbs illuminated by a new day's dawnlight instead of the quiet moon. Perhaps there would be a purring cat asleep on the bed with them. And one day, maybe, he'd wake to find a toddler who had crawled up onto the bed and wriggled between them in the night to be close to maman and papa. A family. His heart squeezes with emotion again, but he keeps his breathing steady and Marinette doesn't seem to notice this time.

Dreaming of what the future might hold seems like an extravagant luxury in a world where a supervillain regularly terrorizes Paris and threatens to rend the very fabric of the universe and its delicate balance. Then again, isn't that all the more reason to dream?

Even with the freedom being Chat Noir grants him, the responsibility of avoiding that fate is a heavy weight across his shoulders, and a far more cumbersome yoke on his Lady's. Imagining a day when they can transform for fun instead of necessity, cook dinner together, fall asleep just like this, and not have to wonder if an akuma alert will rouse them before the sun—well, that just makes him fight each battle harder and despise Hawkmoth that much more. After all, the fate of humanity includes the fate of Adrien Agreste and Marinette Dupain-Cheng, too.

Her fingers glide feather-light at his wrist, so he knows she's still awake, and before he can think twice about it, he's murmuring a question into the dark.

"Hey, Bug?" He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "Do you ever think about...the future?"

Her hand stops its gentle, soothing motion against his arm, and he misses the feeling immediately.

"After we defeat Hawkmoth, or...?" she trails off.

"That could happen tomorrow, so let's start with tomorrow and go from there."

She resumes her caress, though this time her hand trails higher, up and under his t-shirt sleeve to the warm skin of his bicep. He smiles against her hair and hugs his heat-seeking little bug tighter.

"Well, tomorrow we have a calculus test, then you have a piano lesson after school. I really didn't plan anything beyond that, but if we're going to squeeze in an epic final battle with Hawkmoth, I suppose I should work on my history project at lunch to get ahead."

"Cheeky bug!" He tickles her in retaliation, and she giggles into his chest. "I was being serious!"

"I know, Minou." She laughs for another moment but says nothing more.

He waits through one deep breath, then two, before he whispers her name, questioning, against her hair.

She cranes her neck to look up at him, her gaze shy but warm. "It's just...can I be weird?"

Ah, that explains her reticence. The delighted half-smile that crosses his face is pure Chat Noir, but he can't help it. He loves this.

"Of course, My Lady. Always."

Five months and four days ago (yes, he's counting—it was the greatest day of his life, so far), after more than three years of superhero partnership and civilian friendship, an unplanned reveal, and the awkward nine day aftermath (yes, he counted—it was awful), they'd finally made it official. Adrien and Marinette had, at least. Ladynoir was still under wraps for now to avoid suspicion, but he looked forward to the day when a real kiss they could both remember would grace the front page of the Ladyblog.

At the beginning, between blissful kisses and timid touches, they'd taken the time to really get to know each other—with no secrets between them, a whole, beautiful picture emerged. It was amazing and thrilling and freeing. It was also a bit embarrassing.

She'd seen him in his Ladybug pajamas one evening when she'd stopped by his bedroom for an unplanned visit. Another afternoon, he'd opened a drawer in her room looking for a pen and discovered approximately two dozen photos of himself looking back at him. Plagg had unceremoniously dropped Adrien's Ladybug and Chat Noir action figures onto Marinette's lap while they watched a movie and proceeded to tell her that Adrien sometimes played with his dolls and made them kiss. He'd never been so mortified in his life (and he once fought an akuma wearing a banana costume, so that was saying something), especially when Marinette had laughed until she cried.

He'd have sentenced the tiny magical agent of chaos to eating Velveeta for a week if Marinette hadn't caught her breath, removed his hands from his beet-red face, and kissed him silly.

Afterward, lovestruck, he'd asked, "So I'm not...weird?"

Cheeks still stained with the sweetest blush, eyes soft and bright and full of love, she'd responded, "Of course you are, kitty. I already knew that," and kissed him again for good measure. "It's a good thing your Lady is just as weird."

And just like that, it was okay. His pajamas, her photo collection, his action figures, her calendar.

Can I be weird? preceded his admission of being unable to sleep if his Marinette lucky charm wasn't beneath his pillow. It was asked before he learned she slept with her handmade Chat Noir plushie beside her every night.

The question is rhetorical, of course. Permission to be weird is simply indemnity from embarrassment, a solemn vow of understanding between them. It's been the lead-in to many shared secrets and it still gives him a little thrill every time, just knowing that he's about to learn another closely-held tidbit about his Lady.

Tonight, he's especially curious—the question he asked was about the future, after all.

"I used to think about it a lot," she begins quietly. "And I mean, a lot. I'm a planner, you know."

Oh, he knows. Thank goodness one of them is.

"You've seen my sketchbook. You saw my wedding dress designs and all your possible matching tuxes. Alya's dress and Nino's suit..."

"And they were beautiful, Bug. I loved them all."

He can feel her smile against his t-shirt collar.

"Thank you, Chaton. But...it's not just that. I, um...I chose the flowers for my bouquet, I planned the menu for the reception dinner—"

"And your parents will make the croquembouche," he whispers, suddenly entranced.

She nods, but goes silent once more. He wants to hear about everything—the venue she imagined for the service and reception, what they'll wear at the civil ceremony prior, whether their guests will throw rice or rose petals or wheat as they exit as newlyweds. It's all so beautiful, his heart is positively singing; how could she ever think this is weird?

"I named our children."

The song in his heart comes to an abrupt stop when the rhythm falters before restarting at hummingbird speed.

Dazed, he breathes, "Our..."

"I know!" she groans. She covers her eyes with one hand and buries her face in his shirt. Her voice is muffled, but he's hanging on every word. "I told you it was weird! I named them! I thought about who would be youngest, oldest, middle--"

"Three?" He chokes on air. Is he even breathing?

"I designed the little outfit we'd bring each of them home from the hospital in. Their nursery had a theme! Our hamster had a name! I imagined our house, our garden, the layout of the kitchen, the color of our master bathroom!"

"What color?" he asks weakly.

A pause.

"Blue."

"I love blue."

"I know."

Silence descends again, as he attempts to regulate his breathing and bring his swirling, scattered thoughts under control. She hasn't moved a muscle, and neither has he. Honestly, he's thankful to be moored to his steadfast port in the storm right now, so he can't float away or slip under.

"Adrien?"

He hums questioningly in response.

"I'm sorry." Her voice is small and tinged with sadness, slicing directly through his current bubble of overwhelmed euphoria in an instant.

Sitting up so quickly that she's dislodged from his side with a startled squeak, he pulls both of her hands between his and brings her close enough to really see her face in the shadowy moonlight.

"Why are you sorry?" he asks, baffled. "That was..." he trails off, shaking his head as he searches for the correct word, wanting to convey his feelings properly. Incredible doesn't seem like enough. Perfect, perhaps? A dream I didn't know I had until you said it, and now I want that exact thing more than I've ever wanted anything in my life?

"Crazy, I know. Selfish."

"What? No!" he exclaims, and her wide eyes snap to meet his. "Marinette, it sounds amazing!"

"Amazing?"

He lets go of her hands to gather her in a hug instead, happy to feel her arms wrap tightly around him in turn.

"Amazing," he murmurs against her hair, hoping she can hear the sincerity in his voice. "Why do you think it's selfish?"

"Because...because I never thought about what you'd want, not really. Maybe you don't want kids—"

"I want kids," he interrupts.

"Or maybe you don't like hamsters."

"Mari, I love hamsters."

She smiles against his skin. "I'm glad. I thought you'd want a cat."

"Oh, I do," he says, nodding.

"I knew it!" she laughs. "But I didn't know any of that back then. I just dreamed my own wild dreams and brought a fantasy of future you along for the ride. It wasn't fair to you." She leans back, settling her wrists over his shoulders and searching his gaze with her own. "You deserve to have a say in your own life, Adrien. For once."

A wave of stunned gratitude wells up within him and he swallows around the sudden lump in his throat. No one, not even his beloved mother, has ever extended him the courtesy of autonomy, much less apologized for not considering it in the first place. The way Marinette loves him, with a selfless, gentle kindness, is like nothing he's ever known, and it overwhelms him sometimes.

Oh, he loves her so much.

"Marinette," he says, when he's able to. "Do you want to live on a desert island with me and eat only fruit for the rest of our lives?"

She blinks, confused.

"Because that was one of my dreams," he continues. "You—well, Ladybug—me, our hamster, and a ton of fruit. Silly, right?" He shrugs. "I was a lovesick teenager. I have a feeling you know something about that, don't you, Bugaboo?" His cheeky wink and Chat Noir smirk are rewarded with the blush and giggle he'd hoped for. "My point is, I wasn't thinking about what you wanted when I daydreamed about that, and I never worried about it. You have nothing to be sorry for, Bug."

Her smile is bright even in the shadowy loft. "Thanks, Minou. Those were fun dreams."

"Were? You don't want the hamster and the blue bathroom anymore? I was just getting excited about our house and three kids."

"What do you dream about?" She asks, clearly dodging the question with one of her own.

He doesn't even have to think on it to know the answer.

"A family. Hugs. Eating dinner at a little table together. Going to the beach and seeing you in your bikini."

She snorts. "Tomcat."

"I'm only human, Mari."

"Adrien, you can purr."

"Touché."

They can only laugh. Their lives really are ridiculous.

"Princess?" He asks after they've settled into silence again. "What are their names?"

"Who?"

"Our kids."

She takes a deep, deep breath, and it feels like an eternity before she speaks. "Emma, Louis, and Hugo."

"I love them already," he breathes, imagination awhirl with scenes of bedtime stories and blanket forts and the myriad other childhood joys he only knows about from movies and tv. It's so beautiful, they're so beautiful, that he has to clench his teeth for a moment to keep from crying. "Have you drawn them?"

She nods, brow starting to furrow in concern at what must be one hell of an expression on his face.

"And their clothes? The nursery? Our kitchen?"

"Yes, I told you I was—"

"You're amazing, Marinette. I can't wait to see them. I can't wait to meet them."

Before he knows it, she's pulled him into her embrace, whispering her love against his shoulder. If a few tears escape into her hair, she doesn't say a word. They stay like that for a few long, sweet moments, until a thought pops into his mind.

"Mari? Why didn't Plagg find those drawings when he found your sketchbook of wedding ideas?"

She pulls away from him and giggles. "Because that sketchbook is hidden under the mattress."

"Along with how many of my photos?"

The mock-glare she levels at him would be terrifying if she weren't so adorable. He leans in and watches her stern expression slacken just before their lips connect and his eyes close, and her soft sigh tells him he's forgiven once more for teasing her.

They fall back against the cat pillow and soft pink sheets once more, rearranging their bodies to that perfect fit that reminds him every time how phenomenally lucky he is to have found his soul's other half as a teenager via ancient magic and fated proximity. The kiss deepens, his hands clutch at her back, and he thrills at the feel of her fingers in his hair. This is everything, everything—love and light and power and freedom, the chance for a future, a home, a family.

It's just another late autumn Tuesday night in Paris. Marinette will convince him to stay for another hour, he'll set an alarm. They'll go to school again tomorrow and, though it's certainly possible they'll defeat Hawkmoth before the day is over, it's more likely they'll simply fight and cleanse another akuma before returning to the library to work on that history project.

But it's suddenly different. He's always fought for Paris, for the safety of his friends and family, for his beloved partner. Now? A new and different feeling of protectiveness rises in his chest, even as her tongue brushes the seam of his lips and his purr rumbles gently between their bodies.

Hawkmoth will rue the day he tried to take Emma, Louis, and Hugo away before Adrien could meet them. He makes the promise right here and now, with his Lady in his arms and their kwamis sleeping on the desk below: Every akuma from now until he can punch Hawkmoth in the face and rip the misused miraculous from him, Chat Noir will fight for Paris, the world, and that shining dream of the future. He's one half of an unstoppable team. Together, they can, and will, do anything.

He and Marinette have three kids and a hamster to look forward to, after all. And it's going to be amazing.

[klixxy]

weekly fic recs

(ft. my bookmark comments - mostly mha and voltron)

boku no hero academia:

what is right and what is easy - theroyalsavage

(bnha; tododeku; fluff + angst; 2k words; oneshot)

Midoriya Izuku is not chosen to represent Hogwarts in the Triwizard Tournament. He does not slay a dragon, or rescue innocents, or brave a maze of dark magic. He does not win accolades, or fame, or glory.

Instead, Izuku meets the son of the greatest dark wizard of the age, a Durmstrang student with hair like a sunrise and eyes like a war. And maybe, he just might win something else.

If I'm Being Honest.... by I_dont_know_man 

(bnha; tododeku; fluff + crack/humor; 26k words; oneshot; truth quirk)

Midoriya scrunched up his nose in confusion. “Uh, Shouto, why are you glaring at me like that?”

“I-” Todoroki began to lie, until nausea slammed him like a door to any room that Bakugou entered. “I--” Todoroki grit his teeth, and glared daggers into the wall behind Midoriya. Goodbye, friendship. It had been absolutely divine while it lasted. “Because you’re very attractive.”

They say honesty is the best policy, but it sure as hell had a knack for Todoroki making a complete and utter fool of himself.

Or: In which Todoroki is placed under a mysterious truth-telling quirk and suffers, Uraraka laughs at him, Midoriya is confused but smitten nonetheless, and Twitter is the thirstiest site on the planet.

paint on our lips (paint on those fingertips) by spicanao

(bnha; tododeku; angst + magical realism; 11k words; oneshot; gallery au)

Galleries are wonderful places. The works seem so vibrant, so beautiful, so alive.

Until they're actually alive.

(Ib AU)

[my bookmarks: holy shit this is beautiful in an odd, poignant, dream-like way]

Todoroki Shouto’s Amateur Guide to Not Fucking Up The Timeline by Anubis_2701

(bnha; tododeku; crack/humor; 13k words; oneshot; time travel; future fic)

All that Todoroki had wanted was milk. Nothing drastic, nothing dramatic, just milk.

Unfortunately, in his quest to get milk, he ended up running into one of the saltiest, most impulsive people this side of the globe. Who also just so happened to have a volatile time-travel quirk.

So yeah, he was fucked. Just slightly. Being punted randomly through time wasn't exactly how he'd wanted to spend his Saturday morning. At least the younger versions of his friends are cute.

awake and (un)afraid, asleep or- by driedupwishes

(bnha; tododeku; fluff + angst + The Feels; 54k words; oneshot; social media/future fic)

“You,” Shoto says, picking his head up from where his screen is filled with The Worst Photograph Ever, curtesy of Shinsou, Jiro, Kaminari, his brother, and nearly everyone they know. “You are so dead to me.”

Kirishima blinks, mouth half open while Izuku mutters oh god, it’s too late, isn’t it on the other end of the phone, before Kirishima is leaning into his space to see his screen.

“Oh,” he says, in response to the photo someone in the crowd of civilians watching the fight had taken of them. “Oh, that’s-” he cuts himself off for a minute, leaning back to eye Shoto’s face while on the other side of the phone Izuku smothers what is probably a laugh, and then changes tracks.

“It’s super manly to love and support your friends,” Kirishima tells Shoto haughtily, as if this whole thing isn't his fault in the first place.

-

or: Kirishima and Shoto accidentally start trending on Twitter and in retaliation Shoto decides to make an Instagram to showcase all his Hero Deku merchandise, so that everyone knows how much he loves his boyfriend Izuku, and no one expects how quickly it will all spiral out from there

[my bookmarks: broke my heart. i teared up multiple times and even now I'm barely holding back tears.

pure beauty. pulls an incredible amount of emotion from the descriptive language and conveys the love and loneliness and that pulsing ache so well that i thought that my chest would cave in from the force of all the fucking feelings in it. this entire fic was a perfect, awe-inspiring package of fluff, beautiful shoto and class 1a interaction, heartfelt long distance tododeku feels, and almost every single paragraph had my heart fucking squeezing so hard in my chest that i could barely breathe.

i am in awe.]

Hooliganisms by aphrodaisyacs

(bnha; gen/todofam; crack/humor; 17k words; series; social media)

In which an anonymous artist’s street art of Bald Endeavor goes viral, causing a chain of coincidental events and ironic situations to ripple through the lives of everyone- heroes, villains and civilians alike.

[my bookmarks: i'm crying so much from laughter]

Part 1: Where it all begins- the origins of the street artist known as the "Bald Hooligan" and their rise to infamy

Part 2: The spin-off focusing on the unlikely trio whose friendship was borne from the events of Part 1

Daydreaming by AnonymousTwit

(bnha; gen/todobakudeku; angst; 7k words; oneshot; todoroki-centric)

If he'd been more careful, then they'd be fine. If he'd been paying attention, then he wouldn't be alone right now.

But he wasn't and he hadn't, so it's just him, now. It's him, his thoughts, and the unconscious bodies of two of his closest friends as he waits for someone to reach them.

Whether they be friendly or not.

Or

Author has writer's block and coughed up some Todoroki angst in retaliation.

A Study in Firsts by Oceanbreeze7

(bnha; gen; angst + fluff + humor; 76k words; ongoing; class 1a-centric)

There’s a first time for everything.

The first time everyone crammed in Momo’s room to study, a mess of limbs and books on her bed.

The first time Mina burned crepes so badly the smoke alarm went off.

The first time a jumpscare got Sero so badly, he flipped off the back of the couch.

The first time Uraraka fell asleep at the table and accidentally sent it floating.

The first time someone realized Todoroki walked far too quietly, and far too cautiously around the dorms to be normal.

The first time Midoriya broke his toe on a door frame and kept walking through it.

The first time Kirishima woke up screaming through the walls.

The first time Tsuyu blanched at the sight of a needle.

The first time Bakugo dropped, clutching the back of his neck with eyes scarily vacant and detonating everything around him until Aizawa had to intervene.

It wasn’t always pretty, but the dorms were filled with firsts.

Responsibility by deafmic

(bnha; gen; angst + hurt/comfort; 94k words; series (complete); todoroki-centric; dadzawa + papamic)

“I told you outside,” Aizawa chooses his words carefully, reiterating the same point he’s made before. “My responsibility for you doesn’t end at the classroom. Every part of your life is partially my responsibility. Your father doesn’t scare or intimidate me. If you need help, I can get it for you, but you and I both know that you need to ask for it first.”

Aizawa organizes a way for the students to go home for the holidays. Todoroki Shouto, however, gets left behind by his father. Aizawa, annoyed at Endeavor, takes Shouto under his care for the night, and is joined by a certain Yamada Hizashi.

[my bookmarks: *unholy screaming sobbing noises*

an incredible and emotional journey from start to finish.]

the drip of melting ice by walking_through_autumn

(bnha; gen/platonic shintodo; angst + fluff; 19k words; oneshot; todoroki/shinsou-centric ft. dadzawa)

Aizawa found out within a day. It was quite likely due to the dish Todoroki had washed and left to dry in the shared kitchen after the kitten had been fed off it. Hitoshi was forced to reflect that it wasn’t any good hiding the litter and cat food in their wardrobes if Todoroki was going to make a fundamental mistake like that.

Aizawa stood in his door frame and raised an eyebrow. “Well? Where is the cat?”

Hitoshi gave his most disarming smile. “What cat?”

Todoroki chose that moment to exit his room, eyes on his phone, other hand holding a cat toy. He bumped into Aizawa and looked up slowly, like in a horror movie.

“...oh,” Todoroki said. Aizawa raised the other eyebrow. Hitoshi rubbed a hand down his face.

Herbal tea, weekly floor gatherings, spoiled surprises, movie marathons, shared custody over a cat, rain and ice and blankets and plushies, and the journey of falling into a friendship.

(Or: Hitoshi moves into the 2A dormitory at the beginning of his second year, learns who his neighbour is, and makes the friends he had declared he isn't there to have within the space of a semester.)

Hand in Hand in Hand by kngsbrg (Citlalcoatl)

(bnha; todobakudeku; fluff + strangers to lovers; 10k words; oneshot; tea au)

Boiling the water, choosing the right temperature for the right kind of tea, using quality leaves, scooping the precise amount, and letting it steep for just the perfect time...

All that and more is needed to make a delicious cup of tea.

A business that Shouto was quite knowledgeable about.

*

Spring begins and brings with it the hint of new fresh air, buds waiting to blossom, and just a bit of change.

[my bookmarks: featuring: oblivious teamaker shoto and pining firemen baku and izu]

even if i die (it's you) by monomoon

(bnha; todobaku; fluff + angst + strangers to lovers; 75k words; complete; paramedic au)

Or; where Todoroki never went to UA and, in rejection of his father's ambitions, became a paramedic; and where pro hero Bakugou Katsuki is just a little bit too intrigued with the heterochromatic man who always glares daggers at him whenever he sees him.

When Bakugou was suddenly and abruptly met with two cold, heterochromatic eyes glaring daggers right back at him, he had two immediate thoughts:

"Why does he look like he's plotting my assassination?"

and

"Why the fuck are his eyes so pretty?"

[my bookmarks: UGH THIS IS JUST FUCKING PHENOMENAL- GORGEOUS LOVELY INCREDIBLE HEARTSTOPPING HEARTBREAKING BEAUTIFUL RIDICULOUSLY GOOD POIGNANT I AM RUNNING OUT OF ADJECTIVES BUT IT'S GREAT TRUST ME AKDHJSFNW]

This Is Now by colormesherlocked

(bnha; gen; angst + hurt/comfort + fluff; 193k words; series (ongoing); todoroki-centric)

Todoroki Shoto will be a hero.

...But not just yet. Right now, Todoroki Shoto is a bitter, pessimistic, hurt teenager who doesn't want help, friends or hinderances of any kind getting in the way of his misguided goals.

Thankfully, there will soon be people in his life who will be more than happy to drag him into a place of happiness, safety, and acceptance - kicking and screaming the whole way, if they have to. All he has to do is survive his first meeting with them and all the incredible changes that will come after.

This is Todoroki Shoto's Hero Academia.

(Semi-canon compliant up to a point and told from Todoroki Shoto's POV.)

the league of anti-villains by aizawa_wears_crocs (avenris), avenris

(bnha; gen; angst + fluff + humor; 35k words; ongoing; todobakushinmono-centric)

When he's secretly tasked to find the UA traitor, Todoroki isn't expecting help. He's especially not expecting it from the three other first year students perceived as villainous in their own ways. Unfortunately for him, Shinsou, Monoma and Bakugou have all got something to prove, and his solo mission turns into a team effort that rapidly spirals far beyond what they were expecting to find - but hey, they're in too deep now.

Or: in which the gang solves the mystery of the traitor feat. todoroki family shenanigans, copious amounts of dadzawa, backstory for my favorite 1-B gremlin, and good old-fashioned illegal vigilantism.

such eloquent graffiti by firelilyblooms

(bnha; todobaku; angst + hurt/comfort; 9k words; oneshot; todoroki-centric; future fic)

Todoroki Shouto is sitting cross-legged at his coffee table, hunched over a bowl of instant ramen, when he finds out along with the rest of the world that the Flame Hero, Endeavor, is dead.

Or, Shouto's guide to dealing with death.

[my bookmarks: i am in ✨pain✨:)]

Tell-All by HopeNight

(bnha; todofam; angst; 4k words; oneshot; todofam/natsuo-centric)

When Natsuo is twenty-years-old, he publishes a tell-all book on his father and growing up in his house. This starts a domino effect, of course. With the book comes an investigation and sets the groundwork for the Hawks scandal in several years’ time that will see the disbandment of the Heroic Public Safety Commission and the ascension of pro hero Deku to the Number One slot. This will also lead to a decades long chain of change and progress with Deku wielding his influence and charisma like a sword and shield to make society and the world a little better than when he found it.

In essence, you can say, that Todoroki Natsuo is the true hero of this story with his fake quirk and an anger burning in his gut. Just one small book and suddenly…everything changes. The future is brighter for its existence. The curtains are thrown back and the light begins its work to disinfect and cleanse.

When Todoroki Shouto is in his second year of UA, his brother, Natsuo, publishes a tell-all book of essays about growing up in Endeavor's house.

This is Natsuo's story about how he really changed the path of things.

like an open wound by filzmonster

(bnha; gen; angst + hurt/comfort; 5k words; oneshot; todoroki-centric; manga spoilers)

It's a Sunday and Shouto is making gyoza in the dorm kitchen - or: It's a Sunday and Todoroki has an existential crisis over food.

[my bookmarks: oh my GODDDDDDDDD

*screeches while crying**is a blubbering mess*]

Shouto Todoroki and His Stuffed Eeyore (And Also Childhood Trauma) by ThatSpicySeaFlapFlap

(bnha; gen; angst + MORE ANGST; 42k words; complete; todoroki-centric)

Aizawa looked him in the eye, placed a gentle hand around his bicep (not like Endeavor, his father had only ever touched him with the intention to burn) and asked, “Are you okay?”

People don’t usually ask him things. They like to tell him things, like where to sit or what to wear or how to talk or how to be a hero or how to be himself.

‘Am I okay?’ He thought. He realized he doesn’t ask himself things, either.

Shouto didn’t have an answer to Aizawa’s question, so instead he said:

“A very long time ago, my mother did something....highly upsetting.” The boy was tracing the outline of his scar, his calloused finger stopping and jumping around the bumps and ridges of the burnt skin. “Something today reminded me of that.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” His teacher asked.

“No.”

“Okay. I’m here when you do. I’m always here, kid.” Shouto only responded with a sob. He felt as if he’d earned that right after all the emotional labor he had been put through tonight.

days by chibistarlyte

(bnha; todobaku; angst + hurt/comfort; 19k words; series (complete); todoroki-centric)

Most days, Shouto is fine.

But some days...

Some days, Shouto falls apart.

Location Sent by sunflowerstorm

(bnha; gen; angst + hurt/comfort; 15k words; oneshot; todoroki-centric; third year 1a)

In their first year at UA Midoriya sent his location to the class 1-A group chat during the Hosu incident because he didn't have time to do anything else before rushing to Iida's aid.

Now in their second year, Todoroki sends his location to the group chat at 6:30am on a Saturday morning after going home for the weekend. Midoriya knows immediately that something is very wrong and takes off, Bakugo hot on his heels.

-----

"They’d known each other long enough to be able to communicate practically wordlessly. The quiet rage on Midoriya's face was extremely telling, this was bad. Bakugo braced himself as Midoriya shuffled to the side to show where his hands were hovering over what was most certainly a burn and a serious one at that. Todoroki’s own fire didn’t burn him but they all knew that didn’t make him fire proof. Bakugo could do the math."

Faith by phinnium

(bnha; gen; angst + hurt/comfort; 7k words; oneshot; todoroki-centric; manga spoilers)

"You wanted to open a case?"

Aizawa frowned, "uh, yeah. Someone showed you Dabi's video, didn't they? And I don't doubt Todoroki himself has told you bits and pieces."

Izuku did not expect this to be how the conversation went.

"Yeah. But Todoroki isn't being hurt now. He's fine. Endeavour's changed."

Or: Midoriya trusts the Hero Commission far more than he should, especially given the situation at hand. Todoroki isn't available to explain what's what, so Aizawa and Bakugou do it instead.

(Written after the release of issue 293 of the manga, and in the aftermath of the current arc. Spoilers ahead.)

Incendiary by macrauchenia

(bnha; gen; angst + hurt/comfort; 17k words; ongoing (hiatus?); todoroki-centric)

"You're going to die, little Todoroki. And if you don't, your classmates will instead."

A training exercise backfires when Izuku and Todoroki become tangled in an escaped villain's vendetta against Endeavor. Alone in a perilous situation due to the villain's barrier quirk, Todoroki must take desperate and creative measures to save his classmates.

[Class 1-A Teamwork/Bonding]

Parallax by petrichor (findingkairos)

(bnha; gen; angst + hurt/comfort + fluff; 64k words; ongoing; todoroki-centric)

Todoroki Shouto has memories that he didn't make on his own, motor skills that his brain doesn't know how to parse, and a love of science and mathematics and physics that means he broke down his Quirk into its most intricate, universe-bending components at the age of seven.

In one universe, he wants to become a hero. In this one, even though he doesn't want to, he might have to.

(Featuring: a rapidly developing Shoutosquad, Quirk science, headcanons of all flavors, healthy and supportive sibling and sibling-like relationships, and Dadzawa.)

[notes: one of my current favorite fics that i’m eagerly following for the next update. :D]

Caturdays by staqua (aka my fav todobaku author)

(bnha; todobaku; fluff + angst + enemies to lovers; 10k words; oneshot)

"Hmm... It's lunchtime now isn't it? You should have lunch with him."

"With Bakugou?" He blanched. "I think he would refuse and then murder me."

Rei chuckled softly as if death was a joke and held his hand tenderly. "If he's in the hospital, someone he cares about must not be well. I think anyone going through that should have a nice meal with good company."

"You overestimate me," Shouto pointed out and she gave another laugh.

OR: Shouto's usual Saturdays included visits to his mother and the cat cafe; he wasn't expecting Bakugou to get thrown in the mix.

voltron: legendary defender:

*hacks twitter in space* by Zakyuu 

(vld x marvel; gen/klance; crack/humor + fluff; 17k words; social media au; ongoing)

the voltron paladins arent as popular as the avengers, obviously — in fact, no one even knows they exist. but they still radiate the same kind of dumb gay energy like the rest of the world.

or: pidge somehow manages to connect voltron's communicators onto earth and virtually nothing is the same. voltron also collectively makes everyone lose their marbles while they play hot potato with the fact that theyre in a ten thousand year war with the galra.

the fear of falling by amillionsmiles

(vld; gen; angst + fluff; character study; 3k words; oneshot; keith-centric)

Keith can pull off a downward spiral. It's the kind of maneuver he does in his sleep.

[my bookmarks: stunning. beautiful. breathtaking. poignant.]

Recoil/Release by Cheshyr

(vld; gen; angst + hurt/comfort; 22k words; oneshot; keith-centric)

When Keith is bitten by an alien creature with venom that causes your dominant emotions to be amplified, the team is ready for a day of dealing with an incredibly angry paladin.

Which means they're not ready at all for what actually happens.

hound by story_monger

(vld; gen; angst + hurt/comfort; 47k words; oneshot; keith-centric)

Keith has a lot of practice being alone; you might almost say he's good at it. When he finds himself seriously injured and stranded on an unknown planet, he knows he's not alone there. And here's the worst part: even after rescue and after things return to normal, Keith gets the distinct sense that whatever was on that planet has followed him. He doesn't have proof. But he knows it's there. He knows it's not going to stop until it gets what it wants.

Keith's 'Physical Contact' Initiation Program by alisayamin (sh_04e)

(vld; gen; fluff+ angst + hurt/comfort; 26k words; oneshot; keith-centric)

Keith didn’t move and neither did Pidge. It was a little awkward until Keith finally said, “Maybe we could officially officiate this..?”

“What do you mean?”

“Fist me.”

Pidge recoiled and sputtered, “Keith, what the f-” She was cut off by Shiro’s bellowing laughter from the observatory deck.

With his straight face unchanged, Keith lowered his left hand with the stopwatch and lifted his right hand, fisted.

Pidge actually sighed with so much relief, “OH. You mean fistbump! Right.” She slapped her forehead to remove the very very wrong image her imagination drew for her, “Holy shit, Keith, we need to work on that but yeah sure, I’d be honoured to officiate your physical contact program whatever.”

Or

That one time Coran realized Keith was too distant and decided to make him undergo the 'Physical Contact' Initiation Program which then led to --> 5 times the paladins realized Keith was an actual cat.

The Red String by Le_Tournesol

(vld; gen/klance; angst + fluff; 19k words; series (ongoing); keith-centric; pre-voltron au)

Lance and Keith keep coming across one another at different points in their lives.

[my bookmarks: this is so sad and sweet and lovely]

All that is gold does not glitter by Rangergirl3

(vld; gen; angst + fluff + hurt/comfort; 28k words; complete; keith-centric)

Keith isn't what most would call a 'people' person, but that doesn't stop him from caring about his team.

aka

Five Times the other Paladins learned something about Keith, and the One Time he learned something about them.

[my bookmarks: fuck. just- fuck.]

Miscommunication Celebration by SleepySsnail

(vld; gen; fluff + hurt/comfort; 4k words; oneshot; keith-centric; birthday fic)

Keith was never too focused on his birthday, but when it rolls around he hopes his team remembers it. When Keith's birthday is full of quality time and fun, he doesn't even question why his friends haven't said "happy birthday" to him.

Or: Where Keith thinks everyone is celebrating his birthday when they really forgot about it.

Keithtober 2019 Day 23: Birthday

avatar: the last airbender:

Change of Address by hearmerory

(atla; gen/zukka; ANGST + fluff + hurt/comfort; 89k words; series (ongoing); zuko-centric; modern au)

A collection of instances in a modern AU of Zuko's shitty childhood, featuring Ozai's dislike of his son's autism and sexuality.

[my bookmarks: FUCK F U C K WHAT THE ACTUAL F U C K.

I CAN'T WITH THIS ANYMORE.]

[curious-menace]

Batman has put on a bit of quarantine weight (he could lose it but he's like fuck it I'm cool with having a muffin top) and his villains take notice how would they all react to slightly softer looking batman bonus if one of villains is like supportive like you look adorable all chubby bats..like a cuddly bat plush.

dad bod batman. 

that is all. 

jk here are some headcanons

Penguin 

well he’s a lil chubby himself so i doubt he’s going to be in a position to throw any stones in this particular glass house. You could argue that batman looks the same since some men look really fat when its actually muscle. think rugby players, professional weight lifters (not body builders thats all for show) and maybe professional boxers? look at albert king in arkham knight. he’s chubby but he’s a brick wall! either way i dont think penguin will be treating him any different. batman can still punch his lights out and now with a bit of extra weight? he’s going to hit like a runaway train. 

TwoFace

Again, he doesnt spend much time looking at batmans ass while he’s running away from him. he might make some jokes about how batman weights if he landed on him for a take down, maybe joke like catwoman about needing a few more notches in his utility belt. To be honest, this whole quarantine isolation thing has him a bit down in the dumps. he’s probably just happy to see another human being, even if it is batman.  

Ivy

Shes teasing but not mean, like selina. shes loving quarantine life. nobody bothers her and she’s free to be with her plants all day long. she’s basically just chilling in the botanic gardens, since its closed due to not being an essential service. when batman shows up to check on her, she notices something is different but doesnt pin point it right away. but when he jumps down from the rafters and makes her glass herb gardens rattle she burst out laughing. again, shes not being mean, she just genuinely finds this hilarious that even the great batman has put on a few pounds in lock down. yes, she is loving the new look, softer around the edges and better for sitting on if he was under mind control

Scarecrow

i mean this in the nicest way possible but scarecrow literally does not give one tiny fuck. he’s gotten so much work done in lockdown without people bothering him, he’s soo deep in his research that he doesn't even notice batman approach. he does freak the fuck out , flinging vials of his new toxin 10 feet in the air in fright when he turns around and batman is standing there. the vials land far enough away that they aren't in any danger. still Stawman is pissed that batman just had to show up right then and scare the piss out of him. but he hasn't seen another human in like 3 months and since his research is ruined, he asks batman to stay for a few minutes. there's nothing technically illegal afoot in his lab right now, so why not see how crane is holding up? he sits in one of scarecrow old chairs that groans like a dying animal under his weight. scarecrow might raise an eyebrow but he’s not going to stay anything, not right now anyway. 

Riddler

oh thank GOD ! another human being! riddler is glad, actually fuckin glad to see batman. he’s been so BORED since lockdown started he actually contemplated kidnapping some people just so he’d have company. i made a joke once that you cant gag any riddler because they’ll just store it up and ramble more later. this is exactly what happens with batman when riddler spots him , he’s speaking so fast the flash would have trouble understanding him “Come in batman, sit down make yourself comfortable, not in that chair that’s a deathtrap ive been working on. have you put on a little weight? nevermind im sure you can work it off in my newest puzzle its very- wait where are you going?!” speaking of bat plushies , riddler absolutely has a batman plush on his desk that he likes to ramble at. when the real bats leaves he makes a mental note to put some more stuffing into plushie batman.

Harley

Harley hugs batman. i guess its ok, she might as well be part of his bubble for all the time they spend together. she notices right away hes put on a few but shes not one  to complain. makes him soft, its a nice change from jokers bones and refusal to give her even a head pat. Batman is a softie at heart, he cant bring himself to push her away. she’s mostly compliments about him looking soft and chubby and invites to stay with her or wont he please please please take her to the batcave shes so bored and she misses the robins, god help her she even misses the other rogues. she also misses going outside but technically a cave isnt outside so shes not breaking any rules and surely there must be enough room to be socially distant in a place that size.  batman disappears for a few hours, seemingly ignoring her request . he returns with plushies of all the rogues and batfam, and a special bat patterned facemask just for her. this earns him another not so socially distant hug with harley possibly not quite copping a feel of his new love handles and plump butt. 

this was very silly but an enjoyable write, thank you for the prompt nonnie! i must admit, im more like scarecrow than harley. i like being inside, but i worry im getting to use to it and if things return to normal (relatively speaking) i wont want to go back out again. 

i suppose that's a problem for future shep right?

got something you wanna talk about? send me an ask or a dm!💜💙💛🧡💚❤️

[obeymeaskme]

Obey Me!: Human and Demon hearts!

A/N: I've been working on a Fanfic for Obey me with a close friend of mine. It takes place after the game, and possibly in a AU. Each of my chapters are about 10 pages long, so I have split them up into sections for everyone! Please enjoy!

Chapter one: The Arrivals (1/2)

Word Count: 1,530

Rating: 18+

The world is an ever changing place. Some make a fair living, and others struggle with the flex and flow of life. Yet there were still opportunities left for two young girls looking for respite from their previous lives. Noelle, a short pudgy, artistic type who was the one to suggest moving to the countryside. Bella, Noelle’s long term friend who was searching for work, had agreed due to the open jobs in the town they had settled into. Even with their seemingly bright future, the skies above their trailer grew darker by the minute. It seemed almost unnatural to them. Noelle had paused outside while helping unpack boxes into the house. She looked up at the sky to stare at the shifting clouds, and shuddered when she caught a glimpse of lightning whip through the clouds.

“I know we're nowhere close to tornado alley out here, but I swear if these creepy clouds mean there's a storm coming, I'm not going to be happy...”

Bella laughed and stole the boxes from her hands, taking what was left of the packages.

“If you're that scared don't stand outside, silly!”

Soon enough the air was thick with humidity, and the girls made their way inside. Noelle began stretching as Bella took a seat on a stray bean bag chair and began to complain.

“I don't know what's gonna suck more. Unpacking, or trying to find our beds. I'm so tired...”

“I'm tired too. We did bring a blow up mattress. I can get that going, and one of us can hoard the bean bags...” Noelle responded with a flat tone.

“You want to sleep on the bean bags don't you?” Bella playfully accused.

Noelle gave no verbal response, and opted for just nodding as she rummaged through the boxes for the air pump and mattress.

Later on in the evening they unpacked most of the Tupperware, ate their dinner, and unfolded their bedding; Creating a small space for temporary living. In the corner of boxes they had placed a kindle that was playing a news station. Noelle had given a second shudder as the Anchor explained that the dark purple clouds was just a rare occurrence, only lasting a few days. Even when pronounced that the possible storm wasn't deadly, the atmosphere felt like it was about to crack. Furthering the girl's concerns.

Bella had crawled out of her makeshift bed, and found a box labeled “Bella's Stuffed Animalz”. The 'Z' was scrawled over the 'S' in an attempt of a joke done by her current roommate. Dumping out the contents, an armful of cow plushies, and a realistic seal squishy covered her bed. Tossing the seal towards Noelle's way she stroke up conversation about their new life. The longer they chatted, the more they yawned until finally both girls had fallen asleep. Unaware of what the next few days will bring.

Morning came, and so did the sun, but instead of golden rays, the previous forecast had turned the world around then into a filter of purples and blues. The same news station played in the background as the girls continued their adventure in unpacking boxes. After the morning had dragged on, a break was in order. It was a new day, and most of the boxes had dispersed. A sign of their hard work. Hard work that Noelle decided was to be rewarded with a trip to the nearby town. Begrudgingly Bella had agreed, and the two made their way down the road. The Town itself was nothing special. A straight way of small stores, and a handful of side roads that probably lead to other houses. Two Stomachs growled at the sight of a Pizza shop where they chose to spend lunch before they had gone window shopping.

Both the girls were fairly happy with the lack of social introductions, and the short walks to the stores were even better. It was a slow pace that they both ached for after years of past hardships and day to day life. A final destination came about, but only by the sheer magnetic allure the oddity shop had given them. The Purple banner had matched the sky above them, though the clouds seemed as if they were soon about to part. A bell jingled against the door as they walked in. Both in awe that such a store would exist in this kind of town.

The shop was a mix of herbs, Wicca and witch tools, and various other hand crafted items that seemed to sparkle on their own. The further the girls went in, the more drawn to the corner of the store they became. Very quickly they had walked up to a bland bulletin board that was littered in 'Help Wanted' and theater ads. Yet among all the paper clutter, they had both reached out to a paper advertising for a transfer program. The touching of their hands had broken them out of their trace, and they looked at each other, then back to the paper to examine it more.

The ad seemed like it was hung up a millennium ago. Stains and aged finger oils had caused the paper to look ill compared to the others. Yet the black ink border and description seemed fresh, and also most modern.

“Where does one's soul inlay in the human body? The Heart? The Mind? Or the Nature of a human's will and desire for knowledge. Come forth to the Royal Academy of Diavolo! Help Create A Peaceful Change with the Human Soul!

No School-Age-Or Degree Necessary”

Noelle chuckled as she shook her head.

“This sounds more like a cult than an Academy. ‘Cause Diavolo sounds like a cult god...”

As if on cue a creaky old voice spoke from behind them.

“So close, but no dice!”

Chills ran down the girls spine as a hunched over, yet tall elderly woman had seemingly mocked them. A blush ran across Noelle's face, and Bella had shifted from discomfort.

“Oh please, don't get so nervous. I'm only playing around. That ad you read is for a very well and respected school, that not many people get in. Well... half because not many people are interested.”

Noelle had shaken off her nerves and read the ad again, taking an application form from the packet. She considered it, and then took a second one.

“there's no number to call...”

“The RAD is a bit old fashioned, but that's precisely why they're good at what they do. Yet they somehow manage to barely hit the mark for modern day technology. I know the headmaster personally, and I tell you, if you want the experience of a lifetime, I'd risk filling one of those out.”

The Woman didn't leave. She seemed to be waiting for an answer. Only when the girls told her they'd think about it, did they get to exit the shop, and walk away from the old ladies tracking eyes. To say they got back to their small home as quickly as possible was an understatement.

After they made a beeline to the door, Bella had turned around and locked it. Giving the girls a feeling of satisfactory safety. The house was calm for once, and though the sky above had finally started clearing up Noelle's hand seemed to twitch and itch towards the papers in her bag.

“I... I kind of want to fill one out... Do you?”

“No, not really. You said it yourself, it sounds like a cult...”

“I just looked it up, and the only thing I'm finding out is that Diavolo means Devil...”

It was a false, calm, silence and both of their tangled up nerves returned as they laughed. Only to try and relieve stress. Bella shook her head and took one of the applications, and scoffed.

“I'll fill it out, but it's not like we're going to actually send them. There's not even a return address on these.”

Noelle read her paper over and over again. Bella was right. It was a basic form with Name, Number, past Achievements, and a whole other list of personality questions. The Academy symbol wasn't even on it. It came down as a simple prank to them. That woman might just be trying to scare them off. Maybe the town had a hallmark type of thing against newcomers? It didn't matter. No, now they had begun filling out the papers as a joke. They took the questions seriously. Noelle wanted to mock “Diavolo” since he'd never receive those papers. And he'd never get to read them. Soon after finishing the applications, they had thrown them out after tearing them up, and reminisced about the achievements written on the papers. Poking fun of their personality assessments telling them both that they were likely candidates.

Dusk had taken over the day, and the clouds had finally cleared. Signaling another day has gone by, and sleep once again took over the household. Leaving behind a finished home, and two cautious sleepers.

[puckbuddies]

24 hours

Andre Burakovsky x reader

2282 words

Warnings: one swear word I think

This was based on the prompt ‘A love story that begins and ends in 24 hours’

Sitting at a bar at half past eleven at night was not how you imagined your second to last day in Denver to go. The past day had been so filled with saying goodbye to your friends and family that you felt completely drained as you sat on a slightly sticky bar stool. Leaving was harder that you thought it would be. All your life, you’d dreamed of moving somewhere far away and starting your own life but now that it was actually happening, you were scared. Scared to be alone. Scared that it wouldn’t be as good as you’d imagined it to be.

Sitting on the bar before you was your second drink of the night. You regretted ordering it already, suddenly realizing getting drunk would not be a good idea. Your apartment was already packed so that wasn’t a problem, but you didn’t want to spend your last day nursing a hangover. Even if you would probably just spend it crying in your bedroom which wasn’t all that much better.

You watched the clock intensely as the last seconds of this Thursday were ticking by, cheering sarcastically as the clock hit midnight. You were actually starting to pity yourself now and though it best to just head home when a stranger took a seat on the stool next to you. quickly looking over, you gave him a closemouthed smile while you continued packing your stuff. What you didn’t expect, was the stranger to start talking to you. you were so stuck in your head that you almost missed the hey he directed at you.

Looking up at him again, you saw that he was now full on smiling at you. while you were very confused as to why this man was paying you any attention, you still answered him, giving him a hi of your own. Yours was said in a confused tone which he didn’t seem to pick up on.

“I’m Andre.” was all he said. You waited for a moment, expecting something else to follow but nothing came.

“I’m Y/n, can I help you with something?” You weren’t interested in being picked up tonight so you decided that if that was what he wanted, you had to be clear.

“I saw you sitting here by yourself and I wanted to keep you company. You seemed kind of sad.”

You were surprised and a little embarrassed that it was so easy to pick up on your mood. The whole bar had probably been staring at the weird lonely girl by the bar and your cheeks reddened at the thought.

“No not in that way!” Andre let out when he saw your reaction. “It wasn’t that obvious, I was just already looking at you so I saw.” Your cheeks now lit up for a different reason. Even if you weren’t planning on going home with him -which you realized was his plan-, Andre was still very attractive and you were flattered.

Putting you coat and wallet back on the bar, you turned to him fully.

“Look Andre, you’re very attractive but I’m not planning on going home with you so you can just go back to your friends.”

You were frustrated. Your day had been shit and you didn’t want to deal with this right now, wanting nothing more that to just forget about everything and be sad by yourself.

“We can just talk.”

He was not giving up at all.

Staring at him with hard eyes did nothing to stop him from smirking at you so you just decided to go with it. You didn’t have anything else to do after all. Sighing heavily made his smile even wider somehow.

“So what are you doing here by yourself at midnight on a Thursday?”

“I’m celebrating my last day in Denver before I move to the other side of the world. And by celebrating I mean hating my existence.”

You rolled your empty wineglass in between your hands while you waited for Andre to process what you had just said. You shouldn’t spill your problems to a complete stranger at a bar, but he asked for it and you needed to vent.

“It’s your last day?” His head was slightly tilted to the side in a questioning manner and he vaguely looked like a puppy. Feeling like an answer wasn’t necessary, you just nodded your head.

“Well what are you doing in a bar then? Surely there are better ways to spend your evening.”

“Like what?” You couldn’t deny that his enthusiasm was making you feel better. He looked like a person that found everything excited and to be honest, you desperately needed that right now.

“I don’t know, walk around the city. Go exploring or something. Honestly anything would be better than sitting here.” At this point Andre was pretty much shouting. A few people had already turned around to look at you two but you didn’t really care. All your attention was on the man in front of you who was really tall you just noticed as he stood up.

“Come on.”

It was accompanied by Andre holding his hands out for you to take. You shouldn’t have taken them but you did figuring that if you got murdered, at least you didn’t need to get on a plane for eleven hours.

Before you could leave, Andre had to get his coat from his original table. you stood back, not wanting to intrude in the group. But even standing at the exit, you could hear him calming down the shouts of encouragement his friends were giving him. You didn’t really care that they thought you were going home with them as you would likely never see them again.

Andre walked up to you with somewhat of a blush on his cheeks but it didn’t stop him from grabbing your hand after he opened the door for you.

At first it was kind of awkward. You were just walking in silence while Andre was googling the best places to visit in Denver. You didn’t want to pay too much attention to the fact that he was still holding your hand, so you just ignored it.

“Ooh, we could go to the botanic gardens. I’ve never been but it seems cool.”

You started laughing so hard you had to stop walking and by the confused look on Andre’s face, he had no idea what was happening.

“Andre, it’s quite literally the middle of the night, how would we ever get in?”

“Ow oops I didn’t think about that.”

He was adorable. You could tell he really wanted to make tonight fun for you even if you were just a stranger and you really appreciated it. If it wasn’t for Andre you would be crying into your bag of chips right now.

“Maybe you should lead the tour, you’ve probably lived here longer than I have.” He continued.

You thought about it. What to do in Denver at one am. The answer was nothing.

“To be honest, I don’t think anything is open right now. Maybe we should go home.”

Andre turned to you in protest. “No we can’t do that, I promised you we’d go exploring.”

After a while of arguing back and forth, you both came to the agreement to just walk around the city. In the whole time you lived in Denver, you’d never really walked at night, having never felt safe to do so. With Andre however, you didn’t need to worry about someone kidnapping you. He might’ve had the personality of a golden retriever, but he was tall enough to tower over the average person.

During your exploration, you talked. He told you about hockey and his life back home in Sweden after you mentioned his accent. You talked about your new job in London and your worries surrounding the topic. He was a good listener, only butting in when he felt like he needed to reassure you about something.

You would’ve liked to have met him sooner. Everything about Andre made you feel good. Looking back, it had been really reckless to just leave with a stranger, but it had turned out so much better than you could’ve ever imagined. You couldn’t help but think about how things would be if it wasn’t the last time you’d ever see him.

It felt like you had only just left the bar when the sun started coming up. You didn’t feel tired. On the contrary, you felt more energized than you had all week. Something in Andre brought out the best in you.

When the sun was all the way up and the city became more alive, you started looking for a place to eat. You chose a small brunch place at the edge of the city that Andre swore had the best French toast.

Finally sitting down on the terrace, you realized just how long you had been walking. Your feet were absolutely killing you.

“So when’s your flight?”

“I need to be at the airport at two pm, but my stuff is still at my apartment.”

“That means we have about four more hours to fill.”

The clock above the door did indeed show eight am. You’d been walking since one. You still couldn’t really wrap your head around how crazy the past day had been. You’d gone from existential crisis, to being as happy as you could remember. And it was not only your day that had changed, but also your expectations of the future.

While you were still scared about how London was going to treat you, Andre had done everything he could to make you feel more at ease about the situation. He told you about moving to Denver from DC and how scared he had been only for it to turn into the best year of his career. It made you realize that while you were happy here, you wanted more of a challenge and yes, that is scary, but you also really needed it.

“So I know we agreed to just walk around, but I have one place I would like to go to.”

You had been nervous to bring it up before but you weren’t now. The place you meant was a small park in the east of the city. It was relatively close to your apartment and you used to go there the time you fostered a dog. There were never any people in the park and it was slightly overgrown, but it reminded you of peace.

Andre agreed to go to the park you wanted and after having paid for your meal -which he did when you were in the bathroom, otherwise you would have never agreed- you were on your way again, walking slower this time as the night had really done a number on your legs.

As it was now a normal hour to be out in the city, you decided to go see at least one tourist attraction while you could, this being the zoo. You both acted like total tourists while you were there, taking pictures with all of the animals and even buying matching stingray plushies.

By the time you reached your park, you were completely exhausted. The constant walking and the all-nighter left you feeling like you would sleep through your entire flight.

You could see Andre was not impressed by your choice but he didn’t say anything. Most likely to not upset you. To be fair to him, it looked terrible. The grass hadn’t been mowed for maybe a month and the benches were most definitely not clean.

When you told him why you wanted to visit the place one last time, you could see in his eyes he understood. And while it was your last time being in this park, Andre insisted it would be you who pushed him on the swings.

Realistically, you knew you wouldn’t see him again. Tomorrow you would be on the other side of the world and it would be nearly impossible to stay in contact with time zones working against you. so you decided to not overthink for once and just do what you wanted to do.

With Andre still sitting on the swing, it was a lot easier to press your lips against his. He gripped your hips immediately, almost as if he was waiting for this moment to come. It was him who pulled away first and the first thing you saw when you opened your eyes was his doped grin. The kind that made you want to burst out in laughter.

“Thank you Andre. You didn’t have to do this but you did and I’m so grateful. Today was one of the best days I’ve had in a long time.”

He looked down. For the first time, you saw his usually happy expression change into one of pain. His response came after a minute of silence.

“You don’t have to thank me. For some reason I felt like we were just meant to meet in that bar.”

And it was true. You felt like that as well.

You walked back to your apartment in comfortable silence, his hand in yours like it had been when you started this adventure. It was bittersweet, meeting someone you connected with so well only to have them being taken away from you so soon but you were so so glad you had met Andre. He changed your perspective on a lot of things.

An hour later, you were on a plane with the only thing reminding you of him the pictures on your phone, the plushie in your bag, the sound of his voice still ringing in your ears, and the feeling on your lips.

[voidcat]

– The Calm of the Night

Characters: Bokuto Koutarou/reader

Word Count: 2k

Genre: fluff, established relationship

requested by anon, I rlly needed (to write) that ty for requesting this!!

Lying down on the bed, you listen to the silent calling of the city.

It feels quiet, too quiet. Almost like the calm before the storm. You suppose, in a way it is the calm before the storm, the nationals approaching fast and steady. The day waited by many has come already.

Closing your eyes, you try to imagine what your friends must be feeling like right now, what they’re doing. Are they up making plans, deciding on strategy? Watching videotapes of the team they will be going against tomorrow? Hugging your Nemo plushy to your chest tighter, you wonder how Bokuto must be feeling, picture him sitting down with the others, discussing. He’s probably standing, making too many gestures as he speaks, plotting what moves to use, what strategy to follow…

The calm of the night time is disturbed with a ding. Reaching for your phone blindly, you hear a knock on the door. So you get up and walk, phone clutched in one hand, looking for another object to use for defense in case of an emergency. As you tiptoe to peep through the hole, another notification from your phone startles you. Glaring down at it, only for your shoulders to ease when you see the name, you open the door to the one and only Bokuto Koutarou.

He looks guilty for waking you up that late and opens his mouth to say something, probably an apology. Shushing him with a finger on his lips, you close the door and grab his hand, dragging him to your bedroom. Because you don’t need an apology or an explanation. Not when you see the look on his face, not when you see his eyes. They tell it all.

Silent steps in sync, he goes to sit on your bed as you put your phone down. When you turn to him, you see his gaze examining each object in your room, eyes going from one place to another, never staying still; as if it’s his first time here. Resting your hands on your desk and leaning back against it, you watch the fascinated look of his with a smile to match his. You can’t help but wonder what must be going through his head now, what memories each object must be bringing. Once he is done, his eyes land on yours and you swear you see the light in them only get brighter.

“You have made few changes since the last time I came.” He says in a whisper. Pushing yourself off the desk, you start walking to him. Placing your hands on his shoulders, you let your weight make the both of you fall back on the bed. “The last time you came, we were studying. There were books everywhere.” Before you can position yourself to rest your head on his chest, he straightens with you in his arms and lies down on the bed properly. Maybe a pillow or two to support your heads isn’t such a bad idea.

Now lying, in his arms, it feels much better. Yet his attention seems to be focused elsewhere. “You still keep him around?”

You reach for the Nemo plushy. “Of course. He keeps me company whenever you can’t.”

He mumbles a silent ‘sorry’. Placing him aside, you wrap your arm around him. “Don’t be. It’s impossible to be together all the time. Plus what would poor Nemo do if you were by my side 7/24? He would be lonely too.”

“I’d have no choice but to bring the one I have back home then.” A smirk can be heard and felt from his words.

With that you snuggle to him further and listen to his heartbeat. It sounds as relaxing as ever. It sounds like home. You can’t help but wonder if your heartbeats are as in sync as your footsteps. They must be.

As time goes and no more words are exchanged, the vague ticks of your watch reach your ears once in a while, you let yourself get lost in the embrace. Having moments like this is not rare for you maybe, but you like to savor each and every.

The wind gets quieter and your heartbeats get louder together, you try looking up to his face. It proves to be difficult from your position, all the movement you’ve made in the process gathering Bo’s attention. No more getting curious whether he has fallen asleep or not.

“What’s on your mind?”

He is the first to ask though you are dying to know how he feels. “Nothing much, just thinking about you.”

“Thinking about me?” The smile in his voice evident, you can sense him move a little. “What for? I’m right here.”

“I know. I want to find out what goes in here-“ you stroke over his heart lightly “and here.” Another light touch you leave over his head.

Reaching over to hold your hand, he plants a kiss on the back of it, then inside your palm. He guides your hands his chest, his hand resting atop yours. “If this is an alternative way of asking about tomorrow, I feel as usual as the day before any match, I suppose.” You hum back in response and listen to his breathing.

When Bokuto speaks again, it takes you a few seconds to answer. A second to realize he’s talking to you, another second you realize it’s a question and a third one to focus on the question itself, only to hear nothing. You must’ve missed it. “Huh? Can you repeat that?”

He lets out a short giggle, the vibration of his chest shaking you too. “I was asking how you were feeling. You seemed to doze off too much nowadays.” A soft smile appears on your face, even now he worries more about you than himself, his team and his game.

“I guess with time passing so fast and Nationals around the corner, I’ve grown more and more worried of the future.”

He doesn’t respond immediately and you don’t expect him to. Just laying down with him, in the dead of the night, away from everything and everyone. It feels like a getaway from life, time feels it has stopped, all your worries have flied off your head; until your boyfriend asks about them of course.

It is left unsaid but it hangs in the air. “You can talk about it if you’d like to. You can tell me what has been causing these worries and we can find a solution to them, take a first step in ending them.”

Even when he’s the one who should be worried, stressed, restless or afraid; he still puts them aside to worry about you and for you. It reminds you once again how big and made of gold his heart is. Despite the goofy air he has about him on the daily; seeing him, watching him and being in presence of him brings you hope; hope for what’s to come, hope for humanity.

He feels out of this world, a hero from storybooks and the old tales you were told all these years ago.

“It must be the people around me I’ve seen recently. How some of our friends have started breaking up because they don’t think they can make it work when they go to separate colleges.” Bokuto quirks an eyebrow at that, something you don’t need to see to know it is happening. “And some people I’ve talked to before, for career choices. How sad and miserable they’d sounded when they told me they picked something they loved for their jobs, only to grow to hate it. You should’ve seen their faces or heard them speak, it was heartbreaking.”

“Maybe it’s the thought of falling out of love with something in the future that worries me.” You add lastly, barely in a whisper.

His first response to your words is to tighten his arms around you, deepen the embrace in a ‘I’m-here-for-you’ way. You can feel the warmth spread from his chest to yours with the gesture, a temporary consolation but it works for now. You return the action by burying your face to his chest.

“If your concern includes us, please do not get worked up and worry yourself over that. Just because some people around us have fallen out doesn’t mean we will too.” You think of replying back “I know that too.” But you don’t find it in you to open your mouth, move your tongue and make the words come out. And so continues Bokuto.

“We love one another and know it too. Few meters or kilometers wouldn’t make a difference, for we carry one another in our hearts.” This time, you tighten your hold of him and nod a few times, to show that you believe and know this fully. He lets out a soft laugh at the sudden movement by his side.

“Well, maybe physical touch can become a problem. But not one we cannot work around. Our love was never physical to begin with after all.” His words providing a much needed comfort and a reminder. "And do not pay attention to those who have sulken?? within their jobs. It is never out of your hands to take the charge, to let it stay as joyful as the first day or become mundane.” After that the two of you fall back into silence, this time it’s calm and welcoming, just like his scent.

As time passes and the night grows tired, his heartbeats indicate he is lying awake still. Clearing your throat, you decide to speak up. “I will wish you good luck in formality tomorrow but not mean it, just so you know.”

As you wait for a change in his behavior or a response, nothing rises out of him. Taking it as a cue of waiting, you continue speaking.

“Because I know you will give it your all. You don’t need such a thing as luck, when you are you and have this amazing team to play with side by side.” He kisses the top of your head, as you finish your sentence. You can feel your smile get wider and feel his in the kiss.

Rolling over, you break free of his arms and open the top drawer of your nightstand. “However, this does not mean I didn’t make a little something for tomorrow.” Putting the little braided keychain in his hand, you leave a kiss on his lips. He tries kissing back a second too late as you draw back, which results with him kissing the air. This erupts a muffled laughter from the both of you.

As he raises it in the air to examine, you lean on one arm and watch his face.

Once done examining and putting it inside his pocket, Bokuto turns to face you fully. “Something tells me it’s more than just a little something ‘for my game tomorrow’.”

“It’s a piece of me too. Or, a piece from me. For the future to come, be it together or not.”

“The future we will live to the fullest, together. The only way I am accepting this is as a promise. The promise of a future that awaits the both of us. A life time to spend side by side. No ‘falling-out-of-love’s,-“ As you open your mouth to mumble a reply, he holds your free hand with his. “-no ‘but’s. Give me this one promise and let us worry for the future together. We can worry for the yeast we prepared not being good enough or for eating too many eclairs. We can worry about midterms and matches that await us and laugh them off once we are done with them… How does that sound instead?” His smile never falters as he speaks, eyes shining like two bright stars guiding the lost ones in the woods, like a lighthouse showing the way to sailors. The same caring eyes, seems to be holding the same warmth when you first saw them; yet it feels the intensity only keeps multiplying, redefining its own limits, shining brighter than ever.

“Sounds like a better worrying scenario than mine.” Leaning over to steal another kiss, one he does not miss this time, you fall back into the comfort of his arms. With the blink of an eye, you fall into deep slumber together, not even the dreams separating your minds and hearts.

[elzetastuff]

Date Night

Paimon: “New mail!”

Lumine: “Huh?” sees the small box “What is it Paimon? Another set of primogems?”

Paimon: “Better! it smells like food inside!” drolls “Paimon can't wait to see what's inside*

Lumine: rolls eyes “You and your fascination for food. And who sent it?”

Paimon: “Oh! There was a letter for you along with the box!”

Paimon gives the small scroll to Lumine. The traveler opens it and sees a small message inside

Lumine: “Its from Keqing”

Paimon: “Oh! Is that the girl we met at the Guizhong Ballista when we were looking how to enter the jade chamber? and after that you two started to know each other better?”

Lumine: “Yep. well, something like that. It looks like its her birthday today”

Paimon: “Oh really?! Paimon loves Birthdays! We should make a gift for her! Or better yet, a cake!”

Lumine: “I'm not going to bake her a cake made of slimes, Paimon”

Paimon: “Hey, what's wrong with cooked slimes? They're delicious!”

Lumine:“You spend too much time with Xiangling… Oh wait.”

Paimon: “What? what does it say? Please tell Paimon what does the letter say!”

Lumine: “It says she has been busy for two days to finish all her work, and since its her birthday she wants to show me around Liyue harbor tonight..”

Paimon: “Oh! That sounds fun! There are a lot of good shops that sell funny gadgets and toys. and lots of delicious food! Paimon wants to join too”

Lumine: “I dont think it will be possible Paimon”

Paimon: “What? why not?!”

Lumine: “The letter says “We can spend some leisure time time shopping together, just the two of us”

Paimon: “What?! that's so unfair! Paimon wants to go- Oh wait, Paimon starts to realize something”

Lumine: “Eh?”

Paimon: giggles “Paimon cant go with the traveler because the traveler has a date tonight!”

Lumine: “What?! No, Paimon, it's not a date, Im sure its just to show her gratitude after what happened with the overlord with the vortex”

Paimon: “Fufufu, is that so? and then why is the traveler blushing now?”

Lumine: hides her red cheeks “I'm not blushing, and don't start teasing me”

Paimon: sings “ The traveler has a date, the traveler has a date!”

Lumine: “What are you? a five year old kid?”

Paimon: “Oh don't be so grumpy, Paimon can still help you searching for a good gift for your date tonight”

Lumine: Sighs “Why you have to be so annoying..:”

Later, that night, Lumine was waiting near the Liyue harbor, with a small gift box on her hands

Lumine: sighs “I cant believe Paimon made me buy this gift.:”

???: “Oh, you arrived early. I was expecting to arrive first and wait for you”

Lumine: “Huh?”

Lumine looks at her right and some meters away, Keqing was approaching with some more casual purple clothes

Keqing: “I apologize if I make you wait too long. I had to finish some details in my clothing so I wouldn't be recognized so easily by the citizens and merchants of Liy- Uhm, are you alright?”

Lumine blushes as she clungs her heart “First Mondstalt, now Liyue, why does everyone have to be so freaking gorgeous?!”

Lumine: clears her voice and smiles “Oh, its nothing, I feel fine, you don't have to worry I just arrived too”

Keqing: “Oh, that's a relief. So, there's a few shops that I want to take a look at, shall we go now?”

Lumine: “wait! before we start, uhm… heres a gift” handles the box to keqing

Keqing: “Oh? ¿A gift? well.. you didn't have to, you know”

Lumine: “Maybe, but Paimon insisted and, well, it would be weird if I didn't bring anything for your party, considering you gave me a box this morning”

Keqing: “Oh, it was just a small treat, after all you did for this nation, I feel that-!”

Keqing opens the box and her eyes widened and blushes

Keqing: “W-What is this?”

Lumine: giggles nervously: “Paimon told me you may have liked it. I'm still not sure why but, if you don't like then-”

Keqing: “N-No! I didn't say I didn't like it, but uhm” holding a Rex Lapis plushie “I didn't expect someone would give me something like this . It's a really unexpected surprise, but a very welcomed one”

Lumine: “O-Oh is that so? t-then I'm glad to hear it!”

Keqing: “Of course, I would not throw a gift like this, despite that I'm not that interested in Rex Lapis”

Lumine: “Oh, it was Paimons idea, not mine”

Keqing: “I understand” hugs the plushie closer to her “So, let's start shopping then?”

Lumine: nods “Let's begin*

After some hours shopping, watching new gadgets, artifacts, and buying some food, the two girls walked along with each other, talking, smiling and laughing together

Keqing: “What did you buy in that bag?”

Lumine: “Oh, this? Just some artifacts I may need in the future. I remembered I should upgrade my sword again”

Keqing: “I think you spend too much time in the forge, lumine”

Lumine: “I'm just there in the mornings, before I go to another adventure”

Keqing: “Don't you get bored of adventuring too much?”

Lumine: “mhmm, sometimes, but there's always interesting and new stories with each new day. and besides, I'm never alone in this journey, there's always Paimon next to me and others who have joined me in one of my adventures”

Keqing: “That sounds… pretty nice. Maybe one day I can join too, but work is always busy”

Lumine: “I understand. but don't worry. Maybe one day we will go on an adventure, for for tonight, I'm glad to spend some time with you”

Keqing: blushes “Im.. Im happy to hear that from you, Lumine..:”

???: “Lumine!”

Lumine: “Huh? *looks behind* Xiangling?”

Xiangling: carrying a knocked out Paimon “Hey there you are!”

Keqing: “Woah, what happened with her?”

Xiangling: “That's why I came for! We were enjoying my new plates when she suddenly fell to the floor! Would she be alright?”

Paimon: “Too many… slimes…”

Lumine: sighs “She may have a food induced coma again… Don't worry Xiangling, she will sleep all night”

Lumine grabs Paimon and she carries her in her arms. the little pixie rests her head on her shoulder as she mumbles something ininteligible

Xiangling: “Oh that's a relief! I thought she got poisoned or something, since I tried to wake her up and nothing happened”

Keqing: “Im worried about your dishes sometimes, Xiangling…”

Lumine: softly smiles “Its okay, I think she will be fine”

Xiangling: “Alright! So, I have to go back to the kitchen, you guys can visit me tomorrow if you want lunch or breakfast!”

as Xiangling leaves, Keqing looks at the small fairy groaning and drooling on Lumine's shoulder “Is she really okay?”

Lumine: “It's just Paimon, sometimes she doesnt down when to stop eating”

Keqing:“I wonder how much she can eat with such a small body”

Lumine: “Oh, you will be surprised, I assure you, I will just have to tug her on bed and she will be back to normality”

Keqing:“Oh, well, since you have to go back to take care of her, and most stores are going to close for the night… there's a place that I want to visit”

Lumine: “Eh, sure, where?”

Keqing: “The Yujing Terrace, come follow me”

Lumine: “The Yujing Terrace? Do you think we can go there now?”

Keqing:“Of course we can, and don't worry too much, as long as you're closer to me, no geoarmy soldier should ask you why are you up there.”

The two girls , plus the sleeping Paimon being carried on Lumines arms, walked in silence, until they arrived to the terrace

Lumine: “Wait, This is..”

Keqing:“The place where the Rite of Descension took place. I know you were here that day. and since then, the nation of Liyue changed forever, thanks to its citizens, the adepti, and you, of course”

The two approached to the roof where they could see all the lights of the city”

Lumine: “It's beautiful..”

Keqing: “It's the lights of a new Liyue. It's truly precious..”

Keqing stares for a few seconds to Lumine as she stares at the view of the city in the night and the stars

Keqing: “Truly beautiful..”

Keqing: “So, I hear you were looking to travel to Inazuma?”

Lumine: “O-Oh? Well, yes. I still have to keep going. I'm planning to visit every nation, after all”

Keqing: “It will be difficult, to enter to Inazuma, but since I don't see you carrying a vision with you, you shouldn't have an issue”

Lumine: “I dont think not having a vision would be a problem. Looking for a ship to bring me there, in the other hand”

Keqing: “If you need a hand, I can help to contact a captain for you”

Lumine: “Would you do that for me?”

Keqing: “After all you did for Liyue, its the least thing I can do… but with a small condition”

Lumine: “What is it?”

Keqing: “Once you finish your tasks at Inazuma… promise me you will come back”

The two girls blush a bit. but soon, Lumine smiles and nods

Lumine: “I promise I will go back, and I will tell you everything about Inazuma once I my adventure in that nation ends”

Keqing: smiles “I'm happy to hear that. Miss traveler”

They giggle for a minute as they stare at each other for a while. Then Keqing clears her voice

Keqing: “Anyway. I should go to sleep soon. My job always starts early in the morning. you and your friend should have some rest too”

Lumine: “I will make sure Paimon rests well. thank you”

Keqing: “So, you know how to leave the Yuying terrace on your own, right?”

Lumine: “Well, of course, I have been here a few times, but not at night, maybe if I use the wings I-!”

Suddenly, something softs touches Lumines cheek, shocking her, along with a small *chu* kiss

The traveler was frozen in place as Keqing kissed her cheek. then she pulls her face away with a big blush

Keqing: “S-So anyways, Haveagoodnight!”

Using her vision to escape and run like a lighting bolt, Keqing quickly disappeared, leaving Lumine in a frozen state as she touched her left cheek, still not believing it

Paimon: groaning “So cold.. need blanket…” opens eyes “Oh, it's your traveler, that's strange. The last thing Paimon remembers was eating a cake of anemo slime and chocolate. Did Paimon fell asleep again”

Lumine: “....”

Paimon: “Lumine? Hey Paimon’s talking to you! Why is your face so red?”

Lumine: “... best, night, ever..:”