#miso the ghost cat

[dp-time-police]

“While in truth, we had shared the same economics course and had one or two idle conversations, I place the moment of significant contact to be a week after my... incident. I knew her by a different name, back then. She had been my first, and only, visitor.

Her presence there had brought both confusion and comfort. A stranger had deigned to see me when my own family and friends could not be bothered to even send a heartfelt letter, much less show their faces. The unexpected gesture left me feeling numb. I could not muster the energy to be angry with her there, not when she was blameless. The true wrongdoers had been conveniently absent until then and, much to my increasing bitterness, would continue to remain so for the duration of my stay in the hospital. It wouldn't be until much later that I'd realize what a boon that would prove to be.”

“Hikari's visits would start off brief, but meaningful. A tape recorder here and there with the day's lesson, written notes or books other times, home-cooked food always... With my speech hindered by the wraps covering my face, I was certain my unexpected guest would grow tired of the one-sided conversations and eventually cease coming. But I was wrong. Instead of deterring her, this hurdle only seemed to embolden her, and soon Hikari would come up with ways for me to contribute as well. A notebook for penning down thoughts. A whiteboard for more creative endeavors and quick messages. And other... out of the box methods.”

“Years later, those notebooks are still dearly kept in the drawer of my desk.

Nothing could satisfy the inherent need to speak, however, which is why I was tremendously happy when the bandages got removed, a mere month into my imprisonment in that sterile tomb. And yet, neither of us were prepared for the sight that accompanied my regained liberty.”

“There was... nothing.

The doctors had warned me that my ailment would leave me permanently disfigured. No one with the kind of angry, sensitive eruptions I had sported until then would have any chance of coming out unscathed. I hadn't needed a medical professional telling me that for me to know. But my skin was pristine and looked somehow healthier than when I first landed in that forsaken hellscape. I was, decidedly, wary. Hikari, while also hesitant, erred more on the side of overjoyed. I could finally leave! The discomfort was gone for the most part, and medical diagnostics would clear me of any serious issues. With a mild prescription and orders of bed rest, I was finally out of the woods.”

“I should have known better... “

“I did know better. “

“But knowing did not lessen the utter torture that would follow.”

“It was at this point where I had come to realize just how dire my situation truly was. Maybe I was in denial until then. The hospital was far from equipped to handle interdimensional materials. It was at this moment, with the sun setting on my life, that I realized I would be confined to that suffocating prison. That bed was my cell. My coffin. My tomb.”

“For better or worse, she stayed. Even through the mounting pain, the dizzy spells, my body betraying me... She had been brave all throughout. My dear wisteria, the love of my life. I could see the fear and concern in her eyes even with the optimistic front she put on. Even when an inferno fiercer than anything I could ever imagine burned me from the inside out, boiled and melted my insides and forged me anew, seared my mind until I couldn't think past the agony, she stayed with me. When my eyes glowed with a bloodthirsty crimson and claws gripped and ripped through the bedding.”

“When the staff had to strap me down to keep me from hurting myself or others --thankfully without witnessing the inhuman features…”

“She continued distracting me with tales and inane topics.”

“Even when I lashed out at her and hurt her like the wounded, mindless animal that I was becoming...

Even in those days when I wished I could just... If only it would all just... 

…..

Even then, she would not give up on me. She had steadily become the only one to believe in my harshly dwindling chances of recovery, as the months passed and I only ever got worse, not better.

I wouldn't be able to take this merciless treatment for much longer, of course. Try as I might, I was still at least half human at that point, and there is only so much the human body could withstand before it draws the line and shuts down. I'm only thankful that that threshold was crossed before my psyche would fail me more than it did, and with an accidental parting gift from my beloved, no less.

She bestowed upon me her true, self-chosen name and from then on had been known in my heart and soul as Hikari Kondo instead of the name she was born with."

"Yet, as blissful darkness finally took me, a year into this nightmarish ordeal, I was still not spared… and neither was she. But I shall spare you the following year of near close calls and uncertainty. It wouldn't be my story to tell, after all. I was in a coma and as such wouldn't prove a very accurate source of information on that front.”

. . .

“… And I do believe I have divulged enough, on this particular topic. After all, it satisfies the question. I met my wife after a certain buffoon and his oblivious girlfriend caused the very accident that mercilessly and ruthlessly set me down on the path I now walk. I suppose I… could be a little grateful for the situation, as I would not have my wife now if not for them.”

“...”

“You know what? No! They not only caused me years of pain and suffering, but they also left me to perish alone. And I did, in fact, die in that horrendous cot. I owe them nothing.

Now, I believe we are done her- Miso? Miso whatdoyouhaveinyourmouth–”

Part 2 coming soon

HUUUUUGE THANKS to @feralsrock !! For the lovely ask and the infinite patience!

[h4nj1sunggg]

who? minsung x fem!reader genre: drabble a/n: I'm so sorry for not posting much but my exam session is killing me, I'll be back in two weeks!! wait for me >:)

minsung poly! where y/n is looking for some cat's food in a small shop, talking on the phone with a friend about the crazy idea of being a cat mom in her 20s, totally not expecting to see minsung kissing gin the hall where cat toys are.. and they notice her after, her mouth open wide in surprised like 'what the actual fuck is that', them being confused but then they notice the freaking miso's photo card on your pic holder attached to the bag that you're holding up.

"calling you later," you whispers a the phone, trying to take a step back and going from where you were coming, when a voice stops you, "wait!"

Your heart races as you clutch the phone in one hand and your bag in the other, fully prepared to disappear back down the aisle. But before you can make your grand escape, the voice stops you.

“Wait!” It’s Jisung. Of course, it’s Jisung. His voice is unmistakable—soft yet commanding in a way that sends chills down your spine.

Every instinct in your body screams at you to keep walking, to pretend you didn’t see the two men you’ve idolized for years kissing in the middle of a cat aisle like it’s the most normal thing in the world. But your feet betray you, and you turn around, clutching your phone and bag like they’re shields against the chaos you just witnessed.

“What?” you croak out, your voice shaky. Your gaze is glued to a suspiciously fluffy cat bed on the shelf behind them, absolutely refusing to make eye contact.

“Hey, no need to act like you just saw a ghost,” Jisung says, his tone light but clearly uneasy. “We’re just… uh, hanging out?”

“Is that what they call it?” you mutter under your breath, still avoiding their eyes as your brain replays the scene on loop like a cursed gif.

Minho, who has been silent so far, steps closer, arms crossed, and raises an eyebrow at your reaction. “You look like we’ve traumatized you for life.”

You blink rapidly, gripping your bag tighter. “I—uh—nope, not traumatized,” you lie, your voice an octave too high. “Just… buying cat food. Totally normal day. Nothing weird happened. Haha!”

It’s a terrible attempt at deflection, and they both know it.

Jisung looks between you and Minho, clearly trying not to laugh. “Are you… scared of us?” he asks, tilting his head like a confused puppy. “We’re not gonna eat you or something.”

“That’s what someone scary would say,” you blurt out before you can stop yourself. You cringe immediately, heat rushing to your face. “I mean, no! I’m fine. This is fine. You guys do… whatever you’re doing. I’ll just…” You gesture vaguely toward the opposite end of the aisle. “…go that way.”

“Not before you explain this,” Minho says, pointing to the photo card of them hanging from your bag.

Your soul leaves your body. “Oh, that? It’s… uh… it came with the bag?” you try, wincing internally. Minho’s unimpressed stare tells you he isn’t buying it.

“She’s a fan,” Jisung says, grinning like he’s cracked some big mystery. “Right? That’s why you’re so weird right now—you know us.”

“Who? Me? A fan?” You laugh awkwardly, taking a shaky step back. “No idea what you’re talking about.”

Minho rolls his eyes, clearly over the theatrics. “You’ve got Minsung’s photo card on your bag, and you’re buying cat food. Do you think we’re dumb?”

You open your mouth to argue, but all that comes out is a strangled squeak. The reality of the situation hits you all over again: you just caught two of your favorite idols making out, and now they’re grilling you in a pet store aisle.

“Nope. Nope, I can’t do this,” you mutter, shaking your head and taking another step back. “I didn’t see anything. This didn’t happen. You guys don’t exist. Bye.”

Minho and Jisung exchange a quick glance as you attempt to bolt, but Jisung steps forward, his hands raised like he’s trying to calm a frightened animal. “Wait, wait, wait! Just… can we talk? Please? We don’t bite. Minho looks scary, but I promise he’s harmless.”

“I am scary,” Minho deadpans, but the flicker of concern in his eyes betrays him.

You freeze mid-step, throwing them a look over your shoulder. “Talk? About what? How you were just kissing in public, where literally anyone could see you? What were you thinking?”

Minho’s jaw tightens. “We didn’t exactly plan on putting on a show,” he says coolly. “It’s not like this place is packed.”

“Packed or not, I saw it!” you hiss, jabbing a finger at yourself. “A fan. Do you know how risky that is? What if I wasn’t—” You stop yourself, realizing you’re dangerously close to spilling your entire identity as a devoted STAY. “What if I wasn’t, you know… normal about this?”

Jisung blinks at you, a little taken aback. “You’re not exactly being normal now, to be fair.”

You glare at him, and his grin falters as Minho nudges him hard in the ribs. “Not helping,” Minho mutters under his breath before turning back to you. “Okay, fine. You caught us. We get it. But you’re not going to, like… shout it from the rooftops or something, right?”

You blink at him. “Shout it from the rooftops? Do I look like someone who’s ready to start a scandal? I’m too busy trying to figure out how to scrub this from my memory.” You shake your head, exhaling sharply. “Seriously, what were you thinking? You’re Lee Minho and Han Jisung, not two random guys in love at a grocery store. You cannot just… make out next to the catnip and hope no one notices.”

Jisung winces, glancing nervously down the aisle. “Okay, yeah, when you put it like that, it sounds bad.”

“It is bad,” you emphasize, lowering your voice but still gesturing wildly. “Do you have any idea how many fans would lose their minds over this? You’re so lucky it was me and not some TikTok-obsessed fangirl ready to post a blurry video.”

Minho’s expression shifts to something like mild panic, his cool demeanor cracking just enough to reveal a hint of worry. “Okay, okay, we get it. You made your point. But you’re not going to tell anyone, right?”

“Why should I?” you counter, crossing your arms. “I’m just saying, maybe next time, don’t risk it. Especially not in a pet store of all places.”

Jisung leans toward Minho, whispering loud enough for you to hear, “She’s scarier than my mom.”

Minho’s lips twitch into a smirk. “She’s got a point, though.”

You huff, adjusting the strap of your bag. “Look, I don’t want to ruin your lives or anything. I just… didn’t expect to see that when I came in here to buy cat food. So if we can all agree to pretend this didn’t happen, I’ll just—”

“You promise?” Minho cuts in, his sharp eyes locking onto yours. It’s not intimidating—it’s pleading.

You raise an eyebrow at him. “What, do you want me to sign an NDA or something?”

As you turn to leave, Minho suddenly calls out, “Wait.”

You freeze mid-step, again. Slowly, you turn back around, eyebrows raised in disbelief. “What now? Are you going to ask me to swear on my future cat’s life or something?”

Minho smirks faintly at your sarcasm but doesn’t take the bait. “No. I just think we should… exchange numbers.”

Your eyes narrow. “Exchange numbers? For what?”

“For… secret privacy,” he says, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

“Secret privacy?” you repeat, deadpan.

Jisung snickers beside him, biting back a laugh. “Wow, hyung, that’s not suspicious at all.”

Minho glares at him before returning his attention to you. “Look, in case something happens. You know, if you accidentally let something slip or decide to post about this.” He shrugs. “I’d like a way to contact you.”

You blink, processing his words. “So, what? You’re giving me your number as a bribe to keep my mouth shut?”

“More like insurance,” Minho corrects, crossing his arms.

“Insurance,” you echo. “Right. Because that doesn’t sound shady at all.”

“Hey, you’re the one who saw us kissing in a pet store,” Minho counters, raising an eyebrow. “You’re not exactly in the position to judge.”

You open your mouth to argue, but Jisung chimes in, grinning. “To be fair, he’s got a point. This is all a little… unconventional, isn’t it?”

You groan, pinching the bridge of your nose. “Fine. Give me your number. But if you start spamming me with cat memes or asking for cat food recommendations, I’m blocking you.”

Minho pulls out his phone, his smirk widening. “Noted.”

“Wait, hold on,” Jisung interrupts, eyes sparkling with mischief. “If she gets your number, I should give her mine, too. For fairness, you know. And, uh, backup insurance.”

“Backup insurance?” you ask, half-laughing, half-exasperated.

“Yeah, in case Minho forgets to text you or something,” Jisung says with a grin. “You never know.”

You roll your eyes but hand over your phone anyway. “You two are ridiculous,” you mutter as Minho types in his number, followed by Jisung.

“Ridiculous, but memorable,” Jisung quips, winking as he hands your phone back.

You stare at the new contacts saved in your phone, feeling like you’ve just signed up for something you’re not entirely sure about. “Okay. I’ve got your numbers. Are we done now? Can I go buy my cat food in peace?”

Minho nods, his expression unreadable. “Yeah. Just… don’t forget your promise.”

“And don’t forget to text us if you ever need cat advice!” Jisung adds cheerfully, earning another glare from Minho.

You shake your head, turning to walk away for what you hope is the final time. “I’m never shopping here again,” you mutter under your breath, clutching your bag tightly.

As you leave the store, you can’t help but glance at your phone again, the reality of the situation finally sinking in. You have the numbers of Lee Minho and Han Jisung in your contacts… and all because they couldn’t resist kissing in a pet store.

[virtuousweakling]

The Ghosts of Hantengu's Past, Present and Future

Stave 1: Tanjiro's Ghost

(this story was written before Christmas but never got posted. On behalf of the new year, I decided to go for it.)

Enjoy! 🕯️

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Tanjiro was dead. There was no doubt about that. Once a lively, just and remarkable young Hashira who only wished to avenge his family who had been robbed and fatally ravaged by demons, now a mere spirit who wishes solely to guide lost souls out of corruption. It's important to specify that Tanjiro was dead, because nothing good could come from the story otherwise. If we were not informed that Hamlet's father was dead at the beginning of the play, there would be no understanding as to why the events in his life played out the way they did, thus making his death extremely important. To be absolutely clear, Tanjiro was dead as a doornail. A coffin nail would be more fitting, but because it is the norm to refer to him as being dead as a doornail, I will refer to him simply as dead as a doornail. Tanjiro knew not who it was who had stolen from so many people in his village, but his impeccable sense of smell and observation skills gave him an idea of who it may have been. His priority was to hunt demons terrorizing innocent people, but finding the traveling thief was certainly on his list. Sadly, Tanjiro succumbed to death before he could accomplish his goal.

Hantengu was a conniving thief who stole from unsuspecting people regardless of their creed. He stole from the poor, the rich, the healthy and the ill with absolutely no regard for anyone other than himself! Hantengu spent his cold nights in an abandoned house that was dark and doused in cobwebs and eerie creaks whenever the slightest wind blew. He was alone and he liked it that way. No one ever came near him or greeted him with a smile and even the blind men's dogs knew to guide their owners in another direction when they noticed Hantengu was coming. On this particularly cold Christmas eve, Hantengu decided to go out and steal gifts from busy shops and pick-pocket distracted townspeople. He couldn't care less if he had no use for whatever was inside of the vibrant, neatly wrapped boxes. "If they're of any value, I can sell them!"

After some hours of playing cat and mouse with goods that had no right to be in his possession, Hantengu finally arrived at his desolate and frigid abode, heating himself a small bowl of miso soup and sitting down to eat. The strange sound of a sword being withdrawn from its sheath coming from behind his bedroom door alerted him, but he quickly shrugged it off and snickered, "Bah! Humbug." He figured there was no way anyone could find him there, and he certainly was not a demon, so there was no need to worry about being tracked. After all, he was innocent, right? As Hantengu brought the spoon to his dry lips, the same sound assaulted his ears but even closer and louder than before! "Ah," He dropped his spoon. "H-hello? Who's there?" Hantengu put the bowl down and began to tremble. A strange, echoing voice called out from behind the door. "Haaaanteeenguuuu..."

"H-How do you know my name!?"

Hantengu received a fright like none other as a masked spirit floated straight through the wooden door without even opening it! "I've come to warn you, Hantengu..." Hantengu shrunk into his seat, trembling. "Warn me? Of what! I-I don't even know who you are!" The spirit was clad in dark red robes with intricate designs that resembled both waves and flames. Hantengu found this interesting, the blend of fire and water. On his back was a box, sealed with a heavy chain. The spirit removed his finely sculpted Kitsune mask, revealing a rather attractive but sullen young man's face. The most noticeable detail about him was the burn-like scar on his forehead. "I've come to give you a chance to repent and change your ways or else." Hantengu choked on his saliva for a moment, preparing to defend his innocence until the spirit brought the tip of his sword to Hantengu's face to get his undivided attention. The spirit spoke out harshly, "No! I won't tolerate any excuses for you will atone for your actions or spend your eternity in Hell!" Hantengu shrieked and covered his face, peeking through his fingers at the ghostly figure. Hantengu noticed a rather sad look in the spirit's cloudy eyes and thought for a moment... 'Is he....taking pity on me?'

"Tonight, you will be visited by three spirits! The first at midnight... The second at 2, and the third at 3 o'clock!" The terrified Hantengu swallowed, the Adams apple in his throat rolling hard against his thin skin. "Ah, I'd ...rather not." "You have no other option or else." The spirit was stern in his words. "O-or else what?" Hantengu shivered. "OR ELSE YOU WILL DIE A MISERABLE OLD MAN WITH NO CHANCE AT REDEMPTION!" Hantengu squealed at the spirit's booming and degrading shout. "C-can't I just take them all at once and get it over with?" Hantengu bartered. The young man adjusted his mask back on his face and raised a pointed finger, "Expect the first at midnight" and suddenly disappeared. Hantengu immediately ran to his tousled bed in the corner that laid upon stained and blistered hemp mats. He quickly pulled the blanket over his face to hide, holding his knees and panicking.

[iantimony]

tuesday again!

many problems … turning on the gravity check box did not, in fact, fix my simulation. woe.

listening: I saw Sammy Rae live last weekend and it was. fucking phenomenal. thank you random stranger from [redacted] who sold me her tickets. literally one of the best shows of my life. I am still reeling from it. they did a cover of Amy Winehouse's 'Valerie' as part of the encore and it was so good too.

in other news, Cascada has released a new album and it's a cover album and it bangs.

Call Me - Cascada: a brainworm of the week for sure.

I also listened to some The Reign of Kindo because they're an opener for The Dear Hunter tour rn and while I'd listened to them before I had forgotten what they sounded like. (wanted to go to one but it didn't end up working out, that hurt to miss, I'll have to do their next tour for sure)

Sing When No One's Around - The Reign of Kindo: just noticed the comments on this video are turned off ?? weird.

reading: Break-up of Steinger, Iscoe & Greene reads like a Grisham novel: GOD I love weird hyper-local drama.

agnito by Raxheim: tlt fanfic. symbolism, TM.

watching: newest monster factory … some Stephanie Lange who mostly does, like, beauty standards bad style content but makes for good background noise

The Men Who Promised the Impossible: Unlimited Energy by BobbyBroccoli: academic drama!!!!!!!! this one is truly wild, I had heard of it before I think but I love a video essay about shit like this.

We Get Grabbed By A Ghost At Trans-Allegheny Asylum by Watcher: I mostly stopped watching buzzfeed unsolved after their whole streaming service debacle but this got put on as crafting background and I enjoyed it! might start watching more of their stuff again. (I just noticed that I called it buzzfeed unsolved still even though they're their own thing now, oops,)

playing: fallowwwwwwwww. unless we count french horn. I got a new mouthpiece (it was half the price of the futon I got) (it's a cheap futon and a slightly expensive mouthpiece) and I am shocked and embarrassed by how big a difference it is making in my playing. you're telling me the dogshit no-name mouthpiece I stole from my band teacher in high school isn't cutting it??? crazy.

making: I made my cat a cat bed :) it's just two rectangles sewn together with a long rectangular strip as the side. I used some random canvas that I bought at some point for ? tote bag purposes ? I don't remember. the best part is I was FINALLY able to utilize the frankly ridiculous amount of fabric/thread/yarn/etc scraps/old clothing that's too fucked to get donated/etc that I've been saving specifically for stuffing pillows. worked really well, also put some plastic bag scraps in there because she loves lying on plastic bags and so far she definitely likes the crinkles of it. pictured in the photo is the weird I-think-polyester that was wrapped around my walmart futon when it was mailed that I shredded and used as stuffing.

my bird bowl emerged mostly victorious from the kiln!!!! I say 'mostly' because there's a weird spot on the rim where the clear glaze just didn't stick? so I daubed a little more on and put her back on the shelf. but yay. glazed two shallow planters that I'm not super sure what I'll put in yet because they are quite small but we'll see.

eating: made this NYT recipe of sheet pan miso chicken with radishes and lime but also added sunchokes with the radishes and no lime because I forgor. very yummy. will sustain me for the week and now I have more raw chicken thighs in the freezer for future cooking.

after the Sammy Rae concert we stopped for bubble tea for the drive home and I got a "mango pomelo sago" that was really just a smoothie with boba bits in it, it was very very tasty.

misc: speaking of academic drama: one of my friends is dealing with some frankly insane academic drama rn that I am soooo popcorn dot gif over. I can't ever say anything specific about it on here because it will immediately doxx me but if you want tea send me a DM it's so wild

[nugulover69]

Courtesy of @spandexual the Guzegers! IN 3D!! (da sims 4) (guze timeline is around 2004~2005, hence the fashion Choices on display)

Decided I'd write some blurbs as well. below the cut bc I don't want this post to be a mile long

Short premise summary: the baddies are a cult called the Church of the Sun. Their leader, Chairman Sugiyama, works with a heart-themed demon named Vena Cava to collect human vital energy for World Domination Purposes

The red and his mother are ex-members who run a ghost hunting business to stop the villains MOTWs. the team's henshin devices were stolen from the cult. it's not ghost busters, totally legally distinct

Theming is knights, mythology (of the japanese and european variety) and ghosts/yokai

Shinsuke Yoshinaga ❤️📿

From a young age, he often smuggled miscellanea from the outside world, like magazines and movies. he was particularly fond of horror movies and shonen manga

Father was banished to super hell after trying to expose the cult's world domination plans. Shinsuke fully believes he's still alive and just needs to be rescued

Picked his teammates at random at a food market, got a lil too gun-ho over having the freedom of choice

Generally affable and highly curious of people, often too curious like asking invasive or simply blunt questions (social cues who)

Reika Fujisaki 💛👑

Former idol turned tarento. highly attuned to what's hot and what's not

Public persona of a brash, ditzy faux-American girl, which the public is starting to get tired of bc hey honey shouldn't you think abt settling down and having kids at your ancient age of 25

She takes whatever gigs she can find bc she is NOT irrelevant she WILL be the greatest entertainer of this generation TRUST

Joined the team for publicity, which has been working somewhat but unfortunately she keeps saying strange or accidentally insulting things to fellow celebrities

Norio Wahilani 🖤🔪

Deathmatch wrestler from The States who just recently moved to Japan. throws in english words constantly (to annoy his english-illerate teammates but also bc he just forgets certain words)

Cantankerous, snarky and and misanthropic. only agreed to join bc he likes the excuse to be violent without repercussions

Actually deeply insecure, only feels comfortable in his own skin when wrestling

TERRIFIED of trains, will NOT ride them

(may or may not be a repressed gay man but shhhh don't worry abt that)

Haruhi Matsumoto 💙💸

From Osaka, easy to tell bc of her strong dialect

Always hocking her wares, whether those be off brand clothes or literal snake oil

Although she appears affable, she is highly distrusting and often lies abt her intentions or past. true backstory is her mother died when she was young and her father was cold-at-best, preferring to gamble and drink over raising her

Magnet for stray animals, especially cats

Miso Inoue 💖🧠

Computer nerd and otaku with a fashion sense stuck in the 80s

Comes from a rural mountain village, deeply embarrassed abt it

Viewed as weird even among his fellow otaku nerds bc he prefers voluptuous adult women over skinny lolis

Cosmically unlucky in a slapstick cartoon kinda way, his laptop satchel is always getting stolen and tossed around

Kohei Sugiyama 🧡☀️

Evil sixth initially sent to kill the guzes. defected from the church after his papa tried to turn him into a demon bc he had failed to kill the team so many times

Childhood friend of Shinsuke who grew apart as Shinsuke's family's belief in the church teachings waned

Had basically zero knowledge of how the outside world worked, even less than Shinsuke. this boy does not understand why people are poor and thinks computers are literal magic

Stole his hi-vis vest from a construction worker

Never not carrying his trusty khakkhara, his main weapon and security blanket (ignore that its not in this picture)

Everyone except for Shinsuke hates him terribly bc he routinely calls them idiotic heathens and is only nice to Shinsuke, feeling he's the only one who understands his pain

[roastyoualive]

ABOUT JAY

favourite  colour(s)  :  purple and black <- Same

favourite  flavour(s)  :  lemon, miso, garlic, blue raspberry

favourite  genre(s)  :  horror (especially small town horror), cyberpunk style sci-fi, fantasy

favourite  music  :  punk, rock, metal, alternative. A bit of musical theater in there too, why not? And some good old fashioned comedy tracks. Love me some arrogant worms. … And wrestling themes. 

favourite  movie(s)  :  the Lion King (the original animated version), Princess Bride, the Scooby Doo Wrestling movies for a completely different reason, the OG Friday the Thirteenth, Beetlejuice, Star Wars: Attack of the Clones

favourite  series  : not gonna lie, i don’t watch a lot of tv - don’t have the time. I did like the early seasons of The Mandalorian, Book of Boba Fett, Stranger Things is good, Cobra Kai, Wednesday, Ghost Adventures, Steven Universe, She-Ra… That kind of thing. 

last  song  :  looked what the cat dragged in - poison

last  series  :  does Monday Night Raw count?

last  movie  :  i THINK it was the Barbie Movie at a sleepover??

currently  reading  : working my way through both Mick Foley’s biography and Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchet

currently  watching  :  Listening to Hannah Alonzo’s anti-MLM story videos while I do drafts!

currently  working  on  :   Some commissions, sewing a jacket, cleaning my room, and it’s leg day today so I have to do that too.\

tagged by: @miercolaes

[angry-geese]

Ty for the tag Ari <3

Last song: Sunrise Miso Soup by Hanabie

Currently watching: better call Saul 💀💀

Currently reading: ahh I'm in the middle of reading like five different series rn but the most recent one is probably Dai Dark

Current obsession: Minecraft but mostly bc I'm doing a medieval village build on a friend's server lol

Tagging: @the-art-ghost @cinnabunbunny @catt-the-cat

I was tagged by @blondeboyfriend and @s4wdust! thank you, loves <3

Last song:

Currently watching: Death Note!! Only 5 episodes left!

Currently reading: Blue Period!! And Bradbury's short stories!

Current obsession: making videos with Vash plushie, replaying Danganronpa 2, watching cosplay wig making/styling videos, Trader Joe's snacks, (and this one's faded a bit, but playing Stardew Valley)

Tagging: @lostinthe-jojos @dongiovannaswife @bonesandsunflowers @arsenicstrudel @kurtbrussels @angry-geese @giogio-gucci-gangstar @leefi @cocoyumei @lela-ri @wurm-food @pensivespecter @meownotgood @tonitart @eruhatesu @thus-spoke-lo @j0succ @hoeakawasupreme @kentoswifey @peachsayshi @suguwu (and anyone else who wants to join!)

[misocatsoup]

[sweetesttarot]

Channeled Messages - Traits Of Your Soulmate!

Piles: 1-2-3 4-5-6

Disclaimer:

this is a general message so not all that is mentioned may apply to you/your person, take what resonates!

. ♡ ° . . • . ♡ ° pile one 

I feel like your soulmate is someone from your past. This doesn't only apply to your current waking life, this may be someone you know from a past life or someone from the dream realm. Your soulmate has the most angelic energy. They bring peace wherever they go. I'm getting the message that some of you who picked this pile may work with the Greek God Apollo or are interested in astral travel or shifting. Your person has a bright yellow aura. I also feel that your person may be into foreign music or they may be a polyglot! rainy, dazed, free, child, ship, sail, ghosts, young, journal, kite, fromis_9, love, sleepy, frog, turtleneck, president, frame, glasses, brick, country, india, tulum, minneapolis, highway, plus, notes, music, sticky, gold, ice cream, wales, four leaf clover 

. ♡ ° . . • . ♡ °pile two 

I feel like like your soulmate is the physical version of a chai latte! I know that may sound weird but they have a calming, magnetic, cozy energy. They may wear beige often. I also feel like your soulmate is very clumsy, I'm seeing ink bottles spilled on paper. This person is also a huge animal lover! They may have a pet turtle or a pet named turtle. I also think that this person looooooves pasta so much that they literally eat it multiple times a week.

whales, plaid, plisse, open, knit, wool, maple, orange tabby cat, kristen, california, brazil, pierce, slay, jumping, airplane, drives, dust, flowers, sushi, kintsugi, novels, poetry, virgina woolf, museum, kryptonite 

. ♡ ° . . • . ♡ °pile three 

I feel like your person loves the snow. As a kid they may have wanted to be in the winter olympics. This person is super outgoing but they may use their outgoing personality as a shield. They may really like sonny angel toys and may have a large collection of them! This person could also love watching daily vlogs or healing vlogs. They're also very studious and math may be one of their favorite subjects! cloudy, snow, peace, green, jumbo, lights, blink, rose, waste, glasses, vision, braid, mosquitoes, mountains, sled, porsche, nantucket, lima, yellow, surfing, corners, ikea, polka dot, grapes, beabadoobee, posie

. ♡ ° . . • . ♡ °pile four 

I'm immediately feeling that this person loves the color pink. They may have or may have had multiple cats. Some people may judge this person because outwardly they may look immature but they actually have so much depth and are extremely intelligent! This person may use really sweet, sugary perfumes similar to sweet like candy by ariana grande. I'm also seeing that this person is an avid gamer and may really like dungeons and dragons or street fighter!

stuffed animals, suede, long, juice, stay, socks, nothing, frost, yes, dungeon, prom, violets, fraises, france, ghost, garden, keep, lock, race, seaside, tyler, chrome, seasons, popcorn, like or like like, lovely, music, chasing  

. ♡ ° . . • . ♡ °pile five 

Your person has total Rory Gilmore vibes regardless of their gender. They may wear striped long sleeve shirts and flare jeans a lot. They also really like the marauders from harry potter. Their favorite food is soup, more specifically clam chowder? This person loves going to concerts/movies and they may keep their concert/movie tickets pasted in a red journal. pancakes, sociable, snakes, ring, right, map, facing, dress, horse, turkey, love, tidal, cross, breathe, mantra, west, vibes, running, salon, juniper, resting, also, miso, yogurt, chambers, register, wash, above, charlie, tiger  

. ♡ ° . . • . ♡ °pile six 

Your person loves taking selfies lol. They are always taking pictures and they may even be an influencer. I'm also feeling that they love having quiet time, they find being alone and being quiet so relaxing. This person may collect vintage items and may have a vintage scarf that they tie to their bag. This person also really loves brownies lol. They have a very calming presence and they'll help you learn how to reflect inwardly! holding, four, poles, moist, jungle, ranch, halsey, notion, falling, number, erase, data, samsung, princess, quality, cyan, random, coarse, hiding, shiba, lemon, pricy, bait, madison, wisconsin, logic, bread, pumpkin, lavender

If you enjoyed this reading please reblog!

[mjjune]

15 25 Questions + 15 Mutuals

Thank you so much @bebewrites and @awritingcaitlin !!! This is a lot of questions, RIP

Since this is so long it's under the cut <3

1. Do you prefer owls, capybaras, or flamingos? 

OWLS!!

2. What is your favorite soup?

miso or like, japanese-style clear soup, also wonton soup... can i say all asian soups???

3. What is your favorite…rock (idfk)?

uhh idk if it's a rock technically but i love opals

4. Choose a familiar: 1) very dumb, very loving disobedient dog. He loves you but will never listen to you ever 2) a raven that speaks but it only ever shrieks the name of various fast food restaurants 3) a toad that screams like a teenage boy instead of croaks

the raven for sure lol they bring you shiny things, idc what it says.

5. Which planet do you feel like would be kind of an asshole if you met them? 

jupiter maybe? since it's the biggest and might be entitled?

6. if you were a worm would you love me? this worm question courtesy of ✨ @/legiomiam✨

yes 🥺

7. Least favorite type of clothing?

Dresses/skirts and pantyhose/tights

8. You are now in a horror movie—so sorry. Chance of survival?

10% chance. I can't run for shit. Unless hiding actually worked, I wouldn't survive. I am very small though and good at hiding.

9. Would you rather: the ability to instantly grow a perfect mustache, or ability to talk to vegetables?

Talk to vegetables~

10. What do you think of whales?

they're the best!! i was obsessed with whales most of my childhood

////////

1. Are you named after anyone?

my middle name is from my paternal grandmother <3

2. When was the last time you cried?

lmao, when i announced my 30 days notice at my job a few weeks ago.

3. Do you have kids?

0 and never shall

4. Do you use sarcasm a lot?

Literally 50% of what I say is sarcasm

5. What’s the first thing you notice about people?

Probably mannerisms and like?? aura?? idk the right word.

6. What’s your eye color?

Brown

7. Scary movies or happy endings?

Happy endings definitely. Don't really watch horror movies tbh

8. Any special talents?

Uhh my elbows are double jointed?? I do some calligraphy ?

9. Where were you born?

In a hospital in the worst town to ever exist lol

10. What are your hobbies?

Video games, yoga, calligraphy, learning languages

11. Have you any pets?

My parents have a feral cat who adopted us but other than that no

12. What sports do you play/have played?

LOL NONE 0 like I said I can't run for shit (and have asthma). I did band? And musical theater (backstage)? lol

13. How tall are you?

5'1'' i'm a teacup adult

14. Favorite subject in school?

Honestly I liked all of them. Spanish was my highest grade, but English/Language arts was probably my favorite.

15. Dream job?

Lmao best-selling novelist so I can quit my regular job (I do actually like my day job tho)

Mutuals (only if you want to!!) @arionawrites @brimorganbooks @carminasolis @ceph-the-ghost-writer @daisywords @elijahrichardwrites @faelanvance @flowerprose @ghafasinej @hadeschariots @isabellebissonrouthier @moondust-bard @rsdan @sleepyowlwrites @writingmoth

[angry-geese]

Ty for the tag ari <3

Ritual // Ghost

California Son // Lucifer

Be My Death Cult // Calabrese

Stand By Him // Ghost again 💀💀

Tear You Apart // She Wants Revenge

Sunrise Miso Soup // Hanabie

After Dark // Mr. Kitty

Strange Kicks // Then Comes Silence

If I'm Crazy // Amigo the Devil

Hex // Crone Visions

Tagging: @catt-the-cat @the-art-ghost @cinnabunbunny @inu-mxki and anyone else who wants to do this :)

the awesome @kutyozh tagged me to shuffle the on repeat playlist and post the first ten tracks, buuut my "on repeat" list is more qotsa-heavy than usual because the concert hype is SO REAL. so i'm gonna shuffle my biggest playlist instead and see what pops up, lol

hunting // smoke trees

self control // laura brannigan

if trouble was money // gary clark jr.

in the blood // the veils

a stranger // a perfect circle

twisted getaway // neon nox, powernerd

radio nowhere // bruce springsteen

teen lambchop // wellwater conspiracy

i like u but not like that // the darts

space lord // monster magnet

tagging @sexyprise @tofu-robot @wittywallflower @sstrange-cloudss @stcuky @heatheroic @revanmeetra87 @mortirolo @antaresferen @amethystsoda @raisedinthunder @anewhopeawakens @littlewichita @jyncas @bisexualspace @jamcsbucky @fortheloveofthepeony @mercedesbarnes @cvptainbucky @cl0ckw3rk @carnavoyeur @left-the-porch if they want to play by the real rules or mine lol

[dp-time-police]

A family man

[let-the-living-beware]

(^◕ᴥ◕^) - 𝓒𝓪𝓽 𝓖𝓱𝓸𝓼𝓽 - (^◕ᴥ◕^)

This is inspired by the vocaloid song 或る化け猫の恋物語 (The lovestory of a cat ghost) by Nem.

Character: Kou Mukami

Type: x reader (neutral)

Tw: Violence, Death

(^˵◕ω◕˵^)👻(^˵◕ω◕˵^)👻(^˵◕ω◕˵^)👻(^˵◕ω◕˵^)👻

Your slow cries echoed throughout the cemetery, attracting the attention of a small black cat. He recognized you from around the village. Your husband became ill a few years ago, and you dedicated your life to raising funds for a doctor. Nonetheless, you always fed him a portion of your meal.

Something in him awoke as he stared at you longer and longer. Sadness was something he had never felt before. He didn't want you to cry, but rather to be happy. "I want her to be happy again." he whispered and with a slight light arising from his chest he turned into your husband, a handsome young man with blonde hair and light blue eyes. "Hey, neko-chan," he said as he approached you. When you heard his words, you turned around, stunned. You walked slowly towards him but collapsed before you could reach him, bursting into even more of a crying mess than before. "You are alive. Please, never leave me again." you cried out.

Kou kneeled down and hugged your fragile body that was shaking uncontrollably. "I wont." he whispered just so loud you could hear it. "I am so glad you´re back, Kou." you spoke out while watching inhis blue eyes. A thought creeped into Kous mind. Maybe this wasn´t a good idea?

≼❣→𝕹𝖞𝖆𝖓←❣≽

Kou slowly looked over to you making breakfast like every morning for a month now. He learned to love you more and more but not as a lover, as a friend. He wanted to protect you and make you the happiest person on earth. "Breakfast is ready, darling." you cheered as you walked towards him with miso soup in your hands. You still hadn´t had much money but still tried to make the best out of it. "I will go down town to sell some of the clothes I made. They are getting more and more popular you know? If only they were back when you were so terribly ill." you sighed and took a sip of your soup. The blonde haired boy looked at you in confusion. He always thought someone else made these clothes and you would just sell them. "That´s great! How about I come and help you?" , "Oh god no, darling. You still need some rest!" You instantly contered with a concerned look at your face.

It was fine by him, after all were dirty hands the worst of it all. But maybe he could have promoted it a bit since he didn´t look bad. He would call himelf beautiful even, way out of your league. When your real husband was still around he always wondered why you were together in the first place. He seemed pretty well liked by some of the more wealthier girls in town. It was a riddle to him. "Well I need to get going, until later." you smiled and said a quick goodbye when you left. Kou stood in the doorframe until he couldn´t see you and then closed the door to have some privacy. Now it was time to relax a bit and find out more about your relationship.

Well at least that´s what he wanted to do but the blonde was disturbed by a knock on the door. A little bit annoyed at his disturbed peace he turned around and opened the door only to find two men in front of it. "Is this the Mukami household?", they asked, a threatening aura around them. "Yes." was Kou´s short answer. The men smiled at each other. "We´re here to get the money back that your wife lend the Sakamaki family."

Sakamaki? He heard that name somewhere before. Weren´t that these arrogant Yokai that made themselves comfortable in the human world? His older brother was complaining about them a few times. But why would you owe them anything? This would only be possible if...no. You were smart enough to not take on debts from spiritually beings. That must´ve been a mistake.

"I am sorry but you must have got the wrong family.", he answered, and the men looked at each other again but this time with a hush of anger on their faces. "I doubt that, mister but if you won´t comply we have to take trastic meassures." the stronger one said and pulled out a sword. Kous mood was now ruined completely. If they wouldnt back up he had to make a move. "Hear, you scumbag I dont want you messing around with them. They are in enough stress as is and if you wont back away now I will kill you." his voice now seemed deeper and not as cheerful as before. He also let his tail and ears show. "and now piss off.", with that last sentence a whosh of magic stormed through them instantly putting them to the ground. But he still wasn´t done, he finally could let out the things he wasn´t able to do on anyone in your presence. "Lets have some fun, what do you say?"

≼❣→𝕹𝖞𝖆𝖓←❣≽

"I´m back honey!" you shouted into the house. Something seemed off but you just blamed it on your imagination. "Neko-chan you´re late. I was gonna go look for you." Kou walked towards you with his hand spread out to give you a hug. "Haha sorry I was talking to Subaru-kun. I lent some money from them some time ago and he was checking up on me." you smiled at them and Kous hunch that these guys were thiefs that caught on, on your debt confirmed itself. Still he was somehow mad that you had such a good relation with one of the Sakamaki. "Oh thats nice!" he relied to you adn took your hand. "You know I made a surprise for you.", "Really?" you asked exited. It was sometime that you got anything and Kou knew that.

He took your hand and led you towards the kitchen. On the table was whole meal he decided to make for you after beating up these robbers. Your eyes shone in exitement as you sat down on the table. kou walked towards the kitchen counter to get the last ingredient that had to be kept warm to taste good. "You know Kou." you began stopping said male in his tracks. The moon already shone through the window and his eyes lit up in the two colors they really were. "Everytime I looked into your eyes I remembered that his looked different than yours but I dont care." you finished your sentence and it hit Kou like a rock.

He began to shiver uncontrollably and tears formed in his eyes. So you knew? Before he could think twice his legs already gave in ans you run over to him. Tears streamed down his eyes like a never ending waterfall. He felt your embrace but it was already to late. Only seconds went by before he was his true self again. A little blonde cat with a blue and red eye. He never wanted you to see him like this. He never wanted you to find out. Ashamed, sad and angry of himelfs he ran towards the one open window but not before you couls speak your last words to him.

"I thank you so much dear Cat."

To this day there is a legend of a blonde cat going up to an old cemetary to watch over the person he once saved.

[tastesoftamriel]

Dearest Talviel,

I was simply wondering if you knew of any dishes that contained with raw meat, fish, or anything uncooked. I dislike most cooked foods, as it hurts my poor, fragile, totally-not-a-lich body. If you could direct me towards any foods of the sort, I will be eternally grateful.

Sincerely signed,

Tan'ë the Traitorous

Dear Tan'ë,

I'm going to overlook the concerning tone of your message, and answer as best I can. There are plenty of raw meat dishes which are consumed around Tamriel, and they're delicious while still being gentle on lich stomachs (I've never considered that as even being a thing).

Altmer

It may come as some surprise, but the Summerset Isles really enjoys its raw and rare meats and seafood, as well as fresh raw vegetables to pair with. While it sounds slimy (get used to it, that's just raw food), I personally love a raw seafood mix with miso dressing and brown rice. My favourites are fatty tuna belly, salmon, swordfish, squid, and sweet shrimp!

Argonians

While I don't ever recommend eating anything raw in Black Marsh unless you're an Argonian, I must say that kitfo is extremely good and worth almost catching swamp sickness from. It's raw, spice minced water buffalo with ghee. It's served with flatbread and is flavourful and spicy.

Bosmer

Of course the Bosmer have mastered raw meat dishes, although there are far fewer than you would expect (it's the flies in Valenwood). One of the more unconventional delicacies that I still can't bring myself to try is duck foetus, straight from the shell. It's apparently very good, but the last time it was offered to me I nearly fainted, so I can't really say much more than this...

Bretons

Steak tartare is known across Tamriel as the dish from High Rock. The very best horse meat is minced until delightfully fine, almost fluffy in texture. It's seasoned with a secret mix of herbs, spices, and sauces, and served with a raw goose or swan egg yolk perched on top. Simply scramble all the ingredients on your plate together (if your waiter doesn't do it for you), and dig in!

Dunmer

The Dunmer of Vvardenfell do an excellent carpaccio-style platter of nix-hound or guar, served with thinly sliced roasted ash yams. The naturally smoky flavour of the ingredients is coaxed out with a light marinade in saltrice sauce and minced comberry.

Imperials

Ah, proper carpaccio (no offense, Vvardenfell). Thin slices of beef that melt in the mouth makes the perfect appetizer! It's usually served with any number of complimentary ingredients, like thinly-sliced parmesan, tomatoes, olive oil, crumbled feta, rucola, and fresh basil. Delicious!

Khajiit

My favourite raw dish is an Elsweyr-style blend of beef and pork mince, that's flavoured and spiced with ginger, fish sauce, tamarind paste, lime, and chili. It's also sometimes mixed with pork blood to thicken the dish into a paste.

Nords

We're not fans of raw anything in Skyrim, but fermented? That's what I'm talking about! Hákarl is a very acquired taste, and is made from a type of shark only found in the Sea of Ghosts. It's left to ferment through a drying process that takes months, and the end result is a joke we like to play on outlanders. It's meant to be cut into small pieces to enjoy, and washed down with some mead or spirit (which you'll need to clear your nose of the smell, which is distinctively like cat piss).

Orcs

The Orcs make a fantastic dish of sliced raw beef that's cured for a couple of hours in a mix of lemon juice, hot dried chilis, and brandy. It's served in thin or thick slices depending on your preference, and goes well with dips and flatbread.

Redguards

It's actually optional to skip roasting your meatballs, which is a joke made every time someone takes a bite of raw goat cakes. These delightful meatballs are quite large, and spiced with all sorts of exotic herbs (the recipe varies from household to household). While it's usually grilled after forming, it is perfectly acceptable to eat your goat cakes raw with flatbread or couscous to serve.

[very-grownup]

Best Books of 2022

Best "I think you wrote Lois McMaster Bujold fanfic and I respect that" Novel: WINTER'S ORBIT.

Best "Oh shit THAT'S how foot binding works?!" Novel: IRON WIDOW.

Best Whale Ranking Novel: MOBY DICK.

Best Novel About Sperm: MOBY DICK.

Best Novel About a Cannibal: MOBY DICK.

Best Novel About Forced Self-Cannibalism: THE GRANDMASTER OF DEMONIC CULTIVATION.

Best Novel Recommended By A 10-Year-Old: THE GIRL WHO DRANK THE MOON.

Best Re-read of a Novel First Read as a 10-Year-Old: I WANT TO GO HOME!

Best End of the World Novel: THE LAST POLICEMAN.

Best Lesbian Romance Novel: HOW TO FIND A PRINCESS.

Best Romantic Accounting Novel: THE RUIN OF A RAKE.

Best Romance Novel With a Disaster Bi Lead: CHEF'S KISS.

Best Romance Novel Where the Protagonist Doesn't Know It's Romance: THE SCUM VILLAIN'S SELF-SAVING SYSTEM.

Best Fantasy Trilogy First Novel: THE STARDUST THIEF.

Best Fantasy-ish Trilogy: SON OF A TRICKSTER, TRICKSTER DRIFT, and RETURN OF THE TRICKSTER.

Best Fantasy Standalone Novel: THE SPEAR CUTS THROUGH WATER.

Best Use of Ringo Starr: THE EINSTEIN INTERSECTION.

Best Book You Read In High School But I Didn't: THE GREAT GATSBY.

Best Unionization Novel: SILK AND INSIGHT.

Best Story of a Complicated Man: THE ODYSSEY.

Best Short Story Collection Containing a Cake Recipe: MOIRA'S PEN.

Best Meta-non-fictional Fictional Review Collection: A Perfect Vaccuum.

Best Book By Someone Who Used To Live Nextdoor: HALFBREED.

Best Book Adapted Into An Orson Welles Film: THE TRIAL.

Best Use Of Dick Jokes: IF THIS BOOK EXISTS, YOU'RE IN THE WRONG UNIVERSE.

Best Rotting Nightmare Novella: NOTHING BUT BLACKENED TEETH.

The full list of competitors below.

Mister Impossible

Whispers Under Ground

The Serpent's Secret

Sabriel

Game of Stars

Lirael

Once Ghosted, Twice Shy

Abhorsen

A Snake Falls to Earth

Across the Wall: A Tale of the Abhorsen and Other Stories

Winter's Orbit

The Best of Gene Wolfe: A Definitive Retrospective of his Finest Short Fiction

Iron Widow

Tar Baby

Moby Dick

The Marrow Thieves

Popular Hits of the Showa Era

Heaven Official's Blessing (volume 2)

The Prince and the Puppet Thief

The Empress of Salt and Fortune

The Truth Is a Cave in the Black Mountains

When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain

The Door Into Summer

Spoiler Alert

The Great Gatsby

Wicked As You Wish

Halfbreed

Never Let Me Go

Can't Escape Love

In the Miso Soup

The Girl Who Drank the Moon

The Björkan Sagas

Artificial Condition

Starship Troopers

The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System (volume 2)

The Turn of the Screw and Other Stories

The Beautiful Ones

Every Living Thing

A Prince on Paper

Broken Homes

Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation (volume 2)

The Last Policeman

Split Tooth

Lost in the Never Woods

The Three-Body Problem

Flip the Script

Bitter Gold Hearts

It All Comes Back to You

Mistress Masham's Repose

How to Find a Princess

I Want to go Home!

Woman Running in the Mountains

The Little Warrior (Jill the Reckless)

Son of a Trickster

The Einstein Intersection

Captive Prince

The Trial

Trickster Drift

Six German Romantic Tales

Return of the Trickster

If Beale Street Could Talk

Heaven Official's Blessing (volume 3)

Japanese Tales

Akata Warrior

Foxglove Summer

The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System (volume 3)

The Loophole

The Ruin of a Rake

Complicity

The Stardust Thief

The Hanging Tree

Beauty and the Besharam

Some Do Not ...

Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation (volume 3)

The Joining of Dingo Radish

Prince's Gambit

The Spear Cuts Through Water

Chef's Kiss

Monkey Beach

The Hourglass Throne

She Who Became the Sun

The Strange Journeys of Colonel Polders

Heaven Official's Blessing (volume 4)

The Sunbearer Trials

The Toynbee Convector

Kings Rising

The Odyssey

Moira's Pen

Revenge

The Changeling

The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System (volume 4)

If This Book Exists, You're in the Wrong Universe

The Wolf and the Woodsman

The Husky and his White Cat Shizun (volume 1)

A Perfect Vacuum

It Takes Two to Tumble

Silk and Insight

In Deeper Waters

Nothing but Blackened Teeth

I Will Fear No Evil

[shadow-night]

Bounty Hunter in the Shadows Chapter 1

More chapters here on Ao3.

Story Tags: Erasermic, Friends to Lovers, young Aizawa Shouta, young Yamada Hizashi, Slow Burn, Slice of Life, Hurt/ Comfort, Angst and Feels, Comedy, Fluff, mental breakdown, PTSD, flashbacks, self-medication, drug use, homelessness, homeless Aizawa Shouta, unhealthy coping mechanisms, survivor guilt, cats, growing gp, character study, character development, recovery

Chapter 1: Aizawa and Yamada

Finally graduation day arrived. Aizawa held his UA high school diploma in his hands. This was a joyous occasion – or at least it should be. He should feel proud, which he did to an extent. Aizawa could not help but find the entire event nostalgic before it was even over.

He was a little proud he managed to pull through and finished school, graduating from the most famous hero school in Japan no less, but he also felt a deeply routed guilt. Yamada was joking and laughing with friends. Everyone was loud and happy, yet someone was missing.

Yamada tore Aizawa from his thoughts as he excitedly called out to him. Aizawa put on a teasing smile, silencing him with a quirk and vanished. It was meant as a joke but it also was great to escape his classmates.

Aizawa rolled his eyes at the endless amounts of texts Yamada sent him. He could practically hear the disappointed yelling while reading about how he had missed all the group photos. He didn't even bother to listen to the voice messages or pick his phone up when it rang. Aizawa went home and relaxed on his bed, knowing his foster parents wouldn't get home until later.  He wondered what would happen if he left right this moment without another word to anyone. His suitcase was already packed.

A new message lit up his phone's home screen. Aizawa reached for the device, only now bothering to look at the chat.

Yamada:

We're all going out to eat tonight. Will you come?

Aizawa:

No. I promised them dinner.

It was true. He had promised his foster parents a ‘goodbye dinner’ before moving out. It was the reason why he didn't leave right this afternoon. They were decent people and were kind enough to give him space and not pressure him into spending more time together, so when they asked if he would have dinner with them tonight he couldn't say no.

Yamada:

But you're leaving tomorrow morning, right?! When will we see each other again??

That was a good point. It still hadn't quite sunken in that they would not be back at school again soon. They wouldn't just leave school for a weekend or a holiday, but forever. Aizawa almost regretted not staying longer at school now, though he also knew that it wasn't his thing. Seeing everyone excited for the future and sad they would part would have been a little too much. He was happier alone in his bedroom.

Yamada:

Can I come over?

 Aizawa:

What about dinner?

 Yamada:

We meet later. I'll come over.

Well. Now that that was decided all there was left to do was to wait for the energetic blonde. Wherever Yamada had been, he couldn't have been too far from his home. He was out of breath when, ten minutes later, he rang the doorbell non stop until the door was opened for him.

"Come on in." Aizawa said and they headed over to the brunet's room, where they sat down on the bed. At least Aizawa sat down. Yamada flopped onto the mattress still trying to catch his breath.

"You could have walked here." Aizawa noted.

"Yeah, but I didn't want to miss any more time! Who knows when we'll see each other again!" Yamada said.

"You're the one who wanted to work in America." Aizawa reminded him.

"I knoooow." Yamada whined, but then a grin returned to his face. "But I'm sure it's gonna be awesome!" he said determinedly.

"Just don't start talking to me in English all the time." Aizawa said and realized that he really would miss Yamada.

During their first year at U.A. he did not get particularly close with anyone but Shirakumo and  Yamada. In their second year Aizawa had allowed himself to befriend Kayama a little. The cat Aizawa and Shirakumo found and gave to her had helped a lot in terms of befriending the girl who was a grade ahead of them.

After Shirakumo's death Aizawa made sure it stayed that way and distanced himself from others. He couldn't bear the thought of getting close to someone again only to loose them later. He looked at Yamada who lay on his back next to him on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Aizawa didn't want to think about how he would react if anything happened to the blonde.

"What train will you take tomorrow morning?" Yamada suddenly asked.

"Why? Don't tell me you want to meet me at the station." Aizawas tone was flat and seemingly uninterested.

"Ehhhh? Why not?!"

"You'll be hung-over." Aizawa stated.

"What? You really think us aspiring pro heroes will succumb to underage drinking?!" Yamada called out in mock surprise as if they hadn't- together in fact- gotten drunk before. Then he turned more serious. "I'd still come if you told me what time the train left." Yamada claimed.

"At 8:00 in the morning? Are you sure?" Aizawa said, a small smirk ghosting on his lips.

"Damn. That's early. Why are you torturing yourself like that?" Yamada asked, knowing how much Aizawa hated getting up early himself. Though, to be fair Aizawa seemed unhappy about getting up at any time. Insomnia was a real pain in the ass.

"I'll still come." Yamada said.

Aizawa just gave a low hum.

"You don't believe me! You'll see. I'll be there!" Yamada bumped his fist into Aizawa's shoulder.

"I didn't say anything." Aizawa said, raising his hands, showing his palms.

"Anyways." Yamada huffed. "You'll have to send me pictures of your apartment when you get there, alright."

"It's shitty. Nothing worth showing off." Aizawa protested.

"I don't care. I just want to see pictures."

"I'll send you pictures of the cockroaches I'll room with." Aizawa teased.

"Please don't!" Yamada looked horrified.

"You get those or nothing." Aizawa shrugged. This was nice. It was easy banter, just the two of them, nothing too overwhelming.

They fell into a comfortable silence, Yamada's eyes landing on Aizawa's packed suitcase.

Yamada had been surprised when Aizawa told him he would leave Musutafu the day after their graduation. He himself would travel to the US soon after the school year ended, but his flight went a week after graduation, giving him enough time to say goodbye to classmates and family. Well, Aizawa could count the friends he had on two fingers and he also did not have much family. Yamada did not know Aizawa’s host family particularly well but the few times he met them they seemed nice. Yamada could not help but wonder if Aizawa left so soon because he felt uncomfortable around them or if it had to do with Aizawa's general attitude and mood ever since their work study ended in their second year.

Yamada had a great support system at home but it was difficult mourning their dead friend himself and helping Aizawa at the same time. Shirakumo's death hit them both hard, though Aizawa definitely had a less healthy way of coping and far less support or people who didn't offer the support he needed which ended in him changing host families a month after their work study. It had been painful to watch Aizawa train in the Gym to the point he was so exhausted he fell asleep in their classes. Yamada had done his best to be there and watch Aizawa as often as he could, sometimes even training with him. It made them grow closer over time.

"You've got to take care of yourself." Yamada broke the silence.

Aizawa frowned, then looked away from the blonde. "You too."

"Hey, you missed out on all the pictures we took, let's take some now!" Yamada changed the subject. They wouldn't see each other in quite a while so they shouldn't just mop around. Aizawa was not impressed by the idea, but when Yamada sat up on the bed and sat right next to him he tilted his head towards the blonde as he held up his phone. Within minutes Yamada's camera roll filled up with new pictures of them both.

"You should leave soon, if you don't want to be late." Aizawa said eventually as he took notice of the time.

"I guess." Yamada said and sat up on the bed. "I'll see you tomorrow morning, alright?" He reminded Aizawa.

"Don't trouble yourself. It will be fine if you don't." He said.

The door fell shut and Aizawa stood alone in the quiet house. Dinner with his foster parents also was a quiet affair. He appreciated that. They did not try to get him to talk more than usual or try to talk him out of things last minute. They asked if he finished packing and if he still needed something, as if anything was worth the trouble of going out this late at night. There were plenty of stores with the same products where he moved. He let them know he had everything he needed and stayed seated at the table after dinner. They drank tea and let it sink in that things would be different from now on.

The night seemed to drag on forever and Aizawa barely slept. He got up early, even earlier than he had to, so he could make breakfast for everyone. He made his host parents favorite tea, put six slices of bread in the toaster oven and got out a pot to make miso soup. He didn't have to cook but even he could make something as simple as miso soup with tofu and seaweed. He set out the jam for the bread and got out some plates when his host parents came out.

Aizawa checked his phone when he got his suitcase after breakfast. No new messages showed up. The blonde sent him a few photos during the night, so Aizawa knew his classmates drank alcohol and stayed up until the early morning hours. He tried to ignore the slight pang in his chest. It was good Yamada had fun last night. He should rest now. They could talk over the phone later, he told himself pocketing his phone. He looked around the room one final time. It was clean and he already pulled the sheets off and put them into the washing machine.

"Remember you can call us anytime." His host mother told him as they stood in the entrance. Aizawa gave a slight nod to signal he heard her as he tied his shoes.

"Don't hesitate to ask for help." Her husband added.

"Thank you. For everything." Aizawa said, looking them in the eyes. He even gave both a hug before he stepped outside and pulled his suitcase to the station.

When Aizawa arrived at the nearest tram station, he realized he gave Yamada the time his other train would leave from the bigger train station. So even if the blonde intended to come he might have thought of the wrong place. He checked his phone but no new notifications showed up. Aizawa pocketed his phone as the tram came to a stop. The small tram was packed with people going to work and Aizawa shuffled to the door, pulling his suitcase as close as possible. He gave an apologetic nod to an older lady close to him. Aizawa focused his eyes outside the window looking at the familiar houses and stores passing by.

Finally the tram reached the central station. He arrived with some time to spare and checked his phone while he stood waiting at the platform. He felt a little forgotten but tried his best to push the feeling aside. He told Yamada not to worry about coming, so it wasn't fair to be mad at him for not showing up.

He could hear his train enter the station and then, even louder than the arriving train his name. "Aizawaaaaaaa!" He knew that voice.

Aizawa turned around to the direction the call had come from and saw Yamada running into the station. Several people held their ears and stared at the blond in irritation. He would have to get to this platform, but the train just arrived so there was enough time. Aizawa couldn't help but smile.

When Yamada finally came running down the stairs he looked like he would throw up any second. "The things I do for you." he huffed out of breath when he came to a stop in front of Aizawa.

"I told you, you didn't have to come." Aizawa said, but his smile gave him away.

"Please just tell me you are happy to see me so that it was worth coming." Yamada begged. He wore a t-shirt with an unidentifiable stain on it and one of his shoelaces was open. He was very pale and his unstyled hair hung in his face.

"Yeah. I'm happy." Aizawa gave in. "Thank's for coming." He said just as Yamada stepped away from him and threw up over the other side of the platform where no train was.

"Are you alright?" Aizawa asked, holding the other's hair back. Other people were stared more or less subtly.

"Ugh..." Yamada groaned. Aizawa glanced at the clock, "Wait here. I'll be right back." He said and jogged to a vending machine to get some water.

"Thank's." Yamada said after he washed his mouth out and took a sip. "Sorry about that." He said, rubbing the back of his head.

"Do you need money for a taxi back?" Aizawa asked.

"No, no! It's fine. Keep your money! I still have some." Yamada said. He pulled his walled out in demonstration. He knew Aizawa did not have much saved up and he doubted he suddenly accepted more from his host family.

"If you're sure." Aizawa said.

"Actually, let me pay you back for this." Yamada held up the bottle Aizawa just got him.

"It's just water." Aizawa shook his head.

"Alright. Thanks." Yamada put his wallet away again. They stood in silence for a moment after that.

"Well...-" Yamada tried to break the silence.

"I have to get on the train soon." Aizawa said at the same time.

"Ah...right. Well...I'll hear from you soon right? Send pictures!"

"Of roaches. Sure." Aizawa couldn't help but tease with a smirk.

"I got up and came all the way here and this is how you thank me?!" Yamada said so loud he winced himself. He hadn't even spoken that loud but with his head already pounding every decibel felt like too much.

"We'll see." Aizawa said and reached for his suitcase. Should he give Yamada a hug? His arms twitched, though he kept them at his side. "Get some rest." he said, taking a step back.

"You too!" Yamada nodded, wincing once more at his own volume.

"Thank's for coming." Aizawa said, standing in the train's doorway. "Bye."

"Bye." Yamada said a little quieter now, but with a smile on his face while he waved. The blonde was always so positive and energetic. It was nice. Aizawa waved as the door closed, then moved to look for his seat.

It was a window seat and he waved once more once he sat down. Yamada waved with two arms as the train began to move.

This was it.

Aizawa's chest felt tight as the train drove out of Musutafu. So many memories were connected to the city. Good, as well as bad. He gulped down the lump that formed in his throat and pressed his shirt's sleeve against his eyes. A new chapter of his life started with his move to Naruhata. There was no turning back now.

More chapters of Bounty Hunter in the Shadows on Ao3 :)