#or who was just a random fellow student or coworker

[undefeatednils]

Stuff in tags, only wanna semi-scream into the void

...

[uncloseted]

sorry if this is too personal, but what are some things (both material and not) that you find essential to your overall sense of peace or happiness?

what things do you think are good to help people be happy (both material and not) I know every human is different, but we are also alike in our fundamental needs, so what do you think would help most of us be happier?

Ooh! This is a really good question, and it actually has an evidence-based answer. The things that make people happier are:

Taking good care of your body. I know this one sucks, but it makes a huge difference. If you're not eating well, sleeping well, and moving, it has a huge impact on mood. In some studies, depressed participants who exercised three times a week for 30 minutes each actually had a higher remission rate than participants taking Zoloft. So do your best to eat a nutritionally balanced diet, sleep 7-9 hours a night, and exercise for at least 90 minutes a week.

Savoring. This is about being fully present in a moment and appreciating an experience as you're having it. You can savor something by sharing the experience with another person, thinking about how lucky you are to enjoy such an amazing moment, or keeping a souvenir or photo of that activity. Make sure you stay in the present moment the entire time - try not to multitask or worry about what you have to do next. You can also try reliving happy experiences in your mind for around 10 minutes, 3 times a week.

Gratitude: This goes along with savoring, but training yourself to approach the world from a place of gratitude makes a huge difference in happiness. So try to take 5-10 minutes each night to write down five things for which you are grateful. They can be big or little, but try to get into detail about why you're grateful for them, and imagine those things in your mind as you're doing it.

Meditation: Meditation is another tried-and-true way to boost your happiness. The skills that are required for meditation also make it easier to be present in the moment, which in turn makes it easier to not be anxious about the future or to ruminate on the past. Meditating just 5 minutes a day can make a big difference.

Social Connection: Inevitably somebody is going to get mad at me for saying this someone always does when I bring this up, but humans wired to be social creatures. When we're isolated for too long, it really impacts our mental health. So socializing with lots of different types of people (family members, coworkers/fellow students, friends, strangers) on a regular basis, going to a social event at least once a month, and making an effort to prioritize quality social interactions (like spending an afternoon with your best friend) can really help to satisfy that need for connection.

Acts of Kindness: People are actually happier when they're doing things for other people than they are when they're doing things for themselves. Studies have shown that people who do five random acts of kindness in one day are happier than those who don't (and also those who do one act of kindness every day for a week). Volunteering is the easiest way to do this one, but helping out your friends, family, or strangers also counts.

Using Strengths: People like feeling like they're good at things and that their talents matter. If you're regularly using four of your top strengths, you're more likely to feel fulfilled and to be happier overall. The Strengths Survey I like is from the VIA Character Institute

Setting and Achieving Goals: This kind of goes along with using your strengths, but people like to feel like they're growing and making progress. Having a goal that you're working toward, even if it's something small, can give you a sense of momentum and purpose in your day to day life.

Cognitive Reframing: As humans, our brains are wired to keep us alive. This means that our brains are constantly looking out for danger. But now, in our day to day lives, there's not really much actual danger for our brains to focus on, and so our brains use that same impulse to focus on the negatives of a given situation. By learning techniques to challenge our negative thoughts, we can train our brains to focus on the positives of a situation instead, making us happier overall.

Spending Time In Nature: Finally, spending time in nature has a sizable benefit for our mental health. I think part of this is because a lot of people are Vitamin D deficient, and that can lead to low mood in itself, but also because spending time in nature gets us away from all of the things we're worried about and gives us some perspective.

So, okay, all that said, what does that look like for me? I have a pretty steady sleep schedule from 12-8:30, and I've put a lot of effort into making sure that my bedroom is conducive for good sleep. I'm not the best at eating, but I do follow a mostly vegetarian Mediterranean diet, and I take supplements to make sure all my nutritional needs are being met. I'm also not the best at exercising because chronic illness, but I do have a 5 minute physical therapy routine that I do every morning, and I walk most places I go. I'm hoping that once my joints get a little stronger, I'll be able to start doing Pilates classes a couple times a week.

I try to practice savoring and gratitude throughout my day, and I have an app on my phone that gives me a daily gratitude prompt. I meditate for 10 minutes most days, although sometimes I end up not having time. I try to walk to a coffee shop every morning so that I can stretch my legs, chat with some strangers, and get outside a bit. I also make a point of seeing my best friend at least twice a month, I see my partner most days, and I've started subscribing to a service where every Wednesday night, I get matched with five random people and we have dinner together. I'm a fairly extroverted person, so I probably need a little more social interaction than what I'm doing right now, but even just adding in those dinners once a week has made a huge difference for my happiness, especially since I work from home. As far as acts of kindness go, I've been on the hunt to find a volunteer organization I really care about. But I also feel like what I do on this blog satisfies my need to be helpful most days.

When it comes to strengths, mine are: love of learning, fairness, judgement, creativity, and curiosity. This blog actually serves a lot of my needs when it comes to using my strengths, since I'm always researching something new and pursuing my curiosities, I get to engage with new perspectives and ideas, and I get to help people. I also read a lot, listen to podcasts, watch video essays and documentaries, and take classes to use my love of learning, and I try to always have some type of creative project going, although I struggle to maintain that sometimes because starting a new project is always kind of daunting. I'd like to take an in-person art class to satisfy my need to be creative and to get some more social interaction, but I haven't found one I'm really excited about taking yet. I'm also always working on a bunch of different projects, classes, and certifications, which helps me feel like I'm making progress and achieving the goals I set for myself.

I don't know if these examples are super enlightening or if I've just kind of been yapping about myself for the last three paragraphs, but those are some of the ways I've been trying to take a more thoughtful approach to my happiness and well-being.

Edit: I meant to mention this in my original post, but if you're interested in the science of happiness and well-being, there's a really great Yale course called "The Science of Well-Being" that's available for free on Coursera. It's where I learned most of this information, and it's made a huge difference in my life.

[echonk3]

999 Week 2023 - Junpei

so this is from the view of a fellow college student. also this is inspired by useless equations by Pensysto over on ao3 which please go read it is so good and the fic that turned me onto writing in second person

You know it’s common for people who went missing to come back changed and Junpei, the dude who you met who was like everybody, was no exception. 

No matter how much Googling you did to try and find out what the hell happened, the most you got was maybe this blurry photo from Nevada of somebody who was definitely Junpei. You’d recognize his Marty McFly outfit almost anywhere, considering that was a common outfit for him. But you can’t bring yourself to ask him about it. Both because the main place you see him is on campus, and because the few people who had been to his apartment say that they saw the recycling bin almost overflowing with beer cans. Not to mention, the time they found him drunk in one of the seemingly rare times he’s even at his place. One of them talked about him babbling about zeroes and gas masks and weapons and fire and puzzles and numbers, though another talked of him being cheerful yet talking about some dark topics.

Though, you think him being drunk is the only way he’ll sleep, because as the days go on his eye bags become darker and it gets to the point where he falls asleep during a class. It’s as if he was simply going through the motions. Goes to classes, neglecting the work he’s given, and then is spotted wandering or at a local bar.

This all may have taken place over the course of a few months, but it felt like a few days. And all of these lead to the spiralling rumours. Waterboarding due to water aversion and the talk of submarines making him recoil a bit and especially talk of the Titanic just bringing a look of absolute fear into his eyes, that he went insane but hasn’t been diagnosed with something even if the Psych majors keep saying that he likely has PTSD, that somehow Santa Claus kidnapped him (though it was from the dude who was near constantly high and who spouts bullshit half the time).

Another visit to his apartment brings a friend of yours talking to you about it, about “like there’s this corkboard with the red strings and everything. Something about a girl named Akane. There was like a bunch of random shit there, like mentions of the dude who killed his coworkers recently.” 

Junpei’s clothing starts to change, as if he just bought a bunch of random black clothes because they match everything instead of putting effort into his kinda shitty clothing choices. Some people say it’s better, but they haven’t seen the shit he’s been going through. They don’t know that he’s come from somebody with shitty jokes and the fashion sense of somebody who didn’t care to a clearly traumatized, likely alcoholic trying to find somebody.

And one day, like any other, you watch as a car comes to the curb, right as Junpei is walking by, his shoulders slumped and his hand limply hanging onto a bag. Out comes a hulking man, a girl with bright pink hair, a man with silver hair and a pretty lady who may be much older than you but goddamn.

He looks shocked as he sees them, and you think he’s stammering but you’re not in earshot and you don’t want to get closer lest you make it awkward. They’re saying something to him, and a minute later he takes a step forward, and almost immediately slumps over into the arms of the woman, dropping his bag and his head hanging over her shoulder. She pats him on the back, and ushers him into the car as the girl plucks his bag from the ground and they all join the two.

That was the last you’ve seen of him. All you know is that he’s dropped out, and you recognize the people from the blurry Nevada photo that’s now become embroiled in the case of the man who killed his coworkers during a death game. But you’re unable to ask Junpei about that now. 

You hope that he’s doing well now at least, you think as the clock turns to 12 for 2029, just a bit over a year after the day he came back.

[britcision]

You learn that other people can’t see the counter when you’re around five, and ask your mother what it means because hers just dropped suddenly to three and you don’t know why.

She looks confused, the number slowly ticking up and down, and asks what game you’re playing. She seems distracted, and now you’re confused too, because you’ve been telling people their numbers for years.

You can’t see your own, not even in a mirror, and the fact that everyone gave you different answers wasn’t all that odd since you couldn’t see a pattern in how their numbers changed.

It does explain why you sometimes got answers in the millions though, when you never saw anyone else with a number higher than a few hundred. And here you’d thought you were special.

You’re more circumspect when asking if other people see them after that year, because while your mom was nice, the kids on the playground weren’t. You had to pretend it was a game, and they were stupid for not playing along.

You reach your teen years, get really into all those romantic ideas about a countdown to death, and it makes you scared of watching the counters drop for a few years.

But you comfort yourself that it’s clearly not a countdown, every time a friend hits one, or zero. It goes up and down, by jumps and starts, and seems so random.

Of course you become obsessed with math. You watch your one friend, a girl with yellow hair whose number jumps more and faster than anyone you’ve ever met. You track the numbers, log them for days and weeks, and try to find an equation to explain them.

There’s nothing, of course. Even when you think you see a pattern, it breaks in a matter of hours.

You look for the slowest changer instead, factor in the time between switches, and it’s still no good. You’re an irredeemable nerd now, but you need to know.

You get yourself a scholarship, pursue calculus and theoretical math, and your fellow students are almost as passionate as you. But none of them can see the numbers, none of them have the mystery you’ve never solved.

The scholarship doesn’t fully cover the cost of textbooks, so you take a job as a barista nearby. That’s interesting, because you see so many people all at once and can do more little studies of the numbers.

The answer definitely isn’t “time since last meal”, or “last cup of coffee”.

The presence of such a large and diverse sample lets you spot new things you hadn’t considered before too; you always knew most peoples’ counters changed at different speeds, but you’ve never seen anyone consistent before.

There’s a kid with green hair and piercings all up both ears and brows, and their number is never lower than twenty. They’re never rude, but they’re loud in spite of themselves, and you find yourself liking to see them.

A control for your experiments, a regular and reliable face.

There’s an old man who sits in the back whose number never changes and who never speaks. He hands you a napkin with a coffee order every time, and some of your coworkers are scared touching the napkins will make you sick.

You aren’t. The old man might be homeless or might not be; none of you actually know. He sits bundled in coats all through the summer, always has the same red scarf, always has the same seven sat above his head.

You’ve never seen him sat or napping in the street, but he’s never pulled out a key and you haven’t followed him to see if he goes to a home.

Whether he’s unhoused or not, you’re not about to treat him like a plague rat. He’s just quiet, and for all you know he’s fully mute.

You talk slowly and clearly back, making sure your mouth is easy to follow because you can’t be sure he can hear you in the first place. He watches your lips instead of your eyes, never replies, but always pays in exact change, and then puts the exact same tip in the jar.

One day, on a whim, you join a sign language club at university. It takes some practice to get the signs down, and you have to ask for some specific phrases, but a week later you try wishing him a good day in ASL.

His eyes light up, a tremulous smile half hidden in the scarf. He doesn’t sign back, but you know the secret now. He just doesn’t have much to say, but he was happy you made the effort.

His number is eight now.

You wondered if it might have been changing all along and you just didn’t notice, but it doesn’t go back down. Or up any further.

You have the strongest feeling you are that number eight, but you can’t prove it. It didn’t change while you were watching, or while he was in the store.

You take statistics class, get permission from your manager to run out a few projects at work. Things like two tip jars, each with a different sign and a note behind them explaining the project.

That gets much more results than a single tip jar, as you expected, people are firm in their opinions and pick sides quickly.

The other baristas insist on keeping the two jar method even once you’ve gotten an A on your findings. They’re for competing sports teams on game days, music genres over the summer when the concerts come through, silly things like “cake or pie” when nothing more serious is going on.

There’s no correlation between the counters and how much people donate, or which side they choose.

You don’t realize that other people don’t have your memory for numbers and faces until you comment that your dear regular always donates to the jar on the left. Your coworker looks surprised and asks how you know.

Apparently other people don’t really keep numbers in their heads, but it’s second nature to you by now. You don’t always have time to grab the notepad you used to track them in.

University is interesting, and you find your way to chaos theory, which is fun in so many ways. One thing you do notice is that the numbers of your professors are almost always in motion, ticking up and down by tens at a time.

It doesn’t match the attendance sheets, you checked, with some excuses from your statistics class. You’re taking a seemingly random array of math specialties, but they all help each other.

The puzzle continues, all through your degrees (two full masters, and neither of them help). You learn to think of the world, of numbers, in a different way. You leave the cafe, move on to a couple of think tank positions.

You’ve never found anyone else who can see the numbers either. That’s okay though; you don’t want to just be given the answer anymore. This is a challenge now, a test of your worth, a constant companion.

Crunching numbers, applying analytics for work is good practice and keeps you sharp, but it isn’t your passion. Your passion is the mystery, but now you have access to the kinds of computers you can start running a broader analysis on.

You have decades of data now, and you feed it all in after work. Set the machines analyzing, using as much information about each person as you have, looking for variables.

It runs for months, but you’re not exactly surprised by the results; you need more data. No correlation detected.

It’s still a disappointment, and for a few days you feel down. You stop thinking about the counters. Just focus on your work, doing your job, making a play at socializing and reminding yourself you have a life outside your quest.

Kind of.

And then one day you’re in a coffee shop, grabbing a hit on your way to morning classes, and the cashier is a real sweet looking kid with earnest brown eyes and neatly tied back cornrows.

He looks conflicted as you make your order, you’ve been coming here since he started but you’ve never really talked. He takes your order, takes your money, and you move back.

You’re expecting someone else to bring you the drink, but he switches out and leans over the counter to give you the cup and cookie you definitely didn’t order. You’re confused; you didn’t pay for it, there’s no promotion.

He gives you a small empathetic smile.

“You look like you need it. Your…. Uh…. Your colour’s washed out,” he says in a hurry, clearly expecting you to think nothing of it, but your heart stops.

He doesn’t mean your face. You know that. If anything, your natural tan has gotten darker now that you spend more time outside. Just. Sitting in the park. Pretending you’re not thinking about the numbers.

But the way he says it, the furtive glances, the way you suddenly realize he’s been looking just a little above your face almost every time you see him.

You don’t grab his hand, even though you desperately want to. He’s already turning, rushing back to work, and you need to know.

“Wait,” you call as quietly as you can, and he stops. Glances back.

There’s something in those brown eyes now, a wariness and a kind of squashed down hope you know you’re showing too.

Wetting your lips you try and work out how to ask. What to say. It isn’t numbers, clearly. But you’ve never known your own number, always desperately wondered, and if there’s even a tiny chance…

“What… what colour was I?” You ask quietly, and he takes a quick glance around.

It’s not busy. You came after the rush, not wanting to be overwhelmed by counters you just can’t figure out.

He gives you a thoughtful look, from that spot on your forehead down to your eyes, still guarded but hoping.

“Blue,” he says softly, coming back to lean on the counter, “but it was very bright. Cyan, almost glowing. You’re… more grey now. Powder blue.”

You take a moment trying to think about the difference, then pull your phone up to look. He stifles a chuckle, then pulls himself up. Looks at you cautiously, hopefully.

“You don’t see them, do you?” He asks softly, watching you examine the two colours. It snaps you back and you look up, a small smile on your face.

“Not colours. I see counters. Not like, death counters,” you add quickly when he looks suddenly alarmed, wondering how to make it seem reassuring. “They go up and down and I’ve spent my whole life trying to work out what they’re for, but it’s definitely not that.”

You pause for a moment, looking at him with a slight frown on your face. His isn’t especially high or low, and he did tell you what he saw.

“Yours is forty-six,” you tell him softly, and stifle a laugh when it promptly changes. “Fifty-two.”

It seems to settle him a little, his eyes tracking your face, noting where you’re looking. You meet his eyes again.

“Do you know what the colours mean?” You ask softly, and he gives an awkward shrug.

“Not really. Just… never seems to be a good thing when they’re fading. Most people stay in one colour but change hue and saturation.”

They’re not terms you’re super familiar with, you’re not an artist, but you know in your heart that this is it. Your big break. A second data point.

All you have to do is not scare him away.

“I finally finished running a full computer analysis on all the counters I’ve seen,” you admit softly, gaze slipping down to the free cookie. “It didn’t find anything.”

He makes a soft, sympathetic noise, and the first smile you’ve actually felt since tugs at your lips. You give him a hopeful look.

“If you wouldn’t mind… you could email me the colours you see, and I could add them to the dataset? No names or anything, just…” and suddenly you realize that this project is creepy as hell, and super invasive, and he looks surprised and you should definitely leave.

This time he calls you back, glancing around the mostly empty store. And he quietly tells you the colours he sees above each head, and you note that along with their counters.

You’re already thinking of possible connections, maybe something in the precise wavelength of light, it’s wonderful that he’s so specific and knows so many colour names.

He’s an art student. Of course he is. And he agrees to help, if you come in at the end of the day he can finish out his shift and tell you all the colours he sees of the people still there.

Finally, finally, you have some help. Someone who understands, even if they don’t see what you do. And sure, you’ve got about fifteen years of life over him, but you always wanted a little brother.

He gawks at your work laptop when you bring it in; it’s big enough that it looks a century out of date, but that’s because you built it yourself to run like a supercomputer. Its fans roar like engines when you boot it up, and you have a whole gaggle of fascinated baristas by the time closing comes.

It can’t handle the full scope of the data set, but it connects on a private VPN to the big computer at work and can handle chunks at a time.

And convert video to 3D, but that was just to see if you could.

Your friend’s name is Dillan, and you give him yours because it’s not his fault you don’t wear a name tag. He’s got a good head for data analysis, and you know if his art doesn’t pan out he’ll do well anyway.

His art is wonderful though; reminiscent of time-lapses of cityscapes lit in blurred headlights and neon, but you know each soft line of colour is a person. He does smaller spaces too, a room, a corner of the park.

Portraits sometimes, peoples faces painted in the shades of their colour as it changes. It’s almost perfectly photorealistic, and you know he’s a prodigy in the same way you are.

You hope he can make the art he loves forever, even when he’s frustrated that a piece isn’t coming out quite right.

There isn’t an easy answer, even with his help and your new data sets. It takes years, with monthly meetings first in his coffee shop, and then at the library when he moves on.

You help with any homework that involves math, and once with a sympathetic shoulder and gentle advice when a TA is trying to drive his grades down. You know first hand how unforgiving the education system is to kids of colour, but you also remember how older students protected you.

There’s channels to report, if you know for sure they won’t take the TA’s side. There’s evidence gathering, witnesses, making sure you aren’t alone with them.

His family is far away, his parents unable to stand in his corner, so you pose as a distant cousin when he decides to make the complaint. Having an adult there, especially one with your qualifications, cuts the whole process off at the knees.

Seeing the TA’s eyes widen as you walk in in your best suit sends a little thrill through the kid in you who once sat in Dillan’s seat. Their counter jumps three times during the meeting, and this time you’re certain it’s not a good sign for them.

With the evidence Dillan and his friends have collected, the TA loses their position and gets a month of mandatory bias training. It might not change them, but you don’t care.

Dillan bounces like he’s walking on the moon as you leave, his own counter ticking steadily higher in a way you’re just as sure can’t be bad. His counter ticks up and down for the next few days, seemingly at random, and while he doesn’t know his own colour any more than you can see your counter, something in your heart tells you he’s a bright sunshine yellow.

His parents are a little concerned, of course. You meet at Dillan’s graduation, especially since you’ve got him an intern position at your work to keep him on his feet while he looks for work he actually loves.

They’re grateful, a pair of large Black men whose whole stance is a challenge for you to comment. You’re half expecting a shovel talk of some kind, and ready for it, when Dillan leans in eagerly and whispers that you’re the one who sees the numbers.

His father’s eyes soften, though his dad is still wary. You tell them both their own numbers, the only way you can try and prove it.

His father’s younger sister saw the numbers, you learn, and your heart stops all over again.

Someone else. A third person.

But she died long ago, and you’re startled to learn that she saw decimals. You never thought about it, never really wondered, but your counters are always whole numbers.

Dillan’s father doesn’t know all of the details, but he seems to feel better speaking about her. She never knew what the numbers were either, and he doesn’t know if she ever recorded them, but it fills you with relief.

You’d stopped looking for anyone else.

Told yourself you didn’t want to just be given the answer.

Liked being the only one to solve the puzzle.

But now that it’s possible, that you really know there are other people, first one and now two and who knows how many more?

It settles around your shoulders like a blanket, and Dillan is grinning at you in a way that tells you something has happened to your colour. You’ll add it to the dataset later.

No one else in Dillan’s family really see anything, on either side, but that’s okay. You have a goal now, and Dillan finally convinces you to do the one thing you’ve always avoided.

His dad’s a web designer. You spend about a month together, the two of you and occasionally Dillan when he isn’t painting, working out how to pose the invitation. What to show, how to format the site, how to filter out the false replies that always kept you from trying before.

Dillan does a bunch of art for the site too, pictures of what he sees that you can hardly believe aren’t just photos of people with a small circle of colour just around the hairline.

Pictures of what you see, the plain white numbers floating just above their heads. Gifs that show the way they change, the number ticking up and down like those old fashioned flap cards they used to roll through at ballgames before LED screens replaced the analog.

It’s always been funny to you, how archaic your counters are. Outdated before you were born, and the only reason you know the flip cards existed is because your mother showed you when you tried to explain what you saw.

But the white numbers fold themselves in half to show the new number unfolding down just like that, and Dillan laughs about it with you while you make the gif.

You spend long minutes with Dillan and his dad once it’s all ready, just looking at the button that’ll send the whole thing live.

Are you ready?

There’s a new email address just for this, but you know it’ll keep all three of you busy if enough people find the site. There’ll be people making fun of you, just like when you were little, and people pretending to feel special.

But there might be someone else too, someone as lost and confused as you were. What else might others see? Shapes? Scribbly lines that get more and more jagged like your counter climbs?

You can’t even imagine it, and it steals the breath from your lungs.

Dillan steals the mouse and hits the button for you, then runs away with it so you can’t panic and undo it. His dad laughs until tears run down his cheeks as you do indeed panic, leaping up to chase your little brother.

But it’s done now, and you can breathe again.

You still don’t know the answer. You know that at the end of it all, Dillan’s colours may have nothing at all to do with your counters.

But you’re not alone.

You saw your shadow in this sweet, funny kid, reached out the way you wish someone had reached for you, and now you’ve both reached out to the whole world.

It’ll be a pain in the ass sorting it all out, but you have work friends who can make you a program to filter the openly aggressive messages.

Because somewhere in the world, there’s a five year old kid who was just told no one else sees the world the way they do, and they’ll be able to see that it’s not true. They’re not alone. Someone will help them solve the mystery.

You’re no closer to the answer than you were as a fresh graduate yourself, can’t imagine what it could be.

But it turns out you were wrong, back when you were the fresh graduate who wanted to solve the world all alone. Answers aren’t as important as not being alone.

Since birth you could see a counter above people’s heads. It doesn’t count down to their death. It goes up and down randomly. You’re desperate to find out what it means.

[patchworkofravens]

Greetings mutual of mine, tis I, completing my duties as a mutual to randomly send you questions :D

I dare you… to rant about a character who deserved better GO

Ahh I've missed these, thank you ! This is going to be very messy and not well thought out- I apologise in advance.

Ji Seungwan from 2521

Before I started watching the show, I’d already seen a few scenes here and there from edits, including lines from the timeskip, so I tried to guess at what would happen to all of the characters. And let me tell you, her future disappointed me so bad.

In the future, grown up Seungwan works in a tiring, variety show assistant ish job. When asked by a coworker why someone like her chose to end up in and stay at such a job, her reply is some ‘that's just how life is’ shtick. Here's why that bothers me so much.

Seungwan was a class president who cared about her fellow students enough to hand out soft pillows and ask yijin to broadcast an old comforting message during everyone's exam season. She was in turn cared about enough that a student she wasn’t even a friend of burst into literal tears when Seungwan had to leave school, that the entire class cheered on the entirety of her exit, all the way until she was past her school gate.

She was outright stated as someone smart, who was so good of a student that she had the favour of even the strictest teacher shown. I honestly think it would have been so easy to begin and end her character as that- the typical good girl who prefers to stay in line no matter what to keep her bright future intact who also maybe burns out later shtick. But she wasn’t.

Unapproved, she used a corner of the school as a hideaway, took random furniture off the street(? If i remember correctly) to sneak into school after hours just so she could furbish that hideaway. She manipulated Yijin into letting her and her best friend tag along on a beach trip instead of going to school.

and she did it with food, knowing he couldn’t get much of that at the time, with her mothers food, and she was persistent with it. When her first attempt at asking him didn’t work? Instead of continuing with a detailed solid argument verbal cajoling type of shtick whatever, Seungwans next thought was to blackmail this Yijin guy after tricking him into eating food that he thought she herself cooked when really her mother cooked it and had no idea where it all went. (For context, her mother was also his landlord).

Next, her best friend- Jiwoong isn’t the kind of person you’d immediately expect to be besties with her, let alone the kind of person she’d be besties with. He’s popular, widely pursued, known as a Pretty Boy. He skateboards kinda recklessly in the hallways and overall doesn’t quite follow school rules, he’s the one who gets in the most trouble with the same strict teacher who Seungwan holds the favour of. Yet they are best friends, and in two of their first scenes together she’s shown asking him if he’s happy which to me feels so significant of their dynamic. She’s told to cut him off because he’s holding her back, probably multiple times, and? Nope. Anyway the entire reason she even ended up leaving the school anyway is because she stood up to the strict, abusive teacher after he was seen beating her best friend up. Because after official authorities didn’t do shit, she exposed him to what audience she had on her small radio platform and refused to publicly apologise for it.

Finally, she’s stated that she find life incredibly boring. She’s stated that if Jiwoong hadn’t been around, she might have killed herself out of boredom.

CONCLUSIONALLY I personally saw her as the type of person who would cross lines you’d expect her to stand behind, if it means better for others. She appeared to be the one who held onto the friend groups days the most, and a lot of the exciting things that happened to her or that she did were because of others.

But I also think she’s someone who, whether knowingly or not, seeks out and holds onto things that keep her life more exciting (Obviously. Jiwoong, that beach day, her being the first one to bring up the past during that one timeskip scene, the perm, sneaking into school because i do think girlie could have found another way but noooo.) And then obviously there’s the justice thing (With the school board and police not doing shit, and her mother initially suggesting she be flexible and apologize, and Jiwoong asking her not to leave, she could have taken the easy way out but she didn’t)

My point is, seeing such a character receive an ending where its hinted that she barely has contact with even one of the same friends she used to find joy and excitement in?Where she has a tiring job that involves giving viewers excitement she’s not receiving a single drop of in her life? Where the thing that brings all of them to her in person is her dads literal funeral? Where even then she doesn’t get to talk to all of them together(I know there are reasons but thats not the point rn)? And hey maybe, maybe I could take the “Oh iTs tO Be rEaLisTic” explanation and let it be if that was all, but noooooo. It’s not. Because get this.

Actual HOURS after her dads funeral, Yijins little brother shows up. The only other interaction they’ve had was during the beach day ep, where he tells her how much of a fan he is of her radio. She says some like “You’ve…grown. Life is about to get much more interesting/exciting.”.........girl what.

THATS IT? THATS THE KICKER YOU’RE THROWING IN, RIGHT AT THE END, TO MAKE HER LIFE EXCITING AGAIN? A BOY. A GUY. my fucking god. If youre going to give her a sad ending to be realistic, just end. It. At. That. I’d still be disappointed but i’d get over it. Why throw in a barely-there love interest again at THE END to insinuate as the thing that makes her life as exciting as it used to be?????? Because personally I think that makes the ‘realistic’ excuse invalid and also that it’s fucking stupid. Why build such a character to have the guy be the ONLY. ONLY. Thing that makes her life that way again?

I’m probably reaching. And I’m only ace so I don’t know how far I can actually speak on this but not only that, it also feels kind of allonormative? A little bit? That a love interest is what turns her life around. Feels kind of hey, it doesn’t matter now, she has ROMANCE. Her story is HAPPY ENDING now. WOOHOO. God i’m sick of it.

Anyway this was fun, thank you again! :)

[mary-janewagner]

I got fired yesterday

“You are more trouble than you are a help” was what she said when she randomly called me a few hours before I was supposed to show up at the bar. I had not even worked there a whole month, but now have to again be writing job applications. Though my coworkers were weirdly passive aggressive to me from the beginning on - which I thought to be because they are just like how typical German urban people in their twenties are like here (entitled, privileged and lacking a sense of humour) I certainly did not expect to be laid off from that job really. In fact, I thought I was doing pretty well actually, was enjoying that work and looking forward to spend my summer nights in that bar.

Jas and me are sitting in this cafe that is attached to the movie theatre right now. We just had a pancake and a lentil soup after spending the day at different cafes being more or less productive...

Now, it is the next day. We watched The End We Start From. It was only us, a couple that was sitting close to us a few days ago at the library and some random guy in the tiny theatre hall. I had never heard of the movie before and the main reason we decided watching it was that it was being shown in English. I found it to be a good movie, thought provoking. The protagonists were (somewhat) white, priviledged urban people. That did not save them from being completely helpless against the floods though. The movie portrayed how natural disasters truly make us equal. With climate chance they will occur more frequently and in places we are not yet used to them occuring in. People literally sitting in the same boat.

My mood got very serious and pessimist throughout watching the movie. Do I want to set children into this world in which it seems a safe future even in our priviledged western societies cannot be taken for granted? How can I ensure a safe future for myself and my possible future family? Now that it's the first time I am with a partner with whom I could actually imagine a future together those questions suddenly feel so real.

Nowadays I read a lot about migration. I am taking this course on Migration and Belonging in Political Theory with that professor whom I absolutely adore. She is a great role model for me and my main motivation showing up and participating - something I have had a hard time doing throughout the past two years that I am studying already - is just to make her like me really. Ideally I would like to work for her, but that job is already taken by one of my fellow students. He though is not too appreciative of that student assistant job - he himself complained about it to me. However, with migration I have found a topic that I am hugely interested in. It is a phenomenon that with climate chance will become more and more present that it is already now.

Last week I applied to a student job of a another professor at the political science institute though - and she also works on migration! I got to know about the position being vacant through a researcher of political science who knows me through a series of absurd and akward situations rather than through university itself. Most importantly though he had me on mind when it came to this, which I greatly appreciate. Though I am not as advanced in my studies as I should be, having procrastinated a lot indeed, in the past two years my social and political engagement in two organisations in which I had leading positions and another friendship I made to a researcher in law (who at some point even was my partner) allowed me to gather precious experience as an event organisor and student assistant already. Especially the latter friendship enabled me to have very unique insights into research and academic life having observed the process of publishing a book with Oxford University Press, having helped organising an international academic conference inviting 13 prestigious researchers to my university and most interestingly: having lived in a New English town for three months already, taking part at seminars and lectures of very known professors.

Being back in Germany since April my claim was concentrating on my studies completely, being focused and extremly disciplined. For about two months I managed that pretty well: I had two jobs, was showing up to my courses, ate healthily, practiced a new sport (rowing) and helped the old British Gentleman that I am living with. Throughout the past weeks though I have been lenient. It was when Jas arrived from the US that I became distracted. So far I have not managed to get back on track yet. I do not necessarily regret the time we spent in different cities in which I showed him around, we went to art galleries, book stores or concerts or us going to all different cafés and bars of this very town. But I have troubles focusing again. It is time to get serious and become disciplined again though. I simply cannot afford procrastinating in my studies anymore. I have to make progress. This town eventually is becoming to small, I know too many people here, I want to become somebody myself, want my degree. If I manage to stay consistent I will be able to finish my Bachelor's aged 23, which I guess is still fair enough. Especially if one considers the experiences I made living in the US, travelling in general, being involved in projects and organisations and working several jobs.

I started this blog to remind me to keep going every day. Since February I publish my ramblings on tumblr already. I felt the need to make a new blog in which I be more concrete about my life as a student, write less about certain private parts of my life. I just want it to be able to be publicaly read. It will hard for me to distinguish in my writings and finding out which contents fit which blogs, but it will also make me feel more secure, being less explicit publicly, but more detailed about scientific/professional topics or cultural observations I make.

That being said I feel much lighter now and will hopefully make myself spend the rest of the day studying.

[digitallovergirl]

　　HERE'S YOUR COFFEE.. AND MY NUMBER

☕ . . . Barista! Leo Valdez x Customer! Reader.

in which: Leo has a favorite customer, and it's most definitely you.

authors note: I don't have much to say for this one LOL. I'm writing this right after I post my poll to see what fic you guys would like from me so this is one of the options ! also I like to think that the store Leo works at is a mom and pop shop and the parents who run the place love Leo and gave him the job as soon as the place opened 🤭

warnings: literally none

Was it wrong for Leo to have a favorite?

He didn't think so. I mean, It's not like it was obvious. His job was to make caffeine drinks for teenagers, college students, and thirty year old women with two kids. Who would know (or care) that he liked one customer more than another. As long as the quality wasn't getting worse for one customer and way better for a second one.. Why do they care?

When Leo says they, he means his coworkers. He might have talked about one customer a little too much (and how pretty they were) and one day, the people who worked around him were like: "Wait.. do you have a crush on one of the customers?"

Which Leo responded with: "Uhm.. No?" (He's rubbing the back of his neck and blushing like crazy. He also sucks at lying)

So ever since that day, Leo's wonderful peers have been his wingmen and wingwoman. Every time they'd have a break, the people on the job would go into the back and talk about ways Leo could smoothly give you his number. At first, the meetings were really embarrassing. They'd often joke around about how Leo had a crush on somebody who he only saw for a good few minutes a day, but as it went on for longer, they would actually give some good advice.

So Leo, taking all the advice he'd learned from his fellow people's, decided to shoot his shot. And he didn't just pick a random day, no, he might have checked the weather for the week and picked the coldest day because, lets be honest, who doesn't want a hot drink on a cold day?

The day you came into the shop was definitely cold, but that didn't stop you from wearing something cute. As soon as one of Leo's coworkers saw you, she basically pushed Leo to the front desk without saying a word. "What in the world are you—" he stopped talking when he saw you walking up to the front desk. "Well, look who it is." He smirked.

"Hi, Leo." You smiled back, glancing at his name tag and back at him. Not that you had forgotten his name, but it was hard to remember stuff when you were around him. "Can I get a [insert usually order] please?" you asked.

"And will that be a to-go order?"

"Unfortunately, yes. I have a job interview in like.. " You turned your phone on to check the time. "thirty minutes? and I can't be low on energy. I'm trying to get the job, not lose it. "

Leo laughed. "I bet either way you'd get it." If his eyes could form hearts, it would. you were so, so pretty.

[ little time skip hehe ]

It didn't take that long for you drink to come to you (mostly because Leo was high on energy and was making it for you) But before he gave you the drink, he wrote a little something on the side of your cup.

"I'm going to be very honest, you're cute. I'm going to put my number below this just in case you think i'm cute too." He signed the letter with his name and a little red heart that he used a red sharpie to make.

"Here's your drink." Leo handed the coffee cup to you, purposely giving it to you in a way so that your hands could slightly touch. "Thank youu." You said, smiling. "See you next time I come in?" You asked.

"See you next time." He shoot you a pair of finger guns (which was extremely nerd & cute thing for him to do.) "Good luck on your job interview!" he said before you walked out the door. He wasn't happy that you had to leave, but at least you leaving meant his heart wouldn't beat so fast. The only this that he could hope was that you saw his note on the side of your coffee cup.

[egittae]

feeling!

72. grumpy

So what if he didn’t actually know how to handle a pegasus? It didn’t bother him at all! It didn’t. No.

It was just a horse like any other except it had wings and for whatever reason those wings made them feel special and particularly willing to be sassy and misbehaving little creatures who are picky with riders. “They act like that- and for what? It makes no sense to me.” Lambert crossed his arms, sitting down on a pile of hay. He had been there as he was instructed by a green-haired guy from the higher church staff to meet with some of the fellow teachers of the academy and get to know his coworkers.

This one was a lady by the name of Elincia. She taught the Black Eagles House, and she seemed like she wasn’t from Fódlan at all- but she looked strong and confident, like a ruler. On the shorter side, but he could tell that she could pack a punch.

As for why they were in the stables, it just happened to be close by and the lady herself had a pegasus. As Lambert was meant to specialize in lances and riding for his students, it was only fair to become experienced with many different types of mount as he already knew how to handle a regular horse. The more, the better for his Wolves.

But pegasi…

The first time he fell from one, he laughed it off. Spooked the poor thing probably.

The second time, he also didn’t bother with it.

Around the fifth time, Lambert started to wonder if the problem was with him or with the animal.

“What reasons does it even have to act like that? Horses do not do that…except for blasted little ponies, those sit closer to the eternal flames and that most likely affects their behavior and makes them into evil things. But these?” He motioned to a random pegasus on one of the nearby stalls, looking at Elincia. “It just feels like being a jerk because it can!”

…if anything, he looked less angry and more just…perhaps a little bit petty and grumpy. Enough so that he crossed his arms and looked a bit dejected for a second. Then, a sigh. “Can you please explain to me again how to work with one…” Perseverance, perseverance…

[acespec-ed]

“What if I’m not ace because I don’t go out often enough to meet new people to become sexually attracted to?”

I’ve always been a bit of a shut in. Never go out much. Stay home most of the time. I’m a boring person with a boring life. And I can tell you with upmost certainty that, unless you literally never leave the house, and don’t watch TV/movies/internet videos, you’ve seen enough people to know.

When you leave the house to simply get the mail or take out the trash, you’ll eventually see what your neighbors look like. 

When you go to the store, because, you’ll need to buy stuff eventually, you see fellow customers and multiple cashiers, depending on the size of the store.

You want to stop for takeout? More customers, more workers.

Do you go to school? The average American high school has over 500 students. You share classes with those students. You pass those students in the hall. Your friends introduce you to some of those students who are in their classes but not yours. You’re there for four years, watching students leave the school and enter the school. And if you’re in college? This number gets bumped up to the thousands! (Of course, you’re not going to see every single student who goes to your school, but there’s still a decent chance of finding one of them sexually attractive.) And there’s teachers and faculty members to crush on as well.

Don’t have a car and have to take public transportation to go to school/work/run errands? There’s people waiting at the bus stop. There’s people taking the bus with you. And you get to see even more people when you take that bus back home. 

And let’s not forget random joggers and dog walkers you’re bound to see every time you leave the house.

Maybe you have a job. Do you not see customers every day? Or is it a job that doesn’t involve seeing customers every day? If so, you got coworkers. And coworkers leave and get replaced by new coworkers. Not only that, but who spends their entire life working at one job nowadays? Chances are, you’ll get a new job at some point. Or maybe you’ve already worked multiple jobs. Maybe you’re currently working multiple jobs. Regardless, you still meet new people through having a job. What’s that? Your job is one where you’re isolated from people? You still have a boss. And you’ve had to of bumped into a fellow employee every now and then.

Doctors offices? Dentist offices? Libraries? Jury duty?

Okay, fine. Maybe you’re unemployed and were homeschooled. Maybe you’re disabled and can’t leave the house. Maybe you simply avoid leaving the house at all costs. Maybe you just live in an area where everyone knows everybody, or somewhere rural.

Do you not watch TV? Do you not watch movies? Do you not watch internet videos? Do you not discover a new band, look them up, and see what all their members look like? Do you not see pictures and gif sets of people whenever you log into the Tumblr dot com?

Not to mention salesmen, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, and delivery people knocking on your door.

You see new people every week of your life. And you don’t even realize it.

“But... but... surely nobody is attracted to some random stranger?”

I first saw my boyfriend on public transportation and felt romantic attraction almost immediately. I had a friend give a random book store employee her number, because she found him that attractive. And back in my bus-taking days, three strangers asked me for my number. I know it’s hard to believe, but feeling attraction on first sight is an actual thing that happens!

Trust me. Even if you “don’t get out much,” you can still call yourself ace.

[floral-poisons]

twst characters: what if they were otome love interests

lmao like a mentally ill bitch i began replaying some otome games from my childhood (voltage specifically). now that i'm way older these games are REALLY bad and yet somehow still enjoyable. so now here we are, once again dealing with my random ass head canons. this is what i think the twst cast would be if they were in an otome game.

this format is going to be different, simply because we're not going by dorm. i've grouped certain students together since it just makes sense to me. i’ve also decided to change the ages of a good chunk of the characters to fit the specific scenario i’ve assigned them.

NRC STAFF

office romance - you've been working at the same law firm for the past seven years. and finally, you get the promotion you've always dreamed of! finally, you'll be able to work with your fellow executives. you didn't work overtime too many times to count to not be promoted. your coworkers are...interesting people but they're friendly enough. oh and look at that! you have your first big case to work on involving someone of a high caliber. your partner in the case is an expert in the specific field of law you must dip your toes in for this high profile case.

you and the cast are in your early 30s to early 40s. except for mozus trein of course.

dire crowley

40 years old. a criminal lawyer. he teases a lot and is known to be very strange with how he describes things. a billionaire's son is set up for trial for a hit and run and it’s up to you and crowley to prove his innocence. he appears to love his job and does well. but you can tell that there’s something eating at him from beneath the surface and it most likely has to deal with the case itself.

ashton vargas

42 years old. specializes in sports law. a former student athlete himself, he dedicates his time to keeping student and professional athletes safe. a popular female college gymnast has recently come out about the abuse her team faces within her school and you’ve been hired to uphold title ix. ashton seems fun and friendly but cares a lot about physical appearance and his physique. he’s determined to win this case but you worry it might be at the expense of his wellbeing.

mozus trein

58 years old. your boss. not dateable. he’s strict about your paperwork. get it to him on time because he has a cat to take care of.

divus crewel

35 years old. specializes in entertainment law. most artists seek him out because of his near perfect win record in court. a world renown singer left their record label but the company refuses to give the singer the rights to their song. it’s up to divus to help win a difficult fight. you hope to learn from his techniques (and maybe even get some fashion tips) to become a better lawyer. however, he seems to be a perfectionist and it’s taking a much bigger toll on him than he lets on.

sam

32 years old. a divorce lawyer. he’s the youngest executive you’re working with. a famous actress is going through an intense divorce with her husband and it’s up to sam to show you the ropes with divorce law. very calm, very cheerful. handles divorces like it’s nothing and it doesn’t seem to affect him as much as it affects you. but maybe there’s something behind that bright smile of his.

DORM LEADERS

celebrity romance - you write for a celebrity gossip magazine. what can you say? it makes plenty of money. and you just got the offer of a lifetime! you get to cover the annual wonderland gala! a variety of celebrities will be there and you will be able to even go inside and get the direct gossip from the celebrities themselves (after your interviews of course). during the dinner, you run into the gala host who asks if you would like to be put up for an "auction" in which people will pay to go on a date with you and all the proceeds go to the museum the gala attends. knowing how important the arts are, you agree. what you didn't expect was a massive offer to come your way. and it's one of the biggest celebrities at the gala!

the ages of you and the characters are mid 20s to early 30s.

malleus draconia

27 years old. model. has walked on the runway of multiple fashion shows. his most recognizable feature are his black horns and piercing green eyes. he’s tall and very intimidating at first. but when you talk to him more, you begin to peel back the layers of one of the world’s most finest fashion models. he’s insightful, sensitive, and lonely.

riddle rosehearts

25 years old. writer. very popular for his memoir about being under the iron fist rule of his mother. wants to diverge into fiction. he’s a very by the books person and his answers feel stale. but you hope that you can learn who the true riddle is under the person. maybe even teach him how to loosen up.

vil schoenheit

26 years old. actor and model. gunning for that award this awards season. both a blockbuster and an indie actor. he’s well renown for his beauty and his love for fashion. despite his fair appearance, he proves to be a rather cold person and his answers feel artificial. but maybe this date is the time to get to know the real vil, hiding underneath his gold crown.

leona kingscholar

31 years old. musician. specializes in punk. has won a multitude of music awards because of his music though the past five years have been a lazy streak. he hasn’t gone out in public much nor released any new music. inspiration isn’t there and he’s tired of people asking when his next album will be coming out. maybe you’re the next inspiration he needs.

azul ashengrotto

32 years old. entrepreneur. he’s quickly climbed the corporate ladder and easily has a lot of money. his answers are vague and he seems very cheeky. you express an interest in learning more about his business prospects, which may be the reason why he wants to go on a date with you. hopefully you can teach him that money isn’t everything.

kalim al-asim

25 years old. a literal prince!! everyone loves the prince of the scalding sands. he’s a public figure that everyone wants to meet and everyone wants to marry. he’s a little naive but he’s joyous and you have so much fun interviewing him. he’s willing to talk to you. but what is the pressure of being a literal royal, especially the heir to the throne, like?

idia shroud

28 years old. video game streamer. he doesn’t really go out and he’s a quiet type. many interviewers don’t have the most patience with him because he’s so soft spoken. but you’ve certainly left an impression by taking the time out of your day to talk to him. and maybe you can help him come out of his shell.

VICE DORM LEADERS

cooking with love - you've just left your office job for a starter restaurant. cooking has always been your passion. hell, you even went to and graduated from culinary school! but you sold it out for a desk job for a few years of financial stability and so your parents could get off your case. you weren't happy and on a whim, you decide to quit. you would rather be financial unstable and happy than the opposite. your qualifications from culinary school lands you in the kitchen but rather low in the hierarchy. that's okay because you're satisfied with your job. as you prepare for your restaurant's grand opening (and hopeful success), you grow close to your fellow restaurant coworkers. and maybe even fall in love with one of them.

you and the characters are past college graduation age, being in your mid to late 20s. you spent 4 years at culinary school, having gone directly into it after high school.

lilia vanrouge

27 years old. the eccentric sous chef. he’s quite strange and can be found in the weirdest of places. but he knows exactly what he’s talking about with food. all of his food tastes amazing and you want to learn from his flavor palette.

trey clover

27 years old. the pastry chef. also a world renown pastry chef brought back by the owner because they were friends in college. he’s famous for his tarts particularly his strawberry tarts. but the menu changes depending on the season. he also has a tendency to give people he cares about pastries he makes in his spare time.

rook hunt

29 years old. the encouraging expeditor. he provides intense encouragement and love to his coworkers, often telling them they’re doing great. when not expediting, he also helps host the restaurant and assign tables. you always feel a sense of warmth with him in the kitchen.

ruggie bucchi

25 years old. the meat chef. sometimes also has to occupy the butcher chef’s occupation too. very familiar with meat and has his own ways of getting the finest cuts. he won’t explain how. he’s quite cheeky and has his own desire to eventually open his own restaurant.

jade leech

28 years old. the fish chef. he knows his way around seafood, having worked with it since he was a child. he has a twin brother named floyd. despite working with seafood, he expresses that it’s not exactly his favorite thing in the world. he’s also very quiet.

jamil viper

26 years old. the celebrity chef. world renown and an old friend of the owner. he’s come to add name recognition to the restaurant and is assigned the role of an executive chef. his cuisine is flavorful and full of spices native to the scalding sands. he’s also known to make great vegetarian and vegan food.

THIRD YEARS & SECOND YEARS

graduation - it's your final year of high school! high school was one hell of a roller coaster. and guess what's coming up? a school festival and a school dance! practically everyone wants to go with a date. but why settle for romance when you have friendships? everyone's excited for their last hurrah before going off to college. at a party your friend invited you to, you run into a multitude of people including your neighbor, your ex, and your lab partner. what your friend pulls isn't exactly funny which is a game of seven minutes in heaven. and you end up stuck in the closet with someone, potentially sparking a romance between the two of you.

you and the cast are teenagers about to graduate high school. you have just turned 18.

cater diamond

18 years old. mix of good and average grades. your ex-boyfriend. you guys dated the entirety of your second year only for him to break up with you. he said you weren’t “trendy” enough since you didn’t like social media. especially with how obsessed cater appears to be. but having followers isn’t everything. and maybe cater regrets breaking up with you.

floyd leech

17 years old. average grades. your neighbor. you’ve been friends since you guys were in diapers and he’s been with you through thick and thin. he’s a little rash and impulsive but he always knows how to make you laugh. he has a twin brother named jade. really hates cater with a burning passion.

silver

17 years old. great grades. your lab partner. silent and doesn’t talk much. but the few times he has talked, he makes you laugh. you have to make sure he doesn’t fall asleep when you’re not in lab though. he’s a reliable guy and really smart. he even tutored you when you were struggling. there’s a unique bond between you two since you were lab partners all throughout high school. could there be something hiding under that quiet exterior.

FIRST YEARS

returning to your hometown - you're feeling dejected, lost. your significant other has just left you for someone else and your job takes up your entire life, leaving you little room for yourself. what's the point in making money if you can't spend it? then suddenly, you get an invitation in the mail. it's your middle school reunion! but who even has a middle school reunion? you decide that you won't go until a childhood friend calls you up and asks if you're coming. in a spur of a moment decision, you decide to go back to your hometown. and there, you reunite with people you thought you would never see again.

you and the characters are in your early 20s. all of you are past college graduation age.

sebek zigvolt

23 years old. the teacher’s pet. he followed every single rule in the rulebook and was every teacher’s favorite student. it sounds like he continued the same act in high school. now he’s getting his master’s degree. despite his by the book attitude, you’re attracted to him. and secretly, he’s always wanted you to notice him since you two were in middle school.

ace trappola

21 years old. the class clown. he wanted to become a comedian when he was older. so he does stand-up comedy on the side while pursuing a degree in writing. sometimes his jokes went too far in middle school and that’s why you hated him. it seems his humor has rounded out though and that he regrets all the pranks he pulled on you in middle school.

deuce spade

21 years old. the reformed punk. he used to be a delinquent and got into fights all the time. you were his best friend and you broke off the friendship when his fighting became too much. now that you have reunited, he seems to have cleaned up his act. in fact, you’re just now realizing that, despite being a former punk, deuce has always been loyal and devoted.

jack howl

22 years old. the jock. even though he was in middle school, he was the star jock in all the sports teams he participated in. eventually, he settled for track and cross country and now he’s a college athlete. you had pe class with him all through middle school. sometimes he would be nice, sometimes he would be rude. but what’s certain is that he never underestimated you and even pushed you beyond your limits. now it appears he’s taken an interest in you. why?

epel felmier

20 years old. the one that got away. he got a glow up since the last time you’ve seen him. had really good grades and is planning on getting a degree in agricultural studies while being a model on the side. the two of you had something in the past but you being afraid of intimacy, decided not to go for it. perhaps epel still feels that spark between you two.

[pendragonisland]

The Unfortunate Cleverness

Raymond was a smart kitten of the litter, so his parents always held high expectations of him. 

They provided him with gifted and talented education, and at first, it seemed to work well. 

However, as the years progressed, Raymond found it hard to catch up with all the other genius students around him. He always trailed behind and ended up addressed as a ‘dunce of the class’ despite his smartness. He felt like a failure and it ruined his self-confidence massively.

After years of trying, Raymond ended up quitting the class from sheer stress from comparison, but his family as a whole didn’t welcome him.

His parents said “Why did you quit? Did you forget all our sacrifice for you??“

and his siblings said “You failed after getting all the love and attention from mom and dad? That’s pathetic!”

With nowhere to turn to, Raymond just bottled up and started working in a company. But the feeling of not having a nest to turn to suffocated him. Seeing his coworkers going home without worries to see their beloved family tortured him. He just grabbed a bottle on his way and held back his tears. 

‘IT IS NOT FAIR!’ he thought.

‘I didn’t ask for all the attention and that sort of love from my parents, but they do it anyway. Now I don’t even have a decent friend from normal school life, my siblings hate me, and EVEN mother and father who caused all this!’

Even if he groaned over it, nothing changed. He just kept on with his life, making a beeline back and forth home and workplace feeling grey. 

But he still had to provide for the family to AT LEAST make an excuse to be with them, so he sugarcoated his negative feelings with a smug attitude to keep winning bread.

One day, it was the month of his holiday, and his family planned up a trip together. He gently declined, as he knew his siblings would feel uncomfortable when he joins them. The feeling of sitting alone staring at the rerun on the TV with nobody around him was downright bitter. Anything wasn’t his will but it turned out that way. He felt helpless and alone.

It wasn’t anything too special. He wanted to get out of the home and go somewhere to refresh himself. So he booked a ticket to go to the random place via Dodo Airline, never knowing it would change his life.

The stranger introduced himself as Richard from Pendragon Island. He acted as smug as usual, but unlike other people he has ever met, Richard kindly smiled and addressed Raymond as someone ‘comfortable and entertaining' to be with. Raymond was honestly shocked. Never has he saw someone smiled at him like that: No judgment and grudge. Richard said he is not only picking medical herbs for his villagers, but also looking for fellow neighbor to join him. He also offered Raymond a chance. 

Raymond hesitated since it was a gamble to leave his old life behind and accept someone new in his life. He just had no guarantee if everyone on Pendragon was good. But it was also a fact that his whole family was turning cold shoulder on him. Is it worthy to go back to that home?

He thought it over. His whole life spiraled out of control because he let it in someone else’s hand. But now he is old enough to finally make a life-changing decision for himself. It is his chance. It’s now or never.

Before realizing it, Raymond answered: “I’d love to.”

[hiro-gari]

Batarou “What If” Headcanon - Different First Meeting

by: Little1993lamb for: Lilia / @hiro-gari

Word count: 4134 Warning: Blood mention, unconscious and injured Badd at the beginning, also some intimate cuddling at the ending but nothing explicit. Kinda OOC characterizations. Bad grammar and very limited vocabulary because I’m still not fluent yet on my English I’m so sorry.

I have this Batarou canon-divergent AU headcanon where instead of standing up again after being hurled across the streets by Elder Centipede, Badd was fainted. Garou was the one who begrudgingly helped the unconscious Badd by carrying him away from the battle location and letting him rest in his shack.

I was wondering how it would turned out if they faced this kind of situation, so I tried to write a self-indulgent scenario about what was I imagined about it. Hope you can enjoy this headcanon! 😊💕

————————

When Garou saw Metal Bat fell from the sky after being hurled by Elder Centipede and crashed on the roadside, he thought his chance on defeating Metal Bat was over. No way Garou wanted to fight a heavily wounded hero because there was no satisfaction taking on someone who had already worn out and couldn’t properly show their real strength. So he started to looking for his next target on different location.

As Garou walked past Badd, he heard a pained groan from the injured hero. He was surprised when he saw Badd slowly standing up using his metal bat to prop himself up as a crutch, then with wobbly legs he tried to walk heading towards the previous battlefield against Elder Centipede, blood from the opened wounds dripping steadily on the ground. Garou couldn’t believe if Badd still have any strength to continue fighting, especially with those nearly fatal injuries.

He was just wanted to call Badd when the hero suddenly collapsed face down in the middle of street, his metal bat dropped from his weakened grip and hit the hard surface of asphalt with a clang. Garou rushed in to check on Badd’s condition, he came here to seek a good fight not seeing a dead hero, for fuck sake!

As Garou crouched down and flipped Badd over, he saw Badd still breaths despite it sounds more like faint wheezing than normal breathing, his face was painted by his own blood, his closed eyes scrunched up from the sheer pain.

Garou was relieved to know Badd still alive, as much he likes to hurt the hero he didn’t want him to be dead. Now that his problem was over, Garou stood up and walked out heading to his next destination, leaving Badd lying unconsciously in the middle of empty road. He guessed someone from Hero Association would come to rescue their precious hero and take him away to nearby hospital, so Badd wont be his responsibility.

After walking for a couple metres far enough from the previous spot, Garou take a look on Badd. Still nobody comes.

He tried to ignore the poor hero and continue walking. It’s been hundreds metres from the spot and when Garou checked again, there’s still nobody coming to save Badd. At all.

It pissed Garou off.

How come the supposed big-named “Hero Association” was so unprofessional like this?! Not keeping good track or surveillance on any of their hero members especially who currently engaged in such dangerous life-threatening mission, not providing immediate emergency help for who has fallen or heavily injured?

Garou could understand the part of “saving the civillian first”, but what about their own heroes? They wrongly assumed that their heroes could do all of their job smoothly, and when something wrong happened to the heroes they don’t take immediate actions to help them.

He shouldn’t have to give any fuck for Badd, but seeing that nobody else even cares for the unconscious S-Class hero made his blood boils. Begrudgingly, he running back towards Badd. After Garou made sure Badd still breathing fine, he carefully scooped the hero up in his arms by bridal style carry then quickly fled from the scene before somebody from Hero Association or random civillian sees him “kidnapping” their precious hero.

Garou decided that he would treat Badd by himself in his shack since it was the nearest location from there. It kinda amused him, who would have thought that the Hero Hunter was bringing his own prey into his evil lair?

———————–

Arrived on the abandoned shack in the middle of forest, Garou laid down Badd on the bed. After he checked through all the visible wounds, he take his first aid kit and started to do his (it was supposed to not) job.

Garou carefully wiped the blood off and delicately tending Badd’s wounds while Badd still resting, wondering why and how could a teenager so young like him willing to working as a hero and doing some dangerous jobs like that.

He also secretly admiring Badd’s beautiful face and strong physique that could rivals his own, thinking it was very unfortunate that they’re enemies because if they’re not maybe Garou would be attracted to him. Maybe.

Garou gently caressing Badd’s cheeks while watching over him from the bedside like a guardian dog (or wolf, as he’s not associated himself with dog). Some unexpected thing happened: Badd unconsciously leaning more further into Garou’s touch, he was even humming or purring adorably like a kitten in his sleep! Never had thought that the delinquent-looking hero brat could be this cute.

Garou guessed his hero hunting schedule for that day could be temporary postponed. Watching over an adorable hero seems more interesting thing to do at the moment.

———————

When Badd was awake hours later, he saw Garou sitting across the room, supervising him from afar. Slowly regaining his consciousness, Badd questioned his “savior” identity. At first Badd thought he was a random civillian who kindly saving him from the battlefield. But when he realized that he is Garou the “Hero Hunter” from the way he talked about the other heroes and all the suspicious hints around him, Badd immediately on alert and he tried to fight Garou. Although Badd couldn’t do it as he fell down nearly passed out on the floor because his body was still too weak and in pain.

Garou who doesn’t want to fight a heavily injured person, suggesting Badd to just calm down and go back resting again as he wasn’t in the good condition for combat. He let Badd know that he has absolute no interest to beat up the already beaten up people, thus he wont targeted Badd. At least until Badd has fully recovered.

Garou helped Badd up from the cold floor by carried Badd towards the bed and laid him down on the soft surface.

Badd was taken aback by Garou’s hospitality despite the cocky bastard personality, he didn’t believe that this person is the “Hero Hunter” who hurted his fellow hero comrades days ago. And that Garou actually also a young teenager just like him and not a creepy middle aged man criminal like he had thought before.

Not to mention Garou is very handsome and kinda charming in some way.. Still hated his cheeky arrogant attitude, though.

So they just talking heart-to-heart, surprisingly having more civil conversations. They shared stories like their motivation (even if they clashed with eachother), their ideas on “hero and villain” (Garou was surprised Badd actually on the same page as him!), what they do on daily basis (Badd as both highschool student and pro-hero, Garou as a martial artist), their family (Badd was telling Garou about Zenko proudly and Garou reluctantly telling Badd about Bang, in which Badd realized he’s one of his coworker).

Garou and Badd actually enjoyed their interactions without realizing it was kinda wrong to befriend the enemy, especially that they’re still hunting on each other. But they didn’t care about it at that moment, they just happy there’s someone their own age who was willing to talk and listening to each other.

Fortunately after Garou explained his whole backstory, Badd started to understand him and wont judge or thinking badly of him. Although Badd was still pissed off about Garou hurting his coworkers, but other than that he understand a bit about what Garou has done.

Since both of them experienced how hard their life as an outcast, just because they were “different” kids who don’t like to conform social norms. Basically rebels. From their similar fate, it brought them together now that they’ve come to understanding each other. Also, their chemistry from the quick bonding is undeniable. They just fit, like two puzzle pieces that meant for each other.

Although Garou was left unsatisfied because he couldn’t fight the famous “S-Class Hero Metal Bat”, at least he has Badd as a secret ally (or a new friend, Garou wont admit it). On the other hand, Badd was glad Garou only “hunting” for sport and never has intention on doing some murder spree like what Hero Association had claimed before, and that he realized Garou is not really a bad guy as he just misunderstood. As proven by what he did for Badd, Garou still has kindness in his heart.

Badd couldn’t help but having a secret crush on Garou.

———————-

Because he still couldn’t walk by himself and must rest for at least a night, Badd called and informed Zenko that he’s currently stay at his “friend’s home”. Garou smiled to himself at the mention of him as Badd’s “friend”, this was the first time after so many years he was referred as someone’s friend. It’s kinda warmed up his frozen heart.

Garou has decided that he excluded Badd from his hero hunting target, but it doesn’t meant he would given up on a chance to fight or sparring with him.

That night, when it’s time for them to rest, Badd offered Garou to sleep beside him since it was Garou’s bed and Badd only borrowed it for awhile. Garou was both amazed by Badd’s brave soul for inviting a dangerous enemy to sleep together with him and wondering why it was a good idea in the first place. But then Garou teased Badd, asking if Badd has a hot for him as he grinning naughtily.

Badd was spluttered by Garou’s flirting attempt and blushing furiously before denied all of Garou’s accusation. Badd said he just want to share comfortable place to sleep as he didn’t want Garou to lie on the cold ground alone. Besides, he trusted Garou for not hurting him in his sleep, as it has already proven before. Badd smiled genuinely to Garou as he pats the empty bedspace beside him, inviting Garou to rest with him.

Hence two big boys shared narrow bed trying to make enough space to sleep. Badd made himself comfortable by sleeping sideway facing the wall while Garou spooning him from the behind. He didn’t meant to spoon Badd but the lack of space forced him to do that, not that Badd would protest anyway. Garou asking if he could put his arm around Badd’s waist, since his current position made his arm muscles get cramps. Badd sleepily mumbling an answer that he doesn’t mind it so go on.

Now Garou fully cuddling Badd in a warm embrace. Garou silently admit it feels very comfortable to have someone to cuddle, to have someone’s welcoming presence in a cold night. He didn’t expect that one day he could spend a whole day with the S-Class Hero Metal Bat and bonus a night sleeping beside him, all without any fight. But Garou wont take it for granted as he snuggled closer to the smaller man.

On the other hand, despite trying so hard to not thinking about it, Badd still couldn’t believe he let himself to be cuddled by a supposed enemy. But strangely he feels safe in Garou’s embrace, almost like some protective hug that ensuring his safety from any dangerous wilderness creatures outside the shack while he’s still healing from injuries.

Badd could feel the strong presence of Garou’s muscled body enveloping his own, or Garou’s warm breath on the back on his head, it was so close Badd was sure Garou almost kissing his nape. That made Badd once again blushing so hard he hoped Garou wont noticed his reddening face from behind.

And Garou’s arm that wrapped around his waist, he couldn’t help but noticing how beautiful his hand with slender long fingers, totally different with him. It made Badd wanna hold Garou’s hand with his own hand, to warm Garou’s cold knuckle with his palm. Thus Badd slowly put his hand on top of Garou’s, wrapped it in a gentle manner so he wont startled him.

Now Badd could sleep peacefully with a soft smile plastered on his face, unknowing that a flustered Garou still fully aware what Badd was doing and currently trying his best to not letting his internal scream out on how adorable Badd is. He forced himself to ignore the warmth of Badd’s palm on top of his hand, while he unconsciously wrapped his arm more tightly around Badd in which earn him a soft purr sound from sleeping Badd. Then Garou followed Badd into the dreamland..

At some point in the middle of night, Garou felt something tickling his nose and there’s sudden pressure on his chest. He tried to open his sleepy eyes and found Badd changed his sleep position into curled against him. Badd snuggled his head on Garou’s chest, soft snoring could be heard from him. He clung his arm around Garou and it seems he also clutched Garou’s back, preventing Garou from doing any movement like an anchor. Their legs are intertwined now, even made it impossible for Garou to release himself from Badd without awoken him.

Seeing the innocent look on the usual delinquent-like scary face, it got Garou wondering if he should be thankful to see the true face of Metal Bat: a soft-looking young teenager who should just spend his time living his life instead of suffering the hardship on the street working as underpaid hero for some ungrateful ignorant people they called themself “Hero Association”. Garou almost feels sad for Badd that as an orphaned firstborn he must do all of those hardworks to make a living with his beloved little sister, even if it also endangered his own life.

And from listening on Badd’s stories, it seems he was actually different from most heroes that Garou have seen before. Badd is not a self-righteous hero, he’s actually a quite humble person if people got past his hot-headed personality, he’s very confidence with his own ability despite not having fancy power, not giving a flying fuck for popularity as he thought it’s very unecessary thing for a professional hero, he also hates bullies as much as Garou (that’s good!), and lastly, Badd is actually kindhearted person who wears his heart on his sleeve.

Garou didn’t realize he just listed off all of Badd’s goodness, it brought a genuine smile on his handsome face. He thought maybe he should give a tiny reward for Badd while he still asleep. Gently sweeping back the wild messy jet-black hair of Badd that has been tickling his face with his hand, Garou kissed Badd’s forehead so softly.

When he heard Badd humming happily in his sleep and snuggled even closer on him, Garou just chuckling and he landed a more lingering kiss on his forehead again. After that, he ruffled the messy yet silky black hair of Badd before settled his arm on Badd’s back, pulling him in into an intimate embrace.

Even though they didn’t do something illicit act at all (they literally just sleeping together like sleep SLEEP), Garou still feels it was forbidden thing to bonding with his own enemy, his supposed prey. Yet they spend a night sharing some comfortable warmth together.

He knows by the time the sun rising in the morning, they would be back to their own duty and forgetting what they have shared before. But still, Garou wanted to enjoy his limited time being with Badd.

Garou wished Badd has the same feeling as him.

It was hard to admit that he was slowly falling in love with Badd.

——————-

Morning has come, the bright sun rays made Badd slowly opened his bleary eyes. Instead of the dull painted wooden wall, he faced a wall of hard chest muscles. When Badd looked up, he found a pair of yellow eyes were gazing back at him followed by a wide cheeky grin from certain wolf boy. Garou greeted him by something like, “Good morning, sleeping beauty~” before landing a brief peck on his forehead.

After processing on what happened to him, Badd has come to realization that: 1. Garou was cuddling him, 2. Badd was in Garou’s embrace for ALL NIGHT LONG, 3. Garou just kissed his head. The audacity!

That moment Badd immediately slapped Garou’s face and kicked him out from the bed, face bright red from the anger and embarassment. Garou only laughing so hard at Badd’s priceless reaction, he told Badd it was actually very adorable to him. Badd who clearly heard what Garou has said just facepalmed to hide his even reddened face. Him adorable?? Garou, the Hero Hunter, said that? The fuck–

Then suddenly the intense pain on his body was back again when he tried to get up from the bed, reminded Badd that he still not fully recovered well. Blood seeping through the freshly changed bandages that wrapped his torso. He doubled over from the sharp pain he felt on his broken ribs. Garou quickly gets on Badd’s side makes sure he wont fainted again, carefully pulling Badd into leaning on his broad shoulder while also securing him in a one-armed hug.

After taking a few of heavy breaths, Badd finally take a hold of himself over the pain. Seems like Garou was helping to make him more comfortable by his presence, he could feel his slender fingers wrapped on one of his shoulder, his thumb making a circle motion caressing the skin beneath the fabric in a soothing manner. It worked on him. Besides, it feels nice to be so close with Garou like this, witnessing the hidden caring side of the Hero Hunter.

He decided to stay a bit longer leaning on Garou’s embrace, as they enjoyed the peaceful morning in silence.

———————-

During the time Garou helped him changing his bandages with the new clean one, Badd checking out all of new messages from Zenko on his phone. He felt guilty to even made his little sister worried for him the whole day, that’s why he must come back to his home right away.

Now that he’s fully awake already and regained his strength after nightly resting, Badd picked up his metal bat as a crutch to stand up from the bed. He genuinely thanked Garou for saving him from the battlefield and taking care of him for a whole day. As an exchance, Badd wont tell or reporting Garou to Hero Association higher ups and his fellow hero members. But only for this time, because next time they meet again they will be back as enemies, no more hospitality between them.

Garou was stunned by those statements for a second before letting out an amused chuckle. Badd’s threat actually gives Garou a lots of joy it brings his trademark cheeky grin on his face, his sharp golden eyes glinting brightly under the morning sunlight. He took it as a promise for their inevitable encounters in the future, because Garou still wanted to fight Badd when he’s on his prime condition.

Garou replied to the hero he couldn’t wait for that time to come, so Badd should be prepared. The teen hero smiled back to him as a silent agreement.

Once Badd stepped out from the shack, he asked Garou for the right direction to the nearest mainroad. Garou pointed it out to him but he wasn’t really sure if Badd was already capable to go through the wood successfully without stumbled on some tree roots or some rock or toppled over after accidentally reopened his wounds.

Badd reassured Garou that he was fine, but Garou totally not convinced by that, especially after watching the way Badd limped heavily as he walked. Garou letting out frustated groan while facepalmed, he was certain Badd was either being stubborn thick-headed brat or just plain dumb.

Reluctantly, he followed Badd from far behind watching over him from the tree branches, makes sure the hero reaching his destination safely first before going back to his shack planning his next hero hunting acts.

Badd tried his best to keep moving forward despite his limping, hopefully he could still continue walking until he arrived at home. Just as what Garou had guessed before, he tripped over a tree root and Badd losing his balance. But before he fell, suddenly a strong hand gripped his shirt collar from behind, prevented him from planting his face on the dirt.

It was Garou who saved him (again), as he straightened Badd’s standing position. The hero hunter placed Badd’s arm around his neck and holding Badd’s wrist with his hand to keep Badd from falling. Then Garou placed his own arm around the hero’s slim waist, supporting him in a safe hold before walking with Badd together towards the main road outside the forest.

During the walk, Garou scolded Badd that he couldn’t stand watching Badd acted like a tough guy when he was clearly needs some help. He didn’t want to see him passed out pathetically in the middle of nowhere where there was no people around. If Badd really wanted to passed out again, at least do that when he has already out from the woods so somebody could find and bringing him into the hospital.

Badd just groaning irritatedly, hated that he got scolded by his own enemy, but Garou was totally right he still need his aid until they get out from there. Besides, Badd wont protest anymore because he found himself in Garou’s tight hold again. He didn’t mind to feel it once more for the last time.

Few minutes later they reached the forest-city border, and Badd could see the main road from the spot they currently standing at. Garou released his carry hold from Badd and let the hero going back to his own home.

Just before Garou shoo-ing Badd away so they could finally parting way, a pair of hands suddenly cupped Garou’s face, stroked his cheeks gently, then the young hero giving a soft yet lingering kiss on it. The moment when those plushy lips of Badd touched Garou’s cheek, his brain freezed. What?? What had just happened??

When the kiss ended, Badd immediately averted his eyes from Garou, face blushing brightly. Slightly pouting, Badd explained that he did that as a way to show his full gratefulness for all of Garou’s kindness, that because he saved his life before it was too late. Also, Badd had to admit he really likes Garou’s company. Or rather, he likes Garou as who he truly is: a caring person.

The surprise “thank you” kiss and heartfelt confession left Garou speechless. He never expecting Badd would feel like this towards him, especially that it has been clear Badd knew about his status as a criminal. Despite knowing that, Badd still did it anyway without any hesitation. Garou couldn’t help but feeling happy and excited to hear Badd likes him.

After a hot minute of awkward moment of silence between them, Badd quickly turned away and gave Garou a quick goodbye. But before Badd walked too far, Garou caught his hand to make him stopped. He noticed how warm Badd’s palm right at the moment, and even though he couldn’t see his face Garou knows Badd was still flustered by previous confession. He grinned widely at the thought.

While brushing Badd’s knuckle in his hold with his thumb, Garou telling Badd that he feels honoured that a hero take a liking on him, but this wont change the fact that they still have promised fight next time they meet. In fact, Garou becomes even more interested in him. Smirking devilishly, he yanked Badd back to him.

The sudden force made Badd facing Garou again, so he could see Badd’s adorable reaction when Garou brought the hero’s hand towards his lips and kissed his knuckle in a very obnoxious way, not forgetting to give Badd a naughty flirtateous wink and a charming smile after that.

That action earned Garou a powerful swing of bat (fortunately he has good reflex to avoid it) and an “angy kitten” look from Badd who was blushing furiously by Garou’s flirting attempt. Badd declared he wont hesitated to destroy Garou on their next encounter, personal feeling aside.

Then by that, Badd walked out from their spot to continue his way back to his home, finally leaving Garou alone.

But Garou wont forget the way Badd smiling so tenderly for him at the end of his speech before he left.

Now that everything about his caretaking duty on Badd is already over, Garou decided to going back to his shack.

Being a hero hunter is always feels so good to him, but Garou didn’t expect that playing a caretaker role wasn’t so bad. Especially if it’s involving a certain angy small delinquent hero.

What was him, Badd’s “guardian angel”? Or maybe more of “guardian demon”? But anyway, he doesn’t regret his action on helping Badd. At all.

Metal Bat, hmm? Garou really couldn’t wait to see him again in a battlefield.

—– 💖THE END💖 —–

———————–

Notes:

You can pinpoint easily which parts I was hyperfixating on and which parts I was going “Idek wtf I was writing- AW FUCK IT JUST WRITE”, lmao! 😂 Forgive me for having alot of inconsistency in this writing aaa I’m so sorry 🙇😭💦

Yess this headcanon was purely a self-indulgent thoughts! Although I love their legendary epic fight (in fact it fuels Batarou shipper soul in me! ❤), but I’m curious what if they could talk casually and Badd trying to understand Garou’s perspective without judging him. So this headcanon was born 😆

Oh btw I mentioned “guardian demon” at the last part, it was actually another AU headcanon of mine, where Garou is a Demon who was summoned by human Badd! You can check it out in here: https://kaincuro.tumblr.com/post/615404377513066496/

Which is it also have been made as a story by @lovelybutnot-ablankcanvas with a title “Dangerous Illusion” in here (plz check all of her amazing fics! 💖): https://archiveofourown.org/works/23665795/chapters/56809585

Thank you so much for reading this Batarou headcanon! Despite it was messy and not perfect, I hope you still like it 😅😉💕💞💖💝💐

-Little1993lamb-

—————————–

~Lilia:

These two flirting is so DANGEROUS but oh my god are they adorable 😭💞

I can just imagine Garou like ??? hello??? HA?? Come get ur dumb handsome hero I’m tryna wreak havoc here wtf

And he’s got so much experience treating battle wounds that a hospital doesn’t even cross his mind. he’s like ok we’re doing this the right way. Which takes us to:

tHE SINGLE BED TROPE! I liiiive for this 😭💞 thank you for the cuddly scenario my brain is so happy

I literally squeaked cause AWH OMG Garou like “brain.exe has stopped responding” ☠️☠️ he doesn’t know how to handle the soft affections like cheek kisses omfg but then he just turns it around on him by kissing his knuckles and acting all gentlemanly but lookin cocky as hell at the same time ahhh

Thank you for this beautiful headcanon💕 Even tho I love their fight scene too, it is Therapeutic to ignore canon sometimes for the sake of the fluff 🥺💗

[pevchpits]

𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙚𝙨 "𝙘𝙝𝙪𝙘𝙠" 𝙝𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙤. 𝘤𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘯. 𝘩𝘦 /𝘩𝘪𝘮. 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘺. 𝘣𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘹𝘶𝘢𝘭. 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘳.

❛ I don't worry, don't worry, don't worry about people in my face I hit 'em with the style and grace, and watch their ankles break ❜

𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴 . 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 . 𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 . 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘴 . 𝘮𝘪𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳 . 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 . 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 . 𝘥𝘰𝘤.  𝘢𝘭𝘭 . 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘪𝘰 ⤵︎

𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗜 𝗔𝗣𝗣.

〔 ian anthony dale, 40, cis man, he/him ) CHARLES “CHUCK” HIRANO was seen listening to BAD BAD NEWS BY LEON BRIDGES on their way to ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING. CHUCK is known to be CREATIVE & STUBBORN.

𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗦.

full name: charles hirano nicknames: chuck is his preferred name, charlie can be used on occasion birth date: september 12, 1982 hometown: born in sao paolo, brazil; raised predominantly in vancouver, british columbia, canada ethnicity: european, japanese gender: cis man sexuality: bisexual  religion: agnostic occupation: environmental engineering living situation: home owner  languages: english, various programming languages, fluent japanese and portuguese, conversational french, spanish, and mandarin ( chuck only has his private tutors to thank ) height: 5 ft 11 in / 1.8034 m tattoo(s)/piercing(s): none. clothing style: chuck, despite swearing that appearances mean nothing to him, likes to dress on the nicer side when he’s not on sight. a nice pair of slacks, button downs, and form fitting sweaters are some of his signature pieces.  hobbies: landscaping! not even gardening particularly but landscaping is big for him. building in general ( swing-sets, tree houses, random counter spaces for the kitchen ), anything that involves spending time with his daughter. billards/pool tournaments with friends when he convinces himself he has the time. photography ( especially of his daughter ). he’s played on a few adult recreational league sports teams. reading, predominantly political and/or historical biographies/autobiographies or historical fiction.

𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗜 𝗕𝗜𝗢.

Life was easy growing up: travels, nannies there to pick up the messes he would make, and tutors there to make sure, amongst all the fun, Charles Hirano was still making the grades his parents expected. His life path was set ahead, clearly lined, with no little diversions or side paths left to be traveled. After high-school, it was straight onto one of the various universities his parents had connections to in order to study business or economics, during university he would intern at his parents’ fossil-fuel company, and then when he graduated he would land a gig and climb the ladder. Take his place. Secure the family legacy.

The world may have been at his fingertips, all his for the taking as his father liked to say, but that world was small. Born and raised inside an echo chamber of his parents and their colleagues beliefs that were never challenged in the private school filled with students from families just like his, Chuck thought he had life figured out by the time he first stepped foot on his university’s campus.

His first class, an elective he chose just to fill his required credit load, was an ethics course in urban planning, and by the first week, his entire major and course plan had changed. Ethics courses replaced economics, environmental science courses replaced entrepreneurship, and engineering courses replaced e-commerce. 

By the time his parents realized the switch, it was already to late. They had been too busy dealing with their own business by the time he forwarded the graduation ceremony dates, and Chuck had already snagged a job assisting the city planner and city public health commissioner of Huntsville with short-term and long-term projects for the city. It was a humble gig, and certainly not the one his parents wanted him to take, but Chuck was sold.

[ pregnancy tw ] Once in his new home, it didn’t take long for him to flourish both in his role and social life. He was a bright light with something to prove, and that caught the eyes of his superiors, friends, and who would soon become the mother of his beloved daughter. They started as just friends, as she had been dating one of their mutual friends, but one thing led to a next, and when she went through a horrible break-up, it was Chuck’s shoulder she leaned on. He thought he had found the one, even brought up marriage when he finally made enough to save up for a nice right and nice wedding, so it was the least bit alarming when she found out she was pregnant. The two were happy and excited for this next stage of their life. [ tw end ]

With the promise of marriage in the near future, a new baby girl, and a recent promotion to a full-time environmental engineer for the city, Chuck got comfortable. More effort was put on work and making sure he could build a legacy all his own for his family and eventually save up for that big wedding than on the actual relationships he was working so hard for. By the time his daughter was four, enough was enough. She had fallen out of love, and while it was never explicitly stated, Chuck knew he was the only one to blame.

Years past, and he tried harder both for himself and his daughter. He still has his moments where he’ll get too in his head: dinner will be forgotten about, he’ll be late to picking up his daughter from her mother’s, but he cares, and he’s trying and hoping one day it’ll stick.

𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗢𝗡𝗦.

- character inspiration: sandy cohen from the oc, jacob yi from minari

- feels as if he has a lot to prove, which only intensifies whenever someone finds out what his parents did and where he came from

- fell in love with design/landscaping/engineering type of work earlier than college, he just never realized it. he’d spend hours creating his own little worlds with whatever he could find around house: desert palaces in sand, mud huts with their own mini gardens, and mazes of snow tunnels feeding into various areas around the family backyard

- extremely smart but can often lack ‘common sense’ and forgets things quite easily

- can come off as a bit intense in work spaces but is very laid back in his social life. snarky and sarcastic at times ( most of the time ) sure, but especially with his daughter, chuck wants her to be able to explore and make mistakes and learn from them without the weight of “expectations”

𝗪𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦.

platonic. good pals give him a group of friends! friends that he had through his ex that are now in a bit of a awkward situation but still loving. coworkers ( chuck works for the city so anything govt, engineering, outdoorsy probably has some overlap ), fellow parents! teachers! anyone involved in adult sports teams he might’ve run into ( definitely jack-of-all-trades but master of none in sports, likes it for social aspect and competition ) familial. siblings.... we’d have to work on how they got here, but i imagine he was estranged from most of them. his daughter’s family on her mother’s side!  romantic. his ex. maybe one or two dates/flings he’s had to ‘get out there’ since the break-up negative. anyone who might be turned off by his opinionated self! work rivals. anyone angry for how he treated his ex!

[sweethurtss]

Hideo’s definitely the kind of guy who ends up having connections in such random places, and it’s purely because he’s a supportive teacher who was genuinely concerned by all his students - never discriminating against any of them.

He’s been teaching for a little over 20 years and now he has former students who have gone on to become fellow coworkers, or attain celebrity on some level. He gets free tickets to the local theater. He’s an honorary member of a motorcycle club. There’s a couple novels that have been dedicated to him - he has both signed by their authors and proudly displayed in his home. He went to the premier of a movie directed by a former student. 

Honestly, he’s just happy when he sees that his former students are happy.

[sandershospitalau]

The Nurse’s Rally

Chapter 1

Archive Of Our Own

————————

It was the perfect day for a protest. Not by Virgil's standards, of course. He would have preferred a cloudy day, dark enough to shade the large crowd gathering just outside Sanders Hospital. Instead, he got a blistering sunny day that made the colors bleed and blend into his eyes. And everyone would have to see the horrific t-shirts Roman had designed to support the Rally.

All the nurses going with Virgil on their parade through Miami wore the t-shirt. At least it was purple, to match the color of the nurse’s scrubs. But the design made Virgil want to burn the shirt. Roman, with a bit of technical know-how from Logan, created a thin, gangly cartoon nurse giving the world a thumbs-up beside the phrase ‘Funding for Florida’s Nurses’. Virgil knew it was a cartoon version of himself, even though it lacked some of his distinctive features, like his dyed hair and the permanent bags under his eyes. But the nurse, dressed in classic blue scrubs, looked exactly like Virgil if he gave up on being an individual. He couldn’t even hide the shirt with his hoodie, since Thomas and Joan insisted that Virgil look semi-professional.

So there he stood at the edge of the street near the front of Sanders Hospital in a caricature t-shirt and clean jeans, chewing his lower lip as he checked over the march route on his phone. He’d spent ages on the route alone, making sure to stop at every hospital in town where nurses agreed to protest. And then there was the part of making sure they could walk there and not get run over while not seeming like they were giving into the man by getting approval for everything. Was it even a protest if a corporation was backing it? Did a hospital count as a corporation? Virgil was this close to losing his mind.

“He’s coming with us!” a familiar voice cheered. Patton emerged from the crowd dragging his husband Logan behind him. Both sported the Nurse’s Rally t-shirt. Patton still tied his cardigan over the shirt to add that distinctive Patton flair. Virgil couldn’t remember the last time he saw Logan in a t-shirt. Even after a near-death experience with a rare South American disease, he strolled out of the hospital in a polo and tie.

“I finally convinced him to join the march,” Patton declared, hopping beside Virgil.

“I believe the term ‘kidnapped’ would be more fitting,” Logan huffed.

“Okay, but Logan, why did you approve on this design?” Virgil snapped, pointing at the nurse on his shirt. “Why did you let Roman get away with this?”

“I wasn’t involved in the design process,” Logan explained. “I merely assisted Roman in understanding how to use graphic design software. I had no input on what the shirt would look like.”

“I think it’s cute,” Patton giggled. “It’s teenage Virgil!”

“Patton, please don’t say that,” Virgil shuddered. “Oh, too late, the memories are here. So much cringe, ah!”

“Drinks on the house, big boys!” Remy popped up beside the three men with a full cup holder. “Don’t tell the Critic.”

“Aw, thank you, Remy!” Patton chirped, taking one of the drinks. Virgil and Logan took theirs too. Remy kissed his fingers and gave them a peace sign as he walked away.

“Punch Roman in the gut for me when you see him!” Virgil shouted.

“Will do, boo!” Remy called. Virgil put his phone away and glanced up and down the street. A few of the early-bird reporters were already circling, snatching random staff for interviews on the rally and taking into their camera. Virgil spotted Terrence from VIN3 chatting with one of Virgil’s nurses, casual enough that it took a second glance to realize Terrence was interviewing them.

“Okay, we’re heading out in a couple of minutes,” Virgil huffed. “Where is our banner? If Roman wants us to carry a banner, he needs to get it to me now or I’m not holding it.” Sure enough, Thomas hurried through the crowd with Emile at his side and a banner tucked and folded under his arm. Emile was one of the few people not wearing the t-shirt, instead going for his usual tan cardigan and blue tie. He kept a megaphone at his side.

“We had to fix a few things,” Thomas explained. He unfolded the banner and gave one end to Patton. Virgil held his breath as he waited for whatever horrors Roman and his creative underlings invented to be revealed. The banner was a colorful red that needed four people to hold it. Symbols from every major hospital and clinic participating in the walk lined the banner, from the Sanders Hospital rainbow caduceus to the blue flower of St. Gemma’s. The phrase ‘Funding for Florida’s Nurses’ sat in the middle of the circle of symbols.

“Good job, Princey,” Virgil muttered as he held the middle of the banner up. “Alright, Thomas, we’re ready to go.”

“Give the signal, Emile!” Thomas declared.

“Avengers, assemble!” Emile laughed, holding up the megaphone. The megaphone groaned and squealed, drawing everyone’s attention. Virgil, Logan, Patton, and Thomas made their way down the street as the crowd followed behind them, and the Nurse’s Rally truly began.

Ironically, protesting the government required a bit of cooperation with the government. Police officers helped clear a path through Miami, redirecting traffic as the march looped around to collect new members from local hospitals. Some joined up midway through while others crafted a couple signs. More reporters lurked along the sidewalks, carefully following the march’s progress. Virgil just prayed the group wouldn’t get laughed off the steps of City Hall for protesting something as seemingly useless as a cut to statewide nursing education. If other hospitals in the city hadn’t supported the rally, it would have died before it launched. Virgil had a whole lineup of speakers discussing the importance of educated nurses, even adding in speeches on other major flaws of the medical system of America. And Virgil was the first speaker. He tried not to think about that.

One of the best parts of the whole rally was actually Patton’s idea. Virgil wasn’t sure if Patton realized it was his idea, since it had been randomly suggested during a lunch break. A few of the signs, specially designed so they wouldn’t be read as weapons by the police, read ‘Help Fund Nursing Education’. The volunteers held out buckets to the crowd, passing them around and collecting whatever cash people could give. If the rally collected enough cash, the Miami medical community could make a huge donation to the major medical colleges in the state!

“We’re at our first stop!” Patton cheered as the protesters neared the main entrance to Baptist Children’s Hospital. Virgil’s heart soared when he saw the nurses and doctors gathered outside, all drawing their attention to the large crowd. It was working. Pediatric doctors and nurses who knew Patton from the local social circle of pediatrics said hi and exchanged a few professional words before mingling into the crowd. Virgil glanced back to see Roman, Nate, and Remy walking not too far from the front, with Roman being the only one in a rally shirt. Roman met Virgil’s eyes. Virgil tugged at his shirt and raised an eyebrow. Roman simply did that stupid pose of his with his arms overhead like he was royalty. Virgil smirked, rolling his eyes.

Everything Virgil had been working on ran through the back of his mind like a checklist as he continued down the planned route. As long as he was the one keeping everything on track, the others could enjoy themselves. Patton, popular as always, joined up with his pediatrics friends and began cooking up a junk pile of nursing puns. With the powers of other child-at-heart doctors, he was an unstoppable pun machine. Logan was prepared for death. Thomas and Emile strolled side by side, already talking about the next big project at Sanders (something involving Ben, the psychiatric department’s emotional support dog). The crowd behind him continued to grow with doctors and nurses. He was so wrapped up in the growing size, imagining the rally collapsing into a riot with City Hall on fire, Virgil only realized where his next stop was when he saw the oh so familiar statue of Saint Gemma, the patron saint of students and pharmacists.

The nurses of St. Gemma’s Hospital crowded around the old statue. Those not wearing the purple rally shirts wore their black scrubs instead. Virgil spotted a few old coworkers mixed into the group; fellow nurses from the psychiatric department, those who had only just started when Virgil left, the few nurses that seemed close to tolerating Virgil back then. Virgil, Logan, Patton, and Thomas paused for a few moments to allow the staff to blend into the march.

“Never thought I’d see you in a position like this,” one nurse scoffed as she passed Virgil. “Good for you.”

“I don’t see a lot of doctors joining us,” Thomas sighed, squinting to see the crowd better. “Spot any old friends, Virge?”

“Oh, yeah!” Patton chirped. “Gosh, you’ve worked at Sanders for so long, I nearly forgot you came from here!” Mixed into the swarm of purple shirts and black scrubs, Virgil spotted a black bowler hat lingering just above the tallest heads, held up by a pale hand with dirty fingernails. A yellow gloved hand snatched the hat back. The crowd cleared just enough for Virgil to spot Dr. D and Remus. Dr. D wore his usual off-work attire, with his yellow gloves and bowler hat. He’d zipped up his black jacket and fluffed out the hood slightly, revealing a golden shirt with a high collar. His dark gray trousers had a streak of yellow running down the sides. Remus wore his green leather jacket and lime scarf over the rally shirt. He'd graffiti-ed the cartoon nurse with crude imagery. Dr. D fixed his hat back on his head while Remus giggled. The crowd formed back around the two men and Virgil lost sight of them.

“Don’t see anyone worth talking to,” Virgil huffed. “Come on, we only have a couple more stops.” The banner continued on. The march crawled down the streets, aided by the police setting up blockades against the traffic that could potentially run the protesters over. Virgil’s hands grew stiff holding up the banner. What if he tripped on it cause he couldn’t hold it up? He glanced over his shoulder. He couldn’t spot Dr. D anywhere.

“Virgil, are you prepared for your opening speech?” Logan asked, his voice jarring Virgil enough to stop him from tripping over his own feet.

“I memorized it,” Virgil admitted. “Hopefully.” Right, one of the few things still up in the air about the rally. With any luck, Virgil wouldn’t have a heart attack giving his speech.

“While you’re doing your speech, I need to make sure the other speakers arrived safely,” Thomas added. “Gosh, I know I have a list of our speakers…” He scrambled for his phone while trying not to drop the banner. “After you, we have Dr. Tahan from Mercy Hospital, followed by Nurse MacNamara…” As Thomas listed off the speakers he and Virgil recruited, the anxious nurse looked back again. He could see Dr. D. He walked in the middle of the crowd, glancing at Virgil occasionally as he examined those marching around him. Virgil wished he could pull his hood over his head as the group took a corner towards one of the smaller clinics signed up for the march.

The next time Virgil looked back, Dr. D was closer.

He was close enough that Virgil could just make out the scars trailing down the left side of his face. He still looked around with the same calm attitude, but Virgil knew he was coming for him. What would he say if he got close to Thomas and the others? It was time for some crisis aversion.

“Hey, Emile, can you take my place?” Virgil asked, looking around Logan and Thomas to the friendly therapist. “My hands are sore.”

“Sure!” Emile said, slipping through the crowd. Virgil and Emile swapped the banner with one fluid move. Virgil stumbled to not bump into anyone as he walked behind Emile. He stared at his feet as he carefully slowed his pace. The crowd strolled past him, more bodies collecting in front of him. He walked slow enough to fall back through the march. Shiny black shoes slipped into rhythm beside his purple sneakers.

“What do you want, D?” Virgil huffed, meeting Dr. D’s stare.

“Why would I want anything?” Dr. D asked.

“Anxiety!” a grating voice cheered behind him. Remus latched onto Virgil’s neck in a shoulder hug, practically swinging on him. “I’ve missed you!” Virgil had to shove the janitor off. Remus held out his phone like he was going to take a selfie. “See, loyal viewers, Virgil Lawson has returned!”

“You’re still doing that talk show?” Virgil groaned. “Seriously, who even watches that? No, no!” Virgil shook out his hands like he was trying to push away the distraction. “I want to know why you’re here, D!”

“This is a good cause,” Dr. D explained. “I don’t see why we shouldn’t support it. Education is vital for good nurses.”

“I don’t want you ruining things,” Virgil growled. “I’ve spent ages planning this.”

“Virgil, why in the world would I want to ruin your rally?” Dr. D huffed, fiddling with his gloves. “It only makes things worse for me. I don’t want incompetent nurses assisting on my surgeries.”

“You already force out anyone you don’t like from surgeries, that’s nothing for you,” Virgil noted. “Maybe you replaced that with adding random doctors to your rosters so you can, I dunno, get free skin cream. Who knows what else you’ve done to get what you want since I quit?”

“You’ve certainly been up to a lot since then!” Remus chirped. “Finally lose the V card, Virgin?”

“I don’t put up with your nonsense anymore, Remus,” Virgil snapped. “I don’t film your show anymore and I don’t talk to you.”

“You’re talking to him right now,” Dr. D said.

“Go bug someone else!” Virgil huffed. Remus frowned, but scurried back through the march.

“You’ve gotten a bit of a reputation from what I’ve heard,” Dr. D chuckled. “Rubbing brass with your hospital president? Organizing this rally? Very impressive. I couldn’t imagine the old you doing any of this.”

“I’ve heard plenty about you too,” Virgil growled. “You’re still cutting corners. You defy DNR orders, you’ve avoided telling patients about surgical risks multiple times, you’ve outright denied people surgery! You’re still as bad as you were when I left, maybe even worse. Frankly, I’m shocked you haven’t been fired or arrested!”

“I didn’t think you were one to listen to gossip,” Dr. D muttered, lips pursing together. “Glass houses, Virgil.” Virgil glanced up at his friends. They chatted amongst each other without a care, smiling. Dr. D’s eyes glimmered, and he glanced up at the front. Dr. D smiled. “I can only assume you haven’t been mentioned in any of these rumors.”

“And we’re gonna keep it that way,” Virgil hissed. The march took another corner, and Miami City Hall stood in front of them. The city hall was stationed on a circular piece of land overlooking the ocean, with long docks lining behind it. A circular driveway wrapped up to the front steps, leaving a circle of nature in the center. The U.S flag flew over the city, its shadow falling onto the stark white building. Virgil stomped forward, leaving Dr. D in the dust. He joined back up with his friends at the front as the march turned up the volume. Officers stood on the grass, watching over the crowd as they swarmed over the driveway, squirming for a little bit of room. The reporters watching from the sidelines grew to their biggest size yet, all trying to get good shots of the crowd. Drones flew above to get aerial views. Emile, Thomas, Patton, and Logan turned around and held the banner over their heads, marking the end of the long walk.

As Logan and Thomas folded up the banner, Emile handed Virgil the megaphone.

“Ready as you’ll ever be?” Emile asked in that special tone that confirmed he made a cartoon reference Virgil didn’t get.

“Well,” Virgil huffed, eyes darting between the front steps of City Hall and the giant crowd. “Surprisingly enough, I’m feeling anxious about it. Talking in front of hundreds of people does that to folks.”

“Take a minute to calm yourself,” Emile suggested. “I’m sure the crowd can wait.” Virgil took deep breaths, juggling the megaphone between his hands. Without his hoodie to hide them, he put his empty hand in his back pocket. There was something else in there. He thought his pocket was empty. Virgil pulled out a carefully folded piece of paper. He unfolded it.

Virgil,

Honesty has never been my strongest suit. I found my words are more truthful when they’re written down. I wish you luck on your rally. I truly hope all goes well. I agree, the cuts to statewide nursing education are idiotic.

I think Remus misses you. It’s tough to tell, but when you’ve been around him long enough, you can notice when he’s feeling down. He hasn’t fully accepted that leaving was your decision. I have. We all have to live with it.

To whatever comes next,

Dr. Janus Dee.

Virgil looked through the crowd for Dr. D’s bowler hat. He couldn’t see the mysterious doctor anywhere. His thumb brushed over D’s name. Virgil crumpled the note and shoved it into his pocket. He made sure the megaphone was on and took to the steps of City Hall.

————————

@watchoutforthefanfics @moonlight22oa @mediocrity-at-best

[wennjunhui]

seventeen hospital au

im back at it again with another random seventeen post bc nurse!jun is ruining me :)))))

disclaimer: the most i know about hospitals and how they work is from chicago med so dont expect this to be accurate 

seungcheol

attending physician in the ed

kinda intimidating but is really a huge softie

but don’t make him angry bc that is not a good idea at all

always seen with a protein shake

tends to hover over the new med students a lot

partially because it’s important to evaluate them and their knowledge

but most because he thinks its funny when they freak out around him

always asks for a psych consult even when he knows its not necessary

bc its totally in the best interest in the patient and not because hes bored and wants to talk with his bff nahhh

has a long term girlfriend that works as a software developer

everyone in the ed tryna get him to propose bc ITS BEEN 9 YEARS DAMMIT WIFE HER ALREADY

jeonghan

psychiatry fellow

usually works night shifts because hes sleeps schedule is fucked 

functions on coffee and coffee alone

is constantly Tired

catch him napping in the break rooms whenever he has time

originally wanted to go into psychology, but he gets too invested and thought it would be better to maintain short term relationships

bffs with seungcheol, but bffls with joshua

by the off chance he’s not tried, he’ll go around the ed and tease the doctors and nurses

hes in the ed a lot tho bc someone keeps calling him even tho “he literally just sprained his ankle seungcheol why am i here”

joshua

plastics fellow

fucking loaded

pulls up to the ed in a fucking gold ferrari and just shrugs when people ask about

‘yeah i got it as a birthday gift, treat yourself ya know?’

born and raised in the us, but went to south korea to further his studies

bffls with jeonghan

by GOD the chance theyre in the same room, its game over for everyone

his surgery playlist is fucking wild 

did a heartbreaking ballad just finish playing? oh thats sad but move over its britney bitch 

always brings a guitar to work parties

‘if you sing sunday morning one more fucking time-’ proceeds to sing sunday morning ‘GODDAMMIT JOSHUA’

is seeing the cute hotel concierge that works a few blocks away 

junhui

the Hot Nurse

literally all the patients fucking swoon 

kinda makes patients nervous bc of how handsome he is

ok i’ll stop now

occasionally scrubs in as a surgical nurse for minghao

he pretends to be all cool and hot shit in front of patients, but when hes around staff he turns into a giant bright ball of excitable fluff 

will always be asked to be assigned to kid patients bc he loves kids

studied abroad in korea and decided he loved it there so he stayed

may or may not have a crush on someone in the hospital but shh no one knows except jeonghan and minghao

has no problem calculating correct dosages but cant do basic math for the life of him

‘no junhui, 7+8 does not equal 17′

soonyoung

senior resident in the ed

HYPEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!111!!!!111

works night shifts bc otherwise the ed would be dead without him

probably drinks too much redbull for his own health

his favorite treatment room is treatment room five because “that’s where a patient peed on me on my first day here”

“ok soonyoung good to kno”

“no problem”

not very tech savvy 

always manages to fuck up the tablets somehow every shift

for the love of GOD dont let him near an xray machine

also never assign him and seungkwan on the same patient they will accomplish nothing 

has taken chan under his wing

wonwoo

neurology resident

blind as fuck

harry potter glasses for days

looks really cold on the outside but is really just a huge fucking dork

like actually he laughs and jokes about anything and everything

neurology can be dark sometimes yo and humor is a great way to cope with it

that and gaming

half the reason why he cant see is bc he spent too much time playing video games growing up

still kinda does but he gets away with it

accompanies soonyoung on the night shift bc he knows soonyoung gets lonely sometimes

plays ballads in the surgery rooms because it helps him keep calm

jihoon

pathology resident

‘forget working with humans hAVE YOU SEEN THIS BLOOD CULTURE ITS COOL AS FUCK’

that being said, he hangs around the break rooms a lot because being cooped up in pathology is just tiring sometimes and he needs actual people to talk to

but mostly its so he can draw on jeonghans sleeping face

shares a flat with soonyoung bc rent is expensive yo

usually has the best tunes down in pathology 

originally wanted to go into music, but school kinda killed his enjoyment of it for a long time

is slowly getting back into and finding his joy in it again

he knows too many stories about the ed that hes forced to listen to

“for the last fucking time soonyoung i dont care about how your patient threw up on seungkwan”

“okokok but`”

“no”

seokmin

ed resident wanting to specialize in pediatrics

SUNSHINE AND HAPPINESS AND SMILES EVERYWHERE

wow literally everyone in the ed is in love with him a teeny tiny bit

because he has such a bright and positive aura around him that its hard not to feel happy 

sings to the smol children if they get scared 

everyone always asks him to sing at work parties and he kills it every time despite being initially shy

“wait wait wait you were in a rock band in high school???”

has a crush on the ed secretary out front

its so fucking cute the rest of the ed ships them so much

sometimes he doubts himself and his skills and that makes his day very sad

but everyone in the ed is in love with him and will constantly be there to remind seokmin about how amazing his is and how much he deserves to be here

and thatll make his day better c:

mingyu

ed resident

the Hot Doctor

wow everyone has a crush on him even if you dont you do

pray for the patients that get assigned to both mingyu and jun your in for a visual attack

tho the facade for mingyu usually breaks after a minute of meeting him

clumsy af yo

once knocked over the patients entire tray of food because his limbs were longer than he remembered

sometimes forgets to put on hand sanitizer and seungcheol always yells at him about

from the other side of the ed “MINGYU, HANDS”

“THANKS HYUNG”

always brings his own lunch bc hospital foods shit and he makes better food at home 

sometimes brings in cookies for the staff in the break room

theyre usually gone within an hour

minghao

trauma and emergency medicine fellow

TALENTED

was personally scouted by hospital officials in china

really young to be such an expert in his field

also his hands are really sensitive to abnormalities in the human body so he feels out the situation and catches the situation really early

is kinda intimidating because of his rbf and takes no shit approach

but is really super soft and fluffy once not in a work environment

relied on jun a lot in terms of adjustment here in korea, and he’s probably closest to him in the ed 

has jun scrub in with him for surgeries sometimes

objectively has the best surgery playlists

from pink floyd, to an obscure japanese indie rock

bickers with mingyu a lot of proper treatment of patients

usually theyre both right tho they just cant communicate effectively

is secretly seeing another chinese surgeon from plastics, but they hide it really well except from jun ofc

seungkwan

nurse

a really loud and mouthy one at that

nags everyone in the ed a lot despite not being the charge nurse

tho hes getting there and everyone knows it 

despite that, hes really sweet and caring towards patients 

is also really weak for kids, but he cant ever be assigned to them because he’ll freak out if something happens to them

always earns high marks on nurse feedback forms because he does his job AND is entertaining 

even tho he nags everyone else, sometimes hes too selfless and forgets to take care of himself

“did you forget your lunch? aiii how could you do that? here take mine”

“seungkwan you need to eat to”

“i said take it, now eat and make your mom proud”

cries and often laments how much he loves his staff when hes had a little too much to drink at work parties

hansol

a new nurse

really chill, vibin through life

is really a much appreciated presence to have around the ed, especially when things can become hectic really quickly

often acts as a translator between english and korean 

will laugh at pretty much anything (which wonwoo appreciates alot because at least someone likes his jokes)

one thing that always gets his blood boiling is the blatant ignorance some patients have

like the offhanded racism against him or his coworkers, or comments about lgbtq+ people 

and there have been times when he hasnt been able to control how he responds because wow he Dislikes ignorant people

so whenever he gets a patient like that, he often asks to switch with another nurse because “if i have to listen to karen say something racist about jun or minghao again im gonna lose my fucking mind”

med students usually hang around him bc of how approachable he is

shower thoughts

“do you ever wonder this would taste like”

“hansol dont-”

chan

med student in his final year

is really eager to learn and get started on things!

ed is his first choice for match day

soonyoung has taken him under his wing so he mainly just shadows him

and its always a fun and great time chan has learned so much from him 

the entire ed staff has adopted him and will riot if he doesnt get accepted on match day

“chan, whos baby are you?”

“for the last time hyung IM TWENTY SEVEN”

if hes not shadowing soonyoung, hes probably studying in the break rooms with hansol throwing popcorn at him

“hyung stop im tryna study”

“ok but catch this in your mouth first”

still has a lot to learn, but hes out there conquering the world of medicine yall better watch out