#owlish answers asks

[owl-of-fandom]

List 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the askbox for the last 10 people who reblogged something from you. learn to know your mutuals and followers.❤️🍀

Hi Rory! Thank you so much for the ask 🫶🏻

1. My dog

2. Spending time with my flat mate

3. That it’s finally october (I hate summer and heat with a passion but I adore spooky season)

4. Reading a really good story

5. Lovely fandom people (like you 💕)

[thegoldencontracts]

Culture Shock

—ꨄ︎ “Courting ritual? What are you talking about?”

Characters: Leona, Ruggie, Floyd, Azul

Notes: courting ritual misunderstanding brainrotttt drabbles LESGOO i live for the idea of the non-human students doing what they think is obvious flirting but you blatantly misunderstanding them lmao

Leona:

—Lions show courtship by following around their intended mate, biting, and pawing. Male lions will roar to make clear their intent. Lion courtship is fairly extended

He roared, pawing at your neck. You’ve noticed this pattern in behavior for a while now. He’s been following you around, asking if you’ll be talking to anyone else any time soon.

“Good,” he’d replied when you gave him a resounding ‘no’. “I’ll have you all to myself then.

What did he want? With no verbal answers from him you’d only been left with baseless speculation.

He bit your arm. He- he bit your arm.

And he seemed proud.

“Huh?”

Rather than apologize, or declare his intentions, or whatever, Leona stuck out his own arm, staring at your with darkened, narrowed eyes.

“I think it’s time we finally stopped playin’ around,” he said, leaning his face towards your own. “Seal the deal. Say what we’re both thinking.”

You blinked at him, owlish and trying quite desperately to figure out his intentions.

“…What are we both thinking, Leona-san?”

And suddenly, the coy sort of demeanor vanished, replaced by a mixture of surprise and irritation.

After a while, he spoke up.

“You seriously didn’t know this entire time?” He grumbled. What was he talking about.

“That’s why I’m asking,” you replied. “Please explain.”

But instead of explaining, he just huffed, pouting ever so slightly as he tossed your phone onto the bed.

“Tch. Figure it out yourself,” he said.

You just stood there, absolutely dumbfounded.

What the fuck.

Ruggie:

—Male hyenas are known to repeatedly step towards and step away from their intended mate. They then present their side to be smelled. They may also cross their legs.

“I can’t believe I of all people have to tell you to take a break!” He said, pouting. But he didn’t seem too bothered, content to lounge around in your room.

Ruggie stepped towards you, arm extended.

And then he stepped forward again.

And then, again, he stepped back.

And forward again.

“What are you doing?”

“Forward, Kantokusei-Kun,” he huffed, grabbing your arm.

And then he stepped back onto the bed, crossing his legs as he sat.

“Don’t leave me hangin’ now! Join me,” he said, voice slightly breathy.

…Was this his way of getting you to rest! How considerate! Ruggie really was nicer than he let on.

You sat, and then he-

Stuck out his arm.

“Well?” He said, looking at you expectantly. “Are you gonna do it, or—?”

…

“What are you talking about?”

”What.” All of a sudden, Ruggie was beet red, half angry, half embarrassed. “You never told me you weren’t interested- don’t-“

And then he stood up, plastering a smile on his face.

“Sorry, but I got a bunch of errands to run and- ohlookit’sLeona-sanbye!”

“Wait-“

He bolted out of your room, leaving you far more confused than before.

Floyd:

—Morays often open their mouths wide to signal intent to court. They also partake in a sort of mating dance, wrapping their bodies around one another.

Floyd yawned. Again. He must’ve been getting awfully bored now, huh?

“Sorry, Floyd,” you said. “I know you don’t like hearing me talk, but-“

He yawned again, mouth opened wide to reveal both his sets of jaws.

“What gave you that idea, Koebi-Chan?” He said, giggling. “I love hearin’ you talk! Your ideas are way more interesting than anything all those stupid guppies have to offer.”

But once again, he yawned. Actions spoke louder than words, you concluded.

Seeing you look at him with uncertainty, he grinned.

“I really am serious about this, y’know,” he said. “You’ll stay interestin’ for a long time.”

And suddenly-

“Dance with me, Koebi-Chan.”

He circled around you, grabbing your arms and gracefully moving around you as if he were trying to wrap himself around your body. When you failed to react, he paused, staring at you.

“Well?” He asked.

You just sighed. He must’ve been trying really hard to stop you from rambling.

“If you’re bored, you can just say so.”

Immediately, Floyd recoiled, like he’d been doused in a bucket of water. Or maybe oil. He’d probably like being covered in water since he was a moray, after all.

“What kinda go-good small fry do you take me for?” He huffed, looking downright offended. “This is laaame. I’m leaving.”

And without an explanation, he stormed out, leaving you staring blankly from within the confines of your room, absolutely dumbfounded.

Azul:

—Octopodes often cause appearance and body language to display intent to court, changing color, showing vibrant patterns, and standing tall with their suckers extended. Males will often latch on from behind.

“You have my attention now. You’d best not waste it,” Azul murmured lowly, showing you-

His arm. It was purple. Why was it purple.

“Is- Is something wrong?” You asked. Azul stood tall, leaning in towards you. You were worried for his health by now. His arms kept changing color, and you were wondering if he was being repeatedly beat up or something.

“You know exactly what’s wrong,” he said. “I intended to wait for you to approach, but you’ve been wearing my patience terribly thin.”

What. Was he talking about. Did he want you to offer to take him to the doctor, or—?

“You’ve done your research, I’m certain,” he said. His arm turned another shade, this time a bright blue.

Suddenly, his arm wrapped around your back.

“Tell me how you feel, Kantokusei-San.”

You just stared.

“Do you want me to take you to the doctor’s office, oooor—“

“No need.” For a brief second, Azul looked disappointed, before he covered it up with a smile. “I apologize for acting so foolishly. Goodness, I don’t know what’s gotten into me!”

“What were you-“

“I’ll be going now. Please, think nothing of my sudden behavior! I’ve just been feeling a little under the weather, you see. What I did says nothing about my feelings, I assure you.”

And with that, he was gone.

…

Okay, but seriously, what was up with his arm?

[owlishanon]

4, 20, and 36 for the get to know me asks :)

Thank you :D

4 - what are you looking forward to?

Uploading the first chapter of into the eyes of fire (I will do that today)

20 - what is your favourite song at the moment?

It‘s super hard to decide because it changes regularly, but I’d say it’s Nazareth - Sleep Token

36 - 3 dreams you want to fulfill?

1 - making a living by being a content creator

2 - studying chemistry just for knowledge but not to get a job

3 - publish a book

[haikyu-mp4]

Double invitation – Bokuto x reader wc 751 – f!reader, brother!Sakusa

You and Kiyoomi met at the door, alerted by the doorbell that someone was visiting the Sakusa household.

Your brother looked out the peephole before quickly scowling and leaning back.

“It’s Bokuto,” he announced with displeasure.

You checked it too, finding that he was very right. Your heart was beating loudly at the thrill of secrecy, knowing the actual reason why Bokuto was there.

“Shouldn’t you let him in?”

“I don’t want to,” Sakusa mumbled, pushing your shoulder so you’d move and he could open the door. After regaining your footing, you stood on your toes to see your guest over Kiyoomi’s shoulder.

“Hey hey hey!” A smile found your lips at Bokuto’s classic greeting. “My pipes broke, and the repair will take a couple days. Can I stay at yours?”

While Kiyoomi was looking at Bo, you threw the owlish player a wink, making him clear his throat and avoid eye contact for his own sake.

“Bokuto,” Kiyoomi greeted, lacking the excitement. “Why can’t you stay at Atsumu’s?“

“He always makes me sleep on the couch and won’t share a pillow or anything,” Bokuto whined. It sounded like this wasn’t just an excuse to stay in your house; these were probably very real arguments for staying at the Sakusas’.

“Hinata?”

“His place smells like sunscreen. It’s been years since he came back from Brazil. I don’t understand how there’s still sand in his shoes and-“

“Fine.” Kiyoomi ran a hand over his face before stepping aside. “You’re in luck, our parents are on a business trip.”

Bokuto cheered and made his way right inside, not even putting his bag down before he turned his attention to you.

“Y/n, didn’t see you there!” You grinned excitedly at the attention, swaying on your feet. “Did you watch our last game?”

“Yes, I did.”

Kiyoomi frowned. “You’re being weird.”

Fast forward fifteen minutes, and the three of you are sat around the dining table, each with a cup of tea. You’re switching between looking at Bokuto and your tea, Bokuto is either smiling at you or looking around the room, and Kiyoomi is angrily staring at the table.

“It really is a nice house-”

“You’ve said that every time you’ve visited,” Kiyo noted.

“Thank you,” you answered politely. You shifted in your seat so your foot could brush against Bokuto’s leg but kept a straight face. “Kiyo, don’t you usually go jogging around this time?”

Kiyoomi looked calculatingly between you and Bo, wondering what was worse: Taking Bokuto with him or leaving him with you. “I will go soon. What are you doing tonight?”

It wasn’t unusual for him to ask about your plans, but your cheeks flushed red at the fantasies you’d had about your secret boyfriend staying over. “I was thinking of watching Madagascar 2.”

Bokuto perked up, interlacing his hands on the table to contain his emotions. “I love that movie.”

Kiyoomi sounded displeased, worried that his teammate wanted to stay and annoy you. “You can come jogging with me, Bo-kun.” At least he talks a little less when he’s out of breath.

Meanwhile, you were trying your best not to roll your eyes, annoyed that your brother was making it so hard.

In the end, Bokuto agreed to join your brother jogging, throwing a somewhat discreet kiss over his shoulder when he closed the door as they left you pouting in the hallway.

Kiyoomi was used to waking up in the middle of the night, pulling his eye mask up to hold his curls somewhat out of his face as he strolled the familiar path to the kitchen for a glass of water.

Except it wasn’t so familiar. Because a grown man was doing a terrible job at tip-toeing his way from the guest room and into yours, wearing only a t-shirt and boxers.

“Bokuto,” Kiyoomi whispered angrily. “That’s not the bathroom!”

Said man chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head. “Oh… right…”

You screamed silently into your pillow as you heard the interaction from inside your room.

The morning after, Bokuto was happy to find you in the kitchen while Kiyoomi showered, engaging in some light flirting while you each prepared your breakfast.

Bokuto clicked the blender on and let it whisk up his protein shake, taking the moment to pull you into a playful kiss from where you were making toast. Unfortunately, this meant neither of you heard Kiyoomi stomping his way into the kitchen, his expression switching from post-shower calmness to absolute horror.

“EW!”

masterlist

requested by @helpwhat for my event, anything for you <3 HUGE thanks to @cottonlemonade for helping me with the plot!!

[hanchette]

𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐀𝐋𝐖𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐁𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔 ( wind breaker characters )

a/n: i want suzuri to cook for me

consist of : fluff, gender neutral reader, established relationship — soft moments

𝐒𝐔𝐙𝐔𝐑𝐈 𝐒𝐇𝐔𝐇𝐄𝐈, you're seated at the back of suzuri's workplace, one that you've called your own with how much you frequent here to visit your boyfriend. he's just as dedicated to his job as you've known him since.

known to never half-assing anything when he can do his best to do it.

and that's why you're here now, suzuri had done his best cooking a meal, one that is wrapped up in a container that he has bought for the two of you—one that he had prepared meticulously with despite his rather clumsy fingers.

"ow." he reacted, although his tone was too flat for you to discern whether he really felt that anyway. nevertheless, you murmured an apology. "sorry."

suzuri kept quiet, allowing you to map the little wounds littered all over his hands as you bandage them with the little ones that possess cute prints.

"i am always worrying you, aren't i?" suzuri breathes out, eyes trained on your hand as you help him patch up.

"you do." you admit, ever since you've met him, ever so self less and kind—so much that he forgets about himself until tsubaki and nakamura found him where he change, albeit slowly.

suzuri breathes through his nose, as soon as you placed the final bandage on his finger, suzuri allows his body to slump forward, his forehead pressing on your hand like he is bowing towards you.

"i promise to do better so you won't then." he mouths against the back of our hand, warm breath fanning your skin as you look down at the man whom dedicated his life towards you.

"how so?" you asked, eyes crinkling at the sides as you look at him—trailing the way his man bun looks good on him.

and his words came in sincerely, "i will practice hard to cook you a perfect meal and try to take care of myself better.. and yet.." he pauses, sucking in a breath, "and yet, at the same time, i don't want to."

your mouth parts, about to ask until he continues, "because I'll miss you patching me up like this."

you shake your head, finding his words silly. feeling how his lithe fingers, wider than your own but the roughness like holding a jagged rock tells about how much his life has been. searching for a place he can safely call home. and though the guys were his family, you were a semblance of what home is.

"shuhei," you call his name, lovingly, tenderly, and suzuri lifts his head, "i will always be with you, don't worry, i will patch you up whenever you need to, take care of you, and continue to love you."

with a smile, suzuri allow a breath of defeat, of course, you'll always be with him. he takes a hold of your hand, kissing the end of your ring finger, a smile etched on his lips.

"okay." was what he could only say.

𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐈 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐊𝐀, "what are you?" now, in this same moment, takiishi holds your face in both hands, squishing your cheeks together, owlish eyes staring you down.

"y/n." you offer.

you're seated on his lap, as he had pulled you in when you were walking pass him, takiishi stayed silent, perhaps he did not accepted your answer, merely, staring you down with an intriguing look in his gaze.

he couldn't understand, how his heart would always ache when you're around, how his eyes would always be glued to your every move or how when you're not around, he would crave your presence besides him. and though it is a feeling that always leave him feeling bad about everything, the constant pinning needles that kinks his cold heart or the gnawing in his bones, takiishi would never forsaken this feeling.

endo had told him one time—that takiishi finds you intriguing.

takiishi continues to stare, remembering the moment he had sent endo on an errand to check on you, eager ear listening attentively to any updates on your situation.

you make him feel worse, but at the same time good.

"no." he finally answers, "you, what are you." he repeats his question.

just earlier, you were nothing but a babbling mess towards him, his fist propping his head up as he looks at the view. you're sitting on a terrace of an abandoned house that's situated at roof, a place he found—more like endo did.

topics and topics spewing from your lips until you find yourself laughing and giggling at your own story. which prompted to takiishi to shift his attention to you. bored, dull look placed on you as his free hand brushes your cheek gently. and now, you find yourself in this situation.

and now you're stuck looking at him, you couldn't place a word in, what is he asking of you? what he wants of needs to hear? ahh.. but you know him well enough now, enough to stay by his side.

"your s/o." you answer, watching as his dull gaze only seemingly soften, the stiff look in his eyes relaxing ever so slightly that it has your mind going blank, focus on the very little details that makes takiishi.. him.

you don't understand, somehow, why and how he feels so foreign right now. that nonchalant look still present but he's too- he's not the usual. it's weird, but at the same time, endearing.

"right." he nod once, his free hand going back, thumb tracing the line of your cheekbone.

you're not sure if it was the right answer, but it's enough, it seems, when his eyes stray from your to look at the view, not dull, but softer now.

𝐓𝐒𝐔𝐁𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐎 𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐔𝐊𝐔, "hehe, i am so happy you came to me for help." he smiles, stupidly pretty that your heart couldn't help but swoon. he's so beautiful.

"how could i not? you are the right person to come to." you tilt your head, tsubaki giggles in response, dragging the chair in front of you as you straighten in your seat, watching his fingers take a napkin from the stand to wipe your face.

"that's why i am happy."

tsubaki then preps your face, from the soft bristles that glides along your face to the little sponges that press against your skin. "you're so pretty, y/n-chan." he compliments you, watching the color from the brush dust your eyelids.

"thank you.." you croaked out, honestly, you still can't believe you managed to date someone like tsubaki—someone so kind, sweet, and tantalizingly soft when it comes to the matters of the heart. "but you're more pretty than me tsubaki-chan."

you can hear small giggles from his lips, maybe you were making a weird expression? ahhh whatever, at least you made him laugh.

"really now?" his eyes crinkle in delight, "that's odd, why do i find you the most beautiful then?" he pressed a sweet peck on the tip of your nose.

perhaps you would need make up anymore, tsubaki muses, watching the way your eyes go wide and feel the warmness creeping in your face with his hand. "hm? y/n-chan is feeling shy in me now?" he teases, pinching your cheek.

"i suppose you won't need a blush now, am i right? then, the only thing that's missing is your lipstick."

before you could reply, tsubaki shows you his collection of lipsticks, from gloss, matte to tints with various colours, allowing you to choose whatever you want.

until you settle on one that you like.

tsubaki giggles, head tilting slightly, and his long hair following the gesture in a flawless motion.

"close your eyes and pucker your lips." he instructs you, you raised a brow, why would you need to close your eyes if he's applying it to your lips?

and it seems like your face is an open book, your beloved immediately responding, "c'mon, it's a surprise."

and so you did.

your senses heightening with the loss of your eye sight, hearing the cap of the lipstick open and waiting for it to be pressed on your lips.

what you thought would be cold and hard was instead, warm and soft.

familiar that it has you closing your eyes shut, thinking that it is merely an imagination you are feeling, until you feel tsubaki's hand wrap around the side of your neck, his thumb angling your head.

and you feel the pressure deepen.

it wasn't until soon that you feel him parting, your lips chasing what was on them, eyes fluttering open to look at tsubaki—his usual meticulously put on lipstick smudged, and the color is similar to the one you just picked earlier.

"ahh, i messed up on putting it on you, maybe we should try again?"

𝐘𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐎 𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐎, he closes his eyes, feeling the way your fingers rake through his hair, these are one of the beautiful moments in his life—and though yamato endo lives for the thrill and the chase he use to do, he also lives here in this moment, in your arms. the two of you usually sleeping in this particular time of the day.

"hey, let's do something fun." he hums, thoughts pushing each other like a train without a brake.

"define fun."

"maybe we should invite takiishi." endo hums, opening one eye to see you looking at him, sporting a scrunched face at the call of his friend's name. "no way." watching you flat out disagree made endo pout, for someone infamous for his fighting skills and terrifying actions, he acts like a kicked puppy towards you in the span of your relationship with him.

"takiishi and fun is fun, ya know?" endo offers, trying to change your mind as he shifts in place from your arms to lay his chin on your chest, eyes still trained on you with intent.

you pursed your lips, squinting at your boyfriend who merely chuckles at the sight of your expression, though takiishi is a good companion—in a way, you don't like how endo always sports an injury after coaxing him for something.

"kidding." endo jokes, kissing your collarbone before nipping at the skin below it, "a' know ya' don't like that, hehe."

his eyes are crescent in shape as he grins at you from below, sneaky and naughty fingers trailing from your side to under your shirt. "endo."

"yeah?"

"stop that."

your words will always be his command, endo sighs, taking off his hand from you only to lift himself up so he can see you face to face. "you're no fun." he murmurs, lowering himself to plant kisses on your lips.

and though no matter how calloused his hands are, how dry his lips is, and how rough he is. endo is gentle.

gentle with the way he never gives you too much of his lips, hovering, small little pecks to keep you chasing but never waiting. "but a' like ya'." he mouths through your lips, hand coming to guide your nape.

"endo.."

and endo, he's a relentless. "ya want me to stop?" his words are soft, never a whisper at that point, it wasn't to ask a question, but asking for your permission.

you nod, eyes fluttering as you watch him grin at you. "kay.." he agrees, pressing his forehead against yours.

there are moment that you just can't believe, how soft he could be. he's danger all around, sharp along the edges and one wrong move, you'll have to lay there bleeding and crying. but that never happens, with endo, you feel safe, you feel stupidly safe.

and like a drug instilled in your system, your fingers, smaller than his—softer than what his could ever be, trace the inks that line his skin, the way the drawings seem to come to life at every twitch of his muscle amazes your eyes, and yet, you favorite would be the infinity on his neck.

"stay like this for a few." endo breathes, closing his eyes and plopping his heavy body on yours like a heavy blanket.

"i thought you wanted fun?" you question, lips tilting as you watch him.

"later." he replies.

he only says that, because he wants to feel more of your touch, soothing the ache in his soul and guiding him to a paradise he calls you. "for now, i want this." he muffled out through the soft pillows.

[rabidlittlestrawberry]

Part 1 - Surprise

James wipes down the bar again, using it as an excuse to flex his muscles, to lean over the counter. There’s a girl perched on the corner, sucking up a daiquiri through a straw who has been eyeing him for the past hour. 

He has yet to strike up a proper conversation, but it won’t be long. He has this down to a fine art. And there’s a dance to this, steps. He can’t skip ahead, no matter how much he wants to. 

Sirius comes up behind him then, and starts mixing cocktails with ridiculous flare. Pouring ingredients from a height, juggling bottles. James knows what this means. And it couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. Sirius throws the mixer without bothering to look back, and James catches it with barely a glance in its direction. Giving it one last shake before pouring it into the waiting glass.  It’s a routine he and Sirius have perfected over the years, moving around each other without having to say a word, each anticipating the other’s movements. 

The girl from the corner is really looking now. Eyebrows raised in obvious appreciation. James throws her a well placed wink as he sets the glass on fire in front of him, sliding it over to the waiting customer. Next time she needs a refill, he’ll strike up a conversation. He’ll have her number before the night is out. 

When he turns back to the counter, there’s a boy in front of him. A young boy. Small and skinny and definitely not old enough to be in here. He’s looking up at James from behind huge, round glasses with a strangely intense stare, dark hair sticking up at an angle that James has nothing but sympathy for. Crazy bright green eyes shining out through skin only a little lighter than James’. 

James looks him up and down, raising his eyebrows. “Sorry kid, not a chance. I don’t care how good your fake ID is.” 

The kid has the nerve to smile, eyes crinkling up behind his glasses. He’s got a cheeky air to him that James can’t help but humour. 

“I’m not here for alcohol,” he says. 

“Well, then. You’re no use to us here, are you?” James says it with a smile, and the kid smiles in response, but there’s a flicker of something else. Not quite hurt, but at least a sting. 

“Fine. Give me a coke, then.”

James hesitates a moment before he complies, grabbing a glass and taking the opportunity to study the boy again. “How did you even get in? You’re what? Thirteen?”

“Fourteen,” the kid frowns, having the nerve to look offended. As if that makes all the difference. “Almost fifteen.” 

“Still not old enough to drink, I’m afraid.” A customer across the bar gestures at James for another. He’s a regular, so James starts to pour his usual, still looking at the kid. 

“Your parents know you’re here?”

“Well. My mum is dead.” The words are blunt, matter of fact, but he can’t hide the brutal flash of pain behind his eyes. Fresh. Losing a parent never gets easier, but this isn’t a wound that’s had time to fade. It’s new.  

“Ah, I’m sorry, kid. That’s tough. But drink isn’t the answer. Trust me.” 

The boy frowns. Opens his mouth to respond, presumably but just then the girl from the corner walks up to him then, leaning over the bar and asking him for another with a smile. James grins right back, throwing her a little wink. Technically, he’s not allowed to give out his number, but he has no problem finding a way around that rule. Give them enough of a hint and they feel comfortable enough to make that move. 

“Enjoy,” he says, lingering in a way that makes it obvious that he’d be open to more conversation. 

The kid shuffles in his seat, and James wonders if it will be rude to get him kicked out. He really doesn’t belong here, and James suddenly feels self conscious of his owlish eyes watching James’ every move. 

He’s sure he’s about to say something to the girl, when his gaze is pulled by a head of dark hair, and his breath catches in his throat. He almost drops the pint he’d been pouring, his grip slacking as his heart-rate kicks into overdrive.

Fuck, he looks good. 

Black crop top artfully cut across his midriff, showing off a bellybutton ring that makes James’ mouth water. His eyes are ringed in silver liner, making the ice blue stand out against pale skin as he stares back at James. 

“Hey, you,” James breathes, voice barely audible above the music. It’s incredible, how Regulus can always render him so completely useless without even a single word. James knows how to do this, to flirt, he’s good at it, even. But he’s been pulling out all his best moves on Regulus for years, and has gotten nothing in return. Less than nothing. It’s like flirting with a brick wall. 

Out of the corner of his eye, he sees bar girl lean forward again, a scrap of paper in her hand that James is sure is her number. 

“This is for you,” she says, flashing him a smile, and he smiles back, taking the paper between his fingers and sliding it into his pocket. 

“Thanks,” he grins, biting his lip. Wow, she really is pretty. He’ll have to give her a call later. 

A cough from his left turns his gaze back to Regulus, who is watching the exchange with a bored, dispassionate expression, tapping his fingers against the bar as he waits for his drink.  

“If you’re done flirting,” he says as the girl walks away. “I was hoping you would remember to do your job, and pour me a drink.”

James arranges his face into his most disarming smile, reaching for the gin before Regulus can begin to ask. “Aw, you know me. I’m never done flirting, love.”

Regulus’ expression does not so much as flicker. He stands still as a statue as James works, ignoring Sirius’ calls of Reggie and snatching up the glass as soon as James places it in front of him. He’s turned on his heel and is making his way back to his friends before James can utter another word. 

Feeling a little dazed, James shakes his head, not quite able to take his eyes off Regulus’ retreating figure. His attention is pulled by the sound of laughter next to him. The kid. Right. He’s sipping his coke, laughing at James over the top of his glass. 

“What?” James turns to him, still considering calling security, but he can’t help the smile that pulls at the corners of his lips. 

“Nothing, nothing,” the boy replies, still smirking as he lowers his glass. “Your mouth’s still open, by the way.” 

James snaps it shut, mildly embarrassed that this random kid has managed to see through him so quickly. Damn. Is he really that obvious? 

“Alright kid, out with it. You aren’t here to drink overpriced soft drinks and make sarcastic comments about my dating life. What do you want? A job? Some friends? Something better to do with your time?” 

The kid’s smile fades as quickly as it came, replaced with an intense sort of calm. A steadiness that doesn’t match his youthful appearance. That’s when James rememberers that the kid’s mum just died. Jesus. He really needs to be more sensitive, even to strange teenagers.

“You’re James Potter?” The kid says suddenly, and the scrutiny in his eyes is dialled up to eleven. James’ brain stutters, unable to process what he’d just heard.

“I — am. And who are you?”

“Harry.” He says simply, apparently not willing to offer any more information. 

“Right,” James says, for lack of anything else to say. This conversation really doesn’t feel like it’s in his control anymore. The kid - Harry - takes a visible deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment. James has no idea why, but his blood runs cold, stomach sinking. However the boy knows his full name, it surely can’t be good news. 

“So, you know I said my mum died?” Great. Good start. James nods, not sure what he’s supposed to say. “Well. Um. She was kinda all I had. I got given to my aunt and uncle, but they’re um… they… well. They live in Surrey.”

That catches James off-guard. Before he knows it, his head is tipped back in a full blown laugh. 

“Right,” he says, “gotcha. So…” 

“So. I never knew my father. And I thought now might be the time.” 

“Your … father?”

“Yeah,” he visibly swallows, “She, uh, she never told me who he was, not really. But I was going through her stuff, after the accident,” his voice breaking on that word, just a little, “and I found some things.”  

“Right…” James starts, his mind swirling, feeling like he’s missing a puzzle piece here, his mind trying to put together pieces that don’t quite fit. It’s all very sad, but what on earth has this got to do with him?

“I have a picture of her here,” harry continues, reaching into his pocket. “I think you might have known her.” He reaches his hand over the bar, a piece of paper extended out. The picture looking back at him steals his breath from his lungs. 

“Lily Evans?” Harry says unnecessarily, as if James would ever mistake the face staring out at him. Bright eyes just as he remembers them, reckless covering her whole face. She’s holding a baby in her arms and looking a little more tired than she used to, but her smile is exactly the same. In fact, she looks so similar that James concludes that she can’t have been much older than when he last saw her, when they were both seventeen. 

James’ world spins, and he can’t feel anything past one single thought. Crowding his mind, pressing down on his lungs. Fuck. 

Lily is dead. Lily is dead. Lily is dead. 

He hasn’t seen her in years, since they’d dated at the end of school. They’d agreed to stay friends, but Lily had pretty much dropped off the face of the earth after that. And James had been busy travelling the world, and then there was university. It had been so long. He hadn’t seen her in… shit, it must be around fifteen ye—

His eyes snap up to the boy in front of him, mind racing. The ground lurches dangerously beneath him, and he has to hold onto the bar for support. Now that he sees it, he wonders how it hadn’t occurred to him sooner. Harry was basically a carbon copy of him, save for his eyes, which are all Lily.  

He knows, the evidence is right there in front of his face. But still, he has to say something. 

“How… um. How old did you say you were, again?”

“Fourteen. And a half.”

“Right. So, when you said you were looking for your dad?”

Harry nods, looking truly nervous for the first time all evening. Somehow, it makes him look even younger. “That would be you, I think. You’re um… I think you’re my dad.” 

My dad.

Dad. 

Shit.

James is going to have to sit down.

Read the next chapter here

[juuuulez]

thinking about consensual somnophilia with carmy

it’s not a casual thing. even if you express interest in it, and ensure him you don’t mind, he won’t ever do it on a random occasion. it’ll have to be planned out, pre-prepared:

like on a night where you both know carmy will come home late. so you have a nice relaxing bath, maybe a little wine, read your book. get all snug and cozy in bed and drift off. and carmy messaged you, like, 5 times during service asking how your night was, if you still wanted him. the answer was always a resounding yes.

so he’s quiet as he undresses, eyes wide and owlish as they stare at you in the bed. when carmy delves under the covers, he finds you’re already wet for him, having pleasured yourself before bed to ensure you were nice and ready. you smell good. like coconut body wash and your skin shines with the remnants of a nice body oil.

carmy hardens quickly under his own hand, stroking and pulling and savouring the sight of you naked in bed, waiting for him, peacefully unaware but also so devoted to proving that you’re his, always.

and he’s trying so so hard to be quiet. to keep the moment going, keep you asleep while he slips between your dewy folds, pushing deep inside. he pants next to your ear, breathing laboured and strained as the feeling overwhelms him.

maybe the excitement was too much to truly fall asleep, anyway. for with carmy barely holding in his groans, and the sensation of slowly being filled, you awake with a slow start. it’s groggy and hazy and feels so good, barely aware but coherent enough to understand that you’ve got carmy again, that he’s here and he’s letting himself indulge.

he makes a particularly strangled noise, poorly muffled into your neck, prompting you to take mercy on him. your hand lazily finds his curls, pushing them away from his face, bringing him up into your vision.

knowing you’re awake seems to startle him, mouth parted and eyes wide as carmy stares down at you. “hey.” he whispers, sounding already so wrecked, but full of adoration and love.

“hi.” you whisper back to him, smiling up at his cute little face. you swallow his noises with kisses, making it clear that you’re enjoying the moment, to which he appreciates the nonverbal reassurance.

the sex is soft and sleepy and carmy lets himself melt into your cunt, body strewn over yours like a blanket, huffing and gasping between the constant stream of praise you deliver:

such a good boy for me, ‘m so proud of you.

know just how to make me happy.

yeah? feels good? y’can have me like this whenever you want, baby. ‘m yours.

[sasha-noclue]

hmmm, who are you? [A short, owlish boy approaches Sasha. His amber eyes narrow in curiosity]

You're a new face. Where have you been hiding this whole time? Hm, no matter.

I'm the medic, Dr. Asa Damon. Come find me in the forest if you're ill or injured. That's all I needed to say.

[Asa tosses his hair over his shoulder, waiting for a response.]

-🦉 (@ask-asa-damon-lotf)

[Sasha found himself perking up at the sound of someone near turning his head being faced with Asa confused The navy haired boy answered]

"The names Sasha! Don't forget it"

[He felt his unease slipping as he pointed at himself with pride but soon got awkward once more at Asa's prominent amber eyes] 

"A medic cool! I can't wait to see you around!. Maybe not so soon though I don't wanna break a leg... You think you can teach me some medic stuff? it sounds pretty fun maybe another time if your too busy"

"Whatever just don't be a stranger."

[EDIT: ooc I forgot to tag @ask-asa-damon-lotf EHGGJ SORRY even though it already there]

[lemurzsquad]

And because you love Bokuto, how about a silly little drabble about picking a new mattress?

Okay so I know you sent this so so long ago, but in my attempt to get back into writing to fill the void that school has left, I just kept coming back to this prompt, I hope you don't mind that it took so long :')

I was in the mood to make a cozy fic because they make me happy, so have this 🤲 it's also like 3am and I desperately need sleep, so this is also not proofread fjsbjd

Word count: 940

“So, unfortunately, that specific mattress is currently out of stock at this location.”

You stood in front of the counter in the middle of the store, surrounded by a whole showroom of countless mattresses. Next to you, seemingly distracted, was your husband Bokuto. He looked around aimlessly and turned his head at even the slightest bit of movement, whether it be the cars outside or the light that flickered at inconsistent intervals. Not a single bit of his attention was on the sales associate in front of you both.

The young man continued, “You could visit one of our other stores that may have it in stock, or we could order it for you and have it delivered to this store earlier than when our next shipment is set to arrive.”

You were about to ask Bokuto for his opinion, but when you glanced at him, you could clearly see his gaze locked on a couple of mattresses you hadn’t looked at yet. With an amused smile and a shake of your head, you said, “I think we’ll have it delivered here if it's not too much trouble.”

The sales associate nodded. “Then I’ll just need you to give me some contact information and a little bit of time, and then we’ll be all set!”

As he went to type on his computer and print out a couple papers, you squeezed Bokuto’s hand to get his attention. Immediately, he redirected his eyes to you and tilted his head in the owlish way that he does, silently asking if you needed something.

“You can look around a little more while I fill out some papers,” you answered quietly.

He grinned at that. Lightly pecking your cheek, he let go of your hand and scampered off into the maze of display beds and pillow shelves.

After only a handful of minutes, the mattress had successfully been ordered. It was time to leave, and with a quick scan of the store you realized something.

Bokuto was… nowhere to be found.

So, with a fond sigh, you began to look around, acutely aware that the business was closing in maybe ten minutes. The search was, thankfully, fairly quick with how empty the building was and with how much Bokuto stood out in any setting. Hidden away in an alcove, one of the display beds sat with the side against a window that stretched a fourth of the wall longways. 

Draped with his feet and half of his shins hanging off the foot of the bed was your husband. His chest and cheek were sunk into the mattress, and with how still he laid, you could only assume he had fallen asleep.

A little wisp of a laugh left you in a huff. Why am I not surprised? you mused to yourself. Softly, you approached to lay down beside him, tucking your cheek against the crook of your elbow. With your other hand, you carded your fingers lovingly through Bokuto’s spiky yet silky hair.

He let out a groan that sounded as though the words “just five more minutes” would slip from his lips if you hadn’t spoken first.

“Koutarou~” Your voice drifted to him quietly, gently pulling him back to the waking world.

He let out another drowsy noise but cracked an eye open to see you next to him. His other eye was practically forced to stay shut with how his cheek was smushed into the fabric of the bed.

“Hey, sleepyhead…” You smiled lopsidedly, your own cheek pressed into your arm. “Welcome back to the waking world.”

Still half asleep, Bokuto gazed at you in a soft, dazed look filled with nothing but unguarded awe and affection. You looked angelic; the sunset beyond the glass shone as if only to sit as a halo around the crown of your head. Your fond grin was nothing short of breathtaking in its own right, but waking up to see it was as though he was still basking in the last stretches of dream that had cradled him through the night.

“I think I see an angel…” He mumbles sleepily, “Is this heaven…?”

Your smile grew wider, and the creases at the corners of your eyes and between your eyebrows as they pushed together earnestly became more pronounced.

“No, sweetheart,” you answered softly. “This is the mattress store. And it closes in five minutes.”

He huffed at that, turning his face to groan dejectedly into the mattress. After a fit of giggles and, in response, unhappy grumbles, you managed to grab his arm and pull him to his feet—although, with significant resistance. Bokuto hung off of you the whole way out and back home like a wet towel, leaning what felt like all of his weight as he did, much to your dismay.

Between chuckles, you asked, “Are you sure you didn’t want that mattress?”

He shook his head against your shoulder. “No, that mattress was terrible…” He couldn’t help another yawn from escaping.

“Didn’t seem like it,” you remarked, amused. You teased, “I almost had to leave without you, you know.”

“Nooo…” He whined as he tightened his arms around your waist and further buried his face into the crook of your neck.

You couldn’t help but coo as your hand came up to run comfortingly through his hair. It was no surprise that when you arrived home, he immediately collapsed on your soon-to-be-replaced bed, dragging you down with him.

Sure, you protested, saying you both needed to put on pajamas and do your usual nighttime rituals, but who were you to stand against the power of a soft, pleading, “Just five more minutes…”

Do not copy and/or repost!! Any likes, comments, or reblogs are appreciated, though! (c) 2024 LemurzSquad

[owl-of-fandom]

Happy New Year!! 🎉

Happy new year to you too, you lovely human being @crazybutgood 🥳🎉

May the new year be kind to you and full of wonderful things and memories 💕

[lou-struck]

Spooky Spikes

Kotaro Bokuto x reader

Flufftober Day 3- Halloween Practice

~Bokuto is excited for you to come to his Halloween volleyball practice so he can show off the costume you gave him.

Warnings: Bare butt cheeks (No Smut I promise very SFW), Bokuto is taller and has a bigger butt than the reader, Cursing.

There’s something about the fall that makes your little kitchen coffee corner feel just a bit cozier. The warm scents of cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom fill your nose as you brew yourself a steaming cup of chai tea. The ceramic mug is warm in your hand as you grip the pumpkin-shaped handle. Carefully walking it over to the sun-soaked kitchen table, the large window giving you the perfect view of your neighbor’s old apple tree. The leaves are just beginning to change from deep green to a crisp yellow around the slightly pathetic-looking fruits.

You raise the cup to your lips, letting your eyes flutter shut as you breathe in what can only be described as ‘Liquid Autumn.’ Blowing slightly on the wisps of steam to take your first sip. You hear a loud thudding sound coming from down the hall and pause. 

Usually, you would be concerned and follow the noise, but you live with your lovingly klutzy boyfriend Kotaro Bokuto. The Volleyball player has never been the quietest in the morning when he is getting ready for morning practice.

“Babeeee, I need help.” his boisterous voice calls from behind you, the sound causing you to jolt as a bit of your tea splatters over the lip of the cup, down your hand, and onto the previously clean tabletop.

“Kou, what do you need ~” You turn your head mid-sentence and lose your train of thought when you see the tall form of your boyfriend. But instead of his defined muscles and owlish two-toned hair, all you see is a long white sheet draped over him; the only thing you are able to see of him behind the sheet is bare feet that poke out from .” What the hell are you wearing?” 

“Boo!” he yells, too elated to answer your question, the happy yet slightly muffled sounds bouncing off the walls and throwing his sheet-covered arms up into the air. “Did I scare ya? I can’t see very well in this thing, so you’ll have to tell me what you think of my costume.”

Oh, right. Today is the MSBY Jackals’ annual Halloween practice. It’s just like any other practice, but the players get to wear some costumes as they play. Judging by your lovable boyfriend’s costume, he has forgotten that he actually needs to be able to play in his costume.

“Are you going as a ghost?” You ask, gently pulling up the sheet to reveal his thick gray eyebrows, pinkish cheeks, and ruffled two-toned hair. It must be pretty hot under there.

“Yeah, pretty iconic, don’t you think?” he winks, leaning in to give you a minty fresh kiss. “It’s a bit hard to see, though. Can you help me make some eye holes?” he asks, reaching a muscled arm just past you over to the knife block. Your stomach drops at the continuation he is making when he grabs your well-loved kitchen scissors.

“Babe, these are our good sheets.” you giggle, gently prying the kitchen scissors from his much larger hands. “We can’t just cut holes into them. And you are definitely not going to be able to play volleyball in that thing. You can’t even lift your arms to Spike.”

His features fall in the most heartbreaking way as he looks down at the linen sheet, mourning the loss of his Halloween costume idea. “But that was my big plan. I thought of it the other day when one of the trainers said that my spikes were scary.” His golden gaze drifts to the glowing green numbers on the stovetop. “Shoot, Practice starts in an hour and I don’t have another costume. What do I do?”

You place a comforting hand on his bicep and give him a reassuring smile. “We still have time to think of something for you, what did you wear last year? I don’t remember you telling me.” 

“I-I can’t tell you that,” he says quickly, his large hand coming up to hide the rapidly spreading blush on his cheeks; it’s too embarrassing to talk about.”

“But not embarrassing enough to not wear it to the gym surrounded by at least twenty people?” 

He still shakes his head adamantly. “I don’t have that costume anymore, we gotta think of something else.”

You furrow your brow in thought, 

“Wait, come with me; I think I have an idea.” You smile, grabbing his hand and pulling him down the hallway eagerly. The still pristine bedsheet flows behind the two of you. 

In the back of your closet lies a clear plastic tub filled with old costumes and pieces from years past. You dig through the animal masks and wizard robes until you find what you are looking for. Your old Skeleton costume consists of an oversized black t-shirt and a pair of leggings; a realistic skeletal system print covers the entire thing. 

“Would these work?” you ask, holding up the pieces for him to take. The costume was baggy on you, but the stretchy material means that it most likely could fit your much taller, much more beefy boyfriend. 

His eyes light up when he sees the costume, and nods eagerly. “This will be great. I can actually play in these. He picks you up easily and spins you around the cramped closet space. “You’re so amazing Y/n. Where would I be without you?”

“ single and costumeless.” You giggle, returning his bear hug with as much strength as you can muster. “Wait, hang on,” you place your hands on his shoulders as you are hit with your second moment of brilliance that morning. “I think I have some face paint underneath the sink.”

~

After buying you a fresh tea to replace the one you hadn’t gotten to enjoy earlier, Kotaro insisted on dragging you to practice with him so you can see just how awesome his costume looks in comparison to his other teammates.

As the nosy little thing you are, it didn’t take much persuading to come with him. The scent of icy hot reaches your nose as the two of you pass the athletic training room where a few players are getting taped for today’s session. 

“Are you sure you don’t wanna wear your shorts over the leggings? “You ask, noticing just how tight the leggings are on his muscled bottom.

“No, I don’t need it,” he says, looking down and giving his butt a playful little smack. “It would ruin the vibe of my Amazing costume.”

“I can’t argue with that,” you giggle as he dances towards the sound of volleyball. He certainly is the happiest volleyball-playing skeleton you’ve ever seen. 

“Okay, babe, wish me luck.” Kotaro grins, stopping just outside the gymnasium doors, leaning in towards you with his now skeletal-painted lips puckered. 

You place your hand on his chest and push him back lightly, “Wait, you don’t want to mess up your face paint. You say quickly, noticing the puppy dog eyes he is giving you. 

“I don’t care about that if it means I don’t get a kiss,” he says with a pout, crossing his arms in usual Bokuto fashion. He is already leaning in for your kiss. He knows just how effective his pouty face is on you.

“Good luck,” you smile, leaning in on your tiptoes to give him a kiss. 

He is so happy he practically skips into the gym, pushing open the doors and waving to you one more time before he goes to work.

Now alone, you turn away from the sound of squeaking shoes and spikes to walk up the steps to the upper bleachers, where certain spectators are allowed to watch without distracting the players.

You are now looking over the whole court and see the dozens of players scattered around as practice begins. Costume-wise, it looks like the majority of the players are wearing masks of some sort, making it hard to tell who is who. But eventually, you do see familiar faces.

The blond head of Atsumu Miya grabs your attention as he takes his place by the net, a long, flowing red and black vampire cape tied behind his neck. And judging by how muffled his on-the-court communication is, he must be wearing some of those cheap vampire fangs as well.

Shoyo Hinata Is wearing all black with a large pair of black feathered wings tethered to his back with little elastic strings. They flap clumsily as they fail to keep up with the redhead’s speed as he runs about the court with boundless energy. 

The Third Person you are able to make out is Sakusa Kiyoomi, a true master of disguise. He is wearing his normal practice clothes and really looks like he’d rather be anywhere else. The only thing out of place on his clean frame is the hastily stuck red and white name tag that sits crookedly on his chest.

With those great options to compete with, you can safely say that Bokuto’s costume is by far the best. You watch as the team tries to play. Atsumu keeps tripping over his cape when he jumps, and Little feathers from Hinata’s wings keep littering the court as he bounds around, and the other players keep having to take off their rubber monster masks to breathe and truly look miserable. It keeps you thoroughly entertained throughout the training session. 

In between sets in their practice scrimmage, Bokuto and a few others end up by your bench, and you’re able to hear a little bit of your boyfriend’s not-so-quiet conversation.

“Omi, do you like my faceeee?” He gushes, pointing to his slightly sweaty face paint. “Y/n did it this morning; Arent they sooooo amazing.”

His honest declarations of his love for you are one of the many reasons why you love him. He effortlessly brings a smile to your lips as he continues to show off his painted face. The design really wasn’t that difficult to make. You just looked up a quick tutorial of how to do it online earlier and were able to copy it fairly well.

“No fair,” Hinata whines, coming over to look at the carefully painted design you made. He looks up at you and waves with a big grin. “Hey Y/n, can you paint my face next year too?”

“I guess I can,” you call back to him. “I’m not a professional or anything so I~”

“Helloooo? Your boyfriends jealousy interrupts, waving his hand in front of the shorter man’s face, “They’re mine, getting my face painted by them is a Boyfriend perk.” 

“Oh shoot, is that a thing?” The ginger responds with wide eyes as the two of them finish their water break and jog back onto the court. 

“Watch me, Babe,” he calls, trying to shoot you a wink as he takes his place by the net. The ball is set, and you watch as Bokuto begins his approach; the ball is set high over the net as the owl-haired man leaps for it. Soaring high above the double block in his way, he brings his hand down onto the poor volleyball with a frightening force. The ball hits the ground and bounces off in the opposite direction.

But Bokuto’s kill is robbed of any kind of celebration because the minute his powerful legs land on solid ground, the impact causes those little skeleton-printed leggings of yours to rippppp right down the middle, revealing two things to you and the rest of the gym as a deafening silence falls all around you.

One, Kotaro Bokuto was not wearing any underwear underneath your now-ruined leggings.

And Two, his muscular ass cheeks.

He feels the breeziness down below and looks at you with wide eyes, clearly too stunned to speak, or move, or cover up. 

You are in the same boat as him as your jaw hits the floor and your eyes go right to the rip.

As you are captivated by the scene in front of you, no one else says a word. Some are too fixated on Kotaro’s bare ass cheeks that seem to shine under the fluorescent lights of the stadium, and others are wondering where the hell the volleyball he spiked went off to

A player in a rubbery haunted pumpkin mask steps forward, his footsteps echoing across the silent gymnasium, breaking the silence. His hand flies up to take off the mask, revealing a head of slicked-back black hair. 

Captain Shūgo Meian sighs, Looking completely done as he tosses your poor boyfriend a towel to cover the rip as he speaks. “Bokuto, while this situation is uhhh… unfortunate. It is still not nearly as bad as what happened last year.” 

Tagging: @eussstasss @enchantedforest-network

[trancylovecraft]

(KNY) YANDERE PLATONIC! KOKUSHIBO x SISTER READER: You, Shibou. I, Kokoro (CHAPTER FIFTEEN)

Previous Chapter ☆♡☆ Masterlist ☆♡☆ Next Chapter

AO3 link

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: "..Soldier on, Achilles."

Amnesia is the loss of memory. It can inhibits the formation of new memories and/or the recollection of old ones. Several regions of the brain are involved in the process of memory including the amygdala, hippocampus, cerebellum, and prefrontal cortex. Damage to one or more of these areas can often result in post-traumatic amnesia.

Shizuko sat still, Legs closed and basketed at the end of the table.

The dark spots of his eyes remained enthralled upon the udon bowl before him, Unwavering as he watched the liquid residue of the noodle inside reflect the lights of the small dining room he sat in.

It was like watching fish make ripples in a pond. A quirk on his lips and a scrunch of his face, Tongue bit. He didn't even dare to pick up the lone pair of chopsticks sat beside the bowl, Seemingly went unnoticed by the boy.

Neither did the dim interior of the room, Where the sunlight of the brisk morning just didn't reach the small room. Only spits of radiance shining through the perfect square grid shoji-walls, No thin paper to let the sun from the surrounded garden shine in.

Despite the lack of light, Shizuko scrutinized the Tupperware, Scowling at the meal inside.

"Seriously, What the hell is that thinking face? You're lookin' at your udon like it offended you personally, Aren't you gonna eat it?"

Shizuko jerked his head up at the brash jest coming from across the table. Wide, Owlish eyes glaring back at Genya who spoke them.

Suddenly snapping back into reality, Registering the small dining room that they were located in.

"Mind your business. I'll eat it on my own time, You just focus on yours." Shizuko retorted, Quickly and despondent as he vaguely gestured towards Genya's own majority-eaten portion of Udon.

Shizuko swiftly retracted his hand afterwards, Defiantly tossing his head to the side to stare off somewhere else within the room. Anywhere but at him, Shizuko had better things to think about right now.

Genya's eyes narrowed, The pair of chopsticks entwined between his rough fingers lowered, Dropping into the bowl.

"..You're thinking about what happened back at the old Kakushi Base, Aren't you?" He asked, Knowing the answer not with words but by the way Shizuko snapped his eyes back over to his.

They widened like saucers, Accusatory in stance as he tried to keep his cool.

"Wow, Detective. How'd you figure that one out?" Shizuko retorted, Finally plucking the chopsticks from beside his bowl and scooping up the udon noodle inside. The woollen gloves hugging his hand being the only thing stopping from puking up at the touch.

Genya and Shizuko, The two renowned Tsuguko of Gyomei Himejima. Constantly in competition and combat with each other, Sparring or spat used interchangeably. Ever since they were both younger and in the care of their master, It had been that way.

So with all the time they had been together there was no question that Genya would be able to tell when Shizuko's off, Especially if it had been happening for a few months. Ever since that day in the billowing mountainside, Shizuko had just been.. Strange.

The ticking of his eye tocked a little more often, His sensitive fingertips were just a little more potent. He woke up just a little later, Sloppier when it came to training.

Genya could tell that it irked him.

"Whatever, I'm just saying that it's been months since it happened. I mean, I'm still pissed about it too but I mean.. Come on, Man." He scoffed, Rolling his eyes as he finally tossed down his chopsticks into the finished bowl, Only pungent residue remaining within the ceramic.

The other boy however paused the movements of his own chopsticks, Just before the udon noodle touched his lips.

"It's not like you could understand, You weren't there! You were stuck helping out on evacuations!" Shizuko scowled as he lowered his hand, Troubled face even more gnarly with that expression on his face.

Genya lowered a brow.

"Oh, You're going on about your fight with Upper Six." He said, Starting to sort his used Tupperware into a neat pile. "..You know, Neither you or Himejima-sensei has spoke about it. What did go down there..?"

Genya's follow on was much quieter than his starting statement, Dark eyes honing on Shizuko with a sharp glint. Since the Shrine Invasion neither Shizuko or Gyomei had talked about their brawl with the Uppermoon.

Not a lick or lisp of the event, A seemingly wordless agreement between the two to keep it under wraps. Genya couldn't deny he was curious. Especially since it was the catalyst for his allies discomfort.

Shizuko's lips pursed together, Thinning along with his eyes starting to wander off in what seemed to be thought.

The grip on his chopsticks tightened, Almost snapping them in half.

"..Upper Six, He was.. He was my friend.. Ne, Someone I was raised with and someone I use to consider my brother.." Shizuko whispered, His voice almost a brush in the air or a prayer amongst thousands.

His eyes focused on nothing, Nothing except the blizzard and the electric blue that chased it. Almost possessed, His gloved hand twitched and moved on its own, Covered fingertips raising to near graze his forehead under the mess of his curls.

They were shaking, His fingers. Even more once they brushed against his skin.

"He's.. He's the reason I had my accident, The reason I.. The reason I can't remember anything." His fingers entangled within the wilderness of his hair, Swiftly wrangling back his curls to reveal his forehead.

Large, Swollen and horribly malformed were only the first few words that came to mind. A massive scar where a gash had for no doubt once lain, Shaped like a star and mis-coloured from the rest of his skin, It was hideous and most seemingly painful.

Genya's eyes went ajar. The scar he was aware of through missed strikes of a training sword or a stray gust of wind, All accidents that were quickly covered up.

But now..?

Gloved fingers grasped at the scar on his forehead, Ever so slightly tighter and so absent-mindedly that the disgust of the sensation was forgotten in the moment, Along with the memories of how the scar appeared.

The only thing he recalled from that night was the emotion he felt. Betrayal, Terror and agonising pain. His head bashing against the far wall, Ichor bursting from the wound and the blood loss flowing out along with his memory lost.

That, And his face.

His childhood, Everything before he had came to the old monastery was gone like a drop in the sea. Forgotten in the waves of time, The only thing he remembered..

That touch, That warm touch..

It was divine.

"..I'm sorry." Genya finally spoke up, Much more serious in tone as he looked at him in shock. "I shouldn't of brought it up. Just forget I said anything.."

Shizuko sighed, Hand finally relenting from his forehead as the nauseating feeling of touch returned to him.

"No, You're right. Ngh.. I shouldn't be caught up in it, It's not like Kaigaku means anything to me anymore. He's dead in my eyes, Left us and became a demon.." Shizuko mumbled as he finally returned the udon to his lips, Starting to chew.

Genya shuffled on his knees, Now uncomfortable as the silence returned. The sounds of the early day and the chirp of the crickets in the square garden outside was no longer a comfort, Nor the birds warble in the trees, Just unsettled now.

Shizuko frowned, Sipping up the noodle into his mouth.

"Ne.. Either way, I have another demon to replace him." Shizuko chewed, Now directly gesturing to Genya with his chopsticks. Sly and sarcastic grin spreading his face, Watching as Genya's jaw dropped.

"Eh..?! Oh come on, I thought we were having a good moment there!" Genya exclaimed, A weathered fist slamming down onto the table which made the Tupperware atop shake and clatter together.

Shizuko however, Wasn't as startled as the dishes.

"Why, What's wrong? I'm just stating the obvious here, It's not my fault you're a demon muncher." Shizuko replied with an ever-smug grin on his face to which Genya scoffed at.

"It's not my fault you've got a girls name!" Genya retorted, Scrunch in his nose.

"Hey! It's not mine either, You think I wanted this name? What shitty caregiver I had must've hated me.." Shizuko muttered now with a slight tick to the smugness in his grin, Afterwards tossing the chopsticks onto the table and cupping the bowl to bring it to his lips.

Genya huffed.

"Must have, Though to be fair who wouldn't take one look at you and feel unbearable disgust." He jested, Trying to lighten the mood yet it seemed too heavy to be lifted as Shizuko didn't jab back.

A bad sign, Written in the boldest of inks.

Genya's smile lowered as he lowered his head along with Shizuko's, Awkward tension filling the air now. Shizuko tilted his head upwards towards the wood-panel ceiling, Bowl raising as he felt the savoury liquids enter his mouth.

He took a moment, Leftover toppings of broken seaweed and tofu chunks to chase it. It flooded onto his tongue until there was nothing but running droplets in the ceramic, Shizuko slammed it down with an audible clank!

Shizuko wiped his mouth on the sleeve of his clover-coloured kimono.

"Ngh.. Done." He breathed, Throwing a hand onto the tatami floor (Making sure it was just the start of his palm, Not his fingertips) to push himself up. "..I think I need to go take a walk in the garden for a bit.. I need to clear my head."

Genya blinked.

"Hey.. I didn't actually upset you, Right? You know I didn't mean that, Just said it to piss you off is all.." He admitted as he watched Shizuko get to his feet, Shake his hair until it was in an acceptable position and turn away.

"Ne, I know. I'm just not feeling well, Training from earlier really got to me is all.." Shizuko replied, Not turning back to Genya who still sat though a little more disgruntled than he was before.

He could only watch as his ally dragged his feet over to the sliding door. With practice, Using his elbow to push it open. Shizuko didn't look back at Genya and Genya knew that it wasn't what he said that irked him so.

It was still the Shrine Incident.

Genya wanted to know what really was up with him, But he wasn't exactly the right person to deal with it. He wasn't there, He didn't know his past with the new Upper Six, Nor was he there when he had his accident.

It was best that he stayed out of it, For now at least. Genya picked up the finished dishes, Cupping the Tupperware in his hands and not even getting annoyed at the ones Shizuko had left for him, He had other things to think about.

Genya just hoped Shizuko would search out the man who could cater to his worries. He sighed as he opened the adjacent door the the one Shizuko left from, Carefully balancing the ceramic in his hands, He started to march towards the kitchen.

☆♡☆

"There.. It seems to be all healed now.."

The ever-dim darkness of the false shrine was finally broken by the faint light of a rusty lantern, The amber light flickered against the decaying walls like the ember inside. It sat on her bedside, Right next to the eaten bowl of udon licked clean.

As ever, The infinity castle was cold. But even more so against the bareness of [F/N]'s skin, Her mid-section once kept warm and bound by bandages was now naked, The garments laying in a scarf-like heap on the old floors.

She felt down her stomach where the stitches once were, That life-threatening gash that near took her like and most certainly put her in a weeks long coma. It was a miracle that she was still alive, That she had came out of it without any chronic debility.

So much so that there wasn't even a scar..

"I see.." [F/N] whispered as she laid her cold palm on her equally cold stomach, Shivering in the brisk air, Hair on her nape standing up. A strange sensation as her time was mostly spent within the cold peaks of her Shrine.

Her eyes were focused entirely on her gut, An uneasy-wonder as she looked at the scratch-less skin.

Kokushibo stood only a few metres away from her, The reason the chill had affected her so much in the first place. Her muscles still tense from his presence, That and the fact that she had barely anything on apart from a Koshimaki and a thinnish layer of bandages she had used a chest cover.

His eyes, Six glowing eyes that were even brighter than the faint spark of the lantern-light beside him. They examined her, Her injury or lack-there-of especially. He just stood there silently, Not moving a muscle facial or otherwise.

She knew very well that he wouldn't try anything, No, Whatever obsession he had with her was never like that. But it still made her feel vulnerable and easy to attack. An instinct from her childhood days.

Never leave yourself defenceless..

"..Do you mind if you just.. Leave the room while I change?" [F/N] exasperated, Headache brewing in her mind both from the current situation and what happened yesterday. "No offense, Kokushibo-sama.. But it's just disturbing when you stand there like that.."

Kokushibo's lip twitched, Only a tick.

"..We will be heading off to do your daily training straight after, There would be no point in me leaving.. Either way, It isn't anything I haven't seen before.." Kokushibo replied, Stone-faced and stoic as his voice rumbled in the room.

[F/N] swallowed, Disgust running on her tongue and sweat dripping down her neck yet it hadn't even gotten to the sparring part yet.

"..Right" [F/N] gulped, Swallowing down the nauseating distain pooling and festering in her mouth. "Then if you could just turn around that would be fine, I'd.. I'd just prefer if you weren't watching.."

As soon as the words left her lips, Drifted into the frozen air of the room she had waited for him to turn.

But he didn't.

Kokushibo continued to stand there, Stiller than she was as she waited for him to look away. But instead all six of his eyes continued to linger on her, Wandering away from her injury to her side, Sickly golden slits narrowing.

Had she done something wrong? Was there something she had somehow let out on her persons? What was he looking at..?!

Kokushibo hummed, A single step towards her that sounded like exploding rocks made her repress the urge to back away. His hand reached out, Slow like a knife preparing to cut. Talons and all as they grazed her side.

A burning pain shot through her side, [F/N]'s muscles tensed up.

"I wonder.. How did you get an injury like this?" Kokushibo drawled as he examined the bruised skin, Slightly tugging her around so he could get a better look at where Akaza had jabbed into her.

Her saving shot, Or whatever it would be called, The one where he broke his vow to hurt a woman but aided her all the while.

[F/N] would've rolled her eyes if it wasn't for the ice currently running through her blood.

"It's.." [F/N] directed her eyes away from Kokushibo, Tounging at the side of her mouth to try and come up with some explanation she could tell him.

Tell him that she tried to commit suicide? Her captor of all people? [F/N] still felt a deep regret burning in her for telling Akaza, Her state of mind warped back then, She wished she had just kept her mouth shut.

So there was no way that she would ever tell Kokushibo. Not like he "sympathised" with her or whatever, Not like he still had some inkling of humanity in him unlike Akaza.

No, He was just a monster.

"You still haven't told me how you injured your wrist.. Is there something you aren't telling me?" Kokushibo mumbled as his eyes snapped over to her bandaged hand, The injury she had caused when she had punched a wall into the shrine's structure.

His gaze sharpened.

"..I do hope that my Tsuguko hasn't garnered any.. Distasteful feelings for your prescence here again. Tell me, How did you gain these injuries..?" Kokushibo lowered himself so that his eyes met with hers, Stabbing, Piercing into her.

Her lips thinned.

"..I tripped down the stairs, Hit my side and my fist at the same time. You know, Kokushibo-sama, You should see to getting some kind of banister lining them.. This isn't the first time I near fell down them.." [F/N] responded, Snake's tongue speaking quick and somewhat formal yet she still refused to look at him.

Though for some reason, The lies she use to taste didn't come so sour anymore.

"..Ah, So my comment about your footwork wasn't taken to heart then.." Kokushibo remarked, Referencing his constant jabs at her apparently flawed "footwork". He retracted his hands, And [F/N] tried not to scrunch her nose up.

Was he trying to make some kind of joke?

[F/N] just silently stared at the floor, Almost waiting for his next move as he stepped back away from her. The air much more thick, The consistency of tar. She didn't laugh, Neither did Kokushibo as he continued to stare dead at her.

[F/N] kept her eyes on the floorboards, Not looking up at him. Kokushibo breathed out.

"..Go get ready. It is time for you to test your strength once more.." He spoke, Stepping back just a little further, Feeling the depression of the floorboards move away to the other side of the room.

[F/N] sighed, Shivering once more within the nipping atmosphere of the Shrine. Shaking off the still aching bruise on her side, She scoffed once she realised Kokushibo had turned his back to her, Giving her some semblance of privacy.

Sparring, Even though he knew she was injured. [F/N] stumbled over to the closet not even a metre away. Kokushibo didn't even bat a single eye, And he had many. [F/N] asked herself why he even wanted to clash swords with her.

He knew she was strong, She fought against him a few months ago as a formidable opponent. [F/N] fished out her old samue set, The one she used often to train in. Now she had been turned into nothing but a caged animal to be poked with by sticks.

He didn't need to test her strength, She was cursed with it. [F/N] was the one who killed a thousand of his kind, The one who gave him a run for his own money, The one who fought Upper Three barehand on this very roof for fuck-sakes!

Maybe he liked torturing her, That was it.

[F/N] pulled the trouser half of the samue up from her ankles to her waist, Slipped her arms through the loose-fabric sleeves. She folded it over her, Set it in place. Making sure everything was fine, She dusted it off.

It wasn't like she didn't deserve the beat-downs, It's not like she didn't want him to go too far one day. She deserved it after all, The blood of hundreds still ran down her. It's why she couldn't bare to look in the mirror, To catch a glimpse of that red.

She strained her eyes away even now, Much preferring to turn back to Kokushibo and tell him that she was done. Kokushibo cocked his head to the side, Examining her up and down before he wordlessly stepped out of the door.

[F/N] didn't need words to understand he wanted her to follow, She did soundlessly, Just wanting to get this over with.

☆♡☆

The light filtered through the diamond-like holes in the walls, A designed pattern meant to illuminate the estate during the day.

The air was cool, Not the kind on a summers day but instead the faint chill of a golden hour autumn. A strong wind to blow through the hair and fabric of anyone caught in it. It was strange since it was the middle of spring, But the mix of both leaving summer heat and oncoming winter cold made it feel like it was much later in the year than it actually was.

Shizuko stumbled through the hallways, Wooden floorboards depressing under his minimum weight. He had traversed the rather linear hallways thousands of times, Yet he felt lost in his gait, A direction unknown.

He gazed towards the gardens, Barely lifting his head to catch glimpses of the carefully trimmed bushes and miniature lakes within. It was surrounded by the rest of Himejima's estate, A sort of plaza kept safe in the squared layout of the house.

He watched the water of the tiny stream trickle along the garden, Watched as the carefully made buddha statues held the aqua in their palms and guided it on their course. The reeds and the rye-grass all a vibrant green.

Shizuko sighed, Scrunching up his face. Genya bringing up his incident with Upper Six seemed to make him much more irked than he had previously thought. Now some weight was placed upon his chest, Now some throb came through the abrasion on his head.

The faraway aria of the birds wasn't anything that could calm him, Not right now. Nor the crickets chirp or the trickle of stream, Everything was just so.. Numbing now. It made him grimace as he paced the halls.

His memory was perfect. If you picked out a date, Any year, Any month, Any day. He could tell you exactly what he did as if it was written out plain as day. What he ate for breakfast, A word for word recite of the conversation he had with his master, Or even how many birds flew past him that day.

But he couldn't remember that.

Ever since his head was cut and mauled, He couldn't recall a single day before then. He might as well have just appeared one day. Everything before then was just a blur, Just one hot mess.

Except.. For that one feeling. The one that he felt on his hands as if it was yesterday, The only touch he could ever tolerate, Or even yearn for. It felt otherworldly, Comforting. That person of muddled face was like a god themselves, Elusive and unobtainable.

Shizuko wanted to know who they were, Who that person really was. But Shizuko didn't know who, Or where to even start looking. His master hadn't known either, Just recalling he had been left at their doorstep one day.

His master.

Shizuko stopped in his walk, A stumbled halt as he finally pulled his head over to the door beside him.

It was his master's private room he had built to pray in, The one always shadowed by the dark and candle-light was shown like stars in the night. Shizuko paused as he looked at the door, Faintly hearing the chants of sutras inside.

He was there, His master was inside.

Shizuko made an effort to be quiet, Careful not to step on any of the floorboards he knew would creak. He steadied himself on the doorframe, Leaning over so he could peer through the crack in the door.

And there he was, In all of his glory.

Shizuko could only see the back of his saturated-lime haori, The one emboldened with kanji. He saw his prayer beads and heard the faint clacking of them hitting each other, The sutra's also getting much louder.

Shizuko debated whether he should knock or not, Whether he should disturb him as he prayed at the candle-lit altar. Gyomei probably didn't want to talk about it, Hell, Shizuko didn't want to either-

"..You can come in."

Shizuko's eyes widened, Just now realising the sound of the beads clacking and his sutra's had went silent.

Gyomei turned his head to the side, And even though he was blind, Shizuko could swear that he was staring right into him with those white-out eyes. Gyomei waited, Shizuko barely snapped out of it before he answered.

"..R-Right, Sir." Shizuko stammered as he pushed open the door, Bowing down low in a sign of respect before stepping in. Gyomei turned around on his knees, Facing him now with his hands still together in prayer.

Shizuko closed the door only slightly behind him, The darkness becoming all the more present as he stood there awkwardly in front of his master.

He sighed.

"..I'm sorry for bothering you during your prayer, Himejima-sensei." Shizuko started, Formal in tone as he bowed once more to the man. "I just wanted to talk to you is all. I.. I have a lot of stuff on my mind right now."

The beads surrounding Gyomei's hands chattered together, Gyomei seeming to take in his words.

"I see.. Then please, Let me ask what bothers you so.. It would not be wise to keep it to yourself.." Gyomei advised in his ever-solemn tone, Bowing down slightly before gesturing him to sit down.

Shizuko nodded and took his offer, Hurrying over to the empty spot in front of the man and sitting himself down neatly atop it.

After settling down and the curls of hair were parted from his eyes, He took a moment for himself. Still hearing the crackle of the candle fire in the back, He listened to it for only a second as if trying to find the words to say.

"Begin whenever you like.." Gyomei assured, Nodding once in encouragement to his Tsuguko.

Shizuko sighed.

"Thank you.. It's just I've been thinking a lot lately, You know.. About the night at the Kakushi Base?" He explained, Slightly hesitant as he eyed the older man for his reaction.

Gyomei's frown deepened, Sharpening as the soft clacking of the beads started to pick up. Shizuko deflated, Knowing he had stricken a cord somewhere.

"..Ah, Yes.. I suppose I should have known that we would have this conversation one day, In fact.. I believe I even might have been expecting it ever since that accursed day in the snow.." Gyomei admitted, Slowly nodding to his words.

Shizuko bit his lip, Vision seemingly elsewhere as he tried to hold back the spill of words.

"I-I mean.. Kaigaku.. How could he do something like this? How could he become the thing that killed our family, My siblings..! Did we just not matter to him?" Shizuko scoffed. "Of course we dont.. How could I say that he gives a shit when he went and became a people-eater?"

Shizuko muttered, Suddenly forgetting his manners as he spoke. Knuckles near popping as he gripped the hems of his green haori, Near ripping the fabric in two at the memory. Gyomei hummed, Brows furrowing.

"Kaigaku has always been troubled.. He stole, He thieved and he robbed.. But he always did it for the sake of us, Shizuko. Kaigaku has become undesirable and an enemy to the corps. But I admit.. I do have blame to take for the way he has turned out." Gyomei spoke, Growing much softer.

Shizuko finally looked up at the man, Staring him dead in the face. Disbelieving as he shook his head, Barely hiding a scoff.

"Ne, Kaigaku was always a rat.. You had no part to play in it, Sensei. He deceived us, He lied to us, He used us for money! He.." Shizuko croaked, Teeth starting to bare as he resisted the urge to grasp his head. "H-He let that demon maul my face.."

Gyomei's lips thinned as he listened on to his Tsuguko's words, Hearing as his talk start to become a rant.

"..I understand, That night was the worst one of your entire life.. And it was mine too. When I laid my fists upon the demon that killed my kids, When I found out of what Kaigaku had done.. I felt rage, I felt anger at everything that denounced my Buddhist vows, I felt rage towards Kaigaku and his ignorant actions.." Tears now started to flood faster down his cheeks, Hot as they dripped onto his hands of prayer.

His frown sharpened.

"But looking back, I know I should have discouraged that boy.. I had chose to forget of his thieving actions because we needed the money. I knew he was troubled and chose to ignore it.. It is my fault that he turned out as such." Gyomei finished, The sorrow in his voice much more potent.

Shizuko couldn't supress a sneer anymore.

"..Every time I bring him up, You always take blame for his actions! You keep saying that he was just troubled- Why can't you just accept that he's a monster? Both now and then?!" Shizuko spat, Pushing himself up to the floor now with a single hand.

Gyomei turned his head up towards where he had stood, Proceeding to follow him up to the floor as he got onto his feet, Easily overshadowing the boy before him. Shizuko

He knew he had to diffuse this quickly.

"Shizuko, It's a complicated an-"

"I DON'T WANT ANOTHER EXCUSE!" Shizuko finally whipped his head to look up at him with angry eyes, He was pissed, Knuckles near popping as he tried to get up in the face of the admittedly taller man. Shizuko seethed.

"I don't want some stupid explanation as for why Kaigaku was just troubled! Or- Or- Deserving of sympathy! E-Even back then you refused to kill him, Even though he's a demon!" Shizuko cried, Starting to stumble over his words as he bared his teeth at his master.

"I-Isn't that what you keep harping about? Our duty as a demon slayer being to kill every last one? Not to rest until you do?" Shizuko reiterated, Shaking his head as he approached him "Y-You could've just killed him back in the snow, But you didn't.."

"I couldn't kill one of my kids.. Shizuko. Not you nor Kaigaku, No matter how far he may have fallen.." Gyomei lamented, Shaking his head. "You know how much it pains me to kill.. To go against my vows as a monk."

"So what?! He's a demon now, Not a human being! You said it yourself, You insulted him too!" The younger jabbed, Incredulous, Looking at the man with ire and confused anger.

Shizuko stepped back, Looking at the man he admired with such unfound before disgust. What respect was usually given was held back now, Only giving venomous looks that Gyomei could only feel burning into him.

Kaigaku, The person now demon that was the reason his family was dead, Why that monster mutilated his face. Why couldn't his master understand that? That he should be just as angry as he was.

Gyomei on the other hand, He had foresaw this coming, He had for months. He knew that this talk had to happen eventually and thus kept himself calm, Not a muscle tensed or ticked.

He tried to reach out a hand, To place on Shizuko's shoulder.

"-I said it so you could get behind him without him noticing." Gyomei corrected "..I feel rage at the boy, I promise you that I do.. But I should not let it get the better of me, Not like it did back on that horrid day.." Gyomei deplored. And if Shizuko looked close, He could see his hands-in-prayer start to shake.

The feeling of fists on flesh, Beating the bloody pulp of that demon into the ground until the sun hit his face. It was gorey, The feeling of hot blood spurting out onto his knuckles. He had never felt so fallen from grace before, Not before he truly found out how strong he was.

Even now he felt the blood trickle down his fingers just like it was yesterday, Like it was still there..

But now he felt Shizuko slap away the hand he offered him, Consumed by the moment and his enraged heart. Gyomei could only feel sorrow for the boy as he continued.

"Y-You keep saying stuff you don't mean, It wasn't even just at the shrine! You.. Why can't you just understand that he's the reason that our family is dead..! H-He's the reason that I lost my memories.. He's.." Shizuko's rage, The one that spilled out in rage started to turn out in tears.

They started to speckle his eyes, His mouth growing more humid by the moment as his lungs started to burn.

His face was still snarled, The candles embers still burning bright even as they flickered. The darkness of the room barely covered the anguish behind his voice.

"Y-You don't even know where the hell I came from..!" Shizuko mourned, Voice wheezing and choking from his throat. The tears in his eyes started to build, Boiling like a pot, Stinging him.

Gyomei sighed, Stepping towards him.

"Please just-!" Shizuko stammered, His voice dying down to a near whisper before the tears finally spilled over his eyes.

"..J-Just tell me who the hell I am."

Gyomei reached out once more, And this time Shizuko didn't argue once he felt the firm hand of his mentor grasp his shoulder.

He was shaking like a leaf, A rare moment when his resolve started to tremble like a tree in a storm. Shizuko's fists were balled yet he threw no punches, Only dropped his head down to stare at them as he tried not to weep harder than he already was.

Gyomei's hand squeezed his shoulder, A single thumb rubbing circles into it. His touch was unfortunately revolting, Making Shizuko tense up. But despite the disgust coursing through his veins, He didn't shake it off.

He didn't want to, Even though it made him want to sob even harder.

"..I'm sorry, I wish I could give you the answer that you desire but that is not for me to give." Gyomei assured, His voice was soft yet it sounded so loud within the darkness of the prayer room.

"..Who you are is for you to decide. My rage got the best of me once, And it almost became who I was. But I never let it consume me.. And I have tried so very hard to make sure it never happens again." Gyomei spoke "So please.. Trust me when I say that who you are is who you choose to become.. Neither your lost memories or your anger define you, Not unless you let them.."

Shizuko sniffled.

"B-But that's just it, Isn't it?" Shizuko croaked, Wiping his tears on the sleeve of his yukata. "I do remember just the tiniest bit.."

Gyomei's eyebrows knitted together, The thumb rubbing circles into his shoulder halted, Just for a moment.

"..Whatever do you mean?" Gyomei asked.

"T-There's someone out there that knows who I use to be. There's someone out there who held my goddamn hand.. And hell, It felt nice." Shizuko admitted as the dried tears quickly became replaced, Falling down quicker once that otherworldly warmth came back to him.

Gyomei however, Whatever reaction Shizuko had been expecting from him. Shock, Intrigued, Happy that he had at least some memories. And sure, There was some of that there but it was taken over by something else.

Something more.. It was something more hesitant.

Shizuko caught onto it immediatley, Observant eye able to pick up the oddities in his expression.

He sniffled, Scrunching up his face as he shook the newly born tears off.

"..You.. You don't know who that is, Right?" Shizuko asked, Stutter still in his voice yet more pronounced and steady now. Gyomei thinned his lips, The intensity in his muscles becoming much more visible.

"Shizuko.." Gyomei drawled which just made Shizuko move forward, Eyes on him like a hawk, Not letting them wander for a second. The way he was acting, Though difficult to see in the dark.. He knew something.

"..Master." Shizuko replied, Slowly and with intent as he carefully eyed the taller man who was currently in debate of his own. Stiff as the statues he prayed to at the altar behind him, Cold stone on his face as he played out the discourse in his head.

He recalls the conversation he had with Kanroji back at the Hashira Meeting, When they had discussed [F/N] and her relation to Shizuko as his older sister. It was a good while ago now, But he still felt confused by it all.

Everything. How he was simply tossed on the temples doorsteps as a child, How he spoke of an older sister. Knowing now that it was [F/N], A colleague he had allied with for years, It shone an entire new light on everything now..

Yet somehow, He was still in the dark.

"Shizuko.. " Gyomei muttered, His morals at war.

"Alright then.. But keeping lies is against my morals and good concious, If he does ask about anything pertaining to this then I will not lie to him.. And I do hope you tell him in due time, Kanroji-san"

It was against his morals and his good concious, It would be a sin to lie to him. But on the other hand.. How could he possibly begin to explain to him something Gyomei couldn't even explain himself?

"Master.. Please. Tell me, Do you know something..?" Shizuko whispered, As faint as the candles waning. His eyes scanned over every facial feature, Ones he had learned the ticks and tocks to. "Do you.. You do, You do know something..!"

There was no way around it. No avenue or alleyway he could divert down to direct the conversation to a different topic. He needed to be honest, Be truthful. That was what his principles spoke of, Right?

"Shizuko.. I've been meaning to tell yo-"

"CAW CAW!"

The call of that all too familiar beast called out, Followed by a sudden sound of what seemed to be rapid tapping at one of the room's window frames.

Gyomei instantly snapped his head over to where the sound was coming from, Where the window was hidden behind several rich tapestries depicting stories from his religion. Suddenly feeling awkward, Shizuko stared as his master moved towards the window, Peel back the tapestries and let light flood into the room.

It was blinding compared to the shadow the room was bathed in, Making Shizuko stammer back and raise a hand to cover his eyes. Gyomei, Unaffected, Slid the window-shutter open to reveal the crow behind them.

It's feathers shone under the afternoon light, Light near rolling off them. Once Shizuko got use to the light he finally recognised the crow as Kamakiri, The Insect Hashira's crow, One he had often seen flying around in Corps Area's he often loitered around in.

Her beak snapped once, The little butterfly charm around her neck shaking as she spoke.

"CAW CAW! STONE HASHIRA HIMEJIMA GYOMEI! YOU HAVE BEEN ASKED TO MEET AT THE BUTTERFLY MANSION ON THE REQUEST OF MY MASTER, INSECT HASHIRA KOCHO SHINOBU!"

Kamikiri's voice was loud, Echoing out throughout the entire room as she delivered her message. Gyomei hummed, Rattling the beads snaking around his hands.

"For what reason..? Did your master give you any cause?" Gyomei asked.

"NO REASON WAS GIVEN HOWEVER IT WAS STATED TO BE IMPORTANT! CAW CAW! DO YOU ACCEPT THE INVITATION?" Kamikiri squaked once more, Flapping her wings once in the radiant light and waiting for his response.

Gyomei lowered his brows, Seemingly taking in the words as the beads around his hands clacked together like heeled shoes on the floor. He wasn't summoned often, Especially not by another Hashira..

"..Yes. I will set off to The Butterfly Mansion as soon as I can.. Please tell Kocho-san I will be there by the next morning at the latest.." Gyomei spoke softly, Lowering down into a bow with his hands still pressed in prayer.

Kamikiri did the same, Mimicking the same bow a human would do but on her talons. Once she raised back up however, She squawked out a goodbye before she flapped her wings once more, Turned around and took off out the windowsill.

Gyomei raised from his bow too, Reaching back up to his full height. Shizuko watched as Kamikiri soared into the air, Wind was no obstacle to her as he watched her surge out onto the horizon. And once she was gone, He snapped his head back around to his master.

"..Shizuko, We will need to continue this conversation later.." Gyomei finalized as he resettled the heavy haori over his shoulders, Adjusted the shirt of his uniform and fixed his belt.

Shizuko knitted his brows, Stepping forward.

"Wait! Can't you just finish what you were about to say? About what you were going to tell me?" Shizuko gawked as Gyomei finished adjusting his clothing, Turning his head over to the younger boy. He sighed, Frown thickening.

"Later.. I promise you that I will answer you in due time, When I get my words in order.. But right now I must leave." Gyomei assured, Taking a few steps towards his apprentice and bowing down slightly towards him.

And when Shizuko looked in his uncoloured eyes, He knew he had fucked up.

Shizuko didn't react, Just looked up at him. The thundering of his heart started to slow, What storm inside starting to dwindle at the action his master took. Shizuko suddenly became aware of the past conversation, What disrespect he had shown.

He had let his emotions take over, His anger consuming him. He had yelled at his master, The one he had grew up with and the one he had trained under for who knows how long? Forget that forgotten memory, Just for a second, He needed to focus on the person he remembered.

Shizuko sniffled, The last of his tears drying.

"I.. I'm sorry, Himejima-sama." He spoke, Returning to his formal tone through his shaky voice. He lowered down into a bow, Just like his master did before. "I shouldn't of been so disrespectful to you, Please, Forgive me."

Gyomei sighed but eventually a small smile came to his face, Something now illuminated by the newly moved tapestries. He moved forward just a step towards him, The candlelight still burning bright in the back.

"You do not need to worry.. I understand." He spoke. "I will be heading out now.. But in the meantime, Please go and rest.. I know how hard you have been working lately, Do not overwork yourself.. It is poison to the body."

Shizuko looked up, Taking a moment to look upon his face before nodding.

"Yes, Himejima-sama.." He spoke, Almost as low as the wind drifting in from the window. Gyomei nodded towards him, Turning around before striding off towards the door, Hands still pressed together in prayer.

He said his goodbyes, Leaving Shizuko alone within the room. His only company was the cantata of the birds outside, The flicks of the flames on the votives and his own screaming head.

Shizuko turned to the open window, The tapestries still peeled back from the usually covered opening. He looked out into the gardens outside, The tree's swaying in the open wind.

Gyomei knew something, Something Shizuko had been longing for his entire life. But how could Shizuko have been so brash when asking about it? He had just let wrath come to him, Let it burn him.

It seemed like that had been happening more and more lately, Becoming bitter about the slightest thing and not the orderly soldier he was suppose to be. But he couldn't fret, Once Gyomei was back he could fix this.

Shizuko felt a throb in his chest, Gyomei actually knew something. The look on his face told him everything he needed to know. Well, Not everything, But he knew that Gyomei was hiding something from him.

And hopefully that answer would fix his irritability.

☆♡☆

"ACK-"

[F/N] tossed around in the air, Launched back by another one of his strikes. And just as all the training sessions before, Her body slammed against the wall of the far courtyard. As always she was defeated, Tumbling to the ground with her training sword flying out of her hand.

Hands gripped into the ground, Lifting her aching head only slighty just to sputter up more blood.

"As always.. Your footwork is lacking.." The voice of her captor called out from the otherside of the courtyard, [F/N] could almost feel the smugness showing through his stoic tone. It made her grit her teeth, Blood dripping down her busted lip.

She scoffed, Tasting the iron on her tongue.

"U-Understood, Kokushibo-sama.." [F/N] spat out, Ichor decorating the floor where she cursed him under her breath. Shaky hands pushed down, Levelling her up to her knees where she tried not to collapse once more.

Kokushibo stood under the great tree in the middle, His golden eyes piercing through the shadow to stare at her. He watched as she picked up her fallen sword, Dust off her dirty Samue and wipe the blood from her lips.

They narrowed in on her, Almost disappointed.

"Pick yourself up, Our session here today is done.." He simply stated, Sliding the flesh-forged blade of his sword into its sheathe. And without a word, [F/N] watched as he turned away.

And as soon as she blinked, He was gone.

[F/N] groaned, Hands going to grapple at her side. Akaza really didn't hold back there, Neither did Kokushibo as he mercilessly sliced at her. He didn't go easier on her despite her injuries.

[F/N] knew that she'd have a few more bruises to show for it, And she cursed Kokushibo out all the same.

She pushed herself to her feet, Stretching as she raised her arms into the air. [F/N] tried not to cringe once she felt that pain in her side, Almost like her ribcage was settling back into place.

It wasn't a pleasant feeling.

That bastard, [F/N] thought as she sauntered over to the tree. These sessions were completely pointless, Him telling her that it was "Training" which made absolutely no sense. She was a slayer, So called the strongest alive.

He knew this, He didn't care. [F/N]'s knees shook once she finally got under the tree's shadow, Too tired to even walk as she pressed her back against the stump. [F/N] slid down until she was nestled within the thick roots, Held high atop the little grassy hill.

[F/N] let out a sigh, She just wanted to sleep.

And she almost did, Eyelids fighting to stay vigilant. She had only woken up about an hour ago yet she still felt exhausted.

Haze started to set over her vision, Curtains closing as she felt her body grow limp.

"Hey."

[F/N] blinked.

"Oh.. It's you." [F/N] yawned, Rolling her shoulders as she propped herself up against the tree. A good few metres away from her stood Akaza in all his glory, Stature tall as his eyes narrowed in on her. Akaza rolled his eyes.

"Of course it's me, Who the hell did you expect it to be?" He scoffed as he took a few steps towards her, Something gripped tightly in-between his knuckles as he went.

[F/N] didn't respond, Only curling up into herself tigher. She seemed to bury herself into the roots of the tree, Not meeting his eyes. She didn't want to, Especially once she felt the heat of them burn into her figure.

Akaza's brows furrowed.

"Okay.. Fuck it- But are we gonna talk about what happened yesterday? I mean, Come on. Are we just gonna ignore your suicide attempt? Not talk about it at all?" Akaza took a few steps closer, Only making [F/N] curl up further.

[F/N] winced. Of course he was going to bring it up.

"I don't want to talk about it, I wasn't in the right mind back then. Just- Ignore everything we talked about. I was tired, I was bitter about being here.. I was just being stupid. Just forget it, Okay..?!" She hissed, A defensive snarl starting to appear on her lips.

Akaza just stepped closer towards her.

"But are you fine now?" He asked, Raising a brow at her. She stared at him, Only for a second. The shoulders [F/N] held up like a barricade started to lower, Leave it up to [F/N] to get defensive over a question, One that she knew was due to be asked.

She sighed.

"..Now, Yeah." [F/N] replied quietly, Still unable to meet his eyes. Akaza took a moment to look into her eyes, The ones that didn't look back at his. He almost didn't believe her, But unlike yesterday her fighting spirit wasn't roaring like it use to. No, It was completely dead now.

"..Right." Akaza said, Finally sauntering up the little hill and setting down the rectangular box he had been holding in his hands. Handle clattering into its normal position once he let go of it.

[F/N] blinked, Snapping her head over to look at the noise.

"Erm.. What's that?" She asked, Hesitantly eyeing it up and down like a ticking bomb.

"Food. If you want to get out of here and fool Upper One, You're doing it on a fighter's diet." Akaza replied as he kneeled down towards the wooden box, Starting to peel off the lid from the top.

[F/N] grimaced.

"I'm not hungry." She replied quickly as she watched Akaza open the box, Letting the aromatic smell of perfectly cooked fish and other delicacies inside flow out. [F/N] tried not to salivate at the scent of it, Not daring to look at it either. Slightly suprised that he had brought food for her.

Akaza shook his head.

"No, You're gonna eat it." He stated, Almost as if she had digested it already. "It's got everything you'll need to scale the Infinity Castle, This is the standard that your weight-class and gender should get."

[F/N] bit her lip.

"Yeah well.. I've just not been that hungry lately. Thank you but.. You can have it." She replied, Shaking her head as she smelt the scent of fish come from it. Seeing the enticing shimmer of the fish scales inside, She tried not to give in.

And fuck.. She was starving.

"I can't eat human food, Idiot. Besides, I can basically see you drooling there." Akaza scoffed as he watched her take peeks at the food "You look starving. Are you seriously gonna waste food?"

[F/N] quirked a lip, Already regretting telling him about her childhood. Dirty tricks, But there weren't much else he could play. Swallowing down the excess of her saliva, She finally turned her head to look at him.

"I hate you for this, You know that? Right?" [F/N] hissed as she reached a hand down towards the box, Bare hands starting to grab fistfuls of rice and fish-meat cutlets from within the neatly packed bowls.

"There's cutlery there.. Oh." Akaza trailed off once he saw her shove handfuls of rice and meat into her mouth, Bare-handed and she didn't care that she looked like a rabid beast choking down meat into their maw.

It matched the rest of her appearance. Her ragged hair, Her dirtied skin and clothes. Even her eyes had a wild look in them as she scarfed down her meal and wipe the excess off her samue's sides, Eyebags protruding them from her face.

Akaza almost gagged if not for remembering how he did the same thing, Only with human meat of course.

"So.. " Akaza started, Continuing to watch her scoop handfuls of mixed food and shove them into her mouth. "About that thing with Upper One.."

[F/N] choked down another chunk of rice, Wiping her mouth on her sleeve before looking up at him.

"What thing?" She asked.

"..You know? The idea that I suggested and the one you agreed to? To get closer to Upper One?" Akaza raised his brows, Watching as [F/N] narrowed her eyes before shoving another fistful into her mouth.

"Oh- Yeah, That thing.." [F/N] said through her chewing, Almost deflating once he reminded her. She had been hoping to avoid it but..

"So? How's that coming along?" Akaza asked, Folding his arms as he watched her scarf down her meal. [F/N] shook her head, Lowering her gaze away from him as she swallowed down her food.

Fuck.. She loathed how disgustingly delicious it tasted.

"..Come on, How exactly am I suppose to get along with him? He's an unfeeling prick.. I doubt he even has any emotions I could appeal to.." [F/N] groaned, Shaking her head at the mere prospect of him having feelings.

"You said he's fucking obsessed with you, So appeal to that?" Akaza exasperated, Shrugging his shoulders.

[F/N] rolled her eyes.

"Oh, Yeah, Right.. Let me just start acting nice and loving to him all of a sudden, I'll just start pretending that I actually like him. I'm sure he won't notice somethings up at all!" [F/N] sneered, A malicious smile spreading across her face which she proudly displayed to Akaza.

He sneered back, Shaking his head at her behaviour.

"Oh come on! How about you shut it and actually try make some leeway here, Eh? I'm not saying you should start liking it immediately, I'm saying that you try and work away at it." Akaza snapped, Stepping closer to her until he finally got to her side.

[F/N] stared up at him, His eyes made all the more prominant as they shone through the tree's shadows, Glaring back at her. [F/N] dropped her malicious smile in favour of a frown, Finally turning away from him.

"..Whatever, I'll figure it out." [F/N] finally spat, Wiping away the last of the foods residue from her mouth. Rice bits shook off her hands as she finally deflated back against the tree, [F/N] didn't have the patience to argue.

Akaza in turn, Lowered his snarl once he saw her start to shrink in on herself.

He felt a sort of pull in his chest, One that he instantly shrugged off in favour of kneeling down and sitting back down beside her with a grunt.

[F/N] watched as he pushed his half-naked back up against the trunk, Bare feet entwined with the overgrown grass. He didn't look at her, Just stared off somewhere far-off and pulled his knees near his chest.

She gazed at his features for a second. His gaunt skin to contrast with the deep navy stripes running across it, The way his pinkish hair drifted in the air. [F/N]'s nose twitched, He had no right to be demanding.

But whatever.

[F/N] turned back to stare in her own designated place, Nowhere in particular, But somewhere she could just relax back against the tree and take in the air. The air that was fresh, The air that brought her back to her senses.

The only warm place in this entire place, The heart of the shrine. Despite the coldness surrounding it, It flourished anyways. Despite the harsh environment it endured, It was still thriving. [F/N] breathed in the air.

It was nice.

"..You still haven't finished your food."

"Fuck you."

☆♡☆

The skies were orange, A pungent shade of burgundy into citron set over the small township.

The wind was crisp, Cool to anyone caught in it. Birds warbling an aubade could be heard in the trees, Crickets joining in for the chorus in the new morn. People were out in the streets, Walking by and happily conversing with one and other as they went.

Gyomei walked brisk, Short hair dancing with his haori waving within the wind. The Butterfly mansion was large, The biggest property in town so it gave him plenty room to just stride throughout the place unbothered.

But a walk wasn't what he was here for, No, Instead it was the Insect Hashira who seemed to be nowhere about. Despite asking around, Mostly from that Kanzaki woman and the three little girls that followed her, They had no idea where Shinobu was either.

So here he was, Wandering throughout the lavish gardens of the mansion. Striding past crops of fresh veg and tree's filled with fruit and fauna. The air was something Gyomei could appreciate, Something he almost stopped to enjoy within the daybreak.

He breathed out.

"..Himejima-san!"

A voice called out from somewhere above, Somewhere that Gyomei tilted his head up towards. On top of the tiled roof of The Butterfly Mansion, Sat Shinobu perched upon the edge.

She smiled down at him, Soft and delicate. Glossy eyes honing in on him.

"Kocho-san..!" Gyomei called out to her, Soft as a yell could be as he pressed his hands in prayer. "You summoned me here for something important.. Not explained by your crow.. Please, Do you mind telling me the reason I have came today..?"

Shinobu hummed. Luckily for her, The part of the roof she was perched on was rather low. Somewhere she could easily make her way down from, Which is exactly what she did as she nudged herself off.

Shinobu almost drifted, Butterfly haori glistening in the orange light as her feet hit the ground with a barely audible thud.

But Gyomei's hearing was impeccable, Now fully turned to the direction of where she had landed. Listening to the soft patter of her footsteps as she made her way over to him.

"Yes, Yes.. I must apologise for the lack of information as I sent my crow out rather hastily, I'm sorry for acting so rash.. It's not like me to do so~!" Shinobu sang as she came closer to him, Pausing in front of the man before bowing herself down lowly in respect.

Gyomei, Sensing the action. Reciprocated as he lowered himself in response.

Shinobu rose.

"The reason I asked you to come here today is because I got a rather interesting tip-off from my crow!" Shinobu announced, Hand raising before going under her haori.

"You see, I had sent out my crow a few days ago to a village in Fukushima. He was tasked with purchasing some specific herbs that I needed from that region, But unfortunately things didn't go exactly as expected.."

Gyomei lowered his brows, The beads around his hands starting to chatter.

"Yes..? And what exactly happened..?"

Shinobu's smile widened, Yet her eyes darkened all the same.

"My crow was intercepted by a man in the village when he had went to pick up the herbs- He had fastened a rather interesting letter around her neck, One that I think that would interest you.." She drawled out as she watched his expression change.

Gyomei, A man of not many expressions simply stiffened his figure. A man had targeted a Kasugai crow? Of course, Demons were known to try and attack crows during the night. But a man? A human man? And of all things had wrapped a letter around it's neck and sent it on it's way.

Shinobu's expression was bright, Just as scorching as the sun that silhouetted her. Smile stretched on her face, Yet her eyes contained such thanatoid dullness. Something dark brewing within.

Something that even Gyomei could feel, An unease going through him.

Shinobu fished out the letter from within her haori pockets, Hair dancing in the faint wind as she unscrolled the spotless fibre from it's shape. Though she didn't mean to read it aloud, No.

She just needed to check, Just that she was reading it right, Just for the thousandth time.

"..There is a possible sighting of Uppermoon two, Apparently associated with some sort of cult near the village." Shinobu announced as she scanned her eyes across those two dooming words, The ones that she smiled so scaldingly bright at.

Gyomei's eyes widened, The clanking of beads stopping.

"This is.. You mean to say that there was another Uppermoon sighting..? Of number two, Of all moons..!" First it was Upper Six, Defeated in The Red Light District. Next, It was the attack of Uppermoon Four and Five on the swordsmith village.

Just like that.. In over a century several had been slaughtered from their ranks. Now, It was Upper Two?

"Of course." Shinobu nodded as she gently patted the letter back within her haori pocket. Gyomei sensed there was something she was not telling him, Something that she was keeping away. It made him suspicious, Incredibly so.

Gyomei had a frown on his face, Deeper than it ever was.

"Kocho-san.. I'd advise you to go to Oyataka-sama before me.. I am not the messenger you want since you happen to have all the information.. We need to plan something out before we act..!" Gyomei urged, Cogs already starting to turn.

Shinobu hummed.

"..Of course, I will go to him but not right now. Not before I do some scouting of my own, You must understand!" She laughed airily until it trailed off into the wind, Blowing past her before it died down entirely.

Gyomei paused.

"I.. Then why me..? Why did you ask me specifically to come here if you don't want to tell anything to the corps..? Something I deeply advise against.." Gyomei warned once more.

But Shinobu didn't respond, Just acknowledged it with a single warble of her throat before clearing it.

"Oh, Don't worry about it~! I'll explain to you in a moment.."

She smiled, Even wider.

"There is still one left to arrive.."

☆♡☆

[F/N] laid, Still pressed up against the trunk of the tree, Listening to the sounds of air travelling through the shrine.

Akaza sat next to her, The box too now empty of the food it once held. Carefully packaged food, Bowls of rice, Canteens of soup and cutlets of many meats all ravaged and scarfed down.

[F/N] admitted that it was good. Disgusting, But good. Hard to swallow yet settled in her stomach fine.

She breathed in the air, Fresh and poignant as it filled her lungs with life. The aching of her bones from training earlier still had a lingering pain, Throbbing and bruised.

It almost spoiled her mood, Especially since she now felt something akin to normalcy once lazing on a mockery of hillside and it's lumber. She tried not to think about it.

Kokushibo and his little training sessions with her, What a monster he was. What reason did he have to do this all with her? With someone he already admitted was the best he had ever fought in centuries, You'd think she'd not need to partake.

He liked torturing her, That's what [F/N] came to. Some sadistic joy inside his dead little heart liked to watch her bleed, To bruise and blister. Always lingering around to watch her, Almost going over to get a better look.

[F/N] scoffed under her breath. He had even tried to gift her that hairpin, The one she still wore in her hair at this very moment, All to get her to stay compliant.

How could she? When every time they'd pass in the halls he'd keep his eyes on her, Expecting her to be what he thought she should. Keep her locked up here- All while beating her down daily.

There was no reason to it!

The warm air felt nice on her skin, Eyes almost drifting away into another dream. Akaza himself had long done so, His eyes closed and his breath steady.

[F/N]'s eyes widened.

A sudden hitch in her breath came, A neuron connecting within her brain.

Oh, That was the reason.

It was because he had no idea how else he could spend time with her.

[eqt-95]

wip what is a wednesday

thanks @sssammich and @sideguitars for the double-team.

here is an excerpt from chapter 2 of to want and to have and to hold *rereads to make sure it's in the right order* (why did i pick this as the title)

- - - -

“Ok this… should… do it,” Kara huffed from the other side of the ship’s wall. 

Then there was a creak. Then the entire wall shifted. Then Lena felt a shot of pain and registered that her hand was now the filling of a metal sandwich. Then Lena did the irrationally instinctive thing and yanked. Hard. 

“Shit,” Lena hissed once freed.

Then she did the logical thing of shaking her hand to futilely flick away the ‘ouch’ raging through her palm.

Kara was there in an instant. She arrived with a burst of wind and a blast of sand. “What? What happened?”

“Nothing,” Lena answered. The protective way she clutched her hand disagreed. <something something ‘object impermanence’>

“Was that-?” Kara rushed, hands hovering with the hesitation of a housefly. “Oh Roa, Lena did I-”

“No,” Lena interrupted. “I wasn’t thinking and-”

“You’re always thinking,” Kara mumbled. “I should’ve…” Her hesitation faded and two impossibly warm, impossibly strong, impossibly delicate hands traced over Lena’s hand and the harsh red and blooming purple spreading across her pale skin. 

“Kara, really it’s ok-”

“No it isn’t,” Kara replied, unable to tear her eyes away from the angry discoloration. “Here.”

Lena stared at the rag Kara picked up with worthy skepticism. ‘Skepticism’ became ‘dawning realization’ when Kara exhaled and the worn fabric glistened with icy crystals. Its normalcy looked so alien. 

Hand still clutched protectively in one hand, Kara wrapped the rag around Lena’s hand with a reverence that bordered on religious. The effect was instantaneous. Throbbing pain was muted by the coolness of quickly melting ice. 

It wasn’t the only thing melting.

Lena cleared her throat. Re-solidified.

“Y-you have freeze breath.” It was said matter-of-factly. Rhetorically. With a crack in her hushed voice.

“Oh, uh, yea,” Kara remarked with a tinge of red to her cheeks. She didn’t hear the ‘rhetorical’. 

“No, I mean, I know that,” Lena clarified. “I-I know you have freeze breath.”

“Right, right-”

“You know you have freeze breath.”

“Uh… yes?”

“You’ve had it the whole time.”

And then it clicked for Kara. Kara, superhero and possessor of extra-human strength and magical qualities like freeze breath, had gone weeks in the desert without water or air-conditioning. “Oh. Oh. I-I didn’t mean to-”

“And we forgot,” Lena observed. The trace of a smirk appeared. It was a silly thing.

“W-we-?”

“Does that happen a lot? In the field?” Lena asked, interrupting Kara’s confused stammering.

Kara’s jaw bobbed open and closed with the grace of a fish. “Kinda?”

Lena nodded. An opening. A hand still linking them.

“It’s just that…” Kara began then paused. Her gaze remained fixed on Lena’s hand. Her fingers fidgeted with the now-damp rag. Her lips let honesty tumble out. “Sometimes there are all of these things happening, a-and sometimes it’s overwhelming to like, think about who’s in danger, how many bad guys there are, what’s the context that I-I don’t really have time to pick the best thing?”

Lena leaned against the wall of the ship, pondering for a moment. “That makes sense.”

“Really?” Owlish eyes blinked up from Lena’s hand to meet hers.

“Sure,” Lena answered. She shrugged. Kara stared. “Decision paralysis. You’ve got inputs and parameters changing in real time and every choice can impact life or death. It makes sense.”

“I-uh-”

“Can I get another blast of ice? This is going to swell.”

- - - -

i would LOVE to see wip bits and bobs from everyone, but I'm gonna tag a couple I haven't seen bits and bobs from in a while: @ekingston, @lovepotionnumber5, @vox-ex, @fabulousglitch, and @inkedroplets. as always, tagged respectfully and without pressure but i'll geek if y'all come out and play.

[dyingroses]

The Owling pt 5

The peacocks flew down to Hera when she arrived in the garden. They fanned their feathers out for their queen. Athena's eyes were wide like an owl's as she took in the plants and birds. Owlish with a crown of olive leaves, Metis's symbols, Zeus thought.

Athena, who had been intrigued by seeing peacocks, let alone any animal, for the first time looked up to see the God King staring at her with an expression she could not place. He didn't look happy.

Athena gave him a smile like she did when her mom was upset.

Her father just turned around started walking away.

"Zeus, where are you going?" Hera asked as she watched her husband, who had been so impatient that they come just a moment ago, leave the garden.

"I have stuff I need to do!" he shouted, not looking back.

"D- did - did I do something wrong?" Athena asked in a small voice. Her eyes full of worry and sadness. Hera's heart broke. She felt an anger with her husband that no affair or abuse had every brought out before.

"No. He's just -" Hera paused not wanting to scare the girl with the truth about what an immature selfish tyrant her husband could be. The poor girl's father.

Instead Hera knelt down in front of Athena and placed her hands on her shoulders.

"You did absolutely nothing wrong, Athena," Hera told the poor girl, "Do you understand that? You did nothing wrong and . . . . and I am so happy to have you here, okay?"

"Okay," Athena said with a sniff, eyes welling with tears, "I'm glad you're here too."

Hera pulled her in for a hug and stroked her hair.

"Athena, do you want to see the sunset?"

"Okay, " Athena answered, still a little sniffly.

Athena marveled at the sunset, especially at how it colored the clouds

"Will the stars come out soon?" Athena asked.

"In a little while, yes," Hera replied, noticing a table laden with a feast she added, "In the mean time let's eat."

The table was laden with a large variety of different foods. It was the same as Hera's first feast. Back in the day when Zeus had learned that his sister, really all his siblings, had never eaten he prepared a table featuring all the delicious things of the earth.

Hera enjoyed watching Athena's eyes light up as she examined and tasted the plants, creatures, and minerals of the earth. She eagerly listened to Hera's explanations, Athena seemed intrigued even by the little and personal anecdotes she gave the girl.

Athena fell asleep in Hera's arms as they watched the stars and told each other stories. Hera didn't know if Zeus had given her a new room or where that would be. And she also didn't want to talk to him right now. Not in the slightest. The man was blessed with an intelligent, affectionate, and beautiful daughter and what had he'd done but scare her or make her cry. The girl had been separated from her mother and neglected by her father. She didn't want her to wake up without the one adult she currently had that cared about her.

[dragon-communion]

Yet more Tarnished writing. This time it's Melivor... not quite fighting Mohg. Something's up. They have a little chat.

•••

A temple's steps are constructed to be as punishingly steep as possible to force the supplicant into proper contemplation before that which is highest.

A temple that is reoccupied, then, forces the supplicant to stoop in the name of a nameless god. The ghost of something without land or loyalty gripping the back of one's neck to say kneel, to say once upon a time, to say when once upon high the heavens had not been painted and the earth had not been ploughed, something compelled men to build to the point of pain.

Your thighs burned from the divinity and the exhaustion of it all.

Behind you, dragged like prey, three corpses bound with cord bounced against the ancient marble and smeared a trail of gore in some twisted procession. It's fitting, you thought- you've carved a trail of blood through the Lands Between, but it hasn't been quite so literal before.

Usually you at least wiped your feet in the grass before approaching royalty. You stopped doing that after Morgott. Too many people needed killing. More than you thought.

Kicking the lever in made the attendant albinaurics glance over, but your bloody haul either made you look like one of them or discouraged further questions.

Something about the stately marble lift made you feel like dinner in a dumbwaiter, dragonflesh framed by an arrangement of colorfully bruised and rotted side dishes. Hot with rage, perhaps too hot to serve- and it was with some irony that you recalled the old liberal applications of bloodflame to your claws, at the beginning of things. How the time flew. How things recontextualized themselves.

The temple, the egg, the bloody union. You let Mohg confer with whatever he'd joined himself to with the barest amount of grace, since he seemed a bit polite, before answering his welcome by slamming the corpses down on the flagstones between you two.

"I thank you," you managed to scrape out of stony vocal cords, "for your hospitality. Before you are compelled to kill me in some great mockery of the idea, I would ask of you a question."

Gods. There was a reason you never bothered with formalities- the world was eat or be eaten- but anyone who dressed their soldiers in that much silk and gold might at least pause to observe the rule of manners.

Mohg, Lord of Blood reigning resplendent in his seat of power, actually did pause. The hot gold blaze of his eye dulled a bit, paired with an owlish tilt to his head, and the great spear he hefted like a toy paused mid-flourish.

"...very well," he allowed. "Speak."

You gestured at the corpses before you as if he could have failed to notice them. Two of them still had robes on, while the third was naked and verging on putrescent. It had taken... longer than you would have liked, to track down this hideaway. Shorter than anyone else had managed. But too long.

"Do you have some quarrel with me?" You'd never quite learned the cadence and grammar of the High Golden Speech- a 'dost' or maybe a 'thee' fit in there somewhere, surely- but quarrel was a rather impressive word. You'd learned it by irritating Seluvis 'into apoplexy with your feral bumpkin tomfoolery'. "These men belong to you, and they attacked me unprovoked."

The Lord of Blood peered down at them with inscrutable interest, hard to parse past the angles of his teeth and his single sunfire eye. There was a contemplative clicking noise. "They were instructed to gather blood. It is in no way personal, but surely you understand." Talons tightened on the haft of his spear, eager. Hungry.

Your eyes trailed briefly over his shoulder to the bleeding cocoon, and he just so happened to shift his weight between you and it. Perhaps desperate, then? An owl brooding over her stillborn egg. Or a swan their pair-bond.

"...there were others," you managed to force out, throat aching from this much. "I did not want to pull a cart up your temple road. Is more than three not personal?"

If you were any other creature, you might not have sensed it. Draconians could not speak with lightning the way true dragons could- nonetheless they were attuned to it, as any made thing should be attuned to their betters. Once upon a time, the storm itself had commanded you in ripples of static along your stony skin.

Some alien ripple shivered across the Lord of Blood's horns in a way unlike flame or lightning, and the sunfire glow of his eye burned.

Didn't his men have red eyes?

"Nothing is personal," he rasped gently, "but the task which I must perform for our Divinity. No more questions." The spear, black and carved to celebrate the fertile gush of fresh blood, glimmered under the subterranean stars. "You will bleed and die, like many Tarnished before you, and nourish my dearest in his slumber."

And you would eternally come back.

But, perhaps, with more thoughtfulness than most of these bloody duels. His eyes seared so bright. It didn't sit well.

So you fought.

You died.

And you contemplated.

[silverprism-s]

WIP game :3

Rules: you will be given a word. Then you share one sentence/excerpt from your WIP(s) that starts with each letter of your word.

The word I was given was SNOW or SNOWGLOBE and i went ahead with SNOWGLOBE cuz i thought it'd be a lot of fun and it was!!! thank you so much for the ping @detta-pica ~! @alpha-hydra I'll ping you alffy with the word "OVERCAST" if you'd like to play :3

a lot of these are from a lot of different wips, i have so many different things going on in the background! Some of them i've talked about and some of them i've not mentioned much at all hehe. I'm so so excited to get into a lot of these ideas and i hope that i can get back into writing again asap.

S-

Sunlight was filtering in through the gold curtains, creating a hazy, yet comfortable atmosphere as Satoru's eyes slowly pried themselves open. His tail and legs felt stiff as he stretched them out with a soft groan. Beside him, the bed shifted and Satoru found himself gazing upon Suguru's sleeping form. His skin still had a flush to it and Satoru found himself shifting close to pepper those soft dark ears with kisses. He must still be in heat, probably only another day or so, Satoru mused as Suguru's arms wrapped around Satoru's body, instinctively nuzzling close.

N-

No one ever gets between a dog fight. You get hurt when you do, teeth gnashing wildly as the two animals attempt to continue their fight despite interference. Uncaring of whatever else may lie in the path of sharp dripping fangs.

O-

“Oh,” Utahime paused as a small streak of red caught her eye. It was running onto the stone path that Gojo now stood upon, from his leg. Her eyes narrowed as she spoke again, “are you hurt?” Gojo seemed suddenly owlish as he shifted his weight and noticed the same thing Utahime had. “Ah, I see,” he didn’t answer her question. Not that she needed one.

W-

“What! C’mon Megumi, this is your last pupday! You won’t be a pup anymore after this! Oh, I’ll miss it Megumi. Soon I won’t be able to carry you around anymore. Ugh, Yuki, what will I even do when that happens?” Gojo shot her a particularly forlorn look as he begged for her ‘help’ on this dire matter. “He isn’t gonna let us sing!” he mewed, in a rather pathetic manner.

G-

Get him back, finish what he started, is the simple answer. His company will not like this answer. The coiling pain in his chest tells him that much. Finish the bond, become whole, fill the aching chasm that echoed within Satoru’s chest, destroy the thorned walls protecting the husk of a heart. He won’t take you back, the familiar crooning voice within Satoru’s mind harshly as he opens his mouth to speak, causing him to freeze. It’s as though the winter was caressing his body again, seeping deep to his bones and snaring the warlock in its cold loveless embrace. His familiar old friend is louder. The alcohol only causes his mind to swirl as the thoughts snake their way through, each strike of his migraine burning them deeper into his consciousness.

L-

Like this was a world with magic and Suguru had just cast a spell on him, he stopped, glaring down at the omelet that he stabbed with his fork, a little too roughly. The plate screeched against his utensil and Satoru failed to suppress his flinch. Suguru's spell wasn't enough to silence the unending howls of the dissatisfied hounds circling Satoru's mind. He wasn't drunk anymore, but they wouldn't stop.

O-

“Or else you'll turn too, so unless you want to be feral and start trying to kill others like this dolt, you need the antidote.” “Antidote? Like a video game?” Yuji asked as he looked back at the poor dog. It seemed like it was growing tired of hanging from his arm. “Are you sure? I thought werewolves would be a little more…” Yuji trailed off, considering the proper words for the situation. “Scary?” Was what he settled on.

B-

But it wasn't really a question. He knew exactly when he decided to quash it. Maybe that was a weird choice to make. There were a lot of stories about star-crossed lovers, a yearning spanning decades made right in the far future. Suguru couldn't see that in his own future. Even if it was, why would he want to go through that?

E-

Emails about shit he doesn’t care about, things he should unsubscribe from, various subscription services from his time playing different games for stream. A lot of them sucked. Not that he really told stream that, the games were sometimes just the vehicle to chat with someone else in live time. He dismissed most of the email notifications, resolving himself to actually unsubscribe to the unneeded services when he turned on his PC for the day. Before he started scrolling through his socials, he ordered breakfast, delivered straight home, of course. No face to face pick up. Most of the delivery drivers probably thought Satoru was one of those people who had vowed off real contact with others because of the whole… Deal that halted the worlds operations only a short four years ago. Close, but not really.