#reason why people fail to lose weight

[fitnesflag]

Why some people fail to lose weight?

many of us can relate to: the struggle to shed those stubborn pounds. We've all been there, right? You set out with the best intentions, ready to conquer your weight loss goals once and for all. But somewhere along the way, things seem to go awry, and despite your efforts, those numbers on the scale just won't budge.

So, why do some people fail to lose weight, despite their best efforts? Well, the truth is, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Weight loss is a complex journey influenced by a multitude of factors, both internal and external.

One common stumbling block is the misconception that weight loss is solely about willpower and discipline. While these traits certainly play a role, they're not the only pieces of the puzzle. Our bodies are intricate systems governed by hormones, genetics, and metabolism, all of which can impact our ability to shed excess weight.

Another culprit is the prevalence of fad diets and quick-fix solutions that promise rapid results with minimal effort. Sure, these approaches might lead to short-term success, but they rarely result in sustainable, long-lasting weight loss. In fact, they often do more harm than good, wreaking havoc on our metabolism and triggering unhealthy patterns of restriction and bingeing.

Let's not forget about the emotional component of weight loss. Many of us turn to food for comfort, stress relief, or as a way to cope with difficult emotions. Addressing these underlying issues is crucial for long-term success, yet it's often overlooked in traditional weight loss approaches.

And then there's the environment we live in, which can be rife with obstacles to healthy eating and physical activity. From busy schedules that leave little time for meal prep to neighborhoods lacking access to fresh, nutritious foods, external factors can make it incredibly challenging to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

But here's the thing: failure to lose weight doesn't mean you're doomed to stay stuck where you are forever. It's a journey, with ups and downs, twists and turns. And while it may not always be easy, it is possible. It's about finding what works for you, listening to your body, and making small, sustainable changes that add up over time.

So, if you've found yourself struggling to lose weight, know that you're not alone. Be kind to yourself, celebrate your victories, and keep pushing forward. With patience, perseverance, and a bit of self-love, you can achieve your weight loss goals and live a healthier, happier life. You've got this!

[aq2003]

i think twelve and clara are starting to make sense to me but i don't think it's what moffat intended or how the ppl that like them see their dynamic

[anantaru]

⚝ DAY 2 — POWER IMBALANCE

kinktober 2024. — masterlist | ao3

— including. — neuvillette, diluc, ayato

— warnings. — fem! reader, power imbalance, toxic & manipulation, hard syx, dom/sub, reader teases in diluc's part, ayato is really toxic in this one kinda???

⚝ — NEUVILLETTE

when neuvillette tells you to do something, you're doing it, point blank— because you see, he's your master, the man who's saved you, not to mention your literal boss since he was so nice to give you a job as his sweet n pretty secretary.

as it was, in the grand halls of fontaine's court of justice, neuvillette’s word were law itself— precisely when he tells you to do something, it becomes absolute, you're immediately on your way without processing any of it.

his presence alone commands respect— coldness, it reveals a composed man, an untouchable one—yet his touch, it's surprisingly warm despite the fact that he rarely spoke about love or intimacy.

despite the fact that the subtle gestures on your body— the little kisses and reassuring tugs on your flesh whenever he fucked you on his desk were maddening, never leaving out the best part of it; when he places his palms around your head so you wouldn't hurt yourself, immediately resulting in you melting underneath his broad body as he revealed a softness beneath the stern exterior.

you feel the weight of his authority in every thrust, every grind and harsh squeeze of his palms reaching for your tits.

the unspoken pressure to be perfect for him was there, yes, to make him feel perfect while you're also contemplating if you'd ever be enough for an enigmatic individual like him.

face nuzzling into the crook of his neck, you feel how his fingers apply more strength as he flexes his digits into the flesh of your hips, dragging you deeper towards his cock twitching between your walls— the desperate milking compression of your warm cunt making him want to lose control.

you begin feel lightheaded at the arousal messing him up— and ugh, how much there was, and ah, you’re so tight, even after multiple rounds, desperately waiting for him to drag you against his desk and make your pussy squeeze him, wanting him to feel like you pull him.

⚝ — DILUC

in front of strangers, diluc’s intensity was something which was being noticed right from the start— and well, he wanted it that way, it meant that he had one headache less to worry about.

it doesn't matter though, because behind closed doors, your hand slips under his loosened shirt like it's meant to, graciously rubbing at his bare muscles flexing underneath the softness of your palms. having an affair with your boss surely wouldn't look good to bystanders, nor was it something diluc wanted to get out in the first place— hence why he'd never fail to subtly show you, also throwing a slight passive aggressiveness into it, that he was in charge of this, or whatever you might call the situation between you both.

he sucked in a sharp breath as his dick gradually got hard under his tight pants, pulsating on all the sharp edges and rough lines when you began to fidget with the belt, "hey now, you shouldn't get so bossy," he smiles down at you, cupping your cheek before placing his thumb on your bottom lip to tap it repeatedly

"you have quite the personality today, master diluc," you frown at him, with one hand grabbing at his biceps as he breathes— for a second deflecting the real reason as to why he would pretend to care about what other people thought about him, or about this.

or perhaps he was utterly scared of showing genuine emotions to someone he hasn't known for long.

yet instead of going through with his newfound thought, diluc instantly grabs at your hips to make you fall against his chest in combination with him bumping down the large sofa, the leather of the furniture creaking.

he licks his lips, fuck— diluc forgot how much passion could manifest in simply being felt up a little and he desperately attemps to focus on playing with your tits, or at least watch how pretty and nicely they fit in is hand.

be as it may, all that has really gotten his attention was the feeling of your hand on his cock, fiercely palming him through his boxers, your fingertip teasing along the edge of his waistband.

"you'll get in trouble," he manages to breathe out, whimpering when you angle your hand upwards so he could feel the heat of your hand on his tip.

⚝ — AYATO

ayato, most famously known as the head of the yashiro commission, had an unique gift inside of him— you see, he knew how to use words like deadly weapons.

when he wants something, really craves and desires a certain being, it felt like the world immediately bends to his will— including you, the person he was actually after. ayato will convince you that his decisions are in your best interest, even when they serve his own.

"oh, is my sweet girl worried about me?" he breathes out before placing his wet tip on your clit, tapping and nudging at it— the sound echoing through the room and standing over your head was making you feel hot and cold at the same time.

you can sense the painful squeeze in your stomach to just want to be filled— please, get his thick shaft into your intimate space until it's obvious on your face, sending him back a doe-eyed look while he towers on top of your naked frame— thighs twitching, his dick sinking back into your mushy cunt.

okay, maybe he's gotten a little too lost in you.

since you're intriguing in his eyes, well— ayato knows he can get a hold of you, that you admire him and are more than happy with the job that he's given you— not that he cares, in fact, he need you, that constant drive of feeling you was burning hotter and turning him insane.

his body trembles as he watches your liquids stick around the base of his cock, proving his point that you're as desperate for him as he was for you as he smeared your slick back inside your trembling walls, your skin throbbing and twitching with every unforgiving push of his hips.

with how big he was, in every aspect imaginable, you begin to feel like he was stretching you forever as you gasp out a broken mumble of his name, the waves of his thrusts and rolls stinging along your nerves as you begin to moan out shamelessly, feeling every detail and vein of his cock moulding into your walls and marking its shape inside.

ayato was intoxicating— no, stop it, he's your boss, okay, cool down.

yet it never ever felt fucking better.

© 2024 anantaru  do not repost, copy, translate, modify

[gojossocks]

"I want to go first." Satoru spoke out of the blue. "When we die."

You froze, your hand stopped stroking his hair. Satoru, with his head on your lap, seems to be in deep thought as he stares at your shared bedroom’s ceiling. His eyes then darted to yours when he noticed the lack of touch before raising his eyebrow at you, silently demanding you to continue, as if he didn’t drop a daunting subject right in front of your face. 

Leaving with no other choice, you sighed and resumed your administration which earned a satisfied hum from your boyfriend. He closed his eyes contentedly then he spoke once more, “Can you promise that for me, baby?” 

“I..” for some reason, you find it hard to speak. This was the hardest favor Satoru has asked of you. Can you really endure it? You didn’t want to imagine a world without seeing his bright smile, let alone live it. But then your trail of thoughts were cut off when he nudged your arm and intertwined his hand with yours, the one resting on his stomach.  “Why are you saying this, Satoru?” 

“I don’t think I can live a second without you. I think I’ll finally lose my shit if I do. ” He said, and there’s a hint of playfulness in his tone but you know his words hold so much more weight than what he makes it out to be. He’s just trying not to make you sad, you know it. Then he proceeded to whine, Satoru-style, dramatically, “please baby, you gotta promise.” 

You pursed your lips and focus your attention on combing his locks again. You were about to protest but you saw the unease resting on Satoru’s face, and you knew that he would respect and obey your wishes if you said no. 

Come to think of it, Satoru has lost so many loved ones in his life. He had failed to protect them even with the title of being the strongest. And it had broken him, despite his cheery disposition in front of people. The only reason he had endured is because you were there for him. 

You are quite literally his whole world and the thought of him treading this world alone with no one to shoulder his burdens with hurts you more than losing him first. 

Okay, you thought. You would endure the grief for him so that he doesn’t have to anymore. You let out a defeated sigh and you leaned in to kiss his forehead. “Okay, I promise. You can go first.” 

Your words must’ve soothed him because the smile on his face resurfaced again and he went back to his cheery self, and it doesn’t feel forceful this time. 

“I love you, you know? I bet I’d be a really hot ghost following you around.” 

“Creep.”

wanna read more?

[mechaknight-98]

Bon Voyage (NSFW) FT Yoohyeon

Authors note: This better not awaken anything in me… oh no it did. My longest work by a county mile. Have fun.

Part II

There is a codex keeper on every expedition ship who holds the history of his people. Trained to be not only a warrior but also a healer and a scholar. The path of a codex keeper is wrought with strife and misery, but often they are venerated as heroes due to their aptitude in the myriad of professions they undertake.

The ship known as the Royal Marquis is no different For that’s crew codex keeper went by the name of Orion.

Orion was a soft-hearted and passionate Codex keeper whose humanity shone in even the darkest nights with light that could rival the stars. Born and raised on Nebula M78. Orion was taught above all to be kind and serve. For everyone knocked down by your actions you must use both hands to raise them back up. A message so engrained that even throughout all of his many runes and teachings of wisdom etched into his dark body this one hovered over him as a constant flowing and glowing halo a testament to his belief. His relentless pursuit of the ideal and peaceful was only matched by his equally fervent devotion to his faith in others and the Triumvirate. Although appreciated by many on the ship many feared the power and influence he held over the ship. His soft teal iris contrasted by pitch-black sclera held both Tranquility and Turmoil a testament to his unbreakable nature. Trained by his legendary and wizened Codex Master of acquiescence Lorgar; Orion is a truly formidable force in his own right.

Despite his jovial demeanor, Orion sticks to himself when not directly helping the crew or being consulted for his expertise. His understanding of the disdain that many of the ship’s crew had for him was palpable and understood.

This disdain went beyond and would include even those in his order, although in many ways he was an average codex keeper. Average height, average weight, etc. The only exception to his mediocrity was his academic, arbitration scores (which were exceptionally high and occasionally cause for concern) and his faith in the triumvirate as the codex preferred its applicant's faithful only to the cause. Which is exactly why Keeper Orion’s master chose him. This is why after his most recent excursion; Orion finds himself heading to His master's office. Before he could enter he saw the Codex Masters of Academics (Samuel) and Arbitration (Michael). Neither saw him as the two entered his Master's chambers.

The Codex Masters of Arbitration and Academics entered the personal chambers of the Codex Master or Acquiescence. They needed to discuss his refusal to admonish the Codex Keeper Orion, for failing to adhere to one of his core functions and losing a codex of his. they worried it would fall into the wrong hands and the lost history would be weaponized against their order. In truth, the Codex had been consumed by an accidental firing of Orion's rapidly developing and uncontrollable magic powers. The reason why the lie on the part of Orion was that in a miraculous turn of events he had developed the black lines of a mage. A feat that should have been impossible, but if there was one thing that many people knew Orion for it was impossible feats.

“Codex master of Acquiescence Logar we are here to discuss the lack of chastisement and admonishing done to your pupil codex keeper Orion, after failing to maintain his core function as Codex keeper.” Codex Master of Academics prattled.

Codex Master Lorgar looked up from his writings and looked to his other two Codex Masters

“Keeper Orion was serving his other core function when his codex was destroyed in protecting and serving the crew and citizens of the expedition ship The Royal Marquis while it was conducting the Pilgrimage when it attacked by Beyond Beasts”

“While that is true he still lost his codex and must go through the reassembly rite.” Codex Master of Academics: Samuel responded.

“He keeps an extra codex already assembled as per our written code. Plus he always prepares three when he needs a new Codex, for this exact reason.”

"Well, how will we what was lost in the data?" Codex Master of Arbitration Michael asked.

"Simple he records in both his normal Codex, His spare, and his personal Journal to again avoid the loss of information. This is why I didn't report the loss well destruction of his codex to either of you. he did all of the proper preparation before an expedition, and honestly I wouldn't have even known had it not been for him telling me, which is more than I can say for either of your apprentices who have both recently lost their codecies." Lorgar rebuked

the two Codex Masters looked at Lorgar in surprise. They thought they had successfully safeguarded the issue of their apprentice's data being breached.

This ended their conversation with Lorgar effectively and the two Codex Masters left. little did they know Orion heard the whole thing. He reduced himself as they walked out not wanting to further exaggerate their ire. After they left Orion entered his Master's office

As the weight of Lorgar's words settled over the room, Orion couldn't help but feel a sense of unease creeping over him. The implications of his growing powers and the potential consequences weighed heavily on his mind, casting a shadow over the otherwise tranquil atmosphere.

"Your ability to pass without a trace is impressive but concerning, Orion," Lorgar teased, his tone laced with a hint of amusement as he felt a familiar presence enter his room.

Orion smirked, though his expression betrayed a flicker of nervousness. "My apologies, my master. I just didn't want to expand the ire of the other Codex Masters."

"It's much too late for that. If you wanted that, you should have died when those pirates attacked and you saved both of their apprentices. By the way, your wound is finally healing," Lorgar joked lightly, though there was an underlying seriousness in his words that didn't escape Orion's notice.

"Don't remind me, had Leito listened to me I wouldn't have gotten it. Bleh I will never understand the politics of this order," Orion remarked, his tone tinged with frustration.

"For that, I appreciate it. Often we get caught up in the religion of politics and forget our Order's purpose," Lorgar lamented, his gaze thoughtful as he regarded his apprentice.

"What do you mean, Master?" Orion asked, his curiosity piqued.

"I appreciate your inquiry, but surely you have seen the devout faith and zeal that some of our order has displayed in the political arena?" Lorgar clarified his words carrying a weight of wisdom borne from years of experience. Orion nodded in understanding, recognizing the truth in his master's words.

"Now, what bothers you, Orion?" Lorgar inquired, his tone gentle yet probing.

In response, Orion slowly undid his bandages, revealing the growing black lines that covered his forearms. The sight caused Lorgar to loom over the revelation, his expression grave.

"Have you been practicing with Magik?" Lorgar questioned, his voice tinged with concern.

Orion shook his head, his gaze meeting his master's with a mixture of apprehension and confusion. Every use of his Magik powers had always been accidental, lacking intention or control. There was a silver lining, however, Orion’s Codex Keeper Glyphs were beginning to mature and become silver meaning he would be up for the mark of Mastery Exam. Something Lorgar knew he would ace guaranteed. It just pained Lorgar that as often with his apprentice every victory is hard fought and pyrrhic.

Taking note of his apprentice's response, Lorgar continued, "Does your Ward Witch companion know?"

"No, Master, but both Yoohyeon and Dami have expressed their suspicions," Orion admitted, his voice tinged with worry.

"Well, keep it that way if you can. You know the stakes if others were to discover that both Psionics and Magik powers exist in you," Lorgar cautioned, his words carrying a weight of urgency as he emphasized the potential consequences of such a revelation.

"I would become a weapon at best and at worst a political tool," Orion responded. Lorgar nodded he always appreciated Orion's ability to listen and trust. It was one of his best and worst qualities. Along with his compassion. The two things that made him an excellent leader could easily make him such a threat to the federation if he were so inclined. Planets would follow Orion to war if he raised a banner, the horrifying part is Lorgar would also join too, knowing his apprentice. So he chose to make sure his apprentice stayed low to the ground and humble because if not Orion's sincerity, Compassion, and true Zeal could bathe the starways in blood.

After he met with the codex master, Orion returned to his shared residence with the Ward Witch Yoohyeon. Before delving further into the story, let's elucidate the concept of a Ward Witch, which may be unfamiliar to some.

In the realm of the expedition ship, Ward Witches adhere to a code that intertwines service, seduction, arbitration, and attraction. They are formally trained magicians, drawing power from mana channeled through various mediums. Unlike Codex Keepers who wield psionics to directly manifest change, Ward Witches practice a more traditional form of magic, employing spell incantations and specific mediums to fuel their abilities.

These enigmatic practitioners, often found traveling in packs known as covens, blend raw emotion with guarded restraint, weaving spells that balance expression and control. Typically, a Ward Witch is paired with a Codex Keeper due to the complementary nature of their abilities.

Enter Yoohyeon Kim, an extraordinary Ward Witch hailing from Prime Terra. Versatile and adept, she excels in diplomacy, boasting proficiency in eight out of the twelve core and rim languages of the federation. Her prowess extends beyond linguistics; Yoohyeon's exceptional singing talent significantly enhances her magical abilities. Her other skills were equal in proficiency whether it be her dance, or her combat prowess if it was a skill to be master odds are Yoohyeon was a master of it.

Intriguingly, Yoohyeon's coven comprises mostly performers, each member's abilities amplifying their talents. Her excellence stands in stark contrast to Orion's averageness, yet their coupling was orchestrated by forces beyond their comprehension, guided by celestial powers and higher entities.

Yoohyeon smiled as she watched her chosen partner walk in. She lounged on their sofa as Orion walked in she waved seductively hoping to catch his eye

“Hello sweetheart,” she cooed. Orion smiled and then noticed her absence of clothing, and his body responded. He walked over to her and held her face close before kissing her intently. Yoohyeon smiled into the kiss before taking her opportunity and flipping their position. She smiled at Orion before going in for another passionate kiss. Her dainty but strong and nimble hand opens Orion’s pants for her desired piece of him at this moment. Orion could feel Yoohyeon drip onto his clothed legs as she meticulously stroked his rod in preparation for penetration. Yoohyeon reveled in the power she held over her chosen partner. When she felt his rod stiffen to its full potential she lowered herself onto him as they kissed. Orion fell victim to the rhythm of his body but before he could truly fall into it Yooyheon stopped and his hips and set his hands upon her perky petite breasts.

“Relax Sweetheart let me take the lead,” she said her voice low sultry, and stern. Orion wordlessly nods and Yoohyeon smiles before diving in. She begins by riding Orion at a tortuous and glacial pace. Orion's moans delighted Yoohyeon as she slightly increased her pace. She begins to kiss his exposed shoulder before she sucks on it with the intent of leaving a mark on "Her Codex Keeper". When she heard Orion moan again she broke the kiss to see her work accomplished she smiled. She then went back to kissing his lips as she increased her tempo slightly once more. she watched as Orion fell increasingly into submission with her. Her folds encased Orion in an almost suffocating tightness that left the keeper-headed. However, the Ward Witch also knew that she often kept the keeper breathless and speechless in bed. Something she fought to change since she loved the sound of his voice. A soothing anchor to her often hectic life, while the tone and inflection left things to be desired what he said was always a comfort to her. So to get the desired reaction, she slammed her bountiful bottom into his crotch eliciting a shared moan from the couple

“Do you like it, Sweetheart," Yooheyon asks seductively as she traces his Codex keeper glyphs that cover his body in a mirrored way to her Magik tattoos. Orion nods which causes Yoohyeon to tease him further, "Use your words, sweetheart. Do you like it?"

"Yes Dear you know my body so well," Orion says breathlessly. Yoohyeon smiles as she continues her ride she slows her lace slightly to drive Orion mad even further.

"I love the way you feel under me. I love the way you writhe and squirm but still do as I ask." Yoohyeon moaned as she neared her release.

"After all we've been through I wouldn't have it any other way," Orion replies. His words inadvertently send Yoohyeon over the edge as she cums on her partner. she continues to ride before her sensitivity gets the better of her and she hops off of his rod. Yooyhyeon lies next to Orion. She moves his hand to her ample posterior and has him firmly grip it as they remember the past. a favorite post-coitus time for the couple

"You remember when we first met Othello," Yoohyeon asked, Orion nodded

"How could I forget."

2 years earlier.

Codex Keeper Orion stood at his post getting ready for his first expedition. He was worried that he would be late so he arrived at the Royal Marquis 2.5 hours before he was supposed to. He eased his nerves by doing the glyphs of protection over the ship. He figured another once-over couldn't hurt. As he did his work he felt a presence watching him. He turned around to see a young woman with Dyed blonde and brown hair watching him. Embarrassed Orion quickly stopped his warding glyphs. the blonde smiled and said

"Well, Well, Well, Hi there," she said as she approached with a friendly tone. it put Orion at ease who smiled back at her and outstretched his hand to her. The young lady smiled and grabbed his hand but as she went to shake it she tripped causing both Orion and her to fall to the ground. The girl apologized profusely as the two of them got up.

"I am so sorry I am usually not this clumsy. My name is Yoohyeon, and I am the ward Witch for this ship." Yoohyeon finished.

Orion recognized the name and said, "Wait like the one of the Dreamcatcher Coven?" Yoohyeon's eyes went wide as not many knew her Coven throughout the federation.

"Wait you know us?" she asked surprised.

"Yes, I am a big fan!" Orion replied excitedly

"Oh, who's your favorite." Yoohyeon teased playfully

"No that's a setup because if I don't say you, you'll look at me funny but if I say you you won't believe me so I'll go with my typical answer of I don't have a favorite," Orion replied.

Yoohyeon smirked playfully, "Okay I'll accept that." she replied. Orion nods as the two of them walk together around the Ship.

"Wait I didn't get your name," Yoohyeon replied as they walked around the ship and Orion finished his Warding Glyphs

"Oh no worries Orion is my Keeper's name but my actual name is Othello."

"Oh Orion...I wouldn't peg you as a Mythology buff." Yoohyeon teased.

"I'm not I got Orion from a comic book." Orion replies

"Oh, that's way cooler than." Yoohyeon playfully affirmed. as she leaned into the Eldorian. when he caught her she smiled "Ooh sturdy body. I like it," Yoohyeon cooed.

Orion didn't lose the sense of being watched however he was put at ease by the Ward Witch.

"So this is your apprentice? He's underwhelming at first glance. Are you sure Yoohyeon won't be held back by his mediocrity?" Lady Sunshine, the Ward Witch and direct mentor of Yoohyeon, questioned Codex Master Lorgar as they observed Orion.

Lorgar's expression remained calm as he responded, "Appearances can be deceiving, Lady Sunshine. Keeper Orion may not strike you as exceptional, but I assure you, he possesses qualities that go beyond mere outward appearances."

Lady Sunshine arched an eyebrow skeptically. "Oh? And what qualities might those be?"

A knowing smile played on Lorgar's lips. "You'll see soon enough. I have arranged for a test that will showcase Orion's true capabilities."

Lady Sunshine's curiosity was piqued. "A test, you say? Color me intrigued. But forgive me if I remain skeptical until I witness this supposed potential firsthand."

Lorgar nodded, undeterred by her skepticism. "I wouldn't expect anything less, Lady Sunshine. Rest assured, Orion will not disappoint."

With a dismissive wave of her hand, Lady Sunshine replied, "Well, I suppose we shall see."

"If I may, Lady Sunshine," Lorgar interjected, "I have full confidence in Orion's abilities.

Their conversation concluded with a sense of anticipation lingering in the air, both mentors eager to see what the future held for their respective apprentices.

Over the next few hours the ship, supplies, and fuel were packed for the 8-month trip. While this was going on it was common practice for both Yoohyeon and Orion to help the crew loading. This is of significance because often Ward Witches and Codex Keepers do not do this. so a majority of the crew and passengers for the Grand Marquis were shocked. Obviously, with her impressive Magik skills, Yoohyeon was able to do a lot more than Orion but Yoohyeon while being extremely skilled was also prone to clumsiness. often her over-eagerness to be of service would cost her focus and mess her up. Thankfully for every single one of those mishaps, Orion was there to cover for her and help her. So what usually took over 25 hours to load up took five with Yoohyeon and Orion's help. After loading up the passengers and crew waited in their various quarters.

Othello was lying on his bed in his quarters, exhausted from the day's work of loading supplies onto the ship for the upcoming 8-month trip. As he started to drift off into a light doze, he heard a gentle knock on his door.

Pushing himself up, Othello stretched out his tired muscles before making his way to the door. Opening it, he was met with the sight of Yoohyeon standing there, she dyed blonde and brown hair tousled from the day's activities.

"Hey," she said softly, a small smile playing on her lips. "Mind if I come in?"

Othello's heart skipped a beat at the sight of her, his pulse quickening slightly. "Of course," he replied, stepping aside to let her enter.

Yoohyeon stepped into his quarters as she did her heightened magic senses felt the change in Othello's heartbeat as she moved closer to him. Yoohyeon smiled at that, her eyes scanning the room before settling on

Othello. "I just wanted to thank you for today," she said sincerely, her gaze meeting his. "I couldn't have done it without your help."

Othello felt a warmth spread through him at her words, his chest swelling with pride. "It was nothing," he replied modestly, though inwardly he was pleased to have been able to assist her.

As they stood there facing each other, a comfortable silence fell between them. Othello couldn't help but notice the way Yoohyeon's eyes sparkled in the dim light of his quarters, or the way her smile seemed to brighten the room.

Suddenly feeling self-conscious under her gaze, Othello cleared his throat. "Is there anything else you need?" he asked, trying to sound casual.

Yoohyeon shook her head, her smile widening. "No, I just wanted to say thank you," she said softly. "But if you ever need anything, you know where to find me."

"I don't" Othello responded bluntly

Yoohyeon laughed and said, "Oh right! room 307 just three doors down from you at 310." Yoohyeon said

With that, Yoohyeon turned to leave, but before she could take a step,

Othello found himself speaking up again. "Wait," he blurted out, his heart racing in his chest.

Yoohyeon turned back to him, her eyebrows raised in surprise. "Yes?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity. She could hear his heart racing and tried to hide her smile. She wondered why he was so flustered.

"I just... I wanted to say that I'm glad we could work together today," Othello said, his words coming out in a rush. "And I... I enjoyed spending time with you."

There was a moment of hesitation as Yoohyeon regarded him, her expression unreadable. Othello agonized over her pause, but then, to Othello's relief, she smiled, her eyes softening.

"Me too," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. And with that, she turned and left, leaving Othello standing there, his heart pounding in his chest.

As he watched her go, Othello couldn't help but feel a sense of joy well within him. He hoped he would be seeing more of her. he also noticed as she walked out she gave a seductive little Sashay of the room drawing his eye to her hips and her stellar rump. Yoohyeon chuckled as she walked out. her little act of seduction having its desired effect as she heard Othello's heart race a little bit faster. She bit her lip excited "Playing with you will be fun Keeper." she said as she got into her room.

Over the next few weeks, the duo's schedules would align enough to where they would see each other quite often, but never more for moments at a time, and in those fleeting moments. Orion's nerves would slowly melt away as he would see her. usually clean up a mess she made in a rush, having messed up a spell or invocation just slightly in her hectic life, but always Orion would help her out. The female Captain took note of Orion's helpfulness and brought him on to help her in conflict resolution matters between crew members along with helping the mechanics.

Captain Marie was taken aback by all of his questions but quickly learned they were not from a place of Malice but an insatiable need to know everything. It was endearing to her and also a little inspiring as he made her better by challenging thought processes and perspectives. She was a new Captain of Expedition ships so someone who asked a lot of in-depth questions helped her grow and helped foster a more in-depth knowledge of her craft

As Orion enmeshed himself in the ship's workings and culture it drew time away from his meetings with Yoohyeon, who felt increasing pains in her heart seeing him having to consistently leave her. Not used to these feelings she often would sneak little moments with him where they would catch up and talk during the end of the day in his bed. staring out his window of the ship gazing at the stars and other exceptional creatures/ ships that traveled the stars. As more weeks passed, Yoohyeon and Othello found themselves crossing paths less frequently, and their encounters increasingly fleeting yet meaningful. Othello's nerves gradually melted away each time he saw her, his heart skipping a beat at her presence.

One evening, as Othello was tidying up his quarters after a long day, he heard a soft knock on his door. Opening it, he was delighted to find Yoohyeon standing there, a sheepish smile on her face.

"Hey," she greeted softly, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "Mind if I come in?"

Othello's heart raced at the sight of her, but he managed to nod eagerly, stepping aside to let her enter. Yoohyeon heard the beat of his heart playing and felt at ease. she loved the heavy percussion his heart had and how she always knew where he was because she knew his heartbeat so well. As she stepped into his quarters, he couldn't help but notice the faint blush that colored her cheeks.

"Is everything okay?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

Yoohyeon nodded, her smile widening.

"Yeah, I just... missed talking to you," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

A rush of warmth flooded through Othello at her words, his smile growing in response. "I missed talking to you too," he confessed, his gaze meeting hers.

Settling onto the edge of Othello's bed, Yoohyeon leaned against the wall, her eyes fixed on the stars visible through the window. Othello joined her, their shoulders brushing as they gazed out into the vast expanse of space.

For a while, they sat in comfortable silence, the only sound the soft hum of the ship's engines. Then, Yoohyeon spoke up, her voice quiet yet filled with emotion.

"Do you ever wonder what's out there?" she asked, her gaze still fixed on the stars.

Othello nodded, his own eyes tracing the constellations overhead. "All the time," he admitted. "But somehow, when I'm with you, it feels like the universe isn't quite as daunting."

Yoohyeon turned to him, her eyes searching his face. At that moment, with the stars as their backdrop, the tension between them crackled with an unspoken desire.

As they sat together, bathed in the soft glow of starlight, Othello couldn't help but feel a sense of longing stirring within him. And he couldn't shake the feeling that, perhaps, Yoohyeon felt it too. Othello yawned as the fatigue got to him. it was a signal for Yoohyeon to leave as Othello was probably going to go to sleep soon. Reluctantly Yoohyeon got up and began to ready herself to leave.

The fatigue of working with the crew today and maintaining his codex keeper duties left Othello exhausted, but he wanted to spend more time with Yoohyeon.

"Hey Yoon. If you want... you can stay with me...here...tonight." Othello said. Yoohyeon looked at Othello with surprise as she heard his heart race even further. she wondered if this was him being nice or if he reciprocated her budding feelings.

"Oh, I don't want to be a bother," Yoohyeon responded.

Othello felt crushed by her rejection but his heart told him to fight through it and just try again, "No please be one Yoon...Wait that came out wrong. I enjoy your time considerably." Yoohyeon noticed the little nickname he made for her. it brought her a confident sense of joy.

"Okay then sure," she said as the two lay together in the bed watching the stars. As the two got in the spooning cuddle position (Yoohyeon was a little spoon

"I read your file Othello and I have a question. How did you get the nickname Demon Dog?"

Othello laughed at the poor translation of his moniker from Eldoria Akanui which translated contextually to Hellhound, but the literal translation was "Demon Dog".

"So back when I was training under Codex Master Lorgar on Eldoria my home planet. he bestowed me the moniker Akanui "due to my ability to navigate Hellish situations with the ferocity of a raged hound. due to Eldoria having a very easy Literal translation structure. the literal translation of Akanui which is Demon Dog stuck of the contextually Hellhound." Othello explained. Yoohyeon chuckled at this adorable gaff. which inspired Othello to reach out

"Okay, so I also read your file and there is something I wanted to ask." Othello started. Yoohyeon looked at him terrified.

"What's your family like? I have a weird relationship with mine but often when I was going through yours I saw how much you cited them for giving you love and strength." Othello asked. Yoohyeon smiled as she turned around

"They are the ones who taught me to be kind to everyone. they're tough, but also gentle. They give me love every time I go back home and keep me grounded. they remind me that I am human and not some demigod of power. No matter how many fans and others try to deify me." She says happily. A homesick tear falls down her face which Othello quickly wipes away from her cheek. as they look into each other's eyes for a fleeting moment. their relationship changed. Not fully but in that moment of remembrance and sentimentality their hearts toward each other changed definitively. Yoohyeon feeling almost compelled asked Othello about his family, Othello sighed, as he tried to parse the hurt from the truth to not obfuscate who he was from Yoohyeon

"My relationship is complicated. I am what the Eldoric people called "Rigid of mind" while for the most part, I am normal appearing and biologically to others. I am from a mental capacity, not that. I was also raised in a very religious and spiritual household that held very traditional and fundamentalist views that many times I found myself disagreeing with. this served to consistently have me head with the members of my family. until I began to withdraw into myself more and more. In that I found peace outside but a war within. Anger and resentment fill my heart at a world that consistently seeks to hurt and belittle me and my accomplishments so much so that I don't know my worth most days, but at the same time despite this. they are some of the most morally sound, and soft-hearted people I know. While I would never trust them with my heart I trust them with my life, and I have learned to be okay with that. I love them as they are, and not as what I want them to be." Othello said, and Yoohyeon listened she sensed the vulnerability in his words, the anger and resentment ebb and flow as he spoke but ultimately she saw the peace he had about his family and the true love he held for him. It broke her heart that he didn't have the most glowing review of his family but despite that, he still chose to find their unified humanity and unite in that spoke to her louder than any other act of service he had presented to her. he just gave her his heart and was trusting her with it, Yoohyeon noticed this and immediately understood the responsibility she held. Othello trusted her and she wouldn't fail him, as she knew that he would never fail her. After that Yoohyeon anchored herself a little deeper into Othello's arms as the two fell asleep comfortably together.

The next day The Royal Marquis and all its inhabitants hit the halfway point of their journey. due to the previous night's intensity, Yoohyeon and Orion woke up later than usual. this caused them to miss breakfast but since they were spending a full day at the refilling station on the planet Melibone they had time to kill. Per their usual routine, the couple helped load up everything again, and this time Yoohyeon made noticeably fewer mistakes and the process went even faster. Orion was always close to her as well. everyone besides Orion and Yoohyeon noticed the almost gravitational pull the two had on each other. The Captain had barely been able to contain her smirk knowing that another Codex Keeper and Ward Witch had grown close, but in her time with both Orion and Yoohyeon she noticed they were especially well paired for each other. Yoohyeon's genuine joy and exuberance for things often mirrored Orion's unrelenting desire to know and experience things to the fullest. she knew that they had spent their "rest hours" Chatting to each other for numerous nights and often caught glances of the two giving puppy dog eyes to the other. So she was just waiting for one of them to make the first move. As the refilling finished in a record-breaking 2 hours and 30 minutes with their help she Saw Orion and Yoohyeon approach her.

"Hey, Captain everything is loaded are we good to depart?" Orion said plainly. The Captain eyed Yoohyeon's body language. she had her arms possessively wrapped around Orion's left arm. what made it even more adorable was the tracing of the codex glyphs on his skin. She also noticed that the little mantra that hung over his head changed as well. instead of Core Terran English, it was Core Terran Hangul. Her and Yoohyeon's mother tongue. She remembered him explaining how he thought it worked but she couldn't remember the actual specifics. Orion often got so excited to share his knowledge that his answers would quickly go to many layers deep in complexity. As they waited for her answer she noticed the anxiety in their touches. their bodies screamed with impatience, but their eyes and faces told a different story. The couple was fully locked in on doing their duties but their bodies had other desires. The captain wondered how long the couple would hold out before their bodies made choices that their minds weren't fully in line with.

"No we have to leave at our scheduled time frames otherwise the ports won't be ready for us and we mess scheduling for other ships yadda, yadda. Charters and Port control get mad at me so for now we will stay on Melibone and enjoy the time off. you two especially need it with all of the work you two have done over the last two hours." the captain said positively to the couple. "Go see Elric of the black blade. I heard the play is excellent."The Captain added leaving the two to explore Melibone. The first thing the couple did was get food. There was a cafe nearby the port where the two ate their first meal of the day. While eating a female voice rang out to Yoohyeon

“Yoohyeon?” Orion and Yoohyeon turned to look at the voice in the same direction of the voice. A pretty lady with dark hair ran over to the two eating. Yoohyeon smiled seeing the girl as she tightly gripped Orion’s hand.

“Jiu-unnie how are you?” Yoohyeon said happily to her coven leader. Jiu smiled as she approached and spoke to the duo.

“Oh, I'm fantastic my Codex Keeper Freyjar has been taking exceptional care of me.”

Yoohyeon heard Orion’s heart rate spike and his open fist clenched as Jiu said the name Freyjar. She looked at his face and watched his expression shift from comfort to an unreadable expression. As his heart rate mellowed it took on an unhurried pace that held an almost malevolent tone. Unaware of the silent conversation going on between Yoohyeon and Orion she sat with them. After she got comfortable she turned to her Codex Keeper who looking for her when she heard his heartbeat

“Ah Freyjar come over here,” Jiu said Jubilant. Freyjar turned to the familiar voice and walked over to see Jiu Freyjar turned to the familiar voice and walked over to see his favorite Ward Witch along with a familiar face

“Devil Dog?” Freyjar exclaimed surprised

Yoohyeon listened to Orion’s heart rate slow even further. Jiu noticed this as well but didn't want to cause a scene.

“Let's keep it professional Keeper Freyjar please call me Keeper Orion,” Orion said flatly. Jiu appreciated Orion’s attempt to diffuse the situation immensely and smiled at him. Freyjar noticed this and his heart grew jealous. Yoohyeon noticed though that Jiu and Freyjar had synchronized heartbeats whereas Orion and hers Alternated. Freyjar watched Orion with maintained an unreadable. He looked for any hint of emitting but Codex Master Lorgar taught Keeper Orion well and his face was a stoic mask. He did notice that he was latching on to The blonde lady who sat next to Jiu. That's it that's the pain point he thought.

“Okay, Keeper Orion. Who is this lady you seem keen on?” Orion tensed before Jiu came to his rescue.

“Oh this is the member of my Coven I was telling you about Yoohyeon,” Jiu explained.

Freyjar nodded still staring at Orion.

“Oh, the clumsy puppy you mentioned.”

Orion’s stoic mask slips for a moment as he turns to smile at Yoohyeon. Yoohyeon returned his smile she was happy to see it even if for a moment. The waitress arrived breaking the tension and the politics for a moment asking the group what they desired.

"Can I try one of your pastry pies one meat and one berry?" Orion asked. Melibone was known for its pastry pies and he figured such a simple meal would be hard to mess up and an excellent yet also a safe gauge for the quality of the cafe. Yoohyeon got the house special. Jiu got a simple salad and Freyjar got a steak. After that Jiu and Freyjar led the conversation as Orion barely spoke leaving Yoohyeon to speak. it was uncharacteristic of him the two often spoke and tumbled over and around each other in conversation so seeing him so guarded was concerning. She held him close and hoped he would open up.

"So Orion how is your first expedition? Is it exciting? Jiu and I have faced pirates and several webs of political intrigue," Freyjar said smugly.

"Not currently, but I appreciate the quiet. allows me to focus on my task and functions as a Codex Keeper," Orion replied measuredly. Freyjar's eyes narrowed.

"That suits you honestly. Your mediocrity has always been so baffling. I mean you barely passed trials with that mediocre Expedition you did." Freyjar teased. Jiu and Yoohyeon both froze. they sensed the growing tension between Freyjar and Orion. Freyjar was digging for a reaction and Orion wasn't giving it to him, so he kept digging deeper and deeper.

"We Graduated all the same Keeper Freyjar," Orion responded coldly.

"Yes but I mean who would want to work with someone so unimpressive? Your academic scores are average. your arbitration scores are solid I'll give you that but... that's it. you average nothing special." Freyjar said.

" Hey stop that. Keeper Orion is an excellent Codex keeper. He serves the ship and keeps everyone in high spirits.

"No Ward Witch he isn't you defend the worst of us, and all you have to say is oh he is kind. Kindness is a weakness. A codex Keeper is meant to be exemplar warrior scholars and Psion, and he's none of that." Freyjar interrupted. Jiu watched with an eagle eye as Orion's eyes twitched when Freyjar raised his voice to Yooheyon.

"Keeper Freyjar I am going to give you one chance to apologize to Ward Witch Yoohyeon," Orion said coldly

"What will you do?" Freyjar challenged Orion and didn't respond just glared silently at Freyjar, this intense psionic pressure hit him and he felt as if he was being crushed. He started to panic as breathing became labored. "Damned Pako. I am sorry Mrs. Kim" Freyjar said as he breath. Yoohyeon nodded, but hearing the name Pako sent chills down her spine. Pako was the name of the near-feral Codex keeper who went on the last major expedition with her Mentor. She had heard frightening tales about how he set a planet on fire and killed over 100 men in one day. Surely that couldn't be Orion, but she didn't know much about his past as a Codex Keeper though. The rest of the day they spent exploring Melibone the questions began to pile up and wear on her heavier with each cute moment. "What if he's a monster?" she kept asking herself.

After finishing up at the Cafe (Which Orion paid for) the group split up

When the duo arrive back at the port they are shocked to see everyone unloading The Royal Marquis. Yoohyeon and Orion quickly get back into service mode but are stopped by The Captain. "No, my two working dogs. You two rest for the rest of the day because we have new orders. In the second half of this expedition, we are going to be flying with the new mega-ship "The Dreadnaught." and taking The Royal Marquis back after we get back halfway. Also, I am under strict instructions from the new Captain to not be as fast as we were because he doesn't want to wait. so you two can rest in your new quarters tonight. Here are your room numbers and ID keys."

The duo chuckled seeing their rooms were the same numbers 307 and 310 again. After moving all of their belongings from their old quarters to their new quarters they met up in 310 (Yoohyeon’s room) this time around. As they sat together she decided to ask Othello about the Devil’s ruin

“Oh that it was a normal expedition. Just had an issue with a planet going through Civil war that was one of the port planets and to complete the mission. I brokered a peace long enough for us to get in and out of.” Othello explained

Yoohyeon knew of Devil’s run it was the ship her mentor Lady Sunshine ran, and where she had done her test. She also knew a few years back or so there was an expedition that was almost cursed. That almost took the life of Lady Sunshine, and her current apprentice Hanni, but she figured that the Codex Keeper and his apprentice who were on the ship couldn't have been related, Othello was too kind to be that merciless and seemed very hesitant to fight but today’s trip

“Hey Othello who was the ward witch on that expedition?” Yoohyeon asked cautiously.

“Oh um, I believe it was two Lady Sunshine and her at-the-time apprentice Hanni,” Othello replied calmly, and Yoohyeon’s heart sank.

“You're Pako (Hellhound), the scourge of Theros. You led a one-man campaign from Nykthos to Meletis. You're a war monster. ” Yoohyeon interjected. Othello’s heart sinks as Yoohyeon says his epithet. He gets up to leave understanding that her affection may have turned into hate. Yoohyeon watched relieved as he left but something stirred within Yoohyeon that made her supersede her mentor's warnings. She got up between him and the doors. “Tell me why you did it?” she asked.

Othello answered slowly, “To ensure everyone’s safety on Devil’s ruin I had to do some truly unpleasant things, and I didn't like the way people watched doing these things. The looks of disgust and disdain I got for playing the bad guy when I had to. I had to Kill Helios, and Hades to make sure everyone got home safe. I had to stack those bodies, on not only Theros but on Ixialan and Bant and all of those other planets we fought on that accursed expedition. The horror of it all though was while in it I had never felt more alive. I didn't have to worry about hiding behind masks. There were no discussions about offenses and hesitations or the mincing of words it was straightforward and all my choices mattered I thrived in that hell which is why I guess everyone looks at me as terrible because I thrived in it, but I'd rather be a warlord in a garden then a Gardner in a war.”

Yoohyeon was taken aback by Othello’s Alacrity himself but still very much reconciling with the revelation that he was a warlord…a reluctant warlord but a Warlord nonetheless. Despite learning about Othello's past, Yoohyeon couldn't shake the deep connection she felt with him. As they sat together in her room, his words about his past weighed heavily on her mind. Yet, when she looked into his eyes, she saw genuine remorse and vulnerability, which only deepened her empathy for him.

"Othello," she began softly, reaching out to touch his hand, "I understand that you've had to make difficult choices in the past. But that doesn't change how I feel about you." Her heart raced as she spoke, her hand trembling slightly against his.

Othello’s gaze met hers, his expression a mix of gratitude and disbelief. "You... you still feel the same way?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Yoohyeon nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Yes, I do. Because despite everything, I see the person you are now—the kind, compassionate man who's always there for me. That's the Othello I've come to care about, and nothing can change that."

As they sat together, their hands intertwined, Yoohyeon felt a renewed sense of connection with Othello. Despite his past, she couldn't deny the chemistry between them or the hope she held for their future together. She did have one question remaining,

“Where was your support when this all happened? Why do all the stories paint you as doing this all on your own?” Orion considers Yoohyeon’s words and thought about the cleanest answer before he replied

“They say in War there is this fog war this uncertainty whenever one engages in large-scale combat engagements. To me, it's a spotlight I know what I need to do and when it needs to be done, so it's all a matter of performance and that's liberating at least for me. Take my battle with Helios. I had no idea he was going to set his city on fire to stop me all I knew was that if I defeated him I would be successful. So everything I did that night. Saving the children women and men as Pompeii burned Nykthos Freeing Kruphix teaming up with Xenagos to finish Helios were all part of taking hold of the spotlight and doing all I could with it.”

Yooyheon watched in wonder as Othello spoke with childlike innocence about his experience. She didn't realize that he never set Pompeii to blow. All the stories about it only mention it as a major event going on. They also never mentioned him saving people. Every record only mentions his fight with Helios and the total fatality count. It also never mentioned Kruphix (who is the current and beloved leader of a unified Theros Along with his lover Klothys) all of these critical facts drastically change the story of how she saw the story. Whenever Othello told stories his contained hope and this striving to be better for the sake of others made her realize something deeper about him. He wasn't some moral-lacking warlord. He was a boy trying to live up to his Heroes and the expectations placed upon him. this made everything click about Othello. Yoohyeon smiled overwhelmed by seeing him in a new light she grabbed his collar and kissed him their kiss lasting several minutes. When the two broke the kiss Othello was speechless. As he stared at Yoohyeon trying to catch his breath.

“Whoa.” was all Othello could manage.

“You want to be a hero. You want to do the right thing. Vanquish evil and save the princess.” Yoohyeon said. “Tell me the full story,” Yoohyeon said her eyes lit with Joy. Othello looked at her confused before acquiescing to her as he always did.

“When we arrived on Theros we were only supposed to be there for 25 hours to load and unload we had guaranteed safe passage for being with the federation as long as we stayed neutral which we did. We talked to no one housed no prisoners and no one even left the port. At the fourth hour, the Nykthos private militia came for Lorgar (larger originally hails from Theros and was a child soldier under Heliod before leaving the planet, which everyone knew but Heliod took offense to so we are all taken as prisoners to be executed via the fighting pits. My master doesn't rattle easily but the situation rattled him. We enter the fight pits and I go on an absolute tear of victories. 22 to be exact the crowd loves it they love me. So I decided to leverage this love to declare the fight for everyone who is enslaved currently’s freedom. This is the part where I kinda blackout and go 121-0 this ends with Helios having to free everyone in the prison. He only has one condition we leave with all the prisoners. We accept that beside us the only prisoners are a man named Kruphix and his son Xenagos. So we leave but I don't trust Helios so I go over our ship and find bombs planted on them. I tell Lorgar who tells the federation. The Federation declares an immediate act of intervention when the leaders of Thermos decide to let the planet burn. So Tiro removes him and his husband from power and leaves the planet. But Heliod sets off to Pompeii the planet-destroying Volcano central to Theros and says to everyone “I'll turn this planet into a burial ground” Lorgar is adamant we leave but I can't in good conscience let an entire planet die so I tell him

“If I lose my life today may I not see you tomorrow before I fight my way to Nykthos. Devil’s Ruin leaves me on Nykthos. I challenge Helios for the city and I beat him. As he reeling in his loss he decides to stab me. Xenagos covers me and kills Helios but he dies protecting me I stop the volcano and give the rule back to Kruphix and he reinstates their previous form of government. The federation arrives too and they get me back onto the Devil’s ruin to the surprise and chagrin of everyone on the ship.”

Yoohyeon sat enthralled as she listened as Othello finished his story. Yoohyeon moved closer to him, and a heavy silence hung in the air, both of them processing the weight of his words. Yoohyeon sat beside him, her gaze softening with a newfound understanding and admiration for the man beside her.

"Othello," she began, her voice gentle yet filled with sincerity, "I had no idea... what you went through, what you sacrificed. You're incredibly brave, you know that?"

Othello met her gaze, a hint of vulnerability flickering in his eyes. His heartbeat spiked causing Yoohyeon's smile to grow a little bit. She loved the feeling she gave that made his heart race, " I wouldn't consider it brave it was just the right thing to do…Thank you though, Yoohyeon. It means a lot to hear you say that."

Yoohyeon reached out, gently placing her hand on his arm. "You're not just a warlord or a hero, Othello. You're a person who faced impossible choices and did what you had to do to protect others. That takes incredible strength and courage."

A small smile tugged at the corners of Othello's lips, touched by Yoohyeon's words. "I never thought of it that way... but hearing you say it... it means everything."

Their eyes locked an unspoken understanding passing between them. In that moment, they shared a profound connection, a bond forged through honesty and vulnerability. Yoohyeon felt her admiration for Othello deepen into something more, a warmth blooming in her chest that she couldn't ignore.

"And you know," Yoohyeon continued, her voice softening, "I'm here for you, Othello. Whatever you need, whatever you're going through... you don't have to face it alone."

Othello's expression softened, gratitude shining in his eyes. "Thank you, Yoohyeon. That means the world to me."

As they sat together in the quiet of Yoohyeon's room, their hands intertwined, a sense of closeness enveloped them. At that moment, they both knew that their bond had deepened into something more than friendship. before anything else could happen the door opened to Yoohyeon's room to Siyeon, Jiu, Sua, Dami, Marcus, Elric, Freyjar, and Ayara. Orion instantly tenses seeing them which Yoohyeon notices she grabs his hand.

Throughout the second half of the trip, Yoohyeon and Orion fell into very different patterns. the new Captain Claw is very standoffish with the two new additions to his crew Orion and Yoohyeon, despite both efforts to make themselves helpful. This captain wasn't fond of Keepers nor Ward Witches so having multiples both on his ship sent him on edge. He believed they discarded their humanity for power. Sadly due to Orion's aversion to being around the other Keepers, he stayed with The captain more often. As the two watched over the port and the ship the captain softened slowly to the Keeper. Whereas most Keepers he had seen ashew their humanity he was surprised to see one cling so desperately to his. it was interesting, to say the least.

Yoohyeon spent a lot of time with Jiu and Siyeon though which meant a lot of time with Freyjar, and Ayara. She was surprised to see their perceptions of Orion. Freyjar harbored Jealousy towards the other Keeper, and Ayara lived in abject terror of him which was surprising since she only had positive things to say about him. so she did her best to avoid mentioning Orion in either's presence. This became difficult because Siyeon and Jiu wanted to know every detail about Orion. So in fielding these questions, she spent a lot of time away from Orion.

this led to him working with the crew a lot more and as their interactions became fleeting and Yoohyeon became more enmeshed with more traditional Keeper and Ward Witch relations she grew more irritable. there was this insincerity that everyone around her head kept her guard. She couldn't be who she was, nor could she say what she wanted as freely as when she was with Orion, and so her clumsiness started to plague her again, Jiu covered her and helped her but while it was familiar it wasn't what she wanted. she often found herself saying in her head "Orion would have told her she messed up here and given her his big dumb smile telling her it would be alright."

Eventually, the stress of being perfect got to her and she lashed at Sua. She messed up a basic spell that made Sua laugh and Yoohyeon just snapped.

"Unnie don't you have anything better to do? I mean come on I barely messed up, besides haven't you also messed up this spell as well." She snapped. Surprised Sua looked at Yoohyeon her magic lines were changing and growing.

In a calculated move Jiu told Yoohyeon to find Orion, She wanted to ask him about something. Yoohyeon groaned "Can't you do it yourself unnie?" Luckily Orion just happened to be in between chores as he became as indispensable to Claw as he had been with the previous captain. He saw Yoohyeon and waved. Yoohyeon saw him and for a moment her burden eased. her heart rate slowed to a reasonable pace and each other Ward Witch knew what to do.

"Oh Orion how are you?" Dami asked

"I am good Dami just enjoying the little free time I have. The Captain needed to have a crew meeting and gave me some time off."

"Why are you helping the crew so much?" Freyjar questioned annoyed.

"Because I don't like spending time with y'all honestly," Orion said bluntly.

Jiu, Dami, Elric, and Marcus laughed. Yoohyeon pouted. then got up

"Well since you're being such a dick I'll leave." She said.

"Yoon wait I wanted to ask you something."

"Oh, now you want to talk to me?" Yoohyeon said

"Yes I miss you and I want to spend time with you." Orion made sure to emphasize you with Yoohyeon. She didn't catch on to this as she was operating under the "I don't like spending time with y'all"

"Oh really just a couple of seconds ago you were eager to say how little you enjoyed time with us all."

"Yes, All emphasis on all. because minus Freyjar, Ayara, and (Orion looks over to Sua who licks her lips at him with a seductive look. Orion points at Sua). I enjoy spending time with you all individually." Yoohyeon knew that Sua was teasing the poor keeper, she liked boys who flustered easily and Orion flustered very easily. So she was constantly teasing him, but in that moment of the weight of being the crown jewel of Dreamcatcher's coven, it was just another annoyance.

"Gosh, I can't believe I ever liked you... you're such a dick. you know what Maybe Freyjar is right about you. you're mediocre at everything so you try to hide it by busying yourself."

The air shifted. Orion tensed. Every Ward Witch heard his heart rate spike and then go dangerously low, this was the lowest it's ever been. Orion tried very much to see Yoohyeon's perspective but he was seeing red. he chose his next actions extremely meticulously. He slowed his breathing and took 5 deep breaths before leaving. Yoohyeon swore she saw black lines of magic manifest on his body for a moment as a bizarre monster crawled around his left shoulder.

"Go ahead leave, and be forgotten because who wants a hero? Heroes are childish." Yoohyeon spat.

The air shifted again and the temperature dropped. Freyjar smirked as he made eye contact with Orion. his plan of feeding Yoohyeon all his drivel finally pays off. The stoic mask she wore cracked.

"You take that back," Orion said. his voice shifted into an active that was unfamiliar to all present. Red hot tears streamed down Orion's eyes, as he turned to face Yoohyeon. Yoohyeon's surprise was palpable. She took a step back and saw the emotions swirling within Orion, and her heart softened. She also realized she pushed him a bit too far.

"Orion I am so sorry.

Freyjar's laugh drowned out her apology

"No, No Yoohyeon. You almost had him. he was this close to breaking down like the sad man-child he is. Don't apologize for the real world is a vicious and vile place, with no place for heroes." Freyjar said. Orion's Stoic mask broke. he turned to him.

"Everyone looks down on me. Everyone always points to my naivety, saying it's a problem that I am too childish when I live in this hellscape of a Galaxy ruled over by people like you. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you." Orion repeated.

Before anyone could react He warped to Freyjar grabbed him by his collar and threw him and every one in another warp to the arena. He summons his War spade and makes a room closing around Him and Freyjar. Yoohyeon knew of his Claustrophobia and how it drove him mad which would make reaching out to Orion that much harder. Knowing this she began clawing at the barrier. When that didn't work she began chanting spells, but in her stress and panic she kept making tiny mistakes ruining the efficacy of her spells and strengthening the barrier that Orion had created

"you say I am not special. well, let's play a game. I am going to hit you until I get tired or you stop me. if you die eh, if not cool. Begin." as soon as he said that the room began closing triggering Orion's Claustrophobia. His rage compounded by the panic created a unique combination of desperation that pushed him to fight as hard as possible. Yoohyeon knew she had to stop this as this was all her fault. Orion closed in on Freyjar who summoned his sword (named Summer) and made an excellent lunge, that was easily dodged by Orion. Orion raised his weapon and with one mighty swing, he swung the flat side of his war spade.

a sickening crunch could be heard as Freyjar hit the floor after being hit by Orion's weapon. The Ward Witches understanding that Orion was so far gone broke through the barrier *barely with their combined power. Orion turned to face them as they encircled him. Their faces were filled with fear and terror but also pity. Pity that drove Orion to higher depths of rage. the faces replaced themselves with others who held similar looks in the past. their words rang out to him

"Violent tendencies, Rigid personality. An immature child." these were all phrases that their looks said to him, but Orion was done playing by the rules of a world he deemed beneath him at that moment. His mask of Stoicism shattered beyond repair. Now everyone saw who he was under all the calm, under all the kindness, all the amicability; A boy forced to grow into a world that hated him and what he valued, and that weighed heavily on everyone present. Especially Yoohyeon it broke her heart that she of all people was to push him this far.

"Don't you dare look at me like that? You all wanted the monster you tell tales of the Great Demon Dog of Eldora. You created this," Orion yelled

Then silence hung in the air as his proclamation rang true. He was a monster the systems that they all believed in created someone who needed to stop him, and Yoohyeon stepped up.

"Orion I am so sorry." She said with tears in her eyes Yoohyeon's apology hung in the air, heavy with regret as she watched Orion's tears fall. The weight of her words hit her with a force she hadn't anticipated, and for the first time, she saw the vulnerability beneath his stoic exterior.

Orion's response was immediate, his voice trembling with emotion as he struggled to regain his composure. "You... you hurt me, Yoohyeon," he managed to say, his words choked with pain. "I thought... I thought you understood me, but..." His voice trailed off, lost in the turmoil of his emotions.

Yoohyeon felt a pang of guilt pierced her heart as she witnessed the raw anguish in Orion's eyes. She had never seen him like this before, stripped of his usual calm demeanor, and it shook her to the core. With a shaky breath, she stepped closer to him, reaching out to gently touch his arm.

"Orion, I didn't mean... I didn't mean to hurt you," she whispered, her voice trembling with remorse. "I was... I was angry, and I lashed out without thinking. But that's no excuse for what I said. I know you're not... you're not mediocre. You're extraordinary, and I... I was wrong to doubt you." she grabbed Orion and pulled him into a hug. he collapsed in her arms.

"Why does everyone hate me?" he asked vulnerably. "Why do they push me to hurt them?" he asked. Yoohyeon held him as he cried The other Ward Witches gave them space to not interfere. Orion was bested, not by might but by emotion. "I try to help and be a Hero like Z, or Saber, or Val-Zod, or Orion and they all look at me like I am wrong and I should fall into their ways," Orion said through cold tears. Yoohyeon held him close as the others left. Eventually, they traversed back to Orion's room, and for the first time in weeks, Yoohyeon felt safe. she and Orion spent the rest of the day together holding each other close. their bodies making up for lost time and connection as their minds processed everything. Orion also never dismissed his war axe. Yoohyeon noticed this and decided to take her next step in understanding him.

"You cling to your war spade why?" Yoohyeon asked

"It makes me feel safe. Lorgar made it for me after I lost one of the many swords that Keepers usually wield. Often my strength is hard to withhold so the dainty long swords that other Keepers wield often chip and shatter under my grasp. He built this for me using Materials from across my solar system, and he named it Apokolips after keeping in line with my name." Othello explained

Yoohyeon nodded understanding which led to her next line of questions "You mentioned your name came from a comic character what was his story?" Yoohyeon asked eager to see more of Othello, and less of Orion for today. She also loved the way Orion told his stories. he was always so expressive.

"So in all of DC comics, there is one villain that stands above all. his name is Darkseid. He wields the omeaga effect a powerful bevy of abilities that make him the most dangerous villain in the universe, but he has a son who in a calculated move by both parties to gain intel on the other Darkseid gives his son Orion to the peace-loving and heroic High Father of New Genesis. the high father does the same with his son. This leads to a Villain being raised by a hero and a hero being raised by a villain. Orion despite his nature becomes one of the greatest heroes in the DC universe, and it is made all the more grandiose by his refusal to give in to his darker impulses." Othello explains

Yoohyeon smiled and, said, "Do you have darker impulses, Mr. Hero?"

"Yes, I do. Every day I see the weakness and folly in those around me, and I wonder to myself if it would be easier if I ruled. If I trampled over the old war and made a new one but better, but I am reminded that many people wouldn't benefit from that cruel a ruler and so I remain steadfast in heroism." Othello replied.

"So where does the name Apokolips come from in Orion's story? why is that significant." Yoohyeon asked.

"Oh, I forgot Apokolips is the planet Orion was born on," Othello replies. Yoohyeon laughs in comfort as she cuddles closer to Othello.

"I've missed you so much," she said.

"I have as well," Othello replied

"Why didn't you make time for me then?" Yoohyeon asked skeptical

"I didn't want to get in the way of you and those close to you," Othello answered, and Yoohyeon turned to him.

"You're cavity-inducingly sweet you know that right?" Yoohyeon replies

"that is a new phrase but I'll keep it in mind," Othello replies.

“I always forget you're not from Earth, I guess the bronze metallic skin and glowing runes should have been a dead giveaway.” Yoohyeon chuckled

“Wait really?” Othello questioned

“Yeah, your English is consistently clear easy to distinguish the words. How did you get so good?” Yoohyeon asked with genuine intrigue

“Honestly reading comics and watching Superhero videos from Earth. It gave a path of translation to a lot of ideas and concepts I had but didn't have the tools to express, all of the vibrant colors create a contrast from a majority of Earth’s content being almost monotone. Like so many of the stories told boil down to the same thing, and I have noticed at least in the hero genre of storytelling they go above and beyond in all facets so the stories pop more. I've read both George Orwell and Walter Simonson and I remember more of the latter’s work than the former.” Othello explained

“Oh really. Do you have any of the comics you read?” Yoohyeon asked. Othello nodded. “Can you read me one?” Yoohyeon asked. Othello nodded again as he got up and grabbed book one of Orion by Walter Simpson, and he began to read it to her.

Tales of Orion's Challenge spread quickly over the coming weeks. The Captain urges to avoid bringing any of it up but does chuckle as he was quite annoyed with Keeper Freyjar so having someone take him down a peg made him smile.

Eventually, reports reached outside of the ship, and a conflict resolution meeting was forced upon all of the Ward Witches and the Codex Keepers.

The 12 coven Mothers and three Codex Masters oversaw the meeting through Video call. Lady Sunshine was surprised to see Orion among those present. Orion pleasantly waved at her Lorgar and greeted her with a bit more enthusiasm. It was then that it all clicked for Lady Sunshine and who she had set her apprentice up with.

Lorgar knowing that his apprentice wasn't just fighting people wildly asked one question,

"Keeper Orion. What happened."

Orion explained it as he recorded ( he left out all of his emotions on the matter which was noted by everyone present), but as soon as they got to the part where Yoohyeon started attacking heroism. Everyone who knew Orion Knew that was what sent him over the edge.

"Yoohyeon how could you?" Lady Sunshine interjected when Orion explained Yoohyeon's part.

Uncomfortable with seeing Yoohyeon yell at Orion was quick to take the blame.

"No Lady Sunshine the fault is mine. I neglected my duties as a Keeper to stay in contact with my assigned Ward Witch leaving the air for tension despite external factors the fault of Keeper Freyjar's injuries are all mine."

Lady Sunshine was left speechless (a rare occurrence) and Lorgar swelled with pride and knowing. Orion's demeanor and presence were all there. Lorgar also noticed the way he looked at Yoohyeon and the closeness the two displayed at the beginning of the meeting. Orion was smitten and protecting his paramour. Lorgar laughed internally. What was concerning was the revelation that it took 5 Ward Witches to break his barrier. His powers were exponentially increasing again. A fact that was not lost on the other Codex Masters.

"What do you mean barely cracked the barrier?" Lady Moonlight asked

"My powers have been volatile often increasing their efficacies in moments of high stress. So it took the combined efforts of the 5 present Ward Witches to break the Simple barrier I made." Orion answered a look of terror went through the Ward Witches Council

“But why use your phobias as a means to secure a victory?” lady Moonlight asked curious

“Because I'd rather die than lose,” Orion explained

“Wait what is your name Keeper?” lady Twilight asked

“Orion Lady Twilight.” Orion acknowledged. A look of recognition crossed over the weathered and wrinkled face of the elder Ward Witch.

"Wait you're Pako the scourge of Theros? Aren't you boy?" Lady Twilight asked. Orion gritted his teeth and nodded.

"Well no wonder you nearly killed him. You know you're classified as a weapon of mass destruction by the federation." Lady Twilight reminded, and this changed the atmosphere of the meeting. "I don't know why the federation caters to you. You are a verified world-ending threat with the temperament of a child," Orion's response sends chills throughout the room.

"The same reason I let the Federation get away with all of its wrongs going through the process of addressing it would assure both of our destruction, but make no mistake. I am always aware of how you all see. I am a threat and I will always be as long as I stay true to who I am. My response let me be and I'll let you be." Lady Twilight didn't appreciate Orion's flippant tone but she respected that he stood for with spine unlike so many in the federation.

"Proudly displaying that Eldorian Backbone I have heard so much about. I may not like you but I respect it. Take care of Sua for me."

"Oh, you're Sua's mentor that explains a lot. You have my word to the best of my ability I will protect everyone you place under me." After that, the meeting was over with the leaders understanding that it was a simple misunderstanding and that at least one adult was handling it.

after the meeting, Yoohyeon and Othello sat alone in his room. He was reading Orion to her and she was cradled in his arms and body listening to his voice ease her but she just kept feeling this uncomfortable heat well inside her. She constantly was shifting trying to get comfortable but couldn't. Yoohyeon's and Othello's feelings for each other have reached a fever pitch, and their bodies are fed up with their minds

"Hey, Othello," Yoohyeon said.

Othello looks to Yoohyeon and she kisses him with an intense fervor. this kiss ignites a fire deep within the two. when it breaks Yoohyeon teases Othello when she feels his erection poke her.

"Well someone is excited." She comes in a sexy voice. Othello moans.

"Well yeah, have you seen how hot you are." Othello challenged

Yoohyeon smiles a rosy blush crossing her face. "Oh baby Flattery will get you everywhere." she goes in for another kiss this time with more passion. Othello's and Yoohyeon's tongues meet and dance while they kiss. Neither looks for dominance but dances with a willing partner.

Yoohyeon smiled as she gripped tightly onto Othello. Their kiss broke the built tension of the last 4 months 1 week and three days. They break this kiss, and the solid foundation of love and adoration they felt for each other quickly melts into liquid desire and lust. the two tear off the clothes of each other, and go back to kissing. Yoohyeon can barely contain her eagerness as she stares into Othello's eyes she can tell he feels the same. She goes back in for another kiss as the two lovers paw at the other's naked forms. Hands intermingle and dance with bodies as lovers begin to familiarize themselves with each other in this intimate moment. Yoohyeon breaks their kiss and looks into Othello's eyes. Yoohyeon nestles closer to Othello tentatively, her heart pounding with a mixture of nerves and longing. the stress of all this tension she felt being by him washed over her along with the overwhelming safety she felt. She reached out, gently cupping his face in her hands, drawing him closer until their lips were mere inches apart.

Their eyes met, a silent exchange of emotions passing between them. And then, unable to resist any longer, they closed the distance, their lips meeting in a tender kiss.

Time seemed to stand still as they lost themselves in the moment, the world around them fading into insignificance. For Yoohyeon, it was a moment of clarity, a realization of the depth of her feelings for Othello.

As they broke apart, breathless and flushed with emotion, Yoohyeon gazed into Othello's eyes, her voice trembling with vulnerability.

"Othello," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "I... I love you."

The words hung in the air, the weight of them echoing in the silence that followed. Yoohyeon's heart raced as she waited for his response, her entire being consumed by the intensity of her confession.

Othello's eyes widened in surprise, his own emotions swirling beneath the surface. He reached out, taking Yoohyeon's hand in his, a gentle smile playing at the corners of his lips.

"Yoohyeon," he said softly, his voice filled with warmth and affection. "I love you too."

And at that moment, amidst the chaos and uncertainty of their world, they found solace in each other's arms, their love a beacon of hope in the darkness. As they began to kiss again Othello began tracing Yoohyeon’s tattoos. Yoohyeon giggled as she was tickled by Othello’s surprisingly soft hands. As his hands travel around her body Othello’s psionics begin to unravel around the two in a mirroring way to Yoohyeon’s magic (small aside: typically Psionics and mages aren't supposed to consummate relationships under the effects of their special abilities but for how ingrained Yoohyeon and Othello’s abilities are to their sense of self it's hard to separate their powers from themselves) passionate and fiery crimson energy and the physical manifestation of Othello’s psionics crashes into Yoohyeon’s cool sea foam green arcane weave. As their energies intermingle the two begin copulating. Yooyheon sinks onto Othello’s cock and moans. When she adjusts to him residing within her she opens her eyes to see him breathless under her. She smiles as she begins to ride him. In hopes of reciprocity, Othello meets her halfway with thrusts of his own into her sex. Yoohyeon moans as Othello fills her up. She watches as Othello watches carefully trying to ascertain her reactions and make her feel as pleased as possible. Yoohyeon smiles and puts his hands on her ample ass.

“Give it to me.” Yoohyeon encourages and so begins the slow and deep methodical thrusts of Othello. Eager to please he plunges in her pussy and slowly pulls out 75% of the way before plunging in again, and again. As he thrust into her he slightly changed angles to see what Yoohyeon liked. On the fifth repetition, he found it and Yoohyeon screamed. “They're right there,” she yelled as he hit her G-spot. Having a greenlight Othello picked up his pace while reaching down to her clit. Extending his finger he traced figure eights around the bud. This combination sent Yoohyeon reeling. Her eyes rolled back and she moaned.

“Keep going. I'm so close,” she screamed excitedly Othello obliged and picked up Yoohyeon and increased his pace. The change in angle allowed Othello to reach further into Yoohyeon who smiled as their faces became even as he lifted her up and down. Yoohyeon lost herself to pleasure as she was ravaged by Othello’s rod. Eventually, she couldn't take it, and her orgasm tore through her tight frame.

“Oh God.” She yelled before cumming all over Othello’s cock. Othello continued his work on Yoohyeon until her walls contracted in such a way that seemed to milk him almost, but what took him over the edge was Yoohyeon saying. “Please cum in me. I need it I need to feel you all of you.” her words sent metering to his orgasm, and he began to paint her walls white with his seed. Yoohyeon groaned as her sex only grew tighter. After what seemed like hours the couple’s bodies calmed down.

Yoohyeon spoke, ”So who's your favorite member of my coven now?” she teased.

“Aish.” Othello groaned but was quick to smile as he pulled her close.

In the coming weeks, Yoohyeon completely divested herself from her Coven friends and spent all of her time with Orion, and they fell into familiar patterns of helping the crew and Captain. The crew appreciated Yooyheon’s help immensely as being able to instantly fix numerous problems at one time was such a relief. She spent less time stressing about appearing perfect and poise and just living her clumsiness also faded. The others kept their distance especially Freyjar who was reeling over the fact that 5 Coven Bound Ward Witches had to save him from someone he deemed as lesser. Especially since Orion was given no consequence for his actions. He was scolded by his Codex Master for riling up the young man. The worst insult (minus the cracked jaw) was that Orion apologized. He considered his actions beneath himself the nerve, of him. Freyjar would mend his wounded pride and get his retribution. As tensions simmered aboard the ship, Freyjar seethed with resentment in the confines of his quarters. His bruised jaw throbbed with every pulse of anger, a constant reminder of his humiliation at the hands of Orion. But Freyjar was not one to suffer such indignity lightly.

Gazing into the reflection of his own anger-filled eyes in the mirror, Freyjar formulated his plan for revenge. He knew he couldn't confront Orion directly; the Codex Keeper's growing influence among the crew made him untouchable. No, Freyjar would have to be more cunning.

With a smirk curling his lips, Freyjar began to reach out to like-minded crew members, whispering words of dissent against Orion's leadership. He found willing ears among those who harbored their grievances, promising them power and prestige in exchange for their allegiance.

Meanwhile, Yoohyeon found herself caught in the middle of the growing tension. Her loyalty to Orion was unwavering, but she couldn't ignore the undercurrent of discord spreading throughout the crew. Sensing trouble brewing, she tried to mediate, but her efforts seemed futile against the rising tide of animosity.

One evening, as the crew gathered for their nightly meal, Freyjar made his move. With calculated precision, he subtly turned the conversation against Orion, planting seeds of doubt and discontent among the crew. Orion arrived at the meal late with Yoohyeon. The couple was surprised to see the multitude of glares presented to them.

Caught off guard by the sudden shift in the atmosphere, Yoohyeon watched helplessly as the situation escalated. She knew she had to act quickly to prevent further conflict, but the rift between her crew and her friends seemed to widen with each passing moment.

As tensions reached a breaking point, Yoohyeon made a split-second decision. Stepping forward, she confronted Freyjar, her voice filled with determination.

"Freyjar, this ends now. We're all on the same side here, and we need to work together if we're going to survive out here in the vastness of space."

Freyjar's gaze hardened, but Yoohyeon held her ground, refusing to back down. Behind her, Orion watched with a mixture of concern and gratitude, realizing just how much Yoohyeon meant to him. Orion smiled. Orion had been doing a lot of that lately with Yoohyeon he noticed. In hopes of de-escalating the tension, he made a silent gesture for himself and Yoohyeon to leave. So they did.

Watching Orion flee swelled Freyjar with pride as the two left the cafeteria with their tails between their legs.

As the expedition came to a close the tensions reduced as well. All was quiet that was until the last day.

As they were doing the paperwork and needed documentation, to wrap up their duties for the last 8 months A blip happened.

Arriving at the spaceport a little late due to an asteroid field’s interference the group was greeted not by federation members but by Pirates The Dreadbeard Pirates to be exact. They were the most dangerous and massive pirate organization in this region of the galaxy and expanding. They were ruthless and often left no survivors. So when their ship was boarded and Captain Claw was killed there was only one person to look to as a leader.

“So who's the Captain of this ship?” Dreadbeard said as his blade left Claw’s chest. Orion stood motionless as the remaining crew pointed to him.

“Aye, a codex Keeper and a Captain that's a rare sight.”

“Well, I just got promoted. You just killed the Captain.” Orion responded

Dreadbeard laughed “Fair Fair. Hopefully, you'll be more reasonable than he was.

“No I'm worse, but I am more sporting. So here is my play. I don't want to have to clean up and do paperwork to fix this mess so we’ll vacate, and we will forget this ever happened. I'll come up with a legitimate reason as to why Captain Claw was dead because otherwise, I'll kill you and anyone who stands by you.” Orion answered

Dreadbeard smiled as he raised his sword but before he could even mount an attack he noticed a cold feeling in his chest. He looked down to see a spade connected by a psionic chain thrown from Orion. He looked up

“I feel cold,” he said as he fell to the ground. Orion turned to the rest of the pirates. As the pirates watched their captain collapse to the ground, a hushed silence fell over the ship dock. Orion's eyes bore into each of them, his expression unreadable yet filled with an unmistakable intensity.

"Now, here's how it's going to be," Orion declared, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "You have two choices: you can leave this spaceport peacefully, or you can join your captain on the ground."

The pirates exchanged nervous glances, unsure of how to respond to this unexpected turn of events. They had expected a fight, a display of dominance from their captain, but they had not anticipated the swift and decisive action that Orion had just taken.

One by one, the pirates began to lower their weapons, their bravado crumbling in the face of Orion's unwavering resolve. They knew better than to challenge a Codex Keeper, especially one who had just dispatched their fearsome captain with such ease.

"Alright, we're leaving," one of the pirates muttered, his voice tinged with defeat as he gestured for his comrades to follow suit.

Orion watched as the pirates retreated to their ship, their tails between their legs. He knew that this encounter was far from over, that the Dreadbeard Pirates would undoubtedly seek retribution for their fallen captain. But for now, he had bought the crew precious time to regroup and strategize their next move.

As the last of the pirates disappeared into the darkness of the spaceport, Orion turned to his crew, his gaze unwavering.

"Prepare for departure," he commanded his voice firm yet tinged with a hint of urgency. "We need to get out of here before they come back with reinforcements."

With a sense of purpose, the crew sprang into action, their movements swift and coordinated as they prepared to leave the spaceport behind and face whatever challenges awaited them in the vast expanse of the galaxy. As they set course for their next destination, Orion couldn't help but feel a sense of annoyance building within him, knowing that they were close to being finished only to make things exponentially messier. He groaned as they changed course to Terra.

This led to The Dreadnaught arriving back to Terra 45 minutes later. Upon arrival, everyone dispersed except for Yoohyeon and Orion who due to being captain had to do closing paperwork. After that Yoohyeon followed Orion to his post-expedition debrief where he dropped off this expedition’s codex. After that, the couple was finally free.

Othello now off duty stood next to Yoohyeon and asked “So dear what do you want to do now?”

Yoohyeon smiled, “It doesn't matter as long as you're with me we can do whatever.”

“Yoon I meant in the short term.” Yoohyeon burst into an embarrassed smile. Oh well, let's get some food then.” Othello gave a thumbs-up and followed his paramour

As they walked through the bustling streets of Terra, Yoohyeon, and Othello were enveloped in the lively atmosphere of the planet's capital. Neon signs flickered overhead, casting colorful reflections on the pavement below, while the sound of chatter and laughter filled the air.

"Hey, how about that place?" Yoohyeon suggested, pointing to a cozy-looking café nestled between two towering skyscrapers.

Othello glanced at the café and nodded in agreement. "Looks good to me," he replied with a smile.

They entered the café and found a table by the window, where they could watch the hustle and bustle of the city while enjoying their meal. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, mingling with the tantalizing scent of baked goods.

As they perused the menu, Yoohyeon couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over her. Despite the chaos and danger they often faced in their line of work, moments like these were what made it all worthwhile – simple, everyday moments spent with the person she loved.

Their conversation flowed effortlessly as they waited for their food to arrive, touching on everything from their favorite memories to their hopes and dreams for the future. As they shared laughter and stories, Yoohyeon couldn't shake the feeling that she was exactly where she was meant to be – by Othello's side, exploring the vast and wondrous galaxy together.

Yoohyeon smiled, her heart full of love for the man sitting across from her. "And I wouldn't change a single moment of it," she replied, reaching across the table to gently squeeze his hand.

As they savored their meal and each other's company, Yoohyeon couldn't help but feel grateful for the journey that had brought them together – a journey filled with adventure, danger, and, most importantly, love. And as they lingered in the café, lost in their little world, Yoohyeon knew that their story was far from over – it was only just beginning.

As they sat together in the cozy warmth of their shared quarters, Yoohyeon leaned into Othello’s embrace, feeling a sense of contentment wash over her. She cherished these quiet moments they spent together, wrapped up in each other’s arms, sharing stories and memories.

“And that’s it, the story of how we first met,” Othello recounted, closing his journal with a satisfied smile. Yoohyeon couldn’t help but smile in return, her heart swelling with affection for the man beside her. She still hadn’t tired of the way he told stories, especially ones as significant as their own.

Sitting up beside Othello, Yoohyeon flashed him a toothy grin, which he mirrored with a happy smile of his own.

“Two years and still going strong. Impressive,” she remarked, her voice filled with warmth.

“Yeah, it’s been a crazy ride. We’ve outlasted Jiu and Frey, which was a surprise to me since we fight way more than those two ever did,” Othello corroborated, a hint of amusement in his tone.

Yoohyeon chuckled, her gaze softening as she looked at Othello. Despite the ups and downs they had faced, their relationship had only grown stronger over time. And as they sat together, basking in the glow of their shared love, Yoohyeon knew that there was nowhere else she’d rather be than by Othello’s side.

Yoohyeon laughed, “Well when fight we arrive at some resolutions instead of letting resentment build, and our makeup sex is better” she stated bluntly taking a page from Othello’s book

“Fair.” Othello acquiesced

Yoohyeon smiled as she began stroking him again. Othello smiled before getting up and lining himself with Yoohyeon. He plunges into her familiar and comforting cavern.

“Oh yes,” Yoohyeon mewls as he plunges into her. As Yoohyeon's playful touches grew more intense, Othello found himself lost in the moment, the warmth of her affection enveloping him like a comforting embrace. But as her hands grazed his skin, he felt a sudden tension in the air, a subtle shift that brought his senses back to the present.

With a gentle touch, Yoohyeon's fingers brushed against the bandages that concealed Othello's hidden secret. In an instant, the fabric gave way, revealing the intricate black lines of magic etched across his skin. The air crackled with energy as Yoohyeon's eyes widened in surprise, her gaze drawn to the mesmerizing patterns that danced across Othello's flesh.

"Othello, what... what is this?" Yoohyeon's voice trembled with a mixture of dwindling lust, awe, and apprehension, her fingers tracing the contours of the arcane markings with hesitant curiosity.

[serial-unaliver]

like in actual honest weight loss communities do you know what the "health" focus is on? how to feel full the longest so you eat less calories, and how to have enough energy to work out and burn calories. the reason so many people fail to stick to weight loss diets is you don't feel too good on them because they're meant to put you in some sort of deficit. it's also why people abuse prescription drugs for weight loss--those specific drugs have a side effect that can suppress your appetite which makes restriction easier.

and lmfao every time I make posts on this topic I get at least one person saying i'm just jealous, well actually i've been in both 'severe overweight' and 'severe underweight' categories and lost 60+lbs on a calorie deficit so I am probably going to have more to say on the topic than someone who's only been skinny and not engaged with such things. not that anyone should need any sort of extreme weight loss and gain lore to state basic facts about weight loss but it's been so moralized people are approaching the topic with the assumption anything other than weight loss as bad. you will be surprised there's a lot of people who have diets aimed at *gaining* weight, even for the same reasons someone could want to lose weight, like physical appearance.

[arcan3-reliquary]

VERITAS RATIO HEADCANONS (because we need more content of him that's him-centric)

And because you guys asked. Most of these headcanons are purely based on my readings of him or have 0 basis in canon, so if you don’t like them, feel free to scroll past them!!

fighting the war on autism on the side of autism. As a neurodivergent he's very nd coded to me, especially with the fact that he's a very caring person but terrible with emotions and words. He's losing the idgaf war so badly like there's no way a neurotypical person has a temper that short over the most (seemingly) inane shit

Kind of pasty. not just like porcelain skin, like clay-sickly-victorian-boy type palor. He tries to go outside more often, but by the nature of his job he's rather sedentary and inside alooot. He's perfectly healthy, he just looks like that. Same complexion as Freminet in my head, with fewer freckles and a tooth gap he likes to deny he has.

Wears the alabaster headpiece not just to deal with idiots, but to self regulate out in public. It blocks out smells, and dampens sound and light enough for him to tolerate some of the veeery overstimulating environments he visits.

For a man that values creativity explicitly, not enough people seem to believe he’d have an interest in the arts. So I think he's into sculpting. A chisel and hammer are very comforting weights in his hand, and while he doesn't particularly care for pottery or wet clay, he gets why it's so well liked. He uses himself as reference mostly because he's most familiar with his own body and asking others can be awkward or seen as weird.

The dude has extremely obscure taste in sci-fi novels. Like he will yap on and on about why he can't stand most sci-fi and recommend the most odd shit out there if asked.

Not really a hc, but he has very brittle self-esteem. It simply comes with the territory of being labeled “gifted” or “a child genius.” For years, a lot of his perceived worth came from the quality of his work or academic validation, and now his big reason for staying in academics isn't the knowledge itself, but rather the joy of teaching and sharing the things he knows.

Somehow both touch starved and touch averse. Contact must be initiated by him on his terms, or a shutdown will happen. But when someone he trusts does this, it's the funniest thing because he thinks he's being so subtle about his enjoyment of it. (Aven played w his hair once and Veritas passed tf out like that and Aven couldn't move for an hour.)

Chronic over-explainer. Either he misreads someone's tone and thinks they need the detail, or past conflict was caused by him thinking he didn't explain enough (it was usually just people being purposefully obtuse or daft.)

Unsurprisingly terrible to deal with when sick. Non-verbal, sits under a mountain of weighted blankets, and only communicates via the notes app on his phone or having Aventurine help him.

Ratio is terribly farsighted - just genetics. Lasic surgery fixed most of it, but he still needs reading glasses and contacts.

Intimacy issues alert. Vulnerability is scary and being put on a pedestal your whole life tends to make letting down pretenses a lil nauseating. Mortifying ordeal of being known and all that.

Girl Anachronism by the Dresden Dolls makes me think of him. I can't explain it. I think it's a combo of him being hella self aware of his issues but also just kinda treating them like something of a character flaw or moral failing rather than something he can ask for help with. Just a thought

AND THATS ITS IVE YAPPED ENOUGH ABOUT RATIO. The Aveenturine and Golden Ratio posts will come soon but for now have these. He makes me insane.

[featherymainffins]

It's also a problem that's deeply embarrassing for me because I feel like it puts a lot of pressure on other people because the only methods I've found to somewhat work were basically just asking someone if I was allowed to eat or repeatedly asking if they found me disgusting.

And that's like fucked up to need from someone. It was tolerated by my family presumably because I am their child and for some reason they didn't find any part of that weird or concerning. But it's not something other people would be willing to do for me I'm pretty sure.

*Trigger warning for eating disorder talk*

I hate how whenever I eat anything my brain is like "You should kill yourself. Now." Like what's your fucking problem

[quirkwizard]

Final Chapter: A Look at the Ending of MHA

With the manga of My Hero Academia finally coming to a close, I thought I'd give my opinions about how the series ended. I will be covering everything from Chapter 424 to Chapter 430. This is going to mix my thoughts on the ending, a proposed rewrite, and a lot of responses to people's criticism towards it. Because I'm going to be real with you all: the past two months have been the most frustrating and exhausting experience I've had with this fan base. 

I have been writing this since the finale ended. In that time, I've been listening and taking in all the discourse of fans in order to make a more informed opinion. It's been miserable trying to read through all the thoughts people had about the finale. The sheer amount of opinions that were based off misinformation or misreadings of the series has been staggering. So, if I sound more exhausted or if the writing comes across as more scattershot then when I normally do something like that, that's the reason. And, as always, if you have anything you want to discuss, whether it be about the post or the ending, feel free to ask about it.

Review

Miscellaneous Notes:

So there are some bits of the story I wanted to talk about, but didn't feel the need to include full on diatribes about.

-Oh hey, Koichi from Vigilantes is here, that's so- and he's gone.

-Even when Izuku is his peer, Aizawa still finds time to be a jerk to his students.

-Mirio is the number one hero. Makes sense, but it does feel out of nowhere with how little Mirio has been relevant up until now.

-How on Earth is Miriko still working, let alone as a hero? She's down three limbs and in arguably worse shape then Enji.

-Man, they are really taking Kai to task these past few arcs, aren't they? I mean, I get why, but jeez. It's honestly sad to see what's been done with his character.

-I like how All Might's light returned to his eyes. It's a good way to show him getting his spirit back after all this time and reigniting hope in himself..

-So if Eri's horn is back, does that mean her power is back? Kind of wish we had something saying about why she isn't healing people. I get if it's her choice or the recipients choice not to do so, but there needs to be something for that.

Hospital Visit

This works as little cool down from the big battle, especially since we really needed to see some of the immediate consequences on the main characters. I actually like a lot of the stuff with Bakugou. After all this, he finally understands Izuku, shown by them getting similar injuries, and lets himself be emotionally vulnerable about wanting the two to be rivals. And we finally got some thoughts on part of Izuku here, like his regret about seemingly failing to save Tomura and how he doesn't feel hurt about losing out on "One For All". How he's glad that he even got this chance in the first place. I do feel the need to mention All Might saying that Izuku saved the "soul" of Tomura. I think a lot of people missed or ignored that line. It's important to Tomura's death, but I'll get more into that later.

Speaking of consequences, I don't mind Izuku losing out on "One For All". In the grander scheme of things, "One For All" doesn't need to be a thing anymore. With "All For One" gone, it no longer has a purpose to exist. And as we've all seen with All Might, someone holding that much power over he world is a problem, regardless of whether it's used for good or evil. Having it gone helps even the playing field and will push for the idea that people should rely on themselves and each other instead of focusing all on a single symbol. What's more, I think Izuku having to sacrifice it and lose it gives the ending a lot more weight. Because Izuku sacrificed the thing that made him a hero in order to stop Shigaraki. To me, that's one of the most defining aspects of a hero: the willingness to sacrifice something important to themselves to help others.

UA Stuff

All of the things happening at UA are fine.  I do like that Aoyama chose to leave 1-A of his own volition instead of being forced out. Plus, now Shinso is in the Hero Course. Good for him. I've never been all that invested in Shino's story, but this is a good way to get him into Class 1-A without making an exception or replacing any of the core cast members. I liked Mirio's graduation speech. I think it works with his arc of trying to inspire other people and trying to honor Sir Nighteye's memory. And they got to have their own little party. That's nice.

Honestly, I find myself having very little to say about all of this, at least the parts within the school itself. I'm all for a calm after the storm to talk about what happened and to build up characters. I'm honestly glad we're back at the school to help ground things after that massive battle. But I think there may have been too much time spent on this. It just feels a little longer than what's needed. Like the bits with the cotton girl feel like they weren't needed for the story and could have been better used setting up or wrapping up something else.

Todoroki Family Prison Visit

The Todoroki family drama has always been one of the stronger plotlines, especially in the latter half of the series. And I believe that it ended on a pretty strong note. It's to the point where I struggle to really say much about the resolution of it.  I do like how Shoto asks for something as basic as his favorite food. I also like how Dabi let go of his hatred towards Shoto, who was as much of a victim as he was in all of this, but still held on to it for Endeavor. Because in spite of what a lot of fans seem to think, the manga does take Enji to task and isn't saying he should be forgiven.

Dabi being in this condition is pretty awful, but I concede that it was necessary for him to have a resolution with the other Todorokis. I'll get to my thoughts on the condition of the villains later in the post. So for now I'll just say the metal coffin looks equal parts cool and horrific. I think it's too long at least in the wrong places. I understand that this is an important part of the story. But when it takes up so much of the chapter it's in, I feel like at least something should have been given to the other family members. They aren't the main players of the subplot, but they still could have used some resolution.

Afterburn

Now, there are those who say Enji got off too easy. Uh, no, he didn't. The man lost everything he strived for in the number one position, something that turned out to be totally hollow, and is left severely injured after the battle, due in large part to Dabi. Now the only thing that would bring his life purpose, his family, is all torn apart by his own actions. Now he's resigned himself to seeing his dying son, who hates him with every burnt fiber of his being, every day until Dabi dies. Enji's punishment is to live on, knowing what he did and failing to ever put his family back together. That's not a happy ending, that's a sentencing.

Which is something I do find frustrating about the end of their arc. While we get solid conclusions with Natsuo and Dabi, how Shoto, Fuyumi, and especially Rei feel about all this and their relationship with Enji is ambiguous at best. At least with Shoto and Fuymui, we had some idea of where they stood with their father before now, but Rei is still not clear. I'm not sure about the implications with Rei and whether she's still with Enji. I choose to think that she isn't just trying to help him out in the few panels we see them together, but it's not exactly clear. Which certainly does leave the door open for some... less than favorable interpretations.

Commissioner Hawks

I'm not sure how to feel about Keigo's conclusion. On the one hand, I don't mind where he ended up as the head of the Hero Commission. It's still a way for him to help heroes to make their lives easier without getting involved as a hero. And if there is anyone that can clean up the Hero Commission, it's the guy that's worked under them his entire life. On the other hand though, it does kind of feel like he did got off scott free for a lot of the stuff he did while under the Hero Commission, namely killing Twice. It never feels like Hawks personally was taken to task for his part in all of this. So now we have a murderer as the head of the Hero Commission. 

It doesn't matter if he was under orders to do it or not, nor if there were extreme circumstances that pushed him to such actions. The pragmatic side of me does see the reasoning of that, but the story enforces that what Hawks did is a bad thing and does so constantly. Nothing about the manga takes Hawks to task for what he did or makes it feel like he's been punished for that. He may have lost his Quirk, but we don't really know how he feels about that. Which is weird considering how much of his life came from having that Quirk. Unless his comment about not being ashamed of his "filthy wings" as long as he got to help Tokoyami? Maybe it will make more sense on another read.

Spinner and Izuku

I feel like this scene is pretty underrated. Heck, it may even cemented Spinner as one of my favorite villains. To me, it really goes to show the tragedy at the core of Spinner's character. That, for all of his desire to change things or help out his friends, he was too weak to see any change made for himself. So he attached himself to idols like Stain or Tomura. He was always manipulated or pulled by something else. Whether it be the radicalization of Stain or the machinations of All For One, his hopes were used against him, his mindless actions given meaning by peons. All it did was lose him everything. He was, ultimately, a kid who was in over his head and was turned into a monster because of it. The monster everyone saw him as.

And while I've heard some people complain about Tomura only having a message for Spinner, I think that's more about the relationship Tomura had with the rest of the League. They were aligned together for a mutual goal and had some care for one another, but I don't think they ever understood or were close to one another. Spinner is the only one Tomura had any kind of real closeness. That's the whole point of the gamer line, as silly as it was. So, while to the rest of the League, he was Shigaraki, the force of destruction and change, to Spinner, he was Tomura, a friend who he wanted to fight for. My only issue, again, is some unfortunate openness with the ending. Spinner writing a book to spite the heroes is fine, but it leaves this unfortunate implication that this book will be used to radicalize more people. I don't think that is the intention, but again, it's not very clear.

Everyone Do Your Share

I was originally frustrated by how much of the final chapters spent on the cleaning up of things, especially since there were so few chapters left. However, looking back, I do feel it's pretty important to reinforce the idea of everyone trying to help in their own way, no matter how big or small it may be. And in doing so, show the changes on every level possible. It's there to show how things are changing by how people act and see heroes. We've got the civilians doing their part to help the heroes, and we've got the next generation changing their perspective on heroism. All thanks to Class 1-A and their efforts. It's just a nice and efficient way to show things changing from a broader perspective.

Which leads me to the stitch mouth kid. I saw people begging that this kid would be the new Tomura and show that society is still bad and broken. As if something like that wouldn't undermine the entire point of the ending. The whole point is that anyone can be a hero in any way, as long as you are willing to reach out and help others. And people who see a problem can and should do something to help people. They should help when they have the chance before it is too late. So having the old woman reach out to help another lost child is a nice way to tie up that point. And the whole point of all this is that the heroes, especially Izuku, don't need to do everything themselves. 

The More Things Change

Many people were upset of the idea of aspects like hero rankings and the Hero Commission not being abolished by the time the series ended. I disagree. I never thought that the rankings themselves were bad or wrong, nor did I think the story ever shows that the rankings are bad. That only seemed to be an issue with Enji and that had a lot of personal issues behind it. Every other hero seemed to be perfectly content to do hero work regardless of the rankings. Now, the Hero Commission, I can understand more. It's shown to be morally gray with its power. However, I don't think the existence of this kind of system is inherently wrong. Having oversight to heroes isn't a bad idea. It's just that the usage of it use to a lot of problems. And most of those people that propagated it are dead and gone.

Further still, there are people that say nothing has changed in the setting. That, since these systems are still in place, it's always going to be like this. Again, I disagree. Because of the massive devastation wrought by Tomura, it gave Japan a fresh start with the current generation. This gives the country the chance to overhaul those systems, even if they are still around. At the end of the day, systems are made up of and by people. The story makes it clear many times how important it is to win the crowd over. And if you win the hearts and minds of the people, it could go on to propagate massive change to the system. If enough people want to change and push for it, things will change. Saying that "things didn't change because systems can't be changed" is such a horrifically pessimistic take on the ending.

The Death of Villains

I've mentioned it before, and I'll say it again: I don't mind Toga dying. By extension, I don't mind the villains dying either. While it may seem tragic and pointless for her to die, I do think that is kind of that point. And no, I don't think this means that she "couldn't be saved". I think it's more of a tragedy. She was the one that people could have been saved before, but it was far too late to help her given how far she had gone. And her dying isn't a failing of that. Because Toga's ultimate goal was to live and die on her own terms. Specifically, being able to express herself and her "love". And to a lesser degree, to have someone try to understand her. I think her dying to save Uraraka is a good end to her character. By extension, that's how I feel about a lot of the villains' deaths in this. They got what they wanted, tragically died in order to see it through to the end. At least there's some peace for them, in that respect.

There's also a matter of "saving". I think a lot of fans took this too literally. To me, "saving" was more about reaching out and trying to understand villains rather than simply fighting them. "Saving" was never going to be the same as "redeeming". Because let's be real, there is no redeeming these people. Not because they can't be redeemed, it's because they don't want to be redeemed, and I think it'd betray their characters to do so. They are unapologetically bad and have hurt a lot of people. Every member of the League is complicit in the deaths of thousands and throwing an entire country into chaos. They aren't wrong for fighting the system, they're wrong for killing countless people to do so. And I have to ask what the other options are? You either have them be forgiven and turn good, which would be insane given the crimes they committed and their characters, or have them locked up forever, which is a fate worse than death. At least in death they can have some form of peace by escaping the consequences of their actions and all the suffering they went through.

Izuku x Uraraka:

Yeah, I'm kind of confused about why it turned out like this. I'm ignoring all the shipping concerns that come from it. I'm more focused on the story and characters. The whole idea of Uraraka and Toga's shared story was about understanding your feelings, both towards yourself and other people. Especially how bad it is to repress and hide your feelings. The whole catalyst of Toga's story was her being forced to repress herself. So having this whole subplot end like this is really odd if Uraraka doesn't express her feelings. That's not mentioning all the hints, setups, and teasing that pushed these two as a potential couple that fell through by not having any conclusion. I honestly wonder why Hori, or his editors, decided to back down like this. 

Which, hey, now may not be the best time for a confession, but it's still jarring not to see anything come of it after all this time. Especially since so much of the chapter is about the two talking about their feelings. So why is it written like this? Now, I want to dismiss the popular concept that Hori changed this because of death threats between the two. While it's not something I'd put past obsessive fans, there hasn't been anything to substantiate the claim. So, barring rogue translators, my only guess is that Hori or an editor didn't want to do the reveal now and wanted to focus more on the important parts of the two's connection about inspiring one another. I can understand that, but it feels like a part of their dynamic is missing without any real acknowledgment of the two's feelings.

Izuku and Uraraka:

And I say all that to preface that I do like a lot of this scene and I do think it's important to each of the characters. Because Ochako is being open with her feelings here. It's just not the feelings that were being set up all the way in the first chapter. It's the two trying to connect and come to terms with their own failings with their villains. Only to have Izuku reach out his hand, reaffirming that sometimes all people need is a small act of kindness. Though it's hard to always do that, he's willing to do it because he's just that good of a guy. And having Izuku say that Uraraka is his hero is more heartfelt and important to these characters and the story at large then any confession could have been. 

And then we have the rest of Class 1-A coming to help as well. It works as a good parallel to Uraraka saving Izuku back during the Dark Hero Arc. It fits with the idea of heroes saving and helping one another. My only major issue is that I kind of wish we had gotten a little more with Izuku talking about his own feelings regarding Tomura, but we already got that back in Chapter 424. All and All: am I still disappointed that Izuku and Uraraka didn't have any romantic resolution? Kind of. It's less that I wanted them to get together and more I wanted some kind of resolution for it. But I still think what we got is good and that people are focusing way too much on what isn't there than what is there. Which I feel like is a problem with a lot of the ending, but we'll get to that.

Class 1-A Futures:

I do wish we got to see more of the future of Class 1-A, even if they were brief snippets. There are glimpses of Shoto and Bakugou. Bakguou's is alright, and I do like the final bit about no one connecting Shoto and Endeavor. I think that's a good ending for him. The most we get with any kind of detail are Shoji's and Urarak's groups. And I guess Shoji had a good future? Look, the Heteromorph plotline is arguably one of the worst parts of the whole manga. It may even be worse than the Stars and Stripes arc. So I can't exactly muster a lot of enthusiasm seeing it resolved by Shoji in the end. I suppose him thanking the people at the riot was nice? That whole part of the story honestly deserves its own post talking about it.

On the flip side, I'm fine with Uraraka's ending. Because I think people tend to conflate a lot of what makes up "Quirk Counseling", mostly thanks to people like Curious and Toga. One is part of a cult that wants to destroy society and the other most grievously targeted by it. From what we've actually seen of it, such as Tamaki's flashback, it just seems to be a lot of training and understanding your Quirk. Toga was just an unfortunate case where the system as it was couldn't help her and could only try and fit her into a niche. So I don't think expanding it is that big of a problem. Plus, expanding could include more extensive counseling that is more tailored to each child. I do think it's kind of odd that Iida and Momo seem to be stapled on to this ending, though. I'm not sure how this works as an end for either of them. I guess their roles as leaders of the class?

Great Teacher Izuku

Look, I don't mind Izuku having this job. Do I think there could have been other choices for this? Yes, but this is by no means bad. Being a teacher is a lot more respectable in Eastern cultures. Especially since he's teaching at the best hero school in the country, if not the world, it is certainly a high-profile job. And he is still being a hero in his own way and helping out the next generation as a teacher. More importantly, I still think that Izuku achieved his dream of being the greatest hero. The man brought down the greatest villain in human history and was one of the two people responsible for causing a massive shift in the way the world of heroes works. He is truly the world's greatest hero. There is no debating that. This is like some kid wanting to go to space to be the greatest astronaut. They not only go to space, they're the first person on Mars. They also stop the martins from invading Earth, killing the king of the martins, and save humanity. Now injured, they instead teach other cadets how to be astronauts. Would they not have success in their goal of being the greatest astronaut? I don't think anyone could match up with that.

However, my issue is with everything surrounding it. There isn't any set up for him becoming a teacher. It gives us the sense that this was the back-up option for when his real dreams feel through. Especially since Izuku gave everything he could to try and be a hero, and it doesn't happen until the very end of this manga. Which doesn't seem like the intention, since Izuku seems happy enough, but I heard a lot of people saying that. It's lacking in that catharsis and satisfaction that you'd expect from an ending. But you can have an ending that's not exactly happy and still be cathartic, and I think that still applies here. And another problem I have is that he's teaching at UA. Yes, he's helping out the next generation of heroes, but he's not helping out the people that need it most. The kind of people who don't make it into UA. The kind of people like Tomura, Spinner, and Twice. Those are the kind of people that should be getting help like this. Why not put him in a position with a much greater ability to help people? Finally, wasn't the whole point of All Might's arc? That there are other ways to be heroes and life outside of hero work? Why not have that aspect of the story be resolve with him instead of Izuku? He was already going down that route to begin with. Why repeat the same idea?

Walk and Talk

Again, I'm going to have to counter a major talking point I've seen in the fanbase. No, Izuku is not unhappy in his job. He seems to enjoy it and is in fact very good at it, as seen when talking to his students and the plate kid, Dai. He's only unhappy in one panel, in which he's being talked down to by Aizawa. No, Izuku is not forgotten by the world. He's mentioned in the same breath as some of the greatest heroes in the series, has his own statue with the rest of Class 1-A, and is so famous that people know his real name and is of such mythical status that people question if he is real. No, Izuku's friends did not abandon him. The most that Izuku says about that is that it's difficult for all twenty members to get together. He's still probably seeing them in smaller numbers. And I can tell you as someone who has had trouble even getting a quarter of that number of people into a single time slot, it's going to be difficult to get twenty people with separate schedules and lives together.

As for everything with Dai, it's fine. His perspective is pretty important as we get to see the changing worldview. With the demystification of heroes and the elevation of other roles in helping others, young people are now all getting into different fields. The talk around the statue is pretty good as well. Having Izuku effectively talk to a younger version of himself is a good way to close out his arc and all the insecurities he's had over the manga. However, part of me feels like this kind of talk should be done with the stitch-mouth kid. We do actually see him as a part of UA students with Kota. I think having Izuku end up talking to him about his Quirk could have been a good way to end his arc by having him be able to help someone similar. Not to say that the Dai stuff was bad or pointless. It just feels odd to include the guy that's supposed to be the metaphorical spirit of Tomura, put him in Izuku's class, and have them not interact.

The Suit

Again, this is another point where I don't have a major issue with it. At least, I don't have an issue getting the suit itself. I have some issues with the semantics. Did it take too long to build? I wouldn't say that. It was revealed in a piece by Horikoshi that it took all of All Might's vast resources to build, and it lacked a lot of the proper safety features. Having it take some time before it's battle ready for Izuku makes sense. However, that isn't in the manga, at least as far as I can tell. Maybe this makes more sense in the volumes, where stuff like this is included all the time. For real though, these people built this in secret for eight years, and they are just now letting him find out. Was there really no explanation you could have added to make that make more sense?

It creates this odd juxtaposition of endings as well. It gives the feeling of the story wanting to have its cake and eat it as well. Someone wanted Izuku come to terms with being Quirkless and to have a life outside of hero work. The other person wanted Izuku to still fight and be a hero. I also wonder why not just have be both at the same time instead of doing this twist. Make it clear that heroes have a lot more time, both thanks to Hawks and the contributions of the many heroes in the world all working together. Izuku doesn't need to be a full-time hero to save people and chooses to be a teacher to help people in a way that only he can do. That way, he can still be a hero that isn't necessarily the profession while being a professional hero without a Quirk.

Final Thoughts

Now, what are my final options for all of this? I think that ending was pretty solid, leaning good. I do agree that it's better than what is on offer than a lot of shōnen series and a good enough ending for the story. I'm not saying it's amazing or perfect. Though I do find myself more satisfied than frustrated. I get a lot of what the story is going for, and it makes sense. It just needed some refinement to really work. As for what everyone else has said about it, I honestly think that a lot of people are overreacting. I wouldn't go as far as to say people are "lacking media literacy" or that they are "reading in bad faith" like others have on either side of the debate. I just think this as a case where the context and delivery of it resulted in a lot of confusion. And more often than not, people will tend to go with the worst version of the implications. This is not helped by the leaks and bad translations which fans ran away with, as well the built-up hype and headcanons, which poisoned the well for a lot of people.

However, I cannot deny that there is part of the fanbase that is simply not getting the manga. I don't want to use the word "tourist", because that's a No True Scotsman fallacy, but it's starting to feel applicable here. The people who simply aren't reading the manga, whether it be through engaging with it solely through other people talking about it, or trying to look at it anything beyond the most kneejerk and surface level reactions. Because a lot of people tend to conflate what My Hero Academia is about or what its story is conveying. And unfortunately, those are the people with massive followings. Anyone with a differing opinion is drowned out in the sea of angry comments. And I think we really need to get away from that. What I'm saying is that you read the story as it is. Focus on what is happening and what it is trying to say. Don't force a meaning or headcanon on something that wasn't there and don't rely on word of mouth for what the manga is about. Just focus on what the story is trying to say.

My only hope is that this will pass, and calmer heads will win out. That once it's stepped outside the zeitgeist, people will be able to analyze it as a whole. If not, then I'm terrified to think that this will become My Hero Academia's legacy: a bunch of stupid jokes made by people who can't bother to read the official version of the story or try to understand a culture outside their own even when it plays a vital role within the story. If not, then I can hope that maybe something else will come to replace it. Because I'm not sure if this is truly the end. I've heard rumors that there's going to be something akin to Naruto: The Last or the Naruto Wedding Special coming out after the anime ends. If not that, who knows who other kinds of side material will come out to follow up on the world or characters. Which would make sense. The ending doesn't feel like an ending as much as it does "And the adventure continues." Which could be why I'm not as affected by this ending as other people.

There's certainly the cultural side and how that surrounds the manga. I'll always stand by the fact that this manga is a Japanese story by a Japanese author for a Japanese audience. And there's a lot of cultural context that goes into the series. I keep thinking about how a lot of Japanese fans seemed to like the ending and how much I wished I had the context to understand it. Another part of it is how much I'm thinking about Hori. Because for all the popularity of it, being a mangaka is one of the most stressful jobs in Japan. One where the artist has much less say over how their story goes. I'm so curious about what went on behind the scenes to make My Hero Academia turn out the way it is. Was all this Hori fumbling his own story, whether that be through incompetence or failing health, or were there outside forces pressing on him to do things a certain way? It's like how people became more forgiving of Kubo or Toriyama once they found out how hamstrung they were by their higher ups. I suppose only time will tell.

Rewrite

Now, time for the Rewrite portion. As a reminder, I do try to keep to what the manga does as close as possible. For example, I personally would just let Izuku keep some version of "One For All" if the ultimate conclusion was him still being a hero. However, it's obvious that Hori didn't want to go that route with it, so I'll be sticking to him getting with the suit.

Starting things off, we'll be in the hospital with Izuku and All Might recovering. We're told about "One For All" leaving him, and we'll get some reaction from Izuku about it. He will be sad but resolved. He may not have "One For All", but he's still alive. He's got the skill and will to help people without it. And he still wants to do that, even in his own way, because he still has value without "One For All". This could help soften the blow of Izuku losing out on "One For All". That and it's at least something to try to tie up Izuku's self worth issues. This will also be something confirmed by Inko, putting a nice little bow on all this with her being more properly encouraging of Izuku as opposed to how things were in Chapter 1.

Then we're going to reveal how many people want to talk to Izuku. Reporters are going to be hounding Izuku for his story, considering how he was key in stopping Tomura. Which he obviously can't do right now due to his condition. After some time, he will eventually recover enough to give a press conference. This will also be where we get the varying opinions on Tomura, having a panel overwhelming Izuku with questions and thoughts. Izuku is now going to use his newly found position to try and change things for the better. He's going to emphasize the importance of the role of the other heroes and not have it all focus on him. He's going to use it as a platform to talk about who Tomura was and why he did what he did.

It's going to be something emotional and vulnerable, something propping up Izuku as a person rather than the hero Deku, working to prevent another situation like All Might where everyone keeps putting them on pedestals. This way, we have both the validation of Izuku saving everyone and wanting to bring about change on the societal level. It shows him being a hero in the traditional way with the defeat of All For One, now he's being a hero in the non-traditional way. This will be cutting into some of the time we have at UA, but to me, I don't think a lot of what's in that part is ultimately necessary to what the story is trying to say.

For the sake of this, Hawks will still be working as the head of the Hero Commission. He'll talk about how he feels free now that his Quirk is gone and everything that came with it, more so than ever before. However, he still wants to make life easier for heroes so that they can feel this kind of freedom. He initially didn't want the position, but felt the need to take it on after everything that's happened and make things right, implying the guilt he feels over his actions. Plus, it has some nice irony of Hawks still being trapped within the Hero Commissions. So him taking the role is more of his own penance and a punishment.

So while Izuku is fighting on the public front, changing the hearts of the masses to enact change, Hawks will be fighting on the political and systematic front, using the devastation of the country as a fresh start. He'll encourage groups of heroes to work together rather than focusing on the individual. He'll push for a greater level of training or vetting when it comes to people who can get a license for hero work. Most importantly, a greater level of accountability and transparency in both heroes and the Hero Commission as a whole.

Lady Nagant will remain in jail, but it's more for reasons of atonement rather than wanting to wait and see how things play out. Hawks will try to offer her some deal or reduction as a way to make things right, but she feels like it's the right thing to do rather than trying to pretend it never happened. This will also be the part where we explore some of the points with Hawks we talked about earlier. Lady Nagant can even question if the Hero Commission is needed, but Hawks can talk about all the reforms he wants to do with it.

For Chapter 426, we're shortening the Todoroki family time, and it will only take up half of the chapter. I will have some confirmation on whether or not Rei was able to move on from what Enji did and do more to cement how Enji is alone now. He may be resolved to change and make things right, but he is not getting his family back. That ship has sailed. Instead, we'll be sticking to everything involving Hawks and Toshinori in the latter half of this, with him talking to Lady Nagant and him discussing his plans for changing the ranking systems in general. I think it'd flow a lot better, works with tying up another character so closely tied to the Todorokis, and gives us more time for other stuff.

However, we're keeping 427 mostly intact. I think Spinner's material is good, and everything that got brought up needed to be mentioned one way or another. The most I'd do is cut down on the ending gag, since it frustrates me so much, and some of the interviews since we may not need them as much with how I'll be changing things in those sections. I am removing the Kai part of the chapter as well. I like Kai, but this honestly feels pointless in the grand scheme of things.

The biggest change will be that I'll include a bit where, instead of Izuku saying to make it a comic book, he'll remind Spinner to think about what would happen if someone like Spinner read it. About how important a book like that could be and how it should be written, but also how it could hurt someone who reads it. Spinner will remain silent in response, thinking back on how he saw Stain and how he was puppeteered around by the likes of One For All and the PLF during the Final War.

I think you could do a nice parallel between Izuku and Spinner here. They were two young men who were ultimately racialized and hurt by their idols and their lack of self-worth. Again, it's showing Izuku thinking about himself more with what has happened to him and tying that to Spinner's own situation. Plus, it prevents something like Spinner's book from having the unfortunate implication of turning out to something like the MLA book.

We're cutting Chapters 428 and 429 in half and stitching them together. Specifically, all the stuff with the new Class 1-A and the Old Class 1-A will be removed. I just feel like we don't need to focus on this as much as other parts of the world or story. Preferably, I would want them to get together. With the Bakugou and Shoto being seen bit, we're throwing in Izuku as well. There needs to be some confirmation that people did in fact see him as a hero as well and confirm that the three are in fact the new Big Three of UA. I'm not asking this to be the norm of it like they do in Naruto. I just feel like there should be some external validation.

The fight between Toga and Uraraka will be around and released to the public. Her death will be seen as something tragic to the world and help spark the change we see later on with people empathizing with villains like her. This could also lead to Izuku seeing it and being the impetus for Izuku and Ochako talking about their feelings. Yes, this chapter will include a confession for Ochako to Izuku. It won't be during a breakdown, but it needs to be put in somewhere and might as well be here. I'll even settle for an implication. Up to you on whether or not you think this should solidify them as a couple, but I feel like you have to include that in order to complete all of the set-up in the series and especially with Toga.

The new Chapter 429 will instead be a two-year time jump into the future before everyone is graduating. We can still start it off with some of the "where are they now" bits, but not have it take up too much time. With the final embers of "One For All" starting to fade out, Izuku knows this is the end of him as a proper hero, but it doesn't matter to him. He got to be the greatest hero in history who literally saved the world. He doesn't define himself by having a Quirk or not and knows that he can still help people without a costume on. Izuku plans on either going into counseling, charity work, or even trying to get a job at the Hero Commission. Up to you on this one. He still wants to help and stop the various hurting people of the world from ever becoming like anyone from the League ever again. Make it clear this is something Izuku wants.

This is when Toshinori gives him his graduation gift: the suit. Between Toshinori's remaining resources, gifts and gratitude from the various people across the world, and contributions from members of 1-A, they were able to build him the suit. Toshinori kept it from Izuku because it wasn't ready until a few days ago, needing to be properly prepared and built as opposed to the rush job that was the dangerous prototype he used. Izuku, of course, has notes and ideas for improvements on the suit. Toshinori reaffirms that Izuku earned this, and he will still be a worthy hero and successor, Quirkless or otherwise. The chapter ends with Class 1-A and 1-B graduating. I know that two years seems short, but I think that the timespan is enough of a time gap to get the suit together, at least with how I am setting it up, and to have the embers of "One For All" fade. 

The alternative route is that, knowing that the embers are running out, Izuku still wants to be a hero. So he's spent the last two years trying to prepare himself for that, putting as much time into training and learning how to use equipment made for him. He doesn't care if he isn't going to be the top hero. He's going to do what he's already been doing: helping people, because that's all he really wanted out of life. That this whole experience changed how he saw himself and hero work. You could even say that it's the prototype for him, eventually becoming the suit. Maybe even combine them both, with the former being a backup plan after hero work. And while I have never been the biggest fan of the whole "Quirkless Hero" concept with how little it's supported in the world, I think we can let it slide because it's the finale. But I wanted to mention it because I thought it'd be an interesting path for the story to take.

Then the real chapter 430 will cut to the future, roughly five to six years. I could take or leave Izuku being a teacher, but for the sake of this, let's say that he is one. Heroes have more time off, so he decides to help educate people. We'll get a similar series of panels that will focus more on the world with how it is now, mainly in relation to Class 1-A. This will show a lot more of how the 1-A kids have grown and the affects they have on the world, like Uraraka actually interacting and helping a kid like Toga come to terms with their power to show how Quirk Counseling has become a tool to help people. I think we really need more scenes like that to really show that things have grown and changed with the world. Izuku's suit will have changed as well, commenting on how much he's been involved with the modeling and planning throughout his most current iteration.

Toshinori will be living his life and still teaching at UA. He talks about how all the kids want to be like Izuku, especially with Kota, and that they never stop talking about him. He jokes to himself about how he feels like he's been forgotten. Cut back to Izuku's old school with the kid in the back. Events will happen similarly to what they did in Chapter 430, with Izuku meeting a kid similar to himself at All Might's statue. There will be the usual stuff he said, trying to encourage the kid, making comparisons to himself, maybe even showing the photos All Might took of him when he was training. He gets a call about an incident and needs to leave. He tells the kid to never forget about the hero he can be and to never stop striving to be that hero. The final words of the series are the ever-iconic "Plus Ultra".  This is beyond cheesy, but if we're going to end the series, we might as well end it with some cheese.

[valyrfia]

Why do so many F1 fans hate on Charles Leclerc? I, myself, am an "old time" so to say fan of the sport and while I appreciate the generations past, there is no denying his astounding talent and connection to the car. And yet when I started to get back into watching recently, I have seen nothing but distasteful jabs at his ability and his fans, along the lines of "he's just a model" and "only girls in love with him like him". Why is that, I really do not understand - not even as a fan of his, I'm just asking as an objective observer of motorsport

Thanks for your ask anon! I think there's two facets of it. There's the fact that Charles has a lot of expectations that haven't been fulfilled yet due to a variety of reasons and media that may already be skewed away from him doubling down on that, and quite frankly, there's a misogyny aspect due to the composition of his fanbase.

Focusing on the expectations aspect first, as I'm sure you'll probably know better than I will since I've only been watching F1 for a year or so, Charles came into Ferrari with an incredible weight to him already. Not only did he totally crush competition in junior categories but he was the youngest Ferrari driver in the 21st century (later to be usurped by none other than Ollie Bearman at the 2024 Jeddah GP) and he had quite frankly an incredible first season. He would have won Bahrain 2019 if not for the engine issue and he won Monza. This understandably gave Charles's name a gravitas and expectation unlike any non-WDC. I mean, his nickname is literally il predestinato, there is an expectation that Charles will bring the championship home to Ferrari.

Now, unfortunately, that hasn't happened yet. This has been due to a multitude of reasons, but mainly Mattia Binotto's terrible management, the effects of it we're still feeling years later.

An aspect of Mattia's management that people discuss less however, but I'm certain contributes to some groups having a strong dislike of Charles, is Mattia's complete inability to manage a strong driver line up. Ferrari has had an incredible line up, with Charles and Seb for Charles's first two years, and Charles and Carlos for the next three. A lot of the general population who dislike Charles are Seb supporters, feeling as if Seb was pushed out by this young upstart who hasn't even managed to bring the WDC and WCC home as promised. This is entirely due to Mattia losing control of the narrative. DTS encouraged this viewpoint, but media doubled down on it. Mattia also failed to manage each driver's expectations.

Similar is Mattia's signing and then subsequent management of Carlos. My dislike of the Carlos camp is well-documented, but Carlos is by no means a bad driver, in fact I think he's probably in the top six drivers currently on the grid. The issue is, he's not Charles. He doesn't have Charles's raw talent, nor any sort of similar mythos that the tifosi revere about Charles. Carlos on paper, is an excellent n2 to Charles's n1, and I think if Mattia had been honest about that in signing Carlos, I would like him a lot more. Instead, Mattia promised that Charles and Carlos were to be treated as equals, resulting in bizarre strategy calls like Silverstone 2022 where they sacrifice the race of their driver fighting for the WDC in order to gift the other driver a win, or having a championship car in early 2022 only to undevelop it because Carlos complained that he wasn't comfortable. It's frankly bad management, when Checo wasn't comfortable with the RB19 Red Bull didn't change their development direction, because the focus was on getting Max the championship. Ferrari needed Mattia to make a similar decision in 2022, but he instead chose to try and pander to all sides instead of enforcing a potentially difficult decision like a team principal sometimes needs to.

I've said that Sainz media is responsible for much of the traditional media smear campaign against Charles, whether that's them using links with Spanish media, or paying off various outlets, and now I'm putting that down to Mattia not managing Carlos's expectations correctly a couple of years ago, and now relationships have broken down to a point that they're pretty much irreperable, even if Fred is managing everyone's expectations correctly. Mattia's bad management from the car development perspective gives Sainz media an angle to smear Charles as well. 2022 was Charles's championship to lose, and he lost quite badly. It becomes quite easy for journalists to take the line of "oh well, is Charles REALLY a generational talent or is he all hype?", and then compare Charles and Carlos in frankly incomparable situations to make it seem like, at first glance, Carlos comes out on top (key example of this would be Bahrain 2024, where Charles had an insane brake imbalance and still managed to finish p4, but Carlos's camp were quick to point out that Carlos's brakes had cooling issues, which if you know anything about the sport you know that's comparing a mouse to an elephant, but a lot of people chose to ran with Charles and Carlos having the same issue, resulting in people applauding Carlos for a podium in a car that's undergoing normal race stress and decrying Charles for managing to finish P4 in a car that should've been undriveable).

The second aspect moves away from traditional media and to word-of-mouth and online perspective of Charles, although often the first point about Charles not yet living up to his il predestinato name is sometimes used as evidence. Charles's fanbase is female (at least outside of the countries of Italy and Monaco), and disproportionately so compared to other driver fanbases. And look, sure he's a conventionally attractive guy, we're not going to deny objective facts. But those who dislike Charles like to use the fact that he has an active female fanbase, along with the fact that he's conventionally very attractive, in order to mock Charles and his hype. "Leclerc is mid and people only like him because he's hot and women don't understand wheel knowledge" seems to be the current argument of MANY a Charles hater.

Ultimately, it boils down to thinking that his fanbase don't truly understand the sport, because we're majority women and CAN'T be in the sport because we enjoy it we MUST just be here for the hot man. Which is both untrue and fundamentally misogynistic. While Charles himself can't experience misogyny as a man, his fanbase of women certainly can and certainly does. Our voices are trivialised and counted out, and that in turn has an impact on Charles's public image, since people think that a majority of his fans don't have any actual knowledge of the sport (when in my experience, this is perhaps the furthest from the truth).

[envysparkler]

so this.  this would be one of the nightwing longfics.  the long, character-driven fic that I wish I had time to write but alas.

the crux of this fic is when Tim goes to ask Dick to return to save Batman from his grief, Dick agrees.

Nightwing coming back to Gotham.  fighting, every day, to keep Bruce from self-destructing in a manor so full of grief that sometimes he sits in empty rooms and cries.  Dick that can’t visit Jason’s grave, it’s too painful, but sometimes he sleeps on the couch in the library and pretends like his little brother is sitting on the other couch and reading.  and Nightwing also needs to deal with this precocious twelve-year-old who might not be Robin but thinks that it is perfectly reasonable to stalk them around Gotham.

it’s hard.  it’s so, so hard.  Dick losing pieces of himself, bit by bit.  he sees hallucinations of Jason and eventually, the hallucinations are the only things he talks to truthfully.  he has to keep Bruce sane while Bruce keeps lashing out at him.  Alfred’s not getting younger.  Barbara’s furious and upset and grieving what happened to her.  Tim has no parental supervision, what the fuck is going on with this kid, Dick needs to watch out for him too.

it’s slow, but the pressure just keeps piling on.

meanwhile, the people he’s helping start to get better.  Bruce notices their baby stalker, figures out Tim’s situation, and puts in immediate paperwork to get temporary guardianship.  (Dick still hasn’t been adopted.  it’s fine.  he doesn’t care.  he doesn’t.)  Barbara recovers and becomes Oracle, a saving grace to the wider caped community.  (she’s so busy.  Dick just wants a friend to talk to.  please.)  Tim is introduced to the Titans and makes fast friends with them.  (the Titans were Dick’s first but they’re gone, all gone, why does everyone keep leaving him.)

and then there’s a mention of a new crime lord on the scene, Red Hood, who’s looking to shake things up.

things build and build and build, Hood taunting them and Bruce’s suspicions and Tim’s stalking, until it reaches a breaking point.

a warehouse.  Batman and Red Hood and Tim and Dick.  everyone is shouting at each other, yelling at each other, accusations flying, emotional barbs thrown.  Dick trying to keep the peace and failing.

maybe someone snaps something that wounds.  maybe Dick just collapses under his own exhaustion.  either way, he gives up.  he walks away.  he can’t do this anymore.

no one notices him leave.

Dick leaves his suit in the Cave and writes a short note explaining that he’s quitting.

he’s done.

this world--Gotham and Batman and all the heroes and villains--has taken too much from him. he’s barely twenty-one and yet he’s lived lifetimes.  he’s shouldered the weight of the entire world on his shoulders for so long he cannot remember what it feels like to fly without a net.

he returns to the first place he called home.  there’s a Flying Grayson at Haley’s Circus again.

[thoughtfullyrainynightmare]

Jealousy

Summary: He cares for you deeply, and that is precisely why he's keeping your relationship a secret. Because some would use his feelings for you against him, by hurting you, at least in his mind. But when he sees your colleague being friendly to you, his judgement fails him, and he has to whisk you away Pairing: Nacht x gn!reader Length: ~0.7k Fanfic type: Oneshot Contains: themes of jealousy

Nacht Faust, the oldest child of the now fallen House of Faust, was an idealistic, calculating man whose emotions ran deep; deep as if the roots of the old trees in a forest that had existed for longer than anyone could remember. But he was also a troubled man, burdened man. Burdened by the depths of the emotions, the weight of regret, that he held in his heart. All the emotions he didn’t let climb up those roots, and to the surface of the woods for all to see.

It had never been his intention to let people see them, his fears, doubts; the way he was vulnerable. Because he was. After all, he was just a mortal man too.

But… you had done something he thought impossible. You had dug your way through the hard ground, all the way to those roots, and seen them. Turned the ground, the soil, and breathed air and strength into him, in the way you had loved him.

Him. Someone who bore a sin as dark as the pitch-black night.

It was… unbelievable. Ludicrous even in its absurdity.

But… as much as he feared his ink black heart to taint your hands, he didn’t wish to let go either. A selfish wish. A need. A want.

A wish that was hidden in the shadows, because being associated with him would be a burden. A danger. Which is why you had to meet in secret. Always in secret. To not let the tender emotions of the heart to climb to the surface for all the world to see.

But… not wishing to show it, just how much he cared for you, out of the fear of losing you because someone might use it against him. Hurt you, to hurt him. It didn’t mean that he felt any less for you, as you walked the streets, just like anyone else, while he walked in the shadows.

And it was during one of those sunny days of early summer, that he saw you at the market, just going about your day. You were there, but there… was also a man, who was… seemingly keeping you company. Walking so close to you.

His side… almost brushing yours… and it wasn’t even that crowded. There was no reason for him to be walking so close to you. Smiling at you, in that way. So tenderly and kindly. In a way that Nacht didn’t think he could.

It was just too much. But when the guy went to pat you on the back, Nacht’s patience snapped.

His shadows raced across the market, and enveloped you into their hold. He popped his form up from them, just long enough to glare down the man with his ice blue eye. To make a point. To make a stance. Before sinking back into the shadows with you, only to reappear some streets away in a more secluded area.

“Nacht?!” You huffed while appearing back on the cobble streets. “What are you doing?”

“Protecting you. That guy was up to no good.” He simply stated, as if it was a fact.

“What? No,” you laughed. “Him and I work together. He has a family, a wife and kids,” you continued while still laughing at the absurdity of the moment.

His eyes fell to the side, thinking if his judgement could really have failed so badly.

“He was just being supportive,” you continued while making your way to him, and taking him by the hand.

His jaw tensed for a moment, as he was trying to take in the slip up he had just committed.

“But you were very gallant in coming to my rescue,” you mused while running your thumb over the skin of his hand. “Very brave and gallant.”

He stayed quiet for a few more moments, until his lips parted, and he spoke with a whisper: “Only for you…”

Though you knew that wasn’t exactly the case, you took it, for now. Because he was your knight cloaked in shadows.

How you’d explain being swept into the shadows by him to your colleague was another matter, but… you’d cross that bridge, once you got to it.

[ghostykapi]

i love you (ain’t that the worst thing you ever heard?)

minatozaki sana & idol!fem!reader // ehe!

it was not just your time, is what you gaslight yourself with

you were just not chosen, is what everyone else says and thinks

and still, your phone rings at 4 am

“hello?” you should be asleep, ignoring the pain eating you alive and the cold space beside you

“y/n” it’s slurred, she’s drunk again and the music blasting in the back gives you a picture of where she’s been “i miss you”

“sana” you whisper, head already spinning and it makes you want to smash the phone against the wall “you’re drunk”

“i know” is what she answers, barely being able to stand against the wall of a random restroom in a random bar. random strangers passing by like the random thoughts of you that passes through her head “and i miss you”

“i know” you say the same words back, and you wish you didn’t “this is the 10th night you called this month”

“oh” she’s shuffling to get better reception and you’re moving out of bed, trying to get this headache out of your head “don’t you miss me too?”

“why do you only call when you’re drunk?” is what you reply, diverting away the topic you rather discuss sober “sana this isn’t healthy”

“it’s not” she knows, she knows that you rather hear her call in when she’s sober but “doesn’t this give you a better reason to pretend it was a mistake?”

“it does” a mistake, a mistake to slip up, a mistake to let her go this easily, a mistake for her to lose you this fast “but it hurts”

“i know” she’s managed to finally stumble out of that bar, into jihyo’s car and away from the loud noise. just never away from what hurts

jihyo is one of the first ones who knew about the news, and will always be the one of the first ones to protect you both

the guilt eats her soul away when she realizes how bad she has failed to protect you both from what was preventable

“will you call again?” you’re now in your kitchen, staring at the last ‘i love you - sha’ you will probably ever see again written in sticky note on the fridge “sober this time?”

“will you say i miss you if you do?” it’s the alcohol system that’s giving her the strength to talk, but she wonders how stronger she can be if she didn’t let the world eat you both alive

“you already know what i would say” you can feel each tear fall down your face, each thought of what you want to say “i’m sorry”

you can feel her softly cry into the phone, each sob twisting your heart even more

“i miss you” she repeats again, and you let this one break you even down further “so so much”

“i know” you say it again, and again you let your eyes wander to the photos still on your wall. the photos that will forever plague you until you find the strength to tear it all down

you will never find that strength. you will never find the strength to tear her away for good

“i love you” it slips out of her, like how she had to slip out of your bed that morning, how you slipped past her grasp, how the world felt like slipping in a poison in you both

lips sealed and eyes blurred, you hurriedly drop the call, drop the phone, drop down to your knees and feel the weight of everything finally drop down dead on you

and sana? she screams the moment she’s out of the car, in front of her apartment complex, in front of what she has to call her new home that is cold, alone and frightening

the world doesn’t stop spinning, but it watches as it breaks two people into nothing

[suhmingo]

I, uh, don’t know how to actually preface this. It’s really just a mini rant/pseudo-analysis of chapter 167. Which was pretty crazy. But, I loved this chapter, and yes I’m typing this with two hands.

But first let me try and do some housekeeping.

It’s perfectly fine to have an emotional, even visceral reaction to 167. That’s the point

If you feel grossed out, betrayed, unnerved, dumbstruck, or any form of bamboozled by today’s chapter then good! That means the emotional weight of the scene is working, and that you are a proper, feeling human. The

The whole point of fiction is to explore themes that would be difficult, even dangerous to experience from a place of safety. To me that’s, like the entire reason I ever wanted to become a writer, one of the most unsung broke boy jobs in the history of the world. My desire for Denji to get better in a world that is dead set on making him fail is the entire reason I have an emotional investment in the first place. Stories are inherently about conflict and the struggle with resolving conflict, that should make you uncomfortable.

Say what you want about Chainsaw Man. I can take it, I’m a big boy. But one thing that it has always had since Chapter one is a well-defined through line about the complexity of our innate desire to find some type of love fighting against the pain-wrought pathway that it leads us down. In a good story, every chapter should have some way of showing the highs and lows of that theme, and I’m pretty confident when I say that 167 perfectly shows us that.

It’s bad. Don’t let people who brag about their trauma tolerance tell you otherwise. You are well within your right to feel. But I think it would behoove people to 1. Realize that this is fiction, and its effects, though evocatory, are ultimately abstract, and 2. Realize that exploring dark themes allows people, especially a 16-25 (Or whatever the target audience for CSM is) to grapple with and think on human concepts as all encompassing as love.

From a writing standpoint, one chapter has escalated the tension of the entire story more than anything that has happened in Part 2 so far. It’s admittedly a bit early to call it peak. But looking at it as a simple story beat, that’s a fantastic chapter as far as the medium goes.

Listen, the whole point of stories since, like, Mesopotamian times was the tension between wanting a character to achieve happiness vs the hardships and trauma that life happens in life. They’re supposed to put you in a sensitive state emulative of a tense environment. I’d argue that the prevalence of escapist fiction and fandom has changed how we emotionally digest fiction. But that’s a whole nother essay.

The events of 167 aren’t some horny non-sequitur. Everything that happened is entirely a logical, if graven, extension of how we know characters.

Denji is at the lowest point we have ever seen him at. He was literally dismembered and put back together less than 10 chapters ago. The last chapter literally had him groveling on his knees at a cauldron’s brew of his own weakness, immaturity, stupidity, and horniness. I think we can all understand why he would not be in a good mental state to just lose himself in the moment. You can’t even blame Denji in this situation. He was in an entirely vulnerable state that was exploited entirely by

Yoru. Who is the literal embodiment of war. If you think that someone who represents the human fear of war is going to play fair. Turn on the news for five minutes. Yoru is a character we are not supposed to like. She’s fun, because she’s a work of fiction, but she’s arguably less trustworthy than Fami. She’s a violent, exploitative being who possesses a dead teenager. There is no “too far” for her if it’s the fastest way on the road to conquest. Reminder that before she caught feelings, her plan was literally just to castrate Denji because she thought that would further her goals. The fact that it turned into kissing was actually sparing a worse fate. IMO that savior was all in the actions of Asa.

Asa. I genuinely believe that, subconsciously, Asa wanted to kiss Chainsaw Man. Not like how it happened. Never like how it happened, but her desire for Denji/Chainsaw Man's affection has always been evident. She gets irreparably upset when she’s stood up, she makes cringe poetry for Chainsaw Man, and her entire goal as of now is in some misguided desire to make him happy. I also don’t think Asa is actually demisexual, or averse to sex. She is afraid of intimacy, which stops her from ever acting on her urges. Notice that both times Yoru has kissed Denji, it was after the idea of sex and intimacy was explicitly brought to the conversation. To me that screams that Yoru is spurred on by her host’s innate desires. Hell, it’s been shown that in the same way that Yoru has made Asa more proactive of a human being, Asa has made her feel emotions. I don’t think it's a coincidence that Yoru is blushing while kissing Denji. None of that was part of her plan. That’s Asa’s emotional influence getting the better of her in what I predict to be a fantastic role reversal of their initial contract.

This is thematically in line with how Chainsaw Man presents love and sets up deeper themes.



Remember way back in Part One when Denji was just an initial horndog and everybody kinda hated him? I hated Denji back then! When I first heard of Chainsaw Man I genuinely thought it was going to be a mommy-kink fuelled power fantasy. But I was wrong. Wonderfully wrong. Fujimoto used the allure of that idea in Makima to present a story about how dangerous and manipulative the very idea of grooming is, and how damaging that can be to a person. The same way Denji’s desire to get the approval of Makima was poisonous to him is mirrored in his desire for vapid, instantly gratifying sex is being portrayed here. I genuinely think this chapter is going to age like fine wine, and I am absolutely willing to take egg on my face if I’m wrong.

[honeybeezgobzzzzz]

☠️ Something Dread, Something Red: Chapter Thirty-Seven

Something Dread, Something Red: Stuck in a proposal to a Marine Commodore, you escape minutes before your wedding in one last ditch effort to avoid getting married to a tyrant. Barely making it to the port of your town, you stumble across a ship just starting to leave and beg for passage off the island. You fail to notice that the people you beg for help, are pirates.

Warnings: Alcohol.

To Note: “Red Haired” Shanks x FemReader

Word Count: ~3.4k

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"Are you sure he invited us?" you ask, giving your fiancé a very stern and scrutinous look. You were on your way to Kuraigana Island, Mihawk's place of residence, and you were wondering if the poor man even knew of Shanks' plans.

A smirk tugs at Shanks' lips. "Mihawk? He's aware of everything. Trust me, he's probably already preparing some sarcastic remark for when we arrive. Did I mention he has a very impressive wine cellar?"

You raise an eyebrow. "So our wedding will be entirely based on the fact that Mihawk has impeccable taste in wine?"

Shanks chuckles. "Not entirely. Mihawk's an old friend. It's good to catch up once in a while. He's also a captain which means he can officiate our wedding, treasure. Don't worry, everything will work out." With that Shanks leaves you at the stern, glowering at the idea of dropping unannounced.

Well, the Red Force will continue to sail smoothly towards the dark and foreboding Kuraigana Island in the distance regardless of your wish for proper decorum. As the Red Force draws near, you can see the silhouette of Mihawk's castle looms against the horizon, a stark contrast to the vibrant, bustling atmosphere of your pirate ship. Your heart races with anticipation and unease.

"Land ho!" Yasopp shouts from the crow's nest.

The Red Force slows down, its massive hull creaking as it approaches the dock at the abandoned harbor. You clutch the railing, peering into the thick fog that blankets Kuraigana Island. The place feels otherworldly, almost like a forgotten realm.

“Why is the whole island so dark and gloomy?” you ask, unable to hide the apprehension in your voice.

Benn Beckman steps beside you, his ever-present cigarette glowing dimly in the mist. “It wasn’t always like this,” he begins, his voice carrying a weight of history. “Years ago, this island was home to the Shikkearu Kingdom. It thrived until war and calamity reduced it to ruins.”

You look around, noticing how the desolation seems to seep into every crevice of the island. The air feels thick with memories of a lost era.

“Mihawk took up residence here after that,” Benn continues, nodding towards the looming castle. “He found solace in its isolation. Suits him well—no distractions, no interruptions.”

You glance at Shanks, who’s busy directing the crew as they secure the ship. This is were he wanted to marry you? A confusing idea but no doubt he had his reasons so you would trust him. He catches your eye and gives you a reassuring smile. Despite his nonchalant demeanor, you sense a deep respect for Mihawk and this desolate place.

“Don’t let appearances fool you,” Benn adds, sensing your unease. “Mihawk’s castle might look grim from out here, but inside it’s quite different—full of life and color. You should see that atrium.”

You nod slowly, trying to reconcile the island’s grim exterior with Benn’s description of Mihawk’s sanctuary. The contrast intrigues you, making you eager yet anxious to step onto solid ground.

As the gangplank is lowered, Shanks offers you his hand with a wink. “Ready to meet the ghost of Kuraigana, treasure?”

"If we don't lose ourselves in the fog," you speak, taking his hand and stepping onto the dock. The other men follow suit, Lucky Roux carrying a barrel you suspected contained alcohol, Gab and Limejuice lofting crates of food on their shoulders. Even monster had a bag slung across his body. "What are you planning? A seven day feast?" You continue, eyeing Yasopp who now carries a crate labeled 'explosives'. "And why do you need explosives?"

"A wedding, Lady Captain!" Yasopp booms in reply. You can only hope the explosives were for fireworks and not something actually exploding. However you had seen Gab stuffing extra knifes into his pack before leaving so knife throwing challenges are definitely on the table.

The castle looms ahead, its dark silhouette cutting through the mist like a jagged tooth. The closer you get, the more imposing it becomes. Yet, there's an undeniable beauty in its gothic architecture, a stark contrast to the vibrant life aboard the Red Force.

As you approach Mihawk's castle, the massive doors creak open. There he stands, Dracule Mihawk himself—tall, imposing, with those hawk-like eyes that seem to pierce right through you. You find that your eyes are drawn to the massive sword hanging on his back, the hilt bejeweled and shining.

"Mihawk!" Shanks calls out cheerfully.

Mihawk’s gaze shifts to Shanks and then to you. His expression is unreadable as he steps forward. "Shanks," he says slowly, the name laced with mild irritation. "To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?"

You shoot Shanks a dirty look which he promptly ignores, and Mihawk definitely catches.

Shanks grins broadly, entirely unfazed by Mihawk's demeanor, or your glare. "I need a captain."

"Whatever for," Mihawk sighs out. "Or have you lost your title?"

Shanks’ grin widens as he steps closer to Mihawk. “I need an officiant, my friend.”

Mihawk’s eyes narrow, his gaze flickering briefly to you and then back to Shanks. “You’re capable of officiating a wedding on your own, are you not?”

A chuckle escapes Shanks as he shakes his head. “I may be a captain, but even I can’t officiate my own wedding. It’s bad form. I need someone I trust to do the honors.”

Mihawk's gaze shifts to you, his eyes narrowing in curiosity and perhaps a hint of disdain. "And who is the brave soul foolish enough to marry you?"

You step forward, lifting your chin with the poise instilled in you since birth. "That would be me," you declare, your voice steady and clear. "Linaria Bonn, though I prefer to go by Aria now."

A flicker of recognition crosses Mihawk’s face, quickly replaced by an inscrutable expression. "The noblewoman who fled her arranged marriage," he states, not as a question but as a fact.

"Indeed," you reply, meeting his gaze head-on. "And now, I'm choosing my own path."

Mihawk studies you for a moment longer, then inclines his head slightly. "You must be quite brave—or perhaps just reckless."

A small smile tugs at the corner of your lips. "I’ve learned that bravery and recklessness often walk hand in hand."

Mihawk’s eyes flash with something akin to amusement. "Spoken like someone who has faced adversity and come out stronger." He glances at Shanks before returning his attention to you. "Very well. I will officiate this wedding—if only to see what kind of chaos it brings."

"Chaos follows Shanks wherever he goes," you respond with a touch of dry humor. "And I take it with my afternoon tea."

Mihawk’s piercing gaze lingers on you, his hawk-like eyes assessing every inch of your resolve. For a moment, the gloomy island around you fades, and it's just you and the warlord locked in a silent battle of wills. But you don’t flinch or look away. Instead, you hold his gaze, your chin lifted high and eyebrow arched.

A hint of a smile touches Mihawk’s lips, barely perceptible but unmistakable. "You have spirit," he finally says, his voice carrying a note of approval. "Perhaps more than I anticipated."

Before you can respond, Shanks steps in with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Did I mention Aria has an impeccable taste in wine?"

Mihawk's interest piques visibly. His eyebrows arch ever so slightly as he turns to Shanks. "Is that so?"

Shanks nods enthusiastically, clearly enjoying the exchange. "Indeed. She’s quite the connoisseur. It's been rather difficult finding wines she will actually dink."

Mihawk's gaze returns to you, curiosity mingling with respect. "Very well then," he says. "Let's put that claim to the test."

Mihawk offers his arm and without taking your eyes off his incredible hawk-like eyes, you step forwards and slid your hand through his arm. His embroidered jacket feels deceptively soft beneath your fingertips as Mihawk turns to lead you to the wine cellar.

As you walk away, Shanks' voice rings out behind you. "Oi, Mihawk! You better not seduce my future wife with the allure of your wine cellar!"

You can almost hear the smirk in Mihawk’s voice as he replies without turning around. "I assure you, Shanks, my intentions are purely professional."

"I never said mine were," you inject with a soft giggle, smirking to yourself as Shanks groans in exasperation. You glance back to see Shanks shaking his head with a grin, clearly trusting Mihawk despite his playful warning and your teasing words.

Benn slaps his shoulder. "Seems like Aria finally met her match," he says with a smirk.

Mihawk leads you through the castle, his stride steady and purposeful. The air inside feels cooler, a refreshing change from the outside humidity. As you descend into the wine cellar, the earthy scent of aged oak and fermented grapes envelops you. Rows upon rows of barrels and bottles line the stone walls, creating an ambiance that is both inviting and mysterious.

He gestures to a polished wooden table set with an array of crystal glasses. "Shall we begin?"

You nod, feeling a rush of excitement at the prospect of this unexpected adventure. Mihawk carefully selects a bottle from the nearest rack, its label aged and slightly faded.

"This," he says, holding it up for you to see, "is a vintage from the Muggy Kingdom's prime years. A deep red with notes of blackberry and leather."

He pours a small amount into your glass, the rich liquid catching the light as it swirls. You lift it to your nose, inhaling deeply. The aroma is intoxicating—earthy with a hint of spice.

You take a sip, letting the wine coat your tongue before swallowing. "It's bold," you observe, savoring the lingering taste. "The tannins are firm but not overpowering. There's an underlying sweetness that balances it out."

Mihawk nods appreciatively. "Precisely. The balance is key with this vintage." He pours himself a glass and takes a sip, his eyes closing briefly in contemplation.

He reaches for another bottle, this one with a more vibrant label. "Now, for something different—a white wine from Sabaody Archipelago."

As he pours the pale liquid into your glass, you notice its light, almost translucent color. You bring it to your lips and take a sip.

"It's crisp," you say thoughtfully. "With hints of citrus and green apple. The acidity is sharp but refreshing. A rather pleasing wine for a spring day I should think."

Mihawk smiles faintly. "An excellent observation." He takes his own sip, his eyes meeting yours over the rim of his glass.

The two of you continue like this, moving through various bottles and vintages as if time has no hold on this hidden cellar. Each wine brings its own story—a tale of land and climate, of skillful hands and patient aging.

"This one," Mihawk says, presenting a bottle with an intricate label depicting waves crashing against rocks, "is from Water 7. A complex red with layers of flavor—cherry, tobacco, a hint of Agua Laguna sea salt."

You taste it and nod in agreement. "It's like drinking the essence of the sea itself. How peculiar…"

The hours slip by unnoticed as you and Mihawk delve deeper into the wine cellar, your conversations echoing softly against the stone walls. Each bottle brings with it a new discovery, a fresh wave of flavors and stories that bind you in a shared passion for the art of winemaking.

“This one,” Mihawk announces, holding up a dusty bottle with reverence, “is from a small vineyard in Alabasta. Only a few dozen bottles were ever made.”

You gaze at the bottle with wide eyes, excitement bubbling within you. “Oh I do so wish to have a taste,” you say wistfully, barely able to contain your enthusiasm.

Mihawk’s eyes gleam with mischief as he uncorks the bottle and pours the deep, crimson liquid into your glass. The aroma is intoxicating, rich with the scent of dark berries and exotic spices. You take a sip, savoring the complex layers of flavor that unfold on your tongue.

“Exquisite,” you murmur, closing your eyes to fully appreciate the taste.

Mihawk nods in agreement. “Indeed. The winemaker was a true artist.”

The conversation flows as easily as the wine, each topic leading naturally into the next. You find yourself discussing the merits of various wine regions, debating which climate produces the best grapes.

"Alabasta's dry heat brings out such intensity in the grapes," Mihawk states firmly.

You laugh softly, shaking your head. "But nothing compares to the cool breezes of Sabaody Archipelago. The balance it brings is unmatched."

The night wears on and more bottles are emptied, your inhibitions soon fade away. You feel a lightness in your head, a warm flush spreading through your body.

“I’ve always wondered,” you begin, giggling as you struggle to form your thoughts coherently, “is Rosé closer to white or red wine? I think Rosé is clearly closer to a white wine,” you declare, your words slightly slurred from the wine. “It’s lighter, more refreshing. It’s like a summer breeze in a glass.”

Mihawk, equally inebriated, narrows his hawk-like eyes at you. “That’s where you’re wrong. Rosé is much closer to red wine. The process involves leaving the skins on for a short time, which imparts color and some tannins.”

You shake your head vehemently, nearly spilling your wine. “But it’s not just about the color! The flavor profile is lighter, the body is more delicate. It doesn’t have the same heaviness as red wine.”

Mihawk leans closer, his eyes burning with intensity. “The skins, Aria. The skins are crucial. They give Rosé its character. Without them, it would be insipid, lacking depth.”

You roll your eyes, feeling a surge of stubbornness rise within you. “But what about the acidity? Rosé has a higher acidity, much like white wine. It’s crisp and vibrant, not rich and bold like a red.”

“Acidity isn’t everything,” Mihawk counters, his voice rising slightly. “The structure, the backbone of Rosé comes from the skins and the tannins. It shares more DNA with reds than whites.”

Your cheeks flush with frustration and wine. “Oh please, Mihawk! Just because it has some tannins doesn’t make it a red wine! It’s all about the experience—the lightness, the freshness!”

Before Mihawk can respond, Shanks steps into the cellar, blinking in surprise at the heated exchange before him.

“What in the world are you two arguing about?” Shanks asks with a bemused smile.

You turn to Shanks, gesturing wildly with your glass. “This stubborn man insists that Rosé is closer to red wine! Can you believe that?”

Mihawk crosses his arms over his chest, his gaze never leaving yours. “And she insists it’s closer to white wine,” he says with a huff.

Shanks looks between the two of you, clearly amused by your drunken debate. “Is this what happens when I leave you alone with Mihawk for a couple of hours?” He chuckles. “You get drunk and start arguing over technicalities?”

You nod vigorously, pointing an accusatory finger at Mihawk. “He just doesn’t understand!”

Shanks steps closer, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Alright, alright, I think it’s time for bed,” he says, reaching for your hand.

You pull away, shaking your head defiantly. “No! We still haven’t figured out if Rosé is closer to white or red wine!” Your voice rises in pitch as you glare at Mihawk, who simply raises an eyebrow in response.

Shanks rolls his eyes, a smile playing at his lips. “You can debate wine all you want tomorrow. Right now, you need sleep.”

“But Shanks—” you begin, only to have your wine glass gently pried from your fingers. You let out a small noise of protest and your hands paw at the glass now out of reach, but Shanks remains undeterred.

“Come on, treasure,” he says softly, pulling you to your feet. The room spins slightly as you stand, and you grip Shanks’ arm for support.

Mihawk watches the exchange with a bemused expression. “Good luck,” he says dryly to Shanks.

“Thanks,” Shanks replies with a chuckle. “I’ll need it.”

As Shanks guides you out of the cellar, you continue to grumble under your breath. “It’s not fair… We were just getting to the good part…”

“I promise you can continue your debate in the morning,” Shanks assures you, his tone gentle but firm.

You pout but allow him to lead you through the castle halls. The cool air helps clear your head slightly, but you’re still unsteady on your feet. Shanks’ presence beside you is a comforting anchor as he steers you towards the guest quarters.

When you reach the room designated for you, Shanks opens the door and nudges you inside. “In you go.”

You turn to face him, eyes narrowed in stubborn determination. “This isn’t over.”

Shanks laughs softly, shaking his head. “I wouldn’t dream of ending it prematurely.” He leans down and plants a soft kiss on your forehead before guiding you towards the bed. "Sit, let's get you changed into your nightgown."

You sink onto the edge of the bed, your mind still swirling with the remnants of your wine-fueled debate. Shanks kneels before you, his one good arm working deftly to remove your shoes.

“You’re not as steady as you think,” he murmurs, a soft smile playing on his lips.

You huff in response, crossing your arms over your chest. “I was perfectly steady until Mihawk started with his nonsense about Rosé being closer to red wine." You scoff at the idea.

Shanks’ touch is careful, almost reverent, as he sets each shoe aside. You watch him through the haze of wine, a warm feeling spreading through your chest. There's something undeniably comforting about his presence.

He stands and offers you a hand. "Up you go," he says softly.

You take his hand, letting him pull you to your feet. The room sways slightly, but Shanks' steady grip keeps you standing. He begins to untie the strings of your dress, his fingers nimble despite the task being more suited for two hands.

You try to help, but your movements are clumsy and uncoordinated. Shanks chuckles softly. "Hold still, treasure," he murmurs. "Let me do this."

You nod and let your arms fall to your sides, trusting him completely. He is so endearingly attractive like this. The dress loosens and falls away, leaving you standing in your undergarments. Shanks unhooks your bra and pulls it from your arms as you blink.

He retrieves your nightgown from a nearby chair and slips it over your head, guiding your arms through the sleeves with practiced ease. The fabric is soft against your skin, and you sigh from happiness.

"All done," he says, stepping back to admire his handiwork. You smile up at him, feeling a sense of calm settle over you.

"Thank you," you whisper, swaying slightly on your feet.

Shanks catches you before you can stumble, his arm wrapping securely around your waist. "Easy there," he says with a grin. "Let's get you into bed."

You pull back from Shanks’ embrace, shaking your head stubbornly. "I don’t want to go to bed yet," you insist, your voice still tinged with the defiance fueled by wine and unresolved petty debates.

Shanks sighs softly, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Alright, how about we cuddle instead?" His tone is gentle, coaxing, as if he knows exactly how to navigate your stubbornness.

You pause, considering his offer. The idea of cuddling sounds incredibly appealing. Reluctantly, you nod.

Shanks’ smile widens as he guides you to the bed. "Come on then," he says, settling down and pulling you into his arms. You nestle against him, feeling the warmth of his body seep into yours. His lone arm wraps around you securely, holding you close.

The room is quiet except for the soft sounds of your breathing and the faint rustle of the sheets. You feel safe in Shanks’ embrace, his presence a comforting anchor amidst the swirling haze of wine and emotions.

He strokes your hair gently, his touch soothing. "Feeling better?" he asks softly.

You nod against his chest, feeling a sense of calm wash over you. "Yes," you murmur. "This is nice."

Shanks chuckles softly. "Thought it might be." He continues to stroke your hair, his fingers moving in slow, rhythmic patterns that lull you further into relaxation. Your eyelids grow heavier with each passing moment, the warmth and comfort of Shanks' embrace making it impossible to stay awake.

Date Published: 8/19/24

Last Edit: 8/19/24

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[veilishvixen]

I’ve always hated how abruptly the balcony scene ends. Like how are you going to kiss me with the passion of a thousand burning suns and then just…turn and…skulk off?? Something was missing, so here’s the cut off I would have preferred:

“If the Dalish could raise someone with a spirit like yours…” he shakes his head and asks sincerely, “Have I misjudged them?”

She nearly rolls her eyes. Solas had never been shy in expressing his distaste for the Dalish, but she was still surprised to learn just how little he understood. The wayward and wandering clans rarely met for a reason; the only thing they had in common was their pigheadedness. The clans he’d met might very well have earned his ire, but there were many still he had yet to meet. Once again, he was failing to see the conundrum in his questioning; the nomadic elves were far too singular to be criticized as one.

“The Dalish didn’t make me like this. The decisions were mine.”

His brow twitches and he jerks forward ever so slightly, “Yes! You are wise to give yourself that due...”

I know, that’s why I said it. She’s wise enough to keep that bit to herself.

“Although the Dalish, in their fashion, may still have guided you.”

She wishes she could give him actual names to cling to; memories and stories like the ones he so freely shared with her…but something sharper than wisdom has her clamping her mouth shut.

He nods assuredly, “Perhaps that is it. I suppose it must be. Most people act with so little understanding of the world…but not you.”

She can’t help but give a miffed shake of her head, “So what does this mean, Solas?”

He gives her a smug smile, “It means I have not forgotten the kiss.”

Oh.

Oh?

Mischief chases wisdom from her mind with a canon fuse in its teeth and she delights in the sudden burst of energy that follows. “Good.” Her smile grows only for his to falter. Coward. Folding both hands behind her back, she steps precariously into his space, only deigning to stop at his toes so he could be allowed the first move. His desire is a heavy thing; more than just lust gazed down at her now, more than just love…but still, she wanted it.

He shakes his head, then shakes it again. Her chin lifts to follow his lips and she chases his arm before he can turn to leave her one last time.

“Don’t go.” She’d let him of course, if that was what he wanted…but it would have to be the end. She couldn’t allow this to go on any longer.

His head tilts miserably, “It would be kinder in the long run…but losing you would-“

He’s pulling at her waist and stealing the breath from her mouth before she can finish registering the words. Her hands rise instinctively to hold him back, but he’s already moving again, ushering her mouth to open wider for him while hugging her close enough to lift her heels off the ground. She moans involuntarily when he jostles her weight to grasp her tighter. How could she feel so full while being devoured at once? It was torment. It was bliss. Then it was a gasp of sun baked mountain air and a breathless avowal, “Ar lath ma, Vhenan.” She gazes jadedly up at him…could he even know what those words meant to her? She wasn’t surprised to feel sorrow…it followed her love everywhere; just as light suffered shadow. She loved him too. She found she could not yet say it aloud, but she did. Even when they disagreed and she wasn’t even sure if she liked him…she loved him. Her soul gushes at the epiphany and Genya wonders if it shows when tears begin to shimmer in his eyes. She catches the first one, but he’s withdrawing before she can wipe the rest away. At first she doesn’t understand, but then she hears the door close and a pair of heeled boots clicking up the stairs. “Inquisitor? I- Oh…my apologies.” Solas has put a casual distance between them and is leaning on the balustrade by the time Josephine crests the final step. She lowers her eyes before they can indulge in anymore curiosity, “Forgive me for the intrusion your worship, but it seems your counsel will be needed in the war room after all.”

Genya gives an amused sigh and dismisses Solas with an idle nod, “Let me guess…” his eyes pass over Josephine to steal one final glance…then he’s gone. “Leliana says we should kill her, you say we should negotiate, and Cullen says it is a waste of time.”

Her sigh is the only confirmation Genya needs. “Very well then,” she offers the ambassador her arm, “Shall we go introduce our friends to the art of conversation?” She hardly notices Josephine’s flutterings of gratitude, or the arm she accepts in earnest…all she can think of is Solas; the dreamer who wandered the fade just as she wandered awake…and all those precious tears she’d left him to wipe away on his own.