#red strings AU

[fluffypotatey]

Another what if for shadowpeach strings. What if it went the more classic red string route, where 1 person is connected to only 1 person. And macaque only string was connected to wukong only string, how would macaque feel about that

tbh probably the same. it’s not the fact that Wukong is the only one MacBook is connected to but rather that it’s WUKONG

ya know?

[zelpharofficial]

Red String of Fate

[fadeintosatoru]

pt2 of this

pt 3

Satoru, who was the most jealous guy when it came to you, could not bear the thought of you sitting next to other guys—guys who were making you laugh. Oh, he’s sick.

Satoru, who stares them down, sending daggers with his eyes. And why are you laughing? They’re not that funny. Definitely not funnier than him.

He hates how much he can’t sit next to you, can’t be the one making you laugh or teasing you, like, no one else is worthy of hearing your cute laugh.

Satoru, who got into a fight with some guy you were starting to get too close to for his liking. Mind you, the fight happened right in front of you, but you were too busy to even notice.

And when you found out it was Satoru and your crush, you couldn’t believe it. You asked Satoru what happened, and he said, “He didn’t want to let go of the ball.”

But that’s not what everyone else is saying…

Satoru, who loves when you get mad at him for getting into too many fights. It lowkey makes him want to get into more because he loves the attention you give him.

Satoru, who walked into the first day of class and immediately sat next to you. How could he not? There was no way in hell he’d let some nobody sit next to you.

Satoru, who, on a school trip to the beach, saw you walk down to the deck and followed you.

You two sat there for the rest of the night before heading back to the bus.

Satoru, who takes a mental picture, the way the sunlight kisses your face making his chest tighten painfully.

You were perfect. This moment was perfect. And god, did he want to kiss you, wanted to tell you everything he was scared to say.

Satoru, who could not keep his eyes off you the entire ride back. He just couldn’t. He couldn’t stop replaying the moment.

It was intimate. It was just you, him, and the ocean. The way your doe eyes stared at him, like he was the most innocent, precious thing.

And he was. To you, he was.

Satoru, who insisted you be the first one to sign his cast after he broke his arm. He even let you draw cute flowers, never letting anyone else write on it.

Satoru, who knew you didn’t particularly like speaking in public, so just to get you flustered, he’d purposefully pick you during popcorn reading.

Satoru, who always asked you for a pencil, knowing damn well he had like five of them in his backpack. He just loved it when you rolled your eyes, telling him, “Again?”

Satoru, whose eyes never leave you when you walk into the room. His whole demeanor changes as soon as you step foot in class, and his friends just watch and tease him later.

Satoru, who secretly loves when teachers sit him next to you because he’s heard that saying—that teachers know when students like each other. Not that you’d ever like him, he thought, but boy was he wrong.

Satoru, who sent you a DM after it took you two whole days to accept his request.

a/n: he has NOT in fact sent her a dm :( they need to reconnect asap. @lavnder311 @jkslaugh97 pt.2 is up :3

[makesyouevil]

stsg but it’s wicked

[superbat-love]

Clark watched Bruce warily as he experimented with the string between them. Bruce had long ignored the red string of fate that connected them, but he could no longer avoid it after Clark had used it to stop him from storming out of a heated argument. Although only Bruce could see the string, Clark always felt its undeniable presence.

Recently, Bruce had begun to find practical uses for their bond. He usually used it as a communicator, tugging at the string whenever he needed Superman’s assistance.

Despite their growing reliance on this bond, neither really talked about the emotional weight of their connection. Bruce never initiated the conversation, and Clark hesitated to push the subject, especially when Bruce had only recently acknowledged the string's existence.

Clark had always assumed that Bruce saw their bond as more of an inconvenience until one day, Clark suddenly found himself able to see their string.

To his shock, it wasn’t the red he had expected—it was black. Traditionally, red strings of fate would turn black when a relationship was filled with rage and contempt. Bruce had been distancing himself because he thought Clark harbored resentment toward him.

But as Clark examined the string more closely, he realized something Bruce hadn’t seen. Their string wasn’t truly black—it was the deepest shade of red, signifying a mutual love that had matured and strengthened over time. Its color was so saturated that it appeared black to the naked eye.

What Bruce mistook for hatred was, in fact, a love so strong that its depth had been misinterpreted.

[celtrist]

Was there ever one...?

[that1notetaker]

The lamb keeps a braid as a way to honor the death of those who couldn't make it. Usually they have time to braid it but they take long because they're bad at it. They've got a sermon in 5. Favours for favours. Ps: Narinder isn't hiding his eyes, not exactly. But he is hiding something.

[icarusredwings]

Deadpool if it was a red string au:

Weasel: Man, I hope who ever is at the end of my string is hot.

Wade: Man, me too ahah- wait

Weasel: what?

Wade:...string??? As in.... one?

Weasel: uh... yeahhh??

Wade: *staring at his multiple, different colored strings, leading in all different directions* ..Shit.

[kizzer55555]

Super Dead Soulmates

In this universe, any injury or scar you sustain appears on your soulmate. However, for as long as he could remember, Danny never gained an injury that wasn’t his own. When he was very young, his parents would always say that he was just a late bloomer and perhaps his soulmate was a few years younger than he was and thus, just wasn’t born yet. As Danny grew older, they got more absorbed in their work and just seemed to forget about the whole ordeal. Danny never asked them about it again, afraid they might think a ghost had ‘cursed’ him or something. It was hard enough to hide the lack of additional scars at school. Luckily, most people don’t get injured very often so it was easy enough to play off some of his injuries as that from a soulmate. The only ones who knew the truth were his sister and his best friends. Danny was just convinced that he didn’t have a soulmate and had accepted that fact, even if it hurt. Then the accident happened and for once, he was thankful his soulmate wouldn’t have to feel his pain. And even more so when he started to fight the other ghosts daily. Danny was content to live like this, but with more ghost fights, his injuries started piling up. Danny excused them saying that they were from his soulmate. It didn’t completely get rid of the scrutiny but most people bought it. Afterall, how else would puny Fenton get those kinds of bruises? So for a while, that excuse worked…until someone realized that Danny and Phantom’s injuries linked up (I vote Wes). Now normally, the natural conclusion would be that Danny and Phantom were the same person. But due to the fact that one of them was dead and the other clearly alive, everyone gained a new theory…that Phantom was Danny’s soulmate. It would explain the recent injuries as Phantom was often seen fighting other ghosts. And to be honest, this was the perfect cover. It’s not like Danny had an actual soulmate who might show up and this added another layer of protection against people thinking he and Phantom were the same person. So Danny remained silent and let the rumors grow. Sure people now thought he and Phantom were dating but that was fiiiiiinnnneee. (But BOY was that an awkward conversation with his parents). 

And then Kon was born.

As a clone, all he knew from the outside was implanted into his mind. He knew the color of the sky, the sound of music, academic equations and a lot of common knowledge such as soulmates. He knew that injuries were shared between a bonded pair and that everyone had a soulmate. But he was different. He wasn't born a baby and grew up alongside another person. He wasn’t even real according to some people. Yet one day, he noticed bruises lining his arms, he was confused. He should have had impenetrable skin like Superman. As far as he could remember, his skin had never been pierced before. And it’s not like he fought a godlike being that day. He shouldn’t have any injuries. Kon decided to ignore them but the injuries kept showing up. It got so bad that his team started to notice and sat him down asking if everything was alright with his powers or if he was exposed to kryptonite somehow. So, very confused, Kon had explained that the injuries just kept showing up. It was only after his team gave him a curious look and explained the concepts of soulmates did everything click with him. Sure, Kon knew about soulmates but surely that couldn't be what this was! He was a clone! He shouldn’t have a soulmate. It was impossible! But after a few more days of observation and a bit of testing, everyone determined that this was, in fact, a soulmate bond. 

To say Kon was ecstatic was an understatement. Actually, it was a mix of excitement, nervousness, worry, and joy all rolled into one. He was elated at the idea that he had someone meant for him. Someone who would accept all of him. Kon had looked at the others and there had always been a slight jealousy when he saw a paper cut bloom on their fingers or see them rub a bruised knee fondly. 

But more than anything. He was happy because this was proof that he was real. Afterall, a soulmate wouldn’t match with him unless his soul was equal to theirs. His body almost melted with relief at that realization. A weight off his shoulders he never fully grasped was still there. 

Of course there was the worry of why exactly his soulmate had so many injuries. For a hero, it was obvious they would get injured (although they tried to have as much protective padding as possible to limit that possibility. But some injuries still got through.) Yet the amount of injuries Kon’s soulmate sustained were far more than that (because Danny lacked proper padding  and didn’t think he had to worry about a soulmate. Most injuries looked worse than they were anyways due to his fast healing). And on the contrary, Kon’s skin was perfectly clear. With his kryptonian biology, even if he got hurt, it never left a mark. So all the injuries and bruises sustained on him were purely from his soulmate. And there was enough for two people. On the bright side, it helped with his cover, on the downside, Kon started to worry about his soulmate. (Meanwhile, Danny didn’t notice a difference. Sure, sometimes he would feel a temporary ache or sharp pain but no mark was left so he just assumed the pain was sore muscles from a previous battle or that one of his rogues were hitting harder than he thought.) 

As for Kon, he and his team used every resource at their disposal to try and track down Kon’s soulmate. They did this for every member of the team as hero soulmates were in more danger than most but they paid special attention to Kon’s soulmate due to the rapid accumulation of injuries. 

Kon would fantasize on what his soulmate would be like. Would they be tall? Short? They would probably be able to fight. Boy or girl? It doesn't really matter. Kon knew opposite gender soulmates were more common but he wouldn’t mind a guy either. His days were filled with dreams of a mystery person. Someone he could hold in his arms and protect. Who would comfort him after patrols and who he could introduce to his friends. 

After a while, Tim finally found a lead. Some doctor records of a boy in a small town called Amity. Apparently he was prescribed pain medicine to help with ‘soulmate injuries’. The lost of injuries were extensive and after looking at some pictures, they realized that his scars and Kon’s scars lined up. A perfect match. So it wasn’t long before they made a quick road trip to Amity. 

This place was already on the Justice League radar. It was a town that appears to have a permanent portal to the afterlife and was attacked often. (Which might explain why Kon’s soulmate was so injured). The Justice League had not interfered yet because the town had a local hero as well. Someone who seemed good at his job and who Tim was even thinking of recruiting. So this was a good opportunity to hit two birds with one stone. Afterall, not much was known about this mysterious Phantom other than he dedicated his afterlife to protecting this one town. Once they got to Amity they would probably need to check in with Phantom before anything. And despite his impatience with finding the person who might be his soulmate, even Kon was excited to meet this hero. Apparently Phantom had vast experience but also a major power set. He might gain another flying buddy or someone he could wrestle with without worrying about his strength. Afterall, Phantom also supposedly had super strength and even if he didn’t, it’s not like you can kill a ghost. Yet no matter how hard they looked, they couldn’t find him. It was only by coincidence that they stumbled upon Danny instead and his group of friends. 

The first time Kon saw Danny, it was like coming home. He wanted to do nothing more than rush to his soulmate and hug him and vow to always keep him safe. He wanted to prove that he would be the best soulmate ever and he wanted to know everything there was to know about him. He was practically vibrating where he stood in his civilian disguise and it was only his friends that held him back from flying over and surprising the poor boy.

But before he could do anything, a ghost attacked. Kon barely had enough time to grab his friends and dodge when some kind of glowing creature crashed into a building. And while normally he would immediately find somewhere to change, Kon’s first instinct was to check on his soulmate, only to see the two people he assumed to be the boy’s friends but no sign of Danny. Frantically looking around, he didn’t notice the glowing creature behind him (was that a dragon?) but before it could reach him, another glowing figure intercepted the attack. They looked almost ethereal with white hair softly floating in the air and a suit that hugged his muscled form tightly. The figure turned around and gave a sheepish smile towards Kon. “You ok?”

And it felt like for the second time that day, Kon was rendered breathless. 

Someone was protecting him.

Someone was protecting him?

Yet it felt…nice. Warm.

Before Kon could gather his thoughts though the battle picked up in earnest. He and his team found cover and changed into their suits. When they came to help, the person Kon assumed to be Phantom looked surprised at their sudden appearance but it wasn’t long before he and everyone else started working together. Unfortunately, actually fighting the ghost seemed to be impossible. Whenever they got close, their hits just passed right through so Phantom quickly regulated them on defense and citizen protection duty. Occasionally getting a hit in when the creature was tangible. Watching Phantom fight was something. Kon could understand why he was elected to join their team. He had this sort of grace and power that couldn’t be explained in words but was clearly from the experience of many battles.

Despite not being able to do much, fighting with Phantom was fun. They seemed to be completely in sync and it wasn’t long before Kon started to enjoy his loud commentary and puns as the two ghosts fought.

However, one particularly hard hit made it so that the dragon’s claws grazed his chest. Leaving three shallow gashes, but Phantom took the close proximity that attack gave him and sucked the creature into…a soup thermos?

But Kon wasn’t focused on that. He was wholly focused on the stinging pain suddenly coming from his chest, underneath his untouched uniform that clearly had not been hit. Kon didn’t know how to process what was happening. Everything suddenly became louder and he vaguely tried to move but it was like his mind became mush as he tried to process what that meant. He managed to get away for a bit and undid his shit, looking down to see three shallow scratches along his chest. Scratches that perfectly mirrored Phantom. In the corner of his eye, Kon saw a head of black hair and witnessed as Danny reunited with his two friends he had been separated from in the chaos. And as Danny twisted to hug them, his shirt flipped up enough to see another identical 3 scratches along the boy's stomach. Perfectly mirroring Phantoms. 

It was only later that Kon and his team did some more research on the town and it’s ghosts and learned the unofficial secret that Phantom and Danny were dating. That Phantom had Likely come back from the afterlife to protect the town his soulmate lived in. On the bright side, at least now he could confirm Danny really was his soulmate. And he knew where all those injuries were coming from.

Kon had found his soulmate.

Correction, he found his soumates

And they were already bonded to each other.

…

….so where did that leave him?

There are now two options. 

1: Kon decided that he just needs to woo both his soulmates and starts doing so both as Superboy and as Conner. Danny is very confused who these people are (because as far as he knows, he doesn’t have a soulmate, and since Kon doesn’t visibly show injury, there is no sign (unless Danny somehow injures himself in a place that is visible but he’s been trying to avoid that to make everyone worry less.)). Kon goes all out. He gets flowers, chocolates, writes poetry (whether good or not doesn’t matter) starts wooing Phantom in hero form, showing off his strength and skill whenever possible. (And unfortunately, also his dork side when he isn’t paying attention while flying) Asking to hang out, insist on paying for everything. Danny sees this tall Hunk who is paying attention to him and he doesn’t know what to do. And there are TWO OF THEM! (Also, in this version it might be funny if people suspect Danny and Phantom are dating but don’t know for sure and since they are never around each other, people might assume they just don’t know. So Sam, Tucker, and Jazz are all for Danny possibly starting a relationship with Kon along with Kon’s team who are cheering them on and trying to help the poor clone boy who has no experience with romance. Meanwhile literally everyone else in the town who likes Phantom is trying to run interference and get Danny and their hero together. 

2: The angst option. Kon decides that the fact that he has two soulmates who are together is likely a result of him being a clone. It’s not that he had someone waiting for him (how could he think someone was waiting their whole life just for him? How stupid was he?!) Kon had just hijacked a different bond. So he tries to stay away. Unfortunately, Tim had talked with Phantom while Kon was out of it so now they have started to team up. This makes avoiding him very difficult as he keeps running into Phantom. Moreover, he runs into Danny because they need him for the ghost hunting equipment. And slowly but surely, Kon falls in love with ‘both’ his soulmates but doesn’t want to get ‘between’ them. And Danny wants to know why one of his new teammates is avoiding him.

[strawowoberry]

I guess Zim was hit with a love-bomb.

This is an idea addition inspired by my old post :)

Chammy Wamboo comes back after being sent through a portal because of how fed up Zim and Dib both were, she easily befriends aliens that have the mission of spreading love throughout the galaxy (cheesy I know) gave her an elixir giving her powers to basically become cupid and control peoples love life with shooting people with arrows that would obviously make them fall in love but also create their string of fate with another who has been shot with a connected arrow. Coming back to fulfill her duties of uniting the two not only as friends, now with her new powers of love✌️RAHHHH

[evilkaeya]

skk au where everything is the same except Chuuya and Dazai have literal red string of fate tied to their pinkies. It appears when Chuuya kicked Dazai down in Suribachi. No one else can see the string. They've tried to untie it, cut it, burn it, rip it, bomb it- but to no avail. There's no limit to the length of the string. No matter how far they go, they're always tied to each other.

[riinniies]

|| ITOSHI RIN ||

Plot : Soulmate AU, Red string of fate.

Fluff! This is PART TWOOO!! I've done my assignment hours ago (like 4 hours ago), btw, idk why i'd like to skip things.. hehe, Tsundere! Rin, Calm reader, Strangers to friends and then to loverrr <333!!

Wc : 2717 words

PART ONEE ! !

BONUS CHAPP ! !

My writings

Hope you like itt!!

After the awkward but honest conversation, Rin finally gave in. Bachira, who had kept teasing and almost forcing him, made Rin feel like there was no other option but to surrender. "I’ll send the message, right?" Rin said in a flat tone, trying not to show the awkwardness taking over him.

You just nodded, letting out a small laugh. "Yeah, sure."

Bachira, now standing next to Rin, flashed a wide smile. "What are you waiting for, Rin? You don’t even need to wait. Just send the message now!"

Rin shot Bachira a sharp look before reluctantly pulling out his phone. "This is just a formality," he said, though his fingers were already typing your number.

You received the message, and instantly, that strange feeling filled your chest again. There was an unexplainable tension—an emotion that blended hope and fear.

"I’ve sent a message," Rin said, his voice softer than before, though still uncertain. "Don’t contact me too often."

You gave a small smile. "Of course,"

After that, you and Rin exchanged goodbyes. You walked back toward your father and family, while Rin and Bachira continued their carefree conversation by the beach.

You felt a bit relieved, though your heart was still adrift with emotions you couldn’t quite explain. That thread, which once felt so heavy, now seemed like a thread leading toward an uncertain direction.

••••

Your family was sitting at the dining table, seemingly ready to head to the beach. Your father greeted you with a wide smile. "Did you rest well? Don’t forget to enjoy your time, okay?"

You nodded, offering a faint smile, trying to hide your mixed emotions. "Of course, Dad. I feel better."

However, inside, something still troubled you. What should you do now? Fully accept fate? Or should you pull back and forget everything?

Your phone vibrated in your pocket, and you immediately checked the sender—Rin.

Rin: "Maybe we can talk more later. But I really don’t know how this will turn out. Just… don’t expect too much."

You stared at the message, feeling a mix of emotions that were hard to describe. Even though Rin said that, there were things that couldn’t be denied. There was a pull, a connection, and it would remain between you two, even if there were no guarantees.

With slightly trembling hands, you replied:

You: "I’ll be patient, Rin. I don’t expect much, but I want to get to know you better."

You looked at the phone screen for a moment before slipping it back into your pocket. It felt strange, but also relieving. Perhaps this was a slow start, but it was the first step in this unexpected journey.

••••

Rin sat on the sand, still thinking about the message he had just sent. Bachira sat beside him, seemingly enjoying the relaxed beach atmosphere.

"So, how’s it going?"

Bachira asked with a big smile.

Rin stared at the sea, slightly annoyed by Bachira’s question.

"I don’t know. I just don’t want things to get more complicated."

Bachira chuckled. "Hah, you’re hard to read. But don’t worry, Rin. If she’s your soulmate, you can’t run from her. Try to be more open."

Rin shot Bachira a half-pessimistic glance. "I’m not the type to open up to strangers."

Bachira shrugged. "We’ll see. I’m sure, even if you’re not ready, you’ll find a way to accept this."

Rin fell silent, staring far out at the sea, his mind swirling. What was he supposed to do with this sudden fate?

• A Week Later

Over the past week, your communication with Rin still felt awkward. The messages exchanged were often short and to the point, more like formalities than casual chats. Still, you felt a little progress. At least Rin wasn’t completely closing himself off.

One morning, while enjoying some time alone at a café near your house, your phone vibrated. A message from Rin appeared.

Rin: "Do you often draw in the park?"

You smiled a little, surprised that he was actually showing some interest. Quickly, you typed a response.

You: "Yeah, the park is my favorite place. Sometimes I draw, sometimes I just sit and enjoy the atmosphere. Why?"

A few minutes later, his reply came.

Rin: "It’s nothing. I was just trying to imagine it."

That short message left you momentarily speechless. Rin may not have said it clearly, but you knew he was trying to get to know you better, even if his approach was still a bit stiff.

• 3 Months Later

Your relationship with Rin had slowly progressed. You started talking more often, though most of your conversations were still through messages. Rin, who was usually cold and distant, had begun to show another side of himself—a softer side, even though he still tried to hide it behind his short words and formal demeanor.

One night, after an important match, Rin sent an unexpected message.

Rin: "I’ll be in your town for a match next week. If you're not busy, come watch."

That message made you pause for a moment. It was the first time he invited you to meet again after the encounter at the beach. Cautiously, you typed your reply.

You: "Of course. I’ll be there. Thanks for inviting me."

You then went to bed with mixed feelings—nervous yet excited. As you were about to go to sleep, you felt your phone vibrate again, you raised your eyebrows and then smiled a little when you read the incoming message.

Rin : "i'm not inviting you."

Somehow, you felt funny to read his chat.

••••

The stadium was packed with fans. The electric atmosphere made you even more nervous, but you tried to enjoy the moment. After getting settled in your seat, you looked toward the field. When Rin appeared with his team, your heart raced.

He seemed focused, every move reflecting dedication and incredible skill. Throughout the match, you couldn’t take your eyes off him. He truly dominated the game, and you felt proud for reasons you couldn’t explain.

When the match ended, and Rin’s team won, you received a message from him.

Rin: "I have some time. Wait outside the stadium."

You waited where he mentioned, feeling nervous but also excited. When Rin finally appeared, still in his uniform, you found it hard to stop yourself from smiling.

Rin: "You came," he said, his voice sounding more relaxed than usual.

You: "Of course. I wanted to see you play."

He nodded, looking at you for a moment before glancing away. "What did you think?"

You: "You were amazing. I can see how hard you work."

Rin seemed a little surprised by your compliment, but he just nodded quietly. "Thanks," he muttered.

Your conversation was simple, but there was something different this time. It felt like the distance between you was slowly shrinking, little by little.

• Months Later

Your relationship had continued to grow. Even though Rin was still stiff, he had started opening up in his own way. He often messaged first, though the messages were usually short or consisted of pictures of places he visited during his matches.

One day, he sent a photo of a green field with a beautiful blue sky.

Rin: "This is where I trained today. It reminds me of the park where you draw."

You smiled and quickly typed a response.

You: "Thanks for thinking of me. I’m drawing right now, in the park."

Not long after, Rin sent another message.

Rin: "I'm not thinking of you, i'm thinking of the park. And.. If you have time, show me your drawing. I want to see it."

You were surprised, but also happy. Rin had never shown interest in your hobby before. Carefully, you took a picture of your drawing and sent it to him.

Rin: "..It’s good. I didn’t know you were this good."

You chuckled a little reading his message, feeling your bond with him grow warmer.

• A Year Later

Your relationship had become much stronger. You talked more frequently, both through messages and phone calls. Rin had even started sharing more about his dreams and the challenges he faced as an athlete.

One night, while you were talking on the phone, Rin suddenly said:

Rin: "I know I’m not an easy person. And I don’t know if I’m a good soulmate. But… I want to try."

You paused, feeling warmth fill your chest.

You: "Me too, Rin. We have plenty of time to learn together, right?"

That night, you felt like your relationship had finally reached a new stage. The thread that had connected you no longer felt like a burden, but a promise that you would keep moving forward together, no matter what happened.

• A Month After the Phone Conversation

Rin had slowly started to show his true personality, well, he shows it before. But now, he shows it more often. Even though he still often appeared cold, there were moments when his tsundere nature would surface, especially when he felt embarrassed or didn’t know how to express himself.

One day, after sending a message about your latest drawing, you decided to tease Rin a little.

You: "I drew something today. Guess who inspired it?"

His response came quickly.

Rin: "It’s not me, right? Don’t do anything weird."

You chuckled as you read his message and quickly sent a photo of your drawing—a simple sketch of him on the field.

You: "Actually, it’s you. Sorry if it doesn’t look like you."

A few minutes passed without a reply. You almost thought he didn’t like it, but eventually, your phone vibrated.

Rin: "...It’s okay. But don’t draw me too often. You have other things to do, right?"

You knew this was his way of hiding his embarrassment, so you just smiled and typed a reply.

You: "I just wanted to draw something that inspired me. If you don’t like it, I won’t do it again."

Rin: "I didn’t say I didn’t like it. Just... don’t show it to others."

You just smiled a little when you read the message, he's so cute—wait what?

••••

A few weeks later, Rin came to your town again for another match. This time, he made a request that surprised you.

Rin : "I have a few hours before practice. If you’re not busy, meet me at the café near the stadium,"

Without hesitation, you agreed. When you arrived at the café, Rin was already sitting in a corner with a cup of coffee in front of him. He looked a little nervous, though he tried to hide it.

"You’re fast," he said without looking directly at you.

"You invited me, so I didn’t want to keep you waiting," you replied with a smile.

He huffed softly, sipping his coffee before speaking again. "I just don’t want Bachira to know about this. He’d tease me relentlessly."

You chuckled softly, imagining Bachira’s reaction if he found out about this meeting. "Why are you scared of Bachira? Don’t you always put on a cold face in front of him?"

Rin shrugged, his eyes finally meeting yours. "He’s too loud. And I don’t like complicated things."

You chatted for a while, light conversation, but there was a moment when he suddenly said awkwardly:

"You don’t have to think too much about this. I just... I think we need to meet more often. But not because I want to. It’s just that—" he pointed at his pinky finger, which was connected to the red thread—"this makes me curious."

You smiled slightly, feeling he was trying to hide his true intentions. "Of course. I understand. After all, it’s not because you care, right?" you teased.

Rin immediately looked away, his face slightly flushed. "Don’t get too confident."

• 6 Months Later

Rin’s tsundere side became more evident as your relationship grew closer. Although he often denied his feelings, his actions often spoke louder.

One day, when you were having a bad day, Rin suddenly called you.

"You sounded strange in your last message. What’s wrong?" he asked bluntly.

You tried to reassure him that you were fine, but he didn’t easily believe you.

"Don’t lie. If you don’t want to tell me, I won’t force you. But if you keep acting like this, I’ll come over right now," he said firmly.

You knew he was serious, so you finally opened up about what was bothering you. After listening patiently, he said :

"You don’t have to bear everything alone. If you need help, just say it. Doesn’t mean I care or anything, but... that’s what soulmates are supposed to do, right?"

Although his words sounded cold, you knew he cared in his own way. And that was enough to make you feel better. When you were about to answer his question, you heard the sound of the call being disconnected. You smiled, he was really cute.

••••

Rin wasn’t as stiff anymore, though his tsundere nature remained. He had started getting used to your relationship, though occasionally, he still felt awkward.

When you met again to celebrate your birthday, he brought a small gift—something you never expected.

"This is just... a small thing. Don’t think I spent too much time on it," he said as he handed you a small box containing high-quality colored pencils.

You smiled widely, feeling touched. "Thank you, Rin. I really like it."

He looked away, his face a little flushed. "Yeah, yeah. Don’t talk too much about it. I just thought you might need them to draw better."

You both laughed together, and for the first time, Rin didn’t try to deny the small smile on his face. Even though he still struggled to express his feelings, you knew that he cared for you in his own way—and that was more than enough.

••••

Time had passed, and your relationship with Rin had gone through many phases. From awkwardness and confusion to moments where you both understood each other without needing many words. Rin, although still not adept at showing his emotions directly, had grown into someone who was never hesitant to be by your side when you needed him.

Rin's career in football had been shining brighter than ever. He often moved from country to country for matches and training, but you both maintained your communication. Despite the physical distance, there was always a sense of calm whenever you looked at the red thread on your pinky finger.

One day, Rin sent a message that felt different from the usual.

Rin: "I have some free time next week. There’s something I want to talk about. Meet me at the place where we first met."

Your heart fluttered as you read his message. Although he didn’t explain more, you knew this wasn’t just a regular meeting.

When the day arrived, you went to the beach where you first met. The late afternoon sun cast a golden hue over the sand, making the scene look almost like a painting. In the distance, you saw Rin standing with his hands in his pockets.

"You’re right on time," he said, turning to face you.

"Of course. I knew this was important," you replied with a smile.

He nodded slowly, gazing at the sea for a moment before finally speaking. "I often think... about how my life changed since I met you."

His words made you pause. He rarely spoke like this, and you knew that every word he said carried weight.

"At first, I hated it. I thought this thread would only be an obstacle. But... I was wrong. Because every time I look at this thread, I feel at peace. I feel like there’s someone in this world who always understands me, even when I don’t understand myself."

He paused, taking a deep breath before looking at you again.

"You’ve changed so much in my life. And I want to keep walking forward with you. I don’t know if I can be the perfect person for you, but I’ll try... if you want."

You smiled softly, feeling tears well up in your eyes. "Rin... I never needed perfection. I just need you."

He smiled faintly—a smile that only appeared in certain moments. "Good. Because I’m not letting you go."

••••

• Bonus

A few years later, your lives were filled with simple happiness. Rin remained focused on his career, while you continued your journey as an artist. Every time he returned from a match, you always made time to be together, whether it was strolling in the park or simply chatting at home over a warm cup of tea.

The red thread on your fingers remained, a reminder that this relationship was something fate had chosen for you both. Although it had been difficult and full of challenges in the beginning, you had proven that love wasn’t about perfection—it was about the effort to understand and support each other.

And with every step you took together, you knew that fate had never been wrong in bringing together two hearts that were meant to be.

THE END ! !

|| ugh, why is it so cheesy.. dammit😭😭 I'm actually making a bonus chapter, where Rin and (name) are married<333

THANKS FOR READING!! <333

[drippinonabuffet]

Drew them. I'm not the strongest in the field of digital art, oi oi oi.

[iknowicanbutwhy]

wait. did one of the loops actually become a red giant? petition to call that one Loop-king (like looping. get it. hahah. ill see my self out.)

Haha yeah!! Loop-king, King of Loops, figurehead of the universe, constellation formed by the collapsing stars and wishes that bind them, that define them, a responsibility and love born of generations of dying stars and supernovas and stardust and new stars - or something like that!

A Loop, certainly. We're all Loop in these parts.

[mokokone]

Hello! I have an idea/request!!! I saw your Kusuriuri's and love them SO MUCH! Can I request maybe a Kusuriuri x reader with the red string, I heard that Kusuriuri is "unlikely that he can ever settle down and marry" so maybe the reader is the one that follows the red string and finds him. You know just a cute writing! Have a good day/afternoon/night! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ ♡♡

A/N: I had to do a little research on Japanese mythology before writing this. Hope you enjoy!♡

The Red Thread [The Medicine Seller/Kusuriuri x Reader Soulmate AU]

When you'd first seen the thin red string that was neatly tied to your pinkie finger, you knew immediately that Okuninushi no Mikoto, the God of Love and Marriage, had bound you to your soulmate.

You so badly wanted to meet them, but you were a little afraid that they might not be what you had imagined. However, as days turned into weeks and weeks into months, the red string remained a constant reminder of the divine connection you shared with your soulmate. You found yourself growing more and more curious about who they could be, wondering if they were thinking about you too.

The anticipation and excitement continued to build, filling your heart with a mixture of hope and apprehension. Every time you looked at the string, you felt a surge of warmth and comfort, knowing that somewhere out there, your soulmate was waiting for you.

Thus, you began your journey through the land of Edo in search of the one connected to you by the red string of fate.

From bustling streets and rural villages to serene gardens and sacred shrines, the sense of connection you felt grew stronger. With each step you took, you felt an unfamiliar, small tug on your pinkie.

However, nothing came from those small tugs on the string. Despite the initial excitement and hope that had filled your heart, the absence of any further signals left you feeling uncertain and restless. You began to wonder if perhaps you had misinterpreted the signs or if the timing was simply not right.

As you were about to lose all hope, you suddenly felt that one constant pull, and you almost thought your finger was going to come off.

Curiosity is eating you alive. You take a deep breath and stand, following the string whenever it tugs. It was as if it was guiding you.

You want to know who you are connected to and why. You follow until the red string leads you to a red torii gate. Passing through, you're met with a gorgeous garden of pink hydrangeas and a beautiful shrine covered in papar Ofuda.

You stare at it in awe for a moment until the red string begins to glow brightly.

Slowly, you approach the shrine and see a man sitting on the engawa.

He had dirty blonde hair and wore a purple bandanna. He's dressed in a vibrant kimono with beautiful psychedelic patterns, and his appearance looks elven-like. The outsides of his eyes are outlined by strange markings, with the ones underneath forming the appearance of teardrops. And his upper lip is painted purple, making it appear that he is constantly smiling.

He doesn't look human at all. In fact, he remained like a sly fox. But the red string seems to connect to him as it does to you.

For a moment, you stare at him until his gaze meets yours.

"Oh!" His voice is velvety and attractive as he raises a tad, "A visitor."

Suddenly, you felt naked as he shamelessly eyed you up and down; the corners of his mouth curled along with his painted lips in an amused smirk.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of this special visit?" He asked.

"Are you... my soulmate?" You asked shyly, slowly inching your way closer.

You wanted to get closer to him, but stopped a few feet from him so as not to invade his personal space. You were strangers. The enchanted Ofuda covering the shrine acts as a warning to you to keep away.

"Hmm, perhaps I am." He tilts his head in question. "First, I'm hunting Mononoke, and the next thing I know is that I have a red string tied to my finger."

He then eyed the string tied to your own finger as his smile widens. Gently, he pulls at the red thread as if trying to pull you forward.

"It would seem the old man has a sense of humor," He said.

Your face heats up in embarrassment as you shyly avert your gaze toward the ground. However, another tug on the string brings your attention back to him.

"Anyway, I've been waiting for you to come find me," He replies.

"Y-you have?"

He nods.

"Though, you'll have to excuse all these... decorations," he says, gesturing towards the paper ofuda covering the shrine. "They were for safety measures in case you were a mononoke. Okuninushi is an old friend of mine, and I had assumed this was his way of a joke. But apparently I was wrong."

"Uh, do you have a name?" You asked him.

"I'm just a humble medicine seller," He answers nonchalantly.

"You don't have a name?" You tilt your head in question.

Another smile graced his painted lips, and he is like a fox.

"I am but a humble medicine seller, nothing more."

Did he simply not have a name, or was he hiding it out of habit? Either way, you decided to call him as is.

"Kusuriuri, then," you say.

The Medicine Seller, or "Kusuriuri," grins in response, the sight of his sharp canines making your heart thump faster as the red string of fate that connects you both glows brighter.

Soon, he silently motions you over to sit next to him, which, after a little hesitation, you do.

For a moment, neither of you speak, the tranquil silence enveloping the space between you like a soft, comforting blanket, creating an atmosphere filled with anticipation. You feel Kusuriuri's enigmatic gaze on you, and for a second, you think that he's displeased by what he sees.

What if he finds you mediocre, ugly, or disgusting?

"Are you happy with the result?" He suddenly asked, nearly making you jump.

"Eh?" You meet his gaze. "M-me..?"

He nods in response, a gentle affirmation that propels your heart into a flurry of emotions as you realize the depth of his query.

"Yes."

Oh! Apparently he was having the same thoughts as you and is now asking if you're happy with the outcome.

You're not sure if it's the red thread that ties your souls inextricably together, but you couldn't be happier to have finally met him. It's clear he's not human, but you refuse to let such distinctions cloud your feelings or cloud your judgment of what truly matters.

"Okuninushi wants to know if you're satisfied with me being your soulmate. It is why the red thread glows," Kusuriuri explains, his words carrying a weight of significance. "If you are disappointed or unhappy, then you can untie and remove it from your finger." He added.

You're surprised by this. I mean, did you really want to untie the string? Yes, you and Kusuriuri are strangers and hardly know each other. But surely there's a reason why the God of Love and Marriage chose Kusuriuri to be your one and only.

Feeling a mix of curiosity and apprehension, you gaze at the glowing thread that binds you and Kusuriuri together. As the significance of the situation sinks in, you find yourself hesitating, unsure of whether to keep the thread intact or to sever it and potentially change the course of destiny.

However, Kusuriuri doesn't seem to be complaining much since he's making no effort to remove the string, which piqued your curiosity.

"Are you happy, Kusuriuri-san?" You asked while averting your gaze back to him. "Are you satisfied with me being your soulmate?"

The words tumble out of your mouth in a rush, betraying the anxiety that has been building up inside you.

For a moment, he said nothing and only stared at you, which started to worry you. However, the corner of his lips arched upward as he smiled. His smile is enigmatic, hinting at a depth of emotion that you can't quite decipher.

"Only if you don't find me uninteresting," he says. "I am quite satisfied with my result." His words are cryptic yet strangely comforting, leaving you with a sense of peace.

"You are?"

"Yes, very much."

Slowly, he leans in close until he's inches away from your face. The sudden proximity made your face feel warm. His presence feels both familiar and unknown, drawing you in with a magnetic pull.

"I must admit, it gets lonely traveling alone, and I could use some company," he tells you with a soft smile.

The warmth of his eyes draws you in, hinting at a desire for connection and shared experiences in the boundless expanse of the world.

"Then, yes, I am happy, Kusuriuri-san," you finally answer in earnest.

Okuninushi didn't make no mistake.

"Then, would you care to join me on my travels, my dear?" He asked you.

You nod in agreement, still mesmerized by the sincerity and depth of his gaze, you feel an unspoken invitation to join him on an adventure, uncertain of the destination but eager for the journey ahead.

Without a word exchanged, the silence between you speaks volumes as you both lean in, closing the distance between your lips. In that fleeting moment of connection, the world around you fades into insignificance, leaving only the sensation of his touch and the shared intimacy of that tender kiss.

The red string of fate glows brighter, as does your bond.

[celtrist]

Let's make our own fate

Needed practice with Alastor's colors before going at it with the wip piece I have (which ironically enough is another red string of fate piece). But while I do oh so enjoy Alastor being an independent mammal who doesn't need no mate, I 100% still have fun shipping with him myself from time to time. And this ship is probably my favorite with him (and y'know what, you can take this as a QPR thing or romance thing, why not?)! And, might I add, severely underrated when it has elements of radiobelle, radioapple, and radiostatic (in terms of colors at least) wrapped up together- HOW ARE PEOPLE SLEEPING ON THIS SHIP HELLO???

Joking aside, Emily and Alastor are in a weird place for me where I like them in this ship dynamic (QPR or romantic), but I also like them in a dynamic similar to what Alastor and Charlie have if you're going the mentor-protege route or parent-child route. Which is a very strange to like those two very opposing dynamics (primarily the lovey dovey and parent-child aspects because y'know... )

I don't imagine these two will really interact much in canon, but I really would love to see how their interactions would go down and if they'd be at all different from how Charlie and Alastor interact (seeing as Emily and Charlie are a wee bit similar y'know?)