#ryu-verse

[lightdancer1]

A snippet from my upcoming Ryu-verse AU:

"You know the funny thing, Princess?"

Jiren gritted her teeth and merely focused on her device, one of her newer weapons, one of the things that drew the gaze of the Major. It was one of the things that really ground her gears, here. In pursuit of an errant being even worse off than she was, to put her out of her misery. Artificial firebending in the palm of her hands. Things to topple cities and level thrones.....and she was in the hands, Gods rot her soul, of the kind of child she should be yelling at to get back to school when she was skipping class.

"It's a right silly old world isn't it?" Her grin had a roguish quality.

"Here you are, a monster condemned because you did the right thing. Here I am a hero for doing so much worse, for knowing all too well what it is for human flesh to burn, and to enjoy the burning. I do it in uniform and I'm a hero. You do it as a kid my age, and you're a monster."

Jiren's eyes flashed with malice and then the smile became much nastier and the soldier took a step to her.

"Go ahead, Princess. Try it."

Jiren scowled and then finished her artificial firebending device, the fiftieth of its kind. These were weapons to lay low armies. With that done they turned their eyes to the east, to the colossal walls. Major Hoelun's smile became much nastier and for just a moment there was a more than faint hint of a chill crawling along her spine.

"You and I have never really had the chance to play this game."

The soldier jerked her thumb and then Jiren stared dumbfounded at the clothes in front of her.

"I hate dresses, and robes. I really, really do. Too girly." The major had a truly aristocratic sneer on her face at that.

"But what great ordus cannot take from the start by force can be taken by finesse. It's a wonder so august a figure as the General-Prince never sought to try it, but then he made his reputation by being a bull-dog that grabbed and choked and chewed. No consideration for finer points."

She turned her gaze to the Princess.

"And somewhere in there, there's that weapon, or so they called her. The little girl honed into something that was never going to work. Stupidest idea possible, really."

In the wake of saying that Major Hoelun drew a blade, finely honed, and moved it in a few quick motions and then pointed it toward Jiren.

"This is a weapon. A thing made by human hands for the sake of stabbing and thrusting, hewing flesh and shattering bones. A girl, like your dear cousin?"

The Major's laugh was a cold, more than a little sinister one.

"Or like that damned Kyoshi Warrior troop I ambushed...."

She shook her head.

"One of them got away, you know. Shot her in the back with a lightning bolt because she pissed me off by doing that. Well, tried to. I think I missed just enough she could walk off. They're all there. In the dragon's lair, the city of Thirty Sieges, thanks to illustrious General-Prince Iroh."

Their eyes turned to the city.

"Into the dragon's lair, where the monster dark and cold waits, in waters deep."

The major sheathed the sword.

And then her gaze turned with an equally harsh look to two bedraggled girls whose groans as they held their feet showed that they were anything but used to this kind of life, something Jiren registered with contempt. The major saw this and then her smile became something truly morbid, something that made Jiren freeze.

"Want to know why those two are here?"

She went over to Princess Jiren, sitting beside her, and told Jiren the full contours of the most horrifying story that hadn't happened to her that she'd heard to that point, and as she spoke more details Jiren's gaze flickered in growing comprehension and with that hate deepening.

"Of course, you see, they did get a little too used to making dolls out of actual humans. Tried that with me."

A nasty belly laugh followed.

"And their punishment has been to be stuck with us. They go in with us and bring the weapon back, this flawed idiotic dream of a dead Fire Lord, make up for the failure. Or they don't come back at all."

Jiren did a double-take for a moment, and the Major saw that.

"You tea-drinkers have such a soft life and such pampered ideals. The light we've brought to the world is their villages burned, their lives laid waste. Civilization has suffered unimaginable horrors because of Sozin's great vision. We dress it up pretty and turn massacres into sterling victories against impossible odds, our heroes tearing down vile terrorists."

She shook her head.

"Welcome to the war, Princess."

And then the Major's gaze was one more calculating as her fingers tapped against her cheek.

"I wonder, if I were to do what the General-Prince could not and capture the very citadel of the Earth Kingdom, perhaps the Fire Nation's youngest major would be its youngest general."

Jiren did one more double-take.

"You-you want to-"

Hoelun grinned at her.

"General Ishii is dead, and General Dirlwa's given his approval. We will be the keys to turn the lock, and as we are here the Marauder Army will follow. The keys to turn the lock, the doors open....."

And then she looked to the city and Jiren could imagine the faint smell of smoke and scorched human flesh "and Sozin's light reaches here to cast out the shadows."

[smileflowcr]

"Eres demasiado obvio cuando lo miras." es lo primero en comentar cuando se sienta a su lado, terminando de dar puntadas a una manta para pasar las frías noches. Minjae ha observado a distancia desde que Noah llegó a la manada, cuando su mejor amigo imploró al alfa que lo dejase quedarse al estar herido y no tener a donde ir. Ha hecho de consejero de este durante un tiempo, pero parece que sus intentos no han dado frutos, así que opta por intentarlo del otro lado. "Hay más de un alfa interesado en él, quizás deberías intentarlo, es un buen chico."

[aaternum]

[ touch starved hug ] a careful hug given to someone after noticing some signs of touch starvation (lvl 900 awkward)

“   Do you have to go?   ” Creases press between her brows as they knit together above her unsettled eyes. He’s already at the door, jacket on, his wrist flexed and palm on the handle when she speaks. The words wouldn’t settle in her mouth, so let them out into the space. Poor timing, but they felt too big to swallow and they were restless on her tongue once he’d announced his departure.  Her nose scrunches,  “   Eugh, that was .. not what I wanted to say. I mean it is, but not like that.  ” She pauses, takes another step closer, but her ears are ringing something fierce now. Feels it in her head, deep as marrow, “  Can you stay?   ” It feels direct, better – clear. She smiles, but it falls, her lower lip trembles and she forces it to still with her teeth. He probably would have gave her an answer, but she feared that half second intake of breath before he spoke. Needed to explain why her heart feels like it pushed into her stomach when he said he’d get ready to leave. She held herself together well – she’s exhausted, felt it in her bones the minute he’d explain the newest crime scene. She probably shouldn’t have asked for pictures of it – they’re all damned with the same mind-numbing violence. Ryu’s not religious, but for the person in the photo, she hopes there’s a heaven that will take them in. The hells of Earth had not been kind to them. It doesn’t feel good. She doesn’t feel good. “   I could open some beers, and .. we don’t have to talk about all .. this.  ” She vaguely gestures, “  We don’t even have to talk at all if you don’t want.. I mean, my fridge is empty, but I could order us food. I have chips. I mean, I'd call someone else to come, but I .. I don't know anyone else really. I mean, I do, but I mean who else would come, y'know .. it's late and ..  ” She hopes by stitching more words it’ll make sense, she can’t hear herself over the rush of blood thrumming in her head. Was she getting louder to match it? “   I would just really like it if you stayed-  ” Her voice cracks; she can feel the damn of her threatening to burst open. A faulty faucet left running, filling up a tub she doesn’t want him to notice he’s in right now. Her fingers curl and flex in the air, uncertain. And then she sees him extend his arms, crooked; awkward as they enclose ‘round her shoulders. He smells like coffee and soap; like warmth and ash. Like the unearthed pages of a leather journal forgotten on a shelf. And it calms her; the cracks in the dam receding, the faucets stilling. She stays there a while in his graceless hold. Tears prickle at her eyes, lashes fluttering wildly to stop their descent. It fills her both with sadness and light, but she laughs; a wretched, soft sound as it sputters from her lips. “   ….You hug like you’ve never done it before.   ” But her arms scoop up behind him, palms settling against the curve of his back as he tilts into her. Or maybe she’s just leaning into the warmth enough it feels like he’s eclipsing her. She smooths the pads of her fingers along the plane of his tense muscles, pressing tenderly. In July, she remembers sitting in the solar noon sky, warmed from every end of her being; somehow his arms wrapped, awkward and uncertain around her pales the memory. It feels like basking in a sunless light, only he’s somehow found a way to breach skin so she feels it in her blood. It’s been a while since she’d been held. Maybe it’d been some time for him too. And what she reads as caution in his language is simply unpracticed. Like stretching out muscles locked too long. He might not have forgotten the motion, he knows it; maybe he just needed a reminder he was allowed to do it.

She was used to her own arms outstretched for touch; chaste hugs shared with a coworker, squeezing the shoulder of her neighbor. Brief, fleeting. But he remains and she sinks into the depth of that, burying her face into the warmth. Now he smells like the ocean; salty and wet. Probably just her own tears, but it melds into his shirt, the remnants of it still clinging to her lashes. There’s a heavy, lingering silence in the space between her words and breath. In it, the weight she held onto seemed to feather a bit, the thrum of her blood pulsing in her head was now a quiet hum. “   I feel stupid.   ” She admits, murmurs– up her neck crawls a flush that extends to the tips of her ears. “   I’m sorry for–   ” Against his back her hands move in some vague gesture before they settle again, curl and gather the fabric of his shirt, small fists before they ease again. She detaches her head from his chest to look up,  “   –You don’t have to stay if you can’t.    ”  A small laugh laugh spills, but its softer this time, back of her hand retreating from him to wipe away at her eyes,

“   That was so dramatic of me, what the hell? Don’t ever let me do that again.    ”

[art-soboro]

The Red means I love you Tasting your blood means I love you

super duper mega inspired by @thtfy's nishimaji video edit! go check it & her other edits out, they're sooo immaculately brainwormingly done

[rico-hyuuga]

Texts While Dating

Ryu:

I knew I would end up dating someone like Johnny Storm

Johnny:

What sexy and super powerful?

Ryu:

A rude duche obsessed with himself

Johnny:

At least he is hot. Just not as hot as me, though

[dearestagonya]

It's a Friday afternoon, and school has let out for the day. She's sitting outside the school, watching the tow truck drive off with her broken down car. She doesn't know what's wrong with it, just that it wouldn't start. And now, she's stuck here.

Sighing softly, Aera pulled out her phone, hopping onto the RFA server, to see if anyone is around. Maybe someone would be willing to pick her up.

Aera has entered the chat room.

[Aera] Hello? Is anyone around? My car broke down and I need a ride home from school.

[Aera] I stayed late to set up for an art project I'm doing with the kids tomorrow. So there's not many people here.

@heartsbloomed :: liked for a starter! with Aera && Yoosung.

[adorajpg]

starter for @weedzkiller / harrison

sometimes, isaac lets things get out of hand. 

he knows this about himself, how it seems that he is either annoyingly passive or far too invested in something he should have long since let go of. harrison is one of the latter, and it's exactly why isaac seems to find himself in these situations so easily.

isaac can’t help but feel protective of the other, perking at the mere mention of them and should anything negative follow their name, well, he can’t help what might happen next. this one had been a repeat offender and as hard as isaac tried to not let things get out of hand, even his scowling looks and huffed warnings had done little to calm their dislike of harrison. it wasn’t isaac’s fault that he had take matters into his own hands, cornered the asshole one night and he’d tried to talk, he really had. in his defense, they had gotten violent first, shoved at isaac’s chest and then if isaac went blank after, well…

he knew harrison was there, even in his blank state. it’s why he’d been so quick to try and silence the other, unable to bear the thought of them hearing any of it too. and once they’re down, silence now pounding in his ears, it’s harrison he turns to first. even with the pain prodding at his side and the bruises starting to form on his knuckles, isaac stumbles to cup harrison’s face all too carefully in his hands. "are you okay, baby? they didn't touch you, did they?"

[fiorserpen]

" Need any help out here? " Peeking out from a pillar she approaches, gathering fabric of her gown into her palm. Away from the masses and unfamiliar faces, the cool night is strangely welcoming. She finds the faerie tending to the gardens, soil between her slight hands. A smile tugs at her lips, heels discarded beside the grass as she edges closer to crouch beside Agatha. " May I? " (for Aggie in her royalty verse. <3)

agatha's gaze lifts when she hears the sound of ryu's voice, the sparkle returning to her eyes upon seeing her move closer and crouch beside her. she gives a small nod, moving aside a little to let her help her plant these tulips in preparation for spring. " i-i w-would've planted these tomorrow, b-but the party was getting o-overwhelming. " she smiles sheepishly, her cheeks flushing a little in mild embarrassment. but ryu knows how the faerie princess feels about parties. small ones are bearable, but the one happening right now in the castle? it's just too much. still, her mother was really living up to her title of 'faerie queen' by celebrating the end of winter and the beginning of spring. it happens every year.

" i w-wish i could g-get u-used to them. th-the— the parties. " agatha laments quietly, moving to sit on the grass now. she draws up her knees and hugs her legs. " i just... don't f-feel like i b-belong, you know? "

[xbrokenreflection]

💥 :)

WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE

💥 ― a memory you wish you’d forget.

✩ New place, new name, new life --- that's what Ryu thought he'd achieved by choosing to stay in Twilight Town. Here, no one knew the truth about him (what he was, what he'd done) and it truly felt like things had changed for the better.

But then, one fateful afternoon, he hit a brick wall near the Sandlot when he bumped into one of the local youths. "Hey! Watch where you're going, loser!"

Ryu stopped dead in his tracks as he turned to glare at the taller punk, a seed of dark anger sprouting up in his chest.

"What did you just call me?!"

"You have ears, don't you?" the punk asked, scoffing. But a flash of recognition flared in his eyes as he gave Ryu a once-over, and his frown slowly became a scowl. "Haven't you already caused enough trouble in my town? Get lost now, before I make you."

Ryu couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the whole situation.

"My town, he says," Ryu taunted, crossing his arms. "Shut up! This place doesn't belong to you!"

The other boy's glare narrowed further as he rolled his shoulders and stepped forward into a fighting stance. "Ha! I'll gladly teach you that lesson, wuss!"

The fight didn't last long. Despite all his bluster and brute strength, the punk wasn't too good at keeping his guard up.

It ended when Ryu saw one final opening and threw all his weight into a tackle, pinning the other boy up against a wall. He felt the other boy flinch as his grip dug into his bruised ribs... but Ryu refused to loosen his hold one bit.

"Some lesson," Ryu snarled. "I hope you learned when to quit!"

The anger was still seething inside him like a monstrous beast, little tendrils of Darkness curling out to embrace and soothe him... but something felt wrong about this.

"Okay, okay, you win!" The boy said, grimacing. "Let it go!"

"THREAT DETECTED!" A new voice called out, and Ryu spared a glance to the alleyway where two other kids now stood --- one of them pointing right at him. "BACK OFF!"

Ryu dropped the other boy quickly and stepped back, letting go of the Darkness he'd been tapping into as it dawned on him that... these other kids saw him as something to be afraid of, and maybe they were right to be.

He'd nearly gone too far, and that was the last thing he wanted.

So, as the other kid's friends rushed in to help him, Ryu did the only thing he could do when confronted with all this fresh guilt and shame: he ran away.

"Don't worry, Seifer! We'll get 'em, y'know!"

The last thing Ryu heard, very faintly, was Seifer's pained voice saying, "No.... Don't go after him. He's..."

Ryu didn't need to hear anything else, though, because he knew how that sentence would end:

He's too dangerous.

[suprntralsa]

— ✿ tag dump. › aera ryu.

— ✿ what did i do to your heart did i break it apart did i break it your heart. › aera's main verse.

— ✿ so don’t try to run honey love can be fun. › aera's pre rfa party verse.

— ✿ aera ryu. › in character.

— ✿ she is the most beautiful flower in a garden full of weeds. › aera's appearance.

— ✿ it will be alright why are you so hard on yourself. › aera's headcanons.

— ✿ you’re gonna break my heart anyway so just leave the pieces when you go. › aera's aesthetics.

[littlelightningbvg]

@dramatiique continued from here!

Four stepped back slightly when the stranger turned on her, feeling guilty for having stopped him from playing just to answer her question. Though she relaxed a little, and even smiled as he confirmed his friend was invisible, and told her his name. “Wow. I – I’ve never met anybody who has invisible powers before,” she gasped in response to Su-yeol, then glanced over at where K was supposedly sitting on the other end of the seesaw and addressed him. “It’s – It’s nice to meet you K.” Could she tell them about her powers? She wasn’t quite sure yet.

Shifting a little uncomfortably at his question, a slight frown formed as confusion swept across her facial features. Home? She’d heard people at the lab talk about that word before, but still had no idea what it even really meant. But she knew she didn’t have one, even if he seemed to think she did. But maybe he could point her in the direction of one… “Wh – Where do I – I go to get to… home?” she asked nervously, hands fiddling with the hem of her scrub top. “Do – Do you know?”

[smileflowcr]

¿Dónde consigue el bonito pin del sugar glider?

[aaternum]

"ma'am, i'm just sayin', i think ya got the wrong man," taichi gave a polite smile, unlit cigarette hanging loosely between his pressed lips. one hand rested on top of the open door to his car, a voice from inside mumbling something that only he could hear. " it's fine, we won't be late. "

his attention directed back to her, maintaining his smile. he gave off a nonchalant air, seemingly undisturbed by this woman coming up to him. "maybe it's all a misunderstanding. there's prolly dozen of guys who look like me." he brought a hand up to pluck the cigarette from his lips and sighed, leaning away from the car door and closed it, much to the annoyed protest coming from inside the vehicle.

"look," he huffed, his once softer expression dropping for a scowl. "you're out of luck. i don't know what you're talkin' about."

Nothing pissed her off more than having an answer be so clear– so right, but so out of reach. Even when said answer was standing right before her; taunting her intellect and patience. It was probably out of line with protocol to waltz right up to him. It seemed there was some unspoken rule about leaving certain territories alone. She could feel the tension in the room when she’d made mention of the club. The way her superiors avoided her gaze and fought to make themselves busy to admonish themselves of the responsibility to give her an answer. No one said it out right, but something about this place made them nervous. It should have instilled the same fear in her. Whatever lurked there was probably powerful. And yet her curiosity only flourishes with the opportunity before her. She could help solve this mystery. After all, this was her playing field and nothing would fulfill her more than catching the guy responsible for this. 

She’d kept tabs on frequent flyers in the area – none of them ever looked like they were up to any good. But things that wanted to be left in the shadows tended to find darker corners of the city to obscure themselves with. She’d kept careful attention to one who seemed to be regarded well. Some of the others in the area seemed to respect him. Or maybe it was fear. But where there was something to fear, there was an equal amount of power. And his physique matched the very, very limited witness accounts. Most of which mysteriously disappeared after interaction with the police. Typical. Ryu nods slowly as he speaks; taking extra time to note his appearance. This guy was massive up close and though he put on airs like he was pleasant, she sensed something dark about him. Something in her gut said to watch out for this guy. Not a deterrent though. Nothing ever was. “   I mean, it’s definitely a possibility.   ” She shrugs, mirroring his smile. “   …But it feels unlikely that anyone would ever mistake who you are.    ” She laughs, letting her gaze crawl from his legs up to meet his piercing eyes. For a moment she watches him, the way his features tighten in warning. That was a cue to back off, likely. But she wasn't quite finished with him yet. She looks to the car door and gestures with her chin to the person inside. “   Well, if you don’t know. Maybe your friend inside does? Could I talk to him?   ”

[dearestagonya]

— ✿ tag dump. › aera ryu.

— ✿ what did i do to your heart did i break it apart did i break it your heart. › aera's main verse.

— ✿ so don’t try to run honey love can be fun. › aera's pre rfa party verse.

— ✿ aera ryu. › in character.

— ✿ she is the most beautiful flower in a garden full of weeds. › aera's appearance.

— ✿ it will be alright why are you so hard on yourself. › aera's headcanons.

— ✿ you’re gonna break my heart anyway so just leave the pieces when you go. › aera's aesthetics.

[lsleol]

“Kiss me.”

The speaker played as you sat staring in front of your mirror. “Ah- fuck.” You muttered, eyebrows furrowing slightly in frustration before letting out a soft huff. “Are you serious?” You groaned, staring at the mirror. Specifically the spot where your mascara accidentally touched your eyelid leaving a black mark over your eyeshadow. “I think we might just have to stay here tonight.” A familiar voice said from the doorway before approaching you and putting their hands on your hips. Shidou’s lips were curled into a one sided smirk and you couldn’t help but playfully roll your eyes at him.

“Ryu, we said we’d go out.” You stated and he just gives the back of your neck just a soft peck before he put his mouth behind your ear. “Hmmm, but I’d much rather spend the night in here with you.” He whispered lowly, breath fanning your ear as his smirk still apparent on his face. “Plus you know that fancy shit isn’t usually my style.” He added, shifting slightly to rest his chin on your head and you just glared at his reflection in the mirror. His thumbs gently rubbed circles on your hips subconsciously. “Yeah whatever.” You said though there wasn’t any real annoyance in your voice.

“Hmm, I don’t think I’m gonna be able to keep my hands off you.” Shidou murmured quietly as his arms snaked around your waist. Since the chair you sat in didn’t have a back his chest was on your back. “But I’m almost fully ready.” You whined as you went back to doing your makeup, trying to fix the black mark from your mascara. Shidou pouted slightly though he reluctantly pulled away. “Fine, fine.” Shidou said, putting up his hands as a sign of him surrendering. “But be prepared for tonight.” Shidou said with a wink and you shot him a playful glare as he left the room. After he left, the song playing on your speaker reached its final verse.

“So kiss me.”

Constructive criticism pls it’s been so long since I’ve written smth and I’m rlly rusty n stuff 🙏🥲 idk if I’m ever gonna write again but yk, I just thought this was a cute idea

[xbrokenreflection]

“After the war, they won’t recall they ever were human.” (From Shadow)

HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE starters ✩ (still accepting!)

✩ They had been silently staring out at the hoarde of Heartless below them for a while now, planning their angle of attack before dropping into the fray --- but that one nagging little thought kept coming back to haunt Ryu.

('So you're telling me that... every single one of those creatures... used to be an ordinary person?')

He felt like a fool for not knowing that detail before, but now that he did... How could he fight them the same way he used to? It felt wrong to consider them lesser creatures, now.

('So, does that mean... every Heartless, every Nobody... is still more human than someone like me?')

Shadow, of course, seemed even more human than the others. Right now, he crouched nearby, tilting his head to one side as he watched Ryu watch the Heartless.

And then, he spoke up:

"After... they don't recall... they ever were human."

"As if that makes it any better," Ryu scoffed, looking away. He wanted to scream. ('It's not fair! We should be able to save them!') "Come on. Let's just... settle this quickly."