#shay's words

[lunarmoves]

“let’s go out.” 

you hum and idly scroll through a post on your phone, lounging on the soft cushions of your couch. “okay. where do you wanna go?” 

“no.” moon makes a frustrated sound and you can see his lithe form move from the corner of your eye. he stands next to the couch, leaning partially over the arm you’re resting your head on. you spare him a quick glance, an eyebrow raised. his eyes are wide and imploring. “let’s go out.” 

confusion begins to take root and it causes you to set your phone down on your chest. you stare strangely up at him. “….i said okay? is there any place you have in mind? it’s not too late if you wanna go on a walk somewhere.” 

when all moon does is groan and withdraw to pace around your little dining table, you finally pull yourself up into a sitting position to watch him. milky moonlight streaming in through the open windows of your living room illuminates the area and allows you to see the deep-seeded frown on moon’s face plate. his eyes are an encompassing ruby color that’s aimed down at the ground as he grumbles to himself. 

you scrunch your face slightly, then relax it and prop your head up on the back of the couch to watch the animatronic. “…i’m confused.” 

moon makes a disgruntled sound that borders on an irritation of sorts—towards you or himself, you’re uncertain. “you’re not getting it.” his voice is raspy and exasperated. 

he promptly stops his pacing and moves back towards you, rounding the couch and causing you to move with the motion until he’s crouched in front of you. even with his lowered height, he’s not much shorter than your seated form. he grips tightly onto your shoulders and brings his face close to yours—forcing you to stare into his wide eyes. like they are trying to tell you something important that you’re just not understanding at the moment. you don’t know why he’s acting this way. it’s starting to worry you. 

“you and i,” moon begins slowly, trying to make you follow along properly this time, “let’s go out. together.” 

you’re not sure why he says it that way, but it makes something tug at the inside of your chest as you slowly process his words. his mannerisms. the terse way he holds onto you. the soft glow of his eyes as he watches you carefully and pays attention to even the smallest movements of your expression. his face plate ticks to the side slightly, then to the opposite side, and you recognize it as one of his anxious ticks. but then you wonder why he’s so nervous when it’s just—

“oh.” it finally clicks. your eyes widen as a heat burns up your neck and into your face. “oh.” 

“yes,” moon groans as his head falls forward. the tip of it brushes against your chest. his grip slackens on your shoulders, almost in relief. 

embarrassment aside, you can’t help the soft chuckle that leaves your lips. you move a hand to pat him on the back. “silly. just say you wanna go on a date instead of being so cryptic!” internally, you ponder on why he was so shy to say it outright, but figure he was just, well, being moon. gentle and not as outspoken as his counterpart. 

he only grumbles something indecipherable that makes your shoulders shake in a laugh. and when he reluctantly looks up at you, it’s with a pout that you find endearing. “well?” he prods instead of replying to you, soft and expectant. 

you give him a small grin and can’t help but tease him. “well,” you say with lighthearted mirth, “where do you wanna go?” 

[caernua]

”Ah, the wonderful smell of woodsmoke. I’m glad some things never change.”

ASSASSINS CREED: REVELATIONS (2011) ASSASSINS CREED III (2012) ASSASSINS CREED: BLACK FLAG (2013) ASSASSINS CREED: ROGUE (2014) ASSASSINS CREED: VALHALLA (2020) ASSASSINS CREED: MIRAGE (2023)

[livelovecaliforniadreams]

#Famous Last Words

[bonefall]

Thunder and Clear Sky are fighting and oh no! Clear Sky seems to be winning? But what’s this?? IT’S SLASH WITH THE STEEL CHAIR!

Funny enough I WAS actually planning a moment like that with the Wind Coalition. I might shuffle it now...

It was going to be one of the first times Bumble really showcases how good her ability to translate is. Thunder Storm was trying to painfully negotiate with Shadow's Group, or gets in some scuffle with Sky's Clan again (was still working out the details) and JUST as it seemed lost, Bumble shouted "HELP! MURDER!" in Parkmew, causing a cluster of WindCo cats to burst to the rescue

But maybe instead I can shuffle it so that there's a moment towards the very, very end of the diplomacy section where Clear Sky brings his WHOLE forces to destroy the tiny Clan, and THAT is when Thunder and Slash realize they've been pitted against each other.

Hmm... maybe I should back up and cause some sections in that diplomacy arc where Tall Shadow and The Wind Runner offer what Thunder needs in their talks, in exchange for being mercenaries against Slash's cats. Thunder accepts several times, since he was in Clear Sky's group where he "saw that it's true, theyre violent and aggressive..."

Show how it can benefit him to accept what the other groups believe about Slash and his cats, but also REJECT it by showing that in the end, it oppresses BOTH Thunder and Slash to be fighting each other and Thunder was completely wrong to accept their words at face value.

Thunder Storm isn't immune to being an enforcer of the systems he created a Clan to reject.

I think it would also be really good form to change Slash's name a little, because he's SO BAD in the original text, just to differentiate what I'm doing with him.

Hmm... since none of the other groups seem to have a Leader Power yet since they're so new, maybe SLASH and his group is the one with a little bit of magic? I could have Slash be able to die a couple of times.

I could have the white marks on his legs spread up every time he takes damage. Instead of straightforward "lives," however bad it was determines how vertical the slash is. So a REALLY bad death stands straight up, while every drain from weakness or starvation just loops around the leg.

Kinda like one of those heartbeat monitors.

Maybe the other groups call him Slash because of that, but it's not his real name...

[mirrortouchedsea]

Dear Father… 

Nagisa goes over the plan one last time, as much of it as he can before it sets into motion. When Priest arrives, Nagisa will have to play along with whatever he says. He won’t let the disguise fool him. 

Nagisa bows his head, closes his eyes as the door clicks open and a frantic “Hiyori” steps in. Nagisa lifts his head. The real Hiyori would have certainly embraced him by now. His body aches for the touch (just ignore it for now). 

We have to leave right away! Don’t you see what Crazy:B is saying on stage?! You could be arrested, Nagisa! Of course, but he must take responsibility for his actions if that is the case. Though, his fans might be disappointed. Nagisa reaches unconsciously for “Hiyori’s” hand, only for the fake to pull away, keep his distance. Nagisa feels cold. 

I’ll take you to the car, it’s waiting outside. Please, Nagisa! Yes, Hiyori, let's go. You’ll come with me, won’t you? Of course dummy, I wouldn’t be Hiyori otherwise. “Hiyori” stomps out of the dressing room, barely looking back at Nagisa. All according to plan. 

Even as the car pulls up and “Hiyori” tries to coerce Nagisa into it, they don’t touch for even a second. The warmth will return soon. Just ignore the cold for now. 

The car door opens and the driver signals that he’s ready. Nagisa tells “Hiyori” that he knows it isn’t him. Even the most perfect of disguises could never imitate the touch of a loved one. Priest’s cold hands could never replace Hiyori’s warmth. 

From shadows you are, and to shadows you shall return, as is the way of the underworld. Though Father was a shining light, you, Priest, were nothing but a shadow, a mere imitation of the real thing, you will never be human like that, but I suppose I should thank you for letting me experience the fullness of human emotions; rage, anger, hurt, these are all a part of being human. Do not underestimate me for being who I am, I was a member of fine who slaughtered the hopes and dreams of many, building a new life from the ashes, which is more than can be said of something like you. As your God, you will be condemned to hellfire for eternity. 

The man, now a fraction of his former self, sits in the backseat meant for Nagisa as the driver locked him in place. The Doorman is no longer on your side, Priest, and it would be foolish to assume I haven’t interfered with your plans now. The car speeds off as steps pound on the pavement behind him. 

Nagisa! There you are! Junkun told me you were doing something dangerous! Nagisa’s heart picks up at the sound. His Hiyori, the real one, warm and full of life. He pulls Hiyori into a hug for just a moment, inhaling the perfume Hiyori always wears and letting it settle over them. I thought we promised to always trust each other! Why’d you go to Junkun about this but not me? Nagisa smiles and allows Hiyori to drag him back to the venue, hand in hand. We’ll talk later, Hiyori, we have something to finish after all. 

[autistic-shaiapouf]

Emergency-ish Commissions

Hey guys it's your local florida man in a bit of a tight spot; hurricane number one totaled my car and hurricane number two knocked out the power for 5 days and I haven't had a chance to apply for assistance for food yet. I'll be without a car for most of next month (with someone who can at least help me get to and from work) and am opening up commissions to try to put a little more towards a down payment for a new car.

For 5 dollars I can give you a little doodle (might slip in a little more detail if you ask for a pokemon!) and for 25 I can do a full body piece, with a couple background elements and some light shading/lighting.

Here's some 5 dollar examples:

And here's some 25 dollar examples:

Won't do anything explicit, bigoted, the standard criteria; other than those, I'm pretty flexible with what I'll draw (fanart, OC art, ship art self-insert, anthro, some mech - I'm still learning!) , just shoot me a DM if you're not sure!

Payment is upfront, either through the commissions tab or directly through the donate button in the link, just let me know what you'd like I'll get to it! Every little bit helps, thank you to everyone!

[iceicewifey]

don’t mind me, 4am vanishay cringeposting 🫶

shay wonders what happened to make vanilla ice so distant so suddenly. they used to get along just fine, but lately he’s been so short with her, unable to be around her for an extended period of time without snapping at her or lashing out. it’s like he’s been continually stressed about something for weeks, but she can’t figure out what and doesn’t want to attempt to ask, lest her chew her out again. she’s always known he was a bit cold, but this is new to her, and conflicts with what she’d been feeling. she is no stranger to random feelings bubbling up every now and then—in fact she’d considered it a bit of a problem back in high school, but it’s so hard to squash a crush like that when the person of interest is your tall and tan live-in coworker with a pretty face... she’s considered confessing her attraction since said feelings had such a strong grip on her, but his recent behavior was beginning to make her want to reconsider. he may be been rather stoic with most others, but she’s wiggled her way beneath that seemingly permanent scowl. she didn’t know what camaraderie looked like with a man like that, but she figured they’d reached that point once he went out of his way to invite her along to the usual hookah cafe on the odd occasion their master would permit an outing... now it was rare for him to attend himself. had she done something wrong without realizing and inadvertently pushed him too far? if only she could get him to stop avoiding her so she could ask.

vanilla ice has never felt anything like this before and it feels as if it’s devouring him from the inside out, like some ironic twist on his stand. he’s never cared about a woman like this—no, he’s never cared about anyone like this. he idolizes lord dio, but he’s never felt anything of this caliber before. he doesn’t know how to process this feeling. the fact that he can’t be around her without breaking out in a cold sweat is destroying him, he’s a wreck. why did this have to happen and why did it have to be her. he tries to reason with himself about this godforsaken feeling that threatens to consume him. he’s not in love with her, a four letter word that nearly brings him to his knees. he’s not in love with her, he tells himself… but the thought of ever having to see her in the arms of another man fills him with a profound dread, the kind that spreads thru his body like a kick in the ribs. it terrifies him, and he hates it. deep in a section of his heart that he dares not acknowledge, he wants it to be him, nobody else. he hesitates to act on it; he has important duties, he shouldn’t even be thinking about her. he could never forgive himself for jeopardizing his master’s plans… but he doesn’t know how much longer he can keep this suppressed.

[quotessentially]

From Gore Vidal’s Homage to Daniel Shays

[the-lonelyshepherd]

Hello!

Tell me about your OCs! What are their dreams? Do they have any pet peeves? What's their favourite season?

teehee hiii

so i have two main ones

catalina (left) and shay (right)

they’re part of a relatively recent but very mind consuming oc story that is currently under #silly cowboy story but is… probably going to be named something cooler eventually.

dreams

i know dreams probably means like. what are their goals but honestly if we’re talking literal dreams they both get their time in the weird prophetic dreams and visions and ramblings era.

for metaphorical dreams… cat used to want to be like. a sheriff or a bounty hunter when she was really little. she kinda gave that up and moved on to just wanting the best for her family, at any expense including her own. then after the story it turns to 1) get the fuck home and 2) figure out what the fuck is going on.

for shay, shes someone who very much lives in the present or the past and not very much the future. i’d say she really just wants like… validation? she just really needs some kind of supportive authority figure lmao. she gets one and it’s not good tho.

2) pet peeves

ooohh this is a good one hmmm

i’d say for catalina she absolutely hates when people like. don’t give a shit. even if she herself sometimes comes off as like bored/uninterested she really does always care. very much a idgaf (actually gives way too many fucks) kind of person. so when someone is just like… completely without a care for others it pisses her off. she also hates when people make loud noises. also interrupting she hatessss interrupting

for shay i’d say like… generalizations?? yeah i think that’s a good one for her. also being talked over (even though she tends to do it herself to others, not in a malicious way though)

3) favorite season

catalina would like fall and shay would like summer. that’s just their vibes no particular reason

[airshipvalentine]

shay to Me is a guy whose fondest wish is to throw himself into danger and sacrifice himself in the place of others. which makes his dynamic with shamsiel one of my favorites because she Absolutely Under No Circumstances will let him even ATTEMPT to do so

he goes “ok i’m digidestined or whatever. these people aren’t. i can take a few hits i’ll be fine but they won’t and besides isn’t this my purpose? isn’t this why i’m here? why have the prophecy otherwise” and she’s like “FUCK YOU!!!!!!! HOSPITAL TELEPORTATION BE UPON YE!!!!!!!!!!!”

[biocrafthero]

Can we get crumb of info on Shay?? I can feel my blood sugar low without it

Of course!!

They're the most normal one out of the cast, but honestly that margin isn't that wide.

Physically capable. This, unfortunately, will not save them.

Occasionally wears a binder.

Dissociates when extremely stressed. Nightmare-prone. The threshold to actually reach that point is pretty high, thankfully.

There's also this :3

Picking out some songs from the non-spoiler playlist, I'd say that Animal Cannibal and Sleepwalk are good songs to understand their vibe for this story.

[lunarmoves]

masterlist

long fics

these summer nights — DCA sun/moon/eclipse x reader

summary: you applied to camp fazbear as a counselor, not knowing that your entire summer was going to be centered around your rather curious coworkers. robotic coworkers, in fact, who hid a history of the camp from you that you never would've expected.

inspired by apricus! link to masterpost!

love from the other side (of the apocalypse) — DCA sun/moon/eclipse x reader

summary: in the wake of a devastating loss concerning your memory and who you are, you navigate a world littered with panic as you run from ethereal beings raining judgment upon humanity.

inspired by sleuth jesters! link to masterpost!

through pixel eyes — DCA sun/moon/eclipse x reader

summary: signed on as a beta tester for fazco, your job is simple: document any problems with their new program 'fazpals.exe' and help ensure it is ready for release. shouldn't be too difficult, right? right?? wrong.

link to masterpost!

who i see, looking back at me — sebastian solace x reader

summary: it felt like you were being watched for a while now, whenever you hung out on the dock by your cottage. you brushed it off as a figment of your imagination, maybe a result of living on your own in your grief for so long. but then one day you come face-to-face with this weird mermaid that kind of sounded like your dead husband. acted like him, too. yeah, you definitely had to be hallucinating.

link to masterpost!

one-shots

for evermore — DCA sun/moon/eclipse x reader

summary: you laugh—loud and carefree—and they have never wished so desperately before to be human. if only to love you for the rest of their life.

inspired by solar lunacy! link to fic here!

beauty and the beasts — DCA sun/moon/eclipse x reader

summary: you should've expected they were up to something when they picked you as a volunteer for one of their theatre shows. you just... didn't expect all of this.

link to fic here!

spooks, screams, and robots, oh my! — DCA sun/moon/eclipse x reader

summary: sun finds a flyer for a haunted house attraction and persuades you to go with them to it. shenanigans ensue.

link to fic here!

drabbles

moon was being more irate than usual

humans are so vulnerable

the daycare attendant is stupidly tall

you were being followed

do robots dream?

you tease the daycare attendant

they're your friend! promise!

your couch pillows are missing

you've got a blind date

what does touch feel like?

you’re so squishy!

sun wants a kiss

moon wonders about taste

moon makes a wish

moon wants a kiss

humans look dead when they sleep

dancing in the sunlight

a game of marco polo

let’s go out

tag! you're it!

sharing drinks

the mer was judging you

do robots cry?

privacy doesn't exist here

a new daycare guard

pruned fingers

sun has a crush!

i love you, sun

you can’t

humans are so inefficient

you were in some lethal company

do robots have reflexes?

scritch scritch scritch

come here

obedience

absorbed

[starswallowingsea]

thinking too much about rinne and hinata friendship. you're telling me rinne doesn't hang out at the sweets dorm all the time? the dorm with his boyfriend and brother in it? and also his favoritest junior ever besides kohaku? cmon

[livelovecaliforniadreams]

How it Started vs. How It’s Going

[shayberri789]

Fun thing about sexuality is you're allowed to examine and puzzle over your identity for ages and eventually just go "fuck it" and sticking with a slightly vaguer label

[mirrortouchedsea]

(CW for Suicidal Ideation)

Hinata’s breath was heavy as he landed the final move of their act. The tinny music playing from their speakers went quiet and the audience clapped politely. It was always the same song and dance as the crowd moved on with their day. A few of them tossed some yen their way but otherwise it was time for them to regroup for their next performance. Yuta knelt down by the hat with some coins and bills sticking out of it, counting their earnings thus far. 

“Hey aniki! We might be able to eat well tonight! There’s like 3,000 yen in here!” Yuta exclaimed. The idea of a filling dinner made Hinata’s mouth water. Oh what he wouldn’t do for even warm noodles not from a cup. 

Hinata turned to grab the iPod from its place on the speaker, choosing the next song to play. He put the phone back and turned the volume up a little more to play over the evening rush. The music started and he and Yuta moved in unison around their little stage, taking in the crowd. There were some regulars that Hinata recognized, the businesswoman who was perpetually tired but always stopped for their performances and a few kids who looked up at them in awe as their parents were trying to usher them away. There were always new faces too, of course people traveled across the country all the time or took new trains or moved cities, but there was something different about the boy with the bright red hair at the back of the crowd. His sky blue eyes pierced straight through to Hinata’s heart and made him stumble when their gaze connected with his own. 

“Hey, aniki focus! We’re almost done, don't fail on me now!” Yuta whispered, carefully shielding Hinata from the crowd as he regained his footing. Yuta was always so quick thinking. Hinata got back to his position and finished up the routine, eyes looking for that boy he had spotted earlier. He half hoped the boy would come talk to them afterwards while they were packing up for the evening, but when he finally saw that shock of red hair, it was moving away with the rest of the crowd. 

Hinata sighed, disappointed. Maybe that boy would come back someday. There was something about him that drew Hinata in. 

Someone bumped his shoulder, drawing him from his thoughts. “Hey, aniki, are you alright? You seem out of it today.” Yuta’s hand rested on his shoulder and Hinata couldn’t help but smile. Wasn’t it supposed to be the other way around, the older brother checking in on the younger one? 

“Hey hey everything’s fine Yuta-kun, don’t worry about me. I was just thinking about that delicious dinner you’re treating us too~” He playfully pushed back on Yuta, the red haired blue eyed boy all but forgotten now. 

“Hey! It’s technically our money so I’m not treating you to anything!” Yuta scowled but the smile in his voice was obvious to Hinata. 

“Hehe, then dinner’s on me! Say ‘thank you aniki!’” 

--- 

It was a week before Hinata saw the red headed boy in their audience again. He had all but slipped his mind, but those striking blue eyes were impossible to forget. Yuta was introducing their next performance which allowed Hinata to take a better look at the older boy who had made his way to the middle of the audience. He was tall and what Hinata could see of his outfit seemed ill-fitting at best, along with a headband holding his hair away from his eyes. 

Hinata scrambled to his position as the music queued up and let his instincts take over. Every so often he found himself glancing at the red haired boy, trying to see what he thought of their performance, but his face revealed nothing. 

Why was he so focused on this one boy? It’s not like they didn’t have strangers who watched them sometimes, and none of them had caught Hinata’s attention quite like this boy. He really couldn’t be much older than Hinata, maybe 17 at the oldest. Was he an older brother too? The boy’s eyes made contact with Hinata’s and it took everything in him to not look away. 

Once again however, Yuta snapped him out of whatever trance he had been in and everything was forgotten. 

“Are you really okay aniki? You’ve been out of it a lot recently…” Oh how it pained Hinata to see the concern on Yuta’s face. Nothing was even really wrong per se, but Hinata was distracted nonetheless. 

“I’m fine, Yuta-kun. Geez, can’t your older brother have some peace?” His mouth ran faster than his brain and he immediately regretted it. Yuta’s face flipped through several emotions; hurt, confusion, exhaustion. It wasn’t like him to hide things from his brother, so why was he doing it now? “Whatever, let’s get some dinner. My treat~” 

“It’s our money!” 

--- 

The boy continued to make appearances at the twins’ performances on the street, becoming something of a regular but disappearing before Hinata could flag him down. Hinata wasn’t even sure what compelled him to want to talk to the older boy, but he wanted to say something. He had even noticed that the boy seemed happier and his clothes fit a little better, not like they were just the first thing he grabbed out of a donation pile. 

Finally, after almost a month of trying to say something to the boy, Hinata saw him walk up to their hat on the ground and drop a few coins into it. 

“Thank you!” He said, walking up to the boy. “Hope you enjoyed the performance!” 

The boy froze as if he wasn’t expecting to be greeted like that. There was a slight flush to his face. “I-it’s nothing, don’t worry about it. You uh…you were great?” The boy seemed unsure of how to reply, though Hinata was happy with the compliment nonetheless. Maybe… 

“What brings you here? I mean--agh, sorry! I just mean…I noticed you don’t have a regular schedule?” The words were practically falling out of his mouth and Hinata wasn’t really sure what they were doing. “Like you show up a few days in a row but then go three weeks without stopping by at all!” He was just digging a bigger grave for himself! Great! 

“Ah uhm…I’m not from around here.” The boy scratched at the back of his neck. Maybe Hinata should back off. 

“O-oh, yeah of course. Duh. Are you visiting family or something?” 

“Not quite. I really should get going though. See you…later?” 

“Yeah, see you later.” 

“Hey Aniki, are you coming or not? The food’s gonna get cold!” 

“Coming!” 

---

It was almost a month before the boy appeared again. In the time between, Hinata had come up with a million different ideas for what his life was like. Was he a delinquent who skipped school to hang out on the street with gangs (how scary! But he looked strong enough to fit in)? Or was he a runaway from a city far away, somewhere Hinata only dreamed of visiting like Okinawa? Maybe he had a bad relationship with his dad and ran away, a thought that Hinata hated to admit had crossed his mind more than once. Or maybe he just passed through the city on the way to somewhere else. That seemed to be the most likely option, especially if he couldn’t come very often. 

When the boy did finally show up again, Hinata had to hold himself back from practically jumping him after the performance. Something looked…different about him though. His eyes seemed more tired? Like he hadn’t been sleeping well. Hinata thought of a fight he had with his dad a few weeks ago that made it hard for him to sleep and thought maybe this boy was the same as him in that regard. 

Hinata decided to wave him down after the performance, hat in hand (they had done pretty well! It felt heavier than normal and even without counting everything, they’d probably have enough for breakfast too). 

“Hey! You look tired, are you--did you want to get something to eat?” Please say yes please say yes please say yes--

The boy’s mouth opened, then closed, then opened again. Did Hinata mess up? Oh he overstepped and now there really wasn’t any chance of getting to know him. Why was he so interested in talking to the boy anyway? Hinata had been asking himself that for a while now and he still had no answer. 

“I…I can’t. I need to go.” The boy turned and ran off before Hinata could ask more. He just kept messing up, didn’t he? Maybe he really was just a burden to Yuta and their dad and the restaurant owner. He shouldn’t have been born and Yuta would’ve been better off--

“Aniki! Sheesh, get your head out of the clouds. How much did we make?” Yuta grabbed the hat out of Hinata’s hand and quickly counted out the coins and bills. “Woah! We could eat a whole five course meal with this…” 

“Think with your head a little Yuta-kun. We’ve got breakfast paid for if we don’t blow it all tonight!” 

Yuta nodded before handing the hat back to Hinata. “So, my pick tonight?” 

--- 

Hinata signed the note, trying his best to keep the tears from dripping on it and smudging the ink. After his blunder with the red haired boy, he hadn’t shown up to their performances for over two months. Hinata was certain that he had messed up and was too forward. He didn’t even know the kid’s name! Why did he think the two of them could ever be friends? 

And on top of all of that, Yuta had become more and more distant from Hinata, as if Hinata just existing was dragging him back from his full potential. Yuta would have been better off as an only child and maybe Hinata deserved this life. Thirteen years living with their father, who had treated them as nothing but monsters, blaming them for their mother’s death and everything bad that had happened since, Hinata had resolved to run away. He’d make his way to the mountains and maybe he’d find someone willing to help him or maybe he’d slip into an endless sleep. 

Dear Yuta-kun, the letter had started. I’m sorry that I’m leaving like this, but I know that I’m just a burden to you. I’m sorry for that. I wish I had more to say but I just want you to be happy and maybe father will treat you better without me. I love you. 

The other letter, already folded and placed on the table, was much shorter, addressed to his father. 

Dear Father, I’m sorry I couldn’t be a better son. Please don’t take this out on Yuta-kun, it was my decision. 

The less words he spent on that man, the better. Hinata folded Yuta’s note and placed it on top before quietly exiting through the front door. 

---

Everything was cold. Hinata slumped against a tree, head between his knees in a last ditch effort to keep warm. Sleep should come soon and he could painlessly move on, at least that’s what he hoped. He barely registered someone approaching him, but didn’t look up. 

“Hey.” The voice was vaguely familiar, but where did he remember it from? A warm hand shook at Hinata’s shoulder. 

“‘M fine.” The words were barely a whisper. The other voice grunted before walking away. It was another minute before Hinata felt something drape around his shoulders and a cup shoved in his hand. Whatever was in it was steaming, warming his fingers. 

“Drink.” The voice said. And he did, the tea was very, very bitter. That voice… 

Hinata looked up, meeting a pair of bright, sky blue eyes. That’s where he recognized the voice from. Did he…live? In the mountains? The boy seemed to recognize him too. He was wearing a headband and what looked like very warm clothes that Hinata wished he had. Hinata finished the tea, trying not to focus on the flavor. It helped at least, in warming him up a bit. 

“Why are you here?” The boy finally spoke again. It sounded like he was unsure if he should be mad or concerned, or both, but he offered Hinata another cup of tea, which he accepted if only to warm his fingers up. He pulled the blanket closer around his body. 

“I…ran away.” Hinata looked downward, as if admitting this out loud was a cardinal sin. The boy gestured for him to continue. “I guess I just…I was dragging my brother down. I’m not really talented at anything like he is and I’m the reason our dad sees us as monsters. He shouldn’t have to deal with a brother like me.” Hinata wasn’t really sure why he was spilling this so easily. The boy was a good listener though, hanging on every word Hinata spoke. Was he shaking? He’d never admitted this out loud before and it felt oddly freeing to say it to someone. 

He waited for a response, anything to chase away the uncomfortable silence Hinata had created with his confession. He really fucked up, didn’t he. He should have just kept that to himself like he always did instead of burdening a stranger like this! 

“I…” The boy started, barely audible above Hinata’s racing heartbeat. “I’m glad you’re alive.” He sounded unsure of his words. Was he just trying to be nice? Of course he was, how else do you respond to a kid telling you something like this? 

“You don’t have to pretend.” 

“I’m not. When I saw you singing and dancing…I think I realized something--” The boy cut himself off, the suddenness of it making Hinata look up. A moment later he heard his brother calling out from the woods behind him. 

“Aniki! There you are!” Yuta tackled him to the ground, squeezing Hinata like he might just blow away in the wind if they weren’t careful. “You scared me! I can’t believe you’d do something like that!” 

Tears pricked at Hinata’s eyes again. “I’m sorry, Yuta-kun. I’m really sorry.” He buried his face in Yuta’s jacket. His nose started to run, from the cold or the tears he couldn’t tell. 

“You aren’t a burden to me. I don’t know what I’d do without you around Aniki!” Yuta pulled back, hands gripping Hinata’s shoulders. “Promise you won’t do something that stupid again.” 

Hinata wiped the tears from his eyes, sparing a glance where the boy had been. It was as if he had never been there at all and Hinata had just hallucinated the whole interaction. He looked back at his twin brother. “I promise.” 

“Now let's get you home and warmed up. Where’d you get this blanket anyway? It doesn’t look like one of ours.” 

“I…” The boy had been real, and he told Hinata he was glad he was alive (even if his explanation was cut short by Hinata’s brother rushing in). “I guess I just found it. There must be people living nearby or something.” 

--- 

The chatter of the night club died down for the night as everyone was getting ready to go home. Hinata’s feet were sore from running around, but it was satisfying to be back in a restaurant like this. It reminded him of his childhood working for the Chinese restaurant with Yuta. 

Rinne, the leader of Crazy:B who had wanted to get closer to Hinata, and by extension 2wink, slid a drink down the bar. It looked like a horrible mix of syrups and club soda, but one sip was all it took for Hinata to drink it all down. 

“Great job tonight Hina! You’re a real natural at this stuff.” Rinne was washing the other glasses behind the bar now as Hinata finished the rest of his soda. 

“Yuta-kun and I used to work in a restaurant so it comes pretty naturally to us!” 

“That so?” 

“Mhm!” Hinata slid the empty glass back to Rinne, who quickly dumped the ice and washed it before tossing the towel over his shoulder. The entire week they’d been working the club together, there had been something bugging Hinata at the back of his mind. “Hey, Rinne-senpai…did you ever watch our shows?” 

“Huh? ‘Course I have, vice prez wants us to work together so I’ve seen a few of ‘em.” 

“That’s not what I mean. I mean like…back when Yuta-kun and I did street performances.” 

Rinne paused for a moment. “Why’re you askin’?” 

“Oh, it’s nothing. You just reminded me of someone who used to watch them.” 

“Well I’m sure whoever it was is proud to see you singin’ and dancin’ on stage.” Rinne had come around the bar and stood next to Hinata, ruffling his hair. “Let’s get goin’ or I’m never gonna hear the end of it from Niki-kun.”