#she's so normal and floundering and cool at the same time

[a-dauntless-daffodil]

"maybe i should call her" with the her in this case bein youmu.

MEIRAAA! MEIRA IM SO SORRY SWEETIE IM SO SORRY THAT RED-WHITE SHRINE MAIDEN HAS REPLACED YOU WITH ANOTHER SWORD GIRL WHO'S HALF DEAD AND 100% TOO BUSY TRIMMING SHRUBBERIES UP IN NOT-HEAVEN WITH HER ANCESTRAL BLADES TO ANSWER THE GOSH DANG PHONE

look its simple. reimu, marisa, and sanae are all in a non-exclusive throuple. reimu isn't seeing anyone on the side but those looks that weird samurai woman keeps giving her despite reimu absolutely not remembering her keeps making reimu go "maybe i should call her" with the her in this case bein youmu. marisa has been engaged to alice for five years and neither want to move in with one another. sanae and tsukasa are having the most dogshit sex known to both mankind and youkind. all three of them have fucked patchouli at some point. sometimes sakuya's there, but she's never involved.

[maskedemerald]

Weaving Webs CH6

Here is chapter six of my Invisobang fic! The wonderful @pricklenettle did some fantastic art that you'll see embedded through out the fic! Love this chapter's art so much!

You can check out the fic here or on AO3!

If you like this consider dropping us both a follow!

Warnings: Body horror, manipulation, Spectra is her own content warning, Burns, Spider - for like 2 chapters then it goes away.

The Fenton parents were there when the accident happened, they saw Danny die in an act of sabotage. Now they’re just trying to go on with the strange ghost that is all that's left of Danny. While their old college friend is wondering where the subjects of his revenge are.

[First] [Previous] [Next]

Chapter Six

Cupboard doors clattered open and closed. From where she was on the stairs and the early hour Jazz could only assume it was Danny attempting to amuse himself while they slept. She entered the kitchen fully prepared to try and explain to her little brother that humans needed to sleep and he should keep it down. If she was more awake she’d be more upset by the idea. She was trying hard to not let the fact that he was a ghost get to her. To treat him as normal but he wasn’t. Things like this were a reminder that Danny didn’t remember what it was like to be human. That hurt.

He was still Danny, worrying about all of them even when he was the one that had been hurt more than any of them but that was emotional. He seemed to get that but not the physical.

Now he was bored and a bored Danny could be a noisy one. She didn’t blame him. The remote bricked when he tried to use it himself. Though she wasn’t sure he actually knew how to use it. He’d just sort of waved it around.

What she found wasn’t Danny but her Mom searching the room frantically. A pot of coffee sitting cooling on the bench without a mug.

“Mom?” she asked confused

Her Mom startled, “Jazz? Oh sorry… I didn’t wake you did I?”

“No,” she shook her head.

“Nightmare?”

“Yeah… you?” Jazz had been trying not to think of the fading memory of the nightmare. Sleep hadn’t been easy.

“The same,” her Mom said with a tired sigh.

“What are you looking for? The mugs are in here,” Jazz said, opening the cupboard. It wasn’t as full as normal, the dishes having piled up a little, but there were still a few.

“I know… I know… but… Danny’s NASA mug… it's missing.”

“Have you checked his room? He probably used it before…” now he was never going to get to again. Ghosts didn’t need to. Did he even have a mouth? A face. She couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence.

“I haven’t… I didn’t see it before but…” she struggled with her words, “it's been hard, I… I didn’t go in. I just couldn’t.”

Jazz didn’t go back to bed. There wasn’t much point. For a while she and her Mom sat in the living room, away from the mugs and dirty dishes. They’d have to be dealt with eventually but now was not the time. She did, however nod off.

She was woken as the sofa beneath her shifted. She floundered a little as she sat up. Half the sofa in the air. Her Dad’s face appeared as he lowered it. A sheepish look on his face as he caught sight of her.

“Sorry Jazz, I was trying not to wake you.”

“By lifting the sofa? Dad what on earth are you doing?” she asked.

“Looking for my needlepoint, I just don’t remember where I had it last.”

He continued to frustratedly search. Lifting chairs and the coffee table. She scanned the room expecting to spot it being the less frustrated one. A single spool of thread lay on the floor where it had fallen when he lifted the coffee table but not the hoop.

Despite joining the search more actively they had no luck in actually finding the needlepoint. It was a disappointment. Her Dad hadn’t touched it since Danny’s incident and just like the rest of them he needed something normal to fall back on.

That night sleep wasn’t coming easily, she’d tossed and turned for hours with no luck. Exhaustion hadn’t come. Even if it did, the night would be filled with nightmares. She glanced round the dark room for something that would be a comfort. Bearbert was missing from his spot on her shelf. Maybe he was on her desk? She’d been relying on the bear a lot over the week. She flicked on her bedside light. The desk was empty aside from her laptop. She stumbled out of bed and checked under the bed and the desk using her phone as a torch. Still nothing.

Had she left it somewhere else about the house?

Jazz staggered tiredly out of her room headed for the living room. She’d had the bear down there recently. She didn’t remember where she’d last put him down. She reached the top of the stairs when she noticed the glow from Danny’s end of the corridor. A string of static noises hissing quietly from the tech in his room.

Maybe he had seen Bearbert.

It took a little deep breath to pick up the courage to go down the corridor, the chill dropping down her spine. He was always scarier in the dark. He’s still Danny, she reminded herself. Just a little different.

“Danny? Have you seen…” her sentence cut off as she caught sight of Danny as she came round the door frame.

He was floating near the wall of his room, above his bed. His eyes wide like a deer caught in the headlights. Or like when he was younger being caught red handed at something he knew he wasn’t meant to be doing. Even with the black faceplate for a face she could still recognise that expression.

“What are you up to?” She questioned leaning to get a better look at what he was hiding behind the bulky Hazmat.

There half phased into his wall was Bearbert. Just the legs of her beloved bear were sticking out of the wall.

“Danny!” she snapped before even thinking about the late hour, “what are you doing?”

“Look after… goooood. Gooood thing, safe,” his speakers crackled.

Her Mom burst into the room, hair messy and frazzled. A pistol in hand. She froze and stared as Jazz lunged at Danny. Pulling on him and trying to get to Bearbert.

“Give him back Danny!”

Danny floated up holding the bear that came out of the wall as he did, “safe, keep safe. For Jazzt.”

He cackled, even if it came from across the room it was like a real laugh. She pouted, he was messing with her.

“Danny give it back. Please,” Jazz grabbed his ankle but it whisped away into a tail, “Danny!”

Jack staggered in, “what’s going on?”

“I… I’m not sure. Danny’s ghost stole Bearbert,” her mom replied.

“Okay, it's not like he didn’t do that before.”

“I guess, but still why? Why hide it in the wall?”

Her Dad shrugged as Jazz managed to get Bearbert back in her arms. He’d given it back, if he wanted to he could have played keep away for hours. It was as she held the bear that she noticed a needle caught on its fur, a thread leading back to the wall.

“Danny! Just how much have you been hiding!”

He crackled a laugh.

[First] [Previous] [Next]

[palaceofpassion]

How's Pyrrha feel about Jaune?

This happened a little after the Jessica thing. Pyrrha was a bit hesitant around Jaune, he knew her name and all. So she doubted he didn't know who she was. But... then something weird happened.

"Okay, yes, thank you. I'll be there soon." Pyrrha was not having a good day. She had yet to eat that day and though she wasn't sure how she felt about him, she could easily say that Jaune's cooking was delicious. It reminded her of home... and yet she had to skip on that! She was assigned a new appointment and she just... "Why can't I say no?"

"It's not that hard right?"

"Ah!" She nearly jumped out of her skin as Jaune, holding a bowl of something, seemed to materialize behind her. "Oh! Uhm, I'm sorry I didn't see you there."

She noted the way he looked at her, quirking his brow as if she had said something strange. "Pyrrha, you don't need to apologize, I'm the one who snuck up on you... and I"m sorry I overheard your conversation. But... you don'tt have to say yes. You know that, right?"

She shook her head, "No... I just... I have to make this deal, my manager wants me to do these things, and I just can't say no because-"

"Manager? Is that a normal thing for huntresses?"

She blinked a few times as she looked at him. "No?" That was an odd question, surely he should know she would have one since she was a young star.

"Then why do you have one?" She tried to read him, to see if he was acting this way to get on her good side... but then, nothing. This wasn't the same situation with Weiss, where she opted to try to use her... he just, didn't know who she was.

"Jaune... do you mind me asking. But when we met, you knew my name."

"Yeah, Ozpin gave me a brief introduction, so I knew all your names."

Her mouth opened and closed like a floundering fish. "So... you didn't know me before that?"

"Nope. Only thing I knew, was that you were cool in those videos he showed, and that you're really prett..." He paused, his face flushing.

Her eyes widened.

":Forget I said that please."

There was a brief pause before she suddenly started to lose it. For the first time in a while she had a good laugh.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to say that outloud!"

"No no! It's alright, thank you. It's very kind of you... so you really didn't know me?"

He paused, shook his head, "Nope."

"Huh."

She took a moment... "What's for dinner?"

"OH! Well, I figured you were feeling homesick, and the other girls are out for the day, so I decided to make some Mistrali soup, I got the recipe from my sis Saph in ARgus and well, I figured you'd like it?"

She paused again, then smiled. "You know... I would... let me make a call, I think I can skip a promotion or two."

"Sure! Wait, what promotion?"

Now she couldn't help but laugh again. Maybe Jaune wasn't so bad.

[3rddimension]

On the whole confidence thing, I honestly think Shayne wasn't really too confident back before he and Court started dating either. Like, I think he gave the impression of outward confidence really well, and compared to someone like Courtney the changes he's gone through have been more subtle, but he's also really come into his own a lot.

Like, I think it's funny when people compare Angela's loudness to Shayne's, because frankly, Shayne has gotten quieter over time. I don't think Angela comes CLOSE to 2018 Shayne. Shayne's always been hilarious but he kinda used to drown everyone else out. He leaned so hard into "loudness" being his gimmick that he started to seem less like a person and more like a force of nature. He would fully derail videos by doing solo bits and taking away attention from anything else that was going on. He got away with it back then because he was easily the most talented person on the cast, but nowadays with Smosh in its prime I don't think people would be as appreciative of it.

This isn't a dig at Shayne, I'm just trying to articulate a certain way I feel about him when revisiting Smosh's old content. Shayne has always been the type of guy who is afraid of failure more than anything, and while this still is the case as he's talked about on Smosh Mouth, it used to be VISIBLY worse. This is kinda why he used to derail videos. If any competition was involved, Shayne would rather intentionally fail and be funny doing it than try his hardest and take something seriously and risk failing all the same. It's burying yourself in irony to protect yourself from judgement and criticism.

I think this is why the old Smoshcast was so eye-opening to a lot of people because Shayne used to be a very different person from when you asked him to be funny versus when you asked him to just be himself. It was an incredibly loud, overly-silly person who refuses to take anything seriously versus someone who's down to earth and cares a lot about small things that most people wouldn't pay any mind.

I think Court has changed him a lot because she's someone who, and I mean this in the best way, is used to failure. She's always been very real and authentic, and unlike somebody like Shayne who used to bury all of his bits in several layers of irony to protect himself, she's always been very vulnerable and willing to put herself out there even if it meant floundering on a TNTL or looking like an idiot during a Board AF. This part of her that's willing to fail has never died either, you just see it less often now because she's gotten better at succeeding.

Currently, I think Shayne is so much more of a delight to watch than before. He was always great, but now it feels like you can see more of himself in his funny guy schtick. He's less loud, more down-to-earth, and more willing to actually participate in competition. He's so much more cool, calm, and collected than he used to be. I also feel like his current brand of comedy also lets his dynamic with the rest of the cast flourish more. Back when he used to bury himself in irony, all of his dynamics(except with Olivia) felt like "Shayne and his caretakers", whereas now they moreso feel like "Shayne and his friends".

He still has some ways to go. As I said, he's stated directly on Smosh Mouth that he's still afraid of failure, and that he's sometimes to afraid to try and experiement with things because he's too focused on doing them "correctly". You can also still see him burying himself in irony from time to time, my recent example being when he was brave enough to bring his journal for an episode of Smosh Mouth but not brave enough to read from it in his normal voice, putting on a Chosen voice to avoid engaging with his old writing on a surface level. However, I think he's come leaps and bounds from where he used to be and just like Courtney, deserves praise for that.

I think this is why we all love their relationship so much. I don't just like their on-screen dynamic, I straight up think they bring the best out of each other.

This is like the best essay i've read about Shayne's growth during Smosh tbh. Recommend read for everyone. Thanks for sharing your thought and I wholeheartedly agreed on what you said. He's really opening up a lot since he's in a relationship and being more vulnerable than ever before. It's still work in progress but you can actually see how much different he is back in the day.

[marmie-noir]

There She Is

I huffed, blowing a few strands of hair out of my face from where I was perched on the bar top next to a cardboard box. Mitch was folding up the jacket he’d taken from the guy, having grabbed it after placing me on the bar top. I had a plate of fries balanced on my thighs, watching Mitch glance over at Dwight who was having a fairly serious conversation across the bar. He stole a few of my fries and I allowed it, glancing down at the blood soaked bullet hole ridden vest, still not sure how I felt about it. Sad, I guess, that it had come to this. That my life had lead to this moment where I had to take the life of a man. But at the same time, not too sad. I felt justified, correct in my decision. Looking up at Mitch’s pretty blue eyes I knew I would do it all over again. 

“What are you thinkin’ about?” He asked, snatching another fry, popping it in his mouth. I hummed, contemplating how to verbalize it, glancing down at my plate. 

“Guess… about him.” I gestured to the vest. Mitch hummed once more, watching my reactions, chewing on the millionth fry he had stolen from me. “I don’t feel bad and I feel bad about not feeling bad?” I said, sounding a little confused and unsure. “I think I’m just sad it’s come to this. That I had to do what I needed to do. It’s just all kind of,” I trailed off again, unsure what words to use. 

“Fucked up?” Mitch offered, leaning on the bar next to my legs, looking at me with a raised brow. 

I nodded, flashing him a grin. “Yeah. Which I don’t really regret but I don’t know. It’s just weird.” I gave another shrug, glancing at Dwight a moment. “Think I just need a little time to adjust is all.” 

Mitch snatched another fry and leaning in to steal a quick kiss while Dwight had his back turned. I blushed lightly, looking up at him surprised only for him to wink at me. I smiled, rolling my eyes and taking one of the last fries off my plate before he could take them all. 

Dwight seemed to be done with his call and came back over to the bar as Mitch wiped his hands together before grabbing the vest once more. “Should I wrap something up in it?” He asked, hip brushing my knee as he looked over at the older man. “Like a dead fish? Pike? Northern, flounder?” 

Dwight waved a hand, shaking his head, looking a little distracted and a little distraught. “No, the jacket’s enough.” 

Mitch smirked, folding the jacket and jamming it into the box, deciding it was good enough. I rolled my eyes at him, eyes jumping from the jacket before the box was closed and taped up, the last time I’d probably be able to see it again. The last reminder of what I’d done. 

“A fish?” I teased, moving to hop off the bar. The place was still a mess, very obvious bullet holes in the wood and shattered glass, the now open areas where windows had been needing to be covered up. “Yeah, what is wrong with a fish?” He asked, watching me walk away, crossing his arms and smiling slightly as I grabbed the broom to start sweeping up. Dwight disappeared with the box, giving the two of us a nod before stepping out of the door. 

“Nothing, nothing at all.” I teased, shaking my head as I went over towards the window, starting to sweep the glass into a little pile to at least try to start cleaning up this mess. Most of the morning Mitch and I spent sweeping up glass and splintered wood, working together to get everything as normal as possible before plywood was slotted into the newly missing windows. I took the work gloves given to me, arching up to slot the plywood slats against the gaping glass holes to keep the cool air in and the bugs out. It blocked out the sunlight I’d come to adore but it wasn’t forever. 

Mitch stepped back, looking it over with his hands on his hips, inspecting it. “It’ll do for now. Should get some new windows in after a few days, have her good as new.” “I hope so.” I said, looking wistfully at the plywood grain instead of the beautiful scenery I used to glance out at. A hand landed on my shoulder and I looked over at Mitch, pouting slightly until he pulled me into his side, arm slinging around my shoulders and keeping me close. 

“Good as new, darlin’. Promise.” He said, glancing down at me, a smile tugging at his lips and hitching his mustache up. I sighed, resting my head on his shoulder, nodding. 

“Fine.” I said, unable to hide my smile as I leaned against Mitch for a moment before pulling away. “Fine, you are the boss.” Mitch grinned, fixing his hat with a quiet ‘bet your ass I am’, adding a few more nails to the boards on the windows just to make sure they were secure. 

I heard him fiddling with the old juke box style record player that sat in the corner under one of the windows, the familiar sound of the buttons clicking well known by now. I didn’t pay it any mind, the sounds of an old guitar strumming to life filling the space. The bar was closed for obvious reasons, though it would probably just be closed for the one day if Mitch had anything to say about it. 

A hand rested on my hip and spun me, Mitch pulling my front closer to his as an old western song started to fill the empty dinning area, the sounds of a low male voice winding in the rarely empty. I let out a little laugh as he gently plucked the broom from my hands to lean it against a table, pulling me along with him towards a small cleared space I’d swept the glass from. Mitch wrapped one arm around my middle, pulling me close, the other grabbing my own hand as he began to sway to the music. The words didn’t matter, only the slow beat, the two of us moving together as we sidestepped together. 

“So, an ex-bull rider bar owner who sings and dances? Any other surprises, cowboy?” I teased, looking up at him with a grin. He smiled back, shaking his head slightly. His hair had gotten longer, dark blonde strands curling around the edge of his hat, his smile adding a spark to those pretty blue eyes. “I have a few more tricks up my sleeves for pretty women who come into my bar telling me I hired them.” I felt heat bloom on my cheeks but let out a little laugh, leaning against the strong line of his body as we moved as one. I worked with Mitch almost every day, he was the constant in my life. We moved around one another like a well oiled machine, in the small kitchen back at the house, behind the bar here, and apparently now on the makeshift dance floor. 

“Suppose I don’t get to know what those are?” I asked playfully, enjoying the way his body felt against mine. When he moved I could feel the shift of his body under his usual button up shirt, the brush of his thighs against mine. My free hand, resting on his bicep of the arm wrapped around me, brushed back and forth on the fabric. 

His fingers pressed against my lower back, removing any space between us as we swayed side to side. “‘Course not, darlin’. Gotta keep you on your toes.” He murmured, nose brushing against mine, the bill of his hat nudging against my forehead. I grinned, reaching up and grabbing his hat off his head, arching up on my tip toes and capturing his lips in a kiss. My arm, hat still in hand, looped around his neck as I leaned against him and kissed him with a happy little sound escaping against his lips. 

Mitch Keller knew how to kiss if nothing else. I felt his lips curve into a smile as I pressed us together but it fell when I arched against him, pressing my breasts to his chest. His hand around my middle slid down to grab at my ass, hauling me closer, slotting a thigh between my legs as he immediately deepened the kiss. 

The feeling of his facial hair against my face would have been ticklish if I wasn’t so turned on, making a little needy noise in the back of my throat that seemed to only spur him on. His other hand slid out of mine, gently wrapping around the back of my head, fingers sliding into my hair as he tilted my head slightly to deepen the kiss. 

I fell willingly against him, my now free hand grabbing at the front of his shirt, not wanting him to pull back. Using his grip on me he moved my hips against his thigh, making me grind on him. The drag of denim clad thigh pressed the seam of my shorts just right and made me gasp, the sound delicate and delicious. Mitch let out a gruff “There she is'' before his tongue slipped between my lips to meet mine. 

His tongue slid between my parted lips, apparently not shy about his intentions, not giving me a moment to adjust. I felt like I was melting, his large hand spanning my ass dragging me back and forth over his thigh slowly, tongue exploring my mouth as I made little noises, clinging to him. Wanting more. 

The sound of car doors slamming had Mitch breaking the kiss. “Fucking damnit.” He growled, blue eyes nearly swallowed by his pupil, looking towards the boarded up window as if searching for who would dare interrupt us. 

After a few moments he let out a grumbled sigh, turning to place a few more kisses against my lips before slowly unwinding from me. I watched him, lips shiny from his kisses, cheeks flushed with arousal as my chest rose and fell with labored breaths. He looked at me before grinning, big hands lifting to cup my face and kissing me once more, this one much sweeter than the kiss a few moments ago. 

“Go grab the order list for me out of my office, darlin’.” He said, voice still having that slight edge of gruff arousal. I blinked at him, lips parting slightly as he took his hat back from me where it was still clutched in one of my hands, sliding it on his head. He patted at my ass, giving me a gentle push towards his office and I nodded, watching him saunter towards the bar as if he hadn’t completely ruined my panties and made my brain shut off not even a minute ago. 

“What the fuck is happening?” I whispered to myself, fingers lifting to my lips as I made a hasty retreat towards the office. Mitch Keller was trouble, and I was all about it. 

Read more Sunny and Mitch here.

[dontcherish]

this one isn't quite so formal as my previous one about cloud's dissociative disorder, but it is going to be somewhat in-depth. since i'm thinking about it, i wanna talk about the lifestream sequence in mideel, when tifa and cloud fall into the lifestream when mideel collapses. because cloud had previously fallen into the lifestream, he was suffering the effects of mako poisoning once again, and he is unaware of who he is and of his surroundings. as we've already seen, cloud is incredibly affected by exposure to mako energy due to his low self-esteem and weak sense of self, so the mako completely disintegrates cloud's hold on himself and his personality. however, in the lifestream, tifa is able to not only retain her sense of self, but to actually piece cloud back together to some extent. because tifa is sure of her sense of self where cloud is not, tifa still appears as she appears normally. however, when cloud's true self appears, it is how cloud looked when he was a child. i think this is telling because at his core, cloud is still that same child, desperate for attention and wanting to be noticed, to be seen. the cloud that we see for a majority of the game is largely made up of traits cloud absorbed from zack due to the mako poisoning, as he did not have enough substance to create a personality of his own, and because watching zack die was so incredibly traumatic for him on top of everything else. but at his core, cloud's true personality is complex. he's deeply sentimental, cherishing the memories of those around him and holding on to things that remind him of loved ones. cloud is also cowardly, refusing to show his face in nibelheim to tifa and his mother for fear of what they'd think of him. he's socially awkward, ostracized by the children in nibelheim and growing up without many friends or much positive social interaction besides his mother, to whom cloud is deeply attached. he's shy and lacks confidence in himself, and prone to taking that out on others, shown when he himself admitted to getting into fights after tifa's fall from mount nibel. at the same time that he is cowardly, cloud is motivated to protect people he loves, making rash and impulsive decisions when they are hurt or threatened. he feels everything much deeper than he's able to show or express, and that's likely heavily influenced by cloud being autistic. he wants so desperately to be liked and accepted, to be the one people want around, someone they like or look up to, which is where zack comes in. zack is the ideal to cloud, the person he wants to be. zack is a hero, he's cool and charming, friendly to everyone and everyone loves him, but also strong and heroic. even despite adopting large parts of zack's personality as his own, cloud's real personality still shines through. he actively chooses to help others, even at great inconvenience to himself, and refuses to leave people behind, even when it's the more dangerous choice. where zack is easily charming, cloud flounders in basic social interactions and often fails to read the room and the mood, creating tension. he's deeply affected by the people around him but struggles to communicate it properly. cloud's 'true personality' being represented by his childhood appearance shows that despite what he presents, cloud did not truly mature beyond that same child from nibelheim who wanted so desperately to be noticed by his peers. his unresolved childhood feelings greatly shape his personality and his desires, and it only makes sense that no only does cloud absorb aspects of his ideal personality from zack, but that the memories of zack are the key to unlocking cloud's true self.

[flightfoot]

You ever notice how a lot of miraculous salt against Adrien and Marinette is just two bad faith interps of the same narrative problem?

Narrative problem: Ladybug has to do all the work and come out the reigning champ, even when it doesn’t make sense for Cat Noir not to be more competent/helpful in these moments.

Bad faith interp 1: Cat Noir is incompetent, dumb and lazy. He always looks to Ladybug for help when things get sticky and rarely tries to offer ideas even when she is floundering. He’s just there to flirt and let her do all the work.

Which is so not true because Cat Noir makes sacrifices in battle all the time. He’s a smart dude. While it’s true that he likes to have a good time out there, character wise he would love love love to help Ladybug when she’s floundering. When the writers need him to have ideas or make a good move or call, they let him. He’s more than demonstrated that ability. They just nerf him when they need Ladybug to look a certain way and suddenly he’s goofing up in unbelievable ways or acting as if she is the only one who can think and neglecting to process things himself. Which comes off really inconsistent and is more a statement on the writing than it is on his character. He’s not the only victim. A lot of the other holders get nerfed for the ‘Ladybug must do everything’ narrative too. Like RIP to Scarabella’s chance to be awesome in hacksan. Speaking of,

Bad faith interp 2: Ladybug is an arrogant, power hungry girl who loves the attention and doesn’t allow others to shine. She shoots down others ideas and is determined to come out on top.

Which is so not true because, first of all, the writers rarely give the other holders actual agency to act or ideas for Ladybug to shoot down. Characters who would normally be full of ideas are suddenly all “What do we do now ladybug?! We can’t think for ourselves, Ladybug!” And she follows suit because what else are you gonna do? And the times when the writers do allow Cat Noir to have an idea or disagreement (happened a lot more in season 1. I think the writers were more about the team dynamic then) she’s… pretty cool about it? There were a couple times when she disagreed initially and then came around pretty quickly like when she wouldn’t listen to Chloe or in the giant baby episode but usually it’s “you’re right, cat noir!” “Great idea Chaton!” Ladybug gets unfairly secretive when she anticipates danger, but the ‘Ladybug is too arrogant to share her spotlight’ pov is hella exaggerated and it totally ignores the fact that characters who would normally jump at the chance to help or act often turn into mindless zombies around her. I’m still puzzled by that scene in the season 2 finale where she is clearly at a loss and everyone is just staring at her like “you’ll think of something!” The writers kind of created their own issue with the uber stressed Ladybug.

Maybe you haven’t but I seen both these takes and im not trying to make it a competition. I hate them both. Season 5 seems to be fixing things in part but it may be too late for the Saltdom…

Tldr: I guess it can be hard to distinguish, but I really wish people would stop blaming the characters for writing choices that reflect poorly on them. Especially when the character themselves haven’t indicated they would behave in this manner. It exhausts me. I try to curate the best I can but salt is everywhere around the Mira fandom.

Yeah agreed on this, both these takes ignore context, as well as what the writers are trying to say.

Oh yeah, as far as the "Ladybug is arrogant and power-hungry" thing goes, I agree with your take, and wanted to add onto it.

Ladybug ain't super arrogant or power-hungry. Heck, she'd prefer to not have quite so much pressure on her shoulders. She IS willing to listen to others ideas, though she will sometimes shoot them down. The reason she has so much spotlight is mostly due to the show revolving around her rather than her, as a character, trying to hog the spotlight.

I sort of see where this interpretation came from, since she doesn't really collaborate with others all that much, but that's less of an unwillingness to consider others ideas, and more it just not coming up very often. I would like to see Marinette have to work as part of a team at some point with someone else who is also used to being the team leader, with someone who's used to being the final authority on things, because I think that'd be a valuable experience for her and would inform the way she approaches the rest of the Miracuteam. But she definitely at least tries to listen to others when making plans.

[fenmere]

Ooh! Ooh! We want to analyze this in comparison to our own personal experiences, because we can!

We're plural. Multiple people sharing one brain. Which is KIND of what Nanase is doing with her spell here.

Now, of course, we have to keep in mind a few things.

This comic is Dan's universe, with Dan's rules. It works the way it needs to work for him to tell his story. This is doubly true when Dan's magic is involved. The limitations that the magic has overrides the limitations of Dan's physics. So, nothing below is criticism, only a pondering that could lead to some cool developments if Dan so wishes.

Also, human brains (and probably the brains of all creatures) are all wildly different from each other, neurodiverse, so this spell may have different levels of affects on Nanase than on anyone else using it.

And we postulate this because we are autistic and ADHD and plural, and in each of those neurotypes we have never been able to find any two people who function with the exact same limitations or bonuses.

Anyway, so.

We're plural.

We experience what Nanase is experiencing. But, normally, to a much lesser degree.

Like, what we perceive as so much lesser that in our novels where we have people doing what Nanase is doing, only with the aid of technology instead, they don't notice any detriment to their cognition. But, then, also, the technological aids do expand their neural resources with simulated Network neurons.

And, also, we've been plural our whole life and we don't know what it's like not to be. We don't know where our baseline is.

OK, review and explanation of what's going on in this comic.

Nanase is creating a magical construct, or summon, named Fox. And Fox is using part of Nanase's brain, and therefore making it harder for Nanase to think. And the characters are learning why and discussing it.

We notice this kind of thing in ourselves, but in reverse.

The reason is a bit different, too.

In our system, and not necessarily in any other system, we each are centered in various locations in our brain. We kind of occupy those neurons that are local to us.

I, Fenmere, am in the part of the brain that handles putting together linguistic structures. Not words, but sentences.

When I'm not awake, the whole rest of the system has a harder time doing that. They still can. They can still use my part of the brain, but a lot of the neurons there that hold my memories won't fire as readily if I'm not awake, and my memories and skills specifically will not be accessible.

And then, when I wake up and join the system in coconsciousness, those skills will suddenly return, along with a greater awareness of everything due to my connections with our senses also being available.

I've been present when Anne the Girl was asleep while we were playing cards. Eh was fronting and trying their best, but really floundering. Also, our vision, hearing, and other senses, felt like they were in sort of a fog. It's possible that most of my side of the brain was asleep.

But then, halfway through the game, Anne woke up, and the fog went away, and we saw very clearly all the patterns in the cards that helped us to start winning. Even more telling was that our intuition, our gut feeling for whether or not we were winning or going to get a good card, improved dramatically. So our subconscious was working better.

We've experienced this multiple times with Anne. She's a very good card player. She's pretty good with intuiting math, in fact. And without her, we tend to make more mistakes.

So, what we think it would be like for us to use Dan's magic to do what Nanase is doing is that we'd end up dedicating a number of system members to run Fox. Maybe just one, but probably a whole team, because we like to work in teams.

And those system members who are running our Fox would not be available to help with running our body.

So, we totally see Dan's model of the human brain here absolutely being plausible.

A plural system that is more dissociated and separated than we are might not notice much of a difference, however. Because they've learned how to function without cooperation from each other, and a system member going off to run or inhabit Fox would not take any neural resources away that they're not already keeping separated from their other members.

Any singlet, however, would probably experience exactly what Nanase is experiencing. To one degree or another.

Maybe. You never know for sure.

Anyway, this leads us to a suggestion that Dan might already be considering.

Nanase could maybe learn to lend Fox specific skills and talents. Like, OK, Nanase is going bowling while Fox works on math homework. Nanase should be able to keep her hand/eye coordination and most of her other bowling skills, but should stay away from the leader board or from trying to figure out any change when buying food.

Wifi Fox! Do your best!

Clearly the solution is to have Nanase wear receiver boosters before summoning Fox.

[wallflowerimagines]

oh hello!! i found your blog and i’m so amazed at what you write! i’m unsure if i’ve asked here before, or if this is my first time. how would the lords react to a young F!reader who has liquid mercury wings, and also doesn’t know how to smile (yet)? lil ‘kuudere’ mercury angel lmao. i hope this isn’t too much to ask ^^ tysm and stay safe!! 💛

Thank you! 💛 This is my first time getting this ask. I've interpreted it as more of a child/young teen reader, let me know if you envisioned it differently!

Alcina Dimitrescu

Congratulations! You've just been adopted! 🎉🎉🎉

All of Alcina's mom instincts just clicked on the minute she saw you. You're so small. So cute. She felt the same instant connection to you as she did to her three daughters.

Without even being able to really process it, you're given a room, an entire new wardrobe, and three older sisters who adore you just as much as their mom does. Honestly, it's a little disorienting.

Alcina is a little worried about the fact that you seem to have no real emotions, but she's a patient lady who believes firmly in communication. If you like something and tell her, she believes you. Some people just don't emote that well, after all. She gets used to it very quickly.

(And if anyone even so much as makes a snippy comment about your face or tone, they're straight up dead.)

She is the kind of mom who wants ALL the pictures of her darling children, and makes you sit for many, many formal portraits--some of which she even paints herself.

She likes incorporating Angelic imagery in all of your portraits, too. Your wings are beautiful, and she wants to make sure that you never have insecurities about your appearance or your abilities. If she can show even 1/10th of how perfect she finds you, she calls it a mission accomplished.

Alcina never expected you to smile for her, honestly. You had limits, and she respected them. But when she unveiled the newest family portrait--with all of her children featured prominently--to her surprise she spots a small, trembling smile on your lips.

And when you say 'Thank you, Mother'? Alcina gets really emotional, and even a little teary eyed.

She Immediately drops to her knees and pulls you into the BIGGEST hug. You are always welcome.

Donna Beneviento

But if you're baby, and I'm baby, then who's driving the bus?

Donna does not know how to interact with you. She's already quite inexperienced with social interaction, and without the feedback that she normally gets from people's facial expressions, she's left floundering.

She's really trying her best, too! It's just, your voice doesn't even have the slightest bit of inflection. Are you happy? Sad? Give her a hint she is suffering.

Your deadpan tone just CRACKS Angie up, though.

Angie bridges the gap in your relationship. She is talkative and wacky, which fills the awkward silences between you and Donna very easily.

Similar to Donna, you find it very easy to talk to Angie! She doesn't force you to smile, or talk, or do anything you might be uncomfortable with. She's playful and loud, so you don't have to try very hard around her.

Eventually you two reach a peaceful, relaxing medium. Donna slowly accepts that your words are meant to be taken at face value, and with that realization a lot of the stress between you two melts away.

Also, if you let her make you clothes? She👏is👏 LIVING👏

She loooves to make things for you, and the wings only offer a welcome challenge. She's never worked with anything like that before, and she's so excited!!!!

Angie also wants you to fly around with her in the yard! The three of you actually have a lot of fond memories of outdoor tea parties where Donna primly sits in a chair, watching with a small, happy smile on her face as you flutter through the air with a SCREECHING Angie in your arms. She's having a BLAST!!

It's the first time she sees you smile, too, and it just makes her own smile grow. She never thought she'd have another sibling, but life really is full of surprises, isn't it?

Salvatore Moreau

Salvatore is SO concerned...

You're really young, left alone, with an obvious physical difference that can be spotted a mile away. Someone could target you very easily, and despite your wings he doesn't know if you could safely defend yourself. He really wants to help you out, but uh...

Kids are consistently terrified of him? He doesn't know if you would accept his help or run away screaming.

...but your clothes are so ratty, and it's so cold outside...

Moreau decides to sneakily leave you some cheese and a spare scarf on a rock in plain view. When he sees you put the scarf on and absolutely DEVOUR the piece of cheese, it steals his resolve.

He winds up leaving you a small trail of cheese pieces that lead to his home, and sets up a small separate nest like area for you. It's entirely enclosed, warm and far enough away from his room that he hopes it won't spook you. This will work great!

Little does he know, that you were only a few paces behind him the entire time, and when he finally finished with the setup, he turned around to find you hovering in the doorway, expression blank as always, and mouth full of cheese.

Moreau screamed

You seem happy enough with the new setup, though, and begin to follow Moreau around like a baby duck.

Dr. Moreau Time: He does give you the occasional exam to test your reflexes. He's worried a little bit about the composition of your wings--Mercury is a chemical that is known to cause madness and nerve damage with extended exposure, especially in young children.

He wants to ensure that you're safe from harm, both physical and mental!

One night, many weeks later, when you two are seated side by side watching a movie, you flop into his side with a small smile on your face, and fall asleep. Moreau tries not to wake you up with his overwhelmed sobbing.

Karl Heisenberg

Hello?? Child?? Why are you here???

Karl doesn't quite know what to do with you, at first. He's not bad with kids, per se, but it's suspicious for him that you just so happen to have a variant of his metal powers and were found wandering around outside the Factory.

He suspects Mother Miranda immediately--are you a spy? Another one of her victims? He doesn't know, and until he does you will be fed, clothed, and kept at arm's length.

Once he confirms your lack of involvement in her schemes, he engages with you a lot more.

Initially, just kind of baffled by the fact you don't emote, but upon further thought he totally gets it. Emotions suck, man. You don't gotta express more than you have to around him, he's cool with it.

He's more used to being a Fun Uncle rather than a dad (he's totally helped Alcina's daughters sneak out and cause mischief before this), so he only vaguely knows that you should probably have a bedtime, regular meals, and a social circle? He'll halfheartedly try to enforce stuff, but if you push back at all he just let's it go.

He, uh, will also let you help him mess around with corpses for the soldats? Definitely not age appropriate, but still, he wants to share his passion with you and teach you a little bit about metalwork.

One day, he does a little metal bending trick in front of you and makes you a flower, just to show off. Your eyes just LIGHT UP and the tiniest little smile shows up on your face, and when you reach your hands out to grab it--

Something deep in his chest just seized up all of a sudden. Shit, that's cute.

Shit, does that mean he's attached??? FUCK, WHEN DID HE GET ATTACHED??

[cloudywriter]

promposals

rowaelin month - september 1st

prompt: i just realized i’m desperately in love with you 

hey guys!! it’s finally rowaelin month and i’m literally so excited you have no idea. sadly, i don’t have time to do every day but i’ll do as many as i can. i can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with. happy writing/reading! (this is just some straight fluff) 

masterlist, AO3

~~~

The school was abuzz, anticipation hung thick in the hallways during each passing period. It had been that way for a week or so now with prom on the horizon. Everyone was constantly on high alert for the next promposal, most desperately hoping it would be their own. Girls hung around their lockers inconspicuously for far longer than necessary and boys tried to play it cool while secretly fretting over who to ask and how to do it.

Rowan was over it pretty quickly, but he’d likely have to suffer through the next month of promposal after promposal. Today was no different, there was an asking in the parking lot before school, one in his first-period English class, another in the hallway after. He couldn’t escape it. 

Thankfully, Rowan wasn’t quite as grumpy as he used to be due to a certain blonde worming into his life a few years ago but he was still Rowan. Sullen and reserved as ever. That fateful blonde being the only one to draw him from his shell. 

Rowan sighed, aimlessly scrolling around on his phone. It was the passing period before his 3rd-period class, AP Biology, and Rowan was leaning against Aelin’s locker.

Aelin always stopped by her locker after her photography class to put her camera away and then they’d head to class together. It was their routine, the same every day. Not yet broken during their entire senior year which was quickly coming to a close. That was a subject Rowan didn’t want to broach though.

He cleared his head of those unsavory thoughts. Rowan could tell yet another proposal was gearing up, Ilias came around the corner holding a poster board in one hand and a bouquet of assorted flowers in the other. At that moment too, Aelin turned the corner, giving Rowan a small smile as she hurried towards him. 

Rowan’s cold resting face tugged into a smirk as she approached her already open locker. Rowan always took it upon himself to open it for her in advance, Aelin tended to fumble with the locks that required a specific number combination and artful twisting. 

As Aelin stored away her camera and shut her locker door with a thud, a gasp down the hallway had them both turning around. 

Ansel was there, her hand cupping her mouth, clearly unsuspecting of Ilias and his proposal. They both watched as Ansel excitedly agreed to prom with Ilias and took the flowers from his outstretched hand, pulling him into a hug. 

Aelin turned her attention away from the happy couple and began to walk towards their next class, Rowan following suit. They progressed for a bit in silence until Aelin spoke up. 

“I hope Chaol asks me to prom soon,” she confessed. 

Rowan almost choked, that single sentence baffling him. “Chaol?” He asked incredulously. 

“Or Dorian,” Aelin shrugged, crossing her arms in front of her. Rowan was suddenly feeling very panicked, like a fish that had accidentally discovered land, flopping around in search of water in a frenzy. To say he felt confused was an understatement. Rowan hadn’t given prom much of his brainpower. He hadn’t even considered asking anyone. He’d just assumed he’d go with Aelin. Why would he have thought otherwise? They did everything together; he’d expected prom would be no different.

When they sat down at their blacktop table in biology Rowan silently floundered as he tried to think over this revelation. Why would Aelin want to go with someone else? Usually, before class started, he and Aelin would joke around until the teacher told them it was time to reel it in but today Rowan stared ahead, picking at the skin of his thumb. A nervous tick he’d developed throughout high school. 

Should he ask someone else then? He couldn’t even think of anyone else he tolerated enough to spend the night with. Maybe Lyria? She was nice enough, always sharing her notes with him in English when he was too busy with lacrosse to do the reading. She was quiet, soft-spoken. Absolutely nothing like the girl sat next to him. That thought made him frown. Remelle? No, he could barely stand Remelle, but he knew she liked him so at least she’d definitely say yes. 

Rowan was pretty much out of luck. Aelin and his friend group were to whom his time was devoted to, he didn’t branch out much beyond them. 

He thought of Aelin all dressed up, maybe in a golden gown that catered to her love of theatrics. Possibly in a deep green that complemented her bright eyes and skin tone. He imagined her with her hair loosely curled and flowing down her back. The delicate, golden Kingsflame silhouette necklace he’d gotten her for her 18th birthday clasped around her neck. It was easy for Rowan to conjure up that image but he couldn’t picture her looking like that and holding onto Chaol’s arm. It felt so intensely wrong to even consider it. 

It was always him. He always imagined her with him. They were a package deal in Rowan’s mind, but apparently not in Aelin’s. 

Aelin seemed to be catching onto Rowan’s internal dilemma. Throughout the duration of the class, he could feel her watching him out of the corner of her peripheral, trying to gauge what could be wrong. She stayed quiet though and dutifully continued her notes that mostly consisted of a collection of small doodles. Rowan couldn’t help but watch and wonder how she truly felt about him.

For the rest of the school day, Rowan pretty much blew Aelin off. He sat between Lorcan and Fenrys at lunch instead of the 2 seats on the right side of the circular table that always housed Aelin and himself. He told her not to wait up in the stands during his lacrosse practice and to head home on her own instead. He could tell she was confused maybe even a little hurt but Rowan couldn’t bring himself to push aside his mass of feelings that had him acting strange. 

He wasn’t even completely sure what was wrong with himself. The thought of Aelin accompanying another guy to prom shouldn’t affect him like it was; they were only best friends nothing more. She had free reign to go with whoever she wanted and she could get whoever, Aelin was a beautiful girl he wasn’t blind to that. He’d just thought it’d be him. 

All throughout lacrosse practice, Rowan was distracted, missing the ball or the goal when he had it, a stark difference from his usual skill. His coach had already pulled him aside once and asked if he was feeling okay only to be given a grunted yeah before putting him back in. He only grew more upset with Aelin as he pondered the day’s events instead of keeping his head in the game. Some part of him knew it was irrational but he couldn’t help it. Why wouldn’t she want to share one of their last big moments of high school together?  

And that’s how he continued to feel as he made the short drive home with his hefty lacrosse bag weighing down his shoulder and his school bag heavy on his back. When he finally entered the home he sighed, the scent of his mother’s cooking filling his nostrils. Honestly, he’d rather stay up in his room and stew than sit through family dinner right now but he knew it’d only prompt more questions from his parents. So he dropped his things by the door much to his mother’s chagrin and collapsed into one of the dining table’s chairs. 

“Feeling alright, son?” His father’s silver brow rose, already catching on to his foul mood. 

“Yeah, just tired,” Rowan confirmed, taking a sip of water. 

His mother entered then, a dish of pasta cupped between her oven mitts that she placed in the center of the table. “How was practice?” She asked sweetly, stripping her hands of their cover and sitting down. 

“It was fine.”

Rowan’s mother and father exchanged a look between themselves. He was normally much more talkative, always giving them updates on school, on plays they’d done during practice, on Aelin. Rowan chose to ignore their concerned expressions and instead served himself a helping of dinner silently. 

His phone buzzed then from inside the pocket of his shorts. Rowan pulled it out to check the message and frowned at the screen. 

fire-breathing b queen👑 : r u okay? 

He stuck his phone back into his pocket instead of typing a reply and forced himself to eat the rest of his dinner. He only half-listened to his parents’ conversation about their days and what was going on in his dad’s office. Rowan knew he was stewing again, falling into a spiral of uncertainty. 

“Rowan, honey, are you sure you’re okay?” His mother pressed, worry lining her brow. 

Rowan’s lips formed a thin line. No, he wasn’t okay. 

In a split-second decision, Rowan decided he was done dancing around whatever was going on between him and Aelin. “I need to go,” Rowan said suddenly, standing up from his chair that loudly scraped across the floor. His parents looked surprised by his outburst but didn’t stop him as he grabbed his keys from the little table by the front entrance and left. 

Rowan didn’t even need to look at the road to know the way to Aelin’s house. The route was in his bones now and within a few minutes he was pulling up in front of her large white house. He hopped out of his truck, not even bothering to lock the doors before he pounded on her green-painted front door. 

The door opened with a squeak and he saw Aelin standing there in one of her nightgowns that drove Rowan absolutely mad. 

“You’re not going to prom with Chaol,” he rasped, pushing the hair falling on his forehead back with his hand. 

“Huh?” Aelin was clearly confused as to why Rowan had come knocking at her door without preamble. 

“You’re not going with him,” Rowan once again declared, standing his ground, ready to get everything off his chest before he lost the courage. 

“Ro, I don’t get what you’re going on about. He hasn’t even asked me and if he doesn’t ask me I don’t know who’d I go with,” she admitted, her hand still holding the door open and her mouth in a serious line. 

Rowan surges forward at that, gripping both of Aelin’s hands in his own. “You’d go with me, Aelin. I want you to go with me,” he pleaded with her, lifting her hands up to his chest. “Aelin,” he continued, “I don’t want to go with anyone else but you. I want to do everything with you, go everywhere with you. Gods, Aelin, you’re like my reason to breathe, to get up in the morning.”

“Row-” Aelin tried to interrupt, her blue eyes going wide. 

“No, just let me finish, I- I know that sounds crazy and I know it’s so out of the blue and you didn’t expect me to show up outside your door like this and start professing my feelings,” Rowan was rambling now he knew. Everything he wanted to say to her was running through his mind like a freight train so much so he struggled to express it. The words were jumbled in his mind as if they were a bowl of alphabet soup in a blender. He just needed her to know how he felt. 

“I- I just, I thought about you going to prom with Chaol or some other guy all damn day and I hated it. Gods, I couldn’t figure out why I hated it so much, it just it- it felt so wrong. Fireheart, I want you to be with me. Gods, I think I’m so desperately in love with you I’m going to combust or something.” Rowan was getting flustered now, he knew his face was burning and he was sweating, maybe from the humidity or maybe from the sheer weight of what he was confessing to his best friend.  “Rowan,” Aelin started once again, her face contorted in pure shock. 

“I know you might not feel the same Aelin, I knew I came here risking that, and if you don’t feel the same-”

“Rowan!” Aelin said with more force, bringing her hands to cup his face. “Listen to me,” she pleaded. 

Rowan stopped trying to fight her and looked at her. He felt as though his stomach might fall out. His nerves were so intense as he stared into Aelin’s golden-ringed eyes. 

“You’re just so fucking stupid,” Aelin breathed. 

Rowan’s brow furrowed, he certainly hadn’t expected her to say that. “Wha-” he began. 

He couldn’t even finish his thought before Aelin’s lips descended upon his own. She cradled his face in her hands as her soft lips moved against his in a slow rhythm. Rowan’s brain stalled and struggled to catch up with what the hell was happening. 

He just knew this felt right, this felt so gods-damn right. 

His hands were loosely wrapped around her wrists and they traveled lightly over her arms and moved to rest on her back and pull her into him. 

Her body molded against his own. It felt like the final bit of a 50,000 piece puzzle had finally fallen into place after years of pouring over it. Rowan kissed Aelin back with just as much fever, desperate to keep her lips on his own. He brushed his tongue along the seam of her lips and she pulled back. 

They both stood there, gulping down air as they stared at each other trying to navigate this unimaginable revelation. 

“You’re- you’re not going to prom with Chaol, right?” Rowan finally managed to ask. 

“No,” Aelin breathed. “I’ll go with you, I’ll always go with you.” 

Their lips met once again.

~~~

day one down. stay tuned and have a wonderful day, xoxo

[wheeler-things]

Honestly? I think this is a result of the fact that Lucas and Dustin are really bad liars, while Mike and Will are legitimately good ones (and I’d consider Max and El to both be sort of middling, but that’s more debatable).

Like. This has been a consistent character trait since s1. The two main lying scenes between the boys and Mr Clarke really showcase this. Mike does an A+ job of schooling his face into looking sad and grieving both times. And especially when lying about Will’s memorial/El, Mike’s there saying “we know, we just…” (trails off REALISTICALLY), but then Lucas supplies “upset” (with a smile on his face that he only belatedly removes) and Dustin stutters out support. Mike comes in to save it by earnestly saying they needed some alone time in the saddest little voice, only for Dustin to ruin it again by saying “to… cry” in still just the most normal voice. The only place Mike actually falters in his lies in this scene is when he thinks quickly and breaks in to say that El’s name is Eleanor to cover her giving away the Eleven thing, at which point he says “she’s my…” but he flounders (early hints about Mike being confused about his feeling for/relationship with El hhhh), which is when Lucas steps in to save him by saying “cousin”, and once that’s happened Mike’s back to lying well.

My point being. Mike basically carries the whole Party in that scene lol. They’re rolling nothing higher than a 6 to Deception at any given point (and El’s not even rolling lol), but then there’s Mike, giving the Help action and rolling straight 18’s lolll

We don’t get to see Will lying with the Party very often (if ever? I hope we get to see him lying with Lucas, Dustin, and Max at some point), but we see him lying alone a lot and at least once with Mike to convince Suzie. He’s a good liar, too.

I’d bet you anything “friends don’t lie” originates from the fact that Mike and Will are both really good liars, who probably came to the agreement not to do that to one another, because it was that or never fully trust one another (hence WHY their endgame conflict is about miscommunication and about the lies hat have built up between them— they’re the two best liars in the Party and, regardless of whether things between them wind up romantic or not, this brings everything back around to the idea that friends don’t lie, even if they have the ability to do so and get away with it/have the best intentions behind doing so).

All of which comes together to mean…

Mike (and Will, but he’s not the main focus of this post), as a good liar, usually remains calm and is a really good actor/improviser (hence why he’s also a good DM—). He doesn’t get flustered or caught up in the moment. He keeps his story straight. He sticks to the plan. He keeps the end goal in mind. Obviously, he wasn’t lying about El in that scene you highlighted, but it’s very easy to imagine the exact same scene in a scenario where he DOES know that she survived, where he speaks and acts exactly the same way. There’s a reason the government agents don’t actually believe him (this kid kept El in his basement for a week— the Wheelers are neglectful, but that still takes some mad deception skills).

But Lucas and Dustin (ESPECIALLY Dustin who cannot lie for shit) don’t stay cool (Max does seem to stay fairly cool, but she doesn’t defend Eddie— doesn’t think to the end point of the plan just the end point of this interaction— and she struggles to roll with the punches of what Lucas and Dustin say which contrasts with Mike and Will rolling with the punches that Argyle throws while talking to Suzie). They’re operating on panic mode. This is really common in kids who do not have a lot of practice with lying (which says some heartbreaking things about even s1 Mike and Will), but it means that they’re basically just saying anything that comes to mind. You can hear this in how Dustin drags out his words and awkwardly pauses when he says “psycho freak killer”. He doesn’t MEAN it, but he’s gone head empty and this is the fastest way he sees to end this momentary conversation without admitting that he was with Eddie (which would be a bad move and IS the primary goal of THIS lie in isolation of the larger objectives).

If Mike had been there, I fully believe he would have (had the ability to— who’s to say if his self esteem would have let him) taken charge in the moment and, as OP says, held firm on his belief in Eddie’s innocence while also making the claim they hadn’t seen him (and Lucas and Dustin clearly TRUST Mike’s lying skills, because in s1 they let him take point on the lies and mostly just attempt to help even though they’re really not very good at this, but obviously don’t have that same faith in Max, probably because they haven’t had to rely on her doing it so much, so they end up talking over her).

But Lucas and Dustin aren’t Mike, so left to their own devices, they act on fear (especially Dustin I cannot express enough how much Lucas is a bad liar but Dustin should never, ever be allowed to attempt a lie again), and that panic causes them to say thing which are a detriment to their long term plans. Really, they should have just let Max handle it because she was clearly the coolest and most capable of handling the lies, but they didn’t.

mike (on his own):

the party (as a unit, but without mike):

the contrast always gets me. how did they expect to clear eddie's name if they didn't even stand up for him to the police that would have to decide he's innocent. they don't have to say they're helping him and risk getting him caught, but the whole town knows that dustin and lucas are his friends at this point. it makes complete sense for them to not believe he's behind the murders. mike would've made it crystal clear how idiotic they are for believing eddie's responsible

[targaryenimagines]

Tempering the Storm

Daenerys Targaryen x Reader

Word Count: 2,164

Summary:

Notes: For @alphawolfworld— I hope you enjoy it. I decided to make my own little spin on it, which I hope you enjoy.

The harsh winds of the North whip at your face as you step from the rowdy Great Hall. Your eyes watering slightly because of it. Pulling your cloak tighter to your body you begin to make your trek back towards your room. Thick plumes of your breath being the only thing that accompanied you on your journey. 

You could still hear the faint sound of laughter and drunken shouts. Something that brings a small smile to your lips. Even if you couldn’t stand to be around the drunkards that inhabited the Great Hall, you couldn’t help but feel a sense of warmth that they were able to be so happy. That they were able to find something to be so carefree about. You just hoped that they didn’t end up regretting it in the morning. 

With a smile, you hunker down against another strong surge of wind as you cross the courtyard. Your body canting to the side as you tried to right yourself. Alas, your body wasn’t used to the conditions that you had put it in. Something that you quickly discovered as your foot hit a patch of ice underneath the snow and your entire world flipped upside-down. The breath leaving your lungs in a whoosh of air as your back made contact with the cold stone of the ground. Thankfully it was slightly cushioned by the snow that made up the entirety of the North. 

Groaning, you flop your head down-- not having the energy to rise from the ground. Trying with all your might to ignore the cool liquid seeping into your clothes. Your eyes slip shut on their own accord as you imagine that you were simply resting against the warm sands of Meereen. The sound of crashing waves taking the place of howling wind. The harsh bite of the weather giving way to the gentle touch of the sun. When your eyes open once more you could feel the way your mood drops when you’re not met with the crystalline blue sky of Essos. A sight that you never knew you would miss so much. What I would do for this snow to become sand.

The soft sound of laughter pulls you out of your thoughts. Craning your neck, you had to squint through the thickening barrage of snow to see the figure approaching you. Even though as it drew closer and closer you could make out the familiar silhouette of Sansa Stark. A woman that you had grown rather fond of during your time in the North. You watch as she stops next to you with a gentle smile curling her lips. The blue of her eyes standing out against the stark fairness of her skin. Familiar waves of auburn being kept in a simple braid. Her soft voice filled with both amusement and concern. 

“Are you doing alright? I can’t imagine that you’re comfortable laying on the ground like that.”

You allow your own smile to appear as you looked up towards her. “I am doing quite alright down here. Why don’t you join me?” 

Her nose wrinkles at the offer. Her blue gaze tracing the lines of your clearly soaked cloak with a disgruntled air. “I would much rather stay where I am.” She turns her head towards the Great Hall-- a slight frown furrowing her brow. As if she was piecing together a puzzle that didn’t make much sense to her. After a moment her gaze meets yours once more. “Where is Lady Daenerys? Should she not be out here with you also?” 

A surprised look blossoms on your face at the question. Your own frown appearing as you mull over the words. The familiar warmth spreading through your chest as you thought about your dragon-- your Daenerys. But it quickly turns sour when memories of recent events come to the surface within your mind. Seemingly sensing your mood change, Sansa glances at the snow-covered ground with a pointed glare before she gingerly sits. Her back ramrod straight as she tried to ignore the feeling of it melting underneath her. 

Offering Sansa a weak smile, you begin to speak. “Dany has a lot on her plate right now. With the impending battle with the Night King and Cersei being a constant threat in the background.” You pause as a small sigh escapes your mouth. “It’s enough to make anyone feel pressured.”

“Has she been neglecting you?” Sansa seemed enraged by the thought. 

“No.” You shake your head at the mere thought of Daenerys doing so. “I just don’t see her as much I used to, but I know she tries her best to make time for me.”

Blue eyes darken at the thought. An expression flashing across her face that you couldn’t quite decipher. “I see.”

A silence settles over the two of you-- only the howling of the wind and far-off laughter permeating it. Opening your mouth, you try to figure out what you could possibly say to Sansa to soothe the situation. Even though you weren’t exactly sure what situation you were in. However, before you could, Sansa turns to you with a slight smile. Her expression much clearer than it had been a moment prior. 

“Why don’t we start heading towards your chamber? I think a change of clothing and wine between friends is more appealing than sitting out here. Don’t you agree?” 

Not knowing what to truly say, you simply nod. 

And with more energy than you were expecting, Sansa springs to her feet and holds out her hands towards you. Her normally closed off eyes sparkling with affection. 

“Then let’s go.” 

---------

“Did Jon truly do such a thing?” You ask in an incredulous tone. Not believing that the silent brooding man could ever do something like that. 

Sansa lets out an airy laugh. “I promise you it’s all true. Jon and Robb got into such mischief together.” A sad look flashes across her eyes before she can hide it. “I miss those days.”

Setting down your goblet of wine, you gently take Sansa’s hand in your own gentle grip. A look of complete understanding washing over your face. “I can understand that, but do you know who can also understand that. Better than anyone I have ever met?” 

She shakes her head in response, but there was the same look in her eyes from before. 

“Daenerys.” You frown at the small scoff that Sansa lets out in response. “I’m serious Sansa. Daenerys knows better than anyone how it feels to long for days long passed. To wish for a different future than the course you have been put on.” 

Sansa lowers her head-- her voice dropping to a low whisper. “You seem to old the Dragon Queen in high-esteem.” 

“I love her, Sansa,” you whisper back. “She has saved me more times than I can count. Has been there for me when I didn’t even know I needed someone. She has never given up on me. Has never faltered in her devotion for me. And I will never do so either.” 

An almost pained look appears on Sansa’s face at the clear conviction within your tone. It was a look that you suddenly understood. For it was a look you had seen many times before. A look that many potential-suitors held when they finally understood your complete devotion to Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen. 

Sighing softly, you offer Sansa an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, Sansa.”

She offers a weak smile in return. “Not as sorry as I am.”

Tightening your hold on her hand, you pull Sansa into a warm hug. Wrapping your arms securely around her as she buries her face into the crook of your neck. A silent understanding passing between the two of you in that moment. That everything was going to be okay in the end. 

The sound of your chamber door causes you both to jump away from one another. Your eyes widening at the slim figure standing at the threshold of the room. A furious violet gaze meeting your shocked one. 

Standing you take a slight step forward. “Daenerys?” 

You pause when her gaze seemingly freezes you in place. Her eyes turning to the woman behind you. A harsh look taking over her features at the sight. 

“What in the Seven Hells is she doing here?” 

With widening eyes, you begin to speak-- desperately wanting to salvage the situation. “Sansa and I met earlier in the courtyard, and after a brief discussion we decided to convene in my chambers for some wine.” You gesture behind you towards the goblets. “And after another brief discussion I decided it best that I should hug her farewell.”

Daenerys’s eyes narrow. “Then why is she still here if you were simply hugging her farewell?” 

You flounder for an answer. Your brain seemingly short-circuiting as you tried to speak. Luckily, a soft voice speaks up behind you.

“I was just leaving.” You wince internally at the sharp quality to Sansa’s tone, but you smile gratefully towards her as she passes you. Thankful that she was able to speak when you couldn’t.

Pausing for a brief moment beside you, Sansa murmurs. “I shall see you tomorrow.” She shoots Daenerys a thinly-veiled glare. “I hope you sleep well.” 

With that she exits the room. The banging of the door being the only sound in the room for some time. Taking a chance, you glance towards Daenerys’s still figure. Only to find that she was still staring at you with an expression you couldn’t decipher. 

You take a small step towards her. Your expression open and honest. “Dany, I promise what you saw isn’t what you think it was. I was simply offering her a hug as a friend. Nothing more.”

Her mouth twists down in a frown. “I am well aware of your intentions, my love.” She turns from you and moves towards the window. Her expression pensive as she takes in the sights just beyond the glass. “It’s hers that I am vexed with.” 

You frown. “What do you mean, Dany?” 

She turns to you with a slight smile curling her lips. The first she had offered you since entering the room. “Oh you must realize how she stares at you, my love. Must realize how she speaks towards you without a care of who overhears.” She turns her gaze back towards the outside world. “Her gaze is filled with that of longing. A deep-rooted longing for something that she can never have. The type of longing that keeps one awake at night. Her words simply highlighting the fact. For they show no inkling of self-perservation as she tries to take something that is already someone elses.” Sighing, Daenerys moves towards the bed where she gingerly sits down. “So, no, it’s not you I am worried about, my darling.” 

Clearly seeing the anguish within Daenerys’s violet gaze, you move to sit beside her. Taking her still gloved hands in your own. Your eyes pleading with her to listen to you. 

“Dany,” you mumur with a soft look on your face. Your hand coming up to caress her cheek. “There is no other person that I could ever see myself with. No other person that I could ever see myself loving as much as I love you.” You dip your head as your next admission comes out. “I am aware of Sansa’s feelings towards me. Even though I had no knowledge of it when I entered this room with her. She has since become aware of my complete devotion towards you. Something that will never change.” 

Daenerys’s eyes flash with various emotions. Though you could tell clear as day that her insecurities were eating away at her. 

“Truly?” She asks with a small tilt of her head. “Even when my plans have to take me away from you for long periods of time? When I can’t spend time with you like I used to?” 

You smile. “Even then. For I know that you will be just as miserable as I am. That we will both be wishing for the day that we can be in each others arms once more.” You bring your lips to hers in a small, chastised kiss. “I am yours, Daenerys. For now and forever.”

Daenerys smiles back at you. Her violet eyes sparkling with warmth and affection. “And I am yours, my love.” She wraps her arms around your neck and pulls your body flush against hers. Her mouth ghosting across your cheek towards your ear. Her warm breath fluttering against the shell of your ear. “I just hope you realize that the next time Sansa Stark tries anything I won’t be so forgiving.”

Chuckling, you turn your head and press your lips against hers. Relishing the feeling of having her in your arms. Any other thought leaving your mind as your hold her tightly to you. 

For there would never be anyone else you would ever need.

Not as long as you had her.

[jayeray-hq]

Heyo! For your affection series could you add kunimi and goshiki? Thank you 🙏

Sure thing anon! Thank you so much for asking! If you haven't already seen it Kunimi is here!

Post Time Skip/Manga Ending Spoilers!

Warnings: None all Fluff!

How He Shows You Affection Master List - Character Masterlist

He Tells You About It (As Best He Can)

You watched your boyfriend pace back and forth in front of the TV as you leaned on the counter in your kitchen. Something was obviously bothering him, and had been since he’d gotten home from practice. He’d still greeted you with his normal exuberance, practically colliding with you the minute he spotted you, hugging you close, but something about his eyes had been off. He’d definitely seemed worried, which had started your suspicions.

Now that was pacing your suspicions were confirmed. Goshiki always paced back and forth when something was bothering him. According to him it helped him focus on his thoughts if he let his body move, so you’d left him to it. However, it had been something like forty-five minutes now, and you were starting to get concerned. Thus you decided it was time to attempt to intervene.

“Tsutomu, is something wrong?” you asked gently, your voice instantly snapping him out of his pacing as he turned to look at you, dark eyes wide in his face.

It seemed that your gentle prompt was all he needed though because he practically bounded across the room, carefully taking hold of your elbows in his large hands as he peered worriedly into your face and asked, “Do I tell you I love you enough?”

You stared at him blankly, trying to absorb the question, wondering what on earth could’ve prompted him to ask. However, your poor boyfriend had apparently taken your silence as either reluctance to answer, or no, because he immediately started to babble.

“Because I do you know, love you? I love you so much, more than anything, more than boiled flounder, more than the perfect serve, even more than my mom and Dai!” he floundered, staring at you a bit helplessly.

It took all your willpower not to giggle, when you knew he was being completely and utterly serious. Though you couldn’t help but find the fact that he’d told you he loved you more than his mother and his dog in the same sentence a bit hilarious, if utterly sweet. It was honestly a bit of a silly thing to be worried about, that he thought you didn’t know how much he loved you.

From the very beginning Goshiki had made it obvious he practically worshipped the ground you walked on. If you said jump, he’d be up in the air before you could even think to ask how high. He was always full of clumsy but well-meant compliments, and never failed to tell you I love you both before he left for the day and when he got home every night despite the fact that there were some in the more conservative Japan who looked down on expressing love for your spouse so openly.

He hadn’t ever given you cause to doubt his love for you, in fact there were only ever times when you wondered if you could live up to how much he loved you and return it equally. If anything you should be the one wondering if he knew just how much he loved you, not him.

“Tsutomu,” you interrupted gently, before he could get anymore worked up, “It’s okay. I know you love me.”

“You do?” he asked, with a worried frown.

You leaned forward to press a quick peck to the pucker between his eyebrows, earning a slight blush from your boyfriend, who despite how long you’d been dating still got flustered over the little things as you assured him, “I do. What brought this on?”

“Kiryu was telling the guys in practice that his girlfriend almost broke up with him because she didn’t know he loved her,” he explained readily enough, relaxing into your hold as you wrapped your arms around his trim waist, “I just wanted to make sure that wouldn’t ever happen to us.”

“It won’t,” you assured him with an affectionate smile, feeling soft at how cute he could be, even if he would argue until he was blue in the face that he wasn’t anything close to ‘cute’, “I’ve never once doubted how much you love me, Tsutomu. You know I love you too right?”

“Yeah,” he agreed, though the slight emotional waver in his voice told you it wasn’t quite as sure as he probably meant for it to be as he squeezed you close. You hugged back with a content sigh and made a mental note to tell him you loved him more often, because you knew how very much he loved you, you wanted him to know just how much you adored him too.

He Lets You Hang on Him

“Tsutomu!” you cheered, bright and joyful, waving at him from your place by the dividers that separated the court from the crowd.

You weren’t sure if he’d be able to hear you, what with how loud everything was, but low and behold the minute his name was out of your mouth his head was on a swivel searching for you. The minute he spotted you his whole face lit up, as he immediately jogged over to where you were standing.

Holding out your arms you were immediately indulged as he leaned over the dividers to give you your hug, completely unbothered by the crowd and the potential eyes on the two of you. The first time you’d done this you were the one who’d had to lean over the dividers, and your poor boyfriend had blushed up a storm the whole time, even if he’d returned your embrace.

Worried you might’ve made him uncomfortable you’d talked to him after the game and offered to not do it anymore and wait until the two of you were in private. To your shock your boyfriend had immediately protested, insisting you could reach for him whenever and wherever you wanted. He didn’t mind and he never would.

You’d taken him at his word, and slowly but surely, he’d stopped getting quite so flustered, and instead of you having to reach for him, he almost always reached for you first. It never failed to make you smile and feel appreciated and loved by your boyfriend.

It was special, especially since you knew that he didn’t reach for anyone else, and if they tried to reach for him he grumbled about it. Even his teammates weren’t exempt from this, as he always got huffy whenever anyone tried to ruffle his hair, or do anything that might mess with his image as the ‘cool Ace of the team’.

If it was you though he didn’t care a bit. Goshiki was more than content to let you hang all over him, giving hugs, lacing your hands together, linking arms or even the occasional chaste peck to the cheek. It had taken a little bit for him to get comfortable with it all, especially since he’d been so flustered at first, blushing and stuttering up a storm. These days though he barely batted an eye.

He accepted each and every physical gesture from you joyfully, a wide beaming grin on his face every single time. It was cute, especially since you knew if he was denied those gestures he’d get pouty and would shoot you the most devastating puppy dog eyes until you caved in and reached for him again.

“Are you ready for the game?” you asked him as you drew back from the hug, though your hands lingered at his waist.

“Of course!” he told you seriously, a proud, determined glint in his eye as he explained, “An Ace is always ready! We’re going to win this one for sure!”

“Of course you will,” you agreed, with a soft fond smile.

You reached up to press an affectionate kiss to his cheek, unable to help your amusement as he blushed and sputtered a bit as you told him, “Good luck Tsutomu! I’m cheering for you!”

Your poor boyfriend sputtered out his thanks and jogged back to his teammates, face still bright red, but with an enormous grin on his face. You giggled a bit to yourself as you watched his teammates gently tease him as he shook off his embarrassment and got his head in the game, feeling inordinately fond of your boyfriend, who loved you enough to do anything for you, even put up with a little friendly ribbing from his teammates.

You weren’t sure if you were looking forward to or dreading the day he became completely immune to the embarrassment of physical affection. All you really knew was that you were going to cherish each and every moment of it, and the adoration he had for you.

He Hypes You Up and Brags About You

“Alright, alright we get it already,” a familiar voice announced, sounding completely and utterly resigned. Something about the way it was said, making you pause in place.

You hadn’t been too sure about accompanying Goshiki to the reunion of his volleyball team from his high school days, mostly because you’d never met any of them before. However, you’d heard plenty from your boyfriend, who clearly admired them all a great deal, none more so than Ushijima Wakatoshi, the prize Ace of the Schweiden Adlers and one of his rivals.

You’d seen Ushijima from a distance before, as you’d attended the games when he played against your boyfriend, but had never had the chance to be introduced as he tended to leave quickly once the game was over. He was every bit as imposing and formidable as Goshiki had described him, though far quieter than you’d expected.

The others were all equally impressive and a little imposing. Tendou, Satori was MeTube famous, a sensation and an influencer known for his amazing chocolate creations. Semi, Eita was in a band who’s current song was in the top ten trending in the nation. Shirabu Kenjirou was a budding surgeon, and all the others were professional athletes of some kind or another. It was a very impressive crowd, and you suddenly understood a lot better why your boyfriend, strong and amazing as he was, could have such deep insecurities.

Still the group had been nothing but kind and welcoming to the two of you, and it was very obvious they doted on your boyfriend, who was something like the baby of the group as he’d been the only first year starter on the team. Even Shirabu, who constantly threw sarcasm at anyone and anything clearly only had Goshiki’s best interests in mind.

It had made you more than a bit nervous. Honestly, it was like meeting his family all over again. Luckily, it seemed to be going well so far, even so you’d had to excuse yourself to run to the restroom to freshen up a bit to give yourself a bit of a breather. They likely didn’t mean to, but the group was a little rowdy and overwhelming at times.

You’d been on your way back when you’d overheard what you were pretty sure was Semi, though it was hard to be sure given you’d only met them all that day.

“Your girlfriend is the greatest, we get it,” Semi continued, heaving a sigh, making you flush a bit. Goshiki was always hyping you up, and you’d caught him bragging about you to his teammates more than once. It was incredibly sweet, and flattering, if a little embarrassing at times.

“Aww, don’t be sad just because you’re a sad single Semi-Semi,” a voice that was definitely Tendou chimed in, “We should be happy for our cute junior.”

“You’re single too!” Semi hissed back, “And don’t call me Semi-Semi!”

“I think it’s nice that Goshiki is so happy with his partner,” a calm voice that you were fairly sure was Ohira put in thoughtfully.

“You don’t get to talk either mister married with a daughter,” Shirabu snarked.

“It’s nice to see everyone so happy with their partners,” Kawanishi mused, “you two look nice together.”

“She’s amazing,” Goshiki agreed immediately, with a dreamy sigh, that made your heart flutter and your cheeks flush, “I really don’t deserve her.”

You weren’t about to let that stand. Your boyfriend was really too sweet, and couldn’t be more deserving if he tried.

“I’m the one who doesn’t deserve you,” you told him, announcing your presence as you slid back into your seat beside him, clearly startling him though he didn’t protest as you reached for his hand, eagerly twining his fingers together with yours despite the pink flush to his cheeks.

“Gross,” Shirabu informed the two of you, though the small smirk on his lips gave away that he didn’t really mean it.

“I think they are nice together,” Ushijima announced, suddenly, cutting off the retort that had clearly been on the tip of Goshiki’s tongue.

There was a general murmur of agreement from around the table, Ushijima’s apparently the last word that was needed. You were glad to have seemingly gotten their approval, but at the end of the day the only opinion that really mattered was your boyfriend’s, and he’d made his perfectly clear to anyone and everyone that would listen.

He never failed to make you feel loved, which was probably why you were so head over heels for him, because there was no one else quite like Goshiki Tsutomu.

Like this? Please feel free to drop in to my ask box and make requests! Just make sure to read the rules first!

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[30secondstoanime]

The Birthday Present

pairing: Pro!Hero Midoriya x Fem!Reader

genre/warnings: Reader Insert, Birthday Sex

Kinky Midoriya Izuku, Midoriya Izuku Gets Out of His Comfort Zone, That's Not How You're Supposed to Use Your Quirk, Porn With Plot, praise kink?, very smutty, Rough Sex, role-playing, Oral Sex, Vaginal Fingering, Teasing, Light Bondage, Light Masochism, Light Choking, Doggy Style, Fluff and Smut, after sex cuddles

word count: 7,467

→ summary: Your birthday is around the corner. What better gift than your boyfriend, the #1 Hero Deku, finally giving you what you want the way you want it: rough and kinky. But first plot!

a/n: Sorry about the crap summary and title, I'm working on that lol. So this is my first fic for the bnha fandom and first attempt at writing very explicit sex scenes and venturing into kinks/BDSM, so please be kind, but also I’d love feedback! This was supposed to be a cute four-page oneshot but turned into a sixteen-page, 7k+ word behemoth, hence the self-indulgent tag ‘cause I couldn't stop writing. I hope you enjoy the fruits of my labor ;)

In a few days, you’ll be turning twenty-four. Your birthday has always been an odd day you think for someone with your quirk because age really was just a number. That’s not to say you weren’t planning to do something fun, at least if you could figure out what you’d like to do. Okay, so that was a lie. You knew exactly what or should you say who you wanted to do and that it involved getting your back blown out. As soon as the thought pops into your head, your epiglottis forgets its job, and you choke on the sip of UCC coffee, you had tried to swallow. You cough to clear your airway, gasping when air finally expands your lungs. You tap your pen nervously against your desk, eyes scanning the other pro heroes’ faces in your agency. It seems your sudden outburst hadn’t disrupted the comfortable silence of the natural lull of the workday. A beep from your hero pager pulls your attention away from people watching in the office. Coordinates flash in five consecutive seconds before the transmission ends. You stand grabbing your toolbelt and strapping it across your hips; you make your way to the front. As you near the exit, you hear your hero name being called. You turn and see Yaomomo briskly walking towards you.

“Hey Creati, you got the page too?”

“I did, sounds like they’ve made a bit of a mess of things.” You scoff good-naturedly.

“When do they ever not. Were they really like this during your time at U.A.?” She giggles and nods her head. You wonder if you’ll ever stop cleaning up after the nation’s top three heroes.

“Better get going then, we both know they share a singular brain cell, so there’s no telling how much time we have to fix things.”

“Atomic!” You laugh at Yaomomo’s weak attempt to scold you — the amusement in her black eyes softens the tone.

              −−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−

“Oh my.”

You blow out a low whistle. Ice and scorch marks are scattered across the street and surrounding buildings. Explosive ash is still gently falling from the sky, and black tendrils are haphazardly keeping electric poles, exposed building foundation, and an abundance of wrecked vehicles from collapsing.

“Creati, check the building foundations. Create new beams and weld them together if necessary. I’ll get started on the pole, we can’t have a live electric wire falling.” She nods, and you split off. The work is slow and arduous, but the orderly nature of reorganizing and coaxing atomic particles back into place helps the time pass quickly. You’ve just finished rearranging the anatomical structure of a car hanging from a, thankfully, undamaged light pole, so that it falls to the ground weightlessly. You touch the damaged side, pull it back together, and return the car to its original density. You give the car a quick tap with the toe of your foot to test the structural integrity, satisfied you step back taking in your handiwork. What had a few hours ago looked like a DEFCON 3 military mission gone awry is now back to looking like an ordinary Japanese street. Well, as normal as you and Yaomomo could reconstruct — you weren’t miracle workers, and Ground Zero’s explosive residue was hard to get rid of. Instead, the way it collected and hung in the atmosphere made it difficult for your quirk to erase without condensing the air. That was out of the question unless you wanted to suffocate Yaomomo. Which you didn’t, so the employees of these buildings would be dealing with the smell for at least a week. Sighing, you tuck your hands in your pockets and make your way over to Creati. Her welding mask obscures her face, but you know it’s in deep concentration. After she cuts the torch and pushes the protective gear up, she gives you a smile.

“All done?”

“Just about.”

“I’ll page H.Q. Might even lodge a formal complaint against those three bird brains while I’m at it.”

“(Y/N), you can’t be serious.” She shoots you an incredulous look.

“They make this huge ass mess and don’t even bother to wait for us to arrive before dipping. Total dick move.”

“Ah-huh.” You don’t like the teasing note in her voice.

“What?”

“Oh, nothing.” You cross your arms defensively.

“Spit it out, Yaoyorozu.”

“You sure your foul attitude has nothing to do with not seeing Deku?” You roll your eyes.

“I’ll see him at home like I do every day. So no, I’m not upset about not seeing him.”

“If you say so.” She gives you a look, and you let out an exasperated puff of air.

“You cannot still be stuck on that!”

“Hmm? What do you mean?” She bats her eyes at you innocently while creating a duffle bag to transport the welding equipment.

“That God awful theory you and Ashido have about me having a hero kink for Izuku." You begin to walk side by side back to the agency. You hand her an energy bar from your utility belt.

“I mean, you do get very flushed whenever you see him on patrol. Like, if it were a hentai video, you’d definitely be drooling with your tongue lolling out of your mouth.”

“Ugh!” You shove her with your shoulder. “That is so gross.” Both of you laugh, and after a small lapse into silence, you give.

“Okay fine. I might get instahorny whenever I see Izuku in costume, but I can’t help it. He just looks so good, and it’s heightened because I know what he looks like out of costume, and then all I want to do is jump his bones, but of course, I don’t because propriety. So I’m left with all this pent up sexual frustration!”

“So, are you going to ever mention this to him? Your birthday is in a few days and if I may be so bold —”

“It’s never stopped you.” You mumble under your breath with a smile.

“I’d suggest you request it be your birthday present.”

“Pfft. Yaomomo, we’ve been together almost a year and a half, and while our sex life is fucking phenomenal, I’m talking multiple orgasms almost every time, amazing — it’s been very strictly vanilla. Not from any lack of trying on my end, but every time I’ve tried to spice things up, he gets as close as humanly possible to spontaneous combustion. Don’t even get me started on the one time I tried to get him to choke me while I —”

“(Y/N)! Stop, goodness, I do not need the play by play of your and Izuku’s sex life. I just,” she massages her temples, “wanted to make a suggestion. While I’m relieved you feel so secure in our friendship to be so open, please remember I went to high school with him. He’s like a little brother.”

“Oh, Yaomomo, there’s nothing little about him.” Her face pales, and you can’t stifle your cackle. It quickly becomes a full-blown laugh that rattles through your body.

“I went a little too far with that last comment, gomen. On a serious note, though, how would I even go about asking him? ‘Hey babe, it’s my birthday so I want you to fuck me until my knees are jello while in your hero costume because it gets me all hot and bothered oh and since I’m risking it all I’d love it if you tied me up and maybe choked me too.’”

You glance over your shoulder, a look of profound regret is plastered over Yaomomo’s face. You give her an impish grin.

“Doesn’t quite roll off the tongue does it.”

“Oh (Y/N).” Your friend shakes her head. When you finally turn the corner onto the street, your hero agency is housed, you catch sight of a mop of green hair. You pick up your pace, a mischievous grin on your face. Using your quirk, you redistribute your mass, so your footfall’s noise against the pavement is silenced. Izuku is talking with someone, his back turned to you. The goods were on display. When he’s in reach, you stretch out your arms, hands cupping his butt you feel him stiffen as you whisper against his ear.

“You’re under arrest for transporting illegal buns of steel.” You watch the blush creep up from his neck before capturing his entire face. He turns his neck, trying to get a good look at you.

“Wh-what!” You begrudgingly let go of his ass, and he turns his body to face you, his freckles standing out against the pink hue of his flustered expression.

“Sorry hun, I don’t make the rules.” You shrug your shoulders.

“I- I, (Y/N) that’s not even a legal penal code! A-and there’s no way I could transport enough steel on my person to warrant a body search.”

“Ooh Deku,” you loosen up the state of your atoms, allowing them to vibrate in mock arousal, “I love it when you talk legal code at me. Repeat it: penal.”

He flounders for a reply, mouth agape at a total loss for words. You giggle at his expression, a total deer in headlights. The person he’d been talking to finally makes themselves known.

“Atomic, you’re still teasing the living soul out of Deku per usual. Glad to know things haven’t changed ‘round here.” His shark tooth smile pulls an equally toothy smile from you.

“Eijiro! When did you get back? I’ve missed you.” You rush to the redhead, and he reciprocates your hug, holding you tight.

“Man, I’ve missed you too (Y/N). The States were cool, but there’s no manlier place than home sweet home.” You pull back and take him in. He looks the exact same if not a little bit more tanned.

“Damn straight.” Yaoyorozu arrives at the end of your reunion. Her excitement at seeing her old friend is nearly palatable. They catch up enthusiastically, and you saddle up next to your boyfriend, who’s finally gotten his blush under control.

“Hey, babe.” You give his cheek a chaste kiss, and he smiles.

“Hey, love,” Izuku gives your hand a squeeze, “How was your day?”

“It was pretty run of the mill except for the utter shitstorm Yaomomo and I had to clean up in Minato City.” You glance down and watch his feet shuffle from side to side.

“Huh, sounds pretty epic.”

“Not the first, second, or even the third word I’d use, but we’re all entitled to our opinions. And don’t you try acting coy with me, Izuku! That blonde ticking time grenade, the confused weather pattern, and your quirk were all over that place.” Izuku gulps.

“I expended a lot of energy cleaning up after you and your friends baka. As compensation, you’ve gotta cook me curry rice. Deal?”

He kisses your cheek in assent.

“Great!” You beam. “I’m gonna go change, be back in fifteen.” You disappear through the agency’s massive double doors. Yaomomo watches until you’re out of view before she walks over to Midoriya.

“So about (Y/N) ’s birthday . . .”

              −−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−

When you come out, you find a peculiar scene waiting for you. Yaoyorozu has crafted a fan for, you presume, Izuku, who is so red you could almost see the light refraction from his face’s heat and sweating by what looks like the gallon. Eijiro is by his side, trying to calm him down. You heighten the sensitivity of your cochlea to pick up the tail end of their conversation.

“It’ll be super manly, dude!”

“Bu-but I’ve never . . .” Your boyfriend seems tongue-tied.

“You’ve definitely got it in you,” Eijiro slaps Izuku on the back, “Plus Ultra!”

Izuku echoes Eijiro, but you can tell his heart isn’t in it.

You return to your average level of hearing and walk up to the trio.

“Everything good?” They all look at you with expressions that clearly scream, ‘No, everything is not good dumbass.’

“Riiight, foolish question. Izuku, babe, do you need me to help you?” He squeaks, and that stops you dead in your tracks. The last time he had squeaked in your presence was when he’d asked you out on your first date, and you think it was mostly because you had bluntly told him you had every intention of having sex with him if not after your first then for sure after your second date. He didn’t even squawk when you made good on your declaration, and you had been positive he was going to. Your assurance cost you a ¥2,000 bet with Ochako and Shoto. Whatever had transpired while you were changing had him spooked.

You crouch down and gently take his face between your hands. His cheeks are unnaturally warm. Closing your eyes, you reach out with your quirk to scan his vitals. What the actual fuck? Izuku’s pregenual anterior cingulate cortex is enormous. Your boyfriend is next level embarrassed. His heart rate is in the 200bpm range, which should have been impossible because it only ever got that high when he was exercising, and you were quite familiar with getting it there.

You’re honestly shocked his heart hasn’t started to palpitate with the sky-high levels of cortisol in his blood and high heart rate. Taking a deep breath, you begin to gently persuade the firing neurons near his PACC to chill, its size slowly decreases. You travel down to his hypothalamus and rearrange some of its chemical balance, so it stops producing corticotropin-releasing hormone, creating a negative feedback loop that would lead to his body to drop its cortisol production. You vasoconstrict a handful of the blood vessels in his face for good measure, hoping to cool it down. Your eyes flutter open, and the ruddiness is gone, and his cheeks feel cool against your palms. He gives you a weak smile and gosh that smile, these freckles, those lively emerald eyes. You lean your forehead against his, taking a moment to collect yourself. You kiss the tip of his nose before pulling yourself up, stretching once you’re fully upright.

“Well damn, I’m starving now. I know I said you had to cook for me, but I don’t think I’ll last. What do you say, Number 1. Hero, care to take me out to eat?”

Izuku gets to his feet, with a bit of help from Eijiro, who keeps a hand wrapped around his waist to keep him from stumbling.

“Yeah, of course, love. Just tell me where you want to eat.”

You grin in delight. Before making a decision, you turn to your two other companions. You’re not sure when Yaomomo had time to change, but she’s no longer in her hero costume.

“Would y’all like to join us? Izuku’s treat.” Your cinnamon roll’s protest is drowned out by their loud acceptance.

“I mean, if my bro is gonna treat us, then how could I say no?”

“How gracious Izuku, I’d love to share a meal with everyone.”

“Let’s get going then!” You grab Izuku’s hand and turn around, heading in the direction of the train stop. The walk will give you time to decide where you want to eat.

              −−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−

“Hold on one sec, almost got it.” You pace next to Izuku; the pressure on your bladder almost debilitating. At the click of your front door unlocking and seeing Izuku push it open, you rush through over the threshold. You kick the heels off your feet, your slippers abandoned at the entryway as you make a break for the bathroom. You can’t get your underwear off quick enough. The relief is almost pleasurable. You’d forgotten what it felt like to pee while exceedingly inebriated. Typically when you go out drinking, you elevate your liver’s production of alcohol dehydrogenase so you can avoid getting drunk, but tonight was your birthday celebration, and you wanted to get shitfaced, so you dialed it back. Now that you’re home and not interested in a hangover, you make the necessary adjustments to your liver. The night out had been a pleasant surprise. More people had shown up than you’d been led to believe would, most importantly, your younger siblings had stopped by — you hadn’t seen them since moving to Musutafu to pursue your hero career. You finish reminiscing over the night’s events. Quickly wiping, you flush the toilet and wash your hands. When you open the door, you find your slippers are there waiting. He was a total sweetheart.

You slide your sore feet in and sigh at the fluffiness. You make your way to your bedroom, surprised to find it empty. Where had Izuku gone? You take off your earrings, dropping them into your jewelry box. Making your way to the main bathroom connected to your room, you’ve just finished wiping away your makeup when you hear the door open. You walk to the bathroom door to peek and gasp as soon as you spot the figure closing the door behind them. Now you’d be the first to admit you are a horny bitch, but never have you felt your pussy throb with such a deep longing the way it was throbbing now. You stand still dumbfounded at seeing Izuku in his hero costume in your bedroom.

“Babe?” You try to suppress the quiver in your voice.

“Ma’am,” He tilts his head in greeting, “I got reports of a villain in the vicinity. I’m Deku, and I’m here to take care of you.”

Why the fuck did he just introduce himself? And a villain? You reach out with your quirk but don’t feel an unknown presence nearby. You start to walk towards him but stop at the foot of your bed. He meets you there, and you don’t know what to expect, but it definitely was not him pushing you onto your back. You fall with a muffled thud against the comforter. You stare up at him at a complete loss. You then become hyper-aware of what you’re wearing. The sparkling strappy mini dress leaves little to the imagination, and you’re positive that from his angle, Izuku can see your panties and the growing evidence of your arousal.

“Apologies, ma’am, but I’ll be using my quirk to restrain you as a precautionary measure.” Your mouth goes dry as you watch Blackwhip manifest wrapping around your wrists, pulling your arms above your head, and adhering to your shared bed’s headboard. You have to scoot yourself back a few inches to ease the tension in your shoulders. Holy shit. He just tied you up. This whole time he’s been standing at the end of the bed taking you in. You know your face is flushed, and you can feel your nipples brushing against the material of your dress now that you’re so turned on. Izuku’s hands come into view, and that somehow gets your mouth to work again.

“What are you going to do?” You arch an eyebrow and part your lips to let your tongue dart out and wet them. Fuck Yaomomo wasn’t off the mark with her comment.

“I’ll need to do a full-body search to ensure you’re not concealing anything illegal on your person.” You don’t have time to respond before his gloved hands caress down your pinned arms, across where your neck and shoulders meet. Leaving goosebumps in their wake. He cups your breasts, his thumbs brushing over your hardened nipples. You groan as the sensation travels down, pooling between your legs. He moves down your sides, slowly over your exposed thighs sticking strictly to the outside of your legs until he reaches mid-calf. You feel his hands move, and suddenly their inching closer to your aching cunt. Using his right hand Izuku runs a finger teasingly up between your clothed slit and your hips give an involuntary buck. He removes his finger and tuts at you, that pisses you off.

“What the fuck Izu —” You stop yourself when you see another tendril of black materialize near your face.

“Don’t make me gag you. My name is Deku, and you will address me as Deku-sama.” There’s a finality in his tone that leaves no room for argument. You’re torn between being really fucking aroused and very vexed at this role reversal. You’d always been on top, literally and figuratively, and now here he was, your cinnamon roll, threatening to gag you and not even blushing about it. He takes your silence as understanding and begins to hike up the bottom of your dress. With your midriff exposed, he finally settles between your legs, his toned abdomen flush against you. He places an open-mouthed kiss just above your belly button, his tongue flicks out to taste your skin. Izuku’s lips continue to roam over every inch of your exposed abdomen, sucking and biting. He’s going to leave love marks all over your stomach, you’re sure. His hands travel up under your dress, coming to rest just below your breasts. You feel the flat of his tongue working its way towards his hands. When you can feel his breath tickling you already hard nipples, he pulls his face away. You squirm and pull against your restraint — you feel them tighten.

“What is it you want, villain?” Fuuuck. The word falls from his lips wrapped in sinful promise sending another steady pulse of need through your body. Your nervous system was on fire.

“I want you to touch me.” You try to taper down the pleading in your voice, but the mildly amused expression on Izuku’s face says you failed.

“Like this?” His hand runs down your neck, over your dress and through the valley of your cleavage, past your naval stopping at the band of your panties. It dawns on you that he was teasing you.

“Or like this?” You’re not sure when his gloves came off or how he managed it, but one second you’re covered by the flimsy dress material next, the straps keeping it up are torn, and the dress pulled down. You hiss at the shock of the sudden temperature change, but quickly warm up as calloused fingers massage your breasts. A greedy moan is the only answer you can manage as you arch your back into his touch. He leans closer, breath warm against your neck, and moves a hand down to grip your ass,

“Let’s see if these are illegal buns of steel.” Even with how incredibly husky his voice is, you almost laugh at his remark’s absolute absurdity. Still, having maybe foreseen your reaction Izuku wraps one of your nipples between his lips before you can utter a sound.

“Deku-sama.” You inhale sharply coming completely unwound as his tongue flicks and swirls. His mouth sucks and pulls playfully. When his teeth graze your nipple, you contemplate making your hands boneless to escape the restraints just so you could tangle your hands in his hair; even with the undercut, you knew you could make him moan. The idea is quickly dashed as Izuku releases your now overly sensitive bud with a resounding pop that sends the ache in your pussy into a frenzy. Good god , he hasn’t even gotten inside of you yet. He treats your other nipple with much the same attention. However, this time, he lets his teeth give it a gentle nibble, and the shock of the feeling causes your skin to prickle. You feel him grin at your reaction before giving your nipple a farewell lick. He captures your lips, shoving his hips down against your own, as his hands’ ghost over your neck. You hook a leg around his hip, pulling him closer, trying to create as much friction as possible as you roll your hips upward. He lets out a breathy chuckle, as his mouth moves to replace his hands. He kisses up your neck, his breath tickles your ear, and you stutter out a needy whimper.

“Someone’s eager.” You groan in frustration as he pulls back. His hands grab hold of what’s left of your dress, and you help him get you out of it. He runs a finger up your stomach, stopping just below your sternum. The tip of his index finger traces a lazy circle before leaving a trail of goosebumps back down to your hip. The pressure of his finger is replaced by his mouth, biting the flesh of your hip crease hungrily. He kisses his away across to your opposite hip, traces of his kisses wet against your skin. You feel his fingers toying with the lacy hem of your panties before he hooks them in the elastic, pulling them down. You lift your hips as they pass over the curve of your ass, and you wriggle in anticipation. Izuku braces his left forearm against your right thigh, pushing your legs wider. His index finger explores your wet folds, dipping briefly into your slit, before brushing against your swollen clitoris.

“Deku-sama, please .” You don’t care how desperate you sound, the ache in your pussy is becoming unbearable. The slow burn was killing you.

“Since you said, please.” He slips a thick finger inside of you, curling it just so it massages the soft and spongy spot that makes your toes curl and lewd obscenities fall from your parted lips.

“Aah, fuck. Fuck, yes, there, right there. More. Izuku give me more.” A second finger is roughly inserted. You cry out as a jolt of ecstasy consumes every inch of you. He begins to scissor his fingers back and forth, “It’s De-ku sa-ma,” each thrust emphasizing the syllables of his declaration. You rock your hips up, trying to get his fingers deeper because you are close. You can feel the dam getting ready to burst. When his thumb circles your clit, you feel yourself clench around his fingers. He inhales sharply. You bite back a moan as stars begin to dance across your vision. The rhythm of his fingers picks up, and the pressure on your clit begins to be too much.

“You’re about to cum.” It’s not a question, but you manage to pant a yes, and it becomes your undoing. Tongue replaces fingers before you can bemoan feeling empty, hands wrap under your thighs, keeping you exposed when they instinctively try to shut. His fingers dig into soft flesh, and the pain leaves you dizzy for more. He unhooks his left arm from your thigh, again using his forearm to keep your leg down. Two fingers spread you open, and his breath is warm, and you screw your eyes shut because fucking hell, you feel ready to erupt. You feel the warmth of his tongue as it slips inside you and starts to lick around. His nose brushes against your clit as he laps up your wetness. When he takes your clitoris in his mouth, you feel yourself at the edge of a precipice.

“Y-your fin-fingers. Deku-sama.” You frantically tug against your binds as you arch your hips rutting into his face. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. You feel yourself drowning in pleasure when his fingers join back in the fray. You’re full, and his tongue is everywhere. Inside you along with his fingers, pressing in all the right places. There’s no room to be embarrassed by your body’s wet sounds as you thrust against his fingers or the sounds he’s eliciting from you — loud, throaty, and gluttonous. He laps up the juices wherever they end up, on your thighs, in your folds, the space between your pussy and ass. At your clit he teases with nibbles, quick flicks of his tongue, and long flat strokes. He was treating you like you were his favorite meal. Coming back for seconds, thirds, fourths. You lose track of time. The air crackles with electricity, Izuku, the electromagnet to your copper coils. It sparks against your skin. Were you doing that? You couldn’t tell, but it didn’t matter because something was building. You feel it in your core, your quirk causing your atoms to buzz in excitement. He lets you hook your legs around his back, locking your ankles. You make a strangled noise when a particularly aggressive thrust combined with the head-splitting euphoria of Izuku’s tongue on your clit brings your Earth stuttering on its axis.

“Oh fuck, oh kami. Shit, Deku-sama!”

You flicker in and out. One second howling Izuku’s name like a prayer to the Gods, hips rolling up to meet his mouth. The next, you find yourself weightless in a void no longer in a corporeal form. What the fuck? It lasts no longer than a second before you return to your body and the sound of him cooing against your aching cunt.

“That’s it, cum villain. Cum for me.” And cum, you do. Waves of fiery ecstasy set your body aflame. You clench your fists and use your legs to pull Izuku’s face further flush against you. When you think you can catch your breath, Izuku surprises you by coaxing you into another smaller orgasm. You don’t know how he did it, but you really can’t complain, you’re feeling blissful as fuck. The bed creaks as he shifts back onto his knees, unwrapping your legs from around him. Blachwip is deactivated, and your arms fall uselessly to your sides. You feel your legs quiver from exertion, and you watch your chest rise in fall sporadically as your breathing levels off. You prop yourself up on your elbow to give Izuku a once over. He’s got a bit of sweat on his forehead, you can see the outline of his erection against the front of his hero costume, and your cum glistens on his nose, mouth, and chin. Not sure how you manage it, with your body feeling so close to putty, but you scoot back, pulling yourself up into a seated position, and rock forward onto your knees so you’re facing him.

You move closer, so your knees brush against his. Now that you’re close enough, you can see how blown his pupils are. They almost wholly eclipse the dark shamrock of his irises. He had it bad for you. You could fix that. You grab his chin between your thumb and forefinger, tilting it down to your lips so you can lick it clean. When your tongue traces the outline of his mouth, a low moan rumbles in the back of his throat. You get his mouth open with a hard nip to his bottom lip. Tasting yourself in his mouth and on his tongue makes you squeeze your thighs together briefly before you let your free hand wander between your legs to stroke your clit and moistening labia. You give the tip of his nose a cutesy peck that almost brings a blush to his freckled face, but he remains in character, so you palm his cock with your damp hand grinning devilishly when he stutters an exhale.

“I want you, hero.”

Izuku’s chuckle is rich, and you can feel it reverberate against where your chests connect. You start to toy with the hair at the nape of his neck, the short buzz of his undercut tickles your fingertips. Sliding your hand up, you finally get to tangle your fist in his hair, your grip tightens, and you pull his head back, exposing his neck. Your tongue darts out to lick a stripe up to just below his earlobe, all the while your hand strokes him into fully hardening.

“I’m not fucking around, Deku.” Your voice is thick and your tone dark, dangerous. He grabs the wrist of the hand that’s between his legs and growls,

“Neither am I villain slut.” You swallow hard at his inflection on the word slut. You’d never been called a slut during sex, and under any other circumstance, you’re sure it wouldn’t have sent a thrill of arousal pulsing from your fingertips down to your toes. He brings the hand up above your head, reaching behind his head to grab your second hand. You give him a feral grin, and his eyes flash before he sends you to your back. You’re about to stretch out your legs when he commands you to flip over onto your hands and knees. You do as you’re told, biting your lip as warmth begins to once again pool between your legs. You wish you could help him out of his costume, but it sounds like your help wasn’t needed. His dick grazes against the back of your thighs. A finger follows the curve of your spine. You arch into the touch and moan when it dips at your hip to tap your clitoris.

“You’re so wet already. You villains really know nothing about bedroom decorum.” He skims a hand over your stomach, stopping to grope and tease your hardened nipples.

“Oh? Keeping a woman in suspense isn’t exactly proper in my book De-ku sa-ma.” You look over your shoulder with a smirk.

“You’re,” he thrust into you without warning, quickly turning the grin on your face into an open-mouthed ‘oh,’ “not,” he pulls out, so the tip of his head just barely touches your cunt, “a woman.” He pushes into you, swearing under his breath as you push your hips back to meet his momentum. A ragged breath escapes your lips as you adjust to him, filling you. Shit, the boy is thick. His nails dig into your hip as he continues to fuck you at a painfully slow pace. Fingers tweak your nipples, and you feel your whole body flush with pleasure. You clutch the bedsheets in two tight fists when he starts to quicken his thrusts. His chest is slick with sweat against your back, his tongue tracing circles into your shoulder. An aggressive stroke sends the head of his cock rubbing up against your G-spot, and you feel your walls squeeze around him.

“Shit, shit, fuck Deku. That’s it. Just keep putting pressure on that spot.” You feel your elbows buckle, and you expect to crash into the bed. Instead, black tendrils wrap around your arms to keep you upright. This is definitely not how Lariat intended Blackwhip’s tendrils to be used. The thought makes you giggle. It seems that this was not a sound Izuku wanted to hear coming from you. He bites down on the spot of your shoulder he’d been suckling, making his displeasure known. You feel him adjust himself behind you, perhaps too quickly, because he slips out of you, and you protest immediately with a loud whine.

“I’ll give you something to whine about.” He thrust back into you, your knees go weak, and your pussy’s stimulation begins to pull the taught rope of your impending orgasm closer to snapping. One of his hands grabs the hair at the base of your neck, tugging with just enough force to tease a guttural mewl from you.

“That’s more like it.” You’re so overstimulated, with the rhythm of his dick coming in and out of you. The attention he’s paying to your clit, you scarcely have the headspace to be shocked by the personality change. Izuku doesn’t release his hold on your hair; instead, he deactivates Blackwhip and uses the grip to guide you, so your back is flush against his chest. You can smell the muskiness of his sweat with him so close. It mingles in the air with the scent of your arousal. Sex, the whole room smelled heavily of your fucking. He brushes a thumb over your bottom lip, pulling it down gently. You open your mouth, taking it in, holding it gently between your teeth, your lips acting as a cushion. You suck on Izuku’s thumb, letting your tongue swirl over the tip treating it how you would if you were instead sucking on the head of his cock. You hollow out your cheek and release his thumb with a satisfying pop. Your reward is the sound of Izuku’s heated gasp. The sound tightens the coil in your groin. You feel his right hand lightly trailing up your side. You expect him to stop to cup your breast, but a tingle runs up your spine when he skips it entirely. His thumb rests a few inches under your right ear, the fleshy part of his palm rests against your trachea, the remaining four fingers occupy the same spot under the opposite ear. You can’t hide your excitement as he begins to apply light pressure to your neck. It’s amplified when he whispers in your ear,

“Whose slut are you, villain?”

“I’m yours. All yours.” He squeezes a little tighter, and you squirm, gripping his left hip for stability.

“Yours, Deku-sama. I’m all yours.” You choke over the words while he loosens his grip satisfied with your correction. The brief bout of intoxicating lightheadedness dissipates quickly, but he keeps his hand around your neck.

You feel him, hard and slick, throbbing inside you, and you know he’s close. You prepare to ride out the coming crescendo that you’ll set off with your silver tongue.

“You’re getting close, aren’t you, hero? I can feel your cock pulsing.” He squeezes your neck tighter than he has before reminding you who was in charge. You dig your nails into his hip and bite your lip. Was he turning into a masochist, or were you?

“I want you to cum in me. Make me your bona fide villain bitch — think you’re up for it, big boy?” You were being so bold, goading him. It does the trick. He releases his hold on your neck, you’re a little sad, but are swiftly distracted by a sudden burst of heat and green energy crackling, the telltale sign of Full Cowl being activated. What the hell was he up to? Your answer comes moments later when his hands push your bent legs further apart, hooking his arms under your thighs to lift them up. You feel weightless, free, and so very wanton. Then like being dosed with ice-cold water, you come back to your senses; you’ve always been terrified of being picked up during sex. Your arms flail, searching for anything to grab hold of. They settle awkwardly at Izuku’s neck. Your breathing is a little erratic.

“You’re not scared of heights, are you?” Oh, he was being a total ass.

“Absolutely not.” You bite back.

“Heh.”

Sensing your discomfort, he places you back down on your knees, his hand returning to your neck — where it belonged. Shit, it was you, you’re the masochist. You feel him throb inside you, the head of his penis gets a little bigger and his cock harder. His movements become more sporadic. You take his free hand and lead it to your clit, you’d be damned if he cums before you. His groans become music to your ears, loud and ravenous as you roll your hips to meet his thrusts. Soon that’s all you can feel, like tunnel vision nothing else matters, there are no other options, but his cock burying itself deeper and deeper inside you as his fingers dance around your clit. He flicks and pulls, rubs circles, and you savor every second of it. Everything cumulates into a blinding flash of white-hot light as if you’re staring directly at burning magnesium. You hear him crying out your name, and it mixes with your carnal pleas into a cacophonous soundtrack to your mutual climax. He finishes inside you, the thick viscous liquid of his orgasm, filling you with more warmth than you anticipated. As you ride out your orgasm, you don’t stop gyrating your hips until you feel Izuku become soft. You let out a shaky breath as you come to a stop to catch your breath. You’re thankful that he doesn’t seem eager to pull out quite yet while you bask in the quiet exhilaration of having orgasmed three times this night.

“I’m going to pull out now, okay?”

You nod your head slightly, words out of reach with your euphoria’s hum still clouding your mind. Cum trickles down between your thighs, the sensation almost ticklish, but far more erotic. With nothing connecting you to Izuku, your body gives in to its exhaustion, falling forward unceremoniously. He wraps an arm around your waist, setting you gently down on your stomach. Rolling onto your back, you shimmy up onto a pillow to support your head. You glance up at Izuku and sigh in content. Hair stuck to his head, abs contracting as he slows his breathing (his heart rate close to 180bpm), and his left-hand traces the scars on his right arm absently. Even in such a worn-out state, he looked otherworldly. You lock eyes, and you pat his side of the bed next to you.

“Cuddle with me.” At hearing those three words, he sheds his façade, his eyes soften, his jaw loosens, and he eagerly obliges your request. He rests his head on your chest, your fingers playing with his hair as he gently brushes your side. You stay like this for a few minutes until he starts out of your arms like someone’s lit a fire under his ass. He sits up, you follow suit intrigued by what’s got him so worked up. You watch him reach across towards his nightstand. He pulls out a notebook and a pencil. You have to suppress your snort as he begins scribbling furiously. You couldn’t even pretend to be surprised, catching bits and pieces of his muttering.

“. . . dominated . . . choking . . . loud . . . buns of steel. . .” You can’t stifle the laugh that escapes you. He glances up and gives you a sheepish grin, his face like he’s been caught doing something he shouldn’t.

“You fucked me into another dimension, jot that down in your sex notebook.” A blush erupts across his face.

“I-I what? Seriously?”

“Mhmm, as seriously as my orgasm.” Embarrassment flickers momentarily in his eyes, quickly replaced by intense curiosity. You dare say you see a little triumphant gleam too.

“What happened, tell me everything, love.” You recount what he’d been doing with his tongue and fingers. The feeling leading up to it and what it looked like in this other dimension.

“Sounds like you’ve unlocked another facet of your quirk.”

“Looks like it, but it’s not really useful.” He gives you an inquiring look; you roll your eyes. He could be so dense sometimes.

“I can’t exactly have you eating me out in public every time I want to astral project now, can I?” His blush returns full force.

“Maybe there’s another way.”

“Possibly, but I’m beat. My legs feel like jello, and I’m starting to feel sore.” You massage your neck, glancing at your exposed breasts and the marks that speckle them. Izuku looks at you with worry.

“You can’t fix it with your quirk?”

“I can, but where’s the fun in that? One of my favorite parts of sex is feeling it the next day. I’m definitely going to tomorrow and maybe the day after thanks to you.” You give him a wink and admire as he fumbles with his words.

“Oh! Well, I mean. Yeah. No problem. I think?” He was definitely back to being your cinnamon roll. You giggle quietly.

“Before I go clean up, I’ve gotta know. How did you do that.” You motion with your hand, hoping he picks up what you’re putting down. He does.

“Simple, lots of research.” You squint at him, touching the pulse at his neck. It was slightly elevated.

“Ah-huh, and what else?”

“No-nothing!” The pulse quickens a little more.

“Did you role play with someone?” The idea sounds absolutely preposterous, but when he pushes your hand away from his neck and gets up off the bed, you know you’ve struck a nerve.

“You’re using your quirk, that’s not fair.”

“All’s fair in love and war. So, who was it with? Shoto? Eiji? Or was it Katsuki ?” The light hue of pink that creeps up his neck is all the confirmation you need.

“Ah,” you bob your head sagely, “it makes sense, babe, he gives off a total masochist vibe. I’d have practiced with him too. What was it like? Would he be open to a threesome? Or would it be a foursome since he’s got that not, so secret thing going with Eiji? Could I even handle the three of you?” You wonder out loud.

“(Y/N)!” Izuku rushes into the bathroom, adamantly trying to end this conversation. You weren’t letting this go, oh no siree, so you get out of bed and walk to the bathroom where Izuku’s turned on the shower and is standing under its current.

“Nice try. You’re giving me the details.” He sighs defeatedly.

“Can it wait until we’re in the bath.” You cross your arms in a huff, pouting.

“I guess.” Izuku grabs you, pulling you into the shower with him. You wrap your arms around his waist, resting your cheek against his chest. He gives the top of your head a kiss.

“Happy birthday, (Y/N).”

Happy fucking birthday to me. You smile to yourself.

[downwiththemutantnjnjaturtles]

We Met Within This Screen (chapt. 5)

[Donnie x fem reader]

sfw, chapt. 4 here

Just as Donnie had predicted, the night air was cold on his scales. Right upon leaving, Mikey brought up to Leo going in pairs this time, to cover more ground, he said. An extra thorough patrol. Donnie honestly couldn't make up his mind and so by then he was flying by the seat of his pants, not objecting to Mikey's plan, but also not agreeing. He doubted Leo would be convinced, anyway. They didn't do duo patrols that often. 

"I was thinking we could split up this time, you know, me and Donnie, you and Raph?" suggested Mikey, closing the manhole behind himself.

"I thought you liked it when we're all together," Leo commented. 

Donnie shot Mikey a look, trying to tell him to cool it, but he shrugged, "Come on, it'll be like some kind of training or...something," Mikey went behind Leo and shook his shoulders, "aren't you into that?"

Internally, Donnie facepalmed. Unless he actively tried to stop this, it was going to happen, wasn't it? One way or another, probably; it all depended on how Leo was feeling that night. Raph was indifferent. He didn't care whether they were all together or in pairs, just that he got to flex his combat skills some. If he could, he'd go out and do it on his own, even. 

Leo looked around, considering Mikey's suggestion. "Okay," he agreed, eventually. "You and Donnie take East, Raph and I will cover the usual route and then—" 

"No," Mikey interjected. Both Leo and Raph's brows furrowed as they stared at their brother. He motioned toward Donnie, "Me and Donnie can take that, you guys just go on ahead," he smiled. "You know I like checking out the skatepark!" 

"No skating," Leo said. 

"I'll just watch whoever's there, then." He pouted.

Raph snorted. "Yeah, make sure he actually pays attention, Donnie." 

"As usual," Donnie sighed, and looked at Leo. 

"Well, what do you think, Don?" 

The decision is up to me? 

Turns out it was his all along, but he wanted to feign innocence in saying that Mikey was the one to drag him through it. Easier to not take responsibility and let life happen at you rather than making a conscious effort, at times. 

"I guess we can do that," Donnie answered reluctantly. He could have said no. Why didn't he? In the corner of his eye, he saw Mikey beam, giving him a discreet thumbs up. 

"Alright, meet back here by four AM, and if either of you run into big trouble, call. We'll come," Leo said. "Same for us."

"Yeah, we'll holler for ya," added Raph dismissively. "And nah, a big dog doesn't count as trouble, Mikey." He sounded gruff, but in actuality, he was still chuckling to himself over that years later. After they got over being annoyed that he had called them from that far while they were on a supply run. Chased by a junkyard dog—some of their least favorite parts about visiting those places. 

"Hey, it was mean! And way fast!" Mikey protested as they parted ways, them taking to the East and red and blue the opposite way. 

As per course, Donnie and Mikey took their normal route, and his heart skipped a beat when they met the scene of their last run-in with criminals. Not because of them, no, but because of the familiar apartment building that was now more intimidating than he'd expected. They circled the area like they normally would have, but Mikey came to stop them on a roof just opposite of the complex, eyes searching each window. Obscured by the height of the building, he sat on the edge. 

Donnie didn't know what to do with himself. He stood back a good ten feet, somehow paranoid of being spotted even though he knew it was not possible from their angle in the complex. Mikey was comfortable, and weirdly at peace as he sat there quietly on the edge, assumed to be waiting for his brother to make a move. But Donnie was stuck in place. 

"What are you waiting for, D?" 

The sudden question broke him from his stillness. It was true; he didn't know what he was waiting for. 

"I—I don't know what you want me to do, what are you thinking?" Donnie asked in return, stepping back a little further as he noticed movement behind the curtains of a lit window. 

"Get your phone out and talk to her," Mikey told him, waving his hand at the apartments. "What did we come out here for if you aren't gonna make it right, bro? Do some smooth talk, tell her you're sorry and you wanna get to know her better…"

"This is absolutely a ridiculous plan," Donnie said, though as if his hands had thought of their own, they reached for his phone, and a moment later he was looking at the messages. Still nothing. Radio silence on both of their ends. How would he approach it? "I'm sorry I went from hot to cold so fast. Please talk to me again." Too strong. "Sorry, can we get a redo?" Too casual. "I'd like to apologise for being a jerk." Okay, that's just not good. Reconciling was going to be as difficult as he'd thought it would be. 

Mikey came over and looked at his phone screen and his brother floundering, thumbs stuttering across the keyboard, deleting the text, retyping it over and over again for perfection where he wasn't going to find any–

"I got this, let Love Doctor Mikey handle it," he said, taking the phone right from Donnie's hand. 

"You've never been in a relationship, not even talked to anyone, how would you—" 

Mikey shushed him. Donnie was going to snatch the phone away but he spun around, draping himself over his shoulder.  "Just let me work my magic, dude!"  

Donnie couldn't watch; he had to turn away. How sure he was that Mikey was going to say something uncalled for, something weird or bone-headed, and the wait was killing him. What if she didn't even respond? Was that better than doing damage control for Mikey's shenanigans? For someone usually decisive, he could not for the life of him make up his mind about what he wanted at that very instance. 

The phone vibrated. 

Mikey cheered. "Got her on the line, now you just gotta reel 'em in," he grinned, handing the phone back to Donnie. 

"Hey :/

I thought you wanted to stop?"

Mikey kept trying to lean over to catch a glimpse of the screen, but Donnie felt that it was a personal moment, so without skipping a beat, he activated the electric current in his staff and poked it behind him into his brother's plastron. 

"Fine," Mikey whined. He stepped in one last time, "But don't hold out on me here!" 

Trying to find an graceful way to patch this all up, Donnie replied: 

"I apologise for that, and I know you probably want an explanation, but it's hard to explain

Moment of weakness? 

I guess... 

Anyway. I'm not expecting you to suddenly be cool with it, if you don't want to talk to me I understand 

Sorry."

Mikey noticed Donnie's dismal expression and he mellowed out accordingly, standing close but not putting a hand on him, nor saying anything. He didn't watch the phone, but Donnie's face and slumped shoulders. He'd thought it would have been going better by now. 

"I won't lie, I'm still confused 

But if you're going through something, I'm right here for you

Don't worry about it. Just don't give me a spook like that again, I thought it was me  

lol 

Okay it's not funny but this is a little awkward" 

Donnie's heart sank reading that. He'd made her feel bad, even question herself over his problem. Never had he wanted to make her think it was her that drove him off. 

"No, no, it was never you 

Again, I can't really explain…

Is it okay if we just try this again? 

I understand if not."

"Jeez Bo, I already said it's alright 

I WANT to keep talking to you, you're cool

So let's forget about it, yeah? 

Friends again :) "

And like that, his heart took a leap. A smile slowly spread across his face, and without looking away from the screen, grabbed Mikey by the shell, pulling him toward. "Look at this!" he exclaimed. 

"You see it too?" he quirked, pointing at the apartment complex across the road. 

Donnie paused and looked over his shoulder at him, "What?" 

On one of the balconies sat a lone girl, on her phone, and if Mikey looked hard enough, he could see a smile. Definitely a smile. 

"Ah!" yelped Donnie quietly. He scurried back against the wall of the attached building behind him, as far as he could. 

"Dude! Come on, this is perfect!" Mikey nudged him, and when he didn't hop up onto his feet, dragged his brother near the edge of the roof. Donnie was boneless but unwilling, his mind stuck on the fact that she thought he was cool. Him, cool. Was he? She didn't know even the half of it. She didn't know he was a martial artist, technically a genius, and that he'd gone against some of the worst the city had to offer. And without that, she still thought he was cool, as an average guy. 

As average as what my circumstances will allow me to be. 

Feet dragging all the way, Donnie's stomach did a flip as they met the ledge, peering carefully over it in a crouch. They were prone, watching the girl who was completely unaware of their presence. He was, simply put, enraptured, for a second there, studying her features as much as he could from where they were. The details of her face were not distinct due to the distance, but he could tell she was both nothing like he'd imagined and so much more. For once, he didn't immediately question the validity of the situation; there was no "it could be a coincidence", or "it's too unlikely that she would be out just as they were". Not right away. But it hit him when Mikey spoke. 

"You're so lucky, D," he said wistfully. "Really." Head rested on his forearm, his gaze fell on not one thing, but the whole scene, a somber smile gracing him. He was excited, happy for his brother. But deep down, Donnie knew that though Mikey wasn't envious of him in a resentful way, it had to have stung to witness such a thing unfold for someone not himself. Their youngest had always craved connection the most. He looked away from the girl, "I wasn't gonna let you throw away an awesome chance, was I?"

Releasing a heavy breath, Donnie crawled away from the edge, but his eyes remained on that balcony. It was weird to watch someone who didn't know they were being watched. Not in that context. 

"I...guess I may be," Donnie responded. But it would only get more complicated from there. His phone vibrated, breaking his trance, and the message he found read:

"Anyways, with that out of the way, what are you doing?"

Just watching you from a roof, nothing much, Donnie thought. 

"Currently out enjoying the night" 

"Isn't it kinda cold?" 

"What about you?" 

He knew what he meant, because he was there watching her as a chilled breeze rolled through, but she told him she wasn't doing anything. Only relaxing and talking to him. 

It took him a few minutes to get his bearings. To know that he now had tangible evidence that she was a girl, an ordinary person, and that said person really thought he was cool. Worth the effort. He felt exceedingly difficult for not being able to give her a rightful explanation, but comforted by the fact that he wasn't being demanded of one. He felt light. Almost weightless, with Mikey next to him instead of his other cynical, skeptical brothers. For a moment, he had nothing to worry about. 

From across the roof, he could still see the yawn escape her mouth. Probably an indicator that it was time to wrap things up. He didn't want her to stay up too late; it was already odd that she was up at such an hour, almost two AM, but glad nonetheless. 

"Are you tired?"

"Yeah

I think I'm gonna hit the hay

So goodnight, Bo

Talk to you later (☞ﾟヮﾟ)☞" 

She got up, leaning on the railing which faced them. 

"I want to stay up with you but—"

Donnie sucked in a sharp breath as she looked up, just barely able to see from underneath the balcony above her. He snagged the strap on Mikey's shell and yanked him back with him away from the edge of the roof, taking cover behind the wall. 

"Shit," hissed Donnie, "do you think she saw us?" 

These shells, they make us look so big! 

"Relax, bro, even if she did, it was only a little bit. Besides, we could be anyone from this far, they don't have pigeon vision." 

"You mean 'eagle vision'?" 

"They're both birds!"

Donnie deadpanned and peeked over the wall. She'd gone in. Three minutes later, he hadn't gotten any texts yet about something weird on the rooftops, so he could finally relax, groaning lightly. "Too close," he breathed out, "Mikey, we need to go, Leo's going to notice we're not back in time if we don't hurry up and get the rest of this route done."

"Already on it," he whooped, vaulting onto the next roof.

As Donnie was scaling the wall of the attached building, he felt his phone vibrate, and curious, he checked it one last time before getting on his way.

"One question before I go

You ever see stuff you can't explain but even if you did you'd sound crazy?"

Oh, no.

"No, I don't."

Chapter 6

[oujochan]

Ace suddenly intrudes on Alice and Blood‘s tea party with a bag of sweets to give to Alice.

This Spade no Kuni no Alice Short Story was published in the April ‘21 edition of B’s log.

Thanks harroe for the HQ pic! My translation is below the cut.

Sweet Love, Beloved Bitterness

“A present for me?”

Alice blinks blankly at the small paper bag pointed her way.

“Ahaha, you don’t have to be so weirded out! It’s not strange for me to gift you something is it?”

Ace is smiling as ever as he hands over the present.

The bag is small enough to hold in one hand and decorated with a simple seal and ribbon.

The logo appears to be from a bakery in Hatter Territory. That must mean there’s baked goodies inside.

I notice a sweet fragrance wafting from the bag. I think I’m on the right track but...

“This is so weird. What’s going on?”

“Agreed. Why are you even here in the first place?” Blood muses, sitting across from Alice.

He’s calm, but not ready to go with the flow. His brows are furrowed.

I agree with Blood.

We are in the garden of Hatter Estate. Blood invited me to a tea party. Then all of a sudden Ace waltzes into enemy territory.

I have a billion questions, like what is he doing here? How did he even get in? And what on earth are the twin gate keepers doing? But more importantly, why did Ace randomly give me a present? Nothing makes sense.

“I don’t agree with all the dubious looks my way, but the reason I’m here is simple! I got lost.” He answers matter of factly without minding Alice’s confusion or the dismay on Blood’s face. Blood further knits his brow.

“A blind man could tell you that, what I’m asking is why you felt the need to come over here anyway all things considered.”

Teacup in hand, Blood glares sharply at Ace without hiding his annoyance.

“Right now she and I are spending precious time together. I invited her- and only her.”

“I see. So simply put you’re calling me a third wheel.”

“Wonderful. You have enough sense to understand that despite being directionally challenged. Did the notion of going back so you wouldn’t get in our way ever cross your mind?”

“Ahaha, too bad! The word ‘going back’ doesn’t exist in my dictionary! After all that’s not manly at all! A knight must always move forward no matter what! Right?” Beaming brightly, he looks to Alice for support.

“No, there are times where even I think it’s better to go back. Even if we don’t count right now, there are times when it’s definitely necessary.”

“Whaaat? Not you too~” His exaggerated disappointment is almost theatric.

“I’m shocked! Despite all the time you spend floundering in indecision aren’t you the one who can’t go back more than anyone else? Isn’t that why you always look back while moving forward?”

“What...?”

(What is he talking about?)

I’m confused by the vagueness of his words, but as if to interrupt my thoughts Blood opens his mouth once more.

“Enough of this trifling conversation. If you really can only move forward then you should keep heading that way. Hurry up and get out.”

He points outside the garden- it’s in front of Ace, but the gate is the other way.

“Oh how scary. I’m not in the best mood either, but this isn’t like you at all, Mr. Hatter. It’s not like you to be so pressed.”

“......”

“Haha. Have you stopped pretending to play it cool? Well, it has been a long time since you’ve seen her again.”

“Tch.”

(...huh)

For second Alice doubted her ears. But there was no mistaking the obvious look of displeasure on Blood’s face and that click of his tongue from earlier.

It really wasn’t like Blood at all. It was the first time she saw his emotions so out in the open. Even if Ace was Blood’s enemy and an unexpected intruder, Blood usually handled things more smoothly.

“If Mr. Hatter is being serious, he could be a real challenge. Not that that’s a reason to back off.”

“Oh what a coincidence. The word “back off” doesn’t exist in my dictionary either.” Blood says, picking up his trusty stick by his side.

“Normally I’d prefer not do anything to spoil a tea party, but if the nuisance won’t leave then so be it.”

“Wait...Blood?!”

Alice unintentionally raises her voice when the stick begins to emit a pale light.

“Quit it! Are you trying to start a gun fight?!”

(Wait, Ace uses a sword so it wouldn’t be a shoot out, but I don’t want a fight happening either way!)

“Don’t worry, Alice. I’m not going to do that now.” Surprisingly it’s not Blood’s voice, but Ace’s.

“Even I wouldn’t cut someone up right in front of the eyes of the person I gave a present too! If I did that my special gift would be covered in blood!”

(Doesn’t that mean Ace still wants to stab Blood later?!)

Should I be scared or relieved for now...?

“Anyway, let’s stop, Mr. Hatter. Now’s not the time.”

“Then get out of my sight before I turn you into Swiss cheese.” Despite his callous words the light from Blood’s stick fades.

“OK, OK I got it! The party crasher is leaving now~!” Ace is the only one who’s still all smiles. Without a care, he starts heading in the same direction Blood was pointing to earlier.

“Wait, what about this?” Alice realizes with a gasp and calls out to Ace’s back.

“What’s this present for?” The present still in hand, she’s uncertain about accepting something without understanding the meaning behind it.

“Like I said, it’s yours! I bought it for you after passing by a shop that smelled especially good, but I didn’t think I’d get to hand it over so quickly.” Ace stops in place, peering over his shoulder to answer. “If you need a reason then it’s to celebrate our reunion! The sweets are sure to be delicious, so eat up!”

It might’ve taken a lot of luck to meet again, but is that really all there is to it? As usual, she’s not sure she should take Ace’s words at face value despite his cheerful demeanor. No, that’s precisely the reason why.

Without waiting for Alice’s response, Ace begins to leave.

Panic rising, she tries to call out again, but Blood’s pointed glare stops her in her tracks and all she can do is to watch him off silently.

(I ended up taking it...)

She stares at the paper bag containing sweets.

“More confections are the absolute last thing we need,” Blood scoffs, visibly irked.

“Yeah... you’re right.“

There are already a large array of various sweets prepared by Blood spread out on the table.

The sweets Ace gave must be decadent and delicious too, but somehow feel bittersweet. I have the feeling that if I take a bite inside of what looks to be a sugary chocolate bonbon it’ll contain something wildly unexpected.

“Don’t open those yet. Not here. ”

“Yes... I know.”

But Blood doesn’t say ‘don’t eat those’. It seems no one can restrict an Outsider’s choice or decisions. That’s something even the ‘me’ right now knows by heart. This world isn’t only filled with sweet things. Whether I eat it or not... avoid the poison or swallow it down, is completely up to me.