#should I write again about how she doesn't need to die for the world to survive?

[inmydrcams]

both aerith living and aerith dying will make people rage quit the game and I think that's funny

[tetsunabouquet]

Why Isha is the Most Misunderstood Character from Arcane S2: My Headcanons

A/N: After doing Sevika, I really just wanted to write this in defense of my little sweetheart, because the hate train against her is just dumb and occasionally downright ableist in how some people talk about her being mute. As a HF autistic woman, that shit just disgusts me so here I go!

-First of all, let's adress the hate towards Isha for 'magically fixing' Jinx. It's far less magical then you think. Ever heard of inner child work? Jinx might not have been working the classic techniques, as Isha acted as a proxy for Powder instead. That scene of Jinx just drifting off mentally as she does Isha's hair, talking about how she didn't do that with Vi? It very much gives off the vibe that Jinx would have liked to do the occasional girly things wih Vi as a child and that her inner Powder finally feels heard in that moment. They had been together for months at that point, so I doubt that was the sole moment Isha allowed Jinx to work through her problems by Isha being a proxy for her past self. -Secondly, let me adress the common criticism that she has no goal or whatsoever and is just there to idolize Jinx. You should all take some media literacy classes. She's very clearly set up as a mirror to a young Powder AND Vi, so why can't you see the obvious parallels?! Jinx has become like Vander, a symbol for the undercity and their fight against oppression but she doesn't wants to fight anymore. Isha isn't pushing Jinx into a hero role because she's a fangirl. But because she HAS a goal. Like Powder and Vi, she genuinely wants Zaun to be liberated and is trying to encourage Jinx to get back in the game just like Vi tried to do with Vander! Whilst the circumstances leading up to that were different, Isha even gets imprisoned for trying to make a stand for the undercity just like Vi did. I don't want to be hateful like you guys but seriously, do you Isha haters really need dialogue THAT badly to point out the obvious? -Isha's lack of voice also refers to her lack of family. Whilst she could be mute because of disability, there is also the possibility of her never having learnt how to properly speak as an orphan, as well as the possibility she became mute through trauma. As a mirror, it's highly likely Isha's parents were also brutally murdered. With 2 of the 3 explanations pointing into the direction of her being mute due to being an orphan, it's statistically likelier for this to be the actual reason. -Which adds an additional layer of tragedy to her character. Because going mute through trauma as well as being mute due to being a 'feral' child, can be dealt with! People tend to get over traumatic mutism and whilst feral children missed some important milestones, Isha could still be taught to speak basic sentences with the right help. This seems to be highlighted with how Isha learns to stand up for herself and be more assertive. She's crawling out of her shell and just when you could catch a glimmer of who she could become, she dies. With Sevika now being in charge as part of the Council, the aid Isha would need to regain her speech are now available to the children of Zaun. It's heartbreaking to think about the future Isha could have had if she had just survived the attack on Viktor's camp. -With how desperate Isha was to have a family- just look at how quickly she attached to Jinx and jumped at the chance to also be with Vander and Vi, it's clear the girl was dreaming of a home. Which brings me to her intentions to her sacrificing herself. If she was that desperate and traumatized, then it very likely could be that Isha rather wants to die then lose her family all over again. The fact her song ends with according to translations, 'for this is good enough for me', seems to imply that these months of having a family was what she dreamt of for so long and she can go in peace thanks to Jinx showing her love in the cruel world of the undercity.

[nqmonarch]

Blade in Yandere Fanfics

Content Warning: Talk about Yanderes, so mentions of violence against reader and kidnapping

The fanfics I read of Blade are few and far between for a few reasons. The biggest one being a lot of the story I read is yandere themed and man why do they always make Blade out to be such a violent guy, like yes he is, but I feel like there's more to explore?? Violent yandere Blade will always have a place in the world but where is the desperate Blade who has genuinely no idea of why he likes his partner so much but knows he needs to do anything to get them to stay with him.

Desperate Yandere Blade who at first threatens you to stay with him but can't handle the way you recoil in fear. He has no idea why one reaction from you has him in shambles but he doesn't want that to happen again. Like he is beyond terrified of you leaving him for any reason. Sure, he could break your legs but what if you end up hating him so much you find a way to die or end up becoming a shell of your former self.

You relieve his mara because whenever he's with you, you're all he can think about. You have no ties to his past. And when he's with you he forgets all about what happened on the Xianzhou. You wouldn't leave him in pain alone, would you? You're not that cruel. He probably wouldn't guilt trip you, instead that comes from Kafka. After all you just made her job a lot easier, and it's in the script you should stay with Blade, if you want the best ending for all of the universe.

Yandere Blade is fucking desperate. Sometimes his emotions get the best of him, he may squeeze onto you a bit too tight and cause bruises but after seeing them that panic stricken fear returns to him and he feels afraid to even touch you. He doesn't want to scare you, he's just a scary guy.

It'd be like having a big dog, except this big dog is a wanted Stellaron Hunter and a lot more deadly. He would tank hits for you if your life was ever in danger. He'll live no matter what, you on the other hand? You're fragile. Would overstress about you getting hurt and watch you just to make sure you don't, an added benefit is whenever he sees you he feels more calm.

But if you end up trying to be with someone else? Yeah, good luck. When you first mention someone else he acts indifferent, maybe he'll watch you a bit more, make sure this person is really safe. But the moment it continues he'll be trying to bargain to get you back to spending all of your time with him, if needed he'd probably beg albeit flustered, and if none of that works he'll just hug you and won't let go.

No, this isn't kidnapping he's just keeping you still. That is until Kafka comes, and she's nice enough to make sure nothing gets in the way of your and Blade's relationship!

And why is he doing all of this?

Because he loves you, of course.

Kafka is an enabler lmao

I saw one small post on how Blade might be desperate once and I was like this is my life now. I can get behind desperate Blade. Then I ended up accidentally making the post about Yandere Blade because Yandere content is about all I consume (didn't plan to write any though tbh). Oopsies?

[winchestersisterimaginessss]

Request: If you want can you write one about shapeshifters confusing the sister? She doesn't know who is real and breaks down not knowing who she should trust and who to kill?

Sam and Dean Winchester x Sister!Reader

A/N: I just kept writing and writing about this one lol oops. I also didn’t proofread so my bad. Requests are open and I’m working hard on getting to everyone’s! Hope you like this:))

Lately, you were on edge and completely weighed down by the constant pressure of trying to save the world. It felt like the world was resting on your shoulders, and in many ways, it was. It left you anxious and overwhelmed, constantly worrying, no matter what you were doing. Your brothers could see how much it was affecting you, especially since you were only 16, and they wanted to do everything they could to protect you from the mental toll it was taking on you. You had just woken up when you heard a gentle knock on your door.

“Yeah?” You asked groggily, rubbing your eyes.

Sam pushed the door open and sent you a soft smile before walking to sit on the edge of your bed. You immediatly pushed yourself up in a sitting position and looked at him with worry.

“What?” You asked slightly panicking, hoping nothing bad happened. You knew he was about to get touchy feely and you were anxious to know why. Did something happen? Is someone hurt? Did someone die? Where’s Dean? Your thoughts were cut off by Sam placing a hand on your knee.

“Hey, it’s alright, everything’s okay.” He reassured, examining your worried face. He knew how anxious you’ve been lately so he sent you a pained smile before he continued, “Dean and I were talking and we thought it would be best if you stayed back instead of going on the hunt today.” He said, already knowing this conversation could go one of two ways.

“But-“ You started before he cut you off.

“Take a rest day bug, it’s okay. We can see the toll this has been taking on you and you need a mental reset.” He said softly.

“But, I-I’m okay.” You smiled, but your voice cracked and betrayed you.

“No, you’re not bug and that’s alright. I know it feels heavy right now and it’s okay to not be okay. Me and Dean have been through it, but you’re so young and no one should have to carry the weight of what you've been through. It’s important to take a day off to take care of yourself alright?” Sam said with his eyes looking deep into yours.

“Okay, yeah.” You said softly, nodding. Sam got up and pulled you into a hug.

“Love you bud.” He said before he kissed you on the side of the head.

“Love you too, be safe please.” You said, already feeling stressed out at the fact that your brothers are throwing themselves at danger once again and you won’t be there to immediately know the outcome of it.

“Always.” Sam reassured, sending out a wink and walking out of your room. You had five minutes of peace before you heard another knock on the door.

“Yeah?” You asked.

Dean stuck his head into the room and sent you a smile.

“Hey kid, I got you a bagel and a chocolate chip muffin and I already have Legally Blonde up on the tv for you.” He said already knowing how to start your self care day off right.

“Thank you!” You smiled and started to get out of bed to start your day.

“Call me if you need anything. We’re heading out now, okay?” He asked.

“Yes, please be careful.” You said shooting him a concerned look.

“Uh I am always careful.” He said matter of factly.

“Mhm.” You chuckled, going in to hug him.

“Love you kid, we should be back by tonight.” He said and ruffled your hair.

“Okay, love you.” You said, pulling away and watching him walk out.

It was around 7pm when you heard some noise outside of your room. You quietly opened the door and saw Dean in the hallway. He didn’t notice you as he walked into his own room. You decided to go to the kitchen to grab one of the cookies you baked earlier to give him one to try. As you walked towards the kitchen the front door opened and in walked Dean.

“Hey Y/N/N!” He said when he saw you. He was making his way down the steps as you froze.

“I-I-I-“ You were confused for about 15 seconds before your heart dropped. This wasn’t Dean. Dean was just down the hall. But what if that wasn’t Dean and this is actually the real Dean. Your thoughts were wild and your heart was pounding.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, seeming concerned.

“No.” You whispered and began to back up away from him.

“Hey, hey, hey, what’s the matter?” He asked, now on high alert.

“Get away from me!” You shouted in fear.

“What the fuck?” He said to himself as he put his hands up in defense.

“Where’s Sam?” You asked forcibly, still back away from Dean.

“He’s picking up some food. What’s going on kid?” He asked.

“You were just in your room.” You stated aggressively.

“No I wasn’t.” He responded, confused.

“Exactly.” You sucked in a breath of terror before you bolted out of the room, ready to fight for your life.

“What the hell?” You heard him say as you sprinted into your room. You grabbed your gun and bolted back out towards Dean’s room where you saw him enter just moments before the other Dean walked through the front door. Just as you were about to reach his room, he walked out. You jumped in fear and put the gun behind your back.

“Oh hey kiddo I was just about to come check on you. Sammy ran out to grab us some food.” He finished just as the other Dean rounded the corner to the hallway to find out what was going on with you.

“What the fuck?” They both said at the same time. You brought your gun out from behind your back and shakily held it in front of you, frantically switching between the two Dean’s unsure of who was who.

“Hey Y/N, I need you to trust me and walk towards me right now.” Dean 2, the one that just walked up, said calmly, but urgently. You immediately turned the gun to Dean 1.

“Alright, hey, take it easy, okay?” Dean 1 said with his hands out in front of him, his eyes not leaving yours. “I need you to be smart about this kid. You know me. Shoot him!” He shouted.

You let out a frustrated cry and turned the gun onto Dean 2. You didn’t know who was who and you were freaking out.

“I’m Dean alright?! I’m Dean. You’ve gotta help me out here kid and walk towards me because that’s the shapeshifter, not me.” He said urgently. You were so overwhelmed and tears started to pour down your cheeks as you flipped the gun back onto Dean 1.

“SHOOT HIM Y/N!” Dean 1 yelled at you, but you didn’t falter your gun. “SHOOT HIM!” He screamed at you again. You jumped in freight, but continued to point the gun at him. Dean 1 was so persistent on you killing Dean 2 while Dean 2 seemed like his only goal was to protect you. Your thoughts were interrupted by Dean 1 shouting once more.

“SHOOT HIM, SHOOT HIM, SHOOT HIM, SHOOT HIM!” His demand boomed through the halls making you panic and freeze. He started charging towards you and thats all it took to for you to snap out of it and shoot him twice. He fell to the floor dead.

“Oh thank God.” You heard the real Dean sigh in relief from behind you, but you felt anything but relief. You were left in a trance staring at dead fake Dean, but he looked so real to you. All of your emotions were threatening to spill over. You were so worked up over saving the world while also worrying about your brothers safety. You were scared that you could lose one of them in an instant and now seeing dead fake Dean was too much for you to handle. He was identical to your brother and though he wasn’t really your brother it didn’t leave much up to the imagination if you ever really did lose him. You sunk to the floor staring at the shapeshifter with tears now trailing down your cheeks.

“Dean?” You whispered weakly staring at your brother’s lifeless body knowing that it wasn’t actually him, but not able to shake the emotions you felt. Suddenly your vision was cut off by someone standing in front of you.

“Hey, it’s me, it Dean. It’s okay.” Dean said kneeling down in front of you, but you couldn’t focus on anything as you stared blankly ahead stuck in your own mind. It felt as though nothing around you was real and you were unable to move or speak.

“Hey kiddo you with me?” He asked getting increasingly more worried as he lightly tapped your face with no reaction from you.

“Alright you’re in shock, that’s alright, that’s okay, just know I’m here sweetheart, alright? You’re safe, I’m okay. Everything’s okay, I promise.” He soothed trying to get you to a safe mental space. He started rubbing his hands up and down your arms to try and ground you which worked. You blinked hard before opening your eyes again. Your eyes met Dean’s who were already boring into yours and your flood gates opened. You started sobbing and felt Dean take you into his arms. You gripped onto his shirt tight and clung to him.

“De.” You whimpered into his chest.

“Hey, yeah, I got you. It’s me, I’m alright, I’m here.” He said softly understanding that with your recent emotions seeing him lifeless was too much for you to handle. He gripped you tighter as sobs wracked through your body.

“Shhhh, shh, shh, everything’s alright kid.” He said.

“I’m just so scared to lose you.” You whimpered, feeling your body start to shake.

“You’re not ever going to lose me.” He reassured you and rubbed your back to calm your trembles.

“I- just- the body looks identical to you.” You stuttered trying to find the words to get it out. You felt Dean nod.

“I know kid, I know. It’s alright.” He said softly, understanding exactly where your mental breakdown came from. You pulled away and wiped your tears.

“Okay we should um we should probably do something about this body then.” You mumbled glancing at the shapeshifter, still feeling uneasy.

“Don’t worry about it, I got it. Sam should be here any minute with dinner so go wait for him in the other room alright?” Dean asked, staring down at you.

“Um yeah alright.” You said and walked towards the kitchen. Just as you sat down, Sam walked through the door with bags in hand.

“Hey bug!” He smiled. “How was your day?” He asked before setting the food on the table and getting a good look at you. As soon as he did his face fell.

“What’s wrong?” He asked worriedly seeing your tear stained face. You immediately got up and hugged him, still slightly shaking from earlier.

“Hey, what’s going on?” You felt his chest rumble as he asked you.

“There was a shapeshifter.” You mumbled, gripping onto his shirt tighter.

“What?” Sam asked in confusion pulling you away from him to look you in the eyes.

“There was a shapeshifter who looked like Dean and I couldn’t tell who was who, but I killed the shapeshifter and it just scared me.” You spoke slowly.

“Okay.” Sam shook his head, but still was in absolute confusion on what happened and how it had happened.

“Where’s Dean now?” He asked, trying to understand more.

“Dealing with the body.” You said and went back into his arms, needing comfort once more.

“Okay, alright.” He said and held you close to him.

“Just freaked me out a little bit.” You whispered.

“l understand bug, it’s alright.” He reassured you, rubbing your back. After a couple minutes you pulled away from him and sent him a soft smile.

“You okay?” He asked, still concerned with your mental state.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m alright.” You responded and sent him one of your cheesy thumbs up. He chuckled and shook his head.

“Alright do you wanna get our dinner out of the bag and put it on the table while I go talk to Dean?” He asked, motioning to the diner bags he had placed on the table.

“Yeah sure.” You responded as he sent you a quick nod and left the room.

You got the table ready and put the food out on the table. Your eyes caught the cookies you totally forgot you baked and got them ready to put on the table also for your brothers to try. As you were walking towards the table with the plate your brothers both walked in.

“I baked cookies today!” You said enthusiastically.

“Your scrumptious secret recipe cookies?” Dean asked hopefully.

“Duh.” You chuckled and shook your head yes. He immediately snagged one off the plate. You looked back at him after you placed the rest on the table and noticed it was already gone.

“Damn you’re the real Dean all right.” You laughed. He sent you a wink and you all sat down at the table to eat. As you opened up your to go box you couldn’t help, but notice the exchanges your brothers were making.

“What?” You asked.

“How was your day?” Sam asked.

“It was actually pretty good!” You said before looking down at the table. “The shapeshifter stuff just threw me off a little bit, but other than that I had a really good day.” You finished.

“Alright well tomorrow we’re all having an off day together kiddo just me you and Sammy.” Dean grinned, knowing you needed to spend time with them.

“Good thing I have three face masks left still.” You smirked, looking between your brothers.

“Good thing Sammy loves to be pampered.” Dean smirked.

“Dean give me a break, you pamper yourself more than Y/N pampers herself.” Sam scoffed.

“That’s actually true.” You laughed.

“Oh be quiet you two.” Dean said in a high pitched girly voice making you all laugh.

[artdcnaldson]

match point aka changeover part 3

rating: M warnings: language, sexual references, no explicit smut in this word count: 4.7k

disclaimer: this is an UNFINISHED draft of the third installment of the changeover series. just wanted to share so it doesn't die in my google drives but again... it's not complete and is unedited

—————

AUGUST  2019

Tashi Donaldson always managed to look effortless— chic and powerful. Even in the dim, golden light of the hotel lobby, she looked radiant. 

Your heels clicked against the floor, like a warning bell, and she looked up. A smile played at her lips, and she gestured to the seat across from her. 

It was quiet— how do you even start a conversation with one of the most iconic women in the sports industry? Especially a woman whose husband you had fucked (and who had fucked your husband) the last time you formally spoke. 

You’d seen her around plenty, especially when you got a cushy job at a reputable newspaper, when you started going to galas and dinners and the sorts of events Art and Tashi lived and breathed. But speaking? Never.

So it was up to Tashi to break that silence. “Your ring is gorgeous,” She said, holding your hand up towards the light. The diamond there sparkled, blinding. Heat flooded your face immediately. You moved your left hand into your lap like it had been burned. She raised a brow. “What? Is that a touchy subject? If you didn’t like the ring, you could’ve told him— what was it?— four years ago?”

You sighed and shook your head. “It’s not the ring we’re just… taking a break, I think.” The words came out in a wave of hot shame and embarrassment, before you could consider the fact that Tashi was married to Patrick’s competitor. Tashi’s gaze was so intense, felt so scrutinizing that you were like an ant burning under a magnifying glass.

“Really? That doesn’t sound like Patrick.” 

And of course it didn’t. Patrick didn’t do things in half measures. He never did, it was why it had been you that insisted on a break in the first place. It was fucking mortifying— a death rattle in a relationship. He said as much when you proposed it after more than a week of silently avoiding each other  around the house. I think I just need a break, Patrick.

He thought you should work it out, stick together, ride the wave. He didn’t understand that was exactly what you were trying to do. You had to let the hurt cool off, so it didn’t sting just to be near him.

But you didn’t want to think about that. “Can we talk about the article?” You interrupted. “I’m here because I’m writing about Art’s recent string of losses. About the decision for him to compete at what is effectively an insignificant tournament for him.”

“Sure, we can talk about the article,” Tashi said plainly. “Let’s start with the fact that I emailed your editor the second you reached out to me.”

Fuck. Of course she did. You swallowed hard, chewing on your lip as she slid her phone into the middle of the table to show you an email from your boss. Your eyes caught the beaded bracelet on her wrist— Lily. It made an uncomfortable pit form in your stomach. 

“We can talk about how you were told not to write it, for starters. That there is no world in which you would be allowed to cover a challenger that your husband is competing in. Actually, they sent Robert Jacobs. He covered Art’s injury last year. But you already know all of this.”

It was hard to hear her over the sound of your pulse thrumming in your veins, as she read the response from your editor. You twisted your wedding ring nervously, feeling it dig into your fingers— every point and divot. 

“If I write this, it’s going to get published. If not with my paper, somewhere else. It will be… a good fucking article,” you insisted after she’d finished.

She furrowed her brows. “Really? What could possibly be interesting about Art wiping the floor with every person he finds himself across the net from?”

You raised a brow, looking at her intently. She knew exactly why you were itching to write the fucking article, and she knew exactly how ridiculous that was. And she laughed. 

“He is not playing against Patrick,” she said easily, like it was as good as a fact. “You know your husband; you know how he fucks himself over right at the finish line. And if Art does play Patrick, Art is going to win. And you won’t write about that, because it would crush Patrick, and you love him.”

Annoyance ticked in your jaw. You felt like you’d been scolded in class, with your hands in your lap and a sullen expression. How mortifying that eight years later you felt just like you had in that hotel hallway. Small.

“I like your work. I really do,” Tashi said. “Your features are beautiful and poignant, and maybe you can write about Art in a decade when he retires, but you’re not writing about him now.” She stood and gathered her things, officially signaling that your ‘meeting’ was over. She spared one final glance in your direction. “In fact, it would probably be best if you went back home. Art needs to be at his best. You and Patrick are just going to be distracting.”

You stood from the table, eyes set on the hotel bar across the room. You could use a strong drink, or five. 

“I’m not leaving,” you said firmly. “They’re on opposite sides of the draw, and they’ve both been winning, that means they could—”

Tashi sighed, like the conversation had exhausted her. “Can you just go fucking talk to your husband? That’s why you’re here. Not some fucking puff piece about Art and Patrick meeting on the court thirteen years after their match at the Junior US Open. We can save that can of worms for Art’s autobiography.” 

She hesitated a moment before she stepped forward and grabbed your hands in hers. It could’ve been tender. Maybe it was. Your thoughts went back to Atlanta, and the gentle way she’d tidied you up before you went back to Patrick. “You may be surprised by this, but I like you. I respect you and what you’ve built for yourself. That’s why I’m telling you to do what you’re actually here to do, and leave me and my husband out of it.”

She gave your hands one last squeeze before she dropped them, offered a passive goodbye, and headed for the elevator bank.

You pulled out your phone and pulled up your recent messages. It opened, as it always did, to Patrick. He had texted you after he saw you in the stands, watching his game with hands clasped in your lap. 

Can I see you?

That had been over a day ago, but you hadn’t answered it yet. Tashi was right, though. You needed to. He was the entire reason you were there and not back at home on the couch with your overweight lapdog. The article was just a pretense, an excuse to be near him. 

And you really didn’t even need one— he would've taken you back any time, any place. It's why it was so confusing that you wouldn’t just let him. 

Your thumbs hovered over the keyboard, canine digging into your bottom lip as you typed back a response. After your match tomorrow? My hotel.

His response was near immediate— a red heart emoji and a thumbs up. Your lips twitched into something close to a smile. 

——

The problem was that you had wanted it so badly it felt like an ache. With Patrick, it was always, “yeah, but later, when we’re older,” or, “someday.”

But ‘someday’ kept feeling further away. Getting older was happening, it was a daily experience. So when?

He didn’t react when you first told him. I’m late. The easiest words you could use. Much easier than I might be pregnant. He had just nodded, asked if you wanted to take a test.

You took four. Patrick paced in the bedroom while you stared at the wall and tried not to count the seconds in your head. The timer went off, you finally looked.

Patrick didn’t seem to understand why you were crying when you told him they were negative. He must’ve thought it was the stress of it all, or relief. But he knew you better, he should have known.

“Shit… I mean— thank god,” he said with a laugh. Like it would’ve been catastrophic— no— world-ending if the test would’ve been positive. 

“Try not to act so fucking excited, asshole,” you snapped, shoving him out of the way with two firm hands to his chest. His back hit one of your dressers, rattling it. 

You sat on top of your bed, knees hugged to your chest. Patrick stayed against the dresser, jaw set like he wanted to say something, but he knew it would just make things worse. And you knew he was going to fucking say it, he was going to dig his feet in and refuse to budge. Because you did know him, just like he knew you, and he knew where to press and make things hurt.

“I’m being an asshole?” He scoffed, ran a hand through his hair. “I’m allowed to have fucking feelings about this. And you know we aren’t ready to be parents.”

“Who’s we?” You asked, hurt burning hot in your chest. “Because I have been ready. I bought us a bigger place with extra bedrooms so we could start expanding our family two years ago.” He said nothing, so you just laughed wryly. “You don’t fucking get it, Patrick. I’m the one who has to sit here and watch all of my friends pop out babies, and have first birthday parties, and stupid fucking gender reveals. It sucks to constantly answer everyone asking when we’re going to have kids with ‘someday.’”

He scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Jesus Christ, you’re so fucking transparent.”

“I’m sorry?” Your brows knit in annoyance. “I’m trying to explain to you how I’m feeling, and you’re just—“

“It’s not about how you’re feeling, this is about Art, because it’s fucking always about Art.” He rolled his eyes, muttered something under his breath. 

Hot tears were beading on your lashes, the ugly ache of hurt sat heavy in your chest. Patrick didn’t bring up Art, not unless you were fucking. He got off on things like that— like Art was your third, or fourth, because you relished in dropping Tashi’s name too.

You swallowed around a lump in your throat, the corners of your mouth twisted downward. “That’s what you think?”

Patrick closed the distance, crawling onto the bed, meeting you at your level. “It’s what I know,” he said. “You stalk Art and Tashi online like a fucking creep, and you want exactly what they have.”

You rolled your eyes. “You are a fucking idiot,” you sneered. Because of course Patrick deflected with Art and Tashi when something was actually serious, when you actually wants to address the real problem. But you could dig in and play dirty, just like him. “You know that your mom warned me about this? She told me you’d never grow up, and I should save myself the disappointment and find someone better suited.”

He scoffed. “Yeah, and where would you be if you’d listened to her, huh? Still waiting for Art Donaldson to pick you. It’s fucking pathetic.” He stood, paced around the room, fingers twitching like he wanted to reach for a cigarette. 

“Maybe I should’ve listened to her. You haven’t fucking grown up, Patrick. You’re 31 and you’ve never had a job. I’m the one consistently making sacrifices, and saving money, and providing for us so you can fuck off and lose your tennis matches.”

Your chest was heaving as you looked at him, knowing that your words had been meant to sting. His had too. He always knew he could pull the Art card, you could always bring in his parents, his losses. 

“You know what? You should be glad you’re not pregnant. Now you can find Art at another fucking hotel and have him knock you up. That’s what you really want, huh? To play mommy and daddy with your little boyfriend?” He paused, staring at you as your bottom lip wobbled, as fresh tears welled in your eyes. And he fucking doubled down. “If I’m not what you want, why don’t you go fucking beg for him, huh? Go see if he thinks you’re anything more than a tight pussy. Because that’s worked so fucking well for you before.” 

It was the first time that you ever hit him. Your hand stung, you pulled it back against your chest, eyes wide. “Get out. I don’t want to fucking look at you.”

And he did, happily. For the next week, the two of you brushed past each other wordlessly, avoiding each other like the fucking plague. Resentment burned hot in your chest for the first few days, but it settled into a low, aching hurt.

But there was another tournament. There was always another tournament. Patrick tried to apologize before he left, to flagellate himself before you, beg for forgiveness, but you got to him first. I need a break, you said through tears. I can’t be around you right now, Patrick. I just need a few weeks to clear my head.

It felt like a smart idea at the moment— distance so you could stop being hurt about him bringing up Art, distance so you could stop resenting him for not wanting a kid. And it wasn’t like you were innocent, you’d hurt him too, you knew you had. That was the worst part— that you’d both bared claws and teeth and wanted to maim the other the worst way you could think of. 

The first few nights had felt okay— the house to yourself, a warm lapdog curled up beside you. You watched shitty reality TV and found yourself glancing over at the spot on the other side of the couch where Patrick would’ve been sitting. You wanted to hear his stupid commentary, hear him complain about how scripted it was like he didn’t absolutely eat it up.

You texted him, even though you were supposed to be apart from him, supposed to be taking time. Missing him felt like an open wound, aching and messy.

Will you text me when you get there? Just want to know you’re safe.

And he did. Shared his location, texted you when he made it to his hotel, just before he crashed. Patrick choked at the tournament. Badly, embarrassingly. And you knew it was your fault.

Everything in you longed to just call him and beg him to come home, come home, come home. 

He texted first. Staying with my sister until the challenger in New Rochelle. Just want to give you space.

You felt longing like a festering rot. Okay. I love you.

His response was quick. Love you.

That was something, at least.

——

It was early, but you forced yourself to sit in the hotel lobby and write. You’d gotten four thousand words down for your intro— long, but able to be cut down to size. It was always better to shoot over and whittle down than to scramble for more where there was none. 

You yawned, sipped at complimentary black coffee, and persevered. There was something off in the first subsection, more to tweak. Always something you felt you had to fix. 

“Excuse me,” your head snapped up to the sight of a little girl, with dark curly hair and a Disney princess T-shirt. “I can’t find my dad.”

You knew that she was Art’s daughter the second that you saw her— Patrick hadn’t been entirely wrong about you stalking Tashi and Art’s instagram pages. 

“Do you… want my help?” You asked, hesitantly. 

She nodded. “He was talking to the hotel people, so I went to look at the big painting on the wall and now I can’t find him.”

You shut your laptop, tucked it into your bag. It was a fancy enough hotel that you didn’t have to worry about someone knabbing your shitty work laptop. “Okay, let’s look for him.”

The little girl— Lily, you remembered. You had stared at the birth announcement they posted for long enough that it was seared in your brain— held onto your fingers as you walked around the lobby. 

“There’s the big painting,” she said, pointing up at a large canvas that seemed to be violent streaks of color on a pale blue base. Inspired by famous art movements in the boring way that hotel paintings seemed to be. 

“It’s pretty,” you replied absently. You were still scanning the lobby, searching for the bright flash of blonde hair. “Do you like the colors?”

She shrugged. “I like the paintings mommy picks for our house better.” You glanced at it, narrowed your eyes. You’d seen Art and Tashi’s Architectural Digest home tour, you didn’t really blame her for preferring her mother’s taste. Or the taste Tashi had hired someone to have. 

Lily’s hand squeezed yours once as her eyes caught onto her dad’s, almost in suprise, and suddenly she was running across marble floors and jumping into a man’s arms. 

Because that’s what he was now— a man. He outgrew the boyishness, the ease of youth. His brows furrowed with concern as he kissed his daughter’s forehead, once, twice, smiled softly. He asked something you couldn’t make out from the distance, then looked up, meeting your gaze.

Recognition lit up his expression, and he lifted a hand in a greeting. You mimicked it, unsure of what else to do. He laughed, shook his head, and ushered Lily back to the elevator bank. 

You stood there a few more seconds, waiting for… something that didn’t come. When you realized that you looked like an idiot standing there in the middle of the lobby, you returned to your laptop.

Long drink of coffee, a couple of edits to your document. You found a rhythm of adjusting what you’d written so far— all of the context that you needed to create before you could get to that final match. 

The previous night you had been watching interviews they’d given back at the Junior US Open. You were three quarters of the way through a bottle of wine, crying for reasons you couldn’t put your finger on. You saw Patrick, so fucking young, doing so well at something he loved, and you burst into tears that just wouldn’t stop. 

The footage from the doubles final didn’t help— the sheer, unadulterated joy when Patrick and Art won, holding each other and kissing foreheads and laughing and so, so happy. 

You couldn’t help but feel like it had been you that spoiled it all. That you’d unintentionally destroyed your husband’s career, his friendship, his happiness. 

Thinking about it, even twelve hours and a mild hangover later, made your lips twitch downward, made an ache tug in your chest.

“Tashi told me that she saw you.” Art. You looked up, eyes wide in surprise. “She also told me I should stay far away from you, that I have a shitty track record when it comes to you and hotels.”

Patrick’s words from weeks ago flashed in your mind, and you had to force a casual smile to hide the ache it caused. 

“Well, if you’re worried, I didn’t kidnap your daughter so I’d get to see you,” you said, offering a weak laugh. 

“I know, she told me.” He hesitated for only a moment, then sat across from you. Just like in Atlanta. The direct parallel made your head spin. “So… are you here for some grand plan? To throw me off my game?

He was smiling, friendly, open. You registered a little too late that it was a joke, and you sheepishly laughed. “Well, now that you mention it…”

He shook his head, glanced around the lobby. “Patrick has a match this morning, right?” He asked.

It wasn’t lost on you that Tashi might have told Art about the seperation— that she probably did tell him. You wondered if they’d been waiting for that moment— the implosion of your marriage. But the longer you thought, you realized they likely didn’t care enough to feel any particular way. 

You nodded. “Yeah. I think it started an hour ago. Um… against Grey, I think?”

“You’re not there,” Art noted. 

You twisted your wedding ring, around and around. “I don't want to distract him,” was all you said. “I know how important this is to him.”

You thought about Art and Patrick on the court, starry-eyed, fresh faced. Maybe he could feel that again, you could let him have that again. Art, and Tashi, and Patrick. The way things had been before you found yourself tangled in, before you made a mess of things. 

You felt annoying, persistent tears hot and stinging by in your lashline. It was mortifying, trying to blink them away, pinned in Art’s presence. 

“Do you want to take a walk?” He offered. “You look like you could use a break.”

You could have scoffed at the irony of it all. A break was why you were feeling so shitty. A break that was, partly, brought up because his name had been dropped in an argument.

Instead you wiped at your eyes, sniffled pathetically, and nodded. 

You followed him out onto the street, keeping stride beside him. It was a comfortable silence, and the weather was nice, for the time being. Art stole glances at you, a smile playing at his lips. 

“I caught your first match,” you said as you walked. 

“Yeah, I saw you,” His lips twitched slightly, an expression you didn’t recognize. It had been so long since you’d see him , since you talked to him, that most of the things you remembered, you couldn’t trust were still true, or even real.

You nodded, paused at a crosswalk while cars passed, and met his gaze. “I’ve never claimed to be an expert on tennis, but I thought you looked great. Effortless, I guess. It was nice to see, after your injury.”

He nodded, laughed. “I wish it were that easy. Effortless sounds nice, but it's all effort. Days and months and years of constantly just… trying.” The crosswalk sign switched, and the two of you walked across the street. 

“You make it look easy,” you replied. “All of the trying, I guess. I don’t know how to do it.”

It wasn’t about tennis anymore, you both knew it. You were thinking of their picture perfect life— the home tours, the instagram posts, the magazine articles. It was so tidy, so clean and neat and polished. You and Patrick were a total fucking shitshow compared to that. 

“Making it look easy is my job,” he said. “What good is it, rolling over and showing your belly to your opponent?”

Is that what you were doing? Rolling over, exposing your vulnerabilities? It certainly felt like it, but you couldn’t bring yourself to stop. Spilling out secret fears that you’d never shared to anyone. 

“Your daughter looks just like Tashi,” you said, trying your best to be friendly, to make small talk. To change the subject. “It’s like your genetics didn’t even try.”

He laughed, nodding almost proudly. “I think she’s looking more like me as she gets older. Or maybe it’s just that she acts like me sometimes, it makes it all blur together. Just last week, she—“

He seemed happy, talking about her. Lighter. Going on and on about Lily’s penchant for back talking him, and Tashi, and grandparents, and staff. It might’ve been a cute story a month ago, before everything. But instead it just made you sad, made your body ache with longing. 

“Have you and Patrick talked about it?” He asked, snapping you from your thoughts. “Kids, I mean.”

You swallowed, tried to look casual, unaffected. “We’ve talked. Just, uh… you know. Not yet. Maybe not ever. I don’t.. I don’t know right now. It’s confusing.”

He nodded, stayed quiet for a bit. “I can’t imagine Patrick as a dad,” he finally said. He stopped in front of an empty storefront and leaned against the brick wall there. There was something earnest in his expression— a longing, a softness. A siren call beckoning you closer. 

 “I can.” Your voice wavered slightly, fingers twitched against your thigh. “I think he’d be really happy, that he’d be a really good dad. Or maybe I just want him to be happy and amazing at it so badly that I’m creating an entire version of him in my head that doesn’t exist. I dunno.”

He sighed and let your words linger in the air between the two of you. “I never understood what you saw in him,” he said. “You, Tashi… it doesn’t make sense to me.”

“He’s always loved you both so much,” was all you could say back. You couldn’t answer why it was Patrick without explaining why it wasn’t Art, and why it was both your choice and completely out of your hands. 

Art swallowed and nodded. A strange twinge of a smile played at his lips for just a moment before it disappeared once more. “Maybe so.” He paused, met your gaze. “And you?”

You furrowed your brows, eyes narrowing slightly as you considered his words. It felt like an accusation. “Do I love my husband? Of course.”

Art shook his head, pulled you closer by your wrist. “Do you still love me?”

You laughed, rolled your eyes. “Jesus Christ.”

———

I didn’t finish this scene sorry </3 felt ooc of Art tbh teehee

ok and this is later when reader and Patrick meet up for the first time since they’ve like “Separated”. Takes place in the ritz carlton lobby

———

Patrick sat on one of the couches, picking at his cuticles and the calluses on his hands. He stood up when he saw you, scratching nervously at the back of his neck. “Hey.”

You offered a tiny smile, leaned over to kiss his cheek. His facial hair had grown longer in a month apart— you’d forgotten how reddish it could get, how handsome he looked when he grew it out.

“Did you want a drink?” He asked, gesturing over to the bar. “I can go grab us something if—“ You shook your head, gestured for him to sit beside you. 

Patrick had never had a good sense of personal space— his knees were pressed against yours, his arm slung over the back of the couch. So close that you could smell the cheap scent of hotel soap and shampoo. 

“Where are you staying?” You asked, as casually as you could muster.

He shrugged, bringing an easy smile to his lips, like everything was normal. “Oh, it’s a shitty motel on the outskirts of town,” he said with a shrug. He could read the guilt on your face like you’d said the words it’s my fault aloud. It was an act of selflessness that he added quick; “It’s getting the job done.”

You frowned. It felt so weird, imagining the past month of him slumming it in cheap motels between tournaments. He should’ve been with you, sharing a nice hotel like this. That was the way things were supposed to be, wasn’t it?

“And you’ve been…” you trailed off, meeting his gaze. “You’ve been doing alright?” You sighed, shaking your head. Stupid question.

He glanced down, picked at a worn spot on his jeans. “I’ve really fucking missed you. I’ve felt crazy without you, is that what you want to hear?”

You missed him like a part of your soul had been cleaved out and the nerves were left stinging and exposed. “I don’t want to hear anything—“ you sighed. Nothing seemed to be coming out right. Talking to Patrick was so easy before. “Not like— I just mean I don’t want to hear that you’ve been hurting, Pat. I wish I’d never made you leave.”

His hand moved over yours, swallowing it, warm and rough and familiar. You sighed as he tangled his fingers with yours. It made you want to cry, just a little bit. Like your entire body just wanted to weep with relief that he was there, and so close, and so warm. 

———

And that’s all I have idk it also felt weird for them to get back so quick like maybe they are just fucked and should stay apart idk idk idk!

Anyways here it is. The draft <3 thanks for reading lmk your thoughts and stuff

[muffinrecord]

Also I'm a little harsh on Magia Record's storyline being a little... soft? On the hostilities between characters. But I also understand why things are resolved the way they are.

Magia Record is ultimately a story about characters coming together and saving each other. It's baked into the gameplay-- the connect was a big feature that even made its way into the anime.

You can tell the vibe of the game just by comparing it to the anime in fact. In the anime, a ton of characters die. Iroha is unable to save Kuroe, Mifuyu and Momoko have to die as penance in exchange for saving the ones they mislead, Homura fails to save Madoka (and possibly other PMMM original characters) and rewinds time, Ui dies, Touka dies, Nemu dies. Alina dies. Alina's interactions with Karin amount to mostly fan teasing. We see magical girls in the background who are working together against Walpy, but Kanagi is barely present, which means she doesn't have her moments of grouping up with Yachiyo (and all that represents for the east versus west conflicts).

In the anime, the girls fail.

In the game, they succeed. Characters like Mifuyu, who lead others astray, try to kill themselves for redemption but are prevented from doing so because her friends love her and want her to stay with them. Kanagi gets to work with Yachiyo, showing that they have bonds and similarities beyond their differences. Momoko's group never fractures and joins the Wings of Magius, so their friendship continues to keep them propped up and saved. Kuroe is introduced late in the game but she obviously survives and learns to live on. Homura gets to save Madoka and stay her Glasses self, continuing to deepen her friendships with the rest of the gang. Ui, Touka, and Nemu get to be friends again. Touka and Nemu are put on trial but still get to work to try and save humanity. Alina fails to kill people and has Karin more prominently present to remind you of her softer sides, Nemu fails to get herself killed, and blah blah blah, you get my point. This isn't even getting into arc 2, where characters start off very hostile to everyone but smooth at towards the end.

I've got my own personal dislikes of how conflict ends in Magia Record sometimes-- I feel like it takes the easy way out and ignores more interesting routes. I think ending a story so that everyone gets along can be boring and lazy sometimes.

At the same time, I do respect the writing direction for it. I think there's value in saying that everyone (or damn near everyone) can be saved, that people ultimately want to help each other. People want to connect with other people. Friendship can save all. Your friend might be going down a dark path but you can save them through the power of subtextual yuri companionship, compassion, and understanding.

Like, it's a fantasy because you shouldn't be burning yourself to help others, but also fantasy isn't always bad. Sometimes it's nice to have stories where things work out for the better.

I do think though this is why the darker stories in the game really stand out as fan-favorites. Glasses Homura failing to save Kuro is such a gut punch because it feels like that should be impossible in the world of Magia Record, where you can march into a cult and make the leaders into good guys again. Mikoto's pain and suffering stands out because Hanna is never coming back and Mikoto isn't going to get better again. Ryo and Ikumi stay dead. Jun stays dead. Sakuya stays dead. They don't come back.

I'd wager that one reason the story "Girls in the Hood" and its follow up "Dependence Blue" are so popular (besides good writing) is because the fantasy fails and has painfully realistic outcomes in it. Jun isn't able to prevent Mitsune from contracting, despite trying her best to show that you don't need magic to be strong. The two struggle with communicating with each other, despite how much they care for one another. And Jun dies without their feelings being resolved. In a story where so many characters get happy endings (or learn to accept their circumstances), stories like this stick out and have a painful resonance.

I'm meandering again, but yeah. I wish Magia Record was more brave with its writing and that it wouldn't chicken out on pursing conflict at the expense of making characters unlikeable, but I also feel like that wasn't what it wanted to do either. We can say that it's because they wanted to keep their characters as loveable as possible given that it's a gacha and they need to market it to you, but it's also just a storytelling direction that they preferred at the end of the day. I don't have a link but I remember hearing that the writers wanted to keep the game light, that they didn't want people to log in and feel miserable playing a phone game (I could be very badly remembering this).

And you know what, sometimes that kind of cozy friendship-defies-all was very comforting. I dunno. Yeah.

[slaymitchabernathy]

Nothing's Gonna Hurt You Baby

| "...nothing's gonna hurt you, baby, as long as you're with me, you'll be just fine, nothing's gonna hurt you, baby, nothing's gonna take you from my side..." | written based on a request :)) |

Sometimes, Coriolanus wishes he could keep his wife away from the world and the cruelty it brings, like a rose in a greenhouse.

Right now, he wishes more than anything that he could just make the pain go away, make her stop crying. He hates it when Soarynn cries. Hates the sharp little gasps that leave her lips, hates how her entire frame trembles, hates how her lip quivers, and she stumbles over her words.

He wraps his arms tighter around her, doing his best to soothe over her gaping wound that is her heart. "I...I'm gonna quit," she gets out, more tears fall down her cheeks. Coriolanus sighs, gently rubbing his hand up and down her side. She's frustrated, and rightfully so.

The Capitol Art Museum opened up its doors for aspiring artists to show off some of their work, and Soarynn was more than happy to bring in some of her paintings. They're beautifully done, and he's not just saying that because he's her husband.

She spent days making sure everything was perfect, and then insisted that they come to the Museum early so she could set up her table. He had watched her fuss over where to put each painting, checking to see if the tablecloth was placed right in the middle of the table.

Not to mention this morning, when she spent a good thirty minutes trying to pick out an outfit.

All that work for no one to show up.

Well, people came, but they paid her little table tucked away in the corner no mind. He's already plotting to write the Museum Board a very nasty letter about the entire thing. How she got shoved into that dark, sad corner is beyond him.

Soarynn is a Snow.

She should be treated as such.

But right now, she needs to be treated like glass, like the delicate porcelain doll he knows she can be. His lips press against the part in her soft blonde hair, if only he could kiss the pain away that easily. "Don't quit, darling, I know things didn't turn out the way you wanted them to, but don't give them the satisfaction by quitting altogether."

Soarynn sniffles, which breaks his heart even more.

He hates it when she cries.

"You did so good, darling," he praises her, "they were fools to ignore you, and I want you to know that I'm going to do everything in my power to fix this, to make this right."

She doesn't know that people might die for this little misunderstanding, but that's okay. Soarynn is so blissfully unaware of the power she holds over him, how he'd kill for her, die for her.

"I wanna go home," she mumbles, ignoring his words of advice.

They haven't even left the museum yet, Soarynn was too embarrassed to walk out with all of her artwork, and once the tears came, he knew they'd be here for a while. So, he pulled them into an empty office off one of the hallways, figuring some privacy would be appreciated.

"You're sure? You don't want to go look around at your favorite exhibits?"

Soarynn normally loves to look at everything, dragging him around whilst telling him facts about every sculpture or painting. "I hate art," she says, shoving him in the chest. His brows scrunch together in confusion. Where has his sweet little angel gone?

"Hey now, I haven't done anything, darling," he gently reminds her, resting his hands on her shoulders, "you needn't take it out on me too." Soarynn looks down at her shoes, embarrassed, tired, upset, angry, and sad. All things he tries to keep her far away from.

Her next words are barely audible. "I'm sorry."

And then come the tears again, hot and quick to run down her cheeks. Her shoulders shake as she sobs, and Coriolanus is quick to pull her right back into his chest, holding her so tight, keeping her safe from the dangers of this world.

The world can be so cruel to sweet things like her, so mean and hateful. Soarynn grew up with an adoring father who gave her everything she could ever want, and Coriolanus has done his best to continue giving Soarynn the same level of care.

She's so good, so kind and sweet. She deserves the best and only the best.

Her breaths begin to grow more and more uneven, as if she's hyperventilating. Coriolanus takes her delicate face into his large hands, looking down into her glassy eyes that are filled with anguish and anxiety. "Soarynn, Soarynn, it's alright darling. It's alright, take a deep breath for me, okay?"

But she's far past reconciliation. Her breathing grows even more erratic, and Coriolanus grows more worried by the second. Her cheeks are flushed, her hands are shaking, more tears are streaming down her face.

Coriolanus is starting to freak out. Is she okay? Does he need to take her to the hospital?

Her entire frame trembles, and he quickly grabs her waist, lifting her up effortlessly so he can sit her down on the empty desk. It does little to settle her nerves, and she reaches out to him with shaking hands. "You're alright," he murmurs, lacing his fingers between hers, "you're alright. Just breathe in and out for me, sweet girl. In and out. Just like that. You're doing so well, darling."

Coriolanus remains in front of her, maintaining eye contact while Soarynn takes in a few shaky yet deep breaths to help her calm down. "Good," he says, blowing out the air in his body with her, "just like that."

He can tell that she's embarrassed over what happened in the gallery and what's happening now. But he didn't marry a woman without flaws, a woman who wouldn't crumple every once in a while under societal pressure. Soarynn always tries her best to be perfect, which often leads to her breaking down under the pressure she places on herself.

Coriolanus has never expected her to be perfect. If she were, then she wouldn't be the woman he fell in love with all those years ago.

Soarynn's breathing starts to level out, so he moves on to helping her feel more grounded. "Very good, darling. Now, close your eyes, close your eyes and just listen to the world around you." He can hear birds chirping outside the windows and footsteps in the large Museum exhibit rooms.

He steps forward, closing the short distance between them, and rests a hand on the back of her head, smoothing down her hair. She isn't crying anymore, she's moved on to small sniffles and hiccups.

The worst is over.

"It's okay," he whispers, "it's okay. You're okay, Soarynn. Just a little anxious is all." Coriolanus does his best to look to the future with confidence. Soarynn doesn't share his point of view, often spiraling over things she can't control.

One time, he woke up to her crying in the middle of the night because she had a dream that he had died. Even though he assured her that he was perfectly fine, she still took a while to calm down and fall asleep.

Soarynn rests her head against his chest, eyes shut, breathing even once again.

Coriolanus rubs his thumb over the back of her hand, helping to ground her. "I...I want something to drink," she whispers against his coat. Soarynn had been ready to flee the museum and never return, urging him to put on his coat and gloves so they could leave.

This was before the tears started flowing.

Coriolanus nods even though her eyes are still shut. "We can get you something to drink. Do you want something warm or something cold?"

Soarynn raises her head, and her eyes finally open. They're red from all the crying she's done, but the tears are no more. "Warm, please."

He smiles, even when she's sad, she's so cute and polite.

"Warm it is, darling," he promises, bending down to kiss her forehead. "Do you want to go to the museum cafe for a dri-"

"No," she cuts him off with a more determined, steady tone, "I want to leave." The correct thing to do would be to stay here and face her fears. But Coriolanus has never enjoyed making her feel uncomfortable. He's tried to do it before, and it's never ended well for him in the past. It always ends in tears.

"Alright. We can leave," he easily agrees, "let's wipe those eyes first, hmm?" He fishes in his pocket for a handkerchief; he's carried one since he can remember. It used to be out of habit, but now it's just in case he needs to wipe some tears or blow a stuffy nose.

Soarynn allows him to gently wipe any traces of tears, sitting perfectly still with her hands in her lap. "I don't mean to be dramatic," she whispers. Coriolanus shakes his head at those words. He's met dramatic women, and Soarynn is not one of them.

She's sensitive. There's a difference.

"You could never be dramatic, my angel," he gently promises her.

Soarynn doesn't look entirely convinced, but she does look entirely out of tears for the time being. Perhaps it would be best to leave before more can be made. "Why don't we go to your favorite coffee shop and get you a hot chocolate?" Soarynn doesn't really care for coffee, but she loves hot chocolate.

"Okay," she mumbles, wiping her eyes, "that sounds nice."

He offers her a hand to hop off the desk, and she gladly takes it. Coriolanus always craves touch, he needs to have his hands on her at all times. Not even in a sexual manner per se, but because she grounds him. He loves holding her hand or wrapping an arm around her waist. In more public settings, he'll rest a hand on her lower back, a possessive display of affection.

Soarynn doesn't crave it as much as he does, not in public at least. She prefers to crawl all over him at home. If he's working, she'll come sit in his lap, wrapping her limbs around him like a contortionist. If they're in bed, she always has to be the little spoon, and if she's not, then she's lying right on top of him.

Right now, however, she needs his touch as much as he needs hers. Coriolanus leads them back into the hallway and begins his evil plans to destroy everyone who had anything to do with today's disaster.

He'll do anything to keep his sweet, darling girl happy.

꧁ ꧂

That night, after getting Soarynn some hot chocolate, a muffin, and then taking her shopping, Coriolanus watches her play with Petunia, her spoiled cat. Despite their distinct rivalry, Coriolanus is glad for the happiness that Petunia provides for Soarynn.

It's just so unfortunate that she provides nothing but annoyance for him.

The cat is a menace. She'll scratch him, pee in his shoes, eat his socks. She even swallowed one, which led to a very expensive overnight stay at the vet for her.

Besides that, he's sure she's a very pleasant cat.

Soarynn giggles while Petunia follows around a string tied to a stick, which apparently, counts as a cat toy at the pet shop. Petunia bats at it, jumping on her hind legs when Soarynn lifts it up. Coriolanus sips his bourbon, a necessary evil after another long day, and looks back at the letter he's started to draft to the Capitol Art Museum Board.

To whom it may concern, I am writing to the Capitol Art Museum Board to file an official complaint due to what occurred today, on March 25th, during the Aspiring Artists Event. My wife, Soarynn Snow, partook in the event and was severely mistreated and undervalued at your event today. No assistance was offered to her, nor was a more prominent table space compared to the other Artists. My wife was shoved into a dark corner, completely ignored by you and your staff. I am writing to inform you that I intend to press charges and seek legal action against the mistreatment my wife experienced today.

He can always tweak it.

"Oh Coryo, look at how smart she is."

Coriolanus looks back down at Petunia, who has finally managed to capture the string. She looks very proud of herself. "Yes, darling," he agrees for the sake of her happiness, "she's the smartest cat there is. Why don't you come sit with me for a bit, hmm?"

Soarynn can hardly deny her husband such a request. She might shy away in public, but at home, she's bolder, braver. She doesn't bother standing up, she just crawls over to his desk, which does dark things to his mind.

Coriolanus loves having Soarynn in his lap even more when he's buried inside of her. Not tonight, though. She's had a rough day, and sex can make her more emotional if she's not feeling confident in herself.

Coriolanus chuckles when her head comes between his spread legs, she's like a cat in a lot of ways, purring when he scratches her just right. "My pretty girl," he murmurs, threading his fingers through her soft hair. Soarynn closes her eyes, leaning into his touch, eager to feel his nails on her scalp.

"Coryo?"

"Yes?"

"Can we get another cat?"

Coriolanus stops scratching her scalp, stunned by such a bold and horrible question. Soarynn's eyes open, filled with hope and mischief.

"I don't think so, darling," he says, shaking his head at the mere thought of another Petunia. Soarynn finally crawls into his lap, wrapping her legs around his torso. "Please? Please, please, please? You know how anxious I get, and another cat would make me feel so much better!"

Coriolanus looks over her shoulder, where Petunia is watching him with her beady little eyes. "Well, it would not make me feel better," he tells her, "in fact, I think it would heighten my anxiety."

Soarynn pouts, and she's so cute when she does it. "How about a baby?" He offers, kissing the tip of her nose. She makes a confused face, clearly not expecting him to take this route. "A baby?" She repeats, resting her hands on his shoulders. Coriolanus nods, holding her by the waist, "Mhm. A baby, a little girl who would look just like you. Wouldn't that be nice?"

They've been married for three years now, and Coriolanus has been thinking about children more and more recently. How wonderful would it be to have a daughter to call his own?

"I guess," she mumbles, grabbing the collar of his shirt with one hand. "But what if it's a boy?" He shrugs, not really caring too much about the gender. As long as it's a healthy baby, that'll be all that matters to him.

"Then it'll be a boy," he answers, pecking her cheek, "we can have more than one. We can have three."

Three seems like the perfect number to him. Close in age, nearly identical in looks.

"What if the baby inherits my anxiety?" That's a question he wasn't prepared for.

It's very possible that their future children could share their mother's worrying thoughts and actions. Nearly everything these days is genetic. Coriolanus likes to believe that his genes will be more dominant, though, overpowering any genes that might cause a social hindrance for their child.

"If our baby has anxiety, then we'll both be well equipped on how to handle it, won't we?"

Coriolanus has had lots of practice bringing Soarynn back down to earth from a panic attack. He knows the steps to take, what to do, and what to say. He's an expert, in fact.

Soarynn slowly nods, warming up to the idea of starting a family with him after so long. Coriolanus has enjoyed every second alone with Soarynn, but neither of them married with the idea of staying childless for long. They have lots of rooms that can easily be transformed into nurseries.

"It would be nice," she admits, "and I could buy so many baby clothes."

Coriolanus laughs, of course, she's already thinking about the clothes. Some things never change. "Yes, darling, you can buy all the clothes you want."

He finally presses his lips to hers, a true love's kiss if he's ever had one. Soarynn believes in that type of stuff, in true love and finding your soulmate. He never believed in any of that until he met her.

She's changed him as a person, made him nicer, kinder, more patient, and gentle. The old Coriolanus would've scoffed at her panic attack today, written it off as hormones, and told her to get it together. Not anymore, though. He became better for her.

Soarynn returns the kiss eagerly, settling into his lap for the long haul. Their lips move in sync, familiar with each other after all these years. He brings one hand up to her face, gently holding it so he can take further control. She gives it to him so easily, always trusting him to take care of her. Soarynn sighs, it's been a long day for her.

After this, he'll draw her a nice warm bath. He'll brush her hair and braid it down her back. Then he'll help her get dressed and tuck her into bed with him.

Safe and loved, by his side. Where nothing can hurt her.

"Thank you for taking care of me today."

He smiles into the kiss, even in the most intimate moments, Soarynn is always polite.

"Of course," he murmurs against her lips, "I'll always take care of you."

He means it too, nothing's gonna hurt his baby.

| tumblr oneshot/drabble |

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[skyfallscotland]

Onyx Storm, by Rebecca Yarros ⚡️

She was the first to choose me, to elevate me above all others, the first to see every ugly side of me and accept it all, and every single person in this fucking canyon will die before they remove a single one of her scales.

Oh boy, here we go. This is probably going to be the longest review I've done (as it should be, I suppose) and I think I'm going to have to separate my likes and dislikes into separate posts and link them, just to at least try and be more concise.

To be completely honest, I didn't really enjoy the book all that much. When I finished it I just felt confused, empty, and completely overwhelmed. I cried.

It might sound a little stupid to other people, but I think if you've lived with depression, you know how much stock you can end up placing in the little things like this, and your hobbies and obsessions, and what you pour your time and energy into.

So it's hard when you don't enjoy things as much as you expect to. I didn't have lofty expectations for the book at all, in fact I had no clear idea of what exactly I was expecting plot-wise, but I did expect to really like it. A lot of small things piled up to make this unenjoyable for me at times as an experience and I'm having a bit of a hard time with that.

It's not even the book itself, so much as the fact that I kind of feel like I'm the only one who didn't love it, on the outside looking in at a fandom I’ve given a lot for, and worse, that it's killed my drive to write anything for the universe at all.

Overall, and this is my biggest problem, I feel stupid. So many things did not make sense to me. I finished this book feeling like I no longer understand the world building, the foreshadowing, the characters—nothing.

It didn't feel like a cohesive story, there was a lot of info-dumping and more than a handful of threads picked up and pulled on, and never looked at again. I don't have the answers to questions I've had for years, I only have new questions, and a lot of things that happened well...they don't actually matter at all. You could pick a bunch of things and pull them out of the story and the end result will be the same.

Someone on Goodreads said "Onyx Storm felt like a kid lost in a supermarket trying to find their mother." And wow, yeah. Yeah, it did. We went down all the aisles, every single one, and in the end we left without the groceries.

I feel almost like I need to apologise to Iron Flame, because really, her issues feel negligible to me now, in my personal experience. At least then I understood what the hell was going on.

Is this a chicken and egg scenario? Am I the idiot? Even if I am the idiot, should it be written in a way that idiots understand? Because I do not understand, Rebecca. I'm lost.

There just wasn't consistency.

There was no 'kill your darlings' in this book. It felt like there was a lot of fan service, and honestly it really felt like someone had gone onto the subreddit, grabbed a bucket of every theory ever mentioned and then went 'oops' and dropped it all in.

I feel like we shouldn't be learning about how magic works in the second half of book three. You're over 400k words in and you're going to choose now to tell me the dragons actually don't have their own magic? You told me in book one and two that they did. And now they're just four-legged venin?

None of this would be as big of an issue if it was news to Vi, but it's not. We're constantly just having things she apparently knew this whole time dropped on us with zero explanation over and over and over again. If you want to keep things from the reader, write in third person.

I spent half the book going back and re-reading things because I just didn't understand what was going on. Maybe it’s the OCD, maybe I'm an over-thinker, maybe I'm just dumb, but that kind of thing doesn't do it for me, it seems unbalanced and illustrates a lack of continuity from book to book.

In terms of characterisation, I wanted a more badass Vi and I got her, but it feels like there's a massive character development gap missing between 'I don't want to even know the truth in case you hurt me again' and 'I'm going to poison someone, blackmail them, and threaten their children.' Did they deserve it? Sure, but it felt out of place to me.

I've made another post here with the things that frustrated me and the questions I still have, and one here with all the things I did love. Because there were things. There were times I smiled, and laughed, and cried, and quotes I adore.

Ultimately though, my rating for this (on my personal scale) is it’s a good book, it just didn’t do it for me.

And personally? I really really wish it had 🥺❤️‍🩹

[theyapper0]

FIRST PART OF "FINALE"

(There are 5 parts to this 😊)

The finale starts the day before the Extermination.

Charlie is sitting on the roof of the Hotel, all the Sinners they've recruited are all bustling about the parking lot, talking amongst themselves and setting up their reinforcements for the Examination tomorrow. 

Charlie is staring down worriedly at a family photo in her hand. The photo is old and tattered and there's a permanent cross shaped crease on it from all the folding and unfolding it's gone through. It was a photo of a framed painting that was in her old house before she left home.

(I'm NAWT writing out the whole first EP, that's way too much work LOL. Just know that in the beginning of it, instead of Charlie reading from that story of Lucifer and Lilith, she's just looking at a family photo of the 3 of them)

Charlie didn’t know what she was going to do. EVERYTHING has basically been leading up to this Extermination, the first BI-YEARLY Extermination… She has to protect the Hotel, she has to protect Vaggie, she has to protect EVERYONE, because if she doesn't…. 

Heaven will move onto all of Hell…

This wasn't just a standard Extermination anymore, this was war. 

And losing wasn't an option. 

But this wasn’t what she wanted! The whole point of getting in contact with Adam, with HEAVEN, was to STOP the killing! Now they have weapons deadly enough to kill ANGELS.

Not only are the people of Hell going to get killed, but the people of Heaven are as well…. 

Charlie doesn’t want to hurt anybody. She doesn’t want ANYONE, Heaven or Hell, to die! It wasn’t right, war only creates more bloodshed! 

When she and Vaggie went to Heaven, she thought they were FINALLY making progress- especially after befriending Emily! But…. That all crashed and burned and somehow things grew even WORSE.

Does all Charlie know how to do is make situations worse?

Vaggie comes up on the roof and they talk. 

Vaggie TOTALLY understood where Charlie was coming from, not because she relates, but because she KNOWS Charlie.

(Honestly Vaggie can't wait to SLAUGHTER some angels but Charlie would probably explode into a bajillion million pieces right now if she said that)

Vaggie has a huge vendetta against Heaven still, she has NOT made peace w that shit yet.

Charlie still gives the same(ish) speech as she does in canon. That's all basically the same :P

They still have their (basically end of the world) party and it's LIT 

While that's going on, in Heaven, Adam and Lute are talking about the Extermination that will be happening the next day. 

Adam has a bad feeling about the Cleansing, he doesn’t think they should go through with it….

Nothing has felt right to him ever since Charlie and Vaggie came to Heaven, ever since Emily took Charlie's side, ever since the Trail where he revealed the truth about…. 

Lute tells him that they must, these Cleansings are direct orders given by God

Lute: Don’t you trust him, Sir?

“Of course I do!” Adam says!! ”Of course I do…”

Adam trusts God, he trusts HEAVEN with everything he has. His feelings on this mess doesn't matter, what’s important is that he does what he's told, that he does what needs to get done.

Look at what happened when he diverted course, when he let his emotions get too out of control. Bad things happen and it makes everything worse…

Adam can't afford to mess up again... 

He needs to nip this in the bud. 

THE NEXT DAY. 

DAY OF EXTERMINATION. 

So everyone is fighting and kicking ass. 

Everything is going well and everyone’s doing what they’re supposed to ASIDE from Charlie who isn't killing the Exorcists, she’s really only disarming and knocking them out.

Every so often during the battle, Charlie will cross paths with one of her allies, who will be egging her on to KILL THE MOTHERFUCKERS!!!! 

She keeps ignoring it. 

Alastor is still going to go up against Adam. Alastor is cocky and arrogant, believing that he could best Adam without so much as a single Angelic blade, he won't be able to kill Adam no matter how powerful he believes himself to be.

Adam makes the comparison to Lucifer, “Prideful and full of uncharted wrath! And you know what happened to HIM!”

Alastor: You can't fall to Hell if you're already there! 

While Alastor and Adam fight, the Exorcist Angels that Charlie had simply been knocking out are beginning to wake back up and join the battle again! 

Her method didn’t do anything but make everyone have to work that much harder. 

Then Husk, occupied by fending off three or four Exorcists, is struck down by another swooping in. 

The Exorcist knocks him down and presses their weapon to his throat. There was nowhere to run, other Angels he was fighting had circled around him and knocked his own weapons out of his hands. 

And it happened in a moment, far too fast for regular eyes to see. 

One moment Husk was staring up at a faceless soldier, prepared to meet his end. And the next-

A clawed hand, once white but now gold with blood, was stuck straight through the Angel's chest, through their ribs and piercing out from their armor. 

Before the corpse of the Exorcist had even hit the ground the heads of the three other Angels surrounding Husk had flown off, sliced clean from their necks. 

And the Heir of Hell was standing before him.

It didn't matter that it was Husk that was in danger, it didn't need to be him, it could have been anyone. What mattered was that it was someone Charlie cared for, it was someone she was FIGHTING for.

Charlie had killed 4 Exorcists in less than a second and despite it being for a nobel reason, it was the little push she needed to give into every primal urge that was instilled into her since her creation… 

Charlie was still standing over him but Husk didn't dare move. Her energy and demeanor had done an entire shift. And being under contract with Alastor for as long as he's been, he knew when a grin held murderous intent…

But the grin plastered on Charlie's face wasn't like Alastor’s. It still felt like Charlie's just… less contained, more primal. 

Like she was operating on instinct above all else (Alastor was too calculating to ever do such) 

Charlie reached out her hand but Husk didn't dare take it. Charlie wouldn't ever hurt him, that much he knew. 

But he couldn't be 100% certain… Not when her mouth grew wider than he's ever seen it grow before, not when her crooked horns sprouted from her head, not when he was covered in the glowing, sticky blood of their enemies. 

There was a waver in her grin for just a moment. 

But it was gone in the next, the Exorcist, the one with the gaping hole in their chest, twitched. 

Charlie snapped her neck in their direction and crushed their head with her foot with so much force that it EXPLODED. 

Charlie: I….

It was just one day. It was an EXTERMINATION, it was the FIRST TIME Hell was fighting against Heaven! Charlie NEEDED to fight- to KILL (AND KILL AND KILL AND KILL AND KILL AND KILL AND-) It was normal, everyone was doing it, everyone needed HER to do it as well.

It… It’ll be fine. She will go right back to her normal self tomorrow, it’s not hard at all. 

Charlie’s eyes were blown wide and shined with a fervor. Her mouth was clenched into a tight, large girn and she laughed through her sharp jail cell of a mouth. 

She knelt down to the dead angel before her and took their clawed gauntlets 

Just one day… She thought as she put them on.

Charlie ran off. 

So basically Charlie gets lost in the killing and bloodshed, she’s going on a spree!! Killing exorcist angel after exorcist angel, doing it at speeds that the others can’t even keep up with!! She’s EASILY out numbering all of the kills they worked hard to rack up and KEEPS GOING

So while Charlie is going crazy on the battlefield (hotel parking lot), Alastor is fighting Adam. 

Alastor was just defeated by Adam.

He can hardly move but he's slowly stumbling his way away from Adam, who's following behind him at a very leisurely pace.

Aside from his comment from the beginning of their “battle”, Adam hasn't said a word. 

Alastor is grinning through the fractured ego and immense pain, he can't stop. He isn't facing Adam, he feels him trailing directly behind him, “Well it seems that you're victorious! Hm? Not even one heroic speech? Got on… you deserve it!” 

PART 1

PART 2

PART 3

PART 4

PART 5

[dittomander]

Steven Universe I know but what are EoA fans doing now??

hhhh okay. so.

to be totally fair up front, there's nothing nearly as virulent as the absolute insanity that comes out of SU spaces (to my knowledge, no one has accused Craig Gerber of being a fascist). The EoA fandom doesn't have the kind of headcount necessary to sustain drama for very long, and most of the people in it are pretty chill and normal. So what we have instead is the world's slowest conga line of bad takes, where every 1-3 months or so we get someone popping up to talk about how bad or how wild a certain writing decision was for reasons that completely ignore elements like target audience, genre conventions, and theme.

I'm not sure of your personal level of familiarity with EoA, so to set the stage here: the central message of EoA is that it's never too late to change your future. You can't undo the past, but you can always take accountability and learn from your mistakes going forward, and it's important to give others the opportunity to do so, as well. This theme is stated out loud in varying ways throughout the show, including via an entire musical number in the finale literally titled 'Never Too Late'. It's all pretty unsubtle - while this show delves into some surprisingly heavy topics for Disney Jr., it is still a Disney Jr. show, and the messaging is very direct. They do everything short of looking into the camera at the end Veggie Tales-style and asking "so kids, what did we learn today?"

So with how heavy handed the messaging can be, it's genuinely surprising to me how many people seemed to miss the point. An incomplete list of takes I've seen the last few years, in no particular order:

Victor and Carla were never really bad/were just misunderstood/etc. and the reason they got redeemed is because they never really needed redemption in the first place. (ignores sizable amounts of their textual actions and misses the point of the show - if it's never too late to change, then it shouldn't matter how bad or deserving of 'redemption' they ever were)

Actually, Victor didn't do enough to be forgiven and doesn't deserve it. (okay, and? your point? He outright acknowledges that he may never earn forgiveness in the text of the show! His personal ability to change is the important part, and is unaffected by whether others forgive him!)

Esteban did too many horrible things and should have had to die as a consequence. (to what end? what would that accomplish? how is that better than him living to actually make amends? what would this satisfy except your own punitive sense of vengeance?)

Actually, the show is victim blaming Esteban by expecting him to be accountable for his actions because he was always being influenced by Shuriki/Ash/Cahu/etc. (Ok look he's a complicated guy and his motives certainly range in sympathy but like. he is still in control of his own actions. he still needs to change. owning up to his mistakes is a part of that, or else he'll continue to make the same ones over and over again. which Cahu actually comments on. In the text.)

Elena is evil/crazy/too violent/etc. and can't possibly come back morally from her behavior. (even if I give the benefit of the doubt and assume that misogyny isn't a driver on this one, it still misses the point of the show and an awful lot of the text. her pursuit of vengeance is treated as a character flaw to overcome! it causes problems for her! and she overcomes it! and if you can give leeway to the others to change, why is Elena where you draw the line?)

Actually, Elena wasn't evil/crazy/violent enough after everything she went through! She was trapped in an amulet for 41 years she should be completely insane! (ok this isn't even a thematic thing this is just you don't understand the genre conventions of a children's fantasy. cool fanfic, still not a sensible critique of the show)

Like. This sort of stuff just keeps. Popping. Up. These types of takes have made it into YouTube videos with hundreds of thousands of views. People have made money off of saying this kind of stuff, among all kinds of other misinterpretations of more granular parts of the text. Genuinely, when I see long analysis text posts in the tags or new retrospective videos, my stomach just sinks in dread at this point. And right when I think that's all been left behind I'm blindsided by something else. If bad Steven Universe takes are floodwaters, overwhelming and everywhere, then bad Elena of Avalor takes are the endless drips of a broken sink - infrequent and largely just obnoxious as individuals, but the sound will still slowly drive you mad, and it's still a problem that needs to be fixed.

I'd be more understanding if the show was more obtuse, but none of the themes are even subtextual. It's literally just the text. They say it all out loud. How do we still have people in the year 2025 saying Esteban should have died? I'm baffled and tired.

[echantedtoon]

Ocean Deep Ch14 Mers And Ladies

(Warnings: Mentioning of killing/blood/murder/wounds/drowning/bloodloss, Y/n does have a stab wound but it's NOT serious and doesn't really affect her too much. Mentioning of yn being stabbed with a knife.

NOW SOME IMPORTANT INFO FOR THIS CHAPTER!! I have three things to announce.

Firstly just a quick recap of mer Tengen's design-

Tengen would be a white butterfly koi fish mer and would look like the linked post below except less eel and more butterfly koi also below.

Merman Tengen( minus the eel like features)

his tail would be more like this instead

Secondly the QnA from last chapter. If any questions are lumped together then it's because the same person asked more than one question.

*Is Y/n still alive?

Obviously yes. And she's ok.

*Do mers have jobs or just chill in the ocean? Is there a mer equivalent to the demon slayer corps? Is there a reason why the wives chose to go by Tengen's last names and not Rengoku's? Why does Rengoku still go  by his own last name? Is polygamy more common among mers?

They just chill. No not really. Usually only the lady mers change their last names but this isn't always the case, but they love Tengen very much. Rengoku is still attached to his family name. Not really. Some mers are poly some aren't.

*How many chapters are left?

Im not sure. I already have the plot in mind, it's just a matter of writing it out. 

*Was Tengen's parts near the end a flashback or happening in the moment?

In the moment. No flashbacks that chapter.

Thanks to everyone who asked questions! Now that's over with-

Thirdly, I made a small side story for Ocean Deep containing Mer Douma x Reader. The link for anyone who wants to read it is below I also read you can replace a pint of blood after donating it within 24 hours if this is inaccurate I apologize.

taglist: @six-eyed-samurai @lavenderdrxp @jjamsbangtan @camilo-uwu @hopefulworld1

@shadyd3ar @amypop122 @azuredragonstrike

@mimisweetz @chaoticoperatorduckhairdo @staarflowerr @aleee-386

Remember if you want to be added to the tag list lemme know.

"Leave her on the beach! Someone will find her or she'll wake up and go home herself!"

A voice..Male. Deeper. Different. Unfamiliar.

"We can't just abandon her! She's wounded! LOOK FOR YOURSELF!"

Pain. Numbness. Cold black closing in. 

"....."

"Tengen, please."

"....Press down on the wound tightly. It's a long trip and if she's going to make it then she'll need all the blood she can keep in her body."

Where are you?

.. Everything is so dark. 

What happened?

Why isn't there anything here?

We're you dead? Did you finally die? Is this what being dead was? Nothing but black abyss where you couldn't feel anything? ...It was ..oddly peaceful despite being so eerie.

"-likeliness to survive is guaranteed I'd say."

Huh? What was that? It sounded like the second half of a sentence you only just now noticed. Was there other spirits here with you?

"That's a relief. I was worried about the stab to her shoulder there. I do hope she's not too hurt."

"Don't worry yourself too much, Koyuki. It was a rather small blade and it only stabbed some fat and muscle. A few stitches and some rest will have her healed up within a few months!"

A small sigh of relief. "Oh thank goodness. I'm sure everyone will be relieved to hear that."

"How about you? How are you feeling today? That sudden fever came out of nowhere."

"I feel much better but Shinobu says I should stay in bed today."

"That's good. Did she wake up while we were gone?"

"No but she did move in her sleep."

"Ah. Good. That means she might wake up soon. I'll just take your temperature and leave you two to rest for a little while."

There was the sounds of retreating footsteps and maybe a door squeaking shut. Did the afterlife even have doors? You didn't get a chance before the world fell into unconscious again- The next time you regained consciousness, you opened your eyes only to blink suddenly as a harsh light beamed down on you. Was that the fabled tunnel? We're you going to heaven?! A few blinks more had the harsh light evening out into other less harsh colors of browns and beige. You didn't know heaven had an oak ceiling-...

Wait. Ceiling?

F/c eyes blinked and eyebrows scrunched in confusion as your vision ever so slowly unblurred and you found yourself staring at an oakwood ceiling. There was silence as you continued to stare at it for the longest time.. before your head tilted to the right. The light source was discovered in the form of an open window. The sight of a calm blue sky and fluffy white clouds greeted you and a nice warm breeze bringing the smell of the salty ocean came through...Wait. This wasn't the beach. Could it be-??

Your eyes shifted down to your body and you only now felt the soft warmth hugging your body. Clean sheets covered your body as you lied upon your futon and a nice thick and warm blue blanket covered you from your feet to your neck. You were..in bed?? Could it be that this entire thing was just a dream? Only a silly dream about mermaids and jewelry and Akira that felt like it lasted for months but was really only a night or two? 

Slowly you willed your arm to move. Your right arm pushed up, up, up. You felt heavy, sluggish, and every movement was a pins and needles tingling feeling. The blue blanket fell away partially as your hand extended to the ceiling and wriggled all five fingers. Your other hand went to do the same thing-

UNTIL A WHITE HOT PAIN SHOT FROM YOUR SHOULDER AND DOWN YOUR SPINE-!!!

"AH!!"

You couldn't help but cry out from the sudden throbbing pain that shot from your shoulder and throughout your body. It was a burning throbbing pain that pulsed out from just behind your left shoulder. Your teeth gritted as you hissed, body contorting in pain and then there was a sharp gasp-

...Wait. That wasn't from you. 

Your head turned to the left in the direction of the sound and froze as two pairs of eyes met. A pair of pretty cherry blossom pink eyes and equally shaped pretty white flower shaped pupils stared down at your confused orbs. For a moment there was nothing but silence as your brain processed the other person in the room looking at you- Before she jumped as your body moved quickly.

Pink eyes blinked watching the other woman quickly flip onto her right side and struggle to push herself up onto numb arms and legs. "W-Wait! Don't do that! You'll hurt yourself!"

The other paid no mind to her warnings as she proceeded to crawl like a rapid animal desperate to get away from here. Falling onto her face after getting entangled in the sheets and letting out a yelp of pain. A rush of adrenaline shot up into your veins as you forced yourself back up and, although probably looking ridiculous, you crawled desperately for the door despite the emense pain in your shoulder and how tingly and weak your limbs were.

"Please stop! You're making it worse!"

Ignored. A desperate churning voice pounded at your skull. Run! Run! Run! Get out! Get away! It shouted that over and over, and like a scared injured rabbit you obeyed that. Legs unready for walking were forced up- only for you to fall back onto them with a thud. 

"Shinobu! Kanae! Somebody help!"

More people?! SCREW THIS!! In some adrenaline fueled strength, somehow your foggy mind was able to get up onto your legs shaking uncontrollably like you were a bare in a blizzard! You ran! Throwing yourself at the door and throwing it open with a slide! A loud thudding sound reverberated throughout the hall and room as you threw yourself out- Only to collide almost collide into someone carrying a bowl.  The pink haired girl squealed as you knocked into her, knocking the bowl of soup outta her hands. The distant sounds of spilling liquids filled the air behind you as your body collided with a wall so wobbly and unstable that you fell over onto your stomach. If your head wasn't blank from the pain, you might've heard the thud of the bowl and the clattering of a spoon somewhere behind you. Scrambling, clawing at the floorboards, and crawling like a desperate animal just turned free you carried on. Looking like a crazy person. Freedom! Freedom! To freedom you nearly were-

Until hands grabbed you.

You squealed out as two pairs of hands grabbed you by the arms on either side of your body and pulled you backwards and away from the door with a window in the middle showing the outside world and your near freedom. 

"Fast one aren't you?"

"LET ME GO!," you shrieked kicking out weakly no avail. 

Whoever it was was physically stronger as you were dragged across the floor back towards the room, and you were too physically weak to fight them off. Your shoulder still throbbed in pain but that didn't stop whoever they were from pulling you back into the room past the pink haired girl who tilted her head and looked worried with a hand to her face. You cursed pushing and pulling until you were plopped down onto something soft and you were finally released, falling backwards onto the soft bed- Your body said screw it and pushed yourself back up to snarl at your captors-...Only to be taken aback by what..Or better yet WHO who saw surrounding you.

LADIES!!

There was five other women in here staring at you. And all of them were fairly beautiful.  There was the girl still sitting in the futon a few feet away from you, her long black hair flowing around her nightgown and an open book she had presumably been reading open wide on her lap. A second figure was worriedly shifting from one foot to the other looking the most worried and had long pink braids that faded to a lime green at the ends. But the two you REALLY noticed was the two looming over you. The one to the right was the most beautiful. Pretty pink eyes, tall, and long black hair that swayed when she tilted her smile at you. The second one was more around your height, and just as pretty with black hair with purple ends pinned up and lavender orbs gazing down at you. She also wore a smile but it looked more..blank than the first one. And then finally you caught a fifth person's gaze. Young. So young that she could've been your little sister if your parents had anyone children. She peeked around the doorframe curiously with pink eyes a similar shade to the tall girl but in design more to the purple eyed one. All three having a similar facial structure. 

You stared at everyone around you bewildered before scowling. "Look- Just take what you want!" You held up a hand. "I don't have anything valuable on me anyways! Just let me go and I promise you I won't tell anyone!" The two smiling people exchanged looks above you. "I'm not worth the trouble anyways!"

There was a moment of silence still before Ms. Tall-With-Pink-Eyes chuckled holding a hand to her face. "I think she's mixing up the situation as something else."

"Well can you blame her with what she went through last night?," Ms. Lavender Eyes answered back before they both looked at you again. "I think we got off om the wrong foot." You jumped as with without warning she grabbed your eye forcing it more open as she peered at you. "Her eyes aren't clouded so that must mean she's completely lucid. Are you feeling light headed or anything similar?"

"Ow. " You pulled away from her shaking your head and scowling. "Just who are you people!? Where am I?!" Obviously you weren't home and you weren't on any beach. So where was this place?

"Forgive us. You must be very confused." Ms. Tall-With-Pink-Eyes spoke again before Ms. Lavender Eyes moved beside you. "I'm Kanae and that's my sister." She gestured to said sister who picked up your wrist to feel for a pulse as you were distracted. "You're here because you were hurt. Do you remember anything about what happened last night?"

"Last..night?"

She nodded as her sister went to your back. "Don't push yourself if you can't but can you tell us if you do remember what happened?"

Your eyes blinked. Mind going off in thought. What did happen last night? ..You remembered arriving at the beach- "I..remember the beach. It was so big and full of wreckage." Just thinking about all of those broken ships, some being where the men of your village spent their last living moments, sent chills down your spine. "And it was just turning sunset." You remembered how beautiful it was. You've never seen the sun make water sparkle like that. "Then I-" You opened your mouth but quickly stopped and closed it.

YOU COULDN'T TELL THEM YOU WERE HELPING MERMAIDS!! They might think you were crazy or having bad hallucinations! Or they might turn on you for helping nonhuman creatures!

"I was...releasing some fish back into the ocean I didn't want," you settled on. Technically it was the truth. Mermaids were part fish after all. "And then-"

You fell silent once more. A rock settling in your stomach. Akira. Knife. Stabbing. Everything going black!

"Akira!" The women jumped as you looked around wildly. Fear etched into your features. But there was no man amongst the women still amongst you. "Where is he?! H-He was on the docks with me when I passed out!"

"The man who stabbed you?" You flinched at Ms. Lavender Eye's blunt tone but she waved you off pulling the back of your collar to peek at your back. "..Hmm. The bandages are still clean and tied. I don't think she tore any stitches from her earlier stunt."

Your head craned behind you to raise a brow at her. "Stitches?"

She nodded. "You're extremely lucky! Your wound isn't very large or deep despite requiring stitches. You should be fully healed in two maybe three months. Obviously whoever tried to harm you was stupid in his selection of weapons!"

....You didn't know whether she was being serious or sarcastic with the bluntness of her words but you did frown. "Well thank goodness for that. I was worried about the size of knife that nearly killed me! Thank goodness for stupidity." Your eyes rolled. "But that still doesn't answer my questions. Who are you people and where am I?"

"Forgive us." Kanae(why does that name sound familiar?) smiled wider at you. Maybe to try to comfort you? "You're on an island a few miles off the coast you described. You were brought here by a few friends to have your wounds treated." She held up her hands. "But don't worry. As long as you take it easy, your wound shall heal in the timeframe my sister described." Well that's a relief. "However you lost some blood."

The blood drained from your face. "How..much?"

"About a pint I'd say. Don't worry. Usually the human body replaces that amount within twenty four hours but I want you to rest for at least two or three days before you try walking just in case."

"Oh...Will I be able to walk normally then?"

"Certainly."

You gave a sigh of relief. "Good. Then I can finally be able to go home." Kanae lost her smile for a moment giving a glance at her sister. "Then who are the rest of you?" You gave another look around the room. The other girl in bed was dressed a similar way to you in white nightgowns. We're you in a hospital? "Is she a patient too?"

"Oh. How rude of me. That's Koyuki. She's just running a fever. She's Shinobu, Mitsuri, and that is our younger sister in the doorway." Kanae pointed at each person as she told you their names with a smile. Mitsuri? Shinobu? Kanae? Koyuki? Why did all of their names sound familiar to you? You blinked as the blue blanket was pulled back up your body by Kanae. "Your body needs rest. Try to get comfortable and we'll bring you some food. You'll be needing lots of liquids and try to relax. Ok?"

You didn't know what to think really as you were made to lay back down and watched as they left. Where were you? Where was Akira? Where were your friends? We're they ok?....Your brain answered two of the four questions. Your friends are back in the ocean now safe and sound at last where they should be. By now they were probably already far away from here reuniting with Tengen(whoever he was) and they'd all be happy again.

...

A tiny smile formed on your face at the thought. It didn't matter if you were hurt. Your mission was successful and over with. Your friends were safe and home at last, you were no longer baring any burdens, and you were alive. Even if your current state was less than ideal, you didn't have to worry about anything else. Finally after so many months, the best kind of relief filled your body and you allowed yourself to relax. There was still the matter of Akira ..and Niko's horse but you'd happily deal with both of those later. With any luck the ships will be spared now and things could go back to the ways they were. Maybe people could even move back to town!

Oh how fate loved to throw boulders at you.

The Mitsuri girl had stayed to clean up the soup you made her spill (oops) and then two of the three sisters returned carrying trays of more soup. Kanae and her younger pinked eyed sister. The young girl couldn't have been older than fifteen or sixteen years tops. Both you and Koyuki had been given this crab soup and something dawned on you. The spoon lifted to your face but never touched your face as you froze up staring wide eyed. Footsteps softly thudded towards the doorway on their way ou-

"Kanae Kocho."

The footsteps stopped just shy of the doorway, back to the f/c eyes that now looked at her in familiarity.

"You're Kanae Kocho aren't you?! And your sisters are the same ones that disappeared last year!" 

The realization had finally struck you. THESE REALLY ARE THE KOCHO SISTERS!! They'd disappeared last year and vanished without a trace! You weren't particularly close to the Kocho family but being in the same town you'd see them walking around from time to time. It just took you a while to recognize them! 

"And you got kidnapped the year before that!," you accused pointing at Mitsuri who only blinked, "And you're the girl that was rumored to have drowned two years ago!" Koyuki blinked at the pointing hand. "What are you all doing here?! Don't you know your families are worried sick about you all?! What gives?! How did you escape that Naga?! Did you all just fake your deaths or something?!"

You couldn't help the rapid firing of questions that left your mouth under the mountain of realizations. These girls were apparently alive, not dead, and seemed in your point of view to be doing so well for themselves. What the hell gives?! No one answered. Giving you wide eyed silent stares until Kanae turned to you still with that smile which had now turned sad. 

"Get some rest. Everything will be answered in time."

You were left just like that. Left with the weird sea food tasting soup to eat and with more questions than answers. 

...

WHAT THE ACTUALLY HELL WAS GOING ON HERE?!

First all these girls disappear, then a couple merman destroy your town and way of life, then a merman shows up, then you get wrapped up in kidnapped mermaid drama, then you get stabbed while releasing said mermaids, and now the girls that are supposed to be dead... Aren't dead??? Just what the world did you get yourself into!? It was like just when you got yourself out of one mystery you fall into another! You tried talking to the other two remaining girls but Koyuki didn't say anything and Mitsuri squeaked out some excuse to leave quickly. It almost felt like you were back to square one... Y'know what? It's fine. If they ran away from home then that wasn't any of your business but you'd send some anonymous letters to the families (if you could find them) and let them sort this out. You didn't think they deserved to believe their daughters were dead.

You had enough things to worry about without getting involved into anymore drama. 

Like getting back home and getting your life back in order. So you didn't mention anything about disappearing or mermaids for the rest of that day, and the next day either. Shinobu had shown up to look over yourself again and you only remained polite and short.

"Do you feel better today?", she asked you.

"Yes. Thank you ..And sorry about yesterday."

"Don't worry about it. I'd act the same way if I was you. Any pain or numbness?"

"Only in my shoulder."

That was it. Only a few sentences before she left again and you were left in bed to rest with nothing but more of that fish tasting soup to eat. You get that they wanted you to have more liquids but couldn't they at least give you better tasting soup? 

You couldn't take it the third day. You awoke pretty early in the morning, in fact the sun was barely even up when you woke. Taking a moment you stared at the ceiling for a few minutes before glancing over to Koyuki. She was fast asleep softly snoring and turned away from you.. Everyone else was probably most likely still asleep this early as well.

NOW WAS YOUR CHANCE! 

Slowly the blankets was peeled off your body and in the same manner as two days ago, you rolled onto your unhurt side to push up onto your hands and knees. Biting your tongue to not groan  in pain that still lingered. Hurt or not you were leaving. You had done your duties, now you could just move on and never look back! Ever so slowly you pushed yourself to your feet which were still a bit wobbly but not as bad as it was two days ago. You should be able to walk now though if you went by what Kanae said. Tip toeing your way over, you slowly slid the door open only looking behind you once to make sure Koyuki was still fast asleep before popping your head into the hallway. It was quiet and no one else was around. 

AND THE DOOR TO FREEDOM WAS STILL THERE DOWN THE HALL.

You slowly stepped out into the hall closing the door back behind you quietly. You still couldn't run with your wobbly legs so you instead wobble walked down the hall quietly and made for the door. You had a head start! If you hurried then you'd be able to get away without anyone noticing that you were missing. The front door was upon you. It slid open. You stepped out and quickly slid it back shut. You turned around-

AND THEN YOU WERE MET WITH THE OCEAN!

You stopped stunned by the long stretch of sandy beach only stopping when it collided with lazy waves rolling over the soft sand and wetting any shells under it. The silence was only broken by said waves and the soft footfalls of your feet taking a few steps in the squishy sand. The wind blew send stands of your messy hair flowing about and the hem of your long nightgown flowing. A few seagulls cried out in the distance excited to have some food and leaving you to stare.

"...Where am I?"

F/c orbs scanned the horizon where the sunrise was rising from the horizon. Nothing but blue water was in every direction you looked in. Not a sign of other land anywhere!...You were probably taking further down the beach! There wasn't any wreckage so that must mean you were taken further away from the docks. So if you just started walking then you'd soon come back to the graveyard of ships! Perfect! You hoped the horse was still windering where you left it. With a breath you began walking along the sandy shore and away from the house to get away before they could wake you up and drag you back to the room again. 

So you walked. Wobbly along but you walked. And walked. And walked. 

YOU DIDN'T SEE THE RED EYES WATCHING YOUR EVERY MOVE OR THE WHITE MASS UNDER THE WAVES FOLLOWING YOU. 

Slowly the sun rose higher and higher in the sky making it warmer and brighter. Huh. You knew the coast was really big by the stories the fishermen told but you wondered how far up the beach they took you. Your right side was nothing but beach and ocean. Your left tropical forest you didn't want to go explore. The house was out of sight now, but you couldn't tell exactly how far away you were from it. 

"I'm starting to get beat."

Your body still might've not have been fully recovered because you were quickly getting tired with the want to rest. You usually could go on for longer but you were in condition to fight your body's limits. So you stopped and looked around. There wasn't anywhere in sight that could be a suitable place to sit down and rest, until you spotted a large flat rock leading off the shore and into the water a little bit. The waves sloshing on the sides but not wetting the top. Seemed like a good of a place as any to sit down that wasn't in danger of sharp seashells or whatever dangerous animals might be in the unknown woods behind you. But it was smack dab in sight for all to see.

"..Ten minutes," you told yourself tiredly wobbling towards it, "It's only for just ten minutes. Then I'm leaving."

The squishy sand laced with sharp shells scraped under your tired legs soon replaced by warm but smooth rock as you stepped onto the flat stone and sighed. It felt nice. Magenta eyes watched the way you smiled beautifully at your feet and stepped further to the edge of the rock. Drifting closer the eyes came as she slowly lowered until she sat down submerging her legs to the knees and sighing in the relief the cool water gave her sore body. The bottom of her nightgown bunched up just above her kneecaps. A giggle escaping her as the waves rolled over her skin. She looked pretty.

You sighed in the relief your legs were currently getting hugged by the water. "This feels nice. It's too bad my shoulder is killing me." 

Bubbles streaming to the surface got closer and closer to you as a white mass got closer and closer until a webbed hand silently reached out to grab the ledge of the rock behind you-

"Ah!" You hissed and gently reached a hand behind you to gentle rub your shoulder with a wince.

"Back pain? I hate that." 

"Tell me about it. So annoying."

"I know right?"

"Yes."

"......"

"......"

A GLASS SHATTERING SOUND WENT OFF IN YOUR MIND.

Your eyes comically went wide as an owl's as you froze. ...And then you slowly turned around. A man with red wine eyes and white hair was staring at you from the Water's edge.

"Hey."

You squealed leaning back- S P LA S H!! 

"SHIT!"

 He cried out when her form disappeared under the waves and a second later he dove right back under after her. Silence claimed the area once more before you broke the surface of the Water gasping and clawing at the stone for dear life like a drowning cat desperately pulling yourself up with help from two large hands pushing you up by the waist. Scrambling and crawling onto the once nice dry rock spitting out nasty too salty water before coughing and hacking. 

"'Eeehhh. Not really the flashy introduction I was hoping for."

You looked back up and yelped as a head was poking out of the water right in front of you. "Don't fall in again!" It- He shouted with an annoyed frown. "That's how you weak humans drown!"

"Wh-Who the hell are you?!" You leaned back leaning an arm up in case you had to defend yourself.

"You don't recognize me! I literally saved you like three days ago! Do humans really have that bad of a memory or what?!", he barked.

....Now you scowled. "Now see here you overgrown sea mule!" The man whoever he was blinked once taken aback by the sudden scowl and bite you gave him. "I'm too dam tired to be talked to like a brainless rock! I've been drained, stressed out my dam mind, attacked, and nearly drowned TWICE now! The last thing I need right now is the ocean equivalent of a donkey shit talking me! If you want to bother someone, go find a shark to antagonize!"

The man blinked once. Twice. Before he slowly hummed looking you up and down all drenched like a wet cat. "Well...The weren't wrong when they said you were certainly different."

"They? Just who are you?" 

He hummed again crossing his arms over the rock's edge. "I thought you already knew...but then again you never met me personally and when we did you were already passed out." A giant smile of ABSOLUTELY LARGE FANGS made you give pause and gulp. "Allow me to actually give you a flashy introduction worthy of my status!"

Two clawed hands dug themselves into the rock and your jaw dropped in fear as an absolutely massive body hauled itself out of the water and onto the rock. A large shadow loomed over you. 

He was-..massive!

Even larger than freaking KYOJURO!! And Kyo was bigger than Akira! A body beautiful sculpted by rippling muscles and scars sat itself upon the rock. Scattered purple scales glistening with water droplets aligned in a strange pattern you've never seen on any other mer  across the torso and around the waist where his human half blended into a absolutely BEAUTIFUL shimmering white koi tail similar to Makio's only BIGGER and SHINIER! A rainbow pearlescent effect it had has the light bounced off his large koi tail. The fins large and flowing in the water like the fabric of beautiful silk in the wind. But that wasn't all. 

A small jingling noise arose with him. The source being from the hoops dangling from his wrists. However you didn't notice that. Only the strange Mitch match of green and red sharp claws sticking out from hands large enough to crush you. Larger golden bands were tightly wrapped around his upper forearms as he flexed them out to you. But the thing was-

HE WAS ABSOLUTELY ADORNED IN JEWELS!!

A series of golden earrings were embedded into his ears, a similar piercing on his bottom lip. Across his forehead was some kind of large silver headband with three beautiful glimmering large diamonds in the front. Remember how Kyojuro's hands had a few rings? Well this guy had LOTS of rings! Some fingers having more than one on them. A long strand of shiny silver rocks clinked together and dangled from his headband. At least three different necklaces were wrapped around his neck with different valuable stones. Down his sculpted figure was a few various chains with a thick single silver one wrapped around his middle with a few polished seashells dangling from it's heavy bulk. But what really stood out was the large red and dark pink polished gems and stones pushed into his scales and embedded permanently into himself. The piercing wine red eyes crinkled up half lidded in a wide fanged smile at you- Holy shit! THOSE FANGS WERE LARGER THAN KYOJURO'S! His pure white hair falling down framing his face and for some reason a strange red birthmark over his right eye.

"I am Lord Tengen Uzui of the Western Isles! But you can call me Lord Tengen! And you have the honor of being in the presence of the God of Ocean's Deep!," he loudly announced out. Bold, assertive, and powerful enough to be feared by all who see him!

You only stared at him wide eyed. Holy shit...HE WAS BEAUTIFUL-!!

You immediately shook your head chasing away any of those thoughts. "...I don't believe it."

"Heh. Having a moment processing my flamboyant stature are you?"

"No. I can't believe the person responsible for half of my suffering is an over dressed full of himself watered down peacock."

"WHAT?!," he shouted turning towards your deadpanned face. "I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW THAT I'M THE MOST FLASHY AND STRONGEST MER THIS SIDE OF THE WEST COAST!!" He shouted in your face pointing a sharp red nail at your face, the bracelets around his wrists jingling with his movements.

".....I still don't see it. How'd you manage to beach all those ships? Flex and blind the captains with your over dressed scales?"

"HAVE SOME RESPECT FOR ME, GIRLIE!! I SAVED YOUR LIFE!! 

"Right.." You glanced at the claw pointed at you, and then his large fangs as he gritted his teeth together annoyed. ..And just remembered how much bigger he was than you. On second thought it probably wasn't a good idea to argue with the guy that caused so much damage single handedly. You sighed with a breath. "Right. ..You did do that. Thanks for that." He huffed a sound. "No. I mean it. Thank you. And I'm sorry for being rude earlier. I'm just really on edge lately. A lot of bad stuff has happened recently."

"I've been told." He still looked and sounded annoyed but leaned back up from where he was sitting and recrossed his arms making his biceps and arms flex automatically. ".... You're going to live?"

It was a statement but the way he said it sounded like a question so you nodded. "Yes. I was told my shoulder isn't serious and it'll heal within a few months. I can live with that."

He hummed again. "I guess it's a good thing I got to you when I did then."

"Yes. Yes...So.. You're the famous Tengen Uzui I've heard so much about?" You took a moment to glance over this mountain of a man again. If he was human you estimated he'd he OVER six feet tall. "You're certainly a lot taller than I expected."

..That smile from before was back. "In the flashy flesh!" He winked and shot a one handed finger gun at you which in turn made you giggle. "And you must be Y/n. My wives' told me all about you."

"Ah. You mean Hinatsuru?"

"And Makio and Suma. And apparently Kyojuro.." His gaze peered off for a second. "He told me that you saved him after he stopped breathing. Is that true? Did he stop.. living?"

He was asking you about this now? You tilted his gaze to try to see his eyes but they were firmly set to where his tail met the water. "No. He never stopped living really." The eyes looked back to you. "He just needed a helping hand is all. So did everyone apparently...Are they alright now?"

He slowly nodded. "Yeah. Yeah they're fine." Both arms raised to hold the behind of his head. "They're all still asleep or just waking up by now. I know Suma is probably still sleeping in." He chuckled at nothing dryly. "It's so surreal to have them all back."

"I'm just glad they're alright. I can't imagine what you all went through was anything but terrifying."

"Tell me about it. You have no idea what it's like having every person you love tipped away from you with there being nothing you can do to prevent it. Never knowing what's happening to them or where they are." ... His eyes narrowed down at nothing. "Knowing if they were dead or alive."

"... You're right."

Tengen paused. Blinking. "What?" He looked at you arms falling to his sides. "What did you say?"

"I said-.. You're right." F/c eyes looked away guiltily from him. "You're right. I don't know what it's like to lose family, at least not in the way you did and Kyojuro did. ..My parents died when I was really young but there's a big difference between loosing someone to natural causes and loosing someone to someone's else's own selfish intentions. If my loved ones were kidnapped by someone and taken somewhere I could never get to-...I would have probably felt the same unbridled anger and fear you must've had." ...You looked up at him after he remained silent and found him staring at you with an absolutely shocked expression. "Um..Did I say something wrong?"

Tengen slowly shook his head no. "I-..N-No. it's not that. I-I-...Well to be perfectly honest with you I was actually waiting for you to start cursing me and tearing me apart with what happened to your life."

You blinked. "Oh. I guess they really did tell you everything about me huh?"

He nodded. "Yep. Completely everything. We're very honest with one another. I don't believe in keeping secrets from one another."

Oh gods. If they told him about the effects his actions had on your town and everyone's livelihoods- Then did that mean they literally told him about them kissing you?! And Kyojuro proposing?! And- Oh god. You hoped Kyojuro didn't tell him that-

"So.." A cheeky smirk crossed his face. Leaning closer to your reddening face. "Do all women have this magical power of medical kissing?~" 

"UUUUUUGGGHHH!!" You shouted into the open air making him burst into loud laughter as you raised your hands and loudly facepalmed. "FOR THE LAST TIME!  IT! WASN'T! A! KISS!! IT'S C! P! R! IT'S A MEDICAL TECHNIQUE EVERYONE IN MY TOWN WAS TAUGHT!"

"Ooh.~ A secret excuse for kissing your neighbors. How flashy.~"

Your madly blushing face snapped to him. "ONE MORE JOKE AND I'LL TURN YOU INTO FISH BAIT!!" 

"HAHAHAHAHA!!" His loud laugh and large smile made the seemingly narcissistic personality and the scary persona before that seemed non existent. Melting to a joyful painting that had tears forming at the corners of his eyes. "I wouldn't expect anything less! You certainly exceeded my expectations of you."

"Well..Who did you expect me to be?" You changed the topic feeling your face burning up. 

He shrugged still chuckling and shoulders shaking. "Well..I know I wasn't expecting an innocent angel, not with your attitude. But I also wasn't expecting you to literally agree with what I had done so easily."

"I don't agree with what you did." He blinked as you held up a hand. "Not fully. I said I understand why you did what you did and I can sympathize with everyone of you, but I can't forget the damage it caused everyone who wasn't responsible for what you all went through. I DON'T!!" You quickly held up a hand when he opened his mouth. "Blame you. I really don't. But I can say what you did didn't just affect me either."

.. Tengen slowly closed his mouth letting a sigh through his nose. "You-..Have that right, and I can't deny you're right. But you sound almost guilty."

You blinked surprised. "You can tell?"

"I have very good hearing. Sounds and tones tell me a lot. It's how I heard you leaving the house you were in." Ah. That explained the sudden appearance. "Is there a reason to that?"

"I-..*sigh* I dunno. I guess I feel guilty because I did kinda blame you for a lot of what happened for a while but-..I don't know." Your hand held your head again. "A lot of things have been complicated for a long time."

"I- Yeah. I know that feeling."

Silence followed. Nothing but the soft waves sloshing on the shore and a few seagulls cawing in the distance. 

"...So why did you follow me?" You peered at him from the corner of your eyes. "You said you followed me from that house."

He shrugged. "Curious about ya I guess. And if I'm being a bit honest, I wanted to be sure they weren't being tricked by anyone. No offense."

"With what you went through it's understandable. I'd do that to if I was you."

"There was another reason why I followed you though. Well two reasons really."

Oh? You turned raising a brow. "Really? And what are those reasons?"

"Well Firstly I wanted to see if you were ok or not. I was told you were fine by those girls-" Wait. Tengen knew Kanae and the others? "-but I had to see for myself. The second reason was to thank you."

"Huh? Thank me? For what?"

"Everything. You willingly put yourself in danger for someone who wasn't even the same species. Do you know how many humans would literally do that willingly? Humans are selfish creatures who-"  He paused as your brow rose higher. "Uh- *AHEM!* I mean the bad humans are selfish creatures."

"Nice save."

"I'm serious though. Every human I encountered would've never done something like that. So..Why did you get involved?"

You took a moment to pause. "..I don't really know. I guess it's because it was wrong? Maybe because I would've felt guilty if I didn't do anything? I don't know for sure but in the end it was the right choice wasn't it? I mean-" You gestured to him. "You're all back together and alright. That's what matters."

"Right, right. ...But what happened to you-"

"Wasn't your fault. Sure what you did had an effect on my life but none of this would've happened at all if those people didn't kidnap your wives. You were just trying to get them back. Maybe not the way I'd go about it but again I'm not you."

"Right. So is this the part where I apologize for everything or do humans do the whole emotional talking first?"

You snorted. A smile on your face before you turned to him again. "How about we both just forgive each other and call it even?"

He smiled wider. "Thank Posidon. I thought I'd have to spill every emotion I feel before we get here." You chuckled more. "Seriously however. I am grateful for what you did. Don't think I can repay you for that."

"Actually you can." His head tilted interested. "Don't sink anymore ships and we'll call it even. Alright?"

..Tengen smiled widely. "You got it. I don't think I have any more reason for that anyways."

Relief filled you. At least that was over with..You blinked at something the two of you hadn't noticed. Tengen blinked as you slowly got up and a hand gently grabbed the side of his face so gently. A second later a wet sleeve ran over the underside of his eyes. 

"You're crying. Here. You'll be fine now..Sorry if it's not dry. Water will do that to you."

He didn't say anything. Only staring wide eyed at nothing until you backed away from him..and a hand slowly touched his cheek where your hand had previously been.

"Now then." You placed your hands on your hips and looked around. You've been walking for at least an hour now and there was still no sign of where you first started out from. "Can you tell me how far it is back to the docks?" 

Tengen stared wide eyed at your form-

"Tengen."

"Huh? W-What?"

"I asked how much farther do I have to walk before I reach the docks again. I've been walking for at least an hour now."

He blinked again before looking confused. "Docks? You're not on the west coast anymore."

You stared at him. "...Beg pardon?"

"You're in my territory. This island here." A hand patted the rock you both stood on. "This is mine. So are the other two islands off the coast and the coast I claimed during my skirmish there."

You stared at him wide eyed. "Wait..Are you saying that Im actually stuck on a deserted island?"

"It's not deserted! Everyone's mates live up in the house there. That's why you were brought here. It has everything you need to stay."

You continued to stare at him. "...WHAT?!"

[gayofthefae]

It isn't just about proof of behavior or anything, set that aside.

It's about how once you even just experiment with viewing Mike as a love interest to Will - not even having feelings for him, just "his eventual/endgame love interest" - he hits every romantic trope. Everything he does, in fact, is some sort of classic romantic trope in writing.

Something shouldn't be. The first thing I did to figure out if St@ncy was endgame was see if they had an overarching story - because it wasn't maintained through the seasons, I had to stretch a little bit and in the end, they didn't really. So with that example, any other pairing that isn't endgame - even canonically romantic, when placed into this test does fail.

Everything Mike does is able to be justified as motivated by romance or lending itself to romance. That should not be true.

I can prove Mike's queerness and feelings in the diagnostic-style: eliminating all other possible explanations to find only one that fits every data point.

But I can also format as the classic theory on universal truths, basing it on the simple absence of something from the world. "This is true because there is nothing that proves it wrong and there should be. The implication of a lack of disproof is proof."

Mike has feelings for Will because there's no other explanation. But Mike also has feelings for Will because I have rewatched this show repeatedly since believing so and a single scene should have not fit it by now.

Again, I have failed to justify other storylines before. I can't. This is not a testament to my ability to justify things. It should not have any structure or tropes at all, let alone classic romantic ones every time.

They wrote it like a love story and they never didn't. They didn't take breaks from writing it like a love story. They maintained the storyline the one occasion that they didn't, not doing so was the acknowledged storyline. They wrote it like a love story. It always comes back down to structure. Love Mike Wheeler all you want but he doesn't exist. You can insert anyone you want into their storyline - just like how people say if Will were a girl more people would get it - and it'll fit.

Jim loves Pam but she's with Roy. She thinks Roy is dead and they bond more as he supports her in that grief. Roy comes back but now she's distancing herself from Jim in a way she didn't before. He calls her out on it and she apologizes and he thinks they've made up, but after he and Roy both end up moving to the same place for a job opportunity, she does not keep in touch and when she visits them, he confronts her about it and she defends that she didn't keep in touch with him because they're just friends. Roy confronts her about not telling him she loves him in a long time to which she is unable to respond, so he agrees to a business trip far away from her. She thinks he might be in danger there, though, and she apologizes to Jim and they work together to go after him. She does not know why she can't tell him she loves him and says she thinks this is the end of their relationship. She also expresses that she's scared she's not good enough for him to stay in her life, so Jim tells her how much he loves her, saying it's Roy's words. When they get there, Roy is dying and feeling too low to fight for his life because he thinks she doesn't love him (we're stretching the genre here, I'm doing my best). Jim reminds her that he needs her and she is able to help, so she tells him she loves him. Jim is heartbroken but understands, he didn't want Roy to die either. After they get back and Roy is safe, Pam is spending more time with Jim than Roy.

Transferring the story to a sitcom maybe wasn't the easiest call, but you get it, right? That makes sense. It plays like a love triangle, and that final leg of her spending more time with him than her partner raises eyebrows to still having feelings for him from when they bonded while he was out of the picture. Maybe you don't know how it'll end, but it doesn't play like a friendship. It plays like a love triangle.

[lacunammmm]

Hi,I loved your post about dabi and while I do think he is the better one in LoV in terms of writing (especially in regards his backstory, I'm sorry but the whole "the entire Shimuras died and no one mentions ever" is so...bizarre and bad written to me) and while yes, I have respond on the post. I want to do a more in depth thing.

1) I think LoV are a bunch of hypocrite idiots. I'm not saying this as a hater but as an objective point of view. Shig is a stupid leader and has failed 2 times and one of those times, the mission was to kidnap a person to join his ragtags of losers...without any prior knowledge of said person.

2) Dabi was doing what once he was free from the creepy hospital? Bc that is a plot hole for me. Could he have survived on his own? I mean, maybe not impossible but he WAS a rich kid so...I find a bit hard that Mr. Rich kid suddenly gets street knowledge to know how to survive

3) ok say someone took dabi in and said person vanish for whatever reason. What dabi was doing then? If his plain is homicide -suicide, why he needs LoV? Make the statement you are Toya, and kill your father with a bang. I'm sorry I just can't see any reason for dabi to be in LoV or for why Shig puts up with him (Dabi, Mr. Iconic, calls him ugly to his face and tried to kill him granted shig tried too)

4) LoV's goals make no sense. Say they genuinely want to expose bad heroes, ok. Why join a group lead by a man that says "I will destroy everything"? Shig invaded a school. Not asking for the LoV to be cinnamon rolls but like ...they should think at least twice about that. "They are villains, they don't care about kids" ok, fair enough. Then they should care about how Shig let his teammates eat dust TWO TIMES

5) Shig has no feasible plan for "destroy all" which is fucking ironic (and show how he is stupid) bc he has decay. No,.srsly. if his goal was destroy everything...the way is to use his damn quirk. "Decay has a long range" ok, let's go with that, let's pretend decay couldn't have decay UA with, let's pretend shig in the first seasons couldn't decay UA in seconds...why he couldn't train? (I've noticed this a lot but many people in that universe take their quirks for granted and are so uninterested in learning more. "Oh I can fly x speed, ok no further asks")

6) "he was traumatized" if shig was so traumatized bc of his quirk...he wouldn't be able to use the quirk on overhaul. Which as much fandom hates him...overhaul is still human and Shig decay a part of his body...that should have trigger him, but it didn't. In fact, he never mentioned that.

7) Toga is not a innocent kid and I'm tired the fandom giving her excuses. "Her parents are evil abusers" i don't think they were just unequipped to handle toga who shows dangerous tendencies, killing an animal and drinking it's blood. "She needs blood or else she would die" if that was the case, she would need to have in her a blood bag, but she doesn't. She would attack LoV to drink their blood...she doesn't. Toga either killed or canalized the boy from her school. And I do like her ambiguity. I don't like her being cuddle (hate togaocha) she is hypocrite, she wants to live in a world where she faces no consequences (again, why the fuck she is following a man who wants to destroy all? She likes cute stuff right? Well, shig for sure have destroyed shops that sells cute stuff "bit shig promised he wouldn't destroy things his allies like" and are we really meant to believe in shig? If so, he already destroy a huge chunk of the city and the mall)

8) Spinner sucks, people can rewrite him and such but I hate him. Blaming Izu who sacrifice everything to save shig's ungrateful ass? Get out here. Also when spinner became so "wow shig is so cool"? I think, in my humble opinion, the shift became thanks to MVA. Where shig got a quirk awakening and looks cool. Spinner who has no identity and can only cosplay as others, found that cool. And sorry, I'm not sold on the friendship. There a panel where Shig looks so annoyed at the spinner where Spinner is yapping about god knows what.

9) afo. Ok yeah I don't think he ever want shig to replace him, that is obvious. But his plan was to get on Shig's body? But at the same time, it feels he gives no fucks about Shig. I genuinely think he gave LoV as a means for Shig to fail. To me, afo is the mean girl who laughs and bullies you, in this case, shig.

10) the nomus. I'm shocked no one in the heroes side is ever worried about those monstrosities. They exist, they defeated and move on...like, how you hide those things? No one makes questions. Naomasa found nothing on shig (i get as the name is fake) but it gave the impression everyone gave a shody work "let's Google his name" and that's it.

Hori doesn't like his villains, he doesn't like most of the heroes either. Its BK or endy.

Izu?

Hori: ewww Izu.

(the same goes for dabi bc love or hate him, this character is born to suffer. His backstory is so tragic, so awful and...he accomplished nothing. Just a piece to make his abuser looking good)

Shigaraki was always a joke. The story just gaslit you into thinking he was growing. In truth, his "growth" is actually just him gaining the level of intelligence almost the same as the average person. This absolute loser was handed a 76 man villain army, a nomu with the power of All Might, and Kurogiri, a man able to warp you anywhere you want as long as you've got some coordinates.

And he failed completely and utterly against a bunch of 15-16 year olds. In fact, his men were so pathetic not a single one of them could actually defeat any of these children. Only the nomu was dangerous, and of course it loses to All Might and Shigaraki proceeds to completely waste it by not even bothering to try and retrieve it.

The Symbol Of Anti Peace, ladies and gentlemen. Millions of dollars likely went into forming this dude. We know he took YEARS to be ready because he's seen in Vigilantes. And Shigaraki uses him in one fight and can't even be bothered to TRY to retrieve him. You know, the cops had this guy. He wasn't being kept in tartarus. All it would have taken was Shigaraki fighting his way to the intercom of the police station and then ordering Nomu to level the place. Once he hears Tomura, he'd activate and go on a murderous rampage.

But no, this loser just…let's the cops keep him and the USJ nomu is never seen again.

With respect to his quirk, Shigaraki could conceivably have done a terror attack every single day. His Decay quirk, at the time, just required he place five fingers on something and it would be destroyed.

So, at odd hours of the morning, he could have had Kurogiri open portals just big enough for his hands to fit through, and then he'd touch government buildings, the walls of police stations, and so on. Even if he doesn't destroy all of a building, he could still inflict millions, if not billions of dollars in damages on a daily basis with very little chances of being caught.

But Tomura is braindead and pathetic because he exists to scale to the hero kids. The author had to give them an opponent who wouldn't hurt them too badly since the main characters are his darlings and he can't bear the idea of real stakes or consequences. He squanders his advantages time and time again. Anyone reading this could be a better villain than Tomura.

Just to iron in how screwed the hero kids logically should have been at the USJ:

Kurogiri revealed that they had plotted to have the Nomu hold All Might still, so Kurogiri could open and close a portal on All Might's body and kill him. So, essentially what he's saying is that he could shred to pieces or cut apart anyone who enters one of his portals. So, Kurogiri's quirk is a one hit kill if he decides it is.

What was stopping him from just shredding all of the children apart instead of ineffectually scattering them across the USJ so the bumbling idiots they brought with them could fail to score a single fatality? Kurogiri had everyone's lives in his hands.

And two, at any point Tomura could have just ordered the Nomu to kill everyone, and All Might would have arrived to just the corpses of his comrades. Literally all he had to do was say three words. "Nomu, kill them." And we don't have a main cast. The story becomes about All Might, Aoyama and Endeavor from then on after the student massacre.

In retrospect, all of the elements of the final war arc was present from the beginning. The villains who should logically be overpowered but don't apply themselves. The hero plot armor. The author's refusal to seriously harm or kill anyone the audience could ever dream of giving a fuck about. It's a shame we just couldn't see it.

I call this the "Toga Problem."

I ask you: How did Toga, a schoolgirl who had no combat training, zero apparent muscle mass, who has never been in a fight, and whose quirk offers doesn't actually offer benefits in terms of boosting her physical stats, gain the strength and skill to be an experienced serial killer and also do things like reverse Aizawa's binding cloth and stab him to escape from him? How did she defeat Rock Lock in single combat? Even with an ambush, that's still not an easy feat.

Who trained her? What was her life like? Did she live on the streets? Did she couch hop? Did she date various people, fall deeply in love with them, live with them, then eventually kill them and drink their blood before moving on to another victim?

We know the timeline. She snapped from being deprived blood and had an accident with a kid….????….and then we come across her as a fully realized serial killer who has zero shame, guilt or remorse for anything she does.

Dabi has the same issue. What happened to Touya after he ran away from the Todoroki household that led to him becoming Dabi?

The author had zero interest in explaining any of it. It, personally, was one of my most anticipated mysteries, Toga's connective tissue as you will. But we're not gonna learn that, so oh well.

If the League didn't have Dabi acting as the albatross around their necks, they might actually succeed for once. The author couldn't have had that. Dabi is another means the author uses to nerf the League. As for what he was planning to do? Nothing.

It's my agenda that Dabi is a bum who can't do anything right, but it's canonically true, which is why it's funny. We're to believe that without all of these things falling into his lap, Dabi probably wouldn't have ever done anything.

The dude had no criminal record and he only listed burning those random guys as his crime. If he'd been a murderer or a villain before then, he'd have certainly listed all of that to make his street cred greater for the Touya reveal. But he didn't say anything about that.

So I guess Dabi had a job at 7-11 stocking shelves and unloading boxes from the truck. He was content with his life until he sensed his calling was near: he had to go find a group to be a failure with.

It was luck that he happened to have Skeptic so he could film his video and release it.

Not that the narrative even LET Dabi have a win there. It turns out no one in this society gives a shit about buying women to breed them for their quirks, domestic abuse, or running a eugenics program.

None of our supposed good guy characters even discussed the elephant in the room of everyone still working with, rooting for, and supporting this monster, Enji.

Well, Enji is the author's darling, so he can't be criticized too badly. So our characters we're supposed to like basically condone his awful behavior because they say nothing against it.

I'd have even accepted it if they all shunned him entirely with the exception of using his power for the war. That's at least something. As would be Naomasa cuffing the dude after the war is over.

But even in the future, Endeavor is remembered as one of the greatest heroes of all time. But in the same breath, Shoto had to work hard for years to step outside of the shadow of Endeavor's history and controversy.

So which is it? The author has his cake and eats it too. Why do people applaud this man who would go out and arrest hundreds of people so he could make loads of money, fame, and rise in the hero rankings, and then come home and terrorize his family?

L. O. L. Dabi stays losing. The author must really hate this dude.

Apparently consequences just don't exist for heroes. If you're a hero and you do a crime, the hero team will ignore it because you said sorry. And those pesky criminal charges? Nah. Don't worry about them.

You wanna know something hilarious? Nagant has probably killed more heroes than both Dabi and Tomura combined, but Deku beat Tomura to death and told him he'd never forgive him.

The LOV members ceased to be actual characters after the arc they were introduced in. They're mainly Tomura's accessories except when the author wants them to do something. You know that "Tsundere aura" Bakugo's got that has everyone ignore his monstrous behavior and cruel actions, even when they'd normally have an issue with it if another character did it? Tomura's got a weaker version of that to keep his crew together, despite the fact that these people really ought to have abandoned him.

There was no plan. He just had a vague idea that he'd destroy society…and then he lucks into everything that would enable him to do it. Think about it. What happens with the League if they don't meet Overhaul, something Garaki and AFO didn't plan for? What happens if the MLA didn't care about them? Then they just spend a while fighting Gigantomachia to try and "tame" him and then…Garaki decides Tomura has proven himself enough to be upgraded to get the AFO quirk.

Beating Overhaul and forming the PLF were things that dropped into Tomura's lap as a result of people either seeking him out or attacking him first. Overhaul murdered Magne, so he wanted some revenge. The MLA kidnapped Giran, so Twice wanted to save the dude and Shigaraki is a ride or die homie, so he went too. And I'll go on a side tangent here.

The author added a trans character just to have her be the first character to die outside of a flashback? Really? Magne gets brutally murdered, misgendered, and is used as motivation for the League only for no one to give a single fuck about her or mention her again after that arc? Jeez, Midnight's fate was practically foretold to us here.

And then you know, the MLA decided to make a really smooth brained plan of messing with the League instead of doing a stealth takeover with their organization that gathered 100,000 meta liberation warriors in complete secrecy.

You know, that's more people than the Taliban has ever had in its existence. There's real life nations that are smaller than that. This is such an insane number that it's no wonder the author decided to nerf the fuck out of Tomura by taking all those minions away from him. This number of people all being willing to kill and die for their beliefs is implicit proof that hero society is rotten and broken beyond belief.

You don't have a terror group this large form for anything other than grievous issues. We get absolutely no closure with what happened to all those MLA people, by the way. THOUSANDS of these MFERS were taken down in the first and second wars, and they scored ONE known kill: Midnight, who was already weakened and had just survived a huge fall. Hey, remember when Enji fell from a distance greater than a skyscraper and got back up with just a cool scar to show for it? But Midnight gets killed by randoms. What a joke.

Why didn't ANY of the villains train? Quirks can do whatever the plot demands they do. We have examples of people like Shinso who can just train off a quirk's weaknesses or limitations, in that he explicitly was not capable of making people talk before while brainwashed, but just…trained really hard off screen and could do that.

And we've got people like Tetsutetsu who, while he didn't start off resistant to temperatures, just gained that ability from training.

Quirks don't really seem to have hard limits beyond the creativity of the user, and if the author likes you, he'll give you a quirk evolution to make you even more powerful. Just look at what Bakugo can do after his boosts!

I want to point out that Enji didn't realize he could use his quirk to fly until he watched Bakugo do it, meaning Hellflame likely has immense potential and numerous new techniques that the guy just didn't think to try. Despite believing he couldn't ever improve enough to beat All Might on his own and that he'd hit a wall of how strong he could be.

The villains are all equally untapped potential.

Shigaraki's upgrade was because the author wrote him into a dangerous situation and this would be how he'd get out of it. And it would also increase Shigaraki's threat rating in the face of Deku's upgrades. Then the author makes the decision to give him the AFO quirk instead of Tomura using his quirk that, without fail, can destroy anything that isn't air or water and the effect spreads to anything the Decay wave touches, and stuff touched by the Decay wave. The guy could have just driven to UA, unleashed the wave, and then drove back to his base the MLA provided and been fine.

You've talked about this before: he didn't need the AFO quirk. And he really, really didn't. The heroes didn't even know about his new power, so he could have wiped cities off the map at will.

Then the author writes this guy as if he forgot he could do this entirely unless the plot says he can. Think of how many of his later fight scenes he could have ended things entirely in if he'd just bothered to decay his victims. Endeavor and Deku being the most glaring examples. Hey, Tomura. Rather than pose on top of the guy and Ryuku (who entirely disappeared like a ghost after that. She didn't die, so where'd she go, Horikoshi?) how about you turn him to dust like you love to threaten people?

How about instead of turning Gran Torino into a donut (and of course he survives), you disintegrate him?

Rather than steal Danger Sense from him, he just taps Deku's forehead and spreads Decay during their final battle. Done. The hero is dead. The only person who realistically has any chance of opposing you is gone forever, and his quirk is gone with him. Shigaraki instead decides to be a moron and chase after the death curse quirk that his master JUST died pursuing. Which, of course, gets him killed. One For All is never worth chasing and All For One would have been better off had he just tracked down Bruce one day and gunned him down with a rifle, then left the body where it was after making sure he bled out.

Toga is a case of the author wanting to create a sometimes naked vampire yandere schoolgirl serial killer fetish character but then he decided to add nuance to her later. All the cracks you see in her character? It's because he added shit on later. And it shows. Toga expresses zero real regret. Zero remorse. And no hesitation in hurting people. The Toga we see for most of the series is an unrepentant monster.

Hero plot armor prevents her from killing more people when she really should have, but again it makes you question her supposed lack of restraint. Instead of killing Cammy and drinking her dry when she stole her looks to infiltrate the exam, Toga left her alive. She also held Tsuyu and Uraraka's lives in the palm of her hand but decided not to kill them at the summer camp.

With MHA you have to accept that people are simply able to do whatever the plot demands they need to do, and they behave however the plot wants them to.

With respect to Toga's backstory, it was a tried and tested method of getting sympathy for a character by giving them abusive and neglectful parents. The author used this multiple times, Hawks being a mention from the previous arc.

But all this did was raise more questions than it answers.

And boy are the answers to those questions uncomfortable!

Okay. So, according to the Toga backstory, urges like Toga's are a natural part of having a strong quirk. And, systematically, society teaches people to be "normal" via repression.

Wow. So the previous arc had Muscular present himself as irredeemable and that he likes to kill for Fun. Deku decides to give up on the guy after barely talking to him and takes him down.

Is Muscular one of these people? Does he kill people because his quirk makes him do it? What about Moonfish? We assumed he was just a crazy guy with an obsession for cannibalism. Is that forced upon him by his quirk? This concept was introduced way too late into the manga and it was pointless anyways since the author just killed Toga off.

Why bother trying to make us care about her if the end result is that she just kills herself so she doesn't go to jail?

But back to her parents, they're not even characters. They don't even get names or faces. I assume this was done to make it seem as if they're the generic MHA citizen. So, Toga's parents are how typical people would react to a kid like Toga. You'll notice Hawks' parents both got names and faces. I assume this is what the author was going for.

It's too bad we don't actually have much of a civilian point of view in this story, and Toga was the only example of this phenomenon we follow, so we don't get to see if this was her parents terribly overreacting or if this really is something any of these people would do.

If Spinner hadn't done it, then Izuku wouldn't have gotten any real criticism for failing to save Shigarki. Because he didn't even have the courage to admit he wanted to do that out loud, and he took the first out he was given when Gran Torino told him that killing is another way to save people. No one knew what Izuku was thinking besides the remnants in his quirk. By meeting a friend of Tomura's and delivering his final words, Izuku faces some recrimination.

I like Spinner for the fact that's a radicalized young man who faced discrimination and decided to lash out. He, Toga, and Dabi really show that this society created its own monsters here.

It's just that Spinner is such a nothing character who barely does anything that he falls by the wayside. What fights does this dude get? It's a battle manga and MHA's fights are garbage to begin with, but the fact that his quirk also sucks doesn't help much. He certainly doesn't train himself to be anywhere near as powerful as Stain is. He doesn't do any killing of false heroes or enforcing Stain's will.

He ends as a follower who only survived because the author needed someone to speak to Deku because the author backtracked on letting the villains live.

I want to say that I've NEVER seen a shonen MC who is both as privileged and treated as terribly as Izuku is. The guy gets infinite free handouts, loads of plot armor, and all of his victories are spoon fed to him. He didn't even have to come up with the plan that killed Shigaraki and All For One, his ghosts did it for him.

But the narrative also treats him like a piece of shit, most of the people in his story don't like him, don't acknowledge him, and he barely has any close relationships to the point where Deku vs 1-A was more like a couple of his friends and a bunch of his acquaintances yelling platitudes at him. And then he fails at the goal he set out to do. It would be like if Naruto killed Sasuke and went back on his word after making the fact that he doesn't break promises or go back on his word his entire character.

Some people say that the lesson Deku was meant to learn was that you can't save everyone. What an utterly cynical way to end your manga where everyone has plot armor and can literally will their desires into being. Deku, Eri, Bakugo, and All Might can defy fate, and avoid their destined demises, but apparently saving the bad guy he said he was gonna save was too much.

All For One is a completely incomprehensible character and I don't even pretend to understand him. The big reveal that Decay was just a modified version of Overhaul, because apparently you can just DO THAT (no, the author will NOT elaborate further) means this MFER was sitting on the Overhaul quirk this whole time. Or at the very least had a copy of it ever since he plotted to turn Tenko to he dark side, after arranging the kid's conception.

So he just decides not to use the quirk that would let him effortlessly fix his body. Or even if he somehow couldn't, he could just merge himself with other people who have healthy organs and steal their shit. Apparently the Overhaul quirk enables you to turn yourself into a chimera of you and another person or more, as well as merge yourself into inorganic things and control them, with no chance of rejection. He wouldn't even need to steal One For All using All For One. He could just blow Izuku/All Might up into molecules, then rearrange their bodies into large, fleshy orbs that have no mouths, eyes, or limbs.

He could then graft this orb into his own body and keep it alive by connecting it to his nervous system and then use their quirk for himself.

If the plan was always for Tomura to be possessed by All For One, why even wait to give him the AFO quirk? He could have done that back at the time Izuku received OFA. The process would require Tomura to use All For One's quirk so the remnant inside of the AFO quirk could get a foothold and then possess him.

Alright, so far so good. But, this process would be completed if All For One put his quirk factor into Shigaraki. So, why wait?

Obviously, we don't have a show if AFO skips sending Tomura to the USJ and instead he just tells Shigaraki that he's going to upgrade him so he can level up and become the boss he always dreamed of being.

Izuku would have a pleasant school year and months of zero League activity, not even knowing they were a threat, before getting jumped, his quirk jacked, and then killed by "Tomura Shigaraki."

There's no point in having Tomura "learn lessons." If he exists so you can steal his body. If he was raised and groomed for the purposes of his strong will, and his endless hatred, he possessed ALL of that from when we first saw him! Everything that happened with Tomura acting as his own person was totally pointless for the purposes of AFO's plans.

But again, I don't even pretend to understand this loser.

If he wanted OFA so badly, why the hell did he let All Might escape? He killed Nana Shimura and he knew Toshinori fled with Torino. But, Toshinori didn't even change his name, and we know AFO has "friends" across the globe. What was stopping him from just showing up in America at Toshinori's apartment? He'd still be a weak 17 year old. Nothing compared to who he'd be later. AFO even showed, with the whole Tenko situation, that he's got quirks that can completely alter how he looks. Toshinori could talk to the guy daily and not even know he's really AFO.

Naturally, the answer is "so we have a TV show to watch." It's not satisfying.

The All For One we get after the Kamino arc is an absolute garbage character.

This is part of the issue with The League going from being a bunch of people with different goals and mindsets, to being Shigaraki's squad who don't really question anything and go along with his goals.

The nature of Nomu is absolutely horrific, but the League members complaining would complicate the story, so they don't. They just don't care.

Each of these required the deaths of at least two people. 1 to act as the base body, and more if there's quirks stuffed in it. AFO isn't exactly known for his mercy, so he likely has been murdering people for years, disposing of them, and then moving on with stolen quirks. Why else would he need powers to erase his presence and also alter his blood type to make him undetectable and trackable?

So the League has access to a bunch of zombie quirk soldiers and…it's nothing to them.

The time to humanize these characters was early on, rather than later. The time to give them some degree of morality or something resembling a code or sense of honor was early. The author waited too late to do it so it fell flat.

[mdhwrites]

You've said before how you feel about Luz abandoning the Isles when they needed her because she refused to try and fix it. I think it's said that she genuinely believed she would only make things worse so she thought she needed to take herself out of the way? Are my memories faulty?

Okay so I'm going to start with a scenario to make my point clear because you're not wrong... But you also are.

Let's say you're assigned two partners for a science project. You decide the best way to split the work up evenly is to have one person do the research, one person to write up the conclusions and one person to do a lot of math for the calculations you'll need. You each state your strengths with one saying writing, one saying research and the last saying, "I like math."

However, a week passes and you are struggling to finish any it because you've gotten none of those calculations for it back. When you push, the person goes, "Well sure, I like math but I suck at it. As such, my calculations would have been wrong. That would have caused you all problems so I decided the thing that made the most sense would be not to do anything at all." The project still needs to be done though and the majority of the work has been done for them. As such, now you and the second person have to work your ass off to do what your third member cannot while they contribute nothing but they promise they feel really bad about it and they're okay taking a C if this ends up making the project fail, even though their actions would have gotten them an F on their own.

Luz likes to make decisions. She essentially never consults ANYONE on what she should do and half the time someone tells her, "Don't do X," she goes ahead and does it. This also constantly gets other people in trouble and gets her in trouble because she is really bad at making decisions. And yes, with helping Belos free the Collector, she admits that she made a terrible mistake and that she makes a lot of mistakes. Her literal statement on this is that she'll finally listen to her mom and learn from her mistakes by staying in the Human Realm. Permanently.

Do you potentially notice a problem here though? Yeah, my thoughts have NEVER stopped at "Luz left a planet to die because she wanted to stay home." No. I always do mention that she claims part of her reasoning is because she makes stupid, rash decisions on her own that hurt others but then she goes ahead and makes a stupid, albeit with implied a LOT of thought, decision ON HER OWN that will hurt people.

Do you know a great way to avoid making a mistake? Asking someone else if it's the right choice to make. Or hey, just decide you don't need to lead anymore. If your decisions are the problem then let someone else make the decisions. But... Then Luz doesn't get to do the fun thing she likes to do. She actually has to listen to other people and maybe do things that aren't her number one option because her first choice would get people hurt. That isn't what Luz wants. Luz doesn't want to actually grow or learn or get scolded for her mistakes. Otherwise, she wouldn't CONSTANTLY LIE ABOUT EVERYTHING.

So instead... Why not just let them suffer the consequences while she stays home and lives in peace, her problems in a far off fantasy realm that she never has to think about again? People always like to say she's giving up so much but what is she actually giving up? The fantasy world? You mean the one that's currently ravaged by a child god and has a populace that she assumes will hate her? Yeah, that's hardly something to give up. The chance at friends? Too bad Thanks to Them shows people who are very interested in being her friend and also Yesterday's Lie showed there are people like Luz who would probably be willing to be her friend. What is Luz sacrificing by deciding to just sit at home with her loving mom and live a normal life?

So why grow? Why learn? Why try to do better? When you can do nothing. That's what Luz wants to do. She wants to just stay home and do nothing, even as that means condemning an entire world, bare minimum at least a continent, which includes her found family and friends, to death. Her claims of trying to do better are nothing but excuses so she can have a clear conscious as she allows thousands upon thousands to be enslaved and tortured.

So yes, she SAYS that she is doing this because she doesn't want to make things worse. The problem is that there are plenty of ways for her to still have even attempted to help without having to make the decisions she's afraid to make worse but those options would require more work and require her not to be the star. And none of this, even if this is the most expanded version of this point, is missing from those past blogs because they also talk about how she claims to have a problem making decisions and yet still makes this choice entirely on her own.

Because she isn't learning. She's just deciding that some broken puppets are a small price to pay to keep getting to do whatever she wants. It is an excuse, end of story. See you next tale.

======+++++======

Sorry for so many blogs about this. It's admittedly to me a very important point because it's the moment Lumity dies. It's the moment that Luz's character can never recover. It's the moment when the TOH fandom became genuinely horrifying when it comes to mental health as THANK GOD no one has tried to refute this with "She has depression" because yes, that will get you blocked if you try to tell me that. I am disabled by depression and I understand lives still matter. I understand I'm not supposed to lie, CONSTANTLY. I understand basic ass morality, unlike Luz. And in this moment, there's no turning back for her, let alone after For the Future when she doubles down on how selfish her desires are.

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[navstuffs]

No Ordinary Love

Pairing: Leon x SuccubusFemale!Reader

Summary: Leon Kennedy is addicted to you.

Warnings: songfic, SMUT, touch-starved leon, needy!leon, reader does feed on him

Author's Notes: hello! this fanfic is so important to me due to the song that inspired me to write: No Ordinary Love by Sade. if you don't know Sade, please go and listen to her. it was super hard to edit this fanfic cause the song is so freaking good and i kept getting distracted. anyway, reader is a succubus, but she might not be a "proper" succubus, i will adapt for my writing needs. this fanfic might have a prequel (how they met, after re2 events) and a sequel, so we shall see. i hope you enjoy!

leon's masterlist

"I gave you all the love I got I gave you more than I could give Gave you love"

It is late when Leon Kennedy knocks on the familiar door after just landing from Spain. He is exhausted, with images of the last days tormenting his head. Ada. Ashley. Luis's death. As a loop, he sees their faces over and over again. He shakes his head, trying to focus on the door before him and the person who will open it. Some part of him knows he shouldn't be there, something deep inside his soul is telling him to leave, he doesn't deserve you, but when the door flies open, all thoughts inside his head disappear.

Everything else disappears around him.

There is no more Ada. No more Ashley, Luis, or even Leon S. Kennedy. Only you.

"I gave you all that I have inside And you took my love You took my love(...)"

You wear an oversized black shirt that goes just above your knees. Your beauty always seems to leave him breathless because no one should look this stunning. It is unfair. Leon forgets how to speak and how to act. He is just a rookie all over again. The hopeless rookie who met you years ago, desperate for some comfort, any comfort after Racoon City. Only you matter right now. Shit, he hasn't realized how much he missed you. Your touch. Your kisses. Your warmth. 

"Do you know what time it is, Kennedy?" You yawn, crossing your arms. Understandable, he woke you up in the middle of the night. You had all the right to be angry if you wanted; Leon feels like shit about it, though he couldn't wait until the morning to see you.

"Yes. May I come in?" His voice way is softer than his usual tone, but again, he is different when it comes to you. He is not the same person around you.

Your eyebrows arch, surprised, and Leon notices your nipples harden against your shirt. Perfect.

"I don't know. Can you?"

"When you came my way You brightened every day With your sweet smile(...)"

Please, let me in. Please, Leon begs mentally, and you smirk as if listening to his silent pleas. As if you could read his mind, knowing precisely how much he needs you.

"Please?" Leon murmurs, looking at your bare feet, not believing how fragile his voice sounds.

Not after all those things he had killed or everything he had gone through, he would still be clay in your hands. It didn't matter how many times he saved the world or how many he killed, you would still be the one who put Leon on his knees, this invisible force pulling him for you. 

Leon doesn't know what would happen to him if you deny him. He might die as a thirsty man who got close to the oasis but failed to drink the water. Or got so close to the sun and burned himself before touching it. All those thoughts rush through his mind before your feet finally, finally give him passage, and Leon thanks mentally for your benevolence.

Leon starts walking into your house before you stop him, hands on his chest. You stare at his expression for a second, and Leon's heart beats so fast that he finally feels like living again.

"You don't look well. Was it hard this time?"

Leon's mind flashes with everything that happened to him in the last couple of days. He doesn't have to say anything: you know Leon better than anyone. You nod as if reading his mind again, closing the door.

"I will take care of you. Come."

"Didn't I give you All that I've got to give, baby(...)"

Leon's mind drifts away. He would lie if he said he didn't like the taste you left on his body, his heart, on his soul. You were like a drug, the strongest he had ever tasted. 

"Leon."

Oh, how much he missed your moans. Your desperate sobs of his name as he pushed his cock inside of you, as a madman. There is nothing, nothing in this world that would separate you from him. 

"Leon."

"I keep trying for you There's nothing like you and I, baby(...)"

He doesn't know what happens when he is inside of you, a feeling he can't describe. It is different from everything he tried before: you delight him. You keep him there while you take away the pain, sadness, and anything he had inside. You amplify all his senses as you empty them. He watches as your boobs bounce and your eyes light with a strange glow, but he doesn't care. Leon only cares about being yours.  

He moans a lot, too: he begs. Begs for you not to leave him, begs you to stay with him forever, and implores you to love him. Tells you there is no else for him, except for you.

Leon can feel you are close, and he trembles under your power, trying to match your thrusts. All he can focus on is how tight you are squeezing him now, how delicious you look on top of him, how much he loves being yours, being loved by you.

"This is no ordinary love No ordinary love"

When Leon cums, his vision gets hazy. He holds your ass down rougher than he would want, so you don't move. He likes to feel his seed inside you, his eyes rolling to his head.

Leon Kennedy ceases to exist to exist again only because of you.

When you fall to his side, Leon can't move. He never moves after cumming inside of you, that feeling of you squeezing tight, taking all that he has. Leon feels your gentle hand taking his hair from his sweaty face, kissing his lips, and savoring it. He moans in your mouth, grabbing your hips with the bit of strength he still has. 

"Feeling better, Leon?" 

Leon nods, his big blue eyes begging him not to leave you. To stay with him forever. He is more exhausted than when he arrived, but he is grateful. You smile compassionately, the strange glow in your eyes slowly disappearing, laying your head on his chest. 

"I lo-"

"Shhh, Leon. You have to rest now. Everything will be okay in the morning. Sleep, my love."

As a command, you watch Leon Kennedy sink into darkness. You sigh, listening to his heartbeats, the sensation of satisfaction and fullness in your veins not enough to dismiss the tiny feeling of worry you had before. Or the happiness when you saw him. Or the feeling that he belongs to you and only you. There were too small to consider but not small enough to ignore. You shake your head and find yourself foolish as you make circles on Leon's chest. Now, after all the years, was not the time to get sentimentalist. You fall asleep, ignoring the sensation of comfort of being in Leon's arms.

"Keep trying for you Keep crying for you Keep lying for you Keep flying and I'm falling

And I'm falling"

[bi-chimneyhan]

wow i feel lied to abt that episode being great :/

like. okay, the acting was great bc it usually is outside of a few cast members who are sometimes stiff as hell. karen and tommy coming in to help save the day was great and fun. and i genuniely dont care that eddie was missing: hes not gonna be in every ep and i think they can do a lot with feeling responsible because "i wasn't there" and being torn between caring about the 118 and knowing that he wasn't there because he was finally doing what he NEEDED to do and put his son first. i think that could be impactful if written well!

but like. literally what the fuck was that???

not even the bobby of it all, although i don't feel like this death was genuinely earned considering the tim "the audience was too comfy so i shook things up!!!" minear of it all and the fact he had to spend fifteen minutes convincing aisha that he wasn't joking because literally everyone thought he was joking (imo a sign that Maybe he should have thought a bit harder about pulling a death out like this--i'm not mad that bobby died, i'm mad that they did it like this).

but like... this season has genuinely been weird as fuck when it comes to mental health and whatnot. i'm sure there's better posts out there that touch on the fact that bobby was suicidal as recent as last season and how shitty it feels to be like "the depressed guy with alcoholism issues has found reason to live!!! and now he dies :)" when im p sure other shows have pulled the same "depressed character found purpose only to die immediately anyway" (ive never watched the magicians but ik ive seen ppl mention quentin) and had ppl pissed off for that.

but thats not even the only instance lately? we had the shitty DID representation a few episodes ago that further perpetuates harmful ideas about ppl with DID. we had maddie ignoring her own damn postpartum depression with "im not the only woman who has dealt with it before lmao!!" when chimney is rightfully worried about having another kid considering he almost lost HER last time. and im just supposed to accept "well im already pregnant sooo :)" even tho we literally saw maddie try to drown herself a few seasons ago

also idk man we're still in a pandemic and we're living in increasingly stressful times considering (gestures toward the U.S. alone, let alone the rest of the world rn) so it just feels particularly shitty to be like "the audience is too comfy, time to kill a main!" when people view this as a comfort show for a reason and genuinely enjoyed the fact they didn't have to worry about the show deciding to just kill a main out of nowhere.

ive seen ppl saying they might not watch the show anymore, either after this ep or after this season is over, and im honestly with them. the writing quality this season seems to constantly be flipflopping between "genuinely really fucking good episode" to "... who wrote this shit? hello???"

also: what the fuck am i supposed to think about athena losing her first love, later divorcing michael (for legit reasons tbf), and then losing her second chance TOO???? why the fuck doesn't SHE get to be happy? angela already said something about how she doesn't think athena will date anymore and i'm like. why does SHE have to be the one who dies without her love? it just fucking sucks to think about the fact that she'll be alone again when it comes to romance. obviously u CAN live a life without it but like... why does it have to be athena? hasn't she been through enough??? jfc