#spy superb

[coolcomicbookcovers]

[towritecomicsonherarms]

Spy Superb #1

[biglisbonnews]

"Spy Superb" is a fun new comic about the best and worst spy in the world Spy thrillers are funny things. As a life-long fan of genre fiction, I've always had a soft spot for a good espionage thriller. But as an adult and a journalist who has much greater understanding of the real-life intelligence community, I find myself becoming increasingly aware of where and how I have to suspend my disbelief with these stories. — Read the rest https://boingboing.net/2023/01/18/spy-superb-is-a-fun-new-comic-about-the-best-and-worst-spy-in-the-world.html

[smashpages]

Out this week: Spy Superb (Dark Horse, $39.99):

Matt Kindt’s humorous story about a different sort of secret agent — one who doesn’t even know they’re a spy — gets the deluxe hardcover treatment from Dark Horse. This collection of the three-issue miniseries includes brand new cover art with gold embossed foil, a ribbon marker and a kraft paper-like dustjacket that “hides the book in plain sight.”

See what else is arriving in comic shops this week.

[graphicpolicy]

Spy Superb #3 leaves us wanting more

Spy Superb #3 leaves us wanting more. Please... #comics #comicbooks #ncbd

For three issues, Spy Superb has delivered fantastic action comedy. And now that Spy Superb #3 is here, I’m left wanting more of it. The concept is rather simple, Jay is the perfect spy. A spy so perfect he doesn’t even realize he is a spy and that he’s on a mission. Jay is a useful idiot. And now he’s on the run being hunted and protected by spies who know what they’re doing. Matt Kindt…

[thekenobee]

*finishes reading "Fortune of War" minutes before she needs to leave the house in order to catch a train*

That's some fine craftsmanship

[marsreds]

congrats to spy x family for concluding one of the best most honest antiwar arcs in what is already a fucking superb antiwar story overall.

i feel like the complete absence of assassins or spies or psychics really helps to drive the point home? bc yor drop kicking a truck or loyd having a suitcase of faces or whatever crazy they're into at that point is great! it's really great!!

but it's bells and whistles to the story. the hook to reel you in.

or something

[blitheringmcgonagall]

Reggie I-put-a-collage-of-Voldy-info-on-my-bedroom-wall-like-a-complete-fanboy-nerd-and-my-parents-love-me-because-I-do-what-they-want-unlike-my-older-disaster-brother?

From HP Wiki: Regulus had photos and articles about the Dark Lord and his followers cut from the Daily Prophet, which were hung in his bedroom near a painting of his family crest. Regulus received his Dark Mark around the age of sixteen, which his family approved of as Voldemort was seen as striving to achieve pure-blood supremacy over other wizards and Muggles. Even though his parents were never Death Eaters themselves, they agreed with many of Lord Voldemort's own beliefs.

Kreacher says of him “For years he talked of the Dark Lord, who was going to bring the wizards out of hiding to rule the Muggles and the Muggle-borns... and when he was sixteen years old, Master Regulus joined the Dark Lord.”

He wanted to uphold Wix tradition. Make his family proud.

A marauder? Aka definition is one who roams from place to place making attacks and raids in search of plunder? Troublemakers? The group known for being trouble makers, impulsive idiots, and creating havoc in Hogwarts (well, aside from Remus who got away with it all lol!) ? Who spent countless hours in detention and didn’t get appointed as Prefects (Peter too, only Remus was the good boy and “got the badge”!)

He was not a marauder. No way, sorry.

He was a “keep my head down, keep out of trouble, get good marks, and get onto the Slytherin Quidditch team” sort of a guy.

Oh. And a “join the Death Eaters full time as soon as I leave school, while I’m at it” type.

(He was also a “fuck. I made a mistake, big mistake. Why did I believe the lies my family taught me? Sirius was right after all. But I will never tell him that. I will suss out what Voldy is up to and foil him in secret and not tell anyone” sort of a bloke, but that was later…)

Peter was the marauder though, getting into trouble and not really minding once he was with his friends. He strikes me as someone who had the biggest FOMO ever ! Even FOMO detention 😂. Sure he turned into a dirty lying rat later. But not in school…

i do like regulus and enjoy various ships and friendships with him in. but pls. he is not a marauder. pls don't replace peter with him. i mean i think i liked it more when people just left him out rather than replacing him with regulus. like sure, you can make him friends with them if you really want, but don't just blur peter out and slot regulus in there. peter deserves better <3 like sure peter did dumb shit he shouldn't have but so did regulus alright? and peter is actually a marauder, not regulus. sirius, james, and remus are actually making grabby hands to peter because they want him back and regulus has left them to go read about true crime. like,, honestly cannot imagine regulus even playing a prank. he'd hate that kinda stuff. whilst peter lives for it,, cause he's literally a marauder. y'know at this point i'm just gonna shove peter and regulus together and make them snog and make up.

[biolumien]

Might I say that the Hoshina x Painter! reader was a brush stroke of genius. It's superb so if its possible, I'd like to request a part two?

Maybe Hoshina gets to go out on a date. And of course, the recruits quickly finding out about this and they sort of try to spy on them while they go about their day. Up to you really. I just live for the concept, and I defo want to see how things play out. Especially since their worlds are so far apart from each other.

He probably doesn't know the first thing about art. And Reader probably knows nothing of Kaijus. Let alone swordsmanship or martial arts. And the sudden match made between them is sure to make rapid news around Tachikawa base because, 'Ayo that's our Vice Captain with the famous painter who just so happened to paint his portrait a few days ago?' AKAKHSKNS such an endearing concept.

notes: insanely good pun. i hope this is okay! part 2 of this fic.

the second stroke

soshiro hoshina x gn!reader no warnings apply, i think! let me know, though. word count: 1306

talking to hoshina was–awkward. or so you thought, at least. you couldn’t exchange many words following the panel, apart from saying hi–hoshina had immediately gotten swarmed with questions–what was the relationship between the two of you? what was the meaning behind what you’d said? so you’d managed to find him in the aftermath, pulled him aside and made tentative plans to meet up in the coming days.

you stopped having dreams of your mysterious muse altogether at this point. once in awhile, you thought you might have felt the faint whisper of warmth, the ghosting touch of lips brushed against the side of your face. that had to have been real, right? but the fact that you couldn’t remember your dreams now–if you even had them at all, worried you more th an you’d like to admit.

you’d agreed on a date in a discrete location–but despite that, you held a pretty large parasol in the park, with loose-fitting clothes to disguise the bulk of your figure.

“so it’s true, then?” hoshina asks as the two of you wander the park, past some shady trees. “that’s… i mean, it’s… pretty… ha, i mean, that kind of stuff comes out of a romance novel, no?” 

you like the way the sunlight dapples across his hair, dances across the bridge of his nose. your fingers itch to paint, to scrape a palette knife across a stretch of canvas. 

“it sounds far fetched to me, too,” you mumble, spinning the straw of your drink. “that i would dream of a man from a past life–who… happens to be you. happened. to be you. also in a past life. and i think… well, i–i think we were lovers? or-or something like that.”

“lovers,” hoshina echoes. 

he pauses.

your face feels hot.

“it’s stupid,” you mumble. “i know. i know it is.”

“it’s not,” hoshina says. “i mean–i’m not… a believer. in most of that kind of stuff, but. you painted me.” he laughs. “that’s gotta be proof of something bigger than the both of us. i don’t know if i should be happy or sad that it’s real. like–”

he flexes his hands.

“do you get what i mean? like–like… i’ve been telling myself that-that… i was doing everything within my power–to be the way i was, and then… if there really is some kind of divine providence, pulling us together–some red string of fate, the kind that bonds lovers together–how am i so sure that a god didn’t just decide the limits of my capabilities? i’m not sure… how to feel about it.”

you ponder his words.

“fighting kaiju is… a completely new world, compared to me,” you say. “but i’m sure even if it–even if it was divine providence, you’re doing something only you can do. and–and i think that’s wonderful.”

hoshina’s eyes soften.

“wonderful?” he murmurs. 

“yeah,” you say. “someone–not just someone, but… we’re all… relying on you. that’s something i could never imagine.”

“i mean–” hoshina laughs, brushing a hand across the back of his neck. “i couldn’t imagine painting the way you do. that seems so overwhelming–to conjure things from your imagination and deliver them to the page.”

you shake your head.

“it’s a bit of that, but it’s not completely from my imagination. i do a lot of portraits–with real models, things like that,” you mumble, your face flushing a little bit at his words. “it’s… mm. a complicated progress, but it’s not nearly as physically intensive as you fighting kaiju. i-i read a bit. from some of your press interviews.”

“oh?” hoshina’s eyes widen, and he laughs. “that’s–well, i didn’t… most of those were just–scripted.”

“my press interviews are, too,” you say.

hoshina’s lips quirk up.

“i guess we’re kind of the same, yeah?” hoshina says, nudging you slightly, his hand reaching out to cross the gap between the two of you–of you. he doesn’t intrude further though, even as he crosses the gap—seemingly shy and nervous, worried and careful not to do more until you were okay with it. 

you relax your stance a little, and his hand brushes against yours. 

“i guess so,” you say, blinking up at him. your face feels hot.

you don’t know whether the fluttering in your heart is from you or if it’s from that whisper of a past life, the repeated lines of affection–that it should feel this easy to fall for hoshina, because some version of you did, a stranger-yet-familiar-yet-familiar. hoshina’s expression is somehow fond, and he leans closer before–

he suddenly perks up, his head whirling around, checking the surroundings.

“what’s–” you start, but hoshina raises a hand, glancing at you before raising a finger to his lips. you fall silent, your heart pounding against your throat.

“come out,” hoshina says sharply. “you guys aren’t subtle at all. you’re lucky that kaiju are so stupid.” 

from behind one of the trees, several people come skulking out with lowered heads, as if they were scolded toddlers.

“i told you this was a bad idea,” says a boy with mint green hair, elbowing a taller, older man. the man hangs his head, recoiling dramatically at the boy’s touch. “you can’t get past hoshina at all.”

“in my defense,” the man says apologetically, remorsefully, “i was just curious where he was going… it’s not often he takes days off. you know this.”

“i warned you,” says a woman with her hair drawn up in a tall ponytail. her voice is quiet, but she’s striking–and you wonder what kind of charcoal you might use to sketch out the sharp lines of her face–and then you realize you’ve seen her face scattered across billboards. mina ashiro?

“i love this bit you guys do,” hoshina laughs, archly, “where you talk like i’m not even here. come on. if you want to–hey, put that–put that down. don’t–”

mina lowers her phone as hoshina blurts it out, her face bemused. 

“sorry,” mina says. “force of habit. i keep an album of every moment where you let your goody facade drop. do you want to see?” she looks at you, holding out her phone. “i have some where he’s asle–” “not on the first date,” hoshina says, his voice pitching higher. 

“first date?” the man’s eyes widen. “captain hoshina, you’re on a date? with that artist? the one who drew you?”

your eyes scan between him and hoshina.

“yes,” hoshina says tersely. “is it that weird?”

“no,” the man says. “just–you don’t seem like the romantic… type?”

“i’m not,” hoshina says.

you feel something like cold ice seize your throat.

“but i… i want to try,” hoshina amends, and his hand reaches out for yours, a grasping thread of intent. you entangle your fingers in his, and the weight of his hands feels right. like a preordained fate–you were always meant to find each other, and the weight and feel of his fingers entangling yours, his knuckles tightening as if he was afraid to see you disappear–

that was right.

“if we’re really bonded by fate, anyway,” hoshina says, glancing at you–and your heart seizes in your throat, caught by how earnest he seems– “i want to see it to the end.”

your face heats up.

“it was–it was just a painting,” you mumble. 

“a really good painting,” hoshina adds, and he laughs.

“you guys are cute,” mina says. “but you’re grossing me out. just a little.”

her face is impassive, but the corners of her lips quirk up a little as she says the words.

“oh, how it hurts,” hoshina says dramatically, pulling you closer to him, “to have stirred the ice-cold heart of mina ashiro so.”

and your face flushes again, brighter, but you cling tightly to hoshina like a lifeline, and wonder what shade of red you might use to carve out the feeling of love in your chest.

[tennessoui]

kit's list of obikin fic recs in no particular order

y'all asked and i finally answered.....here's a list of fics i've read and adored this year! note that i've tagged things that i think could squick people (a/b/o dynamics, weird biology, dub con, heavy kink, etc), and i've noted the ratings (explicit, mature, teen), but i have not noted top/bottom (this list contains a pretty even split of both) and i haven’t indicated which are WIPs - take a chance! i've left little paragraphs as to why i liked the fic but i tried to keep spoilers out of them so the story can be a surprise :D

remember to leave a comment and a kudos if you enjoyed the fic :D

Igneous - zimriya Notes: Explicit, A/B/O dynamics, canon compliant, series!

Trying to find this fic so I could reread it was the thing that prompted me to make this list. That’s how amazing this fic is. It tears out your heart strings. It hurts. I love it. It’s soft. It makes me cry. I am never going to recover from this perfect retelling of canon. This hurts just as much as the kenobi show. I owe this author a medical bill and a thank you card. I don’t care if a/b/o isn’t your thing or omega obi-wan isn’t your thing i need you to try reading this fic i really do because it’s just honestly superb and beautiful prose and i think about some of these lines near daily. Ok, fine. Daily.

I’d Never Be Me (Without The Support of Your Loving Arms) by euryrice  Notes: Explicit

i don’t think i’ll ever stop talking or thinking about this fic, it’s up there for me….such a good take on a bond/spy au that I don’t think I’ll ever seriously try at one myself because it’d never be ‘i’d never be me without the support of your loving arms’; it’s just so well thought through. Canon lovingly applied. Kit beautifully moved and hungry for a second part of the series, even though it doesn’t even need a second part and is perfect as a stand alone. Witty banter rating: 10/10

Hooked On You by @whohatessand Notes: Explicit, infidelity, side anidala (padmé is being cheated on)

Dirty bad wrong never felt so good though; Anakin is cheating on his wife with her campaign manager. Anakin is very not satisfied with being a trophy husband, and honestly it’s so valid of him. This is so well-written that Anakin’s frustration with his life, his wife, his duties all feels very real and understandable. Does that excuse the cheating and the spit-as-lube fucking at a donor ball? Nah, but they know it doesn’t. And it ends on a very hopeful obikin note, which is my favorite

The Final Frontier of Pleasure by @jedibongrip Notes: Explicit, bp!Anakin, virginity kink (ish?)

“Just the tip” made into a very hot 2k fic wherein anakin’s definitely not a virgin anymore, but obi-wan’s gonna go along with it if it makes him happy (and means that he gets to keep touching him, god bless); note to say that all of this author’s stuff is very good!

Stars To Fill My Dreams by hidden_humours Notes: Explicit, reverse master/padawan, dark Anakin

Anakin is teetering on going off the walls insane in this fic and I am so here for it. This is just amazing. I love a padawan obi-wan and I especially love this time-travel with a twist (which I won’t spoil!); the summary even says “yeah this anakin isn’t all there” and the author is right!!! 100%!! I love it. I want to poke this Anakin with a stick. I want to push him off his metaphorical cliff of sanity. I want to push Obi-Wan off a cliff just to see what this Anakin would do. What a fic. What a goddamn fic.

Obi-Two by @virahaus Notes: Explicit, Obi-Wan/Anakin/Obi-Wan

Guys, holy shit I am so excited for this WIP you have no idea. Everything about it is delicious so far. The Obi-Wan that gets zapped back in time just before ROTS/Order 66 is living to see twunk Anakin again and he is so soft yet so commanding about it. Ben!Obi-Wan literally kills me in this fic. If there’s never another chapter, I’m begging you to read this anyway, it’s that good.

Vast as the sea, constant as the tide by @moonlightatnoon Notes: Explicit, pirate!anakin, captain!Obi-Wan

So maybe Kit’s attention was captured and held by the sea-themed title…she’s a simple lady. But this fic is absolutely beautiful.  I love the intrigue, the history, the pining of it all. My attention, much like Obi-Wan, was gently captured and held hostage by pirate Anakin and the way he’s like ‘my obi-wan <3 mine <3’ while also being a whole ass pathetic lil mew mew of a pirate. He is so possessive and fearsome and clingy and needy I love this Anakin and how much he needs his Obi-Wan. I love the ending especially! Beautifully done.

Buns of Steel by @ragnarlothcat Notes: Explicit, humor, himbos the both of them 

Put this under Fics That Make Kit Want To Join A Gym. I love the humor here (Rag has such a legendary way with a great turn of phrase and pacing of jokes that just makes the fic fly by) and the ridiculousness of it all. Obi-Wan here is extremely lovably bitchy and I adore it. His dialogue is quite polite, but this is a fic where the narration really makes the characterization pop. Also the amount of lusting after his beautiful aerobics instructor that Obi-Wan does…and how UNFAIR he finds Anakin’s beauty. Just amazing. Cheering for Obi-Wan living his best life and getting the hot aerobics instructor in the end.

My Thoughts I Confess (Verge On Dirty) by @artemisthehuntress Notes: Explicit, horny, horny, horny Obi-Wan

This is, of course, the other fic filed under Fics That Make Kit Want To Join A Gym. I love Anakin in booty shorts. I love Obi-Wan, head empty and no thoughts because his dick is too goddamn hard to see straight. One should not be exercising under such conditions. The humor here is impeccable. Love all of Obi-Wan’s fantasies with the hot guy working out next to him. If you’re a fan of horny-grip Obi-Wan, this is the fic for you! If you’re not as into horny-grip Obi-Wan, I’d say this fic is still worth the read because it’s just written so well.

just like the days we’d burn by @travellingcircus Notes: Explicit, PTSD mentions, heavy

I was always going to rec one of travellingcircus’ fics of course. They are a fantastic writer and I love their fics - especially the long oneshots that consume my entire night when I see that one’s been posted and I get to delve into a new side of obikin I could never imagine. This fic is one of my favorites by them – and maybe one of my favorite modern aus all together. Anakin has a racing career until he has an accident. Then he goes back to his small town and decides to have Obi-Wan instead because first love (I love first love fics especially in modern aus)!! Also Obi-Wan has a motorbike. This is excellent news. He also has helmet hair. I love Anakin in this fic so much. He’s crazy. He’s wounded. He’s obsessed. He’s in love. He’s desperate. And Anakin makes Obi-Wan all these things too. Such a good modern au for these characters. They feel so close to their canon characters, it’s marvelous.

Where Every Mask Cracks by skyl_tales Notes: Explicit, a spin-off of one of their other fics, but can be standalone

Skyl_tales’ fics for me are the very definition of fandom classic. They were the first fics I read and I continue to reread them roughly maybe once every year at least. They’re just all very readable. The writing style is something I have always loved and envied – their fics are approachable and entertaining, no matter how much you know or don’t know about Star War at the time of your reading. Tbh I think this is the fic author who has influenced my writing the most! I love this fic in particular because I do have a soft spot for vaderwan. Old Ben being delightfully torn up over Vader and Vader being delightfully unhinged about his former master…..with a magical fix-it device that restores both of them to their younger, strongest selves (if only to make the fucking easier and the horny insatiable)

Gay Chicken by zimriya Notes: Explicit, enemies to lovers, light daddy kink

Where to begin with this fic!!! I guess I cannot stress enough how much I love humor in fics when done right and this is done so well. Like it is literally so funny and so normal. There is something so beautiful about putting these space monk superheroes into like. Just situations. This fic is about laundry. But also upstairs neighbors. But also lost loves??? I’m always a bit hesitant for fics with a lot of notes/messages, because I can find that hard to read, but this was very, very easy to read, both format-wise and flow of the story wise. I love them both being assholes to each other.  Love them slowly becoming friends through notes under the monikers “501” and “212”. LOVE the twist.

wildest dreams by kidhuzural Notes: Explicit, 5+1 fic

Basically: Baby Anakin wants to get married to Obi-Wan. Teenager padawan Anakin wants to marry Obi-Wan. Clone Wars Anakin wants to marry Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan wants to marry Clone Wars Anakin. I love love love fics that start out with baby padawan Anakin and have him grow up. It places so much emphasis on their master&padawan relationship and how important they were to each other before AOTC or TCW, which I think is the strongest basis for obikin. Also this Anakin is just so cute and Obi-Wan cares for his baby padawan so much!! All in all, this fic is just so sweet. Obsessed.

In Pursuit of Cold Water by @jswander Notes: Mature, Merman!Anakin

Can I have a fic rec list that doesn’t include this fic?? I love this fic. I think I reread it like twenty times while waiting for the last chapter, and it was worth it and gripping and incredible each time. I am fascinated by writers who can worldbuild, and Jo worldbuilds so well in this mermaid AU. I love the descriptions of their fins; the possessiveness, the hurt, the anger, the jadeness, and the naivete of Anakin somehow all existing in the same character and all being so justified. There’s some really heavy moments and also really silly moments (they dress Anakin up as an old lady to avoid detection at one point). I love the development of their relationship and especially the growth of their mental bond. Such a good translation  of their Force bond in canon (and such a clever work-around for a mermaid not speaking English!) Just an amazing fic. So good.

The Devil’s In The Details by @ragnarlothcat Notes: Explicit, demon Anakin, darker!Anakin (because of the demon bit)

Back at it again with my Rag-writing obsession! I’m loving this WIP and how evil and innocent Anakin is. Yeah, he’s a demon haunting Obi-Wan’s new house; yeah, he’s killed like. A ton of people. But he’s so pathetic. So very eager to please. So very attractive. As a reader, you’re like Obi-Wan’s friend, Quinlan, who discovers Obi-Wan sleeping with a literal demon, and you’re like ‘bestie, do you not know? That’s a literal demon?’ and obi-wan is like ‘he is quite polite and does so good on our walks around town’ and you’re like ‘you’re taking him on walks???’ but also you can’t help but root for demon Anakin and poor decision-maker Obi-Wan. Also, once again, I love Rag’s humor and timing of it. The narration Obi-Wan has is so colorful and so fucking funny, I snort all the time. He’s such a bitch. He’s amazing.

By Omission by @posthumousvigor Notes: Explicit, reverse master/padawan au, drunk sex

This writer is very quickly becoming one of my favorites. I love their prose and the way they write Obi-Wan—especially padawan!Obi-Wan with Master Anakin. One of my favorite dynamics for obikin aus, and this writer gives me so much good food. TBH one of my all-time favorite cliches/tropes is one of them getting dressed up out of their Jedi robes to be put in Situations, and I especially love this for Obi-Wan cause Anakin got a whole movie of dressing up for funsies, and this fic delivers. Master Skywalker comes back early from a mission to find his padawan slutting it up in the Lower Levels, and what is a man to do other than snap?? And he snaps so beautifully in this fic. I love it when they’re horny beyond reason for each other.

how to stay by answersinahauntedclub Notes: Explicit, professor/student relationship

I know logically that this fic probably will not update again, but it is so beautiful and I think about it all the time. It is like. The peak of college/university aus in this fandom. Bold statement, I know, but I love this fic and characterization so much that I am stating it. They’re both disasters. They can’t resist each other even if they really, really should. It’s an incredible read and I am fascinated by both this Obi-Wan and this Anakin. Cannot stress enough the lovable disasters that they are. In writing this, I took an hour break and reread it again.

we’re swimming with the sharks (until we drown) by @obiwaned Notes: Teen, fake/pretend relationship

Getting this update notification felt like such a sweet sweet win for me. I loved the premise as soon as I read it and it just keeps getting better. Fake marriage for any reason is always amazing. I also LOVE non-linear timelines and this writer does it so well because you as the reader don’t get lost and confused trying to keep the timeline straight. It’s delectable, it’s straightforward, it’s so easy to devour, and I am obsessed with this fic and even the possibility of more.

Self-Insert by ZenyZootSuit Notes: Teen, crack

God this is so funny in a very crack way. Short and funny and perfect. Darth Vader writes self-insert fanfiction about being with Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Darth Sidious finds out. Imperial secrets are leaked, but I’m sure those were important details he needed to include!! For context! Realism! Absolutely perfect; no notes.

Open Circle by Calyss Note: Explicit, Dark Obi-Wan, dom/sub (under)tones, seduction to the Dark side

This is also one of my annual rereads, and one of my absolute favorite Sith Obi-Wans in the fandom. I love how out of control this sith Obi-Wan is, how very obsessed with just Anakin he is. Sith Obi-Wan really said “he’s mine” and he’s gonna destroy Anakin’s marriage and the whole galaxy to prove it. And also Anakin is not going to say no or resist much at all because that’s his master and he loves him and has weird feelings for him he has not really examined. This is also such an id fic of mine. But no regrets putting it on the list. When I saw it updated in October 2022, I literally cleaned my room and improved my life before I sat down to read it.

How to Save a Galactic Republic Without Really Trying by @sharpest-tongue Notes: Mature, Post Kenobi show

So many amazing fics came out of the Kenobi show but this absolutely has to be one of my favorites. There’s humor, there’s touching moments, there’s Star Wars lingo I didn’t know but that made the whole thing feel very much in-universe (and that I have now incorporated into my Star Wars Wikipedia slash Dictionary for later use, even if it’s all made up). I love a time travel fic, has to be said, and this one delivers perfectly. The Jedi as family in this fic really made me emotional. Extra special shout out to Obi-Wan, raising his padawan again in a do-over, and thinking, ‘i was not this bad as a teenager wtf?? Yeah ok whatever i MAY have fought in TWO WARS at that age but still!!!’ love him. Love his obvious blind spots for anakin and also for himself. Such a good fic!!!

broken bones, thunder drums by @maragny Notes: Teen, hurt/comfort

There is so much to love about this fic and I love it all. Clone War fics are like my bread and butter in this fandom. I love obikin fics that take place in the middle of battle where the reader is confronted with the reality of either Anakin or Obi-Wan fighting – and this fic really starts by throwing you into the action in such a visceral, effective way that I was stressed! I was gripped! It makes Anakin hiding his injury feel not only understandable but also like the only option. Good think Obi-Wan is there to save the day and help Anakin through his pain because he is overprotective and in love with him. Also the first chapter is told from Rex’s point of view, which just. One of my favorite outsider POVs for obikin is Rex.

no news is good news by @rhymenoceros Notes: Mature, crack, relationship reveal, breaking news/news cycle format

This fic is so funny! The tone is perfect for what the writer sets out to do — that is, make the reader feel like they’re caught up in a social media news cycle! There’s talk shows, there’s paparazzi, there’s space reddit, there’s leaked Jedi text conversations….the Jedi screen names are hilarious and easy to tell who is who while still staying true to the joke. Cannot recommend this fic enough. Cute, funny, horny, and with that sweet sweet Palpatine downfall that the best cracky fics always have.

Falling Deep Into You by @dark--whisperings Notes: Explicit, dom/sub tones, so much pining

Any fic that has the tag “Obi-Wan Kenobi is a freak in bed” has my attention and my interest. This writer describes Anakin subbing and Obi-Wan domming so very beautifully that it’s almost a manifesto in 8k. Lots of good sex here, but I really love the opening scene and the push and pull the writer’s given the characters. They want each other so much—Obi-Wan wants so much, but alas! Religious guilt on par with catholicism! Of course the nasty freaky sex fiend in Obi-Wan wins out over the Jedi Master, but I really enjoyed the guilt and the way he gives in and goes to find Anakin because of course he does. And then the ending! A resetting of the chess board so that the game can start over tomorrow. A great fic all in all!

you took my love so tenderly by @billboguspreston & @acrylicsalts-inspo Notes: Explicit, prince/guard dynamic, exhibitionism

I started reading this fic when it was first posted, and I followed it attentively and with baited breath. I love the reverse age dynamic (I know, it’s not for everyone, but I lovelovelove it), and I love that this Obi-Wan is such a spitfire. He knows what he wants and that’s for his silent, restrained, older, handsome bodyguard to snap and fuck him and he WILL brat his way into getting what he wants as is his right. Anakin being both incredibly horny (Anakin horny-gripping the pommel of his sword because Obi-Wan has decided to get off right in front of him to see if he can tempt him into fucking him) is amazing. Obi-Wan being both the aggressor and also the inexperienced one is chef’s fucking kiss and a dynamic I do not see often enough. So worth the read. And there may be more sequels??? Be still my beating heart!

I Wanna Be Owned by @kyberkenobi Notes: Explicit, 5+1 things, light BDSM

Speaking of horny grip lol, I had to think for a bit about which fic from this writer to choose because all of them are very good and very very smutty with all sorts of kinks and dynamics. The writer you go to for mean dom Obi-Wan and if you’re feeling up for discovering a kink you weren’t sure you were into before. There’s plenty of amazing fics on her ao3 (I was also immediately obsessed with the recent alpha/alpha one), but this fic is one of my favorites. I love the style of a 5+1 for a fic, and I am obsessed with casual slut (affectionate) Obi-Wan and Anakin’s blinders of his master slowly being pulled away until he HAS to confront the reason Obi-Wan can untie and hogtie a criminal they caught so damn quickly. It’s indecent. It’s amazing. 

Our Man From Tatooine by kazmir Notes: Explicit, a/b/o dynamics, intersex omegas

This story is such a good, quick, enthralling read. I really can’t say much without spoiling it, but it’s worth the read. Dark Obikin, twists and turns, roleplaying, horny mates being unable to resist the other’s draw….so good….One of those fics I paused to reread while reccing it lol

Acts of Contrition by @marycontraire Notes: A series, ranging from Gen - Explicit

Cheating a little bit to rec you all a series instead because I just reread this fic series and fell in love with it all over again. Literally a fandom classic for me. The world building is amazing, the realism and research really pays off because it creates such a rich world for people to dive into. The Tatooine culture is so rich and interesting, and I love this Anakin especially. It’s a very realistic take on if Anakin had been expelled from the Order for the Tusken massacre. This Anakin is darker and clingier and Obi-Wan is trying to keep himself level and sane and something Anakin can cling to while still being a Jedi in all but name. Every installment of this series is gold and worth reading as quickly as possible just to have this in your mind faster. Also worth a slow read to savor it because unfortunately, you can only read a fic series like this for the first time once.

You can call me baby (you can call me love) by @lilredghost Notes: Explicit, 5 + 1

This fic is so sweet that I honestly forgot it was explicit - even though, yes, it opens with a sex scene lmao! But I love this writer’s explicit fics so much (their ao3 is worth a browse) that I am not disappointed in it being explicit, no sir. Obi-Wan gets upset when Anakin calls him an old man repeatedly and I’ve read this fic so much that when I see repeated use of “old man” in other fics I’m like “! no! His feelings!!!” this fic ALSO has anakin calling obi-wan baby <3  so good so sweet so perfect.

take my hand through the flames by @atornpage Notes: Explicit, vaderwan, seduction to the Dark Side

Oh this may just be the WIP I am most excited to see updated! It’s such a clever and unique concept that I’m on the edge of my seat to see where the writer takes the story next. There are not enough stories where a character falls into a coma and time passes around them, and this is so perfect. I adore fics where baby Anakin is clingy and obsessed with Obi-Wan and everyone around them is like ‘this is not REALLY the Jedi way, guys’, and this fic has SO much of that. I can’t wait to see all the promises of the tags come to fruition and am massively enjoying the ride to get there!

Heal Me, My Darling by @wasureneba Notes: Explicit, sick fic, idiots in love

Who doesn’t love a sick fic?? The tender healing…the care…the rotten work…not to me, not if it’s you, etc etc…this fic is such a good sick fic too, I was here for the entire thing! Anakin is in top whiny form and Obi-Wan is cuddling him left and right! I also love Anakin having a praise kink in this fic – it made me soft and so receptive to the idea again when I was getting tired of seeing it as a default in a ton of fics. But this fic said “Obi-Wan tells Anakin he’s doing good while touching his ass to administer a very important for plot reasons shot and Anakin bursts into flames” and I said “absolutely and understandable, please tell me what happens next.” This is like a perfect sick fic for me. The right balance of sweet and horny. Caring Obi-Wan and whiny because he’s bored! Anakin. God-tier combination.

Νόστος by NFx Notes: Explicit, stockholm syndrome typical of hades & persephone aus

I am always here for a good Hades&Persephone AU and I feel like this is a great one! I especially love AUs that carefully place Star Wars GFFA characters into an established world (like Greek mythology in this case), and take care to match up the side characters of the GFFA with the AU characters they’re being transposed on. I like the pace and narration of this one too, the way the tone feels both readable and still old — the dialogue and narration don’t read like a BBC documentary set in Ancient Greece where everyone just sort of speaks like they’re in a Shakespeare play for some reason, but it’s still sorta oldish/stiffer dialogue that really keeps you in the fic universe without alienating readers. Also, horny. But dark horny. Love a darker Anakin. 

Hunting the Homeward Light by GreenQueenofClubs Notes: Teen

One of my all-time favorites, I think, and if you haven't read it or haven't reread it recently, you need to! There's so much tension build up and detail put in with such an amazing pay off that I could literally read this fic every month and probably find something new to enjoy all over again. I don't even have strong opinions about mace training anakin, but this fic convinced me it could work and work really well. also poor poor obi-wan </3 his emotional support padawan goes missing </3 but then is found :) as a twunk :)

[questalkcomics]

Web of Black Widow is one of the best Nat story of the modern years mostly because of the artist : Stephen Mooney.

Now, I love WoBW writing, tense, nicely referenced and full of action but Mooney's Nat is just superb in many ways.

I think he managed to capture one particular aspect about Nat : her physicality.

Her build, tall and muscular, the way she moves in and out of the panels, the choregraphy of her fight scenes.

Some may say an artist like Phil Noto illustrated the "perfect" Black Widow and... yes, he did.

His Nat is iconic, feel and look dangerous and well rounded.

But Mooney's art is quite underrated in my opinion.

He did draw some other spy stories, like The Dead Hand, and did he nail something every time.

I always take a look back at Web of Black Widow mostly because of how Nat's look in the book.

She really feel like she can kick anyone with grace and power (and she does)

[coolcomicbookcovers]

[loveroftoomanyfandoms]

Sweet on You, Chapter 5

Pairing: Matt Murdock x F!Reader

Story Summary: HERE

Warnings/Tags: Sugar Daddy!Matt Murdock, Idiots to Lovers, No Age Gap, Alternating PoV, No Use of Y/N 

Word Count: ~2k

A/N: None for this chapter except enjoy!

(Divider by the superb @theradioactivespidergwen !)

Tag List: @danzer8705 @capylore @shouldbestudying41 @atemydadforbreakfast @peachy-flxwr @sleepysleepymom @fishinsuits @milkbummm @lazyxsquirrel @beezusvreeland @caughtthefever @bohemianrhapsody86 @yarrystyleeza @indestructeible @pepperthebi-spy @kezibear

How does Italian sound for tomorrow night? I was thinking Casa Italia over on 51st.

You couldn't help but smile as you noticed the text notification from Matt on your phone. 

He had apparently texted you several hours prior but you had been busy taking notes for Mr. DiStefano during a meeting with an important client most of the morning and had just gotten a second to breathe before having to go pick up lunch for the partners (because God forbid they be willing to pay a few extra bucks for delivery and tip instead of sending you to go fetch it). 

That sounds great, you replied. What time and where did you want to meet?

You put your phone back into your pants pocket and gathered your purse, then stopped by your boss's office. “Excuse me, Mr. DiStefano, I'm heading out to go pick up your lunch.”

Mr. DiStefano nodded. “As soon as you get back I need you to input the payments that came in this morning and bring the checks to the bank since you didn't do it earlier.”

Your eye twitched. The reason you hadn't done the deposit yet was because right after you had signed for the incoming checks and the courier had left you had been called into that 3-hour meeting. As it was, you'd barely had time to lock the envelopes in your top desk drawer and forward the main phone line to voicemail before Mr. DiStefano was exaggeratedly sighing while looking at his watch.

You plastered a fake smile on your face. On top of still needing to do the day's deposit you also had to transcribe the notes you had taken during the meeting while they were still semi-fresh in your mind, return phone calls, forward voicemails, schedule more meetings, and prepare and send the day’s invoices. “Of course, sir.”

You continued down the hall towards Mr. Williams’s office, passing the doorway without stopping when you heard him and Mr. Abbott laughing together in Mr. Abbott’s office.

“...So then she goes -- she goes, ‘oh, okay’ and drinks it anyway!” Mr. Abbott was saying. “Dumb as a box of rocks, but at least she had a nice rack.”

You rolled your eyes before stopping in front of his office. What a tool.  

You knocked on the doorframe. “Excuse me, Mr. Abbott?”

Mr. Abbott paused and looked past Mr. Williams to you. “Yes?”

You fought to keep your smile. “I'm sorry to interrupt, but I'm just letting you both know that I'm going to go pick up your lunches now.”

Mr. Williams, who had also turned towards you once he realized you were in the doorway, nodded. 

Mr. Abbott dug his wallet out of his pocket and handed you a laundry pickup ticket. “While you're out, pick up my dry cleaning for me. Thanks, dollface.”

What you wanted to say was ‘fuck you and your fucking dry cleaning’ but instead you forced yourself to remain calm. “Sure thing, Mr. Abbott. Mr. Williams, do you need anything else while I'm out?”

Mr. Williams glanced at Mr. Abbott briefly before looking back at you and shaking his head. “Not at the moment, no.”

You nodded. “Okay then, I'll be back soon.” 

Your smile dropped as soon as you turned away from the doorway. There goes any chance of me having a lunch break. At least by some miracle all three of the partners had ordered from the same restaurant today so you (probably) wouldn't be late getting back.

You took a deep breath. It'll be fine.You got this.

You made sure that the phone was still forwarding to voicemail then headed out.

You waited until you had gotten down the block a ways before you took your phone out of your pocket, pulled up your contacts, and pressed the dial button.

You put your phone up to your ear as it began to ring.

“Sky’s the Limit Tech Consulting, this is Roxanne,” said the voice on the other end.

You smiled at the sound of Roxy’s voice. She was the little sister you had never had -- despite your 11-year age difference the two of you had grown close over the three and a half years she had worked at DiStefano and Associates. “Hi, Rox.”

Roxy said your name. “Oh my gosh, hi!”

“Is this a bad time?”

“For you? Never. Just give me a second.”

You heard Roxy set the phone down and close her office door. 

She picked the receiver back up. “Okay, I'm back. What's up?”

“I just needed someone to vent to for a minute.”

“Still haven't replaced me and Tab yet, huh?”

You sighed deeply. “No, and it'd be one thing if they'd at least mention advertising your positions, but I haven't even heard a peep. I'm honestly starting to feel like they aren't even going to bother replacing you, because why go through the trouble of replacing the two people they lost when they can save money by just running me ragged instead?”

“I'm so sorry, I feel terrible leaving you by yourself. Maybe I should have stayed there instead of accepting my position here.”

You shook your head. “Nope. Not hearing that. You worked your ass off in order to earn your master's degree so you could get your dream job in Silicon Valley. You didn't know Tabitha was going to get fired 2 days after you left New York or that DiStefano was going to decide that 1 assistant was enough for all 3 of them.”

“Still, I feel bad leaving you to have to deal with all 3 partners by yourself.”

You rolled your eyes. Despite the fact that she had been absolutely useless, it had almost been worth having Tabitha around just to distract Abbott from hitting on and making gross, sexist comments towards you. “Ugh, yeah. Abbott just ordered me to pick up his dry cleaning while I'm out getting the partners lunch today and called me ‘dollface’.” 

“Eww.”

“And DiStefano pulled me into a 3-hour meeting this morning in order to take notes then made a passive-aggressive comment about me not having done the daily bank deposit yet.” You sighed. “At least Williams hasn't sexually harassed or made me feel incompetent yet today, but since the day’s only half over there's still a chance!”

Roxy groaned. “Girl, fuck them. Why don't you just quit?”

You shook your head. “You know I can't, not if I want to eat and keep a roof over my head while trying to help my mom with her hospital bills.”

Roxy hummed. “Speaking of that, how's your other job going? Found you a hot, rich ‘companion’ yet?”

You grinned as you thought about Matt. “Actually, yeah, I have.”

Roxy gasped. “Hey, that's great! So what's his name?”

You bit your lip. Roxy was the only person who knew about your S&S profile -- after all, she was the one who had gotten you to join -- but your contract made it clear that you wouldn't reveal the nature of your relationship with Matt to anyone. “I can't tell you. He wants to be discreet so he had me sign a contract saying that I won't tell anyone about him and me.”

“Ooh, is he a celebrity?”

You huffed out a laugh. “No, he's an attorney.”

“Married?”

“Nope. Or at least, he told me he was totally single.”

“And you believe him?”

You thought about how honest and genuine Matt seemed to be so far. “Yeah. Yeah, I actually do. He doesn't seem to be trying to hide me in particular, just how we really met and what our arrangement consists of.” You paused. “Anyway, it's really new. We met up for coffee on Saturday and had dinner together Monday night. He took me to Okinawa.”

Roxy whistled. “Okinawa? Wow, he must be loaded. When are you seeing him again?”

“Tomorrow night after work, actually. We're going to Casa Italia.” Which was again a very nice restaurant but thankfully wasn't nearl y as expensive as Okinawa.

“Ooh, nice. Fingers crossed that everything works out for you and that he doesn't turn out to be a creep.”

“Thanks. He seems really sweet so far.”

You slowed as you reached the restaurant from which you were picking up lunch. “I gotta run, but thanks for listening.”

“Hey, any time. Let's FaceTime soon, okay?”

“Okay. Bye, Rox.”

“Bye.”

You hung up and repocketed your phone, slightly disappointed when you didn't have another text from Matt waiting for you.

Even though your arrangement was strictly business, he made you feel like you mattered -- which was way more than you could say for DiStefano, Williams, and Abbott.

“Hey, how did the emergency hearing go?” Foggy asked as Matt walked into the office. 

“The judge granted the retrial,” Matt replied with a relieved sigh. “Now we just have to finish reviewing the rest of the evidence to find everything else we need to get Conrad's conviction overturned.”

He’d had to go to court first thing that morning for an emergency hearing -- a new client of theirs who had been wrongfully convicted of first-degree murder in the double shooting of his former fianceé and her then-husband (who had happened to be a U.S. senator) had been scheduled to be transferred from Rikers to a federal penitentiary in three days, but luckily while reviewing the case Matt had discovered a major discrepancy in what the responding officer had testified to on the stand versus what the police report had stated and managed to convince the judge not only to a retrial, but also to delay the transfer so Matt could have access to his client.

Foggy sighed. “You’d have thought that Sanders would've caught that, especially since his trial notes included what Officer Stanton had stated in his initial report.”

Matt shrugged. He had found in his and Foggy's years of law practice that most of the wrongful conviction cases they had taken on (and won) was because some harried public defender had botched their clients’ cases because of overlooked details (or in more than a few cases, just not caring since they weren't getting paid extra for it). “It happens. Either way I'm sure we'll be able to find what we need.”

“Yeah.” Foggy paused. “So hey, how was your date on Monday? Things were so crazy yesterday that I didn't even get to ask you about it.”

Matt smiled. Even though it hadn't actually been a date he had genuinely had a good time with you and was looking forward to your next evening out. “It was good.”

“And? I want details, man!”

“There really aren't many details to share -- she met me over here, we walked to the restaurant, had a nice dinner, then said goodbye and went our separate ways.”

“That’s it?” Foggy sounded disappointed. “Guess that means no second date then.”

Matt grinned and shook his head. “Actually, we made plans for tomorrow night before we left the restaurant.”

He took his phone out of his pocket and turned it back on. “Which reminds me…”

He waited for it to boot up and smiled when his phone announced that you had replied to his earlier text confirming your plans for dinner.

He tapped at his screen and waited as it read off your reply. “ That sounds great. What time and where would you like to meet?”

He tapped the ‘reply’ button. “ Is 7 PM at the restaurant okay with you?” With the retrial being granted, Matt knew that he would be staying late at the office since he needed to prepare.

“That sounds fine,” his phone dictated when you replied a few seconds later. “I'll see you then.”

“At least tell me about her if you're not going to give me specifics about your date,” Foggy said. “What does she do and is she hot?”

Matt chuckled. “She's an office assistant at an architectural firm not far from here and I really wouldn't know if she was hot, but what I do know is that she's nice and that we have a lot in common.”

“So when can we meet her?”

Matt shrugged. He wanted to make sure you were completely comfortable with his and your arrangement before he introduced you to his friends. “I don't know yet. Maybe in a few weeks? Depends on how things progress.”

He shook his head. “Anyway, let's get busy. We've got a trial to prepare for.”

[studentinpursuitofclouds]

What do you think the SVE adventurers reaction upon knowing farmer can play lyre harp (or mini harp? That one instrument from Abigail's heart event)?

Thanks for the answer, Mousey!

Thanks for the ask, dear anon! ☺️🫰

_________________________________________

Isaac:

"Uh-huh," Isaac will say, crossing his arms and rolling his eyes. Frankly, he doesn't give a damn about Farmer's ability to play the mini harp, or any musical instrument at all; he doesn't see anything special about it. Depending on how much the scarred adventurer knows Farmer, his further reaction will vary. If Isaac doesn't know the Farmer well enough to think of them as an upstart and a weakling, he will sarcastically advise them to put down their sword and study to be a bard ("The harp is a bad weapon against the monsters of the Crimson Baldlans"). If he's made friends with Farmer, he won't protest if they catch the muse and start playing when Isaac is standing nearby. But will advise them not to get too caught up in the music and leave time to practise with combat.

Lance:

A superb cultivator, a skilful fisherman, a savvy hunter of precious ore and gems, a fearless adventurer.... And now a talented musician? My, my, now that's a talent! Lance was pleasantly surprised that one person could be capable of so much. The harp and mini-harp is perhaps one of his favourite musical instruments, for it produces divine melodies. Naturally, the gallant adventurer will not forget to shower the Farmer with compliments, wondering where they learnt to play so well. Sometimes, when the Farmer plays a mini harp outside the city (Adventurer's summit or Highlands), a silhouette in a blue cloak will be seen somewhere not far away, listening to the melody. Not that he'd start spying on them, don't take that as rude.... But when you hear beautiful music, you just can't pass it by, can you?

Alesia:

Huh, it reminded Alesia of her younger days, where she was carrying her flute around during adventures. Music always helped her calm down before a stressful mission and distract her from bad and sad thoughts. Seeing the Farmer with their mini harp, the sniper involuntarily remembered herself, younger and more energetic. Alesia had never paid attention to such things, but the way the Farmer skilfully played the harp.... Such beautiful songs. Could she, she would be free, pick up the flute again and try to play a duet with Farmer? At least she could forget about the adventurers' reports for a while.... Wait, no, she can't put off reports, it's too important. Anyway, Alesia generally reacts positively to Farmer's talent and says that if they can ever get into Castle Village, she could introduce them can to the local musicians that perform every weekend at the tavern.

[bosozuku998]

Haganezuka blind date official story

Here is one of the official side stories of demon slayer about the sword smith village chef trying to wed Haganezuka in his 37 birthday hoping that having a wife will make Haganezuka easier to deal with

Cr to the author and transilator

This is vol 3 ch 2 :

(T/N: In modern times, we would have called it a blind date but I’m just gonna stick to matchmaking which is more time appropriate)

Haganezuka Hotaru was a superb sword smith.

Not only did he have the polished techniques that were passed down through the generations of the Haganezuka clan, he loved swords more than anyone else.

But there was a huge problem with his personality.

When he was only two years old, because of his difficult personality, he whittled down his parents’ mental spirit. Afterwards, he even grabbed a cleaver and chased after this youth from the Demon Slayer corps who had a custom sword made by him, yelling “I’ll kill you!!”, “You deserve a thousand deaths!!” and so on. He even choked another youth who had the same job as him and beat up a youth who was a Pillar and various other violent actions. It was already well known among others that he was a self-centered individual……

*

“Hotaru really gives people a headache.”

While seated in the living area and eating mitarashi dango, Tecchikawahara Tecchi let out a huge sigh.

Just to mention, the mitarashi dango was a gift to Haganezuka by the Demon Slayer Kamado Tanjirou. As Tanjirou had trampled on the result of painstaking effort that came from Haganezuka polishing a blade without rest, Haganezuka, in a fit of rage, demanded that Tanjirou “give him mitarashi dango till the day he dies”.

Tanjirou was really amazing* and he really followed the instructions obediently.

(T/N: Amazing – not in a good way. As in doing something to make people bewildered and so on)

Speaking of this thirty seven year old man with the maturity of a fifteen year old….

As the foster father who gave Haganezuka his name, Tecchin slumped his shoulders in low spirits.

“Did I go wrong in the way I raised him?”

“No no no. He’s already a man who’s close the forty. Right now it has nothing to do with how he had been raised.”

Kanamori brewed tea and said calmly.

“Right? Kotetsu boy?”

When his name got called, Kotetsu looked up from his mitarashi dango.

“Yeah. With a personality that’s antisocial and being a hot-headed loner, it’s all Haganezuka’s own fault. You don’t have to care.”

“Even so, I feel that I should take responsibility for it~”

Tecchin shrugged his shoulders lightly like a child.

“I really wish he could become more amicable. Isn’t there some good method for it?”

“Nope.”

Kotetsu answered harshly.

“Rather than changing that person, it’s definitely easier to teach a bear to shake.”

“……Well.” On the other hand, Kanamori who was older, and had more experience in life tilted his head. Then��

“How about setting him up for a matchmaking session?”

Kanamori said leisurely.

*

The plan “It’s about time to get Haganezuka married and create a family and become a changed man” raised by Kanamori progressed smoothly, which was unexpected, under Tecchin’s passionate fanning of the flames.

They had worried that Haganezuka would throw a tantrum……However, even though the person himself appeared to be reticent, he did not put up much protest and agreed to the suggestion. Therefore, the date of Haganezuka Hotaru’s matchmaking was set to be on the closest auspicious day.

And today was that auspicious day.

Kanamori, who made the suggestion, and Kotetsu were both staking out at the courtyard of the Ryotei* where the matchmaking was to take place. The goal was, of course, to spy on the situation.

(T/N: A luxurious traditional Japanese restaurant)

As the village did not allow outsiders, the location of the matchmaking was chosen to be in a town that was far enough from the village, in a time established Ryotei that was famous for its beautiful courtyard. The one was made the reservation was Kanamori so there was no need to sneak themselves in.

In the middle of a hall that was the size of more than twenty tatami mats, a man and a woman sat facing each other. Even if it was not said, this pair was Haganezuka and the girl he was set to meet. Tecchin, who was short, sat between them like he was a piece of décor.

The young lady who was all dressed up was cuter than they had expected, with a petite slender frame that contrasted well with the gorgeous peony pattern of her clothes.

“The other party is really cute. How infuriating.”

“Ah, this completely reflects of village head’s preferences. Her face is exactly like Kanroji-sama’s.”

They heard that Tecchin chose the matchmaking partner seriously. Even though the village head usually had a calm and steady composure, there were occasions when he would emit a terrifying aura of intimidation. But when it came to women, he was just like any other lay person.

“Such a cute person was actually willing to come for matchmaking.”

“If we just go based on looks, Haganezuka-san is handsome. In this case, just the photo alone would be able to pass.”

“So in the end, it’s about appearances.”

“No, Kotetsu-boy. The important factor is love, love.”

Kanamori, who fell in love at first sight with his wife and tied the knot with her, was the number one in the village for doting on his wife and it felt like he would go on a long spew about his feelings for his beloved wife anytime.

At the same time, the matchmaking session continued in the hall.

“May I know what your interest is, Haganezuka-san?”

“……smithing swords.” (bo: this originally and everything Haganezuka says is in small letters indicating Haganezuka's low voice full with shyness through the whole conversation 😂)

Clack. The sozu* that was fixed in the courtyard made a clear sound.

(T/N: Bamboo water fountain that can be found in gardens. When one end fills with water, it will tip over and strike a stone, making a noise. Originally for scaring away animals.)

“Your first name is Hotaru? That’s an excellent name.”

“………thank you.”

“Isnt it? I’m the one who gave him that name. However this child keeps complaining that the name is too cute…”

“Fufufu, he must be embarrassed.”

The sozu made a knocking sound again.

“My interest is in cooking. If you don’t mind, may I find out what kind of dishes you like?”

“…….Mitarashi dango.”

The sozu made another clear noise.

“What do you like to do when you’re not working?”

“….Eat mitarashi dango.”

“Dear me, you really do love mitarashi dango.”

“….I wish I can eat that every day.”

“Haganezuka-san is really adorable.”

The loud clapping sound from the sozu seemed to finalise the conversation.

“Oh? It went pretty well? Also, isn’t the sozu too noisy?!”

“True, it did go better than expected.”

“Right? The atmosphere is quite good but that guy didn’t say much at all and his voice is so soft!!”

“He’s probably nervous, right? A big man like him is acting so coy……how gross.”

“Well, he has been living only for the sake of swords after all. He’s unexpectedly innocent. At least, for now, Haganezuka-san has not done anything strange and the lady seems to have good feelings for him. Maybe, just maybe, there’s a chance.”

As though he was the one participating in this matchmaking session, Kanamori was terribly excited.

“Alright, why don’t you two young people take a stroll in the garden?”

The village head used an old-fashioned method to temporarily wrap things up and the location for the match making moved to the courtyard.

*

A hunky man wearing a Hyottoko mask and a youthful beautiful lady were walking together in the courtyard. This scene was definitely difficult to describe.

“Haganezuka-san, you don’t really like to talk much, do you?”

“…….uh-huh.”

“I like men who are silent. It feels like they’re gentle and intelligent.”

“………………Is that so?”

“The next time, I’ll make Mitarashi dango and bring them to you.

“Thanks.”

Haganezuka still barely uttered a few words and his volume was strangely tiny, also, the contents of the conversation seemed to keep spinning around mitarashi dango. However, the atmosphere between the two could not be considered bad.

“This is a miracle, Kotetsu-boy.”

Kanamori lowered his voice even more to prevent themselves from blowing their cover, and at the same time, he made an action like he was wiping away tears.

“Haganezuka-san’s spring has finally arrived.”

“Ah, that girl actually proactively held his hand!! Oh, that Haganezuka-san is still squirming around, he’s just like an octopus!”

“Yeah, he’s shy, I suppose?”

“You call that shy?! That’s disgusting!”

“It is indeed disgusting but right now, we should be praying that this miracle can hold on until the end.”

Kanamori made the pose of a senior and spoke to Kotetsu in an even mannered tone.

Haganezuka and his potential partner got close to the tree the two were hiding behind. Kotetsu and Kanamori immediately held their breaths and shrank their bodies until they could not become any smaller.

The two stopped in their steps.

Then….

“—Haganezuka-san.”

The lady spoke in dead earnest.

“I have a request.”

Her tone was extremely serious as though she had made some kind of decision.

“ ………Ye, yes?”

Haganezuka was so nervous his shoulders stiffened up.

Was this finally the moment? The two sneaking a peek from their cover behind the tree both swallowed their saliva.

“After the chat we had just now, I have fully understood how high of a regard you hold for your sword smithing job, Haganezuka-san.”

“Is, is that so?”

Haganezuka’s voice suddenly became brighter. “However—” the lady continued to speak:

“Swords are already a thing of the past.”

The lady showed a pleasing smile.

“No one uses swords in this era already. So, why not make chef knives from now on, or even tools? I don’t wish for my dear husband to make barbaric objects such as swords.”

The lady said so in a straightforward manner and Haganezuka froze on the spot.

The two who were eavesdropping were also stunned….and the blood quickly drained from their faces.

“Crap!! This is bad!! She can’t say such a thing in front of Haganezuka-san!”

To that man – Haganezuka Hotaru – who loved swords more than anyone else, this was the most forbidden of forbidden statements.

In the worst-case scenario, he might even kill someone with his own hands.

Then the swordsmith village would be finished.

“Kotetsu-boy, if things go south, please take that woman and run. I will tickle Haganezuka-san’s armpits and use my utmost efforts to open a path for the two of you.”

“I understand. Kanamori-san, please do not die.”

Kotetsu and Kanamori became nervous.

Yet, after a long while, Haganezuka did not make any sound.

“Umm……Haganezuka-san?” Seeing that Haganezuka had quietly lowered his head, the woman opened her mouth to ask.

Then—

“….is someone.”

Haganezuka said in a whisper:

“There is someone using what you call barbaric swords, putting his life on the line to battle for the sake of people he does not even know.”

“………Eh?”

“Even if he was riddled with injuries, he continued to charge forward. No matter what kind of predicament he was facing, he still continued to fight without yielding. I am lucky I can make a sword that protects lives for that person. I am proud to be a blacksmith.”

“………………”

“Excuse me, please pretend this never happened.”

The woman could not speak.

A cold wind blew past between the two.

Haganezuka was very calm.

Even though the woman looked down on the swords he loved greatly, he did not scold her on impulse.

He only quietly rejected her.

The reason definitely involved his pride as a swordsmith as well as his bond with a certain Demon Slayer.

–Haganezuka’s matchmaking session quietly came to an end.

*

“Sigh, this is considered fate as well. Just try again next time.”

The village head was still optimistic.

“Let me see. Which girl should I choose this time~?”

He happily chose another matchmaking potential from a stack of photos.

“……forget it….I have my swords anyway….”

On the contrary, it had already been a few days since the end of the matching making session, but Haganezuka still lay on the tatami mats in a slovenly manner.

“You have a huge build, stop blocking the way. It’s annoying.”

Kotetsu retorted with his usual tone and then placed a plate full of Mitarashi Dango onto the table lightly.

“Here, Tanjirou-san sent Mitarashi Dango over again. Eat these and get your spirits back.”

“Yeah, Haganezuka. Isn’t it great that you can make swords for such a kind and caring Slayer? For a swordsmith, that is the greatest fortune.”

“Hmph, of course it’s something he should do….that guy did trample on my hard work.”

“Alright, stop making a fuss. Let me pour you some tea.”

Once he finished speaking, Kanamori poured tea into Haganezuka’s teacup.

“Wow, the tea stem is standing straight up. Haganezuka, this is a good omen.” Kanamori said happily. There really was a complete tea stem standing upright in the teacup.

“You definitely will be successful during the next matchmaking session.”

However, not long after the joyful moment, Haganezuka became angry for some peculiar reason.

“When the tea stem stands straight up, one has to secretly finish the entire cup! You have ruined it! How are you going to pay me back?!”

“Eh?!”

“If things don’t go well during the next matchmaking session I go for, it’s all your fault!! Take responsibility!”

That was far too unreasonable, wasn’t it? Kanamori could not help but be bewildered by the situation.

“….How did you raise such a rotten personality?”

Kanamori blamed the village head.

“Didn’t you say that he was almost forty so it has nothing to do with the way he was raised already?”

“I did say that but he’s ridiculous. If I had put it bluntly, he’s human scum!”

“It has nothing to do with me~”

Tecchin abandoned his responsibilities as the foster parent and turned away his face that was covered with a Hyokotto mask as though he was not part of the issue.

Kotetsu helplessly sighed under his mask.

(However….it’s not as though Haganezuka-san did not make any progress.)

Seeing how Haganezuka lectured the beautiful lady who looked down on swords, it made him delighted. It was too cool.

Those words were full of responsibility and honour as a swordsmith. As someone who was from this hidden village, from the same profession, Kotetsu could not help but feel deeply moved.

Getting to know that youth who believed in the sword he made and who entrusted his own life to him, could actually let this isolated man undergo such a huge change.

–Because of that.

(….Gods, when there is a day that Haganezuka-san can turn over a new leaf and rid himself of that rotten to the core personality of his, please bestow him with a gentle wife who can understand his love for swords.)

Even though that could be something that only happened many years later, Kotetsu still prayed within his heart that Haganezuka Hotaru can find his own spring–

(bo : manga readers know that he did 🙂)

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Spy Superb #2 ups the action and comedy in this spy thriller

Spy Superb #2 ups the action and comedy in this spy thriller #comics #comicbooks

The Spy Superb is a useful idiot. An average person recruited to be the ultimate spy and carry out a mission, which they might not know about. The latest is a failed writer, full of himself, and narcissistic. It’s a combination that makes the character not just a useful idiot but just a plain irritant too. Spy Superb #2 ups the action as China and Russia want to capture the Spy Superb for their…