#the second other person mina can be somewhat herself with okay. okay | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

katsuhera · 4 years

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paranoia

pairing: bakugou katsuki x f!reader tw/warnings: nsfw (18+), dumbification, alcohol, some choking, some degradation, some cockwarming, canon au but not relevant to story, aged up characters (18) wc: 4k

“paranoia, anyone?” kaminari asked, wriggling his eyebrows at the group. tonight was a chill drinking night, celebrating the start to summer vacation.

“ooh! i’m down,” mina exclaimed excitedly, clapping her hands together. you sat in the corner, just blissfully happy and quiet. you hadn’t drunk too much yet, but you could undoubtedly feel a light buzzing coursing throughout your veins, enough to make you just want to sit and recalibrate as everyone else moved animatedly around you.

“what’s that again?” kirishima asked, sipping his drink. “i forgot how to play, i think.”

“okay, okay, wait, let’s all sit in a circle,” kaminari started, waving his hands around. “it’ll be easier that way.”

“tch,” bakugou scoffed, a surly look on his face as kirishima forced him to scoot closer to the rest of the group. “do we have to? this is probably a shitty game.”

“relax, it’s fun, i swear,” mina assured him, her gentle hand on your shoulder encouraging you to scoot in closer as well. “one of my favorite drunk games! i promise.”

“okay, so here’s how we play,” kaminari said. “we go in a circle, like clockwise or counter-clockwise, whatever, and each person whispers a question to whoever’s next to them, and the answer has to be the name of someone in this room.”

“it sounds kind of complicated but you’ll understand once we play,” mina said. “so, for example, i’m sitting next to kirishima – i will ask him a question that only he can hear, like, ‘who has the coolest quirk?’ and he’ll say like ‘todoroki,’ or something, out loud for everyone to hear. and if todoroki wants to know what the question was, he has to take a shot, and then kirishima will expose the question.”

kaminari nodded, adding on: “it goes like that, but usually the questions get… spicy.” he smiled toothily, his eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint to them. “all questions are fair game! let’s not be mean, though.”

“let me grab some drinks, but you guys can get started!” mina said, getting up and heading off to the kitchen.

you glanced around the circle, giggling inwardly at how dazed iida and some of your other classmates seemed. iida in particular never really got around to drinking much, but when he did, he was predictably a lightweight.

everyone else seemed to be fine and vibing, and you curled your knees into your chest as you got comfortable, waiting for the game to start. drinking games were always fun with your class, especially when mina and the rest of their squad took control.

“who wants to go first?” kaminari asked, looking around.

“i can,” todoroki volunteered quietly, surprising everyone else.

“oh? bet, then go ahead and ask bakugo a question. we’ll go counter-clockwise, then,” kaminari piped up, getting up a little to help mina set the bottles of alcohol and plastic shot glasses down in the middle.

a hushed silence fell over the group as todoroki sat pensively, thinking of a question, before leaning in to bakugou’s grimacing face.

“what a stupid question,” bakugou snickered, and answered without missing a beat. “deku.”

everyone nearly snapped their necks to turn around and look at midoriya.

“do you want to know what the question was?” mina asked.

midoriya shook his head violently. “i think i’m good.”

bakugou sneered before cracking his neck and pausing to think of a question for kirishima.

“hurry up, bro,” kirishima teased, earning a scowl from bakugou.

“shut the fuck up,” he growled, leaning in to whisper his question.

you loved watching their best friend dynamic. bakugou was normally on everyone’s bad side, his antagonizing manner turning most people who met him off from interacting with him ever again. but with the way he interacted with kirishima, you knew that he probably had a softer side that he was either too embarrassed of or insecure to let on.

you felt your cheeks flush as you lost yourself in thought, staring at the redhead and the blonde – well, mostly the blonde, and the way his triceps flexed smoothly as bakugou leaned on his arm to get closer to kirishima.

“what are you staring at?” mina whispered excitedly in your ear. startled, you snapped your head to the side to look at her.

“nothing, nothing,” you murmured, embarrassed. if mina knew, you’d never hear the end of it.

“um...,” kirishima started, his pale cheeks flushed crimson as he prefaced his response to bakugou’s question. his eyes darted worriedly around the circle, lingering for a bit on jirou. “jirou… i think.”

jirou’s head immediately shot up from its cozy spot on kaminari’s shoulder, narrowing her eyes as she looked at kirishima. “shot,” she demanded, eliciting laughs from the group. mina poured one out for her and handed it over, giggling as jirou downed it easily, not even a hint of a wince on her face.

“what was the question?” she asked, looking straight at kirishima, making him blush even further.

“who here is…” his voice trailed off meekly.

“who here’s most likely to have a daddy kink,” bakugou grinned, his vermillion eyes glinting with amusement. “interesting… jirou, hah? i can see it.”

you smiled as you watched their interaction spiral – you’d never seen jirou more embarrassed in her life. kaminari watched on in mild amusement, though you could tell that the tips of his ears were also red.

interesting, maybe it is true, you mused to yourself. can’t blame her, though.

“my turn! ask me a question, kiri,” mina said, clapping her hands and sipping her drink.

kirishima paused in thought before covering his lips and her ear with his hand.

“stop!” mina laughed, gently slapping his shoulder. “you really asked me this knowing who i’d say?”

“yeah,” kirishima chuckled. “go on, say it.”

“mr. bakugou katsuki,” mina said, rolling her eyes. “you want a shot, right?”

“tch,” he responded, grabbing the bottle. “tell me the damn question.”

mina waited for the alcohol to make its way down his throat before she exposed herself.

“‘who here do i think will get married last?’”

“and you said me?” he asked, indignant. “oi, raccoon eyes–”

“oh my god, relax,” she replied offhandedly. “clearly it’s because you’re going to be the number one hero or whatever and you won’t have time for marriage. anyway, i get to ask y/n next!”

bakugou growled, but left it alone, choosing to sit and glower at her instead.

“i’ve got a good one,” mina smirked, and immediately you knew that you were in for a tricky question.

“who here would you fuck?” she whispered, giggling as she pulled away and watched for your reaction.

you knew it was coming. not necessarily to you, but you knew that question was coming. it’s always asked. you sighed, regretting not sitting next to deku or momo who probably would have gone easy on you with the questions.

good lord mina, you thought frustratedly, putting your palm to your forehead.

“i hate you,” you said, monotoned, much to mina’s glee. “i need a shot before i answer.”

“here you go, bestie!” she replied, immediately pouring one out for you.

everyone else looked on eagerly, murmuring as you downed the shot, making a face as the alcohol burned its way down your throat.

“damn, what kind of question needs a shot before getting answered?” kaminari asked aloud, watching you with wide eyes.

you took a deep breath, looking around the group and trying to decide on who to choose. but your actions were futile; for you, there was only one answer – and there had only ever been one answer, really.

“... bakugou,” you said finally, hesitating to make eye contact with him.

“oh?” he said, cocking an eyebrow. “shot, raccoon eyes.”

“i already poured one for you!” she said happily, handing it to him. within a second, his cup was empty.

“so? spit it out, y/n,” he grinned.

“who here… would i fuck,” you said the last word with finality, anticipating the hoots and chuckles you’d get from the group.

“this is such a lewd conversation,” iida interjected abruptly, waving his hands towards the middle of the circle. “we shouldn’t–”

“you’d fuck bakugou?” kaminari asked you, his eyes wide with shock. “why?”

“what do you mean?” you felt blood rush to your face, engulfing you in slight embarrassment as you actively tried to avoid the gleaming crimson eyes that were boring holes into the side of your skull.

“i can see it, i think,” momo said, smiling at you. you were sure that what she said was meant to be reassuring, but you weren’t so sure of how helpful it was at the moment.

“so, bakugou, got anything to say?” kirishima asked with a wink, slapping his friend’s shoulder.

he was uncharacteristically silent as the rest of your peers held their breath, waiting for his response.

“tch,” he started, eyes darting to yours. “just that i’m not surprised.”

you held his gaze somewhat defiantly, thanks to the alcohol. sober you would have cast your eyes down immediately, praying for the moment to be over.

“okay, okay! next, next – gotta keep the game moving,” mina said, not wanting you to have to stay in the spotlight for too long. “y/n, ask kaminari something.”

your mind was undeniably foggy with the way you could feel bakugou’s eyes burning into your head, and you weren’t even sure how you were able to come up with a question on the spot. you muttered something stupid about who would be most likely to get robbed, and thankfully, his answer and the following questions kept the game moving along smoothly.

as the night progressed, everyone found themselves drunker and more comfortable with each other, though the questions had definitely gotten spicier. as uraraka rested her head on midoriya’s lap and jirou found herself leaning into kaminari’s arm, you couldn’t help but smile at how cute they looked. your class had come a long way since your first year together.

“i’m going to pee,” you announced, getting up and wobbling as the alcohol rushed to your head.

“oh shit, are you good?” mina asked, getting up to try and stabilize you, despite not being too stable herself.

“yeah, yeah, i’m fine,” you said, waving her off. “bathroom’s right there, i’ll be good.”

you stumbled your way over, stepping delicately over kirishima’s legs as you cut through the circle.

you used your time in the bathroom alone to try and sober yourself up. the sensation of the running cold water on your skin seemed to wake you up, and you examined yourself in the mirror.

fuck… i’m drunk, you thought after a couple of moments, giggling at the realization. disheveled strands of hair framed your face, and your eyes stayed unfocused no matter how hard you tried to get them to focus. you sighed, thinking that that was the best it was going to get, accepting your probable future hangover.

you opened the door, wringing your hands dry when an unfamiliar hand grabbed at your wrist, swallowing it in its large palm.

“bakugou?” you gasped, startled. “what…? is something wrong?”

he continued to stare at you, his large figure slowly backing you up into the wall, his body encaging you.

“did you mean it?” he asked lowly.

“what?”

“don’t be stupid,” he said impatiently. “your answer to raccoon eyes’ question.”

oh.

“i…,” you spoke hesitantly. how the fuck were you even supposed to answer that? “yeah, i guess.”

“you ‘guess’? is that a yes or a no?” he stepped in closer, backing you impossibly closer into the wall. you cowered from his stare, his body suddenly seeming much larger than you’d ever noticed before.

“i mean, yeah, i would,” your voice came out small, despite all of the mock defiance you held in your stare just an hour prior. “happy?”

he paused, holding his breath and searching your face intently. his expression was unreadable; normally, his lips were pulled into a grimace – but now, they sat in a neutral position. his eyes were the only elements of his face that gave away some semblance of emotion.

“... yeah,” he replied finally. “you could say that.”

“huh?” you asked, confused.

“come,” bakugou replied simply, tugging at your wrist and heading for the bedrooms upstairs.

“what? where are we going?” you could barely keep up with his strides. “bakugou, they’ll notice if we’re gone–”

“let them,” he sneered. “everyone’s pretty much knocked out, anyway.”

your heart throbbed in your chest as you followed him up the stairs, still slightly shell-shocked by his actions.

there’s no way this is happening right now, you thought incredulously, the only thing grounding you being the feeling of his hand on your wrist. well, i guess i didn’t lie – i would fuck him, you thought, observing the way his back muscles rippled through his black tank top. you weren’t lying – you just never thought he’d take you up on it.

you rounded the corner, realizing suddenly that he was taking you to his room – his private, secluded room that no one in the class had so far had the privilege of seeing.

“your room, bakugou? what an honor,” you giggled teasingly.

“shut it,” he growled, but you knew that he was all bark and no bite at this point.

his pace was fast and before you knew it, you were already in his room, pushed up against his door with your wrists pinned against it as he towered over you.

“you should have said something earlier, princess, maybe this would have happened a long time ago,” he said, his breath hot on your neck.

you opened your mouth to respond, but were interrupted by his lips on yours, urgent and passionate.

his tongue danced with yours as your teeth gnashed slightly; the both of you were drunk and sloppy, falling into each other as you let your thoughts swirl into nothingness.

he pressed his hips forward into yours, and you gasped slightly at the feeling of his cock stiffening behind his sweats. automatically, you rolled your hips into his, eliciting a low groan from him.

“not gonna last very long if you keep doing that, princess,” he murmured against your lips.

“huh? aiming to be a pro hero and you can’t handle that?” you teased, but were swiftly cut off as his right hand circled your neck, his left finding purchase against the small of your back as he swiveled you around to toss you on his bed.

“oi, don’t test me,” bakugou said, immediately hovering over you, supporting himself with both hands on each side of you and his knee in between your thighs.

he leaned in to suck at your neck, his hand sliding under your shirt to grasp at your breast, rolling your pebbled nipple between his fingers.

a dull ache started to pulse in your core, and you could feel yourself getting wetter, soaking the thin panties you wore. it didn’t help that with his ministrations, bakugou pressed his knee harder into you, as if knowing that you were desperate for some friction.

you arched your back into his chest, wrapping your arms around his neck and trying to bring him closer to you.

“desperate slut,” he chuckled darkly, nipping at your neck. “you’re lucky i wanted this, too.”

“oh? is that a confession, bakugou?” you asked smugly.

“you wish,” he replied snarkily, fisting your shirt and tugging it up, exposing your breasts. he moved his head down, planting wet kisses across your chest while pulling your bra down, the soft flesh spilling out of the restraining fabric.

a light buzzing filled your body – anticipation mixed with alcohol, and your mind was blurry, unable to focus on a single thought at a time. you laced your fingers into his hair, tugging softly at the blonde locks as his tongue lapped gentle circles over your nipple.

he brought his other hand down to pull at the waistband of your sleep shorts, and you lifted your hips, making it easier for him. as his fingers met your clothed cunt, he laughed darkly, sending a shiver down your spine.

“this wet for me, princess?”

you inadvertently tried to close your thighs, an attempt to hide the unmistakable dark spot that had formed at the crotch of your panties.

“no no, don’t hide,” he crooned, dipping his finger below the waistband of the lace cloth. “where’s all the brattiness from earlier, hmm?”

“tch,” you scoffed, tugging harder at his hair as you were at a loss of words.

smoothly, he pulled the fabric down, a low moan falling from his throat as he watched the string of slick that connected you to your panties.

slowly, he glided a finger up your entrance, gathering your arousal on it before shoving it into your mouth, forcing you to clean it off. he watched each and every one of your movements – like a hawk watching its prey.

not wanting to be the only one exposed, you moved your hand down to tug gently at his sweats, silently asking him to take them off. he listened, removing them easily and throwing his sweats and boxers across the room.

“you look so fucking pretty under me, you know that?” he asked, enamored by the way your cheeks hollowed out as you sucked his finger clean. “wish we could have done this earlier.”

he slapped his cock on your cunt teasingly before sliding the swollen head up and down your entrance, eliciting small whines from you. you’d never felt more needy in your life – just the mere feeling of his cock near your pussy drove you nearly insane with want, the desire to be filled up.

without warning, he pushed the head in, grinning at the gasp you emitted.

“fuck!” you breathed, eyebrows furrowed as you felt yourself already having to stretch to accommodate him.

“i’ve barely even done anything,” he responded, his grin growing even cockier. slowly, he pushed further inside you, holding back his own moans as he felt your fleshy walls clench around him. “fuck, you’re fucking tight though, princess.”

it burned for a second before the pain dissipated, and you found yourself craving more. you rolled your hips into his again, needing movement.

“tch,” he said, feeling your hips grind into his. “so needy.”

he pulled out slowly before thrusting into you again, hard and fast, ignoring the mewls and whines that had started to bubble up your throat.

you couldn’t even bring yourself to speak, so preoccupied were you with the sensation of being so, so full that you couldn’t form coherent thoughts.

with each thrust of his hips, your breasts bounced enticingly, causing bakugou to chew the inside of his cheek to prevent himself from showing any sign of vulnerability. but it was too difficult – you were just so pretty, a fucked-out mess underneath him.

the sound of skin slapping skin filled the air, to the point where you were sure that if any of your friends on the floor below listened closely enough, they could figure out what was happening.

“baku-gou, too l-loud,” you gasped, trying to choke out the words despite the pace at which he was going.

“so? they’re just extras, let them hear,” he growled, pounding into you particularly hard for good measure.

you couldn’t hold back your moans any longer, all of them spilling out at once, falling upon his ears like music.

“god- fuck, bakugou,” you panted, your nails leaving angry red marks on his back.

wordlessly, he moved a finger to your clit, rubbing small circles into it, sending jolts of pleasure through you.

your legs spasmed around him, and you wrapped them tightly around his hips, slowing his movements but unable to fully stop them. you were dangerously approaching your orgasm, and you could feel your vision start to glaze over – the only thing you could make out was the image of his eyes, red and shining, staring at you, as if willing you to cum.

your nails dug crescent-shaped marks into his flesh as you approached the edge. “‘m gonna c-cum,” you managed, creasing your forehead in concentration.

he pressed his finger harder into your puffy clit, his strokes becoming longer and more deliberate.

“yeah? then go ahead and cum, princess.”

waves of hot ecstasy rolled over you, pure bliss washing your mind blank of any thoughts. bakugou’s own hips stuttered as you clenched around him, convulsing as you rode out your orgasm.

“christ, y/n, feels so fucking good,” he muttered, letting you ride it out for a bit longer before he flipped you onto your stomach, fisting your hair.

“ah!” you cried out, your walls still fluttering around him despite the pain you felt from your scalp.

he pressed a palm into your lower back, forcing you into a deeper arch as he started to pound into you again, his head lolling back in pleasure.

bakugou couldn’t get enough of the way your ass bounced with each thrust, and he grabbed onto your left hip for support, starting to quicken his pace.

“mmnh–, more, bakugou,” you pleaded, your eyes rolling back as your tongue peeked through your parted lips. you gave up on trying to think – you gave in entirely to him.

“more? fucking slut,” he said, but in truth, your mewls and moans went straight to his dick, forcing him closer and closer to his own threatening climax.

you’d started to back your ass into him, too, matching his pace, and it was nearly too much for him to bear.

“shit,” he hissed. “‘m gonna cum, princess.”

“inside, please–!” you gasped, desperate to feel yourself filled to the brim with his cum.

that was enough for him, and he let go, shooting white hot spurts of cum into you, painting your walls white with his seed.

he cursed, feeling his cock twitch inside of you as it softened, despite the way you continued to clench around him, sucking up all of his cum and refusing to let go.

you whined as he pulled out, the sensation of cool air suddenly surrounding your pussy making you sensitive. bakugou watched, entranced, as trickles of cum oozed out from your entrance before he stuffed some back in with his finger.

gently, he helped you onto your back and flopped to your side, quiet, pensive. you lay catching your breath, but suddenly felt the urge to cover yourself up.

as if he could read your mind, he got up and got dressed, leaving the room.

is that… it? you thought, suddenly apprehensive. you, too, wanted to get dressed, but the trickle of cum making its way down your legs was too uncomfortable.

within seconds, bakugou re-entered the room, a wet rag in hand.

“you’re back?” you asked, wide-eyed.

“what? yeah, i left to get this,” he responded, confused and holding up the rag. “did you think i’d leave you like this?”

“... dunno,” you responded, a little taken aback.

he knelt by the bed, cleaning you up gently and sliding your panties back up your legs.

you’d started to become more clearheaded, despite the alcohol still buzzing throughout your system.

“i didn’t know you wanted this, too,” you said quietly, after a few pauses of silence. briefly, you wondered if you would have had the courage to be so honest if not for the alcohol.

“... i always did,” he responded, averting his gaze and instead shifting his attention to finding your shorts.

your heart beat wildly in your chest as you watched his face, pale with a rosy tint to his cheeks, his handsome features illuminated by the moonlight that peeked through his curtains.

“really?”

“yes, shitty woman,” he grunted, evoking a little giggle from you as he finally seemed back to his usual, grumpy self. “‘cause i fucking like you, y/n. got it?”

he what?

did you hear him correctly? you blinked rapidly, your breath hitching in your throat as he made eye contact with you, his stare intense and piercing.

when you didn’t respond, he looked down, embarrassed.

“you don’t have t–”

“i like you, too,” you responded quickly, hoping that he’d look at you again. “for a while, actually.”

bakugou hesitated before getting up and sitting on the edge of the bed. he reached his hand out, stroking your cheek with the pad of his thumb, leaning in to press a light kiss to your forehead.

“sleep here tonight?”

you smiled, butterflies fluttering about in your stomach.

“of course.”

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aremiies · 4 years

Text

DRUMMER BOY.

pairings: drummer!bakugou x fem!reader

warnings: a bit of swearing, fluff and bad writing, band!au

prompt(s): it’s a song prompt (v cheesy ik) the song is misery business by paramore.

part two.

not my gif !

—

“guys!” yelled a certain pink haired girl, as she chaotically ran into the stores back room to alert her friends of the newly aquired news she may or may not have learned two minutes prior. her friends, all on their lunch break, stopped what they were doing to look up to the girl who was practically jumping out of her skin.

“are you okay, mina? is there a reason you almost broke a rib trying to get through the door frame?” jirou raised a brow, looking up from her phone to entertain mina’s obvious excitement. mina squealed, trying to somewhat contain herself.

“can you get to the point already, dumbass?!” bakugou growled.

“yeah, mina,” kirishima added, “what’s got you so jumpy?”

mina sighed, somewhat dramatically, before she (finally) told her friends what she was so happy about, “so, guys, remember how we wanted to play a show at that lounge a couple blocks over?” her friends nodded before she continued, “they finally called back! the manager said it’s a yes!”

“no way.” jirou stood up.

“that’s great!” kaminari spoke up.

“yeah, no kidding! they approved of the songs?” kirishima inquired.

mina nodded, “yeah! i sent them them the lyrics to a couple of our songs, and they said that they didn’t mind which ones we played, but they’d really like if we played misery business. they’re even gonna pay us!”

“wait... isn’t that the song that you and jirou couldn’t get the vocals right to?” kaminari puzzled.

it went quiet for a second before bakugou groaned, “oh look, the pink freak didn’t think before she acted! what a surprise.”

“hey! don’t blame me i th-“

mina was cut off by bakugou’s thunderous yelling, “don’t blame you?! who else are we gonna blame?! you’re the one who sent in the request form!”

“guys, calm down,” kirishima laughed nervously, “i’m sure it’ll be fine. we could just change the chords of the song to compliment jirou’s vocal range.”

kaminari cut in, “or... no offense, maybe we could find somebody else with that vocal range to sing it for her. jirou already plays bass— oh! what about sero? we could ask him if he could-“

“no, dumbass, sero said he didn’t wanna be apart of the band anymore, remember?” bakugou grumbled.

before the group could think of anymore solutions, the bell on the front counter rang, followed by a voice calling out a to someone who could potentially help them checkout, “um... hello? is anyone back there?”

jirou sighed as she got up from the black leather couch that complimented the break room, “i’ll go help them. break is over anyways.” as jirou emerged from the back room, her eyes widened slightly as she spotted you holding a red, six stringed electric bass guitar. well, five strings actually, since it seemed that there was one missing.

“hi! sorry to keep you waiting, how can i help you today?” jirou smiled, walking behind the counter and taking in your features. you seemed like a shy type of girl... even if you weren’t, just by looking at you, she wouldn’t have suspected that you played electric guitar. your eyes looked so soft and your hands so delicate as they wrapped around the neck of the guitar. your clothes as well. as much as she didn’t want to stereotype, the clothes that adorned your body didn’t give in to the ‘edgy guitarist’ aesthetic that the guitar itself did. besides all that, she couldn’t help but to feel you looked oddly familiar.

“yeah actually, haha. i saw on the sign outside that you guys do string repairs? my ‘a’ string snapped a couple days ago..” you explained to the raven haired girl behind the counter.

jirou nodded, “yeah, of course! we’re actually having a sale right now, so if you’d like to get all you string replaced, it’d only cost $10.”

“oh? hell yeah, thanks. i’ve never taken myself to get my strings repaired, though... does it take long? should i leave and come back?” you trailed off.

she shook her head, “nah, all these should only take about ten minutes max.”

—

“so, what’s your name?” jirou made easy conversation as she began repairing your strings.

“i’m y/n, nice to meet you... jirou?” you read her name tag.

she let out a small chuckle and nodded, “you as well. so, you in a band or something?”

“oh! no, i’ve thought about starting one before, but i don’t really have anyone to do so with. i write songs and play them on haru.” you explained.

“haru?”

“yeah, that’s her name.”

jirou chuckled once more, “you named your bass?”

“uh— duh.” you playfully rolled your eyes before another figure stepped from the back room, catching your attention.

“oh.” muttered the blonde.

jirou turned to look behind her, “oh, hey bakugou. is there anything you needed?”

the boy ignored her and walked towards the counter, “you play bass?” he asked you. crimson eyes boring into your y/e/c ones.

“y-yes. not a lot... just here and there when i think it’ll compliment one of my songs.” you verified.

“you write songs?” bakugou questioned.

“only when i’m bored-“

“what kind of songs are th-“

“katsuki! stop questioning her, this isn’t a police interrogation!” jirou interjected.

“what! don’t we need another person to sing that song? i’m trying to look for options.” he shrugged.

you furrowed your brows, “you guys are a band?”

“yeah, there’s more of us. they’re in the break room though.” jirou shared. “it’s just... okay, we have this ‘gig’ soon, and one of our members entered us in under a song that we can’t seem to get right. and it’s just our luck that, that’s the song the managers would likes us to sing especially.”

you tilted your head leaning on the counter as she spoke. as you did so, bakugou studied your features— just as jirou had done minutes before. he found you interesting. just as jirou had thought, he also didn’t see you as the type to play the electric guitar out of all the different types available.

“you don’t look like the type to play.” he blurted out.

“katsuki-!” jirou sighed.

“what?! she doesn’t. she’s so... average looking.” he reckoned.

your face dropped immediately and you turned to look at him, “excuse me? what’s that supposed to mean?”

“it’s not a bad thing,” he began, “i’m just saying that you don’t look like the other people who come in her with these types of guitars.”

you subtly rolled your eyes before looking back to jirou, “so, what lounge are you supposed to be playing at?”

“the one a few blocks from here. it’s called ‘rolling red’ i believe.” she replied.

“oh! i’ve played there before!”

the two employees looked at you with furrowed brows, “you have?!”

the sudden realization crashed on top of jirou as soon as the words left her mouth, “that’s where i know you from! i’ve seen you play before! you played that cover of frances forever by mitski! i loved it, i thought about it for days after!”

you looked down at your feet as you felt your cheeks heat up, “th-thank you. i didn’t think it was that good..”

“well it was-! dude, you should totally sing for our band when we play our gig!” the usually laid back girl was brimming with happiness at the thought of finding their replacement singer on such short notice.

“i-i don’t know-“

before you could finish, you felt someone wrap their arms around your shoulders, “oh come on! you’d be great! your voice would sound great with the songs we have picked out!” you spot the pink toned arms around you and turn around.

“where did she come from?” you mumbled.

“so, what do you say? it’ll only be a one time thing.” jirou smiled hopefully.

you sighed and looked at the (now three) employees in front of you, “okay— w-wait. when is the gig anyways?”

“two weeks away.” the pink girl giggled.

“well... i guess it wouldn’t hurt.” you shrugged.

“really?! thank you!” mina engulfed you in a hug.

“yeah, don’t mention it.” you smiled.

jirou grinned and handed you your guitar, “meet us back here tomorrow. we can start our first official practice.”

you nodded, grabbing your wallet beginning to pay for the string repair before a hand fell over yours, “don’t bother. you agreeing to do this for us is payment enough... i- i guess.” bakugou hesitantly ensured.

you thanked the employees before exiting the store with a grin adorning your face. you barely knew these people, but you couldn’t help but to be the least bit excited.

—

“so, do you get it?” mina asked as she helped you understand the chords to the song.

you tilted your head in slight confusion, “uh... i think so? i’ve just never played so... aggressively? no offense.”

it was the next day and you were currently in one of the practice rooms in the back of the music store. you’d formally met everyone and it seemed that the rest of the band were cool with having you as their replacement singer. kirishima and kaminari thought you were pretty nice. bakugou said you were “pretty cool... i guess.”, but it was obvious that jirou and mina adored you the most. you weren’t too shy, you just weren’t rowdy. you weren’t too quiet, you just only spoke when spoken to out of fear of being too a annoying for the band.

“okay, let’s try again then?” jirou smiled and you nodded, placing your fingers on the strings and praying you didn’t mess up again. though it was your first time hearing the song and learning the chords, you were doing fairly well. you knew the chords and how to play them, it was just the aggressiveness in which you were supposed to play that you were screwing up on.

you sighed as you heard bakugou give the infamous drummer count off, and began to play. you weren’t using a pick, so you felt the tips of your thumb and index began to beat up as you strummed the strings quickly and found the tempo. you counted the amount of times you’d screw up by the end. the total being only seven. not bad for a four minute song.

“that wasn’t bad, y/n!” you heard kaminari compliment you.

“yeah, you did a lot better this time! it’s like you’ve already memorized everything and we’ve only been practicing for about three hours.” mina added.

you smiled at the two, “thanks, guys. really. i tried to relax more this time, so i only messed up... seven times. i think.”

“you counted?” jirou asked as she took a sip of her water.

“yeah, the last time we did it, i messed up nine times, but i found out what it was i was doing wrong and fixed it, now i only have seven more errors to correct.” you explained.

“well look at you go! at this rate, we’ll be practicing with the lyrics by this evening.” mina praised.

unlike the other four, bakugou didn’t say anything about how well you were doing. he couldn’t really bring himself to say anything to you. it wasn’t like he was embarrassed or anything; more like he was nervous to. the whole time you’d all been practicing he’d been watching your facial expressions change as you played he chords on your guitar. he could tell that you were feeling it, and that made him feel something.

—

“i’m in the business of misery, let’s take it from the top. she’s got a body like an hourglass, it’s ticking like a clock.” you mumbled the lyrics to the song as you shadow played the chords. you were liking the song so far. it wasn’t something you usually played and you liked that. you sat in the corner of the practice room as everyone took their break. either going to use the bathroom or just walking around the shop to stretch their legs. you decided on staying back and practicing the lyrics on your own before you did in front of everyone else. the thought of embarrassing yourself loomed in the back of your mind and you were absolutely terrified of it. you didn’t care if it was a rehearsal or not. embarrassing yourself was, simply, not an option.

“you sound nice.” and deeper voice spoke.

startled, you looked up from the notepad of lyrics in front of you and up to the door where, there stood bakugou; hands shoved in his pockets as he leaned against the doorframe.

“o-oh. thank you...” you muttered.

“i think i know where you keep messing up at on the chords.” he quipped.

“you do? but how? you play drums.”

he scoffed light heartedly, “just because i play drums doesn’t mean i’m oblivious to the workings and notes of other instruments.”

“oh...” you voiced, looking at the floor below you.

“here, let me see it.”

“see what?”

“your guitar, dumbass. i’m going to help you.”

you handed the boy your guitar and followed his figure with your eyes as he sat down next to you.

“after the third eight-count, your finger placement is off. i can hear it.” he stated as he began placing his finger on the strings.

“oh no... it was that obvious?” you whined burying your face in your hands. so much for embarrassment not being an option.

“stop whining, dumbass. it’s not that bad, but you can still tell that there’s something off.” he expressed, “now look, you have the right idea. but the wrong action. it’s not much, just move your finger up the neck a bit more.” bakugou strummed the note and looked back up at you, “like that. now you try.” he instructed handing you the guitar.

“okay...” copying the boys previous actions, you place your fingers on the strings. sliding your middle finger up the neck a bit, just as he’d instructed. you stunned the note and looked at him for approval.

“perf— good.” bakugou complimented hesitantly.

“mhm... thank you.” you have him a slight smile.

he nodded as he got up and headed towards the door, “if you want... i can start helping you with things like this privately. like... like we did just now. if you want, though. i don’t really care. just a suggestion.”

you nodded vigorously, “yes please. i like the way you teach.”

“o-oh... okay... well just give me your number and i can text you when we leave. or we can stay after.” bakugou suggested. the crimson eyed boy was slightly taken aback. he didn’t really expect you to say yes to him “tutoring” you. not like he was complaining though, he actually may or may not have enjoyed your company.

“can we stay after?” you asked.

he shrugged, “if that’s what you’d like.”

—

“bye guys! bakugou, remember to lock up.” kirishima waved as he and the rest of the group made their separate ways home. as for you and bakugou? you two had some after hours lessons to attend to.

the two of you made your ways back to the practice rooms.

upon entering, bakugou closed the door and turned to you, “do you want to start where we left off?”

you nodded, “yeah. after the third eight-count.”

bakugou sat down in the corner from earlier and patted the spot next to him, signaling for you to sit next to him. you complied and sat next to the blonde handing him your guitar.

“the part after the one we practiced earlier... the part where theres singing and then there’s just instrumental? can we work on that part?” you pleaded.

bakugou felt his cheeks heat up as he looked at you so find your eyes staring back into his. there was something about your eyes that made him feel warm. the feeling that your gaze gave him made him feel safe, “y- sure. okay it for me and we can start from there.”

—

it was about 8pm when the two of you decided that you’d practiced enough for the day. you helped him clean up around she shop before locking up and walking you home.

“you don’t have to, you know.” you expressed to him.

“it’s the right thing to do. i’m not just gonna let you walk home alone in the dark, dumbass.” he replied looking straight ahead.

it was quiet after that, until you walked past a convenience store, “i’m gonna go in to get something. i haven’t eaten since breakfast and i’m starving.” you let out a breathy laugh as you turned to walk in.

“eh?! dumbass, you need to eat properly. come on, i’ll but you some dinner. you don’t need to eat from a convenience store.” bakugou reprimanded. “follow me.” the two of you took a detour to a restaurant not too far away from where you guys were currently at.

“you don’t have to do this. i’m fine with getting something quick and cheap—“

“no,” he cut you off, “you need to eat properly. we won’t be long.”

—

onigiri in hand, the two of you continued your walk home in a comfortable silence as the two of you ate.

“thank you,” you said looking up at him.

bakugou glanced down at you before looking back up, “yeah, no problem.”

“we can stop here, my house is only around the corner. i’ll be fine on my own for now.”

bakugou nodded slightly, “yeah uh... sure. make sure to come to the shop tomorrow.”

you looked at the blonde in slight confusion, “huh? it’s closed tomorrow, is it not?”

“yeah,” he began, “but we still have to work through some of your screw ups. meet me there no later than noon.” he stated before walking away.

you silently agreed before turning away and walking the remainder of the way to your house alone.

—

“y/n, it’s been a bit more than a week since we’ve started these practices and you still don’t have that note down!” bakugou snapped. you two had been practcing with each other for a bit of a while now, and during that time you’ve gotten a bit more comfortable with each other.

“you idiot, i’m trying! you have to understand that i’m not used to singing notes on that octave.” you said rubbing your temples.

“okay, we’ll get used to it! you have two more days to get it right.” katsuki grumbled. “if you don’t, you’re going to embarrass yourself, dumbass.”

you narrowed your eyes at him, though, he was right. the note you were trying to hit wasn’t that hard. you could do it— you knew you could.

“you guys alright in here?”

you looked up to find mina at the door, peaking her head in from the outside.

“what the hell? i thought your alien ass went home.” bakugou stated.

“i could say the same about you guys. i went home and realized i forgot my charger, but you both should go home. it’s nearly ten pm. get some rest.” mina noted.

“ten pm?!” you exclaimed, quickly jumping up.

“holy shit!” bakugou chimed in grabbing his things.

the two of you exited the practice rooms and made your way to the front of the store. as you began to exit, the boy was quick to stop you, “h-hey—! don’t be so quick to leave. i still have to walk you home, y’know.”

you let go of the door and looked back at the male, “well come on then.”

the two of you waved goodbye to mina before taking the oath to your house. upon arriving, you felt bakugou’s hand ok your shoulder, “we won’t be able to practice tomorrow, we all have things to do, so make sure you work on that note, dumbass. we don’t need you screwing up.”

you nodded before walking to your door, “goodnight, bakugou.”

—

the day of the gig was finally here and though you told katsuki that’s you’d practice, you never did. that being said, you still hadn’t attempted to hit that high note. it was too late, though. you were now sitting backstage waiting for your guys’ turn.

“i’m nervous..” mina admitted as she paced back and forth.

“why?” jirou raised a brow in confusion, “we’ve practiced a lot these past few days. we’ve got this in the bag. if y/n worked out the thing with her high note, we shouldn’t be worried about anything. let’s just pretend this is another rehearsal.” the girl smiled.

the mentioning of your high high note mad your stomach churn. you hadn’t told them you didn’t practice in fear of coming off as irresponsible.

“yeah, we’ve been sounding really good! we got this, guys. besides, we’re up next so you’d probably want to try and calm down.” kaminari tried to somewhat comfort the pink skinned girl.

meanwhile, you were chewing your nails down to the cuticle. all of your practicing had led up to this moment and bakugou could tell you were nervous. he watched as your leg bounced up and down and you spit out the pieces of nail you’d bite off.

“hey, dumba— er... y/n,” bakugou prattled, walking over to and placing a hand on your shoulder, “calm down, yeah? you’re gonna do fine. i-... i believe in your dumbass... i-i guess.” he trailed off.

your soft eyes looked into his narrowed ones, your face softening at his comforting (?) words. you nodded, and as if on cue, the six of you were called onto stage.

—

this was it. this was what you’d practiced for. you looked out into the ‘crowd’; there were a lot of people for this just being a bar and lounge. maybe because it was a saturday? or, maybe you were just seeing blurry. whatever it was, you didn’t have time to worry about it as the sound of bakugou’s infamous drummer count off filled your ears.

you took a deep breath, one last chance to calm your nerves before you started to strum the notes on your guitar.

you counted off the final eighth of the instrumental and began to sing, “i’m in the business of misery, let’s take it from the top. she’s got a body like an hour glass it’s tickin like clock. it’s a matter of time before we all run out, when i thought he was mine, she grabbed him by the mouth,”

you have a jirou a look out the corner of your eye and was met with her approving, close-lipped smile. looking over to mina, you were meg with the same smile, only wider and toothier.

you took that as a sign and pulled yourself together, hands still sweaty from your nerves being a wreck, “i waited eight long months, she finally set him free. i told him i can’t lie, he was the only one for me. two weeks and we had caught on fire, she’s got it out for me, but i wear the biggest smile,”

so far, so good. you hadn’t had a voice crack (yet), and as the song went on you could feel your anxiety washing away. the song continued and it seemed the crowd was enjoying it quite a lot. you liked seeing the smiles on their faces, it made you happy. though, your smile quickly faded when you realized what part was coming. the part you took upon yourself to not practice for. your mind started to race; the note isn’t that hard to hit. you’ve hit notes like this before— that was a lie. but, hey, you’ve hit notes close to it before ! soon, there was no more time for you to think about it. it was now or never, and it wasn’t like you could just skip the part all together.

without a second thought, you scraped together the little courage you find in yourself and sang, “but god, does it feel so good. cause i’ve got ‘em where i want him now. and if you could, then you know you would, cause god, it just feels so... it just feels so good.”

your eyes widened as the final lyrics left your mouth. you did it— who are you kidding, of course you did. you knew you had it in you. and with that, the crowd cheered. you let go of the microphone stand that you didn’t even remember grabbing hold of, and smiled. in a matter of second you felt arms around you.

“you did amazing, y/n!” jirou congratulated.

“you sounded great!” mina added with a wide grin.

you smiled and hugged the two girls back, “thanks guys...”

—

the six of you eventaully made your ways back to backstage.

“did you guys see how everyone applauded?! they loved us out there!” kaminari grinned. the rest of you nodded, giving each other compliments on how well they played. you looked over to find bakugou looking at you. you smiled, walking over to sit next to him.

“you... you did good, dumbass,” he gave you a subtle smile, “if i’m being honest, i didn’t think you were gonna do it.”

you chuckled a bit before looking up at him, “would you believe me if i said i didn’t either?”

the blonde shook his head, “hell no. you let go of your bass and everything. you knew you were gonna hit it. there was too much confidence in your movements to say otherwise.”

“thank you.” you said after a few moments of silence between you two.

“yeah, whatever.”

“no, seriously,” you said putting a hand on his shoulder. he felt his cheeks heat up as he looked into your eyes. they had the same sincere look the always did, “you’re a great teacher. and i could tell you genuinely believed in me. that made it easier to preform.”

bakugou was silent for a second, “yeah. anytime..”

you engulfed the boy into a hug before you began towards the rest of the band.

“oh uh, y/n?”

you turned around, “hm?”

“you should consider joining the band... we could use you here. and you’re... cool to hand around. i-i guess, i uh... like having you around and you’re talented or whatever... so yeah.”

you smiled, “are you sure you just don’t want to keep me around a bit longer for your own sake?” you teased.

“wh-what?! hell no, dumbass. you’re delusional.” bakugou retorted.

“mhm, whatever. in any case, i’ll think about it, cutie.”

—

idk of i want to leave this open ended, or make a second part- lmk? :) anyways, hope you enjoyed !

#anime #writing #bakugou katuski x reader #bakugou imagine #bnha bakugou #bakugou katsuki #bakugou x reader #bakugou fluff #band au #mha bakugou #my hero fanfic #mha fanfiction #fanfic #mha #new writer boost

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charmingyong · 4 years

Text

Wasabi Chocolates

Genre: Ten x reader (gender neutral), co-workers, one-sided hate to love, humour, fluff

Warnings: the number of times I wrote “oh my god,” swear words, somewhat mentally violent reader (’you’re going crazy~’ because of Ten), physical injury, cats (sorry to those allergic)

Abbrev: F/N L/N = first name last name

Word count: 6k

Plot: You were a good child, always being nice to your classmates in elementary school. Unlike Ten who was always a troublemaker. When your family decided to move away during middle school, you were relieved thinking that you weren’t ever going to see him again. But you were wrong a decade later when your new co-worker was none other than the devil himself.

A/N: You’ll see that I watch a lot of cat vlogs. Please let me know if there are any issues in terms of the gender-neutral assignment.

- ❀ -

“Oh my God! Did you hear about the new guy that got hired in our department? I heard he’s super hot!” Sally gushed.

Your colleagues around you continued to gossip while your gaze was fixed onto the word document on your monitor. It didn’t faze you that the workspace next to yours was going to be occupied soon.

“Wow Y/N, aren’t you lucky?”

You rolled your eyes. Who knew how the new employee was going to turn out in terms of work habits? You were always punctual when completing work before deadlines and arriving for work, except for the times when the brutal winter would take forever to heat your car up. You were hardworking and smart, always getting praised by your higher-ups. You were proud of the compliments, but you mainly did it for self discipline. You loved your coworkers. They were all productive like you and adored you back. You were always genuinely nice to them, ready to help them out whenever they needed a helping hand. It made you happy that your workplace was a healthy environment and you looked forward to working there every day.

You hoped the new co-worker would be no exception.

“We’ll see about that when he starts. When is he coming?” you asked.

“Tomorrow.”

- ❀ -

The next morning you arrived a little earlier than usual, wanting to welcome the newbie and give him a tour around the building. You placed your tote bag that had a poorly self-drawn picture of your cat and turned on your desktop monitor, displaying the wallpaper of your sleeping cat on your bed. You smiled, your heart fluttering at how cute Sakura looked. You heard the doors slide open of your department, signaling an arrival. Removing your gaze from the monitor, you stood up ready to greet them warmly.

Only to have your blood turn cold and your face scrunched up ever so slightly when you realized who it was.

An amused smile grew on his face. “Wow! I can’t believe this. The one and only F/N L/N is my work buddy.”

Ten.

He was the new employee that was going to be located beside you.

The same troublemaker from elementary school. The one who’d make fun of the new kids with accents, start fights with other boys, be loud and obnoxious in class, and worst of all, act all high mighty as if he was the most important person in the school.

You scoffed. There went your hope jumping out the tenth-floor window. Hope for your new co-worker to be no exception to the healthy workplace environment. “I feel a headache coming,” you muttered to yourself.

- ❀ -

Ten had settled down at his workspace, and your colleagues gathered around him, asking about himself. He took out something from his bag, a gift for his new coworkers.

“Wow Ten! You’re so cool!” Sally fanned herself as if Ten’s coolness was too much for her to handle.

“I know right.” Ten had a smug smile on his face.

You scoffed from your seat. “Who the fuck brings wine to work?” Ten had brought a red wine bottle as a ‘please take care of me’ gift. Who was even going to drink it during work hours?

“It looks like someone doesn’t know how to have fun,” he threw shade at you.

You glared at him, your blood boiling the more you heard his voice.

“Y/N doesn’t. That’s why she’s still single,” Mina agreed.

You started at her in disbelief. “Excuse me, but I’m living a grand life.”

“Please, I’m tired of hearing your love stories with your cat.”

Ten’s eyebrows raised in surprise. “Woah! You have a cat? That’s so cool!” he gushed.

You rolled your eyes. “I thought you saw my computer screen already.”

He got onto his feet quickly and bent down to hover over your shoulder. The close proximity between you two sent your heart beating erratically. “Wow... What’s her name? She’s so cute,” he cooed, straightening his spine up.

Your heartbeat went back to normal and you heaved out a sigh in relief. “Sakura, and how do you know she’s a female?”

He held up two fingers. “I have two cats. And I love cats so much that I can accurately guess if they’re a he or she.” He shoved his hands in his pockets, a smirk forming on his face. “I beat you. You have one and I have two cats.”

If you weren’t at work, you would have chucked a pencil at him. And you couldn’t believe your ears. You both had one thing in common after all those childhood years when you’d compare your good self to his bad one.

The day went by super slow, all thanks to the devil. You had given him a tour of the building, trying to keep your cool to the best of your ability whenever he made remarks. Once you explained the work for the day, you tried to focus on your work.

It hadn’t been a few seconds when you felt a poke in the shoulder. “Y/N, how do I do this? What is this supposed to mean? Why are we doing this?”

Like the way your hope did, you wanted to jump out the window.

- ❀ -

A couple of days later, Ten had picked up everything that you taught him, even completing his work faster than you. Your pace had only slowed down a bit because of the living distraction next to you. He had changed the desktop wallpaper to a selfie with his two cats. You weren’t ever going to admit this out loud, but he looked just a little bit cute with the adorable furry felines.

Your boss had announced that there was going to be a lunch party happening at the end of the week to welcome the newly hired employees in the company. Parties and such weren’t your thing anymore. Lifestyle habits changed after adopting your beautiful Sakura. But the reason why you kind of looked forward to it was because of a particular someone from another department.

“You know what this means?” Mina wiggled her eyebrows.

“What?”

“Shoot your shot! Who knows someone will catch your eyes at the party?”

“Or a secret admirer of yours finally asks you out,” Joshua added.

“Which is not happening,” you said. “My luck isn’t that great.”

Flashbacks to your previous failed dates haunted you and you didn’t have it in you to try again. You were happy with Sakura and did your best to stay positive, convincing yourself that your love for your cat was enough to be happy in your successful life.

Your last words had Ten staring at you intently.

- ❀ -

Your group walked to the location of the lunch party on the main floor. Your heart wasn’t exactly beating fast, only doing a few somersaults. Upon entering the main hall, you saw many employees from other departments chatting with one another. Your eyes scanned the area to search for a particular boy.

You found him. He wore a black suit with a white-collar shirt. His dark hair neatly styled. Xiaojun, you believed was his name based on that one time he had delivered a speech at a mass conference. You had never talked to him and didn’t find it in you to do so. You could tell he was way younger than you and that stopped you from approaching him. If you talked to him, it would only make you feel like you were talking to your son than your crush.

Ten followed your line of sight and smirked. “Wow, does my Y/N have a crush on someone?”

Your heart stopped and turned to glare at him. “What the fuck do you mean my Y/N?”

He snickered. “So you like him, huh?”

Sally’s ears piqued interest. “Oh my God! Did I just hear that Y/N has a crush?”

“Finally someone other than her cat!” Mina cried. “Who who?” Her head turned in all directions as if she was going to find someone holding a sign saying ‘I’m her crush.’

You crossed your arms in front of your chest. “Ugh! I don’t! Ten’s just being an asshole.”

“Hey! I only speak the truth!”

Joshua spoke up. “Okay fine Y/N. Let’s say you don’t have a crush. Is there someone in this room that catches your eye?”

Even if someone did, you weren’t going to admit it. But for your colleagues’ sake, you pretended to search the room. “No.”

Before they could force you to go around and show your face, a group of people walked into the hall, carrying various foods for the lunch party and placing them on the white clothed tables lined up near the wall. A guy carried a plate of what looked like chocolates and placed it on the desserts table. You recognized the guy being Yuta, having bumped into him a couple of times when going out for Japanese meals and making small talks. Though you found it weird that he only brought a small box when there were at least two hundred people present.

You remembered Yuta saying that he loved pranking people and if the chocolates were the bait for his next prank, an idea formed in your head.

“Okay guys, I have an idea.”

“Huh?” Mina was bewildered from your sudden declaration.

“I’m going to make your wish come true.”

“Woah what do you mean? You’re gonna ask someone out?” Joshua grew excited by your words.

You nodded. “If someone eats that chocolate Yuta brought without making a reaction, I’ll ask them out on one date.”

Your colleagues showed a mixed reaction of shock and excitement. Ten was silently watching you with his eyes holding a shine.

Yes, you could have been wrong and Yuta may have brought chocolates for people who were lucky to get their hands on it first. But when the first victim when up to take a bite of the chocolate, your theory had turned out right. It was a prank. The woman’s face scrunched up in disgust and turned red.

Ten saw this, trying to think of the possible things that could be inside the chocolates. He could handle spicy things easily, but he didn’t like fruits and hoped those weren’t inside.

He was curious about you, loved annoying you to the point you were pulling your hair. A date sounded like the perfect thing in order to have more fun with you. He knew you’d never agree to one with him, knowing the bad reputation he had as a child. Your reaction to when he first walked into the department on his first day was enough to confirm that you still held onto the ill thoughts of him.

He walked through the crowds before another person would snatch the opportunity. He observed the round chocolates, definitely handcrafted, and were perfectly sealed off without anyone doubting its contents. He picked one up and headed back to you.

You were puzzled to see Ten hold a piece of Yuta’s chocolate. Your brain feared for the possibility of what Ten had in mind.

Mina squealed. “Don’t tell me you’re going to eat the chocolate Y/N was talking about!”

Ten gave you a mischievous smirk while you shook your head. “Don’t you dare,” you breathed out.

“You didn’t put any restrictions.” While holding eye contact with you, he placed the chocolate in his mouth, not biting it right away.

Your heart felt uneasy. You hoped desperately for Ten to lose the challenge.

He slowly bit into the sweet cocoa shell, testing the filling. He felt the heat of the spicy pungent flavour explode in his mouth, immediately figuring out that the filling was wasabi. Good thing he broke the round shell slowly so he could get used to the taste instead of being thrown under the bus and distorting his face.

Ten chewed calmly as you began panicking. If he finished eating the chocolate without making a single face, you were doomed. Why Ten out of everyone? Why would Ten even be interested in going on a date with you?

After a minute, he opened his mouth.

Your heart dropped.

The pungent smell of wasabi hit your nose but nothing was in his mouth. He finished it.

“So Y/N, this means I get to go out with you,” he stated with a triumph smile.

How do you get away with murder without reading books for ideas?

- ❀ -

You unlocked the door to your apartment, gently opening it to find Sakura sitting by the door, waiting for you excitedly.

“Awe my baby!” you cooed and picked her up.

She nuzzled into your cozy sweater and purred.

“Are you hungry, girl?”

A meow as a reply.

You put her down and made your way to the kitchen. As you prepared her meal, you thought back to Ten’s words on his first day.

I have two cats.

Poor cats. You felt bad for their unfortunate fate of having Ten as their owner.

You placed the elevated food bowl on the counter and called her. She jumped effortlessly onto the counter and stuffed her head inside the bowl.

A notification chimed on your phone, followed by another one, and another one. “Huh, who could that be?” you asked to yourself.

3 unread messages: Ten

You groaned upon seeing the devil’s name. This would only mean one thing.

Ten: tmrw’s saturday

Ten: let’s go on that date

Ten: uwu

You cringed at the last message. He was nowhere near uwu in your eyes. You also didn’t want to go out with him this soon, but it was better to get it over with than having to put it off.

Y/N: fine

Y/N: 2pm at the shopping mall

Ten: see you tmrw babe ;)

You gagged.

- ❀ -

It was 1:52 pm and you waited at the entrance of the mall, scrolling through your gallery on the phone. Why did you come early? A habit of yours. And when you were supposed to be on a ‘date’ with a devil that you despised greatly, it was better to arrive early and calm yourself down before you could murder him at first sight. You chose the mall, thinking it was better to walk around than having to sit across him and look at his face the entire time. Plus, you were almost positive that your window shopping was going to be torturous for Ten.

“Boo!”

“Ah!” You whipped around to see the devil laughing his ass off.

“Oh my God Y/N. You should have seen your face.” Ten mimicked your scream, exaggerating it with a funny face.

You puffed. “Shut up!”

“Okay okay. No need to frown. So what are we here for?” He rubbed his palms together excited for the date.

You rolled your eyes. “This is a shopping mall. We’re obviously here to shop.”

“Yeah but anything in particular?”

You shook your head. If anything caught your eye for Sakura, then that was it. Your plan was to walk around window shopping long enough that Ten would start whining and leave you.

And never dare to go out with you again.

You expected him to play it cool if he didn’t like the idea, but his wide grin and sparkling eyes told you otherwise. “Perfect! We can walk around and see if we find something for our cats. I actually have some art supplies to buy too.”

Your heart dropped, not expecting the uno reverse card.

He noticed your fallen face, knowing the reason behind it and cooed. “Awe your so cute!” He pinched your cheek, in which you swatted his hand away.

He laughed with his crinkling eyes while heat rose up to your cheeks.

“Let’s go!” Ten clung onto your arm and pulled you with him. You didn’t have it in you to pull out of his grasp when your heart was hammering in your chest.

- ❀ -

The next time you arrived at work, you were surprised to find Ten already at his desk. He usually arrived after you.

“Morning Y/N!” he chirped.

You never realized how handsome he really was when sweetly smiling at you.

Every day your cold heart towards him melted whenever he’d ask if you wanted coffee or needed any help. Whenever he’d leave his workspace with his desktop wallpaper displayed on the monitor, you stared at the selfie picture and your heart picked up its pace at the cute cats and Ten’s smile.

One day, you arrived to work with your heart expecting to see the cute kitten in the form of a human, only to be disappointed by his absence. All your colleagues had arrived on time shortly, except for the one beside you. It was past 10 am, an hour after the expected arrival time, which you thought was weird for Ten to be away from work without informing anyone.

Your phone vibrated beside you, displaying an unknown number. “Weird,” you mumbled but answered in case it had something to do with Ten. “Hello?”

“Hello, am I speaking to Y/N?” An unknown female’s voice was heard over the line.

“Yes?”

“Hello, I’m calling from the hospital regarding a patient named Ten.”

Your body froze. Hospital? Patient? “Oh my God! What happened to Ten?” You didn’t know you were loud for others to hear you. A sick feeling formed in your stomach at the thought of Ten being hurt.

“Not to worry too much. He has a minor injury and he requested for you.”

You grabbed your belongings and sprinted out the office.

- ❀ -

Your eyes scanned the room full of patients sitting on the beds, waiting for either the doctor or their loved ones.

“Y/N! Over here!” Your head snapped in his direction, where he sat on the bed with a cast on his arm. The boy really only knew how to smile, even when he was injured with his dominant arm.

“Why the fuck are you here? What happened to you?” you yelled full of anger.

A nurse attending another patient hushed you, and you muttered a sheepish apology.

“I was on my way to work and on the crosswalk-”

“Ten, why don’t you look both ways before crossing the road? Why do you always do reckless things? How are you going to work now? Even worse, how are you going to take care of yourself and your cats?”

“Woah, easy there tiger. It’s just a small cast. I’ll be fine,” Ten waved his free hand in a dismissive manner. “Everything will be okay.”

You groaned, frustrated with his carefree attitude. “Why do you love causing so much trouble? What the hell is wrong with you?”

He didn’t say anything back, opting to stay mute with pursed lips. Of course you wouldn’t have anything to say, you thought.

A man appeared beside you. “Hello. Are you Ten?” he asked the boy on the bed.

Ten nodded. “Yes I am.”

You gave the man a quick glance who wore a black formal suit. He couldn’t be working at the hospital with that kind of attire.

“Hi, I’m Taeyong. I want to sincerely apologize and thank you with all my heart for this morning.”

Wait what? “What happened this morning?” you asked him utterly confused. Why was this man saying thank you and sorry to Ten?

“My son was crossing the road and wasn’t paying attention to the pedestrian lights, almost getting hit by a car.”

You gasped audibly. “Oh no! Is he alright?”

He smiled at you. “Yes he is. All thanks to Ten for jumping into the traffic and saving him.”

Ten? Ten saved a child? Ten risked his safety to save someone? Your heart fluttered as you gaped at the one you’d always call the devil, for once having done an angelic deed to save a child’s life.

Ten avoided your eyes and looked at Taeyong. “It’s not a problem at all. I hope he’s okay.”

Taeyong nodded. “Yes he is. As a form of gratitude, I’d like to pay for your hospital bills.”

“Oh there’s no need-”

“I insist. Please,” Taeyong pleaded, not willing to back down.

Ten let out a deep sigh. “Okay. If you really don’t mind.”

Taeyong smiled warmly. “It’s the least I can do. I’ll take your leave and pay at the front. Take care, Ten.” With that, Taeyong left.

You huffed. “So you were just to leave me in the dark and not tell me?”

He shrugged. “You cut me off before I could explain.”

Oh right. “Sorry,” you mumbled.

He nodded. “Apology accepted... under one condition.”

You rapidly blinked a few times. Condition? “Okay what is it?” You still felt guilty for jumping to conclusion and you were ready to take him on another date if that was what he wanted. But you were still confused that Ten even wanted to go on a date with you earlier.

An innocent smile formed on his face. “I’m going to need help now that my one arm isn’t working.”

You nodded, agreeing to his words, and expected that much. “How can I help?”

“Live with me.”

“WHAT?” You earned another hush from the nearby nurse and apologized again. “I am not living with you. I have Sakura to take care of and she has a problem adjusting to new environments,” you said through gritted teeth.

“Then I’ll come live with you. Louis and Leon have no problem with that,” he stated seriously.

“That doesn’t solve anything. You know our cats have to get used to each other first. Otherwise they’ll just be hissing at each other every day.”

“Anything to do with cats, leave it to me. I’ll fix all the problems.” He smirked for the nth time. “So that means you’re okay with me living with you, huh?”

If he didn’t have a cast on him, you would have grabbed the pillow off the bed and chucked it at his face.

- ❀ -

“Your place is pretty cute. Like you,” Ten said while his eyes wandered around your small apartment. You heard him say the last part but chose to ignore it, assuming that he was either lying or joking.

The old you would have never agreed to let Ten live with you. But your feelings were slowly developing for the devil and you wanted to slap yourself for that. Why Ten out of anyone? And even though you went out with Ten, why was he okay with you?

Oh yes, you both had cats.

All your previous dates had made a dash towards the exit upon hearing your love for your cat. It was only three dates, but it was enough for you to pull the brakes on dating. You couldn’t figure why they had a problem with that. Wasn’t it normal to have a pet? Maybe yours was taking it a little too far and it seemed more like an obsession. You only ever thought about Sakura, bringing every little thing to connect to Sakura during the conservations. Every time you looked at your date, your mind went on overdrive thinking about what Sakura was up to. You had a security camera set up in the living room to check on her through the phone app.

Needless to say, you were more concerned about your cat than your dates, and that made you never hear back from them again.

Upon entry of the strangers in her home, Sakura ran up to the highest tier of the cat tower, hissing as her little furs stood up.

“Sakura don’t worry. They won’t hurt you,” you spoke softly while patting her backside.

Ten chuckled. “Sakura is feisty, just like you.”

You glared at him. “I never show my feisty side.”

He scoffed. “Please, it’s literally written all over your face.” He smirked and added, “It’s quite entertaining.”

You scowled.

Sakura continued hissing in the direction of the other cats. Louis and Leon were still in their carriers, looking around curiously through the windows.

“Meow?”

“Yes Leon, we’re staying here until I get better.” Ten took out a blanket from one of his bags and spread it out in the living room. He unzipped Leon’s carrier and waited for the cat to courageously come out. After a few seconds of popping his head out and looking around, Leon hopped out and nuzzled against the familiar blanket, not minding the hissing from the top of the tower.

Louis was next, and unlike Leon, Louis began his tour around his temporary home.

“When do you have to take your pain medication?” you asked.

“Before dinner. What should we eat?”

“You’re the patient. You should decide.”

He hummed for a bit. “How about ramen? I’m craving for those instant ramen noodles.”

Wow. You could really start tallying up all the similarities that you both had, and the thought of it made your heart skip a beat.

“Perfect. I have a stash of it,” you replied.

He grinned at you and you looked away from his eyes, coughing out of nervousness. “Um, for bed you can either take my room or sleep on this pull-out daybed here.” You were grateful for your selection of a furniture that came three-in-one for your living room. Sofa, additional storage, and bed. It was wiser to go for a multifunctional product when living in an apartment.

Ten’s eyes narrowed in amusement. “Wow is F/N L/N really giving up the bedroom for me?”

You froze. You didn’t think of it beforehand and worried if your heart was going to get caught. He was injured and you didn’t have it in you to force him on the daybed when he could feel better on your queen-sized bed. But if he was going to pull your leg, then you were going to take back the offer. “Fine, be in the living room.”

He smiled kindly. “I wouldn’t take your room even if you insisted. But I really appreciate the thought, Y/N,” he spoke softly.

The way his eyes brightened when fixed on you had your heart ready to jump out the window.

- ❀ -

Sakura’s bed was usually in the living room. But because of the strangers that hijacked there, she moved into your bedroom. It didn’t really make a big difference to you as she sometimes slept next to you in bed. Meanwhile, you were surprised that Louis and Leon had adjusted fairly quickly to both the new home and its owners.

You got out of the bathroom after taking your bedtime shower, cuing Ten to go in next. Walking into the kitchen, you prepared a glass of warm milk for yourself. Leon and Louis began meowing and purring at your drink and so you decided to prepare three bowls of it. You placed the bowls for Leon and Louis down on the floor, in which they began sipping immediately, while keeping Sakura’s on the counter, her preferred location for meals and away from the ‘intruders.’ You picked her up and transported her to the counter, keeping her far away as possible from the other cats.

“Y/N, can you help me?”

You headed to the direction of the bathroom and found him standing like a kicked puppy. “What is it?”

“I need help taking my clothes off.”

“WHAT?” You were not going to strip him naked.

He laughed hard, holding his stomach. “Chill I was joking. At least for the bottoms. Can you help me take off my shirt?”

You felt your cheeks heat up, bashful at the request. Well this was what he meant when he said he needed help, you thought.

You moved to stand in front of him. Your fingers hesitated to touch his shirt and Ten watched you with an entertained expression. Taking a deep breath which you smelled your favourite body wash coming from him, you grasped the hem of his shirt and slowly pulled it upward. You weren’t trying to look at his abs knowing it was going to freak you out. But when your eyes landed on his six-pack abs, you yelped and accidentally tugged on his injured arm.

“Ow!”

“Oh my God! I’m so sorry!”

He chuckled. “Calm down Y/N. My abs aren’t gonna come to life and bite you. I think you should pull the sleeve out of my arm first and then pull it up.”

You did as he said and eventually got him free of his top. So now you were standing in front of a shirtless Ten, his abs staring at you, your eyes avoiding him, and you felt like your cheeks were on fire.

“It’ll be easier to wear a sleeveless shirt... or no shirt at all. Your reactions are so cute to watch,” he cooed.

“Have some manners at least for Sakura.”

- ❀ -

Before you left for work the next morning, Sakura had surprisingly warmed up to Ten. That was good news because she continued hissing at her new housemates. Having at least one soul at home who she wasn’t afraid of would bring her relief. Louis and Leon didn’t give her much attention and minded their own business.

At work, it felt weird to not have Ten next to you even though he was living at your place. The office environment felt different without him just as it felt different when he first joined the company. You used to be irritated of having him as your work buddy, and it was funny that you recently liked having him around, especially when work got stressful. He’d always add humour to every situation and your colleagues loved him for it, motivating them to work with a calmer mind.

Your colleagues asked you about him and when you filled them in on what happened, you wondered what was going on at home without you. You pulled out your phone and went on the security camera app. A hand flew to your mouth before you could scream.

“What is it, Y/N?” Sally asked and appeared behind you, looking at your screen. “Oh my goodness. This is...”

“What what what?” Mina ran up, followed by Joshua.

“Woah,” he breathed out, upon seeing a shirtless Ten lazing around in the living room.

You should have expected it from his words the previous night. Ten was playing with Sakura and your heart was far from okay seeing the two kittens you had a soft spot for being friendly with one another.

“So did the date happen with Ten yet?” Mina asked.

You nodded. “Yeah it did. We went to the mall.”

“Ooo~ How did it go?” Joshua asked.

“Of course it had to have gone well enough for Ten to be living with Y/N,” Sally winked in your way.

Sally was right in the sense that the date went well. Even though you weren’t a fan of Ten back when the date happened, you couldn’t lie to yourself that the date itself wasn’t fun. It was fun going to the different shops to check out cool outfits that looked jaw-dropping good on Ten, and buy some new toys for the cats. You both went to a Japanese restaurant and had sushi for lunch. The wasabi that was provided with the meal made you think back to the wasabi chocolate that Ten ate to win a date with you.

How did it taste like, you thought.

- ❀ -

One day, a meeting in the morning had bad news broken to your team. The deadline for a particular project was the next day, which meant that your entire team had to work overtime to complete it. You texted Ten of the news and he replied saying to not worry about him or the cats. You felt bad that he was going to have to handled everything on his own with his injured arm and an additional cat on top of his. Even though it was a matter of few seconds to check the security camera and see if everything was all right, your stress kept your brain preoccupied with the urgent assignment at hand and not check on the situation at home.

When you arrived home after eleven at night, you were greeted by three cats waiting for you behind the door. Your tired brain noticed that Sakura wasn’t hissing at Louis and Leon, meaning that she had finally warmed up to her new friends.

“Oh my goodness... Ten! Did you see Sakura-” You went speechless upon your entry into the living room.

Ten stood smiling at you with a canvas sitting on an easel behind him. The canvas was a painting of what looked like flowers and vines in the background that surrounded... your face?

“How did you... your arm?” You were impressed that Ten had painted it with his non-dominant hand.

“Being in here all day, I tried painting with my free hand. I’m sorry if it didn’t turn out good.” He bit his lip nervously.

You were dumbfounded. “Are you kidding me? This is so cool! It’s literally flawless. But what is this supposed to be?”

He smiled genuinely at you. “It’s a painting of you blooming around plants. There’s something I want to confess...” he trailed off nervously scratching his head.

Your heart beated faster, hoping that it was something good that he wanted to confess after showing the painting of you.

“I really like you, Y/N. I know I’m not in your good books, but I promise to be one from now on. So if you’re willing to give me a chance, will you let me be your boyfriend?” he asked with a hopeful expression.

You blinked, not believing your ears that Ten liked you back. “You seriously like me?”

He chuckled anxiously. “Yeah. I did ever since the first time I saw you again at work.”

Woah. “So that’s why you wanted to date me,” you breathed out.

He nodded. You grew silent and so he raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you going to confess back?”

“What?”

“I know you like me too.” His infamous smirk made a comeback. “It’s so obvious and written all over your face every day.”

“Ten?”

“Yes?”

“Shut up.”

“I see you’re not denying it.”

You pursed your lips but failed to stop the smile from spilling onto your face. “Okay you win. I like you too.” You were ecstatic that you were not only going to live a successful life, but a satisfied one as well.

“Good, because there’s another surprise for you in the kitchen,” he stated.

You blinked at him. “What?”

“You’ll see,” he smiled innocently.

Walking into the kitchen, you found what Ten was talking about. You brought the heart shaped box wrapped with red gift wrap to the living room, excitedly unwrapping it and opening the box in front of him.

The contents of the box being heart shaped chocolates.

“Awe, this is so cute.” You took a bite without any hesitancy and your face scrunched up miserably.

Wasabi.

Ten’s laughter resonated off the walls of your apartment as you dropped the box on the coffee table and sprinted to the kitchen, spitting it into the trash. You stormed back to Ten and crossed your arms angrily.

“You literally promised!” you yelled.

“Yeah I did. But I never said that these chocolates were for you to eat.”

“You said it was a surprise for me,” you deadpanned.

“Yeah but your surprise is this.” He picked up a piece and popped it in his mouth, chewing it as if there was no spicy filling inside it. Once he swallowed it all, he opened his mouth for proof. You were confused as to why he willingly ate the wasabi chocolate. Though you did slightly swoon over how sexy he looked when he ate the bomb so effortlessly. He closed his mouth and grinned at you.

“You owe me another date.”

#nct #wayv #chittaphon leechaiyapornkul #chittaphon fluff #chittaphon x reader #nct ten #wayv ten #nct x reader #nct fanfic #nct fanfiction #charm

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duhragonball · 4 years

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Hellsing Liveblog Afterward

So, this is just a place for me to toss in some other Hellsing stuff I wanted to talk about outside the reading of Hellsing itself.

Okay so first off, I wanted to document this cool trivia I noticed about Rip van Winkle, the werewolf(?) with the musket that fires magic bullets. Her weapon is based on the 19th Century German opera Der Freischütz. The opera is based on a story published by Johann August Apel in 1811, and this writing was based on German folklore. The legend involves a marksman who makes a contract with the devil and receives seven magic bullets. Six will hit whatever the marksman wants, but the seventh is at the sole discretion of the devil himself. In Hellsing, the Major speaks to Rip about her own musket and reminds her that the opera ends with Zamiel, the devil, coming to claim his due. This is intended to foreshadow Alucard counterattack on the H.M.S. Eagle, where he plows through Rip’s defenses and kills her in gruesome fashion.

So I went back and counted all the times Rip van Winkle shoots her musket, just to see if there was any special significant to it. The first was when the old Nazi officers complain to the Major, and Rip shoots the Colonel’s cane before he can strike the Major with it. At least, I’m pretty sure that was the idea here. The cane breaks and everyone looks around and Zorin points to the lady with the gun to indicate who just did that. So that’s one bullet.

After assuming control of the H.M.S. Eagle, Rip van Winkle meets with the Eagle’s first officer, who betrayed the crew to Millennium in exchange for vampire powers. She then betrays him and his fellow traitors, killing them all with a single shot from her musket. This is where we first find out what her ability is. So that’s two.

The British Navy tries to take back the ship by sending a helicopter full of SEALs, but Rip destroys the entire team with another shot from her musket. So that’s three shots fired.

While Hellsing prepares their own response, the Navy tries again, this time sending a fighter plane to sink the Eagle with missiles, but Rip shoots down the missiles and the plane with one bullet. Four.

This is where I started to wonder if there was a particular pattern to Rip’s use of the musket. I’m pretty sure she just uses one bullet and can fire it as many times as she pleases, but she was literally singing songs from the opera and it seemed kind of superfluous to have her foil two separate attack by the Navy. The first one showed us that conventional forces wouldn’t get the job done, so the second one only makes sense if Kouta Hirano was just trying to add to the count.

Then Alucard arrives aboard a modified SR-71 Blackbird. At 85,000 ft in the air, he’s out of range, but then he nosedives onto the deck of the ship. Rip fires again to destroy the Blackbird before it crashes into them. Five.

Alucard survives the crash and wipes out all of Rip’s soldiers while she has a panic attack. Cornered, she finally gathers her wits and attacks Alucard. Her bullet hurts him, but he eventually catches it in his teeth, neutralizing her weapon and leaving her at his mercy. That’s shot number six.

I was hoping this shot would be the seventh, since the seventh bullet in Der Freischütz belongs to the devil, and Alucard caught this one in his teeth, but no. Then I remembered that the musket gets fired one last time...

... in London, when Alucard releases the familiars of all the victims he’s consumed over the centuries, including Rip Van Winkle. She fires the musket once more, but this time it’s Alucard directing the shot into the helicopters of the Ninth Crusade. Shot number seven is at the discretion of the devil himself, and “Dracula” is a diminutive of “Dracul”, a Romanian word for “devil”. Neat stuff.

Okay, so now let’s talk about Seras, because that’s kind of my jam. What’s the deal with this line? “Her existence is somewhat of a marvel. You could say it’s somewhat of a joke. Perhaps she herself has not even noticed yet!!”

That’s the Major discussing Sir Integra and Seras in Volume 5. He stresses that neither is to be underestimates, and I think he makes a good case for Integra, but with Seras he never actually comes to the point. So what’s up with that?

Of course, there’s the truth we saw in the final battle. Once she finally drank blood of her own volition, Seras became a full-on vampire and one of the most powerful warriors on the field. She destroyed the Captain quite handily, and he was the strongest guy Millennium had. But this seems a tad obvious? Why not just spell it out for Zorin. “Hey, our intel says she’s weaker than expected because she won’t drink blood, but that could change at a moment’s notice, and she’s still strong enough to take down a lot of our soldiers, so proceed with caution.”

I’m not saying the Major is wrong. He told Zorin not to engage, and he made the right call. I’m just wondering what the “joke” is exactly.

I think it might be one of two things. By the end of Hellsing, Seras demonstrates a similar level of ability to Alucard. Sunlight appears to have no effect on her, she can summon familiars like Alucard, and regenerate her wounds with great alacrity. I’m pretty sure she’d be about as hard to kill as Alucard himself, which Integra said was a product of Hellsing “enhancements”, rather than natural vampire power. Except Seras was never “enhanced”, she seems to have just inherited these “super-vampire” powers from Alucard when he turned her. The Major and Doctor may have anticipated this, and the “joke” was that Seras could completely upset the balance of their plans, except she’s too squeamish to drink the blood that would make this possible.

Or, the joke might be that Alucard turned Seras at all. He just sort of did this out of nowhere, and I’m pretty sure no one saw that coming. Millennium and Walter had been keeping tabs on Hellsing for decades, and not much changed until Alucard decided to add Seras to the group. The vampires in Millennium’s Last Battalion were all produced through the Doctor’s artificial vampire research, which was based upon intense study of Mina Harker, the last person Alucard turned into a vampire before he met Seras.

So from that standpoint, Seras represents a superior version of Mina, who represents the ideal that the Doctor was trying to achieve. At best, his finest artificial vampires could only be as strong as Mina Harker, and Seras got that way in one night by a twist of fate.

I guess there’s no way to be sure what the Major meant. I checked the OVA subs and dubs and they basically repeat the same line, so there’s nothing for me to triangulate there. And maybe it only refers to Seras being a joke in the sense that she was mostly comic relief up to that point. Even that badass moment she had against Jan Valentine’s ghouls probably didn’t impress anyone at the Millennium office.

Finally, I checked out Hellsing: The Dawn, and it really wasn’t worth the trouble. I couldn’t find any official English release, so I sort of gave up on it, but I finally ran across it last week and decided to check it out.

Basically, it’s only six chapters, and very little actually gets done in those six chapters. I’m not sure if Kouta Hirano is just running super late on the thing, of if he abandoned it completely, but my guess is he got this far in and decided there really wasn’t any point in continuing.

Let me break it down for you.

Chapter 1: Walter is sent to the Major’s facility in Warsaw, to destroy the vampire research. He jumps out of a plane with Alucard’s coffin.

Chapter 2: The Doctor reports on his progress to the Major, and they briefly discuss “She” aka Mina Harker. From what I gather, Mina is still alive/undead in 1944. Then Walter crashes into their facility and declares his intentions to kill them all.

Chapter 3: The Major is impressed with Walter’s power and offers him a place in his command. Walter refuses and the Major leaves him to die at the hands of the Captain.

Chapter 4: Walter fights the Captain, and Alucard finally emerges from his coffin in Girlycard form.

Chapter 5: Walter and Alucard fight the Captain, who now stands revealed as a werewolf. The Major somehow recognizes Alucard on sight and takes an interest in observing the battle.

Chapter 6: Alucard leaves to go hunt down the Captain’s superiors, leaving Walter to fight alone. Alucard then encounters Rip van Winkle and defeats her with ease. He seems like he’s about to kill her when some menacing figures approach from the shadows...

In other words, not a whole lot actually happens that we couldn’t have guessed from the original Hellsing manga. At the rate he was going, it would have taken Hirano maybe 30 or 40 chapters to actually get to anything truly juicy, and I’m not sure the audience would have wanted to wait around for that. The main problem is that we already know how this ends. None of the good guys or bad guys die, because they all show up in Hellsing 55 years later. The Major will lose badly enough that he has to evacuate the whole operation to Brazil, and that interests me because somehow he has to lose this battle, but not so badly that he can’t escape.

What disappoints me is that there’s really only three things of interest about this part of the Hellsing mythos: Walter’s decision to betray England, Alucard’s relationship with Walter, and the Major’s relocation from Euope to South America. The Dawn appears to gloss over all of these. The Major asks Walter to switch sides in their very first encounter. Walter refuses, but we know he’ll say yes later, so there doesn’t feel like there’s any conflict to this. So far, Walter comes off like a little shithead, so if he changes his mind at the end of this story it’ll seem completely capricious. I’d like to think the Major could say something persuasive to convince him, or Alucard could piss Walter off enough to push him into the Major’s arms, but none of that seems to be happening.

The Girlycard form is taken completely for granted. Al shows up and Walter immediately takes offense. He knows Alucard doesn’t normally look like this and he sees no reason for this new look. Al just says the same thing he says about it in 1999, that form and appearance mean nothing to him. Well if it doesn’t mean anything to Alucard or Walter, what’s the point?

The way I always imagined it, the Girlycard form had a lot of emotional baggage for Walter. I figured he met Alucard in this form, and they spent some time together hunting down the Major. Walter fell in love with Girlycard, even though he should have known better, and when Alucard finally abandoned the form, he knew that there was no way his feelings would ever be returned. And this would build resentment within Walter, making him more interested in joining the Major.

Instead, none of that seems to be happening. This is just one big long fight in one building. Hirano already threw his biggest gun at Walter, so there’s no buildup to the Captain. Alucard won’t fight the Captain, but it’s unclear what else he’s supposed to do instead. There might be a good story in all of this, but these first six chapters don’t encourage me. Also, they keep jumping over to check in on Arthur Hellsing in London. I don’t think this guy is Integra’s father, but maybe her grandfather had the same first name? He looks cool, but he has nothing to do. He’s like thousands of miles removed from the action, so anything he says or does just comes back to him talking about how tough and cool Walter is. So yeah, I think The Dawn is a huge waste of time, and maybe Kouta Hirano reached the same conclusion.

And... yeah, that’s all I��ve got. In May, I’ll be liveblogging another comic. Will it be as successful? Only time will tell...

#2021hellsingliveblog #hellsing #hellsing: the dawn #alucard #rip van winkle #seras victoria #walter c dornez

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starjeno · 5 years

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destined | l.mh | 3

genre: fluff | soulmate!au, genderswap!au pairing: student!mark x female!reader warnings: bad words? word count: 1973 summary: it’s a fact of life that soulmates swap bodies. when mark wakes up in a bed that isn’t his, he’s delighted. you, on the other hand, absolutely despise it. a/n: filler chapter, sorry! and i know it’s been a while since i’ve posted. also, i gave the roommate a name finally.

the sunset filtering through your curtains fills the room with hazy light. it’s soft and golden and comforting, but it does little to placate your roommate. her arms remain crossed over her chest as you pace by the mini-fridge nervously, waiting for this interrogation to end.

“okay, but what did yuta say?” she’s already somehow familiarized herself with the names of the people involved, and while it took some time for her to get used to your new appearance, she currently seems to have grown accustomed to it. you groan, “i told you, yuta likes this whole thing. he just ignored me and then said that i should take mark into consideration.”

“why can’t mark take you into consideration instead?” she retorts. you huff, “i told you this too! mark also thinks i like this whole thing!”

“well? do you?”

you can’t help the hesitation that bubbles up in your throat when you think about the events of earlier. the rapid beating of your heart and the heat in the tips of your ears and the strange familiarity that accompanied each of mark’s words — he felt like a missing puzzle piece, like someone you loved in a past life, and you didn’t like how you unconsciously gravitated towards him as he spoke.

then again, you only saw him for a few hours, so maybe you’re overexaggerating. you shake your head firmly, “i don’t! you know that! i don’t want any of this!”

she gives you an unplaceable look, her eyes filled with contemplation, before groaning and sitting up, “let’s go out to eat. you’ve had a rough day.”

“you’ll pay?”

“yeah,” she sighs, running a hand through her hair, “i don’t want you to confuse the cashier with your credit card info. let’s get out of here.”

it’s a blessing that your roommate has kun. she’s accumulated enough of his clothing that your new body has a decent selection to choose from. though the clothes all fit loosely, you figure tucking your dress shirt into your pants and looping a belt tightly through should make sure your outfit is secure. she stands in the doorway as she watches you change, blushing feverishly when she associates your initial meeting with yuta with the boxers that now hug you snugly.

“where do you feel like eating?”

you hum in thought as you grab a cap, “honestly? kun’s place. he makes such good food.”

she rolls her eyes before dialing her boyfriend’s number on the phone. it rings for a few seconds until the line clicks and you hear a deep voice fill the speaker, “what’s up? you only call at this time when you’re hungry. or horny. or both. please don’t be both.”

“uh, just hungry. also, ____ and i have something we should tell you,” she mumbles, “i’ll be over in five.”

she hangs up before looking over to me and sighing, "i'll do your hair."

as you sit down in front of a mirror and watch your roommate squeeze out a frightening amount of gel onto her palm, you can't help but think about mark again. it's hard not to since his face is the reflection and it shines with a bright optimism that you currently lack. you attempt a half-hearted smile to make his features seem pleasant; it feels wrong when his face frowns.

meanwhile, the girl behind the chair slicks your hair in a neat quiff, sparing a few strands to fall onto your forehead casually. you look handsome, and you're somewhat pleased that kun's first impression of your soulmate will be great on terms of looks.

not that you cared particularly. you don't. you aren't even sure you know what a mark is, much less feel as if others should approve of him.

"there, let's go," she hums, wiping her hands off with a towel and spritzing some floral scent on the two of you before walking out. you follow reluctantly.

kun's apartment is cute and filled with small plants that are groomed to perfection. little canvases with a dramatic ink strokes line the walls above the television and couches, and pens are littered in the corners of every room. there's even a pen tucked into the pocket of the man himself, who is still in the ironed dress shirt he went to work in.

his smile radiates as the two of you walk into the hall, but you can sense the air tension rise, “mina and . . . a friend?”

“ha ha, very funny, kun. you won’t believe who this is,” your roommate grins as you two sit down. kun pauses for a bit before backing into his kitchen, grabbing a spare pan to add on top of the stove, thinking, “uh, a cousin? your long-lost brother? i thought ____ was coming over.”

“exactly,” she huffs before motioning over to you, “meet mark, or better known as ____ in mark’s body.”

kun gasps and points the pan at you accusingly, laughter lacing his voice, “oh my god, you fucking swapped?”

you grin and place a hand to drag the pot down, “i know, it’s crazy.”

“at least he’s cute,” the dimpled boy chuckles, sighing in disbelief. he definitely knew you well.

“agreed,” you smile a bit and your roommate shoots you a short-lived glare before looking at kun, “so we came here to destress from such a horrific event by eating your food.”

“that sounds like a plan . . . ,” he muses, a small smile growing on his face as he takes out cooking oil, “you guys can just chill, and i’ll have something cooked up in ten.”

as soon as you pull your phone out, a notification slides onto a screen. you bite your lip as the social messaging app displays the message of a new follower, and when you hold down for more details, you instantly recognize the handle.

mark. he must've searched you up, and if he's managed to follow you on here, he's probably found all your socials by now. as if on cue, you see three more notifs slide gracefully on your phone, beaming with a new friend request. you aren’t sure if you’re happy or annoyed, or a bit of both, but you hold down and open the app to find a new direct message awaiting your approval.

mark1ee (online): hi! sorry if this is creepy but i figured we’re friends now, so...

good lord. you bite your lips to keep from laughing at his shyness, finding it adorable, and avert your eyes from your phone. mina glares at you quizzically, raising a brow as if to ask what you’re amused at, but you simply shake your head emphatically and begin to type back.

you: how’d you know my last name? there’s probably more than one ____ out there. mark1ee is typing . . .

"here, some cheesy ass lasagna. i put, like, five different kinds of cheese in there, or just whatever was in my fridge.” kun slides two plates to you and your roommate and grabs the nearest chair to sit. he looks at you as you tentatively poke at the stuffing, “i didn’t poison it, you know.”

“shut up, i’m critiquing it!” you laugh as you place a food-filled fork in your mouth, smiling at the instant flavor, “whoa, i forgot how good you are at this.”

he lowers his brows as he smiles, “you mean you forgot my job is in the culinary arts?”

you face downwards as kun strikes up a conversation with your roommate and glance at the notification on your phone. it doesn’t take a moment of hesitation for you to swipe and check mark’s message.

mark1ee (online): i checked the profile pictures. it would be a lot easier to make sure i’m contacting the right person if i had your number ;) you: how smooth. how do i know this is the mark i met earlier today? mark1ee (online): already asking for pics? damn. mark1ee sent a photo mark1ee (online): i forgot that it’s basically just a pic of you lmao :/ now pls send #

you snort and look up to find your roommate and kun staring at you intently. you wave your hand dismissively, "funny meme, sorry."

they give you a strange look before resuming the conversation, and you hide your phone under your leg before digging into the meal before you.

"so, what's going on?"

at the question, yuta sighs as mark walks in, his hand rubbing a towel through his wet hair, "winwin is coming back early. a week early."

"are you not excited?" mark quips. the older male tiredly grins, "i'm excited, believe me. but i'm worried that i won't pay enough attention to your switch."

mark frowns, the wrinkles ruining the feminine face, "i'll be fine. she just sent me her number!"

he takes a seat by yuta and faces the flatscreen in front, his glossy eyes reflecting the bright lights of the video game. yuta glances at his long lashes and soft brows for a moment before resuming the screen, "damn, good job. maybe you have enough game to survive without me."

"wha- fuck you! and you'll still be here!" mark laughs, picking up the other controller.

"i'm running away with winwin, by the way," yuta jokes. he lets mark join the round before pressing the buttons again, "now that you have her number, what are you going to do? ask her on a date?"

mark freezes. he hadn't even thought of what to do, and right now, yuta feels like a personal certified love guru. what a great fucking idea! before he could spend more time admiring yuta's genius, mark drops the controller and sends a new text to you, hoping for a stroke of luck.

he didn't really need luck though. he had literally found his soulmate that morning.

you: wanna go on a date? nctzn (online): how would i get clothes, doof? i'm wearing my roomie's bf's shit now :/ you: well, keep wearing them and i'll buy myself a dress? i don't care what you wear though, i'm not a great dresser.

mark is lying to his new form. he had always considered himself as someone with a good eye for outfits and color coordination. he sighs as the green dot by your profile that signifies your online presence fades away, and he figures he should probably find another way to pass the time while you’re offline. yuta waits expectantly, “well?”

“clothing’s an issue. and i don’t even know where i should take her,” mark grins, “it’s going to feel so weird, like going on a date with myself? trippy.”

“you’ll survive, it’s not like you’re ugly,” yuta sighs as he rolls his eyes with exasperation. mark doesn’t respond. he’s too preoccupied with the idea of you to even process yuta’s words. he’s never felt so giddy about a girl before — even his middle school crushes never got him feeling this jittery. conversation with you flowed so smoothly, and even mark knew how strange it was to feel this way after one conversation.

he’s glad you reciprocate his feelings. everything’s he heard about soulmates seems to be true: you fit him well. mark knows he should be a little more hesitant, but this is finally a dream come true. you’re a dream come true.

you: let’s go on a date tmrw then? nctzn (online): ok why not

mark glances up at the bright orange sky. the sun has only just started to set and the evening barely grazes the warm colors. are you just as happy as he is now? is your head filled with thoughts of him, the same way he can’t stop thinking about you?

mark’s pauses, not sure if he should dare to think his next question, but the idea floats in his head anyway and he turns pink with embarrassment.

yuta turns away, silent.

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#neowritingsnet #cznnet #neocaratnet #ncitynetwork #mark lee #lee minhyung #nct mark #nct #nct 127 #nct dream #nct u #mark x reader #sexswap au #genderswap au #destined #starjeno

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bunnyramen · 5 years

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Shinsou took a long deep breath, a bit nervous for his first day in Class 1a. He had been moved somewhat abruptly when some grape kid was expelled, Kinetic was it?

The lavender headed boy normally didn’t get nervous, it usually only showed on the inside.

But anyone could tell from his stance and his tightened back pack straps that he was mentally sweating bullets.

He decided to just go for it, it’s usually what Pops (Mic) told him to do, or at least that’s what he did when he asked out Dad.

And his brother Todoroki was in here, it shouldn’t be too bad.

He slid open the door to reveal everyone in little spots talking about whatnot, only some turning to look his way.

“Hey Shinsou!” The boy he had gotten to know as Kirishima Eijirou left his small group gathered around a couple desks and started walking towards him.

Was it normal to be squinting in a ordinarily lit room, or was this guy just that bright?

“I’m so glad you got to come to our class, especially with such a cool quirk! I mean when you’re in it, it feels so strange! Like this one...” once again, Kirishima began to ramble about something that Shinsou really wanted to pay attention to but couldn’t.

—-

“It looks like another person has fallen victim to Kirishima’s cuteness.” Kaminari shook his head sadly as he watched Kirishima y’all at Shinsou, remembering the first time he met Kirishima.

Min had been pushing him to be more outgoing during the summer before U. A. and it really paid off when he confidently introduced himself to Kaminari, the blonde was a bit star struck .

He had no choice but to befriend the overly bright boy.

—-

“Sorry, I’m talking too much, aren’t I?” Kirishima stopped himself right in the middle of his story. He looked up questioningly at him, Shinsou noticing their height difference.

“Yeah, but it’s fine. I mean, I’d rather have someone talking to me than being ignored.” He chuckled nervously, putting a hand on his neck.

“Well, I know you know Kaminari but you’re going to love Mina, Sero, and Jirou! I don’t know about Bakugou, ‘cause of the sports festival but we’ll see.” Kirishima grabbed his other hand and started bringing him over to his group of friends.

Shinsou’s cheeks turned pink without his will nor consent.

—-

“It hasn’t even been three minutes and his cheeks are already pink from being in close proximity of Kirishima. That’s gotta be a new record!” Mina pointed out as the lavender boy was brought over to their group.

“I’m surprised Kirishima doesn’t notice every time it happens.” Jirou put her feet on the desk, showing off the new patch she put on her pants. She was pretty proud of it since it was made by Momo herself.

“You know how dense Kirishima is, if the world’s oxygen cut off for five seconds, he’d probably still try and continue breathing.” Sero flicked a paper football through Kaminari’s waiting fingers, hitting the boy in the nose.

Bakugou nodded in agreement, going back to finishing up his English homework.

“Hey guys!” Speak of the angel, Kirishima came into hearing distance with Shinsou in tow, slightly hunched because of how low Kirishima’s hand was.

“Sup Shinsou!” Kaminari turned around in his chair since he was facing Sero.

“Hey, you’re that kid from the sports festival! Welcome to class 1-a!” Mina patted him on the back rather roughly, pushing a cough out of Shinsou.

Bakugou looked him up and down, “Ew.” He mumbled.

“Dude, be more respectful! If it were Minoa or whatever, I would say have at it but Shinsou’s nice!” Kirishima unknowingly held the lavender haired boy’s hand a bit tighter, momentarily forgetting that they were still holding hands.

“Boomer is just mad that Shinsou spit facts before the sports festival.” Kaminari dogged the oncoming pencil with about as much grace as a broken legged gazelle, the pencil clocking him in the side of the head.

“Denks, are you okay?” Kirishima walked over to him quickly, letting go of Shinsou’s hand, who wouldn’t admit to himself that he missed it already.

The redhead checked the side of Denki’s head, sighing when he found nothing wrong.

“Dude, that was so rude! You could’ve seriously hurt Denki!” He hugged the blonde to his chest protectively, Kaminari’s cheeks rapidly turned a bright red fire hydrant color.

He laughed dazedly, seeming to be having the time of his life.

“Well, he should shut the fuck up if he knows what’s good for him!” Bakugou raises another pencil threateningly, Kirishima glares at him.

“You throw that, and you’re history.” Kirishima raised an eyebrow, daring him to do it.

Bakugou stares for a while before putting the pencil down and going back to his work, Kirishima smiling.

The redhead breathed in to say something but Aizawa came in, telling everyone that butts should be in chairs and mouths should be shut.

Aizawa tiredly trudged up to the podium, asking for Shinsou to come up next to him.

Shinsou stood up from his place in the back, walking just as tiredly up to the podium next to his Dad.

“This is Shinsou Hitoshi, he’s moving from the General Departments to Class 1-A. Any questions?” Yellow eyes looked around the room for any signs of hands.

“Is Shinsou your son?” Deku raised his hand from the back of the room, getting his notebook ready for a new page.

“Yes.” Aizawa decided in that moment that there was no hiding anything from the observant boy.

There really wasn’t an uproar like Aizawa expected, just small murmurs of “I knew it.” And “That makes sense.”

“Anyway’s Hitoshi, you can go back to your seat.” He patted the boy on the back.

As Hitoshi walked back, he caught glimpse of Kirishima smiling at him, making the corners upturn a bit.

“Alright class, today....”

——-

As Shinsou sat down with Midoriya and the self proclaimed “DekuSquad” for lunch, Kirishima approached him holding a book in his hands.

“Hope you don’t mind but I drew you, as a welcoming present to class 1-A!” Kirishima flipped his heavily stickered sketchbook to a page and handed it to Shinsou, the boy down his chopsticks and grabbed the book.

Shinsou blinked a few times, expecting a child like doodle of some sort but this was so far from it.

Ochako looked over his shoulder, failing to keep in a small gasp.

It was him, but he was in action, using his capture weapon to tie up bad guys, he looked kind of like spider man with his webbing. The hero outfit he had on was styled with so much detail and finesse that it looked like a photograph at first glance.

He very much liked the design.

“Kirishima, this is amazing. Do you mind if I keep it?” Shinsou said monotone and deep, as he always did, but you could tell something different was behind it.

“Oh! Sure thing!” Kirishima looked surprised that he would even ask, ripping out the page in his book carefully and handing it to him.

“Thank you, Kirishima.” He gave him a small grateful smile.

“Of course! No need to thank me!” He scampered off back to his table.

“Wait, there’s writing on the back!” Ochako flipped over and placed it back in his hands.

“What’s it say?” Midoriya finished up his noodles and pushed the bowl away from himself.

“I am quite curious myself, actually.” Iida looked at him, Todoroki doing the same.

Attached to the picture was a little red post it nots, written in Kirishima’s squiggly, loopy handwriting read “Hey Shinsou! Wanna go out for ice cream after school? My treat! Text me (679-999-8212)-Kirishima”

“Looks like Kirishima-kun likes you, kero.” Shinsou blushed ten-fold at her boldness,

Tsuyu smiling somewhat smugly.

This time Shinsou smiled broadly, Midoriya getting a small shiver down his spine from how uncanny it looked compared to Aizawa- Sensei’s.

He pulled out his phone and typed in the number, replying with a one word answer.

“Yes.”

—-

(Small story to the ice cream shop. Aizawa and Mic also showed us since it was also their date night, and while ordering Mic saw them sitting at a table. Aizawa thinks to himself, “Huh, not blonde like I expected but red is fine too.” And they both go over there and they just all sit together. Kirishima learns that Aizawa Sensei can be really funny in a Wednesday Addams sorta way. Mic says something like “I wish Shouto could’ve been here to see his little brother on his first date!” Shinsou and Kirishima both blush, the other not realizing it did look like a date. And in walks Todoroki, coming in to order his weekly salted caramel ice cream. Mic is loudly waving him over and Aizawa quiets him down. And the 5 of them just eat ice cream together.)

@deepseawave Happy Valentine’s Day!! I love you! I got really inspired by one of your posts (as you can read) and WOW JUST LOVE IT SO MUCH!! YOU ARE SO AWESOME!!

Oh and the backpack! I don’t know if you can see but there are little pins it, Present mic, Eraserhead, Todoroki, Eri, and Midoriya.

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knovesstorytelling · 4 years

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Murray Mysteries S1E3 Transcript

Episode 3. Dr Seward’s Clinical Hour

Written By May Toudic

Mina: Welcome to Murray Mysteries.

[Theme music plays.]

Mina: Hello everyone! And welcome back to the podcast. Today’s episode is something a little bit different. I promised variety, entertainment, and a healthy amount of educational content. So, we are branching out. I’m here with Dr. Jane Seward, who agreed to tell us about her job as a clinical psychiatrist and share some of her case notes with us.

Jane: Thank you for having me, Miss Murray. It’s a pleasure to be here.

Mina: Thank you for coming. I know this can’t have been the most, um, comfortable location for us. First of all, how did you end up running a whole mental health institution at such a young age?

Jane: Oh, I, I guess I got lucky. I did quite a few internships during my degree, including at the institution I currently work at. They offered me a residency after graduation and then a permanent job. The previous director left soon after that and he offered me his position.

Mina: You must’ve done an amazing job to climb the ranks so quickly. I assume junior members of the staff usually aren’t a first pick for a job like this.

Jane: I do my best, but I wasn’t any more deserving than any of my colleagues.

Mina: Okay.

[She hums in thought.]

Mina: Now, can you tell us what your job entails exactly?

Jane: Mostly administrative tasks. The day to day running of an institution like this one requires a lot of paperwork. But I do get to take on a few patients to keep my skills sharp and conduct my research.

Mina: Wha— what kind of research?

Jane: I’m generally assigned to cases that can’t easily be diagnosed with anything in the handbook. I have a patient at the moment — oh, uh, you want to play the recordings?

Mina: If you don’t mind. Listeners, the very organized Dr. Seward has agreed to share some of the voice notes she takes on the job to keep track of her cases. We’ll still be here to interject if anything needs explaining, but for now, take it away Past Doctor.

[A beep.]

Jane (recording): Right. New patient in today, and a promising case. I’ll call him R in here for confidentiality purposes. Late 50’s, impressive physical strength, very excitable with periods of depression and some fixation we haven’t managed to pinpoint yet.

[A beep.]

Jane: R has been with us for a few days now and I’ve had the chance to get to know his case better. He displays signs of a few known disorders, but his symptoms are peculiar. He’s obsessed with animals, started collecting insects he found in his room and common areas. Spiders mostly. Some flies, even a few birds. He uses a lot of his own food to keep them alive, even if we upped his portions, so we’re somewhat worried about his nutrition. Although it seems like he’s, um. Eating some of them. Escalation is a concern in this case, especially since he’s started requesting other pets. He keeps asking for a cat, which we of course had to refuse. We’ll see how the situation evolves in the coming days, but this is an interesting case. Zoophagia, some kind of fixation, I need to do more research. There must’ve been a similar case somewhere, sometime. But if this hasn’t been documented yet, this could be big. Right, to the books.

[A beep.]

Mina: That is fascinating. Do you already have a diagnosis in mind?

Jane: There are a few possibilities, but I don’t want to favour a particular one until we have more information. I’m hopeful we can diagnosis in due time. It’s easier to treat a condition when we know what we’re treating.

Mina: Um. What happens if, uh, if it isn’t a known condition?

Jane: In the unlikely case this is something new, I do research. More research, and more research on top of that. Take a lot of notes, ask for a second opinion, then a third. Then I write a very long paper, have it peer-reviewed, and submit it to many, many, many academic journals.

Mina: That sounds like a lot of work. But, it would be rewarding, right?

Jane: A new illness is quite an important discovery, yes. But the well-being of the patient comes first, and the best thing for him would be to get diagnosed and treated for something that has a precedent.

Mina: Of course. Well. Ah, this has been a great talk! I’d love for you to come back and keep us updated if that’s okay with you.

Jane: Hem, yes. Yes, why not. I, I just.

Mina: Ah. I’ll make sure Lucy’s out.

Jane: Thank you.

Mina: Well, this was clinical hour with Dr. Jane Seward. Tune in next time for an update on R’s mysterious condition.

Jane: Oh, um. Goodbye!

[Jane leaves the room.]

Mina: I hope you all enjoyed that because this week’s personal update isn’t the cheeriest. Sorry. I know, I promised you, uh. Fun and entertainment. I just—

[She sighs.]

Mina: I’m worried. Talking to you makes me feel a little less... Alone. Like I’m not just, talking into the void. The past few days have been complicated. I haven’t heard from Jonathan in a while. At first, I figured he has no reception. The place he was headed to was in the middle of nowhere, so we figured this might happen. But. I still got nervous after days without signs of life. So I reached out to the boss at his firm, Mr. Hawkins, uh, to see if he knew anything. But he told me he just received an email from Jonathan saying he was leaving his client’s place. Just one line. No time frame, no flight details. Nothing.

[She sighs again.]

Mina: It’s not like, it’s not like J, I swear it’s not. He’s usually open and communicative. First Christmas after we got together, he went home to see his family and kept texting me about every single part of his day. When he woke up, what he dreamt about, what he had for breakfast, what the weather was like, what presents he’d found for his third cousin and the food—

Mina (laughingly): Oh God, so many food pictures.

Mina: Anyway. I tried to ignore it and, uh. Just wait for him to get back. But it’s been a few days now. And no matter how I think about it, there’s no way it would take that long to get from the Romania to UK. Mr. Hawkins hasn’t heard from him either, not since that one email. I keep thinking something’s happened to him. I get this… feeling of dread every time the phone rings.

[She lets out a quiet breath.]

Mina: I would normally talk to Lucy about this, she’s great at talking me out of a crisis, but she hasn’t been herself either. She’s sleepwalking almost every night. Her mum says it used to happen when she was a kid, but definitely not that much. We agreed to keep her bedroom door locked at night. I sleep in here with her so I can keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn’t try and get out. But that means I keep getting woken up by her moving around and I’m not sleeping much. Lucy’s mum thinks all the sleepwalkers gravitate towards roofs and cliffs and end up falling to their deaths. So far, Lucy’s only been wandering through the house and raiding the fridge, but uh. Better safe than sorry?

Mina: She’s even more angsty than usual too. Art had to fly to the US, their dad’s not doing great, so she’s been dragging me into her schemes and making herself busy. If I have to spend one more night watching her do shots at the village pub, I might lock her in during the day. No, no I feel bad just saying it. But, come on! Even jigsaw puzzles aren’t worth all this. Especially not when she keeps getting distracted and sending Art pictures of the funny shapes.

[A pause.]

Mina: The weather’s turning, I should— I should go check on her. I promise the next update will be more fun. I’ll do cartwheels or something.

Mina (whispering): Wait, no, you can’t see me.

Mina: Um, verbal cartwheels? I’ll— I’ll do those? Ugh. I’ll talk to you next week, when I’ve had time to figure out what verbal cartwheels are and how to do them. Bye!

[Theme music begins]

Credits: Murray Mysteries is a Knoves Storytelling production. This episode was written and produced by May Toudic and featured Drew Victorie as Mina Murray and Bebhinn Tankard as Dr. Jane Seward. Original music by Sophie K. Thank you for listening.

#mm transcripts

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laylacooke · 4 years

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Back To The Future || Mina & Layla

timing: during the weeks the carnival was in town parties: @drowningisinevitable & @laylacooke summary: Mina and Layla decide to visit the Hall of Mirrors at the carnival. warnings: death mention, domestic abuse, emotional abuse, self harm, & animal cruelty [proceed with caution!]

Why Layla had wanted to go back to the carnival after the past three experiences was beyond her, but there was just something that continued to pull her in. Something about the mysteriousness of it all, and instead of making anyone else experience her own twisted curiosity, she opted to go alone yet again. However, this trip she would be avoiding Hanyo, the Merry-Go-Round, and the Mime Fun House, as it seemed time spent at the hellish carnival didn’t offer much in the way of fun. At least not on those last three goes, but there had to be at least one thing, and she was determined to find it.

Paying to get in, Layla stepped past the gate and began scanning the area. It was, once again, filled with many townsfolk both human and non-human as her nose alerted her to, but they all seemed to be having a good time, which was making it hard for her to register where not to go. Seeing someone walk by, she spoke up hoping for some advice of what to try, “I’ve been here three times already, but I always seem to choose the wrong thing. Any ideas on what could actually be fun around here?”

In hindsight, if Mina were to look back on it all, coming to the carnival was a terrible idea. She’d only barely made it through the gate before she was filled with the overwhelming desire to turn around and leave. For one, it was far too crowded. Several people bumped into her in a matter of seconds, causing her to call out a rapid, “Sorry! Sorry! Sorry!” as they walked away. Second, there were Fae around. She could feel them, though she didn’t know where or who. If there were Fae, then there were probably other supernatural creatures, peoples. She was trying to do better about thinking of them as people, not monsters. It was a work in progress. Still, she was reminded of her father, her promise, and the fact that she hadn’t brought any sort of weapon with her into the carnival. She should leave.

Instead, Mina walked further in. The smell of strange, fried foods filled her nose, causing her to wrinkle it a bit. Everywhere she looked, there were families with laughing children, friends playing games. People looked happy. Perhaps that was why she kept walking in; Mina wanted, just for a moment, to feel that joyous and free. She just walked for a bit, taking everything in, when she heard a voice. Mina turned to face a redheaded girl. She rubbed the back of her neck a bit, looking sheepish. “Ah, well, I’ve actually never been to a carnival before. I wouldn’t even know where to begin.”

The sounds surrounding her had made her ears perk. The first night she had gone, Layla was on edge. The noises of people screaming for various reasons and bb guns being fired at tin cans had left her nervous. It’s partly why Hanyo had been the only thing she had stuck around for. The next time she had Rio with her, but even then, it seemed as though chaos just couldn’t leave them alone, even on a Merry-Go-Round. And if the Mime Fun House, ironically with Nell, hadn’t been enough, she was back one last time to see if this carnival was as cursed as it had seemed from the beginning (aside from winning her beloved Catfish Monster plush, of course).

“Really? Well, I can tell you three places you don’t want to go.” She eyed every single one of them suspiciously, before looking back to the girl in front of her. “I thought I’d give this place one final try if you want a buddy. Otherwise, I’m thinking I might turn around and go home. Which is probably the smartest move to make.” Layla laughed, but a hint of nervousness was apparent in her voice.

Following the other girl’s eyes, Mina made note of the places she seemed to linger on. None of them seemed like her cup of tea, anyway. She hated the kind of motions that merry go rounds went through, mimes just reminded her of her doppelganger that had tried to kill her, and the people gathered around… was that a jar of mayonnaise? How strange. It was a bit too crowded for her taste, though. Instead, she gave the girl a smile. “I wouldn’t mind a friend to help at all. I’m afraid I’d get a bit lost on my own.” She was already incredibly turned around just from walking into the carnival. Knowing this town, as well as herself, she’d likely get herself lost and in trouble if she was left on her own. At least with another person around, she would have back up. And, Mina was learning, she always seemed to do better with other people around. Whether they were pulling her out of danger, or she was doing the same for them, it helped to have another person. “My name is Mina, by the way. It’s very nice to have a carnival buddy.”

Layla nodded in agreement, “You know, at this rate, I would be afraid to venture any farther into this place by myself as well.” She had been lucky the last few times she had come, if you wanted to call it that, but even having a stranger by her side was better than no one. However, when the girl mentioned her name, Layla’s eyes grew wide, “Mina...Like Broadway/West End loving Mina that has never listened to Lady Gaga?” A smile spread across her face, “It’s me. Layla. We’ve talked on the internet a few times!” White Crest really was a small town and knowing that she remotely knew her carnival buddy had eased some of the worry that was in her mind. At least if something bad happened the pair had already built somewhat of a trust between one another. “It really is a small world.”

“I don’t blame you”, Mina mused. “Are all carnivals like this? It seems… odd.” Maybe it was just her. Too many people always tended to break Mina out, scales forming on her arms under her sleeves. She was alright, now, though, especially when the other girl told her that she was Layla. Mina smiled brightly, pleased with her luck. “That would be me! And you’re Layla who loves Lady Gaga and wants to travel one day!” This was good. It couldn’t have turned out better, really. Layla seemed so nice online that she had to be similar in person. “It is a small world, a small town, really, but I think I’m quite thankful for it, this time around.” There were perks, she was realizing, to getting to know people. She was basking in the feeling of relief at being at the carnival with someone that wasn’t a total stranger when something caught the corner of her eye. Sunlight glinted off the sign for the hall of mirrors, drawing Mina in. She’d never really liked mirrors, not really, always picking apart her flaws, especially the more monstrous aspects of herself after a long swim, but… it could be fun? In any case, it certainly couldn’t be dangerous. “Would you like to try that out,” she asked Layla, motioning towards the entrance with the carnival worker waiting with a patient smile.

She thought for a moment, “Carnivals are a mixed bag, but nothing like this one. I mean there’s usually creepers at carnivals, but this place is just creepy.” She gave it a once over, before turning her attention back to Mina, “That is totes me! Oh, thank goodness you’re here, because honestly I was having second thoughts.” The minute Layla stepped through the gate, she had thought about turning around and leaving. Why did she keep doing this to herself? Why did any of these people, unless the residents of the town just liked pain. But humans who were unknowing about the supernatural had to have seen the world differently. She did when she was little, until she had found out about things that went bump in the night. She could remember the day her parents told her that werewolves and things were real. And it became solidified in her brain when she became one. “I think the fates were watching out for us this time.” She laughed nervously, until she noticed what Mina was suggesting. The Hall of Mirrors. While looking at herself in passing, unless she was getting ready, what would it hurt seeing herself in all different shapes. It could be fun, and she had needed a good laugh, “And okay, yeah. Let’s do it. Lead the way, Friend.” She had already had the crap scared out of her twice by moving animals and mimes. Call her skeptical, but she was going to approach this little adventure differently, instead of just diving in headfirst.

“It does suit the town, though,” Mina murmured. Of course, it made sense that things in White Crest wouldn’t be similar to things in the rest of the world. It could be such an awful place, she thought, remembering the mime version of herself that tried to kill her. But she’d also met a lot of nice people, Layla included, it seemed. So, Mina smiled at the redheaded girl and agreed. “I think you’re right. Fate seems to be kind today.” She decided to lead them into the Hall of Mirrors, avoiding the way the worker watched them all the way in. Truthfully, and she tried to always be truthful, Mina had never been in a hall of mirrors. She had no idea what to expect. But, as they stepped into the area, she startled a bit at seeing her reflection before she started laughing. Her body was stretched and twisted in ways that were silly to look at. Most of the mirrors were like that; silly in appearance, strange but amusing to look at. But when she looked in one… Mina had to peer in closer. The version of herself in the mirror was much younger, maybe eight, her hair pulled back tightly. There was an iron wound on her arm, both bloody and burning, and in her hands were claws. She was trying not to cry. Training exercise. She looked away, only to see herself a few years older, leading a glaistig woman into an alley while her father was lying in wait. “No,” Mina said quietly, eyes darting around wildly, as she realized the mirrors no longer seemed silly but sinister. She looked over to Layla, hoping the other girl wouldn’t notice the scenes playing on repeat.

“It really does.” With Mina leading the way, Layla followed her inside. Eyes narrowed at the worker watching them go in, the redhead couldn’t help, but turn back to get one last look at him, before they had entered. As she stepped into the deceiving room, she found a mirror that had made her look super tall and really skinny causing her to laugh, before moving to one that made her look short and round. So far things were going well. You mean there’s actually a normal carnival attraction to participate in around here? The thought settled in her mind, but before long, she had come across a mirror, except she wasn’t tall and skinny or short and squatty. She was a little older than she was now. Maybe late twenties, early thirties. There was a smile on her face as she held someone’s hand, but she couldn’t quite see who it was. Suddenly, running around behind her, Layla noticed a little boy. Out of reaction, she turned around to see if he was behind her, but when she realized he wasn’t, she looked back into the mirror. It wasn’t long, however, that the images in the mirror started to fade into something sinister. With nightfall lingering in the reflective glass, Layla noticed a full moon in the top corner, but it was the screams following it that caused her breath to hitch in her throat. And when the image shifted again, she noticed a woman...Frankie, maybe? Standing over a motionless animal with red fur. Layla. The unknown woman was sobbing; blood on her hands.

Tears coming to the teenager’s eyes, she gasped and stepped back. Was this her future?

Eyes shifting to Mina, she noticed the girl, too, had a shocked look on her face, but was it for some other reason? “Uh, maybe we should move onto the next room?” She quickly wiped the tears from her eyes hoping her new friend hadn’t noticed.

This was no longer fun. Mina was no longer enjoying the hall of mirrors, and all she wanted to do was get her and Layla out of there. The other girl was crying, clearly distressed by whatever was going on in the awful space, and Mina hated seeing other people upset. “Yeah, let’s, ah, let’s get out of here.” She led them away, only to encounter more mirrors. Lovely. Mina saw herself, years older, eyes bright and teeth sharp, looking at her in the window. A nix, not a girl. The nix winked, and the next thing Mina knew, she was drowning someone, their short, curly hair disappearing beneath the water. She looked away from the monster that she feared she would be, the creature she knew her mother and her kind and herself to be. Glancing at another mirror, she saw another, older Mina, this one with a knife in her hand, iron burns bubbling on her skin. A fae, one that seemed both impossibly old and you, trembled before the mirror version of herself. Mirror Mina raised the knife, and Mina snapped her eyes shut, unable to watch anymore. Scales broke out on her hands, nails extending into claws. She balled them into fists, skin breaking on her palms as she threw a solid punch at the mirror in front of her. It shattered. It didn’t stop the pounding in her ears, the tightness in her chest. She refused to let herself become that. Either of those things. She turned to Layla, a bit dizzy, realizing that she probably looked a bit crazed. Hopefully, her nose wasn’t bleeding. “See an exit?” she asked, her voice higher and a bit out of breath.

Following Mina to the next room, Layla wanted so badly to avoid the mirrors, but something caught the corner of her eye. Something she hadn’t seen in quite some time and left her heart racing. Moving forward to another mirror she saw the reflection again and quickly checked behind and around her, only to find an empty room aside from Mina. But the image, the person, was still there. In fact, when she finally looked at the mirror, she noticed two very familiar people staring back at her; her parents. By now Layla was on the verge of having a panic attack, and then her eyes went to a smaller version of herself. Her mother had a tight grip on her hand, one that felt like the bone was being crushed. The small child was screaming with tears fiercely rolling down her cheeks as she was pulled outside and into the backyard. “Kill it.” The words echoed in her mind as she refused and continued to cry, “I said kill it, Layla.” The words were firm and scary and as little Layla tried to pull away, she soon felt her mother pressing her down closer to the animal, “I swear to God, Layla Elizabeth, if you don’t do as you're told…”

Slowly, and with shaky hands, picking up a nearby knife laying near a cage that held a small rabbit, the redheaded child crawled forwards, but as she went to do as her mother was telling her, something deep inside stopped her. “Dammit, Child. Why are you so difficult?” Snatching the little girl up, she laid a firm hand on Layla’s cheek, before pushing her back to the ground. Taking the knife herself, Eliza opened the cage up and grabbed the rabbit. As both child Layla and the present version of herself watched in horror, a cry slipped from her lips leaving her sinking to the floor as suppressed memories seemed to come flooding back.

It was the shattering of glass and Mina’s voice that pulled Layla out of the place she was in. Wiping her eyes with her arm and remaining quiet, she got up off the floor. Through hazy hues, she scanned the room finally seeing an exit sign, and without saying much, began moving towards freedom, “This way.”

Claws retracting, webbing fading, scales nothing more than a few errant patches on the backs of her hands, Mina follows after Layla carefully, concern casting shadows over her features. The other girl seems even more shell shocked than Mina is, whatever she saw in her own mirrors just as if not worse than Mina’s visions. Mina reached out to touch Layla’s shoulder before she noticed her hands were covered blood and decided against it. Instead, she waited until they finally exited that hell of a hall of mirrors, her eyes blinking in the bright sunlight, before she turned to Layla. “Are you alright?” Layla didn’t look alright, and Mina was highly aware that it was a stupid question, but she had to ask it anyway because she certainly wasn’t alright, either. This furthered Mina’s dislike of mirrors, and it was likely that she’d managed to get herself cursed after breaking a magic one. What was the saying? Seven years of bad luck for breaking a mirror? Was it doubled if the mirror was a sinister creation designed to torment the minds of those that looked in it? Tripled? Quadrupled? At least other mirrors just showed her present flaws, not past or future ones. “This, ah, isn’t quite what I expected from a hall of mirrors.”

As the bright lights of the carnival overtook her sight, Layla found little relief in being outside. The visions of both the past and future had haunted her greatly. Mina’s question went through one ear and out the other, before she could fully process it, but when she finally did, she forced out a small lie not wanting to worry the girl next to her. But it was evident by the smell of blood coming from Mina’s hand, that her new friend wasn’t okay, “Uh, yeah. I’m fine. You might want to go get that looked at though.” She scanned the area for a first aid tent, before giving one last glance to the hall of mirrors, “I don’t know what kind of sick fucking joke that was, but whoever cursed those mirrors...let’s just say karma’s a bitch.” She forced back the anguish she was feeling as she spotted a tent with a cross on it, “Looks like medical is over there.” She pointed in the direction, “Do you want me to go with you?” Layla looked back to Mina waiting on an answer.

“Medical?” Mina asked. Honestly, she hadn’t even been thinking about getting her hands treated. She’d planned on just wrapping them up until the next time she went swimming, which, most likely, would be after she left. But she was in public. “Ah, right, probably.” She willed the remainder of the scales to sink below her skin. She looked completely human, even if she wasn’t. “That was cruel and incredibly uncalled for, those mirrors.” She had no idea what the other girl might have seen, but it clearly affected her more than she was willing to say. Mina didn’t want to leave her alone. “You can come with me, if you’d like. And then perhaps we could grab some food here? The food can’t be bad, right?”

The images from the mirrors had dredged up memories she thought she had repressed. The only thing holding her together was the fact that she was standing in front of Mina in a public place. Glancing around the carnival, Layla’s appetite and mood had gone out the door. Instead, she had just wanted to be home snuggled up with Indy. She looked back to the brunette and spoke, “I, uh…” She didn’t want to be rude, and she knew she hadn’t been the only one to experience whatever heartache the mirrors had revealed to Mina, “Sure.” With a soft, sad smile, she began walking further into the carnival. At least she wouldn’t be there alone and while the night had been horrific, so far, at least she had made a new friend. Nothing like bonding over traumatizing experiences brought on by cursed mirrors to get a friendship going, right?

#para: back to the future #drowningisinevitable #potw: something wicked carnival #domestic abuse tw #emotional abuse tw #animal cruelty tw #self harm tw

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mobius-prime · 4 years

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222. Sonic the Hedgehog #154

Songoose (Part 2 of 2)

Writer: Karl Bollers Pencils: Ron Lim Colors: Jason Jensen

Today's issue is a bit bittersweet. While Karl Bollers hasn't always been the most popular writer, and I've definitely had my fair share of problems with certain aspects of his writing, it's hard to deny the heavy impact he had on the world of the comic. And this just so happens to be his last issue as a writer! That's right, though we've seen various writers come and go, this is the first time we're truly saying goodbye to a head writer. (You might be wondering about Michael Gallagher given his increasingly infrequent involvement with the series, but fear not, he's still got a few more future issues left in 'im.) Apparently he actually had quite a few plans for the storyline and characters post-StH#134, which was a while ago, but for one reason or another these never came to fruition, and never even had a chance to be salvaged for future issues by other writers due to his leaving the comic. So let's dedicate this issue to ol' Karl and the hard work he put into this comic, and appreciate what he brought to the table over the years. Onward!

It's the night of Mina's second concert, and the various Freedom Fighters are positioned at strategic points around and behind the stage and crowd to guard the venue from any more assassination attempts. Mina is pleased with Sonic's involvement in her protection detail, but Ash is considerably less so, and asks to speak to Mina privately before her performance. Sonic initially tries to refuse to leave her side given his duty to her, but when Ash gets in his face about it Mina steps in and tells Sonic she'll be okay to have a quick chat. Sonic reluctantly leaves the dressing room, and Ash confronts Mina about her decision to go through with tonight's concert, as he really feels it's too dangerous. She reiterates her feeling of security with Sonic around, and Ash's feelings of jealousy finally spill out as he details Sonic's perceived failings, including how he (totally unintentionally mind you) broke her heart a year ago by kissing Sally in front of her. He paradoxically refuses to "forgive" Sonic for… not dating Mina, I guess? Which you'd think he'd be pleased about considering that's the only reason he ever got to date her, but she stands firm against his tirade.

Really bad timing on this, Ash. Honestly, though, as abrasive and jealous as Ash can be, he's not wrong at all about his accusations, and in my opinion has every right to feel slighted and upset. He really does seem like a guy who's flawed yet genuinely likable - I mean, put yourself in his shoes (assuming you're not down for open relationships) and tell me you wouldn't feel the exact same way upon seeing your girlfriend routinely eyeing up another guy. Plus, he isn't flaky - notice that despite breaking up with Mina, he explicitly states his intentions to remain as her band manager. A lesser person might have left their ex high and dry out of spite, but despite their disagreement he's still completely ready and willing to help her organize everything she needs to remain a pop star. Careful, Mina, you better remember "Aly's" advice to you from a few issues ago before you let this guy slip through your fingers…

Outside the room, Sonic gets a call from Sally looking for an update, and when he lets slip that he let her stay in her dressing room alone Sally scolds him for not sticking to her like glue, ordering him back into the room to check on her. When he enters he's surprised to see her sitting alone with a sad expression, asking her what's bothering her. You'd think he'd have some clue of what was wrong considering he would have just seen Ash angrily stomping right through the very door he was guarding, but Mina just says she doesn't know how to explain, which Sonic quietly agrees with the sentiment of. She's able to collect herself for her performance, though, and begins by singing another song that definitely feels inspired by her crush on Sonic. However, Eggman's plan to kill her is still moving ahead, and he sends out Heavy and Bomb (well, Bombs, there's a lot of them) to infiltrate the concert crowd once the concert is well underway.

Sonic immediately grabs Mina and pulls her away from the edge of the stage while the rest of the Freedom Fighters rush in to battle the Bombs, something which I find funnier than it should be considering they're, well, bombs, and the best plan for dealing with bombs on legs would usually be to run the hell away from them before they blow up. Nevertheless, they seem to be holding their own by throwing or smacking the Bombs away before they explode, though Ash finds an excuse in the situation to insist once more than Sonic leave so he can protect Mina on his own, even somewhat spitefully pointing out that Mina was fine without Sonic for an entire year before now. Sonic initially refuses, but when Heavy himself arrives, crashing down onto the stage to target Mina directly, Sonic concedes and tells Ash to take her somewhere safe while he fights the robot one on one. At first Sonic teases and trash talks as normal, but when Heavy gives him more trouble than he bargained for he concocts a plan to drill into the earth and bait Heavy into following him, then drill straight into the nearby lake from below. This washes them both out into the open waters, disabling Heavy in the process. I'm not sure exactly how this plan even works, considering we've seen in previous issues that Heavy is waterproof - I mean, did Eggman take out that feature when he rebuilt him? - but either way, it does work, though Sonic falls unconscious once he gets washed out. Man, between his first battle against M in StH#132 and his easy escape from a watery grave in Anti-Mobius just a few issues ago, it really seems like later comic issues like to play fast and loose with the whole "he can't swim" character trait. Sometimes he can detangle himself from tight rope bonds and swim to safety without a problem, and other times he blacks out within scant seconds of touching water, and you never know which one you're gonna get till the plot calls for it. Of course, he's fine after waking up on shore, having been rescued by Bunnie, and the Freedom Fighters tell him that as far as they can tell they disabled or destroyed every Bomb in the area, meaning Mina is safe once more. With the threat ended, Sonic and Mina say goodbye to each other for the night, with Sonic making Mina promise they'll go out for chili dogs sometime soon. However, this wouldn't be a story if something didn't go wrong…

I like to think that this isn't even a case of the Freedom Fighters randomly missing a Bomb, rather being part of Eggman's plan - send in the big, obvious cavalry first to be fought and predictably defeated, then send in one last little Bomb to finish the job once everyone's guard is down. The explosion alerts everyone outside the backstage area, and they rush in to find Mina sobbing over Ash's body. Don't worry, though - when they rush him to the hospital Dr. Quack is able to get him in a stable condition, meaning that though he has a long slow recovery ahead he'll ultimately be fine. Sonic escorts a distraught Mina into Ash's room, where she admits her true feelings to his sleeping form.

I'm surprised that Sonic genuinely seems a little disappointed at their reconciliation, but then again, he and Mina were clearly shown to have some chemistry even before the time skip, though Sonic was obviously drawn more to Sally. It seems that with he and Sally currently being on the outs, and Mina having split from Ash, he had actually considered taking the chance with her - I mean, they did agree to a chili dog date after all - but now that's obviously not happening. Well, maybe the chili dog date is, but not Sonic and Mina becoming an item. What I'm trying to say is, this page has just sunk your Sonic/Mina ship. Fortunately, with this second failure Eggman has decided that trying to kill Mina is too hard and not worth his time, so she should be safe for now. He still finds himself lamenting the loss of his robotic body, however (something that you'd think should be child's play for him to fix considering previously roboticizing himself is literally part of his backstory), finding his current organic body too breakable. The use of that word suddenly makes him pause, having just come up with a new idea… but Karl certainly won't be the one writing about it, as with that final line of dialogue, he's officially completed his time as head writer for the Archie Sonic comics! Sayonara, Karl Bollers - though there were certainly some rough patches, on the whole I enjoyed your work on the comic, and we'll miss ya!

More Than Meets the Eye

Writer/Pencils: Ken Penders Colors: Josh Ray

…though remember, we are still dealing with Penders for a few more issues yet. Since the mission into Megaopolis a couple issues ago, Rotor, Uncle Chuck, Tommy, Tails, and Snively (plus apparently Fiona, for some reason) have all been hard at work studying and trying to understand the nanites. They try blasting them with a ton of electricity, but when that elicits no response from the nanites Tommy worriedly thinks Snively killed them with the zap, though Snively corrects him that biologically speaking, they're not really "alive," nor is anything that Eggman makes. While you may be technically correct from a scientific standpoint, Snively, I think Nicole might have a thing or two to say about your assertion that machines can't be alive…

Well! It seems Tommy was also unconvinced by Snively's words, and his tear splashing down into the nanite goo triggers some kind of reaction, prompting them to rapidly spread out and reach tendrils of themselves towards him. He's understandably a little freaked out and retreats into his shell, but the nanites don't hurt him as they make contact with the shell - in fact, the sensation is ticklish and causes him to start giggling uncontrollably, which must make for a very weird sight as Uncle Chuck reenters the room to investigate the noise. Tommy assures him that he's all right - and then from out of nowhere, his shell sprouts a pair of goddamn wings, because why the hell not?

I initially took issue with this concept due to it being established canon that the nanites can only absorb and reshape non-living matter, whereas turtle shells are definitely living matter, being full of nerve endings and basically being formed from repurposed bone matter from the turtle's ribs and pelvis. However, the above dialogue seems to indicate that they were able to fuse with Tommy's shell anyway by connecting straight into his nervous system. I would guess that after Sonic introduced the nanites to the concept of organic and synthetic coexistence a couple issues ago, they were just waiting for the chance to "study" an organic specimen in their own weird way, and Tommy just happened to end up as their test subject. Chuck and Tommy call everyone else in, where he notes that the nanites seem to react to his thoughts without said thoughts actually controlling the nanites directly. He demonstrates this by thinking vaguely that he wants to go somewhere, prompting a pair of jetpack engines to sprout from his shell and ignite, carrying him straight out of the lab and into the sky above Knothole. The others watch with an odd mixture of bemusement and amusement as the nanites fly Tommy's body in a pattern, using contrails to write "We're just going for a test drive" in the air. Well Tommy, looks like you have a really cool and unique new ability! It'd certainly be interesting to be fused with self-replicating nanomachines that react to your thoughts and wishes by morphing themselves in ways to grant those wishes, especially when they seem to actively like their host.

#nala reads archie sonic preboot #archie sonic #archie sonic preboot #sonic the hedgehog #sth 154 #writer: karl bollers #writer: ken penders #pencils: ron lim #pencils: ken penders #colors: jason jensen #colors: joshua d ray

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mor-beck-more-problems · 4 years

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Are You Lepre-Kidding Me || Morgan & Mina

Making friends is hard. #cursed

@drowningisinevitable

Morgan was relieved to have another shot at a normal work friend with a normal work lunch. The whole dishonesty about magic and beautiful weirdness thing wasn’t a fun time, but it was a bargain she was familiar with. Familiar could be comforting. And Mina seemed so nice. Morgan was happy to venture to the maths and engineering quad where a thai fusion truck liked to park and catch the hungry students coming out of their four hour labs. Morgan rocked on her heels as she stood in line, trying to figure out if Mina was already there. She fidgeted with a new pendant she’d crafted for herself, amethyst wrapped in gold, and checked her phone again, sending Mina a quick message: In line! Trying to will the sun back with floral prints.

Mina had been in the quad for about five minutes (five and a half, but who was counting?) and had already ordered a bowl of shrimp and fried rice when she got Morgan’s message. She sent back quickly that she’d snagged a table in the back right corner of the quad and settled in to wait for a few more minutes. She was excited; Mina’d always had a bit of trouble making friends. She and her dad never really settled anywhere for too long, and, if they did, never for longer than a year and a half. She’d thought she’d make more friends as she settled in to White Crest, but she was always feeling that niggling in the back of her head about her promise to her father, and, yeah, there was a small (very small, so small) piece of her that didn’t want to have to fulfill it anytime soon. It made her wary and awkward around people, never knowing what to expect from them. It was time for a change, though. It was time to connect with people.

Morgan stiffened with nervousness. Mina was already here. Morgan searched the tables as the line shifted up and ordered the noodle special. She paid for her food and wandered around until she saw her. Something about the way she almost vibrated in her seat reminded Morgan of her messages. She stopped, smiling hopefully. “Are you Mina…?” She asked. “It’s Morgan. Me. I’m Morgan, hi!” She gave another cursory look around the tables, just in case she had it wrong. There was a weird sound in the bushes, she thought, but perhaps it was her own anxiety manifesting its own soundtrack. It wouldn’t be the weirdest thing to happen to her lately.

Jiggling her foot, Mina’s head whipped up as the other woman walked up to her. She smiled brightly. “Hey! Hi! Hey, Morgan! Yes, I’m Mina. It’s really nice to meet you. In person. Nice to meet you in person.” Okay, stop talking, she told herself. Something rustling in the bushes caused her to pause, just for a second, before she turned her attention back to Morgan. Birds, probably, she thought, though she felt a bit… off. The off feeling wasn’t coming from Morgan, though, and Mina really couldn’t be more grateful. She’d have cried if Morgan had been Fae. She really would have. “Have you had food from the thai truck, yet? I know you’re probably usually on the other side of campus, but they’re actually really good!”

Morgan beamed with relief and took a seat across from Mina. “Oh, good! It would’ve been really awkward if I’d put all that energy out at a random person. Not that I haven’t done it a few times before, but, you know.” She smiled brightly and looked the girl over, trying to get a better sense of her. She seemed even more anxious than Morgan, even more eager. Morgan wondered what she had to be nervous about, if it was her brain working overtime or if something had happened to make her expect something to go wrong. She knew both impulses well, and it made her feel a little endeared to her. “I haven’t, actually. I’m usually at the soup place on the arts quad, but this looks so yummy! Highly recommended by my freshmen, but they eat just about anything, I think, so I’m not sure how much that’s worth.” She sniggered into her noodles and took a bite. “It’s a shame we haven’t run into each other before now. It’s so stuffy in the office space, and it’s just medievalist and modernist bros making themselves feel superior. Well, less so, now that some of them are uh, missing with this eternal night thing.” And less so since she’d threatened one with murder. Morgan hadn’t thought she’d been very convincing, but the novelty factor must have worked in her favor. This, however, didn’t seem like making-friends material. “But what about you! I don’t picture it being very different in the math department, but, you know, it’d be nice if it was.”

“I understand the feeling,” Mina said with a smile. She was constantly putting out too much energy and hoping it went out the right way, and she often ended up screwing up. One time, she’d brought her father someone that she thought was a vampire but clearly wasn’t a vampire, and he’d only barely managed to catch her mistake in time. After that, they’d stuck to having her identify Fae. Speaking off, she was feeling something strange, but… no. She was imagining things. “Oh, I know all about freshmen appetites.” She wrinkled up her nose a bit. “One of the frat boys I tutor said the other day that a friend dared him to eat spray cheese on a marshmallow, which he did, of course, and he liked it. However, the Thai truck is no joke really good! I almost always grab a bite from here unless I pack lunch.” She frowned as Morgan talked about some of her coworkers. “Yeah, the, uh, the math masters program is, I’m sure you can guess, quite small. Quite. Most of my colleagues are… very nice gentlemen at times.” Most of them really weren’t bad, but there were two or three that she really wouldn’t mind just taking home to Dark Score and not drowning them. Not completely, at least. Mina gave Morgan a big smile. “But it’s certainly nice to meet someone outside of the department and outside of tutoring! I’m all about differential equations, but… it’s nice to not think about numbers!”

Morgan had no problem believing Mina had problems with awkward first impressions. But whatever the cause, there was something kind under it all. Morgan smirked about the frat boy, and her colleagues. It seemed pretty clear there was a whole other word besides ‘gentlemen’ that she wanted to use. She smiled warmly at her as she gathered another scoop of noodles. “That’s fair. Although I do know something about those too. And, much as I can and will talk about books all day, it’s good to just, you know, be normal sometimes.” Or normal-ish. Normal-ish for humans, anyway. “I don’t really have any gal-pals up here. And I’m not really sure the TA bros would even get some of of--” Morgan never finished her thought. With a strangled yelp, her head snapped back, and just before she hit the ground, she saw a strange, wormy-gray looking critter leap on top of her forehead and reach for her neck.

This was nice, Mina thought as she ate a bite of shrimp. Nice company, nice food, a nice day (well, night). She could do this. Really, she could. “Right, you also teach some chemistry classes, yes? That’s really cool! But, I agree, it’s very nice to be normal.” Mina felt something kindred with Morgan, especially when she mentioned not having any gal-pals around. Mina didn’t have any pals at all, really. She agreed, and she would have told Morgan as much as soon as the other woman stopped speaking, except for one (or, rather, several) small problem: leprechauns. Brave ones, too, as one immediately took to Morgan, leaping on her. “No, no, no!” Mina yelped. She looked around the courtyard and, wow, just them and the leprechauns. Lunch must be over for most. There were too far in the back for the food truck guy cleaning up to see them, not in the dark, and-- Leprechauns. Mina needed to focus on the leprechauns. “Hey! Back off!” They wouldn’t bother her, not with her Fae blood, but Morgan was another story. Mina attempted to grab the one that was on Morgan as she told the other woman, “Iron! Need iron!”

Many, many strange things were happening at once. For starters, Morgan was on the ground, staring at a new upside-down world peopled with more strange gray faces, like something out of a scary children’s movie. They were toddling towards her, making strange noises that set her teeth on edge. Then Mina was there, throwing one off her and calling for...iron? Wasn’t that just a supernatural know-how thing? But Morgan didn’t have time to think. She was too busy scrambling onto her knees and looking for something, anything, to transmute. Her catch-all bag was too far and now there was one pulling on her ankle. Morgan screamed and tore out her hair clip and slammed it on her cuff, making--one tiny rod with a pointy end, not even the full length of her hand. Morgan held onto it tight as she was dragged back by too many tiny hands. She hooked one arm around the leg of the picnic table and thrust the other out to Mina. She seemed to know what she was doing. The why part could come later.

Mina’d already tore a section of the bottom of her sweater off and wrapped it around her hand as she watched the leprechauns bearing down on them Of course, of course, the one time she actually begins to enjoy lunch on campus, and leprechauns decided to come along and ruin it. The one that she threw off of Morgan was looking at her in complete confusion, unable to comprehend that she’d chosen the other woman over a fellow Fae. Mina snatched the rod of iron from Morgan, grateful that the other woman was a magic user as she watched the hair clip transmutate, and it felt hot even through the cloth around her hand, but it was a familiar burn, and she should be somewhat protected. And, then, she went for one of the leprechauns around Morgan’s feet, lashing out with the rod. Many of them panicked at the approaching metal but seemed resolute in hounding their quarry. In their focus, they weren’t quite as fast as normal, and Mina took her chance, grabbing one and shoving the iron rod under its jaw and through its skull. Then she went at another one. To Morgan, she said, “I don’t suppose you can find a way to do that again?”

Morgan scrambled up and onto the table as soon as she was free, pulling her bag up with her. She wasn’t sure what the plan was besides ‘don’t get maimed,’ But seeing the pointy end of her rod go through one of the little gray head made her yelp and spill everything from her catch-all bag. Less rummaging. More doing. “Uhh, sort of?” She found the rod she’d been gifted and held it up like a bat. Only-- right. They were all at her ankles, and the second Morgan jumped down from the table, they were at it again. She swung down hard, batting one away. The sound the iron made sent cringe down her arms. Cold iron really was no joke. “What are these things?” She asked, swatting away another. “What do they want?”

“They’re leprechauns,” Mina said. “And not the kind of the cereal box, unfortunately.” She grabbed one by its abnormally large head and twisted. If Morgan wasn’t around, she’d decapitate the thing with her claws. However, she just snapped its neck, knowing it probably wasn’t dead. “They like stealing things, rare things, expensive things. They’ll kill to get it, too. And they travel in packs. Iron and decapitation are the two ways to dispose of them.” She recited what she’d been taught years ago, and she’d actually put this knowledge into practice. Leprechauns were not what her father considered humanoid Fae, the kind that she should be targeting in White Crest, but they were definitely the kind that she’d gone after with him when she was younger. “They’re also quite heavy so-- oof!” Apparently, Mina was no longer Fae enough to protect as one of the leprechauns threw itself at her. She grunted under the weight and kicked it off. “So watch out!”

“Rare things?” Morgan asked, taking another swing. “But I don’t--” Shit. Morgan hopped back on the table and pulled on Mina to come with her. She took off her necklace (oh earth, and it was some of her best work, too) and dangled it on the end of her rod. “Is this what you want? Seriously?” She tossed it down to the ground and braced herself while the leprechauns inspected the newfound ‘treasure.’ Morgan waited, tense, and reached for Mina’s arm so they could make a break for together if they had to. “Will that make them go away?” She asked in a whisper.

Mina tensed as Morgan grabbed her arm, but she kept her gaze steadily on the leprechauns. Four. Eight. Twelve. Thirteen. Fourteen. Fourteen of the foul creatures, all surrounding Morgan’s necklace. “I don’t know,” she said lowly. “They usually kill when they get caught.” The clicking sounds they made caused a shiver to run up Mina’s spine. Though they couldn’t speak any sort of human language, she knew that leprechauns weren’t to be underestimated. They were smart, quick, and nimble, and they had a nasty habit of making and using their own tools. Plus, there were so many of them, and though she was impressed with how Morgan had handled herself so far, Mina didn’t know how the other woman would be able to take on fourteen of the bloody creatures.

The leprechaun critters were plotting, negotiating, maybe even laying claims on who got to eat which toe for their lunch break. Carefully, Morgan stuffed only her essentials into her bag and slipped it over her shoulder. “We should run?” She mouthed to Mina, clumsily pantomiming their great escape with one hand. She eased onto her knees and inched back, balancing the cold iron in her grip all the while. It might have even worked if it hadn’t scraped on the edge of the table. The leprechauns turned their heads her way, their grim, tiny faces unreadable. Well, so much for being sneaky about it. “Yep! We’re running!” She leapt off her perch and sprinted away, leg throbbing with each step.

Though she would have loved to stick around and tear into the rest of the leprechauns, Mina followed jerkily after Morgan. She turned around and bared sharp teeth at the wretched little creatures, hoping that would deter them. If they figured out that Morgan was under her, another Fae’s protection, they might leave her alone. Whatever the case, Mina planned to come back at a later date with one of her father’s swords and slaughter the remaining leprechauns to ensure they didn’t do this to anyone else. She followed after Morgan, and, when she felt they were far enough away, she stopped the other woman. “We’re-- I think we’re good. Are you alright? Did they hurt you at all?”

Morgan slowed, staggering, to a stop. “Uhh...not too badly, I think?” She patted herself down carefully. There were some tender spots on her back from where she’d fallen, and a nasty scrape where she’d been dragged along the ground, but given what else had happened to her lately, Morgan felt like she couldn’t really complain. “At least I don’t need another hospital visit. I can’t stand Nurse Denise judging me again. What about you? Are you--” For the first time since they’d been disrupted, Morgan actually took a good look at Mina. There was something else in her, something firm and stringently capable, something like the iron, which she held with a hand wrapped in fabric. Morgan stared, trying to make sense of the last few minutes. “Mina, are you okay after all that?”

Mina ran a hand through her hair, taking a deep breath and letting out a sigh. “I’m glad you’re alright. They really tried to--” She stopped herself. What they tried to do was kill Morgan. All for a necklace. She really hated leprechauns. “I’m glad you’re alright.” She was concerned about the need for a hospital trip, though she didn’t say anything, it probably showed. Another implied that there had at least been one, in not multiple. “I’m fine,” she said. The leprechauns had barely touched her due to what she was, and the few scrapes and bruises she had would easily be taken care of when she got home. She looked at the iron rod, covered in bits of leprechaun and still in her wrapped hand. She wiped it off on her shirt. “I’m quite used to things like this. I grew up taking care of monsters like them.”

“T-tried to--?” Morgan prompted, eyes wide. She already had a decent idea from all the other times she’d almost-died recently, but there was something so strange about the prospect of getting her head dashed on the pavement over a bit of gold and amethyst. She’d heard by now of a few kinds of fae critters that subsisted on humans or thought nothing of hurting them, but it was different, feeling the ghosts of tiny leprechaun hands on her. Morgan shivered and tucked her rod back into her catch-all bag and took the one she’d transmuted from Mina. She touched it to her wrist to bring back her hair clip and distracted herself by fussing with her hair, wincing only a little in pain at the way it irritated the scrapes on her back. “Right. So, I don’t think there’s any point in pretending we’re normal by human standards,” she said, a little unsteadily. “Me, alchemist. You--? I mean how do you grow up uh…’taking care’ of leprechauns?”

“They don’t usually let people live when they get found out,” Mina said quietly. She felt uncomfortable saying the words out loud, making them real. As long as she had her way, though, those leprechauns wouldn’t be touching another person. She unwrapped her hand and flexed it. Thankfully, the iron handed touched her flesh at all, so while she’d felt a bit of discomfort, she was still fine and human, if in appearance only. She did laugh a bit as Morgan stated that they weren’t normal. “And here I thought all adjuncts had the chemical know-how to transmute a hair clip into an iron rod.” Mina played with the strip of cloth in her hand. “My father, he hunts creatures, creatures that hurt human beings. He raised me to do the same. I try to protect humans from the evils in this world, like those wretched things.” She jutted her chin in the direction that they came. “They would have killed you, Morgan. Without a thought and without a care.”

Morgan nodded. This was all kinds of not good. First leprechauns, and now--a Warden? Morgan lost her grip on her hair and had to start over. The last thing she needed was another complicated not-friendship with a kind of hunter. And yet here Mina was, young and nice and sweet in her own peculiar way. Everything had been fine until a short while ago. But who knew what she would do in front of a fae that was less critter, more person. “I um, I get that,” Morgan said at last. “And I’m grateful that we both made it out okay. Thank you, Mina,” she said. “Really.”

Mina ran a hand through her hair and sighed. From Morgan’s reaction, she had an awful feeling that she’d done or said something wrong. She couldn’t really understand it, couldn’t figure out what she’d said wrong. “Of course. There’s no need to thank me, really,” she murmured. “Just, ah, doing my job.” She gave a soft smile. “Lunch was nice, you know, before the leprechauns showed up. If you’d-- I mean, you don’t have to, obviously. But, if you’d like, we could do it again sometime?” Whether Morgan said no or not, Mina made a vow to herself that she’d watch out for the other woman, especially around campus. If she’d ended up in the hospital multiple times, she was either accident prone or a target for supernatural shenanigans, and Mina wanted to make sure she was okay. She was so kind, after all.

Morgan smiled back at Mina, if only because she didn’t know what to do. She had turned sheepish and anxious again. She knew something was wrong, maybe she knew that Morgan understood exactly what and who she was looking at. Maybe she was starting to guess Morgan knew fae, maybe other supernaturals who could end up on her menu. And she was being so earnest about it, so gentle. Morgan felt for her even as she felt the impulse to bolt cord through her body and she inched away. “Um, maybe sometime, yeah,” she said with a noncommittal shrug. She couldn’t find it in her to be harsh about leaving, no matter how rattled she was inside. “After I have a chance to uh, live all this down. A little. And somewhere probably inside. Maybe without shiny things.”

“Right, of course,” Mina said quietly. It wasn’t a no, but it was close enough. She was resigned to making sure Morgan stayed safe from afar. Whatever she’d done wrong, it was enough that the other woman likely wouldn’t want to see her again. Perhaps it was stabbing the leprechaun the way she had. She should have been less violent with it. Or maybe… Was it possible that Morgan figured out she was Fae from the way she’d had to hold the iron rod? Mina truly hoped not. She just wanted someone, anyone, to see her as human. “Do be safe, please? I think you’re right. Ah, stay inside, stay safe, avoid the maths and engineering quad. I would… it wouldn’t do, like you said, for you to end up in the hospital again.” She pretended to check her phone. “Goodness! I need-- I’ve got to-- Class! Tutoring! I should just-- It was very nice to meet you, Morgan, truly. I really do hope I see you around!” Before the other woman could say another word, Mina darted off. She could study a bit, or, she could go home and prep for the night. She was going hunting.

#wr mina #wr chatzy #wr mina chatzy #wickedswriting #are you lepre-kidding me

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passenger-green · 4 years

Text

Spilling Tea and Polish

It was no secret to anyone at UA that Ochako Uraraka and Izuku Midoriya were best friends, and that they could be nearly inseparable at times. They were what some might call “friendship goals,” two of the sweetest and strongest people in the class, a constant beacon of happiness and support. Everyone knew that if you had any sort of issue, you could talk to them without fear of judgement and with full security in the fact that your secret will be kept, well, secret.

However, even if said secret was kept from the rest of the class, that didn’t mean it could not be talked about between the two class-elected therapists. Afterall, people didn’t really expect them to be completely pure, innocent rays of sunshine all the time, right?

Deku had made quick work of cleaning up the All Might action figures that had been scattered, all across the ground, after he knocked into his bookshelf trying to put his laundry away. Since he and Ochako decided to have their mini gossip session on such short notice, Izuku didn’t have as much time to clean up his room as he normally would when their group of friends decide to hang out. However, it was just Ochako and him this time, and she had seen his room in worse states before, like the time he got the flu, or broke his arms for the upteenth time that week, and could barely use them again.

Just as Deku was starting to get lost in thought, as he so often does, about better ways he could control his quirk, he startled at the sound of soft knocking on his door. He shook his head slightly as he made his way to the door, being met with Ochako’s grinning face and hands clutching a small box of sorts that Deku had never seen before.

“Hey Deku!” she greeted him, voice cheery and slightly hushed so as not to disturb any of the other students on the floor, as Deku stepped aside to let her in.

“Hey Ochako, you can just sit on the bed if you want,” he started to say, hesitating slightly as he glanced at the latched box in confusion, “Um, Ocha, why did you bring the box? I thought we were just hanging out?”

The girl in question stifled her giggles in her hand, tickled at how his head tilted ever so slightly in confusion, giving her the image of a small, fluffy puppy.

“We are still, I just thought we could also do something else while we had our little gossip sesh!”

“Like what?” Deku tried peeking around her shoulder as she started unpacking the box’s contents, only to be smacked in the face with hair as Ochako quickly turned around.

“Oh! I’m so sorry, Deku, are you okay?”

He could only chuckle a little at her sudden, and slightly overdramatic, apologies before reassuring her that he was fine.

“Okay, okay, now, what were you going to say?” Deku, trying to steer the conversation back to what they were originally talking about, asked.

“Oh, yeah! I was thinking we could also paint each others’ nails! I have a few different colors that we could pick from, though I don’t have nearly as many as Yao-momo,” Ochako explained, trailing off slightly, as she started to pull out different bottles from the box, shades ranging from a light baby pink to a bright, neon yellow, with even a few metallics here and there.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea? I don’t want to accidentally spill anything and get Sensei mad at us.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine, now, what color do you want?”

———————————————————————————————————

“Deku, I swear, the color names are not that deep. They’re just silly jokes and bad puns.”

“Okay maybe so, but I refuse to wear a shade that’s called ‘topless and barefoot’. Why in All Might’s name would they even name it that?”

“You don’t have to wear that one then!”

Ochako was a bit exasperated, to say the least, with how much thought the young hero was putting into his choice. On one hand, though, she should have expected this much considering how much thought he puts into, well, anything.

“Okay, okay, fine. I have it narrowed down to green, red, white, or this light yellow one,” Deku stated, a fixed tone in his voice as he looked down at his choices. However, he missed the small smirk his friend was sending him, pure amusement painted across her face and a mercilessness dancing in her eyes.

“Red and white, huh,” his eyes immediately widened as he heard the playful tone that was threaded into her words, averting his gaze as she continued with her sentence, “reminds me of a certain someone. But, no it couldn’t be that obvious, now could it?”

Ochako chanced a peek at Deku and saw, with great satisfaction, that her friend was as red as the aforementioned nail polish.

“I don’t, Ocha, listen, I don’t know what you’re thinking, or, well, what you’re saying even, uh…” Deku stuttered out as Ochako started cackling, almost starting to float as she was laughing so hard. He managed to clear his throat and take somewhat control over his voice, “Fine, I won’t pick red and white. I don’t want anyone ,” he glared pointedly at Ochako, who was failing at hiding her dying laughter, “to get the wrong idea.”

After getting Ochako to finally calm down, and to get off the ceiling, they had both decided to paint Deku’s nails as pink and Ochako’s as green. Starting with the base coat for the nails, their gossip session kicked off.

“So, any news from the boys’ side of the dorms?” Ochako asked, delicately painting the base coat onto Deku’s nails. The boy only shrugged in response.

“Nothing too new, actually. Just the general motivational spiel I guess,” he paused for a second, a smirk stretching over his freckled face, “Although, I did hear that there’s a possibility for a new couple in class.” Before Ochako could say anything past her surprised sputtering, Izuku continued, “And that’s coming from the girls’ side, not us guys.”

Deku let Ochako ponder what he said for a moment before recognition flashed across her face.

“Are you talking about Jirou and Yao-momo?!” She shrieked, nearly knocking over the open bottles of polish that sat on the floor before Izuku quickly grabbed and recentered them.

“Yes, but you gotta try to keep quiet before you wake up someone! And be careful, I don’t want Aizawa to be mad if we accidentally spill this stuff all over the floor!” Ochako nodded, though Deku could tell that she was barely paying attention as excitement lit up her eyes.

“Okay so, all that I’ve heard is from Kaminari and Sero, who apparently got all of this from Mina, who talked to Jirou about it, so I don’t know how trustworthy all of this could be-” He started explaining, already speaking at such a fast pace that Ochako could barely keep up. She tried to focus on his words, but didn’t miss the excited glint in his eyes as he was becoming distracted, getting tangled in his own words that would be a hassle for her to untangle later.

“Deku-” Ochako tried to interrupt before he got too deep into his steady flow of words, but she could tell it was already too late.

“However, Mina and Jirou are super close. So are Kaminari and Sero with Mina, they all tend to hang out together, along with Kacchan and Kirishima, so they should all know most things about each other-”

“Deku-”

“But I don’t know if this is something Jirou would want to talk to only Mina about. Besides, if it also includes Yaoyorozu, then she might have told someone else, probably Todoroki-kun since they’re close friends. But then it’s unlikely for Todoroki to tell others’ secrets-”

“DEKU!” Izuku jumped, coming out of the trance that was his constant ramblings to realize that his friend had been trying to grab his attention for quite a bit now.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Ocha,” he shot her an apologetic smile as his hand brushed the back of his neck, a nervous habit, “I guess I just got caught up in my thoughts again.” She only giggled slightly, already used to him muttering so much.

“Honestly, it’s fine Deku. But truly, I wouldn’t count out Kaminari and Sero’s words, just maybe take what they say with a grain of salt.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Have you heard anything about them, though? All I’ve heard is that they’re spending a lot of time with each other. They were even planning to go to one of their houses during the next break together.”

“I think I’ve heard the same, although Yao-momo came to me the other day for advice on her feelings. She kept saying that her heart kept beating faster whenever she was around this specific person, though she never told me who, and that she can feel her face heat up.”

“So you’re basically the girls’ source for advice on feelings?”

“Not always, sometimes we’ll all just sit together and talk as a group, like the other day, Hagakure was going on about how she feels when hanging around Ojiro, I’m almost completely sure she likes him, though Mina says she’s been convinced for weeks.”

Deku thought to himself for a moment before replying to Ochako again, “So that makes two possible relationships in our class, Yaoyorozu and Jirou, and Hagakure and Ojiro. Is there anyone else you can think of?” Ochako only laughed to herself for a second, “Not really, but I can think of someone who couldn’t possibly be in a relationship with someone.”

Izuku tilted his head to the side, eyebrows knitted as he started thinking about his classmates. He would have even put his hand up to his chin if it was not in a death grip from Ochako so she could apply the nail polish on neatly.

“Mineta?”

“No! Well, I guess, but I don’t really count him as part of the class.” That only earned a slight frown from Midoriya, but she was not met with disagreement.

“I was talking about Bakugou!”

All of a sudden, Deku was waving his arms around his head, almost shielding himself from his friend. “Why on Earth would you even think about Bakugou?!”

“Oh, come on, Deku, just think about it for a second. Hasn’t he always been mean and angry? I bet no one would have wanted to date him, much less be friends, when you guys were younger!”

“Well, I don’t know about that, heh,” he paused for a second, trying to regain his thoughts, “Kacchan actually had a few admirers in middle school, but they never went really far. He turned pretty much everyone down. But, he wasn’t really mean until the last couple of years in middle school. Before that we would hang out a lot, we even slept over at each others’ houses a few times.”

Ochako listened to him as he rambled about their childhood, the games they would play together, fawning over All-Might with each other, staying at each others’ homes. Hearing about Bakugou’s softer side made Ochako start to wonder as to why he acted the way he did now, but soon all thoughts derailed as Deku continued on, starting to talk about some probably embarrassing stories about the temperamental blonde.

“I had no idea what was happening either, all I heard was this large thud and footsteps coming down from the hall. Honestly, I thought it was either a villain or a demon.”

“Oh my god, Deku,” Ochako started to giggle, trying to stay quiet so as not to interrupt her friend’s story.

“All I knew was before the thud happened, Kacchan was sleeping in his room while I was getting some water to drink, and his parents were asleep in their room. Then, out of nowhere, this blur of, I don’t know, pure demonic energy, comes barreling down the hallway towards me.” It was at this point that Ochako thought she might just float to the ceiling if she could not get her laughter under control.

“I didn’t realize it was Kacchan sleepwalking until he fell down the staircase and woke up halfway down and started swearing profusely. He even dented the wall at some point, heh. His mom was not happy about having to fix the wall again.”

“ AGAIN?! ”

“Yeah, one time he punched a hole in the wall cause he dreamt there was a demon coming out of it. I was next to him during that one…”

Ochako could barely contain her laughter, wheezing slightly, “Deku no, there’s no way.”

“No, I swear on All Might’s life this happened.”

Ochako was now doubled-over, tears forming in her eyes as she clutched her stomach.

“I, oh my god, I can’t breathe.”

“Careful!” Deku tried to warn in between the spurts of laughter that started taking control of his body, “You could spill it all over the floor!”

“I just can’t, HA, can’t believe Bakugou actually did that.”

They both sat there for a bit, laughing together before finally regaining their composure. Letting the still air surround them, they sat in a comfortable silence as Ochako finished with Izuku’s nails, who sat back to let them dry before doing anything else.

“You know,” Deku began, soft voice filling up the stoic silence, “That just reminds me of how Iida once broke his door after sleeping running into it.”

It took a bit longer for them to calm down, as they now had the task of getting Ochako off of the ceiling.

———————————————————————————————————

The two friends sat quietly, Izuku beginning to paint Ochako’s nails a little less neatly than she had, but that was simply a difference of experience, as the shorter of the two scrolled mindlessly through her phone.

Although they had both agreed that their current hangout was to gossip, and that at least one was known to talk endlessly, it wasn’t uncommon for the pair to simply sit and enjoy each others’ presence. There truly weren’t enough quiet moments in the day for the class as whole, each week seemingly more stressful than the last. Which is exactly why they cherished the small, peaceful moments like this; they were only so rare.

However, the moment was soon interrupted as Ochako let out a small squeal, or squeak, Deku wasn’t quite sure, but he at least knew it signaled nothing good.

“Dekuuu, this is terrible!” Ochako groaned out in frustration, looking at her reflection in her phone’s camera.

Izuku, the poor boy, sat in confusion as he finished painting her pinky nail, waiting for her to continue. When he realized that she was, in fact, not going to tell him more of her sudden tragedy, he was offended, to say the least.

“What’s up, Ocha?”

“The stress is getting to me. I’m breaking out. My crops are dying. Please, Deku, I beg of you. Bless us with your smile.” She dramatically flung herself across the ground, careful this time to avoid staining anything with nail polish. Izuku let out a bark of laughter that soon evolved into endless giggling when he took notice that the girl was now pretending to be dead. Before she had time to continue with their ongoing joke that annoyed their much taller, stricter friend to no end, Deku had lightly poked her with his foot, which accidentally sent her rocketing towards the ceiling.

“HEY!” she shrieked, “FOUL PLAY!” Clutching her stomach, she shot her friend a glare from above, which did absolutely nothing to stop him from laughing even harder.

“I’m, haha, I’m sorry. Really, I forgo-, heheheh, forgot you were so ticklish.” Both of the young heroes could tell he didn’t actually forget, but they also both knew that there wasn’t an actual need to apologize either.

“You know,” Deku said as Ochako slowly floated back down, “I honestly didn’t know where you were going with that at first. I mean, your skin is always clear so I was confused when you said you were breaking out and-”

“Deku,” she swiftly cut him off, sensing he would end up saying something he thought was bad, then apologize, then start an endless cycle of apologies and excuses. “My skin is far from perfect, I just use makeup to help cover anything up.”

Izuku nodded in understanding before apprehensively responding, “Oh yeah, I heard from one of the girls that foundation helps with that. I’ve been meaning to try some.”

“Oh!” Ochako instantly lit up, “We could try to get a group together to go shopping this weekend and look for something for you, if you want. It could be fun!”

“Yeah, I bet we could invite the entire squad. Although, I don’t think Todoroki-kun would want to come,” Izuku trailed off, much to Ochako’s confusion. As far as she knew, Todoroki liked spending time with their small friend group, especially if Deku was present. Said boy, sensing her confusion, rapidly started explaining.

“I just mean that he has no need! Have you even seen his skin, Ocha? It’s practically perfect! His and Shinsou’s! And he doesn’t even get enough sleep most of the time! I swear, they must perform some kind of ritual or something!”

Ochako only chuckled before continuing with the ensuing madness. “I bet they get Tokoyami’s help with it. He seems like the type to perform rituals for everyday stuff.”

“Ochako, I’m pretty sure he does perform rituals. I think I heard from Aoyama that he does them every Friday. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a small cult going on in the class.”

“Isn’t there one already? I overheard Jirou talking about an emo-squad, or something.” The two had started to devolve into a mess of giggles as they started to picture their classmates decked out in edgy clothing, which was essentially just what they saw in Hot Topic’s window at the mall.

After calming down for a second, Deku started giggling again at seemingly nothing before saying, “I bet Kacchan is a part of the squad.” Ochako felt as if she got whiplash from laughing so hard.

It was nearing midnight, yet the two young heroes couldn’t feel more awake. They went on to talk more about which classmates had better skin, which evolved into a heated debate about which classmates were more attractive, that in turn lead back to possible couples in the class. This time, though, there was a sudden argument about who should be with who, or in the wise words of Mina, a shipping war.

“Listen, Ocha, I’m not saying that you’re wrong, but I’m not saying that you’re right either.” To that, Ochako let out a fake, over dramatic gasp and let her hand, which was now dry, fly to clutch at her heart.

“Are you saying that Tokoyami and Shoji wouldn’t be a great couple?”

“I’m saying that I think Tokoyami has enough couple problems as is! I have to go through what I’m pretty sure is couples therapy with Tokoyami and Dark Shadow-”

“Oh, come on, it can’t be that bad-”

“Separately! You don’t understand, Ochako, I have to talk to them separately, and then together in a group setting!” Izuku looked half close to reaching over and shaking the girl’s shoulders in an attempt to get her to understand her pain. However, there was no need, as the pained look on her face as she imagined it said it all.

The next day in class, both Deku and Ochako got quite a few compliments on their nails, Iida saying how it was good that they were showing how well the two got along. Even Koda managed to speak up and express that he liked the shade of pink that Izuku chose. Of course, Ochako didn’t miss the way Todoroki blushed when he, too, noticed Izuku’s choice of color.

She also didn’t miss the way Bakugou’s face turned bright red when she loudly asked Asui how to cover up a hole in the wall after punching it while sleeping. Any confusion voiced was drowned out by the sound of explosions and Ochako’s cackling laughter.

#bnha midoriya #mha midoriya #mha uraraka #bnha uraraka #midoriya izuku #ururaka ochako #they are best friends #l love them so much #repost #painting nails #gossiping #fluff #bnha fluff #let them be friends #this is one of my more popular fics #I just really like to think of them as bffs

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hosseocc · 6 years

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What We Protect ~ Chapter 1 ~

Word count: 2,369

Pairing: BTS x reader

Genre: mafia, somewhat mystery, romance

Warning(s): none

(Not my gif, credits to owner!)

Prologue ~

If somebody had sat me down two years ago and told me that within the next year, I’d become a mother and move across the country to escape a crazed mafia organisation I barely knew anything about, I would simply laugh in their face. But if they also told me that my best friend would be the one to sacrifice herself to allow us to get away, I’d still laugh, only this time slightly worried.

When I think about the events that have unfolded over the past two years, I wonder how I haven’t been driven to insanity. Those moments in life that change absolutely everything you thought you knew about the world and the people around you are maybe only supposed to happen once or twice, but for me its my everyday life. Losing somebody is never easy, let alone a best friend – the person you’ve known as your other half for as long as you can remember. Whenever I think of her, I remember everything to be grateful for, all the times we spent laughing, crying and screaming together. The happy moments that are no more. But when I think of the sacrifices she made, I can only feel guilt.

Dragging myself out of bed and away from my dreary morning thoughts, I freshen up and make my bed before walking to the bedroom down the hall. Quietly opening the door and going to open the blinds, I sigh as I look around at the mess of toys, books and shoes scattered around the floor.

“Come on Jun, time to wake up.” I called out to the sleeping boy, cursing as I almost stepped on a lego piece. I pulled back the blanket from his small frame and watched as his eyelids slightly fluttered and opened.

“More sleep…” he grumbled, turning back to face the wall.

“We can’t do this everyday baby, you’re going to be late for school,” I started hoping my next attempt at getting him out of bed would work, “besides people who don’t get out of bed straight away aren’t allowed pancakes for breakfast.”

And with that, he shot up and ran straight to the bathroom.

“I want extra syrup on mine!” he shouted as his feet padded down the hall.

Our mornings usually consisted of one of us trying to wake the other up, because when there was no school or work I wanted to sleep in, but days where we both had to be up, Jun liked to make things difficult. It was almost as if he didn’t want to get up because he knew he had to. I wasn’t ready to accept the fact that I was possibly raising a smart-ass son.

Sitting down at the kitchen table eating our pancakes, my eyes wandered over to the calendar on the fridge and focused on writing in big red letters.

“Oh, shit” I mumbled as I groaned and closed my eyes. How could I forget about Jun’s birthday next week? I’ve been so caught up with work and evenings spent helping him with homework and playing games that it completely slipped my mind. Feeling like a rubbish mother, I let guilt overtake me and decided I would spoil him for my almost mistake.

I looked at him happily gobbling down his second pancake, “So…what do you want to do for your birthday baby?” I casually asked before taking a sip of my tea.

His eyes met mine and lit up as he let his fork drop to the plate, “ITS MY BIRTHDAY?!” he shouted excitedly, “I want a big party with all my friends and a big cake and lots of presents and sweets and-“

“Okay, okay! You can have whatever you want, lets get you to school first so we can tell your friends all about it.” I spoke.

I parked up near the school and we walked hand in hand to the entrance together, Jun still rambling on about how excited he was for his party. When we reached the gates, he immediately caught sight of his friends and took off running for them, forgetting about his things.

“Jun, your lunch!” I reminded him as I began to speed walk towards his friends. He turned back around and came running towards me again but went straight past my outstretched hand with his lunch in it and straight into my body. I stumbled backwards and smiled as he tightly wrapped his arms around my legs.

“You’re the best mummy in the world so you can have the biggest slice of cake at my party” he promised me, looking up and grinning from ear to ear.

I chuckled and knelt down to reach his level and enveloped him in a massive hug. “How generous of you baby. But you have to remember to be on your best behaviour until then, okay?” I reminded him.

“Does that mean I have to finish all my vegetables at dinner?” he frowned.

“Yes, it does. All your food has to be finished so you can grow big and strong like me!” I told him.

After another promise from him to be on his best behaviour, I kissed him goodbye, handed him his lunch and watched as he ran to his friends again. Staying until they had all gone inside the building with their teacher, I began to walk away when an unfamiliar voice stopped me.

“They grow up so fast don’t they?”

I turned my head to the left to see a man around my age with his hands in his pockets walking towards me. He had a smile on his face and stood next to me, watch the rest of the children go into school. As kind as he looked however, I was wary of him as I had never seen him before.

“Yeah, time flies without you even noticing,” I smiled, adjusting the bag on my shoulder, “sorry, I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before.” I said, knowing full well I hadn’t, but trying to be nice at the same time.

“Oh, how rude of me to forget to introduce myself!” he laughed, extending his right hand out. “I’m Taehyung, I just moved to the neighbourhood with my daughter. Today’s her first day at the school.” He explained, with a wide grin.

Feeling reassured at the fact that he wasn’t some random man turning up to watch children at school, I returned his hand shake, “Hi Taehyung, I’m Y/n, lovely to meet you.” I smiled.

“You too” he reciprocated. I’ve always been a quiet person and extremely bad at keeping up conversations around people I didn’t know well, so unsurprisingly my mind went blank and there was a short pause before he continued.

“So, what’s it like around here then? I haven’t had a proper chance to look around yet.” He asked. Feeling better that he had managed to fill the silence first without me having to think of something quickly, I turned my body more towards his direction.

“Well, me and my son have only been here just over a year ourselves so we’re still getting used to it too. But it’s a nice little neighbourhood - not too quiet and not to far from the city” I explained.

“Yeah, that’s what I was hoping for, a little balance between the two. I feel like you might be my first friend here so maybe you could show me around sometime?” he asked, then quickly added, “only if you wanted to though I wouldn’t force you or anything.”

I chuckled and replied, “It’s totally fine! I could do with a friend now and then too. We could bring the kids along! What class is your daughter in?” I asked.

“That sounds great! And uhh, if I remember correctly, Yuri’s in class 3F” he answered, taking his phone out of his pocket, “how about we take each other’s numbers and we can plan when to meet up?” he suggested as he handed the phone to me.

“Sure, she has an adorable name by the way” I smiled as I began putting my number in. “Also, did you say 3F? That’s the class my sons in!” I informed him and handed back his phone before sending a text to myself to receive his number.

“Ah no way, what a coincidence” he chuckled as my phone pinged. I took it out and saw the time, realising I was running late for work.

“Crap, I’ve gotta go otherwise I’ll be late for work” I cursed, “It was really nice meeting you though, I’ll text you later!” I waved as I’d already started running towards my car.

“I’ll be waiting for your call!” his loud voice beamed from behind me. I got into the car and watched as he walked away in the opposite direction. Letting out a sigh of relief, I felt my cheeks reddening at the thought of becoming friends with somebody like him. There was no denying he was attractive, and the fact that we were both, well I assumed, single parents made the idea of becoming close more comfortable for me.

As I drove off, I thought about the last time I’d had a close friendship. After Mina’s passing, I really had nobody apart from my son. I didn’t want to take the time getting to know anyone else because I knew the bond we both shared was one in a million that I’d never be able to experience with anyone else. Sure, I was friendly with the other parents and my co-workers, but our conversations were only standard ones about the weather, any events going on or complaining about something that we both deep down, didn’t even care about.

Life has a way of taking something important away from you and giving you something even more precious back, so when I lost Mina I was convinced my life was over. That I could never be happy with because the one I shared all my hardship and happiness with was gone. But then Jun came along and I allowed myself to love and feel again. Honestly speaking, I didn’t think I’d be alive if it wasn’t for my son. Everything I do is for him, and if I don’t give him the best life I possible can, then I’ve failed as a mother.

My thoughts eventually drifted away as I turned into the work car park and dreaded the day of sorting and balancing accounts for clients.

Later that evening after I had given Jun his evening bath and he was enjoying his free time before bed, I sat down at the kitchen table to start on the invitations I had picked up from the store during my lunch break.

I began writing out the names of his classmates until I had one left over that was blank and tried to rack my brain thinking of who it could be that I missed out when I remembered that I forgot to tell Taehyung about the party.

I decided it would be best to ring him as it wasn’t too late yet and I could tell him before I forgot again.

He picked up on the third ring with a cheerful voice, “Y/n, hey! I was wondering when you would call” he admitted down the line. I felt flustered at the fact that somebody was actually waiting for me to call them as opposed to my usual state of not having anyone to call in the first place.

“Haha, it’s not even been a day! How was Yuri’s first day at school?” I asked, moving to sit on the sofa next to Jun who was watching the same episode of his favourite cartoon that he’s watched at least 20 times.

“She really enjoyed it, actually. I was expecting her to be scared about it but she was happy about all the new friends she said she’d made.”

“Aw, I’m glad to hear that. Worrying about your child fitting in at a new school can be scary but I’m sure she’ll be just fine. Jun settled in no time, you never know they could become good friends.” I joked.

“Yeah I was really worried before dropping her off but now I feel less stressed about it. She said she’s already been invited to a birthday party!” he exclaimed, sounding like a proud father.

Not feeling surprised at Jun’s tendency to let everyone know about his birthday whenever he got the chance, I rolled my eyes and laughed.

“That’s why I called actually, it was probably my son letting everyone know. He’s having a birthday party next Saturday and I thought it would be a great idea to invite Yuri to help her get to know everyone.” I explained, secretly hoping he would say yes because I knew what I really meant was it would give him and I a chance to get to know each other too.

“That’s so kind of you, Y/n. I’m sure she’d love to go, I’ve just got to prepare myself to hear her talking my ear off about it for the next week” he spoke, feigning annoyance.

“Try living with the birthday boy! I’m already ten requests down for two bouncy castles and about ten million balloons” I complained, looking down at the boy next to me who was still fixated on the tv as I ruffled his hair.

Taehyungs deep laugh vibrated through the phone and I found myself grinning like an idiot listening to it. Quickly wiping the smile off my face, I tried to focus on what he was saying.

“Well as long as they’re happy, we can’t really complain” he said, and I nodded along to the truth of his words.

“Yeah, you’re right. Well I suppose I better let you go and put the little one to bed now. I’ll give you Yuri’s invitation tomorrow when I see you.” I told him, before he said his goodbyes too and hung up.

When I put the phone down and rested back against the cushions, I saw Jun staring at me.

“What is it baby?” I quizzed, looking at his puzzled face.

“Mummy, who is Yuri and why are you inviting her to my party?”

#bts #bangtan #bts imagine #bts scenario #bts v #bts taehyung #bts imagines #bts mafia au #bts au #kpop scenario #kpop fanfic #kpop imagines #my.txt

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ladyherenya · 5 years

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Books read in April

Holidays are an ideal time to find oneself with a pile of library books to read. The downside to having gone away with a pile of books is having too many books to write about afterwards.

I also reviewed the short stories I listened to: “Intro to Prom” and “Semiramis” by Genevieve Valentine, “The Shipmaker” by Aliette de Bodard and “When We Were Starless” by Simone Heller.

Favourite cover: Stand in the Sky!

Reread: Once again, didn’t get to the book I’d planned to reread.

Still reading: Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee.

Next up: Begin, End, Begin: A #LoveOzYa Anthology. A Thousand Sisters: The Heroic Airwomen of the Soviet Union in World War II by Elizabeth Wein. Maybe Ancestral Night by Elizabeth Bear.

(Longer reviews and ratings are on LibraryThing. And also Dreamwidth.)

Pride by Ibi Zoboi (narrated by Elizabeth Acevedo): Seventeen year old Zuri Benitez is proud of her family, her Haitian-Dominican heritage and the community of her Brooklyn neighbourhood. She’s unimpressed by changes like gentrification or the wealthy Darcy family moving in across the street. This contemporary YA remix twists the events of P&P fit Zuri’s context, allowing the story explore cultural identity, class and dealing with change, and for Zuri’s relationship with Darius makes sense for 21st century teenagers. It’s a cute teen romance but most powerful as a love-letter to Zuri’s hood. The audiobook brought it to life even more vividly.

Stand on the Sky by Erin Bow: Achingly beautiful. It kept making me tear up because while it’s only sometimes sad -- while this is a hopeful and joyous story -- it captures twelve year old Aisulu’s emotions so intensely. When her older brother is taken to hospital, Aisulu is left behind with their herds and relatives and throws herself into raising an eaglet. A fascinating insight into nomadic Kazakhs living in Mongolia and into the challenges and the rewards of eagle-hunting. I love the prose, sense of place and characters; I love Aisulu’s relationships and the way this is her story -- her journey.

Song of the Current by Sarah Tolcser: Caro has grown up on the river with her father, a wherryman and a smuggler. She’s offered her first job in exchange for her father’s freedom -- to deliver a crate, unopened, to Valonikos. But when she opens the crate, its occupant has other ideas about their destination. This YA fantasy shines the strongest in the skills and knowledge Caro has about sailing and about river life. I enjoyed the rest, but some things happened a bit too quickly for me to feel invested.

Undying by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner: I wasn’t very enthusiastic about Unearthed but this sequel was a lot of fun to read. High-stakes and satisfying. There’s escaping and travelling across Europe incognito and trying to save the world. And it got to build upon what had previously been established, so there’s more nuance and it all felt more believable. After reading these authors’ other books, I was confident that everything would turn out okay. I’d have liked the ending more if the authors had surprised me and there had been a higher cost -- but this is a YA novel and teenage-me certainly wouldn’t have wanted that.

Cobalt Squadron by Elizabeth Wein (narrated by Kelly Marie Tran): I didn’t find The Last Jedi very satisfying but I’m a fan of Elizabeth Wein, so I listened to this story about a mission that Rose, her sister Paige and the rest of Cobalt Squadron are involved with. Knowing that the Tico sisters survive lessened the tension somewhat, but I liked getting to know them better. (I also know that Wein is capable of writing more complex and harrowing stories but that’s not what this one is aiming for.) The audiobook includes Star Wars music and sound effects. I’d love to see music and sound effects used in more audiobooks.

A Question of Holmes by Brittany Cavallaro: Charlotte Holmes and Jamie Watson are attending an Oxford summer program before they start university. Charlotte is asked to investigate a mystery involving the drama society. It’s a quieter mystery than the preceding ones but I am not going to complain about that. I’m happy to read about mysteries at Oxford! Towards the end Charlotte makes a decision which I thought needed to be foreshadowed better and then the epilogue rushed over some things, and I wasn’t totally satisfied. I also found Charlotte’s references to things like “fall”, even though she’s living back in the UK, jarring. Minor-ish quibbles?

The True Queen by Zen Cho: The companion to Sorcerer to the Crown. This took a while to hook me, but once the story got underway, I enjoyed guessing where it was all headed. It is a delightfully diverse Regency fantasy, with some satisfying twists. If I have any quibbles, it’s that I wanted a better resolution for something -- and maybe also just more of the ending? I don’t quite know... I didn’t spend much time analysing my reaction and it was now over half a dozen books ago.

Scorch Dragons by Amie Kaufman: In the sequel to Ice Wolves, 12 year old Anders and his twin sister find themselves on different sides of the conflict between wolves and dragons, but they work together with their friends to prevent a second war. The riddle-solving and questing for a hidden objects reminded me of Deltora Quest, which I enjoyed when I was Anders’ age. A very satisfying sort of adventure.

European Travel for the Monstrous Gentlewoman by Theodora Goss (narrated by Kate Reading): In the sequel to The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter, Mary Jekyll and Justine Frankenstein set off for Europe to rescue Lucinda Van Helsing at the request of Mary’s former governess, Mina Murray, and receive help and hospitality from people like Irene Adler and Carmilla. I particularly enjoyed the Athena Club’s interjections and digressions in the narrative, and interactions with each other. They make a great team. Kate Reading does a great job with all the voices and accents, which made the story all the more engaging. Even at 1.5 speed (due to 20+ hours of audiobook to get through!) it was easy to keep track of who was speaking.

The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie: I liked it! It’s engaging, intriguing and doing some surprisingly-similar things to Ancillary Justice (which I loved), such as: a first-person narrator who neither human nor omnipotent but has greater awareness and abilities; an interesting use of pronouns -- Eolo’s actions are described in the second-person; and a story about the past eventually collides with the story about the present. I completely missed that this is ALSO themes and variations on Hamlet. That might explain why I found the ending incredibly satisfying for the first-person narrator but I was expecting something more from -- for? -- Eolo.

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black: I borrowed this because it has a delightful map by Kathleen Jennings, it’s a finalist for the Lodestar Award, and I liked the last book I read by Black. It’s an interesting exploration of what it means to love terrible things, with a clear-sighted awareness of their flaws, but I spent most of the story thinking “I hate faeries” and wishing Jude could escape them. Then the plot did its thing, and I had to admit that this is a successful piece of storytelling, if still not quite my thing.

The Austen Playbook by Lucy Parker: Parker’s fourth romance about actors from the West End -- in which Freddy accepts the role of Lydia Bennet in The Austen Playbook, a televised, audience-interactive murder mystery theatre production -- is a lot of fun. Having an interesting setting and plot outside of the romance definitely enhances my enjoyment of the story. This had Jane Austen and Harry Potter references, rehearsal tensions, important family relationships, a mystery involving a (fictional) play, banter, and a lively actress and a grumpy theatre critic who are honest with each other.

The Place on Dalhousie by Melina Marchetta: This is about Jimmy Hailler (from Saving Francesca), now in his mid 20s. But it is equally about Rosie, who meets Jimmy in a Queensland town during a flood, Rosie’s stepmother Martha and the house built by Seb, Rosie’s late-father. It’s a powerfully moving story about grief, friendship and finding family. It’s shorter than Marchetta’s more-recent novels and I finished it feeling oddly disappointed, like it needed to be longer. Then I reread the book the following day, and reconsidered. I’d like more, certainly, but it is a satisfying story as it is.

From Clarkesworld Magazine, narrated by Kate Baker:

“Intro to Prom” by Genevieve Valentine (Issue 133): About four teenagers for whom prom is like a game they play, a way to pass the time. It is intriguing but bleak.

“Semiramis” by Genevieve Valentine (Issue 57): This is Valentine-ishly bleak and yet satisfyingly so?

The worst thing about being a sleeper embedded somewhere long-term was that inevitably, eventually, you started to care. The worst thing about being embedded long-term as an administrator at the Svalbard Seed Vault was that when you inevitably started to care, you started to care about things like proper political geo-temperate arrangement of seeds, and there was just no one else in their right mind who was going to care about that with you.

“The Shipmaker” by Aliette de Bodard (Issue 124): Set in the same universe as The Tea Master and the Detective. It is intriguing but sad, and I wonder if I’d appreciate it more if I read more of de Bodard’s stories and understood the context better.

“When We Were Starless” by Simone Heller (Issue 145): This has been nominated for the Hugo for Best Novelette and I can see why! It’s a hopeful story about survival, questioning what society teaches and finding a way to a better future. There’s also an AI with feelings.

Once, I might have felt out of place, an unwelcome disturbance. But I had left my fear of ghosts behind like an old skin a long time ago, and what I had found instead was the unforeseen, and sometimes pure beauty.

#Herenya reviews books #Melina Marchetta #Erin Bow #Elizabeth Wein #Lucy Parker #Amie Kaufman #Meagan Spooner #Ibi Zoboi #Sarah Tolcser #Brittany Cavallaro #Zen Cho #Theodora Goss #Ann Leckie #Holly Black #Genevieve Valentine #Aliette de Bodard #Simone Heller #Pride and Prejudice #Charlotte Holmes

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docholligay · 6 years

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Haruka

This is the Haruka Balto AU, as sponsored by @rhiorhino! Part 4 should be released on the Patreon today, so you can catch up if you want, but I’m releasing the first installment to the main blog! Please let me (and rhio) know if you enjoy! You don’t need any knowledge of Balto to enjoy this.

“This is the dumbest thing you’ve ever done, and I say that in a long and storied history of dumb things you’ve done.” Mina looked down at Haruka from her perch.

Haruka shook her head. “Mina, someone has to get that medicine back to Nome. I know I’m the fastest dog here. Someone has to save those kids.”

Mina fluttered down next to Haruka. “Someone has to impress Michiru, too, am I right?”

Haruka felt a sting of embarrassment, and turned her head. “It isn’t that way, Mina. I--I really want to do this.”

But it had started off that way, hadn’t it? Haruka had always thought Michiru was beautiful, and the attitude was shared by a good many other dogs in Nome. She was purebred, and elegant looking, like a statue, and she belonged to one of the finest families in town.

Haruka, on the other hand, was a half-dog half-wolf mutt, something neither side wanted or could even define, and lived on the edges of Nome with a goose who couldn’t be bothered to fly south.

But it was nice to dream, and sometimes she let herself, in the way she sometimes dreamed of being a nice dog with a soft bed by a warm fire, who pulled a sled and who people patted on the head and told she was a good girl.

It had been a day like any other when Haruka came nose to nose with Michiru, after years of staring at her wistfully.

For starters, Mina had been annoyed.

“Every single time they have a race, you run around like you’re in it.” Mina flew over to where Haruka was watching closely for the two mile marker, ears pointed toward the crowd, wondering which one of the sled teams was in front. “And i have to chase you, to make sure your dumb lesbian ass doesn’t get--”

“Maybe someday I will be in, Mina.” Haruka had ignored her again, the way she always did on race day, too excited by the sheer idea of it to be bothered by Mina’s irritation.

“Sure, okay, when that happens, give me a call, I’ll watch you get stepped on.”

The two mile marker went off, and Haruka had nearly jumped out of her skin with excitement, barrelling down toward the town where no one loved her.

There was something about running that had always filled Haruka with delight, the unbridled joy of feeling her large paws in the snow, the way they spread on the cold and kept her above it, the way her powerful muscles catapulted her forward.

She felt good at something.

It was no different today, the one-mile marker going off, Mina struggling to keep up with her as she raced toward the finish line, just to see the end of the race, just to imagine for one moment what it might be like to be the winner.

Michiru was there. It was foolish to expect that she wouldn’t be--her girl loved sled dog racing, and in fact, was playing on a little sled across the lane from Haruka and Mina, telling Michiru to mush, Michiru delicately padding her way through the snow with elegance, and a soft fondness Haruka was sure she didn’t show many people.

Then the wind picked up.

It caught the edge of Hotaru’s hat, sending the brown cap sailing into the middle of the run where the dogs were heading, faster and faster, bracing themselves against the leather that held them to their sleds.

Haruka’s eyes flicked quickly over where Hotaru began running toward her hat, heedless of the danger, and watched Michiru step calmly but firmly in front of her, even as she tried to argue.

The little girl loved that hat.

Mina’s wing touched Haruka’s arm. “Don’t!”

But it was too late, because no sooner had her wing touched Haruka’s arm than Haruka was off, diving forward, running alongside the sled team. She gained and gained on Naoko, the champion of the last three years and the undisputed queen of Nome, Alaska. Haruka would like to say that all the thought of in the moment was that little girl’s hat, and while that may have been true when she jumped into the race, it was no longer true, as she ran.

Finally she was racing. Finally she could feel the speed, and the power, and the rough, beautiful energy of competition, the aching wonder of gaining on this dog that was supposed to be so fast, and so great, and Haruka, the worthless wolf-dog, was gaining on her.

Granted, she wasn’t carrying a sled, but Haruka took her victories where she could.

Naoko snarled and snapped at her, and everything became one, in a perfect moment, her teeth closing over the edge of the hat, the second jump to the other side of the run, the sound of the sled whooshing behind her. She could feel like wind off it, and the cheer of the people in the sideline, but the cheer she felt was all for her, and her heart burst with a swell of love as Hotaru’s arms closed around her neck.

She didn’t even hear Mina screaming about how she was an idiot looking to get killed. She couldn’t hear the dogs bowing and scraping at Naoko’s feet, telling her that she was the greatest dog to ever run. All she heard was the cheer, and the beat of her own heart.

“Thank you! What a crazy thing to do,” Hotaru spoke into her heavy fur, and Haruka beamed as Hotaru pulled away. “Showing off for a pretty girl.”

Haruka gave a weak shrug of embarrassment, and Michiru favored her with a kind look.

There was a slap across her muzzle before she could respond, and she backed up.

“Go away!” A man continued to swat at her. “Go!” He kicked snow in Haruka’s face, and she turned to leave, the swell of happiness in her heart melting away like a bit of ice in the August sun.

“She might bite you honey. She’s half wolf.”

It was all people ever saw.

But Hotaru hadn’t seen it that way, that day, Haruka thought, as she shuffled her way toward the starting line, trying to avoid as many people as possible. She had to race. She had to help. There was one person in this town, at least, who saw that she was decent. And she was going to do what she could.

“Haruka,” Mina’s voice got quiet, and gentle, in that way that only ever made Haruka worry about what was coming next, “even if you win, they won’t let you be on the team.”

“They have to, if I’m the fastest!” She whirled and looked at Mina, her eyes full of emotion, “It has to be about those kids!”

“I hope you’re right, Haruka.” She shook her head.

She looked across the square as she walked, and saw Michiru sitting there sadly, and their eyes met.

Michiru had never given much thought to the wolf-dog that lived on the edge of the town, if she was being honest with herself, which she was from time to time. That is, until the moment when she had gallantly and nimbly jumped in front of Naoko’s sled to rescue Hotaru’s new musher’s hat. Hotaru had loved her. Hotaru thought her a hero, and Michiru could see in Haruka’s eyes that it was all the medal she needed.

She noticed that she had a certain rough handsomeness to her, like a wood table that was just a bit unfinished, unsanded at the edges but strongly built.

“You hurt her feelings!” Hotaru pouted as her father waved Haruka away from her, and Michiru saw that it was true, in the way that her sweet and sensitive girl often was--Haruka’s head slumped toward the snow as she softly padded away from the crowd, her tail tucked, the goose who was constantly with her walking alongside her.

“Michiru.” The voice could only be Naoko’s, full of arrogance and certainty.

“Congratulations.” Michiru gave a small nod. “Though it seems hardly that you need notice of your own accomplishment.”

Naoko gave a chuckle. “Yeah, I am pretty great. No one would question. But,” she slipped up next to Michiru, “We should go celebrate. I know where we can get a few bones...maybe some sausages.”

Michiru gave a polite shake of her head. “Oh, I couldn’t possibly. You do have a crowd to appease, you know, and I find myself rather lacking in appetite.”

She walked away, her head firmly forward, and heard Naoko behind her.

“Maybe you prefer wolf.” She growled it, annoyed and angry.

“Michiru!” Hotaru called happily, “It’s time to go home! Come on, girl!”

“Yes well,” Michiru did not look back at her, “perhaps we shall delve into the mysteries of this universe at another time. My girl is calling.”

Michiru felt herself fill with disgust and revulsion, just under the veneer of politeness and sophistication she had been bred to. She was a fine dog from a bloodline of champions, and ending up in Nome is not what she had assumed her life would become. Gifted to a family heading out to run business in Nome, she had in some ways melded into life here.

But she could not, and would not, see what the other dogs saw in Naoko. Michiru knew that moment, when pride became arrogance, when competition became cruelty, and Naoko had long passed it. Naoko felt Michiru belonged to her, the prettiest dog in town a trophy for her to win.

Michiru was quite having none of it.

She remembered that exchange, watching from the sidelines this morning, Naoko and the other dogs lined up and waiting for the gun. If they weren’t the fastest, there would be nothing else to be done for Hotaru. If they weren’t the best, all of the children would be lost.

“She’s going to save the entire town!” Her tiny friend Mamoru, the only other dog who could be said, somewhat, to have come from a life like her own, looked up at Michiru with glee, “She’s just wonderful!”

“There is rather a team, Mamoru.” She sighed.

Mamoru scowled at her. “Why do you not respect the heroism and dignity of a maiden who runs through ice filled caverns to save those she loves? Why no attention for those who fight on through the--”

“Because,” Yaten snooted around, delighting in the gossip, “Michiru is running around with Haruka.”

Michiru said nothing, even as Mamoru looked at her in confusion and disgust.

“They were seen entering the boiler room together, and leaving together, and,” Yaten vibrated with joy in the take, in pinning Michiru to the wall, “don’t bother to deny it, there were multiple witnesses.”

Michiru gave a shrug. “Then I shan’t bother.”

Yaten and Mamoru gave exaggerated gasps, and Michiru thought she saw a too-large track in the snow, and her heart raced.

Haruka had left that day with her head bowed, but even Michiru could not have imagined he heaviness in her heart. But Mina knew. Mina had always known. It felt a curse that had been laid upon her by her parents, their sins visited upon her. From the time she was a puppy, there had never been a place for her, and when her mother had been shot, well...that was the end of that.

And then Mina had found her.

Haruka had always wanted a home and a family, to be someone’s dog, someone’s good girl, but snow being kicked in her face was all she could expect from this world, and it broke Mina’s heart to watch her throw herself against the same wall again and again.

Mina walked by her side. “Haruka, it’s just…” Mina desperately clawed for something to say, anything that would make it better. “They’re a bunch of fucking--”

“Michiru!” her girl was calling, and Mina watched Haruka’s heart call with it, ready to slam itself the wall again.

She did not even have time to tell her to stop before Haruka was running, always running, and nearly plowed right into Michiru, their noses meeting softly.

Mina saw Haruka following in her mother’s footsteps, in that moment, and it gave her a shiver. Haruka was too bold, and she was going to end up a scruffy rug.

“Michiru, I--” She tried to make herself small, to look non threatening, to look like a dog.

“Michiru! Michiru, come on girl!” Hotaru called to her again, but thankfully did not call out Haruka’s name, did not alert her parents to Haruka’s presence.

Michiru looked away for one moment, and Haruka ran back into the alley, tucked behind the trash. She nosed into the alleyway for a moment, and then ran back to her family as Haruka watched solemnly.

“Haruka,” she put her wing reassuringly on her shoulder, “there are some thing even I, in all my greatness, can’t fix.”

It pained her to say it, that there was no way she could make Haruka a dog they would love, no way she could give her the kind of home she desired. She’d tried, when Haruka was younger, teaching her commands in human, to show them how good she could sit and stay and come. She even stolen a bit of ribbon to put around her neck, once, to try and see if anyone would bring her in for Christmas. But all there ever was were slammed doors in her face and commands to get, and so Mina had stopped being the one to hurt her.

“I know,” Haruka replied quietly.

“You want a goose girlfriend? I know a few, be happy to--”

Haruka chuckled weakly.

“Shame about the team, Hanukkah.” Naoko’s voice growled behind her, and Mina felt every feather on her back stand up.

She tried to push Haruka along. “Go, go, keep it moving, we’ll all live through this.”

But Haruka was hurt, and Haruka was sad, and so Haruka was spoiling for a fight, and whirled around to Naoko.

“My name’s Haruka.” She was already in attack stance, tail bristling.

“She also answers to YOU FUCKING IDIOT!” She called to the two dogs, neither of which paid her any mind.

Naoko laughed as her triad of devoted followers edged into the alleyway behind her. “Oh that’s right. Haruka the half-breed. What about you, goose?” She sidled up next to Mina, ignoring Haruka’s low growl, “You a half-breed too?”

Mina, in this moment, ignored her own advice. “You can be as much of a jackass as you want, it won’t keep you from being replaced someday. And then you’ll just be an old dog, that nobody loves. And you know that, don’t you?”

It was stupid, and Mina knew it was stupid as it came out of her beak, but she wanted to bite back in her own way, wanted to make Naoko admit that the kernel of her own cruelty was the same as Haruka’s self-deprecation. That she didn’t think she was enough.

Confirmation that it was a stupid thing to say came quickly, in the form of Naoko thrusting her into an old pot, to the laughs and delight of her team of followers.

“Part chicken,” she snickered, as the dogs behind her told her how wonderful and witty and intelligent she was, more background noise than any actual words.

Haruka ran in front of the pot. “Leave her alone!” She took the lid off.

Naoko had gotten under her fur, and she knew it, and she strutted around proudly. “Hey Haruka,” She laughed, smacking Haruka with her tail, “I have a message for your mother.”

She gave a loud and discordant howl, nothing of the sinuous pitches Haruka had heard as a puppy, and Mina was not sure if it was mockery or if Naoko simply could not. She leaned toward not.

Haruka took a deep breath, and Mina watched her slowly counting. Haruka was quick to anger, and it occurred to Mina that Haruka might not see the inherent wisdom of a wolf-dog and a goose taking on four very strong sled dogs. Her body was tight, her ears lowered, and Mina made a grab for her tail.

“Haruka, don’t. Fucking.” She pulled as hard as she could, but Haruka did not move back a step. “You know what’s REALLY going to make you a winner, Bud? Not getting killed! We’ll drop a rock on their heads later, just--”

Naoko stopped howling and grinned, looking straight at Haruka. “Pow.”

Mina did not have time to take a breath before Haruka leapt toward Naoko, all the pain and hurt of everything that had happened from the day her mother was killed brought to bear in this one moment. Like many decisions made on the spur of emotion, she paid for it dearly, every hit she landed paid back four fold, and Mina honked and pecked at any tail that came loose, trying to get Haruka away, hoping they didn’t just kill her in this alleyway.

There were small signs that there was still goodness in the world, and perhaps even Naoko, in that she stopped as Haruka lay in the snow, still trying to fight.

“Knock it off!” She called to the three, “She’s not even a challenge.”

Haruka tried to fight her way to her feet, and Mina ran toward her, pushing her back into the snow, hissing at her. “She who slinks and runs away lives to fight another day HARUKA STAY DOWN.”

Naoko kicked snow over Haruka’s head as she walked away the three trailing behind her, and even as they left, Mina could hear them whispering about Naoko was a monster, but she also noticed they followed right behind.

“If you were as quick as your temper, you would be the best sled dog in Nome.” Mina said, helping her up, and she said nothing in return.

And yet, here Haruka was, standing at the ready to race, ready to run with dogs that wanted to hurt her for a town that hated her.

That was the tragedy of the little wolf-dog puppy she’d found next to her dead mother all those years ago, is she truly believed it was her fault. That if she was just good enough, or loveable enough, or fast enough, they would have to love her. That it was some fault in herself, and not in the people from this shit town.

Mina, in her darkest moments, realized she didn’t care if their children died. They didn’t care about the dog she loved, why should she care about their individual losses?

It made her furious.

“Do you not understand?? They don’t care about you! You think you would fucking LEARN, Haruka.” She pulled out a feather and spit it to the snow.

“Hotaru thought I was nice.” Haruka said it determinedly but softly, almost to herself. “Michiru thought I was good.”

Mina realized she was talking to herself and gave a heavy sigh, as Haruka hunkered down, waiting, and felt a slight twinge in her back.

It had hurt. Haruka had tried not to show how much, when she staggered to her feet, for the twin reasons not wanting to worry Mina and not wanting to hear her lecture. It frustrated her, Haruka knew, that she couldn’t move in Haruka’s world in any way that would protect her. She was smaller and weaker than everyone Haruka found herself opposed to, and she could not so much as lick Haruka’s wounds for her when she got into these messes.

Four against one was pretty stupid, even for her, Haruka admitted to herself.

Sometimes she just didn’t think. That, among other things, was her problem. Sometimes it felt like the only thing she could be was angry, that no one would ever understand if she came forward with anything other than fangs bared.

But she didn’t always feel angry. Sometimes she just felt sad, and it just wasn’t safe to be sad.

She slowly loped across the wide expanse of snow between Nome and the place where she slept, that she supposed was home, if she had one. An old ship had been destroyed by pack ice and hauled up onto land, picked free of anything of value, and simply left to rot a few miles out of town.

Luckily, the opportunities for rot were less in Nome, the temperature being what it generally was, and so Haruka had sheltered here since the day Mina found her.

As she walked up to the ship, there was a high howl in the air, not the off-key cacophony that Naoko and the others had put forth, but that high and lonesome sound, calling out to her like a single beacon, and Haruka shook her head and ignored it.

“Haruka,” Mina shuffled alongside her, “you are more than the things you’re not, you know.”

It stung like the bite on her ear, when Mina tried to reassure her. Haruka did not know how to tell her that she saw no value in trying with the wolves, that she had no expectation that it would be any different from the scorn she had been shown in the world of dogs.

She was not a dog, and she never would be, not really. She felt more a dog than a wolf, and a dog’s life was the one she desired, but there was still something very wolfish about her, and she wanted those parts of herself. She loved them. Her big paws, her unrefined snout, her song to the moon on the rare chances she gave it. But there was no space for that, no room to be a wolfish dog, and so she simply sighed and climbed aboard her sad beached ship, cracked and torn by the weather.

Her soul felt heavy in a way that could not be explained by the scrap in the alleyway. She’d been in worse fights before, and her body was strong and resilient. If only her heart could make the same claim. She was not sure if the way it was easily bruised was the fault of her wolf side or her dog side, but from what she had seen, she suspected it was specific to her alone, like the strange cowlicks in her fur.

Her face down, she walked back to the scraps of fabric that served as her bed.

Mina walked in front of her, chatting. “Hey! Let’s go chase the cat out behind the butcher’s! I owe him a peck or two.”

Haruka walked right past her, not even lifting her head.

Mina fluttered in front of her again, dropping a bone that still had a few sinews left on it. “For you, my disgusting friend!”

Haruka paid her no mind, just sighed and went to the little shelter on the boat she had created for herself, and nosed under the cover of a mothworn blanket.

Mina walked out in front of her. “From exotic isles, I bring you: A sensual celebration of a dance!”

She waved her tail in Haruka’s face, winking over her shoulder, ruffling her wings above her head and humming a sexy tune into the air, but Haruka did not even give a chuckle.

Mina dropped her wings, looked at Haruka, and sighed, sitting down next to her in her box of sadness and momentary despair. She set her hand on Haruka’s head.

“I know what you are, even if no one else does, Bud.”

Overhead, geese honked in the sky, continuing their migration, Haruka and Mina silently watching them go by.

“Do you ever think about going home?” Haruka asked, a little afraid she would say yes, a little guilty that she would say no.

“And leave you on your own? Please.” Mina got up and walked across the deck of the boat, chuckling to herself, “You’d last one day.”

“Oh yeah,” Haruka gave a small smile, “I’m definitely the one who needs help.”

“I know, that’s what I just said! Are you deaf, too?”

Haruka sighed, but a little easier this time. It was true, and would always be true, she figured that she was on the outside of any world she wanted to be in, but it was also true that she had those who loved her, for whatever sort of wolfish dog she was, and that gave her the thin and dangerous hope that maybe someday, others could see the hero in her too. The dog worth loving.

The sun began to set over the tiny town of Nome, Alaska, and Haruka knew that tomorrow would be another day, maybe even a better one, and at the least, her haunche wouldn’t hurt so badly.

She stuck her nose up.

There was a faint smell on the air, and Haruka grinned as she took it in deep, rising slowly to her feet.. “I smell herring.”

“Oh god.” Was all Mina said, before being bowled over by an excited polar bear, nearly as round as she was tall.

“Mina!!!” She hugged the goose tightly, pressing her deep into her fur. “I’m so happy to see you!!”

“You saw me yesterday.” Mina said, muffled by heavy fur, “Usagi, just--a little--”

But whatever protest Mina was about to give, it was unnecessary. Usagi dropped Mina to the floor of the boat and ran over to Haruka, licking her with as much enthusiasm as saliva, and Usagi had boundless enthusiasm.

“You’re hurt!!” She worried over her, and even began to cry a little. “Oh Haruka!!”

“It’s not serious,” Haruka wiped a bit of slobber off her face, “I promise.”

In this small group of those who lived outside of the worlds they rightfully belonged, Usagi was still an outlier. A polar bear who was afraid of the water, who had never learned to swim, she had been abandoned by her fellow bears, and somehow found herself in the fold of Mina and Haruka’s strange family. She was a bit of a crybaby, it could be said, and often was, by many creatures, multiple times over, as if to ensure you never forgot.

For all of those reasons, she was here now, licking Haruka with fervor. “Your poor shoulder!”

“Usagi,” Haruka stepped to the left, out of the line of fire, “I’m okay.”

“A little wet, maybe.” Mina quipped from a safe distance.

Usagi chatted happily to Mina about her exciting day of hiding out behind the fishpacking plant, but Haruka just walked to the bow of the boat and looked at Nome in the fading light.

Michiru. She was a beautiful dog, with soft and glossy fur and eyes that seemed to know everything, but would never tell you. To be so near her today, to have Michiru favor her with kindness, it felt magical and dangerous and oh so forbidden, but oh so longed for. Maybe there was one dog who could do something other than snap at her.

“You’ve seen that town every day of your life, and you’re looking at it like a castle just popped out of the snow,” Mina waddled up next to her, “That girl.”

Haruka gave an embarrassed chuckle.

“Haruka, I spend most of my life trying to tell you not to do things, I think we can both agree,” she put a wing around her, “And now I’m telling you to do something. Go to her. Be chivalrous, give her some romance. God knows she’s had enough sleaze from Naoko.”

“Naoko’s a champion. And I’m half-wolf.”

“Naoko’s an asshole, and there is no one else like you.”

Haruka looked over to Mina. There was kindness and a bit of fear in her eyes, sending Haruka off to ask for something that couldn’t be guaranteed yet again, after she’d promised herself she wouldn’t. She must believe it, if she would risk Haruka’s heart.

“Oh yes!” Usagi hugged Haruka tightly. “Of course she’ll love you! You are so handsome, and brave, and strong, and good! You are the best dog ever!”

“Okay, okay,” Haruka loosed herself from Usagi’s grip. “I’ll go.”

She had trotted off toward Nome, not knowing what the one choice of a night would lead to.

The race was about to begin.

Michiru made a small promise to fate, that if Naoko could bring back the medicine and save Hotaru, she would give herself over. It was a fair enough exchange, and the least she could do, however she felt about Haruka now, and the softness of her fur, and the confused, hurt desire to be good that lay in her eyes.

Sacrifices always had to be made, and she wasn’t willing to sacrifice Hotaru.

And there she was. Haruka, standing by the line, just a little in hiding, waiting for the race to start. Every man around her would kick her and shoo her if they noticed her, but by the determined look in her eyes, it seemed to no longer matter. Haruka was trying to save the children of this town, even if she stood nothing to gain by it.

Michiru felt a twinge of pain behind her chest. Love was not the symphony she had expected, but a series of strange notes, trying to become a harmony. Love. It felt silly to say that, but every time she found herself in Haruka’s presence, the feeling only grew stronger. Her heart was a kite on a gale of wind, growing ever-higher, and Haruka was wolf-dog, but she possessed a nobility like no purebred she’d known. Not one of breeding, but of her very soul.

It was romantic and silly and dizzying, and she found herself remembering Haruka, snatching the hat from the snow, and hoped she would be the one to save Hotaru.

Ideally, of course, Hotaru would not have needed to be saved in the first place, but life often does not leave us in the ideal situation, and one night had changed her course in more than one way.

Michiru had not been entirely certain what to think, hidden as she was from the inner workings of the doctor’s office, but through the glass she could see Hotaru coughing, harder than she ever had before, and she thought of how hot her skin her skin had felt when she had hugged Michiru, and how many children stood in the waiting room with her, and Michiru felt something very uneasy settle in her stomach.

Hotaru was called to the examination room, and Michiru whirled around the side of the building, looking for the window to Hotaru. She had to find out what was wrong, what she was dealing with, and how soon it all would be well. It all had to be well, the humans had so many medicines and devices, and Hotaru was from well-regarded family, and so everything would be fine, and Michiru was just being a bit silly.

She observed that telling yourself something many times does not always make it true.

She found the window, but without the words, it was nothing, just her staring again at Hotaru and looking for the answer. She felt a wild panic rise inside of her, the fear of all unknown, as she stared and stared and stared, locked in place like a snowman in January.

A throat cleared behind her.

“Michiru?” Haruka was there, looking at her hopefully, but she could not take her mind from her work.

“Hello, Haruka,” She said softly, turning back to the window.

“I, uh,” Haruka continued, “I don’t know if you have any kind of plans, but, you know out on the edge of town there’s this great place to sort of, watch the sea and chase a few rabbits, gnaw a bone, and I was gonna go do that, and then I was like,” Michiru barely heard her, looking through the glass, trying to read what the doctor was saying, “oh man, maybe Michiru’s never been out here, I think she’d like it, it’s pretty and she’s, you know, pretty and I was wondering….Michiru?”

“Hotaru’s in there.”

Haruka trotted up next to her. “What’s wrong?”

She shook her head. “I have no earthly idea, there’s no way to hear through this glass,” She looked at Haruka, “She seems so gravely ill, and so do the other children, and,” she near-growled in unladylike frustration, “all I can do is stand here and know nothing.”

“I can help with that,” Haruka supplied eagerly, “When you have to sneak around everywhere, you...learn to sneak around everywhere.”

She led Michiru around the back of the small hospital, where she easily picked apart the door hinge and slid inside.

“Under here,” she whispered, “just follow me.”

It was dank and dirty underneath the hospital, and Michiru found herself wincing as she nearly crawled on her belly in places, through the tattered garbage and cobwebs.

“I know how to show a lady a good time,” Haruka laughed awkwardly, “but no, let me show you something really beautiful, just right here.”

There was a shaft of light from the grate in the floor, and Haruka gathered a pile of broken bottles.

“Ah,” Michiru sat in the larger clearing, looking at her in disbelief, “Yes, I did notice there simply wasn’t enough garbage down here.”

Haruka shrugged, “Sure, it’s just garbage, if you don’t look at it right.”

With a wave of her tail, she cast the light from above onto the bottle, and their light on the wall, in pinks and blues and greens and golds, was a sight Michiru had not seen since her days as a puppy.

“Oh Haruka, it’s stained glass! I used to think that was the loveliest feature,” She sighed happily, for one moment forgetting her recent troubles, for one moment letting herself fall a little bit in love, “I haven’t seen it in years.”

“Mina used to say it was the way the sunset looks over the sea. I think it looks like the Northern Lights.”

Michiru looked at her with the same reverence as the stained glass. “Every beauty looks quite different in another dog’s eyes, does it not?”

Haruka gave a little snort of embarrassment, and backed up a bit, when the thunderous footfalls of the men above moved to the office, and Haruka and Michiru moved with them.

“It’s diptheria,” the doctor slumped down into his chair.

“Oh!” Haruka turned to Michiru, “they have a cure for that.”

“She the 18th case this week.”

“So all the kids are gonna be just f--”

“And I’m out of anti-toxin.”

Michiru was somewhat accustomed to disappointment and surprise in her life, but nothing could have prepared her for the hammer’s blow of this reality, and she fled from it, running back through the garbage and cobwebs into the boiler room, trying to keep her heart in her own chest.

“Michiru!” Haruka followed after her, voice filled with regret, “I’m so fucking stupid sometimes, I never should have taken you down--”

“No, no,” she shook her head sadly, “Thank you.”

Haruka nodded. “They’ll get more medicine. There’s the airplanes, and boats, they come right into Nome, I see it every day!” She took a step toward Michiru. “It’ll be okay, Michiru. I promise. Hotaru will be okay.”

Michiru looked up at her and saw only earnestness and belief, something so foolish and beautiful she almost felt it were real.

A crash through the door disturbed the tender moment. Naoko, with a line of sausages around her neck, swanning through the door towards Michiru.

“Careful, Michiru, she’s part wolf. She might,” Naoko smiled, “assault you, or something. You know how they are. But,” she wound part of the sausages around Michiru’s neck, “I am, as always, here to help. And if you start at one end, I start at the other.”

Michiru felt Haruka bristle, and her her low growl, and it had not escaped Michiru’s notice that she had cuts and bites from whatever she had doubtless gotten into with Naoko’s gang after the race today. And Michiru was not so stupid as to imagine they would let Haruka escape with her life, if they caught her attacking a prized dog like Naoko, that golden calf no one could so much as criticize.

No. That would not do. Michiru had experienced quite enough disappointments today.

She smiled and sidled up to Naoko’s side.

“You are correct, of course,” She brushed her tail against Naoko’s seductively, “but I do so enjoy the thrill of the chase, the pursuit.”

“Yes.” Naoko grinned slyly, shooting a look of triumph at Haruka.

Haruka looked at Michiru, confused and hurt, as Michiru tried to give her a raise of the eyebrow, anything, to show that she had a plan, and could only hope Haruka understood.

“However,” She rubbed against Naoko, backing her up, “I do love my meat...cooked.”

She took one more step forward, and naoko was backed into the boiler, the results immediate. Naoko howled angrily, and Michiru ran back to Haruka’s side, both of them breaking through the door back out toward the alleyway, Naoko behind them, tackling them both at the edge of the door.

“Who’s there?” A man’s voice came out of the darkness, and a beam of light followed it.

Michiru nosed at Haruka, and the two of them began to slip away into the darkness, Michiru leading Haruka back toward her home.

Michiru felt Haruka fall behind her as Naoko threw the sausages in desperation, catching them around Haruka’s legs, Naoko’s bark coming sharp behind them as she pretended to alert the men.

The beam of light fell on Haruka as she laid in the snow, the victim of another crime that had not a thing to do with her.

“Haruka’s got to your meat locker, looks like.” It was Michiru’s man, and she had never hated her owner in the way she hated him now, for being so blind to Naoko’s ways, for blaming Haruka, who had never done a thing.

“Good thing Naoko was here,” the butcher patted Naoko’s head in warmth, and Michiru watched Haruka’s face fall, “Go on, eat those. Can’t sell them after they’ve been touched by that thing.”

If Michiru felt she could not hate her man more intensely, she was about to be proven wrong.

“Go on!” He kicked Haruka, and she yelped, running down the alleyway.

Michiru tried to follow, but he grabbed her by the collar and held her fast, dragging her back toward home. She swallowed her hate and her sadness, and walked alongside, her man turning to the butcher and giving a horrible proclamation.

“Might have to do with her what we did with the mother.”

That night began and ended in darkness, with no sign of light, as Michiru thought of Haruka’s promise, turning it over and over in her heart.

The race was about keeping a promise, Haruka thought as she crouched low on the line, at the very edge, trying to blend in.

You see, Haruka had lied to Michiru.

The ice had been too thick for the boats to get through, and the wind had been too high for the airplanes, and with every new announcement, Haruka felt more and more a liar, more and more as if she had betrayed Michiru when it mattered most.

Then the anti-toxin had gotten to Nenana.

The announcement in the town square, that there would be a race for the fastest dogs to make the team, to bring back the anti-toxin.

Haruka felt every ounce of determination in her swell, and she knew she had to be on that team. She had to be part of making things true for Michiru. She had to save Hotaru. She had to save the town. She had to know, even if no one else did, that she could do one great thing in this world, that she was half a wolf and half a dog and all herself, and that was enough.

And at that point, it no longer mattered what Mina said on the topic, and they could shoot her dead as her mother, but she would be on that team.

Listening to Hotaru cough and sputter, seeing the worry in Michiru’s eyes and the little coffins stacked, so newly made that the scent of sawdust still lingered in the air, all whispered through Haruka’s mind as she stood, muscles trembling, waiting to launch herself through the snow.

“It’ll be okay, Michiru. I promise. Hotaru will be okay.”

Haruka was going to keep that promise, or die trying. The gun rang in her ears, the sound that had begun the race of her life, and if the shot had been meant for her, she could not have run any faster.

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