#thicker than writing

[reinekes-fox]

So I had two ideas bouncing in my head for a while and I had to finally write them.

@barbwritesstuff

I love your take on vampires, they are so different from mine!

Hope you dont mind fanfic(?)!

TW: mentions of death and blood (related to Doctor MC), mentions of gambling (related to Gambling MC)

One: Nathan with Gambler MC (this was so so close to being pure drama)

Nathan was a good hunter. Calm, patient, collected… there were probably other words too but he couldn’t be bothered with it right now. He had a job to do after all. Stake out the new Lord Blackwell… see who this newly appointed vampire Lord was, what kind of monster did the Night King appoint now?

It had come as a surprise as he managed to track down you, the new Blackwell. He still remembered the old Lord, bastard that he was, at least it gave him a few really powerful allies… Werewolves, surely, they would prove useful especially if their presence alone was enough to stir the bats in this city. It made it so much easier with their attention on the beasts of the moon.

But this? A gambling den, emphasis on the den? Small, dark, the smell of cigarettes wouldn’t even leave this place if it would have been abandoned… It had been easy to spot the vampire, the new Lord Blackwell. Perfect Poker face, perfect for gambling. But the glint in your eyes… he had seen it. On vampires that finally felt something strong enough. For others it was blood. For you it seemed the smooth surface of dice and feeling of cards under your fingers was the trick.

And now here you were again, still looking the same way as you did all those years ago, ethereal eternal youth. Okay, you are missing a finger, and still haven’t managed to bug the most powerful vampire this town has to offer but otherwise? Face unchanged, the same glint in your eyes, standing close enough he can smell your blood and feel the unnatural coldness of your body. But now you are looking at him, his lips still feel yours even though you already pulled away.

And he can’t help but feel like he just pulled a Royal Flush.

Two: Minjo with Doctor MC (this got a bit emotional given my work)

The knock on your door rouses you from your thoughts. Not from slumber, it is too early in the evening for that. Normally you wouldn’t be home yet, but everyone agreed you better left the hospital. What had happened… you rub your hands together, you can still feel the blood and for a second you had hated it. Hated that fact that what was coating them was what kept you alive. That you desired it.

Your eyes stare until they focus on the door. Ah, right, someone knocked. Slowly you stand up, moving through the flat. It has changed, only a little bit. There is food in the fridge, some real fruit, a bottle of wine… a jacket Minjo once forget, it smells weird. It is like your flat has been dead, just like yourself, and Minjo is bringing it back to life.

And there she is, hair damp from the rain and a small smile on her lips. It falls when she looks at you, your state evident even with your natural coldness. Another thing you want to grieve, but can’t. You can not cry but oh how you wish you could! You so desperately want to weep for what you have lost, what you have become.

“Hey.”, she whispers, stepping in and pulling you in a gentle hug, her body so warm against yours. Minutes pass and she holds you, carefully as if you could break and the thought is almost enough to make you laugh. You are too strong to break!

“Work?”, she finally says, her voice calm and slowly manoeuvres you to the couch, making you sit down and holding your hands between hers, not letting go of you. You do not know how long it takes until you nod.

“It is hard.”, she sighs and tears shimmer in her eyes, slowly growing until they spill over her face.

“Oh, now I am crying.”, she tries to chuckle and wipes them away, “I am sorry! I just… I know how it is! Not from a doctor’s perspective, I don’t even know which specialisation you are, but… I know enough.” You can not cry. But maybe she can do it for you. If you one day dare and trust enough to share your secret.

[darkmoonravewolf]

I wonder if the universe is truly as uncaring as it's followers believe. I like to think it does care a bit, it leads but it doesn't know the dangers ahead only the path you must take.

It can't conjure, so in order to help Loop, it took them from thier path and onto a different one. Once Loop learns what they need to in order to escape, the universe set them back on thier own path.

It couldn't have predicted the hardship they'd face nor the trauma, all it knew was that this was the best way and so it did just that.

The Universe leads to your destination but it doesn't know the journey and as such you can only follow.

[subzeroparade]

Chapters: 12/12 COMPLETE (part 1 of 2) Fandom: Elden Ring (Shadow of the Erdtree spoilers) Characters: Messmer, Melina, Queen Marika Additional Tags: Messmer and Melina are twins and Marika is going at it single-mom style,  featuring assorted Shadow Realm NPC cameos (Black Knight Huw, Count Ymir, Inquisitor Jori, Rellana, Messmer’s assorted knights); the usual greek tragedy family dynamics, a frankly disproportionate amount of worldbuilding, Hornsent culture pre-crusade (is theocratic apartheid), some shipping as set dressing though not until later chapters

Summary:

Those who have never birthed something from a forge think all fires burn the same. Messmer and Melina know better.

*

Updated every week

[nossumusstellae]

The first official physical copy of The Starsinger Chronicles

It's real. It's actually real. *incoherent joyful screaming*

[ollifree]

Once again these are bite sized. Get it? Because vampires...and werewolves....

Context: Hyun and my Blood Moon self-insert exist in the same play through. Dr Dan doesn't have werewolves to contend with in canon so I'm shoving him in Mahim's alpha verse get along you two. Ash and Alice both need child leashes and should never come within city limits of each other.

Blood Moon and Thicker Than are both written by @barbwritesstuff and the greatest pieces of literature I've had the pleasure to read.

~

"Just a minute, leech."

Hyun only doesn't flinch because they're dead. They meet Minjo's eyes, and she gives a little shrug. Great. Well, it probably is. She looked a lot worse when she thought Hyun was getting decapitated.

"Alpha has a question for you."

"Okay?"

Then, there's a foot on the back of Hyun's chair, tilting them until they're looking up into golden eyes. "I want to know if your kid enjoyed the movie."

~

Eventually, one of Nathan's students approaches the bleachers. "So...what are you?"

The werewolf looks up from her phone. Apparently Dan getting shot point-blank convinced her she doesn't need to keep as close an eye on him as her boss-man--her words--instructed.

She grins at the kid, eyes hazel and teeth all human-teeth-size. "What do you think I am?"

After a bit of shuffling they finally answer, "Well, you're...not a vampire."

"I'm not." She sticks out her hand and the human gives a small flinch. "See? Pulse and everything."

The veins are blue and visible against her pale skin, soon covered by the human's bronze fingers as they give her a feel. Something deep in the recesses of Dan's mind stirs. Werewolf blood....

"So, what can you do?" the human asks.

She reaches down to one of Dan's discarded bottles and gives it a sniff. "Squirrel."

She sets it down and picks up another one. "Raccoon."

Again. "Mmm...mostly rat, some mice."

She stills when she smells the next one. A flicker of gold enters her eyes, and a chill runs down Dan's spine.

"Rabbit," she mutters, tossing the bottle aside.

~

Ash learned soon after moving in with Roe: he loves baking. Loves it. He's good at it, to boot. He's considered more than once sending Alpha Addie a batch of cookies after he finally got the recipe down. Though, the logistics of sending enough for the entire pack through the mail makes him think he should wait for the next clambake.

Speak of the devil, he thinks when his phone vibrates the tone of the pack in the city. His pack a small part of him still thinks.

He opens the text immediately when he sees it's from Ed. Someone's graffiti'd a rabbit on the husk of a burnt-out building, surrounded by the words LONG LIVE THE QUEEN. Ash reads the message Ed sent with it. He reads it again.

what do u mean *vampire turf war*

~

Hyun grits their teeth and steps forward. "You can't stop me from seeing--"

Chris stumbles back. Hyun realizes they haven't grit their teeth: they've bared them. Like they're correcting someone in the Court who thinks fledglings can't bite.

They step back, twice, and feel death steal back over their features. It makes Chris look more scared than when they had their fangs out.

Hyun moves their body into an expression he knows: head to the side, eyes down, like when Hyun caved whenever they argued, when he took everything when they divorced. Hyun's home. Hyun's car. Hyun's son. Hyun's dog. "You're right. I shouldn't see him."

[busy-baker]

•Masterlist•

Long Fics

Thicker Than Water (Complete) Explicit - Tav and Astarion are settling into their new life, exploring each other and themselves while finally having the freedom to explore all the splendors of the world around them.

That is, until an unexpected circumstance veers their plans completely off path, sending them into their most difficult journey yet.

Parenthood.

But little do they know, the child of a vampire was the least of their worries.

There are much scarier things than monsters lurking in the night.

Hellbound and Heaven-Sent (Complete) Explicit - Juniper Ancunín and Calathor Dekarios are inseparable. They have navigated their days together since the evening their parents introduced them, sealing them together as best friends.

They would fight to the end of the world for one another if it meant the other remained safe.

But as fate would have it, time moves on and paths sometimes do not align the way we always hope they should.

Until one day, when those paths cross once again, twisting the threads of life and entwining the two lost friends on a road to discover their souls and each other’s.

Roasted (Ongoing) Explicit - Astarion is employed at a coffee shop while he strives to raise in the ranks of the fashion world, modeling for high end designers and magazines.

Gale is an author who has recently topped the bestsellers list. He has it all now, according to his agent who also happens to be his ex, but he still feels as if he lacks something.

When their paths come together, they find that a life worth living is better in good company.

Swamps & Soirées (Ongoing) Explicit - Constance had lived a life alone in a swamp for as long as she could remember. She didn’t interact with others. She only ventured into the city when it was needed. And she never sought out love.

Until one day, a curious wizard appears at her door.

A twist on a Cinderella story involving a warlock, a wizard, and a celebration ball.

Series

A Rogue’s Guide to Raising a Family - Fics showcasing the ever changing lives of the Ancunín family. The chaos begins with Thicker Than Water and carries on with twists and turns through several chapters and short fics. Astarion’s in for a wild ride with this bunch.

Darling Dhampir - Short stories featuring Astarion and Juniper as they navigate life, growing and learning from one another each day.

The Mess - Bloodweave x f!Tav series. Explicit

One Shots

House of Mirrors - f!Tav x Astarion - The fair has come to Baldur’s Gate for the week. Tav would love nothing more than to show her vampire the endless “luxuries” that the event can provide.

Astarion, on the other hand, contemplates if the blunt end of a stake would be less painful than that absolute torture.

Perfect Strangers - f!Tav x Gale, Explicit - Tav goes out for a night of fun with her gal pals and ends up catching the eye of one well known wizard.

Sun, Sand, and Someone I Love - f!Tav x Astarion, Explicit - Astarion and Tav are enjoying their time away from their family for a little rest and relaxation. They discover the wonders of the all-inclusive resort including the fun the beach can provide for the insatiable elven couple.

Sun, Sand, and Someone I Love: Part 2 - Juniper x Cal - The Ancuníns have returned to Sea of Swords Resort and Spa for a vacation but this time, they brought their children. It’s Juniper and Cal’s turn to have some fun in the sun while on their tropical getaway.

Like Fine Wine - f!Tav x Gale - It’s twenty years after they have saved Baldur’s Gate. Tav and Gale are now a happily married couple in Waterdeep, but the wizard deals with some insecurities about himself.

Date Night - f!Tav x Astarion - Astarion has planned something special for Tav since they have a night alone. They spend time reminiscing on their initial feelings towards one another, the good and the bad.

Faerun Fashion Week - Astarion and Faron have been placed together to combine their efforts for one show during Fashion Week. Can the esteemed designers come together or will everything crumble as they realize how different Baldur’s Gate and Waterdeep truly are?

[dearheart42regenerated]

I know we already knew it, obviously Mike loves his team, but I don't remember seeing this little point in the show bible pages that PoM shared back in the day and seeing it spelled out in print in the full leaked version (especially when it's VERY likely they were planning for Mike to be an orphan in canon)......... it's making me Feel Things guys. ;_;

[shamelesslyaddict]

@barbwritesstuff

[getmenaced]

Gale. Me-yoww!! I havent been able to draw anything cool lately so this is all you get. Why is his butt so much perkier in game than all the other boys? It seems like they all use the same body model but Gale is juicier. Did they do this for Me? Check it out.. Mwah mwah 😘

[finemeal]

Can't Help Myself

Clark feels overwhelming feelings bubble up in his chest. His love for Bruce is all-consuming, devouring his very soul. And Bruce doesn't help when he does the sweetest things for Clark as if it's second nature. The closest Clark can get to sharing how he feels about Bruce is through kissing him, with all the love he feels. It still doesn't feel like enough, but it's the closest he can get.

-

Or: 5 times Clark kisses Bruce because of a sweet gesture Bruce does (even if he doesn’t know it) + 1 times Bruce kisses Clark because of a sweet gesture.

[morbethgames]

Update February 20th, 2024 - Next Week on the Patreon!

Hey everyone, it's time for the update! So real quick and to get it out of the way, I am making great progress on the new chapter. It's now up to 27k words, which means I did 7k words in a day. Some of those were copy and pasting from other choices, but in fight scenes, that's a bit inevitable. All the different variations of Strength + Offensive, Speed + Defensive, etc. etc. have been interesting to write. I really do enjoy writing fight scenes, because you can describe every character in it as doing something cool and showing off some of their strengths and weaknesses. 

But, main part of this update; a sneak peek into what's going to be up next week on the Patreon! I'm excited to announce that, when I can, I'm gonna be doing interviews with known authors in the interactive fiction zone. First up to bat we have @barbwritesstuff, author of Blood Moon and the current WiP Thicker Than. That's on top of other projects based in the Ren'Py engine. Very talented individual, and I think she'll have some interesting stuff to say. 

Onto the next thing you can expect next week; AN AU SHORT STORY FEATURING ELIZABETH/ARTHUR! This is a Hunter AU where the PC and Hawks are both monster hunters, and they will be hunting down an ever elusive Kelpie. This particular story is going to be a Rivals to Lovers trope, or a Rivals with Benefits trope (whichever you want to call it). The PC in this will be a little snarky to combat Hawks' ice cold personality. I have no idea how long it's going to be yet, but my guess is at least 3-4 thousand words since it's already 1100 words and they haven't even ran into the Kelpie yet. 

Patreon link HERE

The Bureau Forum Page HERE

The Bureau demo link HERE

I look forward to getting that out to you, as it's a bit different tone and theme wise than the very serious and down to earth nature of The Bureau. Thank you all so much for continuing to stop by.

Stay Brilliant,

- Vi

[atropinenightshade]

For whenever I get this out officially, Rafal and Rhian in Blood is Thicker will have different names since the "Rafal and Rhian" are reincarnations of Clan Protector and the Dragon.

[trashcandroid]

You think I'm actually gonna be able to do it

[biblio-smia]

blood runs thicker than water — one.

first series!!! woooo!!! this will be an eventual ethan landry x reader but will start with scream 5 because i wanted to set up the reader as part of everything from the beginning — i hope you dont get too bored agkngjsk

masterlist | requests are open!

pairing: eventual ethan landry x reader

warnings: mentions of substance abuse/alcoholism, brief mentions of violence.

[one.] [two.]

You were eight years old when your parents give you the Talk.

They sat you down with grim looks and tense statures that made your small fingers fiddle with your shirt.

Your eyes dulled in fear and the nerves in your body could barely be contained; the feeling that you did something to cause this, to upset your parents was unshakable and your eyes watered before they even began.

Your parents exchanged a glance and then your mother's voice spoke — the quietest you'd ever heard her — and the small world you lived in began spinning out of control.

When you were twelve years old, your family picked up and moved from the suffocating city of Woodsboro to New York City. The attempt to run away failed and within months you were back.

There was no one to miss you when you left and no one to celebrate your return. The city was small but your circle was smaller, the change in you after that day when you were eight changing your friendships, too. The house and the white picket fence could not hide the innate differences between you and every other child in Woodsboro and while many tried to look past them, you could not. A piece of you died that day, innocence about the world gone with it.

When you were thirteen, your father come home — to the trailer you now lived in — drunk out of his mind.

And you spoke to him, asking him the questions he always danced around with avoidant eyes and clammy hands as he changed the topic. Maybe it was awful, but you were a fresh teenager who had to google how to take care of a drunk person at four in the morning.

It was that day you found out you were an accident and the weight of the truth never left you. It was a truth that only solidified your beliefs created over the years as you watched the love in your parents' marriage fizzle out.

Their relationship had been built on a shared, life-altering experience, broken down, and built up again on the same premise. And then, they were held together by something much bigger than that; you. But you were a mistake your parents never meant to make and were either too afraid or not afraid enough to take back. Their worries had eased over the years and they no longer lived shrouded in fear. Your existence defied the odds and your parents put their faith in the low chance of your birth meaning something; a sign to begin something new with the lives they had been graciously given.

Though, as you got older, the looks of love and adoration towards each other slowly became ones of resentment and anger. Your mother dreamed of more and your father, no matter how hard he tried, could not give it to her. But the raised voices and the arguments could not be hidden from you and wordless blame sat on your shoulders each time; you could tell by the look in their eyes they were only together because of you.

So when your parents had decided to divorce, you were relieved. Maybe they would finally search for their own happiness and the burden of preventing it would be lifted from your shoulders.

You had reached a year back in Woodsboro and your mother was desperate to see you. Thus began the arrangements for you to fly out to New York each summer — which worked until the summer you were fifteen, when your mother became so busy she rarely saw you. Your trips became shorter and shorter until you did not see your mother at all and spent your days travelling into the city.

High school began with stares and whispers beginning the first day. People talked and rumors floated as you entered the school that produced the original killers and a few of their successors. The comments grew worse as you neared the age of the killers, but none were ever made to your face. People knew who your parents were and those who didn't care learned to.

However, your progression through high school didn't come without a looming fear of danger. It was one you would never admit to your parents, who, that day, prepared you on what to do in the case of a Ghostface attack as if it were a commonplace emergency like fires or break ins. You’d reassure them that the attacks were over; yet you engraved their advice in your memory, the hint of paranoia taking over.

Time passed by and with the changing of the seasons came the start of senior year. The color of the world changed you along with it. Dull colors of dead leaves sparked a childish joy in you, bright smiles and increased energy making your dad suspicious and teasing. Something had changed, not caused by any particular event. The wilting of old leaves promised a fresh start for you and your father; you were sure of it.

Perhaps the last year of high school made you care-free, encouraging you to step out of your shell and make your life worth living for once. Maybe you'd finally realized that being alive was a gift, the jar of your aunt's ashes and the scars littering your father's body a constant reminder.

There was a skip in your step on the way to school and an aura surrounding you, warm and inviting even to strangers.

And then, the light went out.

Your father had his issues and his way of dealing with them. You would never understand the former, so you never questioned the latter — but September was always a hard month. Your father had his episodes but he always pulled himself together for you. But now, alcohol was used as a crutch and any optimism you had for your future disappeared as the bottles of liquor drained. The nights he'd come home drunk became more and more often, leaving you to take care of him each time. And though he had good days and bad ones, he never hurt you. He never raised his voice or got angry.

You found him one night, coffee table flipped over in the small space the two of you shared, laying in a puddle of his own vomit. He was sobbing so hard he'd woken you up.  He was muttering something over and over, choked out so roughly you could barely understand him.

"I'm sorry."

His tone haunted you, bringing goosebumps to the surface of your skin and tears to your eyes. Yet you cleaned the mess your father sat in and guided him to bed as he reached unconsciousness, pressing a shaky kiss to his forehead. The two of you never spoke of the incident and you weren't sure if he didn't remember or if he didn't want to remember.

But that night pulled you out of your daydreams; you had no choice but to grow up from any childish fantasies you once thought you could live in.

「 … 」

The Woodsboro High halls were filled with hushed whispers and disapproving looks from teachers that made your skin crawl. The tension in the air made your heart beat a little quicker, waiting for the right words to float by you.

The moment came in your psychology class when an empty desk and lack of response during attendance made the room mutter, half in excitement and half in pity.

"Didn't you hear? Tara's in the hospital. She got stabbed, like, a million times."

You froze. Your stomach churned unfavorably at the poorly whispered words and an alarm in your head went off. There was no confirmation, but there was speculation; Woodsboro seemed to be due for another Ghostface attack. But it didn't make sense. All the previous Ghostface killers were mainly tied through blood relations and as far as you knew, all family members of the previous killers were dead. But the fans... they would always have fans.

You didn't know Tara personally but you knew her circle of friends because it was impossible not to. As you left school with the announcement that classes would be canceled trailing behind you, you couldn't help but stop and stare at the table where Tara's friends sat. If it was Ghostface again, it had to be one of them.

You came home that day expecting information from your dad. If your suspicions were correct, he had to let you know. Despite his retirement, he had been Sheriff. He had been attacked by Ghostface. Four times. If anyone in this town knew the truth, it should've been him.

An empty fridge save for condiments greeted you, forcing you to eat instant noodles for the fifth time that week. You headed straight to the couch with a groan. Silence engulfed you for hours, leaving you alone with nothing but your thoughts. They were suffocating.

The mere idea of the return of Ghostface left you haunted, sitting there with an empty ache in your chest. Your mind traced every possibility of what could follow, a shudder passing through your body as your imagination wandered. Your hands rubbed shakily against your thighs as you tried to grasp back onto reality, pulling yourself out of outcomes you couldn't predict. But with a nod of your head came a silent decision; you would stay by your father's side, no matter what.

The sky behind you darkened, orange hues turning black through the small gap between the blinds. Sleep helped you pass the time. Next to you, your phone buzzed in an attempt to notify you of an incoming call, vibrating until it fell off the edge of the coffee table. It wasn’t enough to wake you; you remained uninterrupted until your eyes blinked open at the sound of the door of your home squeaking open. Your father was home, you realized groggily. Too late — your father had gotten a call and left once more, before you could break the haze of your sleep.

It wasn't until later, once you had rubbed the tiredness out of your eyes, that you realized what the voice over the phone told him.

The stabbing of Tara Carpenter did not strike you as a coincidence. Your dad knew it wasn't a coincidence; but he didn't want to admit it, so he got a drink and pretended it wasn't happening.

You waited on the couch as the hours of the night crept on, the hint of a headache threatening to take over if you didn't get proper rest soon. You slipped in and out of unconsciousness with your body in an uncomfortable position. With a developing stiffness in your neck and a far-fetched dream contained in your mind, Dewey Riley entered your home with a grim look and a developing bruise decorating his face.

[brw]

Did you ask Grant Morrison if there were any plans to actually make Beast gay, or were they just trolling?

It was mostly centered around their new novel Luda, and I felt really bad asking about their comics when it was their first novel & they had talked about how hard it was to get it published :( however if I meet them again at some comic con I will be bringing my X-Men issues and I WILL be asking about Gay Hank McCoy. It is my duty.

[createandconstruct]

Ask game, i love these!! 7 and 76 for "thicker than blood", if that's okay ^^

MOON! THANK YOU!

7. How do you choose which POV to write from?

I do not choose povs. The truth is that povs choose me.

Sometimes in multi-chapter I may start writing a paragraph from one characters pov and realize that it just doesn't work and switch it. But sometimes I just find that another pov would work well. I found this in "Misstep" as I was going to continue writing Izuku's pov for a bit or even switch to Toshi during Izuku's seizure but then Katsuki appeared. I realized with his role in the story his pov made so much sense emotional since Toshi with his experience would be able to react. It felt better to go to the pov of a character who felt helpless and Katsuki worked well. Super happy with that decision though! I think it became my favorite scene of the fic besides the ending.

76. Did you have any ideas that didn’t make the final cut of [Fanfic Name]?

Oh man. There's SO many things that didn't make the cut. I have an entire document called "thicker than blood cutting room floor" but that's pretty common for most my fics. Most of it is scenes that got reworked. I'll share one cause what the heck ya asked and it's the most complete. For context this was the originally scene of chapter 3 of Toshi arriving at the school and running into Izuku and Katsuki. I was going back and forth with having them meet at the entrance or having Toshi go to the staff room first. This scene was written fully and I scrapped it because idk it felt a little too emotional too soon. I decided to redo it so it left off more emotionally unfinished, with things almost bubbling but not tipping as I felt they were here. Rereading it now it's not that bad honestly and I like it on it's own but the final scene works much much better.

Maybe it'd be fun to see it so I shall share! Here ya go!

But what he really can’t fight, is the smallest possibility of being inattentive to a message on his phone. 

He takes it outside with a small, “Excuse me,” though barely anyone notices, only Mic flashing a thumbs up before waving him into the hall. 

And he’s so glad he did, because it’s not Inko or some U.A. email alert. It’s Izuku. Breaking his mute silence since Friday that Toshinori had been too nervous to encroach upon. Reaching out, all on his own.

Not sure when you leave, and you might not see this but I wanted to wish you safe travels

There’s a second of confusion, and then another for kicking himself. 

Shit.

He never even let the kid know he’d be in Japan today.

Is there a right answer for this? Leaning against the staffroom door, he certainly doesn’t know. It’s foolish, stupid, that he never said anything. He knows that, he knows. But everytime it occurred to, he’d simply pushed it off because—

“What the hell?!”

That familiar yellow. It’s there. Suddenly before him. Before he’s ready. Coloring parallel straps running over Izuku’s shoulders, as he stares at Toshinori, stopped in his tracks, just behind Young Bakugou after following up the stairs.

“Aren’t you supposed to be in another country?” Bakugou barks, across the hall, while Izuku simply stares.

Toshinori stumbles on how to begin. He was going to—during school—before they left. He’s torn between meeting Bakugou’s glare or Izuku’s stiff expression, as he tries to explain, “I was going to but—something came up…I suppose, Young Midoriya told you?”

“Is that a good something or…” It’s fast but Toshinori’s catches how red eyes dart to the boy at their side. “A bad something?” Bakugou asks, ignoring Toshinori’s question, but answering it all the same.

Izuku meanwhile, looks away.

“Neither. Just a change of plans,” Toshinori says immediately, pocketing his phone, taking a step towards them to bridge the gap. “I meant to tell you, my boy. I was going to-”

Izuku’s face flashes with a mix of turmoil before it settles into a frustrated, tightened jaw. “So why didn’t you.”

Toshinori’s never heard the boy snap. Young Bakugou must have once before—he twitches at the tone but not with shock. There’s no anger, no malice. Just a wavering voice, from a boy pushed too far, asking quietly, in a way that says that knowing that Toshinori’s answer, whatever it is, won’t truly be enough.

It startles Izuku too. “I—” Worse though, is what comes next. In the second Toshinori takes to breath, a smile splinters across Izuku’s face. Forced, worse than the one he’d seen in the hospital, as those green eyes with a wet shine meet his before they fall away. “I guess it didn’t work out, huh?” A smile so harsh it hurts.

“No, that’s not what-” But the kid won’t look at him so he blurts out, “Izuku, I canceled it.” 

Even Young Bakugou looks taken aback.

“After we spoke on Friday, you were so upset that I… I couldn’t go through with it.”

The hopeless frustration melts from Izuku’s into pain of a different kind. “Oh…”

Bakugou’s brows furrow, red eyes darting between Toshinori and Izuku, though they linger on his young friend, “Didn’t…wasn’t that stupid deal supposed to be some way for Deku to still—”

He can’t finish, and Toshinori can’t answer, the stairwell resounding with laughter and familiar calls.

The chipper sound is polar opposite to the cold quiver as Izuku speaks.

The chipper sound is polar opposite to the cold quiver as Izuku speaks. “It’s fine. I was the one who said I didn’t want it.”

Bakugou reels back as Toshinori freezes, “What the hell are you—that’s because you were being stupid!” 

“Bakugou!” Toshinori scolds, “Don’t call hi-”

“Stay outta this All Might! Before you make things worse!” 

Toshinori nearly bites his tongue. 

Behind him he’s vaguely aware of a murmur of whispers joining the mix.

“Kacchan, stop! All Might didn’t—”

“No you stop!” And Izuku’s own mouth slams shut. “I’ve had to put up with your spiraling shit all weekend. We are not doing this at eight fucking AM.”

He grabs Izuku’s wrist, and yanks, so hard that Toshinori throws out a hand. 

But Bakugou spins on him with red eyes, “Deal with your shit later, we’re going to class.” Before practically dragging Izuku down the hall. 

He watches, a thousand things to say still stuck at the roof of his mouth, and yet, feeling as though somehow, Young Bakugou just saved him again. 

Because this time, even if it’s just once, Izuku looks back as he’s pulled along. 

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