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pocket-luv101 · 2 years ago

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Summary: Kuro and Sloth are a famous band. Mahiru is their manager and he has a relationship with them. They struggle to keep it a secret from the media. (KuroMahiSloth, Band)

“Don’t take another step!” The voice behind Mahiru forced him to stop with how forceful it was. From the man’s uniform, he could see that he was a security guard. Mahiru’s arms were overflowing with clothes and he struggled to take out his identification badge. Before he was able to do so, the man roughly grabbed his arm. “Ever since those two idols came, fans like you have been trying to sneak in and I don’t have any more patients. Leave this hotel or I will throw you out.”

“Excuse me, but you’re mistaken. My name is Mahiru Shirota and I’m the manager of Crossing Worlds. They have a fitting in an hour and I need to give them their costumes. Please, let me go.” Mahiru told the guard in a firm voice. He didn’t want to anger the guard or escalate the situation to a fight because the costumes could be damaged. When Kuro and Sloth formed the band, Crossing Worlds, Mahiru decided to support them as much as he could. “Just give me a minute to get my badge.”

“Do you think you can trick me? Someone as young as you can’t be their manager.” His grip on his arm tightened with his words. His skepticism was understandable since he was the same age as Kuro and Sloth. Most would assume that a band like Crossing Worlds would have someone more professional as their manager. Mahiru rushed to think of a way to convince him that he was telling the truth.

“Can you let go of my precious manager?” Someone came between them and forced the security guard to let go of Mahiru. He was focused on adjusting his grip on the costume and he didn’t see who the person was at first. However, he immediately knew that Sloth was the one who saved him. The guard quickly recognized him as well because he was a part of the band, Crossing Worlds.

Sloth wore a pleasant smile but there was a glint in his eyes that forced the guard to back away from them. Mahiru could feel how tense his body was and he subtly leaned towards him. The gesture was small but it helped calm him. He appreciated Sloth’s concern but a fight could affect Crossing Worlds’ reputation. He whispered to Sloth, “I’m not hurt.”

Sloth slipped his finger beneath the collar of Mahiru’s shirt and he hooked his pinky around a string. He pulled his name badge free and then held it up for the security guard to see. The guard said, “I’m sorry for stopping you. You’re free to go.”

Mahiru could hear from his tone that he was irritated after being corrected. He only rolled his eyes at the security guard’s behaviour as the man left. Throughout his time as a manager, he had met far worse people and he knew that it was simpler to ignore him. He waited until the man walked too far from him to hear them before he turned to Sloth.

“You shouldn’t be outside of our hotel room without a disguise, Sloth. What if a fan recognizes you and tries to ambush you?” Mahiru lightly lectured him. While Sloth’s smile was strained with the guard, his expression turned soft now that they were alone in the hall. He kept his finger around his name badge and he lightly tugged on the string to draw him closer.

The teasing grin on his lips told Mahiru his intention. In the back of his mind, he knew that he should pull back yet he found himself stepping towards him. Sloth’s fingers followed the string until he could touch the hickey on his neck. “You were gone for a while and I was worried. It looks like I came back in time to rescue you. In the fairy tales, the princess will give their knight a kiss after rescuing them.”

“Don’t say something like that while we’re in public. What if someone heard you? Reporters will fill gossip magazines with speculations. The fans will start to talk too.” Mahiru warned him. “For that same reason, don’t think about fighting that security guard after I leave. He was just doing his job.”

“You’re no fun when you’re in manager mode.” Sloth pouted. Crossing Worlds were in London for a tour and Mahiru arranged for them to stay in an exclusive hotel. Most of the guests were famous celebrities and their managers would need a name badge to enter the hotel. Mahiru thought the hotel would allow Kuro and Sloth to relax without worrying about their fans following them.

He saw the way Sloth pouted at his light chastising and he wanted to reach out to him. His hands were full so he could only move closer to him. Mahiru stood next to him and he lightly nudged him with his shoulder. “Can you help me by carrying a few of these costumes? Youtarou said they’re just the prototypes but be careful not to get them wrinkled.”

Sloth leaned down and he took the bundle of clothes from him. When he started to pull away, he was stopped by Mahiru’s light hands on his shoulder. He quickly glanced around them before he stood on his toes and kissed Sloth gently. Mahiru’s cheeks were red as he whispered, “Your reward for saving me from that security guard.”

“We’re back, Kuro.” Mahiru called into the hotel room as he closed the door behind him. He walked into the main room and he thought of how the suite was more luxurious than the simple apartment he used to share with Kuro and Sloth. The large change made him feel out of place sometimes. He preferred simple things over an expensive lifestyle.

However, when he saw Kuro sitting on the couch, he felt at home. He was singing softly and Mahiru recognized the song from their debut album. He loved his husky voice and the subtle emotions they had. Others would only hear Kuro’s dry tone but Mahiru was the one he would truly sing to. Mahiru thought Kuro was wonderful and he hoped he could show the world that by being Crossing Worlds’ manager.

Kuro stopped practising when he heard them enter and he lowered his music sheet onto the table. “I told Sloth not to leave because you were meeting with Youtarou about the costumes. I trust that you would call us if you needed our help.”

“I’m glad I listened to my instincts because I found a security guard bothering Mahiru. He gave me a kiss as a reward for rescuing him.” Sloth said and he dropped the costumes onto the couch. Kuro knew that he was trying to provoke him and he did his best not to react to his words. Despite that, he couldn’t help feeling jealous. He also felt guilty that he wasn’t there to help Mahiru.

“Sloth, you promised that you’ll behave and get along with Kuro during the tour. Sometimes I wonder if you like causing trouble so I would lecture you like this.” Mahiru sighed. He walked to the couch and he stopped in front of Kuro. He leaned down and kissed his lips quickly. “Don’t be jealous. That’s your reward for staying in the hotel room and practising your song like I told you to.”

Mahiru pulled away from Kuro and he turned his focus to the costumes. He picked up a suit jacket and said, “Youtarou designed these for the photoshoot but I think this one will also be good for your interview next week. Oh, I have a list of questions the reporter intends to ask you two. We should go over them and see if there are any that we should remove.”

“It’s just us so you don’t need to act like our manager.” Kuro wrapped his arm around Mahiru’s waist and he pulled him closer against his side. It was impossible for him to stand when Sloth laid next to them and rested his head on Mahiru’s lap. Even if he could stand, he didn’t want to. They had been busy over the past weeks and he could finally enjoy both of them warmth.

Before Kuro and Sloth formed Crossing Worlds, they were Mahiru’s boyfriends. They needed to keep their relationship a secret or else it would threaten their growing popularity. He wanted them to achieve their dream. They couldn’t go out on dates in public and he savoured the time they had alone. Mahiru leaned against Kuro and stroked Sloth’s hair.

“I’m not acting like your manager. I am your manager. Even if it wasn’t, I would do this because I want to support you as your boyfriend.” Mahiru moved as best as he could with Kuro and Sloth holding him. He took out his phone and he opened his email with the reporter. “We can stay like this but we’re going to practise the interview questions. After that, we have to try on the costumes.”

“I hope you’re including yourself in that. You would look great in that witch outfit.” Sloth suggested with a small chuckle. He reached up and he touched the hickey on his neck. “It would be better if the witch outfit had a skirt instead of just a robe.”

“I actually like Sloth’s idea.” Kuro rested his chin on Mahiru’s shoulder and he read the question on his phone. “Why did you start your band? What is your muse? These are the typical questions reporters will ask us and we know how to answer them by now. Though, this one is interesting. What kind of person would be your ideal girlfriend?”

“I’ll email the reporter and tell them not to include questions about your love life.” Mahiru understood that they needed to hide their relationship but he didn’t want to hear them deny it.

“My ideal housewife is a brunette with brown eyes and a great cook.” Kuro lightly pushed away Sloth’s hand so he could kiss the hickey that he was teasing earlier. “He works too hard and he needs to let himself rest more often. I love when he takes a break and sleeps next to me. I don’t mind waking up at sunrise when he’s there.”

“I don’t need to imagine my ideal boyfriend because I’m already with him.” Sloth said and he sat up. He placed his hands on Mahiru’s hips and he pulled him forward onto his lap. Mahiru found himself between them but the closeness didn’t make him feel crowded. “I love my boyfriend and how recklessly brave he is. He’s my ray of light.”

“I love you two too but you cannot say those things in the interview.” Mahiru could feel a blush rising up his cheeks. He looked down at his phone screen and the questions listed. He closed the app and saw the photo of them that he used for his wallpaper. “Next question… Why did you choose me to be your manager? Thinking simply, it would be better for your career if you choose someone more experienced like Kranz.”

“You’re the reason we sing so we can’t leave you behind. This way, we can be together no matter where our tours take us,” Kuro’s answer made his heart swell. Since his mother died when he was young and his uncle was always busy with work, he was afraid of being lonely. Mahiru never imagined he would have two people who loved him and who would stay by his side.

“Will you sing for me tonight?” Mahiru asked and he circled his arms around Sloth’s neck. He liked that there were songs they would sing for him that others didn’t know.

“Since you asked us two questions that weren’t in the email, can you ask you a few of our own? There are two questions so Kuro and I can each have one.” Sloth suggested and he glanced towards the witch costume. Mahiru could easily read his mind.

“As your manager, I shouldn’t spoil you two so much.” Mahiru said but he was smiling as he did so. “You each get one outfit but we have to finish these interview questions first.”

#servamp #kuromahi #mahisloth #kuromahisloth #sloth pair #servamp kuro #mahiru shirota #inner sloth #fanfiction

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snaamagica · 3 years ago

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mala overthinks swimmura’s MGS

here is a link to the story if you haven’t seen it yet + there will be spoilers for arc 1 in relation to where magireco fits in with madomagi’s timeline in this post

okay so as absolutely wild swimmura’s MGS is, there’s actually some seriously fantastic and understated characterization going on here. like, holy shit. i have. so much to say. long post ahoy, jump under the cut to take a look

tl;dr talking points: 1. mitama’s hypnosis 2. oktavia’s behavior 3. homura’s reaction to oktavia 4. homura characterization wrt saving sayaka

1. mitama’s hypnosis

so, at first it’s very easy to assume that this is mitama fucking around with someone’s soul gem without permission a la swimkyoko (even if this was before she came out)

BUT hear me out: that’s not what happened at all. firstly, mitama actually did get permission, and she didnt actually skirt around it. secondly:

mitama didn’t mess with yachiyo’s soul gem at all

she used regular ass hypnotism

which, btw, has been scientifically proven to not work unless the person being hypnotized wants it to. you can’t make someone do something they wouldn’t be willing to do. this fact alone clears up the whole thing for me, and raises so many funny questions about yachiyo instead LMFAO like -- i don’t think yachiyo was fully cognizant of her surroundings, as proven by, y’know, what just happened. it was probably as if she was in a dream, from her perspective -- that kind of funky reality perception is what i think was going on

and i don’t know if the writers wrote this with that intention? buuut it makes everything both make more sense to me and less icky, so i’m rolling with it

besides which, there’s nothing saying mitama was GOING to mess with soul gems for it? her talking about “illusions” makes it sound like its magic-related, and maybe she did want to step up to that, but -- anyway i feel like that’s leading to definite overthinking so i’m gonna stop there since i still have so much to cover. the important takeaway is deep down, yachiyo definitely wanted to have fun in a fishing competition, apparently. LOL

2. oktavia’s behavior

it’s actually pretty cute that oktavia was delighted to be in the water -- in her element. she was very visibly having fun, if observers were able to figure out that just from seeing it

which, imo, reflects on how sayaka feels when she’s in HER element? very, very cute. even if the entire surrounding circumstance (sayaka almost witching out bc she was scared she was dying) is, uh, BAD

3. homura’s reaction to oktavia

friendly reminder that the magireco timeline replaces the one in madomagi where homura told them the truth about witches, sayaka having contracted was a part of their group and didnt believe her, culminating in sayaka witching in front of everyone and mami flipping her lid and at the end madoka asks homura to kill her so she doesnt turn into a witch

that didnt happen here

so homura has not ever seen oktavia previous to this

idk i just thought it was interesting to think about. the stark difference here, seeing oktavia in the sun and the water versus in the dark train terminal, underground

4. homura characterization wrt saving sayaka

this has multiple parts to it because like. god. GOD. THERE’S A LOT GOING ON HERE

4a. homura is actually in her element, too. she talks about needing to remember yachiyo’s stance, which she would’ve seen for only a brief moment before chaos happened. mimicking something she saw another girl do once -- tapping into her very practiced learning skills -- this is another take on a battle with a witch, when you think about it. and she’s trying to save someone

4b. the situation is utterly fucking ridiculous but seriously comes down to saving someone. even if we know sayaka couldnt have actually died from it, she didnt know, and it still was painful and terrifying, and she definitely needed rescuing from it

4c. HOMURA SUCCESSFULLY SAVING SOMEONE OTHER THAN MADOKA, especially sayaka, who she never gets to save in madomagi, not even once, AND BEING ACKNOWLEDGED FOR IT. HOLY SHIT GUYS

4d. “i’ve never received a trophy this big before” more like she’s never won a trophy before, period. she’s never been able to do physical competitions like this before becoming a magical girl and she typically doesn’t get to anyway bc of their lifestyle. so not only is this acknowledgment but this is one of those “normal life” landmarks she never got to have before

4e. homura still being full of self-doubt and feeling undeserving of the acknowledgment and reward even once it was over. extremely realistic and also ow my heart

4f. “you’ll definitely figure out a way to save me” UGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH DO I EVEN NEED TO SAY ANYTHING ELSE

4g. ending by circling around to swimmura’s doppel story is just fucking OWCH. and makes so much fucking sense. even after a single victory like that, it just reminds her of all the times she failed. especially recently, with kuro. especially after everything. and that doppel story really drives home how close coolmura was to becoming homulily all along, you know? she really was right there on the edge. and homulily talking the way she did just really drives home that akumura still has the mind of a witch... just. god, y’all, holy shit

4h. moemura refusing to go away. refusing to let herself be stifled and buried. UUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH

#magireco #magia record #akemi homura #homura akemi #( mala. )#( magia record. )#( magia record. ) analysis #( mahou shoujo. ) akemi homura #( mahou shoujo. ) yakumo mitama #( mahou shoujo. ) miki sayaka #( mahou shoujo. ) nanami yachiyo

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nearly-theyre · 4 years ago

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haikyuu fic recs!!!!!!!!!!

hello friends! we are back at it again with another fic rec list ~

find me on twitter and ao3 (where you can see all the fics I didn’t get to put on this rec list! my bookmarks contain OVER 500 fics and this list is LESS than 100!) ~

also: check out this fic rec list for haikyuu multi-fic series recs! all of the fics in this list are one shots or single completed chaptered fics ~

LET’S BEGIN

FORMAT:

“title” (ratings) by author (a ✰ means the series is HIGHLY recommended!)

link

Warnings: as of 8/3/2020, although as always exercise caution!

Tagged Ships: the ships that the AUTHOR tagged! no ship hate here please!

Summary of the fic

MAKE SURE YOU ALWAYS READ WARNINGS/TAGS/SUMMARIES BEFORE READING!

“feel like gold” (T) by Heronfem ✰✰✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/13320651/chapters/30487086

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou/Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou , Bokuto Koutarou/Kuroo Tetsurou , Akaashi Keiji/Kozume Kenma , Bokuto Koutarou/Kozume Kenma , Akaashi Keiji/Kuroo Tetsurou

In which Kenma is unapologetic and comfortable with who he is, Akaashi learns a lot about himself in a short period of time, Kuroo is wildly in love and an eternal survivor, and Bokuto remembers that love doesn't cure mental illness, but having a support system sure helps a lot.

Or, the one where 4 young men get together, and are helplessly, hopelessly, utterly in love despite everything.

“Three Times the Charm” (T) by todxrxki

https://archiveofourown.org/works/25662307

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou/Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , Bokuto Koutarou/Kozume Kenma , Akaashi Keiji/Kozume Kenma

Kodzuken #1 Fan @Kodzuken1Fan 3h

hi all, has anyone noticed that kodzuken seems happier than usual in his recent videos?? it can’t just be me… do you think he’s had a change in his life recently?

Hina @kenmafan321 3h

@Kodzuken1Fan Honestly I agree with you!! I think that Kodzuken might have a girlfriend though… or a boyfriend!! <3 / In which Kenma's viewers try to figure out whether he's dating Kuroo, Bokuto, or Akaashi... but are completely approaching the problem the wrong way.

“Elements of Love” (T) by helloyesIamtrash, Nata1967

https://archiveofourown.org/works/11848392

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou/Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

Kenma first heard the voices when he was in preschool, the three of them. They felt like the crackling warmth of a fire, a bolt of lightning, the cool breeze on a summer's day. He had never heard of them before. They sounded nice.

They said something about being soulmates.

“Leave A Light On” (M) by todxrxki ✰✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/18670813/chapters/44278060

Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

It is impossible, he knows. He is not human. It is only humans who experience such things, who are able to feel joy and happiness and sadness and grief. He is just a monster, a demon, a creature made from the leftovers.

But still, he wants to experience human things with a fervor he cannot describe.

In which a boy, raised inside of a highly unethical laboratory, comes to understand humanity through the love of the people who rescued him, but especially through his closest friend.

“i wanna see your face and know i’ve made it home” (G) by mukeandziamgotmelike ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/23654473

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou/Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

Keiji had never thought that he would miss them this much.

Sure, the thought had been scary - terrifying, debilitating - at first, but Koutarou was right; they would only be a couple hours away. They would call as often as they could, they had said, and while Keiji knew how hard that would be (since their majors were going to be stressful and of course they would both want to join the volleyball team, and their new college friends, and parties, and, and, and) he had smiled understandingly, feeling Kenma’s hand squeeze around his tighter.

But he didn’t think it would hurt like it did.

“Village and a Crow” (T) by NeverNothing ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/16612745

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , Akaashi Keiji & Kozume Kenma

Day 3 || 13th || Hurt/Comfort || Secret Agent/Assassins (AU)

The raven raised his eyebrow at the other man. He was staring at him, gaze hiding his thoughts well.

“Daishou Tetsurou,” he introduced himself anyway. It was the closest he had gotten to anyone near Akaashi the whole evening, seeing as the blond had not left the others side until now.

aka: In his cover identity as Daishou Tetsurou, Kuroo Tetsurou makes an intriguing aquaintance.

“Third Eye” (T) by Solovei, Yrindor

https://archiveofourown.org/works/7901137/chapters/18048394

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Sawamura Daichi/Sugawara Koushi

For as long as he could remember, Suga could see things when he looked at other people—shadows over their hearts that represented the roadblocks to their happiness. He became known as a problem-solver, a skilled mediator, and the person to come to with any matter of problems. While he used this ability to help his teammates and friends, over the years his own feelings were pushed aside.

He could see Asahi's fear of rejection, Hinata's need to be challenged, and Noya's desire for a person to accept him for who he was. But there was one shadow that never revealed itself to him—that belonging to Sawamura Daichi.

During the Tokyo Training camp, he's confronted by Nekoma's captain, who wants to know what it is that Suga himself is yearning for. Their conversation leads to some uncomfortable truths, and he's forced to admit that he may have been source of Daichi's growing shadow this whole time.

“Home is where the rest of you are” (T) by Kei (junjunkiiold) ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/6796540

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou/Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , Kozume Kenma & Kuroo Tetsurou , other implied relationships

Angry tears track their way down their face as they stiffly pull on a pair of Keiji's sweats and one of Kuro's ridiculously oversized hoodies, pausing to bury their face in Bo's pillow, just to be fair. They miss their boyfriends so much. So much. It's a physical pain now, crackling just behind their ribs, and they know they'll have to try and rid their face of tearstains, otherwise Suga will worry. Suga has already been kind enough to offer them company, and in any case, Kenma doesn't deserve to be worried over. It isn't like it matters anyway.

They freeze.

Oh no.

Of all the days for the intrusive thoughts, the grey-tones jabs, the deathly sharp self-hatred to invade their mind, it just has to be when Bo and Kuro and Keiji were all gone halfway across the country.

This is shaping up to be the worst birthday Kenma has ever had.

“a brief study on a brief point in time” (G) by neatos_cheetos

https://archiveofourown.org/works/13981158

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Bokuto Koutarou & Kuroo Tetsurou , Akaashi Keiji & Kozume Kenma , Fukunaga Shouhei & Kozume Kenma & Yamamoto Taketora

“Kid,” rooster-head says to Fukunaga. “You play volleyball?”

[Alternatively: How Fukunaga Shouhei falls in love with the seasons.]

[Takes place one year before canon.]

“we know the game and we’re gonna play it” (T) by thelittlebirdthattoldyou ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24460246

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Iwaizumi Hajime/Oikawa Tooru , Hanamaki Takahiro/Matsukawa Issei

Hanamaki cut in, “If we win, you have to promise to lighten up on the loving around us.”

“No more footsie under the table at team dinners,” Matsukawa said.

“No more weirdly sexual trash talk when you play on different sides.” Watari said.

“No more grabbing Iwaizumi-senpai’s ass ‘for good luck’ before practice games.” That was Kunimi, who shrugged placidly when everyone turned to stare at him.

“No more making out shirtless in supply closets,” Yahaba finished.

Hanamaki makes a bet, Mastukawa waits for him to get the hint, Oikawa's clinginess is surpassed only by his competitiveness, and Iwaizumi just wants to get through the next day so he can kiss his boyfriend again.

“doesn’t the rose always has its thorns sharpened before it pricks?” ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24178558

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Tagged Ships: Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou , Hinata Shouyou/Kageyama Tobio (mentioned) , Iwaizumi Hajime/Oikawa Tooru (if you squint) , Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

“How do you sleep at night, Akaashi?” Amused chuckle fills the room, a chilling contrast to the pooling blood staining the end of both their cloak. Akaashi smiles, beautiful, confident, and feral, “Peaceful and satisfied after being thoroughly ravished.”

“Papillon” (M) by the_madame21

https://archiveofourown.org/works/9962204

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Tagged Ships: Iwaizumi Hajime/Oikawa Tooru

"Father says I have to go meet new royals today.”

“Who?” The boy said it so easily. With a little bit of a bite. But Tooru wasn’t sure if that was because he was angry, or because he was an alpha.

“The…Iwaizumi family…”

“Safe practice” (G) by symphorine

https://archiveofourown.org/works/6220759

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: N/A

Yamaguchi gets bruises from wearing his binder for practice. Cue the team being worried, which he really didn't want happening, and Suga stepping in.

“Problematic” (T) by alpacameron

https://archiveofourown.org/works/6192133

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Tagged Ships: N/A

"When they finally arrived everyone stood up inside the Aoba Johsai bus to exit and greet the teams, but Oikawa clearly heard Bokuto yell “HEY, KUROO! SHITTYKAWA’S HERE!” from outside and decided he wasn’t going to."

Aoba Johsai used to attend the Tokyo Training Camp, but Oikawa never got along with Bokuto and Kuroo very well.

“your steady hands have pulled me through” (T) by winter_flowers ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/16712716/chapters/39198214

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Iwaizumi Hajime/Oikawa Tooru , Hanamaki Takahiro/Matsukawa Issei , Kuroo Tetsurou & Oikawa Tooru , Mentioned Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

“How can he be so dense?” Tooru complained. “I’m not even trying to hide it. Scratch that, I’ve been practically flaunting it to him since I decided he should know and he still doesn’t believe me.”

Hanamaki shrugged. “It’s Iwaizumi, he literally has ‘rock’ in his name,” he pointed out.

“He thought my animal blood was wine—I’ve been drinking it around him for the last fifteen years! How does he still think it's whatever red beverage that's convenient for the occasion?”

“I mean, you do remember how he religiously bought you those vending machine tomato juice cans, right?”

Or: 5 times Hajime was too dense to realize Tooru was a vampire and one time he finally did (and happened to realize something else along the way).

“now and forever true” (G) by LugianBeforeSwine

https://archiveofourown.org/works/3797146

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Iwaizumi Hajime/Oikawa Tooru

The first time Iwaizumi Hajime sees Oikawa Tooru, he bursts into tears.

Hajime and Tooru, over the course of 18 years spent together (and their mothers, who knew everything from the very beginning.)

“rewrite the stars” (G) by astrid_fischer ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/17207171/chapters/40461332

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

“You’re going to marry the prince of Karasuno,” Kenma’s father told him on the first day of midsummer.

King Kozume Takeshi did not so much as look up from the letter he was writing at his desk as he said it. His manner suggested he was advising that the evening meal would be held fifteen minutes late; the life-altering statement was that matter-of-fact, and carried the same expectation that he would not be questioned.

“Very well,” Kenma said, when the skritching of the quill stopped pointedly and he realized that some sort of answer was expected of him. He blinked. “Is that all?”

*****

or: an arranged marriage au where everyone is in love with the wrong person.

“can i be close to you” (T) by arcsec ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24711793/chapters/59729524

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

shouyou drags a sleep-deprived kenma to one of kuroo’s parties, only for kenma to escape upstairs and fall asleep in an unlocked bedroom.

or, 5 times kenma slept in kuroo's bed + 1 time kuroo slept over in kenma's.

“Show A Little Faith” (G) by minijhi

https://archiveofourown.org/works/4205613/chapters/9503331

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

“Why are you sending me a singing Valentine telegram?" Kenma asks, mouth flattened. "It’s six months until Valentine’s Day.”

“I bought a dwarf over the summer to use as cupid.” Kuroo says. “I figured he could use some practice.”

Presenting Kenma as the Boy-Who-Lived, whose living becomes a lot more interesting when Ravenclaw Prince Kuroo Tetsurou starts sending him singing telegrams about defeating the Dark Lord.

“Blood” (T) by darkbluebox ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/4114318/chapters/9272470

Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence

Tagged Ships: Tsukishima Kei/Yamaguchi Tadashi , yamatsukki centered but p much everyone else is in the bg , Hinata Shouyou/Kageyama Tobio , Sawamura Daichi/Sugawara Koushi , Shimizu Kiyoko/Yachi Hitoka , Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

Words like "Muggle-born" and "Pure-blood" don't mean a lot when you're still a child, but everyone has to grow up sooner or later.

“can i crash at your place tonight” (T) by puddingcatbeans

https://archiveofourown.org/works/4612110

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Sawamura Daichi/Sugawara Koushi

"Me and my buddies vandalized your backyard trampling your mini garden in the process. Now I feel really shitty cause you’re really upset about this. Look I’ll help fix it okay just stop with the sad faces." au

or, in which Daichi's not a bad person, he just has bad choices in friends, and Suga's got a little ceramic garden and the face of an angel.

“The Mother We Share” (T) by Avogara ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/22634923/chapters/54095674

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma & Kuroo Tetsurou

“My life is ruined,” Kuroo stated blandly and muffled into the covers. He didn’t move. Kenma tapped him with his blanketed foot.

“Why’s that?”

“Because I can’t go to camp with you.”

Kenma frowned deeply at this and squinted his golden eyes.

“Why not?”

“Because I have to go stay with my mom…”

“You have a mom?”

—

How Kuroo became part of the Kozume family after one tragic summer vacation.

“Everything Is Debatable” (T) by todxrxki

https://archiveofourown.org/works/23321422

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

In YouTuber Kozume Kenma's inbox, there's one email from fellow YouTuber Kuroo Tetsurou asking if he’d be interested in a collaboration. Kenma eyes it with disdain. Frowning, he types a response. "I appreciate you reaching out, he says. I understand that this is something the fans have encouraged. However, I’d like to make myself clear: I am not interested in a collaboration with you. Now, or ever." / In which gaming YouTuber Kenma learns a little bit about preconceived notions and romance through his reluctant friendship with prank YouTuber Kuroo.

“Superposition” (M) by todxrxki ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/22383487/chapters/53478259

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , Minor or Background Relationship(s) , Sawamura Daichi/Sugawara Koushi , Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou

"Well, I bet I’ll be seeing more of you in the future then, huh? But hopefully soon it’ll be me watching you on stage," Tetsurou tells him.

Something flickers across Kenma’s face - something like bright, childlike hope. “D’you actually think so?"

“Call me crazy,” Tetsurou says, grinning a stupid grin that shows all his teeth, “but I’d be willing to bet on it." // Tetsurou Kuroo, the lead singer of alternative band Neko, meets Kenma Kozume, aspiring musician, at one of his shows, a meeting that sets into motion a series of events that change their lives - and the alternative music scene - forever. Or, the early 2000s pop punk band AU.

“Mini Volleyball Club” (G) by redriotoperator

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24483028

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Iwaizumi Hajime/Oikawa Tooru , Hanamaki Takahiro/Matsukawa Issei , Kyoutani Kentarou/Yahaba Shigeru

Aobajousai was signed up to teach five year olds how to play volleyball one Saturday morning.

Only issue being present is- what teenage boy is good with five year olds?

The Captain who can do it all- that's who.

“call me maybe” (T) by totooru ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/7168451/chapters/16273241

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Hanamaki Takahiro/Matsukawa Issei , Iwaizumi Hajime/Oikawa Tooru , Sawamura Daichi/Sugawara Koushi , Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou

Hanamaki texts the wrong number when trying to extort tips out of Oikawa in order to defeat Iwaizumi in arm wrestling, and then continues to text the witty stranger who had answered.

“Spellbound” (T) by isthisphantasy

https://archiveofourown.org/works/3656679/chapters/8080056

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Sawamura Daichi/Sugawara Koushi , mentions of , Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , Iwaizumi Hajime/Oikawa Tooru

Out of all the people Daichi had to fall for, it had to be a Slytherin. Their two houses were supposed to hate each other.

To be fair, he was nothing like the stereotypes preached. He wasn’t snide, slimy or pompous. He was beautiful in an ethereal kind of way. He was almost ghostly pale, all innocent brown eyes and silvery-blonde hair. Sugawara Koushi, the boy who was even sweeter than his name suggested.

“Two Pillows” (G) by Dogsocks

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24893314

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Bokuto Koutarou/Kuroo Tetsurou , Bokuto Koutarou & Kuroo Tetsurou

Kuroo forgot his pillows.

Both of his pillows are at home, right by the fucking stairs, probably no more than four feet from the door. And now he’s stuck at a training camp for a week-- with no pillows, let alone his pillows-- and he still has to somehow get his neurotic ass to sleep. This is not good. This is so so so not good.

“It’ll be fine,” he mumbles. “I’m not seven anymore, Kenma. I’m probably just overreacting.”

Spoiler: It's not fine.

“Anything In Between” (T) by todxrxki

https://archiveofourown.org/works/21631504

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

Kozume Kenma just wants to be a normal gaming YouTuber, but when his idiot boyfriend butts in and gets his fans speculating about their relationship, it seems that even that's impossible. / Post manga timeskip, told exclusively through social media and texting.

“The Thief and the Ningyou” by Heronfem ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/17161055

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Hanamaki Takahiro/Matsukawa Issei

There's a youkai that lives in the daimyo's estate, they say. They say he keeps a grand lake within the walls and a youkai lives within it. They say it's jealously guarded, the lake patrolled night and day by well trained guards that watch the lake to keep people away from it. They say only the daimyo is allowed near it.

Matsukawa Issei couldn't care less about a mad daimyo's obsession, but as a professional thief he's inclined to be very interested in the daimyo's wealth.

“Liked, Commented and Subscribed” (T) by Royal Society of Pandas (Abarcelos)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/7151264/chapters/16236896

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou , Iwaizumi Hajime/Oikawa Tooru

" 'Hey, Bokuto?' Kuroo interrupted his friend. They were both sitting on his couch, Bokuto telling some silly story that happened the previous weekend and Kuroo reading the comments on his latest video. He was quite happy with how it turned out – a lot of people seemed to enjoy it and he even saw a few memes on tumblr titled ‘The actual signs as Kuroo’s signs’. There was only one thing bothering him.

'Yeah, bro?' Bokuto answered, a little annoyed for having his great story be interrupted.

'Do you know who Kozume Kenma is?' "

Everyone is a youtuber and tumblr ships KuroKen. A lot.

“Don’t call me Lord, call me Love” (E) by Nimbus_Cloud ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/6159379/chapters/14112763

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , Kozume Kenma & Kuroo Tetsurou , Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou , Haiba Lev & Yaku Morisuke

Based on Mookie000's Ruler AU artwork

---

The kingdom of Nekoma prepares a festival to celebrate the one year anniversary of Kenma's coronation. While his royal court and magisters and guardians look forward to the revelry, Kenma is himself plagued by doubts as to his ability to rule and his growing feelings for one of his sworn guardians. Everything on the surface appears as it should at first, but things get complicated when a kiss takes Kuroo by surprise and an attempted kidnapping goes awry.

“My Nameless World (I’ll Let You In)” (T) by ltgmars

https://archiveofourown.org/works/17430203

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Hinata Shouyou/Kageyama Tobio , Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , Mentions of Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou

It’s a modest two-bedroom in the western suburbs, far enough from the bustling crowds to be affordable but still counting, technically, as Tokyo. They’re noisy before they sleep but quiet when they rise, shuffling mutedly out of the door for joint morning runs before bursting back into the apartment for joint morning showers. Shouyou cooks breakfast while Kageyama packs their lunch and gym bags, and they never share a goodbye kiss because they always leave together.

It’s warm and cozy and disgustingly domestic, and it’s probably everything Shouyou’s ever dreamed of.

Except, Kenma thinks irately, Kageyama doesn’t actually live here.

===

Shouyou moves in with Kenma when he ends up in Tokyo for college. Kenma subsequently realizes that half the things in Shouyou’s boxes are actually Kageyama’s because he should have fucking known.

“Swinging Doors and Wet Floors” (G) by Heronfem

https://archiveofourown.org/works/14015484

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Hanamaki Takahiro/Matsukawa Issei

At least once a week Matsukawa Issei cursed out whatever asshole had put swinging doors at the back of the Starbucks he was stuck selling his soul at. They were at exactly the wrong height for him, people constantly thought they were the place to go through for the bathrooms, and no one had put “Employees Only” signs on or around them.

Or, Matsukawa meets his soulmate.

“The Golden Chapel” (M) by Heronfem ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/14361861

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou , Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

Arms and the man I sing,—not as of old

The Mantuan bard his mighty verse unrolled,

But in such humbler strains as may beseem

Light changes rung on a fantastic theme.

Or, a Knight comes in search of the Golden Chapel to finish his quest. The Chapel's guardians and trial makers finish theirs as well.

“Saturday 10:23AM” (G) by SoVeryAverageMe ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/22461436

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Iwaizumi Hajime & Sawamura Daichi , Sawamura Daichi/Sugawara Koushi , Iwaizumi Hajime/Oikawa Tooru

Miyagi Missed Connections:

Stressed Volleyball Captain > Sendai Sports Emporium

My boyfriend wants me to post about you on here. I told him that Missed Connections were supposed to be for romantic encounters but he didn’t care. He thinks that I need more friends. Like most things, he’s wrong. But whatever, he’ll keep bothering me until I do this.

Iwaizumi is forced to write a Missed Connections post by Oikawa. Elsewhere, Suga was scrolling through Craigslist when he sees a description that resembles his boyfriend. He made Daichi respond.

The rest, as they say, was history.

“Happiness Comes in Waves” (M) by mitigates

https://archiveofourown.org/works/25374712

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Tagged Ships: Iwaizumi Hajime/Oikawa Tooru , Sawamura Daichi/Sugawara Koushi , Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou , Azumane Asahi/Nishinoya Yuu

Akaashi filled the waffle cone in his hand with vanilla bean ice cream and doused it in peanut butter. He handed that one to Suga. “And Oikawa, you’re not even slick about it. It’s obvious what you’re doing-”

“Oh shut up, Akaashi! Can you blame us?” The glint in Oikawa’s eyes as he stared anxiously across the parking lot was brighter than ever. He started tugging on Suga’s board shorts and smacking the side of Akaashi’s truck. “Look, look- They’re here!”

Akaashi sighed and pushed Oikawa’s cup of cherry ice cream covered in an abhorrent amount of sprinkles toward him. He leaned over slightly so he could get a view as well. Akaashi positioned his truck for that view, sure, but he could also say out loud that he did it for the business. Yes, the business.

“bait and switch” (T) by Stylographic_Blue_Rhapsody

https://archiveofourown.org/works/19704886

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Iwaizumi Hajime/Oikawa Tooru , Oikawa Tooru & Sugawara Koushi

“You’re not serious?”

“Suga-chan, when am I not serious?” Oikawa cradled his mug in two hands to warm his fingers. “Besides, I’m not hurting anyone.”

“I think your teammates are going to lose their goddamn minds once they find out.”

...

Oikawa's university volleyball team knows he's in a long-distance relationship with someone from high school. They imagine a sweet-faced girl that matches his sarcasm with patience. They are so incredibly wrong.

“do tomatoes go in a fruit salad?” (T) by fliick

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24632026

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Oikawa Tooru & Sugawara Koushi , Sawamura Daichi/Sugawara Koushi , Iwaizumi Hajime/Oikawa Tooru

“We’re friends, Kou-chi! I’m not taking advantage of you. I wanna know about all the drama going on!”

“Like what?”

“Like whether or not Tobio’s getting crushed.”

“Oikawa-”

“And how long you and Sawamura are gonna pine until one of you cracks.”

“Oikawa.”

“i call it magic (when i’m with you)” (M) by cosmogony

https://archiveofourown.org/works/25551868

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou/Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou

As one of Tokyo's most established Potion Witches, Kozume Kenma's life was anything except ordinary. However, somehow his life takes an even stranger turn when his best friend, Kuroo Tetsurou, gets cursed and transformed into a cat.

Luckily for the two, they meet a Curse-Breaker and Animal Telepathy Specialist who are more than willing to assist them in turning Kuroo human again, though all four of them may end up with more than they'd originally bargained for.

Written for Kenma Ship Week 2020 Day 1 - Modern Magic

“Envy for Solid Ground” (M) by theglitterati ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24832303/chapters/60067192

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Iwaizumi Hajime/Oikawa Tooru

There’s a sign taped to the door: "Sitting Volleyball sign ups - today!"

“No,” Tooru says. “No, Hajime, I can’t.”

“Just one practice,” Hajime replies. “Please. For me.”

Oikawa loses a leg. But he gains some things, too.

“Waiting On A Friend” (G) by MaxMattel666

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24221155

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Tendou Satori/Ushijima Wakatoshi

Shiratorizawa Academy is giving its students a long weekend and Tendou is excited to go home. But Goshiki? Not so much.

!!!Now featuring accompanying art!!!

“I Was Adopted?!” (G) by marsenthusiast

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24731935

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Tendou Satori/Ushijima Wakatoshi

Goshiki is probably more affected by Ushijima's and Tendou's recent fall out than he should be and he doesn't know why. All he knows is he's definitely not supposed to be crying about it. Right?

“i always wake up next to monsters” (NR) by irleggsy ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/25004146

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Goshiki Tsutomu & Tendou Satori , Tendou Satori & Ushijima Wakatoshi , UshiTen if you like. squint

Goshiki hasn't been able to sleep properly for days. The reasons might be worse than the team originally thought.

Tendou doesn't like using his magic, but there are exceptions. Like taking care of their youngest.

Shiratorizawa Fanweek 2020 Day 2: Cooking Together | Ring | Fantasy/Magic AU

“He’s Not Here” (T) by MaxMattel666

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24620779/chapters/59480443

Warnings: Major Character Death

Tagged Ships: Tendou Satori/Ushijima Wakatoshi

When Goshiki dies, he leaves an unfillable hole in his wake. His absence takes the form of an empty chair at the dining room table and uneaten ice cream. He leaves behind unfinished lists and shoes that he was supposed to fill.

A mafia AU where Shiratorizawa loses its youngest member.

!!!Now featuring accompanying art!!!

“reddit boyfriends” (T) by NeverNothing ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24336256

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

Lev goes on reddit to talk about his senpais and accidentally goes viral. Yaku helps.

“the q&a you’ve been waiting for | KODZUKEN” (T) by kzumeknma (born_to_fly)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24960325

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , implied Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou - Relationship

In which Kodzuken reaches 500k subscribers, Kuroo Tetsurou is Little Bastard, and Akaashi helps Bokuto with his critical thinking skills in the comments.

(the youtube video you didn't want, but i wrote anyways)

“Blush Blush” (T) by NeverNothing

https://archiveofourown.org/works/25609810

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

Kodzuken uploaded a new video : "i play Blush Blush but my boyfriend gets jealous (not family friendly)" (1:48:59)

16,945 comments sort by

or: my fill for KenmaShipWeek Day 4: Established Relationship

“ring pops” (G) by mukeandziamgotmelike

https://archiveofourown.org/works/8572807

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Ambiguous or Implied Relationship(s) , Oohira Reon/Semi Eita , Tendou Satori/Ushijima Wakatoshi

Semi Eita was a physically perfect human being.

It only makes sense that others notice.

“give them something to talk about” (G) by thelittlebirdthatttoldyou

https://archiveofourown.org/works/25426843

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Iwaizumi Hajime/Oikawa Tooru

“Huh. Oikawa is making his way over to the losing side of the court - is he planning to rub it in their faces? Maybe someone should stop him -”

“But he’s passing the players by entirely! And heading for -”

“Are we going to get a childhood besties reunion up in here?”

Iwaizumi and Oikawa's Olympics reunion, as told through the eyes of two excitable sportscasters.

“i’m gonna be the man who’s coming home to you” (T) by welcometothehumanrace ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/25689436

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

“I looked into some places myself, and here are some of the ones I found,” Kuroo said as he looked over the top of the screen.

It took one second for Kenma to register that he was in fact looking at a page full of house listings. It took another second for him to register where exactly the listings were located.

Kenma snorted. “Kuro, why on earth would I move to Roppongi Hills?”

It takes one year for Kenma's success to explode and for him to outgrow the two-bedroom apartment he shares with his best friend Kuroo. It takes about a week after that for him to figure out why the thought of moving out bothers him so much.

“don’t bother checking my work (i’ve never cared for math anyway)” (T) by pseudoanalytics

https://archiveofourown.org/works/20808875

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Tendou Satori/Ushijima Wakatoshi , Kawanishi Taichi/Semi Eita (background) , Iwaizumi Hajime/Oikawa Tooru (implied)

It isn’t until Shirabu’s back at LOCCENT that it really sinks in. Forty-eight wins? An impressive number, true, and a definite sign of Ushijima’s strength, especially compared to Tendou. But in anyone else, an unbalanced score like that would indicate a depressingly low chance of drift compatibility.

Drifting with Ushijima was simple statistically, but potentially deadly realistically. And drifting with Tendou? A veritable nightmare. If not for Washijou’s insistence, Shirabu would have dropped him long ago.

Still, something is calling to him. Something beyond numbers and data projections.

Because Ushijima may have knocked Tendou down forty-eight times. But that means there were forty-nine times he got back up.

“Goshiki’s Lucky Hairpins” (NR) by laurent_exalted

https://archiveofourown.org/works/25541905

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Goshiki Tsutomu/Tendou Satori

(Based off of a cosplay tiktok myself and @/uyusodasu made :) , check out the original on my page @/bubble_cos, or the completed/duet version on Dex’s page!)

In which Goshiki likes pretty things, and other people don’t like it. Tendou is a good senpai and helps Goshiki feel better with a gift and maybe a kiss or two

“pretty girls make me nervous” (T) by ebenroot

https://archiveofourown.org/works/3509384

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , with mentions of daisuga , kagehina , BokuAka

(Yaku had to wonder if his captain was listening to himself talk and could realize on his own how much he sounded in love with Kenma.)

"So, what is going to happen is this! Friday night, Kenma will be going to the mall with no video games around. His natural attractiveness will show, some love struck girl will ask him out and bam! Kenma isn't single anymore."

(Yaku supposed not.)

that fic where Kuroo does everything he can to get Kenma a significant other. Meanwhile, everyone bets how long it'll take before Kuroo realizes that Kenma's sorta already dating him.

“Noon, on a Thursday” (T) by lovelyleftovers

https://archiveofourown.org/works/6899797

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma & Kuroo Tetsurou , Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

He climbs the stairs, hands tightening unconsciously on the strap of his bag before he approaches Kuroo’s open door.

Kenma isn’t sure what he expected to find, but it wasn’t this.

“Must Be Love” (G) by todxrxki ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/22116652

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

Interviewer: Anyone special in your life these days?

Kuroo: Hah. Well, yeah, I guess you could say that. H- she’s not exactly a fan of attention, so I think she’d kill me if I were to say anything about her publicly. But, well, she means everything to me. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me. I’m completely sure I wouldn’t be here without hi-her.

/ In which famous volleyball player Kuroo is obvious, Lev is oblivious, and Kenma just wants to mess with his fans. Social media; set post-time skip.

“the golden discourse of lovesickness” (G) by WatanabeMaya

https://archiveofourown.org/works/11489601

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou , mentions of , Iwaizumi Hajime/Oikawa Tooru , Hinata Shouyou/Kageyama Tobio , Haiba Lev/Yaku Morisuke

“Hey,” a voice blurts out, says to him one day. Kenma notes the way the boy stands out of the crowd, with his spiky bedhead hair and the brightest of brown eyes. “Can you read my mind?”

a kuroken telepathic!soulmates au

“four letter word” (T) by shizuoh

https://archiveofourown.org/works/6517462

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou , implied kuroken bc i hate myself

Bokuto pursed his lips. "It's just... ya know, Akaashi... Kuroo's my main!"

Akaashi blinked down at their textbook for a few moments before looking up at Bokuto. "Did you just call me a side hoe?"

“Ignoring the forest” (T) by NeverNothing ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/18382232

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

Where the public collectively agrees to ignore the signs that actor Kuroo Tetsurou is dating his childhood friend.

Kuroo Tetsurou @therealtetsurou

Filming was fun, but I’m glad to be back to my fav pudding head <3 #noplacelikehome #KURASE #filming

[photo: a suitcase was in focus with another bag and a jacket thrown atop standing beside the back of a couch. A head of badly dyed hair can be seen, face turned away and rest of the body hidden by the couch.]

“Japan’s most subscribed” (T) by NeverNothing ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/21662782

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

Kuroo Tetsurou @blacktetsurou changed his bio : volleyball player, co-owner of Bouncing Ball Corp. and so much more ;)

“Run to Me” (M) by shions_heart

https://archiveofourown.org/works/11097696/chapters/24760551

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , Kuroo Tetsurou & Oikawa Tooru , Kozume Kenma & Yamamoto Taketora , Minor or Background Relationship(s)

When a homeless runaway named Kenma literally falls on Kuroo Tetsurou's head, he does the logical thing and offers his place to him. Despite the misgivings of Kuroo's best friends, he and Kenma grow closer as time passes . . .

But Kenma is hiding a painful secret, and one day it's going to come out.

“Cherry Pits and Cat Tattoos” (G) by strawberryriver ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/8759890

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

Kuroo has been in communication with his soulmate ever since they were kids. They've known each other for so long that he never really worried about when or how he would meet them. At least, not until he meets the roommate of Bokuto's soulmate.

Soulmate AU in which things written on your skin show up on your soulmate. Companion piece/same AU as Serendipty

--------------------

Kuroo Tetsurou liked to write on his arms. Despite his mother's half-serious warnings about “ink poisoning” or staining his skin, he insisted on marking his arms and legs wherever he could. Not like his best-friend-since-always Bokuto Koutaro, who had to write on his arms or he’d forget to breathe, but artfully. He’d draw designs, animals, the occasional chemical compound. The whole idea behind soulmates fascinated him: how one person could mark their arm and someone potentially thousands of miles away, would have that same mark appear. The amount of articles, studies, and books he’d read about the topic, even at a young age, could put an undergrad researcher to shame.

“mr. steal yo man” (T) by saintjoy

https://archiveofourown.org/works/4409834

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , One-sided Haiba Lev/Kozume Kenma

Lev's got it bad for Kenma. Unfortunately, he's already got one hell of a boyfriend.

“Step by Step” (M) by dgalerab

https://archiveofourown.org/works/7145255/chapters/16223309

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou , Hinata Shouyou/Kageyama Tobio

Everyone might think that Kenma is the one that is always following Kuroo, but it's Kuroo that's been trying to slip his life into Kenma's since he can remember. He might get a little scared by the idea of going off to college without Kenma. Kenma handles it.

“The Words I Can’t Say” (G) by orphan_account

https://archiveofourown.org/works/2345708

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

Theres a short pause, the the tightness in Kenma’s throat only thickens when he realizes this is usually when he is supposed to answer with his name.

His mouth opens, then closes, then opens again. I’m Kenma, he thinks, trying to get his vocal cords to move, I’m Kenma.

“two cats” (T) by rideahorse

https://archiveofourown.org/works/5843116/chapters/13466860#workskin

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

(12:01) From: Kenma :3

and why won’t you tell me what the secret is?

(12:02) To: Kenma :3

there r some things even i won’t say over txt

“Soggy Toast” (T) by brattybat

https://archiveofourown.org/works/11610213

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou , Akaashi Keiji/Kozume Kenma , Bokuto Koutarou/Kuroo Tetsurou , Bokuto Koutarou/Kozume Kenma , Akaashi Keiji/Kuroo Tetsurou , Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou/Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

Kenma wakes up with the onslaught of a nasty stomach bug and refuses to let his roommates stay home and baby him. But with an empty house filled with a lack of all the warmth he had grown so accustomed to, all pride was thrown out the window.

“beyond castle walls” (E) by kiyala

https://archiveofourown.org/works/11884986

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

Kenma doesn't realise that the guy he's brought home for the night is Kuroo Tetsurou, the crown prince of the kingdom, until there are photos posted online the next morning. The royal family has to save face by announcing a marriage, and Kenma's life is never going to be the same.

“Between the Silence and the Sound” (T) by todxrxki

https://archiveofourown.org/works/20269963

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

Everyone seems to be under the impression that famous actor Kozume Kenma is dating his co-star, Lev Haiba. However, Kenma absolutely cannot stand the idea. In the heat of the moment, Kenma publicly blurts out that he's dating his childhood best friend, Kuroo Tetsurou, and they start a fake relationship for the benefit of the press. Soon, though, Kenma begins to realize that fake-dating his best friend might be more complicated than he'd originally planned. / Fake Dating AU, for Kuroken Week Day 7.

“The One With Dragons And Shit” (T) by helloyesIamtrash

https://archiveofourown.org/works/8737048/chapters/20030515

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

Kenma stopped as he heard a deep rumble from inside the dark depths of the cave. He took a deep breath, mentally prepared for whatever came his way.

“Why would a human venture into the cave of a dragon? Turn back, little one.” A smooth, melodic voice warned, ensnaring Kenma’s attention. As he peered into the darkness, two golden pinpricks could be seen watching him.

The dragon was there.

“and i would have saved juliet” (M) by skittidyne ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/6904423#main

Warnings: Major Character Death

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , Implied/Unrequited Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou/Yaku Morisuke

“Did you know my family is cursed?” Tetsurou asks suddenly, because he does sometimes want Kenma’s attention, in spite of everything else.

He is rewarded by the smaller boy glancing up again and the stilling of his quill.

“My brother’s going to have to get married twice,” Tetsurou tells him, “and no one is sure who it’s gonna be. But he’s definitely getting married soon. I have to get all kinds of new clothes for it and the tailor always sticks me because he doesn’t like me.”

“Maybe that’s just because you squirm…”

“I’m a very well-behaved child. Everyone says so.”

“I don’t say that,” Kenma points out and resumes his writing practice.

(( or: tetsurou is a prince, and with that, comes certain expectations of his station, regardless of curses or who he falls in love with ))

“Red” (NR) by lunaloop

https://archiveofourown.org/works/10786023

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou/Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , Akaashi Keiji/Kuroo Tetsurou , Bokuto Koutarou/Kuroo Tetsurou , Akaashi Keiji/Kozume Kenma , Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou , Bokuto Koutarou/Kozume Kenma

It's a bad day and Bokuto wishes he had a color system like Kenma so he could tell Kuroo what's wrong.

Or,

a Bokuakakuroken-fic inspired by the HQ!! OT3+ week prompt "Red".

“frilly pink apron” (T) by novrik

https://archiveofourown.org/works/21925030

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

kuroo loves to be embarrassing. there's literally no other reason why he'd walk onto stream wearing nothing but a fucking frilly pink apron and sweats where you can see all of his goddamn upper body.

“There’s No Tutorial for This” (T) by sinata (karasinovolleyball)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/4702733

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , Hinata Shouyou & Kozume Kenma , Bokuto Koutarou & Kuroo Tetsurou , implied bokuaka - Relationship , implied yakulev , Hinata Shouyou/Kageyama Tobio

“I think maybe Kuroo-senpai likes him, and that’s why it was hard for him to tell us.”

“On the fucking nose, Lev.”

Kuroo likes Kenma, but he can't figure that out for himself. Kenma likes Kuroo, except he's never had a crush on anyone before and has no idea how to cope. Hopefully they can both figure it out by the time their summer vacation ends.

"...I swear to god I’m going to die Bokuto, he’s so cute and I’m so fucked.”

“national hot dad alliance is now calling…” (T) by dicaeopolis, owlinaminor ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/5663683/chapters/13045579

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Bokuto Koutarou & Kuroo Tetsurou , Bokuto Koutarou & Kuroo Tetsurou & Sawamura Daichi , Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou(queerplatonic) , Sawamura Daichi/Sugawara Koushi , Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , Bokuto Koutarou & Hinata Shouyou , Iwaizumi Hajime/Oikawa Tooru , Bokuto Koutarou & Kuroo Tetsurou & Oikawa Tooru , Tendou Satori/Ushijima Wakatoshi , Bokuto Koutarou & Ushijima Wakatoshi , Oikawa Tooru & Ushijima Wakatoshi , Sawamura Daichi & Ushijima Wakatoshi , Bokuto Koutarou & Sawamura Daichi , Bokuto Koutarou & Oikawa Tooru , Kuroo Tetsurou & Oikawa Tooru , Kuroo Tetsurou & Sawamura Daichi , Kuroo Tetsurou & Ushijima Wakatoshi , Oikawa Tooru & Sawamura Daichi

Sawamura Daichi: What the fuck.

(Or, the captains' squad interactions that definitely happen outside of canon, presented in Skype chat form.)

“quiet company” (G) by doxian

https://archiveofourown.org/works/6434422#main

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , Minor or Background Relationship(s)

Like Kuroo does every morning, he senses Kenma before he sees him. Kenma isn’t awake yet - he’s toying with the idea of total wakefulness, his flickering consciousness brushing against the back of Kuroo’s brain.

Kuroo has started his day like this almost every day for the last 15 years of his life, and he hasn’t tired of it yet. He doubts he ever will.

“as blood returns and returns to the heart” (T) by isaksara ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/23239519

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , Hinata Shouyou & Kozume Kenma , Hinata Shouyou/Kageyama Tobio

“Kuro, you’re in need of medical attention,” Kenma tells him as he approaches. In front of him, Kuroo kneels. Kenma has the completely illogical thought that if he just reached out to touch each of them, he could soothe the wounds and stop the flow of blood. As always, he refrains.

“I know.” Kuroo looks up at him with clear eyes unbothered by blood loss. “But won’t you say the words?”

“Inked Skin” (G) by HoneyWhisky

https://archiveofourown.org/works/22239958/chapters/53103634

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Tagged Ships: Akaashi Keji/Bokuto Koutarou , Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

A haikyuu au where whatever your soulmate writes or draws on their skin, shows up on yours as well. A bokuaka fic with tension, confusion, fluff and more. Kuroken on the side.

“What do I even write though?” Bokuto tapped his chin.

“Tell him you're the best spiker in the prefecture”.

“Think I should!?” Bokutos eyes gleamed with excitement.

“No, I don't think the first thing you should tell your soulmate is a lie” Kuroo snorted.

“Where the Love Light Gleams” (M) by nargles_exist

https://archiveofourown.org/works/21976513

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , Akaashi Keiji/Kozume Kenma , Bokuto Koutarou/Kozume Kenma , Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou/Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , Akaashi Keiji/Kuroo Tetsurou , Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou , Bokuto Koutarou/Kuroo Tetsurou

A peek into Kenma's household, as he and his three boyfriends prepare for the holiday season. Koutarou wants snow and decorations everywhere. Keiji wants to be a good host for their holiday party. Kenma just wants everyone to be happy and enjoy themselves. And Tetsurou… is strangely absent a lot.

“sad walk” (G) by taccoans ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24182098

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

rip kuro he dead

med school sucks kenma!!!! im gonna quit and become ur kept man

who tf is kodzuken

kuro uve said this 3 times this week alone

“Contract Clauses” (T) by setosdarkness ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/6266962

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou , Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou , Iwaizumi Hajime/Oikawa Tooru , Hinata Shouyou/Kageyama Tobio

Kuroshitsuji AU.

The continent is a powerful mass moving along in a waltz towards impending doom, starting when a certain person from the concrete, Hinata Shoyou, sells his soul to a genius-level demon.

(ft. drug lord Kuroo & his kitten-cosplay bodyguard Kenma; genius swordsman Bokuto & his impassive sidekick; Shinigami partners Iwaizumi & Oikawa)

“I think I kind of want you” (T) by gummyconcrete

https://archiveofourown.org/works/22253311

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Kozume Kenma/Kuroo Tetsurou

— ft. gatorade bottles, volleyball and video games.

“You’re so uninterested,” their newest member, Lev comments—it's more of an observation, really—as he picks up one of the Gatorade bottles on the rack.

“Senpai is always like that,” one of the first-years remark.

“Not true,” Kuroo says, and he offers a bottle to Kenma. “You just got to get to know the guy, yeah?”

“You’d fit my lonely arms so perfectly” (G) by boxofwonder ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/2628422/chapters/5864243

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tagged Ships: Sawamura Daichi/Sugawara Koushi

“Oh. You're. Not Asahi.”

Calmed down enough that he can speak again, Daichi takes a deep breath, his smile settling on his face easily and wide.

“Not as far as I know, no.”

Suga accidentally calls a stranger instead of his best friend, tells him all about his burned batch of cookies before realising, and that particular mistake might turn out the best one he ever made.

“The Shallow End” (T) by bluphacelia ✰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/8173219

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Tagged Ships: Iwaizumi Hajime/Oikawa Tooru , Kuroo Tetsurou/Kozume Kenma , Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou

"Welcome to cellblock 1" -- Oikawa is sent to jail for a crime he allegedly didn't commit. The Nekoma-tachi is a well known cat burglar gang. The Fukurodani syndicate is a notorious underground group. And the Academy-trained magic cadets hold order over all.

and thats all for this one folks! Slide into my DMs here or on my twitter if you wanna talk haikyuu, fics, or if you want some help going through this monster of a rec list - I don’t blame you and I’m happy to help you find the perfect fic!!

As well, please check out these authors AMAZING fics and comment, kudos, and tell them on their socials how much you appreciate their works!

Take your meds, drink water, eat some food, get plenty of sleep, and tell your favorite fan artist that you appreciate them!

I love you and you got this!

#haikyuu fic recs #fic recs #fic rec list #haikyuu #fanfiction #writing #reading #archive of our own #ao3

17 notes · View notes

tiny-opal-essence · 5 years ago

Text

Pocket Paladin Chpt 16

Reactions and Revelations

“Kuron means clone.”

“What do you mean Kuron means clone? How would you even know what some Galra word means?” Hunk asked.

“Because it isn’t a Galra word. It’s Japanese.”

His teammates from Earth realized what that meant, but the two Alteans did not.

“Japanese?” Allura wondered out loud.

“It’s another language from Earth,” Lance explained.

“And it just so happens to be Shiro’s native language,” Pidge added on.

“Why would they use a Japanese word instead of a Galra one?” Coran wondered.

“Probably to get to Shiro. I mean, how would you feel if an evil empire used a word in your native language as the name of one of their evil plans?” Lance asked as he climbed back onto his floating tray.

“But in the memory, the guards said they weren’t supposed to say the name in front of him.” Keith pointed out.

“Them. They said they weren’t supposed to say the name in front of them.” Shiro stated.

“Yeah, you and the other prisoners,” Pidge said wondering why Shiro had a faraway look in his eyes.

“What if they’re right?”

“About what?” Allura asked.

“What if I’m not who I think I am? What if I’m…a clone?”

“No,” Keith said decidedly. “You’re Shiro. Not a clone.”

“The guards did say the name was on the nose.” Hunk pointed out.

“No! We would have noticed if you weren’t yourself, Shiro.” Keith continued.

“Your quintessence level is the same as it was before. You are Shiro.” Allura stated.

“Black wouldn’t have let some stranger pilot her,” Coran added.

“But it makes sense. I haven’t felt like myself since I came back to the team. My thoughts have been all kinds of confusing. Like they’re not my own.” Shiro said.

“Well, you were a prisoner for a while.” Lance pointed out. “It takes time to get used to freedom again.”

“I’ve got a way to prove you’re Shiro,” Pidge said. “What is my full name?”

“Your full name is Kathleen, but you go by Katie,” Shiro responded.

“Kathleen? I was so close!” Hunk lamented on not guessing Pidge’s name correctly earlier in the day.

“See? You and Lance were the only ones who knew my full name on the ship. Did Lance ever mention my full name or nickname to you since we rescued you?”

“No.”

“Then it’s settled. You’re Shiro. End of discussion.” Keith stated.

“But what if that’s a fake memory?” Hunk asked.

“You can’t hack a brain, Hunk,” Pidge responded.

“Not usually, but Shiro’s prosthetic has a molecular level storage unit with a direct pathway to his brain. His memories can be hacked and fake ones can be put in.”

“Well, then how do we know the memory of ‘Project Kuron’ isn’t a fake one put there to make Shiro doubt himself?” Keith asked.

“The Galra Empire would be devious enough to do something like that,” Allura commented.

“True. Ok, there has to be a way to prove whether Shiro is Shiro or not without relying on memories.” Pidge started trying to think of possible methods. “Hunk, do you have any ideas?”

“I might, but maybe we should talk about them where Shiro can’t hear us, in case the Galra are listening in through him?”

“You’re just being paranoid, Hunk,” Lance commented.

“He’s right though. If they do have a way of listening through me, we need to make sure they don’t hear how you plan to prove that I’m a clone.”

“You mean to prove you aren’t a clone,” Keith said.

“Perhaps it would be best to conquer and divide? We’ll stay with Shiro while Hunk and Pidge figure out a way to prove that Shiro is himself.”

“An excellent suggestion, Coran.” Allura responded.

“Yeah. Me and Hunk can go brainstorm now.”

“Once we have something, we’ll let you know.”

“We’ll be here.” Lance waved as Hunk and Pidge left the room.

“While they’re doing that, maybe it would be a good idea to put me in a cell. If they could listen through me, they might be able to control me. I don’t want to hurt any of you.”

“You won’t. You’re Shiro. You’re our friend.” Keith stated.

“We don’t want to put you in a cell,” Allura *sighed*, “but if it will make you feel more comfortable, we can do that. But we will all stay with you until the truth comes to light.”

“But-” Keith began but was silenced by Allura.

“It is Shiro’s choice, and we shall respect it. Soon enough, Hunk and Pidge will have a way to prove who he truly is. Until then, we wait.”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Sorry to keep you guys waiting for so long.” Hunk said as he and Pidge rolled in an object covered in a sheet.

“No worries, Hunk,” Lance responded from his floating tray next to Keith.

“So you found a way to prove if I am a clone?” Shiro asked from behind the force field of the cell.

“Yes,” Pidge replied.

“Why is it covered in a sheet?” Keith wondered out loud.

“For dramatic effect, duh!” Lance exclaimed.

“How effective is the test?” Allura asked.

“The test should be over 99.99% accurate. There is very little room for error.” Hunk explained.

“What is this test?” Coran asked.

Pidge pulled off the sheet to reveal

“A bike?”

“Yes, Lance. A bike.”

“I don’t get it. How is a bike supposed to prove whether or not Shiro’s a clone?”

“Shiro told us that he remembers learning to ride a bike. That’s something you never forget.” Hunk began. “And he doesn’t remember riding any bike like things either of the times he was a prisoner, so, if he can ride the bike, he’s Shiro. If not, he’s a clone.”

“This seems like an oddly simple way to prove that Shiro is Shiro,” Keith stated.

“Riding a bike relies on muscle memory, which is different than mental memory,” Pidge explained. “Seeing as we can’t rely on mental memories alone, this is our only way to prove who he is.”

“Are you ready to try it, Shiro?” Hunk asked.

“Ready as I’ll ever be. I just need Pidge to reactivate my arm.”

Coran punched in the code for the cell and Shiro stepped out. Pidge came over and booted up Shiro’s arm. He flexed his fingers as the feeling came back into them.

“Now the bike just has to scan you so it can adjust to the correct height.”

“I knew there was something more to the bike!” Lance shouted as the bike scanned Shiro. “Wait, does that mean I can ride it too?”

“Sorry, Lance, but there’s only so small the bike can shift,” Pidge said apologetically.

“We can build one for you if you want.” Hunk offered.

“Nah. It’s not that big a deal.”

Shiro climbed onto the bike after it finished shifting.

“Moment of truth, right?” He said with a nervous laugh.

He put his feet on the pedals and started to ride. Almost instantly the bike fell on its side.

“Try again. Maybe your arm didn’t have all of its feeling back.” Allura said.

“Yeah…maybe.”

Shiro wasn’t so sure. He got back on the bike and started to go forward. He lasted maybe a second before he fell on the other side.

Everyone was in shock.

“Well, I guess I’m no longer the youngest on the team,” Pidge said softly as the clone of Shiro stood up again.

“What the heck, Pidge?” Hunk asked incredulously. “Shiro’s not Shiro, and you’re talking about who’s the youngest on the team?!”

“Don’t you think I realize that?!” she responded.

“Now now, paladins. None of us wanted this to be true, but we must acknowledge that the Shiro we saved was a clone of him with all of his memories stuffed into his head hole.” Coran calmed everyone down before Keith interrupted.

“No! Try again.” Keith said. “Maybe your arm is throwing off your balance.”

“It’s not. They made sure that their ‘Champion’ would be balanced in a fight.”

“Well then maybe the bike isn’t a good test. Maybe you two built it wrong.” Keith looked over at Pidge and Hunk.

They shook their heads.

“Me and Hunk both tried it. The bike works.”

“No, no, no!” Keith exclaimed. “You are Shiro. You have to be Shiro. Cause if you’re not, then that means…”

“It means that you have to start your search for the real Shiro again.” Clone Shiro stated. “I’m sorry, Kei-” he put his hand on Keith’s shoulder in a comforting manner, but Keith shoved it away.

“Stop it! You’re not Shiro! You’re not him, so stop acting like you know me!” Keith ran out of the room, but not before everyone saw the flash of yellow and tears in his eyes.

“I can go talk to him.” Lance offered.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Pidge asked. “He seems pretty upset.”

“I can calm him down. He just needs to let off some steam in the training deck.”

“Keith does raise a good point,” Allura said. “Seeing as you aren’t Shiro, we should call you something else. Is there something you would like us to call you?”

“I…I don’t know.” It was obvious that clone Shiro was getting overwhelmed.

“Hey, dude, stay with us.” Lance flew his tray closer to clone Shiro to try to calm him down.

“You’re ok.” Hunk said as he hugged clone Shiro.

“Am I?” clone Shiro whispered to himself barely loud enough to be heard.

The others looked at each other worriedly. Sure, this clone had somehow tricked them all, but they knew that he had also been tricked into thinking he was Shiro. They had gone through the mind meld together more than a few times since he had joined the team. They knew he was a good person. Seeing him so upset was heartbreaking.

“Would you be open to suggestions for a name?” Coran asked after a moment.

“…Yeah.” Clone Shiro said as he untangled himself from Hunk.

“We could call you Kuron since that’s the name of the project.”

“Wouldn’t that basically be just calling him Clone?” Lance pointed out.

“Yeah, I’m with Lance on this.” Hunk said.

“It would be more than a bit rude.” Allura agreed.

“What about Bob?” Pidge suggested causing everyone to give her a ‘really, Pidge?’ kind of look.

“No. I can’t think of anyone I, er, that Shiro knows that would ever go by Bob.”

“Hmm. We can’t call you Space Dad. A clone is like an identical twin, so we could call you Space Uncle, but Coran already has that title.” Lance thought out loud.

“A title I wear with pride!” Coran interjected.

“What about Dude, or Bro? Oooh! Broseph. That’s a great name.”

“Please take this seriously, Lance,” Allura said.

“Fine, fine. Just trying to lighten the mood.”

Why didn’t she tell Pidge that? She suggested a joke name too.

“What about Kuro? It’s short for Kuron, but stands on its own as a name. Or does that mean something bad in Japanese?” Hunk asked.

“It does mean something, but not anything bad. It means black.”

“That is fitting, given that you are our black paladin,” Allura commented.

“If anything, it’s a good placeholder until you think of what you’d like to be called.” Lance looked over to clone Shiro to see if he liked the idea.

“That works for now.” The newly named Kuro said. “I’m sorry that you have to start looking for the real Shiro again.”

“We don’t have to start all over. I saved the data from my first search for Shiro.” Pidge pointed out. “I can get the search program up and running again in no time.”

“In the meantime, I should probably get back in the cell,” Kuro said.

“What? Why?” Lance asked.

“The Galra messed with my head. What if they have some way of making me hurt you guys? Especially you, Lance. You’re vulnerable now, no offense. They could take advantage of that.”

“None taken,” Lance responded.

Hey, just because I got shrunk doesn’t mean I’m helpless!

‘Isn’t that exactly what it means?’

“Shir- Kuro, we know you would not hurt us, but if being locked up makes you feel safer, then we can do that,” Allura stated.

“It does make me feel better.”

“Would you like me to deactivate your arm as well?” Pidge asked.

“Yes.”

A few seconds later and Kuro’s right arm was hanging limply at his side. Kuro stepped back into the cell and Hunk entered the code to lock it before turning to Pidge.

“Pidge, you and I should look over Kuro’s DNA sequences again. Maybe there’s some clue to how the Galra aged him so quickly.”

“True, there might be something left behind. It would have to be naturally occurring though since nothing was raising any red flags.”

“What do you mean aged him so quickly?” Lance asked.

“Well, since he’s a clone, he would have started out as a baby like any other person. He would age at a normal rate unless something was tampered with.” Hunk explained.

“So they sped up the process to get me to the right age?” Kuro responded.

“Yes. Most likely, you’re only a few months old.” Pidge answered.

“Would that affect how I’ll continue to age?”

“Hopefully we’ll have an answer to that later today.” Hunk said. “We’re going to go work on it right now.”

“We’ll stay here with Kuro,” Allura said referring to her and Coran.

“You don’t have to do that, Princess,” Kuro responded.

“Nonsense. You’re a part of this team. We aren’t about to leave you alone after the shock we’ve all just had.”

“Thank you.” Kuro didn’t know what else to say.

“I’m going to go talk to Keith. He’s probably calmed down a bit by now.” Lance stated.

Chulatt volunteered to go with him.

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Lance and Chulatt flew on to the training deck and saw that Keith was on one side of the room using a punching bag. Lance flew the tray closer to where Keith would see him and Chulatt.

“I didn’t know we had punching bags,” Lance commented.

Keith paused for a moment and looked over.

“You don’t really do a lot of punching.”

“True.” Lance shrugged. “I’m not as much of an up-close and personal fighter like you.”

Keith went back to hitting the bag.

“Is this what you do when you get angry?” Lance asked.

“What makes you think that I’m angry?”

“Well, your tone right there for one thing and your eyes have a bit of a yellow tint to them too.” Lance decided not to mention the tear streaks he saw on Keith’s face.

“Yeah? Well, I am pretty pissed off.” Keith punched the bag with emphasis as he spoke. “We’ve had a liar pretending to be Shiro all this time. And none of us realized he was an imposter, not even me.”

“He didn’t know he was an imposter either.” Lance gently reminded Keith.

“I know that, but…*uggh*” Keith groaned as he stopped punching the bag, closed his eyes and pressed his forehead against it. He hit the bag on the side once more. “I don’t know what to feel. This is just…*uggh*.”

“You’re not the only one,” Lance said.

Chulatt *squeaked* and nodded in agreement.

“We’re all still a bit in shock. It might help both you and Kuro to talk about what you’re feeling.”

“Kuro?”

“Oh yeah, you ran out before that. Kuro is what we’re calling clone Shiro until he comes up with a name he prefers.”

“Oh.”

“Look, Keith. No one is expecting you to drop everything and talk things out right now. We know that you’ve known Shiro the longest out of any of us, so you can take all the time you need to come to terms with things. If you want to talk to any of us, we’re here for you.”

“Is it ok if I want to be left alone for a while?” Keith hesitantly asked, hoping he didn’t offend Lance. He appreciated Lance coming to talk, but still needed some space to think about things.

“Sure. I’ll go tell the others. Just know that if you’re not out of here by dinner time, Hunk’s going to drag you to the kitchen. See ya.”

“Yeah.”

Lance heard Keith go back to the punching bag as he left the room.

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“Well, I can’t say I’m entirely surprised that my mother’s plan didn’t work. Shame.” Lotor lamented.

“Does this affect our plan at all?” Zethrid asked.

“Yeah, now they’re going to start looking for their original black paladin. What if they don’t take the bait?” Ezor asked.

“Oh, they’ll take the bait. Narti here has done an excellent job in hiding any trace of their teammate in the system.”

Narti nodded her head in thanks at Lotor’s praise.

“They won’t find anything until we allow them to. And now they’ll be worried about two teammates, splitting their attention.”

“Meaning that there’s less attention on our target.” Axha completed Lotor’s train of thought.

“Precisely. We are turning this setback into an advantage. With their attention divided, it will be that much easier to get what we’re after. Everything is ready for the next step of the plan. We’ll send the message tomorrow. For now, rest. We have a battle to prepare for in the morning.”

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Kuro opened his eyes and found himself in an unfamiliar place. He was laying on his back looking up at the night sky.

Where am I?

He stood up and looked around, but only saw more of the same. The sky was streaked with purple and filled with more stars than he could count.

Wait, this is the astral plane, where I-no, Shiro, fought Zarkon to be the true Black Paladin. But why am I here?

[This is a place we can talk alone while you stay in the cell.]

Kuro turned around and saw Black standing behind him.

“I guess you’ve heard what I am.” Kuro looked over to the side, ashamed at his origin.

[I’ve known since we first rescued you.]

Kuro looked up at her in shock and disbelief.

“You knew?” he softly asked. “You knew I was an imposter? How did- why didn’t you say anything?”

[Because you were not ready to hear it.]

“I don’t think it’s possible to be ready to hear that you aren’t who you think you are.”

[True, but now the rest of your team has gotten the chance to know you.]

“But I don’t know myself. Everything’s blurring together in my head and I don’t know what I’m thinking.”

[Your team will help you get through this.]

“They’re not my team, they’re Shiro’s team.”

[My paladin-]

“I’m not your paladin! I’m a clone, a copy.”

Black stomped one of her paws on the ground.

[You are every bit as much my paladin as Shiro is. If you were not, you wouldn’t be able to be here in the astral plane.]

“But-“

[Do not doubt yourself. You are courageous, kind, loyal, and a great leader. It does not matter how you were brought into this world. You must decide what to do with the life you have been given.]

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“Hey, Hunk!” Lance called out as he and Chulatt flew the tray into the room.

“Shh! Kuro’s sleeping.” Hunk whispered from in front of the cell Kuro was in.

“Oh, sorry,” Lance whispered as he came closer.

“It’s ok, you didn’t know.” Hunk whispered back.

They kept their voices at that level as they talked.

“It’s good to see him getting some rest. He’s had a rough day.”

“Yeah, I think we all have. How did talking with Keith go?”

“It went good. I think he’s more willing to talk with Kuro about the situation.”

“That’s good.”

“Where did Allura and Coran go? I thought they were sitting with Kuro?”

“Allura went to fly the ship and Coran had to go do some maintenance work. They’re also working out how to explain to our allies what’s going on in regards to Kuro. I volunteered to sit with him while they do all that.”

“What about the whole find out how he got aged so quickly?”

“Pidge and I worked on some things in the lab, but now we’re just waiting for the results. Not much else to do.”

“How long until you get the results?”

“It shouldn’t be too long. Pidge is keeping an eye on everything in the lab. She’ll let me know when the results are in.” Hunk suddenly got a worried look on his face. “Oh, would you mind sticking around for a few minutes? I’ve got to go to the bathroom and I don’t want Kuro to wake up alone. Well, alone except the space mice.”

“No worries, Hunk. Me and the space mice can keep Kuro company.”

The space mice all nodded in agreement.

“Thank you. I’ll be back in a few.” Hunk dashed out the door.

Lance heard a soft *groan* behind him after the door shut. He looked over and saw that Kuro was starting to stir.

Oops. Guess the door was a bit loud.

Kuro sat up on the bed and blinked the sleep from his eyes.

“Did you have a good siesta?” Lance flew closer to the cell.

“Uh, yeah. What time is it?”

“We’ve still got about half a varga till dinner.”

“Glad I didn’t sleep through that. Wait, where did Hunk go? He was here when I fell asleep.”

“He had to go use the little paladin’s room. How are you doing?”

“Besides finding out that I’m not who I thought I was? I’m doing pretty great.”

“Kuro.”

“Ok, maybe not great. Everything’s just so mixed up in my head. I don’t know what thoughts are my own and which ones are Shiro’s. Is anything I think actually my own original thought? Or are they all Shiro’s thoughts cause they have some tie in with his memories?”

Yeah, I’m not really good at philosophical things like that.

“You’ll figure it out.”

“How can I figure it out when I don’t even know who I am?”

“You are who you choose to be.”

Kuro looked over at Lance. “Are you really quoting Iron Giant at me?”

“That depends, is it helping?”

“It might be.” Kuro had a small smile on his face. “Black told me something similar.”

“See? Great minds think alike!” Lance stated.

The three space mice on the floor *squeaked* their annoyance at being left out of the conversation.

“You guys want a lift? Hop on.” Lance said as he flew the floating tray down to the ground so the rest of the space mice could join him and Chulatt on it. He then flew it back up to its normal floating height. “Now we’re all seeing eye to eye!” Lance exclaimed.

“Lance.” Kuro put his head down in his hand and tried to keep a straight face, but couldn’t stop himself from letting out a small laugh. “Ok, I’ll admit, that’s funny.” It was the first time that he had laughed since finding out the truth.

See? He thinks I’m funny.

‘Statistically, I suppose someone has to.’

Lance looked around in Kuro’s cell. He saw a small pile of books in Altean. There was also a translator.

“Are any of those stories any good?” Lance asked.

“They’re not stories. They’re baby name books. Coran thought they would help me come up with a name for myself.”

“Any luck?”

“I fell asleep between the c’s and d’s, so not yet. Also, it’s a bit hard to read books with only one hand.” Kuro reminded Lance that his prosthetic wasn’t activated.

“Oh yeah.”

“It’s still nice to look through them, though. Keeps my mind occupied.”

Lance could tell that Kuro was actively trying not to think about his current situation. He could relate to that. He also knew that when he himself was feeling like that, he really wanted a hug. But neither he nor the space mice knew the code to open the cell door to go in and hug Kuro.

As Kuro went back to reading the books, Lance and the space mice started whispering to each other a plan.

“I’m not the only one that thinks Kuro could use a hug, right?”

The four space mice nodded in agreement.

“Good. Is there any way to get in the cell through your secret tunnels?”

Plachule did some charades to show that there was a way, but only Chulatt was small enough to fit. Even Lance would be too big.

“Well, it’s better than no hug.”

Chuchule interrupted with an idea. She pointed to the food slot at the bottom of the cell door and the button on the panel that operated it.

“*gasp* You’re a genius!”

Chuchule beamed at the praise.

“We can have Chulatt push the button and meet us in there while the rest of us go through the food slot!”

Platt had a worried look on his face as he mimed the force field around the floating tray being too large to fit through the slot.

“Well, I guess we just have to land this on the ground to turn off the force field.”

Chulatt gave a comforting hug to Platt to help put his mind at ease.

“What are you guys whispering about?” Kuro asked.

“You’ll see,” Lance responded. He flew the tray over to the panel and landed it so Chulatt could get off.

Kuro seemed to figure out what Lance and the space mice were planning.

“Lance, no.”

“Lance, yes!” He exclaimed while landing the tray on the ground.

Chulatt pushed the button and soon a visible bubble formed around the tray and started drawing it towards the cell.

“Lance, stop this now.”

“No can do. It won’t stop until the tray’s in the cell.”

“Lance, I’m serious.”

“So am I.”

The bubble around the tray was now pressing against the force field of Kuro’s cell. Lance thought it looked like when you tried to push two bubbles together. There’s a wall and a bit of resistance, then suddenly you have a bigger bubble held between your hands. And just like that, they were inside the cell.

“Chulatt, push the button again to get them out of here.”

But it was too late for that as the space mouse in question had already climbed into the tunnel system. A few moments later, Chulatt squeezed their way out of a small tunnel and ran over to join the others on the tray once more. Once they were all situated, Lance pushed the button on the tray’s console to have it float again.

Kuro had a worried look on his face and moved backward slightly on the bed.

“You guys have to get out of here before you get hurt.”

“We won’t get hurt. The tray has a force field when it’s floating, remember? Though I guess you could still hit it really hard and knock us into the force field.” Lance thought out loud.

“I would never do that.”

“Exactly. We trust you.”

“You shouldn’t. If the Galra have a way to control me, they might make me hurt you. And you 5 are the most vulnerable right now.”

“Yeah, and we still trust you.”

The space mice nodded in agreement.

“We know you’re a good person. Heck, we did those mind-meld thingies together.”

“You only did the mind meld one day with me. That isn’t enough for you to put so much trust in me.”

“You don’t get to decide if I trust you or not.”

“Yes, but I get to decide whether I trust myself around you or not.”

“You said Black was talking with you?”

“Yeah…” Kuro wasn’t sure where Lance was going with this.

“That means she still trusts you as her paladin.” Lance noticed the doubt on Kuro’s face. “Trust me, when I became the Red Paladin, Blue cut me off completely. Black talking to you means you are still the Black Paladin. I trust you, Black trusts you, and the rest of the team trusts you. You just have to trust yourself.”

“That’s easier said than done when I don’t know my own mind.”

“Hmm. We just have to find something that Shiro’s never done. Then you’ll know your thoughts about it are your own. Maybe Pidge has some movies Shiro hasn’t seen?” Lance was slowly flying the tray closer to Kuro, who was starting to be more relaxed.

“That might be a start.”

“Or…” Lance landed the tray on the bed on Kuro’s right side, allowing the force field to turn off. “You could see what holding ‘Tiny Lance’ is all about. That’s something Shiro’s never done or even thought of. Any thoughts on that would be purely your own.”

Kuro looked down as he contemplated this.

Lance stepped off the tray and started walking towards Kuro. He saw that there was still a hint of hesitation on his face.

“Look, Kuro. We know you’re not about to go all ‘Winter Solider’ on us. Just like Bucky, you’re a victim, not a villain.”

Lance had reached Kuro’s right hand, which was resting palm up on the bed. He climbed up onto it without Kuro noticing.

“I trust you with my life in your hands. Literally!”

Kuro looked over and saw where Lance was.

Lance felt the hand he was in shake slightly as Kuro tensed up.

Kuro wanted to get away from Lance for fear of hurting him, but couldn’t because Lance was sitting in the palm of his hand. He was afraid to hurt him if he tried to nudge him off.

“Lance, what are you doing?”

“Proving a point.”

“What if Haggar activates my hand? If it turns on, it would fry you.”

“She can’t activate it while you’re in here. The force field blocks quintessence. And even if your hand was activated, I would still trust you. Now come on, tell me what it feels like to hold ‘Tiny Lance’!”

“Much as I want to, I can’t feel anything with that arm while it’s deactivated.”

“Oh, right.” Lance’s shoulder slumped slightly before he realized something. “I can activate your arm if you want!”

Kuro looked down at Lance in disbelief.

“Hey, I’ve been helping Hunk and Pidge out a lot in the workshop. You pick up a few things.”

“I don’t know…”

“If something goes wrong, which I doubt it will, the space mice can get a message to Allura and we can get back on the tray and get the force field up until someone comes. It’s going to be fine.”

Kuro let out a breath.

“Ok.”

“Woohoo! Platt, think you could give me a boost over here?”

Platt *Squeaked* in response and ran over to assist, the other space mice following in suit. Kuro looked down at the 5 of them as they worked.

A few minutes later, his arm started *whirring*. The feeling in his arm came back slowly while Lance and the space mice took a few steps back. He twitched his fingers. It felt good to have the use of his right arm again.

“Ready?” Lance asked as he once again approached Kuro’s hand.

“Ready as I’ll ever be.” Kuro tried to keep his hand as still as possible as Lance climbed on.

Lance felt a difference in the hand from when he had first sat in it. Before, it had felt no different from sitting on the metal counter in the workshop. Now, he could feel the energy pulsing through it.

There must be some sort of temperature-regulating thing in this. Before it was cold, now it’s warmish.

It felt different compared to everyone else’s hands. The others’ had a slight give to them when he moved, Kuro’s did not. Lance looked closer at the hand he was currently sitting in and could see his reflection staring back at him.

Lookin’ good. Glad to know that even at this height some things haven’t changed.

He also noticed there were scratches and scuff marks on the metal.

“You should see if Pidge or Hunk have some sort of polish for your hand. There’s a lot of marks on it.” Lance said up to Kuro.

“Really? I don’t see anything.”

“I can see more details from this height.” He shrugged. “Besides, you, and everyone else on the team for that matter, need to start taking better care of your skin, even the skin that’s metal.” He gestured to Kuro’s arm.

“You are the expert on skincare.”

“You know it!” Lance felt the hand shake slightly as Kuro chuckled. “So, what’s it feel like from your end?”

“It feels kind of weird. I don’t really know how to describe it.”

“Try.”

“I’m still afraid that something’s going to go wrong and you’ll get hurt.”

“That’s fair. It’s a valid fear.”

“But it’s also kind of amazing. I mean, this shouldn’t even be possible, yet here you are. Is it ok if I lift you up?”

“Yeah, just go slow.” Lance grabbed on to Kuro’s thumb as he lifted his hand up in front of his face. When the hand came to a stop, Lance could see the wonder in Kuro’s eyes.

“I just can’t believe how small you are.” Kuro brought his other hand closer to Lance and softly poked him, making sure not to push him backward.

“No duh,” Lance responded with a smile and a roll of his eyes as he gently pushed Kuro’s finger away.

Yeah, still not a fan of being poked, but hey, at least he was gentle about it.

“Sorry. That’s a pretty obvious statement.”

“Hey, you’re allowed to bask in the wonder that is me.” That got another laugh out of Kuro. Lance had to grab on to his thumb again to keep his balance. He looked down and saw that the space mice had climbed into Kuro’s lap.

“I’m glad that with all that’s happened to you, you still have your sense of humor. Shiro always appreciated it.”

“He did?”

He never said anything.

‘Kuro’s probably just lying to make you feel better.’

“*Mhmm*” Kuro hummed in agreement with what he said.

Before they could continue the conversation, they heard the door to the cell room open.

“Hey, Hunk. Would it be ok if I talk with Kuro alone? Wait, where’s Hunk?” Keith said as he walked into view and saw the empty chair in front of Kuro’s cell.

“He had to take a bathroom break,” Kuro answered as he put the hand holding Lance down on his lap.

“But he wasn’t supposed to leave you alone.”

“He’s not alone. Me and the space mice are here.” Lance waved at Keith who had a surprised look on his face.

“How did you get it the cell?”

“Easy. Food tray slot. Kuro needed some comfort, so we comforted him.”

“Huh.”

“Yeah, but if you want to talk with Kuro alone, we can leave.” Lance gestured to himself and the space mice.

“You can stay, if you want,” Keith responded quickly before pausing a moment. “Can the space mice keep a secret?”

“For the right price. I’ll give each of you a treat if you keep whatever Keith and Kuro say to yourselves.”

The space mice nodded and *Squeaked* in agreement to the deal.

“I’ll need your help getting the treats after this, Keith. I don’t think I can open my dresser drawer on my own.”

“You have mouse treats in your dresser drawer?” Kuro asked.

“Well I can’t exactly leave them out on the dresser, can I? Then the mice would just take them whenever they wanted.”

“Makes sense,” Keith responded.

Lance felt the hand under him shake as Kuro snickered a bit at the space mice’s looks of mock offense. He tried and failed to disguise it as a cough.

“Sorry. So, you wanted to talk to me, Keith?”

“Yeah. I wanted to apologize for my reaction to you being you, no, um, to you not being Shiro, uh…” Keith struggled to find the right way to say what he meant.

“You don’t have to apologize. This wasn’t your fault.” Kuro said before being interrupted by Keith.

“I know, but I still feel guilty. Shiro’s always been there for me, rescuing him, er, you, felt like I was finally able to be there for him. I know you didn’t mean to trick any of us. I know you were tricked too. I still feel like I should have realized you weren’t him. It makes me feel guilty for what he’s going through with the Galra. I know it’s not your fault and I know it’s not my fault, but it doesn’t stop the guilt. He’s like the brother I never had. I can’t help but feel like I’ve let him down.”

“You could never let him down. You’re like a brother to him, too.”

“How do you know that?” Keith asked Kuro.

“I have all of his memories in my brain. I know a lot about him, whether I want to or not.”

“Right. Sorry.”

“Don’t be. He’s a great guy. I can see why he makes a good leader. You deserve to have the real Shiro here. If I could swap places with him, I would.”

“Don’t say that. You’re innocent in all this. You don’t deserve to be a Galra prisoner either.”

“Thanks, Keith.”

“Wait, if you have all of Shiro’s memories, does that mean you know all of his embarrassing stories?” Lance asked.

“Yes, none of which are your business.”

“Come on! This is the only chance any of us have of learning embarrassing stories about Shiro. We’re all sworn to secrecy in here.”

“I’m not telling. They’re not my stories.”

“Back me up here, Keith.”

“Nope. Kuro’s right. They’re not his stories to tell. Shiro already swore me to secrecy about the one I know.”

“You actually know one?”

“I was there when it happened.”

“Seriously? And you won’t even tell your best friend?”

“You’re not my best friend.”

‘Hear that? You’re not his friend.’

No, he just said he’s not my best friend. And that’s true. Hunk’s my best friend.

“Fine, you won’t even tell your roommate?”

“No.”

“But I want to know.”

“Get used to disappointment,” Kuro said with a smile.

“Ok, that’s not even fair. I can’t be mad at you when you use Princess Bride quotes. That movie’s a classic.”

“You’re right about that.” Keith agreed.

Suddenly the door opened and Hunk came running in.

“Sorry it took so long. I ran into Pidge on the way back. Oh, hi Keith. When did you get here?”

“Not too long ago.”

“Where's Lance and the space mice?”

“In here.”

“How did-“

“Food tray slot.”

“Huh. Smart. Good to see you’re awake, Kuro. Are you feeling better?”

“Yeah, these guys have been a big help.” Lance and the space mice beamed at the praise.

“I don’t doubt that.” Hunk commented.

“Wait, did Pidge say anything about the test results?” Lance asked.

“Yes. There’s nothing that would give Haggar or anyone else control over you, Kuro. At least nothing physically speaking. We also think we figured out how they were able to age you so quickly: quintessence. Lots of it. Pidge is working on an upgrade for your arm that will stop it from being affected by surges of quintessence, so even if someone gets control of your mind, they won’t get control of your hand.”

“Smart thinking,” Keith commented.

“But there’s still a way that Haggar could try to control me?”

“Yes, but we talked with Allura and she thinks she might be able to help train your mind to resist any attempts at control.”

“How long is that going to take?”

“Maybe a week or two? This means she’s not going to be able to focus solely on researching a cure for you, Lance. I’m sorry.”

‘See? Allura’s finally working on something worthwhile. Someone worthwhile.’

Hey, I’m worth it!

‘Allura’s given up on your hopeless case, though you were hopeless even before you were shrunk.’

“No worries, I get it, Hunk.”

‘They need to focus on the people who actually contribute to the team.’

Yeah. Kuro’s more important than me right now.

‘Kuro’s more important than you’ll ever be.’

“We got to make sure Kuro’s doing good.”

“About that-“ Kuro began before being interrupted by Hunk.

“What about that? Are you hurt?”

“No, I’m not hurt. I was going to say ‘about that name.’ I think I’ve figured out what I’d like to be called. Ryo.”

“Ryo. I like it.” Keith commented.

“Rio? Rio like Rio de Janeiro?” Lance questioned.

“No, they’re pronounced the same, but the name is spelled with a y instead of an i.”

“Oh, ok.”

“Does it mean something?” Hunk asked.

“Yes, it means goodness. And I want to be good.”

“That’s good. Pidge should have that upgrade done in the next few minutes. Once she gets that downloaded into your arm, we can all go get some dinner.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“And then everyone else can learn your name, Ryo.”

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Realities without Lance: 126 (+4)

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#pocket paladin #VLD #voltron #klance #g/t #g/t klance #Giant/tiny #g/t writing #keith #Lance #Shrinking #shrunk #clone shiro #voltron kuron #stories #writing

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makeste · 6 years ago

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BnHA Chapter 200: Mushroom Mushroom

Previously on BnHA: We flashed back to Tokoyami’s workplace experience and later internship with Hawks. During the former, Hawks was pretty much one step ahead of his sidekicks and poor Toko the entire time, and they were reduced to running around after him as his cleanup crew. A frustrated Tokoyami asked why he’d drafted him and Hawks said it was mostly because he wanted to talk to one of the 1-A kids about the USJ attack. This frustrated Toko, but he still chose to go back to Hawks’s agency during his For Reals Internship, and this time he showed off some new skills he had learned and Hawks was actually impressed. He revealed to Tokoyami that the other reason he’d initially drafted him was because he thought Toko was wasting his potential: “if you’ve got wings, you should stretch them out and fly.” Back in the present, Tokoyami revealed his new Black Fallen Angel technique, in which Dark Shadow basically carries him around in his arms while they fly around. He busted this move out to rescue Aoyama from Kuroiro’s clutches, but before they could capture Kuro, Kendou’s team switched to their plan B, and Toadette suddenly made a mushroom sprout from the tip of Momo’s nose. Okay.

Today on BnHA: Toadette sprouts a bunch of mushrooms everywhere and it’s deeply and profoundly unsettling and no one likes it and what the fuck is wrong with Horikoshi honestly. Anyway, apparently Kendou planned it so that even if Team A was able to counter Kuroiro with a “light” technique, they’d still end up revealing their location, and on top of that they’d weaken Dark Shadow too. Momo tried to gather her team to regroup, but before they could, Team B’s Manga struck with his incredibly badass quirk which allows him to create physical onomatopoeia. Like, this dude creates a wall of giant letters by shouting something to the effect of “BAM KERSLAM” and it’s the greatest thing I’ve ever seen. Then he makes the air all humid by whispering the onomato for “muggy.” This causes Toadette’s mushrooms to grow even faster, which I hate so much. Anyway, so Momo is cut off from the rest of her team by the giant letters, and Kendou proceeds to attack, knowing she has the advantage in a physical one-on-one match. The rest of the chapter is just Shouto quietly hyping up Momo from the sidelines, which I think we can all appreciate. Go Momo.

(As always, all comments not marked with an ETA are my mostly-unspoiled reactions from my first readthrough of this chapter. I’m caught up with the manga now at chapter 223, so any ETAs will reflect that.)

LOOK AT THIS ADORABLE COVER CELEBRATING 200 CHAPTERS OF THIS RUCKUS

though it’s interesting that they didn’t get a color page! but this seriously is adorable so it’s fine

(ETA: and they probably didn’t get a color page because this chapter is the shortest chapter in history lol. we’re lucky we got what we did.)

I’m trying to figure out if Katsuki is actually trying to smile but just doesn’t know how to do so on command. like, he’s baring his teeth, but it’s not quite as ferocious as usual, ya feel? I feel like he knows the mechanics of smiling on a theoretical level but has no idea which muscles to use, and so he just ended up like that and was all “fuck it that’s close enough.” if you really want him to smile you gotta earn it

meanwhile Shouto is just not making any kind of effort at all. I don’t think he was ready yet

and Iida is clearly the one taking the selfie so let’s take a moment and give him some props for getting as good of a shot as he did considering what he’s working with

this also feels like as good a place as any to stop for a sec and analyze the changes in Horikoshi’s art style over the past 200 chapters. overall it hasn’t changed all that much, but one thing I’ve noticed is that the characters’ faces used to be longer and more angular, particularly the chin area (especially the male characters), and nowadays they’re all a bit more rounded out. also their necks used to be longer. the overall effect is that they all look a bit younger and more adorable. characters like Ochako have barely changed at all, but the difference is much more apparent in characters like Todoroki and Shinsou and even Deku himself

anyways, just wanted to make a note of that, since it’s something that’s been in the back of my mind since Shinsou’s reappearance. now back to our regularly scheduled chapter!

so yeah, mushrooms

something about this is so powerfully and viscerally unsettling. do I have mycophobia??

ffffffff oh my godddddd

or maybe it’s just the ol’ trypophobia acting up. ffffff I feel nauseous in a way I haven’t since fucking Moonfish’s teeth attacks. please don’t tell me the whole chapter is going to be like this, because I’m not kidding when I say that my stomach is doing flips in the bad kind of way

(ETA: yeah it’s definitely mycophobia. fungus creeps me out. this chapter is a fucking nightmare for me honestly. the weird thing is mushrooms are actually delicious. I don’t mind eating them, I just don’t want to look at them or acknowledge them ever basically I guess. anyway. back to this ordeal.)

this is a fucking nightmare quirk. this is up there with Centipeder. if I had this quirk I’d be knocking on AFO’s door all “take it, buddy. go ahead and sign me up for your evil army, whatever. just fucking take it dude”

also just a reminder that her name is actually Toadette. it just is

you know it’s bad when I agree with every word that Mineta is saying

RIGHT?!

fucking Awase trying to play it off like it’s not so bad. even though she has a bad habit of “spamming” them “everywhere.” holy shit. at this rate I’m going to have to cancel the entire class B. you’re all fucking contaminated jesus christ

(ETA: and looking more closely at Awase’s face, you can tell that he’s secretly traumatized and has Seen Some Shit and he’s trying to play it cool here but buddy we know. it’s okay. you’re among friends here.)

so now Kuro is hiding inside one of the mushrooms

didn’t you already try this plan. didn’t you literally just try this and it failed

also wouldn’t Dark Shadow notice that some guy was hiding inside of him? I feel like he’d notice that. no?

so apparently this was Kendou’s plan. she’s counting on A Team not realizing that B Team can take control of Dark Shadow

so they can do that then? then why didn’t they do that earlier when Kuro hitched a ride on Dark Shadow back to their group??

(ETA: lol exactly how long did it take me to realize this was a flashback)

ah, okay, so that was part of the plan. hold up, let me just shut up and read this whole thing before I cast any further judgement

...well that tells me absolutely nothing. okay so they thought that would work, but just in case it didn’t, they had a plan B also which we’re about to see take effect now. okay then so let’s see it!

so meanwhile Momo is telling her team to stay calm and that they need to regroup

and now there’s a lot of noise coming from deeper within the training ground

what the hell is happening here. this almost sounds like it’s purposely meant to be a distraction

now something is zooming down the corridor too fast to be seen

(ETA: lol those were the letters)

OH SHIT!!

IS THIS MANGA’S POWER?? HOLY SHIT!?

and if it is, then why are they surprised? surely the first fucking thing they would have done upon seeing Manga would be to ask what the hell their quirk is. like, if I personally saw someone walking around with a speech bubble in place of a head, I wouldn’t be able to fucking sleep at night until I knew. it’s just one of those things. you gotta know

we have a new Best Quirk ladies and gentlemen. sorry, whoever it was that had the previous best quirk. you had a good run

(ETA: so I just got done answering an ask about the class B quirks and I gotta say, Horikoshi really outdid himself with most of them, they’re amazing.)

can he only materialize katakana or can he do hiragana, kanji, roman alphabet, etc.? inquiring minds want to know

(ETA: I bet you he can do all of them. Manga ilu)

also class B has several people with no actual heads or faces and I’m very curious as to how they see, hear, etc. he doesn’t have eyes, people!!

but I still love him though

wow his letters are so sturdy that Aoyama’s laser can’t even scratch them. holy shit. you know two paragraphs ago when I was all “best quirk” but like jokingly? well now I’m thinking real seriously on it, let me tell you though

okay what

okay now I’m pretty fucking sure this is in fact the strongest quirk of all time!?

lmao Satou is wondering the same thing as me about Manga’s powers. “how would those onomatopoeia work in foreign countries?”

(ETA: Viz’s translator Caleb Cook took this to be Horikoshi’s way of saying “lol sorry in advance for this bruh” which I find hilarious.)

and Sero’s all “I DUNNO JUST BE QUIET AND WATCH.” Sero I feel personally attacked

oh shit it looks like Manga’s wall cut Momo off from the rest of her squad

well you know what, if Horikoshi had to make them lose for plot reasons, then this is about as good of a job as he could have done. you know that if Momo had remained with the rest of her team they would have pulled out a victory. Kendou knew that cutting her off from the others was key

OHHHHHHHHH SNAP

YESSSSSSS BRING ME MY BADASS LADY BATTLE

damn Kendou’s attack was so powerful that the impact still hit Momo even with the shield up

whoa, had we seriously not gotten one of these for Kendou before? even with everything she did during the Fanfic Lodge arc?

I love that she was smart enough to know that she wasn’t smart enough to best Momo. like, that’s not a knock against her at all; according to the character book Momo has S-ranked intelligence, the highest you can get. she’s on a level matched only by the Rat Principal and fucking All for One (and All Might, but he’s S-ranked in everything and clearly that’s just because he’s All Might)

and for the record, Kendou herself has A-ranked intelligence, which is the same level as Mei and smarter even than Deku and his Big Hero Brain. so yeah -- she’s good

and I got a bit off track, but anyway I was just trying to say that I love that she knew she had to strategize so that she could battle on her own terms

she’s shouting that she won’t give Momo any time to think

and she’s diving in with some more attacks!

so now it’s Momo’s turn, though! this is how she lost to Tokoyami in the sports festival! he took advantage of the fact that she needed a moment for her quirk to activate, and also to think of a plan. this is a weakness Momo has to overcome if she’s going to keep moving forward

ooh, Todoroki is still quietly confident in her!

so now Tetsu’s looking at him in surprise

and now Momo’s thinking back to what Kendou said about Momo constantly outshining her

and she’s thinking that Kendou couldn’t be more wrong, that even now she’s still just a novice

yes!! show her, Momo!

LOOK HOW SUPPORTIVE HER BOYFRIEND IS

fuck me, I’m gonna have to figure out how to work Shouto into this polyamorous MomoJirouKami triangle thing. why does everyone in 1-A have so much respect and admiration for each other??

and especially for someone like Momo, who even now is still so hard on herself and lacks confidence, to have someone who has such absolute faith in her is so, so huge. and Shouto is just so fucking eager to tell the whole fucking world how much he believes in her and how she’s going to kick ass and just wait and see

YESSSSSSSSSSS

oh my god. I’m so fucking conflicted!! I want Momo to kick ass so bad. but I don’t want 1-A to just sweep all five battles. and I also want Kacchan’s team to win because he needs a fucking win! but if anyone else from 1-A wins leading up to his group, then I feel like he can’t because that would mean 1-A wins the whole thing then and there, and Deku’s group becomes just a formality at that point

also holy shit you guys, this chapter was only 10 fucking pages. and one of those was a (black and white) cover page. this has got to be the least amount of fanfare I’ve ever seen for this kind of milestone, particularly for a series at this level of popularity. damn

but I’m guessing Horikoshi just needs a break, which is fine. probably it’s either shorter chapters, or One Piece-style frequent weekly breaks, or else unfinished chapters like we get every so often. I generally think it’s good for the writer of the series to get to sleep more than three hours a night, so sure, you know what, do as many 10-page chapters as you like. I’ll be grateful for whatever lol

(ETA: apparently Horikoshi mentioned in an author’s comment back in December that he was moving. so that may well be why the chapters got really short for a while. the last half dozen or so have been a consistent 15 pages each, so hopefully we’re past that now and I can get my solid weekly fix for the next couple weeks until we hit Golden Week and WSJ goes on break and I fall into withdrawals and have to compensate by seeing Avengers: Endgame seven times sob.)

#bnha #boku no hero academia #yaoyorozu momo #kendou itsuka #fukidashi manga #todoroki shouto #and whatever toadette's name actually is #I genuinely don't know #but tbh I'd rather her not become enough of a recurring character for me to have to learn it #sob #anyways #bnha spoilers #mha spoilers #makeste reads bnha #nothing like referencing a viral flash animation from 2003 to show how cool you are #how do you do fellow kids #mm #yes

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kurogabae · 6 years ago

Text

Hanahaki Unending

disease: a fictional disease where the victim coughs up flower petals when they suffer from one-sided love. It can be cured through surgical removal, but when the infection is removed, the victim’s romantic feelings for their love also disappear.

[part 1] [part 2] [part 3] [part 4] [Hanahaki Unending tag]

Now on AO3

It had been months since Kurogane had felt so at peace.

He is in incredible pain – the part of his shoulder where he had cut through muscle and bone to sever his arm in order to rescue Fai aches and burns, the whole side of his torso where that insane king had managed to blast him with attack magic rages between stabbing ice and tearing electric shocks. On top of all of that his body feels like one whole bruise and even without moving he can tell he will be weak and stiff, and among all of that are a hundred stinging cuts and scrapes that cry out for an application of soothing balm.

He can breathe clearly, though, and the air he tastes is terribly familiar.

Tomoyo is the second thing he sees when he opens his eyes to the familiar ceiling of Shirasagi Castle’s private medical wing. She is sat by him, eyes soft and voice warm as she welcomes him home. It is what he has been looking for, what this entire, insane, ridiculous journey has been all leading towards. He is finally back at his princess’ side.

Without the Hanahaki tearing him open from the inside he can feel the full pain of the realization that it isn’t all he needs anymore.

The way that Tomoyo speaks to him, though, makes him think that she knows this already, that she expects him to remain by the sides of those he had arrived with. Part of him feels like a traitor. He had sworn an oath, he has a duty, but if Tomoyo gave her blessing is he really breaking his oath? She is, afterall, the one who sent him off in the first place.

This is entirely her fault.

Which reminds Kurogane of something he wants to ask her, now that he can.

“I see you’ve finally learned the true meaning of strength,” Tomoyo says proudly. She touches the empty sleeve at his side gently, her small hand brushing the fabric with only her fingertips. Her hand falls back to her lap as she speaks again. “And that the condition the others were concerned about has cleared up as well.”

He supposes he shouldn’t be surprised that Syaoran and Fai brought up the Hanahaki to Tomoyo and the medics. In the end, he agrees with their choice.

“Speaking of that,” he says. “Did you know this would happen?” He does not insult her by accusing her of anything. The question is what it is; a question. “Is that why you always made me read that fairytale to you?”

Her smile is rueful for a moment, and then she shakes her head. “I didn’t know this would happen,” she clarifies. “But I knew you were someone who was particularly susceptible to the Hanahaki Disease, I needed a way to prepare you, just in case you ever came down with it.”

That is not at all the answer he expects, and it must show on his face when Tomoyo continues without prompting.

“The Hanahaki Disease is an illness that is born of the heart, and those who feel deeply and fiercely are more likely to fall victim to it than those with shallower emotions,” she says, looking up at Kurogane, who feels his jaw slacken slightly. “You have always been someone who deals in extremes, Kurogane, and I knew you would one day leave my side to go on a journey. I had no idea if you would find love on this journey, let alone if that love would be returned or not. I did what I could.”

There is a pang in his chest, one of gratitude and love. It is bittersweet and leaves a dull ache, but it is by no means a bad feeling. It takes a few seconds, but Kurogane does manage to smile, small but heartfelt, and thank Tomoyo. It’s probably the first time he’s thanked her since they were children. He will have to be better about that.

Tomoyo looks happy and proud, there’s a twinkle in her eyes that reminds Kurogane of his mother and when he catches sight of it he doesn’t immediately turn away. He thinks this might be what healing is. It’s a good feeling.

Then, she turns towards the screen door and the rest of the world comes into focus for Kurogane in a snap. “Thank you for waiting, you may come in now.”

How he had failed to sense anything outside of his room is beyond him, but that he didn’t sense Fai standing just on the other side of that thin paper door sends his mind spinning. He nearly panics, his instincts calling for him to rise and double- no triple check the perimeter. His body is unable to meet those demands, but his mind feels as if it may force obedience regardless.

It doesn’t have the chance, though, because Fai is there, whole and alive and wearing a beautiful furisode that Tomoyo no doubt fashioned specifically for him. His hair reflects the warm light of the candles in the corner of the room and the cool moonlight that pours into the room from the open veranda doors where it falls into his face, hiding his one good eye and most of the eyepatch from view. He is breathtaking and Kurogane can feel his pulse quicken with each measured step Fai takes towards him.

He schools his features, waits for several seconds to see if Fai will speak first, and when only silence meets his ears Kurogane says the only thing he can think to, “Hey.”

He is hit soundly on the side of his head, probably the only thing left undamaged from their latest near death adventure, and taken so off guard and so off balance that he finds himself tumbling backwards into the frame of the shoji. He blinks up in confusion and surprise, but before he can demand any explanations he sees it.

Fai is smiling, fist still held up and eye shining with… Kurogane doesn’t know what. He has never seen that look on Fai before, but it’s one he likes. “That’s payback, Kuro-sama.”

If the Hanahaki had not already cleared itself from his lungs it would have at that point. Kurogane’s heart is soaring as he grins up at Fai and promises to kick his ass, the exchange familiar and new all at the same time. He notices Tomoyo take her leave without a word, and is thankful once more. He needs this time with Fai. There is a lot to be said.

And yet they sit together in silence for what could have been days, but what Kurogane knows is probably just shy of an hour. Fai helps him wordlessly to the veranda, eases him down to sit and look out into the familiar sky Kurogane has known all his life, and tucks himself close to the side that is now missing an arm. Even through their clothes and the bandage wrappings, Kurogane can feel the warmth of Fai. He’s hyper aware of their proximity now after so long of having distance forced between them.

The feeling is nice, and the silence isn’t uncomfortable even as it is humming with words unspoken between them. Kurogane knows they should talk, that they need to, but he’s stubbornly unwilling to release this delicate peace he’s been granted. He realizes that he’s worried it will all shatter and be taken away from him again.

So when it’s Fai who finally speaks it’s both a relief and a shock.

“The children are okay,” he says. “More or less.”

Kurogane is glad to hear as much from Fai, but he’s not surprised by the news. He hadn’t been worried over the fate of Syaoran or Sakura, if something had happened to either of them Tomoyo would have made sure to tell him, she wouldn’t have been able to hide it from him. Still, he thanks Fai for the news.

“Tomoyo-chan fussed quite a lot over Sakura-chan, I suppose that might be something that will always be,” he continues. He’s avoiding the true topic at hand, but Kurogane can’t be mad, he’s not doing any better himself. “Everyone’s more or less healed up, except you.”

Fai leans ever so slightly more into Kurogane’s side and Kurogane feels his heart rate pick up. Fai must hear it, the vampire ever tuned in to him, because he leans back almost immediately, an apology half formed on his lips.

Kurogane cuts it off. “Don’t,” he says. Don’t apologize, don’t run away anymore. Don’t put anymore distance between us. He reaches over awkwardly with his single hand and pulls Fai back to him. “It’s okay.”

And it is. It’s all okay. It’s all out in the open now and it’s okay. Or it will be.

“Kuro-sama I-”

“How do you want to be called now?” Kurogane asks, unable to stomach any sort of apology from Fai. He would be a liar if he said he hasn’t been thinking about it either. “The same or with your proper name?”

Fai can only stare at him for what feels like ages. Eventually he snaps out of his stupor and shakes his head. “Is that it? That’s all you have to say?” He doesn’t sound angry. Perhaps incredulous. “After everything you saw, everything you learned, you ask me which name I want to use?”

Kurogane shrugs his uninjured shoulder, the movement awkward for it’s false nonchalance. “I think it’s an important question.” And he does. One’s name is a sacred thing, especially in Nihon. And this man beside him has not used his own birth given name in lifetimes.

“Fai. It’s all I have left of him,” he says, gazing out into the starry night sky. “If I use his name, some part of him still gets to live on.”

Kurogane nods and hums his approval. A good answer and a fine reason. He would have accepted anything Fai told him, but this decision sits well with him easily.

“Now it’s my turn for a question,” Fai says with little preamble. He’s still looking into the stars. “When we arrived we warned the medics and healers about the Hanahaki, but they said it was nowhere to be seen. How can that be?”

It is impossible to tell if Fai had asked Tomoyo about this and had been denied an answer or if he had been agonizing over this question silently while Kurogane slept, but either way, Kurogane is glad to have an answer to give him, especially since he technically owes him one as it is.

“Because the condition to cure it was applied,” he answers. He waits for Fai to meet his eyes before he explains. “Only three things rid a person of Hanahaki; death, the removal of the flower and the sufferer’s love, or the reciprocation of that love.”

Fai’s eye is wide and shimmering with unshed tears. He opens and closes his mouth a few times in false starts until he can finally speak. “But I… I never got the chance to say…”

“When the manjuu was transporting us out of Celes,” Kurogane says. “You said ‘please don’t leave me’ remember?” Fai nods quietly, clearly not understanding. “I knew then. After everything I had seen and everything I knew about you, you never would have said that to me if you didn’t love me as well.”

Love is selfish, and it was that knowledge and the following realization that cleared Kurogane’s heart and lungs of the cursed flower back then. The first clear breath of air had been icy and painful in a way that Kurogane was familiar with for reasons other than heartbreak. He watches Fai absorb what he’s been told and ignores the burning in his cheeks. It’s not an easy thing to speak so frankly about his emotions, he’s not used to it and the words feel clumsy no matter how honest they are. But this is honesty Fai deserves, honesty Kurogane has wanted to give him for too long. It’s the least of the things Kurogane wants to give Fai.

The honesty seems to be enough, though, because Fai reaches up a hand to cup Kurogane’s cheek. He’s smiling and a few tears have fallen from his eye, but there’s no sadness in that beautiful, loved face, and Kurogane thanks every star in the sky for that blessing.

“You stupid, stubborn, wonderful man,” Fai says through a mix between a sob and a chuckle. “You could have died, and for what? To be in love with me!”

Fai is all but in his lap without warning, keeping balance for them both as he kisses Kurogane. It’s gentle and he can feel the tears on Fai’s cheek, but it’s perfect and Kurogane could happily spend the rest of eternity doing nothing else, forever in this moment with this man. But Fai pulls away all too soon and between one breath and the next Kurogane finds himself unable to suppress a yawn.

Smiling playfully, Fai taps Kurogane on the nose. “Big Puppy is still recovering, he needs his rest and to take it easy or he’ll open up the stitches the healers worked so hard on.” Fai slides easily to his feet and helps Kurogane up. “Last thing we need is for you to go and bleed to death on us now.”

Ahh, speaking of…

“Mage, when did you last drink?” Kurogane asks as he slides the outer door shut with a soft click.

At first Fai freezes, reflex mostly Kurogane is sure. He watches it fade away, hears the low hiss of a breath that Fai releases, measured and purposeful.

“When we arrived,” he says. “There was plenty of your blood already outside of you, I took advantage at Syaoran-kun and Tomoyo-chan’s insistence.”

“How long was I asleep?” Kurogane asks. Fai doesn’t answer, but the lack of response is answer enough. “Mage,” he says warningly. “Don’t make this continue to be difficult.”

“You’re still healing,” Fai says, and there is icy steel in his tone. He’s trying not to be unkind, trying to keep away from how things have been for the last couple of months, but he cannot fight Kurogane about this without real barbs.

Even so, Kurogane still fights a little dirty. All the better to quicken the pace and bring an end to this nonsense. “I’ll worry if you don’t.”

That gets Fai to turn on his heel, blue eye blazing. He knows that Kurogane has gone for the kill and he looks just a touch betrayed, but he takes in Kurogane, standing before him, open and honest and now knowingly in love and the change in his body language is obvious.

“Only a little.”

“So long as you aren’t skulking around starving yourself,” Kurogane concedes. He’ll accept this compromise for now. He’s tired and this regained closeness is too precious to test with a proper argument just yet.

“Get in bed,” Fai commands with what can only be described as a pout. “You’re already tired, I’ll bet you knock out after I take a mouthful.”

Kurogane rolls his eyes, but obeys nonetheless, slipping under the sheets of his futon with weakened limbs. He can tell that it will take weeks for him to be back to normal again and he’s already impatient at the thought. There’s too much to do, he hasn’t got the time or the luxury to slow them all down with his healing. But he does have tonight, and he has Fai, so he lets the frustration pass from his mind as Fai extinguishes the oil lamp on the far side of the room.

“Are you going to stay?” Kurogane asks. It’s easy to watch Fai move towards him in the shadows. The moon outside is bright and it’s gentle glow highlights Fai’s fair features beautifully. It also makes it easy to see the surprise flit across his face before a smile, soft and genuine, settles on his lips.

“For as long as I’m wanted,” he says, adjusting the folds of the unfamiliar clothing awkwardly as he lowers himself onto Kurogane’s lap. It’s a graceless motion, but Fai is careful to ease himself into Kurogane’s space and avoid causing any pain to his plethora of injuries.

Kurogane reaches up and runs his fingers through golden strands of unruly hair. “I’m always going to want you,” he says, exhaustion and unbridled joy at finally being able to be with Fai like this ruining any brain to mouth filter he had. “I thought I’d made that clear.”

Fai laughs quietly, chiding and playful all at once. “You have,” he says, “I finally understand now.”

There is still a dangerous road ahead of them. A monster is lurking at the end of the road and they have little choice but to face him, but this time they will face him as one. No more are they frightened, confused children fearing shadows and uncertainties. They aren’t alone, and they have something to fight for, something tangible and real. They have their children, they have each other.

Tonight they will rest, wrap themselves in one another and find comfort in softer, kinder things. Tomorrow is another day, and it will wait for just a little while longer.

#KuroFai #TRC #CLAMP #Kurogane #Fai Flourite #my fics #Hanahaki Unending #spoilersTRC

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oneletterwrites · 7 years ago

Note

Could you do a story where Kuro is a merman and Japan is a sailor lost at sea. Kuro falls in love with him and decides to take him with him to his home?

The Little Sailor

Kuro can see the thing above the water clearly though he’s far beneath the surface. It’s large and square and floating and looks nothing like the things he’s used to seeing above the water. Fish yes and the large passing shapes that he has learned to be boats, but not this.

He circles underneath, slowly but surely getting closer and closer. He nabs a fish on his way up and munches on it in contemplation. This is a small boat, squishy when he pokes it and moves very easily in the water. He pushes it a few more times for fun.

Silently he peeks his head above water. The edges of the brightly colored boat block his view from the inside so he’s forced to get closer, putting his hands on the edge of the squishy thing and angling it down. He tilts his head to the side curiously, watching the human on the boat sleep.

They do not stir at Kuro messing with his boat to the point he almost thinks they are dead. The rise and fall of their body is his only notice he gets at them actually being alive. They are face down and hair covers their face, very little stuff is with them and the coverings they wear are tattered and gross.

Carefully Kuro brushes some of the hair on their head away from their face, tilting his head the other way. There is some bruising there that makes Kuro curious as to how the human had gotten them.

A ragged cough has him jerking back to just barely peer over the edge of the boat. The human whimpers and manages to sit up to rub their eyes. When they open they spot Kuro. For a second it is still. The the human screams.

Kuro flips away from the boat making a large splash and diving down to the depth he calls home. He doesn’t get very far though, looking back to the surface to see the human leaning over the edge, maybe looking for him. It’s enough for him to swim back up. He spits a mouthful of water at them when he surfaces.

The human sputters and brushes at their face, giving him a glare but most of their expression is curious. Kuro puts his arms on the edge of the squish and rests his head on them.

“Hey,” He says in human speech. The human’s eyes grow wide.

“I didn’t believe..” The human mutters out. Their voice is hoarse and strained. They put a hand to their throat after speaking. Kuro snickers and flicks his tail up behind him, a deep purple and red scale pattern.

“Didn’t believe merfolk existed?” He teases. The human nods but doesn’t get much closer.

“We’re as real as it gets,” He says with a smirk that shows off his pointed teeth. The human swallows hard and Kuro has to laugh loudly.

“I’m not going to eat you,” He tells the human but the look on their face says they don’t believe him.

“What’s your name?” The human asks.

“Kuro,” He says rolling his ‘r’. He’s got a mischievous smile on his face and he knows it.

“I’m Kiku,” The human introduces themself, trying to smile but their lips crack. Kuro decides he likes this human. He might take them.

–

With a hefty puff of air, Kuro manages to shoot the fish out of the water and right into Kiku’s boat. When the human shows himself over the edge of the boat does Kuro swim up, getting right in the human’s face.

“Hello~” He greets. The human swallows and jerks back from him. Kuro has to laugh. He takes his position on the side of the boat as Kiku judges the fish, wondering if he can find a way to eat it. He rummages in a box and pulls out a thin knife. While he struggles Kuro watches. He would have just bit the head but this human is doing something strange.

“Why are you here?” He asks. Kiku freezes and looks to him. There’s fright in their eyes and they turn back to the fish, cutting it up more so and laying out certain bits that they deems worthy. They offer the things they don’t want to Kuro. He opens up his jaw wide and swallows the rejected pieces whole.

“My boat had a malfunction,” Kiku says softly. Kuro twists up his flat nose.

“This is your boat?” He questions. Kiku shakes his head.

“This is a safety emergency raft. My actually boat went down into the water.” Kiku’s voice is tired and sad. Kuro grimaces.

“Are you lost?” He asks then. Kiku doesn’t say anything but nods his head. As much as Kuro would love to continue to question the human, they do not seem up to his antics. He flicks his tail under the water and dives down. He does bring back at least one more fish for the human before he leaves them for the day.

–

It’s a small routine for Kuro to bring his human fish. Each day Kiku smiling more and more for him despite his dismal conditions. Kuro even succeeded in getting them to let out a soft laugh, a magical sound if Kuro’s ever heard one.

“Is any one missing you?” Kuro asks him, boldly sitting in the ‘rescue raft’ with Kiku as he knifes a fish. He has gotten better at it. Kiku shakes his head again.

“Not that I know of,” He whispers. Kuro grumbles, just opening his mouth for Kiku to toss the excess inside. He crunches it up bone and all.

“I would miss you,” He says plainly but the smirk on his face makes it so Kiku does that thing, where he hides his face and his hands get shaky. Kuro likes seeing that, especially if he’s the one doing it. He’s not sure what it’s supposed to mean, but he likes it.

“Please don’t toy with me,” Kiku tells him once he’s more composed and his hands don’t shake. Kuro snickers and rolls right back into the ocean, swirling down and away, turning in the water to see the human looking down at him.

–

“You could come with me?” Kuro offers one day. It’s been a while since Kiku’s been on the water. No hope of rescue in sight and Kuro doesn’t know where the next human settlement well enough to be able to help him. Kiku doesn’t really seem to mind.

“What?” Kiku does that thing, the shrink in on himself thing. It makes Kuro’s chest feel funny and he doesn’t like it. So he reaches up from his spot on the side of the boat to run a gentle hand down Kiku’s face. The human stares at him shocked.

“Come with me, down there,” Kuro smirks and nods down to where he lives. He would enjoy it, spending everyday with Kiku could be nice, and he doesn’t get upset like some of the other merfolk. He furrows his brows when Kiku moves away from his hand shaking his head.

“I can’t,” He says but his voice breaks. Kuro tilts his head to the side. He lifts himself up and climbs his way closer to Kiku who backs up but can’t go very far without being in the water.

“Why not?” Kuro asks him. He’s searching for something, something in Kiku’s face that might give him answers. Kiku takes a shuddering breath.

“I can’t breathe down there,” He says softly and Kuro laughs. If not for his weight he would crawl into Kiku’s lap and wrap him up. Instead he closes Kiku’s face between his hands.

“I could make it so you could,” He whispers in a flirty tone. Kiku again does that thing where he shies away from Kuro and his words but it’s not bad. No Kuro knows it’s not bad.

“How?” The tentative question gives him just enough of an idea. Instead of telling Kiku, Kuro will show him. He uses the hands already on Kiku’s face to pull the human to him, pressing his salt soaked lips to the very dry ones of the human. They squeak, a cute noise in Kuro’s opinion, and shift against him.

When Kuro pulls back Kiku’s face is frazzled and there are no words he says. Kuro coos to him, a chirp in the back of his throat. He presses his head to the human’s happily.

“Come with me,” It’s almost a plead, maybe a beg. He kisses the human again. This time when he pulls back Kiku is nodding, looking at him softly and that little smile Kuro adores is on his face. He wastes no time in tackling Kiku off the raft and into the water.

He swishes his tail hard and they shoot through the water. Down down down to where his home is and where his pod likes to stay. It will take some time for the change to fully take form but the slits of gills that appear on Kiku’s neck the lower they go have him feeling proud. Kiku clings to him as they get deeper and deeper. Kuro won’t let him go. He could never let him go. He never plans to.

#aph japan #2p japan #1p2p japan #mermaid au #drabble #samuraiandaka

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lordofthebigtimesupernatural · 7 years ago

Note

Okay so for the shiro Dad AU?? I read it all the way through and I l o v e i t. I have this memory of trying to help my sick mother when I was 4 and just kind of plopping a sopping wet towel on her head thinking I was helping. So if I may request a vvv sick Shiro with a tiny, determined four-year-old as his doctor? He'll do great I promise he has a degree in being cute as frick okay thank you please never stop being amazing friend ily

Ah you are so awesome! I’m glad that you’re enjoying this AU so much! I’m sorry to you and everyone who has sent in asks! School started up and between that and two jobs, I have no time! But I love this AU so much and I’ve missed it so I’m slowly typing up as much one shots that I can! Thanks for your patience. Omg, I loved this prompt so much! Keith as a teeny doctor? Yes please! He has his credentials and qualifications, I swear! Dr. Keith has a license to help! I hope you don’t mind, I change some of it up a bit because I was in a Dad’s of Marmoura mood and I haven’t done much with them in this AU! I still hope you enjoy and thank you so much nonny!

x.V.x

“Ithink daddy’s dying.”

Antokblinked several times before glancing down at the phone in his hand. As if thatwould help to give him a better understanding of the situation. Beside himKolivan was watching him curiously, due to the confused expression on his face. Ulaz had momentarily stopped his game ofdarts to look over at Antok.

“Keith?”Antok finally said and that caused everyone to suddenly sit up. Ulaz grinned teasinglyat his friend while Kolivan smiled softly. It had been a few weeks since Shirohad finally introduced his son to the team. After Antok had rescued Keith at the zoo, Shiro had beenembarrassed and called up the three of them to meet for lunch, so that theycould properly meet Keith. Of course, they had all known about Keith since theday that Shiro had brought him home, but no one had met Keith until the boy wassix. The four of them had been so excited to meet the little boy who hadbrought a smile back on their brother’sface, but they were all willingly to wait until Shiro was ready.

Especiallyafter Kuro had returned to the family four years ago.

Oncethey had finally meet Keith, these big, gnarly, tough men had melted into tinypuddles due to big blue eyes and pouty lips. It had taken a little bit for Keithto warm up to the four of them. But eventually, he had them wrapped around hisfingers and they had become honorary uncles.

Justnot Keith’s favorite uncle, becausethat of course was reserved for Kuro.

“Yes.It’s me, uncle ‘Tok.” Antok would have previously murdered anyone who would tryto call him such a nickname, but the first time Keith had said it Antok hadbeen filled with so much pride that the nickname had stuck. However, when Ulazhad tried to use it once before, he had been given a noogie that left his hairstanding straight upright for days.

“HiKeith, how are you?” Antok said quietly, ignoring the teasing from his friends.

“I’mokay but daddy’s dying!” Keith finally remembered why he had called Antok andsoon enough his breathing had picked up. Antok winced, forcing himself toremain calm. It wouldn’t help Keith if he started panicking too.

“Whydo you said that kit?”

“Because,”Keith announced as if it were obvious. “He’s all red and sweaty, and he keepscoughing real bad but he’s still asleep. And it’s almost lunch time!”

“Isee.” Antok said. He could feel his heart beginning to calm down and hisbreathing remained normal. Keith, however, was still breathing heavily. “Keith,I need you to take a deep breath and calm down, alright?”

Uponhearing this, Ulaz and Kolivan’s smiles suddenly turned into frowns. Antokalmost rolled his eyes at the immediate concern and worry in both of theireyes. Mother hens.

“Butdaddy – ”

“Isgoing to be fine.” Antok interrupted. “Your daddy is not dying. From the soundsof it, I think he’s just sick.” Ulaz’s eyebrows shot through his hairline andKolivan was already waving down a waiter for the bill. Antok appreciated hisfriend’s concern but he was slightly afraid that they were going to storm outof the restaurant and to Shiro’s house.

“But,but, he’s never sick.” Keithwhispered and Antok could hear hislower lip wobbling.

“Thatmay be so,” It certainly sounded likeShiro. “But everyone gets sick. Even your daddy and right now he soundslike he has a cold. You’ve had a cold before, right?”

Keithwas quiet for a few seconds. “Yeah.”

“Andyou’re all better now, right?”

“…Yeah.”

“Soyour daddy is going to be just fine. He just needs to rest and get better, likeyou needed to.” Antok continued while Ulaz and Kolivan pushed several bills atthe waiter, ignoring his wide-eyed look before they were scooting out of theirchairs. “I promise you that your daddy is going to be okay.”

Keithwas quiet again but Antok could hear shuffling. “Are you sure?”

“Keith,”Antok said quietly, so the others couldn’t hear. “Have I ever lied to you?”

“No.”Keith admitted and Antok smiled.

“ThenI promise he’ll be okay. Is there anyone else there to watch you right now? Oris it just you and your dad?” Antok asked. Ulaz was trying to signal for Antokto give him the phone, to which Antok ignored and headed for Kolivan’s car.

“Well,Red is here to watch me.” Keith said, voice suddenly happy and Antok could hearthe sound of a dog walking in the background. “Daddy’s still in bed.”

“Okay,how would you feel if Uncle Ulaz, Kolivan and I came for a visit? And we’llhelp take care of Shiro.” Antok asked, earning an eye roll from Ulaz. As if they needed a child’s permission. Theywere going over there no matter what.

“Um,yeah okay!” Keith finally said. There was more shuffling on the line whenKolivan started the car and Antok relaxed again. “Okay, I’m gonna hang up now.I’m gonna make daddy some soup.”

“Keith,now just wait until we get there.”

“Byebye!” Keith chirped and then all Antok could hear was the sound of a dial tone.He pulled the phone away from his ear and blinked again. Then he met theconcerned looks of Kolivan and Ulaz before sighing.

“Wemight want to hurry.”

Kolivanfloored it out of the parking lot.

x.V.x

“Keith?”Shiro mumbled tiredly. He felt much more disoriented than usual, and couldn’teven force coherent thoughts to form in his head. His entire body ached, as ifhe’d been hit by a bus. His nose was so stuffy that Shiro couldn’t smell athing. His face and cheeks were burning and his entire body was drenched insweat. It took an embarrassingly long amount of time before he realized that hewas sick.

I don’t get sick.

Slowly,the door to his room opened and Shiro weakly turned his head towards the door. Keith! He hadn’t eaten or done anything!Shiro’s eyes snapped open and he shot out of his covers, before hunching overwhen the sudden movement caused him to fall into a coughing fit.

Shirowheezed, feeling tears build up behind his eyes when the coughing finallysubsided and he blinked to see a tiny figure clambering onto the bed. Moaningquietly from the heat radiating off his body, Shiro finally realized that itwas Keith climbing onto his bed, dragging something behind him.

“Daddy,lay down. You’re not ‘pposed to be out of bed.” Keith scolded when he saw hisdaddy sitting up right. Shiro was extremely dazed but very confused when Keith startedshoving him back down. He was slightly mortified that he was weak enough thathis six-year-old son could push him down.

“Keith,”Shiro coughed again, earning another glare from Keith. “You need to eat and Ihave to help.”

“Ican get cereal daddy. I know how and Ialready did.” Keith stated proudly and Shiro momentarily felt his lips twitchin a smile.

“Honey,you shouldn’t be in here if daddy is sick. You’ll get sick too and daddy needsto call grandma or grandpa to watch you then.” Shiro tried to argue, only forKeith to stuff his blankets all around Shiro’s body. If he was hot from a feverbefore, Shiro was boiling under the blankets and covers now. But when he triedto tell Keith to leave it alone, he couldn’t.Not when Keith looked so determined and so focused.

“Igot a mask!” Keith announced proudly, and sure enough he did. He had white maskthat Shiro used for work in the garage. It was much too big on him but it wasbeing held up by hair clips against the back of Keith’s head and looked like afairly new one. “I’ll be okay! It’s my turn to take care of you and I alreadycalled uncle ‘Tok too.”

Shirofelt himself practically melt into his blankets. At the mention of Antok, Shirohad been relieved. He didn’t even care that Antok and probably Ulaz or Kolivanwould see him in this state, because all that Shiro cared about was someone would be here to watch Keith when hecouldn’t. He was slightly ashamed that he knew he wouldn’t be able to takecare of Keith in the state that he was in, and there was nothing thatfrustrated Shiro more than knowing that he had failed in his job as a father.

“Openup.”

Shirowas suddenly brought out of his self-pity party at the sound of Keith’s voice.He looked over to see Keith was kneeling right before him, with a foldable trayin between them. On top of the tray were a bowl and a spoon and Shiro blinked,before sitting some-what upright.

“Imade you soup.” Keith’s eyes crinkled, signifying that he was smiling and Shirogrinned. However, he looked down at the bowl and his stomach lurched. The bowlwas filled with water, floating pieces of left-over chicken, vegetables and anarray of spices. “I know I’m not allowed to use the stove and I couldn’t findthe cans of soup we had but this is what it looks like so I made it myself!”

It looked horrific.

It lookeddisgusting.

Shiroknew he would throw up if he ate that.

However,one look at Keith’s big, bright eyes and smiling face and Shiro was a goner.Instead, he beamed and opened his mouth for Keith to put in a spoonful. And ifShiro’s eyes watered as he forced himself to swallow every spoonful, Keith wasoblivious to it all.

x.V.x

Thesecond time that Shiro woke up, it was to the fact that he almost couldn’tbreathe.

Heopened his eyes, only to see darkness. Then he felt something wet tricklingdown his face and when he opened his mouth, his mouth was suddenly filled with water. Spluttering, Shiro coughed andhacked when the water aggravated his throat and the wet cloth was removed fromhis head. Shiro continued to cough for a few more minutes before he looked overto see Keith staring up at him earnestly with a bowl of water and a wetfacecloth.

“Keith?”Shiro asked when the coughing subsided.

“Youhave a fever!” Keith frowned. “And I ‘member you did this for me when I had afever, so I cooled down.” Once again, Keith’s face was filled with so muchpride that Shiro felt his strength withering. Eventually, he was lying backdown and Keith scooted closer.

Shirowinced when a large splash of water landed on his bed, soaking his sheets. Hebreathed in deeply, bracing for impact when Keith dipped the cloth back intothe bowl and Shiro closed his eyes.

Healmost jumped when the wet face cloth was slapped back onto his face and Shiroheld his breath. He hoped that Keith was going to remove it soon, as it was drenching his face, hair and neck.However, after a few seconds Shiro was beginning to think that Keith was goingto leave it on his face. Quickly, Shiro peeled off the cloth and wiped hisface.

“Daddy,no, you have to leave it on so it’ll cool you down!” Keith argued, causingShiro to sigh.

“Baby,”Shiro said hoarsely and Keith turned his full attention to Shiro. “Have uncleAntok and the others arrived yet?”

“No.”Keith said. “They called and said they’ll be here in an hour, because oftraffic.”

“Okay.”Shiro handed the cloth back to Keith. “Sweetheart, you should wring out thetowel a bit and dab, remember? You don’t want it too wet and put it on theforehead because that’s the hottest part.”

Keithnodded, face scrunched up in determination as he wrung the towel out. Wearily,Shiro closed his eyes and this time the towel was still too wet (but notdrenched) but Keith’s hands were gentle as he wiped Shiro’s forehead.

SoonShiro fell into a blissful sleep.

x.V.x

Thenext time Dr. Keith woke Shiro up itwas to change out of his stinky clothes.

Theclothes that Keith had brought Shiro were an old pair of pajamas for his mother whenever she visited. Shiro haddecided to just sleep in his boxers, convincing Keith he needed to cool downeverything.

x.V.x

Dr. Keith had tried to take Shiro’sprosthetic off and it result in his fingers getting stuck.

Shirowas dizzy enough that Keith’s crying sounded like 4 Keith’s crying. However, he was quick to help Keith and kiss thehurt away.

Thankfully,he was able to remove the prosthetic fully and Keith could rub the stump.

x.V.x

Thelast time that Shiro woke up was when he realized that the blinds weren’tclosed but that it was dark out. Hiseyes snapped open and he scrambled out of bed despite his cooling fever andweak limbs. His mind was racing and all he could worry about was Keith.

“Whoa.What are you doing out of bed?” Shiro felt two hands steading him when hestumbled out of his room. The person who caught him had stopped Shiro from faceplanting. He looked up to see Kolivanand Ulaz looking down at him.

“Keith?”Shiro croaked and Ulaz tsked while Kolivan smiled.

“He’sfine. We got here about eight hours ago, just after twelve-thirty.” Ulazexplained and Shiro slumped with relief. Ulaz grunted at the increase of weightbut luckily Kolivan hooked and arm under Shiro to help. “He was trying to dolaundry and had dumped a whole container of soap into the washer. Antok spentthe next two hours cleaning it out, so no you won’t have a flood of bubbles thenext time you do laundry.”

“Wechanged your seats too. They were soaked. You were quite delirious from yourfever that you kept mumbling about a certain Doctor Keith who needed to watchcartoons.” Kolivan added and Shiro couldn’t tell if the heat in his face wasfrom the fever or embarrassment. Suddenly he wanted to bury himself into theground.

“Keith?”Shiro asked again as he was helped back towards his room. They passed byanother figure in the hallway, and Shiro blinked when he saw Keith sleepingsoundly in Antok’s arms. Keith looked exhausted but content in Antok’s arms andShiro couldn’t help but sigh in relief.

“Thanksyou guys.” Shiro mumbled as he was helped back into bed and the others crowdedin the room.

“Ofcourse. We’d do anything for you captain.” Antok said quietly and Shiro grinnedat the old nickname.

“Youseriously need to learn to ask for help. Seriously, making your son call us andscare us like that.” Ulaz scolded, but there wasn’t any anger in his voice andShiro blinked tiredly.

“Yes,it was a bit alarming when he thought you were dying.” Antok added causingShiro to giggle.

“He’sdramatic.” He slurred and Kolivan snorted.

“Soundslike a certain father of his.”

“Hey!”

“Getsome sleep. You and Keith are tired and we’ll stay through the weekend.”Kolivan said suddenly and Shiro burrowed back down into the covers. Quickly, hewhined and reached his one arm out towards Antok. Everyone was confused untilAntok had settled Keith down next to Shiro and Shiro curled around the boyprotectively. Ulaz was taking pictures in the background, and no one minded atall.

Thegroup began to file out of the room, hoping to let the father and son rest asmuch as they could together. Antok turned back to his old captain and hisbrother, watching as Keith unconsciously snuggled into Shiro. Shiro blinked sleepilyas if realizing they were being watched and smiled.

“’Tok,you don’t have to wear your mask in this house.” With that he was fast asleepagain, snoring and Antok was left to touch the mask on his face. Quietly, heshut the door behind him, with a smile on his face.

So,he pulled the mask off.

#single dad shiro #single dad shiro AU #kiddie!paladins #kiddie!AU #voltron legendary defender #thanks nonny #Keith is the best doctor

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innocentbeing · 7 years ago

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unpopular opinion abt Lizzie

Lizzie wasn’t miserable because she had to hide her strength. She doesn’t even like fighting, she just does it cause it’s necessary. She literally says she would rather be cute in her flashback right after her vow that she would become a wife capable of protecting Ciel (or Sirius, in her mind)

She doesn’t/didn’t act cute as a way to appease Ciel/Sirius, she’s like that because that’s how she wants him to see her. It’s normal to want to attract the person you love, no?

Lizzie never hated her strength, Sirius never caused her to hate herself. She never gave up that part of her, her mother wouldn’t allow it. When Francis told her “it’s for your sake and his” she accepted it.

This is why she was able to reveal her strength when it was needed. She didn’t need a boost of confidence or someone comforting her. She already made up her mind to protect Ciel/Sirius long before. She did that alone. Ciel did not help her with that.

The problem was simply “I want you to think of me as cute” It’s like what Yana said in that one post:

If someone told you to fight zombies - in underwear and with your set hair totally rumpled - in front of the person you love the most, it’d be totally devastating.

The situation would bring her to tears regardless. I mean yeah it’s a bit irrational given the dangerous circumstances they were in but add to the fact of what Madam Red told her, the expectations of women in that era, the fact that Lizzie genuinely enjoys being cute and that she’s in love with Ciel/Sirius so her unwillingness was understandable? (listen,,, i’m still not sure which one she loves yet ok? yana says she keeps Ciel’s jacket on because “the person she’s in love with gave it to her” but does she mean him or the person Lizzie thinks he is??? and if its Ciel then at what point did Lizzie fall in love with him because that was before the Strength thing was even brought up)

Ofc Sirius’s “a strong wife would frighten me” comment also definitely contributed to it the most but I’m willing to bet that even without it, she would still be hesitant on revealing her strength. I’m so tired of this fandom making it seem like his comment was the entire reason for it.

And while Lizzie didn’t want him to see the “ugly” side of her, Lizzie has always been accepting of her strength. She just wanted him to see her as cute but when he needed protecting she pushed aside that selfish(?) desire.

fghjm let me just reiterate, Ciel literally... like... didn’t have to do anything other than needing to be rescued. There was nothing he did for her when it comes to her strength. There really wasn’t anything he had to help her with. Sacrificing her cute side was all Lizzie’s choice, decided only by her, and inspired by no one.

She started crying because of Ciel & Seb’s reaction to her ‘I’ll carry you on my back!” The fact that she could say that so thoughtlessly and normally to him proves to me that Lizzie never hated or tried to disregard her strength. She didn’t need Ciel to say he accepts her in order for her to accept that part herself.

can i just say that this panel is my fav Lizzie moment ever so far? it’s small and easily overlooked but it’s so cute. she just wants to help!! she’s so precious!!

Now if she cried first after everything was over and had to have Ciel comfort her then I would think that she had issues with accepting her strength but that’s not the case.

It went like this:

Lizzie, completely comfortable and no signs of distress from revealing her strength: I’ll carry you on my back! Ciel and Sebastian: reacts unfavorably Lizzie: oh no he must hate me

The way they were perplexed by Lizzie’s statement reminded her of her strong fear of being hated by Sirius. She thought he wouldn’t like that she was strong so she cried because she loves/d him and doesn’t want him to hate her, which falls back to ‘wanting to attract the person you love’.

Lizzie’s just a young girl after all so hearing even a gentle critic from the one she loves most (speaking generally, not trying to say that it’s Sirius) would cause unease in her heart.

sdfghjkn I can’t explain things well, I don’t think I’m getting my point across clearly so I’m going to use an example from the popular manga Bleach.

(i know. just.. bear with me...)

There’s a scene where a character named Chad asks the main character Ichigo what he thinks of his female friend, Orihime’s, outfit. Orihime is in love with Ichigo so this question embarrassed her, and when he didn’t really give his approval she took things way out of proportion.

His actual response isn’t as mean as in her imagination (it wasn’t mean at all) but since it’s coming from someone she loves, the effect it has on her increases significantly so she unintentionally exaggerates the harshness of it.

I CRINGE AT MYSELF FOR USING THIS AS AN EXAMPLE WHEN IT’S FROM A MANGA THAT’S SO DIFFERENT FROM KURO but this scenario reminded me of Lizzie’s reaction. this is the feeling I’m trying to describe. this is what I think was the main concern Lizzie had when showing her strength to Ciel

Lizzie is on her knees crying over how Ciel/Sirius must despise her now since she’s so strong and scary when he actually never said anything like that lmaoo

The reality is he was just a small boy scared by his aunt’s strength/strictness, which is a normal understandable reaction for a child his age. Let’s not forget that even Sebastian has his moments with Francis lmao.

He never intended to hurt Lizzie’s feelings and also she just exaggerated the meaning of it since she likes him and doesn’t want him to dislike her. I think such a feeling is very normal.

It’s like how Ciel explained. It was a long time ago. I think she realized that there was no need for her to worry about that anymore since it was said when he was younger and has yet to experience dramatic hardships.

At least that’s what I think. It’d be REALLY funny if Sirius, who fearlessly confronted a demon, would still be scared of Francis and by extension, Lizzie. xD

Lizzie literally asks him “You haven’t come to hate me?” which is gives me more reasons why think her strength was more of an ‘I don’t want you to hate me/I want you to think of me as cute’ issue rather than an ‘accepting her strength’ problem. I believe she never had that problem with herself, she just.. reallllyy desperately wants him to like her? That’s what I’m getting from reading the manga at least lol

Last thing, kind of off topic but this part (which is my fav page in the whole manga lmao):

I think I’ve seen some claiming that this is where Ciel accepted her strength which is what made Lizzie fall in love with our!Ciel? but I kinda find that difficult to agree with since he couldn’t even finish his sentence out of embarrassment (which I find kind of sad how, due to Sebastian’s presence and ridicule, Ciel cannot admit to Lizzie how he feels) and Lizzie’s just left like “?” at the end, either not understanding what he was trying to say, not understanding his embarrassment and their banter, or both. LOL

sDFGHJKHJ NOT THAT I’M SAYING LIZZIE ISN”T IN LOVE WITH OUR!CIEL!! it’s just that I’m not convinced yet. I have yet to see a post that I’ve truly agreed with. :c it’s cause I don’t think Lizzie had a problem with ‘acceptance’ lmao but that’s an unpopular opinion it seems? maybe i’m misunderstanding the majority of the fandom..? (> - <)

I wonder if I’m just overlooking into things and misinterpreting Lizzie’s character?

#dnt look at me #im conflicted between tagging it because i want ppl to give me their thoughts and not tagging in case i upset someone lol #ehh i'll take the cowards path and not tag it lmao #heres one of my many unpopular opinions for this fandom lol #edit: ok im gonna tag it now cause i want ppl to see lol #kuroshitsuji #black butler #elizabeth midford #ciel phantomhive

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pocket-luv101 · 4 years ago

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Heartstrings || Chapter 2

Fandom: Servamp Ship: KuroMahi (main), LawLicht (side), Tetsono (side) Characters: Kuro, Mahiru, Hyde, Licht, Tetsu, Misono

Summary: Kuro goes to take a nap in the staircase behind the school and sees Mahiru holding a broken guitar. After he helps him repair the guitar string, Mahiru asks him to teach him how to play. (Given AU/Band AU)

Ch.1 || (Ch.2) ||

“I appreciate your offer to walk me home but you really don’t need to. My apartment is only a few blocks from the music shop.” Mahiru told Kuro as they walked down the street. He had become so engrossed in the band’s music that he hadn’t realized how late it was until the sun had already set. While it was polite to walk someone to their house, they were both guys. He wondered if Kuro’s offer meant that he was beginning to see him as a friend. With that thought, he asked: “Can you teach me how to play, please?”

“You must be the most stubborn person I’ve ever met.” Kuro said but a small chuckle followed his words. In the corner of his eyes, Mahiru saw him smile. He hadn’t seen him smile before because he would often have a relaxed appearance. The only time he saw him with a different expression was when he played the guitar. He recalled the concentration on Kuro’s face and it was surprisingly alluring.

Kuro rubbed his hands together and then placed them in his pockets to keep them warm. The night was cold in October and he glanced at Mahiru’s hands. He didn’t wear gloves to ward off the cold yet he held onto his guitar bag’s strap rather than using his pockets. It was clear that the instrument was important to him. Mahiru mentioned that he needed to learn before January came and he wondered why. He didn’t voice the question though. “The music club is free and it’ll probably be more fun than me.”

“I can’t explain my reason well. Even if I did, you might think I’m strange and silly.” Mahiru told him and laughed at himself. He tilted his head back to gaze at the stars above them. “Simply put, I was able to hear your emotions when you played. I could never do something like that. There’s someone I want to communicate my feelings to but I can’t put it into words. Music can be a good alternative though.”

“Are you sure you were hearing my thoughts when I played the guitar? You might have a superpower that lets you read minds.” Kuro joked. He adjusted his guitar bag on his back and said, “I don’t know if I can teach you something complicated like musical expression and such. A professional with more experience can help you better than me. I don’t have a strong connection to my guitar. The only reason I joined the band was because my brother asked me for a favour. The band needed a guitarist.”

His words surprised Mahiru. During the rehearsal, Kuro seemed to enjoy playing. He had the guitar before the band was formed as well. He wasn’t the type to start a hobby if he thought it was troublesome. They only met recently so he couldn’t pry into his connection to music. Mahiru had his own complicated reasons he wanted to learn the guitar.

Silence stretched between them and Mahiru unconsciously began to hum to fill the silence between them. Kuro recognized the song as the one he sang when they first met. He had never heard the melody before and he was curious about the full song. Mahiru stopped humming to ask: “Can I watch your band practise again? It was fun watching you guys play.”

“I don’t mind and the others were excited to have an audience.” He shrugged. “We’ve only played for a few small venues so far. We formed about a month ago so our band is pretty unknown. It doesn’t even have a name yet. We haven’t been able to decide on one. You heard the long name Hyde used to introduce us. Well, the ideas Licht had were more outlandish. Oh, I just remembered. I should tell the Shrimp if you’re going to watch us practise again.”

“Shrimp? Do you mean your manager?” Mahiru asked and Kuro nodded. “Tetsu also called him ‘Shorty’. It’s not very polite to call him those nicknames when you’re younger than him. You two might be tall for high school students but you can’t call other people short.”

“Actually, our manager is in high school like us. Except, he goes to the same high school as Licht. Those two were the ones who started the band actually. Tetsu was recruited next and then Hyde begged them to be a part of the band. I was the last to join.” Kuro explained. He looked down at Mahiru and a light shone over him. He quickly took his hand and pulled him closer. “Watch out for that car.”

Mahiru had been focused on Kuro and he hadn’t noticed the car approaching them. He quickly tried to avoid the car but he stumbled in his rush. He managed to catch himself before he fell by placing his hands onto Kuro’s shoulders. The car passed yet Mahiru didn’t pull away immediately. He knew Kuro was tall but it became more apparent when they were standing so close.

“You should be careful of cars.” His words pulled Mahiru out of his musing. Kuro thought he felt him stiffen a little but he didn’t know why his comment would affect him.

“I can’t see behind me.” Mahiru saw his red eyes fill with concern and he didn’t want the moment to become awkward. He forced himself to smile and added: “Thanks for the rescue, Kuro. This is my apartment building so I should thank you for walking me home too. I had a great time with you today, Kuro. I’ll see you Monday at our usual spot?”

“Sure.” He nodded and his answer made Mahiru smile brightly. He waved to him one final time before he walked into the building. Kuro stood outside and wondered when his ‘napping spot’ on the staircase became ‘their spot’.

Most of the band had returned home but Tetsu stayed behind in the music shop. He worked part time in the store and he helped move the heavy instruments into the backroom for storage. The building was filled with the song of a cello and it relaxed him. Tetsu walked to the front desk where a student was playing the cello. “What song is that, Chibi?”

“I thought I told you to call me by my actual name instead of that nickname. Repeat after me: Misono.” He insisted. Misono fingers never paused over the strings as he chastised him for using the nickname. His brother owned the music shop and he had hired Tetsu recently. He wanted to be Tetsu’s friend so he asked him to join his band after he saw him play the drums.

“I recorded the band’s practise on my laptop. The audio’s rough but you should be able to give us notes on the performance. I’ll send it to you later tonight.” He told him. In reply, Misono merely nodded and continued to practise the cello. Tetsu didn’t mind because he loved to watch him play. The instrument was larger than him yet he had a commanding presence with it. Misono’s music was regal and refined. Their instruments and styles were different but Tetsu had immense respect for Misono.

“I talked to a photographer who will take promo shots of the band. His price is good too.” He had started the band with Licht but he took on the role of manager after the others joined. Misono felt disappointed that he couldn’t contribute his skill as a cellist. “The four of you have been practising the same few songs and you’ve perfected them already. Did anything happen at the rehearsal?”

“Kuro brought his friend to listen to us play. I think his name was Mahiru.”

Misono’s bow slid over the strings incorrectly and it created a harsh shriek. He dropped the bow and Tetsu bent down to pick it up for him. He was slightly confused by his reaction to the name and he wondered if they knew each other. Mahiru wore a different uniform from him so it was unlikely they knew each other from school. “Should we not have let him join?”

There was a moment of silence before Misono took the bow he held out to him. He started to play another song to give himself time to gather his thoughts. “Mahiru and I were childhood friends. After his mother died, he moved to live with his uncle and we lost touch. I know it was more than the distance that made us stop being friends. He broke contact with everyone because he wanted to avoid his memories from that night. Even at the age of seven, I understood that.”

“You must miss him.” Tetsu whispered. He could hear Misono’s feelings in his voice and the melancholy of his instrument. He didn’t know why his stomach turned with jealousy but he tried to push the moment aside. “Mahiru might come to our next practise. You can see him again.”

“I’m surprised that Mahiru came to hear that he came to listen to the band at all. Ever since the accident, music has been a complicated subject to him.” Misono remembered the last time they spoke. “He can’t listen to music without feeling sad. Music is everywhere though— When you enter the supermarket or watch a movie. That must be painful for him. He was my best friend and I want to help him move on. I started a band to help him.”

“You formed this band for him?” Tetsu knew that he started the band with Licht but he never told him the reason.

“It was actually Licht’s idea. I told him about Mahiru and he said he was an angel who needed to be saved. If he could hear something that reconnects him to music, he won’t be sad each time a song plays.” Misono pressed his fingers against the strings of his cello. “We started as a classical duet but a modern band would reach Mahiru easier. I wish I could do something to help him.”

“You’re an important part of this band, Misono.” Tetsu placed his hand over Misono’s. His hand was much smaller than him but they held a surprising strength. He only intended to encourage him but then their gaze met. “Mahiru is very important to you?”

“Well, he was my first friend.” He told him. Misono noticed how Tetsu turned away from him so he couldn’t see his expression. He realized that he must’ve misinterpreted his words and he quickly tried to correct him. “Mahiru and I are just friends and there’s nothing romantic between us. I didn’t have many friends outside of my family staff and that’s the reason he’s important to me.”

“I still don’t know how you’re not more popular. You’re smart and cute.” His straightforward compliment caused Misono to blush deeply. He didn’t know how he was able to say those things so casually.

“Hey, why are you holding my brother’s hand!” Mikuni suddenly came between them and shoved Tetsu away. “I should fire you for hitting on Misono. You’re lucky you still have to repay me for breaking that drum set or I would’ve kicked you out ages ago!”

“Dear Lord.” Misono sighed at his brother’s protective behaviour.

“Can’t Eisuke find someone else to take over his shift? This is very last minute. I’m already scheduled to work the nightshift too. Troublesome.” Kuro told his brother over the phone. He checked the time and said, “I’ll head to the station in a few minutes, Hyde. There’s someone I have to talk to first. I should be able to make it to work on time though.”

“I’ll take your shift tomorrow so you can sleep all day.” Hyde offered. They had a large family so they needed to work at an early age to provide for their younger siblings. They also worked part time as waiters to buy equipment for their band. He was grateful that Misono’s brother owned a music shop so they didn’t need to rent studio space to practise.

Hyde was waiting at the train station for him and Kuro knew how impatient he was. Yet, the conversation he had with Mahiru replayed in his mind. He said they would meet on Monday and he didn’t want to break the promise to him. Someone as stubborn and trusting as Mahiru would likely wait for hours. Kuro would feel guilty if he made Mahiru sit in the staircase alone.

He couldn’t stay long but he thought he should tell him that he had to work. Kuro reached the staircase and he used his shoulder to push the door open. He could easily picture him sitting on the steps with his blue Gibson guitar. His first greeting would likely be: ‘Please, teach me how to play the guitar.’

The staircase was empty when Kuro entered it.

“He’s not here.” He whispered to himself and his voice echoed up the stairs. Kuro wondered if Mahiru had decided to go to the music club like he had suggested. He thought he would be happy to have his napping spot back. Instead, he felt disappointed and he found himself climbing up the steps. He glanced out the large window to the schoolyard below.

“Are you talking about that guy you brought to our practise?” Hyde asked over the phone and pulled Kuro out of his thoughts. His brother knew him well so he didn’t respond to him. He couldn’t understand his own reaction to an empty staircase and he was afraid to give his own feelings a name. “Did you have a date with him? You can just text him to cancel.”

“We’re not dating, Hyde. I would barely call us friends. He only follows me around because he wants me to teach him how to play the guitar.” Kuro descended the stairs to leave. “I’m on my way to the station so save me a seat.”

“Why don’t you teach him? I think it’ll be good for you.” Kuro was surprised that Hyde would encourage him to give Mahiru lessons. He knew how busy they were with school, their band and working part time jobs. “Last Friday’s session, you were more energetic than usual. The only difference between that practise and our past ones is that Mahiru was there.”

“Are you sure? It felt the same to me.” Kuro tried to brush Hyde’s words aside but he had to admit that there was a hint of truth in them. He placed his hand on the door to leave but something caught his eyes and made him pause. His brother went on to say, “It has been a long time since I heard you play the guitar so earnestly. You used to play it every night. Now, it’s only with the band.”

He didn’t respond because his focus was on a note taped to the door. Kuro, I hope you find this letter. It’s me, Mahiru. I wanted to see you today but my friend, Mafuyu, asked me to join the soccer team with him at the last minute. I’ll see you tomorrow. Please, bring this note and circle an answer below. Will you teach me how to play? ‘Yes’ or ‘I’ll think about it’

The ending of the letter made him smile and he circled the latter answer. “I’ll think about it.”

“Why do I feel like you’re not listening to me?” Hyde asked through the phone. “Hurry up the station or we’ll both be late for work.”

Mahiru laid on his back and counted the tiles on the roof. His gaze would move from the roof to the large window and then end on the door. His guitar laid heavy on his chest and he absentmindedly plucked on a string. He waited on the staircase for Kuro and he hoped that he found his note on Monday. He enjoyed playing soccer with his friends but he needed to learn how to play the guitar quickly. Once January passed, he would lose his courage to hold the guitar.

A paper airplane entered his vision and he reached up to catch it with one hand. He kept a secure hold on his guitar so it wouldn’t slip off him as he moved. Mahiru noticed writing on the airplane and he sat up so he could unfold it. He recognized the message as his own and the sentence ‘I’ll think about it’ was circled. Mahiru glanced up to search for Kuro. Kuro walked down the steps and he settled himself onto the floor next to Mahiru.

“I’m glad that you got my letter. I was the one who asked you to meet me here but I had to cancel at the last minute. Makuyu can be spacey and I worry about him playing a sport. He might get hit by a ball while he’s distracted. At least he has Uenoyama now and he would never let anything happen to him.” Mahiru told him. He held up the note and asked, “Do you want to trade phone numbers? It’ll be a better way to keep in contact than using letters and paper airplanes.”

“Promise you won’t text me every few hours for guitar lessons?” Kuro joked dryly but he took out his phone to exchange numbers.

“I swear. Have you thought about my request?” He asked hopefully and Kuro almost agreed when he looked into his eyes.

“I’m still thinking it over.” Kuro reached over and tousled Mahiru’s brown hair as he would with his siblings. He was surprised by how soft his hair was and he languidly twirled a few locks around his fingers. A soft gasp escaped Mahiru and Kuro realized how close they were. He quickly moved away from him and sat back against the wall. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay, Kuro. My hair is messed up but I don’t think that’s anything to apologize over.” He brushed his hair back into place and his fingers lingered over the spot Kuro stroked his hair. He could still feel the warmth from Kuro’s hand. Mahiru was surprised by his touch yet it didn’t bother him. He couldn’t describe how the simple gesture affected him. The strings around his heart loosened and vibrated to a soft note.

Kuro stared at the ground and he hoped that he hadn’t made Mahiru uncomfortable. He turned his head slightly to see Mahiru’s ace and there was a faint blush on his cheeks. After a moment, Mahiru slid closer to him and leaned into him so their eyes met. “There’s something I want to show you, Kuro. It might convince you to teach me how to play the guitar.”

He wore a confident smile as he sat up and positioned himself to play the guitar. Mahiru pressed his fingers on the strings lightly and then he played a simple chord. The note travelled throughout the staircase. He strummed the same chord and said, “This is the chord that you played after you tuned the guitar the day we met. I learned it when I visited the music club at lunch. I thought I should give it a try at least. They also taught me the proper way to hold the guitar and a play a few other chords.”

“You have a good ear for music if you’re able to recreate that chord after only hearing it once.” Kuro was impressed that Mahiru managed to learn the basics over lunch. He thought of how he would ask him to teach him each day. The passion and determination he had likely helped him learn faster. “It’s good that you found someone to give you lessons.”

“Everyone in the club was kind and helpful.” Mahiru said yet he shook his head slowly. “I don’t think I’ll join though. Thinking simply, I had a lot more fun listening to you play with your band. I want to play like that. Will you teach me?”

Mahiru was a mystery to Kuro. He stared at the Gibson guitar he held and he thought of how strange it was. He told him that he borrowed it yet a guitarist would never give such an expensive instrument to a high school student. Kuro believed Mahiru but could sense that there was more behind the instrument. Behind Mahiru’s request, he could hear him cry for something different. He didn’t know what it could be though.

A part of Kuro questioned why he was thinking about Mahiru so deeply. He rarely became involved with others. When he didn’t answer, Mahiru’s hopeful smile faded into a frown. He stopped strumming and his humming replaced the music. Kuro recognized the song since Mahiru had hummed it twice before. “What’s that song you’re always humming? It sounds nice.”

“Was I humming?” His brown eyes widened and he appeared truly confused. Kuro realized that he must’ve hummed the song unconsciously. Mahiru hugged the guitar close against his chest and said, “There has been a song stuck in my head. It doesn’t have a title or lyrics yet. The only thing I can sing is the la-la-la version of it.”

Mahiru closed his eyes and allowed the melody to flow out of him. He sang softly and it made him feel lighter. His voice harmonized with the strings playing in Kuro’s heart and the atmosphere around them began to tremble. He was entranced by him and he watched him sing. The song was brief yet it affected him strongly. He could feel his heart racing in his chest.

“The song is simple, isn’t it?” Mahiru turned to see Kuro’s reaction. He couldn’t read the expression he had and he seemed to be stiff with shock. He slowly moved closer to him and said his name, “Kuro?”

“I…” He sounded a little breathless. Then, he reached out to take Mahiru’s hand. “Your voice is beautiful. Our band needs a vocalist. Will you join? I’ll teach you how to play the guitar in exchange.”

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